NINE CLEAR AT THE TOP

KIRTON BRICKWORKS 3 SLEETMOOR UNITED 0

CMA LEAGUE 1 EAST AT RADFORD HYMAS ACADEMY

21 DECEMBER 2023 --- 2PM

CLOSE UP ACTION IN KIRTON BRICKWORKS V SLEETMOOR UNITED

Kirton Brickworks went nine points clear at the top of the Central Midlands Alliance Division One East League table with this hard fought victory over bottom side Sleetmoor United.  A first half pre Christmas slumber saw the Brickies grateful for an opener from Connor Steel and then a brace from top scorer Jack March in the second half to secure a victory against a determined United side.

ACADEMY MAIN BUILDING

Another Saturday proceeded by buckets full of rain made many games at this level once again non starters but Kirton had enough sense to call on The Radford Hymas Academy for a bit of 3g pitch rental something they had done a few weeks ago and that would ultimately keep there successful season marching on at just shy of 3.45pm.

This week sees quite a few pictures featured so its just a hope I have enough content [waffle] to fill in around them haha. 

KIRTON BRICKWORKS MANAGER JAMIE BIRCH WITH ESSENTIAL WARM DRINK

Once again a cheeky taxi trip as soon as a nice price was arranged saw an arrival at Woburn Lane around 1.15pm for this two o'clock kick off.  Having seen on Full Time that this fixture had changed venue I opted for a change rather than re visit a current club from this season.  It would not be the first visit to the Radford/Hymas and its been commented on before of what a nice little facility this is and always seems to have availability on Saturday afternoons.  After a quickly replied to text by Kirton manager Jamie Birch any concerns about the information were calmed.

It was good to meet Jamie before the game and have brief chat and looking at his time at Kirton of over twenty years you get the idea the clubs means something to him as he now undertakes secretary and occasional player role alongside managers duties, clubman.

STEEL GETS A FOOT IN AS FINALY PASS HAS CONTROL

Thankfully the neutral venue was not too much of a downer because probably approaching ten years ago, too long I know, I had visited the unique ground at Kirton situated at the front of the brickworks.  With the yard then having brick laden waggons and stacks of stock piled up behind one goal it certainly brings to the fore the comment of 'we need to brick up the goal to keep them out' something that's certainly not the case currently.

The large canteen area was open on this day I think a pre season friendly fixture in better climate than the current one that has deemed the pitch unplayable.  

It did bring to mind the unusual nature of some of the old work sides and there grounds being positioned on factory sites indeed I remember watching one of the former Ripley Town sides in The CMFL days situated on the brickworks there. 

JACK MARCH BRINGS THE BALL AWAY

The formation of The Central Midlands Alliance last season has seen the former CMFL expand to a rather large set up with clubs coming in from the merged MRA, as in todays visitors Sleetmoor, and others moving inbound from The Nottinghamshire Senior League as in Kirton.  This also of course includes a few Hope Valley League sides too so it makes for an interesting set of new fixtures and visits for many clubs.

EMMERSON DRIVING INTO THE BOX

Sleetmoor have their own newly placed 3g and I guess are now using the facility unfortunately when I popped along a couple of season ago they had opted to use a grass pitch and a recent enquiry about a game this season received no response but maybe soon I will see their new carpet in action.  They arrive here in last place and its looked a disappointing season from a club that seemed to promise so much a few seasons ago for senior level football.

Kirton are romping away although over their shoulders are Blidworth with a few games in hand that will make the new year interesting as they try to return to former glories.  

FIRST HALF EFFORT FROM EMMERSON

The ground here is a little difficult for spectating as there is just 2/3rds of one side accessible and some of that is obstructed by high green fencing and caged in spare goals, there is though a corporate seated Mansfield Town Atcost stand.  Its a fairly open facility and as in the strong winds of today can be a little inclement.  On Mansfield games staged here there has been in the past a nice option to get a drink and snack from inside the academy today though understandably this is not available, with fifteen minutes before kick off just three spectators were in the ground, this did though swell to twenty for the match.

KIRTON SET OFF ON AN ATTACK

Kirton looked lively as early as the 7th minute when number 7 Aaron Emmerson flew down the right and under pressure from the Sleetmoor defender got a good shot away that Leon Baines in the visitors goal palmed away to safety.

QUICK SHIRT SWAP

The 'home' sides approach was looking laboured playing into the strong wind but I also believe playing on these surfaces, much as I don't mind them, does lead to overplaying the ball and encourages a lot of square passing when I just love to see players take one another on.

KEEPER AND DEFENDER DENY KIRTON

We were though treated to this again when Aaron Elis raced down the left cut into the box and as he reached a great position visiting keeper Baines imposed himself on the situation by racing out to claim the ball at the attackers feet.

As half time arrived that was about the total of it in a chances sense, it hadn't been the most entertaining of affairs but in fairness the visitors were playing well above their table position and Kirton looked to be suffering from pre Christmas or post Christmas celebrations.  Maybe though it was just the age old problem of top clubs playing the bottom side expecting it to be fairly easy but once again Sleetmoor dispelled this theory.

HENRY STANILAND WINS THE HEADER

Half time was spent pitch side for both sides, no faffing about returning to the changing rooms at this level.  There was chance for a team talk for both sides with Kirton manager Birch bringing the tactics board into play by the dug outs.

HENRY STANILAND RISES TO GET IN A HEADER FOR KIRTON

We were soon back underway again as the wind increased and the light faded on this winters afternoon and with the gusts now behind Brickworks backs maybe this would aid their attempt to break the deadlock.

STAR JUMPS SPECIAL AS SLEETMOOR DEFEND A CORNER

Thankfully for the game the deadlock was broken within just five minutes of the restart when Steel fired past Baines to relieve the leaders pressure.  This though did not dull the Sleetmoor efforts who came back at them with Morgan Snow racing through only for a last gasp joint tackle from keeper Reace Mills and Jacob March denying the equaliser.

WHOLE OF THE BALL 

A few minutes later Sleetmoor were again grateful to Mills who was quick off his line to claim the ball before Snow, again, could do any damage.

Just as it looked like Sleetmoor were going to find a way back into the game Kirton snapped up their second through the impressive and hard working March [Jack] who burst into box in a central position to fire home with ease after 70 minutes.

BRAD FLINN SHIELDS THE BALL FOR SLEETMOOR

It was March [Jack] who put the game beyond doubt with eight minutes remaining when a ball into the box off the left found him spare at the back with a moment to compose himself before lashing the ball high into the roof of the far corner of the net. 

For all intents and purposes that was game over and the wind was taken out of the visitors sterling efforts and the three points would go to Kirton who would take a nine point lead into the Christmas break.

AARON EMMERSON ATTEMPTS TO HEAD OVER KEEPER BAINES

There was time for a final bit of action with a superb push over by home keeper Mills from a Finlay Pass effort after a cross off the right and a clean sheet was achieved also when shortly afterwards experienced referee Andrew Harland called an end to the game.  

There was two cautions in the game a first half booking for Kieran Johnson and a stoppage time yellow for Scott Ricketts.

JACK MARCH IN CONTROL 

Kirton got there in the end and there was as an aside to Jack March some further impressive performances from Emerson and Ricketts but any man of the match award would go to Connor Steel always dominant and trying to drive forward with the ball to get Kirton over the line

JACK MARCH FIRES HOME HIS SECOND AND THE THIRD FOR KIRTON

Reverse journey was by a further cheeky taxi which arrived early, a blessing in this weather, and base was arrived at around 4.30pm.  

Whets my appetite to revisit Kirton Brickworks again and hopefully this can be achieved soon, a nice change this afternoon though.

JACK MARCH SEES HIS SHOT HIT THE NET