24th April 2017 - Maine Road 0 v 3 West Didsbury & Chorlton - After the previous encounter between these teams being scrubbed out due to an unfortunate injury we re-ignited fans of non-league football were required to tootle back down to Brantingham Road and watch the re-run. It was no hardship as it looked set to be another close combat and the toss of a coin or some unexpected circumstance may be the deciding factor in this one. The day had been one of toil with many tasks taken on and tackled so I was up for a good footballing fix although I have not been going short of late. The 66th match of the season and it has been a real delight. I have a liking for this location and have never yet gone away disappointed. So, after an appalling bus ride that was a case of stop/start piss and fart and walk in a gusting breeze I met up with fellow punk peddler Stu Taylor and wagged the old jawbone whilst discussing numerous topics. A cuppa and out into the chilled night air and a position was taken on the halfway line to absorb the forthcoming contest. This was a big one, whoever wins this would have the bragging rights for many a month - whoever lost would have to suck on eggs for the same period - nasty! And so this is what I was treated to!
A quiet start was had before The West's No 7 (Benjamin Steer) weaved from nowhere and incredibly won a penalty out of very little threat. Up stepped Matty Kay to attempt the conversion and did so with startling ease - 0 - 1 and the early flame was burning brighter. The Road did well to recover from this early kidney punch and strung together several promising moves as well as threading some decent balls through their opponents defence that just fell shy of equalising glory. Connor Hughes came close with a whipped in free-kick but not much else came his teams way. The WDC pack though soon quelled any threat and started to apply their own pressure with some quick man to man marking. The game however lulled and many rubicund faces blew hard as shirts rippled in a wintry wind and all the huff and puff resulted in very few chances. West Didsbury threatened most with that man Steer usually in the thick of the action but Maine Road came closest on the 31st minute when a corner was caught by the wind and needed clearing off the line by an alert defender (Scott Mason) who deserved a good slap on the back for his efforts. Kay of The West had an effort fly over but Maine Road bounced right back and their No 2 (Joel Senior) was working mightily effectively at the rear and their No 7 (Rory Breslin) managed to have a fair shot although it ended flying way over. A Maine Road free-kick gave further optimism and after a bit of pinball in the box a close in kick for goal was had and an absolutely stunning save was made by Aaron Ashley to keep the score as it was. Another golden chance came not long after when some solid wing play saw Road's No 11 (Jamie Row) shoot but again be denied by a keeper very much in the zone. The half dipped again after this and the ref blew and gave everyone some respite from an average 45 minutes.
With a 200+ people in attendance me and my mate Stu couldn't be arsed to queue for a cuppa so we stayed put, nattered and awaited the re-emergence of the teams.
Out the 2 squads came and West Didsbury were out of the traps quickest with an early shot by Ash Woods that was too weak to be troublesome. The home bods had the next early punt when their No 9 (Joseph O' Brien) got through and cracked an effort. Alas for the Blues the keeper of WDC was in the right place once again and was having one of those tip top nights one gets with good training. Up the other end and West Didsbury started to work the flanks over and over again until the ball came to a central player, namely Joe Shaw, who seemed to think 'sod this' and let loose with an absolute scorcher. Road's goalkeeper remained rooted as the ball carved through the night air and found the top corner of the net - what a screamer, what a way to double the lead! West Didsbury & Chorlton were now on it and were ruddy unlucky not to get a 3rd when Road's netter made a hash of a ball in and nearly gave the guests a bonus goal. The away team were now dominating and when another goalkeeping fumble came the WDC firm were only denied again by a last gasp clearance. Next, and a corner for the visitors, a free header and just over. Soon after a cross into Maine Road's box caused untold chaos and a shot came that was just deflected wide. The heat was being turned up on a very out of sync MR side. The corner came, more disarray and up popped the lofty No 11 (Saul Henderson) to get his sides 3rd, something he seemed quite delighted about. In fact so joyous was he the silly bugger removed his top, ran to his fans and joined them on the terrace for a quick jig and a well enjoyed celebration - you can't fault it really.
From here the game fizzled out as a contest, and in pure truth Maine Road were just ruddy poor tonight. A 4 shot salvo late on for the Diddlers saw the post struck twice, a shot saved and one blasted wide - by heck, get me the Valium! Road strove to get back and get a consolation and hit the post too which kind of summed up their night's fortunes. To add insult to injury for the home lads a bloody out of season hailstorm peppered their downcast bonses and made for one helluva shit night's work. Their keeper did well late on when he fumbled a free-kick but did enough to block the follow-up shot. It was all to no avail though as the ref blew soon after and the game was done. The icy storm wasn't cold enough to keep the away fans quiet and one has gotta applaud their support over the 90 minutes (and during the season as a whole), it surely helps the cause. Their chant of 'The Referees A Tory' was first class frivolity for sure! What a bunch of lovable goons! So a duff first half, a good one sided second and Man of the Match could go to one of several WDC bods but I am going for their No 7 (Benjamin Steer) who was instrumental in many good moves, was hard and fair throughout and who ran his nadgers into the ground and left nothing behind at the end of the match - what a good stint!
FINAL THOUGHT - After tonight's match there is now a 15 point swing between these two teams and after what was witnessed during the 90 minutes this evening that gap seems justified. If West Didsbury were shit-hot tonight then Maine Road were a chalky white cold turd. If West Didsbury were bloated with success at the end of the game, Maine Road were as withered as a marathon runner on laxatives. I think both teams have more to offer and Brantingham Road is still one of my favourite haunts and I take my hat off to a team that always puts in a good stint even when Lady Luck is being a really spiteful sow. West Didsbury & Chorlton are ready to move up a notch methinks and I'll be at their ground several times again next season, hopefully enjoying many successes with them along the way. Applause to all concerned again tonight and what a nice gesture it was to make this a free entry game. In return I bought 5 raffle tickets so as to put my fiver in the pot - alas my luck was like the home teams tonight and I also drew a big fat blank - shit happens!
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