Venue: Mansfield Hosiery Mills Ground, The Fieldings, Sutton-In-Ashfield, Notts
Competition: Notts F.A. Saturday Intermediate Cup Final
Referee: Ed Cook
The 3rd team
Scorers:
Linby - Kaylum Mitchell (30), Ruben Mitchell (67 pen)
Bilsthorpe - Liam Black (45, 51), Gavin King (82)
Line-ups -
Linby: Rocco, Frizelle, Coupe, Henshaw, Loydall, Charles, Mitchell R, Ryan, Mitchell K, Butler, McDermott
Bilsthorpe: Sheppard, Clarke, Starbuck, Shaw, Day, Burrell, Leeds, Tolley, Carter, Black, King.
Central Midland League North v South - both teams a credit to their league and their respective divisions. We've not been to the Fieldings since the demise of Sutton Town a few years back, and it was good to see the place is still alive and kicking - and not a bad venue for the Intermediate Cup final.
The great and the good of local non-league football were in attendance, far too many to mention by name, but chatting to Julian Topliss prior to kick off made my evening even before a ball was kicked. Smashing lad, great player - and pleased to know that he is back playing again.
We joined Richard Lane, Pete Chappell and Maurice MacFarland at pitchside, and were soon joined by our good friend Brett Marshall, and with that lot for company you can't fail to enjoy your evening out!
Dan Westwell - we will get you back!!
Gavin King had a shot well save by Luca Rocco in the 12th minute as Bilsthorpe applied the early pressure. Ruben Mitchell hit the ball over the bar for Linby soon after, then Keenan Leeds fired just wide for Bilsthorpe as both teams went all out attack.
On 28, Mark Carter headed just wide, but Linby took the lead with their next attack. A poor throw from Starbuck was intercepted by KAYLUM MITCHELL and the striker fired home at the second attempt after Sheppard had saved the initial shot.
Joe Butler played Mitchell in again on 41, but his shot flew wide of the post when it looked a simple task to put his team two ahead. Costly, because Bilsthorpe were level in stoppage time - a cross from the left headed home by LIAM BLACK, who rose like a salmon to float the ball over Rocco and into the far corner. H-T 1-1
Luca Rocco says hellooo!!
Within 6 minutes of the restart, Bilsthorpe took the lead, this time LIAM BLACK hitting a screamer in off the bar with Rocco well beaten. Rocco had to be alert to tip over another Black header on 63, and the save was made even more important when Linby were awarded a penalty four minutes later, and RUBEN MITCHELL fired home from the spot to bring the scores level.
Bilsthorpe by now were running the game and Linby once again had to thank Rocco on 72, the keeper pushing away a Gavin King shot at his near post. It was KING who actually scored the winning goal with eight minutes to go, but I don't think he knew too much about it! Black hammered a free-kick from 20 yards against the foot of the upright, and the ricochet bounced off King and into the net. Sad way to lose a final for Linby, but Bilsthorpe weren't bothered - cue the celebrations and the bubbly!!! F-T 2-3
Admission: £3.00 each (very kindly donated to the charity)
Programme: included
Attendance: TBC
MOM: Liam Black
Pics: courtesy Kev Goodman and Dan Westwell
Charity: £9.75
