Magdala Amateurs Res 3-1 Nottinghamshire Res ( Notts Junior Cup Semi Final)

In 1895 Reverend Gwynne formed Notts Magdala FC for the St Emmanuel Sunday School based on Magdala Road. The club played friendlies until 1902 but were so popular they formed a reserve side. Not content with being a reserve side the players formed their own club - Notts Magdala Amateurs FC.  In 1906 the name was shortened to Magdala Amateurs FC. The Original Notts Magdala team changed its name to Nottinghamshire FC. Over the last 110 years the two clubs have had a friendly rivalry.

Magdala play at the ROKO Health Centre, on Wilford lane, West Bridgford. There are no floodlights, covered areas or hard standing. The pitch is surrounded by metal fencing. Nottingham City Buses 1,2,3 and 4 leaving from Nottingham Market Square stop outside ROKO.

Nottinghamshire wearing Green and White were the first to forge a chance on two minutes when the Magdala keeper did well to save a close range shot with his legs. Magdala had great joy along the right wing. Magdala's Adey Scarborough's dribbling skills and pace was a constant pain for the Notts defence. A Magdala free kick struck from 20 yards was well saved by the Notts keeper on 13 minutes but he was beaten on the twenty minute mark. Tom Haw found the back of the net with a low stinging shot 18 yards from goal. Two minutes later against the run of play Notts were level.The ball was flicked over the home defence for Shaun Branagan to run on and shoot past the onrushing keeper. Magdala went 2-1 up on 29 minutes, Magdala's left winger beat two players and crossed into the area for Tom Haw to flick the ball past the keeper. The game was getting a bit fiesty and the Referee cautioned four players as half time approached.

Nottinghamshire were the stronger side in the second half. Magdala cleared off the line and the keeper made a great save to tip around a 30 yard Anthony Williams shot which was heading for the top corner of the net. The visitors couldnt find the back of net for all their pressure. Magdala's Tom Haw missed a great opportunity to get his hat-trick when a ball pumped over the top to him was hit wide of the goal. Two minutes from full time Haw once again had a chance to score but the keeper thwarted his attempt with his legs. In time added on it looked like the game might go into extra time when Shaun Branagan recieved the ball on the edge of the Magdala area, but he shot went wide of the upright. Magdala wrapped up the game with seconds left. From a free kick awarded twenty yards out Magdala's Greg Watnall's shot took a deflection off the wall, wrong footed the keeper and ended up in the net. FT 3-1


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                                                        Magdala Amateurs 1904