MUSSY'S MATCH

Paul Musselwhite, who served Scunthorpe United FC, and others, so well as a Football League goalkeeper over many years, today turned in a fantastic all-round cricketing display to help Brigg Town triumph by eight runs in a low-scoring North Lindsey Cricket League division two game at Outcasts.
He began by scoring 63 not out in a Brigg total of 101 all-out; then took an amazing nine for 36 (including three wickets in what turned out to be the final over of the match) to see his side home by eight runs.
And who took the other wicket to deny Paul the chance of an incredibly rare 'ten for'? None other than his son, under-15 seamer Ryan, who trapped 'Spud' Tate leg-before!
However, that meant the Musselwhite family featured in the dismissal of all 10 batsmen at Hirst Priory. Which must be some sort of record.
Brigg's Paul Reed felt Paul's historic achievement ought to be recorded for posterity, and enticed his fellow all-rounder to emerge from the showers and pose for the Lincs Cricket Latest camera, infront of a scoreboard recording his super all-round achievement.
Musselwhite Senior is now being described within the Brigg club as 'the new age Gig Smith' - a reference to Town's greatest-ever all-rounder, who played until he was 60 and was, even then, capable of taking 50 wickets a season in the Lincs League.
Gig used to dominate the Brigg batting (opening in his prime), and open the bowling. Indeed, no-one could prise the ball out of his hand.
Paul, clearly, has a bit to learn if he is to become the new Brigg Town Gig. For the now goalkeeping coach was happy to leave the attack for three overs (after sending down 13) until skipper Tom Brock wisely brought him back for what proved a match-winning finale - just when Outcasts looked like sneaking home.
Gig would never have agreed to being taken off with six wickets under his belt!
However, unlike Gig who was renowed for his tally of front-foot no-balls, Paul didn't threaten the line, even once.


Wikipedia says: "Paul Stephen Musselwhite (born 22 December 1968 in Portsmouth) is an English footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Lincoln City, where he is also the club's Goalkeeping Coach. He has the most league appearances of any goalkeeper for Port Vale and as of 2009 has the 15th most league appearances of any Port Vale player, having made 312 league appearances between 1992 and 2000. He has also made 206 league appearances for Scunthorpe United, playing for them between 1988 and 1992 and again from 2004 to 2006. With around 100 games for Hull City between 2000 and 2004, he has made 613 appearances in the Football League and well over 700 appearances in all competitions."


The Unofficial Lincoln City website says: "Signed: July 2009. Paul Musselwhite is a surprise addition to the playing staff at Lincoln City as he signed playing terms for The Imps a month after retiring from football. He is also the goalkeeping coach for Lincoln."

The Lincoln City Mad website adds: "Musselwhite is currently our keeper coach, and spoke recently in the paper of his admiration for stoppers Rob Burch and Ayden Duffy. His experience will be extremely useful for both our rookie goalkeepers."