Any onlookers scanning the amateur football pitches of Wheathampstead on Sunday morning may have been expecting a post-halloween nightmare for Facelad, as they emerged through the mist with 12 players, 10 shirts, 9 pairs of shorts and various hangovers.
Wheathampstead, on the other hand, looked the very picture of professionalism, running through drills with 6 subs, numbered training kits, and a pair of shorts for every player!
On the pitch, however, the tale was a different one. Upon the orders of stand in player-manager-captain and all round good guy Michael Alderman, Facelad sat back in the opening 10 and allowed the Wheato centrebacks to play, before reverting to their trademark passing style when in possession.
Wheathampstead couldn’t come close to the ball as Facelad dominated, and before long they had the lead. Alderman picked up the ball 25 yards out, and drilled in a low pass (that was definitely deliberate and not a misplaced shot) which was diverted into the net by Facelad striker Matt Howell.
Facelad continued to dominate, with Matt Saxby and Darren O’Brien worrying the full backs with their pace, and Jerry Clynes defying the pre-match predictions of “doing a Linekar” by managing to not shit himself. Success.
Meanwhile, “Wreck It” Ralph Fox made his long awaited return to the team, despite his own concerns over his fitness. Worries were ill founded, however, as he, and the rest of the defensive unit remained solid throughout the first half pressure.
This provided a foundation for Facelad’s continued dominance, however they could not convert their chances; Howell, O’Brien, Saxby, Alderman and Lawrence all guilty of less than clinical strikes.
Towards the end of the first half, Facelad began to get caught up in their success, pressing higher and higher, and leaving space across the pitch. They were nearly punished as Wheato managed to get in behind, but Kieron Extence came to the rescue, pulling out a couple of key saves.
In the final minute of the half, the scores were finally levelled. Wheato lumped a free kick into the Facelad box, which was missed by everyone, including Extence, to bounce into the far corner of the net. It was an undeserved equaliser, and a bitter blow for a player who has been a revelation since his summer signing.
Ryan Comerford was introduced at half time, and was almost unrecognisable from the man the fans are used to watching rage around the pitch, frothing at the mouth. Calm, collected and composed, he marshalled the defence well, allowing Barton to push into midfield, as Jerry’s illness finally caught up with him.
Facelad were forced to dig in for the second half, as tired legs and a lack of numbers took their toll and chances were less common. Jordan Scott was working well with Saxby on the right, and O’Brien’s pace continued to threaten, but Facelad were frustrated time and again by the offside flag. Howell shot wide, and Josh Knott fired narrowly over as Facelad struggled to find the rhythm that had seen them command the first half.
They refused to go into their shell, however, and were rewarded with 20 minutes to play as Saxby took another step towards a big pay day. Alderman split the defence with another sumptuous pass (that was definitely deliberate and not a mis-kick) before the goal machine calmly slotted the ball into the net.
Some late pressure required Facelad to battle, but battle they did, and Wheato could not break them down.
A solid win with a skeleton squad.
