20th September 2017 - Cheadle Town 2 v 2 Chadderton FC - My 4th match in 5 days and one before I take a break and catch up on some other fronts. In fact the next match I will attend is a few weeks off so I will have to get a fresh batch of those renowned anti-withdrawal pills many folk sallow by the mittful during the summer months. After a day of work I was mentally sapped but I wanted to get in this match as, on paper, it looked like it could be a close encounter. Upon arrival I had a chat with the gatekeeper, wagged the jaw with a familiar face who was the father of the Cheadle mitter, a chap I had nattered too several times before whilst his son played in goal for Northwich Manchester Villa and Stockport Town. Crikey the lad's getting around a bit. Up to my usual spot and more mandible movement took place with a groundhopping gent who was a season ticket holder for Man City and Queen of the South - what a combo. We chatted about the night ahead and I gave a prediction of a 2-2 draw - it seemed my powers of prophecy were returning. The teams came out, again the ruddy rain soon followed, this is the state of affairs as seen through weary, but enthused, Fungalised eyes.
The opening patch was fairly level, free kicks came each way with equal wastage the result. A moment of slack defending by the home team allowed a Chaddy striker to weave forth and allow No 10 (Michael Moss) to unleash a strike. The keeper was down and palmed away to keep his teams slate unsoiled. The guests were already showing an ability to play a good passing game and only a shyness and lack of cut-throat execution was keeping this a goal-free affair. They came gain, a couple of blocks stopped the opening goal and throughout this opening batch several players were catching the peeper. No 7 (Craig Schumann), No 9 (Vincent Howell) and the aforementioned Moss, all looked problematical to the home rear guard and as time progressed I expected each to have some major influence on the result. Cheadle, as per, started to slowly warm to matters and when a midfield moment of indecision came via two Chadderton players the home team's No 9 (Michael Sherrington) nipped in, booted and set up a 'chase and see' situation. His pace was defining and his finish was calm under pressure with the ball staying low and finding the corner of the net. It wasn't the team I expected to score first but it set the game up quite nicely. Within fleeting seconds the Green Army were opening up their arsenal yet again with a chance to tap in thwarted at the last and then No 10 (Richard Whyatt) latching on to the loose ball and blasting...wide. It should have been the second goal that's for sure. Cheadle came again, a great cross, a shot in by Mike Sherrington, a nice save was had, the ball was loose, George Clarey punted wide. Next and No 4 (Liam Delaney) launched from range, it needed a good hand to guide it around the upright - good effort lad.
The pattern saw Cheadle push on and Chadderton looking to snatch at any luck-laden scraps. A morsel came, Schumann produced a good run down the flank and crossed with care. The ball ran across the box before No 11 (Luke Heron) came, paused, picked his spot and quite sweetly bagged the equaliser - a really well taken effort. This was what the game needed and now Chadderton grew in stature and sanguinity and started to string together some quite gratifying passing sequences that was a credit to all involved. Cheadle though insisted on breaking the flow, with Luke Hincks having a long range thwack that went soaring over the bar. A good game this with all still to play for. Chadderton came again, No 3 (Dale Minor) strode forth, he looked intent on letting one go which he duly did, it brought out a quality save from the reliable Danny Whiting. A corner came, the ball was bobbling and another shot was cracked in, it was met by another solid save. The closing moments followed, a Chadderton attack broke down at the last - and we were done.
An entertaining half was mulled over by myself and the aforementioned hopper who really knew his onions. My 2 -2 prediction was mentioned, I tried to claim I had made a £500 wager prior to the match but bullshitting has never been my forte - thank goodness. I chewed on a jelly snake and the teams re-appeared, more of the same please.
Back at it and Chadderton were away. A wriggle, a wiggle and a release, the power shot by Heron was duly blocked. The ball flew down the other end, a corner was won. The hoof put in was wonderfully accurate and had enough pace to cause a goalkeeping fumble, Luke Hincks was quick to react - 2 -1, a mugging for sure. Cheadle came yet again, chaos ensued in the guests' box, Mike Sherrington shot close in, the ball was spinning loose and fell at Clarey's feet - the block came, chance gone. A few tasty tackles now crept into the game, the rain kept falling, the referee was trying to keep things liquid on the pitch. A Cheadle blip at the back next nearly gifted their opponents an equaliser but the peril passed and moments later Howell decided to take a swing and was unfortunate to see his long distance punt bounce of the top of the bar. Cheadle's No 7 (Jake Ambrose) came next with a cracking run that saw him ride tackles and run free and eventually boot in a cross.
It was disappointing but still earned a corner which was actually worse than the original cross - bah. Chadderton reacted to the semi-warning that the game could soon be out of reach with a silky smooth move that saw No 8 (Aaron Holton) slink through and produce a quite exquisite finish - it was now 2 -2, a scoreline that was both fair and justified.
The final stretch and The Town came again via Ambrose who provided a quick pass and allowed Mike Sherrington to shoot and be foiled by the gloved guardian. Chaddy now came on, Cheadle were on the back foot, a free-kick for the travellers was won and whilst the home bods switched off the crack was taken and ended up only inches wide. Cheadle had an effort next via a dubious free-kick. Controversy would have reined supreme if this effort had gone in but the ball sailed into the murk and parity remained. Into the dying minutes Cheadle's Jones put one in from the right and after much goalmouth debating, hesitating and contemplating the ball was finally cleared. A last blast came from Chadderton, Cheadle's No 2 (James Dunn) just knocked an incoming cross behind his goal. The corner came with seconds to go, a point blank save by the home mittman was executed - he had earned his team a point for sure - your colleagues owe you a drink sir. The ref blew, I think all were happy with what they had witnessed and my Man of the Match must go to Chadderton's No 9 (Vincent Howell) who, played with ease, had a pace and eye that seemed on a different level and who supplied many fine passes and moves that just made Cheadle work that little bit harder - one to watch I reckon.
FINAL THOUGHT - The third match on the bounce for me tonight and the one with fewest goals but the one that was most entertaining. A fine draw from two contrasting units with Chadderton playing some lovely controlled football and doing so at a pace that will not be disturbed and aimed to run opponents into the ground. Cheadle Town rely on a hurry/scurry approach and hassle away with much gusto and duly create chances aplenty. Both styles made for an encounter that could have gone one way or the other and I hope I can make their next encounter and use my crystal ball to summon up a prediction. In fact I shall don a pair of Mystic Meg's old knickers and pilfer one of Russel Grants woolly jumpers for the next match and, along with a few magic mushrooms and a quart of QC sherry, a good greasing of the magic wand (ooh I shall enjoy that) reckon I can give all ye gambling peeps a tip to remember. Then again, I may be led to a quiet area by the authorities and told to stick to writing reports - watch this space.
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