Norton United 2-2 Cheadle Town

Cheadle recovered from the earliest of setbacks and a two-goal deficit to claim a point in a boisterous game at Community Drive.

When we arrived at the ground, we got the feeling that the overriding theme of the day was "lateness". The Cheadle Town squad were late, England's cricket world cup match started late because of weather and the turnstile-keeper at Community Drive was late; we couldn't get into the ground for quite a while!

There was always the risk that Cheadle's "late" arrival at 2.30pm would mean that the team weren't quite in the right frame of mind for the start of the match. Jesus H Christ, how that proved right for the first twenty minutes of the match as Cheadle gave their hosts a two-goal start.

Not for the first time this week Cheadle conceded a goal in the first five minutes. This time, it was after six seconds; yes, you read it right, six seconds. Neil Logan completely missed a clearing header and then, in an attempt to put his mistake right, ended up heading the ball way wide of 'keeper Danny Smith's reach. The ball was chased down by a Norton winger and crossed into the path of a striker who had an empty net gaping. As it turned out the ball had crossed the line and should have been a corner, but we couldn't really see that from where we were stood.

Norton were having the better of the opening exchanges and could have gone two-up after 15 minutes when a chance flew just wide of the post. They did go two-nil up five minutes later when a penalty was awarded after a Neil Logan foul. Danny Smith's excellent penalty save was rendered ineffective as the rebound was blasted in.

After that - and it's said without bias - Cheadle had the lion's share of the possession, something that would ultimately result in their return back into the match. On 24 minutes Christian Powell was put through but just couldn't get to the ball quick enough. On 38 minutes a shot (we forget by who) flashed just wide of the upright. Christian had another half-chance for Cheadle on the half-time mark, but he just couldn't dig the ball out after receiving a cross from Arron Riley. Half-time, 2-0 to Norton...but if Cheadle could just get a goal, they would be right back in it...

On 50 minutes, that moment came. Arron Riley tore down the right and flew a delicious cross into Deano who slid home. There was a sense that Norton were now panicking a bit. Polardin, myself and the Cheadle bench sensed a result.

Norton passed on the chance to prove us all wrong with a quarter of an hour to go. One of their strikers was put clean through but Danny Smith made an excellent save with his legs to deny him. Four minutes later, that was to prove crucial.

Whilst we were having our ears bent by the Norton secretary about how Deano shouldn't have been on the pitch (perhaps he shouldn't, but we saw nothing of the alleged incident from where we were stood), the ultimate in ironies occurred and Deano nodded in a terrific looping header for Cheadle's richly-deserved equaliser!!

If this match would have gone on for another ten minutes, Cheadle might have snatched a 3-2 victory. But, given the nature of Cheadle's start to the match, we went home quite happy with the draw.

I also went home minus my Cheadle Town badge. A Norton fan had spotted it on my hat and pestered me to sell it to him. Seeing as how it was the only badge he was missing from his NWCFL collection, I did my annual "good samaritan" bit and gave in, agreeing a £3 price. He gave me a pound there and then and said he'd find me later with the other two. He didn't find me, I found him, and when I did, only another pound was placed into my hand. Not wanting to argue the toss over a lousy quid because I'm not a tight-arse, I said nothing....but if you're reading this, Norton fan with my badge, don't think you got away with "conning" me out of a quid!! I'm not as gullible as I look.

I managed to get quite a bit of footage with my camcorder, but the battery gave up just as the match started! I'll edit what I've got and hopefully come up with something that's vaguely interesting. Watch this space....

TEAM: Smith, McDonagh (Brokenbrow), B Roberts, Logan, A Roberts, Lindon, Riley, McFadden, Hussain (Stewart), Martin, Powell (Carpenter). Subs: Brokenbrow, Carpenter, Stewart