Kev was unable to make this game at the Eagle Valley, but on this occasion, Rob "the66pow" Waite, Richard "Wanderer" Lane, Brian "Big Issue" Dennett, Trev "Wheelchair " Williams and Keith "Mr. Teversal" Parnill were all on hand to ensure that I was not old "Billy No-Mates" at this game!!!
I enjoyed our U19 games at Arnold last season, and if this new batch of youngsters play like this all season, I reckon I'll be enjoying a few more.....
The F.A. Youth Cup is contested by the respective clubs' U18's, and both teams did exceptionally well, despite being cold and soaked throughout most of the proceedings...
Arnold went in front in the 16th minute when TOM LEES-COLLIER curled in free-kick from 20 yards.....bent it like Beckham, as they say.
LEES-COLLIER doubled the home teams advantage 8 minutes later, heading home a right wing corner. H-T 2-0
We were sitting in the Main Stand - shelter from the downpour - and it was very well populated... until the half-time whistle went that is - then there were just me and Rob, Keith and Richard left....made you feel like the body spray had worn off !!
Carlton were awarded a penalty on 48, I know not why, but their skipper NATHAN GUIGNO in the no. 3 shirt duly converted. The fightback was on .....well, actually it wasn't because within 5 minutes of the penalty success, LEES-COLLIER completed his hat-trick by firing home another free-kick - this one from about 22 yards. To say the keeper could have done better is a bit of an understatement - he just seemed to watch it roll past him without even trying to make an attempt at saving it.
On the hour mark, the Carlton no. 16, RAHEEM GORDON, beat the offside trap and raced in to slot home, but when JOSEPH BROTHWELL ran through to add Arnold's fourth on 78, Carlton seemed to realise they were beaten and the game was effectively over. F-T 4-2
Admission £2 -- bargain !!
H/C -- didn't really check, but there had to be 70-75 present.....
