This was not our "scheduled" game - we should have been at Attenborough v Newark, but that game was switched to Collingham so a re-think was in order. Gedling MW v Magdala Amatuers was in my thoughts - pleased we didn't go to Plains Road though, as the Welfare lost 2-3, and it would have been a defeat that the home committee would have blamed us for!
Also on the short list were Sherwood Colliery v Brodsworth Welfare and Blidworth v F.C. Cavaliers. As it happens, both those games were called off. Beeston AFC v Burton Joyce looked attractive, but the roadworks scuppered that. So we settled for the Heanor game, and we both agree that we would have been sorely pee'd off if we'd have missed this one!
Heanor have made tremendous strides both on and off the pitch. The squad that Glen Clarence has put together looks very strong, and with a cracking committee and the ground improvements, the future is looking very good for the Lions. Special thanks go to Ian Duffield and Tony Squires for making us so welcome - much appreciated.
Heanor have made tremendous strides both on and off the pitch. The squad that Glen Clarence has put together looks very strong, and with a cracking committee and the ground improvements, the future is looking very good for the Lions. Special thanks go to Ian Duffield and Tony Squires for making us so welcome - much appreciated.
Kirsty Holmes / Glen Clarence
The Town Ground
Lions: Frost, Raven (Stevenson), Shaw, Moran, Peel, Blake, Grantham, Hall, Benger, Holmes (Williams), DeBrouwer (Wallace).
Old Boys: White, Sherwood, Gill, Barlow, Dexter, Cooper, Taylor, Kirk, Benson, Thompson, Lattimore. Subs: Crane, Blendell, Slater, Dawson, Burrt.
Steady rain throughout kept the Town Ground pitch slick - and Heanor took full advantage, playing their passing game almost faultlessly.
The first Lions goal came in the 22th minute. Gerry Moran's pin-point ball into the box from midfield picked out KIERAN DEBROUWER who controlled superbly before rifling the ball past Ben White from an acute angle.
League top scorer Kieran Debrouwer
The home team doubled their lead five minutes later when COUREY GRANTHAM lashed the loose ball home after White had blocked Nathan Benger's initial header from a Jared Holmes corner.
Grantham (no. 7) being congratulated after scoring Town's second
Derrouwer had a shot well saved by White on 24, but it was the visitors who almost grabbed the next goal on the half-hour mark, Ryan Cooper directing the ball past Heanor keeper Mark Frost only to see Chris Shaw calmly run in and clear the danger.
Brett Peel in action
Benger was cautioned in the final minute of the half - but the challenge was nothing untoward - just a coming together of players that the Ref didn't like. Worth mentioning this because it put thoughts into our heads that the striker may be subbed, robbing us of any chance of seeing his 100th Lions goal. H-T 2-0
Nathan Benger
We were invited for coffee and sandwiches in the Boardroom during the break - thanks again, Tony!
Heanor went further ahead five minutes into the second period, this time COUREY GRANTHAM smashing a cracking left foot shot past White from the edge of the box, after Benger had rolled a controlled ball into his path.
Holmes fizzed a ball in from the right on 58 that just needed a touch from anyone - unfortunately it evaded everyone and a great chance was wasted.
Heanor keeper Frost had to make a diving save in the 62nd minute to prevent Luke Thompson adding to his season's tally.
Mark Frost
We were almost celebrating Benger's 100th goal for the Lions soon after, but his effort rolled agonisingly towards the goal before being cleared off the line with the crowd already cheering!
As we were wending our way to the exit, Dan Williams carried the ball into the Old Boys box and was tripped. The Ref duly awarded the spot kick and the cry immediately went up that Benger should take this chance to grab his milestone goal.
Kev whipped out the camera hoping to record a moment of Heanor Town history and was rewarded with 11 seconds of video that recorded the strikers shot saved by White, the follow up belted into the net, and the cracking swallow dive. You can also hear the Ref's whistle that signalled the end of a memorable and most enjoyable game. F-T 4-0
Admission: £5
Programme: £1
Attendance: 151
