THEY ARE BACK 2

AFC NORMANTON 0 CROMFORD AND WIRKSWORTH TOWN3

CMA PREMIER SOUTH AT THE BROADMEADOWS

18 MAY 2024 --- 3PM

AFC NORMANTON V CROMFORD AND WIRKSWORTH

Cromford and Wirksworth dominated this game from start to finish and secured a comfortable 3-0 victory in what has been a long season for all clubs affected by the weather and this could be a reason for the ease of the victory as Normanton have suffered from pulling in a lot of end of season games. 

THE FRYING SQUAD...........SAY NO MORE JUST ENJOY

Anyway importantly 'they are back 2' the return of fish and chips to the blog much missed by many, including me, who only came here for the delicacy rather than the football, haha.  The Frying Squad is just half a mile down the road from today's venue and of course has been covered before but has not been sampled for at least four years.  I can report they are still as good as ever and although I had the option of a large fish which I normally take I opted for the smaller fish because this was ready and I could get away to the game.  To be quite frank its worth watching one of the Normanton sides or Pinxton just to pull this chippy in on a regular basis.   On arrival at the ground there were strategically placed two advert boards for the business and this years is their thirtieth year certainly if the standard remains as consistent as it has been here to some years hopefully many more will be celebrated.

So a new ground today on The Broadmeadows sidled up by a pub eatery and a few retail units and business office type units with the recreation ground behind being the home to AFC Normanton who have gradually given some love and attention to the facility.  Firstly building a couple of dugouts followed by railing off the perimeter of the pitch and then some drainage work behind the far goal just recently completed.

The changing rooms are spacious and offer a toilet for visitors, there is attached to the end of the building a kitchen/snack bar with items sold from the window hatch.

It was a lovely warm summers afternoon with club officials smartly turned in their t shirts with a warm welcome offered to all and with a crowd approaching 100 there was a fair few hoppers and local visitors grabbing their last game before probably a month without any live football, haha.

Snack bar looked good with a nice selection of food and the raffle sold during the first half looked to be doing a good trade for the club alongside a programme that the travelling fans snapped up excitedly plus club badges, so a nicely appointed set up.  It was a first for me and one that every time I had tried to do this ground over the last few seasons had seen the weather intervene.

It was nice to catch up with a few hoppers I had not seen for years and also Chesterfield referee Mark Hilton who had a good game as usual always trying to keep the match flowing while communicating well with players.

OPENING GOAL CELEBRATIONS

Cromford took the lead after 21 minutes thanks to the home side who could not clear their lines firstly keeper Patrick Parkes pulled off a smart save with his legs it fell to Joe Geedon who got the ball stuck under his feet and nearly lost the chance to lay off to Tom Wilmot who fired home.

Just seven minutes later the game felt as good as over when the visitors doubled their advantage when Jordan Watts hit a non too dangerous shot towards the Normanton goal but Parkes just lost concentration and the ball slipped through his hands and into the net.

The break saw both sides return fairly quickly but the match officials made everybody wait probably obliviously taking their full fifteen minutes and they received ironic cheers and banter when they did return to the pitch, which was all taking in the good spirit it was intended.

In anticipation of a half time round up I ventured to the end that Normanton were attacking but sadly it did not prove fruitful as the home side just couldn't seem to get going although their was a chance for Josh Manifold who muscled his way through the visitors defence but could only fire wide.

The visitors put the game beyond doubt on 71 minutes when a deflected shot flew to the inside right hand side of the penalty box and Luke Roper fired past the keeper with an air of confidence to make it 3-0.

As the game meandered away so was the season with this being the last Saturday in The CMA there would be some midweek lower level games but to all intense and purposes this is probably the end of the season for most non league supporters.  Although the good old Sunday league around Chesterfield still offers up a selection of fixtures until the end of May for those looking for some footy action before the Euros.

Upon referee Hilton blowing the final whistle it was an end of season feel that left AFC Normanton a little deflated today but hopefully I can get along and see them in finer fettle while Cromford for the end of season looked so fit and up for this game, credit to them.

A nice crowd in attendance and the feeling of a nice club too.

CAN I BORROW YOUR PENCIL?

The Frying Squad reopens at 4.30pm so there is always a chance of a takeaway after the game but for today I had partaken before hand and it was time now to get back to base from a nice afternoon out as the sun goes down on another season.

ATTENTIVE REFEREE

Still not enough blurb to get around these last two pictures so please scroll through and have a look.

REFEREE HILTON TURNS DOWN CROMFORD PENALTY APPEALS