ALL RAIN, NO GAIN

1st January 2018 - Mossley AFC 0 v 0 Droylsden - And into the New Year we go, starting off with a rare excursion into the Evo-Stik League.  I have many a tale to tell about Evo-Stik, especially when I was a youthful punk with too much time on my hands and some nasal passages that needed clearing, ooh the ruddy wah-wah monster.  But to today's game, and a local derby that promised much and had me contemplating a feisty affair with many goals.  I was up at the crack today, went for a bike ride saw 50+ species of wildlife (primarily birds and fungi), came home, did a bit of shopping, threw down my dinner and was dropped off at the ground with an hour to spare.  My lasses went shopping, I took up my position with tea and chips and had a good chat to a regular Mossley fan.  A decent chap and clued in too, always good to get a bit of inside gen.  The teams prepared, the Heavens started to leak, a wind threatened to turn spiteful - crikey, not another dose of Breeze-Blown-Bollocks, I had only just recovered from the last debilitating attack.  Hey ho, needs must in this Non-League niche and as the teams came out I wished my globes all the best and hunkered down to watch this intriguing contest.  Prior to the game a 1 minute session of applause was had in tribute to the ex-Mossley player Vinny Garmory who has recently passed away - a nice touch it was too.

So the teams took up their positions, the game commenced and it was a stable start with both units holding their own and trying to establish the crucial initial grip.  No 7 (Luke Daly) looked an early menace and was orchestrating many moves that were just being quelled at the last by some stout rear work.  The visiting keeper looked a trifle edgy early on and 3 balls in had him in a certain kerfuffle.  The 1st of these was fumbled and many thought that the ball dropped across the line, it was disappointing to see the liner state the complete opposite with his flag of awkwardness.  Droylsden struck back, a swift cross came to No 10 (Aaron Fleming) who had a dig but was found wanting in the power department and the mittman safely gathered.  The next action came soon after, Droylsden cleared from their rear (too many satsumas over the festive period I expect), No 8 (Elliot Harrison) nutted straight back and No 2 (Adam Latham) was in and banging.  The save that followed was very sharp but Mossley were seeming to slowly gain the upper boot.  A touch of thermality crept into the game soon after, with tackles becoming firmer and passions rising (similar in fact to a gay romance given a boost of Viagra - firmer tackle, rising passion - oh come on, keep up). Droylsden rose from the heat, No 9 (Sefton Gonzales) with a cute lay off that allowed Daly to go on a marauding run.  He eventually let loose a shot, the net rippled, fans of The Bloods let loose a roar of celebration - the ball however had only hit the side netting!  Nice try you cheeky buggers.

The Mossey Men came straight back, buzzing hard and looking to sting.  No 11 (Rio Ahmadi) finalised matters with a shooting wide from the edge of the area.  Unlucky squire.  The home heads came once again, this time No 9 (Liam Ellis) pulled the one legged bandit of fortune and hoped it would be fruits of glory that would tumble his way.  Alas a bar was in the way, of the horizontal variety it was, but man, that was a mighty close effort.  The visitors were by no means overwhelmed here and responded via their No 11 (Liam Caddick) who wove his way into the box and made time to shoot.  The mittman was beat, the ball went goalwards, the carcass of the hosts No 3 (Keenan Quansah) was there to save the day - and here's me thinking he was just a good score at Scrabble (ooh me triple letter word).  As the game went on, pace grew, a bout of pushing, shoving and comparing todger size was had and the heat was visibly rising. Late pressure came via The Lily Whites but when a counter punch came it was left to the crust of Daly to add the sickening blow.  He missed and spat misery whilst the weather now heaved down and added to everyone's woes.  The final action was again in the Mossley box with a sharp double strike producing two fine reaction saves that meant, at the interval, this one was as barren as the titties of Ena Sharples (circa 1968).  

I stayed put for half-time, the falling water, the cold climate and the fact that I had my seat warm were all too much to risk just for a quick Gypsies Kiss and a cup of cha'.  I had a chat with the aforementioned Lily Whites fan instead, that will do for me.

Half two, Droylsden out quickest, Daly denied at the last by a flung mittman.  Out of the wild and torrential weather the visiting team found the net, alas in the distant murk the liner waved a no goal.  A horrendous shower ensued, but Mossley denied the early pressure and the elements.  A free-kick was won, a stunning punt in was had, how the hell did No 5 (Tom Dean) miss?  The nut was too firm, the ball flew high, and from only a couple of feet out too - what a chance lost!  On to the 61st minute, No 7 (Matty Crothers) put in a cross that was punched clear.  Crothers collected and let fly, a good save was had by a very reliable last man - take a bow Ritchie Branagan.  A messy period followed but the game was still loaded with fascination, end to end mania was the way things went, I was wondering who would break the deadlock.  Droylsden were making some good moves but were frequently trigger shy and missing those odd glimpses of goal.  Mossley were stout in defense and determined not to give their opponents a minutes rest on the ball.  Despite the guests having more of the game the best move came when Ahmadi passed to the sub, No 16 (Ashley Leather) who whacked in a cross and found the bonse of Latham.  The connection was true, the bar was struck, now that was a mighty moment and a stunning sequence that deserved more.  Up the other end, a moment of hesitancy before Daly tried a cheeky chip - very close and worth a punt for sure.  Within seconds Daly knocked a sweet dink to No 12 (Steve Hall) who shot but was denied by the digit tips of the home no 1 (Oliver Martin).  We were in the dregs, Leather broke like a rat from a burning shithouse and chased the ball with legs ablaze.  The opposing mittman left his line and somehow made the ball first - the anticipation of the cheering crowd was muted.  The last burst came via The Bloods, a ball in and Gonzales was in open space.  He put head on sphere, the accuracy was woeful and when the ref blew soon after I think we could all agree that a draw was the fairest result possible. With legs moving and bladder fit to burst I contemplated the Man of the match and opted for Droylsden's No 7 (Luke Daly) who exuded a touch of class, a quick footballing brain and a pair of tricky tootsies - on another day and with a stroke of luck he may have bagged a brace and set up a couple too.  Still a noteworthy effort though.

FINAL THOUGHT - So, no goals and a ruddy good soaking for many but I still think this was a very entertaining game that hung on a knife edge right up until the very last kick of the ball.  The weather was atrocious and if it continues like this I think Seel Park would be better known as Seal Park and the players should be issued with flippers before coming out.  There was a good vibe going on today at the ground though and it seems as though Mossley are doing things utterly right as regards off the pitch activity.  On the pitch they look a competitive side with plenty of decent players, maybe a bit more width wouldn't go amiss but the same was said about Peter Pencil Penis and look where he ended up.  Droylsden are a compact side and play a strict game reliant on some neat players to open up defenses and cultivate many chances. Today the chances came, the only criticism I would have is of the killer instinct - one sight of the jugular and go for it lads, perhaps Count Dracula may be up for a resurrection and could be got on a free transfer - who knows, blood for The Bloods and all that.  So, a nice excursion into a different zone and, as in the words of Neil Warnock to his Anger Management Counsellor 'I'll be back.'