East Midlands Counties League
Venue: Regatta Way, West Bridgford
Admission: £5.00 / £3.00
Attendance: 63
We’d never been to the home of
West Bridgford FC before, so another new ground goes onto the list. Regatta Way is only 25-30 minutes on the
road from Hucknall, and is relatively easy to get to and locate, so I have no
idea why we’ve not visited previously. It was a pleasant evening, with little
breeze and the temperature approaching double figures – a tad different to our
previous few outings, where the temperature had struggled to reach one or two
degrees!
No problems parking – quite a
decent sized car-park, although there seemed plenty of room on the street
should a game attract a larger crowd. Entering the ground the first thing we
noticed was the fencing surrounding the entire playing area – creates a neat
and tidy appearance. The only cover was the Tom Maccabee stand – plenty of
seating if the weather is inclement. We didn’t do a 360 of the ground, but we
will be paying another visit sometime in the near future, in daylight
hopefully, and take a proper gander at the facilities. First impressions though were very
favourable.
The Bridgford line-up contained a
few familiar faces, but I had no idea of any of the Borrowash players’
names, so this is going to be another
short report…..
The game began at break neck pace, with both teams showing
both pace and ability. Borrowash had the first real attack just a few minutes
from the off, their no. 7 shirt outstripping Jonathan Ventralla in a straight
race before hitting a shot that the home keeper blocked.
The Vics’ custodian had to be
alert to tip over a long range effort in the 8th minute, and his
opposite number duplicated this feat ten minutes later as both teams continued
their frantic start to the game. All the first half endeavours came to nought
though, and the teams went in at the break for a well earned rest with no goals
to show for their efforts. H-T 0-0
The home team finally broke the
deadlock on 53 minutes, AKINTOMIDE JAIYEOLA stooping low at the far post to nod
home a Tim Hopkinson corner. To their credit, the Vics didn’t let going a goal
down get to them overmuch, although their attacks did become a little less frequent
as the game progressed. Bridgford gradually
gained more and more control of the game, and their solid looking defence was
looking less and less likely to be breached.
The home teams lead was doubled
in the 69th minute. This time the roles played for the first goal
were reversed, a Jaiyeole corner met by TIM HOPKINSON at the far stick, the
striker rising like “me grandmas soufflés” to send his powerful header into the
back of the net.
Bridgford had a few decent
attempts late on in the game and Carl Westcarr had a chance to add to the score
in the 76th minute, but fired just wide with the keeper beaten. F-T
2-0
Referee Mr. Will Murray had an outstanding game - another young official with his head screwed on the right way. He respected the players and let them get on with the game, and also was never over fussy as some officials can be at times - let's hope he doesn't get this coached out of him.
The win puts the home team three
points clear of Birstall Utd at the top of the EMCL table, both having played 31 games. With eleven
games still to play, the battle for the championship is still well and truly
on.