22nd August 2017 - West Didsbury & Chorlton 1 v 3 1874 Northwich - After last night's late finish I was hoping one of these teams could get the job done and progress into the next round of the cup and give me good time to get home and rest my tired carcass. The fungus season has snuck upon me, family life is as busy as per, work takes a huge chunk of time and I have a bundle of outstanding tasks that need my attention - oh bugger. Home from work, tea, moth trap checked and last night's match report tidied up, I got dressed and was dropped off at the ground by my two lasses who were going shopping instead of joining me at the ground - ooh the silly tinkers, if they miss a 10 goal classic I will not be held responsible but will accept the kick up the arris I may well get. Tea and chocolate was purchased and my position between the dug-outs was had where I indulged in a lengthy chat with WDC's Assistant Manager (Robert Madden) who was one helluva amiable and busy dude, doing a bit of this, that and 't'other to keep his beloved club...moving forward - can't fault it and as a word of encouragement - 'sod the moaning neighbours'.
To the match and the ball got rolling on the dot with an early free-kick for the visitors. Their No 11 (Taylor Kennerley) delivered well but the defending was stout and the ball was duly head-cracked over. The corner was chucked in and the ball fell loose upon which Kennerley again connected but was denied early triumph by a firm save. A shot came the other end after a throw in and then flick on that allowed Bailey to force a save from the early rising keeper. A breakaway counter came, a close in header was blocked on the line and WDC and all the army breathed a sigh of relief as a pure moment of peril was passed. This was a frenzied start to a crucial cup tie with both teams trying their hardest to string together a punishing sequence of passes that would undoubtedly find end glory. To be honest though, at a pace such as this they would be incredibly fortunate to cultivate such a passage of play. A balance was had, I discussed the game with my touchline neighbour who turned out to be Irlam FC's assistant manager who was doing a bit of observation on forthcoming opposition. A very nice chap who was highly knowledgeable and very committed to his cause without thought of prestige and financial gain, now that does appeal to my punky nature - good lad. Suddenly amid chit chat and on-field bustle 74's persistent No 11 went on another sortie forth. He scorched across the emerald substrate, blazed a deadly accurate cross and allowed Sam Hind to step up and execute the easiest of tap-ins. A well deserved goal if the truth be told but the WDC army are made of stern stuff and pushed back with perspired heave ho despite the guests always a danger on the break.
The game advanced, the Northwich lads were visibly communicating better, their movement up front was eye-catching and when all this was spiced up by the handful that is No 9 (Kyle Riley) one pondered what a hard nights work was ahead for the huffing and puffing hosts. In truth though, the black and white clad squad rallied well with one particular flourish seeing Evangelinos ripping 74's rear a new orifice, duly finding Steer who hurtled in a cross that resulted in a shot from Matty Kay who looped the ball and was as bewildered as the rest of us to see it graze the top of the bar. WDC came again, a fine cross beat all defenders, Evangelinos made contact and blazed over. Up the other end and that pesky No 11 was running riot and contributing to what was a hectic finish to the first 45. In the dying embers the phoenix that is No 10 (Samuel Hind) for 1874 was nearly through, he was thwarted at the last but the home team needed to take heed - this guy was a menace who may just get a real sniff of goal. The referee halted the mania, it was just as well - this was a fizzer.
A chinwag with the Irlam bod, a swill of pop and the teams seemed to appear in no time at all - let's bloody have it.
A mad-dash start, a couple of weak efforts came the guests way, the home team seemed to be getting a tad frustrated although I still felt this one could go any way. This feeling was reinforced further when Tom Bailey of the West shot through and brought out the best from the oppositions keeper who sprawled well and kept his team with their noses in front. Next and a corner for the Dids that led to a blazer for Hall after a goalkeeping blip that caused a minor uproar from certain sections of the crowd. The intensity rose, genuine chances became a rare commodity with the hosts having to walk a severe tightrope and make sure their opponents didn't deliver a suckerpunch and steal the end prize. The pressure applied by West Didsbury & Chorlton was convincing to say the least and the fruit of their labours' was plucked with consummate ease when a 74 error allowed Tom Bailey to slip through, round the keeper and tidily slide the ball home. The ref spoke to the liner, there was a minor debate and breath was held - no fear, the goal was good - game back on.
Desire now dictated and it was apparent the the Northwich players were on a lull that they needed to snap out of. The visitors were being outworked and out hustled but eventually got a foot back in the door with a few hopeful knocks into the hosts' box. The WDC lads pushed back and advanced but the ball was lost, a break had and a corner eventually won by the industrious 1874 'erberts. The corner was swung in, the home defense was dozing and at the back post Jake Parker enjoyed free territory and nutted home with ease. His comrades went wild, a shirt was raised, a mindless booking was given - but who cares, the lead was smashed and grabbed during a time when the opposition were brandishing the cosh. As if this wasn't a cruel blow to the belief of The West then moments later their No 3 (Richmond Botchey) did indeed commit a botch job with a tackle that was just mis-timed and earned him a red card. I thought it was a trifle harsh but there ya go, the hill facing WDC just got a whole lot steeper. The free-kick that came from this faux pas was swift and tupped against the underside of the bar, salt looked to be added to the gaping wound but the ball stayed out and hope was still in the air for the local community.
The last dregs now came, WDC displayed cracking spirit and kept this a highly competitive affair. Only a goon would count them out of this one. 1874 Northwich though are made of sterner stuff and flourished late on and in the very last minute a cross field dissection took place with a ball that found Adam Whitlock who latched on and cracked home the killer blow. The travelling support erupted, shouts of 'Wembley' filled the balmy night air and although the defiant home squad had one last chance that should have closed the gap the game was up with the man in the middle confirming matters seconds later. A good game this, some solid performances but for me, one of the smallest defenders in the league deserves the nod tonight, namely 1874's No 2 (Paul Connor). The amount of work this lad did, the amount of times he got his noggin on the ball and his quiet efficiency all deserve mention and so he gets a deserved nod and best wishes for all future efforts - fair play to you sir.
FINAL THOUGHT - The West Didsbury and Chorlton crew have something special going on here, both on and off the pitch and a big shout out needs to be had for all their efforts. Football wise they are a very capable outfit with one or two players shining bright and a few others just needing to find true form to make the team the complete package. I reckon in a few months we may have a force to be seriously reckoned with and one who may be pushing for a top 5 finish. 1874 Northwich were my tip to win the league this year, a tough ask but the team, like that withering and cranky cook Fanny Craddock, have all the ingredients to stir up a stink and turn the stomachs of many hopeful dabblers who have an eye on the pie of victory. The spice of pace, the sugar sweetness of skill and a reliable confidence within the crusts of all expose a team that will be too tough to swallow for many - the advice is - watch this space Johnnie.
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