27th April 2017 - Barnoldswick Town 5 v 2 AFC Liverpool - Cripes the season is nearly done and I feel that my enthusiasm is far from satiated. Luckily I have many passions so when the last match is done I will have more time to catch up on other interests and put back in as much as possible. It is what I do, a DIY spirit wanting to help - hopefully it helps things tick forward. Tonight after a day at work me and my fine lady tootled up to this tucked away ground and immediately set about swilling a cuppa and chomping down on some tasty morsels. The match had no real significance as regards winning any silverware but I expected the teams to have a good old dig in and try and improve their overall finishing positions. The warm-up was done beneath a beautiful double rainbow, the officials did their prep work and then all bods disappeared, re-appeared and the game got going. With my humble scribblings I have constructed another report, and this is result!
The first dangling limb swung, the end of it known as the foot made contact with tonight's chosen leather sphere and the two units of 11 set about trying to ripple their opponents net and get their fans in a state of arousal (ooh the sexy buggers). First up and after only 3 minutes the visitors were on the attack with their hustling No 2 (Thomas Davies) quickly involved in the action that saw the ball eventually fall at the feet of his comrade (Jack Hont) who stayed cool and sweetly slotted home - nicely taken indeed squire. Barlick were on the back foot but immediately applied some pressure that saw a defensive back head loop dangerously in the air towards the goal only to be grabbed at the last by the unhindered netter. The start was fresh and frisky with the red guests scurrying and scampering and making the hosts earn their crust. Barlick responded to the hassle again when a screaming cross was met by the firm bonse of Aaron Hollindrake who was mightily unfortunate to see the ball rattle back off the bar. At this point in time I was distracted by a Sparrowhawk flying over but I did see Jackson Ellis of Liverpool make a break and win a corner which only led to a counterpunch that saw Hollindrake attempt a cheeky chip that just missed the far upright - the tide was definitely turning.
Barlick were now growing in confidence quicker than Errol Flynn's todger in a whorehouse and several sub-attacks could have brought this game all square if a cool head at the fore took command of the situation. Again and again the BT boys came, Hollindrake again involved and thumping a particular header goalward that was superbly saved by the agile keeper. Suddenly though the mounting pressure told and a quick pass, an eager chase and a header from John Beckwith and the game was all square! A well deserved equaliser and after AFC Liverpool tried to rally it was Barlick who threatened again when their No 7 wriggled free, released a shot and was denied at the last by the visitors man in green. The excitement rose and even the stench of chicken shit from the aptly named Sewer End failed to douse any gushing appetite for more goals. Within moments the home lads were at it again when a choice through ball found the busy Zack Dale who was just denied at the last by the last man standing. Another quick move came, Liverpool were getting pushed further and further back and when a cross ball in caused some Red confusion up stepped Jake Lloyd to give Barnoldswick a well earned lead. Can't fault it!
The one way traffic was pouring forth now and 1 minute before the half time whistle the boys in blue drove forth and a short corner was had, a mistimed shot followed but an incoming runner, namely Aaron Hollindrake, latched onto the loose ball and made it 3 - 1. The rain now came and the half ended - one could almost feel The Little Reds breathe a sigh of relief.
Tea and Topic for me and the lady and some shelter from a foul downpour. The teams came back out and one hoped for more of the same.
We began where we left off with Barlick straight at the jugular of the Red men and a fine whipping cross ball 6 minutes after the restart found the enthused feet of Zack Dale who nipped around the goalie and duly made it 4 -1 to the Silentnight Soccerites. Seconds later Hollindrake was in again but hoofed over and then his teammate No 7 raced through but was denied by a good save. Again and again the attacks came, Zack Dale fired in a cross and struck the bar and Liverpool were being tossed about on a repetitive tidal wave of pressure that was something like a pair of Jimmy Tarbuck's discarded love underpants on a stormy River Mersey - you get the drift I am sure. Now the Heavens opened in good style, the misery was really being heaped on the travelling squad and fans. The match took on a pattern with Liverpool pestering and pushing higher and Barlick absorbing and looking for the killer through ball. Unsurprisingly Barlick had several more chances with their defensive number 4 having a tremendous run that saw him break free and get in a one on one situation with the keeper. Like a politician when asked to describe the term 'honesty' the player seemed at a panic stricken loss and duly fumbled into a faux pas and made no positive contribution.
Despite the one-sided swing one must applaud AFCL and their tireless commitment to a lost cause and surely, in the long term, this will serve the team well and win them many points along the way. Fortune favoured their efforts it seemed when the home keeper made a shocking goal kick that was duly picked up by a nippy red bod who calmly passed and allowed Jack Hont to fire home in sturdy fashion. By heck - enter Johnny Mathis - 'a ray of hope...flickers in the sky'. Could we be witness to the start of a dramatic turn-around? Incredibly Liverpool broke again seconds later and their industrious No 2 (Thomas Davies) was very unlucky to see his firmly cracked shot just miss the outside of the post. AFCL now had belief and pushed further forward but Barlick came mighty close again when a great chance was stopped at the last by the gloved guardian who was certainly having a real hectic night. The minutes were ticking down and any hopes of a major comeback were doused when, at last, the home team broke and the tootsies of Kenneth Taylor followed up on a header and nipped in and tidily slotted home. A killer blow and as the time ticked on and several more half chances came the 90 minute mark arrived, the extra time passed and we were all left to mull on a very rewarding 5 -2 scoreline. A good match this and Man of the Match tonight goes to Barnoldswick Town's No 3 (James Crorken) simply because the consistency, awareness and unflustered approach were a cornerstone on which the rest of the team could rely and build. Perhaps an unsung hero in a grand performance but the Fungalised eye was in and the vote goes his way!
FINAL THOUGHT - Two teams tonight put on a bloody good show for a real price at an excellent ground with many true football supporters involved. In Manchester, on this same night, a bunch of overpaid prima donnas played out a goalless draw to the conned masses for an unfriendly price and away from the heart and soul of what the game should be about. The highpoint I believe was when an overrated member of the Hair Bear Bunch threw an half arsed headbutt that invoked some great thespian theatrics better suited to the stage of the London Shakespeare Company - oh the shock and the horror, oh the silly twats. Well, each to their own, but for me what I saw tonight convinces me that this is proper football and all done with people doing it for the right reasons. Barnoldswick are a good team to watch and play a game that is free, exciting and not for the faint-hearted (keep taking the tablets Mr Manager) but there will always be goals involved. AFC Liverpool are better than what the scoreline suggests and I particularly like the players heads down, work like buggery approach - as I say, it will serve them well, and good on em' for their style. We drove home after the match quite chuffed with the night's event and in agreement that the ground is a minor gem. Here's to many more visits and good luck to each and every contributor to the cause.
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