Competition: CML South Division
Scorers:
Blidworth - Wayne Lister (12), Jake Allen (52)
Linby - Matt Murphy (45), Tom Coupe (80)
Fine publication - 40 pages
With Kev busy decorating, it was off to Blidworth on my own. Met Rob Hornby inside the ground - always entertaining to be in Rob's company! We ere joined after the break by former Referee Steve Watts. Steve suffered knee problems a couple of seasons ago, and hasn't taken a middle for the best part of 18 months.
The pitch - in great shape after such a crap winter
Linby fielded a few players I had never seen play before, Blidworth always seem to have a different line up every time I watch them. These teams are second and third bottom of the CML South Division, so I wasn't expecting a classic. Turned out to be a very passable game with probably the correct result on the day.
The visitors made home keeper Jason Fisher work from the start, forcing him into two early, decent saves. After their early pressure though, Linby went behind on 12, WAYNE LISTER driving past keeper Rhys Watkinson from 12 yards.
Matt Murphy almost drew Linby level with 27 played, but after running in one-on-one with Fisher, he guided the ball past the keeper only to see it crash off the far upright.
MATT MURPHY did find the back of the net as the game entered first half stoppage time, firing home the loose ball after Fisher had palmed away a cross from the right. H-T 1-1
Seven minutes into the second period, the home team re-took the lead in spectacular fashion. After the Linby defence did well to repel a Blidworth attack, the ball dropped perfectly to JAKE ALLEN some 25 yards from goal, and the 19 year-old hit a sweet shot straight into the top corner, giving Watkinson no chance.
The home team were then foiled by Watkinson on 78 - a Craig Gould shot seemingly headed for the top corner until Watkinson made a splendid dive to palm the ball onto the bar. Great strike, but even better save.
The save meant even more two minutes later, as Linby levelled through a TOM COUPE far post header. What could have been 3-1 was now 2-2. Referee Mark Curwood added 6 minutes of stoppage time, and in the fifth of those minutes, Linby's Damian Mann tried his luck from 20 yards - the ball flew past Fisher, but luckily for Blidworth it crashed off the inside of the far stick and was cleared to safely. F-T 2-2
Admission: £3
Programme: £1 - excellent 40 page effort
Attendance - H/C 31
Referee Mark Curwood had a good game and kept his cards in his pocket, although Blidworth's Craig Gould did test his patience towards the end of the game.
