NFC hosted Basford United Tigers for the 1st round of the YEL Trophy!

We began this game very well, fully in control, moving the ball well and we took an early lead through Keo Phillipotts, pressing them from the front, forcing them into mistake. Deacon Wade then won the ball back and played a lovely pass through to Pirran Beeley who tapped in to make it 2-0 to us. They then reacted, as they played a long ball over the top, our defence didn't deal with it well, their striker then ran through and slotted home to pull a goal back, 2-1. We then started to move the ball around again, Deacon and Keo were linking up very well, which lead to us scoring a third as we played the ball out wide for it to come back inside and for Keo to double his tally, 3-1. Soon after, we then began to become very complacent, a misplaced pass lead to their player playing a lovely through ball, which their striker went in a foot race with our defenders, he was too quick and scored again 3-2.

From the very start of the second half, we went at them with pace, a lovely ball played out wide to Nayte Kyle was taken down well, he collected it and drove at their defenders and fired a rocket of a shot into the top corner, 4-2. Basford responded very quickly as a quick move lead to them pulling a goal back again, 4-3. We then began to play again, some sharp passing involving Kenzie Elliot lead to him letting a shot off which went over the keepers head and went in, 5-3. This game had more drama, their defender makes a good tackle, sprinted down the line to cross the ball in and their striker was their with a free header to make it 5-4. The boys continued to dig deep as they kept moving the ball nicely, Pirram received it, he danced passed a couple of defenders, and passes it into the far corner, 6-4. Surely game over now. We created more and more chances but couldn't convert them, but we managed to get a 7th when the ball was played through to Keo who went onto complete his hat trick and finish the game off. We could've and should've had a lot more today, but a win is what matters and that sees us into the 2nd round.

Full Time- Nottingham FC 7-4 Basford United Tigers