BOTTESFORD SINK MOORLANDS RAILWAY

BOTTESFORD TOWN 6 V LINCOLN MOORLANDS RAILWAY 0
NCEL DIVISION 1 @ BIRCH PARK
27 FEBRUARY 2016 --- 3PM

BIRCH PARK HOME OF BOTTESFORD TOWN FC

Bottesford maintained their promotion push with this mauling of Lincoln Moorlands Railway [LMR] which saw them hit five first half goals without reply.  The second period saw the home side add just one further goal but miss a glut of chances that should have put their previous biggest win, 8-0 against Grimsby Borough, to the test. 
Saturday arrived with a relatively calm weather forecast and for once no mad ringing round to check whether games were on, strangely this made it more difficult than ever as the blog struggled to decide which game to visit.

After a bit of further research the choice was made to go east yet again for the third Saturday running and visit that hot bed of football....................Lincolnshire.  The county derby featuring The Poachers of Bottesford against LMR who are sadly still struggling and occupy basement position in the league promised the chance to visit a new ground and make only the third visit to Scunthorpe.  The first was many years ago to The Old Show Ground for an Irons game versus Wolverhampton Wanderers, sadly that ground has disappeared and is now being played on by Sainsbury's.

HILARY BENN NOT GOING TO SCUNNY TODAY

First change at around 11am in Sheffield saw the blog catch up with Shadow Cabinet member Hilary Benn MP, son of Tony, for a quick picture as he was off to a conference in the city.

STEAM RISING AT SCUNTHORPE STEEL WORKS
 FROM THE STATION

Arrival in Sunny Scunny was via the all stopping train but thankfully we managed a seat for the journey which s always an advantage.  Upon departure the steelworks was steaming up and it look like the company site will change hands on what is a very difficult time for the town and its community, hopefully the works will see an up turn soon for all concerned. 
We opted for a quick walk through the town heading then to the bus station for our stripey boys service.  The town centre was fairly busy and its honour was saved by a small smart new precinct which took away from the dour feeling of the straight boulevard we had approached by.  The modern bus station was already looking tired and in need of a good hose down but the main thing I suppose was that the number 33 turned up and we set off on a circuitous tour of south west Scunthorpe.
We arrived in Yaddlethorpe, slightly, to the west of Bottesford and departed on Quebec Rd by Maple Leaf Mews before approaching the ground via a small walk along Ontario Rd passing by Ottawa Rd.  The Canadian connections were everywhere here but after asking about 4 people at the ground I could not find anybody who knew why the connection or if there was any at all.

SMART UP TO DATE FIXTURE BOARD AT BIRCH PARK

The Birch Park complex as a sports hall to the left and opposite is the social club as you move round the new Football Foundation funded changing rooms we enter through a full length barred turnstile and then pay at the pay box which seemed a little weird.

OUTER TURNSTILE

Still we were in and probably the first to paying spectators received a friendly welcome from the operator whose son was playing today for Bottesford, number 8 Josh Nichol.
There was a little disappointment in the food stakes today with the catering van operator being away so we were on a slimming afternoon haha.  The blog went off in search of the teams and Mick got in conversation with a few people including the clubs photographer whose work I had seen on their website.  Pictures from todays game were soon available on the clubs Facebook page and I have to say they are a superb collection, even featuring the bloggers in conversation but don't let that put you off having a look!
We then met John Stark 'pa' announcer and club historian and surprisingly he his moving to our base town soon but John hopes to continue charting Bottesford's history and of course explore the new grounds of base county when he arrives.

TODAYS DUG OUTS

So to the tour of the ground well its completely enclosed in by green coloured corrugated fencing with by the turnstile entrance the new changing rooms.  Moving on behind the goal we take the far touchline in first with smart dug outs in situ and a wide concreted walkway around the whole of the ground.  There is no cover on this side and the same applies behind the far goal.  Coming back down the near side touchline we have a smart covered terrace area that progresses into a bench seated stand and we are soon back at the snack wagon at the side of the turnstile.

RAINTON STAND AT BOTTESFORD FC

The ground as a feeling of tidiness and order probably the only downside for the club is the clubhouse being outside of the stadium.
So to the game and after the goal glut of the last few games for the blog it was not long before we were under way again, three minutes to be precise when ex Iron Waynes Graves fired home from the edge of the box.

GRAVES FIRES BOTTESFORD ONE UP

LMR keeper made a good effort to save it as can be seen from the picture below but just failed to get a hand to the effort.

It was 2-0 after 9 minutes with another low strike this time from Danny Boulton.

FIRST FOR BOULTON

A further wait of 20 minutes before the visitors defence was breeched again this time from the penalty spot from Terry Barwick after Graves had been tripped by Ross Walker.  Bottesford made it 4-0 on 33 minutes when Boulton turned provider for Lee Ridley to fire home.  Five minutes before the break Boulton got his second to make it 5 when he dribbled his way through the box and sneakily by passed the keeper who was on the ground by this stage and fired home for a well controlled goal.

5-0 BOULTON GETS HIS SECOND

The visitors replaced keeper Garry Doran at half time but the game continued in the same vein with chances galore for the home side who were guilty of missing some excellent opportunities that in the end should have seen them easily reach double figures.

STEADY LADS

In the opening minutes Boulton was twice in one on one positions with the visiting keeper but he fired wide.  Bottesford did though add to the tally on 51 minutes and it was to be the only goal of the second period when Barwick fired home from the spot for his second after what looked a harsh penalty decision.
The game fell away into a catalogue of missed chances for The Poachers Martin Pembleton saw his effort well turned away by the LMR replacement keeper.  Moments later Boulton put in a lovely cross leaving Matt Steeper with a tap in but frustratingly the ball took an horrendous bobble and missed the Bottesford players boot.  In the final 15 minutes livewire Pembleton again got himself into good positions through his skill and determination but ended up with his final efforts twice just missing the target.
The second half was a frustrating affair when lots more goals looked to be there but just maybe we are getting too greedy now!

Final whistle signalled and we made a hasty retreat to catch the bus back to Scunthorpe and with a little time before our 6.10pm train back to Sheffield we aimed to grab some 'eats' at the local 'spoons'.  At this point John Stark from the club pulled up in his car and very kindly dropped us back in the town right along side the Blue Bell, thanks very much appreciated we look forward to seeing you down with us soon.
The Blue Bell put on a good meal in a busy environment and I have found another one for the rare collection of 'spoons' pubs that have downstairs toilets.  Any regular visitors to these establishment's will know they normally need a climbing guide to mount the stairs and locate the conveniences.
Back at Scunthorpe station we were joined by around 40 Oldham fans who were making their way back home following a draw at Glandford Park.
A change in Sheffield saw us again arrive back in base station at around 7.40pm a steady day out and a visit to a friendly little club in Bottesford Town who march on in search of promotion to the NCEL Premier division.

ARRIVAL AT SCUNTHORPE STATION