OLD ELIZABETHANS 5 WOLLATON III 2

MAA Premier Division League

Mansfield, Notts. Saturday Sept 13th, 2008

Team: Dale Webster, Sheldon Miller, Liam Bates, Joe Lewis, Steve Burton, Micky Evans, Rocky Bennett-Bull, Dave Walker, Dean Hind, Nick Evans, Mark Middleton. Sub: Chris Fish (used).

Wollaton Goals: Nick Evans (2)

By my reckoning, this is the best side we'll face this season though that doesn't quite fully explain the 5-2 score line. Even though we went up to Mansfield with a 12 players (and we should have had a full squad of 14), we matched Old Es for everything until we became the victims of circumstance.

After playing Notts a week before in a mini monsoon, we stepped out of the old Elizabethan 'clubhouse' at Mansfield to face the hottest Saturday yet. You know global warming's kicking in proper when you come back from Mansfield with a mild tan. These are strange times we're living in.

We actually started very well, probably something to do with the fact we weren't limbering up for as long as Old Es. We were running a bit late and sometimes that's actually worked out better for us, seeing the oppo already out on the pitch but growing a bit bored before kick off.

We caught Old Es napping straight from the kick off with a move that saw us string several passes together straight from the kick off and ended with Nick driving a shot home past their keeper. It was a dream start but with not even a minute on the clock it was early doors.

That really rattled Old Es but it gave us a lot of confidence and we built on the goal with a few more moves, coming close with a Mark Middleton header and forcing a few early corners.

Old Es finally got into the groove after 20 minutes and drew level after intercepting a clearance on the halfway line from myself and stringing together a fast flowing move that saw the ball played across the box and past Dale in a matter of seconds. It was impressive free flowing football and was a warning sign of what they're capable of, particularly in the form of their left winger, who has pace to burn.

The reaction from our lads was superb and we got back into the game by causing most damage down the flanks, with Walker and Deano providing width and good link play. We went 2-1 up with 15 minutes to go to half time when Nick Evans turned his marker and scored with a well taken shot.

All we had to do was hold out till half time, which we did but we suffered the biggest setback of the game when Dale came out of his box to head clear a speculative bouncing ball punted forwards from their centre half and clashed heads with their striker. Dale won the header but came off much worse for his efforts, laying face down with a serious head wound which was bleeding heavily.

The game was stopped for ten minutes and when he did finally get to his feet he wanted to carry on, but common sense kicked in. He went to hospital and, after a five hour wait, ended up having 18 stitches. Apparently the doc said if the cut had been any deeper, he'd have fractured his skull, which they could see while stitching up the tissue and skin.

Back on the pitch, we were forced into a substitution we'd not planned for; Rocky is the most able in goal of our outfield players so he donned the gloves but we lost a big influence in the middle of the park. Walker did a job there though he's still not fully match fit and Chris Fish came on at left mid. That used up what he'd got on the bench. With no reserves to call upon it was going to be a tough second half.

Things could have been somewhat different had the match not turned on that incident. But we spent the second half trying to hold ground against a very strong squad. When we tired we had to dig in, when they tired they threw on a fresh pair of legs. It made a massive difference. Credit to our lads for not giving up and Nick and Mark took some real abuse up front.

We should have had a stone wall penalty when their centre half pushed Nick in the back when he went up for a header and the referee later disallowed a superb 'goal' by Walker from a free kick, saying he'd taken it too early (Thierry Henry style, over the wall and into the top corner). Walker retook it and sent the ball the over way, this time hitting the post. The ref was terrible. Funniest moment was when Walker called him a "divvy" after making a ludicrous decision.

So there you have it, 5-2 losers to Old Es but in somewhat restricting circumstances after being 2-1 up at half time. They turned in a very strong performance and were particularly threatening down the left flank. We're looking forward to playing them at home with a full squad and without any short straws, the outcome may well read a bit different.

Man of the Match: Nick Evans...typified our game, a gritty performance in the face of adversity with no protection from the ref.