1 March 2009
GFSN League
Away (Hove)

A vastly under-par performance saw Nottingham grab a fortuitous victory in a nervy, tense affair on a cloudy afternoon in Hove. Without their injured top scorer and their manager it was obviously going to be a tough slog, especially on a bobbly pitch, but some players sadly didn't seem to realise it and didn't contribute enough.

There were no early danger signs however as Ballbois opened well and when James H sprinted down the left and crossed on ten AJ was on hand to head over the keeper to take the lead. Surprisingly though this didn't spur the team on and they relaxed, taking their feet off the gas.

Unnecessary free kicks were conceded in areas where no visible problems were evident and Brighton were playing to their strength - set pieces. They were gaining corners also and equalised on the half hour from one with a bullet header, but the marking was truly shocking.

Within minutes another header found the net but was surprisingly disallowed. This massive let-off finally stung Ballbois into action and they led again on 35 when Damian S cut inside and fired a twenty yard belter under a helpless keeper. Tony then saved well to his left as the game stepped up a gear with half time approaching.

Nottingham were lucky to be ahead so Craig dished out a considered, constructive team-talk and the early signs were positive as passing and wing play came into their game for a time. A third goal was oh so close on 47 but Bandits cleared a goalmouth scramble and gained in confidence themselves as they witnessed the visitors settle into a state of mediocrity again. That was asking for trouble and when two defenders left a ball to bounce six yards out the resulting poor clearance fell to the Bandits' best player who didn't look a gift horse in the mouth to level matters up at two apiece.

From that point on there appeared to be only one winner with Brighton in the ascendancy. Inspiration was required and fast so a touchline consultation resulted in Craig S stepping into proceedings with twelve minutes left and he immediately added bite and calmness to a floundering midfield. The gamble paid off on 89 when a deep corner saw Brett L head back strongly into the danger zone and the ball broke kindly to Jordan K who couldn't have picked a better time to score his first goal of the season.

Bandits last gasp corner saw a decent shot brilliantly blocked by the skipper and Nottingham had held on to go top again in this exciting season of GFSN competition. The 'get out of jail' card has definitely been used here.

Team: Tony L, Shaun B, Brett L, Jeff N, Adam R, Jordan K, Ian R, AJ, James H, Damian S, Chris L
Subs: Matt H, Gareth D, Craig S. Subs unused: Kevin F, David O, John S
Goals: AJ, Damian S, Jordan K