Clachnacuddin 0-0 Turriff
There\\'s an expression that I have come to use in eagerness of a new season, and it conjures up all those hopeful feelings that we have in July, tempered by the reality, usually by the end of September, that the season might not be coated in the kind of glory that we were wishing for. That term, is "Anticippointment".Okay, that word is largely attributed to my North London based Lilywhites, but it can generally be applied to most Clubs outside the Top 4 of most leagues, including our own.
The Gaffer was invited this week, to be a guest panellist, on The Highland League weekly, and he could not disguise his frustration at how money is increasingly tainting the Beautiful Game, at all levels. But as Conor quite rightly suggests, "It is what it is". And while he might not be able to compete with the Big(spending)Boys, nobody can match the Gaffer for passion, energy, and pulling off the white jeans/shacket combo. Not even Ant and Dec.
But, you have to play the cards you are dealt, and fortunately we still have a pretty good hand. A blend of youth and experience, natural skill and hard work. There is a lot to be hopeful about.
So, yes, today, it\\'s a new dawn, it\\'s a new day, it\\'s a new life...for me. And I\\'m feeling good. And while it was unlikely that we would get Nina Simones classic blaring out the tannoy, the sentiment was only too obvious. These season openers are invariably exciting. New faces(not as many as some might have liked), new kits, new challenges and new dreams. A good numbered, and good natured crowd converged on the Ferry San Siro in readiness for the unpredictable. Some of our faithful had earlier said a fond farewell to Lily Loyal Gus Morrison, who recently passed away, and a minutes silence to the man was respectfully observed. It is also a timely reminder, if we needed it, that there are some things more important than football.
Our visitors today, Turriff United, without their higher scorer and ICT bound Miller Keir, were still going to be a tough test. Having drawn and lost to them last time out, we knew that we would need to be at our best.
While the clear blue skies may have largely deserted us, the green lushness of the playing surface again provides a testament to the devotion and tireless efforts of the grounds keeping team. Take a bow guys.
This is a magical place. More than a Club, as they say in Barcelona.
There was also enough familiarity to feel comfortable, like wearing a favourite shirt or a well worn pair of slippers, coming through the gates on day one of a new season is a feelgood thing.
The tannoy was still blaring out the usual faceless dance tunes(sometimes so loud it sounded more like something by The Jesus and Mary Chain). Has Dan never heard of Chas and Dave?
The players, accompanied by 60 year old mascot Gavin Newlands, looked up for it, and keen to get our campaign off to the best possible start. United were obviously here with the same mindset, and it made for an even and entertaining first half. Sam Thompson, making his debut for us, looked assured, and was awarded Man of the Match. Mikey Mackenzie and Kuba Leszczynski combined magically at times, suggesting that we are in for quite a few thrills this season. Sadly, many of our efforts were thwarted through a combination of solid defending by our visitors, and poor decision making in the final third by us. Time and again, Lee Herbert in the Turriff goal safely gathered wayward shots and crosses. This modern trend of seemingly wanting to pass your way into the goal. It might look pretty, but it almost instills a fear of shooting, or taking risks. Even Troy Cooper seems reluctant to do the things that he would have tried instinctively in seasons past.
Down the other end, United had a good shout for a penalty turned down, and also narrowly missed taking the lead when a deflected cross bounced back off the post. But, as is often the case, Mark Ridgers looked comfortable, and handled everything that came his way.
The first half finished goalless, but generally most people felt that they had at least had value for money.
Based on the second half, we might be looking for a partial refund. There was plenty of industry and hard work, but little of the quality that marked much of the first half. Jordan Macrae at least attempted to fire at goal when the opportunity came, but was sadly misfiring. Next time Jordan, next time. There were positives to take away from this performance. We looked solid, at times silky and slick, and most importantly, we did not lose. There is plenty to learn from, and much to feel positive about. It was not the result that we had hoped for, but that is football for you. We travel to Huntly next Saturday, for another tough test. It would be great to take a large contingent there.
So, while this game in itself perhaps was the epitome of Anticippointment, maybe after watching your National Team over the Summer, you should be getting accustomed to it.
Too soon?
