Linby were able to come away from a soggy Keyworth with all three points after two goals in each half sealed a hard fought victory, writes Kieran Booker
A double for Aidy Harris, a Kye Pilmore strike and a late Gary Atkins penalty helped the side continue their impressive unbeaten start to 2017.
It was the home side who started the strongest as Linby had to contend with a blinding sunlight, first half incline and a towering defence which led to an unusually slow start by the visiting players. Even so, Lewis Weaver had the first chance of the game when he raced around the keeper with less than a minute played before seeing his shot cleared out for a corner.
At the other end, Keyworth’s Patrick Sneath nearly got his side the opener after he attempted an audacious lob of Jamie Davies. His quickly taken free kick from the half way line flew inches over the Linby goalkeeper’s crossbar.
The home side started to control the possession as the first half went on but without properly troubling Davies. Beau Brady had his sides best chances but could only see his free header in the box flick wide after connecting to a long range free kick.
With 34 minutes gone, it was Linby who managed to pull themselves ahead. A diagonal ball from the right was met by Mitchell Slawson on the left wing, he was able to dart the ball back into the centre where it was brought down and buried home by Kye Pilmore.
Richard Whyman tried to get his side a quick response but his curling effort from the edge of the box flew just over Davies’ goal.
With the half coming to an end, the early troubling sunlight was quickly substituted for a heavy rain shower. The weather didn’t stop Linby though who was able to double their lead just before the break. Captain Aidy Harris was able to produce an incredible Cruyff turn on the penalty spot before smashing the ball home.
It took less than 8 minutes of the second half for Linby to get themselves a third. Lewis Weaver was able to weave his way through the defence down the left wing, it was eventually played to his captain who managed to fire home with his shot bouncing in off of the right post.
Luke Burrell thought he had got his side a goal back after breaking through and sliding a shot past Jamie Davies into the right corner but unfortunately the linesman had already put his flag up for offside.
Linby were able to seal the victory from the spot as they were awarded a penalty with 9 minutes to go. Lewis Weaver had initially rounded the keeper but could only see his shot bounce back to him off the post, as the winger attempted another go he was clipped. Gary Atkins stepped up and calmly slotted the ball home from 12 yards.
After the game Lewis Saxby said “It was a scrappy performance, I don’t think we played particularly well in the first half but we held on and saw the game through to a victory. It’s good to see our early good run of form in 2017 continue and if it carries on we can hopefully finish in a top 6 place.”
