TIBSHELF VICTORIOUS AT LITTLE EATON

LITTLE EATON 2 TIBSHELF 4
MIDLAND REGIONAL ALLIANCE PREM @ ST PETERS PARK
17 APRIL 2019 --- 1830HRS

LITTLE EATON HEAD FORWARD IN ACTION AT ST PETERS PARK

A highly entertaining game saw Tibshelf finally get over the line for the three points in this mid table battle after Little Eaton reduced the deficit to just one goal after two second half strikes in three minutes had set up a grandstand finish.
Having been to the village of Little Eaton before I knew of its undoubted beauty away from the thundering A38 and A6 that sit parallel to the village with the old Alfreton trunk road running through the main part of the village that most travellers see.  There is though a world beyond with some superb time honoured buildings, rolling fields and even the main train line also within view to add plenty of interest to a visit.

THE IMPRESSIVE PAVILION AND CHANGING ROOMS AT LITTLE EATON

Both clubs had been on the radar for most of the season and tonight the opportunity came as the 'silly season' for hoppers kicks in thanks to a lift from level 4 referee Rob Rees who would be mentoring, by running a line, Ryan Handbury in his first senior 'Saturday' game.  Overall Ryan had a good game and got through well with his dad on the other line to him it was a nice start for him at this level.
St Peters Park has a highly impressive two tier pavilion/village hall with cricket also on the site the football pitch is of course to one side with the back drop of St Paul's Church and the stone built church hall adding to the pleasing setting, there are a selection of seats on top of a small banking at this end of the ground to aid viewing.  The club had roped off one side and towards the far goal the grazing fields that edge the village away from Derby just a mile or so to its south overall this is a really nice ground to view on certainly when the weather is clement.

TIBSHELF ON THE ATTACK WITH THE STONE BUILT CHURCH HALL OVERVIEWING PROCEEDINGS

So to the game and Tibshelf had a strong showing in the first half but went closest before breaking the deadlock when Matt Wiseman struck the bar following a free kick from Ryan Baldwin.
The lead was finally taken with a bit of determination when Brett Gibb forced his way through to fire home two minutes before half time and then more or less immediately the lead was doubled when Luke Maskill headed in at the back from a John Gibb Cross.

BRETT GIBB RISES HIGH TO HEAD ON FOR TIBBY

We had witnessed three goals in five minutes when within two minutes of the restart George Culley finished a pin point cross from Jordan Maskill.  It looked all but over however the quick sequence of goal scoring was taken up by Little Easton who secured two in three minutes and probably the best goals of the game on 70 minutes Chris McCready popped in an exquisite lob from 25 yards out and then the same distance saw Louis Kinnerley strike home a sweet free kick.  The head of steam somehow seemed to be lost by the home side and it was to be Tibshelf who made certain of the three points on 89 minutes when Maskill [L] set up Maskill [J] to convert.
A good advert for the MRA and a very pleasant and entertaining venue with a friendly gathering appreciating this encounter.  The evening was rounded off with a chippy visit sadly the village establishment was closing so it was off to nearby Alfreton for sustenance.