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.