We told you it was coming…..
- Long trek to MDT – check
- Horrendous traffic in places – check
- Barnsley sun tan – check
- Jacob Hazel goal (his 99th for the club) – check
- Jonny Margetts goal (his 1st for the club) – check
- Clean sheet for TJ (his 1st for the club) – check
- 3 points (our 1st this season) – check
- Pleasant journey home with my homeboy KDogg – check
- Superb first dance on Strictly by the lad off Emmerdale – check
The boys gave us a performance of inspiration & perspiration yesterday, with equal measures of (Ric) flair & grit to give a good return on the investment of their efforts.
Another shuffle of the pack, Todd Jordan out through suspension with debutant Brad McGowan taking his place in the back line, along with Jack Harrison & fellow debutant Michael Hollingsworth starting in midfield, alongside Jake Currie who came back into the starting line.
The first half was mainly a story of the latter 2 getting the ball forward from midfield to feed Haze, Tom, Rieves or Jonny Margetts & then ultimately Margs having a goal bound shot blocked out for a corner – & repeat & repeat. Margs must have had 5 shots blocked or saved including 2 blocks that looped inches over the crosser.
Within 15 minutes of the restart the Azzurri were in front – Boococks afterburners were in evidence down the right hand side & he got the ball in. Clare had a pop at it, Margs had a pop at it & then Haze stepped in to score one of the easier, but most important, of his 99 goals for the club.
Shortly afterwards Margs hit an excellent free kick which was met with an equally good save.
Market Drayton did their best to get back into the game but the back line were having none of it & as the game moved towards its denouement Margetts put the game to bed. Another goal that won’t feature on Goal of the Season but was every bit as vital as Hazes earlier opener.
The final action of the game came when Frickley won a free kick about 25 yards out – obviously Haze was going to take it & it went agonisingly inches over the bar.
Finally we’d got the 3 points for a win – this is the start of something!
WEBMASTER MOTM – happily I could award this 6 or 7 times over but I get highly paid to make these decisions so I will. The back line were very impressive – Newell playing as a wingback (& centre forward!) at times, McGowan never stopped talking & Sam Liversidge pulled off an incredible goal line clearance when the game was still scoreless. Hollingsworth & Currie were the fulcrum around which our attacks started & which the MDT attacks broke down. Boococks afterburners, especially 2nd half, were pure filth & Haze & Margs were just trouble all afternoon. But I’m going to award the Glitterball to Jake Currie – just got stuck in, alongside Holli, & epitomised the team performance, destruction & creativity
TWITTER POLL MOTM – Nathan Newell takes it from Jonny Margetts, well done Nathan – the Media Team have still got earache from standing next to your dad in the 2nd half!!! Also polling were Jake Currie, Sam Liversidge & Michael Hollingsworth. Thank you to everyone who voted – all votes get carried forward & count towards our Player of the Month Award.
102 through the gate – probably 30-35% of those were Blues fans which is incredible considering where we were results wise & distance wise. I know Frecks was delighted at the support we had yesterday.
Next up – we host Glossop at the Wezzie on Tuesday, see you there
