Men's 1st XI Vs Beeston 5th XI

Beeston 2 v 0 South Nottingham 

Having had their most successful start to the season in years, there was no better place for South to put to be tested,than away at Beeston, under the lights. 

South came into the game buoyed from their 100% start to the season and knew they would come up against their hardest challenge of the season against a 16-strong Beeston squad. 

The first half was as expected and a tight affair with no side giving an inch. The unusually bouncy pitch catching both parties off guard as the torrential rain subsided. This added to the thrills with some quick hands from both sides on the attack but strong defence denied either a real chance at goal. 

As South settled into the game, play started to flow and a few lively combinations through the midfield and forward line saw the Beeston goal under pressure but, sadly, none found the net. A quick change and a slight lapse in concentration saw a dubious opposition shot from outside the D be allowed for South to go a goal down. 

Not disheartened and hungry to equalise, no one could be found sleeping as the ball was pinged round the opposition with some wonderful passing from Archie and Robbo in midfield. Each attack building on the last but often being broken down before it could amount to that illusive goal. 

South felt hard done by to go into the half-time break 1-0 down but knew they had the fire power in their front three of Tom C, Captain Gaz Bland and the young and emerging talent of Sam Clough. 

With the constant rotations in the Beeston team, the south midfield needed to be full of energy and they had that in abundance.

 Robbo, playing the best hockey I’ve seen him play, proving a constant thorn in the Beeston side, breaking up play and distributing the ball around the pitch. He was more than ably assisted by the tireless running of Archie and the wing backs Gaz, Jim and Tommy Fletch. JJ’s skill and constant running at the Beeston side proved to be their biggest threat but South couldn’t find the final ball to pull themselves back into the game.

The task got even harder for South as Jim was harshly sent off for an ‘elbow’. But South stood strong, helped by the growing, commanding voice of Sam Lane in goal and the fantastic tackling of centre back pairing of Harry and Tom P, repelling the Beeston press and energy. 

As South probed forward, a slick Beeston break caught South out and a neat finish at the back post,left Sam without a chance in goal, to prevent a two goal deficit. 

Plenty of character and heart followed from South, with a trademark driving run from Tommy Crossland, firing across the dee but his ball just missed top scorer Gaz  Bland at the back post. 

The game finished 2-0 and South lost their 100% start to the season but not their spirit or pride after that performance. They will look to carry on their promotion challenge next week.