Gedling win eight goal thriller

Gedling Miners Welfare showed their goal scoring prowess as they came out on top of an eight goal thriller in a frenetic match against Burton Joyce on Tuesday night. The Miners ran out 5-3 winners in an end to end contest. It served as good preparation for both sides’ seasons which look set to start on the 12th of September.

Two goals from Tony Law, a goal from Solomon Miller, an own goal and a goal from a trialist were enough to beat a spirited Burton Joyce side.

It was the visitors who took a surprise lead in the fifth minute. A long ball over the top bypassed the Gedling defence and a Burton Joyce striker latched onto it before lobbing goalkeeper Matthew Simpson.

The hosts responded well to the early setback though and went close twice within three minutes of conceding. Firstly, a trialist broke into the penalty area and fired a shot at the goal that the Burton Joyce goalkeeper just managed to turn away. Then, Liam Corrigan hit the crossbar with a fine header.

The Burton Joyce crossbar was rattling again four minutes later, as a Solomon Miller cross was met by the trialist whose shot cannoned off the top of the bar and over.

The same player made no mistake, five minutes later though, as he levelled the score with a powerful low shot across the ‘keeper that couldn’t be kept out.

The visitors almost instantly restored their lead as a swift passing move saw them break down the right and deliver a low cross that was turned home. However, their joy was short-lived as the assistant raised his flag for offside to disallow the goal.

Gedling heeded this warning and quickly retook control of the game. This was rewarded in the shape of their second goal which gave them the lead of the game for the first time. A teasing cross was whipped in from the right wing and one of Burton Joyce’s defenders got his clearance all wrong and inadvertently put the ball into the roof of his own net.

In a match that was played in three 35 minute periods, Kieran Harrison had the last good chance of the opening third, stinging the palms of the goalkeeper with an accurate drive from range.

Gedling started the second third well and thought they had a third goal when Greg Tempest headed home but he was correctly adjudged to be offside.

A minute later, Burton Joyce were level. Gedling lost possession in their defensive third and the visitors worked their way into the penalty area before slotting the ball past Simpson to make it 2-2.

Simpson showed good reactions to keep Gedling level shortly after, making a smart save with his legs from a dangerous one on one situation.

Gedling ended the third in the ascendancy though, as Law’s shot bound for the top corner had to be smartly caught by the visiting goalkeeper. Courtney Hastings then tested the ‘keeper twice in quick succession. A shot from the edge of the area was well fielded before a smart turn and shot provided a sterner test but one the ‘keeper was equal to.

The final third was the most dramatic of the match. Ten minutes into it, Law grabbed his first goal, a smartly taken swivel and half volley in the penalty area after a pinpoint cross from Miller to find him.

Burton Joyce again refused to give up and two minutes later only a goal line clearance by Tempest prevented them from drawing level. However, moments later they were level as a composed finish from their centre forward made it 3-3.

With just over ten minutes to go, Law struck again to restore Gedling’s lead. Curtis Milward drilled a low cross powerfully across the face of the goal, and the experienced Law provided the crucial touch to put it beyond the despairing dive of the ‘keeper.

Burton Joyce pressed for an equaliser but Gedling picked them off on the counter attack to put the game beyond them with little over five minutes remaining. Miller was put clean through and he deftly floated the ball over the head of the ‘keeper and into the net to ensure Gedling of their second victory of preseason.

Tony Law said: “It was a strong performance. Overall, I thought we dominated them. Obviously a goal makes me feel a lot better. It’s about getting more touches, getting more on the ball, getting into the game a lot more and the goals will come.”

Manager Chris Marks said: “It was a good run out and a competitive game. All the best to Burton Joyce, they're a strong side. In patches I thought we played some good stuff, the lads worked hard but I still think there’s another gear from us.

“Tony’s a great lad, he’s a proper professional. He took his goals well, hopefully that’s a kickstart for him to get some more.”