Keyworth United Green:
1 West Bridgford Tigers: 3
Hammer Horror!
Make no mistake; this
was a shocker of the highest order! A real life nightmare
of a horror show!
I’m not sure which production house it came from but we
were certainly hammered!! It’s a strange phenomena but
whenever we play Bridgford it’s almost as if they have a
psychological hold over us and we reserve our worst
performances especially for them. Today was no exception as
Keyworth barely showed up in a lacklustre and disjointed
performance and were largely outplayed by a much slicker
and superior Tigers outfit.
The scene was set right from the start as Tigers
immediately seized control and swarmed all over us. We
couldn’t get the ball out of our half and only Sam Machin
came between Bridgford and a hatful. Tigers finally took
the lead midway through the half when the ball was fed out
right to the lively Playle who cut inside and drove home a
fine shot from just inside the box - the only surprise was
that it had taken so long, such had been their dominance!
The Keyworth boys were breathing heavily, being run ragged
by the rampant visitors, but despite our inability to get
the ball beyond half way, somehow made it through to the
break just a goal behind.
Wind at our backs and slope in our favour, surely the
second half could turn our way?…So much for that theory!
The second half continued as the first had ended, although
at least we managed to get a shot in which is more than
could be said for the first half. In fact, we could, and
perhaps should, have equalised five minutes into the second
period with our best move of the game. Reece, Ben and Danny
combined well down the right before Danny got in a firm low
cross for Tommo to flash a first time effort just over from
no more than five yards.
Had that gone it might have been a different game. It
wasn’t to be though and Tigers went straight to the other
end, where Elliott’s excellent twenty yarder flew over Sam
only to cannon to safety off the left hand upright. That
seemed to fuel the Tiger’s fire and dampen ours. Growing in
confidence, Bridgford proceeded to take control. With their
nifty footwork (how we loved those Tiger feet!) and swift,
accurate, passing, they were a constant menace. Moreover,
with their endless energy levels - they were running up
that hill as if it wasn’t there - they were fitter, sharper
and threatening to overwhelm us. Surprisingly then, the
best chance again fell to Keyworth, and the luckless Tommo,
who fizzed a close range drive narrowly wide when well
placed. Again Bridgford came back immediately and this time
made us pay.
A half hit clearance fell to a roaming Tiger,
marauding unchallenged on the edge of the area and his
lofted shot looped high over Sam before dropping into the
net.
“Don’t give up lads” I urged, more in hope than
expectation, but within minutes we’d pulled one back with a
goal that owed more than a little to good fortune. Sam
Clements made his way into the visitor’s area before
completely mis-kicking and fooling two defenders
completely. As the two confused backs looked around for the
ball, which by now was spinning over their heads, Sam
coolly nipped in and sliced the dropping ball over the
advancing goalkeeper to make it 2-1.
Wow! Five minutes remaining and suddenly we’re back in with
a shout! Now the dreaming really could start - sadly,
dreaming is all we did! Instead of pressing on to grab the
undeserved equaliser, we proceeded to gift Tigers a third,
killer, goal. With the defence still mid-dream, a Tiger’s
forward cut in from the right and, given his own twenty
yard exclusion zone by the Greens back line, fired in a
fierce shot that Sam did well to save first time and then
did even better to block the follow up effort.
Unfortunately for Sam, and the rest of us, the Green Army
dreamers remained motionless as the loose Tiger, barely
able to believe his luck, made it third time lucky by
poking the rebound beyond the helpless Sam to put the game
beyond our reach.
Unable to believe what I’d just witnessed, my eyes, lifted
up to the big sky, said it all! I was exasperated! Game
over! - metaphorically ......and within seconds, literally!
This was a disappointing performance from Keyworth -
arguably our weakest display of the season. In truth, we
never really wanted it and failed to show any of the skill
or finesse of which we’re capable.
With tough games ahead against Radcliffe, on their
artificial fortress, next week before a rematch against the
Tigers in the Trophy quarter final in a fortnight, the
prognosis for Keyworth reads just like my old school
reports….Must do better!
