Within the first 5 seconds of the game and after a truly awful first touch their number 12 started announcing ‘Just You Wait, Just You Wait’ without really specifying what we were all waiting for. This pretty much set the tone for the attitude from the majority of the Castle players in what proved to be a niggly and amusing encounter in equal proportions.
The Accies enjoyed some early possession with Dan Kav (correction – Curly Tops) and Tony working the right channel resulting in 2 early one-on-one chances, first for Swifty and then for Alex; which the keeper was equal to. Jamie then put Swifty through with a great ball and he went round the keeper but skied his finish from a tight angle and looking a little off balance in fairness. This early dominance resulted in some stiff challenges going in and more arguing which broke up the pattern of the game and allowed Castle to creep into it. They won a succession of free kicks outside the box but kept putting the ball in the car park. ‘Just You Wait’ was still shouting and the Accies were still waiting. One of their players got booked; that was worth waiting for.
Then out of nothing their underage left midfielder cut inside and biffed a shot into the top corner to make it 1-0 to the Manor. This girded the Accies into action and they started asserting their football dominance on the game. Stan and Bri were getting forward at will and the latter chased a long ball from Ryan, beat his man and cut it back for Curly Tops who was screaming for it to be left but Alex was determined to sniff it and accidentally took it off his toe. The goal was coming though and Curly Tops and Tony worked a one-two in the right back spot which Tony then sent up the line for Alex to win a great flick on into the path of Swifty who finished his hardest chance of the game; not for the first time!
Shay was making some good runs and Curly Tops found him twice bursting forward into the box, one pull-back eluded everyone and one resulted in a corner. Bri put a great ball in for Curly Tops who placed his volley on target but straight at the keeper. The half drew to a close with Castle probably fortunate to be on terms.
Half Time 1-1
The second half started with the unlucky Alex having tweaked his hamstring being replaced by the ever improving ‘Andy Baker’ and a fast pace led to the Accies extending their lead almost immediately. Curly Tops and Jamie worked the line and Curly Tops put Shay through who’s second attempt at a pull-back found Swifty who side footed his shot with power into the back of the net. Their number 3 was now adopting the ‘Just You Wait’ mantra, with the number 12 chiming in with the same catchphrase and then running away from the ball every time it came near him. Shay was talking himself nearer and nearer to a booking, their keeper was screaming ‘we do it to ourselves lads, we do it to ourselves’; useful to know, if not a little worrying…
Reedy and Ryan were having solid games and dealing with the one ball over the top that seemed to be the only method of attack that Castle could muster. Tony and Stan were supporting their midfielders really well and Jamie who had switched up front was winning virtually every ball and making a real nuisance of himself.
The chances continued to come and how the Accies didn’t extend their lead is a mystery, although their Keeper pulled off a fine stop from Swifty’s half volley and ‘Andy B’ was released by a clever reverse from Jamie, beat his man only to be tackled at the last second as he was pulling the trigger. The tackles started getting even more niggly and frustration set in for Castle. Another man got booked, then Shay eventually got the booking he had craved, then a second yellow was produced and the Red came out for their vocal midfielder.
That was pretty much game over. A couple more chances came from corners and free kicks, Curly Tops put a ball on a plate for Swifty who somehow contrived to try and head it in with a whisp of hair. Number 12 was now threatening some bad tackles of his own ‘Just You Wait’ he informed Tony before making no attempt to win a 50-50 ball. Trev came on for a cameo for Tony who had been solid all evening and put a couple of nice balls up the line. Everyone worked hard to the last and Reedy was no doubt looking forward to picking his teeth up in the shower so must have been hotly anticipating the final whistle. It came and the Accies were victorious, and still waiting for Number 12.
Full time 2-1
[Report by Dan K]
