12th May 2018 - Linotype Cheadle Heath Nomads 0 v 0 Eagle Sports - The Eagles were swooping into town today, hoping to pick up a few sneaky points from the buttock end of the season where some teams ease up, others dig in and play to the Death and the odd one or two stagger to the end tape with withered testicles, sweating brows and that 'enough is enough' look in their eyes. The Linotype Lads will certainly be keeping their peckers up and looking to finish with a flourish and grab a fine runners-up spot, just deserts methinks for a strong campaign. The visitors have had a long haul and prior to kick-off were languishing in the lower depths, a position which, with a few late-on wins, could be seriously altered and given something of a respectable look. My Saturday morn was as per, catching up on many fronts and welcoming home my daughter for a weeks break from her Uni duties. Dinner and a natter and I left my lasses to pootle whilst I snuck in another Non-League Match - oh aye! Arriving early I had a sprawl and enjoyed a read (Somerset Maugham is a genius), slurped some tea (with bonus Custard Creams), acquired teamsheets and wagged the jaw with a few decent folk. For those of you following these reports you have my thanks, I am nearly done for the season, thanks for hanging in, I hope the scars heal soon.
The start to the match was brisk, Nomads probing with purpose, No 6 (Terence Butler) and No 11 (Steven Kirby) were particularly busy and keeping the guest team honest. From a moment of little note came a ball that allowed No 7 (Tom Cavanhager) to nip in and stick out a shank that resulted in a poor contact and the opportunity to grab an early goal lost. The hosts looked tetchy. They were on each others cases, never a good sign and creating pressure not needed. The Eagles swooped next, a ball in the box, a good lay off to No 10 (Edward Burthem) who struck fresh air rather than mesh. The guests remained undeterred by this miss and put together some simple passing moves that looked good on the eye but lacked significiant advancement. The Linotypes nearly cultivated a chance when No 10 (Rick Tindall) tried to force a gap. The defending was resolute, some good marshalling was had and the sniff at goal quelled. The Eagles had the next chance when a mix-up at the Nomads rear saw the mitter leave his line and the visiting No 7 (Ged McAllister) attempt a spectacular lob. The ball went high, stayed high and knocked out the satellite service for Ladyboys TV - many a good night was now ruined, I hope it doesn't affect dress sales at M&S - they need a boost! The hosts responded with some sweet play via Kirby who cut in well, unselfishly laid off for Cavanhager to have a crack. It was like a fatman's bowel movement after a Pot Noodle and Sherry bender - loose and wide, nasty!
A patchy period followed, No 9 (Josh Purcell) was nearly in for the visitors but the keeper blocked well. A brace of corners followed, both were too long, this game needed some quality deliveries - call the midwife or Postman Pat methinks! The bitty play continued, it was like the work of an autistic abstract artists on shrooms, what was going on! McAllister and No 2 (Stephen Robinson) combined for the birds of prey, the latter player swung and clattered, only a free kick was had from which little success was found. 2 balls through came, both for the Eagles, both identical with the second ending in a lob that only just dropped wide. This was an unsettled Nomadic side (true to their name in fact) and half-time needed to come to get the heads right and the team working as a unit. The Eagles grew in confidence as they sensed the disgruntlement and they nearly snuck in at the death but the home No 2 (Craig Coates) was alert and ready and made sure his side went in on level terms.
During the first half a bloke I know from watching Abbey Hey turned up and we had a wander and a good chat. Tea was had and a waffle with a few more bods and then a stroll back to the seats was taken. Things were still all to play for!
The Nomadic lads pushed with patience early on, No 3 (Adam Stuart) and Tindall worked well, they were part of a team reinvigorated with a new attitude and desire. A move saw Kirby put in a pearling ball that the visiting mittman duly made a meal of (chips, gravy, two puddings and a ball please). As the globe fell towards the gaping mesh a defender hoofed clear and from here the intensity rose and a few spiced tackles flew in this way and that! The Eagles were biding their time, looking to find a vulnerable spot and pounce, more like a Sparrowhawk laden with spite in fact! After a home free-kick the guests broke. The defenders backed off, McCallister was allowed to run and cross - the outside of the post was clobbered. It was a let off for the Linotypes, there were two attackers in space and waiting - if only...! A corner came at the other end, it was thumped low, knocked out and whacked back by No 12 (Ryan Murphy) - over! The Cheadle boys were on it now, the next attack saw Tindall battling, passing to Cavanhager who banged one against the bar. Grandison latched onto the rebound, a kick, a bounce and yet again...over! The Eagles flew back, the strike was swift, the end decision wrong - a familiar story indeed.
Still the scoresheet was goalless, we needed a moment of pure inspiration. No 8 (Ben Connelly) swivelled on the edge of the box and was duly floored. A free-kick went straight into the wall and the follow-up shot was off target - frustrations rose above the levels of safety and when the visitors dashed away and No 3 (Oliver Fleming) was upended in the box the penalty that came aged the Nomads bench by several years. McAllister took responsibility, he struck low in the corner with no disguise. The keeper's recognition levels were spot on, he dove, he stretched, he saved his side's skins. This was still anyone's but when a host ball was beautifully delivered and Tindall, the usually reliable marksman, was found only a couple of feet out only a fool would place a wager on an unruptured net. The fool would have been well rewarded as Tindall swung and blazed over with style, a truly scandalous miss. The Nomads were roused, they passed with pace but lacked a sanguinity when it mattered most - the game remained on a knife edge. The game went into the depths, No 16 (Liam Millen) was playing many positive balls and hoping to find that killer touch. It was the guests who had the next good move, Purcell turning, dashing and putting the ball across for McAllister. The wannabe assassin flew in, he stretched, his touch was weak - that could have been a real match winner. Before the final rattle of the ref's pea Grandison and Millen produced a fine long ball and hammered cross move that allowed Connelly to thump first time - the goalkeeper just stood and watch it fly past his upright! Eagles had one last free-kick, the ball in was decent, the subs head not forceful enough, some day's a goal will never ever be had, this was such a day - the referee blew - a point apiece was fair. Man of the Match today goes to the Cheadle No 2 (Craig Coates) who was steady, focused and made sure he wasn't distracted by the bickering and eternal frustration - it was a safe and tidy stint, get the lad a beer!
FINAL THOUGHT - So a blank, a void, a score free zone that could have been played over several hours and still ended up with the same state of play. These things happen, the ball can be a stubborn bugger and when in cahoots with circumstance will never end up were it should do and always remain a constant source of discombobulation. On another day we could have had a glut of goals but only if the players stayed calm and made sure the end pass was not rushed and done with crafted care. A point each will not make much difference to either side but it is better than a kick-up the arse and a defeat. Positives and negatives can be found in each and every match, I wonder how the managers will view this one. I strolled home far from disappointed, it was another decent jaunt out, how will next season treat these sides is anyone's guess but without goals the outcome may be easy to predict. Get your shooting boots on chaps, here's to the next one!
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