GRESLEY FORCE THE WIN AGAINST A STRUGGLING CLAY CROSS

CLAY CROSS TOWN 2 GRESLEY ROVERS 3

UCL PREMIER NORTH @ MILL LANE

22 AUGUST 26 --- 3PM

Gresley Rovers left with all three points thanks to a brace from Sam Grouse and inflicted the third consecutive defeat on the early pacesetters in the UCL Premier North.  Gresley with a round one of everything, win, draw and loss whereas in the league The Millers had three wins.  However it had all gone wrong with two losses in the FA Cup and FA Vase affecting that early confidence and today it wasn't there again as Rovers took full advantage.

It was nice to catch up with one of today's assistant referee Andy Wood who I had not seen for a while and a few minutes with the officials always interesting to see their take on things all things refereeing wise.  

So Clay Cross were desperately looking for a return to confidence and a visitors squad would be looking to get their season into full flight.  The early stages saw the home side look more likely with some more direct play than in previous weeks it took Gresley a while to get a foothold in the proceedings.  But it was Akeel Francis who was at this stage still awaiting his first goal for the home side since his close season signing looking most likely he drift a header wise from a cross off the left when he probably wasn't expecting it to get past his tight marking defender and then he pulled a ball back across the penalty box when he looked better suited to getting a shot away.  He did though get a superb shot off storming into the penalty box but Rovers keeper Bradley Catlow stood firm to a strong effort.  Indeed the number one had an excellent game never mind the first half when he also deflected away a couple of goalbound efforts with his legs.

Half time came and Clay Cross would regret those missed chances as an increasing threat from Gresley towards the end of the first half.  It would though be the home side who would open the scoring and on 50 minutes the ball fell to Francis who took the ball to the right hand side of the box it drew Catlow and the confident slot home past number one and defender Callum Martin.  The close season signing is now off the mark and hopefully the relief will help him onwards in the goal chart.

The talking point in the game came just a minute later when Brodie Litchfield was brought down by two players coming into him from either side, it was just outside the box but how referee Vayro waved it away remains unclear.  But Gresley took advantage while the home side were left stunned and challenging the call the visitors stormed forward and Grouse scored a beauty with a low drive from just outside the box to level the scores.

Gresley were unleashed now and substitute Haydn Brown hit a sweet drive across the The Millers keeper only to see it fly back off the far post.  But Gresley were not to be denied an extension to their lead and if the first goal was a beauty with keeper Dylan Wharton wandering away from his goal line Grouse, for his second, from a long way out spotted it and absolutely walloped the ball with serious intent over the keeper into the back of the net to make it 2-1.

Gresley nearly made it three after 86 minutes when the lively Brown who threatened so much got his deserved goal with the Clay Cross defence caught cold and statue like he ran on and rounded Wharton to slot into an empty goal.

Clay Cross were deflated and with just minutes to get through Gresley were invigorated not just by having the lead but by the quality of the finishes.  

There was time in the fourth minute of time added on for Basille Zotus to get a second for The Millers to reduce the arrears.  But it would not be enough as shortly afterwards the referee ended the action. 

Good win for Gresley three pints that kick starts their season but for Clay Cross it leaves questions over the recent performances admittedly with a back line missing two to three players over these games.

A delighted Gresley would have an enjoyable trip back to South Derbyshire.

As ever there are a few more photos below to have a look through.

RIPLEY TOWN BACK IN THE PREMIER WITH A WIN

RIPLEY TOWN 4 CROMFORD AND WIRKSWORTH TOWN 1

CMA PREMIER DIVISION SOUTH @ GREENWICH COMMUNITY SPORTS HUB

11 AUGUST 2026 --- 1830HRS

Ripley Town got off to a wining start in their return to step 7 football after an absence of around 23 years.  After falling behind to an early goal they stormed back to command most of the remainder of the game scoring four goals into the bargain in front of around 70 people on a hot and very bright August evening, the previous months of hot dry weather were visible in the brown pitch that all non league clubs are suffering at present. 

I was grateful to Ripley manager Danny Cooper to confirm the game was still going ahead and after a quick 20 minute taxi journey time allowed for a visit to the adjacent Sainsbury for some water.  The Greenwich Community Sporting Hub is a smart building and also serves as a base for Butterley Cricket Club who also use the park.  Being so the club cannot charge for admission and rely on revenue from a snack bar with the usual soft drinks, teas, coffees and confectionery to make a little extra.

There is little furniture available of course due to the park fact although the club do have two very smart canvas wheel on wheel off dug outs.  Historically this ground had a large stand on it and a careful internet search will probably pull up the impressive structure.

The last time I saw a Ripley Town game was at the end of the 2003 season was then they played a CMFL game at Butterley Brickworks ground , at the end of that season the club folded due to a lack of a ground as this one became unavailable I guess as the works wound down.  Since then the club club have tried three re gathering of which this has been the most successful with the current club entering its third season after being promoted at the second attempt frrom CMA Division 1 West under manager Cooper.

A bright evening would make photos difficult but hopefully there is a few here to match the words with two nice kits on show the two tone blue of Cromford and the classic maroon and dark blue with yellow trim of Ripley Town.

Return to the tope level of The CMA did not start to well for the home side when Cromford took the lead after five minutes.  Ripley got on caught in possession on the right and cross laid across into the path of Scott Taylor who swept the ball home with ease.

Maybe there was doubts in the Ripley side but not for long they re gathered themselves and on 34 minutes they found the equaliser.  Captain Matt Lewis put the left wing corner to the back post where Matt Hibbert powered home his header to level.

Even better news for the home side when they took the lead in the third minute of first half time added on.  The ball was parried away by visiting keeper Jay Toone into the path of Jake Gascoigne who fired his close range shot goalwards it struck the visiting defender Tom Wilmott but could not deny the ball nestling in the net.

Half time investment in the snack bar and the players were soon returning to the pitch and the thought must have been of experienced CMA side Cromford coming back into this game.

It wasn't to be though and even though the exchanges were tight and a degree of long ball was utilised, naturally so on a bobbly hard pitch it was Ripley who added a third on 63 minutes.  Again Lewis in charge of the corners looked to have scuffed a grubber from the corner to the near post it evaded a gathering of players and despite the best efforts of Toone it was Gascoigne who got his second forcing the ball home from close range.

The home aside made it comfortable with seven minutes remaining with the goal of the game a superb long ball from Harrison Mills saw substitute Jaydon Dar hold off the defenders enthusiastic challenge to run on and fire home to make it four.

With both clubs now ready fro the final whistle time was played out before Ripley could celebrate a wonderful victory on the opening day of their new challenge and campaign on this showing they should be looking to a nice comfortable season.  The are next at home in a weeks time for a night game versus Wirksworth Ivanhoe in what will be a tough challenge.  Cromford and Wirksworth are seasoned campaigners and will bounce back from this defeat.

Return journey saw a quick return to base.  It had been an entertaining evening and good to see Ripley's start to their new challenge to life at we non leaguers still call step 7 some two decades after their last appearance here.  

Once again there are a few more pictures than words hopefully you enjoy taking a look below at the additional ones.

HISTORY MAKERS

CLAY CROSS TOWN 1 MELTON TOWN 0

FA VASE 3RD ROUND AT MILL LANE

14 DECEMBER 2024 --- 3PM

FA VASE CLAY CROSS TOWN V MELTON TOWN 

Clay Cross Town progressed to round four with this 1-0 victory thanks to Ross Duggan who three minutes after half time rippled the Melton net and in the process saw them way surpass anything the club had previously achieved at this level.  A wonderful effort once again coming out on top against a side from a level above them in the non league structure something they had been making a habit of in previous rounds and now into the last 32 in a national competition, just let that sink in for a moment.

Today would be a bright but very cold day with a fast disappearing light as is normal at this stage of the season and a reason why, getting my excuses in, the pictures are not a s sharp as normal.  That though is the case with 3pm kick offs in the mid winter.  

Cards on the table I as many will know spent some time here helping out this wonderful little club with the ultimate pinnacle of floodlights but all that is history as the club have recently go above and beyond.

The new container stands with one seated and one standing as added an extra option to the lovely old stand and of course the stand of character the former Queens Park cricket stand that had stood entwined in overgrowth for many a year at Bolsover Town's former ground.  But the recent developments of new Tunnel Cafe, rebuild and re siting of changing rooms alongside 'the cross bar' bringing a tremendous new era to the Mill Lane club.

A recent change in ownership with Ryan Smith bringing in his ability to improve the side and also work on what was a previously perfect playing surface that was wrecked in last seasons winter with flooding and constant downpours that seemed to effect the East Midlands worse than other parts of the country.  

Head groundsman and now also Chairman Lee Watson was as ever busy on the gate, pitch and backrooms hardly seeing the first half and former secretary Dave 'Nobby' Clark was also in attendance alongside many of the old crew in Lee Bagshaw and Mick Goulding.  So it was good to see a continuity but this club currently looks really exciting with some nice facilities all built close to the pitch side now.

A circuit of the ground found Mr W of the Woodseats parish in attendance with a proud displaying of his Clay Cross Town scarf built somebody getting him a CXTFC hat he was still in a Spireites one.  Local photographer Bill Wheatcroft a lovely chap who travels the non league scene remembering him from his days as a contributor to the excellent Crooked Spireite fanzine in the days gone by.  Other glitterati were there Ollie, Geordie Clive et al along with hardy band of regular Millers supporters.  Overall a lovely catch up with many non league supporters. 

Referee David Constable was a change from last weeks original fixture and it was good to catch up with hIm before the game with a chat about the last time had photographed him in The CMFL cup final at Alfreton probably 7 years ago.  He certainly had a very good game today along with his assistants who looked fit and up for keeping up with the on the pitch action.

Melton visited from UCL Premier North and were just outside the play off zone so a real challenge was on the cards, also with them were a nice band of supporters with the famous 'pork pie army' banner sadly they hadn't brought any samples.  But bringing samples was Jason from Andy Man club who were offering wrist bands to the supporters.

Game wise then and the first half was very much about Clay Cross pressure with the visitors defence holding strong and limiting the Millers to shots from around the edge of the box that all flashed wide of the posts but far enough not to worry the goal, the exciting Carlton Carty was always willing to make a run down the left and most importantly take on the defence.

The visitors were proving a counter attack threat with left winger Will Norcross challenging the defence and supplying a couple of low crosses that skipped across the goal mouth just needing a touch.  

The best chance of the half did fall to the visitors Kieran Hayes got through but Charlie Dando was out quickly to block but the ball fell back to Hayes who shot was heading goal bound until Liam Vardy swept in to clear the ball off the line.

With the temperature dropping many went to the excellent Tunnel Cafe and some popped in for a colder option in the Cross Bar.

The second half could not have started better for Clay Cross when after just three minutes they scored the goal that would win the tie through Ross Duggan who turned to create space and fired across the keeper to see the ball nestle in the far corner of the visitors goal.  Scenes of joy followed as the team and supporters celebrated but wait there was still nearly a full 2nd half to play.

The Millers settled down but slowly tiredness was creeping in as the clubs fixtures appeared to catch up with them, 1/4 finals in DFA Cup, League Cup and top of the table following a tough Wednesday night game at local rivals Staveley.

Melton were going to give this a go and Norcross again got in and his effort was blocked by Ash Grayson for a corner.  Next Hayes got in and Dando pushed the ball away with the follow up shot hitting the post.

Clay Cross were increasingly looking for the breakaway and Ahmed Tahar forced the keeper into a sharp save.

It was though the visitors who were pushing the home side back with Harry Wakefield forcing Dando into another save and as the ball fell lose he smothered Damien McCrory's effort. 

With nine minutes to go Melton hit the woodwork again this time the crossbar when Kalis Gore cut in off the left and hit a sweet shot that inches lower would have caused despair for Clay Cross.

The Millers were hanging on now but hang on they did last gasp tackles and battles all over the pitch in what was a sterling effort. 

Referee Constable blew for time after five minutes of added time and the history makers were through to the fourth round with a home tie against Midland League Premier side Whitchurch Alport in the new year.

Highly entertaining game but the second half was so edgy for Clay Cross as Melton who look a good side pushed them too the limit.

As ever a few more pictures than words follow below.