EMCL - Gedling Miners Welfare 1 - v - 3 Anstey Nomads

Miners lose to high flying Anstey

Gedling Miners Welfare ……………… 1 (McCaughey 48’)
Anstey Nomads ………………………...3 (Taylor 18’, Lane 67’, 75’)
(HT 0-1)

Anstey Nomads were the visitors to Plains Road on a frosty Saturday afternoon as they faced a Gedling Miners Welfare side out to avenge their 4-0 defeat to the Leicestershire side in early-November. Each side came into the game after respective county cup games in the week, Nomads a resounding 8-0 victory against Ketton, whilst Gedling were on the wrong side of a 9-goal thriller away at NCEL outfit Clipstone.

Anstey, sitting 2nd in the standings, started the game well and looked to trouble their hosts early. They could have taken the lead after only a minute, but the dangerous Mason Brown uncharacteristically dragged wide after good build up play by James Ireland. At the other end, debutant Abou Sylla looked to test Taylor McMillen in the away goal, but his effort curled well wide of the woodwork.

The game’s best chance came after only 13 minutes and, rather unsurprisingly due to the start they had made, in went to the travellers. Brown, starting lively, found the run of Darren Taylor but his superb goal-bound half-volley was matched by the right hand of Chris Heltorp. Respectfully, Gedling failed to get a foothold in the early exchanges as they spend the majority of the game on the back foot, but their resilience was finally broken in the 18th minute as a result of their own undoing.

In possession but facing their own goal, a bout of indecisiveness between Barry Payne and Jay Knight allowed the ball to fall loosely into the path of Taylor and the centre forward slotted home the opener as Anstey’s telling pressure deservedly paid off.

At this stage, the away side held firm control of the game and were in complete ascendency since taking the lead. Their off-the-ball movement was impressive and Gedling struggled to cope. Tom Mangan had his side’s best chance to double their lead after 20 minutes, but his volley hit the side of the netting after a delightful scooped pass from Ireland.

It took until the half hour for Gedling to register their first real effort on target. After typically picking up the loose pieces in the midfield, Joe Meakin ventured forward but his well-executed effort was always curling wide of the target but gave McMillen something to finally think about.

The effort, though off-target, somewhat sparked Gedling into playing their football and they started to slowly get back into the game as Anstey’s attack faded, however they lacked their own attacking prowess going forward. Just before the break, it was Ireland’s time to sting the hands of Heltorp but his attempt, although powerful, was straight at the ‘keeper as he parried over the crossbar and the team’s trotted in for much needed respite and warmth.

As the temperature dropped amidst a few blustery spells of snow, Gedling came out where they left the first half and, only 3 minutes after the restart, they equalised. After Cardell Lubban was felled by Ireland on the wide right, Ross McCaughey, archetypal of his ability, delivered a wicked cross low into the area which evaded all those in attendance as it eventually found itself nestled into the far corner past the despairing McMillen.

The leveller for the home side panicked Anstey, and their usual composed mentality whilst in possession was hindered and Gedling restricted their footballing approach as they sought the go ahead goal. However, with both defensive stalwarts standing firm the half dwindled into very little. Though, on the 67th minute, and Anstey regained the lead.

After a wide free-kick was wasted by Ireland, his second attempt at drilling the ball goalwards was blocked by Barry Payne, but skipper Jack Lane dispatched a fierce effort on goal from the tightest of angles and the ball fired into the roof off the net, much to the delight and relief of his teammates.

2 minutes after going behind and McCaughey, looking for a second equaliser, tested McMillen with a decent left-footed effort, but it was catching practice for the away custodian. To their credit, Anstey defended commendably and dealt with all that was thrown at them. Lubban, looking to spark a fightback for his side, tried in vain to trouble the defensive line of the visitors but his determination was continuously halted as time was running out for the home side to snatch something. But, 15 minutes before the conclusion Anstey sealed the points.

After a deep cross from the left wing from Joe Hopewell looped over all occupants in the area, the ball fell kindly for the onrushing Lane who smashed a first time shot into the bottom corner fizzing over the outstretched leg of Heltorp that confirmed the 3 points were headed back to Leicestershire.

The third goal really did knock the metaphoric stuffing out of Gedling as they succumbed to their 9th league defeat of the season. Their run of difficult fixtures this side of Christmas continues on Tuesday night (12th December) as they travel to Warwick Road to face Blaby and Whetstone Athletic, 7.45 kick off.

Match Attendance - 107
Referee – Mr. Tom Bingley
Assistant Referees - Mr. Alex Smith and Mr. Corey Simpson

Gedling Miners Welfare – Chris Heltorp, Dwayne Brown, Barry Payne, Liam Corrigan, Ross McCaughey, Carey Knight (Daniel Pass 80’), Jay Knight (Steven Brett 72’), Joe Meakin, Jimmy Spiers (c), Cardell Lubban, Aboubacar Sylla.
Unused Substitutions – Jake Wooley and Keaton Sharpe

Anstey Nomads – Taylor McMillan, Sam Marshall, Jack Lane (c), Olly Preston, Myles Saxton, Ellis Preston, James Ireland, Mason Hirst (Joe Hopewell 61’), Darren Taylor, Mason Brown (Cory Arment 79’), Tom Mangan.
Unused Substitutions – Dean Hopewell and Zak Adams
Caution – Brown (foul 30’)