Anstey settle for draw after ball bounces back out!
By Reece Preston-Hayes.

Nomads set to host Belper United for the second time this year, the earlier fixture was a League Cup match-up that ended with a narrow 3-2 win for the travelling side. That match was an even one throughout, and as extra time was on the cards it could of gone well past the 90 minute mark, but a quick attack by Belper only a few minutes before full time led them to victory with a great goal.

This time around, it’s a league match and the two clubs sit next to each other on the table, only 2 points separating the sides so again coming into this one we expected a close contest. A beautiful day for football as the soon was gleaming in the sky, but before the game the players, managers, and officials stood in united at the centre-circle as we respect those affected by the events in London.

The game underway after the respectful gesture and both teams looked to get started early, the away side had the better of the early half, a couple of close chances included a goal that was disallowed because the striker was offside. Belper remained in the driving seat for much of the first half, a strong tackle preventing another 1on1 run, Nomads were defending well, but Belper would continue to pour on the pressure trying to force us to crumble. Anstey had a small sniff at goal but the keeper comfortably saves the effort. Belper were on top here and this time they march through the defence before slotting the ball between the keeper’s legs to take the lead.

Nomads tried to get back in it but, would find themselves losing the ball too often to mount an attack and, Belper had a chance to go two nil up from a free kick but Stef made a great save to keep the gap as it is. A good half by Belper, a bad one for Nomads but we may turn it around in the second half.

Into the second half and Belper had another free kick this effort close to sneaking into the top right corner but fortunately for Nomads it just creeps over. Belper continued to show what they had shown for much of the first half, quick passing as they launched a counter attack but the shot wide. As the half went on Belper began to tire, this meant Nomads could press harder and ended up great position taking a shot at goal which goes over the line into the net, THEN bounces off the inner frame of the goal and comes back out, the linesman says it didn't go in but I say he wasn’t even looking. Everyone at the ground was shocked by this revelation, even the away fans who saw the ball clearly go in but it remains 1-0 to Belper.

Nomads kept pressing, they seemed more fired up now they have been denied a goal that went into the net. It looked like Ash Day would find us a goal after sprinting through the defense and his shot beating the keeper, but it went past the wrong side of the goal post.

Nomads still piling on the pressure, Joe Hartopp made his way into the box but is brought down as Nomads are rewarded a penalty, Ash Day who just missed our best chance so far would step up but Nomads prepared a sub, bringing Steve Armson on. However Ash would still take the penalty as he steps up and smashes it into the net ensuring the Ref and lineman saw it cross the line.

The half ends shortly after, a true game of two halves with Nomads showing their stamina to mount a come back, we probably deserved a win after the second half performance, but the Ref and Linesman definately deserve a trip to Specsavers, the game ends Anstey Nomads 1-1 Belper United

Final score: Anstey Nomads 1-1 Belper United