Froggatt maintains Belper’s winning run

Jon Froggatt heads the only goal of the match (Photo: Ken Allsebrook)

Manager Peter Duffield had almost a full complement to choose from and fielded a side with no fewer than seven changes from the team who beat Ilkeston three days earlier.

The returning Lee Thompson, Chris Adam, Karl Colley, Martin Smyth, Simon Harrison, Ashley Longstaff and Sam Duncum all played from the start, while Jon Froggatt, Shaun Tuton, Richard Adams and Jake Dale-Brown started on the substitutes’ bench.

The game was played at a high tempo throughout and it was a wonderful spectacle for the supporters to enjoy.

A number of standout performances from both teams were on show, especially the performance of Louis Reed who played the midfield anchor role for Sheffield United.

It was Belper who boasted the first set of chances with Sam Duncum and Martin Smyth looking to make their mark early on.

The ball was crossed in from the left by Duncum and there to meet it eight yards out at the far post was the measured figure of Martin Smyth whose first time volley was stuck with venom but was bravely blocked by the onrushing defender to turn it away for a corner.

The Blades had first half chances of their own, most notably Jake Eyre who failed to convert from six yards out.

Jason Paling was causing Belper problems down the left hand side and his darting run to the by-line was cleverly rotated back inside to gift Eyre the chance to slot it away but David Ratcliffe made himself big and Eyre struck the ball across goal and wide of the right hand post.

Both teams had injury scares and required brief stoppages in play but both managers will have been pleased to see their players up and running after a short spell of treatment

However, Ratcliiffe’s injury meant that he could take no further part after the interval and assistant manager, Mick Godber had to don the ‘keepers gloves for the second period.

The second half kicked off in identical fashion with the Blades putting together a wonderful move.

Connor Dimaio played a well driven 25 yard pass down the centre of the Nailers defence into the path of Kedman, whose powerful shot was placed within the goalkeepers reach to allow Godber to parry it over the bar for a corner.

The Nailers high pressing game almost paid off when a nervous back pass was beaten to by second half substitute Jon Froggatt, who stole in before the ‘keeper and put a driven cross onto the head of Jackson, whose diving header was cleared desperately off the goal line.

Belper’s persistence finally paid off with eight minutes remaining, when Duncum’s over hit cross from the left was brought down neatly from Antony Rowley, whose ball back into the box invited Jon Froggatt to head the Nailers into the lead.

Froggatt’s ability to fashion a late goal again proved to be the difference for Belper Town.

The blades had time for one more golden opportunity with five minutes remaining, when the quality of Louis Reed left Belper flat footed.

Reed picked the ball up in the centre of the park, and played a delightful ball over Belper’s back line for Otis Khan to volley against the bar and leave the Nailers with luck on their side.

The Nailers now await their final pre-season friendly at home to Stocksbridge Park Steels on Saturday 10th August, a final test for the players to face to put their names in the mind of their manager.

Belper Town: Ratcliffe, Thompson, Adam, Cotton, Roulston, Colley, Smyth, Harrison, Longstaff, Jackson, Duncum. Subs: Ward, Froggatt, Tuton, Adams, Dale-Brown, Rushbury, Rowley, Pride.

Sheffield United: Owen, Scarisbrick, Paling, Whiteman, Evans, Banton, Partodikoromo, Dimaio, Eyre, Wright, Khan. Subs: Reed, Eastwood, McDonagh, Kedman, Costrain, Ptak, Cheeseman.

Referee: James Thornhill (Derby)

Attendance: 130