24th March 2018 - Whaley Bridge AFC 6 v 1 Wythenshawe Town - Father Time has got the trots and as he dashes around we mere mortals get dragged along and lost in the flying shittery. The clock rotates with increasing rapidity, a focus becomes a blur and as more is taken on, the heap rises and one feels lost in a whirlpool of passion, enthusiasm and I suppose, waywardness. The key though is to do and put back more than one takes and avoid the awful flow that dictates the rhythm, it ain't easy. So up, out to the doctors to put a prescription in (gotta keep the head level tha' knows, it ain't nowt to be ashamed of) and back home to sort some outstanding reports, a few CD reviews and one or two chores. Me and my good lady chomped dinner (mmm chicken, veggie stuff for my lass) sorted ourselves out (well attempted to) and out we went to a new ground. The weather was kind (must be the seasonal hormones) we arrived and had a mooch around a small portion of Todbrook Reservoir - 22 birds species, a nice flock of Siskin the highlight. We got back to the ground, took all in before us, including tea and nibbles and prepared for some Cheshire League action. Forget the affected, plastic and addle-headed nouveau riche who have as much insight into matters as a sinking bat in a sewer, instead get out and support something real, keep it at 'level' approachable and do your bit - well that's the idea. We chitted, chatted, the verbal ball was batted...and then a game of football was had!
The first few rotations of the globe occurred and the guests were straight through with No 10 (Gavin Salmon) shrugging off an attempted tackle and letting one fly. The home No 1 (James Tattersall) was wide awake and saved with solid efficiency - what a good start! The Wythenshawe pressure built but the boys from The Bridge were resolute and came back and earned a free-kick. The ball was put forth, chaos reined, a tussle and a make-up was had, the game continued at a fair old gallop. A foul next saw the ball fly off at an angle and thwack an elderly on-looker full in the mush. His glasses went flying, his eye and nose bled, his head was no doubt spinning quicker than the accursed lass in The Exorcist. The defender for Whaley Bridge No 3 (Jamie Kay) was over to apologise and then a physio came and gave grand attention - a nice touch. The fella took things in good heart was soon back with his peepers on the action...talking of which...! The home chaps now built a fine momentum, akin to Billy Casper fleeing the local shopkeeper after helping himself to a packet of No 6 fags. The visiting defence was getting stretched and out of the threat No 7 (Bill Sutton) struck one and brought up the opening goal. It was well taken but instead of celebrating the aforementioned Kay came once more to check on the injured spectator (see, things ain't all bad). Whaley Bridge came on again, a free-kick was had, delivered and knocked down for Sutton to finish after a tidy twist of the hips. It was a sweet yet simple goal, the rear guard of Wythenshawe looked far from happy.
From here the travelling team tried to kick back and advanced with pumping shanks. As they entered the final zone a return long ball grazed the noggin of No 10 (George Burgess) who touched on to the the ever-hungry No 11 (Daniel Gilbride). The flank flasher ran and cross, red alert came for the opposition, their tidy No 3 (Paulo Incaque) timed his tackle well and did just enough to stem the tide. Next and a corner for The Bridge was had due to the sheer determination of their No 9 (Jack Kelly), solid squire, solid. The angled kick came, found the other side of the pitch and was put back in. No 6 (Jack Gregory) put his crust on the ball from only a few feet out, the block via the mittman was as sweet as a Blackbird's chuff (so I believe). Another corner came, Wythenshawe survived. A mistimed tackle followed, idiot verbals erupted, from the ensuing bonus ball No 11 (Ed Walker) of the Wythy Warriors exhibited some good feet and released to an escaping colleague. Alas glory was not to follow as the defensive shepherding was choice and the ball allowed to trickle out for a goal kick. Just as one thought Wythenshawe were clawing their way back out of the doghouse Whaley Bridge tightened the lead with another free-punt, a nod back and a third goal for Sutton. It was taken well, but it was all too easy and laid on a plate - this was looking like a rout. Soon after a kick from the WB mittman was nutted out and immediately volleyed home via the peg of Gregory. It was a beauty an ideal way to bring up the fourth. Not satisfied a ball over the top saw Sutton bring the ball down and test the visiting No 1 (Ben Daniels). The save that came was of lofty calibre, there is some justice after all. The half came to an end with the visitors trying to force matters but always being crowded out - it was just one of those days!
Half-time was spent swilling the obligatory tea, We put a tenner in the donation box and re-took our positions.
The second half started in frisky fashion, it brought back memories of the opening round of the World Butter Boxing Fight between Bella Emberg and Doris Stokes, now that was a rollicking affair with Stokes winning by 2 falls and a possession. A hard push by the hosts saw Gilbride earn a corner and duly knock the ball in. The easiest header imaginable was taken by No 10 (George Burgess) and the 5 goal mark was attained. Soon after Gilbride put another gratis globe forward and saw Sutton grab another - it was as simple as it sounds, 6 - 0, what the ruddy Hell is happening? Wythenshawe now scrounged for any morsels, they were being outworked and out-thought but note need be made of Incaque at the rear who, despite being in a squad who were on a hiding, was still working away and catching the eye with some very efficient defending. It was all to little avail though as Sutton had two more cracks, both off target but showing threat still loomed large. The game went through a quiet spell, a Wythenshawe corner was wasted as one of their tribe went down easier than a skeleton in a breeze, some extra effort was needed for sure! The guest No 7 (Ash Leather) was running his gonads off, he eventually got one ball in but the header that came from No 12 (Jake Gregory) flew just wide. Up the other end and a substitute tiptoed through on the blindside and shot low but was thwarted by a quality save. The keeper got clobbered soon after, he was having a rough day but he did well to hang in and was soon back on his feet facing several more onslaughts. Wythenshawe strained for a consolation, Incaque played a ball through on which Walker advanced. The home keeper read the situation and collected with calmness. A swift attack by Wythy saw No 15 (James Taylor) let fly but the ball hit a colleague on the line and made a mockery of the effort. With only seconds remaining Salmon laid the ball off to Leather who slapped home and got one goal back just in time before proceedings were halted. He deserved that due to his constant dashing and never-say-die attitude, 6 - 1 it was, now who would have predicted that! There were some good stints shown today, primarily from the Whaley Bridge pack and my choice for man of the Match goes to No 3 (Jamie Kay) for a calm workhorse effort that was watertight, businesslike and subtly accomplished. Add to this his sportsmanship and I reckon the choice is spot on the mark.
FINAL THOUGHT - I chatted with a couple of local bods before the match and they informed me this would be a match like the ring-piece of Pope John Paul the 3rd - a tight one. I made my prediction for a 2 - 2 draw and once more exhibited a footballing insight on par with that of Carlton Palmer - severely negligible. The end result though was no freak accident or bizarre stroke of luck but simply down to a team off colour playing one full of spunk, highly organised and with a bunch of hoofers very much in cahoots and on the same wavelength. We came, we buggered off home and we were impressed by the set up, the politeness of many people and the overall input of a well-oiled machine. This Whaley Bridge affair needs more support and during the mayhem of our busy lives we shall certainly be making further efforts. I shall also be supporting Wythenshawe too and I was particularly taken by the fact that they battled to the end despite the chance of gaining any points more probable than Garth Crooks ever reducing his weight below the 20 stone barrier. Next year the North-West Counties await I hear, there is work to be done for a team in transition - face the task and go get em' fellas.
No comments:
Post a Comment