There's nothing like three games of football in a week. It's exhausting. I don't know what it's like for the players but after the mental exertions of the Liverpool game, the league victory over Bradford, I was shattered before tonight's outing against Chesterfield.
"It's my fault we lost!!"
I have a confession, and I apologise profusely for the error of my ways. Tonight, I changed our pre-match build up and skipped the fast food delights of KFC or McDonalds. I was convinced that a "proper" dinner as my wife would say, would in the long run, last us the full 90 minutes. None of this Carb High, Saturated Fat Soak and Sugar rush tonight. Proper Chicken, Proper Potatoes and Proper Veg.
Well forget it, that's the last time this season I eat proper food before a match. It's the only thing that changed in the evening and we lost. Yes we lost a game of football that we should have won. Football for seventy five minutes was superb. Crisp, Clean, Competitive and Creative. We played against a side that wanted to play football and we outplayed them at the beautiful game.
For the first forty five minutes we dominated and played them off the park. We missed a few chances and Chesterfield looked dangerous on the ball. We needed a goal before the break and were rewarded in the one minute of added time with a Thornton header following a Jacobs curler, pushed away acrobatically by the Chesterfield keeper. 1-0 half time, we were cruising. Fans were smiling. Drinks and snacks were plenty. Life in Sixfields was good. So what went wrong.
Our referee this evening was Mr Andy D'Urso, notorious, (dubious), reputation as a match spoiler and a man whose middle name could be "Controversy." (There are a string of incidents that back up this statement on Wikipedia if you want to read some of the howlers. There were probably a few more tonight, but it seemed like he didn't want to be over seeing tonight's game and would have preferred a quiet night in. No control. Not enough cards. No vision, nothing. (Un)ably assisted by the linesman tonight's squad of officialdom will probably be condemned to the Conference if they are lucky, (Sunday league would probably do them a favour).
Chesterfield's first goal was our own fault. Poor handling by Dunny allowed the ball through his grasp for a corner. Chesterfield were allowed all the time in the world to play a short corner - no marking and it was 1-1. Before we knew it we were 2-1 down due mainly to the complete ignorance of Lino and Ref. Clearly offside their striker was allowed to continue with the ball and lob the advancing Dunn.
We stopped playing football after that and commenced the huff and puff of long ball up front only to be headed clear by defenders. If we had regained some composure and put our foot back on the ball as we had done in the first half, 15 minutes would have been plenty of time to take the game by the scruff of the neck and win it. But we didn't.
This is the first time I've passed so much commentary on a game. Anyone would think it was a poor game. It wasn't. Two teams who wanted to play. I thought Chesterfield were the best team we have seen at Sixfields so far this season. Anyone would think I was a miserable, grumpy old git taking every opportunity to put the world to rights. They might be right, but as I tell my family, there are certain privileges that are bestowed upon you when you reach 50;
1). You are allowed to moan about anything!
2). You are always right!
3). You are always grumpy!
There's probably a few more but at the moment that seems to be my mantra.
I know these are correct as I sit amongst fellow 50 plussers who continually sling the arrows of reason at anyone who will listen. How about this gem from two anonymous 50 plussers tonight.
"I feel sorry for you Linesman, you're blind and bald." followed swiftly from another row with "And you've got to work with D'Urso!!" Classic comedy timing that is only born out of life itself.
It was interesting to see Sammo standing patiently on the line at the whistle whilst twenty two players disappeared down the tunnel. What was he waiting for?
Sammo had a "discussion" with Mr D'Urso, Tweedle-Dee and Tweedle-Dum. It probably didn't matter as one of them didn't see anything, one didn't hear anything and the other said nothing to anyone all night!!
Save your breath Sammo and lift the boys. We weren't that bad tonight, (well not for 75 minutes anyway).
Thornton rightfully awarded MoM tonight. A very good performance.
Atmosphere very good at the ground this evening. Well done to the North Stand and The West "Corner" for their vocals. "Shoe-Army" is to become a classic.
It's back to McDonalds on the 16th for a "proper" dinner as my son's would say. Sorry Luv! I'll start the diet "Next week."
Followed a group of French people out of Car Park tonight. Not sure if they were from Marseilles, expecting Champions League, but it just proves that French Sat Navs are shite!
Come On Cobblers, Come On!
Tuesday, 28 September 2010
Sunday, 26 September 2010
"The Team That Beat Liverpool At Anfield!!"
William S. Burroughs, (American Novelist), once said "There couldn't be a society of people who didn't dream, there'd be dead in two weeks."
How very apt. It's been 14 days since my last blog and the time in between my attendance, like a lot of other supporters is spent dreaming of maybe, just maybe. We hold out in eternal hope that the next match will be better than the last, we will sign that 20 goal a season striker, our players will be selected for internationals, we'll be live on Sky, and we'll achieve global fame for our achievements on the pitch. Yeah right - keep dreaming folks.
So let's round up the last two weeks of dreams in the world of Northampton Town;
Marcus Hall continues to make a good recovery from his hamstring injury - good.
More coaches available for the Liverpool game - good.
We travelled to Shrewsbury for an away game on the back of our first league win of the season, and got firmly put in our place, losing 3-1. Poor Seb Harris was substituted in the first half having been run ragged by the Shrewsbury strike force. This is a real shame for the lad. He had a solid looking pre-season albeit playing in an unfamiliar centre back role, but he looked accomplished and capable. Hopefully he will not let this experience shatter his confidence and the sooner he can get back on the pitch the better. He shows a lot of promise.
"Cobbler's sign Premier Division centre back, Ben Tozer." Ben who? I hear you ask. Ben is the young central defender with who Newcastle paid big money for him from Swindon Town. Ben will make his debut for the Cobbler's at Anfield, against Liverpool, two days after signing!
"Cobbler's beat Liverpool at Anfield in Carling Cup!!"
What?
"Cobbler's beat Liverpool at Anfield in Carling Cup!!" (I may never get the opportunity to write this down ever again, so I've written it twice 'cause it sounds good, it looks good and bloody hell it feels good!!!).
I was unfortunately not able to travel to the Anfield game as my season soccer partner, son and therefore potential pension fund, was travelling back from musical commitments in Northumberland.
Never the less I felt I was in touch with the match through the BBC Northampton radio coverage, The Hotel End Forum's and Sky Sports.
Terry Angus deserves a medal for his sheer commitment to the cause with his input to the BBC Radio commentary team. He lived and breathed every kick of the game, every tackle, every cheer, every ounce of energy - It travelled through the radio airwaves to every listener back home in Northampton - Passion at it's finest. This man is Northampton to the core. Well done Terry Angus.
I feared the worst when Liverpool scored. I dreamed the dream when we equalised. I sat in Northampton Train Station car park for the whole of extra time waiting for the fiddler! (he missed his connection at Rugby). I was texting him a running commentary of the action as it happened. I exploded when Jacobs put us 2-1 up in extra time. I called Ngog everything under the sun when he equalised. (I've never been a fan of Ngog and have never thought him good enough to play in the premiership, let alone wear the famous red shirt of Liverpool. I know he's scored goals. I know some people like him. I just don't OK. I liked him even less at this moment. While I'm at it I can't stand Kalou at Chelsea either. Don't know why, I just don't).
Penalties - I am now totally engrossed in the shoot out. I am shut off from the outside world with fingers poised to text my son updates on the outcome of every kick. Guinan first to go for Cobbler's. Should be OK he's already scored one at Bury - Guinan misses, pratting hell. Ngog for Liverpool - Ngog misses, how I love this man, zero to hero in the space of ten minutes!
It get's to 2-2 when I suffer my first heart attack of the evening! I am rudely disturbed from my penalty world of texting by a bang on the car window. If I'd had a sun roof - I would have been through it. I thought I was about to get mugged, attacked, shot etc. etc and looked round to see what it was. My son's smiling face trying to open the car door!
"Hi Dad, I'm back."
"I'm texting you, it's penalties, get in and shut up."
Jacobs scores 3-2 Cobblers. Traffic lights, Station, Ecclestone hits bar for Liverpool. OMG, OMG we only have to score the next penalty to win. Carlsberg roundabout, Abdul Osman, cool as a cucumber, 4-2 Cobblers. Hysteria. Grown man and teenage son screaming with delight and doing a damn fine impression of that "Wayne's World" moment a la Bohemian Rhapsody.
Suddenly aware of car alongside. Look of bewilderment from driver and passenger as two faces just can't stop beaming at them. If it's been a police patrol we would have been taken back to our institution!!! Life memory moment. Priceless.
So Northampton Town goes global - we are no longer the team that lost 8-2 to Manchester United. After 40 years the tag changes to "The Team That Beat Liverpool." we're all over the papers, we all over the radio, we're all over the TV. Our fifteen minutes of fame feels FANTASTIC!
It was interesting to hear the excuses from Liverpool fans but the one that made me laugh most was on Talk Sport. Mickey Quinn, loyal scouse and famous pie eating centre forward of repute was discussing the match with fellow presenters. "Technically Northampton didn't win at Anfield as it was a penalty shoot out!!!" Yes, he was taken to task by other presenters but you can't doubt his loyalty to the cause. However we're in the fourth round and Liverpool are out!! End of.
So onto our next challenge - Northampton Town v Bradford City.
It's back to reality for the Cobbler's. The bread and butter games of the football league season need to be won and we're pitched against one of the tipped favourites for promotion. Could we recover from our exertions at Anfield? Would we have eleven fit players? Would those that went to Anfield boost the attendance to welcome back our heroes?
Same routine as for Southend, I collect Cameron from music centre and we head off for our pre match preparations. (Last time it was KFC and we struggled to find a good momentum despite winning the match). This time is the Golden Arches eatery at Sixfields - Drive thru and eat in the Car Park.
"If we lose today Dad, it'll be your fault 'cause we've changed our routine!"
I kinda see his point, but we might play better and I'll have to stick to McDonalds till it changes. So the five a day routine has bitten the dust and I am now armed with 100% pure beef, slices of rubbery cheese and doughy tasteless bread! (Why do I put myself through this?). Time to eat healthy - Chunky Kit Kat from Lindley Catering - That's better.
I'm chatting with an Oxford fan before the match. He tells me he couldn't be bothered to go to Crewe so he decided to come and have a look at the Cobbler's game ahead of the forthcoming derby match in a few weeks. He also proceeds to tell me of the activities of drugged up, drunken Oxford fans on their visit to Wycombe, the scraps they have had at their own ground and how they'll be when they come to Sixfields. Who am I chatting with? Time to take my seat and hope he's nowhere near me for the next ninety minutes!!
And so to the match. I don't write match reports as they are provided far more eloquently by professionals on other sites but I will report that Cobbler's played some very good football in the first half. Plenty of possession but nothing to show for it.
I can also report that our drink bottles are still the tidiest in the league - well done Glen Thurgood.
Most interesting thought of the first half was how much better the weather in Bradford must be compared to Northampton. How do I reach that conclusion you ask. The answer my friends is Peter Taylor.
Peter Taylor is the most tanned manager to stand on the touchline at Sixfields this season. Gus Poyet was the title holder, but you'd expect that as he is of Olive skin and Uruguayan!
Peter Taylor is English, mouthy, argumentative and has a view on everything. (You're not on Sky now mate. Sit down and shut up!) Peter Taylor was a successful and entertaining Winger in his playing days, he is now just a W(h)inger. Mind you his Bradford team were not giving him much on the pitch to cheer. Their first half was extremely disappointing for a so called fancied team.
Fuel for the second half - Coffee and a Mars Bar. Sugar rush.
Buoyed by the shout of "Shoe-Army, Shoe-Army" (Caused a lot of interest in our section once everyone realised what we were singing), the lads continued to dominate the game. Billy McKay pounced on the ball to put us 1-0 up. Twenty minutes later, Ben Tozer scores on his home debut to seal the game 2-0.
Ben Tozer played extremely well today. How he missed out on the MoM award I cannot tell you. He didn't put a foot wrong, tackled well, passed well and is very vocal and organised. (Dear Chris Hughton...as you are not using Ben as a first team regular, why don't you let us have him for a season and add to his football experience. It is always an experience being at the Cobbler's and one I am sure will stay with him for the rest of his career....you know it makes sense!!)
A great result today, boosted by the quality of the football on the pitch. We're back again on Tuesday for the next home match against Chesterfield.
It's interesting that for most of the pre-season games we played 4-5-1 with great success. We've played 4-4-2 for early league games with limited success. Supporters call for 4-5-1 and they duly deliver. Supporters now calling for 4-4-2 to score more goals. God I love this game!!!
(Oh by the way - We've been drawn to play Ipswich away in the next round of "It's Only The Carling Cup." Please play on the Wednesday as I will be stuck at an evening work function in Birmingham on the Tuesday).
Come On Cobblers, Come On!
How very apt. It's been 14 days since my last blog and the time in between my attendance, like a lot of other supporters is spent dreaming of maybe, just maybe. We hold out in eternal hope that the next match will be better than the last, we will sign that 20 goal a season striker, our players will be selected for internationals, we'll be live on Sky, and we'll achieve global fame for our achievements on the pitch. Yeah right - keep dreaming folks.
So let's round up the last two weeks of dreams in the world of Northampton Town;
Marcus Hall continues to make a good recovery from his hamstring injury - good.
More coaches available for the Liverpool game - good.
We travelled to Shrewsbury for an away game on the back of our first league win of the season, and got firmly put in our place, losing 3-1. Poor Seb Harris was substituted in the first half having been run ragged by the Shrewsbury strike force. This is a real shame for the lad. He had a solid looking pre-season albeit playing in an unfamiliar centre back role, but he looked accomplished and capable. Hopefully he will not let this experience shatter his confidence and the sooner he can get back on the pitch the better. He shows a lot of promise.
"Cobbler's sign Premier Division centre back, Ben Tozer." Ben who? I hear you ask. Ben is the young central defender with who Newcastle paid big money for him from Swindon Town. Ben will make his debut for the Cobbler's at Anfield, against Liverpool, two days after signing!
"Cobbler's beat Liverpool at Anfield in Carling Cup!!"
What?
"Cobbler's beat Liverpool at Anfield in Carling Cup!!" (I may never get the opportunity to write this down ever again, so I've written it twice 'cause it sounds good, it looks good and bloody hell it feels good!!!).
I was unfortunately not able to travel to the Anfield game as my season soccer partner, son and therefore potential pension fund, was travelling back from musical commitments in Northumberland.
Never the less I felt I was in touch with the match through the BBC Northampton radio coverage, The Hotel End Forum's and Sky Sports.
Terry Angus deserves a medal for his sheer commitment to the cause with his input to the BBC Radio commentary team. He lived and breathed every kick of the game, every tackle, every cheer, every ounce of energy - It travelled through the radio airwaves to every listener back home in Northampton - Passion at it's finest. This man is Northampton to the core. Well done Terry Angus.
I feared the worst when Liverpool scored. I dreamed the dream when we equalised. I sat in Northampton Train Station car park for the whole of extra time waiting for the fiddler! (he missed his connection at Rugby). I was texting him a running commentary of the action as it happened. I exploded when Jacobs put us 2-1 up in extra time. I called Ngog everything under the sun when he equalised. (I've never been a fan of Ngog and have never thought him good enough to play in the premiership, let alone wear the famous red shirt of Liverpool. I know he's scored goals. I know some people like him. I just don't OK. I liked him even less at this moment. While I'm at it I can't stand Kalou at Chelsea either. Don't know why, I just don't).
Penalties - I am now totally engrossed in the shoot out. I am shut off from the outside world with fingers poised to text my son updates on the outcome of every kick. Guinan first to go for Cobbler's. Should be OK he's already scored one at Bury - Guinan misses, pratting hell. Ngog for Liverpool - Ngog misses, how I love this man, zero to hero in the space of ten minutes!
It get's to 2-2 when I suffer my first heart attack of the evening! I am rudely disturbed from my penalty world of texting by a bang on the car window. If I'd had a sun roof - I would have been through it. I thought I was about to get mugged, attacked, shot etc. etc and looked round to see what it was. My son's smiling face trying to open the car door!
"Hi Dad, I'm back."
"I'm texting you, it's penalties, get in and shut up."
Jacobs scores 3-2 Cobblers. Traffic lights, Station, Ecclestone hits bar for Liverpool. OMG, OMG we only have to score the next penalty to win. Carlsberg roundabout, Abdul Osman, cool as a cucumber, 4-2 Cobblers. Hysteria. Grown man and teenage son screaming with delight and doing a damn fine impression of that "Wayne's World" moment a la Bohemian Rhapsody.
Suddenly aware of car alongside. Look of bewilderment from driver and passenger as two faces just can't stop beaming at them. If it's been a police patrol we would have been taken back to our institution!!! Life memory moment. Priceless.
So Northampton Town goes global - we are no longer the team that lost 8-2 to Manchester United. After 40 years the tag changes to "The Team That Beat Liverpool." we're all over the papers, we all over the radio, we're all over the TV. Our fifteen minutes of fame feels FANTASTIC!
It was interesting to hear the excuses from Liverpool fans but the one that made me laugh most was on Talk Sport. Mickey Quinn, loyal scouse and famous pie eating centre forward of repute was discussing the match with fellow presenters. "Technically Northampton didn't win at Anfield as it was a penalty shoot out!!!" Yes, he was taken to task by other presenters but you can't doubt his loyalty to the cause. However we're in the fourth round and Liverpool are out!! End of.
So onto our next challenge - Northampton Town v Bradford City.
It's back to reality for the Cobbler's. The bread and butter games of the football league season need to be won and we're pitched against one of the tipped favourites for promotion. Could we recover from our exertions at Anfield? Would we have eleven fit players? Would those that went to Anfield boost the attendance to welcome back our heroes?
Same routine as for Southend, I collect Cameron from music centre and we head off for our pre match preparations. (Last time it was KFC and we struggled to find a good momentum despite winning the match). This time is the Golden Arches eatery at Sixfields - Drive thru and eat in the Car Park.
"If we lose today Dad, it'll be your fault 'cause we've changed our routine!"
I kinda see his point, but we might play better and I'll have to stick to McDonalds till it changes. So the five a day routine has bitten the dust and I am now armed with 100% pure beef, slices of rubbery cheese and doughy tasteless bread! (Why do I put myself through this?). Time to eat healthy - Chunky Kit Kat from Lindley Catering - That's better.
I'm chatting with an Oxford fan before the match. He tells me he couldn't be bothered to go to Crewe so he decided to come and have a look at the Cobbler's game ahead of the forthcoming derby match in a few weeks. He also proceeds to tell me of the activities of drugged up, drunken Oxford fans on their visit to Wycombe, the scraps they have had at their own ground and how they'll be when they come to Sixfields. Who am I chatting with? Time to take my seat and hope he's nowhere near me for the next ninety minutes!!
And so to the match. I don't write match reports as they are provided far more eloquently by professionals on other sites but I will report that Cobbler's played some very good football in the first half. Plenty of possession but nothing to show for it.
I can also report that our drink bottles are still the tidiest in the league - well done Glen Thurgood.
Most interesting thought of the first half was how much better the weather in Bradford must be compared to Northampton. How do I reach that conclusion you ask. The answer my friends is Peter Taylor.
Peter Taylor is the most tanned manager to stand on the touchline at Sixfields this season. Gus Poyet was the title holder, but you'd expect that as he is of Olive skin and Uruguayan!
Peter Taylor is English, mouthy, argumentative and has a view on everything. (You're not on Sky now mate. Sit down and shut up!) Peter Taylor was a successful and entertaining Winger in his playing days, he is now just a W(h)inger. Mind you his Bradford team were not giving him much on the pitch to cheer. Their first half was extremely disappointing for a so called fancied team.
Fuel for the second half - Coffee and a Mars Bar. Sugar rush.
Buoyed by the shout of "Shoe-Army, Shoe-Army" (Caused a lot of interest in our section once everyone realised what we were singing), the lads continued to dominate the game. Billy McKay pounced on the ball to put us 1-0 up. Twenty minutes later, Ben Tozer scores on his home debut to seal the game 2-0.
Ben Tozer played extremely well today. How he missed out on the MoM award I cannot tell you. He didn't put a foot wrong, tackled well, passed well and is very vocal and organised. (Dear Chris Hughton...as you are not using Ben as a first team regular, why don't you let us have him for a season and add to his football experience. It is always an experience being at the Cobbler's and one I am sure will stay with him for the rest of his career....you know it makes sense!!)
A great result today, boosted by the quality of the football on the pitch. We're back again on Tuesday for the next home match against Chesterfield.
It's interesting that for most of the pre-season games we played 4-5-1 with great success. We've played 4-4-2 for early league games with limited success. Supporters call for 4-5-1 and they duly deliver. Supporters now calling for 4-4-2 to score more goals. God I love this game!!!
(Oh by the way - We've been drawn to play Ipswich away in the next round of "It's Only The Carling Cup." Please play on the Wednesday as I will be stuck at an evening work function in Birmingham on the Tuesday).
Come On Cobblers, Come On!
Sunday, 12 September 2010
Nose To The Grindstone!
Hello folks it's good to be back writing. It's been a bit of a break for me whilst the Cobbler's have embarked on their league campaign. as you know I took in the Carling Cup win at Reading, (That seems an age away now), as there have been a lot of going's on during my absence from Sixfields.
Recap the last few weeks:
Cobbler's drawn to face Liverpool, at Anfield in next round of Carling Cup - Northampton Town to grace the hallowed turf of Anfield. Fantastic money spinner for the club, great night out for supporter's - result would be nice but doesn't seem to matter. The tie means that as a business we continue forward to next season in a healthier position than we were before the Reading game.
Thrashed in Johnstone's Paint Trophy at Hartlepool - get that one out of the way early lads, it can only improve from there.
Slow start in the league - struggling to score in open play, seem to be OK from the penalty spot but that elusive first win still eludes us.
Luck comes in three's, (In this case, bad), Purcell out for Season. This is a real shame as he looked the part at Reading. Gilligan out for three months, (now, carrying injury for "The good of the team", Hall out for a month with hamstring injury. Our squad is only just big enough to cope with these injuries but it's a bare bones approach in key positions.
Transfer deadline came and went with no ripples caused on roads in or out of Sixfields.
Oscar returned to Tottenham - Thanks Harry.
Cobbler's sign new striker in Leon McKenzie, (goal machine at this level for previous clubs, Premiership experience, Struggled with injuries! Hopeful that he can stay injury free, gain match fitness and score some goals. Should be more than capable at this level.
Bought a new hat and scarf at club shop - This is good preparation for a man of my age sitting in the cold during the winter months. I now have a Shirt, Tracky Top, Coat, Hat and Scarf. Should be warm enough by my reckoning - Note to self, (might have to wear long trousers in the winter or knees will knock and legs will chap). What happened to chapped legs and chilblains. I grew up with them as a kid but they seem to have been superseded by today's latest fashion, namely "Hormones".
There was nothing more painful than having to rub Vaseline into your chapped thighs, pain bought about by the lack of long trousers, rain and wind. A combination that stays fesh in my memory. (I was nearly twelve for God's sake). I never really understood how you got chilblains, something to do with having your feet in front of the fire or something. Same with "Cankers". What the hell is Cankers. Supposedly came from putting coins in your mouth - What!! I must have been so gullible as a kid, still am I think! (I was the kid on the streets of Kingsthorpe telling the van with the tunes that we didn't need any sausages today. (I didn't know he sold ice cream!!))
Anyway at least none of the players has got "Cankers", that would surely be a career threatening disease.
So it's match day. Northampton Town vs. Southend United. (Think this is pronounced Saaarf-end).
I'm as excited as hell in anticipation. We need a win. We need a win badly to kick start our league campaign. We've got a new striker. Will he play? Big crowd anticipated, not because of the quality opposition, in fact it's nothing to do with today's match at all really, it just so happens that the club have made the Liverpool tickets available through a scheme that makes people buy a ticket for this game to get one for the Liverpool game. (I'm not going to Liverpool. I wish the lads well, but I bought my season ticket for different reasons and cannot be accused of getting on the glory trail by turning up just because it's Liverpool).
I collect my son from County Youth Orchestra and we head to Sixfields for a pre match meal. (It's important that you have enough protein, carbohydrates and vitamins to last 90 minutes, I've spent the last 50 years honing this temple to the athletic form that it is now, and all this additional Saturday afternoon exercise needs to be fuelled), so we head for KFC!!!
Well it ain't quite Chicken and Pasta, but the chicken bit counts! (Lettuce and Tomato, two of my five-a-day. Healthy eating campaign back on track!)
The place is swarming with Southend, (Saaarf-end), shirts. I feel we have invaded the pre-match team talk for supporters, what shall we sing first? Who shall we shout abuse at? etc, etc. Do Cobbler's supporters eat in KFC on matchday? Should we be in McDonalds?
Meal consumed we take in the Sixfields atmosphere - crowded round the telly watching Everton and Man Utd on the Sky lunchtime fixture - I now realise that watching the Premier games is like watching fantasy football. It seems unreal and is far removed from the Championship, League one and League two. The passion for the game remains at grass roots. I'm glad I've re-discovered it - It's real life and real football watched by real people. (Complete my five-a-day with 2 Blackcurrant and 1 Lime fruit pastilles. Feeling fit and ready for action!)
Kick Off - McKenzie plays!!
It was announced during the gladiatorial entrance of the two teams that our new striker would start. Real celebrations lead by real supporters resulted in three balloons finding their way onto the pitch!! What happened to the ticker tape welcome offered by fans in '78? Sign of the times I suppose. (Even Nena managed 99 red ones - look her up if your lost). Does anyone still chuck toilet rolls?
Glen Thurgood still lining up the drinks bottles - now filled I suspect with the new nutrient mixture supplied by USANA Health Sciences. (KFC do a similar mix it's called Flat Pepsi!!)
I'd like to spend the next few paragraphs rejoicing in the flowing football and silky skills on offer at Sixfields this afternoon, but I can't. There wasn't any. I sent a text at half-time to my brother, Chris, (second mention Bruv, I'm building your part up for your walk on appearance sometime round the New Year, but your not getting any commission!), to report that I was suffering from neck ache having spent most of the half watching the ball against the blue skies of Northamptonshire. If we kicked it high, they kicked it higher. No one stood out, nothing happened. I think there was one shot on target and couple of half chances for Mckenzie early on.
It's hardly surprising that the players on the pitch looked confused - the supporters were also passing on sideline instructions - Play Some Football, Keep it on the ground, stick your foot through it, pass it wide, play it long, pass it short, send it early, hold it up, play it back, play it forward - what the hell do they expect!!!
(I have now overdosed on vitamin C, thanks to fruit pastilles and need to increase chocolate intake to counteract. Eat Twix!)
Second half - Things can only get better. No they can't, Southend, (Saaarf-end), take the lead. This is looking grim.
However our young in-experienced team with experienced players seem to have realised that there is a job to be done and are now chasing the game with a new vigour and drive. Add to this the quality and frustration that is Kevin Thornton and suddenly we looked interested.
Osman sweeps the ball into the roof of the net following a piece of control and hassling from McKenzie, 1-1. We cheered with relief.
Thornton is now controlling our midfield. Not so many passes going astray and he looks comfortable changing the pace of the game.
Corner to the Cobbler's. Andy Holt meets ball almost unchallenged, 2-1 Cobblers. This game is easy!!!
Quality cross from Johnson met by Osman - rebounds off the post-unlucky, could have been game over.
Nervy last ten minutes for players and supporters. Huge sigh of relief when final whistle blown. We have our first win under our belt and it feels good to be a Cobbler's supporter!
Holt was named man of the match - They could have picked anyone as they were all much of a muchness in my opinion - I thought the most impressive player on the pitch was Southend's, (Saaarf-end's), central defender, Bilel Mohsni, (Six Foot Three, 22 year old Tunisian), very promising. He hardly missed a header all afternoon - hardly surprising then that we played everything in the air towards him!
If we can play like this and still get three points then there's hope for us all. I've been around enough football to realise that there are more games like this than good ones and I'll take whatever we can get - but one of these days we are going to give someone a good hiding. We can then all be reminded that there's always another "Southend," ("Saarf-end), game just around the corner! There's no pleasing some folk!
It's rumoured that we are still on the look out for a couple of Loanee's once the Fantasy League teams release their youngsters to the Championship sides. If we can pick up a couple of quality youngsters who knows where it will lead.
See you next time vs. Bradford City - Oh the anticipation!
Come On Cobblers, Come On!!
Recap the last few weeks:
Cobbler's drawn to face Liverpool, at Anfield in next round of Carling Cup - Northampton Town to grace the hallowed turf of Anfield. Fantastic money spinner for the club, great night out for supporter's - result would be nice but doesn't seem to matter. The tie means that as a business we continue forward to next season in a healthier position than we were before the Reading game.
Thrashed in Johnstone's Paint Trophy at Hartlepool - get that one out of the way early lads, it can only improve from there.
Slow start in the league - struggling to score in open play, seem to be OK from the penalty spot but that elusive first win still eludes us.
Luck comes in three's, (In this case, bad), Purcell out for Season. This is a real shame as he looked the part at Reading. Gilligan out for three months, (now, carrying injury for "The good of the team", Hall out for a month with hamstring injury. Our squad is only just big enough to cope with these injuries but it's a bare bones approach in key positions.
Transfer deadline came and went with no ripples caused on roads in or out of Sixfields.
Oscar returned to Tottenham - Thanks Harry.
Cobbler's sign new striker in Leon McKenzie, (goal machine at this level for previous clubs, Premiership experience, Struggled with injuries! Hopeful that he can stay injury free, gain match fitness and score some goals. Should be more than capable at this level.
Bought a new hat and scarf at club shop - This is good preparation for a man of my age sitting in the cold during the winter months. I now have a Shirt, Tracky Top, Coat, Hat and Scarf. Should be warm enough by my reckoning - Note to self, (might have to wear long trousers in the winter or knees will knock and legs will chap). What happened to chapped legs and chilblains. I grew up with them as a kid but they seem to have been superseded by today's latest fashion, namely "Hormones".
There was nothing more painful than having to rub Vaseline into your chapped thighs, pain bought about by the lack of long trousers, rain and wind. A combination that stays fesh in my memory. (I was nearly twelve for God's sake). I never really understood how you got chilblains, something to do with having your feet in front of the fire or something. Same with "Cankers". What the hell is Cankers. Supposedly came from putting coins in your mouth - What!! I must have been so gullible as a kid, still am I think! (I was the kid on the streets of Kingsthorpe telling the van with the tunes that we didn't need any sausages today. (I didn't know he sold ice cream!!))
Anyway at least none of the players has got "Cankers", that would surely be a career threatening disease.
So it's match day. Northampton Town vs. Southend United. (Think this is pronounced Saaarf-end).
I'm as excited as hell in anticipation. We need a win. We need a win badly to kick start our league campaign. We've got a new striker. Will he play? Big crowd anticipated, not because of the quality opposition, in fact it's nothing to do with today's match at all really, it just so happens that the club have made the Liverpool tickets available through a scheme that makes people buy a ticket for this game to get one for the Liverpool game. (I'm not going to Liverpool. I wish the lads well, but I bought my season ticket for different reasons and cannot be accused of getting on the glory trail by turning up just because it's Liverpool).
I collect my son from County Youth Orchestra and we head to Sixfields for a pre match meal. (It's important that you have enough protein, carbohydrates and vitamins to last 90 minutes, I've spent the last 50 years honing this temple to the athletic form that it is now, and all this additional Saturday afternoon exercise needs to be fuelled), so we head for KFC!!!
Well it ain't quite Chicken and Pasta, but the chicken bit counts! (Lettuce and Tomato, two of my five-a-day. Healthy eating campaign back on track!)
The place is swarming with Southend, (Saaarf-end), shirts. I feel we have invaded the pre-match team talk for supporters, what shall we sing first? Who shall we shout abuse at? etc, etc. Do Cobbler's supporters eat in KFC on matchday? Should we be in McDonalds?
Meal consumed we take in the Sixfields atmosphere - crowded round the telly watching Everton and Man Utd on the Sky lunchtime fixture - I now realise that watching the Premier games is like watching fantasy football. It seems unreal and is far removed from the Championship, League one and League two. The passion for the game remains at grass roots. I'm glad I've re-discovered it - It's real life and real football watched by real people. (Complete my five-a-day with 2 Blackcurrant and 1 Lime fruit pastilles. Feeling fit and ready for action!)
Kick Off - McKenzie plays!!
It was announced during the gladiatorial entrance of the two teams that our new striker would start. Real celebrations lead by real supporters resulted in three balloons finding their way onto the pitch!! What happened to the ticker tape welcome offered by fans in '78? Sign of the times I suppose. (Even Nena managed 99 red ones - look her up if your lost). Does anyone still chuck toilet rolls?
Glen Thurgood still lining up the drinks bottles - now filled I suspect with the new nutrient mixture supplied by USANA Health Sciences. (KFC do a similar mix it's called Flat Pepsi!!)
I'd like to spend the next few paragraphs rejoicing in the flowing football and silky skills on offer at Sixfields this afternoon, but I can't. There wasn't any. I sent a text at half-time to my brother, Chris, (second mention Bruv, I'm building your part up for your walk on appearance sometime round the New Year, but your not getting any commission!), to report that I was suffering from neck ache having spent most of the half watching the ball against the blue skies of Northamptonshire. If we kicked it high, they kicked it higher. No one stood out, nothing happened. I think there was one shot on target and couple of half chances for Mckenzie early on.
It's hardly surprising that the players on the pitch looked confused - the supporters were also passing on sideline instructions - Play Some Football, Keep it on the ground, stick your foot through it, pass it wide, play it long, pass it short, send it early, hold it up, play it back, play it forward - what the hell do they expect!!!
(I have now overdosed on vitamin C, thanks to fruit pastilles and need to increase chocolate intake to counteract. Eat Twix!)
Second half - Things can only get better. No they can't, Southend, (Saaarf-end), take the lead. This is looking grim.
However our young in-experienced team with experienced players seem to have realised that there is a job to be done and are now chasing the game with a new vigour and drive. Add to this the quality and frustration that is Kevin Thornton and suddenly we looked interested.
Osman sweeps the ball into the roof of the net following a piece of control and hassling from McKenzie, 1-1. We cheered with relief.
Thornton is now controlling our midfield. Not so many passes going astray and he looks comfortable changing the pace of the game.
Corner to the Cobbler's. Andy Holt meets ball almost unchallenged, 2-1 Cobblers. This game is easy!!!
Quality cross from Johnson met by Osman - rebounds off the post-unlucky, could have been game over.
Nervy last ten minutes for players and supporters. Huge sigh of relief when final whistle blown. We have our first win under our belt and it feels good to be a Cobbler's supporter!
Holt was named man of the match - They could have picked anyone as they were all much of a muchness in my opinion - I thought the most impressive player on the pitch was Southend's, (Saaarf-end's), central defender, Bilel Mohsni, (Six Foot Three, 22 year old Tunisian), very promising. He hardly missed a header all afternoon - hardly surprising then that we played everything in the air towards him!
If we can play like this and still get three points then there's hope for us all. I've been around enough football to realise that there are more games like this than good ones and I'll take whatever we can get - but one of these days we are going to give someone a good hiding. We can then all be reminded that there's always another "Southend," ("Saarf-end), game just around the corner! There's no pleasing some folk!
It's rumoured that we are still on the look out for a couple of Loanee's once the Fantasy League teams release their youngsters to the Championship sides. If we can pick up a couple of quality youngsters who knows where it will lead.
See you next time vs. Bradford City - Oh the anticipation!
Come On Cobblers, Come On!!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)