Keyworth
United 8 Gedling Southbank 0
That’s Entertainment!
Forget
Melvyn, this really was a Southbank show to Bragg about, as
Keyworth stormed into the quarter finals with a stylish,
eight goal, victory over a plucky Gedling. Without a win
since the start of December, another Keyworth defeat would
have been the bitterest pill to swallow - we desperately
needed that precious victory! We needn’t have worried.
Right from the start it was obvious that we wouldn’t be
disappointed as the boys set about their task with
determination and gusto. It wasn’t long before we took the
lead. A corner from the left was met by Ben whose left foot
effort fell invitingly for Josh to lash home from close
range. What a difference a goal makes! Suddenly, the
boys had a spring in their step. Driving forward
relentlessly, Keyworth quickly doubled their advantage when
Ben’s corner landed at Isaac’s feet and our classy centre
back showed he’s no slouch as a striker either, craftily
lobbing the keeper from twelve yards. There was no let
up for Gedling as Keyworth, making light of the slope,
continued to press and added another before the break. Fine
work by Sam Clements saw him leave three defenders in his
wake and cut the ball back to Harry whose high shot was
fumbled by the keeper under pressure from Josh. The ball
fell to Tommo who fizzed a left foot shot past the keeper
and a host of defenders to put the Greens three up.
Surprisingly, with the slope now to their advantage,
Keyworth started the second period poorly. Lacking the
energy and cohesion of the first half, the Greens looked
half asleep. It took a good five minutes and a goal from
Sam Clements to finally raise them from their slumbers.
Picking up the ball in the box, Sam eased his way towards
the six yard box and despite the presence of numerous
defenders, looked as if he had all the time in the world,
taking an age before deciding to side foot wide of the
keeper into the right hand corner - a “cool as you like”
finish!
That goal kick-started Keyworth into action and once again
they were flying. Minutes later came the goal of the game
and arguably the season to date. Magnificent work and a
smart turn by Reece saw him carry the ball to half way
before slipping a pass to Ben out wide. Ben side stepped
his man and played a precise pass into the path of the
on-rushing Danny who powered to the by-line, cut inside and
lay the ball off for Tommo, steaming in, to flash a
near-post volley into the net before the keeper could move!
What a goal!
A revived Danny was now clearly up for it and, almost
instantly, collected the ball in midfield, drove into the
box, wriggled past three defenders and smashed it home from
a tight angle. Keyworth were now playing some of their best
football of the season and playing it so much on the floor
that they were in danger of going underground! Next it was
Reece turning on the style. His excellent run and superb
defence-splitting ball to Danny left his mate with the
straightforward task (for Danny at least) of rolling the
ball beyond the keeper for Keyworth’s seventh. Another
cracking goal!
It was now just a case of how many as Keyworth came forward
in droves. Douglas’s sparking run from half way looked as
if it would bring number eight but having brilliantly
dribbled past what seemed like the whole Gedling squad,
Doug’s shot flew inches over. It was left to Josh to wrap
things up, bundling home from close in following excellent
work and a pin-point cross from Danny. There was still time
for the hard-working Cian to go close from the edge of the
box and Josh to blaze narrowly over before the final
whistle brought the curtain down on a splendid Keyworth
performance.
So, at last a win. In the modern world there’s little room
for losers so we’ll enjoy our trip to Victory City even if
it is a bit of a strange town to us currently. We’ll look
to extend our stay when we play the Gedling townies next
week. In the meantime, the dreams of children and parents
alike still remain as we make our way into the last eight
of the Trophy.
We’ll savour the moment and reminisce, for a week at least,
about the quality of our football which at times left us drooling.
Fast, accurate, incisive passing; exquisite finishing and
all played in the best possible spirit by kids with smiles
on their faces - now that’s
entertainment!
