Black Sox U9s 1

Littleover Villa 1

FOLLOWING the previous week’s result, there was a quick opportunity for revenge!

Villa’s goal difference meant that the league was as good as won, but Belper really wanted to win this one and finish level on points at the top of the table – to finish equal with this side would be a good end to the season.

Belper seemed a little overpowered last week and were determined not to be so this time around – at the end of the game it would be Littleover wondering what on earth had hit them.

Manager Darren Barnes made a couple of key selection decisions after last week’s game, and lined up with Trent Pickering in goal and Rafe Gregory and Barney Andrews in defence.

Joel Cain slotted in at centre half to hopefully replicate his finest hour against Spondon in the cup and Jorge Knowles was pushed further forward.

His combative style, quick feet and strength on the ball completely unsettled Villa who have got used to having it all their own way. He was partnered by James Rowson Jones who was pushed further forward to add strength and speed to the attack, and the ever reliable Jake Wright was there again as centre forward.

Bobby West (carrying an injury), Tom Chinn and Charlie Martin were poised for action from the bench – hot shot Ben Cartwright was having a well earned holiday.

Littleover could be a forgiven for not fielding a strong team, but far from it. They just don’t do losing and fielded the same squad as last week, obviously hoping for the same result.

Belper were quick to force the pace from the off. Jake Wright was in amongst them quickly and forced two corners. The second led to a good ball from James Rowson Jones who crossed for Jake to strike hard and low – Belper had an early lead.

This really unsettled Villa and their big guns went very quiet.

This was partly due to tremendous Belper tackling with Joel Cain and Jorge Knowles getting in amongst it, and Rafe Gregory providing great cover.

It wasn’t long before Villa launched a wave of pressure, and it took headers off the line from Jorge Knowles and then Barney Andrews to keep them ahead.

Trent Pickering made a couple of smart saves and then launched another attack with some accurate kicking – this time James Rowson Jones sprayed a superb long pass to Rafe Gregory who drilled it just wide.

Belper maintained the pressure and Jake Wright then had one cleared off the line and Jorge went close from range. As half time approached Belper thought they had a second – Jake Wright headed in and everyone saw the ball cross the line, except the referee who did not let the ‘goal’ stand.