Cotgrave progressed to the next round of the Shield with a good passing display against Selston from the Mansfield league.

After some early end-to-end exchanges Cotgrave took a grip of the first half with some of their best passing of the season to date. On eight minutes Aidan Sheppard fed the ball to Luke Black who in turn passed to Lewis Hopkinson. Hopkinson crossed from the right and Kit Weir finished from close range. With Ben Halcro in his usual imposing form at the back Cotgrave looked like a solid unit and continued to attack, with full-backs Thomas Staples and Elliott Coulthard-Gaunt driving forward at every opportunity.

Another Hopkinson cross was met at the far post by Max Robertson who saw his header go over the bar. Robertson then crossed from the left for Hopkinson to drive a shot just wide on the opposite far post. The second goal finally came in the twenty-first minute when Black broke through into the area and was brought down for a penalty. Sheppard stepped up and drove his kick confidently into the top corner, giving the keeper no chance. Then, in the final minute of the half, Black crossed into the area for Jordan Cumberland to tuck the ball into the net from close range and give Cotgrave a three goal half-time lead.

Harry Normington joined Halcro at the back for the second-half, where Selston lifted their game and made the match more even. Early in the half Nathan Burgin saved a long-range shot to preserve Cotgrave’s lead, and David Young broke well into the Selston area only for the recovering defender to block his shot. Matthew Hodgett and Kris McCann brought fresh legs to the team and, with nine minutes remaining, the game was put beyond Selston when James Staples was on hand to score from a rebound following a Cumberland shot.

A good performance by Cotgrave.

Man of the Match - Luke Black

Feedback: name: luke black

Involvement: Cotgrave Manager

thanks andrew for making me .m.o.m.