HEANOR SQUEEZE HOME IN THE CLOSING STAGES AGAINST TEN MEN ATHLETIC

SOUTH NORMANTON ATHLETIC 0 HEANOR TOWN 1
MIDLAND FOOTBALL LEAGUE PREMIER @ MJ ROBINSON ARENA
19 AUGUST 2017 --- 3PM

THE THREE TEAMS ENTER THE PITCH AT LEES LANE

A goal in the 87th minute from Elliott Reeves sealed victory for Heanor Town but how they made hard work of it against South Normanton Athletic who had been reduced to ten men after just 7 minutes when Kuwesi Ofushine was shown a red card for a dangerous challenge.  Heanor could rue many missed chances this afternoon and should have had the game out of reach by half time but as the home sides confidence rose they looked the stronger side in the second period that was until Reeves struck.
Short journey selected this week and for a while no cricket mainly due to the inclement weather forecast around Huddersfield.  Having finally plumped for this local derby which would pit Athletic, newly promoted from EMCFL after West Bridgford declined, against Heanor Town local now fellow Midland Football League rivals.

MORE RESEARCH.....FISH AND CHIPS

 A fairly early arrival left plenty of time to explore and although the blog has done Lees Lane plenty of times before its normally in midweek so time to re familiarise with the area.  First point of call was The Frying Squad a chippy that had been marked down for a while to try and which receives some impressive reviews.  Todays experience was certainly good and rides into the top portions of the fish and chip table and overall was probably todays highlight.  On the roundabout walk back into the village centre the route meandered back along Downing St and to the end were the local butchers name as always amazed me, A.E. Bacon.  As a former mining village times are still hard in the area and mostly the shops in the evening are shuttered up so today it was good to see many still open.  The obligatory visit to the local Coop followed with an impressive logo re fit in the new blue style symbol looking really impressive on this store. 
With enough time on my hands for another portion of chips.....I decided against and I discovered the excellent Post Mill Centre, community facility, and the town park garden.

MARKET ST CLOCK IN SOUTH NORMANTON

With a strong wind and the threat of rain ever present today it did make me wonder where the days of sunny red hot August football days had gone.

EARLY CHANCE FOR JAMIE SLEIGH

The ground awaited and as the rain came down sharply a dash for the entrance was made I wont repeat a descriptor here because it has been covered many times needless to say it a smart large blue and white affair with a bar and catering area plus small programme shop too.  The ground is quite exposed from the Blackwell end and with the wind very blustery today I did wonder if this would have a detrimental affect on proceedings.  Just before kick off it was clear there would be a majority in the crowd coming from Heanor, hopefully South Normanton can pull in some supporters for their new challenge because it is full credit to them that they were ready and willing to take this late call for a move up to step 5.

REFEREE RICARDO SHOWS AN EARLY RED TO OFUSHINE

The first half was a weird affair with the dismissal of Ofushine for his challenge on Dom Wilkinson after just 7 minutes and by half time Heanor really should have been out of sight.  Number nine Jamie Sleight had had two strikes on goal before referee Ruebyn Ricardo, freshly back from Denmark officiating in The Iber Cup, had produced his red card.  Myles Scott fired over soon after before Shaun Roulston headed just over from a right hand side free kick.

A YELLOW FOR JOSHUA CRADDOCK

On the stroke of half time a lovely flick  header from Jevin Seaton found Sleigh but the home keeper Charlie Mansfield saved well.
The Heanor number 9 was certainly in the goalmouth action straight from the re start Mansfield again got the better of his effort before his next effort from wide right fell away wide of Mansfield's far post.

LATE SOUTH NORMANTON PRESSURE

South Normanton were now starting to believe they could win this game and Abou Sylla  and Jack Tyson both went close on 70 and 71 minutes respectively.  Before Heanor got back in the action a hesitant clearance from Mansfield found Gregg Marriott who pumped the ball back in to the far post and with a tight angle but open goal Sleigh deflected his header wide.
The move of the game came on 80 minutes when Sylla beat two visiting players before firing just inches over from 20 yards.
There were chances a plenty for Heanor to have wrapped this game up and just as it looked like they didn't have the ability to finish the game off up popped Reeves to squeeze the ball home between Mansfield and the post to secure 3 points.

CONFIDENT TAKE FROM HEANOR KEEPER OLIVER CAMMIDGE

Its always a mystery what happens when a ten is reduced to ten men whether they try harder or the opposition just ease off this happens so often and although Heanor secured 3 points late on they made really hard work of getting them.  Overall a poor game with some uninspiring football that thankfully did give up a goal in those late stages.  Sometimes teams have to win ugly and I guess today the victors Heanor would go for that to gain maximum points.
Return journey was comfortably completed with a hoppers tea from the big T's in Alfreton before making the onward journey back to base.