KYLE'S BRACE IN MEMORY OF DAVE

Samba Nottinghamshire Senior League

Junior Cup - Quarter Final

COTGRAVE RESERVES 2 NOTTINGHAM COMMUNITY 1

att: 35

In the week leading up to this Quarter Final tie, the sad news that former club chair Dave Collis had passed away in his sleep, this was a big loss for Cotgrave FC, Ive known Dave for a matter of years and always was first to greet everyone at the gate and always rushed off to make a cuppa for myself and other match officials. 

When I took the groundhop there some years ago, he manned the gate, he sold stuff on the Cotgrave stall, he was more than a volunteer. So it seemed very strange arriving today and his smiling face not greeting us, but his memory will live around the Cotgrave FC people and beyond.

A minutes silence took place before kick off and his family came along and were presented with some flowers from the club

As the game kicked off, there was only one thing in the Collierymens mind and that was to progress to the Semi Final for Dave. They went straight on the attack with Lucas Cotterill going close a couple of times and the Community back line standing tall, whilst their front men played on the counter attack.

It was though only a matter of time when Cotgrave were to burst the Community net and that came after 24 minutes, when a pinpoint cross from the right side was met by the head of KYLE WADDELL to the relief of the home supporters.

After me half time cuppa, it was back to pitchside and within 37 seconds of the kick off, it was 2-0 to the Colliery side when KYLE WADDELL rifle in as you can see from the top photo.

This seemed to bring Community to life as they pressed forward but were finding Cotgrave too strong at the back, but on 58 minutes, a long free kick from the left side was floated in for RHEL BRAMWELL to reduce the home sides advantage.

Community pressed forward again but this left gaps at the back and with 80 minutes on the clock should really have wrapped up the tie, when 3 failed efforts were cleared by the visiting defence.

I felt the referee Alan Goode had a good match

121 photos can be seen on this LINK