20th December 2020 - Denton Town (Sunday Team) 2 v 4 Infinity Initiatives FC - My punk DIY ethos runs deep, I am keen to try and view doofers and doers where and when I can, especially if it involves noise, nature or non-league football. So, when I was invited down by the ever-amiable Rob Nicholson (Denton Town stalwart and co-organiser of the Sunday Bunch) I was intrigued and of course, convinced. When I informed the missus of the plans on the Sabbath she gave a frown but came for the crack anyway after persuasion came in the form of chocolate and cuddles. Heading out we initially got lost but soon found our way after following a suspected Denton player in his car. Down a back-passage we went (ooh sexy) and were soon pitch-side in the middle of seemingly nowhere (the match had been moved from Denton's home ground to this new area known as The King George Playing Fields in Audenshaw). The ground underfoot was stickier than the palms of Errol Flynn when locked in a wine bar and the conditions looked very much like being a great leveller for this Fred Davies Cup Tie. The teams got kitted up at the side of the pitch, were soon raring to go and the referee turned up, indulged in a quick costume change and headed into the centre circle. Denton Town were faves to win this, they were several leagues above their opponents, in a cup match though, this counts for little.
Before I commence this review I must add that the aforementioned Mr Nicholson supplied me with team line-ups and therefore the blame for any errors I will kindly leave at his doorstep - nasty hey ha, ha. If anyone wishes to complain please send gripes or death threats to the said bod - an address can be supplied via direct e-mail for a fee of £50.
At 10.30am the quagmire began to get a hammering with Denton the first team to dazzle via some slick, quick work. Chances however remained at a minimum until the home lads won a free-kick. The ball was lofted high, No 6 rose and put nut on ball and duly buried - it was all too easy and the scorer, it was suggested, should go unnamed. Denton were soon at it again, a throw in was won but the game needed pausing as some dog shit had been spied on the pitch. Enter Mr 'Poop-a-Scoop' Nicholson and his trusted hands. The defecation was bagged, the game continued, the throw led to a corner that was delivered with the guest pack just surviving.
Denton were salivating for strikes, No 18 (Will Anderson) led the next assault, the cross supplied was delectable, the finish by No 7 (Wes Higgins) though was rather crap. A similar move soon followed, a dream ball came but the attacking bod was thwarted by some concrete keeping. Keep on trying chaps.
The Infinity eventually got the measure of the match as the rain fell and the adhesive quality of the substrate grew. Despite this 2 Denton corners followed, the first ended with a shot from No 12 (Alex Bealey) deflected wide, the second was nutted off target. The guests bounced back with an onslaught of their own. No 23 (Luke Hassall) seemed to be in a position of no hope in the near corner but worked in, found the angle and executed a sublime chip over the floundering mitter - now that was a beauty although I did wonder if it was intended, either way the cat was amongst the pigeons, the pike amongst the minnows, nay the Jack Russel amongst the rats.
Denton were provoked into an immediate response. A fleet-footed passing sequence culminated in Anderson getting upended in the box and a penalty awarded. No 9 (Mark Bayley) stepped up, released the shank and struck the ball, the outcome, a ruddy awful miss. Seconds later the same player was in, duly buried but was regarded as offside - talk about crappy luck. Denton remained undeterred, they swanned forth again, Higgins fed No 8 (Ben Smith) who had a first time pop. The keeper did mighty well to keep his netting unmolested.
The half wound on, a few dire shots came and then the hosts broke with purpose. No 17 (Jack Kelly) provided a quality ball, Anderson showed willing, put in a cross with Bayley on it and burying - 2 - 1 - and thoroughly deserved. During the closing stages of the first half the leading pack produced a couple of flourishes. Kelly had a header wide and then Higgins struck a volley that was pinged behind. A corner came, Higgins had another effort, again it was wayward and then, before the final tremble of the pea, Hassall for the II team had an hopeful punt that only just dropped over the bar.
Flasks at the ready and a choccy bar to chomp, me and the missus indulged and contemplated a good half of hoofing. It was enjoyable, with plenty of good effort and all for free - plus it was all done for the love of the game, what more can anyone want?
The second period began, The Town pushed from the off, like a pregnant walrus about to drop a double-load. There was great endeavour but the birthing process gave no calf of success and we were left waiting. A local bod was now having a fire in his garden and the smoke drifting lazily by, I was hoping a stray spark would fall on the pitch and re-ignite the action, A brace of Denton corners came, the keeper punched the first away and the second was tipped over the bar after an incoming nut had made good contact. The lads from Infinity responded and had a couple of angled kicks that came to nowt and then No 34 (Danny Miller) became all inflamed, sent in a low shot the keeper pushed onto the post but the heated attacker was quick to pounce and prod home - 2 - 2 - place yer bets folks, this is going to the wire!
Denton were shocked, started to impose their will and after an angled kick that was only just dealt with another quickly followed, a foul on the edge of the box was spotted and a chance to restore the lead was given. No 11 (Gage Rothwell) took the spot kick, rifled it down the barrel, the keeper saved with solid confidence, things were still all to play for.
The action stayed fascinating, some great defending, some hard work and the odd error meant this was a captivating spectacle but not in any affected and cultured way. The guests were up for this, encouraged by much touch-line hollering and excitement. They strode forth, a liquid move saw the ball enter the opposing box, panic ensue and another penalty awarded. Miller stepped up, stroked home and the upset was on the cards.
The trailing pack now looked to rebuild, a delicious ball was played into the II danger zone with the scare only quelled when the keeper dropped on the ball like a sack of grateful shit. The game soon continued and we were up the other end with a corner won. The globe was cast, a flick on came and up stepped No 18 (Connor White) to bag a bonus.
Time and indecision were now Denton Town's greatest enemy. They sprung the traps with Rothwell galloping through but being denied twice with the keeper making an outstanding double save. Onwards the black and red flow came, chances were missed with the closest a header by Rothwell that was sweetly tipped over. Soon after Rothwell was sin-binned after a II break had caused great concern but ended with a dire shot. The final effort of the game saw The Town's initial scorer have a chance to double his tally with only the mitter to beat - the shot was placed and failed to hit the strike zone - it kind of summed up The Town's day. The whistle went soon after, Man of the Match was a tough choice but the Infinity Initiative's No 1 (Victor Giminez Raventos) had a choice game, kept his side in the mix and made a series of noteworthy saves. He deserves a nod of appreciation, and of course a box of Daz Automatic - that kit was ruddy filthy.
FINAL THOUGHT - So a million miles away from the shittery of commercialised, business-soaked Premier League football, out on a field without any frills and in truth, I loved it. As in punk rock and life in general, the lower down one delves the more sober, good to honest effort and naturalness is found. Today two teams came, a handful of extras and an eager referee and contributed to some real amateur dramatics in a theatre not of dreams but of reality. Denton Town were favourites, their hopes were instantaneously tempered by an equalising playing surface and they were eventually dumped on their arses. They have more than enough in reserve though to bounce back from this, several players caught the orbs and they have many good contacts - Up the Town I say, in all their guises. Infinity Initiatives deserved this today due to sheer endeavour, great spirit and an undying work rate. After going down to an early goal they could have crumbled, not so - the gumption and belief was a joy to watch and having rode their luck they bounced back and grabbed a well-deserved win. I reckon I will check out this lot again very soon, it seems only decent. Many may frown at the levels I enjoy - each to their own I say but never underestimate the game at Level Real.
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