6th May 2017 - Litherland Remyca FC 1 v 0 Sandbach Utd - I thought I had done with the football season this year but the play-off's caught my eye and 2 tasty affairs looked to be on the cards. The toss of a coin and a match was chosen. After a morn of chores myself and my good lady headed down to the Litherland Sports Park in Liverpool with time very much on our side. We parked up, I had a read (The Unholy Crusdade' by Dennis Wheatley) whilst my missus had a cat-nap and then we entered the ground in conditions best describe as 'crap'. Dull, dreary and cold (a bit like the inside of Theresa May's knickers so I hear) and a far cry from the previous weeks lashings of solar warmth and feelgood brightness. Tea and a snack and our seats were taken, hopeful of a good match and that rectal hypothermia didn't take hold - by heck what a bracing climate. A chat with 2 friendly bods from Charnock Richard warmed the cockles and as a few punters began to pile in many salivating jowls of anticipation flowed freely. Here is my take on a very important fixture that was a ruddy crippler to call.
The start was quiet and tentative with the Remyca lads having the first real chance when the crust of their No 9 (Colin McDonald) flicked on the ball to a pacey No 10 (Alex Ryan) who shot, hit the inside of the post and watched in disbelief as the globe bounced back across the face of the goal with no takers available. What a chance! A tasty tackle was the next talking point as Litherland's No 2 (Lee McConchie) got an early booking which one hoped wouldn't be costly later on. The free kick that came was harmless and hoofed straight out of play - disappointing to say the least. Both defensive units now began to stifle any further attacks and looked very organised indeed. Remyca seemed to have the slight upper hand and when, out of nowhere, McDonald was clobbered in the box, a penalty was given and up stepped Ryan to convert and give that precious early breakthrough.
More balanced play ensued, Remyca came close again when McDonald attempted to lob the keeper and was mightily unfortunate to see the ball just miss the target. Sandbach tried to push further up field but were kept at bay by a sturdy rear guard. Excitement remained low, the highlight was a wandering dog walker roaming around the pitchside in a state of cerebral oblivion - I hope he had a few doggy bags handy. Things dwindled until Litherland won a free kick and the persistent menace No 6 (Stephen Ferrigan) was found and put the ball in the back of the net. The goal looked good but the linesman waved his flag and, somewhat controversially, it was a case of no goal. Who knows why is beyond me! As the half wound down the hosts came again and put in another free punt that was untidily dealt with but lead to a Sandbach counterattack. It was a 4 on 2 situation and if it wasn't for a cracking last gasp tackle from Litherland's No 5 (Stephen King) the game could have been all square. A final free-kick from the visitors ended the half on a duff note and it must be noted that this wasn't a classic encounter. The ref blew and me and my good lady shared a Twirl and a cuppa.
The second half began with Sandbach showing a bit more friskiness and urgency but with the LR lads as stubborn and resistant as per. Trying to remove the stains from a pair of vagabond's underpants would have been easier than trying to get through Litherland's defence, but Sandbach kept on plugging away. They had a chance to re-ignite the game's touchpaper when their No 3 (Jamie Morgan) created a spark and let loose a neat shot that needed the home goalie to parry away. Next, and Litherland broke fast but the end result was nothing more than a ballooned shot but soon after the home birds came again with McDonald in the thick of it which led to a chance for his colleague (Michael Boyle) to shoot and make the keeper save low to his left. The impetus began to rise, Sandbach were looking to force the issue, Remyca were happy to sit back and look for a quick attack. On the 76th minute Sandbach had a glorious effort via their No 10 (Ryan Alcock) who cracked in a sugar sweet volley only to hit the outside of the far post, a great shot and unlucky to miss the net. Litherland though still held threat despite Sandbach probing ever deeper. Late efforts by the visitors were quelled by a solid back unit and even when a brace of shots flew through, their yellow clad man between the sticks stood firm and blocked with ease. The 90 minutes were up and 6 minutes of injury time were added. I expected a late bout of gung-ho from the Cheshire crew but they seemed almost all out of gas and I thought when the referee finalised proceedings the result was the correct one. Man of the Match could have gone to any of the Litherland Remyca lads as they all put in a bloody good stint but I shall opt for their No 8 (Sam Wilkie) who combined good skill, awareness and just 'balls-out' desire to always give his team a fighting chance. Like I say I could have picked one of many from the team but this guy did mightily well and certainly caught my roving peeper.
FINAL THOUGHT - Love em' or loathe em' the play-offs are a fascinating final treat for all lovers of the glorious game. Sandbach have been hit for six this week, losing a cup final and now beaten in this semi-final affair. They should take heart though and remind themselves what a bloody good effort they have put in this season and how much they have to build on for next year - surely a force to be reckoned with. Litherland Remyca have gone about their business quietly and effectively and got this far on nothing less than concrete teamwork and a deep understanding of the team game. They will now meet local rivals the City of Liverpool in the final in what promises to be a really close contest. Place a wager at your peril or toss a coin and take a punt. I wish both teams all the best and reckon it could end up coming all down down to penalties - cripes, can you take it?
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