28th March 2017 - West Didsbury & Chorlton 3 v 3 Barnoldswick Town FC - Back to work today after 5 days roaming, one mustn't grumble but one invariably does - what a ruddy greedy and cantankerous git I am! Fortunately I had a footballing treat last night and another tonight plus a bonus ball of a local derby on Friday - excellent indeed. So, after a walk home, some chores, a read of a very unsettling short story called 'The Claygo Worm', some chatter and tea with the lovely lasses I did a bit of website work and got my rear in gear for a trip to the spacious realms of The Recreation Ground. The recent sunny weather was set to turn damp and I cursed the fact that I may be in for a moistening as I watched play unfold. Fortune though as seen my bonse evolve into an all-weather surface and come rain or shine the barnet (well bristles is perhaps closer to the mark) holds up well. I came, I saw, I scribbled - this is a tale of some Tuesday night tussling.
The sphere spun, the shanks peddled, the onlookers peepers were peeled and expectant. 2 early sub-chances came with the home bods flashing a low ball across the goalmouth and the guests chucking in a cross that was nearly volleyed but alas missed completely. As the match moved on with increasing pace the greased surface only helped in zipping up the tempo with both teams eager to play on the deck and worm out an opportunity to gain glory. No sooner had I contemplated the set up of both units than the West Didsbury dudes formulated some neat interplay in and around the box and when Joe Shaw ended up with the ball at his tootsies he stayed mighty calm, paused and poked and gave his team the early lead. On the WDC army came, their No 2 was an early threat and made some good weaving advances one of which allowed his colleague to win a corner and add more pressure. Nothing came of the boot in but the visitors needed to stay on guard. Next excitement came courtesy of the whirling feet of WDC's No 11 (Nicolaos Evangelinos) who neatly manoeuvred with keen effort and provided a cutting ball that just fell shy of his comrade who would have been in one prime position to score. The threat was now ascending. Minutes later the same player kept an almost lost ball in on the line, helped create a position that saw the Barnsoldswick keeper leave his line and yet somehow just manage to save an incoming shot and keep things as they were - ooh that crabby devil.
The men in black and white continued to thrust and suddenly a free kick was won, swung in with ease and the bonse of that persistent Evangelinos glanced up and the lead was duly doubled. 4 minutes later and the third goal was sunk, this time via the feet of Nia Bayunu, and well deserved it was. The home team were on fire tonight and as I scribbled notes on dampened paper Saul Henderson was through and forcing the mittman to make another save and keep things within reach for the guests. West Didsbury came in waves, all the squad from the Silentnight Stadium could do was hope for a fortunate escape route. As the Barlick Boys pushed their hosts broke again when a stunning through ball saw Henderson shoot with power but was ultimately unlucky to find the outside of the post. Despite the way of the tide Barlick showed good spirit and started to win more territory but it didn't last long before the WDC chaps quelled any raising hopes and flat-lined their opponents passion. The Town did manage one late flourish with a shot blocked and a free kick saved but the ref blew soon after and it was time for all to regroup.
A wander for a Gypsy's kiss and back on the touchline for a welcome Twix. My thoughts were that this match wasn't over and I suggested to one nearby bod that despite WDC being 3-0 up I thought it wasn't a true reflection of what I had witnessed. Something in the gut told me Barnoldswick were not too far off the pace.
The second half was started with the Barlick-eers in sprightly form with Zak Dale on the flank working well and getting a cross in that No 8 (Jake Lloyd) should have buried, Seconds later Dale was at it again with a tame shot that didn't trouble the netter but did raise levels of confidence and...promise. The hosts gradually grew into the half after a sluggish start with Henderson firing low and hard and indicating his team were still on the prowl for more goals. Barnoldswick though were now a different proposition, and after some confusion in their opponent's box their No 4 (Matthew Cavanagh) was allowed two bites of a dangling cherry, the second of which saw the ball whacked forth and forcing the keeper to save. Back up the other end the Barnoldswick keeper had to mirror his counterpart and block a thumping shot to keep the scoreline down to 3 - it proved a decisive moment.
With animation levels at level 'high', the ball boomed back and forth and when the home squad's latest acquisition (Joshua Tinker) missed a through ball and then chased back and committed an in-box sin a penalty was given and the game took on a whole new slant. Up stepped Andrew Hill on the 63rd minute and slapped the ball low in the corner and gave a new lease of life to a rejuvenated squad. Discomforting ripples now appeared in the WDC ranks, and when Barlick's frisky Zak Dale broke and only had the keeper to beat, he was unlucky to see the ball saved at the last and leave him a trifled frustrated. The flow though had turned, top marks to the boys in blue for forcing the issue, and West Didsbury were surely wishing that they had King Canute on the bench to make an appearance and attempt to stop the ever rising tide. Shots kept coming and then a move to savour was executed with pacey aplomb and Gareth Hargreaves slammed home the goal of the night and threw the end result right back in to the lucky bag. The visitors now pushed higher, they were prone to a break, it was one almighty touch and go affair with the home players now out of their comfort zone. Barlick came again, a great cross and a defender nutted the wrong way - just over, phew. The corner came, a wild shot was sent over but the BOW's were probing and after winning another corner, suddenly Aaron Hollindrake had made contact and found the back of the net - goal, goal, goal - this one was a classic and we were all square with only 5 minutes on the clock. These last minutes were hectic, a grandstand finish as both teams looked to grab a winner and as time stood still and the last combative fling seemed to never end eventually it did so and both teams left the pitch to warm applause and with honours justly even. Many good performances were witnessed tonight but the Man of the Match for me was West Didsbury and Chorlton's No 11 (Nicolaos Evangelinos), a player who showed some good skill, a high work ethic and even grabbed a goal. A consistent player who needs constant attention and drags opponents this way and that and thus creates space for his comrades - a neat stint again.
FINAL THOUGHT - What a match, what value, what spirit! West Didsbury were on fire for the first 45 minutes but that fire was doused by gushing waters of undeniable Barlick belief that turned this game around and made for one absorbing spectacle. One of the best games of a long season for me, that is the joy though of being a neutral and yet it was apparent that tonight one set of fans went home frustrated whilst the others journeyed back on a spirited high - such is the state of this fascinating soccer realm. Good on the teams tonight for playing the game in a good spirit and contributing to a free-flowing match - here's to many, many more. Right back to the punk pit for me, Oi ruddy Oi!
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