FIRST TEAM KEPT IN RESERVE

FIRST TEAM KEPT IN RESERVE

A very eventful game between the Nettles and the lesser reserves side kicked off at 7pm on Wednesday night, or at least that's what everyone thought. The Nettles were surprised before kick off as they saw star after star lining up for the opposition. The irony remained that the reserves best player was Connor Fitzpatrick, who later aligned his heart to the Nettles Sunday side. Connor sat in the Sunday sides changing room before kick off but made a supreme sacrifice to play for the opposition due to a lack of numbers. The gaffer (James Carter) received a large amount of abuse for allowing this to take place.

The reserves lined up with regular consistent and impressive keeper Craig Chamberlain. The defence featured S.Wilkinson, A.Louth, C.Fitzpatrick and L.Addinall who are unlikely to contribute for the reserves again all season. Reserves midfield consisted of A.Butler, C.Wilkinson, B.Griffin, and J.Cragg with unknown entities up front.

The Nettles started with S.Burton continuing his recent good form in goal. Josh Lumbard at right back found it difficult early on but improved in the latter stages. Left S.Cottingham was much improved from his performance against Welton and certainly looked one of the better players on the pitch. The centre back partnership of J.Dhindsa and J.Drabble looked impressive all game. The Nettles midfield had a familiar ring to it featuring S.Aisthorpe, K.Ealem, J.French and J.Carter. C.Pearse impressed off the front man, S.Fitzpatrick.

The game started at a decent tempo with both sides passing the ball reasonably well. Within 15 minutes a crossed ball from the right side found B. Griffin leaping the highest to head home a soft goal.

Straight form kick off Aisthorpe was played through by French lobbed the on coming Chamberlain who clattered him for his troubles. The shot scraped the post and the referee (Guy) denied any reasonable advantage, awarding the free kick 22 yards away from goal. Aisthorpe hit it hard but straight at Chamberlain who parried it away with a clearance leading to a corner for the Nettles.

Against the run of play the Nettles defence was breached again. A long ball over the top enticed both Dhindsa and Drabble towards the ball, allowing B.Griffin to run through Lumbard and slot past Burton for his 2nd goal of the game with only 20 minutes played.

Despite the score line it was obvious that the Nettles felt they were in the game and playing the better football. 10 minutes later The Nettles went on a 3-goal fury. Pearse picked up the ball off the front man and played Aisthorpe down the left hand side. Aisthorpe ran round Louth and into the path of the ball. A first time cross by Aisthorpe found Fitzpatrick 25 yards out from the goal. Fitzpatrick took the shot on first time, and with the outside of his right boot lobbed the stationary Chamberlain in the reserves goal. The goal was easily the best of the day according to C.Shaw, who stated that the new lines on the pitch were helping matters immensely. He then repeated this statement several times to various people around the stadium.

Only 7 minutes later a ball from the right was miss timed by Wilkinson and Louth perhaps with the help of some pushing by Aisthorpe, allowing the ball to fall at the feet of Fitzpatrick 10 yards out. Fitzpatrick controlled and slotted the ball with the laces of his right boot on the half volley into the left side of Chamberlains goal. Ex Nettles Gaffer (Mick Adams) was heard to quote "well done lads, he doesn't miss from there, do you know what I mean?"

4 Minutes later Aisthorpe was played in down the left. He knocked the ball one yard and waited for the inexperienced Louth to contact him in a manner to win a penalty for the Nettles. Chamberlain proclaimed he saw that coming and Louth walked off embarrassed. Aisthorpe chucked the ball at Fitzpatrick and said "Hat trick". Fitzpatrick hit the ball with the inside of his right boot to the keepers left. Chamberlain was beaten but the ball collided with the post at the rebound found its way to the wing. The Nettles passed around the ball before the opportunity to cross eventually arose. The cross drifted behind Aisthorpe who repositioned and lifted the header over Chamberlains head to make it 3-2 to the Nettles with 5 minutes of the first half remaining.

With the last action of the first half the reserves scored from a corner. The cross was a good one putting pressure on someone to clear. Which nobody did allowing the reserves sub to struggle to touch the ball in from less than one yard. The sub then proclaimed "yes with my first touch." Mitch Ashworth from the sidelines stated, "He seems like a prat". All this reporter will say is that Mitch is rarely wrong.

Guy blew the whistle for half time.

Gaffer and his ass-man decided to make changes at half time as the Nettles had already showed that they are a better footballing team than the reserves. Superstar players Pearse, Fitzpatrick, Aisthorpe and Ealem came off and other players were played in different positions to try them out.

The second half was forgettable. Jonny Drabble fell over the ball to gift a goal to the reserves. Craig Wilkinson scored a good goal from 25 yards skidding along the ground. The other goal was not recallable to this reporter who found more enjoyment out of C.Shaw walking to turn the floodlights on wearing his florescent adolescent yellow jacket. Banter on the sidelines suffered as Nathan Pearse entered the fray at right back, bringing off Lumbard whilst the scores were still level.

Roberto Carlos was brought on at left back and got comprehensively done twice in his 5-minute spell, despite offering a great attacking threat. Carlos was then compared to a Caravan by the 'guy who scored with his first touch (and only touch) of the game'. Carlos laughed it off and proclaimed he was the fastest player on the pitch after fouling the unnamed striker.

Pearse showed some more signs of a great touch dropping off the new frontman (Truelove). Truelove made an impression himself with his usual fast paced closing down and fitness.

The last 30 minutes of the game played out slowly as both teams were going through the motions. T.Moore proclaimed "we should sign Craig" but his hopes were dashed when White replied "He works Sundays".