Netherfield Albion welcomed Calverton MW to the Inspire Stadium on Saturday where the two sides played out a 1-1 draw.
It was Albion’s first game at their new home and they took a little while to adapt to the bigger pitch, with Calverton starting the better.
The Visitors, although well drilled and playing with a high tempo failed to really trouble a new look Albion rear-guard that included 3 debutants’ in Davey Muirhead, Ash Batchford and 16 year old Matty Fowler. Kieran Johnson went close for the Home team after latching onto a Tyler Smeed pass but in truth chances were at a premium.
Ten minutes into the second half though, the home side opened the scoring. Calverton failed to deal with a corner and Ash Batchford was on hand to smash home from eight yards to give his side the lead. Chris Kemp should have done better with a freekick from 25 yards but he couldn’t keep it down and it failed to trouble Calverton’s young Goalkeeper.
Calverton made some changes and introduced their substitutes and they seemed to give them some purpose in attack. In contrast Albion were forced to withdraw their striker Kieran Johnson after he tweaked his groin. Calverton were throwing everything at Netherfield who were just about coping but it was to be almost the last kick of the game that saw Calverton draw level. When Albion failed to clear a cross it fell kindly to Calverton substitute Joe Warner who drove into the bottom corner for what was in truth a deserved equaliser.
Goalscorers; Ash Batchford (Albion), Joe Warner (Calverton)
Albion Man of the Match: Davey Muirhead. The former Ilkeston player was calm and composed throughout.
