Wednesday, 24 September 2008

Wednesday 24th September 2008

Hucknall Rolls Leisure v Awsworth Villa --- NSL Senior Division

Unusual for me to venture out on a Wednesday evening, but I had the chance to take in another mid-week game and to meet up with "Stickypalms" again. Kev was too knackered to attend.

Sticky introduced me to "the Taxman" - a real pleasure meeting him - a real gent...

There were only a few hardy souls knocking about before the teams made the route march to the pitch, but as the game kicked off the numbers swelled and a good guess would be 50-60 in attendance.

Taxman and Sticky had seen Awsworth play already this season, but NSL was a whole new experience for me... this was my first NSL game -- I knew none of the players, and had no idea what standard of play to expect. I did know the Referee though .. Mr. Malcolm Cassidy - we worked together at Hucknall Sports and in the YEL some years ago. Handled this game very well.. that is three games on the trot where the Referee has been up to par...wonders will never cease!!!

Both teams were on 10 points before kick off - placed 8th and 9th respectively in the Senior Division table.

The visitors really powered forward from the kick off, and for the first 10 minutes Rolls were not in the game. They did gradually work their way into the game, although young Awsworth keeper Jack West was not tested over-much -- a decent punch and a couple of easy catches as Rolls took control. It was 0-0 until the 42nd minute - then the Rolls keeper and his centre-half lost concentration allowing Kieran Saxton to nip in and score. 90 seconds later the score was 0-2 -- the no. 10 shirt fairly lashing the ball past the static Rolls keeper from 20 yards. In the first minute of stoppage time, the Awsworth no. 6 fired across the keeper to make it 0-3 at half time... 3 minutes of madness from Rolls, but gave us something to talk about during the interval.

Rolls reduce the deficit 3 minutes after the restart, their no. 10 capitalising on poor defending to tap home. Although this appeared to panic the Villa defence, Rolls were unable to take advantage and the visitors calmed things down a little and on 66 made the points safe. Saxton showed the ball to three defenders and beat them all before crossing into the six yard box where the no. 6 was waiting to tap in his second of the game. Rolls tried to rally, but the Villa defence was a little too good on the night, and it ended : Hucknall Rolls Leisure 1 Awsworth Villa 4.

I have to say I was pleasantly surprised at the standard -- another very enjoyable game in very good company.

Saturday - changed plans -- Kev's off to drown some maggots, so I'm "Billy no-mates". I'm hoping to go and see Gedling Town v Hinckley Downes .....

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