Jaguar eye cup success in seven goal thriller
Free scoring Jaguar despatch the visiting Premier one side to progress in the David Schofield Memorial Cup. The eagerly anticipated affair certainly lived up to it's billing after the postponement earlier in the season.
The prodigal folder had returned and manager John Ison had a healthy squad of 16 to choose from on the day. Some tough decisions were made and youthful exuberance, plus Macca, took to the field. The only shock was the return to the side of Adam Whitefield, who has taken a break from his tour of the Liverpool club scene as part of his Journey South tribute band.
The Jaguar social club groundsman called in sick for the 800th consecutive day with pitch conditions testing to say the least. The home side adapted to the conditions quicker than their opponents however and took the lead on 20 minutes through wide man Ben Clay, who is in somewhat of a purple patch right now. Dad Andy's celebration was more subdued this week following his police caution on the previous Sunday.
Moments later, Myton almost doubled their lead when, an otherwise impressive Andy Bynon, drilled wide with the goal at his mercy. For all to see it was only a matter of time before the visitors net bulged again but the game turned on it's head by the interval as some naive defending coupled with clinical finishing saw Jaguar trail 3-1.
The pressure was on Dale at half-time following his Copthorne debacle, and clearly taking on the feedback, he produced some juicy Valencia's to whet the appetite for the second half. A much needed respite for Myton's number two who retains his orange providing duties for next week's game.
Myton started the second half on a mission, clearly intent on righting the wrongs of the first half. Cashley Jackson, in his first official start the Jag went closest by smashing the post from a crisply hit volley.
The now almost completely defensive visitors couldn't hold out for too long though as Myton reduced the deficit on the hour. Ben Clay burst through the offside trap only to be brought down inside the 18 by a professional foul from the last defender. The referee, whom so far had a solid game (by solid I mean absolutely sh*t), shat himself and left the lucky defender on the field of play. Nonetheless, top scorer Kiam rammed home the penalty to make the game 3-2.
With tactics folder in hand, a masterstroke from Manager John Ison brought on old pro's Jez Carpenter and a somewhat hungover John Woodhouse, allegedly seen purchasing multiple shots in a top Coventry night spot in the early hours. Manager John Ison was said to be seething at such behaviour on a Saturday night, more so from not being invited as would have been 'on it' given the chance.
Jez started to pull the strings and with 15 minutes to go, drama ensued. Having been slipped clean through on goal, Kiam rounded the keeper and was upended in a tackle that wouldn't have been out of place in Adam's preferred sport. By preferred, it is the lads who would prefer Adam to play this sport on a Sunday instead of football. The referee, buoyed by his earlier decision, soiled himself once more and allowed the keeper to stay on the pitch.
A now less confident Galdins stepped up to take the penalty with arse visibly twitching. A poor penalty saw the goalkeeper achieve redemption and being the good sportsman that he is, Cashley then proceeded to pass the ball back to the keeper on the rebound so that he could really enjoy his moment.
It looked as though Jaguar's cup voo-doo would continue but with 80 on the clock, the game swung back towards the home side through the sublime and somewhat ridiculous play from Jez Carpenter. Not content with killing a high ball dead on the turn, Jez proceeded to bend the ball in the top corner from 20 yards to send the home fans into raptures. Even Ben's dad said it was 'ok'.
The pendulum had well and truly swung and Cashley completed the comeback with a deflected effort five minutes from time. Adam clearly enjoyed the goal and explained it in precise detail to the visiting touchline through a vast array of hand gestures and sporadic "woo's".
4-3 and much deserved, Myton progress in the cup carrying forward their current excellent league form. Manager John Ison is keen to bring a trophy into the club this season, but more from the point of view that he can fill it and drink the contents as it's 'bigger than a pint glass'.
A tough game awaits next week away at table topping Gatehouse Tavern. However, on second half performances like this, Jaguar must be confident of getting something to bring back to Browns Lane.
