Match Report
So a third visit of the season to the Geoffrey Hughes Memorial Ground and a third game on the bounce against Convocation. The ground was laid out on land once attached to Wyncote House and donated by shipowner T Harrison Hughes, in memory of his brother, Geoffrey, who died in active service in France in 1918. The pavilion in the north east corner was built in 1922. But that is recent history compared to All Hallows Church, the shadow of which nearly reaches the pitches and the building of which was financed by John Bibby of Harthill, an iron and copper merchant, in memory of his first wife. She was born on All Hallows’ Eve 1812 and the foundation stone was laid on 31st October 1872. John was the great great great great Grandfather of our very own Peter Bibby, who fittingly made his first appearance of 2018 and played an important part in the outcome.
Some day dreaming and the hopeless navigation of the Skipper left the team in chaos and an embarrassment of riches on the bench at kick off, but the squad was strong and the first half competitive. “I didn’t mean it, but I’m having it” was the frank assessment of Bodey after his long cross evaded the otherwise magnificent home keeper and nestled into the far corner. It was the least the Ramblers deserved after creating a number of good chances, but a soft equaliser was conceded just before half time, leaving the score at 1-1.
Although the first half was one of attacking football, it could barely have been expected to precede the glut of goals that the second half produced. The first was a clinical finish from Jim Byrne, put into space by James Gendall. But as ever, the effort in taking the lead always dwarves the ease with which it is given away, and soon the score was 2-2. Back after his sabbatical researching the more obscure fleshpots of Cheshire, Claypole forced an outstanding save from the Convocation keeper but Gendall clipped home the rebound. Gorton then hotly disputed the nailed on penalty he gave away and it was back to level at 3-3.
Then the game was won. First Mornington, with his only real chance of the game (perhaps?!), saw it well saved but this time McGuckin was on hand to slot home the rebound. Then Bibby played a neat one-two with Claypole to put the game out of reach with a bullet finish. Immediately he dedicated his goal not to his forefathers but to one CRL Shepherd, whose fantastic engagement became real on New Year’s Eve.
But then the lead was lost. Some calamity defending gave rise to the fourth Convocation goal and slack marking at a corner with two minutes to go left the score at 5-5. This was a game that could and should have been won but which was actually brilliantly drawn.
So far this season, the Convocation Series is P4 W1 D1 L2, F 10 A 16. But fear not, the Yellow Book reveals a chance to settle the score at Moor Lane on the 17th February. Not until then will the obvious film reference be invoked.
