Gedling Miners Welfare made the short trip to near neighbours and local rivals Arnold Town desperately seeking three vital points that would keep their FA Cup qualification hopes for next season alive.
They travelled to Eagle Valley on the back of 2 recent defeats against Radford and Selston, whilst their hosts, at the business end of a torrid campaign, came into the game sat second bottom in the league, but did pick up a point against Belper United at the weekend, albeit their first since December 23rd.
The game began in a very cagey manner with both teams lacking any form of cohesion and were rushed in their approached. Arguably, Arnold began the better of the two teams and showed good composure in possession early on. However, as the half wore on, neither side produced any noteworthy action as both struggled to bring their respective forward lines into the affair.
Adam Morley threatened the statistics sheet on the 25th minute but his shot from distance went wide. 3 minutes later, the full back once again tried his luck and, rather fortuitously, nearly put Gedling one to the good but his deflected effort bounced the wrong side of the post after wrong footing James Elliott in the home goal.
At this stage Gedling were on top of proceedings and controlled the game as expected but still lacked that cutting edge in front of goal and were limited to only half chances from distance. On the half hour, Joe Meakin took aim but his shot flew high over the crossbar. However, they didn’t have to wait too long to take the lead as, 2 minutes later, they were ahead. After fine build up in the middle of the park by Aboubacar Sylla, his good interact play with Meakin eventually found Connor Croft on the left and his cute cut-back to the penalty spot found an unmarked Jack Jepson who cleverly dispatched the ball into the roof of the net for his 20th of the season in all competitions.
Despite going a goal down, Arnold still continued to press and sought the long ball to the experienced Lee Croft to get things going. However, they struggled to materialise anything in the final third and, for the most part, failed to trouble Gedling. At the other end, Croft, after a great touch to find himself in behind Andrew Danylyszyn, fired over from the edge of the area. Sylla then found himself in behind once more after a slip from Ross Chilton but his effort was smothered by Elliot shortly before referee Thomas Hales drew an end to the first half.
The hosts came out the better team after the break and it was evident that they were out to make a game of what is always a highly anticipated encounter. Their football was commendable and their wide threat of Courtney Bonnick and Jawanza Grant started to come to fruition. However, it was Gedling who continued to share the better of the chances. Just before the hour, Errol Campbell, Croft and Meakin all combined, but the latter’s effort was skewed wide as he looked to double his sides lead. 3 minutes later, though, and they did just that.
After Danylyszyn felled Campbell, in what some would argue deserved a dismissal, Meakin stepped up and from all of 30 yards superbly curled his effort past the despairing Elliott via both posts. The ball deemed already over the line by assistant Colin Brooks before Jepson could poke home. Despite the cushion, Arnold continued to press forward and were good in spells, though they continued to struggle in front of goal as their attacking threat, previously dangerous, had somewhat subsided.
Gedling looked poised after doubling their lead and started to thread their passes together and looked impressive in possession whilst not necessarily posing any further danger to Elliot’s goal. Luke Smith speculatively fired an effort on goal but it went soaring wide of the post. At the other end, Smith’s defensive capabilities were tested when he ensured Danny Brown’s clean sheet remained unblemished. After rounding brown, Grant must have thought he was to half the arrears and get his side back into the game but for an outstanding committed tackle by the full back forced the ball for a corner when an open goal was gaping.
Their best chance came and went as Arnold assumed their 24th league defeat was on the horizon. Adam Nelson did have another opportunity to make the final 10 minutes nervous for Gedling but his effort optimised their night as his free kick sailed over the crossbar, worrying the advertising hoardings behind the goal more than anything else and, from the resulting goal kick, Gedling ensured all 3 points headed back to Plains Road on 86 minutes.
After a good one-two between Jimmy Spiers and Croft found the winger in behind Chilton his drilled shot-cum-cross found substitute Jay Knight who had the simple task of tapping home at the back post as the visitors celebrated confirming their victory.
In their defence, Arnold continued until the end to force the impetus and they may have added a consolation but Grant’s effort late on was easily collected by Brown as Mr. Hales drew a close to the derby.
Nothing spectacular on the evening, but a much-needed 3 points for The Miners as they continue to battle it out with Birstall for sixth positon and for that all important FA Cup qualification place next season. Having now played all their away games for the campaign, attention turns to first of the 4 remaining home games as Birstall visit Plains Road on Saturday (21st April), 3pm kick off.
