Linby CW FC 0 Cotgrave Welfare FC 0

With ace marksmen Julien Wright and Lee Penley both away on holiday, the game although quite entertaining ended 0-0. Linby should have won the game at a canter but were denied thanks to a wonderful display of goalkeeping from Cotgrave's former NSL rep 'Keeper Matt Worster.

Linby started the game brightly and with only 4 minutes on the clock, Nick Davies beats 2 men on the right and slides a low cross to the back post where Jake Keetley is inches wide of the target. On 17 minutess, Simon Martin plays Darren Dickens in for a 1 on1, but is denied by the feet of Matt Worster. Minutes later, Martin combines well with Steve Thompson to release Davies, who jinks past his man, but his cross/shot hits the outside of the post and away to safety. Worster then pulls off two good saves in the space of a minute both to deny Martin, who tries his luck with 20 yard efforts.

At the other end, Linby switch off for a second and are nearly punished. A 25 yard free kick is played square to Cotgrave full back Adam Waddley who hits a wicked shot that cannons off the side of the woodwork.

As the half draws to a close, Dickens' pace puts him clear for a second 1 on 1 and again Worster denies him, this time tipping over his venomous shot. HT 0-0

With instructions to continue where they left off, Linby come out and do just that. As Dickens probes down the right channel, he leaves Carl Springthorpe trailing. As he enters the box he appears to be dragged down but the referee turns down appeals for a penalty. A few minutes later and the same players tussle on the opposite side of the box and this time the referee spots the shirt pull and points to the spot. Up stepped Simon Martin, but his spot kick was welled saved by Worster.

Having given one penalty, the referee was soon in the spotlight again, missing two clear penalties. Firstly, Nick Davies's cross from the left found Dickens whose shot was blocked. The ball fell to Pete Campbell whose initial shot was blocked by Springthorpe, but as the Skipper attempted to hurdle Springthorpe to have another go, his legs were unceremoniously taken from under him, but no penalty. Two minutes later and it's Dicken's again who is felled by Lewis Richards on the byeline, but again no penalty.

On 66 minutes, another cross from Davies finds Dickens at the far post who tees up Luke Parker who in turn fires over.

On 80 minutes Cotgrave nearly complete a smash and grab. Adam Waddley's corner from the right is met by a powerful header from Lewis Richards, but Craig Lear pulls off an excellent save.

On 84 minutes it's that man Dickens again, who gambles on a long punt from Lear, only to see Worster save with his feet, again. A minute later, Parker shoots, and you've guessed it, Worster saves. FT 0-0

Line-Up (4-4-1-1)

Lear/
Hargreaves, Elson, Horton, Hardy/
Davies, Martin, Campbell, Keetley/
Thompson/
Dickens

Subs:
Parker (for Thompson 65mins)
Walters
Corthorn

MOM: MARTIN