After two successive victories, Notts Reserves went into this game with some confidence, but once again preparations were ruined by players dropping out late on - which simply can't happen. The players involved need to be committed and available every week or they shouldn't bother.
The game kicked off late because of the problems getting a side together, but the team that went out there made a great show of things in the first period, matching their hosts with some good, fast passing football.
Dore's pace on the flank was a constant threat. Watson and Shannon held the ball up well and the back four with Wakelin and Robertson at the heart were solid and compact.
Notts took the lead deservedly on 20 minutes as Dyer forced the ball home at the far post following a corner.
The lead was only to last 10 minutes as Dore tracked back into his own box and unintentionally clipped the heels of the Brunts skipper. The resulting penalty was dispatched to leave the teams level at the break.
The second half saw the Twos fade and Brunts were the dominant side, eventually deserving their victory. Sadly the crucial second goal came from a goalkeeping error as Astle spilled a tame shot and the rebound was rolled home.
Brunts netted a third with 15 minutes left with an excellent chip that had Astle groping at thin air.
There was time for manager Stapleton to make a five minute cameo at left back - a period of time he was later to comment on as "too long!" |
