Massive game massive result - simple as that. Not going to be easy as our keeper was rushing back from Keswick after his trademark car boot sales.
On a boggy put playable pitch this was a must win game for both teams at the wrong end of table. What a game for the neutral to watch it turned out to be. 7 goals, end to end flowing football and loads of chances.
It was the Phoenix who got the breakthrough early doors though as they scrambled the first goal, through some sloppy play at the back. We needed to bounce straight back, and my god we did.
A great interchange between Longstaff and Paul Wintrip, left Wintrip on the edge of the box with only one thing in his mind. Boooooooooooooom. A great sliced thunderbolt burst the Phoenix net. Now this goal is open for some debate. In the post match analysis Wintrip explained he had to cut across the ball to hit the target but the jury is still out. I will let him come on and post his own version. Over to you Paul. We were now back in the game and could go on and put it to bed.
Then, just after half time disaster struck as stand in keeper, Leather, dropped a clanger and gifted the Phoenix with a goal on a plate. 2-1 and we were again on the back foot. Changes were needed. Levett arrived at half time and was thrown staright on after 55 minutes. Leather went centre half, with Black pushing into centre mid, replacing the quiet Robinson who was carrying a knock. We now looked more solid.
The equaliser came not too long after, again from Paul Wintrip after great work from Chris Black down the right. 2-2, now can we go on and get the win. The Phoenix had other ideas as again they went ahead after some sloppy play. 3-2 down, can we lift ourselves again. It was time for some tactical genious to change the formation to see if we can get the 3 points we so badly needed. We introduced David "one jug" Ridley to the game and went 3-4-3, with Peace in a free role behind the front two. What a move this was as we raped the Phoenix defence with wave after wave of relentless attacking football, that was only matched by Barcelona at the Nou Camp V Arsenal on April 6th. We had our own little Messi up top aswell.
A great passing move led to Liam Wintrip leaving their full back for dead and puttting in an inch perfect cross for his brother Paul to dive full length and head into the onion bag past the stranded keeper. We kept our formation and kept pushing on for the fourth, and it duly came.
The industrious "one Jug" Ridley helped himself to the winner with 8 mins to go to send the capacity Bull sideline into raptures. Even Geoff's dog done a back flip, encouraged by No.1 fan Stan Lumsden.
We quickly went back to 4-4-2 to protect what we got and held on for a momontous victory. First division football next season was now secured.
Well done lads, it was really pleasing to see no ones heads go down. It's called confidence. 4 wins out the last 5 games is a great achievement. It has only left me thinking "What if" !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.
An obvious choice for man of the match - Paul "Messi" Wintrip as the Phoenix lads described him. Great perfromance, great hat trick.
