14th January 2017 - Litherland Remyca 3 v 0 Carlisle City - The weekend was here again and a trip out for me and the missus was taken. Down 3 motorways listening do a delicious version of that old radio horror show, Fear on 4 and we arrived at the ground 1 hour after setting off. Pre-match tea was partaken of as we took up our seats and discussed where to go on this year's wildlife wanders. The pitch was spacious and surrounded by an athletics track and I had visions of a long donged athlete sprinting by in a feeble attempt to ward off a right old chill. The mental images may seem odd to those of a decent mind, but suffering from frost fever that is how this noggin works. Although it could all be down to reading too many mucky books when I was younger - oh darn those Razzle-Dazzle days!
Kick off came about, we were already victims to the icy breeze but we stuck at it and watched a one-sided encounter unfold. The opening period was all Litherland, with Carlisle displaying an early need for more urgency. The long trek down to this ground won't help matters for the visitors but one thing you have to do in this league is settle in early. The first break came Litherland's way after a nut-sweet ball was played across the park allowing the flanker to take possession and duly cross which led to the large handful tagged as No 9 (Colin McDonald) to determinedly tup home. 4 minutes only on the clock and Carlisle were up against it. 3 minutes later, as the clouds gathered overhead, the away teams defenders dawdled on the ball in their own danger area, No 9 pilfered, found space and thumped home his, and his teams, second of the match and made Carlisle's uphill struggle a whole lot steeper. Give the visitors some credit though, they clawed back, created some semblance of equilibrium and if it wasn't for a couple of late rugged block tackles by Lither's No 5 the boys in blue may have pinched one back. A close in header was also borne but it was too weak to beat the keeper who was in the right place at the right time. Up the other end and Litherland hassled, won the ball out of nothing and were one pass away from a golden chance - unlucky indeed and the effort thrown in deserved more.
The next goal looked crucial, Carlisle wasted a free-kick, made another error at the rear which should have been punished and then failed to deal with two rather shite corners and made an innocuous situation sticky. This drastically led to a penalty - by heck, talk about making things more difficult than they really should be. Up stepped Colin Quirk, did the work and it was 3 - 0 to the home squad. A trouncing was on the cards which, as a neutral, is never nice to witness. Come on Carlisle dig deep chaps. Remyca were now coming in waves, a cheeky chip deserved better but as the half drew to a close, even though Remyca were the dominant force and showing some neat movement, Carlisle were clinging on. The next attack came when a long ball was just kept in by Lither's No 11 who worked inward, rummaged about and was eventually tackled. The loose ball was bent forth and looked destined for the bottom corner only to be stopped at the last by the netters outstretched fingertips - good save for sure. From the corner nothing came, the minutes ticked by and the ref whistled a halt to end the proceedings.
A dash for some tea and a Hotdog, back to the seats, would Litherland go on and crush their opposition or would Carlisle resist and make a match of it? Questions, questions with the answer being something like this.
Carlisle started the second period the brighter but it wasn't long before they were dragged back and all became equalised again. Remyca attacked once more and one particular ball into the box could have posed all sorts of difficulties if colleagues were running into the box to finish. Luckily for Carlisle no-one was hungry enough and they were allowed to breath again, win a couple of ensuing throw-ins, the latter of which was connected with by a rising bonse that knocked the ball in a looping arc and...just over. Another throw in led to a semi-nutting see the sphere hit the bar and shortly after Remyca had to clear off the line as Carlisle put in some good work in the face of adversity. The first booking came next after a late tackle but this was a clean enough game and both sides should be duly applauded for that, as well as the referee, who kept a low profile and kept the game liquid.
Carlisle continued to huff and puff, Remyca subdued all their efforts and the ball eventually started to spend a little more time in the visitor's half making me wonder if the advantage was going to be stretched further. Carlisle were ploughing in now and calling on admirable reservoirs of spirit and when a free-kick was won, duly crossed and headed goalward it seemed odds on a goal would be grabbed back. The result - just wide. A corner next, a fizzing low cross straight across the goal but an unfortunate absence of attackers was the outcome - what a shame! Litherland bounced back down the opposite end of the pitch and another cross found a head that was in the clear - the cranial shot was ballooned and maybe we were destined to stay as we were. Into the final run in and a long shot by the home team was deflected over and a clutch at straws just prior to the final whistle led to a shot nearly forced home but just not going the way needed for the fourth celebration. The rain now fell and it was appreciated by all when the ref finalised the match and let us bugger off home. Man of the Match today was difficult but Litherland's No 11 (James McGrane) put in some classy work, had an ample chunk of style and moved into the right spaces at the right time as well as making some quality runs and forcing certain issues. Well done ye soccerised 'erbert!
FINAL THOUGHT - It was a ruddy cold day today and even if Charlton Heston would have been in attendance I doubt if he would have been brave enough to bare his frequently exposed chest although I do reckon if Thora Hird was present she would have had a go - perish the thought. The match itself indicated one side that have every chance to win this league due to their all round desire, full commitment and communication as a unit - in truth Litherland displayed very little to criticise, almost as perfect as the barnet of Roger Moore. Carlisle on the other hand are still finding their feet, like a young Donald Duck on a frozen pond, and I think will be happy with a mid-table position come the end of this first season. They dug in today though, showed a steeliness and a dogmatic strength and that alone will keep them safe and ready to fight another day. I have plans to bob up their end for a match, I shall be expecting a sturdy performance.
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