30th December 2016 - Maine Road 2 v 2 AFC Darwen - After 3 short days at work and the cretinous Christmas mania brushed aside it was good to end the week with a local match featuring 2 sides from the premiership. Upon arrival I purchased the usual cup of tea and Twix bar and headed out beneath the grimy grey skies and watched the brief warm-ups. I expected a decent do tonight although favour was swinging towards the home team who were higher in the league and capable of some sweet football. A chinwag with a Darwen fan, a chomp on the chocolate and the cha' slurped - it was then, kick-off time.
The start was pace injected with good hustling animation coming from the Darwen players that created the first shot of the match but a tidy save was made that allowed The Road to respond with a shot of their own and some sleeves rolled up grit. A shining example of this early steeliness came when the home side's No 7 fought like a dog in the middle of the park and won a seemingly lost ball which allowed one of his colleagues to shoot and force the keeper to save but fumble. From here Road began to hold good position and pushed forth with eye-catching movement and, in many respects, solidity. They duly won a free-kick, the cross was delivered and a noggin connected. The ball appeared to fly over but, to the amazement of myself and those around me, the sphere looped in and a goal was had for Stephen Mason. Darn these ruddy spectacles, or did the roof of the net have a hole in it? What a shocker!
A goal in the red Darwen now upped the tempo and attacked with desire and at one point did find the net after an initial save by the reliable Road netter was followed up and tapped home but, the linesman ruled offside and the home chaps could sigh with relief. The Road responded again, a 3 shot salvo saw 2 blocks and another fine save made then a tap in saw the keeper respond once more - sweet work by the man in the mitts. The home side continued to play well at the rear and build their attacks with thought whilst Darwen harried and forced the midfield area to become something of a melee. Again Maine Road found room to shoot, this time from a free-kick which opened the way for their No 8 to have a pop, once more the keeper did the business. A golden ball from the back was played next, this time by Road's No 2 who found his front man, only to see the said striker dawdle and lose the ball quite carelessly. Some excellent action ensued, end to end stuff with a superfluity of last gasp tackles, blocked shots and good old perspiration. Darwen were working their knackers off, Road continued to play from the rear - it was a fascinating affair for the neutral and after all the huff and puff the second goal was borne, this time from a simple goalkeeping kick, a pass and then a tap home, the home team were 2 goals up right on the stroke of half time, take a bow Matthew Wilson. From complexity to utter simplicity in the blinking of a disbelieving peeper - you can never tell with this game. Amazingly with only seconds to go before the break Darwen squeezed in a dazzling chance to pull one back but Road held firm and took that 2 goal cushion into the dressing room.
A wander and a piddle and back out for half two. No more tea today, I am all slurped out of late (in a non-sexual way ya dirty minded devils).
Back to it and Darwen started brightest in this second period with an early tester by the ever industrious No 11. The home bods returned the pressure but were met with good resistance and as Darwen pushed forth a goal looked more than a trifle imminent. However, a net rippler did nearly come, but at the opposite end of the pitch, when a cutting ball was collared and the shot by No 7 looked set to cement the victory but unfortunately just trickled wide. Darwen gasped, lived to fight again and although their main flaw was the penultimate ball they were still keeping within touching distance of their opponents. The lads in red pulsed, corners came, a shot eventually chanced. It was immediately blocked but a return effort was blazed with interest and Darwen were suddenly on the scoresheet, courtesy of a gem from one Declan Cunliffe. Within minutes, and before the away fans todgers had deflated, another goal was thumped in, a real beauty and this time the aforementioned No 11 (Conor Gaul) took the cheers. A curling cracker and the flares were lit, the supporters became buoyant and we were suddenly all square.
Both teams now worked with frantic legs, the pace was admirable with two battalions looking to work an opening. Road had a superb chance to clinch it when a cross found the no 11 a few yards out but the shot hit the outside of the post and we stayed as we were. A penalty shout by Road followed, some seemed convinced but the call of 'no pen' by the ref was spot on as contact seemed minimal. Again the home side came, the post was struck again and the ball spun on the line awaiting that last fatal touc...but the goalkeeper was there again. A lull followed and the last thrust occurred. It was the boys in blue once more with two crosses coming in, the first easily dealt with but the second connected with and nodded goalward - and yet another top save. This was surely the final action. A bit more hustle and muscle and then that was it - a 2 -2 draw with either side deserved of more but thankfully not being insulted with anything less. Man of the Match, easy - the AFC Darwen guardian of the net (Ben Proctor) for numerous saves, constant alertness and a keen urging of his outfield players. On another night with another keeper Maine Road could have been easy winners. Good hands squire, good ruddy hands.
FINAL THOUGHT - For me this was a late Christmas present and proves beyond doubt that the best value in football is always found in the non-league pit. These 2 sides worked darn hard tonight and put on a grand performance for all to see. Of course it isn't as polished as the top notched stuff but it also isn't polluted with inflated egos and that corrupting coin that addles so many good things. These 2 teams should be OK in this league although Darwen will have to keep working hard to beat that soul-destroying drop. I will catch up with these 2 sides again soon and wish them all the best in the interim. God bless non-league football!
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