PAY THE PENALTY

SOUTH NORMANTON ATHLETIC 2 ARNOLD TOWN 1

CMA PREMIER SOUTH AT CORONATION PARK EASTWOOD

6 APRIL 2024 --- 3PM

SOUTH NORMANTON ATHLETIC V ARNOLD TOWN

South Normanton staggered over the line with a much needed three points against Arnold Town in a game played at Eastwood Community FC's Coronation Parkin in an attempt to catch up on some of their backlog of games.  But much of the game settled around a weird collection of incidents in the fourth minute that ultimately left Arnold feeling a little aggrieved.  But for South Normanton they battled through to show their desire for the title in The CMA Premier South.

PENALTY NUMBER ONE CLAYTON OFF LINE

Its the same old story with rain, rain and more of the stuff this week there were a collection of games at this level once again called off but having heard of this venue switch in the week I settled on the game early on.  It would also add a nice twist of seeing three games at Coronation Park in the space of 8 days all featuring different 'home sides'.

Cheeky taxi ride saw arrival this Saturday nicely on time for a collection of team sheet news and to catch up with a few people pitch side. 

Today would be a game played in strong blustery winds making conditions non too good for the beautiful game.

If Normanton win all their remaining games they win the league but that will be no easy task with Pinxton currently top keeping the pressure on.

OFF THE LINE BUT SAVED

It all happened in the fourth minute with the collection of penalties around this write up being very relevant to the game.  Trem Lindo looked to be breaking away just short of the penalty box and appeared to be bundled over by Tommy Goodwin referee Glynn Owen was having non of it waving the appeals away.  Had the decision gone the way of Arnold of course it would have been highly likely Normanton would have been down to ten men.  However as the ball rolled away it was picked up by Dan Chambers who was brought down in the box by Shiners debut keeper Charlie Clayton, penalty.

RETAKE OFF THE LINE AGAIN

Cue more controversy Chambers stepped up and Clayton saved it but referee Owen said he was off his line before the spot kick was taken and the picture supports that, so we had a retake.

Unbelievably Clayton pulled off a fantastic save from Chambers again but the picture shows he was as far of his line as the first time but this time the referee allowed the save to stand.

BUT SAVED AND THIS TIME THE REFEREE ALLOWED THIS WITH NO RE TAKE

Arnold continued to look threatening and as in a lot of games I have seen South Normanton this season they seem slow off the mark but normally come good in the end.  Slowly they got into the game with Mark Bright heading fractionally wide and then they looked to be denied a penalty when Ty McCaskill looked oto have been pulled back in the penalty box.

REECE SHAW BREAKS FREE

South Normanton were though to get a penalty of their own on 25 minutes and Josh Scully, of course, made no mistake dispatching the spot kick into the bottom left of the goal to settle the nerves.

It all calmed down even further eight minutes before half time when Josh Parfitt fed McCaskill whose shot was blocked across goal to Elliott Bland who slotted home to take Athletic into the break two goals to the good.

The whole feel of the game had changed now with the only downside being the injury to McCaskill who was replaced before half time by Sam Jackson.

JOSH DEVEROUX BRINGS THE BALL AWAY FOR NORMANTON

Memories of a few visits too Arnold Town's old ground right in the centre of the town were brought to life by the older gentleman kitted out in scarf and hat in his clubs colours, it really was a club right in its community.  But for a few reasons of course the club have now moved to Eagle Valley a venue I have been to I think just once it really is though a very inaccessible place to the public transport using supporter.  Good to see the gentleman follow them just up the road today and proudly wearing the colours.

CLASSIC ARNOLD TOWN ATTIRE

With no public address system and cafe open it turned into a lack lustre half time break and to be fair that's pretty much how most of the second half went too.

SKULLY OPENS THE SCORING FROM THE SPOT

Josh Scully would receive a booking seven minutes into the second half for refusing to retreat at a free kick and the game wasn't offering much more than that.  

Having spotted 'Meg' the collie who was following every ball in pre match warm ups something she also does during the game there was time to take a few pictures of her.  Her owner says the 10 year old has a better attention span than himself!  She watches every movement of  ball re positioning the paws for were the ball is on the pitch and believe me doesn't miss a thing.  I took her picture about five years ago at Mansfield Hosiery Mills were she stood the whole game on back legs with front paws on the pitch side wall.  This season I caught up with her at Pinxton and then again last Tuesday at Teversal.  Is she the most travelled ground hopping dog? 

BLAND MAKES IT TWO

Anyway back to the football and moving position behind the goal did not have much affect on proceedings.

We did finally get some action on 77 minutes when Clayton pulled off a superb save to deny visitors.  

But with eight minutes to go he could not deny Chambers who lashed the ball into the roof of the net from close range.  Wobbles were active now and Athletic looked decidedly vulnerable as Arnold sensed their chance of getting back on levels terms. 

DERBYSHIRE REFEREE OWEN 

It very nearly happened when in stoppage time Curtis Rigley wide right in the penalty box had a one on one with keeper Clayton but fired across goal and just wide of the far post.

Shortly afterwards referee Owen signalled the end of play and South Normanton were a relieved side.

LEE FLETCHER IN THE HOT SEAT TODAY FOR ATHLETIC

All that matters though is three points and they had secured them and move on now to a midweek game versus Teversal to be played at Ilkeston's New Manor Ground.  For Arnold they will be disappointed to have a lost a game they could be said to have paid the penalty for right at the start of the match.

YELLOW FOR JOSH SKULLY

Two very small cakes from the nearby Coop were all that happened after this game on the eats front, oh mind you did I forget to mention the bar of chocolate as well, ha,ha. 

NOTHING GETS PASSED MEG