A CRISP START TO THE NSL FOR RUFFORD

 Eurosoccer Nottinghamshire Senior League: Foundation Division

AFC RUFFORD 5 RUSHCLIFFE RESERVES 3

With heavy rain and thunderstorms predicted, it was a last minute look out the window to see where I would end up, the weather seemed to brighten up and local newcomers to the NSL AFC Rufford were kicking off their campaign down on Sutton Lawns and with a 2pm kick off, I thought I may just miss the bad weather.

On arrival I was met both both clubs and soon got both sets of line ups for today match, before getting down to pitchside where Shawn had carried my chair, we had a chat with match referee Ivor Stocksford ad kick off time soon came around.

The purples of Rufford seemed a bit of the pace in the First Half and slow to getting to the second ball a lot of the time, to which the Greens of the Ravens soon cottoned on to and took advantage, as after just 5 minutes, the visitors broke away through ZYON SIMONS who stroked the ball in to the net via a deflection.

Things got better in the 17th minutes for the Greens when they doubled their lead, when from a free kick on the left hand side just in the AFC half, OLIVER WILDSMITH rose and sweetly headed home Rushcliffe's second of the game.

Half time came and the rain began to pour down whilst I drank my coffee and my mind was saying Im going to get soaked here.

Rufford started the Second Half better and began to play the ball along the floor and use the wings, but it was the visitors who forged forward in the 50th minute through AARON MADDOCK to make it 3-0, surely this was game set and match, but in football nothing is certain until that final whistle.

In the 57th minute, there was a glimmer of hope as TYRANE ALLSOP finished a good move to reduce the arrears, then on the hour, just when you felt a comeback was on the cards, the visiting keeper made a superb double save and then in the next move, AFC hit the post.

On 65 minutes, Rufford were back in the game, when CAI SAVORY was first to react to a loose ball to make it 3-2 to the visitors. Both sides wee pushing forward but Rufford now were putting a lot more of a passing game together and the tired legs of Rushcliffe were beginning to show, so it came as no surprise when TOM CRISP equalised to make it 3-3 in the 73rd minute.

From the kick off and the homester now had a spring in their step and looked like scoring every time they advanced forward and on 76 minute took the lead in the game for the first time, when JAY STRAW netted..

A minute later and TOM CRISP  strolled through the oppositions half before completing his hat trick and making it 5-3 to the Purplemen of Rufford.

The action hadnt finished there, as the visitors gave it one last push in the final ten minutes and hit the underside of the crossbar and then with just 4 minutes left on the clock, a ball was played across the area, when the linesman flagged and the referee blew, just before Rushcliffe put the ball in to the net, the visitors all appealed that it wasnt offside and the ref consulted with the linesman and over ruled him, which meant he had to give a drop ball just outside the area.

A really good match to watch and a credit to the Notts Senior League from both clubs, throughout the game, I felt the referee had a good match letting the game run when he could and using the advantage well.

With the 8 goals seen today, it now takes the running total up to £574.75p for FAMILY FUND, a charity that helps and supports Families with children with special needs and disabilities, anyone that would like to make a donation please contact or see me, every amount large or small always mounts up and is grateful of.

To see the 122 photos taken at todays math, please click this LINK