Goals: Hutton 15’ 33’ 57’, Bellow 26’, Scott-Smith 41’
Assists: Ford x 2, Scott-Smith, Martin, Pearson.
Yellow Cards: Martin 48’
Red Cards: Martin 74’ & No 16 (opposition) 74’.
Back to the league, back to winning ways and back to Nelson punishing teams. Ah, it’s good to be in the yellow and blue.
This was a game that all would have enjoyed, unless you were a minor, in which case you would have needed parental guidance. Where’s the character? There’s the character! Forget the sloppy starts of old.
As the opposition’s No. 16 shot at the imperious Sam Cappell from the half way line in the first few seconds, it was clear that this team had underestimated the Nelson tenfold.
Fifteen minutes in and Ford hunted down a loose ball, cunningly stepped over by Martin, then pushed on. As he remembered those childhood days in East Anglia he flicked the ball assuredly to Hutton who drilled home goal number one. The first of many. Ten minutes later, Arlo flew down the right and won a throw in. Scott-Smith did the honours and Bellow was there. Dan Bellow, consistent, flamboyant, comedic. There was no doubt as he wrapped his foot around the ball to make it 2-0. Even though Hutton had already scored his 3rd goal in three games, he was hungry for more. Cappell knocked a ball up the pitch which Martin, formidable as usual, flicked on for Hutton. With all the skill that Ronaldo wished he had, Alex tucked it neatly passed the keeper into the bottom left hand corner to make it 3-0. Was that it? No. Scott-Smith had other ideas. Punishment was the name of the game for Chris. With unbelievable tekkers, Chris composed himself and knocked in a sumptuous drive from the edge of the area for 4-0. Goal of the season? Maybe, it’s certainly up there. Ford taking the assist for this one.
Half Time. “Lay off now Nelson. Take it easy. Conserve your energy.” Think again fans, not for this team. Within five seconds of the kick off Nelson won a corner and their intent was clear. When goal number five came it was no surprise. Brazier won the ball in midfield and put Pearson in. Speeding down the right he unselfishly crossed for Hutton and the Man of the Match duly obliged, dispatching the ball to claim his first hat trick in Nelson colours. We look forward to many more. Soon after, the flash point of the game. Eye gouging, shirt pulling, spit, fists and offers of dates. Not an insight into the personal lives of the Nelson management but an off the ball incident which resulted in the oppositions No. 16 being deservedly sent off. Unfortunately Nelson took a red too and Martin received his marching orders, but he had already done a job. It finished 5-0 to the Nelson. A first clean sheet of the season means it is well worth mentioning a solid defensive display. Craig was confident at left back, Bellow consistent as ever at right back and Si and Tom continue to go from strength to strength in the centre. More of the same from now on and Nelson will be challenging at the top of the table this season.
