DODDS HAT TRICK MAKES IT FOUR WINS IN THE MONTH

 Eurosoccer Nottinghamshire Senior League

SHIREBROOK SOLDIERS FC 6 PHOENIX INHAM FC 0

With Hazel away with her daughter on a spa weekend, her brother offered to take me somewhere local and drop me off as he was heading in to Worksop for the afternoon, so having not visited Shirebrook Soldiers since entering the Notts Senior League, it was time for a visit, my last visit was a few years ago and a few things have altered since, as they have built covered dug outs for both teams, so on a very windy day like today, the subs could shield from the strong gusts.

On arrival I was met by Team Manager/Secretary Gary Bryant and he made me a cuppa and soon greeted by the clubs Chairman Simon and some of the players as they began to arrive from both sides. With both teamsheets got before saying hello to match referee Rob Wood, I heard a voice shout out hello to me, it was Shirebrooks most famous camera man Pete Waby, a nice chap who we always have a chat when we bump in to each other.

The game kicks off and it is the visitors who have the first decent chance, firstly with the home keeper making a save and then a header from a corner flying over the crossbar.

The Soldiers then begin to press forward and in the 11th minute, the ball is played across from the left side and KEANE DARBY is first to react and slot the ball home lowly past the diving keeper to put his side 1-0 up.

This seemed to lift Shirebrooks game as they pushed forward and gained a few corners in the swirling wind, On 21 minutes and the Soldiers had doubled their lead, when one of those corners from the left side found out JAMIE ROWBOTTOM volleyed the ball home.

Inham's manager shouted out instructions to change their tactics and had to make a early sub due to a injury, but things just got worse for them when just after the half hour mark, they went 3-0 down when WILLIAM DODDS volleyed home from inside the six yard area..

The Second Half began and in the 48th minute, Soldiers were 4-0 to the good, when WILLIAM DODDS cut in from the left and hit a bullet of a shot from 25 yards in to the net. Then on 53 minutes, CONNOR PHILLIPS got in on the act with a shot from 30 yards that ht the back of the net to make it 5-0, there was a fear now for Phoenix that this could well be any score.

Phoenix then possibly had their best part of the match for 15 minutes, as they tackled and defended well but just could get the ball to their attackers, plus they edged their luck a bit with the Soldiers number 9 missing a few chances and the visiting keeper saving them more than a few times.

On 70 minutes though, Soldiers man of the match WILLIAM DODDS got the ball in his own half and just ran through every tackle and slotted home not only his hat trick but the goal of the game to make it 6-0.

The team from Shirebrook still had chances to add to their total but didnt, but have finished January with a impressive four wins from four matches and beating the top two in the division whilst they sit narrowly behind in third place

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