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.