BENTLEY SECURE THE DERBY WIN OVER ASKERN

ASKERN 0 AFC BENTLEY 2
CMFL NORTH @ MANOR WAY
25 NOVEMBER 2017 --- 3PM

MANOR WAY HOME OF ASKERN FC

A goal in each half from Josh Paskill and Alex Irwin was enough to secure Bentley the points, local bragging rights and more importantly the lofty position of third in the CMFL North.  On a bitterly cold afternoon the four miles that separate these two neighbours produced a battling performance from the visitors who with an inexperienced side played some good floor football and finally saw off the challenge of Askern.
After a weather watch week the frost was not as bad as forecast and soon disappeared allowing this original choice to remain in play with the chance of a first visit to Askern and surprisingly the viewing of AFC Bentley who were of course the opposition at last weeks Appleby Frodingham encounter.  Todays transport was, as ever, fulfilled by overcrowding and the lateness of all bar one service the final bus from base town to base.  Chesterfield station on a Manchester Utd home day is always a busy sight especially for the four carriage option to Sheffield with standing spot secured I was grateful to alight at steel city with the awaiting crowd so large that I'm not sure they would all be able to board.  Still a quick dash to an adjoining platform and onto the late leaving Scarborough bound train with a seat!

ASKERN A GATED VILLAGE

Doncaster an impressive town centre and Frenchgate Centre allowed me half an hours browsing time before disappearing into the dark space that is the all covered interchange a smart facility but how it needs some daylight.  The lack of a station in Askern, closed many years ago, necessitated an Arriva bus service 405 to the village and of course it was 20 minutes late in but we were soon off, thankfully, up the A19 through todays visitors Bentley's village and running through Toll Bar and finally into Askern where departure from the aquamarine double decker was by Askern Lake.
A quick look around found a community run library sadly closed, it is of course Saturday afternoon, remnants of the old railway station platforms and for food time a Cooplands.  The food outlet is a Doncaster version of Greggs that a few years ago got into some difficulty and a lot of the stores further afield from their base closed but Askern still had one and without a fanciable chippy the last spicy vegetable pasty was devoured.  Over the road to the lake which is a superb asset for the area with a lakeside café, just closing, also adding to the facility.

3 IN 1 THE LAKE, PIT WHEEL AND OVERSEN BY THE WATER TOWER

At the head of the road junction at this point is an under renovation of a half pit wheel because as with most villages around these parts the colliery played a major part in its life and development finally closing in 1991 also visible over the road on the hill side sits a large water tower.  Its a focal point but maybe not one that adds to the aesthetically pleasing nature of the village although an Askern official did tell me in his younger days how the lads used to climb up it, health and safety hey who needs it?  After bypassing the former cinema now closed down from its attempted current trading there was a short time to visit the Coop for a sweet!
The walk back south of the centre towards Manor Way found me arriving at the Miners Welfare in need of a comfort break thankfully I got in but there were 'members only' signs everywhere I was going to have a drink but when I found another on the entry to the bar area I chickened out, mind you the club was packed solid with about 3 patrons.

TERRACE STAND FROM BEHIND THE FAR GOAL

Unable to see a clear way into the adjacent football ground I tracked back to the A19 and entered by the cricket ground which seemed the main way in and to find a gate entrance from the welfare in a previously shielded position.  The notable thing about the cricket ground was the superb chain link fence which I guess had found its way there from the colliery.
With admission and programme secured a quick ground tour to the right are a selection of cabins and outbuilding type structures the first is the tea bar of which I made use on a couple of occasions and was met by the pleasant lady giving up her time to serve the cold masses, around 28.  Beyond was a toilet block and behind grounds mans storage, this whole side has wide hard standing and a nice if slightly set back seated stand to the far goal we are into grass standing territory.  Down the other touchline is a small but adequate covered stand with behind it running large pylons carrying the areas power.  Back to the main entrance and the pavilion for the cricket club doubles back with the lower end used by the football club for changing facilities the whole ground has a feeling of space with much grass encompassing the boundary for warming up on.

OVERVIEW OF PROCEEDINGS WITH TODAYS PROGRAMME

Askern in recent history ran under that wonderful title of Askern Villa that must have caught a few out while earwigging conversations but in there recent branding they have reverted back to plain old Askern for life back in the CMFL after a brief dalliance with life in the NCEL.  There was signs of the Villa reference with a large welcome to sign having the defunct name covered and what looked like part of the 'v' bar taken out on the gates.  A brief view of the programme gave a worrying sign of the tough uncompromising attitude of these South Yorkshire villages which read 'player hospital in Askern Welfare Club after the match' WHAT! It was then that I realised the 'ity' had got lost and they were after all a friendly club, of course.

HERE COME THE TEAMS

Before the game as the weather was dropping cold a conversation was struck up with Dave and Julie Hughes whose son Matt was playing for Bentley today and here I must say a massive thank you for going out of your way to drop me back at Doncaster station forecourt after the game.

ASKERN KEEPER JONES SAVES FROM THE SPOT

So to the purpose of the visit the game and with increasing cold shutter finger and poor red numbers on black and white Askern shirts that were not clear it would be a struggle.  After an even opening in which Bentley were more than holding their own a penalty came the visitors way on 27 minutes when
Josh Paskell was felled from behind but Jack Varley saw his kick saved by Danny Jones in the Askern goal.

PASKILL [10] OPENS THE SCORING

The visitors did though almost immediately quell that disappointment by taking the lead when a free kick off the left was headed deep for Paskill to finish neatly striking into the far left hand corner. 
The second period of an increasingly cold game allowed me a brief time to catch up with Bentley official James Irwin a pleasure to catch up with all things non league and of course CMFL and Bentley.  It proved to be the correct moment as young Irwin, Alex, coolly struck the ball past the out coming Jones to make dad and the Bentley following joyous.

THE LIGHTS AND WARM BACKDROP

Arrival back at Doncaster, thanks again Dave, met with an on time departing Northern Rail service needless to say it was late in Sheffield and by the time the connecting service left it was late and we were back to standing again.

ONE LAST LOOK AT THE MAIN STAND OVERSEEING MATCH ACTION

The final journey of the day was by bus and guess what it was on time!
An enjoyable day on a very cold afternoon this had been an enjoyable visit to north of Doncaster to an interesting little village plus the chance to catch up with Bentley for the second week running.