Thursday 24 October 2013

REF LEAVES THE MILLERS CROSS

Central Midlands Football League
North Division
AFC MANSFIELD 8 CLAY CROSS TOWN FC 3
League Pass
Progrramme £1.50 very good programme
Attendance 104
 
With The Bulls of Mansfield involved in the FA Vase, other clubs had gone above them in the League table, hence them beginning this evenings match in 3rd place but with games in hand, whilst The Millers of Clay Cross Town in 5th place had won 5 of their last 6 away games. So a close gme was in store for us all.
 
The game kicked off with Clay Cross pushing forward and with just over a minute on the clock, they had taken a early lead through BEN GOODMAN. The visitors continued to play the more attacking football and moved in a 2 goal lead after 15 minutes through RICHARD MATHEWS.
 
AFC pulled a goal back from the penalty spot through prolific goal machine DEAN RICK on 25 minutes and it looked as if the Bulls would move up a gear but this wasn't to be as after 40 minutes, Clay Cross Town re-extended their 2 goal lead through ANT LYNAM.
 
After a quick pint in the bar at half time and chat with the Selston FC crew, the players were back on to the pitch and the turning point of the game occurred, when the home keeper swung a punch at a Millers forward but didn't connect..The Assistant over on the far side of the pitch was flagging like mad, but with his flag in his left hand, the ref took this to mean that it was a foul from the Clay Cross player and waved play on. From the play on, AFC Mansfield scored, to which a couple of refs watching from the side felt was quite a way off side, but that's just the way the game goes some times, so on 60 minutes, AFC had reduced the arrears through a goal by ROCKIE WHITE. This seemed to unease the visitors and homesters stepped up their game now and was well on top and after 68 minutes were on level terms with  DEAN RICK converting hos second penalty of the game after a defensive handball.
 
AFC Mansfield were now rampant and running forward at every chance, whilst the visitors heads went down and on 74 minutes The Bulls took the lead for the first time in the game when DEAN RICK completed his hat trick. It was soon 5-3 through ROCKIE WHITE's lovely chipped goal on 81 minutes. With 87 minutes on the clock, that man again DEAN RICK made it 6-3 and I was wondering could I see my 1st 10 goal feast game of the season. I didn't have to wait too long when MATT DRAPER made it 7-3 after 89 minutes.well now surely nothing else could happen in this match, but yes there was, whilst the ref blew his whilst, he called Millers man Sam Bartram over and sent him for a early bath. As some of the 104 attendance was leaving, DICK RICK went nap hand with a lovely goal to show why he is the best goal finisher in this Division if not league.
 
Dont get me wrong, AFC Mansfield deserved their win, but it makes you wonder if the Ref had consulted his Assistant or seen what most had seen in the ground, would he have sent the home keeper off to leave them with 10 men and awarded a penalty, if it had been scored, would they have come back from 4-1 down, but football is all about ifs and opinions.
 
The NOTTS SENIOR LEAGUE GROUNDHOP TICKETS ARE NOW ON SALE..Only £15 for 5 matches at 5 grounds with 5 programmes. There is a coach to all Saturday games from Nottingham Train Station though only 18 seats left. For more information, please e-mail me on hornby60uk@yahoo.co.uk
 
AFC Mansfield Website/Twitter
 
Clay Cross Town FC

No comments:

Post a Comment