TUPTON TRIUMPH TO STAY TOP

NEW TUPTON IVANHOE 5 CALVER 1

HOPE VALLEY LEAGUE A DIVISION AT STATION NEW ROAD

2 OCTOBER 2021 --- 2PM

NEW TUPTON IVANHOE CLEAR THEIR LINES AGAINST CALVER

Another goal fest by Tupton with three in the opening ten minutes sent them to a convincing win against visitors Calver in a game played in dreadful weather with a constant downpour assisted by a strong wind as well.  Both sides battled away to put on a great match in these testing conditions but following last weeks disruption to their 100% record, following a narrow defeat to Tideswell, Tupton were straight back on the horse and riding past the winning post ninety minutes later

MARTIN CANTRILL IVANHOE JOINT MANAGER IN CLASSIC FOOTBALL POSE

There is no joy in a wet weekend in Tupton however a very wet Saturday and an Ivanhoe win would probably pacify most at the club into a higher plain of well being.  From a blog point of view the Hope Valley League of course is grassroots at its best but there is little in the way of protection from the elements save for a few well matured trees and a trusty umbrella for the small gathering.  It sure makes taking notes never mind photos difficult but hopefully there are a few from the afternoon to do the game justice.

Having covered Tupton over the last few seasons I wont disappear into too much about the village again or the clubs history apart from saying if you fancy a trip the ground it's on a regular bus route and only around 500 yards from the main A61 road by car, with The Tupton Tap and New Tupton Fish Bar both on hand to assist your visit.

PLAUDITS FOR DOMINIC COLLINS AND THE OPENING GOAL

The visitors Calver have also been covered a few times now and always with a steady team on show but so far this season they have secured just one victory following a few narrow losses so to the home side who have tasted victory three times with big goal difference victories this would not be an easy game. 

Having secured a ticket for my own tree it was probably not the cover of some of the trees around the pitch and I probably should have gone for the executive option for further protection but we were underway spot on time with the whistle of experienced referee Daryl White sounding out at 2pm.

BIT MORE DEFENSIVE WORK FOR TUPTON

[Calver players hopefully added when they publish their side].

The start almost blew me away never mind Calver three up inside the opening ten minutes when Dominic Collins found space to turn and fire home after just two minutes.  The early onslaught continued thanks to the ever busy Joe Holmes who fired home from close range after nine minutes and then just a minute later when Holmes provided a wonderful assist courtesy of a ball from one wing to the other that set John McArdle racing into the box and firing past the out coming keeper to make it three.

It was time now to get the goals noted, camera wiped and hold the brolly still multi tasking a real skill this afternoon.

Ivanhoe stormed on with Holmes seeing an effort superbly saved by the outstretched leg of the visiting number one and then in an unselfish act a ball across the box led to an offside flag when it would have been easier to be selfish and score.  Further advancement of the Tupton goal difference looked likely when McArdle raced into the box and was sent tumbling by the visiting defenders challenge but Ben Norman stepped up and although the ball was hit well the Calver keeper made a superb save flying mid air to his right to deny the striker.

Calver had been out of the opening thirty minutes of this game but just past the half hour mark warned Tupton not to be complacent when their number 11 crashed a twenty five yard effort off the crossbar.  

The game ended for home defender Adam Fern shortly afterwards when following a foul by the visitors number 9, for which he was cautioned,  he hobbled off injured to the touchline.

As Ivanhoe re organised they seemed to struggle and Calver sniffed a chance as they had their best spell of the game so far which resulted in them pulling a goal back on thirty nine minutes when a ricocheted clearance fell out wide the visitors number 9 was quick to react and he turned a shot back towards goal that took a glance of the head of home defender James Key as his despairing effort tried in vain to keep it out of the net.

IS THIS A FINE AS THE MANAGEMENT TAKE THEIR EYES OF THE GAME AS BEN NORMAN SEES HIS PENALTY SAVED

By half time then Calver had a lifeline in a first thirty minutes that should have seen the home side out of sight.  The brave men of the peak district had their team talk pitch side in the rain while the southern softies of Tupton huddled under a tree like the rest of us.  Referee White gave both sides five minutes and with credit got the game going again quickly, it was an afternoon when he showed his experience and refereed with authority and sensibility in the conditions.

DAN STEVENSON BREAKS AWAY FOR THE HOME SIDE

Half time had seen a few changes with Dan Stevenson coming on to ply his trade down the left wing and Charlie Clayton coming on in goal as the home management tried to give their full bench a run out.  It was Clayton who was called on first when he made a superb save diving to his left deny Calver when a 25yard free kick by 11 was turned away.  As per the last ten minutes of the first half the first ten of the second were also awarded to the visitors and the question was to be asked could Tupton pick up the reins again?

STEVENSON RECEIVES CONGRATULATIONS FOR A WONDER GOAL

That question was answered by sub Stevenson who would be an exciting outlet as his pace and abilities often got him into dangerous positions added to that on the other wing McArdle were proving a constant threat to Calver also.  To make the point the visiting custodian needed again to save with his legs this time from Stevenson while coming in off the right wing McArdle fired just wide as Tupton fought back.

THE RACE IS ON 

There was no surprise with seventeen minutes remaining it was Stevenson who put the game beyond doubt with the goal of the game when he turned making space for himself to advance towards goal and crash the ball into the roof of the net from twenty yards out.  The winger was now on fire and just two minutes later he struck the bar with another rasping effort with Calver now looking to hang on.

With ten minutes to go the icing was put on the cake as the persistence of Norman fired the ball in from the left hand side of the box in difficult condition and under pressure the Calver keeper couldn't hold the ball which fell to McArdle who shot goal bound only for the keeper to make a super save but the rebound fell to the Tupton winger who took it away from the defender and slotted home into an unguarded goal.

If you love your footy at grassroots level its just great to get a game in so lets say weather wise it was not easy to watch and probably the same for players and referee wise but action wise both of these sides put in a superb effort in an enjoyable encounter and although Calver will be disappointed they were a credit to the league as the battled on trying to play good football in very testing conditions.  

For newly promoted Tupton they now sit top of the table at this early stage of the season with 28 goals scored and a plus goal difference of 23 it was a pleasure to watch the attacking options they had this afternoon.

MCARDLE WHEELS AWAY AFTER MAKING IT FIVE FOR TUPTON