Trinderbox Tested by Resilient Kormska
By Steve Kirk
Trinderbox came to this game having lost 3 points and 7 goals expunged from the records, (3 for George, and one each for Luke, Calvin, Wayne & Paul Goodrum) as Exeter arms reserves resign with 6 matches left. This was disappointing, but the team were ready to put this behind them and register another victory on their romp to the 5th Division title.
Owing to the number of games played recently the TrinderBox side more or less picked itself with some weary legs being on the sidelines. G, Lee were rested, Wicksey, was struggling, as were Wade and the badly bruised Gomez. Steve Trinder got his kit on for a possible rare appearance, and sportingly took the flag to run one of the best lines seen in recent times, maybe even since a certain Russian gave a goal to England at Wembley in 1966 in the world cup final against the Germans.
It was a cold wind that may have blown no good at Knighton Stadium with a crowd of 399 watching. Kormska looked a different side from the one that were comprehensively beaten earlier in the season on Vicky Park. Their current indifferent form belied the fact that they, on their day can compete with any of the promotion contenders.
Trinderbox expected a tight game and so it proved. In the early exchanges no quarter was given, but a hard fought contest was on the cards and both teams knew it as they tested each other out. The untried front two of bods and Wayne was working well with them both holding up the ball and turning opponents well. The breakthrough was always going to be hard earned by either side. The defence of Al Starkey, Brez, Seb, and Mike Goodrum proved to be sound throughout the first half. This was complimented with the unflappable James Samwell strolling in front of the back 4 land controlling the game like a labour party whip in the government. His deep play was complimented by the industry of Calvin Marsden, whose mobility was a dream to watch. Luke was also a player who ran his socks off, and Paul Goodrum made the runs quicker than all bran. The whole team were on their metal for a tough game, and whilst territorially, TrinderBox were dominant, Kormska were providing battling opposition, and showed great resilience.
Seb & Calvin both hit the bar from 18 to 20 yards, but Trinderbox were not blessed with the luck of the draw. Wayne also blasted a shot just past the post, and the crowd were on edge, wondering if this was not to be their day.
Then, on 38 minutes, a corner from Chris Bodycote found the head of the 4 foot seven inches of Paul Goodrum who rose like a salmon on a return to the sporning ground to head home powerfully from the edge of the 6-yard box.
It was a lead that the home side richly deserved, and despite their overall dominance, 1 – 0 was a slender lead.
After a team talk at half time, in which the management did not have to express the importance of keeping a clean sheet, TrinderBox entered the collusium with renewed resolve. It was undone in two minutes. Strangely, the excellent Mr Graham Swan Missed a clear push on Seb and gave a throw to Kormska. A seemingly innocuous take to the middle. Sadly no one saw the danger, and a 20 yard shot was swept by Adam Corbett who couldn’t stop the shot, and it was 1 - 1 with all to play.
On 53 minutes, Paul Goodrum gave way to “G “ the hot man as Trinderbox put on fresh legs to take the game. Seven minutes later Luke gave way to Lee Grant, who was clearly refreshed by his McBreakfast burger. On 63 minutes Wayne tried to “bust the net with a shot of ferocity that the keeper did well to save from a well struck corner. George then hit one just wide, and it seemed that a score would not come. On 64 minutes, the quick feet of George Himan danced around 3 defenders, like Ginger Rogers & Fred Astair on a Hollywood dance movie. As he squared the ball he was up-ended for a penalty, but the Ref played an advantage, and just as well, as the Kormska defender rifled the ball into his own net for 2 - 1.
G then hit the post with a rasping shot on 74 minutes, and the rest of the game passed without incident of note, and Trinderbox ran out worthy winners at 2 – 1, but knew that they had been I n the toughest matches of their season. Al Starkey was deservedly voted as the man of the match for his overall industry, reading of the play and covering his co defenders. It has to be said that he was ably assisted in this role by the loud intervention of his good pal Adam “ The Gob “ Corbett in goal who bossed the back four with all the authority of the sergeant Major bossing the new recruits.
This was an excellent all round team victory that clinched the div 5 title with 5 games to play. Well-done boys.
Steve Kirk.
