Closing the gap on the pack

Yews tree v nomads
payne pen 40 Eastman 20 31 89
payne pen 54
s green 65

Norton nomads Hat-trick hero Jamie Eastman haunted the Yews Manager again in a rousing match which had all the hall marks of a typical sunday league match. Yews Player-boss Js Glasson was minutes away from his second win of the season when up popped Eastman to rifle home the levler past a stranded Da Silva, to make it 3-3. Nomads coming back yet again to force a point as it did in the reverse fixture last year.
It could have been so different if Lone striker Mark Wallis had buried the ball into the net rather than snatch at it and see it go wide, after running on to Lee Romains throughball three minutes into the match.
The Yews Boss tried his umpteenth formation change with Both of his top scorers Mikey Payne and Stuart Green filling the midfield with midfield dynamo rory kelly running the left flank,while Lee Romain returned and replaced his Gaffa on the right wing. Andy Pringle was making a rare start and was the only change in defence with Da Silva filling in for the absent Makwana.
Visitors Nomads arrived in numbers and encamped themselves on the west side of the pitch, which was in pristine condition. The groundsman had done a good job considering the weather we have had of late. All that was needed was a official Referee and some quality footballs.Its like a lottery when u ring up to find a referee and they come no better than George Hill. The aging offical was immune to the nomads gawps as he promptly asked to look at thier boots and thier balls.and waved away Yews Protests about the noises coming from their encampment.And the balls well....
The Match started of in frantic fashion, with Nomads testing the yews defence very early but they stood up, soaked the pressure and then settled into thier new formation.There was more flank play from the home-side and it was Payne who was creating most of the play.and an early indication of the Yews threat came when he found Romain down the right flank who found wallis unmarked in the box.but the bulky striker could only snatch his shot wide. The Yews made more chances with runs down both flanks , but failed to
make anything off them.The Match was entertaining enough with the Referee getting much of the attention,but it became more seriouse issue when the Nomads opened the goal feast, a good build up through the middle and a pass to targetman striker Jamie eastman saw the long haired gangly striker turn past two defenders before shooting from acute angle, past Goalkeeper Da Silva to make it one nil. The Yews then conceded a second seven minutes later, Eastman again running onto a long ball over the defence, Chantly had been left flat footed by the striker and last man Pringle who looked like he had taken a knock struggled to avert the danger and eastman cooly slotted in his second of the game. Pringles last ditch tackle was his last as he was replaced by the Gaffa.
The Yews who themselves were 2-0 up in the last game still had faith brought themselves back into the game by bizarre fashion. Rory Kelly run down the left flank was impeded outside the box, but referee Georgy hill thought overwise and pointed to the spot.after a array of critism from Norton players and Manager who had the right to question his decision, Payne paved the way for a comeback slotting home from the spot. 1-2.The first half finished with the nomads edging the game.
The second half got off to a flyer with the Yews more dominant and they played some good football, Nomads looked weak on the flanks and the Yews exploited this everytime but could not get that final finish, Nomads also had spells where they were a danger but Eastman was marked well and Da silva was rarely tested, Rangers were then given another lifeline, A long ball foward searched out Wallis who then seemed to be pushed in the box, referee Georgy Hill(his name will haunt nomads just like Eastman does me)pointed to the spot,Payne duly slotted home his second penalty of the game and leaves him three away from beating Ryan Deweys 21 a season record from 2002-2003.
2-2 and it was looking good for the yews who were on top of thier game, and ten minutes later Mikey payne and Stuart Green linked up to create the Homesides lead, Payne unselfishly putting in green to slot in the Yews third goal off the game . 3-2. Mikey payne could have given the home side a two goal cushion on 73 minutes ,when he took the ball twenty yards upfield before rifling a shot of the crossbar. Rory kelly was then replaced by andy Horton after injuring himself in a tackle. The last ten minutes saw the Yews defending tirelessly any ball in was quickly booted out and it looked like a close win for the yews, with time running out play was stopped for a nomads player who felt the full force of the ball in his face, this stoppage caused a lack of concentration. The ball was returned to Da Silva whoes goal kick was headed back into his box , where Eastman who was placed well to rifle in a equalizer against the run of play.3-3. A minute later the full whistle was blown......final score 3-3.


SQUAD

DA SILVA L KENNEDY N CHANTLY A PRINGLE M SELF
R KELLY M PAYNE S GREEN J GREEN M WALLIS L ROMAIN

SUBS J GLASSON A HORTON