CLASSIC CUP TIE

Notts FA Junior Cup

First Round

WOODTHORPE PARK RANGERS 3 BURTON JOYCE 2 aet

2-2 after 90 mins

Att: 29

For Non League Football Day, I made my choice to go to two new Notts Senior League teams who Id only seen in pre season in the Notts FA Junior Cup. Woodthorpe Park Rangers play on pitch 5 of Eagle Valley, a pitch Id not seen a match played on before and have started their league campaign well, winning their first eight matches, Burton Joyce have also had some very good results, but when both sides met in the league recently, Woodthorpe won 6-3 and so went in to this tie as favourites.

The game began and it was Burton on the front foot forcing the home keeper to deal with a high cross after only 15 seconds, the game then had a few chances for both sides but became more of a entertaining midfield battle. Both sides being very well matched against each other and you could see why both sides are doing very well.

After 30  minutes, the deadlock was broken, when a cross was met by CONNOR PARKIN who headed in to the far corner of the net. Woodthorpe pressed forward for a second, whilst Burton Joyce broke on the counter attack and were nearly level when the home keeper was forced to make a save in mid air and push the ball over the bar.

On 43 minutes, the scores were level when Burton Joyce were awarded a penalty after a home defender had handled the ball, up stepped CHARLIE FRASER who stroked the ball low in to the net.

The Second Half was very even with both teams playing good football and after 61 minutes, Burton Joyce was awarded a second penalty when a defender pushed a attacker in the back, up stepped CHARLIE FRASER and placed the ball past the home keeper to give his side the lead.

Woodthorpe pressed forward whilst the rain hammered down and chances were still going begging. After 81 minutes, Rangers were back on level terms, when a corner from the right found the head of DANNY WALKER.

So in to extra time the game went, last season I attended 13 Cup matches and 11 went to extra time, this was my 2nd Cup game this season and now both had gone to extra time.

Both sides were struggling now with cramp after the 90 minutes had been played at a frantic pace, so the extra time period the pace slowed down. After 93 minutes, a handball in the Burton Box and MARKELL BAILEY hit home the 3rd penalty of the game. In the 111th minute, Markell had the chance to put th game safe awarded another penalty, but his effort crashed against the crossbar.

A game where their deserved to be no losers and both sides can come out of the game with a lot of respect, but it is Woodthorpe Park Rangers who go forward to play away at Ravenshead FC in Round Two.

Before the match, Woodthorpe Chairman/Manager PJ kindly donated £20 and then after in the pub 2 Gedling Southbank players  Oggy & Spiz donated £5 between them, so I would like to thank all of them, it now takes the massive total for MAGGIES CANCER CARE CENTRE based at Nottingham City Hospital to £1,130.75p

Photos from the game can be seen on this LINK