Humberside U16 3 v 2 Nottinghamshire U16
Nottinghamshire Under 16 representative squad travelled up to Humberside to take on Humberside for their first game in the Midlands Federation eastern league in what invariably proves to be a tough fixture. Unfortunately, they could not produce the explosive start they demonstrated in Manchester the previous week and within the first ten minutes found themselves with a mountain to climb as the home side rattled in two goals in as many minutes.
They did well to regain their composure and for almost all of the remaining 30 minutes of the half gave as good as they got in an excellent game. However, following the pattern of the first two goals, another piece of sloppy defending allowed Humberside to increase their interval lead to 3-0. Strangely, apart from the three goals which were probably Humberside’s only strikes on target, the first half had been a very even contest with Ross McParland hitting the angle of post and bar with a terrific curling effort from distance just before half time.
The second half saw Notts in the ascendancy as they gradually took a tighter grip of the Humberside forwards. Their increased work rate was rewarded in the 65th minute when Isaac Wealthall, cutting in from the right hand side, hit a fabulous effort from about 25 yards that gave the home keeper no chance. Notts piled on the pressure as the Humberside threat lessened and added a second goal three minutes from the end through Jimmy Rafferty. Another five minutes might have seen Notts conjure up an equaliser but it was not to be as the home side held on for a 3-2 victory.
