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2002-03

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Town 1 Rushden 0: Hoping for hope
Alistair Wilkinson
17 April 2004
Attacking play, plenty of spirit, balls and flair, chance after chance and more oohs, aahs and strange cartoon type noises than could have been heard for many a month. Yes, Town have won a game and even deservedly so.
I enjoyed that; the tension was back along with
the desire to sing and the need to win, even a
chance for a little gloat, the best games give
Town three points and me a sore throat. And it
was great to recognise the side, no coincidence
they put in a show of pride. There's always a but
and we're never far from those annoying three
letters: but (bored of all the buts) I don't trust
them, I can't trust them. Next week they'll
disappoint again, not play and roll over again.
Two decent performances in a row? It has happened this season but (bored of all the buts) it's about as common as Anderson winning, or even going in for, a tackle. Actually it's perhaps not that rare.
I hope they re-earn my trust, if we're to survive
they must. I hope it's safe to hope but (another
one!) we've probably got three of playing four
games I want to see. Bob, no and false, we're
more than likely just prolonging the last waltz.
At least there is stress, it's nice to be bothered,
to care again, good that we're struggling to cope,
even when all we are is hoping for hope and hey
if it keeps our interest alive, keeps Town out of
the grave for one more week then false hope is
better than no hope. Next week we need to roll
over Stockport like a...
It's a big game next week, as the tabloids would say in that overly dramatic manner: IT'S THE BIG ONE. Beat Stockport and we'll probably stay up, lose and we're sunk forever to stay sank, with no pleasures left save a trip to Glanford Park and an occasional wa...
...tank, play like this with shot after shot, chance
after chance. Bloody hell! Didn't they do well? We
can rely on that great guy, that new hope that man
Rankin. What a guy, full of runnin', fast as lightnin',
he gave them a real maulin'. Do it again, do it again.
After a couple of weeks of that sub Mansaram Le
Flash, even Flash looked good, he still found time
to entertain and play the fool, Jevvo was the man he
played it cool. An ice-cold spot kick; wind kept moving
it; twice he replaced it; low and left just the trick, and
Campbell? Played well, real slick. Out injured? Hmmm
I don't know, back to trust, he never seemed to slow.
Want to trust the players, won't trust Law, a performance
like this at a time like this leaves me satisfied but (I
don't want to use it) mostly leaves me with regret.
Why wait till now to try to score? No I can't trust Law.
We got the essential win, we're still in the toilet but (positive buts are OK) it's yet to be flushed and it seems we are a floater. So come on Town, pull on those marigolds and fish yourselves out. We do want to be playing Hull next season after all, so you keep winning and I'll try and keep hoping.
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