URN

The University of Nottingham defeated Nottingham Trent University in a gripping 2-1 extra-time win on Monday night. A 97th minute Jake Furman strike secured the game for UoN, after Chris Plummer had put them in the lead in the first half. A last gasp Trent equaliser had sent the game to extra time, but UoN’s grit and determination shone through in a close affair.

UoN lined up in a 4-5-1 formation, with their desire to keep hold of the ball in midfield and use the width evident. It was a scrappy opening, as would perhaps be expected in such a fierce rivalry, with neither time creating any clear cut chances in the opening fifteen minutes.

An intense atmosphere created by the crowd, set the tone for the game, with early challenges flying in as both teams struggled to show their passing qualities. Jake Furman, younger brother of Oldham player Dean, picked up a yellow card in the opening ten minutes for UoN after a rash challenge, with a couple of Trent players nursing minor knocks.

It was Trent who perhaps made the brighter start, penning UoN in their own half with long-ball tactics; and a goalmouth scramble fifteen minutes in had to be frantically cleared for a corner, the UoN defence slightly rattled at the pace at which Trent had begun the game.

The match this evening is poised perfectly after both sides narrowly missed out on promotion this season and after we beat Trent at home and then lost to them at their place. Trent are always a strong, direct, physical side who never give up and we'll have to be organised and defend properly if we're going to get anything out of the game. That said, all the boys have been buzzing in training for the past three weeks and there's a great mood in the camp. We all feel that if we play to our strengths and look after our own game, we'll get the right result. And if it comes down to it, we've been practising penalties too. It should be another great night at Meadow Lane.

Tom Allnutt

Goalkeepers:

Amos Teshuva (Goalkeeper), Player Alias: Edwin Van der Sar

Amos is a highly talented, young goalkeeper with weird hair. Exactly the man you want to have in goal in a tough match, reliable and consistent in his performances. Even saves some shots in a spectacular way that you already considered as goals. No clue how he's doing that. He reminds me a bit of the young Edwin van der Sar, not just becuase of his big height. Except for his hair, that's comparable to no-one.

Philip Deggim (Goalkeeper), Player Alias: Andreas Koepke

Like any good German goalkeeper Philip is ruthlessly efficient in between the sticks. Never flustered and always in the right place, he has made a habit of making difficult saves look easy. Even though his demeanour in the goal is as cool as ice he is one cheeky little German and always has a way to get us goalkeepers out of fitness work. I have learned a lot from Philip as his competitor and friend and am proud to have trained next to him.
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Defenders:

Matt McParland (Left Back), Gianluca Zambrotta