Post by Geoff on May 22, 2009 7:38:57 GMT
Love’s Labour’s Lost
To be or not to be that is the question?
With the mysterious departure of the Tinkerman still a Bone of contention, coaching double act Paul and Paul arrive gallantly to assist the lovely Sarah, truly a damsel in distress!
As the boys are whisked away in the luxurious team bus for their high profile Cup Final, Newport’s die hard supporters weave their way through Saturday shoppers to arrive in plenty of time at Stadium mk. After running the gauntlet of the Chiltern and Thames Valley Air Ambulance supporters bound penniless up the stairs and into the imposing ground.
A quick glance at the programme (£2? at Ikea that would have got 6 meatballs and a pint of Skol) revealed it had been written by a disgraced lexicographer with the Newport Pagnell Town Panthers team resembling the cast from a thingyens novel.
Newport’s considerable support was swelled by those on corporate packages whose next stops will surely be Royal Ascot, Wimbledon and Henley but not Preston Gawcott in December.
"Will we suffer from not having a competitive game for a month?" says Paul
"Will West Bletchley be drained from playing too many games recently?" says Paul
"All the worlds a stage” says a bemused Sarah
And onto the match we go, the final chapter in Newport’s helter-skelter season. Both teams take to the pitch, cue music, applause, line ups, introduction to local dignitaries, National Anthem, Katherine Jenkins, Ring a Ring a roses and all shake hands ... and finally some football.
Both teams line up with a 4 4 2 formation , anticipation heightens and with a sharp "peep" from the refs whistle we are under way. The pitch is in remarkable condition considering the previous night theatrics and the teams look well matched in the first 30 seconds until a through ball to the WB number 10 beats the Newport defence and a calm lob over the advancing Tom sees the ball loop into the Goal. 1-0 West Bletchley.
"Gosh “says Paul
"Crikey” says Paul
" If you prick us do we not bleed” says Sarah
The worse possible start has Newport reeling and supporters fearing humiliation against a team that is on course for the division one title.
As Nathan Arker marshalled his troops Newport rallied and after 5 minutes a crunching tackle from Ollie poleaxes a WB midfielder and set the tone for Newport’s steel and determination throughout the game.
After 20 minutes Newport’s injury problems began as a distraught George limped off with a groin injury causing Paul and Paul to make an early change, the ethereal Tinkerman look down from above, for all was not well.
The half progressed with WB looking the more organised team and more likely to score without creating any clear cut chances. Newport allowed WB time and space in midfield which they exploited well. Midway through the half a superb 35 yard shot from Ben F had the WB keeper stretching to kick clear off his line and with the Newport back four playing higher than an MPs expense claim the boys were certainly not going down without a fight.
Paul and Paul were not resting on their laurels and with ten minutes of the first half remaining pushed Jordan forward in search of an equaliser playing three at the back. However shortly after this piece of tactical brilliance came the moment that probably sealed Newport’s fate as the talismanic Ben F and commanding Nathan went in for the same tackle which resulted in an ankle injury to Ben which ruled him out of the game.
Paul and Paul prayed for halftime, Ali was increasingly isolated up front and WB surged through Newport’s midfield that struggled to readjust. Some fine saves from Tom kept Newport in the game and the half ended 1 - 0 to WB with all to play for.
The boys marched down the tunnel eager for half time inspiration, and as relatives , friends and WAGS contemplated the first half a lone dove soared from the adjacent stand to take his lofty perch on the stadium roof in doing so embracing the spirit of football , harmony and peace.
The boys are soon out for the second half and as Ali races into the penalty area to meet a cross ball he is knocked to the ground by the WB keeper.
" Penalty " screams Paul
"Penalty" screams Paul
"If you tickle us do we not laugh ?" muses Sarah
But obviously discretion was the better part of valour as the ref waved away Newport’s protests.
After 5 minutes a through ball on the left and a great cross found the head of a WB player who rose and steered the ball past Tom to complete a lovely move.
West Bletchley 2 Newport Town 0
For the remainder of the second half the two teams were evenly matched which is a great credit to a depleted Newport; chances came and went for both teams, the ball not quite falling for Newport while in the Newport goal the exemplary Tom pulled off a string of fine saves.
A light relief came midway through the half when the WB number 8 slid into a tackle and ended up with a metal pole from the safety barrier embedded in his crown jewels.
" oooh " winced Paul
"ouch " winced Paul
" Much Ado about nothing " laughed Sarah
The approaching hands of an over exuberant paramedic saw the beleaguered number 8 hobble back onto the pitch shaking his head.
Towards the end of a physically exhausting game the large pitch took its toll with several players experiencing cramp and Ben L leaving the pitch with a hamstring injury.Newports bench looked like a military field hospital and the exhausted Dons physio wishes she had stayed at home to do the ironing.
A very fair ref blew for full time with the final score West Bletchley 2 Newport Town 0.
A superb effort by each and every member of the team who all played a massive part in a great final full of commitment and desire.
Congratulations to West Bletchley for an outstanding team performance played in good spirit and good luck for next season.
Newport can now hold their heads high and look forward to next years adventures in division one.
As supporters drifted away from the ground eager to avoid any further contact with the Chiltern and Thames Valley Air Ambulance the lone dove spreads his wings and glides gracefully away leaving the stadium an empty shell.
Thank you Boys, Sarah, Paul, Paul and Tinkerman for a memorable season.
Cowards die many times before their deaths: The valiant never taste of death but once!
WRITTEN BY: MARTIN PENNELL
To be or not to be that is the question?
With the mysterious departure of the Tinkerman still a Bone of contention, coaching double act Paul and Paul arrive gallantly to assist the lovely Sarah, truly a damsel in distress!
As the boys are whisked away in the luxurious team bus for their high profile Cup Final, Newport’s die hard supporters weave their way through Saturday shoppers to arrive in plenty of time at Stadium mk. After running the gauntlet of the Chiltern and Thames Valley Air Ambulance supporters bound penniless up the stairs and into the imposing ground.
A quick glance at the programme (£2? at Ikea that would have got 6 meatballs and a pint of Skol) revealed it had been written by a disgraced lexicographer with the Newport Pagnell Town Panthers team resembling the cast from a thingyens novel.
Newport’s considerable support was swelled by those on corporate packages whose next stops will surely be Royal Ascot, Wimbledon and Henley but not Preston Gawcott in December.
"Will we suffer from not having a competitive game for a month?" says Paul
"Will West Bletchley be drained from playing too many games recently?" says Paul
"All the worlds a stage” says a bemused Sarah
And onto the match we go, the final chapter in Newport’s helter-skelter season. Both teams take to the pitch, cue music, applause, line ups, introduction to local dignitaries, National Anthem, Katherine Jenkins, Ring a Ring a roses and all shake hands ... and finally some football.
Both teams line up with a 4 4 2 formation , anticipation heightens and with a sharp "peep" from the refs whistle we are under way. The pitch is in remarkable condition considering the previous night theatrics and the teams look well matched in the first 30 seconds until a through ball to the WB number 10 beats the Newport defence and a calm lob over the advancing Tom sees the ball loop into the Goal. 1-0 West Bletchley.
"Gosh “says Paul
"Crikey” says Paul
" If you prick us do we not bleed” says Sarah
The worse possible start has Newport reeling and supporters fearing humiliation against a team that is on course for the division one title.
As Nathan Arker marshalled his troops Newport rallied and after 5 minutes a crunching tackle from Ollie poleaxes a WB midfielder and set the tone for Newport’s steel and determination throughout the game.
After 20 minutes Newport’s injury problems began as a distraught George limped off with a groin injury causing Paul and Paul to make an early change, the ethereal Tinkerman look down from above, for all was not well.
The half progressed with WB looking the more organised team and more likely to score without creating any clear cut chances. Newport allowed WB time and space in midfield which they exploited well. Midway through the half a superb 35 yard shot from Ben F had the WB keeper stretching to kick clear off his line and with the Newport back four playing higher than an MPs expense claim the boys were certainly not going down without a fight.
Paul and Paul were not resting on their laurels and with ten minutes of the first half remaining pushed Jordan forward in search of an equaliser playing three at the back. However shortly after this piece of tactical brilliance came the moment that probably sealed Newport’s fate as the talismanic Ben F and commanding Nathan went in for the same tackle which resulted in an ankle injury to Ben which ruled him out of the game.
Paul and Paul prayed for halftime, Ali was increasingly isolated up front and WB surged through Newport’s midfield that struggled to readjust. Some fine saves from Tom kept Newport in the game and the half ended 1 - 0 to WB with all to play for.
The boys marched down the tunnel eager for half time inspiration, and as relatives , friends and WAGS contemplated the first half a lone dove soared from the adjacent stand to take his lofty perch on the stadium roof in doing so embracing the spirit of football , harmony and peace.
The boys are soon out for the second half and as Ali races into the penalty area to meet a cross ball he is knocked to the ground by the WB keeper.
" Penalty " screams Paul
"Penalty" screams Paul
"If you tickle us do we not laugh ?" muses Sarah
But obviously discretion was the better part of valour as the ref waved away Newport’s protests.
After 5 minutes a through ball on the left and a great cross found the head of a WB player who rose and steered the ball past Tom to complete a lovely move.
West Bletchley 2 Newport Town 0
For the remainder of the second half the two teams were evenly matched which is a great credit to a depleted Newport; chances came and went for both teams, the ball not quite falling for Newport while in the Newport goal the exemplary Tom pulled off a string of fine saves.
A light relief came midway through the half when the WB number 8 slid into a tackle and ended up with a metal pole from the safety barrier embedded in his crown jewels.
" oooh " winced Paul
"ouch " winced Paul
" Much Ado about nothing " laughed Sarah
The approaching hands of an over exuberant paramedic saw the beleaguered number 8 hobble back onto the pitch shaking his head.
Towards the end of a physically exhausting game the large pitch took its toll with several players experiencing cramp and Ben L leaving the pitch with a hamstring injury.Newports bench looked like a military field hospital and the exhausted Dons physio wishes she had stayed at home to do the ironing.
A very fair ref blew for full time with the final score West Bletchley 2 Newport Town 0.
A superb effort by each and every member of the team who all played a massive part in a great final full of commitment and desire.
Congratulations to West Bletchley for an outstanding team performance played in good spirit and good luck for next season.
Newport can now hold their heads high and look forward to next years adventures in division one.
As supporters drifted away from the ground eager to avoid any further contact with the Chiltern and Thames Valley Air Ambulance the lone dove spreads his wings and glides gracefully away leaving the stadium an empty shell.
Thank you Boys, Sarah, Paul, Paul and Tinkerman for a memorable season.
Cowards die many times before their deaths: The valiant never taste of death but once!
WRITTEN BY: MARTIN PENNELL
