Gedling Miners Welfare welcomed Derbyshire outfit Borrowash Victoria to Plains Road on a crisp Saturday afternoon looking to avenge their 3-0 defeat to the visitors in the reverse fixture in August.
Both sides, troubled with inconsistency and were unseparated in mid-table at the start of play, came into the game with similar records so far this season and each suffered defeat last time out.
The game began sloppy and the pitch, affected somewhat by the recent adverse weather, was proving a difficult variable for both sides as they struggled to adopt their respective game plans. Jimmy Spiers registered Gedling’s first real shot in anger after 8 minutes, but his effort was easy pickings for Louis Kinnerley in the away goal.
Gedling started brighter but ultimately the game was scrappy on the eye. Debutant David Boafo drove forward but failed to worry Kinnerley and his defensive four and it became clear early on that the game would dwindle into a very uneventful tie as the half wore on. Both teams, to their credit in difficult conditions, tried in vain to contribute any form of footballing prowess to proceedings but was restricted by cheaply giving away of possession much to the disgruntlement of each managerial team. 22 minutes had surpassed when Joe Meakin registered his side’s next noteworthy attempt, but his shot proved an easy collection for Kinnerley as Gedling looked the better side.
At this stage the half continued in a humdrum spectacle as both sides, even when they looked threatening, failed to produce anything that worried Kinnerley and Scott Miles in the Gedling goal. Just before the half, in what was Borrowash’s first registered attempt on goal, Devon Livingston stung a volley towards goal from a cleared Shay Wiggins corner but his effort was always curling away from the far post. All square at the break and certainly not an affair that was worth writing home about.
However, only 2 minutes into the second period and the home side may have taken the lead. From a Ross McCaughey corner, Boafo rose highest amongst the pack but his superb header was clawed out of the top corner by Kinnerley and turned around for another Gedling set piece. Though, contrary to the quick-paced start to the second half, the game reverted back to a very fragmentary game. It took until the hour mark for the travellers to double their attempts tally but, after losing Charlie Roberts, Idris Kabongo could only steer his header wide from a deep Roberto Labatte cross.
As the game ticked on and with very little on show in terms of a goal scoring threat, the consensus amongst all those in attendance was that the spoils would be shared. However, 6 minutes from the end, and Gedling, arguably deserved, took the lead. A bout of indecisiveness in the Borrowash defensive line presented Jimmy Spiers the opportunity to dance around a series of tackles before caressing the ball home with the outside of his boot – a fine reward for the skipper that coupled his man of the match performance on the day.
But, despite the lead, the last 5 minutes proved nervy for Gedling despite looking unworried for the most part as Borrowash did find the net twice. However, both goals from in swinging corners, a carbon copy of one another, were disallowed by referee Will Murray for alleged pushes on Miles in the home goal to the frustration of all those connected with the away side.
After overcoming such a period, though, Gedling did finally sealed the 3 points in the second minute of injury time. Ryan Plummer, a second half substitute after his return from a lengthy absence, cut inside and his left footed effort deflected nicely into the path of Jake Wholey who calmly slotted the ball past Kinnerley to ensure the victory was confirmed for Gedling.
They travel to Warwick Road in Leicestershire on Tuesday night (9th January) to face Blaby and Whetstone Athletic in a game rearranged due to the cancellation in December (KO 19.45).
Gedling Miners Welfare Man of the Match – Jimmy Spiers
Match Attendance – 71
