Only one place for us to be today - the Town Ground to see Heanor take on Borrowash Victoria. The weather was atrocious, but it didn't spoil the game, as both teams coped admirably with the skiddy pitch and driving rain. A gusty wind also added to the game, which turned out to be a cracker in front of 328 paying guests...
The result means that the destiny of the League title is back in Heanor's hands. Two points needed from next Saturday's game at home to Blackwell MW, or Tuesday's visit to rock bottom Ellistown. If the Lions fail now, they will really have to kick their own arses, big time!
For this game, the home team were without regular full backs, Jason Foster and Phil Austin, but they welcomed back midfield General Ashley Grayson, kindly given permission to play by Tamworth.
Borrowash began the game at a furious pace, and outplayed their hosts in almost every department. Heanor seemed content to punt the ball down the pitch in the hope that Nathan Benger could latch onto it and run in at goal.
This tactic wasn't very succesful for the home team, but when the Vics tried it on 27, DAVID HIND raced onto the ball. As keeper Neil West hesitated and then slipped, the no. 10 calmly slotted home to the delight of the travelling faithful.
Heanor responded well to going a goal down, and towards the end of the half began to play the ball on the deck - and when Lee Stevenson found ASHLEY GRAYSON, the maestro played a cracking one-two with Gary Webster, before flicking the ball past Steve Smith at his near post. Best move of the game for the Lions, and must have made joint Managers Craig Hopkins and Glenn Kirkwood's half time team talk a little less spicy that it may have been if they had gone in a goal down. H-T 1-1
On the hour, Heanor should have had a penalty. Referee Tim Walker waved away the protests after Benger appeared to have been tripped just inside the penalty area. Had a good game did Mr. Walker, but how he failed to award a penalty on this occasion beggars belief.
West tipped over a point blank drive from Ross Coxon two minutes later, but it was the home team's attacking play that paid dividends on 79, ASHLEY GRAYSON making a run at goal then hitting a drive from the edge of the box that beat Smith's dive before nestling in the corner of the net. Not too much power, but the accuracy was superb.
With two minutes left to play, Jake Vernon ran in at the Vics goal with two defenders in tow. Just as the sub was about to shoot, one of the defenders beat him to it and the ball arced gracefully over Smith and into the net. Cue a mighty Heanor pile up on the pitch....!
Admission £5
Programme £1
Attendance 328
