12th August 2017 - Burscough FC 0 v 1 1874 Northwich - An early start to the day putting 4 new CD reviews on the website and updating fungal records on The Fungus Conservation Trust's database whilst reaching a personal total of 1026 species. Chores were done, music for the car chosen (a bit of Trojan Ska) and some old wildlife books were gathered to drop off at Mere Sands Wood, a fine place just around the corner from today's destination. Tomes were duly left in good hands and we arrived at Victoria Park to see what the Green Army could do against their visitors, the team of tricksters. The encounter promised much but first things first - tea and victuals! What no chips - a veritable black ball must be produced. Chocolate it was then, not hot and greasy but still scrummy! Whilst waiting for the teams I updated the football wildlife list - Black Headed Gull; Wood Pigeon; Jackdaw; Starling; Swallow and Dandelion agg. were the latest additions - it keeps the brain ticking.
The teams eventually appeared, the crowd was quite healthy and the ball got turning. Within seconds the first chance came the way of the guests with a quick corner taken and a nod putting the globe over - the impetus though was set. 2 quick corners were given in response, the quality was appalling, a trend that would continue throughout a trying first period. The opening stance was eventually exposed with Northwich relying on patience at the rear and Burscough using their busy bee attitude and Duracell Battery reliability. Killer quality was sought and a couple of breaks at each end prodded the potential of the game to almost erect proportions but the final execution was limp and flaccidly things continued. Burscough had a golden opportunity to break the deadlock when a beautiful ball sought and found their No 9 (Adam Gilchrist) but, once more, the finish was woeful and the ever reliable description of 'shite' was called upon. Moments later the grafting No 7 (Jake Connelly) of the same unit broke and flashed a low zipping ball across the face of the goal, he was mighty unlucky not to see a colleague's toe make glory-riddled contact. The goal gaped but was mournfully left unfed - I felt for it and my mind drifted to the absence of chips - bah. An improvement in proceedings was taking place though with both units finding their personal grooves. The first shot on target came 29 minutes in, Scott McGowan of 1874 turned on a ten-bob-bit and tickled a tame shot towards goal - weak and hardly worth the wait.
A static stalemate came, the 2 squads looked perplexed as to how to crack the code of their opponents defence although many a punter in the crowd seemed to hold the sagacious key - don't they always? A free kick was the last high-point of the first 45, it came the way of Northwich. It was missed by all and sundry and the keeper did well to keep his peepers on the balls and save low. The game came to a halt for the halfway break and yet despite the few chances this was an intriguing affair that was still up for grabs and totally unpredictable.
A swill and some more chocolate, we debated whether or not to changes sides of the ground but, in truth, our arses were planted and a bulldozer couldn't have moved us.
And here we go again, 1874 with an early corner - the continuance of shabby executions was still with us. I'll be generous and blame early season rust - let us hope it doesn't spread to the knackers then we will be in trouble - there would be balls everywhere! Suddenly out of nowhere the visitors built an attack, the ball pinged about the box and from inches out went goalward. The reflexes of the mitter were tested to the full, he came up trumps and produced a stunning reaction save. I have to say that even though the match craved a goal this was a good way to keep things barren - good stop chap. Down the other end and Burscough's No 8 (Christy Devlin) collared a cross, chested the ball and let fly a volley. The outcome, another dazzling save grabbed not from the knicker drawer but in fact the ruddy top drawer - nifty indeed. The touchpaper was lit, a cracking half of football developed and no sooner had the top save been digested than we had Burscough's Gilchrist fizzing in a pearling cross and was utterly unfortunate not to see any in-coming prowler take the bait. Surely a goal was on the cards! It was end to end stuff now, just an assassins touch was needed to scar the scorecard - perhaps a sub or two could produce the opening wound. The changes were duly made.
A corner for 1874 was had next, it floated in with no pace and no inkling of danger and time stood still. The wind, a devilish bastard with a spiteful streak, waited until the last and somehow assisted in bending the ball over the line - what the hell? The net rippled oh so slightly, the hosts looked bewildered, the ref looked convinced - the first goal was had. A corner came in reply, No 5 (Hafeez Hamzat) made contact - just wide. A brief lull came but when Burscough's Hamzet got his feet in a tangle it was a 3 on 1 situation to the leading team and only, after a pause of 30 seconds or so, did the ref blow for offside, much the consternation of the attacking force. Northwich came again, a cross and No 7 (Adam Whitlock) shot low and hard and the ball went across the goal face - no takers but the game was still burning bright.
Time ticked, Burscough went down to 10 men when a player fell victim to a hamstring pull. There were no subs left, the uphill struggle just got a whole lot steeper. Next and 1874 had the chance for the killer blow when a stunning cross was met by McGowan who, despite being free and only a couple of feet away from the net, blazed over. He instantly tried to atone for his blunder by firing in an almost immediate sizzler but was thwarted by a still sharp keeper. A frenzied finish came, 3 minutes were added but Burscough could not make the breakthrough and back to Cheshire the 3 points went.
A decent game with some real hard work thrown in and although on the losing team I think Man of the Match should go to Burscough FC's No 8 (Christy Devlin) who put himself about like a whore in a nightclub and weaved some merry paths around all areas of the park with several quality moments achieved. You and your side were unlucky chief but don't give in, there are many highs to enjoy this season - applause are yours.
FINAL THOUGHT - A game that saw two teams perfectly matched and only separated by the the blast of a breeze that helped bend the ball homeward. Tis a cruel affair but both teams can look to many positives for the season ahead. Northwich are a tight unit, almost Scrooge-like in fact and the only thing slacker than their defence today was Larry Grayson's arse after a night time encounter with Big Rick from Batley (ooh what a fella). Burscough are a busy hardworking team and will make it hard work for anyone they come up against. They have good engines all over the pitch and once they shake off a bit of ring-rust and have a kiss on their rears by the lips of Lady Luck the curve of fortune will take a mighty swing upward. I look forward to seeing both units again.
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