BLIDWORTH RETURN HOME AFTER NARROW WIN

 Pre Season Friendly

ARNOLD TOWN RESERVES 2 BLIDWORTH WELFARE RESERVES 3

Well this morning I set out for Southwell City v Newark Town, thinking it was at Southwell's new ground in Brinkley, on arrival the gates were locked and no one in sight 30 minutes before the kick off time, so plan B was called in to action and I had been promising Ash Marshall the manager of Arnold Town Reserves to pop down and see him for quite a while now, so with a 2pm kick off at Eagle Valley this gave Hazel a bit of a steady drive. I then found out that the Southwell match had been played at their Memorial Ground and ended up as a 0-0 draw, phew ive not seen a 0-0 for nearly 5 years now, they do say things happen for a reason but know I will catch up with Southwell City in the season.

On arrival I was greeted by Ash and then Paula and Bill the barman who Ive not seen for a while and he always reminds me of the night when Woodthorpe Park Rangers got me steaming.

Out in to the stand with my cuppa and found a seat that was ideal for taking photos, amongst both sets of mums and dads as a lot of the players on show today were only 16 - 18 year olds. The attendance was quite good as I counted 31(yes i can count).

The match kicked off with the Young Eagles having most of the possession but very few chances in the game or testing of either goalkeepers, but against the run of play in the 28th minute, a square ball found a Welfare player who turned and shot in to the corner of the Town net to give his side the lead.

The lead didnt last long, as Arnold went on to the attack and gained a free kick on the right hand side of the penalty area, the ball was floated in and headed home for the equaliser. Arnold pressed for a second but the half time whistle came.

The Second Half began well for the homesters as they were awarded a penalty in the 48th minute, to which they dispatched and went in too a 2-1 lead. The visitors began to up their game as the match flowed end to end with lots of chances and in the 56th minute came goal of the game, when their little midfielder struck the ball from 35 yards to even up the scores(See photo above).

The game looked like next goal would win it and that is exactly what happened, Arnold had the ball in midfield but a pass was intercepted and played forward, the home keeper rushed towards the right hand side of his box and the winger took it round him before passing for his man to tap the ball in to a empty net.

Both sides played some really good football and I must say both sets of fans clapped both sides and not just their own. The referee Gerry Ward had a excellent game.

After the match, Arnold Town management came up to our table in the clubhouse and the players had had a whip round with them and kindly donated a amazing total of £60 to the charity blog which is in aid of FAMILY FUND a charity that helps and supports families with children with different disabilities and special needs. so a BIG THANKYOU to ARNOLD TOWN RESERVES .The running total now stands at a great £429.75p

To view 117 photos from the match pls click this LINK