FREEZING AT THE WELFARE

STAVELEY MINERS WELFARE RES 3 AFC PHOENIX 0

CMA PREMIER NORTH AT INKERSALL ROAD

2 DECEMBER 2023 --- 3PM

PLACE YOUR COLD BEER HERE IN STAVELEY MW RES V AFC PHOENIX

On a bitterly cold afternoon with temperatures in the minus zone it was these two Central Midlands Alliance Premier South sides who put on a entertaining show but ultimately the pace of Staveley going forward was a deciding factor and on another day they would have secured more than the three goals that their efforts did this afternoon.

A BRIGHT LOOKING MAIN STAND

A very cold week with heavy frosts left a fixture list decimated and it always looked like 3g's as the only options and so it turned out to be with probably one of my first trips north this season, I say north about five miles north of base as the crow flies and a little to the east but overall it was close.  Not fancying a change over two journey bus trip to get to Inkersall Road and back I opted for a cheeky taxi there and back that saw the eight mile journey take just short of twenty minutes.  With arrival at the ground fifty minutes before kick off there was a chance to catch up on changes since my last visit which will be a fair few years ago.

INKERSALL ROAD TOWARDS THE BUSINESS END

This was always a ground developing and of course the major change that has been made is an excellent 3g playing surface to be made available to the community and of course supporting the first team, reserve side and u21's and today would see a game being able to be staged.

Behind both goals the raised covered terrace stands still hold firm with the old but always new looking main stand hugging the half way line.  The ever popular bar and food area is the hub of the ground with the expansive club shop now in a modern build at the side of this.  The tower bar and scoreboard are in close proximity, to the side of the terrace behind the corporate coloured frontage of this ground is a new toilet block.  In this corner is the large table tennis building and the new offering of an elderly and disabled covered enclosure with a double row of seats to the rear and a ramped access to the front of the stand.  So plenty going on here and a ground that really would grace step three without too many problems, it remains a shame that the club opted to ply their trade in The NCEFL First Division through a voluntary relegation they have a ground here to be proud of that shows the fantastic input that has taken place at Inkersall Road. 

HOW GOOD WAS THE JOKE WE MAY NEVER KNOW

Having popped round the ground I was still non the warmer and by this stage my camera hands were feeling the temperature and so much of the rest of the afternoon's pictures were limited to a few stills without the digits suffering any more.  Mind you it cannot be to cold as our weather judging postman is still in shorts, here though today most people were unrecognisable by the amount of layers and coverings they had on.

ANYONE FOR TABLE TENNIS

The three match officials today referee Mark Hilton, Simon Owen and Paul Holmes all ply their Sunday trade in the Chesterfield League.  Indeed Hilton today had a authoritative, calm non flustered approach to this game and overall this was a very impressive performance.

HASSAN DAUD ON THE BALL FOR PHOENIX

A healthy attendance of 105 slightly questionable individuals made the decision to stand out in these conditions to watch their weekly fix of football, very encouraging for Staveley and one that we were grateful to Staveley for, having the surface to get this game on.  There was a collection of referees at the game including a nice catch up with Mark Grayling and Chris Roberts the latter who decided to pose for a picture and then declared 'Something make me feels I'm going to regret this' why would you?  Mind you nice face Chris.  Staveley regular hopper, DCFA officer and Chesterfield Sunday League social media guru Dan Brown was also in attendance.  So the great and good were all here.

NO REGRETS FROM CHRIS ROBERTS AS DAN BROWN WATCHES ON

Staveley started off at a pace with a young looking side eager to get the upper hand and they were in the lead as soon as the tenth minute when the endeavour and pace of Jay Cutts down the left fed the ball into a charging in Ben Bailey who fired home a sharp low drive into the Phoenix goal.

Phoenix found a way back into the game possession wise and with better finishing should have been level but that early goal would see Staveley ahead at half time.

REFEREE HILTON KEEPS A CALM VIEW ON PROCEEDINGS

A walk round at half time brought to light the new facility ice cold tables to keep your beer cold pitch side, thanks today to the last few days frost indeed there were a few hardy souls partaking even bringing their liquid refreshments outside.  Most though opted for the tea and coffee with a selection of steaming hot food from the clubhouse to offer some warm comfort.

THE LARGE CROWD MEANT JOSH WRAGG COULDNT HEAR THE REFS WHISTLE WHEN PLAYING THE BALL AWAY

The second period was looking pretty well balanced but gradually the pace of some of the home side and including impressive substitutes gave the home Staveley faithful another two goals to cheer.  With fifteen minutes to go Charlie Bingham's cheeky little flick pass set away Cutts, provider of the first goal, to fire past visiting keeper Matt Dalton to double the score.

The result was put beyond doubt with ten minutes remaining when Bingham again turned on the assist mode with a superb back post cross for Oliver Moore to head home.

TRIPLE PICTURE SPECIAL FOR REFEREE HILTON AS HE POINTS OUT THE FREE KICK LOCATION

Phoenix were unable to come back from these two late goals but had put up a sterling effort on a cold afternoon but they make them tough in Rotherham as they do in North East Derbyshire and today it was the Inkersall Road side who would put on a fine performance to warm up the hardy customers, although most now still craved a warm radiator.

STAVELEY DEFENSIVE CLEARANCE

With warm radiators drifting through my mind it was time to make for the exit to be greeted by an already waiting warm taxi to whisk me back to base.

PHOENIX FEED THE BALL INSIDE

CMA football is what it is and by that I mean its mostly good honest football with full on effort and that was true here today with non too little skill added wonderfully to the mix by the Staveley side this afternoon.

SOLID PERFORMANCE FROM ZIAH MCCLAREN

Return taxi had me arrive back at base about twenty minutes after the final whistle and this afternoon had been a fantastic bonus when little else footballing wise took place.  Thankfully the option of a taxi replaced some horrible standing around in Chesterfield for a bus change and the radiator was embraced warmly sooner rather than leter.

PHOENIX MANAGEMENT HALF TIME BEVERAGES CREATE DISCUSSION