Hayes Hand Of Cod

You witness many strange feats amid the hyperbole of football, an action packed academy of alchemy, where glory, fortune and bravery are borne of blood guts and gore. Gladiator Jamie Hand, a son of Uxbridge, has trodden a mercenary path via Watford, Oxford, Chester and our friends Lincoln down the A46. Yet he and sportsmanship raised their heads in the company of heritage at Blundell Park, when Saturday came.

Few would suggest, one who played for Elton John would be the pinball wizard let alone be worthy of an extra ball. But after 19 minutes of battle amidst the surf and turf he struck a thrilling Thaw thunderbolt from 25 yards that seared through the seaside air and in off the post.

With the post still shaking the home end applauded the goal, a fitting tribute yet one you rarely find in a sport we love so much. Hand had his moment as did the Hayes and Yeading fans, all 27 of them, for they witnessed two special moments borne of a moment of pure beauty at Blundell Park. Named after the famous dock Pontoon from whence came the Mariners to watch their Town straight from work to see League football for 100 uninterrupted years; the Grimsby fans applauded throughout the stand. Incredible sportsmanship methinks, at a club with good old First Division and Championship heritage, that is also decidedly if not desperately down on its luck.

The game continued a pace with Grimsby huffing and puffing at the Hayes defence, no house of sticks rather than bricks, with Harrison etched on each and every one, laid across the goal. But they do say fortune favours the brave as Pritchard converted a counter with a side footer on 69 to put the Mariners into an impossible position.

Yet still the Mariners came at the visitors in waves with Kempson and Watt crashing efforts against the bar, and ex Barnet goalkeeping god Harrison denying Connell twice and Eagle when he dared. Yet there was still time for two more goals of sorts, with villain Lino ruling Watt`s towering header offside. Mmmmm and the three bears my flag-waving officious friend who got in free and was paid for the privilege to boot.

Yet Connell had the last word proving the migration from Bournemouth Beech to Cleethorpes has not blunted his shooting boots. From nowhere, well 25 yards actually, Alan curled, nay crashed a quality strike just under the home end bar. Blundell Park still has the spark of the great Glover in this lad if he is well fed of course. And those sporting Grimsby fans deserve him, clapping the temerity of the 27 who travelled from London.

Keep the faith Mighty Mariners
Thanks for reading
Vic
Another, much less famous son of Hillingdon.