Keyworth United 4 Vernon Green 3

Heroes!!!

There’ll be dancing on the streets of Keyworth tonight! On Remembrance Day, we were treated to a match we’ll never forget, with Keyworth running out deserved victors in a titanic battle of the Greens and fantastic advert for football at this level. What a match this was!

Following an impeccably observed two minutes silence, the game kicked off with Keyworth attacking up the slope. The opening exchanges were tight with both sides clearly looking to play football but also resolute in defence. It remained evenly contested, with both sides threatening but rarely troubling the goalkeeper, until the game was really brought to life with a Vernon goal midway through the half.

A splendid quick break appeared to have been repelled by the home defence but as the ball dropped on the edge of the area, Vernon’s number 12 stormed in to thump a magnificent half volley into the top corner of Sam’s net. While this was a little hard on Keyworth, it only served to strengthen their resolve. Working like Trojans they soon reaped the rewards their efforts deserved when they equalised in bizarre fashion. A weak shot looked to be covered by the Vernon keeper but somehow squirmed through his grasp and was pounced on by the lurking Danny Hardy who gleefully drove into the unguarded net from close range.

Keyworth’s joy was short-lived however as they were caught in possession just inside their own half and a Vernon forward ran through to drive another fine low shot into Sam’s right hand corner. The match continued at a fierce tempo and just as it looked as though Keyworth would go into the break behind, they equalized courtesy of a disputed penalty. Following more fine work from Peter Matthews, Danny burst into the box and flicked the ball wide of the keeper only to be hauled down by the goalie before he could put the ball into the net. Whilst Vernon were unhappy with the decision, in reality it was a straightforward decision for the man in the middle who had little choice other than award a spot kick as Keyworth’s top scorer had been denied a certain goal by the keeper’s actions - indeed some might consider the keeper lucky to have stayed on the pitch although in my opinion that would have been unwarranted. Justice was done (just!) when Danny’s penalty found the back of the net, albeit via the keeper’s right hand and the upright.

All square at half time in a pulsating game, it was time for Keyworth to ring the changes and introduce a little more creativity in order to gain maximum benefit from the slope. On came Reece Farndale, Ben Healey and Sam Clements with Peter Matthews pushed into a central midfield role. Using the flanks to good effect, Keyworth started well.

Suddenly in the ascendancy, they were constantly putting Vernon under pressure and within ten minutes took the lead. Collecting a quick throw on the left hand edge of the area, Sam Clements took a few steps forward before sending over a peach of a cross which was delightfully met by Danny who, with a piece of innovative genius, flicked a volley into the far corner.

The home fans were euphoric! Five minutes later they were verging on hysterical, when the otherwise solid visiting defenders were made to look like absolute beginners as Harry’s quick throw was flicked on by Danny to Ben on the six yard line. With all expecting the shot, tightly marked Ben wrong-footed the keeper by simply cushioning the ball into the path of Sam Clements who coolly slotted the ball into the opposite corner for a goal good enough to win any match. With Keyworth tiring, Vernon came back strongly in the closing minutes and, with five remaining, pulled a goal back following a delightful passing move. For the final minutes it was all hands to the pump for Keyworth who couldn’t get out of their own half. It’s hard work running up the hill backwards, but with bucket-loads of grit and determination the boys held firm for a tremendous and thoroughly deserved victory.

A truly superb display from Keyworth, for whom Peter Matthews was the star man, pushed closely by a much improved Sam Machin. This was the performance I’d asked for - little wonder I’m full of pride! For once when playing a Vernon outfit we experience the elation of victory rather than the sorrow of defeat.

If this were the States we’d now be going over the top with excitement but thankfully this is not America and while delighted, we’ll remain level headed and focused on our next game. Suffice to say, it’s all hunky dory in the Keyworth camp at the minute after three wins on the bounce.

Let’s hope the boys keep swinging next week as we kick off our league cup campaign at Stapleford Villa!