THREE POINTS FOR CHRISTMAS

SHIREBROOK TOWN 0 DUNKIRK 4
EMCL @ LANGWITH ROAD
9 NOVEMBER 2019 --- 3PM

THE LIGHTS SHINE BRIGHTLY OVER LANGWITH RD HOME OF SHIREBROOK TOWN FC

Walking off the Model after a post match fish and chips one of the properties had a bay window festooned with a vibrant multi coloured Christmas tree flashing away in full festive celebration as we entered the second week in November, how Shirebrook can hope for the season of joy to begin and for lots of wrapped up packages containing three points to be opened at Langwith Road.
A season with just two league wins so far is in danger of sending this proud club tumbling into the bottom rung of the non league ladder and with its ground and set up it will be a crying shame if that happens.  To that end new manager Jordan Johnson sets about re building the side but so far and with today's defeat its three down.  There was no lack of passion and commitment and if your like your uncompromising then Shirebrook is the place to be with this game having an unforeseen edge from the off.  But sadly that passion could not deny high flying Dunkirk from leaving with three points after two goals in either half were also not helped when Shirebrook were reduced to ten men in the second forty five minutes.

THE FAMOUS VIEW WITH ITS TWO NEAR IDENTICAL STANDS AND ICONIC LIGHTS

Weather and more of it had seen local flooding and many train lines were blocked including the main line between Chesterfield and Derby so today would see a search of a local game with a playable pitch.  Where better than Shirebrook as pre season readers will know I love a trip to the town and the club, its tough and friendly all rolled into one.
Much has been written before on here about this former mining community both on previous blogs and elsewhere but the replacement was the big sports clothing emporium which went no way of course to replacing what was lost and so the town centre suffered with the collection of anti social problems the destroying of a town brings about.  Arriving in from spire town on the newly numbered stripey boys '1' a decision to depart in the Market Square was made and the small market was winding up and trading was left to the Coop, betting shops and a selection of eastern European supermarkets.  Two of the discount stores have brought budget shopping into the town one site taken over after the big 'T's' decided against coming along.

DUNKIRK CHECK THE ESCAPE ROUTE

On a grey and dark day with car lights already being on it did not bode well for a selection of good pictures and it was a struggle but arrival was with a warm turnstile greeting and once through committee man and raffle adjudicator Ian Oxley offered a warm welcome which as ever for any hopper is always a nice extra touch.  I won't describe the ground again needless to say it is of course one of the better set ups and could easily cope with step 4 football which the club have flirted with in the past and I hope will soon restore some former glory days for Shirebrook as a town and a club.

SECOND MINUTE WONDER STRIKE SEES ELLIS EVANS SUROUNDED BY TEAM MATES

Having purchased a programme and obtained the teams I had to hold myself back from going to the normally excellent snack bar because I had post match lined up at the 'chippy'.
With Dunkirk looking at the top of the table todays hosts were staring at the wrong end and were only kept off the foot of it by a pointless Borrowash so I didn't expect to much from the new management teams third league game in charge.

EARLY GREETINGS CONTINUE PAST PRE MATCH HANDSHAKES

Hope would spring eternal for the first couple of minutes that was until the ball fell out to Ellis Evans who from 30 yards out hit a wordly back into the Shirebrook goal to give Dunkirk the advantage.
Shortly afterwards there was a warm greeting for a whole host of players on the half way line the result of which was a caution for the home sides Simon Johnson.
On the half hour mark the visitors Mark Green also went into the book for what looked a two footed challenge and could easily have been a red on another day.  The challenges came thick and fast and Mitchell Wilton picked up a yellow for Shirebrook a few minutes later and then they came close to an equaliser as Johnson and the keeper challenged for a ball the ricochet took it just the wrong side of the post for the home sides point of view.

YEARS OF EXPERIENCE LINE UP ON THE SHIREBROOK TOUCHLINE

Four minute before the interval Dunkirk doubled the lead just as Shirebrook had started to get a foothold in the game when Tyrell Shannon-Lewis converted at the back stick despite the valiant efforts of Wilton on the line.
As the light dropped the temperature reminded us, if we needed any, football is a winter sport and the darkness descended behind the floodlights on the terraced Langwith Road and so to the second half of moving the round object about.

GREAT SAVE FROM STRYCHARZ IN THE SHIREBROOK GOAL

A superb save from Pitor Strycharz in the home goal from a 30 yard free kick from Michael Pearson gave hope for Shirebrook.  The fourth caution of the game saw Tom Bradley of Shirebrook enter the refs notebook and then just short of the hour mark it went even further wrong when Tobin Grant went down under a challenge from Jake Wilton that left referee Wood with no option but to show a red card.
Dunkirk proceeded to hit the bar before doubling their lead in the closing stages Jordan Alls with a looping back post header and Shannon-Lewis with his second two minutes from time courtesy of a deflection off a Shirebrook defender to make it four without reply.
A long hard winter is well into full flow at Langwith Road but with the new manager only three games into his reign time of course has to be the call of the next few months.  Here is hoping the club can pull away from the danger zone and currently they are not marooned away from safety three or four wins will see Shirebrook take on a more comfortable position, that is the challenge I hope they can achieve in the short term.

JAKE WILTON RECEIVES A RED CARD FROM REFEREE WOOD

Pre match meals have become post match meals and previously in Shirebrook I have found a little gem of an establishment, The Model Chippy, which sits on the 'model' a large collection of houses that were adjacent to the pit and have seen a refurbishment of some.  Much like many similar developments at its inception it was designed to give everything a worker could want close by home and work sadly the loss of the towns colliery have meant a change in social conditions and the area survives with a different feel to it now.  What it does contain is an excellent chippy and with a constant flow of customers you now its a good establishment and after ordering small chips and a large fish today.  I knew what defeat felt like as even for me it finished 'whale 1 hopper 0' even I couldn't finish it all.
Departing back leaving the massive Victoria pub, showing the former prowess of the area and chippy behind just before arriving back in the Market Square you pass the parish church once the serving minister was the farther of the famous actor John Hurt.  While on the famous and a physical man for the footy team I hadn't realised that former swimmer and now turned Holywood actor Jason Statham was from the town, he now resides in Beverly Hills there's a contrast.
Departure after an obligatory tour of the Coop for a few on journey snacks saw an arrival back in spire town just before 7.30pm from a thoroughly enjoyably afternoon that had a shortage of unused superlatives by the end of it.  But if you like your communities and football clubs uncompromising, tough, determined and more than anything down to earth friendly then 'get yer sen' down to Shirebrook Town ma duck at 3pm on a Saturday afternoon.

CLASS SHOWING FROM ATHERSTONE

HARBOROUGH TOWN 1 ATHERSTONE TOWN 6
FA VASE 2 @ BOWDEN PARK
2 NOVEMBER 2019 --- 3PM

BOWDEN PARK AWAITS THE FA VASE ROUND 2

Atherstone Town put on a superb show of free flowing football that was packed full of goalmouth action besides the half a dozen they did notch against Harborough Town, a step higher in the non league structure, who were swept away in the second half.  A turning point in the game certainly surrounded the dismissal of home keeper Daniel Farrell after twenty minutes for handling outside of the penalty box but even by this stage The Adders were in the ascendancy.
Rain, rain and more rain called for 3G again and with many games in peak land called off late due to the heavy downpours the choice was taken for a revisit to Market Harborough and with a new surface laid it would be a chance to catch up with the progress at the club.  On my last visit here I found The Bees a friendly outfit with plans and clearly some of them have come to fruition, they have a large selection of sides and espouse the 'community club' tag.  Today was no different a pleasant set up on the southern edge of the town and with the last round attracting nearly 300 on the gate today they would surpass that with 343 watching the only shame for them today was the outcome.

THE NEWLY LIVERIED EMR SERVICE AWAITING ITS SHEFFIELD RETURN JOURNEY

'Train travel' I hear you cry with engineering works past Market Harborough all services were terminating at the station and it made for a very steady journey with a seat and upon
arrival having covered the town in a previous blog a few years back the decision was made on a blustery afternoon to head straight down the Northampton Road to the ground.

FLAGS AND FANS IN NUMBER FOR ATHERSTONE

The club house was pretty full with many Atherstone fans in attendance and after a warm greeting at the gate for all the necessary purchases a tour of the new pitch was undertaken.  The ground has now thankfully become four sided and has an extra Atcost terrace stand added to previous two amber and black seated stands, the whole area is smart with sponsorship from that famous big yellow fats food restaurant emblazoned in banners at the far end of the ground with a small hillock adorned with sheep too add to its semi rural feel.
Todays programme was a creditable effort, the club had added extra catering facilities and with bar and hospitality doing well I hope Harborough had a good day.  The only downside was they have an excellent looking club shop that failed to open, so much like Consett last Saturday on a big attendance day they missed out on revenue.

STEFAN MOORE AND MIKE FOWLER A HAPPY START WITH ATHERSTONE

Harborough from The UCL and a step above MFL 1 Atherstone would start as favourites but it looked an enticing prospect non more so with the visitors new management team in place.  Manager Scott Rickards, ex Mansfield Town and current Tamworth academy manager would not be here today due to imminent family arrivals but Mike Fowler and ex Villa player Stefan Moore would take charge.
The opening twenty minutes provided a clue to the game with the visitors obtaining a possession advantage but nothing much in the way of clear cut chances.  But it all changed when Bees keeper Farrell came right onto the white line on the edge of his box and at a slight angle wafted his arms to deny Sam Fitzgerald a way through the ball struck the lofted hand and after consultation with his assistant referee Lathan had no option but to show a red card.  Handily a substitute keeper was on the bench but it would mean a player down for seventy minutes and so often this galvanises the rest of the side.

REFEREE LATHAN SHOWS FARRELL A RED CARD

Here today this was not the case and Atherstone performed somewhat of a demolition job that should have resulted in many more goals so were the second half chances.
Eight minutes after the red card the goals started Ryan Quinn and Kyle Baxter combined with the former lifting the ball over the keeper.  Joe Obi made it two nil with a superb back post header that he tracked all the way from a perfect Sam Belcher cross and it was three five minutes before the break when provider turned scorer turning one way then another he finished by slotting past the replacement keeper Glen Giles with the outside of this right boot.

MATCH ACTION ATHERSTONE BRING THE BALL AWAY

So many chances littered the second half for the visitors it was a miracle double figures were not reached Ben Ashby had and effort cleared off the line early on before Fitzgerald cut inside past a defender and fired home.  The flowing moves were coming thick and fast and had it been a boxing match the referee would have stopped it so was The Adders dominance the goal of the game came on 67 minutes.  A glorious move from back to front involving Quinn, Obi and Ashby before Belcher struck home a superb finish for his second.
As the intense pressure continued in one move Fitzgerald hit the post and the rebound looked goal bound from Baxter  only for a Harborough defender to clear the effort off the line.  There would be a consolation goal for the home side and a smart finish it was to from Barnes Gladman.  But Atherstone were not to be denied their attacking prowess Baxter looked to have all but struck the unstoppable shot until Giles flew at full stretch across his goal to deny the Adders Player.

FIRST HALF ATHERSTONE FREE KICK FROM SAM BELCHER

As  the chances continued to flow Baxter was not to be denied though on 84 minutes good work down the left saw Ashby put a low cross in for Baxter to divert home.
As good a performance from a side that I have seen this season fast free flowing football on the 3G surface that encouraged the visitors to continue when others may have taken the foot off the gas.  For Harborough Town you had to feel for them a lovely club whose big day did not goes as planned but I guess they will want more of this FA Vase action next season and who knows it could be a different outcome for them next year.  I look forward to a UCL visit as on my couple of visits I have more than enjoyed the time spent here hopefully the team will put this one behind them soon and progress up the league.

MATCH PROGRAMME AND BOWDEN PARK OVERVIEW

Looking at the recent weather forecast I'm sure I will be calling into Harborough Town again soon.
After match meals are becoming the 'norm' and extensive research revealed Harborough Fish Bar on Western Avenue in the estate about ten minutes from the ground but on the right side of the town.  Reviews were good and although along with a massive fish and chips in the dark is not always the easiest I can vouch for the reviews up near the top of the table and well worth noting if you plan a visit for a match.
Leaving Market Harborough about one and a half hours after the final whistle the Sheffield bound service would start its journey in the town and so seats were easily available for a more than relaxed train journey back to spire town.  I know seats and a service that had to wait for time on route, what is going on?  Can I catch this service every week, no I thought not.

MEATY ENCOUNTER AT QUORN

QUORN 3 NORTHAMPTON ON CHENECKS 3
UCL PREMIER @ FARLEY WAY
30 OCTOBER 2019 --- 7.45PM

QUORN AFC AND THEIR FARLEY WAY GROUND

An equaliser by Matty Johnson for the visitors in the closing stages concluded a tremendous advert for attacking free flowing football and although Quorn would be disappointed to lose a 3-0 lead the
visitors would have also rued some missed chances that could have seen them take all three points back to cobbler city.  For the neutral though this was a fantastic encounter with both sides looking determined to go all out for the win Quorn with their attacking and pacey wingers Micah Jebbison and Joseph Brothwell against the spirited exuberance of a young Northampton side that never accepted defeat.

THE IMPRESSIVE MAIN STAND

Having gambled with Saturdays trip to the north east the boat was further pushed out with a mid week trip to Leicestershire that would need the help of a couple of cabs but with Mr R of the Platform 1 parish on board again we went for it.  A departure from spire town about 1 and a 1/2 hours before kick off andan immediate taxi from Loughborough saw arrival at Farley Way just after 7pm, a remarkable feat.
Quorn had been on the table for a fair old time now but never quite grabbed me but with the 3g option it always remained in the forefront.  Sadly tonight there was not time for a look around the village and being an evening game no action pictures unfortunately either, but after tonight's experience hopefully a afternoon game will follow soon.

COVERED TERRACE BY THE MAIN ENTRANCE

The ground is a superb effort and although the club sold Luke Varney to Crewe for a large fee I'm not sure if this is the result but if it is well done on investing in the facilities, alongside the additional surface now that sees Leicester Women play here this is a cracking set up.  Here goes with a circuit after paying in through the modern turnstiles to our right is a low smart covered stepped terrace all very modern and on the far touchline a near full length low slung stand with smart corporate red

seats, the far goal is uncovered with a flat walkway.  Back to the main touchline and the business end with changing rooms, board room, smart club house and the well separated dug outs side.  The club house contains the snack bar and on a cold night even with a small crowd was doing a nice trade.  The option for a chip cob was undertaken but it looked like no peas would sit aloft until the lovely lady serving came back with a tin of peas and away we went, excellent food and all with a friendly service too, well done Quorn.

On the pitch Quorn were riding high in the new berth of The United Counties League and against a struggling O.N. Chenecks, who I had pleasure in covering about three years ago, it looked as though it would be a foregone conclusion and when the home side led 3-0 just short of the half hour mark, you wondered how many they might secure but what unfolded was a night of superb entertainment.

THE BUSINESS AREA AT FARLEY WAY

The enterprising start from both sides saw Quorn break the deadlock after 17 minutes a 20 yard free kick saw Kieran Fenton who curled the ball low around the wall and in at the near post despite the superb effort of Noah Murray-Hawkins who got a hand to the ball.  It was two nil four minutes later when Brothwell tapped in from close range after a slick passing move and then just a minute short of the half hour mark the lead extended further when Brothwell added his second with a lovely cross goal shot that found the far corner of the Northampton net.

SHORTLY BEFORE KICK OFF

The visitors task was made harder a few minutes later when Ash Ogden was sin binned after a touch of dissent but during this time amazingly they pulled a goal back with a sharp header from Mitch Sharpe.
The second half saw Northampton with a new vigour but Quorn were still in the ascendancy score line wise that all started to fall into doubt on 65 minutes though when Joe Lewington reduced the arrears further.  Ten minutes later a fantastic double save from home keeper Max Culverwell denied the visitors and when the keeper also got involved in stopping the follow up as Quorn struggled to clear their lines the game was changing in its destination.

PRE MATCH WARM UP FOR NORTHAMPTON ON CHENECKS

Having said that the visitors keeper was on superb form to push over a Richard Whyman long range effort but with two minutes of the ninety minutes left this game gave the visitors further hope of snatching a winner when Johnson sensationally levelled the scores.
As the game entered stoppage time it was now the visitors who sensed the three points but by the time Matt Jackson had blown for full time the point a piece was a fair outcome one that the visitors would have taken at 3-0 down around the half hour mark and probably one Northampton were now very grateful for against one of the top sides in the league in Quoorn who of course would be bitterly disappointed to have a conceded a three goal advantage.  Overall as a neutral we both agreed it was a superb game, one I could have watched for quite a while longer and probably goes down as my best game of the season so far.

BRUSH ELECTRIC FACTORY A LUMINOUS BACKDROP TO LOUGHBOROUGH STATION

Reverse journey found us on a slightly delayed Arriva bus to Loughborough and after a brief look a round the walk to the station in full view of the Brush electrical factories neon light the only thing missing now is the old board that used to advertise Loughborough as 'The Home Of Ladybird Books'  Departure was on the slightly delayed 2235 to Nottingham before a change to a single car Northern service with an arrival back in spire town at midnight.  Taxi.

RAINING GOALS IN CONSETT

CONSETT AFC 4 HEBBURN TOWN 4
NORTHERN LEAGUE 1 @ BELLE VIEW
26 OCTOBER 2019 --- 3PM

CONSETT AFC V HEBBURN TOWN TOP OF THE TABLE ENCOUNTER

League leaders Hebburn Town had to settle for a point despite leading three times they were finally pegged back by Wouter Verstraarten who fired home an equaliser in the first minute of stoppage time to give Consett a deserved draw.  With large swathes of the country suffering torrential downpours, that had just this morning moved away from the north east, here in Consett on a bright but chilly afternoon it rained down goals.
Having planned a debut Northern League game, something that had been on the cards for ages, it all looked very dubious as the forecast weather occurred to schedule on Friday morning and upon leaving peak country on Saturday morning the wet stuff was still unloading itself.  As plans drifted around a final decision was made to do a 3g game and Consett with a top of the table clash became the obvious choice.  When clubs from the north east travel in the FA competitions its always worth taking their games in there is normally good banter and a good standard of football too so with anticipation along with Mr R from the Platform 1 parish we set off around 10am.

BELLE VIEW HOME OF AFC CONSETT

This time Cross Country would be north and of course heavy loadings guaranteed we had made the conscious decision to upgrade to first class on board.  With a shortage of seats in this carriage too we paid a superb £5 each to York and although two seats did become available then for the ongoing trip to Durham we declined the extra £15 each for 40 minutes of travel which seemed steep.  By the time we had discussed it and collected our belongings we were just short of Darlington so only stood up for about twenty minutes.
Durham would greet us in a dry condition and with a short while to wait for the 1pm Go North East X15 to Consett from the nearby bus station it was all very civil.  The route is a fast more or less town to town service barring a call in through the steady looking village of Lanchester.

X15 READY FOR DEPARTURE BACK TO DURHAM

Circling in to Consett much like a plane attempting to land at Consett international airport led to the first reminder of my younger days as we passed Medomsley Road previous home of Phileas Fogg Crisps.  So original and before their time were they that when flavours were either ready salted or ready salted owner Roger McKechnie set the company up in 1982 making all sorts of exotic flavoured crisps whish are now a norm on the market.  The company supplemented their go getting image with some fantastic TV adverts, check out You Tube, which ended with the tag line 'pay attention Phileas Fogg authentic snacks Medomsley Road Consett', with one of the adverts featuring people arriving at the imaginary Consett International Airport.  The company of course employed a large amount of people and was a blessing after the closure of the steel works in 1980 with the loss of 3,000 jobs plus all the extra in support industries.  Sadly they were sold to KP crisps and although the brand remains in a different format the workforce are long gone from Medomsley Road.
The steel works were probably the most recognisable thing about the town if you mentioned Consett and with Blackpool Tower formed of steel from the plant they have a noticeable reminder that lives on.  Upon closure the towns unemployment rate rocketed to over 30% and the population of the town declined fast, of course the replacement jobs that have appeared have not been at the same pay rates as the town enjoyed in its hey days.

OPENING GOAL FOR HEBBURN FROM DIBB FULLER IN A RELAXED POSITION

The town centre was arrived at in just over half an hour with its own bus station the overview now is of a town that was warm and comfy with itself hitting the hard times much like any post industrial area.  The shops in Middle Street, like all shopping areas it would seem, were showing the last signs of life with the former Woolworths now a charity shop but recognisable by its corporate tiled exterior floor.  The changing nature of our High Streets was no more visible than Go As You Please Funeral Directors on the main thoroughfare with three coffins displayed in the window one in corporate livery for Irn Bru, I did want to go in and ask if it was made from girders.
The disappointing part about the town centre was, as far as I could see, a lack of any memorial to the steel works there were some with old equipment etc.  But you had to go the new housing estates to the west side of town that sit on the former plant and at the end of todays game we opted to try to get back home as the travel network fell into weather induced chaos.
On arrival at Consett a check on the status of travel had revealed with heavy rain around peak county lines were blocked at Rotherham, Doncaster and worryingly Wakefield Westgate as the rain continued to poor down we searched out Sally's B and B as a back up plan.

CORPORATE DUG OUTS AGAINST THAT COLD NORTH EASTERN SKYLINE

Short walk out to the Consett AFC ground which they have occupied since 2013 following a move from their old Belle Vue ground, the new one would encompass a spelling change to the Vue/View, we would cross the new A692 and with station names appearing we did some research.  We had just crossed the western edge of the station which closed surprisingly in the 50's, although the buildings were not demolished until 1970 and its line remains intact for the steel works until the early 80's.  As in so many areas the former rail lines now support a new road network and here in Consett it was no different and today there is no sign of a return to train travel and the town remain one of the largest without a station.
With the gateway to the North Pennines just beyond us Consett sits high up and often has a temperature a degree or two lower than Durham and Newcastle, today was no exception as we arrived at the ground it was certainly nithering in the wind.
Belle View is a new build with 3g surface from its inception and after paying in and purchasing a nice little programme we did the circuit.  To the right an Atcost stand of the larger variety the walkway around the ground is backed off onto a grass area, netting directly behind both goals to catch the ball makes it a bit of an obstruction to watch the game from this position, the far side has a half way line Atcost type of enclosure again and we are soon back to the clubhouse and changing rooms, the outer part of the ground is surrounded by large fencing.  The whole set up is highly functional but currently does not have a lot of character, the clubhouse was utilised for a drink but there were no tables available with two TV's on the wall many were having a pre match football fix.  Again all smart and highly usable but it really missed some old Consett shirts, programme and team pictures on the walls to sing the praised of the towns sporting heroes.
There was a small amount of memorabilia behind a locked case which was a shame because with a super attendance of 610 had this been out on a table and accessible I'm sure they would have sold many items.  While this was a big crowd today with many other local fans attending due to the high level of postponements the only other slightly off putting factor was the toilets were very small in the clubhouse and they could do with a block built outside to cater more easily for the need to go.

CONSETT KEEPER KYLE HAYES CLAIMS

To the game then and we knew as early as the fourth minute it was not going to be goal less when Hebburn took the lead Consett keeper Kyle Hayes pushed away from Michael Richardson but Ben Dibb Fuller stretched to force the ball over the line despite the despairing dive of Hayes.  Just three minutes later The Steelmen were level Luke Carr skipped past two on the edge of the box and fired low into the bottom corner of the visitors goal.
Both sides number 9's Greame Atkinson and Dale Pearson forced their opposite number keepers into good saves and it would be the latter who gave Consett a half time lead after 40 minutes when he fired in.
A strange first half with lots of elaborate and sometimes over passing of the ball in the 3g surface came to light with three goals in the early minutes of the second half.  First The Hornets levelled when Richardson flashed the ball home into the roof of the net and within three minutes they took the lead a left hand side corner saw a gathering of players at the far post all rise and it was Armstrong who forced the ball home.  Consett were not to be outdone though and levelled the scores on 53 minutes a short corner off the right was picked up by Jermaine Metz who fired at the keepers near post and Andrew Jennison lost his grip on it only for the ball to fall through his legs and over the line.
Twenty minutes of sanity returned before the goal of the game gave the league leaders the advantage  a lovely ball out to Jack Robson who turned on the right angle of the penalty box and volleyed home into the top left hand corner of the Consett goal, a  strike good enough to win a game normally, well not here and not today.

JERMAINE METZ RECEIVES THE CONGRATULATIONS FOR LEVELLING AT 3-3

The game spun around again on 77 minutes when Consett saw the hard working Carr impeded on the half way line and referee Samuel Parker, who had an excellent game produced a second yellow for the Hebburn captain.
Consett saw this as their moment and Jennison redeemed himself with an excellent save from a short tapped free kick that Jake Orrell thought was goal bound but for the number one's acrobatics.  The pressure wasn't coming to any fruition that was until the first minute over the ninety when the ball fell to Verstraaten who sent a 14 yard effort towards the goal it hit a Hebburn player took some pace of the shot but deflected it far enough wide of Jennison's dive and Consett had secured a fair point.

GOOD PERFORMANCE FROM SAMUEL PARKER TOO

With about trip on the X15 at 5.20pm decided on we opted for a trip to The Water House in Durham to see if any of the flooding on the way back would subside and as we entered the 'spoons it was queuing three deep at the bar.  The dread of ordering was relieved when Mr R got straight onto the 'app' and booked drinks and meals that arrived with such efficiency it even allowed for fifty minutes to tour around Durham and a night time viewing of the Cathedral and castle.
As we approached 8pm we bade goodbye, for now, to the north east and set off back to spire town to arrive around two hours later from an enjoyable day out and a debut in the much respected Northern League.

TEN MAN SHERWOOD VICTORIOUS

SHERWOOD COLLIERY 2 BELPER UNITED 0
EMCFL @ DEBDALE
22 OCTOBER 2019 --- 7.45PM
Two in form teams went at this game with no quarter given and after Sherwood had been reduced to ten men in the first half you probably didn't expect a result in their favour, but that is what we got with a superb showing from the Mansfield Woodhouse side who went top of the table.

DEBDALE PARK AND ITS NEW STANDS

A chance for a midweek sojourn over the visa boundary into Nottinghamshire and to a club covered quite a few times before so it will be brief.  Security accompaniment would be provided by Mr R of platform 1 parish as we departed on the Pronto which as previously described is often anything but.  Rolling down the bus steps as we departed at The Rufford Arms crossroads for the fifteen minute walk down to Debdale Park a brief observation of a 'road closed here' sign was noted but should probably have been studied more for later in the evening.
On arrival there was a chance to catch up with Glapwell flag man Dave although if it wasn't such a mouthful I would rename him Burnley FC merchandise catalogue model Dave, he's even got claret and blue trainers now.

BURNLEY DAVE IS BECOMING SHY OF PUBLICITY BUT HERE IS THE BACK OF HIS HEAD OBSERVING THE ACTION

Ground wise the club have now opened up the far touchline with two home made and smart bench seated stands either side of the dug outs and you can now cover three sides of this ground.  This season of year is always a good time to visit with the large former colliery tip country park covered in trees and the colour scheme is something to behold, sadly on todays dark night this would not offer up much inspiration.  The entrance pay box has been moved further up the slope and a snack wagon has been added on the approach the only other noticeable change was a couple of steps in the original covered terrace stand.
Neither of these two sides show up on my radar too regularly but both were in good form and the hosts are looking very good for a top of the table challenge.
Game was then a feisty, pacey encounter was just awaiting the first meaty miss timed challenge which came on 33 minutes and it resulted in Jamie York receiving a red card which would you may have though hinder the progress of Sherwood in their seeking of three points.

GOALS STANDS AND FLOODLIGHTS YOU CAN TELL WE ARE IN NIGHT MODE

Half time arrived with no goals chalked up but Sherwood regrouped defended and chased down everything, Belper couldn't break through and the home side inevitably took the lead on 62 minutes when Jobe Shaw fired home a glorious strike from the edge of the box.
Sherwood rose in stature and the ten men looked increasingly confident non more so than ten minutes form time when they doubled their lead thanks to Liam Theakstone from the penalty spot after Ethan Wiesztort had been taken out by Fenwick Butcher.
The game was not a long running list of chances but it was a tough and resolute effort from both sides and  a tremendous advert for The EMCFL.

MAKE IT PRONTO

Remember the road sign from earlier so did we when 100 yards away from the exit of Debdale we walked decamping from Burnley Dave's car to run the following 3/4 of a mile in a record eight minutes to hop on board the Pronto, which thankfully this time wasn't too much, at 10pm.  Conversation was light on the way back over the border as we regained our breath, composure and booked in for immediate physiotherapy the next day to aid our recovery.

SENT TO COVENTRY AGAIN

COVENTRY COPSEWOOD 1 STAPENHILL 3
MFL 1 @ ALLARD WAY
19 OCTOBER 2019 --- 3PM

COVENTRY COPSEWOOD V STAPENHILL MFL1

A comfortable victory for the visitors from Stapenhill against a young and enterprising Copsewood side told only part of this interesting day.  In the modern era of pre match research there is often little to discover before arrival that you have not seen and it just remains to experience it yourself.
However in the search to complete the four top level non league sides in the city a second journey in recent weeks would be made to take a look at the Copsewood ground, but of course after these recent trips the other 3 or 4 sides at step 7 and 8 have come onto the radar also but they will be for another day after Alvis completes the immediate set.  Today would turn out to be a discovery day of old and an all round pleasant visit to Coventry Cospewood FC and its immediate surrounds which offer a more than agreeable afternoon out in the West Midlands.
Travel inwards to spire town station was all good and on time ,so a little success, of course from there it went downhill when my favourite train operator Cross Country, I'm convinced I will miss a letter out of that final word soon, supplied the usual sardine tin which by the time we departed Burton our fishy friends were jumping out of it was even too much for them.  Arrival in Birmingham and the option to take a stopping train to Coventry was taken for a little off train viewing of the surrounding area, this would be a late departure.

FIRST HALF ACTION AS STAPENHILL GO ON THE ATTACK

Upon arrival the station concourse brought me back to a bus companies vehicles I had not seen for ages Travel De Courcey who were operating a shuttle to The University of Warwick for their open day and did remind me that I was always surprised Nookie Bear and Roger were not behind the driving wheel, if you are under fifty you will probably have to look that one up see if you can find the clip were the ventriloquists lips move more than when he speaks!  A steady walk across the bustling city centre saw all sorts of groups vying for your attention and as I averted my gaze from the naked horse mounted Lady Godiva I would soon arrive by the impressive façade of the Transport Museum to connect with a 13 to Willenhall.
The operator National Express Coventry operated offer a no ticket contactless fare which promised to charge you the maximum fee of £3.90, we shall see but a good frequency took us along to the Allard Way junction.  Bus drivers here certainly appear to have the newly discovered 'deaf driver syndrome' as this applied also on my departure on the return journey after my 'thank you' for their service.  Walking the five minutes to the club and the sports grounds were soon arrived at they are the former recreational facilities for GEC and with its art deco type club house offering up a cold non alcoholic beverage and bag of scampi fries who could resist a look.  The foyer area is all very 1930s much like some of the old National Bus stations and well worth a visit before moving to the modern bars upstairs.

ARRIVING BY STEAM TRAIN AT THE GROUND

The site offers a golf course, bowling green, cricket ground, netball court and football pitch but the surprise was the Cospewood Miniature Railway which was operating today for a private function.  As ever the enthusiasm that these old chaps, and it is of course us chaps generally, offer is always a thing of beauty to behold, again it is to the males of the species.  So for you hoppers who alike to arrive close to the ground by train here is another one for your list.
As ever more local knowledge was offered and it would appear that just a short goal kick away, quite literally, Stoke Aldermoor was the location for the filming of the Mini Cooper car chase seen in the sewer pipes in the 1968 film The Italian Job and on further research in the previous week a plaque had been unveiled to the fifty year anniversary after research had discovered the exact location of what were these apparently unused sewer pipes.

A VERY AGREEABLE SETTING

A relaxed welcome at the ground upon departure from the club found a fiver admission with a shiny and very creditable programme included too, the long changing room block offers a snack bar and functional club room with TV and I guess it doubles up for the cricket club as well.
The ground offers a very pleasant diversion from the busy Allard Way and nearby city with tree lined main side with golf course behind, extending from the clubhouse is a covered terrace which sits a little way behind the near goal but would be needed when we suffered heavy downpours in the second half.  The far side offers a smart stand with seats from Highfield Road and a couple of
memorial bench seats tucked into the front row towards the far goal the walkway merges with a pathway round the back of the stand and continues to the far touchline which I guess is out of bounds but it is offers a nice view back towards the main stand.  Also noticeable is the excellent playing surface.

RYAN KING MAKES IT 2-0 TO STAPENHILL

Game wise Stapenhill were riding high and with Coventry Copsewood in the lower reaches it looked a difficult one for them   The opening exchanges were fairly even but slowly the away side looked like the team who would take the lead and on 27 minutes this happened.  It would be the ever
dangerous Ryan King down the left who crossed low for Ash Garner to fire into the goal at the back post.  Stapenhill looked increasingly dangerous and on the half hour mark Callum Riddell struck the bar from 20 yards.  Eight minutes before the break King would dart through in the inside left and fire past the Coventry keeper to double the visitors lead at half time.

STAPENHILL THIRD GOALSCORER LEWIS CAMPBELL CHASED DOWN BY DAVE FREEMAN

The second period saw Coventry put together some lovely football and it was noticeable the positive contribution from substitute Isa Abrahamu whose pace and willingness to take on the Stapenhill
defence was proving dangerous.  The visiting side however were the stronger all round team and equally looked to play good football in what I was finding an highly enjoyable affair but in a breakaway after some an excellent Copsewood play the game was put to bed when The Swans secured their third goal with a lovely chip over the home keeper by Lewis Campbell with fifteen minutes remaining.

STAPENHILL KEEPER RISES TO THWART A COPSEWOOD ATTACK

Into the final stages and for the visitors Harry Lansdowne went on a lovely run and his end product found the post when he deserved better but probably the goal of the game was reserved until 87
minutes when Abrahamu cut in off the left and fired a superb curler around Dale O'Connell in the visitors goal, it was a consolation strike that the home side richly deserved for their 'footballing' efforts.
I enjoyed the home sides contributions to play the game in the right way but on this day Stapenhill were just stronger and more confident in front of goal and over the ninety minutes secured a deserved victory for their trip back to Staffordshire.

LEWIS CAMPBELL [3] RECIEVES THE PLAUDITS FOR STAPENHILLS THIRD GOAL

Convenient trip back to the city and a few stops to the north side of Coventry and a departure to the big yellow 'M's' at the former Alvis site, as per the visit a few weeks ago, would allow shopping traffic to depart.
A delayed Virgin train that disgorged Coventry City fans coming back from down south was delayed by nearly fifteen minutes on departure but a two minute sprint across New Street allowed for a departure to Derby for a change onto the very late East Midland Railways service, again a sprint across the station, and arrival back at base around 8.30pm.
An enjoyable day that offered up a lot more than I expected in some more than agreeable surroundings I hope to catch up with both sides again soon if this is the style of football they are trying to achieve.

LONG EATON WIN THE 3 O'CLOCK AT WARWICK BY A NOSE

RACING CLUB WARWICK 2 LONG EATON UNITED 3
FA VASE ROUND 1 @ TOWNSEND MEADOWS
12 OCTOBER 2019 --- 3PM

LONG EATON GO 2 UP EARLY IN THE SECOND HALF

Within ten minutes of the start of the second half Long Eaton United led by three goals to nil and a gentle canter to the finish line would be the order of the day but from somewhere the home side pulled back two goals and then saw the woodwork and visiting defender on the goal line intervene to deny what would have been a remarkable comeback.  Up until this point it had been far from entertaining and Warwick had, sorry another ones coming, not been at the races however from somewhere they nearly found the comeback that all the home fans were hoping for.  It would have been a travesty really because the Derbyshire visitors were the strongest of the teams but they so nearly went off script.
As per every Saturday Cross Country by Arriva makes you madder with the obligatory busier than ever all standing to Birmingham becoming par for the course however this top management team continue to get away with this appalling service beggars belief.  With around an hour to wait for the Warwick connection at nearby Moor Street Station the option to jump an all stopping service to Dorridge was taken and a brief look around the boutique type village that has to contain the biggest clock on the frontage of the new build mini supermarket, it would appear totally out of context with the village.  The station here is smart and its major plus is that it contains the cleanest toilets on the rail network so far, unless of course you know different?

LOOKING BACK AT THE EAST GATE ENTRANCE WITH GEORGE V POST BOX

Chiltern Railways would provide a first sample of their services with now a short trip on the Marylebone bound train, seat gained and departure around fifteen minutes later onto the streets of Warwick for the first time. The town has the usual enough history to shake a few sticks at and I guess is something like a mini York, its castle being its main attraction.  Sadly from the town side you can see very little of the fortification blocked out by trees and a large stone wall I didn't have time to go to south side were I believe the views are from.  Both ends of the town have a gate entrance with the east gate first on our radar a fine twin tunnelled entrance all showy and full of pomp as we enter.  The collection of buildings are a treasure in themselves with the old courthouse and the scales of justice statue half way aloft the exterior wall, the fantastic tower of St Marys Church, Lord Leycester Hospital and the West Gate that signify the experience of the structures around the centre.  Worth noting is that both entrances to the town have George V octagonal post boxes with letter box type entrances, not many of those around a collectors item much like the Post Office in March.

DOES IT GET ANY BETTER THAN THIS THE LORD LEYCESTER HOSPITAL AND WEST GATE

Walking out to the opposite end of the town The Chip Shed is marked down for a visit after todays encounter sprightly cutting through a local estate to come out by the rear of the main grandstand at Warwick Racecourse gives comfort to the fact that we are in the immediate vicinity because Racing Club Warwick have their ground around the start of the final straight.
Judith Chalmers put away the venue for todays FA Vase was reached and a warm greeting by both the turnstile operator and the lady on raffle duty was accorded to the visitor the only strange side was trying to find the tucked away entrance, beware if you visit don't give up.  The club rooms look like a former outbuilding for the racecourse but where relatively smart with bar area and toilets with an external snack bar.  Here a Deja vu moment when I recognised the lady serving from The Black Pig Company who had been at Studley last week it would appear they have the contract for both and sadly the chips looked as poor as last week and I gave the snacks a wide berth.

THE WINNING POST WITH TOWNSEND MEADOW IN THE FAR RIGHT OF THE PICTURE

The tour then wide open behind the goal before the club house and this offers a nice congregating area, moving round the changing rooms are behind the corner flag and the final straight and are made up of extended modern cabins.  The touchline houses a low roofer stand with a selection of seats both
modern and a cracking collection of old wooden art deco type mounted with the paint disappearing I have not seen to many like this around the grounds.  The far goal is a hard standing area and coming back to the road side a smart Atcost type smart stand similar to Birstall with its high roof and vantage position is set out with corporate liveried seats and although small is a smart affair.

THE OLDER OF THE TWO STANDS FULL OF CHARM

Before the game it was a pleasure, as ever to catch up with United manager Rudy Funk who always has time for supporters of the non league game and is much respected on the circuit from Scarborough to AFC Mansfield and beyond.
It looked an interesting game on paper with RCW lowly in the MFL Premier League and the visitors challenging towards the top end of the same competition but what turned up on the first forty five minutes was far from it a dour game with misplaced tackles a plenty really had me wondering about the term entertainment.  However what could be said was United looked strong and RCW could not get a foothold in the game due to this.

IF ITS MODERN YOU WANT HERE IS SMARTNESS ALSO

A strange and quite correct penalty from referee McMahon on 34 minutes gave the visitors a half time lead it was Niall Towle who converted after appeals for a penalty were waved away the ball was cleared but as the said Long Eaton player started to rise to his feet the seemingly annoyed Kevin Thornton pushed him back to the floor, the ball still being in play this was an excellent spot by the referee and a brave but correct decision.

LONG EATON ON THE BALL

Warwick were out early for the second half all eager and one can only guess with new instructions to get into this game but within a minute it all went wrong when David Kolodynski heading back across the keeper to find the net and on 55 minutes it was three nil with a low cross from within the penalty box turned in from close range by Towle. Game over, taxi for the chippy, well no actually the home side found something they had failed to do so far find the back of the net and get a foothold in the game how it gave them some self belief.

ST MARYS TOWERING ABOVE TOWN AND FOOTBALL CLUB AS JUDE BRITTAIN TAKES THE FREE KICK

The first goal was pulled back on 57 minutes when Dale Wigmore flew in to convert from an under hit back pass as the visitors got in a mess at the back and then the deficit was down to just one goal thanks to Sean Castleton who fired home a loose ball from 14 yards. 
In the closing stages captain and constant threat Thornton crashed a 25 yard effort off the woodwork for RCW and with two minutes of normal time remaining a back post header from Adam Miles was scrambled off the line by a United defender.

THIS IS NOT A COMMENT ON THE REF BUT READS -  IT TAKES BALLS TO TALK

Long Eaton were delighted to hear the final whistle for the hopper and locals after some of the early debatable stuff we would have quite happily settled for half an hour of extra time as the game had finally started to get going, it wasn't to be though and chippy awaited.
The Chip Shed on West Street is rated the top chip shop in Warwickshire and in the top 20 nationally its in a unique quirky building, as most are in Warwick, and offers a small selection of seats for inside dining.  The boxes that contain the delicacy are corporately emblazoned and with a take away menu offering a little about the establishment I was ready after a small wait to sample todays offerings.  All was good with a  fair selection of food it would appear around my play off zone I have had better and certainly worse and would relish a further visit in the future to both this weeks and last weeks food emporiums.

WELCOME TO MY KIND OF SHED

With an hour to play with before the return train to Birmingham a look around the town centre and its Market Square was more than called for and just added to the overall positive impression of Warwick which hopefully I will get chance to revisit to spend some time in its attractive surroundings.
Arriving back in the countries second city refreshed from the half an hour journey with seat gained, take not Cross Country yes sets available, a short walk back to New Street for the 7pm departure and standby, seat secured and a return to spire town just after 8pm from a highly entertaining day out remember its not all about the football.