COTGRAVE DEBUT LEAGUE CUP WINNERS

NTU 2 COTGRAVE 3
NOTTS SENIOR LEAGUE CHALLENGE CUP FINAL @ DUNKIRK FC
13 MAY 2017 --- 3PM

COTGRAVE FC NSL CUP WINNERS 2017

A goal 13 minutes from time from captain Lee Potts gave Cotgrave a first time NSL League Cup victory in a tight game against Notts Trent University.  It was a close encounter but with Cotgrave never behind in the proceedings you did feel the favour was with them.
Last years final was a well organised affair so with the sprinting towards the finish line we opted to sample this final again.

DAVID KEYE WITH HANG DRUM LIVE IN NOTTINGHAM

A brief change in Derby and the swish Red Arrow coach service found us in Nottingham around 1130.  The Market Place was the venue for an alternative health festival and along side David Keye performing with his hang drum there were many wonderful therapies on offer.  Following up last weeks appearance of Jeremy Corbyn on the blog we soon came across another ancient politician Robin Hood, robbing the rich to pay the poor.

NOTTINGHAMS FINEST

Feeling chilled we moved on towards the station and made the decision to catch the Centrelink electric bus to the park and ride facility at Queens Drive, a quiet affair and an interesting experience with a maximum speed of 45mph it would appear these vehicles are for city centre use for now.

CENTRE LINK ELECTRICS AND THEIR PLUGS

A previously spotted Farmhouse Inns eatery was our next venue for the day under the guise of The Riverside Farm this large Greene King pub offers large fish and chips or regular, well it would have been rude not too.

FOR THOSE CONCERNED ABOUT THE BLOGS FOOD INTAKE

Walking the Trent and under the Clifton flyover we felt the meal dropping off our weight intake, if only very slightly.  Arrival at The Ron Steel Sports Ground home of Dunkirk was 1 and a half hours before kick off so Mick stopped chatting and I wandered over to take my first view of cricket this season with the adjoining ground featuring a second tier South Notts League game between Notts Unity and Carrington.  After an hour it was time to pop back along to the ground to obtain the team, programmes had been gained early on and also a comfort break.  The blog covered the ground last season but it is a steady facility just needing some toilets and a snack bar within the ground.

NTU NSL FINALISTS 2017

There was a fair amount of hoppers visiting and having seen NTU a week or so ago I was hoping for some good 'floor' football from them and both sides league position was adjoining a close game was in prospect.

NOTS SENIOR LEAGUE CUP FINAL ACTION

Cotgrave started at a fair pace and NTU seemed way off the pace with Potts and Andy McLean going close for Cotgrave before they did take the lead on 5 minutes with Connor Bartle turning the ball into his own net from a sharp Cotgrave cross.  Potts and McLean were a constant danger both going close soon after and NTU were looking in danger of going further behind.  With 5 minutes to go to half time they did get themselves back into this game with a superb strike from Dan Busch on the edge of the box then on the stroke of half time they very nearly took the lead but for a wonderful save from Cotgrave keeper Jon Garton.

COTGRAVE IN POSSESSION

The half time score line was a lucky one for NTU but within 10 minutes of the re start Cotgrave were back in the lead with a fantastic curling effort from Adam Gray which found the top right hand corner.  Within 10 minutes NTU were level from the penalty spot thanks to Akim Akimbinu.

AKIMBINU MAKES IT 2-2 FROM THE PENALTY SPOT

Nervous times approached for both times but scoring machine Potts settled the doubters when he broke through and Cox in the Uni goal blocked his first effort but the Cotgrave front man was able to fire home the rebound.  In the final minutes NTU went in search of a further equaliser and came very close to it on more than one occasion but overall the Cotgrave side were worthy winners over the 90 minutes.
Following the handing over of the trophy by former Notts referee Andy Rolph we left the celebration for our battery operated bus to Victoria and a return journey that saw arrival back at base just short of 8pm.