TEN MAN SHERWOOD VICTORIOUS

SHERWOOD COLLIERY 2 BELPER UNITED 0
EMCFL @ DEBDALE
22 OCTOBER 2019 --- 7.45PM
Two in form teams went at this game with no quarter given and after Sherwood had been reduced to ten men in the first half you probably didn't expect a result in their favour, but that is what we got with a superb showing from the Mansfield Woodhouse side who went top of the table.

DEBDALE PARK AND ITS NEW STANDS

A chance for a midweek sojourn over the visa boundary into Nottinghamshire and to a club covered quite a few times before so it will be brief.  Security accompaniment would be provided by Mr R of platform 1 parish as we departed on the Pronto which as previously described is often anything but.  Rolling down the bus steps as we departed at The Rufford Arms crossroads for the fifteen minute walk down to Debdale Park a brief observation of a 'road closed here' sign was noted but should probably have been studied more for later in the evening.
On arrival there was a chance to catch up with Glapwell flag man Dave although if it wasn't such a mouthful I would rename him Burnley FC merchandise catalogue model Dave, he's even got claret and blue trainers now.

BURNLEY DAVE IS BECOMING SHY OF PUBLICITY BUT HERE IS THE BACK OF HIS HEAD OBSERVING THE ACTION

Ground wise the club have now opened up the far touchline with two home made and smart bench seated stands either side of the dug outs and you can now cover three sides of this ground.  This season of year is always a good time to visit with the large former colliery tip country park covered in trees and the colour scheme is something to behold, sadly on todays dark night this would not offer up much inspiration.  The entrance pay box has been moved further up the slope and a snack wagon has been added on the approach the only other noticeable change was a couple of steps in the original covered terrace stand.
Neither of these two sides show up on my radar too regularly but both were in good form and the hosts are looking very good for a top of the table challenge.
Game was then a feisty, pacey encounter was just awaiting the first meaty miss timed challenge which came on 33 minutes and it resulted in Jamie York receiving a red card which would you may have though hinder the progress of Sherwood in their seeking of three points.

GOALS STANDS AND FLOODLIGHTS YOU CAN TELL WE ARE IN NIGHT MODE

Half time arrived with no goals chalked up but Sherwood regrouped defended and chased down everything, Belper couldn't break through and the home side inevitably took the lead on 62 minutes when Jobe Shaw fired home a glorious strike from the edge of the box.
Sherwood rose in stature and the ten men looked increasingly confident non more so than ten minutes form time when they doubled their lead thanks to Liam Theakstone from the penalty spot after Ethan Wiesztort had been taken out by Fenwick Butcher.
The game was not a long running list of chances but it was a tough and resolute effort from both sides and  a tremendous advert for The EMCFL.

MAKE IT PRONTO

Remember the road sign from earlier so did we when 100 yards away from the exit of Debdale we walked decamping from Burnley Dave's car to run the following 3/4 of a mile in a record eight minutes to hop on board the Pronto, which thankfully this time wasn't too much, at 10pm.  Conversation was light on the way back over the border as we regained our breath, composure and booked in for immediate physiotherapy the next day to aid our recovery.