RENISHAW BATTLE ON AS FROD TAKE THE POINTS

RENISHAW RANGERS 0 APPLEBY FRODINGHAM 7
CMFL NORTH @ STONE CLOSE
23 SPETMEBER 2017 ---3PM

TEAMS PREPARE FOR KICK OFF AS THE 1502 TO LINCOLN PASSES BY KIVETON PARK

A further heavy defeat for league new boys Renishaw belied some encouraging first half signs that had chances been taken could have seen the home side in a far healthier position than the 3-0 half time deficit.  A very open first 45 minutes saw chances at both ends squandered and by the time the second half domination by high flyers Appleby Frodingham had added another 4 goals to their first half total they were also left counting their missed chances that should really have seen them hit the double figure mark.

THE FORMER COLLIERY OFFICES

This was a chance to revisit Kiveton Park and their former ground at the previously titled Hard Lane which certainly prepares you for life in the Central Midlands and this area of Yorkshire.  With successful Sunday and junior outfits representing Renishaw under the Rangers banner the club decided to upgrade themselves from The Sheffield County Senior League 2 to the CMFL for the 2017/18 season under the Chairmanship of Martin Baxter the club have experienced local manager Wayne Burgin in charge.  It has been a struggle from the word go with an early loss of players the club has had a re grouping policy in place and are now slowly playing catch up with an encouraging selection of youth players who are learning all the time.  Todays loss to Appleby Frodingham was probably to be expected but the enthusing signs are that they may soon take points from teams in the bottom half of the table which must be Rangers ultimate goal now this season with a goal deficit of minus 74 after todays game it will be a challenge to avoid the tag of perennial strugglers like now second bottom Welbeck Lions.

RENISHAW CHAIRMAN MARTIN BAXTER WITH PET POOCH ONE FOR THE NON LEAGUE DOGS PARADE

So Renishaw a village renowned for the Sitwell family, iron masters and Renishaw Hall in the Northern edge of the populace.  Frustratingly the club did not have the facilities to stop in the town which would have been easier for my travels with their adopted base being the former Kiveton Park ground its a quarter an hour away for most locals. 
Todays journey was via a delayed everything bus to base station train to Sheffield and then train to Kiveton Bridge through the former industrial hot beds of South Yorkshire by passing the former site of the Orgreave Coking Works picture of industrial strife of the 80s.  Through Woodhouse station the disused rail could not hide the former activities of heavy industry and so to Kiveton Park at just after 2pm.  A good old mining village whose pit which closed in 1990 formerly employed over 1,700 people the pit offices still stand as a testimony to those times now taken up by small businesses and with an adjacent sports park too.  At the end of Colliery Lane the pit site has now been turned into a county park and woodland with all remnants of the villages proud past swept away.

MAIN STAND AT KIVETON SOON TO BE SRPUCED UP WITH FORMER YORKSHIRE CCC SEATS

After a visit for some hoppers fodder, pastry and fizzy, at the Coop the brief walk went via the above mentioned area and through the country park, you could only but imagine the past on this industrial site, anyway out onto Hard Lane with a view from the railway bridge of the ground, side pitch and in the distance the cricket clubs HQ.
Kiveton Park had a reputation for producing many good footballers of old but its most famous son was Herbert Chapman who went on to become more noted for his managerial abilities from Huddersfield Town to Arsenal where in the 30's they became a dominant force under his guidance.
A brief cut through the housing estate brings you to Stone Close and sweeping by the cricket club to the gate with admission and programme paid there was time to take a few pictures before wandering off to the changing rooms which are beyond the minor pitch and a catch up with Sharon the Chairman's wife who is running todays catering.

CHANGING ROOMS PLUS THE ALL IMPORTANT REFRESHMENT AREA

The main ground then is overseen by the impressive stand which will look even more so when the club install the 80 white bucket seats just collected from Yorkshire CCC's Headingley stadium.  The dugouts to the front will be demolished and the already in situ dug outs opposite the stand will also be kitted out with modern seating.  Although much of the hard standing areas have become somewhat overgrown it is still there to give a feel of Kiveton's successful past.  Behind the entrance goal offers an elevated area to view the game from but the only covered area remains the stand.  The pitch is looking in good condition and has apparently taken a lot of time to get to this shape so a well done to those involved.

RENISHAW MANAGER WAYNE BURGIN ADVISES THE TEAM FROM THE TOUCHLINE

Todays game would see an experienced non league outfit in Appleby Frodingham take on the new boys in what was never going to be an easy match for the struggling home side. However the early stages produced Rangers with chances an excellent one on one opportunity for Brandon Ashmore went untaken and then Daniel Talbot forced the visiting keeper Jordan Quibell into a sharp save. Rather harshly in what was a fantastic first half of open football it was the visitors who took a lead after 7 minutes when Connor Purdue drove in from the edge of the box Renishaw keeper Stephen Booth got a hand to it but could not keep it out.  It was Steeper's turn to miss a good chance for the visitors before Ashomore saw his effort saved by the Frod number 1.

FIRST HALF ACTION

Halfway through the first half it was 2-0 to the visitors when Nathan Watson slotted past Booth.  Home keeper Booth denied Watson moments later and very soon he was in action again to thwart Daniel Own.

THE PLAYERS CANT WATCH REFEREE TRINDERS BALL SKILLS

The visitors went in 3 to the good thanks to a Watson back post effort ably assisted by Steeper.
The half time break was taken up walking to the tea bar for refreshments and it has to be said again conversation with home and away supporters which sum up the friendly nature of non league a pleasure to catch up with quite a view from both sides.

ITS CLOSE BUT EVERYBODIES WATCHING

A strange stoppage 4 minutes into the second half when referee Trinder blew a halt while a set of keys were taken off the pitch, assumedly a half time subs track suit had lost its pocket contents.  Tom Dent saw his shot saved by home keeper Booth before it was 4-0 to Appleby Frodingham on 53 minutes with Watson completing his hat trick.  The total became 5 when Own slotted home the penalty following a foul by keeper Booth.  With 20 minutes remaining Purdue set up Steeper for the total to reach half a dozen without reply. 
In the closing stages Quibell again denied Ashmore for Renishaw who on a better day may have had a hat trick for the home side.  All that was left was for Watson to get his fourth and the visitors seventh moments before the referee blew the final whistle.

PRUDUE ON THE BALL FOR APPLEBY FRODINGHAM

A sharp walk to the station allowed the 5.02pm departure to be caught and with an equally sharp change in Sheffield and at base station a return home just 1 hour 10 minutes later was achieved at base.
An enjoyable visit to see Renishaw at Kiveton a very agreeable afternoon all round, including the friendly club officials from both teams, with some encouraging signs from an enthusiastic home club who hopefully will start to turn the corner soon.  Looking forward to a revisit soon.