Date: 08/07/17
Venue: Bracken Park
pitch 2
Attendance: >50
With Selston’s Parish Ground still undergoing the improvements that are needed for them to compete at step 6 in the coming season, this game was played on the back pitch at Underwood Villa – a very good playing surface in very pleasant surroundings. The visiting team comprised, (as we were told) a mix of youth players and first teamers. What I watched was a step 6 (EMCL) team give a step 5 team (UCLP) a very tough time.I was supposed to have been at Eastwood v Holbrook Sports, but a buddy from a few years back requested my presence at the Selston game as he was manager for the day, with Craig Weston AWOL.
Richard Smith was a hell of a footballer when he was with Eastwood Town, and he has recently taken up the Assistant Managers position at Selston. Gary Breach was assisting Richard at pitchside – together they chalked up a hell of a lot of games at Coronation Park. I didn’t take
many notes, and the Nirvana line-up was completely unknown to yours
truly. Selston had a few defenders not available, but in all honesty
the visitors didn’t look to be a threat early doors – and any
worries Mr. Smith may have had must have eased in the 6th minute, when
Kane Hempshall turned and fired home after he was played in on goal
by Dominic Airey.
Airey went close to adding a second two minutes
later, his deft chip clearing the Nirvana keeper, but unfortunately
clearing the bar as well. The visitors defending at times was poor,
and on 13 they gave the ball away and it fell to the feet of
Carl Moore, who had the simple task of rolling it into an empty
net.
Elliott King entered the game after half an hour, and five
minutes later he’d added the Selston third. After making space for
himself at the far post, the ball was played across the goal to him
giving him the relatively simple task of firing it past the Nirvana
keeper. H-T 3-0.
The second half was relatively dull compared to
the first, but the visitors did have an effort cannon of a post, as
did Airey on 72 – a terrific header that deserved more. Not a lot
to add. A very competent team performance – albeit against an
understrength opposition. You can only beat what’s in front of you
– and Selston did that with some ease. F-T 3-0
