2
early corners came for the Alt lads as they duly made the initial
running. Both bore little fruit as Knutsford dealt with matters an
remained unruffled. A free kick came for Knutsford, No 3 (Ben Woods)
struck a woeful ball but at least it halted the early flow. Both sides
played with good care and patience and passed the ball in a slow, measured
style. The next moments of intrigue saw Alt's No 8 (Max Harrop) knock
some fine angled passes, both being picked up by nippy and problematic No 11
(Dontai Gabidon) who set about weaving inward and creating a clear cut
opportunity. The Knutsford side defended well and it wasn't long before
the same pesky player found space to shoot but was denied by the last man
standing who produced a quite tidy save. Within the flick of a tosser's wrist
Harrop emerged from an in-box mush and dug one forth only to be denied joy,
once again, by a well sprawled mitter. Althrincham were now on the up,
Gabidon crossed next, the ball was deflected out, No 10 (Neal Monaghan) was the
predator about to pounce and pounce he did by opening the games goal scoring
account. It was a deserved lead from a team more lively and just that bit
quicker off the mark - Knutsford now needed to get to grips with the game and
do it mighty soon.
From here the soccerised flow carried on the same way, a free-kick the end result of the first move and one struck by Harrop who could only find the meat of the keeper's carcass. As Altrincham contrived to keep their opponents unsettled the visiting pack warmed to the task and worked with more purpose. Territory was gained, a few free-kicks earned but all negated by an organised red breasted pack who gained possession and decided, for several minutes, to keep it that way. Knutsford were being outworked in this first 45 minute session, the question was - could Altrincham maintain the effort and the impetus? As the half wore on the AFC unit probed for a second strike. Harrop came close with a surprise free-kick that wasn't that far off the vertical and then, right on the death No 4 (Sean Williams) cracked a gratis punt and unlike that famed pornstar Gloria Gonadgrinder, was shy of the upright! The half-time whistle blew.
We swilled another cuppa for the break and chomped some Oreo chocolate - the refreshment of non-league Gods was greedily enjoyed by we lowly minions.
The teams re-entered the fray, the game recommenced in a quiet fashion with several Knutsford supporters disgruntled and blatantly bent in their viewing of the game. No 9 (Milan Thomspon) for Knutsford had the first punt, it was like the flaccid buttocks of Irene Handl and lacked any real 'oomph'. The Alty Crew reacted, Harrop wisely won a bonus boot which he took himself. From our viewing angle there seemed space to hit the net and hit the net the player did with a nut-sweet strike that doubled the lead and gave the home team a welcome comfort zone. Altrincham though seemed far from satisfied and still worked up a good lather with their efforts. Williams found time to shoot next, it was well struck as was the post and then Harrop had a close in shot well saved with No 15 (Harry Sheridan) following in and rattling the post.
A dry period came with no real give or take. No 7 (Kallum Mantack) for the hosts was keen and eager and had a punt of his own following a swift move, the outcome was another good save that kept the trailing team still in this one. Despite being 2 goals down the Knutsford pack were putting in a good stint and still within touching distance of getting something from the game. Altrincham though were always dangerous, they came again after two mistimed tackles. Mantack had a chance to stretch the keeper, the shot was thumped and went into the wild blue yonder - disappointing to say the least. A bit of end to end action came, just like the sex life of a dragonfly in fact (ooh me anal appendages), shots came but all were wasteful and we stayed as per. We entered the back stretch with Knutsford just falling short when any true opportunity arose and Altrincham were a liitle too eager to get the third and so duly pissed on their own chips of promise. The young lass in charge of proceedings had done just fine and decided to call a halt before things dried up too much - it hadn't been a classic but it hadn't been a shit game either. Man of the Match goes the Altrincham FC reserve No 8 (Max Harrop) who was a cut above and was an eternal menace in a game that was perhaps closer than the scoreline suggested. Good vision, some neat touches, a fine strike and a solid work rate - the lad did well. We pootled off soon after I had emptied the plumbing and noted 14 Fieldfares, 1 Mistle Thrush and 1 Starling in a nearby field - tis all good for the bonse and better than being mentally numb.
From here the soccerised flow carried on the same way, a free-kick the end result of the first move and one struck by Harrop who could only find the meat of the keeper's carcass. As Altrincham contrived to keep their opponents unsettled the visiting pack warmed to the task and worked with more purpose. Territory was gained, a few free-kicks earned but all negated by an organised red breasted pack who gained possession and decided, for several minutes, to keep it that way. Knutsford were being outworked in this first 45 minute session, the question was - could Altrincham maintain the effort and the impetus? As the half wore on the AFC unit probed for a second strike. Harrop came close with a surprise free-kick that wasn't that far off the vertical and then, right on the death No 4 (Sean Williams) cracked a gratis punt and unlike that famed pornstar Gloria Gonadgrinder, was shy of the upright! The half-time whistle blew.
We swilled another cuppa for the break and chomped some Oreo chocolate - the refreshment of non-league Gods was greedily enjoyed by we lowly minions.
The teams re-entered the fray, the game recommenced in a quiet fashion with several Knutsford supporters disgruntled and blatantly bent in their viewing of the game. No 9 (Milan Thomspon) for Knutsford had the first punt, it was like the flaccid buttocks of Irene Handl and lacked any real 'oomph'. The Alty Crew reacted, Harrop wisely won a bonus boot which he took himself. From our viewing angle there seemed space to hit the net and hit the net the player did with a nut-sweet strike that doubled the lead and gave the home team a welcome comfort zone. Altrincham though seemed far from satisfied and still worked up a good lather with their efforts. Williams found time to shoot next, it was well struck as was the post and then Harrop had a close in shot well saved with No 15 (Harry Sheridan) following in and rattling the post.
A dry period came with no real give or take. No 7 (Kallum Mantack) for the hosts was keen and eager and had a punt of his own following a swift move, the outcome was another good save that kept the trailing team still in this one. Despite being 2 goals down the Knutsford pack were putting in a good stint and still within touching distance of getting something from the game. Altrincham though were always dangerous, they came again after two mistimed tackles. Mantack had a chance to stretch the keeper, the shot was thumped and went into the wild blue yonder - disappointing to say the least. A bit of end to end action came, just like the sex life of a dragonfly in fact (ooh me anal appendages), shots came but all were wasteful and we stayed as per. We entered the back stretch with Knutsford just falling short when any true opportunity arose and Altrincham were a liitle too eager to get the third and so duly pissed on their own chips of promise. The young lass in charge of proceedings had done just fine and decided to call a halt before things dried up too much - it hadn't been a classic but it hadn't been a shit game either. Man of the Match goes the Altrincham FC reserve No 8 (Max Harrop) who was a cut above and was an eternal menace in a game that was perhaps closer than the scoreline suggested. Good vision, some neat touches, a fine strike and a solid work rate - the lad did well. We pootled off soon after I had emptied the plumbing and noted 14 Fieldfares, 1 Mistle Thrush and 1 Starling in a nearby field - tis all good for the bonse and better than being mentally numb.
FINAL THOUGHT - So, in the chilled wilds of Knutsford we ended up and saw the Altrincham Reserves FC take 3 points and add another solid contribution to their season's tally that will undoubtedly see them win the league and move on to pastures new and more testing. They are a good team, albeit today laden with a few first team players much to the aggravation of a few nearby Knutsford fans. If the opportunity to do the same was had the other way I am sure things would be different - I stand quite bewildered. The Alty pack will hold their own wherever they end up and obviously have strength in numbers especially at this and those nearby levels - I plan to watch their progress closely. Knutsford may have been beaten today and may have been run ragged but if the truth be told they contributed to a good contest and, with a bit more luck and some eagle-eyed marksmanship could easily have grabbed a couple of goals themselves. They are certainly no mugs and several players caught the eye today, especially No 4 (George Riley) and No 7 (Nathan Okome) amongst others. The home turf isn't too far away from us and always worth a visit, we haven't been this season as of yet - we must remedy that as soon as. This Cheshire League Match was well worth the effort, it is a good standard of football and the entrance fee for this one was sweet FA - now you can't fault that!
No comments:
Post a Comment