DODWORTH MINERS WELFARE FC (The Welfare Ground)

SHEFFIELD & HALLAMSHIRE COUNTY LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION, DODWORTH MINERS WELFARE 3-0 NORTH GAWBER COLLIERY, ATTENDANCE: 38 (h/c)

After a Friday night in Luton (watching Everton draw 1-1 with The Hatters) I headed across the Pennines to the village of Dodworth, which is approximately 2.5 miles from Barnsley.

This is a ground that has been on my radar since the covid lockdown restrictions forced groundhoppers like myself to look at grounds at step 7 and below. There are definitely some crackers at that level.

Dodworth is a former coal mining village and, like most of the old mining communities in these parts, the welfare ground boast excellent facilities, the football ground being no exception, boasting a large covered enclosure. After 135 years, mining ceased in October 1985, as part of the pit closure policy of the Thatcher government.

The game had something riding on it as the opponents, North Gawber Colliery, needed a win to help in their bid to avoid the drop but that always seemed unlikely as Dodworth dominated proceedings from the off. It was a comfortable victory for the homesters thanks to a hat-trick from Matthew Jacobs.

WOMBWELL TOWN (Recreation Ground)

SHEFFIELD AND HALLAMSHIRE COUNTY LEAGUE DIVISION ONE, WOMBWELL TOWN 3-1 DENABY MAIN, ATTENDANCE: 224

As we reach the business end of, thankfully, a largely uninterrupted season games that actually have something riding on them start to become few and far between. However if you dig a little deep, for example at step 7 or below, then you can find some crackers. My game of choice today was no exception.

I crossed over the Pennines to South Yorkshire for a massive game in the Sheffield and Hallamshire County Senior League. It was 3rd vs 4th in the First Division (which sits at step 8 in the non-league pyramid) where Wombwell Town needed to avoid defeat to gain promotion to the Premier Division, whilst opponents Denaby Main needed to win the game, then hope Wombwell slip up somewhere in their remaining games in hand, thus allowing them to overtake the Wellers and snatch a promotion spot. It was certainly all to play for this afternoon.

Wombwell is a former mining town around 5 miles from Barnsley. There were once two collieries in operation, Mitchells Main and Wombwell Main, but these closed in 1956 and 1969 respectively.

There have been numerous football clubs over the years that have represented the town. The first Wombwell Town,  founded in the 1890's, won the inaugural Yorkshire league and were the first Wombwell team to enter the FA Cup. This club folded in the early 1900's. Next was Wombwell Rising Star who lasted a season around 1904. Another Wombwell Town was formed in 1920, and reached the 1st round of the FA Cup in 1930, before folding in 1934. The fourth team to represent the town was the one that lasted the longest. Wombwell Athletic was founded just after the second World War and lasted over 50 years, until the millennium. This club played in the Yorkshire League before becoming founder members of the Northern Counties East League in 1982 before they joined the Central Midlands League in 1988. They were in the Sheffield and Hallamshire League, and known as Wombwell Town, when they were dissolved in 2000.

The latest Wombwell Town incarnation was founded in 2018 by former Barnsley FC professionals Karl Rose and Doug O’Connor. The home ground is the Recreation Ground, where the last Wombwell Town had previously played. The club were placed in division two of the Sheffield and Hallamshire League and they won this at the first attempt. The following season the club were on course to make it back-to-back promotions but in March 2020 the Coronavirus pandemic struck and the season was abandoned. Season 2020/21 was also a write off, with just 5 games being played, so finally after two years the club were now in a position to finally clinch that promotion.

It was not a good start for The Wellers as Denaby took the lead after 20 minutes when Christian Baxby raced through to score. Brad Kerr equalised for Wombwell after 37 minutes to ensure it was all square at the break.

Will Harling put the Wellers in front after 69 minutes before Kerr netted his second after 85 minutes to wrap up victory and with it promotion. It was a well deserved victory and I offer my congratulations to The Wellers. All that is left for Wombwell to do now is to win seven points from their three remaining games to clinch the title. Good luck!

ATHERSLEY RECREATION (Sheerien Park)

NORTHERN COUNTIES EAST LEAGUE DIVISION ONE, ATHERSLEY RECREATION 1-0 AFC EMLEY, ATTENDANCE: 161

Due to work commitments, I missed out on a trip to Athersley when they hosted a 'groundhop' game a few weeks ago, so today was an opportune moment to put that right.

It was party time time today at Sheerien Park as the players from Athersley received their medals for finishing runners-up in the league. A remarkable achievement in their debut season at this level.

It means they will be playing at step 5 (the NCEL Premier) next season for the first time in their 34 year history, having been promoted from the Sheffield and Hallamshire County Senior League just last year.

Athersley, which is basically a housing estate in Barnsley, are a club right at the heart of their community and you sensed that vibe as soon as you entered Sheerien Park.

The ground is accessed between the houses and is fully enclosed, on what was an old recreation ground, and consists of two pre-fab stands.

A 60 year lease was signed on the ground and former player Geoff Horsfield (yes, him of Halifax, West Brom and Birmingham City fame) helped with half  the money to buy the lease, the other half was done through fund raising by the local community. They appear rightly proud of their efforts.

The game today, which saw the homesters run out 1-0 victors, was typical end of season stuff though Emley can consider themselves unfortunate not to come away with a point.

The only goal of the game was scored by Jason Bentley after 70 minutes when he raced through to fire home.

It was beautifully sunny day as I crossed the Pennines for today's game and the day was completed by a post-match visit to the famous Stalybridge Buffet Bar....hic.....