From here we took a short drive (about 25 minutes) and found the ground with no mither at all. The wind was rattling as we left the car and noted a clump of Mistletoe growing in a tree - kisses for the referee methinks although my wife may frown especially as I wasn't wearing my best lipstick. We paid (concessions, yes we are of that age) and grabbed a brew and some chips before looking at the skies and going for an undercover seat, this turned out to be a wise move. Settled and ready to watch the game unfold the first free-kick came the hosts way with the ball played short, No 3 (Gabe Webster) delivering and just failing to find the target man. Seconds later the home team came again and a stunning delivery went right across the goal mouth with once again, no takers there to grab an early lead. Godmanchester started to gain a gonad-hold on the game and did some serious probing (ooh it all sounds like the dabblings of Dr Undercarriage the infamous gynaecologist). No 7 (Andre Williams) eventually found himself in possession out wide, worked inward and hit a low shot that was way too tame to a shake up the shitter of the mitter.
Overall, this was a slow starting game with a kick up the contestants arses very much needed. Matters progressed and a stalemate looked on the cards until the home No 10 (Brady Middleton) put in a good zesty drive that looked to break the deadlock but the guest No 1 (Max Rigby) was up to the save. No 8 (Devon O' Sullivan) had a pop soon after, alas the end result was rather wank to say the least. Not long after though a ball was sent out wide and delivered. A defender dealt with it but No 11 (Rajdeep Palit) was soon on it, taking a look and chancing the shank. The ball burst from the tootsies, moved a trifle whilst in the air and gave the keeper little chance of stopping it. 1 - 0 it was and the game was finally on.
From here we saw a much more active and competitive game. Godmanchester won a throw high up the park after some neat work from No 3 (Zane Campbell). The ball was cast forth, a flick on came, incoming attackers were noticeable by their absence. The same team won a free-kick after No 8 (Ed Randerson) displayed a good pair of feet. Alas the gratis punt was executed in a manner of shite proportions. A few more efforts came at each end, a penalty shout by the guests was ignored by the sable clad man in the middle and then Middleton for the hosts was found via a honey-dripped pass that left him with the keeper to beat. The shot came, the net awaited but the timber was boomed, it was a golden chance I suspected would be punished. Suddenly Godmanchester were on it, Campbell took hold, played a pass that went on to No 10 (Ben Seymore-Shove) who indulged in a shimmy, a shake and a shot. 1 - 1 it was and what a decent strike to get matters back to all square.
Hinckley came on, a break saw Palit at the apex and let fly a low sizzler that was mere inches wide. No 7 (Zach Tellyn) had a crack of his own from a fair distance. The attempt was a fine effort with the keeper beat but the underside of the bar was clattered allowing the ball to be cleared - now that would have been a beauty!
The last hoorahs of period the first saw a Godmanchester corner posted and No 9's (Craig Gillies) header go off target. The guests had a couple more pushes of promise but the birthing of a goal was not to be witnessed and as the teams went in for a break I reckon 1 - 1 was a fair result, although Hinckley would be rueing a couple of great chances squandered.
We stayed put for the interval, shared a bit of dark chocolate and planned a post-footy walk. There was a growing nip in the wind, the clouds were gathering and appeared to be discussing the potential of a downpour, I was hoping they would take a leak sooner rather than later so we could have a piddle-free pootle and keep the nethers dry.
And back to the game, Hinckley came out with urgency. A ball was sent out wide, Tellyn put in a cross and Middleton touched on but was denied by an alert keeper. The Goddy Gang responded with a corner but the end result was woeful. The guests soon came again, a throw in, No 9 (James Spruce) flicking on which saw the globe touched wide. Things were getting dicey for the resident ranks but they started to pull themselves together and worm their way back into matters. An attack came, Tellyn fed Palit, a solid dig at the strike zone came, the mittman was down and saved well. The resultant corner produced nowt!
Now the threat from the heavens came to fruition, by heck what a downpour! In the midst of the climactic turmoil Godmanchester won a free-kick from which Hinckley broke with Tellyn feeding Palit whose header went wide. The end to end action increased in zest, all we needed was a touch of decisiveness and cultured control. Hinckley came on, a potential break was imminent but the robust No 4 (Johnny Hall) for Godmanchester stood firm with legs planted and arms waving much to the disgust of one elderly gent who was sat nearby. 'Get yer arms down fatty' came the holler, much to the amusement of those around him.
The game rolled on, Palit had a crack that went straight at the keeper and Tellyn of the same team started to grow into the game with a shot of his own very well struck but, like the bras of Big Bella Emberg, there was too much uplift. Another floating effort by the same player soon after was sweetly struck but just flew shy of the top corner. Surely the guy was gonna grab a goal? In return Seymore-Shove for Goddy offered some respite with a shot that was saved but which gave rise to a corner. The ball was hoofed long, Hall was loitering at the back post and a suckerpunch was had. It seems that fatty may win the day - a big moment and a ray of hope for those with a season ticket to Slimmer's World perhaps?
From here Hinckley surged, a shot was defended with the ball falling at the feet of Tellyn who wasted no time in sending forth a low sizzler and levelling the game. Hinckley were on a roll and continued to push, this was now a very entertaining game. Godmanchester rushed on, Seymore-Shove was out wide and duly fed Gillies who sent in a shot that lacked strength but was awash with accuracy which allowed it to find the back of the onion bag - by jove sir, 5 goals in a cracking clash, who would have thought it?
The onus was now on the hosts to try and salvage something from a game slipping away, they dug in, Tellyn continued to weave several merry paths and bust a bollock when a ball was delivered and fell to his feet. The player in question had the composure to bury and get the game back to all square. My good lady had predicted a 3-3 draw before the game, I was impressed to say the least and wondering how much she had paid Lady Luck to be on her side (or was it just skill)? Either way this was a fine match-up and as the final minutes enveloped our attention we were wondering if any team would find a winner. A few shots came at either hand, the keepers were called into action and desperation dictated the play but we stayed as we were and the crowd applauded all as the final whistle blew and the players left the stage.
Man of the Match goes to Hinckley's No 7 (Zach Tellyn) - he got better and better as the game went on, became a constant irritating crumb in the underpants of the opponents and with 2 goals and some good moves the nod of appreciation is well deserved. We buzzed off after the game and had a nice early evening stroll recording birds and blooms and the odd brave bug. A darn decent day methinks.
FINAL THOUGHTS- For once there is little to add, an end of season game with two teams putting in a worthy stint and ending up sharing the spoils. It was a match that started slowly but became a belter and the matching of styles gave all those who came good value for money. The hosts will be rueing several missed chances, I suspect the guests reckon they should have hung on and won it - such is the footballing world. The set up here is spot on, it feels like a proper Non-League ground with some good banter and smiling faces and a really pleasant feeling all round with no foul-mouthed goonery and macho morons. The chips were spot on too and I reckon, when in the area again, we shall be back and appreciating what goes on at another fine club. We may well watch Barwell too - you gotta keep it varied man.
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