Friday 18th August 2017 k.o. 7:30
NSL Premier Division
Teams:
Kimberley: Buxton, Newbold, Holmes, Tyrrell, Shepherd, Bailey, Papworth, Mee, Clowes, Hassall, Betteridge.
Calverton: Osbourne, Hodson, Davis, Whitehead, Wheelhouse, Earps, Humphries, Buckle, Bennett, Scrivener.
Referee: Mr. Chris Hunter
Assistant: Mr. Phil Towers
Assistant: Ms Phoebe Cross
Admission: £2.00 (donated to Think Children - thank you)
H/C 60
Friday night football at the Stag saw Calverton MW take on their hosts in a Notts Senior League Premier Division fixture. Both teams are new to the top division, having been promoted from Division One at the end of last season. We had no idea of the standard we should expect, but this turned out to be a very good game with both teams showing plenty of skill and endeavour throughout the ninety minutes. In the end Calverton proved to be a little too good for the home team, even when they were reduced to ten men midway through the second period.
Watched the game in the company of Kev, Pete Chappell, Tony Squires and EFL match official Dave Plowright, and all seemed suitably impressed with the game overall. We had to wait until the 13th minute to see the games first real chance, Jamie Humphries crashing a 25 yard effort off the Kimberley crossbar with Lewis Buxton well beaten.
With 35 played, Sam Buckle had a powerful header well saved by Buxton as Calverton began to pose a serious threat to the home defence. The visitors’ pressure paid off in the 38th minute. When Buckle’s ball in from the right sailed across the goal, and with all the defenders appearing to leave it for each other, it fell kindly to the feet of RYAN EASOM who made no mistake firing home at the far post.
We had a couple of chances as the half drew to a close, firstly Hassall hammered a shot at goal the Osbourne did well to parry and clear, then at the other end Calverton should have doubled their lead but somehow Humphries contrived to head over the bar from just a few feet out.
H-T 0-1
H-T 0-1
Buckle made a mazy run through the Kimberley backline early in the second period, but after doing all the hard work could only fire tamely wide of the post. It mattered not though as they were handed their second goal on a plate when Buxton gifted the ball to DANE BENNETT seconds later. The striker struggled to control under pressure, but remained calm enough under pressure and fired home to put his team two goal clear. On 64, Buckle saw a straight red after he lunged with a straight leg, studs showing at a Kimberley defender.
Ian Shepherd headed just wide from a well placed free-kick in the 71st minute as the home team strived to get something from the game against the 10 men. As Kimberley pressed, they left space at the back, and when an attack broke down with 10 to play, the ball was fired down the right and crossed into the box, where sub TOBY KING was on hand to fire the ball across the goal and in at the far post.
The best goal of the game came on 82. A stunning 30+ yard free-kick fired with cruise missile accuracy into the top corner by ADAM HASSALL. What a strike, but too little, too late for Kimberley as they failed to breach the stubborn Calverton defence again. F-T 1-3
A quick mention for the match officials : Chris Hunter was not overly fussy and controlled the game very well. Phil Towers was spot on with the Buckle incident and young Phoebe Cross was proof that whether male or female, if you’re good enough, you’re old enough.
