A determined and organised Edwalton made Cotgrave work very hard for this victory. In the opening exchanges Cotgrave‘s wingers, Max Robertson and Lewis Hopkinson, found plenty of space. In one attack Robertson laid the ball back to Aidan Sheppard whose shot was just wide, and in another a whipped in Hopkinson cross was headed onto the bar by Jordan Cumberland. Then gradually Edwalton pushed Cotgrave back and closed down the attacking spaces. Cotgrave had more of the ball but looked tentative and were relieved to go into the break with a slim lead when Cumberland converted a Sheppard corner from close range.

The second half saw a more disciplined performance from Cotgrave. Harry Normington and Ben Halcro pulled the defence tighter together whilst James Staples and Matthew Hodgett anchored the midfield, all of which enabled full backs Elliott Coulthard-Gaunt and Thomas Staples to support Cotgrave’s attacks more effectively. After only one minute Thomas Staples drove down the right and delivered a cross for Cumberland to double the lead. On ten minutes Cumberland lobbed the keeper for his third hat-trick of the season after being put clean through by Sheppard. Then three minutes later a good midfield move involving Luke Black and James Staples saw the ball worked to Sheppard who finished with a shot high into the net from the edge of the area.

Just as Cotgrave looked to have taken complete control, Edwalton broke away to finish from close range. However, within five minutes Cotgrave claimed their fifth goal when a high ball from Halcro was headed over the keeper and in by Robertson. Cotgrave continued to pressure the Edwalton defence, but without success and on occasion keeper David Young was needed to sweep up Edwalton attacks.

Today Cotgrave had to show resilience when a game didn’t go as expected, and they came through well.

Man of the Match - James Staples