Venue: Forest Town Arena, Forest Town, Mansfield, Notts
Competition: NCEL1
Scorer: Adam Kimberley (31, 73)
Referee: Mr. Paul Matthewson
Line-ups
After not visiting the Forest Town Arena for a couple of seasons, this was my second visit in a week. It was good to see Kyle Ludlow back in action after his serious illness - I liked his position on the right of a back three as well - suited him.
There were plenty of familiar names in the AFC line-up, and although we watched Dronfield play at Clipstone on 9th August, there were only five players in the 17 strong squad who were present at the Worksop Van Hire Stadium - Joe Butler, Jack Hague, Jamie Willis, Carlton Dickenson and Sam Bebbington.
Even though the visitors' team contained a lot of youngsters, they defended superbly - although I suspect that if Carl Haslam had have had his shooting boots on, AFC would have been well ahead at the break.
AFC pressed from the get-go, and Halsam's first chance fell to him on 6, but he mis-hit his kick allowing Richard Henson to catch comfortably. Jack Hague made a cracking saving tackle on Haslam with 10 played, after the striker ran in on goal. Timmons headed an Adam Kimberley free-kick well wide on 20, then that man Haslam was foiled again soon after, Henson diving to take the ball of his toes.
AFC took the lead on 31, a spectacular 30 yard stunner that Henson could only watch has it fizzed past him into the top corner. What a hit, Kimbo. H-T 1-0
Sat with Clipstone Chairman and part-time radio star Brett Marshall, and Thoresby CW boss Lee Tryner throughout the game. We really must get over to Thoresby soon - seem to be good things happening there.
Henson again foiled Haslam in the 53rd minute, again taking the ball off his toes. Dronfield looked a lot more composed as the second half gained momentum, but although they pressed hard and passed the ball around well, the AFC defensive line coped admirably.
Johnny Pugh hit the side netting with a fierce drive on 62, but that was as close as they got to actually scoring.
With 70 played, AFC added to their lead, and it was KIMBERLEY on the scoresheet again - this time hitting a low drive into the net from 12 yards after the ball had been played in from the left. F-T 2-0
Admission: £4.00
Programme: £1.50
Attendance: 95
Charity: £1.50
