SHIREBROOK TOWN 2 V AFC MANSFIELD 3
NCEL 1 4 FEB 2015---7.45PM
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| KIERON WATSON GETS READY TO TAKE A FIRST HALF PENALTY |
Cold nights mid season seem often to be spent at Langwith Rd, Shirebrook and tonight was no different bitterly cold and frost laden all around this was the only NCEL game to survive a pitch inspection and what a game the night served up.
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| FROST IS NOT A PROBLEM, HONESTLY |
This Derbyshire v Nottinghamshire 'derby' was one that had been eagerly awaited with the home officials eager to get this match on and clearly by the turnout, 348, was much required by the local non league fans. There was a wide selection of hoppers, other clubs officials and neutrals alongside the fans of the two clubs involved.
The blog covered a game before Christmas were you can see a description of the ground but I did stop off in the towns Market Place first were at close of business much was shuttered up save for the COOP and a few other shops. It was a cold and dark place but the now hopefully the towns COOP can survive after the postponed development of town centre land for a big supermarket has been called off following their recent curtailment of further expansions of their network of stores.
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AFC MANAGER RUDI FUNK AND HIS ASSISTANT
MICKY TAYLOR |
On to the ground and it was as ever good to catch up with many hoppers and officials of both clubs.
The first half was a breath taking affair with AFC starting the first 20 minutes at a tremendous pace which saw Shirebrook struggling to thwart attack after attack. However after a lead for AFC it was the referee Lee Freeman who gave cause for concern and after treatment he retired to a line to be completely replaced by watching referee Jamie O Connor at half time, his replacement in the middle Mehdi Najefi had a mobile game and kept a good grip on the proceedings. One of his first acts was to award a penalty to Shirebrook but Jason White was on hand to pull of a superb double save from Kieron Watson. But a few minutes later he was on hand to level the scores before Liam Morris made it 2-1 to Shirebrook with a lovely pacey run and strike home. Not to be outdone though on the stroke of half time AFC levelled the scores and we went into the break level.
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| REFEREE LEE FREEMAN RECEIVES TREATMENT |
The second half produced another pacey affair with probably slightly less in the way of chances but nevertheless a thoroughly engrossing affair and just as it looked like a share of the points would be the outcome AFC produced a stunner of a winning goal. Referee Najefi awarded The Bulls a free kick 25 yards out with two minutes to go up stepped Glyn Cotton who swept home the sweetest of free kicks round the wall and into the Shirebrook goal to set off scenes of joy on the AFC bench. Shirebrook pushed on again and even after around 9 minutes of stoppage time they could not find a way through and although the result was harsh on Shirebrook its The Bull who now charge into third spot. Under the guidance of Rudi Funk they have a great chance at earning their second promotion in two seasons. Before that though they have their biggest game of their short history this Saturday when Tadcaster Albion visit in the last 16 of the FA Vase.
As ever a good night in Shirebrook.
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| AFC FANS SPICE UP THE EVENING IN THE SID PEPPER STAND |
I think you have given a fair description of the game. Bloody freezing up Langgy Rd and as a local I was very surprised to hear it was on. I had been on garden wi boots testing its hardness. I know we lost but, by heck what a game it wo. Had the lot, thankfully though devoid of any red cards. I reckon the 348 (I believe) got VFM and could have gone home happy with the performance of both teams. That free kick wunta gonna amiss in Prem to be fair. No one would a stopped that.
ReplyDeleteThanks Pete for your comments it was a superb game I always seem to be at Langwith Rd on cold midweek nights, still the chip cobs normally keep me going!
ReplyDeleteAll the best keep on supporting, be great to see Shirebrook bouncing back up the leagues soon.