BLUE BLUES

8th April 2019 - Maine Road 1 v 2 Barnton FC - A localish ground neglected due to me not having a doppelganger, not really grasping the intricacies of time travel and the ruddy Romans deciding that 24 hours in a day was enough.  I am never still, would like to be everywhere but alas cannot so squeeze in what I can, when I can.  After 4 days down Bristol and then getting carried away with a wildlife wander today I was a trifle 'behind schedule' but it was a pleasure to put all on hold and catch up with a home team who always provide good entertainment.  This was a close contest on paper, one that would be a challenge to try and predict the result of although I did go for a home win (the ruddy fool that I am).  I was joined tonight by the hopping John D who kindly gave me 4 detective novels to read (very generous).  I like a good book, I have always read since I was a nipper - from 'Confessions of a Taxi Driver' to 'From Russia With Love', from Jayne Eyre to Count Dracula, from the unhinging tales of Edgar Allen Poe to the literary majesty of Somerset Maugham - oh aye, the pen is indeed mightier than the sword.  Talking of pens, my tipped textual creator was ready to spill its blue blood across the parchment of promise and as the teams came out the almost heiroglyphic scribbles I daubed were eventually translated as thus:-

The sprightlier start was made by the boys in blue with good movement and possession winning a few early sniffs at goal that unfortunately led to nowt.  Barnton started to slowly come to the boil and seemed intent on playing the breakaway game whilst their opponents did most of the pressing.  A ball eventually came over the top that saw a home defender dawdle and get robbed.  The visiting No 7 (Ryan Malone) used good shoulder strength and irrepressible persistence to pilfer the globe, run towards the angle and duly slot the ball tidily under the sprawling keeper.  This was a shock start and The Road now reacted with a sweeping move that saw a quite excellent cross get thumped on the volley by No 10 (Connor Hughes) - it was a firm connection without direction.  The ball however deflected off a defending bod, created a moment of panic but somehow landed at the goalkeeper's feet - he seemed mighty relieved to receive it.  The Road now came again, No 9 (Daniel Burgess) weaved a merry path into the corner, the ball was knocked in, stroked outwards into the path of the No 4 (Finn Thompson) who was hell-bent on a Roy of the Rovers moment - alas the night sky was fractured rather than the netting busted.  As the home 'erberts pushed Barnton repaid in kind with another searching ball that saw a striker released and tumbled in the box.  The air was rent with pleas for a penalty, the referee held his nerve and waved play on - I think he got it right!  

As time moved on the apex of The Road's attacking end was gradually being sharpened with No 8 (Jamie Roe) the next to come close via a header from a flashing cross - the ball wasn't that far off the mark.  Malone for Barnton counterbalanced this move with a charge of his own that indicated great desire.   Things looked promising with only one defender to beat but the home No 6 (Neil Chappell) stood his ground and defended like an immovable Trojan.  A free-kick for the hosts was curled forth by Hughes next, right idea sir but too much bend.  Barnton broke back, a perfect ball was mimicked by a perfect run with No 9 (Jordan Cobley) nipping in and picking his spot.  The globe left the foot, went by the keeper and alas, outside of the far stick.  Into the final minutes and the resident unit went down to 10 men after their frisky Burgess seemingly needed a trip to the shithouse.  Barnton tried to capitalise on this bowel break but could only manage a shot way over the bar before the incredible shitting machine (allegedly) returned to the fray (I hope you have washed your hands sir).  No sooner had his duds been pulled up and he was on the pitch and feeding Hughes who made space, pulled the trigger and rattled the Heavens - it was the last chance of the half.

I stayed put for half-time and chatted with John D about his recent tootlings, latest books read and the recent run in he had with a blacked-up Bob Hope look-a-like.  John claimed the tiff was nothing political but blamed a dodgy pork chop he had had for lunch - fair do's mate and as long as we all move on without prejudice and with good hearts what is there to moan about?

Half-two started with the blue machine functioning at high tempo, Barnton broke as per, Malone wriggled in, a collegue received, the post was struck (I missed the name of the unfortunate player but he should have doubled the lead that's for sure).  A Road sub came, Burgess went off (that must be some mighty fine magazine he has stashed in the bogs), a scrapyard period followed.   Eventually Maine Road began to add pressure, their No 12 nearly smashed in the equaliser after some fine battling and then had another great effort that bent in with pace but was tipped over by a very alert keeper.  A corner followed, 3 shots came, 2 saved, 1 blocked and then another kick from the angle led to an effort blocked on the line - oh what madness this was, surely an equaliser was beckoning.  As the MR crew continued to make all the running Barnton remained happy to try and smash and grab which they duly did from a very poor corner.   The guests pounced down the wing with the ball going in, then out and falling to Malone who buried with cucumber coolness.  It was a swift and effective footballing move - the hosts were now up against it.

From here things were balanced for a while, Barnton had a free-kick that No 11 (Joshua Smith) hit from 25 yards and was unlucky to clatter the bar.  Again the visitors came, No 8 (Samuel Hougthon) banged from distance, the home No 1 (Conrad Bretton) watched the trajectory and made a first class save - what a great footballing moment.  Road returned with pace, one pass, two pass, Hughes was in, knocked forth a well placed shot - suddenly there was only one goal in it - it was a well taken goal, were there any more to come?  Into the home run we went, Maine Road looked to step up the pace, Barnton played some 'go slow' tactics and frustrated the hell out of the local players and followers.   Marching orders were given to the home No 7 (Owen Pollitt) for a second yellow, the finish was frantic to say the least but no matter how much was thrown at the Barnton pack they stood firm and saw this one out to the bitter end.  I contemplated the Man of the match choice and perhaps, a trifle controversially, opted for Maine Road's No 6 (Neil Chappell) who communicated, urged on his players and put in a very valuable shift that at times, made sure the goals conceded were kept down to only two.  You can see why Maine Road have turned a corner of late, a general for sure who tonight was unlucky to be on the losing side.

FINAL THOUGHT - Not a bad match at all this with two evenly matched sides that, on several different nights would come up with a different result each time.  It was touch and go throughout, many chances were had but the visitors stuck to their game plan and went back down the Road with the 3 point prize.   All both teams need do now is to see out the season and gain as many points as possible whilst working out the best possible formula to start the new campaign with.  For me, next time around, if any of these two packs want to be in the mix they have to keep the players they have now and work darn ruddy hard (as per).  I like my visits to Brantingham Road, one never knows which way the cookie will crumble but there are always goals and always thrills.  John D tells me a team has never gone through a season without a draw, Maine Road are on for that feat - interesting hey!   Barnton continue on their merry way and usually get one or two visits per season from me and the missus.  They are a funny side - eternally under-achieving and then throwing in the odd game that makes one think that they could really achieve their potential.   Tonight they earned the victory with cute-pre-planning and some red hot breakaway pace - all they need to add to the mix is that elusive ingredient ' consistency' - tis a rare species forever on the fluttering wing - go hunting chaps.