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| At least the 8th way in and out I've thought of by now... |
Flippin' heck. The Cods again? I suppose it's better than some smug club in tier 2 or below with their fans and their open pubs and their scotch eggs with actual pints from actual barrels served by actual barstaff. The best we can do is a Ginster's pasty from a garage and to get ourselves yet another can from the fridge and slump yet again in front of the telly but at least the Cods are in the same boat (trawler) although probably with some breaded haddock and a tot of rum instead.
Anyways, the near neighbours but not derby rivals it is in the Papa Vans Carabao Rover Trophy. It's a fairly pointless competition except if you win it, when it's grand craic and ultimately, isn't that what football is? I mean, if you win the European Cup, nothing particularly special happens, you jump about a bit, lift a trophy, everyone cheers, there's medals and coloured ribbons, a photo and a bit of a party and then you start again next year and do it all again.
The Auto John's Freight Energy Trophy is almost exactly the same in that respect and in some ways more exciting as a) we're actually in it and b) used to be pretty good at winning it. The other appeal is getting to see players you don't normally see having a go at convincing the manager they're better than he thinks they are. I like the way the early rounds feel somewhere between a reserve game and real fixture and give you a certain frisson of exclusivity and perhaps a slightly more relaxed experience when you're at them. No one gets fired for going out in the first round, no one minds too much what happens and thus, you sometimes get some cracking games.
It's ages since I've done a Leyland Windscreen's League Trophy game in the flesh. I can't remember the last one I attended, but my most vivid memory of an early round game is of seeing a young striker score a superb hatrick, a mix of touch, skill, power and positioning that had me convinced he would go all the way to the top. His name? Matty Blinkhorn and daft as it might seem, that night he was Harry Kane, Alan Shearer, Ray Charnley, whoever. You can take my civil liberties, force me to watch on iFollow, but you cannot have my memories...
Tonight, the main attraction is the return of another Matty, with Virtue hopefully to get some minutes. Like Blinks, yer man might lack a yard of pace but I like his honesty and endeavour. Some may see little way into the side for him at the moment but let's see where the season takes us and a midfielder with his work rate and ability to both shoot and ghost in late on crosses is not to be sniffed at.
When the team is out, the Virtuous Matty does indeed get a game, as do loads of others. The wonderfully enigmatic Jordan Thorniley and the lesser spotted Sarkic are both included alongside Garbutt, Gabriel, Kemp, Bez and Keshi who all come in. There's three kids on the bench as well which is always ace.
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The teams take the knee so quickly that as soon as they've got down, they're getting up again and then the ref counts the players. I know Barton is a bit of a devil, but surely neither he, nor the angelic seeming Critch would be quite so daring as to put 12 on....
We're off with a lovely bit of Sarkic control, a couple of classy early touches from Garbutt and a classic headless Bez run before Fleetwood get a bit of a hold on attacking. They have a good spell featuring an early cross that's nodded wide, a scary back pass that puts pressure on Sims, a Coutts cross that Saunders really should have done more than nod over the top and a ball over the top that our man Thorniley does an excellent job with, having one of those moments that explains why he was so rated when he signed, blocking his man's run, turning and then coming away with the ball, leaving Saunders on the ground. Shortly afterwards, Sims plays Thorniley in to real trouble, a less than thoughtful pass giving the centre half a tricky moment but the Cods forward shows an equal lack of composure and Thorniley can again, just block the pass off to everyone's relief.
We then have three identical throws in a row and from the last one, Bez gets round the back but his effort is neither a cross nor nor a shot. From the clearance, Garbutt curls a lovely ball, but Keshi can't quite get on it. Moments later Garbutt again swings a divine ball in, finding little Dan Kemp in a pocket of space but Kemp heads in down into the pitch and it just pops up into the keeper's hands. Bez than picks it up, shapes to run down the wing but instead goes the opposite way, moving deeper and finding a pocket of space from which he threads a glorious through ball that outshines even Garbutt's earlier effort, Kemp is onto it but he stumbles and the moment is gone.
For the Cods, the handy looking Morris goes wide, a simple and direct piece of wing play, pulling it across goal, the resulting shot flashing just past the near post.
The game is end to end and high paced. Pool pass their way down the pitch, Virtue with a nice low cross can't quite find Bez at the near post, and Fleetwood work their way up the other end, putting in a ball that is just headed away despite confusion between centre half and keeper as to who is going to claim it.
Sims fails to keep it 'on the island'. In fact, Sims clears one so far, it reaches the next island. Virtue is getting stuck in and then Bez, again, is the provider, turning, weighting it perfectly for Keshi, who calmly moves towards goal, sets himself to roll it into the corner past the keeper, but just taps it tamely into the keeper's legs instead. It was almost too good a chance, too long to think about it.
Again Bez does good work, this time a gorgeous little touch off for Anderson, cleverly cushioning a first time pass with the outside of his boot, Keshi marauding down the right and swinging a good ball in that Kemp can't muscle home. Moments later Virtue goes on a little run, setting up Gabriel whose ball is outrageously good but no one is there. Same story a further minute on as Bez puts a terrific ball in, this time Keshi does get to it via a deflection, but his shot, though on target is blocked away. A great spell, but the lack of real striker is showing.
Sims is rescued by Gabriel as he slightly misjudges a catch at a corner. I used to be a keeper at school and I feel for him, he does everything right but just drops it. It happens. He makes a good stop minutes later, again Morris at the far post looking to turn it home first time from a long cross and Sims leaps sideways, and pushes it away, almost like a volley ball move. A sharp stop. I'd have flailed and fallen into the goal but our Jack is equal to the test.
Pool are pressing really high, Kemp in particular buzzing with real intent round the Fleetwood backline whenever they've got possession. Robson brings a stop from the keeper from 25 yards (he's again set up by Bez) and Virtue is on the rebound. His effort ends up over the bar and the flag is up anyway, but it's a reminder of how Virtue has an ability to get into these sorts of positions. For a player who looks a relatively conservative midfield player on the surface, he knows his way around the box.
When the team is out, the Virtuous Matty does indeed get a game, as do loads of others. The wonderfully enigmatic Jordan Thorniley and the lesser spotted Sarkic are both included alongside Garbutt, Gabriel, Kemp, Bez and Keshi who all come in. There's three kids on the bench as well which is always ace.
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The teams take the knee so quickly that as soon as they've got down, they're getting up again and then the ref counts the players. I know Barton is a bit of a devil, but surely neither he, nor the angelic seeming Critch would be quite so daring as to put 12 on....
We're off with a lovely bit of Sarkic control, a couple of classy early touches from Garbutt and a classic headless Bez run before Fleetwood get a bit of a hold on attacking. They have a good spell featuring an early cross that's nodded wide, a scary back pass that puts pressure on Sims, a Coutts cross that Saunders really should have done more than nod over the top and a ball over the top that our man Thorniley does an excellent job with, having one of those moments that explains why he was so rated when he signed, blocking his man's run, turning and then coming away with the ball, leaving Saunders on the ground. Shortly afterwards, Sims plays Thorniley in to real trouble, a less than thoughtful pass giving the centre half a tricky moment but the Cods forward shows an equal lack of composure and Thorniley can again, just block the pass off to everyone's relief.
We then have three identical throws in a row and from the last one, Bez gets round the back but his effort is neither a cross nor nor a shot. From the clearance, Garbutt curls a lovely ball, but Keshi can't quite get on it. Moments later Garbutt again swings a divine ball in, finding little Dan Kemp in a pocket of space but Kemp heads in down into the pitch and it just pops up into the keeper's hands. Bez than picks it up, shapes to run down the wing but instead goes the opposite way, moving deeper and finding a pocket of space from which he threads a glorious through ball that outshines even Garbutt's earlier effort, Kemp is onto it but he stumbles and the moment is gone.
For the Cods, the handy looking Morris goes wide, a simple and direct piece of wing play, pulling it across goal, the resulting shot flashing just past the near post.
The game is end to end and high paced. Pool pass their way down the pitch, Virtue with a nice low cross can't quite find Bez at the near post, and Fleetwood work their way up the other end, putting in a ball that is just headed away despite confusion between centre half and keeper as to who is going to claim it.
Sims fails to keep it 'on the island'. In fact, Sims clears one so far, it reaches the next island. Virtue is getting stuck in and then Bez, again, is the provider, turning, weighting it perfectly for Keshi, who calmly moves towards goal, sets himself to roll it into the corner past the keeper, but just taps it tamely into the keeper's legs instead. It was almost too good a chance, too long to think about it.
Again Bez does good work, this time a gorgeous little touch off for Anderson, cleverly cushioning a first time pass with the outside of his boot, Keshi marauding down the right and swinging a good ball in that Kemp can't muscle home. Moments later Virtue goes on a little run, setting up Gabriel whose ball is outrageously good but no one is there. Same story a further minute on as Bez puts a terrific ball in, this time Keshi does get to it via a deflection, but his shot, though on target is blocked away. A great spell, but the lack of real striker is showing.
Sims is rescued by Gabriel as he slightly misjudges a catch at a corner. I used to be a keeper at school and I feel for him, he does everything right but just drops it. It happens. He makes a good stop minutes later, again Morris at the far post looking to turn it home first time from a long cross and Sims leaps sideways, and pushes it away, almost like a volley ball move. A sharp stop. I'd have flailed and fallen into the goal but our Jack is equal to the test.
Pool are pressing really high, Kemp in particular buzzing with real intent round the Fleetwood backline whenever they've got possession. Robson brings a stop from the keeper from 25 yards (he's again set up by Bez) and Virtue is on the rebound. His effort ends up over the bar and the flag is up anyway, but it's a reminder of how Virtue has an ability to get into these sorts of positions. For a player who looks a relatively conservative midfield player on the surface, he knows his way around the box.
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It's been a good half to watch. We've not looked as secure at the back as we might have done with the first choice defence, but not completely all over the place and we've gone forward with purpose. I'm not entirely sure who is playing up front, such is the movement. Bez is wide, deep, central, but so is Kemp. Sarkic has looked a little bit peripheral and arguably Keshi has offered more threat than him and popped up wide at times. The movement is impressive, but the simplicity with which we scored on Saturday came from having a striker who knew how to, well, strike and I'm not convinced anyone on the pitch has that instinct.
If we keep it up though, someone will get on the end of a chance, maybe the lad Holmes who's got 10 in 10 for the kids could be the man?
Whatever the trophy is called, it has a quality of seeming not to matter much at the outset then serving up some good football, making you really invested in the game. This one hasn't disappointed in that respect and I'm up for it now...
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MJ Williams with the lovely hair replaces Matty V. I'm not sure if he or Garbutt has the loveliest hair in the team. MJ's is more free flowing, but Garbutt overall wins a 'most likely to get a role in a film playing one of those stupidly well proportioned and ridiculously stylish Italian defenders that they seemed to churn out for years whilst we had Tony Adams, Terry Butcher and Gary Mabbut looking all bar fights, spit, sawdust and broken noses'
Conveniently for the blog, Garbutt has a nice Maldini-esque moment, following his man into the box and sliding with perfect timing to end a Cods foray forward. The game isn't as free flowing at the outset of the second half. The first effort coming from a curious one/two of headers between Sarkic and Garbutt, the latter nodding to the former who flicks it on again. Garbutt carries on his run and charges into the box, shoots but can't quite get a clean shot and the the ball runs out for a corner.
Garbutt does some more excellent defensive work, I'm liking him more with every game. Bez sees an outrageous pass and hits it on the volley from a full back slot, looking for Kemp in the opposite corner. It doesn't work, but he saw the moment where many wouldn't What I like in the last two cup games is that Bez has looked like a player with some vision, strangely doing his best work deeper, which didn't seem like his game at all initially, all blind alley runs and selfish seeming as he appeared, and actually, it's good to see he isn't that player at all.
On the hour, I think Kemp is looking tired, he often looks like this when he starts. Critch disagrees and brings off Keshi, who to be fair to the silver fox in the technical area, has barely touched the ball in the second half. Demi Mitchell is on and taking a really advanced position on the right of attack. Remember when we all thought he was a left back? Oh, how time flies.
Morris again is dangerous, weaving through and forcing Thorniley to back peddle before getting the slightest of touches to deflect the winger's effort wide. The Cods then have a big shout for a penalty as Thorniley watching the ball and seems simply step into the Fleetwood forward in moving to play it but the Cod hits the deck to enormous melodramatic shouts from bench and team alike. Happily, common sense prevails and the ref notes the complete lack of intent. Barton has a right strop and gets a proper dressing down and a yellow card as a result.
Pool win a corner, from a mistake by Coutts, it's swung deep, Sarkic does really well to bring it down, square it to Bez, he smacks it first time into a crowd of players, it breaks for Williams who hits it well, low and hard but almost straight at the keeper who stops it quite well, but with relative ease.
Pool win another corner from a good Mitchell run and Barton gets serious by chucking on Paddy Madden. Poor old Thorniley, who only gets to play in games that no one is watching is crocked, so the Viking is on instead. Critch gives him a consoling, fatherly pat on the back and then the corner comes to nothing.
Fleetwood chuck on some more experience in Whelen and Mckay. Maddon pulls back a breaking Kemp then shows a right mad bit of petulance, kicking the ball away and pointedly ignoring the ref when he wants book him. The ref who has done ok, decides to overlook the paddy and let Paddy stay on (honestly. I spoil you. I don't even get paid for this. It's at least low quality local radio standard...) despite his actions clearly equating two yellows. He does look quite hard though, all bald headed outrage, as if he's tired of refs in general such his lack of deference and sulky facial expression when finally the ref gets him over for a chat.
Conveniently for the blog, Garbutt has a nice Maldini-esque moment, following his man into the box and sliding with perfect timing to end a Cods foray forward. The game isn't as free flowing at the outset of the second half. The first effort coming from a curious one/two of headers between Sarkic and Garbutt, the latter nodding to the former who flicks it on again. Garbutt carries on his run and charges into the box, shoots but can't quite get a clean shot and the the ball runs out for a corner.
Garbutt does some more excellent defensive work, I'm liking him more with every game. Bez sees an outrageous pass and hits it on the volley from a full back slot, looking for Kemp in the opposite corner. It doesn't work, but he saw the moment where many wouldn't What I like in the last two cup games is that Bez has looked like a player with some vision, strangely doing his best work deeper, which didn't seem like his game at all initially, all blind alley runs and selfish seeming as he appeared, and actually, it's good to see he isn't that player at all.
On the hour, I think Kemp is looking tired, he often looks like this when he starts. Critch disagrees and brings off Keshi, who to be fair to the silver fox in the technical area, has barely touched the ball in the second half. Demi Mitchell is on and taking a really advanced position on the right of attack. Remember when we all thought he was a left back? Oh, how time flies.
Morris again is dangerous, weaving through and forcing Thorniley to back peddle before getting the slightest of touches to deflect the winger's effort wide. The Cods then have a big shout for a penalty as Thorniley watching the ball and seems simply step into the Fleetwood forward in moving to play it but the Cod hits the deck to enormous melodramatic shouts from bench and team alike. Happily, common sense prevails and the ref notes the complete lack of intent. Barton has a right strop and gets a proper dressing down and a yellow card as a result.
Pool win a corner, from a mistake by Coutts, it's swung deep, Sarkic does really well to bring it down, square it to Bez, he smacks it first time into a crowd of players, it breaks for Williams who hits it well, low and hard but almost straight at the keeper who stops it quite well, but with relative ease.
Pool win another corner from a good Mitchell run and Barton gets serious by chucking on Paddy Madden. Poor old Thorniley, who only gets to play in games that no one is watching is crocked, so the Viking is on instead. Critch gives him a consoling, fatherly pat on the back and then the corner comes to nothing.
Fleetwood chuck on some more experience in Whelen and Mckay. Maddon pulls back a breaking Kemp then shows a right mad bit of petulance, kicking the ball away and pointedly ignoring the ref when he wants book him. The ref who has done ok, decides to overlook the paddy and let Paddy stay on (honestly. I spoil you. I don't even get paid for this. It's at least low quality local radio standard...) despite his actions clearly equating two yellows. He does look quite hard though, all bald headed outrage, as if he's tired of refs in general such his lack of deference and sulky facial expression when finally the ref gets him over for a chat.
Kemp threads through ball for Sarkic but he just hasn't got the pace to make it. It was a great ball for just about any other forward. Garbutt slides a lovely pass up the line but Bez can only chip at to where no one really is. Fleetwood then have a great chance from a corner, Evans getting a header at the far post (I hadn't even noticed he was playing to this point) and guiding it a matter of inches over onto the roof of the net.
Pool fiddle a chance, passing it in tight spaces and squeezing Bez wide, he crosses deep and Sarkic is in acres of space wide, but such is his confidence and lack of games (and possibly lack of genuine striker's instinct for he is more of a provider than a scorer according to his recored), tries to take it down when it seems he might have had a go first time.
Fleetwood dominate added on time, Whelen's passing from deep is simply fantastic and they put several dangerous balls across the box, the most dangerous of which leads to a quite superb challenge from the Viking, denying Evans right in front of goal.
Penalties then...
Garbutt, does a giddy little dance, runs in and hits it perfectly into the bottom corner. Class.
Coutts hits it higher but sends Sims as wrong as the wrong way can be.
Sarkic does a little stutter and slides it into the bottom right corner... silky!
Madden, who shouldn't be on the pitch, looks like he can't be arsed with the penalty either, strolls up and just side foots it home. Piece of piss, he doesn't even bother to look pleased.
Robson, jogs on the spot, trots in in a luke warm manner and hits one that's even less arsed than Madden's, it looks a bit like he's hit one to let the mascot save it in a warm up and the keeper falls on it gratefully.
Evans slides it under Sims who goes the right way but is a split second, a nano second aways from falling fast enough to get his whole body behind it. Unlucky.
Bez, runs about, does a little job on spot, crouches, steps up and stops just short of pulling out a dove from a hat and riding about on a unicycle then finally... just about squeezes it home.
Mckay goes into the bottom corner, Sims again going the wrong way.
Gabriel no nonsense, the keeper does everything right but it's well hit.
Duffy to win it.... Sims, bounces, smacks his thighs with his gloves, looks ready and... goes the other way as the ball hits the bottom right corner.
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Second half was scrappy and no one really stands out. Demi looked really quite uncomfortable on the right of attack, his pace gets him into positions but he, for me, is far better on the left. Sarkic has had some nice touches, but I'd have been tempted to stick Bez down the middle, Demi left and Kemp on the right as Id don't think Sarkic ever really threatened.
Williams looked to settle right back in, not looking especially rusty and passing quite well, but he's never going to really dictate a game and Robson had one of those slightly frustrating matches where he doesn't especially influence proceedings. Gabriel again looked good, as did Garbutt.
Oh well.
We'll just have to win the FA Cup and the league.
To misquote Joey - it's only a tinpot cup when we've lost.
utmp
Williams looked to settle right back in, not looking especially rusty and passing quite well, but he's never going to really dictate a game and Robson had one of those slightly frustrating matches where he doesn't especially influence proceedings. Gabriel again looked good, as did Garbutt.
Oh well.
We'll just have to win the FA Cup and the league.
To misquote Joey - it's only a tinpot cup when we've lost.
utmp
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