LATE HARPENDEN GOAL SECURES HERTS DERBY DRAW

HARPENDEN TOWN 3 CRAWLEY GREEN 3
SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS PREMIER @ ROTHAMSTED PARK
26 JANUARY 2019 --- 3PM

HARPENDEN TOWN ON THE ATTACK VERSUS CRAWLEY GREEN

Archie McClelland fired home a clinical finish on ninety minutes to secure Harpenden Town a much needed point in their battle to keep away from the danger zone of The Premier League to secure a 3-3 draw against local rivals Crawley Green.  It left the visitors bemused after they had led 3-1 at the break only to be pulled back through a hotly disputed penalty and then the late strike.
With visa checked and passport ready the whippet and flat cap were firmly stowed away as the north went saarf again.  The trips south are normally only twice a year due to cost implications and after last weekend on a weather search finding Crawley Green on 3g and nearby Harpenden both at home in a league that I had not watched a game in before the interest levels were raised a notch.  Travel arrangements didn't fall into place last week but when this weeks fixtures placed both last weeks teams up against one another in a derby, separated by around 5 miles of Hertfordshire territory, it moved to the top of the list.  Thanks to good communication from the Chairman at Harpenden who was kind enough to text me back mid morning to say there were no problems departure was made at base station around 1140 with a change at Leicester the final switch would be made at Luton Airport Parkway.  Picking up a twelve car driver only, madness, Thameslink service the five minutes journey to Harpenden was soon completed.

CHURCH GREEN AND HARPENDEN

Harpenden is known locally as 'the village' and with a wide selection of independent shops supplemented with a Waitrose, the sign that any area has made it, the whole feel of the centre is backed up with village greens of Church and Leyton categories.  The town is only disturbed by the busy A1081 which from the south comes through Harpenden Common something you cannot accuse the area of being.  With a reputation as a wealthy commuter belt the average house price is well over £865,000 with last year one property selling for over £4.5 million a fee you could buy the whole of a former mining village back home, should you desire.  With the town council seats well into the teens all but two are occupied by Conservatives, the others are Independents, and I guess you have a feel for Harpenden.

STAR OF THE SHOW GROUND WISE

Having arrived just over an hour before kick off and had a mad dash around the shopping area a ready planned amble to the ground which is only 5 minutes from the railway station took in the
exquisite local bistros and wine bars all doing a good trade but arrival at the football ground was soon achieved via Hey Lane and along a walkway between the lawn tennis club and swimming baths.  The ground is on the edge of Rothamsted Park and with its recently new changing rooms and community bar/snack bar area just situated on the edge of the ground the overwhelming feel is of trees and bushes lining the boundary of the ground.

EARLY HARPENDEN TOWN PRESSURE

A quick tour of the facilities revealed a fully paving stoned perimeter all railed off, the corner entry was met immediately by a stand made up purely of scaffolding and a corrugated tin roof and further along the star of the ground is the centenary stand at Harpenden Town made up of benched seating,  the dug outs sit directly opposite.  The ground thankfully for a change is four sided with the
floodlights in each corner of the ground although the ones nearest the business end are conveniently mounted on a telecoms mast, where the foliage is thin certain areas are boundary reinforced by Herras fencing.
Back for a tea and purchase of the programme there was a time to obtain the teams and meet, plus thank, Mr Chairman for his assistance.

OPENING GOAL CELEBRATIONS FOR THE HARPIES

Harpenden are one of the longer serving clubs founded in 1891 and now in their second season in The South Midlands Premier League in the first year they finished in a healthy second pace but this season the battle is to keep away from the relegation zone.  Crawley Green from the south suburbs of Luton are sat in seventh place and are now playing out of their new facilities at The Brache the 4g training ground of Luton Town.
With the business end completed of paid admission the ground witnessed the floodlights on again before the start of proceedings however this was the best light experienced for quite a few weeks.
Harpenden were in joyous territory as early as 13 minutes Archie McClelland put back in from a cleared attack and Callum Yeates was on hand to sweep the ball home.

CAUITOUS CRAWLEY GREEN DUG OUT WATCHES ON

The visitors showed the warning signs when Sam McClelland struck the bar from just inside the penalty box and then despondency for Harpenden as Crawley Green hit two goals in minute.  Aaron Morgan crossed and Jack Keating fired home on 33 minutes and then immediately the lead was doubled when Phil Draycott converted at the back post and the game had been turned on its head.
Crawley Green had now built up a head of steam going down the slope and three minutes before the break looked to have secured a comfortable two goal cushion when Tyler Ingham saw his cross goal shot fly in courtesy of the far post.

SAM MCLELLAND [SEATED] STRIKES THE BAR FOR THE CLARETS

The second period would need a cracking effort from The Harpies but it really didn't look to be coming with the visitors comfortably repelling any attack that was until 62 minutes when referee Trinder spotted a push by a visiting defender in the box and awarded what seemed a harsh spot kick, McClelland [A] hit a poor kick which Josh Mollison pushed away however it rebounded into the takers path who politely slotted the ball home to make it 2-3.  Home number one Carl Tasker then kept Harpenden in the game with excellent saves from Draycott and Jake Alderson his opposite number also pulled off an excellent save from a Dan Stewart 20 yard drive.
As the darkness closed in the drizzle was about to turn into a downpour and with the crowd tricking away to the exit the grandstand finish and finale played out Stewart fed McClelland [A] who on the left hand side of the box from the tightest of angles got the ball under control and fired past the visiting keeper for a wonderful finish that sealed a point in a exciting encounter, for the neutral at least!

FIRST HALF CRAWLEY GREEN CELEBRATION

The visitors were left to bemoan the referees performance but I guess they had their chances but were also grateful to that quick fire first half double and I suppose honours even was a fair outcome in the end.
With a fifty minute wait for a connecting service to Luton Parkway there was time to sample a well recommended chippy, Godfrey's, in the town.  The establishment offers eat in or take away and was very busy but somewhat chaotic on its ordering procedure after a wait of twenty minutes I was served a fair quality fish but with a portion of chips that left a lot to be desired, I guess its still a meal best served 'ooop north'.
Having arrived back at Harpenden station quite damp now on a very inclement evening the train was of course fifteen minutes late but still allowed enough time for the connection at Luton Parkway and an hour after boarding a very sprightly change at Leicester saw arrival back at base station just shy of 8.30pm from an interesting day taking in a new town, new team and new league.

DRONFIELD MISS OUT AS LILL INSPIRES VISITORS

DRONFIELD TOWN 1 SWALLOWNEST 2
NCEFL 1 @ STONELOW RD HE BARNES STADIUM
19 JANUARY 2019 --- 3PM

DRONFIELD TOWN FC MAIN STAND

In a tough uncompromising local derby it was Swallownest who came back from a goal down at the interval with the help of shining light Alex Lill, pace and no little skill saw him put away a quality equaliser before playing a big hand in the winner from Oliver Grady.
Midweek had seen a quick hop to South Normanton v Dunkirk a bsement battle in The MFL and with a 94th winner its was the visitors who gained bragging rights and a valuable three points denying the home side the chance to open up the gap.  The evening was spent in the company of Dave the Burnley fan and as ever he did not pose for the picture and was completely oblivious to the camera.

PENSIVE BURNLEY FAN THINKING ABOUT HOW THE SEASON WILL UNFOLD AT TURF MOOR

For a variety of reasons today would be a local game and with additional snow in certain areas a welcome Saturday revisit to Dronfield Town was selected thanks to the prompt reply of club official Mike Payne and with a picture tweeted all looked good to go.  Dronfield has been blogged a few
times but its rare I get to visit on a Saturday and it is always difficult to do the detailed descriptor on your local clubs and especially ones visited before.  However it is always a warm welcome at Stonelow and from the days of competition with them in their CMFL days its a pleasure to pop along to see how they are doing, once again today the picture taking was poor on a very dark and murky day.

THE GREAT FENCE OF DRONFIELD

The frustration of train travel would be denied me today with the continuing Northern Rail strike putting Dronfield station out of bounds it would be a bus into base town and connection out to Dronfield on a '44' joy of joys seats available, no screaming kids and a journey that was on time, maybe I should do Dronfield every week.
Passing through Sheepbridge one of the quirky business, now closed, is Nationwide Boat Sales in an area as far away from the sea that's possible and not near to water faring vessel territory, I remember a friend from Staffordshire buying a craft from here to be taken by road to his chosen bit of wet stuff.  Arriving in Dronfield a town that has expanded beyond all recognition and now more or less merges into Dronfield Woodhouse and Coal Aston there is a feel of just houses.  But deep within this town, that is pretty equidistant between Sheffield and Chesterfield, is a modern shopping centre with some impressive historical buildings and although the expansion has been large many of the outlying areas have their own little precincts much like Stonelow Road.  Since the reopening of its station it has made Drofnield Town very accessible, normally, for hoppers and although Sheffield FC play just along the road Town are the only club to bear its name in senior non league football including its reserve side in The CMFL.

THE CLASSIC VIEW

Having planned on an early arrival disaster struck when The Jolly Friar tuck[ed]! away in Egerton Rd was shut, apparently an electrical fault/fire sees the emporium closed for the near future.  A slow walk to the ground still found me arriving with players and officials but thankfully the jolly gateman and club officials were there to greet sad hoppers who miss time their day!  Admission paid and
functional programme gained a brief photo opportunity was undertaken and here is a quick descriptor.

NEW STAND AT DRONFIELD WITH EXECUTIVE SEAT

Turning down the slope to the left on your immediate right is the stand with three blocks of seats the hard standing continues around the far goal but the far side where the dug outs are based is still an out of bounds area.  Back to the start point with hard standing continuing around to the other end the great wall [fence] of Dronfield remains in fact local star gazers say this structure is so big it can be seen from the moon!  Installed at the request of the neighbours it really is a site to behold and now the club have ingeniously added a shelf covered standing terrace by adding a narrow strip of roof to a few scaffold poles which I guess meets ground grading requirements, weirdly there is one tip up seat at the end nearest the goal.  Ball boy or executive stand you decide.

CHRIS MILLINGTON [RIGHT] PRE MATCH MANAGERS CHAT

With over an hour to go there was time to chat with quite a few officials who are always friendly and welcoming for a club with many teams attached to it they should sometimes get better support from their fellow club members but crowds are rising as Chris Millington moves the club on the field to the next stage.  As they sit more towards the top of the table after establishing themselves over a few years in The NCEFL there is time in the snack bar while partaking of a chip cob and sample of the warm stuff to view the framed collection of former glories. 
The clubs base sits below the cricket club whose pavilion and pitch is up a bank and above the main football ground which also has minor pitches and an additional cricket ground within its boundaries.
The game would see two probably unfashionable teams in good current form take one another on with the added spice of a 'derby' fixture added.  It would be Swallownest in the terms of early possession but when the home side got a foothold in the game it was they who broke the deadlock on the half hour mark Callum Mawbey flicked on a long throw and Mike Fereday fired back across the keeper into the bottom right hand corner for 1-0.

FIRST HALF ACTION WITH DRONFIELD IN POSESSION

The second period saw Swallownest start on the front foot and it was no surprise when they equalised on 58 minutes Morritt fed Lill who tormented his defender finally pacing past him and firing a
beautiful finish beyond the despairing dive of Lewis Naylor in the Dronfield goal.  As the game entered the final twenty minutes there was a raising of temperatures whereby frustrations came to the fore but newly promoted level four referee Stacey Hall handled the couple of situations well and the appropriate card usage kept things in check.

REFEREE STACEY HALL LINES UP THE FREE KICK

The flow of the game was all with the visitors now and you could see the winner coming even though it took until three minutes from time it was a reverse supply of first Lill who got a shot in that Naylor pushed away well but Grady was on hand to fire home the goal that would secure three points for Swallownest.
Always seems strange watching locally but a pleasure to visit Dronfield Town as ever a local team trying their best to do it the right way and offering a friendly welcome to all visitors. 

STONE IN ROCK SOLID WIN

STONE OLD ALLEYNIANS 3 CHEADLE HEATH NOMADS 1
NWCFL SOUTH 1 @ WELLBEING PARK
12 JANUARY 2018 --- 3PM

SAM WILSON [10] CELEBRATES THE OPENING GOAL

Stone OA secured a comfortable maximum points return thanks to a three goal half time lead amassed while Cheadle Heath had a day away from the office although with an improved second half they made the main reception and pulled back a late consolation goal.  But the match belonged to the Staffordshire side who led through Sam Wilson and had that extended via a brace from Jack
Tomlinson they had been tough and uncompromising with a clear flair upfront.
Once again on Friday morning this was not on the radar but a visit to Stone and the neighbouring village of Yarnfield where both OA and the towns other side Dominos also turn out had been investigated before.  The one major back burner excuse was the public transport situation which was non to frequent but cometh Saturday morning cometh the 'sod it lets have a go at it' attitude.

A CLASSY LOOKING STONE STATION

Usual standing to Derby for twenty minutes and then with one carriage bus on wheels arrival in Stoke just 5 minutes after the hourly Stone service.  The wiling away of 55 minutes was done and soon on board the Euston bound train within 8 minutes Stone station was achieved with the main line 'fast track' going straight on we deviated eastwards for the Stafford line and departure was right by the impressive station building down the long approach road awaited a first visit to the town.
This was a centre that gave the feeling of an average mid town about it with much of its history around the canal, the centre was fairly busy but offered nothing to inspiring with the busy circuitous surround roads offering a by pass to the town.

STONE DOMINOS FELLOW USERS OF THE COMPLEX GUESS WHEN THEY WERE FORMED

After a thirty minute interval the D and G 14 to Stafford which serves Yarnfield on a two hourly basis departed me at Wellbeing Park which is on the west edge of the village some 2.5 miles from Stone, with the feeling of being in the middle of nowhere.  The village has one of the largest conference
centres in the country with over 300 rooms and was formerly operated by B.T.  Wellbeing, formerly Springbank, Park is a collection of football pitches serving a wide selection of teams with the main pitch being floodlit and used by both OA and Dominos and with todays visitors Nomads a nice collection of nearly Rugby League type names.  Indeed Dominos were named after St Domonics school whereas todays Old Alleynians where named after the local Grammar school now a modern day academy.

IMPRESSIVE STAND AT WELLBEING PARK

Entrance via the pay booths marked Tunstall Town who indeed were at home today with a goal less draw well under way to the left a wooden clubhouse which really served more as a café and committee area to the near side the toilet block and the far side offered a entrance path to the changing rooms and the far fenced off walkway an approach to the turnstile for spectators.
With forty minutes to go there was no sign of the turnstiles being opened so a quick circuit of the ground found an excellent full length stand with seating in the half way line portion, the remaining three sides were all concreted and the dug outs on the far side.  Its probably the easiest descriptor that this season will see its smart and tidy but functional is the call of the day.
Back in the business area it was as ever a pleasure to catch up with visiting secretary Nev Pearson who previous contact was made with at Knutsford and the glory days of Gamesley.  As ever it was good to catch up with a man of football and talk about many aspects of the game including how well both sides have done in their first season in the league, indeed The NWCFL must be delighted that all the tops sides are within their first two seasons in the league a real testimony to the clubs efforts.

THE THREE TEAMS ON THEIR WAY

A smart programme with a brightly badged front cover was obtained from the snack bar and then it was onwards to pay the very reasonable £4 admission into todays spectacle. 
The dread of the team of the month, for December, was presented to Stone OA and thankfully for them it didn't turn out the way it normally does for other recipients.

SAM WILSON SCORES THE OPENER FOR STONE OA

An increasingly murky afternoon made pictures a struggle again but the action was soon going the way of Stone after just seven minutes good work on the left from James Lee saw a low ball crossed that Sam Wilson in the middle couldn't really fail to convert for an early lead. 
Cheadle were struggling to get a foot hold in the game and seemed all out of sorts and when Jack Tomlinson spotted that visiting keeper Aaron Tryer had slipped flat on his back in the penalty box the quick thinking front man lashed the ball home from 30 yards showing no mercy to make it two goals without reply five minutes before the break.

FIRST HALF STONE IN PLAY

In first half stoppage time it all went from bad to worse when Tomlinson slotted home his second and the home sides third and you couldn't see where Nomads were coming back into this one.
Strangely the second half was won by Cheadle Heath thanks to a consolation goal seven minutes from time when Issac Graham held up for Kieran Herbert to fire into the bottom left hand corner form the edge of the box.  The closing stages saw Cheadle find their confidence and it was all the visitors and if they could have found a second who knows the draw may have been on but it would have been an injustice on Stone who dominated their fellow high flying visitors for most of the game.
Its an isolated ground that although smart you cant help feel needs to be nearer to its geographical centre to pull in a few more on the attendance figures especially the young and old with a poor public transport service available to them.  Today just 47 attended with a figure, I would guess, around twenty lower being on the 'paid in' list its a shame because clearly the club are having an excellent first season in The NWCFL.

MATT SMITH STONE OA MANAGER IN CHARGE OF DECEMBER TEAM OF THE MONTH

The reverse journey was massively aided, well my stomach was by a trip to the Uni Chippy, thanks to a very courteous lift back to Stoke Station by the very generous Nomads secretary, thanks Nev!  It was all fairly comfortable going with the luxury of two carriages back to Derby mainly entertained by one child using the nearby seat as a trampoline, Olympic star of the future who knows but I wished they wouldn't.  From Derby the whole carriage was entertained by two young travellers playing their computer game at full volume another day in the life of this grumpy old git and public transport mind you seats were gained on three of the four trains, result!

SANDS IN THE STAND AS STAMFORD WIN DERBY

STAMFORD AFC 2 LINCOLN UTD 0
EVOSTIK EAST @ ZEECO STADIUM
5 JANUARY 2019 --- 3PM

ZEECO STADIUM HOME OF STAMFORD AFC

John Sands delayed debut for Stamford broke the deadlock with a goal at the end of a swift move that saw him show what it meant to him by vaulting the barrier to celebrate in 'row H' of the stand with the ecstatic Daniels fans.  With the addition minutes later of a second thanks to a wonderful strike from Joe Boachie it was a bright start to the new year for the home side in this Lincolnshire derby.
The recent flip-flopping of fixture selection continued with this one not really appearing on the list until Friday evening but in balance it was a ground that had long been on that 'to do list'.  Having travelled past the old Hanson's Field ground adjacent to the station and failed miserably to see a fixture on the hallowed turf before its gradually disappearance under bricks and mortar today would be just the second visit to Stamford as a town.

GREETINGS FROM STAMFORD

Morning departure would see the local entrepreneur with his Sponge Bob Square Pants emblazoned play bus parked on the street making me wonder what comedic efforts at public transports awaited me and one Saturday I have thought about hiring the said beauty for travel.
Shock of shocks bus to base station was on time from there it went Pete Tong the two trains with change at Leicester were late as were the return journeys at night and with the no show of an hourly bus from base town in the evening it was all pretty much were it had left off in 2018, welcome to public transport UK style in 2019.
Stamford is a town that to use my old descriptor there is more than enough history to shake two sticks at never mind one with its enthralling stone properties, former castle sites, five Parish Churches and the river and town meadows adding to the feel of a well to do town.  Last weeks South Emlsall visit the home of Frickley Athletic is a direct conflict and it would be interesting like on the TV reality shows to do a swop for a week although I fear the Lincolnshire town may not get their base back in one piece!  As with all these on the surface well to do towns buses across the town are almost non existent with just one seen during the whole afternoon but when there a 4x4 or Range Rovers awaiting why bother eh.

FIRST VIEWINGS ON ENTRY AT THE ZEECO

The town centre was bustling and on just my second visit I have to say looked to be doing well with many boutique type shops alongside the high street favourites.  Walking out towards the ground which sadly is now situated about as far away from the station apart from being in nearby Ryhall, although it might test the boundaries. there was a pre planned call at Birdys Chippy for sustenance.
A well recommended stop for any future visitors but the call was onwards to The Zeeco for this
enticing Lincolnshire derby as the houses and commercial units are left behind you do wonder if the ground will appear but in the dip in the road just ahead is the stone and gated entrance to the leisure complex which is a similar version to Stockport Town in The NWCFL.  The Borderville Sports Centre offers a variety of fitness facilities plus outdoor football pitch, full size 4g and Stamford AFC's home base its all very smart and tidy and although the descriptor says good access it is if you have a car otherwise its a 35 minute walk, that though is the only downside.

AND FROM THE OTHER ANGLE FEATURING LARGE CLUB SHOP

Last weeks nostalgia blog and history at Westfield Lane drew a direct comparison to modern day box build stadiums like todays but this is one that I enjoyed and I guess this was helped by an attendance of just over 300 where the fans made an exciting atmosphere for the encounter.
Quick descriptor upon entry to the right is the business end with changing rooms, toilets, snack bar and first floor hospitality offering a smart feel to the club.  Moving further around, after purchasing a smart programme, the steep terrace behind the goal is made up of non slip sheet metal and is quite unique in that sense.  Snuggled up to the side is a nicely stocked club shop with a wide selection of past programmes, the far side contains the dugouts and uncovered one step terracing.  Behind the far goal its uncovered terrace and returning back to our entrance a modern stand with red tip up seats sits adjacent the touchline.  This is a well done affair and one that during my visit received a positive feel from and will look forward to visiting again.

BENCH ACTION WITH GRAHAM DRURY ON THE RIGHT.

The Daniels I discovered, a fact I think I probably knew but had forgotten, were named after Daniel lambert at the time the heaviest man in England who on his death in Stamford weighed in at 52 stone 11 pounds.
As ever lights on before the start so in murky conditions there is not much to write home about with the pictures.
Onwards to the encounter and in a feisty first half their was a collection of five yellow cards for Derbyshire official Martin Beard to collect and with an early penalty appeal by the home side harshly turned down, one that would probably have been given in the seventieth minute, it was onwards to the next one Boachie was clipped in the box but referee said 'no'.  In good old Cilla Black terms "surprise, surprise" first appeal at the other end and Lincoln get their spot kick.  Up steps Mathew Cotton in front of the home fans on the banked terracing and for what felt right for the game Stamford keeper Danny Haystead flung himself across the white line to save.

FIRST HALF STAR MAN REFEREE BEARD WITH FIVE CAUTIONS

Goal less at half time it had really been a case the longer the half went on of keeping a lid on the emotions and I suppose the referee had done this with a regular selection of yellows.
The second half set off at a calmer pace on the feisty monitor but no less of a commitment was on show as both sides gave it their all, Stamford encouraged on by their enthusiastic manager Graham Drury small in stature but a lion in the technical area, it was great to see him afterwards clapping the fans backed by the excitement of the final score-line.

STAMFORD ON THE ATTACK

Sometimes debuts are written and with John Sands making a delayed start for The Daniels, I believe due to injury, Drury told him 'go on and get me a goal'  and of course that's just what he did.  Into the action on 55 minutes and on 72 he had scored from a lovely flowing move.   It all started with Rob Morgan whose through ball was met by a deft flick from Jon Challinor that found Olly Brown-Hill who laid the ball off to Sands to sweep the ball home.
Great scenes of celebration as Sands vaulted the barrier and found himself at the rear of the terracing celebrating with the fans a wonderful display of club bonding and even as a neutral fantastic to witness football and entertainment coming together.  Needless to say we were soon back down to earth when referee Beard produced the mandatory yellow card, now stop enjoying yourself come on lads!

HERE IS A CARD THIS TIME FOR LINCOLN UTD

As if that wasn't enough five minutes later the games was wrapped up when Boachie created a little space for himself 25 yards out and unleashed a divine thunderbolt that nestled in the top left hand corner within a fraction of a second after leaving his boot.
That was all we needed really a dour, feisty, industrious affair sold to all Stamford fans by two wonderful moments enough to light up the surrounding minutes.
Off onto the chilly evening street of Stamford warmed by the two goals this had capped off a very enjoyable visit to The Zeeco Stadium and one I would hope to make again soon.

NOSTALGIA WINS THE DAY AT FRICKLEY

FRICKLEY ATHLETIC 1 CLEETHORPES TOWN 1
EVOSTIK NPL EAST @ WESTFIELD LANE
1 JANUARY 2019 --- 3PM

THE OLD LADY GOING STRONG FOR FRICKLEY ATHLETIC

The delight in the things of our younger years kicks in around a certain age and I guess its around the half century mark.  The day of great local towns often made by the large employing heavy local industries, football grounds that look like football grounds not modern day four sided boxes and TV cop shows like The Sweeney and The Professionals are a distant memory for many. 
Well here we nearly had it all, long gone is the pit but the ground of character at Westfield Lane is much alive and to finish the script the visitors Lewis Collins popped up with an equaliser four minutes from time for a nostalgic finish to todays pitch side drama.
This would be far from my first visit to the delights of Frickley Athletic but attendance here for me are infrequent and with this seasons planned visit constantly thwarted by The Northern Rail strikes on Saturdays that serve my preferred station of choice, nearby Moorthorpe, it all looked bleak.  That was until New Years Day and if a lift could be obtained to base station, no buses, a train could be boarded to Sheffield with a journey that half an hour later would deposit me within just over ten minutes of the ground.  Having left the proceeding Thurnscoe station on straining to see the lights at Westfield Lane the former Welfare at Moorthorpe could be seen with its emblazoned tiled roof 'Kung Fu 2000' now a martial arts academy and we were in familiar territory.

TOWARDS THE NEW CHANGING ROOMS AT WESTFIELD LANE

A sharp walk down Wesley St and over the recreation fields to Westfield Lane and much had changed since my last visit, there was no time to take in the town of South Elmsall about 3/4 of a mile down the road, the surrounding former terraced houses on my last visit had been demolished for a while but now the land had been graced with new builds.  Enhanced with street monikers of Colliers Way and Frickley Mews you could see the theme of not forgetting this areas rich mining history.
There is much still to do in the area for a proud community whose pit made the town and then had it taken away from it and very nearly destroyed its infrastructure when the whole mining industry was wiped out by political choice.
Its always a challenge to blog a ground visited before and with so much history my first visit was when the terrace houses were derelict, my second and third was when the land was barren and now a later visit shows some regeneration of the land but this is 25 years since the closure of the pit, how times move slowly when they seem so important.
My approach to the ground would be via the new estate today and the rough car park, walled ground and large stand also invited a glance at the new changing room complex that the club opened in October 2017.  Entrance paid, smart little programme too, golden goal ticket and there she is the beauty in all her splendour.

MARTIN MCINTOSH FRICKLEY ATHLETIC SUPREMO

Quick ground descriptor because you really have to go as with all former glory grounds they have so many nooks and crannies.  To the left a small clubhouse bar area behind the goal the former programme/club shop cabin is no more the terracing leads to the bottom corner that now houses a car park and changing room complex and club room, which with thanks to Chairman Stuart Highfield I was lucky enough to receive a guided tour of.  The far terracing is about four deep with a collection of wooden props supporting the structure that runs close on the full length of the touchline behind
here was the former Everest sized slag heap from Frickley Colliery now though there has been some regeneration into a country park and a small selection of grass football pitches.  The far goal is a flat concrete terracing with concrete walling going all round the ground there must have been a lot of the stuff available at the pit in the days of construction.  Both goal ends have land boarded off to keep things under control but this is a vast ground and we come back round to the former business end and the star of the show its main stand.

EARLY CLEETHORPES ACTION

A paddock terrace offering up an excellent food hatch which I have to admit to visiting twice today, the stand aloft and behind the terrace with its former and formidable caged concrete sloped walkway onto the pitch now devoid of its cage.  It was formidable as have a bad game ref or upset the locals and this was rattled with ferocity by the locals and provided much needed protection!  Wandering up the tunnel to have a quick check to see if the former social area under the stand still had its coal fire place in situ is where I met Mr Chairman who took me along to the new build.  I had forget that they also had open fires in both dressing rooms too, nostalgia I told you.
The stand itself now is a selection of bench and white tip up seats I cant remember the latter and I guess they must be a recent addition, it is a commanding view of the game and surrounds from here and sums up the feel of this ground.

FRICKLEY CLEAR WITH TRAVEL ORGANISER JOHN LOOKING ON WITH HIS TABBARD ADVERTISING AWAY TRAVEL

Talking of those days I was amazed to find that Frickley had spent a fair time in the Cheshire League but it all started to get heady in the eighties when they applied for The Alliance League, soon to be branded The Gola League, the fore runner to todays Conference National League.  In 1985/86 they finished second and were so close to gaining entry into the Football League an FA Cup third round tie against Rotherham United followed in 1985/86 with a packed ground but soon with the decline of the pit on the horizon the start of the 1988 season saw them back in The NPL.  A remarkable 30 year stay with a few close scrapes along the way saw them finally lose that status and for the 2017/18 season they would start in their current league The NPL East.  A remarkable story of endurance and the heights probably never to be revisited but little old Frickley Athletic can tell the tales of past glories and if not the ground will for you. They have at times against all the odds stuck around at the top of non league football.

THE CHASE IS ON

Before proceedings began there was a nice little catch up with new manager Martin McIntosh who is always very approachable when I have met him previously and after a very brief spell at Ilkeston Town hopefully he can now bring and enjoy some success with Athletic.
This mid table fixture turned out as a mid-table fixture chances at a premium of premium and not much to write home about but who cared this is the sort of ground that you could happily just spend time in and for longer than the allotted ninety minutes.  For the visitors Jack Richardson tested Hugo Warhurst in the Frickley goal on the quarter of an hour mark but just as the breakthrough looked elusive it was the home side who took the lead two minutes before the interval.  Captain Jacob Hazel was felled in the box and Tyler Walton swept the ball home and it was time to get the food in!

UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL AS FRICKLEY CLEAR

The opening stages of the second half saw Frickley bombard the Cleethorpes goalmouth but the visitors defence was on top form repelling all even when they did get near the goal line thanks to an Hazel shot keeper Theo Richardson was on top form to deny.
As the encounter wore on Frickley looked to tire and got deeper this was the signal for the visitors to look for the equaliser and the warning was set on 72 minutes when Collins fired just inches over but with four minutes remaining it was the same player who held off the Frickley defenders challenge to curl the ball round the racing out Warhurst and into the home sides goal to level the scores.  The closing stages saw Cleethorpes in the ascendancy possession wise with Frickley looking for the winner on the break and in all fairness the closing ten minutes had provided much of the entertainment in this encounter.

SHIRT SPONSOR FRICKLEY COUNTRY PARK IN THE BACKGROUND

Honours even a fair call for both sides who will probably not trouble the play-offs but equally wont be worried by the wrong end of the table either.
Darkness had descended and the departure by the adjacent cricket club soon had me retracing my steps through Moorthorpe and to the station for the 5.20pm back to steel city and after a longer than normal connection time base station was arrived at just after 7pm.
The two games in the last four days had provided clubs and grounds that have to be on anybody's 'to do' list fully enjoyed the developing Abbey Hulton and the nostalgic trip back to Westfield Lane today.