MORTON DOMINANT IN TROPHY FINAL

MORTON COLLIERY CC 73 FOR 2 SOUTH WINGFIELD CC 70 ALL OUT

MARSTON'S 61 DEEP TROPHY FINAL AT QUEENS PARK

28 AUGUST 2023 --- 1PM

MORTON COLLIERY CRICKET CLUB MARSTONS 61 DEEP TROPHY WINNERS 2023

Morton retained the Marston's 61 Deep Trophy with an overwhelming victory against near neighbours South Wingfield with an 8 wicket margin  that saw the game come to its conclusion just before half past four.  With a tight and devastating bowling display they dismissed South Wingfield for a disappointing 70, supported by a fifer for the sponsors man of the match David Greaves and after a tea interval the loss of Alexander Eyre could not stop Paul Holmes [46] guiding Morton Colliery to a glorious victory.

AWAIS SHABBIR STEAMS IN FROM THE PAVILION END AT QUEENS PARK

A trip to the Queens Park Chesterfield a glorious setting on a nice day and thankfully we had that today unfortunately the afternoon was constantly supported by the loud music from the Bank Holiday Monday fair adjacent to the pitch making this more like a 20/20 than a 40 over final.  Still that aside we settled in a quiet area of the ground to enjoy as did a very healthy crowd who also supported this event and as the organiser said cricket itself.

South Wingfield won the toss and elected to bat and shortly afterwards at 12/3 must have regretted their decision with the clash in pace between Awais Shabbir and Blair Mathews they seemed to have the opposition in a mess.  It was Mathews who did the damage removing three of the top order, Kyle Mitchell [1] caught at long on by Jack Maltby, Liam Mitchell [0] grabbed at slip by Ritesh Bhatkal and Arend Gagiano [1] skying to Greaves.  Caution clearly needed to be the call of the day and new batsman Chris Hemp [17] joined Andrew Wilson [27] and they proceeded along in steady fashion until the former went having his bails removed by first change at the lake end Greaves to the first ball of the eighteenth over.

BRAD CLARKE FROM THE PAVILION END 

Two balls later and Bhatkal was alert again at slip after Greaves found the edge of the bat of Steven Wilson who was sent back without troubling the scorers and South Wingfield were in big trouble at 53/5.

Surely they would get some respite, sadly for their cause not as Morton remained relentless.  Brad Clarke had come on at the pavilion end and Maltby was on hand again to reach forward to take the lofted shot from Ahmad Bashir [1] with just three more runs added since the last wicket fell.

DAVID GREAVES ON HIS WAY BACK TO HIS DELIVERY MARK

The first ball of the twentieth over saw stalwart opener Wilson [A] run out with a superb throw from Holmes and South Wingfield had failed to add to the score and lost their batsman who could have batted the side through their overs.

The agony wasn't to last for long now with both Corey Whittingham [4] and Sam Rosling [3] bowled by Greaves before he trapped Lewis Radford lbw for no score.  With the total on 70 South Wingfield had nearly fourteen overs still to receive but this had been a performance in a final that Morton could probably only have dreamed about.

Morton saw their bowlers return figures of 5 for 15 off 5.2 for Greaves, Mathews 3 for 14 off eight, Clarke 1 for 18 off 7 and Shabbir 0 for 20 off his half a dozen overs, a great team effort.

PAUL HOLMES MAKES IT CLEAR HE IS NOT RUNNING FOR THIS ONE

With a half an hour tea interval there was time to collect some savouries from the nearby M and S and prepare for the Morton response and just wonder if this was going too be hard going.

PAUL HOLMES DUCKS OUT OF THE WAY OF A SHORT BALL

And yes you did have those doubts magnified when Alexander fell for a duck with the third ball of the second over caught by Hamp off Radford and it was thoughts of the collapse South Wingfield suffered that must have been in the forefront of the Morton players minds now.

There was little need to worry though as Jack Stone [6*] ably supported Paul Holmes [46] top scorer on the day and top scorer in the tournament.  Holmes performed a master class of defence and attack at the right time and it was a controlled innings that got Morton over the line the only sad element was with three needed to win Holmes going for his fifty was bowled by Mitchell [K].

It was left for Bhatkal to hit the winning four to secure a fantastic eight wicket victory for Morton Colliery Cricket Club off just 14.2 overs.

PAUL HOLMES ALL THE FUN OF THE FAIR WITH HIS MATCH WINNING SCORE

The end of match ceremony was performed by league officials with thanks given to many of the people who made this event a success from tea ladies to both sides scorers and to Chesterfield CC for hosting this final at their well appointed ground. 

BHATKAL AND STONES RETURN AFTER THE FORMER HIT THE WINNING BOUNDARY

The Marstons man of the match was selected by the umpires and went to David Greaves for his five wicket haul before runners up medals were awarded to the South Wingfield side who received a warm applause for their efforts.

All that was left was for Morton Colliery captain Jack Stone to lift aloft the Marston's sponsored trophy and the team could celebrate with I guess the odd glass of mineral water.

DAVID GREAVES WITH HIS MAN OF THE MATCH AWARD

A nice little afternoon out in Queens Park and with credit to all players for the afternoon special mention has gone to Greaves for his outstanding efforts but also Mathews with his dismissal of the top three must take special place in this performance ably backed up by his fellow opening bowler Shabbir.  Running that award a very close second must have been Holmes who with that superb run out provided a vital wicket in the middle of the South Wingfield innings and of course his batting got Morton to the victory line. 

MORTON COLLIERY CAPTAIN RECEIVES THE MARSTON TROPHY

MUNDELL HAT TRICK AS KIMBERLEY HIT FIVE

KIMBERLEY MW 5 PINCHBECK UNITED 2

UCL PREMIER AT THE STAG GROUND

26 AUGUST 2023 --- 3PM

KIMBERLEY MW V PINCHBECK UTD JOSH MUNDELL HAT TRICK

Josh Mundell proved a constant danger to Pinchbeck United not only with his hat trick but his turn of pace that was a constant threat to the Lincolnshire sides goal.  In the end a runaway victory gained Kimberley three vital points to move them away from the bottom of the table but defeat left Pinchbeck still propping up the league.

PINCHBECK HIT THE POST

As last week this was a Comet to Alfreton and this time the connection was met but I made the decision with it running late and being well loaded on its departure to wait a further fifteen minutes to catch the one behind and so it proved a quieter bus and more enjoyable journey.  Having said that the new buses on route see the engine turn off at stops and then fire up again more or less straight away after a 45 minute journey of this it does become slightly challenging as a passenger.

This weeks food was down to the large national supermarket for a jumbo sausage roll before the brief amble to the ground this time taking the tight footpath that runs down the side of the historical Stag public house.

AERIAL CHALLENGE FOR THE BANKING TO VIEW

I always enjoy a trip to The Stag Ground and one of the best view was always off the banking sloping behind the dug outs, in an evening this seemed to add to the floodlit atmosphere.  Now though with progression to step five the bank is closed and a concrete walkway added as far as the first dug out.  It is I have to say around four years or so since I last visited but it was nice to see a concrete standing area now added behind the far goal.  Also since my last visit is a 2 rowed fair sized stand on the footpath side with the construction being of the scaffold pole and corrugated sheet type.   

JOSHN MUNDELL RECEIVES THE PLAUDITS FOR HIS OPENING GOAL

A fairly bright afternoon except for the occasional rain filled cloud that deposited a few drops during the game.

Onto the proceedings and the visitors in their bright yellow shirts were first to show with a cross from Harry Johnson that flew over the home keeper and luckily for Kimberley flew back off the post and too safety.  

But it wasn't long before Mundell got his afternoon out of the blocks when he out paced the defender to fire across goal into the fire corner after 25 minutes.  Pinchbeck levelled things just shy of the half hour mark with a neat passing move down that left that saw Johnson cross and Taylor Jaine finish in the middle.  

Kimberley returned to the lead on 39 minutes when Daniel Tuck curled a low effort from wide in the box and as everybody including visiting keeper William Lakin thought it was going wide it did the crafty and popped in at the far post.

REFEREE NORRISS CLEARS AWAY THE VIEWERS

 

Kimberley started to pull away just past the hour mark when Nathan Banton raced through on goal only to be brought down with a last gasp tackle and Aaron Coyle stepped up to convert from the spot.  It was 4-1 on 80 minutes when the dangerous Mundell beat defender and the out coming keeper allowing him to guide the ball into a now open goal.  There was time for the home side to hit the bar before being denied what looked a clear penalty for handball but the fifth did arrive on 89 minutes with Mundell tapping in for his hat trick after good work from the equally impressive Coyle.

HOME GOAL UMBER TWO WITH CONGRATULATIONS TO DANIEL TUCK

There was still time for Pinchbeck to pull back a consolation goal in the fourth minute of time added on when substitute Flynn Slater rose to head in but shortly after referee William Norris called an end to the game and Kimberley had gained a valuable three points.

HERES A SHARP TACKLE

For Pinchbeck it looks like a long season they have a young side and you can only hope they will improve as the season goes on, on the other hand Kimberley who were also struggling at the wrong end of the table, admittedly early on in the season, gained this vital win that gave them a boost in their abilities as they entered a local derby against Eastwood Community on Bank Holiday Monday [a game the narrowly lost 1-0 by a stoppage time goal].

THE RACE IS ON BUT IN THE END IT RESULTED IN A FREE KICK TO KIMBERLEY

As ever a nice trip to a ground of character even though you now have to stand and reminisce about standing on the grass bank, nice assistance with getting the teams and hopefully a re visit soon on the cards over the border into Nottinghamshire. 

REFEREE NORRISS ISSUES A YELLOW CARD TO KRISZTIAN GAGYI

The return journey arrived roughly on time after running late most of the route but sadly a five minute gap that saw no chance of catching the earlier Comet and their was a splash out on a taxi to get back to base earlier.

JOSH MUNDELL GUIDES IN NUMBER FOUR AFTER ROUNDING DEFENDER AND KEEPER

LEEK STORM TO NEXT ROUND OF FA CUP

BELPER TOWN 2 LEEK TOWN 5

FA CUP PRELIMINARY ROUND AT CHRISTCHURCH MEADOWS

19 AUGUST 2023 --- 3PM

BELPER TOWN V LEEK TOWN AT CHRISTCHURCH MEADOW

Belper and Leek are only separated by the geographical split of the Northern Premier League but on the day the chasm was massive as Leek brushed away the Derbyshire side with a display that showed them as being fitter, sharper and more clinical in front of goal.  Belper were fortunate to be just one down at half time and after a brief rally to level it fired the visitors up to respond with four goals before a late reply from The Nailers.

TM TRAVEL 142 WITH NOTTS AND DERBY PLAXTON VOLVO

The first game of the season would see a return to some public transport and although there just wasn't time for the fish and chip review I guess some sort of normality had returned to proceedings, after a late start to the 23/24 due to a variety of reasons.

This was to be a let the bus connection decide your game with a five minute connection for one game it was always tight but with a Belper trip on stand by.  The connection didn't happen when The Comet arrived seven minutes down in Alfreton a town that has suffered like most others with a glut of shops closed and today the bus station bins overflowing onto the surrounding pavements adding to the feeling of melancholy around the place.  This may have been added to by the adjacent club advertising the appearance of veteran snooker player Tony Drago being one of the highlights of the calendar.

Having filled in the three quarters of an hour wait for the 142 TM Travel service to Belper for you spotters it was good to see a Volvo Plaxton bodied full size vehicle turn up in fellow group operators Notts and Derby green and blue livery.   

MARC GROCOTT RECEIVES THE PLAUDITS FOR HIS OPENING GOAL

The pleasure of a trip around the Amber Valley and Derbyshire Dales area was highlighted even more by this route taking in South Wingfield and then the picturesque Crich home of The Tramway village, an absolute gem, the village square alongside some evocative buildings that saw ITV make it Cardale and the home of its drama Peak Practice for a period of time in the 90s.  Moving through Fritchley down to Bullbridge and joining the A6 at Ambergate were the weather was fine enough for some cricket adjacent to The Hurt Arms.  Twisting and turning around the tight approach roads departure from the 142 was right by the mill and a short hop over the road saw us into Christchurch Meadows within a few minutes and with half an hour to go to kick off time to do a circuit and grab a picture of the team sheet.

CAMERON JOHNSON WEAVES HIS WAS INTO THE LEEK DEFENCE

Having covered Belper Town many times, including last season, I dont intend to describe the ground but needless to say this has to be one of the best appointed stadia for its level and always looks clean and tidy as aside to being well run.  It is though of note a mini cover as now gone up behind the goal at the far end since last season but the best advancement is a new scoreboard.  It is more than just a time and score monitor with the ability to post up player pictures etc that would make many Conference clubs envious, a super addition.

ROSS DAVIDSON EXPLAINS IT ALL TO REFEREE WAQAR AHMAD

It was a bright sunny day with a fair old breeze blowing down the ground and all looked set fair for a good entertaining cup tie.  Sadly by half time I was re calculating this theory Belper were dreadful and took half an hour to put together any team attack of note.  Leek looked stronger and fitter and as soon as Belper did get the ball it was square and backwards with a lack of interest in taking the ball forward this may have been to do with Leek squeezing up and closing down all space but how it needed a player in yellow to take on the opposition defence.

Somehow Leek only went in one goal to the good when Marc Grocott fired home a low edge of the box drive inside the left hand post after twenty one minutes.

OLD AND NEW MILL AND SCOREBOARD

The second half would see Belper gain an early upper hand and they looked to have made a game of it when they equalised fifteen minutes in with real determination from Cameron Johnson who dispossesed  the Leek defender on the byline, cut inside and rounded the defender before firing into the far corner of the visitors goal.  It was now all Belper and when Curtis Burrows struck the post Leek looked to be wobbling.

But Leek gradually got a grip and they were grateful to Belper defender Phil Watt who deflected a close range cross into his own goal to give Leek the lead again after 71 minutes.  Belper now collapsed as Leek regained their first half dominance when on 77 minutes Jake Avery smashed a glorious back post effort back across the goal and into the far top corner of the net to make it three and it was four with five minutes remaining when home keeper Jonathan Hedge could only parry the ball close in and Avery guided in for his second.

As we entered stoppage time the scoring continued when Leek went through Belper with a superb free flowing move that at the end saw Robert Stevenson weight a perfect  pass to Liam Buckley who ran on to fire through the legs of Hedge to make it five.  Watt headed a late second for Belper but by then it was all over and Leek had stormed into the next round.

BEN RHODES ATTACK HALTED 

With the return 142 at just shy of 5.30pm I did attempt to grab a tray of chips and a, for research purposes of course, fish but the queue was too long at the former George's fish bar, which is now I believe Nik's, and so it was return steps to The Mill for a return back through the picturesque scenery and to Alfreton a wait for the returning Comet ensued.   

A pleasure to visit Belper Town FC as ever alongside an enjoyable bus trip to the town the only thing missing was those fish and chips.

ALEX TROKE GETS A SHOT AWAY