Rub of the Greenwood!!!
Nomads come away with 3 points after an exciting 3-2 clash with Greenwood Meadows! (Although we actually didn’t rely on luck)
Nomads travelled to face a team that have struggled with backstage drama in the new year, but with new backing, new squad and management, a new kit and a rebranding of the logo to move in line with some Notts County interests. Nomads therefore had a sense of uncertainty as to the quality of the their opponents, though the previous Greenwood side had put to hosts into a much improved position from last year, and when our two clubs met (twice due to abandonment,) neither side could claim 3 points. The game on the way at Lenton Lane, both teams cautious at first as they try to get a sense for one another, but confidence was with the Nomads side after a good performance away from home in our last match, against the high flying Stapenhill.
Nomads top scorer Joe Hartopp sat patiently on the bench, tactically a smart move as subbing him on at the right time will force the hosts to have to reshape quick if they want to stop any attacking presence he would bring. Up front instead was another young player who goes hand and hand with the word dangerous, Mark Foster who has flourished in forcing defences to lose their shape and commit fouls which put us in very good position to score. A quick counter attack found its way to Mark who beat the keeper with shot but a scrambling defender cleared the danger.
The hosts had their efforts at goal too; some good countering from the side showed the potential the team has, they were quiet effective fro set pieces too and there best chance came from a corner, the ball was whipped over into the box with strong intentions, the striker leaping head and shoulders above the defence to head it down at goal but a clearance off the line kept things level.
Things were starting gain momentum, the game picked up pace and was getting exciting at both ends of the pitch, that was until Ollie Preston who was seemingly bullied and bruised at Stapenhill went down with a knock and the game was stopped to accommodate, Ollie came off as Hartopp comes on, Nomads reshuffling the defence and formation, and now with two fast hunger goal scorers on the pitch a goal would surely come soon, but Greenwood too could take advantage with counters now that Ollie was not there to stop them.
Foster found himself In space deep in the heart of Greenwoods defence and unleashing his shot but the keeper was ready for it this time, Hartopp too had his first attempt on goal as the keeper comes scurrying out towards the edge of the area, his curled attempt hits the post though.
After a disappointing cup of coffee and some stale biscuits (sorry Greenwood, I have to be honest, but your company was friendly enough to make up for it.) The second half began, and Nomads found themselves with a free-kick in dangerous territory, it’d be a shame if I dropped my glove at this point else I would of missed the goal, probably would of thought it was someone else that scored too but Daz Taylor was the one to find his name on the scoresheet as Nomads go 2-nil up now.
Greenwood were not going to back down though, this isn’t the same team that has sat bottom for the last few years, this Greenwood was going to fight for survival, a quick counter attack saw them claw a goal back and boost their confidence. That confidence was soon tested as Nomads push forward and a ball into the box was almost headed into their net by their own player but it narrowly goes the other side of the post, nice attempt though so we may just put 7 days in for him.
Still plenty of time left in this game as Greenwood launch another dangerous counter attack, their first attempt hits the post but quick passing (albeit offside passing) levelled the game up here, the player has been offside in every attempt so far but I suppose he didn’t let that little detail bother him.
Nomads had to work hard now to regain the lead, Daz Taylor breaks into some space and weaves himself around the keeper but before he can walk across the line he gets dragged down by the man with gloves. No cards given in the match to this point and under the laws of the game that should have been at least a yellow card and many would have gave a red, maybe the Ref felt sorry for the side who have already been struck with fines for not being able to field their old team. A good job then that Daz coolly slotted away the penalty and without grudges we got on with the match.
Greenwood would have one last effort to regain a point from the match a good free kick hits the wrong side of post (who will be rushing to A+E after all these hits they’ve taken,) and the game concluded soon after. A good game from Nomads, we look in control for the most part but Greenwood had some good counter attacks and showed some promise, with a bit more training and backing from their new friends the “Magpies” could be a dark horse next season.
Fair mention to a referee today who let the game flow as much as possible, choosing words over cards for the most part, he could have been a bit stricter and had more words with the players but chose not the centre of attention as many a Ref can do, after the game he enjoyed a friendly chat with both managers to improve his game and to congratulate both on an entertaining affair.
Full Time: Greenwood 2-3 Nomads
Nomads travelled to face a team that have struggled with backstage drama in the new year, but with new backing, new squad and management, a new kit and a rebranding of the logo to move in line with some Notts County interests. Nomads therefore had a sense of uncertainty as to the quality of the their opponents, though the previous Greenwood side had put to hosts into a much improved position from last year, and when our two clubs met (twice due to abandonment,) neither side could claim 3 points. The game on the way at Lenton Lane, both teams cautious at first as they try to get a sense for one another, but confidence was with the Nomads side after a good performance away from home in our last match, against the high flying Stapenhill.
Nomads top scorer Joe Hartopp sat patiently on the bench, tactically a smart move as subbing him on at the right time will force the hosts to have to reshape quick if they want to stop any attacking presence he would bring. Up front instead was another young player who goes hand and hand with the word dangerous, Mark Foster who has flourished in forcing defences to lose their shape and commit fouls which put us in very good position to score. A quick counter attack found its way to Mark who beat the keeper with shot but a scrambling defender cleared the danger.
The hosts had their efforts at goal too; some good countering from the side showed the potential the team has, they were quiet effective fro set pieces too and there best chance came from a corner, the ball was whipped over into the box with strong intentions, the striker leaping head and shoulders above the defence to head it down at goal but a clearance off the line kept things level.
Things were starting gain momentum, the game picked up pace and was getting exciting at both ends of the pitch, that was until Ollie Preston who was seemingly bullied and bruised at Stapenhill went down with a knock and the game was stopped to accommodate, Ollie came off as Hartopp comes on, Nomads reshuffling the defence and formation, and now with two fast hunger goal scorers on the pitch a goal would surely come soon, but Greenwood too could take advantage with counters now that Ollie was not there to stop them.
Foster found himself In space deep in the heart of Greenwoods defence and unleashing his shot but the keeper was ready for it this time, Hartopp too had his first attempt on goal as the keeper comes scurrying out towards the edge of the area, his curled attempt hits the post though.
With the keeper feeling confident in his abilities so far he’d run out to Joes next run towards goal but this time Hartopp goes for the chip and does so with such grace as it lobs the keeper and falls neatly into the goal. As half time approaches Nomads would be happy to be in front but an ambitious shot from outside the box by Luke Day almost saw us double the lead, nevertheless we go into the break with a 1 goal lead.
After a disappointing cup of coffee and some stale biscuits (sorry Greenwood, I have to be honest, but your company was friendly enough to make up for it.) The second half began, and Nomads found themselves with a free-kick in dangerous territory, it’d be a shame if I dropped my glove at this point else I would of missed the goal, probably would of thought it was someone else that scored too but Daz Taylor was the one to find his name on the scoresheet as Nomads go 2-nil up now.
Greenwood were not going to back down though, this isn’t the same team that has sat bottom for the last few years, this Greenwood was going to fight for survival, a quick counter attack saw them claw a goal back and boost their confidence. That confidence was soon tested as Nomads push forward and a ball into the box was almost headed into their net by their own player but it narrowly goes the other side of the post, nice attempt though so we may just put 7 days in for him.
Still plenty of time left in this game as Greenwood launch another dangerous counter attack, their first attempt hits the post but quick passing (albeit offside passing) levelled the game up here, the player has been offside in every attempt so far but I suppose he didn’t let that little detail bother him.
Nomads had to work hard now to regain the lead, Daz Taylor breaks into some space and weaves himself around the keeper but before he can walk across the line he gets dragged down by the man with gloves. No cards given in the match to this point and under the laws of the game that should have been at least a yellow card and many would have gave a red, maybe the Ref felt sorry for the side who have already been struck with fines for not being able to field their old team. A good job then that Daz coolly slotted away the penalty and without grudges we got on with the match.
Greenwood would have one last effort to regain a point from the match a good free kick hits the wrong side of post (who will be rushing to A+E after all these hits they’ve taken,) and the game concluded soon after. A good game from Nomads, we look in control for the most part but Greenwood had some good counter attacks and showed some promise, with a bit more training and backing from their new friends the “Magpies” could be a dark horse next season.
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