Penalty shoot-out success for Nailers

They needed penalties to do it but the overall performance was a vast improvement from the one against Lincoln the previous Saturday, and they had the chances to have won the tie in normal time.

With Anthony Wilson, Ben Walker and Richard Haigh absent due to one reason or another Luke Fedorenko and Simon Mirfin started the game with Ollie Warren and Aaron Pride on the bench.

The Nailers kicked up the slope in the first half having won the toss and thereby avoided the usual second half onslaught generally experienced at Hall Corner.

Ryan Goward hit a powerful shot in the 6th minute and a deflection took the ball over the bar and Belper’s first effort was a Dean Oliver header that went wide in the 10th.

Glapwell striker Ian Brown tucked the ball away for what seemed to be the opening goal in the 14th minute but the referee’s assistant had his flag up quickly for offside.

Former Nailers’ favourite, Asa Ingall was denied a scoring opportunity by some smart work by Adam Ogden as the home team put the Nailers under pressure and a 32nd minute Jack Muldoon free kick was seen late by Ogden, but he was able to make the save.

In the latter stages of the first half Belper began to press forward and Luke Fedorenko’s 36th minute free kick nearly looped over Andy Richmond in the Glapwell goal.

Lee Stevenson had already tried to embarrass the ‘keeper earlier in the half with a long range effort that had Richmond grasping desperately for the ball, and he whipped in a 25 yard effort in the 38th minute that flew just over the top.

He came even closer just before half time when his 15-yard shot hit the foot of the Glapwell post, and the Nailers had done more than enough to reach the break still on level terms.

They came out in determined mood for the second period and Stevenson nearly caught Richmond off his line with an audacious attempt early on.

The Nailers were stringing passes impressively at this stage and Glapwell were having to do the chasing.

Belper took the lead in the 63rd minute when defender Matt Varley made a bad error when he inexplicably passed the ball to Andy Rushbury , who promptly turned and steered the ball just inside the far post.

Simon Mirfin (pictured) seemed to have a great chance to score his first goal for the Nailers just two minutes later, but got the ball wrapped up in his feet with only the ‘keeper to beat.

But Belper found themselves back on level terms in the 72nd minute after Rob Darkin raced to the by line and pulled the ball back for substitute Lee Gregory to finish with a low shot.

Mirfin nearly restored Belper’s lead five minutes later after some intricate passing gave him a split second opening but he could only put the ball wide, but even though Belper dominated the remainder of normal time, extra time was needed.

Both managers agreed to play 10 minutes each way because of the encroaching fog, but more significantly for both teams they lost a player each to injury.

The Nailers were more fortunate in that Adam Ogden’s departure due to an ankle injury was remedied by the appearance of Martin Kearney who took over in between the posts, but Glapwell had used all their substitutes and therefore had to continue with 10 men after former Belper man, Spencer Commons had to leave the field.

Matt Telling had Belper’s best chance in the extra time period after running strongly into the box, but he then put his shot wide.

Penalties were needed and the Nailers scored a full house with Tom Naylor, Matt Telling, Simon Mirfin, Ryan Hindley and Lee Stevenson all successful from the spot.
The Nailers now await the semi final draw with interest.

Glapwell: Richmond, Darkin, Goward, Varley, Commons, Timons, Ingall (Burdett 75), Walker, Muldoon, Brown (Magee 75), Higginson (Gregory 62). Unused subs: Kennedy, West.

Belper Town: Ogden (Kearney 99), Colliver, Adams, Mirfin, Harcourt, Naylor, Fedorenko (Hindley 96), Stevenson, Oliver (Warren 77), Telling, Rushbury. Unused subs: Hudson, Pride.

Referee: J Thornhill (Ilkeston)

Attendance: 121

Match Action: http://www.flickr.com/photos/oldhousespy/sets/72157623012703026/