We all stand together: BETTER AND WORSE

GLAPWELL 0 ST JOSEPHS ROCKWARE 3

CMA PREMIER NORTH AT HALL CORNER

10 AUGUST 2024 --- 3PM

GLAPWELL V ST JOSEPHS ROCKWARE AS TEMPLETON GIVES THE VISITORS THE LEAD

First of all St Josephs Rockware won this game by some sharp second half finishing for their three goals and it came about with for the most part a compliment of just ten players after a sin bin start of the half and then a shortage of substitutes following an injury. Three points fairly on their way back to Worksop.

EARLY GLAPWELL ATTACK

The 'better' part of the headline came from the performance from Glapwell who may count themselves unfortunate after an impressive performance in the first half that looked to put them far away from the whipping boys of last season when they only gained one league victory during the whole campaign, but this season won their first encounter already. In that campaign it was to their credit that they turned up week in week out for their fixtures unlike some clubs. Although they wont set the division alight I would be hopeful they wont be at the foot of the table if they keep the first half showing to the fore.

DERBYSHIRE FA REFEREE STEPHEN REED-ASPLEY

Now for the 'worse' and its taken me longer to write this blog while thinking about this and I do not aim this at the club as I had a few conversations on the day from people who are excited and enthusiastic to put the following right. As regular readers know I do not go into writing criticisms and this is very hard to do but I cannot ignore todays observations that made the visit a non to pleasant one.

As a now more local hopper I have visited Glapwell over the years on many occasions through to the glory days of Unibond Northern Premier League football for games and then the regular re formations of the club over recent years. This ground was always a tight mixed hotch potch of stands and terracing but overall a close to action atmosphere setting.

CRUNCH

Over the last few seasons I have commented on the state of the ground, fixtures and fittings as the pitch is in fair condition for this level. The general condition as slowly deteriorated over the last few seasons but is now in such a shocking state of disrepair that surely the landlords of this ground whom I believe is the Parish Council have to take a serious site meeting with its members and actively put in action a plan to raise funds, grants etc to put Hall Corner back into an acceptable state.

I've chosen not to use pictures directly of the ground although this can be seen from some of the backdrops. But today its become a rust bucket which is exposed through minimal paint work through its barriers and former cut down floodlights, stands with roof panels missing and damaged seats on mass, weeds strewn the whole ground from standing areas to borders and the amount of rubbish strewn around gives a terrible impression, on todays circuit I brought it short at the sight of the second strewn dead animal. You can add a complete lack of refreshing paint work, the old clubhouse still in its fallen down derelict state and showers that apparently have not been operational for a month.

As a hopper we all love our grounds of character and quirks but this as gone way beyond that and the work required here to bring this back to any shape that really makes it safe is massive. I applaud the enthusiasm around the club that this can be done and I hope that the Parish Council will start to take an interest in their asset to the village after all its a side representing their name.

I add the provision that we all know council's are strapped for money but there are grants available and I just wonder if they have viewed the state of their former jewel in the crown.

FINGER WAGGING MOMENT

That was not easy but anyway onto today's game and a first half that was as even has could be finished goal less. Rockware hit the bar through Matty Templeton and Glapwell had their own effort through Oli Parffitt that found the woodwork.

Just before half time visiting captain Tom Mullen thought he had been fouled in the box but referee Stephen Reed-Aspley waved away his claims and had to talk to the player to calm him down.

However at the half time whistle Mullen continued and finally the referee's patience was tested and he was sin binned for the first ten minutes of the second half.

CHAD LAKE GETS IN A CHALLENGE

The interval was a solitary affair with no visit to the snack bar and on a bright sunny afternoon we were soon back underway.

CAPTAIN MULLEN ARGUES OVER THE NON AWARD OF A PENALTY

The visitors would take the lead while down to ten men Matty Templeton was looking to torment on the right angle of the penalty box and as he cut inside Fynn Whitehouse had a good grip of his arm and as he went over the resultant free kick was lined up by Templeton who struck a lovely effort into the top left hand corner to break the deadlock, 53 minutes.

As Rockware had used up their substitutes available a further injury reduced them to ten men just after they had gone back to a full compliment with the return of the sin binned Mullen. But it didn't stop them extending their lead, Chad Lake did the work on the left with Jaden Thackery heading back across the goal for Olly Perry to slot home after 62 minutes.

Glapwell were finding it hard to get back into the game and although they did have an effort cleared off the line it was he visitors who would score again in the fourth minute of time added on.

REFEREE REED-ASPLEY NOTES DOWN THE HALF TIME SIN BIN

After an eventful afternoon for Mullen he would work his way into a one on one with the Glapwell keeper and finishing with an ease from a player who doesn't miss those chances. It looked to have been a challenging afternoon energy wise and his fellow players congratulated him as he lay on the floor before being assisted back to his feet by his team mates.

OFFICIALS GARETH MOFFATT, STEPHEN REED-ASPLEY AND SCOTT ANDERSON

A slightly harsh score line on Glapwell but on quality of finishing St Josephs deserved their victory and a warm afternoon will have taken it out of both sides in this early season game that didn't really raise to any levels of excitement but was workmanlike for the whole of it, the highlight being the Templeton free kick.