Men's Third Eleven Vs Atherstone Adders

Like Hardy Kruger, this was the one that got away. A win at the newly formed Adders would have catapulted us to the heady heights of fourth and two points clear of Nuneaton. The Adders captain himself said that they were steadily improving (astonishing what you can find out in the gents before a game!) and this proved to be the case however Derwent can rue a succession of missed opportunities. Cest la vie.

A spirited opening unusually saw Derwent take control of midfield thorugh Alex Talbot, Tony Goulding and Ben Morton. This lead to an early opportunity for Pooley Senior to put in shot albeit a weak and it looked like the flood gates might open. An astonishing run by Tom Leech that led to seven Adders players following him into the D like hungry lions after a lone gazelle saw him put a shot in that a talented Adders keeper just nudged away from Chris Pooley. Strong work by Sam Pooley and Josh Simmons on the right kept a steady threat up.

And then Adders broke away. Moving in on the left they carved an opportunity that they put deftly away despite Sam Steele's best efforts. Again Derwent surged back getting a short corner five minutes before the break. Fred Drabble and Tony Goulding stepped up, the keeper saved but only managed to push the ball out to Chris Pooley who on this occasion actually decided to follow the shot in. He slotted the ball away from a couple of yards out. 1 all and half time.

Yet again Derwent started strongly. Tom Leech broke down the left and again the keeper saved well. A series of short corners to Adders again sounded alarm bells but the defence held with Harry Brereton shepparding a dangerous Adders striker successfully and Chris Rodgers and Ben Morton protecting the wings.

Disaster struck on 15 minutes into the half with Chris Pooley pulling sharply up after running at the defence. This left Tom Leech up front. He time and time again pulled away from his marker to put in strong shot past the keeper to make it 2-1.

A bizarrre Pooley family interaction led to a heated debate about where exactly the side line was - this spilt over into wider recriminations that really the Thirds need not be party to.

Derwent went looking for a game deciding third but Adders still looked dangerous and with 5 minutes to go scored with a well taken reverse stick shot. 2-2.

Derwent pushed for the win and in the last seconds Alex Talbot broke forward but his shot flashed past the post.

McDonalds on the way home. Nice.