Still, it’s not all doom and gloom. We actually IMPROVED in our result against The Stags, having managed to LOSE the corresponding home fixture (2-3) after being two up. Progress! By the season after next we might eke out two draws against them. And maybe a couple of years after that, keep a clean sheet. Cos this bunch can’t. 21 consecutive matches without stopping the opposition scoring. And after being serenaded positively throughout, the players left with the away end chanting ‘two nil up and we f***ed it up’ while Coach Conor looked a sorry figure coming to the away support on his lonesome to clap our efforts. Brave.
We went 2-0 up a few minutes after half-time. Given we’d looked superior in every department, first half, it looked like more of the same. Banks zig-zagged into the box before cunningly putting his shot straight at former Reds haplessee Liam Roberts. It was impossible NOT to save it, but he managed. Not to save it, that is.
The opening half, Yoganathan pounded one off the bar before POTY Kelly (Phew! He’s back!) drove forward, played it to Bradshaw (I think) who played it perfectly for McG to drive home low from 25 yards. EVERYTHING is going in for him (apart from that tap-in at the Ponty End recently). Where would we be without him? I’ve read he’s now top scorer, which is pretty incredible considering he had 3 months off.
It has to be said, I was probably 3 sheets to the wind when they pulled one back. (I’d sobered up, I was 4 sheets to the wind before that.) Penalty, at the far end. Was it a penalty? It looked like somebody tripped over, and Banks looked sheepish. 1-2. Well, nobody wants a one-sided game. 10 minutes later, Coach Conor makes his decisive move. The GOAT and Phillips on for Kelly and Banks. Now it really was one-way traffic, not helped by Bradshaw’s inability to hold a ball up. Why’s he not chucked Cleary on, give us some outlet?
He does. Finally. 86 minutes in, and we show more up top in the last few minutes than we had since Banks scored. There’s a big shout for a penalty (handball), but it’s fine, we’re still winning. We’re 94 minutes in, one more long throw to defend. One more chance for two of our own defenders to go for the same ball (Shepherd and...O’Connell?), leading to a poor header out, which is picked up and drilled home. Two-nil up and...
Onwards and upwards!
*** McGoldrick. Another quality goal and boy, does he work hard. This includes helping us to DEFEND. So how DO we concede so many?
** Yoganathan. Always looking to drive forward.
* Banks. Could be anyone, but he scored, and we were winning till he got pulled.
Londontykes’ MOTM: 1. McGoldrick 2. Yoganathan 3. Banks
Despatches:
I’ve not been insulted as badly as this for ages, but while Reedy and I were in the Mallard at Worksop Station, it was said of us that ‘they look sensible.’ How very dare they. Mind, we were so described by some of our idiots, and the landlord and his sidekick did extremely well in keeping them under control. ‘Were you happier when they arrived or when they left?’ I asked the bossman. ‘When they left’ came the instant reply.
Credit in despatches for Loko recommending The Brown Cow too. Thank goodness we’ve booked our place back there next season.
The players? My main remembrance was of being quite pleased with Coach Conor for hauling a previously booked O’Keeffe before he was sent off. But on the minus side, I can’t blame Corey for either of the conceded goals.
Drink du jour: Kirkstall Virtuous there and back at The Mallard, Worksop Station, DEYA Into the Haze at The Brown Cow before and after, Brew York Lupo Lion at Heaven and Ale.
Away: c. 1,500 (8,538).
The Damage:
£7 petrol
£15 train
£30 ent
= £52
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