Nottingham Korfball Club

The Nottingham 1 & 2 were drawn away in this round of the EKA Cup and matched up against teams from London, looking to qualify for the quarter finals. Despite travel delays, Nottingham 2 arrived to challenge Croydon 2; the only competing second teams in this round matched up against each other. After a slow start for the travelling side, which featured many of Nottingham 1’s starting line-up of years past, the team began to get into their shooting rhythm. Despite the best efforts of Croydon 2, Nottingham 2 ran out winners 18-13, with 5 goals each for James Trubridge and Sam Whittaker.

Directly following that game Nottingham 2 provided Nottingham 1 with raucous support to try and upset the home advantage of London side Mitcham. Although the supporters were hoping for a goal fest, they were to be disappointed. Nottingham and Mitcham are currently in the top 4 teams in the country, but neither team was able to show their dominance or produce much structured korfball play.

Nottingham relied heavily on Charlie Vogwill, who has been on fine shooting form this season, and Ross Bower was given the unenviable task of defending him. However the most interesting entertainment for spectators was that of Alistair Knight (Nottingham) and Dean Woods (Mitcham) who battled under the post throughout the game.

The score line was close throughout, with Helen West contributing key goals for Mitcham, but with just 2 minutes to go Mitcham went one goal ahead and must have thought the win was theirs. But Nottingham equalised and went one ahead, through a long shot scored by Alistair Knight next to Nottingham’s supporters who went wild, with just seconds on the clock. A defended call for Natasha Dawson rather than a possible penalty for Carina Lamelas from referee Ian Buckle meant that Nottingham held their brief lead and knocked Mitcham out of the EKA Cup.