TIDESWELL UNITED (Tideswell Sports Complex)

CENTRAL MIDLANDS LEAGUE NORTH DIVISION,
TIDESWELL UNITED 1-3 CLAY CROSS TOWN, ATTENDANCE: 87

For my Easter Monday football fix I decided to stay a little closer to home (anywhere under 100 miles is closer to home these days) and head into the Peak District for arguably the Central Midlands League's match of the day.

Fourth placed Tideswell United were hosting league leaders Clay Cross Town with, starting today, the visitors needing just four points from their final three league matches to wrap up the title and promotion to the Northern Counties East League.

Tideswell is a village in the Derbyshire Peak District with a population of less than 2,000. The nearest major town is Buxton, where incidentally we stopped en-route for some liquid refreshment at the superb Ale Stop.

Tideswell United play their home games at the Tideswell Sports Complex, which is located on the grounds of Bishop Pursglove. The ground is superb for this level of football. You never know what to expect at a step 7 ground but the pitch is railed off, has a small covered stand and floodlights. There is also an elevated viewing area behind one of goals which gives a great view of the action and also the surrounding dales. The welcome from the club officials was also warm and friendly. Throw in the admission for the bargain price of £2 and what's not to like? 

This is Tideswell's debut season at step 7 having joined the Central Midlands League from the Hope Valley League in 2016. The club have had no trouble adapting to the higher league and look set for a top half finish.

The game this afternoon lived up to it's top billing with both teams producing a very entertaining game of football, with both teams getting the ball down and trying to play. The the visitors from Clay Cross though showed their credentials and just had enough to see off a spirited Tideswell side.

The game was end-to-end but it was Ant Lynam who broke the deadlock after 26 minutes to give Clay Cross the lead, when his low drive from the edge of the box found the bottom corner of the net (pictured below).

Goal! 1-0.

Tideswell had chances to level but it was Clay Cross who doubled their advantage after 58 minutes when the ball was finally fired home by Lee Clay, after initial efforts were saved. The home side set up a grandstand finish when substitute Daniel Hopkins drove home a tremendous dipping volley after 85 minutes but Lynam's second goal, in stoppage time, secured a vital three points for The Millers and put them within touching distance of that league title.

An enjoyable afternoon out and a visit to Tideswell United comes highly recommended.

KINSLEY BOYS (Kinsley Playing Fields)

FA VASE 1ST QUALIFYING ROUND, KINSLEY BOYS 1-0 APPLEBY FRODINGHAM, ATTENDANCE: 63 (h/c)

Programme was
SOLD OUT :(

It was non-league day so I thought I’d make a trip to West Yorkshire for Kinsley Boys’ clash with Appleby Frodingham in the FA Vase 1^st qualifying round.

Kinsley is a district of Wakefield and the neighbouring villages are Fitzwilliam, which has the nearest train station to Kinsley, and Hemsworth. Like many towns and villages in this area, it suffered big time in the 1980's as a result of the Thatcher government and it's policies.

Kinsley Boys were part of a Central Midlands League Bonanza in 2011, but they were the Friday night game and I was unable to get time off work so today was a chance to put that right with a visit to The Kinsley Playing Field.

Cover behind one goal

Football started officially in Kinsley in 1962 when the team was called Kinsley Village.

The club ground was known as the 'Cabbage Patch', as it was quite rough land where vegetables were grown and horses grazed. Villagers and miners used a track through the middle of the pitch on their way to the shops and the pit  .

The ground today is fully enclosed with hard standing and a little bit of cover behind the goal. Houses surround the ground. The ground is currently sponsored, so at the moment it is known as the Kinsley Timber Stadium.

The club progressed through the local Pontefract league, Barnsley league, Wakefield league and Bentley leagues before joining the Central Midlands League for the 1st time in 2007.

After five seasons in that league, the club transferred to the Sheffield and Hallamshire County Senior League, at the same level but with more reduced travel.

After just one season in that league they were moved back to the Central Midlands League for the start of this season.

They have got off to a reasonable start, which is more than can be said for their higher ranked visitors from Scunthorpe, Appleby Frodingham, who have played 7 lost 7 in their Northern Counties East Division One campaign.

It was fairly even contest with both sides having chances which they failed to convert. The game seemed destined for extra time until with around 15 minutes left, Player-Manager Craig Rouse scored the winner with a sublime strike that was completely out of context with the overall game.

A friendly club, they even gave me a free biscuit to dunk in my half time cuppa, the only disappointment was despite arriving at the ground 80 minutes before kick off I was unable to obtain one of the “half a dozen” programmes.

The journey was by train today so visits to The Leeds Brewery Tap and The West Riding Refreshment Rooms helped break the journey. A grand day out!