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| A young Wayne Rooney? |
A late equaliser by Newbiggin against my girls' team had dampened my spirits, that morning as I had to be happy with a 1-1 draw for the mighty Hawks. When I picked up the post-op Boy Mark to take him to the big game he reminded me of the importance of the afternoon and the need for total focus. The Bay were the remaining team from the region to reach this stage of the competition, facing opposition from a similar level as ourselves that we had beaten the previous year in the FA Vase, so there was every chance that we could be into the third qualifying round.
The first issue when the teams emerged was the opposition's kit. At first it looked like they were Norwich in disguise but then we realised that their stripes were black and yellow and not green and yellow. Okay it was their away kit (normal colours black and white stripes) but why have the green shorts? They looked as if the kit had been thrown together at the last minute after a night out on the hoy that had involved a few too many snakebites (am I showing my age there?)
Secondly the number six for Town looked like a young Wayne Rooney and his shirt had an upside down number nine on the back of his shirt, which added greater support to my kit manager's drinking theory.
The game started poorly for Whitley: probably because we had to swap ends and attack the car park end in the first half! Also, Congleton seemed to be doing the best to get revenge for losing to us in the FA Vase the previous year. It wasn't really a surprise when they went ahead, delighting the small travelling band of Town fans who had made the trip North. They had proudly decorated the fence with a fine collection of flags: something that Whitley fans need to do more about sorting out - myself included: after all there are plenty of gaps to be filled in at Hillheads.
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| Bay finds some bite with Kempster. |
The fight and, most importantly, the organisation seemed to be missing for the home side. No Laws and Chuck Norris seemed to be affecting the bite in midfield. However, slowly, they started forcing their way into the game and despite his lack of speed Phil Lumsden was using his skill and determination to greater effect, managing to fashion a great chance that bounced off the post. Also, Alex and Chris Mac began to have more success down the left wing. Every time he managed to get the ball, the Kempstervator had the beating of his marker: Wayne Rooney Jnr. Unfortunately with only Shanks in the box, his crosses were being cut out by the massed ranks (4) of visiting defenders. In the second half Bob's Words of Wisdom must have had some effect.
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Packed defence for a corner, and only Shanks to mark:
can't think why we aren't level.... |
"You don't score goals by passing back to your keeper!" the wise sage cried as a Bay attack ended with the ball back at Jennison's feet.
Suddenly the lads were pressing and supporting Shanks. In the 70th minute, Kempster battled with a defender and managed to get a shot away which Farrimond (in the orange "I've been tangoed" outfit) kicked clear. Thankfully for us, the ball fell at the feet of Adam 'the goal machine' Shanks to blast home from 25 yards. The four lads behind the goal who had been trying to put off the keeper were delighted with this and a few minutes later Shanks added a second. Taking advantage of Congleton's number 5 collapsed in the six yard box and the ref waving play on, Adam advanced on goal, finishing smartly as the number, Andrew Alston complained about his terrible treatment. The Bay crowd weren't so sympathetic for some reason.
The visitors upped their game to get an equaliser but the Bay defence held firm and didn't really look like conceeding. Even so it was a nervous time...
There was even time for Alex to skim the bar with a cracking free kick:
We were through to the third qualifying round and only ten wins away from the FA Cup final!
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