South Normanton came into the game as red-hot favourites to take a massive step towards winning the title and promotion to the National League System at Step 6, with Teversal arriving knowing anything from this game would be a bonus in their battle for survival in the Regional Feeder League, staying in the Black Dragon Premier Division South.

The game started off at a high tempo that both sides wouldn’t be able to maintain, with the Shiners dominating possession, but the Tevie looking structured and resolute in protecting their goal whilst looking a threat going forward on the break.

It was on one of those breaks that on 14 minutes Teversal won a free kick in the home side half, which Ordidge delivered towards Parfitt, who went up to head goalwards only to be fouled by Ryan Hadley with Referee immediately pointing to the penalty spot. Nathan Hadley stepped to confidently disposed the spot kick leaving the Shiners Keeper and Captain Etheridge with no chance to deny the visitors a 0-1 lead.
But like all top sides South Normanton wasn’t fazed by this set back and within a minute was back level at 1-1. Josh Deveraux received the ball out wide on the right using the space well before picking out Richards on the edge of the 18-yard box to finish with a clinical strike into the bottom corner out of the reach of Jablonski’s left hand whilst at full stretch.

The difference in styles made for an intriguing game, with Normo playing some excellent football trying to break down the resolute Tevie defence who was keeping the host at bay ensuring that any goal bound efforts were generally coming from outside the penalty area and was working well until the 36th minute. Josh Deveraux picked up a clearance about 20 yards, taking a quality first touch that allowed him to step onto the ball and pass it out of the reach of Jablonski and in off the inside of the post to make it 2-1 with a top draw finish.

When you are in the positions these two clubs are, there is a general feeling that to win something you have a certain amount of luck and if things are going against you, you don’t get that bit of luck, best demonstrated in the Shiners third goal on 41 minutes. George Morris chanced his hand from just outside the 18 yards box and Ordidge attempted block deflected the ball to the opposite side of the goal to that which it was intended, totally wrong-footing Jablonski to see the host take a 3-1 lead into the break.

The second half took on a slower pace and allowed Teversal far more possession in the Normo half as the shown some true character trying to get back in the game, with it being more of a midfield battle.

Any hopes the Tevie boys held were further suppressed on 61st minute when a missed placed pass saw Morris pick up the ball to release Richards despite McWilliams desperate attempt to intercept with the striker going on to take the opportunity into his stride to finish and effectively secure the three points for the home side.

The home side controlled the final 30 minutes, with the visitors not relenting in their efforts to try and get something from the game, but Shiners quality shone through to make another big step in their quest for the title and the elusive promotion that their facilities and football surely deserves. For Teversal, if they maintain the level of performances they have shown recently, their final eight games will seal their destiny come May time.

Teversal: Adam Jablonski, Will Hunter, Jack McWilliams, Oliver Rouse (Fynn Marshall 84), Scott Taylor (Rocco Hardy 82), Ryan Ordidge, Shane
Burton (Callum Spencer 66), Josh Parfitt (Troy Maltby 77), Dillon Gregory (Sam Jackson 50), Cory Burton, Nathan Hadley. Subs Not Used: All used.

Tevie Bar Player Of The Match – Nathan Hadley

Next outing is on Saturday 25nd March 2025 with a trip to Derby to face Derby Singh Brothers for a 3:00pm kick off in arguable a relegation 6 pointer.