Bottesford Town

Northern Counties East 
Play Off Final
Bottesford Town 1 Emley 1
Bottesford win 4-3 on penalties
Atten 280







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Today i finally arrived in paradise ... aka Scunthorpe ! This was Bottesford's biggest match ever and it was a shame that League One club Scunthrope United were also playing at Home and entry was only a fiver v Port Vale. As Glanford Park is situated only a 4 iron away it was bound to have an effect on the attendence. and so it proved. 

It was their loss as this was a most enjoyable game with a cruel late twist. First half was an even affair with both teams probing each other with little effect.
But the second half was excellent as both teams were going for the victory. But it was Emley who took the lead after a period of pressure. A decent corner to the back post was headed back across the goal which was duly dispatched. To much celebration the Emley players jumped on top of each other. They could/should have doubled the lead as few minutes later as their No9 who has scored 70+ goals this season , was left unmarked 15 yards out but rushed himself and proceeded to balloon the ball twenty feet over the bar. Emley should have also had a penalty for a blatant foul on the same No9 but the ref thought otherwise. It turned out to be a tipping point of the match. 

But then with only seconds to go, and while the Emley bench were all smiling, Bottesford pressed and pressed and in the very last second were awarded a penalty.
FT 1-1. Extra time was cagey with both teams having chances. 

Emley were 3-1 up in the Penalty shoot out but somehow they lost their nerve and missed the next two spot kicks. Bottesford Scored their penalty which started a pitch invasion and celebrations.The Emley players were understandably distraught and watching Bottesford celebrate hardly eased the pain.
Very good of the home crowd to applaud the Emley team off the pitch. It was a nail biting and pulsating finish to the game in sunny Scunny !