Oswaldtwistle Immanuel ended their 2014-15 campaign with revenge over Sunnybank at Pleasington.
Four weeks ago, Sunnybank's surprise victory over Immanuel had ended the Oswaldtwistle side's dreams of winning the league on a day when injuries and suspensions had caused an absentee list that hit Immanuel hard.
Since then, 2 wins from 2 had ensured promotion for Immanuel and all that was left was the opportunity to get revenge on Sunnybank. Immanuel were once again struggling with an ever growing absentee list. The bank holiday weekend meaning players were away on holiday as well as injuries keeping out the Mooring brothers, Spencer and Berry.
It left Parky with a weekend on the phone in order to get a team together. The always reliable Andy MacDonald responding to a call at the 11th hour to save Immanuel's blushes.
Sunday morning began badly though, with the Hairy Mourinho waking to the news that Tyrone Archer's 18 hour long binge of the day before had led to him being absent from the line-up and left Parky with a selection headache.
The mood in the dressing room was sombre. Who was going to be Immanuel's 11th man? How had such a good season come to this?
All of a sudden, the silence was broken by the dressing room door. It's hinge screaming it's metallic wail as it cried out for WD40. In walked Nathan Berry, rucksack on back, and picked up a shirt. He would be fit to play. He would come to Immanuel's rescue! He stopped short of wearing his Y-fronts over his shorts but this made him no less heroic in his teammates eyes.
The game was a scrappy affair with few chances. Matt Cook made a good reflex catch as Daniel Riding almost steered a deflected cross into his own net. Riding was possibly nervous with the realisation that his consolation strike against Stanley Ultras in February was less than 90 minutes away from being named goal of the season.
At the other end Matt Malonie managed to get round the keeper only for his attempt to be excellently cleared off the line. The game was turning into a midfield battle though. It was time for Parky to get a bacon sandwich.
The sandwich was good. The bacon not too crispy, the bread buttered to the edges. A treat that Parky will miss during the close season. Whilst Parky was engrossed in this culinary treat Matt Hodgkiss scored what has been described as a wonder goal. If only somebody with any sort of literary talent had looked up from their sandwich in order to see it and describe it.
It was a big goal for Hodgkiss. It cancelled out his own goal against The Golden Cup earlier in the season and brought his season's tally to 0. His own goal, for anyone that missed it, was a curious one. A corner was whipped in from the Golden Cup right and found the right foot of Hodgkiss who, despite having space and time in his own 6 yard box, inexplicably lashed into the top corner of Matt Cook's net. At least this goal meant that everyone could now forget that unfortunate incident.
Half time came and Berry had done his bit. An early return from a camping trip had meant that Simon, everybody's favourite Hodgkiss, was able to come on for the second half.
The second half was similar to the first and apart from the Sunnybank making a good save from Graham Harrison there were very few chances at either end. Immanuel coasted to a 1-0 victory that capped a fine season.
Promoted by 6 points and everyone involved with Immanuel has played their part and ought to be proud of what they have achieved.
Well Done Immanuel!
