PRIMS WIN THE DERBY 'DERBY' WITH VICTORY OVER BORROWASH

GRAHAM ST PRIMS 3 V BORROWASH VICS 1
EAST MIDLANDS COUNTIES LEAGUE @ THE BAYTREE CARS ARENA
31 AUGUST 2015 3PM

MAIN STAND AT GRAHAM ST PRIMS

This city of Derby 'derby' saw Graham St Prims successful with a 3-1 result that leapfrogs them over their neighbours Borrowash Vics.  The second half gave up three goals with an 80th minute strike giving the visitors a bit of late hope of maybe securing a draw before Dean Oliver made it safe for Prims in the closing minute.
With a cautious eye on the weather with the lovely summer producing some heavy rain the plans looked likely to take the blog to Manchester were surprise, surprise no rain was forecast.  However after a few hours of BBC weather spotting and having full confidence in Carol Kirkwood the 'risk' was taken to make the short journey to see this enticing derby game in the city if Derby between two clubs who back onto themselves on the former Asrterdale club site.

ENTRANCE TO THE BAYTREE CARS ARENA

Base journey to Derby met with a comfortable change before departure on the Nottingham Rd a couple of miles east of the city.  Although this was not a first visit to the newly named Baytree Cars Arena it was a first for the blog and to be honest the first since I guess the late 80's when the ground was not enclosed as now.
Sad to say the approach gates now lead to a derelict Asterdale club with to the far end of the car park has the approach to Borrowash Vic's home ground The Anderson Electrical Arena featured for some Derby Ladies games last season, to the immediate left the way into The Prims ground opens up aside the abandoned club.  We undertook a walk around the playing fields between both clubs which featured rugby and football pitches but no longer the cricket ground that I believe Spondon used to grace.

VICS TO THE LEFT AND TODAYS VENUE GRAHAM ST PRIMS TO THE RIGHT WITH
THE ASTERDALE IN THE BACKGROUND

These two clubs, ground sharing aside, must have two of the closest non league grounds anywhere in the country with at one point the respective clubs boundaries being about 50 yards apart its very reminiscent of the two Dundee clubs in Scotland.
With the rain still nagging away at a consistent drizzle level it was time to enter via a small walkway to the left of the clubs changing room block.  Immediately behind the goal on our entrance is the main stand with tip up seats set on concrete block steps with the whole ground railed all the way round the hard standing also continues for the full perimeter of the pitch and behind this a 6ft high wooden fence encloses the ground in.  The ground as the interesting feature of floodlights set at the four corners of the ground.  The dug outs are nicely positioned on the far side with a bright red decoration prominent and opposite is a collection of small metal shelters that thanks to a Prims fan advised the blog that they were de commissioned smoking shelters from the local Rolls Royce factory and now put to use here at the ground. 
The downside is that only two of them have a roof on them but this it would be due to the lovely wind that whips across this area of Derby dislodging them to elsewhere.  Coming back to out entrance and to the right is the food cabin and a small toilet block which backs onto the changing rooms.

ROSIE AND GILL IN THE G & J CABIN WITH AN IMPRESSIVE RANGE OF SOUPS

The snack bar follows the name of J and G Cabin and of course is run by the lovely ladies who take those initials as their name Josie and Gill.  Now with a few seats inside and a warm welcome its a place to visit and most amazingly the place for the connoisseur of packet soups, unbelievably they had 13 different varieties on offer, great effort ladies!
While the soups and of course confectionery bar the blogs fellow traveller Michael asked about the 'pick the joker in the pack' draw which was £1 a go with a notice board of playing cards face down on them.  The winning raffle ticket at half time had the chance to try to find the joker card on the board and of course you can guess it the man himself won the raffle but sadly did not pick the joker card off the said board.  So he had got the winning ticket but won nothing, well done mate!

MATCH ACTION WITH PRIMS IN RED AND WHITE

Todays match alongside the 'derby' nature of the game had other local connections including Sam Kellogg Prims number 5, brother of England badminton player Donna Kellogg MBE, being a former Vics player and manager.  Borrowash came into this game on the back of a 5-0 win over strugglers Greenwood Meadows so the blog anticipated a lively affair.
To the game and with a first of endeavour but little in the way of chances apart from Liam Oliver who forced Vics keeper Wayne Smith into a sharp save after 37 minutes.

The home side had enjoyed the majority of the first half in the sense of possession and probably deservedly took the lead 4 minutes before the break Jordan Gilhooly sent on the cross for Sam Hawkins to head home confidently.
The second half was a dour affair and it showed little to report until 70 minutes when Prims doubled their lead.  Good work down the right by Gilhooly fed a cross into the box and Mikey Fitzhugh drilled the ball home after the Vics keeper had saved the initial effort. 
Borrowash managed to get themselves back into the game on 80 minutes when substitute Anthony Rowley fired past Martin Apentis and we looked forward to a exciting final 10 minutes.

The anticipation was not really fulfilled, although we did get a further goal, on 89 minutes when Graham St Prims increased their lead to secure a final victory 3-1.  A lovely move saw James Rushby see his effort well saved by Smith only for the on hand Dean Oliver to smash the ball into the roof of the net.
A steady afternoon visit on a bank holiday and with a swift exit there was plenty of time in Derby for a small lemonade before the journey back to base.

PROBABLY THE BEST PICTURE OF THE DAY.......WOULD HAVE BEEN TAKEN BY THIS  MAN
FROM THE DERBY TELEGRAPH

GLASSHOUGHTON AND HALL ROAD RANGERS SHARE THE POINTS

GLASSHOUGHTON WELFARE 1 V HALL ROAD RANGERS 1
NCEL 1 @ LEEDS RD
29 AUGUST 2015 3PM

MATCH ACTION WITH HALL RD RANGERS [YELLOW] ON THE ATTACK V GLASSHOUGHTON [BLUE]

 [A few pictures not used on the blog will feature on the 'we all stand together' facebook page] A share of the points was probably the correct outcome although both sides had chances to claim all three non more so than Glasshoughton who missed a penalty with five minutes of normal time remaining.  After a cagey first half the second period turned into a very open affair with the visitors taking the lead against the run of play with a cracking finish from Danny Walker before the unfortunate Andy Harrison turned a cross into his own goal to level the scores up.

STAND AT THE LEEDS RD END OF THE GROUND

Today was a difficult one to choose with bank holiday weekend and varying other restrictions on the game to select and in the end a late decision to select Glasshoughton, a ground I had wanted to visit for a while, was selected.  Friend of the blog Chirs W had visited a couple of years ago and I had also seen a few blogs from the ground hop a few years ago.  The most recent from Joe Gibbons 'Gibbos 92' and 'The Lost Boyos' were of most interest although they undertook their visit on a midweek winters night with Glasshoughton struggling.  Having read the other reviews and looked at the Leeds Rd ground in the past I'm not sure what I could bring different but on a nice afternoon I came out, hopefully, with a positive for the club.
As ever base station saw an early change at Sheffield and then again at Wakefield Kirkgate, where at last the station forecourt has been opened again, with a small 10 minute journey to Castleford.  This was easier than a journey into Leeds for a journey back out to Glasshoughton. 

OFF THE HOOK ITS ORIGINAL

Departing the single operative platform at Castleford the blogs rugby league ventures normally take it back into the town but today we would turn an immediate left through the underpass under the railway line and out onto Beancroft Rd a suburb of back to back lengthy streets of terrace housing that always provides its own facilities and shops and just as we were thinking of dinner todays 'chippy' was discovered within 100 yards of the station!
The newly opened and intriguingly named 'Hoppys- Off The Hook' beckoned us into its welcoming arms. 

YORKSHIRE FISH CAKE AND CHIPS

Its new owner Hoppy wasn't sure which name to go for so he went for both a name and a different identity for a fish and chip shop in Off The Hook.  There is a specials board which features a different fish menu today though we went for chips, Yorkshire fish cake [layer of  fish surrounded by potato in a batter-not the bread crumbed variety] along with Mick selecting the peas.  These were all nicely presented in a closable cardboard box and eaten on the walk towards the ground a gentle 15 minutes away.  So if you visit Castleford pop under the underpass at the station and give this new venture a try and see what the special is, you can even sit down inside if you would like to.
Having meandered through the back streets to Leeds Road we had a good 75 minutes to the kick off time and we set off to have a look at the one thing that connected this game with the one at Tamworth last week, a ski slope, indoor of course.  This one is a massive indoor entertainment centre also alongside Junction 32 shopping precinct, we are not sure what the difference between the Snow Dome at Tamworth and todays Xscape but they look excellent facilities.  Sadly time did not allow further inspection and we set off back to The Glasshoughton Centre home of Glasshoughton Cricket Club, who we watched for a couple of overs, Glasshoughton Bowls Club and the purpose for todays visit Glasshoughton Welfare FC.

OVERVIEW OF THE LEEDS RD GROUND

We entered through turnstile 1, I did not see number 2 or number 3 for that matter, purchasing a programmes at the same time at £1 they were a fair and functional effort, as every admission and paperwork at £5 was fantastic value for money.

TURNSTILE NUMBER 1

To the left is the barrel roofed centre which houses the changing rooms, bars, toilets and meeting rooms etc and the whole building provides a nice back drop to this ground that without it would feel very much like a pitch in a neat little park.  Todays snack bar is in a small room with table to the door and service even for the small crowd of 47 seemed to be nicely brisk, hopefully the club benefit from any takings.  It has to be said the toilets are nice and clean and its a pleasant surprise to have these at a football ground, well done.  The dug outs are large and impressive buildings.

CAN YOU FIX IT?

Moving on around the ground which is wholly railed in the far goal has a tight walkway around it and this brings is to the fare side which has hard standing with a grass banked area behind it and straddling the half way line is a nice sized covered stand.  This contains blue tip up seats with white seats in the centre for officials and to either side of this the front row also has two dark blue metal bench like seating. Behind the goal by our entrance and at the Leeds Rd end of the ground is a small little covered terrace which site immediately behind the goals.  The feel of this ground is of a tidy affair devoid of some of the bits and bobs that are left around some non league grounds.
The teams line ups were handily gained before the game along with a quick catch up with todays referees assessor Mick Knowles.  During the afternoon the blog found the Glasshoughton officials very friendly and welcoming and it was nice to catch up with webmaster and programme editor Garry Mollon for a little chat about the non league scene and of course the home side.

REFEREE PRICE HAS A QUICK CATCH UP WITH GLASSHOUGHTON MANAGER MICK NORBURY

Todays visitors Hall Rd Rangers are fresh inot their new ground at Haworth Park and the will have their flood lights operational shortly so the blog wishes them well.  Glasshoughton following last seasons relegation from the NCEL Premier have a new manager in Mick Norbury ex of Cambridge, Preston and Doncaster Rovers in the Football League.

The first half was a tentative affair with the visitors commanding the opening 20 minutes it was a while before Glasshoughton got to terms with the game but they certainly finished the first half the stronger.  The first period limited itself to two notable chances Danny Middleton for the home side on 23 minutes crashed a 25 yard free kick against a post and for the visitors Danny Clancey in a one on one with home keeper Mathew Stables saw his effort pushed away.

The second half turned into a cracker with both sides going for the victory it was though the home side who started the stronger Danny Cawley forcing Jordan Douglas in the visitors goal to save his side.

It was though Hall Road who took the lead when referee Price played a good advantage that allowed Danny Walker to romp away on 59 minutes and he fired past the out coming Stables with a confident finish.  On 64 minutes Glasshoughton were deservedly level even if it was in a slightly cruel way for visiting defender Andy Harrison when racing back he attempted to clear a Steven Palfrey cross only to fire the ball into his own goal.

The game was swinging either way with both sides pressing for the winner and with 5 minutes of normal time it looked as though the home side would secure the three points substitute Del Pollock was upended in the box and referee Price had no hesitation in awarding a penalty kick.  Danny Cawley strode up but agonisingly saw his kick saved by Douglas and cleared by the Rangers defence to safety.  Almost immediately a challenge on the half way line resulted in Hall Rd being reduced to 10 men with Chris Hudson being shown a second yellow card followed by the inevitable red.

ASSISTANT REFEREE NATASHA WILSON WITH A CLEAR SIGNAL

At the final whistle the blog concluded it had been a nice little afternoon with a game of open football, especially so in the second period and overall a draw from a neutral point of view was a fair result.

As we tracked our steps back we called back into 'Off The Hook' for a couple of bottles of pop before a little wait for our train back to Sheffield, something that we wiled away with a small walk around the now emptying streets of Castleford were most of the passing comments was of todays rugby league challenge cup final at Wembley.  The blog has said before this area is a massive rugby league area and indeed enjoys its summer visits to the NCL but it makes it even more so admirable that cubs like Glasshoughton with their band of dedicated officials keep the football flag flying.
Base was arrived at just before 7.30pm following an enjoyable venture into West Yorkshire.

NON LEAGUE DOGS
 GUESS WHO WON THE RACE FOR THE LAST SAUSGAE ROLL?

TEVERSAL UNBEATEN START COMES TO AN END THANKS TO THE LAW

TEVERSAL 0 V HEMSWORTH MW 1
NCEL 1ST DIVISION @ CARNARVON ST
25 AUGUST 2015 7.45PM

CARNARVON ST HOME OF TEVERSAL FC

A strike 3 minutes into the second half by Bill Law was enough to secure Hemsworth all three points and despite a barnstorming performance for the remainder of the second half Teversal could not find a way through the visitors defence.
As ever I always look forward to a visit to Teversal and the club being one of the nearest to base it should be easy but sadly due to very poor night time public transport in recent years it has become an all to infrequent gig.  To those that follow the blog and look for the Welsh connection well there is clearly one here with the club based on Carnarvon St.  Following an early arrival and a sample of the chip and peas cob there as time for a little look at the ground which has not changed since a description was made in an April blog versus Grimsby Borough.

THE NETS ARE LOWERED INTO PLACE JUST MOMENTS BEFORE THE TEAMS EMERGE ONTO THE PITCH

There were a few familiar faces here tonight including secretary Kev and club Chairman Pete it was nice to see former Alfreton Town player and now referees assessor Matt Walsh for the first time this season.  On the way to the game Dave the flag man formerly of the Glapwell parish had come up in conversation with the last time we met him being the April blog game here and within a few minutes of arriving you can of course guess who walked through the turnstile.  We spent a nice evening talking past, present and future football based around non league and a bit of Burnley with a nice side order of Scottish football too.

DAVE MINUS BURNLEY COLOURS TONIGHT RESPLENDANT IN 1966 BOBBY MOORE NUMBER '6' SHIRT

Dave was resplendent in his 1966 Bobby Moore retro number 6 shirt which was a change to a normal selection of claret and blue for his beloved Burnley.

STAPLE NON LEAGUE DIET CHIPS AND PROGRAMME

So having sampled the snack bar chips and peas with small cob we took up position to the top side of the dug outs only to be on the move again shortly after into one of the famous Tesco trolley park shelters as this miserable evenings weather started to through down some sharp rain. 

THE VIEW FROM ONE OF THOSE FAMOUS TEVERSAL SUPERMARKET STANDS, WITH DAVE OBSERVING PROCEEDINGS

It really has been unbelievable that evening games in August that normally present lovely conditions for viewing football but so far this season its has produced some poor weather especially for the purpose of any match pictures.  As the evening progressed the rain receded but in its place it became cooler and with an increasing wind, autumn seemed very close.

JAKE TITTLEY

Before the game it was good to catch up with former Clay Cross Town player Jake Tittley and also to note that Dave Cockerill was in the starting line up for Teversal, a player of advancing years but with a subtle and quality distribution.
The first half was an entertaining affair which probably saw the visitors shade it but we went into the break goal less. 
The second half started with Hemsworth on the up and as early as three minutes in its was a sweet finish from Bill Wall who sped through on the inside right and fired across the out coming Dale Sheppard in the home goal to give the visitors the lead.
The goal seemed to galvanise Teversal into action Cockerill was prominent in setting up Gary Atkins who fired over from a good position after 63 minutes.  The game then entered a spell of pin ball in the 6 yard box with Hemsworth struggling to clear the lines the post and then a goal line clearance kept their lead intact.  On 68 minutes Visiting keeper Chris Snaith was on hand to pull off a good save from Khyle Sargent who looked to equalise with his effort.  Teversal continued to push on and cross after cross was cleared by the Hemsworth defence, in the end you just felt the equaliser was not going to come for the home side.
After 5 minutes of stoppage time referee Carpenter called time on Teversal's 100% start to the season and the Tevie boys had gone down to a slightly harsh defeat in a game they had deserved something from.  The blog guesses they will play worse this season and win.

LEFT LEG/RIGHT LEG/ RIGHT ARM, IN/OUT-PRE MATCH UNIFORMITY

LIONS UNBEATEN START CONTINUES AT THE LAMB VERSUS COLESHILL

COLESHILL TOWN 1 V HEANOR TOWN 4
MIDLAND FOOTBALL LEAGUE PREMIER @ THE LAMB [TAMWORTH FC]
22 AUGUST 2015--3PM

TERRACING OF CHARACTER AT THE LAMB GROUND, TAMWORTH FC

[There are a few additional pictures with ground, players, fans featured at the 'we all stand together' Facebook page]
Coleshill in their temporary home shocked Heanor with an early goal before The Lions, from Derbyshire, stormed back with a four goals two late strikes which widened the deficit slightly harshly on the 'home' side that takes them to three straight wins at the start of the 15/16 season.
So to the day and todays fixture is a little bit of a weird one because it cannot be an accurate look at Coleshill Town with their temporary ground share at Tamworth FC but for the blog it is a first chance to visit The Lamb Ground.  Coleshill have had a small hiccup with the placement of their new 3g pitch at their Packmeadow ground so when this is in place hopefully I can pop along he see the club in its correct environment.  However the chance of taking in todays ground was one that I had looked at during the week and amazingly again the blog found the opposition to be fellow county side Heanor Town.

TAMWORTH CASTLE IN FULL BLOOM

Todays trip from base was by express bus to Derby which was a slight change to normal proceedings and following a small 20 minute standing train journey we decamped at Tamworth and after sampling dinner in a Lloyds No 1 set off for a quick tourist trip.  The town, church, castle and park were awash with people on a lovely afternoon which clearly included a charity stall and fairground event in the park at the base of the castle. The walkway to Kettlebrook Rd allowed us to by pass the many mini roundabouts that guard the entrance to the ground and as we turned into a large rough grounded car park area we notice the old style 60's/70's floodlight poles and that a lot of the exterior to the ground is clad by corrugates iron/plastic.

MAIN STAND AT TAMWORTH FC

The ground was described by a friend of the blog as very similar to Alfreton Town FC and I would have to agree with this with a splash of red paint everywhere.  The ground has a lot of room around it but in places is a hotch potch of alleyways and nooks and crannies to explore.  It was interesting to drop in for todays game because on so many occasions I have peered out of the train looking into the ground on the way to Birmingham promising a visit.  The ground is a little bit bigger than Alfreton and certainly as a nice modern stand with no posts obstructing the view too.

HTTV AND PUBLICITY OFFICER MOUNT THE STAIRS,
BUT DID THEY GET DOWN?

A description is difficult because there is so much but here goes, entrance via a turnstile block furthest from the road is met by a very warm greeting from the Coleshill officials were we purchase programme, goalden goal tickets and pay our entrance fee of £6.50 which surprised us a little with a lot of step 5 clubs 'up north' charging £5.  Behind the immediate goal is a large uncovered terrace area which leads to snack bar, I guess run by Tamworth for the game with the obligatory fayre on offer again at the Conference prices, bottle of pop, bottle of water and chocolate bar £4. 

COLESHILL PHYSIO WITH A GREAT HAIR DISPLAY

Walking on you come to the Tamworth club house which is a very dark bar and room which you have to adjust your eyes to quickly on entrance and exit.  The terracing down the far side is all covered and is accessed by a small walk round to the rear of the changing rooms, above the terrace is a nice sized TV gantry which Heanor Town TV used for the videoing of todays game.  In front of this terracing are the dug outs and today this is a fair description as anybody sitting in them has a lovely view of the grass.  The top goal is a small but again covered terrace and offers a nice view down the slope.  Following our way around we come to external to the stand hospitality areas and then the main stand which as previously described offers probably the best view of the game and today is the most populated part of the ground housing a good bulk of the crowd of 145.  Lots of little intricacies and tucked away areas could be included and indeed for a Tamworth game some of these other areas would be in operation for a game I guess.  On the completion of the walk it was good to catch up with 'Ostrich' of Kempster fame, Dave and it was good  to have a quick catch up with the non league scene around this area.
So to the game and the visitors are without both keepers through injury and have made a signing from Ilkeston in a new number 1 Jamie Hannis and Nathan Benger starts in place of suspended Jamie Clarke.  Coleshill included the experienced team captain Rob Edwards on the bench.

BENGER SCORES SO FAST FOR THE CAMERA MAN THAT THE BALL IS IN THE NETFOR 1-1

The home side started strong and indeed took the lead after 17 minutes when Heanor failed to clear a ball at the back post allowing Chris Hughes to turn the ball into the visitors goal.  Heanor re gathered themselves and it was a cool finish from Nathan Benger that pulled the Lions level when he was put through and he slotted past home keeper Paul Hathaway into the bottom right hand corner.   This seemed to give the visitors the impetus to go forward and Kieran Debrouwer forced Hathaway into an excellent save and then on 35 minutes Heanor had the lead when Jay Cooper slotted home again in a one on one with Hathaway in the home goal.
We reached half time with Coleshill 2-1 down but in the second half they started off with more determination and on 57 minutes they should have levelled.  From the right Ricky Cutting supplied a low cross which found the unmarked Demtrius Smikle but he got under his shot and fired over the crossbar.  With this Heanor's determination to succeed seemed to come to the forefront and as they became more dominant two late goals gave them a comfortable closing period of the game.

With ten minutes remaining substitute Cory Bowler fired home from 12 yards and then on the stroke of full time fellow substitute Chris Gilson stormed through and slotted past the out coming Hathaway to make it 4-1 to Heanor.

BENGER AND DEBROUWER DISCUSS WHO IS GOING FOR THE WATER BOTTLE ON THIS HOT DAY

A quick dash at the final whistle to get back to the station to avoid the impending thunder and rain storms allowed us to catch an immediate return to Derby with a connection to the express bus back to base for just before 7pm.
An enjoyable hop out to a new ground in The Lamb but not one of course to give an assessment of how Coleshill do their thing at home.  Hopefully they can get a nice run now to finish their 3g facility which I know from other clubs will be of a massive benefit to the club and its community, looking forward to taking a look at Packmeadow soon.

A CROWD SCENE FROM TODAYS ENCOUNTER

WALKER HELPS KNARESBOROUGH RUN AWAY WITH VICTORY AT DRONFIELD

DRONFIELD TOWN 0 V KNARESBOROUGH TOWN 3
NCEL PREMIER AT STONELOW ROAD
18 AUGUST 2015 7.45PM

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION THE NEW ENTRANCE AT DRONFIELD TOWN

A second half Brad Walker double strike for the visitors saw Knaresborough over the line to a comfortable victory even though even thought the opening ten minutes had seen Dronfield dominant.  The success though came at the cost of a broken arm, in 3 places, to the visitors captain Matt Duerden who the blog sends its best wishes to for a comfortable and speedy recovery.

OVERVIEW WITH THE 'GREAT WALL' TO THE RIGHT

As ever before the game here is a little about the journey and as usual mid week games are nearly always local to base and tonight the train was taken to Dronfield and at 7 minutes must be one of the shortest train journeys the blog has taken probably only surpassed by Batley to Dewsbury and Tamworth to Lichfield.  It was I believe the first time I have taken the train from base to Dronfield.  Mid week visits are always added to by the expectant visit to The Jolly Fryer for the English delicacy but tonight the heart sank when the sign open again following refurbishment was followed by the viewing of a shiny new looking establishment.  Clearly a change of ownership had taken place but upon sampling the fish and chips I can say they were enjoyable and the premises have clearly had a lot of money spent on them in modernisation and hopefully I shall look forward to re visiting during the season.  Early arrival at the game allowed a quick catch up and warm welcome, as ever, from manager Craig Butler and Rich Stevenson along with local official to base Brittany Smith who I have to thank for a superb offer of a journey back to base later, thanks!

THE NEW ENTRANCE FROM OUTSIDE

This season has seen Dronfield open there new entrance on Frithwood Drive which thankfully now negates the always precarious trip across the cricket pitch on darker evenings.  There is it has to be noted no parking allowed on the street and visitors should still use the club car park in respect of the local houses on this narrow road.  The entrance pay box has been transferred to this new entrance along with a new added concrete walkway there is also a nicely fence lamp lit route to the ground.  The club are also in the process of adding a new snack cabin upon arrival this will work on match days and I guess hospitality especially handy with tonight the cricket pavilion out of use for the football club and service being undertaken from under a gazebo, good effort though by the club.
The remainder of the ground though remains the same with the description in last season blog still applying, there are though plans for improved drainage to take place as most people will know the club suffers from many postponement's due to the wet weather, hopefully this can improve the situation for the club.

PRE MATCH TACTICS MANAGER CRAIG BUTLER [LEFT] AND RICH STEVENSON [RIGHT]

Unfortunately the crowd was on the low side at 35 but it was good to see a few officials and supporters make the long mid week trip from Knaresborough it would be good to see a large town like Dronfield come along and get behind Craig and his team too.

REFEREE DANNY JARVIS LEAD OUT HIS TEAM AND THE TEAMS

To the game then as ever and after the first 10 minutes it looked like it would be Dronfield's night but as so often happen the other team goes forward for their first attack and scores and so it was to be for Knaresborough tonight.  A looping ball in the box was not dealt with by the home defence and Fraser Lancaster pounced to head the visitors into the lead.  Indeed a few minutes later Ally Wilson had a great chance to double the lead but his back post header went wide.  It looked like Lancaster had his second when he converted Walker's cross only for the offside flag to be raised to curtail the celebrations.
With ten minutes to go before half time Knaresborough lost their captain Matt Duerden to a painful arm injury that later turned out to be a broken arm in three places following a mid air challenge between three players.
The visitors were increasingly looking dominant and they did double their lead on 54 minutes when Walker crashed home a glorious 25 yard strike past James Savage in the home goal.  It was Savage who saved Dronfield further damage with an excellent double save form Walker on 62 minutes before Dronfield's task got harder with 9 minutes remaining when Ash Morley was dismissed for an alleged punch spotted by eagle eyed referee Danny Jarvis.

HANDS UP

With the home side now further weakened Walker bundled through on the inside of the left of the box to fire past Savage to get his 2nd and Knaresborough's third to secure all three points for their trip back to Yorkshire.
The 90 minutes had been a scrappy affair with Dronfield fielding a young side who will need a confidence boost to aid their season soon and the undoubted work put in by the clubs management here hopefully will find that too.

FLYNN FINISHES PARKGATE'S FA CUP CHALLENGE AS EMLEY PROGRESS

AFC EMLEY 7 V PARKGATE 1
FA CUP EXTRA PRELIMINARY ROUND @ THE WELFARE GROUND
16 AUGUST 2015 3-PM

AFC EMLEYS WELFARE GROUND LOOKING NICELY POPULATED

[A few unused pictures will also be on the 'we all stand together' Facebook page]

AFC Emley demolished Parkgate's FA Cup challenge with seven goals from open play including clinical finishing from Ashley Flynn who finished with 4 consecutive home goals.  It was a dominant performance from The Pewits who looked to relish the challenge against the side from a league higher in the NCEL Premier Division.
To the day and after a cracking nil nil game yesterday today had expectations of a few goals and upon setting off from base station the day promised much with a first visit to Emley as a village never mind the football club.  Although in the region of 45 miles away from home territory this is a ground I had wanted to visit for a while especially with the chance of viewing the massive Emley Moor TV mast something that over the last few visits to Yorkshire as followed us all around the place!

TOWERING ABOVE EMLEY THE TV MAST

A lot of the blogs Yorkshire journeys arrive at Kirkgate station and today was no different and I still ask the question when will the work finish on this stations improvements they seem never to be completed.  With a little while to pass we finally got a little to eat and it was time for the aquamarine bus to depart us to the hills.  A meandering journey around Horbury and Flockton deposited us 30 minutes later in Emley.

ST MICHAELS CHURCH

With an hour and a half to kick off the blog did a circular walk around the village taking in the lovely St Michaels Church which was open and well worth a visit for its very wide aisle and from the grounds further commanding views of the TV mast which commands the area.  While completing the walk the blog actually took a picture of a small bungalows impressive front garden which was a picture of colour with its summer bedding plants.

LOOK AT THE FLORA AND TIME SPENT HERE

Upon completion of the tour the white cross at one of the major[?] road junctions leads to the clue as to where to get into The Welfare ground as opposite this is a small alleyway that expands out into a bar, youth centre and AFC Emley and its sports bar.
Cup day excitement mounting I arrive early enough to get hold of a programme which was later to sell out but the club have kindly offered to send copies out to disappointed spectators.  Not sure if they were taken a back here by the crowd in attendance, 249, this it would appear was always likely for a Sunday game. There were indeed many hoppers with cameras and notepads and this helped to swell not only the gate but the snack bar and bar I'm sure.

VIEW FROM THE STAND WITH THE TV MAST STILL KEEPING WATCH

Once through the turnstile we see the ground is a three sided ground with the far touch line open for the adjoining cricket club to overlap onto the football playing area.  Behind the near goal is a collection of 5/6 stepped covered terracing and at the far end a lovely three stepped concrete terrace at the angle behind the corner flag with no cover and a small distance away from the pitch edge.  Straight on from the entrance turnstile on the left are the changing rooms which have a caged access to the pitch after this a tight walkway lead to the bar which is smart and well attended today with the notable 'lads' and 'wags' toilets a very funny touch! 

LADIES TOILET DOOR, YES I KNOW WHERE IS MY
PHOTOGRAPHY GOING

We then come to the impressive main stand with yellow tip up seats this area offers a commanding view of the proceedings.  To the far end is the snack which is housed under the stand, also beneath the stand to the rear is a nice little hospitality area and the toilets which have had a source up and are nice and clean-well done AFC Emley nice to see clean toilets at a football ground.  Continuing on we have a deep concrete walkway with a double stepped terrace to the rear this continues behind the far goal but the steps are deeper with less height here.  The ground has a lovely old style feel to it with three little gated exits including one behind the far goal down a small flight of steps adding to its intrigue.
There was a chance before the game to catch up with quite a few of the ground hoppers the blog knew including goalkeeping coach Nigel and Pete from Chesterfield who would later kindly offer the blog a lift all the way back to base a cracking offer many thanks mate!

KIERAN RYAN AFC EMLEY

So to the game and Parkgate were the visitors from the NCEL Premier league and it was expected that 1st Division AFC Emley would give them a game but not what was to follow.  In fairness I'm told Parkgate only had 4 players in the side from the one that beat Tadcaster last week due to unavailability etc, but take nothing away from Emley some of the finish was clinical today.

4 GOAL STAR MAN ASHLEY FLYNN

The name that rings around this fixture was Ashley Flynn with 4 goals in a row for the home side his hat trick came in 7 minutes with sharp finishes from the edge of the 6 yard box in almost identical fashion on 19, 23 and 26 minutes.  The home side were looking like running away with it but on the stroke of half time Parkgate were awarded a penalty with Oliver Graham converting to give the South Yorkshire side hope.
The second half started with hope for Parkgate with Jonathan Wragg crashing a header against the bar.  But there was no holding back Flynn who on 64 minutes got his and Emley's fourth when he fired home from 14 yards out to create a remarkable sequence of goals.
When the number 9 went off injured it still didn't stop Emley who managed to score three more goals in the last 13 minutes.  When Kieran Ryan was put through on goal he proved he could match Flynn's finishing to make it 5-1 and then Jordan Coduri cut in off the right to fire past Richard Spink into the bottom right hand corner.  The game and the scoring was rounded off in stoppage time with a cracker of a finish when Ryan turned supplier for Alex Hallam to lash the ball home with gusto.

FLYNN [9] RECEIVES CONGRATULATIONS ON HIS HAT TRICK

An excellent result for Emley who many people will remember from the 97/98 cup run that finally took them to West Ham United for a round three challenge at Upton Park, in a previous guise before the club reformed in 2005 as AFC Emley.

KIERAN RYAN GIVEN CLOSE ATTENTION AND IN NUMBERS

A nice little village with not a piece of graffiti spotted on any of the bus shelters and a ground that is really given a big feel by its main stand and amazingly large for the size of the population as with all three sided grounds this would be even better with the open side enclosed.  Another note the club seem to have a lot of helpers [sure they would welcome more of course] from raffle to bar and turnstile to snack bar etc in a visible sign of pride in this nice little club.
With the prospect of a bus back to Wakefield and a dash to Kirkgate for the returning train the blog was delighted by the offer of fellow football/rugby league/speedway traveller Pete who kindly chauffeured the blog back to base.

REFEREE JAMES PRICE SHOWS US THE EXIT POINTS
FROM THE GROUND