There have been a number of fortresses over the years that the Grappenhall battlers have called home, but none so flat as the latest. Fortress Orford Park. The converted bowling green, resplendent post Queeny visit, now home to the relegated never say die warriors. Credit card entry keys (wooo) clean and warm changing rooms (wooo) and drum and bass music to rattle your jaw bone to boot. New kit, well tops actually, where the elasticity hasn't yet given out, helping to hold in those Sangria laden girths, much appreciated.... And so here we were, lined up and ready to go, first home game of our latest season. A strong squad for the gaffer to chose from and a fresh impetus following last weeks debacle. High Lane didn't look all that, apart from their No12 who bossed the match the last time we played them and who went on to do pretty much the same this time, but apart from him they were flabby and unremarkable. And what a start. Having the privilege of watching the opening salvos from the side, Grappenhall were 'boss'. Pass move space, pass move space, 18 yard box, shot. Wow how good we looked and how simple it all seemed. And how flat the pitch was. Very good. Really, very good indeed. But then High Lane were premiership contenders only two seasons ago and deep down there clearly is some footballing nous in there. And it showed as their No12 got a grip. The pendulum swung back towards the visitors and with the assistance of the prevailing wind, the ball spent more and more time in the Grappenhall half. Bradley and Emsley Martin working hard to foil and scupper. New boy Wells, Gerrardesque, showing flashes of Wednesday night composure and Orr warming himself up. Tok given an outing at right back looked occasionally comfortable and Cullen spritely as ever. I suppose as ever the first goal is key. Despite the pre-match insistence of no fouls and no free kicks, there were far too many conceded. And no Cookie to blame. From one, a pinged low rocket into our bottom corner saw the High Lane boys cheer and the home team despair. A minute before half time too. Oh how it aches and it's only Sunday football........ Half time resolutions.....and off we went again. Was it me of did that wind drop off somewhat? Press on boys....Here was Orr, warmed up. Flying in, winning the ball, challenging and battling, biting and snapping. It raised us. A sojourn into the High Lane box, a double take, is that Tok? Indeed, and with fleet of foot drew a foul and a penalty for the lads. A penalty , now that put the cat amongst the pigeons. Plenty of volunteers and fortunately no Ballotelli histrionics and Dixie dispatched it with aplomb. One all. Oh yes that felt good. A fresh charge swept through the lot of us and with skirts hitched we were off and at them again. O'Donnell doing what only he does best. Unbridled enthusiasm, harrying , racing, effort personified. It lifted us. Bradley supreme. Flashes of yesteryear, clearing up for all. Halliwell on, bundling, physical, strong.... Hadland full of running linking up with last weeks MOM 'DJ Wright' making occasional forays down the left. It didn't occur to us that the next goal would be crucial, as I suppose we all thought it simply wasn't coming. That killer blow. 5 minutes to go, pace down the left and a beautiful lob to the back post. No defence. Two High Lane boys to nod it in. 'After you' ....' No after you' ....... Two one down with five to go. The rotation policy saw PEM, Quent, Wells and Razor on the sidelines.......get 'em on. Get 'em all on......but then hold on fella's lets not forget we've got smiling boy Halliwell here today. I'm right aren't I. He had a fire in his belly today. A corner, the last minute. DJ Wright taking it from the left, ......No no no, where are our right footed crossers of the ball, I thought as he played a peach of a cross into the middle for Halliwell to crash into at full speed. Wow what a header, worthy of a the goal but somehow stopped on the line...without a moment to worry though Dixie was there to poke it home. Two two. Oh the relief. Two two. Not beaten. The whistle went. A point. The relief. The relief. And so that was that. Nets to be taken down, Hot showers in the 'boom boom' changing rooms and a trip upstairs to the bar for refreshments. Not quite. Bar closed, but in the big scheme of things a small price to pay for our first outing at Fortress Orford Park. Grappenhall Vets. Undefeated at home and long may it continue. SCE
