Nailers maintain good pre-season form

Action from the match at Parkgate (Photo courtesy of the Onion Bag Blog)

Peter Duffield chose to begin with a 4-3-1-2 formation, starting with Mark Ward playing just in front of a midfield three of Steve Warne, Glyn Cotton and Martin Smyth.

Ashley Longstaff partnered Shaun Tuton in attack, while the back four consisted of Andy Rushbury, Karl Colley, Richard Adams and Jake Dale-Brown. James Lindley started in goal.

The Nailers got off to a flying start in the fifth minute when Mark Ward hit an unstoppable right-footed free kick into the net from 25 yards, while some patient passing football saw Ashley Longstaff stroke the ball home minutes later to double the lead.

Belper continued to dominate the exchanges but the home side containing former Nailers, Scott Lowe, Scott Ellis and Simon Murfin created a couple of chances late in the first half but their composure let them down.

Ward scored an excellent second goal in the 54th minute when some neat close control created space for the former Sheffield United man, and his powerful finish from six yards gave the home goalkeeper no chance.

Both sides made numerous changes as the second half wore on, and in the 71st minute Parkgate pulled a goal back when Scott Preece gave Lindley no chance with a rasping twenty yard effort that found the top left hand corner.

Within minutes it was 2-3 when George Morley was given space to squeeze the ball home from close range, but just when minds were casting back to the recent game at Cleethorpes Town where the Nailers conceded three quick goals to lose the game, it was all over with the best goal of the evening.

Martin Smyth displayed fantastic skill and close control to work the ball past three Parkgate players, and with minimal back lift he unleashed a thunderous right footed strike from 25 yards that was in the back of the net before the goalkeeper could even think about moving.

A good workout for the Nailers against a useful side from the Northern Counties East League, and what is impressive and encouraging are the chances being created and the amount of goals being scored, while the depth of the current squad bodes well for what hopefully will be a promotion winning season.

Belper Town: Lindley, Dale-Brown, Rushbury, Cotton, Adams, Colley, Smyth, Warne, Longstaff, Tuton, Ward – Subs: Marrison, Duncum, Rowley, Ratcliffe, Froggatt, Adam, Owen

Att: 75

Neil Laughlin