BILSTHORPE TAKE CMFL NORTH TITLE WITH SHERWOOD WIN

SHERWOOD COLLIERY 0 V BILSTHORPE 2
CMFL NORTH @ DEBDALE PARK 12 MAY 2015 7PM

RICKY STARBUCK [RIGHT] CONGRATULATES DALE GILLIATT ON BILSTHORPE'S OPENING GOAL

Two first half goals secured the CMFL North title for the visitors Bilsthorpe FC and barring two excellent second half saves from Sherwood keeper Steven Smith the score line would have doubled.  Runners up Westella VIP were losing at home to Brodsworth but its Hull based club who will be promoted due to Bilsthorpe's ground failing its ground grading.
The evening started with a trip to Mansfield before deciding to take the 4 minute rail journey to Mansfield Woodhouse station, which is right at the side of Debdale Park, more for the experience than anything else.  Mansfield station was just winding down at 5pm[!] with its independently run ticket office and waiting room just being closed to the public. 

EAST MIDLANDS TRAINS DEPARTURE TO NOTTINGHAM WITH FIELD MILL IN THE BACKGROUND

The station reopened around 15 years ago is interesting in that it sits high above the road on stilt like bridges and then departs towards Worksop, although our service was terminating at Mansfield Woodhouse, over the impressive viaduct by the towns market place.  The station has a good view towards Field Mill too and it was good to see a fair selection of people using the service.

MANSFIELD WOODHOUSE STATION AND OUR 156 RESTING AT PLATFORM 3

Having arrived at the ground, via the pretty Mansfield Woodhouse station at buffer stop platform 3 which has its on little engine shed in situ, which is formerly the pits sporting facilities site you notice a nice club house, cricket ground and a couple of football pitches with an additional 5 a side 2g pitch.

GICHOS FISH AND CHIPS SAVED THE TEA TIME
MEAL FOR THE BLOG

Upon arrival at 5.45 there were a few hoppers around and I would like to qualify the next paragraph before you read it.  This blogs intention as I'm sure most of its reader will be aware as to be positive and of good promotion for the clubs covered and the non league and it is only too aware that they survive on the volunteering of its officials but tonight was a pre match disappointment and I further add that Sherwood are normally a club I have enjoyed visiting.  Firstly just 5 programmes were issued they were re issues from 6 weeks ago, too late to get one.   Secondly tonight upon entering the spacious bar and snack serving area no hot food due to a struggle for helpers.  Thankfully with no programme or food there was now over an hour to lose and it did not become an issue as to being at the game much before the 7 o clock kick off.  So we set off for in search of a chippy and within 10 minutes had found an acceptable one in the village, Gicho's fish and chips.

One can only guess the club lost quite a bit of revenue tonight for this local derby and title deciding game which attracted around 130 spectators.
To the ground first and entrance up a narrow stepped approach to pay and onto a rough standing towards the half way line were a covered terracing expands a few yards either side of the half way, the rest of the ground is grass standing and with no standing really available behind either goal a few people view from the top of the bank behind the little stand.  The opposite side has the two dug outs on and is bordered by a forest with a wide variety of trees offering a pretty back drop.  The ground is railed off and is a fairly pretty affair on the eye.

THE PRETTY BACKDROP AT DEBDALE PARK

So the game Bilsthorpe in top spot needed just a win to secure the title and against second bottom Sherwood Colliery you didn't expect too much of a problem and so it was to be when the visitors took the lead after 13 minutes.  A wonderful 20 curler from Dale Gilliatt settled any nerves the away side had.  Then on 32 minutes Mark Carter stormed through on the right edge of the box and with Sherwood keeper Steven Smith coming out he fired home to double the advantage.  The second half saw Smith pull off two wonder saves to further deny Carter but it was a second period of going through the motions with it has to be said Sherwood working hard but threatening little.
The enjoyment of the evening was the amount of local clubs, hoppers and officials who were in attendance and as usual a pleasure to catch up with.  The blog was grateful to one of these, Dave the flag man, for his fantastic lift back to the blogs bus route which allowed us to arrive back at base an hour earlier than planned, thank you!
Well done Bilsthorpe on your title.

A GO GOODWINS FORMER ENGLAND CRICKET LIVERIED COACH AT
 S AND G COACHWORKS BY THE ENTRANCE TO DEBDALE PARK