Linby will be frustrated that they didn’t get anything this afternoon after losing 2-1 at promotion chasing Sherwood Colliery, writes Kieran Booker
First half goals from Julian Topliss and Jamie York helped give the home side all three points with Lewis Weaver’s consolation strike in first half injury time not enough to turn the tie.
Sherwood was able to open the scoring after just three minutes as they raced forward on their first attack of the match. Julian Topliss was able to receive the ball out on the left wing and was a bit fortunate to see his cross-cum-shot fly past everyone and crawl into the net at the back post.
The away side picked themselves up and instantly pushed for an equaliser. Lewis Weaver was able to drive at Alex Smith in the Sherwood net but his shot could only fly directly at the goalkeeper.
Minutes later, Smith was back in action again. Linby pumped a free kick from the half way line straight towards Jonathan Jenkinson at the back post, he was then able to knock it back into the path of Mitchell Slawson who had a driving shot blocked by the flying feet of Smith.
Julian Topliss showed good reaction and pace to race onto a through ball down the centre of the pitch after 16 minutes. The attacker was able to run between two defenders but could only scuff his shot wide of the post.
Both sides continued to create chances but it was Sherwood’s Alex Smith who was the busier of the keepers as the first half went on. A Tremere Lindo corner had to tipped away from a congested penalty area before Smith was fortunate to stop a Jonathan Jenkinson header from close range as the ball fired against his body.
Just before the half hour mark, Sherwood doubled their lead through Jamie York. Eden Homer was given space out on the right wing to whip a ball into the box, neither the Linby defence or the keeper reacted to clear the ball giving Jamie York the opportunity to stab the ball home from 8 yards out.
Lewis Weaver handed Lewis Saxby’s men a lifeline in first half injury time as he was able to latch on to a ball and race down the left side of the field before calmly slotting it home. From the re-start the young striker nearly got another as he again raced down the left side but this time could only shoot straight at the keeper.
Both sides continued the second half as they ended the first in a competitive spirit. Sean White was called into action early on to clear off his own sides goal line before Tremere Lindo curled a free kick over from the edge of the Sherwood box.
Sean White showed his dominance in the air at the attacking end when he saw his header cleared off the line by Yogi Depass from a corner in the 78th minute.
Both sides knew another goal would be vital and the attacking continued right to the end. Jamie Davies had to make two close range saves in the 85th minute before Lewis Weaver finished a great passing move for Linby with a long range strike but unfortunately Alex Smith comfortably collected it.
After the game Linby manager Lewis Saxby said “I thought we deserved something from the match today. We conceded two soft goals and that has cost us, the players need to learn from those mistakes but our performance today shows how far we are progressing.”