Although this was my first visit to Goosedale to see Bulwell Town play, I have been there several times in the past - mainly in my capacity as press officer for the Young Elizabethan League who used to hold their cup finals at the ground. Me and Kev also took our Bulwell Rangers U9's team to play there once.....
Arrived at the ground with 10 minutes to spare, so took in a little of a youth game being played on the far pitch -- then had a litlle look at the hockey game that was going on next to the main pitch.
Paid my £2 to get in although I could have sat in my car and watched for nowt - not the spirit though eh?
There is hard standing behind one of the goals, but I decided to take up a position down the side of the pitch opposite the dugouts.
Second thing to notice was the Bolsover keeper – a big lad !!
then the ref – a big lad !!
– then his female assistant – big lass !!
– then the Bolsover manager - big lad !!
I didn’t feel too bad shoving my Snickers and Double Decker down my throat!!
Also noticed that the other assistant was a bit of an old boy – had trouble keeping up, but got most things right…
Bulwell’s no.5 and Bolsover’s no. 9 had a bit of “handbags” soon after the kick off. Free-kick to Bolsover but ALL their players walked away from the ball - I was tempted to go on the pitch and take the kick myself, but they soon realised SOMEONE had to take it and the game restarted...
Bulwell’s striker James Coup was put through on 10, but the keeper blocked well. Two minutes later the visitors took the lead – a poor ball from defence played straight to no.4 shirt who struck it past Smith in the Bulwell goal from 20 + yards. The lead lasted only 5 minutes though. A quick ball forward and a slip by the keeper allowing Coup to control and prod home from 12 yards out.
Referee Mr. Wragg produced the games “silly” moment soon after. Bulwell’s no. 11 Shannon Bird was baulked as he went for the ball, and the ref waved play on – to which Bird retorted “what kind of bulls**t is that?” Mr Wragg told the player that he was “going in” the next time the game was stopped. When the ball went out for a throw, he called Bird over and showed him a red card !! After much protesting by the Bulwell players, Mr. Wragg apologised and said he only meant to show Bird yellow and then did just that! So a player in the space of a minute was shown a red then a yellow card – no idea what the rules say about this!! 
Anyway, “Boza” piled on the pressure and had two good efforts cleared off the line, but it was the home team who scored the games next goal. On 34, Coup was on hand to stab the ball home from inside the 6 yard box – he completed his hat-trick two minutes later, a powerful header from a corner giving the keeper no chance.
With three minutes to go before the break, Coup added his, and Bulwell’s fourth. Duffy ran at the defence and hit the ball across the goal where the big no. 10 was waiting to tap in. H-T 4-1
Four goal man Jamie Coup
Watched a bit more hockey during the interval – blimey, it’s a rubbish game .. but it kept me entertained for 10 minutes or so.
Bolsover reduced their arrears just three minutes into the second period – a great cross met with a fantastic diving header from the no. 9 shirt. Should have been 4-3 on 56, but the no. 11 fired over from close in when it looked easier to score!
It was 4-3 in the 61st minute when, from a really acute angle, the no. 12 hit the ball across Smith and into the net. By now it was getting a bit chilly, but Bolsover kept the heat on the home defence – pouring forward to try and grab the equaliser. A series of free-kicks and corners ought to have brought some reward, but a combination of poor finishing and last ditch desperate defending saw Bulwell home … F-T 4-3
Not a lot of skill on show, but plenty of heart and endeavour – and for me, 7 goals meant it was well worth the £2 to get in !!
£1 programme
Attendance -- lucky to be double figures if you take out players families etc...
More images from the game
Tuesday : More CML – this time the Supreme Division as Rolls entertain Sutton Town AFC
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