Nailers' Ten Men Comfortably Beaten By Hebburn

The Nailers named new signing central defender Sidik Atcha in the starting line up and there was a familiar figure also making his first start, and that was Brodie Litchfield who joined the Nailers from Basford.

Keiran Walker was named as a substitute alongside Alex Troke who later announced that he was leaving the club. Danny South looks set to be out for a few weeks as he recovers from a hip injury, while Ben Algar made a temporary return to help out while the Nailers search for permanent left back.

The first stages of the game proved to be fairly even although it was increasingly noticeable that the Hornets looked the most accomplished of the two sides.

Robbie Spence and Amar Pureval both had opportunities to get on the score sheet in the 18th and 21st minutes and fortunately their efforts weren’t on target.

Disaster struck the Nailers in the 23rd minute when skipper Phil Watt was red carded for denying a Hornets’ striker a goal scoring opportunity.

It was a debateable decision to say the least, but Watt had to accept his fate and will now miss two games through suspension.

The Nailers had to reorganise as a consequence of the dismissal and Keiran Walker came on with Revarnelle James the unlucky player to be sacrificed.

The Nailers did their utmost to compensate for the loss of an outfield player but needed Jonathan Hedge to prevent the visitors from going in front when Purewal escaped on 27 minutes.

Litchfield had the Nailers’ best effort of the first half with a shot that flashed across the face of Shaun Newbrook’s goal just missing the far post.

Kevin Bastos worked the ball well into Cameron Johnson on 39 minutes, but the Belper striker was denied by the weight of numbers crowding the edge of the six-yard area.

Johnson nearly turned provider in the 44th minute as his excellent cross was nearly met by Litchfield but Newbrook made a point black save to deny the Belper striker.

As the half entered added time the Nailers thought they had won a corner, but the referee appeared to change his mind and ran over to the touchline to fetch the ball for a drop ball.

The referee hadn’t endeared himself to the Belper supporters after a series of questionable decisions and when from the goal kick Purewal volleyed the ball in from close range to give the Hornets a half time lead, supporters vented their feelings as he left the field at half time.

Olly Martin and Dean Briggs went close for the visitors as they started the half strongly, and when Spence nipped in to convert a cross from the left on 65 minutes the writing was on the wall for the hosts.

The referee incensed supporters again 3 minutes later when Johnson was hauled down by his shirt well inside the penalty area, but the referee, despite a clear view was unmoved.

Hebburn sealed the points in the 82nd minute when substitute Liam Murray ran at the Belper defence before hitting a swerving shot past Hedge from 16 yards.

The Nailers have now lost their third game in succession and conceding 14 goals in the process, and next week they come up against Ossett United.

Belper Town: Hedge, Rhodes, Algar, Dunn, Atcha, Watt, Bastos, Warren, Johnson (Bessadi 80), Litchfield, James (Walker 25). Unused subs: Troke, Gregory, Austin.

Hebburn Town: Newbrook, Walton, Heywood, Thompson, Devitt, Elsdon, Liddle (McCamley 82), Spence, Purewal, Martin, Briggs (Murray 70). Unused subs: Groves, Moore.

Referee: Callum Jones

Att: 401