SQUIRES FATE

5th May 2018 - Squires Gate 0 v 3 1874 Northwich - An early start and some birding at Marton Mere, then some more at Stanley Park and then up to Kincraig Lake for another wander and a Cornetto from the local Spar.  Great views of Cetti's Warbler, Wood Warbler and Black Necked Grebe were had and 13,500 steps clocked up too.  Eventually, after a quick pop in a Garden Centre we arrived at the car park of the ground and spent 40 minutes sprawled on some grass soaking up a few solars.  2pm arrived, in we went and had a cup of tea and a bag of crisps apiece whilst chatting to our dancing lass in London.  To the opposite side of the ground we went and wagged the mandible with a few fine 74 fans who were both knowledgeable and proud as punch of the team's campaign.  I made a prediction of 2 - 2, one grand fellow went for 2 - 1 to his beloved visiting team, my wife kept schtum - I think she knows this game only too well. Final viewing positions were eventually taken, the teams came out onto the sun-kissed green, 2 Oystercatchers piped overhead and a Small Tortoisehell and Orange Tip butterfly fluttered by and, like we two Non-League 'erberts, remained neutral.  I fancied a close encounter - I just hoped it wasn't going to be of the 'turd kind'.

Both teams started well, No 4 (Tarren Moxon) and No 7 (Ryan Riley) combined well for the hosts, the visiting defence scampered well and remained controlled whilst under early pressure.  From the rear the 74 mob sliced their way forward, No 2 (Paul Connor) and No 7 (Ryan Jackson) copulated control that gave birth to a ball to No 6 (Sam Freakes) who delivered a shot first time.  The home No 1 (Benjamin Fletcher) was wide awake and made a highly admirable save.  The corner came, No 10 (Scott McGowan ) had a punt fly over and then No 9 (Kyle Riley) used good strength in the box, turned and knocked in a substantial shot and was denied by the quite impressive mittman.  The SG brigade ran hard, No 11 (Finley Clarkson) was farting fire in his efforts to offer a release valve whilst the guests passed with purpose and duly sprayed the ball from one side of the park to the other.  One such move saw a temptation laden cross come via the feet of Jackson and drop from the flank to the opposite post Connor popped up and nutted across goal at an angle that saw the ball go behind.  Jackson came again soon after, winning and executing a free-kick that saw the crust of No 5 (Ryan Mitchell) make contact but not enough to trouble the sanguine protector of the mesh.  In retaliation to this ascending heat the Squires had two corners granted,  the first had an awful delivery but had to be retaken and was done so with added quality.  The guest gloved one read it well and gathered with ease.  Jackson for 1874 had more to add and went on a grand flank frolic before putting in a ball to Riley who shot with untamed fervour and nearly killed one of the aforementioned Oystercatchers (unforgivable on all fronts).  A free-kick by Jackson came soon after, it passed over the Poa with pace and bent but went outside of the upright rather than inside!

We were over halfway through the first half, now the hosts came on, Clarkson was still busting a gonad (or two) and then a cracking run came from No 10 (Scott Harries) who dinked a cross to No 9 (Gary Pett) who took it on his chest, shot and grazed the crossbar - great action for sure.  Riley advanced next, the Northwich players backed off, time was had to shoot from a middling distance, a good effort just missed, the home lads where getting closer.  As home hopes rose a long ball went down the other end, No 11 (Samuel Hind) eventually received in the box, was crowded out but somehow found room to turn, belt and bring up the first goal.  It was a clinical finish that added extra spice into an already tasty dish - how would the hosts respond? Soon after I was distracted by a passing Orange Tip butterfly and when I looked up saw Squires Gate answer my previous poser with a swift attack that saw a shot blaze in just wide of the far upright.  An 1874 error followed, Pett of The Gate advanced but was denied by an off-the-line keeper.  A corner followed, Pett rose and nutted, the ball went over.  The guests regrouped, Riley displayed good strength on the end line, unselfishly crossed and saw Hind fly in but have legs too short to make that crucial touch.  The end wound down and out with the SG lads having several more crosses, some good passing sequences and the odd shot produce no genuine threat and McGowan up the other end came close but also failed to achieve killer triumph.  The ref called a halt, it had been a good un'.

Half-time, a chat with a few decent folk, a stroll and a cup of grand cha'.  No matter what the weather, tea is the drink of the Gods, they partake regularly on Mount Tetley whilst munching on Ambrosia dipped chips and scratching their sagacious arses - it is an example to follow.

The second half soon began, we had not won the football card, a gamble taken after an offer by a keen fella who was doing the circuit of the pitch and also on tannoy duties - tis a busy life.  The half began with the Squires applying good thermality, a huge push inspired no doubt by the two hairless hollerers on the bench who were playing havoc with my eardrums but giving good value for money nonetheless.  The first hopes were raised by the home team as a stunning crossfield ball saw Harries work hard and apply a pass that Pett latched onto and released only to see a deflection knock it wide.  The corner went straight into the goalkeepers hands but soon after the same two players linked up with Pett shooting and bringing about a quite efficient save.  The first action came up the other end (ooh missus) when Freakes put a careless shot off the mark and then a free-kick eventually led to a ball in from Jackson that saw Hind ascend and headbutt home and double his sides lead.  This was a kick in the conkers for the striving residents, a real sickener but they responded immediately with a  beautiful cross finding Harries' head that allowed a follow-up attacker to arrive just too late.  Another ball in, Pett nutted over and then 74 counterpunched with sizzling intensity and Hind fly the wing and put in a very pace-heavy cross.  McGowan hammered in and put his bonse on the ball but it was too quick and pinged off target.

From here the home lads had most of the possession, they passed and played with perspired passion but the end delivery and final decision were lacking in quality and so through much sweat, little success was borne.  2 great strikes did eventually come, the first was by Moxon but he was denied celebration by a top notch save that needed quickly recovering from as a follow-up attempt was also effectively blocked.  Excellent work form the man between the posts, No 1 (Greg Hall) take a bow.  The game entered the final stretch, SG still pushed, had the odd effort and worked well in midfield but the visiting unit remained well-drilled and barely gave a clear view of the well-protected goal and always held a certain threat.  This threat duly blossomed and, after much absorption of hustle and bustle, Northwich broke with pace No 14 (Shelton Payne) exhibited some robust determination, crossed and up stepped No 15 (Jake Parker) to tap in - how ruddy cruel can this game be.  Soon after the game was brought to an end, it was just as well, I am sure that if the Squires Gate lads indulged in a coin tossing game 9 times out of 10 the coin would land on its side and the other time it would roll away and fall down a nearby shit-filled grid.  It was one of those days!  Man of the Match today goes to the 1874 Northwich's No 3 (Daniel Thomas) who started on the edge but soon settled down and became a quite reliable facet at the rear and who contributed in many ways to the oh so precious cleansheet.  A subtle but mightily effective performance and played with a good quiet and head-down focus - I always appreciate that!

FINAL THOUGHT - Please tell me how this match ended up at 0 - 3?  How the hell can one team work so hard and have so much possession and trudge off with sour FA to show for it?  Tis a mad game, no wonder those two buggers on the Squires Gate bench are lacking in hair - tis a ruddy stressful game that is for sure!  In truth the difference was the final execution and when 1874 had a sniff of goal they caused mayhem and buried whereas the hosts seemed to lack a clinical touch and make the wrong decision at the most crucial time.  The team however have much potential and are never going to be a push-over for any opponent and have much quality to cultivate further and perhaps make serious waves in the next campaign.  1874 Northwich were my tip for the title this time around and I reckon they wouldn't have been far off if it wasn't for one helluva hectic calendar.  Next time around I think this lot and Runcorn Town are sure-fire favourites with the City of Liverpool and Bootle in a very interesting mix.  It will be a fascinating season and will all come down to consistency and a killer touch in front of goal, something 1874 Northwich have in abundance - as ever, the Non-League scene never fails to fascinate.