EMCL - Selston 1 -v- 0 Gedling Miners Welfare

Gedling left frustrated as Selston's unbeaten run continues

Selston ………………………………........ 1 (Carl Moore, pen 53)
Gedling Miners Welfare …………... 0
(HT 0-0)

A second half penalty from Carl Moore extended Selston’s winning run in all competitions to 9 as they contentiously beat Gedling Miners Welfare at Parish Hall on Wednesday evening.

With a bumper crowd in attendance, they would have expected an end-to-end affair with Selston coming into the game on probably their best start to a season in a number of years. Gedling visited Parish Hall on the back of 2 successive wins and some impressive recent performances to match, so it was no real surprise then when Jimmy Spiers troubled Alfie Smith-Eccles in the home goal with his side’s first shot in anger after only 2 minutes but the ‘keeper saw to the effort comfortably. 2 minutes later and Scott Taylor curled an effort over Danny Brown’s crossbar after the striker cleverly found space to fathom a shot as the fans’ pre-match expectations came to fruition early on.

Selston began on the front foot and set about exemplifying the reasons behind their impressive start this campaign. Rhys Dolan squirmed through the attention of 3 Gedling defenders but his goal bound effort was tipped for a corner by the lengthy frame of Brown.

The home side continued to press and looked to utilise their very pacey approach down both flanks. They sought rewards from their wide men but the away defence, impressive in recent weeks, stood firm early on. The frantic early start calmed and Gedling slowly edged their way into the contest after a restrictive start. Their tireless pressure, emanating from lone-striker Courtney Hastings, was commendable and Selston were limited to only half chances in the following exchanges.

Gedling’s efforts may have paid off as they had 2 very good chances to opening the scoring in as many minutes with 13 played. From a deep Ross McCaughey free kick, Liam Corrigan was left unattended at the back post by Grant Hackett, but the Gedling man couldn’t force a solid contact on the ball before it was thumped clear. 2 minutes later and Aboubacar Sylla, looking to emulate his personal performance here last season, superbly dummied Josh Waldram but after finding Joe Meakin on the edge of the area, his effort fizzed over the crossbar as Smith-Eccles ushered it to safety.

Both sides continued with their forward-thinking mentality and, to the neutral, the game was a superb advert for the East Midlands Counties League. Dolan registered Selston’s next best opportunity but, after waltzing his way around 2, couldn’t prevent his effort from skewing wide. 3 minutes later, and Klarke Greenham, favouring the direct approach, poked an effort wide as those in attendance sensed the first goal wasn’t long in coming.

Despite Selston enjoying early possession, Gedling were always in this game and may have deserved more than a level scoreline going into the break. They had some excellent spells and often worried The Parishioners when venturing forward. However, they found it difficult to get in behind and Selston would have been satisfied most of the play was in front of them. 10 minutes before the interval and home side went closest with their best chance but, after Carl Moore was the beneficiary of a very fortunate ricochet, and despite getting his toe to the ball before the onrushing Brown, he couldn’t divert his stabbed effort with enough power and Corrigan calmly cleared as the chance went begging.

3 minutes into the second half and Dolan delicately passed a set piece around Gedling’s wall but only inches wide of the post after Kenan Layton was felled in the build-up. 2 minutes later and Layton had his own effort on goal but, after characteristic hold up play by Moore, couldn’t keep his effort on target.

Selston sensed the initiative and came out from the break hoping their flurry of chances would pay off and on the 53rd minute they had their best chance to take the lead.

After an innocuous cross from the right found itself between full back Bijan Pakrouz and Moore, the latter, under no real pressure from the defender, toppled and referee Wayne Grey, with slight hesitation, pointed to the spot to award Moore and his side a penalty. A questionable decision by Grey with Selston, in addition to the home contingent who demonstrated no mass appeal, almost partially surprised themselves by the call. Moore stepped up to slam the ball past the outstretched Brown to give Selston the lead.

The tone was set and Gedling certainly sensed an injustice in going behind. 3 minutes later, Spiers, often the orchestrator and exploiting the damp surface at Parish Hall, tested Smith-Eccles who tentatively tipped around for a corner and preserved his sides lead. Shortly after, Hastings found Dwayne Brown and his effort was deflected wide pass the far post with Smith-Eccles was rooted as the away side recognised all was certainly not lost from this one.

The game was stretched and, despite the scoreline, both sides admirably displayed attacking thoughtfulness as the minutes ticked. However, the intentions were often thwarted by some extremely poor officiating stemming, it seemed, from the award of the penalty earlier in the game and both clubs were left frustrated with how Mr. Grey was ruling this one.

On the 67th minute, Meakin deftly curled a free kick just wide of the post as Gedling went about ensuring their trip back to Plains Road wasn’t without reward.

In terms of any noteworthy chances, the game quietened, as did Selston who relied on their sturdy rear-guard to sure up the victory as the game headed into its final stages. However, 8 minutes before time, and a reprieve that Gedling may have profited from. As a loose ball wasn’t picked up in the middle of the park, the ever committed Corrigan and Doyle scythed into a tackle with one another but the Gedling man was too quick for his counterpart and Doyle’s lunge, unnecessarily high given the circumstance, warranted the straight red card issued by referee Grey, which was received under no protest from the midfielder or his colleagues.

Doyle’s withdrawal from the game allowed ample opportunity for Gedling to push forward and they pinned Selston back for the remainder of the game, but couldn’t yield that pass in the final third that really troubled the hosts. Though, 5 minutes before time and they finally had the ball in back of the net. From a dangerous Meakin cross, the ball was flicked to the back post by Jacob Tabreham but before Corrigan could fire the ball home and receive the plaudits for his efforts, Scott Anderson, officiating on the near side, had judged the defender strayed into an offside position and ruled the effort out, much to the dismay of those in yellow who believed Corrigan was level as the ball was played.

Exasperated, the visitors continued to push for the elusive equaliser but Selston remained strong. However, they could certainly count this affair as their toughest so far this season as the game drew to an end. Gedling were excellent and will have come away from this feeling aggrieved they left Selston empty handed. They certainly pushed their hosts and most would argue they thoroughly deserved at least a point from their travels, but for some questionable decision making by the man in the middle and his assistants.

A frustrating game from the outset, Gedling will hope to bounce back from this setback on Saturday (22nd September) as they welcome Borrowash Victoria, who went down 6-0 at home to Ashby Ivanhoe in the week, to Plains Road on Saturday (22nd September), 3pm kick off.

Match Attendance – 153

Referee – Wayne Gray
Assistant Referees – Derek Spray and Scott Anderson

Selston – Alfie Smith-Eccles, Josh Waldram, Grant Hackett, Rhys Dolan, Kyle Hempshall, Sean Gregory (c), Klarke Greenham (Daniel Henshaw 83’), Kane Hempshall, Scott Taylor (Lee Sutton 88’), Carl Moore, Kenan Layton (Josh Bullock 70’)
Unused Substitutes - Sam Weston, Simon Baldwin
Cautions – Kyle Hempshall (foul 74)
Dismissals – Dolan (foul 82’)

Gedling Miners Welfare – Danny Brown, Bijan Pakrouz, Ross McCaughey (c), Jimmy Spiers, Liam Corrigan, Jacob Tabreham, Jack Millward (Tristan Comery 59’), Joe Meakin, Courtney Hastings, Dwayne Brown (Mason Coy 85’), Aboubacar Sylla (Kamran Frost 62’)
Unused Substitutes – Charlie Roberts, Sam Mellor
Cautions – Corrigan (foul 41’), Hastings (dissent 64’)