Shirebrook Rovers 3-1 Bridge Tavern
The Bridge were looking for another back to back win following last Sunday’s 7-0 demolition of King William Sports at Fortress Manor Park.
A 10am meet at The Carrs at Warsop was arranged for the short trip over to Shirebrook. The day got off to a bad start as Kirk had gone to pick the kit up from the laundry only to discover that it was shut. As luck had it Manq had the skin tight yellow and blue kit (well it is on me – Scott) in his car so it was that or nothing.
Manq checked with the home side and the kit was ok to be worn (luckily). It was either that or we were playing in skins and I can assure you that wouldn’t have been a pretty sight.
Manq and Lormor had their usual discussion away from the changing room and decided to play the trusty 4-4-2 formation. Lormor in goal, the back 4 had Mellors at left back, Bread at right back with Ashley and Captain Quiche at centre back. Jay Edwards and Danny Lee were in centre midfield with Kirk on the left and Manq on the right. Tony partnered Gallagher up front as Gav Short was away for the weekend. Warming the bench was Scott, Gav Edwards, Darren Lee and Leigh Brittan (who apparently lied to our chairman not once but TWICE before the game).
The game kicked off and it was The Bridge who settled earliest knocking the ball about with confidence. Lormor was causing all sorts of problems with his long kicks over the top of the home sides defence. The first chance fell to the away side after 8 minutes, Lormor pumped a long ball downfield and Gallagher latched onto it despite the linesman raising the flag. The Ref agreed and promptly blew for offside only for Gallagher to put the ball into the back of the net. Let’s face it, we all know he needs shooting practice but this was going a little bit too far, the ref agreed and gave Gallagher a ticking off. Still the Bridge pressured and forced 2 corners in quick succession. From the second corner Jay drilled it in towards Kirk, Kirk rose like a salmon to head just over the bar. The home side became more settled and started to have a good spell in the game. Ashley conceded a corner which resulted in Mellors clearing with a fine header. Soon after Tony was released on the right hand side with only the keeper to beat but decided to lob the ball high and wide of the goal, cries of “get some water Pirate someone must be injured” could be heard from the sidelines.
The Bridge continued to press and deservedly took the lead. A corner from the left was swung in towards James Ashley, James tried to avoid it as somebody had put their name on it. In the confusion the ball ricocheted off Ahsley’s back and nestled in the bottom left hand corner of the net after taking a touch off a Shirebrook defender. The goal was replayed on the big screen to see who was actually being awarded the goal, after a few seconds of waiting, the 3rd umpire awarded it to James Ashley… the away following of 18 went crazy on the sidelines. Just one more chance of note in the first half, a Shirebrook corner was headed wide from 4 yards out when it would have been easier to score.
The Bridge continued to press and deservedly took the lead. A corner from the left was swung in towards James Ashley, James tried to avoid it as somebody had put their name on it. In the confusion the ball ricocheted off Ahsley’s back and nestled in the bottom left hand corner of the net after taking a touch off a Shirebrook defender. The goal was replayed on the big screen to see who was actually being awarded the goal, after a few seconds of waiting, the 3rd umpire awarded it to James Ashley… the away following of 18 went crazy on the sidelines. Just one more chance of note in the first half, a Shirebrook corner was headed wide from 4 yards out when it would have been easier to score.
Half time: Shirebrook Rovers F.C. 0 v 1 Bridge Tavern F.C.
The second half got underway with The Bridge looking to extend their lead. Gallagher dived, sorry, correction, was fouled on the edge of the area giving Jay a golden opportunity to double the lead. The home side retreated about 7 yards which meant that when Jay hammered the free kick goalwards it hit the wall, In fact it hammered one of the defenders straight in the side of the face and just about knocked him out.
After a couple of minute’s treatment the game continued. Next chance once again fell to The Bridge. Kirk squared the ball to Gallagher who hit a low drive goalwards, it was easy to defend for Shirebrook as Tony did their job for them by allowing the shot to hit him right in the arse, Tony reacted by letting out a little yelp of delight. Another chance went begging for the Bridge, Mellors floated a free kick in from the left only to see Tony slice over the bar with the ball landing in the kiddies Farm yard. The game got back under way after Mr Glitter had thrown the ball back over the fence.
First substitution of the day was to happen on 60 minutes. Bread went off in a straight swap for Scott at right back. The home side was to now have a good spell of pressure and make it 1-1 after 65 minutes. A long throw caused confusion in the Bridge box and a Shirebrook midfielder glanced the ball home with a header. This caused Manq to reshuffle as Gav Edwards replaced the Bridge’s player manager straight after the equaliser.
Within 3 minutes the home side had taken the lead. A shot from 14 yards cannoned off Quiche’s right arm. Everyone thought it was ball to hand apart from the referee who after about 3 seconds of thinking time blew up for a spot kick. Quiche got his weekly yellow card for calling the ref a wanker as too did Tony who ran 80 yards from up front to say “your having a fakking larff ref”. The spot kick was put straight down the middle giving Lormor no chance as he dived to his left. This gave the home side even more confidence as Lormor got caught up in his should I stay or should I go dilemma, Luckily the Shirebrook number 8 lobbed the ball wide of Lormor’s open goal. Time for a Shirebrook player to enter the referees book, Shirebrook's number 8 who had just missed the lob fired home after being blown up for offside. He was promptly booked after complaints form Quiche and Scott.
The Bridge were trying desperately to get something from the game and were nearly caught out at the other end as they pressed, a Shirebrook striker put the ball high and wide and was called a “Blind Bastard” by his manager on the sideline. Good defending by Scott released Danny in the middle of the pitch. Kirk tried to release Tony who did well to keep the ball in play, as the ball was passed to Gallagher the keeper was in no-mans-land as he had tried to tackle Tony. Gallagher with the goal at his mercy shot over the bar to the groans of the crowd. Jay had a strike from distance which also didn’t find the target and many sensed the game was slipping away from The Bridge. I
n the 86th minute the Bridge were hit on the break by the home side which secured them the 3 points. Shirebrook’s number 9 picked the ball up 40 yards out and carried it before shooting from 25 yards, Lormor was caught wrong footed as the ball agonisingly floated into the back of the net. Now the number 9 ran off like a headless chicken shouting screamer! Screamer it was not my friend but I won’t take his credit away bless him. There was one more chance for the away side before the ref blew for full time, Gallagher not forcing the testing the keeper as he again blazed over from 20 yards.
After a couple of minute’s treatment the game continued. Next chance once again fell to The Bridge. Kirk squared the ball to Gallagher who hit a low drive goalwards, it was easy to defend for Shirebrook as Tony did their job for them by allowing the shot to hit him right in the arse, Tony reacted by letting out a little yelp of delight. Another chance went begging for the Bridge, Mellors floated a free kick in from the left only to see Tony slice over the bar with the ball landing in the kiddies Farm yard. The game got back under way after Mr Glitter had thrown the ball back over the fence.
First substitution of the day was to happen on 60 minutes. Bread went off in a straight swap for Scott at right back. The home side was to now have a good spell of pressure and make it 1-1 after 65 minutes. A long throw caused confusion in the Bridge box and a Shirebrook midfielder glanced the ball home with a header. This caused Manq to reshuffle as Gav Edwards replaced the Bridge’s player manager straight after the equaliser.
Within 3 minutes the home side had taken the lead. A shot from 14 yards cannoned off Quiche’s right arm. Everyone thought it was ball to hand apart from the referee who after about 3 seconds of thinking time blew up for a spot kick. Quiche got his weekly yellow card for calling the ref a wanker as too did Tony who ran 80 yards from up front to say “your having a fakking larff ref”. The spot kick was put straight down the middle giving Lormor no chance as he dived to his left. This gave the home side even more confidence as Lormor got caught up in his should I stay or should I go dilemma, Luckily the Shirebrook number 8 lobbed the ball wide of Lormor’s open goal. Time for a Shirebrook player to enter the referees book, Shirebrook's number 8 who had just missed the lob fired home after being blown up for offside. He was promptly booked after complaints form Quiche and Scott.
The Bridge were trying desperately to get something from the game and were nearly caught out at the other end as they pressed, a Shirebrook striker put the ball high and wide and was called a “Blind Bastard” by his manager on the sideline. Good defending by Scott released Danny in the middle of the pitch. Kirk tried to release Tony who did well to keep the ball in play, as the ball was passed to Gallagher the keeper was in no-mans-land as he had tried to tackle Tony. Gallagher with the goal at his mercy shot over the bar to the groans of the crowd. Jay had a strike from distance which also didn’t find the target and many sensed the game was slipping away from The Bridge. I
n the 86th minute the Bridge were hit on the break by the home side which secured them the 3 points. Shirebrook’s number 9 picked the ball up 40 yards out and carried it before shooting from 25 yards, Lormor was caught wrong footed as the ball agonisingly floated into the back of the net. Now the number 9 ran off like a headless chicken shouting screamer! Screamer it was not my friend but I won’t take his credit away bless him. There was one more chance for the away side before the ref blew for full time, Gallagher not forcing the testing the keeper as he again blazed over from 20 yards.
Full time: Shirebrook Rovers F.C 3 v 1 Bridge Tavern F.C.
Scott