Sunday 10 January 2016

CUP TIE MARRED BY BAD INJURY

Notts FA Senior Cup
Third Round
RUDDINGTON VILLAGE 1 SHERWOOD COLLIERY 3

After a poor Christmas and New Year, I was finally glad to be able to get out the house and get to a match, this Notts FA senior Cup tie had been postponed three times and so the fixture was reversed to Sherwood Colliery, though with the bad weather, it wasnt quite sure where the game was going to be played, it was down to be played at Debdale Lane Sports Ground but any rain and it would have been switched just down the road to the 3g pitch at Brunts School. The three officials arrived at 1.45pm and quickly passed the Debdale Lane pitch fit to play on, though a bit soft.

Whilst having a pre match cuppa, I grabbed both lines up's and was greeted by old and new friends and as I was walking up to pitchside was met by local referee Lee Clarkes who's match had been postponed and had come along to do the match report for our local newspaper the Mansfield Chad.

Sherwood began the brighter pushing forward and on 7 minutes a cross from left was met by the head of LIAM BLACK who put his side a goal to the good, Sherwood continued to press forward but it began a midfield battle with no team taking any advantage.

After 18 minutes, the ball was played towards the standside touchline where 2 players went for the ball, the ball shot out of play and Ruddington's Ben Johnson was on the floor. The Sherwood player signalled straight to the ref and the opposition bench that all wasnt right with the player on the floor. I rang a ambulance as the player was in a lot pain. Players put coats and tracksuit tops over him to try and keep him warm on a wet pitch, several people remarked that there was no stretcher available at the ground. As on the phone, they said the ambulance could take up to 45 mins or over a hour to arrive. I relayed the message on to the 3 officials and they offered to take the players off the pitch and back to the changing rooms, but the Ruddington players wished to stay with their injured mate. Some of the Ruddington players wanted the game to finish, but the ref said there was floodlights so he would access the situation after the ambulance had been, in these circumstances, always a very difficult decision to make for the officials and also the players. The medic arrived on the scene and it was soon discovered that Ben Johnson had broken his leg in 2 places.

The game commenced after 75 minute interval and to seemed to spur Ruddington on, as they pressed forward, but on 35 minutes after a break, Sherwood increeased their lead through GILLIATT.

The Second Half began and so did the rainstorm as it lashed down heavy making the pitch very greasy and leading to both sides making mistakes. On the hour, Ruddington pulled back a goal when a Sherwood clearence only reached the end of the box and McGLAUGHLIN stroke the ball home to make it 2-1. The game then went end to end with chances galore, making it a really good game, but on 70 minutes, it was Sherwood who regained their two goal advantage when JULIAN TOPLISS corner went straight in to make it 3-1.

With 10 minutes remaining, Ruddington were given a lifeline and a chance of setting up a close finish when they were awarded a penalty, but Carver hit it just wide.

All credit must go to both clubs and the 3 officials and best wishes to Ben Johnson on a speedy recovery.

PHOTOS from the match can be seen on this LINK

SHERWOOD COLLIERY FC WEBSITE/TWITTER

RUDDINGTON VILLAGE FC WEBSITE/TWITTER

NOTTS SENIOR LEAGUE GROUNDHOP
please click HERE




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