SHIREBROOK HEROICS

SHIREBROOK TOWN 2 RADFORD 0
EMCFL @ LANGWITH ROAD
22 FEBRUARY 2020 --- 3PM

2-0 TO THE SHIREBROOK AS OWEN RYAN RECEIVES THE CONGRATULATIONS

Frantically looking for something new to use for yet another blog on Shirebrook the word 'hideous'
came to mind, steady, you see the famous writer D H Lawrence used the 'h' word to describe the town in a postcard in 1911.  But today I prefer another 'h' word heroes as the recently added crop of players and new management team battle to save this proud club from the threat of relegation to what effectively will be a county league next season.  Today with a goal in each half they not only battled a side Radford in seventh place in The EMCFL but an onslaught of a constant gale that whistled around Langwith Road and gave the club its second home league win of the season.

THE THEATRE OF DREAMS IN THE DISTANCE

My enjoyment of visits to Shirebrook astounds many but I like the place and more over the club who now have a fighting chance under its new chairman, management team and expanding crop of
players after their previous victory a few weeks ago versus Rainworth the loyal regulars could see the
improvements and after two narrow single goal away defeats the victory today further reiterated the terrace comments of how things are improving on the pitch.

ALL SHINY AND NEW PRONTO AS STAGECOACH TAKE OVERALL CONTROL

Travel was via the convoluted route a fifty minute march to Holmewood to pick up a Pronto operated by a brand new version since Stagecoach have taken over the whole route from their partnership with Trent Barton with a brief connection at Pleasley on the Shirebrook bound 23 I decided to depart at the Summit estate to try to gain a panoramic view of the ground.  Thankfully I achieved this from a highly placed footpath although the lack of bright paint around the Langwith Road ground makes it hard to spot.  Moving in to town via Carter Lane and past The Summit Go Local shop and former pub which still has its signs adjoined to its exterior I dropped across to Main Street passing The Old Barn venue where a collection of young ladies of the district were all gathered enjoying the comfort of a cigarette outside the celebration.  A lot of Main Street has a frightening amount of business closures along with Bolsover Council offices permanently closed and shuttered up with the strap line 'Bolsover a beautiful place to grow' clearly they may not have thought so.  Onwards to the Market Place and the obligatory visit to the Coop for pre match provisions and a slightly different walk along Thickley Close and the climb through the OAP bungalows to come out onto Langwith Road opposite the ground.

THERE IS NO TRUTH THAT SHIREBROOK HAS GONE TO THE DOGS

One of the attractions of an early arrival is the chance to witness The Shirebrook Staff Whippet racing Club in full training with the four legged speedsters appearing from all over as one trial ends more dogs turn up.  All this taking place outside the ground and I learned more about their big meets during the year and hopefully can get along to maybe even blog one.

A STUDIOUS SHIREBROOK MANAGER STEVE BATES

To the football then and having covered the ground on numerous occasions this season lets just say its still mightily impressive as a venue and after constant downpours the surface looked nearly dry the current problem would be the wind.  As ever it was good to catch up with the regulars around the club and meet up with the new Chairman today who looked further resplendent in his purchased Shirebrook Town hat.  The managers wife and previous 50/50 winner was in attendance as was the international man of mystery which was excellent to see.

CORPORATE HEADGEAR FOR MR CHAIRMAN

Seventh placed Radford arrived as a real threat to the current improvement in form of Shirebrook after their victory over Rainworth a couple of weeks ago narrow one goal losses at Belper United and champions elect Sherwood Colliery were excellent returns but points are the main requirement now.

EARLY ATTACK FROM LUKE MANLOVE

The early chances fell to Josh Turner who found himself in two one on one situations with visiting keeper Warren Squires who came off the better.  Visiting forward Akim Akimbinu met the wrath of the home supporters when he seemed to crumble in the penalty box although Radford viewed this a penalty but referee Ian Jenkins waived away the claim.  The half hour mark settled home sides nerves as Radford had come back into the game after a storming early start from Shirebrook it was Luke Manlove who raced up the left hand side before unleashing a lovely strike into the visitors goal.

THE STAND SWAYED  AS GEORGE SIMPSON STORMED FORWARD

The second period saw a newly purposed Radford with the winds at their backs but slowly 'Brook' took the wind out of their sails with Turner forcing Squires into a sharp save and then winger Luke Manlove cut in to dink the ball over the visiting number one only to see his effort fall just wide of the goal.  If anything now the wind was increasing in strength and the chances of quality football non existent but the work rate and effort of both sides was to the fore.  With that in mind Shirebrook were gaining the upper hand and doubled their lead on 64 minutes when a first touch for substitute Montelle Kamara saw his shot strike the post and Owen Ryan was on hand to fire home the loose ball to double the home sides lead.

SECOND HALF SHIREBROOK ATTACK

With twenty minutes to go captain Will Dodds received a harsh second yellow card and Shirebrook were down to ten men.  To this end there had been half a dozen cautions and a red on shown which made it look a naughty game something it wasn't and I suspect without an assessor, observer, in attendance would probably have contained just two yellows, their influence continues.

SQUIRES MAKES A SHARP SAVE TO DENY SHIREBROOK

The home side would now have to work even harder as Radford sensed their opportunity and on 88 minutes an attack that seemed certain to produce a goal was repelled, Conor Moore whipped in a swirling cross off the left that caught the wind and struck the bar the ball fell into the box and two shots were repelled one by a defenders chest and after five minutes stoppage time Shirebrook had seen a hard working victory secured.
Three points were and will continue to be valuable and a requirement for the remainder of the season if Shirebrook Town are to survive at this level for next season but do you know there is now tremendous hope around Langwith Road on a Saturday afternoon as a crowd of just over 100 appreciatively applauded their side off after a tremendous effort in trying conditions.