SOLDIERS JUST EDGE IN LOCAL DERBY

 Eurosoccer Nottinghamshire Senior League: Division Two

SHIREBROOK SOLDIERS FC 2 BULL FARM UNITED FC 1

Was due to being over to Nottingham but in midweek, we got a phone call from our daughter in law to ask if we could have our 1 year old grandson overnight as she was at the hospital n Saturday, so my plans were altered as I looked for a local match and came across this local derby.

Shirebrook Soldiers won the League's Intermediate Cup last season whilst Bull Farm United FC have had a name change from AFC Creswell, teamsheets in and Soldiers had hit 9 goals last weekend and this week had 5 subs, whilst United had a bare 12 and had drawn their first match of the season.

Before the match I grabbed a cuppa and had a chat with match referee Jack Hardman and club camera man Pete Waby before heading down to pitchside.

The match kicked off and Soldiers were soon on the front foot and after 5 minutes, ROBBIE SAVAGE burst forward and saw his shot parried  back to him by the visiting keeper for him to fire home on his second attempt. 

Shirebrook kept pushing forward but like most local derbies therw were a few niggly tackles and pulls and pushes, wheich the ref had to blow up for, but some of the players rather football decided they just wanted to grumble and that was coming from both sides.

United were though defending well and breaking when they could but the first half belonged to the Soldiers but they just held that slim lead.

For the Second Half, Shirebrook began to bring on fresh legs and on 56 minutes, a cross from the right hand side was flicked on by KIERAN DARBY over the keeper to make it 2-0 to the homesters.

As Soldiers bought more fresh legs on, I thought United would tire but to their credit, they began to play the better football and as a midfield battle broke down, a ball was played up to NATHAN WATSON who cut in from the left to half the arrears on 78 minutes.

It wasnt a classic game but wasnt one you could look away from, as all 3 goals in the game were well taken and there were a lot of battles on the pitch between several players.

Some werent too pleased with the ref but my personal opinion was he tried to let the game flow and also he told the players why he was making decisions.

Meanwhile my friend Herbie went to AFC Malborne and was handed a £3 donation by Cory for the Charity Blog

To view 167 photos from the match pls click this LINK

Meanwhile many of you will know that I am producing 2 Cornish Clubs FIRST EVER Programmes, Lanner FC and Mount Ambrose FC with all proceeds going to the Charity Blog for the Childrens Bereavement Centre. Both Programmes are £2 each plus postage. Last date for pre orders is Sunday 18th September