South Normanton Athletic 1 Belper Town 2

This was only Belper’s third pre season outing but there was plenty to enthuse over as the Nailers flexed their muscles against a team three divisions below them in the league pyramid.

There should have been more goals to underpin Belper’s superiority but to South Normanton’s credit they restricted the Nailers to very few opportunities, and it was two bad defensive errors that contributed to Jon Froggatt’s (pictured) double strike.

The starting eleven on view is widely thought to be the one that will begin the new campaign although Ruben Wiggins-Thomas, Liam Davis (holiday) and Luke Fedorenko (injury) are also likely to be included in Taylor’s thinking.

The Nailers had trialists Danwell and Kirk Francis on the bench together with Ollie Graham who were given opportunities in the second half, while lasts season’s players Jamie Smith, Matt Plant and Richard Adams were also named as substitutes as they fight to force their way in to the manager’s reckoning.

On a breezy and warm summer’s afternoon at the Exchem Stadium, Belper took the lead in the 4th minute when Jon Froggatt coolly capitalised on some poor defending to tuck the ball away from close range.

It was a lively and relatively even first 45 minutes with both sides contributing to an entertaining game and the Nailers could have been two up in the 13th minute when Deon Meikle made a timely interception, but then chose to shoot wildly with the goal beckoning.

Joaquim Ortuno, known as ‘Purito’ to his team mates, looks an emerging talent with the ability to take players on and beat them, and in the 16th minute he demonstrated that with some skilful footwork and a searing shot that was parried by the ‘keeper, however Andy Rushbury couldn’t capitalise on the follow up.

Deon Meikle put a 26th minute header against the side of the upright and on the stroke half time he tested the ‘keeper with an excellent shot from outside the penalty area.

Numerous substitutions took place at the break but if anything the Nailers looked to have more control of the game, and might have secured the second goal they deserved when Jon Froggatt’s audacious effort from 25 yards crashed against the cross bar.

Ollie Graham looked dangerous as he came on for Andy Rushbury after the break and in the 60th minute created a good chance for Jamie Smith who steered the ball the wrong side of the post.

Kirk Francis put a 66th minute header just over the bar and then put an 85th minute volley just wide, however the Nailers managed to give some realism to the scoreline after the ‘keeper dropped Rob Ludlam’s deep cross on 87 minutes leaving Jon Froggatt to poach his second goal of the game.

But South Normanton had already begun to claw back their previously lost momentum and arguably snatched a deserved consolation through Sam Blount with the last kick of the game.

The Nailers have two more fixtures this week, both away from home when they travel to Cannon Park to face Retford United and then Long Eaton United on Saturday.

Belper play their first pre-season game at Christchurch Meadow on Monday 1st August when they entertain a Derby County XI, kick off is 7.30pm.

Belper Town: Andy Richmond, Rob Ludlam, Damien McGee, Mark Camm, Alan O’Hare, Tommy Hannigan, Deon Meikle, Lee Morris, Jon Froggatt, Joaquim Ortuno, Andy Rushbury. Substitutes (all used) Jamie Smith, Matt Plant, Richard Adams, Ollie Graham, Alan Muczyczka, Danwell Francis, Kirk Francis.

Nigel Oldrini