Two out of two – Tickety Boo!

Saturday 18th August

 CML North

Easington United 3 Thorne Colliery 1

 

So, the Olympics are over.  London – and indeed the country as a whole – can be proud of its part in staging what even the Aussies have acknowledged was possibly THE best Games yet.  Ah Sepp Blatter, look what you could’ve won!

The post-Olympics blues have been somewhat hard to shake off.  And I didn’t imagine myself ever saying that!

Still, the start of the domestic season has helped and especially so given our winning start.  There was also a chance for Roy Hodgson’s new young Lions to show how much England’s footballers had learned from the heroes of Team GB.

Singing the National Anthem appeared to be one lesson (although in fairness, the new boss had instilled this practice in most of the squad at the Euros).

The singing of “God Save The Queen” had become something of an issue during Great Britain’s Olympic matches; in particular, the reluctance to join in on the part of the Welsh men and the Scots women became the subject of much comment.

While it irritates me that someone willing to take an official honour from the monarch (as Ryan Giggs did) then admits to being unable to join in with her anthem I do feel the time has come for England’s sporting teams to now have a song of their own.

The rousing renditions of “Land Of Hope And Glory” from the Commonwealth Stadium in Manchester in 2002 nailed that as my choice.  However, I know many people prefer “Jerusalem”, the choice of the England cricket team.  Either way, surely we should now reserve “God Save The Queen” only for sporting occasions in which all four home nations are united?

Thankfully, the England boys appear to have picked up other good habits from the Olympians; winning being one and some proper humility in post-match interviews being another.  I wonder how long either will last!

 

 

The run-up to the first home CML game meant first programme of the new season.  Given the “feel-good factor” present since the appointment of the Sumo, a solid core of Holderness-based players in the squad and the opening day win, I gambled on a decent crowd.

With another BP sponsorship deal secured for the programme and access to the spanking new printer, I have to say this season’s issue looks the best it’s ever done.  And at two quid for 32 pages I think it is excellent value for money – especially as once again there’ll be no gate charged for entry to Low Farm.

With a cracking weather forecast, my only worry was that I hadn’t printed enough copies.  Hmm…

 



 

We buried my Uncle Ted on Saturday morning.  At 83 years old, I believe him to be the oldest yet of Mum’s nine siblings, although Frank and Peter could go on to claim that particular title.

Ted was a farmer all his working life and went out in style, being brought to Skeffling Church on the back of a “thractor an’ thrailor”.  The church was full, the Revd Heale entertained us by, among other things, chewing corn as part of his eulogy and Ted was laid to rest among family and friends.  As surviving son Keith and daughter Wendy wrote in their acknowledgement in the Gazette the following week, it was all “fost rate”.  Just the way Ted would’ve wanted it.
I was glad to swap my suit for something cooler before football.  With Mrs Slush taking the Slushettes to a friend’s party in the afternoon, we enjoyed a leisurely lunch with my mood darkened only by Five Live’s commentary of Becchio’s decisive goal for Colin Wanker’s side at Elland Road.

Before kick-off we had our “official” photo shoot, with the lads sporting the new strip sponsored by Hull-based Sure Powder Coatings Ltd.  With a frame for which our range of club merchandise doesn’t yet cater, the manager looked slightly out of place in his baby pink tee-shirt.  But I think he got away with it…

 

 

We had two changes to the squad from Glapwell, with Meddy away at a Festival and Neilo nursing sore nads following the midweek snip.  I had a feeling that his presence may be missed more, given his industrious debut at Hall Corner, and for the first 45 minutes I was proved right.

After a bright opening ten minutes we were rocked by a spectacular strike from Callum McCormack.  According to Charlie, the 35-yard free-kick “moved all over” en route to going in off the post.  Well, our new matchballs were “Euro 2012 Replicas”!
I stayed away from the changing rooms at half-time, spending the time instead in conversation with Thorne’s hard-working club secretary Joy.  She explained the lack of subs in the visiting contingent – five players were suspended; four as a result of the “feisty” game with champions Westella at the back end of last season.  This also explained the absence of the influential Darren Fell, here today in alternative employ as asst-mgr.  “He’s injured anyway”, added Joy.
Apparently, my absence from the players’ area meant I missed the first Sumo Rant of the new season.  Shame.  At least I got to see the results of it as the lads produced a much improved display to turn the game on its head.

 

Enjoyment at second successive win was enhanced by news of Jay Simpson’s late winner for the Tigers against Brighton.  It was just about enough to compensate for a very poor day on the financial front.

crowd of just 38 had seen the Sumo’s first home win and from that number only ten had bothered to buy a programme.  Alarm bells were starting to ring inside my head.

A full match report of the game, along with Burt Graham's pictures can be found here
Colin Brammer's match photos can be found here