17th February 2017 - Abbey Hey 2 v 2 West Didsbury and Chorlton - The week had been long and busy, 2 football matches, a good cycle ride, 4 days at work, a visit to an art gallery and lots of the usual reviewing and chores as well as finalising an impending gig that had me salivating from the sonic jowls. The match tonight was eagerly anticipated and looked to be a rumble of two squads that would potentially bring out the best of all personnel involved. I pay several visits a year to the grounds of both sides so, as ever, am in the fortunate position of being an enthusiastic neutral, therefore all I can ask for is solid commitment and loads of goals (not a lot is it). So, with my position taken up in the usual spot, the clemency of this February night welcome, I witnessed a game of football that went something like this.
Thwack, and in the words of the resident of 221b Baker Street 'The game is afoot'. The opening burst of play was frenzied with midfield mayhem prevalent and the home side looking to use a long ball to cultivate an opportunity and the away side looking to worm a gap and seize the upper hand. West Didsbury seemed to be causing their opponents panic at the back with a hard pressing game and much industry from every man in the pack. However, the first chance came the way of the Hey when their No 9 slipped through and nearly latched onto the ball only to be thwarted at the last by the well spread netman. The WDC warriors went right back and responded with an attack that ended in a firm volley thrown goalward that just missed the upright and let the home birds off the hook. Hey continued to play the better football though and in truth they should have been 1 goal to the good when their No 7 ended up in space with the ball to bury but cracked it wide of the far post to the disappointment of himself and his comrades.
Amid much tussle the ball eventually began to spend a little more time the Abbey Hey box and following a simple ball, a header that was flicked on with hope and a swift cross, up stepped the visitors Nicolaus Evangelinos who tapped home to snatch that crucial early lead. Suddenly Hey were on the back peg, West Didsbury were born again and became sharper throughout with a greater cohesive unity. Credit where credit is due though, the chaps from Abbey Hey hung on, created glimpses of hope and if it wasn't for the focus and team effort of their guests they may have found a break and squared this hard fought match. In fact when Hey's No 11 fired a screamer towards the goal I thought success was imminent but the Diddles No 1 tipped over with alertness and kept things as per. Minutes later the Hey No 7 tried his luck, a good thump but off target. Hey were working darn hard now, a corner was won, a goal line clearance was had, a rattling return shot was blocked and WDC broke and won a contested free kick. A shot cum cross curved in, the netman's fingertips just did enough and the ball was flicked over the bar. What a great advert for non-league football. Action levels and indeed tempers rose and as the referee blew for half time perhaps it was just as well - a time for both teams to cool down and re-assess.
Double Decker time for me, what a great choccy bar!
And to the second half, a session of football that began with great effervescence and back and forth bustle with manic scrambling, half chances and frustration all moulded into one fascinating spectacle. For the neutral this was a cracking bout and when Abbey Hey broke with rapido desire, and their No 9 (Nico Collins) spurted in on weaving tootsies it was most welcome when he rippled the net with a smart finish and got the match back to a deserved equilibrium. This was the start of an incredible effort by the Abbey Hey crew and after a bit of showboating on the touchline by their No 3 (much to the chagrin and amusement of the WDC fans) the whole team seemed buoyed and ready to grab a second goal. They did just that seconds later with another fast break finished by Connor Martin that duly turned the game on its battered and bruised head.
The match was now plugged in to the mains, the electricity levels ascended with tasty tackles galore, gobby reactions aplenty and a superfluity of touchline uproar. Despite the static charge goal chances became a rare commodity, primarily due to the midfield energy that refused to let the ball be free. West Didsbury did have a close in shot fly wide as well as a couple of corners that met with hearty resistance and Abbey Hey always threatened to counterpunch but were met we equal stubbornness. Out of the mush came a free kick for the Hey brigade, a cross ball was laid back and a super shot came with the ball saved with sanguinity and nudged over. The corner produced sweet FA but an immediate follow up was swung in and a nut connected only to send the sphere against the crossbar - boy that was unfortunate! West Didsbury now threw the kitchen sink at the home team and when the ball was knocked toward the net the shout of goal went up and premature celebrations were had. The referee ran to his linesman, was it, wasn't it, did anyone bloody well know? Words exchanged and Hey's No 4 was called over. Red Card, no goal, penalty - what the hell happened there then? It was the 88th minute, up stepped Matty Kay, he picked his spot and oomph, found the net and drew his side level. A kick in the choppers for Abbey Hey but man, what a thriller this was. Hey dug in and kicked back, the ball went up and down and a volley was connected with - the winner surely - no - just off target. It was now a pile-driving finish. West had a late header - the goalkeeper lunged and saved and all of a sudden that, my old fascinated muckers, was that. A great match done, honours shared, perhaps harsh on Abbey Hey but the game lasts 90 minutes and is never done until the fat lady is hollering. Man of the Match today will go to the home team's No 5 (James Moore) who provided a good basis for his team to build around, put in a feisty stint and advanced forth when the chance arose with an eye always peeled for a steady pass.
FINAL THOUGHT - I came, I saw, I was delighted. Two well balanced teams put on a solid show tonight and emphasised what a good standard of football this is and that it is supreme value for money and at a realistic level for all. I have seen both teams several times this year and there is a lot to admire both on and off the pitch. All that is lacking is good fortune and a certain calmness in the face of adversity and both squads will progress further. If distractions are avoided, the head is down and driving then greater glories await and I for one won't begrudge any side the fruits of their labour. Onwards, sideways and hopefully upwards - most importantly though - enjoy every kick, every tackle, every darn footballing minute.
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