Nailers early control provides platform for victory

There were positive signs that after a rather disjointed first game at Parkhouse the previous weekend, the Nailers were moulding themselves into a cohesive unit although there is still some way to go before Carney’s best team emerges.

With Nathan Benger still unfit and Simon Mirfin, Levi Ramsay, Richard Adams and Nathan Swindells unavailable, it was the turn of Lee Thompson, Andy Rushbury and Chris Wood to be under the scrutiny of the management and supporters.

But it was Luke Fedorenko who showed up early in the game by helping to create both the Nailers’ goals scored inside the first 12 minutes.

Sutton’s defenders were mesmerised by some quick passing movements culminating in a slick one-two between Fedorenko and Jon Froggatt and it was the Belper striker who calmly slotted the ball wide of the Sutton ‘keeper.

It was Fedorenko who supplied an excellent cross shortly afterwards to the edge of the six yard box, and with the ‘keeper showing slight hesitation, Justin Jenkins got in first to prod the ball over the line.

The Nailers continued to dominate the first period without adding to the scoreline, however there were many impressive individual performances of note.

Asa Ingall and Matt Plant looked assured at the back, and Lee Thompson impressed at left back and then switched to midfield in the second half.

Justin Jenkins’ presence kept the Sutton defenders occupied and he looked a little sharper than he did against Parkhouse, while Andy Rushbury seemed to enjoy himself in a more central midfield role and Lewis Pearce looked a constant threat on the left.

Rob Paling worked hard in midfield and new ‘keeper Ali Barcherini looks a very good signing between the posts.

The second half saw many changes with seven players being switched, and with Sutton seemingly looking more organised, the Nailers had more defending to do.

Chris Wood looked a promising player and was Belper’s chief threat after the break, and while opportunities came less frequently, he will know that he could have made an even greater impression by snapping up at least one of the chances he had.

Sutton’s impressive Rob Cam hit a fine goal in the 70th minute creating a competitive last quarter of the game, and all in all it had been another very watchable contest with all players trying hard to impress.

Belper Town: Barcherini, Booker (Pride), Thompson, Ingall, Plant, Pearce (Barnard), Fedorenko (Barnett), Palin (Weaver), Froggatt (Warren), Jenkins (Wood), Rushbury (Warriner). All substitutions 45 minutes.