Monday, 2 January 2017

Belper United 1, Graham Street Prims 1 (02/01/2017 13:45) - Anderson Electrical (Problems) Arena

I watched Belper United twice last season in the Derbyshire Senior Cup and I was impressed with the tier 11 outfit. They now play in the East Midland Counties League (tier 10) after their promotion from the Central Midlands League. United have struggled this season, in the higher division, but not as much as Graham Street Prims, today's opponents. The teams were 4th and 3rd from bottom respectively at the start of play.

United now call Borrowash Victoria's Anderson Electrical Arena home as their agreement with Belper Town over the use of the Christchurch Meadow Ground ended. As such, this game was a 'Spondon, Derby derby'. The derby game drew in a decent crowd of 70 or so fans.

The game was scheduled for an early kick-off as, apparently, there was some problem with the electricity for the floodlights - funny, bearing in mind the name of the ground.

The game started scrappily but settled down after Prims took the lead after 20 minutes. Following the build up play down the right, the ball found its way to the number 10 centrally in the United box, some 16 yards out. The left foot shot directed the ball to the 'keeper's left and just inside the upright. The goal sprung United into life and for the remainder of the game they looked the better side with their skillful number 11 pulling the attacking strings.

United got their deserved equaliser when the strong number 9 rounded the out-rushing 'keeper, at the right-hand angle of the box, and fired his shot past a defender into the far bottom corner of the goal.