Mossley v Matlock Town

Usual stuff - got there just into time to hear a roar from the crowd - however it turned out to be from the sizeable Matlock contingent as Lukic put them into the lead before 10 minutes.. Early "worst thoughts" were dissipated when, five minues later, Mossley number 10 Steve Burke went on a fabulous run only for his shot to slam against the bar.

However early "worst thoughts" were then "undissipated" when Barrowclough decided to waltz his way through the left hand side of the Mossley "defence" to make it 2-0 to the Gladiators after about 17 minutes. I managed to watch most of this from the relative safety of the Matock end - they'd bought a few - and a flag - and I heard one guy on his moby being very emotional and almost sounding like a match commentator - so I snapped him:

"Matlock's Motty" - sans sheepskin !

Got chatting with "Flagman" behind the goal who told me that this very same commentary was being relayed to "Peak 107 FM" (Chesterfield radio station). Must have been tricky because - in true Non-Legue circumstances - if you bring a few fans away you attract the local "Club 12-14 chavscum" -theye are definitely there behind the Matlock fone, fans and flag - and they were a real pain in the a*se - but to be fair we get the same in most grounds we go to as well.

Anyroad up 2-0 at half-time - gave me a chance to run to the Co-op for money and fags - no time before the game for the usual reasons - 1841 from Stalybridge to Mossley was 12 minutes late and it was dash home, eat tea, get changed and run up the hill - hence late arrival mentioned earlier.

Oh and on the way back from the Co-op I wandered back past the famous "Mossley Market Place Toilet Block" - it has a 24 hour loo that is always locked and on one side is a Mossley "timeline" telling the history of the town - cop for this major cock-up - or was I dreaming throughout 1980 ...

Cup, Trophy, Vase, Saucer - hey !!!

At least Mossley were kicking "downhill" second half - but did it make a difference - did it hell. Melford headed just over from a free kick early on (a free kick !! a set piece !! this is where all the Mossley goals come from !! - not tonight Josephine....)

Ten minutes in, Mossley keeper made a great save - but Barrowclough snapped up his second from the "afters" - and Matlock's third - and that was basically it. There was more chance of Matlock getting a fourth than there was of Mossley getting even one...

The lure of PSV v Liverpool on the Social Club telly (or was it just the alcohol) tempted a few away from pitchside and for those hardy few who stuck it out, it all petered out into a ...(fill in the missing words)

Believe it was getting on for 45 minutes after full-time before any Mossley players were seen in the bar - which gave the victorious Gladiators first shout at the food (and second and third shout too).

We discussed the commentary situation following the earlier spot - and decided to try to get Kate Adie to come to Mossley - after all she's been in several war zones, so Seel Park should be a cakewalk for her in her natty camouflage combats.

We had "sombre" on Saturday after the Matt Gadsby story - a different kind of sombre at Mossley tonight. Thoughts moved to Saturday and the FA Cup 1st Qualifying game away at Guiseley - to me an easy trip by rail (Mossley-Huddersfield-Leeds-Guiseley then five minute walk to ground). However it's "Take Daughter back to University" weekend - depending on how much we need to cram in the car it's either Mrs Smiffy does the business and I get to go to Guiseley - or we both go down and I go to watch Belper Town v Westfields in the very same FA Cup round (daughter at Derby Uni - mother-in-law in Belper)

We'll have to see....not even looked at a league table after tonight's results (saw most on Sky though - Ashton whipped 5-1 at Witton was the "local interest"). It's going to be a long hard season at Mossley - that's for sure...