NSL Game 3 Southwell Vs Newark Flowserve.

After a frustrating abandonment on Saturday after 10 minutes due to an unfortunate injury after leading 1-0 we turned our attention to the Tuesday night local derby away at Southwell City FC .
A few changes to the squad were required due to injuries and players working away, Hillier came in to replace Price ,Hales slotted in at right back for the absent Broxholme, Barnes came back into the starting line up following a groin injury picked up by sol miller at the weekend, the bench was made up of the the return from injury from Ricky North which was a huge boost to have him back in the squad, Liam Moran returning from Holiday and Tom Perkins and Ricky O'Connell awaiting an opportunity.
The 1st few minutes we were sloppy in possession and gifted southwell an opportunity which we got punished for 1-0 , The general balance of play was edged by southwell in the first period mainly caused by our own mistakes , Two further goals led from mistakes on set pieces and general poor play putting us under the cosh and going in to the break 3-0 down which could have been more to be fair and left us with a mountain to climb second half, we did however still create chances in the first half but just not clinical enough in the final third, southwell were well organised and with dangerous players up top which we didn't manage well and they were deserved leaders at the interval.

3-0 HT

We sat down at the break and assessed the situation and what a response the lads put together in the second 45 , from the second the ref blew the whistle we were a different side winning individual battles all over the park and playing in areas that made the opposition uncomfortable leading to continuous chances falling our way, Burrows and the back 4 got to grips with the city attack line, Beckett and Lloyd took a firm hold of the central midfield battle , goal machine King struck to give us a deserved goal 3-1 and now we were chasing the game , the pattern of play continued with waves of attacks and the organisation was in place to limit city to hardly any chances in the 2nd period, after the hard work to give us a chance two changes were made to keep us lively all over with Moran and North replacing Barnes and Attard.
Both players had a great impact on the game and providing striker king with more support, service into the new look forward line was much improved from the first half and we were sharper and stronger man for man all overt the pitch putting city under intense pressure which led to us being awarded a free kick 25 yards out, Hillier stepped up and expertly curled the ball over the wall and into the top right hand corner of the net 3-2 in typical style , GAME ON !!!

As we pushed for the equalizer city got away a couple of time inevitably but the back 4 and Burrows held strong and dealt with the treat with a fine 2nd half performance, Burrows looking a lot sharper of his line clearing up any danger and looking extremely strong in aerial battles.

As the waves of attacks and quality balls forward and into the box continued we finally got a deserved equalizer on 86 minutes from the head of the Impressive North making his first appearance from injury since the end of last season.

Into the final minutes of the game City's pacey striker got away but was met by a strong and determined challenge from Keeper Burrows who was again quick of his line to expertly deal with the danger , we followed that by more good play Beckett spraying dangerous balls forward and controlling the central midfield , into injury time Hales pushed forward from right back with the momentum still in our favor to deliver an absolute peach of a cross which was perfectly met by North to convert past the helpless city keeper on 94 mins, 4-3 Flowserve .

The elation of the goal had to be halted as the game restarted although very temporarily as the referee blew the final whistle, enabling the celebrations to continue from a very satisfying win showing the character in the team which will serve us well in which will be a testing season ahead.

A strong City side will be kicking themselves from letting the 3 nil lead slip away and we go home proud of the way the players put right the sloppy 1st half to come out deserved winners, every single player putting 110% in proving hard work is essential to any form of success.

We will learn from our mistakes in the first half and look to continue our 2nd half performance on Saturday as we turn our attention to the home fixture vs Attenborough down at Lowfields 3pm k/o .