Thought I'd have another go at this match report lark - thinking of doing a few more next season - if the reader response warrants it, that is. No point slaving for hours over a hot PC with a viewing audience of just a couple of dozen or so!
Anway, I digress!
Me and the Daftlad paid a visit to one of our old stomping grounds, Hucknall Rolls Royce Leisure, on Wednesday evening to see a Notts Sunday League semi-final between local rivals Barflys FC and AFC Dowhan. The winner of this tie to face either F.C. Sez or Trowsers FC in the final. That semi-final is scheduled for 3rd April at Dunkirk FC. Stood with Linby CW chairman Adrian Ward and Hucknall Town’s Michael Banister – who was still hyped-up over the semi-final he’d played in against Basford Utd the previous evening.
A decent crowd for this so-called "pub" game - my headcount made it well over 150!
Line-ups:-
Barflys : Innes, Blair, Curtis, Harrison, Martin, Needham, Newman, Nicholson, Tuitt, England, Whiles. Subs: Ashurst, Manders, Matthews
AFC Dowhan: Walker, Conn, Brooks, Coupe, Cotterill, Potter, Bernards, Large, Smith, Betteridge, Foster. Subs: Mushambi, Mann.
I’ve watched Dowhan on many occasions over the past few seasons, their Titchfield Park home ground is just a few hundred yards from my home. I’ve also seen quite a few Barflys' games - another short trip - their Nabbs Lane home ground is adjacent to the Watnall Road home of Hucknall Town.
Referee Phil Wootton is a regular on Sunday League games and along with Assistants David Hague and Ben Hopton, Mr. Wootton handled the game well.
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| Officials |
A very well observed minutes silence was held prior to kick off, in memory of former T8’s manager Mark Bramley, who sadly passed away last week.
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| Nice one, lads |
The form book showed that Dowhan ought to win this tie, but it was outsiders ‘Flys who took an early lead when a terrific pass to ROBBIE ENGLAND caught the Dowhan defence flat-footed, and the well-travelled striker ran at goal and slotted the ball past Jack Walker with some ease.
The lead lasted until the half-hour mark – AARON LARGE netting from close range. Dowhan were awarded a penalty seconds later, but Barflys’ keeper Matt Innes saved well from Chay Bettridge.
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| Great save! |
Dowhan did take the lead a few minutes later though, ASHLEY FOSTER netting when the ball was played across the goal to where he was waiting, on the line, to tap home the simplest of chances.
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| Foster on the line |
It was 3-1 just before the break, JONATHAN BERNARDS diving Superman like to head home.
H-T 3-1
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| Is it a bird, is it a plane? No, it's Jonathan Bernards! |
The second half was a little flat, to begin with, but Dowhan kept plugging away and their efforts paid dividends when FOSTER added his second, and Dowhan’s fourth with 70 minutes played. BETTERIDGE added a flukey fifth a few minutes after, his tamely hit free-kick from the corner of the box going past the defensive wall before creeping in at the far post.
TAKUNDA MUSHAMBI nodded the ball over a lead-footed Innes with four to play, ending the scoring and with just three minutes added by Mr. Wootton it was off to the car and back home. F-T 6-1
I had promised Mrs. Daftlad that I’d have her hubby home by 9:30pm, but being a couple of minutes late the good lady was waiting on the doorstep in her PJ’s, all rolling pin and curlers – not one to mess with! (just joking – Sue is a lovely lady really, and has a very good sense of humour - I hope!). F-T 6-1
