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As they saying goes.. but can you do it on a cold wet night in… Hucknall, Nottingham..
Well..
West Mids Vets we’re welcomed to Watnall Road to face a well fancied Nottinghamshire side. According to various local papers the Notts side have won a fair share of silverware in recent years.
Several changes were made to the west Mids side mainly due to injuries from the force game on Tuesday. Force players Danny Hitchmough, Rory Mcfarlane, David Trevalen and Stu Lewis all braved the trip despite playing less than 48 hours earlier.
The game kicked off and both teams tried to gain the advantage with quick and neat passing.
Early chances fell to Talisman Mark Bellingham who was denied by an active Notts keeper.
Hitchmough on the right had his cross blocked that went out for a West Mids corner. Bellingham swinging in the corner found the head of Rich Faulkner who’s effort hit the post. It was clear from early chances that the Notts defence were not able to deal with height in there box.
Around the 15th minute mark saw an attack from West Mids down the right. Hitchmough won the ball and layed it off to right back Rich Ash to cross into the box. The ball was lofted high into the floodlight glare which eventually fell to Bellingham who headed home from close range. 1-0.
Stu Lewis playing on the left was having a lot of success winning several corners and finding key balls to the big lads up front.
Rich Efuna playing left back began to dominate his opponent and linked up well with Lewis.
West Midlands were continuing to look menacing from corners and crosses and were causing all kinds of problems for the Notts defence.
At around the half hour mark Ash found Hitchmough in space down the right. Hitchmough then floated a ball into the stride of Bellingham who had made a great run to the edge of the box. Weighing up his options Bellingham decided to shoot. His effort looped over the Notts keeper and into the bottom corner of the goal. A nice quick move finished off with a great finish. 2-0.
Just before half-time Lewis had another run down the left that was fed through to the front men. The ball then broke to Lewis who had his effort blocked by the desperate Notts defence. An effort that would have surely hit the back of the net and would have been a deserved goal for Lewis’s efforts.
HT 2-0
Bellingham 15’,30’
Notts came out for the second half and really looked at it. To be fair they had to do something and change their game. The second half became a battle and West Mids relied on the midfield pairing of Trevalen and James Gasson to steady the ship.
Fresh legs were added with Hitchmough and Ash making way for Ryan Allen and John Widdicombe to enter the arena.
20 minutes of pressure was hauled onto the West Mids defence who despite being pinned back only allowed two efforts on target during this period. Both of which were gathered up by goalkeeper Al Lewis.
A tremendous defensive display organised and lead by the defensive pairing of McFarlane and R Faulkner.
West Mids then broke and the ball was played up to the front men who managed to win a corner. Stu lewis then lifted the corner to the front post where it was met by Striker Lee Faulkner. Rising like an angry salmon, Faulkner was head and shoulders above the crowd and powered his header past the Notts keeper. A brilliant headed effort from the big man.
More changes were then made with Gasson and L Faulkner having a rest and John Cunnington and Ste La Planche coming on.
In the last few minutes more chances fell to Bellingham, Rich Faulkner, John Widdicombe and La Planche. All of which were unlucky not to score.
FT 3-0
Bellingham 15’,30’
L Faulkner 70’
In reflection 3-0 was a fair result and West Mids can be proud of there achievement.
Assistant Manager Lee Martin stated “I am so pleased for the boys, that was a must-win game. It was a great squad performance and I am proud of everyone. It is not easy to travel away and get a result like this. I’d also like to thank Sarah our physio trainer and Johnny Norgrove for making the journey and helping the lads onto victory”
Man of the match was up for debate with Trevalen, L Faulkner , R Faulkner, Bellingham and McFarlane all having great games. However man of the match was awarded to Stu Lewis for his outstanding work rate and key passes all game.
The lads now sit top of there group where a draw away to Northants Police would be enough to see them through. However with top of the group up for grabs and a home seeding at stake another win is a must.