After unloading the Christmas Dinner via the throbbing fundament (sorry love) the lasses headed into town to sort some paper-based stuff and I had a stretch, caught up with some computer work and headed out beneath almost transparent azure skies. I arrived at the ground in good time, partook of a brew and chatted with a couple of friends. There was a slight pinch in the climate, I wished I would have clenched earlier in the day and held onto that Christmas meal a little longer.
With the clock touching the 3pm mark I watched the players stride out and had my fingers crossed for a goal laden classic, what I got was...
... immediate action via an early free-kick for The Town. The ball was played with middling height, a flick on ensued but the danger passed without raising the blood pressure of any delicate onlooker. The hosts continued to press but the Nomads remained unmoved and had a sortie forth, won a corner that saw the home defence stand firm. After much ado about bugger all the short travelling team burst forth via the hard-working No 9 (Adama Sidibeh). The upright was clattered, the globe went loose and No 10 (Daniel Byrnes) accepted the late Christmas present and hoofed home. A perfect start for a side very much in need of the points.
The Town were reeling, the response came in the form of a corner which was easily dealt with. Within the thrutch of a hummingbird's arse crack the guests were away again, Sidibeh finding himself with only the keeper to beat but being guilty of a wild shot that whizzed wide and into the filthy mizzle. What a chance that was! The hosts hit back with a 3 pass move and a quick dig at goal via No 3 (Jack McConnell) that saw the Nomad No 1 (Morgan Piper) drop on the ball with eager anticipation.
A freekick was the next noteworthy point. No 9 (Patrick Davin) for the home lads was on it and struck low and firm hoping to catch all unawares. The ball travelled with pace, pinged off the inside of the upright and somehow ended up in the arms of the much relieved keeper - Lady Luck was shining on the visitors that was for sure. Another free-kick came the same way moments later, No 11 (Jordan Lazenbury) produced a great strike that walloped the underside of the bar and allowed No 4 (Kyle Mc Gonigle) to dash in and bury to get matters back to all square.
From here the home team piled on some good pressure but a lack of sharpness at the apex brought little reward. The closest they came was when a cross was flicked on by No 7 (Kaleb Parkinson) and a defender needed to clear on his line, Lazenbury had a pop shy of the mark and Parkinson dashed forth with focus and skill but the corner earned was wasted and all and sundry returned to their usual positions.
From this point up to the break The Nomads indulged in a mini renaissance with Sidibeh setting a fine battling and never-say-die example. Steam rose, legs pumped and both teams battled like Jack Russells over a spare sausage - alas no further breakthroughs were had.
A chinwag with John D was had during the break and I was horrified to hear that he had sold his prosthetic limb company and invested in a Tin Mine in Workington. The good news though was that he was selling off a few products cheap so I invested in a couple of rubber appendages purely for research reasons - the fact that they looked like men's donglers is neither here nor there.
And so after a quick nip for an gypsies kiss, a tuck up and a swill of pop I made sure my recent purchases were put safe in my bag and watched the second half unfold.
The second period began with an early Town gratis hoofing. It was shite but another one seconds later was earned after Parkinson seemed to dupe the referee into believing a serious foul had taken place. Davin posted, No 4 darted in but no contact was made and the mittman collected without fuss. The hosts came again, a choice ball found the energetic Parkinson who gathered well, entered the box, pulled the trigger and watched the globe fly wide of the target zone. Once more Cheadle Town came, No 10 (Thomas Murray) let go a fine strike that forced the keeper to produce a quality save. A corner followed, a handball shout fractured the bracing air, the referee was utterly disinterested.
From here the Nomads responded with a glancing header wide and then No 2 (Robel Kesete) battling away like a bastard on heat and forcing the ball to go loose allowing No 11 (Reuben Dass) to duly bury - 1 - 2 and a shock was on the cards.
Within a twinkling of a youthful eye Dass was away again, wasted no time in putting laces through the ball only to see the end result marked down as a 'near miss'. The Town were looking below par, The Nomads were seen to be growing in belief. Another guest attack came, Dass played to No 4 (Jack Warren), the result yet another close shave but no end triumph. The Town somehow dug out a chance, Murray was the apical component and sent forth a fair pop that once more clattered the framework.
A drab period followed, McConnell for the home team had a crack off-line and then a substitute darted away, crossed the ball onto the glabrous belfry of Davin who directed goalward. The one-handed save that came was straight out of the top drawer, it was a veritable highlight of a compelling game. Davin was involved soon after when he sent the ball to Lazenbury who attempted an audacious overhead that lacked power and no doubt resulted in a twanged gonad and a knotted vas deferens. The leading tribe reacted, Sidibeh had a wallop over and then ran the flank, worked in, sent in a cross and brought about an own goal - with a two goal cushion the result looked set firmer than one of Fanny Craddock's Sherry Jellies.
I had already selected my man of the match, moments later it was confirmed when the Nomadic No 9 chased a lost cause, won a penalty and stepped up to bury - now that is the way to earn a goal. After a few more minutes farewells were given and I made my way to the corner of the ground near the exit (I was off to make a quick dash to watch Chadderton FC play Bacup Borough). As I stood and took in the final flings Cheadle Town bagged a late consolation via Ryan Usher after much fluster. 2 - 4 it was, a fair result from a game that saw two teams huff and puff and strive for the extra festive present. As said, Man of the Match must go to Cheadle Heath Nomads No 9 (Adama Sidibeh) for a sheer non-stop willingness, being a constant threat and always posing a problem for the opposing force. He will be a player to count on if the Nomads are to rise through the ranks.
As soon as the whistle blew I was off to meet the missus and daughter and indulge in a second match that was truly terrible. You can't win em' all.
FINAL THOUGHTS - For me, the league in which the two teams on show today are involved, is no great shakes. I have seen plenty of matches this season and despite the odd squad performance I have yet to see anything outrageously good. The two teams at the top are the best and should battle it out for the promotional prize - beyond that...who knows? Cheadle Heath Nomads are getting better but have undergone too many changes in a short space of time to make any inroads this time around. If they finish just below mid-table it will be a decent do but it is important that they get a settled squad and build from there. There are a few good battling players in the line-up and some with a wealth of experience - a bit of flair thrown into the mix and maybe a few surprises are in store. Cheadle Town have had a good run of winning ugly come to and end and appear to be like a rather shagged out Robin Hood and have shot their bolt. The current dip in form is a worry and the way they played today didn't inspire confidence. Only a few tweaks though are needed, but they need to come sooner rather than later or a play-off spot will be lost. 8 weeks ago you would have said The Town were guaranteed to be in the top 5, now the top 10 may be the best they can get - I hope to be proven wrong but like the shopping hordes, the Town are being too wasteful - it is not the way forward.
No comments:
Post a Comment