IT’S RAINING CATS, DOGS AND ACTION, WE’RE BACK!
WHAT’S that they say about Non-League football being watched by one man and his dog?
It would be more accurate to say, a bunch of cardboard cut-outs, featuring two dogs. And a cat.
By the end of the game it was Boreham Wood who were Feline fine. Thanks to Matt Rhead’s header in the 80th-minute, Luke Garrard’s side came out on top.
It’s been 125 days since the National League shutdown back in March. In many ways it’s felt every bit as long as that.
Arguments have swung back and forth. Self-interest has, understandably at times, reigned supreme. Some of it has felt a bit unsavoury but pride, and perhaps more importantly, money is at stake.
But after a lot of waiting – and there was a lot of waiting – what seemed very unlikely not all that long ago finally returned. A game of play-off football.
This is a new normal, for now. No fans in the ground – hence the cardboard cut-outs – temperature checks, face masks, covid tests and extra subs. If all square after 90 minutes, we would head straight to penalties.
There are even drinks breaks (effectively tactical breaks) in each half where the footballs and corner flags are sanitised, the goal frames wiped down. It’s football just not as we know it.
Beforehand there were lots of questions. How would the players perform after months of racking up the miles on the pavements alone?
There was the expected rustiness. Sorba Thomas mishandling a throw that looped up and actually led to a decent Boreham Wood chance.
At the other end, Jamal Fyfield misjudged a long ball forward and Tobi Sho-Silva nipped in ahead of keeper Grant Smith to put Halifax ahead.
The lack of crowd gave an insight into what players say to each other during games. Happily, much of it is what you and I say to each other at five-a-side.
Some of the language could be described as industrial. The referee was “f ****** having one” and Halifax were told to “switch the f*** on” before the break. BT Sport commentator Adam Summerton apologised, perhaps knowing he would be fighting a losing battle as the game careered towards an intense finale.
By then Kane Smith’s deflected shot off Halifax defender Nathan Clarke had levelled the game up before Rhead’s glancing header from Thomas’ corner.
And that was that. Boreham Wood head up to Harrogate Town on Saturday. The cardboard cut-outs will be going with them. Including the dogs and cat.