Pinxton NE 3 Wolloton III 3 AET
Wolloton win 5-4 on penalties
Church Lane West, Pinxton,. Sat. Oct 25th 2008.
Team: Rhys Holloway, Fraser Barron, Steve Burton, Rocky Bennett-Bull, Joe Lewis, Josh Slade, Mickey Evans, Andy Creswell, Chris Fish, Nick Evans, Mark Middleton. Subs: David Grantham, Liam Hill
Wollo Goals: Nick Evans (3), Josh Slade, Rocky Bennett-Bull, Mark Middleton, Andy Creswell and Joe Lewis.
Once again the Thirds have got off to a sluggish start to the season and despite a couple of decent performances we have only a single point to show for our endeavour. Whilst I have no doubt that we will soon start picking up some wins it could be another battle for us in the league this year.
Once again the Thirds have got off to a sluggish start to the season and despite a couple of decent performances we have only a single point to show for our endeavour. Whilst I have no doubt that we will soon start picking up some wins it could be another battle for us in the league this year.
So a cup-tie today is a distraction and an opportunity to try and kick start our season. We have had such a poor record in cup games since reaching the semi final in the Championship winning season, it would be great if we can progress to the latter rounds this season.
With Nick Evans back from his honeymoon the only real decision on players was who to partner Steve Burton with at centre back. Following Joe’s performance at left back the previous week I decided to drop Rocky into the back four allowing Joe to continue in his preferred role. Andy Creswell continues his mission to play in every position this season and he can now tick of Centre Midfield from the list. Adam Martin was back in Notts for the weekend and was able to provide his knowledgeable assistance in the warm up and on the touchline.
The first 10 minutes really set the tone for the game, end-to-end and very open, with both Midfields trying to exert some control on the game. We went a goal down when their striker latched onto a long through ball and chipped Rhys. Once again we had to respond to going a goal down and like the resolve shown by Liverpool in recent weeks the reaction was first class.
With Nick Evans back from his honeymoon the only real decision on players was who to partner Steve Burton with at centre back. Following Joe’s performance at left back the previous week I decided to drop Rocky into the back four allowing Joe to continue in his preferred role. Andy Creswell continues his mission to play in every position this season and he can now tick of Centre Midfield from the list. Adam Martin was back in Notts for the weekend and was able to provide his knowledgeable assistance in the warm up and on the touchline.
The first 10 minutes really set the tone for the game, end-to-end and very open, with both Midfields trying to exert some control on the game. We went a goal down when their striker latched onto a long through ball and chipped Rhys. Once again we had to respond to going a goal down and like the resolve shown by Liverpool in recent weeks the reaction was first class.
We started to work the ball around the pitch and the right flank in particular, Fraser at right back was having a solid game and linking up well with Josh. We gradually got hold of the game and it was only a matter of time before we got back on level terms. No surprises where it came from, Nick dispatched a fearsome drive from an acute angle on the edge of the box and nearly took the net off. We scored some great goals here last season but that is right up there with them.
When Pinxton did threaten we did look assured at the back, Rocky was putting in a great display and Burts was as commanding as ever. You can tell that their centre forward has been around the block a few times and he was constantly leaving his foot in and dishing out the afters. Fair play to our lads who went toe to toe, Mickey had to endure a couple of late tackles from him which rightfully saw the yellow card produced.
We secured a deserved half time lead when Josh followed another slick passing move with a great shot from the corner of the area, it sailed over the keeper and dropped just inside the back post. Nick was on hand to make sure it crossed the line but it was already in.
Half time has been our Achilles heel this season (sorry for the pun Shel) somehow we have struggled to recreate the first half performance level following the break. Despite us talking about concentration and work rate we once again let the opponents back into the game. I have to give them some credit as they did step up a gear but at times our defending was last ditch to say the least. Their equaliser was fortunate as a great sliding tackle from Burts looked to have snuffed out the chance but the spin from the deflection took the ball off the near post and in. Pinxton’s attacking pressure told when they went 3-2 up with another chip from the edge of the area.
Could we come back again?, it was encouraging to hear their players asking the ref “how long” at 15 minutes to go, they were visibly tiring and we looked the more likely side in the last 10 mins of normal time. A defence splitting through ball from Mark Middleton put Nick clean through and he finished the one-on-one sweetly. Three all at full time, classic cup-tie stuff.
We had made one change in the second half with Liam coming on for Chris and with the game on such a knife-edge I decided to stay as we were for extra time. It would have been a gamble to go 3 up front with tired legs at the back. Mark nearly won it for us with a swerving 25 yarder which just faded away from the far post and at the other end all of the defenders were putting in some heroic tackling to ensure we didn’t concede.
Penalties. I had already decided on the first 4 takers; Mark, Nick, Andy and Rocky and it was good to see them all up for it. The fifth spot was thrown open and Joe, despite blowing a bit in extra time, demanded the job. All our penalties were class. Mark slotted in the bottom left, Cresy nearly took the roof of the net off, Joe placed well to the right and Rocky simply put the keeper the wrong way and casually rolled it in. It was perhaps poetic justice that their Centre Forward who was probably a little fortunate to still be on the pitch after dishing out niggling late challenges all the game, scuffed his penalty into the ground and off the outside of the post. Nick was last up and sealed a dramatic victory with an emphatic strike.
It’s Brunts away in the next round on 15th November with a league game on the same ground the week after. Before then we are at Whatton in the Notts Junior Cup, the scene of another epic cup game several seasons ago. We also encounter Pinxton again in 2 weeks, this time in the league where we must pick up three points.
When Pinxton did threaten we did look assured at the back, Rocky was putting in a great display and Burts was as commanding as ever. You can tell that their centre forward has been around the block a few times and he was constantly leaving his foot in and dishing out the afters. Fair play to our lads who went toe to toe, Mickey had to endure a couple of late tackles from him which rightfully saw the yellow card produced.
We secured a deserved half time lead when Josh followed another slick passing move with a great shot from the corner of the area, it sailed over the keeper and dropped just inside the back post. Nick was on hand to make sure it crossed the line but it was already in.
Half time has been our Achilles heel this season (sorry for the pun Shel) somehow we have struggled to recreate the first half performance level following the break. Despite us talking about concentration and work rate we once again let the opponents back into the game. I have to give them some credit as they did step up a gear but at times our defending was last ditch to say the least. Their equaliser was fortunate as a great sliding tackle from Burts looked to have snuffed out the chance but the spin from the deflection took the ball off the near post and in. Pinxton’s attacking pressure told when they went 3-2 up with another chip from the edge of the area.
Could we come back again?, it was encouraging to hear their players asking the ref “how long” at 15 minutes to go, they were visibly tiring and we looked the more likely side in the last 10 mins of normal time. A defence splitting through ball from Mark Middleton put Nick clean through and he finished the one-on-one sweetly. Three all at full time, classic cup-tie stuff.
We had made one change in the second half with Liam coming on for Chris and with the game on such a knife-edge I decided to stay as we were for extra time. It would have been a gamble to go 3 up front with tired legs at the back. Mark nearly won it for us with a swerving 25 yarder which just faded away from the far post and at the other end all of the defenders were putting in some heroic tackling to ensure we didn’t concede.
Penalties. I had already decided on the first 4 takers; Mark, Nick, Andy and Rocky and it was good to see them all up for it. The fifth spot was thrown open and Joe, despite blowing a bit in extra time, demanded the job. All our penalties were class. Mark slotted in the bottom left, Cresy nearly took the roof of the net off, Joe placed well to the right and Rocky simply put the keeper the wrong way and casually rolled it in. It was perhaps poetic justice that their Centre Forward who was probably a little fortunate to still be on the pitch after dishing out niggling late challenges all the game, scuffed his penalty into the ground and off the outside of the post. Nick was last up and sealed a dramatic victory with an emphatic strike.
It’s Brunts away in the next round on 15th November with a league game on the same ground the week after. Before then we are at Whatton in the Notts Junior Cup, the scene of another epic cup game several seasons ago. We also encounter Pinxton again in 2 weeks, this time in the league where we must pick up three points.
Man of the Match: Several contenders including Fraser, Burts, Mickey and Nick but it goes to Rocky who was asked to do a job in defence and produced a fine performance and scored in the shoot out.
Match report by Dave Grantham.
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