GRASSMOOR CLINCH VICTORY IN EXCITING FINISH

GRASSMOOR WORKS 120 FOR 9 [39.1ovs]

BLIDWORTH COLLIERY WELFARE 117 ALL OUT [29.4ovs]

BASSETLAW AND DISTRICT CRICKET LEAGUE DIVISION ONE AT BARNES PARK

16 APRIL 2022 --- 1PM

ANDY WOOLVEN AND MAN OF THE MATCH IAN BRADLEY GRASSMOOR WORKS

A thrilling game of cricket entered the final over with Grassmoor needing two runs to win whereas Blidworth required just one wicket to seal victory on the opening day of The Bassetlaw and District League 2022 season with a four off the first ball of the last over the North Derbyshire side had secured the twenty points.  It was a game that was a credit to the league with Blidworth sensing victory when they took the home sides ninth wicket on 101 and their disappointment can only be eased by the entertainment of this encounter.

ATHELBERT BRATHWAITE BLIDWORTH OVERSEAS PLAYER

Football or cricket was the call today and it seemed a mightily early call for the red ball sport in mid April but with the Bassetlaw League starting a week before The Derbyshire County Cricket League and a beautiful sunny day being offered to all attendees it seemed rude not to make the thirty minute walk to the neighbouring village.  Grassmoor has been covered quite a few times in the last couple of seasons for both Saturday and Sunday fixtures so its not the time to go into the history again.  In cricket terms the club finished fourth last time out and found themselves with a promotion to division one the second tier of the Bassetlaw set up, a place they last grace in 2018.  For the visitors today Blidworth Colliery Welfare 2018 was the last time they competed in the elite championship level and last season in one they finished a fraction below mid table.  

DANIEL SUNG SETS OFF FOR THE RUN

The visitors would give a debut to their Barbadian overseas player Athelbert Brathwaite who spent last season in The Bradford League at Castleford based side Townville Cricket Club.

The bright sunshine had brought out a nice little crowd who would watch the whole proceedings and a constant scattering of limited time attendees who meandered through Barnes Park joined to, who by a quirk of Umpire appointments would see Richard Barnes on duty hope he felt at home.

It was nice to receive a warm welcome from the club and we were soon underway with the visitors off to a blistering start reaching 56 in a small number of overs before the first wicket fell.  The opening pairing of Brathwaite [35] and Daniel Sung [28] had started to hit big and Grassmoor were looking at a big total to chase.  But cricket is a game of surprises and when shortly later the Nottinghamshire side were 58 for 4 with Brathwaite bowled by Bradley being the prized wicket was in the bag.

BAILS OFF AS BRADLEY ADDS ANOTHER WICKET TO HIS TALLY

The loss of Sung [D] was a big blow for the visitors as he looked to be going along well but Daniel Spendlove took the catch off the bowling of John Donaldson.  A valuable innings from Andrew Watson [29] greatly added to the struggling total for the visitors but he fell to Luke James caught off his own bowling.  Blidworth would fall to 117 all out in the thirtieth over which would prove quite telling that had they been able to bat out their allotted forty overs just adding a few more runs may have proven to be to much for the home side.

GOOD SHOW TODAY FROM UMPIRES RICHARD BARNES AND STEPHEN LONG

For Grassmoor Bradley took 4 for 40 and Spendlove 2 for 21, certainly the former and fellow opening bowler Craig Dawes stuck to their task after the early onslaught.

The mini break for the blog came in the latter stages of the Blidworth innings when Mr M of the Wingerworth Parish had spotted a famous guest and its one that every time I go to Grassmoor my dad says 'you might see 'tat' Smith, great cricketer and snooker player'.  Well today I did after being advised Edwin Smith was here by Mr M I clarified that was 'Tats' first name and popped over to ask to take a photo which thankfully turned into an enthralling ten minute chat as we discussed briefly of course his past cricketing encounters and some current thoughts.  For you see Edwin, Grassmoor born and bred, played for Derbyshire Country Cricket Club from 1951 [county cap 1954] until 1971 playing 503 matches and taking 1217 wickets an achievement that has never been beaten and with the current flexibility of county players never will be for the county.  

EDWIN 'TAT' SMITH DERBYSHIRE LEGEND

He went on to be the county's coach for three more years before the clubs financial restraints lead to Tat not being re-employed in what must have been a hammer blow to a man who so clearly even now effuses Derbyshire cricket.  At 88 years young and sat near the park entrance he was fully aware of the state of play on day three of Derbyshire's current county match against Sussex at the county ground. There was time to briefly discuss his success at snooker too.   A steady stream of people had stopped to have a chat with Mr Smith and I had to wait my turn and a wholly worthwhile wait it was too lovely to meet him.

ANDY WOOLVEN TURNS ONE OF HIS LEGS FOR GRASSMOOR WORKS

Nostalgia trip over but with the warm 'ready brek' feeling to the fore it was time to get on with the home sides reply.  Big hitting opener Andy Woolven [13] launched a few but fell early, Luke James [16] held up some resistance.  Grassmoor reached 70 for 3 and looked well on their way to achieving the target but then the doubts came into play when two wickets fell without the score moving along, John Donaldson [15] and Mark Cain without troubling the scorers.  

Brathwaite returned to the attack and dismissed Spendlove [27] with his first ball and when Dale James [1] also fell caught by Gareth Ellis off the bowling of Joshua Green two wickets had again fallen without the score moving along this time at eighty nine.

BRATHWAITE NOW A DANGER WITH THE BALL

The eight wicket would fall with just one more run added and by the time the ninth was registered with score on 101 Grassmoor looked like they were staring at defeat.  But the final paring of Dawes [11] and Bradley [8] saw off Brathwaite's overs and they gradually chipped away at the total while protecting that last wicket that Blidworth desired.

With the final over as simple as two runs to win for the home side and for Blidworth they still required that one wicket nobody had left and things could not have been more tense for the opening day of the season.  There was not a long wait as when Watson sent down the first ball Bradley positioned himself and launched the ball back over the bowlers head which saw it roll over the boundary despite a despairing dive by the fielder to seal a remarkable victory.

For the visitors Brathwaite added to his danger with the bat by taking 3 for 15 with the ball and Dallman 3 for 23.

LUKE JAMES OPENING FOR GRASSMOOR WORKS

Close encounters like this one probably occur once in a season and this first game had served one up in a gem of a encounter that does make you wonder can this be bettered on any of the blogs travels this season.  As for Grassmoor it was a fantastic way to start newly promoted life in division one but lets not forget Blidworth who more than contributed to a wonderful afternoon were cricket and The Bassetlaw and District Cricket League were the winners too.

LIGHT STARTING TO FADE AS THE TENSION MOUNTS

PILSLEY REACH SECOND FINAL IN TWO YEARS

WINSTER AND DARLEY DALE LIONS 0 PILSLEY COMMUNITY 3

RODEN CUP SEMI FINAL AT WHITWORTH PARK DARLEY DALE

9 APRIL 2022 --- 2PM

GARETH LEWIN HIS GOAL FOR PILSLEY IN THE CLOSING STAGES

Pilsley Community will grace a Hope Valley Cup final for the second year running this time the Roden Cup following their victory over Winster and Darley Dale Lions [WDDL] at Whitworth Park, Darley Dale.  It was a testimony to the determination of the men in tangerine as they battled through a lack lustre opening spell to produce a couple of quality goals to go into the break two goals to the good and with a third on full time the final appearance was booked and although there is a wide age range in the squad today's three goal scorers totalled 115 years in the age stakes.

THE VIEW FROM FARLEY TOWARDS RIBER CASTLE 

The big travels on rail and any other form of transport have as regular readers will know morphed into big walks with increasingly late teens recorded on the mileage app but today would break all records coming in at 21.5 miles round trip from base along some lovely country lane and non to few steep climbs to add to the 'walk to and from the match' series number [enter your own figure here I've lost count].  With a departure just after 1030 the first hour took up the familiar lanes around Ashover before crossing over the main Matlock main road at Kelstedge.  Into the serenity of Uppertown with its fields showing up the first new born lambs and the belted Galway cows its of course far from a town with its collection of stone cottages and farms scattered around its geographical spread.

The climb out would extend Jaggers Lane and pass the highly popular and busy Matlock Farm Park before taking a left to pass Sydnope Stand and admire the views from the ridge of Sydnope Hall and Darley Dale in the distance.  It was well into the last hour of the three hours now as the turning to Ameycroft Lane from Farley would descend the walking boots into Hackney a village that I cannot remember ever seeing before it offered up some more exquisite views and an 1888 street well too.  The pace was consistent now as arrival at the busy cross roads which offers up the new Coop in a converted bank, Pear Tree Coffee Shop and Whitworth Institute and its Park the ultimate destination for today's game.  Arrival in just under three hours was well within time allowed and it allowed a few minutes around the busy park and a brief through fence peering look at Darley Dale railway station part of the Peak Rail heritage line.

WHITWORTH INSTITUTE

The amazing thing about these walks has been new bits of information that has come to the fore through some of them and The Whitworth Institute [now centre], Whitworth Hotel [now Barringtons], Whitworth Park and Whitworth Hospitals raised the connection of why the Whitworth name?  Briefly then Sir Joseph Whitworth was a mechanical engineer made good with inventions such as the Whitworth Screw Thread, Whitworth Rifle and machine tools.  He lived with his wife Lady Whitworth at Stancliffe hall which is just along the A6 a few hundred yards away but their philanthropy led to the collection of named provisions listed earlier for the local people of Darley Dale.

MAKE UP YOUR OWN CAPTION TIME

The pitch which sits adjacent to the Peak Rail line which runs part of the former London to Manchester line via Buxton with of course the Matlock to Buxton line is sadly no more but the heritage element as reinstated the line to just short of Rowsley and was in action today at a leisurely pace during proceedings.

The pitch was in a poor way with little grass in parts of the goal mouth, I guess a problem of having a pitch in a public park and in other parts grass that was over long, although in the defence of the maintenance team it was apparently stood in water only a few days ago.

DOMINIC SORRELL CLAIMS THE BALL FOR WINSTER DARLEY DALE

The eagerly anticipated game between two side who generally seem to have games that finish as close encounters started promptly but was then held up by a pitch invasion after two minutes there's some unruly elements watching Hope Valley League football.  These two were refusing to leave the pitch but with assistant referee Jason Glanville blocking off one exit the man in the middle Archie Anderson went in for the warning to depart before a red card would be shown and a report to the relevant authorities, thankfully shortly after the flew off to re-join their mates on one of the two ponds in the park.

THE 1417 DEPARTS DARLEY DALE TO ROWSLEY SOUTH

The opening exchanges had seen Darley Dale gain the upper hand in the possession stakes with Pilsley still on the team bus at this stage, if of course there is such a thing in the HVL, but they were slightly fortunate when Jon Cooper saw his effort scrambled of the goal line to deny WDDL.  Slowly the visitors would find a foothold in the game and it was through free kick talisman Shan Marriott that their confidence would rise he forced home keeper Dominic Sorrell into two sharp saves from twenty five yard strikes, a third kick struck the well paced wall.  On twenty nine minutes the deadlock was broken amidst a ten minute downpour that sadly sent me for cover but what a 'worldie' it was we saw a long throw from Callum Baker fall in towards Richard Marshall who launched himself into an audacious overhead kick that moments later was in the bottom corner of the home net. 

Pilsley would double their lead on the stroke of half time with another fine goal a speedy affair down the left wing by Bradley Saint who saw his cross find Steven Rogers who with his back to goal made space and turned to fire home.

SHANE MARRIOTT CARRIES THE BALL FORWARD FOR PILSEY

The second period would see WDDL have a fair amount of possession but Pilsley were bossing proceedings and the nearest the home side got was a Lee Boden effort that struck the cross bar.  The icing was put on the cake in the final minute when Tyler Barksby racing down the left lobbed the out coming Sorrell and as the ball fell in front of goal in raced Gareth Lewin to gratefully slot the ball into an unmarked goal.  Never one to miss a photo op Gareth knew were the camera was and celebrated with the lens.  Within a few minutes referee Anderson called time on the semi final and Pilsley had made it through to the final which will be against Hayfield this seasons champions who they had narrowly lost to 1-0 last week at Rupert St.

Prompt about turn for some more climbs out of Darley Dale and a few minutes over the three hours on return to base would see an enjoyable afternoon watching some HVL action again with a superb conclusion for Pilsley included in that a very enjoyable walk through some lovely scenery, now where is the bowl to soak my feet.

GARETH LEWIN MAKES IT 3-0 AS PROVIDER TYLER BARKSBY WATCHES ON

MANSFIELD RESURGENCE IN FORM UNDER TURNER CONTINUES

MANSFIELD HOSIERY MILLS 2 NOTTINGHAM FC 1

CMFL PREMIER DIVISION SOUTH AT THE FIELDINGS

2 APRIL 2022 --- 3PM

MANSFIELD HOSIERY MILLS V NOTTINGHAM FC AT THE FIELDINGS

Mansfield Hosiery Mills have now hauled themselves away from the foot of the Premier Division South of The CMFL with a gap of five points over basement side Teversal Reserves helped again today by this victory over Nottingham FC.  An entertaining first half would see the three goals of the game come within a four minute spell and the spirit under new manager Mark Turner was evident as they came back from going behind almost immediately through a wonderfully taken free kick.

THE FORMER MILL SITE THAT GIVES THE CLUB ITS NAME TODAY

Walk to the match season continues and really its been poorly labelled because its also walk back from the match too today this would be a four and a half hour total trip so would be right up there with the bigger ones.  Indeed the twenty mile trip which was the largest so far was to Rowsley at the start of the season were Nottingham visited on that day. 

Today would take a roughly similar route as to Teversal but forty five minutes away a right turn would take the blog towards Woodend, the delightfully named Strawberry Bank and then their ultimate centre Huthwaite.  A little focus on the latter because it is the area that the ground is approached by although the border to Sutton In Ashfield is crossed about 150 yards short of the The Fieldings and I guess with Sutton Town being original tenants the set up is still linked towards the larger town.  

Back to the walk which was going well pacing over the Silverhill Trail which is a former railway line containing the now long gone Woodend for Hucknall Huthwaite station which I never knew the prefix was ever undertaken.  In time the station was renamed Whiteboro and the area known as Whiteborough City.  An amazing name for an location that is still very much fields and previously had a pit in the area, there are though a couple of properties that still carry the name today.

Passing the eatery pub The Woodend the uphill climb to the vista that is Strawberry Bank is reached and when I say vista its not a countryside view but that of the industrial estates of South Normanton and Huthwaite itself with wind turbine to the fore but a very impressive sight.  A nice downhill run to the Market Square and a collection of shops including Coop and converted pub Tesco sit adjacent one another in some sort of resigned acceptance to one another.

MANSFIELD STORMING FORWARD DOWN THE LEFT

Moving onto the Sutton Road heading towards the ground and there was a recreate the past moment taking a picture of what looks like a former Methodist church, which is now a Greek Orthodox worship building, this was the terminus for the former tram service that linked Sutton and Mansfield, again a new discovery for me.

Still in Huthwaite a visit to the former mill site that gives up its name to the football club and this when I first visited the area was still standing and in its latter days of limited operation.  Sadly now the building has been demolished but the lower outer walls retained to I guess protect the site but from the picture you can imagine the size of this mill.  In its infancy it was owned by CWS the coop and its employment in the area a major benefactor to individuals and fellow businesses.

So we have the club named after a Huthwaite institution of old and now we cross the border into Sutton in Ashfield so you can see my question Huthwaite or Sutton and I guess the answer is both.

MARK TURNER [RIGHT] MANSFIELD HOSIERY MILLS MANAGER

Ever since Sutton Town left their former ground at Priestsic Road after its sale to a large supermarket chain future clubs moved round to neighbouring Kirkby In Ashfield changed their name to encompass the whole area and Ashfield United was born at Lowmoor Road in Kikrby.  There were other clubs too in Oakham United, North Notts, a new born Sutton and now Mansfield Hosiery Mills.  Oh yes and if you want to add Kirkby to the equation they now have fellow CMFL side Ashland Rovers.  But nobody seems to have excited the town or area enough to establish a club and move it forward in what is a fair size in population.  [There is a more in depth meander on the blog from April 2020 should you wish to have a look from the side index]

LUKE MANLOVE AND THE FREE KICK IS GOALBOUND FOR THE EQUALISER

Current day then and arrival is in a snow sleet shower with the sun fighting to get an upper hand on a cold afternoon to the hands.  The Fieldings complex has a smartly enclosed cricket ground for the same named club as the football side and a superb clubhouse too.  The football ground to the right shows signs of Sutton above its turnstiles and today the players entrance and lower turnstile were the ones in use.  This is not a new ground but felt like one as its about four years since my last visit for a game against Pinxton and I also saw a game in Sutton's last season here against Holwell Sports for an evening fixture.

MANSFIELD KEEPER ON FORM IN THE SECOND HALF

A quick descriptor really is 'tight ground'.  There is little more than a five foot space all the way round the pitch but of course providing the crowd is not too large this is not a problem and sadly today only 15 people were in attendance and I guess the paying admissions would struggle to make double figure.  By the entrance a large Atcost stand with the seats in the Sutton's former colours of maroon and blue moving round to the far side two smart dug outs are the only feature and behind the far goal the housing estate is very tight to the ground.  Coming back down the business side its what was the main turnstile block.  We then arrive at the most recent addition of changing rooms and match day club house and snack bar.  The ground needs high mesh fencing on three sides to keep as many balls inside the facility as possible and an overlapping of wooden slats is becoming in need of attention.  Floodlights do add to the facilities assets though and overall its a ground that would make a move up a step if needed.

GROUND OVERVIEW OF THE FIELDINGS DURING PLAY

Pre match had seen the snow and drizzle become prominent but thankfully by kick off time we were back into sunshine on a not to be misled cold afternoon.  Nottingham were just below mid table and from a previous viewing would be a young side but who always want to play 'pure' football.  A selection of the Mansfield side would be from the surrounds of that town they love to hate just down the road and I guess the influence of recent manager Mark Turner who arrived from Glapwell were he was manager of the clubs development-under 21 side were Dave his twin brother is manager who we covered a few weeks ago.

SECOND HALF AWARENESS FROM THE HOME KEEPER DENIES NOTTINGHAM

As ever apologies here for not getting team sheets but thankfully the clubs social media and the Nottingham bench helped out, hopefully the home scorers are in the correct order.  It was an impressive start from Mansfield with the powerful runs of their left back [3] and he was very much the attraction of the the first half always threatening the visitors defence, added to this the constant haranguing of the Nottingham back line by Liam Waller who was proving a handful.

Just as it looked like the game would be going to half time goal less it went goal crazy with three in four minutes.  Firstly after 34 minutes Steve Fox made some space for himself on the edge of the box before firing into the bottom left hand corner of the goal.  Straight from kick off referee Adrian Seward awarded Mills a free kick twenty five yards out and Luke Manlove stepped up to steer home a glorious strike into the top left of the goal.

No point relaxing now for Mansfield and when a cross from the right fell to former Clay Cross player Elliott Nunn he confidently guided the ball home at the back post.

With that the game arrived at half time with the home side in the driving seat and on their way to another three points in their resurgence.

The second half was not the best from a neutral point of view but Nottingham as ever still kept up their efforts to play football the proper way but from a Mansfield Hosiery Mills point of view they bossed the second half defensively and were able to secure those vital three points that sees them move to three from bottom with a five point gap, plus with two games in hand on a few teams a chance to move further away from the basement before the end of the season.

An enjoyable revisit.

A GOOD OLD SLIDING TACKLE STOPS A NOTTINGHAM MOVE

TEVIE CANNOT STOP SELBY'S PLAY OFF HOPES

TEVERSAL 2 SELBY TOWN 5

NCEFL DIVISION 1 AT CARNARVON ST

26 MARCH 2022 --- 3PM

TEVERSAL V SELBY TOWN

Selby Town feared their play off hopes were in tatters after fifteen minutes when bottom side Teversal had stormed to a two nil lead on a sunny Carnarvon Street afternoon.  With the home sides second win of the season gained just two weeks ago against Glasshoughton they have showed an improvement in performances of late.  Although they lost heavily at league leaders Hallam their play gained them many plaudits and then a narrow mid week loss to local rivals Shirebrook has shown some hope in a desperate season.

But the visitors would get a foothold in the game with a goal before half time and storm onto four second half goals without reply to return to the status quo and keep the pressure up on Rossington Main whose position they desire.

DESPAIR AS CONOR QUALTER DEFLECTS THE BALL INTO HIS OWN GOAL FOR THE TEVERSAL OPENER

Walk to the match season continues and after last weeks long trek to Glapwell this one is a familiar regular at just under the seventeen miles round trip but with spring having finally sprung it would be a pleasant trip today with little of event apart from some very busy roads compared to last week and arrival at Tevie was around 2.30pm.  There was a small selection of Robins fans who had made the trip to Nottinghamshire and with nervous anticipation they eyed three points against the leagues strugglers.

BEN AGBAKOSI MAKES IT TWO FOR TEVERSAL

Teversal were out of the blocks at apace and it was no surprise when after ten minutes they took the lead Cameron Pinnick got the shot in that created problems on the goal line and facing his own goal Selby captain Conor Qualter saw the ball fly off him and over the goal line. 

The home side would double their lead just five minutes later when the pace of Ben Agbakosi saw him facing the keeper and he slotted home with some confidence, Selby must have wondered what was happening.

Of course you don't keep a side down like Selby who are vying away at the top of the table and Teversal knew the real challenge would now begin.  It was neck and neck in the middle of the park and the game was developing into a far old battle for the upper hand.  But just shy of the half hour mark Selby got a foothold in the game when a long cross evaded the home keeper and at the far post Harry Clapham superbly hooked the ball back into the net.

THE MANAGEMENT TEAM PAUL MCFARLAND AND MARTIN BOWER

The second half started just how Selby had talked it out in the changing rooms an equaliser after 57 minutes when a superb free flowing move saw an inch perfect cross off the right find Calum Ward who slotted the ball home with an ease that matched the silky move.

Home keeper Alex Buttery had a three minutes no keeper wants when two errors which are so much more noticeable than an outfield player, of course, would prove harsh on his overall efforts and the Teversal cause.  First on 67 minutes in defensive hesitation on the edge of the box he lost the ball to Ward who poached the goal slotting home into an open net for his second.  Then Selby made the game safe awarded a free kick on the half way line the ball was floated in by Jon-Paul Vass and Buttery flew out to take the catch only for it to sail over his head into the net.  Here I thought the free kick was taken by the visitors number three Vass but may have this wrong as the league have the scorer as Liam Flanagan, the clubs top scorer.

BEN AGBAKOSI ON THE BALL FOR TEVERSAL

Teversal had gone into despair now whereas Selby were ecstatic after that early shock they had turned the game on its head within fifteen minutes of the second period.

There was chance for Buttery to get some confidence back when he punched clear two dangerous crosses and also turned away an effort from Clapham as the Selby man found himself with just the Teversal number one to beat.

CALUM WARD EQUALISES FOR SELBY

The icing was put on the cake in stoppage time when Clapham got his second and the visitors fifth a turn of pace took him across the penalty box and has he beat defender and keeper he fired home to wrap up a confident comeback.

Much like two weeks ago when Teversal won the game with a last minute goal the fifth goal here again was signalled by referees whistle straight from the re start.

WARD GIVES THE ROBINS THE LEAD AT 3-2

Teversal barring any geographical blips will start next season at the old step 7 level and their time will be spent on re building a nice club that I will be sad to see leave the NCEFL.  It will be a very competitive CMFL if that's the way they go and one that is very hard to escape from.

Of course Selby will not be too worried by the Nottinghamshire sides plight as they push on to try to overtake Rossington for that final play off spot in their remaining three games, there is a four point gap but after The Robins comeback today never write off a team with the spirit they showed during this game.

WARD OFF TO CELEBRATE WITH THE SELBY FANS BEHIND THE GOAL

COPESTAKE GOAL SEALS THREE POINTS

GLAPWELL 1 AFC BENTLEY 0

CMFL PREMIER DIVISION NORTH AT HALL CORNER

19 MARCH 2022 --- 2PM

GLAPWELL V AFC BENTLEY SHANE BURTON CLEARS FOR THE HOME SIDE

A solitary first half strike from Ben Copestake turned out to be enough for Glapwell to seal all three points against their Yorkshire visitors on a windy afternoon that did not help proceedings at Hall Corner.

On to the continuation of 'walk to the match season' part, who knows I have lost count but with the drier weather at last arriving on the scene a return to an old favourite Glapwell FC was on the cards.  However it would be a good old stretch at just over seventeen miles for the round trip but with a route planned to walk through the hamlet of Astwith a prompt departure was made at 1120am.

HARDWICK HALL A FAIR BIT OF COVERING UP

Climbing out through Pilsley and onto Hardstoft, a busy road without pavement, its pretty risky at the best of time today was no different as vehicles flew past at a fair rate of knots.  With a sharp ten minute walk taking me off the racetrack peace was regained as the walk into Astwith commenced and it turned out into a hidden gem some beautiful old houses and a small green with post box, seat and up to date parish notice board.  Tracking the M1 for a while, ear defenders needed, there was a gratitude to turn under the bridge carrying the motorway and away frm the noise onto Stainsby Mill part of the National Trust's Hardwick estate.  Having walked the hills around Ashover I can honestly say the climb from here to Ault Hucknall was today a real test, probably more so with the time pressure of arriving for kick off at 2pm.  I was nicely ahead of schedule and a quick stop to look over the wall of the church of St John the Baptist here in another hamlet centre of around four properties makes it one of the smallest parishes in the country although spread wide over many other small hamlets it is an exquisite area to visit.

ON ROUTE THROUGH ASTWITH

The pace had been sharp all the way and now turning into Glapwell village itself there was just the busy A617 Mansfield Road to cross with arrival now guaranteed twenty minutes before kick off.

It wasn't a new visit having had more visits to Hall Corner than hot dinners over the years but in a strange way it felt like it and the lack of a recent visit probably made it this way.

The history surrounding the previous Glapwell's are well documented but needless to say they were just one game and one goal in a play off game from appearing in the Northern Premier League Premier Division in the glory days of chairman Colin Hancock.  The small crowd was often from far and a wide and the club always struggled to attract a large support from its village.  After the politics of a village club and its council, who own the ground, came to the fore the club collapsed making a re appearance in the CMFL and after a further folding we now arrive at a new set up who gained promotion from Division One of the CMFL last season.  A very brief overview but its too long to document in full on here.

Needless to say some great acquaintances were made including Burnley Dave, Ray who travelled up for night games from London and caught the Nat Ex coach back from Chesterfield at something like 2am in the morning [he just loved everything Derbyshire] and then 'H' sadly no longer with us but a lovely genuine chap and a pleasure to stand with at a game, good old days eh. 

TOWARDS THE DUG OUTS AND STANDING ENCLOSURE

Chesterfield Ladies had a short period on the ground and some housework was done but following the loss of the clubhouse the ground was becoming not at its best.  So how do we find it today?

Approaching the double entrance block I was surprised to see the turnstiles gone, inside the cabins that had been there as the club progressed had also now departed but this was an improvement making the area more light.  To the right the club house and old secretaries office have of course gone following the damage but the newer changing room block is thankfully operational and the snack bar has moved to a window at the front of this building.

Ground wise the floodlights are a long distant memory after one, if I remember correctly fell down on the morning of a charity game and for safety reasons the decision was taken to cut down the other poles at about eight foot height.  These still remain in situ a rusting memory to those glory days of old.

The pitch slopes from the cricket field end to the changing room end with the furniture itself not changed since the higher league days its generally a very tight ground all round with a small enclosure on the far side below the two dug outs and on the car park entrance side a collection of about three stands with different seating varieties.  Sadly now we have roofs off, seats damaged and general rubbish of all sorts around the ground and it is sad to see I guess the Parish Council are responsible for maintenance but I don't like to say but its not looking at its best.

THE THREE STANDS AT HALL CORNER

The game then well for Glapwell there are a fair selection of players who have played for Clay Cross Town and a further addition of Sunday League players that have been seen before so a homely feel to the side for me.  AFC Bentley have always been a club that I got along nicely with on my travels and again a hardy dedicated small bunch who keep the non league going.

Referee today would be the second game running with a first name of Kier today its Sheppard.  We also had a shortage of one assistant referee but thankfully referee and club officials agreed one person from each club would run the vacant line and a good job they did too allowing the game to proceed.

CHARLES BRADWELL GLAPWELL ATTACK

Today was dry but once again a fairly strong wind would make conditions difficult added to this the drying nature of the pitches in springtime meant for a bobbly surface which did not aid proceedings.  Glapwell would be grateful for the Copestake goal on eighteen minutes after Charles Bradwell providing the touch to set him up and really that was about it.

The second half saw Bentley have a fair amount of possession but produce little of danger and if a shot did get near goal Ross Etheridge was on hand to command the ball.  Glapwell worked hard and looked solid with Shane Burton and the terrier that is Ritchie Mathews in most things but there was little to show when the home side attacked either.  Three points are three points and Glapwell are sat comfortably in the league table for their debut season in the Premier Division and if they can retain this side with a few additions who knows next season may see a top three challenge.

LEE FLETCHER AND DAVE TURNER GLAPWELL MANAGEMENT TEAM

The return route would take me through a further Ault Hucknall hamlet this time Rowthorne another little beauty and then onwards to the Hardwick Hall Lodge gates and past, to my left, the hall and to my right the old hall.  Strangely the hall is under the guidance of The National Trust and the old hall is looked after by English Heritage today both were wrapped in scaffolding and polythene as extensive works continue.  Down the hill passing the rather busy Hardwick Inn and then the mile long climb Back to Hardstoft and on to Pilsley with still an hour to go back to base which was arrived at in 2 hours 20 minutes.  

An enjoyable walk with a nice bit of reminiscing at Hall Corner while watching the current lads representing Glapwell FC and picking up three hard earned ponts.

ROSS ETHERIDGE HOLDS ON

PURE JOY AS TEVERSAL GRAB SECOND WIN OF THE SEASON

TEVERSAL 2 GLASSHOUGHTON 1

NCEFL 1 AT CARNARVON ST

13 MARCH 2022 --- 3PM

CAMERON PINNICK AND TEVERSAL CELEBRATE HIS STOPPAGE TIME WINNER

A remarkable finish to a game that looked like it would be settled by a first half wonder goal from Jordon Chippendale for the visitors but the Tevie boys did not know when they were beaten in this game and an equaliser on eighty nine minutes and then a superb winner in the fifth minute of stoppage time secured the home side only their second win of a very tough season.  The celebrations were ecstatically wild, you may have thought they had won the league and why not this had been a full on determined performance.

TROLLY AND TROLLY PARK IT MUST BE A TEVERSAL VISIT

As the 'walk to the match' season continues after last weeks break once again for the wet stuff putting off a lot of the local grassroots games I couldn't resist a revisit to Teversal as many know my comfort club.  With the dark afternoons pulling out it could now be worked I believed relatively safely on a section of road with no pavement before the light had gone on return from the game.  A fair selection of the walk of just over eight miles and taking outbound 2 hours 20 minutes would be accompanied by the whiff created by our now 'spreading' farmers.  Much of the manure now seems to be of a liquid type which is not pleasant and for the up hill section into Pilsley there must have been so much breathed in that I'm now more full of the stuff than normal.

Previous trips this season have seen a couple of routes via the edge of Hardwick Hall and also via the busy Hardstoft road to Tibshelf with no pavement for a large portion of this section of around ten minutes or so.  Having taken the latter route today the intention was to get a snap shot of the massive shopping trolleys on the approach to the industrial estate where the company making supermarket varieties is based.  Anyway I didn't climb into one and can comfortably say 'I'm off my trolly' now, it would though produce a nice link with of course the much photographed trolly park stands at Tesco and meant the need to photograph them again.

NEED NO INTRODUCTION BUT COULD I PARK MY TROLLY IN THEM

The last visit to Carnarvon Street was for the FC Humber game on 18 September when a crazy game saw Teversal run out 7-4 winners and this would prove to be their last victory.  I did give some consideration to the chance of me seeing another victory today but for a side rooted to the bottom of the table and seemingly unable to gain three points at the end of ninety minutes I soon put the idea to bed.

HANDS UP AS TEVIE ATTACK IN THE FIRST HALF

As usual a nice greeting from a few of the people I now at the club and some spectators at todays encounter and with a position taken up to avoid some of the once again strong wind we were underway.  The opening exchanges were very even with Teversal looking to break through but as so often happens when you are struggling the opposition take their first chance.  Mind you what a goal it was good enough to win any game when Chippendale lashed home an eighteen yard effort across the goal rising high into the left top corner of the net after seventeen minutes.

MATCH WINNER CAMERON PINNICK

Just over the half hour mark the visitors failed to clear their lines and Jack Hutchinson put in a goal bound shot only for it to be cleared as it was nearing the goal line.  But just after there was danger at the other end a sliced clearance by Teversal keeper Leon Turton spun back on goal for Jack Appleyard to race through somehow the number one got back to fling himself at the ball and it was enough to put off the visitors striker who fired wide.

CONNER EYES CLOSELY WATCHED BY THE TEVERSAL DEFENCE

The second half was seeing a determined football effort and Teversal were gradually pushing Glasshoughton back and you could see the belief that they could get something out of this game.  Visiting keeper Calum Gladding gathered Chris Heathcote's deflective header before Jak lightly found himself in a good position at the back post, he lobbed the keeper well but the ball landed on the roof of the net and so still the goal would not come.

There was though definitely a feeling that the home side deserved something from this game and it arrived on eighty nine minutes when Kamau Leverock was put in he raced through and coolly slotted past the keeper to level the scores.

JAK LIGHTLY CHIPS THE KEEPER BUT FINDS THE ROOF OF THE NET

Entering the fifth minute of stoppage time Teversal were awarded a corner off the right and after pestering for the last five minutes Teversal keeper Turton was finally allowed to go forward for the kick.  He got nowhere near it but his six foot presence may have distracted the Glasshoughton defensive operation.  They failed to clear the excellently floated corner and when it fell to Cameron Pinnick fourteen yards out he fired the ball low across goal into the far left corner to start scenes of wild celebrations.  Could Teversal hang on?  Well referee Kier Wishart made sure of that and proved what a late, late show this was when he blew for time straight from the re start.

A richly deserved win for the Tevie boys and good to see them get some good success for a change this season.

It was a very sharp dash to get beyond the road only stages of this route back and having arrived in Pilsey before dark the pace was kept up with the support of the enjoyment of that last few minutes for Teversal with base arrived at in one minute under the two hours for the return journey

THE CORNER THAT DID THE DAMAGE WITH KEEPER TURTON FORWARD FOR TEVERSAL