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