Non-League and Academy football writer

I was in attendance at Tolworth Court Ground on Saturday afternoon, for a Southern Amateur League Division 1 fixture between reigning champions Nottsborough (firsts) and Civil Service (firsts), a side who went into this game unbeaten in the league so far this season. Nottsborough started this match in second place in the table after seven matches played. Civil Service started this match in fourth place in the table, after eight matches played. This promised to be a high quality game of SAL football, and it certainly was a great game to report on, with it finishing in a quality 3-3 draw. Played at a really good pace right from kick-off, it was Nottsborough who saw considerably more of the ball, during the early stages of the game. And not too long after Nottsborough player Joe Molloy had got to the ball on the edge of the visitors’ penalty area following a long throw-in, the Nottsborough player would curl an efforts towards the goal, which deflected wide, off a Civil Service defender, in what was the first real chance of this contest.

Nottsborough continued to keep and pass the ball around the pitch well, and not very long after that effort from Joe Molloy, the home side would take the lead in the game. Nottsborough’s good early press would result in them winning the ball close to the edge of the Civil Service penalty area, as Kai Beck got onto the ball before taking it forward at pace, into the penalty area. Beck would then finish powerfully and low into the goal, past the outrushing goalkeeper, Reuben Bull, 1-0. John Sewell’s Civil Service side would respond well to going 1-0 down in the game. After a well worked move, Jake Holt would lift an effort (on his left foot) onto the roof of the Nottsborough goal, after receiving a pass on the edge of their penalty area. In fact Civil Service were the better team for the majority of the remainder of the first half.

Shortly after Civil Service player Jonny Moore had got to the ball on the edge of the Nottsborough penalty area, he would see his resulting effort on goal be saved by the Nottsborough goalkeeper, Max Day, not long before the away side got an equalising goal. The move which led to Civil Service’s equalising goal came from a long goal-kick upfield by Reuben Bull. The ball was then flicked on to Rich Beanis, on the edge of the Nottsborough penalty area, from where he finished low and powerfully into the bottom right-hand corner of the goal, 1-1. Civil Service finished the second confidently. After Jonny Moore had managed to get to a loose pass, from around 20 yards out from goal, he would whip an effort on goal which bounced just in front of the goalkeeper, who managed to just push it behind for a corner-kick. And then another well worked passing move from the visitors, just before half-time, would result in Matt Huntley laying the ball off (inside of the Nottsborough penalty area) to Lind Osmani, whose powerful effort was superbly tipped over his crossbar by Max Day. 

After a bit of an uneventful start to the second half, Nottsborough player Harry Bayles would get to a lofted ball to the centre of the Civil Service box, which he volleyed narrowly wide of the goalkeeper’s right-hand post. Civil Service were working the ball into some promising forward positions, however. One such chance saw substitute Dom Shaw get to a lofted ball just in front of the Nottsborough goalkeeper and inside of the box, but Shaw was just unable to get an effort way on goal. Impressive Nottsborough substitute Dan Barber was adding further quality to this entertaining game. And a moment of sheer brilliance from him would result in Nottsborough retaking the lead. James Taylor’s brilliant first time through-ball pass, on the turn, would set Dan Barber on his way, towards the final third. He took the ball at pace towards the edge of the Civil Service penalty area, before slowing down and showing great composure to lift the ball over Reuben Bull who was off his goal-line, with an exquisite rabona style finish into the goal, 2-1.

Nottsborough would try to seal the win, but shortly after Dan Barber’s low effort (from 20 yards out) was gathered by Reuben Bull, Civil Service would begin to show the same quality that had seen them finish the first half of the match so strongly. A fine effort from Alex Callegari, from close to the edge of the Nottsborough penalty area, was well pushed behind by Max Day. And then a couple of minutes later, Jonny Moore showed real tenacity to regain possession of the ball on the right flank, before then taking it just inside of the Nottsborough penalty area, and hitting a powerful effort wide of the goalkeeper’s near post. Civil Service’s quality and hard work in the final third was rewarded, when they made it 2-2. Jono Malone’s excellent whipped cross into the Nottsborough box, from the right flank, was met by Dom Shaw in the centre of the penalty area. His headed effort on goal was well parried by Max Day, but Josh Valentin was on hand on the follow-up, to finish into the goal from close range, 2-2.

Just as it looked like Civil Service were looking the more likely side to win this game, as they pushed for a late winner, Nottsborough would score a late third goal. Dan Barber turned provider this time, as after receiving the ball out on the right flank he would perform a couple of stepovers with the ball before whipping an excellent ball towards the back post, inside of the Civil Service penalty area, to find Kai Beck, who found the back of the goal courtesy of a fine diving header, 3-2. Another very late dramatic goal would follow in this highly eventful game of SAL football, as Civil Service deservedly made it 3-3. A long throw-in (from the right flank) would eventually fall for Matt Huntley, close to the centre of the Nottsborough penalty area. The Civil Service number nine would show tremendous composure to calmly lift the ball over Max Day and a Nottsborough defender, and into the goal, off the goalkeeper’s right-hand post, 3-3.

Civil Service did create one final chance in the final moments of the game, after Dom Shaw received Matt Huntley’s pass on the left-hand side of the Nottsborough penalty area, before cutting inside with the ball and hitting an effort over the goal. This was a fantastic and really good quality game of football, on Saturday afternoon. It was also a game which included a truly spectacular goal from Nottsborough player Dan Barber, who really showed his quality after being substituted on for the second half. I personally thought that a draw was the fair result, even though Civil Service created the better chances on the day. However, this was a really good game, and credit to both sides for the way in which it was played throughout, and also the pace that it was played at, right from the off.

There were a number of excellent performances on both sides today. Matt Huntley, Lind Osmani, and Jono Malone were very good, to name just some of the players who I thought impressed for Civil Service, against Nottsborough (there were also some very fine performances from Nottsborough). However, my player of the match was Nottsborough’s number 11, Dan Barber, who showed tremendous quality on the ball after entering the pitch for the start of the second half. Dan Barber’s goal was outstanding, and his assist for the very good Kai Beck’s second goal, was also very impressive.