STAVELEY IN MAIN SHOW

STAVELEY MW RES 3 YORKSHIRE MAIN 0

CMA PREMIER NORTH AT INKERSALL ROAD

4 FEBRUARY 2024 --- 3PM

DANIEL BOULTON HEADS GOALWARDS IN STAVELEY V YORKSHIRE MAIN

Staveley aquired the winning habit as this game went on and finally sunk visitors Yorkshire Main with three goals without reply, but this could have been a different story had the visitors taken their first half chances.  They were more than competitive with both sides playing some lovely football on the carpet at Inkersall Road but after the break Staveley moved up a gear while Main seemed to lose their equity in the game.

YOU READY?

After a fairly dry week there was the threat of afternoon rain and with some of the local options on pitches that are suffering from this winters downpours a decision not to risk any late postponements was taken with a trip to see Staveley's second string taken with the safety of the 3g pitch coming into play.  So with cheeky taxi booked, again, it was a smooth and comfortable arrival forty minutes before kick off.

REFS REES AND GRAYLING SOLVE NET ISSUE

After a circuit of the ground taking a look at both sides warming up there was chance to obtain the teams from today's officials.  They are a cracking set of gentleman who conduct themselves in a way that is a credit to the game with man in the middle Rob Rees not seen for a fair while it was good to catch up with him.  Rob remains a dream to a photographer much like an active manager in the dug out he is always talking to the players and always offering a different expression as he looks to communicate his was through the game.  So apologies if there are a few ref pictures, a few more than normal anyway, it was a challenge which ones to leave out.  Joining Rob today are Mark Grayling who was on last weeks blog at Mansfield Hosiery Mills and Andy Gasgoigne who was also featured a few weeks back at South Normanton.  A pleasure to have a few minutes of their time, thanks fellas.

THE BIG GREETING

Today the visitors to North East Derbyshire were Yorkshire Main from the former pit village of Edlington.  Memories of a visit there I guess over a decade ago now so the usual tour around the village shops and I well remember the large Coop which I believe is sadly no more and then the biggest  mistake fish and chips from the first chip shop, which were fine but upon viewing the menu at the second shop I spotted battered black pudding on offer.  Note to self if there are two chippy's check them both out first.

There was time before the kick off to have a nice photographic chat with Richard Lightning about the fun of sports snapping, he had certainly undertook some superb team pictures processing for many sides he had assisted and all to raise further funds for the clubs.

The visitors looked resplendent in their somewhat retro kit, the shirts being particularly eye catching with the smart Yorkshire white rose badge.  Added to this Staveley's bold stripes made this a game featuring two attention grabbing kits.

TIME TO CLEAR

There was a small delay to the start while the net was secured at the changing room end and as usual it seems to be left to the match officials to sort the issue.  It did lead to the how many officials does it take to sort a net out question though, in fairness the height of referee Rees seemed to be the necessary requirement.

CLOSE MARKING DANIEL BOULTON AND ZIAH MCCLAREN

Having discussed the photographic problems Staveley turned the lights on just before kick off something that for us amateurs makes life hard but thankfully they didn't interfere until just before half time by which time the natural had deteriorated enough for them to be required, added to this it was now raining so time to get to the stand behind the goals for some protection.

MAIN WIN THE AERIAL CHALLENGE THANKS TO REGAN CONSTANTINE

The first half had been a competitive affair with the early plaudits going to the visitors and somehow they failed to take the lead with a couple of chances that looked goal bound.  Indeed this would be their undoing when Staveley scored two goals in five minutes firstly after 37 minutes when Callum Brown converted and then Jay Cutts slotted home from the penalty spot.

Two nil slightly flattered the home side but Main had not taken their chances and Staveley had, that was the difference.

LIAM HENDLEY DEFENDS THE STAVELEY BOX

By the time we got round to the restart the afternoon had really fallen away with a misty, dark and drizzly afternoon being to the fore for the second 45 minutes.

DANIEL BOULTON YORKSHIRE MAIN

The half was dominated by Staveley who although they could only add one goal a lashed home shot from Charlie Bingham just past the hour mark to make it 3-1.

Main seemed to have gone right off the boil now although they did have a fair chance again when Daniel Boulton beat the offside trap to race through the middle only to place his shot just wide.

The visitors were grateful to keeper Ralphie Smethurst who pulled off a superb acrobatic save via Harrison Lightning's effort.

BRANDON BURKE LOOKS FOR THE OPTION

Tom Reece collected his second yellow card and the inevitable red for a foul on the left hand side of the Staveley box as the visitors attacked.  So Staveley finished the game with ten men something they managed quite comfortably.

MID HALF SMILE FROM REFEREE REES

With the rain and murky Derbyshire night closing in the surreal sound of the chimes of an ice cream van on the neighbouring estate were only surpassed by referee Rees whistle for full time just after a quarter to five, anybody for a 99?

AERIAL CHALLENGE WITH BRAD MCFADDEN WINNING

An enjoyable afternoon of CMA football once again and a great chance to catch up with a Yorkshire Main side, for Staveley they were more than happy a win here and a win for the first time at Athersley Rec

CAUTION CHARLIE BINGHAM

Ready and waiting for the 'cheeky taxi' arrival, back at base around 5.30pm from a good game for the second weekend running its taken a while to see some entertaining games this season but in the non league world the whole visit is about so much more isn't it.

BIG HAND LITTLE HAND CHECK BY REFEREE REES