SHIREBROOK IN NARROW VICTORY

SHIREBROOK TOWN 2 V NOSTELL MW 1
NCEFL 1 @ LANGWITH RD
5 FEBRUARY 2017 --- 3PM

SHIREBROOK TOWN V NOSTELL MW

Shirebrook secured the narrowest of victories against bottom side Nostell MW in a game that had the home side finished more convincingly they probably would have won by a bigger margin but they didn't and consequently the visitors were in this game right to the end.  Indeed I had seen Nostell at Eccleshill towards the end of last year and on both occasions I believe they have belied their league position.
The blog was local again today andits  fantastic to cover my local clubs, clubs that I have visited many times but often not had the chance of putting on the blog or only for an evening game.  So after overnight heavy rain many games were falling to the wet stuff but with Shirebrook always on the cards this weekend and a pitch that drains well it was off to the former mining town.  The travel plans for some of the local games I looked at were more complicated than some of the long distance games the blog has covered this season.

THE VICTORIA ON THE MODEL

Having changed buses in Chesterfield the hourly service to Shirebrook dropped us off just short of the Market Sq to allow us a walk around The Model Village an area of the town I had not visited before.  As ever former mining towns in the north offer a warm welcome , I suppose being from one myself helps, with people all passing the time of day with one another.  Some of the 'Model' has seen a rebuild to more modern housing and with this large area formerly backing onto the pit the village had all its own facilities non more so than the massive Victoria pub, over the way the eloquently named shopping area called The Colonade which probably defies most peoples ideas of the town.

THE COLONADE FEATURRING THE MODEL CHIPPY

 Needless to say as I took a few pictures Mick had spotted The Model Chippy and was already inside, once again a warm greeting and a nice selection of food was gained.  Food in hand we walked around the far end of the area and viewed Shirebrook Wanderers warming up for their 2pm kick off.  Dropping back down into the town to our left is the massive sports warehouse that has seen the town in the news over the last few years.

SHIREBROOK MARKET SQ NO FOOTY HERE

Back in the town centre and the small market was now winding up alongside the shops which surround the square.  Shirebrook was due to have a big 'T's' but they pulled out after part preparing the site which is now surrounded by the large dark blue corporate wooden fencing.  You may well imagine this former industrial town, much like my base, was a hive of activity and the local shops busy and fully stocked just a few years ago but hard times came and stopped however the people are as friendly as ever.

THE SMART STANDS PLUS THOSE EVOCATIVE LIGHTS OF TIMES GONE BY

After a quick detour to have a look at the train station and a chance view of the 1408 to Worksop was just pulling in it was time to move along to Langwith Rd the home of Shirebrook Town.  Todays game pitted 2 mining sides together with both suffering from times of drought in their league postions.  I have described the ground before in a night time game here but it really his a special non league ground I well remember visits in the 80's when a hostile crowd was worth a goal start for the home side.  Sadly the extended covered terrace newly built a few years ago has now been condemned by Derbyshire County Council a great shame because I have seen many more dubious structures in the non league.

LANGWITH RD TERRACING

  Without describing the ground its remiss of me not to say a warm welcome on the gate at admission, the snack bar chap is one of the most pleasant and courteous in the non league plus warm drinks at 50p chip cobs £1.25 take note Football League clubs, plus today the chance to catch up with Pete Waby who keeps Shirebrook in pictures take a look at their site/twitter feed well done mate.  Then there is Ian Oxley always a pleasure to speak to you mate and thank you all for the welcome as ever at Shirebrook Town that you afforded us both today, this means a lot in non league football.

WHO SCORES YOU DECIDE

Too the game then on Shirebrook were in the lead on 14 minutes when a right wing corner was bundled over the line by Kallum O'Kane who shouted loudest to claim when it could have had a final touch from any of a group of players.  Nostell amazingly equalised on the half hour mark when a low cross found Aaron Fell unmarked at the back post who slotted the ball home.  Shirebrook went close on a few further occasions even hitting the bar but they looked slightly off the place against a side in a position you would have expected them to dominate on the goal front.

ANY CLEARER? O'KANES [10] CLAIMS IT

Within 5 minutes of the restart Shirebrook re took the lead in what proved to be the match winner with Scott Wesley heading home.  Mark Robinson went on to strike the post for the home side and O'Kane forced a good save out of visiting keeper Harrison Davidson-Hale, HDH if he gets another mention!
Gradually Nostell saw their chance to get back into this game as Shirebrook couldn't get a third and Callum Terrell broke through but fired over.  With 10 minutes remaining Mitchell Dunne forced HDH into a good save for a corner from the resulting kick Johnathan Hill saw his effort cleared off the line.  The Nostell keeper was on fine form again when he saved from Dunne for the second time in close succession.  In stoppage time Terrell nearly secured a point for the visitors but Shirebrook keeper Jack Dennison was equal to the effort.

SUNSET OVER SHIREBROOK THE BEAUTY

Overall Shirebrook didn't finish well enough to put this game to bed and Nostell so nearly secured a point towards their rescue act.
Return journey after a little while in the staff club awaiting the bus and a long route back saw arrival at base just short of 7.30pm!
Great little afternoon out if you haven't done Shirebrook pop along its a welcoming place and take a look at the town while your there too.