Tuesday 16th December 2008

Arnold Town 5-2 Dinnington Town -- NCEL Premier Division

Never expected a 5-2 result !! These teams were in 4th and 5th places in the league table and I thought this would be a little bit cagey...

Then I saw who was in goal for Dinnington and I had an idea that we might be in for a few -- Rob Poulter was probably the worst keeper to ever wear the Eastwood Town shirt while I was a regular at Coronation Park, and he ain't not got no better!!!

Kev's working in Peterborough at the moment and wasn't able to get home in time for him to attend.

I grabbed a minute with local Referee Rob Townsend before the game I had mentioned that in last weeks game the Referee wore black while Market Drayon were in dark blue, making it hard to pick out the Ref -- Rob advised me that it is an F.A rule that the officials must wear black for F.A. competitions. This rule is Referees rule 11 - it seems a bit of a silly rule to me - should the Referee have asked Drayton to change their kit because it clashed with the Ref?

Also met up with the Evening Post man again - I think he may be stalking me!!

The game kicked off and it started peeing it down. I spent the first 10 minutes huddled under the overhanging roof of the changing room block - but the view was a bit restricted so I moved to the "sit-downs" behind the right hand goal. Consequently I was over 100 yards away from the other goal - and of course that's where the first of the games goals went in! Arnold striker Martin Carruthers capitalised on a mix up between Poulter and Elam to fire home from close range on 14, then 5 minutes later Poulter and Axcell gifted the ball to the Arnold striker and he fired home from 12 yards.

Despite the driving rain, both teams were playing some decent football with Dinnington giant striker Gavin Allott looking particularly dangerous. They had a sustained period of pressure as the game - and were rewarded on 36 with a penalty after Brookes tripped Blythen in the area. Allott fired the ball past Broster with consumate ease - this time I was only a few yards away!!

H-T 2-1

I went into the clubhouse during the break and went to sit with Evening Post man - he was devouring a tray of chips. "Do you want a chip?" he asked.... note: singular, not plural as in "do you want some chips?" I politely declined and just seconds later the tray was empty.....no chance to change my mind !!!!

Brian was at the game to interview Carlton Town Manger Tommy Brookbanks, and also to do a "profile" on Arnold's very,very talented right back Josh Thornton.

Back out into the rain as the teams came out - went straight for cover again. Carruthers completed his hat-trick on 55. A free-kick in from Brookes was headed on by Freestone and Carruthers stooped to nod home at the far post - the hapless Poulter could have made a better effort to save this, but as I said previously, he is not the best keeper in the world...

Allott hit a 25 yard stunner past Arnold keeper Broster on the hour mark, then Arnold skipper Mark Clifford replied in kind - a terrific drive that flew past Poulter... not his fault this time!! He got nowhere near the ball as it whistled into the back of the net.

Arnold keeper Broster foiled Allott from point blank range in the 75th minute as Dinnington looked to decrease their arrears.

Carruthers bagged his fourth of the game with three minutes to go - superb wing play from Freestone - and a cross that saw Poulter and Elam leave the ball for each other - Carruthers got there and bundled home from 2 yards out... F-T 5-2

Admission £5

Programme - excellent £1.50

Tea - didn't bother

Best Eagle - Martin Carruthers

Attendance 55 ( looked a few more, but there were a lot of Carlton players knocking about)...

Saturday -- Forest Town v Sutton Town AFC....