NSL DIVISION TWO SOUTH
LONG BENNINGTON FC 2 PYTHIAN FC 5
Having a look at todays NSL fixture list and this match stood out, as never been to Long Bennington and had only ever seen Pythian FC once or twice before in the past. Long Bennington are newcomers to the NSL with a lot of their players stepping up from their youth and Under 18's teams. The journey from Mansfield wasnt as far as I thought it would be arriving at the ground within 40 minutes of setting off from home. The ground is based just off the A1 and has a building that was open today for toilets only.
Both teams turned up and the home side came already changed whilst the visitors got changed near to pitchside, I was soon joined by Match Referee David Johnson and also Leicester based hopper Graham, who I last saw a couple of years ago back at Beeston FC.
The game kicked off and the visitors were soon on the scoresheet when ADAM MARSDEN hooked in from close range after just 4 minutes. Pythian at this stage were on the front foot as the rain lashed down and everyone rushed to shelter under the big trees that surrounded the pitchside.
The game wasnt slowing down and the match official correctly allowed to let the game flow from end to end with several chances for both sides going astray, but on 18 minutes the scores were level when JACOB BAKER twisted round the away defence before shooting home from a acute angle.
Pythian picked up their game and knocked the ball around well and one such good move led to their top talisman MICHAEL LINDSAY putting them back in front after 26 minutes. The same man was on hand to make it 3-1 on 32 minutes and it looked like the game was over, but to the homesters credit, their heads stayed up and forced a couple of good saves from the visiting keeper just before half time.
The sun came out for the Second Half but unlike the good weather by now, things got worse for Bennington when MICHAEL LINDSAY completed his hat trick on 54 minutes to make it 4-1 and with over 30 minutes remaining I feared the worse for the home side and on 66 minutes, it could well have got worse if it hadnt been for Charlie Doig in nets who was equal to Michael Lindsay's penalty.
Bennington began to push forward and Franco Jechel in the opponents net matching anything coming towards him, but this left gaps at the back and they were caught on the counter in the 71st minute, when JACK STOREY scored from a cross shot.
Bennington kept to pressing forward and in injury time got a well deserved goal, when a corner from left was floated in for MAX HARDY to head home.
Must mention Match Referee David Johnson who I felt had a superb game this afternoon and also to Leicester based Groundhopper Graham who kindly donated £10 to the Charity Blog which is for NOTTINGHAM STROKE CLUB. The running total after the donation and the goals scored now stands at a superb amount of £1,104.75p.
117 photos from the match can be seen on this LINK
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