FRANCIS MAKES REDS PAY THE PENALTY

Nottinghamshire County Saturday Senior Trophy

Round Two

BLIDWORTH WELFARE RED FC 2 BURTON JOYCE FC 3

I chose this Cup tie as it was close to home and with it being a ground Id never been to before, it appealed to me. On arrival I was greeted by the Reds Sec/Manager John and made very welcome.

Blidworth Reds dont actually play in Blidworth, but on the outskirts of Sutton In Ashfield on Unwin Road. The team had been set up as a kids team and all been friends as they grew up and didnt wish to be split up when they became adults, so moved away from Blidworth to set up their own Saturday adult side and ply their trade in the newly formed Midlands & Notts Alliance League.

With teamsheets written down it was to pitchside and a minutes silence of respect to those who sadly lost their lives last weekend at Leicester City FC.

The match kicked off and it was the visitors Burton Joyce who looked the stronger going forward and the club from the Nottinghamshire Senior League looked like they had opened the scoring in the first couple of minutes, but the referee called play back for a offside decision.

The Greens kept pressing forward and on 15 minutes, a trip just inside the area saw them gain a penalty decision, to which DEAN GENT duly dispatched to open up the scoring. After 19 minutes, Burton Joyce opened up a two goal advantage, when DEAN GENT beat the offside trap and rounded the home keeper to slot home.

The Reds then sprang in to action and began to play some good football and on 24 minutes reduced the arrears when a mistake at the heart of the defence and the visiting keeper let in RHYS EDMONDS to capitalise on.

The Reds confidence grew and in the 31st minute, they were on level terms when a corner from the left hand side, was partly cleared to the edge of the penalty area, where MICHAEL BIGGS placed a low shot in to the corner of the net.

Just before half time, Reds had a blow, when their keeper was struggling and went down to the ground, it looked as if he would make the half time whistle, but after treatment, he went down again and had to be replaced, with the homesters having to change their formation.

The Second Half was end to end in a blood and guts Cup Tie, with both teams going close, but as they say, every game has a turning point and this came in 57th minute, when Blidworth were awarded a penalty, the Reds player hit it sweetly towards the corner of the net, but Blyth in the Joyce net was equal to it and pushed it away. This proved to be critical as the visitors were ahead within 3 minutes, when NATHAN FRANCIS cut in from the left wing and drew the keeper before slotting it past him.

The Reds pushed everyone forward and in the final 3 minutes had 4 corners to which all 11 players were in the visiting penalty area but in the end the Greens defence stood tall and took a narrow win to face United Grays FC at home in Round Three of the competition.

Must add that both clubs represented their Leagues well and are a credit to themselves.

Photos from the match can be seen on this LINK