Beachcomber's Blather: Panto Villans

Just when you thought Christmas was over and behind you, (oh no it isn't!) returns the panto villain.

If a glistening bald napper and a demonic gleam in the eye wasn't enough, he went a scored what looked like an offside equaliser for Notts County at Pools on Tuesday.

Yes, Lee Hughes is who I'm talking about who came on second half and took 2 points off us after we had quietly dominated the first 45 minutes as County carefully avoided injury prior to the cup game against Man City. Sadly Incey aka 'the govnur' must have had a bit of a chat with the chaps at half time

As I learnt when displaying my devastating scoring abilities for Rossmere juniors, when you play against the wind, boot it upfield, the ball gets held up in the wind, and you can charge through if you time your run.

Seems like nothing has changed in 50 years despite all this technical coaching expertise malarky. County booted it into the breeze, the ball hung in the air and panto villain duly did the business.

It was a bit embarrassing as the Town End reminded Hughes about previous misdemeanours and Mick Wadsworth compared marking Hughes as needing the concentration to avoid damaging car crashes (as reported in the Northern Echo), but we all had a good chuckle including Hughes as he shared some jolly banter with Peter Hartley and Sam Collins

Some points about the match - young Donaldson in his first game back from injury was given the unenviable task of leading the line and being judged on his first run out by the sensitive, positive and forgiving Mill House crew (yes, Phythian, I mean you!).

Beachcomber's verdict is he showed plenty of bottle and some good touches, for God's sake, give the lad a chance. He didn't quite last the 90 minutes, but showed some of the right stuff - he made his first foul after 37 seconds, good on you, son

Adam Boyd was given a 5 minute cameo role - come on Mick, give him a proper go, and James Brown had some hopeful boots to chase - not best use of his talents, I feel

There we are..... still going for it, not bad, two half-decent results in three games - now, a full week off and of to Oldham next Tuesday - gives the youngster a chance to develop some rapport with his new mates

Life is sweet, let's see if I can get a passout next week

Cheerio,

Beachcomber

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