CAVALIERS 2

IN the last game of the season Belper edged the verdict from a tough test against high flying Cavaliers who were looking for a win to cement their third-placed position.

In the last meeting Belper lost out in a 3-2 defeat , against arguably one of the better footballing sides in their league.

But y et again Belper started sluggishly and this was taken advantage of as some great football from Cavaliers saw them open the scoring inside two minutes.

The first ten minutes saw Belper hardly able to touch the ball and if it hadn’t been for the outstanding Sol Swarvett in goal it could have been a cricket score.

At last a glimmer of hope came in the form of Josh Meredith who, from the heart of defence, ran past all the players and unleashed a shot which was dropped by the keeper, only for the Cavaliers defender to make a back pass in the box.

The resulting free kick was driven hard and low by Harry Everley to level the scores at 1-1.

This was the quickest and most entertaining game any supporter had witnesed as both the teams played tight attacking football , a credit to the players and managers.

Cavaliers then struck again as a tricky run down the right allowed a sweet cross to be volleyed into the net , to make it 2-1 to Cavaliers.

A change of personel saw the introduction of Elliot Clow and Tom Hodson who gave the team the lift they needed on a scorching day.

Jack Webster went on a penetrating run only for his pass to be cleared , but the ball fell to James Green who unleashed a 20-yard shot that the keeper could not hold and it was 2-2 and game on for the last five minutes.

At this point the game was all Belper as their extra fitness paid dividends.

Sam Hallam was instrumental in the drive to win, as his constant battling stopped Cavaliers and created chances for Belper.

The times that Cavaliers did attack Sol Swarvett produced outstanding save after save.

In the dying minutes possesion was lost by Cavaliers and the quick thinking cross by Everley found Dave Bowdler’s foot to make the score 3-2 in favour of Belper.

The last couple of minutes passed without any futher attacks from Cavaliers and Belper ran out winners.

This now concludes Belper’s under-10 season, as Black Sox and Gold Sox merge to create one team at under-11 level.

A big thankyou to all players and parents for the support shown to all managers during the last season.

TT FIXINGS man of the match: Sol Swarvett.

BELPER TOWN GOLD SOX U10s 3

DUFFIELD DYNAMO LIONS 3

ON a pitch in desperate need of a mow , Belper went into their penultimate game needing a win to secure sixth place in a testing but rewarding season.

Opponents were Duffield who were up for the local derby match.

A sluggish start from Belper put them on the back foot straight away and if it was not for the alertness of keeper Sol Swarvett , Town could have found themselves behind.