SOUTH NORMANTON COME BACK FROM 2 DOWN TO WIN AT KILBURN

AFC KILBURN 2 SOUTH NORMANTON 3
CMFL SOUTH AT LEEDALE PARK
30 SEPTEMBER 2017 --- 3PM

1-0 TO AFC KILBURN

A remarkable three goals in ten late second half minutes for South Normanton secured a victory against a Kilburn side who were leading 2-0 and seemingly on their way to three more points in this debut season.  The home side had taken the lead with a couple of clinical finishes but Normanton were always at the races and proved this with the late collection of goals that saw the Lees Lane side grab victory.

THE BUSINESS END PROVIDING ALL THINGS NON LEAGUE

With some local visits already undertaken with the chance to re visit some previously visited ground the trip to Chapel St would be a speedy return following the end of last seasons visit for Kilburns Midland Regional Alliance fixture versus Wirksworth Ivanhoe.  With the club now plying their trade in the Central Midlands League South its a whole new ball game, while of course being the same ball game, after a tough start with opponents Hucknall and Sherwood proving difficult the club have now started to get some results together and settle down in the new league.  The ground is described in the previous visit but needless to say the club have tidied up the ground, Leedale Park, with the changing rooms painted and the adjoining hospitality/café area in operation.

THE SPIRES OF OXFORD OR THE DUG OUT POSTS OF AFC KILBURN

It was a meandering journey to Ripley before changing buses to a 9.1 that would drop me in the village which runs close by to the buzzing A38.  Having got into the village around 1.30pm the chance to revisit Kilburn Fish Bar was undertaken and those that have wondered about my lack of chips/fish intake here is the proof that things are ok with a cake variety in situ.  Its a smart and clean establishment and makes the visit worthwhile if you can get there before 2pm closing.

MORE RESEARCH

Food in hand a small walk around the village and its footpaths lead to a quiet impression with shop, pubs, hairdresser and shop/Post Office there are most things available but nothing much else would appear to happen here, so thankfully down the narrow entrance lane to the Kilburn Welfare we view at the bottom the football ground.

CONTESTANTS READY

The allocated officials were all from the Chesterfield area so after a catch up with Scott Spering, Richard Riley and Andy Gascoyne it was time to pay the entrance fee and obtain a 8 page programme, for the hoppers the club do have badges available!  Around the ground Kilburn have installed some corporate red and white chain link to replace the gaps in the barriers.  Noticeable was the public address system blasting out music which always adds to the atmosphere alongside the variously placed new plastic door club badges which looked smart.  Having purchased a tea for a pound one brief observation was how small are the plastic cups two sips for us of the big of mouth variety and the liquid refreshment had disappeared.
The afternoon had started bright with fluffy clouds but an increasing wind but by kick off there were ominous clouds lurking which soon developed into drizzle and then sharp showers so much so that the afternoon was spent under the cover which is attached to the business section of the ground.

SOME DEFENDING TO DO FOR KILBURN

To the game and with early action for Kilburn showing Gavin McCready prominent a goal looked likely it did come on 13 minutes but from the head of Craig Bagshaw via a corner off the right.  It was Bagshaw who tested the keeper with a 25 yard free kick but the visitors number 1 Charlie Mansfield was equal to it.  South Normanton went in one down but in fairness were more than in the game and would count themselves unlucky to be behind.
After the break the visitors looked to get back into the proceedings but it was Kilburn who advanced to 2-0 to the good when Ryan Fitzhugh found the net after 59 minutes.

SOUTH NORMANTON EQUALISE ITS GAME ON

As time drifted away the visitors kept working the coal face and got a lifeline on 74 minutes when Rob Fretwell crashed drove his effort in off the crossbar and three minutes later it was all square Kilburn failed to clear their lines and in the melee Kallum Greaves secured the equaliser.  Kilburn came back and McCready forced Mansfield into a save as he very nearly gave the home side the lead again but this game was turned on its head with just 7 minutes remaining when Bijan Dakrouz created space to get away his shot that rippled the roof of the net to give South Normanton maximum points in this local derby.

DAKROUZ CELEBRATES THE WINNER

Return journey saw a similar change in nearby Ripley from an enjoyable afternoons hop at the league new comers and with a chippy right by the ground who knows it may not be too long before a revisit!