Cod Almighty | Diary

Diary - Wednesday 5 September 2012

5 September 2012

It appeared that, last night, Anthony Elding did exactly what any professional footballer should do when he isn't starting games but wants to prove to the manager(s) that he should. His two goals at Barrow after coming on as a sub - including a late penalty - meant that Town escaped Holker Street with a point after being 2-0 down with 23 minutes left to play. And the man who successfully fought for a starting place ahead of Rob Duffy this time last year has probably caused Shouty and Shorty to reassess their striking options once again. With Liam Hearn out long term, Greg Pearson most likely missing for the next few weeks and Andy Cook still scratching for his debut goal, they may just reconsider plopping Elding back into the starting line-up when Conference leaders Forest Green visit Blundell Park this Saturday. Yes, I said 'plopping'.

As far as 2-2 draws go, last night's sounded as dull as ditchwater. It makes your West Yorkshire Diary chuckle each time I hear or read comments from players and managers in this division claiming the standard is higher than a lot of people appreciate. It's not. Judging by the always excellent commentary provided by the great John Tondeur on BBC Radio Humberside, both teams deserved to be shot for crimes against football. In the truly terrible-sounding first half they served up, the competition seemed to be less about who could score more goals and more about which team could put the ball out for a goal kick quicker.

So let's weigh up last night's result constructively, in the context of statistics. The draw means that the Mariners are now five unbeaten, and have only lost one of their first seven games (including three clean sheets). Any point achieved from being 2-0 down in the second half, forgetting what ambitions we would have had at the start of the match, is a point gained in my eyes. Despite playing comfortably on the shit side of average (or being second best, as managers put it), we still scored a couple of goals - both from the tragically unsettled Elding. As we all know, Elding likes to miss at least one excellent scoring opportunity in each game he plays. So when he placed the ball on a white spot 12 yards from goal with just the keeper to beat and only a few minutes remaining on the clock, I'm guessing it wasn't just me whose sphincter ani externus was working overtime.

Barrow's penalty at the end of the half was the first goal the Mariners had conceded before the 81st minute of a match this season. And, bar a few seconds at the end of the Stockport game last month, it was the first time the Mariners had been behind in a game. The response was admirable. However, right now I'm trying to work out whether the comeback was down to sheer effort, desire and desperation on the part of the players, or the threat of sharing the same enclosed space as Rob Scott at full time.

Tonight's yoof game against Pontefract Collieries at Blundell Park will be Robbie Stockdale's last in charge before he takes up his new role at Sunderland. Nothing's on TV this evening (I've checked for you) so get yourself down there for 7:30pm. Entrance is £3 for adults, £2 for concessions. And players at this age tend to pass the ball to each other, so you might just see some football.