POINTS TO IVANHOE AGAIN

MANSFIELD HOSIERY MILLS 0 WIRKSWORTH IVANHOE 3

CMA PREMIER SOUTH AT THE FIELDINGS

25 NOVEMBER 2023 --- 3PM

GEORGE SIMPSON SETS UP A MOVE FOR MANSFIELD HOSIERY MILLS V WIRKSWORTH IVANHOE

After last weeks hard fought victory at then leaders South Normanton Athletic Wirksworth bagged another three points here at The Fieldings against an equally hard working Mansfield Hosiery Mills.  But a double from Jack Higton and a wonderful strike from Billy Franklin sealed the points for Ivanhoe with the home side being slightly hard done by the winning margin.

TEDS BEEN FORCED INTO SUPPORTING LIVERPOOL NOT THE MILLS THIS AFTERNOON

This journey would involve a bus connection in the village of Tibshelf and overall this short journey was leaving me with trepidation as the initial bus service was to be supplied by Hulleys whose reputation has taken a battering lately for the failure of its services.  Very weird to feel this way from somebody who has done Edinburgh and back in a day never mind Bala Town in the Welsh Premier League, look that ground up, all on public transport.

Armed with the bus tracker all looked well with the service set to depart Chesterfield but when arriving at my stop the bus was still sat in Chesterfield!  Finally departing it arrived around half an hour down in time and the same at Tibshelf with a 100 yard dash to the next stop the service to neighbouring Huthwaite was made with about a minute to spare.

CHRISTMAS KENNY WITH PAL CHUNK

The obligatory call into the Coop, although there is a Tesco here, was made for pasty and other eatables before the short walk to the ground which just hops over the boundary into Sutton In Ashfield with both being in Nottinghamshire.  The history of the ground, clubs that have played under Sutton's name and the area have been featured in past blogs so I wont go into these again but needless to say sadly not much as improved with the outward appearance of Huthwaite.

IVANHOE MANAGER KARL EVANS IN RELAXED PRE MATCH MOOD

Thankfully having made the connection it was a comfortable arrival an hour before kick off with the chance to meet Ted the dog who was on gate duty and had previously been met at Pinxton where he had camped out on his blanket with a selection of treats, today mind you by half time it was that cold he had meandered inside to view from a window ledge he was though being kept slightly warmer by his Liverpool FC top.  As entry for cute non league dogs rose there was also time to meet Kenny, after Dalglish and Chunk, the former was already in Christmas mood with festive jumper and collar adorned with seasonal attire although I suspect he didn't have much say in the matter.

ITS ALL SMILES FOR NOW

There was time for a walk around this very tight ground but the advantage of this was you are close to the action although for photographic shots it was a low sun that soon disappeared and through shadows all over the place didn't make for great pictures, there's my excuse in place.

JABLONSKI STRETCHES HIGH TO PUNCH CLEAR

Strangely this would be Mills only the third home league game of the season so far and after last weeks odd goal victory in seven they would be looking to climb away from the wrong end of the table with a similar result.  For the visitors who looked so strong last week they must have aspirations of powering on to a top eight placement.

MILLS TOM TORRINGTON WAITING FOR THE MOVE

Attendances are small here but they are a merry band of helpers and having met the lady running the cafe who was now doubling up as window cleaner the interest and commitment of the non league family shone through.  There was time before the game to meet referee Ibrahim Arsali and re connect with assistant referee Stuart Walker who had a smart new hair cut that had got rid of his long flowing locks from last weeks game at Lees Lane.

TACKLE FROM BEHIND?

Let the action commence and it was the home side who got off to an encouraging start but a sharp break by Ivanhoe saw a corner from Lucas Brough put in a lovely ball for Higton [J] to head in his first of the afternoon after 17 minutes.  Ten minutes later and a glorious cross from Tom Mellor to the back stick saw Higton [J] head home to double his and the Wirksworth tally.

Mansfield would have a close range effort cleared off the line and then they too cleared off the line through Max Denton as they too came under pressure just before half time.

ASSISTANT REFEREE STUART WALKER HAS THE SUN GETTING IN HIS EYES THIS WEEK NOT HIS HAIR

You feared for Mills but going downhill in the second half and after a half time team talk they started at a fair pace and put together nice passing football and were working up a head of steam and with a little bit of luck in front of goal would have scored.  It certainly seemed to shock the visitors and a few edgy tackles went in that resulted in referee Arsali having to reach for his cards, a ten minute passage of play that saw two players from either side cautioned.  

IVANHOE GOAL LINE CLEARANCE DENIES MILLS

Mansfield could not find that final touch and the inevitable happened on 72 minutes a Brough corner was flapped at by keeper Adam Jablonski with the ball falling to Franklin on the edge of the box and he lashed it into the roof of the net for a stunning finish.  It was a heartbreaker for the home side who had built up some danger but like last week Ivanhoe showed they can soak up pressure and then ultimately find the goal on this occasion that settled any doubts that the three points were going back to the Derbyshire dales.

CHRIS CONROY RISES TO CLEAR THE DANGER

With the floodlights illuminating a dark evening now with and probably the coldest night of the year so far the second half had seen camera away and hands warm time to the fore.  The small crowd of 32 had been well entertained by both sides its just a shame a few more football fans don't pop along to give their support to a side in Sutton, but as mentioned in previous blogs you have to say that the town since the loss of its central location ground clearly is not too interested in football at non league level currently.

MANSFIELD ATTACK IN THE FIRST HALF WITH THE POPULAR SIDE IN THE BACKGROUND

A final circuit was completed just before the final whistle and with arrival back in front of the cafe and changing rooms referee Arsali brought an to the play

HENRY BROOKS WATCHES OUT

It looks like a long hard season for Mark Turner and his cohorts but there is always effort and determination here and enough points from sides at the bottom of the table should be enough to keep Mills from that horrible last few places in the league. 

CLOSE UP ACTION

Meanwhile my colleague Mr R of the Buxton parish has a soft spot for Ivanhoe and I can see why they are a determined bunch who really gel together to achieve their aims, certainly in the last few games I have seen them.  They will have a big challenge on Friday night when they travel to Pinxton who will test them out in what promises to be a thrilling encounter.  They are though if results continue in serious danger of challenging the top clubs in the CMA Premier South.

MILLS MANAGER TURNER MAKES A POLITE ENQUIRY IF THE REF HAS BROUGHT HIS YELLOW CARD TO ASSISTANT ANDY POLKEY

With a good thirty minutes for the connecting bus to Tibshelf a walk back along the dark streets of Huthwaite allowed a cheeky revisit to the Coop for a further bit of calorie intake.  The Market Place had come alive now with delivery cars blocking bus stops as the local populace decided not to cook and avoid their MP's advice that they can cook a meal for 30p.

IVANHOE WATCHED BY MILLS CAPTAIN TOM SUTER

Everything ran smoothly on the way back with a 30 minute connection wait and arrival back in base just over ninety minutes after the end of the match which been an enjoyable affair even if somewhat cold.  A thoroughly enjoyable visit.

HAVE A WORD REF, REFEREE IBRAHIM ARSALI DOES JUST THAT

LEADERS TOPPLED

SOUTH NORMANTON ATHLETIC 0 WIRKSWORTH IVANHOE 1

CMA PREMIER SOUTH AT LEES LANE

18 NOVEMBER 2023 --- 2PM

RYAN MARCHINGTON CELEBRATES THE WINNER IN SOUTH NORMANTON ATH V WIRKSWORTH IVANHOE

Wirksworth Ivanhoe knocked league leaders South Normanton Athletic off the top spot thanks to a battling performance set up by the first half goal from Ryan Marchington.  It was a determined effort especially in the last thirty minutes as the home side raised their game and the heavy pitch was taking a toll on strengths the visitors held strong though to secure victory.

THE TEAMS ENTER THE PITCH

The first paragraph of most of this season's blog has been somewhat familiar because yes the rain overnight plus a damp week had added to more postponements it will be a pleasure whenever the rain lets up to just be able to select a game and not have to check a collection of fixtures on Saturday morning.  Added to that the vagaries of public transport found a slightly delayed Comet make arrival in Alfreton ten minutes down and with the lack of taxi availability to the game I was originally going to a switch to the Nines would see an arrival at Lees Lane just before 1.30pm for this 2pm kick off. 

JAMES BEARDOW LOOKS TO LAY THE BALL BACK TO HIS KEEPER

South Normanton is a Coop town but today nothing quite took my fancy on the snack front, I know shock, horror.  Empty handed a retrace of steps back to the ground would see a very obliging photograph of both teams sheets gained, as per earlier on in the season, a much appreciated help.

There was time for a walk around the always impressive ground and a small chat with the Clay Cross Town Fc chairman, their game was once again was one of those called off, before proceedings commenced.  The changes to the ground were covered in the blog a few weeks ago but it has to be re stated that I love the electronic scoreboard.

WIRKSWORTH DRIVING FORWARD UP THE SLOPE

The pitch was looking heavy but played well and once again us supporters of a certain age sometimes stand amazed at games that are called off but of course we are from the era of The Baseball Ground and White Hart Lane when mud was the word.  It often made for a right old battle of a game but often now its football for the purist with an indefinite amount of passes before the ball goes forward ten yards.

INCH PERFECT TACKLE

The home side sat proudly on top of the table before the start of the game and it looked a fairly simple game but having witnessed Ivanhoe before if they are on form they are a challenge for any side in this league.  This game also saw my first ever viewing of referee Syd Atwal, as those of you know I like to follow the referees so this was a nice opportunity too.

EARLY WIRKSWORTH ATTACK

Athletic started playing some of that finesse football and indeed had a very early chance when Marc Bright got a shot away that thundered back off the post.  It would though be the visitors who were starting to look the bigger threat as they forced their way up the slope it was Billy Franklin who went close first with his shot going just wide of the upright.  

On twenty five minutes though Ivanhoe broke the deadlock with a goal that would prove the winner, Lewis Hilton on the right hand side of the box fed Ryan Marchington who spun on the ball and placed a low shot inside the post to beat the despairing dive of Ross Etheridge after 25 minutes. 

The home side had shown little and by the time half time was reached it all seemed to be well under control for Wirksworth.

RYAN MARCHINGTON FIRES IN THE WINNER

The second period started in a similar fashion with Ivanhoe looking comfortable but then the final push came with a collection of substitutions looking to give the home side the edge non more so than Perry Richards on the left who looked like the channel to play through and a threat to the visitors defence.

JOSH PARFFIT CHALLENGES KEEPER CHRIS CONROY

With crosses coming in and the light fading on this dark afternoon Wirksworth stood tall to deflect every effort that South Normanton could throw at them.  The heat was rising in the game and the caution count had begun, even with a strange one with fifteen minutes to go for Ryan Hadley who put in a sharp but what looked a fair challenge, the ball went out of play for a throw in and was started thus but referee Atwal went over and booked the player many thought for a foul but with the re-start one can only assume it was for something that was said.

STICKY WICKET FOR ASSISTANT REFEREE STUART WALKER

Passions were evident now on both sides and at last South Normanton seemed to wake from their slumber.  Referee Atwal was again in focus when he signalled there would be four minutes stoppage time this infuriated the home bench and you could see why.  There had been a large amount of substitutions from both sides along side some injuries to visiting players that would probably have required 7 minutes or so to be added on.

JUST ONE CAUTION HERE FOR RYAN HADLEY 

Entering the added on time with a neutral spectating desire for this game to continue because it was now really entertaining the crowd of just under a hundred South Normanton went within inches of equalising when from a right wing corner Josh Parffit headed just the wrong side of the post.  With a further stoppage to treat a visiting players cramp we did reach 7 minutes added time, but with this additional injury you still felt that the game was two minutes or so shy of a full compliment on the watch.

CONVERSATIONS ABOUT WHAT TIME THE SHOWERS WILL BE TURNED ON

The full compliment on the watch was certainly something South Normanton manager Dave Turner had in his mind as he went on to discuss the timepiece that referee Atwal was employing for this afternoons encounter and on every occasion he appeared to have had the final word he found another one for the man in the middle.  Frustration was the order of the day because his team had not performed to their best today and just as they were starting to time ran out. 

TENSIONS RISING ON THE NORMANTON BENCH

Take nothing away from Derbyshire Dales side they had defended admirably in the closing half an hour and for most of the game looked comfortable but that finale was a very creditable effort from their squad this afternoon, they gave everything.

STEVE MORAN RALLIES WIRKSWORTH FOR THE FINAL MINUTES

Return journey was a fairly swift departure into Alfreton with a half an hour wait and arrival back at base just after 5pm from this early kick off.

ATHLETIC MANAGER DAVE TURNER DISCUSSES TIMEPIECES WITH REFEREE ATWAL

SHERWOOD SETTING THE PACE

SHERWOOD COLLIERY 6 BELPER UNITED 0

UCL PREMIER NORTH AT DEBDALE PARK

11 NOVEMBER 2023 --- 3PM

CRAIG WESTCARR OPENS THE SCORING FOR SHERWOOD COLLIERY V BELPER UNITED

League leaders Sherwood Colliery not only set the UCL pace in this game but bossed it with half a dozen goals split between both halves without reply from visitors Belper United.  The visitors last week had earned a creditable victory that the blog witnessed but this week their new and young side struggled to match the experienced and powerful Sherwood side.

REFEREE MAX ATHERTON IN FULL FLOW

After another wet week some games were falling to inspections and the final decision to make a relatively quick re visit to Debdale Lane was made with all the fun of walks at both end of the Pronto bus service to undertake with the added joy of darkness on the return journey since the clocks had changed since the last visit.

The fifty minute walk from base saw time on arrival in the hamlet of Holmewood to meander to the far end to pick up the bus service, I say hamlet its probably more down at heel former pit village to be accurate.  It now has no drinking establishment since the closure in recent weeks of its miners welfare leaving this a 'dry' village.

Pronto departure at just shy of The Rufford Arms was as ever a grateful event with the wide selection of characters on public transport that I would rather be on a different mode of transport to.

Walking down Debdale Lane for around fifteen minutes brings the sports ground into site and with entrance fee paid a circuit was completed.  The problem photography wise is always that this ground is surrounded by large trees on two sides and with the sun low and soon disappearing behind them many areas were part shade part light hence the lack of a good cross section of pictures.  

REFEREE ATHERTON POINTS THE WAY

Belper United have experienced a good start to the season and after a change all round in personnel they still sit in a play off position.  Having seen them last week I did fear it could be a difficult game against this strong Sherwood side and so it proved.

Just seven minutes in and last weeks Belper hero Alfie Roberts, he of scorer of 75 yard strike, saw a sharp effort bounce back off his chest and the last player you want with the ball at his feet then is Craig Westcarr who made no mistake.  The advantage was doubled on twenty five minutes when Jamie York swung in a free kick off the left for Jobe Shaw to head home.  

This game was calmer than the game versus Boston Town so much so that manager Wayne Savage seemed to be able to stand back calmly and enjoy proceedings and with only one questioning of referee Max Atherton that the Derbyshire official answered it was an afternoon that even saw him laughing with the officials as they came back to the dressing rooms at half time.

Talking of half time as we moved into the first minute of stoppage time Sherwood made it three Westcarr set up York who fed the ball across goal for Marley Grant to slot home.  

SHERWOD GO CLOSE

The half time interval had seen the light disappear with floodlights now firmly in place plus the heating seemed to have got turned off as the wintery air made probably its first appearance at a match this season.

BELPER UTD HEAD INJURY AS REFEREE ATHERTON CALLS ON THE PHYSIO

The opening fifteen minutes of the second half had threatened to become a stroll although that may have had something to do with the three half time changes the visitors made but the impressive Ewan Robson got hold off this game by the scruff of the neck driving himself and Sherwood forward in determined fashion.  It was his efforts that led to the fourth he raced forward allowing William Norcross a shot that was turned away for the following up Grant to fire home for his second just past the hour mark.  Again Robson would be the provider with a cross off the right for Jake Wright to head home after 73 minutes.

Just two minutes later the half a dozen was reached when Westcarr was put through and his quality shone as the keeper came out he slotted home with ease for his second of the game.

The closing stages saw the excitement of the pace of substitute Jacob Pearce who was proving a handful and on more than one occasion worked his way into shooting positions.

WILL NORCROSS ON HIS WAY OFF AT HALF TIME

Referee Atherton's signal to end the match saw Sherwood still five points clear at the top of The UCL Premier North table and there will be many tougher challenges ahead for this excellent side who looked fully kitted out this season to gain that ultimate prize of promotion.  For Belper its a learning curve for the new set up and this was a hard lesson they will meet strong sides but not as strong as Sherwood every week so hopefully they will remain the right side of the play off line.

HALF TIME BOVRIL AWAITS

The walk to Chesterfield Road North brought the temptation of the chippy but with just fifteen minutes, or so I thought, for the return Pronto it was into the Nisa Local again.  With no Coop in the vicinity it was a revisit to this Nisa and a lot of them are very average, although not quite as average as the old McColls, this one though is a little star with well stocked shelves plenty of pies and snacks with a friendly owner.  Good grief I'm now waxing not to lyrically about convenience stores.  

On this increasingly cold evening I made the mistake of not checking the bus tracker and before walking a few stops along Chesterfield I referred to it to find the bus was 25 minutes late, could have done the chippy after all.  The walk would take me through Pleasley Hill and into Pleasley village were after a ten minute wait it was back on the bus to the west edge of Holmewood before a walk of around forty five minutes saw an arrival back at base for a warm.

SHERWOOD MANAGER WAYNE SAVAGE IN RELAXED MOOD WITH THE OFFICIALS

KEEPER SCORES TO SET UP WIN

BELPER UTD 2 DEEPING RANGERS 0

UCL PREMIER NORTH AT CORONATION PARK

4 NOVEMBER 2023 --- 3PM

KEEPER ALFIE ROBERTS RECEIVES THE PLAUDITS FOR HIS GOAL IN BELPER UTD VERSUS DEEPING RANGERS

Belper Utd goalkeeper Alfie Roberts set up this determined victory with a goal via a long range clearance before a wonderful solo goal in the seventh minute of stoppage time from Jacob Edge Lucas sealed the win against a Deeping Rangers side who won the possession stakes but not the finishing part of the game.

A WET WINTRY CORONATION PARK

Another week of the wet stuff saw a reach out for 3g already as early as November and with rain from just after 9am that would remain all day and into Sunday morning there really was no point risking a grass game as they were postponed at regular intervals around the east midlands.

Belper Utd again find themselves out of their home town and in need of a ground they now reside over the border in Nottinghamshire around ten miles away at Eastwood Community FC's ground with the added feature of a guaranteed game barring some heavy snow thanks to the playing surface.

Although this is far from ideal and mostly attendances in two figures the club have been performing well and must have a hardy band of benefactors who have an aim to move the side back to their home in Derbyshire as soon as viable.

ASSISTANT MANAGER AARON HAYER HE WANTS BELPER AT THE TOP OF THE TABLE

After a strong start the club have just gone through the appointment of a new management team in Alex Steadman and Aaron Hayer and with players leaving they have had an immediate development job on their hands with the side having a very young look about it today.

The changes here at Eastwood since my last visit which is probably around five years ago see the main stand losing its white elephant status with the moving of the dugouts meaning vision is returned to most of the stand whereas before only the back couple of rows offered a view of the action.  The small stand opposite has now been overhauled to become the home and away dugouts or should that be stand the only down side being the inability now to walk around the ground.  This though is probably of only a little detriment with the five foot fall away making most of the town end terracing not the most attractive option for spectating. 

OLD STAND NEW MEGA DUGOUTS

Arrival by the usual Comet and R1 options saw the rain still falling as it did for all of the game in a sharp drizzle and mist creating atmosphere that made photographs difficult and then impossible when it was necessary to turn on the floodlights for the second half.  

The obligatory visit to The Coop which has moved in where Sainsbury's was near the ground brought the usual pasty and supplementary cake item before entering Coronation park which proudly boasts of Eastwood Community Fc's partnership with Benfica, although I'm never sure what that brings to either party.

DEEPING EARLY FIRST HALF PRESSURE

There was a warm welcome from the gateman and time for a walk around to take in the changes before trying to get in situ with brolly and camera shielding from the wet stuff.

Sometimes you are at games that produce memorable moments and this afternoon those in attendance were along with the Belper United keeper Alfie Roberts who probably did something he may not do in the rest of his career.  With three minutes coming up on the clock Roberts launched a clearance down field 75 yards away from the Deeping goal as the ball started to find its landing point in front of visiting keeper Thoedore Bromley he took two steps backwards where upon on the second one he lost his footing and while flat on his back could only watch the ball roll into the back of his unprotected goal.

You're not going to see goals like that very often and although there was joy for Roberts you had to feel for Bromley.

REFEREE YAT HIN CRYSTAL LAM HIGHLIGHTS HIS NEW WHISTLE

The misfortune seemed to spur on the visitors who to be fair held the upper hand in the game but could not find the final chance due to the determination of the Belper side.  Indeed two minutes before the break Belper nearly increased their lead when Dylan Garnett saw his effort saved by Bromley.

The second period once again saw the visitors having the upper hand in the possession count but this Belper side was working so hard to keep them out and protect that unique goal lead.  On 72 minutes Roberts turned into stopper when he pulled off a sharp save to deny Tom Waumsley close in.  It would be Waumsley who would miss an absolute sitter in front of goal in the closing stages of the ninety when it seemed easier to score.  At this stage it looked like that may signal the end of the Deeping goal scoring options and it had to be noted that two absolute beautiful crosses off the right from Spencer Tinkler went unconverted in the middle too.

DEEPING KEEPER BROMLEY COMES TO CLAIM

The game entered the seventh minute of stoppage time and it looked like Roberts would steal all the headlines but that was not to count for the skill of Edge-Lucas who stormed forward and with Sam Smith screaming for the ball to his left he ignored him, drove on and fired into the back of the net from the edge of the penalty box for a wonderful solo goal.

A game of contrasts Deeping will wonder how they lost this game but on the other hand although they had to resolutely defend for long periods of the game the effort and work rate put in by this Belper side was equally deserving of reward.

Return journey was in reverse to the outward one and by a rare public transport success story a quick change in Alfreton saw an arrival back at base just fifty minutes after leaving Eastwood.

BELPER UNITED FIRST HALF ATTACK