8.10.06 Bestwood MW Res 3-1 Magdala Amateurs Res (NSL Division One) Andy Smith.

After a great start to the campaign many would expect to see a victory for Bestwood but the first 30 mins was evenly matched and a well organised Magadala side probably had the better of the chances, coming close on 2 occassions. Bestwood's organised side battled on and were dangerous on the break with pacy forward Damien Mann always a threat. Bestwood took the the lead when a typcal break seemed to have been wasted as a cross ball eluded everyone in the box. The ball was retreived out right and the cross was deftly headed home by Captain ROBINSON, on his return to the starting line-up.

The never ageing Robinson began to provide some much needed influence on the game and now that Beswtoods defence was marshelling the lively Magdala frontline well, his contribution helped Bestwood into a 2-0 half time lead. After receiving a pass from Lathall, Robbo saw the run of young Matt CARRINGTON who took the ball in his stride and and drilled the ball over the advancing keeping to score his firdt goal for the club.

The 2nd half proved to be harder work than necessary, probably with the comfort of a 2-0 lead to fall back on. Credit to Magadala though, they continued to create some decent half chances and never gave Bestwood opportunity to sit on their lead. Concentration played a part in Magadala only goal of the game when home keeper Smoczyc failed to hang onto a right wing cross that fell to the feet of Magdala's No 11 for a simple tap in from a yard out.

This seemed to kcik-start Bestwood and Robbo & Mann still looked a threat up front with some good support play from Shaw, Lancaster & Lathall. Hulme & Lindsey were switched on at the back and despite losing the keeper to a calf injury with 15 mins to go, Bestwood were keeping control without being severly tested.

Another quick break from right to left, gave Mann the opportunity to have a run at the defence and smarlty squared the ball to ROBINSON who fired a swerving strike with his right foot into the roof of the net for his 2nd & Bestwood's 3rd goal.

The result was well deserved for Bestwood who had to work hard against a well organised passing side who never gave up.

9.9.06 Bestwood MW 0-0 Attenborough (NSL Senior Division) Mark Towlson.

An improvement for both sides after heavy defeats the previous week. However Bestwood's nomination of Attenborough's keeper Worcester as man of the match gives an indication of the way things were. Bestwoods own M.O.M Morgan Whitehurst troubled Worcester in the first half with a Cruyff turn 35 yards out and a shot which the keeper had to push over the bar. McShane was the next player to be defied as he met a header at the back post directing it back across the keeper who twisted in mid air to palm the ball away. Meanwhile Attenborough were relying on their pace up front chasing long balls which were in the main chased down and cut out by Hulme and Lockwood.

The second half saw much of the same with Worster being kept very busy with a series of Bestwood corners and a point blank header palmed away. Whitehurst contributed with 2 further excellent chances the first being  from 30 yards when he flicked the ball over the defender to then volley towards goal - yet again Worster was there to prevent a superb effort. The second chance didn't need Worster as Whitehurst struck a passed free kick just wide of the post from his shooting range of 30yards.

0-0 was a step in the right direction for both sides in a game that needs to recognise the excellent officiating from all 3 officials.

26.8.06 Kimberley MW 1-1 Bestwood MW (NSL Senior Division) Mark Towlson.

Another draw for Bestwood that should have been 3 points, but bearing in mind previous defeats at Kimberley was a point gained.

The game started evenly on a well maintained pitch, with sides knocking the ball about well. However Kimberley got the first strike after 20 minutes with a route one punt from the keeper that found the Bestwood back four very flat. The ball was taken wide by Chaplin who pulled the ball back into the box for Fisher to finish easily. Bestwood saw the ball in the back of the Kimberley net twice only for Walkers effort to be called for offside and R Dawkins indirect freekick deemed not to have connected with anybody before going in. There were a couple of long range shots from both sides with Bestwood full back Parkins 30yarder being the pick of the bunch - Half time 1-0.

Bestwood were still well in the game and there was a good supply of crosses into the Kimberley box from R Dawkins that saw some desperate defending from Kimberley. It was however an excellent cross from left back Tolley that saw centre forward Dawkins get his second in two games with a fine headed finish. McShane and Mann were introduced for Greeley and Walker for Bestwood. The pace of both players troubled Kimberley and McShane was unlucky to be at full stretch at the back post when he could only get a toe to a deep cross that went over the bar. Kimberley then created a good couple of chances in the dying minutes that Bestwood successfully defended to come away with a point.