THE BIG DERBY

WIRKSWORTH IVANHOE 0 CROMFORD AND WIRKSWORTH TOWN 0
CMFL 1 SOUTH @ DERBY ROAD
25 JANUARY 2020 --- 2PM

WIRKSWORTH IVANHOE ATTACK AGAINST TOWN

A superb local derby full of commitment and endeavour, it certainly wasn't your typical goal less draw and only lacked a goal or two but sometimes you can't have everything as both sides representing Wirksworth battled it out on a heavy pitch.
Arriving at the ground about 45 minutes before kick off and for this rural town on the edge of the Peak District there appeared to be no tractors in the car park and not a sign of Massey Ferguson or John Deere on the team sheet.  Gross generalisations aside John, Max and Matt are probably tech developers, antiques dealers and estate agents but the area made famous by the mills, mining and quarrying now is still surrounded by agriculture.  The journey had been a fraught one and after travels all over the country to complicated destinations this turned out to be frustrating when the town is about ten miles from base as the crow flies.  Departing to spire town arrival was slightly late and a two minute transfer to the X17 to Matlock was on board a double decker that was pretty full and mainly with noisy kids, my favourite travelling companions.  An attempt to board a service to Cromford crossroads to pick up the Trent Barton service fifteen minutes behind to Wirksworth was aborted two stops out of Matlock when a few people realised it was going the wrong way, apparently a diversion meant no Cromford stops.  Back to the original plans after a sharp walk back into Matlock and the planned service climbed up 'The Hill' out of Cromford passing The Black Rocks picnic site and into the town itself.  A brief race around for a quick look at The Ecclesbourne Valley Railway while taking in a town with enough buildings of different design and historical storytelling that you could shake a whole bundle of sticks at it really is a unique town.
Leaving the town on the Derby Road to the south a quick selection of hoppers provisions from the aforementioned road stores was gained and within a few munches arrival at The Recreation Ground was achieved.

ALL IS LOOKING QUIET IN THE TOWN

Last season this fixture was Ivanhoe v Town and I had just failed to do it for some reason or another but it had cropped up again however now Town had merged with nearby Cromford and moved to play out of town at the Cromford Meadows ground.  All the same it was a local and in real terms an inter town derby game and after a prompt text reply from Ivanhoe's it was game on for the big one.
Both sides have made the recent switch to the CMFL and find themselves in 1 South effectively step 8 and for the second week running we would witness a superb game much like last weeks Hope Valley affair at Ashover.

THE HAZY VIEWS TOWARDS THE CRICKET GROUND

The ground appears to have had a ninety degree turn, if my education worked, to now back onto the small changing room facilities that would house both sides a toilet and store/kitchen area.  Thankfully both team sheets were available although Cromford and Wirksworth Town [CW] provided an over written one that made it impossible to read so apologies not to many name checks.  The only furniture is two pop up grey dug-outs and a smartly roped off pitch on three sides, the playing surface was heavy but would make for a good 'old days' type of game.  The views behind the far goal lead to the cricket and bowling clubs with the hills surrounding Kirk Ireton in the distance.

JACK HIGTON FOR IVANHOE

Around ten minutes before kick off it looked like a typical step 8 game me and a few club regulars and then they came out or cars, houses and who knows where but by kick off we had a partisan crowd of around 80 people creating a nice atmosphere for this encounter.  With the visitors top of the table and Ivanhoe's sat in fourth the added derby element created even more anticipation.

AGONISING MISS FOR TOWN

Early sharp challenge in the first minutes set the tone and with Jack Higton looking lively he remained a threat throughout the game but after the early ascendancy for Ivanhoe it would be CW who would end the strongest.  Visiting number 10 Dec Jenkins if I have seen this part of the team sheet correctly, a former Ivanhoe player, forced Chris Conroy into a save and then moments later struck a post from close range.  After a promising start from the home side they had drifted away a little.

KYLE HIGTON HITS THE BAR

After half time though they came out re invigorated Kyle Higton struck the bar with a 25 yard free kick and with Dan Watson following up it needed Max Charlottes on form to save the second effort.  As the game was clearly in the balance it was Ivanhoe's who were putting on the main pressure Jack Higton took the ball down well and fired goal bound but Charlottes was on hand again and then eight minutes from time Matt Dranfield fired just wide.

HOW MANY PLAYERS CAN YOU GET IN ONE PICTURE

The point was probably a fair reflection on the game but both sides here take amazing credit on a heavy pitch they put in undoubted effort throughout the ninety minutes with more than a few full on challenges and all this in a game superbly refereed by Liam Vayro who got all the big decisions right aside to playing some excellent advantages.

ANOTHER LOOK AT THE VIEW AS CHARLOTTES CLEARS

Departure was more or less immediate on a bus serving the adjacent estate and back into Matlock the option, having purchased a all buses day ticket, was taken to travel back via Alfreton and on the final route get off at the big 'M's' just short of base.  Travel frustrations aside this had been one of the best 0-0 games I had seen and a thoroughly enjoyable visit yet again to a step 8 game for a highly entertaining Wirksworth derby.

MATCH ABANDONED ONE MINUTE

EASTWOOD CFC 0 V OLLERTON TOWN 0 [MATCH ABANDONED 1 MINUTE FOG]
NOTTS SENIOR CUP ROUND FOUR @ CORONATION PARK
22 JANUARY 2020 --- 7.45PM

WE CAN SEE YOU OTHER THERE WELL JUST

'Hello Guinness Book of Records.......one minute you say.......you're a record breaker'.  The famous book would probably have been interested in this one and I'm approaching the age were I thought I might just have seen it all but clearly that's not the case as the match officials appeared to dither and then abandoned a game when conditions were better than when they started it.
Before anybody shouts Scotland in Estonia, called off inside three seconds, there was only one team turn up there and here both and a nice sized crowd were in attendance.  Eastwood again what could I write about after quite a few 3G rescuing visits in this seasons wet and now foggy wrecked affair its a funny old game and brings its own unique story to tonight's events.  Having made the trip over with Mr W from the Sheffield Parish arrival in the bar for a warm drink an hour before kick off saw a low lying mist and fog drift in and out but above the first couple of feet it was clear by kick off the opposite touchline was just about visible and referee James Tewson started proceedings only to be signalled by assistant Andrew Chislett McDonald to say he couldn't see.  How this wasn't sorted before the start I know not as conditions did not worsen in the first minute now in fairness to the referee as he took the players off the fog dropped and for the next five minutes was quite dense. 
As we made the journey back to the main side the fog cleared and the whole pitch came back into sight, out came the players and match officials who dithered and after ten minutes, that we could have been playing, finally walked off at funereal pace to discuss a restart.  A shame here that neither assistant had initially come out with their flags or left them pitch side when we could have started a lot quicker, anyway after a short dressing room stop the officials re appeared again in slow motion the whole thing felt like cricket umpires being slow hand clapped by the crowd as they faff about making a decision to restart play.

CLEARER NOW THAN ALL NIGHT DECISION MATCH ABANDONED

The rolling fog was still allowing opposite touchlines to be viewed and the referee once again delayed any re start before finally calling proceedings to a halt at around ten past eight with conditions the best they had been all night and certainly better than the ones he started the match in.
Most people will know from this blog that it is on the whole massively supportive of our referees but this one left a few questions that probably we can all learn from mine will be to never bother attending night games again when the weather will be 50/50 because even the 3G could not save us.  To further qualify the referee all the NSC games were abandoned tonight around the hour mark and this may well have happened here of course but at least we could have given it a go.  Thankfully with many spectators unsure of what was happening Eastwood responded positively with vouchers for the next game for tonight's crowd.
A strange night that left a selection of questions about how this may have been handled differently but of course at the end of the day its down to the opinion of the referee, while accepting fog is a fluid situation, but as ever supporters seem to be out of the loop and these situations further backs Tony Incenzo's call to bring in a protocol for non league postponements.  Thankfully I had not had to write this straight after the game like managers who are compelled to do interviews immediately otherwise my thoughts may not have been as considered.

TAKE ME HOME COUNTRY ROAD

ASHOVER 4 FAIRFIELD 0
HOPE VALLEY PREMIER LEAGUE @ ASHOVER PARISH HALL
18 JANUARY 2020 --- 2PM

THE HOME OF ASHOVER FC

Two goal in either half including a brace from Ryan Booker was enough for Ashover to close the gap to one point on their Buxton based rivals and give long serving manager Don Carline a real go at the top four spot with games in hand on their fellow challengers.
The annual visit to Ashover Fc would take me along the country roads that feel like were you would want to be your home as you arrive in the beautiful village of stone buildings, pretty streets and the home to three pubs.  The village also is home to a well renowned butchers and now a coffee shop/Post Office plus of course my required tuck shop which I visited again today offering homemade cakes, sausage rolls and a selection of general store items alongside a mini coffee shop its well worth visiting Anna who has been in the village for over 50 years now.  The look around Ashover has been well covered in previous blogs so I wont re visit but needless to say if you fancy a little trip off the beaten track to see some what is in reality step 8 football this is well worth the effort.  The Hope Valley League purely for its Peak District location offers some excellent grounds with views and exquisite villages and Ashover is no different.

ROLLING HILLS ALL AROUND

Regular readers will know that manager Don Carline has been in charge now for 35 years and counting and after a mid morning call back from him to say the game was definitely on, which was a surprise as most of the higher level games were off but Don was confident he had already put the nets up and everything was good to go.
The local service bus dropped me in the village just over an hour before kick off and after a walk round the streets and of course the 'Tuck Shop' call it was time to move onto the Milken Lane ground.  The playing surface has a famous across pitch slope and was a little damp in places bur sure was ready for ninety minutes and after a greeting from the boss and a few of the players known to the blog we were underway with the whistle of referee Stuart Gould who was strangely from Buxton.


FAIRFIELD FIRST HALF ATTACK

Former Sheffield United player Ryan Booker was just off target in the opening minutes for Ashover before Fairfield got the upper hand Jamie Prince tried to lob Jordan Price in the home goal but the keeper was wise to it.  Then remarkably you knew it would not be the Buxton sides day when they hit the bar twice through Ashley Thorpe and Lewis Betts.  Eight minutes before the break Ashover took the lead and then that it was doubled two minutes before the break when Booker powered home a header form a corner off the right.

RYAN BOOKER POWERS A HEADER TOWARDS GOAL MOMENTS LATER HE REPEATED THE EFFORT TO SCORE THE SECOND GOAL

The second half again saw Fairfield in the ascendancy when Rhys Chadwick, Joel Donnelly and Stone all went close, but in most games I have seen with Ashover involved this was roles reversed as they found goals against the run of play.  Mid-way through the half a ricocheted clearance n the box flew back in off a fellow Fairfield player to make it 3-0 and then on full time the goal of the game saw Booker make it four when he fired home a superb strike on the volley from 20 yards out.  At that the referee blew for full time before the restart could take place their was a suggestion that he had blown before the ball crossed the line somewhat like Clive Thomas in the World Cup in 1978 to deny Brazil a goal.
So for the first time Ashover they had gained all three points since I have blogged them and that probably stopped Mr Carline from telling me to take that country road home and don't come back.  Great game and a refreshing afternoon.

FOLLIS EXTENDS VILLA LEAD AT TOP OF THE TABLE

SHEFFIELD UNITED 0 ASTON VILLA 1
THE FA WOMEN CHAMPIONSHIP
12 JANUARY 2020 --- 2PM

EMMA FOLLIS VILLA GOAL SCORER TAKES A FIRST HALF CORNER

Emma Follis swept home the only goal of the game for Villa early in the second half to double their previous three point lead against a Sheffield United side who would have gone top if they could have found a victory from this top of the table clash.
After heavy overnight rain and a morning splashing about in The Chesterfield and District Sunday Football League the option of this game came as a pleasant one after seeing The Blades take on Coventry United in The Continental Cup a few weeks earlier in a entertaining affair this one would pit second against first respectively.
There was no time to visit the KFC outside so after meeting Mr R of Platform One again we opted for two drinks and one double Yorkie for £6.20 let the cash registers roll, non league would have covered two substantial outings to the snack bar for this but hey ho.  Last time out the programme was poor and although this time double the effort it was still £2 and a much better read.

UNITED HAVE AN EARLY ATTACK REPELLED BY THE VILLA DEFENCE

Chesterfield and their home ground of The Proact offers a smart venue and with crowds rising by the week for The Blades its creating a good atmosphere for the players and today 1,157 were in attendance to support both sides including a section of Mollie Green fans who is on loan until the end of the season from Manchester United, she would come on to make her debut as a second half substitute.
Quick look at the action and after an enterprising start the second period of the opening half drifted away with both sides effectively cancelling one another out and probably a little frightened of making a costly mistake in such an important game.  The standout moment came when Follis struck the cross bar with a twenty five yard free kick but both sides went into the break level.

MOLLIE GREEN ON SHEFF UTD DEBUT FROM MANCHESTER UNITED

Maddy Cusack was involved early for The Blades but just off target and then the deciding moment of the game on 57 minutes provided the only goal of the match Shania Hayles hurtling down the right played in for Follis to fire home neatly.  However from a position in line with the final pass I'm afraid it was a missed offside, adjudged by all spectators in this part of the stand, by the dug out side assistant referee who was trailing play by some yards and was a bit of shame this would be the goal to decide the game much as it was a lovely move though.
Carly Ward made changes for United in the remaining minutes but even with top scorer Katie Wilkinson brought into the fray they could not find a breakthrough against a resolute Villa defence.  Sam Tierney hit the bar in the closing stages but much as their efforts and build up play deserved an equaliser they just could not find that final touch which remained elusive.
Once again a tremendous advert for the women's game with a superb amount of skill, determination and fitness on show from both sides as it looks like Aston Villa will march on to the league title now but Sheffield United should remain upbeat after an excellent showing that pushed the leaders all the way.  Looking forward to the next chance to take in a game at this level its certainly proving and entertaining set up and has an increasingly appreciative fan base.

FRENCH STRIKING AGAIN

ELY CITY 1 GODMANCHESTER ROVERS 1
THURLOW NUNN EASTERN COUNTIES PREMIER @ THE UNWIN GROUND
11 JANUARY 2020 --- 3PM

ELY CITY V GODMANCHESTER ROVERS OVERSEEN BY THE CATHEDRAL

This time its not the nation taking industrial action but the shooting boot of Ely frontman Harry French whose strike earned The Robins a more than deserved point which really should have been converted into all three in a second half dominance that just required one of their chances taken as chances went begging.
Back on the road, well rails to be more accurate, after around 2 months off after falling out of love with the trains with overcrowding and of course the busy pre Christmas spell all alongside the wet weather that makes the travelling a slight bit precarious.  Ely City had been on the cards for about two seasons but it never quite came about but today with the opportunity to be joined in explorations by Mr R of Platform One Parish was the time to re-emerge.

THE BUSINESS END AT THE UNWIN GROUND

Regular readers may be shocked here that apart from a seventeen minute late departure from base station just over two hours later we would arrive in Ely with the comfort of a seat all the way, I know its unbelievable.  But wait for this on the return journey arrival back at spire town on time with a seat again, who said train travel was a bind.
Sweeping into the station with the Greater Ouse adjacent to the rail line the large marina and 'ship of the Fens' Ely Catherdral offer a majestic approach from the north to what is on offer in this what would normally be small town but here of course city status reigns.  The approaching views were clearly at their best from the rail line embankment because after a walk into the city via the marina there was no photographic option but it was a chance to revisit this attractive little city since my only previous visit somewhere around the late 1980's.  The collection of shopping streets and approaching thoroughfares are filled with buildings of interest at eye level and many above your immediate viewing sightline as well.  The dominant feature of course remains the Cathedral which is superb in its central location and design, from the front view it always looks like its unfinished to one side but its central structure which is lit at night offers an amazing view from inside.  Sadly today there was not time to visit but I well remember paying the admission fee on my last visit of around £3.75 something I don't normally agree with but it was well worth it an impressive add on alongside it the former Abbey Church building this is a city and area well worth a day trip too.

A CLOSER LOOK AT THE MAIN STAND

With time pressing a walk out to the north of the city towards the ground found very quiet suburbs and as we approached the A10 Cambridge to Kings Lynn a walk through a small park area and via an underpass to get over the bustling link road found us emerging in the Ely Leisure Park.
Here alongside some entertainment establishments there was enough fast food and restaurant type facilities to keep a hopper happy for a seasons visits.  Beyond the site and the sporting side came to life with Rugby Union, Ely were home to Ipswich, hockey, tennis, squash, mini golf course, golf driving range and at the top end Demcom Park/Unwin ground today's ultimate destination.
With the forecast appearing to increase in speed rather than decrease we paid our entrance fee and obtained a very creditable programme effort which actually showed a club that were interested and proud of their effort, unlike so many nowadays.

YOU CANNOT BEAT A GOOD BACKDROP CAN YOU

All the facilities are on the turnstile side with to the left a small toilet block and wooden built flat terrace cover to the corner flag whereas to the right a whopping great stand in height anyway its narrow but deep with the changing rooms below.  Continuing on is large clubhouse and bar and at the front a small hang on cover for some weather protection.  Both ends are open as is the opposite side with two smart UPVC dug outs with added gutters only the best at Ely City.  A visit to the bar would find a nice collection of memorabilia including a fantastic scene from the clubs 1956 FA Cup game versus Torquay United with the crowd on a shallow terrace all dressed in suits and ties with flat caps.  Those of a nervous disposition may have to look away now but I'm going to talk toilets shortly, most of the club house has a fell of the 1980's from when the club moved here from their previous superbly named Paradise Ground included in this is a club that named its new ground after Doug Unwin who was associated with the from 1934 to 1999 and other little reminders of former club officials are also remembered.  'Toilets' I hear you say, well the three wall mounted urinals here are massive in fact in London they would probably have a guide price of half a million pounds and be sold as double bedroomed apartments.
Time to brave the weather it was a dark day with lights on from the start so pictures not the best again and with a scattering of drizzle midway through the first half we diverted for cover.  But to the action and with both sides not having the best of seasons mid tabled visitors Godmanchester would have been most hopeful with third bottom Ely dangerously close to the foot of the table with the sides below them having games in hand.  But The Robins had a new management team to give them hope and Ben Farmer and Luke McAvoy looked to have a young squad and the early exchanges found Goddy in the ascendancy and when they opened the scoring after ten minutes when Reece King crossed for Austen Diaper to divert the ball in from close range you feared for the home side.

AUSTEN DIAPER [9] GAVE GODMANCHESTER THE LEAD

However Ely mustered up a response and French was proving a nuisance to the visitors defence indeed he had fired wide before they had taken the lead he then proceeded to hit the post on 20 minutes but on the half hour mark he levelled when through one on one with keeper Niall Conroy he struck the ball powerfully enough that as it went through the keepers legs any touch could not stop it nestling in the back of the net.
Before half time the young striker was through again and probably should have scored but he fired wide as Conroy advanced.  With the wind at their backs hope sprung eternal that Ely could pick up three points in the second half.

ELY STRIKER HARRY FRENCH ON THE BALL

For most of the second period Ely who had defended the swirling high ball superbly well looked to give Godmanchester the same problems as the visitors struggled for most of the 45 minutes to cross the half way line.  Sub Josh Lowe swing in a superb ball off the right and fellow bench man Marcio Pereira missed his header by a hairs breadth.  A lower tempting cross from Harry McGregor shortly after was just missed by French and at the far post sliding in saw Mitch Drewitt was just off target.  It was Drewitt moments later who struck the post as The Robins mounted a charge it was all getting so exciting that the blogger even got a bit aerated with dug out side assistant referee who had given what seemed a reason, to it has to be said very respectful home bench who were quite calm, upon their frustration at the referee stopping a quickly taken Ely free kick.  Said assistant then decided after over an hour of both managers and physio standing that only two should be, something he reminded them when jogging past on two occasions and I felt he was being a little busy shall we say and mentioned it at slightly raised decibel, not sure how he would have reacted if the two benches were badly behaved, something they were clearly not.

TIFFIN ELY OPERATED ROBINS NEST SNACK BAR TESTED BY MR R

Anyway the closing stages did see the visitors advance over the half way line and Jordan Patrick on loan from St Ives skied a sitter into row z, had there been one, with an effort that would have won it.  But the plus points finished with Ely when a swirling cross held up at the near post of visiting keeper Conroy who had to frantically claw away the high ball twice in the same move to deny The Robins the three points their efforts deserved.
Godmanchester had started very strongly but Ely in the end could have made an argument for scoring five however after going one down they showed spirit and fight when they could have so easily buckled so a promising start for their new management duo in their attempt to pull away from the foot of the table.

THE EVENING BECKONS AT ELY CITY FC

A walk of determination back to Market Street for post match meal from The Fish House and while balancing chips and fish cake we walked back towards the station even with time for some added provisions from thee big T's for the train journey back to Spire.  An enjoyable afternoon in a smart little town watching an entertaining game in trying conditions both sides gave it their all and to add to that a highly successful day on the trains, there is something you never thought you would read on here.

COOK SERVES UP TEVIE TREAT

KIMBERLEY MW 0 TEVERSAL 4
EMCL @ THE STAG GROUND
8 JANUARY 2020 --- 7.45PM

A FINE PAIR OF DUG OUTS AT KIMBERLEY MW FC

Teversal manager Lee Cook normally ends his social media comments with 'Cook out' well after this display he may have to finish with 'Cook in' for his side absolutely bossed this game from start to finish and whether this was part of the plan you can only credit the manager and then of course his side with their efforts.  Kimberley are developing a reputation as a young side who can play football, if you let them and this was the point tonight as Teversal gained just their fourth league win of the season with a display that failed to give the home side any time on the ball from the first whistle to the last through the hard work of the side and a dominant performance from central defender Joshua Barker.
Midweek football looks less attractive than ever as the age counter goes up but today was fairly mild and with rain staying away until the second half it proved an entertaining and worthwhile night at a ground that is good to spectate on.  As ever with a quick re-visit a brief blog providing a little comment from the encounter.
Surprisingly it was a smooth journey out all relatively on time with a change at Alfreton the destination was arrived at just after 7pm and a pleasant greeting from Mr O of the Burnley FC catalogue Parish.  Not too much corporate gear on tonight but because as I missed his picture at the recent Basford game there has of course been a request for a recent one from his numerous fans and who am I to refuse.
Walking round to stand on the banking we both proffered this looked like a home win with Teversal third from the foot of the table the following ninety minutes showed just what we know about football.

MR O IN FASHIONABLE MODE AS EVER AS HE ANTICIPATES TONIGHTS ENCOUNTER

Teversal started off well and it was no shock when Aaron Pride gave them the lead with a powerful header from a right hand side corner after 13 minutes.  When they went into half time two up it was no misrepresentation of their performance indeed Ryan Damms had also hit the bar but the second was a lovely worked free kick former Clay Cross player Ben Meadley was fouled the free kick to the far side of the box was headed back by Glenn Fidler and in the middle Danny Fullwood volleyed home for a superb finish.
The second period found home keeper Richard Stainsby in fine form pulling off some vital stops that denied Teversal making the score line more accurately display their dominance but they did double their advantage with Fullwood feeding Damms who finished after 53 minutes and then nine minutes later the reverse partnership saw the former finish to make it four and secure his brace.
A superb little performance from Teversal which must warm the hearts of their players, fans and management team who have not had too much to keep them upbeat this season, so far anyway.
The return efforts were very close with a one minute connection in Ripley before the local taxi hire company shipped me back home from a further enjoyable evening at Kimberley MW FC and a more than creditable game.

NEW YEAR AND THE STRUGGLE GOES ON FOR SHIREBROOK

SHIREBROOK TOWN 0 CLIFTON AW 2
EMCL @ LANGWITH ROAD
4 JANUARY 2020 --- 3PM

THE DUSK SWEEPS IN ON LANGWITH ROAD

Happy New Year but whisper it quietly around Shirebrook Town for it may be a new year but the
search for the first home league win of the season goes on with the debut game of 2020 ending in a narrow loss to fellow strugglers Clifton.  It could all have been so different for the Langwith Road buys who summed up their league position by missing a collection of chances, including a penalty, in the opening fifteen minutes but when those same openings came along for the visitors they snapped them up along ultimately with the three points.

SIMON JOHNSON GETS 5.7 FOR THE SWAN DIVE

Today it needed to be local and a trip to Shirebrook is always one of my favourites and with Mr R from the officialdom Parish in town today a trip to and from the theatre of dreams was a welcome addition and I think made up the first Saturday of the season that had not been undertaken by the
public transport system of this country and the X1 would have to pine for me today.  As ever it was nice to catch up with the cracking old ground and Ian from the club who would undertake his raffle duties with the usual efficiency during first half proceedings.

REFEREE REES CHECKS HE HAS HEARD THE LANGWITH ROAD TERRACE COMMENTS CORRECTLY

Any revisit and more so if regular is always difficult to find anything new to say or photograph but hopefully there is the odd snippet within here.  With a fair amount of time to go to kick off I opted to try the snack bar and the new fad plant based diet was enacted with a chip cob and some sauce followed at half time with soup, well there was some plants in there somewhere.  The half time soup by the next morning had reignited the old conundrum 'why does cup a soup at football burn your mouth', I have never yet managed to succeed in keeping my mouth intact even if I have left it for a whole half and drunk it stone cold it still does the damage.

LIAM JEPSON SEES HIS EARLY PENALTY SAVED

With Borrowash under new orders and picking points up it was imperative for Shirebrook second from the foot of the table to pick up some points but with no money and a young side it looks
increasingly difficult without some investment.  With no home league victory all season and only two away victories including the chance to do a double over Clifton today the ominous signs of their last home outing a 10-2 defeat to Hucknall was hanging over the old place.

SHIREBROOK KEEPER PIOTR STYRCHARZ CALLED UPON TO DENY THE VISITORS

Expecting little with both sides short on form it was a heart warming start by Town who were out of the traps at a pace that shocked the visitors Simon Johnson, managers brother and new addition since my last visit, was making the old legs go and he fired just wide before Robbie Savage also fractionally missed the target.  Moving down the slope with a purpose Johnson went over with a cracking fall that would have won awards if there were any this afternoon referee Rees waving away his audacious appeal before just shy of the quarter of an hour mark they were awarded a penalty when Johnson was brought down by Tobias Richardson.  Hope sprung eternal a spot kick to give Shirebrook the lead, yes the lead, although it was slammed back in its box shortly afterwards when George Warren flung himself to his right to save from the kick from Liam Jepson.

BROTHERLY TEAM WALK AS SIMON CONSULTS MANAGER JORDAN

Straight up the other end and the first Clifton attack of intent Kyle Stovell put in a tantalising low cross that Poitr Strycharz could only palm away and Jevon Seaton was on hand to tuck the ball away.
Shirebrook's chins visibly dragged on the floor it was happening again was a regroup possible well it was a continued worry as Strycharz saved well from Kimani Wilson as he broke through.  Half time beckoned but with four minute to go to the break a wonderful finish from 20 yards as Seaton side footed the ball into the roof of the Shirebrook net with a confidence belying the visitors league position.

ACROBATIC STRYCHARZ SAVE

Shirebrook battled away in the second half all the good stuff was coming through Jepson and centrally in attack from the evergreen Johnson both who had chances that went close and the home sides luck was summed on 64 minutes when the lofty Jepson broke through his 20 yard strike
beat keeper Warren but struck the post with the rebound flying back into the stranded keepers arms.
The closing stages saw Johnson and Richardson come together with the latter going for the Guinness Book Of Records chest pushes in a short period of time referee Rees was in generous mood and gave both players a 'talking to' and then as they walked away the contretemps continued and a yellow card was awarded to both.
Clifton closed strongly but Town keeper Strycharz was alert to push over a fine header from the Clifton substitute.

THE LIGHT SPRINGS ETERNAL AT SHIREBROOK TOWN

Shirebrook have previously seen some semi glory days with a flirtation of so nearly appearing in the Northern Premier League with excitable and partisan crowds which can still be witnessed down the popular side but the amount of 'old uns' offering up some pearls of wisdom is now sadly reducing.  Overall the downfall of the town and area in industrial terms must have had an affect on the club but the long serving and hardworking committee and current managers must take credit for their continued efforts and commitment to the club and it can only be hoped the revival starts soon for Shirebrook Town.

WHAT HAPPENED THERE

GEDLING MW 3 HEANOR TOWN 3
EMCL @ PLAINS ROAD
28 DECEMBER 2019 --- 3PM

HEANOR TOWN JUMPING FOR JOY BY HALF TIME ANYWAY AS JORDAN BALL IS MADE TO CELEBRATE

The half time whistle had been blown by referee Meng, the game was over Heanor led by three goals and the gap between the two sides was so large in the action that there was no way back, however by the time the same whistle shrilled for full time Gedling had flipped the coin on its head and put Heanor too the side with a triple set of net busters that left the Derbyshire visitors looking forlorn.
The mid season of festivities would once again see a local game being taking in around the
Nottingham area thanks to my new love obsession the X1 and after going all the way, this time, a brief move to an adjacent stop from The Victoria Bus Station would soon see the Nottingham City Transport service whisk me away to Mapperley.  City transport seems to be funded, generally, a lot better with Nottingham being a fine example new double decker's across priority routes, ten minute frequencies and the only down side being no contactless and the archaic correct fare system.  Having secured the £4.20 day ticket fare in advance we were ready and I did want to say this was a sh*t service purely for comedic value. Because the new fleet on this route are all bio fuel conversant vehicles which having read the colourful blurb that advices passengers that they area traveling thanks to farm waste and sewage, now where is the bell I want to get off.

REFEREE MENG DISCUSS A WARDROBE MALFUNCTION FOR JORDAN BALL

Arriving early allowed for an amble to the ground, which has been covered before, so only to say its a ground that's tight to the pitch, offers lots of cover and on the Plains Road side a lofted viewing position.  The posh pepper and ginseng soap is still in the loos or at least the bottles are refilled but its a clean set up and the café serves up a nice chip cob alongside a pleasant greeting by the ladies too,
Before the game there was time to catch up with a few people including Mr O of the Burnley Parish alongside a few other visitors.  It was also a pleasure to catch up again, this time with a chat, with Referee Fanran Meng and time allowed for a brief conversation about footy of course.  No problems obtaining team sheets which are readily available from the snack bar in a club that's clearly organised.
A top of the table clash awaited with the prospects of a feisty well fought encounter but I have to say it never really hit those heights although I guess if you are a Gedling fan it was just the game for you.
Heanor took the lead on nineteen minutes and never looked back for the remainder of the half Dean Gent put his arms around the waist of Tristan Mathews who felt the contact and went down Jamie Sleigh struck his penalty well but Keaton Sharpe pulled off an excellent stop only for the ball to fall back to the striker who slotted away.  The goal of the first half fell to Jordan Ball when he smashed home a thirty yard half volley the like of which he may never do again it was looking ominous for the home side and when two minutes before the break Mathews fed Kyle Daley who coolly lifted the ball over Sharpe to make it three nil, it looked 'game over'.  Before the break the home sides Kieran Harrison showed what was to come when his 25 yard free kick struck the bar.

HOPITALITY BOOTHS WATCH OVER THE MATCH

The second period had been rather mundane for its opening exchanges and then Harrison hit the game, a long range effort saved by White and then just shy of the hour mark he hit a low free kick that drifted in and off the inside of the far post with White glued to his spot.  As Gedling started to hope Curtis Millward saw his back post header pushed over and from hope to belief on 77 minutes when the goal of the second half saw Harrison convert an absolute screamer from 25 yards into the top of the Heanor net.  The ultimate game of two halves was secured with four minutes of the ninety left when Paolo Pilero turned the ball in to send the home fans into a festive frenzy.

CLEARLY MY CURRENT LOVE INTEREST

Return was fairly simple except for the 47 driver outside the ground missing my proffered arm out for him to stop luckily retracting it in time before losing it he saw me and stopped 100 yards down the road as I frantically turned off the about to activate loud curse button.