The Diary

Cod Almighty | Diary

Set in a dystopian non-League post-season, six teams battle 'til only one survives

24 May 2022

Today's diary, from the morning after the night before: welcome!  The first eliminator of the Stockwood and Pettit era. Result: Notts County are eliminated.

Glass Full Diary here, exhilarated following a night of high drama at Meadow Lane. Hope you enjoyed it, whether there in person or reliant on TV coverage.

There'll be a match report later but I can't avoid mentioning a few highlights from cheering on the Mariners at Meadow Lane last night.

We edged the first half, caused our hosts some problems, looked lively, if not especially dangerous. We came out a little less shot shy after the break with marginally off-target efforts from Clifton, Holohan and Clifton again. Plus a disallowed Taylor effort.

The potentially decisive minute began with Taylor's great crossfield ball to Sousa, who seemed set to break clear on the right. Except the ref stopped play, gave them a free kick and booked Taylor for something off the ball. (Shrugs: no, me neither.) Hang on, surely a foul on Smith? Ref waves play on. Phew, blocked. What? Penalty? Really? 1-0 County. A seething away end. 

Off went Taylor and McAtee, the latter with cramp, for Maguire-Drew and Abrahams. Next, we went three at the back with Mani on for Cropper.  96 minutes in and it looks like a brave but frustrating 1-0 defeat. But hang on, the keeper is going up. Hang on, last chance saloon. And... Holohan!  Or as our @officialgtfc Twitter account put it: "90': FIOUHFOSJUGFEOIUVHSEPIUJVHROIREFIGKOFIURJGRIOUHWNO9RGNHR OIUJF9EGWFHU8FJ7N908JYT30J7WERUNGT09GJ8WM09GWRCT G0V8ENG098ETNHG09WEURH ER98RT 89HEROUIGVH WP9UIBNR8H4GEN9-8GWTCE U"

So, extra time. Our season depends on the next 30 mins, or penalties. 3-5-2 isn't quite working. A fourth sub Coke replaces a cramping Holohan. Where's JMD? Which side is Sousa on? Where's Harry? Crocombe and Amos leave a cross to each other, and County nearly win it.

Half time of extra time. Breathe. Clifton moves to right back - 4-4-2 again.

Fifteen mins flashes by. Penalties? A free kick taken in front of the Town fans, headed back across by Waterfall and... Mani!

Parental Advisory Language:

"I’ve just fucking thrown myself at it"

Legend Dizza summarises eloquently.

Fellow Mariners: enjoy today! Hopefully we all enjoy Saturday.

Before then, tonight, is Eliminator #2: Chesterfield versus Halifax. It'll be worth watching if it is half as dramatic, but let's be honest, if it ain't Town, who cares?

The Mariners travel to the Racecourse Ground, Wrexham for Eliminator #3, Saturday 28 May 12.30pm kick-off.

Here we go!