Matters began with the Styal No 7 (Louis Garner) knocking forth a delicious pass out wide with No 11 (Jardel Depeiaza) on it, zooming in and cutting the ball neatly back. Unfortunately a defender read the situation, intercepted and cleared which led to No 7 (Steve Mulenda) hassling away, winning the ball and supplying No 9 (Mark Woods) who boomed over and nearly beheaded a passing Mistle Thrush - he should have done better. Mulenda had a dig himself next, the strike was sweet enough, the elevation though was excessive. Styal responded, Garner swept in another choice pass, No 9 (Joe Knight) swivelled in the box like a whizzed up entrant in a Twist Competition (ooh Chubby Checker and thy arthritic hips) and was duly tumbled. A spot kick was awarded, Knight shouldered the responsibility and slotted home with self-assured equanimity. 1 - 0 it was, a veritable added bonus to a good game for sure.
Styal started to dictate the pace but Golborne Sports dug in and battled like
an army of Dung Beetles over a choice turd. The guests eventually earned
a free-kick, the ball went into the box, No 10 (Niall Concannon) had a shot off
target. The goal-kick that ensued was shabby, No 11 (Craig Gladwin)
jumped at the mis-kick, slipped a pass to Woods who negotiated a marker and
hoofed the ball into the net - we were back to all square - nice!
Back at it and Styal came on strong. Knight played to Garner with a shot
squeezed out and a tidy save had. The guests from Golborne responded with
a couple of punts that were not too far off the mark and Knight and Garner
linking up yet again for the hosts with one shot neatly saved, another shot hit on the bobble and thwacked way over. Garner was put through again, chased down the ball and after weaving around the keeper found a gaping net to
ripple - the attempt from the angle was off target - a crucial miss methinks.
Knight had an audacious hoof next with a long range lob actually not that far off the mark. The game bounced back and forth, Woods tried a cheeky
free-kick next but the resident gloved guardian gathered with ease and then a
breakaway came, a corner won and tipped away and soon after No 6 (Matthew
Clarke) burst from the midfield pack, put in a close in shot that was saved by
the visiting No 1 (Dave Szostok). Styal began to up the ante when
suddenly a long goal-kick came against the flow, bounced in the box and caused
a defender to dilly and dally and allow Mulenda to slip in and grab the lead
for the traveling team. It was a bit of a shock but hey, there ya go,
shit happens, the question is what is the response going to be? The
final stages of the first half saw Styal work hard, Golborne earn their crust
and with a few moments of promise, a few mistimed kicks and much gusto we ended
on something of a high.
We stayed put for half-time, consumed the rest of the Flapjack and had a natter.
The break was brief, with no floodlights there was no time to fanny about (or
dick around if you require a politically correct balance).
Half two started with Styal springing from the traps like greyhounds with
gonads dipped in curry sauce. They were passing well and trying to
pressurise their opponents into a rash faux pas. Golborne remained
disciplined and worked up a good lather with No 8 (George Reid) a real pesky
customer. As the hosts pushed Garner had a choice shot sweetly tipped
over and then a sharply accurate corner was nutted on the line by the ever
hungry Clarke who saw the mittman grab at point blank range. No 12
(Zydane McCarthy-Brooks) had not been on the pitch long and provided the next
surge with some good link up play, a dash to the corner and a sugar-sweet low
cross. No 3 (Shackeel Depeiaza) was on it, paused, took a touch and poked
home to balance the books - what a decent match this was.
Onwards, Styal let fly with a few efforts, one wide, one botched by the goalie
which led to a corner that was struck too firmly. The hosts had their
tails up now, a lightning cross came from S. Depeiaza, Knight glanced the ball
with his bonse, the upright was quivered but no moment of orgasmic triumph was
had - how deflating! S. Depeiaza rushed forth once again and had one
wondering what the Hell he had shoved up his arse during the break. This
time the fiery player was denied at the last by a prostrate keeper - it was
still an eye-catching thrust. There remained very little in this
one but out of the blue Reid for the GS crew should have snatched the lead when
he had only the keeper to beat and pushed his shot stray of the mark - one
could almost see the air turn blue above the dug out as heads dropped in utter
disbelief.
A crappy period followed as urgency rose and tired legs became desperate.
Styal were the first to emerge with any threat, J. Depeiaza took down a goal-kick
with casual grace, set the wing on fire with a blur of legs and released a
white hot cross. Players lunged, the final touch was missed, now that
would have been some goal. A Styal sub had the next dig (sorry his name was
not on the teamsheet), he was a hefty bugger and walloped the ball with wildman
intent. In the way was the flame-haired crust of No 16 (Rob Langford),
the connection between globe and pate was shocking, how the Hell the defensive
bod wasn't decapitated is beyond me but thankfully, after a short recovery on
the deck, he rose to his feet and continued to contribute to his team’s
efforts.
Into the closing minutes, things became frantic, a cross ball
came for Styal, a dummy had and in slipped J. Depeiaza who had acres of space
and time to win this one. The advanced player closed in on goal, the
keeper slowly left his line, a shot came beneath the diving carcass - a quality
finish had been executed in cool style, the game had been won at the death,
Golborne Sports had one last free-kick to salvage a point, into the wall it
went and the final whistle rung out. A quite lovely game this with
quality and mistakes aplenty, an abundance of solid action and several
performances of note. Man of the Match goes to the fleet-footed No 11 of
Styal (Jardel Depeiaza) who dashed like a Sausage Dog with two Donglers,
worked the space well and was always keen to rattle forward and try and make a
moment of magic - it was a fine stint for sure. We wandered home happy
with a decent night out cheers peeps.
FINAL
THOUGHT - So, two teams at
the back end of the campaign and bringing much entertainment for the few folk
(about 24) who turned up and supported. The score reflected a game that was close throughout with the difference just the rub of the green and the
final touch of fortune falling to the home team. Golborne Sports are right
at the bottom of the league and tonight, looked like a team at the end of a
long campaign. They have some good workhorses in the mix, they have some
nice ideas but the main areas to work on are the running off the ball, tracking
back and the width they use when in possession. If these areas are worked
on over the summer I guarantee next season there will be great strides made -
it is all about incessant desire and stretching one's opponents this way and
that. Styal seem a unified side and have some very effective players
within their team. Some of the moves tonight were very fluent and
rehearsed, that final ball though and attacking support are the only weak areas
and with a bit of fine tuning a solid side will be there to be reckoned
with. The ground here is nice area, the guy who served us tea and
flapjack an amiable chap, I think it goes without saying we will be back and I
hope that many others will follow suit!
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