Costs - none except a walk down (and up!) a hill
Well today I had planned in Celtic Nation, but that ended up being shifted due to a Durham county cup tie. And my replacement - Northbank Carlisle - was out when I discovered that my train from Whitehaven would miss kick off. So I ended up heading to Cleator Moor to see the first half of Arsenal-Liverpool (it may as well have been the whole match) then walked the few miles down to the county ground for the 2.30 kick off. Whitehaven were relegated from the Northern League in the last couple of seasons partly due to the length of their turnstiles. I have some sympathy as the club is in Mrs Groundhopper's town, and is highly regarded locally.
This was one of a handful of step 7 games I've seen this year, but it was arguably one of the most entertaining. A topsy turvy first half ended 3-2 to the home side, with plenty of action and goals galore. First Whitehaven's Bradley Dryden planted a sitter into the roof of the net, before Horden's Nathan Waters swung in a superb left foot free kick to draw level. Then Dryden made it 2-1 to the Cumbrians, with a left footed shot from the edge of the 6 yard box. At the other end Whitehaven's central defender was fantastic in defence, and had a spectacular wrestle with Horden's 7 (John Bowes) at one point. Dryden had a hat trick soon after with a tap in - he was clearly a classic striker in a poacher mould. But as if in complete defiance, Horden's Ethan Payne scored a free kick which took a wicked deflection off the wall.
The second half was as unbelievable as the first. Whitehaven's right back sent a low shot wide early on, before Micheak Pattison scored an absolutely awesome free kick to make it 4-2. Think David Beckham vs Barca in 1998! They then had a goal disallowed and at the other end Horden's Waters had a shot saved then narrowly missed another chance with the keeper stranded. Whitehaven were starting to dominate and Lee Woolf (?) made it 5-2 when he evaded the attentions of several defenders before smashing in from the right of the box. I have to say I was particularly impressed with the home sides number 10, who was playing in a deep lying role and seemed cool in possession. Game over? No way. On came a very chubby looking player for Horden, who looked like he could barely move. But he had a sleight of touch and an intelligence which made up for his lack of speed. Halfway into the home half, facing the railway line, he took one touch on a nothing pass and smashed it into the top corner and in off the cross bar. Goal of the season without doubt, and an absolutely cracking Wearside League game to boot.
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