BELPER SECURE FINAL SPOT WITH WIN AT HEANOR

HEANOR TOWN 1 V BELPER TOWN 2
DERBYSHIRE SENIOR CUP SEMI FINAL @ THE TOWN GROUND
10 FEBRUARY 2016 7-45PM

COLD BUT ENTERTAINING NIGHT AT THE TOWN GROUND

A goal three minutes into the second half from Alex Steadman following the sweetest of moves was the differences between the two sides in the end, much as Heanor launched everything bar the kitchen sink into the Belper box in the final ten minutes they could not rescue the tie.
Tonight's journey was of a more comfortable proposition thanks to Mr Wintle for transportation to and from The Town Ground negating the need for three buses.  As ever Heanor is always a tantalising ground to visit for a night fixture and tonight was once again no different with step 4 visitors Belper Town offering the challenge to The Lions who ply their trace one step below.  The whole atmosphere at the ground is always one of the selling points with a nice bar area, excellent snack bar and closeness of the crowd to the action non more so than tonight with an excellent attendance of 336.

GROWN MAN WEARING STRANGE CLOTHES....................HAS PHOTO TAKEN WITH LENNY THE LION

Following 24 hours of dry weather, I know 24 hours its unheard of, the game received the go ahead and the areas football glitterati turned out.  There was just time before the kick off to catch up with the usual Heanor friends and then Mr Ian Wright and Dave Laughlin of Belper Town.  Dave former kit man, flagman and football retriever of Glapwell FC was in attendance and being a Nottinghamshire resident I did question his appearance at this all Derbyshire County Cup game but he assured me he was an observer, probably just missing his blue beret.   Nuneaton manager and former Ram Kevin Wilson was also in attendance.

Approaching the players entrance it was superb to catch up with Kev Grundy who has just left as manager of Swanwick Pentrich Rd FC and had been asked to physio for The Lions tonight, a pleasure as ever and I cant believe Kev will be having any spare Saturdays for too long some club will snap him up.
With time moving on there was an outside chance of not getting to sample the delicacy that is the chips and peas cob but never to be denied one was secured and the ladies as ever were on form in the snack bar ahead of a busy night, once again, for them.
As the crowd drifted in towards the kick off it was great to see so many people coming aout to experience live and local non league football.
The game started at a fair old pace and produced two goals in around 5 minutes with Heanor opening the scoring after 13 minutes a superb save in the build up from Nailers keeper Charlie Mansfield before Karl Demidh converted on his debut.  Belper were not to be denied for long when on 17 minutes they equalised when Robert Stevenson drove an effort goal bound from the edge of the box on its journey int the penalty box it took a wicked deflection wrong footing Joe McCormack and the scores were level and that's were we ended at half time.

TOWN GROUND IN THE PRE MATCH

Probably the funniest comment for a while and maybe you had to be there came from Dave in relation to an impending toilet visit, which at The Town Ground are in the bar or pavilion area which is a nice little stretch away from the pitch, "They could do with a shuttle bus to get you to the loos"!
The second half produced the decisive goal just three minutes after the re start when a lovely three man move down the left set up by Louis Keenan and Ben Watkis set up Steadman for a neat finish with a guided effort just inside the right hand upright but out of the reach of McCormack.  Belper then threatened to take the game away from their hosts but a few changes later an Heanor were more than back in the game as they re charged their effort with lots of possession but unable to break down a resolute Belper defence.  The final 10 minutes saw ball after ball launched into the Nailers box but the defence dealt well with all that was thrown at it and although Heanor probably deserved extra time you could not deny Belper had put on a quality performance in a very enjoyable game for the large crowd.
When referee Richard Eley blew the final whistle Heanor had given it their all but it would be Belper who would enjoy their final at The Proact later in the season.  Before departure from the ground their was also time to catch up with Selston manager Craig Weston who his leading his side so well in The CMFL South.
Another enjoyable evening at the footy in Heanor!

HOLKER OLD BOYS WIN TO CHARGE INTO THE PLAY OFF ZONE

STOCKPORT TOWN 1 V HOLKER OLD BOYS 2
NWCFL 1 @ THE STOCKPORT SPORTS VILLAGE
6 FEB 2016 --- 3PM

GAME ON AT THE STOCKPORT SPORTS VILLAGE

A Bradley Hubbold goal midway through the second half separated these two promotion chasing sides after the game was in deadlock after an early goal for each side had seen the half time score line at 1-1.  Holker Old Boys have now gone 10 league games unbeaten and see themselves just 9 points off the top spot with 5 games in hand.  If this well drilled defensive performance was anything to go by teams will find them difficult to break down as was the case for Stockport Town today.  In a game played in dreadful condition of heavy rain and a gusting wind, free flowing football would always be difficult but much as the home side tried to break down a resolute visiting defence they just could not and in the end Hubbold's finish on 69 minutes saw the three points return to Barrow In Furness.
So here we were again at a Saturday that once again forecast continuous rain all day long and from morning departure to evening return the wet stuff never left us with at times some of the heaviest downpours the blog has seen this season.  The day was blighted by rain and having viewed the forecast the planned game was changed to the Stockport Sports Village [SSV] home of a 3g pitch and of course now the base for Stockport Town.  Fixtures around the East Midlands, North West and Yorkshire were decimated by the conditions and so the decision to make a further visit to Woodley was a good one and as ever its level of interest is always increased by the chance of a visit to Taylors fish and chip restaurant home of the quality English delicacy.
Departure from base station was very quiet and then we took the all stopping train through a wet Peak District before departing at Bredbury station to of course heavy rain which saw us take a brisk walk to decamp in Taylors in Woodley precinct.

A NEW VIEW BUT DONT WORRY THE FISH AND CHIP PICTURE FOLLOWS

As regular blog readers will know we like to review our food but when you make repeat visits to grounds its always difficult to find a new angle and here with our food stop its also the case too, apart from saying the quality of the fish and chips and superbly friendly staff is well worth repeating, photographing and of course eating!  Today the food and service was as good as ever with an admirable consistency it was also good to meet one of the owners in Anne and have a quick chat and pass on our thoughts and why we revisit when the blog is in the area.  If you find yourself here for a match or visiting don't miss calling in to this little gem.

WORDS NOT NECESSARY

So the time had arrived to venture back into the rainy conditions and this time we took a slightly different walk to the ground over the railway line bridge at the rear of the shops and through the estate to our destination.

WE TURNED THIS OFFER DOWN

We made a headway for indoors and a gathering of ourselves as we dripped around the function room within the centre.  The blog has covered a ground description over the last few visits so we wont repeat this needless to say since our last visit a few months ago for the Barnton game in The MEN Cup the catering facility that is The Hatch has now been closed and their is no catering company supplying through this outlet or bar upstairs, but the club are doing their best with drinks and confectionery snacks.

Once again the weather had brought many hoppers to the SSV for a guaranteed game and it was good to meet John McClure much travelled non league fan, Dave a Cheadle fan who we met last time out, plus along side this a hopper from London and many others from Macclesfield, Stockport, Bolton and the North West of England.  The crowd of 82 was swelled by may non locals travelling in from afar its always surprising how few people come to watch sides from the local area.  It was also nice to receive a warm welcome from home secretary Rob Clare, who has over 200 Football League appearances to his name for both Stockport and Blackpool, who had remembered us from our earlier visit.
Holker Old Boys had made the long journey down from Barrow In Furness in some poor road condition but thankfully they knew that the game would be on as the heavily rubber crumbed 3g at The SSV.  Visiting manager Scott Redhead had taken on the number 1 role in mid November and due to the weather he had so far only took charge of five matches but with some good returns they were in an excellent position to mount a challenge for the play offs however todays game against third placed Town would not be easy especially following the home clubs mid week thrashing of Eccleshall.

USE OF ANY CLOTHING IS ALLOWED TO KEEP DRY OUTSIDE THE HOME BENCH

Having completed our circuit early we popped back to pay our entrance fee and at just after 2pm the rain stopped and the sky brightened slightly although not for long as the rain returned and the first half was played in some horrendous condition as the downpour got heavier.  If local games had started on grass this 45 minutes of rain would have seen probably all of them abandoned.
Both teams kits looked good on this dark and dismal day and they certainly brightened up proceedings with the red and blue of Stockport well matched by the green and white hoops of Holker Old Boys.

A DARK DAY VIEWING OUT TO DENTON

The game had a, probably appropriately, storming start with two goals in 3 minutes, first on the score sheet were the visitors who caught Town off the mark when Phil Coombe found himself with space on the edge of the box and he fired home a low drive inside the left hand post after 2 minutes.  Stockport were level on 4 minutes with a screamer from Andrew Graham who unleashed a near 30 yard effort that crashed into the visitors goal off the underside of the bar.  As the home side upped the tempo it was Jamie Kay who struck the bar on 25 minutes 5 minutes before half time Jake Pollard forced Holker keeper Callum Liddicott into a snap save.
Half time saw the sides level with possession benefitting Stockport but the visitors determination and organisation making things very difficult for home side.

The second half continued in this vein with Stockport pressing to the edge of the Holker box but some strong and determined defending gradually giving the visitors the belief that they could win the game.  On 65 minutes the cross bar and post came to the rescue when Gareth Smith wrapped his foot round one from 25 yards.  Then just 4 minutes later Holker shocked Stockport with what proved to be the winner Billy Moss supplied the cross for Hubbold to strike the ball home from close range.  Stockport looked for the equaliser and were very unlucky on 81 minutes when Ruben Abreu saw his shot well pushed away by the visiting keeper Liddicott.

REFEREE DAVID CRITCHLOW THINKS ABOUT TAKING A QUICK FREE KICK

Departure at the final whistle was sharp with not much hope of catching the 5.03 train and indeed we were about 500 yards short of the station as it entered Bredbury station over the road bridge.  Nothing for it but to make our 2015/16 debut appearance in The Rising Sun which is situated on the approach to the station were we sampled before the next train one hour later.
As usual a packed pacer train as far as New Mills which soon became more comfortable for the trip to Sheffield a quick change of platforms and base station was arrived at around 7.45pm in the company of still more torrential downpours. 
Onto next weeks games and the forecast I hear you ask, well its RAIN.

REFEREE CRITCHLOW WAVES AWAY PROTESTS

COALVILLE & MARKET DRAYTON DRAW A BLANK

COALVILLE TOWN 0 V MARKET DRAYTON TOWN 0
EVOSTIK FIRST DIVISION SOUTH @ OWEN ST
30 JANUARY 2016 3PM

OFFICIALS STAND AND TO THE LEFT SNIBSTON COLLIERY HEADSTOCKS

[A few additional pictures will follow on the we all stand together Facebook page in the next few days]
A goalless draw was probably a fair result but never a neutrals favourite, however Market Drayton would be the happier of the two teams even though their 10 minute 2nd half spell saw them hit the woodwork on three occasions.  Second placed Coalville would be disappointed to have not secured the three points and a late rally did see a goal line clearance and full length save deny The Ravens too.
Travel plans for the week had once again been a weather watch led tasked with rain, winds and even snow over the Peaks finally sending us south to Leicester and the morning choice after checking was to be Coalville.  The next decision was whether to travel via Loughborough or Leicester for the connecting bus with a decision taken for the latter allowing a late change of fixture if the game suffered a postponement.
The departure from base station saw a standing spot secured by the doors of this already well occupied train, the 40 minutes passed well and upon departure from the station a leisurely walk down to St Margaret's bus station which is conveniently, not, situated at the opposite end of the city.  The transport 'hub' is really a little far out of the centre and is looking decidedly run down and lost to the 80's.  There was little time to pass before we departed on the 29x aquamarine special to our ultimate destination of Coalville.

FORMER SITE OF COALVILLE STATION

Passing out of the Leicester suburbs we were soon arriving just short of the town and taking a quick look at Bardon Hill FC from the bus window and marking it down for a future visit.  The club is situated to the side of the massive Bardon Aggregates site and quarry in the village.  Very shortly we were arriving in Colville and we made a departure just shot of the level crossing that guards the town.
Before departure the blog always does a little check on interesting facts on new visits and today was a new town not only a new ground.  This history was mouth watering with railway, pits and a toy manufacturer to name but a few areas.  The level crossing which is now for a lightly used freight line which previously had welcomed the Burton to Leicester passenger line and just down the line from the crossing was the former station at Coalville.

MINERS MEMORIAL

We then spotted the bronze statue in memory to the former miners of the area and specifically Whitwick Colliery indeed the whole area was surrounded by pits.  Included in this the Snibston pit which was at the other side of the High St with its headstocks still standing proudly but sadly no longer working with all pits in this area closed by the early 90's.

FORMER SNIBSTON COLLIERY

The replacement for the pit was a museum and country park sadly the former was closed by the County Council on a cost issue.  The town centre is dominated by the massive clock tower which literally towers above all surrounding buildings.

MEMORIAL CLOCK TOWER

To the north of the clock tower a quick venture down Mantle Lane for the former signal box bearing the same name plate and to the left sidings and a now derelict three storey warehouse that I later learned was the former Coop bakery.

MANTLE LANE SIGNAL BOX STILL IN PLACE

Coming back to the crossroads which are a busy traffic light controlled interchange we turned right to take a few pics of the aforementioned headstocks before noticing the old sign for, I guess, the Midland Bus Depot.  Before we disappeared into the local watering hole The Monkey Walk, local spoons, we had a quick walk through The Belvoir Shopping Centre, the former Broadway precinct.  This was opened in 1963 by Noele Gordon the former Crossroads actress and brings the blog back to its visit to Boldmere at the start of the season where there was a visit to one of the hotels used in the programme.  The centre is very practical and as a nice variety of shops sadly though many are empty and there is a high prevalence of charity shops and 1980's feel.

ONE OF LEICESTERSHIRE FIRST SHOPPING PRECINCTS FAMOUSLY OPENED BY NOELE GORDON

Having polished off scampi and lemonade we were now ready to amble down Owen St to the home of Coalville Town Fc.  On the short walk we went past two former cinemas within 50 yards of one another one The Rex still had its original sign in place.
It has to be said that Coalville is probably in need of regeneration but there are some superbly interesting old buildings at every corner all waiting to tell a story or two, the hour we had around the streets whet my appetite to learn more about the town.
The short walk to the ground set us of down a track to the ground with football pitches to the right and to the left some industrial units which were the former site of Palitoy the base for the makers of Action Man, Tiny Tears and other such toys of the 1970's and 80's.
The ground is entered via a smart turnstile block and we received a pleasant greeting from the operator before purchasing our programme and taking a quick look in the club shop.  To the right is a toilet block with to the near side the snack bar from which a soup was later sampled on this cold afternoon.  As we started the touchline walk the corner here has the changing rooms an at an upper level on this two storey block a club bar.  A lengthy hospitality and officials cabin followed before a small stand in corporate green livery which applied to all the stands.

NEW CHANGING ROOMS AND CLUB HOUSE UNDER DEVELOPMENT

Below this was a major new build to feature a clubhouse, changing rooms and what will be an excellent viewing gantry, its looking good and I'm sure will be an impressive addition to the Leicestershire club.  The far goal is a little in from the spectator viewing area but as with all the perimeter barriers it neat mesh and concrete post variety that adds to the overall very tidy nature of this ground.

THE MAIN STAND AT OWEN ST

The far touchline as two rowed stand that runs 3/4 of the length of that side.  Back to the goals at our entrance to the ground and here is a small stand for people who do want some cover but not to sit down.  The overall view is of a corporate green livery but a smart little set up that the club are proud of.

On our rounds today we got talking to many interesting and pleasant people from both the home club and Market Drayton.  Indeed while Mick was off chatting and I was doing a circuit of the ground I got into conversation with Peter, last seasons secretary, who told me of his attachment to the club and area.  I managed to ask many questions about the club and the town and Peter was an informative character who it was great to meet for half an hours chat, thank you I enjoyed learning about the area.
Mick had got a few other conversations going including Market Drayton supporters and a gentleman who had moved some years ago from Scarborough, we also a had a chat with a few Tamworth fans who lived in the town but were watching today while The Lambs were away in Chorley.
So a busy start before the game but a very enjoyable time in the hour before kick off.

The first half was a bit of a non event but the two chances that did raise their head fell one to either side firstly Alex Troke forced visiting keeper into an excellent save after 18 minutes and then the visitors crossed off the left with Michael McIntosh missing a header the ball fell to Simon Everall who fired over with the goal inviting.
The second half saw Coalville look fresher early on after the managers team talk it was Troke who tried an acrobatic overhead kick which fell to Jake Woolley who fired over with once again an inviting net in front of him, after 52 minutes.  Moments later Alex Dean hit a sharp 18 yard drive just wide.

O'NEILL & BRAMALL COMPETE IN THE REVERSE KNEE RACE FOR MARKET DRAYTON

Gradually Market Drayton weathered the second half opening an amazingly hit the woodwork three times in ten minutes.  An initial shot on 62 minutes flew back off the far post for McIntosh to see his effort bounce back off the bar.  Then on 71 minutes James O Neill fired a 20 yard free kick off the bar and once again the visitors were to be denied.
The game went back into its shell and 0-0 remained firmly on the cards as it had done from early in the first half. 
As the match entered the second minute of stoppage time Coalville found a few openings when Luke Smithson saw his effort cleared off the line by Paul McMullen and then a minute later a superb save from Rawlins saw him push round a Nat Watson diving header.

Referee Ravel Cheosiaua was to blow the final whistle moments later and a draw was the fairest result with Market Drayton probably happy with a draw even though the home sides late efforts would have been their claim for the three points.  Sadly though 0-0 was probably about right and neither side had done enough to secure the maximum points.
Straight out of the ground down a footpath and over a railway bridge that oversaw the line to the former Snibston pit yard, which also ran through the centre of the town, with plenty of time to jump aboard the 29x back to Leicester at such great timings that we ended up waiting at three points for time.  On arrival at St Margaret's a local bus was boarded that took us to the forecourt of Leicester station for a service back to base arriving just after 7.30pm.
This had been a quite average game but at a nice club with whom we had many interesting little chats with both home and away teams followers about both their clubs and the very endearing town of Coalville.

LOOKING TOWARDS THE FORMER SNIBSTON PIT YARD

BULLS CHARGE ON WITH VICTORY OVER HALL RD

AFC MANSFIELD 5 V HALL RD RANGERS 0
NCEL 1 @ THE FOREST TOWN ARENA
28 JANUARY 2016 --- 7.45PM

THE TEAMS COME OUT.........THEY ARE OVER THERE

A five star display from AFC Mansfield secured The Bulls second place in the first division after a recent wobble for the Forest Town based club.  The home side were three up at half time and with the Humberside visitors down to ten men following the dismissal of Callum Harrison the flow of the game did not change in a dominant second half showing that saw AFC add two more goals.
The journey is always a long winded affair to the depths of Nottinghamshire and its a three bus travelogue by the time the Walesby bound bus despatched me onto the dark streets of Forest Town.

BACK END OF A BUS, FOREST TOWN

First signs of the just published local newspaper declared Mansfield to be one of the poorest towns in the country but maybe the success of their local non league sides could lighten the mood?  Tonight's trip to high flying AFC Mansfield would result in a good performance hopefully towards this aim but a very poor crowd officially declared at 51 but looking lower.
With a little time to spare a small walk along the villages main street to view the shops revealed the hairdressing capital of Mansfield with 4 salons within 100 yards the best creatively named 'million hairs'.  It was time to pop into the local Cooperative were a pre match sandwich was selected before entering the ground via second avenue and through the car park to the spacious club,  The ground has been reviewed before but the club are fortunate to be renting a ground with an excellent additional facility.

BULLY IN WATERPROOFS TONIGHT

Away from the club towards the clubs business area and of course Bully's Snack Bar for a chip cob with brown sauce, for a change.  There was of course time to catch up with the ever friendly AFC manager Rudi Funk and catch up with Pete Craggs and Chairman Andrew Saunders.  Teams secured it was time to pop back and pay the entrance fee and pick up a copy of the programme for tonight's game which must have seemed a lengthy journey at peak time for the Hull based visitors.
Bully was also met by now and tonight he was appearing in his waterproof green kit mainly due to the threat of rain, but he was still on form.
As we approached kick off it was good to see a further friendly face in Belpers Neil Laughlin with whom the evening was spent, as ever, swapping many interesting stories.
The tone of the game was settled early as AFC had 2 long range effort that flew just inches over before they took the lead after 7 minutes when Danny Blount brought down Craig Mitchell in the box.  Rather obscurely Bull's keeper Jason White manoeuvred his way from his own box to grab the ball and dispatch the penalty away with gusto into the roof of the Hall Rd net.  It was 2-0 after 22 minutes when Ryan Williams fired home with a sweet strike.  It was looking like a long night for the visitors at this stage and things got worse 5 minutes later when they were reduced to ten men following a Hall Rd foray into the Mansfield box as play returned home number 10 Mitchell was left flat out just outside the box with the near side linesman flagging referee Guest came over to consult.  After finally allowing the physio on for the home player he produced a red card for Harrison who seemed dismayed but signalled the referee had said it was for an elbow.  It was 3-0 just over the half hour mark when Mitchell tore down the right and smashed home a cracking shot into the visitors goal.

Half time arrived with AFC 3 to the good and a the second half promised much more when after 49 minutes when Mitchell got a deft touch onto Nathan Swindells low cross.  The game was over on 59 minutes when Grant Allott headed home at the back post.
Greedily Mansfield were probably guilty of missing quite a few opportunities after this and with some first half chances secured this score line could have approached double figures.
Thankfully with a late finish at 9.45 the kindly gent that is Neil Laughlin had offered to give me a lift to my first connection point avoiding the need for a local taxi, thanks Neil!
Three bus return and it had been an enjoyable night with The Bulls back on form for their promotion push as The NCEL Premier beckons.

SELSTON ACHIEVE 'MOORE' THANKS TO BEN AND CARL

SELSTON 4 V LINBY CW 1
CENTRAL MIDLANDS FOOTBALL LEAGUE SOUTH @ THE PARISH GROUND
23 JANUARY 2016 --- 2PM

ACTION FROM SELSTON V LINBY AT THE PARISH GROUND

Selston stormed to a three goal lead without reply after 22 minutes thanks too Ben and Carl Moore both scoring a goal apiece and each being credited an assist.  It was Linby's turn in the second half to push Selston and they did pull a goal back early after the break through Ashley Winfield but their possession failed to add to the score line and a late goal from the home sides Tom Widdowson took the final score to 4-1 as Selston continued their march to the top.

LOCAL FILM SET FOR ANITA AND ME [2002]

It was an improvement this week to be not looking at the weather forecast from Thursday but still surprising to see games called off locally.  This weekend would be a little break for the blog on the travelling front and a local journey to nearby Selston was the order of the day.  This would be Selston's first game at home since December 12 and although the cricket outfield was squelchy it has to be said the pitch was a credit to the club after the recent bad weather.
Early kick offs always used to feel a little bit obscure but after a few years in the CMFL they became a normality and its quite nice to arrive back earlier at the end of a game.  Change of bus today at Alfreton saw us jump on board a Rainbow 1, Trent Barton bus route for the non public transport readers, for the 15 minute departure to Selston.  I had previously visited Selston for an early kick off in a Rob Hornby ground hop a few years ago when they played Wollaton in a Notts Senior League fixture so today would be a revisit.  Selston had a spell in The CMFL before reitiring to junior football before a return to The Midland Regional Alliance and then The Notts Senior League and then a switch back to The CMFL for the 2015/16 season.
After travelling through Jubilee a small 'hamlet' on a sharp bend at the top of a steep hill the departure was made a couple of stops later just into the village of Selston.  The aim was to make a visit to a film location spot but firstly the smart new war memorial was passed before heading off to Crescent Rd where a couple of old style terraced houses offer a back yard scene that was used in the 2002 film Anita and Me which was written by and starred Meera Syal. 

CHANGING ROOMS AND SNACK BAR AT THE PARISH HALL

With 1 1/2 hours to kick off we had plenty of time to spare and following a walk towards the small village centre Mick was off to the local chip shop, Wise Eater, while I kept up the Cooperative principles with a sandwich from the lime green liveried outlet.

WELL STOCKED SNACK BAR WITH PIES...............AND SOUVENIRS

A steady walk towards the Parish Grounds saw us arrive at just after 2pm for a friendly greeting from both the official taking the admission and his fellow counterpart operating the snack bar.  I have said it before on our travels these sort of pleasant welcomes mean at lot and represent their club well.  It was superb to catch up with Selston manager Craig Weston, former star man at Alfreton Town and Long Eaton which included a spell as manager.  Really good to see you Craig and thanks for the warm welcome too.

SELSTON MANAGER CRAIG WESTON CAP AND ALL!

Let me say that if you want a snack on your visit the club do have a selection of the famous 'p' companies pies one to remember next time for us.
The ground is a short walk away from the changing rooms and snack bar over the Selston cricket outfield which sides onto the near side of the pitch separated by a roped dividing line.   The entrance to the pitch is to the right via the cricket scoreboard it is a narrow high up walk way which offers a commanding view from behind the higher end goal and this sloping pitch.

MAIN SPECTATOR AREA AND GEORGE ELLIOTT STAND

The far touchline is singled slabbed and offers a 'close to the action' feel but is a little narrow for passing those already in situ.  The George Elliott Stand is smart and offers a small cover before we pass behind the two small dug outs.  The far goal is tight to the boundary but offers a good view of the penalty area and back towards the main congregation area.

HERE THEY COME LED BY THE MATCH OFFICIALS SELSTON AND LINBY [GREEN/WHITE] FOLLOW

Back to the Parish Hall and there are a few more people arriving now in what was to be a very good crowd of 106 which including Groundhop's Chris and Tony from Heanor and On The Road blog guys who cover a lot of the local clubs surrounding Selston and Nottinghamshire.  While in the snack bar area it was interesting to take a look at an old framed picture of Selston from the early 1900's and also a lovely picture of the cricket clubs old pavilion from the same period.
So to the game and a storming start by second placed Selston saw them 3-0 to the good inside 22 minutes.

BEN MOORE MOVES IN FOR NUMBER 1

The first was the Moore's goal as Carl assisted captain Moore, Ben, to march on and place past the out coming Luca Rocco to give the home side a lead after 7 minutes.

AND ITS IN BEN MOORE 1-0

It was Carls turn to get on the score sheet after 19 minutes with a superb strike from 10 yards that flew into the top left hand corner to extend the home sides lead.  The third was fast approaching as Linby were starting to look all at sea Wayne Cooke forced Rocco into a save low down before just 3 minutes after the second goal Ben Moore supplied a deep cross off the right for Joe Riley who rose to head home.

JOE RILEY MAKES IT 3-0 AT THE BACK POST

So we arrived at half time with the game looking all but over, could Linby get their game back together and could Selston avoid the relaxation that often appears in games like this?

JOE BUTLER [LINBY] IN CONTROL

Which one of these occurred you can decide but kick down the slope in the second half Linby came to the party and looked a different side pulling a goal back after 55 minutes when Winfield headed home a cross off the right from livewire sub Damian Mann.

OFFSIDE

Linby continued to enjoy the majority of the second half possession and looked a refreshed side after their half time team talk they provided some lovely build up play but just seemed to lack the confidence in front of goal.  They could not force their way through to make this game tight and as so often happens the other team often punish you.  Indeed with 3 minutes remaining Selston did Wayne Cooke fed Tom Widdowson who confidently raced on to guide the ball past Rocco in the visitors goal.

YELLOW IS PUT AWAY

There were just two bookings in a game that was well refereed by Lewis Saunders-Johnson a new referee for the blog and both within two minute Will Spray after 79 minutes and two minutes earlier for Toby Guy both of Linby.  The latter was an interesting one with a caution for a foul and then as the player moved away from referee Saunders-Johnson he clapped the decision and was called back by the official and as he went for his back pocket it looked like a second yellow followed by a long walk after seeing red, however a stern talking too saved the Linby player a frustrating suspension.
Steady little game which continued Selston's unbeaten run and secured their challenge for the top spot, but more importantly a friendly club well worth a visit to sample a game.
Return journey was all smooth running and a return back to base at just after 5pm was successfully completed thanks to a change in Alfreton.

REFEREE SAUNDERS JOHNSON IN GOOD FORM TODAY

SEMI FINAL SPOT SECURED FOR ALFRETON FOLLOWING JONES HAT TRICK

ALFRETON TOWN 6 V LONG EATON 0
DERBYSHIRE SENIOR CUP 1/4 FINAL AT THE IMPACT ARENA
19 JANUARY 2015 7.45PM

OVERVIEW OF THE IMPACT WITH FROST COVERS ROLLED BACK

Departing The Impact Arena to The Clash's 80's hit 'I Fought The Law and the Law won' blasting out over the pa system would certainly be music to the ears of boss Nicky Alfreton whose side had done him and the club proud over recent weeks including tonight's consistent performance.
Sam Jones carved out a quality hat trick for The Reds and added to that a brace from Jamie Jackson and a second half strike from Jordan Robertson it was a dominant evening for the re energised home side.  Midland Football League step 5 visitors Long Eaton found themselves under pressure from the first to the 90th minute and you had to feel a little sorry for them as they came up against a strong Alfreton side who are clearly 'up for' a bit of Derbyshire Senior Cup success this season.
One of the shortest blog trips saw arrival in Alfreton just over an hour before kick off and there was a little time to test out the Costa Coffee self service machine in the local Coop plus add a sausage roll to the diet!  As ever with county cup games there was not expected to be a big gate and so it proved with 153 loyal supporters turning out to encourage their respective teams. 
As ever there was a selection of local glitterati to say hi to with Tony from Heanor in attendance with Groundhop's Chris also their.

MR WHEATCROFT IN ACTION

Local photographer Bill Wheatcroft was there too and tonight he was on duty getting some snaps from the game, always good to catch up with these guys for the latest news.  Thankfully there was some time also to speak with Mark and Brian from the programme/badge shop and Mr Alfreton Bill Draper of pa and consecutive games fame.
Tonight's match was playable thanks to a thawing out of the frost and the excellent work of Alfretons volunteers in getting the pitch covered in frost protecting covers, well done guys!
Straight to the game and Alfreton were out of the traps like a champion greyhound and may have been two up before they found the back of the net after 5 minutes when Jones lashed home a cross goal effort from 14 yards out on the right hand side of the box.  Ten minutes before the break he had got his second a quality goal that saw his two footed shuffle with back to goal enough to get him invited onto the next season of Strictly Come Dancing, before turning and driving home a lovely strike into the bottom left hand corner of the goal.
The second half started apace with three goal in 5 minutes first on 59 minutes Jones completed an old fashioned hat trick with all goals in sequence when he weaved through the visitors defence to lash the ball home, to pick his best effort would have been difficult this was a quality triple.
Reds Robertson added the fourth when he fired home from the 8 yards on 61 minutes and then two minutes later it was 5-0 with substitute Jackson put away a confident finish.

FAN EYE VIEW OF A GOOD NIGHT FOR THE REDS

Alfreton continued to play some lovely football with final touches just denying them a bigger lead but they did score again after 78 minutes with a sweet move inflicting further damage on a tiring Long Eaton side, Cliff Moyo and Dan Bradley combined to cross off the right for Tom Allan to head back across goal from the back post and Jackson was there to fire home his second.
Following a weekend without a game the previous Saturday Alfreton would be grateful for this game which brought in two county cup rounds in 8 days with progression to the semi finals now achieved.  In recent years there has been some dour matches in this competition but with Alfreton heading towards a deserved improvement in the league they seem determined to give their supporters a little bit of glory as they eye up a final appearance at The Proact towards the end of the season.
Departure into an ever cooling evening saw a return to base not before a refreshment break was taken in the big 'T's'!

TIGHT BENCH WITH MANAGER NICKY LAW ON THE WALL