12th November 2016 - West Didsbury and Chorlton FC 2 v 2 AFC Liverpool - After many decisions as to which match to attend it was at The Recreation Ground I found myself in weather that had turned quite decent. The early crowd came and then the last minute rush and I awaited proceedings with a cup of tea and watching a few Ring Necked Parakeets squawk and soar nearby. The pitch looked as green as the parakeets plumage and as greasy as Albert Steptoe's underpants (ooh the nasty little bleeder) and I reckon it was ideal for a good game of early winter footy - the digits were crossed.
Kick off and it was a blur of fast action early on with the visitors asking the early questions via a few attacks and a free-kick. The home chaps responded instantaneously with a break-away that led to a low save at the feet of one player and the loose ball being thudded against the upright and bringing extra life to a game dripping with potential. Only 10 minutes were registered on the ticker when the first goal came from seemingly nowhere. An hopeful ball was punted forth, the crust of an unnamed defender for AFC Liverpool laid it back to the netter, I blinked and looked on, the ball trickled into the net - own goal, 1 - 0 to home birds. The game was now well and truly ignited. The 2nd goal came 3 minutes later with a sharp corner nutted home via the bonse of Ash Woods and suddenly West Didsbury and Chorlton were 2 goals to the good. A fan waved his rattle, 5 Ring Necked Parakeets took to the air and did a brief flyover and it was now up to AFC Liverpool to get back into this one. The away lads still played with patience from back to front and maybe were guilty of over-complicating matters against a sturdy looking squad. To AFC's credit they urged each other on, imposed themselves onto the game and caused a good in-box scramble that could have easily dropped their way and brought about a retrieving goal. The WDC crew held firm, remained that tough nut to crack. Talking of nuts, the first chills of the impending evening manifested themselves and crept beneath my lower garments and warned my privates of greater frosts to come - ooh heck. The half now flat-lined, AFC Liverpool had a lack of composure, West Didsbury had a well-drilled defence and after a neat move by the the away teams No 7 ended in a save the response came and a close range shot screamed over the bar and should have been buried and put the game to bed - one of those most certainly to be regretted methinks. The game was far from finished though and the half ended with WDC having two more close efforts and the Liverpool lot looking to get back into the changing rooms and regroup. Peep, peep!
A chomp on the choccy, a pause for thought and a consideration of what part 2 would bring - re-enter the combatants.
The opening segment of this second period was a horrid session of play with no fluency, numerous mistakes and an hindering injury to the home teams winger. These 3 aspects, one would suspect, would prove beneficial to the trailing team and maybe allow them to squeak back in. This feeling was well founded when a sweet pass from Liverpool's midfield found their zippy No 7 (Emini Adegbenro) who weaved around a defender and slotted home a really sweet goal. Just what the doctor of football ordered! Just as the game looked to be turning the home sides No 7 escaped the defence, rushed forth with focus and fired a blistering shot that disappointingly flew just over the bar. It deserved better but still warned AFC Liverpool not to get too carried away with their new found belief. Blood pressure and temperament now rose, the affair was developing into a real ding dong fixture with both sides striving to add to their personal score card. Several half chances came either way, the excitement levels were peaking, it was still anyone's match. Eventually though things once more leveled out with each team needing one final shove. My money was on the WDC machine to nick another and when they strung a fine three pass manoeuvre together I felt sure a goal was imminent. Alas the shot was another one that went Heavenward. Liverpool responded, a shot bounced back off the keeper and nearly at the feet of an incoming glory seeker - close, but still no equalising bacon. A moment of magic was needed and when that pesky No 7 of Liverpool's whizzed forth, a cool cross was delivered and all No 10 (Freddy Champion) had to do was slot the ball home - he did just that and the game was all square. After this all that was needed was one outstanding moment from either team to pinch it, it didn't materialise and when the final whistle sounded I thought a fair result was had. My choice for Man of the Match today goes to AFC Liverpool's No 8 (Paul Speed), a scrapping little soldier who ran himself ragged, made some quality decisions and moves and was an integral part in getting his team back on level terms.
FINAL THOUGHT - Both teams today have many applaudable facets and have a willingness to dig in and fight for all they get. The problem is, this league has a few tasty sides in it that are beginning to pull away at the top and have things all their own way. The season is long, there is much work to be done and maybe, with a bit of luck, sincere graft and greater cohesion in the ranks one of these units can still make a genuine impression. Good luck to them both and thank you to the home fans today who really do liven things up for all concerned.
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