It’s A New Day
Everything was new.
It was a new season.
In a new league.
Sharred had new boots.
The club had new footballs
We had two new players, Simon and Westie.
We had new green socks, which were fitted with an added comfort band, anti-odour lining and were particularly appreciated by Richard Fairman.
All of this was pretty straightforward to the boys who had years of experience under their belt. However, Ecky caused outrage in the changing rooms when he announced that we were playing a new system. 4 – 5 – 1 . Picture the scene, it was like trying to explain the internet to an octogenarian. Mick Sanders and Kevin Taylor who were still more familiar with terms like Inside Forward and Outside Right struggled and when Ecky said don’t worry George can drop in and we can revert to 4 – 3 – 1 – 2, it reduced to an all too familiar scene, as the boys retired to the team bus in the car park and asked for the captain Phil Shaul to read their statement to the opposition, ref and Ecky. Luckily it didn’t come to that as a compromise of 4 – 2 – 3 – 1 was reached just before kick off.
Cringleford’s usually well marshalled defence was breached twice in the opening five minutes as Watton got off to the better start on their home pitch which was immaculate and like a cricket green compared to the game which took place in Loddon two weeks earlier. Two early scares over and Cringleford were now in their stride and the new system was paying dividends with Cringleford bossing the midfield and the wide men, Simon and Dylan causing Watton all sorts of problems. Ian Bartlett’s specially tinted glasses ensured he was able to pick out his teammates in the changed red strip and he linked superbly with Mick and Simon on several occasions to create some dangerous openings down the right. One of these openings led to a Cringleford corner which was met by Dennis and as the ball broke it was lashed home by Dylan to open his account, 1 – 0 to the Cringleford.
The second goal appeared inevitable as chances fell to Fairman and Wilson, Richard’s long range effort going extremely close. Unfortunately the same could not be said for Scott who caused the Watton ‘keeper loads of problems. Firstly how to get the ball down off the roof, then how to find the ball in the woods and ensured that he was constantly out of breath having to the ball for his goal kicks.
Cringleford thought they had the breakthrough when the ball broke to Dylan in the six yard box but somehow he hooked the ball wide – a good job he had already scored. And so it was against the run of play that Watton equalised. In one of their rare attacks they got in behind Dennis and pulled the ball back for a tap-in to make it 1 – 1. They had the chance to take the lead with an almost identical move but a smart save by Alan saved further blushes.
Watton seized their chance and pressed hard and as the ball broke to the edge of the box from a corner the attacker cleverly shot between the crowd of players to beat the unsighted Alan. 2 – 1 to Watton.
Cringleford didn’t panic, they were still the better side and kept building through the five man midfield with Scott (the opposition’s MOTM) instrumental in most moves.
Wilson tells us all about the great goals he has scored at this ground and I am sure by the time his grandchildren hear about this one, it will be up there with the best. But as Fez always says you have to be in the right place at the right time and you have to be able to toe punt the ball and George did exactly that, ghosting in on the far right to slide in the equaliser 2 – 2!
Before half-time there was still time for both ‘keepers to make good saves ensuring that it turned around 2 – 2.
The second half was far from dull, Dylan (ankle) had been replaced at half-time by Westie and Kevin came on for Mick (groin). Both players fitted into the new system well and the quality of the football played by both teams was deserving of the league title “premiership”.
Sharred had a quiet game on the left, by quiet I mean he didn’t trap off at any of the opposition enough to get kicked, he of course looked solid as usual. Bartlett had a cracking game on the right and supported Simon superbly going forward. Dennis and Shaul mopped up what Watton had to throw at them, although as most of it was in the air to their forwards, who were both four foot something, this wasn’t difficult.
Cringleford had opportunities to take the lead, but it wasn’t until halfway through the second half, when Fairman’s determination to win the ball back paid off and he curled the ball in over the ‘keeper from an acute angle. Cue wild celebrations 3 – 2. It was all too much for Wilson (hamstring) who gave way to the enthusiastic Payne. Thank God for Payne……..in a rare breach of the Cringleford defence he raced back to make an heroic last ditch tackle to preserve the lead.
Cringleford should have got more as Simon shot over, Phil headed over and Kevin buggered over when they all should have scored. Scott for once kept quiet, I wonder why? In the dying minutes there was the opportunity for Fez to make a cameo and replace Dennis (hamstring) but not enough time for Watton to get back on terms and the game finished 3 – 2 to Cringleford.
