BARGATE PAY THE PENALTY AS THEY EXIT THE CUP

BARGATE ROVERS 2 HOLBROOK ST MICHAELS 2 [HOLBROOK WIN 3-1 ON PENALTIES]

DERBYSHIRE FA DIVISIONAL CUP SOUTH AT MANOR REC

12 NOVEMBER 2022 --- 1.30PM

TOM LEWIS OF BARGATE TRIES TO GET A SHOT AWAY BEFORE THE TACKLE

Bargate came back from behind twice against CMFL neighbours Holbrook St Michaels in this Derbyshire Divisional Cup South tie but ultimately they could not secure victory losing 3-1 in an agonising spot kick conclusion to this game at Manor Rec.

In the words of that famous quiz show 'I've started so I will finish' because the need to see through this tie after last weeks abandonment for the serious injury and the intriguing nature of the tie with the two nearest of footballing neighbours made it a must.

CLOSE UP FIRST HALF MIDFIELD ACTION

So the repeat journey was made once again via the Trent Barton waggon to Kilburn crossroads and a repeat of the walk to Openwoodgate before picking up Kirk's Lane which this week on a clearer afternoon offered some more encouraging views of the expanding town of Belper.  Once leaving this former lane now footpath its a five minute stroll at the most to the ground.  Arriving with a good half an hour to spare it has to be said for all you hoppers a nice welcome was given from the club officials now and during the afternoon with the obtaining of team sheet photographs added to this courtesy.

EARLY HOLBROOK PRESSURE

Last weeks blog, previous one to this one if you fancy a look, covered most aspects of this pre game coverage and so I wont go into it again save to say the local nature of the game was always what drew me to it alongside having seen Bargate at Sleetmoor United earlier in the season were they looked a pretty good outfit.  The injury to Jordan Butcher turned out to be a double fracture of the leg but the player was here today to witness the re arranged game and hopefully will have a speedy recovery.

The side lines were again well roped off and a Bargate Rovers banner awaited the teams entrance to the pitch, there was no gazebo on the touch line or covering the tea table this week but that was due to the low bright sunshine starting to bathe Park Road as opposed to last weeks murky day that threatened rain.  The crowd of around 100 last week were no were in sight ten minutes before kick off but fear not they turned up in bigger numbers than the previous week to support their local sides.  Last week this game had seen Shane Burrows score a 'worldie' to give the underdogs the lead in what had been a hectic opening to proceedings before the abandonment.

BROUGHTON GETS THE OPENING GOAL WITH A POWERFUL HEADRER

Today's encounter started again with Bargate attacking down the slope towards the changing rooms end and the opening exchanges seemed more tentative than last weeks but it didn't take long before the tempo moved up a gear.  It would be Holbrook who showed first awarded a free kick 25 yards out Joel Cain striking the post with Sam McCartney beaten in the home goal.  A further chance came shortly afterwards when a corner off the right was met by the head of visiting captain Ali Broughton who was only denied by a wonderful push over by McCartney.  But the warning signs were appearing and the visitors took the lead after 35 minutes a corner off the left from Sam Smithurst again met by a powerful header from Broughton to nestle in the back of the Bargate net.

OVER THE LINE IT GOES FROM BROUGHTON [5] HEADER

One things for sure though the home side don't lie down and Tom Lewis forced Jack Morley into a double save as he broke through on goal.  The equaliser came with three minutes to go before the break and a deep cross off the left was met at the far post by Fenwick Butcher whose intelligent looping header flew back over Morley to send the sides into the changing rooms all square.

STRESSFUL TIME ON THE BARGATE BENCH

The tempo seemed to rise in the second half with the visitors now looking for the lead again and it came just after the hour mark with a lovely diving header from Arron Leeman.  But you know what's coming then a re doubling of Bargate's efforts and within three minutes this time they were level again the ball was poorly dealt with by Holbrook in their box and on the edge of the area a clearance fell to Lewis who struck home a glorious volley to send the home supporters into delight.

BARGATE CLEAR THEIR LINES

The game had really opened up now and although Holbrook looked to be gaining the upper hand the threat of Lewis on the left wing for Bargate was ever present and he so nearly scored again when his run ended with a sharp shot that Morley saved well in the visitors goal.

As Holbrook now pushed on for the winner it looked like they had achieved their aim with seven minutes remaining but for a wonderful goal line clearance that saw the ball hooked away somehow by Burrows.

So as time elapsed and Bargate battled to hold on it would be referee Chris Petcu whose whistle would bring an end to the action with the scores level it was the dreaded penalties.

FENWICK BUTCHER CHARGES THROUGH

I guess here Bargate would have liked an end to proceedings they had done so well to achieve this full time score and when penalties came you just had that feeling that Holbrook had the confidence with them and so it turned out to be. 

Both of the opening penalties were successful the next two saw Holbrook score and Bargate fire high over the bar before the post intervened with their third kick.  So going into the fourth Bargate had to score to remain in the tie and unfortunately Burrows, the man who had kept them in it right at the close, saw his effort saved by Morley. 

Cue scenes of joy for Holbrook St Michaels who all piled on and they had gone through to the next round after a very hard fought cup tie in which both sides gave their all in a superb advert for The DCFA Divisional Cup.

TOM LEWIS WEAVES HIS WAY AROUND TWO VISITING PLAYERS

Time to leave straight after and a reverse along the route would at Opnewoodgate see a continuation of the walk with time in hand to pick up the Ripley bound bus at Heage to connect on the final service back to base at just after 5pm.

A fine afternoon and once again I enjoyed my time watching Bargate hopefully I shall be able to catch up with them again sometime during this season they will certainly be one to watch out for in The MRA.

HOLBROOK ARE THROUGH WITH KEEPER MORLEY AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PILE