SOUTH NORMANTON DEMOLISH ANSTEY IN LEAGUE CUP 1/4 FINAL

SOUTH NORMANTON ATHLETIC 9 V ANSTEY NOMADS 2
EAST MIDS COUNTIES LEAGUE CUP 1/4 FINAL AT MJ ROBINSON CONST ARENA
24 FEBRUARY 2016 --- 7.45PM

PRE MATCH HUDDLE

A demolition job from the Shiners saw them brush aside Anstey Nomads in their efforts to retain the EMCL league cup.  The first half remarkably produced two hat tricks for Luke Crosby and Lee Fell as the home side stormed onto a 6-1 lead at the break.

GROUND SHINING BRIGHT BEHIND THE COOP

The journey to Alfreton for our change of bus to South Normanton was on a cool night after a previous nights frost the hope was that the game would not suffer a late call off.  The blog encountered Derby County fans waiting for their 'rams special' bus to take them to the I Pro and there was no convincing them to take in a non league, a cracker they were to miss too.
Upon arrival in South Normanton a quick visit to the Coop for a snack revealed the ground which sides onto the store with its light shining brightly hoping to attract some locals.
The ground approach is still quite dark but within the excellent floodlights were illuminating a smart looking ground with excellent playing surface, I wont describe the ground again as it has been covered many times last season, hopefully some of the pictures will give a back drop.

SMART NEW DUG OUTS AT STH NORMANTON ATHLETIC FC

The big plus this season is that the dug outs that were at the front of the touchline stand and blocked spectators views have been removed and brand new excellent ones have been placed on the opposite side, very smart too.  There are also some new signs up supporting The Shiners and advert for Elite Roofing too.

DAVE IS PICTURED ON THE BLOG AGAIN NICE BURNLEY HAT!

The evening was spent in the company of blog regular guest Dave the Flagman who was adorned in his new Burnely FC hat fresh from his previous nights visit to Turf Moor indeed this was his third game in three days having been to Ilkeston v Stamford on Monday.  Also at the game were Mark and Brian Thorpe and alongside Kev Grundy former Swanwick Pentrich Rd manager the blog spent an enjoyable night with all 4.

BUSINESS END OF THE GROUND

The Shiners were 6-1 up by the break with the scoring starting as early as the 7th minute when Crosby fired in a cross goal effort, it was 2-0 on 14 minutes when Fell opened his account.  The third goal came when Anthony Fay set up Crosby for his second after 28 minutes. 
Anstey made a small come back on 35 minutes when Joseph Hartopp rounded the home keeper Steve Smith to slot home.  Smith had to be alert a few moments later when he saved at full stretch from Zak Harris.
Normal service was resumed on 38 minutes when Crosby got his hat trick when he fired home from the edge of the box.  Two goals on 42 and 45minutes saw Atheltic reach 6 and Lee Fell secure his own hat trick both following some lovely free flowing moves.

PRE MATCH WARM UP FOR THE SHINERS

It was a subdued start to the second half after that engrossing first half with goals not returning to the encounter until the 76th minute when Tom Lewis beat the offside trap to fire past Taylor McMillan to make it 7-1.  The eighth came when Fay dispossessed keeper McMillan to slot home into the unguarded net.  A lovely dipping pass from substitute Jamie Pawley set up Kyle Johnson to make it 9 before in the first minute of stoppage time Anstey pulled a goal back when Hartopp got his second with a lovely 20 yard strike.
A cracking goal fest with 11 goals to add to last Saturdays 8 at Bridlington there is a real possibility that a 0-0 game is just around the corner!
A small crowd in attendance tonight with Euro football live on TV it really is a shame though that local footy fans don't come out to their non league clubs to support them they are missing a treat as in tonight's game at South Normanton.