Keyworth United 4 Linby CW FC 1

J.Wright

With just one defeat in five league outings and a 5-0 mauling of Magdala Amateurs the previous week, confidence in the Linby camp was high. Intent on seeking revenge for the 3-1 defeat inflicted on them at Church Lane, Linby started the brighter. Julien Wright was causing the Keyworth back line numerous problems with his pace and movement, but on a couple of occasions he lacked the killer finish.

Against the run of play, Keyworth took the lead. A diagonal ball over the top caused confusion between Ross Horton and Craig Lear, as they hesitated, Matt Webster stole in to round Lear and tap into an empty net. Keyworth should have gone two up shortly after, but for an air shot by the Keyworth left back when well placed.

After a couple of half chances for Horton and Wright, Keyworth made it two. Another ball over the top found the Linby back line square and Dan Collison smashed the ball past a helpless Craig Lear.

Undeterred Linby tried to mount a fight back. Firstly Julien Wright and Pete Campbell combined well, before Campbell shot narrowly past an upright. Campbell then fed Wright down the inside right channel and he drew the ‘keeper before slipping the ball across goal to an unrushing Nick Davies whose effort was blocked on the line. On the stroke of half time Linby got a lifeline. Julien Wright wriggled free from two challenges before being brought down in the box for a penalty. Wright stepped up and sent Ball the wrong way to reduce the arrears and notch his 10th goal in 11 matches. HT 2-1

The second half was pretty much a replica of the first. Linby huffed and puffed but Keyworth had the killer instinct. Linby tried to reduce the arrears, but the final ball into the box was found lacking. In form striker Webster added to his first half strike when flicking on a deep free kick into the bottom corner of the net despite his diminutive size. Keyworth put the game to bed with 10 minutes remaining, when a quick break down the Keyworth right found Collison at the far post. Craig Lear somehow managed to claw the ball away from goal, but Collison was alive to the rebound and smashed the ball home from an acute angle. FT 4-1

Line-Up (4-5-1)

Lear/
Dickens, Horton, Elson, Hardy/
Parker, J.Keetley, Campbell, Martin, Davies/
Wright

Subs:
Whitehurst (for Parker 35mins)
A.Keetley (for Martin 75mins)
Ebanks (for Dickens 80mins)
Logan
Hamilton

MOM: Hardy