Linby CW FC 2 Southwell City 1

P. Campbell, Trialist

After a practice game on Tuesday evening and the bruising 2-2 draw with Ollerton on Thursday evening, this was to be the third game in 5 days for several of the players. Maybe it was this fact, but more highly likely the previous evenings club night out at Jongleurs, that meant only a squad of 14 was available for this match. Without a recognisable centre forward in the squad, Darren Dickens and Daniel Ellis were thrown the number 9 and 10 shirts respectively. Craig Lear who despite a probable lack of sleep due to the birth on Thursday of his son William, was between the sticks.

Under a blazing sun, with many sweating out the previous night's beer and many changes to the line-up, understandably Linby again started slow and yet again went a goal down. With many players stopping expecting the linesman's flag, Southwell's Number 6 Gilly linked up well with his Gaffer Mark Nangle to place a well hit shot inside Craig Lear's right hand post from the edge of the box. Lear then made a couple of saves racing from his line before Linby started to get a footing in the game. Linby had a couple of forays down the wings that came to little, until Linby's trialist on the day broke free down the left. Getting to the bye line and cutting in, his cross was met by Darren Dickens who teed up Pete Campbell to slot past his former club of 13 years. Now starting to take control of the game, Linby scored what proved to be the decisive goal shortly before half time. As the Southwell backline were hurried to clear, the ball fell to Linby's trialist who took a touch before calmly shooting high over the 'keeper into the far top corner. HT 2-1

The second half saw the sides make many changes as the small squads tired under the blazing sun. In a second half of little note, Linby hung on for the last 10 minutes as several players faded in the energy sapping heat, with Nangle going close on a couple of occassions. FT 2-1.

Another good work out for the side and an unbeaten pre-season schedule against several 'higher ranked' clubs. We now have to wait till the 18th August before we face a much fancied Basford Utd away at Greenwich Avenue.