And so to the Murray Trophy, a hastily concocted Manchester League cup competition - 4 leagues of 5, home and away, with the 4 group winners going into the semi finals. So it's off to Platt Fields in Fallowfield for this afternoon's clash between Govan Athletic (clearly not from Glasgow - more of which anon...) of Division 1 and Hindsford Reserves of Division 2.
Govan Athletic was established in 2001 by Jack Norbury, who still manages the team. Apparently Jack was so inspired by Sir Alex Ferguson's autobiography that he set up a football club named after Fergie's birthplace, as you do....
Athletic competed in the Stockport Football League in 2001/02, finishing as runners up, and moving up to the Lancashire & Cheshire Amateur League as a consequence. Division 2 was won in 2007/08, with Govan champions of Division 1 the following season.
Athletic joined the Manchester League in 2016, were relegated to Division 2 in their first season, but were promoted back to Division One the following year. 6th from 13 and 6th from 12 in the past two truncated seasons points to mid-table consistency.
Hindsford
AFC, between Atherton and Tyldesley, was set up in 1926, joining the
Westhoughton League. However there is evidence of another club, Hindsford
Church House, dating back to 1911.
The Hinds, aka the Tonics, joined the Lancashire Combination in 1950, stopping for three seasons. Thereafter they took up a position in the First Division of the Manchester League for the 1998/99 campaign, earning promotion in 2005 to the Premier.
Hindsford have been crowned champions of the Premier League on four occasions - three consecutive years between 2012 and 2014, and then again in 2019.
A familiar,
heavily potholed route, takes me past Arthur's Seat, Serendipitea (& Coffee
!) and Hands of Buddha Beauty Therapy. Then Red Sky Yoga before I hit the
council towers in Stretford, the former iconic Drum pub and the Essoldo,
turning right towards Chorlton.
Beyond Longford Park, Iglesia Ni Cristo, Lady Bountiful, Dooze Corner, King Bee Records and Gita Bhavan Hindu Temple brings me to TM Fortis, apparently 'Manchester's Leading Immigration Specialists'.... Right on to Yew Tree Lane and Platt Lane Sports Complex affords plenty of parking - today's registration plates are 12 ME and 411OY (wheels I think rather than scrap metal...)
The complex, part of MMU (Manchester Metropolitan University) 1824 hosts two main astroturf pitches, the far one with rugby posts and a sports hall - closed, meaning home players are requested to arrive at 1.10pm, wearing black shorts and socks, and with their own mask, sanitiser and drink. There is also a mini astroturf pitch next to the main building, a gym and another 3G surface adjoining Platt Lane.
In glorious
sunshine a crowd of 7 congregates for the 2pm kick off, swelling to 8 at the
death, including at least one away fan (!) - Holy Trinity church providing an
impressive backdrop. Athletic in red and black, Hindsford in yellow and black,
no linesmen and a very young referee informing us that it's RORO (Roll On Roll
Off) substitutions.
Within 3 minutes a shocking defensive clearance allows Govan's right winger Nathan Hind to rifle the ball into the roof of the net, and five minutes on Hal Wood heads a free kick narrowly wide. The advantage is doubled on 18 minutes - Hind accelerating down the wing, given far too much space and steering into the far corner.
There follows a Hindsford goal line clearance and, with the away stopper flapping like a shirt on the washing line, a penalty box scramble. In response the Tonics create one real chance with their centre forward scuffing a shot onto the post.
2-0 at the break, which lasts just under 7 minutes. The away side's team talk is direct and earthy, whilst Govan's is all about 'game management' and a magnetic tactics board.....
Clearly too much for the home players as the Hinds start the second period much the better. However eight minutes in their adventure proves costly as from their corner they leave one man as defensive cover, and when the move breaks down sub Jordan Clarke is through on the Hinds' keeper. An inexplicable hand ball outside the box results in a red card and his expulsion as the visitors go down to ten.
With no replacement goalkeeper the Tonics put outfield player Jacko between the sticks, and he proceeds to pull off a string of outstanding saves. Not to be outdone home stopper Adam Clifford makes a tremendous double save to deny Hindsford's number nine.
Eventually numbers tell and on 69 minutes, after switching wings, Hind rams home a recycled ball to make it 3-0. Three minutes later it's Hind 4 Hinds 0 as Nathan makes it a foursome with a measured placed finish into the opposite corner. He is immediately substituted - presumably to let someone else have a chance !!
With a quarter of an hour to go Kristian Green heads in, unchallenged, Siyam Muhammad's free kick to make it five. Soman Muhammad's almost apologetic finish with four minutes left concludes matters at 6-0 and it's all over by twenty to four ☺
