VALLEY GUNN DOWN LATE WINNER AT THE VALE

 Eurosoccer Nottinghamshire Senior League: Division One

MEDEN VALE COLTS 1 AFC TOP VALLEY 2

After the worrying news at the hospital on Friday and hazel and shawn heading up to Preston for Sarahs pre dress fitting, I was invited to go up with them but decided to have a weekend on my own, on Saturday morning I was really wasnt sure if I wanted to venture out the house and face anyone, but at the last minute decided to go and get some fresh air and catch the bus down to Meden Vale as it is only down the road and to get me out the house for a few hours.

On arrival, I met the Top Valley Manager Alex and his keeper who has recently had a heart attack so isnt playing at present, a lady arrived and opened up but her hubby who usually does the food wasnt well, so she set about setting up the kitchen and soon I was there with a cuppa and a couple of bacon cobs.

A chat before kick off with one of the home players, it was mentioned she hadnt got any photos of him in football kit, that was soon to be resolved today.

With Remembrace Sunday tomorrow, all matches in the Notts Senior League were to show a minutes silence for the respect of those who had lost their lives, the Chairman of Meden Vale Colts asked if a reef could be placed on the centre circle during the silence and the referee to carry it on to the pitch, to which both clubs agreed to walk out together side by side after the match official Sam Long. The minutes silence echoed round the ground with respect.

Going in to the match, both sides were in good form of recent time and from kick off both sides were putting in 100% challenges, some a bit meaty to which the referee had to talk to a few players and also this led to the visiting striker earning a yellow card halfway through the half.

 Both sides were cancelling each other out with not many chances being created, but the Vale got a break in the 41st minute, when the ball was threaded through to BRANDON CLARKE who turned and shop low in to the corner of the net from just outside the area.

The Second Half kicked off and Top Valley was producing attack after attack, but Milnes in the home net and solid defending kept them at bay, this was leading to a bit of frustration by the visitors and in the 63rd minute, the visiting striker left his side with ten men as he was shown as second yellow card.

The Colts began to show more going forward with the man advantage but didnt really test the visiting keeper and in the 83rd minute, they were punished when a breakaway in to their half, saw a long ranged shot by JOSH GARDNER badly deflect in t the net for the equaliser.

With the game deep in to injury time and both sides looking as if they were happy with a point a piece, a Valley defender played the ball forward to the right winger to JOESPH GUNN who cut inside and saw his shot squeeze in by the near post to give his side the points and move up to second place in the league table.

Not the easiest game for referee but felt Sam Long had a very good game, trying to let the game flow and using common sense on occasions

Before the match, Meden Vale Colts FC kindly donated £20 to the Charity Blog for FAMILY FUND, a charity that helps and supports families with children with special needs and disabilities, with the 3 goals score today as well, this takes the running total to a superb £922.25p

To see the 142 photos from today, please click this LINK