Belper 3 - Birmingham University 3
Scorers: Hewitt, Walton, Webb
This weekend saw Lamb's young 1st XI continue their pre-season development against Birmingham University & Leek. The Nailers outfit have now played 4 pre-season fixtures registering 3 wins and a draw and Lamb feels the development of the squad is beginning to come of age. "The young guys have applied themselves very well in the 4 games we have played so far". "I must add that Mark Lamb, Richard Kitchen and Neill Slane have been excellent throughout not only playing very well themselves but pasting on their experiences to the rest of the squad". "Team spirit in the camp is very good".
Belper started this weekend with a game against Birmingham University at the Meadows. The game started reasonably well for the Nailers as they had plenty of early pressure and much of the ball, however a Birmingham counter attack midway through the first half found the Nailers trailing at half-time. Having played well in the first half with little reward, the Nailers came out fighting in the second half. More early pressure and a couple of half chances were created in the early exchanges only to be penalised by a Birmingham penalty corner. Heads began to drop slightly as the experienced Mark Lamb and Richard Kitchen tried in vain to rally the troops from the pitch. Then the cruellest of blows.... With the umpires being very strict on the aerial ball throughout the game, it was with somewhat horror when Mark Lamb found himself under the ball he was clattered from behind only for the umpire to allow the game to continue and Birmingham went on the score. At 3-0 down the game was as good as over, or so you would have thought. The young Nailers side continued to plug away at Birmingham eventually winning a penalty corner which was dispatched by James Hewitt high into the Birmingham net. This goal seem to give the Nailers belief and Birmingham had to survive wave after wave of Belper pressure. Eventually this pressure told, with Ben Walton deflecting a cross into the roof of the net. Game on!
Belper drove forward with tails up. With less than 10 minutes of the game remaining, the Nailers finally scored an equaliser. With good work from Ben Walton and Richard Cassidy down the right, Walton crossed the ball into the circle with the ball taking a deflection and Jamie Webb found himself at the back post scoring on the half volley to open his account for Belper. Birmingham then fought back and with Ben Walton's yellow card meaning the Nailers were down to 10 it was a backs to the wall job. Some last ditch defending saw the Nailers claim a 3-3 draw. After the game Lamb said "The guys showed real character to fight back from 3-0 down and I am very proud of their efforts. Steve Tee and Dan Mills are growing in confidence at the back with Mark Lamb". "Richard Cassidy showed signs of real quality for a young lad making his first appearance for the 1st XI". "We still have much to work on, but that was a good start".
Left - Evasive action required as skipper Mark Lamb drills in a free hit towards the University circle. Right - Mark Lamb and Jason Wellings take a breather.
Leek 0 - Belper 3
Scorers: Hewitt, Cassidy, Kitchen
On Sunday the Nailers travelled to Leek to play their first away game of the pre-season campaign. Leek are notorious for being well organised, physical and very difficult to break down and many at Belper felt this would be a very tough test for the Nailers. Indeed it was, with the first 15 minutes of the game dominated by Leek. With slick passing though the midfield and plenty of bodies in support Leek looked to overrun the Nailers in the early stages. A couple of good saves from Neill Slane and marshalling of the defence by Mark Lamb saw the Leek forwards kept at arms length. It wasn't really until midway through the half that Belper launched their first attack. With the Nailers starting to feel settled in the game and the midfield of Kitchen, Webb, Wells and Hewitt starting to impose themselves a goal soon came. You could argue it was against the run of play but Belper only know too well that if you don't take your chances it could cost you dear. With some tricky skills from James Hewitt he found himself with the goal at his mercy only to fluff his shot and the defender block it however Hewitt reacted quickly to grab the rebound and hammer the ball home on the reverse stick. Nailers went in at half time 1-0.
The second half started in similar fashion with Leek having a go at Belper. Again Belper resisted the Leek pressure and with Leek throwing men forward the Nailers had chances on the break to put the game to bed. It was from one of these chances that Belper doubled their lead. Good work down the right from Tom Leatherland and James Hewitt saw the ball crossed into the circle for young Richard Cassidy to step in front of his man and deflect the ball into the top left-hand corner of the net. The goal marked an excellent performance from the young lad making his first start. With goals like this one Cassidy will be knocking on the door for a place in Lamb's squad. Belper then took total control of the game and started to play some excellent hockey. With confidence high chances continued to come. A penalty corner strike from Mark Lamb with a deflection at the feet of the Leek Goalkeeper saw Richard Kitchen make the final score 3-0.
Nailers skipper Mark Lamb commented "The boys did well today". "We are improving as a squad all the time and today's result caps a good weekend for the lads". "We still have players to come in, so things are starting to look good". "It was great to keep a clean sheet and score 3 goals, you can't ask for much more than that".
Belper 1st XI now travel to Nottingham for there penultimate pre-season game on Tuesday night, with a squad training game on the following Sunday to conclude. Belper Mens 1st XI start there league campaign on Sunday 23rd September 2007 agains Bournville at the Meadows 1.30pm start.