Shirebrook Town 4-1 Bottesford Town / Wilkinson Sword 2nd Round

Just three days to the start of the Evo-Stik season but Dudsey is in need of a game!!

Shirebrook being my nearest ground, the plus of having quite a few friends at the club and having shared some very happy days at Langwith Road made this the obvious choice for me.

I think the departure of Rudy Funk as manager had left some feeling that "The Brook" would slip back into the doldrums, far from it I would say!!

We took in Shirebrook`s recent friendly against Scarborough Athletic, and to be honest I was amazed at what a decent side new managers Micky Taylor and Dougie Etches were assembling.

Some very familiar faces to me through their connection with Rainworth Mw have made the move to Langwith Road in the close season, Danny Naylor, Andy Jones, Lewis Jackson, Danny Bainbridge and more recently my "Pick of the Bunch" and one of Dudsey`s favourite midfield engines, Brendan Sweeney.

Captain Jones lead out his team

Shirebrook`s opponents Bottesford Town are a club we have visited on several occasions and found the Scunthorpe contingent a very nice crowd with an ever improving facility.

I really started to question the validity of attending this game at one point this afternoon given the conditions, gale-force gusts of wind and sharp heavy showers, I eventually decided to go with it and ended up very glad I made the effort.

I pay my four pounds ("Bargain") and am immediately greeted by a dedicated Shirebrook faithful and friend Wath (Glen Wathall)  who I spend the first half with.

With no team-sheet as such I was going to be floundering for names, fortunately I was kindly allowed to take a snap of Shirebrook Town`s Secretary Aimee Radford`s note-book at half-time, so a big thankyou for that one, saved my night!!

There`s no Brendan in the squad tonight, apparently Wath say`s his Mum isn`t too well at the moment, so let`s wish Mrs Sweeney a speedy recovery.

A previously parched pitch with some brisk showers has created a very slick surface, just right for a cup tie!!

Shirebrook get off to a great start, Carl Haslam (a lad I`ve heard a lot about but never seen) and Kieren Watson`s pace immediately has the visitors back four in tatters," these two are seriously quick lads".

Lewis Jackson is also linking up very well down the left hand side, threading balls in behind the defenders for Haslam and Watson to pounce on, at times their pace is causing them problems as they fall foul to the offside flag.

At this point it`s one way traffic and it`s only a matter of time before Shirebrook get the opening they deserve, a ball threaded over the top find`s Watson who is able to find the net despite being surrounded by Bottesford`s defenders.

Watson`s ball finds the net, 1-0

After the goal Shirebrook`s momentum starts to wane, slowly but surely the visitors are starting to see more of the ball, Alex Hipkins and Oliver Bradbury are starting to pose a threat down the right hand side, frustration starts to get the better of Shirebrook`s defence especially skipper Jones who is starting to make his presence known a tad too physically!!

Dudsey and Wath chuckle at El Capitan`s follies and I tell him " If Jonah doesn`t pick up a card tonight you can have my Credit Card". Andy perseveres with his mission, much to the displeasure of the visitors and their supporters, ("How many more Ref?"), tackle after tackle flies in but the Ref seems content to let it flow.

"Time to calm it down lads"

After a brief stoppage the teams have had time to absorb some oxygen and things seem to settle things down a bit, Bottesford are still pushing and without being too physical Shirebrook are looking a little flaky.

Hipkins and Bradbury`s constant attempts eventually bear fruit as a decent cross falls to Chris Rodgers who leaves Jason White no chance, the visitors draw level with about five minutes to go, the Ref blows for a much needed break for the home-team.

Bottesford start to get into the game.

Bottesford start the second half as they finished the first, in control, Jonah`s at it again, another late one saves my wallet from Wath`s grasp as the Ref points to about a dozen area`s of infringment and deals him a yellow. If not for some resolute defending by Jordan Johnson and Kyle Ludlow (this lad has impressed Dudsey tonight) the game looked as though it might slip away from Shirebrook`s grasp.

Fortunately this hasn`t gone unnoticed in the technical area and a double substitution see`s Kristian Watson and Lewis Jackson (who hasn`t hardly seen the ball in the second period) withdrawn with twenty minutes to go.

Watson`s on fire tonight!!

Almost immediately Shirebrook  "Up the Ante" and are looking a lot better for the changes, Bottesford`s keeper`s head is all over the place and the home supporters are on his case, "he`s having a mare" .

Shirebrook`s front two are getting a good level of service once again, put a ball within five yards of Watson and he`s on it, he breaks free and get`s his second, followed by his Hat-Trick five minutes later.

Shirebrook are cruising but Haslam is desperate for a goal but can`t make anything stick.

Fortunately a last minute penalty for which Adam Martin was shown a red card gives the lad his chance to get on the score-sheet. 4-1 the final score and well deserved.

Looking at what was on show tonight even in the absence of Sweeney, I think the Shirebrook faithful have every reason to be very optimistic about this season. Kieren Watson was outstanding tonight a was head and shoulders above anyone else on the pitch. Good Luck to him and "The Brook".

Attendance - 57 

Admission - £4 (Worth every penny)