Christchurch Meadow, home of Belper Town based in Derbyshire and compete in the Northern Premier League Division One Midlands. Nicknamed the “Nailers” after the town’s history of nail-making. The final league game of the season which could prove significant at the top of the league! A win for Belper today against Corby Town and they are in the play-offs! Anything else means Carlton Town can sneak in if they win against Stamford who themselves could win the league if results go their way! There could be fireworks! Bring it on!
Coaching duties for the last time this season for me and off I go to my car and… I’ve got a flat tyre… Who said owning a car was good…? Typical on a day I visit a club called the “Nailers” eh!? Looks like my beloved Dad will have to give me a lift…
To the train station I go! The train to Derby and now to Belper sees me here with plenty of time to spare before kick off! Let’s watch the end of Arsenal vs Manchester United! Arsenal win 3-1! Manchester United really are struggling! Off to the ground I go! £9 to watch this tie! Dramatic… Well I hope it will be! The Stone Roses comes on and it’s time for the players to walk out!
Kick Off! “BELPER!” A bit of noise behind the goal now from the Belper faithful! Let’s hope they keep it up! 8 minutes in and Belper have it down the right, it’s played across brilliantly for Sam Wright to shoot… Good block by the Corby defender! Corner, in it comes… Corby get it clear. 18th minute and Corby have it down the left flank, it’s crossed in, James Clifton with the header… It’s in… The flag is up! It won’t count! Relief for Belper there!
It’s a very slow game with little chances… Are Belper nervous here? The fans certainly are in my opinion and you can feel the tension around the ground… No news of scores elsewhere at the moment though.
36 minutes gone and Litchfield picks it up in midfield for Belper, he gets forward and he goes for goal from 25 yards out… OOOH! Just wide! 42 minutes on the clock and Belper have it on the left, it’s lumped into the middle, Bertram is there at the back stick to head across goal… Derry Robson is there! AND HE TURNS IT HOME!!!! Belper have the lead they were praying for!!! 1-0!! Play goes on with Belper looking like they’ve lifted a weight off their shoulders but at half time it remains 1-0.
Second half… Another slow start but Corby looking better so far… That tension is creeping in again… Can Belper finish the job? Or will Corby put a nail in their play-off pursuit…? Pun intended! 62 minutes on the clock and Belper have a throw in on the left, it’s a long one into the middle, it’s flicked on, it comes for Tom Wilson at the far post to strike… AND HE SCORES!!! The keeper can’t keep it out!! Belper double their lead and it’s looking like the play-offs for them now!! 2-0!
67 minutes now and Belper have a corner, in it comes… Reon Benjamin-Potts is there… GOAL… No it isn’t! The Referee blows for a foul and a free kick to Corby… Not sure what for there from my view but the decision stands.
The news is coming through! Stamford 2-0 Carlton Town. It’s looking like an away tie with Stamford for Belper in the play-offs! 76 minutes gone and Corby play it forward to James Clifton, he plays it across for Connor Furey to shoot from 25 yards out… Good save!! Very important hand there from the Belper keeper! It’s a corner, in it comes… Cleared by Belper.
82nd minute and belper hit it long, it’s flicked on to Reon Benjamin-Potts running into the box… He’s hit it over! That should have been game, set and match there for Belper! 5 minutes later and Belper work it into the box on the left, it’s played across for Todd Jordan to shoot… Off the line! It comes back to Danny South who shoots… Over! He went for the top bins but misses just! Belper continue to press… The Referee blows for full time! Job done for Belper!
FT: Belper Town 2-0 Corby Town
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 3/10 – A bit of noise from both sets of fans today in the end but not much due to the nervousness of the home fans.
- The Ground: 10/10 – One of the Mike Bayly 100 and also voted as one of the most picturesque grounds in the UK and I can only agree! Picturesque at all angles with stands at each end! It is one of the most beautiful grounds in the country for me!! Absolutely love this ground!!
- Expense: 8/10 – £9 a bit much for this level and it wasn’t the best of games sadly…
- Overall Experience: 7/10 – A decent day out and I’m delighted to finally tick this gem of a ground off! Just a shame we didn’t get the drama that could so have been! But still fair play and good luck in the play-offs to Belper!
28/40