LEICESTER NIRVANA (Gleneagles Avenue)

FA CUP PRELIMINARY ROUND, LEICESTER NIRVANA 2-4 BELPER TOWN, ATTENDANCE: 96

The road, or rather train tracks, to Wembley led East today for a Leicestershire v Derbyshire FA Cup clash. Leicester Nirvana (of the United Counties Premier League) were taking on Belper Town (of the Northern Premier League Div.1 South).


Today was the club's first 'home' FA Cup tie under the 'new' name of Leicester Nirvana. 

The club was originally formed by a merger, in 2008, of Thurnby Rangers and Leicester Nirvana, which at the time was a youth set up only, and went under the name of Thurnby Nirvana.

As well as a change of name, the club have also had a change of home. The club played at Dakyn Road until last season but they have now moved to groundshare Gleneagles Avenue with Leicester Senior League side Highfield Rangers. 

Despite Belper being the higher ranked team today, there was absolutely nothing between the two sides in the first half but two goals in two minutes just before the break swung the tie in Belper’s favour.


Grant Ryan (43) headed Belper in front before Luke Day (44) raced into the box to fire home. Just seconds after the restart Ryan (46) bagged his second to seemingly put the tie beyond Nirvana.

However the home side refused to give in and reduced the arrears on 57 minutes when Ashley Day scored.

The Nailers soon restored their three-goal advantage when Rob Stevenson (64) broke clear and rounded the 'keeper to slot home. Just three minutes later though an own goal pulled another goal back for Nirvana.




Jonathan Williams was shown a red card after receiving a second yellow card for kicking the ball away, setting up a nervy finish for Belper. 

With nothing to lose, Nirvana went for it and nearly pulled off an unlikely draw but the Belper players threw their bodies on the line, blocking shots and clearing one effort off the line.

An excellent competitive cup tie but ultimately disappointment for Nirvana....Nevermind.

CARLTON TOWN (Bill Stokeld Stadium)

NORTHERN PREMIER LEAGUE DIVISION ONE SOUTH, CARLTON TOWN 1-1 LINCOLN UNITED, ATTENDANCE: 89

As my original planned Boxing Day Essex double bit the dust, or dived bombed into the water, an alternative had to be sought.

Carlton Town gave early confirmation via twitter that their game versus Lincoln United was going ahead but, as the heavens opened once again just before kick off, it was looking iffy.

The pitch was sodden and, although there was no standing water, I got the impression it probably could not take anymore punishment.

Anyhow the game kicked off and within minutes the centre of the park was a mudbath. Credit to both sets of players for producing an entertaining game and also to the referee for allowing the game to be played to a finish.

It was your cliched 'game of two halves' as Carlton dominated the opening 45 and led through Sam MacVicar's 39th minute effort, and Lincoln were grateful to their 'keeper for a superb double save to keep the score down.

Lincoln came out for the second half all guns blazing and, as the rain finally eased off, they got themselves level on 49 minutes through Scott Coupland. Lincoln nearly snatched all three points but a late effort was turned onto the crossbar. The draw was a fair result.

The Bill Stokeld Stadium, named in honour of the man whose efforts helped guide the club from the Notts Senior League to Northern Premier League, via the Central Midlands League and Northern Counties East League, is a basic affair with a prefab seated stand behind the goal and a small terrace underneath the under hang of the changing block.

I was so happy to get a game in today and there was also an added bonus, as I completed a personal milestone of visiting all the grounds in the three divisions of the Northern Premier League.