Nigel Preece watched Hereford win at Marine last night.
I felt traumatised still recalling the long drive home from Alfreton two weeks back; I like Liverpool; so I thought why not do an overnighter? Frankly, there was also the thought when I booked my trip that defeat in this game could more or less confirm the R word, at least a stopover in a decent city might cushion the pain a little.
The win on Monday rekindled hope and I was doubly glad I'd booked train tickets and a hotel; decent deals too, Grand National meet starts today (Thursday), I suspect I may have been taken for a ride (sorry) if the game had been 24 hours later.
Journey up went far too smoothly, I even made the 1 minute unscheduled change at Crewe (not a place to spend an extra 30 minutes at if you can avoid).
A potter round Liverpool city centre included stops at the Dispensary (that's a pub, not a pharmacy), the Baltic Fleet and the Bridewell (an ex police lock up, you can sup in an old cell, worth a visit) before a train to Waterloo. It was such a glorious day I took the walk from there along the beach towards Crosby. Gormley's sculptures had been recommended by a fellow fan and I'm glad I made the effort (kept me out of the pub too). Didn't know what to expect but there are dozens of sculptured statues placed all over the beach at varied distances from the water; the most striking bit was where the lowish late afternoon sun made it difficult to distinguish between the silhouette of statues and people on the edge of the sea.
Who knew you would get such culture in a scribbled match report? Back on a different sort of culture, my little pub tour continued with a short visit to the Cornerpost, followed by an hour in the Crosby Co-op (yes, it's a pub).
Right, time for an important football match. We lined up the same as Monday and got off to the same positive start. Our season's been littered with deflating early goals, this time we got the uplift. Good work from Munday found Lane in a bit of space, inside right, and his low shot fizzed into the net. Perhaps a slight deflection? It was difficult to see but no one in the well inhabited away end behind that goal cared.
It was a feisty affair again, Marine weren't afraid to get it wide,then into the mixer as they said in the 1980s but, by and large, we stood up well to the challenge and looked like there was more to come from us on the break. Several clearances from both sides ended up in the back gardens of surrounding houses, please mister can we have our ball back.
One exquisite touch from Lane, followed by a sharp turn should have ended with a better outcome but it summed up our forward play for much of the game, promising but end product (final ball) lacking.
Lane was clattered, earning a panicky home defender a card, Sohna's free kick was palmed away. Daly and Munday had shots that went wide and a good chance for Marine was tipped over by Richardson.
There was a break in play with the ref going over to part of the home support, then speaking to the home dugout, not sure why, we may find out in due course.
We had a couple more fruitless corners before the break. A decent first 45 however, the Mr Negative within me felt there was no way we'd go another half without conceding, confidently stating we'd need at least 1 more goal to get the win.
Salt and pepper cheese pie was good, Harwood Bull, if and when you're next in Marine.
No changes as we defended the goal in front of the decent and vocal away support, overall attendance 1048, a low one these days for Marine, no doubt affected by their season fizzling out and the frs (r stands for red, work the rest out kids, it is my Evertonian mate's description after all) were on the telly.
Marine started brightly, we were under the pump for 10 minutes or so though credit to our determination and organisation as I don't recall any significant danger. The first real chance of the second half fell to Lane, after a typical storming Tustin break, sadly his crisp shot was deflected wide.
It was pretty even after that, Marine dominating territory, we were creating space on the break albeit, again, we failed to turn any such opportunities into real chances.
James was booked for time wasting, Richardson was forced to make two excellent saves as Marine upped the pressure. Our keeper then, as often is the custom, went down injured, I assume he wasn't trying to relieve the pressure and was genuinely struggling? We're above such low tactics after all!!
More clearances ended up in adjacent gardens, D'Ath came on for Lane, one superb bit of defending by Howkins was celebrated by a scream and clench of the fist, highlighting the all round commitment.
It was far from one way traffic, Sohna shot wide, Willcox had an effort saved and someone, Tustin perhaps, couldn't quite get on the end of a dangerous cross.
One sharp turn and shot from Marine went narrowly wide, a nervy moment and the final stages did get a bit too frantic at times, we were all grateful for only 3 extra minutes. Richardson punched clear from one cross, Willo came on for Daly and thankfully the final whistle went. Joy and relief all round.
A critical win and credit to the players for putting in a real shift. I was wrong, thankfully, with my half time assessment of needing at least another goal, we survived this time but need to demonstrate a bit more composure in break situations, Aaron Downes said as much in his post much interview. Hard to be critical though given the effort and schedule.
A short train ride back to the centre of Liverpool and a much needed wind down back in the Bridewell.
No rest for the Supporters too, a huge game on Saturday, unsure if I can make the journey yet but I'm sure many of you will.
COYB
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