6th August 2019 - Denton Town 2 v 0 Maine Road Reserves - Early chomping on the flesh of the season is being had whilst we get the chance. The impending fungal season will soon be here and see us flitting around like spore-infested fly's and leading walks here and there whilst striving to stay afloat. My second book is still ongoing and taking up a wedge of time, next year will be used to proof-read and finalise and work will begin on another couple of tomes too - I do get rather carried away. Work grabbed a large chunk of today and after a couple of hours at home me and the missus made our way to one of our favourite locations. The game tonight showcased the joys of life in Cheshire League Division 1 with its warts exposed, its unwashed arse stuck in the air and the doofers involved that eternally dabble striving to make an impression. STP Stu ventured out tonight, we all supped tea and nattered, once again the thoughts turned towards the final outcome. To avoid a showing up all shall be kept, like the genitalia of the old Coronation Street sex-bomb, Percy Sugden - kept securely under wraps.
At 6.45pm the teams got stuck in to battle with an early corner won by the guests. The ball went in, went out, a placed shot followed by the No 6 (Finn Thompson) who saw the bar clattered. A close-in follow-up shot was blocked and the keeper eventually gathered. The Town responded with a twinkle-toed move, the sweet sequence was attractive to the eye, the end scuffed shot though was less dazzling. This was a nice open game, I expected goals but made sure I kept 'schtum' - it would be foolish to jinx the promise. The home lads made the best of the early running, No 8 (Jake Bates), No 7 (Liam Turner) and No 2 (Liam Ellis) were particularly noteworthy and contributing to a fine Denton opener. The incessant tempo was maintained,Turner for The Town was released, a shot was there to be had, a cross came instead and the chance evaporated quicker than the perspiration on a humping Hippo's rear. The Road wouldn't sit back and cracked forth with a shot over the bar via No 11 (Joel Green) and then No 10 (Anthony Thomas) and Thompson having digs but failing to cause any real tit-tingling excitement.
A period of head tennis arose from a bout of tasty tackling, the final stroke saw the visiting No 9 (Joseph Keyworth) race through and look to hit a direct 'ace' over the advancing keeper. The shank swung, the ball was propelled, the awaiting net was left un-rippled. Denton offered, by way of reply, a sizzling cross that just needed a killer touch. It never arrived and a follow-on free-kick was deflected over too - still no breakthrough folks and as the awarded corner kick went to the back post, the header wasn't even close - hey bloody ho. No 3 (Will Watts) for the away team produced some fine flank work next which ended in a throw in. The ball was tossed forth, knocked out and fired back, the keeper was in the right place and collected without fuss. Back and forth we went, chances had at each end, No 10 (Nathan Lewis) for The Town hoofed over twice, Maine Road had a couple of pops but the mittman was always in the way. From some midfield play the host No 4 (Ryan Liddle) knocked forth a hopeful ball, Turner chased what appeared to be a lost cause, on the end line he stuck out a shank and somehow kept the ball in and fed the awaiting No 9 (Nathan Edwards) who took his time, eyed the goal and bagged the first strike of the night.
Town were now on a roll, a free-kick came after some gut-busting work. No 11 (Aiden Hopkins) stepped up, sent the sphere around the wall but could only find the side-netting. Before the half-time whistle much friskiness came via Ellis for the home squad who should have doubled his side's lead after being released but somehow the chance went begging. It had been a good half nonetheless, a cuppa was very much needed though.
A slurp and a chat, the game was still anyone's with both units showing some fine promise. I checked to see if anyone was placing bets, there were no takers, I think the locals have more sense.
From the second-half kick off Watts for the guests galloped, shot and was denied by a wide-awake keeper. The same team came once more, a penalty shout was ignored and then a corner came to the back post that saw Thomas knock the ball over the bar. The Blues continued this early dictation but Town sprung a surprise, Hopkins was in a position to bury but the visiting mitter produced a quite excellent save. Soon after the hosts hurtled forth with great enterprise once again, No 5 (Ellis Tucker) was involved in a good link-up, crossed and saw Turner bolt into the box and nudge the globe just off target. The urgency, pace and passion eventually saw both teams find the net but with both potential goals ruled out due to impeding infringements of the law. This though, was a very entertaining match, still on a precarious precipice and waiting for one team to assert itself and get that opening day 3 point prize. Town used a long ball next, Hopkins collected, beat his marker but shot straight at the keeper. Again the opposition counter-punched, a break, a corner, a long ball over the top, The latter fell to the feet of No 7 (Leo Brookfield) who put one over the keeper and, unfortunately, over the bar.
The game continued at a mighty pace, Road won a free-kick, Watts put a dinker into the box from which the home lads broke. 2 shots came at the apex of the attack, one blocked by a stretching defender, the other saved by the keeper. A corner ensued, the guests dealt with it and then added some late pressure but the Denton side were answering all questions asked with the final throes seeing more advancements and resisting moves. Bates squeaked in a shot shy of the zone, No 14 (Matty Booth) donated a sizzling cross that was touched goalward and wonderfully saved and then Ellis had a chance to kill the game, missed the initial opportunity to pull the trigger then suddenly had a second glimpse of goal and duly buried. 2 - 0 job done it seemed. The travellers still tried to grab something from the lost cause with Thomas denied by a superb save indicating it just wasn't going to be the night of The Blues. In the dying light No 17 (Kyle Dunkerley) for Denton could have bagged a third but put a shot from the angle across the face of an open goal and then No 15 (Sakin Islam) launched one and took a few millimetres of paint off the crossbar. The game finally ended, it had been worth the trip once more with many good performances noted. man of the Match goes to Denton Town's No 2 (Liam Ellis) though for some good pitch coverage, tidying passing, a tireless work-rate and for snatching a goal to seal the victory and put icing on his own personal cake - here's to many more performances of a similar ilk.
FINAL THOUGHT - Each and every time I go to Denton Town I feel like a pig in utter shit and come away always happy with what I have seen and the DIY effort witnessed. Tonight was no exception and despite most of the team having a change around and new clientelle involved the performance was one to fully applaud and get one thinking of a possible promotion. The lads on show ran themselves ragged, chased, harassed and buzzed like wasps with a prostate condition and made sure their worthy opponents never had chance to fully settle. Many players were noted and I reckon if this squad sticks together the future is looking as rosy as Tom Brown's arse after one of Flashman's roastings. Maine Road Reserves will undoubtedly do well for themselves in this league and will get many a good run out for players just not ready for the first team proper. I can envision this team also up there in the mix at the end of the season, they look to have a good work ethic and playing style to put them in good stead. The key now is to get that first win under the belt and start building, it will come sooner rather than later - by heck I reckon this league could be worthy of many a football fans time.
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