Fulham 2nd Half

By: Tony Butcher
Date: 16/05/2001

Before the second half started we had to wait for the half time entertainment to get off the pitch (and I don't mean the Moore brothers). We had the Red Marching Toddlers parading up and down to Colonel Bogey. Except they were so out of time that they looked more like the marching millipedes. I looked around at fellow Pontoonites and they were literally open mouthed at its twee awfulness. I am sure the parents feel proud though.

No changes were made by either team at half time.

The game started at a much lower tempo than the first half and possession was dominated by Fulham. Town sat back a bit and let Fulham weave pretty little patterns in front of them. Mighty pretty some of them were too, but as soon as they got within 35 yards of the Town goal someone would come in and swipe them all away. Town seemed to have perfected the "Grimsby Clamp". One player harries and Pouton runs from wherever he is on the pitch to slide through and win the ball. Tackle after tackle after tackle. The ball spent a lot of time out of play as Town simply destroyed, rarely seeking to attack.

There was a 10-minute spell around the hour when Town didn't touch the ball. But no chances were created. So, desperate defending at times, with many "nearly" moments. There was always a Town player to make the challenge, to clear the lines, to head the ball. Fulham very nearly broke through the middle when Saha drifted past three tackles, but just as he was about to glide through on goal Butterfield ran back and made a fantastic sliding tackle in the area.

You'll notice that I haven't described any shots yet. Well, Melville tried a speculative volley from 30 yards near the right edge of the penalty area, which looped pleasantly straight into Coyne's chest. They had a couple of corners. That's it for the first 15 -20 minutes of the half. Then they brought Barry Hayles on for Stolcars, the Fulham version of Donovan. We have a Jellyfish, they have a Jellied Eel, I suppose. The pattern of the half did not change much except that, as Hayles is stronger and more determined than Stolcars, Fulham actually got into the Town penalty area a few times. Which was nice for their supporters. It is, after all, a long drive for a bag of fish and chips and a game of bingo.

After 70 minutes (yes, 70 - it really did take that long) the Fulham 'keeper kicked the ball straight to Butterfield, about 30 yards out, who headed forward to Willems. The strangely coiffured Dutchman immediately swivelled and tried to smack a first time shot. He miss-hit it straight to Livingstone, unmarked on the edge of the area. Livvo was clearly unaware of the impending ball/foot conflict and was nearly knocked over. He managed to control the ball and shot straight against Melville's legs. That sir, and madam, was Town's only effort on goal in the second half. Effort being the operative word.

The game was not dull, nor the Town performance lacking in any way. They simply held on to what they had, taking no chances at all. There was a slight tactical switch too. Butterfield dropped into a more defensive hole just in front of the back four, with Willems deployed as the support player to Livvo. Donovan stayed wide on the right in a more conventional position, providing cover for McDermott and an outlet for clearances.

Unfortunately, Town spent 10 minutes kicking the ball straight to the Fulham 'keeper. Livvo, who looked totally worn out at half time, spent the second half making fruitless sprints at their 'keeper. Poor Livvo, he ran his heart out ploughing a lonely furrow up front. There was one wonderful moment of sheer Livvo-ness with 15 minutes left. He received a clearance on the half way line and performed three perfect pirouettes, throwing three defenders the wrong way. He laid the ball back, ran to the touchline and kicked the ball out as he was, to put it bluntly, knackered.

Fulham pressed forward in the last quarter of an hour with Hayles heading firmly wide from 8 yards out following a corner from the Town left. They also chipped a free kick straight into Coyne's arms from 20 yards out, just to the right of centre. Their forwards made many searing runs into the penalty area, but they were always, always, crowded out by 2, 3 and 4 Town players. Raven, Groves, McDermott, Gallimore, each made saving tackles and blocks. The centre backs were adept at intercepting Fulham's attempts to dink little passes behind the defence.

And then there was Pouton. He physically and verbally intimidated Boa Morte into a yellow card. He spent a good 30 seconds growling into Boa Morte's face. 10 seconds later Boa Morte made a silly challenge right in front of the referee (a little nudge with his forearm) and Pouton fell over very well. That drew Clark and Melville into a running argument, which put them off too. Three Fulham players spent 5 minutes seeking retribution on Pouton rather than the ball.

With 15-20 minutes left Burnett replaced the limping Willems, who had been tigerish in the tackle, making his fair share of fruity challenges. Both players received standing ovations. Within a minute Burnett had shimmied his way out of defence and produced a 50 yard cross field pass to Donovan's right instep, setting up a dangerous counter-attack. Burnett added some calmness. With less than 10 minutes left Campbell was replaced by D Smith. Again both players received standing ovations. Campbell was even given a resounding "There's only one Stuart Campbell" from the Pontoon. The last 10 minutes were more of the same Town tackles and Fulham pressure, but only one shot on goal. Finnan cut in from the right and fizzed a very hard shot a foot over the centre of the cross bar from 25 yards.

The last quarter of an hour was played out to a soundtrack of a delirious party. All the old chants and songs were wheeled out and the ground rocked. When the final whistle was blown about 4-500 supporters ran on to the pitch in wild celebrations. They all made a beeline for Livvo and Pouton. Livvo was easy to catch - he just collapsed in exhaustion and was carried up on the crowd's shoulders for a while. It was an entirely non-aggressive pitch invasion and soon dissipated. Nearly everyone stayed behind and after 10 minutes the team came out and did a lap of honour. Pouton literally beat the drum in front of the Pontoon and Coyne leapt around shouting and gesticulating. You could say they were happy. And so were we.

Sunday Sunday, looked good to me, it was all we hoped it would be. Town were simply superb, individually and collectively. Groves and Raven in the centre played intelligently - well they had to use their heads as their feet weren't quick enough. Butterfield had one mad minute in the second half when he reverted to little boy lost mode, but it only lasted a minute. The other 89 he looked a natural midfield ball player. You know, we aren't that bad.

It seemed like the gold old days, 1-0 (Groves). Isn't this the way life's meant to be.

Nick0's Man of the Match - It isn't possible to name a man of the match, that wouldn't do justice to the players. There were levels of magnificence. For once there is a joint nomination Groves and Pouton, everyone else gets a very honourable mention in despatches.

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