BELPER UNITED (3)6 BORROWASH VICTORIA (0)0
Belper United had a comfortable victory over neighbours Borrowash Victoria without the use of fireworks at the Silver X Stadium.
United were in front on nine minutes courtesy of a fine run down the right by SAM VICKERS and his low driven cross hitting a defender on the line before going in. Moments later it was almost two with visiting custodian Lewis Soal pulling off a tremendous right hand instinct save to prevent Jim Rushby’s shot going in. Despite a scramble in front of goal United could not make the corner count.
Borrowash were playing some bright touch football at times which belied their lowly league position, but they tended to give the ball away needlessly meaning their good approach work went to waste.
There was excitement at both ends of the pitch in the 17th minute. Belper once again threatened to double their lead when Sam Vickers was played clear but with only Soal to beat he shot wide of the target. Borrowash responded immediately and in a similar situation at the other end Charlie Goodwin went clear with only Mark Rathbone to be and he put the visitors best chance of the match wide of the target also.
After all these goalmouth thrills one has to say that Belper became wasteful. They could have had the game well out of sight by the interval and Ryan Baker was probably the biggest culprit of all. Twice he was clear but both times missed the opportunity, the best of these coming in the 24th minute when he drew Soal off his line only to see his clever chip beat the goalkeeper and also send the ball over the bar.
United were building up a good head of steam and further goals had to come. The lead was thus doubled on 28 minutes when JIM RUSHBY was on hand in front of goal to head home a right wing cross. And six minutes later the big striker was on hand for a tap in after Tim Adcock’s lovely work and close control had set up the opportunity.
Borrowash then had a decent spell before the interval and their most prominent player, Sam Oakfield, hit a volley straight into the midriff of Rathbone. The Vics were also in trouble when defender Michael Peterson, who had been booked as early as the thirteenth minute for a foul on Sam Vickers, walked a tightrope for two more fouls on the Belper wideman and received a lengthy lecture from Nottingham whistler Jordan Bancroft.
Borrowash looked a different side after the interval. They still knocked the ball around quite attractively in midfield but as United started to hit long balls the visitors defence could not cope with the pace of the home front runners with Ryan Baker again being prominent – and wasteful.
Sam Vickers’ cross five minutes into the second period provided RYAN BAKER with his goal, but he was fortunate, slicing his shot a couple of yards from goal and the ball only just crossing the line.
Six minutes later Vickers put Baker clear again but the speedy front runner fluffed yet another chance. It proved to be his last opportunity as he was replaced by substitute Joshua Wright just after the hour.
One of the substitute’s first pieces of action was to provide the 69th minute cross from which JIM RUSHBY claimed his hat-trick with a well timed header.
Once again Borrowash responded with a good spell. Substitute Jordan Ablitt brought Mark Rathbone into a rare piece of action and both Charlie Goodwin and the impressive Sam Oakfield got further forward as the visitors realised that at five goals down they had little to lose.
Despite this the Belper defence was not seriously troubled and the home side did manage to convert yet another of their many chances with six minutes left when substitute JOSHUA WRIGHT was left with a simple tap in after big defender Lynton Francis tried a back pass to Soal which went horribly wrong.
Thus United joined Graham Street Prims, Ingles, Heanor Town and Clipstone on 22 points leaving Borrowash, now with a goal difference of -75 in one of the relegation positions.
BELPER UNITED: Rathbone, Matt Adcock, Mather, Oliver, Ben Rushby, Anthony, Ryan Baker (Wright 61), Tim Adcock (Rory Baker 82), Jim Rushby (Dunne 70), Gowing, Vickers. Substitute not used – Hudson.
BORROWASH VICTORIA: Soal, Black, Peterson (Timmis 59), McKay, Francis, Oakfield, Josh Matkin (Dan Matkin 61), Turner, Goodwin, Moran, Bennett (Ablitt 71). Substitutes not used – Vernon, Raisen.
REFEREE: Jordan Bancroft (Nottingham)
YELLOW CARDS: Belper – Michael Dunne (73); Borrowash – Michael Peterson (13), Sam McKay (73)
OFFICIAL ATTENDANCE: 92
# | Team | Pl | Pts |
8. | Barrow Town | 38 | 66 |
9. | Kimberley Miners Welfare | 38 | 61 |
10. | Belper United | 38 | 59 |
11. | Ingles | 38 | 55 |
12. | Clifton All Whites | 38 | 51 |
13. | West Bridgford | 38 | 51 |
14. | Ashby Ivanhoe | 38 | 41 |