Oswaldtwistle Immanuel started their Division 2 campaign with a hard earned point but the headlines where stolen by Parky's controversial decision to wait until Wednesday to submit the match report.
The sun shone as the hoardes descended upon Pleasington Playing Fields for the eagerly anticipated start of the 2015-16 season of the Blackburn Sunday Football League.
Oswaldtwistle Immanuel's success of the previous season meant that they would be plying their trade in Division 2 this season and they would be playing in the more glamorous setting of Pitch 9. 12 months previously, Tom Leach and his men could only dream of what it would be like to play on pitch 9.
The match against Craven Heifer very nearly did not happen though. The referee that was scheduled to officiate this game, Mr Gates, was nowhere to be seen as kick off time came and went. Had nerves got the better of him? Why else would a man not want to spend his Sunday morning being verbally abused and threatened for £24.
Fortunately, referees chief Keith Pentland came to the rescue and stepped in. Immanuel's season could start. And it was to start in the same way as the previous season ended. With Parky tucking into a bacon and sausage sandwich. Would he miss another moment of magic from Matt 'the lesser' Hodgkiss as he devoured the long awaited sandwich?
Would he *$@%!
Immanuel started the game confidently and very nearly took an early lead. The lively Graham Harrison pouncing on a bit of defensive indecisiveness and pushing the ball past the despairing keeper who could only succeed in obstructing Harrison and denying a goal. No penalty given though. If only Mr. Gates had turned up.
The keeper came to Craven Heifer's rescue again shortly afterwards as he denied Andy Dewhurst a goal on his competitive debut.
At the other end, Craven Heifer saw their claims for a penalty waved away as well as the usually composed Tony Brereton misread a run into the area and clearly took the man rather than the ball. The referee did not think it was a penalty and Brereton was off the hook.
Immanuel's good start did not lead to a goal and after half an hour the tide started to turn. Craven Heifer's good football in Immanuel's half was causing problems and the Immanuel keeper Matt Cook came to the rescue on numerous occasions to keep the scores level as Immanuel had to dig deep.
Although, they nearly sneaked the opening goal just before half time. More good play from Graham Harrison lead to an opportunity which he smashed against the bar.
0-0 at half time and it had been a closely matched encounter to this point. Parky decided to introduce Stephen Mooring at half time to bring adifferent dimension to Immanuel's attacking midfield.
Unfortunately, the attack of the Moorings struck again and a devastating injury to Stephen Mooring new right boot meant he was to be replaced again just 5 minutes later. Leading to a frantic search for replacement footwear. Firstly, the already injured Fergus Heyes offered some boots but they were too big, then Simon Hodgkiss offered a pair but they were too small, finally, it was time to try Tom Dillon's trainers. They were just right. And Goldilocks was ready to come back on.
Shortly after this fiasco the first goal came. Tom Leach tossed a free kick into the box. The Craven Heifer defence didn't deal with it and Andy Dewhurst turned to slam the ball home and get the goal he deserved.
The lead wasn't to last long though. 3 minutes later a speculative effort from the edge of the Immanuel area dribbled agonisingly into the bottom corner to bring the scores level.
The rest of the match saw Craven Heifer pile on the pressure as they searched for a winner but the Immanuel defence was equal to everything they had thrown at them. Tony Brereton in particular was imperious at the back and Immanuel also owed their point to Stephen Mooring and Tom Dillon's sweat filled trainer as they came together to clear a headed attempt off the line in the latter stages.
And so it finished. 1-1 at full time. A hard fought point from a decent perfomance that rasied a few questions.
How best to use the newly introduced rolling substitutes? How helpful is it for a manager to have suspended and injured players telling him how poor the players that are currently on the pitch are? And, how on earth can one pair of feet produce so much sweat?
Reports state that Tom Dillon's trainers are currently in his back garden and have been steadily burning with a blue flame since Sunday!
