OUT AND ABOUT

20th August 2016 - New Mills 6 v 1 Barnton FC  -  The train from Stockport to New Mills was straightforward and after 20 minutes I found myself with 1 hour and 40 minutes to spare before kick-off time.  A trip to a bookshop was needed and after locating the seller of the word I had a chat with the lass working there about mushroom picking and the buggers that take too much.  I picked up an Alfred Hitchcock book as well after noting it was loaded with tales from an assortment of writers whom I recognised.  I likes a good chiller!  To the ground via a wrong turn and some shite weather and I immediately purchased a cup of cha and a parked my rather damp rear end (perspiration and rain water - what a horrible combo).  A chat with the dad of a player was enjoyed and I looked forward to a game on what seemed to be a very well maintained playing surface - almost as smooth as Duncan Goodhew's scrotum (so I believe).  

The game unfolded in torrential rain whereupon a Speckled Wood Butterfly took shelter besides me and some silky (or perhaps sodden) moves saw New Mills ease to a 3 - 0 lead and leave Barnton looking rather forlorn and may I vulgarly add, pissed off.  Before half time they were 4 up and that wasn't doing them justice - total dominance and taking charge of all departments.  Mind you, Barnton were shabby and looked totally out of sync - surely not the side I saw last year in the play-offs, if so it seems the summer months have induced some kind of in-house imbalance and got these players operating on many opposing levels - worrying to say the least.  

The second half was more balanced with Mills taking it by 2 goals to 1 and finishing the stronger.  It was good to see the away side get some kind of footing and with a bit more luck, the death of two New Mills players and a mental breakdown of the referee I reckon things could have been closer.  It wasn't the result I expected and the home side look to have a good season ahead, especially if they have a little more belief in attacking the defenders when on a one on one situation.  Man of the Match for me was the No 7 (Ryan Hibbert) for New Mills, whom, even though fading and getting substituted, provided some classy moves and runs throughout!

FINAL THOUGHT - I came, I expected, I was bamboozled.  Just like David Attenborough on witnessing the mating ritual of the Timbuktoo pygmy - an unexpected shock indeed!