HITMAN FRANCIS SHOOTS DOWN TOWN

Samba Nottinghamshire Senior League

Premier Division

BURTON JOYCE FC 1 BILBOROUGH TOWN FC 0

Looking for a fixture and noticed that the referee on this match was Lewis Quayle, so after a quick text, the reply was to get to Sherwood and Id got a lift to and from the match. So on the bus from Mansfield to Sherwood and called in to a little cafe that did a lovely breakfast and a cuppa, before popping in to a couple of charity shops and buying a couple of bits. Met up with Lewis and soon arrived at the Poplars, the home of Burton Joyce FC with the Bilborough Town management emptying their cars.

In to the clubhouse, as the cricketers came legging it off the pitch as the rain began to lash down whilst I got the team ones and enjoyed a nice cuppa whilst chatting to a young lady who went out with one of the Bilborough Town team.

Both teams have had different starts, Burton Joyce after being promoted had a 100% record, whilst the visitors also had a 100% record but in defeats, so a home win was the favourite on the cards.

The game kicked off and not many chances were created but both sides were playing end to end football and this created a good game to watch. After 38 minutes, Ricky Law broke down the left hand side and drove the ball across just missing the far post, but then right on the stroke of half time came the turning point of the game, when Sanyo Campbell beat the offside trap with the goal in front of him and fired the ball over the crossbar, then four Town players fell to the ir knees with heads held in their hands.

The Second Half kicked off and I was stood next to Mr Faflik and I just mentioned how well the visitors had kept the Hitman Francis silent and no doubt he would make me eat my words and score in the 46th minute.

In the 46th minute, a ball was played in to the Town box which they failed to clear and the first person to pounce from 25 yards out was NATHAN FRANCIS who fired a dipping shot in to the net to give the greens of Burton Joyce in to the lead.

This seemed to spur Burton forward and good keeping by Liam Lee esp one superb one handed save from a header and superb defending kept Town in the game.

The final fifteen minutes and Town pushed and pushed but the equaliser just didnt come in a gallant performance from them.

Must mention what a great game all 3 officials, Lewis Quayle and his two Assistants Ian Wilkinson and Teo Ayodeji-Ansell had.

I would like to thank Ian Wilkinson for the £5 donation and also Lewis Quayle for the lift and he wouldnt accept any petrol money so he asked me to throw £5 in to the charity as well, so it now takes the running total for Nottingham Stroke Club to a super £414.50p

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