West Bridgford Tigers 2 Keyworth United 2

It’s Tommo at the Double as Keyworth Take It To The Limit!

A magnificent second half revival saved us from any heartache tonight as the Greens overcame a two goal deficit to grab a deserved point from a highly entertaining game with Bridgford.

If ever there was a game of two halves, this was it! In the first half, Keyworth were completely overwhelmed by a rampant and stylish Bridgford. In the second, it was Keyworth who dominated, transforming the game and reducing Tigers to such a bit part that the World Wildlife Fund and Greenpeace were up in arms, deeming us a threat to an endangered species. After thirty exhilarating second half minutes, the rare Bridgford Tiger was close to extinction and only rescued by the ranger in black whose shrill whistle brought an end to the onslaught, allowing the Tigers to roam freely once again.

Yet again fielding a weakened team through illness, Keyworth looked sluggish, in contrast to Bridgford who were buzzing and quick off the mark. Moving forward at pace, Tigers were terrorising the Keyworth defence with their swift movement and slick approach work. Having escaped once when the ball cannoned off the post from an early Tigers attack, Keyworth’s luck ran out some ten minutes in when Elliott broke free to fire superbly beyond a helpless Sam in the Keyworth goal.

Fired by the goal, Tigers continued to take the game to the Greens who couldn’t get out of their own half and were struggling to cope with the pace of the Bridgford forwards. Not surprisingly Keyworth conceded a second just before the break. The ball found its way across the box to an unmarked Tiger who, looking certain to score, was thwarted by excellent work by Sam Machin and Peter Hennessy. With the Green defence static, a Tigers’ forward showed his predatory instinct to react quickest and squeeze the ball home at the near post. Keyworth were down and looking out. 2-0 to Bridgford – desperado!

Such a poor first half performance demanded a half time reshuffle.

On came Ben, Reece, Cian and Tommo with instructions to take the game to Bridgford. All were to have a massive impact. If Bridgford thought they could take it easy they were soon to realise they were wrong. Suddenly it was all Keyworth. With Ben hogging the right touchline and Reece spreading the ball around excellently, Keyworth were finding more space and making good use of it. Returning from his six week sabbatical, a revitalised Tommo was playing like the new kid in town. Desperate to make an impression, he didn’t have long to wait!

Four minutes into the half, Keyworth moved the ball quickly out of defence before Reece threaded a superb ball through to Tommo just inside the Tigers half. Set clear, Tommo had only one thought - go for goal. Showing good control and the pace to hold off the pursuing defender, Tommo surged into the box, drew the keeper and coolly side-footed the ball into the net from twelve yards - a classy finish to a super move.

Keyworth were now full of self belief, going forward at will and looking dangerous. A sustained spell of Keyworth pressure followed and within ten minutes the Greens were level. More fine work between Reece and Ben ended with the latter slipping a slide-rule pass through to Tommo. Off he went again, into the box and round a defender before being unceremoniously dumped by a Tigers defender for the clearest of penalties. Despite my relentless screams for Danny to take it, Tommo picked up the ball, placed it on the spot and fired an unstoppable shot high into to the net to make it 2-2. It’s always pleasing how well the boys follow my instructions - hey, but what do I know?!!

Keyworth still needed to guard against the occasional Bridgford counter attack and twice had Sam to thank for fine saves. The Tigers forwards, well marshalled by a brave and less than 10% fit Douglas, were becoming less and less influential though and their threat was finally extinguished by a tremendous defensive performance from Marek, following a reshuffle after Doug’s illness enforced withdrawal. As the half went on, it was Keyworth who looked the more likely winners and it was now Bridgford asking the ref “how long?” Although going close on a couple of occasions, Keyworth couldn’t add to their tally and the game ended with honours even.

Life in the fast lane of football management is rarely straightforward and while the neutrals would view this as a wonderful match, the parochial coaches among us took a step closer to nervous breakdown having gone through the whole emotional spectrum in the space of an hour! I can’t tell you why we failed to turn up in the first half but we more than made up for it in the second when our good use of the width and an injection of pace paid dividends. Having been two down early on, we showed great strength of character to claim an unlikely draw and in the long run, we’ll view this as a point gained.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all!