PILSLEY HIT FIVE TO FINISH FOURTH

PILSLEY COMMUNITY 5 BUXWORTH RES 0

HOPE VALLEY LEAGUE DIVISION B AT HIGH ST TIBSHELF

23 APRIL 2022 --- 2PM

WALLHEAD EFFORT SETS UP SHARPLES PILSLEY V BUXWORTH RES

With a Roden cup final appearance on the fixture list against B Division champions Hayfield who have only lost one league game all season Pilsley had plenty to prepare for but with a a run out for a wide selection of players they still managed to secure fourth spot in the division with this 5-0 victory over visitors Buxworth Res.

After last weeks brief flirtation with cricket the red ball sport would interfere with the venue for this encounter with Pilsley and Clay Cross seconds at home Rupert St was unavailable and like a couple of games last season the club de-camped to neighbouring Tibshelf.  The walking train of one carriage, me, opted to take in the five pits trail after Pilsley but not before taking the old Back Lane out of the village which has now become a footpath track way.  

The five pits trail as mentioned previously links up Grassmoor, North Wingfield, Holmewood, Pilsley and Tibshelf along old railway routes but has the interesting connection of Tom Hulatt being honoured by two plaques on the latter two villages stage.  The Tom Hulatt mile to mark Tibshelf's own who ran in third in 1954 to Roger Bannister who secured the first under four minute mile time at Iffley Road in Oxford.

With some spare time I had heard that the headstone to Hulatt was in the parish church and after a careful exploration it was found at the very far end of the church yard I hadn't realised that Tom had died aged just 59 in 1990.  Nice to spend a few moments thinking about a Derbyshire sporting legend.

THE CROWD MAKES IT WAY ALONG TO THE GAME IN JOLLY FASHION

Back onto the traffic busy High St it always amazed me that the local petrol stations shop used to be a Bargain Booze it never seemed a comfortable fit and its now a Go Local but they supported their unique operation further by having a recent massive 24/7 laundrette on the forecourt now, I could have left some washing there while doing the game maybe.  

Tibshelf looks weary and tired in many areas but Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz crew adorned the fence at the village hall to brighten things up and although this former mining village has seen better days there is a frequent collection of dated buildings with local history to the fore, now though is not the time to mention again the site of the first inland oil well and Tibshelf 'Town' station or is it?

STEVEN ROGERS AND CURTIS SHARPLES BURST THROUGH FOR PILSLEY

The former school site has its pitches still available and although its astro turf floodlit caged sports ones are in a derelict state the natural stuff had received a cut and was marked out so it was game on.  Buxworth arrived depleted but it has to be said a credit in their constant efforts during the game and a credit for having a go were some clubs would not have.

HARRY DUDLEY RUNS IN ON GOAL

With Pilsey looking to play a squad game before their Roden cup final against B Division champions Hayfield on Friday it would be a test for some of the fringe players to see what happens.  But we only had to wait for fifteen minutes for the opening goal when Kian Barlow stormed through in the inside right channel to fire into the goal across the visiting keeper.  The lead was doubled just eight minutes later when Rhys Wallhead saw the Buxworth number one pull off an excellent save but the ball fell to the in running Curtis Sharples who gratefully headed into an unguarded goal.  The game settled into comfort zone time when Barlow was brought down in the box and Bradley Warsop put the penalty away with a minute to go to half time.

KIAN BARLOW FIRES HOME THE OPENING GOAL

The second started frustratingly as Wallhead crashed an effort against the bar and from the rebound an edge of the box power driver from Bradley Haggins flew off the underside of the bar onto the line and away to safety.  The fourth wasn't too long in coming on sixty five minutes a corner off the right was met by the head of Gareth Lewin, there was time for the Buxworth keeper to pull off an excellent penalty save from Daniel Caunt.  But the best was saved till last with three minutes remaining Buxworth cleared the ball to the edge of the box where Shane Marriott was on hand to lash home an unstoppable shot the rippled the back of the net.

BUXWORTH KEEPER IN FINE FORM DENIES PILSLEY THIS TIME

Although a lethargic performance with probably thoughts on the end of the league season or the final later on in the week this was still the three points that the club wanted with the chance of third spot sadly this did not come to fruition with Dronfield Woodhouse wining by the odd goal in five at Winster Darley Dale. 

CURTIS SHARPLES HEADS IN TO MAKE IT 2-0

The Pilsley management team of Kev Carline and his assistant Andy Bird will now hopefully plot a successful night in the clubs second final appearance in as many years, although they know this will not be easy against Hayfield the champions of B Division.  On form though Pilsley are capable of giving anybody a game and just three weeks ago they only lost by a single goal to their fellow finalists so could this be Pilsley's time for some silver ware?  I hope so for the lads, Kev and Andy for the hard work in running a club and turning round a slow start to their season.

RHYS WALLHEAD TRIES TO FIND A WAY THROUGH

Return journey took an almost identical route where upon departing Pilsley I realised I had left my smalls in the 24/7 laundrette in 'tibby'. 

IT DOES WHAT IT SAYS ON THE TIN

GRASSMOOR CLINCH VICTORY IN EXCITING FINISH

GRASSMOOR WORKS 120 FOR 9 [39.1ovs]

BLIDWORTH COLLIERY WELFARE 117 ALL OUT [29.4ovs]

BASSETLAW AND DISTRICT CRICKET LEAGUE DIVISION ONE AT BARNES PARK

16 APRIL 2022 --- 1PM

ANDY WOOLVEN AND MAN OF THE MATCH IAN BRADLEY GRASSMOOR WORKS

A thrilling game of cricket entered the final over with Grassmoor needing two runs to win whereas Blidworth required just one wicket to seal victory on the opening day of The Bassetlaw and District League 2022 season with a four off the first ball of the last over the North Derbyshire side had secured the twenty points.  It was a game that was a credit to the league with Blidworth sensing victory when they took the home sides ninth wicket on 101 and their disappointment can only be eased by the entertainment of this encounter.

ATHELBERT BRATHWAITE BLIDWORTH OVERSEAS PLAYER

Football or cricket was the call today and it seemed a mightily early call for the red ball sport in mid April but with the Bassetlaw League starting a week before The Derbyshire County Cricket League and a beautiful sunny day being offered to all attendees it seemed rude not to make the thirty minute walk to the neighbouring village.  Grassmoor has been covered quite a few times in the last couple of seasons for both Saturday and Sunday fixtures so its not the time to go into the history again.  In cricket terms the club finished fourth last time out and found themselves with a promotion to division one the second tier of the Bassetlaw set up, a place they last grace in 2018.  For the visitors today Blidworth Colliery Welfare 2018 was the last time they competed in the elite championship level and last season in one they finished a fraction below mid table.  

DANIEL SUNG SETS OFF FOR THE RUN

The visitors would give a debut to their Barbadian overseas player Athelbert Brathwaite who spent last season in The Bradford League at Castleford based side Townville Cricket Club.

The bright sunshine had brought out a nice little crowd who would watch the whole proceedings and a constant scattering of limited time attendees who meandered through Barnes Park joined to, who by a quirk of Umpire appointments would see Richard Barnes on duty hope he felt at home.

It was nice to receive a warm welcome from the club and we were soon underway with the visitors off to a blistering start reaching 56 in a small number of overs before the first wicket fell.  The opening pairing of Brathwaite [35] and Daniel Sung [28] had started to hit big and Grassmoor were looking at a big total to chase.  But cricket is a game of surprises and when shortly later the Nottinghamshire side were 58 for 4 with Brathwaite bowled by Bradley being the prized wicket was in the bag.

BAILS OFF AS BRADLEY ADDS ANOTHER WICKET TO HIS TALLY

The loss of Sung [D] was a big blow for the visitors as he looked to be going along well but Daniel Spendlove took the catch off the bowling of John Donaldson.  A valuable innings from Andrew Watson [29] greatly added to the struggling total for the visitors but he fell to Luke James caught off his own bowling.  Blidworth would fall to 117 all out in the thirtieth over which would prove quite telling that had they been able to bat out their allotted forty overs just adding a few more runs may have proven to be to much for the home side.

GOOD SHOW TODAY FROM UMPIRES RICHARD BARNES AND STEPHEN LONG

For Grassmoor Bradley took 4 for 40 and Spendlove 2 for 21, certainly the former and fellow opening bowler Craig Dawes stuck to their task after the early onslaught.

The mini break for the blog came in the latter stages of the Blidworth innings when Mr M of the Wingerworth Parish had spotted a famous guest and its one that every time I go to Grassmoor my dad says 'you might see 'tat' Smith, great cricketer and snooker player'.  Well today I did after being advised Edwin Smith was here by Mr M I clarified that was 'Tats' first name and popped over to ask to take a photo which thankfully turned into an enthralling ten minute chat as we discussed briefly of course his past cricketing encounters and some current thoughts.  For you see Edwin, Grassmoor born and bred, played for Derbyshire Country Cricket Club from 1951 [county cap 1954] until 1971 playing 503 matches and taking 1217 wickets an achievement that has never been beaten and with the current flexibility of county players never will be for the county.  

EDWIN 'TAT' SMITH DERBYSHIRE LEGEND

He went on to be the county's coach for three more years before the clubs financial restraints lead to Tat not being re-employed in what must have been a hammer blow to a man who so clearly even now effuses Derbyshire cricket.  At 88 years young and sat near the park entrance he was fully aware of the state of play on day three of Derbyshire's current county match against Sussex at the county ground. There was time to briefly discuss his success at snooker too.   A steady stream of people had stopped to have a chat with Mr Smith and I had to wait my turn and a wholly worthwhile wait it was too lovely to meet him.

ANDY WOOLVEN TURNS ONE OF HIS LEGS FOR GRASSMOOR WORKS

Nostalgia trip over but with the warm 'ready brek' feeling to the fore it was time to get on with the home sides reply.  Big hitting opener Andy Woolven [13] launched a few but fell early, Luke James [16] held up some resistance.  Grassmoor reached 70 for 3 and looked well on their way to achieving the target but then the doubts came into play when two wickets fell without the score moving along, John Donaldson [15] and Mark Cain without troubling the scorers.  

Brathwaite returned to the attack and dismissed Spendlove [27] with his first ball and when Dale James [1] also fell caught by Gareth Ellis off the bowling of Joshua Green two wickets had again fallen without the score moving along this time at eighty nine.

BRATHWAITE NOW A DANGER WITH THE BALL

The eight wicket would fall with just one more run added and by the time the ninth was registered with score on 101 Grassmoor looked like they were staring at defeat.  But the final paring of Dawes [11] and Bradley [8] saw off Brathwaite's overs and they gradually chipped away at the total while protecting that last wicket that Blidworth desired.

With the final over as simple as two runs to win for the home side and for Blidworth they still required that one wicket nobody had left and things could not have been more tense for the opening day of the season.  There was not a long wait as when Watson sent down the first ball Bradley positioned himself and launched the ball back over the bowlers head which saw it roll over the boundary despite a despairing dive by the fielder to seal a remarkable victory.

For the visitors Brathwaite added to his danger with the bat by taking 3 for 15 with the ball and Dallman 3 for 23.

LUKE JAMES OPENING FOR GRASSMOOR WORKS

Close encounters like this one probably occur once in a season and this first game had served one up in a gem of a encounter that does make you wonder can this be bettered on any of the blogs travels this season.  As for Grassmoor it was a fantastic way to start newly promoted life in division one but lets not forget Blidworth who more than contributed to a wonderful afternoon were cricket and The Bassetlaw and District Cricket League were the winners too.

LIGHT STARTING TO FADE AS THE TENSION MOUNTS

PILSLEY REACH SECOND FINAL IN TWO YEARS

WINSTER AND DARLEY DALE LIONS 0 PILSLEY COMMUNITY 3

RODEN CUP SEMI FINAL AT WHITWORTH PARK DARLEY DALE

9 APRIL 2022 --- 2PM

GARETH LEWIN HIS GOAL FOR PILSLEY IN THE CLOSING STAGES

Pilsley Community will grace a Hope Valley Cup final for the second year running this time the Roden Cup following their victory over Winster and Darley Dale Lions [WDDL] at Whitworth Park, Darley Dale.  It was a testimony to the determination of the men in tangerine as they battled through a lack lustre opening spell to produce a couple of quality goals to go into the break two goals to the good and with a third on full time the final appearance was booked and although there is a wide age range in the squad today's three goal scorers totalled 115 years in the age stakes.

THE VIEW FROM FARLEY TOWARDS RIBER CASTLE 

The big travels on rail and any other form of transport have as regular readers will know morphed into big walks with increasingly late teens recorded on the mileage app but today would break all records coming in at 21.5 miles round trip from base along some lovely country lane and non to few steep climbs to add to the 'walk to and from the match' series number [enter your own figure here I've lost count].  With a departure just after 1030 the first hour took up the familiar lanes around Ashover before crossing over the main Matlock main road at Kelstedge.  Into the serenity of Uppertown with its fields showing up the first new born lambs and the belted Galway cows its of course far from a town with its collection of stone cottages and farms scattered around its geographical spread.

The climb out would extend Jaggers Lane and pass the highly popular and busy Matlock Farm Park before taking a left to pass Sydnope Stand and admire the views from the ridge of Sydnope Hall and Darley Dale in the distance.  It was well into the last hour of the three hours now as the turning to Ameycroft Lane from Farley would descend the walking boots into Hackney a village that I cannot remember ever seeing before it offered up some more exquisite views and an 1888 street well too.  The pace was consistent now as arrival at the busy cross roads which offers up the new Coop in a converted bank, Pear Tree Coffee Shop and Whitworth Institute and its Park the ultimate destination for today's game.  Arrival in just under three hours was well within time allowed and it allowed a few minutes around the busy park and a brief through fence peering look at Darley Dale railway station part of the Peak Rail heritage line.

WHITWORTH INSTITUTE

The amazing thing about these walks has been new bits of information that has come to the fore through some of them and The Whitworth Institute [now centre], Whitworth Hotel [now Barringtons], Whitworth Park and Whitworth Hospitals raised the connection of why the Whitworth name?  Briefly then Sir Joseph Whitworth was a mechanical engineer made good with inventions such as the Whitworth Screw Thread, Whitworth Rifle and machine tools.  He lived with his wife Lady Whitworth at Stancliffe hall which is just along the A6 a few hundred yards away but their philanthropy led to the collection of named provisions listed earlier for the local people of Darley Dale.

MAKE UP YOUR OWN CAPTION TIME

The pitch which sits adjacent to the Peak Rail line which runs part of the former London to Manchester line via Buxton with of course the Matlock to Buxton line is sadly no more but the heritage element as reinstated the line to just short of Rowsley and was in action today at a leisurely pace during proceedings.

The pitch was in a poor way with little grass in parts of the goal mouth, I guess a problem of having a pitch in a public park and in other parts grass that was over long, although in the defence of the maintenance team it was apparently stood in water only a few days ago.

DOMINIC SORRELL CLAIMS THE BALL FOR WINSTER DARLEY DALE

The eagerly anticipated game between two side who generally seem to have games that finish as close encounters started promptly but was then held up by a pitch invasion after two minutes there's some unruly elements watching Hope Valley League football.  These two were refusing to leave the pitch but with assistant referee Jason Glanville blocking off one exit the man in the middle Archie Anderson went in for the warning to depart before a red card would be shown and a report to the relevant authorities, thankfully shortly after the flew off to re-join their mates on one of the two ponds in the park.

THE 1417 DEPARTS DARLEY DALE TO ROWSLEY SOUTH

The opening exchanges had seen Darley Dale gain the upper hand in the possession stakes with Pilsley still on the team bus at this stage, if of course there is such a thing in the HVL, but they were slightly fortunate when Jon Cooper saw his effort scrambled of the goal line to deny WDDL.  Slowly the visitors would find a foothold in the game and it was through free kick talisman Shan Marriott that their confidence would rise he forced home keeper Dominic Sorrell into two sharp saves from twenty five yard strikes, a third kick struck the well paced wall.  On twenty nine minutes the deadlock was broken amidst a ten minute downpour that sadly sent me for cover but what a 'worldie' it was we saw a long throw from Callum Baker fall in towards Richard Marshall who launched himself into an audacious overhead kick that moments later was in the bottom corner of the home net. 

Pilsley would double their lead on the stroke of half time with another fine goal a speedy affair down the left wing by Bradley Saint who saw his cross find Steven Rogers who with his back to goal made space and turned to fire home.

SHANE MARRIOTT CARRIES THE BALL FORWARD FOR PILSEY

The second period would see WDDL have a fair amount of possession but Pilsley were bossing proceedings and the nearest the home side got was a Lee Boden effort that struck the cross bar.  The icing was put on the cake in the final minute when Tyler Barksby racing down the left lobbed the out coming Sorrell and as the ball fell in front of goal in raced Gareth Lewin to gratefully slot the ball into an unmarked goal.  Never one to miss a photo op Gareth knew were the camera was and celebrated with the lens.  Within a few minutes referee Anderson called time on the semi final and Pilsley had made it through to the final which will be against Hayfield this seasons champions who they had narrowly lost to 1-0 last week at Rupert St.

Prompt about turn for some more climbs out of Darley Dale and a few minutes over the three hours on return to base would see an enjoyable afternoon watching some HVL action again with a superb conclusion for Pilsley included in that a very enjoyable walk through some lovely scenery, now where is the bowl to soak my feet.

GARETH LEWIN MAKES IT 3-0 AS PROVIDER TYLER BARKSBY WATCHES ON

MANSFIELD RESURGENCE IN FORM UNDER TURNER CONTINUES

MANSFIELD HOSIERY MILLS 2 NOTTINGHAM FC 1

CMFL PREMIER DIVISION SOUTH AT THE FIELDINGS

2 APRIL 2022 --- 3PM

MANSFIELD HOSIERY MILLS V NOTTINGHAM FC AT THE FIELDINGS

Mansfield Hosiery Mills have now hauled themselves away from the foot of the Premier Division South of The CMFL with a gap of five points over basement side Teversal Reserves helped again today by this victory over Nottingham FC.  An entertaining first half would see the three goals of the game come within a four minute spell and the spirit under new manager Mark Turner was evident as they came back from going behind almost immediately through a wonderfully taken free kick.

THE FORMER MILL SITE THAT GIVES THE CLUB ITS NAME TODAY

Walk to the match season continues and really its been poorly labelled because its also walk back from the match too today this would be a four and a half hour total trip so would be right up there with the bigger ones.  Indeed the twenty mile trip which was the largest so far was to Rowsley at the start of the season were Nottingham visited on that day. 

Today would take a roughly similar route as to Teversal but forty five minutes away a right turn would take the blog towards Woodend, the delightfully named Strawberry Bank and then their ultimate centre Huthwaite.  A little focus on the latter because it is the area that the ground is approached by although the border to Sutton In Ashfield is crossed about 150 yards short of the The Fieldings and I guess with Sutton Town being original tenants the set up is still linked towards the larger town.  

Back to the walk which was going well pacing over the Silverhill Trail which is a former railway line containing the now long gone Woodend for Hucknall Huthwaite station which I never knew the prefix was ever undertaken.  In time the station was renamed Whiteboro and the area known as Whiteborough City.  An amazing name for an location that is still very much fields and previously had a pit in the area, there are though a couple of properties that still carry the name today.

Passing the eatery pub The Woodend the uphill climb to the vista that is Strawberry Bank is reached and when I say vista its not a countryside view but that of the industrial estates of South Normanton and Huthwaite itself with wind turbine to the fore but a very impressive sight.  A nice downhill run to the Market Square and a collection of shops including Coop and converted pub Tesco sit adjacent one another in some sort of resigned acceptance to one another.

MANSFIELD STORMING FORWARD DOWN THE LEFT

Moving onto the Sutton Road heading towards the ground and there was a recreate the past moment taking a picture of what looks like a former Methodist church, which is now a Greek Orthodox worship building, this was the terminus for the former tram service that linked Sutton and Mansfield, again a new discovery for me.

Still in Huthwaite a visit to the former mill site that gives up its name to the football club and this when I first visited the area was still standing and in its latter days of limited operation.  Sadly now the building has been demolished but the lower outer walls retained to I guess protect the site but from the picture you can imagine the size of this mill.  In its infancy it was owned by CWS the coop and its employment in the area a major benefactor to individuals and fellow businesses.

So we have the club named after a Huthwaite institution of old and now we cross the border into Sutton in Ashfield so you can see my question Huthwaite or Sutton and I guess the answer is both.

MARK TURNER [RIGHT] MANSFIELD HOSIERY MILLS MANAGER

Ever since Sutton Town left their former ground at Priestsic Road after its sale to a large supermarket chain future clubs moved round to neighbouring Kirkby In Ashfield changed their name to encompass the whole area and Ashfield United was born at Lowmoor Road in Kikrby.  There were other clubs too in Oakham United, North Notts, a new born Sutton and now Mansfield Hosiery Mills.  Oh yes and if you want to add Kirkby to the equation they now have fellow CMFL side Ashland Rovers.  But nobody seems to have excited the town or area enough to establish a club and move it forward in what is a fair size in population.  [There is a more in depth meander on the blog from April 2020 should you wish to have a look from the side index]

LUKE MANLOVE AND THE FREE KICK IS GOALBOUND FOR THE EQUALISER

Current day then and arrival is in a snow sleet shower with the sun fighting to get an upper hand on a cold afternoon to the hands.  The Fieldings complex has a smartly enclosed cricket ground for the same named club as the football side and a superb clubhouse too.  The football ground to the right shows signs of Sutton above its turnstiles and today the players entrance and lower turnstile were the ones in use.  This is not a new ground but felt like one as its about four years since my last visit for a game against Pinxton and I also saw a game in Sutton's last season here against Holwell Sports for an evening fixture.

MANSFIELD KEEPER ON FORM IN THE SECOND HALF

A quick descriptor really is 'tight ground'.  There is little more than a five foot space all the way round the pitch but of course providing the crowd is not too large this is not a problem and sadly today only 15 people were in attendance and I guess the paying admissions would struggle to make double figure.  By the entrance a large Atcost stand with the seats in the Sutton's former colours of maroon and blue moving round to the far side two smart dug outs are the only feature and behind the far goal the housing estate is very tight to the ground.  Coming back down the business side its what was the main turnstile block.  We then arrive at the most recent addition of changing rooms and match day club house and snack bar.  The ground needs high mesh fencing on three sides to keep as many balls inside the facility as possible and an overlapping of wooden slats is becoming in need of attention.  Floodlights do add to the facilities assets though and overall its a ground that would make a move up a step if needed.

GROUND OVERVIEW OF THE FIELDINGS DURING PLAY

Pre match had seen the snow and drizzle become prominent but thankfully by kick off time we were back into sunshine on a not to be misled cold afternoon.  Nottingham were just below mid table and from a previous viewing would be a young side but who always want to play 'pure' football.  A selection of the Mansfield side would be from the surrounds of that town they love to hate just down the road and I guess the influence of recent manager Mark Turner who arrived from Glapwell were he was manager of the clubs development-under 21 side were Dave his twin brother is manager who we covered a few weeks ago.

SECOND HALF AWARENESS FROM THE HOME KEEPER DENIES NOTTINGHAM

As ever apologies here for not getting team sheets but thankfully the clubs social media and the Nottingham bench helped out, hopefully the home scorers are in the correct order.  It was an impressive start from Mansfield with the powerful runs of their left back [3] and he was very much the attraction of the the first half always threatening the visitors defence, added to this the constant haranguing of the Nottingham back line by Liam Waller who was proving a handful.

Just as it looked like the game would be going to half time goal less it went goal crazy with three in four minutes.  Firstly after 34 minutes Steve Fox made some space for himself on the edge of the box before firing into the bottom left hand corner of the goal.  Straight from kick off referee Adrian Seward awarded Mills a free kick twenty five yards out and Luke Manlove stepped up to steer home a glorious strike into the top left of the goal.

No point relaxing now for Mansfield and when a cross from the right fell to former Clay Cross player Elliott Nunn he confidently guided the ball home at the back post.

With that the game arrived at half time with the home side in the driving seat and on their way to another three points in their resurgence.

The second half was not the best from a neutral point of view but Nottingham as ever still kept up their efforts to play football the proper way but from a Mansfield Hosiery Mills point of view they bossed the second half defensively and were able to secure those vital three points that sees them move to three from bottom with a five point gap, plus with two games in hand on a few teams a chance to move further away from the basement before the end of the season.

An enjoyable revisit.

A GOOD OLD SLIDING TACKLE STOPS A NOTTINGHAM MOVE