Men's 1st XI Vs Boots 3

Stuart mills reports

Boots 3’s (3 v 3) South Nottingham 1’s

After back to back wins, South knew they would have to be at their best to make it three in a row away at Boots on Saturday and will be disappointed that they didn’t convert their chances to make it three wins in a row.

With no first team fixture, Boots put out a strong team and South were missing a few players and were grateful to have Stephen, Batty and Jon Lane stepping up from the twos for the game. With Captain Gaz bland away, Tom Crossland lead the side and the main discussion was about South keeping their discipline after having 8 players booked at Boots in last season’s fixture. (Boots had no players booked….)

In the early exchanges, Boots controlled the possession and South were grateful for Tommy Hall and the centre back pairing of Batty and Tommy Pistolis. As the score stayed at 0-0 the South confidence grew and eventually South got their foothold in the game. With a few players missing, Harry Lane got his chance to show his attacking talents and his pace from midfield, supported by the pace of Tom, James turner ‘Carlos’ and Stephen waters upfront saw South catch Boots on the break for Tom Crossland to fire home and slot in his 15th goal of the season.

South then began to show what attacking talent they have and the speed on the break caught Boots out again as they erupted forward and Stuart Mills, taking on an international sportsman in the process, found Carlos at the back post for a smart finish to make it 2-0.

South were now in their element and were in full control of the game against a strong Boots side. A long ball from Neil Batty found Mills, who broke through the Boots defence only to have his shot saved by the keeper but the rebound fell to Tom Crossland, who smashed the ball in for his 16th goal of the season.
What followed was some brilliant hockey from South, causing Boots lots of problems. Jon Lane was unlucky to find his shot saved by the Boots keeper. South created chance after chance but couldn’t find another goal.

As brilliant as South were in the first 30 minutes of the half, they were just as bad in the last 5 minutes. A sloppy 5 minutes from South saw Boots score 2 goals instantly and drag themselves back into the game.

South started the second half strongly and found a number of short corners but were denied extending their lead. Full backs Jim Ward and Tommy Fletch were superb in both attack and defence. Unfortunately, South found themselves down to ten men for the majority of the last 15 minutes of the half but fought valiantly to keep Boots at bay. But with minutes left a hopeful ball from Boots was fired in to the box and deflected in.

From the outside, it’s easy to say South threw away a three goal lead but that really wouldn’t do the performance justice and really another day they would have been out of sight by half time. But the building blocks are starting to be put in place for a system and a side that can challenge for promotion next season.

Personally, a special mention must go to the South right side. Youngsters Carlos, Harry Lane and Tom Fletcher were tireless in their running and played superbly against a strong opposition. A real highlight of the day.