And so, later in the day I arrived at the Maine Road ground, met STP Stu and shared a brew. John D was also in attendance, recovering from a recent breast enhancement operation to try and achieve that 38FF good-time girl look - thank goodness I am not on bra-knitting duties. It was good to catch up with Dave Potter and Abbey Hey Pete too - good folk, enjoying the good game and as keen as mustard.
Tonight the game would be a true test for the Blues, Stone Old Alleynians had promotional things on their mind and were surely going to go at this one full throttle. Predictions were made and out into the manky night we headed - I needed a good game, what I got was as thus:-
The first corner earned went to the visitors, the ball in was of poor quality and a follow up shot was equally awful - as in the words of a rather corrupt Dick Dastardly both hoofings are best describe as 'shite, and double shite.' The Road looked to construct one of their ever-busy moves, No 10 (Jamie Roe) fed No 9 (Jack Coop), the shot that came was weaker than Kestrel Lager, the response was direct and telling with a long ball flicked on into the path of No 9 (Jack Tomlinson) who wasted no time in letting fly and bulging the inside of the net - now that was the way to do it (so sayeth Mr Punch).
From here we had a battling scenario, No 8 (William Bailey) for Stone was at the end of a silky move but failed to double the lead and then The Road cultivated 2 free-kicks, the second of which went straight at the keeper's carcass. The Blues had a brace of corners next, again it was the second effort that posed most threat, how the incoming player missed the target is still beyond me - there be satanic powers at work methinks.
Stone remained patient in defence although an unexpected slip-up saw the home No 11 (Marcus Lane) have a chance to balance the books - it was only the side netting that was found. Alerted into taking more positive action the Alleynians progressed with purpose. No 7 (Michael Williams) went on a hurtful run, he was allowed to cut in and lay one on a platter for No 10 (Matthew Thomas) to wallop first time - the upright trembled harder than the erection of John Inman in a men's changing room - ooh I'm free!
As the game developed it was seen that the guests had more composure and were winning most of the 50/50 balls, The Road did their usual industrious buzzing but just seemed off the pace tonight and any threat they brandished was snuffed out at the last with cool authority. The final folds of half one saw Stone dictate any aerial battles and then Thomas was released, the home keeper advanced, the ball was mis-kicked and dropped - luckily for the hosts the frontman lost sightof the ball in the floodlight glare - that would have been a real sting in the tail. Soon after, the half was done!
A brew and choccy bar for the break and some good football chat - it transpired that Stockport Town had pulled in their biggest ever crowd tonight due to a sub-celebrity joining the fray - my punk streak just doesn't get it, and in truth, doesn't want to - I remain cerebrally free!
Back to the night's action, the start to the second period was frisky, there was little to choose between both units with Stone striving to find the second goal of the night and give themselves a cushion on which to settle. Some heated tackles were thrown into the mix and the thermal levels were rising. A Stone player rose from the melee and sent forth a fiery shot, the block from the home No 6 (Oscar Campbell) was robust and exuded a stunning commitment to the cause. Stone were not to be quelled, Williams made a move, flashed a cross that the keeper did well to reach and push away. More shots came the same way, one straight at the keeper, one wide of the mark and then the resident No 3 (Paul Earlam) dared trespass and used quick feet to try and find a way through. The visiting team, as per, protected as a pack Williams was released once more and sent in another incandescent cross. The defending was unsure, No 11 (Jacob Vernon) looked to blow apart the netting, the ball however was highly elevated and boomed way over the horizontal.
From here Maine Road continued to stutter, Stone Old Alleynians moved the ball with care and bided their time. Suddenly an opportunity arose, a quick ball, a dash, a tumble in the box and a penalty was awarded. The guilty keeper awaited the spot kick, it came and left him no chance of a reprieve, No 3 (David Ablewhite) was the executioner, I now believed the game was done as a contest.
From here there was little to report until a hold up for a crook player was followed by a quick restart. Stone sprang with certainty, a wicked cross caught The Road napping which allowed Vernon to slap home and add a very pronounced and affirming full stop to the footballing fiasco. A late shot by Roe in return had good power but lacked precision and that was indeed, that! Man of the Match goes to the controlling and unbending Stone Old Alleynian No 4 (Luke Askey), a player who put in a quiet, unassuming stint that did the business and helped snuff out any rising threat before the 'red alert' level was reached. He bossed his area, mixed it up when necessary and was part of a very efficient machine - job done!
FINAL THOUGHT - So a few of us came, made predictions and all were wrong. We expected goals from both sides and a lively contest, what we got was a one sided affair in many respects with the home team just seeming out of sorts and not able to crack the soccerised code the Stone team set them. I expected more from the Blues this season, they impress and frustrate in equal measure but I remain convinced that, when on it, they are a match for anyone except perhaps the more robust teams and the ones of a loftier stature. The guests looked an organised unit and, if they want to stay in the promotional mix, they will have to be. There are at least 11 teams in the mix and the run in will be something real special with one or two teams faltering, one or two going on a surge and a few others just maintaining a consistency to remain in the end dog fight. The team at the top are there to be shot at, Stone Old Alleynians, certainly have their sights set - now all we need hope is that the trigger finger is held steady and opponents are taken down in a slow, steady and surefire manner - keep your eyes on the forthcoming weeks people, this one is going to the wire.
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