Lost 2 - 6 v Nottsborough (H), AFA Junior Cup

Match day 11 brought the arrival of Division 1 Nottsborough in the 1/4 finals of the AFA Junior Cup. With both teams going strong in their respective leagues they could both be forgiven for being in confident moods ahead of kick off. With 6 or 7 players missing Captain Green had to reshuffle his pack, a notable absentee being Bry Keye who with Scott Jenkins and later on Shirley spent the weekend up in Scotland.

The line up was as follows:  

Robery
Pett
Amico
Howard
Green
Williams
Beveridge
Brockhouse
Lever
Hunt
Bartup R
SUB: Lyte

And so the whistle blew for the first half and it was time do that Norsemen shirt proud. It was the home side who were dealt an early blow. After some neat work on the right by the diminutive little italian playmaker Paul Amico, he was what can only be described as being mamed by the left back of Nottsborough.The noise that followed can only be described as a Whale crying. Amicos game was over. And so with Amico lying on the side like an wounded mammal , it was in 15 first half minutes that Nottsborough took advantage of the home sides inability to keep the ball,  scoring 3 quick fire goals to put themselves in the assendency. Middway through the first half the home side seemed to spark into life enjoying their best spell of the half and this was rewarded when Green who was played in by Lee kept his cool and finished off with a chip into the corner of the net. Norsemen now had their tails up and should of been awarded a penalty. With his back to goal and the ball under control at his feet the Nottsborough defender went straight through the back of captain Green. 'Surely a penalty' no the ref waved play on 'shocking decision ' and so it proved a pivotal moment in the game with the away side going up the other end and making it 4-1 at half time.

Half Time 1-4

The second half was all about playing for pride and with no inhibitions, but after 20 even second half minutes it was Nottsborough who scored the 6th goal of the game some good work down the right flank resulted in a cross into the home teams box and despite his best effort Richard Pett could only direct the ball into his own net. Ever the professional Pett continued to give 100% this was epitomised midway through the second half with yet another tackle on the Nottsborough striker. With the ball lodged in between his legs,  Pett did his best not to disappoint by performing a backwood roley poley the likes of which 'Louis Smith' would of been proud of. This however according to a Nottsborough player ' was not in the rule book'. Another slick move resulted in a 6th goal for the away team followed by a consolation goal for Leonard. There was still time for some late drama with Nottsborough awarded a penalty however Robery was more than a match for the penalty with a great save down to his right.

All in all 'it is what it is or ' it was what it is was' a day to forget for the Norsemen 3's, time to bounce  back next week with an away game at Old Actonians in the league.