The match? Rubbish. One of the worst two-all draws I’ve ever seen. 1st half, we had ONE shot on target, a Cadden 25 yarder from a well worked corner. (A similar corner later on had me firing off ‘PHILLIPS IS BACK’ on WhatsApp. And he was back…hitting the ball 10 yards over the stand (nevermind the goal)). Still, there were 4 minutes of the first half where we WEREN’T behind, as Jordan seizes the opportunity to foul their player as he nips into a gap. I thought it was a pen,. Others didn’t…including a bloke I chatted to at half time. ‘Never a penalty’ he said, ‘though I didn’t see it, ah was having a p***’. It was one of those. If it’s us, never in a million years. If it’s them, the ref can’t wait to point to the spot. Yes, the player was looking for it, but Jordan fell for it and contact was made.
Second half, game is going nowhere. Luca Connell is back in midfield, but he’s performing the Kane role. Neat and tidy simple passes, keeping possession, but zero runs forward and even fewer tackles. Kane is a bit further up, being totally anonymous without easy possession being given to him on the halfway line. Completing the midfield was Styles, whose one contribution I remember was losing it and then chasing 20 yards to win it back. He could’ve saved his energy by getting the pass right in the first place.
Up top, Cole and McAtee were this week’s Chosen Ones. Devante Cole. That lucky streak…sorry, that streak he had in August and September looks a long way off. Hopefully the last couple of months will assuage those who worried we’d lose him in January. There can’t be a team in the Championship he’d improve….in a league containing both Rovum and Sheffield Wednesday (pride of South Yorkshire). McAtee flitted around and got his reward for his movement by tapping in the winner. Well, it would have been the winner, had we been able to defend a late corner
Yes, tis true. From going nowhere fast, we scored twice in 4 minutes midway through the second half. I suspect the equaliser could be my highlight of the season. No, not the goal, good as it was….Cotter ghosting in on the backpost to send it the opposite way past the keeper. No, stood behind the goal, and bouncing down the terrace in delirium, I’m forced to sidestep a couple of bodies rolling on the concrete. ‘He doesn’t half look like Molly’ I thought. ‘And is that Nozzer?’ Yes, making the mistake of stepping into the aisle, they were mown down by their younger brethren. Quite literally ‘bodies everywhere’. Credit where it’s due though, while I tried to spin round Molly the Teenage Quinquagenarian Mutant Ninja Turtle and get him on his feet, concerned fans came to the aid of Nozzer. Luckily, no damage was done, though let’s be honest – worthwhile collateral damage for a Reds equaliser. (They wisely stuck to their seats as McAtee put us ahead.)
88 minutes on the clock, Lincoln are awarded a corner (apparently it should have been a goalkick, but there’s nothing to stop us defending said corner). It’s at the far end, and it looks like Kilip has dropped it for tap-in. Apologies. Turns out the defence allow a free header, keeper parries, and defence allows the rebound. The draw’s a fair result, and reward for excellent home support. Mind, our side appeared inspired the 5-10 minutes after a round of ‘How s*** must you be, it’s only one nil?’. Perhaps the players need more discouragement.
Onwards and upwards!
*** Ethel. Relaxed, calm, stayed by our side throughout.
** Alfie. Only appears once the chicken’s out…but my, what a magnificent beast.
* Skul. Played on despite an obvious injury (forced to wear the ‘cone of shame’)
Sorry, I mean:
*** Cotter. Lost it more than any other player – cos he tried to make things happen more than any other player. Quality finish for goal.
** Cadden. Apart from losing the ball once taking the fullback on, never put a foot wrong.
* No idea. I’ve hammered everyong else. Kilip. One-on-one save, 1st half, late save from corner.
Londontykes’ MOTM: 1. Cadden 2. Cotter 3. Connell
Despatches:
It gets forgotten, but we coulda been two down, The Frenchman giving the ball away as last man. Thankfully, an unconvincing finish and Kilip saves. In the meantime, did we miss a chance? I don’t think we did. Cole’s one touch was to completely mess up a backheel as we broke in a promising position. Cosgrove came on, and Reedy marvelled at how such a huge bloke can’t win a header. (Well, if YOU were carrying that weight, could YOU jump?) Oh, and I liked the look of the #4. Whothehell is he? Turned out to be Lopata, on for Cotter after 86. Russell came on for Connell after 87. They scored after 88. Just saying.
Are we getting promotion? At 2-1, the fans loved a bit of ‘F*** the cup, we’re going up’. But I can’t help feeling this was purely cos it rhymes and my ‘F*** the cup, we’re finishing ninth’ just wasn’t catchy enough. And who wanted a cup run anyway? Who wanted to see us play at Sutton for the first time in our history, before a plum 3rd round victory at Old Trafford, or Anfield, followed by the inevitable march on a historic double Wembley trip – semi and final – FA Cup victory, Europe next season…etc etc. No, I’d rather we can’t fill in a bit of paper properly and get kicked out. I can do without the expense next season of a European tour. F*** the cup.
Drink du jour: Fierce and Noble Edelweiss wheat beer in BeerHeadz. Reedy comes good again.
Away: c.1,800 (sellout)
The Damage:
£20 ent
c.35 petrol
= c.£55
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