13 December 2009
GFSN Cup Quarter-final
Away (Litherland, Merseyside)

After going down to a first-minute goal and taking ten minutes to settle, Nottingham eased into the GFSN Cup semi-finals with a commanding performance not unlike last season, but then again they had a full squad available.

Craig S ran the show and set up player-manager Damian S for two well taken goals. The roles were reversed for the third with Merseyside struggling against decent crosses. Twenty-five minutes in, it was petty much one way traffic and Damian completed a fifth career hat-trick from eight yards after the referee had blown for an intentional back pass.

Then as half time approached Craig's goalbound header was handballed on the line which enabled John S to score his first ever goal (in his 58th GFSN appearance) from the penalty spot. Nottingham went into the interval with a 5-1 lead.

Truthfully the game was over as a contest and when Damian scored a sixth players were rested as everyone got onfield time. Mersey hit back with two quick goals in a very open game but thats where the fightback ended. The Ballbois should have scored more but wasted chances.

Although defensively not at their best, for the first time this season Nottingham looked extremely menacing going forward and it was pleasing on the eye to watch quality passing once again.

Team: Dave S, Gareth D, Brett L, Paul B, Adam R, Jeff N, Craig S, AJ, James H, Damian S, Chris L
Subs: John S, Craig M, Andrew M, Scott L, Tony L, Kaz H, Julie F
Goals: Damian S (4), Craig S, John S (pen)

Match gallery (opens in new window, hi-res images downloadable)