Fast, fluid, free, flair-laden.

None of those words will be used again to describe the 1s game away at Castle Hill on Saturday.

Upon arrival at the ground in Romantic Bolton, the cosmopolitan Old Mancs AFC felt like they’d been transported back in time. The cobbled streets and old mills were like something from the 1800’s. And Castle Hill’s tactics matched their surroundings.

A sunny and mild day broke out in this pocket of Lancashire with a reasonable, lush pitch awaiting the game. The opposition promptly chose to ignore this pitch, instead pumping long high balls towards our goal all game. Think Stoke away or The Crazy Gang at Selhurst Park.

Old Mancs started brightly, which has been a common theme in recent games, asserting a degree of pressure on the opposition goal with spells of decent possession and threat without finding a breakthrough. As has also been a common theme in recent games, Mancs then conceded the first goal.

Normally praised far and wide, not only for his hairstyle but also for his flawless distribution, Joey Molloy in the Old Mancs goal discharged an uncharacteristically short goal kick which was seized upon by the Castle Hill forward. Such was the shock among the defence they were unable to put their tongue’s back in their heads quick enough to stop the forward bearing down on goal before finishing coolly to give Castle Hill the lead. In Joe’s defence, he can be excused for the kick because he was wearing a Turtleneck under his kit and not his preferred choice of crew neck under layer. Joe’s pro plus before the game will not be forgiven though.

Try as they might, Mancs couldn’t get back into their stride for the rest of the first half. A wonder clearance on the line by their defence and a good save on another occasion from their keeper aside Mancs needed to up their game in the second half.

A kick about the backsides came in from player-coach Aspinall at half time and Mancs set about the opposition in the second half with renewed impetus. Mancs kept playing their football and worked Castle Hill hard. Some solid work down the flanks created openings for Old Mancs but they couldn’t convert until King Dong Levi got us off the mark with the equalizer. (Apologies Levi I’ve totally forgotten what happened for that goal – was probably good though!)

At 1-1 Mancs looked like the only side in the game as the half wore on. A couple of saves kept Bez I mean Molloy from going under in goals whilst we piled on pressure in search of the winner.

All three substitutions had been made a-la Mourinho as Mancs threw everything at the opposition’s tired legs. The ball was worked around the pitch well and another goal-line clearance prevented Killer from bagging a goal for his sustained efforts.

As the game entered its denouement (conclusion for those who need help) the score was locked at 1-1 and it looked like 2 points dropped for the lads.

Levi had other ideas.

With seconds left on the clock the ball was worked out to the Old Mancs left. Jazz and Henstock combined before the ball found Killer’s feet just inside the opposition’s penalty area. A deft touch and turn followed by an early shot looked goal bound but was parried by the keeper across his goal. It took a brave soul to pounce on the loose ball and take the inevitable crunch that was coming from their desperate defenders. However, Levi was that brave man, reaching the ball first to prod home the winner with all but the last kick.

Mancs’ cheer could be heard as far away as 2014 as Levi was mobbed by his team mates to celebrate a deserved Mancs winner. An honourable mention needs to be made to the Castle Hill players who were out on their feet by the end but all that Monday night lifting of tyres told with the last gasp winner which puts us 9th in the league with games in hand.

On a serious note, we showed a lot of character to win that game even when the football wasn’t flowing as much as we’d like. Let’s start doing that more often and make that the first of a good run.

By RAY

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