Central Midlands Alliance League Premier South – August 19
After their third successive home match to kick-start the Central Midlands Alliance Premier South season, Matt Peberday’s Linby side currently sit in seventh place having picked up back-to-back victories.
Numerous changes were made, for both sides, ahead of the clash, Linby starting goalkeeper Glenn Guyatt (dual registration from Keyworth United), a return to the club for Mitchell Slawson (on the bench), and a debut for 17-year-old Evan Smith in defence.
The hosts raced into a two-goal lead inside ten minutes, Dylan Walker with the opening goal after just three minutes when heading a Sean Craven corner past Max Charlottes in the visiting goal (3 mins; 1-0).
The visitors found themselves two goals down less than five minutes later, referee Nigel Smith pointing to the penalty spot after Craven was adjudged to have been fouled, Sanousi Ibrahim stepping up to convert (7 mins; 2-0).
Halfway through the first period and Cromford pulled a goal back following a corner of their own, Joshua Henshaw heading past Guyatt to offer a lifeline (22 mins; 2-1); it would be a short-lived one however when, five minutes before the interval, Linby restored their two-goal advantage.
Visiting shot-stopper, Charlottes, was faced with a one-on-one situation with the attacking Dylan Walker, who proceeded to fire home his sides’ third of the afternoon (40 mins; 3-1), the hosts with a seemingly comfortable lead at the break.
That comfort lasted but a matter of minutes upon the restart, Cromford making a game of it just two minutes into the second when a cross is fired home from six yards out by Declan Jenkins (47 mins; 3-2).
Fortunately for the hosts, that would be the end of the scoring, although there were several chances for Linby to extend their tally midway through the half as Mason Moore struck Charlottes upright, and Brad Gregory fired an effort wide of goal, within minutes of each other, they holding out for the three points.
Just one point splits the top seven sides in the division in this early stage, with Derby Singh Brothers sitting top of the pile, next up for Linby, a road trip to fellow, joint-second place side, Mickleover RBL, on Saturday 26 August (KO 15:00).
Linby CW – Glenn Guyatt, Evan Smith (Coupe, 63), Ethan Fells, Sanousi Ibrahim, Alex Patterson, Josh Wass (capt), Dylan Walker (Slawson, 60), Ewan Gibson (Gillan, 65), Ashdon Bernard (Gregory, 70), Sean Craven, Mason Moore
(subs – Mitchell Slawson, Bradley Gregory, Tom Coupe, Connor Gillan)
Cromford & Wirksworth – Max Charlottes, Samuel Appleby, Aaron Taylor, Lewis Land, Joshua Henshaw, Steve Mallinder, Ryan Smith, Ben Cartwright, Daniel Watson, Declan Jenkins, Noah Evans
(subs – Jordan Watts, Joseph Geeson, Matthew Dranfield, Scott Taylor, Graham Whysall)
Officials – Nigel Smith; Simon Owen; Howard Bevan
Linby MOM – Sanousi Ibrahim
Att: 65
NB – the draw has been made for the Nottinghamshire FA Senior Trophy First Round (to be played 7 October), Linby CW will play host to Meden Vale Colts
