BFC 2-0 Scunthorpe United, Saturday 2nd February 2019

‘Mutton dressed as lamb?  Mutton dressed as yak, more like.’’

The pre-match meal of champions.

Well, that was easy.  An early goal up, another before half time and despite Davies tipping over a close ranger as the 1^st half drew to a close, the result was never in doubt.  I suggested we could all go home after McGeehan had notched the 2^nd and so it proved.  I don’t think Scunny had a shot on target the second half.  Mind, I’m not sure we had that many.  But with the team knocking the ball around confidently, a couple of rounds of ‘It’s just like watching Brazil’  were heard from the Ponty.  We are a team on the march.

More town centre rebuilding.

The Adam Hammill Appreciation Society (AHAS) also turned out in force, as the former Reds’ legend took to the field for new club Scunny, and till about the 70^th minute he was the only player’s name I heard chanted.  According to the papers today, he also should have had a penalty, having ‘been chopped by Pinnock.’  I wish I could remember it, but it passed me by.  As a member of the AHAS, I’d like to think it happened though.  Perhaps I was daydreaming, cos for once I was there for kick off. 

I still miss Grove Street School.

We went ahead with a very bizarre goal. Mowatt lined one up from 35 yards and just as I was shouting ‘NOT FROM THERE!’ the ball drifted into the middle of the net.  The consensus was the keeper must have lost the flight of the ball due to the low sun. Or put another way, I’d never have forgiven Davies for conceding the same.  Looked like the keeper moved out of the way of it. Anyway, thanks very much.

Note the sun in the keeper's eyes.

With Mowatt pulling the strings in midfield, we pressed on and scored another jammy goal after 41 mins, McGeehan heading home when the ball deflected to him.  Still, you have to be in it to win it and his late runs into the box are a thing of majesty.  The Oakwell Paul Scholes.  Scunny then have 2 chances to pull one back before half time and Davies saves. Always said he was a great keeper.

Match action in front of the old Main Stand.

Half time came and went.  I was back sitting downstairs today cos my dad’s friend is ill and couldn’t make it upstairs, so I did the decent thing.  Luckily (selfishly) I didn’t have to do the coffee run this time as she came flask in hand.  But one thing I don’t miss about the back row of the lower tier is the number of spectators (I’ll not call them ‘fans’) who leave the match early.  Do they leave a film early? What’s the rush?  Can’t afford to miss the start of whatever Ant and Dec are presenting this week?  At least the bloke next to me had forgotten to put his man perfume on this week.  Small mercies.  

The Ponty v Scunny.

All this waffle is to say that even a day later I can’t remember owt about the 2^nd half.  Something tells me Brown nearly scored. Kiefer had a goal disallowed, but looked miles offside.  But that was 1^st half.  Yeah, about all I remember was Hammill got subbed, the home fans sang his name again, and at the end he came back on to do a mini lap of honour and hug as many of his old teammates as he could.  Anyone would think he wishes he were still at Oakwell.  I know plenty of others wish he was.
In a word: comfortable
Onwards and upwards!
*** Mowatt .  Absolutely ran the show.  Give and gos, driving forward, supreme passing, scored.  Sponsors MOTM. 
** McGeehan.  Best central midfield partnership in the division? 
* Davies.  Faultless (though he had nothing to do, 2^nd half)
Londontykes' MOTM: 1. Mowatt  2. McGeehan  3. Cavare

In an away end far, far away...980 Scunny fans.  Good effort.

Despatches:

Cavare again looked excellent going forward and between him and Brown, the future of the right looks certain.  Pinniloss, in for Williams, was solid if unspectacular.  Pinnock was his usual level of ubercool and Lindsay had another good game.  Best defensive partnership in the division?  Thiam had a couple of decent runs.  Up top, Moore looked on point without ever looking like scoring, while Cauley had a very quiet game.  Still, best front two in the division?  
As ever, well done our privatised rail companies, as the Hull Trains vehicle we were on was 45 minutes late.  That’s 45 extra minutes in a cold waiting room in Doncaster.  Ba5tards.  The mood was slightly more chipper in Kings X, as a Londontyke who shall remain nameless (A. Reed) attempted to help the tourist stragglers at platform 9 and ¾ by renting a trolley for them to pose with.  They were not grateful.

Drink du jour: Schniederweisse (#7) and Weihanstephaner (Parcel Yard).  Inbetween?  Spiced rum and ginger ale (not ginger beer; we have learnt that lesson).

Away: 980.  Very decent, given their home average.

The Damage:
£26 train
£2 fanzine
= £28

The Tunes:
Plumb (Field Music)
Portishead (Portishead)

East Stand pano

Ponty pano (cheers Jonesy!)

Be proud!

Welcome to ....