Comfortable win for NKF in first game of season following promotion

NKF Burbage started life in the Midland Football League Division 1 with a comfortable 3-1 win away from home at Uttoxeter Town.

Burbage had a good following with many of the clubs supporters taking the opportunity to make the most of the summer sun by travelling on the coach with the players and management team.

Burbage had the perfect start when skipper Astill stood over a free kick on the edge of the box. He calmly placed the ball left footed into the bottom left corner with just three minutes on the clock.

Burbage were clearly not fazed with the new level of football and continued to take the game to their opponents.

Adcock saw his strike superbly saved by the Uttoxeter keeper who managed to push the ball onto the bar and to safety.

Burbage’s new signing Anderson had a fairly straight-forward first 30 minutes for his new club but his handling could not be questioned and he was making sure his defence could hear him clearly.

In the 33rd minute Astill sent a ball into the box from just inside the Uttoxeter half. The keeper seem to have taken the ball cleanly at his back post but then dropped the ball and Smith had the simple job of heading home from just a few yards out to open his account for the new season and double Burbage’s lead.

Just a couple of minutes later Burbage gave Uttoxeter too much space in the middle of the pitch and Derbyshire was allowed to control, turn and strike the ball well into the bottom corner. Anderson had no chance, Uttoxeter were back in the match 10 or so minutes from the break.

As the clock ran down the Uttoxeter keeper was again asked a question and had to save at his near post gifting Burbage a corner. Adcock sent the corner deep towards the head of Storer who got up well to head back over the keeper and restore Burbage’s two goal lead. Burbage went in at half time 3-1 to the good.

The second half did not see anymore goals although Burbage looked positive going forward and if it hadn’t have been for a tremendous block Smith would have had his second.

The Uttoxeter forward, Holley, did not cover himself in glory. After a lovely passing move he stepped inside Pickering in the box and fell to the floor resulting in a yellow card and a free kick to Burbage.

Anderson was relatively untroubled and Burbage were worthy winners on the opening day.

The games come thick and fast with the small matter of a local derby on Tuesday night at home to Nuneaton Griff before they are back on the road on Saturday away at Heath Hayes.

Such is the mentality of this team and it’s supporters the chat on the coach on the way back to the Hinckley Knight was more about the one goal they conceded than the three they scored.

Burbage - Anderson, Bradshaw, Astill (C,) Pickering (Kingsley-Smith,) Storer, Zia, Barwick, Cheshire (Coultas,) Adcock, Smith, Brown (Orton)