Forest Town 2-3 Kirkby Town

Tuesday 6th October 2009 -- CMLS

A bit of a damp night at the Academy, but despite the conditions both teams put on a decent game for the few hardy souls who turned out for this local derby.

The evening began dry enough, but just after kick off, the heavens opened and it rained on and off throughout the game. It has to be said that the pitch, although far from being the best in the league, held up remarkably well.

There is little in the way of cover at The Academy, so the first half was spent with hood and brolly - we went for the "veranda" cover for the second period, but we found all the other spectators had already taken up the prime spots, so we had a bit of a restricted view, but it was very cosy!!

We have bumped into local author and football fanatic Roger Rann on several occasions and he was present at this match. What Roger doesn't know about the history of the local game isn't worth knowing, and the two books he has written look to be well worth purchasing. I know Roger reads this blog and is always very complimentary. We will be at the Arnold v Rainworth game, so hope to be able pick up our copies then. I know the first volume is officially sold out, but I believe a few, "less than pristine" copies are still available. Proceeds all go the the MS society.

Got the Kirkby team starting eleven from "fredkirkbytown" and the Forest Town line-up from "Petcra".

Forest Town
1. Johnson 2. Jackson 3. Tighe 4. Taylor 5. Jenkins 6. Holmes 7. Hall 8. Burgess 9. Castledine 10. Batty 11. Robinson

Kirkby Town
1. Stanhope 2. Seymour 3. Pilmore 4. Lynk 5. Bowler 6. Hudson 7. Edwards 8. Fletcher 9. Bramwell 10. Ludlow 11. Haslam

Kirkby had the first real opportunity in the 8th minute when a great ball from Bramwell found Haslam who cut inside his marker but fired just wide. After 20 minutes, Forest Town took the lead somewhat against the run of play - Castledine's corner from the right steered home by PAUL BURGESS after the defence failed to clear. The lead lasted barely two minutes though, DAVE BRAMWELL hitting a 20 yard effort that skipped off the wet turf before flying over Johnson.

On 28, Kirkby took a desreved lead - CARL HASLAM ran into the box, beat two defenders and slotted the ball to Johnson's right, just inside the post. Johnson looked slightly bemused and made no effort to get to the ball - I can only assume he thought it was going wide. H-T 1-2

We took our leave from a resigned looking Mr. Craggs after deciding to try and get some cover at the break. As it transpired we still needed hood and brolly, because we gave up with the restricted view and moved into the open.

Forest Town were back on level terms on 55 - this time the corner from the right headed powerfully home by ADIE HALL. Simple goal, but a bit of naive defending from a corner again - lessons to be learned for the visitors maybe?

Kirkby were struggling a little to match the fitness of the home team, but after an intercepted Castledine pass was pumped forward, Haslam raced in one-on-one with Johnson. The keeper did well to block and the loose ball was cleared.

Former Foggo favourite Lee Bowler thought he had put Kirkby ahead on 82, but his effort from a corner was hacked off the line. With just one minute on the clock, Kirkby grabbed the goal that secured all three points. This time Haslam, who looked suspiciously off-side when he received the ball, ran at Johnson and hit a tremendous shot that the keeper did well to parry. Unluckily for Forest Town, the nearest player to the loose ball was DAVE BRAMWELL who had the simple task of tapping home from close range.

The home team almost salvaged something at the death, but could only watch as Elliott's neat shot across goal rolled agonisingly wide of the post. F-T 2-3

Great entertainment considering the conditions - well done to all involved.

Admission £3

Attendance - no idea, but I estimate it at around 50-60

Saturday. Looks like a trip into deepest darkest Derbyshire .... Belper Tn v Spalding Utd. I like going to Christchurch Meadows...the snap is great and the football is usually pretty good too!!