The beauty of the cup. Pitting the ‘smaller’ clubs against higher tier sides and magically creating a more levelled playing field.
Players from the ‘lesser’ sides seem to raise their efforts to a different level at times as they strive to overcome the gulf in class between themselves and that pirouetting, international midfielder with all the fancy flicks and Cruyff turns.
It is a time when a player can make a name for himself, sticking a foot out to divert a wayward shot past a stranded keeper flapping his arms like a man in danger of falling from a pier and trying to regain his balance. A player can make a hero of himself as a Premier League side, albeit a largely second-string one, go down to that one goal.
Simon Makienok was a flop at Charlton with the Dane scoring only five times in 37 appearances for the Addicks as the London side dropped out of the Sky Bet Championship and into League One. This barren spell continued through his first five appearances for Preston North End, his new club after securing a one year loan from Italian Serie A side Palermo.
However, he broke his goal duck tonight for the Lilywhites, opening the scoring in the 11th minute, much to the fascination and bemusement of Charlton fans.
Makienok opens scoring for Preston North End, Charlton fans respond on Twitter
Seems like it is a portent of doom.
Makienok scored. pic.twitter.com/3Dhz8TSR0j
— Joe (@Joeh_1993) September 20, 2016
Louis says the same, but in a more forceful way.
Makienok fucking scored. The world is ending lads….
— Louis (@louismclaren95) September 20, 2016
This Addicks fan can’t bear to look.
Makienok scoring against Bournemouth 🙈🙈.. #cafc
— Dan Thomas (@DanThomas__) September 20, 2016
Jack is another one who is rubbing his eyes in disbelief.
https://twitter.com/jackalfiegreen/status/778310259140100097
Evan finds it more amusing than baffling.
https://twitter.com/griffevan/status/778308096649289728
Lee is another one who isn’t holding back on coming forwards.
https://twitter.com/LTOfficial_93/status/778308025505505280
Oliver is in a state of almost resigned shock.
https://twitter.com/HashtagOliverK/status/778307109817552896
The goal lead for Sky Bet Championship side Preston, courtesy of Simon Makienok, didn’t last the game out, with opponents Bournemouth eventually scoring twice to take a 2-1 lead. First Lewis Grabban scored the equaliser (52′) after converting a penalty before Dan Gosling (76′) gave the Premier League side the lead.
With the game heading towards the 90, and with Preston pressing, up popped Makienok (85′) again to equalise and send the game towards extra time. This sparked even more bewilderment from Charlton fans.
Fans such as Freddie who simply must be scratching their heads to a furrow.
https://twitter.com/FreddiePSS/status/778330527325626368
Ben is another one left shell-shocked.
Makienok again!!! 😱 😂 #cafc
— Ben Pearce (@Ben_Pearce21) September 20, 2016
James just states it as plain as day.
In other news makienok has scored 2 goals against Bournemouth #cafc
— dougie (@jamesdoug97) September 20, 2016