NO LARKIN AROUND AS HAT TRICK HERO COLIN SEALS SUNDERLAND VASE PROGRESS

HEMSWORTH MWFC 1 V SUNDERLAND RCA 5
FA VASE ROUND 2 @ THE MDC STADIUM
21 NOVEMBER 2015 --- 3PM

HAVE YOU SEEN SMARTER DUG OUTS?

A clinical Colin Larkin hat trick sent Sunderland RCA into round three of the FA Vase with a barnstorming performance in West Yorkshire.  Although the talk and the headlines will be made by the former football league player Larkin will no doubt admit this was a team display that screamed out with 100% commitment and no little ability in some of the play from the north easterners. 
The day started with a wait for an early pitch inspection at Hemsworth and after overnight snow there was a little doubt in the blogs mind.  But a departure from base station allowed a few possible routes for this journey with Rotherham at Leeds I opted to avoid a busy train up to Fitzwilliam and on arrival in Sheffield the 265 bus was boarded for the one hour journey to Barnsley.  With a quick trip that any sprinter would have been pleased with we made the about to depart number 28 which ultimately ends its journey in Pontefract.  This journey was of interest because it would take us through many of the former mining villages surrounding Barnsley and also allow us to depart with an hour to spend in Hemsworth and thanks to the 'explorer' ticket it was all included in the price.
Departure soon had us into the surrounds of Barnsley with Cudworth, Birdwell, Shafton and then Grimethorpe all evoking memories of the bygone pit days.  Grimethorpe was one that I had wanted to visit with the former CMFL club no longer gracing the league the ground remains and has just accepted Worsbrough Bridge Athletic as tenants and is on th 'to do list'.  The village was also base for the film Brassed Off set around the villages famous brass band around the time of the 84/85 strike.
Upon arrival at Hemsworth the bus station is adjacent to the big 'T' store amazingly you felt Metro had rejected the chance to position it in aisle 1!

KINSLEY GREYHOUND STADIUM

Hemsworth has a nice and what looked relatively new 'Spoons' in the form of The Blue Bell well refurbished from a former nightclub and a warm welcome today on a cold day was guaranteed.  A relaxing half an hour was gained with a good meal and after a small break we elected to continue the rest of the journey via foot.
Its a straight route to Fitzwilliam the nearby village that stages the home ground of Hemsworth MWFC with the former pit of Fitzwilliam Main, to become Hemsworth Colliery and then Kinsley drift, this would appear to be a good enough connection.  The way to Fitzwilliam is met along the road by Kinsley a village that until last season had its own CMFL club and directly over the road from this a superb looking greyhound track, The Kinsley Stadium is a superb facility and this area with Hemsworth MWFC has a nice selection of sports grounds add to this the cricket grounds and you have a sports keen area which was probably past aided by the National Coal Board helping out in making sport a positive in an areas lifestyle.  As we left Kinsley and entered Fitzwilliam we crossed over the railway line and the station, which we would use for our journey back later in the evening.

THE FORMER HOME OF AN ENGLAND GREAT BEING BUILT OVER

Fitzwilliam as with most of the villages around was a mining village and when the pits went how the villages and the areas surrounding them suffered.  On my previous visit here a few years ago for a NCEL ground hop game the back to back rows of terraced housing behind the remaining Railway Terrace had been demolished readying new builds. 
Here in is the next story and my last visit I had explored were number 45 Milton Terrace was and today as I sought it out for a picture I found the builders had moved in big style.  You see on Milton Terrace you would have found the person we are about to declares Uncle Algy, his grandma scoring a 100 with a stick of rhubarb and his mum catching the ball in her pinny.  Yes it was the birthplace of one Geoffrey Boycott Yorkshire and England cricketer I had hoped to get a shot of the ground where is house once was but today I could only get a picture of houses going up over the site.  The picture shows in the back ground on the left the large roof of the massive miners welfare.  Sadly Geoff hadn't come back to visit memory lane today so it was time to make our way the remaining 100 yards or should I say cover drive to the entrance to The MDC.  Just before we do its also very much worth mentioning this villages sporting pedigree was further enhanced by the footballing brothers of Cyril and Peter Knowles, the former a glittering career including Tottenham and the latter at Wolverhampton Wanderers.

THE ENTRANCE TO THE MDC AT HEMSWORTH MWFC

The entrance to the ground previously had been via an approach road at the side of the cricket ground which fronts up the football ground but now its a little diversion through the first road that enters the newly built estate.
From my one previous visit not too much appeared to have altered at the ground with the social club and changing rooms being the main building. The spectator entrance is to the right hand side of this building and having paid the entrance fee a little step across a grassed area secured a programme from a portacabin window.  Thankfully we arrived at 1345 and secured the said item because within 5 minutes the window was closed up and all 30 programmes produced had been sold.  A little disappointing here for many travelling and home fans, surely most clubs would have predicted a large gate for this 2nd round tie especially with a club from the north east being involved.

A BUSY ENCLOSURE PROTECTING ITSELF FROM THE BITING WIND

The ground as previously discovered is a neat and tidy affair with a nice display of conifer trees bordering a good portion of the boundary.  Turning to the right we have hard standing all around the perimeter with the immediate goal backed by the conifer trees.  The far side has the Keepmoat Stand something I guess is now sponsored by the developing company of the adjacent upcoming estate.  Just before this smart tip up seat occupied stand we have the dug outs which are as smart as anything I have seen outside some football league grounds!  The far goal is concrete panelled off from the cricket ground and into the corner its large scoreboard, as we come back around we reach the bar area,  This is already packed out and with little room to move I decided to retreat with the snack bar in the same area today it was disappointing not to be able to sample anything.  Although todays game saw a larger than normal crowd in attendance I did hear the club was looking at extending the area something that would certainly have gained the club a few more quid from the blog today in purchases.

FA VASE ROUND THREE QUALIFIERS SUNDERLAND RCA FC

In the build up to and during, the game it was cracking to catch up with some of the RCA fans who we had met a few weeks back in the first round game at Silsden, once again their friendliness was a credit to the club.  Thankfully there was time to snap an impromptu track suited team gathering.  Thanks to Hemsworth officials the blog also managed to get a quick snap of the team sheets for reference.  The build up to the game went very quickly with some interesting conversations with not visiting fans but quite a few from Hemsworth and the surrounding areas who had opted to some and look at this attractive fixture.
So too the game and with Sunderland looking to continues their recent fine form they would expect to face a tough challenge form the leaders of the NCEL division 1 Hemsworth MWFC.  But the home side got off on the wrong foot within 30 seconds when ex Chesterfield front man Larkin was up to full steam straight away driving home a flowing move that caught out the home defence.

NO LARKIN ABOUT AS COLIN SCORES INSIDE THE FIRST MINUTE

Hemsworth were shocked but they responded well forcing visiting keeper Jordan Harkess into a couple of good saves, before Luke Proctor rattled the bar for the visitors from the edge of the box.
The pace was intense and with Sunderland looking a constant threat Hemsworth were finding it hard to take advantage of any openings they did work in the game and it got even harder on 37 minutes when Larkin got his second lovely work by Stephen Callen and Kevin Gordon set up the number 9 who converted with comfort from 8 yards out.
Again Hemsworth looked for a comeback goal but they met Harkess in fine form when he turned Jason Yates shot onto the post at full stretch.  A few moments later Callen stretched for the visitors while trying to convert but his effort flew wide.  He wasn't to be denied though on 45 minutes when his pace took him into the box and rounded the home keeper Chris Snaith to slot home from a tight angle to make it 3-0.

The second half started at the same 100 mile an hour pace and on the hour mark Sunderland RCA further extended their lead with a sweeping move that saw Gordon race on into the box and fire into the bottom left hand corner as Snaith came racing out.
Fifteen minutes later Hemsworth pulled a goal back when Samuel Jones lashed the ball home from the edge of the box to make it 1-4 this encouraged the home side into their best period of play in the tie so far and they were pushing the visitors back.  Indeed Jones could have got a second with ten minutes remaining but his unmarked header scraped just the wrong side of the post.

KEEPING CALM ON THE RCA BENCH

Then a sublime moment when Larkin completed his hat trick and made victory secure as the visitors went 5-1 to the good.  A cross off the left by Ross McNab looked to be travelling out of play deep at the far post but somehow Larkin took the ball down under control and in the blink of an eye lashed the ball home past a shocked home defence.  A fantastic goal to round of a fantastic afternoon for the side from the north east, Larkin would of course be delighted with his contribution but the overall commitment from the whole of his teammates I'm sure is something he would acknowledge.  As for Hemsworth they gave it a good go and with some better finishing would probably have been in this game for a lot longer than the score line suggests.  But the game overview would have to declare some clinical finishing alongside unbelievable work rate for the cause from Sunderland RCA.
The return short walk to the station was made by terraces overlong the railway line and
the former Milton Terrace and as the weather was closing in to freezing we were glad to see the slightly delayed Pacer unit pull into Fitzwilliam station for the departure to Sheffield before a quick change decamped us back at base station just before 7pm.
Not a long journey today but a tremendous game with a good historical look around the former pit heartlands of Yorkshire and overall a enjoyable day out.

ARRIVAL INTO HEMSWORTH INTERCHANGE

ROMULUS 'KEEN TO HOLTE' GOOLE

GOOLE AFC 2 V ROMULUS 3
EVOSTIK NPL SOUTH @ THE VICTORIA PLEASURE GROUND
14 NOVEMBER 2015 --- 3PM

THE VICTORIA PLEASURE GROUND

Romulus took away all three points from Goole with two lovely strikes from Luke Keen and Liam Holte effort after being two down to their hosts.  A remarkable comeback one that saw the roles reversed for Goole who last week had put Sheffield FC through the same emotions.
A wet weekend in Goole at The Victoria Pleasure Grounds [The VPL]..............................yes please.  With the weather once again being a concern for all hoppers it was a spot of Michael Fish meteorological work plus transport planning for a few games, I know pretty much the same as last weeks blog introduction!  Here again today the blog was further aided by Goole AFC who after an early text were straight back with the prospects and with a twitter feed always up to date it does give you an added confidence when visiting clubs like The Vikings.

GOOLE TOWN CENTRE OVERVIEW

A later than normal start would not leave time to take in the local 'spoons' but we arrived in our destination the inland port town of Goole at just after 1.30pm.  It was already drizzling but not bad enough to give too much concern and as research had shown, backed up by comments from Goole officials, its very rare a game is called off for waterlogging at The VPG.
The station is a smart little affair that seems pretty well used but with an uninspiring waiting room and entrance.  The station seems to divide the town into two with a nice precinct the opposite way to the ground and a small indoor market.  The shops on the way to the ground appear to be of the smaller and more local variety and are the other side of the 'divide'.  Overall though the town seems to be functional and have a fair selection of shops.  The two water towers literally peer over Goole from varying vistas around the surrounding streets an with Associated British Ports buildings also overseeing the town the areas history is not too difficult to work out.

GOOLE STATION A 'STANDARD' WELCOME

After a small tourist trail around we set off for The VPL and having gone back past the railway station we were on our way into the tight terraced back to back houses that welcome you on the approach to Goole's homestead.  There is a surprisingly 'old' football ground feel about the positioning of the ground which is really nice for us old uns and even when we turn the corner to see the turnstile block and entrance this theory is not dispelled.

ENTRANCE TO THE VICTORIA PLEASURE GROUND

A warm welcome was obtained from our first contact with the clubs officials around the turnstile, they are clearly well organised and by the time we had made ten yards through the gate we had been able to purchase a programme, raffle ticket and goalden goal ticket.  All clubs need proactive officials like todays purveyors of all things fund raising for the club and a good job they did too, sadly they did not sell us a winner.
With the wet stuff still coming down the blog set off on a circuit while Mick entertained the biggest meat pie chips and peas I have seen at a ground.

HERES A SMALL PORTION!

The club has a reputation for the local butchers speciality and today plenty of people were arriving early to make sure they got their weekly supply from John who was doing a pleasant job of serving.

THE PIES AT GOOLE GO DOWN WELL

All portions were generous indeed my chip butty, I did try cob but soon found out its butty here in the East Riding of Yorkshire, was massive well done Goole supporting the theory of well priced generous non league food.
Off to the right as we enter the ground and of course you will have noticed the ground is surrounded by a  normal size running track that on both ends goes down to 4 lanes, apparently the local athletics club still train at The VPL.  As with all running track surrounded grounds its never ideal but overall today I have to say it did not affect my enjoyment of the game that some other examples have. 

COVERED STANDING

The far side offers a stepped covered concrete terrace which straddles the half way line.  This area offers a superb view of the two water towers and for the train enthusiast a view of the Doncaster to Hull line with regular passenger and freight services offering a distraction from the proceedings on the pitch.  Behind the far goal you really are a distance away from the action but its hard standing all the way round to the far side were all the main club activities are based first up is a small derelict terrace with grass overgrowing, followed by a current uncovered small terrace.

FORMER TERRACING

Just before the stand to the rear is The Vikings Bar a small but comfortable purveyor of ales, coming back to the stand to the rear is the PA announcers box.  The announcements it has to be said were clear and good all around the ground a real change from some of the poor systems at some grounds, another plus for Goole.  The stand is made up of a mixture of bench and red tip up seats with to the rear a small enclosed hospitality area.  The players tunnel is a caged affair and joined onto the stand is the main steeped covered terraced area which offers a good vantage point, although this does have a few support posts to peer around.

MAIN STAND LOOKING TOWARDS THE ENTRANCE

Back now to the main entrance which following entry as a wide open tarmac area.  Attached to the turnstile block is the club shop and relaxing hospitality area.  In this area is the snack bar and ground toilets and there you have The VPL.
So to the game and it was Goole keeper Thomas Beaurepaire who was remarkably in early punching action on at least three occasions when he was spotted flying through the air like a certain comic book hero.

THE CLASSIC PHOTO OPPORTUNITY AT GOOLE AFC

The visitors from the West Midlands were looking very sharp and all but odds on to take the lead, of course you know what happens don't you?
Goole took the lead after 22 minutes Mathew Semley was quick to nip in on hesitation in the visitors defence and although pushed wide he finished from a tight angle and it was 2-0 after 33 minutes.  Referee Burgess played a good advantage allowing Nick Guest to confidently slot past Romulus keeper Chris Gemmell.
Romulus gave themselves a chance on 39 minutes when a sharp finish from Holte reduced the arrears.

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION

The second half started brightly for the visitors and the equalised on 52 minutes when Keen fired home well from just inside the box.  Twenty minutes later the comeback was complete when  Keen got his second and the third for Romulus with another edge of the box finish that finished up in the bottom right hand corner of the Goole net.
The closing stages could have seen either side add to their tally Alex Varley saw his shot go across the face of the goal and for the visitors Jordan Francis saw his effort cleared off the line by Joshua Wright.  Before in the second minute of stoppage time Goole captain Sam Colbear rose majestically at the far post but his header was over the bar when Goole probably should have seen this as an equaliser.
An entertaining game in some wet conditions which produced some neat finishing from both sides.  Football is a funny old game, so somebody said [!] Goole last week came back from 2-0 down against Sheffield FC to wind but today the roles were reversed by Romulus who would have enjoyed their long journey back home with three points secured.

LEAVING THE VPL BACK ONTO THE DARK WET STREETS OF GOOLE

Plenty of time to get back to the station for the 1725 return to base with a quick change at Sheffield. 
A welcome afternoon at the match further enhanced by some friendly people from both clubs.
Having passed The VPL a few times this season and had Goole on the 'to do list' for a while it was an enjoyable experience with hopes of a quick return on a slightly more weather welcoming afternoon to allow a better look around the town.

GBRF FREIGHT WORKINGS BY THE VPL

MEASURED HALL ROAD VICTORY OVER GRIMSBY BOROUGH

HALL ROAD RANGERS 4 V GRIMSBY BOROUGH 0
NCEL 1 @ HAWORTH PARK
7 NOVEMBER 2015 --- 2PM

HALL ROAD RANGERS FC

A well balanced two goals in each half saw the home side take all three points in this bottom of the table encounter.  With some better finishing Rangers could have doubled their score against second bottom Borough who are still struggling to drag themselves away from the basement.

PHILLIP LARKIN WELCOMES YOU TO HULL

Much planning goes into a hoppers travelling but todays was a realisation that the winter weather is back with us and with a selection of games gaining the blogs interest it was the rain that would make Saturday morning a tense affair.  With a guaranteed game on 3g in the West Midlands it was looking favourable for a trip to Birmingham, but never one to go for the easy route the other choice of a trip to Hull gave the chance to visit Hall Rd Rangers and their new ground at Haworth Park and with a 2pm kick off a reasonable call off would leave games at Goole, North Ferriby and Barton Town as a back up.
Well with thanks to the home club a quick text to the grounds man just after 9am confirmed, with the weather improving, he was confident the game would be on.  At this juncture I have to say a quick thank you to Alan and the clubs quick response so many clubs seem un responsive but when travelling is involved it requires a  prompt answer that was gained today, cheers.  With a few hoppers in attendance today hopefully this benefited Hall Rd Rangers with a few more on the gate.

AN ORIGINAL KINGSTON COMMUNICATIONS CREAM PHONE BOX

The usual journey to base station saw departure on an earlier than planned train allowing  a connection onto the 1041 seaside express to Bridlington, calling first at Hull Paragon, it was on the early part of this journey that Gordon of the Rainworth parish text to say their game was off at Barton Town!  A few moments negativity came across my mind but thankfully Sheffield FC fan John was on his way to Goole for their game and our conversation saw me arrive reasonably calmly in Hull just after midday to bright sunshine.
Re acquaintance was made with Philip Larkin famous poet who spent many of his days in Hull as Librarian at Hull University who has a superb statue on the station forecourt with some quotes from his works inserted into the concourse.
A few minutes to gain the blogs bearings for the bus to Scarborough which takes the Beverley Rd out of Hull towards the edge of the estate that is adjacent to Haworth Park.  The early stages of departure are of a edge of city that needs a little love and attention but we were soon alighting to the sight of a Kingston Communications cream old style phone box.  Following track suited player via a footpath that looked like it would near the ground we were rewarded with the approach road to Haworth Park former home of the amateur rugby league club of the same name.

HAWORTH HALL AND THE DUG OUTS SIDE OF HAWORTH PARK

At this point it needs to be made clear that Hall Road have just moved into the ground this season and are in the process of doing many things with I guess even less hands but having took on the ground on a long lease from a local private school they have a good base.

KOP TERRACING

Todays kick off was brought forward to 2pm while the club gets through the final stages of planning application for floodlights, at present they have their temporary ones in place.  With work having gone on this week in some wet conditions there is a fair proportion of mud around the place and a well placed cherry picker by one floodlight which is awaiting its last floodlight to be installed.
At present the ground has two parts open to spectator viewing along the main stand and behind the goal by the entrance hard standing has been put in place and the club aims to have their planned for floodlights operational within a few weeks and develop hard standing around the ground and further upgrade facilities.  The entrance to the ground is quite in auspicious with a turnstile approached to via a rough car park area, plans are also in place to re situate this too.  To the left of the entrance is the main club buildings changing rooms and a small room with tea and coffees only today, a shame as I could have done with a chip cob.  Above is a club house which sadly is closed today for a wedding function to take place but I believe its been upgraded and looking smart.  to the far end are some public toilets and the a fairly large sized stand which has bench seating and seemed to contain most of todays spectators.  The dug outs are on the opposite side with a TV/video gantry between the two this side and the far goal end as no hard standing at present. 

VIEW FROM THE ALAN PARKER STAND

Within the dugouts are two badges one for Hall Rd Rangers and the other for Hull City Ladies who I believe also play at the ground.  Further behind the dug outs and the goal by our entrance are more pitches that grounds man Alan was marking out as the players were warming up.  Also of note at the ground towards the far end is Haworth Hall, a grade 2 listed building and former home of Benjamin Blaydes Haworth, which sits proudly watching the game and all that it entails.

HAWORTH HALL VIEWS THE GAME

Before the game there was chance to catch up with Lee Myers media man and man of many other hats too and the blogs thanks him for the teams and a little resume of the club.
As we approached kick off it was a dry and bright day with photo's a little difficult from the vantage points available the pitch has also been taken in a few yards I guess while the hard work goes on with the lights to save making a mess of the pitch.
So to the game and with Grimsby Borough fighting for the bottom spot with Lincoln Moorland Railways a close encounter may have been envisaged with Hall Rd just 4 places above them.

It was 26 minutes before we saw the first goal with Ben Kinsley driving home well from a pin point cross off the right wing.

BEN KINSLEY MAKES IT 1-0

It was Kinlsey who was involved this time in the build up he had his shirt tugged I the box but before complaints could be made to the referee Mike Thompson had smashed the lose ball home.
After the break Grimsby were forced into making a change with their keeper Leigh Cook being replaced in goal by Kyle Bensley.

Hall Rd were having some stray shots testing the advertising boards and then in a short period of time two tantalising crosses went begging with just a slight touch needed to increase the home sides advantage.  The goals did come though Chris Garth was upended in the box and Paul Morrill slotted the ball home from the penalty spot.
It was 4-0 and game over on 68 minutes when Danny Walker was put through an he drove past the out coming Bensley.

HALL RD RANGERS MANAGEMENT DIRECT PROCEEDINGS

As the game drifted away Grimsby did start to show a little and on occasions could have probably secured a consolation goal but it wasn't to be and the points were successfully placed in the Hall Rd Rangers pot when referee Banasik called time on the affair just after 3.45pm.

NEVER LET IT BE SAID THE BLOG 'CHERRY PICKS' ITS GAMES

Spirited amble back to Beverley Rd with time to upload some food for the 4.57 back to Sheffield with seat gained for the journey there was time to check out the other results and upon departure join a busy train back to base station for just after 6.30pm.  The joys of 2pm kick offs they don't seem right but are great for getting back in nice time as the winter evenings close in.

An enjoyable trip to Hull a city I probably don't visit enough, although twice now in the last few weeks appears to be putting that right, with time and some hard work Hall Rd will I'm sure get their ground up to a standard they would aspire too and I look forward to revisiting again.

ARSENAL BAG CONTINENTAL CUP IN HARSH DEFEAT FOR NOTTS COUNTY

ARSENAL LADIES 3 V NOTTS COUNTY LADIES 0
CONTINENTAL CUP FINAL @ THE AESSEAL NEW YORK STADIUM
1 NOVEMBER 2015 3PM


ASSEAL NEW YORK STADIUM

[You can follow the blog on twitter @weallstand33-for future blogs, thanks]
Arsenal lifted the Continental Cup thanks to two strikes from Jordan Nobbs and a late mazy run from substitute Chimoa Ubogagu.  But much of this game rested on the harsh sending off of Notts captain Laura Bassett on 35 minutes up until this stage the lady pies had much the best of the encounters.  Indeed their second half performance with 10 still produced many chances in a game that they and their supporters could be proud of the effort shown against the odds.

MILLERS BEAR AND LADY PIE MASCOTS

After a mad dash from  Sunday Morning football viewing it was time to take up the short journey to Rotherham and once the connection was made at Sheffield it was clear that the game would be well attended with a nice selection of County supporters awaiting the Bridlington bound train.
Having passed through Meadowhall we very shortly weaved our way past the old Millmoor ground with flood lights standing proud.  As the train curved into Rotherham Central The New York Stadium towers into view adjacent to the railway line.  Indeed Rotherham Utd grounds have been excellent for train station positioning with the old station being a short goal kick away from Millmoor and the shiny new one also well placed.

SELFIE WITH GUNNERSAURUS

On arrival at New York many of the usual activities were well underway Continental football skills area, Arsenal merchandise stall, Rotherham Utd represented with their community football team and of course the mascots were appearing too.
Berry Bear who I had previously met at Burton Albion a few years ago for an England Ladies friendly was about to be joined today by Arsenal's Gunnersaurus the Dinasour.  This is a big and cumbersome mascot but how the incumbent inside made a good impression later inside the ground with his dancing and audience participation.  While moving around to the ticket office for collection of todays seat allocation along the walkway another photo op with Notts Countys lady magpie, pink trainers, and Rotherham Utd had joined in with their mascot Miller Bear.
The women's game has been taking off superbly well over the last few years and from some games I saw in its infancy is now almost unrecognisable with some good participation levels.  Indeed the success of England Ladies in the World Cup this year as added to an increased awareness of the game.  Last season the blog took in a few Derby Ladies games and this season has also enjoyed two games at Meadow Lane in front of some healthy crowds, todays was 5,028.

BERRY BEAR PRE MATCH

To this affect the Lionesses third placed finish in The World Cup was superbly driven by England Manager Mark Sampson and his staff who the blog managed to get a little picture of as he was surrounded by autograph hunters further enhancing the games progression theory.

ENGLAND MANAGER MARK SAMPSON ARRIVING AT THE NEW YORK

The New York Stadium had been visited for Rotherham's play off game versus Preston a few seasons back and you have to admire the ground its certainly not a new concrete boxed stadium. 

AMAZING FLOODLIGHTS AT THE NEW YORK

The seats are well positioned and steeply raked with the hanging floodlights encased in circular support frames proudly standing above the East Stand.  Correct music selection for football matches to be played over the public address system are a must and Rotherham always seem to get it right today it was superb and the clearness of the announcements were good too.

PUKKA PIE STAND......MMMPIES

PIES IN PRE MATCH WARM UP

Trips to Notts earlier in the season and I of course today meant the chance to sample, again, Pukka Pies chicken Balti effort polishes down with a tea.  Its league prices at a fiver but this flavour of pie takes some beating!


REFEREE JANE SIMMS SOON TO HAVE AN IMPORTANT PART IN THIS FNAL
 

So to the game and Notts started at a pace with Laura Bassett forcing Arsenal number 1 Sari Van Veenedaal into an excellent save.  Jess Clarke was next up with a close range effort that she steered just wide.
Just as Notts seemed to have a firm foothold in the game Arsenal broke away with the pace of England international Nobbs who raced away down the right and fired past Carly Telford to give the Gunners the lead.

The game changing moment came with ten minutes to half time Notts captain Bassett won the ball with a sharp tackle on Vicky Losada but to the amazement of most of the crowd referee Jane Simms produced an immediate red card.  This looked a harsh decision and indeed on replays seen later it still looked harsh.  Let me say in defence of referee Simms who I have witnessed in many non league games she is a good referee and was well placed for this incident, but today a lot of 50/50's seemed to go Arsenal's way.
This had a big effect on the game unfortunately and Notts still looked shocked when Nobbs was given to much time on the ball and she lashed home a lovely strike from 25 yards on 42 minutes.

JESS CLARKE BREAKS THROUGH

Notts had got back into battling mode and the inspiring Rachel Williams headed against the bar just before the break.
The break brought Notts the time to reorganise and the early stages of the second half they looked determined to get back into the game.  It was Ellen White whose power and tireless running provided here with a chance straight away but Arsenals number one pulled off a sharp save.

A FEW MORE YARDS PLEASE

Before we get to the final Arsenal goal that settled the game in the later stages it has to be said Notts County Ladies gave everything to this game and second half with tireless running all over the pitch to make up for the player loss and with full endeavour to get back into the final.
In the final stages substitute Ubugagu weaved her way through the left hand side of the penalty box and close to the bye line steered the ball over the line with the gentlest of touches to allow the Arsenal players and supporters to settle into a confident belief that the 2015 Continental Cup Winners would be lifting the trophy just after 5 past 5.

THIS WAY PLEASE

The presentation seemed to take for ever, probably TV demands, and when it did it was aimed towards the TV cameras in the main stand, with only sponsor and guest in it, which gave a back view to the crowd who were positioned for TV viewing in the other 3/4's of the ground.  That was a little bit of a shame as was the non presentation of Notts County with their runners up medals.
Before the presentation thankfully County had gone around and acknowledged their supporters who had put up a tremendous level of encouragement not only today but season long.
Arsenal lifted the trophy shortly afterwards and as the streamers fired off to celebrate the Gunners continuing success in the women's game it was time to move off to the station for the return train.
On the return journey the station and the trains were packed with returning Notts fans and I even managed to share some standing room with the England manager Mark Sampson, not many England managers would be enjoying the delights of a rattling pacer train just after five o clock on a Sunday evening.  Good that the women's game, at the moment, still remains close to the fans lets hope it continues to do so.


ON DEPARTURE MILLMOOR IN THE NOVEMBER SKYLINE