BULLS ROLL OVER THE ALLOTMENT- LONGBENTON FC 8 v 1 WEST ALLOTMENT 'A'

Report by Mark Ferguson.
Longbenton were firing on all cylinders as they recorded an emphatic 8-1 victory over West Allotment Celtic A.

The Bulls took the lead through Chris Sword on 25 minutes before three goals in as many minutes, including two from Alex Nesbet increased the lead to four just before half-time. The onslaught continued after the break with Sword doubling his tally and Nesbet completing his hat-trick. Coming off the bench the Woods brothers got on the score-sheet either side of James Walker’s consolation goal for Allotment.

Longbenton were on the front foot from the very first whistle and had a glorious chance to take the lead inside two minutes. Anth Brown found himself unmarked at the back-post following David Kane’s free-kick, but the forward fired over from close range.

After withstanding heavy pressure the away side had a chance of their own, Dan Hurley caught Ben Jackson’s cross on the half-volley, but Martin Dixon saved and held on well.

The home side dominated possession and created a number of chances. Nisbitt headed Paul Pescod’s free-kick narrowly wide before Allotment keeper Jeancy Mpongo was called into action to deny Brown.

Mpongo was involved again as he rushed out and fouled Sword outside the area. Allotment were made to pay from the subsequent free-kick.

Pescod struck the free-kick and Mpongo parried before producing a fine reaction save from Sword’s rebound, but at second attempt Sword gave Longbenton the lead.

Sword turned provider as his driven cross found Nisbitt who was there to apply the finish at the back-post to double Longbenton’s lead.

Nisbitt notched again a minute later with a towering header from Kane’s corner.

West Allotment were in disarray and their defence was undone by Brown’s through ball to David Hetherington who lashed home to make it four at the interval.

Longbenton picked up from where they left off and the chances kept on coming with Brown and Sword both going close after the restart.

On a hat-trick, Nisbitt came agonisingly close when his headed effort clipped the crossbar. Moments later Longbenton hit the woodwork again when Hetherington’s fierce strike from range rattled the bar.

Sword was presented with a gift for Longbenton’s fifth when Mpongo’s sliced clearance fell straight at his feet and allowed him to tap into an empty net for his second of the night.

It wasn’t long before Longbenton made it six. A real moment of quality saw Bulls captain Pescod step out from the back and deliver a pin-point long ball to Nisbitt who finished powerfully into the roof of the net for his hat-trick.

Longbenton were awarded a penalty after James Corney handballed to deny Sword his hat-trick. Kane was denied from twelve yards as Mpongo got down well to save the spot-kick

However, the home side did eventually make it seven when another Pescod long ball found its target, this time it was Rob Woods, racing through and calmly slotting beyond Mpongo.

West Allotment created very little throughout the game, but they grabbed a consolation goal on 77 minutes when the ball ricocheted off Pescod and into the path of James Walker who made no mistake with the finish.

Another long ball over the top evaded the Allotment defence and Tony Woods capped off a wonderful night for the Bulls as he made it 8-1.
Alex Nesbet was was awarded man of the match