SELSTON TITLE PUSH CONTINUES

SELSTON 4 V BLIDWORTH WELFARE 0
CMFL SOUTH @ THE PARISH GROUND
28 JANUARY 2017 --- 2PM

SELSTON FREE KICK V BLIDWORTH WELFARE

Three more points for Selston against a hard working Blidworth helped maintained the home sides push for a second successive championship.  Leading 1-0 at half time it took a concerted 2nd half effort to breakdown a determined Blidworth who made the league leaders battle all the way for the points.

FOOTBALL AND CRICKET TO THE LEFT, ALTHOUGH NOT TODAY!

A local journey was a requirement this week and with a small selection of games available the overnight rain had intervened with a few of the usual candidates falling foul of the wet stuff.  As ever though the Parish Hall pitch had survived mainly once again due to the proactive action of Selston and their officials in actually working on the trouble spots and deployment of the super sopper shared with the adjoining cricket club.  As per last season when we had much wetter weather Selston had got their game on while others had succumbed including neighbouring Alfreton in The Conference North.  So with thanks to the club for a phone call back from Jay we set off with a change of buses in Alfreton and a total journey time of 40 minutes saw us arrive at the ground at around 20 minutes short of the 2pm kick off.  Thankfully in time for the team sheets and purchase of a programme.

DEVELOPMENTS ONGOING

I wont go into a big description of the ground because a larger feature was done last season, however it would be remiss not to mention the clubs intention to bring the ground up to a standard for promotion including the addition of a seated stand of which the base and framework are in place and the walkway and bank terracing are ready for more substantial hard standing are well advanced.  The club are working hard towards floodlights and it would appear have the support of their Parish Council which is an advantage, however I hope the club can obtain the funds necessary its a big ask but they deserve to get any promotion gained as they are a hardworking bunch who always offer a warm welcome to visitors and would be an asset to step 6 with their current squad and of course manager Craig Weston.

SELSTON MANAGER CRAIG WESTON

Not too many shops in the village so we stopped by in the large chained sandwich shop in Alfreton and had half an hour waiting for our connection and ate a hearty lunch, sorry no fish and chips picture today!

TEAMS ON THEIR WAY MIND THE SQUARE

To the game and Blidworth were floating just below mid table but it would appear have lost a selection of players to nearby Clipstone while Selston were chomping at the bit to get 3 more points in the bag in what is developing into a tighter race for the title than last year.

GARY DONCASTER FLYING THROUGH THE AIR FOR BLIDWORTH

It took just 15 minutes for the home side to take the lead when Dominic Airey headed home a right wing corner.  The first half was a well contested affair but did not produce much action of note save for a Dave Bullock 30 yarder that went just over for the visitors and a snap shot from Kane Hempshall for Selston that was blocked on its route towards the Blidworth goal.

CLOSE ACTION AND THE SUNS OUT TOO

Bovril and eats secured from the snack bar we took up position for the early part of the second half atop the high banked terrace which offers a commanding view of proceedings.  Selston had doubled their lead by 52 minutes when Elliott Jones fired a shot in from 14 yards and as the ball struck Hempshall on his back it looped over Gary Doncaster in the visitors goal, you can discuss whose claiming that one lads.

BLIDWORTH KEEPER DONCASTER TAKES A BREAK

 It was 3-0 shortly after when Ben Moore converted from the penalty spot.  Selston continued to dominate now and Doncaster was in the right place at the right time as he gathered another effort that flew back into his arms off the post before he pulled off a superb save from a Perry Marriott header.  But the home side were not to be denied and made it 4-0 when Sean Gregory launched a 25 yard effort that flew in off the left hand post.

ITS MINE OR IS IT?

A contented afternoon for Selston with a comfortable victory against a Blidworth side who showed some encouraging signs for the second half of their season to come.
Return connection was secured with all on time and base was arrived at just short of 5pm.  The local nature of this blog is not a feature normally, apart from midweek games, but as always it was a pleasure non more so than to visit Selston who I wish well with their much desired ground developments and promotion.