Diary Of A Norfolk Mariner

By: KLM
Date: 30/09/2004

WHAT shall I do today, I thought to myself. Billo has already sorted a reporter for the game tonight, so I could get on with a few jobs around the flat. Oh sod it, can't be bothered doing that so lets go to Carlisle for the LDV game instead!

Car fuelled, snacks purchased and CD's stacked I set off on what was to be quite a pleasant 261 mile trip to the far North West. An uneventful journey ensued, and after suffering the usual traffic problems, roadwork's and general bad driving I decided to treat myself to a pit stop at Scotch Corner.

After consuming a most welcome Little Chef Olympic brekkie and a generous mug of Latte', I completed my ablutions and ventured outside to recommence my journey. Imagine my surprise on seeing the GTFC team coach in the services. I allowed myself a small delay and had a chat to Monsieur Pinault before heading off again, only to very nearly run Rob Jones over on the other side of the roundabout!

A leisurely drive across the A66 was only broken when the Team Coach steamed past me (Surely the pre match meal at The Swallow Hotel wasn't that exciting to rush for was it?) And I arrived in Carlisle in plenty of time, well, 1730 actually! with plenty of time to have a drive round the town and take in some of the sights. 10 minutes later! I'd found somewhere to park and located a nice little watering hole. (The Castle did look good though)

On arriving at the ground and walking the perimeter twice, I discovered that I was the first mad fool to turn up for the game and there ensued a protracted wait for a glimpse of another black and white shirt, or anything that would show me that I was not going to spend the rest of the evening alone.

The praying helped when I got my second sight of the team coach as it pulled majestically into the car park. Noticeable omissions, as the players disembarked, were "Stan", Macca, Parky and Crowe. Hmm, I thought, what sort of side is Saviour Slade putting out tonight?

That question was soon answered when the team was announced shortly prior to kick off which, incidentally, was delayed for 10 minutes due to, wait for it….. Crowd congestion!!! Oh how the 70 or so hardy souls chuckled!

The team then

Williams, Young, Coldicott, Hockless, Bull, Jones(c), Marcelle, Robinson, Forbes, Cramb

Subs

Reddy, Fraser, Fleming, Hegarty, Gordon

The game kicks off at a leisurely pace and after much to-ing and fr-oing Town found themselves 1-0 down after 3 minutes! A cross, or was it a corner, came in from Town right and Williams bellowed a very confident "KEEPERS", and then dropped it in front of Henderson who, not believing his luck, duly despatched it. Serious note here, was it professional of Williams to laugh at his mistake, I think not!

The 6th minute brought a neat little move down the left but Town were unable to do anything else, other than, be neat!

There then followed 9 minutes of hoof, hoof, and hoof, which ended with a nice turn and shot from Hockless, which Westwood saved comfortably.

17th minute and Town were awarded a free kick in a good position just outside the box. We waited with baited breath for Pinault to……..waste it by putting the ball straight into the wall!

23 minutes and Farrell from Utd is booked for a rash, and late, challenge on Young.

24 minutes and Towns' Robinson collects the ball and after beating a lazy defender unleashes a shot which whistled just over the Carlisle bar…ooooooh. we went, all 70 of us!

27 minutes and Anthony Williams hangs on to the ball far too long and the ref awards an indirect free kick to Carlisle, inside the area (think that's the first time I've seen that happen) thankfully though the ensuing shot flashes the safe side of our post.

33 minutes and Coldicott is booked, but haven't got a clue why!

35 minutes and only a great tackle by Forbes saves the Grimsby defence again.

37 minutes and its Crambs turn to be booked, again the reason unknown (maybe for having nice hair!)

43 minutes and more loose defending by Town leads to a cracking shot by Farrell, which smacks against the bar.

44 minutes and, yippee! Cramb scores for the Mariners after a good move. The crowd went wild, well, as wild as 70 can go!

45+1 Marcelle went on a mini mazy run and shoots just wide.

45+2 the ref spoils the upturn in Towns efforts by ending the half.

48 minutes and Marcelle is led off the field with a cut head after an innocuous 50/50 with "one of them"

53 minutes and Carlisle are awarded a penalty due to a Town defender (Jones I think) bear hugging another one of them. We held our breath ready to berate anything that moved, but lo and behold Williams pulled off a great save low to his left. And the chanting started, "Wales Wales number 6"….more chuckling.

The next 9 minutes consisted of much pressure on the Town goal, which was, surprisingly enough, dealt with, almost admirably.

57 minutes and Westwood pulls off a great save from a Bull shot, which followed a great move by Town.

63 minutes and Reddy (sporting his traditional trendy haircut and knee warmer) replaced the labouring Robinson (are we really going to sign him?)

64 minutes and Peanut, sorry Pinault, unleashes a shot, and, yep, you've guessed flies over, but only just!

67 minutes and Fleming replaces Pinault (why?) and his first contribution is to put the ball straight out of play.

69 minutes and, bugger…goal to Carlisle… Grimsby give away a needless free kick on the left and very loose defending allows Grand a free header which Williams had no chance with at all.

A frenetic 10 minutes then took place with no great threat to either goal until Town managed a half decent move down the opposition left which ended with Reddy firing over from 4 yards out!…..Blast and Poo we all shouted!!

The last 10 minutes showed nothing at all, other than a weak Jones header, a great run from Cramb and Carlisle's McDonagh sent off for a two footed lunge on, erm, someone!

Final score - Carlisle 2 Town 1

Summary

A very poor performance by Town, with only a few glimpses of what they can achieve.

Carlisle however, were definitely "up for it" and deservedly, in my opinion, got the result that their work rate and effort demanded. Well done to Paul Simpson and his team.

Ups

Terrel Forbes - Solid in a not so solid defence
Colin Cramb - May be a well travelled striker, but showed plenty of potential, and could prove the one we want.
Rob Jones - Seemed to strike a partnership with Forbes.
Ronnie Bull - A bit like Parky, never stops running.

Downs

Robinson - Definitely not the one for me.
Marcelle - Possibly past his sell by date, if he had one in the first place.
Hockless - Very disappointing indeed and after that performance may not figure too much again this term.

I am sure that Mr Slade will have said all that there was to say about the match the performances of some of the players, so it wouldn't do any good by me having a rant now.

What I will say is thank you to Mr Fenty for taking time out to join us in the stand and spend time with us, a nice touch indeed.

So, should I have made the 522 mile round trip from the wilds of Norfolk? I will let you discuss that at your leisure!

Roll on Friday night.

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