GOING WEST

6th September 2016 - West Didsbury and Chorlton 4 v 1 Runcorn Town - A wonderful balmy night for watching footy and after the routine cup of tea was purchased I relaxed at pitch side and watched the player's warm-up and go through the usual motions prior to the kick-off.

7.45pm came, the two teams set about the task ahead and during the opening session both parties beavered away like insects on amphetamines but produced little in the way of composure.  A few Runcorn players seemed immediately on a downer (which never helps the cause) and let minor frustrations get the better of them, with a couple of silly tantrums doing little for morale.  The WD crew were fizzing away and only after the opening goal did they truly settle although this was a night of fast, edgy play and one that desperately needed the odd settled touch, just like the left back for the home side provided, cool and collected stuff and never over-elaborate.  The first goal was followed up by a sugary strike that glided with power into the Runcorn net and from here on in West Didsbury had the upper hand until the half time whistle blew.  Talking of whistles...

My own whistle was wetted, a slurp and a scribble was had and I awaited the second half believing the match was closer than the 2-0 scoreline suggested.

The referee rattled his oral pea (sexy sod), the second half was underway and Runcorn came out with greater industry and attempted to grab the game by the gonads and squeeze out something approaching a positive result.  The temperaments flared, composure was a rare commodity and after all the bluster the away side created it was a travesty that they conceded another goal, albeit a mis-hit trickler that wormed into the bottom corner of the awaiting net.  Ah Mother Injustice thy be a cruel old mare!  Next highlight, and quote of the match came from the Runcorn No 2, whom, after seeing his side go 3-0 down and whilst waiting for the ball to be retrieved for a throw-in said to me 'Fuck, I am sick of this, I'm 34 you know, I reckon I'll become a goalie' ha, ha.  Best not mate, even though your side lost you had a decent game and worked up a good sweat.  Just enjoy and try your best dude.  Runcorn did pull a goal back (the best of the night) and well deserved it was both for the team and the player Craig Cairns who should be proud of the effort thrown in.  Alas though, the game was up, West Didsbury gained another notch after an undefendable cross was nutted home and the scoreline of 4-1 remained set in stone for all the home fans to gloat over. Oh nearly forgot, Man of the Match - No 3 for the home chaps, (Raymond Botchey) - as cool as the refrigerated cucumber and despite the name, a botch-free game.

FINAL THOUGHT - The scoreline was a liar tonight and the teams here are best likened to the aging bristols of Babs Windsor - at this stage they are closer together than what you think but further on down the line one will rise higher than the other and the gap in the cleavage will grow.  Having said this I reckon it will be a close call come season end but West Didsbury look well drilled and, at this point, seem to have more potential in the pap.