COALVILLE & MARKET DRAYTON DRAW A BLANK

COALVILLE TOWN 0 V MARKET DRAYTON TOWN 0
EVOSTIK FIRST DIVISION SOUTH @ OWEN ST
30 JANUARY 2016 3PM

OFFICIALS STAND AND TO THE LEFT SNIBSTON COLLIERY HEADSTOCKS

[A few additional pictures will follow on the we all stand together Facebook page in the next few days]
A goalless draw was probably a fair result but never a neutrals favourite, however Market Drayton would be the happier of the two teams even though their 10 minute 2nd half spell saw them hit the woodwork on three occasions.  Second placed Coalville would be disappointed to have not secured the three points and a late rally did see a goal line clearance and full length save deny The Ravens too.
Travel plans for the week had once again been a weather watch led tasked with rain, winds and even snow over the Peaks finally sending us south to Leicester and the morning choice after checking was to be Coalville.  The next decision was whether to travel via Loughborough or Leicester for the connecting bus with a decision taken for the latter allowing a late change of fixture if the game suffered a postponement.
The departure from base station saw a standing spot secured by the doors of this already well occupied train, the 40 minutes passed well and upon departure from the station a leisurely walk down to St Margaret's bus station which is conveniently, not, situated at the opposite end of the city.  The transport 'hub' is really a little far out of the centre and is looking decidedly run down and lost to the 80's.  There was little time to pass before we departed on the 29x aquamarine special to our ultimate destination of Coalville.

FORMER SITE OF COALVILLE STATION

Passing out of the Leicester suburbs we were soon arriving just short of the town and taking a quick look at Bardon Hill FC from the bus window and marking it down for a future visit.  The club is situated to the side of the massive Bardon Aggregates site and quarry in the village.  Very shortly we were arriving in Colville and we made a departure just shot of the level crossing that guards the town.
Before departure the blog always does a little check on interesting facts on new visits and today was a new town not only a new ground.  This history was mouth watering with railway, pits and a toy manufacturer to name but a few areas.  The level crossing which is now for a lightly used freight line which previously had welcomed the Burton to Leicester passenger line and just down the line from the crossing was the former station at Coalville.

MINERS MEMORIAL

We then spotted the bronze statue in memory to the former miners of the area and specifically Whitwick Colliery indeed the whole area was surrounded by pits.  Included in this the Snibston pit which was at the other side of the High St with its headstocks still standing proudly but sadly no longer working with all pits in this area closed by the early 90's.

FORMER SNIBSTON COLLIERY

The replacement for the pit was a museum and country park sadly the former was closed by the County Council on a cost issue.  The town centre is dominated by the massive clock tower which literally towers above all surrounding buildings.

MEMORIAL CLOCK TOWER

To the north of the clock tower a quick venture down Mantle Lane for the former signal box bearing the same name plate and to the left sidings and a now derelict three storey warehouse that I later learned was the former Coop bakery.

MANTLE LANE SIGNAL BOX STILL IN PLACE

Coming back to the crossroads which are a busy traffic light controlled interchange we turned right to take a few pics of the aforementioned headstocks before noticing the old sign for, I guess, the Midland Bus Depot.  Before we disappeared into the local watering hole The Monkey Walk, local spoons, we had a quick walk through The Belvoir Shopping Centre, the former Broadway precinct.  This was opened in 1963 by Noele Gordon the former Crossroads actress and brings the blog back to its visit to Boldmere at the start of the season where there was a visit to one of the hotels used in the programme.  The centre is very practical and as a nice variety of shops sadly though many are empty and there is a high prevalence of charity shops and 1980's feel.

ONE OF LEICESTERSHIRE FIRST SHOPPING PRECINCTS FAMOUSLY OPENED BY NOELE GORDON

Having polished off scampi and lemonade we were now ready to amble down Owen St to the home of Coalville Town Fc.  On the short walk we went past two former cinemas within 50 yards of one another one The Rex still had its original sign in place.
It has to be said that Coalville is probably in need of regeneration but there are some superbly interesting old buildings at every corner all waiting to tell a story or two, the hour we had around the streets whet my appetite to learn more about the town.
The short walk to the ground set us of down a track to the ground with football pitches to the right and to the left some industrial units which were the former site of Palitoy the base for the makers of Action Man, Tiny Tears and other such toys of the 1970's and 80's.
The ground is entered via a smart turnstile block and we received a pleasant greeting from the operator before purchasing our programme and taking a quick look in the club shop.  To the right is a toilet block with to the near side the snack bar from which a soup was later sampled on this cold afternoon.  As we started the touchline walk the corner here has the changing rooms an at an upper level on this two storey block a club bar.  A lengthy hospitality and officials cabin followed before a small stand in corporate green livery which applied to all the stands.

NEW CHANGING ROOMS AND CLUB HOUSE UNDER DEVELOPMENT

Below this was a major new build to feature a clubhouse, changing rooms and what will be an excellent viewing gantry, its looking good and I'm sure will be an impressive addition to the Leicestershire club.  The far goal is a little in from the spectator viewing area but as with all the perimeter barriers it neat mesh and concrete post variety that adds to the overall very tidy nature of this ground.

THE MAIN STAND AT OWEN ST

The far touchline as two rowed stand that runs 3/4 of the length of that side.  Back to the goals at our entrance to the ground and here is a small stand for people who do want some cover but not to sit down.  The overall view is of a corporate green livery but a smart little set up that the club are proud of.

On our rounds today we got talking to many interesting and pleasant people from both the home club and Market Drayton.  Indeed while Mick was off chatting and I was doing a circuit of the ground I got into conversation with Peter, last seasons secretary, who told me of his attachment to the club and area.  I managed to ask many questions about the club and the town and Peter was an informative character who it was great to meet for half an hours chat, thank you I enjoyed learning about the area.
Mick had got a few other conversations going including Market Drayton supporters and a gentleman who had moved some years ago from Scarborough, we also a had a chat with a few Tamworth fans who lived in the town but were watching today while The Lambs were away in Chorley.
So a busy start before the game but a very enjoyable time in the hour before kick off.

The first half was a bit of a non event but the two chances that did raise their head fell one to either side firstly Alex Troke forced visiting keeper into an excellent save after 18 minutes and then the visitors crossed off the left with Michael McIntosh missing a header the ball fell to Simon Everall who fired over with the goal inviting.
The second half saw Coalville look fresher early on after the managers team talk it was Troke who tried an acrobatic overhead kick which fell to Jake Woolley who fired over with once again an inviting net in front of him, after 52 minutes.  Moments later Alex Dean hit a sharp 18 yard drive just wide.

O'NEILL & BRAMALL COMPETE IN THE REVERSE KNEE RACE FOR MARKET DRAYTON

Gradually Market Drayton weathered the second half opening an amazingly hit the woodwork three times in ten minutes.  An initial shot on 62 minutes flew back off the far post for McIntosh to see his effort bounce back off the bar.  Then on 71 minutes James O Neill fired a 20 yard free kick off the bar and once again the visitors were to be denied.
The game went back into its shell and 0-0 remained firmly on the cards as it had done from early in the first half. 
As the match entered the second minute of stoppage time Coalville found a few openings when Luke Smithson saw his effort cleared off the line by Paul McMullen and then a minute later a superb save from Rawlins saw him push round a Nat Watson diving header.

Referee Ravel Cheosiaua was to blow the final whistle moments later and a draw was the fairest result with Market Drayton probably happy with a draw even though the home sides late efforts would have been their claim for the three points.  Sadly though 0-0 was probably about right and neither side had done enough to secure the maximum points.
Straight out of the ground down a footpath and over a railway bridge that oversaw the line to the former Snibston pit yard, which also ran through the centre of the town, with plenty of time to jump aboard the 29x back to Leicester at such great timings that we ended up waiting at three points for time.  On arrival at St Margaret's a local bus was boarded that took us to the forecourt of Leicester station for a service back to base arriving just after 7.30pm.
This had been a quite average game but at a nice club with whom we had many interesting little chats with both home and away teams followers about both their clubs and the very endearing town of Coalville.

LOOKING TOWARDS THE FORMER SNIBSTON PIT YARD