Tidy Star FC 2 vs 0 Inter Menan

Van Dodson ends Menans Title dreams! <p style="text-align: center;">On a breezy spring eve the Menanians took&nbsp;to the&nbsp;field in what was for most players the biggest game of their footballing careers. Boro town leg-end Robbie Hawkes became Menan's latest debutant and was not the only "Ringer" taking part as Tidy called upon Eastfield St James colossus Adie Blake. <p style="text-align: center;">The game was delayed a good two minutes as Hawkes like the silly big armed boy that he is had forgotten his shin pads and astro boots and had to make do with a ing pair of white school pumps after running back to "Wiggy's" car! <p style="text-align: center;">The Menan lads took a while to get out of first gear reverting to a 2-2-1 formation with Hawkes as target man. This tactical change plus player rotation meant a slow start to the game with the boys taking a good 5 minutes to get into their slick passing game. <p style="text-align: center;">TidyStar's Dodson was the first to fire on the Menan goal with a right footed effort from a tight angle with returning keeping ace Pratt watching it sail well wide. <p style="text-align: center;">Finally Menan got in their stride and passed and moved to the Menanian groove with Patterson pulling the strings in the middle. Willan however wasnt listening to the same tune with his left foot like wand about as good as Djemba Djemba in a Man U shirt! <p style="text-align: center;">The breakthrough came after about 8 minutes, a Menan attack broke down and a swift Pepe Reina style counter from the Tidy keeper saw Dodson bring the ball down and around Brooksby like a Van Basten rolling back the years before finishing like the dutch ace himself past the despairing frame of Pratt. Some fans believed the touch to be a piece of luck as he had over hit it and got lucky, others argued it was skill, the jury is out on this one!....... <p style="text-align: center;"> <p style="text-align: center;">Menan heads did not go down as they knew a single goal would bring back hope of their first title glory and they began to make inroades of their own as Tidy pushed everyone back, Royal Oak Stylie... Patterson found Plumpton in space on the left, out of nowhere a left footed effort struck the gloves of the Tidy number one who was beginning to stake a claim for the man of the match gong at this early stage. <p style="text-align: center;">Half Time - Tidystar 1 v 0 Inter Menan <p style="text-align: center;">After a half time team talk from Plumpton with the gaffer hurling Hawke's white pumps accross the changing room and striking Brooksby in the face the Menanian's came out full of gusto and ready to take the game to Tidy. <p style="text-align: center;">Like the first half Tidy were playing it safe with men behind the ball and looking for B.David on the counter. Hawkes and Brooksby were struggling to make clear cut opportunites but knocking the ball about well and racking up the possesion ometer. <p style="text-align: center;">Unfortunately Posession doesnt mean prizes as Menan's superiority did not equal goals. Hawkes again came close, Brooksby tried some shots from distance and Plumpton thought he had netted the equaliser with a stinging right footed shot which nicked off a defender and brought a tremendous save onto the post&nbsp;AGAIN from the Tidy stopper!! <p style="text-align: center;">The final chance of note fell to Hawkes on the right who rifled in a bullet of a shot which somehow again was tipped onto the bar which summed up Inter Menans evening. Unfortunately it was to get worse for our lads as another Bolton style long ball was misread by Willan, he flicked on to the dangerous&nbsp;Van Dodson&nbsp;who did the rest with a minute to go&nbsp;making Menans title hopes about as likely as West Brom regaining their Premiership status! <p style="text-align: center;">With Les Ramms whistle blown the Menan lads shook hands with their Tidy opponents knowing they had matched them the full way and given the best performance of the season. Willan had to be consoled by fans as it was all to much for him. Patterson rallied the troops in the changing room stating his belief of the famous Menanian Bounce back Ability. <p style="text-align: center;">On another night it could of all been different? With top scoring ace Dobson suspended would he of been the difference maker? if Horncastle could tear himself away from his ladyboys would he of found the net? and most importantly who had the biggest head tonight, Willan or Hartley??? With 2nd place to aim for an a cup run in their sights the Menanians season is far from over, and what a season it has been so far!!! <p style="text-align: center;">Tonights man of the match sponsors "Tilly's 5 finger discount" goes to Tidy Star number 1 Connor for some fantastic saves and some poor time keeping at the start!