Runcorn Linnets v Cheadle Cheese

What a night in the home of the linnets. Extrordinary stuff. Trevor Howard is fast becoming a legend, to field a side cut in half by suspensions, a team that pretty much has not played together before and keep the system in tact was quite something.

To play the runaway leaders of the league, a team that in their first two games scored nine times without conceding, a team made up of Unibond league players largely who after three games have only had a penalty scored against them. Then to go down 1-0 after 4 minutes and still manage to control the game for most of the first half, not losing our shape or confidence or self-belief and in fact scoring the goal of the half (Arron give us a wave!) All in all a tremendous first-half display, more chances created than the home side and if not for two lapses of concentration at bad times we'd have been 1-0 up at half time. Our goal was a beautifull worked 4 pass exchange: true Cheadle Cheese style.

Who knows what happened to the second half: it disappeared into the twilight zone. Both teams just seemed stale and trapped by the referee's whistle and unending conferences around decisions. We on this blog are not one for griping, but we have encountered this referee before. Let's just say he didn't help the flow of the game. But for a superb goal from the Linnets and another from us the game died but a tremendous performance to score twice against the form team of the league.

As we did last season with FC United we showed how well-equipped we are against the bigger clubs. We now are the only side not only to score against the Linnets but score twice! We do have to maintain our dont' dive philosophy: it is what tells us apart from the disease that has corrupted football. If Cheadle don't dive then every team we play will know they've been in a game. Trevor is building a team in his own image here, a "never say die give it your best shot" attitude.

Now our thoughts return to the FA Cup. As a native of the North East I have added hope for this coming Saturday as we have the prospect of facing another geordie team in the First Qualifying Round: a chance for a trip back to my roots and bring my dad along!!

Lastly a little word of sympathy for our league collegues Blackpool Mechanics who, having beaten Armthorpe Welfare 2-0, have been removed from the competition because they fielded a suspended player, Craig Worthington who also happened to score! We feel for you as we were missing four players from suspension last night. It's hard to compete at this level as it is without extra losses. We look forward to our visit and day out in the league at Blackpool, and there's always next year!