11 January 2009
GFSN League
Away (Edinburgh)

A 35-strong contingent of players and supporters made the long trek to Scotland for a match that was not to be. The signs were ominous as strong cross-winds battered the two minibuses as they made their journey along the A1.

By Sunday the 60mph winds were joined by icy cold rain and, at times, hail. The conditions were far from ideal for football - the worst that many had played in. Nottingham, however, took advantage of the tailwind in the first half to go 3-0 up, with goals from Craig S, Damian S and Jordan K.

At half-time, captains and managers were summoned by the referee to discuss the worsening conditions with a view to abandoning the game. Nottingham were not keen to waste a three-goal lead and a long journey, and so the game continued into a second-half.

By now, any attempt to play serious football was in vain as strengthening winds and worsening pitch conditions conspired to make the game a lottery. Hotscots now had the wind behind them and, six minutes into the half, clawed back a goal. Camped in the Nottingham half, they could have gone on to win, but the referee had had enough and blew to end the game - match abandoned.

The match was character building for all involved, both players and the stoic supporters who watched from the sidelines in freezing and wet conditions. The match has to be replayed, but the journey was not in vain as Nottingham enjoyed a superb night in Edinburgh thanks to the hospitality of the Hotscots.

Team: Tony L, John S, Paul B, Brett L, Shaun B, Matt H, AJ, Jordan K, Craig S, James H, Damien S
Subs: Simon R, Gareth D, Ian R. Subs unused: Scott L, David O
Goals: Craig S, Damian S, Jordan K