Football and Cricket Back at the Flacca: the Weekend's Round-up.

Football and Cricket Back at the Flacca: the Weekend's Round-up.

AFC Tattna comin' Atcha
Charlie Cooke, AFC Tattenhall

Sunday morning saw the return of the beautiful game to this beautiful village as Tattenhall played host to a feast of football fit for a Pharaoh. The sun beat down on the Flacca like the Sun God Ra over the Sinai Desert, as we learnt that even at the bottom of the football pyramid there is the energy, desire and skill to match those sitting pretty at the top.

The game kicked off and the visitors, Axis United, made a bright start to proceedings, attacking Tattenhall on both flanks. It was after a typically robust Damon Smith challenge that tempers began to flare up as the thirst for victory erupted within each and every player, reigniting the fire that burns deep within. That fire has been smouldering gently for the past year, stoked only with a few keepy-uppies in the back garden, or a well-aimed can-kick into the dustbin; but it was a Sunday morning and a Damon thwack to the opposition knee that set the pitch ablaze with grit and glory.

Tempers died down to allow the referee to parp his whistle for half time, and the sides left the field with the scores at, unusually for a Sunday League game, 0-0.

Axis took the lead shortly after the break as their wingers sped free, exchanged passes and slammed the ball into the corner of the net: 0-1. Nothing was going to deter Tattenhall however, as soon afterwards, a combination of Mutete and Withe resulted in Mutete rounding the keeper and passing the ball into an empty net: 1-1. Jubilation ensued, although this was to be short lived, before if became utter joy! Clever work again from Withe down the left, to cross for Mcgowan who smashed the ball straight into Dutton's 'crown jewels' to make it 2-1. His pain was palpable, but the pleasure at scoring (albeit unconventionally) overcame the agony and he was back on his feet with a wry smile on his face, a tear in his eye, and a clenched fist past his wrist as if to say, we can do this.

The football now being played by Tattenhall was delightful, as all around the pitch the ball zipped to and fro, resulting in squeals of delight from the crowd. Player manager Christopher Noden brought himself on, and within seconds he was in the thick of the action, holding the ball up and laying off a sumptuous ball to fellow substitute Kyle Evans, who rushed through on goal with only the keeper to beat. He gave him the eyes – not the 'come hither, I'll take you for a quiet glass of wine down The Sportman's eyes, but the 'I am going to mug you right off and make you look like a fool' eyes. Once the eyes were given, Evans slotted the ball straight between the keeper's legs to make it 3-1.

The last 10 minutes seemed to last forever, and it was only a last ditch goal line clearance from Cooke, and a stunning double save from keeper Bowker, that managed to keep the Axis at bay. But we are the Allies, and the allies prevailed, leaving the Axis trundling back to Handbridge with their tails between legs, eating a nice, big bowl of humble pie!

CRICKET

Tattenhall 1st XI vs Northwich CC
Freddie Cheshire, Tattenhall Cricket Club

Tattenhall 1st XI travelled to Northwich for the first game of an eagerly anticipated season, and skipper Sandford decided to bat upon winning the toss because 'the sun was out'!

The skipper and Okell opened the batting and lasted all of 4 balls before the latter fell, nicking one to second slip! Harper strolled out to the crease and wanted to consolidate with his unusual technique; Sandford departed and brought Ethan to the crease. Max and Ethan built with some nice boundaries before the latter again fell to a good full ball, with Harper being bowled shortly after. Harding joined Spraggs and got off the mark with a sprinted 2 through mid-wicket (something I never thought I'd write); wickets then fell quickly and Tattenhall found themselves struggling at 88-9 when entered the hero Alan Brock smashing the ball everywhere scoring 34* (44), nicely assisted by Freddie Cheshire, who is in 'the form of his life' scoring 22* (34).

Tattenhall finished on 156 from their 40 overs which we thought was a good score on a surface with plenty of movement.

Tattenhall went out to bowl full of confidence but were under the cosh from the start with the ball flying to the boundary during opening spells from Evans and Waddilove before Brock was brought into the attack and went on to get the breakthrough with a good high catch at deep square (61-1). Brock continued to apply pressure with Cheshire backing him up from the other end. Wickets continued to fall as Tattenhall edged closer to the win with an outstanding catch from Fearnall. However, a few 20+ partnerships from Northwich took the game away from Tattenhall with NCC eventually hitting the winning runs off the first ball of the last over!

A tough one to take for the Tattenhall lads, but we go again with a double-header next week vs Kingsley and Pontblyddon .

MOM – Alan Brock
DOD – Max Harper

Tattenhall 2nd XI vs Congleton CC
Jon Beddow, Tattenhall Cricket Club

Tattenhall 2nd XI welcomed Congleton CC to the Flacca with the pitch and outfield in fine fettle.

Winning the toss, Tattenhall invited Congleton to bat first who took advantage of the fine wicket to score 190 prior to being dismissed. A good bowling performance from all, including 2 wickets for Ranija Abeysinghe from his 4 overs, and two good overs from Fletcher Morgan-Williams: two juniors who will go from strength to strength.

In reply, Tattenhall fell short despite a fine unbeaten 39 from Mel Dobson to hand Congleton the victory.

A good effort, and some positives to take to Neston next week.

For updated Covid guidelines on cricket spectator and player guidelines, please click on

Covid Guidelines for 2021 (pitchero.com) https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/tattenhallcricketclub/news/covid-guidelines-for-2021-2611061.html

Tattenhall CC follows Government & ECB guidance for a safe start to the season
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