Central Midlands League South Division - ko 3:00pm
I was supposed to be going to Wollaton Res v Gedling Southbank to catch the return fixture of the game I watched in August, a game that Southbank won 5-2. It was a pity I couldn't get to the fixture for the 2:00pm kick off time, because it ended 4-4 with Southbank coming from 4-1 down with 10 men!
Opted for the 3:00pm fixture between Blidworth and Sherwood Colliery, and although I arrived early, I had to park quite a long way from the ground. The car park had a Christmas Fayre going on - and when you add to this that the game was watched by over 120 people (quite a few in the bar taking a few pre-match bevvies) and you can see why parking was so difficult. Apparently Blidworth have a new following "massive" - Stags fans that can't travel to away games! They certainly gave the place an atmosphere it sometimes lacks, singing, shouting, setting off flares and generally having a great time.
Spent the game in the company of "ontheroad" friend Scott Ward, programme editor and Blidworth stalwart - he was certainly loving the newest intake of the Blidworth Army - and seldom have I seen him smile so much (not since the Heanor game anyway!)
Line ups:
Welfare: Mike Ball, Ben Burbanks, James Vickers, Josh
Cairns, Jacob Lowe, Ben Rogers (c), Gareth Curtis, Brendan Williams, Olly
Ashton, Keenan Leeds, Tim Gregory. Subs: Jake Eggington, Jake Towers, Grant
Tobin, Luke Thomas, Keir Webster
Colliery: Alex Smith, Steve Sowter, Ricky Starbuck, Jobe
Shaw ( c), Jordan Harris, Danny Williams, Jamie York, Ashley Kitchen, Liam
Theakstone, Dale Gilliatt, Jamie Meehan. Subs:
Liam Calver, Liam Green, Ewan Robson, Gavin King, Jimmy Adcock
Not too much to write about the game, it was always going to be a tight affair, with Sherwood favourites based on league position. The home team didn't let that bother them though and they took a deserved lead on 13 when OLLY ASHTON fired home from close range after Sherwood had failed to deal with a corner. A couple of flares went up - and we had a short break in play whist the smoke cleared. This was becoming a feature of the game, but with little or no breeze to speak of, the haze lingered for quite a while. H-T 1-0
Sherwood came out all guns blazing in the second half, but some strong defending and a superb display from Michael Ball in the home goal kept the Mansfield outfit at bay. More smoke and a chorus of "he's got a smoke bomb on his head, he's got a smoke bomb on his head" went up after one of the fans actually set one off on his head!!! Crazy, but hilarious!! You had to be there........
All was going well for the Welfare until the 89th minute - then a defensive lapse in concentration saw the ball played out to sub LIAM GREEN who joyfully fired home to level the scores. This was greeted with a few jeers, and these certainly increased in volume when Sherwood boss Wayne Savage ran onto the pitch to celebrate in front of them. F-T 1-1
Would have loved to have been at the Wollaton fixture, but this game was one I am pleased I didn't miss! Great fun - no one hurt - points shared and the club made a few bob on the gate and sold out of pies as well! I wonder what will be in store on Wednesday when Blidworth entertain Matlock Town Res in the CML cup?
A few pics ( none of the game though!!)
