FINAL POYNT MADE

16th April 2019 - Denton Town 2 v 3 Poynton FC - The young un' is home from Uni, she likes to do a bit of Non-League Footy, she was duly given options and came up with this local contest.  I was not complaining, Denton Town is a place I have a genuine soft spot for - it is raw, natural and very real with a couple of guys running themselves ragged to keep the ship afloat.  Sadly the team have been relegated this year, they will now plunge into the Cheshire League Division 1, as a result, I will make a greater effort next year to watch them and try and get them a little extra note via my humble reports.  The day was non-stop, work is hectic at the moment and I am behind on many personal fronts.  The book I am writing is just being kept up with but CD reviews, wildlife recording and gig promotions are piling high and the string vest I am knitting for the local fat man is taking an age.  Talking of fat men, my waistline is getting a trifle hefty and my sugar levels are up - I am now trying to be good so there will be no cake for me.   Hopefully Denton Town could provide some sweet success tonight although when I turn up to any game I always wish both teams all the best and just enjoy the match.  It is just my way, I like football at this level because it holds some genuinely passionate folks - passion is not about blowing a fuse, or being confined to one area - it is about doing and anyone who does for the love of it gets my vote.  Upon arrival we met STP Stu who had recently been fitted for a new wig after his other syrup blew away at a naked Rugby Match.  Abbey Hey Pete turned up later and was the the worse for wear after another glue - sniffing bender - I have told him not to mix his chemical intake but the man seems to know best - he'll come to a sticky end if he carries on. So after tea was slurped, the teams took to the pitch - here we go again comrades, I promise to try and stay on the straight and narrow, then again... 

The first purposeful attack came via the home lads, No 7 (Chris Lingouba) displayed huge desire and ran down the flank like an armoured tank.  The cross was sugar sweet, the keeper came and missed the ball and there, to put head on ball, mere inches out from the open goal was No 6 (Aiden Hopkins), who connected and somehow missed the target and scraped the outside of bar - now that was a shocker!  Poynton eventually grew into the game, wasted a short corner but soon after sizzled forth with a quick move that culminated in a long range looper from their No 10 (Andy Oakes).  The shot went up, arced downwards and 'boom' the bar was hammered.  No 11 (Jake Wright) collected the loose ball and thumped back first time, disappointingly into the arms of the awaiting keeper.  End to end action ensued, a few tame and wayward shots failed to douse the excitement levels already set - this was a good un' folks, stay with me.  

From hectic bluster a Denton defensive error was had, No 9 (Andy Hurst) for the Poynton pack was allowed to shoot, the home No 1 (Martyn White) sprawled and save the hosts' bacon.  Straight down the opposite end we went, some quick wing work was followed by a swift cross and a nutted attempt on goal by the arriving No 9 (Dan Read) - the effort was way off the mark.  Denton now had a period of pressure, 2 corners fizzled out and then a back to front move saw one hoof, one pass and a blasting shot by No 10 (Fransisco Costa) just fly over the bar - now that was close and in truth we should have had 4 goals already.  The same player soon came on strong again, the skills displayed were slinkier that Danny la Rues shaven testicles (so I hear), the nutmeg cuter than the tattooed nipples of Dolly Parton (I have photos) and the cross as sure keen as Richard Madeley in a wine shop (the pilfering git).  Hopkins was the recipient, the close in touch was firmly blocked by a defending carcass.  Madness followed, play was called back and an in-box free-kick given (what for is anybody's guess).  The ball was played, No 11 (Mike Bennett) nipped in and touched wide - another glorious chance gone begging - crikey. Soon after the home lads were marauding again, Lingouba nipping in like a thief in the night, making a perfect connection with the globe and clattering the bar once more.  The ball boomed out, Hopkins was keen, duly whacked home and bulged the net - and about time too.  Unfortunately non-one told the liner the game was desperate for a goal - offside it was.

We carried on aroused but still void of any climactic moments.  Back and forth we went, akin to the hefty conkers of Sammy Davis Jr (I'll see you in court).  Denton started to turn the screw, were having the best of possession when suddenly Poynton broke like a fart from a prolapsed rectum.  No 9 (Andy Hurst)  dashed hard, put the ball in, a touch came and No 7 (Rob Stokoe) was there to bumble the ball over the line and break the stubborn deadlock.  This was a kidney punch for the resident lads, they reacted, a cross was put in, heads grazed until Bennett nutted forward at the far post - the save that came was untidy but effective.  Lingouba burst a bollock again, he played out to Costa who cut in, sent forth a fizzer that was just shy of the upright.   Again the Dentonians came, the ball was played around the box looking for an opportunity, Lingouba had had enough of the indecision and received, twatted from 20 yards and quite spectacularly bulged the meshing.   That was some equaliser.  With only seconds of the half left we prepared for a brew, Poynton rushed with urgency, an easy ball came, the rear pack allowed No 8 (Jason Leach) to wander in and fire home, now that was too easy and a suckerpunch to consider.  It punctuated what had been  a ruddy cracking half of non-stop football and when the referee blew we went in search of the leafy brew and appreciated what we had seen.

The break was only 5 minutes long, the game needed to crack on before darkness dampened desires.  Poor Pete didn't even have time to refuel his huffing bag - hey ho.

We retook our positions and watched Denton fly from the traps.  Lingouba danced inward and won a free-kick that was highly creative but lacked true execution.  Poynton repaid matters with a few pops that were off-line and then a long ball caught the home No 3 (Jean Biansumba) on the hop, he tried to recover and made a messy tackle - the question was - was he the last man or not!  He got delivered a yellow card for his careless faux pas - I think he looked mighty relieved.  The free-kick that followed was hammered into the wall - perhaps justice was served.  The game was still wide open, the outcome was anyone's guess.  Out of the melee Denton travelled down the flank, Costa knocked in a delicious cross, No 12 (Antonio Din Chin) popped up and without further ado, buried with certainty.  2 goals apiece, by gum lad, what a treat.  Once again, the first break after the Denton goal came via the guests, it was a sweeping move the hosts were lucky to survive, I think they were overjoyed to see the final effort fly over the horizontal.  In return of this scare the home chaps charged and Din Chin sent in a dangerous looking cross that struck the inside of the post and was somehow cleared.  That framework was going to need some serious painting after this one - get the Dulux out!

A Poynton break next, the shot was wonderfully tipped over.  A tight period followed, a Poynton free-kick - Leach the taker - wallop, yes - the bar had been cracked yet again.  The action was unrelenting, chances came and went as the night crept in and light began to fade.  The Town started to get a bit loose at the back, the away lads piled in, 2 shots came in quick succession, one blocked the other saved and then a breakaway.  Costa played in to Din Chin, the first time shot crept beneath the keeper and tickled the upright before being gathered up - oh my goodness.  

We now hit the back stretch, the guests were starting to shade matters although a liquid move by the hosts should have brought up the lead as No 11 (Jake Wright) played to Din Chin who knocked in a pearler to Costa who was left with the keeper to beat.  The shot oozed confidence but missed the strike zone - it was a let off for the travellers that was for sure.  The away team bounced right back, Hurst was threaded through and also missed after having only the keeper to beat - this was not good for the nervous system.  More chances came, some real poor misses were the result.  Again Poynton pressed, No 4 (Nick Ward) rasped in a low driller that the home keeper did well to save in the now darkened conditions.  A corner came, chaos in the box reigned, a close in shot was saved at the last with a free-kick awarded, just outside the box.  No 3 (Sam Morris) placed the ball, eyed his spot and swung the shank.  The ball flew low, passed the wall, the keeper was unsighted and the bottom corner was found - it turned out to be the last kick of the match, Denton had been mugged, Poynton had done a late night smash and grab and looked elated.   This had been a stunner right up until the last, there was some good work all round and all done in a good spirit - I like that.  Man of the Match for me goes to Denton Town's No 7 (Chris Lingouba), a ruddy good player this who popped up here and there, was involved in many good moves, stayed alert at all times and was unlucky not to bag a few extra goals for his team.  It didn't seem fair that he was on the losing side - ah shit happens.

FINAL THOUGHT - Well what an absolutely grand night of football and sincere thanks to all who made this possible.  Both teams played with positivity and at times natural abandon and contributed to a game of incessant action.  Poynton dug in deep, rode a few storms, counter-attacked with precision and never gave up until the last.  It was this undying effort that duly won them the 3 points from a game that could have gone either way.  If they keep this commitment they can only go on to better things - good on em' and hopefully I can get back down their way again next campaign.  Denton Town are relegated but I reckon they can bounce back with a bang.   There is a lot of quality in the team and some real eye-catching endeavour - all they need to work on is the fitness of one or two players and the clinical edge in front of goal.  Time on the training field is needed and with the approach they have I reckon a straight promotion is on the cards.   They play the game without gripe and seem to have a good comradeship - I think that will put them in good stead for the next campaign.  Tonight there were only 20 bods watching what transpired, next year I am gonna try and get a few more peeps interested in this overlooked ground - it all helps and I will be on the touchline a few more times for sure.  Thank you to all for this splendid affair - Non-League hey - you can't fuckin' beat it!