AFC DUKE VS AFC DIDSBURY 2 / ECSFL DIVISION 3 (27/11/16 - TORKINGTON PARK, HAZEL GROVE)

AFC DUKE 1
​AFC DIDSBURY 2

AFC DIDSBURY: Westall, Plowright, Hield, Coleman, Walker (Garcia), Rohman (Quaye), Mackie, Gowrie, Luxton, Adcock (Higginson), Kennedy.

GOALS: Luxton, Adcock
ASSISTS: Gowrie
MAN OF THE MATCH: Mackie

2S ON THE UP WITH AWAY-DAY VICTORY

The pre-match discussion centred around the differing levels of frost that were seen in the leafy suburbs of Manchester on Saturday morning, and the observation that this morning hadn’t turned out as chilly as yesterday. Further discussion included Stockport and its surrounding areas, and once we had all decided that today’s game was taking place in the posh part of Stockport, we were ready for the match.
 
A pre match warning from the ref alerted us to a mud bog in one of the corners, stating that he would call the game off if the ball got stuck there and if the game started to look silly, perhaps he hadn’t reffed many Sunday games before.
 
Didsbury started on the front foot and controlled the game through Dave Gowrie and Jonny Mackie in the engine room, using the width of Ash Luxton and Sham Rohman and great hold up play from Jack Adcock and Matt Kennedy to create numerous openings, although at this point Didsbury seemed a bit shot shy. With the opposition struggling to get a foothold in the game, they were given a momentary reprieve due to the customary dog faeces being spotted by Kennedy, the ref guarded the spot, and the designated excrement officer completed his duty, shovelling with a slick action. He had done this before.
 
Play resumed, Gowrie found himself in space on the right and pinged a dangerous ball across for Adcock who’s grapple with the centre half led to them both missing the ball (allegedly), only for Luxton to arrive late/perfectly on time on the corner of the box, with work to do, Luxton slotted a slick left foot finish into the bottom corner, no chance keeper, 1-0 Didsbury.
 
Rohman had their left back on toast and cut into the box, only to be felled by an agricultural swipe, penalty...surely? Play on said the ref. Didsbury piled on the pressure and were gifted the opportunity to double their lead when the home side’s keeper inexplicably booted the ball (from his hands) straight to the feet of Adcock 20 yards from goal, no mistake with the finish into a goal which was unguarded due to their keeper running away in shame, 2-0. (Can we give the TFC award to an opposition player was the discussion on the side line)
 
 
Jake Coleman and Mark “The Body” Hield attempted to add to the score line with long range toe-bungers only to see their efforts sail over like a Johnny Wilkinson special. The defence was barely troubled in the first half due to an excellent line from all four defenders, limiting AFC Duke to long range shots, one of which was superbly tipped over the bar by the excellent Will Westall who had donned the gloves for the morning, take a bow son.
 
Into the second half and Duke pulled one back with a neat finish from close range, one of the few times their striker found any space in our otherwise resolute defence, 2-1. Didsbury won a free kick near the half way line, The Body strolled forward and took a quick free kick in an attempt to catch them on the break, only to find himself moments later making a last ditch tackle in his own box due to his quick free kick being “intercepted” by a Duke player. Rob Higginson, Ollie Quaye and Oscar Garcia were introduced and joined in the efforts to see out the game. With 5 minutes to play, Garcia brought down their winger whilst attempting to remove his shirt, free kick, and what resulted can only be described as hand bags at ten paces, Garcia was outnumbered 2 on 1, only for a third Duke player to run from behind and perform what some would describe as a reverse clothesline, Garcia hit the ground in his best Sergio Busquets impersonation and proceeded to waste at least 4 of the 5 remaining minutes.
 
The final whistle blew and Didsbury had battled hard to claim the 3 points, which puts them level in the table with today’s hosts.
 
Words by Rob Higginson

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