Newark Flowserve 2 Linby CW FC 1

J. Wright

Linby's disappointing showing in “The Holy Grail of Notts Football,” the Notts FA Senior Cup continued with the loss at Flowserve in the first round. A game they could and should have won, but lost with 2 late goals from Flowserve substitute Oli Wood in the last ten minutes. It means Linby's only win the Senior Cup in 15 years remains a 3-1 home win over Calverton in October 2006.

The game started well for Linby, played in an awful cross wind that ruined it slightly as a spectacle.

On 11 minutes, Flowserve's young 'keeper Andy Dell lost a long crossfield ball from right back Mark Robinson, on which Julien Wright pounced and slotted the ball home to give the visitors an early lead.

5 minutes later and a good move between young debutant Richard Peel and Steve Thompson released Jonty Bradshaw, who saw his shot well saved by Dell.

On 28 minutes another chance went begging. Again good work by the busy Thompson allowed Bradshaw to play an excellent through ball to wright, who put his 1 on 1, inches wide.

As half time approached, Bradshaw's corner found the head of Ross Horton who's back post header was acrobatically cleared off the line by Aaron Martin. HT 0-1

The second half began as the first ended, with Linby searching for the all important second goal. On 57 minutes, Bradshaw's searching cross found Thompson, who saw his header brilliantly saved by Dell.

On 67 minutes, Robinson's free kick found Ross Horton at the back post. He headed across goal, but Wright's header went inches wide.

2 minutes later and Bradshaw's surging run down the left opened the home team up. He pulled the ball back to Pete Campbell who's shot was blocked by Aaron Martin.

On 72 minutes, Bradshaw again surged down the left but this time he shoots, only to be thwarted by Dell who by now has easily made up for his one mistake, and kept his team in the game.

Almost as if the script had been written, Linby were made to pay for their inability to “finish” the game off. On came young Sub Oli Wood, who virtually single handedly wins it for Newark. On 76 minutes, he is unlucky to see an angle drive come back off the base of Glenn Guyatts post. Linby don’t heed the warning as he equalised on 80 minutes after what must be said is ragged defending from Linby who had looked solid at the back.

With extra time beckoning, Wood is sent clear for a 1 on 1. Guyatt saved the intial shot, but as the ball ballooned off the keepers legs the wind held the ball in play for the Newark man to head the loose ball home. FT 1-2.

Line-Up: (4-5-1)

Guyatt/
Robinson, Horton, Elson, Peel/
Scott, J.Keetley, Campbell, Thompson, Bradshaw/
Wright

Subs:
A.Keetley (for Thompson 76mins),
Ellis (for Robinson 76mins)

MOM: THOMPSON