Arriving at the ground after another morn of doofing duties we made sure we
were wrapped up well and had a brolly in the car just in case the forecast
shabby weather got a trifle out of hand. There were no brews available at
the ground so after buying a can of pop from the bar myself and my good lady
eventually picked a favoured viewing point. There is something so
earthy, tangibly real and welcoming at these Cheshire League grounds, there be
something DIY in the air and that is always a winning ingredient with this old
punk bastard, I could have thrashed a warm drink though.
At 2pm the first ham shank was swung and the initial studded boot
got the inflated orb rotating. The start to the game was lively, No 10
(Jimmy Daniels) for the hosts had an early pop that was deflected wide with the
corner decent enough but just a little too high for the rising craniums.
The same team were soon flooding forth again, the sequence was smooth and very
easy on the peepers, the tame cross by no 7 (Sol Delaney) didn't do matters
justice. A break duly followed, Middlewich were looking to shatter the
host's early hopes but No 9 (Steven Hughes), who was at the helm of the move,
was denied at the last by a top drawer tackle.
We travelled further into the game, the Padgate pack won a corner which Daniels
received at the back post but could only bumble wide. Again Middlewich
broke, a wonderball found the awaiting No 21 (Callum Priestley) who found
himself with only the keeper to beat. The striker assessed his chances
and struck the globe, the home No 1 (Nathan Butler) sprawled well and made a
more than adequate save. Soon after the guests came once more, the home
team were guilty of lackadaisical defending, the ball eventually fell to the
feet of the eternally animated No 8 (Harry Short) who moved outward, shot to
the opposite corner and bagged the first, all important goal, of the game.
Despite now being a goal behind the home team continued to play a good brand of
football only let down when any loose ball was hesitated over whereas the
Middlewich lads were always laden with urgency and won most 50/50 contests.
A Sparrowhawk flew overhead, ready to pounce, below we needed the resident pack
to swoop in for the kill pretty soon before the visitors took flight and shat
on their rising ambitions. Another home corner came, No 6 (Josh Hayes) at
the back post brought out the best of the mitter then the travelling Hughes had
a chance to double the lead at the other end of the park but got too hot under
the collar and thumped way over.
This was a captivating game with an open mode of hoofing played by both teams
and a certain freedom given to all players to express themselves. The
Greenalls gang poured forward and won a free kick. The gratis dig was hit
by No 8 (Tom Kirkpatrick) whose shot was mere inches over the horizontal and
then, against the flow once more, the guest No 7 (Oliver McDonough) had the
ball out wide, made a short dash and delivered. The end result of this quick
counter was a close-in nut home by Hughes who did what he was required to do
and put a little bit of scoreline distance between the two competing teams.
A late brace of corners for The Witches saw all cast spells fizzle with 2
further shots had, both straight at the keeper and allowing the hosts to go into
the break just 2 behind.
There was no tea available for half-time and no food, we had to share a bag of
crisp and munch a few yoghurt coated hazelnuts - they were delicious but a warm
brew would have been readily enjoyed - hey ho, life is tough at some of these
clubs, they do need to get things sorted though and make a little bit of brass
to help the cause.
Half-two, the Greenalls began in eager style but were caught on the hop as
Middlewich's No 10 (Chris Lunn) and Priestley linked up, with the latter player
nudging the ball just off target. The trailing team continued to press
and strive to get back into this, just the end composure and conviction was
lacking, a few frustrated voices were renting the murky air whilst Priestly for
the guests blazed one across goal and then played another ball in that was
touched back for No 4 (Geoff Basford) to hammer over. At the opposite
end, No 9 (Przeymslaw Staniszowski) emerged from the tackling mush and
released a shot the keeper could only push behind for an angled kick. The
ball from the corner was shabby and from here a terse session of dislocated
dabbling ensued, akin to a brittle-boned man trying to arouse himself whilst
watching a flickering beta-max tape of 'Perspiring Pamela's Trip To Tesco's' -
ooh what a film and who knew that a packet of spam could be so erotic.
Back and forth the ball went and then, Greenalls won possession out wide, a
dazzling good cross came and there, ready and willing, was No 12 (Ben
McWilliams) who nutted home and cut the deficit clean in half - now this was
interesting! The urgency levels now rose, the GPSO squad began to push
harder than a Heinz 57 with a belly full of wriggling whelps. All that
was needed was a certain sangfroid when in a position of pregnant potential and
the opportunity to give birth to a goal taken with utter coolness and
self-command.
As the skies began to darken, the local sparrows and starlings had a goodnight
natter and the game became a very attritional affair. We entered the
final stretch still in a state of uncertainty regarding the final outcome.
Middlewich worked hard and still exhibited a certain sharpness with their
McDonough almost in but denied by a good goal-keeping punch. After a
short break for an injury the ball got rolling again and Middlewich caught
their opponents napping. One pass, a touch on and top scoring machine
Hughes tapped home and surely confirmed all three points for his side.
That looked to be that, McDonough had a low shot wide before the final whistle
and then, just before the closure the 2 goal hero gathered the ball around the
edge of the box, considered his chances for a hat-trick and duly walloped the
ball home into the top corner to finalise matters on a choice note and treat us
all to the best goal of the game. Within seconds the referee brought
closure to the game, the result was perhaps a little cruel for the losers, a
trifle kind for the winners but there ya go, the right team won but it was
closer than what one would deem after seeing the result on paper. Man of
the Match goes to Middlewich Town's No 7 (Oliver McDonagh) who
exemplified the difference between the two teams by playing with a relentless
urge, being quick to react to any loose balls (oooh the vulgar bugger) and for
running his arse off many times for what most would consider, lost causes.
Keep the spirit mate, it certainly helped your side no end today.
FINAL THOUGHTS - After the match we chatted to Nathan Morris the Middlewich Town secretary and compared notes. We
both agreed the game was close and that it was the visitors sharpness and
clinical finishing that was the difference. In each and every department
they did enough without overcomplicating matters or going for ludicrous glory.
It was an efficient job done today, Middlewich are a good working unit and over
the last 2 weeks I have seen them dig in and come out on top of a couple of
competitive matches - all they need to do is just to keep this momentum going
for as long as possible - by heck, it is easier said than done.
Greenalls Padgate St Oswalds are just not getting the run of the ball, lacking
a lucky break or two and, on what I witnessed today are just a few tweaks away
from making their escape from the lower clutches of the league. A post
match chat with their joint manager Andy Dawson revealed that they have had so
many matches go the wrong way this season after throwing away numerous chances
and giving the opposition too many gifts. I think the key is as stated in
the title of this report and the team just need to be quickest to all stray
balls and composed yet urgent when going forward with a belief that the season
can be turned around. I'll stick my neck out and state that the home team
will hit a winning streak soon, watch this space and if ya get chance visit
both these clubs as soon as - it is DIY and helping them along is what it is
all about.
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