The ball was
nudged from the centre spot, a promising opening gambit was played by the Pilks
as ALR looked to be unsettled at the back. The initial threat was
trumped, by hard work, good fortune and an atrocious downpour. As folks
headed for cover the hosts won a free-kick. The ball was delivered by No
11 (Phil Makin) with adequate pace and accuracy, all heads were a little late
in rising but a final crust came that wasn't that far off breaking the
deadlock. In response the guests came on strong, it was a shame that No
7's (Yuuf Isah) shot was outrageously bad. A free-kick came next, it was
sent toward the same goal, No 11 (Dylan Jeffs) tried his luck but the distance
and lack of zip failed to shake up the nervous system of the keeper who easily
gathered. No 9 (Drew Matthews) had a pop the other end, it wasn't a bad
do, just too elevated to create touchline excitement.
Now a pattern began to develop with the Atherton team pushing. No 2
(Nathan Moore) for the hosts was having none of it though and after winning the
ball ran down the flank like squirrel late for a nutfest. The end line
was attained, a cut back taken and a cross made for a colleague who touched
goalward but who was denied by a keeper in the right situation when required.
From this lively affair 2 corners came either way, there was nowt doing but the
first strike was definitely on the cards, I could feel it in my water. As
Atherton headed forth the Pilko Pack pinged like on one of Mr Ali Bongo's
highly sprung willies he keeps in his box of sexual, magical delights (or was
that a dream). Makin was at the pinnacle of the breakway, the shot was
more than adequate, the save however was resolute.
Like the body of an arthritic, things became disjointed, both teams were
working hard, in some ways snuffing out each other's potential.
Unexpectedly the Road poured forth, a ball tore the opposing pack a new
ringpiece, a quick touch opened matters up a little further (ouch) and the cool
penetration was achieved as No 9 (Connor Comber) stepped up and stroked home.
The game was now on, the police came and tried to take away my suggestive
notes, I claimed diminished responsibility and offered them a free preview of
my Nobby Nobson series, I was just given a 'tut, tut' and left to carry on with
my observational scribblings.
The game was now afoot (keep up Dr Watson), Moore for the home team tried darn hard
to lead a comeback, he was tumbled for his efforts. A free-kick came,
Makin delivered, No 5 (Miguel Gillam) followed with a bold header that
went...over! Towards the closure of the opening half we went, myself and
my good lady were chomping on Yoghurt Raisins whilst absorbing the action, some
ALR pressure followed with a killer ball found. No 10 (Freddie Stevens)
was quick to react and, a fraction of a second before the whistle, the ball was
knocked into the net and 0 - 2 it was, the half-time team talks would be of
opposing ilks methinks.
We stayed put for the break as we had already had a brew and some chips and, in
truth, we couldn't be arsed to move and queue up for more grub. We
whittled down the crossword and left it with one troublesome clue, thank
goodness the teams came back out before my mind melted.
The early happenings of this
second half came via the feet of the trailing team who, ran into a brick
defensive wall and was repaid by a dazzling move that had ALR's Isah as its
chief component and Comber at the apex of proceedings. The keeper was
alert to all peril, he left his line and found himself with his trousers down
in the Land of Nowhere. A cross came, luckily for the Pilks a defender
got in the way and crapped on the rising consternation.
A sin-binning followed, the home 15 (Callum Laird) was sent to the dug-out to
pray for forgiveness and confess all to the touchline Vicar. Whilst on
the pitch both sides looked for the next goal, and then, out of the bracing
climate of dirty grey the hosts advanced, a low drilling ball was fired right
across the goalmouth. The visiting defenders were akin to Buster Crabbe
when starring as that space adventurer Buck Rogers, and caught in a state of
suspended animation. Like Professor Zarkoff hepped up on one of his own
experimental mixtures, in popped No 10 (Matty Taylor) to slam home and
unexpectedly pull one goal back - the home supporters were ecstatic, the
travellers sounded rather miffed - ah such is footballing life.
No sooner had the deficit been reduced than the equaliser was nearly had when Taylor chased, beat a reaching keeper and placed a shot on
target that was firmly defended behind. The corner that came was wasted.
A free-kick came next, the Pilkington lads were on the up and Taylor was becoming a real consternation in the conkers.
A ball entered the box with pace, the keeper's punch was unconvincing, a leg
was swung to fire in a return shot, only fresh air was struck. As
Pilkington remained in the ascendency ALR tried to hang in but could only
provide a few sub-standard shots. A guest player was sin-binned next, a
few subs came, several yellow cards needed brandishing. Moore for Pilko was still full of running, he provided a
cross, full contact was lacking, that could have been the equaliser folks.
Now The Rovers found a second wind,
bombed away, No 12 (Mason Ryan) for the hosts dealt with matters, knocked a
long ball to the corner, a cross followed, an attacking player raced into the
box, contact was made, a penalty was given. Up stepped Laird with all the
responsibility on his shoulders. The ball was struck with sanguinity, the
keeper lunged but failed to make the save, all square folks, extra time was
beckoning. From here matters went to and fro with much urgency, it was to
no avail, the full time whistle went, added time it was.
The first half of extra time came, the opening stages were quiet when Laird for
the hosts burst through, had two markers on his tail one of whom was pulling
the attacker's shirt. The green-clad player only had an eye for goal, he
admirably stayed on his feet, kept his composure and knocked in the lead goal
to make the full comeback complete - the home fans were more than a little
delighted, I am sure a couple of the old boys near me were remembering a time
of spontaneous erections and surging pheromones of excitement, then again!
The remaining minutes of period one saw scares come at either end, it was an
enthralling episode but it ended with the resident pack now 1 goal to the good.
The second period soon followed, ALR had a fine spell of pressure, Comber
scrapped away up front and managed to get a toe poke toward the goal. The
keeper dropped like a sack of shit weighted down with even more shit - he saved
the day despite my crude comparisons. The guest No 3 (Layton Clough) had
a free-kick next, over the bar it went and then after a PIlk's shot was saved
without fuss the home keeper was underfire from two players who looked to
create the equalising chance. Within the confusion the gloved one somehow
grabbed the globe. Laird had a chance for Pilkington when more
stubbornness was shown, he turned in the box after holding off his marker and
shot just shy of the vertical. Soon after the net was found by the home
team, an offside flag dampened the joy but it didn't matter as, after a few
semi-attacks, proceedings were called to a halt. I had to go for a Man of
the Match and opted for a substitute namely Pilkington's No 12 (Mason Ryan)
who caught the eye due to his totally controlled performance, settling
influence, accuracy of passing and quite noticeable footballing brain. I
think he made a quite serious difference to the game, it was no coincidence
that when he graced the pitch the home team really started to turn matters
around.
FINAL THOUGHT - Well what a good game on the opening day of the FA Vase
Competition. Atherton Laburnum Rovers turned up to get stuck in and after
getting 2 goals in front looked to have come and done the business. They should have gone on to finish this one but were
eventually pushed onto the back foot and became rather flustered. They
need to have a Plan B and when on the back foot have a few alternative
breakaway options to keep their opponents thinking. Having said this, the
team's early league position promises much and there were several areas today
that showed they have turned a huge corner and are on the right track.
Pilkington looked to be in trouble today, showed great character and somehow
crawled back into this, got their noses in front and wouldn't be denied a place
in the next round. Their No 2 (Nathan Moore) is a great release valve,
they have some good battling midfield players and they communicate well even
when the shit is being hurled at the fan. Their league position doesn't
reflect what I saw today, hopefully they will start moving up the league soon,
they just need to make sure they make things easier and don't start getting
into games when 2 goals behind. Mind you, for a neutral, it is a quite
ideal scenario! The answer to the crossword clue was 'Turtles Head' now
how did I miss that one!
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