Cringleford 9 Watton 1
No Ecky this week, meaning a repeat of his rousing, semi-sober team talk and selection last week against Wymondham (naming only a keeper and five midfield players) would be sorely missed.
This week team selection went to a new level; whoever was on the pitch at the time of kick off played. Dickinson, quickly aware of this brave new world policy, seemingly broke the over 45’s national 30 yard dash sprint record (wind assisted) from the centre circle to the comfort of the half way line substitutes bench. Technique personified.
The key to this game seemed to be a new variation of the tried and trusted 3-5-2 Forget Holland’s total football of 1974, this was something never ventured before in the history of the people’s game; position three players at right back… ground breaking,
And it worked; every Cringleford attack resulted in a chance or a goal. Fairman (3), Karl (2), Mark (Gullit) (1), Sharred (1 goal, 1 punch up), Shane (1), Huw (1) all recorded.
Highlight of the goals had to be when Fairman (on a hat-trick) passed (for the first time this season, possibly ever) square to Karl (also on a hat-trick) who slotted home. However the linesman flagged, rather harshly, for offside. The referee, quite rightly called play back for an initial foul and gave a penalty following no advantage. Protests followed from Watton that the penalty shouldn’t stand simply because Cringleford were winning by more than 6 goals. The referee, following a long chat with the linesman, finally checked his pocket F.A. rulebook, and quoted Rule 9.3.1 (a) i.e. “persistent winging is no mitigating circumstance for a clear foul”. Karl, still protesting to the linesman was mugged by Fairman of the ball, who stole the all of the glory from the spot.
Man of the match was undoubtedly Ben Potter for his tireless running and absolute commitment in the challenge. Other results surprisingly went our way on the day. A draw against Costessey v Sprowston this weekend, along with three wins from our last three fixtures could make a very interesting end to the season.
Finally the game was rounded off by an after-match pint in the reopened but television and roast potato-less Cellar House. Sharred needs to work some magic there.
