Before arriving at the ground proper we acquired a spot of lunch, parked up at Crilly Park soon after and after noting a few Milky Conecap Fungi (Conocybe apala) in the carpark entered the ground with my mate STP Stu. Brews were had, it was a tall order it seemed with my cranial gunk getting all confused and the good lady serving equally perplexed - I think it may be an age thing in my case, the lass serving didn't look to be going bald so all I could blame it on was overspill of nervous energy when being faced with such a good looker as me (yes, I am being self-effacing).
So perches taken, jaws wagged and anticipation was of a home win with hopes for an abundance of birthday goals. When I stated earlier that I didn't really want anything for my birthday I didn't realise two aural scouts from each team had been listening in - ooh the rotten bastards.
The game began with an early Shelley corner. It was bilge. ALR cultivated their first attack with a sugar-sweet ball finding No 10 (Kyle Robinson-Murray) who struck first time. The protector of the meshing was on it, the ball went loose and a corner was won. The ball entered the box, all craniums were missed and a careless handball quashed any further danger. The hosts continued to create the greatest impetus, No 6 (Jack Lever) and No 7 (Jack Flight) partook of some good link-up play with a cross delivered that was too high for the nut of No 9 (Lewis Rawsthorn) to make any major impression with.
From here the shots came but no penetration was had. Rawsthorn for the hosts put a free-kick over the horizontal and Shelley had a rare foray forth after the home lads pissed about in midfield and lost possession. No 8 (James Bootland) was the beneficiary of the ball but his shot on goal could only find the awaiting keepers mid-section and clutching arms. Straight up the other end we went with Lever chancing his shank but instead of hitting the striking zone he duly put the wind up local resident Mrs Green who was in a nearby garden hanging up her husbands rather grey and frayed smalls - it was a wayward shot to say the least.
The first goal seemed an almost impossibility although the guests had a chance when the home mitter went on walk-about. The moment of madness was survived but soon after the man between the sticks earned his crust when a loose ball was drilled by the Shelley No 10 (Jugal Thapa). A neat tip over the bar was needed to stop the initial goal, the corner that followed was ruddy awful.
ALR now turned the screw and applied some fair pressure. A cross needed goalkeeping attention and was palmed away with an ensuing corner needing some cranial heave-ho to quell any threat. As the first 45 minute period wound down Shelley broke with purpose. No 3 (Daniel Lockwood) played to Bootland, a shot came and expectations rose but the ball was a defiant and awkward bastard today and rolled wide of the upright with disappointing determination. The half ended just after the ALR's Robinson-Murray tried a hopeful lob that came closer to the aforementioned Mrs Greens shithouse window rather than the gaping onion bag. Seconds later Rawsthorn had the ball in the box only 5 feet out from the goal and somehow managed to put his effort wide - ooh it was enough to bring tears to ones eyes.
No movement was had for the break, we stayed put and considered the possibilities of a 0 - 0 game (what is known as a 'bullet' to many footballing zealots). The chances seemed high and so, being a kind and caring soul, I offered my mate Stu a cyanide pill so as to avoid the 90 minute death knell - one has to be thoughtful in these situations.
The second period began, Atherton were playing with great gusto and determined to fracture the deadlock. Several balls were put into the box with one falling to the feet of Flight who had time to bulge the bag but recklessly blazed over.
The rain now began to fall, the delicate onlookers ran for cover, a chill pervaded the carcass, all and sundry needed the on-pitch action to warm the cockles. Shelley surged, a cross from the end line was met by No 11 (Daniel Vinten) who put his attempt above the timber and then Robinson-Murray for the hosts was put free with only the keeper to beat. The first goal of the day was looking likely but somehow a shot of shittery was borne and the target was yet again... missed.
Great energy and vigour was being shown all over the pitch, alas without composure and quality it was all wasted. Several more shots came at the Shelley goal, the end results were utterly disappointing for players and fans alike. Robinson-Murray came closest with a shot close-in but the travelling No 1 (Paul Day) produced a good save and kept his side in the mix. Soon after a lost cause was chased down, a cross to ALR's Flight came but the contact was poor in the extreme, it was a golden chance wasted.
A slight tension now crept into the game as a few dubious decisions rankled several hoofers. 2 corners came for the home lads. The first of these angled kicks saw the keeper fumble in the box but no takers arrive. The second was met by the dome of No 4 (Lewis Adams) but the globe would not stay on target. Shelley responded, the ball somehow managed to ping upward and when falling was met by the boot of 15 (Edward Busfield) whose choice volley was neatly dealt with by an alert goalie.
Time was now slipping away, once more shots came and shots flew wide, the referee decided that if we played until doomsday a goal would not be had and so, with great kindness, blew his whistle and called the game to a halt. In a game of no goals I am giving the Man of the Match to Shelley's No 1 (Paul Day) who did enough and made sure he made his presence felt as well as being in the right place at the right time when matters required it. Personally I would have preferred him to have let 10 goals in, done a streak round the pitch and given me a £100 cheque but, such is this warped footballing realm. We all went homeward without any goals to discuss and excitement at level 'minimum' but, it is always a pleasure to visit Crilly Park and today was just that.
FINAL THOUGHTS - Both teams need to do some work and do it pretty sharpish. I reckon a bit of focus on players shouting for the ball, making sure their presence is felt and running off the ball would help both units improve the game day outcome. Of course, it goes without saying that the shooting boots need attention and the composure at the apical end of the pitch needs great attention. I think Shelley will get better as the season progresses as long as they play as a complete unit and maintain a certain stubborn resistance. Atherton LR are in a good position but the arse could easily drop out of the campaign if the bag is not bulged and teams are not buried when the chance arises. We are still in the embryonic stages of a long season but games and points are slipping by in what is a competitive league. It will be interesting to watch what transpires over the next few weeks and then take stock of matters - hopefully the fortunes of all will change for the better and some lucky blighter will be treated to a goal fest - we shall see.
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