FREEZING AT THE WELFARE

STAVELEY MINERS WELFARE RES 3 AFC PHOENIX 0

CMA PREMIER NORTH AT INKERSALL ROAD

2 DECEMBER 2023 --- 3PM

PLACE YOUR COLD BEER HERE IN STAVELEY MW RES V AFC PHOENIX

On a bitterly cold afternoon with temperatures in the minus zone it was these two Central Midlands Alliance Premier South sides who put on a entertaining show but ultimately the pace of Staveley going forward was a deciding factor and on another day they would have secured more than the three goals that their efforts did this afternoon.

A BRIGHT LOOKING MAIN STAND

A very cold week with heavy frosts left a fixture list decimated and it always looked like 3g's as the only options and so it turned out to be with probably one of my first trips north this season, I say north about five miles north of base as the crow flies and a little to the east but overall it was close.  Not fancying a change over two journey bus trip to get to Inkersall Road and back I opted for a cheeky taxi there and back that saw the eight mile journey take just short of twenty minutes.  With arrival at the ground fifty minutes before kick off there was a chance to catch up on changes since my last visit which will be a fair few years ago.

INKERSALL ROAD TOWARDS THE BUSINESS END

This was always a ground developing and of course the major change that has been made is an excellent 3g playing surface to be made available to the community and of course supporting the first team, reserve side and u21's and today would see a game being able to be staged.

Behind both goals the raised covered terrace stands still hold firm with the old but always new looking main stand hugging the half way line.  The ever popular bar and food area is the hub of the ground with the expansive club shop now in a modern build at the side of this.  The tower bar and scoreboard are in close proximity, to the side of the terrace behind the corporate coloured frontage of this ground is a new toilet block.  In this corner is the large table tennis building and the new offering of an elderly and disabled covered enclosure with a double row of seats to the rear and a ramped access to the front of the stand.  So plenty going on here and a ground that really would grace step three without too many problems, it remains a shame that the club opted to ply their trade in The NCEFL First Division through a voluntary relegation they have a ground here to be proud of that shows the fantastic input that has taken place at Inkersall Road. 

HOW GOOD WAS THE JOKE WE MAY NEVER KNOW

Having popped round the ground I was still non the warmer and by this stage my camera hands were feeling the temperature and so much of the rest of the afternoon's pictures were limited to a few stills without the digits suffering any more.  Mind you it cannot be to cold as our weather judging postman is still in shorts, here though today most people were unrecognisable by the amount of layers and coverings they had on.

ANYONE FOR TABLE TENNIS

The three match officials today referee Mark Hilton, Simon Owen and Paul Holmes all ply their Sunday trade in the Chesterfield League.  Indeed Hilton today had a authoritative, calm non flustered approach to this game and overall this was a very impressive performance.

HASSAN DAUD ON THE BALL FOR PHOENIX

A healthy attendance of 105 slightly questionable individuals made the decision to stand out in these conditions to watch their weekly fix of football, very encouraging for Staveley and one that we were grateful to Staveley for, having the surface to get this game on.  There was a collection of referees at the game including a nice catch up with Mark Grayling and Chris Roberts the latter who decided to pose for a picture and then declared 'Something make me feels I'm going to regret this' why would you?  Mind you nice face Chris.  Staveley regular hopper, DCFA officer and Chesterfield Sunday League social media guru Dan Brown was also in attendance.  So the great and good were all here.

NO REGRETS FROM CHRIS ROBERTS AS DAN BROWN WATCHES ON

Staveley started off at a pace with a young looking side eager to get the upper hand and they were in the lead as soon as the tenth minute when the endeavour and pace of Jay Cutts down the left fed the ball into a charging in Ben Bailey who fired home a sharp low drive into the Phoenix goal.

Phoenix found a way back into the game possession wise and with better finishing should have been level but that early goal would see Staveley ahead at half time.

REFEREE HILTON KEEPS A CALM VIEW ON PROCEEDINGS

A walk round at half time brought to light the new facility ice cold tables to keep your beer cold pitch side, thanks today to the last few days frost indeed there were a few hardy souls partaking even bringing their liquid refreshments outside.  Most though opted for the tea and coffee with a selection of steaming hot food from the clubhouse to offer some warm comfort.

THE LARGE CROWD MEANT JOSH WRAGG COULDNT HEAR THE REFS WHISTLE WHEN PLAYING THE BALL AWAY

The second period was looking pretty well balanced but gradually the pace of some of the home side and including impressive substitutes gave the home Staveley faithful another two goals to cheer.  With fifteen minutes to go Charlie Bingham's cheeky little flick pass set away Cutts, provider of the first goal, to fire past visiting keeper Matt Dalton to double the score.

The result was put beyond doubt with ten minutes remaining when Bingham again turned on the assist mode with a superb back post cross for Oliver Moore to head home.

TRIPLE PICTURE SPECIAL FOR REFEREE HILTON AS HE POINTS OUT THE FREE KICK LOCATION

Phoenix were unable to come back from these two late goals but had put up a sterling effort on a cold afternoon but they make them tough in Rotherham as they do in North East Derbyshire and today it was the Inkersall Road side who would put on a fine performance to warm up the hardy customers, although most now still craved a warm radiator.

STAVELEY DEFENSIVE CLEARANCE

With warm radiators drifting through my mind it was time to make for the exit to be greeted by an already waiting warm taxi to whisk me back to base.

PHOENIX FEED THE BALL INSIDE

CMA football is what it is and by that I mean its mostly good honest football with full on effort and that was true here today with non too little skill added wonderfully to the mix by the Staveley side this afternoon.

SOLID PERFORMANCE FROM ZIAH MCCLAREN

Return taxi had me arrive back at base about twenty minutes after the final whistle and this afternoon had been a fantastic bonus when little else footballing wise took place.  Thankfully the option of a taxi replaced some horrible standing around in Chesterfield for a bus change and the radiator was embraced warmly sooner rather than leter.

PHOENIX MANAGEMENT HALF TIME BEVERAGES CREATE DISCUSSION

POINTS TO IVANHOE AGAIN

MANSFIELD HOSIERY MILLS 0 WIRKSWORTH IVANHOE 3

CMA PREMIER SOUTH AT THE FIELDINGS

25 NOVEMBER 2023 --- 3PM

GEORGE SIMPSON SETS UP A MOVE FOR MANSFIELD HOSIERY MILLS V WIRKSWORTH IVANHOE

After last weeks hard fought victory at then leaders South Normanton Athletic Wirksworth bagged another three points here at The Fieldings against an equally hard working Mansfield Hosiery Mills.  But a double from Jack Higton and a wonderful strike from Billy Franklin sealed the points for Ivanhoe with the home side being slightly hard done by the winning margin.

TEDS BEEN FORCED INTO SUPPORTING LIVERPOOL NOT THE MILLS THIS AFTERNOON

This journey would involve a bus connection in the village of Tibshelf and overall this short journey was leaving me with trepidation as the initial bus service was to be supplied by Hulleys whose reputation has taken a battering lately for the failure of its services.  Very weird to feel this way from somebody who has done Edinburgh and back in a day never mind Bala Town in the Welsh Premier League, look that ground up, all on public transport.

Armed with the bus tracker all looked well with the service set to depart Chesterfield but when arriving at my stop the bus was still sat in Chesterfield!  Finally departing it arrived around half an hour down in time and the same at Tibshelf with a 100 yard dash to the next stop the service to neighbouring Huthwaite was made with about a minute to spare.

CHRISTMAS KENNY WITH PAL CHUNK

The obligatory call into the Coop, although there is a Tesco here, was made for pasty and other eatables before the short walk to the ground which just hops over the boundary into Sutton In Ashfield with both being in Nottinghamshire.  The history of the ground, clubs that have played under Sutton's name and the area have been featured in past blogs so I wont go into these again but needless to say sadly not much as improved with the outward appearance of Huthwaite.

IVANHOE MANAGER KARL EVANS IN RELAXED PRE MATCH MOOD

Thankfully having made the connection it was a comfortable arrival an hour before kick off with the chance to meet Ted the dog who was on gate duty and had previously been met at Pinxton where he had camped out on his blanket with a selection of treats, today mind you by half time it was that cold he had meandered inside to view from a window ledge he was though being kept slightly warmer by his Liverpool FC top.  As entry for cute non league dogs rose there was also time to meet Kenny, after Dalglish and Chunk, the former was already in Christmas mood with festive jumper and collar adorned with seasonal attire although I suspect he didn't have much say in the matter.

ITS ALL SMILES FOR NOW

There was time for a walk around this very tight ground but the advantage of this was you are close to the action although for photographic shots it was a low sun that soon disappeared and through shadows all over the place didn't make for great pictures, there's my excuse in place.

JABLONSKI STRETCHES HIGH TO PUNCH CLEAR

Strangely this would be Mills only the third home league game of the season so far and after last weeks odd goal victory in seven they would be looking to climb away from the wrong end of the table with a similar result.  For the visitors who looked so strong last week they must have aspirations of powering on to a top eight placement.

MILLS TOM TORRINGTON WAITING FOR THE MOVE

Attendances are small here but they are a merry band of helpers and having met the lady running the cafe who was now doubling up as window cleaner the interest and commitment of the non league family shone through.  There was time before the game to meet referee Ibrahim Arsali and re connect with assistant referee Stuart Walker who had a smart new hair cut that had got rid of his long flowing locks from last weeks game at Lees Lane.

TACKLE FROM BEHIND?

Let the action commence and it was the home side who got off to an encouraging start but a sharp break by Ivanhoe saw a corner from Lucas Brough put in a lovely ball for Higton [J] to head in his first of the afternoon after 17 minutes.  Ten minutes later and a glorious cross from Tom Mellor to the back stick saw Higton [J] head home to double his and the Wirksworth tally.

Mansfield would have a close range effort cleared off the line and then they too cleared off the line through Max Denton as they too came under pressure just before half time.

ASSISTANT REFEREE STUART WALKER HAS THE SUN GETTING IN HIS EYES THIS WEEK NOT HIS HAIR

You feared for Mills but going downhill in the second half and after a half time team talk they started at a fair pace and put together nice passing football and were working up a head of steam and with a little bit of luck in front of goal would have scored.  It certainly seemed to shock the visitors and a few edgy tackles went in that resulted in referee Arsali having to reach for his cards, a ten minute passage of play that saw two players from either side cautioned.  

IVANHOE GOAL LINE CLEARANCE DENIES MILLS

Mansfield could not find that final touch and the inevitable happened on 72 minutes a Brough corner was flapped at by keeper Adam Jablonski with the ball falling to Franklin on the edge of the box and he lashed it into the roof of the net for a stunning finish.  It was a heartbreaker for the home side who had built up some danger but like last week Ivanhoe showed they can soak up pressure and then ultimately find the goal on this occasion that settled any doubts that the three points were going back to the Derbyshire dales.

CHRIS CONROY RISES TO CLEAR THE DANGER

With the floodlights illuminating a dark evening now with and probably the coldest night of the year so far the second half had seen camera away and hands warm time to the fore.  The small crowd of 32 had been well entertained by both sides its just a shame a few more football fans don't pop along to give their support to a side in Sutton, but as mentioned in previous blogs you have to say that the town since the loss of its central location ground clearly is not too interested in football at non league level currently.

MANSFIELD ATTACK IN THE FIRST HALF WITH THE POPULAR SIDE IN THE BACKGROUND

A final circuit was completed just before the final whistle and with arrival back in front of the cafe and changing rooms referee Arsali brought an to the play

HENRY BROOKS WATCHES OUT

It looks like a long hard season for Mark Turner and his cohorts but there is always effort and determination here and enough points from sides at the bottom of the table should be enough to keep Mills from that horrible last few places in the league. 

CLOSE UP ACTION

Meanwhile my colleague Mr R of the Buxton parish has a soft spot for Ivanhoe and I can see why they are a determined bunch who really gel together to achieve their aims, certainly in the last few games I have seen them.  They will have a big challenge on Friday night when they travel to Pinxton who will test them out in what promises to be a thrilling encounter.  They are though if results continue in serious danger of challenging the top clubs in the CMA Premier South.

MILLS MANAGER TURNER MAKES A POLITE ENQUIRY IF THE REF HAS BROUGHT HIS YELLOW CARD TO ASSISTANT ANDY POLKEY

With a good thirty minutes for the connecting bus to Tibshelf a walk back along the dark streets of Huthwaite allowed a cheeky revisit to the Coop for a further bit of calorie intake.  The Market Place had come alive now with delivery cars blocking bus stops as the local populace decided not to cook and avoid their MP's advice that they can cook a meal for 30p.

IVANHOE WATCHED BY MILLS CAPTAIN TOM SUTER

Everything ran smoothly on the way back with a 30 minute connection wait and arrival back in base just over ninety minutes after the end of the match which been an enjoyable affair even if somewhat cold.  A thoroughly enjoyable visit.

HAVE A WORD REF, REFEREE IBRAHIM ARSALI DOES JUST THAT

LEADERS TOPPLED

SOUTH NORMANTON ATHLETIC 0 WIRKSWORTH IVANHOE 1

CMA PREMIER SOUTH AT LEES LANE

18 NOVEMBER 2023 --- 2PM

RYAN MARCHINGTON CELEBRATES THE WINNER IN SOUTH NORMANTON ATH V WIRKSWORTH IVANHOE

Wirksworth Ivanhoe knocked league leaders South Normanton Athletic off the top spot thanks to a battling performance set up by the first half goal from Ryan Marchington.  It was a determined effort especially in the last thirty minutes as the home side raised their game and the heavy pitch was taking a toll on strengths the visitors held strong though to secure victory.

THE TEAMS ENTER THE PITCH

The first paragraph of most of this season's blog has been somewhat familiar because yes the rain overnight plus a damp week had added to more postponements it will be a pleasure whenever the rain lets up to just be able to select a game and not have to check a collection of fixtures on Saturday morning.  Added to that the vagaries of public transport found a slightly delayed Comet make arrival in Alfreton ten minutes down and with the lack of taxi availability to the game I was originally going to a switch to the Nines would see an arrival at Lees Lane just before 1.30pm for this 2pm kick off. 

JAMES BEARDOW LOOKS TO LAY THE BALL BACK TO HIS KEEPER

South Normanton is a Coop town but today nothing quite took my fancy on the snack front, I know shock, horror.  Empty handed a retrace of steps back to the ground would see a very obliging photograph of both teams sheets gained, as per earlier on in the season, a much appreciated help.

There was time for a walk around the always impressive ground and a small chat with the Clay Cross Town Fc chairman, their game was once again was one of those called off, before proceedings commenced.  The changes to the ground were covered in the blog a few weeks ago but it has to be re stated that I love the electronic scoreboard.

WIRKSWORTH DRIVING FORWARD UP THE SLOPE

The pitch was looking heavy but played well and once again us supporters of a certain age sometimes stand amazed at games that are called off but of course we are from the era of The Baseball Ground and White Hart Lane when mud was the word.  It often made for a right old battle of a game but often now its football for the purist with an indefinite amount of passes before the ball goes forward ten yards.

INCH PERFECT TACKLE

The home side sat proudly on top of the table before the start of the game and it looked a fairly simple game but having witnessed Ivanhoe before if they are on form they are a challenge for any side in this league.  This game also saw my first ever viewing of referee Syd Atwal, as those of you know I like to follow the referees so this was a nice opportunity too.

EARLY WIRKSWORTH ATTACK

Athletic started playing some of that finesse football and indeed had a very early chance when Marc Bright got a shot away that thundered back off the post.  It would though be the visitors who were starting to look the bigger threat as they forced their way up the slope it was Billy Franklin who went close first with his shot going just wide of the upright.  

On twenty five minutes though Ivanhoe broke the deadlock with a goal that would prove the winner, Lewis Hilton on the right hand side of the box fed Ryan Marchington who spun on the ball and placed a low shot inside the post to beat the despairing dive of Ross Etheridge after 25 minutes. 

The home side had shown little and by the time half time was reached it all seemed to be well under control for Wirksworth.

RYAN MARCHINGTON FIRES IN THE WINNER

The second period started in a similar fashion with Ivanhoe looking comfortable but then the final push came with a collection of substitutions looking to give the home side the edge non more so than Perry Richards on the left who looked like the channel to play through and a threat to the visitors defence.

JOSH PARFFIT CHALLENGES KEEPER CHRIS CONROY

With crosses coming in and the light fading on this dark afternoon Wirksworth stood tall to deflect every effort that South Normanton could throw at them.  The heat was rising in the game and the caution count had begun, even with a strange one with fifteen minutes to go for Ryan Hadley who put in a sharp but what looked a fair challenge, the ball went out of play for a throw in and was started thus but referee Atwal went over and booked the player many thought for a foul but with the re-start one can only assume it was for something that was said.

STICKY WICKET FOR ASSISTANT REFEREE STUART WALKER

Passions were evident now on both sides and at last South Normanton seemed to wake from their slumber.  Referee Atwal was again in focus when he signalled there would be four minutes stoppage time this infuriated the home bench and you could see why.  There had been a large amount of substitutions from both sides along side some injuries to visiting players that would probably have required 7 minutes or so to be added on.

JUST ONE CAUTION HERE FOR RYAN HADLEY 

Entering the added on time with a neutral spectating desire for this game to continue because it was now really entertaining the crowd of just under a hundred South Normanton went within inches of equalising when from a right wing corner Josh Parffit headed just the wrong side of the post.  With a further stoppage to treat a visiting players cramp we did reach 7 minutes added time, but with this additional injury you still felt that the game was two minutes or so shy of a full compliment on the watch.

CONVERSATIONS ABOUT WHAT TIME THE SHOWERS WILL BE TURNED ON

The full compliment on the watch was certainly something South Normanton manager Dave Turner had in his mind as he went on to discuss the timepiece that referee Atwal was employing for this afternoons encounter and on every occasion he appeared to have had the final word he found another one for the man in the middle.  Frustration was the order of the day because his team had not performed to their best today and just as they were starting to time ran out. 

TENSIONS RISING ON THE NORMANTON BENCH

Take nothing away from Derbyshire Dales side they had defended admirably in the closing half an hour and for most of the game looked comfortable but that finale was a very creditable effort from their squad this afternoon, they gave everything.

STEVE MORAN RALLIES WIRKSWORTH FOR THE FINAL MINUTES

Return journey was a fairly swift departure into Alfreton with a half an hour wait and arrival back at base just after 5pm from this early kick off.

ATHLETIC MANAGER DAVE TURNER DISCUSSES TIMEPIECES WITH REFEREE ATWAL

SHERWOOD SETTING THE PACE

SHERWOOD COLLIERY 6 BELPER UNITED 0

UCL PREMIER NORTH AT DEBDALE PARK

11 NOVEMBER 2023 --- 3PM

CRAIG WESTCARR OPENS THE SCORING FOR SHERWOOD COLLIERY V BELPER UNITED

League leaders Sherwood Colliery not only set the UCL pace in this game but bossed it with half a dozen goals split between both halves without reply from visitors Belper United.  The visitors last week had earned a creditable victory that the blog witnessed but this week their new and young side struggled to match the experienced and powerful Sherwood side.

REFEREE MAX ATHERTON IN FULL FLOW

After another wet week some games were falling to inspections and the final decision to make a relatively quick re visit to Debdale Lane was made with all the fun of walks at both end of the Pronto bus service to undertake with the added joy of darkness on the return journey since the clocks had changed since the last visit.

The fifty minute walk from base saw time on arrival in the hamlet of Holmewood to meander to the far end to pick up the bus service, I say hamlet its probably more down at heel former pit village to be accurate.  It now has no drinking establishment since the closure in recent weeks of its miners welfare leaving this a 'dry' village.

Pronto departure at just shy of The Rufford Arms was as ever a grateful event with the wide selection of characters on public transport that I would rather be on a different mode of transport to.

Walking down Debdale Lane for around fifteen minutes brings the sports ground into site and with entrance fee paid a circuit was completed.  The problem photography wise is always that this ground is surrounded by large trees on two sides and with the sun low and soon disappearing behind them many areas were part shade part light hence the lack of a good cross section of pictures.  

REFEREE ATHERTON POINTS THE WAY

Belper United have experienced a good start to the season and after a change all round in personnel they still sit in a play off position.  Having seen them last week I did fear it could be a difficult game against this strong Sherwood side and so it proved.

Just seven minutes in and last weeks Belper hero Alfie Roberts, he of scorer of 75 yard strike, saw a sharp effort bounce back off his chest and the last player you want with the ball at his feet then is Craig Westcarr who made no mistake.  The advantage was doubled on twenty five minutes when Jamie York swung in a free kick off the left for Jobe Shaw to head home.  

This game was calmer than the game versus Boston Town so much so that manager Wayne Savage seemed to be able to stand back calmly and enjoy proceedings and with only one questioning of referee Max Atherton that the Derbyshire official answered it was an afternoon that even saw him laughing with the officials as they came back to the dressing rooms at half time.

Talking of half time as we moved into the first minute of stoppage time Sherwood made it three Westcarr set up York who fed the ball across goal for Marley Grant to slot home.  

SHERWOD GO CLOSE

The half time interval had seen the light disappear with floodlights now firmly in place plus the heating seemed to have got turned off as the wintery air made probably its first appearance at a match this season.

BELPER UTD HEAD INJURY AS REFEREE ATHERTON CALLS ON THE PHYSIO

The opening fifteen minutes of the second half had threatened to become a stroll although that may have had something to do with the three half time changes the visitors made but the impressive Ewan Robson got hold off this game by the scruff of the neck driving himself and Sherwood forward in determined fashion.  It was his efforts that led to the fourth he raced forward allowing William Norcross a shot that was turned away for the following up Grant to fire home for his second just past the hour mark.  Again Robson would be the provider with a cross off the right for Jake Wright to head home after 73 minutes.

Just two minutes later the half a dozen was reached when Westcarr was put through and his quality shone as the keeper came out he slotted home with ease for his second of the game.

The closing stages saw the excitement of the pace of substitute Jacob Pearce who was proving a handful and on more than one occasion worked his way into shooting positions.

WILL NORCROSS ON HIS WAY OFF AT HALF TIME

Referee Atherton's signal to end the match saw Sherwood still five points clear at the top of The UCL Premier North table and there will be many tougher challenges ahead for this excellent side who looked fully kitted out this season to gain that ultimate prize of promotion.  For Belper its a learning curve for the new set up and this was a hard lesson they will meet strong sides but not as strong as Sherwood every week so hopefully they will remain the right side of the play off line.

HALF TIME BOVRIL AWAITS

The walk to Chesterfield Road North brought the temptation of the chippy but with just fifteen minutes, or so I thought, for the return Pronto it was into the Nisa Local again.  With no Coop in the vicinity it was a revisit to this Nisa and a lot of them are very average, although not quite as average as the old McColls, this one though is a little star with well stocked shelves plenty of pies and snacks with a friendly owner.  Good grief I'm now waxing not to lyrically about convenience stores.  

On this increasingly cold evening I made the mistake of not checking the bus tracker and before walking a few stops along Chesterfield I referred to it to find the bus was 25 minutes late, could have done the chippy after all.  The walk would take me through Pleasley Hill and into Pleasley village were after a ten minute wait it was back on the bus to the west edge of Holmewood before a walk of around forty five minutes saw an arrival back at base for a warm.

SHERWOOD MANAGER WAYNE SAVAGE IN RELAXED MOOD WITH THE OFFICIALS