As the FC of Nottingham players arrived, some of the Beeston players who had got to the game early were apparently overheard talking of 'an easy win' and 'a walkover'. It was true that Nottingham had been heavily defeated in their previous match, but this was by by second-placed Eagle FC, and the week prior to that today's opposition for Beeston earned a creditable 2-2 draw with table-topping Bridgford Taverners. Would the Beeston lads end up regretting their lack of respect for FC of Nottingham?

Certainly, the comments seemed to fire up the lads in the yellow shirts, who took to the field with some determination and were quickly matching Beeston in the middle of the park. As the tackles flew in, the referee needed to be on his game in order to ensure that the situation didn't get out of control. On his game he was, and in fairness to the players on both sides there were several great moments in the match where opponents picked each other up after a challenge, or shook hands with a smile after a free kick needed to be awarded.

This would be no walkover. A tense first half ensued with chances being made at both ends of the pitch. For Beeston a snap shot by Mel flew just wide, another was scuffed straight at the 'keeper, and a good curling cross from Russ found nobody attacking the back post. Aidy had a good attempt blocked, then well gathered by the goalie at the second attempt, and Matt was causing plenty of problems down the right hand flank as well. FC of Nottingham nearly scored when Andy 'flapped' and missed what should have been a simple take near his back post, with the resulting shot diverted over the bar by the Beeston captain Paul's desperate 'header'.

Fortunately for Andy and his defence, Nottingham didn't take very good corners in the first half, and the goalkeeper was otherwise much more decisive and made one notable save that was almost at full stretch. Chris and John, the latter swapping roles with Paul to drop back and play in central defence, were both able to snuff out attacks either with a sliding tackle or a good block. Mark was handling the opposition''s left winger comfortably, sometimes with a little help from Matt who tracked back well all day. Graham continued to show that even playing at left back he can be one of Beeston's most creative and influential players going forward - with solid tackling ensuring he does more than his fair share in retreat.

Mason was once again proving a handful for the opposition's midfielders, surging forward whenever possible and winning a tackle or a free kick if not. Unusually for Beeston, Mel was not getting much 'service' from behind him, so he was often left isolated and frustrated as the midfield battle raged on. A change would have to be made at half time to try and put greater influence on the outcome of the game. There was no score at the interval.

After some discussion, Beeston went 'almost' to a 4-4-2 formation, with Russell unlucky to be replaced as he had really started to come into the game towards the latter stages of the first period. Kai was tasked with playing up front with Mel, albeit in a slightly withdrawn position making the overall shape more of a 4-4-1-1. Before this had very much time to take effect however, things were about to take a turn for the worse.

FC of Nottingham had again started with a lot of gusto and as the ball broke for their striker, his powerful shot seemed to hit Mason's hand just outside the box. The rebound fell to an FC player so the referee played what proved to be a superb advantage. Did he mean to cross or shoot? It mattered not as the looping cross/shot seemed to take an hour to fall out of the sky, and when it did the hapless Andy could only fall backwards with a curse as the ball dipped under his bar and into the net. One nil down and the second half had barely begun.

Dwelling on the situation was not an option, but it is true to say that Beeston have not made a habit of coming from behind to draw or even win matches. More midfield stalemate looked like it might ensure that this trend continued, so Mark brought Ollie from the bench to continue Aidy's hard work on the left flank, and brought Bill into the midfield to partner Paul. Kai and Mel were now effectively forced to play as a more orthodox pair of strikers as Beeston strived to get back into the game.

The changes were causing some new problems for the opposition, Bill contributing with some neat flick-ons and incisive through-balls, combining with Ollie who was keen for the ball as always and running at the right back at every opportunity. Then, just as Kai and Mel looked to profit from either this or Matt's continued industry on the opposite wing, another crunching tackle saw Paul limp off the field of play. Beeston were down to ten men and Mel volunteered to drop back to help out - necessary, but far from ideal when scoring a goal was vital.

At this stage it seemed likely that FC of Nottingham would use their numerical advantage and score again, with some corners and free kicks having to be defended by the goalkeeper effectively marking an attacker. Chris and John were again called upon to put last-ditch challenges in, and in making a block of a goal-bound shot Chris 'took one for the team' in a very uncomfortable incident. Not for the first time this season, Paul could see that hobbling back into action would at least allow Mel to support Kai - and he came on to see the match out despite his injury.

Another good attacking move saw the referee award a free kick to Beeston within striking range, left side of the pitch, about 30-35 yards out. Although Ollie had failed to make the most of a hard won corner previously, he stepped up hoping to repeat his goal-of-the season candidate from the match in which he made his debut. Which is exactly what he did. The 'keeper was unable to keep the curling shot out as it sailed over the wall and into the back of the net. Game on, seemingly against all odds, Beeston were level.

Kai saw his excellent downward header stopped - just - on the line by the goalie, and although the outcome of the match looked increasingly like a draw, both teams pressed on for the winner. More great tackles and assured defending by man-of-the-match Chris and a save low to his left by Andy ensured that the winner would not be FC of Nottingham. Beeston's best attack in the closing stages also seemed to have been foiled by a series of desperate blocks by the goalie and his staunch defenders, Kai's shot in particular seemed certain to be the winner only for it to be saved...and then the ball fell for Matt at the back post.

'Goaaaallllllll!' was the scream from the jubilant players and the watching subs and home support. Though the tap-in was straightforward enough for Matt in the end, he still had to put it away and he did so to deservedly become the match-winner. There was time remaining for some worrying moments for Beeston as FC of Nottingham refused to give up and even deep into stoppage time they pressed on for an equaliser. But it was to be Beeston who triumphed, and as in the previous game, by the smallest possible margin.

Undefeated for a whole month, Beeston are proving to be a formidable force, with a togetherness that all good teams have - and the ability to put in a battling performance and win, when things seem to be going the way of the opposition.

Worries about the weather were compounded when the Beeston manager awoke at 5am in the morning [as he often does the night before a big match!] and chanced a look outside into the cold, gloomy night. A covering of snow seemed certain to ensure that the pitch would prove to be an unplayable. Five hours later however, the sun had just about enough strength to melt the snow and the Beeston Fields surface passed inspection.

The chill in the air became even more frosty, as club captain Paul was told he would need to drop from his usual midfield role to help out in the back four due to the absence of both central defenders from the previous game! However, he and Mason would prove to form a formidable barrier for the opposition and supported by full backs Mark and Graham, seemed certain for much of the game to earn goalkeeper Andy another clean sheet.

The midfield of Russ, John T, Aki, Dan and Craig were soon demonstrating the superiority of our passing game despite the sticky surface, with Mel up front threatening to score throughout the attacks constructed in the first half. But Stratford are no mugs and they could have justifiably claimed they were unfortunate to go behind.

Dan's effort was deflected past the opposition 'keeper and Beeston led the game. Fortunate perhaps, but the cheering crowd who had braved the conditions weren't worried about that. By now Paul was 'running the show' with his organisational skills being supported by good talking throughout the team.

More free-flowing passing led to the creation of the best goal in the match. Almost every Beeston player touched the ball in a move that began in their own half, culminating in Dan breaking free of the defence close to the touchline. He slipped the ball across the penalty area to Mel, who needed no second invitation as he turned and crisply forced the ball home. Two nil and now the chances to score were more frequent. In truth both teams had opportunities to add to the scoresheet, but Beeston continued to have the lion's share of possession and looked the more likely. Perhaps a worrying theme for Beeston so far this season is an inability to capitalise on good periods of pressure, and as Stratford are a team that has never failed to score in any league game so far [including scoring 11 in a single match] a third goal would have been more than helpful.

At half time no changes were made by either side, and with the prospect of the slight slope of the pitch and the stiff breeze favouring Beeston in the second half, much of the team talk during the interval centred on a plan to play more of a long-ball game than usual. It was clear that with the sun in the eyes of the opposition keeper too, the passing would have to be sacrificed in order to take maximum advantage.

It was therefore almost a given that only a few minutes after the restart, the sun would disappear and the wind would drop! To make matters worse rain began to fall in earnest, although it was a blessing that it wasn't quite cold enough for the forecast snow to materialise. As Stratford pressed forwards in search of a goal to get them back in the game, it was time for the home team to show what they were made of - and they didn't disappoint, with tough but fair tackling a feature of the second half.

A triple substitution was made, with Dave coming on in an unfamiliar role at right back, Ollie just in front of him on the wing, and Aidy taking the striker's role. All three of the replaced players - Mark, Craig and Mel, had worked tirelessly for the team all afternoon. Perhaps the changes meant that Beeston took a few minutes to 'settle down', but it was obvious that Stratford would have at least one spell of dominance in the match, and so it proved.

A free kick was won by the visitors just outside the penalty area but the shot, whilst well hit and over the wall, was straight at Andy and he was pleased to watch the ball all the way into his gloves. Less straightforward to deal with were a couple of scrambles and near-perfect through balls, most of which were hacked away by Graham, Paul and Mason, another was gathered in bravely by the goalie at the feet of the opposition striker. Rolling back the years for 'the veteran in the sticks'!

In football at any level, it helps to know the statistics from the previous performances of both the opposing team and the referee. Mark had joked with Andy the night before the game that this particular ref had a record that included awarding an alarming number of penalties, especially in the last few minutes of matches. Sure enough, as the last ten minutes approached, another dangerous ball was put into the Beeston penalty area, a scramble ensued and a Stratford player hit the deck like the proverbial sack of spuds.

Despite Mason's protests to the contrary, the referee decided a foul had been committed, and Beeston regretted the earlier missed chances as Stratford were handed a way back into the match. Warning the players not to encroach into the area until after the spot kick was taken, the referee blew his whistle and the striker stepped up to send a low shot into the bottom right hand corner of the net just beyond Andy's despairing dive.

But then - more drama, as a retake of the penalty was ordered! Attacking players had indeed come into the box before the ball was despatched, and this time Andy was sure he knew which way the ball would be sent. But, alas, the confident opposition number 9 had other ideas, and promptly whacked the ball into the bottom left hand corner! This time the ref was satisfied, and the stage was set for a frantic last few minutes.

This was real backs against the wall stuff, with Dave coming off the worst in one particular challenge with an attacker who literally barged him over in his efforts to win the ball. Thankfully he was ok to continue [although a week later he still sports the bruises] and Beeston strived to continue to play good football despite the pressure they were under.

As the minutes ticked by it was great to see the passes still being made, with Ollie and Aidy using their pace to provide an outlet in forward positions. John T and Russ were superb all morning and together with Aki and Graham they put together a move that sent Aidy through on goal in the last minute of the game. The challenge from the covering defender came in, and from a long way away, the ref was again true to form and decided that another penalty was in order! A chance to score the vital third goal at last, with surely the last kick of the game?!

Chaos ensued. Naturally the visitors were outraged at the decision that went against them, and as players from both sides surrounded the ref, some still unsure what decision he had given, the final whistle rang out! Erm, is that legal? Surely the second penalty kick that had been awarded should have been allowed to be taken, before the game was ended? Apparently not, according to our match official, and as both sides trudged off the pitch, it was the Beeston players who wore their bemused smiles with the pride of victory.

This was a really important win for the club, as it took Beeston ahead of Stratford Haven in the league table and provided a cushion of at least three points over the rest. Into the top half of the ladder, with 'winnable' games ahead, great reward for the battling qualities the home side has shown of late. In the pub after the game it was agreed that Dan deserved the man of the match award for causing the opposition many of their problems and providing a good link between the tackles at the back / in midfield and the attackers. Congratulations to the Biz for a hard fought win.

The Christmas 'do' approaches, with a match scheduled for the first Saturday in December between the Beeston Legends and the Beeston Academy [the older players or 'vets' against the whipper-snappers or 'youth team']. This will be followed by a meal in Nottingham city centre and a couple of drinks in the evening. The following morning, on Sunday 7 December, Beeston.biz FC have a home league fixture against FC Crawford [rearranged from the first day of the season, which was cancelled due to torrential rain being forecast. The venue for this match is yet to be confirmed, as it seems likely that Beeston Fields Recreation Ground will not be available.

Hopefully the run of victories for Beeston will continue in December, as it has done in November. An entire month undefeated would be a great achievement!