A Lightning Start at Ingfield

There is something special about Boxing Day football. The crisp air, the leftover excitement from Christmas, and the hope for a late present in the form of three points. This year, Ossett United certainly delivered that present, dismantling Matlock Town 3-0 in a performance that started at 100mph and never really slowed down.

However, for me personally, this match was a reminder that sometimes, just being there is the victory.

The 60-Second Shock

If you were late taking your seat or stuck in the queue for a pie, you missed the moment of the match. We hadn't even settled in before Rhys Thomas decided to light up Ingfield.

In under a minute—literally the first attack of the game—Thomas waltzed past the Matlock defence like they weren't even there. It was a solo run of pure confidence, finishing calmly past Dylan Wharton to make it 1-0 before most fans had even checked their watches. It was the kind of start you dream of, instantly settling any nerves and putting Matlock on the back foot immediately.

The rest of the game followed suit. Just as Matlock tried to regroup before the break, Jack Crook doubled the lead right on the stroke of half-time—a psychological blow that effectively killed the contest. Crook wasn’t done there, popping up again in the 75th minute to grab his second and secure a comprehensive 3-0 win.

A Different Perspective Behind the Lens

Usually, a 3-0 win with a 1st-minute goal is a photographer's dream. The celebrations, the shock on the opposition’s faces, the action shots—it’s all there for the taking.

But today was a bit different for me.

I’ve been dealing with some health issues recently, and to be honest, my focus just wasn't where it usually is. Photography requires a certain sharpness—tracking the ball, anticipating the run, tweaking the shutter speed in a split second. Today, that sharpness was a little blunted by how I was feeling.

I didn't come away with the gallery of crisp, high-quality action shots I usually strive for. I missed capturing the raw emotion of that first-minute goal perfectly, and a few of the action shots are a little softer than I’d like.

The Takeaway

In the past, I might have beaten myself up about the "missed shots." But looking back at the 3-0 scoreline, I realized that football isn't always about the perfect photo; it's about the shared experience.

I was there. I saw Rhys Thomas tear through the defense in seconds. I saw the team fight for a clean sheet. I felt the atmosphere at Ingfield. Even if my health meant the photos weren't award-winning this week, I still got to witness a fantastic Boxing Day win.

Sometimes, you have to forgive yourself for not being at 100% and just enjoy the moment for what it is.

Final Score: Ossett United 3 - 0 Matlock Town Man of the Match: Jack Crook (Two goals and a tireless shift!) Next Up: New Year's Day away at Emley. Hopefully, feeling a bit better and ready to go again.

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