Linby CW FC 0 Ruddington Village FC 3

Linby's sixth home defeat in 11 games, sent the Linby 'faithful' home moaning again, what with that and the price of a cup of tea at the 'Lane', some may hopefully not come again. Needless to say Linby should never have lost to bottom of the table Ruddington, but they deserved their win, as they out fought Linby and played some neat football at times. They are certainly not as bad as their league position looks.

It all looked so different early on, as Spencer Goff looked dangerous on his home debut. On 2 minutes, he glided past 2 defenders as if they weren’t there and clipped the top of the bar with a 20 yard shot. With Linby seemingly in control disaster struck on 17 minutes. Referee Billy Bingham allowed the game to continue after a late tackle on Jake Keetley and as Ruddington retrieved the ball Luke Foster was allowed to turn and neatly finish into the bottom corner, 0-1.

From then on Linby bossed the rest of the first half. On 20 minutes, Goff's free kick was gathered at the second attempt by Oli Mason, Ruddingtons young keeper. 4 minutes later, a deep corner found Julien Wright at the back post, whose shot hit the side netting. Goffs then sent a free kick to the back post where Dave Elson headed the chance over the bar. On 35 minutes, good work from Nick Davies gave Ross Cheeseman a 50/50 with the keeper. The Linby striker got to the ball first, but put his volley inches wide. HT 0-1

Linby carried on in the same vein second half, pushing Ruddington back, so much so they forced 7 second half corners. On 58 minutes, Cheeseman fed Wright, whose shot was well saved. 2 minutes later, Goffs corner was only half cleared to Dave Elson who drilled it back across the face of goal, but the ball evaded every Linby player in the box. On 71 minutes, Davies' corner finds Ross Horton who heads over the top. On 75 minutes, Cheeseman maybe should have put Wright or Goff in, but the striker took the option of a shot, which again Mason saved.

As Linby committed more and more men forward searching for the illusive equaliser, they were caught twice in the 87th and 88th minutes with classic counter attacking goals from Ricky Banwell and Foster.

To cap a thoughly miserable afternoon off, Davies hits the bar with a shot from 18 yards out, for what would have been only a consolation. FT 0-3

Line-Up: (4-4-2)

Lear/
Horton, Whitehurst, Elson, Dickens/
Davies, Campbell, J. Keetley, Goff/
Cheeseman, Wright

Subs:

Martin (for Keetley 65mins),
Parker (for Cheeseman 76mins),
Robinson (for Horton 83mins)

MOM: GOFF