We all stand together: TOP OF THE TABLE THRILLER

KILBURN 2 MICKLEOVER ATHLETIC 2

CMA 1 WEST AT CHAPEL ST

27 APRIL 2024 --- 3PM

KILBURN V MICKLEOVER ATHLETIC

Ten men Kilburn twice came from behind to secure a draw in this thrilling top of the table clash with Ben Hilton notching both goals against leaders Mickleover Athletic. The visitors had twice taken the lead but did not count on resilience of Kilburn who even found the winner after Daniel O'Donnell had received a red card.

SAM PIPES SHIELDS THE BALL

The threat of rain was in the forecasters minds but with the light variety possible after this season a big call was made to go for a game on the real turf for a change and this intriguing clash, second v first, had been on the radar all week. It would be a return to Kilburn after around ten years since the last trip and pre match research showed that the chippy had closed about three years ago, a shame as Kilburn is a village that looks pretty much out on its own and you would have assumed would have supported it.

No Coop to tick off however their is a fantastic shop, 'Metro' from what I can see is part of the Nisa system which although the shops are independent is owned by the Coop, so I'm counting it.

Pasty and a walk around the estate opposite would allow a look around the sleepy village before returning to Chapel Street for the narrow cut down between the terraced houses to the welfare car park and ground.

THE EYES HAVE IT

With the Welfare to the left the ground is straight ahead enclosed in by the changing room block and two turnstiles which for today of which one is opened up but with their windows boarded up I'm not sure if they ever operated.

The changing room block has a small enclosure at the front for protection and to the right two dugouts, most of the boundary of this three sided ground is railed and with some paving slabs still visible for the spectator to view from. Much of the corrugated boundary was reminiscent of Teversal and although the ground as seen newer days its the sort of ground that the seasoned hopper loves.

A friendly welcome from Ryan Smith and Andy Bonser, the latter who had got back to my enquiry quickly in the morning further convincing me to take this game in. A brief hi with the Athletic manager and a catch up with referee Jason Glanville who was a late week change for this fixture and with thanks a quick picture of the teams and we were ready to get underway.

TOM KENT HEADS CLEAR

Kilburn looked resplendent in their striking all red kit and with Mickleover having the same colour kit their away kit is mainly black which they used but thankfully the club had arranged with the referee to appear in what looked like an ex Premier league green kit to avoid any clash

THE MANAGEMENT FOR KILBURN ANDY BONSER AND RYAN SMITH

First action came in the third minute and the visitors went close when a long throw from Callum Horton was flicked on only for it to come back off the crossbar. Kilburn were more than competing but it looked like Athletic were getting the openings of which the best fell to Cole Hassell who missed connecting with his side foot effort with the goal open after a corner off the right from Sam Groves, 22 minutes.

Just shy of the half hour mark it was the visitors who took the lead a long ball through the middle saw saw Jamie Laird run onto it and fire past the advancing Kilburn keeper Sam Linford. You feared this may dent the efforts of Kilburn but nothing was further from the truth as they battled on from this blow eventually levelling. A long clearance down the inside left saw visiting keeper Josh Clapp fly to 30 yards out to make the clearance and whether due to the infamous 'Kilburn bobble' or not miss his kick allowing Hilton to guide home his first after 32 minutes.

JAMIE LAIRD OPENS THE SCORING

But with just five minutes further on the clock Kilburn's enthusiasm was dented when Sam Pipes was adjudged to have impeded a Mickleover player in the box and Michael Tristram stepped up to despatch the spot kick into the bottom left hand corner.

Before the break Hilton went close with a mid air flick with the side of his boot that that was saved by Clapp before at the other end Linford proved his worth with a vital save from Hassell.

LAIRD STARTS THE CELEBRATIONS

Half time had brought Mickleover in with the upper hand and for Kilburn the importance of not conceding again in the second half would prove vital as you could see the visitors then taking full advantage. But the home side came out with a real gusto and took the attack to Athletic as it became a game of attack from the home side and counter attack from the visitors.

FLYING TACKLE

Much as Kilburn were building up a constant head of steam in their search for an equaliser move after move appeared to be falling down as the last pass could not break down the visitors defence and when they picked up possession they attacked with pace that threatened a further increase in their tally.

SOLOMAN MILES ON THE BALL

End to end was definitely the order of the day but it looked bleak on 75 minutes when the home sides number were reduced when O'Donnell was shown a red card for a high challenge and you feared this may lead to an end of the Kilburn chances but it seemed to galvanise them and deservedly they equalised just three minutes later.

1-1 AS HILTON RACES ON TO SCORE

Josh Jennison worked hard in the left hand side of the penalty to box to get in a cross that found Hilton at the back angle he quickly pulled the ball back central and fired past the stranded Mickleover defence to create joyful scenes as the scores were levelled.

HALF TIME ENCOURAGING WORDS FOR ATHLETIC

For a brief spell Kilburn took the pace out of the game but then realised they could win this and in the closing stages went so close with Soloman Miles firing just over from a Jennison assist and Hilton went close too with a 25 yard free kick that Clapp got down to save superbly at his post.

Clapp's early disappointment at the way the first goal was conceded with his side getting his head back on the game and encouraging him was more than matched by this previous save and then another one with two minutes to go that kept Micklover in the game. It was from a Hilton cross off the right and Jennison whose shot was superbly blocked by the Athletic number one.

HILTON HOLDS OFF THE CHALLENGE

Breathless finish to a highly entertaining game for the small gathered crowd and a result that keeps both sides in the hunt for the league title. Thanks to both teams for a great game.

With third placed club Holbrook Sports securing a 1-0 win against Heanor Town Res its a three way battle and the remaining weeks.

In midweek Kilburn travel to Mickleover for an enthralling re-match although all three clubs meet one another and have some tough games for what will be an exciting run out and of the seven CMA leagues now has the most exciting finish to proceedings.

Own up time there was a cheeky re visit to the metro for a pastry before returning to base from a very enjoyable afternoon hopefully a return quicker than last time will be on the cards, can somebody open a chippy for next time?

As per normal recently more pictures than waffle to go around them and I couldn't leave them out so hopefully you will enjoy a scroll through the action shots.