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.