IN TRAINING

IN TRAINING
The inevitable happened when all non league fixtures were called off and what will certainly be the end of the football season for the vast majority has taken place.  My season end would appear to be a dour encounter between Shirebrook and Teversal just under two weeks ago.  For a season that had been disrupted by the wet weather this pales into insignificance as we face our latest challenge and it just goes to show the community binding of all sports.


THE NOISE OF A 37 HERE HEADING SOUTH WITH NETWORK RAIL TEST CARRIAGES

As events gradually closed down I had taken to TV sport with horse racing from Uttoxeter, BBL
Basketball National Trophy and then boxing eliminators for the Olympics.  Horse racing remained behind close doors and then that option fell through and there was to be no sport even on the goggle box.  The big shame here is that the national free to air broadcaster have not taken to showing any classic games of the past in football or even a repeat of some of the recent English cricket success which may just boost morale.

NOT ONE BUT FOUR 20S ON THE WAY SOUTH FROM BARROW HILL

Non league fans are looking for snippets of football on twitter accounts and some have kept this
going as well as they can Matlock Town being very active alongside Malcom Storer who is now featuring some on this day blogs and yes Malc people are reading them and enjoying them keep up the good work.  Added to this was the blog from Nick Palmer about his trip north of the border which say his game called off but turned into a lovely little mini tour of Edinburgh.  Keep them coming guys.

THE NEW OVERGROUND SET BEING DRAGGED BACK TO WORKSOP

Over the last few days I had taken to a few brief visits to the local junction to take some of the wide
selection of engines that pass along the Midland Main line and Erewash.  There aren't many men not interested in trains I guess and the services of passengers trains, especially with using them, has always been of interest.

EMR MERIDIAN HEADING TO SHEFFIELD

However I never quite understood the idea of photographing freight but over the last few weeks with help my knowledge has built up thanks to the assistance of Dave L and Barry D who have kept me up to date with anything of interest.

A BEAUTIFULLY TURNED OUT 31 ON ITS WAY TO BARROW HILL EX BURTON WETMORE

Having always followed the tracker system while travelling I struggled with the signal system
that allows you to track a service but all of a sudden it slotted into place what was happening and now I have to learn a bit more lingo, so apologies if I name something wrong or use a wrong title.

TESCO TRAIN FROM TEES TO DAVENTRY DISTRIBUTION CENTRE

But in this time of no sport I thought I would share these pictures.  The highlights have been many undoubtedly at the top was the Union of South Africa which featured on the Shirebrook blog as it steamed north bound to York.

NOTTINGHAM TO LEEDS NEW NORTHERN 3 CAR 195

Thanks to all bloggers, twitter accounts and football and sports fans who are keeping things going with topics of interest or back in the days articles it really is encouraging.  Hopefully we can get underway again next season and in the meantime here is sending you all very best wishes.

EMR DOUBLE SET HEADING NORTH TO SHEFFIELD

CHUFFING SHIREBROOK

SHIREBROOK TOWN 1 TEVERSAL 2
EMCL @ LANGWITH ROAD
7 MARCH 2020 --- 3PM

REFEREE KARL BAINNBRIDGE IN THE MIDST OF THE ACTION

The undoubted highlight of this day was witnessing probably the final mainline running of the Union of South Africa as it steamed its way from Ealing to York on a excursion.  On a football front this was a game that was dire to say the least with Teversal gaining the three points and leapfrogging Shirebrook who dropped back into the relegation zone, but football there was little of it.

UNION OF SOUTH AFRICA ADDING TO THE DAY

Usual route via a brisk walk to Holmewood for a Pronto and then 23 at Pleasley saw arrival in the Market Place just after 1.30pm.  Today though there was a unique opportunity to see the Union of South Africa steam north off the Erewash line and along with a large collection of train spotters and interested locals take in this beauty.

KURTIS MORLEY RECEIVES CONGRATS FOR HIS EARLY GOAL

The last knockings of the market were winding down and after the obligatory visit to the Coop for pre match provisions it was off to Langwith Road this time by another route that brought me out above the ground on the edge of neighbouring village Langwith.  Being a little later today the whippets were just winding down and arrival for a circuit of the ground was shortly afterwards achieved.  It was good to catch up with many of the regulars and thanks to Sam for finding me out with the team sheet which was much appreciated.  We also had an interesting chat about the merits of pre match in the Coop and the Model Chippy.

JOSH TURNER GETS A SHOT AWAY FOR SHIREBROOK

The game got off to a superb start for Shirebrook when recent signing Kurtis Morley lashed home the ball from 20yards out to settle the early nerves after just twenty seconds, its here I guess that the home side would have willingly called an end to the proceedings and bagged all three points.
Shirebrook had chances to extend their lead but Josh Turner narrowly fired wide and then saw Cameron Barke save his one on one effort.  For Shirebrook it all went wrong on 34 minutes Teversal had been increasing their pressure without any real threat when the defence gifted the ball to Danny Fullwood who fired home from a tight angle.

MONTELLE KAMARA LOOKS FOR THE PASS

The second period saw the game gradually affected by a strengthening wind but there was still little constructive football being played as Shirebrook looked two yards off the pace and appeared unable to close down Teversal who became more dominant.  It was no surprise on the hour mark when they took the lead Liam Vardy powered through on the inside right and drove home a superb strike past Daniel Hartshorn in the home goal.

DANNY FULLWOOD FIRES HOME THE EQUALISER FOR TEVERSAL

Shirebrook could muster an effort from Morley that came back off the post but that was about it really as Teversal more than comfortably saw out the remaining time to secure a victory that would see them go clear on goal difference but with three games in hand it drops Shirebrook back into real trouble.  The early resurgence may now be over after two wins against Rainworth and Radford and narrow defeats away at Belper United and Sherwood they have failed to beat both of the sides around them in the relegation struggle.  Today they were not good enough and as so often happens sides seem up for it against higher placed teams but then cant do it against the teams they need to secure victory against.

TEVERSAL MANAGER LEE COOK EXPLAINS THE LAWS OF THE GAME TO REFEREE BAINBRIDGE

For Teversal who were just grateful to get a game on this is a massive victory that goes a long way towards trying to preserve their status and will give them the confidence to achieve the victories that will secure this.

SHIREBROOK BENCH WATCHES THE ACTION

Return was via the usual route but with a delayed Pronto at Pleasley I was immediately away after departing the 23 and back a little earlier to see the returning carriages from the morning excursion pulled by a diesel for its journey back.

3.35 AT DONCASTER

SELSTON RES 3 WAKEFIELD AFC RES 5
CMFL DIV 1 NORTH @ RH ACADEMY PLEASLEY
29 FEBRUARY 2020 --- 3PM

SELSTON V WAKEFIELD AFC SOMEHOW THIS ONE GOT AWAY

A couple of weeks ago the continuing horrendous weather that's summed up this season saw an afternoon of TV sport replace football and once again I was asking myself would it not have been better to have watched the 3.35 from Doncaster.  With no disrespect to these two sides who served up a goal fest the journey and afternoon was once again wrecked by the weather that just will not leave this football season.  You can ask Selston who have an amount of games as a first team that shortly means they will be playing eight games in a week but today the reserves had made an excellent call and switched their game to the Mansfield Town Academy in Pleasley and the asset of a 3g pitch was called upon.

PLEASLEY PIT AND COUNTRY PARK LOOK OUT TOWARDS MANSFIELD

All non league fans know this has been a wet, wet, wet season and with postponements littering the fixtures since October the last few weeks have added to the damp stuff storms which conveniently arrive on a Saturday.  This week would be no different and after the end of week downpours there remained very little on but thanks to Malc Storer for the excellent blog this game was discovered late and about as far as I wanted to journey out.  Games are made more trying by the use of public transport and today wold be very much a early repeat of last weeks Shirebrook trip.

WE HAD HOME SOME WATER IN THE LAST FEW DAYS AGAIN

Starting out to walk the three miles to Holmewood to pick up the Pronto service to Pleasley it looked all fine but a mile in I was sheltering from the first of the hail and sleet storms, arriving in time for the bus the wonders of technology the Stagecoach tracker advised me the bus was a few minutes away.  Ten minutes later the system said the bus was well passed my stop but a big purple double decker had clearly not gone through as I sheltered from the second hail storm.  The decision to walk on a few stops to move time on before the next service provided the usual response when 100 yards away up the bus turned up thankfully the driver was a kindly chap and within ten minutes or so the arrival in Pleasley was with us.

RH ACADEMY MANSFIELD TOWN FC

Pleasley is an obscure place to describe the north of the River Meden which divides the village is in Derbyshire while to the south its Nottinghamshire.  Pleasley Vale is a hidden gem with mills by the river in its own wonderful gorge which was a pleasure to walk through a few years ago but the older part of the village has been split by the small dual carriageway section that is the A617.  Alighting at Pit Lane in fine weather the former pit which is now saved with its 2 headstocks and more importantly the engine house this after the collieries closure in 1986.  The former industrial site now forms part of an impressive country park which offers some excellent views of Mansfield just a few miles down the road.
Departure saw the arrival of the third hail and sleet storm this time the longest of the day lasting all the way along the mile or so walk to the ground which was undertaken by the small mill and wharf in the village towards the back streets of Pleasley Hill before coming back out onto the A617 which will be noticeably to many as the former pit terrace houses that hugged this road for a mile on the west side.

EARLY MATCH ACTION FOR SCOTT TAYLOR

The Radford Hymas Academy was arrived at just after 2.30pm and although I had seen a game or two before I don't think they were blogged.  The Mansfield Chairman John Radford and fellow director Steve Hymas have invested well in this site and it is a credit to the club.  A main building is backed up by 'the barn' a smart conversion offering a gym and further changing rooms with the 3g caged pitch and a excellent grass pitch which was part waterlogged today there are also mini pitches.  The kitchen was open as normal when I have attended although I did not use it today onward to the caged area with a small Atcost stand on the half way line the only down side is only one side is open to spectators and then its on 2/3rds.
Today I didn't bother with team sheets but thankfully Selston provided a Twitter feed and Wakefield a confirmation of scorers which was excellent well done to both.

ARRON DARCH STRIKES A POSE

The first half started in nice weather but with a strong wind and in fairness produced little to excite, it was though Selston who started to get the upper hand with Josh Bullock and Scott Taylor testing the visiting keeper.  But then the game turned on its head with the visitors scoring three times in seven minutes opening the scoring on 38 minutes when take your pick here as I do not have a list
Napoleon Petridis or Owen Kirman [debut] raced through to score either way it was the number 7.  The lead was doubled through when Jake Ashton saw his strength beat the defender and his shot beat the home keeper and then on the stroke of half time he got his second when he converted a sweeping cross off the left wing.

BOOTS TO MATCH THE KIT

Selston started a revival with two goals in 48 minutes and 53 minutes Oliver Roome saw his shot blocked and Josh Bullock converted and secondly Roome finished well at the back post to reduce the arrears further.  On the hour mark it looked like Selston had equalised when Scott Taylor headed in but referee Ollie Thornhill ruled it out for a push.  Wakefield responded by hitting a post and as the wind increased and the afternoon became ever colder their was a warming moment for Ashton as he made it 4-2 to the visitors and secured his hat trick by whipping home a 20 yard free kick on the hour mark.

CLOSE FIRST HALF ACTION AT THE RH

Still Selston came back and it as danger man Rome who forced the ball home from just inside the box to pull another goal back but at the other end Wakefield were not finished with scoring when following a cross off the left Petridis/Kirman [see earlier] finished the chance in the middle.  In the closing stages Taylor forced the visiting keeper into an excellent full length save and keep the score line 3-5 to Wakefield.  An entertaining encounter which would have been better with a calmer afternoon and a large radiator.
Oh yes the 3.35 at Doncaster winner Captain Chaos which just about sums up this weather affected football season.