So, after acquiring
teamsheets, positions were taken, here we go again and the first move of any
real note was shat forth from the bowels of the home team with a few problematic balls punted forward and testing the mettle of their claret clad promoters.
The latter of these probing balls saw No 11 (Taylor Prescot) with a touch
following with a shot that was too tame to cause much fuss. Eventually
the guests grew into the game, a free kick was earned by No 10 (George Reid)
but the resultant hoof was bunged straight out of play and we stayed all
square, all bare. Golborne decided to spend a little more time on the
ball, get a feel of the playing surface and try and patiently unlock their
opponents. When their goalkeeper turned up at about 15 minutes in things
were looking a little brighter for the travellers to say the least.
The next action, No 10 (Jack Smith) for the Pilko pack had a free-kick
deflected wide for a corner, it was a pity to see the angled kick turn out to
be utter crap. The hosts maintained a minor stranglehold, Smith had a
dig, the result was of a spherical projectile sent on its way with very little
'oomph' - the danger disappeared in the great breezy beyond. From here
the ball went back and forth around the midfield zones, the hosts had another
gratis effort that was neatly struck by Prescot but the visiting keeper was up
to the task and kept his meshings 'un-bulged'. Another corner came, I
looked for an alternative description than used previously but 'crap' summed
matters up so 'crap' it was labelled, one has to be fair tha' knows.
As the midway point of the half came and went the commodity of quality decided
to piss off too and leave this game with its arse of inconsistency on show for
all the crowd to see.
A goal was very much needed. Onwards we went, Reid was released three
times for Golborne Sports FC, the first time he had a shot that lacked power,
on the second occasion he put in a cross that was too long, on the third time
of asking he knocked a shot wide - note made, keep trying and get your money
back on those boots mate. As the half drew to a close Pilkington surged
with Prescot crossing from the end line and seeing some decent defending foil
his hopes, then No 9 (Mateusz Prokopczuk) was at the end of 2 good balls and
with one of these had a firm crack on target but the keeper produced an above
standard save to keep us all starved of goals. On the death No 7 (Kurtis
Pearson) for the hosts had one last blast, if flew over into the bracing air,
and we were done.
Halftime and after nipping to the clubhouse for a brew we only just got back to
our seats in time to see the game resume - we had made no predictions for this
one, it was just as well as this could still go any way.
From the off the resident squad were at it, a corner came, a flick header from
No 8 (Declan Connolly) looked to be heading for the inside of the far stick, it
went millimetres around the other side. From here Golborne had a few
half-chances that saw No 14 (Sean Cassar) put a looper over the bar and then
Reid use good technique to find a moment to release but the outcome was too
easy for the keeper. The hosts were sprung into animation, a corner, a
free-kick, an attempted header on goal going in the opposite direction, were
we set for a bugger all draw? It certainly seemed that way!
As Golborne came on and floundered at the fore Pilkington broke in earnest with
a ball out wide that Prescot collected. The attacker was granted
room to weave inwards, 2 rearguard players were negotiated and the leg swung.
A deliciously curling shot found the inside of the far stick, a fine goal if
ever I saw one, the perfect way to add a spark to a struggling situation - the
game needed it!
An injury impeded the home grown flow but when matters proceeded 2 more tidal
waves came from the same source, the team under the downpour were lucky to be
still standing. Again the PFC boys came, from out on the flank a stunning
cross found Prokopczuk who was left unmarked to bury with the bonse and double
his sides lead. From the restart Golborne tried to pounce but the home
team remained resolute, knocked a ball over the top that saw Prescot bring
down, develop with his quick feet and wallop home to certainly kill this game
stone dead. Wow - now where had all this come from?
As Golborne dug deep No 15 (Alex Higham) for Pilkington had a chance to create
real embarrassment but the visiting keeper was down quickly and spared any
blushes. A corner followed, it was played short, put in, knocked out
before No 12 (Ben Langley) had a crack wide (unlike Joan Collins who they say
as a ...well you work it out). The G. Men were stunned, No 9 (Mike
Koppel) refused to sit back, he had a decent pot shot, the home goalie tipped
sweetly over the bar. From the corner No 11 (Jake Higson) glanced one
close but not close enough, it was just a bad day at the office.
Again Koppel forced himself through, the end effort was off balance and so
lacked gumption but No 8 (James Wells) was soon having a go himself, the first
flew high, the second went into the keepers arms - even though the end quality
was lacking, one couldn't fault the effort.
Into the dregs, No 6 (Quinton Gorre) went on a mission, the run was determined
and ended in a quick cross which Higham found himself on the end of to duly
knock home, this was now just getting silly. At the other end Cassar had
a punt that had too much uplift and then in time added on, Langley should have
made it 5 for the hosts but soon after, following a precision cross from Higham
Prescot nipped in and signed, sealed and delivered a good days work with the
final nail in the coffin - moments later and we were done. Man of the
Match for this one was a tough call, but No 7 (Kurtis Pearson) played
the game at his own pace, was steady throughpout, thoughtful and read all
aspects of the game. He made a good contribution without being overly and
unnecessarily flamboyant, and with a 5 - 0 victory for his side he should have
no complaints with his days work. We pootled off after the first game of
the day, the chips in the interim were bloody marvellous.
FINAL THOUGHT - So, a delve into Cheshire League 2 and with 5 goals
thrown in, a cup of cha' half way and some chips to finish who can complain.
The sides on show were more closely matched than the scoreline suggests but the
difference was the range of ideas displayed by Pilkington, the greater
organisation and use of space and when on the ball the various options made by
good communication and players willing to find space and let their teammates
know. The game is built on working as a unit, something Golborne Sports
failed to do today and something that needs sorting very soon. It was
noted also that the away team, when on the attack were slow to support and
hesitant in committing players forward even when 3 goals down. For me, in
a shit or bust situation, it is an ideal time to go gung-ho and have an unbridled effort and try a few new techniques and strategies. They have
a few bright sparks in the pack though, hopefully they will contribute to a
turnaround very soon. Pilkington FC struggled through the first half and
yet didn't concede - a point worth noting. In the second they gained the
upper hand and when chances game they pounced. For a reserve team there are
many positives to be drawn, it could bode well for the entire Pilko set up -
here's hoping.
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