HOLY McFOLEY THE ROAD IS BLOCKED

7th January 2023 - Maine Road FC 3 v 3 Foley Meir - It has been a long and hectic year so far, many challenges and tests and much ado about something.  We have cracked on but woke up today rather frazzled.  I chased my tail, caught it and tied a knot in it for good measure.  After a morn of chores and weather watching I pondered a game, duly chose one and then changed my mind as a good fellow I know was attending one of my favoured clubs.  The good lady dropped me off nice and early as she needed time with her aging mum who is really struggling of late.  I acquired a brew, nattered with a Foley Meir fan and then went outdoors to sit in the fine weather and read a tale about prison life by the  famed Russian Fyodor Dostoevsky. It is cracking stuff and got me thinking as to who I would like to see thrown in prison - well the attention seeking Prince Harry for one, the sycophantic shit that is Elton John for two and perhaps all members of the human race who are prejudice, think money is the key to success and who have a lack of regard for each other's feelings, the environment and their insane impact on things.  Just for the hell of it I would also put all cross-eyed people in dungeons and people with protuding navels would be crucified in public - I think the world would be a less crowded and better place.  After these ponderings I was joined by football enthusiast and wonderful fellow David Potter whereupon the talk become all football.  We had a brew and nattered away -  I reckon this zealot will be back on the touchline soon, I for one hope so. And so to matters at hand!

The game began and the first chance came almost at once.  The guests came, No 7 (Alexander Cimino) found himself with a opportunity to poke the ball home from a few yards out but somehow managed to miss the target - was this a glimpse of things to come?  The Road were instantaneously provoked into action, No 7 (Yousif Yousif) was at the sharp end of a move with the shot decent enough, but saved well by the opposing No 1 (Andrew Walklate).  

The game was initially built on good end to end action with the team sat in the lowly league position doing mighty well.  Maine Road brought the next threat on goal with a cross tempting Yousif to consider an overhead but No 10 (Joseph Keyworth) nipping in and putting head on ball instead and failing to ripple the meshing.  Straight away Foley Meir responded with a cross ball finding No 4 (Miles Johnson) who had a quite ambitious punt on goal that wasn't that far off the mark.  This was a game that was still in the balance until a loose midfield ball came from the home team, a Meir advance came and the last man was clumsily tumbled and the resident No 4 (Ryan Eislet) was sent for an early dip.  The follow-up free-kick saw the keeper stop and spill, the loose ball get poked toward goal which resulted in a quality reaction save and the loose ball get slapped home by the waiting No 10 (Thomas Wakefield).  Now this was an interesting turn up.

Maine Road looked slightly alarmed, they dug in and prodded away.  No 2 (Jake Pogson) advanced, threaded a pass to Yousif who wasted no time in turning and walloping into the top corner with deadly accuracy.  A superb goal and a fine way to restore parity.  

A delay followed and then a Foley Meir corner that saw The Road survive and advance via No 8 (Joshua Clegg).  A cross came, Yousif galloped forth, stuck out a shank and guided the ball into the bottom corner of the net - this game was becoming a lottery for sure. 

From here the guests showed good heart and strove with spirit.  The hosts advanced with fervour looking for the next strike but the FM crew held firm and broke with pace that saw No 9 (James Garlick) end matters with a chip over the keeper that was mere inches shy of the stick.  Moments later a fine ball was played into the MR box, Wakefield rose and provided the perfect cushion header to put the ball over the mitter's digits and into the goal - we were once again perfectly balanced.

It seemed as though things were destined to end all square for the break but a Road long ball saw Yousif collect and bag his hat-trick in comfortable style - the 10 men side had pilfered the half-time lead and looked cock-a-hoop going back into the changing rooms.

I stayed put for the break and stretched the Gordons (Gordon Banks - shanks), breathed in some fresh Vince (Vince Hilaire - air), made sure my Clyde (Clyde Best - vest) was tucked in and my trousers yanked up so that I wouldn't freeze off my little George (George Berry - cherry).  My good man Mr Potter supplied the Emlyn's (Emlyn Hughes - brews) and we duly chatted away until the teams returned to the awaiting pitch. The fingers were crossed for more of the same.

The visitors were out quicker than Trap 6 chasing a gravy dipped rabbit.  Garlick buzzed with zeal and put a ball in that Wakefield wellied wide.  Again the trailing pack came, this time with a ball over the top that Cimino connected with albeit rather tamely and allowing the keeper to save with ease.  More shots came, No 6 (Jamie Roe) had a pop for the Blues that was wide of the strike zone and a pen shout for the same team brought no further reward.

The guests provided the greater pressure, the only niggle was that the end execution was just lacking and a gung-ho commitment in the box was needed.  Composure now left the game, a hectic frenzy was the result, all that was needed was for a few heads to get the ball and take control.  The mayhem produced a corner for the Meir and when the ball went into the box more confusion came and No 6 (Fletcher Rushton) was lucky enough to find the ball drop his way and cool enough to crack home - 3 - 3 it was.

The game remained of a high, haphazard tempo, Road had a chance when a free-kick was headed goalward late on but the keeper was in the perfect spot to catch.  From here the hosts bore new impetus but it was all to no avail.  A few incidents came, one involving an off the ball slap that was not seen by any officials.  During the dregs of the game a Maine Road corner came, hit one post, another and then was struck against the bar before Foley Meir had a free-kick that Wakefield struck but couldn't keep his shot below the horizontal.  A few more half-chances and we were done, this had been a fine match for the neutral, a nightmare I suspect for the benches.  A few overheated words came at the end (utterly pointless) and I wandered off happy with a grand spectacle.  Man of the Match, well with 3 strikes, one of which was outstanding, and a very pleasing work-rate and desire Maine Road's No 7 (Yousif Yousif) has to get the nod.  Keep this up fella and the team will win more than they lose.

FINAL THOUGHTS - Foley Meir came today, perhaps got lucky with a few decisions and the sending off (which was a red card beyond doubt) but still did enough to defy the lowly position they are in and perhaps cultivate some hope for the future.  They played with good desire and at times showed some applaudable movement and one or two triangular passing sequences that worked well. To maintain this they need to use the full width of the park, avoid any skirmishes and just keep the noggins down and focus on playing forward.  Throw a few long balls into the pattern and I reckon more points will follow - I hope so and also aim to pay this club a visit before too long.  Maine Road do what they do week in and week out - bloody well frustrate all onlookers and bewilder the believers.  They are a side better than they think and better than their position informs us.  They have a culture of trying to play good football but sometimes just need to take the direct route whilst now and again (especially when a goal in front), take stock of matters before rebuilding.  As I say though, they are one of my favoured clubs and a pre-match prediction is almost an impossibility when watching this lot - this is no bad thing although being kept on the edge of those wooden benches for 90 minutes is playing havoc with my Johnny Giles (work that one out for yourself).