Meadow Lane Game - 26th December 2003

12 boys from Cotgrave Colts Under 10's, together with 2 boys from the Under 9's who's brothers were also playing met up at Meadow Lane to play a 7-a-side football game. The game was due to take place during the half time period of the Nott's County v Queens Park Rangers game. A crowd of 7,702 was in Meadow Lane, Nott's biggest crowd of the season. The teams were split up to represent Nott's County and a team in blue bibs representing Queens Park Rangers.

Alex Pykett	Keaton Dobbins
Ryan Stott	Joe Baker
Luke Haxby	Lewis Dobbins
Callum Fern	Jimmy Whitehead
Robert Flint	Glen Dale
Ben Dunning	Callum Clark
Michael Cox	Craig Dale

The main game was 2-2 at half time. The teams left the field and the Cotgrave Colts lads marched in two lines onto the pitch to be introduced to the crowd. The commentator explained that the blue bibbed team were to represent QPR, whilst the none bibs were to represent Nott's County. The game was to take place in front of the away end where a few thousand noisy QPR fans had made the trip up from West London. The last four half time games all ended 0-0, so we were under pressure to provide some goals for the fans.

The game kicked off and immediately Nott's County were on the attack. Only fine goalkeeping and defending from Keaton Dobbins and Joe Baker prevented Nott's from taking the lead. During one of Nott's attacks the ball found it's way to Michael Cox (big County fan) who fired in a shot which was destined for the corner of the goal, however, Callum Fern showed his predatory strikers instinct to steer the ball into the goal leaving Keaton no chance. 1-0 to Nott's!! A big cheer went up from the County faithfull. Callum's grandad would have enjoyed that one being a season ticket holder.

This brought QPR into life and a fine dribble down the right side, beating two players in the process by Callum Clark had the QPR fans on their feet. The ball into the centre found Jimmy Whitehead in space and he fired in a shot that looked destined for the equaliser, but Alex Pykett was equal to it. Great save!!! QPR were really going for the equaliser, but the back two of Nott's Luke Haxby and Ryan Stott were very strong. Another attack from QPR masterminded by the Dale brothers, saw Glen lay an inch perfect ball through to brother Craig, which split the defence. The drizzle had put a bit of zip on the pitch and Craig hit the shot with venom, but Alex Pykett was there again. Would anyone beat one of the best under 10 goalkeepers in Nott's?

The breakthrough for QPR came when a corner into the area caused mayhem and a number of players could have scored. The ball found it's way out to Lewis 'Dobbo' Dobbins, who managed to strike a left footed shot which went straight through the crowd leaving Alex with no chance in goal. 1-1!!

Still both teams pressed to take the lead. Ben Dunning was making some great runs down the right wing for County and was causing lots of trouble. The crowd loved it and were getting behind both teams. Michael Cox found himself with a chance and tried a shot, which looked like it was going over Keaton. Time seemed to stand still, would the County fan Michael strike the winner? No!!! keaton managed to get his hands up and pull off a great save. No David Seaman in goal for QPR today!!

QPR were now in full flow backed by the noisy away support "Come on you blue's" rung out from the away end. Joe Baker and Lewis Dobbins were now starting to edge forward in search of the winning goal. Fine play on the wings by Jimmy and Callum was edging the ball towards the Nott's goal. Craig was making some intelligent runs and was a handful for Luke and Ryan in the Nott's defence. The ball broke to Glen Dale, who layed the ball into the path of Lewis Dobbins, Cotgrave's own 'psycho' (Stuart Pearce for all those who don't know, who had a killer left foot). When the ball reaches Lewis's left foot with the goal in range it can only mean one thing. Goal!!!!! 2-1 QPR. All credit to Alex, who made a brave attempt to keep it out, but the ball was slippy with the damp conditions and it squirmed its way into the goal. "2-1 to the QPR" rang out from the happy away fans.

Were Nott's beaten? Were there heads down? No way!!! Nott's were after the equaliser and Ryan Stott and Luke Haxby were moving forward to help. Fine play by Ben Dunning managed to win a corner for Nott's. Robert Flint (no better deadball player in the YEL) was due to take it, so everyone was forward. Robert's corner didn't disappoint. A beautifully floated ball was aimed right into the danger zone. It seemed to brush the crossbar and come down right on the line. Would a County player become a hero? Unfortunately no one managed to connect with the ball and a great corner was wasted and that was Nott's last real chance of evening things up.

A big well done to all the players, who were a credit to Cotgrave Colts!! The result of the game was not important. I know the fans appreciated the performance by how many cheered you off the field. A big thanks to all the Nott's and QPR fans for making it an experience to remember for the boys.