18th February 2017 - Chadderton FC 4 v 0 Carlisle City - After attending a fine match last night at Abbey Hey I was up for another good do today. The importance of football as a distraction from the day to day crud is undeniable and as news came through of a break in at a local gaff where I was putting on a 6 band gig after this match I did ponder how lucky we are, as non-league enthusiasts, to have these wonderful bouts of escapism. Myself, good lady and two fellow DIY Dog 'erberts (Take a bow Stu Taylor of STP Records and Ged Murder of deviant poetry) attended this match as an aperitif to a chasing meal of melody that would hopefully please our sonic guts. What more does anyone need - good honest footy, fine company, booze, chocolate, and a dose of real noise and, if we are lucky, a tot of sherry!
A minute's silence prior to the match was observed (RIP Jackie Ewbank) and then both teams got to work with Chadderton straight at it and showing some swift interplay. A few early long-range hoofs came from both sides before the first crucial episode blossomed. Chadderton's talent laden No 8 (Matthew Crothers) worked forth on spellbinding pegs, indulged in a good one-two before preparing to shoot and then being ungraciously fouled. The ball was in the box, the verdict was a penalty and the creator turned killer as he stepped up and slapped in the opening goal. The game became highly active with Chadderton the slicker machine and constantly threatening to double their lead. No's 8, 9, and 10 were catching the peepers and when a Chadderton corner came and an attacking bod snuck in and found decent space the nut that ensued should have found that second goal but alas, floated just off target. A let off indeed! An instantaneous follow-up punch came with 9 and 10 linking up but the end shot was equally disappointing and Carlisle found themselves still in this one.
Eventually the away team gained a foothold in the game and started to win a few decisions and crack forth a few shots with one free kick just flying wide. Both sides continued to input, perspired energy and an abundance of gumption with the interest levels for all kept on level red. I was wondering when the next goal would be scratched up when Chadderton played a long ball out wide, a cross was tossed over and a floating header breezed over the mittman and the lead was increased. Take a bow and the applause, Lewis Lacey.
Carlisle summoned a response, they forced forth with one effort hitting the top of the bar. Chadderton however were hitting a hot streak, they suddenly broke with finesse and when Lewis Lacey found the ball at his tootsies he quite sweetly chipped the keeper and bagged his second, his sides third and put the game almost out of reach for the visiting party. The half progressed and despite Carlisle's grit and fervour it was in the last quarter that saw all chances dissolve and leave them...frustrated. The ref blew, it was very much needed for the side who had once again traveled far and were in a real mire.
Twix and tea for me, tea and a Bueno for the good lady, tea for Mr STP and tea, chocolate and pie for that guzzling git Ged Murder.
Half 2 and Chadderton were straight at it with their No 2 hammering through several players and getting a low shot away. No goal but what fine work, something the player would repeat throughout the second half. Another five pass move cut Carlisle's defence in two but the end shot was straight at the keeper. When another move saw a cross get parried by the mitt-man one suspected that the incoming thumper would find the net but again it was right at the netter - things were getting closer. It was all one way traffic, this was a very strong performance with the rear guard pushing further up the field and giving little room for their opponents to operate. It was all Chadderton, the team were electric but Carlisle plugged away, won a rare corner, the loose ball was cracked forth but missed the upright by inches. The visitors No 10 had a brace of chances - one was punted way over, the other weak and wayward too. Then, just as the arse cheeks of hope were spread Chadderton broke fast and Leon Iluobe connected with the ball and thumped home to bury the match as a contest. Carlisle did get forth a couple more times but the end result was flawed and kissed with ill fortune. Luck was flowing the other way and Chadderton got another penalty (for who knows what) but the effort was tame and the keeper saved low to his left. Not long after a Chadderton sub walloped the bar and then Carlisle had a free kick but the goalie saved and it kind of summed up the fruitlessness of a bad day at the office. The man in the middle eventually called a halt to this one - it was a good tasty game but only one side were ever going to get the full compliment of points today. Man of the Match must go to (Matthew Crothers) who, despite being surprisingly substituted put in an absolute stonking performance, read the game well, dribbled with control, passed with precision and looked a very cultured footballer. In truth several Chadderton players could have been given the nod but this chap just had that extra edge today.
FINAL THOUGHT - A game that highlighted one team on a good roll with quality waiting to bloom further and a game that showed another team just on bad run of form and not getting a fair run of the green. I thought Chadderton were excellent today, some real good performances and an all round liquidity to their play must put them in good stead for the near future. Carlisle on the other hand have work to do, there is something missing in that last quarter, they seem slow in support and just out of sync when it comes to the killer touch. I like their effort though and if it continues things will come good - tis all about patience and effort. Cheers to all for a grand day and hey, the Blackpool Bastards Invasion gig after the match was a stunner too - what a bonus.
No comments:
Post a Comment