THEY ARE BACK

DRONFIELD TOWN 1 ATHERSLEY REC 2 

NCEFL 1 AT H E BARNES STADIUM

24 FEBRUARY 2024 --- 3PM

DRONFIELD TOWN V ATHERSLEY REC

They are back Dronfield Town that is a lovely club back on the blog again for the first time in a while.  They are back three points for Athersley Rec after five straight losses.

But more importantly fish and chips they are back on the blog from the delightful hidden away Jolly Friar.

Athersley Rec bossed Dronfield out of this game with a determined 100% performance that makes you wonder were that has been in their recent collection of defeats.  Today's victory clearly meant so much to them as a squad and the togetherness from bench to pitch was clear for all to see.  

THEY ARE BACK

Again another week of rain had led to many postponements but with the pitch playable and looking pretty good at Dronfield the taxi gamble was played and arrival just half a mile short of the ground saw the re emergence on the blog of the English take away delicacy.  The fish and chip review section has not featured for a few years now and was a staple part of the blurb from an away day to the more far flung visits so much so that some people only followed it for the food I'm sure.

Long time readers will know that the old Jolly Friar was run by a Sheff Weds fan and it was a hidden gem then before an upgrade and change of owner and then a fresh owner took over so this would be the first time to check out the latest offerings.  As ever a fine portion of chips, small, and large fish were at the top of the review table with the fish cooked fresh it was nice and hot and although I went for the large fish I'm not sure the size of the small fish.  Fish and chips is no longer a cheap meal but better to pay for quality than throw away half the food box.  I'm eeping a check on Dronfield's fixtures for a return visit to the Jolly Friar I'm looking forward to it now.

JAMES WOODHOUSE WITH THE OPENER FOR ATHERSLEY

As ever at Dronfield a friendly welcome on the gate and although not much as changed from my last visit probably 5 years ago now.  The great wall of Dronfield remains intact behind the goal, the ground is still three sided for spectators, the people here are still welcoming including the homely snack bar, however the pitch has improved.  The playing surface at one stage was a cause for concern and certainly today's game after all of the winters rain would not have been playable a few years back I believe drainage work and what looked like from my memory either a moving and shortening of its width had helped take out some of the problem area.

HEAD INJURIES SEE REFEREE ROSE CALL ON THE MEDICS

The game would feature a nice clash of kits to the eye with Dronfield's classic black and red stripes against the Yorkshire visitors in all over tangerine or dayglo orange you decide but it certainly brightened up proceedings.

THE CHASE IS ON

Before the game it was good to catch up with referee Andy Wood who had picked up a line today when his appointment in the middle in his north west pool was postponed, so a line beckoned and here he was at Frithwood Drive.  Today he would be part of a team headed up by Chris Rose and assistant Notts referee the experienced Graham Taylor who still loves the game, he must do as many appointments as anybody.

THE EYES HAVE IT

The early stages looked like a very competitive encounter would be the order of the day and so it turned out to be.  But it would be the visitors who would take the lead on the quarter of an hour mark when a move down the right saw the ball find its way to the back post for James Woodhouse to fire the ball home.

CLOSE UP IN THE VISITORS PENALTY BOX

Dronfield came back with a header that struck the bar and then Sam Bebbington brought a brilliant close range save out of visiting number one Ellis Pickard.  Athersley got a firm grip of the game after this home surge and the togetherness was the selling point from bench to player to touchline supporters this club looked so determined today.

At times it had to be said there was a fair bit of dissent from the visitors bench and on the pitch but referee Rose chose the leniency option and at half time the visitors were good value for their lead. 

SUB NICOLAS BENSON TAKES ON THE ATHERSLEY DEFENCE

Dronfield started the second period determined to get level and after a couple of substitutions it was one of these Owen Lester who lashed home a volley from 10 yards to bring parity to the score line on 68 minutes.  As Dronfield appeared to be gaining the upper hand fellow sub Nicolas Benson forced Pickard into another sharp save and then a superb salmon like save from the head of Billy Wright which had looked all the way like giving the Derbyshire side the lead.

Having weathered the storm Athersley broke away in a sweeping move that saw a great initial save from Lewis Naylor but Jack Briscoe wasn't to be denied and Athersley with that had collected all three poiints

REFEREE ROSE CAUTIONS HAKIM JOHNSON FOR ATHERSLEY

A tough, tough, tough old game really hard physical advert for the NCEFL in which I felt sorry for Dronfield who had performed well but the commitment from Athersley Rec had to be admired, but playing like this you have to ask why are they in their current struggling league position?

LAST MINUTE TACKLE