26th August 2019 - FC Oswestry 2 v 1 Vauxhall Motors - A lovely day this, a drive down to Oswestry was had with the car windows down, the misty morn just cracking beneath the growing sun and my head absorbed the beautiful textured literary work of Guy de Maupassant. We had a walk at Ifton Meadows in stunning sun with a fine fungal seeking friend, clocked up a list of myco-magic and added some flowers and bugs and then went back to the kind fellow's gaff and had tea and home-made cake on the lawn with his good lady. We found a species of fungus we hadn't seen before growing in his garden and enjoyed a jolly good chat. From here we drove 5 minutes down the road and arrived at The Venue to watch FC Oswestry play Vauxhall Motors in a top of the table clash - we had chips and tea on the balcony and I saw 4 species of butterfly whizz by, namely a Painted Lady, a Red Admiral, a Small White and a Small Tortoiseshell. After our efforts and scram we were a trifle soporific and nearly dozed off, luckily 3pm came quick enough and the match was a decent do. To show I was wide awake (honest) here are my scribblings regarding what transpired.
The early running of this game came via the O's who won 2 bonus boots, the second of which was dangerously delivered by No 10 (Michael O'Reilly) right into the tender spot of the perilous zone. The slightest touch would have undoubtedly borne a goal, alas for the hosts and the supporters, it didn't arrive. The visiting squad now passed with caution and patience before surging via the nippy No 7 (Joe Brandon) who won a corner kick. The ball in was short, a swift break ensued, 2 passes and down the wing the home team went with No 7 (Harry Bower) holding the ball up, passing back and watching a pin-point accurate cross find the nut of O'Reilly who knocked the ball downward into the net and joyously completed a quite scintillating move. From here the hosts advanced once more, No 11 (Simon Smith) was absolutely clobbered on the flank by the visiting No 6 (Joseph Heath), the latter being lucky to get away with a yellow card. The free-kick bore no fruit.
As the game progressed the VM Brigade began to really force the issue with a new found urgency and a determination to keep their opponents on the back foot. A free-kick by No 11 (Ben Holmes) was knocked over the bar and then the home team were hustled off the ball soon after, the V's Brandon exposed blistering pace down the wing, passed inward, a touch and another pass followed with Holmes the final recipient and eventually having a dig that was low and, unfortunately, wide.
A drinks break followed, the away team manager was far from impressed with the hindrance to his team's flow - some people are just never happy. The game continued, a couple of niggling fouls came, the trailing pack were getting a little frustrated by the opposition's resilience. Composure now went for a toilet break and left the teams panic-ridden, another V's corner came, the hosts were like a nun in a whorehouse and impressively impervious to all attempts at penetration. Again Squadron VM flew forth in formation, again the military organisation of the Oswestry Army resisted and then counter-attacked with all guns blazing. A solid cross-field ball was applauded, an equally admirable knock into the danger area was had, Bower was appointed the sniper and duly dashed in, coolly executed and doubled his sides lead. 2 goals, 2 absolute stunners and an example of how to lie in ambush and pounce when the guard is down. The half eventually ended with more pressure from the guests, it was all to no avail.
We stayed put for the break, we were doped up to buggery and felt like a couple of ganja heads just after running a marathion. The heat was clammy, we are busy folk, by heck we both could have snoozed which was a surprise because this match was a good un'.
Period 2 began with the Vauxhall lads straight on it and desperate to get back into this one. The first onslaught ended with a boom over the bar from No 10 (Joseph Sullivan) and then Brandon was like a wasp in the underpants and making a real nuisance of himself. 2 defenders were attending to the buzzing blighter, a mess was made and the sting in the tail was exposed when the referee watched the attacker tumble and then pointed to the penalty spot. Up stepped No 9 (Karl Noon) and struck the ball firmly into the bottom corner - the game had suddenly taken on a whole new dimension.
With the flames further licking at the arse of intrigue the next goal was utterly crucial and would definitely determine where the points would ultimately go. The home keeper tried to piss on the chips of VM promise with some blatant dawdling, his name went in the book. The home team pounced once more, another quite sensational cross-field ball found the ever-willing and more often than not effective Bower. The frontman collected, took one touch and had a look at goal before releasing a low fizzer that just missed the far stick - now that could have been game, set and match.
A disjointed sequence of play came, too many stray balls and mistimed runs put pay to any serious chances being had but all the while the guests looked like the team on top and determined to achieve parity in a very competitive game. As the tidal wave grew the resident team looked far from settled in defence but remained resolute and battled for every loose ball. A couple of tasty shots came at their goal, carcasses were flung, blocks were made, a flash shot from No 12 (Michael Burkey) sailed over, there was suddenly only 10 minutes left on the clock.
The closing stages saw the pattern of play set in stone, the V's took on the role of the hungry wolf, they huffed and puffed but couldn't blow the blue piggy's house down and if anything the home 'Oinkers' could have grabbed a 3rd if Bower had been a fraction quicker and relieved an overly-relaxed keeper of the ball. The finish was frantic, the last attempt at bulging the net was by No 3 (Greg Drummond) of the travellers who sent one through a crowd of legs only to see the globe fly the wrong side of the vertical. The game ended with all players earning their crust, FC Oswestry hung on, the Man of the Match goes to their No 7 (Harry Bower) who never fails to impress with a cracking work-rate, a willingness to work back and forth and for being the eternal release valve - a key component in a very efficient team that is for sure.
FINAL THOUGHT - The top two teams in the league and on this evidence you can see why. Vauxhall Motors are a strong side, they pass and move well and have an ability to retain possession and bide their time. They play the full pitch, prod and poke with the temperament of a spiteful dentist, and so far this year have extracted many a victory from their dabblings. Today they were denied by a team who refused to buckle under much pressure, who battled for the entire 90 minutes and who displayed a discipline last seen by Fatty Arbuckle when faced with a choice between death and a bag of gumballs. The hosts were a regiment well drilled in their duties, willing to put the work in and ultimately that little bit more industrious when it mattered. If, on a day, when they had less possession than their opponents, they can still grab a win, what can they do when they are on top of proceedings, well the points tally so far answers that question. Having mulled over the end result though I think Vauxhall Motors will definitely be in the shake-up and FC Oswestry will have to dig in and work their socks off for the entire season to stay up top. Many a team will come with a surge, it is a competitive league to say the least - let us see what is happening in a few weeks time to see if potential has been met.
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