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Nottsborough 0 Winchmore Hill 4 SAL Junior Cup 29th November 2008
After the disappointment of a narrow loss to Actonians the week before, Notts had a good opportunity to put things right with a win against Winchmore Hill in the League Cup on Saturday. Unfortunately an absence of luck and a lack of concentration combined to deliver Notts' worst defeat of the year.
Within the first 15 mins Notts were 2-0 done. The first an error that normally would not have happened saw WH's winger nip in at the far post. The second a result of poor defending from a throw that saw WH get an easy shot on target (the lack of concentration - Rob M), and although very well saved by renaissance man Chris Fletcher the resulting loose ball fell a little closer to WH's forward than it did to a despairing Si Owen's lunge.
From here Notts finally began to sort themselves out, but another fortunate WH break saw us 3-0 down. The next 50 minutes was punctuated by good Notts pressure but final ball/touch/decision-making completely eluded Notts meaning that this pressure resulted in very few clear cut chances.
WH bagged a fourth with a good header from a corner late on.
4-0. Woeful stuff (with the exception of Chris Fletcher who was magnificent throughout, and a very effective Harry Rugg who'd come along to help us out for old times sake. We miss you guys).
Team
Chris Fl, Martin C, Sean R, Si O, Bonser, Rob M, Robin, Lewis D, Ralph, Mark J, Cranny,
Subs: Harry, Mitch, Luke
Nottsborough 3 Weirside Rangers 1 (League) 8th November 2008
A heavy downpour preceded the kick-off at Tolworth, but in usual custom the Kingston University pitches had stood up well to the rain. Notts were entertaining a Weirside outfit who had the better of last season’s encounters and who no doubt were looking to atone for a somewhat slow start to their season.
Playing with the wind, Notts took the game to Weirside in a positive fashion, looking to play the ball through the midfield fulcrum of Robin Taylor and Kelly. The wet pitch not only a lent itself favourably to the home side’s ethos playing a sharp, on-the-deck football, but it also played very much into the hands of the speedy attacking trio of Matt Taylor, Prosser and Beckett. Prosser, making his 3’s debut, was having a prominent role in the early proceedings, working the right flank well in tandem with full-back Mitch Corcoran. With Matt Taylor offering at every opportunity Notts had an outlet who was causing the Weirside centre backs problems. From the third of three successive corners - all conceded by the away team in denying Prosser a clear cross into the box – Notts were to take the lead. Robin Taylor’s drilled corner was met by the forehead of the leaping Beckett, who having outjumped the Weirside centre back, guided the ball towards goal. Though the effort was blocked, the ricocheting ball found itself at the feet of Rigby, who made no mistake with a firmly driven left footer from six yards.
Notts were in the driving seat, and with Butler seeing a good deal of possession on the left, ably supported by Corcoran Jnr, Notts had established good attacking options on both flanks. Robin Taylor saw a free-kick ably saved by the opposition goalie, but in a re-run moments later, following a push on Matt Taylor, he nonchalantly dispatched a perfect side footed shot into the top-right corner. 2-0 and Notts were on course to achieve everything manager McCoy asked of them.
With Owen and Rigby comfortable at the back, Notts could afford to play from deep, sucking in the Weirside midfield and frontmen, and in doing so freeing up space for Notts to play in. Further Notts pressure brought further corners, with Rigby and Beckett causing all manner of problems in the air for the Weirside defence. Rigby headed over and speculative Beckett overhead kick was cleared off the line. However, Notts didn’t have long to wait for a third goal – good work by Prosser and Corcoran on the right saw the ball shifted all the way across to the left flank via Kelly, who picked out the onrushing Butler – Butler’s fizzing first time cross was met on the run by Beckett who made no mistake at the near post.
3-0 looked rather emphatic but in all honesty in was a fair reflection on the first 45 minutes of play against a somewhat shot-shy Weirside team.
The second half saw the introduction of Holt for Matt Taylor. Meanwhile, Weirside made a tactical change switching their very able footballing centre back into the central midfield in an attempt to try and dictate the play from higher up the pitch. The change worked, with Kelly and Taylor somewhat stymied in their efforts to repeat their first half showing. With Weirside increasingly on the ball, Notts had to defend a great deal more than hoped, not aided by the front men’s inability at times to hold onto the ball. A Weirside corner was followed by confusion in the Notts defensive ranks. Unable to clear the ball from within their own 18 yard box, the ball eventually found its way to a Weirside forward who finished in a carbon copy of Rigby’s earlier strike. Game on perhaps? But the sheer will of this Notts team to stand tall under pressure has very much been their hallmark so far this year. Whilst Weirside enjoyed the lion’s share of the possession, Nixon in goal had very little to do and he remained relatively untroubled in conditions that were admittedly not the kindest to goalkeepers. Sporadic Notts breaks, led by Prosser yielded few clear-cut opportunities. Robin Taylor shot inches wide from 20 yards and Beckett headed wide from eight yards when well placed. Fresh legs in the shape of Louis Shippen were brought on as Notts finally began to get their foot on the ball. The two Corcorans were offering well from the full-back positions and their distribution was both efficient and controlled. Holt had a firmly struck shot well blocked by the keeper but by this point the game was pretty much concluded and as the referee blew his whistle Notts had succeeded where they failed twelve months earlier.
A tale of two halves – dominant in the first, on the back foot in the second. The game was won in the first half and the belief shown from the outset is a healthy indicator that Notts are geared on making a real shout for the title this year. Rigby and Owen were once again imperious at the back, building on a partnership that has seen them concede just one goal in four games when paired together. However, it is another Owen – Prosser – who takes the plaudits this week. An excellent, aggressive showing from the wide-man, sees the ex-Bristol Uni man take the MoM award.
Notts 3s: Nixon; Michael Corcoran; Owen; Rigby; Martin Corcoran; Prosser; Robin Taylor; Kelly; Butler (Shippen); Beckett; Matt Taylor (Holt)
Nottsborough 3 Alleyn Old Boys 0 (League) 4th October 2008
Notts 3s were happy to be back at home following a dismal away loss the week before on a small kew park pitch.
Tolworth looked magnificent and the pitches cried out for quality football and for the opening ten minutes that's what notts 3s gave them. With robin taylor owning the centre of the park we started with good pace and composure releasing the danger men on both flanks and up top - it was much deserved then when a cleared corner was struck outside the box by kelly took a deflection and landed at the width of the box at tom blackmores feet - tom does what he always does in these situations - nailed the ball low and hard across the keeper into the bottom corner.
At one nil and playing the way we were the afternoon looked promising however Old Alleyns are very good with the ball at their feet and they scrapped there way into the game for the next twenty minutes and notts lost some of the composure they had started with and began giving the balll away a bit cheaply - this is when resigned goal keepper christian sellars and the notts back four started earning their shirts - some solid defending from all five with additional help from the tenacious kelly saw notts whether the storm and really chase the ball asd a team with both wingers and forwards being worked across the pitch to close down pacey old alleyns runners - this was ther spirit that was missing in previous outings and sets us apart from other teams.
Just towards the end of this frentic period si owen took one of his monstruous goal kicks which was brilliantly flicked by rozzer into the path of butler who cut inside and played his shot just inside the near post 2-0 - joe kinnear would have been proud.
Shortly after this the hard working matt taylor ran all the way across the oppo back four closing down passes and eventually stole the ball from the right back. In the next second he was driving straight at goal for what looked like a shot but at the last minute was a well played pass between goalie and defender into the feet of rozzer for a tap in - a well derserved goal for the tireless pair.
Half time and Notts had done everything they set out to do.
The second half was a more tired affair which saw both sides creating a couple of good chances but failing to convert- matty t replicating his steal of the first half only to blaze over from 6 yards..
Robin still dominating the middle (with Luke kelly who had a superb afternoon) gave the crowd what they had come to see when he effortlessly flicked the ball around his opponent and cruised around him to splay a pass across the pitch - not just once but twice.
Further entertainment was to come with the substitutions
- si butler comedy tired running and face was the best advert for "sub me" ever
- his replacement darvill back from injury following an incident with a staircase was great introduction - dancing past his marker as well as falling over his own player mid play
- haighy - robin taylors replacement late arrival into his first 3 tackles and subsequent well mannered apologies -
The three subs did start to settle things though and haighys quick feet combined with matty bs running created some much needed relief from Old Alleyns final push.
In the end notts could and probably should have made it four when a good passing move in the box started by matt beckett ended with rozzer one on one but not doing enough to quite beat the keeper.
All in though a great afternoon for Notts.
MoM Luke Kelly (although lots of contenders)
Kew Association 3 Nottsborough 2 (League) 27th September 2008
Notts returned to Kew just three weeks after a pre-season friendly defeat against the same opponents. Confusion over the kick-off time saw Notts start the game with eight players, but they were soon up to the full compliment of 11 within five minutes. Fortunately for Notts, Kew were unable to take advantage of their numerical advantage and it was Notts who opened the scoring following saw good pressure play down the left flank. A Cranny long-throw eluded both forwards and defenders alike and up stepped an unmarked Tom Blackmore at the back post to side foot home from ten yards. A deserved lead for a somewhat unbalanced Notts starting XI, donning black arm bands in respect of club stalwart and great friend Martyn ‘Parky’ Greek, who tragically passed away earlier in the week. The goal seemed to fortify Notts and it wasn’t long until they had a great opportunity to increase the lead from the penalty spot. A Chamberlain run from deep saw him being upended by the Kew goalie. Unfortunately for Notts, Blackmore could only manage to drag his right-footed spot kick left of the goal.
The penalty miss awoke a disjointed Kew, and as their confidence increased, Notts’ dipped alarmingly, as heads began to drop. On 20 minutes Kew mugged the Notts midfield of the ball and in an instant their roving central midfielder unleashed an unstoppable 30 yard drive past Beckett into the top left corner. It wouldn’t be lying to say that Notts were at 6s and 7s at this point. Soon after, a break down the Kew right saw the ball played in behind Croft, filling in at left-back, and the onrushing winger powered home from a tight angle at the near post - Beckett in nets obviously disappointed with his positioning. Notts continued to be the masters of their own downfall. Once again they conceded possession in central midfield, the ball breaking out to the Kew right before a calculated square pass to the unmarked Kew forward, who made no mistake from 18 yards with a powerful side-footed shot into the top right corner. Notts traipsed in at half-time, bewildered and lacking ideas.
Notts couldn’t do any worse and the second half showing was a much better display, with the Notts back four having a much more comfortable 45 minutes. McCoy shuffled the side, Cranny and Kelly making way for Butler and Moore, with Chamberlain moving forward to partner Matt Taylor up front. Moore and Butler certainly brought more urgency and shape to the side, their intelligent talking and general direction of play highlighting the earlier shortcomings of the central midfield. Notts pulled one back on 55 minutes, Blackmore instinctively dispatching a running volley from the edge of the box. This should have provided the platform for Notts to push on, but frustratingly a third goal was not forthcoming. A smart Butler give and go with Chamberlain saw the Notts sub blast agonisingly wide from a good position inside the box. But Notts’ continued inability to break down the opposition was part down to a lack of cohesion, and part due to the limited space that the hosts’ very small pitch afforded the game to be played in. As their collective frustration grew, Notts discipline drifted. Blackmore and McCoy both deservedly entered the referee’s book for scything challenges as the game petered out to a disappointing conclusion. After two very convincing away wins, Notts underperformed badly against a young and organised Kew outfit.
Down, but certainly not out, Notts will look to bounce back next week against League Champions Alleyn Old Boys.
Notts 3s: Beckett; Croft; Corcoran; Noon; Szwajakowski; Blackmore; Kelly; Chamberlain; Cranny; Pullinger; Taylor. Subs: McCoy; Moore; Butler.
Old Esthameians 0 Nottsborough 8 (League) 20th September 2008
(Click here for photos)
Notts 3s travelled to north-east Walthamstow off the back of a comprehensive win and three points at EBOG the weekend previously. On a warm, late summer’s day, the Notts team arrived at the ground refreshed and motivated to carry on from the excellent second half display in Barnet. Absentees from that XIV were Moore, Rozzer, Butler and Noon. However, the 3s were able to ship in quality replacements in White (GK), Bonser, Cullinan and Owen.
The opening exchanges saw both teams press for territorial advantage, but on a postage stamp sized pitch, it was always going to difficult to retain possession, with space very much at a premium. OE were content to work the channels on each flank, looking to exploit the pace of their fast, yet somewhat raw, centre forwards. Cootes and Bonser, at left back and right back respectively, had to be on their toes and their timely interventions were key to denying OE opportunity to get behind what was a very solid and experienced Notts back four.
Rigby, continuing his good pre- and early season form, picked up a nasty forearm to the face after ten minutes and had to depart the pitch for treatment on a nastily bloodied nose. Unswayed by the sometimes direct OE approach, Rigby battled on and his determination to the cause seemed to buoy Notts as they started to impose their authority on the game. The opening goal came on 25 minutes through the confident Blackmore, following a smart passing move between Bonser and Halas down the Nottsborough right. Blackmore received the ball to feet, wriggled into the 18 yard box and drilled a shot between two defenders into the far corner. Notts pressed on and began to dominate proceedings, affording the OE no.4, influential at the outset, little time on the ball.
An inswinging Croft corner was narrowly missed at the back post by Owen, but an equally excellent ball by the left-winger in open play found Taylor on the shoulder and on the wrong side of the centre back to volley exquisitely back across goal into the far corner. 2-0 at half time; 45 minutes in which goal custodian White was a virtual bystander. Notts had weathered the combative approach of OE, and their superior ability on the ball had yielded two very well worked goals.
The start of the second half saw Notts again dominate from the kick-off. Kelly and Halas became increasingly influential at the centre of the park, passing efficiently to the wide men as Notts upped the pressure further. On 55mins Notts increased their lead, Johnson finishing in typical fashion from close range. Soon after McCoy withdrew Halas, who was replaced by Cullinan. Cootes switched to right back, with 3s debutant Bonser filling the central midfield berth. The change seemed to unsettle the Notts back four somewhat, but at the same time delivered a more attacking dimension to the Notts team as the game became increasingly stretched. Bonser was brought down on a surge into the box, but goal machine Johnson could only hit the post with his firmly struck effort. Fortunately, Johnson did not have long to wait to notch his second goal, exploiting indecision in the OE back four to lob the ‘keeper after 60 minutes.
A now rampant Notts were four goals to the good and remained determined to score more. Taylor – again bright and looking hungry to add to his goal at EBOG – notched two in the space of five minutes for a well deserved hat-trick, Croft delivering excellent assisting balls from left-mid in each instance. With ten minutes remaining McCoy withdrew the tireless Kelly, and brought on Matt Beckett at right midfield, with Blackmore moving inside to centre mid. Within one minute of the change, Blackmore played a delightful reverse pass over the OE defence and indecision between the centre back and ‘keeper presented the onrushing Beckett with a tap-in from 16 yards. Seven nil and Notts were turning on the style.
Owen, not content to sit back and relax, carried the ball 70 yards from his own 18 yard box and almost scored himself, only to be scuppered by a good last ditch OE tackle. From the ensuing phase of play, Croft centered once more from the left flank, the ball ricocheting off the an OE defender against the keeper and back towards Beckett who tapped in from three yards. With that the final whistle blew and Notts had secured their second away win on the bounce. A good win against an opposition who won 3-2 in the same fixture last season. Yes, Notts were stronger on the day, but the real impetus to perform was undoubtedly motivated by competition for places that has very much been a prevailing theme thus far.
All thirteen who featured can be pleased with their contribution. Credit goes to OE who fought to the end, but who were ultimately outclassed in game that was allowed to flow by an excellent referee.
Next week sees Notts travel to in-form Kew Association with a clear intention of avenging the pre-season friendly defeat suffered only two weeks previously.
Notts 3s: White; Bonser; Owen; Rigby; Cootes; Blackmore; Halas; Kelly; Croft; Johnson; Taylor. Subs: Cullinan; Beckett; McCoy
EBOG 1 Nottsborough 4 (League) 13th September 2008
Scorers – Johnson (3), Taylor
On one of this year’s few beautiful sunny Saturdays the Nottsborough 3s made the long trip up to Barnet to meet EBOG and get the new season underway. After last years poor start to the season, which was eventually the catalyst for the surrendering of the league title, it was vital to get off to a winning start this year.
There was quite a different look to the side that started last season’s opener (also against EBOG). For a start, McCoy has adopted a new 1950’s style side parting for the new season with some suggesting it may be a precursor to the inevitable comb-over he may soon have to adopt!
On the pitch, Matty Beckett continued in nets, with Rigby and the soon to depart Noony in front of him. Crofty started at right back, and with Si Butler in at left back the defence held quite a progressive attacking threat.
A new look midfield saw Rob Moore switching out to the left, with Tom Blackmore marauding down the right and Nick Halas joining Luke Kelly in the middle of the park. Luke Kelly has really grown in to his midfield role since joining the club last season, but it appears that he may have ‘grown’ a bit too much over the summer and a new looser fitting shirt may be required.
Up top we started with last year’s player of the year Mark Johnson with the impressive Matty Taylor alongside, a combination that should have opposition defenders quaking in their boots this season!
The afternoon had started badly with extreme traffic conditions delaying the arrival of the kit until a few minutes before kick off. The game eventually started just five minutes late, but Nottsborough didn’t have time for much of a warm up and this really showed in the first 20 minutes of the game.
A poor start saw Nottsborough struggling to gain the upper hand in midfield and get any real rhythm going. Passes were going astray and errors were being made, but tellingly, even during this period Nottsborough had created the clearest chances. The best falling to Matt Taylor who went clean through but struck his shot too close to the keeper who saved well.
It was no huge surprise however when EBOG took the lead after about 15 minutes. A nicely worked goal, created by a beautiful defence splitting pass and finished neatly. Nothing less than EBOG deserved at that stage of the match.
Notts reaction to going a goal down was positive and gradually they began to get more of a foothold in the game. Having gained the ascendancy it wasn’t long before an equaliser was scored. Mark Johnson found himself one-on-one with the keeper and duly smashed the ball past him in to the back of the net.
After this Nottsborough really started to get on top. Butler and Moore were linking up nicely down the left with Blackmore’s twinkle toes causing problems for EBOG down the right. Notts got their noses in front for the first time with about 10 minutes left of the half. Johnson again went clear and easily slotted it home, there were some complaints about offside from EBOG but the goal stood and Notts would end the half a goal to the good.
Whilst it hadn’t been a brilliant performance in the first 45, Nottsborough were enthused by getting in front and were good for their lead. Rigby and Noony had settled in to the game and were operating as an impenetrable unit and all the chances were coming Nottsborough’s way, so there was a positive mood as the teams returned for the second half.
The game continued in the same pattern after the break with Nottsborough quickly gaining control, looking for the all important third goal that would put a bit of daylight between the two teams.
It arrived after about 10 minutes of the second half and was scored by Matt Taylor. A neat passage of play found Taylor on the left hand edge of the box, where he jinked inside past the oncoming defender and drilled the ball home for his first of the season.
Shortly after this Rozzer came in to the fray in place of Rob Moore and a little re-jigging saw goal scorer Taylor move to the left wing with Rozzer joining Johnson up top.
Chances started to come thick and fast as EBOG tired and the lead really should have been extended long before Johnson completed his hat-trick. The most glaring of the missed chances probably came with about 20 minutes to go. The impressive Butler spotted Kelly bursting through the middle and picked him out with an inch perfect pass, unfortunately Luke’s touch let him down and the keeper easily collected it. Inexplicably he was the scythed down on the edge of the box which went completely unpunished, but touch or not it was a reckless challenge which the defender somehow got away with!
The game was wrapped up 5 minutes later when some sustained pressure, which included a bit of pinball football around the box, lead to Johnson smashing home Butler’s back-healed flick from around 12 yards.
Several more chances were created before the final whistle with some tight offside decisions denying Nottsborough further goals. All in all it was just the start we needed, although there is undoubtedly room for improvement.
Kew Association 3 Nottsborough 1 (Pre-season friendly)
Notts 3s finished their pre-season campaign with an away fixture to newly promoted Kew Association. The venue also happened to be that of last season’s cup final defeat to Old Finchleians. As on that day, good Nottsborough possession and dominance couldn’t be translated into a winning result.
Notts took to the field with only four of the starting eleven who fought for a respectable 2-2 draw at Old Forresters 2s. Regular pre-season trainers Seale and Loaiza got deserved places in the XI, forming a new partnership down the Nottsborough left. Up front were paired the returning duo of Taylor and Cranny, with new boy Dave Blackmore partnering Nick Halas in central midfield.
Playing into a strong breeze, Notts asserted themselves well over the opening ten minutes, passing the ball comfortably around a young Kew outfit. Despite their possession, Notts couldn’t quite get the ball into the danger areas, but all the same this was good patient football, with Halas prompting the play intelligently from his midfield berth. However, Notts conceded on the first occasion Kew got the ball into the box, an inswinging cross being unfortunately deflected by Owen past a wrong-footed Beckett. Soon after, Notts failed to clear from a corner, a Kew forward mugging a Notts defender to slot past Beckett from six yards. Two down and two disappointing goals to concede. Notts had played well, but were not quite mastering the basics in their own half.
Corcoran and Croft were prominent down the right, but all too often the ball into the box was not met by a Nottsborough head. Taylor and Cranny were linking well, but were unable to fully impose themselves on a settled and assured Kew back four. Notts brought on Noon for Seale, and for the remainder of the half Notts continued to pass the ball well – a good move down the right released Croft who’s cut back was well intercepted by the competent Kew goalie. Notts had an Owen goal disallowed following a corner, with a handball in the build-up allegedly having been committed, much to Corcoran’s chagrin. Notts continued to roll the subs, with Kelly on for Loaiza, with Blackmore moving to left-mid. Once again, Notts were to concede in schoolboy fashion, with at lest four players drawn to the ball, the Kew left-mid played an angled pass onto the onrushing centre midfielder who finished with aplomb. 3-0 at half-time and very much a scoreline which flattered the opposition. It was not a time for stern words – Notts had played composed possession football – rather a moment to assess what we wanted to take from the game and that by focusing on the basics and playing with a little more belief and conviction.
The second half saw Notts pressure Kew further. With Kelly offering an effective shield to the back four, Croft and Blackmore had license to venture further forward and with this the Kew back four began to get stretched somewhat. Taylor was unlucky not to get clean through, denied by a last ditch Kew interception. On 60 minutes Beckett moved out of goal to replace Cranny at centre forward, with Corcoran taking up a 30-minute shift in nets and Seale slotting into the back four. Blackmore, who had suffered a slight hamstring strain, was replaced by Loaiza, with Croft reverting to left-mid. The changes seemed to fortify Notts and the play became a great deal more attacking and fluid, with good interchanging of play across the pitch. A good six pass move found Beckett spinning off into the wide right channel and his fizzed cross to the back post was soundly converted by the head of Croft. A good team goal and one which got Notts believing they could go on to win this game. It was at this stage that the Kew ‘keeper came into his own. A Rigby ball to Taylor was flicked on to the onrushing Beckett, who unleashed a first time volley from 25 yards which was superbly saved by the Kew No.1 low to his left. From the resulting corner Owen headed over from six-yards with goal at his mercy. Croft then carried the ball a good 70 yards from the edge of his 18-yard box, before cutting inside and shooting just wide of the near post. Good fitness and speed from the versatile wideman. Soon after, a hammered Croft volley at the back post was somehow palmed away by the Kew goalie who was beginning to have an inspired afternoon. Kew still threatened on the break as Notts pushed for the second goal, but Rigby marshalled the backline well in what was an assured second-half display. Seale continued to put some excellent crosses in as Notts continued to bombard the Kew area. Loaiza was tireless throughout, proof that getting a good pre-season under your belt goes a long way to getting the condition required at the start of what is going to be a very competitive season. Blackmore, now back on for Taylor, whose touch, speed and awareness really did warrant a goal, powered a volley just over – the Kew goal living a charmed life.
But for all their efforts Notts couldn’t quite capitalise on their possession and territorial domination. A 3-1 defeat suggests that this was a comfortable win for Kew, but it was not and Notts can take heart from the style of play. No doubt the game served as excellent pre-cursor to the league match between the teams in three weeks time.
Notts 3s: Beckett M; Seale; Rigby; Corcoran; Owen; Croft; Blackmore D; Halas; Loaiza; Taylor; Cranny. Subs: Noon; Kelly
Old Forresters 2s - 2 Notttsborough 3s - 2 (Pre-season friendly)
Lots of new faces turned up in Walthamstowe in amongst a few v old Notts regulars to face what we hoped would be a disorganised Essex fourth team.
Unfortunately, Old Forresters are born out of an incredibly well to do private school with great facilities, and upsettingly for the rag tag 3s with breeding came class. As soon as the kick off was dispatched to the OF fullback who immediately stroked it on to the right mid with German efficiency and a shout of man on your left shoulder Notts realised they may have to do a bit of running.
The first ten mins the 3s had to get shape and chase down the ball which was being regimentally worked across the pitch to the high wingers - sh@t OF had a method of playing and it involved getting a final ball out to their right mid who would then attack the palest greenest member of the notts side filling in at left back - Rob Olgivie. If I hadn't met Rob before on Saturday I would have simply assumed he was a scag tramp we had accidentally put in a cab at Walthamstowe due to the sea of new faces.
To his credit though Oggers never let his man past him in a frenetic opening ten he could have done without, and he wasn't sick on him which probably wouldn't have been polite given the match was a friendly.
After weathering an initial flurry Notts started to work some releases of their own with Andy. Looking dangerous on the right wing and Cootes beating players on the left we started to get balls through to the tireless runs on Johnson and Beckett and Notts probably had the best opening chance with a flashing Johnson pass across the box just being turned wide by Matty b.
The rest of the half was a bit of a blur OF kept up their meticulous pressure with good passing around the notts box but good defending from Matt ellis, si owen and sean rigby meant that the forwards rarely got a chance at goal.
It was at this point when the middle pair of Nick Halas and Tom Blackmore started making space for themselves and threading some good passes through to the forwards and wingers. Blackmores dribbling nearly created a couple of good openings for Andy and Matty B and an inspired Halas pass only just ran away from Johnson and into the keepers hands.
And then disaster struck, Notts lost the ball cheaply from a throw in deep in their own half and the subsequent shot from outside the box took a wicked deflection which took all of the power off of it and confused the hell out of a hapless McCoy who had decided he was going to palm the shot away before he had even brushed his teeth in the morning.
To be honest you could forgive the late arriving Moore for thinking that non-funny celebrity Alan Carr was playing in nets because the "save" had all of the right ingredients - tubbyness, baldness and a floppyness of wrist rarely seen on a straight man.
Needless to say that when McCoy was picking the ball out of the net he didn't take much comfort out of the "unlucky mate" from the 9 year old behind the goal.
The rest of the half played out with continued attacks from both sides with generally the better openings being worked by Notts. Moore came on for Cootes at left mid and created some more width and combined with good running from Beckett, Johnson and tom Blackmore we started to stretch OF. Good corners from Halas and Moore were not quite turned into the goals they should have been and we went in one nil down at half time but happy with our performance (well most of us).
In the second half the sickly Oggers was a very good sport and agreed to ref (which he did very well - I think the hangover helped in the grumpy ref stakes). And so we were left with eleven players for forty five minutes of running in a pounding august sun.
For twenty mins Notts controlled a lot of the play pushing the ball deep and wide to Matty b and Andy and working some great passes from wide into the box which we couldn't quite convert. Again lots of well taken corners and some good tom Blackmore free kicks should have been turned into goals and Notts were generally on top trying to play down the wide channels.
The main criticism of Notts play would be that we were overly anxious to get the ball forward and played too many 20 yard channel balls for forwards to win. Working the ball up the pitch with controlled 5 yard passes would have been the better choice on a hot day- we need to have more confidence in our team ability to do this but given the number of new faces this can be worked on.
Matt Ellis continued to dominate at the back alongside the dependable Si Owen and even McCoy in nets contributed with a one on one save at the forwards feet (earning a deserved kick in the head)
Unfortunately though, OF were still working the wide ball well when they did attack and when a good deep cross was met at the back post with a strong header Notts were two nil down.
This looked like the way the game would end and so Cootes offered to go in nets, and for the last ten mins Notts vowed to concentrate on some good possession football.
As a result Notts reduced the tempo slightly and that combined with the tiring OF legs under a scorching sun meant we found some space to play in. At eighty minutes Si Owen charged up field with the ball only to veer left at the last moment, but a couple of plays later he stepped up and released a through ball which probably should have been collected by the keeper but saw Johnson pounce on the indecision and score.
Four minutes later a simple but effective passing movement from Matt Ellis to nick Halas and into Johnsons feet meant that for the first time Tom Blackmore could have a strike at goal and boy did he, all Forresters could do was clap as he crashed in the equaliser from 25 yards.
In the end it probably felt as if Notts had stolen the draw but on reflection I think it was the fair result and more importantly a really good work out against a very good opposition.
Notts wish Old Forresters all the best for their season ahead, thanks for a tough but fair pre-season work out.
MoM: Matt Ellis at the back composed and very steady in his first game for the club
Stat of the match: With ten to go at two nil down, McCoy came out on pitch, at the final whistle it was two all - FACT
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