Men's Second Eleven Vs South Nottingham

Derwent travelled to South Notts this week looking to overcome a 7-0 drubbing from the same fixture last season.

Unlike last season Derwent were able to retain the ball much better and with Man of the Match Luke Beckett back in the team along with the introduction of Danny Hendrie assisting goal machine James Boland and Andy Mckeown it was the away side that created the better chances.

Some early chances were squandered in the first half as Steve "Billy the Whizz" Langrick waltzed through the South Notts defence but the conversion attempt would not have even got the points in a rugby game.

Half time 0-0 everybody was happy except Mr Taylor - "Short sharp snappy passes" was the call. Derwent headed his call and were able to maintain the pressure on the Notts defence winning penalty corner after penalty corner.

It was Mr Simon "limpy leg" Taylor who got the scoring underway from one of these many corners. The ball injected by Mckeown to be fired in by Taylor from the edge of the D - the ball crawling over the line as it deflected off a Notts defender. The celebration was rather muted as it looked like the goal may have been overruled, but was eventually given.

Greg Lloyd at left back, Tom Higton in the centre along with Steve "Shearer" King and afore mentioned Luke Beckett at right back looked like they were going to be able to keep a clean sheet, with Notts pressing to try and equalize it was a tremendous run from Alex Merrick that put Andy Mckeown through in on goal to give the away side a 2-0 lead.

Soth Notts were now throwing the kitchen sink at Derwent, and with a mixture of Derwent players running in to each other (Mckeown and Boland) and Mr Taylor limping off the pitch the pressure was starting to show on the Derwent defence with Keeper Ed Berry being forced to make some excellent saves.

Derwent were unfortunate not to go in to a 3-0 lead as a penalty corner was awarded just before the ball crossed the line, indeed South Notts were fortunate to keep all 11 players on the pitch as Danny Hendrie was scythed down on the halfway as he was clear through.

It was South Notts who then bossed the last 15 minutes grabbing their only goal after an uncharacteristic miss from Higton allowed the centre forward to fire past Ed Berry at close range, he was probably still feeling the ball stinger he took in the back although it was mentioned after the game his puppy (or was it Pizza) fat should have protected him.   

Derwent held on until the final whistle making it two victories out of two. Joint second of the league with Hampton & Arden behind Chesterfield, with only the Wellingborough and Tamworth result yet to be published.

Next week the seconds travel to Leicester Westleigh who appear to have resoundly beaten Ashby 5-1 today. Watch this space next week to find out if Derwent can make it three in a row.