Some grub and the missus came home - we had a new ground to visit before scootling off to Bolton for the 195th Fungalised Night of Noise - another DIY escapade featuring 3 bands of varying flavours - tha' gotta keep the bastards on their toes. So, out in good time, the ground found with no mither and a seek out of teamsheets which was supplied by that fine bod Curtis Lopez. It was a nice surprise to catch up with this guy whom we know from watching Pineapple FC (he is the manager). Here Curtis is managing Garswood United, it seems he likes football and likes to do his bit. He is a welcoming and amiable chap and gets my vote, the free coffees he sorted for us were just ruddy generous, I may have to put some support in for Garswood as way of thanks. A wander was had next, we bagged a few wildlife records to keep the eye in. This crook back and hernia have seen me alter tack of late but I have to do my bit.
Eventually positions were taken. We wanted, as per, a ruddy good game, plenty of goals and some fair play - we peeled the peepers and watched the teams enter the arena and the sable clad gent in charge blow his oral device (phwoar).Whaley Bridge came out with great purpose and rapidity, Garswood were immediately put on the back foot but refused to bend or buckle. A slick move from the visitors saw the opening corner of the game earned. No 11 (Jake Brooks) posted from the angle, No 8 (Sam Clarke) connected with the bonce and the ball was cleared off the line. After more mither Garswood shook themselves down and darted away with No 11 (Vincent Clarke) sending in a promising cross but with no marksmen there to fire home.
The next sortie towards the danger area came via the away team that only led to a Garswood break with No 9 (Thomas Romano) at the apex and having the ball waiting to be leathered home. A pass was made instead, only a corner was gained. The ball entered the strike zone, lots of scrappy and disjointed play ensued with No 8 (Elliot Ashurst) finalising matters by walloping the globe into the side meshing. Garswood did have the ball in the back of the net mere seconds later but an offside decision jumped on any joy.
The hosts now began to gain a decent foothold with several promising attacks just lacking that assassin's killer touch. The flank was duly flashed next, a flick header released No 7 (Liam Caddick) who wasted no time in exploding a shot that the guest keeper saved - just! Garswood were now becoming good value and looked likely to bag the opening strike when Whaley Bridge broke with purpose, a ball entered the box, the Garswood No 3 (Conor O'Neil) shoulder-charged without any subtlety and duly gave away a penalty. The spot kick was saved, Clarke followed up and grabbed the first goal, the game was truly ignited.
Garswood now put together a quick reaction, No 10 (Ethan Burkes) and Romano both had decent efforts that brought no triumph but reinforced the fact that the home lads were far from disheartened. A couple more shots at goal came, both straight at the keeper with Whaley Bridge responding via a mid-range pop from Clarke that was decent enough but not good enough to beat the mitter. The home chaps refused to lose the upper hand, Romano headed the next attack and refused to lose in-box possession despite many attempts to free him of the ball. A touch to Ashurst came, a deflected shot was the outcome with the visiting No 1 (John Stanway) producing an excellent save. A corner followed, a break for the opposition produced nowt and then Garswood won a corner, the ball went in and out, a shot followed, a Whaley Bridge player tried to protect his face and the arms were struck. The cruel verdict was a red card, the double whammy, an extra kick in the conkers, was a penalty decision. Romano stepped up, 1 - 1 it was, well taken that man.
Garswood United now had their tails up, Caddick came on, a touch to Ashurst and the shot flew over. The missus decided to wander for a warming brew, Garswood burst forth, a shot came, the keeper earned his crust. Whaley Bridge conjured up a counter move, No 9 (Jake Miller) proved himself a real thorn in the defensive genitals, a stray leg was struck out, another penalty was the outcome which Clarke sweetly despatched. The half ended soon after - what a ruddy good do this had been.
A warm brew, a wander round the ground, a nice wildlife sightings list was building with 2 Common Toads and an Adonis Ladybird the real surprises. We had a chat to a few grand folk as well, reinforcing the fact that football at this level is wonderful and these chits and chats with like-minded folk, the fact you can wander here and there and the feeling that we are all on one level is utterly precious and makes for something so DIY and pure. Of course, as in all walks of life, there are one or two arseholes who think they are big fish in little ponds, these are best assigned to the bowl marked 'wankers' and we are better off swimming free with the decent ones.
And to half two. Garswood began matters with a real urgency, it looked as though the half-time talk had worked and the genital pepper spray had put a spring in the player's steps (nice work Mr Lopez). Romano was keen to make his mark, several balls entered the box, one of which the said player connected with only to wobble the horizontal. A corner followed, there was no way through but soon after the home No 11 (Vincent Clarke) went on a startling run down the wing, put in a choice cross that Caddick met only to put ball onto the stubborn crossbar. It looked as though Garswood were out of favour with the fat cruel bag that is Lady Luck but moments later Romano battled away in the box like a beaver in a timber yard and won the 4th penalty of the game. The same player nonchalantly stroked the ball home - this was some game.
Garswood now looked to push on and win this and moments later No 17 (Leon Arnasalam) was out wide and put in a low cross that Caddick looked to touch on and bury. There was no need for any extra assistance as the ball somehow squirmed between the keepers pegs and nestled in the netting. The advantage now was 1 goal and 1 extra player - this was a game that was there to be put to bed or, perish the thought, thrown away.
The resident pack pushed on, Arnasalam provided a good cross, Clarke full-stopped the move with a firm dig at goal that the goalie did well to save. Clarke had another pop soon after via a free-kick, the goal remained untroubled but a few feathers were removed from a passing pigeon's arse as the ball whizzed through the skies. Whaley Bridge battled on regardless, Brooks chased a lost ball and nearly lobbed the keeper and a couple of free-kicks bore no fruit but were a warning to the leading team to keep on their toes. Caddick nearly helped settle the home nerves but a lob over the keeper fell disappointingly wide. Moments later though Romano weaved away, a foul came and I thought a 5th penalty was on the cards. The referee allowed the game to continue and Clarke put all queries to rest and slapped home the ball and gave his side a 2 goal cushion.
One could be forgiven for thinking Whaley Bridge would capitulate at this point but that was not the case. No 3 (Toby Snelson) drove hard out wide, played the ball to No 10 (Daniel Gilbride) who returned the pass and saw a finishing goal attempt deserved of a strike - alas it was not to be. Soon after Garswood switched off, a ball over the top found WBA's Brooks who took one look and put this game on a knife-edge. Suddenly one team had everything to lose, the other had everything to gain.
A Whaley Bridge corner followed, the delivery was quality, the keeper's fists remained strong and eased the home tensions. The minutes left were few when the guest No 4 (Daniel Christie) galloped after a long ball, gained control of matters on the end line, put in a cross and saw Gilbride snatch the equaliser. Wow!
The final gasps saw Garswood push, No 18 (Paul Cliff) bang in a decent cross only for No 14 (Connor Blazys) to make a tame header that caused no further fuss. Whaley Bridge had a further flourish that Garswood survived and that was a that, a minor classic done with many talking points had. I was left to consider the Man of the Match and as I did so, the good lady and myself took a stroll around the ground where I spied, in a nearby field, the Egghead Mottlegill Fungus (Paneaolus semiovatus) - what a bonus. The Man of the Match was then settled, No 5 (Oluwapelumi Joseph Maxwell) for Garswood United was a solid choice I thought as I do like a player who plays at his own controlled pace, refuses to get distracted by nonsense and who repeatedly thinks on the ball and usually makes the correct decision - I thought today's stint was worthy of acknowledgement.
We went off into the distance and to my 195th gig - Non-League, Nature and Noise - cracking ain't it.
FINAL THOUGHTS - Well what can I say, two teams with a good playing style destined to make for leakages at the back but also liable to create goals up front. The key for both teams is to maintain discipline, concentrate on their own game and make sure they pass, move and communicate. There is oodles of potential here, the key, as always, is to maintain the core of the squad and get working hard pre-season.
During the game there were many good performances and some really steady attitudes that got on with matters and were all the better for it. I think we may be returning to Garswood more often and having been to Whaley Bridge Athletic on a couple of previous occasions, I think it is about time to get back down there. The problem is, there are so many choices to make each and every Saturday - it is a pleasurable pain unlike the one in my back - bah.
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