PILSLEY COME BACK TWICE AND RETAIN UNBEATEN START

PILSLEY COMMUNITY 2 DOVE HOLES RES 2

HOPE VALLEY LEAGUE DIVISION A AT RUPERT STREET

24 SEPTEMBER 2022 --- 2PM

PILSLEY CAPTAIN RHYS WALLHEAD ON THE BALL VERSUS DOVE HOLES

Pilsley Community twice came back from behind with wonderful strikes to secure a more than deserved point that maintains their unbeaten start to the new seasons Hope Valley League Division A campaign.  

Its Saturday so It must be Pilsley and at last I dragged myself screaming and kicking into the 2022/23 football season and where better than a village that has provided much sporting entertainment over the last few years for me.

There was a autumnal feel to the day with a stiff breeze always a threat on the 'ridge' at Rupert Street so to that effect the winter jacket was out early, mind you by the first climb on this 3 mile walk the central heating was on full within the bounds of the padded apparel.

This season would see the loss of local sides New Tupton Ivanhoes and Tibshelf so its a thankful heart that sees Pilsley start the season in the now two division Hope Valley Football League.  With Ashover making the switch to The Midland Regional Alliance and having to start in the second tier there will be a variety of clubs to check out over the next few months.  

PILSLEY COMMUNITY TEAM LINE UP IN #TEAM JACK KIT FOR 2022/23

The day started on a sad but poignant tone with a new season team line up featuring the away kit bearing the sponsor of '#TEAM JACK'.  Jack Faulkner was 15 years old when he was diagnosed with brain cancer in early 2018 and within a very short few months he had passed away.  Today Jack's dad was in attendance to hand over the new away strip and thankfully had time to catch up with us before the game started.  He explained that while Jack was in Sheffield Children's Hospital receiving treatment he came up with many ideas and even set his dad the challenge of completing an Ironman Challenge, something his achieved this year in Majorca.  But 'Team Jack' has now completed many fund raising events which has seen over £150,000 donated to the good causes of Sheffield Children's Hospital Ward 5 and Young Lives Versus Cancer to support families.  

Pilsley were very clearly proud to represent the charity on their shirts and it was humbling experience for all to realise the unbelievable strength of people you can only but have admiration for.

PILSLEY CLEARANCE IN THE FIRST HALF

Pilsley started the game at a nice pace but it would be the High Peak visitors who took the lead after 25 minutes the home side failed to clear a left wing corner and Connor Golden was accredited with the finish.  A disappointing goal to concede for Pilsley but after watching them for a little while now they never give up and so it proved when the levelled with a wonderful 25 yard strike from Bradley Haggins that hit the top left hand corner of the net shortly before the half time whistle.  

SHANE MARRIOTT CLOSE UP ACTION

Pilsley started the second half in the ascendancy with Matt Parnham hitting the bar from 25 yards and then moments later Shane Marriott hit more or less the same spot on the woodwork with a 35 yard free kick.  From somewhere though Dove mounted a challenge and the sucker punch arrived from the blindside with just over ten minutes remaining Lewis Betts hit a sharp cross goal shot into the far corner of the Pilsley goal.  

DR MIKE DOUGLASS IN CONSULTATION

Pilsley could either roll over now or attempt the comeback for the second time and so it turned out when a corner off the left was cleared straight out to Parnham who lashed an unstoppable 25 yard effort into the visitors goal, after 83 minutes.  Community went all out for the winner and the ever dangerous home captain Rhys Wallhead weaved his way goal wards passing two Dove players from the half way line before Ian Bell the visitors custodian flew out to block his goal bound effort.  In the end Pilsley had to settle for the draw but after going behind again late in the game this was better than a defeat which would have been so undeserved.

As ever good to catch up with Pilsley and Dove Holes where a visit to the Hallsteads is still on the to do list.

BRADLEY HAGGINS RECEIVES THE PLAUDITS FOR HIS GOAL

Pilsley remain unbeaten and sit nicely in fifth place behind todays visitors who are a place ahead but also on five points.  Next week they travel just over the Chesterfield boundaries to Dronfield Woodhouse in search of their second win of this current season.

PILSLEY LAUNCH A CROSS INTO THE DOVE HOLES BOX

Nice to be back at the football although missing the afternoon at the cricket and this football mularkey it was all over so quickly ninety minutes is that it?

RHYS WALLHEAD STARTS THE CLOSING MINUTES RUN ON GOAL