Attenborough FC

22/02/25 - League Newark and Sherwood 2 – 1 AFC Attenborough’s availability issues finally caught up with them in Saturday’s top of the table clash away at Newark and Sherwood, but only after a game effort from the squad of twelve that made the long trip to Lincolnshire. Three of the squad from the previous week’s excellent victory were missing this time, including the important Simon Savage which left a huge void to fill in defence. Graham Mee was able to make a last-minute signing of forward Harry Morgan to ensure we had an option off the bench, while the versatile Lakshay Sharma was tasked with filling in at right back. Like us, the hosts hadn’t dropped a point since the opening day 3-3 draw between the sides and these remaining two head-to-head clashes had the feel of title deciders. It was clear Attenborough were up against it given the lack of options to manager Mee, not necessarily in terms of ability, but certainly numerically, the home side having a fully stocked ben...

15/02/25 – League AFC 3 – 1 AFC Warriors Attenborough returned to league action at The Strand up against one of the three main title challengers and came out on top in a fiercely competitive clash. Once more the home side had a whole host of injury issues but were blessed with the return of George Pursglove up front, while Alex Lawrence filled in for Fin Haywood in goal. On a muddy pitch it was clear right from the off that this was going to be a severe test of character for both sides and Attenborough started strongly with some excellent link up play down the right-hand side, Simon Savage and Lakshay Sharma both using their pace to good effect. The opening goal set the tone for the rest of the match, Lewis Caine thundering in a near-post header from a corner after 17 minutes to give the home side the lead. The Blues kept up the pressure and could have doubled their advantage shortly after, some good work between Luke Smith and Pursglove laying a golden chance on a plate for Sh...

08/02/25 – Cup Linby Colliery 3 – 3 AFC The last game of the group stage of the Development Cup saw Attenborough travel to Linby needing just a draw to qualify for the semi-final, but once more they were forced to do so with a numerically depleted squad, George Pursglove’s needless red card the week before rendering him suspended and leaving us without our main producer of goals and assists. Lakshay Sharma was tasked with filling Pursglove’s boots up top and the talented pair of Simon Savage and Colm Keegan-O’Kane returned to the side to add some quality in the wide areas. The Blues started fast and some excellent wing play from Keegan-O’Kane created an early opportunity for Sharma, but the enthusiastic forward was caught out by the bounce of the ball and spurned a great chance to put us in front. It didn’t take long for him to gain redemption, though, and, after a quality cross from Riley Billson had caused havoc in the Linby backline, Sharma was once more in the right place a...

01/02/25 – League RED SEA FC 1 – 4 AFC With several injuries in the camp and a couple of others unavailable for various reasons, Attenborough begun the second half of their league campaign short on numbers and faced with a difficult trip to Vernon Park. Having needed luck on our side when beating Red Sea FC with a full squad shortly before Christmas, this tricky fixture had the potential to derail any title ambitions. In from the cold came Saul Riley at left back, while manager Graham Mee had managed to rush through the signing of Lewis Sanderson just in time for the game to ensure we had an option from the bench. A 4-4-2 formation fitted the available players best with the emphasis on a rigid shape when we didn’t have the ball, ensuring the pacey Red Sea FC forwards were unable to get space to run at our defence. While attacking responsibilities were left largely down to the wingers and Brad Greatorex to feed George Pursglove. A frantic start to the game saw Attenborough ahe...