BASFORD UTD SECURE NOTTS SENIOR CUP DESPITE CLIPSTONE COMEBACK

BASFORD UNITED 5 V CLIPSTONE 3
NOTTS SENIOR CUP FINAL @ ONE CALL/FIELD MILL STADIUM
30 APRIL 2015 7.30PM

SEAN RICHARDSON MATCH REFEREE HEADS UP HIS TEAM ALONG SIDE BOTH CAPTAINS

Basford United were grateful to a wonder showing from Stuart Hendrie that led to him securing a quality hat trick and ultimately the Notts Senior Cup despite Clipstone's late come back who from 4-0 down pulled the game back to 4-3 before a stoppage time strike from Ruben Wiggins Thomas made it 5-3 on the final whistle to secure a league and cup double.
The trip to Mansfield was made with a little time to spare to visit the big 'M' for some eats and then on the approach a certain member of a local non league team was spotted at a distance still wearing his Evostik club jacket next season he will be changing it to a Toolstation version, can you name him? 

EVOSTIK MYSTERY MAN APPROACHES FIELD MILL LETS HOPE ITS NOT
 GOING TO 'RAIN' AND ITS 'WORTH' IT

Previous to this gentleman, ex of the press, the blog had caught up for a few minutes with Rob Hornby fresh from the successful Notts groundhop over the last weekend.  Having entered the ground there was time to catch up with a large selection of the Rainworth MW FC staff, Mr Ian Cox of the NCEL and also a wave to Jason Harrison, of Mansfield FM and the excellent NCEL website, who was way up in the top deck of the stand broadcasting live from tonight's game.

THE IMPOSING MAIN STAND

The ground at Mansfield has been described in an earlier visit this season for the FA Cup game versus Concorde however tonight the lower tier was the only part of the ground open but this commanded a good view and allowed the blog to get a bit closer to the action that was to follow.
The prospect for the game were mouth watering with both sides being champions of their leagues Basford Utd top dogs in the Midlands Football League and Clipstone top of the pile in the NCEL.

CLIPSTONE 2015 NOTTS SENIOR CUP FINALISTS

The first half was an industrious affair with Clipstone enjoying the better of the earlier exchanges but as the half wore on it was Basford who looked the more likely to score and so it proved after 35 minutes when Stuart Hendrie curled a lovely effort into the Clisptone goal from the edge of the box leaving Nick Siddons with no chance.

So we arrived at half time with little sign of the 7 goals that were to follow in the second half.
Half time saw Mansfield mascot Sammy Stag take his place in goal for a penalty shoot out and his way off the pitch the blog managed to get a quick snap of the beast.

SAMMY STAG IS HAPPY TO SEE THE BLOG

A quick call of nature was made at half time and rather weirdly all the gents urinals were close to overflowing and when I opted to pop into the Sandy Pate bars toilets the same was happening in there, very strange.  I can however sense here Spireites making up their own jokes, careful Mr Pardo!
Two goals in the same amount of minutes looked to have put the game well beyond Clipstone Dion Miekle headed in a free kick on 50 minutes before superb work from Wiggins Thomas allowed Ryan Whitehurst the chance to lay off a neat ball for Stuart Hendrie to get his second with a neat drive into the bottom left hand corner.

As Basford pushed on they made it 4-0 on 63 minutes when Stuart Hendrie completed his hat trick with another edge of the box drive that found its way through a collection of players into Siddons goal.

Clipstone gave themselves a slight chance when two minutes later Callum Mawby beat Basford keeper Saul Deeney to the ball on the edge of the box and he powered on to slot into an empty goal.
It was Mawby again whose sheer strength saw him storm through on the edge of the Basford box and he lashed an unstoppable shot to make it 4-2 after 75 minutes and the comeback was on.   Three minutes from time and Basford were in danger of losing a game that they had stormed into a 4-0 lead early in the second half when Clipstone made it 4-3.  Pressure from Jamie Brown saw substitute Josh Gibson further reduce the deficit. 
It was now Clipstone with the upper hand but then the inevitable happened as they committed players forward to make the most of the three minutes stoppage time they got caught on the break by Wiggins-Thomas who found himself charging down on goal and he coolly slotted past the out coming Siddons.
Referee Richardson called the game to a halt moments later and it was once again observed that the match official had performed superbly well in this goal fest of a final. 

HERE COMES THE CUP

There was now just time to see runners up Clipstone take their bow before Basford captain Josh Thornton lifted the Notts Senior Cup for 2015 and the champagne flowed over the observing supporters.
A good display from both sides tonight and also a well done to Mansfield Town who staged this game admirably well with a well run PA system as ever operated by the long term Stags operator.  Before the game while getting the team line ups it was good to put a face to this gentleman's voice who I have so often heard at Field Mill.  So often league clubs don't utilise the PA or any music today MTFC helped to make the occasion for both sides and the supporters in the crowd of 429 who attended this entertaining final.
MYSTREY MAN WAS OF COURSE----MR GORDON FOSTER, RAINWORTH MWFC.

WHAT A SUPERB DISPLAY OF ADVERTISING I WOULD HAVE
 BEEN PROUD OF THIS AT MY FORMER CLUB

HUCKNALL DENY HOLBROOK ST MICHAELS THE CHANCE TO ADD TO THEIR SOLITARY LEAGUE VICTORY

HOLBROOK ST MICHAELS 0 V HUCKNALL TOWN 4
CENTRAL MIDLANDS FOOTBALL LEAGUE SOUTH 29 APRIL 2015 6.45PM @HOLBROOK PARK

PICTURESQUE HOLBROOK PARK

Holbrook wound up their season unable to add to their solitary league victory with this defeat to Hucknall Town via two goals in each half, a result that secured the visitors a respectable fourth spot.  For the visitors a mere ten years has seen them fall from the highs of an FA Trophy final at Villa Park to an end of season Central Midlands Football League South game at Holbrook Park the heights of what seems a very few years ago all gone but at least there is still a Hucknall Town.
So to our hosts and although the blog has enjoyed many visits to the village and earlier in the season, before the blog started, a visit to Holbrook Sports of the East Midlands Counties-but St Michaels had never been visited for a game.

DRIVEWAY APPROACH TO THE HALL AND SAINTS

The journey for the 6.45pm start was made to Derby and then back out to Holbrook which is the prettiest of villages situated just 7 miles north of Derby and peeking over Duffield and the nearby town of Belper. 
The village is pretty steeped in history and well worth a walk around to admire the views over the Derbyshire countryside.
Having arrived in Holbrook an hour before the game a steady walk to the entrance to Holbrook Hall, residential home, shows a sign already in place to point people to the football club who are on the left of the approach driveway to the hall.  The sentry pay box was just being put into place and on arrival I paid my £3 entrance fee and added a pound for the programme, well done here for producing so many clubs especially in The CMFL seem not to bother near the end of the season.

THE GROUND FROM THE HALL'S DRIVEWAY APPROACH

The programme is a nice effort for the hopper and one off visitor with lots about the village, club and ground in history although if you attend regularly I guess this will not change.  But it was good to see a programme and it looks like the club had produced about 15 or so not just the 1 again that some CMFL do.
The blog got into conversation with a few of the club officials and I have to say thanks it really makes a difference to receive a warm welcome and you achieved that tonight guys so a quick thanks to Geoff Astill and Ray Owers, alongside the secretary Alan Scales for his assistance with the teams.  The changing rooms, toilets, secretary's office and tea/coffee area are all housed in large farm type green clad building behind the far goal from our entrance.  The ground is in a massively rural area with beautiful countryside views and the amount of trees and different types is enough to keep an Arborist happy for an evening. 

MOOVE OVER I CANT SEE THE GAME

Having covered a few games in Wales with sheep in close proximity it was interesting tonight to see a herd of cows mooving in to take a look at the game by the side of the driveway.  I was looking for for a few more puns to milk it for all it was worth but by this time with the increasingly cold wind its was becoming fresian so I will leave it there.

FORMER DUG OUT [?] STAND

So the ground is difficult to describe but here goes hard standing behind the far goal and down the side running parallel to the driveway to the hall.  The hard standing behind the far goal comes within the pitch boundary railings.  Behind this goal are is a small covered standing area for about 10 people, with a small set of uncovered seats to the front and to the left of the changing rooms is a small what looks like former dug out for about 4 people, very similar to the three at Uttoxeter [see blog a few weeks ago].  The far touchline and top goal are grass standing and behind the entrance goal is the clubs grassed car park.  The touchline which runs in parallel to the driveway contains two dug outs which are serrated by a three sectioned mini stand, to the near entrance side is a small gathering of uncovered yellow tip up seats.

DUG OUTS SPLIT BY 'MAIN STAND'

In fairness there is not a lot here in the form of spectator accommodation but probably enough for a normal sized crowd, tonight's head count was around 50 with a small following from Hucknall all well accommodated in fair weather.  But the real selling point here is a friendly welcome and a ground in a beautiful setting, although I cant speak for what it would be like in the middle of January!

A FURTHER SMALL STAND AWAITS OCCUPANTS

Tonight sees a few ground hoppers including from Liverpool and Ipswich and they had a good look round and I think came too a similar conclusion with regards to the attractive setting.

POSTS READY TO BE SLOTTED INTO PLACE

The build up to the game saw the posts and already attached nets installed about 15 minutes before the game started and on arrival they were flat on the pitch it appears the club take them down every game.

THE LINE UPS WITH MORE PICTURESQUE BACK DROPS

So too the game and when Hucknall took a lead in the first minute the blog feared for the score line, a long throw off the left found Aaron Evans who bundled the ball over the line from close range.  Hucknall continued to press and it was rare for Holbrook to form any attack that would take them into the visitors box.  However they were battling away well and the bar and a couple of saves from the home keeper Luca Palombo saved them from going further behind until the 42nd minutes.  Adam Nelson advanced into the box and was tripped referee abbott awarded a penalty and following a quick caution for dissent of a Holbrook player Niall Thompson stepped up to fire Hucknall into a clearer lead at 2-0.

MATCH ACTION WITH HOLBROOK IN YELLOW

Half time brought a greeting from Swanick Pentrich Road manager Kev Grundy, to which the blog would also like to say a massive thank you for a lift back to Alfreton after the game, thank you mate.  We had a nice catch up and chat during the second half and the return journey Kevs always good for a non league catch up especially with regards to the CMFL South a league the blog does not cover too much of normally.
Hucknall doubled their advantage with two second half goals in quick succession and lovely move around the left hand side of the box by Thompson saw him finish well for his second and the visitors third after 59 minutes.  Then two minutes later it was 4-0 to the visitors when Montell Gatland fired home.

MATCH ACTION

The dusk was ever threatening and the annoying wind that just would not go away was getting colder as the light faded finally gave way to Steve Abbott's full time whistle and Hucknall Town had secured a fourth place finish with Holbrook St Michaels finishing as the strongest team in the league, sadly because if a warm welcome was anything to go by they would be right up at the top of the table.  Keep going guys and all the best for next season.
If you have not visited Holbrook St Michael its a recommend for its beautiful setting and warm welcome although I guess you should go early or late season to enjoy it to the full.
Thanks to Kev I arrived back in Alfreton nicely in time for the TM Travel departure and was back at base an hour earlier than planned...result.

PAID IN

TEVERSAL AND GRIMSBY BOROUGH ENTERTAIN ALL WITH 3-3 DRAW

TEVERSAL 3 V GRIMSBY BOROUGH 3
NCEL PREMIER @ CARNARVON ST 28 APRIL 2015 7.45PM

THE STANDS AT CARNARVON ST

This game could easily have finished 7-7 and either team with better finishing could have come away with all three points but in the end a share of the points was more than fair.  As ever at the end of the season there are always games with nothing to play for but this one provided a cracking 90 minutes of entertainment with at times a feisty element to the proceedings too.
The game in a moment but first the journey, I say journey Teversal is one of my closest clubs and I well remember a few years back that Carnarvon St would be the destination quite a few times during my season, well sadly this was my first visit of the 2014/15 season.  Since evening public transport back from Teversal has become impossible my visits have dropped off the scale and it was great to revisit tonight its always a club that I have enjoyed popping along too.  Tonights early arrival saw the blog pick up a little tea time eats from the COOP at Stanton Hill, scene tonight of an amazing accident were a Range Rover had careered through two gardens coming to rest in the front of a house. 

CHANGING ROOMS, CLUB HOUSE, HOSPITALITY AND PAY BOX ALL CLOSE TOGETHER

On arrival at the ground the surrounding area is now very open following the demolition of the 'Grange' country club now exposing the cricket pitch with new cabin changing rooms dropped on site. 

Following payment at the entrance pay cabin to the right is the main area at Teversal with in the immediate corner the hospitality cabin and latched onto this the bar, conservatory area and food bar.  Moving around is the players changing room block with a new addition at the far end being in building mode one would guess for a toilet block[?]


EVERY LITTLE HELPS

Moving around the ground which is completely of hard standing the far goal as the 'famous' Tesco trolly shelter stands.  These were of an old variety and in place at Carnarvon St much before Tesco became the power house of the last few years.  Coming around to the top side touchline we have the dug outs which are literally that dug out into the ground for the seated occupier.  Immediately behind is a two rowed stand with blue tip up seats and a bench seated section behind.  Moving further round is an attatched stand which is a little more substantial in the capacity stakes again made up of blue tip up seats.  Coming round behind the entrance goal at the far corner to where we came in is a new build which I assume is for the grounds mans use.


WOODEN BASED MAIN STAND

The bar area is small but homely and the same can be said for the snack bar, the little conservatory adds a nice touch too and it was great to meet a fair few hoppers tonight, quite a few too mention.



JOHN WITH PIE AND A BLOG CARD, IN THE COMPANY
 OF GEORDIE
 

Pie Man John Lawton was there eating ..........well pies, or to be fair a pie, along side him Geordie both sporting their Matlock Town attire and proud of the Gladiators victory in last nights Derbyshire Senior Cup [7-0 over Gresley].  Greetings were also exchanged with assistant referee Ian Cox who is always a courteous chap and an interesting guy to have a chat with.  The blog was also delighted to see its old friend Dave formerly 'flag man' and kit man at Glapwell FC, he was in attendance with former Glapwell secretary Malc too.  Great to catch up with Dave who is always an interesting guy to chat with and I certainly enjoyed many evening games in his company at Hall Corner and look forward to catching up with him again soon.
So there was a fair selection of visitors and non league fans in attendance tonight something that swelled the attendance to a respectable 44 tonight.

FORMER GLAPWELL KIT MAN [AND FLAG MAN] DAVE SPORTING THE BURNLEY CLARET AND BLUE

So to the game and having seen an impressive Grimsby performance last week at Dronfield I confidently predicted that probably the leagues form team, excluding that 8-0 loss to Shirebroook, would secure a victory.  But this was third bottom against bottom so who knew what to expect.  Needless to say the prediction didn't start well with Teversal taking an early lead when James McCann fired home from the penalty spot after 4 minutes.  Grimsby equalised after 13 minutes when a lose ball fell to Nathan Stanley who fired home from close range.  The visitors were now looking to get a grip of the game and on 21 minutes they stormed into the lead with a glorious goal.  Oliver Hamilton cut on off the right weaved his way past three Teversal defenders before firing past Neil West into the bottom right corner of the home goal. 

OLIVER HAMILTON CONGRATULATED AFTER MAKING IT 2-1 TO BOROUGH

Grimsby pushed on and really should have gone further clear but it was Teversal who equalised 10 minutes before half time when Richard Guest looped one in from the left hand side of the penalty box.
The second half was a tighter affair in the early stages but it was Teversal who took the lead again on 62 minutes with a cracking goal that matched Borough's second.  On the left Blake Vincent stormed down the wing whipped in a tantalising cross that the in running James McCann met with a superb header to beat James Swann in the visitors goal, for his second


ALL TOGETHER ...JUMP

ASSISTANT REFEREE IAN COX

Just as it looked like Teversal would push on it was of course the visitors who proved that theory wrong when they got their third and Oliver Hamilton secured his second with a curving corner off the left which beat West in the home goal to end up in the far corner of the net, 72 minutes.  Five minutes later keeper West was replaced by Thomas Bates with Blake Vincent donning the goalkeepers jersey.
Chances came and went with this time a belief in the draw being the inevitable and fair outcome for this highly entertaining game.

So the blog finally made a Teversal visit for the season 14/15 and thankfully I did get a game in at Carnarvon St before the end of the season and it was an enjoyable evening with a club who are always trying hard.

Well done to both teams it was an entertaining game for an end of season game well enjoyed by the blog.

EVERY TEAM NEEDS GOOD SUPPORT [STRUCTURE]

LICHFIELD SUCCUMB TO TWO FIRST HALF GOALS FROM HEATHER ST JOHNS

LICHFIELD CITY 1 V HEATHER ST JOHNS 2
MIDLANDS FOOTBALL LEAGUE 1 @ THE CITY GROUND 25 APRIL 2015 3PM

TODAYS LINE UP

[As usual a few more pictures are available on the 'we all stand together' Facebook page]
Two first half goals from the visitors settled this drab end of season affair despite a late rally from Lichfield following a Mark Rose header which reduced the arrears.
It hardly seems a week since last weeks hop to The Faw Trophy final at Llandudno but on the road we were again today to Lichfield home of Samuel Johnson, first English Dictionary, Darwens grandfather and current constituency MP Michael Fabricant famous for his head covering.  Quite a few of the candidates for the forthcoming election were in the city but Mr Fabricant was in the next door town of Burntwood so we were unable to capture a photo of him for the blog.
Todays journey was made by changing at Derby and Tamworth before arriving at Lichfield at around half past midday.  Having never departed at either Tamworth or Lichfield both stations were quite interesting in the they are at a higher and lower level with lower levels taking a roughly east west immediate direction.  You certainly need to get your head around how to access the platform you require, both stations are very much n a 1970's concrete build style.

LICHFIELD'S FAMOUS CATHEDRAL

A quick hour and an quarter around the city saw the blog take in a view of the house were afore mentioned Samuel Johnson was born and then then pretty surroundings of Lichfield's 3 spired cathedral.  There was a few minutes spare to have a quick look inside but sadly not long enough to go round the whole cathedral mainly due to the requirement for food and the now sharp showers that were hovering overhead.  The Acorn a Wetherspoons was busy when we came past so we opted to call back on the return of our center tour and it was still a task to get a table.  Sadly it was a un favored table by the main doors and when a few moments later fish and chips were somewhat launched at us it would appear the afternoon would take a down hill pattern.
Dinner eaten we took a pleasant walk to the ground and had a moment to take a look on nearby Hermes Rd at the HQ of The Central England COOP.

CITY GROUNDS ENTRANCE GATES LOOKING GOOD

Lichfield City are situated just off Eastern Ave down a cul de sac road and at the end the lane pulls off to the left into a car park that houses the club house and changing rooms.  the club houses is of a nice size and has the usual bar, pool table and wall mounted TV's.  To the side the main entrance is open as we arrive at 2.15pm with no sign of an official we pop in and take the obligatory pictures and do a circuit there is also time for a quick call on the officials changing room to get the teams.

LOOKING BACK TO THE CLUB HOUSE PAST THE TERRACED ATCOST STAND
AND FURTHER DOWN THE SEATED ATCOST STAND

LICHFIELD CITY JACKETS LOOKING GOOD

So the ground, to the right of the entrance the hard standing tarmac terracing goes all the way around the ground which is enclose via net green coated metal mesh fencing.  The right hand side touchline has two dugouts on it which are arched away from the pitch, behind the top goal is the continuing walk way and further outside is Eastern Avenue whistling by.  Coming back down the other touchline we have two stands one in each half.  Firstly in the top half an Atcost stand with a stepped terracing.  Above this diagonally behind the corner flag is a respectful memorial marble seat to 'Wappo',  Phillip Latham somebody who was clearly held close by Lichfield City FC.  Below the half way a further small Atcost stand which is seated.  We come back to the club house which outside looking onto the pitch is a covered terraced area something which we need to shield in the latter stages of the second half when the rain showers become heavier and more joined up in nature.
We hovered around the entrance and at 2.45 the 'gate' was finally manned and we bought two programmes and paid our admission money.  The club clearly don't operate a 'gate' until late and probably due to the late arrival of most people who seemed to turn up in the last 5 minutes.

Before the game starts its fair to say the pitch could probably have done with a cut and the surface, as everywhere was now, becoming hard and bobbly.
An early goal appeared to settle down Heather St Johns when after 12 minutes Ryan Caputo sent in a low drive from 18 yards that found the bottom left hand corner of the net.  Most of the remainder of the second half was a struggle for both sides who showed little in ideas of how to control the ball or the game for that matter.  For the sake of the game if it stopped tight and at 1-0 Lichfield had a chance to give us an entertaining second session.  Well that theory fell flat when on the stroke of half time Lichfield failed to clear their lines and from a lose ball Kiam Gadins lashed home a shot which home keeper, Ryan Moore, frustratingly got his hand to but could just not keep out of the net.

CITY KEEPER MOORE AT FULL STRETCH

HEATHER KEEPER SCOTT HANDLEY ALSO AT FULL STRETCH

The second half was instantly forgettable as a mode of entertainment the nearest anybody came to threatening, before the late deficit reduction, was 15 minutes from time when Mark Rose took too long to convert at the back stick and allowed Heather defender Grant Ryder the chance to block his effort. 

With 4 minutes remaining Lichfield reduced the arrears when Jordan Hunt provided the cross that Rose towered above everybody else to head home. 

ROSE GIVES CITY AT CHANCE AS HE MAKES IT 1-2 IN THE CLOSING MINUTES

The remaining minutes which included around 7 minutes of stoppage time were the most entertaining of the game as Lichfield saw the possibility of a point and Heather saw the prospect of losing all three .

HANDS ON APPROACH

Overall a poor end of season affair with little to espouse in the excitement stakes.
The usual quick dash back to Lichfield Trent Valley station with departure platform arrived at with about 3 minutes to spare, return connections at Tamworth and Derby were well made with seats obtained on all three trains, a result!
It was a long way from the excitement of Wales last week and this was a first visit for the blog to Lichfield City Fc with a visit to the lovely city center being a well recommended must.

A NEW LONDON MIDLAND 350 THAT DEPARTED US AT LICHFIELD EX EUSTON
BUT OUR MODE OF TRANSPORT FROM JUST 5 MINUTES AWAY AT TAMWORTH

GRIMSBY BOROUGH WONDER STRIKE BREAKS THE DEADLOCK

DRONFIELD TOWN 0 V GRIMSBY BOROUGH 1
NCEL 1 @ STONELOW ROAD 22 APRIL 2015 7.45PM

MATCH ACTION WITH THE GREAT WALL [FENCE] OF DRONFIELD IN PICTURE

This was an industrious game won with a wonderful free kick just 9 minutes from time by an ever improving Grimsby Borough who have seen the recovery come too late to avoid the bottom spot in the league.  Dronfield were challenged for a full strength team but will be disappointed with the final score tonight.
So back up to North Derbyshire tonight and as ever Dronfield visits start with Paul at the Jolly Frier for a large cod and chips and as usual a very enjoyable feast it was too.  Its around five weeks since my last visit to Dronfield for the game against Clipstone and there is a good review of the establishment and the ground here at Stonelow Rd so I wont re visit to much of that in this blog. 

A QUICK CUT BEFORE KICK OFF

So an early arrival at the ground saw large tractor racing up and down the pitch with a final mow of the grass before said operator disembarked to complete a smart job of the lines.  A quick dash back to pay and a nice chat with the gateman before taking a little of the Dronfield reserves game versus Eyam in the Hope Valley League which is on an outer pitch on site.  On arrival back to the main pitch it was encouraging to be welcomed by Dronfield manager Craig Butler who kindly invited me in for a mug of tea, cheers. 

THE MANAGEMENT CRAIG BUTLER [LEFT] AND JON GRAY

We had a little chat and it was good to see Dronfield recovering from a slow start after much re organisations following most of the teams departure to Clisptone in the close season.  The Town's season was disturbed by their serious drainage problems at Stonelow Rd something the club are working hard to solve in the close season, we wish them well in this venture.  It was also good to catch up with Rich Stevenson who would later be seen with goal keeping gloves on warming up keeper Steven Booth, Rich did request me to get his better side in any photo's hopefully I've got somewhere near mate?

COACH RICH STEVENSON AND HIS GOOD SIDE?

There was also a nice surprise in catching up with Matt Walsh former Alfreton Town maestro and now referees assessor following his journey into refereeing that saw him rise quickly to Conference level.  Good to catch up with Matt and reminisce about the Alfreton days in the 80's a club that I followed widely in that decade.  It was also interesting to hear Matt had played in Mickey Droy's Chelsea testimonial at Stamford Bridge when he was on Arsenal's books.  Chelsea was a side I watched in the not so good days in the 80's when they were struggling at the bottom of the old second division and when amazingly London derby games against Crystal Palace pulled in only around 8,000.  Still a nice new fact from Matt that I did not know about his time in football.
The crowd was slowly coming in , slowly being the optimum word as at 7.20 there was only the blog there, final gate just 22.  This is a real shame that a town the size of Dronfield cannot seem to come along and support the club, its all the more surprising when the club runs so many sections and there seems to be little attendance from these groups at first team home games.  Hopefully they will start to get behind the main team as they are a good crew here as ever trying to do their best.

TONIGHTS MATCH OFFICALS HEADED UP BY JOSH BRAMALL LEAD THE TEAMS OUT

The first half was an industrious hard working affair with little in the way of clear cut chances save for a fantastic double save from Grimsby keeper James Swann with a double effort in the same move from Christain Savage and then from the lose ball Nick Horsfield hit the post.

DUG OUTS AT STONELOW RD

The second half saw Dronfield start strong with Savage setting off on a weaving run on 55 minutes and his end shot well parried by Swann in the visitors goal.
Gradually though Grimsby got an upper hand in the game and on 63 minutes they nearly took the lead when Steve Davis, right on cue, fired a cross goal shot that saw Luke Fanthorpe just fail to connect at the far post for what would have been the opening goal.  Dronfield had a further lucky escape on 71 minutes Kyle Bensley's superb through ball set up Daniel Simpson who fired wide as Dronfield keeper Booth came out to meet him.  Then ten minutes later Dronfield saw their luck run out Referee Bramall awarded the visitors a free kick 20 yards out for a foul and Borough captain James Atkin hit a curling dipping free kick that evaded the wall and lodged itself into the left hand side of the goal for a superb strike that belied much of the previous efforts of both sides in this game.
One goal settled it and Dronfield will probably feel slightly unfortunate but Grimsby became stronger as the game went on and will be delighted with another victory as they look to tighten the gap at the bottom of the table its just a shame for them that their recovery as come way to late to save their season.
Quick walk back to Dronfield station for a five minute journey before bussing back to base.  Good visit with some friendly faces making the evening enjoyable.

THE NOW SEATED STAND WITH EX DON VALLEY STADIUM
BIN ON SHOW, SAD HOPPER SPOT!