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.