NASC FC hosted their 2nd home game of the season against a Blackwell Meadows side sitting at the foot of the table.  After last week’s poor showing, the Sports Club were eager to get back to winning ways but found the visitors very difficult to breakdown.
Reverting to a 4-1-3-2 formation, which saw key members returning to the side including first appearance of the season for Chris Palmer in goal, meant the midfield was packed and resulted in the early battles being won by the home team.
Both Craig Barrigan and Gareth Boyes fought tirelessly in the middle, allowing Paul Cook and Tom Watson to install the creativity in the side that was so lacking last week.  Leading scorer Chris Jones was finding it difficult to convert chances and as a result the first half hour of the game saw little goalscoring action.
In the 34th minute the Blackwell rearguard was eventually broken.  Good work from the midfield saw Jones break free and after taking on the Blackwell defence a deep cross to the far post saw Damien Jose leap to head the ball home.  The half ended with another flurry of chances, but none close enough to challenge the keeper before the break.
An injury to Tom Watson (Hamstring)  saw the introduction of Jon Hughes at half time and the home sides formation reverting to a more usual 4-4-2 with Paul Cook taking over the wide right role, hughes on the left.  NASC FC were quick out of the blocks and scored within 60 seconds of the restart, Paul Cook slotted through a pass on the edge of the box, where Damien Jose beat the offside trap, took it under control and placed the ball in the far corner of the goal – leaving the keeper with no chance for his second goal of the game.
With the wind picking up and the rain starting to fall the game soon evened itself out.  Captain David Hall and Mark Craggs held the defensive line well with full backs Matty Alder and Jonathan Clegg pushing forward to help the midfield where possible.  70 minutes saw the substitution of Chris Jones for the long awaited debut of David Teder, back after a pre-season blighted with injury, showing some good touches and composure, needed at this stage of the game.
The Sports Club held on to the finish to clock up their 4th win out of five, and remaining unbeaten in the league this season.
This Sunday the club competes in its 1st County Cup game with Consett Fountain visiting The Lane for the 2nd Preliminary Round. Feel free to pop down and support the lads, Kick off is 10.30 am.