A MUCH-improved performance without the desired result, City drew 1-1 with South Normanton Athletic today.
Here, we rate the players…
TOM PALMER 6
Little to do but could not be faulted for the goal. Solid enough.
ALEXANDRU ALBERT 7
Had it all on to deal with the tricky Kevin Hemagon and did okay, frustrating the big frontrunner. Looked comfortable in the back three after the red card.
AARON GRIFFITHS 7
Seemed to benefit from his omission in recent weeks.
Added drive and played some pinged diagonal passes into the right channel to good effect in the first half. Slotted into a back three well but switched off for the Athletic's goal.
MARK SMITH 5
Exposed on the deck a couple of times by Hemagou, might have given away a penalty and would have been disappointed not to prevent the goal.
WAYNE THOMAS 3
Fitted in well and brought much-needed solidarity until his red card. Needlessly got dragged into a situation that proved costly.
STAR MAN - NATHAN HAYWARD 8
Usual 100 per cent work rate coupled with a good display on the ball. Alongside Brad Birch, made City tick.
JOSH SARMENTO 7
His clever movement was too much for South Normanton, particularly poor left-back Sam Groves, but should have got on the score sheet and might have given away a penalty.
BRAD BIRCH 8
Played through the pain barrier with his ankle not totally right but that did not show. Lung-busting runs and a tenacious edge.
LEE HUGHES 6
An assist and bags of effort but things did not quite happen for the joint-boss on the pitch.
His play was disrupted by a multitude of fouls that should have seen Kane Jellyman booked at the very least.
DAVE REYNOLDS 6
As usual, good movement and a sprinkling of flair, it just did not happen in front of goal.
Unquestionably should have scored one, perhaps two and won’t need telling that.
ALEX TOMKINSON 7
Lively out wide, did well to take his chance well but had others.
Another who might have put City two up and with 10 minutes left, might have played a bigger part in trying to prevent the equaliser.
Subs: J Smith 6 (Tomkinson, 77), Baldwin 6 (Birch, 81), Mole 6 (Sarmento, 88). Unused: Fishwick, Gwynne (g/k).
The star man poll closes at 6pm tomorrow (Sunday, October 15).
South Normanton: Keeling 7, Jellyman 5, Groves 4, Roberts 6, Strzyzweski 6, Leigh 7, Leighton 7 (Abou, 77, 6), O Brien 5, Hemagou 6, Crosby 7, S Kellogg 6. Unused subs: Clark, McEvoy, T Kellogg.
Attendance: 335.
Ref: James Lunn 5/10.
Match rating: 3/5.
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