On an afternoon more suited to mark the end of the world than a routine cup tie, the Sheffield Academicals braved the worst that Rotherham weather could throw at them and strode out confident, if not moist, winners in a terrific cup tie.
Book-ended by two of the shortest keepers in history the match got underway and despite early pressure and chances from the trying to flow Academicals it was Whiston that took the lead as their forward rode two tackles like the great Denman in his prime, mane flowing in the breeze, and hitting an unstoppable shot on the fall into the far top corner of the Sheffield goal. Unexpected and undeserved but what a strike to start things off. It awoke the slumbering beast as the Accies pressure mounted and chance after chance came crashing down on the crumbling rocks of the Whiston defence. Daz was through and had clearly been taking notes from Brian and his epic number of touches from a few weeks before that allowed their desperate defender to get back and intervene at the death. Jamie went round his man and poked the ball home; but no! The keeper stuck out a hand and made a reflex save like John Travolta in Staying Alive; you could almost hear the soundtrack whistling on the breeze.
Finally, imperiously, the keep was breached by the talisman up front; Jamie Evans picking up a loose ball and hitting a great swerving strike that the keeper could only push up into the top corner. One can only assume it rose at the last second, agonisingly, heartbreakingly out of reach from the wee man between the sticks. Further attacks were rained down by Sheffield but time and time again they were repelled by the stalwarts in yellow. Shot after shot was blocked and it seemed a goal would never come. The wind howled and the rain came down even harder. The spectators were battered, umbrellas turned inside out, the poor subs nearly perished from cold but still they remained as dogged as the eleven on the field, united in a common goal. It was Big Si that rose the spirits when he was found after a determined run by the infallible Matt Glendenning and stroked a lovely crisp left foot shot into the far bottom corner of the goal; majestic and deadly.
Just as the half was drawing to a close their player was released down the left side of the box; out flew the Sheffield keeper, Hodgy a terrifying sight in full flight and a pair of far too large shorts, clinical he was and fast, but poorly timed as he kicked his man straight up in the air. Penalty to Whiston! Agony for the Academicals. Cue another dance move as ‘don’t blame it on sunshine’ parted his arms to allow the ball to fly through and into the goal. Confidence sapping to any other team but only girded the Accies loins as the half drew to a close.
Half time Whiston 2 – 2 Academicals
The wind didn’t tire and the rain came down even harder. Surely Domesday was approaching? A fell voice on the wind made players quail but it was only man mountain Alex Bissett as he roared through another challenge. The ball fell to Chalky who looked up, picked his ping, and dropped an inch perfect pass to the onrushing Daz. Sublime, serene, but how many touches would he take? Quite a few as it happens but this time blasted it into the roof of the net to get the important lead and restore a deserved advantage. The home side trudged back to kick off, shoulders slumped and bitterness in their mumblings. The sun came out and shone on every Accies player as their authority was finally stamped on the game.
The keen, but somewhat soggy pair, of Swifty and Dan replaced Brian and Simon in the ranks. Immediately the rapid one was released by Jamie through the middle and bore down on the keeper like a horseman of the apocalypse. Striking fear into all around he placed the ball into the near corner as the keeper crumpled with a whimper, his heart gone before his legs. At the other end Alex crunched his way through their forwards like a berserker pillaging villages and leaving a trail of destruction in his wake. Sheffield were still as ravenous as a pack of wolves and poured forward hunting for more kills. Fozzy, tired of passing to their midfielder, rampaged down the flank and won a succession of corners. Dan lofted a ball that found its target with the accuracy of the arrow that killed Harold and Daz spun onto the volley, sweetly arabesque, firing the ball into the roof of the net.
The referee who had controlled proceedings like a master conductor brought the symphony to a close and the sides trudged off to enjoy the facilities fit for jubilant and triumphant kings, rubbing off the mud with socks and getting changed in their cars.
Final score – Whiston 2 – 5 Academicals
Man of the Match votes were a 3 way tie between Alex Daz and Whitey. Alex got the nod.