Sunday 27 March 2022

TEVIE CANNOT STOP SELBY'S PLAY OFF HOPES

TEVERSAL 2 SELBY TOWN 5
NCEFL DIVISION 1 AT CARNARVON ST
26 MARCH 2022 --- 3PM
TEVERSAL V SELBY TOWN

Selby Town feared their play off hopes were in tatters after fifteen minutes when bottom side Teversal had stormed to a two nil lead on a sunny Carnarvon Street afternoon.  With the home sides second win of the season gained just two weeks ago against Glasshoughton they have showed an improvement in performances of late.  Although they lost heavily at league leaders Hallam their play gained them many plaudits and then a narrow mid week loss to local rivals Shirebrook has shown some hope in a desperate season.
But the visitors would get a foothold in the game with a goal before half time and storm onto four second half goals without reply to return to the status quo and keep the pressure up on Rossington Main whose position they desire.
DESPAIR AS CONOR QUALTER DEFLECTS THE BALL INTO HIS OWN GOAL FOR THE TEVERSAL OPENER

Walk to the match season continues and after last weeks long trek to Glapwell this one is a familiar regular at just under the seventeen miles round trip but with spring having finally sprung it would be a pleasant trip today with little of event apart from some very busy roads compared to last week and arrival at Tevie was around 2.30pm.  There was a small selection of Robins fans who had made the trip to Nottinghamshire and with nervous anticipation they eyed three points against the leagues strugglers.
BEN AGBAKOSI MAKES IT TWO FOR TEVERSAL

Teversal were out of the blocks at apace and it was no surprise when after ten minutes they took the lead Cameron Pinnick got the shot in that created problems on the goal line and facing his own goal Selby captain Conor Qualter saw the ball fly off him and over the goal line. 
The home side would double their lead just five minutes later when the pace of Ben Agbakosi saw him facing the keeper and he slotted home with some confidence, Selby must have wondered what was happening.
Of course you don't keep a side down like Selby who are vying away at the top of the table and Teversal knew the real challenge would now begin.  It was neck and neck in the middle of the park and the game was developing into a far old battle for the upper hand.  But just shy of the half hour mark Selby got a foothold in the game when a long cross evaded the home keeper and at the far post Harry Clapham superbly hooked the ball back into the net.
THE MANAGEMENT TEAM PAUL MCFARLAND AND MARTIN BOWER

The second half started just how Selby had talked it out in the changing rooms an equaliser after 57 minutes when a superb free flowing move saw an inch perfect cross off the right find Calum Ward who slotted the ball home with an ease that matched the silky move.
Home keeper Alex Buttery had a three minutes no keeper wants when two errors which are so much more noticeable than an outfield player, of course, would prove harsh on his overall efforts and the Teversal cause.  First on 67 minutes in defensive hesitation on the edge of the box he lost the ball to Ward who poached the goal slotting home into an open net for his second.  Then Selby made the game safe awarded a free kick on the half way line the ball was floated in by Jon-Paul Vass and Buttery flew out to take the catch only for it to sail over his head into the net.  Here I thought the free kick was taken by the visitors number three Vass but may have this wrong as the league have the scorer as Liam Flanagan, the clubs top scorer.
BEN AGBAKOSI ON THE BALL FOR TEVERSAL

Teversal had gone into despair now whereas Selby were ecstatic after that early shock they had turned the game on its head within fifteen minutes of the second period.
There was chance for Buttery to get some confidence back when he punched clear two dangerous crosses and also turned away an effort from Clapham as the Selby man found himself with just the Teversal number one to beat.
CALUM WARD EQUALISES FOR SELBY

The icing was put on the cake in stoppage time when Clapham got his second and the visitors fifth a turn of pace took him across the penalty box and has he beat defender and keeper he fired home to wrap up a confident comeback.
Much like two weeks ago when Teversal won the game with a last minute goal the fifth goal here again was signalled by referees whistle straight from the re start.
WARD GIVES THE ROBINS THE LEAD AT 3-2

Teversal barring any geographical blips will start next season at the old step 7 level and their time will be spent on re building a nice club that I will be sad to see leave the NCEFL.  It will be a very competitive CMFL if that's the way they go and one that is very hard to escape from.
Of course Selby will not be too worried by the Nottinghamshire sides plight as they push on to try to overtake Rossington for that final play off spot in their remaining three games, there is a four point gap but after The Robins comeback today never write off a team with the spirit they showed during this game.

WARD OFF TO CELEBRATE WITH THE SELBY FANS BEHIND THE GOAL

Sunday 20 March 2022

COPESTAKE GOAL SEALS THREE POINTS

GLAPWELL 1 AFC BENTLEY 0
CMFL PREMIER DIVISION NORTH AT HALL CORNER
19 MARCH 2022 --- 2PM
GLAPWELL V AFC BENTLEY SHANE BURTON CLEARS FOR THE HOME SIDE

A solitary first half strike from Ben Copestake turned out to be enough for Glapwell to seal all three points against their Yorkshire visitors on a windy afternoon that did not help proceedings at Hall Corner.
On to the continuation of 'walk to the match season' part, who knows I have lost count but with the drier weather at last arriving on the scene a return to an old favourite Glapwell FC was on the cards.  However it would be a good old stretch at just over seventeen miles for the round trip but with a route planned to walk through the hamlet of Astwith a prompt departure was made at 1120am.
HARDWICK HALL A FAIR BIT OF COVERING UP

Climbing out through Pilsley and onto Hardstoft, a busy road without pavement, its pretty risky at the best of time today was no different as vehicles flew past at a fair rate of knots.  With a sharp ten minute walk taking me off the racetrack peace was regained as the walk into Astwith commenced and it turned out into a hidden gem some beautiful old houses and a small green with post box, seat and up to date parish notice board.  Tracking the M1 for a while, ear defenders needed, there was a gratitude to turn under the bridge carrying the motorway and away frm the noise onto Stainsby Mill part of the National Trust's Hardwick estate.  Having walked the hills around Ashover I can honestly say the climb from here to Ault Hucknall was today a real test, probably more so with the time pressure of arriving for kick off at 2pm.  I was nicely ahead of schedule and a quick stop to look over the wall of the church of St John the Baptist here in another hamlet centre of around four properties makes it one of the smallest parishes in the country although spread wide over many other small hamlets it is an exquisite area to visit.
ON ROUTE THROUGH ASTWITH

The pace had been sharp all the way and now turning into Glapwell village itself there was just the busy A617 Mansfield Road to cross with arrival now guaranteed twenty minutes before kick off.
It wasn't a new visit having had more visits to Hall Corner than hot dinners over the years but in a strange way it felt like it and the lack of a recent visit probably made it this way.
The history surrounding the previous Glapwell's are well documented but needless to say they were just one game and one goal in a play off game from appearing in the Northern Premier League Premier Division in the glory days of chairman Colin Hancock.  The small crowd was often from far and a wide and the club always struggled to attract a large support from its village.  After the politics of a village club and its council, who own the ground, came to the fore the club collapsed making a re appearance in the CMFL and after a further folding we now arrive at a new set up who gained promotion from Division One of the CMFL last season.  A very brief overview but its too long to document in full on here.
Needless to say some great acquaintances were made including Burnley Dave, Ray who travelled up for night games from London and caught the Nat Ex coach back from Chesterfield at something like 2am in the morning [he just loved everything Derbyshire] and then 'H' sadly no longer with us but a lovely genuine chap and a pleasure to stand with at a game, good old days eh. 
TOWARDS THE DUG OUTS AND STANDING ENCLOSURE

Chesterfield Ladies had a short period on the ground and some housework was done but following the loss of the clubhouse the ground was becoming not at its best.  So how do we find it today?
Approaching the double entrance block I was surprised to see the turnstiles gone, inside the cabins that had been there as the club progressed had also now departed but this was an improvement making the area more light.  To the right the club house and old secretaries office have of course gone following the damage but the newer changing room block is thankfully operational and the snack bar has moved to a window at the front of this building.
Ground wise the floodlights are a long distant memory after one, if I remember correctly fell down on the morning of a charity game and for safety reasons the decision was taken to cut down the other poles at about eight foot height.  These still remain in situ a rusting memory to those glory days of old.
The pitch slopes from the cricket field end to the changing room end with the furniture itself not changed since the higher league days its generally a very tight ground all round with a small enclosure on the far side below the two dug outs and on the car park entrance side a collection of about three stands with different seating varieties.  Sadly now we have roofs off, seats damaged and general rubbish of all sorts around the ground and it is sad to see I guess the Parish Council are responsible for maintenance but I don't like to say but its not looking at its best.
THE THREE STANDS AT HALL CORNER

The game then well for Glapwell there are a fair selection of players who have played for Clay Cross Town and a further addition of Sunday League players that have been seen before so a homely feel to the side for me.  AFC Bentley have always been a club that I got along nicely with on my travels and again a hardy dedicated small bunch who keep the non league going.
Referee today would be the second game running with a first name of Kier today its Sheppard.  We also had a shortage of one assistant referee but thankfully referee and club officials agreed one person from each club would run the vacant line and a good job they did too allowing the game to proceed.
CHARLES BRADWELL GLAPWELL ATTACK

Today was dry but once again a fairly strong wind would make conditions difficult added to this the drying nature of the pitches in springtime meant for a bobbly surface which did not aid proceedings.  Glapwell would be grateful for the Copestake goal on eighteen minutes after Charles Bradwell providing the touch to set him up and really that was about it.
The second half saw Bentley have a fair amount of possession but produce little of danger and if a shot did get near goal Ross Etheridge was on hand to command the ball.  Glapwell worked hard and looked solid with Shane Burton and the terrier that is Ritchie Mathews in most things but there was little to show when the home side attacked either.  Three points are three points and Glapwell are sat comfortably in the league table for their debut season in the Premier Division and if they can retain this side with a few additions who knows next season may see a top three challenge.
LEE FLETCHER AND DAVE TURNER GLAPWELL MANAGEMENT TEAM

The return route would take me through a further Ault Hucknall hamlet this time Rowthorne another little beauty and then onwards to the Hardwick Hall Lodge gates and past, to my left, the hall and to my right the old hall.  Strangely the hall is under the guidance of The National Trust and the old hall is looked after by English Heritage today both were wrapped in scaffolding and polythene as extensive works continue.  Down the hill passing the rather busy Hardwick Inn and then the mile long climb Back to Hardstoft and on to Pilsley with still an hour to go back to base which was arrived at in 2 hours 20 minutes.  
An enjoyable walk with a nice bit of reminiscing at Hall Corner while watching the current lads representing Glapwell FC and picking up three hard earned ponts.
ROSS ETHERIDGE HOLDS ON

Sunday 13 March 2022

PURE JOY AS TEVERSAL GRAB SECOND WIN OF THE SEASON

TEVERSAL 2 GLASSHOUGHTON 1
NCEFL 1 AT CARNARVON ST
13 MARCH 2022 --- 3PM
CAMERON PINNICK AND TEVERSAL CELEBRATE HIS STOPPAGE TIME WINNER

A remarkable finish to a game that looked like it would be settled by a first half wonder goal from Jordon Chippendale for the visitors but the Tevie boys did not know when they were beaten in this game and an equaliser on eighty nine minutes and then a superb winner in the fifth minute of stoppage time secured the home side only their second win of a very tough season.  The celebrations were ecstatically wild, you may have thought they had won the league and why not this had been a full on determined performance.
TROLLY AND TROLLY PARK IT MUST BE A TEVERSAL VISIT

As the 'walk to the match' season continues after last weeks break once again for the wet stuff putting off a lot of the local grassroots games I couldn't resist a revisit to Teversal as many know my comfort club.  With the dark afternoons pulling out it could now be worked I believed relatively safely on a section of road with no pavement before the light had gone on return from the game.  A fair selection of the walk of just over eight miles and taking outbound 2 hours 20 minutes would be accompanied by the whiff created by our now 'spreading' farmers.  Much of the manure now seems to be of a liquid type which is not pleasant and for the up hill section into Pilsley there must have been so much breathed in that I'm now more full of the stuff than normal.
Previous trips this season have seen a couple of routes via the edge of Hardwick Hall and also via the busy Hardstoft road to Tibshelf with no pavement for a large portion of this section of around ten minutes or so.  Having taken the latter route today the intention was to get a snap shot of the massive shopping trolleys on the approach to the industrial estate where the company making supermarket varieties is based.  Anyway I didn't climb into one and can comfortably say 'I'm off my trolly' now, it would though produce a nice link with of course the much photographed trolly park stands at Tesco and meant the need to photograph them again.
NEED NO INTRODUCTION BUT COULD I PARK MY TROLLY IN THEM

The last visit to Carnarvon Street was for the FC Humber game on 18 September when a crazy game saw Teversal run out 7-4 winners and this would prove to be their last victory.  I did give some consideration to the chance of me seeing another victory today but for a side rooted to the bottom of the table and seemingly unable to gain three points at the end of ninety minutes I soon put the idea to bed.
HANDS UP AS TEVIE ATTACK IN THE FIRST HALF

As usual a nice greeting from a few of the people I now at the club and some spectators at todays encounter and with a position taken up to avoid some of the once again strong wind we were underway.  The opening exchanges were very even with Teversal looking to break through but as so often happens when you are struggling the opposition take their first chance.  Mind you what a goal it was good enough to win any game when Chippendale lashed home an eighteen yard effort across the goal rising high into the left top corner of the net after seventeen minutes.
MATCH WINNER CAMERON PINNICK

Just over the half hour mark the visitors failed to clear their lines and Jack Hutchinson put in a goal bound shot only for it to be cleared as it was nearing the goal line.  But just after there was danger at the other end a sliced clearance by Teversal keeper Leon Turton spun back on goal for Jack Appleyard to race through somehow the number one got back to fling himself at the ball and it was enough to put off the visitors striker who fired wide.
CONNER EYES CLOSELY WATCHED BY THE TEVERSAL DEFENCE

The second half was seeing a determined football effort and Teversal were gradually pushing Glasshoughton back and you could see the belief that they could get something out of this game.  Visiting keeper Calum Gladding gathered Chris Heathcote's deflective header before Jak lightly found himself in a good position at the back post, he lobbed the keeper well but the ball landed on the roof of the net and so still the goal would not come.
There was though definitely a feeling that the home side deserved something from this game and it arrived on eighty nine minutes when Kamau Leverock was put in he raced through and coolly slotted past the keeper to level the scores.
JAK LIGHTLY CHIPS THE KEEPER BUT FINDS THE ROOF OF THE NET

Entering the fifth minute of stoppage time Teversal were awarded a corner off the right and after pestering for the last five minutes Teversal keeper Turton was finally allowed to go forward for the kick.  He got nowhere near it but his six foot presence may have distracted the Glasshoughton defensive operation.  They failed to clear the excellently floated corner and when it fell to Cameron Pinnick fourteen yards out he fired the ball low across goal into the far left corner to start scenes of wild celebrations.  Could Teversal hang on?  Well referee Kier Wishart made sure of that and proved what a late, late show this was when he blew for time straight from the re start.
A richly deserved win for the Tevie boys and good to see them get some good success for a change this season.
It was a very sharp dash to get beyond the road only stages of this route back and having arrived in Pilsey before dark the pace was kept up with the support of the enjoyment of that last few minutes for Teversal with base arrived at in one minute under the two hours for the return journey
THE CORNER THAT DID THE DAMAGE WITH KEEPER TURTON FORWARD FOR TEVERSAL