Earlier this week, whilst listening to Ken Bruce on Radio 2 in the morning, one of those iconic 80’s bands were on, performing live.
( I thought everyone listened to Radio 2 who was in their late 30’s early 40’s ??????? No ? Yes ?
Anyway, it was that band from the Clyde up there in Scotland – ( unlucky yesterday by the way to the players and supporters ) – you know the ones with Marti Pellow.
Wet Wet Wet.
It was a bit like that today– Wet ( the light drizzle n the air ) – Wet ( the match ball after being retrieved from the river, East of the river ) – Wet ( in places the Thrapston performance ).
The song they played was wishing I was lucky, and there was me – on the M6 North singing along to the tune.
Well sometimes you get what you wish for – Today I felt lucky, no I had not won last nights £4.5m on the lottery, but the lads had won a game where performances from both sides probably meant that a draw would have been a fairer result. I remember times when we would have lost these kind of games, but i don’t believe that is the case now – A few Words of Wisdom before the game, lets start brightly, and the game kicked off.
Statto would have said that 90% of the time, the ball was in the midfield third, with the scene being more of a pinball machine rather than a football pitch. Tom Alsop hit the first note, a strike from the edge of the box that sailed over the Burton keeper for 1-0. Soon after Thrapston gained a penalty after a trip in the box. Luke Rivett stepped up and calmly placed the ball onto the left hand post. Still 1-0. Burton made good use of the corners that we kept giving away but dogged defending kept them out. A short while later Burton ended up 2 v 1 in the box and the ball was slotted home for 1-1. There were other scrappy chances for both sides, but a good save from Alex Vitue in the Thrapston goal kept the scoreline 1-1 at half time.
If was strange and subdued in the Thrapston dressing room at half time, had some paid lip service to the pre game spiel. The next half would have to be better if we were going to win.
Actually it wasn’t really much, if any better at all. Thrapston created maybe more clear cut chances, but the five man defence from Burton withstood most of the attacks. A mention should go to the save pulled off by the Burton keeper, high to his right, but something had to give. The slide rule through ball found Devante Hodgson and riding the most cynical challenge from behind of the year, he kept on his feet, towards goal and slotted past the Burton keeper. 2-1. A couple of other scrappy moments in the last 15 minutes, but not enough for type I’m afraid.
We were happy to win – but today, maybe fortunate to do so – Hey Man Utd do that all the time, so maybe not such a bad thing.
These teams play again in a few weeks for the return – another close game I feel.
Next week Rushden Rangers – Our bogey side of 2006, lets hope that Ken Bruce has some new music this week – someone like Kool and the Gang ( Too Hot ), or maybe Queen ( Another one bites the dust ).
Todays MOM – Josh Cummins
Final Score – Thrapston Town 2 , Burton Youth 1
