Saturday 6th December 2008

Gedling Town 3-0 Greenwood Meadows -- EMCL



What a pleasant afternoon!! A bit chilly, but not really numbingly cold until about 4:30pm - then it really made your eyes water......


Ayup me duck

Although lying 2nd in the table, Gedling were beaten 5-0 at leaders Borrowash on Tuesday, but they were, apparently, a little unlucky.. we had a chat to Aaron Large's dad and he thought that Gedling made enough chances throughout and played well enough to get something out of the game.

Greenwood were top of the league a couple of months ago, but have found it difficult to keep up their early momentum -- collecting only two points from their last 8 games. Looked a home banker, but early doors it was the visitors who looked the most likely to score.

Dave Wardle under pressure

As early as the 4th minute, Meadows' no. 10 shirt, Dave Baofa, found himself one-on-one with Gedling keeper Dave Wardle who stuck out a leg to block the strikers shot. Soon after, the visitors no.9, Eugene Francis was also one-on-one with Wardle - again the keeper blocked well.

On 18 the visitors almost went a goal down. A surging run from Aaron Large ended with the winger firing just past the near post. Then as the ball was played out of defence Blair saw his overhead kick go just wide of the Gedling net.

Two minutes later the home team took the lead - Lavelle White made a terrific run down the right wing before cutting into the area and unleashing a powerful drive that struck the crossbar before falling kindly at the feet of Rob Gill who hammered the ball home from 6 yards out. Those early missed chances really hurting the men in all green...

Gedling left-back Luke Wright fires in a free-kick

On 37, the superb Aaron Ryan threaded the ball through to Rob Gill who in turn fed strike partner Graham Epps - the no. 10's fierce drive was blocked brilliantly by Greenwood keeper Farnsworth. The next Gedling attack saw Gill play a pin-piont pass to Large, but his shot from 12 yards was high and wide.

H-T 1-0

LAPDOG !! ( Kev's caption, not mine!!)

It took just 5 minutes of the second period for Gedling to increase their lead. Another pacy run down the right wing by Lavell White followed by a cross to the far post where Large was waiting to stoop and head home. It was almost 3-0 straight after - a 25 yard piledriver from Epps beat Farnsworth all ends up, but struck the angle of post and bar before flying out for a goal-kick. The effort prompted the cry of " Eppsy -- worra f****ng strike, son!!" from one of his team-mates....

The home team made the game safe on 73. Luke Smith's throw-in found Gill who turned and played in Jimmy Spiers on the edge of the area. The midfielder controlled well and fired an unstoppable shot into the top corner. To their credit, Greenwood kept going although they hardly troubled the home defence.

Gill hit a cracking 20 yarder with the outside of his right foot in the 88th minute - and again with Farnsworth well beaten, the ball hammered off the woodwork and flew safe. F-T 3-0

More pics ( sorry, some are a bit arty-farty -- ducks, moon, landscape, helicopter, a pylon at sunset - the game was not that bad!! I was just experimenting with various settings on my cheapo camera....)

Special thanks to Gedling Chairman Roland Ash. Despite his secretary being absent through illness, he still made time to hand write me a team sheet. Mind you, his effort with the P.A system left a bit to be desired -- not heard feedback like that since the late, great Jimi Hendrix was in his prime!!

Admission £4.00

Programme - in Lincoln with the secretary.

Coffee - out of Kev's flask --- needs to be a bit more heavy handed with the granules - but it was wet and warm and most welcome.....

Attendance -- strange - we did a head count before the game and came up with 30 odd. Did another head count after the half time interval and counted 60+ ....

Best Ferryman -- difficult choice between Ryan and Gill ...but I'll go with Gill

Best visitor - probably Eugene Francis

Tuesday - Arnold Tn v Market Drayton Tn --- FA Vase replay (oh no!!) ... at Carlton Town FC