It was American singer, actress and sometime fashion designer Vanessa Williams who sang, in 1992, of saving the best till last. It is Menston Rangers, in the spring of 2023, who are determined to perform the same feat as the 2022/23 football season draws towards its inevitable close.
Having hammered Burley on the lush St Mary’s surface in their last match, Menston had the task of taking on a triumphant Baildon, successful in their last 5 games, on the turgid terrain of Shaw Lane.
The opening 20 minutes saw an even contest, both sides playing good football but the Menston defence ensuring that Baildon could not get a shot on goal. Such tension was eventually broken when the ball fell to Machell in the Baildon box and he put it into the back of the net, registering his third goal in two matches.
From that point forward, the football played by Menston was at times breathtaking in its brilliance, at others sensational in its simplicity. Man of the match Jefferson was outstanding while Baildon old boys Lambertino and Cassere shone. Two further goals followed in the first half, both superb team goals, an assist by Texel stylishly put away by Holliday-Gomes and a dreamy pass from the latter finished by Lambertino.
The second half continued in a similar vein, Imran scoring a fourth for Menston in the opening minutes before tiredness towards the end allowed Baildon a consolation. In between those two events, Texel put in a great display between the posts that thoroughly deserved a clean sheet.
As days lengthen and thoughts turn to other pursuits, remaining fixtures will hopefully leave similar memories.