And so, to the game, predictions were made, the battling units came out, would this be a thriller and who would get the oh so precious first win of the season, there is only one way to find out...read on!
A gentle start saw the hosts pass the ball well and try and gain some comfort whilst the opposing force had to earn their early crust and gallop around to quell any potential danger. An early Denton corner came and was rifled into the box. A leg was swung and if a connection would have been made I reckon the projected ball would have killed the keeper outright. Alas no contact was made, the local morgue would have a slab free tonight that is for sure (much to the disgruntlement of the local necrophiliacs no doubt). Denton progressed several times, Styal scampered and always did just enough to mop up any threat. The first shot of any positivity came via the home team when No 7 (Prince Amoakwa) fed No 8 (Brad McLaughlin) whose low effort was partially blocked and all impetus was negated. A corner the same way was almost immediate. The ball entered the box, No 2 (Elvis Amoakwa) rose in free space but could only direct his cranial attempt wide of the mark - we were now in need of a strike.
As the clock ticked, the shadow of the sun-dial move onwards and the sand in the timer fell Styal grew into the game. The guest's No 6 (Keith Blake) had a notable surge that cause much trouble but which was eventually snuffed out. Suddenly the same team came again, a ball was played and No 11 (Joe Knight) provided a sweet nut on that No 9 (Jack Mather) collected. The player at the apex was all of 25 yards out and wasted no time in delightfully lofting one over the keeper into the gaping onion bag. 0 - 1 it was, it was a fine opening goal albeit against the run of play - shit indeed happens.
The game restarted, a nearby Andy Warhol look-alike farted (so rumour had it) and Styal came on once more. An attack saw the home keeper pickpocketed by the ever alert Knight. The player with the play turned on a 2 bob bit and struck. The globe went goalward but was nutted onto the bar by the defending E. Amoakwa - by heck, that was nearly a stunner and a real nail in the resident packs coffin. 2 angled hoofings followed, both lacking in danger. Knight had a pop soon after when he took the ball down with delectable ease and pulled the trigger. Fortunately for the Town their keeper was in the right place at the right time. The half-time whistle beckoned, Knight for the leading team had one last pop, the gloved guardian collected and the pea-laden instrument was blown.
Tea and crisps for half-time, discussions were had as regards how the second half would go and the aforementioned pop artist doppelganger was asked for an autograph by the art-loving Mr Marsh. I don't know what was said but a two-fingered gesture and a proclamation of 'Cambell's soup is shit' came from our signature hunting friend - a nasty business and surely one that will end in court.
Back to the game, the trailing 11 men attacked from the off, a ball went into the box with No 9 (Shaq Lewis) collecting, taking a touch and having a close in punt. The keeper reacted well and provided a solid save. Denton were now like the flaccid member of the Frankenstein monster after a quick prod in a plug socket - utterly reanimated. They pushed again - No 14 (Dylan Keeley-Harris) was fed and had a shot that sizzled over. Moments later a gratis dig saw a pass, a touch and a shit shot punctuate the promise - note made - more composure needed.
Perspiration and focus was now rising from the Denton pack but when in possession Styal hunted the ball in twos. akin in fact to those pesky Testicle Gnats of Botswana who are eager to pounce on any freshly available globe. The game was increasing in impetus, the equaliser was sought and when the home No 11 (Harry Rowan) had a strong dash and delivered to the bonse of the awaiting A. Amoakwa I held my breath in anticipation of a ripple of the meshing. Alas the contact between head and ball was weaker than the urine of the water guzzling lunatic Carl 'Hydro' Bladderwank and so the team in deficit had to duly rebuild.
Styal were the next team to cultivate an onslaught, No 12 (Akime Pinder) surge the flank, cut in and stayed in control. The cross was deliberate and to the feet of Knight who produced a cool strike and doubled his team's lead - in truth, it was well deserved.
The ball was kicked off, Denton thrusted and won a bonus boot. A delivery cum shot was the output, No 16 (Spencer Jenkinson) rose and felt the sphere removed a layer of skin from his belfry. This touch was enough to direct the ball into the net - 1 - 2 - there was still life in this game and much uncertainty as to the end result.
Minutes later, Rowan for the hosts provided a choice flick on, Jenkinson was away and ready to bury. The red corpuscles raced to the head, the eyes bulged and the ball was ballooned into the awaiting conifers - costly sir, costly. A. Amoakwa had a similar chance seconds later with the same outcome - those striking boots were just not working today.
Time was now Dentons enemy, footballing laxative's were needed to speed up the overall movement. Several more situations arose in which troubling shit could be produced and flung, it was not to be the case as Styal stood strong and dealt with any rear end problems. Into the last ten minute we rolled, the guests were happy to make this a scrappy affair, Denton were lacking the end quality to cause any serious complications. The last dog end of the contest came, one last blisterer was sent towards the visiting teams net, the keeper palmed and just about held. We went straight down the other end, the home defence dillied and dallied and a mix up saw the ball go loose and a poached goal had. I am still not sure who bagged it but they all count - 1 - 3 it was and that is how it stayed as mere seconds later the game was called to a halt. Man of the Match today goes to Styal's No 11 (Joe Knight) for some constant battling, fine awareness, an overspill of enthusiastic energy and, of course, his goal. Here's to a good season for ya fella.
We 4 pootlers pissed off home, Whittles Park had spewed up 4 goals but not the result we expected - it had however been the usual good day out - we shall return.
FINAL THOUGHT - So, we came, slurped tea, chatted with good folk and went away wondering how these two teams will fare throughout the full campaign. Styal battle well, are a team who can absorb better than those knickers they sell on TV for women with problematic pelvic floors and can pounce quicker than a new born babe on a sugar-dipped nipple. They work as a unit and have some solid individual players and, most importantly, exhibit good discipline and regimentation - a top 4 finish looks certain. Denton Town have talked the talk, have had a good pre-season build up and looked, on paper, to be ready to take the league by storm. Today, instead of sending forth howling gales and lightning bolts they offered up a few weak farts and the odd spark. They are better than this, they just need to keep the flanks covered and to attack with more conviction. A few final decisions ended in hopeful punts and some of the deliveries were of low quality - it was, one of those days and a quick brush down is needed before the next game. Alas I will be leading a fungus walk next week and then squeezing in a game at Malpas, I will be watching Denton's twitter feed closely, watch this space.
No comments:
Post a Comment