Ellistown FC rocked up at their big brother with nothing to lose and a point to prove following a heavy home defeat last time out.

A change in formation made to make us more solid at the back and fluid up front worked a treat for the first 15 minutes as we bossed the game against a quality team from the league above. We could have scored in the 2nd minute as Omah Bandeh headed wide from a corner. Omah was immense throughout the game.

The game changed on 16 mins when Michael Hills went for a loose ball and made a great old-fashioned sliding tackle, beating the Coalville midfielder to the ball. The law of physics meant when winning the ball, Michael had no other option then to slightly touch the opposing player who let out a massive scream before falling to ground like he had been shot. This enflamed the young home crowd who enjoyed bunking off from school homework.

As we waited for the air ambulance to arrive to take the seriously injured player away, a miracle happened. The player jumped up just as Michael reached the dressing room. Credit to the player who after the game admitted along with the knowledgeable home crowd who know a thing about football that Michael should have stayed on the pitch.

This followed a number of challenges on our keeper from the centre forward that took everyone back to 1930s. The last challenge resulted Kyle being bundled into the back of the net with the ball. More American Football then football.

This was not a dirty game; in fact, it was a high class game between two decent teams who gave each other respect.

With Michael off the pitch, the dynamics of the game changed as Ellistown went into survival mode and it was up to Coalville to break us down. We defended like lions with keeper and our man of the match Kyle Warren superb in goal, local legend Chris Sykes, captain leader, legend Sam Aldhouse and Kielan Thackeray supporting Omah in giving 200% at the back.

Midfielders Matthew Hart, Ruben Wilson and Charlie Watts chased every lost cause and our front two of Jack Bonell and Liam Watts defending from the front.

It was a shame that Coalville scored on the stroke of half-time through Finn Thomas as Ellistown deserved to go into the break level.

CTFC 1-0 EFC HT

Not surprisingly the 2nd half followed the 1st with Ellistown happy to soak up the pressure and it took until the 62 minute for Coalville to score the 2nd when the attacker wriggled into the penalty box and with no Ellistown player around him, tripped over his own shoelaces.

Up stepped captain Kian Taylor to score from the penalty spot.

CTFC 2-0 EFC 62 mins

It's good to see Kian playing again and again credit to the Coalville players and fans who agreed we were unlucky.

With the game over, we could have stopped playing and focused on the excellent post-match food put on by Coalville committee. We never, we continued to challenge for every ball and when given the chance we played some good football.

Coalville put the cherry on top with a 3rd goal on 77 mins through Billy Bowes.

CTFC 3-0 EFC 77 mins

Minutes were given to Devon King, Noah Fitzgerald, Harry Fairbrother and Joe Miles.

The final whistle went with our fans cheering off the Ellistown players who had put a shift in.

CTFC 3-0 EFC FT

Summary

Coalville FC always have been and continue to be a class football team on and off the pitch. Our committee were treated like royalty and we enjoyed the experience. In particular, thank you John Squires and Gary Pearson. To answer the home fans, yes, we did enjoy our big night out.

On the pitch we fitted into the new system like a duck to water and come away from Owen Street with more positives then negatives. It's important we take the positives into Saturday's crucial away game at Thurnby.

Last word goes to Coalville FC, the future is bright and good luck to them not just in the next round but to the next couple of years as they try and climb the national league ladder.

Ellistown FC

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