Up and the kitchen and living room were tidied, I identified some of the insects from yesterdays wildlife pootle bringing the tally up to 173 species. The gasman was coming to drop off a new boiler today and duly arrived huffing and puffing with his thermal-inducing contraption. No sooner had he beetled off than I was out and about with the good lady, a walk, a coffee, some mooching and then to footy.
Arriving back at Brantingham Road was a pleasure in itself, a good old haunt with many a tale of the unexpected to tell (cue Roald Dahl TV theme tune and exotic dancer). A brew and then a natter with John D (aka Old Wankunian) who is a frequent visitor to these parts and whom, since I last saw him, has hit a golden streak in the sexual skinless sausage trade. Apparently his new flame-grilled chipolata is all the rage in many gay circles and even hitting certain erogenous zones in the orifices of Doncaster. Hey up chuck, me arse is afire!
And to the game, and with the marrowfat rattled, legs began to gallop and the globe duly chased. The guests got the game rolling, an almost immediate attack saw No 8 (Lucas Pinnington) chance the shank with a punt that had weight but no direction, the mitter gathered with ease. Another push from the same side came, No 9 (Andrew Murphy) manifested a pair of mercurial tootsies and laid the ball off for Pinnington who had a first time dig but sent the ball shy of the upright. Up the other end we went with the hosts earning a corner that was posted, followed by a nutting to goal that was hoofed off the line - promising indeed.
Matters proceeded, a decent game of end to end football ensued with some lively pace on show. Maine Road went forth next, a ball was played, a touch forth and No 4 (Samuel Wrigley) gathered, made room and rattled in a daisy-beheader that found the bottom corner of the onion bag. A sharp move, a sweet finish, a solid way to open the campaign.
From this early strike the home lads were soon working forward again with No 11 (Emmanuel Osayogie) found who had time to pick out No 9 (Jack Coop) but who was guilty of putting too much weight on the globe. Now that was a chance to really bury the game.
Garstang continued to huff and puff like an asthmatic porn-star with a free kick earned that No 7 (Nathan Harkinson) duly posted. The delivery was glorious but the kestrel-eyed liner had spotted something untoward and waved his flag like a barbiturate loaded rail guard. The gratis booting deserved better.
The game was nicely poised, both teams were building up a lather whilst just getting a little too anxious and wasteful up front. Wrigley for the Road finalised a rapier like move but the end shot was deflected and ended up in the gloves of the mesh protector. Garstang responded with a free-kick that was sent into the box which produced some far from convincing defending. No 6 (Liam Clegg) eventually latched on to a loose ball with the net waiting - the outcome was a ball over and more liable to knock a few apples off the trees behind goal than firm up the cherries of the travelling fans (ooh fruity).
From here the midfield was the centre of attention with the mush in the mire leaving little room for progress. Eventually Garstang came on, No 11 (Oliver Cooper) chanced a pop from range with a low ball that troubled the keeper. The mittman kept his eyes on matters though and only conceded a corner that ended with another low shot the No 1 (Oliver Brockbank) was down to save. An offside decision pissed on any further chance of excitement.
The half now wound down, Garstang came again, Whittaker touched on to Murphy who fired over. Maine Road tried to counterpunch several times but that final ball was lacking the all-important pinpoint accuracy factor. Osayogie next led a charge with Wrigley found who fed No 7 (Loui Williams) who in turn pulled the trigger only to see another propelled ball fly wide. The referee had seen enough and brought the opening 45 to a close.
No movement was had for the break and myself and John were joined by a keen footballing work colleague Jason who had been sat at the other side of the ground. All were agreed that Maine Road were working the flanks well but lacking the end product. John somehow manipulated the conversation and brought it round to the pleasures of the sausage and duly sold my work mate six of his finest 'Hot Damn Penetration Porkers' - I was a mere disgusted onlooker.
Half two began, Garstang worked up some good steam without causing too much concern for the opposing ranks. Creativity was the general absentee in a game that was becoming a real grinding tussle with each tick of the clock. The only dig at the goal came via the visiting Whittaker who, in truth, wasn't even close with his hopeful effort. A free-kick came for MR with the ball played in, a header down coming and Coop having his shot deflected over. The ensuing corner was too long but an immediate follow up attack was liquid incarnate and only the final killer touch was lacking.
Both teams grunted away with some high industry prevalent but the lack of apical composure noticeable. Another bonus boot came for the hosts with the delivery sound but Cleggs header flying straight at the mittman. A dry period ensued with Garstang still believing and Maine Road doing enough to keep their conks in front.
Attacks came at both ends but it was the midfield that was seeing the greatest abundance of playing time. The Road were showing the greatest promise but it was Garstang who had the next attempt at mesh penetration with Cooper sending forth a low ball that the keeper did well to turn behind. The corner was followed by a few passes and another grass grazer the gloved one saved again but before further excitement could arise, the liner was flagging.
The half (and indeed the game) was winding down, Whittaker for the guests on to Murphy who booted over and then right at the death one more Blue based onslaught was had but again, no strike was the outcome.
Not a classic folks, two teams finding their feet with sporadic bursts of good football. Man of the Match goes to Maine Road's No 7 (Loui Williams) with good praise for the energy, speed and off the ball work rate. There is a caveat though, work needs to be done with the final ball and just a little micro-second taken to pick out a player to enhance the overall threat posed. This was still a good perspiration-oozing stint though and worthy of the nod.
I waltzed home and was back in the footy groove, here's to the next one - they are coming thick and fast tha' knows. The only blight on the way home was seeing the aforementioned Jason at a roadside with his pants smoldering and the local fire service in attendance - talk about a waste of taxpayers money.
FINAL THOUGHT - Garstang came today and started well, had further periods of promise but are just shy of the finished unit. It is hard to pinpoint where they are lacking but I reckon they need to play the full park when in possession and make sure when those attacks come the forwards are galloping forth with zealous enthusiasm. Off the ball they were outworked today and that is another area to maybe attend to although defensively, I noted a couple of good displays and reckon teams will be hard pushed to roll this lot over. Maine Road won ugly today but there was plenty of promise shown all over the pitch to perhaps suggest this could be another fair campaign. I reckon they are 80 to 85% the finished article and just one or two tweaks, a bit of luck and some solid consistency will see them be a convincing top 8 team for sure. I reckon the blue clad lads are hoping for higher, 3 points in the bag is a good start.
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