OFFEAFC DIDSBURY 2 VS OFFERTON PARK RES / ECSFL DIVISION 3 (19/02/17 - HOUGH END, CHORLTON)

AFC DIDSBURY 5
OFFERTON PARK RESERVES 0

AFC DIDSBURY: Carr, Simpson, Hield (C), Reynolds, Bermingham (Garcia), Higginson, Birtwistle, Kelly,
Rohman (Blackburn), Connolly (New), Adcock (Quaye).

GOALS: Kelly, Connolly, Reynolds, Higginson, Quaye
ASSISTS: Adcock, Higginson, Kelly, Quaye, New
MAN OF THE MATCH: Kelly

REVENGE IS A DISH BEST SERVED LUKEWARM AND A LITTLE DAMP

A number of us still had a sour taste in our mouths from losing away to Offerton two weeks earlier. It could be argued that part of the reason for the defeat was the performance of the referee, but regardless, there was a score to settle. So after clarifying with the ref that he understood the off-side rule, the rematch was on.

In classic 2s fashion, it took a while to get going. With the centre backs making a number of early mistakes, and Offerton fielding a better attacking force then the previous match, it wasn’t long before the visitors went a goal up.

After giving ourselves a kick up the arse, we gained control of the game and started to put pressure on the opposition. The first big push came from Jack Adcock winning a free kick just outside the box. With Chris Kelly standing over the ball, the 3 big men from defence made their way forward, only to turn around and jog straight back as Kelly put the ball into the back of the net from a wonder strike.

1-1, game on.

The free-kick seemed to shock the visitors as AFCD controlled the next phase of play quite comfortably, leading to a fantastic team goal. With some lovely link up play down the left between Ciaran Bermingham, Rob Higginson and Jack Adcock. Higginson managed to play a lovely ball across goal that was put away beautifully by Dan Connolly.

Not long after our second goal, we were attacking again, this time with a corner. Enter the big men. After regaining our breath from the long jog from defence, we formulated our plan and went crashing through Offertons defence. With what is becoming my trade mark move; Dave Reynolds salmon dived between defenders to slot home a text book diving header.

With a lead of 3-1 we started enjoying the game, feeling more and more confident, even with Offerton smashing the bar.

As the game went on, Adcock made way for Ollie Quaye upfront. It was clear Quaye wanted to make an impression. Setting up Higginson for his first goal for Didsbury and then slotting home from an assist from Gaz New, he was giving his all, but he still wasn’t satisfied. 

Midway through the 2nd half, after a great ball through, Quaye had one defender to beat. I don’t know if it was the red mist that came over him, but rather than getting his shot off, he decided to try and break the defender in two with an outrageous McGregoresk volley to the midsection. Having not heard a whistle blow, Quaye calmly slots the ball passed the keeper, only to have the goal disallowed after the ref got over the shock of what just happened.

Offerton did score another at some point but I can’t remember when, or care for that matter.

Winning 5-2, with 2 disallowed goals (Claude Birtwistle is still pissed at Nick Blackburn for being offside and stealing his chance at scoring in the correct goal), some amateur MMA, and a brief moment of decent play from Jonny Owen, made for an entertaining Sunday down at Hough End.

Great game AFC Didsbury 2. Fully deserved. Lets build on that performance and get back to winning ways.

Words by Dave Reynolds

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