JOY

MANSFIELD HOSIERY MILLS 2 HOLBROOK SPORTS 1

CMA PREMIER SOUTH AT THE FIELDINGS

12 OCTOBER 2024 --- 3PM

MANSFIELD HOSIERY MILLS V HOLBROOK SPORTS ALBIE WHITE CHALLENGES

A superb winning strike three minutes into stoppage time by Luke Greaves was enough to bring the simple return of absolute joy for the home players, management and small band of home supporters who have witnessed Mills topsy turvey start to the season.

Without a win in five, the last one being on August 27th against then high flying Linby, the relief that this determined effort brought especially after coming back from behind to an early penalty was wonderful to see.

TED MOBILE FOR EASIER MOBILITY FOR OUR CANINE FRIEND

For the second week running there would be no Coop or chippy and it would be left to the ground snack bar to top up for this afternoons encounter.

As ever its always a warm friendly welcome with assistant gateman Ted in his new buggy taking the odd nap under his blanket during the build up but he's graduated from blanket on floor executive box to viewing from camping seat to now having the privilege of his own 'Ted wagon'.

BIRKINSHAW GOES DOWN UNDER A SUTER CHALLENGE

After a circuit and the gaining of the teams time to frequent the snack bar and Tracey was in charge today with Darren relieved of his duties as ever with this club always pleasant and a smart and clean operation.  After a catch up with a few people including Ryan Smith part of the management team at Sports it was soon 3pm and time to take a look at Holbrook Sports, again.

EARLY LEAPFROG

I say again because two weeks ago The Brookies took away a 4-0 league cup win in the 'cardgate' game were they finished with just nine men and Mills had their assistant manager sent off from the bench. Unless they meet in the floodlit cup this will be their last game this season because they away league game was played 5 weeks ago with a 2-2 draw being the conclusion. 

MILLS MANAGEMENT MARK TURNER AND PAUL HUTCHINSON ADDED TO BY SON JACK

Both sides had players out as is the regular occurrence in The CMA and you can never guarantee results at this level.

Mills were quick out of the traps but missed an open goal in the second minute when they had a shot that flew over the bar.  They were punished for their miss when Sports took the lead after 12 minutes with Mike Birkinshaw bursting through on the edge of the box when Mills captain Tom Suter felled him and referee Dan Seward pointed to the spot.  Owen Nixon converted from the spot despite home custodian Ben Robinson, who had replaced the injured Matt Fowler, getting something on it he could not stop the ball hitting the back of the net.

SPORTS MANAGEMENT TOM ELEY AND RYAN SMITH

Mills were forced into an early substitution when George Simpson came off injured and with a couple of cautions that was about the first half wrapped up and both Mills and Sports were struggling to get up a head of steam in a close encounter.

The second half continued in the same vein with Mills struggling to put much together down the slope at times they looked too easily forced off the ball and you feared for this game to run out to that early penalty.

But NO wait the boys in blue had other ideas Ted had become so concerned he'd moved himself round to the dug out where he took control in a cameo appearance from Mr Turner and decided to bark out some instructions and so onto 77 minutes and the equaliser.  Jake Johnson received the ball centrally 25 yards from goal and given space and time he drove home a beauty to register a credit on the home sides score sheet.

SAM LINFORD SPORTS NUMBER ONE

Brookies keeper Sam Linford pulled off a 'worldie' save for the camera, if only I hadn't put it away now for the rain that was falling, to deny Suter.

The confidence had visibly returned to Mansfield and they had a belief and the complete opposite befell Sports who were now struggling, quite amazing how a goal changes a game.

REGULARS ON THE POP SIDE

The game clicked over into stoppage time and it looked like a draw would be a result both sides would have to settle for, that was until Luke Greaves had other ideas when a high ball fell to him 14 yards out he volleyed home a thumping shot into the roof of the net.  Celebrations came over to the dug out  touchline the relief the home side and management had was clear for all to see as they celebrated this potential winner.

Could they hang on for the remaining thirty seconds well yes they could within that time referee Seward had blown for full time and once again for the home side they could experience the joys of a Saturday evening after a win. 

For Sports they had gone on a run of four unbeaten before this result something mentioned to their management before the start of the game and when they return up to full numbers I'm sure they will continue their more than comfortable start to life in the premier section of The CMA after last seasons promotion.  I look forward to catching up with them again during their season they have some good lads.

A final visit to the snack bar for some 'home' confectionery and with a few cheerio's that was it for another Saturday's football.

Now anybody for some Joy? 

BEN ROBINSON STRETCHES TO DENY SPORTS

Just one picture left after the words so here it is a second appearance for dug out Ted.

TED BARKS OUT A FEW TACTICS

OH DEAR

PINXTON 0 V CLIPSTONE 1

UCL DIVISION ONE AT WHARF LANE

5 OCTOBER 2024 --- 3PM

PINXTON V CLIPSTONE WITH MIKE WILLIAMS ON THE BALL

A wonderful goal in the second minute of stoppage time provided the only goal in a game that for the previous 91 minutes was an awful advert for entertainment.  But it was enough for the disappointing league leaders to gain their tenth league win and secure a five point gap at the head of The UCL Division One table.

HERE COME THE TEAMS

This day started strangely with a direct trip to Pinxton and never really fancying the chippy in the village it was planned for a pasty stop at the Coop near to the Wharf Lane ground.  This proved a flop with a large queue and one person serving with no self service on offer and after a wonder round and joining the queue which was slightly lesser the lady who had come out from the storeroom to help out left the frontline.  By now the front of me had two trolley laden shoppers so its was time for me to replace my produce into the fridge in a 'huff'.   So much as this game looked like a 0-0 score for all bar that late strike it would be an afternoon devoid of chippy or Coop food a rare collectors item,  I cant help but feel this was too big an explanation but there's not much forthcoming from the game so a filler is definitely needed.

One of these days I'm going to turn up earlier and walk down to the canal and railway line that's probably my final bit of Pinxton that I have not uncovered over the last ten years or so of visiting.

But for today up to the ground to pay in my fiver and the usual friendly greeting on the gate with a gathering of people forming around the entrance discussing what should be a cracking game as the league leaders visit the new boys to this step level and with not too many points separating them there was hope from the locals of  mini upset.

Nice to see the new 'hop in' mural in the stand adjacent to the snack bar produced by High Peak Artist a smart effort and something alongside the Pinxton badge that has brightened up the small enclosure.

GOOD ARM STRETCH HERE FROM THE REFEREE

Before the game it was nice to catch up with a hopper from Aylesbury, sorry didn't get your name, but we were able to discuss grounds and visits etc as we always do and also discuss Clay Cross Town where he had visited and been asked to sign the visitors book by non other than the late Mr Johnny Gore.  Bless him he loved his role at the club and welcomed the famous and not so famous all the same and if you had travelled he would search you out to sign the 'book', something that many hoppers I have since seen recount back in their memories of a visit to Mill Lane.

QUIET WORD WITH MIKE WILLIAMS FROM REFEREE CALVERT

Match officials today were headed up by Ryan Calvert, Lincolnshire FA, who I don't think I have seen before and looked mightily impressive today.  Also Kooner Singh as assistant referee who I had not watched in a game and he was joined the experienced David Williams, not a first, who took up the senior role managing the dug outs.  It was also nice to be involved with a small chat with them before the game, thanks guys.

CHARLIE HARDWICK PLAYS THE BALL THROUGH 

Thanks to Clipstone who supplied me with teams and after a further chat with the regular Pinxton photographer who produces some good work it was time to start the proceedings with a bright sun shining from the Wharf side of the ground positioning was critical.

JUST WIDE FOR UNGLESS BROOKS

A workmanlike first half produced little in chances but Pinxton definitely had the upper hand in this scrappy affair.  It was Ty Macaskill with two chances before the beak that produced the most first a cross goal shot that fell just out of the reach of any stretched leg and then moments later he broke through on goal only for Dale Sheppard to race out to block his effort.

SHERWOOD CLAIMS UNDER CHALLENGE FROM WILLIAMS

So we arrived at half time with a fair score line to reflect what had happened on the green baize, as ever a superb effort from the Pinxton groundsman!  It was looking lush and green and hopefully the weather holds fair for all clubs especially when the effort that's gone into this one deserve a consistent season on this surface.  

WILL UNGLESS BROOKS DOWN THE RIGHT WING

I cannot report much different in second half adventures the game remained very scrappy and although as ever at non league level you cannot fault player efforts it was however proving rather a bore for the neutral fan.  I did search out see if you could get a long distant shot of the traffic lights in Pinxton changing for a little action but sadly I could not see them from my position.

ASSISTANT REF KOONER SINGH AND THE NEW HOP IN MURAL

Pinxton although I guess also a little disappointed would have I'm sure settled for the draw but as so often happens the sucker punch came when we entered the second minute of time added on substitute Michael Hague put in a superb cross off the left to the back post for the waiting Mike Williams who volleyed the ball into the roof of the Pinxton net.  Three points wrapped up with a lovely move that would remain the only memorable point from this game.

PUNCHED AWAY BY HOME KEEPER WILL SHERWOOD

A big disappointment for the home side who will certainly be safe in their new step level venture and Clipstone and their manager were first to admit that it was not pretty and they were fortunate with a draw, probably a fair result.  At least it was not a 0-0 game though the one thing we all dislike as neutrals.

FOR THE SECOND WEEK RUNNING WE HAVE A CAUTION ON THE BENCH

This is how titles are won though and after going close last season Clipstone will be determined to push themselves through the season and were better than from the top spot and results like this are often a signal to which way a season may go.

REFEREE CALVERT CAUTIONS CRAIG MITCHELL

As ever not quite enough words for the pictures so please enjoy the following couple.

FLYING HIGH

MIKE WILLIAMS RUNS BACK TO CELEBRATE HIS WINNER