“Writing this one could be a challenge” said katykay. The meaning here is that it was only 3 weeks or so since we were last at Abbey Hey, for a League match, and I need to write something new. Well, the more observant reader will have noticed that your ageing scribe has picked up a scattering of random information on a range of subjects over many a long year. In the ramblings associated with these reports, we have already covered a range of subjects such as cricket, the coal miners strike of 1984/5, post war English literature, brass bands, Whit walks, Indian summers, 19th Century English poetry, modern jazz, beer and various, rather oblique, references to other areas of interest. Not many references to football here some may say but I leave football reporting to those much more skilled than I on this subject and refer my dear reader to the excellent match reports written by the erudite Haggis for more football related insights. But, fear not, the well is by no means dry – there are many more rather arcane subjects which have not yet been investigated in the context of GNE Away. Not wishing to give too much away at this stage, the one I am really looking forward to covers the subject of sub-atomic particle physics but, fear not – at least for the moment - this is for another day – or not depending upon popular demand.
No, the raging question of tonight, which we are all desperate to know the answer to, relates to the Abbey Hey programme. We may recall on our previous visit that the £1 programme contained four pages of football related “jokes” and the question at the time was do they use the same jokes all season? Well, we have an early opportunity to find out and, as we travel again through the “drive through” turnstile and invest another £1 on a programme, the answer is ……yes, they are the same jokes. Sad really but probably difficult to produce 20 or more programmes per season and have different jokes each time.
After this revelation, anything else threatens to be something of an anti-climax but we have yet to even scratch the surface of the wit and wisdom of the members of the GNE travelling army. Conversation in the club house dwells mainly on the subject of last Saturdays excursion to Newhall and how we are going to get to Alsager for the next match – serious stuff this.
Suitably refreshed, we go downstairs to note that the underwater Dalek who was employed on the PA system at our last visit has been replaced by an individual with perfect diction and the name of every player is clear to all. Having said this, and, as ever, to be scrupulously fair, it may be that the Tannoy has been fixed. The teams enter the field – decent playing surface and good floodlights - to a none existent wave of cup fever. Seems as though the 40 or so contingent of Glossop supporters, from an official crowd of 88, are still suffering a collective hangover from the Newhall experience and what a wonderful experience it was too. After 45 minutes its half time and Abbey Hey lead 1-0.
Into the second half and conversation switches to all inclusive holidays in Turkey – absolutely bargain it would seem. Our voluble Chairman continues a discussion with the Assistant Referee on the clubhouse side. Somewhat unfair as the official has no real right of reply but very funny. Much debate on the touchline about replays, extra-time, penalties or whatever should the match be a draw after 90 minutes. Somewhat ironic as GNE are one goal down at this stage but, never mind, keep the faith! The faith is duly rewarded as GNE equalise and the game moves on towards full time. In a last desperate bid to complete the game within 90 minutes, the Supporters Club multi-talented events co-ordinator makes his normal preparations for the journey home. It worked at Flixton but, sadly, not this time and at the end of 90 minutes, its 1-1 and we go into extra time. Extra time is greeted by a rain shower of significant proportions and most of the GNE supporters move to the Abbey Hey version of the Surrey Street scratting shed – perhaps you remember, the one with graffiti which includes e-mail addresses – very high tech!
After extra time of some considerable drama, its 2-2 and the game moves on to penalties. The excitement is almost at fever pitch (well, not really) as text messages are sent to absent friends and your ageing scribe describes the penalty shoot out live, by mobile phone, to Cod who is sat at home in Glossop. In all of the excitement, I loose track of the score but soon discover that GNE have won the match 5-4 on penalties. Note to self – do not have any pretensions about commentating live on any football match. Great respect to those who do it.
So, we did not win the High Peak Cup in the pre-season, we are out of the FA Cup, making progress in the Derbyshire Senior Cup, making progress in the Manchester Premier Cup, our opening match to come in the Vodkat League Cup and our entry into the FA Vase coming in November. Just how many cup competitions can we all cope with? Well, perhaps we need to conserve our cup fever for the later matches and we certainly did that tonight.
Beware lest thine cup runneth over …
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