211109RadcliffeBvCablesRpt1

A war of attrition, Flanders field as the Cables dug in to the trenches to repel the invading hordes. Sterling performances all round. Paxton, octopus like growing several more limbs stopped everything thrown at him. McIntosh and Liptrot a defensive wall defying all bombardment to keep Radcliffe at bay.

But still the quality. Cooney a balding Brazilian twisting and turning this way and that leaving shoals of bewildered blue shirted defenders floundering in his wake. Time running out and almost a third - a lofted ball from the wing and Thurston's expertly executed volley just failing to beat the keeper.

Game almost over and the diminutive match official awards yet another in a seemingly endless stream of edge of the area free kicks to the home side. Quickly taken. 2 - 1. Then a period of interminable added time for the anxious Prescotians to endure. One more breathtaking match saving stop from Paxton and it was all over.

To finish the day a short walk into the stark Stalinist interior of the Radcliffe social club for over priced refreshment and to greet our victorious, battle weary black and amber heroes. Then the final act, off home amongst the smiling faces on the Cables charabanc ( or in my case the 18.37 from Piccadilly ) to tea and toast and drying of socks by the fire ......... or for a night of drunken debauchery in the nightspots of Knowsley.

( Ah, age, thou hast lost thy labour ! ).Job done.

Reporter - Mr Ste Nolan esq.