It was the kind of day when most of the old timers would have been happier with a chaise longue and a Pina colada. Unfortunately on this sweltering afternoon the vets had a game to play and the pavilion bar wasn’t appropriately stocked.
Cringleford had every reason to approach this match with great confidence. A very respectable 2nd place last season with a new look side was better than they may have hoped for, also debuts for Tony Shipley and his killer left foot and Hickman the Super-chef had the players salivating with anticipation of some tidy finishing and some pan-fried scallops.
It had also been an occasion when we should have been welcoming the return of both our legendary Captain Fantastic Phil Shaul and the Talismanic hero from the Golden age of Cringleford Vets Football, George Wilson. The more than clement weather however led to enough domestic pressure in theWilsonhousehold for George to head off to the coast with sun-cream, water-wings and a bashed ear. Shaul however thankfully did show up albeit carrying the traditional extra holiday baggage.
The beginning of the game was somewhat scrappy. (the “s” being a kind one in this instance) The reporter at this stage was busy doing his anti-palpitation warm-ups at the other end of the park but looked over in time to see Cringleford concede a soft goal. It was evident that the team was having a few problems finding its way, but soon the still unbeaten 3-5-2 formation began to pay dividends with Hickman regularly getting into dangerous positions, although at times choosing the wrong final option.
It was as a moan came from the stands in anticipation of another wayward strike that the culinary maestro fired a rocket into the roof of the net. 1-1. The team began to settle and dominate play with Hellesdon confined to a few solitary, fruitless raids, the 2 new front men combining well, and Sharred showing all his usual zest and determination.
A dangerous free-kick on the edge of the box seemed like the perfect moment for Shipley to unleash that ferocious left-foot, however Roger the gluttonous chef, encouraged by his earlier goal stepped in and souffléed the ball limply over the bar.
The next goal however came from a reliable source. As we witnessed time and time again last season the sublime crossing skills of Dan Barnston led to a goal. From an impossible angle and with virtually no space and time, he drifted a beauty over into the box. The mercurial Karl Izzard managed to hang for an eternity in the air and head the ball clinically home. 2-1 to the vets.
The boys spent half-time mainly re-hydrating and getting their breath back. Limon may have mumbled a few words but frankly, no one was listening.
The second half should have seen the Vets take control of the game and with a little more composure and good fortune this game would have been quickly dead and buried. A lovely pass from Shipley sent Ecky through who hit a clean shot past the keeper but unfortunately onto the post. In a crazy spell of play Ecky saw 2 goals disallowed, one for off-side and one as a result of an Izzard hand-ball whilst at the other end some sloppy defending led to the unlikeliest of equalisers for the away side.
A little patience and focus was required. However the game became niggly, with the home side losing their shape and composure in a rush to chase the game. They soon went 2-3 down when once again leaving themselves exposed at the back.
The home-side responded quickly and a fine right footed strike from Ecky soared away from the out-stretched arm of the keeper and into the top corner. 3-3.
Once again Cringleford at this point really should have gone on and won but in fact it was Hellesdon who had the best chances. The Vets showed great solidarity in defending a late Hellesdon surge and the game ended in a draw which the away team were evidently much happier with. It was a game that Cringleford probably should have won but then again could very easily have lost.
A frustrating afternoon then with a draw that felt a little bit like a loss, but plenty of encouraging signs and the prospect of great times ahead.
