POYNTS OF VIEW

21st May 2018 - Linotype Cheadle Heath Nomads 0 v 1 Poynton FC - The season is staggering to a closure, teams are looking tired, in disarray and seemingly hoping to have done and dusted.  The Cheshire League is the one of the last leagues still operating and it seems within the next week all will be finalised.  Before the closing matches a cup final needed playing out - The Stockport and District FA Senior Cup Final no less - a limited competition with few entrants but one, when it comes down to it, that gives a chance to raise a bit of silverware and generate more interest in your chosen club.  I had seen both teams play against one another recently in a tight affair and expected more of the same tonight.  We arrived at Edgeley Park, located a lofted perch, shared a choccy bar and watched folk arrive and the teams warm up.  The crowd was primarily made up of other league players, families and people with close connections to each club with, I suspect, the odd hopping maniac still clocking up the totals (and why not, better than eating babies or crapping in bus shelters).  Eventually the game was afoot, I watched, scribbled and composed some words that fell; into place as thus:-

The start was regular, both teams with plenty of ants in their pants.  Poynton applied greater pressure during the opening passages of play, No 10 (Rick Bailey) was slotted through and denied by a keeper who had obviously set his alarm and left the line in good time.  Moments later another ball came in, No 9 (Mark Faulkner) twisted like a cheap Chubby Checker mimic and flipped like a Haddock with a hook in its pectoral.  The reason for this spasmodic body warp was in attempt of a spectacular overhead kick, the ball would not obey the contortionists request and flew into the sky rather than the hoped for net - hitch up yer truss sir and carry on.  The Nomads eventually began to grab a smattering of possession albeit without any end sting.  No 7 (Craig Coates) had a fair old run at one stage, crossed and allowed No 11 (Steve Kirby) to be denied at the last by a strong tackling No 7 (Matt Toole) but other than that the problems posed for the Poynton pack were few and far between.  The Poynton players were still producing the greater danger but the service was lacking to the frontman and the game slipped into realms best described as drab and sober and without any major thrills.

After a weaving run and a low drive from Poynton's No 11 (Rob Black), that went shy of the upright, Cheadle had a flourish with a couple of balls into the box that caused a certain defensive hesitancy.  Eventually No 4 (Ashley Crank) had a side foot effort that went a little too close for comfort and left all and sundry with something to ponder.  A certain tetchiness began to sidle into the game of the Nomads as Poynton passed with patience.  Discipline was now an important commodity something which both rear guards showed in abundance.  Black had the next chance for Poynton with a good battling burst followed by a noticeable wherewithal to release the ball to Toole who saw his cross clobbered clear.  Soon after Toole tried to make amends with a dig from distance, the keeper relaxed and watched the ball hit the Heavens and leave us still void of a real on-target strike.  It was a blessing that the half was halted soon after.

Me and my good lady were unimpressed.  The half had been a let down, we shared another choccy bar to make up for it - we like the simple things.

The second period started with a Nomadic spurt, No 9 (Rick Tindall) passed to No 10 (Leon Grandison) who shot and saw the mittman fumble.  Tindall pounced for the scraps, somehow the ball was dumped away.  2 corners came, both poor and when Cheadle pushed again Poynton attempted a sucker-punch with a long ball to their galloping No 3 (Jake Wright).  Again the keeper (Aaron Tyler) did enough and was backed up by Crank who quashed the peril.  From here, for a lengthy spell, the game lost all fluency, with a lot of bluster ending in a frequent flaccid fart of 'bugger all'.  No 3 (Liam Danaher) had a brief adventure forth for The Nomads, nothing came of it and then Poynton had 2 shots, one of which was saved and one of which was blazed wide.  No 15 (Nick Challinor) came on for Poynton, he made an instant nuisance of himself, laying off, using the head in the box and adding a crucial option.  His side were awarded a free-kick after another bout of nob-numbing nonsense.  The ball was played, a save followed, Toole followed up soon after with a turn and tickle - just wide folks, just wide!  Soon after a ball over the top saw Toole chance his arm (well leg in fact) and the keeper was in the way again.  He duly fumbled but had done enough, the tide was rising.  The Linotypers had a push, Tindall to No 12 (Joe Campbell) who put in a sweet drive only slightly off the mark - now this is more like it!  

The tempo picked up, Poynton dashed, a player was clobbered, advantage was played and then mysteriously stopped.  Confusion followed and a free-kick ungraciously hoofed over for a corner.  Nothing came of the angled kick but tension was growing that was for sure.  Next up, Challinor was away and duly shot from the angle.  Another good save followed which, as icing on the cake, was backed up by a stunning double-block when Toole had 2 bites of the cherry to give his side the lead.  Great action for sure, albeit a little late in the day to gloss this game over and give it the pretence of a 'classic'.  Poynton now were on a roll, the Linotype lads looked weary and in disarray.  Black had a shot that was stopped by the gloved guardian and then a corner was put in, No 16 (Andy Simpson) rose from the pack and banged home with his balding bonse.  0 - 1, it was a game winner as it turned out and the final few minutes were spent defending this lead with the other team scampering to no avail whatsoever.  The referee blew, I was mighty glad to hear it and off we tootled, calling at the chippy and strolling home in the fumes of vinegar - lovely.  Man of the Match was easy, The Linotype Cheadle Heath Nomads' No 1 (Aaron Tyler) had a great game and it was a shame he went home on the losing side.  5 great saves were executed which kept his team in with a chance up until the last - unlucky squire, keep at it!

FINAL THOUGHT - I have never been a fan of 'finals' - I always find the games building up to this full-stop far more intriguing and laden with extra possibilities and drama.  This was a shabby game, the result of a long season when legs are tired and thoughts of a rest are in the head.  The Nomads looked a forlorn side come the end, they were always on the backfoot during this encounter and they now just need to finish the season and build for the future.  Poynton on the other hand looked to have a good spark left in the tank and pushed the ball about well but, as is the case at these lower levels, lacked a consistency in the killer department. In truth they deserved a few more goals when all said and done the Cheadle crew have a good back pack and this is something they can hopefully rely on in their next campaign.  So I sign off with the chips digested, the footballing neurones not fully titivated and with congratulations given to Poynton FC on their cup victory - well done chaps!