South Normanton Ath 9-3 Nottingham United

Central Midlands Football League Premier Division

Weds 8th September will be remembered by us for a long while -- Normo were 7-1 up at the break, but Nottingham managed to salvage some pride by drawing the second half 2-2. It has to be said though that the home team went off the boil a little in the second period, but credit United for at least making a fist of it in the final 45........

Guest list included:

Serial hopper Aggedor and his entourage

Kev's work colleague and Matlock Town fanatic Phil Mumby

Phils friends ( and now ours) Chris and Carole Daglish

Kieron DeBrouwer and Wayne Cooke of Pinxton FC

Jane and Gary Eadie - now working with Athletic - formally with Eastwood Town

Normo went in front in just the 4th minute, CORY BOWLER firing home from the edge of the box. ANDY WHITE was next on the scoresheet on 8, a controlled turn and shot from close range flying past United keeper Omar Murtaza. TOM LEIGHTON added the third after 12 minutes, beating his marker before slotting past Murtaza at the second attempt.

Bowler was proving a menace down the Normo left, and on 15 he played the ball into the box to White, but as the former Stags front-man was about to pull the trigger, he was tripped and Referee Andy Thistlewood had no other choice than to award a penalty. WHITE stepped up and hammered the ball past Murtaza, who to his credit did get his fingers to it, but it was struck so well he had little real chance of saving.

So, 16 gone and 4-0 ...a goal every 4 minutes - and they kept on coming -- BOWLER grabbed his second in the 21st minute running through the Nottingham back-line before firing home. WHITE completed his hat-trick after 25 minutes, a powerful header from a right wing corner. LEIGHTON added the seventh on 33, the ball laid neatly into his path allowing him to lash the ball home without breaking stride. Unbelievably, Nottingham scored the next goal, their diminutive no. 10 calmly stroking the ball past Dave O'Hare in the Athletic net after he was given too much room to run into. H-T 7-1

Went to visit Phil, Chris and Carole at half-time - they had watched proceedings from just outside the bar. Talk about looking at home -- I think they were having a good time, judging by the number of empty glasses on their table!!

The second half was never going to be as good as the first - Normo made a couple of changes - changes that seemed to allow United a little more time on the ball. The home team added to their tally on 55 when LIAM KELLY headed home from a Bowler corner.

The game entered a rather dull period for 25 minutes, then Nottingham scored again! A cross headed back across the goal where it was tapped into the net. (I didn't get the number of the scorer,). Another penalty award to Normo after 87 gave LEIGHTON the chance to complete his triple from the spot, and the skipper made no mistake placing the ball to Murtaza's right. The visitors were to have the last word though, their no. 9 netting right on full time. F-T 9-3

Admission £2 H/C 50 Programme £1 Chris Daglish handed me £2 after the game - a fantastic gesture - APTCOO gained a total of £5.60 from this game alone !! Thanks Chris....see you soon I hope.

Saturday -- not made my mind up yet .. Kev's off to the coast, so "Billy No-Mates" won't be wandering too far!!