COALVILLE TOWN 0-1 SOUTHWELL CITY: THE REPORT & SPECIAL SCREENSHOTS OF THE GOAL & NEAR MISSES...

 Eckert’s Free-kick Enough To Beat New Ravens…

Coalville Town 0-1 Southwell City

The Mowdog’s thoughts…

792 was the attendance for a 12-noon kick-off at Owen Street, as part of the new season’s ‘Groundhop’ which even brought sunshine to the area. I had hoped to film from the stadium’s gantry with such a large crowd expected but that option wasn’t really encouraged…

However, the clash between Town and City was often played in near silence, in total contrast to the extremely loud music blasting from the loudspeakers before the match began. Perhaps many of the spectators were too busy munching on packed lunches and purchased food, or sipping from their beer glasses to make noise, or maybe the entertainment on offer lacked some excitement. 

It was often dour, as Southwell held onto their lead for a good amount of time, given them by Felix Eckert, whose free-kick from downtown flew past home goalie Tom Reeve, high into the left corner of the net. 

Reeve had raced from goal and upended Eckert, earning a yellow card in the process but he was well beaten by the City man’s splendid free-kick. 

Frustratingly for home forwards Edgars Nikolajevs and Ronnie Morley, too little decent service came their way and before the interval, the hosts really only managed to cause a couple of melees in the City 18 yard box, although winger Reece Hookaway did force a falling save at his left post by Southwell ‘keeper Isaac Pattinson.

The visitors though were twice denied by Reeve, who saved a curling Eckert drive with his glove-tips after being very fortunate when a flying volley from 18 yards by Aaron Ferenc clipped the crossbar and nearly bounced into the net as Reeve landed from his dive. He kept it out though, to his and colleagues’ relief.

Post half-time, the usual many substitutions, a few injuries and a second drinks break interrupted any flow the game might have had but with the trio of Blair Bryant, Brad Peace-McDonald and Drew Allwood remaining firm and resolute in the City rearguard, only the final ten minutes brought any real offense by the Ravens who just couldn’t seem to raise their intensity, or find some pace or bite, or really set about their opponents. 

A few times, good work on the left-flank by Zac Smithson ended with a delivery into the penalty-box but there didn’t ever seem to be a white shirt in the right place to attack the ball… 

Memorable moments…

Ferenc’s flying shot, Reeve’s save from Eckert and the foul on the City striker by the Town gloveman, which preceded a classy free-kick goal by the Southwell striker were all memorable before a large crowd. 

A few smart switches of direction with angled passes by City’s Ewen Armstrong were notable and both skippers, both wearing 8, Kian Taylor for the hosts and Chris Bowles for the guests worked so hard for their teams.

Ryan Green was an interesting character for Coalville, starting quietly then becoming more influential in midfield as the game wore on but his one real attempt at goal passed well wide of the left upright.

Central striker Yewo Nyirenda was replaced at the break by City, but he did stray offside a few times during the opening 45, although to be truthful, less offense was conjured up by the obdurate visitors after the recess anyway.

Late pressure on Southwell saw Pattinson’s glove getting a touch on two or three set piece deliveries by the Ravens but City held out, despite the honest efforts of Smithson and Hookaway.

The joy displayed by the City players at the final whistle said it all, really…

The screenshots...

REEVE TAKES OUT ECKERT...

...LEAVING THE STRIKER SPRAWLING...

THE SHOT...

...BEATS THE LEAPING RAVENS' WALL...

...& SOARS PAST REEVE...

...FOR THE ONLY GOAL OF THE GAME...

FERENC FIRES OVER HIS SHOULDER...

...ONTO THE CROSSBAR...

...& REEVE MANAGES TO SMOTHER THE BALL BEFORE IT CROSSES THE GOAL-LINE...