February 3rd : v Coventry & NW (H) 9 � 0
This start to the second half of the League season saw the expected victory. Coventry made their job harder by only turning up with 9 players. In the first minute Jonathan Brett cleverly beat the keeper with a neatly controlled lob. For the next 20 minutes Beeston had all the pressure but couldn't turn it into goals. This was due partly to the weak opposition and a greedy attitude by certain individuals. Soon after Andy Smith scored in open play when he beat the advancing keeper from distance. Just before half time Beeston increased their lead when at a penalty corner Steve Brooks first hit the keeper, then fired the rebound against the keeper, then decided to score.
In the second half the team began to open up the Coventry defence and the goals duly arrived. First Steve Brooks scored his second from a penalty corner. This was closely followed by a goal from Clive Biddlecombe. Two goals were then scored by David Allott, with one diving in at the far post and the other beginning back with the sweeper taking a quick long 16 yard hit to Matt Taylor who slipped the ball inside to Jonathan Brett who then unselfishly passed the ball left for David Allott to net. The penultimate goal was then a penalty scored by Matt Taylor. The final goal in a way showed a side very rarely seen in Clive Biddlecombe. With Matt Taylor also free in the circle it was expected that Clive would pass, but no he played the greedy role and showed Matt how to finish by actually breaking the ball against the backboard.
And so Beeston look on line for promotion back to the Premier Division.
Paddy Dawson
Phil Hall
Steve Brooks Rob Taylor Richard Aylwin
Andy Smith Clive Biddlecombe Robin Schmidt
Jonathan Brett Matt Taylor David Allott
Goalscorers : Jonathan Brett, Andy Smith, Steve Brooks (2), Clive Biddlecombe (2), David Allott (2), Matt Taylor
February 10th : v Burton 0 - 0
Two points lost. Sorry no report as the Editor wasn't there. I wonder - was that the reason for the loss of points ???
Paddy Dawson
Steve Brooks
Alix Rotton Gary Steeples Richard Aylwin
Andy Smith Clive Biddlecombe Robin Schmidt
Rob Taylor Jonathan Brett David Allott
February 17th : v North Notts 2 - 2
Another two points lost. Sorry no report as the Editor wasn't there. I wonder - was that the reason for the loss of points??? Does this sound like repetition. Late report received : First goal by Steve Brooks at a penalty corner, and kept this up to half time. North Notts equalised from a penalty corner before Beeston regained the lead with a good team goal finished by Phil Sully. The equaliser was a bit of a defensive lapse as Gary Steeples hit the ball into Paddy's back to allow the opponent time to net.
Paddy Dawson
Steve Brooks
Alix Rotton Gary Steeples Richard Aylwin
Andy Smith Jonathan Brett Robert Taylor
Phil Sully Matt Taylor David Allott
Goalscorers : Steve Brooks, Phil Sully
February 18th : v Chesterfield ( H ) 4 - 0
Beeston had a re-arranged League game on the following day against their friendly rivals and second placed Chesterfield. Beeston began well in a day when only the ducks were happy. Within ten minutes Beeston took the lead when a cross from the right found David Allott free in space to calmly control and score. This could have been the second goal as David had an earlier chance but that time failed to control the ball. For the rest of the half Beeston were in control without looking dangerous. The main problem was the failure to pass the ball from colleague to colleague. At half time positional changes to try and open up the right side were suggested and within five minutes the lead had been increased. With the ball quickly moved out wide via Jonathan Brett to Robert Taylor the space was used intelligently by returning the ball back inside to Michael Williamson. He calmly drew the keeper before passing to Jonathan Brett to stroke the ball home. Midway through the half Beeston increased their lead when Michael Williamson scored the third goal. Beeston were now totally in control and it looked like the lead would be greater when Andy Roberts burst through the opposing defence like a coiled spring. Cleverly avoiding the keeper he drew back his stick, and with only the empty goal in front of him - he fired wide. Immediately after Graham Bentley went back on the pitch he scored. Good teamwork between Michael Williamson and Jonathan Brett set up the chance for Graham to push home. Just a couple of more results and the title is Beeston's.
Paddy Dawson
Steve Brooks
Alix Rotton Gary Steeples Richard Aylwin
Andy Roberts Jonathan Brett Robin Schmidt
Graham Bentley Michael Williamson David Allott
Substitute : Robert Taylor
February 24th : v Derwent ( H ) 5 - 1
Beeston started where they left off last week with the ball being moved from player to player. It became quickly obvious that it was a matter of time before they took the lead. It took slightly longer than expected owing to inspired saves from the Derwent keeper. In the end he was outdone by one of the " Clanger " moves. Old routines are usually easily read but again the defence were wrong. Steve Brooks switched the ball right to Phil Hall who returns the ball back into his path to flick home low in to the net. Further switch moves took place but it appeared that Clive Biddlecombe had put the lenses in the wrong eyes. Midway through the half there was a surprise in store for Beeston. Having prophesied before the game that he was going to score, a rocket from Robert Taylor into the far corner of the net opened his account for the season. Prior to half time Matt Taylor miscontrolled the ball cleverly off the defender to flick home at the second attempt, giving a 3 goal cushion.
The game was now won and it was just a question of keeping the equilibrium during the second half. Another penalty corner move saw Matt Taylor waltz around the keeper only to be felled like the proverbial tree. But like all natural goalscorers he still wanted to score and he tried whilst on the floor to push the ball home from the acutest of angles. Unfortunately for him it was going just wide but David Allott had reacted quickly enough to score at the far post. Late on in the game Steve Brooks instigated the same " Clanger " move. This time the angle of the final pass was different but Steve Brooks claimed the same result by drawing the keeper and slipping the ball underneath him. With time running out Derwent broke free from a series of defending corners to attack and managed to pull a goal back. It was difficult to apportion the blame so we all blame Paddy.
Paddy Dawson
Phil Hall
Alix Rotton Gary Steeples Steve Brooks
Robert Taylor Andy Smith Clive Biddlecombe Robin Schmidt
Matt Taylor David Allott
Goalscorers : Steve Brooks (2), Rob Taylor, Matt Taylor, David Allott
February 25th : v North Notts 3 - 0
North Notts started better and for a while looked dangerous but Beeston slowly got control and missed a few half chances. But it still took a spectacular reflex goalline save by Phil Hall with the assistance of Steve Brooks to make the final clearance. Soon after Beeston took the lead when Tristan Gilbody flicked the ball home from a rebound. Beeston held this lead until halftime even though ageing sweeper received a yellow card after making a " clean as a whistle " tackle. He should know better than to " look " at the Umpire.
In the second half Beeston very quickly increased their lead when the ball from the left reached Paul Ward on the right. He confidently steadied himself then slammed the ball into the far corner of the net. North Notts started to lose heart and their attacks became more sporadic and less effective. Jonathan Brett took advantage of their tiredness when he broke through their retreating defence to shoot for goal. The keeper saved well but Jonathan was too quick for him as he pounced on the rebound to fiercely flick the ball home into the roof of the net. Later in the game Phil Hall made another goalline save this time at waist height. The game slowly faded to it's expected conclusion and a place in the Final for Beeston.
Orhan Erkut
Phil Hall
Alix Rotton Gary Steeples Steve Brooks
Robert Taylor Andy Roberts Robin Schmidt
Jonathan Brett Tristan Gilbody Paul Ward
Substitute : David Allott
Goalscorers : Tristan Gilbody, Paul Ward, Jonathan Brett