Linby CW FC 0 Bulwell FC 0

Linby's third big local derby of the season and still unbeaten with 1 win and 2 draws.

Linby, although the home team will take more from this game than Bulwell. Their alarming player unavailability crisis hit a new high on Saturday, with 7 regular first team players out . Four reserves had to be drafted in and all of them played their part in a gutsy battling performance against a more than useful Bulwell team. It didn’t lead to a classic game at all. The first half Linby slightly shaded, with a one on one for striker Ross Cheeseman being saved well by Matt Singleton on 26 minutes. On 35 minutes, left back Dave Elson saw his shot blocked following a long throw from Ross Horton. Nick Davies was prominent, constantly prompting Linby attacks.

The second half was a totally different story, as Bulwell dominated play throughout. On 70 minutes, Linby substitute Tom Walters cleared off the line from the dangerous Dwayne Haywood, from Bulwells fifth corner of the second 45 minutes. Linby's only half chance of the second period came on 76 monutes as hard working striker Cheeseman's lob from outside the area drifted a yard wide..

Bulwell threw on 3 attacking subs for the last 15 minutes, and it was like the Alamo on Linby's goal. On 83 minutes, a Courtney Hasting's free header from 8 yards out cleared the bar. 2 minutes later and Scott Litchfield's cross found Jay Knight who's header produced a wonderful save from Craig Lear, to tip around the post.

On 88 minutes, Walters again cleared off the line, this time to deny Litchfield. A minute later, Hastings claimed a penalty for a push, which referee Ian Smith waved away.

Right on full time Knight retaliated after a rash challenge by Jake Keetley on the Bulwell player and was duly sent off.

Every one of Linby's defence deserved credit. Elson for keeping the speedy Danny Fuller quiet for most of the match, centre backs Horton and Nathan George for shackling the twin threats of Alan Jefferies and Haywood, and 18 year old Richard Peel , who was outstanding at right back.

Line-up: (4-5-1)
Lear/
Peel, George, Horton, Elson/
Robinson, Keetley, Ellis, Hargreaves, Davies/
Cheeseman

Subs:
Walters (for Ellis 59mins),
Logan

MOM: HORTON