17th November 2018 - Nelson FC 1 v 0 Atherton Laburnum Rovers - The morn was spent with 2 lovely folk (applause for Wattie and Lisa) from the musical mire. We met up, had a chat and a cuppa and then wandered around Lomeshaye Marsh NR looking at a few fungi and enjoying the sun. Back to base and we were treated to fine company, veggie sausage butties and tea and cake, and all facing the Nelson FC football ground. After a good chinwag and with 30 minutes before kick-off we said our farewells and headed out, paid our dues and met up with an old punk make and his grand wife (take a bow Gassy and Angela) and indulged in more mandible movement before taking up our viewing spots. The weather was still holding up, the pitch looked decent we had two struggling sides on our hands so this could be a battle of wills and rugged grit. The teams soon came out, there was no time to mess about, here we go again folks!
No sooner had the whistle been blown than Atherton blew forth, put together a 3 pass move that ended with a blunt strike to say the least. Nelson used this early assault as a catalyst and came back with a long ball that saw No 10 (Gareth Hill) advance. The visiting keeper left his line with gusto but mistimed his grab for the ball and clattered the forward prowler - the referee awarded a yellow card and a free-kick. The ball came in from the edge of the box and saw confusion reign with No 5 (Daniel Fagan) nipping in, picking a pocket of space or two and scooping the ball home - game on! From here the hosts pushed hard, ALR scrambled to stay competitive, the game became a balanced affair but the onus was on the guests to get back into this and earn their crusts. A couple of timid efforts were offered up and some quite sanguine build-up play held great promise with No 7 (Lewis Coleman) particularly busy bee in a pack working hard but producing little honey. Suddenly some Nelson confusion was forced with a defender and keeper mis-communicating and an Atherton corner won. The angled punt was over-hit but ALR continued to keep up the momentum and appeared to be shading matters. Nelson however earned the next crack on goal when No 11 (Jake Townsend) displayed quick feet, released to No 9 (William Harris) who turned quicker that tit-milk left in the sun and put in a good low shot. The keeper got down quick and saved well.
There was still little in this when No 10 (Callum Jackson) for The Rovers battled like a dog in a boneyard and won a free-kick from absolutely nothing. No 6 (Bradley Aspinall) popped up and sent in a bender - over the bar it went but hey, it wasn't far off and gave cause for optimism. The Admirals responded in kind, their bonus ball in came close to being knocked home but the visitors rode their luck, soon earned a breakaway but were denied further fortune by a dubious wave of the flag for offside - you can't win em' all chaps. Nelson came again, a streaking wing move saw a low cross get touched homeward only to be blocked at the last - another goal would certainly move this game onto the next level but where, if at all, would it come from. The last few minutes saw Townsend for Nelson have a superb chance to grab the crucial strike, the ball was boomed and flew over - in truth if it would have hit the zone it would have been a trifle cruel for the travellers and when the half-time whistle blew I thought the scoreline was fair enough.
Tea and more gas-bagging, the 15 minutes went mighty quick and when we headed back out the temperature had dropped quicker than the conkers of Adrian Mole aged 15 and 2/5ths with a copy of Buggered Buttocks Internationale in his oily mitts!
Positions taken, Atherton were out with hunger, 2 shots blocked, one on the line, the game was now there to be had, the question was - who wanted it most! 2 corners came for the home blues, the first was somehow scrambled clear, the second came after some stunning graft from their No 2 (Ashley Brierley) but again no further glory was had. The Rovers dug in and tried to force the issue, the problem was that No 6 (Alexander Grice) and No 3 (Jack Corcoran) were having outstanding games for Nelson and shutting any doorways to the final strike zone. Eventually Nelson started to dominate matters as Atherton stood off and allowed their opponents to play doctor with lots of prodding and poking taking place. A full examination of Atherton's guts and resilience was taking place, I was just wondering how long it would be before the underpants of resistance were whipped down and the rear end would be fully stretched (ooh me prostate gland). A few half chances came at both ends, it was nothing to get the pen plastering the paper with ink but the game was still an intriguing affair.
A period of slack passing came, Nelson were the initial beneficiaries with a cross had and No 4 (Kenneth Taylor) connecting well on the volley but failing to stop the elevation of the globe. We entered the back end of matters (see, I knew the doctor would end up getting his hands mucky), ALR pushed, all they needed was a touch of extra strength and urgency. The guests strove on, the hosts absorbed, a Nelson corner was against the impetus, it was swung in with pace and accuracy but Hill could only nut over and fail to sign, seal and deliver the full 3 point package for his battling side. The final moments brought much gusto, Brierley for Nelson added a fine moment with a sizzling sprint down the flank, a Colditz escape from the corner, a dash inwards and a shot that needed a firm hand to keep out. It would have been the perfect way to confirm the victory but, only a few minutes later, the referee halted matters and the full prize was had anyway. This had been a hard contested game and Man of the Match goes to the outstanding Nelson No 6 (Alexander Grice) who was a controlled and immovable force at the back and who played with an unflustered attitude and let his football do the talking. I am always appreciative of those who get the job done quietly and with authority - cracking stuff. So farewells were had, we headed home chilled but happy with another fine jaunt within the network of the North West Counties League.
FINAL THOUGHT - Atherton Laburnum Rovers are bottom of the heap, they are now 7 points adrift and struggling to get the season going - this is a real shame. Today I saw evidence of how this has happened but a few rays of hope too so all is not lost. The problem seems to be the firepower up front and the lack of options when higher up the pitch, something that happened time and time again and needs remedying with a certain gung ho spirit and a focused belief. The players have the potential, it is just finding the inner faith to go for it, play with expression and flood forth when the chance arises. I thought their No 10 (Callum Jackson) and their No 11 (Nathan Strong) got stuck in well early on and set an example that wasn't followed through. It is easy to comment from the touchline though and when fortune is spluttering and confidence down, turning the corner can be a bastard of a task - I still think it can be done. Nelson FC are not a bad outfit and perhaps 16th position in the table is a trifle harsh judging on today's effort. Again it is the killer instinct and sharp-shooting feet that need working on as this one should have been killed of during the first 45 minutes and certainly late on in the second half. A few tweaks and some focused practice and the mid-table beckons but, the season is galloping on and no time is to be wasted if progress is to be had. Several players today were outstanding though and indicated a core to consider and cultivate for a successful season - let us see what the pre-Christmas run in brings and here's to the next visit to The Victoria Ground to see what footballing escapades transpire!
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