After a difficult week beginning with a 6-1 defeat to CLS Britannia followed by a last gap defeat to Houghton after an astonishingly long second half, Sacriston didn’t have time to dwell on recent defeats and faced a Chilton side who had started the season impressively picking up three wins out of a possible four.
Sacriston welcomed the deliciously tanned Dean and the beautifully bald Chalky back into the squad following their holidays and due to the absence of Davey and Finch they came straight back into the starting line up at centre half.
Fozzy Ardiles also drafted Ryan Giggs-Green back into the starting line-up in addition to the general Gav Richardson who came into the first eleven in place of fellow veteran Teddy Murphy; the rest of the team remained unchanged.
Sacriston didn’t get out of the blocks like on Thursday night and found themselves a goal down when a routine cross from the left was spilled by ParksWeeeee and the Chilton striker placed the ball into the empty net for an early lead.
The duck egg blues then got into the game a bit more and eventually pulled the game level courtesy of an unlikely source; young jockey Wilson galloped his way down the left flank and ghosted his way into the box only for his initial effort to rebound off the defender and back into his path, Paul Mince then took a touch and struck a sweet left foot volley into the top right corner from just inside the box. After doing ‘an Aaron White’ last season the tender young lamb will be pleased to get off the mark so early in the new campaign.
Just as Sacriston were getting more and more into the match they shot themselves in the foot once again, when a soft throw in down the left went straight to a Chilton midfielder who drove with the ball and fired a rocket past the keeper from 25 yards out, much to the frustration of gaffer Fozzy Osbourne who couldn’t believe how cheaply the ball was given away.
Ben Sanderson then had a chance to pull level with a free-kick 25 yards out but unlike his dipping effort into the top corner on Thursday night, normal service was resumed as Ben lofted the ball well over the bar resulting in a try for Sacriston.
Segga were now pressing for an equaliser and Ryan Greenaldo was looking particular dangerous with his direct play on the left wing. It was Ryan Grale himself who created the leveller just before half time when he switched flanks to the right wing, cut back and curled a teasing ball in at the near-post which sexy Sammy Renwick managed to bundle over the line in what is likely to be his last appearance for the club in 2015.
The game remained level at the half and Foz gathered his troops with a clear message to go out, pass the ball and win the game.
Shortly after half time the blue tits got themselves in-front for the first time in the match when Tom Winter played the ball to his boozy brother down the right wing, David held the ball up well and played a neat pass in behind the defence back to the overlapping Tom who fired an unstoppable thunderbolt from an impossible angle through the legs of the goalkeeper for his first of the season; undoubtedly a goal of the season contender.
With Sacriston starting to look more comfortable in the game out of nowhere Chilton levelled the match at 3-3 when a bouncing ball was met by a dipping volley 30 yards out which left the keeper with no chance.
The game was now evenly balanced and could have went either way but on 70 minutes the impressive Raryan Grobben dribbled the ball into the box from the left wing only to be brought down by a Chilton defender resulting in a penalty being awarded by the referee.
This decision was met by huge protests from the Chilton team and eventually resulted in two players being dismissed for their behaviour towards the referee. After a delay of approximately five minutes it was down to the iconic Gav Richardson to step up and take the penalty; despite the long wait the general remained as cool as Tim ‘Ice Man’ Asquith and like Vladimer Smicer in Istanbul gave the keeper the eyes and rolled the ball into the opposite corner for 4-3.
Sacriston were then tasked with seeing out the remaining 20 minutes against the 9 men of Chilton and Foz made a number of changes to try and freshen up the legs with Ryan McCauley and Liam Walton coming into the midfield.
Unfortunately the last 20 minutes were anything but comfortable as Chilton pressed hard for the equaliser with Park called into action on a couple of occasions and the away side forcing a number of dangerous set pieces late on. Segga could barely string together two passes but when Sacriston’s delightful double act Sam Renwick and Chris Mordue combined late on it seemed like hunky Chris would put the ball into the empty night and wrap up the match; unfortunately the Mercurial Mordue had his mind more on which girl he’d be kissing down Durham on the night and a last gasp tackle prevented the goal.
Sacriston made one final change with Ryan Bell coming on for the last few minutes and Chalky and Dean remained strong at the heart of the defence to ensure the home side held on for three vital points and an excellent end to the week. Man of the match went to Ryan Green who caused Chilton problems throughout the match with his pace and direct play, picking up two assists in the process.
Whilst Sacriston were not at their best during the match it is important to win ugly at times and this could prove to be a key three points come the end of the season. A couple of weeks rest lies ahead for Sacriston before facing Pelaw Dogs in the cup.
A note of congratulations to Tom Winter and Lee Renwick who broke a world record on Monday for the most two costume pantomime horses to take part in a race, finishing an impressive 5th in a competitive 64 strong field in the process. Chrissy Carthorse Mordue also took part in the event but there are rumours he is still on the final furlong so the judges cant verify if he actually finished the race and is a world record holder or not.
