THIS was a thoroughly entertaining match played by two teams determined to play attacking football.

Both teams made a lively start and the visitors saw an early header go over the bar while Sam Pearson shot narrowly wide for Belper.

Normanton then broke down the left and a cross which should have been cut out by Belper left the visitors with a simple tap in to open the scoring.

Belper then almost got a freak equaliser when a clearance hit Pearson and just cleared the bar. Normanton should then have gone 2-0 when a cross from the right just needed a tap in but the striker fluffed his effort and Belper cleared.

Good work from Connor Mason down Belper's left produced a fine cross which Ross Holland converted with a fine header for 1-1.

The impressive Luke Fenton produced another run down the left but his cross was too strong before Elliott Mason then burst through the middle of the pitch and his shot the broke to Holland who made it 2-1.

The visitors shot narrowly wide early in the second half and Holland made another fine run for Belper. The third goal came from excellent work from Rhys Stokes who pulled the ball back for Holland to complete his hat-trick.

The visitors again shot wide with only Rob Thompson to beat in the goal.

Belper then secured the victory when Fenton had a shot saved and Stokes chipped the ball into the net off the post.

The visitors still had chances and pulled a further goal back with the last kick of the game.

Luke Fenton was man of the match for a powerful display but there were many excellent performances from both teams.

Belper Town Black Sox Under-10s 0, Littleover Villa 0

This was the battle of the top two in the top division and it doesn't get much bigger than this!

Littleover had proved Black sox's nemesis in previous seasons, just pipping them to the title. However, towards the end of last season there was the sign of a slight shift in power during an epic encounter that Black Sox were unfortunate to only draw.

This match again pitched the big guns in good form.

Tom Chinn was the goal keeper with skipper Jorge Knowles accompanied by James Rowson Jones and Barney Andrews in defence. In front of them were Joel Cain on the left, Ben Cartwright on the right and Jake Wright in the centre. Bobby West was on the bench with Charlie Martin, a late replacement for the injured Rafe Gregory.

Joel Cain had been given a man marking job, only to find his opponent on the bench! However, it was he who forced his team forward from the off linking well with Ben Cartwright and Jake Wright.

The game was played at a high tempo with flowing football end to end.