Keyworth United Green: 3 Beeston Centurions: 0

Orange Crush! Daniel dazzles as Keyworth shine.

Isn’t it bizarre how certain teams and even specific characteristics can have a hold over another team?

For Keyworth, our bogey side is Beeston, who we’ve always more than matched, yet never even taken a single point. Similarly, we always seem to be mesmerised by teams in orange. Today, however, was different and courtesy of a dazzling hat-trick from Danny Hardy and a strong all round team performance, Keyworth finally laid both demons to rest with a convincing three goal victory over the orange clad Centurions. After fine displays, but ultimately no points, in our last two outings, a win against Beeston was imperative if we were to have any chance of our desired top five finish. With Beeston just above us in the table and tough matches against two of the top three to follow this week, this really was the proverbial six pointer, and in some ways I’d have been willing to sacrifice the performance for a win. As it was, I didn’t need to as we put on a decent show to emerge victorious from a typically tight encounter.

It might have been sunny and April but don’t be fooled, it was as cold as Christmas as the boys kicked off, with Keyworth kicking uphill and pressing from the start. The Greens quickly took control and with Peter Matthews and Thomas Leatherland linking well on the right and Sam Clements making a nuisance of himself on the left, all looked promising. Despite their territorial advantage though, Keyworth were kept at bay by some stout Beeston defending and rarely threatened the visitor’s goal. As the half wore on Beeston came more into it, but with Jacob in “thou shalt not pass” mode and a back four looking as solid at it has all season, we squeezed the oranges and remained firmly in command.

The introduction of Danny and Marek then added a blend of power and pace, not to mention skill, which started to make things happen. Almost immediately, Marek’s tenacity opened up a good shooting opportunity, but instead he threaded the ball through for Danny to put over a firm cross which was well gathered by the keeper as some goal-hungry Greens waited to pounce. Minutes later, Danny’s fierce shot flew over the keeper only to crash to safety off the top of the bar. A goal simply had to come! Sure enough, it arrived a minute before the break. Excellent work from Douglas, revelling in his more forward role, saw him beat two defenders out left and fire over a low cross which Danny flicked effortlessly into the roof of the net from eight yards. That made the half time drinks taste so much sweeter! The accompanying team talk was also pretty straightforward, demanding more of the same commitment; emphasising that we couldn’t carry any passengers and if ever there was a game where we could finally banish the Beeston / orange hoodoo for good, then this was the one - we simply had to believe!

No worries! Despite a slow opening to the second period, it was clear that the Greens wanted it more and, with Reece opening up play at will and Ben making good use of space on the right, Keyworth were starting to play some classy football. Suddenly, whenever we went forward, we had a man available and with Danny looking lively and Marek going like a rocket - man can he run! - we were looking dangerous. A super move almost brought a second when Reece found Ben in space, his ball picked out Tommo on the edge of the box, who laid it ball back for Cian to hit one. Unfortunately the shot lacked pace and was easily dealt with by the keeper. This, however, merely served notice on the Beeston defence, as Danny broke free like a runaway train and tearing in on goal fired in a lofted drive that looked a goal all the way until the visiting goalie somehow managed to jump up as high as the crossbar to claw the ball millimetres wide - a magnificent save! It was going to take something special to beat this lad!….and it did!

Midway through the half the Greens finally got the second their display deserved and what a belter it was! Attacking a loose clearance, Cian bravely won the ball in a 40/60 challenge and was hauled down just outside the box in the inside left channel. Up stepped Danny to smash a stupendous free kick over the keeper and in off the far post. Watch out Beckham and Ronaldo! You won’t see a better execution of a free kick all season - this was one straight out of the top drawer! Just like the shot, Danny in this mood is unstoppable, and with the last kick of the match, he secured his hat-trick. Reece’s majestic defence-splitting ball set him free on goal only for the excellent Beeston keeper to make yet another superb save. Not to be denied though, Danny collected the rebound almost on the by-line and curled in another beauty from the tightest of angles, this time off the underside of the bar, with Douglas forcing it home “just to be certain”. A word with both Doug and the ref confirmed it was Danny’s goal. There wasn’t even time for the match to restart before the final whistle blew! A fitting end to a good game and a solid Keyworth display which saw Sam Machin untested apart from the odd “claim” in his area, which he completely dominated.

A splendid performance from Keyworth, in which every player played his part. While Danny was outstanding, Reece’s fine contribution merits a mention, as does that of Jacob. Douglas, Peter Hennessy and Harry quietly went about their business well, while Luke and Isaac also gave sound displays in a sturdy back four. Meanwhile Sam, Marek, Ben and Peter Matthews caused problems and showed a physical presence previously unseen, while Josh, Tommo and Cian battled valiantly and made an impact. All in all, a good day at the office! After this result, I’m still standing by my assertion that we can achieve a fifth place finish - particularly as Beeston have still to play shirted Greasley. If we manage to do it, ably assisted by our blue shirted friends from up the A610, we’ll be singing many a happy tune but, alas, it’d only be sad songs for those in orange - I guess that’s why the call it the blues eh?