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After probably the poorest performance of the
season last Saturday, Nottinghamshire Reserves bounced back
in fine style to answer their critics with a convincing
win against an organised and well placed Nalgo side.
Skipper Gary Newton was unwell and unable to take his place
in the squad, Dave Smith was called up to the First XI as
defensive cover, Kip Broughton took over from the unavailable
John Colclough and manager Tim Salmon was able to claim
a rare sub spot alongside club Secretary Nick Dracott, who
in typically efficient style went to the Threes game away
at Keyworth before being re-directed to the Twos game at
Bluecoat!
The opening 10 minutes of the game found both teams struggling
to find any rhythm. The home side were understandably short
of confidence after 4 successive defeats and it was no surprise
that they fell behind to a scrappy goal. The Notts defence
were slow to react as a deflected clearance was seized upon
by a Nalgo striker who was given far too much time to steer
the ball home into the top corner. Notts were forced to
switch their wingbacks with Scott Henson given a marking
job on the dangerous Nalgo flank player. This switch quickly
nullified the visitors as an attacking force and Notts were
able to slowly get on top.
The green & whites were gifted an equalizer within
15 minutes. A free kick by Jason Page from 25 yards out
was struck over the head of the vertically challenged keeper
who waived it goodbye, when he should have done better.
Notts suffered a blow on 20 minutes when midfielder Matt
Riley had to be replaced after sustaining a kick on his
calf. However, his replacement, Nick Dracott, had an immediate
impact, twice threading dangerous passes over the tall,
but slow visitors back line and on the 40 minute mark a
deep free kick by Dracott was met at the far post by Marco
Stasic who turned it into the 6 yard box for his striking
partner Stuart Pounder to volley home from close range.
The second half saw Notts grow in confidence and start
to play. The ball was passed with more speed and the midfield
began to link well with the front two and chances were created.
After an hour the Notts front two again combined to put
the home side further ahead. This time a through ball was
superbly flicked off the outside of his foot by Marco Stasic
to Stuart Pounder who had time to turn the ball onto his
favoured right side before slotting the ball home over the
diving keeper.
An even better goal was to come 10 minutes later. Matt
Allen and Chris Buckland combined well on the right flank
with a neat 1-2 , and Buckland swung in a superb right wing
cross which was met on the volley by Stasic on the edge
of the 6 yard box for a sweet strike that flew past the
helpless keeper. It was a goal that Marco’s approach
work had deserved and it underlined what this side are capable
of when they put their game together.
Cruising now, Notts added a fifth goal after a move down
the left wing which resulted in a deep, low cross that was
turned in, via a deflection, by Chris Buckland.
At half time, manager Tim Salmon had warned his troops
not to get injured as he was the only sub left.
"Don’t get injured unless we’re 5-1 up with
10 minutes left." He warned.
Right on cue, after 80 minutes, Wayne Elmhirst went down
with his usual cramp, and Salmon got his chance! His effect
was minimal though as the visitors were able to scramble
a second goal their play barely deserved. This was a much
needed, and well deserved victory for Notts which should
give them the confidence for the second half of the season.
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