TOP OF LEAGUE CLASH ENDS ALL SQUARE LEAGUE THREE - NUNEATON TROPHIES RUMOUR MILL (BARWELL) FC 1 - 1 NEWDIGATE UTD FC

TOP OF LEAGUE CLASH ENDS ALL SQUARE

LEAGUE THREE - NUNEATON TROPHIES
RUMOUR MILL (BARWELL) FC 1 - 1 NEWDIGATE UTD FC

In one of only 3 games surviving the weather and with a chill in the air and dew on the grass, the Heath Lane Academy pitch was in perfect condition for a top of the table clash as second placed Rumour Mill FC (Barwell) welcomed league leaders Newdigate United FC. A win for the hosts would see them climb above their opponents, with a win for Newdigate opening up a 4 point gap at the top.
The game started at a very fast pace and would stay that way until the final whistle as two good young sides locked horns.

Both teams were up for it and Rumour Mill started the brighter and saw some good passing football and threatening charges forward.
Mikey Sparkes, Isaac Henson and Wes Moore packed up Rumour Mill’s midfield with plenty of energy as they pressed hard so not to give Newdigate any breathing space.

Chances were few and far between for both sides but Rumour Mill remained on top for the duration of the first half.
The breakthrough came on 25 minutes when Wes Moore’s corner was met by Isaac Hendon who’s effort cannoned in off the unfortunate Harry Neale who could do nothing to prevent the ball from being turned into his own net to give Rumour Mill a deserved lead. Neale might have avenged himself not long after, when an inviting cross from Harry Lewis came in but Neale couldn’t quite get on the end of it and the danger was cleared.

Rumour Mill had a chance to double their lead just before the interval when Joe Randle’s cross was met by the head of Danny Winterbotham but George Thacker in the Newdigate goal made a great cat like save to keep it out.
The second half began and it soon became clear the league leaders had used the break to regroup and make some tweaks. They came out charged and fired up knowing they needed to get themselves back into the game and not allow Rumour Mill to double the advantage.

Tom Noon and Danny Winterbotham have an impressive 38 goals between the two of them and early in the second half Newdigate’s increased intensity saw them awarded a free kick just outside the box, Noon stepped up to fire a cracking effort towards goal which just sailed over, unlucky not to clip the bar on its way out.

Newdigate were now on top and looked the most likely to score the next goal as Rumour Mill legs began to tire.
On 61 minutes their efforts were rewarded when Tom Noon threaded a fine pass through Rumour Mill’s back line which Kai Smith ran on to and made no mistake in smashing home past the out charging Chris Marks in the Rumour Mill goal to draw the Bedworth side level. Nothing less than they deserved.

Kai Smith was now excelling into the game and the goal was a welcome boost to his confidence as he had several dangerous runs down the left but Olly Walker and Jack Chamberlain were able to deal with the danger at centre half.
Fresh legs were brought on for both teams and Nathan Hedgecock came on at right back for Rumour Mill to try and contain Smith for the last 25 minutes, which he did well.

Newdigate were pressing hard for a winner and had the momentum. Their dangerous forward line brought lots of problems for the Rumour Mill defence but the defenders were equal to the attacking threat, clearing their lines well.
Late in the game Rumour Mill might have snatched it when a fast counter attack saw Matt Vineham, Joe Randle and Luke Newton combine well with George Thacker pulling off an outstanding save to tip Joe Randle’s shot that looked destined for the bottom corner, round the post.

The dying seconds saw Newdigate pressing Rumour Mill once again with a couple of long throws into the box but Rumour Mill managed to keep them out and the final whistle came to bring an exciting game to a conclusion.
A 1-1 draw, which on the balance of play was a fair result with Rumour Mill controlling the first half and Newdigate dominating the second.

Isaac Hendon took the man of the match for Rumour Mill with a dominating midfield display and George Thacker taking the honour for Newdigate with a couple of brilliant saves at key times in each half.