Sunday 27 May 2018

LAST BLAST IN THE BREEZE

26th May 2018 - Billinge FC 0 v 3 Congleton Vale - Well, after a morn of nature mooching and a Full-English breakfast we arrived at our final game of the season...just in time.  It has been a long enjoyable haul but not one I will repeat - 109 matches is enough for me and next year I will be back to the regulation 60.  I have too many interests to commit to one but 60 match reports per year ain't too bad I hope.  So, we arrived, pootled about in the car park and then heard a whistle blow and some shouts.  We expected a 3pm kick-off, we had checked the Cheshire League Site - crikey the game was a foot and a mad dash was had and only the first few kicks taken.  The wind down one side was wicked, we moved and took up residence next to that fine mucka Paul Moran, a grand gent I last met at Ashton Athetic v City of Liverpool earlier on in the season.  He had clocked up 169 matches so far this time around and made me look like a mere amateur - bloody hell.  So whilst chatting away and my wife rested her legs by sitting in the Buttercup-laden grass the match unfolded and these are my observations.

The wind whipped, Congleton seemed the more controlled team and looked to play the ball on a surface well baked and unforgiving.  Billinge, in their pea-green shirts generated the first real attack and finalised a fair move with a blast from No 10 (Jack Irlam).  The ball however was wind-assisted and flew with pace off target.  Both units were playing narrow, it was making for an unappealing spectacle and out of the midfield mess No 9 (Rob Ablewhite) chanced his peg but could only find the mittman's midriff.  After another wild effort by Irlam came then The Vale responded with some tidy and efficient play.  Eventually a ball was threaded to their No 9 (Brian Barton) who turned on a tadpole's tit, sent forth a mid-paced effort that bumbled over the stretched keeper and put the first strike on the scoresheet.  It wasn't a classic goal but it broke a tight deadlock.  It wasn't long after that the visitors were applying more pressure and duly won a free-kick after Irlam executed another quick turn and was put on his arse.  The free-kick was floated by No 11 (Aaron Cooke), the ball hung and then dropped (a bit like a parachutist's nuts when sneezing in mid-air) and missed the keepers raised arms by mere inches.  No 10 (James Dodd) was the next visiting player through but the home No 3 (Brad Bailey) was quick to eye the danger and put in a very good tackle indeed.  A corner followed, went in, out and ended with a shabby shot over the horizontal.  

BIllinge were on the back foot now, they did manage to get a free-kick on-line but the goalies hands were glue-like (Evo-Stik of course) and held on with authority.  No 8 (Steve Wolhuter) advanced for the hosts next, he won a foul and a free-kick followed via the toes of Irlam - just too high.  A delicious Billinge foray followed; No 11 (Craig Byrom) was an integral component but some leaning in the box brought an untimely whistle and the move was halted.  The same team came again, a sweet sequence saw Ablewhite put in a choice touch but the end cross sail over all heads, and the touchline.  A late gratis-boot for Congo saw a weak kick in followed by an equally delicate header and that was that - 0 - 2 and it seemed the 3 points were only going one way.

A wander, a cuppa and a snap of the teamsheets and back out into the buttercup blessed grass, an area that Paul Moran described as 'yellow stuff' growing in between 'green stuff' - ooh the ruddy philistine!

The second half began, an early corner for the travellers saw a cracking ball go into the perilous patch.  No 4 (Chris Lawton) put a firm noggin on the globe, the post was rattled, brief confusion ensued and somehow matters were dealt with.  End to end play was indulged in, nothing concrete was noted Cooke came close for Congleton but other than that - my hands could leave the scribbling duties for a while.  Eventually Congleton pushed with purpose, a throw in, a moment of danger and a penalty shout - the referee looked to contemplate the incident and then gave a foul throw - how odd!  This bizarre call was soon forgotten when the same team advanced, and No 10 (Jame Dodd) shot at point blank range.  The keeper who looked a little uncertain in the first half blocked mighty well and kept his team within touching distance.  No 14 (Ryan Brookes) had a dreadful shot that had me reaching for my shorts and pondering an appearance but soon after he was closer with a cross cum shot that hit the stanchion and put a different type of wind up the keeper.  

Down the back stretch, the Congo river was running with force as Billinge tried mighty hard to swim against the current.  No 6 (Dan Beuhler) for the black and white boys swiveled and shot wide and then the Pea-Bodies had a scarce thrust with Irlam sawing in a daisy decapitator at a sharp angle that the keeper pounced on and did well to hold.  Beuhler and Brookes linked up at the other end the shot though was too tame and caused little fuss.  Brookes ran again late on and put in a sweet cross that missed all incomers and then Cooke put forth a delectable chip (aren't all chips delectable) that just wouldn't drop in time to bring up the 3rd.  A sweet volley soon after was ruled offside and then with the last kick of the game Cooke connected on a cross and put one over the keeper and settled the scoreline as 0 - 3 whilst giving me my 400th goal of the season.  The referee blew, farewells were said and that me old china...was that.  The final Man of the Match choice goes to Congleton Vale's No 11 (Aaron Cooke) for a work-man-like performance, several good runs, a bit of off-the-ball thinking and of course, 2 goals.

FINAL THOUGHT - Today both teams looked to just want to get the season done and played a match out in what was far from easy conditions.  The wind was a ruination, the surface hard and unaccommodating but Congleton Vale worked that little bit harder, a bit more presence and moved with greater urgency to take all 3 points and end the season on a high note.  Billinge looked out of sync and a trifle sluggish but having said this their campaign has been a rewarding one with their highest ever finish and a cup in the bag - can't be bad can it.  I shall now have a break and hopefully catch up with these teams in the new season whilst doing a bit more pootling around the Cheshire League.  Knutsford FC look bang on to bring home the bacon again and it is up to all the rest to up their game - challenge set fellas, enjoy the rest and then get at it - it has been a pleasure.

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