Cod Almighty | Diary

Young Town run free

18 November 2024

Miss Guest Diary writes: I have been worrying that the curse of the kit sponsorship had been passed onto Cod Almighty. Long-time readers will know that about 20 years ago Mr B and I sponsored a few different young Town players – none of whom made it at the club. Then last year CA sponsored Toby Mullarkey, who didn't exactly rip it up for most of the season, and was sold to Crawley in the summer. This year we are sponsoring Jordan Wright.

We all know what a rocky start Wright's had at the club – some average performances, a couple of howlers, followed by an injury. But it may just be I was panicking too soon. Two clean sheets in a row and a performance on Saturday which I have seen described by several as being worthy of man of the match. Apparently not just a fine penalty save but a good game overall, which should be a real confidence boost and may be just what he needs to kickstart his season.

That's all I can say about Saturday’s game as I wasn't there, still not being fully match fit. I did manage a test run out on Friday – the youth team game at Blundell Park. Apart from forgetting that the microclimate at the ground makes it a few degrees colder that elsewhere – leading to some frozen toes – it was a success. I'm no good at describing the action in a game so I asked Mr B to provide a few of paragraphs about that:

"The Youth of Today bring a different vibe to Blundell Park, everyone's so relaxed. Look around what do you see? Nicky Butt hidden under a hat, Chinese chicken curry (with crackers) on tap and, blimey, Dave Moore's wearing long trousers. We are truly in a parallel universe.

Every one of our youthers is technically adept and they all cohered into a collective with a clear set of tactics and plans. Like dutiful pawns they listened to their coaches and moved accordingly. It was neat, it was tidy, it was entertaining indeed.

As for events: a Brown corner was punched in; their Haalendesque number nine bulldozed through for an equaliser; their centre-half had a meltdown and was sent down the tunnel; Rennardson's scriggler squirtered through buttery gloves; Brown's drippy coil brushed Axcell's follicles as the keeper flapped; and Town were a bit sloppy as it was so easy.

The individual stand outs were Graham (a junior McJannet), Rennardson (an Emsonian echo) and Hatton (a tiny ticker).

The Salford Lads? Apart from Mini-Haaland and an occasionally flying winger they were just a bunch of big lads, like any old school team: a couple of really good players but lurking somewhere within is a hidden duffer and, unfortunately for them, that was their keeper. Which was fortunate for Young Town who were as capable of avoiding scoring as the senior team, missing at least five sitters.

Young Town: they are young, they run free and keep their teeth nice and clean. They're all right."

At the recent fans forum there was talk of having a consistent playing style throughout the club. I don't know about that but there was a definite echo of the first team on Friday: Town missed a hatful of chances then conceded a late goal to make the last 10 minutes extremely nerve-wracking exciting. But eventually a good win with some really entertaining football from Town and a home game against West Ham next month as their reward. I just hope it's scheduled at a time when as many fans as possible can attend.