I really didn't fancy going this game - but I am pleased that Kev persuaded me otherwise!!
Arrived as the teams were coming out onto the pitch - normally you get to park inside the ground, but on this occasion that option was not available and we parked in the rugby club car park next to the ground. Only one turnstile was open, so we had to queue for a minute or so - but we still had time to get pie and peas before the game actually kicked off. No sign of the usually excellent pork and stuffing cobs, but the pie and peas were very nice indeed.
Belper hadn't been playing well, according to Club Photographer Tim Harrison, but the Nailers have only lost once in the league so far this season, while Spalding were getting a few put past them every week.
Belper took the game to Spalding from the off, and had the ball in the net in the 9th minute - but centre forward Anthony Wilson was a couple of yards offside when he received the ball. Wilson was unlucky a minute later when Spalding keeper Norris just beat him to a neat ball played into the area.
On 21, Stevenson played a great ball into the Spalding box, and Ben Walker met the ball well but his header flew just over the bar.
The Nailers went ahead on the half-hour, when a fantastic clearing header from just inside the Belper half fell to ANDY RUSHBURY who volleyed it straight past Norris from 20 yards out. Wonderful strike from a player just getting back to full match fitness after taking some time out to tour Australia.
It was 2-0 two minutes later. Anthony Wilson ran into the Tulips' box and was tripped by centre half David Hone. ADAM BURLEY stepped up to fire the ball past Norris after sending the keeper the wrong way. As the half ended, Stevenson saw his corner headed goalwards by Wilson - this time the keeper parried the effort and the loose ball was hacked away off the line. H-T 2-0
The second half saw no let up for the Tulips defence, and just 3 minutes in Rushbury was unlucky to see his fierce drive cannon off the angle of post and bar. The Nailers effectively put the game to bed on 54 - a BEN WALKER power header from Stevenson's cross beat Norris all ends up. A great header from the smallest player on the pitch, but the cross from the right was inch perfect.
Spalding had a rare chance on the hour - but Luke Walker's header was tipped over the bar by Belper stopper Adam Ogden.
Belper added their fourth on 79 - this time Stevenson played the ball in from the left - Wilson's flick found LUKE FEDORENKO who fired past Norris from just inside the box.
Second out of the car-park, back on the road with commentary of Stags at Altrincham on the radio ....they won away!!!!!!
Admission £7.00
Attendance 207
Snap -- pie and peas absolutely great ...no idea of how much, Kev paid!!!
I really enjoy going to Christchurch Meadows and I have no idea why I didn't fancy it on this occasion........
Tuesday -- was to be Hucknall Tn v North Ferriby, but is now Hucknall Town v Stourbridge -- they drew 0-0 in the F.A. Cup.
Excelent read as ever.
ReplyDeleteI know why you wanted to stay at home, so you could listen to stags! haha
Cheers 4 tuning in, mucho appriciated! :)