Wednesday 26th November 2008

Greenwood Meadows 2-3 Dunkirk FC -- Notts F.A. Senior Cup

Before I begin to comment on the game, let me assure a certain person ( who shall remain anonymous, but writes a bit every now and again for local paper and initials are BD) that I am NOT retired !! I may be a bit weather-beaten and in need of a "10 years younger" type make-over, but I am still a long way from my pension ....blimey, just when you think you know someone .....

Had a nice, steady drive down to Lenton Lane arriving just before the teams came out of the changing rooms...

The Notts F.A. Senior Cup is held at the moment by Eastwood Town - this was the final match of round 2. Dunkirk join Wollaton, Calverton MW, Forest Town, Radcliffe Olympic and Hucknall Rolls Leisure in round 3 - that's when the "big" boys join in .. Hucknall Town, Eastwood Town, Retford, Carlton etc...

Both these teams play in the newly created East Midlands Counties League, and this is a true local derby -- their grounds are only about 100 yards apart.

The first 10 minutes or so were a bit cagey with both teams passing the ball well but failing to mount significant attacks. The first real attack by home team saw them go ahead. A scramble in the Dunkirk 6 yard box ended with Robinson prodding the ball past the groping hands of Wheater-Lowe in the Dunkirk net. The lead lasted barely 9 minutes though.

After some impressive ball control and trickery, the visitors no. 10 managed to get the ball to Massingham who ran into the box and was promptly upended. The striker picked himself up and hammered the spot kick home. Dunkirk went ahead on 24, Soar's powerful close range header for a right wing corner giving the home keeper no chance. H-T 1-2

Kev had brought a flask of chicken soup, and it was apparently very nice - Evening Post Brian liked it anyway... mind you, owt for nowt ...... I don't do soup.

Straight from the restart, Meadows' centre-back Pollard brought down Massingham on the edge of the box, and was booked for his trouble. Whether he was the last man is debatable, but if he had have been shown red, I don't think there would have been too many complaints. Massingham sent his free-kick flying wide. The same player was foiled by a brilliant diving save from the home keeper seconds later.

It was all square on the hour mark. A speculative effort by the home no.11 shirt, from an acute angle, saw Wheater-Lowe lose sight of the ball and he failed to connect with his clearance and the ball ended up in the net.

As the game entered it's final quarter, we were hoping and praying that someone would score -- extra-time and penalties loomed large!!!

Unfortunately for Greenwood, it was Dunkirk who managed to grab the decisive goal. The ball was played to Massingham from a free-kick just inside the half - the no. 9 took the ball in his stride and angled a shot across the keeper and into the net. Looked marginally offside, but the lino was in a better position than us ...and there were not too many arguments for the home players.

Straight out after the final whistle -- third car out of the car-park. Back in the house at 10pm in time to see the Champs League goals on Sky...

Admission £4

Never saw a programme

Att 80?

Saturday - Carlton Tn v Leek Tn... a chance to see Wayne Corden ( one of my favourite ex-Mansfield Town players) in action for Leek.