7th August 2018 - Cheadle Town 1 v 4 New Mills - I am shagged out at the mo, tis that time of year when I have run myself ragged chasing wildlife, recording what I see and having the fungus season hanging just around the corner. I have a few gigs lined up, exposing the usual DIY dogs and the CD reviews never end - phew. The football season is upon us, this is my 3rd match, a local dabbling featuring 2 teams I have seen many times. I have many grounds on the doorstep, it is good to nip in and support when I can, sometimes it is frustrating that I can' t be everywhere but there ya go - cloning is a long way off and is the world ready for a Fungalpunk army - they say one is enough (rotten bastards). So a day off work and used to tackle many things, time taken to finish my latest book 'The Great Gatsby' was crucial and several chores advanced a little further and avoided having my eye blacked by my good lady (I doth jest). Tea was chomped, the ground arrived at, many familiar faces were in attendance and company enjoyed. My pen was at the ready, the players came out - by heck, I best crack on.
The start to this one was wide open with a noticeable slackness and lack of uniformity apparent all over the pitch. No 7 (Remeece Brown) for the Town was the first to take advantage of the gaping opportunities but the shot was rushed, the ball duly dragged wide of the mark. No sooner had I scribbled my notes than No 9 (Rhys Webb) was weaving forth and pot-shotting but the guest keeper (Michael Street) blocked well and quelled an early breakthrough. The Millers were now under a well-brandished cosh but broke from the pressure and produced a neat bit of wing work that led to a cross and 'bang', No 2 (Jack Beswick) pounced like a magpie on a squashed squirrel, 0 - 1 - the flow had been defied. The visitors now perked up and No 9 (Aaron Dwyer) had 2 quick efforts, a lob and a drive, none of which were testing for the home mittman but which maintained a rising impetus. The good work was there to be built upon but a hopeful ball tossed forth by the Town saw the Millers keeper ponder, dawdle and duly cock-up. Webb caused consternation, pilfered on the line and slotted home - a faux pas by the man between the sticks, we were all level again. At this point I was accosted by a modern day Nostradamus, I was given an insight into how the season will pan out, it is a long story but if you stay tuned to the reports this season the prophet will be held aloft for his glorious insight or duly named and shamed for his misguided predicting mania - watch this space folks!
The game continued, a clobbering for the home No 1 (Daniel Whiting) led to a booking as New Mills looked to reassert their authority. The game was still reckless, both teams playing with untamed abandon and no doubt causing cerebral mystification of any defensive connoisseurs in the crowd. Brown for Cheadle went on a mission, rode several challenges, laid off to Webb who duly won a corner. The ball came in, a handball claim was hopeful, turned down and New Mills broke but were halted in their tracks by a scrambling rear pack. No 11 (Ruben Abreu) for The Town had the next chance, the keeper's hand was strong and from here a quiet spell came with general organisation still lacking. The Millers were looking the tighter unit though with No 7 (Ben Brooks) and Dwyer obvious release valves. A few chances came the visitors way late on but were nothing to write home about, instead I sent a death threat to my parents just for the hell of it (gotta keep life colourful don't ya know). The referee ended the fiasco, half time talks were needed, ping pong football ain't no good for the arthritic neck that's for sure!
I stayed put for half-time and nattered to the Stockport Town secretary about the ins and outs of this grimy but glorious game - thoroughly enjoyed it was too.
The teams came out for half two, the initial play was compelling and exhibited a rollicking desire. Dwyer was through on a brace of occasions but the 2 shots executed were too casual and highly disappointing. A scuffle came soon after, a talking to sufficed, Cheadle attacked, a ball in was palmed out, a poke close in was saved, the crazy football was rearing its head once more. As Cheadle found a spring in their step The Millers broke with Dwyer at the forefront of matters and wasting no time in using his sharp thinking and cool brow to cultivate a shot that found the back of the net - a decent strike indeed and just what was needed to heighten the levels on intrigue. From here the mania persisted, The NM lads were shading the level of quality and providing the better chances for the next strike. As the minutes ticked, Cheadle forced their opponents into deeper territory but there was always the threat of a counter strike, something the home heads needed to be very wary of. No sooner had my thoughts passed from cranium to paper than a break came. A throw in, a shot, a save and a follow up - No 8 (Carlos Meakin) was the beneficiary from a tame keeping palm and cracked home with general ease.
The game, as a contest, was now done. We went into the stretch for home expecting a New Mills win and as they still showed good hunger they also looked to contain matters and see the game to its rightful conclusion. A dry patch followed, Abreu for Cheadle had a blast over and then, from seemingly no apparent danger, No 4 (Aaron Kirk) for New Mills found himself with the ball 35 yards from goal and had a 'fuck it and see' moment. He swung the shank, the ball was propelled forth with sizzling intent, the goalkeeper stretched but saw the projectile fly by with pace and duly punish the awaiting mesh work. A ruddy fine strike, the icing on the lopsided cake and even a bout of late pushing from the hosts could only produce a volley wide from Webb. In return No 10 (Jordan Milne) leathered one for The Millers but was wayward and soon after, that was that. Man of the Match goes to No 10 (Jordan Milne) of New Mills for a hard working and subtle performance that kept his team ticking over in the right direction and competitive throughout - it was a shift done quietly but effectively. I appreciate that. Farewells were had, I buggered off home, what a funny game it had been!
FINAL THOUGHT - This game was a capricious affair guided by the hand of old Mother Wayward who insisted caution was thrown to the wind and a certain carefree venture was indulged in. Both teams (despite the convincing victory for the visitors) need to tighten a few nuts and bolts and make sure they are well drilled in what they do before they hit the hallowed turf again. The ball went back and forth quicker than the pendulous knackers of Eddie Large and at times the defensive cohesion was about as effective as Sid Little in an arm wrestling competition. I enjoyed matters nonetheless, I come, go and just want to see a game - tis great to be a neutral and just take the game for what it is and support oodles of sides rather than just one. Where these teams will end up is anyone's guess, one has ideas, one is looking to remain consistent, on this evidence a gambling man would do well to keep his coins next to his conkers. I contacted the aforementioned visionary after the match to see if he could shed any light on matters. He asked me to pop around his place and look upon his crystal ball - the dirty bugger, I know that operation down below had effected his mind!
No comments:
Post a Comment