LIONS FRUSTRATED BY RESOLUTE WULFRUNIANS

HEANOR TOWN 0 V AFC WULFRUNIANS 0
MIDLAND FOOTBALL LEAGUE PREMIER @ THE TOWN GROUND
24 MARCH 2016 --- 7.45PM

A goal less game produced an excellent first half with Heanor seeing efforts cleared off the line, off the woodwork and then there was visiting keeper Josh Moreton who was also in fine form to deny The Lions.  The second period saw little change in terms of possession but the visitors defence became even more determined and in an impressive performance especially against the likes of home live wire Karl Demidh they earned a point with this clean sheet.
At last a return to Heanor for a mid week game visits to the town ground often feel like that comfy pair of slippers or the chance to recline in that all encompassing armchair, it just feels right.  It was the blogs last visit since the 'big one' on New Years Day against Shepshed Dynamo and The Lions have seen some personnel changes and a slight fading away in the form stakes.  As ever mid week games make match pictures a non starter so the blog has a few pictures from the evening and after a steady journey through Alfreton we arrived at the ground in enough time to see the lovely catering ladies turning up to unlock the excellent snack bar.  One of the highlights of any trip to Heanor has I'm sure I have mentioned before is a trip to said establishment and tonight was no different.  The feature picture tonight is of Kim Clarence, Heanor manager Glen's mum, preparing one of our two chip pea cobs.

STAR PLAYER KIM CLARENCE WITH CHIP PEA COB FOR THE BLOG

It was good to see a small following from Wolverhampton with tonight's visitors and there was even an appearance for a smart AFC Wulfrunians flag.  Having described this ground on many occasions I will not repeat the exercise and so tonight's blog will be a little bit shorter than normal needless to say though there was a nice collection of friendly faces to greet and even Lennie the Lion costume less!  When he was in situ I finally resisted to the temptation to take his picture for the first time this season!
The clubhouse was the first call for a glass of lemonade and a few savouries and then off for an early walk around the ground which was looking smart as ever and finally at 7.15 the shutters rose and we made a mad dash for the food hatch!
The match itself was a fair paced encounter in the opening 45 minutes but it was much about Heanor trying to break down a determined visiting defence but the chances came and went and you began to feel as though it may not be the home sides night.  First to try was Simeon Oshoboke whose shot was scrambled off the line before Matt Harris saw Moreton pull off an excellent save between the visitors posts.  There had been some tantalising little runs from Demidh on the left and he saw an effort also cleared off the line before on the stroke of half time Oshoboke crashed a header off the underside of the bar and the visiting defence cleared the ball to safety.

We entered the second half with a little bit of positive play from Wulfrunians bit it was not long before the side pressing was Heanor but this time they were not getting many chances away as the visitors defence held strong in a convincing display.  Probably Heanor's best chance of the half came when Demidh hit a sharp shot from 14 yards that Moreton was equal to again. 
The inevitable was happening a 0-0 game after many high scoring games for the blog but there was just one last chance in the 7th minute of stoppage time Wufrunians broke down the left and Joe McCormack in the home goal had to be alert to block Kyle Brady's sharp effort.
The usual 3 bus journey on return was hair raising with a ten minute late departure from Heanor to Ripley putting our connections and the possibilities of a taxi into the equation.  Thankfully the connecting bus was running late and as we pulled in our bus pull in directly at the front of the 'nine' allowing us enough time to make a dash for it and we were soon on board for the final connection out to Alfreton which was made with around 10 minutes to spare.
Disappointing to see a 0-0 game but Heanor put on a good show against a very determined Wulfrunian side who had come to do a job, one that they carried out successfully.