MARATHON

MANSFIELD HOSIERY MILLS 1 DERBY SINGH BROTHERS 0

CMA PREMIER SOUTH AT THE FIELDINGS

7 MAY 2024 --- 7.45PM

MANSFIELD HOSIERY MILLS V DERBY SINGH BROTHERS

Cory Burton struck the only goal of this entertaining game against a strong Derby Singh Brothers but this match and the recent ones was about so much more and the commitment of clubs, players and officials.

So Tuesday night or Thursday night for that matter and it must be Mansfield Hosiery Mills right?  I have more or less moved to the Huthwaite Sutton border, mind you don't tell anybody I was there early because I've been sleeping over in the groundsmans unit.

The night started with the usual pleasant greetings here, however Ted had not made the game tonight and would not accompany Dawn at the 'gate' thankfully he does seem to be improving on his doggy vitamins.

Where's the headline come into the blog?  Well lets get it in early on.  After a season of mass call offs from the constant rain the business end of the season has meant an extension to many leagues and a collection of games featuring very little recovery time before the next fixture.

Some clubs have switched fixtures and rented out 3g facilities to try to clear some of the back log while others do not have the finances to do this, some clubs are struggling to raise a team for a match.  Lets though briefly look at Mills, and without a pie chart, they have from mid April up to and including tonight's game played out 8 games in 22 days and if their season runs out to plan will have made it 12 in 32.  On the games I have seen a full compliment of 17 players yes they have been affected by injury, holidays, work etc. but when you hear Premiership clubs moaning about games just take a look here a side like most non league clubs at this level that has to manoeuvre around players jobs as wwll as all the other pointers listed.

So a big round of applause to Mills manager Mark Turner and Paul Hutchinson his assistant, alongside players and club officials for their tremendous effort here in getting games on without calling them off.  Oh yes and don't forget the, even though small, contingent of fans who have also turned up consistently for end of season games at The Fieldings.

Marathon not a sprint.

CORY BURTON SCORER OF THE WINNING GOAL

It was a nice sunny spring evening that would allow a few more photo's and onwards to the game against a Derby Singh Brothers team who had looked like challenging at the top until the constant rain postponements frustrated them but even with that in mind they have put up a good challenge to all the sides they have met this season.

For Mansfield centre forward Matt Fowler who made the step back through the lines to keeper last Saturday at Arnold and he will continue in that roll tonight, although I'm led to believe that was his favoured jersey a few years ago he certainly didn't look out of place tonight.

CORY BURTON LOOKS TO OUTPACE JAGJEET DHILLON

The first half produced an evenly balanced affair with little in the way of chances although Mills got into some good edge of the box positions their efforts were often blocked out by a resolute Derby defence.  That defence was also adopting a patient build up in forming any move forward as the home side often thwarted them early there was a predictable 0-0 scoreline at the break.  Of note in the build ups and his increasingly resolute defending as the game wore on was Singh Brothers Jagjeet Dhillon.

JARVIS DENHAM SINGH BROTHERS NUMBER ONE

The second half produced a few more chances and remained an enthralling game to watch but it was capped off by an excellent winning goal just past the hour mark.  Picking up a visitors clearance on the half way line Stef Brown controlled the ball before hitting a defence splitting pass that found Burton just inside the left edge of the penalty box visiting keeper Jarvis Denham looked to close the Mills frontman down but he sidestepped him before firing past the defender on the line from 14 yards.  A cracking goal with a lovely pass setting it all up.

Around this Denham had made a superb save to deny Mills and on the other side with 15 minutes remaining Singh Brothers generated some lovely attacking inter play that set up Lee Williamson but with Fowler to beat he fired over.

By the time referee Dave March, a Sheffield based official, who it was a change to see as he normally is appointed to premier north games blew the final whistle Mills had survived the late possession pressure from the visitors and an entertaining watch had concluded with three points as Mansfield look to continue to secure a mid table position.

LETS DANCE

Next game up is just two days away and its the return twins derby as Mills visit South Normanton Athletic who were held to a draw a few weeks back at The Fieldings.  I'm sure The Shiners and Dave Turner will be up for it as they battle on to secure second place.  Hopefully it will be as intriguing as the first fixture but just getting through these games is a major plus for clubs of Mills resources.

NAIL BITING TIMES FOR THE MILLS BENCH

REFEREE DAVE MARCH DISCUSSES THE BENEFITS OF PINK WITH MATT FOWLER

MILLS NUMBER ONE MATT FOWLER