27th March 2017 - Maine Road 2 v 0 Padiham FC - The weather has been glorious and after a morns mooching in the undergrowth and a catch up with numerous tasks in the afternoon I was pleasantly anticipating another visit to this local-ish ground to watch two teams still do battle as the seasons end is nigh. Padiham seemed to have the edge as far as league standings go but Maine Road are never a push over and when 'on form' are a match for almost anyone. My brass was on a good scoring draw but like I always say, you have to be a real fruitloop to bet on any form of football with any confidence. It is a capricious game with each result dependent on many factors as well as the well-manicured but uncertain hands of Lady Luck - she is a right freaky babe don't ya know. So, after a cuppa and a catch up with my punk peddling comrade, positions were taken and this is what unfolded.
Initial impressions of the game were of an home team looking industrious and persistent whilst the away team were well drilled and seeking to play with patience. Action took place primarily in the midfield with both units looking to play the ball and carve the first real chance. With 12 minutes on the clock and Padiham just starting to impose themselves it was their opponents who struck first when a through ball from nowhere ended up at the feet of Connor Hughes who did what he had to do and notched up the first goal of a game that would prove to be quite frugal with the net-ripplers. The blues now scampered and hurried with greater thirst, Padiham tried to settle yet had to watch their backs at all times to avoid another defense splitting move. As the Storks began to peck and apply themselves The Road began to backpedal and one particular cross from the visitors swung in with spite and stung the bar with the rebound falling at the feet of their lofty No 9, who in truth should have buried the ball, but instead wasted the golden chance. From this onslaught Road reacted and a breakaway saw one particular shot fly low and force the oppositions keeper to drop low, smother and make sure his team didn't go 2 down and almost beyond hope.
Padiham kept on forcing the issue with many noticeable cross balls played in but with the Blues back pack resolute and watertight and not willing to give one darn inch. The discipline in the home teams ranks was admirable as was their work ethic and even though Padiham kept good patience and built with care one couldn't see how they would make any possible breakthrough. A shot was cracked in but flew wide of the mark and a corner found a bonse but once again the target was missed. The visitors looked ripe and ready to bear fruit and as tasty tackles came, determination levels rose from both units one expected something out of the blue to banish the balance. Padiham had one last attack late on in the half and won a corner which was lofted in only to find the mitts of the keeper who clung on, released and eased any pressure. There was no time for anymore action and as the ref peeped (dirty devil) me and my comrade chewed the cud over a cup of cha (or Bovril in my mates case, the nasty sod).
And breathe...
The second half came, Maine Road started to work the flanks, Padiham stayed more central - it was a chess match that was surely going to need a killer stroke to find another goal. A controversial foul given the way of Padiham resulted in a Maine Road breakaway which kind of summed up the difference between the two sides tonight - Maine Road just wanted it more and worked with far more zest. This blatant desire was making for an intriguing affair and a certain friskiness was creeping into the game that resulted in several tasty tackles and a few necessary bookings. As tension rose Padiham had more possession but all the while Maine Road remained comfortable and if a few more crosses had perhaps a bit more conviction further goals may have occurred. The blustering busy approach of the home dudes nearly bore glory when the pressure applied forced the guests to resort to a back pass which, tricked pass the keeper, approached the goal but, also trickled wide of the upright - oh ye lucky buggers. As the half advanced chances became a rare commodity when Maine Road substituted their No 9 (who I thought was man of the match up to that point) a charge was perhaps in the offing. Moments later a Road cross flashed into the box and a shot followed that promised much but was caught all wrong. Padiham dug deeper, they were desperate to get back in this one but out of the blue the ball ended up at the feet of Road's Matthew Morgan who curled one home (excuse the toilet-based suggestion) and killed the game on its aching feet. Great finish for sure!
A triple sub by Padiham was a last chuck of the dice and a goalkeeping sub by Maine Road raised a few eyebrows but made no difference to the overall scenario. A tasty tackle late on brought uproar and some cruddy exchanges that really do need looking into. I could dwell on these here but I refuse to be distracted from a good game and a good Maine Road performance - so suck on that you ever-ravenous gossip mongers. As the heat rose the ref called things to a halt and still the unnecessary verbals flew - oh summer time is here again and the mad dogs and Englishmen are out early - bah. On an upbeat note I finalise with my choice of Man of the Match, namely Maine Road's (Thomas Keyworth), a whipper-snapper with pace who covered more than his fair share of turf and made sure the opponents defense was constantly alert. A tireless effort and indicative of his teams attitude - marvellous.
FINAL THOUGHT - Tonight emphasised two points that are very important in this non-league pit. Point one - if your team is willing to run itself ragged, work like buggery for one another and make sure the full 90 minutes are played out then you will, more often than not, be on the right side of the result. Maine Road did just that tonight and despite coming up against a well organised side there was only one way the result was going to go. Point Two - banter and disagreements are all well and good in the game but when that spills over into machismo mania and threats of violence it is time to take a step back and re-evaluate what the hell is going on. Football, at the end of the day, is a game and there for fun, fitness and escapism. Passion is all well and good but there is passion and there is stupidity - there is a difference! My message is simple - let us enjoy our non-league soccer, support the clubs who are struggling and keep it a friendly place for all.
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