A solid performance from the Dock in a potential ‘banana skin’ game at New Ferry Park. Newly promoted Wirral Hotel will also be our opponents next Sunday in the Veronica Conway and it was recalled that when we last visited here (a couple of seasons ago) we had to work hard for a victory.
After settling down during the early stages, a ball over the top from Paul Byrne was latched onto by ace marksman Gary Reay who saw his shot well saved by the home keeper. The Goose had to save smartly to deny Wirral a goal scoring opportunity a couple of minutes later and this served as a wake up call to the team to up the ante a notch.
Nailed on winner of ‘ Player of the Year Award 2010/11’ Ian Brunt, was involved in the early stages showing deft touches and strong headers and I can’t quite decide whether he reminds me of Michael Essien of Chelsea or Roy Keane, formerly of Manchester United. God forbid that this powerhouse is injured or suspended because he will surely be impossible to replace. Credit to the Dock superstar as he has worked hard during the pre season to shift around three stone. He now weighs in at 17st 9llbs. Expect a more svelte like Brunty soon, as he is to appear in the latest ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ along with his mate Gavin Henson as a dancing partner.
Charlie McInnes justified his selection by opening the scoring on 18 minutes. It was a goal created by himself as he turned the full back and made his way into the box. His initial shot was beat out by the keeper only to return to him and he duly dispatched a shot towards goal that found its way into the net between post and keeper.
Wirral hit the bar two minutes after the restart after some hesitancy from The Goose and again this only served as a warning that we wouldn’t have it all our own way. On 35 minutes, Referee Dave Richards waved play on and played the advantage rule after Reay Man was fouled. The ball ran on to Josh Duress who saw his shot well saved by the keeper. Rumours are that Wirral Borough Council are to bill Reay Man after they had to fill in the crater left by Fat Arse after he landed when he was fouled.
The Goose again was called upon, when he got down smartly to save after the Wirral Hotel forward was slipped in and Sean Holmes struggling to get back to get a tackle in. It looked as though Wirral might have been thinking of getting something out of this period of the game until Craig Griffiths stepped up to score what is looking like his trademark goal. I missed his Cheshire Cup strike but I am assured that this effort was as spectacular. Controlling the ball on the edge of the box he unleashed an unstoppable shot into the top left hand corner to make it 2.0. A great goal and a great time to score, 5 minutes before the half time whistle. Reay man had a chance to extend the lead when his header hit the post and at the break it was 2.0 to the Dock.
Gary Reay effectively ended the game as a contest when he claimed his first with a guided header into the net from a Sean Holmes cross after good work from Tommy Hunt. On 64 minutes Reay Man claimed his second after more good work down the right from Tommy Hunt. Credit to Tommy who could have gone down in the area as he was impeded but elected to stay on his feet to get a cross in for Reay Man to force home.
In the 65th minute Brunty won a header and all you could hear around New Ferry Park was ‘’Eeeeeessss’’ Is this the correct spelling ? All that has been missing from his repertoire this season is his overhead kick clearance !
Griffo put Reay Man through for a one on one situation but the keeper pulled of a fine save away to his right to deny the sharpshooter. On 70 minutes Reay Man claimed his hat trick when played in by Tommy Hunt and that made it 5.0.
A welcome return to the set up by Jamie Kenyon who replaced Charlie McInnes with around 20 minutes to go. Tommy Hunt was replaced by experienced veteran Paul Wood and Paul Byrne was replaced by Carlett Park student Matty Carlin. Young Byrne came off to claim his Bonus ball money only to find it all gone and how we chuckled !
Man of the Match… Ian Brunt. Like a Rolls Royce in the middle of the park.
Match Report: Mike Stephens
Photos: Chris Stading
