Venue: The Town Ground, Heanor, Derbyshire
Competition: North MIdland Development League U21 Division
Referee: D. Middleton
Scorers:
Heanor - Matt Bower (66)
Staveley - Kurtis Morley (24, 33 pen, 47, 49), Ryan Walters (64, 83), Conor Bendall (87)
After seeing the young Lions in action at Carlton the other week where they lost 8-1, I thought there may be a few goals in this game - after all, the charity needed a bit of a boost after I was unable to take in Monday and Tuesday night's scheduled games.
Met up with my great friend and mentor Rob Waite inside the ground. Rob was on Staveley match secretary duty at this game, making the 70 mile round trip for a Thursday night U21 game really showcasing his dedication to the club.
Accompanied by his lovely wife Julie, we took up a position behind the dugouts, hurrying to take shelter as rain drove in at 45 degrees across the ground.
As at Carlton, Heanor more than held their own for the first 20 minutes or so, but the visitors gradually turned up the heat and took the lead through a KURTIS MORLEY close range effort on 24.
Morley was clean through on goal 9 minutes later, and only a last ditch desperate rugby style tackle by Lions keeper Jack Patterson foiled the striker, and being grabbed by the ankles will always bring a penalty. After picking himself up, MORLEY converted from the spot to double Staveley's lead. H-T 0-2
It took just 90 seconds from the restart for MORLEY to complete his triple, drilling past Patterson from a few yards out. Two minutes later the hitman grabbed his fourth, this time firing a stunning curling effort from the corner of the box past Patterson's despairing dive.
RYAN WALTERS fired home the fifth for Staveley on 64, but the home team managed to reduce the arrears a couple of minutes later, MATT BOWER placing the ball wide of the Staveley keeper after he took full advantage when his marker slipped on the greasy surface leaving him a clear run at goal.
WALTERS added his second on 83, taking an age to pick his spot, but when he did eventually shoot, the ball flew unerringly into the back of the net.
With two minutes remaining, CONOR BENDALL took a speculative shot from wide right, and we all thought the ball had rippled the back of the net after going out behind the goal. To our amazement, and the Staveley players delight, the ball had actually flown into the goal, rippling the inside of the net before nestling in the bottom corner. F-T 1-7
Another bad night for Heanor, but as at Carlton, they were up against a team that contained a smattering of Staveley first team players, and after the first 20 minutes were completley outclassed.
Admission: £2.00
Programme: £0.50
Attendance: h/c 50
Charity: £6.00 !!
