Belper 7 - Burton 0
Scorers: Blakemore, Sharp(x2), Lamb, Leatherland(x3)
Belper 2s recorded their biggest win of the season against local side Burton continuing their strong campaign and compounding the visitors to the foot of the table. Fresh from a great result away at Premier League Club Cannock the previous week the Nailers went into the match confident that the points would be there for the taking if they could continue the good run of form which has seen them rise to fifth in the Midlands Premier League. A few changes to the side from previous weeks didn’t alter the way in which Belper moved the ball around and dominated from the outset. Dan Darby, recently selected for the HiPac National training centre had little to do in goal as a back four of Fox, Beddington, Boden and Bull played behind the midfield quartet of Duncan, Blakemore, Lamb and Sharp constantly looking dangerous in feeding Leatherbean and Cozens.
It didn’t take long for Belper to find the back of the onion bag as good work down the right hand side saw Blakemore free at the back post to deflect the ball in, 1-0 Belper. Sharp and Lamb constantly looked a threat in the middle and were given the freedom of the pitch as Burton camped on their 22 for most of the match. Plenty of leg work from the front two opened up gaps for the midfield to fire in balls which Burton were unable to deal with. Influential skipper Leatherland was certainly showing that a debilitating back disorder was not going to slow him down as he fought against a slow Burton defence holding the ball up well and looking threatening winning short corners. In fact it was Leatherland who got himself on the score sheet next as good work from Duncan and Sharp allowed Tommy another simple chance in front of goal. It was clear that Burton were unlikely to offer much of a threat but Belper would not allow themselves to drop the tempo. Continually long balls from Fox and some aerials from Boden, recovering from a Pectoral injury from the gym, caused confusion for the Burton back four and led to some great chances being created.
The constant pressure from Belper tired Burton legs and goals were fired in from free play and corners in a twenty minute purple patc. Two from Sharp, one from Lamb, and Leatherland completing his hat-trick gave the Nailers a resounding 7-0 victory. Plaudits must go to the side for remaining on top for so long and preventing the opposition from getting a sniff in front of goal.
Thanks go to Roger Carter and David Hoare for umpiring.
Adam Bull