BY STEVE KIRK
Desperate times bring desperate measures, and so it was that Trinderbox came to play the Wheel on a bitterly cold night at Friar Lane Olds Boys & Epworth’s ground, with a 7-30 kick off, on Wednesday 3rd March. With the season extended by a week to have the 5 aside on 9th instead of the 6th May, this leaves 8 weeks of the season to complete a 15 league games and at least one cup game, (Sunday at Guthlaxton OB (hosts) at Narborough & Littlethorpe’s Ground, Leicester Road Narborough, on the left just after the Foxhunter pub & before the M1 bridge .
The games was played at a tremendous pace, and whilst Trinderbox seemed to hold the upper hand, industrious teamwork and an overall outstanding goalkeeping performance by the Wheel’s keeper, made the first half an end to end encounter. There were many close shots on target, but Trinderbox could not find a way through the spokes of the defensive Wheel.
On 33 minutes G hit the bar with a shot that had the keeper well beaten. Then the break through on 35 minutes. James Samwell, who was bossing the midfield as only he can, battled his way onwards by 3 players giving some close attention. Unfairly as it happened, resulting in a free kick, 25 yards out. Bring on the Hitman “G”. He stood like the Colossus of Rhodes over the harbour and unleashed a drive into the bottom left hand corner, to give Trinderbox a deserved lead.
The back 4 were playing with cool composure under the inspiring leadership of Leigh & Alex, the latter “talking a very good game at the unaccustomed position of left back. Brezzer “Mr Consistency” was his usual solid self. Wayne was making the runs quicker than all bran, with able support from “Bods”. Calvin was also firing in rangey shots, but not being successful. Mike was surging y through and causing much consternation around the Wheel, with able support from Quicksilver “nikko” Gomez.
Adam “Ronnie” Corbett was playing like a 5th defender, using his not inconsiderable vocal cords to let his defenders know what to do. A good solid team performance, with much domination had not been reflected in the score line in the first half.
The second half reflected much of the first, and a potentially dangerous attack nearly put the lone wheel striker in. Gomez was dazzling the crowd with his intricate ball skills, impressing the Alliance League Chairman Morley Taylor in the crowd along with Dennis Roe, assistant secretary.
George & Wayne both tested the keeper, but found the latter in superlative form. Calvin then finished an intricate passing move involving 5 players with a shot that was again saved with comfort. Wayne then rasped in a screamer, that the wheels MOM kept out from close range. Wade came on for Bods on 65 minutes to try & offer a different spoke to the Wheel’s axle of defence.
Then a defence splitting 1-2 between Wade & Wayne on 70 minutes, still could not give Trinderbox the breathing space that their play deserved. Enter Mike, like a spanner in the Wheel. He whipped in a ball from the left that deceived everyone, left the keeper flapping at fresh air, and dropped in at the far post, for 2 – 0 on 71 minutes.
The Wheel had turned full circle, and their backs were to the wall as the unerring pressure mounted. Before the kick off, Wicksey came on to replace Calvin, to secure his qualification for the Sunday semi, along with Wade. He was instantly in the game with his Twicksey feet. The pressure was applied further to a tyred Wheel, and when g put in a “too hot to hold shot”, he was there on 85 minutes to score his first goal for the club from close range.
Dennis came on for to add his considerable height to the defence, and “g” rounded off the night with a second for him 7 the teams 4th on 86 minutes.
It was an excellent game, well fought by both sides, well refereed & Lined by the Officials, Tommy, Clive & Alex. Same game same venue next week all being well. Well done to MOM James Samwell.
