Cheadle Town (reserves) 1-5 Offerton Green
In the end there was no Polardin nor any regular first-teamers that took to the field last night, but it didn't stop me hanging around to watch Cheadle's reserves get a bit of a whipping at the hands of Offerton Green.
I only recognised three faces last night as those who have donned the first-team shirt on a handful of occasions: striker Stuart Kay (who had a solid, industrious game and was unlucky to leave the field through injury), goalkeeper from last season Danny Smith who seems to have fully-recovered from his operations over the summer and bleach-haired Mr Thirkle (his first name escapes me) who was playing last Saturday against Styal.
If I'm being honest and impartial, it was Offerton that asked the most questions throughout the game and - as the scoreline would suggest - were more economical with their attempts on goal.
Cheadle's first strike in anger took 20 minutes to surface with a close shot over the bar, but that's when Offerton's economy started to kick in. Five minutes later they were ahead with a well-worked move that resulted in a shot being neatly tucked under Danny Smith's body. Cheadle's Stuart Kay went close with another shot on the 30-minute mark that was closely followed by Offerton cracking the foot of the post. Seven minutes later and Offerton extended their lead after the Cheadle left-back was punished for dallying on the ball and failing to clear. Half-time, 2-0 to Offerton.
Offerton put the game out of Cheadle's reach on the hour mark with a goal that was nothing short of a catastrophe for the substitute Cheadle 'keeper and the defence as confusion and mis-kicks left Offerton with an open net.
Cheadle finally managed to get in on the tally just three minutes later with a simple tap-in but were given no mercy by Offerton who went 4-1 ahead just three minutes later with a well-crafted goal. A cross over from the right was met with an unstoppable side-footed volley into the corner of the net.
With 15 minutes left Offerton took the scoreline into the "hammering" category as one of their forwards beat the advancing Cheadle 'keeper to the ball to lift it over his head and into the unguarded net.
A rough start then for Cheadle's new reserves team manager Andy Street. I'm sure he won't let it bother him that much as the team have got a whole season to gel.
No pictures, I'm afraid....
