Whitemoor were one of Notts’ first visitors this season and won 0-1 in that game. Notts were buoyed by a good second half performance from last week and wanted to win their first game in six. This was a great opportunity.
The pitch was one of the worst at Melbourne Park; sloping, bumpy, and small! Same for both teams and all that . . .!
The referee was called away the morning of the game so Whitemoor’s manager had to run the show. This was disappointing as a neutral ref was needed in what proved to be an aggressive game. The first half was solid from Notts. Whitemoor were reduced to a handful of chances even with the wind and slope in their favour. The balls from their keeper went from box to box so there was often a swirling ball for the back four to deal with. Likewise Notts found it tricky and the pick of the chances fell to Rose who just missed the upright.
In at half time level, and a chance to nick the game. On 50 Minutes a free kick in the Notts half was pushed out wide to Dosanjh, a line ball to Stasic, Stasic beat a player then put in a superb cross. Greensmith netted, heading the ball back past the keeper. A fantastic goal and nothing more than Notts had deserved for a strong passage of play. Still Notts pressed and threatened a few times. The main threat from Whitemoor was a punch/slap from their left wing on Stasic. He raised his hands and struck Stasic – this should have been a sending off but the ‘ref’ failed to see it!
On 70 mins Shakespeare was fouled outside the Notts box. The foul was obvious, the UTD players wrestled him to the ground. Even some of their players said it was a foul! The ref didn’t give it and a UTD attack ensued. A low cross was met at the back post by their replacement left wing who didn’t need any encouragement to remind all how good he was! The game was nearly decided on 85 minutes when Dickinson went up for a corner and powered a header straight at a defender on the line. Nearly nicked three points. In the dying minutes a UTD defender deliberately handled the ball twice getting himself sent off in the process. More importantly it stopped Beri getting onto a through ball which could have won the game.
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