Down and Out in Timperley and District
Real Sports 4 – 0 Wilmslow Town Cougars
According to this week's press release from the Ministry of Truth, “It's not the winning
or losing that matters, but the taking part” as famously remarked Baden Powell, or
maybe some other crusty old goat with a rapidly fading grasp on reality. If though,
there is any truth in the old adage, these are the meagre crumbs which have kept the
team going this season. Now out of our winter of discontent, hope springs eternal in
the spring sunshine. Could March 27th 2011 be the date of destiny and a first win ?.
With nothing to play for but pride, would my inexhaustible supply of optimism finally
come to and end or could the boys give cause for hope?
As with many matches
this season the opening
exchanges seemed to
bode well with the
Cougars setting up
camp in the Real half
right from kickoff. My
notebook bears witness
to this, unwisely
inscribed with the
fateful words “looking
good”. Promptly the
Cougars achieved a
first for the season with
an own goal.
Following on from this,
the boys proceeded to
yet again enact their
terrific tactic of giving a
three goal head start to
the opposition, starting
James on target
with an immediate
second, the third
following on the quarter hour with the ball squirming under an unfortunate James
Gayle. At this point I extrapolated a final score well into double figures and began
contemplating whether the public houses of Hazel Grove would be admitting paying
customers as early as the half time break.
Between these various calamities, the keystone Cougars did show occasional
glimpses of what they're capable; Dan bursting through the middle, Federico running
wide on the right and James Hill with a brief chance from Jordan's free kick. Will and
James S laboured manfully up front, later replaced by Matthew and Andre.
Confusion in the Real defence
Joseph joined the fray for the
second half and Andre chasing hard
helped win a brace of corners but to
no avail. Ryan now replaced the
excellent Kieran and was soon using
his fitness to harry the Real flank.
Dan remained a rock in midfield and
started maybe the Cougars best
move of the game with Matthew
using his through ball to set James
H free but just unable to hit the
target. Alas and alack, straight back
at the Cougars on the counter came
Real with a good goal for 4- 0.
Once again a setback seemed to
provide a spur and brought the best
spell of the match from the Cougars,
the Real keeper saving well from
Matthew, and Andre, the Cougars'
man of the match back on and in the
thick of things. A few more chances
came from Jordan, James H and
Great tackle from Jordan
Ryan but there
was to be no
consolation.
What a shame the
recent revival in
results from the
really dark days of
January couldn't
bring forth fruit in
the form of points.
Thanks to Dave
and to all the boys
who never gave
up despite
everything.
Save from Ryan
Words fail me at this point so I’ll leave you with the those of Theodore Roosevelt
It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man
stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit
belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and
sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again;
because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually
strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, who
spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of
high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring
greatly. So that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know
neither victory nor defeat.