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Yesterday's match was nearly abandoned. A THREAD:
In the 39th minute. Duncombe Park were on the attack. They progressed into the area and a Copmanthorpe defender scythed him down from behind, two footed. Penalty awarded.
Up stepped the Duncombe Park striker who coolly slotted the spot kick to the goalkeeper's left to make it 3-0. The stopper, who was having a great game despite the scoreline, stayed on the floor and received treatment for four minutes. Seemed a bit odd.
After a while players from both sides gathered by the goal line and it became apparent that the goalkeeper had cut his leg open on a tree root which had protruded through the pitch on the line. Copmanthorpe players, led by one vocal defender, were arguing for abandonment.
With a few minutes left of the half, it was suggested the tree could be "covered up" before being dealt with properly during the interval. A couple of players rushed off to the car park, hoping to find something suitable in their work vans.
The Duncombe Park substitute, who had been linesman this half, returned with a rolled up offcut of kitchen lino. With a 'abstract' design, it was placed face down in the penalty area over the tree root.
It was decided this probably contravened FA regulations and after some more arguing it was removed. Copmanthorpe players had been reminded that they'd have to "travel up here again," if it was abandoned and they suddenly seemed more willing to play on.
While a couple of buckets of sand were thrown on top of the tree root, the Copmanthorpe squad retreated for a team talk and a few members of the team decided to have a smoke.
The goalkeeper had it explained to him that if he'd have dived the right way for the penalty, he would have avoided the tree trunk and injury. Play resumed and he soldiered on for the second half.
Copmanthorpe played better, pulling an early goal back to make it 3-1. Their goalkeeper, despite not being able to walk, pulled off more great saves.
In the final minute of the match, he decided to run up for a corner despite not being able to walk or kick a ball and his side being 3-1 down. We scratched our heads and breathed a sigh of relief. Football was back.
