VILLAGE IN SMASH & GRAB WIN

Nottinghamshire Senior League

Division One

BESTWOOD MINERS WELFARE 1 RUDDINGTON VILLAGE 3

att: 21

Its been a long time since I been to the Park Road Ground in Bestwood Village, where NSL newcomers Bestwood Miners Welfare FC are based, so a visit was made, some changes have happened since my last visit all those years ago, with a massive kitchen area being added. On arrival I was met by club Secretary Mary Duffy and Managers wife Elaine who kindly made me a cuppa. Team Manager Jim bought me the teamsheet over followed by the Ruddingtons.

The game kicked off and I stood in the first half in the gantry stand that overlooks the pitch, what a great view from up there. Bestwood were on the attack and could well have taken a early lead after just 4 minutes, when a goalbound shot was saved by the Ruddington captain, to which the match official gave him a yellow card. The resulting penalty by Duanne Haywood was hit form but high, so the chance went begging. 

Ruddington played on the counter attack and created a couple of chances themselves, but the home defence stood equal to them. As the half progressed, Bestwood missed chance after chance and found the visiting keeper in fine form, but after 37 minutes, they were to celebrate a goal, when a low free kick from 30 yards out by STEFAN DALMEDO nestled in the bottom corner of the net.

Just on half time, it was the home keeper who was called in to action with a double reflex save to keep hi side in front for the half time break.

The Second Half began and the visitors were awarded a free kick just outside the penalty area in the 48th minute, to which FRAZER CANNON-BROWNLIE  stepped up and blasted it home to make it 1-1.

This spurred Bestwood to press forward and again shots went inches wide and Powell in the visitors net was stopping everything thrown at him, it was one of those afternoon where you just knew what was to come and it did after  67 minutes, when Village's JAMES HOWARD stuck his side in front. Again the home side threw men forward whilst the visitors played on the counter and chances galore by both sides went astray, but Ruddington sealed the points in 76th minute when JAMIE NEEP cross shot found the net to make it 3-1.

A very entertaining match to start the NSL season off with and with the 4 goals scored, it now takes the running total for the Charity Blog to £801.75p for FORGET ME NOT, a small charity that supports people with Dementia and their partners and carers.

Photos from the match can be seen on this LINK