7th May 2018 - New Mills 2 v 2 Chadderton - The sun is making an exhibition of itself and adding a feel-good factor to these end of season matches. Due to pondering the hazards of busy roads we decided to have a morning birdwatching at Carrington Moss and then go to a match that avoided motorway mayhem and any great distance. The walk was grand, hardly anyone around, a few birds, butterflies, bugs and blooms seen and all in superb weather - can't fault it. We headed home, had dinner, I typed up the wildlife lists and lounged about and then...we headed out. Arriving in good time tea and snacks were had, a nice shaded spot chosen and arses were parked. This match had everything set up for the teams to played relaxed football and just express themselves - if that was going to be the case it should be a cracker...we were certainly hoping so.
The commencement was a quiet affair, the Chad's were having the better of the early exchanges and eventually won the first corner although the hoof in was straight into the keepers reaching mitts. A long ball soon after saw the home No 6 (Jack Miller) who was forced into an error and committed a clumsy foul. No 8 (Jack Ward) took the responsibility of the kick, partook of a simple crack and found the net whilst the home heads were seemingly contemplating their navels. From this surprising moment Chadderton still dictated matters and passed the ball with greatest effect. New Mills found their first taste of promise when No 11 (George Blackwell) knocked a great ball to No 9 (Dennis Sherriff) who collected and hit a low cross that was disappointingly void of any takers - a pity! From here little else happened as the match plodded on, the baked pitch meant control was difficult and the heat was certainly a factor at this stage of a long campaign. Suddenly No 10 (Jake Pollard) for the home lads was in with a chance. A daisy-cutting shot came, the mitter read it well, sprawled low and pushed the ball wide. From the corner Blackwell thumped a sizzler, a defender impeded the effort on the line and belted clear, a drink break followed.
After liquids were swilled the Chadderton mob took hold of the reins and had the first surge. A corner was had, it was nutted clear, put back in and an offside rule dampened any growing excitement. New Mills reacted with a corner of their own, the delivery was sweet, No 4 put his angled nut over the bar. The Millers pushed again with pace, the ball bobbled between every pass but eventually ended up at the feet of No 8 (Jack McConnell) who struck low and firm and found the inside near post. A decent equalising dig, time for another drinks break - it was a hot un', that's for sure - thank goodness for those rectal ice-cubes I acquired 5 minutes before kick-off. Ok, they may of melted and my rear was sopping wet but man I was as cool as a cucumber in a fridge - nice! Into the last 10 minutes of the first half we went, the NM boys were playing better but the Chadderton No 2 (Joseph Richards) nearly pissed on their warming chips with a cracking ball that No 10 (Matthew Wilkinson) nearly connected with - the mitter was just too quick and booted clear with relief. Chadderton now built with patience, Ward was an intricate component in a clockwork move. A final ball came in, No 9 (Bradley Kay) rose with authority and clobbered home with his bonse, a purist goal for sure and a great way to regain the lead. The last dregs of this period saw Ward bend one wide for the visitors and New Mills put together a choice move with No 7 (Samuel Marshall) busting a bollock, passing to Blackwell out wide who laid one off for Pollard to eagerly thwack over - and we were done!
Half-Time - we couldn't be arsed to move and checked other scores. One of my local teams Maine Road looked doomed, 3 - 0 and only a victory would save their chuffs - not a way to spend a sunny afternoon. The teams soon came back out, onwards!
The start to this second period was bright, a free-kick for the hosts saw McConnell take and only place into the awaiting keepers arms. His team were showing a better intensity though, a long ball from No 12 (Jack Beswick) put Blackwell in who shot and forced a solid, low save. Chadderton grew into the half and subdued their opponent's ambitions whilst protecting their narrow lead. From a New Mills push Chaddy broke, Ward to Kay who was denied by a defender, the question arose - was the tackle legal? A ball in, a dig by Ward brought no further success to the Chadderton side of the scorecard and up the other end Blackwell had a shout for a penalty but was refused his claim. Another attack came, I was distracted by a Speckled Wood butterfly (my fave) but looked up in time to see a quick pass and the ball fly home via Samuel Marshall who got just reward for some decent labour. We were back to all square and now the New Mills outfit worked better and McConnell had a low drive soon after, one that was only collected by the keeper at the second attempt, there really should have been some in-rushing 'erberts - you just never know!
Into the last 10 minutes we went, a late spark was nearly added when Chaddy's No 11 (Jack O'Leary) turned in the box and fired. A deflection led to a corner, the ball in was good and found the crust of the in-flying No 3 (James Dwyer) who should have hit the target but nutted way too high. Marshall was put through at the opposite end, he raced and shot close-in but the visiting No 1 (Daniel Havern) spread and blocked well. The ball went loose, Blackwell fired forth and a great follow-up block by the mittman was had, fine action indeed. McConnell for the Millers raised the next hopes with a superb dissecting ball and as 2 colleagues chased it was with high disappointment that the linesman was seen to be waving for offside - what a rotter! New Mills had 2 corners at the death, the second saw Pollard blaze one...over. Soon after we were done, it hadn't been the greatest match but we had been treated to a competitive contest and had 4 goals thrown in for good measure. Man of the match goes to the high energy and busy bee bod of New Mill's, namely their No 7 (Samuel Marshall). He worked until the last and as the game progressed his effect became more apparent. We went home with match 102 of the season under the belt, only a few left now, crikey!
FINAL THOUGHT - A clash of 2 teams who have had a below average season and who both need to now get done and dusted and look forward to the next campaign. Chadderton play some fine football at times, they need a good pitch on which to perform and to maintain a sizzling intensity that is counterbalanced by controlled thinking and some composed movement that finds good space is used to its maximum potential. Easy to say from the touchline but it can be done. New Mills are an odd commodity who seem to play many matches with a Jekyll and Hyde style. They have periods that really please the eye and put teams under the cosh and then have moments where a mental blanket seems to snuff out ideas and creativity which sees a whole lot of effort produce nothing. This can be addressed by communication and a few leaders in the pack keeping all heads alert - again just the thoughts of a punter enjoying the game and wishing all the best. I like my jaunts to New Mills, tis a right pleasant place to watch the glorious game, and...as in the words of Fumanchu - 'I shall return', along with my very own bride of course, who ain't evil in anyway but an all round good un'.
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