Derbyshire FA Senior Challenge Cup - Round 1 (07/10/2015 19:45)

Christchurch Meadow is one of my favourite football grounds. Very rarely will one find a ground in the shadow of a building of World Heritage. Belper Town's pitch is an unusual such example in that it lies close to the East Mill which is part of the Derwent Valley Mills  UNESCO 'site'.
The only shadows on Wednesday evening however were the ones cast by the floodlights illuminating the playing surface upon which Belper Utd. (Belper Town's cohabitants) and Gamesley FC would contest a first round county cup game.
This was to be a clash of two tier 11 teams. Gamesley FC play their league games in the Cheshire Football League Premier Division (due to their proximity to the border) whereas Belper Utd., this evening, were representing the might of the Central Midlands Football League Division South.
Upon arrival at the ground we (myself, my father and family friend) noticed that United were warming up wearing last season's Derby County training apparel. My father surmised that this must have been a gift from Derby County and to add weight to this argument pronounced that he had evidence of The Rams' generosity as he and the other Derby County season ticket holders had just received free scarves from the club.
Soon after kick-off we realised that we were watching a game of a commendable quality. Both teams demonstrated their willingness and ability to play 'the beautiful game' in the appropriate manner. That said, Belper demonstrated their superior quality by obtaining a 3:0 half-time lead.
The first came from a left wing cross and a tidy 8 yard finish by the onrushing striker, the second came from the penalty spot and the third came again from the left, via a cross that found the head of a Belper team mate. Gamesley's only response was a shot that hit the crossbar.
At half-time, while enjoying a pint of Guinness, I chatted to a chap whose son used to play for United. He was interested in my Derbyshire non-league exploits and I showed him, on my phone, the photos I had recently taken at Heanor Town and Glossop North End.
There was less quality and more clattering challenges in the second-half as the players tired. The only move of note was a strong run down the left by Belper, a good cross and a shot that hit the cross bar.
The key player in the game was Belper's left sided midfielder, Michael Dunne, and we wondered why he wasn't playing in a higher league.