EASTER SATURDAY DRAW AT THE TOP AT BRINKLEY

 Euro Soccer Nottinghamshire Senior League: Premier Division

SOUTHWELL CITY FC 1 STAPLEFORD TOWN FC 1

Att: 206

Around 5 years ago, Southwell City FC played a double header against Desford FC at Brinkley, a small village around a mile outside of Southwell, I remember the day well, as it was hot and the now built clubhouse that stands was just a shell and the wife Hazel ran the tea bar whilst Shawn found a squeaky wheelbarrow to keep him amused for the day picking up rubbish like a womble.

Earlier this season, Southwell City FC made the decision to make Brinkley their new home and have invested a lot with new changing rooms, new clubhouse and bar and also moved to another pitch that is railed and has a covered stand.

Today visiting Brinkley were other title contenders Stapleford Town FC in a three way finish with Woodthorpe Park Rangers FC fighting it out.

On arrival, Im met by both committees and soon got a cuppa and programme, whilst the car park gets full and the homesters soon open up the overflow car park to let in the crowd of 206. I then meet Andrew Shread for the first time, who explains to me about his drone and filming service that he provides and soon get the teamsheets to share with him.

I speak with a few groundhoppers who have arrived from all over the country, before I head over to the far side of the pitch, the game kicks off and both sides are playing the long ball tactic but the final ball just isnt there as both teams cancel each other out and to be honest the only near chance in the first half was the visitors hitting the post.

The Second Half begins very lively with Town straight on the attack down the right side and on 47 minutes the ball is fed through to SURAFEL TEFERA to slot his side in to a 1-0 lead.

Southwell then began to press forward and on 54 minutes thought they were back on level terms when from a free kick on the right hand side found Brad McDonald's head at the back post to nod home, but the assistant referee had flagged for a offside decision.

The battle was in full blood now as both sides were fighting for every ball but then City were to make things a big harder for themselves when they were reduced to 10 men as a player was sin binned for 10 minutes.

On 74 minutes from a corner there was a bit of pulling and pushing and the ball went back out for another corner, this  time, the Assistant Referee flagged and referee went over and pointed to the spot, much to the dislike of the Stapleford players and supporters, up stepped sub CHRIS BOWLES who made no mistake in making it 1-1.

Both sides now were going all out for the win and the Southwell keeper pulled out a top drawer effort, whilst Southwell had chip that just missed the top corner of the net.

During the match a gentlemen called Geoff ftom Southwell City kindly donated £5 to the Charity Blog and after the match Stapleford Town donated £20.. As many of you know by now the charity blog is for the Childrens Bereavement Centre and I have arranged a match at Basford United FC on Saturday 4th June between a NSL side which will include most of the NSL clubs and AC Wollaton(A charity team) Raffle tickets are on sale now as I have over 40 prizes. If anyone would like to buy any raffle tickets, then please mail me on robhregnsl@hotmail.com

To see the 225 photos, please click on this LINK