MAC LEADS FIGHTBACK FROM HALLOWEEN SPOOK AT THE VINEYARD

 Eurosoccer Nottinghamshire Senior League: Division Two North

TRENT VINEYARD FC 1 BESTWOOD COLLIERY FC 3

This morning I awoke to a very wet Mansfield Woodhouse, with the rain lashing it down, it looked like my plan A to Trent Vineyard FC would be out the question, as I began to look for a ground with a little bit of cover, plan B was soon in action at 11am when i got a call back from Calverton's manager Rob Musson to say thier game was on, but the rain was beginning to ease and i got a photo from the Vineyarders to say the sun was shining and pitch was perfect, so it was back to plan A and a trip over to the edge of Beeston.

On arrival, I was greeted by both sets of players and committees and also a late replacement referee Derek Spray who only lives up the road from me, as his match had been postponed and we joked about if Id known I could of got a lift from him. Then a old groundhopper friend Halifax Les arrived with his friend Oz, they had only come to watch the first half as they were off to another match in the Nottingham area. Les asked if i was still doing the Charity Blog and he kindly donated £5, then Colliery Clubman John Manders kindly donated £10. After the match Trent Vineyard FC then kindly donated £25, so a BIG thankyou to all of you.

Before kick off was a minutes silence for Mick Gregory, a committee man of Southwell City FC for many decades during the clubs spell in the Notts Alliance, Central Midlands and Notts Senior League, who sadly passed away on Thursday this week.

The game kicked off and Colliery went forward and gained a corner after just 8 seconds but the tight home defence cleared it to safety. Bestwood kept pushing forward but the Vineyard defence were standing tall and were not to be beaten.

After 11 minutes, Vineyard took the lead when a low shot from 25 yards by LLOYD RODGERSON surprised everyone and crept in to the far corner of the net to the delight of the home supporters.

Bestwood looked shocked but kept pushing the ball forward down the wing or by the long ball, but the home side were playing out of their skin and thoughts were on my mind of maybe a Halloween shock for the table toppers maybe on the cards. After 30 minutes, Colliery thought they were level when a cross came in from the right hand side, the ball bounced around the box before ending up in the net, as the players celebrated, the referee saw the flag up and ruled the goal out for offside, much to the disgust of the visitors.

As we were drawing towards half time, infact the 44th minute, Colliery gained a corner on the right side, which was drilled in low at the front post for MACAULAY TINSLEY to turn and nudge home for a equaliser.

The Second Half kicked off with Bestwood on the front foot again and several times Michael Cox in the home net had to be on his guard, but on 67 minutes, the visitors swung in a corner from the right hand side, which was met with a bullet of a header by MACAULAY TINSLEY which smashed into the back of the net to give his side a 2-1 lead.

Vineyard pushed forward in search of that equaliser but this left gaps at the back and in the last minute of the game, a quick breakaway by the visitors saw the ball played to the right ready for SAM ROTHWELL to fire home and secure the points for his club.

Again a Massive thankyou to all the donations today and with the 4 goals now takes the running total for FAMILY FUND, a charity that helps and supports families with children with special needs and disabilities to a superb amount of £874.00.

To see the 199 photos taken at todays match pls click this LINK