LATE SHOW

MANSFIELD HOSIERY MILLS 1 V TEVERSAL 1

CMA PREMIER SOUTH AT THE FIELDINGS

17 MAY 2024 --- 7.45PM

MANSFIELD HOSIERY MILLS V TEVERSAL TOM TORRINGTON AND GARY SLATER FIND SOMETHING TO SMILE AT

A late show at The Fieldings saw the eight minutes of stoppage time produce an equaliser for The Mills and two red cards to put an exciting conclusion to this end of season encounter. 

On what for most leagues will be the final weekend of this elongated campaign that for many has been so frustrating due to the wet stuff creating chaos on the fixture list it would be floodlight Friday that would complete Mills and Teversal's season in a local derby.

A healthy crowd had gathered and with an official attendance of 163, although this looked fifty ahead of a head count, it would be the top gate at The Fieldings for 24/25.

As ever a catch up with The Mills and Teversal officials, my once go to club before bus service cancelation, was a welcoming start to the evening.  There was also chance to have a catch up with the match officials including Chesterfield Sunday League referees secretary Simon Owen who was in the middle tonight.

So to the game and the first half would produce lots of endeavour but lack application with probably the only chance forcing Mills keeper Matt Fowler into a full length save to turn the ball round the post for a corner.  The first half was punctuated with the danger of Teversal wide man Arthur Pashley threatening the home defence with his tantalising runs.  Oh yes and there was an obligatory caution for the ever combative Jack Hutchinson but we got to the break goal less.

THANKFULLY THE GRIMACE FROM INJURY DID NOT STOP THE RETURN OF TOM TORRINGTON FOR HIS PART IN THE EQUALISER.

The second period would produce a little more in the goal mouth action column within seven minutes Elliott Nunn  had skied over from an excellent back post position to support Mills encouraging start but just a minute later all that fell to pieces when Thomas Widdowson unmarked in front of goal stooped to head home a left wing cross after 53 minutes.

Teversal could have wrapped this up but the crossbar intervened on 72 and 81 minutes first Jake Allen saw his header denied and then an audacious 40 yard effort from Widdowson also found the woodwork.

This game though came to life in stoppage time just as referee Owen's watch had moved into time added on he had the chance to play a tune on his whistle to separate players in fairness who had come in to separate Luke Manlove and the visitors James Whitmore.  Manlove was racing through towards goal and Whitmore attempted to stop him one way or another and when he finally did the two came together to discuss it and after a brief hiatus a red was shown to Manlove and after a long wait, I guess allowing the Mills player to clear the pitch, Whitmore was also shown red.

The seventh minute of time added on produced a warming end to the season for Mills awarded a free kick wide out on the right for handball up stepped Tom Torrington who curled in an exquisite delivery that bamboozled the Teversal defence and sub Matt Dickinson fired the ball into the back of the net.

Mills still had to defend a corner a minute later but managed to clear the danger to the edge of the box as referee Owen called an end to the proceedings.

All things equal for this end of season derby and both sides could take encouragement from the fixture after a long season. 

REFEREE OWEN TO PLAY AN IMPORTANT PART IN THE CLOSING STAGES