Venue: Lees Lane, South Normanton, Derbyshire
Competition: East Midlands Counties League
Referee: Mr. Rob Rees
Scorers:
Shiners - Dan Riley (9,35,44), Ashley Whitt (45+3), Sam Sims (80)
Town - Chris Davies (52)
Line-ups:
South Normanton: Smith, Leigh, Sims, Roberts, Johnson, Kirk, Whitt, Riley, Crosby, Pawley, Fay. Subs: Jelleyman, Keenan, Betteridge, Leighton, Green.
Barrow Town: King, Sharman, Plummer, Portwood, Rudkin, Davies, Hanlon, Coleman, Allen, Law, Asante. Subs: Martin, Alexander, Lawrence, Hardy.
There were not many games to choose from, but this turned out to be a good choice as far as the charity goes. Another £4.50 added to the total which now stands at almost £550.00.
We had a walk around the ground before deciding to stand opposite the dugouts and annoy Assistant Referee Derek Spray! He was on the end of some abuse from a few of the Shiners' faithful, but overall, his decision making was almost flawless.
South Normanton went ahead with only 9 minutes gone, DAN RILEY clipping home at the far post after he picked out by Jamie Pawley's neat cross. Luke Crosby saw his goal bound shot saved by Ashley King on 16, then soon after the keeper had to be alert to keep out Pawley's fierce drive.
Anthony Fay made a great run into the box with 33 minutes played, and his shot brought out a decent save from King. The keeper was at fault for the second Normo goal though, failing to hold on to a corner under pressure from Ash Whitt, RILEY on hand to stab home the loose ball.
RILEY completed what is generally labelled the perfect hat-trick on 44, his header from Pawley's inch perfect cross completing the left foot, right foot, header triple. ASH WHITT grabbed another in the third minute of added time, bundling the ball home at the far post from another superb Pawley corner.
H-T 4-0
H-T 4-0
We heard the Barrow gaffer giving it some "hairdryer" as we headed to the club house for a warm - it was a very, bitter cold evening in South Derbyshire.
The "hairdryer" technique seemed to do it's job though, as Barrow came out and began to take the game to their hosts. Late in the first half they lost the services of Ebony Asante due to injury and his replacement, Callem Lawrence, went into the middle of a front three. I imagine "what have we got to lose" was a part of the half-time team talk.
It worked for a while, and within 7 minutes of the restart, Barrow had reduced their deficit, CHRIS DAVIES on the end of a free-kick that was launched into the box, the midfielder slamming home from 15 yards.
The home team re-adjusted their line-up to try and cope with the Barrow threat by putting Sam Sims in his more usual midfield role, and his efforts certainly slowed the visitors' march forward. Normo defended well, with Sims' replacement, Sam Keenan, performing well on the left side of a solid looking back four.
The game was high paced throughout, but I have to admit that the notebook stayed in the pocket during the second period - it was far too cold to take copious notes.
Kev had predicted the second half would be 1-1, and was suitably pleased when, with 10 minutes to play, SAM SIMS pounced on a loose ball in front of goal and made no mistake finding the back of the net. F-T 5-1
As we approached junction 28, signs told us that the M1 was closed south bound - just as well Kev knows his way around the Kirkby area! Despite the game kicking off 8 minutes late and the diversion through Kirkby, we were still back home by ten past ten.
As we approached junction 28, signs told us that the M1 was closed south bound - just as well Kev knows his way around the Kirkby area! Despite the game kicking off 8 minutes late and the diversion through Kirkby, we were still back home by ten past ten.
Admission: £5.00
Programme: not available
Attendance: 30
Charity: £4.50
