DE GIROLAMOS HIT THE HEIGHTS IN PEAK CUP WIN

BUXTON 5 GLOSSOP NORTH END 0
HIGH PEAK CUP FINAL @ SILVERLANDS
27 JULY 2019 --- 3PM
Buxton claimed the High Peak Cup and local bragging rights with a comprehensive victory over local rivals Glossop North End with thanks to a thorough performance aided by a brace for Nico and a second half goal from Diego De Girolamo that put the result beyond doubt.

BUXTON FC

Heavy, heavy rain was the order of the day and once again with the trains still recovering from the red hot weather plus industrial action the option to re visit one of the elegant old ladies of football Silverlands was undertaken.  Trips to Buxton a few years back were a regular occurrence and the chance for footy was undertaken too, but it now must be a decade since a visit and with the addition of the new 4g carpet todays fixture would guarantee a game, especially with games at Worksop and Renishaw falling foul to the downpour.
Departure from spire town now sees a required guaranteed connection at Baslow onto the Buxton service and those two words are always a worry especially with the Bakewell bound service ten minutes late.  Faith was restored when the bus bound to the High Peak capital was waiting and we set off on a picturesque tour of about an hour to the Roman town of Buxton with a chance to relay the old joke, "I believe its a Spa[r] town", "I'm not sure but I've seen a Waitrose".

GASTRO FRY FIRST PORT OF CALL TODAY

Indeed there is a Waitrose the sign that any town or city has made it but sadly the rest of the town centre appears to be suffering much like our other commercial centres with the loss of M and S, Santander who seem more intent on completing massive advertising budgets now to the Geordie lads who must be well loaded already how many branches could have remained open on this budget, and with a few others due to close its a sad loss to the town centre.
Start was at the Eastern end of the town and with umbrella firmly raised as the torrent of wet stuff continued passing The Wye Bridge, one of the smarter Wetherspoon's houses, just beyond under the railway bridge was Gastro Fry formally Bill's.

THE OPERA HOUSE

Some good reviews led me too here from my previous establishment and with trade slow an immediate chips and home made fish cake were sampled underneath the arches by Sylvan Park.  With umbrella buckling under the liquid weight there was time for a new purchase in Spring Gardens and onward towards the Crescent a fantastic architectural achievement now under major lengthy repair and boarded off from the public.  Passing St Anne's Well and visiting the Pump Room the local delicacy was flowing from the tap, indeed it had been interesting to see bottles of Buxton Water stacked high in Smith's in Buxton!  Round the corner from the historic Old Hall Hotel the Opera House a superb building with the Pavilion Gardens and hot house adjacent to the entertainment establishment.

BUXTON ARE OUT BUT THE BLOGGERS FIRMLY UNDER COVER THOUGH

It was all too much the weather for any photos of note and as I departed on the climb to the Market Square the old fact of note became more relevant again that Buxton is the market town that is highest above see level a note that also applies in footballing terms to the club.  Last season Silverlands suffered postponements in the snow often because the roads around the town were blocked or unsafe but hopefully the heavy rain and frost call offs will be a thing of the past.  Remember Park Road in the town once staged Derbyshire County Cricket and had play halted in June 1975 in a game against Lancashire when heavy snow fell!
That's a brief tour of a fascinating town that you need more than one or even two sticks to shake at all the interesting tourist highlights never mind some of the back street buildings and shops that visitors often don't cover.

AFTERNOON PROTECTION LOOKING TOWARDS AXE EDGE IN THE RAINY MIST

Upon arrival at Silverlands the damp stuff was still falling and entry was quickly achieved with a circuit undertaken before retreating to cover and an afternoon spent with Mr R of the Buxton parish who was able to further educate me on High Peak footy.
As previously mentioned the 4g stuff looks good the only different aspect is the rugby markings with the towns union side sharing the facilities.  The main stand has former Manchester City seats adoring it now and is a excellent viewing facility the far end is uncovered with the side opposite our entrance a shallow full length covered terracing with a scenic row of terrace houses giving way at one end to views towards Axe Edge.  Behind the entrance goal is a deeper main covered terrace with snuggled up to it a rejuvenated bar and the other end academy modern cabins.  Catering facilities are looked after nicely alongside a small club shop that remained closed today, nothing silly in shirts here at Buxton blue home and red away and through the window I peered to view the very smart examples for 19/20 season. 
There was no programme sadly but the home club had posted a team sheet in the bar and it looked a walkover as Glossop had declined to declare a team.

HONESTLY IT WAS RAINING

To the encounter then and three nil to the good by the break did not look good for Glossop Nico De Girolamo headed home after ten minutes and when the visiting keeper and defender got in a mess on 31 minutes there was a goal from Martin Pilkington in his return to the game, always enjoyed his performances previously at Abbey Hey and Ashton and I look forward to see him do well at Buxton.  Just two minutes later the visitors task got even harder when Nico headed in his second and the third for Buxton.
Brotherly intervention within five minutes of the second half when Diego headed in and effectively ended the contest with a fourth and Brad Roscoe put the icing on the cake with seventeen minutes remaining when his header made it five.
Glossop looked shell shocked and out of this game from early on and in terrible conditions were more than glad when referee Roberts blew the final whistle.  Even though there is only a leagues difference Buxton looked very good on todays showing but of course that will depend on where Glossop are at in their pre season development but it could be a long season.

PILKINGTON [RIGHT] RECEIVES THE CONGRATULATIONS FOR HIS GOAL

There was no cup presentation so whether there is one or I guess everybody wanted to get out of the constant downpour nevertheless Buxton claimed their first silverware alongside The I Don't Do Pre Season Friendlies Cup as this was also the final of this prestigious competition.  It is though a badly glazed cup at the back of the cupboard when I can find it so it may not be required for the Silverlands trophy cabinet.

GOAL NUMBER THREE DID I MENTION ITS RAINING

With half an hour to play with before the direct return bus, although a route number change was required in Tideswell, there was time for a few hoppers delights from the local shop on the Market Square before the stripey boys vehicle whisked us away back to spire town just before 7pm from another entertaining pre season fixture.

VILLA WIN AT DRONFIELD

DRONFIELD TOWN 2 HIGH GREEN VILLA 4
PRE SEASON FRIENDLY @ STONELOW ROAD
25 JULY 2019 --- 7.45PM
High Green Villa kept up the impressive pre season performances of the Sheffield County Senior League sides witnessed so far with an excellent return from a good work out against Dronfield Town and all this after going a goal down inside the first thirty seconds.

HIGH GREEN VILLA ON THE BALL

Thursday night football would offer a second visit to Dronfield Town, no complaints there, with a chance to catch up with another County Senior side in the guise of Premier League High Green Villa and it was semi final stage in The I Don't Do Pre Season Friendlies Cup.  After a blisteringly hot couple of days the trains were in meltdown and the option to arrive by a stripey boys number 44 was taken dropping us off by the station for a convenient call at The Village Fisheries due to I believe the closure of the previous chippy stop in the town.  Both myself and Mr R from platform 1 Parish were more than happy with a steady selection of delights.
An early arrival allowed for a relaxing start and with no teams attempted to be gained there was little on either sides social media so tonight's report will contain the old numbers game probably for the first time this pre season.

WARM UPS ALL READY

Pitch looking superb, great fence of Dronfield was still standing and the bar and café were open so all was set fair.
High Green looked smart in a sky blue and white striped kit looked in trouble inside the first 30 seconds when their diminutive keeper was chipped by the home number 10 who ran round him and tapped home the lose ball.  However they were level on the quarter of an hour mark thanks to their number 11 who turned the defender and fired home.

LIGHTS CAMERA ACTION

The visiting keeper was beaten by an exquisite lob from home number 9 five minutes before the break but Villa were level just moments later with a powerful header from number 10.  The goal fest continued on the stroke of half time and allowed High Green the chance to go into the break in the lead via a floated free kick off the left sent into the net by a glancing header from the number 11.
Second period saw the visiting keeper more than prove his worth with shot stops producing two excellent saves one remarkable one on his line from point blank range and much as the game seemed to be flowing towards Dronfield the determined efforts of the visitors would see them increase their lead with seven minutes left, lovely play from the number 9 saw him beat three players and the glory was taken by the '20' who fired home to secure the Sheffield sides victory.
Just a short blog with a disappointing report without names but it is the nature of many pre season games.

THE GREAT FENCE STILL STANDING AS THE BALL BREAKS FREE

A great win for High Green who once again represented their league well against higher status opposition, although it has to be said it did look a much changed Dronfield side from last weeks game versus Teversal.
Thankfully the delays on the trains would see us catching a late service at Dronfield an all this was helped by a kindly gentleman from the town who watches Manchester City and Alfreton who we struck up an interesting hopping conversation with during the game, thank you for the assistance.   

MAIN AND FAIRHURST HAVE TOO MUCH FOR DODWORTH

DODWORTH MW 0 MALTBY MAIN 4
PRE SEASON FRIENDLY @ THE WELFARE
24 JULY  2019 --- 7PM
The experience of much travelled higher league frontman Waide Fairhurst, ex Macclesfield Towwn and Lincoln City, showed when he collected a brace from an impressive performance by NCEFL Premier side Maltby Main who could have won by a bigger margin but were restrained by some excellent home goal keeping and work rate from the Sheffield County Senior Premier side who put in a great shift in hot temperatures.

SUN SETTING ON A FINE NIGHT AT DODWORTH MW FC

After a debut visit to Dodworth at the end of the season before last for their championship wining game and then a catch up last season in Derbyshire for a County Cup tie it was a well called for revisit to this welcoming club.
Opting to make changes at Sheffield and Barnsley to arrive at Dodworth would see arrival just after 5pm with time to enjoys Shaw's chips and fish cake in Dodworth harbour this time situated by the lighthouse although fellow traveller Mr R from the platform 1 parish opted for the harbour for his delicacy.  Once again a fine selection from Shaw's with scraps also so it is definitely appearing in the play off zone in the chippy league table.

CHIPS BY THE DODWORTH LIGHTHOUSE WHAT COULD BE GRANDER

A re acquaintance with the ground found the pitch in smart condition and with the
impressive covered terrace always the star of the show it will not apparently look like this in about a months time with a complete overall due with newly named frontage also.

MANAGER DARREN MILLINGTON HAS A PRE MATCH CHAT WITH THE SQUAD

There was time to visit the adjoining 'Tappers' for a liquid refreshment and then catch up with home manager Darren Millington who was busy warming up the squad.  Maltby Main were also looking well up for this game and once again it has to be said, as we enter the quarter final stage of The I Don't Do Pre Season Friendlies Cup, this was a smart little game.
Teams were not to be obtained although the excellent Main social media and web page have allowed me to make some use of my notes.

THE OLD LADY SOON TO BE GIVEN A NEW LOOK

We knew kick off was imminent when the wheelbarrow of ice cold beer and drinks appeared by the stand, they think of everything in Yorkshire!
The teams are now changing in the rooms by the rugby pitch whereas  last time they were in the old changing rooms but on a warm night it was Fairhurst who would break the deadlock after just ten minutes when he turned well in the box to fire home.  The half was fairly equal and well contested but the overall upper hand was with the higher league visitors.

FIRST HALF ACTION WITH MALTBY ON THE BALL

The second period saw the game open up more and it was the superb performance of the Dodworth keeper who was denying the visitors more goals making four excellent saves including from Fairhurst and an excellent one from Aaron Moxam who broke through and he saved by standing up till the last minute to deny the Maltby player.

MALTBY COME AWAY WITH THE BALL

The closing stages saw tiredness probably come into play and effect the Dodworth effort and on 79 minutes Maltby doubled their lead an excellent save from an Oliver Lawrence effort fell to Robert Worrall who fired home before with five minutes remaining Fairhurst set up Moxam to score.  Before referee Golland could blow his whistle for time we had a further bit of quality from Fairhurst who drifted his way around two home defenders before nestling the ball in the back of the net to make it 4-0.

DODWORTH IN POSSESSION

Maltby look to have a steady side for their new campaign and with Fairhurst a player of proven ability who knows where the goal is, as for Dodworth the County Senior is a tough
competition but expect them to be right up there again this season after last times runners up spot.  A further note Dodworth's hospitality seems well renowned with an invite back afterwards, sadly we had to get off, but even Maltby passed comment on their welcome well done.

THE DRAWING BOARD IS OUT FOR MANAGER MILLINGTON

Return journey took in a stripey boys 21a to Barnsley before again opting for a change in Sheffield and then arriving over the Yorkshire border at nearly 1030 for a very enjoyable revisit to Dodworth.

GEDLING LATE STRIKE AS FLOWSERVE PAY THE PENALTY

GEDLING MW 3 NEWARK FLOWSERVE 2
PRE SEASON FRIENDLY @ PLAINS RD
20 JULY 2019 --- 3PM

CLOSE GAME AS FLOWSERVE VISIT GEDLING MW FC

A strange game saw Dwayne Brown strike home a wonderful 25 yard effort in the final minute to defeat New Midland League outfit Newark Flowserve by the odd goal in five after the visitors had been awarded three penalties of which they converted two and saw the first well saved by home custodian Keaton Sharpe.
So The I Don't Do Pre Season Friendlies Cup moves onto round 5 and with little to take my fancy in the rugby league plus the weather a decider against cricket it was off to more football than I care to mention before the start of the season.  So far the pre season had given up some excellent encounters and today would add to that total, once again a local journey was planned and with base station suffering train strikes and a busy day with the 'Yorkies' in town for a T20 match I avoided the place and opted instead for the Pronto to Nottingham.

NOT TO TRAIN COMPANIES BE NICE TO HAVE A FEW OF THESE SPARE ON YOUR SERVICES

Now amazingly after my recent train journeys, ok the last year, seats were available and although the service is uniquely named its anything but like its name taking 1 and 3/4 hours to Robin Hood City.  Annoyingly the all stopping service is now operated by a fleet of modern double deckers who turn off every time they pull up at a stop.  But the high vantage point gave good viewing and as we approached Nottingham the City Transport service 69 had the digital display '69 its better by bus', I cannot vouch for that but will leave it to readers to discuss.  While in the suggestible mode the busy village of Sherwood has a vegan shop titled 'The V spot' give me chance I'm still advancing towards locating the 'G' variety and if you needed time to think about it next door is a café named 'Fancy a nibble', clearly I was not in the right mood for some serious football!

EARLY PENALTY SAVE FROM SHARPE DENIES NEWARK

During the 45 minute journey along the Mansfield section there was a doubt in my mind as the area suffered a serious cloudburst with water running down the streets for most of the run towards the city.  But after a short hop over the Nottingham Road a 45 was boarded to Plains Road which is a superb shopping centre sadly today there was no time for a chippy visit but all that was settled upon arrival at the ground by a chip cob served by the lovely ladies in the café.  Not much had changed since my last visit just over a year back and the toilets still have posh squirty soap in them, not in the bowls you understand but on the washbasins!  The ground is well appointed and along with the other 'local' visits in this pre season build up did make me realise there is a whole group of clubs worth just stopping in the vicinity to visit again during the forthcoming season I guess though the pull of new grounds gets me but the travelling on standing trains is becoming less of a pull.

GO WITH THE FLOW

Flowserve who I nearly always watch in rain had received a runners up spot promotion from The EMCFL and would take on their former leagues challenge without frontman Sam Agar, as ever I relaxed and made no attempt to gain the teams but Gedling's excellent match report aided my notes.
An entertaining game with lots of chances started as early as the fourth minute when home Keeper Sharpe, who matched his name this afternoon in an accomplished performance saved Ben Hutchinson of Middlesbrough and Celtic appearances penalty, later Hutchinson nearly made amends when his effort hit the top of the bar but it was to be the home side who took the lead when Joe Meakin struck home from 20 yards with an effort that seemed to deceive Joe Searson as it bounced in front of him.
The first vision of a sin bin offence saw Kyle Dixon of Flowserve popped off for a cool down for ten minutes just before the break.

SHARPE IS ALERT TO SAVE AGAIN

The second period opened up and when a handball offence was spotted by the referee Tyrell Shannon-Lewis took the spot kick and made no mistake. 
With 69 minutes on the clock Shannon Lewis went over under a sharp shoulder to shoulder challenge that was probably more of a push and the referee deemed a third penalty necessary this time Hutchinson grabbed the ball and gave the visitors the lead.

SHANNON LEWIS CONVERTS FROM THE SPOT

Gedling were not going to be denied and a left hand side corner was headed back at the near post into the penalty box for Dean Gent who fired home coolly past a Flowserve defender on the line.

PENALTY THREE HUTCHINSON CONVERTS

Both sides appeared determined to go for the winner as they swept forward in the closing stages but it was the curling long range effort of Brown that would proved the difference to give Gedling a well earned success against their higher league opponents.

UP AND OVER

Return journey via a hoppers delight Coop meal deal and with a quick departure to Victoria bus station a Pronto of the every ten minute variety as far as Mansfield needed a change in Stag town to a following service that would go all the way back to spire land.
Once again an enjoyable trip to Gedling for what had turned out to be a very entertaining I Don't Do Pre Season Cup game, I must do more of these!

ECCLESFIELD COME UP SMELLING OF ROSES WITH TEN GOALS

ECCLESFIELD RED ROSE 10 CHESTERFIELD TOWN 0
PRE SEASON FRIENDLY @ ISOBEL BOWER SPORTS GROUND ST GEORGES
18 JULY 2019 --- 7PM
There are one sided games and there are one sides games and this was well a one sided game!

OPENING GOAL FOR JAMIE RUSSELL

Sadly for Chesterfield Town their next game on Saturday at Kirton Brickworks cannot come quickly enough whilst Ecclesfield Red Rose want to enjoy this goal fest as they prepare for life in The Sheffield County Senior League Premier Division after last seasons promotion. 
With the chance of returning within some reasonable hour to base thanks to this start time a first visit to The FA St Georges Park at Westfield was on the cards and round 4 of The I Don't Do Pre Season Friendlies Cup.  Following a brief change of buses in spire town the stripey boys double decker dropped me off at Halfway tram terminus for the short walk onto the edge of both Mosborough and Westfield for tonight's neutral venue.

ARRIVED

The site is around 3 years old and approach signage directs you to The Isobel Bower Sports Ground named after a Sheffield City Councillor for Mosborough and it appears now developed under the FA grassroots hubs although it would appear run under franchisee, there is an on going debate on some of the grassroots twitter accounts with regards to the amount of money required for pitch hire when the facilities were supposed to be assisting the lower levels of the game, anyway that's for another day.

EARLY ACTION WITH RED ROSE ON THE ATTACK

Arriving an hour before kick off and undertaking a visit to the snack bar for crisps, pop and cookie it all started really healthily after having decided against a walk into the village for the old fisheries visit!  The pitches here consist of two 4g caged and a normal grass pitch plus smaller junior pitch, there is also two rugby pitches to compliment the site.  Much off the centre is smart, modern and new with the addition of a gym it all has a leisure centre feel about it, however there are a few references painted onto the walls about the football heritage of Sheffield which is around about five miles to the north west.  Sheffield is fortunate in having three centres and this one is the most southerly sitting on the Yorkshire/Derbyshire border with a large catchment area from some of the recent outer Sheffield developments.

ECCLESFIELD RED ROSE GO CLOSE

The game then and the ninety minutes would be undertaken on the full size grass pitch which was flat but not too green as you may have expected.  Ecclesfield gained runners up spot in league one and find themselves in step 7 next season for a real challenge, although judging by tonight's performance they have little to be concerned about.  Chesterfield Town had a difficult year in last seasons CMFL second tier since their transfer from The Midlands Regional Alliance and compete at the imaginary step 8 one below their hosts.

RUSSELL IN FLIGHT AS THE OPENING GOAL FLIES OVER THE LINE

As ever no attempt to gain teams was made so the report is brief with hopefully correct names gained from Rose's twitter account and Full Time so apologies if any have slipped up, it was a busy night.
Lets get the Chesterfield attack out of the way first the home keeper was called into a save one minute before half time but other than that the County Senior side dominated to lead 4-0 at the break after also hitting the woodwork on a couple of occasions.  The tally started after 8 minutes when Jamie Russell headed home the classic unmarked back post header then on the quarter of the hour mark Todd Guest headed into goal this time at the near post.  It was Guest who made it three with the sweetest of strikes on 32 minutes and just two minutes later a superb long throw off the left was turned home by Ryan McDonald.
The turn around did see Town compete more in the opening stages but on the hour mark normal service resumed McDonald got his second and completed his hat trick shortly after when he tapped the ball round the keeper and ran onto make no mistake with the shot home.

TODD GUEST WINS THE HEADER

On 72 minutes Luke Parkinson made it seven without reply and eight and nine provided a cameo for the impressive Carlton Carty, who was an excellent compliment to the more natural centre forward in Guest, firstly he lobbed the keeper with a delicate effort from the outside of his boot and then a super move saw him cut inside off the right to fire home.

CHESTERFIELD ARE STILL CHASING THE GAME

The best was, apparently, saved till the last Ryan Radford who has been with the club for years and nobody could remember scoring before [!] slotted home from 3 yards out after two excellent saves from the Chesterfield keeper.
Strange as this game was the last chance, as per the first half, fell to the visitors when they struck a post with two minutes remaining but really they had been out of the game for a long time at that stage.

ANOTHER RED ROSE CHANCE

Thanks to the Red Rose secretary for the catch up in the second half it was a pleasure to meet you and with the side looking to have a competitive squad and management that will serve them well, plus a programme issuing club it will be worth a visit to see them at their home base soon.
Return journey via the nearby Morrison's for Hoppers delight sandwich and fizzy before a connecting service saw a return to base just after a 11pm from another enjoyable evening out in the 2019/20 pre season.

DRONFIELD HIT EIGHT BUT FOR TEVIE ITS ONLY PRE SEASON

DRONFIELD TOWN 8 TEVERSAL 1
PRE SEASON FRIENDLY @ STONELOW ROAD
16 JULY 2019 --- 7.45PM

THE GREAT FENCE OF DRONFIELD WITNESSES TEVERSALS EQUALISER

Dronfield Town experienced the finest of starts to their pre-season campaign in The I Dont Do Pre Season Friendlies Cup Round 3 at The H E Barnes Stadium thanks to some clinical finishing that swept away Teversal who had only trailed 2-1 at half time.  The visitors experienced the swinging pendulum of goals for and against after hitting CMFL side Collingham for ten without reply last Saturday.
Hooray for the railways the short five minute journey to Dronfield from base station found seats available and an early arrival at both points was somewhat of a collectors item, although I'm sure normal service will be resumed shortly!

COLLECTORS ITEM AN EARLY TRAIN AND SEATS AT DRONFIELD STATION

The rising walk to Stonelow Road added to the concern of this being a very sultry night for the players but with I guess a large squadS  for both sides we should be ok.  Dronfield to their credit had made this a free admission game and it turned out to be an encounter of entertainment with second half chances for both sides adding to an enterprising first 45 minutes.
As ever Town are a friendly bunch and of course after many visits here I wont go into a ground descriptor save to say the great wall [fence] of Dronfield is still standing and can still be seen on satellite imagery from outer space plus the club are building a small 3g area for the youngsters and a goalkeeper training area which is under construction with a lengthy retaining wall is put in place.
A wide selection of the good around the non league scene were in attendance and it was excellent as ever to catch up during this fixture that was a staple diet of The NCEFL a few seasons back before Teversal's sideways transfer to the EMCFL.

NO SWEARING OR ARE THE CHIPS JUST HOT AS MR W PROTECTS THE DIET

The evening was spent in the company of Mr W from the Sheffield Parish who was kind enough to facilitate a return lift for the blog, even though after the featuring the associated picture this option may be withdrawn for the next term.
No messing with any attempt to get teams and as two of the Dronfield players changed shirts before the kick off this relaxed approach suited me.  The home side lead with an exquisite lob after five minutes and just two minutes later the Nottinghamshire side were level when an sharp free kick that went in with the assistance of the woodwork.  Dronfield went in a goal to the good when they secured a second a minute before the break.

WHO WANTS THE BALL

The second half was far from one way traffic but Town lead 4-1 within four minutes of the re start and with four more goals in the final quarter of an hour the number ten had secured a well taken hat-trick, assuming there had been no further shirt swaps.
Once again no messing about with the game kicking off on time and finishing on time much like last week at Shirebrook, although as soon as the season starts delays to the start and extended intervals I'm sure will re commence making many games a non-starter by the old public transport system.
As ever a pleasant evening out at Dronfield Town Fc alongside a more than entertaining pre season fixture.

STANNINGLEY SWEEP ASIDE SKIRLAUGH

STANNINGLEY 56 SKIRLAUGH 0
NCL1 @ THE ARTHUR MILLER STADIUM
13 JULY 2019 --- 2.30PM

AN AFTERNOON OF TRIES FOR STANNINGLEY RLFC

With ten tries and eight of them converted without reply this was a stunningly successful afternoon for Stanningley against their East Riding opponents who sat just two points ahead of them in the league table before the start of play, in a game that looked all set for a close encounter it proved to be anything but.
The usual Saturday morning departure into West Yorkshire did make me wonder if there are many more of these visits I may become an honorary Yorkshireman but then somebody mentioned I needed another 50 years worth and then I may only just be accepted for associate member.  Seat gained in train doorway this was at least a start and with a delayed 508 to Halifax boarded immediately from the station I was soon bundling down the Kirkstall Road passing the ground of Milford RL and Rhinos training facility.  Having passed Coal Hill Drive the approach to the ground the first point of call was the sponsor of Stanningley RLFC in the next town Farsley, Croft Street Fisheries.

PURVEYORS OF FINE FISH AND CHIPS AND STANNINGLEY SHIRT SPONSORS

The ratings were good for the take away, the premises were small and would not have held a cat swinging competition however you could just about squeeze five people inside to wait and with a queue outside things looked encouraging.  A smart premises with framed Stanningley shirt adorning the wall signalled the correct place and todays example would have the chippy in the play off-zone and a nice piece of fish would certainly see this place on the recommended list.
Taking the twenty minute short cut walk back onto Coal Hill Lane for the summit climb, either way you approach the road that leads to the ground you have a nice steep walk, having finally found a bin to deposit takeaway wrappings the ground was within a few hundred yards.

THE IMPRESSIVE ENTRANCE

The Arthur Miller Stadium had always bemused me was the American playwright remembered after a stay many years ago with Marilyn Monroe what a great story but it was to be a story wide of the mark.  The said gentleman was a President of the club and deputy Leeds City Council leader plus an initial founder of the first clubhouse in 1983.  A move to the current base in 2003 via selling of the old clubhouse and Sport England funding had left the club with an impressive facility that from my NCL travels is definitely right up at the top.

THE GAP CLOSES FOR STANNINGLEY ON THIS OCCASION

A smart clubhouse greets you with function rooms a plenty, a kitchen which served match day food and of course the all important bar.  Entrance was £2.50 with the programme available in hard copy and online, if you preferred, during the afternoon the lofted scoreboard was operated well alongside a PA system, this club had got it spot on what a great effort and something clearly all NCL clubs should strive to achieve.

STANNINGLEY ACHIEVE LIFT OFF

The ground itself is surrounding by neatly fenced off further pitches but the main pitch has a hard standing walkway all around with on three sides selected levels of bank views offering a additional commanding view of proceedings, all the pitch is neatly railed off and overall with a smart playing surface barring a 150 seat canvas stand its as good as Championship side Sheffield Eagles OLP ground.

LIAM COPLAND SETS OFF

With teams gained smoothly thanks to a visiting Skirlaugh official there was plenty of time to watch pre match warm ups and it looked on paper a close tie but having lost on the away trip Stanningley would be looking for a home victory on the back of a strong win at Normanton last time out.
What we saw was a side that simply swept Skirlaugh aside with eight different try scorers backed up by having eight of the ten converted by Liam Copland.  Leading 20-0 at lemons with tries from Eddie Crossland after Copland had run all but the full length off the pitch to offload to him, Sam Savage, Jack Sykes and Luke Townend the visitors frustrations showed with a sin bin just before half time.
The second period would prove even more costly for Skirlaugh who on a sultry afternoon and struggling to get into the game saw a selection of their players and staff seem to lose their discipline and this all helped overall to give Stanningley and their enthusiastic crowd the will to continue the scoring stream.

THE GAPS ARE OPENING UP NOW FOR STANNINGLEY TO EXPLOIT

Over the whitewash in the second half went Copland after flying down the right, Thomas Kent, Tyler Hart with a brace, Crossland for his second, and Dion Henry.  The second half frustrations had got to the visitors with a couple more sin bins as the referee had to separate a few 'coming togethers'.

SECOND HALF GREETINGS

You are never quite sure how well and with what strength of side some teams travel away bit this was an overwhelming victory that sets up Stanningley for next weeks 130 year celebration with their home game versus local rivals Milford.
During the second half it was good to catch up with club photographer Terry and learn some more about this club and their impressive set up which further added to my visit.
With the weather set fair a departure just down the road to Farsley Cricket Club, a place were I had only visited a couple of weeks ago, saw Townville chasing 179 to win after the home side struggled to just over 3 an over.  Much like last week at Wrenthorpe the visitors today made light work of the score with 180 for 4 being reached with just 32 overs used J booth made 82 and H Warwick 44 in a second wicket partnership of 78 that put them on their way.  Mr Raymond Illingworth Farsley Club President was once again in attendance and at 87 years young just last month he was still enjoying the cricket at his home town club a pleasure to see his involvement.  With a short rain delay in the reply it was a fitting end to the day to witness the second innings of this Bradford Cricket League Premier fixture.
Return bus from Farsley to Leeds station allowed departure at 8pm and after crossing the Yorkshire border before visa checks I was back in peak county just short of 9.30pm.

SOCIO ECONOMIC EXPRESS TO SHIREBROOK

SHIREBROOK TOWN 2 RETORD UNITED 1
PRE SEASON FRIENDLY @ LANGWITH ROAD
10 JULY 2019 --- 7.30PM

LANGWITH ROAD HOME OF SHIREBROOK TOWN FC

The second fixture in The I Don't Do Pre-Season Friendlies Cup would take in a highly entertaining encounter but as so often the journey to a game is the meat in the sandwich.  Shirebrook being local to blog base has been featured on quite a few occasions but not too much over the last couple of seasons.  The adage of doing a pre season game if there is something different, eg Cliftonville a few weeks ago, was broken here I needed a game and with a 7.30pm kick off the old public transport would play ball too.
The bus journey would be responsible for this meander from base town aloft the upper deck of the stripey boys number 82 to Langwith its a journey of just under an hour but is a fantastic trip through the industrial history of the area and after its devastation in the late 80's and early 90's the community problems it left across a wide area of North Derbyshire. 
Through Arkwright Town, which is really a small village, now completely re sited after its original adjacent site was demolished due to the leaking of methane gas and after the colliery closed by the mid 90s the whole village had gone to its new base.  On the approach to the village there is now a plaque remembering the former 'town' and its rows of terrace houses serving the pit.  Moving through Duckmanton and its Markham industrial estate you can only imaging the days before closure of its original use the pit by the same name which suffered two accidents in the 1930's when 79 men lost their lives and then again in 1983 when 18 perished when the cage transporting the men to the bottom of the mine shaft broke away, some politicians had you believe they were the enemy within in, I think not.  The unbelievably large Great Bear distribution warehouse makes up part of the site alongside KFC, McDonalds and the familiar collection of units making up for some loss of employment but on a very different level all round, but its 25 years since the pit closed and its taken this long.  Moving towards Bolsover and its pit, of course closed, you pass the approach to the infamous former Coalite factory now also demolished but awaiting reclamation and site cleaning.  The centre of Bolsover offers a clash to industrial history with its outstanding English Heritage operated castle occupying a commanding site just off the market square.
Onward as time approached 7pm through the pretty village of Scarcliffe and onto the edge of Shirebrook approached via The Summit housing estate and into the Market Square which is quiet with little sign of activity a new Lidl has been built on the site of what was due to be a Tesco before they scaled back developments and beyond the monolith that is Sports Direct is in view on the site of the one again closed Shirebrook pit.  In a previous blog I covered the model village of which there were many designed around this area and the intention to bring communities together in a social environment but of course as the employment they were designed to serve was lost so these ideas looked more worn out and in need of investment.

THE TERRACE SIDE ALONG LANGWITH ROAD

There would not be time to visit today but needless to say many of the houses and former pubs are now converted into flats that base the many eastern European workers that have come to work in Sports Direct and employed indirectly through agencies.  As the town crumbled away after its pit closure so did its centre although there has been a slight revival now in the utilised shop units with many eastern European businesses taking up the empty premises.
Departing shortly afterwards on Langwith Road right outside the football ground it had been a wonderful ride through the memory and to that woman who said there is no such thing as society come and compare these old towns and village communities from the 1960's/70's to the desperation that is self evident now in many parts.
They were and still are tough places but a warm welcome was granted to me by a few of the regulars I know at Shirebrook and after tonight's visit I hope to get along a few more times this season so hopefully there will be time to feature a little more of the town again soon.

RETFORD UNITED KEEPER CAUGHT OUT BY WIDDOWSON'S 50 YARD FREE KICK

Its a wonderful ground with two main stands aloft grass banking offering a cracking view with opposite a covered terrace that is not far short of the full length of the pitch.  By the turnstile entrance is the business end with changing rooms and toilets and outside the ground the rail club that offers a liquid base for the team.  The café is also by the terrace side and is somewhere I always frequent and the first chips of the season were sampled tonight.  There was no programme and in the past its something that has let a visit down a little to Langwith Rd but overall this is a great place to watch your football and tonight's crowd of around 140 was a shock to me and I think some of the club officials against a team from a step below in the pyramid.  It would appear that a lot of the squad are now local lads and this hopefully has an influence on the gate and there is much hope they can perform well in their sideways move into The EMCFL.
[No team sheets so a few names missing of course]
All the goals came in the first half with Carter Widdowson floating a 50 yard free kick over the visiting keeper who was off his line too busy 'gently' advising his defence after 3 minutes.  The visitors in their Mansfield Town home shirts, adorned of course with Retford United badges, were level eight minutes before the break when number 5 headed back across goal for the number 10 to fire home at the far post.

THE VISITORS NUMBER 10 FIRES HOME THE EQUALISER

Half time would see Shirebrook in the lead a clear penalty awarded on forty minutes was swept into the back of the United net by Kieran Darby.
Ten minute break, why cant it be like this always, meant I would not need to miss any of this second half with the return service at 9.20pm.  It was an industrious affair that after the usual changes saw Retford secure a possession advantage but not a superiority in the goal tally and Shirebrook grew stronger and saw out an opening win in their first pre season encounter.
As darkness enveloped the town a warm evening saw a return through the previously mentioned areas and not a miner coming off shift in sight how times have change lets hope the Shirebrook Town glory days of old are not too far off again.