EVERYTHING BUT the kitchen sink. Mind you, Rich McGarry probably would have saved that as well, allowing the University of Manchester to muddle their way to an unconvincing win over Lancaster University. Points mean prizes, and it was vital to get the BUSA campaign off to a good start, but there won’t be many more if displays like this are repeated.
A strong pre-season warranted optimism, but there may have to be a rethink ahead of the next game. Lancaster were strong opponents, and must be wondering how they left the Armitage Site empty handed. For them, it was just one of those days when the ball simply refused to go in the net. They may acknowledge McGarry’s saves in goal, but may need to spend time practising their finishing in training.
For Manchester Coach Stuart Leicester, there will be more to do than that. His was a disbelieving state on the touchline, as his team stumbled both in defence and attack, while the midfield was outmuscled and subsequently bypassed. It’s a truism in football that you must get the basic fundamentals right, but Manchester couldn’t manage that, leading to a disjointed style of play.
Even their goal on 28 minutes was a messy strike. Tom Shearer, one of few who could be happy with his display, swung a deep cross in from the left. At the far post, right winger Jimmy Dent headed across goal, where fleet-footed Alex Dodds was waiting. His shot was scuffed but on target, an almighty scramble ensued, and the ball ended up in the net. It was unclear who got the final touch. One for the Dubious Goals Committee, perhaps set up alongside the Dubious Wins Committee. Dodds might have netted more obviously shortly after, only to prod wide after Matt Garland hit the bar.
Lancaster had already born their teeth before then, going close on two occasions. First, a corner was headed on to the bar, before Doug Reed vacated his right-back spot, allowing the Lancaster left-winger through on goal. McGarry partially saved the initial shot, but when it looped towards goal, the striker somehow nodded over from a yard out. That was an escape, just as when captain Steve Edwards cleared off the line to spare fellow defender Andy Russell who had unwittingly deflected a cross towards goal.
Goal-line clearances were to become an enduring theme during the match. Eager to reverse the deficit, Lancaster started the second half strongly. McGarry was quickly called into action, pushing a header away, before producing a point blank save from a fierce volley. The rebound was sent wide.
No-one could accuse Lancaster of not creating chances, and Manchester were increasingly forced on the back foot, relying on Dodds’s pace to relieve the pressure. McGarry again blocked a header, saved two one-on-ones as a foolish offside trap was repeatedly sprung, and a shot whistled inches wide. He had to call on his defenders at times though, and Edwards had to be aware to hack off the line twice, the second time after McGarry had produced yet another save. There was ultimately to be no equaliser as Manchester held out - just.
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