A new high for the comeback kings

Deeside Ramblers welcomed Didsbury Northern to Tiverton for week 3 of the National League North Conference. Didsbury came to the fixture off the back of a 3-3 draw with Belper, Deeside still buoyant from a comeback on the road at Barford Tigers.

Deeside came racing out of the blocks and forged a couple of half chances in the first minute, but it was Didsbury who took an early lead. The Deeside full backs left a speculative through ball to each other which allowed the Didsbury centre forward to slot home past the advancing Hill in the Deeside goal. 0-1. The tone of the game was set, incredibly open with barely a goalkeeper in sight.

The next 15 minutes saw Deeside create chances but the next goal fell to the visitors straight after the start of the second period - the Didsbury centre forward again got a jump on the Deeside defence to create space for a reverse stick shot that found its way through a flapping salmon into the goal. 0-2.

Deeside managed to hit one back as Harpal Panesar added to his unblemished flicking record with a well-executed low drag flick that the keeper could only deflect into the roof of the net. However, the visors struck back immediately to re-establish their 2 goal lead. An initial save from Hill fell kindly to the Didsbury forward who didn’t miss at the second time of asking. 1-3 at half time.

The third period started in exactly the same manner as the first two – Deeside conceding straight away! Another through ball was left by the Deeside defence, a couple of short passes eliminated the stranded keeper for a simple tap in to make it 4-1. Deeside were now in familiar territory having been 3 goals down in the previous week’s encounter with Barford Tigers. Would they respond in a similar vein and strike back? NO !! The visitors lead was extended a minute later – another simple passing move enabled an unmarked Didsbury forward to crash the ball past the unsighted Hill. 1-5 !! The Didsbury coach was off down the sideline whooping and a hollering, punching the air in celebration and calling for the champagne to be put on ice – a thrashing looked to be on the cards?! What followed next was nothing short of miraculous. The Didsbury coach’s smile slowly evaporated and his expression turned sour as he watched his team throw away a four goal lead and concede 7 goals in the final 30 minutes

The game was halted for a moment as Joe Wright was spoken to by an umpire for allowing himself to be pushed in the back by a Didsbury defender. This proved to be the catalyst for a 5 minute goal spree. Ghazanfar repeating Panesar’s dragflick from a penalty corner made it 2-5. Captain Warwick Ryan-Beswick received a nicely weighted pass from the hapless Didsbury keeper to slot the ball home to make it 3-5 and Neil Worrall saw a deft deflection from a Ryan-Beswick cross go through the goalkeeper and into the backboard. 4-5

Although still behind at ¾ time Deeside were back in the hunt. A smart save from the pink salmon down to his right broke the pattern of conceding re-start goals, indeed the tables had turned as Deeside immediately drew level through Warwick Ryan-Beswick’s second goal after a smart interchange of passes with Joe Wright. 5-5. Not content with a draw Deeside pushed forward, snouts to the ground - hungry for more goals. Their endeavors were rewarded with another penalty corner. Another green card for the visitors - the mercurial Scott Cordon upsetting the umpires this time with his ‘coaching’ advice!

The ensuing Ghazanfar rocket was parried to the injector Graham “monkey” Allwood who could have sealed his 5001st cap with a goal had it not been stopped on the line by a defender’s foot – there were some protestations but no doubt in the umpire’s mind - a penalty stroke! In the midst of this melee lay Ali G – prostrate on the floor! Doctors, physios and first aiders rushed onto the pitch, a helicopter was put on standby … the number one runner had rushed past him, knocking him down with the resulting turbulence!! Ali bravely got to his feet - still dazed and confused and got himself ready to take the penalty stroke. It was only then that he realized he had to step off the pitch for 2 minutes due to the injury stop. Who was going to take the crucial penalty stroke?

It fell to born again Rambler Russ Hornby much to the dismay of the slightly teary-eyed no 2 drag flicker Harpal Panesar. Hornby did not disappoint as he stroked the ball into the side netting to put the Ramblers in the lead for the first time in the match. This greased piggy was out of its pen now and no chance of it being caught as moments after the restart a blistering ball into Didsbury’s circle once again saw captain fantastic on hand to seal his hat trick with a diving deflection that sent the crowd into oinks of appreciation. The injured Ghazanfar had returned to the pitch by now after a pat on the bum and a Disney plaster. He was just in time for the final play of the game, a penalty corner on the stroke of full time. Ghazanfar, not wanting to loosen his grip on the top league goal scorer title sealed the game with his second goal and Deeside’s eighth to cap off a remarkable comeback.

Andy Mitchell, head coach for Deeside was unable to meet the press after the game as he was in the changing room engaged in some meaningful discussions with his goalkeeper - Jimmi ‘the sieve’ Hill. Next week see’s Deeside Ramblers 1st team back at home taking on Lichfield 19th October at 12 noon.