ROYALS REIGN OVER ST MICHAELS......... JUST

MICKLEOVER ROYALS 2 V HOLBROOK ST MICHAELS 0
CENTRAL MIDLANDS FOOTBALL LEAGUE SOUTH--28 JAN 2015 7.45PM--@ THE RAYGAR STADIUM

THE RAYGAR HOME OF MICKLEOVER SPORTS AND MICKLEOVER ROYALS

A second trip to see the Royals this season, in Derby on a night that was turning increasingly inclement in the north of the county but seemed to have a different climate in the south and city centre.
The night had a frustrating delayed start due to public transport falling to show and I did fear what this could signal for a late night especially with the snow forecast around the county.
Well upon arrival at the Raygar stadium, home of landlords Mickleover Sports, it was entrance via the club house [see picture].

TONIGHTS 'ENTERANCE'

The weather was not at present as cold as on departure from the north of the county and the club house was warm and welcoming with a selection of ground hoppers including Neil and Steve who this blog is brought to you in association with, thanks to Neil obtaining me a lift with him at the end.  Much appreciated saving a long return journey #non league family, thanks Steve!
Also in attendance was Malc the regular referees assessor on the CMFL circuit and with him former football league referee Rob Shoebridge.

REFS ASSESSOR MALC

Outside the pitch looked in as good a condition as could be expected in recent weather conditions and with other games off locally this game was never in doubt.  The first half saw second bottom St Michaels have most of the play but fail to score only for Mickleover to take their chances and lead 2-0 at the break.
After a warming half time break in the clubhouse along with a chip cob, featuring what seemed like real chip shop chips kept warm in the oven, it was time to re emerge into what was now becoming a colder evening.  The Royals were more convincing in the second period but they failed to score any more goals and over the 90 minutes the score line was probably the correct one although Holbrook St Michaels has put up a league position denying performance against table toppers Mickleover Royals.

THOUGHTS OF WARMER DAYS

So it finished a cold night although I have certainly stood at much colder games this season, see South Normanton v Aylestone Park[!], this I guess affected the attendance of around 25 and when you consider the 7 or so hoppers plus officials there were not many other supporters from Derby had come out to see the match.
A great shame in a football loving city that even the locals didn't come out to support their team who are doing so well this season.
This victory starts to open the gap up at the top of the CMFL South for Michleover and with games in hand they should comfortably pull away at the top over the coming weeks.
As for Holbrook St Michaels they put up a stirling effort that made you question their league postiton and maybe they will start to rise up the table on the back of performances like this.

SPOT THE CROWD AS THE SNOW FLURRIES START DURING THE FIRST HALF