Gavin Ellis and the season when time stood still -- part 10
By Ray Simpson
More from the Darlo bard
Gavin Ellis presents more prose about the 2019-20 season.
Here, he writes about the games against Chester, York and Solihull
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
Chester come to Blackwell next, they were favourites, too
Especially as they’re coached by the infamous Salford Two
It’s Quakers who strike first today behind a Chester sweeper
As Campbell brings the ball down and then lobs the stranded keeper
With half time fast approaching a cross enters the box
Donawa hits a second and Blackwell Meadows rocks
We leave the pitch at half time with a solid two-goal lead
Our best performance for three weeks and what we badly need
Then one by one the lights go out, just one left with a flicker
This game will be postponed, now the Tin Shed fans all bicker
Thankfully some lights return and the game begins to flow
But it’s the secure of a home win which leaves a lasting glow
TOMMY SHELBY TERRITORY
We travel down to Solihull, the home of Peaky Blinders
Also the name of the home team’s bar, pre-match that’s where you’ll find us
Today’s an FA Trophy game, the ground is freezing cold
Our hosts are one division up, we must stay brave and bold
Will Hatfield starts the scoring, he hits the net at last
A cracking goal that stuns the hosts, a twenty-five yard blast
The Moors quickly equalise, today they play long ball
They get in right behind us to make the game one-all
Then Moors lead from a set piece to surely seal the win
A scramble at a corner which their striker bundles in
But Jack Lambert pulls one back with seven minutes to go
To secure a midweek replay, Moors players sink in woe
FESTIVE FUN
It’s just past Black-Eyed Friday we travel down to York
Our last trip to Bootham Crescent and a chance to walk the walk
Just like in September, the Minster Men are top
A proud unbeaten home run, today we hope to stop
Neutrals can’t believe it as the City are outplayed
We look like the Vikings who once came here to raid
Ten minutes in and Campbell shoots a twenty-five yard curler
It bounces off the bar and in, the fans scream what a purler
With York still top as the game goes on they become the better side
They’re badly trying to equalise and batter us from wide
Cross after cross come in our box, no equaliser found
We secure a famous 1-0 win at a usual bogey ground