SHIREBROOK TO SECOND

SHIREBROOK TOWN 4 RETFORD 1

NCEFL DIVISION ONE AT LANGWITH ROAD

9 DECEMBER 2023 ---3PM

LANGWITH ROAD FOR PRE MATCH SHIREBROOK TOWN V RETFORD

A comprehensive win for Shirebrook saw them march up to second in the NCEFL Division One table and with many games postponed they were able to set down a challenge to the clubs around them who have games in hand, but Town have the points.

The bore of Saturday's was once again placed on all non league fans as more of the wet stuff had fallen and non more so than this morning and with the afternoon forecast of strong winds it was an ominous match day in prospect.  The NCEFL suffered a complete grass wipe out barring this game at Langwith Rd which normally drains well but had received some nice attention from the grounds team to get the pitch ready for 3pm.

SHIREBROOK MINING MEMORIAL

Long time readers will know a trip to Shirebrook always whets my appetite, although I just wished The Model Chippy would move nearer the centre of town.  For the second week running a crafty taxi journey was booked for both trips after the 'game on' declaration was made.  With time built in for a five minute walk to the Market Place their would be an obligatory visit to the Coop for provisions.  Much like the Wetherspoons hoppers I fear I'm know counting Coops.

This seasons aim of local revisits leads to not trying to repeat things but for new viewers Shirebrook was a mining town with railway sidings adding to the pits employment total, but since closure in 1993 after just shy of 100 years the infrastructure as shall we say become a little worn.  Its hard to explain to people who are maybe not from industrialised areas how this affected towns and villages in this situation but needless to say the town in its good old days would have been a hive of self sufficient activity with most things being available within its parish boundaries.

Since closure the Sports Direct distribution centre came and expanded but its employment leaves a selection of things to be desired.  The market place is a sad looking place today certainly not helped by a winters afternoon but with large Christmas tree to the fore efforts were being made.

The most impressive part of the square and something I had completely forgotten about is the wonderfully evocative miners memorial statue by Peter Walker which sits aloft a large plinth.  Sat on this is a miner at work on the coalface with at the top his wife and child awaiting his return from the pit.  Something that sadly for some during the pits lifetime didn't happen and there is a special plate mentioning those lost attached to the plinth.  This very impressive statue was unveiled on April 30 of this year, 2023, on the thirtieth anniversary of the collieries closure and although a little difficult to take a photo of today is well worth a visit should you be in the area with the chance to stop and think about those glory but hard days sadly gone never to return.

HOME DEBUT FOR MARCUS DAY

Reminisce over and time to return up the incline to the ground and it was brightening up, although not for long, with entrance paid the chance to see the old stadium which I had not seen for a couple of years always reminds me of some of the tough games witnessed here in the past.  It is as you will know from my past waffling a ground that really should be at a higher level as is the club itself it really defines the term 'one of the sleeping giants' awaiting a return to success. 

So many dawns have come into sight for the club and not bore fruit currently the club have through their new chairman have invested heavily in players and this is starting to have an impact on their league position as things come together.  Before the game though there was muting's of him leaving and this would be really rough for the club and town who with increasing gates have started to dream again of what might be.

THE SHIREBROOK MANAGEMENT OF LEE NEEDHAM AND STEPHEN BODLE LOOKING RESPLENDENT IN MATCHING BOBBLE HATS

So it was all looking good until that is I tried to obtain a picture of the team sheets as I have done for years at non league so as to aid the report mainly because clubs do not always put their teams on social media or in a logical number order.  In my long time of non league outings the polite and courteous request has never been turned down that was until this afternoon when Sheffield and Hallamshire FA referee Lewis Pursglove stopped that in its tracks.  With 25 minutes to go to kick off as the officials came from their pre match warm up the request was made and he just referred me to the website with no budge.  So strange there seemed a complete disconnect, as you know this blog has always been friends of referees featuring nearly all and in a good light and on the back of it many referees have been warm and welcoming and many have become mates as you come across them later on in the season.  It is a shame because this is what non league football is about and its saving grace from the officialdom of the professional game.  Today though a different example was found.

EARLY SHIREBROOK ATTACK

I could not see the respective secretaries but while moving around the ground my mood improved with the chance of a catch up with many a non league fans friend Rudy Funk who has managed many a club around this area but certainly his most successful time was with Scarborough, whose fans still revere him now.  The man though is so friendly with supporters and this as previously mentioned is what non league football is all about, thanks Rudy for the 'cheer up'.  Just before leaving after our chat I checked both clubs social media and teams with numbers were listed, a saving grace.

TOWN ATTACK AS PHOTOGRAPHER RETREATS TO THE STAND

Visitors today Retford come into this game off the back of scoring nine and five goals against Swallownest and Clay Cross respectively so a stern test was expected for Shirebrook who give a home debut to new signing Marcus Day.

It wouldn't take long for the home side to open the scoring just five minutes in when Kieren Watson was put through and as the Retford keeper Ethan Cowan came out he slotted into the net with an ease.  Shirebrook continued to look dangerous but increasingly dangerous was the now howling wind that ratted the stand roofs much more than Benny Hill's Ernie's famous milk bottles and added to that was now driving rain and a darkness that at 3.20pm told you the depths of winter had arrived again on a match day.

Two minutes before the break the home side doubled their lead when debutant Day was clipped in the box by Liam Bennett it was Watson who also doubled his tally from the spot.

Retford moved up a gear after the break and for a twenty minute period had the better off Shirebrook first striking the bar and then pulling a goal back on 58 minutes when Bennett made amends with a back post finish and it was game on.

Shirebrook found a third though on 67 minutes and after that there was no way back for the Nottinghamshire visitors A J Greaves did the work to set up Day who fired sharply across the keeper into the far corner for a well taken home debut goal.  With five minutes to go the game was definitely beyond doubt when Town added a fourth a high bounce beat the Retford defender and allowed Kiyani Clayton down the left to supply Carlton Carty who finished with confidence, after Cowan had made a full length save from the original cross.  

The closing minutes saw Shirebrook go close to adding to their tally on a couple of occasions but overall they would be more than happy with the outcome on a wild, wet and windy Derbyshire afternoon in which both sides had put on an good game in the conditions. 

RETFORD NUMBER 1 ETHAN COWAN

Reverse journey via the luxury of a taxi saw arrival at base just after 5.30pm from an interesting afternoon that thankfully due to efforts at Shirebrook provided a game in a much decimated NCEFL fixture list.

REFEREE PURSGLOVE IN COMMANDING MODE