EMCL League -v- St Andrews FC (AWAY) Won 4-2

St Andrews…….2 (Brown 38 pen, Hollis 88)
Gedling MW…...4 (Whitt 26, Westcarr 44 and 59, Watson 65)

Miners end season with a bang

Gedling finished the season with a flourish at St Andrews with another fine team performance. The "W" squad of Jaz Westcarr, Ash Whitt and Tom Watson scored the goals to lift the Miners up the table.

On a fine day in Leicestershire they took the game to the hosts from the off with Whitt going close with a half chance and Kevin Brookes joining the attack for an effort on goal. For the hosts tricky midfielder Brady Hickey was pulling all the attacking strings and was unlucky to see a fine effort cleared off the line by an acrobatic Watson. Gedling suffered an early injury blow when Ben Middleton had to hobble off to be replaced by Gizz Brett. The attacks never stopped however, and after 26 the visitors took the lead. Westcarr fed his strike partner Whitt who slid the ball under ‘keeper Batson for the lead.

The game was a fine spectacle of end to end football with both teams testing the respective ‘keepers. After 38 St Andrews were back in it. Luke Stanley, back helping his defence, was alleged to have tripped an attacker and Mason Brown tucked the penalty away with ease. 3 minutes later a sweeping move by the Miners involving Whitt, Sims and Westcarr almost bought a second but for a fine tip round by Batson. The lead was maintained a minute before the break when Westcarr pounced on a poor headed back pass. 2-1 at the interval and a fully deserved lead.

Still Gedling poured on the pressure and it was no surprise when the third arrived just before the hour. A peach of a through ball from Robbie Houghton found Westcarr who outpaced the defence to rifle the ball home. Minutes later and the contest was all but over. A sweeping move from left to right involving Whitt and Watson ended when Watson headed powerfully home past Batson after a fine cross from the left. In all honesty it could have been more as the chances continued and the livewire Whitt could have added to the score just failing by inches to reach a tantalising cross from sub Marc Williams.

St Andrews got a consolation 2 minutes from time when Sam Hollis fired home from close range after the Miners defence failed to clear, but the game was well over by then as a game and the three points winging their way back up the M1.

Once again the back line looked solid and assured, the midfield of Sims and Stanley worked their socks off feeding the front runners time and again. The team is beginning to look the business. Pity it’s at the wrong end of the season.

On a personal note I’d like to thank all those who have supported me in my match reporting. I hope you’ve all enjoyed my pieces as much as I have in writing them.

Gedling MoM ~ Tom Watson
strolled through the game with assurance and rock steady at the back.

Ref ~ Ryan O'Mahony
Att ~ 45

St Andrews~ Batson, Preston, Coring, Westley, Bashir, Smith (C) (Flavell 67) Hollis, Hickey,
Brown (Turland 67) Linnet, Hodkinson.

Gedling MW ~ Walker, Bradley, Armstrong (C) Watson, Brookes, Sims, Stanley, Whitt, Middleton (Brett 24) Houghton (Williams 67) Westcarr (Nsumbu 74)
Yellow card ~ Sims (80 foul)