AV' IT

5th October 2018 - Avro FC 3 v 3 Bacup Borough - Amidst the fungal season midweek football is the only fix I can squeeze in and so a trip to this new ground was highly anticipated. The day had been spent at work and finalising The Nettle Book I have written which, all being well, should be published next week.   Nettles are punks, they hold no favourites, do a lot of good and have a mighty honest sting - nowt wrong wi' that lad!  Home I cycled, had a session on the punch bag (ooh poor mother, she takes a good body shot though) and sorted tea.  My good lady joined me, we watched some bilge TV and I pondered what sentence I would receive for strangling Warwick Davies?  A quick change, testicles tucked away, maps and brass at the ready and out we pootled.  We were already jaded from the lurgy and a late night on Monday that saw a Fungalised gig go mighty well and raise a few hundred quid for the homeless.  No good standing still collecting dust though, so ground arrived at, tea sorted and places had with a few chinwags enjoyed with some friendly folk especially one Daniel Turner and his young mate Jacob - two decent lads.  I had predicted a 5 goal affair, if it is I stand a chance of winning a Brian Moore wig - what a rip off, I am more than halfway there as it is - how about a George Berry barnet please you bastards?  And so, with hairline worries, to the match we go!

A scurrying start and both ant-like packs laboured with high zest.  Avro were certainly holding the greater territorial advantage and showing an expected desire to deliver the globe as soon as possible.  This fizz produced a stunning passing sequence from the Avro Army that saw a cross get blocked for a corner which duly lacked any quality - the keeper gathered with ease.  No 10 (Michael Stockdale) was undeterred by this wasted moment and burst forth a few minutes later with a weaving run and firm shot that had enough weight to warm the guts of the travelling keeper.  The away side were certainly being worked hard at the back with No 3 (Davison Banda) dashing about like a nude chef with a roasted chicken up his arse (stuffed of course - good old Paxo).  A screw was being turned, the first strike looked on the cards, all that was needed was an accuracy in the cross.  No 8 (Joe Bevan) and Stockdale linked up next in a nimble footed sequence that saw the former player crack on and bring about a eye-catching save.  From this point Bacup gathered themselves, eventually found room to gain a balance from which a free-kick was earned in the middle of the park.  The ball was hoofed into the box, simply nutted on and up popped No 7 (Anthony Hall) inside the 6 yard box and duly slotted home to throw a spanner in the home works - what a shocker this was.  The game was now there for Avro to chase, No 11 (Ryan Hanson) was the first to respond with a genuinely decent run and thump.  A solid, reliable save was executed and from nowhere Bacup rebounded and some quick in box feet where tumbled and a penalty was won.  Phew - I am struggling to keep up.   The tension rose, Hall stepped up and looked to back his second.  The whistle blew, the kick taken and the bottom corner found in true assassins style - 0 - 2 - what the Hell!

A state of play now developed, Bacup looked to protect their lead and sneak in with the odd jab to the abdomen whilst Avro threw punches in bunches and tried to find a crucial weak spot.  Hall was soon in again, the shot went straight at the keeper - now that was an hat-trick chance if ever I saw one.  Some midfield battling was had, No 9 (Michael Norton) for Avro was working hard and won a ball from nothing.  He passed with precision to Bevan who had his first time shot deflected wide.  The corner, once more was wasted, this time by an unnecessary infringement.  Another Avro corner soon after was walloped behind by the guest No 3 and yet another angled kick brought no success - the headmaster was writing a note - 'must do better' was scrawled in perspired blood.  A bout of disjointed play saw frustration nip at the host's heels whilst Bacup kept their heads down and worked like well-whipped dogs.  Another silky and many faceted passing sequence by the hosts was marvellous and when Stockdale released the keeper did well to stretch low and push the ball behind the sticks.  The corner was far from convincing but a repeat kick from the angle was better, brought about a melee that saw a long swing and the ball get whacked over - another golden opportunity wasted.  A goal kick and Bacup's No 10 (Michael Gervin) produced some dazzling control, turned and surged and was only stopped by a very clumsy tackle.   A yellow was issued and a  free-kick given, Gervin stepped up to gain revenge and although the crack was sweet the ball just wouldn't stay down.  The half ended, it had been nothing less than a good un'.

Half-time and a piddle and a brew.  Many opinions were floating around on the night air as to how this one would finish, I thought it was far from over!

The early period of this second installment saw the hosts once again dictate matters but failing to cultivate any triumph.  They were nearly undone by a fluke up and under (ooh Eddie Waring thy tones are missed) that was walloped into the night air by Bacup's No 9 (Benjamin Boyne) who watched the ball plummet like a seizured Gannet and need a firm hand over the bar by an ever watchful mitter.  The resultant corner led to an Avro break, No 15 (Jake Pollard) had legs of fire and looked to shoot.  The trigger pull was late in coming, the chance went and Bacup reacted.  No 2 (Joshua Walne) flew away, a pass went wide and time was taken to put the ball in and allow Borne to nip in at the far post and bring the visiting teams third strike.  The match looked all but over, but Avro were made of sterner stuff,  No 7 (Louis Potts) went on a good run to earn a bonus boot on the edge of the box, the free-kick though was slammed into the sturdy wall.  A penalty shout soon after was waved away, the home team just kept on pushing.  A shot came and was deflected behind, 2 corners followed and then Bacup raced away - Gervin and Walne were the scampering menace, a shot eventually came, a save was had, was this a lifeline offered to a struggling home pack?

Avro continued to stutter and waste chances, even the liner stated that he couldn't see them scoring anytime soon - oh how things can change and what fools we predicting pillocks can look!  As frustration flared, a bod on the home bench was given his marching orders - he looked a trifle irritated and as he wandered off and saw his team find the net and have matters ruled offside I reckon the words crashing around his head were a lot stronger than 'oh bother', 'dear me what a shame' or 'golly gosh that was close'.  Soon after Bevan of Avro was in and was guilty of a quite abhorrent crime - missing a header from a couple of yards out - cripes.  Another ball came, a tangle of legs was clumsy, the referee awarded a spot kick, was it a trifle harsh?   Potts stepped up, a miss wouldn't have surprised me but the ball was cracked home, was the game reignited?  From the kick off Avro came on, a ball was belted in, was knocked out and wallop - Bevan was the man of the moment, the volley was a crackerjack and boomed into the net - 2 - 3 - me nerves, me nerves, pass me a bomber!  

Into the depths, the whole countenance of the game had changed, Avro dashed like demons with dicks ablaze, another cross a nut behind and a corner in.  The delivery was sweet, this time nutted wide.  Bacup were sitting too deep, another ball was tossed forth, the defense panicked and hoofed with urgency.  The globe went up, came down and met the sizzling foot of No 12 (Joseph Rathbone) who struck with sugar-sprinkled feet and found the net in glorious style - what an equaliser - the Bacup brigade looked bulldozed and buggered - what a turn-around this was.  Into the last 10 we went, Avro were inspired, No 15 (Jake Pollard) launched a volley wide, No 16 (James Hampson) nutted off target - Bacup were on a tightrope, Avro were shaking the wire.  Tempers duly flared, it was all getting too much, the referee did well to quell matters and get the game back on track.  The final seconds where upon us, this was edge of the seat stuff (even though I was stood up - always the awkward git) and Avro had one final lunge at the loins of triumph.  A free-kick was swung in and found the cranium of the No 2 (Sam Rathbone).   The goal was only a couple of feet away, the night beckoned the ball pinged and hit the underside of the bar - oh baby what a ruddy miss and within less than a minute the game was declared over. What a great game, what a spectacle with many ingredients to be chewed over on the way homeward.  All were granted high value for money, talking points were plentiful and the players had given their all.   My Man of the Match goes to Bacup Borough's No 3 (Davison Banda) whom I think ran himself ragged, patrolled the park in tidy style and offered options and relief when the matters became heated and a trifle tense.   A small star in a game of shining example.   We went home chuffed, and to think we could have stopped in and watched a replay of 'Tenable'.  Oh, that reminds, me, no Warwick Davies look-a-likes were injured during the creation of this right up - thank you!

FINAL THOUGHT - This was a memorable night for all the right reasons and showcased non-league football at its finest.  Hard work, passion, plenty of goals and a comeback borne in the most unlikeliest of circumstances.  Both teams can walk away from this one fortunate, unfortunate, rueing missed possibilities and absolutely shagged out.  The game had good commitment, great flow and left many wondering how these two battalions will fare come season end.  Avro will be undoubtedly in the upper echelons but they need to play for 90 minutes and make sure their high delivery rate is equalled by a complimentary ratio of accuracy.  Balls in with eagerness is all well and good but if rushed potential will be diluted and goal chances lost.  I think they will win a good share of games though and be thereabouts when the back end is bared.  Bacup Borough impressed me tonight and despite throwing away a surefire win I think if they concentrate on what they did to get in the position of, as it turned out, pseudo-control, they may just be moving higher and higher up this non-league network.  I am due a trip back up to Bacup, it has been a while, the calendar needs checking and a date arranging - in the meantime, to both sides, keep at it, keep the head down and focus on doing the job at hand - cheers!