SENIORS TAKE POLE IN THE FOUNDATION

 NOTTINGHAMSHIRE SENIOR LEAGUE: FOUNDATION DIVISION

NETHERFIELD SENIORS FC 5 SOUTH NOTTS AFC 1

Having never been to the Richard Herrod Centre in Carlton before, it gave me a great opportunity not only to go there but to see two new clubs that have joined the NSL this season, the hosts were going in to the match a 100% record and South Notts AFC going in to the match having won two of their four first matches and drawn one, so I had a feeling that this was going to be a close match.

On arrival I was greeted by the club secretary who kindly made me and Hazel a cuppa, whilst Shawn was entertaining the visiting team's supporters with his silly jokes. I was then joined by Match official Brian Kilburn who Id not seen for some years, so nice to have a catch up chat and also Seniors Manager Dave Argyle who was track and tracing everyone that moved.

The game kicked off and there was nothing between the two sides as they both were forcing each others defences and goalkeepers in to action as the action flowed from end to end. The first goal was going to be vital and this came in the 40th minute, when a ball from the right side was met by CALLUM COCKS who hit goalbound, but the keeper pushed the ball out but the striker was first to react to pump the ball in to the net to give the hosts the lead. All credit to the visitors as from the kick off, the ball was played to the left wing and from a pinpoint cross found RUGGERO OSEI with a diving header with the goal of the day for the equaliser. As the game was heading towards half time, Netherfield pressed forward for one final attack of the First Half and their winger was bought down in the box, so up stepped CALLUM COCKS who converted the penalty to put his side in to a half time break lead of 2-1.

The Second Half began and the pace was as quick as the first with both team attacking each other, I was then joined by a gentleman called Dennis and his niece, Dennis used to be involved in local leagues over the years and now his niece and himself now do a bit of local groundhopping around the Notts area. On the pitch, Marks in the home goal kept out a superb effort by the visiting forward, this seemed to gee the homesters up a level and on 70 minutes, a slip up in the visitors defence saw GREG McLEAN shoot low to increase his sides advantage to two goals.

Netherfield now began to play with a lot more confidence and began pushing forward at regular intervals and looked more dangerous and after 82 minutes, a long range shot by GREG McLEAN found the back of the net when the visiting keeper misjudged the shot to make it 4-1.

A minute later and JAMES NEEDHAM entered the game and was soon on the scoresheet was tapping home from close range.

A superb as a neutral to watch, no bookings, a game that flowed and on another day the visitors could well have gone home with a share of the points.

I must thank Netherfield Seniors FC for the kind donation of £10 and also James Needham for a donation of £3 to the charity blog, with the 6 goals scored today, this now takes the running total for NOTTINGHAM STROKE CLUB to a superb amount of £1,118.25p

To view 158 photos from the match, please click this LINK