DIVISION THREE: Norfolknutters v Athletico Redhill
Saturday 6th March 2010, Kick off: 19:00 CET,
at Meerkatt Manor, Norfolk.

This weekend our reporters have taken our first ever trip to the Meerkatt Manor as we focus on the Division Three promotion race. This weekend, the top two are in action against each other as new boys Norfolknutters entertain the Athletico Redhill, the only remaining side across all divisions to still boast a 100% record.

THE SEASON SO FAR

Norfolknutters are currently playing in their debut season in the Norfolk League. Under manager Yarmouth Canaries their league campaign has started well. They opened with a 2-1 win over pre-season promotion favourites The Barbican before being defeated by Pegasus. They responded from that set back well with back to back wins over Aldershot Enchantes and Man Spudes before last weekends draw at Fairfield. They currently lie 2nd, 5 points behind this weekends opponents. In the cups, they reached the second round of the Trophy but were knocked out of the league cup by top flight Amazingstoke Gooners in Round 1.

This is Athletico Redhill's third season in the Norfolk League and this term promises to be the clubs best yet. Manager Gixerboy led the club to 4th last season and after some re-schuffling in the transfer market, the club have hit the ground running this season. All five previous opponents hav been defeated in the league with only 2 goals conceded so far to move the side 5 points clear at the top of the table. The club has also put up some excellent performances against stronger opposition in the cups. Ash Samba Boyz were only saved from elimination in the trophy by penalty kicks whilst Dutch Warriors survived a scare to progress to round 2 of the league cup 3-2 on aggregate.

Pos	Team	Pld	Pts	GD
1	Athletico Redhill	5	15	+9
2	Norfolknutters	5	10	+6
3	Pegasus	5	8	+5
4	The Barbican	5	7	+1
5	Fairfield C.A.	5	6	+1
6	Man Spuds	6	4	-7
7	Aldershot Enchants	5	0	-15

CURRENT FORM

League: Home & Away

Team	Pld	Won	Drn	Lst	GF	GA	PTS
Norfolknutters	5	3	1	1	12	6	10
Athletico Redhill	6	6	0	0	12	2	18

Team	Pld	Won	Drn	Lst	GF	GA	PTS
Norfolknutters (H)	2	2	0	0	7	1	6
Athletico Redhill (A)	6	4	1	1	7	4	13

All competitions: Home & Away

Team	Pld	Won	Drn	Lst	GF	GA	PTS
Norfolknutters	6	2	1	3	10	9	7
Athletico Redhill	6	5	0	1	11	5	15

SEQUENCES:

Norfolknutters:
- Have a 100% record at home so far in the league.
- Have only lost 1 of their 5 league matches so far.
- Have scored 4 or more goals in 2 of their last 3 league games.
- Have only managed 1 clean sheet so far in their 9 competitive matches,

Athletico Redhill:
- Have won their last 6 league matches.
- Have won their last 3 away games in the league.
- Have kept 4 clean sheets in their last 6 league games.
- Have only lost 1 of their last 10 competitive matches,

THE HOTSHOTS

Norfolknutters:
- Edwin Melton and Glen Cash have both scored 2 goals in their last 3 league matches.

Athletico Redhill:
- Rupert Pursall has scored in his last 2 matches.

ITS A STAT:

Norfolknutters:
- Currently the leading scorers in Division Three.
- Only Dinot Riders and Shawfield Reborn have scored more league goals in any division this season.
- The last side to clinch promotion in their debut season was Spatula United in season 10.
- This is their 10th competitive match.

Athletico Redhill:
- Defender Desmond Brunton is the only man to appear in all 40 of the clubs matches.
- The club are currently enjoying their longest ever winning streak in the league. Their previous best was 2 consecutive wins.
- Currently have the best defensive record this season across all divisions.

PAST MEETINGS:

This is the first competitive meeting between the two clubs and their managers. They have met twice in friendlies - both were won by Athletico Redhill.

TEAM NEWS:

Norfolknutters are without striker Kieron Neaves after he was injured in their midweek cup game against Amazingstoke Gooners.

The visitors have injury concerns of their own. Defender Jim Munday is defenitely out whilst striker Sinn Teeratanonon is doubtful.

THE REF:

WARREN PEACE, Skill 5, Hard 5
Games: 51
Penalties awarded: 8
Yellows per game: 2.37
Reds per game: 0.10

PREDICTION:

Both sides can be very pleased of their achievements so far. Norfolknutters have been impressive with the way they have adapted to the division and have shown they are capable of scoring plenty of goals. Athletico Redhill are starting to look like a well drilled winning machine.

Both sides are strong aerially but perhaps most importantly, the hosts have the added weapon of the pace of Edwin Melton up front. They are also in strong goal scoring form so the loss of a key defender is the last thing the visitors wanted. Athletico have proved resiliant this season though and are well organised which should bode well for them in this game. They also possess plenty of danger from set pieces with a number of free kick specialists throughout their squad. The key battle that may decide the outcome is whether the hosts attack or the visitors defence emerges on top.

PREDICTION: 1-1 draw

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