So, we arrived at the ground, the retailer of warming beverages was absent without leave so we made do with the liquids we had and found a perching spot. All ready and raring to go, predictions made, here is what went on.
Ball rotating and from the off Flixton were soon awarded a corner hoofing with the follow-on header too easy for the keeper. Maine Road perked up and passed the ball with pace and tried to force the issue but it was Flixton who won another gratis hoofing, this time in the form of a free-kick. The ball came, the keeper punched away and soon after it was the hosts who were galloping forth with No 2 (Jack Pearce) putting in a cross that was dealt with and then No 10 (Lewis Royle) having a firm pop the mitter did well to save. This was a very promising start by the hosts!
A few half attempts came, and then No 2 (Henry Brown) for Flicky raced away as though his chestnuts had been dipped in a chilli laden madras. A threat looked to be on the cards but the home No 8 (Prindi Kimputu) put in a quite excellent tackle that killed all threat. Up the other end we went, No 11 (Siraj Hussein) displayed mercurial tootsies, played the ball only to see two comrades get in a mix-up and the chance go begging. After a booking for the guests, Road advanced once more with No 7 (Mamudu Touray Touray) providing a long cross that Hussein walloped first time. The shot was closer to taking the skin off a local residents rice-pudding than hitting the goal but the thinking behind the attempt was correct methinks.
From here we saw two teams work well and make for a match with few real chances. No 10 (Joshua Wood) for the guests swung the peg and produced a shot that was way over and then, mere ticklings later, the resident ranks broke, a ball was threaded from the advancing pack and the racing No 9 (Lewis McGill) was quick enough to provided a firm toe poke that snuck by the keeper. It was a fine rapier assault and a tidy finish and, may one add, a ruddy well deserved lead had. From the kick off it was only a matter of protecting the lead until half-time and to re-compose. Alas a push and a counter was created, the Flixton No 11 (Cian Donohue) was at the apex of a no-nonsense advance and grabbed the equaliser with a low and very accurate shot. How many times throughout the history of the game have we witnessed these rapid counterpunches?
2 corners for Flixton came and were dealt with, and the home lads had one break with Kimputu firing straight at the keeper and that was that. An absorbing first half with nothing between the teams and leaving part 2 up for grabs.
No movement was had for the break, we had a cuddle and a bit of chocolate, the nights were drawing in for sure and I contemplated a time when I was sat here with my mate STP Stu (RIP) freezing our knackers off watching the hosts struggle like buggery on a very testing night. By heck, it seemed like only yesterday.
And segment 2 of the nights action, Road were immediately building and put a cross into the danger zone which merely resulted in an air-kick. Road came again, No 6 (Ashley Cata) played a glorious ball, Hussein was away but seemed to have an attack of indecisiveness and only a corner was had which, was dealt with - this situation should have been so much more.
The Lions prowled next, a corner came with No 4 (Jeffry Edos Oni) heading toward goal, a block ensuing, the same player with a shot that was blocked and somehow the globe was cleared. Donohue was soon the possessor of the ball, the eye spied a chance to let fly from range and the rounded object was soon to be seen leaving foot, passing the keepers outstretched arm and nestling in the bottom corner of the net. What a sweet finish! Soon after though the leading team nearly bagged another with some rear end dilly-dallying on the ball allowing No 7 (Collins Kagame) to fire at goal - thankfully the keeper was there to save his sides arses.
The heavens now opened, many purist al fresco viewers came under cover, a couple of gents I know from this footballing malarky came and nattered. One gent, who is keen to wander the perimeter of pitches whilst the game is underway, and duly chat to all and sundry was recovering from last years campaign and with the help of strong barbituates, heavy hypnotism and a study of Tway Fuzzby's Positive Thinking Football Guide he was looking like a new man and raring to go. Note must be made that the aforementioned Mr Fuzzby is a conman extraordinaire and has only played football for the now defunct Rectal Rovers - a team that played in crotchless shorts and flesh coloured shirts with nipple openings. It was a brainwave of Mr Fuzzby's that was aimed at all deviants of the ball hoofing game - it didn't work, several players were bummed following every victory and the pictures of the 'after game celebrations' that were leaked to the press duly contributed to the folding of the club. The book that this fellow had been using as a motivational tool however is a good read and the chapter on 'Corner Flag Porn' is enlightening to say the least. And so...
...back to the game and Flixton seemed intent on burying matters and were working up a right old lather trying to get this one finished. The Road were busy and doing mighty well to make for a fractured period of play thus allowing them to be still in the running. 2 shots came and were blocked, and then a long MR ball was knocked out wide, delivered and shot to goal but the save was more than adequate. Flixton came back with a free kick that was nutted over by No 9 (Lewis Simon-Byrne) - this contest was far from over it seemed. In return the home lads won a bonus booting of their own which McGill stepped up to take. I expected a post into the box but the player had other ideas and struck a pearler that went straight into the the onion bag. What a strike and what a way to level matters!
Into the gaspings we went, this was a lottery now, any team could grab this or throw it away - who dares, who cares - is this a game of shares. Road again, No 17 was on it and was ready to bang the ball home. The shot was decent, the save better, and then Touray Touray had a crack with the guest No 1 (Cameron Mason) producing the goods yet again. A few minor scares came each way, the time quickly sped by and before we knew it the game was up and my missus had bagged her second prediction of the season.
The rain fell as we left the ground, it felt ruddy glorious and this has been a fair contest. Man of the match for me goes to Flixton's No 4 (Jeffry Edos Oni) - a commanding and quite reliable force in the rear ranks with a composure that will help the team throughout the campaign and a willingness to always seek an attacking opportunity albeit via a dash forth or a long ball.
FINAL THOUGHTS - Flixton FC came, were pre-match favourites and with the word on the street that good investment is being made, I expected a win. They started slowly, stuttered throughout and didn't seem comfortable with Maine Road's eager beaver, hustle and harry approach. They have several notable players though and, despite playing a side with great hunger, they managed to bag a draw. Is the 1 point good enough though? I think this lot have big plans but I have seen many teams with these ambitions and realise these North West Counties Leagues are ruddy tough indeed. Prior to the beginning if the season they were my promotion faves, I am not so sure now but they will be up there. Maine Road had a rotten old time of it last year, this year have had the odd blip but tonight showed that they are more than capable of being competitive at this level. They worked hard, passed with pace and precision and if a little more brutal and forthright upfront (and of course, determined not to receive a suckerpunch) this could have been some victory. There is work to do, but there is great promise too. A certain Mr Fuzzby has also written a training manual - could this be the key to success or a rocky road to many sore arses? Either way I reckon a mid-table end of season place is on the cards.
No comments:
Post a Comment