ROBBERY OR PERSEVERANCE

23rd August 2016 - Charnock Richard 2 v 2 Carlisle City  -  A lovely evening and a drive out with my good lady to the tucked away ground of Mossie Park.  Only £4 on the gate was noted as a real bargain and first impressions of the ground and pitch were all positive.  2 new teams to the Hallmark Security League so who knew what to expect?  After a good cup of tea and a browse through the programme we watched the first half that saw Charnock Richard play some good football and maintain a notable ascendency.  Several players were putting in good turns but the two No 10's looked menacing with both bagging a goal before the interval.  The Carlisle goal was particularly tasty and was drilled in with hawk-eye accuracy.  

In the second half Charnock deservedly went 2-1 ahead and looked to have their opponents tamed but, a resolute, ‘never-say-die’ effort saw the 11 men of Carlisle adopt a smash and grab effort and pinch a unexpected equaliser.  The game became frenetic and a gambling man would have still placed a wager on the home team winning all three points.  Imagine how much his heartbeat would have increased when Carlisle hit the post in the dying minutes.  Not a bad do overall and for me, the Charnock Richard No 2 (Anthony Hough) deserved a nod for Man of the Match due to some bullish work, surging runs and all round tricky hoof work.

FINAL THOUGHT - I presume as the old comedian Arthur Mullard hit his later years and looked at himself naked in the mirror he must have felt rather...defeated.  But as his Top of the Pops appearance  with Hilda Baker proved whilst bashing out the Grease song 'You're The One That I Want'- one should never give in - are you hearing me Carlisle City.