Nailers mini-revival continues

However, given that both teams went into the game on the same number of points (59) from the same amount of games (35), and with only a single goal separating their respective goal differences, it is no exaggeration to call this a “six-point” victory as it allowed Belper to claw back lost ground and move back into the play-off places.

The Nailers made one change to the side that beat runaway leaders Mickleover Sports on Tuesday night with Richard Adams replacing the injured James Colliver, this meant joint-manager Danny Hudson was recalled to the bench.

The visitors made the better start to the game with Adam Ogden being forced into a 2nd minute fingertip save from Paul Pearson, after quick one-two passing between Pearson and Brad Maylett.

However, it was the home side that settled quicker, with Tom Naylor’s header just wide of the upright being the highlight of the early pressure.

As the game settled, Belper’s pressure increased.

From a long Mark Barnard free-kick, Wilson’s challenge forced Howarth to claim the ball at the second attempt, while in the 20th minute, Andy Rushbury and Dean Oliver worked well together, but the latter was unable to put the ball away after a goalmouth scramble.

As Belper’s dominance continued, the best chance during this spell came in the 25th minute when Albion ‘keeper Howarth was forced to a make a good save at full stretch from an Andy Rushbury header.

In a rare foray into the Nailer’s half, Ogden was called into action making a point-blank save from Colin McAllister’s six yard shot; while at the other end, Wilson’s shot shaved the upright after McAllister failed to deal with Oliver’s through-ball.

Belper took a deserved lead on the stroke of half time through a Ryan Hindley penalty. Matt Telling’s strong run into the area was ended illegally by Carl Ruffer, with Hindley’s spot kick going in off the post.

Witton began the second half the better of the two sides, with Ogden making a series of fine saves to keep his side in the game. The first from Carl Lamb, and from the resulting corner, the second was an excellent save from McAllister’s powerful header.

As the visitor’s pressure continued, they looked to capitalise and reduce the deficit. McAllister should have done better when he found himself at the back post, but he powered his shot over the bar.

Given the pressure applied by Witton in the first ten minutes of the second half, Belper doubled their lead in the 57th minute, somewhat against the run of play.

A clinical through-ball from Dean Oliver found Anthony Wilson in a one-on-one with ‘keeper, and Wilson was able to put the ball away at the second attempt, as his initial shot ricocheted off the advanced Howarth.

Belper should have increased their lead a few minutes later, but Oliver chose to shoot from a tight angle hitting the side netting, when Hindley and Telling were unmarked in the box.

Dean Oliver (pictured) more than made amends for his poor choice by scoring Belper’s third goal in the 70th minute. Good work from Wilson on the right wing allowed him to lose his marker and cross the ball into the box, and Oliver rose well to beat his marker and glance the ball into far corner beyond the stranded Howarth.

Despite a three goal deficit, Witton came more into the game in the final quarter, but their first goal had a large slice of good fortune. Brad Maylett’s miskicked 76th minute shot bobbled and was misjudged by Ogden, with the ball rolling under the ‘keeper into the back of the net.

The goal sparked the visitors to life and Belper were made to endure a nervy final six minutes when Witton scored their second in the 84th minute. The Nailer’s defence failed to clear a long free-kick and Carl Lamb was able to turn the ball home from close range.

Indeed, in the final frantic few minutes, Witton could have claimed a point, but Mark Barnard was able to head the ball off his own line and the points were secured for the home side.

Belper Town: Ogden, Harcourt, Barnard, Naylor, Adams, Haigh (c), Hindley (Ryan 82), Telling, Oliver, Wilson (Stevenson 70), Rushbury (Froggatt 56) Subs not used: Fedorenko, Hudson.

Witton Albion: Howarth, Lloyd, Warner, McAllister, Ruffer (c), James, Powell, Jones, Lamb, Pearson, Maylett Subs: Tai-Hogan, Brodie, Morgan, Pritchard, Baker.

Referee: Robert Earl (Hinckley)

Attendance: 192

Match Sponsors: The Grapes Inn

Sponsors’ Man of the Match: Matt Telling

Match Action:
http://www.timharrisonphotography.com/NailersAction/WttnH0910/index.html