Selston FC

The Parish Hall Ground, home of Selston FC based in Nottinghamshire and play their trade in Step 5 of the non league pyramid in the United Counties League Premier Division North. Nicknamed the “Parishioners” as it’s in the name of their home ground. It’s take 2 tonight in the Nottinghamshire Senior Cup Quarter Final as this game should have been played back in February, but thanks to the rainy weather, it can be delayed no more!

Nottingham Forest U23s are the opponents tonight which promises to bring a big crowd to the Parish Hall Ground tonight possibly bigger than ever before!! And me, Max & Emma of Emma’s Ground Guide and Luke of Premier League to non league can say: “We were there!!!”

The short journey down the M1 from Sheffield sees me parked up at Selston co-op with 10 minutes to spare until kick off! Nicely done! The short walk over to the ground and here we go! £6 to watch this Nottinghamshire Senior Cup tie! Tasty! £2 for a hot dog! Where have you been all my life!!? Pin badges…? All gone… Oh well, you can’t win them all!

Kick Off! Very packed in here tonight! Surely that is the attendance record! “Come on Selston!” A group of fans at the top end are giving it large so far!! 3 minutes in and Forest come down the left, it’s crossed in, Lewis Salmon gets a faint head to it… Keeper claws it away brilliantly!! He only saw that late but it’s away from danger now as the defenders clear.

I’ve now found Max & Emma and a long catch up that was overdue has now expired!! 7th minute and Selston hit it long upfield, it comes to Jay Cooper on the right, he gets into the box, he cuts inside and beats his man and he goes for goal… Side netting! A lot of Forest fans here tonight it seems but the most noise seems to be in support of Selston! As we say in football: “We all love an Underdog!”

1 minute later and Forest play it down the right, they work in a cross, it’s Gibson Hammond with the header… It’s a goal!! Forest lead in the Quarter Final… And it’s a pin drop silence as they take the lead… Not even the Forest fans are raising the noise level for that…

As the game goes on, it’s Selston who are starting to grow into the game more! Can they get themselves back into this tie? 23rd minute and Selston play forward, it’s played across the middle for Ben Moore to shoot first time… Straight at the keeper.

30 minutes played now and Selston play down the left flank, the ball goes up in the air… It comes down to Patrick Quinn… He’s been hacked down to the floor… Surely! It is a Penalty as the Referee points to the spot! The crowd cheers in delight but it’s not a goal just yet. Carl Moore is presented with the chance to draw level here, he steps up… OH! It’s saved!! A good height for the keeper as he parries it away.

3 minutes later and Selston have a corner, it’s whipped in… It’s past everyone and… It somehow rolls wide for a goal kick to Forest. 37th minute and Forest play a ball down the left, Lewis Salmon shrugs of the Selston defender and he’s through on goal… He rolls it past the keeper and Forest double their lead… Against the run of play! 0-2! Selston continue to press but at half time the score remains 0-2.

Second half, a slow start to this half with nothing to cheer about so far. 57 minutes on the clock and Selston have it down the right wing, it’s played in and it comes to Jordan Black on the edge of the box who controls it and goes for the volley… Straight at the keeper but what a goal that would have been!!

1 minute later and Forest come down the right wing now, it’s played to Will Swan who cuts inside on the edge of the box and he goes for the lob… And he gets it!! Brilliant goal!! Has this game beyond Selston now? 0-3!

68th minute now and Forest have the ball in midfield… They give it away cheaply and Jay Cooper gets onto it and he drives at goal, he gets to the edge of the box and gets his shot away… HE’S FOUND THE NET!!! A massive cheer and even a few fans on the pitch here!! Selston score! Can they make a game of it now!? 1-3!!

“Everywhere we go! We’re the Selston boys making all the noise! Everywhere we go!” Selston fans in fine spirits now! 71 minutes now and Selston play another long ball forward, the keeper comes for it… The Forest defender slices his clearance straight to Selston and the long range effort comes in… OH! It’s wide… It could have been so much more!!

75th minute and Forest come forward down the left, it’s played to Lewis Salmon in the box, he gets past the defender, he gets past the goalkeeper… He puts it on a plate for Will Swan… Brilliant finish!! And that should be that! 1-4!! The game has slowed down massively as Selston look like they’ve got nothing left in the tank as Forest continue to look dangerous on the break but in the end, Forest will settle for 4.

FT: Selston 1-4 Nottingham Forest U23s

Ratings

• Atmosphere: 4/10 – A massive crowd into this little ground tonight! A small group of fans enjoyed themselves at the top end but it wasn’t all too loud sadly.
• The Ground: 4/10 – It’s not one I’ll remember sadly… It is on a hill which I’m not particularly fond of and it is open on the one side. The 2 stands on the other side are really nice and it does have a good clubhouse! But not anything else to write home about unfortunately.
• Expense: 10/10 – Can’t moan with £6 with 5 goals and the food prices!!
• Overall Experience: 8/10 – A good night all in all! Great to be a part of the record attendance and to see Max & Emma. A shame I didn’t manage to find Luke and I certainly would have loved Selston to win tonight!

26/40