MORE GROUNDS FOR ENJOYMENT........OR PART 2

MORE GROUNDS FOR ENJOYMENT OF THE 2019/20 SEASON

WIRKSWORTH DERBY IN JANUARY AN ENJOYABLE NEW GROUND OF THE 19/20 SEASON

The second part of looking at the new grounds visited and those that for the second time a game was seen at continues after looking at the first part of the season we re-start near the end of October.  The collection of new grounds was much higher than I had thought and as with a collection of old pictures from previous visits that have been added to the social media pages grounds, clubs and visits always deliver so much so here goes.
Towards the end of October the blog was in Coventry again as it gets close to completing all the senior non league sides and a bus trip out to the east of the city boundaries and Coventry Copsewood, this was a lovely little visit whereby on arrival I realised it could be added to the list of grounds to arrive at by train.  The Coventry Copsewood Miniature Railway had a private party booked in and the engines were warming up for their afternoons activities.  Beyond the large former company clubhouse was a smart ground with excellent clubroom facilities.  Although the crowd for the game versus Stapenhill was small an entertaining fixture was witnessed and Cospewood in their city sky blue colours were at the time certainly trying to play football in the correct manor.

COVENTRY COPSEWOOD BEAUTIFUL GAME AND BEAUTIFUL GROUND

The final Saturday of the month allowed for a debut in The Northern League something I had looked to do for a while and the end choice fell to the 3g pitch at Consett.  It was once again a wet weekend and along with Mr R from the platform 1 parish we travelled to Durham as the lines behind us gradually closed down after the torrential rain we had left behind.  A lovely bus journey and pre-match tour of the town added to the day which ended in a mini tour of Durham and the Cathedral after a pub meal and we would leave the area around 8pm which thankfully had allowed the lines to recover further south for our return.  The game itself against Hebburn was a top of the table encounter that finished 4-4 and to the outsider had all the appearance of a classic but both of us surprisingly failed to find much to enthuse about it may have been the 3g surface who knows or the bitterly cold afternoon even though the sun was shining brightly.   I had wanted to go to Norton with its view back to Durham but as the weather failed to improve their postponements continued during the season.

CONSETT ON A COLD DAY FOR THE TOP OF THE TABLE CLASH WITH HEBBURN TOWN

The following midweek saw a quick little trip to Quorn for another first time visit I had this planned out for a while, try the chippy in the village etc but in the end it was a night trip
close to kick off with a friendly taxi driver from the station to ground achieved I opted for eats from the clubhouse.  Once again good ground food with the lovely lady even finding me a tin of mushy peas to add to the chip cob.  The journey saw further accompaniment of Mr R and we both mused at the impressive set up here in North Leicestershire.  It was a late returning train that saw us arrive back in Chesterfield via a Nottingham change and some sill late hour but after a refreshing new ground visit.

A SURPRISING BEAUTY QUORN FC

First game into November saw a category entry for second visit with Harborough Town in the Market Harborough encampment visited for an FA Vase game against Atherstone Town and although these two were at the same step structure the visitors won by half a dozen goals to one in a fantastic display.  Harborough had developed their ground since my last visit into a 3g facility and it really is a superb and very smart set up which is a credit to the many clubs who play under their banner.  The trains were all stopping today in the town with engineering works taking place further south so it allowed for a very relaxed journey and also the first sight of the new livery for EMR Trains.

ATHERSTONE HAD A BIG FA VASE WIN AT HARBOROUGH TOWN

Middle of the month saw another second visit this time to Dinington Town with thanks to Mr Rees of the refereeing fraternity and a CMFL League Cup game produced a personal record after a 1-1 draw the penalty shoot out saw visitors Holbrook Sports enter the next round after a 11-10 victory, the most spot kicks I had seen in a shoot out.
A second trip to Olivers Mount on the east side of Sheffield saw a trip to watch Handsworth Reserves despatch Wombwell Main Development 8-1 on their newly installed 3g pitch again on a wet weekend.  After a stressful short travel journey I made kick off with a little time to spare.

ELY CITY IT WAS WINDY AND DARK BUT YOU CANT MISS THE VIEW

As we entered the new year of 2020 a debut trip to Ely City FC although not a first visit to the area. I knew to expect the 'ship of the fens' otherwise recognised as Ely Cathedral as it sits aloft the City in all its splendour.  Along with Mr R from platform 1 we had a comfortable seated journey down to Cambridgeshire and walked to the ground via the marina, town, Cathedral and then the suburbs to the sports facilities on the edge of Ely.  The ground was a smart little affair with its highly
positioned stand and view back towards the Cathedral.  On a windy day the game produced a highly entertaining encounter and I even remember the blog getting a little frustrated with the assistant referee.  The conclusion of the visit to Ely even came, surprisingly, with a walk back to the station with a visit to The Fish House for fish and chips before we popped aboard a delayed direct service to base from a very enjoyable day, just like they used to be seats on trains, enjoyable game and fish and chips.

ASHOVER FC AND A DIFFERENT ANGLE TO THE NORMAL ONE OF THE VILLAGE

Mid January saw a revisit to the beautiful village of Ashover for a Hope Valley game versus Faifield and the chance to catch up with Don Carline long, long, long serving home manager and once again a highly entertaining game it was.
The month ended with a visit I tried to do the previous season for the Wirksworth derby but although Wirksworth Ivanhoe remained Wirksworth Town had merged with Cromford who took the prefix now but it was still a derby all the same.  What a derby it was too finishing 0-0 it was certainly not our and I remember taking a few pictures and with ten minutes to kick off thinking yep it will be one man a dog and me and then a few minutes before kick off everybody showed up and we a had just short of 100 people in attendance cheering on their part of the town.  It was a first visit but a game I thoroughly enjoyed and both clubs gave so much to provide an entertaining afternoon.
That would finish the new grounds there was though just chance as the weather continued to fail to play ball to take in a second visit to the RH Academy at Pleasley home of The Stags of Mansfield Town and this time the facilities had been booked out by Selston Reserves for a CMFL game against AFC Wakefield Reserves.  The visitors secured a 5-3 victory but had been a bitterly cold February afternoon that had thrown down rain and sleety snow showers that had made game enjoyment a challenge but the afternoon was further supported by a trip to the former Pleasley Pit and a look around the exterior before that weather descended.

THE RADFORD HYMAS ACADEMY FOR SELSTON RESERVES ON 3G

What was soon to turn to the early conclusion of the season was only a week away at Shirebrook and with a collection of new grounds discovered it was warming to look back on some of those days whether near or far there is a lot to offer in the clubs and their villages, towns or cities and if there is a bag of fish and chips to procure who cares eh.
As ever all these games and more can be viewed with their individual blog from the menu on the right hand side of the main page.  Alongside this the social media pages are highlighting some pictures from the past.  Thanks for dropping by.

GROUNDS FOR ENJOYMENT.................PART 1

NEW AND SECOND VISIT GROUNDS OF THE 2019/20 SEASON
In this first part a review of the new grounds and those visited for just the second time which was suggested and after what I thought would have been a very short collection of stadia that met the criteria it was a gentle surprise that there were a few fitting the category so much so that there is a need to bring it over two blogs.

ECCLESFIELD RED ROSE FC IN HOME ACTION WITH SOME SUBLIMINAL ADVERTISING GOING ON

During the last few weeks a collection of archive grounds, sports and the obscure have been added to the social media pages of the blog so the chance to look at what a match day has become all about struck home.
Match day is different for many but for me it involves public transport travel [near or far], the grounds, the characters met along the way, the game and of course the chance to sample fish and chips in varying parts of the country and decide on the correct term for a cob, is it batch, roll, bap, bread cake, balm or my preferred cob I will leave you to add your own or make a conclusive decision.


WELL IT WAS A HOT DAY AS CLIFTONVILLE AND AN UNUMBERED CONNAHS QUAY MET

The 'season' started early with a trip over the border to Wales on 24 June and a second visit to Airbus FC who were hosting Connah's Quay who had arranged a pre season friendly against Belfast based Cliftonville as both clubs warmed up for an early European season.  The fist half was forgettable and in the end the Welsh side ran out 1-0 winners but at last I had caught up with Cliftonville after a few attempts previously.

YOU CANT RESIST SHOWING THIS BEAUTY AT DODWORTH CAN YOU

Pre season swung into play locally in July with a second visit to Dodworth M W and a game against Maltby Main a pleasant evening had started at Shaws Chippy and followed by an entertaining match and catch up with home manager Darren Millington.  In the territory of non debut grounds a trip to Gedling MW took in an encounter against newly promoted Newark Flowserve before a third visit later on in the season for the visit of Heanor Town.  A first visit to St George's park at Mosborough saw Chesterfield Town heavily defeated on grass by Sheffield County Senior side Ecclesfield Red Rose and the friendly nature of the visitors encouraged my interest in their league. 
The league season started proper in The NCEFL and a second visit to Maltby Main for a 2-2 draw with Liversedge it started disapprovingly with a fiery crowd who went beyond on a few occasions and a bench whose behaviour disappointed.  Back to the Sheffield County League sides and High Green Villa who I had witnessed at Dronfield Town in pre season had a home game against Houghton Main allowing a first visit to the St George's Park at Throncliffe the top side of Chapeltown with once again a grass pitch utilised.

HIGH GREEN VILLA AT HOME ON GRASS AT ST GEORGES THORNCLIFFE VERSUS HOUGHTON MAIN

The midweek towards the end of the month took me to Parson Cross and Ecclesfield Red Rose for a goal less draw at their Chaucer School base.  It was a shame that no goals were on offer but it was an enjoyable evening and they were a very friendly club to boot whose results I have observed from a far during the rest of the season.  The month of August was closed out with a second visit at Mansfield Hoisery Mills and a heavy seven goals without reply was the offering from visitors Pinxton who were well on form.  The evening also saw local celebratory dog Meg in attendance and the collie follows every ball from her paws on wall position adjacent to the ground.

THE LOVELY OLD MOAT GROUND FOR GRESLEY V FC OSWESTRY TOWN

There are a collection of second visits so far and Septembers first did not disrupt that fact with the classic Moat Ground struggling Gresley witnessing a 3-2 FA Vase victory over NWCFL side FC Oswestry Town.  A new ground was achieved though when Coventry United demolished Selston by half a dozen goals without reply at their Butts Park Arena a ground that offers train views, a massive stand, 3g surface and on the day two red cards all topped off by very warm sunshine.  The area around the ground Spon End offered up much history that I had not come across on previous visits to Coventry.
In the middle of all this a first visit to see Warrington Wolves rugby league side saw the Halliwell Jones Stadium encountered for a play off game against Castleford which matched in wonderfully with the last train back to base thanks to the ground being so close to the station a midnight return was secured.

THE IMPRESSIVE STAND AT THE BUTTS PARK ARENA HOME OF COVENTRY UNITED

The end of September brought a visit to The Triplex Ground home now of Cadbury Athletic for an encounter with Hinckley AFC a interesting little ground that thankfully had enough time built into it to have a trip around Bourneville first and a check up on the Quaker family and village history to add to the day, it also allowed me to familiarise myself with Kings Norton.  A return to the KFC proved a hit with a smart restaurant which looked pretty new serving up a good bit of fast food.

TRIPLEX GROUND HOME FOR CADBURY ATHLETIC

As October burst on the scene so the new grounds picked up pace a journey to the lines end of Redditch found me setting off on a local bus to Studley FC mind you not before I ended up in the ladies loos.  You see the station is adjacent to the large shopping centre and I had never found the toilets indeed this time I ended up in the cinema foyer saw the toilet sign and dashed in only to be confronted by no urinals, it was then that the penny dropped I was in the ladies.

STUDLEY FC OUT IN THE COUNTRYSIDE

A strange on the edge of everywhere ground saw Atherstone as the visitors and it was good to catch up with their enthusiastic following.  The return journey saw previous knowledge come to the good with a drop off at Kings Norton for The Cod Pot for this weekends fish and chip tasting an excellent example of the fine art it was too.  Next on the newbies list was Racing Club Warwick who entertained Derbyshire side Long Eaton United in the FA Vase and small understated ground was though ably supported by a the adjacent racecourse and a wonderfully historic town oh yes and did I mention The Chip Shed for post match delicacies.

RACING CLUB WARWICK DEFEND A LONG EATON FREE KICK

All these blogs can be found under the right hand side menu on the main page and hopefully you can join me for some more travelling, eating and new and nearly grounds in part two shortly.

SUTTON AND KIRKBY A SPORTING MEANDER

A WANDER AROUND SUTTON AND KIRKBY IN ASHFIELD
FOOTBALL AND CRICKET DISCOVERED FOUR YEARS AGO

LOWMOOR ROAD IN ITS CURRENT STATE

[Apologies currently Blogger has a problem with pictures, hopefully to be corrected]
Around four years ago I had once again found myself looking for some old pictures of Sutton Town, of the Ashfield variety, and as ever the few that were available brought back memories of bygone
football, from an area I was non to familiar with much before the 1990s.  Along with that trying to locate the former town ground within its current make up set me off thinking so with a direct bus, the now sadly defunct Spira, a midweek trip was planned with the option of a few current pictures.
Let me start by saying this is not a history of or a comprehensive guide these can all be found elsewhere and I'm sure local followers will add many of their own memories to this gentle amble and that in a way is what hopefully this will achieve.  So after failing to make the effort to put this together for ages here goes and be patient.

NOT TOO MANY SIGNS LEFT OF PRIESTSIC ROAD

Having alighted in the bus station which sits by the large Asda one of the first big supermarkets in the area, I believe it was originally Fine Fare so I'm told by a local thank you Mr Foster, when the new
era of stores began brings us immediately to the former ground of Sutton Town, Priestsic Road and positioned with York St to my back a picture of the car park and concrete block clad store gave away the position of the former theatre of dreams.
The few old pictures of the ground reveal the times with signs advertising D.T. Boden wholesale tobacconist, Mansfield Ales and 'It pays to shop at The Coop' the latter which clearly was only marginally true as they were not of the variety that took over the pitch upon departure.  The club had
featured in the Midland Football League, The NCEFL, plus I believe the NPL when the landlord sold the town centre location it brought a sad end to the club which folded in 1997 at their new location neighbouring Kirkby in Ashfield.

THE OLD GROUND SITE WITH YORK STREET TO OUR BACK

The departure date from Priestsic Road is not clear but it would seem to be in or around 1978 which is when the original Fine Fare opened on.  So with a move along to Kirkby in Ashfield and a hastily arranged meet up with Dave of former Glapwell fame and now Burnley catalogue model he hopped
down from his local residence to add to this journey.
The former Lowmoor pub is now a burnt out shell and behind here was the replacement ground which witnessed football until 1997.  The ground had a low slung stand, with cabins in the corner and a small stand by he side of these in the corner.  It was always a ground I enjoyed watching on and remember witnessing Neale Barry Scunthorpe referee before he progressed to the football league.  It was also a time of good old programmes and this is probably were I first met local non league fan Gordon Foster who was also to go on to have an important role within The Mansfield Chad newspaper and was produce the fine effort here.  The far side of the ground was open with a raised bank and with a pitch that always appeared challenging I have to say a trip to Lowmoor was always enjoyable especially with a good programme to view after the game.

LARWOOD FROM THE LIBRARY END

The club went to Lowmoor as Sutton Town but then the changes started it was a challenging time because most locals seem to see a big division between the neighbouring Sutton and Kirkby in many ways and although that may not be visible to non locals I'm assured it is very much there.
So with the involvement of Ashfield District Council the new name of Ashfield United was launched to aid the coming together of the neighbouring towns.  When the club folded the ground was used by Kirkby Town in The CMFL for a couple of years.

BRADMAN READY TO RECEIVE FROM BRADMAN

The walk round went slightly off piste as Dave introduced me to the wall of fame in Kirkby town centre which features footballers Stuart Boam former Mansfield Town manager and Dave Thomas of Burnley all from the town.  But then the star attraction a man I had just recently read about England and Nottinghamshire cricketer Harold Larwood famous from the body line serious in Australia
1932/33.  The history of this man a former miner was a wonderful journey back to sporting times gone by and although he probably became the fall guy and was from mining stock with a different 'school tie' his town had not forgotten him.

WALL OF FAME IN KIRKBY

To this effect a bronze life size cricket match around the 22 yards is set up within the centre with Larwood bowling to the legendary Sir Don Bradman and fielding close in by fellow Notts man Bill Voce keeps up the pressure all on paving stones outside the walkway to Asda and the library.  This is a tremendous effort and well worth a visit but Dave was not finished yet because the neighbouring area of Nuncargate was the birthplace of Larwood and the terraced house in Chapel Street that was home has a nice bronze plaque now added to its façade.  Over the road The Cricketers pub and
adjacent cricket ground now used by Kirkby Portland CC the latter was frequented by the fast bowler.
After a break in The Duke of Wellington near Kirkby Cross for a few chips and light refreshment we ventured off to the Huthwaite border for the instalment of the tour.

DAVE HAS STILL CLEARLY GOT HIS SKILLS

Oakham Town were based to the east of Sutton and just behind the developing B and Q they tried to utilise the name of Sutton Town when they left the site a new club North Notts took on the ground and then moved to The Fieldings in Huthwaite.  Times leave much confusion but it appears the Sutton Town name re-surfaced and in 2007 had AFC suffixed.  I remember seeing the new side in or around their last season in 2013/14 versus Holwell Sports in The EMCFL.  Once again leasing problems came to the fore and although the adjacent cricket ground and superb facilities continued football fell away to junior games before a couple of years ago CMFL side Mansfield Hosiery Mills found themselves using the new facilities with new changing rooms and club room coming into use on what is a very tight ground but also very atmospheric for the spectators proximity to the pitch.

PLAQUE ON THE FORMER HOME OF HAROLD LARWOOD

Added to this we now have Ashland Rovers playing in The CMFL at Kingsway Park in Kirkby but Sutton In Ashfield itself remains devoid of senior Saturday football and although it has been affected by many pulls along the way that sad loss of the Priestsic Road ground was probably the catalyst.

FORMER AND CURRENT SIDE BY SIDE

Hopefully a light look at and very brief journey around the past and present sporting prowess of Sutton and Kirkby with the intention of bringing back some memories and encouraging you to look up some of the old ground pictures.  

IN TRAINING

IN TRAINING
The inevitable happened when all non league fixtures were called off and what will certainly be the end of the football season for the vast majority has taken place.  My season end would appear to be a dour encounter between Shirebrook and Teversal just under two weeks ago.  For a season that had been disrupted by the wet weather this pales into insignificance as we face our latest challenge and it just goes to show the community binding of all sports.


THE NOISE OF A 37 HERE HEADING SOUTH WITH NETWORK RAIL TEST CARRIAGES

As events gradually closed down I had taken to TV sport with horse racing from Uttoxeter, BBL
Basketball National Trophy and then boxing eliminators for the Olympics.  Horse racing remained behind close doors and then that option fell through and there was to be no sport even on the goggle box.  The big shame here is that the national free to air broadcaster have not taken to showing any classic games of the past in football or even a repeat of some of the recent English cricket success which may just boost morale.

NOT ONE BUT FOUR 20S ON THE WAY SOUTH FROM BARROW HILL

Non league fans are looking for snippets of football on twitter accounts and some have kept this
going as well as they can Matlock Town being very active alongside Malcom Storer who is now featuring some on this day blogs and yes Malc people are reading them and enjoying them keep up the good work.  Added to this was the blog from Nick Palmer about his trip north of the border which say his game called off but turned into a lovely little mini tour of Edinburgh.  Keep them coming guys.

THE NEW OVERGROUND SET BEING DRAGGED BACK TO WORKSOP

Over the last few days I had taken to a few brief visits to the local junction to take some of the wide
selection of engines that pass along the Midland Main line and Erewash.  There aren't many men not interested in trains I guess and the services of passengers trains, especially with using them, has always been of interest.

EMR MERIDIAN HEADING TO SHEFFIELD

However I never quite understood the idea of photographing freight but over the last few weeks with help my knowledge has built up thanks to the assistance of Dave L and Barry D who have kept me up to date with anything of interest.

A BEAUTIFULLY TURNED OUT 31 ON ITS WAY TO BARROW HILL EX BURTON WETMORE

Having always followed the tracker system while travelling I struggled with the signal system
that allows you to track a service but all of a sudden it slotted into place what was happening and now I have to learn a bit more lingo, so apologies if I name something wrong or use a wrong title.

TESCO TRAIN FROM TEES TO DAVENTRY DISTRIBUTION CENTRE

But in this time of no sport I thought I would share these pictures.  The highlights have been many undoubtedly at the top was the Union of South Africa which featured on the Shirebrook blog as it steamed north bound to York.

NOTTINGHAM TO LEEDS NEW NORTHERN 3 CAR 195

Thanks to all bloggers, twitter accounts and football and sports fans who are keeping things going with topics of interest or back in the days articles it really is encouraging.  Hopefully we can get underway again next season and in the meantime here is sending you all very best wishes.

EMR DOUBLE SET HEADING NORTH TO SHEFFIELD

CHUFFING SHIREBROOK

SHIREBROOK TOWN 1 TEVERSAL 2
EMCL @ LANGWITH ROAD
7 MARCH 2020 --- 3PM

REFEREE KARL BAINNBRIDGE IN THE MIDST OF THE ACTION

The undoubted highlight of this day was witnessing probably the final mainline running of the Union of South Africa as it steamed its way from Ealing to York on a excursion.  On a football front this was a game that was dire to say the least with Teversal gaining the three points and leapfrogging Shirebrook who dropped back into the relegation zone, but football there was little of it.

UNION OF SOUTH AFRICA ADDING TO THE DAY

Usual route via a brisk walk to Holmewood for a Pronto and then 23 at Pleasley saw arrival in the Market Place just after 1.30pm.  Today though there was a unique opportunity to see the Union of South Africa steam north off the Erewash line and along with a large collection of train spotters and interested locals take in this beauty.

KURTIS MORLEY RECEIVES CONGRATS FOR HIS EARLY GOAL

The last knockings of the market were winding down and after the obligatory visit to the Coop for pre match provisions it was off to Langwith Road this time by another route that brought me out above the ground on the edge of neighbouring village Langwith.  Being a little later today the whippets were just winding down and arrival for a circuit of the ground was shortly afterwards achieved.  It was good to catch up with many of the regulars and thanks to Sam for finding me out with the team sheet which was much appreciated.  We also had an interesting chat about the merits of pre match in the Coop and the Model Chippy.

JOSH TURNER GETS A SHOT AWAY FOR SHIREBROOK

The game got off to a superb start for Shirebrook when recent signing Kurtis Morley lashed home the ball from 20yards out to settle the early nerves after just twenty seconds, its here I guess that the home side would have willingly called an end to the proceedings and bagged all three points.
Shirebrook had chances to extend their lead but Josh Turner narrowly fired wide and then saw Cameron Barke save his one on one effort.  For Shirebrook it all went wrong on 34 minutes Teversal had been increasing their pressure without any real threat when the defence gifted the ball to Danny Fullwood who fired home from a tight angle.

MONTELLE KAMARA LOOKS FOR THE PASS

The second period saw the game gradually affected by a strengthening wind but there was still little constructive football being played as Shirebrook looked two yards off the pace and appeared unable to close down Teversal who became more dominant.  It was no surprise on the hour mark when they took the lead Liam Vardy powered through on the inside right and drove home a superb strike past Daniel Hartshorn in the home goal.

DANNY FULLWOOD FIRES HOME THE EQUALISER FOR TEVERSAL

Shirebrook could muster an effort from Morley that came back off the post but that was about it really as Teversal more than comfortably saw out the remaining time to secure a victory that would see them go clear on goal difference but with three games in hand it drops Shirebrook back into real trouble.  The early resurgence may now be over after two wins against Rainworth and Radford and narrow defeats away at Belper United and Sherwood they have failed to beat both of the sides around them in the relegation struggle.  Today they were not good enough and as so often happens sides seem up for it against higher placed teams but then cant do it against the teams they need to secure victory against.

TEVERSAL MANAGER LEE COOK EXPLAINS THE LAWS OF THE GAME TO REFEREE BAINBRIDGE

For Teversal who were just grateful to get a game on this is a massive victory that goes a long way towards trying to preserve their status and will give them the confidence to achieve the victories that will secure this.

SHIREBROOK BENCH WATCHES THE ACTION

Return was via the usual route but with a delayed Pronto at Pleasley I was immediately away after departing the 23 and back a little earlier to see the returning carriages from the morning excursion pulled by a diesel for its journey back.

3.35 AT DONCASTER

SELSTON RES 3 WAKEFIELD AFC RES 5
CMFL DIV 1 NORTH @ RH ACADEMY PLEASLEY
29 FEBRUARY 2020 --- 3PM

SELSTON V WAKEFIELD AFC SOMEHOW THIS ONE GOT AWAY

A couple of weeks ago the continuing horrendous weather that's summed up this season saw an afternoon of TV sport replace football and once again I was asking myself would it not have been better to have watched the 3.35 from Doncaster.  With no disrespect to these two sides who served up a goal fest the journey and afternoon was once again wrecked by the weather that just will not leave this football season.  You can ask Selston who have an amount of games as a first team that shortly means they will be playing eight games in a week but today the reserves had made an excellent call and switched their game to the Mansfield Town Academy in Pleasley and the asset of a 3g pitch was called upon.

PLEASLEY PIT AND COUNTRY PARK LOOK OUT TOWARDS MANSFIELD

All non league fans know this has been a wet, wet, wet season and with postponements littering the fixtures since October the last few weeks have added to the damp stuff storms which conveniently arrive on a Saturday.  This week would be no different and after the end of week downpours there remained very little on but thanks to Malc Storer for the excellent blog this game was discovered late and about as far as I wanted to journey out.  Games are made more trying by the use of public transport and today wold be very much a early repeat of last weeks Shirebrook trip.

WE HAD HOME SOME WATER IN THE LAST FEW DAYS AGAIN

Starting out to walk the three miles to Holmewood to pick up the Pronto service to Pleasley it looked all fine but a mile in I was sheltering from the first of the hail and sleet storms, arriving in time for the bus the wonders of technology the Stagecoach tracker advised me the bus was a few minutes away.  Ten minutes later the system said the bus was well passed my stop but a big purple double decker had clearly not gone through as I sheltered from the second hail storm.  The decision to walk on a few stops to move time on before the next service provided the usual response when 100 yards away up the bus turned up thankfully the driver was a kindly chap and within ten minutes or so the arrival in Pleasley was with us.

RH ACADEMY MANSFIELD TOWN FC

Pleasley is an obscure place to describe the north of the River Meden which divides the village is in Derbyshire while to the south its Nottinghamshire.  Pleasley Vale is a hidden gem with mills by the river in its own wonderful gorge which was a pleasure to walk through a few years ago but the older part of the village has been split by the small dual carriageway section that is the A617.  Alighting at Pit Lane in fine weather the former pit which is now saved with its 2 headstocks and more importantly the engine house this after the collieries closure in 1986.  The former industrial site now forms part of an impressive country park which offers some excellent views of Mansfield just a few miles down the road.
Departure saw the arrival of the third hail and sleet storm this time the longest of the day lasting all the way along the mile or so walk to the ground which was undertaken by the small mill and wharf in the village towards the back streets of Pleasley Hill before coming back out onto the A617 which will be noticeably to many as the former pit terrace houses that hugged this road for a mile on the west side.

EARLY MATCH ACTION FOR SCOTT TAYLOR

The Radford Hymas Academy was arrived at just after 2.30pm and although I had seen a game or two before I don't think they were blogged.  The Mansfield Chairman John Radford and fellow director Steve Hymas have invested well in this site and it is a credit to the club.  A main building is backed up by 'the barn' a smart conversion offering a gym and further changing rooms with the 3g caged pitch and a excellent grass pitch which was part waterlogged today there are also mini pitches.  The kitchen was open as normal when I have attended although I did not use it today onward to the caged area with a small Atcost stand on the half way line the only down side is only one side is open to spectators and then its on 2/3rds.
Today I didn't bother with team sheets but thankfully Selston provided a Twitter feed and Wakefield a confirmation of scorers which was excellent well done to both.

ARRON DARCH STRIKES A POSE

The first half started in nice weather but with a strong wind and in fairness produced little to excite, it was though Selston who started to get the upper hand with Josh Bullock and Scott Taylor testing the visiting keeper.  But then the game turned on its head with the visitors scoring three times in seven minutes opening the scoring on 38 minutes when take your pick here as I do not have a list
Napoleon Petridis or Owen Kirman [debut] raced through to score either way it was the number 7.  The lead was doubled through when Jake Ashton saw his strength beat the defender and his shot beat the home keeper and then on the stroke of half time he got his second when he converted a sweeping cross off the left wing.

BOOTS TO MATCH THE KIT

Selston started a revival with two goals in 48 minutes and 53 minutes Oliver Roome saw his shot blocked and Josh Bullock converted and secondly Roome finished well at the back post to reduce the arrears further.  On the hour mark it looked like Selston had equalised when Scott Taylor headed in but referee Ollie Thornhill ruled it out for a push.  Wakefield responded by hitting a post and as the wind increased and the afternoon became ever colder their was a warming moment for Ashton as he made it 4-2 to the visitors and secured his hat trick by whipping home a 20 yard free kick on the hour mark.

CLOSE FIRST HALF ACTION AT THE RH

Still Selston came back and it as danger man Rome who forced the ball home from just inside the box to pull another goal back but at the other end Wakefield were not finished with scoring when following a cross off the left Petridis/Kirman [see earlier] finished the chance in the middle.  In the closing stages Taylor forced the visiting keeper into an excellent full length save and keep the score line 3-5 to Wakefield.  An entertaining encounter which would have been better with a calmer afternoon and a large radiator.
Oh yes the 3.35 at Doncaster winner Captain Chaos which just about sums up this weather affected football season.