Gedling MW 1-2 Forest Town

Tuesday 9th March 2010 -- Notts F.A. Senior Cup 1/4 final

Two of our favourite clubs went head to head with the prize of a home semi final tie with Eastwood Town.

Gedling MW are currently lying 3rd in the East Midlands Counties League (step 6), while Forest Town are 6th in the Central Midlands Supreme Division (step 7), so this result is a bit of a shock.

Arrived at the ground with 15 minutes spare, and struggled to find a parking space - apparently the Fitness Centre gets a bit busy on Tuesday nights.......

Entered the ground expecting quite a few people to be present, but there were only half-a-dozen or so souls to be seen. Surprised that at kick off time there were over 70 present - but I have to say, I have absolutely no idea where they were all hiding!!

We were handed a team sheet - a great idea that more teams should take on board. After deciding to stand up to watch the game ( we usually sit at Plains Road, but Kev's back is a bit dodgy), we were both anticipating a cut and thrust encounter with no quarter asked and no quarter given. There were a few meaty challenges early doors, and although Gedling looked a yard faster than their visitors, as an attacking force they lacked a little bite. Welfare left winger Shaun Clarke fired a fierce drive wide of the Forest Town goal on 20, then in the 35th minute his free-kick from 20 odd yards rattled the bar - apart from that Jason Johnson in the Foggy goal had a fairly quiet first half. Mind you, Lance Walker in the home goal wasn't exactly over-worked either. H-T 0-0

Plenty of well known faces in attendance tonight, and we had a chat with local Referees Rob Townsend and Dave Plowright during the break. Spent the second half in the company of former Greenwood Meadows Manager Mark Connor - what he doesn't know about the local game isn't worth knowing!

Gedling opened the scoring on the hour when WARREN HATFIELD pounced on a loose ball in the box before spinning and volleying home. We thought the floodgates would open, but Forest Town pulled up their socks and began passing the ball about - and when Castedine's 73rd minute through ball fell into the path of striker ANDY WOODCOCK, the former Teversal striker ran on and fired hard into the net. Walker managed to get a hand to the effort, but it was very well hit and the keeper did really well to even get near it!

10 minutes later Forest Town were awarded a penalty for handball .. looked a bit soft - I didn't think it was even in the area, but my eyes were watering by this time as the temperature dropped...... anyway, Danny Tighe stepped up and fired the spot-kick home, and although Welfare did step up their game for the final minutes, the Forest Town defence stood firm and will now face Eastwood at home. Scheduled for Tuesday April 6th, but I can't see that happening...Eastwood play Gainsborough on Monday 5th.... F-T 1-2

Admission £4
Programme £1.50
Attendance 62

Heanor Tn v Dunkirk next....