11th February 2017 - Cheadle Town 2 v 1 Carlisle City - My mind was in a complete state of discombobulation due to there being 5 matches I fancied attending and only one place I could actually be. That aggravating aspect of human nature known as 'indecision' when combined with the idiocy of passion is a combination to drive the most sturdy of souls insane and as I went through the rotating wheel of 'if' and but', and considered timing, the weather, the impending footy diary and which match would produce the greatest thrill, I decided to opt for the local-ish clash at Park Road! The only remedy to the weekly befuddlement is a few 12 o 'clock' kick-offs perhaps or even the odd game on a Sunday but then the inner footballing sense says this would almost be too blasphemous to consider - oh cripes. Anyway after a morn of reviews and head scratching I arrived at the ground in decent fettle. The notebook was in hand, the arse cheeks clenched against the cold and the head held high in anticipation of a solid match - this is how my thoughts spilled forth!
3pm, the blessed hour and the globe began to get a good kicking. Initially both sides went through a spell of feeling out their opponents with the adhesive pitch hindering any fluidity in the football and, as a result there was little in it, as perhaps the league positions prior to the match would have suggested. An early foul committed by Carlisle's No 6 should have been overlooked and play should have ran on but a free-kick was prematurely given, Liam Tongue put a shot in and the ball flew wide. Cheadle pushed on from this moment and after a long ball was chased down by the eager Rhys Webb, the goalkeeper rushed out, hoofed and caused a deflection which fell kindly at the strikers tootsies from where he duly tapped home. Carlisle needed to respond and displayed good spirit on a claggy surface with one shot blasted way over but indicating they were up for the fight. Despite their refusal to sit back a breakaway came and saw Cheadle's No 10 (Justin Pickering) rush into a position that left him no option but to shoot. Shoot he did and somehow the ball dipped beneath the keeper and doubled his sides lead. The pink clad netman should have done better I thought but these blips happen, tis all part of the grand scheme. Another Cheadle break immediately followed, No 10 again at the helm, a great chance came and the worst option was taken - what a waste! Moments later the same player connected his bonse with a cross - better, but just off target. Cheadle were now rampant, they came in waves and a bagful of goals looked there to be had.
Carlisle worked hard, some gritty spirit came to the fore with No's 7, 9 and 11 catching the eye with their tireless efforts. Cheadle switched off at one point and a free kick could have led to a goal but Carlisle fluffed the opportunity. The counter attack from the home 'erberts looked equally promising but also ended in a duff result. The away chaps sweated blood and on the 36th minute, after winning a corner and keeping the pressure building the in-swinging cross was nutted home unchallenged and suddenly the game took on a different complexion. A great battling tussle ensued and took us to the break with still everything to play for. A very good half of football indeed.
A swig of ginger, an Arthur Bliss and a continuation of the chat with two grand geezers about the game under the spotlight.
The teams came out for half two and all I asked for was more of the same. The start was scrappy, energy and patience would be the deciding factors it seemed. A bit of nonsense saw Carlisle drag Cheadle into a petty mire and the Cheadle No 4 duly took the bait and after a few petulant responses from each side we saw the aforementioned No 4 of the home side and Carlisle's No 3 both get turfed from the pitch and have an early cooling bath. The idiocy brought the worst out of a few people who were venting spleens and basically getting carried away (silly sods). A shame indeed as the first half was a great advertisement for this league and now we were heading into a messy melee. Carlisle now held most threat and a cross was weakly tapped goalward from close range but trickled agonisingly wide. The same squad threatened again after their No 11 worked the wing and won a foul. The free kick caused hassle at the back for Cheadle but the goalie was down quickly and gobbled up a dangerous ball that saw two attackers looking to get the equaliser. Next, and a Cheadle break was swift and cutting with the final ball just escaping the outstretched toes of the forward (Rhys Webb) - by heck, now that was close. The Town came again, another equally penetrating move but the incoming player (George Blackers) fractured the skyline and not the net. A reckless game ensued, the legs were getting tired and after a drop-ball decision Cheadle were lucky to still have the lead after Carlisle's No 8 blazed a shot goalward and somehow just missed the near post. A Roy of the Rovers moment gone begging. Frustrations grew, tensions built and as a result it became too much for the away sides No 14 who, after a tackle, picked up the ball and threw it against the back of his opponent in another stupid reaction. The outcome - early bath and well deserved. From here the game dissolved into a dreary affair and when the ref blew for full time it was just as well as quality had made a swift exit and hope was not far behind. Today's Man of the Match will, controversially, go to a player from the losing side, namely the No 7 (Ben Davidson) who, despite many frustrations, ran himself into the ground, was just a nuisance throughout and displayed a keenness to make something happen. This choice shouldn't deflect from several Cheadle players who put in good stints but this visitor caught the eye most so gets the nod - tha' must be fair tha' knows!
FINAL THOUGHT - A game of two halves, from the shining to the shite in a couple of blows of the whistle and if we would have had 90 minutes of football like the first 45 then we would have had a classic but, if the full match would have been like the second half it would have been the worst match of the season by far. The problems today were players lack of discipline and not being able to resist the odd wind up or cope with unpredictable frustrations. The red cards were perhaps debatable but if the players just got their heads down, showed a character that is strong enough to rise above the general bollocks then it would have made a huge difference. It is a game, it is about fun and it is about passion, but, most importantly, it is a team game and getting sent off is not only letting yourself down but your hard-working comrades too - a lesson to be learned methinks. Onward and upwards for all I hope!
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