RIPLEY TOWN BACK IN THE PREMIER WITH A WIN

RIPLEY TOWN 4 CROMFORD AND WIRKSWORTH TOWN 1

CMA PREMIER DIVISION SOUTH @ GREENWICH COMMUNITY SPORTS HUB

11 AUGUST 2026 --- 1830HRS

Ripley Town got off to a wining start in their return to step 7 football after an absence of around 23 years.  After falling behind to an early goal they stormed back to command most of the remainder of the game scoring four goals into the bargain in front of around 70 people on a hot and very bright August evening, the previous months of hot dry weather were visible in the brown pitch that all non league clubs are suffering at present. 

I was grateful to Ripley manager Danny Cooper to confirm the game was still going ahead and after a quick 20 minute taxi journey time allowed for a visit to the adjacent Sainsbury for some water.  The Greenwich Community Sporting Hub is a smart building and also serves as a base for Butterley Cricket Club who also use the park.  Being so the club cannot charge for admission and rely on revenue from a snack bar with the usual soft drinks, teas, coffees and confectionery to make a little extra.

There is little furniture available of course due to the park fact although the club do have two very smart canvas wheel on wheel off dug outs.  Historically this ground had a large stand on it and a careful internet search will probably pull up the impressive structure.

The last time I saw a Ripley Town game was at the end of the 2003 season was then they played a CMFL game at Butterley Brickworks ground , at the end of that season the club folded due to a lack of a ground as this one became unavailable I guess as the works wound down.  Since then the club club have tried three re gathering of which this has been the most successful with the current club entering its third season after being promoted at the second attempt frrom CMA Division 1 West under manager Cooper.

A bright evening would make photos difficult but hopefully there is a few here to match the words with two nice kits on show the two tone blue of Cromford and the classic maroon and dark blue with yellow trim of Ripley Town.

Return to the tope level of The CMA did not start to well for the home side when Cromford took the lead after five minutes.  Ripley got on caught in possession on the right and cross laid across into the path of Scott Taylor who swept the ball home with ease.

Maybe there was doubts in the Ripley side but not for long they re gathered themselves and on 34 minutes they found the equaliser.  Captain Matt Lewis put the left wing corner to the back post where Matt Hibbert powered home his header to level.

Even better news for the home side when they took the lead in the third minute of first half time added on.  The ball was parried away by visiting keeper Jay Toone into the path of Jake Gascoigne who fired his close range shot goalwards it struck the visiting defender Tom Wilmott but could not deny the ball nestling in the net.

Half time investment in the snack bar and the players were soon returning to the pitch and the thought must have been of experienced CMA side Cromford coming back into this game.

It wasn't to be though and even though the exchanges were tight and a degree of long ball was utilised, naturally so on a bobbly hard pitch it was Ripley who added a third on 63 minutes.  Again Lewis in charge of the corners looked to have scuffed a grubber from the corner to the near post it evaded a gathering of players and despite the best efforts of Toone it was Gascoigne who got his second forcing the ball home from close range.

The home aside made it comfortable with seven minutes remaining with the goal of the game a superb long ball from Harrison Mills saw substitute Jaydon Dar hold off the defenders enthusiastic challenge to run on and fire home to make it four.

With both clubs now ready fro the final whistle time was played out before Ripley could celebrate a wonderful victory on the opening day of their new challenge and campaign on this showing they should be looking to a nice comfortable season.  The are next at home in a weeks time for a night game versus Wirksworth Ivanhoe in what will be a tough challenge.  Cromford and Wirksworth are seasoned campaigners and will bounce back from this defeat.

Return journey saw a quick return to base.  It had been an entertaining evening and good to see Ripley's start to their new challenge to life at we non leaguers still call step 7 some two decades after their last appearance here.  

Once again there are a few more pictures than words hopefully you enjoy taking a look below at the additional ones.