11th November 2017 - Burscough FC 2 & 1 Maine Road - Up earlier than the Devil (we may catch him peeing on the Brambles), out into darkened depths and up to Ainsdale for a wildlife wander with some like-minded folks. It was a lovely do, a small list of species was compiled with a few rare fungi in the mix. I avoided getting sand in my undies, me and my good lady made our way to Victoria Park for a warming cuppa and a rest of the old boiled eggs. Firstly we nipped to a local pie shop - crikey what a dazzling treat. We headed into the ground, slurped tea, took up our positions and pondered. Both teams were struggling for form (and luck) this year and found themselves floundering in the bottom four. I catch up with these two sides quite regularly and have a soft spot for both. This was one of those matches, so early in the season, that could kick-start a run that would put relegation fears in the rear and get all heads zoned in on the task ahead of climbing further up the table. I wondered who would come out on top. Seats taken, we contemplated the cold and wrapped up warm, may the best team snatch all 3 points.
A super start from Burscough, No 2 (Daniel Brady) was released down the flank and worked like a wasp on whizz and somehow concluded his efforts with a cross. The ball flew up and fell to the pegs of No 11 (Peter Henerty) who volleyed home - the home heads were delighted, a veritable bonus boost to the days events. The Road came straight back with ardour, passing with pace, purpose and promise. Eventually a poke at goal was had, No 9 (Jack Coop) was thwarted at the last by a wide awake mittman. A corner followed, a break away came and No 10 (Terry Cummings) for the home team was through. The chance was begging, time was delayed, the punt came too late and no further strike was added. A hard-working period now ensued with the sticky pitch showing early winter wear and testing those pumping leg muscles. The green and whites came on, great flank work resulted in a ball in, No 7 (Adam Gilchrist) hesitated and when the trigger was pulled it was rushed and the spherical projectile whizzed over the bar. A break down the other end saw Coop chase and only be beaten to the ball by mere fractions as the mitter was alert and quick out of the blocks. A corner was given and the ball was belted in and cleared. The recipient was Road's No 10 (Connor Hughes), he sensed glory and struck - 1-1, the tension now rose.
Burscough were wounded, they now urged themselves on, Henerty turned on a mouse's member and fed No 9 (Chad Whyte), a quality block by Road's last man was needed and duly executed. Next and a deflected thwack from Road's No 11 (Jamie Roe) could have been problematical for the defending home 'erberts but it was gathered up, dealt with and hoofed clear. Road though collected, Coop let rip a rasper (was that his underpants I heard tearing at the seams), the ball rocketed forth and was...disappointingly just off the mark. A reaction came, Burscough thrusted and some real warped and wayward balls were witnessed. Suddenly, from the midst of mania a goalkeeping botch was committed and in nipped Burscough's Whyte to purloin a prize and make the scoreline 2-1 to the Green Army. This was good end to end stuff with both teams going at it like Jack Rabbit's on Viagra. The MR machine pushed higher, a cross, header and a save happened in the twitch of a nerve-riddled nadger, a free-kick that came was equally fleeting, the end touch just missing the inside of the post. The half came to a closure and me and my good lady nipped for some warming cha' - it may be cold in the stands but the action on the pitch was keeping us all aglow.
The tea went down like nectar, absolutely lovely it was and all thoughts of a Bacchanalian existence were put into the background as I pondered changing my name to Teabag Tommy and setting out on a pilgrimage to spread the word of the leaf. Alas, as I reached the bottom of the cup, the teams came out, my musings were put on the backburner - excuse me oh fellow PG Tippians and the like.
The second chunk of action began, The Road came out quickest, Burscough were sitting too deep and prone to getting themselves into hot water. A free-kick for the Road was taken by No 7 (Jack Langford) and was a real rectum ripper that needed the surgical gloves of the net doctor to stop any great injury to the score-sheet. A corner followed, Road's No 5 (Christopher Beatty) rose and nutted the ball to the top corner, the save that came was straight out of the knicker drawer of excellence - ooh me gussets. Another angled bonus boot in, the situation was rescued by some choice defensive work via The Linnets No 10 (Terry Cummings). A long ball followed, a rush of blood filled the Road's No 1, he sprinted from his line to quell danger, Burscough's Whyte was quicker. He grabbed the ball as the mittman went arse over tit, the shot was released, the side netting struck and blushes spared. What a let off, the game was still alive.
A few surprise subs were now made, parity was restored on the pitch and then Cummings for the hosts had a half chance but the ball just wouldn't settle for a positive belt. An effort did eventually come but it was wayward, albeit by only a few feet. Several more shots were rained in at the guests' goal, the netter produced a couple of decent saves, there was life in the old dog yet. Road called upon their reserves, great work from the sub saw a cross made which was picked up by Roe. The No 11 turned tightly, let off a shot, it went mightily close but not close enough to raise sweat on the keepers brow. The tension now was palpable, this was a big game, a bottom of the table clash that meant so much. A cross-cum-shot nearly dropped in the top corner of the net but was tidily tipped over. 2 punts came back in, nowt doing and as Road tried to build they were shockingly dissected by a delicious pass that saw Whyte and the keeper once more do battle - again the keeper won and saved with a sprawl, it didn't relieve the onslaught for long. Burscough gave one last heave-ho, the finish was energy laden and both squads should be applauded on the industry and attitude. The final whistle eventually came, Maine Road looked deflated, Burscough absolutely chuffed to get the 3 point prize. There were many good efforts on the pitch today but for me, Burscough's No 3 (Jamie Clarke) deserves the applause and gets the Man of the Match nod. An efficient, industrious, subtle and, at times, inspirational effort and just highlighting that if the head is down, the commitment is high one can produce the goods quietly but mightily effectively.
FINAL THOUGHT - I have seen Burscough play on many occasions this year and have been bewildered by the amount of times they have performed well and not gathered up a full-on victory - today was just deserts and hopefully a platform on which to build. Maine Road are local to me and are a team I also see quite regularly - they frustrate me no end, seem to put in some good stints and come away with sweet FA. To rise higher and avoid empty pockets at the end of a 90 minute tussle it is crucial that each and every ball must be chased to the death and even if a chance seems lost I feel it is important that it must be committed too. The teams at the top have some quick runners who never let up and that is a small difference that, paradoxically, makes such a big difference. The positions of these two teams are false, but if hard organisation and a 110% willingness to run oneself into the ground isn't achieved in all areas the position will end up ringing true - work hard, go at it like warriors, strike whilst the blood runs hot.
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