So it begins again. After barely six weeks break, we’re back with a new manager, a new owner, and hopefully a new set of targets. It’s been relatively easy to be positive about our progress with them up the road shooting themselves in the foot at every available opportunity (and a few opportunities that no-one else saw coming). The sale, the Holland nonsense, the players wanting away, the Owen brochure, the pay rises… even I couldn’t make it up.

Having spent the last two weeks on a football-free holiday (on which I met a dog called Zidane in Iceland, and one of Ross Wallace’s former teachers), I was champing at the bit to see a ball kicked, and a straight-from-work trip to Darlo was just what the doctor ordered. As Brucie was taking a squad of 22, it seemed appropriate to call in at Number 22, where they had eleven beers to choose from, and that was before the fancy foreign stuff. From there, I fell in with a few red and whites at the Pennyweight, which still displayed the Cisse goal against the Mags with the words “get in” written across it, but also had a Mag on a mountain bike leaning against the bar. Strange.

Onto the shuttle bus to the ground, which took longer than scheduled because they charged £1.30 rather than the £1 advertised with the match ticket. A big shame considering the repeated statements that no car parking would be available for visiting fans at the ground, especially when there were acres of empty car park on view.

The 5,871 crowd was shared between an empty east stand, a smattering of folks in the south and west, and a packed north stand. Guess where we were. Brucie’s first selection was a 4 5 1, Healy being the lone ranger. Behind him were:

Carson
Bardsley, Ferdy, Collins, McCartney
Steed Leadbitter Henderson Richo Reid

Darlo started with three numberless players, showing the size of the task facing Toddo, the first name to adorn my schoolbag in glorious six-inch blue letters back in the day.

Henderson played in an unfamiliar central position, presumably to let his new boss see what he could do, and Richo played the support to the lone striker and did it well. As the obligatory beach ball bounced around our section, we won an early corner, and Henderson put himself about a bit. Dean Windass had a bit of banter with our fans, Steed put in a good tackle to allow Richo to shoot wide, and the game settled into pre-season territory, lots of nice one touch stuff from both sides, but no real crunchers from the “smaller” side. In fact, the wildest challenge of the first half came from Bardsley, who adopted the “pretend I’ve hurt myself and I might not get booked” position until given a good slap on the head by Ferdy. Before this, Richo produced another with another good run, which saw the ball cleared to Bardsley who, with much “shooooot” prompting, fired not far over the top.

As the Mackem Mover gave us a few glimpses, Richardson tried with his left foot after twisting in from the left, but the best shot so far came from Darlo on the half hour – easy for Carson, thankfully, at the second attempt. There was lots of pretty stuff, but, as is the case in most friendlies, the cutting edge was held back. Just as we were settling for a goal-free first period, Reid fired in a hopeful attempt that beat the keeper all ends up, making it look a much softer goal than it really was. A few minutes later Reid’s cross was fumbled and Richo slammed the ball home from ten yards out to give the scoreline a more respectable look.

Being the first away game of the season (ish) I had a wander around to see who was about, and while I renewed a few acquaintances, it never ceases to amaze me how many folks at away games I don’t recognise. You’d think I would have met them all by now.

Despite declaring that he wasn’t going to play a different team in each half, Bruce brought on eight subs for the second half, with only Carson, Collins, and Henderson surviving from the first. As the rain intensified, the reserves (for that is what they largely were) showed why they’d done so well last season as they passed it about sharply and made the home same chase shadows for long periods. Meyler, Colback, Waghorn, McShane, Stokes, Edwards, Noz, O’Donovan,and Anderson (aye, Russell Anderson) came on at some stage, with Henderson leaving part way in. Colback and Waghorn showed why they’re held in such high regard, with one pulling the strings and the other showing touch, strength, and pace to go close on several occasions.

There was a warm reception for Darren Williams when he came on for Darlo, and Waghorn won a corner with another effort. Carlos fired it in, and McShane headed off the underside of the bar and in, although some reported it as an OG. Unfortunately, he didn’t last long after that as he appeared to twist his knee, and we switched to three at the back, despite a moment of tension when Noz did what Noz tends to do and gave the ball away, we were always in control. As the clock ticked down, a loose back pass was picked up by O’Donovan, who took it wide of the keeper before firing home. There was still time for Carlos to hit the post with a low shot from near the corner flag, and Stokes to put in the half’s wild challenge before the whistle went and we were out into the wet. To be perfectly honest, I lost track of who replaced who, but these things happen. For the record, the official line-up was:

Carson, Bardsley (McShane 46), McCartney (Anderson 46), Ferdinand (Nosworthy 46), Collins, Malbranque (Edwards 46), Leadbitter (Colback 46), Henderson (O'Donovan 62) Reid (Meyler 46), Richardson (Waghorn 46), Healy (Stokes 46) or something like that.

All in all, a satisfactory night’s work, with the injury to McShane the one black spot. Let’s hope it’s not too serious.

Man of the Match? First half, Richardson,showing how to support a lone striker. Second half, Waghorn for showing what he’s made of.

Keep the faith

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