Gresley FC 1, Stocksbridge Park Steels 0 (30/12/2016 19:45) - Where the Fog is Burton?

Over my Christmas holiday the weather had scuppered my chances of seeing all the football I had wanted to. Frozen pitches had been the order of week and freezing fog had made the travelling treacherous. It was a little foggy tonight as myself and my father made our way to the Moat Ground for this evening's tier 8, NPL South, match.

I have seen Gresley (Rovers) play many times and I really like their homely old fashioned stadium and their sloping pitch. Tonight they were entertaining a team from Sheffield who were 11th in the league. Gresley were 16th at the start of play.

20 years ago Gresley Rovers were on the brink of Conference (tier 5) football and they got to the FA Vase final. Their poor stadium and then financial problems cost them promotion and then caused them to go into administration. They had to reenter the footballing pyramid, as Gresley FC, in the East Midlands Counties League. In the glory days they played Burton Albion in derby games over the Christmas period. Where are Burton Albion now? Tier 2! 'The Ben Robinson Miracle'. Those derby days are long gone but Gresley is still a smashing little club.

As myself and my father and the other 227 fans arrived at the ground we were welcomed by the Tannoy blaring out some old 60s tunes. The Gresley sub's warmed up and after one of them had fired a ball into an adjacent garden he received a berating from the coach "Oy! we've lost 17 balls already this year! They're £28 each!" A 1 minute silence was observed for the passing of the youth teams' coach mother and then the game began.

Gresley started the game more brightly with the advantage of the slope and soon took the lead. Some fast and skillful play down the left produced a chance for the number 10. From the inside of the left hand angle of the box he rifled a shot into the bottom corner of the goal past the 'keeper's right hand.

Gresley had the better of the first-half although the Stocksbridge fast number 7 caused some problems from time to time. Gresley should have gone into the break two goals to the good. A striker was sandwiched by two defenders and a penalty was awarded. A weak right foot shot was easily saved by the 'keeper' falling to his right.

Three injuries to Gresley players upset the balance of the team in the second-half. But Gresley hung on.

Shirebrook Town 0, Rossington Main 3 (26/12/2016 15:00) - Derbyshire Done

With this game I completed my challenge of seeing all Derbyshire teams that currently compete in the top 11 tiers of English football. Today's game was a Northern Counties East League Division One (tier 10) clash between 13th placed Shirebrook Town and 19th placed Rossington Main at Shirebrook's Langwith Road ground.

Shirebrook is often in the news; or more accurately, the SportsDirect warehouse in the town is often in the news. I wanted to provide a balanced review of the impact of the warehouse on life in the town but I was only able to find a Mail Online link.

Rossington have, over the Christmas period, signed three new players to bolster their chances of avoiding relegation, whereas Shirebrook may be plunged back into a relegation fight depending on the outcome of disciplinary proceedings. In their previous match Shirebrook refused to return to the field of play for the second-half.

This was hardly a local derby for a Boxing Day match. The visitors had to make the 50 minute drive from their Doncaster homes. Myself and my father, incidentally, had to make a similar distanced trip from my Boxing Day dinner at my parent's house.

Myself and my father were impressed with the club's set up. Its stands and facilities could easily grace tier 8. The bobbly pitch though let the club down a little.

Rossington had the advantage of the slight slope and the wind on their backs in the first half and raced into a three goal lead, their dangerous wing play causing panic in the Shirebrook defence. Shirebrook looked a lot poorer than league position suggested. We found out the reason for this by overhearing a club official explaining the situation. Apparently a lot of the players picked up food poisoning at a Christmas party. They were lucky to get enough players to make up the team. There were no substitutes and only the manager and coach were on the bench.

Shirebrook looked more dangerous in the second half as Rossington sat back. The decent looking numbers 5 and 9 linked up well a number of times but were, between them, unable to pull a goal back.

Rossington's goals are described thus:

0:1 Good work and an overlap down the left resulted in the number 11 being found free on the edge of the box. He placed his shot to the corner of the goal past the right hand of the 'keeper.
0:2 A towering header downwards from the big number 9, from a corner, skidded past the 'keeper's feet.
0:3 The number 10, diagonally 7 yards out from the 'keeper's left hand post, drilled a shot through the 'keeper's hands.

An overview and list of the tier 9 Derbyshire teams that I have seen at home in league action can be found in the following link.
http://footytourist.blogspot.co.uk/2016/02/football-in-derbyshire.html

A list of the tier 10 and 11 teams seen by the end of 2016 (in league or cup action, home or away) is shown below:

Shirebrook Town (T10 - Northern Counties East League Division One)
Dronfield Town (T10 - Northern Counties East League Division One)
Belper United (T10 - East Midlands Counties League) 
Graham Street Prims (T10 - East Midlands Counties League)
Borrowash Victoria (T10 - East Midlands Counties League)
South Normanton Athletic (T10 - East Midlands Counties League)
Stapenhill (T10 - East Midlands Counties League)
Holbrook Sports (T10 - East Midlands Counties League)
FC Bolsover (T11 - Central Midlands League North Division)
Clay Cross Town (T11 - Central Midlands League North Division)
Tideswell United (T11 - Central Midlands League North Division)
Mickleover RBL (T11 - Central Midlands League South Division)
Swanwick Pentrich Road (T11 - Central Midlands League South Division)
Pinxton (T11 - Central Midlands League South Division)
Holbrook St Michaels (T11 - Central Midlands League South Division)
Hilton Harriers (T11 - Staffordshire County Senior League Premier Division)
Ashbourne (T11 - Staffordshire County Senior League Premier Division)
Aston United (T11 - Nottinghamshire Senior League)
Sandiacre Town (T11 - Nottinghamshire Senior League)
Whaley Bridge (T11 - Cheshire Football League)

Gamesley (T11 - Cheshire Football League) club disbanded at end of 2015/16 season
South Normanton (Town) (T11 - Central Midlands League South Division) 2nd team of Athletic

The young and the old and a missed game in Germany (03/12/2016)

Hannover 96’s second string (u21’s, reserves, development squad - whatever you want to call them) play in the 4^th tier of German football, the Regionalliga Nord. They play their homes games at the Eilenriedestadion, the original home of Hannover 96. There H96 have established an excellent small modern stadium and academy set up.

The original art-deco main stand of the stadium, adjacent to the former finishing line of the athletics track that would have encompassed the pitch, is now behind a goal and two new stands have been built on the flanks of the realigned pitch.

We (myself and my mate I was visiting in Hannover) were due to see ‘ H96 II’ in league action at the Eilenriedestadion but due to some confusion we missed the game by a matter of 18 hours. We did get to watch some football though. On one of the academy’s artificial pitches the U15’s were entertaining the U15’s of VFL Osnabruck.

The game ended 0:0 but is it was not devoid of action and good skill. Both teams played some nice football but the best chance came the way of the Hannover youngsters. The big left sided midfielder whipped in a beautiful cross from the wing and found the number 9 in a central position 8 yards out with a ball that looked easier to convert than to miss, but miss he did.

The individual player that stood out was the Osnabruck midfielder, number 6. He looked comfortable on the ball and taking on players and pinging long passes accurately to the feet of his team mates.  

I was actually wishing Osnabruck would sneak a winner as Osnabruck is Derby’s twin city.

Holbrook St Michaels 1, Swanwick Pentrich Road 4 (19/11/16 13:30)

With a free Saturday afternoon I scanned the fixtures for a local game. Much to my delight I saw that a Central Midlands Football League Challenge Cup (sponsored by Buckingham Insurance) tie was to be played at Holbrook Park; with the Saints entertaining The Swans in a second round, tier 11 league, cup game.

I had seen mid-table Swanwick Pentrich Road win their first round game and as such this could become another 'road to the final' challenge. I had also seen The Saints this season as well, in a capitulation against Aston United.

The Swans had not progressed in the league since the time I saw them in September. There were a couple of obvious absentees from that team and they looked the weaker for it. They still had enough about them, however, to overcome a team with only one win under their belt this season.

Although The Saints started brightly, The Swans soon took control of the game with two goals. The Saints rallied and got a goal back to give them hope for the second-half. A good start to the second-half with some good work down the left could have resulted in an equaliser for the Saints but the 'keeper did well to maintain The Swans advantage. Two quick goals around the 70 minute mark killed the game and The Swans wound up rightful winners.

My man of the match was The Swans stocky forward, their number 10, who looked dangerous with the ball at his feet in and around the box.

The goals are summarised thus:

0:1 - a good though ball put the number 10 clear and from a central position on the edge of the box he fired his shot under the 'keeper. The 'keeper managed to get something on the ball but not enough to stop it trickling over the line.
0:2 - with the Saints' defence asleep a neat ball in from the left found the number 10 ten yards out and, with a neat turn, he shot past the 'keeper.
1:2 - good work down the right and a good pass into the centre of the box found a Saints player who got a shot away and past the 'keepers right hand.
1:3 - with the Saints unable to clear the ball from their box the ball broke to The Swans' number 8 who fired a shot from 18 yards to the 'keepers left.
1:4 - panic in The Saints defence and with the 'keeper out of position, number 10 fired in from 18 yards.

Hilton Harriers 3, Stapenhill 3 (Stapenhill win on pens.) DSCR2 (12/11/16 14:00)

It was my intention today to watch Shirebrook Town to complete my challenge of seeing all the Derbyshire teams that play in the top 11 tiers of English football. A friend, and my companion for the afternoon, persuaded me otherwise, and I am glad he did. We witnessed a classic Derbyshire Senior Challenge Cup game in which tier 11 Hilton Harriers performed magnificently to hold tier 10 Stapenhill to a 90 minute 3:3 all draw at the Mease Pavilion.

There are no replays in the Derbyshire SC Cup, and in this case there was no extra time in the fading South Derbyshire light. It was straight to penalties and Stapenhill won 3:2. Hilton missed 3 of their 5. P3 was stuck straight down the middle at the 'keeper, P4 was saved well by the 'keeper to his right and the decisive P5 was struck against the crossbar.

I have written quite a few words about Hilton Harriers in these blogs, and with good reason. It is community clubs like this that are the lifeblood of English football. Again, upon arrival at the Mease, it was heartening the see an overflowing car park and the youngsters in their practice matches and skill training sessions.

Prior to the game itself we marked our respect to our fallen heroes, and then battle commenced.

Stapenhill started more brightly and deserved the early lead. Hilton battled away and, with the help of some AWOL defending from Stapenhill, took a late lead in the game. The back end of the game was dominated by Stapenhill however; they got the late equaliser and struck the bar twice.

The goals are summarised thus:

0:1 - Good work down the left found No. 10 in the left hand side of the box who, after some nice control to keep the defenders at bay, unleashed a shot past the 'keeper's left hand from 12 yards.
1:1 - A scrappy goal in the 6 yard box converted on the turn.
2:1 - A cross from the right found a Hilton man on the far post and a composed kneeling head found the net.
2:2 - No. 10, holding off defenders with some good control, fired home a  left footed shot, from the corner of the 18 yard box, past the 'keeper's right hand.
3:2 - An unmarked Hilton player in a left of centre position got the ball past the 'keeper.
3:3 - A ball whipped in from the right and a lovely glancing header from 8 yards got the ball past the 'keeper's right hand.

My man of the match was the big Stapenhill number 10 and it will be good to compare him against a similar player, Glossop's Jamie Rainford, in Round 3.

Clay Cross Town FC 5, Pinxton FC 2 (08/11/2016 19:45)

The second round draw of the Derbyshire Senior Challenge Cup brought together two teams from the Central Midlands Football League (Tier 11). Clay Cross play in the northern section whereas Pinxton play in the southern section.

Clay Cross, 'The Millers', play there home games at the Mill Lane Ground in the town. Under a previous sponsorship deal the ground used to be known as the 'I Want Pet Foods' ground. In this age of sponsorship there have been some odd ground names but this has to be one of the strangest. Being from Derby I know that The Rams play at a stadium named after an energy drink. Some ground names are funny even without sponsorship. Other funny ground names have included / do include:

Tony Macaroni Arena - Livingstone
KitKat Cresent - York
The Dripping Pan - Lewes
Arnold Schwarzenneger Stadium - Graz
Middelfart Stadium - Denmark
Cheaper Insurance Direct Stadium - Dumbarton
Hunky Dorys Park - Drogheda
Bargain Booze Stadium - Northwich
The World of Smile Stadium - Cheltenham

As I have already had a 'pop' at the name of Derby County's stadium and, as my companion for this evening was a Nottingham Forest fan, I thought it only fair to comment on the name of The Reds' ground. They play at The City Ground. The City Ground is technically in West Bridgford, a town, not a city.

Mill Lane is narrow; too narrow really to cope with fans parking along it outside the ground. But we had to park on the road as the car park at the ground is tiny. I was surprised at the number of cars and I was surprised at the number of fans attending on a cold, rainy, autumn night for such an insignificant cup game. But 60 or so hardy souls turned up. A number of Pinxton fans were in the crowd, but I guess that the 9 miles they had to travel was not too arduous (unlike for me who drove from work in Northamptonshire).

The playing surface was of an excellent standard and the rain added a 'zip' to the run of the ball upon it. The ground itself was tidy with a modern and functional covered standing and seating area, under which we stood.

The Millers are doing quite well this season and have gained some loyal followers. It was the first time, at this level, I had seen fans wearing scarves sporting the name of their club. It was nice to see. Clay Cross deserve a decent following and I intend to visit again.

Clay Cross, playing in their sky blue home kit, were the better team and the eventual score line did not flatter them. The tangerine clad Pinxton did not really threaten the goal in the first half, bar a couple of tantalising crosses that flew across Millers' six yard box. Pinxton did get into the game in the second half, for a short while, but only when Clay Cross took their foot off the gas after going 2:0 up. But the match was really about how good Clay Cross were. They looked dangerous going forward. Their right winger had a blinding turn of pace and the left sided midfielder had some nice skills including some deft touches, feints and dips of the shoulder.

The goals are summarised thus:

1:0 - A ball in from the right found an unmarked attacker at the far post and from seven yards and the striker converted the chance by placing the ball back past the 'keepers' left hand.
2:0 - A short corner to the edge of the box was riffled through the throng of players at the 'keeper. The 'keeper spilt the ball which was pounced upon at close range.
2:1 - A ball upfield from Pinxton was well controlled 25 yards out by the striker who then struck the ball past the 'keeper from the edge of the box.
3:1 - A perfectly weighted ball across the six yard box followed from a good run down the right; the ball being swept home by the onrushing attacker in a central position.
3:2 - A lovely weighted lob from 25 yards was placed beyond the outstretched arm of the scrambling goal keeper.
4:2 - From a corner the ball broke to a Miller on the edge of the box who fired his shot past the 'keeper.
5:2 - A lifted right wing cross picked out perfectly a player in blue, who, with a towering header from 6 yards, gave the 'keeper no chance.

Tideswell United 1, FC Bolsover 3 (05/11/2016 14:00)

There were a number of firsts today: 1) the first Central Midlands Football League North (Tier 11) game I had seen, 2) my first proper North Derbyshire derby and 3) the first time I had seen either of these clubs play.

Both clubs are new to the league this season. Tideswell have made their way up through the lower leagues, whereas FC, a newly formed club, have been allowed straight in at this level. FC have some ambition to progress and at the time of writing sit top of the league. Tideswell themselves are in the top half after making a respectable start to the season.

The ground itself, 'The Tideswell Sports Complex' is very tidy. The standard of the facilities are so high that it has been used by the academies of both Sheffield league clubs. It sits under the shadow of the tower of 'The Cathedral of the Peaks' adjacent to the village school.

It was a lovely drive from my home along the Peak District's lanes to get to Tideswell and from the ground itself one can see the rolling hills and their dry stone walls.

At the ground I chatted to a scout from New Mills FC. It has been sad to see this North Derbyshire team fall down the footballing pyramid. And it is sadder still that they have been forced to look at tier 11 players as potential recruits for their team.

Standing under the roof of the small stand I sheltered from the cold November breeze as I watched the game unfold. The pitch sloped very slightly and FC had the 'downhill advantage' in the first-half. FC were deserved winners in this game. They looked dangerous on the attack and the big Ian Ormondroyd style centre forward acted as an excellent target and link-up man. In addition to the goals FC hit the woodwork twice and they could easily have won by a clearer margin.

The goals are summarised below:

0:1 - The ball was fired in from the byline of the FC right wing and was sliced, at the near post, by a Tideswell defender into his own net.
0.2 - A great 20 yard shot on the turn beat the Tideswell  'keeper.
1:2 - Shot from the angle of 18 yard box took a deflection off a defender over the 'keeper.
1:3 - A 35 yard low driving shot from a left field position found the bottom right hand corner of the goal after the 'keeper was out of position following a poor clearance.

A Weekend in Malta

This weekend saw me add the Maltese top flight to my collection of UEFA affiliated leagues. I have now seen top flight league games in 32 out of the 55 nations.

Malta has a population similar to that of Bristol and, as you would expect for such a small nation, the Football Association tightly manages the league, teams and available playing surfaces. Only a small handful of grounds are used by the 12 teams in the league and the Saturday and Sunday fixtures are played as double-headers, two games are played back to back at the same venue. For fans of football, like me, this is fantastic, as great value is had by witnessing two games for the price of 1 (7 Euro) ticket.

The standard of football is difficult to judge but I would hazard a guess at levels ranging from tier 5 to tier 7 English equivalent. Birkirkara, one of the better teams, actually dumped Heart of Midlothian out of the Europa League this year, indicating it is not a standard to be sniffed at.

On the morning of the Friday flight, from East Midlands Airport, I checked the weather forecast to find that I would need to pack a shower-proof and brolly. A prearranged taxi took us from Malta airport to our harbour front hotel in Sliema.

On the Saturday morning, ahead of the first double-header, we did some sightseeing in Valletta. I managed to find a small shop selling scarves and I picked up, at 7 Euros each, a Hamrun one and a Birkirkara one. We then walked to the Hamrun ground.

The one-sided Victor Tedesco stadium, with its plastic pitch, was compact and functional. Functional that is if there is no rain (an unusual occurrence in Malta). But rain it did, and blow it did, and our 2 umbrellas, along with at least 3 more belonging to other fans, were completely destroyed. For the second match we found some shelter by the turnstiles but our view was obstructed. My father actually missed a goal because of it.

For us English fans, watching football in the wind, rain and cold is common and we prepare ourselves accordingly. For the Maltese this is not the case. They seemed quite happy to stand or sit out in all conditions in their shirt-sleeves.

The number of fans watching Saturday's matches were in the dozens.

On the Sunday we headed to Mdina to see the pretty walled city before the matches at the National Stadium. The stadium complex can be seen from the city walls and a short walk got us to the ground well before kick-off.

In order to protect the playing surface of the National Stadium no warming up / training is done on it ahead of the games. The teams have to use the adjacent Centenary Stadium, a ground that hosts tier 2 matches. As we waited to get into the West Stand we saw the Mosta players head over there. The National Stadium itself is a multi-sports venue and we noted the similarity to Iceland's National Stadium which we visited in the summer.

The first game was very much an appetiser for the main event, the second, and televised, match. The number of fans watching the Sliema vs. Mosta were in the dozens. Their ranks were swelled from half-time onwards as they were joined by the Birkirkara and Hibernians fans. We found ourselves with the Sliema and Birkirkara fans. I fitted in quite well for the second game as I donned my rather natty yellow and red Birkirkara scarf.

Sliema, for the first game, had a club band consisting of two drums, cymbals, trumpet and french horn, and they played some well known tunes throughout the game. Birkirkara's fans were more colourful. They hung banners, waved flags, let off a smoke bomb and sang songs to encourage their team (to no avail).

A good few hundred fans witnessed the latter match.

At the bus stop after the game we noticed a family of Scottish Hibernian fans resplendent in their green and white colours. They must have been delighted to see their namesakes beat the team that beat Hearts!


Hamrun Spartans 2:1 Pembroke Athleta
BOV Premier League
29/10/2016 15:00
Victor Tedesco Stadium
Grech 14' (H), Triganza 18'(H) Maveski 55' (P)

Mid-table Hamrun started the game much better than their bottom of the table opponents and they took control of the match within the first 20 minutes. A shot from a central position, some 20 yards out, was going wide until a big deflection took the ball past the stranded 'keeper. Hamrun's powerful number 99, operating down the left caused all sorts of problems for the Pembroke right back and it was his run and cross which created the second goal. His cross was met on the far edge of the box and the right winger, with a deft touch, laid the ball back into the middle for the striker to slot the ball past the keeper's left hand from 17 yards.

Pembroke's first chance came on 32 minutes but the effort, from 6 yards, was fluffed by the striker.

Pembroke performed better in the second half and were soon back in the game when a good through ball found the striker, who calmly placed his shot from 12 yards out.

As the minutes ticked down, and as the players of the second match warmed up behind the goal, Pembroke had two good chances to level the score but could convert either.

Tarxien Rainbows 2:2 Balzan FC
BOV Premier League
29/10/2016 17:15
Victor Tedesco Stadium
A. Nilsson 11' and 51' (T), Alan 55' (B), Serrano (B) Red Card 81', Nafti 91' (B)

Lowly Tarxien deserved their lead in this game against the league leaders. An early lead was achieved from a good left of centre shot from 15 yards out after a through ball opened up the Balzan defence.

The lead was extended early in the secondhalf after some nice control by the number 8 was followed by a defence splitting pass to find the number 9 who found the back of the net from a narrow angle out left. Soon after however Balzan were back in the game when a hopeful ball into the Tarxien box caused panic. The flapping 'keeper could only push the ball out to the edge of the box to be met by an onrushing player who fired his shot through a couple of defenders.

The wins and rain niggled at the players and the players niggled at each other. A number of yellow cards we brandished by the referee and each tackle by Balzan was met with a chorus of 'Yellow Card!' from two ladies stood in from of us. The ladies got their prize on 81 minutes when a second yellow was shown to a Balzan player.

10 man Balzan pushed on to get their equaliser and a last gasp chance was offered to them when a late tackle occured on the edge of the Tarxien box. From the dead ball position, to the left of centre, the Balzan free-kick taker struck an unstoppable shot past the 'keepers left hand and into the top corner of the net. The goal was met with wild celebrations from the league leaders.

Shortly after, at the referee's final whistle, more wild scenes were witnessed as the niggled players all came together with as lot of pushing, shoving and 'handbags'. The cause of this I didn't see but I am sure that there will be some repercussions.

Sliema Wanderers 1:1 Mosta FC
BOV Premier League
30/10/2016 15:00
Ta'Qali National Stadium
Salomon 24' (S), Priso 57' (M)

Mid-table Sliema looked the more accomplished side against lowly Mosta. Mosta's game looked to be based around the energy and pace of the strikers. When the Mosta front line did break forward their was little in the way of support and little in the way of final quality.

Sliema took a deserving lead midway through the first half following some good play down the right. The winger pulled back a cross which was met 10 yards out, in a central position, by the forward who placed his shot past the 'keeper.

Sliema should have wrapped the game up before halftime. A clever chipped freekick caught the defence napping but the free header from 6 yards was soft and the 'keeper comfortably saved the effort.

Mosta levelled shortly after the break. The winger did well down the right to get to the byline and pull back a cross to a team mate. The 12 yard shot took a slight deflection which took the ball beyond the 'keepers right hand.

Sliema had a couple of late half chances but the spoils were shared.

Birkirkara FC 0:1 Hibernians FC
BOV Premier League
30/10/2016 17:00
Ta'Qali National Stadium
Failla (Pen) 78'

This game should have been the pick of the weekend but these teams, second and third in the league respectively, cancelled each other out and a rather dour game was the result.

Birkirkara has the best of the first half. Sustained pressure on 23 minutes resulted Hibernians clearing the ball off the goal line. Hibernians best chance in the first half came on 32 minutes when a free header from 7 yards was comfortable collected by the 'keeper. The fire, some way off behind the Main Stand, looked more dangerous than either of these teams' skrike forces.

As the game was beginning to look like a bore draw Hibernians were awarded a penalty. A needless outstretched arm of the Birkikara left back brought down a Hibernians player, 10 yards from the byline. The decision was controversial. Was the outstretched arm worthy of a foul being awarded? Was the foul actually in the box? Anyway, the left footed penalty taker put the ball to the 'keepers left and the game was won.

The Hibernians goal scorer undertook his celebrations in front of us and the Birkikara fans which resulted in a lot of booing and cat calling from those around us.

Sandiacre Town 1, Awsworth Villa 2 (22/10/16 15:00)

This afternoon saw myself and my father travel east, towards the Nottinghamshire border, to see a tier 11 match. Sandiacre Town, a Derbyshire team in the Nottinghamshire Senior League Premier Division, were entertaining Awsworth Villa in a league game at their St Giles Park ground.

Sandiacre are, at the time of writing, sitting mid-table; a respectable start to the season for the newly promoted club. Awsworth, however, had made an excellent start to the season, being unbeaten in their first 10 league games.

We were impressed with Aston United of the same league, when we saw them a few weeks before, and we were keen to see how these representatives of the league compared.

Arriving at the ground we were struck by the excellent standard of the facilities, which included floodlights and a covered standing area behind one goal, the latter being handy as it sheltered us from the drizzle which unexpectedly fell during the first 20 minutes of the game. The £2 entry fee was good value and included a simple match day progamme.

Awsworth started the game attacking the goal in front of the covered area under which stood. And in the first-half they looked much the better team with their classy looking numbers 7 and 10 causing problems for the Sandiacre defence down the right hand side. Awsworth, although troubled at times by the Sandiacre set pieces, went into the break two goals to the good.

The first goal came from a poor clearance by the Sandiacre 'keeper who could only find an opponent on the left angle of the 18 yard box. A simple ball back across goal left the stocky number 9 a simple tap in from 5 yards.

The second goal came by way of some nice play which resulted in the captain, number 10, getting into the box, left of goal, and firing a shot past the 'keeper's left hand from 8 yards.

Awsworth didn't look as threatening in the second-half and Sandiacre got a deserved goal back. A throw in from the right wing, by the corner flag, found the Sandiacre number 9 on the angle of the six yard box. A spinning shot crashed off 'keeper and post before crossing the line.

Late pressure by Sandiacre could have brought an equaliser but the substitute, number 20, fired over from close range late on.

The 30 spectators were entertained by the game and myself and my father have been left impressed by the standard of football that this league has to offer.

Hilton Harriers Seniors 2, Ashbourne FC 3 (08/10/16 14:30)

As a community club Hilton Harriers must be one of the finest in Derbyshire. It has all the age groups represented, all the way up to a veterans team. Arriving at the Mease Pavilion this afternoon I was heartened to see an overflowing car park, meaning that sporting facilities were in full use, and as I made my way to the Senior's pitch I passed the secondary pitch full of youngsters training and playing small competitive matches.

The game I wanted to see was the Senior's match. This, today, was an unusual one. It was a Derbyshire derby in the Staffordshire County Senior League Premier Division. Hilton were hosting Ashbourne FC in this tier eleven match up. Ashbourne are new to this level and they have real ambitions as a club. They currently play their home games at Rocester's ground as a new home is developed for them. It was Ashbourne that I particularly wanted to see as they are a team which I had not yet seen.

This game was never going to be a classic. Both teams started the day in the bottom six of the league, which, for Hilton especially, is a disappointing start to the season.

The match kicked off five minutes late as the Hilton team were a little late coming out of the pavilion, some 130 metres from  pitch itself, and because some fox poo had to be removed from the playing surface.

Hilton started brightly and won of free kick 19 yards from goal after the goalkeeper brought down the onrushing striker. Number 9 struck a fierce dead ball shot at the wall. A deflection took the ball passed the 'keeper.

Ashbourne went into the break 1:2 to the good however. Both goals came about from good play on the right hand side and poor Hilton defending. Both goals were scrambled affairs from close range.

Ashbourne soon extended their advantage in the second half through a disputed penalty. Number 11 was brought down in the box but their were lots of complaints that the defender had taken the ball first. Number 11 himself took the penalty but struck his effort straight at the 'keeper. The 'keeper could only parry the ball straight out into the feet of number 9 who calmly found the net.

Hilton pulled a goal back with the best goal of the game. Number 8, out left, took the ball into the Ashbourne box with great control, and with a great shot, across the 'keeper, found the bottom corner of the net.

30, reasonably well entertained, spectators witnessed an away win. And this now leaves me with 5 tier 10 or 11 Derbyshire teams left to see.

Holbrook St Michaels 3, Aston United 8 (01/10/16 15:00)

This afternoon saw myself and my father head north to watch Holbrook of the Central Midlands Football League (tier 11) entertain Aston United of the Nottinghamshire Senior League (tier 11), in the grounds of Holbrook Hall, in the first round of the Derbyshire Senior Cup.

The two teams have been having quite different 12 months. Aston were promoted into tier 11 and are, at the time of writing doing well, and sitting fourth in their league. Holbrook however are struggling, having been easily beaten in their six leagues game. This match up would therefore allow a good comparison in the standards of the two respective leagues to be made.

This game, for myself and my father, had additional interest. My father had played against both these teams in the 1960's for Sinfin Utd.

Arriving at the ground we were met by a girl taking the admission money. She struggled with the mathematics of admitting my father and myself, the cost of a raffle ticket (which I didn't check to see if I had won anything) and subtracting these costs from a £10 note. We parked behind the goal close to a classic, mint, sky blue Ford Escort mk1 and wandered around the pitch before choosing to sit close to the half-way line, undercover, in a tiny 'stand' of 10 seats, between the dug-outs, which sheltered us from the autumnal rain.

The game started as expected with Aston quickly racing into a two goal lead and we expected this to be an embarrassing walkover, but as Aston took their foot off the gas Holbrook came back to level the scoreline. Aston picked up the tempo again and, as Holbrok tired and chased the game, ran away with it.

Holbrook looked a poor team with only a powerful number 10 and a flame haired number 7 being standout players. Aston looked an all-round better team but it was their number 9, McCormack, who was man of the match, The 'Saints' could not cope with his runs, crosses and shooting ability. His team mates called him 'Bale'. I guess he is the 'Gareth Bale' of the Nottingham Senior League.

Based on what we saw today, Aston thrashing Holbrook, just as The Saints had been thrashed by the teams in the Central Midlands League, I think it is fair to say that the CMFL is of a comparable standard  to the NSL.

A summary of the goals is summarised:

0:1 - 'Bale', with a jinking run into the box, puts a right foot shot to the 'keepers left
0:2 - A cross from the left (after a corner from the right) finds the centre-half unmarked for a header from 6 yard
1:2 - The number 10 shoots past the 'keepers right hand from 20 yards
2:2 - 'Keeper parries a shot, with the number 8 stabbing in from the left hand side of the goal
2:3 - Number 8 is brought down in the box after a nice bit of control. Number 7 puts a left footed penalty to the 'keepers right
2:4 - An in swinging free kick finds the striker unmarked from 5 yards to convert his free header
2:5 - Number 10 whips in a cross to find 'Bale's' head in front of the 'keeper
3:5 - A great freekick from Holbrook's number 7, from 25 yards, finds the top left hand corner of the goal
3:6 - Good work from 'Bale' on the right provides a chance for number 4 to tap in from 6 yards
3:7 - A whipped in freekick causes the 'keeper to parry the ball straight out to 'Bale' only for 'Bale' to put the ball into the bottom left hand corner of the goal
3:8 - Defender needlessly throws an elbow at the ball in the box. Number 10 places his penalty kick to the 'keepers left

Swanwick Pentrich Road 3, Askern FC 1 (17/09/16 15:00)

This afternoon saw myself and my father head the 30 minutes north to the Derbyshire town of Swanwick to witness a CMFL Challenge Cup (sponsored by Buckingham Insurance) tie.

The Challenge Cup is for teams in the northern and southern sections of the Central Midlands Football League (Tier 11) and today Swanwick Pentrich Road (CMFL South) took on Askern FC (CMFL North) at Highfield Road. Both teams are mid-table in their respective leagues and as such a close game was anticipated.

Upon arrival at the ground we appreciated the homely club house and tidy roofed standing areas. The ground itself was well positioned on the edge of the town, with a playground and allotment down its flanks, with lovely views over to Ripley and of Swanwick's church tower. The pitch sloped gently down away from the club house with the far corner of the pitch dipping quite dramatically.

Swanwick made the best of the slope and gentle breeze on their backs in the first-half and comfortably went into the break two goals to the good. The first was scored early in the half when, following build up play on the left, the number 7 shot right footed to the top left hand corner of the goal from 10 yards out from a slightly right of centre position.

Swanwick's tricky number 8 scored their second after a jinking run into the box, taking the ball right, and finding the net from the edge of the 6 yard box.

To be honest Swanwick created several good chances in the first half and a could have gone in 4 or 5 goals to the good.

Askern, with the advantage of the slope and the breeze did better in the second half and got a goal back late on following some scrappy play in the Swanwick box. But Swanwick got back their deserved two goal cushion with minutes to play when the tricky number 8 fed a ball through the middle for the substitute striker to latch onto, and he calmly placed the ball under the onrushing keeper from 20 yards.

An enjoyable afternoon was had by myself and my father and the majority of the other 25 or so spectators.

Mickleover RBL 1, South Normanton FC 2 (10/09/16 15:00)

My first game of the 2016/17 season saw me take the short trip to Mickleover to watch a Central Midlands Football League (South) game. Mickleover Royal British Legion were entertaining South Normanton FC. This game was a double first for me... 1) my first visit to 'The Poppyfields'; and 2) the first time I had seen South Normanton FC.

Tier 11 South Normanton FC have some sort of association with Tier 10 South Normanton Athletic, the exact relationship I am yet to fathom, but the relationship is close enough for today's visitors to Derby to wear the same colours as their ground-sharing north Derbyshire namesakes.

RBL had the better of the first half and deserved their 15 minute lead. The nippy number 6 was set free down the right hand side and a good cross to the far post was met by his only RBL colleague in the box. The striker slotted the ball passed the onrushing keepers left hand.

South Normanton struck back shortly before half time, following the winning of a free kick on the right hand side mid-way in RBL's half. The free-kick taker whipped a quality ball into the box and it was met by the head of an attacker.

At half time I had a cup of tea (made by myself, with an honesty box contribution to the club of 50p) and got back out to watch the second half.

South Normanton looked better in the second-half as the home team tired but RBL still managed to create the better chances. South Normanton stole the game with a ball through the middle with the diminutive number 11 breaking clear of the defence. The attacker nicely placed his left foot shot to the keeper's left.

An entertaining afternoon was had at a club with lovely facilities. I thought it would be nice to return here and watch a game from the bar's balcony.

Derbyshire Senior Cup 2016/17

New teams!

Iceland 2016

The footballing world is in love with the current fairy story which is the Icelandic national team. Iceland, the small nation of some 330,000 people, defied all odds by producing a football team that qualified for Euro 2016. Not only did they qualify for the tournament itself, beating Holland on the way, they progressed through the group stages of the competition into the last 16 and then knocked an abject England side out to make it to the quarter finals.

During the Euro 2016 competition, and while Iceland were still competing in it, I travelled to Reykjavik to add the Icelandic footballing ‘top-flight’ to my collection of European leagues. This took my number of European national leagues in which I have seen a ‘premiership’ game to 31 out of the 55 which are affiliated to UEFA.

My weekend started in the early hours of Thursday 23^rd June. I collected my father and his friend, the pin-badge collecting Nottingham Forest fan, from their Derby homes and travelled to Manchester Airport. Our EasyJet flight was punctual and upon arrival at Reykjavik we caught the FlyBus into town. A ten minute walk then got us to our guest house.

We did a little bit of sight-seeing in order for us to get our bearings within the city which included a visit the ‘spaceship-looking’ church – Hallgrímskirkja. From its tower we got a fantastic view of the city and we tried to spot as many football grounds as possible from that vantage point.

23/06/16 (19:15) KR Reykjavik 1 - 2 ÍA Akranes

Relevance:

A Úrvalsdeild (top tier) match.

Location:

Alvogenvöllurinn

Goal Scorers:

Chopart 53’(K), Gunnlaugsson 83’ (Pen) and 90’ (I)

Attendance:

488

Match Day:

From the guest house we walked 30 minutes west through the suburbs of the city to get to the ground.

At the ground I purchased a scarf and my pin badge collecting colleague bought a badge, albeit a clip on type, and we chose our seats to the right of the half-way line.

As the ground began to fill we were joined in our location by fans of the Akranes team. From what we witnessed in this and the subsequent games there appears to be an informal ‘self-segregation’ between the home and away support where there is only one stand used – home fans to the left and visitors to the right. 

Akranes is a small town of some 7,000 people and a 40 minute drive from KR’s stadium and as such it was pleasing to see the good number of fans which came along to support team.

The home team’s support was led by lone fan who stood at the front stand. Resplendent in his black and white striped home shirt home and proudly wearing some sort of official badge on his arm, his chants were keenly followed, and joined in with, by two small children immediately behind him.

The home team looked far superior in the first 70 mins of the game and the standout players were their experienced looking right back and classy central and left midfield players. These players were involved in the three best chances in the first-half of the game.

The home team took a deserved lead when KR’s number 17 picked up the ball on the half-way line with a good bit of control that took him past his defender, a race down the line, a cut in into the centre, and a fierce right foot shot to the ‘keeper’s left from 20 yards.

The away fans, who were quiet, were even more quite until, against the run of play, a cross into the KR box resulted into the coming together of a defender, attacker and ball. The ball struck the raised hand of the defender and a penalty was awarded. The penalty was converted with a strike to the keeper’s right.

The Akranes fans now, from nowhere, had hope. The Akranes players also had hope of gaining full points from a game in which they looked second best for the majority. As Akranes pushed forward panic set into the home team. With a hopeful ball up field from Akranes, and with their strikers charging forward, the KR goalkeeper made a bad decision in rushing out of his box to attempt a headed clearance. The ball wasn’t effectively cleared, and from 25 yards, with a turning looping shot, Akranes found the top right hand corner of the goal with the goalkeeper floundering.

The Akranes fans around us were joyous, and at the end of the game, seconds later, the lady in front of us turned round to us with a beaming smile and my badge collecting shook her hand and congratulated her.

We judged the standard to be equivalent to a tier 8 (National League 2) English game.

24/06/16 (18:00) Fram 2 - 1 Leiknir Reykjavik

Relevance:

A 1.Deild (second tier) match.

Location:

Laugardalsvöllur

Goal Scorers:

Jónsson 49’(L), Magnússon 70’ (F), Gavrić 76’ (F)

Attendance:

200 approx.

Match Day:

The day started with a whale watching cruise around Reykjavik harbour. Unfortunately we didn’t see any whales but we were entertained by dolphins that swam about our boat, puffins which flapped their wings frantically as they flew inches above the surface of the water, and by a herd of small Asian tourists who snapped away on their cameras at anything that moved.

In the afternoon, from our guest house, we walked easterly for 30 minutes to the national stadium, adjacent to which is Throttur’s ground. As we passed Throttur’s ground we saw them watering the artificial surface in preparation for the later game.

We had a good look around the external features of the national stadium (a multipurpose arena) prior to queueing for the tickets. In the queue we bumped into a couple of groundhoppers intent on not witnessing two full games like us , but 3 partial games as they were going to see some of another game which was also being played on the same evening in the city. We considered these guys to be box-tickers as opposed to keen football spectators.

Inside the ground we sat again to the right of the half-way line and took in the scenery of cloud covered mountains while listening to the Tannoy which blared out the club song of ‘Fram-ba-la’. As we waited for the game to commence we were joined by a couple families of away supporters, who’s children ran about during the game. Thankfully they were not running around in front of me and they didn’t spoil the game.

Fram and Leiknir  are second tier teams and the difference in standard between the divisions, based on this game and the previous night’s game, is marked. These teams looked to be true amateurs and played to a tier 11 English standard (Hilton Harriers being a local example that sprung to mind). The first-half was a drab affair with the Fram having the better of it.

Leikner took an undeserving lead early into the second-half with the winger finding the top nearside corner of the net following some good wide play.

Fram, one of the most successful club teams in Icelandic footballing history, eventual levelled with a header from 10 yards that went underneath the hapless keeper. The goal was greeted by a loud ‘Yo yo yo yo yo...’ from the Tannoy.

Buoyed by their equaliser, with music blaring from the adjacent stadium and with 2 people standing at the stadium fencing watching the action for free, Fram broke quickly from a defensive situation. A good, but unconventional, throw out by the keeper found an attacking team mate and the quick break away resulted in a first shot being blocked by the keeper but being put away at the second attempt.

Leiknir pushed on looking for an equaliser and a panicky Fran defender handled the ball on the edge of his own box. Fram were down to 10 men and hanging on. Minutes later they were down to 9 men following on off the ball incident. The home team managed to hang on thanks to some good goalkeeping.

At the final whistle we strolled quickly to the adjacent ground to watch the Throttur game...

24/06/16 (20:00) Throttur Reykjavik 0 - 5 Fjolnir

Relevance:

A Úrvalsdeild (top tier) match.

Location:

Gervigrasvöllur Laugardal (Þróttarvöllur)

Goal Scorers:

Ingason 37’ and 40’, Pedersen 62’, Gudjonsson 71’ and 73’

Attendance:

337

Match Day:

In the stand we sat to the left of the half way line. We noticed some away fans file passed us to head to the right hand side of the stand.

Fjolnir, in their bright yellow kit, started the game brightly and it was immediately apparent that we were watching a very decent team (tier 5 English standard) Throttur themselves looked far superior to the teams we had been watching just a few minutes before (tier 6/7 English standard).

Throttur were very much in the game early on and indeed had the best chance when their pacy winger struck a shot that hit the outside of the post.

As the fireworks to celebrate the longest day were visible above the harbour Flojnir clicked into gear. A curling dipping shot from the edge of the box struck the top corner of the net beyond the keeper’s left hand. Three minutes later, from 8 yards out to the right of the goal, a bullet of a shot went straight through keeper. The away team looked good value for their two goal lead at half-time.

At half-time then near us sat a man who looked as if he was babysitting three urchins, one of which had liquorice smeared all over her face. The children used the bars and railings of the 1950’s looking stand for their half-time gymnastic exercises. From within the fairly decrepit stand we watched birds coming to and fro with food for their hatchlings.  

The bringing on of a Brazilian player by the home team couldn’t stop a second half onslaught by Fjolnir. The rout was completed by 3 more goals... 1) a shot from 17 yards high to the keeper’s right 2) a penalty to the keeper’s right after a defence splitting through ball  drew a foul and 3) an 8 yard shot that went under the keeper.

After the game we made our way back to the guest house in, what to us, was unusually bright 10pm daylight. As the match had progressed we noticed the light had actually improved as the grey rain clouds lifted.  

After the game I noticed that the official Throttur Twitter account reported ‘Sometimes you are the dog and sometimes you are the tree!’

On the Saturday, myself and my father decided to give any more live football a miss and we watched Wales vs. Northern Ireland in a pub. Our pin badge collecting companion decided to try to get to a third division game. Although he only managed to see the 10 minutes of the action he did report that it looked like a training exercise on bobbly plastic pitch watched by 20 people and a large brown dog.

A New UEFA Nation

At the time of writing I have seen a top flight league game in 30 UEFA nations. Today my seen:not seen ratio has fallen as Kosovo have been admitted to the UEFA club.
I have now seen games in 30 of the 55 nations.

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/may/03/kosovo-accepted-uefa-member-vote-congress

Derbyshire FA Senior Challenge Cup Final (26/04/2016 19:45)

Tonight saw my fourteenth and concluding game in the Derbyshire Senior Cup for the season 2015/16. This final tie was played and Ilkeston Town's New Manor Ground between tier six team Alfreton Town and tier eight team Belper Town. This being my fourteenth game meant that I had witnessed exactly half of all the games in this season's competition but more importantly it meant that I completed my 'Road to the Cup Final' challenge.
I collected my father and my regular pin badge collecting companion and we headed to Ilkeston. Arriving 10 minutes before kick-off I waited by the turnstile for my other regular companion to arrive. Upon his arrival we had a beer and we wondered why the two faces of the clock in the corner of the ground showed different times.
Belper, the underdogs, made a brighter start to the game and created three good early chances and were showing themselves to be very much the equals of their higher ranked opponents. The first-half ended goalless and we were informed by the stadium announcer that there would, in the event of a tie at 90 minutes, be no extra-time and the game would go straight to penalties. The announcer then apologised for this being the case. I think I can safely say that most fans would welcome this departure from the norm.
Alfreton stepped up the pace in the second half and created the better chances, the Belper 'keeper making a number of good saves to keep the score level. Belper hit the crossbar late on but penalties was the outcome of the 90 minutes.
With both sets of hardcore fans crammed in behind the chosen spot-kick goal both teams missed a penalty a piece in their first four. Belper's fifth penalty taker telegraphed that he was going to put it to the giant 'keeper's left. He duly did and the 'keeper duly saved it. Alfreton converted their fifth penalty and the cup was on its way to the Impact Arena and most of the 469 attendees went home happy.

Bore Draw in the Ruhr

Whilst visiting my Dutch and Russian friends in the Ruhr I was once again given the opportunity to visit the Rewirpower Stadion, the home of VFL Bochum, to see the Friday night (22nd April - 18:30) game against Karlsruher.
Leaving my mate's house in Mulheim an der Ruhr, me wearing my VFL scarf and my mate wearing his VFL jersey and scarf, we caught the train from the town's station and then the tram from Bochum to the stadium itself. We grabbed a refreshing beer from the local petrol station as we waited for my mate's three German friends.
Standing in my favourite 'P-Block' we were 'entertained', prior to kick-off, by a rather awful marching band demonstrating some even worse baton twirling. This was to be an omen for the game itself. Both Bochum and Karlsruher had nothing to play for in this end of season match and both teams looked as if they were going through the motions. Bochum probably edged the game in possession and chances and were deserving of the 58th minute lead when Terodde slotted home a shot off the post to the keeper's right. Just as it was looking like a scrappy win for the home team a clumsy challenge felled a Karlsruher striker and Nazarov put away the 87th minute penalty kick.
After the game we headed down Castroper Strasse, said our farewells to my mate's friends and headed back to Mulheim. The 14,643 attendees witnessed what would be comparable to a poor English tier 2 game.
Back in Mulheim we were treated to the best lasagne I had ever tasted.

Football in Derbyshire

As a fan of football and a frequent visitor abroad, watching top-flight matches in European Countries, I wanted some 'local' interesting challenges. Being a proud Derbyshire man I thought it a good idea to watch as many Derbyshire teams as possible. In 2014 I watched all the teams that were playing in the top eight tiers of English football, at home, in league action, and in 2015 I added to this the tier 9 teams. These are shown below:

Derby County (T2 - Football League Championship)
Chesterfield (T3 - Football League, League 1)
Alfreton Town (T6 - National League, North)
Buxton (T7 - Northern Premier League, Premier Division)
Mickleover Sports (T7 - Northern Premier League, Premier Division)
Matlock Town (T7 - Northern Premier League, Premier Division)
Ilkeston (T7 - Northern Premier League, Premier Division)
Glossop North End  (T8 - Northern Premier League, First Division North)
Sheffield FC (T8 - Northern Premier League, First Division South)
Belper Town (T8 - Northern Premier League, First Division South)
Gresley (T8 - Northern Premier League, First Division South)
New Mills (T8 - Northern Premier League, First Division North)
Heanor Town (T9 - Midland Football League, Premier Division)
Long Eaton United (T9 - Midland Football League, Premier Division)
Staveley Miners Welfare (T9 - Northern Counties East League, Premier Division)

For the 2015-16 season I decided to support The Derbyshire County FA Senior Challenge Cup competition by trying to see as many games as possible and having a 'Road to the Cup Final' experience.

The Cup was first contested in the 1883/84 and is now primarily contested between non-league teams affiliated to the Derbyshire County FA. This being the case Derby County no longer participate, Chesterfield enter the competition with a 'development squad' and Sheffield FC and Staveley MW choose to grace the Sheffield and Hallamshire FA version of the competition.

The competition includes those Derbyshire teams in tiers 10 and 11 and as such, by following this competition, I have added to my 'collection' a number of the smaller clubs.

My challenge started in September 2015 at the Anderson Electricals Arena watching Borrowash Victoria play South Normanton Athletic and ended with the final in Ilkeston. My challenge also included an unbroken chain of games from the first round, this being:

R1 Belper Utd. 3 - 0 Gamesley
R2 Belper Utd. 2 - 3 Heanor Town
R3 Heanor Town 4 - 0 New Mills
QF Heanor Town 2 - 1 Stapenhill
SF Heanor Town 1 - 2 Belper Town
FR Belper Town 0 - 0 Alfreton (Alfreton win on penalties)

Some of my personal highlights in this season's competition have been:

• Chatting to a father and son groundhopping duo at the Borrowash v South Normanton game in round 1;
• Arriving late, due to an early kick-off, but managing to catch the second-half of Hilton Harriers' game against Dronfield Town; and then
• Travelling to Whaley Bridge to watch Hilton's second round game at which I cowered under the pavilion roof, seeking shelter against the torrential rain;
• Watching the epic battle, at my favourite ground, of Belper Utd. v Heanor Town;
• Being recognised for my Tweets and meeting GroundHop UK's Chris at Heanor v Stapenhill;
• Seeing Alfreton's six perfect goals in their match against Long Eaton;
• Visiting Stapenhill's ground which is within the county boundary by a matter of metres, and winning the blackout there; and
• Introducing a friend to the joys of non-league football.

For the season 2016/17 my aim is to complete my collection of seeing all tier 10 and 11 Derbyshire clubs play a competitive match.

Derbyshire FA Senior Challenge Cup - SF (16/02/2016 19:45)

Tonight was my thirteenth Derbyshire FA Senior Challenge Cup match of the season and it involved two teams that I saw in their respective quarter-final games, Gresley (tier 8) and Alfreton Town (tier 6). For which team would '13' be unlucky? And which team would be meeting Belper Town (my 'Road to the Final' team) in the final?
The Gresley player manager impressed when he came on against Pinxton in the quarter-final and we were lucky to see him play tonight. He was red-carded in Gresley's previous match for responding badly to some alleged racial abuse in Leek in which he climbed into the crowd to confront the alleged racist.
I took the trip to Gresley's Moat Ground in South Derbyshire with my Rams supporting father and Forest supporting family friend and we stood near the dugouts.
With the home advantage and a bobbly pitch Gresley didn't look like a team two tiers below the visitors. Gresley started more brightly and deserved to take the lead on 19 minutes. A lovely deep cross-field ball to the right found Smyth who went passed his defender and drilled his shot low passed the 'keeper's right hand and inside the far post.
Alfreton's equalised came against the run of play when Jackson's glancing header, from a corner, found its way through a crowd of players.
Gresley were unlucky to go into the break level but were lucky to still have 11 men on the pitch mid-way through the second-half after a dangerous challenge left an Alfreton player rolling on the ground. Shortly after, the Gresley 'keeper fumbled a pass back, allowing Leesley an easy tap in.
Gresley almost got a last gasp equaliser when the Alfreton 'keeper looked to have simply fumbled a routine 'up and under', under pressure. The referee, however, saw it as a foul.
So, Gresley were unlucky and Belper Town will take on Alfreton Town in the final.

Derbyshire FA Senior Challenge Cup - SF (10/02/2016 19:45)

Tonight I found out which, of Heanor Town or Belper Town, became my 'Road to the Final' finalists. This match was the fifth in an unbroken chain of matches and I seem to have come full-circle with Belper being the common denominator. The five games being:

R1 Belper Utd. 3 - 0 Gamesley
R2 Belper Utd. 2 - 3 Heanor Town
R3 Heanor Town 4 - 0 New Mills
QF Heanor Town 2 - 1 Stapenhill
SF Heanor Town v Belper Town

The match also marked my twelfth game in this season's competition.
I met up with a fellow Ram to watch this game and inside the ground I bumped into Groundhopper Chris who questioned my choice in wearing my Belper Town scarf. I had to explain that in 2014 I watched all the Derbyshire teams that played in the top 8 tiers of English football, at home, in league action, buying a scarf from each. I did reassure him that should Heanor make it to the final I would buy a Heanor scarf... but sadly, it wasn't to be.
Although Belper play in a league one step up from Heanor, there wasn't a gulf in class at all. This very local derby was very tight throughout as well as being competitive and combative, as you would well expect. The bumper crowd of over 300 enjoyed it too, especially the visitors.
Things started brightly for Heanor. A ball from right to left was met sweetly on the half-volley and all the Belper 'keeper could do was to palm the ball onto the head of Demidh, in the middle of the 18 yard box, who nodded it back past the keeper.
Belper soon had the game level. A shot from 19 yards in a central position was cruelly deflected to the 'keeper's left.
Soon after the break Belper took the lead. Some good work on the left found Steadman who, from a 10 yard angle, calmly passed the ball into the far corner of the net.
And 2:1 to the Nailers it stayed.
I shall see Belper Town in the final but I am sure that I will see the Lions again at some point.

Derbyshire FA Senior Challenge Cup - QF (02/02/2016 19:45)

This evening would include a first - the first time I had seen Pinxton FC.
Tier 11 Pinxton had done remarkably well in getting so far in this competition. Their trip to Buxton in the previous round saw them knock out the tier 7 'Bucks', with the reward, tonight, of playing tier 8 Gresley at the Moat Ground. A plum semi-final tie awaited the winner, the chance to entertain tier 6 Alfreton Town who I had seen demolish Long Eaton United in their quarter-final two weeks earlier.
I took the relatively short trip to a bitterly cold South Derbyshire with my pin-badge collecting companion to witness this quarter-final clash. Prior to kick off my companion added the Gresley FC pin badge to his collection, whereas I was more concerned with my stomach and pie and chips.
The first half hour was a rather dull and cagey affair but no sooner had I said to my companion "I think it is going to be a long night with extra time", Gresley scored. Number 9, Guy, weaved his way through the middle, rounded the keeper and slotted the ball home. Pinxton were back level shortly before half-time. Gresley were unable to defend a short corner and as the ball bounced around the box a Pinxton attacker was able to latch onto it to bury it from 18 inches out.
The second-half started a lot more brightly that the first and Gresley began to show their class. Smyth grabbed a brace. His first came from a cross from the right and a calm header in the centre of the goal and the second came from a left wing cross which he sweetly crashed home from 14 yards.
Ball completed the rout in the 79th minute when he met a left wing cross from 7 yards out.

Derbyshire FA Senior Challenge Cup - QF (19/01/2016 19:45)

After our failed mission to see the third round between Alfreton Town and Whaley Bridge, myself and my pin badge collecting companion were back at the Impact Arena to witness Alfreton's quarter-final tie against Long Eaton United.
I had travelled to Long Eaton on the previous Saturday to watch United play a league game, only to find out, as soon as I had arrived, that the game had been postponed due to a frozen pitch.
Arriving at the game I met Chris the Groundhopper who informed me that Alfreton had put out a very strong team. It soon became apparent that tier 6 Alfreton were going to be too good for tier 9 Long Eaton.
United were limited to a few a long range attempts and the didn't really look like troubling the Town 'keeper. Alfreton on the other hand should have really threatened double figures but a 6:0 victory was a fair return on the night.
Smith completed his hat trick just after the break, each goal involving a lovely turn on the edge of the box and a sweet finish. Goal number four came from Robertson whose good control with his chest set himself up for a chance that he riffled home. The last two came from the nippy Jackson. The first, he latched on to a through ball down the centre and calmly slotted home, the second was via a good cross from the right to the far post and he was given a golden chance from the head of his colleague who nodded the ball into his path six yards out.
My pin badge collecting companion added the new Town 'King Alfred' pin badge to his collection and was amazed to see some pin badges from obscure Northwest outfits including Squires Gate and Wyre Villa.

Derbyshire FA Senior Challenge Cup - QF (12/01/2016 19:45)

The most prestigious game in Whaley Bridge's history lasted just 66 minutes on 12th December. Their 3rd round County Cup game against Alfreton Town was abandoned due to unplayable conditions and was then rescheduled for 22nd December. That re-match was postponed as a result of a waterlogged pitch, as was the subsequent rescheduled game on the 5th January (I actually drove their on the night to find the ground dark and closed).
The game was then re-scheduled for 12th January, the night when the quarter-finals were due to be played.
Alfreton Town v. Whaley Bridge was a 'road to the final' game, having seen Hilton beat Dronfield and then Whaley Bridge beat Hilton, but because of the fixture clash with another 'road to the final' game, Heanor's match against Stapenhill, a tough choice had to be made.
I chose to watch Heanor.
I had seen Belper Utd.'s win in the first round and then Heanor's victory over them in round two. I then travelled to the Town ground to see the Lions beat a very poor New Mills team in the third round. Tonight I travelled alone (as my usual companions were otherwise engaged watching Derby County and Nottingham Forest respectively) to see Heanor entertain Stapenhill.
Tier 10 Stapenhill put up a great performance against Tier 9 Heanor who, due to suspensions and experimentation, fielded a weaker team than normal. The Swans can consider themselves very unlucky to lose 2:1 as they very much looked like equals on this performance.
Although Heanor were up by two goals early on in the game (a mazy run by Cooper taking the ball to the left of the keeper and finishing calmly and a freekick converted by Debrouwer from the edge of the box) Stapenhill were always in the game. The Swans could have easily gone into the break 2:2 had it not been for the woodwork which was struck twice.
Stapenhill got a goal back shortly after half-time. A good ball was played through the middle and Ellerton took the ball on a few yards further before placing the ball passed the onrushing keeper.
Stapenhill's big chance to square the game came mid-way through the second-half. A cross from the right was timidly met at the far post and a soft header was put wide as the goal gaped. And 2:1 it finished.
"Are you Sinfinista?" a club Heanor club official asked me prior to half-time (it's always good to know that people read your Tweets). "Yes" I replied, and so began a conversation with him and his companion Chris, a fellow Groundhopper. Chris is actually '@GroundhopUK' a full-time sports fan / Groundhopping organiser / writer. I learnt that there is an organised trip to Serbia coming up. This interested me as that is one European country that I haven't yet seen a game in. I will be staying in touch.

For information Alfreton beat Whaley Bridge 3:1.