Nailers suffer another odd-goal defeat

Three changes were made following Saturday's narrow defeat to Blyth Spartans, with Kieran Walker, Colin Marrison and Bruno Holden coming in to the starting eleven.

Bruno Holden had the first chance of the game after 10 minutes following a brilliant cross by Aaron Cole from the right hand side.

Holden rose above his marker to head the ball on target, resulting in a comfortable save by the goalkeeper.

The Pics then opened the scoring after 12 minutes through forward Aaron Williams. Zac Martin beat Aaron Cole down the left hand side to run into the box along the by-line before cutting his pass to the unmarked Williams who prodded the ball inside the near post.

Belper then lifted the tempo and a good move on the right hand side between Aaron Cole and Glyn Cotton saw Jon Froggatt turn on the edge of the box to unleash a tidy effort, which fell just wide of the left hand post.

The Nailers equalised after 26 minutes after a good spell of pressure on the home side.

Steve Warne worked his way into the box and found Cotton, who in turn looped a cross in where Bruno Holden squeezed his header inside the post despite a brave effort by goalkeeper Cameron Belford to keep it out.

Ian Ross then produced a moment of class carrying the ball from 35 yards into the penalty area, taking on two players before he opened his body up and curled his effort on target, although Belford was equal to his effort.

Rushall took the lead again on the 37th minute after schoolboy defending by the Nailers.

Jake Heath played a chipped ball over the top where Aaron Williams picked the ball up well. Williams then held off defender Matt Varley and saw his scuffed effort creep through James Martin’s legs into the back of the net.

Williams soon had his chance to claim a first half hat-trick when the dangerous Zac Martin swung his cross in from the left hand side, where Williams was on hand, unmarked, to drive his header across goal, landing just wide of the far post.

Colin Marrison came close to a second equaliser on the stoke of half time as he burst through the Rushall back line but his curling effort from the left went inches wide of the far post.

Both sides had second half chances, as Jon Froggatt and Bruno Holden coming close for Belper, and the Pics forcing two goal line clearances from the Nailers.

Jon Froggatt found space inside the penalty area on 57 minutes after Holden played the ball across but slightly behind the Nailers striker who had to bring the ball down before driving his shot over the bar.

The final half hour proved a fairly one-sided affair with Belper throwing everything they had at the hosts.

However, with space opening up behind the Nailers, Nathan Rooney was slipped through on goal down the left hand side.

His initial shot was saved well by the on-rushing Martin, and the follow up was cleared off the line by Varley

Rushall Olympic: Cameron Belford, Aris Christophorou, Zac Martin, Jake Heath, Jack Duggan, Sam Smith (Gavin Caines 6), Lee Hildreth (Charlie Reece 90), Kris Taylor, Aaron Williams, Nathan Rooney, Aaron Farrell. Subs: Jacob Craner, Danny Griffiths, Charlie Anagho-Ntamark.

Belper Town: James Martin, Aaron Pride, Bruno Holden, Ian Ross, Matt Varley, Kieran Walker, Aaron Cole (Evan Garnett 75), Steve Warne, Jon Froggatt, Glyn Cotton, Colin Marrison (Regan Edridge 75). Subs: Jordan Nadat, Tom Burgin, Scott Low.

Referee: Mr D Gratton (Stone)

Attendance: 202