27.11.04 Ruddington United 1-4 Arnold Southbank (NSL Senior Division)

The harsh realities of a small squad were brought crashing home at elms park after a tough point last week (Could easily have been 3!) away at Wollaton. The draw had left us with 3 from our back 4 injured and unavailable for the visit by Arnold Southbank. We pieced together a make shift back 4 that wasn't able to cope with a Southbank team that thoroughly deserved their 4-1 victory. Ruddington led 1-0 after a brilliant cross field pass from Reeves was brought down and executed wonderfully by Wilson but the goal was against the run of play although much appreciated! Thankfully Baker was in great from in the home net but even his heroics couldn't deny the visitors two well finished goals before half time.

Ruddington looked jaded from the week before and Arnold were creating chances easily against a defence that only really had one defender in it! The rest filled in from wide positions and up front! But in physical games you get casualties and that's life, Baker was lucky to play but braved through a horrible injury to his thigh. Hipkiss also struggled after having 4 stitches removed from his calf two days earlier after last weeks game but gave his all as normal. Arnold finally broke through after Ruddington had missed two good chances in the second half, firstly Spencer broke through one on one with Arnolds keeper and only his honesty in not going down preventing the excellent referee from giving a penalty, good to see such honesty still survives in the amateur game! Soon later Hipkiss hit the post with a strong header but Arnold deserved their win and after missing a hatful of good chances finally secured the 3 points with 2 well finished goals. Hopefully we can get some defenders back on the pitch next week!

If you play our best team (never happened yet!) your in for a tough game but when Arnold Town keep stealing your players it's difficult, they have only taken 5 to date hopefully they are done now? But our lads enjoy their football and we'll keep on plugging away doing our best and having a good drink after! (Richard Hipkiss Ruddington United)