BYRNE SCREAMER AS DOVE HOLES GRAB A POINT IN THE GALE

ASHOVER 2 DOVE HOLES 2

HOPE VALLEY LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION AT MILKEN LANE

29 JANUARY 2022 --- 2PM

ASHOVER PRESSURE FROM A CORNER V DOVE HOLES

A howling gale did its best to wreck this game but it could not deny Ryan Byrne a goal to grace any game when he fired home a twenty five yard free kick before Perry Richards pulled back an equaliser just before half time in a four goal first half at Milken Lane.

The continuation of the 'walk to the match' remained in play again and the round trip of seven miles to the quaint village of Ashover is normally not too much of a challenge, today was though slightly different.  With a fresh breeze forecast for the daytime hours it all looked in order for a steady walk and game, that was until the BBC weather forecast changed mid morning to a near 50 mile an hour wind for the afternoon.  Anybody that knows the area will be aware its very hilly before the drop into the village and today the wind was certainly in my face.

ASHOVER VILLAGE WITH THE STAMP POST OFFICE COFFEE SHOP AND BOUNDS BUTCHERS BEYOND

With a brief look around the stone built village the time soon arrived to get along to the pitch behind the village hall and at the side of the showground.  With some consistent coverage of football and cricket over the last couple of years I think most people have seen my past descriptions so today will once again avoid boring anybody further.  

The corner flags just before kick off were at full in the sense of flag tension and as for the sticks well if they could stop in the floor it would be a plus. 

MR ASHOVER FC DON CARLINE MOTIVATES THINGS FROM THE SIDELINES

Last week the chance to see Dove Holes Reserves came into the plans and this week it was the first team who would come into the light.  Although a tight league at the bottom Dove Holes are not sitting pretty at the foot of the premier league table and remain eager to move on up.  While Ashover are desperately hoping to reclaim that fourth place that looked so comfortable a few week ago.

NEVER TOUCHED HIM REF

The hardy gathering of supporters was down a little on normal number but by half time and not being able to feel my fingers on the camera shutter I was beginning to wonder if I'm getting to old to do this lark in the conditions.

The first half started at apace for Ashover who took the lead after fourteen minutes with captain Paul Murphy rising to head home from close range but it didn't take long for Dove Holes to upset the apple cart with an equaliser on twenty minutes Ashover keeper Joe Birch couldn't hold an original shot and Joe Dale was on hand to fire home the equaliser.

Just over the half hour mark referee Dr Mike Douglass, more of later, awarded the visitors a free kick twenty five yards out into the howling gale Ryan Byrne stepped up and lashed home a superb strike into the top left hand corner.  It was a goal that would have looked good in any level of football but thankfully we had it here in Ashover to warm us up.

It would have been slightly harsh on Ashover if they had gone in behind and with just three minutes to the break they rectified that when Perry Richards drove home from fourteen yards to level the scores.

TIME TO DEFEND FOR ASHOVER

I needed to get the feeling back in my hands now and some light jogging around the cricket outfield did some good before a catch up with referee Douglass before the second half re started.

GOAL OF THE GAME FOR RYAN BYRNE AS DOVE HOLES GO 2-1 UP

Over the last few seasons I have covered games Mike has refereed and he's a jolly decent chap with his always interesting attire in the shall we say the cooler days adds to the fun of the encounter.  Having lost his maroon boots and similar coloured whistle and gloves in more or less the same season he has now moved onto a new colour. 

This season there was an attempt to get some pink boots but the good Doctor had to settle for luminous yellow so along with a whistle of the same colour he has now added gloves of the same shine bright variety.  Today in the testing temperature the top jacket stopped on alongside a woolly hat from an apparently big club in Nottingham adorning the said material.  The game survives on referees like Mike well done mate.

GETTING DOWN WITH REFEREE DR MIKE

With little warmth gained a quick break so the turn round and with Dove Holes kicking into the wind they fancied their chances sadly although they did have long range shooting opportunities they were struggling to keep the ball under control and the target was an increasing mystery.

Ashover had the threat of Richards and Callum Barker on the left with the ever prompting presence of Tom Torrington but overall the gusty stuff was still the victor.

In the final twenty minutes the game did open up a little more and with Barker putting in some tantalising crosses it looked possible for Ashover to find an equaliser.  They thought this had been achieved with ten minutes remaining when Richards cut in off the right struck a shot that beat the visiting keeper but agonisingly not the cross bar which it struck with some force before bouncing back into play.

I HAVE LOTS OF YELLOW THINGS DO YOU WANT TO SEE MY YELLOW CARD

The final stages saw the home side mount pressure from a corner which was cleared for a quadrant kick from the opposite side but there wasn't time to take it as referee Douglass called an end to proceedings.  Time to warm up the muscles for the one mile climb out of the village on the shielded Milken Lane and amazingly as the ridge was reached at the tip the wind was abaiting just as the game had finished how typical but something that I was extremely grateful for on the remainder of the walk back to base.

For those wanting to know the alpacas have got even more aloof and have now been moved to a field further away from the road and show less interest that normal in an aged man shouting them over.

PERRY RICHARDS HITS THE BAR IN THE CLOSING STAGES

A good effort from both sides in the conditions and about the correct result although you feel it wont do much for either side although defeat would have been a real body blow for Ashover or Dove Holes.

CALLUM BARKER ON THE LEFT FOR ASHOVER

NORMAN SECURE LEADERS A POINT AGAINST A DETERMINED DOVE HOLES

NEW TUPTON IVANHOE 3 DOVE HOLES RES 3

HOPE VALLEY LEAGUE A DIVISION AT STATION NEW ROAD

22 JANUARY 2022 --- 2PM

BEN NORMAN BRACE FOR NEW TUPTON IVANHOE

League leaders New Tupton Ivanhoe were thankful that Ben Norman popped up with his second and an equalising goal with just seven minutes remaining of this A division game against a Dove Holes side struggling, if the table is anything to go by but who were never behind in the game.  

Football had returned to the calendar with the last Saturday game nine weeks previous in the November of 2021, indeed only one Sunday fixture punctuated this run and I did wonder if football was falling out of favour but this enthralling encounter served up a treat to re-whet the appetite.

HERE COMES THE PENALTY

So after a wet spell which had seen many games called off and the Christmas period grassroots football was finally back on offer for the lovers of this level of competition.  The chance to pop local and catch up with New Tupton Ivanhoe and their visitors Dove Holes in the form of the reserve side who had left behind their A6 home in the High Peak for the trip to North East Derbyshire was interesting me.  As a youngster travelling through Dove Holes it was always a little but fascinating with the adjacent quarry dusting up the town giving an overall grey and dull look to the place but it has a regular bus service and a train station that made this place a little more enthralling to this young un at the time.  Now years on its a while since I have been near to the village but with the increased interest in The Hope Valley League I hope to get up there soon to take in a game at The Hallsteads.

SLIDING TACKLE THANKFULLY WINS THE BALL

We were greeted with an increasingly grey and darkening day at Station New Road and with a pitch looking tacky and offering up long grass in places this had the feeling of  it being a bit of a difficult encounter for the home side who sat pretty at the top of the table and so it turned out to be.

JOSH KIRKWOOD NEW TUPTON IVANHOE

As early as the eight minute Tupton were in trouble albeit from a very harsh penalty decision by referee Daryll White who found it necessary to sin bin Josh Kirkwood for his protests against the award, there were a few others who aired an opinion.  Of course 'it is in the opinion of the referee' that matters and Corey Flint held his nerve to fire home from the spot.  The following minutes found the home side trying to form something of an attack while being cautious that they were down to ten men for ten minutes and even when they got a full complement back they struggled to get into the game against a resolute Dove Holes side.

Half way through the half Matt Jackson struck the bar to give Tupton hope and indeed after 37 minutes hope turned to an equaliser when Norman got his first nodding home from close range.  On the stroke of half time [44 minutes] the visitors would also have a reduction of players with a sin bin that would affect the start of their second half or would it?

JOE HOLMES CLEARS A DOVE HOLES ATTACK

Well no it wouldn't because within seven minutes of the restart they had the advantage again when Flint secured his and the visitors second.  It would take the Ivanhoe ten minutes to find an equaliser when a floated in free kick fell to Jack Foulds who made no mistake sweeping the ball into the visitors goal.

There was no time for the men in stripes to think of a winner or for that matter even celebrate as straight from the kick off these determined High Peak boys were in the lead again thanks this time to Tallis Stone hitting the back of the net.

JACK FOULDS ON THE FLOOR [LEFT] MAKES IT 2-2

As the tempo increased Tupton desperately did not want to lose a game they would have been predicted to have won as they looked to keep a comfort zone at the top of the table in their promotion push but they were finding it very difficult to create anything substantial as the visitors looked a constant threat with what would have been a game wining fourth goal.

As it looked increasingly likely the equaliser would not come a low cross evaded everybody until it found Norman who forced the ball home at the back post for his second and with a huge sigh of relief Tupton were level again for the third time.

BEN NORMAN FOR 3-3

The tense closing minutes meant you could not rule out Dove Holes securing another goal but really the best chances fell to Tupton who in the same move had efforts from Foulds and James Culf superbly saved by the visiting keeper who would turn out to be the hero for the team sporting the former Alfreton Town Fc blue away kit.  Those saves secured a point from a fantastic game that the visitors fully deserved something from, for Tupton they looked subdued today and under par to their normal levels but of course you only play as well your opponents allow you to.

Another good advert for The Hope Valley League and grassroots football.

MORE FIRST HALF DOVE HOLES PRESSURE

FOOTBALLS PART IN SUNRISE EXPEDITION

SUNRISE, CHAPEL RUINS AND THE PART OF FOOTBALL

ON THE COUNTRY LANES ROUND BASE

25 NOVEMBER 2021 --- VERY EARLY

SUNRISE FROM ALTON ON A COLD CRISP CLEAR MORNING

When the alarm clock went off at 5.20am on a cold Thursday morning just over a week ago it felt very much like one of my football expeditions into Wales, except for the day, although on this occasion there was every thought in turning back over and pulling the blankets up for another hour in bed.  Truth be told I was excitedly awake before the clock went off with the prospect of seeing the sunrise from a high viewing point with the horizon visible around seven to eight miles away on this crisp and clear morning.

LIGHTING UP TIME BUT NO SUN YET

About an hour after rising the outdoors were ventured into and as only the glimmering streetlights lit the footpath passing the Tap which was quiet of traffic save for the bread delivery van and the rattling crates of a milk wagon.  The sunrise would be with us just after quarter to eight but general advise was to turn up thirty minutes before so with good speed we soon departed the last street illumination as we departed Holmgate towards Hollins Green and then Deerleap.  Now though the moon was offering a real good walk as suburbia was left behind to the country lanes of North East Derbyshire, although there was still a slight shock as a fellow walker approached in the subdued light.  The climb would now start and Stoney Lane was a nice test this early as we approached the roads to the east of Ashover Rock a famous piece of granite perched on a ridge that offers commanding views to the east which include Clay Cross, Alfreton and beyond.  To the west the Ashover, Ashover Hay and the valley that the snuggle into, talking of which where is that duvet it was now feeling very chilly as I stood around waiting for the arrival of the sun.

SUNRISE FROM BROWNHILLS LANE ALTON

Strangely enough the sky was showing some encouraging signs of light from just before 7am and this rather disarmed me to walk faster thinking I may miss the planned event.  After looking for the best position for a little while the option of a small incline on Brownhills Lane that runs down to the hamlet of Alton was selected, this was particularly important as the sun was giving the signal that it would be rising more south easterly than just easterly.

I had seen sunrises over houses and in towns but never from a vantage point with a clear view towards a distant horizon and soon pictures were taken before, during and after the hands were now vouching for how cold it was.

But come the time wow, wow, wow, was it worth it the experience of the sun first just showing a brief glimpse to its full development as it rose on our side of the world was a fantastic experience and something a mature, questionable I know, chap could get excited about.

OGSTON  RESERVOIR WITH RATCLIFFE POWER STATION ON THE SKYLINE

With photography done the time had just broken 8am and a little walk planned to the nearby village of Littlemoor for a chance to take Ogston Reservoir in this early morning condition.  With the pictures taken the slight mist was forming in the undulations and the Ratcliffe  Power Station around 25 miles away was steaming up in the far distance.

The decision at this point was to extend the walk and while I was out I might as well make a morning of it and here is the tenuous football connection.  Firstly leaving the Ashover v Furness Vale game a few weeks ago there was the chance to capture a wonderful sunset while climbing up Milken Lane on the way back to base.  But the extension is probably as loose, while planning a trip on foot to Cromford and Wirksworth FC early on in the season I looked for a route that would take me off a narrow, busy and steep section.  In this time I discovered on the map the old ruins of Trinity Chapel in a wooded area overlooking Ogston, this was something I had no Idea about and it appears to be a hidden gem.  There is another football part of this story shortly so hang on in there.

SUN RISE AND MIST AROUND OGSTON RESERVOIR

Moving out of Littlemoor and down the narrow declining lane of Dalebank there is time to stand and admire where the former Ashover Light Railway passed through the valley alongside the river.  Without it being a history lesson the railway is well worth taking time to read about if you are not familiar with it, serving  Clay Cross Works to Ashover Quarry for the purpose of the company and also offering passenger travel especially at holiday times.  Climbing out into Ashover Hay the commanding views were now becoming well illuminated as morning had well and truly broken.  Visible from the vantage point at the top of The Hay is a view back to Woolley Moor with its former colliery building viewable at the front of the recreation football ground which was the home for the now defunct village football side who plyed their trade in The MRA league for many years before moving to ground share with Clay Cross Town FC.

WOOLLEY MOOR AND ITS FOOTBALL GROUND FROM ASHOVER HAY

Trinity Chapel was now calling and through the ford at Berridge Lane, something else I did not realise was there, which is listed as the county councils number three ford.  Steep climbing is the nature of walking around Ashover and this one was steep but commanding views were the order of the day as we reached the furthest point from base before turning back at the site of a very close Crich Stand a monument to the Sherwood Forrester's regiment situated in the pretty village that also offers up The Tramway Village a well recommended visit.

COMMANDING VIEWS WITH OGSTON TO THE RIGHT

Turning back down White Carr Lane the footpath that leads along a stone wall in the field leads to a gate into a wooded area that was quite muddy around its entrance but as soon as you got near this you could see the former church on the nearest edge to us.  So a venture up to the ruins to take a look reveal a remarkably well intact building save of course for its roof, however bearing in mind the building was closed in 1856 this is pretty impressive.  The bell tower is just about visible under the growing ivy and apparently until recently one of the two bells had remained to ring in the blowing wind.  With the wooded area taking up the view from the front of the church the once amazing site of rolling fields to the reservoir was now denied to visitors but you could imagine it in its day for the parishioners.

BRACKENFIELD TRINITY CHAPEL

There is a superb picture online of a chap leaning against the wall which I guess is now the edge of the wood looking in towards the church and he was on the former lane known as the Hollow Way allegedly a road that was a support to the nearby Rykneld Way the Roman Road that the now A61 in the area mirrors.  Although a church on this site apparently dates back to the 1000's this one was built in the mid 1500's serving Brackenfield and was part of the nearby Morton parish.  Near the church there is a water source trough which provided a vital supply to the village amazingly this remains today by the roadside.  The new church that replaced the chapel is situated at the east end of Brackenfield and on a much larger scale there have though been times on Trinity Sunday when the church members walked to the old site and held a service in the adjoining field to remember the times and people gone by who had played a part in the history of the church in the village.

TRINITY CHAPEL LOOKING TOWARDS OGSTON

Time to move on as the morning was developing nicely now back over the ridge of Ashover Hay and down towards the head of the reservoir that as been with us from so many angles on this walk.  Climbing up past Temperance Hill in Woolley Moor and leaving behind the former Napoleon public house the cross roads that offer up a right to Stretton or a left back to the main village however we take the homeward bound trip straight over the junction.  This road gives one of the best mid range views of Ogston Reservoir but today there was another photo opportunity that had surprised me on recent walks around here a small collection of sheep with large upright ears that makes them look semi rabbit like.  The Border Leicester breed is quite unique in looks and appear a fairly happy animal in their surrounds around Handley.  The village of Handley again offers up a smart collection of dated stone houses including a converted Methodist Church, there is also a VR red post box and a stone painted bus stop sign in the wall of the old post office to bring back the times gone by.

Departure along Woodhead Lane offers commanding views east again and the town of Clay Cross features heavily, this ridge although a little lower than viewing platform than our sunset viewing point but non the less offering one of the best vistas in the area.

From here there was a sharp forty five minute walk back to complete the fifteen miles to base in the light with dinner to prepare there was time now to enjoy the experience of the sunset and discovery of a hidden gem and football played its part in it.

BORDER LEICESTER IN DERBYSHIRE

WINTER ARRIVES AS RUGBY PLAYERS DONT FLINCH

TUPTON RUFC 36 ROLLS ROYCE RFC 12

MIDLANDS 4 EAST [N] WEST AT NORTH SIDE

27 NOVEMBER 2021 --- 2.15PM

TUPTON V ROLLS ROYCE WITH THE DERBY SIDE ON THE ATTACK

On a bitterly cold afternoon Tupton put on a solid display that saw them defend resolutely in the first half and power on to a comfortable points success in the second and in so doing produce a victory that secures them a mid table slot in the division.

The yearly trip to the rugby probably came a bit early this season but thankfully on this wintery weekend Tupton had a fixture against their Derby based opponents.  The snow had deposited a fair covering in the early hours of Saturday morning, although most of it had disappeared by kick off and alongside a drop in temperatures was a strong wind that brought back cold hands on the camera that I had not felt for a while, sadly as I shivered my way through the afternoon my action shots were not up to a great standard.

As on normal visits to the rugby I drop into stereotypes for the game but after watching this afternoons proceedings in the wet, cold and wind these lads really are a different breed compared to their football counterparts who just wouldn't have fancied it.

There was a precautionary inspection at noon although I think this may have been to check the pumps for the beer had not frozen rather than the state of the pitch.

LATE STAGES OF THE GAME ILLUMINATED WITH CLUBHOUSE OVERLOOKING

Tupton RUFC as regular readers know have developed superbly over the recent years with of course its excellent clubhouse and community connections backed up by its annual bonfire night with fireworks display.  The club under the guidance of Bob Curry who it was nice to have a brief chat to have seen him given the proud honour of being awarded the current Derbyshire RFU Presidency.  The day would also be the annual day for the clubs sponsors and vice presidents and surprisingly this normally falls on the day of my visit as well.

HIGH ENERGY FROM THESE LADS NO SOLAR PANELS NEEDED

[Apologies here for no names the club have a good Facebook page which normally updates match facts but sadly this time these were not available so it has to be a brief match overview]

Finding a hedge behind the A61 end sticks for some protections, although by twenty minutes in I was clearly not going to locate the feelings of my fingers for a couple of hours, was clearly a priority.  With Tupton defending the railway end and the strong wind favouring Rolls Royce it did look like the home side, with nine regulars out injured, would from early showings been made to work hard.  Indeed that's how it turned out with 95% of the half seeing the home side providing a solid and admirable effort all round to deny Rolls Royce.

Surprisingly they took the lead and with the conversion led 7-0 before the visitors notched up a try to trail by two at half time, this had been some effort by the home side.

FIRST TRY FOR TUPTON OPENS THE MATCH SCORING

After a brief interval everybody was grateful to get the game back under way and amazingly it was Rolls Royce who scored the first try of the half and with the kick maximum points were achieved.  This seemed to galvanise Tupton who went over to level the scores after this there was no looking back as they dominated the proceedings four more tries of which two were converted.

STANDARD RUGBY SCRUM SHOT AS TUPTON PUT IN

The second period had seen no let up in the wind and chill factor for the hardy fifty or so spectators who took up an external position to the clubhouse how many had stopped inside I know.  There was a first chance for me to see the training lights, that run down the clubhouse side, on for a game.  As regulars will know I'm not a regular at rugby union but this was a sterling effort from both sides in the conditions which were a credit to rugby union and at a club that has developed superbly at the heart of its community.  Hopefully I can return again soon to enjoy some more of this sporting commitment but with some slightly warmer weather.

CLOSE IN ACTION AS SEAGULL GETS IN ON THE ACT

Tupton first fifteen next return home on 18 December for the big local derby versus Chesterfield Panthers get the kitchen and bar well stocked now.

TUPTON CLOSE TO THE LINE 

GOALS RETURN AS PILSLEY CONTINUE WINNING FORM

PILSLEY COMMUNITY 5 DRONFIELD WOODHOUSE 1

HOPE VALLEY LEAGUE B DIVISION AT RUPERT ST

20 NOVEMBER 2021 --- 2PM

SHANE MARRIOTT HIS FIRST FOR PILSLEY COMMUNITY V DRONFIELD WOODHOUSE

Pilsley gave their form guide a further boost with three wins from the last three and a victory that consolidated fourth spot in B Division of The Hope Valley League thanks to a comfortable 5-1 victory over Dronfield Woodhouse who still remain one place above them in the league.  A brace from Shane Marriott alongside a cheeky overhead kick goal from Curtis Sharples helped them secure the points against a side they had defeated 6-1 just two weeks earlier in the Roden Cup quarter final.

VIEW FROM WATERLOO PILSLEY TOWARDS THE DERBYSHIRE HILLS

The shock of the journey to Rupert Street today was the non requirement of an umbrella something I cannot remember when watching Community on a Saturday although as the light faded for the second half it has to be said the large coat was a wise selection as the wind became increasingly cool.  A slight deviation from the usual route took in Little Morton Road which strangely is at least three miles from the village of Morton.  The different walking path would had a different section to the journey on foot and was mainly to take a quick distance look at Little Morton Farm which had just last weekend featured on The Hairy Bikers show on the BBC.  The farm also had a connection in a family friend who had previously run this with their family from the middle of the last century with a milk round and a butchers shop in Chesterfield Market Hall.  The current owner has developed a chicken business with advise and supplies for perspective owners and also a keen interest in keeping of pigs, the sites attraction would appear to be a farm shop which appears to have been doing a fair trade since the airing of the TV programme.

CURTIS SHARPLES OPEN THE SCORING WITH AN OVERHEAD KICK

With a good forty minutes to play with today a wander around the Waterloo district and then the former colliery site around Slack Lane added to the journey but with an arrival well in time there was a chance to take in some of the wonderful views on this clear day as the sun highlighted different villages and areas of North East Derbyshire as the autumn glint remained in place. 

SHARPLES WATCHES HIS OVERHEAD KICK GO IN FROM A RECLINED POSITION

Pilsley would start with their fourth keeper of the season as the injury crisis continues and they welcomed Darren Shaw between the sticks today.  With manager Andy Bird away on a celebratory trip Kevin Carline, a relative of the famous Don at Ashover, would take control of proceedings.  Dronfield Woodhouse would arrive here following last weeks defeat of high flying 19th Hole and so Pilsley would not be sure what to expect.

NOTHING LIKE YOUR TEAMATES WATCHING ON

The home side started well with a long range shot from Steve Rogers who fired just wide of the target but normal service was resumed for Pilsley on three minutes when the cheekiest of overhead kicks from Curtis Sharples flew across the face of the goal and in to secure an early lead.  It was a high on confidence Community now and Harry Dudley put on a good run with a long range shot that fell just wide.  But they were not to be denies and doubled their lead on nineteen minutes when Rogers converted from close range.  With ten minutes to go to half time Pilsley left behind that two goal lead danger zone when they secured their third from a long throw off the right which found Marriott who confidently headed past the Woodhouse keeper.

PILSLEY KEEPER DARREN SHAW TO THE RESCUE

A quick half time break saw Dronfield re invigorated and for the first quarter of an hour Pilsley had to double their efforts to keep the visitors at bay non more so when Shaw [D] pulled off a full length save to deny them.  Pilsley did force their way out and it was Sharples who saw his shot blocked by the keeper and following up Bradley Lowbridge also saw the his cracking effort saved, 59 minutes.  Pilsley were back in the game now and a free kick off the left from Sharples was cleared by a defensive header from under his own cross bar the ball fell to Jack Shaw who headed back into the danger zone for Callum Baker to craftily back heel the ball over the line to make it four after 65 minutes.

WINNING DRONFIELD WOODHOUSE HEADER

Marriott forced the keeper into a save with a long range effort after determination in the challenge in the middle but with seven minutes remaining the visitors were not to be denied a consolation when a slick move saw Adam Flowers race on to fire past the Pilsley keeper.  But the home side would finish with the upper hand when Marriott secured his brace a curled in free kick off the left beat everybody and fell in at the far post as Pilsley hit five and secured three points which now puts them in a healthy league position to firmly put behind them the shaky start to the early part of the season.

RHYS WALLHEAD LOOKING TO TURN TO CLEAR HIS LINES

COLLECTORS ITEM

ASHOVER 0 FURNESS VALE 0

HOPE VALLEY LEAGUE PREMIER AT MILKEN LANE

13 NOVEMBER 2021 --- 2PM

CLASSIC VIEW WITH THE PARISH CHURCH OVERSEEING ASHOVER V FURNESS VALE

Ashover and Furness Vale served up a highly entertaining premier league game and in the process a collectors item.  Its a rarity that games at grassroots level come up with a 0-0 score line and this was indeed supported by it being the first goal less game this season over the whole three divisions of The Hope Valley League.  

ASHOVER LOOK TO DENY FURNESS VALE

The continuing season of local games by walking thankfully goes on and for the reader who as been with us longer there is a lack of moaning about buses and trains to some far flung place from me and also lets just take a moment here a shortage of fish and chips.  Some of the time limiting reasons for this put me behind schedule today and it ended up being a direct one hour walk to Milken Lane and of course the much reported beauty of Ashover and its surrounds.  Alongside the most enjoyable of walks there is a collection of Hope Valley teams that always seem to cross my path and ones I look out for and todays visitors Furness Vale are one of those.

FIRST HALF FURNESS VALE FREE KICK

The autumn colours of gold were well in evidence along this walk and this had changed so much from the last ten days as the season was now full on.  Hitting Ashover Road as soon as leaving base does give you the feeling that you are not far away well it is only three miles but as many will know contains some nice steep bits within the three miles.  Feeling far from energetic it was a pleasure to arrive at the peak and admire the views before the drop down the unusually busy single track Milken Lane which unveils the beauty of the village on descent. 

VALE KEEPER GETS IN A VITAL CLEARANCE

The game then finds these two just behind the leaders and with Ashover having a better season than last season.  Looking at the side Ashover had out it was a much different team from a few weeks ago in the game against Chapel Town.  For Don Carline who we have mentioned many times before is now in is late 30 years in charge and we believe is the longest serving football manager in the country it becomes a constant battle to keep the club he loves going in the village he loves in the game he loves.  So you can see he loves it, thanks to people like Don the game at village level survives.

PERRY RICHARDS RECEIVES A THROW IN

The game then and firstly thanks to Don and Paul from the visitors for help with a few names for the report.  Also worth mentioning it was a difficult light day which means a few less pictures but with this happening now around 3pm it did help me enjoy what was a superb second half of entertainment.  

The first half was a tentative affair with both sides trying one another out but to the fore for Ashover were the two wide men in Callum Barker and Elliott Nuun alongside experienced striker Perry Richards ever a threat.  So half time arrived and there was just a wonder could a goal less game be on the cards.

WEAVING INTO THE PENALTY BOX

The second half swung into life with what seemed a harsh penalty awarded by referee Mark Davis on 53 minutes and home keeper Harry James pulled off a superb save diving full length to his right to save the unfortunate spot kick from Vales Simon Lomas.

This seemed to galvanise Ashover who responded with a close range effort being pushed onto the bar by the visiting keeper who had a superb game, especially so after he mentioned he had not turned out for 7 years.  The Vale keeper and woodwork saved them again on 83 minutes when Richards cut in off the right drove into the box and fired a sharp effort at goal the keeper got in a vital save that saw the ball fall onto the inside of the far post and was scrambled away by a defender.

The game had really opened up during this second half and Vale were also finding James in the Ashover goal matching the efforts of his counterpart with some excellent saves.  The visitors stormed forward in the last quarter looking for the winner but the home defence was magnificent with right back Jake Adlington and his opposite number Ash Stirling looking comfortable matched by the experience central defenders of John Donaldson and Paul Murphy who kept both the aerial threat and ground danger in check.  It could be said though that the visitors with a fair selection of shots on goal, that all flew wide or high, could have broken then deadlock if their shooting boots had been in place.  However this would take much away from Ashover who were also a constant threat.

This was probably summed up by the belief at the end of the game that it would have been disappointing for either side to have lost after they had put so much into this game which was a pleasure to watch, again finding The Hope Valley League in fine form for entertainment.

REFEREEE MARK DAVIS EXPLAINS HIS DECISION

Ashover remain in the heady heights of fourth while Furness Vale are one point behind in fifth spot.  

The steep climb back up Milken Lane to the views of a superb gold tinged sunset were punctuated near the top of the climb by our mates the alpacas who I can report were still not talking.

ALPACAS ALOOF AND STILL NOT TALKING