Greens Open With Three Points

The Greens were certainly not at their fluid best in Nottinghamshire but showed enough glimpses of quality to see off a stern challenge from the hosts and much improved from last seasons’ poor showing. The Greens could scarcely have produced a faster start and took the lead inside the first minute of the contest when Charlie Ward expertly nodded on Jacob Fenton’s long throw into the bottom corner to give the Greens the advantage. That lead was doubled just short of the half hour mark when fantastic work from Ryan Rushen saw him cross for Finlay Armond to head home from close range. Despite a second half improvement from the Bulls, the damage had been done and the Greens comfortably saw out the second period to register a first three point haul of the season.

Player/Manager Tom Ward made just one change from the side that won their final pre-season friendly against Louth Town on Monday evening as Marcus Pancho dropped to the bench with his place taken by new signing Shaun Harrad. There was also a place on the bench for the Greens most recent acquisition, Tom Siddons, who arrives on a month long loan deal from local rivals Stamford AFC. There was a return to the bench also for Lewis Daff who missed the Greens final pre-season friendly against Louth. Opponents AFC Mansfield meanwhile were much changed from the side that rounded off last season with a 1-1 draw at home to Skegness Town. Just five players remained from last April, with just four of those, Rhys Walwyn-Alsop, Joe Harrison, Surafel Tefera and Thomas Lees-Collier starting both contests. The Bulls also included former Green Matt McBride in their starting eleven.

The Greens delivered the perfect start to their campaign when, inside the first minute, Jacob Fenton’s long throw was glanced into the bottom corner by Charlie Ward to put the Greens in front. That dream start didn’t materialise much further initially though with much of the first 20 minutes of the contest passing without incident – Adam Bratley heading well-wide for the hosts the only real effort of note.

Jacob Fenton’s long throws were continuing to cause the hosts problems in a swirling wind though and it was nearly Charlie Ward again who doubled the advantage, but he could not quite get enough purchase on his header and the ball floated over the crossbar. The Greens didn’t have to wait too long to extend their advantage though when just seven minutes later, Ryan Rushen produced some excellent work to retrieve the ball and cross well for Finlay Armond who headed home from close range. It could well have been three before the break when Jacob Fenton’s freekick fell to the feet of Shaun Harrad who found space but could only shoot agonisingly onto the base of the far post. There was still time for the hosts to find a response though and they fired a warning shot right on the stroke of half-time when Kaylum Mitchell cut inside but could only power his effort over the bar.

The second half began in extremely quiet fashion and despite plenty of intent from the home side, it wasn’t until Joe Harrison’s freekick trickled all the way through a crowded box in the 70th minute that the Greens really had anything to think about. The introduction of Marcus Pancho had given the Greens a dangerous out-ball that the hosts were struggling to deal with. Pancho first went close when he forced Adam Revuelta into a fine diving save to beat away his freekick, before a fine, mazy run from the pacy winger was only ended when Revuelta claimed bravely at his feet in the box. The Greens did a commendable job at keeping the Bulls at arm’s length for the final ten minutes – only Joe Harrison firing over from just outside the box giving the Greens any cause for concern.

Assistant Manager Louis Bland was pleased to see the Greens claim all three points on opening day, but insisted there is more to come;

“Opening day is all about three points. We were not really at it today bar the two moments of quality really but we’ve got the three points so happy days.”

“It would have been better if we had got back on the front foot, even second half and scored three, four or five but sometimes you do not get what you want.”

Bland was particularly pleased with the Greens quality in restricting their hosts to very little in front of goal;

“We do not expect to concede many goals. We didn’t last year and it should be the same this year. If we can keep them out at that end, we have enough quality in the front positions that can win games.”

Bland was also happy with the quality that the Greens possessed in reserve on Saturday with players like Tom Siddons and Marcus Pancho to name but a few restricted to substitute appearances;

“We made it clear what we wanted. We looked at the two teams that went up last year and they had really good squads. Every time they bought someone off the bench it was equal to what they had coming off, so we wanted that and we feel we are at that point.”

The Greens now look forward to a return to league action at the Longwater Stadium when Lincolnshire rivals Skegness Town visit on Wednesday evening. Kick-off at Eslaforde Park is set for 7.45PM.

Words: Oliver Atkin