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SOUTH NORMANTON ATHLETIC 4 BAKEWELL TOWN 1

CMA PREMIER SOUTH AT LEES LANE

13 JANUARY 2024 --- 2PM

SOUTH NORMANTON ATHLETIC V BAKEWELL TOWN 

South Normanton went back to the top of The Central Midland Alliance Premier South table courtesy of a Josh Parfitt hat-trick and wonder strike from Reece Shaw that got the Shiners back into this fixture after Will Johnson had shocked the hosts by taking the lead with his headed goal.  With Pinxton slipping up away from home it allowed Athletic to go a point clear and gain local bragging rights, for now anyway.

THE LINE UP

Once again the blog starts with a weather moan but I guess now we are in January it is to be expected but after a dry week, for a change, today's problem was the overnight frost and keeping a check of who was likely to play or whether it would be time to take up the 3g option.  Thankfully with Normanton hosting a game in the morning on the pitch there was a degree of confidence that this game would not be in doubt.

In all seriousness though I'm not sure if other non league fans are getting just a little bit fed up and cheesed off with what the last three months of what mainly rain have done to Friday evenings and Saturday mornings in chasing fixtures.  Thankfully today the right call was made and the ridge at Lees Lane was no colder than anywhere else locally.

WILL JOHNSON GAINS THE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF LEWIS PRICE AFTER HIS OPENER

With a busy morning once again the 'cheeky taxi' option was taken and a price agreed for the round trip which would see me arrive forty minutes before kick off and set up a wonderful return at 4.30pm from this 2pm start, the luxury of not hanging around for full and unreliable buses is taking away from some of the weather frustrations.

TO QUICK FOR THE CAMERMAN REECE SHAW HITS HIS LONG RANGE EQUALISER

After the helpful securing of team sheet photos thanks to home manager Dave Turner there was a brief catch up and with a selection of home players the chance to say hello, many who are from the Chesterfield area. 

There was a nice selection of kits colours with the light maroon of the visitors against the pleasing to the eye light blue of Athletic for this interesting fixture.

REECE SHAW IS CONGRATULATED BY RYAN ORDIDGE AFTER HIS WONDER GOAL

Before kick off there was also the chance to pass a quick greeting to assistant referee Andy Gasgoigne who the blog had not seen for a little while, alongside a blog debut, I believe, for the man in in the middle Tristan Churcher

REF SAYS NO FOUL CAMERA SAYS LOOKS LIKE IT AS KIERAN ORDIDGE IS BROUGHT DOWN

Opening action looked to set the home side into the ascendancy with Parfitt heading against a post and then from a tantalising cross his outstretched leg could not convert the ball into the goal.  But slowly Bakewell got a foothold in the game and Normanton were looking a little shaky at the back.  The inevitable happened on eighteen minutes when a super back post corner was headed home by Johnson to give Bakewell the lead.

PARFITT ATTEMPTS TO GET A HEADER IN

This shock brought the home side back into the game with a neat move seeing the ball fall out to Shaw who from just shy of thirty yards lashed the ball back into the roof of the visitors goal to level the scores courtesy of this stunning strike.

The Shiners were now looking to take the game back to Bakewell and a lovely move down the left by Kieran Ordidge fed Sam Jackson who pulled the ball back for Parfitt to slot the ball home, 2-1and that's how it remained at half time.

REFEREE CHURCHER BREAKS OUT INTO A SPRINT

While mentioning half time the PA system here is always used and today before and in the break offered a brilliant selection of music, fully enjoyed the choice today and loud enough to hear at all corners of the ground.

SAM WATSON WATCHED ON BY HIS BENCH

The second period saw South Normanton attacking up the slope and although there was many a stray pass in some untidy football it always looked likely that the home side would increase their lead and so it proved on 67 minutes.  Again it was the tricky Jackson who put in a lovely cross to the back post for Parfitt to stoop to head the ball into the floor and over the despairing dive of Bakewell keeper Tom Crapper to make it 3-1.

BAKEWELL KEEPER CRAPPER UNDER PRESSURE TO CLAIM

With the time running out for the hat-trick for the Athletic frontman he would prove to be grateful for the introduction of substitute Ritchie Mathews who replaced the injured Ryan Ordidge, he put in a lovely pass from the half way line that found Parfitt who fired in off the post to secure his teams fourth goal as well as his personal milestone.

Before we could re start referee Churcher signalled an end to proceedings so a close call in claiming another career hat-trick for the Normanton number ten.

SAM WATSON JUST AFTER REALISING HE WAS NOT BEING SUBSTITUTED

The final score line seemed to be a little harsh on Bakewell whose early goal seem to awaken the home side who after a strong start had gone into somewhat of a slumber only to be awakened by Johnson's header.  After getting their noses in front Normanton would be the only winners and the joy of the crowd was only matched by realising that neighbours and title challengers Pinxton had lost.

REFEREE CHURCHER CAUTIONS JOE WALTERS

A fait crowd also today hitting three figures, 119, and most of which went away more than happy with the afternoons result.  Bakewell will re gather and realise they have played against one of the better teams in the league and that the final score could have been closer.

JOSH PARFITT RECEIVES PLAUDITS FOR HIS SECOND GOAL

Back to base nice and quickly after this 2pm kick off and as per last few seasons watching Hope Valley League games and other 2pm starts it really helps with pictures and is also a pleasure to get back before the winter nights and maybe even catch Final Score.

RITCHIE MATHEWS IN BALANCED POISE