16/09 Swindon Part 2

Grimsby Town 1 Swindon Town 2
16 Sep 2003, Nationwide League Division 2

The Swindon player headed off for the touchline, via the cornerflag, and tricked Campbell and Barnard with a Bouldingesque swish. Into the area, along the bye line, Mooney raced to the near post, the ball was pulled back to the penalty spot and Parkin side footed the ball over the bar via Ford’s hand. The corner was half cleared, quarter cleared, eighth cleared and finally not cleared, with Mooney allowed to swivel (or was that the Pontoon’s suggestion) on the centre right and poke a half volley straight at Davison.

Town had attacks, well striped footballers were near the ball at the Osmond end. This forced Swindon defenders to make contact with the ball. A couple of minor breaks down the right resulted in clearances at the near post, being very minor moments of almostness. Ah-ha, Campbell poked a right footed volley from about 20 yards straight at the goalkeeper. Oh, I didn’t mention that Swindon breakaway where McDermott saved the day with a tremendous sliding, scooping tackle at the left hand post, 6 yards out. I have now.

Half way up the stairs of the first half, being 22 minutes and a few seconds precisely according to the speaking clock, the crowd’s attention lost in a haze of alcohol soft middle age, the ball was in an indeterminate, non-threatening position near the half way line. Suddenly Rowan flicked the ball over the top of the Swindon defence. Boulding, about 10 yards inside the half on the right, zoomed forward and managed to wiggle his way in front of the last defender. Excitement at last, especially as the goalkeeper appeared by the scamp’s feet, way outside the penalty box. BOULDING glided past Evans and rolled the ball into the empty net from the edge of the penalty area. Relief, mixed with surprise. A minor earth tremor in Cleethorpes, no injuries.

Did this goal energise the Town players? Did it release them from the shackles of fear, to produce that free flowing football we all love? Err, no. They still ran around a lot, but nothing to report of any consequence. Rowan’s attempted overhead kick ended up as a sliced clearance for Swindon. I’m still thinking...still..still...nope, no more. Nothing, absolute zilcho Towno attacko to describo. Swindon were just better; Parkin and Mooney still buzzed, whilst Gurney and Hewlett commanded the centre of the pitch. But somehow they failed to create chances, a Ford foot and even once, just once, a Crane head, got in the way. McDermott defended without tackling to great effect, robbing and roaming upfield. Swindon resorted to falling in the penalty area, though the referee was as impressed as the Pontoon at such tumbling dice. Bolder flattened Duke in heading the ball and, right at the end of the half, Duke again (I think) fell spectacularly when challenged on the centre right. As the defender missed the ball it could only be a dive or a penalty, in which case the failure to book the Swindon player was crass. Not surprising though, as all through the half Swindon were awarded free kicks when Town players looked at them, even if not in a funny way. How strange that the Swindon defenders were rarely penalised for the laying of hands upon Boulding’s shirt. It would have been nice if the linesman in front of the Main Stand had functional use of his arms, times have moved on from 1872. Offside?

"Crane’s too tall to head the ball".
"Nimmo ate all my friend’s ginger biscuits".
"I wish Cas was playing. He is?".
"They’re all milk snatchers in Grantham".
"Mooney’ll never score in open play"