FIVE STAR

SOUTH NORMANTON ATHLETIC 5 MICKLEOVER RES 2

CMA PREMIER SOUTH AT LEES LANE

25 AUGUST 2024 --- 3PM

SOUTH NORMANTON ATHLETIC CELEBRATE THEIR SECOND GOAL

South Normanton ran out comfortable winners in the end despite an early second half wobble that saw visitors Mickleover level their at the time two goal deficit.  A brace from Sam Kelly guided them on their way with Josh Devereux, returning sub Josh Parfitt and an own goal supplying the additional goals.

PRE MATCH HOSPITALITY COURTESY OF THE FRYING SQUAD

The afternoon started with a wander around the back streets of South Normanton armed with goods from The Frying Squad a regular visit for games in this area.  With time to play a drop into the Coop would see arrival at Lees Lane around 2pm for an early viewing of the new Malcolm Cotton Stand a fine stand that wold witness its debut today in Athletic's first home encounter of the season.

THE NEW MALCOLM COTTON STAND

But this was not the only development off the pitch as the ground took on an impressive new season look.  The end of the last term had seen the retaining wall behind the Lees Lane end goal rebuilt alongside a new tarmac walkway.

The summer months had seen brand new carpet laid in front of both dug outs in corporate blue as well as the entrance onto the pitch from the changing rooms.  A further significant investment in the floodlights has seen new LED style installed something of course we would not see the benefit of today. 

There has also been a significant work carried out to improve the drainage on the playing surface for the anticipated winter downpours we appear to be having to accept now.

SOUTH NORMANTON ATHLETIC 24/25

Talking of downpours the forecast one came a little early so by the time we kicked off the ground was bathed in bright sunshine and it was a squinting afternoon in the dug outs as well as a limiting photographing afternoon.

FREE KICK FROM JOSH DEVEREUX EVADES EVERYBODY 

The top of the table before the start of the game was extremely tight already with the top five clubs all having a 100% record and with Normanton on a few games less played victory in these would see them equal top but its early yet and these things will sort themselves out over the next few months.

DEVEREUX RECEIVES THE CONGRATULATIONS

It was a tentative start from the home side with the visitors making it far from easy for them and then the breakthrough came after 27 minutes awarded a free kick wide on the right Normanton's Devereux curled in a low kick that evaded everybody and flew into the goal to start the scoreboard running.

The goal seemed to give the home side a lift and shortly after Kane Snell broke down the inside right and his final lob just evaded the far post by inches.

2-0 OWN GOAL

Normanton soon doubled their lead though and again it was Devereux creating problems on the right and his sharp low cross was turned into his own goal by Taylor Smith as he tried to clear while under pressure from Kieran Ordidge, 32 minutes.

Half time looked to have set the home side up for a comfortable and score line expanding second forty five minutes but of course football is a funny game with Mickleover on level terms within seven minutes!

RITCHIE MATHEWS RUNS THROUGH THE DEFENCE

The first of those two goals came from the penalty spot courtesy of Brad Brittan and then the equaliser nearly came straight after but Ross Etheridge was quick out of his goal to deny a one on one chance for Mickleover.

But the visitors were not to be thwarted when Etheridge saw his clearance crash into the advancing Luke Thompson and agonisingly the ball flew straight back into the Normanton goal to level the scores.

There was a spell were the home side looked knocked off their stride after this deflated start to the half but they gathered themselves along with a sprinkling of substitutions during the half and just before the hour mark they were in the lead again.  An enormous throw out from Etheridge saw Parfitt race on with the ball and slot in a low cross for Kelly to convert.  Four minutes later the lead was extended when Parfitt went in with the visiting number one Jack McDowell and as the ball fell to the striker he fired home.

With fourteen minutes left Kelly got his second racing on to fire past the keeper.  Two minutes later he could have secured his hat trick but keeper McDowell was quick out to smoother the strikers shot.

SOUTH NORMANTON RIDING HIGH DEVEREUX CELEBRATES WITH KELLY

In the end sharper finishing and experience told for South Normanton after a sterling effort from Mickleover who had their chances but not the fire power of the home side who now have five straight wins in the CMA Premier South.  

With investment on and off the pitch this surely has to be Normanton's season to rise back up the non league structure again especially after last seasons close run race but its still only August and it will be a long season.  However you can do no more than win matches and that's what The Shiners are doing along with a goal average of over five a game to further convince you.

A BRIGHT AFTERNOON ON THE HOME BENCH