18th April 2018 - Prestwich Heys 7 v 2 Carlisle City - The third match on the bounce this week but my next one is a week away so I suppose it keeps things balanced. The sun is starting to make his presence known and to this fungalised git it means time must be spent recording and enjoying the birds, bugs and blooms whilst catching up on a few books I am writing and ploughing through the eternal CD review backlog. Tis nice to be busy when the solar rays warm the flesh and the hope eternal it brings is never underestimated by this appreciative soul. We had a quick tea, drove to the ground with the windows down, entered, lay down and played a word game of the good lady's phone whilst we awaited the teams. A wander for a pre-match piddle, spots chosen and a lovely chat with a referee who was in attendance as an assessor tonight, going through the tick-box routine and making sure the man in the middle earned his crust. A lovely fella this, quite sober in his opinion of his role and understanding of the bollocks spouted his way and the general attempt at sway which can get many into pointless hot water. So the two sides appeared, t'was a lovely evening with a Robin singing in the trees and the breeze of a most pleasant thermality - here's to a grand game.
It was a vigorous start, both teams sprightly and keen to take control. Heys had an early free-kick/corner combo - the latter hoof going into the box and out before No 9 (Lee Grimshaw) had a punt but the connection was poor. The home lads pushed again and were thwarted at the last by a very close offside call whilst Carlisle responded with a free-kick that led to a stunning cross the Heys crew did very well to clear...eventually). Prestwich now began to turn the screw, 2 crosses came and were dealt with but the Carlisle crew were under pressure and when a lovely dinked chip came it was No 11 (Rio Wilson-Heyes) who popped up and nutted home. It was a well-worked goal and no sooner had celebrations been had than the same team came once more, No 4 (Max White) had a volley deflected but the keeper was in the right spot and safely scooped up the globe. Carlisle responded, one long ball bounced high and nearly beat the home netter with No 11 (David Renyard) almost nipping in, thanks goodness the No 1 (Michael Smith) had a good reach. Seconds later the same frontman cracked one just wide and then No 9 (Ryan Errington) had a half-chance but just fell short of a pure connection. This was a good fight back from an early blow though but Heys are never to be underestimated and from a brief midfield melee the bright and intelligent No 7 (Daniel White) turned and released and forced the visiting mitter (Michael Ballantine) to produce a good low save. The resulting corner produced...nowt!
The game now saw Carlisle on the back foot, a corner ball for Heys saw Grimshaw put pate on sphere but there was too much uplift and over the bar the ball went. Some lovely wing play followed, 2 passes, the ball was laid off and Grimshaw side footed home with casual certainty and doubled his sides lead. More Prestwich pressure was added, several sugar-coated balls were flicked into the maw of the box, each and everytime there looked to be a strike waiting to happen. Another attack down the flank came, a simplistic yet effective ball was played, it was Daniel White who struck home with a sanguine ease and an unruffled brow. Soon after, a booking was had for Carlisle's Renyard, which was a ruddy shame as he was putting in some good graft. Next action and Daniel White for The Heys put in a sumptuous shot of sublime quality that needed some excellent mitt attention. The corner was put in, knocked out and a free-kick awarded to the attacking squad. Max White put the ball in, a head connected, the globe flew wide. A rare ball back for Carlisle was had, a gem of a delivery saw the goalkeeper advance and punch. Errington found himself with the ball at his feet and put back a decent shot that was slightly too high, unlucky squire! The last dregs saw No 3 (Aaron Bradley) and Renyard of the visitors have more efforts on goal, one save, one wide - at least they were having a go. The half ended, it had been enjoyable but as a neutral I hoped the traveling tribe could get a few goals back.
More chin-wagging for half-time, a cup of cha' and a shared Twix with the missus. It was nice not to be freezing our chuffs off for a change.
The Sky Blues came out feisty for the second period, a corner was won, a good delivery saw confusion in The Heys box, No 12 (Kyle McCartney) was in the right place at the right time and buried the ball and gave the game just what it needed. Carlisle now had renewed belief, Heys were temporarily rattled and another corner came against them, it was duly dealt with and the hosts reacted well with Daniel White playing a cute ball to No 10 (John Main) who shot close in but was denied by a rock solid save. The guests still exuded zest, the hosts had to earn their crust. 2 controversial free-kicks for Prestwich were given, it stemmed a troubling flow, the first was punched away, the second delivered by Daniel White who found the head of No 6 (Jacob Wood) who could only find the relieved keepers arms. The game was becoming more and more intriguing, Carlisle were industrious, many players busting a gut. No 14 (Robert McCartney) fired in a fine cross, No 12 (Kyle Armstrong) flew in but was just denied at the last. The home lads offered a response, White in the mix, No 15 (Lee Bruce) shooting but it was too easy for the keeper. A rebound the other way, a strong burst, a 50/50 ball won followed by a pass that allowed No 10 (Jake Simpson) to tap home. Lovely stuff.
Into the meat of this second period and the guests had their peckers up, but a break came against them and Bruce got the bit between his teeth and rushed, pushed and pursued through tackles and a blur of swinging legs until he got his due reward and forced the ball home. 4 - 2, a kidney punch for Carlisle, nay a veritable kick in the bulging goolies, but what determination from the home scorer? A few moments later a Heys free-kick, a choice ball in and Wood popping up and nutting home to restore a 3 goal advantage and empty his footballing bladder over the promise of budding visitors. Suddenly Heys were at it again, No 17 (Alfie Belcher) supplied a stunning ball for confusion to rein and an own goal to come from the mess. It was insulting to see and when No 14 (Ashley Stott) broke moments later and was in a one on one situation with the mittman it was a moment of outrage that saw him bury and give the scoreline a quite warped appearance. This was not a 7 - 2 match but hey, when the bowels of misfortune open...shit happens! McCartney still pushed on at the other end, it was a brilliant run and shot but was tidily saved by an alert keeper. Chances continued to come at both ends, Belcher had the last effort for The Heys, it went over and the game was done, 9 goals, a distortion of fact if one looks at it on paper after the event, hopefully you can read between the lines. Man of the Match goes to No 7 (Daniel White) for The Heys, he put in some exceptional passes, remained composed throughout, bagged a goal and exuded a noticeable quality - one to watch methinks.
FINAL THOUGHT - Well, what can I say, the truth is out there but it is riddled with a masque of deceit and that 5 goal swing that the hosts strutted off with did not reflect the effort put in by their defeated guests. Prestwich Heys though are a good side, they have a cup match coming up and will be in the play-off mix - the only question remains - will they shoot their bolt beforehand by piling up these goal gluts or will they stay on top of the crest of a wave and surf hard into the next awaiting tier - the season may be old but it is still pregnant with much excitement. Carlisle City should take pride in the second half efforts today and having been on the wrong side of the scoreline at the break they came out and showed a quite admirable character. They worked hard to get their 2 goals and were unfortunate that circumstance had a trick up its sleeve and dealt them a foul hand. The performance from the second period should be concentrated on and used as an example of how to play for the full 90 minutes and put the veritable shits up their opponents. I wish them well, I hope to get back up to Carlisle at some point, they deserve any support they can get!
No comments:
Post a Comment