HONOURS EVEN AS SPORTS HELD AT PENTRICH ROAD

SWANWICK PENTRICH RD 2 V HOLBROOK SPORTS 2
PRE SEASON FRIENDLY 28 JULY 7PM AT HIGHFIELD RD

WELCOME TO SWANWICK PENTRICH ROAD FC

A slick goal from Guy Wilding in the last ten minutes of this pre season friendly earned Swanwick Pentrich Rd [SPR] a draw against their step 6 neighbours Holbrook Sports. 
Back to local travelling and its always a nice little village to visit with the chippy in Swanwick missed this time their was though time for a quick pasty from Booths before making the walk down to Highfield Rd for tonight's pre season friendly.
Varying parts of the ground had received a fresh coat of paint and this added to the new season feel, the club have also moved some of their fencing and advert boards from the school side of the ground to the main stand side of the pitch.  Before kick off their was time to catch up with SPR manager Kev Grundy with whom its always a pleasure to share some time.
Before the kick off the blog managed to secure both teams thanks to both managers, hopefully we have the correct names, but as usual caution is offered with players often swapping shirts in the madness of substitutions that occur in friendlies.

THE COVERED ACCOMODATION ST SPR

The ground itself is of basic CMFL standard the immediate entrance is covered by a pitch side car park behind the top goals and this is were the changing rooms, snack bar and toilets are situated. Down the right hand side is a hard standing area and then around the two dug outs are two covered stands the bottom one of which contains 15 tip up seats.  Most of the bottom end is un fenced as now is most of the far side.  The club are hoping to develop a mini pitch behind the bottom goal and have also worked on some pitch drainage too.

BRIGHT NEW NETS ON SHOW AT HIGHFIELD ROAD

So to the game and the first half was generally an average affair with the visitors taking the lead when Stephen Akers swapped the ball from his right foot to fire home with his left this admittedly after SPR hit the woodwork in the opening minutes.

DANNY GRAVES HOLBROOK SPORTS BRIGHT KEEPER

Just before half time Sports keeper Danny Graves, resplendent in pink, pulled off a superb close range save pushing away Baker's shot.
The second half saw lee pop round with a raffle and one lucky lady was the winner hopefully the club benefited a little from this with no admission taken most people seemed happy to contribute to the clubs efforts.

It looked like the game would fizzle out with a Sports win that was until 17 minutes from the end when referee Liam Vayro pointed to the spot to award SPR a penalty and Richard Jefferies equalised with Graves in the visitors goal very close to stopping the effort.  On 80 minutes Ross Coxon returned the advantage to the visitors when he slotted in at the back post.  But SPR were not to be denied and with 8 minutes remaining the goal of the game saw 'Tink' lay through a lovely ball that set up Guy Wilding for a quality finish past the out coming Graves in the Sports goal.

So all square at the 90 minute mark and a steady work out for both sides who will look to develop their team plans as the new season approaches with speed.
Impressive performance form Holbrook's keeper Graves and SPR substitute Ashley Buxton who always adds some fire and class to the home sides performance.

A GATHERING OF SWANWICK PENTRICH RD SUBSTITUTES

DEWSBURY RAMS NIPPED BY THE BULLDOGS OF BATLEY

DEWSBURY RAMS 12 V BATLEY BULLDOGS 16
KINGSTONE CHAMPIONSHIP @ THE TETLEY STADIUM
26 JULY 2015 3PM

SOUTH STAND TERRACING AT DEWSBURY RAMS

This heavy woollen 'derby' turned out to be a cracker that went first one way then another but at 4.40 it was the visitors from Batley who could claim bragging rights with a narrow victory in a tough encounter in difficult wet conditions.
As ever the game in a while but having chosen football yesterday there was a nice opportunity to take in some rugby league today and where better than Dewsbury for this enticing 'derby' encounter.  With Dewsbury Rams looking for a victory that would secure them 5th spot at the end of the first stage of the season following Workington's shock 29-0 at Featherstone on Saturday night it was game on especially with Batley looking for points to pull away from the wrong end of the table.
The journey was a difficult one with engineering works from base to Sheffield it meant just X Country trains running or it was a bus replacement option.  Gambled on the 4 carriage former and we were packed in like sardines to Sheffield and slightly less so to Wakefield but seats forget it.  The train manager even had the cheek to mention the first class upgrade available at £20 in the first class carriage this with who knows how many standing I think it should have been opened up for free.  Anyway it was different to arrive at Westgate station as opposed to Kirkgate and the entrance/exit is now a new and smart facility that guides you onto a side street away from Westagte.  A short walk to the bus station secured a bus to Dewsbury which then struggled to get out of the City due to traffic light timing problems.  Having arrived in Shaw Cross area of Dewsbury to a nice sharp and persistent rain there was time to take some cover by the entrance to the club and watch as the players arrived. 
A previous visit to Shaw Cross Sharks saw a little bit about the club on a previous blog but Dewsbury's old ground at Crown Flatts was passed on the way to the ground now adorned with houses.  During the match build up I managed to catch up with and have a nice conversation with a Ram's fan who remembered the old ground but explained in its latter days it became 'not fit for purpose' especially after the stand was destroyed.

NORTH STAND SEATING AT THE TETLEY STADIUM

So an early entry secured me the chance of a bit of cover the South Stand terrace is large and covered and offers a commanding view with opposite the main, north, stand looking smart and in good proportion with exec boxes to the rear.  To the left of the main covered terrace is an uncovered terrace, little used today in the constant rain, with smart crush barriers and a mini sized electronic scoreboard which also features digital displays of players too.  Behind the sticks at the opposite end is hard standing walk way but this area is sectioned off at present with no spectators allowed. 

HOW MUCH FOOD CAN YOU COOK IN THIS TRUCK?

The ground has plenty of areas to fill in and develop both inside and outside where a large housing estate is being built,  Inside the ground the club have two large trucks that act as snack wagons and of course it would have been rude not to sample a chip butty, when I finally got the naming issues right having originally gone for chip cob.

ROGER THE RAM WITH DUDE FROM KIRKLEES ACTIVE

Programme and draw tickets purchased there was a chance to have a chat with a few supporters and its all quite friendly at rugby league with no segregation in operation at this level during the game though there is of course some good banter and certainly an attempt to wind the opposition fans up.

A wide selection of mascots were to be on show today with Kirklees Active helping us all to get fit their mascot in flip flops and toned body was a special feature and he managed to do the rounds with Roger the Ram Dewsbury own animal in disguise. 

SHOW A MASCOT A CAMERA, CHEERS GUYS!

Batleys Bulldog was nowhere to be seen had he gone for a long walk or slipped his leash?  No he turned up just before kick off and performed a few rounds of sparring with Roger which all ended shortly after when they made up and became friends!


EARLY STAND OFF FOR DEWSBURY AND BATLEY

SCOTT LEATHERBARROW CONFIDENT KICKING

So the game and it was a real battle of attrition with the game score less until 26 minutes when Dalton Grant went over for Dewsbury and with the wide conversion failing they settled for a 4-0 lead.  Within 3 minutes though Batley though were in the lead Alex Brown went over and Scott Leatherbarrow converted with a superb kick wide off the left.
 On 35 minutes Leatherbarrow added two more points when he kicked a penalty and the Bulldogs went onto the break 8-4 to the good.
Ten minutes into the second half and Grant got his second try to level the score at 8 all.
The game was keeping everybody on the edge of their seats and on 55 minutes the kicking of Leatherbarrow gave the visitors a 10-8 lead thanks to a penalty kick.  Once again Dewsbury came back and it was on 63 minutes when Morton went over and with a missed conversion the lead was just 2 points.

Ten minutes from time Chris Ulugia weaved his way over and to take the score line to 14-12 in the Bulldogs favour and then a few minutes later Leatherbarrow was called on again to kick another penalty to create a four point buffer. 

Dewsbury stormed back and in the last minute two clock stoppages in the Batley's 10 metre line added to the tensions but they hung on for a famous victory over their neighbours who before the start of the game were looking for that fifth spot.
Both sides came over to applaud their fans at the end but it was Batley's Bulldog that was in full voice and Roger the Ram had to take a back stage.

BULLDOGS AND BULLDOG THANK THEIR FANS

A cracking game of rugby, feisty at times, a test of stamina and handling in the wet conditions but the players on show today could not be faulted for their efforts and contributions to a great advert for 'derby' rugby league enjoyed by a crowd of 1,319.
The journey back was via a short walk to the edge of Ossett for the return Arriva bus back to Wakefield and a return via the beloved Kirkgate station before changing for the slow engineering affected return to base.


GRAND CENTRAL EX LONDON SERVICE
AT WAKEFIELD KIRKGATE

NEWARK AND BRICKIES CONTINUE BUILD UP TO NEW SEASON

KIRTON BRICKWORKS FC 2 V NEWARK TOWN FC 4
PRE SEASON FRIENDLY 25 JULY 2015 3PM @ STATION RD

KIRTON BRICKWORKS, THE WOODEN DUG OUTS

Newark secured a pre season victory against their Notts Senior League neighbours in an entertaining affair which had seen the Central Midland League side storm to a 2-0 lead before being pegged back to 2-2 following a couple of wonder strikes from Kirton's Aaron Norman.  A goal before half time and a fourth in the second half saw the step 7 boys home.

KIRTON BRICKWORKS GROUND OVERVIEW

So the blog had a dilemma today of National Conference Rugby League or to continue the pre season friendly tour and following a tricky decision we were off to Kirton Brickworks FC for a first visit.  As usual the public transport route was an interesting one but with no trains it lead to bus changes at Alfreton and Mansfield before we departed short of our destination at Ollerton.  The arrival in Ollerton was achieved passing close by a cracking collection of local non league sides including AFC Mansfield, Clipstone, Thoresby CW and of course Ollerton Town.  What a nice selection of non league sides here in Nottinghamshire.  Our journey took us past the redundant headstocks at Cliptsone which stand derelict at the end of the villages main street and then we journeyed past Thoresby Colliery which had seen its final day just yesterday Friday 24 July.
The Dolphin fish bar was looking tempting and indeed we sampled their menu while walking the shopping area of Ollerton and then finally departing on a half an hour walk to the ground which is just short of Kirton and as the clubs title gives away in in the grounds of Hanson Brickworks factory.

CHRIS SELF CHECKS OUT REFEREE
GAVIN RICE'S FITNESS REGIME

We enter the site via the factory road and climbing up the grass bank reveals a smartly cut pitch which is roped off around 3/4 of its perimeter.  To the far corner is the canteen area for the works which doubles up for club use on match day for changing rooms and toilets.  Behind the far goal is a small picnic table area which gets nicely used during todays match too the rear is a car park and a nice stack of brand new bricks which during quiet moments you could have a go at counting.  The whole pitch side area is grass standing and down the main side there are a couple of smart dug outs surprisingly made out of wood when brick would have seemed more appropriate!  If your a truck fan there are also a nice selection neatly reversed into parking bays pitch side too.
So having arrived pitch side following the blogs walk from Ollerton we were offered a few nice friendly greetings from the Kirton officials and then onwards into the canteen and it was good to meet up with Richard Lane from Newark Town and of course Press Officer for the CMFL.  Thanks to Richard I also managed to obtain the visiting team, cheers kind of you to do that.  This was a friendly fixture that certainly had a little bit of bite in it at times but of the pitch I have to say the small crowd were all very friendly and chatty with a nice following form Newark.

The game itself saw Newark start at a pace and it wasn't long before they were deservedly 2 up thanks to Dom Swingler's neat 12 yard strike after 14 minutes and then a lovely edge of the box finish from Chris Self. 

CHRIS SELF CELEBRATES HIS GOAL THAT MADE IT 0-2

Newark continued to press and really should have been further away before kirton took a couple of chances superbly well to level the game.  Both goals came from the impressive Aaron Norman the first a superb curling 30 yard that flew into the top right hand corner.  Then his second on 37 minutes was a sweet low drive across the Newark keeper into the bottom left hand corner of the goal.

AARON NORMAN PREPARES TO UNLEASH HIS FIRST GOAL

It was looking like Newark may rue the missed chances until 41 minutes when Chris Self smashed the third goal in off the underside of the bar for a half time lead for the visitors.

KIRTON'S HALF TIME TEAM TALK PITCHSIDE

The second half was an entertaining affair but it really featured the visitors going in search of further goals there was though just one to come eleven minutes from time when Adam Boddy headed home to make it 4-2.

We decided to talk a walk back to nearby Broughton to catch the first of the three buses journey back to base and it has to be said how impressive the relatively new Mansfield bus station is and thankfully it supplied the blog with a convenience shop for some sustenance.
Todays game had been an entertaining game with a small but appreciative crowd welcomed by this friendly little club.
Fourth pre season game and although they have been at smaller clubs so far we are yet to get hold of and pre season programme being issued by the clubs maybe by the time the season kicks off I will lose the habit of buying them.
Overall an enjoyable encounter then and afternoon the blog wishes both clubs success in their forthcoming season in the CMFL and the NSL.

PINXTON TAME LIONS IN PRE SEASON FRIENDLY

PINXTON 3 V HEANOR TOWN 2
PRE SEASON FRIENDLY @ THE WELFARE GROUND
20 JULY 2015 7.45PM

COVERED STAND AT THE WELFARE GROUND PINXTON

Pinxton shocked Heanor with this pre season defeat against step 5 opposition with a deserved victory that at one stage had seen the Central Midlands League side lead by 3-0.

NECK TRAP

Nice to return to midweek travels local to base and although its not a first visit to Pinxton it is the first time with the blog.  The ground is approached by a wide pathway at the side of the welfare and following the purchase of two chocolate donuts from the nearby Coop it probably needed to be.  Entrance to the ground is by a, new to me, shed pay box which was nice and smart.  The ground has a tight and snug walkway all around it and to the right is the café area which is on a high backed terraced area offereing a good view over the ground from its small area.  Opposite our entrance are the two dugouts and situated towards the far corner a covered seated stand.  Behind the other goals is the clubs changing rooms which are approached by climbing down a flight of stairs.  Before the game it was good to catch up with some of the Heanor officials including Tony Squires the clubs PR man and thankfully Stan Wilton who supplied the teams, wonderful job!  It was also good to have a quick catch up with Heanor Town front man Nathan Benger who tonight was a second half sub.

JACK HAWKINS WANDERS OVER TO TAKE A HEANOR CORNER

Heanor started with new signings Jamie Clarke from Holbeach Utd and the diminutive Jack Hawkins in their starting line up and with a crowd of around 150 in attendance we were in for a much anticpated game.
The game started at a pace and Heanor were struggling to break down the Pinxton defence and you could sense the home side confidence grow non more so than when Shelton chipped the Heanor keeper from 30 yards out for a wonderful goal.  Shortly after on 27 minutes it was 2-0 with number 7 Luke Walker congratulated although caution is added here the Pinxton twitter feed has the scorer as Smith.
Pinxton went in at half time well in control of this game with Heanor struggling to make any headway.  Half time and a good chance to catch up with a non league supporter from Ilkeston who I had previously met while I was at Clay Cross Town FC.  An interesting conversation ensued and it whiled away the half time interval with many tales of football travels.

INCREASINGLY WORRYING MOMENTS ON THE HEANOR BENCH

REFERE JOHN STEVENS SECOND HALF INJURY

Surely Heanor would come out more determined to pull this deficit back, but no its wasn't to be when jusy 7 minutes into the second half Walker fired in from close range after his original shot had been pushed away by Nathan Stone in the Heanor goal.  Heanor finally got into the game when Ollie Naylor scored with a neat finish before Jamie Clarke headed home a few minutes later to make it 3-2.  It was clearly game on now and much of the crowd probably expected Heanor to power their way past Pinxton.  But it was not to be as Pinxton continued to look good and they deservedly played out the second half to secure a creditable moral boosting victory.
The second half saw referee John Stevens hobble off injured with Mansfield official Sean Richardson taking over in the middle.
The second half also saw the blog meet up with its friends from Swanwick Pentrich Rd who are eagerly awaiting the start of the new season.
A cracking game for a pre season friendly with Pinxton travelling to Clay Cross Town next Saturday for their next game and on this showing they will be a force to reckoned with next season in the CMFL.

EASTWOOD HANLEY RETURN HOME FOR PRE SEASON VICTORY OVER BALL HAYE GREEN

EASTWOOD HANLEY 2 V BALL HAYE GREEN 1
PRE SEASON FREINDLY @ TRENTMILL ROAD, JOINERS SQUARE
18 JULY 2015 KICK OFF 2PM

TERRACED VIEWING SPOT AT EASTWOOD HANLEY FC

Eastwood Hanley returned to their spiritual home for this pre season victory over Staffordshire County Premier League Ball Haye Green.  The leek based side were welcome visitors but were two down at half time and although they found a goal in the second half the equaliser would not come.
More on the game in a while but how did the blog come about with a visit to this game.  Well a few years ago I tried to take a look if Eastwood Hanley were still in existence having remembered them from an end of season game at Alfreton Town in the then newly formed Northern Premier League 1 around 1987/88 season.  By this stage Eastwood Hanley had a strong product around Staffordshire but it would appear it was getting difficult off the pitch with financial difficulties and the constant vandalism of their ground which in the early 90's saw them vacate their Trentmill Rd ground and finally in 1997 the club finally closed down all together.  Games against Accrington Stanley attracting a crowd of over 5,000 and Tamworth in the FA Vase added to that a Staffordshire County Cup win were in the records but sadly the club was no more.......until 2014 that is. 

REMAINING TERRACE WITH FLOODLIGHT BASE IN FOREGROUND

The ground and pitches around the boundary of the original stadium were being used by Sandford Hill Allstars a club for all ages, except a senior non league team.  But for the 2014/15 a senior team was entered into the Staffordshire County Senior League Second Division North and the Eastwood Hanley title was adopted and the club was back on the long road to seeking non league recognition. 

EASTWOOD HANLEY CHAIRMAN
CHRIS WILLIAMS

Following last weeks Rocester v Port Vale pre season game Eastwood Hanley tweeted the blogs report and this answered my much sought answer to my question 'what happened to Eastwood Hanley'?  So following a bit of research I discovered that Leek based Ball Haye Green FC would be visiting Trentmill Rd for a pre season friendly. 
As ever with pre season games I made a quick call to club Chairman Chris Williams with whom the blog had a lovely conversation on the evening before the game his enthusiasm for the club and much hoped for future development shone through.  The club now has a large site as well as the original ground which has up to 9 pitches available, including mini pitches in this total and operates 27 teams, a tremendous commitment lets hope some of those associated with these teams come along to support the seniors-many of whom are players who have progressed through the club.
The day as ever started at base station with a comfortable change at Derby onto the Crewe bound train...oh how delighted we were to find that our awaiting carriage was a single unit train. 

TODAYS FOOD STOP

As ever on arrival at our destination we sought out some delicacy and today a small diversion took us to the Uni Chip.  Steady 'eats' on the move and we were soon back onto the Leek Rd and in Joiners Square a small district of Hanley.  Trentmill Rd is easily located off the main thoroughfare but the ground is very secretively sandwiched between the river Trent and disused Stoke to Leek railway line.  As the road runs out into a track to the left are the additional pitches and too the right through angled metal barriers our stroll back through history to the former Eastwood Hanley ground.  Some of the areas dereliction has been cleared away and cleaned up by those hardworking volunteers that all clubs need and often come in too small a number.  The pitch is on slightly lower level to the entrance parking area and at this level there are 3 metal container cabins featuring a toilet block, café area and storage cabin.  The club house and changing rooms have long gone and there are now three more container cabins with changing rooms and hopefully further facility developments to come around this area.  At the side of these nearest the entrance is a former concrete terrace with cover and roof structure now gone but concrete posts and two crush barriers very much still in place.  Behind the entrance goal is a slightly raised bank and over to the far touchline a shallow terraced area can still be seen and accessed.  At the rear of the far goal the former stand has now gone and the area is very much grassed with little of its former use visible.  The site overall is massive of which the security of offers the biggest challenge the club has of developing to a standard they so clearly desire,  I hope they can find some funding or benefactor to assist them because their is clearly so much potential here.  It is so frustrating when the game at the top is awash with £50 million pound transfers and £250,000 a week wages yet there is little in the pot for the grassroots game.

PRE MATCH TACTICS FOR EASTWOOD HANLEY FC

On approach to the ground today it was nice to catch up with Chairman Chris Williams and then again at half time for a quick chat about the game and Eastwood Hanley. 
This is a great opportunity, pre season friendlies still to play, for any hopper to see the new Eastwood Hanley on their former ground because sadly come the league season they move to Milton United to play their games due to County Senior League requirements of showers at the ground, something which the club are working towards for next season.

AN EARLY TUSSLE BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES

The Premier League visitors in their first pre season of the new upcoming campaign were 1 down in 14 minutes when Mark Ellerton drove in a sweet finish from 10 yards.  It was the home side who were testing their higher league visitors although you always thought if Ball Haye could get going they would be a handful.  Four minutes before half time the referee had a decision to make following a foul close to the penalty box, inside or out?  He selected just outside and after some arranging of the wall the impressive Asa Tomkinson stepped up and curled the ball in with the sweetest of strikes with a quality goal that doubled Eastwood Hanley's lead.

The half time discussion with Chris Williams revealed that the pitch was a former tip for Wedgewood and the amount of broken pottery in the ground lead to an excellent draining pitch.  The pitch had a good reputation previously and today was looking nice and flat for some free flowing football.

BALL HAYE GREEN KEEPER CLAIMS A CROSS

The second half started encouragingly for the visitors when inside the first 10 minutes Mike Keates pulled a goal back in a one on one with the home keeper.  The blog waited for the home side to fade but it did not happen and they continued to battle away to secure this victory non more so than four minutes from time when the home keeper at full stretch pushed and edge of the box effort over for a corner and that was enough to secure the victory.

An entertaining game for a pre season friendly and although Eastwood Hanley are well into their pre season this was a superb little performance from a good selection of players with some good pace on show.  The visitors were on their first outing and they were quite happy that they will build up to full fitness over the next few weeks to lead them into their Premier League season.

KEILAN BOND CHECKS OUT THE BENCH

During the second half it was good to catch up with Ball Haye Green manager Keilan Bond who explained how he had played for a Leek Town side on this pitch when the former club was still in existence.  Hopefully we didn't interrupt his second half too much but it was enjoyable and appreciated that he took some time out to chat. 
The journey back once again supplied us with a single carriage train to Derby before a return to base.
A very enjoyable afternoon with a club about to enter its second season under the banner of Eastwood Hanley FC the blog wishes them well and hopes they receive some good local support for their senior team and future development of their Trentmill Road ground.

ONE CARRIAGE THIS IS NOT A TRAIN ITS A BUS!

ROCESTER FALL TO NARROW PRE SEASON DEFEAT TO PORT VALE

ROCESTER 0 PORT VALE XL 1 @ HILLSFIELD
PRE SEASON FRIENDLY 11 JULY 2015 3PM

ROCESTER FC WITH JCB ACADEMY AND VILLAGE CHURCH IN THE BACKGROUND

[Take a look at the 'we all stand together' Facebook page for a few more pictures not used in the blog and at the twitter page @weallstand33]
A single goal in the first quarter of an hour of this pre season friendly from Jonny Kapend turned out to be enough for Port Vale Xl to see off a hard working Rocester.
Over the years I have started to avoid pre season games but having seen Port Vale at Rocester two years ago and enjoyed the ground and club it was time to journey into Staffordshire again.  Added to this the continuation of NCL rugby league was halted this weekend due to replacement bus services being in operation on the route to West Yorkshire so Rocester looked even more attractive.

JCB ACADEMY ON THE APPROACH TO ROCESTER FC

Today would be different with no train journeys, with the bus taking the strain changing in Derby onto the 'Swift' and with enough time booked in for a visit to the 'spoons in Uttoxeter for some 'eats' and a refreshing lemonade.  Rocester was passed through at just before 1230 and a few minutes later we were in Uttoxeter and after a quick look around we managed to locate a table in The Old Swan.  Time soon moved on for the return bus to take us back to Rocester and we allotted to get off just before the bus turns into the village of Rocester to take a quick walk around the park and lakes of JCB.  Of course Rocester is famous for JCB the world headquarters of the famous yellow liveried mechanical diggers and their likes, a massive complex it is too.  Thankfully the lakes and lawns around the site are open to the public and most people seem to respect this lovely area that has been provided, except maybe for the geese who of course do what they do everywhere! 

INITIAL VIEW OF HILLSFIELD

Within ten minutes of leaving the edge of the site we had arrived at Rocester FC having walked through the small village and past the remarkable former Arkwright mill, just outside the ground, which has now become the JCB Academy.  Tastefully developed it proudly overlooks the ground which is still owned by JCB and of course it is good to see that the company remains interested in the football club.

ROCESTER SECRETARY BARRY DELIVERS TEAM SHEETS WITH A SMILE

Entrance to the ground was £5 [full] today and although there was no programme today a high quality team sheet was issued by secretary Barry Smith which was much appreciated by the crowd and a handy collection of hoppers who were in the crowd of around 110.  Having gained entrance the Hillsfield ground opens up to you and the first impressions are of a well cared for set up grass smartly cut and buildings looked after.  Behind the immediate goal is the JCB Academy and over the far touchline a small raised, brightly painted covered terrace that straddles the halfway line.  the far goal has a neatly cut grass area with leisure goals which allow todays younger visitors to have a kick about during the afternoon.  So back to the entrance and immediately to the left on top of a small grass banked area is a high roofed mini cabin type of building, clearly I'm struggling here for a description{!}, but like most buildings at Hillsfield it looks smart and tidy and is a nice quirk about the ground.

HALF WAY LINE TERRACED STAND

Moving along is a nice sized club house along with some nice memorabilia displayed on its walls.  The snack bar is alongside and then we pass over the players entrance 'slope' from the changing rooms.  Just over the half way line is the seated stand which has a front selection of bench type seats with to the rear seats, the stand is named The Gilbert Egerton Stand, behind the stand is the toilet facilities. 
The dugouts are nicely separated by a mural of a Roman soldiers headgear to recognise the clubs nickname.
Having contacted the club secretary Barry Smith in the morning to check on the game the blog made its way just to say a courteous hello and following his typing up, printing and distribution of the team sheets around the ground, nice touch thank you, it was nice that he stopped to have a chat for quite a while.  Clearly the people involved are proud of the club and there are so many tasks to do at non league clubs if you are to do it right and make your club look its best.  Today not only was he secretary, treasurer etc but also we had a game on thanks to the nets he put up and for the first time ever he tells me he white lined the pitch, very straight they were too.  Thanks for the welcome today as ever clubs often survive on very few people and then to take the time for a chat always means a lot even if you can see so little of the game with your duties too.
Also at todays game was Michael a fellow hopper from Chesterfield who the blog has seen on many occasions so there was a little chance to catch up with non league news and swap stories.
So to the game and as this fixture is an annual event for Rocester thanks to Port Vale and Mike Ede, a former Romans player, it has always been a Port Vale Xl team, but always challenging and entertaining with a selection of young professionals seeking their way in the game.  The home side had debuts for new signings Troy Carty and Shane O'Reilly alongside Dan Martin the former Mansfield Town and Notts County player.

VALIANT SHOT THAT LED TO THE FOLLOW UP BY KAPEND TO GIVE THE VISITORS THE LEAD

An entertaining start from the home side had seen them threaten the Valiants goal before the inevitable happened on 15 minutes when Port Vale took the lead a close range shot was saved by Richard Froggatt before Jonny Kapend slotted the loose ball home.  Rocester responded well and Martin was putting some lovely passes around the pitch and with some more clinical finishing they could have lead at half time.

Into the second half and Port Vale started the stronger hitting a post early on but Rocester were battling hard and in the last 15 minutes started to create a few chances and probably should have equalised four minutes from time. 

Overall though I guess both sides will put this down as a good work out and from a spectator point of view there was plenty of effort and a few chances that could have lead to more goals.  As in our previous visit an enjoyable afternoon at a pretty and friendly club with former South Normanton manager Mark Wilson and his assistant Karl Payne looking for a continuation of last seasons improvements it could be an entertaining season at Hillsfield.  Non more so now that the Midland Football League has Heanor Town from The NCEL and the newly formed Hereford UTD within it next season.
The game finished a little before 4.45 so we decided to make a sharp walk back to the bus stop in the village for the Swift for an arrival back in Derby for the connecting Red Arrow back to base.  So the football season 2015/16 is underway.

ROCESTER MANAGER MARK WILSON