By Tom Price
Nottingham Ball Bois 1 - London Falcons 2
G.F.S.N. League • Sunday, 14thOctber, 2007 • Nottingham

Sunday 14th October saw the GFSN Leagues 2 newest teams go head to head in what turned out to be a feisty and close fought affair in Nottingham.

Both teams going in to the game looking to make their mark on the league meant that everyone was in fighting spirits, Nottingham looking to get their first points of the season on the board, and Falcons having the opportunity to take top position in the league in their inaugural season.

Neither team disappointed, and the game started at a fast pace, with Falcons coming out of the blocks quickest when James Edeki’s shot sailed just over the bar inside 5 minutes. Ballbois responded to the threat with some smart defensive play and a ball launched over the top was nearly latched on to by striker Brett Laking, only for Falcons keeper Aaron Jameson to collect on the edge of his box.

The game continued in much the same vein, with both side creating chances, and strong tackles going in from both sides. Captain Ian Kehoe collecting the first yellow card of the game when a mistimed tackle was deemed to have deserved a booking by referee Tom Fletcher, who on the whole had an excellent game.

It was still Falcons who had the clearest of the chances, with Kehoe shooting wide, and midfielder Tom Price heading wide from a Chris Maughan corner.

The breakthrough came on 25 minutes, Maughan and Kehoe working the ball well in the midfield before Kehoe set Falcons winger Kieran Evans free and his superb pinpoint cross found James Edeki unmarked in the area to head home and give the visitors the lead.
10 minutes later and the Falcons were 2-0 up, a strong tackle by Maughan pushed the ball in to Kehoe’s feet who rounded a defender and slotted the ball home with his left from close range.

The last 10 minutes of the half saw Falcons slightly on the back foot, with Nottingham threatening constantly, especially from Laking up front and Jordan coming forward for set pieces from centre back, and it was Jordan who had the best chance of the half when his well hit drive sailed only inches wide of the Falcons post.

Falcons hung on however and went in to the break with a 2 goal lead.

The 2nd half started as they had finished, with strong challenges all over the pitch, and Nottingham coming out the stronger of the 2, and it was an ill timed tackle from reliable defender Dan Walton that conceded a free kick 10 yards outside the box. The resulting kick was struck powerfully in to the Falcons area, and the defence was caught napping as Ballbois defender Jordan nipped in at the back post to slot home from 5 yards.
The game was now on, and Falcons were on the back foot. With the Ballbois attacking constantly and causing the defence numerous problems, only for centre back Jamie Okaro to pull off 3 stunning tackles in the space of 10 minutes!

There were obviously some tired Falcons legs out there and manager Randall made 3 quick fire substitutions with 20 minutes to go, taking off Price first to give new signing Tony Kerr his league debut in midfield, followed by an injury to Andy Grace at left back giving Gary Britnell a chance to come on and reiterate his value to the Falcons team 5 minutes later.
The fresh legs proved invaluable to Falcons as they started to create more chances, and get forward to attack the Ballbois goal, and it was another substitute Chase Newton who had the best chance, being put through by James Edeki only to have his left foot shot blocked superbly by Jordan.

Nottingham Ballbois weren’t done though, and it was only some smart keeping by Aaron Jameson that rescued Falcons when a weak back pass nearly let in Notts striker, only for Jameson to race from his area and clear!

This was to be the last chance Notts had, with Falcons holding on to record their 2nd win out of 2, and their 6th win on the trot in league, cup and friendlies!!

This game proved that the 2 new boys to the league aren’t there to be almost rans, with huge commitment and some excellent play from both sides promising a very exciting league season ahead!!

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