DRONFIELDS HENSON NEARLY SAVES FACE FOR TOWN

SHIREBROOK TOWN 3 V DRONFIELD TOWN 0
NCEL DIVISION 1 ---2 DECEMBER 2014
Any planned visits to Shirebrook are always met with the same reposte...'are you sure'?  Well I explain I have always enjoyed popping along to this former mining town where its tough but friendly with normally a good atmosphere.  Well by half time tonight you had to question being there and why you had not decided to watch some soap or other on TV it was bitterly cold, mind you the thoughts of TV watching only lasted a few seconds as we enjoyed an entertaining game continue.

Night game in Shirebrook you cant beat it

The approach from Langwith Rd for an evening game is always exciting, I know sad aren't I[?], those old pit style floodlights illuminating the ground for nothing quite beats an evening game under lights does it?

The immediate side terracing had a good upgrade before last season and is now very smart and more than able to cater for the current crowds,  the two far side stands are still doing sterling work and with one being sponsored by Sid Pepper I always wish for a Bill Salt to complete the set, sadly its not happened yet.  The pitch still appears to drain well and with many local grounds suffering from water retention at present its good to see a game on what looked like a dry surface.

Chauffeur even allowed to read programme!

So to the game and with a half time lead for the home side through a single goal via a defensive mistake it was game on for the second period.
Within a minute of the re start Dan White was sent off for Dronfield and from the hold back of the attacker a penalty awarded.  What resulted was sickening and quite worrying for a while from the spot kick visiting keeper Richard Henson dove full length to his right to make a save but the superbly hit spot kick hit him full in the face.  Henson was knocked out for a few minutes before slowly coming round and amazingly continuing there has been much discussion in all sports about the need for players to be substituted after likewise incidents and I must say having been stood behind the penalty kick I would have been looking to get him further medical attention better safe than sorry.  Thankfully looking at Twitter it looks like he is sore and in pain but ok as of the following morning, 'We All Stand Together' wishes him well.

Newly upgraded Langwith Rd terrace

Henson proceeded to pull off some great saves late on but Shirebrook did gradually wear down Dronfields 10 men with some neat football to run out with a 3-0 victory.
Nice to catch up with a variety of people at tonight's game including Rudi Funk AFC Mansfield manager and some of the officials from the club.
It was a bitterly cold night and probably the coldest so far this season but both teams put on a creditable performance and once again it had been a good visit to Shirebrook.