Dominant show allays FC concerns
THERE’S a feeling I get before certain games, I’m positive we’ll win but then there’s that little niggle at the back of my head that worries, certain teams just bring out the pessimist in me.
FC is one such team. I know a couple of their supporters and that friendly banter we’ve had over the season becomes a little more bolshie as the day of the game gets closer.
As it is I shouldn’t have worried, County were dominant and the bragging rights are all ours.
From the start it was obvious the attendance would be huge and the official number of 5630 is a record for this division just as enjoyable was the performance on the pitch.
So many times in the past when there’s been a big game and the faithful turn out in their numbers, the team freeze and invariably play below par, not on Saturday though.
We dominated the Traitors from the first whistle so much so that their only foray into our half of the pitch resulted in a corner that was dealt with very easily.
It was no surprise when we opened the scoring; we’d had several chances, two of which saw some last gasp defending that brought yellow cards that on another day could have been red.
Jimmy Ball, Danny Lloyd could easily have had a brace each but it was Elliott Osbourne who struck the ball into the far corner and send the vast majority of the crowd into raptures.
The game was so one way that I was totally surprised when the half time whistle came, surprised but happy.
The Traitors tried to make a game of it in the second half but we rode their pressure and doubled our lead when Scott Duxbury popped up and hit the ball, ever so slowly, into the net.
They tried and tried but to no end until Josh Amis, having a great game, decided to punch the ball in our penalty box.
Why players do this I have no idea but the penalty was scored and that niggle at the back of my head returned, remember Alfreton, remember Alfreton, it said and the clock slowed.
We had further chances – Sefton Gonzales made his second debut and instantly lifted everyone.
Michael Clarke was unlucky not to get his toe to a back post corner, and Danny should have done better when we had a four verses two scenario but the final whistle went, bragging rights are mine and we’re just two points from second in the League. Bring on Kiddy then Chorley, I’m feeling great.