WESTEND RESERVES....2
DIGGLE 'A'..................4
GOALS - Striker (Westend) 45, Striker (Westend) 49, Stone (Diggle) 51, Fitzgerald (Diggle) 70, Brown (Diggle) 72, Brown (Diggle) 86.
DIGGLE LINE-UP (4-4-2) Gary Pemberton/ Danny Anchor, Billy Marshall, Stephen Chamberlain, Gary Stott-Holt/ Adam Hayes, Dave Walters, Adam Fitzgerald, Gareth Godard/ Craig Brown, Jason Stone. SUBS: Rhys Thomas (for Hayes 68), Scott Longley (not used).
NEVER-say-die Diggle came back from two goals down to secure a magnificent 4-2 win at title rivals Westend.
This game was always going to be a massive test of Diggle's title credentials, especially as Westend comfortably did the double over them last season.
And for a brief moment it looked like Diggle were going to blow it as Westend crept into a 2-0 lead by the 49th minute.
But Diggle are made of sterner stuff these days and powered back in some style with goals from sharpshooter, and even sharper dresser, Jason Stone, veteran midfielder Adam 'Fitzy' Fitzgerald, and a double from burly frontman Craig Brown.
However, the handsome Brown would blot his copybook later in the evening - more on that at the end of the report.
The win cemented Diggle's place in third in the table. They have 24 points from ten games and have games in hand.
Second placed Westend have 27 points but have played two more than Diggle. Leaders Honley have 32 points but have played four more games than Diggle.
Oh, and did I mention that Diggle are yet to lose this season. So, you can keep your Henrys and your Bergkamps, there's a new team of Invincibles in town (don't make me regret that statement Diggle, let's stay undefeated!).
Anyway, to the game. As Diggle last played on December 12 because of the weather, there's no point trying to work out how similar this line-up was to the last one.
Management duo Howard Johnson and Alex Marsh brought Billy Marshall into the defence for the injured Paul Godard, who had been pulling too hard on his groin during the week.
Makeshift left-back was right-footed Gary Stott-Holt. That Stott-Holt was even able to play was testament to the man.
Because, no doubt, Stott-Holt must have still been recovering from a monster session on the ale the previous Saturday, and a week in the dog-house with his missus. He was sweating beer ten minutes in.
Stott-Holt was mullered the previous week. Decked out in full Diggle tracksuit and customary man-scarf, Stott-Holt went on an all-day bender that finished at 11 pm when he fell through his front door.
Also, if you catch Stott-Holt staring at your bare feet in the changing rooms, don't worry. He has a foot fetish and highlighted this by sucking a young lady's feet in Lees, before falling flat on his arse over a chair.
But, to be fair, he had a solid game in an unfamiliar position. Well played Gary. And, if he hasn't already told you, he drives a Porsche and wears an eight grand watch and a diamond-encrusted ring. Bill Gates asks to lend money off Gary Stott-Holt.
The kick-off was delayed a few minutes as officials moved some cones and white lines from the pitch.
They were used as a protective barrier around Marsh when he was felled by a sniper and grazed his knee on the same ground last season.
Diggle started the game a little sluggishly, which, given almost two months off, was not a surprise.
Westend signalled their intent with a couple of tasty tackles, including a cruncher on diminuitive winger Gareth Godard by a Ryan Hewitt lookalike.
Westend probably just about shaved the first half. They created some decent chances but found Gary Pemberton in solid form.
Stone had Diggle's best chance but, when clean through on goal, his volley cannoned off the 'keeper for a corner.
The referee, who could carve out a career as a silent-movie star as he never said a bloody word throughout, was, how can I put this, inconsistent.
He was heavily influenced by voices from the touchline and was indecisive in his decision-making.
There were some challenges that warranted yellow cards, one on Stone by the 'keeper that deserved a straight red, but the ref had left his cards in the car! Much use that is!
And it was the ref's inconsistency that led to Westend opening the scoring just before half-time.
After giving fouls for studs-up challenges earlier in the game, he missed a blatant one on Stephen Chamberlain.
Chamberlain wasn't injured and the Westend player got the ball. But that type of challenge just isn't allowed in the game anymore.
The ball broke to a striker who swivelled past Marshall and fired into the top corner from 16 yards.
Chamberlain should have been quicker to the initial tackle. That is not a criticism of Chamberlain, it is a statement of shock from this writer.
The reason? Because Chamberlain should have been incredibly light on his feet after depositing a foul, three-ton brown bomb out of his body and in to the changing room toilets before the game.
Half-time and Diggle were told to up their game. They didn't and Westend scored in the 49th minute.
Chamberlain and Stott-Holt held hands and chased after the same right-winger, leaving a yawning great hole in Diggle's defence. Ball squared, ball tapped into back of net. Too easy.
But Diggle fought back and two minutes later Stone got his toe onto a long ball to poke past the 'keeper from 18 yards. 2-1.
Stone then went clean through but was dreadfully upended by the 'keeper two yards inside the box.
The ref initially gave nothing. Then he gave a foul. 'Keeper should have gone for an early bath and Diggle should have had a penalty. Neither happened. No cards and a free-kick for Diggle on the edge of the box. Poor decision ref.
But Diggle were unfazed and the game's pivotal moment arrived in the 68th minute.
Adam Hayes had done his "quad" (whatever that is.......I thought it was a word that came before bike) and had to come off.
Rhys Thomas, who was carrying a groin injury and had covered his balls in deep heat (highly recommended), limped into the fray (take note P.Godard with your weedy groin!).
Four minutes later Diggle were 3-2 up. Whether that had anything to do with Thomas is a matter for debate.
On 70, Chamberlain floated a free-kick in from the halfway line and Fitzgerald was on hand at the back post to power home a header.
Fitzy's description of the goal wildly differs to the one above. It was something along the lines of: "My whole body was six feet off the floor as I flew through the air like I had been fired from a cannon, before I connected with a perfect diving header."
We shall let the man have his 15 minutes of fame, because he is an old man and his memory is probably not what it once was.
2-2 and Diggle now had the bit between their teeth. In the 72nd minute they scored their third.
A corner pinballed around the six-yard box, bounced off Brown and trickled over the line. Not even Fitzy could come up with a glitzy description for that one.
Four minutes from time Brown got his second. A long throw from Thomas ended up at the striker's feet (calm down Stott-Holt, he had boots and socks on) and he hit a left foot shot into the bottom corner.
I hesitate to use the word 'hit'. Brown's shot almost turned round, it was going that slow.
But Diggle didn't care. They had put the icing on the cake and were overjoyed.
Marshall and man-of-the-match Brown were so happy that they went out to celebrate later that night.
But their use of crass, vulgar language did not endear them to one lady. Christ knows what was said, but it resulted in the woman's husband phoning for some muscle to come round and sort out Diggle's Ginger Ninjas.
Four men subsequently arrived to administer a beating, but they were soon won over by Marshall and Brown's offer of a drink and order was restored.
There is no news yet on whether Johnson and Marsh intend to discipline Marshall and Brown.
But it raises an important question. Can Diggle's title-charge afford to carry these two wild horses for much longer?
Only kidding. Here's to a magnificent win! Keep it up boys, and let's have some silverware this season.
Enjoy yourselves in the cup against Netherton. I'll be thinking of you when I'm in Rome. Ciao.
MAN-OF-THE-MATCH - Craig Brown.
