Wigan Cosmos

     Report by Adam (Man Marker) Pendlebury

  Now Your Gonna believe us … We’re Going to Brocstedes Park

  Cosmos booked their place in the final of the Jimmy Barnes Trophy after a
  memorable performance at Ashfield Park. After the 6 - 0 defeat 3 weeks
  earlier and Globe’s recent 14 - 0 win over Upholland, the bookies had made
  Cosmos best priced 5/1 outsiders for this game with Globe heavily odds-on
  favourites.

  On paper it had to be a Globe win. Chris ‘Robbo’ Robinson had torn Cosmos
  to pieces in the previous encounter and the massive crowd were expecting
much of the same. Fortunately for The Cosmos football isn't played on paper, remember Hull City’s 25/1 2 - 1 win at Arsenal in 2008 – it shows that the bookies can get it wrong! The beautiful game and the magic of the cup can bring out the best in top class players.

Cosmos started with an unconventional 2 - 1 - 5 - 2 formation with Cal and Eddie providing the width, Curran and Kieran at centre half, Goffi, Fishy and Thommo in centre mid, Vanders and Needen up front with Adam “The Rash” Pendlebury doing the “man-marking job” on Robbo.

For the first 20 minutes it worked a treat. Needen gave Cosmos a deserved lead after he scored a Giggs (1999 v Arsenal) goal. It was pure class from the Channel Islands’ Under 21 international! Cosmos made it 2 after 20 minutes when Thommo curled a superb free kick into the bottom corner. I never knew he had such a sweet left foot! Globe were getting frustrated as the excellent midfield 3 were bossing the game, allowing the wing backs to get forward at regular intervals. Robbo was starved of good possession as Pendlebury wouldn’t leave him alone. The last time Pendlebury spent so much time with someone they had to go for psychotherapy! However after a world class tackle from Pendlebury, which required him to recieve treatment, Robbo got enough time on his own to dance through a couple of tackles and win a debatable penalty, which he slotted past the excellent Bristow. That was the last we saw of Robbo until he climbed out of Pendlebury’s back pocket at full time. Anyway enough of that Pendlebury lets get back to the action.

The second half started brightly for Globe as they peppered the Cosmos goal. The excellent Curran and Kieran, reminded me of Bruce and Pallister as they dealt adequately with the pressure. However, Globe scored a soft goal from a long throw-in and that looked to be the turning point, It wasn’t! Cosmos didn’t panic. Goffi and Fishy continued to use the ball very well with Needen leading the line like a young Paul Dickov! Then the key moment, Vanders scored a beautiful over head kick that lobbed the keeper and 5 minutes late eloquently curled a free-kick with pace and power into the top corner. The final 10 minutes passed without any major scare for The Cosmos and they held out for a well deserved win. The final whistle was greeted by a pitch invasion from players, staff and the loyal supporters.

Seven years it has taken but finally Cosmos are in a final. The Semi-Final does not equate to anything though and the next few weeks are key as we try to go into the final on the back of a good run. Credit to all the players involved, including unused subs. It is the best substitutes’ bench I have seen at this level and it certainly pushes on the 11 players who are on the pitch. Well done to Mr. John “long text” Pendlebury and Dennis whose hard work over the last few years has been rewarded. Let’s replicate this sweet feeling in the final!
Opposition MOM Fishy

Website MOM – Curran – did Craig McLaughlin once sing a song about him?

1. Bristow

2. Jones (C)
3. A Pendlebury
4. Curran   W MOM
5. OLeary
6. Thompson*
7. Fishwick** 1 MOM
8. Gough
9. Needham    1
10. Vandenberg 2
11. Green
 
Subs
12. Thompson
14. Evans
15. Weigh*
16. Eccles**
17.

* Subs Used In Order
1 Goalscorer