7th October 2017 - Cheadle Town 0 v 2 Nelson FC - The morn was spent leading a Fungal Foray at Harthill Cookery School in South Cheshire which bore 61 species and was finalised with some much needed mushroom soup. Heading home I indulged in the delights of 'Cold Comfort Farm' by Stella Gibbons whilst my good lady steered the car and got us back safe and sound. A few pieces of jam on toast and a cup of tea and I was duly dropped at Park Road whilst my wife went and aided her mum with her weekly shopping duties. I sprawled out and had a read whilst the weather dissolved into nothing less than a 'piss-fest'. The sky became more and more stained with a decomposed grey and a chill crept within the carcass to really test ones patience. As 3pm came I hoped for a match to warm the enthused cockles, what I got for the first 45 minutes hardly raised a thermal and went as thus.
The match was only seconds old when an early advance from the guests saw No 7 (Alberto Seidi) warm his toes with a brisk shot but failed to raise the temperature of the netman's fingers - over. No 3 (Luke Pearson) of The Town repaid the compliment with a strike of his own, alas he got more turf than ball and failed to trouble the opposing No 1. From here things became very slow with each side failing the grasp the ball and gain any semblance of control. Nelson were putting in some hefty tackles one of which was inside their own box which gave home heads a worthy penalty shout - the ref was having none of it. The home grown greens tried to take the game to the visiting blues but it was Nelson who came again with Seidi releasing to No 11 (Alexander Mullin) who duly obliged with a cross. A deflection and a corner came which was half dealt with. A return shot from No 2 (Stuart Craig) ricocheted just off target - it could have gone anywhere. The game, at last, was growing in stature and when Cheadle produced some fine link up play that allowed No 10 (Richard Whyatt) to crack one off close in, a goal seemed imminent. The keeper tipped the ball over and from the corner a goal mouth scramble was had and increased the overall pressure on the visitors. A free-kick came immediately after but No 8 (Luke Hincks) was over-ambitious and Nelson were let off the hook. To enhance Nelsons lucky escape Cheadle kindly passed back to their goalie who put his foot over the ball rather than through it. Time seemed to stand still as the globe trickled goalward before eventually crossing the waiting line. 0 - 1 to the travelling team and what a ruddy howler to ponder. Cheadle Town had their trousers down, doo dah, doo dah...etc.
From here the home team exerted their will but became a trifle over desperate and lost some cohesion. No 11 (Remeece Brown) sprung from the pack and pulled the trigger but without pace and direction there is no hope. A few spats were arising, Nelson were niggling away, Cheadle were taking the bait but once more the hosts No 11 led a charge that eventually led to the ball pinging around in the box. The punt did come and it was mighty close but...once more the shooting boots were out of sync. Nelson offered a counterpunch, Seidi to Mullin who dug out a cross cum shot - again the target zone was missed and I did wonder if we would get another strike. Things dulled down, the ref blew, it was indeed time for a break.
A passing of water, a slurp and note made of a Harlequin Ladybird on my ruck sack - no doubt aiming to take shelter from the persistent rain and rising chill. The match it seemed was no distraction for the Coleopteran specimen.
The second half was soon underway, Nelson had the first attack with that pesky Seidi like a fly round a cows arsehole - a constant bother. Cheadle came back and a fine cross by Whyatt was there to be nailed, but, like the offer of a free night in the sack with a Theresa May look-a-like - there were no takers. A brace of corners were about as effective as a bobble hat in a desert and when Cheadle ended another fine move with No 7 (Jake Ambrose) having a shot that was saved I did wonder if it just wasn't going to be the greens' day. Another corner, a clearance and then a back pass out of the blue. A Cheadle player was in, he had the goalkeeper to beat - it looked set to be an equalising moment but the mittman got low and spread as quick as a block of melted Lurpak and the chance went begging. It was a lively game now and Cheadle offered another chance up. This time a free-kick was knocked forward for No 4 (Antony Trucca) to nod across goal and let No 9 (Michael Sherrington) shoot. It was a lazy effort and saved with ease. A brace of corners followed, all that arose was a breakaway for Nelson with Seidi weaving in and belting just wide. Within seconds Cheadle had another chance. Whyatt got his cranium to the ball close in, he had plenty of space and time to pick his spot, somehow the keeper was in the way and kept up his solid performance.
Next and Cheadle's No 16 connected, the ball squeaked by the upright. The corner came in low and hard, all players missed. Another zipped corner followed, No 5 (Joseph Shaw) flew in and tipped over. A final corner from the burst of pressure was flashed over with zest and yes, you guessed it, the end contact, this time by No 2 (James Dunn), was woeful and we remained at 0 - 1. Whatever Nelson had been up to with Lady Luck is anyone's guess but it was certainly working, oh the sinister cow. It was one-way traffic, and when another close-in crack came and the Nelson keeper was in the way again he was surely the most gifted man on the pitch - and dipped in sugar. A scramble ensued, a foul occurred, a delay and then Nelson were down to 10 men. Despite this hindrance Seidi led another break but the attack was roughly dealt with by the home No 4 (Antony Trucca). His colleague Hincks had a deflected shot within minutes and the finish became hectic. 15 punted for Cheadle, the keeper was there again - man he was having a good day. Now the dregs were upon us and suddenly Cheadle switched off and Nelson broke. No 12 wriggled and released, up stepped David Patrick and tapped home with comfort - the curtain fell on any home grown hopes, the ref blew soon after and confirmed that sinking feeling. Nelson had come, confounded and collected all three points. The victory was down to many factors but for me, it was helped in the main by my Man of the Match, the No 1 (Dean Hardy) who, as said earlier, was always in the right place at the right time and did just enough whenever danger manifested itself and kept his net..unsoiled. It was a reliable stint indeed.
FINAL THOUGHT - Homeward I went after this one and perhaps, if I was doing a list of 'great games of the season', this would be struggling to make any memorable mark. It was a gruelling affair played in conditions unfavourable to a good footballing contest. Cheadle Town still remain an enigma and each time I view them I just do not know how they will play and what the outcome will be. The mood swings of Dr Jekyll would be easier to foretell. Nelson look better than their league position says but, they are in the bottom few for a reason and they need to stay focused, work hard and cut out any lazy moments that may cost them a full 3 point result. We shall see how they fare as the weeks pass by but I can't see either team making any serious inroads into the top half this time around but...I would be happy to be proven wrong!
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