BUDGIES SEE OFF THE BADGERS

Samba Nottinghamshire Senior League

Premier Division

EASTWOOD COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FC 0 MAGDALA AMATEURS FC 2

After the goalfest at Sutton Lawns in the 12pm kick off Id attended, I was unsure what sort of game I would see here, as Development are third from bottom of the table with a young side and three players making their debuts, whilst the visitors who were on the same number of points before the match were reeling from last weeks 10-0 drubbing away at Awsworth Villa FC, though changes had been made for this game.

On arrival, I met with Chesterfield based Martin Roberts and then was invited in to the officials changing rooms for a warmth by match referee Michael Leslie, his assistants today were Jack Poxon who Ive met a couple of times this season and a newcomer to the NSL Kamil Balin who it was his first match having just moved up from Southampton.

I went in to the clubhouse to get a cuppa and met club secretary Debbie Bennett and was having a chat when I heard the roar of GOAL, what a shot, having gathered that The Budgies of Magdala had taken the lead on 7 minutes through 35 yard shot by THOMAS GROVES, it was then I spoke in to twitter with a score update, which later the Magdala lot found amusing, as it had printed and sent Eastwood 0 Mandela 1, so a picture appeared of Nelson to my reply.

I ventured outside and was joined by a gent who usually watches Wollaton FC and then Mr Coffey whose sons play for Magdala. Magdala were cutting out the chances but debutant keeper Wagstaff in the Community net was keeping the score down and his side in the game.

At Half Time I strolled over the far side of the ground and met up with the twins from Ilkeston and Steve Buttle of Eastwood and Steve thought his side were getting back in to things, they were certainly having the majority of the play but sadly not creating very much in the final third, but they were getting on top and I think at that stage of the game, people in the ground must have thought that a equaliser was on its way, but nothing is certain in football and on 85 minutes against the run of play, ETHAN LESEARE hot a shot from 30 yards that clipped a defended before dipping over the keepers head to send the Amateurs back to Roko with the points.

Must say all 3 officials had a very good match, infact they must have had a good match as I didnt notice them and in the clubhouse after, no one moaned about any decisions.

Only 14 photos taken and can be seen on this LINK