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.