So, eventually we settled in to our seating positions (or struggled and squirmed in the case of those wearing the Nobby-fied duds) and awaited the opening action. The weather, as said, was far from clement but we were undercover and for that we were extremely grateful. The teams came out in good time, the game was soon afoot, the ink in the pen began to flow - have some of this then.
The opening throes saw St Helens leave the blocks with a rocket up their jacksies. No 7 (Colin Quirk) had a shot blocked with a follow-up corner falling to the feet of No 10 (Neil Weaver) who sent forth a pea-rolling effort that kissed the paintwork of the upright. The guests came on again, Quirk played a sumptuous ball and threaded in No 9 (Ashley Stott) who took one touch before pulling the trigger. The home No 1 (Harrison Fleet) stood his ground and blocked well, in truth, the striker should have buried it.
The Chad Army now warmed to the game, No 10 (Bradley Sullivan) found the net with a choice chip (mmm choice chips and prize fish) but the offside flag was waving. Chadderton nearly grabbed the opening goal next when they were on the backfoot and their No 3 (Joseph Richards) leathered a long ball from the rear to the fore that saw the opposing keeper back-pedal and nearly tumble base over apex. Chad's Sullivan was dashing in to pick up on any error but the gloved protector somehow managed to gather and spare his own blushes.
Moments later another ball was propelled forward into the St Helens danger zone. No 11 (Mark Pearson) was on it, missed his chance to fire so laid off to Sullivan. Again a chance to execute was missed but at the second time of asking the ball was poked goalward and ended up in the bottom corner. 1 - 0 to the hosts, in fairness it had been coming.
Free kicks at either end soon followed. The Saints effort came via Weaver who fired straight at the keeper, the Chadderton effort was sent in low, missed all defenders and strikers but landed at the feet of No 6 (Jordan Schofield) who tidily doubled the advantage.
Chadderton were now in the driving seat with the gears controlled and the wheel well-handled. They advanced once more like a pack of greased up sausages propelled from many super-thrutching arseholes. The apical component was Quirk, a solid sausage if ever I saw one, although I hear the new brand of Beefy Bloaters from Walls are pretty substantial. The player in possession sizzled with enthusiasm and sent in a low shot - the save that came was of a solid standard, not as solid though as the advertised bangers.
The pace continued to be set by the leading squad and from a scrappy period the chance to add a third soon arose. A free-kick was nearly the causal agent of a net bulge and was played into the box with a header at the back post leaving the globe waiting to be buried. A shank swung, the spherical object was animated and rattled the upright with great impetus. The ball went loose, again it awaited an assassin's touch, somehow the keeper grabbed with two glowingly grateful mitts. Was this a golden chance to finalise the game lost?
As the rain remained stubborn so did the Chadderton ranks. St Helens were flustered and on the back peg with little in the way of chances falling their way. Before the half-time break the hosts made another excursion into the territory of their opponents and won a gratis boot. The bonus kick was taken by No 9 (Dion Battes) with the outcome mere inches wide of the strike zone - and that was that.
We stayed put for the break, although I had a brief trot to point the pecker and expel liquid gold. The break flew by and a bonus was that we were joined by the grand gent Steve Lingaard, a man I know from the musical pit who plays in a band called Flat Back Four (appropriately enough) and who has graced many a Fungal stage. I hear he is now on the committee for the Saints, I also hear he is a dab hand at soaping up footballers buttocks with the old Imperial Leather - some people just never change!
Half-two and St Helens came out with more illumination and renewed energy. Some good competing was had but at the crucial end a little bit of invention was lacking. There was very little between the two teams with the only suggestion of a chance coming when the guest's Weaver was on a gallop but was vulgarly upended during his stride. There was nothing malicious in the tackle though, just a case of great gusto and a slippery pitch.
The pitch was now getting tackier, akin almost to the arse crack of Boris Johnson when being aroused by telling another lie. Chadderton created the next chance from the testing conditions. A long ball saw Battes collect and dink in a cross. An incoming striker arrived a fraction of a second too late and the danger passed but, seconds later, No 7 (Aaron Scholes) wriggled free of his marker and had a good pop that needed firmly tipping over. The corner came, a head met it and sent it towards goal where another belfry cleared it off the line. Another attack soon followed, a high delivery saw another bonse make contact. The effort was rather poxy though and as a result, bore no fruit.
The SH pack strove to get a grip on a very elusive playing pattern, one slip now and the game would surely be up. Sullivan for Chadderton was the next player to eye a goal when escaping the rear ranks and only having the keeper to beat. Again the shot was saved and The Saints stayed within touching distance of a result but time was now a noticeable enemy.
15 minutes remained on the clock, the score looked to be set in stone until...! A swift attack, the travelling No 11 (Yaroslav Maksymyk) was in possession and only had the mittman to negotiate. Time stood still, for a briefest of moments the pest known as pressure made an appearance and flashed his todge of distraction. The striker remained unmoved (and unaroused), kept his head in check and coolly bagged a goal. Now then, what have we here - 2 - 1 and all to play for!
The closing stages were upon us, a certain panic and passion was making for a feisty finale. The trailing pack were now at the 'shit or bust' stage, Chadderton just needed to remain disciplined and concentrate. The hosts held their nerve and when No 16 (Cory Knight) was released I thought they were set to put a full-stop on matters and finalise this opening sentence of the long saga ahead. The shot came, wank, woeful and, if I had a speech impediment, wubbish would be the best descriptive words to use. We dashed into the final minute. The Saints came, Quirk was on the edge of the box with no options so had a pop at goal. The pace was middling, the keeper looked set to save but a deflection came and the get out of jail card had been played. 2 - 2 - it was, my good lady had predicted such a scoreline - she looked rather pleased. With seconds to go though the reenergised guests came one more time and when a cross came and their substitute found himself with space to bury at the back post it looked as though the top of the predictor league for my missus was just a fleeting dream. The man in possession took aim, fired and hit the post - by heck. The ball eventually ended up at the feet of Quirk, was this the moment when the Saints would go marching in with chests bulging and heads held high in victory. No, the shot was sweetly tipped over, the corner brought no joy and the game was called to a halt.
A frantic finish to a good game that somehow slipped away from the grasp of the home team. The turn-around was borne through gritty determination and the quality of the controlled St Helens No 7 (Colin Quirk) who gets the Man of the Match Award. This guy has a footballing brain, good vision and reads the game mighty well, I hope my nod of appreciation gives him enough encouragement to go forth and have his best season yet.
As we wandered home after a decent contest farewells were had, the rain still fell but folks were happy to be out and about and just appreciating this great Non-League Game - I can't blame em'.
FINAL THOUGHT - Day one of the NWCFL campaign and 4 goals seen by 2 teams who have a long hard road to travel. St Helens took a trifle too long to get to grips with this game and were lucky to get back into it. The positive aspect is though, they stuck at matters, didn't let a 2 goal deficit and the conditions dampen their endeavour and, by hook, crook, a smattering of luck, managed to grab a share of the spoils and travel homeward satisfied with their response. Note to make for the next game - start quickly and keep your opponents hustled. Chadderton were unlucky not to win this one but if you don't finish a game when you have the chance then there are always going to be unnecessary problems encountered. The best facet of this team is there hurrying methods and off the ball pressurising - it makes opponents play at a different pace and can cause great unsettled rifts. Chadderton will do OK this season, they should be above the midway mark but another note must be made - when an opponents is on the ropes make sure they are finished off in style and not allowed an escape option.
Thank yo must go to all for today's football outing, the set-up was done with care and consideration of the rules set. I am not a rule follower but respect those doing their bit when under the cosh - onwards and upwards to all.
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