Beeston 3rd X1 v Nottingham Students 3-1
Skipper leads from the front
Third time lucky is one way of looking at this years 3rd X1 Plate Final. Another is that this was 1 occasion in which Beeston deserved to win. Over the last 2 years the result has favoured Nottingham University - the better side, but Beeston this year were more determined and the Uni not as strong.
Beeston began well after the previous day's victory. Several of the younger Students had partied the night before and were probably still on a high. Two had been barred from a hostelry after attempting a similar prank from the previous week. Nobody was really sure whether they were going to the moon, aiming for the moon or under the moon of love. For all their astrological attempts, their feet were firmly on the ground from the very beginning. Beeston took the lead after about 10 minutes when Tim Davis was first to the ball in the circle and deftly flicked it past the keeper to watch it slowly but surely creep inside the post. Paddy Dawson, that well known astute coach, tactician and goalkeeper was heard to say " bandit ". In all honesty the Uni had attacked Beeston from the whistle but the defence was under control, making sure that nothing reached Paddy - just in case !!!
Midway through the half the worry became more real when Paddy was called upon to assist his defence. He failed. Even worse was the fact that he had to rely on the " wrinkly " to get him out of the mire {politely put}. The opposing centre forward pushed the ball past the prone Paddy Dawson but Phil Hall was on hand to clear but unfortunately the ball ran back under Dawson's body - surely hidden for good now. It now looked like a penalty corner and really Beeston would accept that, but Dawson whilst appearing like a beached whale decided otherwise. The ball became available and the opposing forward tried again to find the net. Again no Dawson but like a coiled spring Phil Hall dived full length to the left to save reverse stick on the line. Beeston managed to hold this slender lead to half time.
In the second half the Students had nothing to lose and began to push forward and after about 10 minutes they equalised. From a penalty corner a direct shot was too good for Paddy who could only help it into the net. It was now going to be a test of character and Beeston did not let the skipper down. In actual fact it was skipper Steve Brooks who led the way as 2 quick goals put paid to the Uni's resistance. Firstly a poor injection at a penalty corner was well controlled by Julian Scarsbrook who calmly slipped the ball left to Steve Brooks who fired home in to the corner of the net. Within a minute another goal bound effort from Steve Brooks was well saved by their keeper but Clive Biddlecombe was on hand to fire home the rebound. Beeston could now afford to ease off and calmly and surely run down the clock. There were several pluses in this game as the side kept possession of the ball. There was unfortunately a down side as keeper Paddy Dawson was not his usual commanding self. But midway through the second half he redeemed himself with a full length save from a penalty corner, which probably accounted for him keeping his place for the following week.
Paddy Dawson
Phil Hall Brian Blackmore
Chris Bradley Steve Brooks James Clarke
Julian Scarsbrook Matt Miller Clive Biddlecombe
Tim Davis Rob Taylor
Subs: Paul Ward, Adam Gray
Goalscorers: Tim Davis, Steve Brooks, Clive Biddlecombe
