BELPER WIN FOR NEW MANAGEMENT AS DAVENTRY LOSE TO 2 LATE STRIKES

BELPER TOWN 2 V DAVENTRY TOWN 0
EVOSTIK LEAGUE 1 SOUTH @ CHRISTCHURCH MEADOWS, THE MARSTON STADIUM----10 OCTOBER 2015 3PM

MAIN STAND AT THE MARSTON'S STADIUM

Belper's new management team of Charlie Palmer and Lee Barrow saw their side wrestle three points away from their mid table visitors thanks to 2 goals in the last 15 minutes in an otherwise rather uninspiring contest.  However from a Belper point of view this was three points that raised them from that bottom four position in the league and much welcomed at the referees final whistle. The blog made the short trip to Belper for what would be a first entry for The Nailers but having popped along to Christchurch Meadow in the past it was a friendly know what to expect feel that greeted me on arrival in the town.
Varying changes of plans had to be made today with the original game AFC Rushden and Diamonds becoming impossible to get to I made a quick call to fellow hopper Neil Laughlin of the Belper parish and whose dad Dave is well known as the clubs former secretary and now company secretary to see if he would be at the game.  Upon answering the call he informed me he was on a bus travelling to Belfast to see Carrick Rangers this after watching Derry City the previous evening.  Once again an interesting conversation ensued and I wished him well on his travels and said I would look up his dad on arrival.

THE MUCH PHOTOGRAPHED VIEW AT CHRISTCHURCH MEADOW, CHURCH AND MILL

Belper often seems to receive little of the attention of the likes of Matlock and Bakewell but its a missed gem if you by pass the town.  With the towering Strutt's East Mill surrounded by the lovely river gardens being one of the highlights, the town centre is an attractive proposition with the main rail line to Derby cutting right through and under the centre and for me the most interesting parts are the superb buildings.  There are attractive Churches, old mill building and the superb workers sloping terrace houses of Long Row opposite the football ground entrance and adjacent to the old mill.  You can of course read much more about the town elsewhere should you wish but if you visit Belper consider giving it a couple of hours spare time for a look around there is a good fish and chip shop near the ground and should you wish a Macs too.

DAVE LAUGHLIN COMPANY SECRETARY ON THE TERRACES

Entrance to Christchurch Meadows is via a tight lane at the side of Christ Church and to the left you go around the perimeter of the football club to see the open space of the Belper Cricket Club, Tennis Club and also Hockey Club.  The latter which today has some games on the all weather pitch.
Back around to the turnstiles and a friendly greeting saw us obtain a nice shiny programme with a good column from Dave Laughlin with some good reading material within his allocated space.  We purchased a couple of goalden goal tickets and popped a little bit of change into the charity tub.  Pockets lighter we hopped off on a tour of the ground with the ultimate aim of sampling the snack bar.
The ground is dominated by the mill and Christ Church which at the required regular intervals rings its bell to signal the requisite time.
Marching straight on through the turnstile we come to The Reg Walker Stand which is topped off with a massive clock with a clear face that is visible all around the ground.  This stand is a little back from the pitch so at times offers a slightly obstructed view.  Towards the end of the stand is a small club shop which as left its wooden hut and gone into a breeze blocked building, its a tiny affair but offers a selection of scarves, hats and mugs etc.  This side also features the dugouts and as we move round the far goal its hard standing with grass further behind.  Coming around to the main stand this runs 3/4 of the length of the pitch and is something the club is rightfully proud, its an excellent viewing point and very smart.  Behind the stand are the changing rooms, club officials area and a lovely club house adorned with an attractive bar and large drop down TV screen.  Back outside and to the top end of the stand and behind it is the snack bar which is where we stopped to sample a very reasonably priced chip cob once again as good as any we have tested this season.  From the stand the ground offers the much photographed view of the Church, Reg Walker Stand and the mill. 

OVERVIEW OF THE MAIN STAND WITH WELL 'BULBED' FLOODLIGHTS

But this ground offers many a pretty view and as we move around to behind the goals near our original entrance a section here as a raised step terrace and from this area the view to the far goal is of a raising bank and the autumnal tree colours have a selection of well appointed houses nestled within them.
Before kick off their was time to have a catch up with Dave Laughlin as mentioned earlier and Ian Wright who is now secretary and I remember first from my days at Alfreton Town, nice to catch up with you today thanks for the welcome.

JOE CURTIS OF DAVENTRY TOWN FC

So to the game and I have to be fair and say as a neutral I found the game uninspiring, indeed the first half saw me take no notes at all.  We did pass comment on the attractive kit of both clubs The Purple Army kit of the visitors Daventry and the home sides kit with their badge emblazoned within the material fully on one side.
The second half seemed to follow much the same pattern and I was struggling to muster up much interest it wasn't that the players were not trying and giving 100% just that the chances were relatively non existent.
On the hour mark Belper nearly took the lead substitute and debutant Isaac Minott tested visiting keeper Ben Heath who for down well to push the ball away for a corner.
With 15 minutes to go the deadlock was broken a bit of pace and willingness to take a player on saw Evan Garnett get past his marker to fire past Heath for the opener.  Thankfully we were to see another goal on 87 minutes when Minott used his strength to hold off an edge of the box challenge and fire home into the bottom left corner of the goal from 12 yards.

That was about it from the game point of view and a successful start for the home sides new management team and three vital points for the fans to celebrate which of course for the loyal supporters is all that matters.

The return journey was a fairly smooth reverse of the outbound journey arriving back at base with just a small stop over in Ripley.
Overall Belper is a lovely club with some excellent facilities to enjoy in a beautiful setting, today the blog was probably unlucky with the game but if you have never taken a look at the town and its football club pop it on your to do list.

REFEREE PETER SPORNE SORTS IT ALL OUT