POLAR VISIT TO STH NORMANTON FOR CUP ENCOUNTER

SOUTH NORMANTON ATHLETIC 4 AYLESTONE PARK 3 [AET] [2-2 90 MINS]
EAST MIDLANDS COUNTIES LEAGUE CUP ROUND 2----10 DEC 7.45


AYLESTONE PARK PLAYERS WARMING UP ON A COLD NIGHT

The choice tonight was Alfreton in the Conference v Eastleigh and sadly £18 or a trip to see this EMCL Cup encounter at a ground I had covered just a few days ago.  It was a great choice to re visit Lees Lane with what proved to be one of the best games of the season with both sides going for the attacking option to provide a hatful of goals in the entertaining 120 minutes of football.



THIS SHOT OF THE DERBYSHIRE FLAG SHOWS THE STRONG WINDS BUT DOESNT ADD THE WIND CHILL FACTOR INTO THE MIX!

The only downside tonight was the unbelievably biting wind chill factor which would have left Ernest Shackleton questioning what he was doing at Lees Lane which is never the warmest of places at the best of times.  The official attendance of 14 is I guess the lowest non-league crowd I have been part of and for those who visited Alfreton or chose the fireside you missed a treat!
It was the Leicestershire visitors who took the lead on three occasions but in the vital period of the 2nd period of extra time that saw South Normanton take the all important lead for the first time in the game and it proved to be a winning goal.  1-1 at half time, 2-2 at 90 minutes and on both occasions the home side replied within a couple of minutes.  Extra time in the cold weather was not to be welcomed but again the entertainment surpassed the weather the Leicestershire side took the lead from the spot with Linford Harris completing his hat trick.  This time it took the home side 5 minutes to equalise and then in that second period of extra time take the lead for the first time in the game a goal that secured them a spot in round 3.
A superb advert for The East Midlands Counties League and Aylestone contributed so much to this game with a young team who are struggling in the league but surpassed that position in their efforts tonight.