Bingham Town FC showed great determination Saturday to draw 1-1 against a talented Unity FC side at Butt Field.

It’s been a difficult off-season for Town with a new management team formed under last season’s Reserve Team Manager Carl Smith. However, performances in pre-season demonstrated that Town were ‘up for the challenge’ of the new season.

Town’s first game of the season was scheduled to be a tough challenge against Unity FC who last season took all six points against Bingham.

The game

Unity started the game on the front foot and demonstrated from the off that they are likely to be a top NSL team this season.
Unity appeared far more disciplined than last season, had real strength in depth with plenty of pace, which gave Town some difficulties in the opening half.

Town’s defence remained resolute and it was Bingham that broke the deadlock on 30 minutes through Jonathon ‘Woo’ Morley who dispatched a sublime shoot from the edge of the 18 yard box into the top left corner of goal.

Unity continued with the pressure as they looked for an equaliser. On 33 minutes, Unity’s midfielder was one-on-one with Town’s keeper, Tom Green, who managed to stand tall and deflect the shot away from goal with his body.

Unity got the equaliser their pressure deserved on 42 minutes with a neatly dispatched volley after Town failed to clear their lines from a corner.

Half-time, Bingham Town FC 1 – 1 Unity FC

Unity started the second half as they finished the first, with continued possession and pressure on Town’s defences.

Town continued to put in a real shift and were resolute in closing down Unity’s attacking efforts. Despite Unity’s dominance they couldn’t find the decisive ball.

Town’s goal keeper, Tom Green, who has stepped up this season from the Reserves, was having a productive game.
On 70 minutes, Green showed real determination to keep Bingham in the game and ‘cleaned’ out fairly a Unity striker who was bearing down on goal.

Green then pulled off a game saving save on 86 minutes. Again, Unity was clean through on goal. Green dived to his left and parried the shot safely out for a corner.

Full-time, Bingham Town FC 1 – 1 Unity FC

Following the game Town’s manager said “Unity had possession for most part of the game however we ‘set up’ to deal with this and took our chances when they were presented”

Post-match analysis from the ‘Shed End’

It was always going to be a tough opening game of the season against Unity FC who took all six points off Bingham last season.

What was evident from this game is that Town showed a real team spirit to ground a result out which was not so apparent last season.

The manner of the draw, against strong opposition, was really pleasing for all to see with every player on the pitch giving 110%.
Next up this Tuesday night is Newark Flowserve who visit Butt Field.

Confidence in the Bingham camp will undoubtedly be high and Town have a real opportunity to add to their season opening point.