Match report: Idle FC 1 – 1 Golcar United. Can’t hit a barn door with a machine gun.

Yorkshire Amateur League Division 1 – Saturday 6^th October 2018

Full-time: Idle FC 1 – 1 Golcar United

Goals: C. Halligan

MOTM: C. Swales

Another match against Golcar United and another disappointing performance from the Idle boys. Despite having a relatively strong team out, Idle struggled in front of goal despite creating plenty of chances to really put Golcar to the sword.

The first half saw Idle dominate much of the early possession once again but struggle to create any meaningful chances. Despite Idle’s domination, it was Golcar who took the lead with their only shot on target in the first 45 minutes, cutting out Jamie Allen’s pass from the back and counter-attacking swiftly (someone needs to remove that patch of treacle!) before slotting the ball into the bottom corner.

Idle remained calm despite being a goal down and quickly got back to playing football, working the ball in between the centre-backs and full-backs where there was plenty of space. Danny Rosconie was whipping dangerous crosses in from the right-wing which caused the Golcar defence all sorts of problems however, Idle were unable to take advantage.

However, the pressure was building on the Golcar defence and a series of corners from Jack Strudwick eventually saw Idle equalise. It was Conor Halligan who got his head to J. Strudwick’s cross to power home the leveller.

Idle should have kicked on from this point and made their chances pay but the score remained 1-1 at half-time.

The message at the interval was pretty straight forward. Be patient, move the ball quicker and exploit the space behind the Golcar defence.

Idle continued to dominate the ball, moving it through the thirds and probing what turned out to be a resilient Golcar defence. Conor Swales was once again tackling everything and anything in centre-midfield, keeping the Golcar attack at bay when they did try and break. He was certainly deserving of his Man of the Match award.

Marcus Strudwick claimed every hopeful ball into the box comfortable and saved Golcar’s only shot on target in the second half with an outstretched foot.

I’m getting bored of typing this but… *sigh* despite Idle’s domination the score remained 1-1. Guilt-edged chances came and went with Callum Churm miss-kicking from close range and Jordan Broadbent having his shot cleared off the line.

Golcar’s goalkeeper was in inspired form, saving pretty much everything which came his way. J. Strudwick managed to rattle the cross bar with a half volley from the edge of the area and no matter what Idle tried the ball simply wouldn’t go in!

Here’s actual footage of Idle’s shooting…

To compound what was a disappointing performance, striker and club captain, Aaron Irving suffered a severe injury following a literal hospital throw from Idle goalkeeper, M. Strudwick. Irving lost his footing in the subsequent tackle from the Golcar centre-back and then caught his studs in the turf as he landed sharply which resulted in a fractured fibula.

So with Idle struggling to hit a cow’s arse with a banjo and Irving out for the foreseeable future it could be a long, dark, goalless winter for the blues!

Idle are a team in need of goals and now’s the time for heroes to step-up*!

By Jamie Allen

*No Chandler, that’s not you.