Gedling MW 0-0 Blackwell MW

Tuesday 1st September 2009 -- East Midlands Counties League

Not the worst 0-0 ever, but not the best either. A win would have seen Gedling go top of the table, but as it is they are now third behind Gedling Town and Greenwood Meadows. Early doors yet, but it's good to see the top five places all taken by Nottinghamshire teams.

Click here for table.

We got to Plains Road with about 15 minutes to spare - good job becasue the car-park was well populated - although I think most of the vehicles' owners were in the Fitness Club that is next to the Welfare. Believe it or not, I used to go to the gym regularly a few years ago - what a waste of money that turned out to be !!!!

As we entered the ground Kev commented on the condition of the pitch. Early season or not, it is superb and the sporadic heavy showers during the day made the surface slick, and playing conditions were almost perfect.

Tony Hay handed me a team sheet, and we immediately noticed that two of the Sutton Town AFC discarded players, striker Richard Groves and central defender Steve Baylis were in the Blackwell starting eleven - well, it was actually a starting ten, as Baylis had got lost on his way to the ground. Rather than use up a sub, 'Well boss Paul McFarland began the game a man light. The home team failed to take advantage of their man advantage, and when Baylis joined the game on 21 minutes, the visitors began to ask questions of their hosts.

Blackwell striker Nick Hewer fired over from 20 yards on 23, then a firece drive from the left caught Gedling keeper Lance Walker unawares, the ball slamming straight into into his chest, knocking the wind out of him and causing the ball to fly loose just inches from goal. Grove failed to notice that the ball just needed tapping home, and the home defence cleared before the striker could react. Gedling's Baz Paine headed a Cory Nightingale cross over the bar in the 30th minute, then Grant Walton fired a superb free-kick into the Blackwell area that evaded everyone. H-T 0-0

Had a walk down to the bar during the interval - just in time to see "Evening Post" Brian Dennett in the hospitality area again, grabbing whatever was available. Aslo in attendance were the Gedling Town management team and FOUR Calverton Town team managers.

We decided to watch the second half of the game from behind the top goal after spending the first half under cover sheltering from the rain. The first action of the period saw a great ball in from the home no. 7 Craig Thomasen headed over the bar by Paine. That made it three or four good chances wasted by the tall midfielder. Blackwell left back Danny Claridge fired over from close range, then soon after Paine headed over again - this time from a Craig Boulton corner.

Hewer found himself one-on-one with Walker as the action swung the other way, but the no.9 could only fire wide of the advancing keeper. As the ball was played upfield, Paine was put clear through on goal and had only Blackwell keeper Jermaine Judson to beat. The young stopper dived bravely at the feet of the midfielder and made a great block. After Hewer had again had an effort saved on 70 by Walker, at the other end Warren Hatfield fired a shot across Judson only to see the ball to sail harmlessly wide of the far post.

We were treated to a "back pass" free-kick in the 75th minute, but as usual nothing came of the set piece. This was only worth a mention really, because of the delightful symphony that eminated from Referee Mr. Dallison's whistle as he tried to restore some sort of order to the confusion that always reigns when these sort of free-kicks are awarded!!! Blimey, talk about over-enthusiastic use of the thunderer!!!! Other than that he had a good game, did the Ref... not bad at all.

With a few minutes to play, Gedling's Chris Hall made a dazzling run down the left before cutting inside and unleashing a terrific drive that flew across the goal. The ball just skimmed the far post before going behind for a goal-kick. Stoppage time saw Hatfield crash the ball against the bar, but the game ended goal-less and on the whole, it has to be said, a fair result. F-T 0-0

Our second 0-0 on the trot - just pleased we gave the Forest Town v Westella game a miss... that would have given us a hat-trick of scoreless games and may have lead to me getting the sack as "On The Road" fixtures secretary!!!!!

Attendance 82

Admission £4

Programme £1.50

Friday ... Calverton MW v Forest Town