19^th Aug. 2007 GroundHoppers 2 – 2 Keyworth

Hoppers went into this friendly, aware of the good reputation of this Keyworth side# knowing that they would have to be on their game. Both sides were missing players, but it didn’t detract from an entertaining game of football.

Keyworth started the stronger, with their neat passing game, but were up against a Hoppers defence, on their game. Hoppers slowly started to get their passing game going and they began to create a few chances.

The deadlock was broken, just before half-time, as Keyworth took advantage of some sloppy Hoppers defending, to pass their way through the team, before lifting the ball over the advancing keeper and into the net.

Half time talk for Hoppers was positive, even though a goal down, the aim was to keeping things tight and continue the good work, with a little more quality in the last third. Keyworth, tried to take the game to Hoppers early the second half; Hoppers weathered the storm, before they went looking for the equalising goal. After an hour and with a few injuries aftecting some players, Hoppers natural desire to get forward always looking for a goal, was the only thing that kept them going. It was enough to force the equaliser, the Keyworth goalkeeper climbing all over Oluka Takan, conceded the penalty, which was struck home by David Rose. With less than five minutes on the clock, Hoppers sill pushing forward, build an attack down their, right, the cross found the unlikely figure of Darren Eames, arriving at the far post to score his goal, with his second attempt..

Keyworth, not to be outdone, by Hoppers, picked themselves up and went looking for the equaliser, they were rewarded for their hard work, as the ball dropped nicely from a corner, to be thumped home from eight yards.

The draw was the correct result in a lively, entertaining game.

TEAM: Patten, Eames(1), Hinchion, Canfield, Bateman, Huggins, Gadsdon, Rose(1), Brown, Takan, Searle, Jeffreys