So, after a day of counting and recording moths (no, not from my underpants), working and then nipping to the bike shop to get my a new tyre, I had tea, caught up with a few chores and watched an episode of Steptoe and Son. Due to the heat and being fagged my good lady dropped me off at the game so as to avoid attending with a sweaty arse and a rubicund mush - she's a good un'. Upon arrival I gave salutations to Mike on the gate and a few COL faces who are always good to catch up with. Peawack and Bill are bods who support their team through thick and thin and even though the latter tried to sell me some candid snaps of Jimmy Tarbuck and his one legged lover (complete with scratch and sniff card) he is still worthy of a mention. I did purchase a couple of snaps just for research purposes and as part of a thesis on the game show 'Winner Takes All'. Talking of which...
Who would be taking the 3 point prize tonight, that was the question. I was soon in my roosting position, joined by local Cheadle Heath Nomads embezzlers Gareth and Sandra (more to come in following reports) and duly scribbling an assessment. Here are the results with indeed, the result.
The balmy air was wafted by the movement of 22 bods who started to chase the globe of glory at 7.45pm. The start to the game was brisk with the home lads pushing and probing whilst the away team scampered and strove to cultivate the odd peek at goal. The first action proper came when a high Town ball fell to the feet of No 16 (Saul Henderson) who had oodles of time to pick his spot and put the ball around the keeper. Alas the shot that came was absolutely abysmal, lacked both power and direction and saw a dream start disappear into the jacksie of the night. The Town soon progressed once more with some choice passing and awareness. The grey clad Purps (paradox) continued to dash around like pilfering transvestites in a knicker shop - all worked up and hoping to steal something special.
The guests continued to work up a good lather, No 8 (Ashton Clements) was looking a solid component and No 11 (Che Trapasso-Tully) looked as though the manager had filled his underduds with a
electric maggots - what a lively chap! The Town were still holding greatest threat though, they won a corner that the opposition cleared and then a home free kick saw No 7 (Kaleb Parkinson) receive, feed Henderson who had a shot that wasn't even on target - another chance wasted.
From here we had more high end animation with the first goal surely coming soon. From nowhere the guest No 7 (Adam Brooks) battled away out wide and worked his way into a position of peril. There where options available but the player in possession decided to have a pop at goal. The strike was keen and low and the inside side of the meshing was bulged outward - 0 - 1 to the travelling tribe, just what the game needed.
The onus was now on the trailing unit to try and get back in this, they knuckled down and were soon coming forth with a cross out wide, collected, delivered and leaving the ball in front of the open goal for No 10 (Oliver Ford) to tap home. Balance restored with the Liverpool lads immediately responding. A long ball, Brooks nutted on, Trapasso-Tully gathered the loose ball and sent forth a shot that was just too elevated. Again the visiting ranks came, No 9 (Stephen Milne) was released and into the box he ran. A grass-grazing shot came, the home No 1 (James Hodges) was the human-butt-plug and did enough to stop any further penetration.
No 6 (Luke Boylan) for the City of Liverpool chanced the shank with a volley soon after, it was a sweet hit but the mitter was in the right place at the right time. The Town were soon reacting, No 8 (Darren McKnight) posted a delicious ball out to No 11 (Izac Khan) who gathered, dashed and delivered. Once more Ford was there to tap home and finalise a quite choice goal. This was a fine turnaround in what was an enthralling game. Soon after a cross for the hosts found the head of Henderson who once again, couldn't hit the strike zone - it was just one of those nights. No 4 (Benjamin Lowe) had a golden chance next with a superb ball played in and waiting for the merest of touches to bring up the host's third strike. Somehow the globe was left unmolested, and another chance went begging.
The City of Liverpool lads were under a brandished cosh, the half wound down, Brooks had a glimpse of glory but his shot was too high. The referee blew for the break, this had been a ruddy good 45 minute session and still, all was to play for. I had a chat with Peawack for the break - we covered the lunacy of the Labour Party, fishing and the reasoning behind Bill Shepherd's latest business plan that will see an ambitious attempt to sell rectal dandruff under the guise of fashionable food seasoning. 'Ring Salt inc' goes into full swing next week, your fish and chips may never taste the same.
Period two began with a sprightly urgency and 2 unsuccessful corner kicks from the hosts. A free-kick came the same way, the ball was lofted and looked set to be dropping into the goal but the keeper was alert and did well to palm away. The Town continued to press and The Purps resisted with solid defiance. Eventually the guests started to earn more of the play and really turn the screw. A gratis hoofing saw Brooks dink the ball into the box and the inrushing striker have the goal awaiting a good old bulger. Alas the boot was swung and only the warm night air was struck - what a chance!
The heat began to rise on the pitch, the midges at pitchside began to become a nuisance and nip any flesh exposed, I was mighty thankful I wasn't wearing my City of Liverpool open crotch leggings - more than a purple helmet would have been the result. As I contemplated the nipping arthropods Trapasso-Tully for the travellers flashed the flank, whipped in a fair ball but with too much height for even the most elongated players.
A substitute for the guests next, Brooks off which was a real surprise as I considered him the best player on the pitch thus far. This move did not effect the flow of the game as The Town were kept on the rack by a very industrious team who were really laden with belief and effort. These two facets saw Trapasso-Tully dash once more, fly into the box and slip. The referee gave a penalty, I was unsure as there seemed to be no contact, perhaps I blinked. No 17 (Andy Mandjoba) stepped up, the ball was placed and slapped home with cool authority - back to all square and all to play for.
City of Liverpool continued to outwork the home team and looked to bag all 3 points. Trapasso-Tully once more led a charge and sent the ball from the flank into the area where Mandjoba connected at the back post but was denied by a still alert keeper. The Town responded with resolute huff and puff and a long range dig that was wide of the mark. The return attack soon came with one of the subs eventually on the ball and sending a shot off target that really left a big chance missed. The impetus and endeavour remained high, a frenzied finish was the result but no further breakthroughs came. One long ball into the box called upon COL's No 5 (Alex Gofton) to put in a firm defensive header but other than that, the spoils of war were shared.
A grand game, farewells had and Man of the Match was a close run thing but I was sticking to City of Liverpool's No 7 (Adam Brooks) who, when on the pitch, was a constant threat, a strong and direct force and who certainly deserved his goal for some good effort and forward running play. I buggered off home delighted with a good do and looking to apply some onion juice to my insect bites - another of Shepherd's Snake Oil Cure Alls.
FINAL THOUGHTS- Well I thought this was a grand match, a really good advert for the North West Counties League and a veritable indication that money is well spent at these places and time invested is time not wasted. Cheadle Town were pre-match favourites for me, on paper I think they are a top 6 side, they are a darn sight more pleasing on the eye than they were last year and have certainly developed a good playing system that I am sure will reap great rewards. I like the fact that they use the full width of the pitch, communicate well and have a manager who certainly knows his stuff. I will be getting a good share of viewings of this team, we shall see what develops. City of Liverpool are a guaranteed prospect of high entertainment. They play with a manner that will sometimes see them come unstuck but will sometimes see them wallop a team. A real 'toss of a coin' situation but what got them through tonight was a admirable 'never say die' attitude, a resounding work ethic and a determination to play for the full 90 minutes with all conkers bared and blistering. The point earned tonight was a point that pinged them off the bottom of the heap, this can only help with the confidence and lead to perhaps, a run of good form. Like I say though, I reckon the results will be of a capricious nature - I am looking to be on the edge of me predicting seat again real soon.
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