Cod Almighty | Diary

Turned out alright

6 February 2017

Irregular Diary writes: So I was asked to do a little bit of writing for Cod Almighty after Miss Guest Diary signed off for a while. I wasn't sure how to follow some good diaries over the last couple of years.

I thought I'd start with waffle about the most exciting deadline day GTFC have had for some time, so good that we extended it until 11:45pm. All those poor souls that had pounds on Omar to stay were left hacked off after 11pm went by and he finally went. I'm not saddened by it, not like I would be when Captain/Leader/Legend Craig Disley steps down. Not because I don't treasure his goals at Braintree and the tear-soaked double at Wembley. Hell no, he's part of this great club's history and I will be forever grateful. I'd say probably because it was always the plan? Develop and cash in. It meant the deal for Sam Jones finally went through and we made a cheeky 11pm signing of Calum Dyson from Everton. Welcome both!

As Saturday neared, I even started to guess what the formation and starting line-up would be. The only name guaranteed was 'Deano' Henderson. Except he bounced back to Manchester United when they recalled him. The reaction to the thought of James McKeown coming back was bonkers: some like me and those I sit with happy to get all the nonsense put to bed, and others that couldn’t forgive or forget. I like Jimmy Mac and I like the fact he wants to be part of the local community; local village fayre, football in the community you’ll see him there. Does that give him the divine right to being nailed on number one each week? No of course it doesn't. But what it should do is give the guy some breathing space in a situation alien to him.

So to game day and what it’s all about. Whatever may have gone on in the week, the fact of the matter is it that all comes down to 90 minutes at 'The BP'.

I would never have guessed the starting line-up but the 3-5-2/5-3-2 formation was almost a given. We never do particularly well against Luton at home and with their midfield strength and the perceived issues we've had in there over the last few games we hoped yet another combination would solve the problem.

The first half was promising. The whole team looked stronger. Gone were players being brushed off the ball with a glance and instead we set about with a guile and purpose all over the pitch, looking to pass with accuracy. Osbourne looked assured yet again and Comley is impressing too.

At the back we had three no nonsense defenders that put their heads where some players wouldn’t put a boot. And they could all play. Gunning walks round with a swagger and carries the ball forward with ease when he fancies. Collins is where he needs to be when he needs to be every time and Shauny Pearson has turned into a right footballer. Did everybody see his fancy footwork at the Pontoon end in the second half before he put a nice cross in? The other players were in shock too, except his defensive partner GG who found it hilarious.

Then did anybody write a script? There was relief all round as Clements got his first goal for the club. All went well until I uttered the immortal phrase "We need another goal here." Bloody hell. I didn’t mean the opposition. The script demanded five minutes of added time to see out, a slip in the box and an unintentional handball that meant a penalty. Time to shine, Macca. And he did, saving to his right before the ref blew for a foul and then full time.

Turned out alright in the end didn’t it?

I walked out of Blundell Park with a smile. We’d not won and could well have lost but that’s probably the most cohesive and effective home performance for a while. I walked out of BP with a smile, but that won’t be as big as the smile on Man of the Match James McKeown’s face.

Welcome back Jimmy Mac. Now let's crack on to Crewe!

UTM