MAYFIELD COME OUT ON TOP IN TIBSHELF TUSSLE

TIBSHELF 2 MAYFIELD 4

MRA PREMIER DIVISION AT SHETLAND ROAD

4 SEPTEMBER 2021 --- 2PM

TIBSHELF V MAYFIELD MRA PREMIER ACTION

Early season results often count for nothing but lets make no mistake a storming first half from Mayfield laid down a firm marker to the MRA Premier Division with Tibshelf though battling all the way.  The first half performance though was enough to give them a two goal cushion and they were grateful for it in a goalless second half had the home side taken four good chances in the closing stages who knows where the points would have ended up.

A SCENIC SETTING AT SHETLAND WAY

The joys of a visit to Tibshelf were part of a blog during last seasons curtailed fixtures so I wont go into them again except to say The Oilmen take their name from the village being the site of the first inland oil well in Britain and the village status was put to question went the main station of three took on the title 'Tibshelf Town'.  Of course there was mile runner Tom Hullatt alongside the local collieries which made way for the five pits trail linking up the five major sites but all this can be seen in last seasons blog.  Once again I had arrived umbrella in hand with the forecast of drizzle and this seems to be a regular occurrence for me when visiting Shetland Road after last seasons constant deluge, today though it would remain fully folded thankfully.

MAYFIELD TAKE THE LEAD FROM THE PENALTY SPOT

The pitch sits is in a neat country feel setting but with one of the former pit and ponds just beyond the boundary their are clearly links to the areas industrial past.  The ground previously had a cricket pitch with small score box situated besides the changing rooms sadly now the red ball game has disappeared from the village.  Its a symptom probably of the loss of the pits and this is seen non more so on arrival with the large welfare still all boarded up and car park overgrown you can only imagine these buildings in their heyday.  Arrival had today been by hike again and the ten mile round trip would be a relief after last weeks twenty mile effort to Rowsley 86.  Another help on travels to some of the local grassroots games is communication and once again a thank you to Clem for advising the game was all okay for a 2pm kick off.

STEVE WEBSTER HOLDS OFF THE CHALLENGE

The journey in had been pretty uneventful but by the time the first forty five minutes had been completed made very worthwhile.  Within three minutes the visitors led through a well struck Conor Mason penalty but by the time the clock went round into double figures Tibshelf were level thanks to a wonderful 20 yard strike from Jordan Macaskill.  The pace of the game was set to blistering on the monitor and just before the quarter of an hour mark Tibshelf's defence were drawn to the Mayfield wide man who approached the danger area allowing him to slip the ball across to Sam Howard to slot the ball home.

SAM HOWARD GETS THE SECOND FOR MAYFIELD

Settle down now as the famous comedian Ken Godwin used to cry at his audiences well there was no chance here as the home side levelled once again within four minutes of going behind this time it was the ever dangerous front man Steve Webster who directed a perfect header across the goalkeeper into the far corner of the visitors net following a free kick off the left.  

STEVE WEBSTER RIGHT OF PICTURE MAKES IT 2-2

The game had a short spell of a goal drought, but play was no less entertaining, that was until 27 minutes when a sweet corner off the left found the visitors Zack Yates whose powerful deflective header flew into the back of the Tibshelf goal.  

THE RACE IS ON

This time the home side could not find an immediate reply and on the stroke of half time Mayfield extended their lead to a two goal advantage with a lovely move of free flowing football that ended with Sam Handley converting.

So arriving at half time there was a need for a breather for those watching never mind the players of both sides who had contributed to a highly watchable forty five minutes.

During the interval on here I would like to also thank Mayfield for a photo of their team sheet plus mention debut season at this level following his promotion referee Jack Simpson who had a very competent performance which overall showed a good reading of this game today alongside taking the necessary action when needed.  It is to be hoped the game keeps the young referees many who are showing some real promise we of course need them if the beautiful game is to continue through all levels.

MAYFIELD ON THE ATTACK THIS TIME

Second half thoughts were 'could this live up to the first?', well clearly it would be a challenge to keep that intensity up and although the game calmed off in the sense of goal tally it was no less entertaining to watch.  No goals and with time ticking away it looked as though Mayfield would take home the three points but in the final quarter Tibshelf had the chances to get back into the game and maybe claim the points.  Striker Webster hit the side netting before rising superbly for a header that he just couldn't direct onto the target, they also hit the bar and in the final minute a superb full length save from visiting number one Jack Bates denied them again.

SAM HANDLEY MAKES IT FOUR

Once again grassroots football as per Hope Valley League games I have seen have produced entertaining matches and the Midlands Regional Alliance can join that merry band a great effort from both sides that kept the small crowd attentive throughout.  

MAYFIELD ARE FLYING NOW