MELTON MARCH ON IN THE VASE

SOUTH NORMANTON 2 MELTON TOWN 3
FA VASE FIRST ROUND QUALIFYING @ MJ ROBINSON ARENA
9 SEPT 2017 --- 3PM

JOSH CLARK SEND MELTON INTO THE NEXT ROUND OF THE FA VASE

The odd goal in 5 supplied by Melton substitute Josh Clark sent the pork pie army through to the next round of the FA Vase in a game that the visitors should have been 2 clear at half time but that South Normanton were never out of until the final whistle of referee Ghent.
So football is back and so is the unreliable weather with August only just waved goodbye too we are back checking the weather and with a local game in the offing today there was early panic when Mr R of the Peak Parish advised that it was torrential with games being postponed in Manchester and Cheshire and guess what its coming over the tops to blog county.  The selected game came down to one of 2 and even then changed on the way as the ever consulted BBC Weather showed heavy rain in a late change at the selected game, so it was off to South Normanton again after a previous visit to see Athletic in the Midland League.  Of course today would provide a visit to The Frying Squad and although a steady lunch this was not as good as the previous visit just a few weeks back with the sample being slightly on the luke warm side.

MORE RESEARCH

No repeat of a ground descriptor as Lees Lane as been covered last season and there are a few ground pictures a few weeks ago from the Athletic v Heanor game.

AN OVERVIEW OF THE GROUND AND MATCH DAY PROGRAMME

Todays game pitted Melton Town from the famous Melton Mowbray town of pork pies of the same name and residents in The United Counties League a step above South Normanton FC of step 7 ratings and plying their trade in the Central Midlands Football League South.  It had been a pleasure to visit Melton Mowbray last season and sample one of the famous Dickinson and White Pies and I see the club are trying to get their new stand sponsored possibly by the company, what a great opportunity especially as the travelling fans are now going by the name of 'pork pie army' hopefully they will be successful in this aim of two groups that highlight the town working together on this project.

FAIR ENOUGH

From the South Normanton point of view I took the club as a second team for Athletic but I'm not sure with the club previously carrying the addition 'town' now dropped to plain South Normanton FC but still carrying the town flag on the front of the programme, which went on to explain the history of Athletic and use the Athletic badge to advertise South Normanton FC's next fixture.  I remain a touch confused to the overall identity, anyway on the positive its great to see Athletic of Midland League variety really starting to get some results together I was pleased to see them accept late promotion because they have been there or there about for a few seasons.

DERBYSHIRE HILLS IN THE DISTANCE

Both sides, I believe, were making their FA Vase debut today so it was new territory all round and after 5 minutes it looked to be going very well for Normanton when Sacha Markelic fired in at the back post.  Melton fought back and were level on 15 minutes when Liam Ambrose saw his shot blocked by the home keeper for a corner from it Ambrose floated the ball in for Ben Lapworth to head home.

LAPWORTH WHELS AWAY IN CELEBRATION

As Melton pushed on looking for the next goal George Coser missed and unbelievable chance in front of goal on 19 minutes when he fired over in front of an unguarded goal after great work from Matt Hendey.  Moments later Coser was in the right place again but put a harder over the bar as the ball bounced high at the front of him.

MIDFIELDD ACTION WITH MELTON ON THE BALL

In the approach to half time both sides looked to have good claims for a penalty but neither got them and we arrived at the turn round all square at one a piece.

SOUTH NORMANTON CELEBRATE THEIR OPENER

Within 7 minutes Coser created a goal with a turn on the edge of the box he fired low into the corner of the home goal to which one of his fellow players shouted, jokingly, "at last"!  The game turned on its head again when within a minute South Normanton equalised when Tim Perry drove into the right hand side of the box to fire past Jamie Witham in the Melton goal.
Extra time could have threatened but thankfully on 64 minutes Melton found the winning goal thanks to a lovely move involving Coser and Mike Hendey with the ball played into the box it was Clark who finished at the second attempt.

PAST 1 OFF WE GO

In the closing 15 minutes Melton looked to wobble as the home side got their confidence up and started testing the visitors goal indeed with 7 minutes to go their best chance of an equaliser as Perry set up Sam Chambers whose effort was well saved by Melton keeper Witham to deny us all the joy [?] of another half an hour.
Melton Town march on, on a stomach full of pies probably, to the next round and a further team from Derbyshire awaits them in a few weeks time.