Men's 4th XI Vs West Bridgford 9 Development

Match report:  SNHC 4s 1 - 4 West Bridgford 9s Development   (A result that does not express how close the match was up to the last 10 mins.)

The first half started with WB owning the ball and position for 10-15 mins but failing to capitalise. Then South pushed back. The move from the right saw Norman being picked out on the back line to pull back and across for a Paul finish. Paul celebrated by subbing off and we went again. Hard fought end to end play with WB’s lithe youth being sent like rabbits down both sides and quarter-backed by their experienced midfield. Then disaster - Fletcher was Nasser Hussained and got a ball trapping his hand against his stick. Rapid subbing and first aid meant WB took advantage and rifled an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net. (We shouldn’t be witnessing goals like that in the bottom league by a development team!) 1:1 but all to play for. Fletcher out down to only 1 sub and being run hard by a good passing opposition this was going to be tough.

Second half and we were in the ascendancy. Ball being stopped by Stan, Ken and Paul, link up play with Cole and Adam and chances created led to their keeper hiding the ball under their pad and glove. (Flick?) no PC and Ken dummied the shot tapping it past the on rushing player and set up a strike that the keeper stopped and WB got out of defence. Being so close to 2:1 and having given a lot South got leggy and WB did not.  Tom in goal had a blinder, saving an as yet an uncalculated number of shots, including kicking one over the bar was keeping us in it. Then disaster - a WB goal. Dying minutes left and South pushed to a fault, we’re countered and a fourth was conceded. No consolation despite several chances near the end and a 4:1 finish.

Great play by all, Fraser in his second game really making some good stops and passes, Cole and Stan linking play and Norman, Adam and Graham in their significantly more than second game putting in a shift. Paul with a goal, Fletcher with an injury! Tony and Graham solid in defence with some really nice Tony runs and Ken stopping the ball and holding play well.

A really good hard (occasionally grumpy ) match.