Season 07-08 : Northern Counties East League : Match Report

GEDLING TOWN  1  -  1  TEVERSAL Prepared by Kevin Newton

GEDLING TOWN – Sprigg, Dyce, Magee, Spiers, Soar, Payne, White (Murdolic 78), Stahlberger, Jefferies, Williams (Bedward 66), Heath. Subs Not Used – Lopez.

TEVERSAL – Wilson, Tighe, Goodacre (Thorpe 78), Holmes, Short G., Giles, Scott, Hudson (Atkins 65), Woodcock, Walker (Short D. 45), Townroe. Subs Not Used – All Used.

REFEREE - Mr P. Lang from Westhouses.

MAN OF MATCH - Gedling Town – Alan Jefferies, Teversal – Jack Townroe,

ATTENDANCE - 48

“BOTH WANTED MORE” A game that went through different levels of ability, entertainment and potential outcomes that in an unprecedented way, had you intrigued on how the result would end up. The 1-1 score line was possible the fairest outcome, but both sides left the park frustrated at not having won the three points. The first period was really a disappointing affair, both these promotion chasers looked very nervous and tentative, giving possession up far too easy and then failing to take advantage at these unexpected opportunities. In character with the way the game was going, the two chances that each of them did create simply passed by with none of them being taken. On 17 minutes the home side saw Payne’s looping header hitting the bar and when Jefferies looked like finishing but he hit it straight at Wilson in the visitors goal. On 35 minutes it was Jefferies who found space from a quick free kick to cross to the far post, but Payne failed to get over the effort to fire high and wide. Teversal’s opportunities were even clearer cut than there host, Townroe made the best of some slack defending to get to the by-line before firing in a low cross that Scott was only inches off from tapping home on 22 minutes. Eight minutes later the best bit of football of the half saw the Tevie boys have a patient build up that saw Goodacre produce an excellent cross that Hudson ghosted into the danger area only to fail to make contact to what looked a certain goal, plus Scott then failed to make a notable telling touch to the quality cross. The second half became a more open affair and even though the performances of both sides didn’t reach the heights these two sides has shown this season, it certainly was a better game for the supporters. Within 3 minutes of the restart Jefferies had two chances when yet another quick free kick set the striker clear, but Teversal had to thank Wilson for a stunning save and then Townroe for clearing off the line. On 62 minutes, the Tevie Boys took a deserved lead when yet another quality cross from Townroe found Dean Short at the far post to head home from close range. A lead that purely on the quality of chances they had created was deserved. Gedling though, to their credit, rolled up their sleeves and created a number of openings themselves, it was only solid and at times desperate defending that kept the home side at bay. Barry Payne being the unfortunate culprit to see chances going begging more than most. The inevitable equaliser arrived on 74 minutes in controversial circumstances, a corner superseded a stunning save from Wilson to deny Jefferies. The resulting corner saw total drama with numerous efforts going goal-wards and each occasion the visitors managed some sort of block on it, but Referee Mr Lang gave a goal that was awarded to former Tevie player Jason Bedward to make it 1-1. Teversal’s frustration were compounded on 84 minutes when Woodcock was sent clear by Dean Short and when the striker looked like pulling the trigger from the edge of the 18 yard box Spiers brought down the Tevie marksman from behind with the ball running through to the grateful Sprigg. No free kick, no red card to everyone’s surprise and the visitor’s dismay. On the whole a draw was a fair result and keeps both sides hopes of a promotion alive, but both view it as two points dropped.  Teversal will hope to recover quickly when Rossington Main come to Carnarvon Street on Saturday 19th January 2008, with a 3.00pm kick off.