Venue: Church Lane, Linby, Nottinghamshire
Competition: CML South Division - agreed before kick off to play two halves of 40 minutes
Scorers:
Linby - Matt Murphy (19, 76)
City - Stefan Whiteley (7), Nathan Kelly (77)
Referee: Matt Jackson
Line-ups
Linby : Guyatt, Frizelle, Coupe, Peberday, Fox, Henshaw, Mitchell, Ryan, Murphy, Butler, Mann. Subs used: Winfield, Samuels
City: Smith, Kelly J, Chatfield, Haigh, Edwards, Bowles, Gill, Brown, Glover, Whiteley, Webster. Subs used: Street, Kelly N, Upton
A pleasant, early evening at Church lane - well at least for the first hour it was, then players from both teams lost some of their discipline - and spoiled what had up until then, been a very enjoyable game.
Southwell looked the more organised team from the start of proceedings, and in Stefan Whiteley have a very pacy, skillful player. Could have been a match winner if he'd have stayed on the pitch for the whole game. It was WHITELEY who opened the scoring in the 7th minute, cutting in from the right and driving a shot low and hard from 20 yards that flew past Glenn Guyatt in the Linby goal before he could react.
Whiteley (10) on the ball
The home team finally began to get their act together and Tom Coupe's runs from left back deep into Southwell territory caused a few problems for the visiting back line.
MATT MURPHY brought Linby level on 19, turning superbly at the far post before slotting across keeper Alex Smith into the far side of the goal.
Adam Fox saw his curling shot well saved by Smith a couple of minutes later, then with half an hour played, Smith did well to acrobatically tip over Coupe's 25 yard effort.
Well contested midfield battle
Fox was then played in one-on-one with Smith, the keeper dived at the midfielders feet and claimed the ball to snuff out the danger. Coupe again brought out a diving save from Smith after he was played in on goal just before the break. Great half from the keeper, and a decent game of football. H-T 1-1
The second half, sad to say, was nothing like the first. A lot of route one play from both teams ensured that a liberal application of Deep Heat would be needed later to ease my old aching neck muscles.
Then it got worse. Whiteley was fouled and for some reason Referee Jackson gave the free-kick to Linby. Whiteley just lost it - he went straight into Mr. Jackson's face and used a few choice words. Obviously the Ref issued the player a yellow - but Whiteley just would not let it drop and seconds later was shown a second yellow followed by the inevitable red. Silly really - as I mentioned earlier, he was a potential match winner.
The game then degenerated into a shouting match, and with both teams guilty of some really meaty challenges it was not pleasing to the eyes, or ears. Ash Winfield was booked for a reckless challenge on Lyam Webster, who subsequently hobbled off and was replaced by Jonny Upton.
Linby had a great chance to retake the lead on 69, but Mason Frizelle's cracking far post cross was headed just over by Joe Butler. They were in front on 76 though, a well taken penalty from MURPHY.
It was what came after the award of the spot-kick that will be talked about by everyone who was there. Players, management, spectators and officials alike will all want to know if Tommy Street actually connected with the head butt aimed at Referee Jackson, after he had shown the player a straight red for bringing down Joe Butler as the striker raced in on goal. The Referee may have actually dodged the butt, but his quick reaction still saw him end up on the deck.
Only he and Street will know if there was actual contact, but I don't think it really matters - intent is intent and whether the head-butt connected or not, Street will be in serious trouble - you cannot attack a match official and hope to get away with a slap on the wrist.
Southwell boss Dave Scott was praising Tommy at the Monday night U19 game - he must be so disappointed with the player now. On a lighter note, thanks for the donation Dave! Much appreciated and very generous!
Anyway, Southwell were down to nine with 2 minutes to play and Linby seemed to switch off - a fatal error as NATHAN KELLY received the ball in the box, rounded Matt Peberday and slotted home to give the visitors a share of the points. F-T 2-2
Admission: season ticket
Programme: £1.50
Attendance: h/c 51
Charity: £3
