01 Dec 2018 3.00PM CMFL North Division
| Dinnington Town FC | 3-2 | Staveley MW Reserves |
Dinnington ran out winners in a pulsating afternoon at Phoenix Park.
Town made a strong start, Jack Binney winning possession down the left wing, played a positive ball into Matty Bradley. His cross was bundled over the line by skipper Jacob France, who poked it onto the inside of the post and over the line.
The lead was not held for very long, a loose back pass by Tom Spenceley saw a quick thinking Staveley shirt nip in and fire underneath the oncoming Zac Walker.
The referee Simon Owen then became the centre point for the remainder of the half, firstly for showing a straight red to captain France for what his assistant referee described as a "stamp". A few minutes later, goalkeeper Walker and Staveley forward Reece Clegg clashed, with both being spoken to whilst fans wondered if Mr Owen was in full control of the game. Not longer after, defender Blake Blythe went in late on former-Dinno youth prospect Joe Wilson, who made it very clear he wanted Blythe to follow France down the tunnel for an early shower. The man-in-the-middle Owen decided a yellow card was enough.
There was still time for a goal before half time, and it was Dinnington who took up the mantle - Rene Marsden finding the back of the net after good work from Nick Chapman from centre right midfield.
Staveley intended on taking full advantage of their extra man in the second half, and came out on the attack, with a good spell of possession seeing them equalise for a second time. Staveley continued to press but this created gaps at the back, with Binney finding himself unlucky after a mazy run ended with a toe-poked shot hitting the post.
With the game fizzling out with few chances of note, both fans had settled for a draw. But Phoenix Park has seen a fair few last gasp winners, and it graced another one for the home side. Staveley lost possession and found themselves under-manned at the back. Bradley's pace took him through on goal, but unselfishly passed across goal to the oncoming Spenceley to find the back of a gaping net.
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