UCL Division 1
April 15, 2023
Miners’ captain Piliero bids farewell in last-day victory.
The Miners wanted to end a difficult season on a high note having secured safety last week but struggled in a disappointing first half.
Louis Richardson was called upon early as he denied a fierce strike from the Clifton forward after they broke away down the right-hand channel.
It was turning into a typical last-game-of-the-season affair with both sides lacking any clear-cut chances. Gedling’s brightest opening came on 26 minutes when Zachary Hill burst away down the right and his cutback was met by Greg Tempest whose effort from 20 yards was blocked and the sides went into the break level.
Gedling came out the traps better after the restart and on 51 minutes they created a good chance, Josh Thornton found Tempest who whipped in a cross which Gian Ciaurro headed wide of the left post from 15 yards out.
In the final 5 minutes the game came to life and Hill nearly scored a brilliant solo goal as he rode 4 challenges before his shot was well saved and the rebound was blocked.
But on the 93rd minute Gedling were given a chance to take the lead after Fenn Davies cross was blocked by the defender’s hand leaving the ref no choice but to point to the spot. Paolo Piliero who was playing his last ever game stepped up and smashed his penalty into the top left corner to give Gedling the lead and the former Long Eaton and Ilkeston Town man a parting gift on his superb career.
However, in the 6th minute of injury time the visitors looked to have stopped Gedling’s celebrations after a cross found Josh McGarvey who smashed his effort into the roof of the net to make it 1-1.
But in the 98th minute and with the last kick of the season Gedling won it, Kieran Harrison picked up the ball 25 yards from goal and he unleashed an effort which found the bottom left-hand corner to end Gedling’s season on a positive note and at the end Piliero was clapped off for the last time by a strong Plains Road turnout of 181 to show respect to a fan favourite at Plains Road for the last 3 years.
Gedling Team – Louis Richardson, Exauce Nsiala (Danny Dixon 45+3), Paolo Piliero (C), Kieran Harrison, Josh Stevenson, Ross McCaughey, Greg Tempest (TK Mushambi 56’), Josh Thornton, Courtney Hastings, Gian Ciaurro (Fenn Davies 56’), Zachary Hill.
