The opening burst came immediately with Whaley's No 8 (Liam Sircar) in meagre space with a chance to shoot. The player crossed instead and the chance disappeared into the murky ether. The guests pressed on, a corner was similar to a drugged up Ronnie Corbett (short and wasted) and a positive surge by No 19 (Jake Miller) dissected the pack with the end shot flying over. Daten had the next attack with No 3 (Brad Stokes) exposing neat feet, No 7 (Cameron Jupp) putting in a choice pass but the ball only going behind for a corner. The angled kick came, numerous shots ensued and were blocked with a final nut on from No 14 (Joe Barker) going over the crossbar.
From some well balanced play a cross from Daten forced the keeper to palm away and then the Bridge charged down the other end with a shot from No 6 (James Gemmel) just whistling past the wrong side of the vertical. Daten were unflustered and when in possession were continuing to pass well and maintain a certain threat. The closest we came to a goal though was when the Bridge's No 11 (Ben Bagshaw) looked to be in but was denied on the line. The follow-up from Miller was wild and nearly killed a poor old lady who was walking her three legged Jack Russell three streets away.
This was still an intriguing encounter, a very difficult game to call despite the difference in league positions. The Bridgers had a free-kick next, No 10 (Daniel Gilbride) posted a beauty with a bunch of heads rising and a modicum of paint being removed from the far upright. Chances followed at both ends, the defences stood firm and all potential gaps and weak spots were plugged (a shame Liberace didn't do the same).
From here The Atoms put in a good period of pressure with some swift play, several attempts on goal and a good lather had. Sadly, as the half wound down, no breakthrough could be had with Whaley Bridge still liable to pinch a strike. In fact, soon after, Miller for the visitors sent forth a rasper that the home No 1 (Josh McMutrie) did well to parry behind. A corner followed, the ball went long, No 7 (Bill Sutton) looked to collect with his back to goal and was crudely pushed and grounded, the penalty awarded though did look a bit harsh. Sutton dusted himself down, placed the ball on the spot and when the whistle blew duly stroked home with brow cool ease, 0 - 1 - the emphasis was now on Daten to get back in this.
Before the break a Whaley Bridge move was fast and direct with Bagshaw the apical component but only blasting over and taking his side into the interval only one goal to the good, that miss could be costly.
A break, a queue for a cuppa, by heck the young lasses were earning their dosh behind the bar. We acquired our hot drinks and scarpered which was just as well as we just made it back on the touchline for half two.
The second period began, Daten kicked off and flew forth with untamed desire. No 2 (Jason Sherwin) burst a bollock and released a cross that a defending shank could only nudge on into the path of Barker who stroked home with praiseworthy control - now then, game on once more. The hosts now worked with industry and maintained a stranglehold whilst the guests coughed and spluttered. Sherwin dashed once more, a shot came, the top of the net was found, another attack soon followed, from back to front the ball flew, it was with great disappointment the end result wasn't a crack on goal.
Barker was released next, the guest keeper earned his daily crust but the ball squirmed loose like a testicle from a pair of untrustworthy undercrackers, No 11 (Sam Oyini) was in the right place at the right time, 2 - 1 - turn around complete. Soon after No 15 (Richard Hansley) who had just entered the fray had a surge and shot - the keeper was on it like a pawnbroker on a gold nipple ring.
25 minutes left, The Whaley brigade were hanging in and started to call upon a new lease of life. No 5 (Josh Bailey) was neatly released, No 18 (Ed Diamond) received and crossed with pace, the mittman however read the situation and grabbed the ball from the air with seemingly velcro covered hands. At the other end Oyini was out of the traps and had a dig that shaved the post - this was a very decent game indeed.
More shots came, both teams became impermeable. Oyini for Daten made a golden run, put in a quality ball with No 16's (Ross Ward) header gathered. 2 shots came the other way, both were tame and with little time left Whaley needed to do better.
The closing stages, the Atomic squad burst forth, No 13 (Tom Middleham) was at the pointed end of the attacking prong with one touch taken, a fine shot had and a strong save stopping another net swelling moment. A corner followed. Hansley put in a header - it was alas, the width of an eel's willy shy of the upright. One more rapier move came for the hosts and ended in disappointment before a spell of lunge and plunge defending was needed as the travelling team tried to get a share of the spoils. With several minutes of added time done the referee halted proceedings and Daten had bagged a very good win. Man of the Match was an easy choice with Daten FC's No 6 (Andy McWilliams) a concrete and controlled example of footballing quality. From the off he caught the eye (maybe it was the fake tan and botox lips) and through the entire game he played with precision, assuredness and with a fine awareness. Top drawer stuff fella, keep it going.
After the game the referee kindly allowed me to snap the teamsheets for this report and me and the missus buggered off home for a chilled night. The feet were duly washed and wrapped in cabbage leaves after the toes and been rubbed in chicken sperm - apparently this old wives tale works wonders and the chickens lay super-sized eggs after being gently tossed off - double win.
FINAL THOUGHT - A solid day out, birds, blooms, bugs and ball booting action with tea and chips thrown in. Daten FC is a grand place to visit and both teams today are always worthy of supporting, be it away or at home. The guest team today seemed just off the pace and not as cohesive as they needed to be. They have several fine players, some good desire and at times are capable of some good footballing enterprise. I have recently seen them get stuffed 3-0 at home, next time I visit I am hoping the scoreline will go the other way. Daten FC, on today's evidence, are far better than their league position suggests. They displayed good strength in depth, honest desire and an ability to pass the ball so as to confound their opponents. Next season I am hoping to make several more visits and see the team up the ante - they may be relegated this time around but an immediate bounce-back is not beyond the realms of possibility - here's to some fine Atomisation.
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