TEN MAN HARROWBY GRAB A LATE EQUALISER AGAINST WISBECH TOWN

HARROWBY UTD 1 V WISBECH TOWN 1
UNITED COUNTIES PREMIER LEAGUE @ THE ENVIRONCOM STADIUM
19 DECEMBER 2015 --- 3PM

HARROWBY UTD FC ENVIRONCOM STADIUM

[The blogs Facebook page 'we all stand together' will feature a few pictures not used in the blog shortly]
It looked like a second minute goal from Michael Frew for Wisbech would be enough to earn the visitors all three points especially when Sam Weatherstone was sent off for Harrowby early in the second half.  But the determination of the home side and in the end Danny Durkin 7 minutes from time earned the Grantham based side a point.
We arrived at Saturday and the forecast around base was surprisingly for rain and with a few early call offs a Michael Fish study of the weather had once again taken place and following the encouraging chat with some UCL officials at Yaxley last Saturday we headed towards the better weather at the metropolis of Grantham.  Just over an hour away from base station it is a town that I have never visited before even though I have visited the outskirts.  Following some planning of a few places I wanted to take a look at I discovered the Grantham circular bus could be joined at the end of the cattle prod tour of the town centre. 

GRANTHAM GUILDHALL AND ISAAC NEWTON

Arrival at Grantham station just after 1pm, we proceeded to take a look at the smart Guildhall fronted by The Isaac Newton statue, Newton was born in Lincolnshire and educated in the town.  A walk down the High St took us to take a look at the majestic St Wulfram's Church with a towering spire surveying the town.
The next part of the journey took us the former corner shop of Alderman Alfred Roberts the father, and birthplace, of Margaret to become Thatcher first women Prime Minister.  The building is now a healing centre and has a plaque high up on the building to mention the historical relevance.

THE BIRTHPLACE OF MRS MARGARET THATCHER

Before we arrived at the building we passed a thoughtfully named pub called the 'blue pig' and over the road from the former shop the 'nobody inn', great name!
At this point following a sharp walk we were on time to catch the Centrebus 1, 'Into Town' service, at the same time a 1 to Lincoln arrived and we nearly hopped on the wrong bus.  However a few minutes later the correct number 1 arrived for a tour around the estates of Harrowby.  Departing adjacent to the ground we took a small investment to Mark Jarvis bookmakers before visiting a big 'T's small 'T' version for a snack.

SPENCER WISBECH FAN RECORDING ALL THE ACTION

Tracing our steps back towards the ground and down Dickens Rd and to the tight and sheltered entrance of the ground.  Entry today was via the bar with the gate and I guess pay shed not in use, it was though a good policy and with an attractive Christmas tree on show we settled in the bar for a swift lemonade before purchasing the programme, a scratch card team and getting todays team line ups.  In the build up the blog managed to say hello to Simon the Harrowby secretary who had kindly replied to the blogs text to advise about the status of the game in the morning.
Also in the snug bar area was Spencer a long term Wisbech fan who now undertakes many tasks including videoing todays game.  Many will probably remember him hitting the headlines when the visitors moved to their new ground he moved into a flat there!  Spencer did inform me that he has moved on about 18 months ago but I guess that would be many non league fans ideal home!

CLUB HOUSE AND CHANGING ROOMS

Before we departed we also got into conversation with the grandad of Aaron Butcher the Wisbech, and former Ilkeston, goalkeeper.  An interesting chat ensued but it was soon time to pop outside and do the obligatory cicuit, entrance fee paid we entered via the tunnel and departed to our right.  First on show was the snack bar and then a small play area for any younger supporters.  A new cabin with a decking area around the front exterior is to aid hospitality, managers and physio rooms. 

VIEW FROM THE DECKING AREA TOWARDS THE DUG OUTS

Straight on are the two dugouts just separated by enough distance to avoid to close contact at times of heightened tension.  The whole surround is hard standing and down both sides you are a little away from the touchline the closest area to the action is behind the goals.  So behind the bottom goals we have a quite wet area of concrete standing with a scaffold catchment netting threatening to fly away.  The far touchline sides onto playing fields which are part wooden and net fenced off from the Environcom Stadium. 

THE NAME SAYS IT ALL

The main accommodation is on this side and goes by the name of 'Stan's Stand'.  A cracking structure with high rising bench seating and too either side covered standing areas.  The stand is names after Leslie Stanisland an esteemed gentleman who was heavily involved in the reforming of the club in 2012 and sadly passed away around that time, a nice tribute by the club.
The top goal is hard standing fenced off with alternate red and black wooden exterior fencing and to the near entrance end corrugated fencing of the same colouring.

REFEREE SARAH GRUNDY HEADS UP TODAYS OFFICIALS

Arriving back at the club house photo's taken and quick chat with a few people including a quick hello to today's match referee Sarah Grundy a level 4 who is well thought of in the UCL. 

THE MODERN HARROWBY UTD CLUB CREST

The club operated a good audible pre match public address system, this was though missing at half time a shame because there had been a good selection of music before kick off that I had enjoyed the walk round to.
The ground it has to be side needs a little loving with quite a few fence panels, I guess affected by the wind, in need of replacing but of course that is a costly exercise and with as ever the volunteers doing their upmost to run a club in a well populated area it would as ever be nice to see some more people of the large estates around he ground come along and support the club I guess.  Overall I loved the ground though and we had many a friendly chat and welcome during the afternoon from fans of both sides, thank you!
So as ever to the purpose of the afternoon 90 minutes of football and when after 2 minutes Frew headed in a cross from Mathew Sparrow to give Wisbech the lead we did not know what to expect.

HARROWBY UTD ON THE ATTACK EARLY IN THE FIRST HALF

The visitors threatened again on 19 minutes when Sparrow fed Stuart Cobb whose shot fell to the far post and with Frew about to add to his tally the ball was hooked away by the Harrowby defence.
Harrowby showed in attack and on 33 minutes Butcher was well placed to save from Durkin's header.

OPEN GOAL?

Just before half time Wisbech should have wrapped it up when Sparrow disposed the home defence rounded home custodian Johnathan Hotson and with and open goal proceeded to 5 yards short of the goal he placed his shot into the side netting before ruefully looking, blamefully, at the divot in the pitch.
We entered half time with the visitors in the lead from that early strike and made our way to the snack bar for soup, tea and a couple of sausage rolls.  There was also a nice selection of pies all served up by the amiable Donna and Lynne who had become favourites of Mick by the time I arrived.
The challenge became harder for The Arrows on 51 minutes when referee Grundy produced a second yellow and the inevitable red for Harrowby's number 4 Weatherstone.  His first half caution was I'm told by the home supporters a case of mistaken identity so I guess he could feel himself very unlucky here.

STUART COBB [WISBECH TOWN FC]

Hotson had to be alert on 70 minutes but he pulled off an excellent save from a header from Frew for the visitors.
The second half had been a hard defensive job for the home side but they had battled admirably and got their chance on 83 minutes as so often happens the work rate they had put in since being reduced to ten men paid off.  A goal mouth scramble wasn't cleared by Wisbech and Durkin was on hand to bundle the ball over the line from close range.
Wisbech could still have won it with five minutes remaining Hotson was on hand again to deny livewire Frew at full stretch.

The visitors would feel hard done to by the result but it has to be said that Harrowby never gave up and celebrated their equaliser with sheer delight that earn them a hard earned point.
Departure was brisk at the end allowing us to return by the opposite circular tour route of Centrebus service 1 back into Grantham with 3/4 of an hour to our departure from the rail station.
Base station was made at 7.20 after a very enjoyable afternoon in the company of two more UCL clubs.  Hopefully soon a visit to Wisbech will come to the top of the 'to do list' and a recommendation to pop along and take a look at this nice little club Harrowby Utd if you have not visited before.

CENTREBUS OPTARE ON SERVICE INTO TOWN 1 OUR MODE OF ARRIVAL

NUNEATON GRIFF & PINXTON SERVE UP 7 GOAL VASE THRILLER

PINXTON 3 V NUNEATON GRIFF 4
FA VASE ROUND 3 @WHARF LANE
17 DECEMBER 2015 --- 7.45PM

PINXTON FC VIEW FROM THE HILL

This Christmas cracker of an FA Vase tie was a credit to both Pinxton and Nuneaton Griffs who put on a display of fast flowing determined football on a sticky pitch that even had a 20 minute half time delay for floodlight failure. 
The evening was really hard work for the blog with a journey via the usual public transport methods of around 10 miles taking just short of two hours due to the two bus service being snarled up in road closures and delays, it approached one point were I thought the game would not be made.  Arrival at Wharf Lane was made by 20 past 7 and a hasty seeking out of the teams was made.  At this point it was good to catch up with Griffs match day secretary who supplied the visitors team line ups and we made a trip down to the changing rooms to secure Pinxton's line up too, thanks ladies for your help.
Before the game there was time to link up with some of todays hopper and also catch up with Chris Ryde, now esteemed programme editor at New Mills.




There was a good attendance for this unusual Thursday night fixture, following Saturdays waterlogged postponement, and within the crowd was Mark and Brian Thorpe of the Alfreton parish, the blog was grateful to Mark more of which later.
The blog gave a ground guide for the pre season visit of Heanor so I won't re visit this here needless to say not too much has changed.  The hospitality snack area was doing a steady trade and the crowd by the time kick off came around looked to be around 130 in situ around the tight perimeter of the pitch which keeps you close to the action and atmosphere.

 ENTRANCE FROM THE CHANGING ROOMS TO THE WHARF  LANE PITCH 

Onto the game and it started off at a pace which saw Pinxton look to take the game to their higher league opponents from The Midland Football League 1 visitors with both sides looking to make history with a 4th round appearance on offer for the first time in their history.  The game was developing in an end to end affair when Pinxton took the lead on 35 minutes Luke Walker crossed off the right for Jake Vernon to cheekily back heel the ball over the line.
The tempo seemed to increase with Luke Shorthouse for the visitors testing home keeper Gareth Briggs before Pinxton's Danny Evans struck a lovely shot that hit the post and flew back into the grateful arms of Andy Needham in the Nuneaton goal.
The equaliser came 4 minutes before half time though Briggs denied Ben Ashby before Alex Naughton set up Shorthouse to fire home.
All square at the half time break and then the game looked in doubt with smoke emitting from a halfway floodlight box referee Law raised his concerns as he returned for the second half before he had time to do much more the lights were out.  With camera phone lights and the moon illuminating the surrounds of the pitch we hoped for a return of the action.

REFEREE LAW AND HIS MATCH OFFICIALS AWAIT THE RETURN OF THE FLOODLIGHTS

After a twenty minute delay the Pinxton officials worked wonders and with credit to you guys [and the referee who gave everybody the chance to get this game going again] we were back on and under way at just after ten past 9.
Once again this week though it left the blog with the horrible dilemma of leaving about 8 minutes before the end for the last bus or costly taxi.
Within ten minutes of the second half Nuneaton took the lead Ashby firing home unmarked after Pinxton had defended admirably blocking 3 shots to deny Griff's.
The game was looking to swing the way of the visitors who seemed to be least affected by the floodlight delay but they could not find the third goal indeed hitting the post on 75 minutes through Kieran Brehon.
The annoying decision had to be made approaching the 82 minute it was time to get a less costly return and depart for the bus exiting down Elm Close just as Chris Gilson manufactured the biggest roar from the home crowd with an equaliser, dilemma return or keep going?
Thankfully the aforementioned Mark Thorpe called me too see if I had left and proceeded to give me a running commentary on the remaining 7 minutes, thanks Mark!
What a closing encounter it sounded with Brehon putting Griff's back into the lead on 89 minutes before a minute later Pinxton once again levelled through Jimmy Adcock.  It was then that I further doubted my decision was I going to miss extra time in this enthralling encounter?  The answer was no as Mark called in a Nuneaton winner in the third minute of time added on when Shorthouse secured his third and the visitors fourth to set up a fourth round tie with AFC Wulfrunians.
This season the blog has been fortunate enough to view 5 FA Vase matches and I have to say all have been tremendous encounters with some superb open and entertaining football this one was clearly no different.
At the end as in all of the Vase games so far some lovely comments from both sides thanking one another and wishing the victors well in the next round summing up the draw of the FA Vase for the step 5,6 and 7 clubs who make new friends from different leagues around the country.

SNACK BAR AND HOSPITALITY AT PINXTON

HEANOR GO DOWN TO EXTRA TIME LEAGUE CUP DEFEAT

HEANOR TOWN 2 V SPORTING KHALSA 4 [AET. 2-2 90 MINS]
POLYMAC PACKAGING LEAGUE CUP @ THE TOWN GROUND
15 DECEMBER 2015 --- 7.45PM

THE TOWN GROUND IS READY FOR HEANOR TOWN V SPORTING KHALSA

Extra time proved necessary for the away team to win for two games running for the blog as Sporting Khalsa came strong in a convincing second half showing.  Heanor would probably feel a little hard done to but once Khalsa equalised on 84 minutes there looked only one winner as the game was to enter extra time with the energy clearly sweeping through the visitors.
Both the games on offer to the blog tonight were cup games and were three connecting buses away with the prospect of extra time it would be a taxi for part of the journey or the option of forfeiting the extra time.

MIDWEEK FLOODLIT FOOTBALL AS WE APPROACH MAYFIELD AVE

Departure to Mayfield avenue tonight from base was greeted by heavy rain and the increasingly worrying prospect of the game being called off late, something I'm sure would have been more frustrating for our West Midlands based visitors who apparently had travelled up to Derbyshire in constant rain.  On arrival in Heanor the rain was a little lighter and the Christmas lights greeted us to the Market Place, alongside the Town Councils illuminated display.

WELCOME TO HEANOR................................... AND LOSCOE

Upon arrival at the ground mascot Lennie the Lion was out with a tin of sweets and I thankfully claimed a favourite it was only later he told me they were laxatives, naughty Lennie!  There was time to catch up with media manager Tony Squires and a quick hello to home manager Glen Clarence and player Nathan Benger. 

NICE NOTICE FROM THE LADIES, HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO YOU TOO

Then it was time to move on to the highlight of a visit to the Town Ground over to Dawn and Kim's snack bar for as an ever creditable chip cob with peas which are on offer by the side of a large selection of other warm food offerings.

NO CAPTION NEEDED..............MMMMMM

The officials were out warming up and there was also time to catch up with fellow hopper Alan who was also in attendance for tonight's romantically named 'Polymac Packaging League Cup'.
The pitch, although squelchy under foot was looking pretty good considering the rain and probably aided by the fact that no game was played on the surface last weekend.
The game involved two kits of a stripey affair with Heanor in black and white and the visitors Yellow and blue. 
The first action came on 17 minutes when Mansfield Town loanee Danny Fletcher crossed and Mark Smith looped a header off the bar.  After an encouraging start by the home side it was the visitors who took the lead after 26 minutes rather harshly.  For most of the first half the visitors bench had complained about the decisions of the referee and the near side linesman, probably with some justification but here they were finding a little generosity for the man in black.  Marvin Nisbet blasted a shot goal wards and from close range the ball struck a Heanor players hand referee Watkins pointed to the spot and although debut keeper Joe McCormack got a touch to it he could not stop David Meese converting.

STRIPES ALL OVER

McCormack was alert two minutes later when he pushed away Mathew Martin's 25 yard effort but it was Heanor who were to equalise two minutes before half time when Fletcher lashed an edge of the box effort home into the bottom left hand corner of the goal for a sweet strike.
Within a minute of the second half Khalsa top scorer Craig Bannister found McCormack still alert when he saved well again and shortly after he was on hand to pull off another good save from Bradley Lawley. 
After the home keeper had performed heroics it was time for The Lions to show at the other end and on the hour mark they took the lead when Chris Bettney floated in a left hand sided corner for Joe Naylor to rise and head home.
The game entered a 'tetchy' stage with Sporting Khalsa still feeling hard done to by the officials they made on field changes and moved to having 4 up front as they went for an equaliser and as Heanor stemmed tide after tide it was a case of could they hang on?  On 84 minutes that question was answered when Ben Hadley put in a superb cross off the left for Marvin Nisbett to head in at the back post.
Much as Khalsa continued to look for the winner following three minutes stoppage time we could not find a winner of this tie and extra time would be required. So it was time for a decision stay and get a taxi or accept a very entertaining 90 minutes and follow the game on Heanor's social media.  The latter won the day and although I cant stand having to leave early I was aware at the start of the night this could happen.  The visitors tucked away a goal in each half of stoppage time and Heanor succumbed 4-2 to concentrate on the league and The Derbyshire Senior Cup.
An entertaining evening also spent in interesting company of the visitors keeper, James Pemberton's dad who updated me about the news from other non league clubs in the midlands, he also sold me on a visit to a future Sporting Khalsa game too.

TRANSPORT 'CLOSING VIEW' THE GREEN TINGED TRENT BARTON H1

SLEAFORD MAKE ROUND 4 OF THE VASE IN EXTRA TIME AT YAXLEY

YAXLEY 3 V SLEAFORD TOWN 4 [AET 90 MINS 1-1]
FA VASE ROUND 3 @ THE IN2ITIVE PARK
12 DECEMBER 2015 --- 3PM

BLUSTERY AFTERNOON IN YAXLEY

[Apologies, again, today a shortage of action pictures due to the dark weather and conditions]
Sleaford progressed to round 4 of the FA Vase with a storming extra time victory after taking the tie into the additional 30 minutes following an equaliser in the fifth minute of injury time in normal time against 10 men Yaxley.  Very occasionally you see a game that has everything, who knows what this game would have looked like without the gusting wind, 7 goals, a red card, missed penalty, 9 yellow cards and a red!
Games like this are always difficult to sum up and an overall assessment must credit both sides for their effort and commitment on a horrible afternoon once again for a Saturday football match.

YAXLEY VILLAGE GREEN

Departure from base was to be to Yaxley a decision taken on the Friday evening after further Michael Fish impressions with the weather forecasts.  Once again, 4th weekend running, games were in danger due to the heavy rain forecast and so it turned out with hardly any games around base surviving the downpour on Saturday.  Thankfully we were confident of a visit to Yaxley, south of Peterborough, with their installation of a 3g pitch in the close season.  This was a chance to revisit after the blogs previous visit in May for the UCL cup final a day which was a happy event for AFC Rushden and Diamonds who lifted the silverware.  Yaxley made a good job of the day and clearly during the close season have invested further in their new facilities which are now nicely fenced off with the obligatory green meshed fencing and concrete hard standing replacing the former telephone company concrete pavement covers which made up much of the spectator standing.

OVERVIEW OF THE BUSINESS AREA AT IN2ITIVE PARK

As per usual the blog wont re cover too much of the ground where a descriptor can be viewed in May's blog for the above mentioned final.

EXECUTIVE VIEWING NOW FOR THE WALL AND ROOF!

The day started as ever at base station with the forecast rain now hammering it down on the exposed platforms.  East Midlands Trains supplied a two coach unit and our option of seating was limited to the tip down seats in the doorway, still we did have some.  By the time we got too Nottingham we had the first chance of some seats before the train loaded up again on its departure to Grantham and then our destination of Peterborough.  We took the 1970's style road bridge over to the bus station and departed on the '5' passing Peterborough UTD's London Rd ground as it was readying itself for a home game V Shrewsbury.

COLOURFUL HOME FANS PRE MATCH

Having departed a few stops early around the village green which even on todays dull, but amazingly not raining day, the area summed up an English scene with post box, village pump surrounded by thatched cottages.  Sadly we were now seeing the wind increase in speed something that would affect the afternoons proceedings but not enough to put the game in doubt.  Walking down the road signposted 'Holme' we arrived at the ground via the partially unclaimed road and with the club house offering a smart welcome to the ground we felt ready for the action.
Having paid the entrance fee and obtained some programmes a circuit of the ground was completed with an observation of I believe new seats in the stand which looked very smart.  Following a look around the impressive club house we noticed steam emanating from the snack bar so with no 'eats' so far we made a brisk dash to the emporium for chip cobs and tea.

YAXLEY ST PETERS PARISH CHURCH OVERVIEWING PROCEEDINGS

The new 3g looked impressive and as we have seen over the last few seasons it allowed a game to be played when many others may have been called off not only this but also providing an excellent surface for football on the floor too.

YAXLEY IN INDIVIDUAL WARM UP

Having satisfied our stomachs we got into conversation with some supporters from both sides which was very informative and then managed to catch up with a three UCL officials, including Ian Hughes and the leagues Chairman, who were here today to see their member clubs go into battle.  Once again this was of much interest as the blog does not do many UCL games and with their enthusiasm it does encourage you to pop along and see other clubs.  The time to kick off seemed to fly by following the conversations but the teams were obtained thanks to both clubs and especially Sleaford's secretary who guided me to her contact at Yaxley.
So to the game and with both teams being members of the UCL it was sure to be a good challenge especially with Sleaford having beaten Yaxley twice already this season.  Yaxley managed by former football league player Ian Benjamin would be looking for a positive result and that's how they started when after 10 minutes Dan Cotton lashed a 25 yard free kick off the bar, this was wind assisted with the gust heading toward the Sleaford keepers goal.  The remainder of the first half was much dominated by the home side but they just could not get control of the ball under the conditions.  overall the first 45 minutes was a non event with little in the way of clear cut chances.

A SELECTION OF SLEAFORD TOWN PLAYERS IN WARM UP MODE

Following an excellent save from Phil McGann in the Sleaford goal it was to be the home side who took the lead after 62 minutes.  Jon Paul Duncliffe and Mat Gearing combining to set up Jon Stead who drove home unmarked at the back stick.
The game enetered a controversial stage now with the referee producing cards galore as mentioned in the introduction.  Referee  Oliver Morris Sanders seemed to be lenient in the first half when a few Sleaford players walked a tight line however when Yaxley sub Wayne Morris was late on a halfway challenge it looked a red card offence but after consultation with his assistant it was just a yellow.  The a few moments later Morris was adjudged to have committed a foul wide on the left upon which the referee produced a second yellow, which looked slightly harshly, and the following red saw Yaxley down to 10 men with 13 minutes to go.

THE MEN IN THE MIDDLE HAD A BIG PART TO PLAY TODAY

The turning point of the game came on 85 minutes referee Morris-Sanders played a good advantage after a very late challenge just outside the Sleaford box, nothing came of it and as the ball was going out of play the man in black awarded a penalty.  This appeared to be for a visiting player handling the ball before it had gone out for a corner.  Here the referee made a rod for his own back when he failed to caution the Sleaford player in the build up but 10 man Yaxley failed to convert the spot kick too.  The kick was taken by Cotton and diving to his right visiting keeper McGann pushed the effort onto the post, Cotton following up but saw his shot blocked.
Yaxley had seen the penalty well saved but they felt aggrieved with the officals and an amazing collection of 3 booking occurred on 88 minutes with Liam Hook, Duncliffe and Andrew Furnell all booked for dissent in the same stoppage of play.  Amazing in that after one player had been booked play was about to re start when another was booked and then exactly the same for the third player. 

Much angst was coming from the home support now and Sleaford were getting ever closer and they did equalise in the 5th minute of stoppage time when the extra man showed in the Yaxley box with Jac Wright converting from close in.
The blog here nearly fell foul to a quick exit only to realise with many of the crowd that we were now about to go into extra time. 

THIRSTY WORK FOR SLEAFORD MANAGER PAUL WARD

What a period of play it was too as the game opened up even more and produced 5 goals.  Sleaford punished the tiring home side.  In the first minute of the extra time Wright hit the post and the Ryan Oliver forced the home keeper Andy Stevens to save well with his legs.
Sleaford were pushing for the lead and it came on 102 minutes when a corner off the left was powerfully headed home by David Hone.

We turned round for the second period of extra time and the game was to give us more goals as Sleaford stormed into a 4-1 lead when Ryan Oliver scored the goal of the game a powerful cross goal shot from 20 yards that flew in off the post and George Asplin tapped the ball in after good work from Harrison Allen in charging down a wide clearance from the home keeper.
Game over.....................not this game.  Yaxley pulled a goal back on 119 minutes to make it 2-4 with Stead getting his second and then in the 2nd minute of stoppage time in extra time Sam Spencer curled in a neat 20 yarder for a further consolation goal.  After a further 2 more minutes of stoppage time referee Morris-Sanders blew his whistle to call an end to this exhausting but massively entertaining encounter.

PITCH STILL LOOKING PERFECT

This was a tremendous affair which has to be credited to both clubs with Sleaford going forward to represent The UCL and Lincolnshire in round 4 but Yaxley must take a lot of credit from this game and can count themselves very unlucky not to get another crack of the whip with a replay.
Having spent some of the extra time period checking our delayed return times for the train we walked away from the ground and that is a challenge in itself very dark with no lighting indeed until returning to the edge of the village there is no pavement also, so it was an hair raising experience dodging the oncoming traffic.
Having secured the 'stripey boys' bus to Peterborough we approached the city to find out that our 1826 train, which we would probably have just missed and joy of joy it was nearly 15 minutes late allowing us to jump aboard for a return to base station at around 2015.  One of the few times when the blog is happy to see its train running late.
The return journey was busy but this had been a good afternoon out at a nice little club who have a cracking little 3g facility if you have not visited In2itive Park put it down for a visit.

DELAINE IN CLASSIC COLOURS THE TRANSPORT END SHOT
DEPARTING PETERBORUGH FOR BOURNE

WELBECK WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WELBECK WELFARE 3 V DINNINGTON TOWN 1
CENTRAL MIDLANDS FOOTBALL LEAGUE NORTH @ ELKESLEY RD
5 DECEMBER 2015 --- 2PM

WELBECK SECRETARY GRAHAM AWAITS A FEW MORE PAYING SPECTATORS

This bottom of the table clash saw a Robbie Savage[!] double set Welbeck on their way to all three points against fellow strugglers Dinnington Town.  The battle of the basement was played in gusting winds that made consistent play difficult indeed one first half free kick from just short of the half way line flew straight back over the takers head and out for a corner.  A third goal from Daniel Fisher made the home side a little more comfortable until a late penalty from Shawn Edwards created a few moments of doubt.
As is becoming the normal Saturday requirement it was weather watch time and this time the rain was not the major issue but gale force winds and with train travel already disrupted a local trip was the favoured option.  Over the last few weeks Welbeck Welfare had featured on the fixture list mainly because I like the effort the officials put in to keep this club on the rails and also to see a game on their new pitch, following the transfer from down the banking to the raised level by the new changing room block.
So a start that was not too early saw a change in Alfreton followed by Mansfield and then a stripey boys number 11 to Meden Vale the home village of Welbeck Welfare.  Indeed the village way called Welbeck Colliery Village until the 60's before a name change to the current one which takes on the relevance of the River Meden travelling through the area.

OBLIGATORY PIT TUB FLORAL DISPLAYS IN ANY FORMER MINING AREA

A 20 minute journey saw us arrive in the village which is very much out on a limb, the bus route passes through a superb little main road side village called Spion Kop, great for a football fan but named after a Boar War battle and the Market Warsop which is a small little town with a small selection of shops.  Having turned off the main road 3/4 of a mile later and you are in Meden Vale a former mining village for Welbeck Colliery which was opened in 1912 but sadly closed in 2010 and there in lies a difficulty as with all villages around the area so much of what went on at the pit supported the village and surrounding businesses. 

ENTRANCE TO THE FORMER WELBECK COLLIERY

The most noticeable new addition is  the Welbeck Solar Farm on the pit hillside that overlooks the village and to the side of our ultimate destination.  I'm reliably informed there are 40,000 solar panels in situ and it is one heck of sight they really have taken over the view as you enter Meden Vale. 
We departed early for a little walk around the streets something that we kept to a brief amble due to the ever increasing gusts of wind.  A small walk down to the pit gates led to a nostalgic memory jerker about the pits that provided prosperity for Nottinghamshire and indeed Derbyshire and Yorkshire the nearby mining areas.  The site is still under some sort of reclamation with concrete waggons and pumping cranes in action all afternoon.  By the old pit entrance is the pitch that Welbeck were gracing on my previous visits here and with a fresh cut received to the grass I guess still very much in use for some of their selection of sides.

FORMER WELBECK PITCH LOOKING TOWARDS THE OLD COLLIERY SITE

Back up to the entrance to the new pitch and the one thing Welbeck miss is an obvious entrance to the site but we managed to navigate some serious road works and enter at a level negating the normal climb up a grass back from the Welfare, something that we noticed had disappeared completely.  Sadly it would appear that it was no longer viable and had been demolished around 6 months ago, the former village hall still remains though minus its roof as has been the case for the last few years.

NOW THE WELFARE AS GONE TOO

Having arrived at the ground the whole of the perimeter is protected with spiked grey metal fencing similar to school boundaries.  Once inside by the pitch is the 'new' changing room blocks which have been in use for a while now even when the bottom ground was in use. 

The building also houses a small snack bar well run today by Elaine who was doing bacon/sausage cobs and drinks with a supply of chocolate bars.  Having secured the teams before kick off and purchased a couple of programmes, the latter is a steady effort and something that must be credited to the club and secretary Graham Hall when so many clubs with a better support than Welbeck don't seem to bother.  There was time before the game to have a quick chat with Dinnington secretary Wendy and discuss their fortunes and the hard working their few officials put in to keep the club going.  Along side Wendy I also got the chance to catch up with Graham, both of who I became acquainted with while at Clay Cross, for a little chat as he took up his position in the pay booth just before kick off and as with the Dinnington officials it has to be said these people are the salt of the earth working their tripe out to keep their clubs going for very little reward.

MICK CAPTURES FELLOW HOPPER PETE FOR A PHOTO OP

Both clubs have poor records with some heavy defeats and indeed Welbeck are the perennial bottom club, but although I will mention this in the game build up I also want to develop my earlier point.  However Graham and Wendy continue with the enthusiasm and motivation to keep their respective clubs going I do not know not only regular defeats but sometimes lack of cooperation from players and the league must put their continued commitment in jeopardy.  It really would do the Premier League prima doners and FA officials the power of good to spend a few months with these guys.  Following the game I did manage to get a few words with both Wendy and Graham to say 'well done', I salute them!
To the game and it would be remise of the blog not to mention the form of the two clubs Welbeck go into the game with a draw but following a called off game and a points deduction they sit on -1 points and the visitors from Dinnington have amassed 1 point from a draw too.  The goal difference before todays game for both sides amassed -130.  So with both teams well secured into the bottom two spots the immediate challenge was to see if either side could get their first victory.

The ground has, at present, no cover and also is just grass surround standing although a nice sturdy metal railing barrier is in place all around the pitch.  There is a slope down from the changing rooms and the wind is blowing strongly away from here towards the old pitch.  The club have two nicely raised dugouts on the far side of the pitch and a nice little pay booth for Graham to shelter in.  A steady little crowd of 20 with probably 14 or so paying attendees was encouraging on a rough day.
The first half saw Dinnington with the wind at their backs and but for a start performance from home keeper Andrew Sipson they would have been well ahead, Sipson pulled off 5 cracking saves to deny visitors.  But it was Welbeck who took advantage with the famously named Robbie Savage taking advantage of some Dinnington defensive apprehension and pick up a loose ball before firing past keeper Gary Hudson from 8 yards into the roof of the net.

ROBBIE SAVAGE GIVES WELBECK THE LEAD

After a retreat for soup to the snack bar it was time to brave the winds and ever darkening day at Elkesley Rd for the second half.
With the wind now at their backs Welbeck started out strongly looking to extend their lead and on 61 minutes that's what happened with Savage getting his second as h broke through he rounded the out coming Hudson and slotted home from a tight angle as a visiting defender tried to manoeuvre him further wide.

CRAIG TAYLOR, WELBECK, ON THE BALL

Welbeck had a head of steam up and some of the passing had been badly affected by the wind with shots going well adrift but this was not the case on 67 minutes when they made it 3-0.   A partially cleared attack fell to Daniel fisher who from 25 yards lashed the ball home well under control and past Hudson in the Dinnington goal.

REFEREE SEWARD TRIES HIS STAN LAUREL IMPRESSION OUT ON THE NON TO AMUSED PLAYERS

The lead was very nearly increased when a left hand sided corner from Josh Fletcher was wind assisted over the keeper and back to safety of the inside of the far post.
The visitors did pull a goal back with 7 minutes remaining a shirt pull in the box was an easy penalty decision for referee Seward and Edwards converted for Dinnington to finally beat home custodian Sipson.  Another quick goal now would have lead to a few jitters I'm sure for Welbeck but it did not come and the home side recorded their first win of the season, overall since February, a victory that was enough to take Welbeck off the bottom of the table, there is something that you haven't heard much in recent years in the CMFL.

SIPSON SAVES ANOTHER FOR WELBECK WELFARE FC

The final whistle arrived on an ever darkening evening and with the wind still gathering pace it was time to reverse our journey through Meden Vale and back to Mansfield after an enjoyable afternoon.  A bottom of the table clash it may have been but it had been a good effort from both sides in very trying conditions. The only shame ever at Welbeck is that the locals do not get behind their football team and for £3 and £1 its a good afternoon out that with a little more encouragement may just see the team rise to new heights.

Following a quick change in Mansfield there was just a little time to waste half an hour as the bus driver at my next connection completely ignored the passengers at the diversionary bus stop, cheers! Something which meant us catching the opposite direction bus on the same route to catch the following up bus back to where we had tried to catch the last one in service, confused sometimes you need a degree to use public transport!

THE LONELY LIFE OF A GOALKEEPER

BULLS CRASH OUT OF LEAGUE CUP TO KNARESBOROUGH

AFC MANSFIELD 1 V KNARESBOROUGH TOWN 2
NCEL LEAGUE CUP ROUND 3 @ FOREST TOWN ARENA
2 DECEMBER 2015 --- 7.45PM

FOREST TOWN ARENA BEFORE THE GAMES COMMENCMENT

A defiant Knaresborough put AFC Mansfield in this often feisty League Cup tie, a result that has seen The Bulls also lose in the league to fellow title challengers AFC Emley and in the vase to Alsager all in the space of a week.  This games further hampered their efforts with two sending's off in a bad tempered second period.
A poor week of weather had put this game in doubt but thankfully the good drainage that's normally part of the Forest Town Arena came to the fore and with no major downpour on the day it was safe for Knaresborough to make the long mid week rush hour trip to Nottinghamshire.  The blog will not re-cover the ground etc as a few visits over the last few seasons including last month have covered the intricacies of the arena. 

WAITING FOR A START TO THE ACTION THE MAIN STAND

A busy rush hour journey by public transport finished at Forest Town with the chance to say hi to home secretary Pete Craggs who was taking up the same option of arrival.  Early arrival allowed time for a visit to Bullys Snack Bar for a chip cob with peas, back to cob territory here.  The placed order was soon ready but allowed me the chance to take a few pictures of which I have to say its getting harder to cover any original ones having featured the ground so many times, so apologies if I have still missed a good one out.  Before the game there was also the chance to have a quick catch up with the ever amiable Bulls manager Rudy Funk.  Team line ups gathered the blog made its way around to the entrance to pay up and purchase tonight's programme and also to catch up with home Chairman Andrew Saunders.  Alongside a few hoppers was Mr Blog man himself 'The 66 POW' and while the quick greeting was undertaken the blog also met Paul a Leeds Utd home and away supporter and now ground collector in the non league scene.  As ever it is always great to have a chat with a fellow hopper and having spent the game swapping stories the blog picked up some good tips with regards to grounds it had not visited including The Northern League.
A small crowd of 59 had gathered for this game and the good side it was probably a few more than the home officials expected and included a nice little following from North Yorkshire, well done guys your efforts proved worthwhile.
The first half was and entertaining affair viewed from the terraced decking area and on 39 minutes it was the visitors who shocked AFC when Will Lenehan headed home and thats the way we went into the break.
Around the start of the second half it was time to book the taxi for a short journey back to local bus stop to pick up the late night special back to base .
The second half went wrong for Mansfield inside 4 minutes when a far post cross from Daniel McDaid was met by Gary Collier and home defender Luke Jeffs who was adjudged to have got the final touch to send the ball into The Bulls goal.
This was a big shock to AFC and the game then seemed to develop a tetchiness and with a fair bit of dissent aimed towards the referee it was looking a safe bet that a red card would be produced.  Two were to follow in quick succession and indeed a third could also have happened when home keeper Jason White collided into a break away Knaresborough attacker.  The referee saw it as a equal clash something that saved the game from teetering on a potential abandonment.
To the sending's off and Craig Mitchell had notched a goal to give Mansfield a chance but was then dismissed a few minutes later for a second yellow for dissent.  AFC were further reduced in stock when Perry Marriott took away George Eustance's legs as he was about to fire home, White pulled off a good save to his right from the offended players spot kick but Marriott continued his protest and referee Ashley Guest showed a second yellow followed of course by a red card.
In the closing minutes Ryan Williams went close to and equaliser for the home side that would have forced the game into extra time. 
Disappointing loss for Mansfield who with a full compliment on the pitch may well have won this encounter however that takes nothing away from Knaresborough who will be more than satisfied with this midweek cup victory however I'm sure they will hope for a home draw in the next round!

THE LONELY LIFE OF A HOPPER NIGHTIME SUBURBAN PUBLIC TRANSPORT
FOR THE TRANSPORT END PICTURE