If I hadn't seen such riches...

Tim Booth lead singer of James in 2014. Picture by Redferns, Gettyimages. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/event/article-3488039/James-Sit-No-stand-James-bow.html

One of  a number of great Mancunian bands, the great James once sang

' If I hadn't seen such riches, I could live with being poor '

Sit Down  ~ James 1990.

A lot of football fans can appreciate these lyrics, a few good successful seasons followed by a couple of mediocre at best ones.

We've had a couple of good ones, fair play, 2 European campaigns and a 3rd place last season. We have punched well above our weight, akin to dear Jonny Owen god rest his soul, taking on Larry Holmes in the 80s. You can get used to success and think it's everlasting, however,  we all had an idea this season could be a little rough, and so it has transpired. A home defeat on Saturday, which will forever be known as Sgorio Gate, after their original highlights were, shall we say, referee-friendly. A home game just 3 days later is just what the doctor ordered, and everyone was looking forward to it. 

Barry Town United, our visitors, are perhaps my favourite opposition. They are a good club; their teams always try to play football. Their ex-player, Kayne McLaggon, is still a great player and a personal favourite. Their vocal fans always travel in great numbers.

'After thirty years I've become my fears. I've become the kind of man I've always hated'.

Come home ~ James 1990

I think we all do at the football, don't we? Nervous, excitement and Abbott down to £1.79 a pint in Spoons all combine to get our hopes and optimism up; defeat is unthinkable, victory is important tonight. 15 flags are up at The Withybush Mortuary End, and our team virtually picked itself with injuries and suspensions carried over from the weekend.

We've got a good band of vocal fans now, not content with sitting on our hands, rueing our misfortune,  we believe in backing the team with a good catalogue of songs. 

We start the game ok, playing the ball around nicely and looking quite sound at the back; however, Barry knows we are on a poor run and can smell blood, and they've come here to win. Hulbert and Wigley are denied by superb shot-stopping by Knott, and all our chances come through Corey Shephard's trademark Robson-esque midfield drives. A volley by Corey is our best chance in the opening 45.

Half-time comes scoreless, and we still have 11 players, which is a bonus. A hot cuppa at half-time is very welcome. There's no tropical monsoon like Saturday, but it's starting to get colder at night.  Autumn is here, a great night for watching local football.

'Well I don't believe my luck, I am defenceless'.

How was it for You ~  James 1990

Hmmm

Zac Jones left us in the summer, we watched his progression into a top goalie however, in Ifan Knott and Luc Rees we have 2 very capable custodians.  Ifan's display in a mad second half was as fantastic as his first half, he kept us in it at times.

'The world is spinnin' endlessly. We're clinging to our own beliefs.'

Born of Frustration ~ James 1992

Well, we can't cling onto their forwards, and too many Abbotts could be responsible for my spinning world.

The second half is as open as Bonnie Blue, and it's end-to-end football from both sides as a vital 3 points are up for grabs.

3 crosses into our area, 3 headers, 3 goals. It's poor defending, and we can't keep on giving teams easy goals. Indeed, a lot of their second-half chances come from our unforced errors.  We score 2 headers ourselves,  Abu into an empty net and Corey Shephard's lovely stooping header to make it 2 apiece. Hawkins had a wonderful chance late on to level it again, but his shot was wide.

I have to say the officials tonight were outstanding,  chalk and cheese from Saturday's clowns, where even our media man got booked, credit where it's due, tonight the referee let the game flow and kept a firm grip on the game.

Ben Ahmun returns on Friday as we make our way to Llanelli and Tony Pennock's back in the dugout.  Hopefully, a better defensive performance will help us to only our second win of the season. 

'My therapist said not to see you no more. She said you're like a disease without any cure'.

Laid ~ James 1993

See you next time, Blues.

Full-time, Haverfordwest County 2-3 Barry Town United. Attendance: 446