ALL FOURS AT THE BALDI

Pre Season Friendly

ROBIN HOOD COLTS FC 4 WOODTHORPE PARK RANGERS FC 4

Att: 23

On Friday, the sun was out on a nice relaxing day, Saturday I got up got my camera ready and opened the curtains to see a dull morning, I do not really decided what game I was going to so i looked through my Blog list to see if anything really ticked the boxes, when I spotted on twitter that Robin Hood Colts were hosting Woodthorpe Park Rangers at Garabaldi School on the edge of Clipstone/Forest Town, the closest ground to my house that Id never seen a game, so this was a idea time to tick it off.

Both clubs since joining the Nottinghamshire Senior League have had success, Robin Hood made their debut last season and did well enough in Division Two to gain promotion and also added the League Junior Cup to their cabinet display, whilst Rangers had been in the League for 2 seasons and in their first season won the Division Two title and did the double winning the League Junior Cup, whilst last season stormed to the Division One Championship meaning they were promoted to the Premier Division for this coming season.

As I was about to leave home, the rain began to lash down heavy, so a decision was made to leave my camera at home for today. On arrival at the ground I was greeted by a couple of the Colts supporters and confirmed the game was on, it was also good to see old time friend Referee Paul Thomas.

A bit of a stroll with the brolley down to the pitch which looked in very good nick to be fair and to stand just back off the touchline as there was another line to stand well behind.

Woodthorpe started off well and gained a free kick outside of the area on just 3 minutes, up stepped KIERAN WHEAT to hit his shot on target and the keeper spilled under his legs and the ball clipped in to the net.

The crowd that were turning up late missed the opening goal, but they sure saw the equaliser on 11 minutes, when a corner came in from the right hand and CRAIG TAYLOR was the first to pounce at the front post to guide the ball home.

Woodthorpe then had the better chances and the Colts keeper redeemed himself from his earlier mistake by pulling off two excellent saves to keep the scores level. Then on 29 minutes, he pumped a long ball up field and the visiting keeper just managed to keep out, which led to a corner, from the resulting corner, a move led to Colts top marksman GEORGE CAMPS netting and putting his side in to a 2-1 lead.

Half time came and the Robin Hood supporters went for a cuppa, but they missed the start of the Second Half and after 48 minutes missed a equaliser for the Rangers, when DARREN OLDHAM headed home after a corner.

Despite the poor weather both sides played some good football and on 66 minutes, the home supporters had a goal to cheer for, when WILLIAM COX turned and shot in to the roof of the net to restore the Robin;s lead.

Id popped over to talk with Cory Johnson, Rangers Secretary and centre half but he wasnt impressed with Rangers performance and was less pleased when the Colts extended their lead to 4-2 on 81 minutes when Westermans cross found out GEORGE CAMPS to score his second of the game.

Captain Johnson needed to make changes and he did and entered the pitch and straight away it had results when DEAN BUSSEY reduced the arrears. With clock ticking down, it was noticed that Johnson had gone up front,people were afraid he may have a nose bleed, as he isnt often seen that far up the pitch, but on 88 minutes CORY JOHNSON saw the ball at his feet and swept it in to the net to become a hero and make it 4-4.

A very good friendly match which was a credit to two teams from the Nottinghamshire Senior League and I must say that Referee Paul Thomas had a superb game letting the game flow and using common sense on certain decisions that he had to make.