Saturday 13th September 2008

Heanor Town v Greenwood Meadows -- EMCL

These teams finished 11th and 19th respectively in the CML Supreme division last season, but were asked to take the move from step 7 (CMLS) to step 6 (EMCL), basically because they had facilities that fitted the criteria for the new league.

This was to prove a very satisfying trip across the county border - glorious sunshine, birds singing and a decent game of football thrown in as well!! The Town ground is a new venue for us - there is plenty of on-street parking just outside the ground, so not too much of a hike for my old legs!! Quite a surprise awaited us inside the ground.. it's a real mixture of green, green grass, steel towers and concrete paths.

The players have a long walk to the pitch - I think the changing rooms must double up as a pavillion for the cricket team - there is a cricket pitch ajoining the football pitch - adding to the overall "green-ness"...

Greenwood started the game as league leaders, and looked a very tight, compact and competent outfit -- and they break very well out of defence. It was one of these breaks that lead to the opening goal. A great run in the 11th minute by Ashley Whitt ended when he was brought down on the edge of the Town area. As Heanor delayed building their wall, quick thinking Meadows skipper Luke Bishop fired the free-kick past Jamie Belshaw in the home goal .. very rare to see a Referee allow a quick free-kick to be taken, but how refreshing to see initiative rewarded.

Craig Meakin was creating all sorts of problems for the home defence, and at 17 this young man looks to be a bit of a find...

Heanor's best effort of the half, and there weren't many, came from the left foot of skipper Bobby Mawer - a 25 yarder that flew just past Scott Clay in the Meadows goal. H-T 0-1

Heanor had the better of the early exchanges in the second half, with Matt Timson coming close and one effort cleared off the line, but Greenwood stood firm and absorbed the threat until they could get their act together and take the game back to their hosts.

It was not until the 80th minute though that Greenwood wrapped up the points - the Heanor defenders all missed the ball as it was played across the area from the left, but Ashley Whitt was "Johnny-on-the-spot" - sticking out a leg to steer the ball home. F-T 0-2

£4.00 to get in with £1 programme and £1 raffle.

Kev did a head count and came up with 50-60 in attendance - the official figure was 59 .....he also sampled a chip cob, and was less than enthustic about it.... I decided to stick with my Lucozade and Crunchie!!

We were in direct sunlight for most of the game, and I can tell you that it was very, very warm - very nice for mid-September. Overall a splendid afternoon - Kev went home to carry on with tiling his bathroom - I got the old gin and tonic out and sat and watched D**by C**nty, followed by Barcelona, followed by Sevilla, followed by Match of the Day...

Plenty of street parking

The Town faithfull

The bottom goal

The top stand

Concrete and tower

Concrete and tower

Green.....

And more green...

Yours truly

Tuesday 16th Sept - looks like a visit to Rainworth to see them replay their drawn FA cup match with Stourbridge - it was supposed to be a visit to the Stag Ground to see Kimberley Town take on Gornal Athletic in the FA Vase. but this is now rescheduled for Saturday 20th Sept..