Chapel Town

Rowton Park, home of Chapel Town FC based in Chapel-en-le-Frith, Derbyshire and play their trade in the Hope Valley League Premier Division. Me and the Merry Miller are back on the road again today for a nice drive out to the High Peak! Since seeing grounds in the Hope Valley League, this is the one that we have been most intrigued by so we are certainly looking forward to this!

Into the Peaks, through Hathersage, into Bamford, past Hope and now up into the hills of Castleton via Winnats Pass. A beautiful drives for sure and here we are in the Peak District Capital! Parked up at the Cricket club just next to the football pitch, let’s have a look!

Only 2 hours and 30 minutes to go before kick off… Let’s check out this town! Not bad at first glance, it reminds me a bit of Glossop. What’s this shop here?

Any mad Harry Potter fans? Come and check out this little store in Chapel! Midday now and time for a pit-stop at the Kings Arms. 1 hour later and we’re on the move again, Fish & Chips is calling!

DELICIOUS! As always! Now back to the ground we go. Free Entry today! You bet! Here we are again and with 45 minutes to go before kick off now. Into the bar we go! They’ve got pin badges! Did not expect that here but it’s fantastic! Lovely to meet Alastair and Chapel’s manager in the bar before the game and great to hear about the club and what lies ahead.

Chapel Town won the Hope Valley Premier Division last season but will be staying in the same League for this season. The club’s location being a big factor in this decision as explained by the manager, which league would they join? Central Midlands? Staffordshire League? Cheshire League? Back in the Manchester League where they once were? The visit of Bakewell Town will provide a stern test to see where their level is.

Kick Off…

7 minutes in and Bakewell play down the left, it comes to number 11 running in from the left and he goes for goal from the edge of the box… Just wide!

A very physical game so far, Bakewell starting the brighter of the 2 teams but the more the game goes on, Chapel are growing. 25th minute and Chapel play a long ball forward, number 18 battles with the Bakewell defenders… He gets the better of them and he’s in… And he scores!! Good finish! Chapel take the lead! 1-0!

Chapel are looking the better side now! 33rd minute and Bakewell play down the left wing again, they get into the box and it’s played across… Chapel get there and clear but only to number 5 on the edge of the box and he goes for the scissor kick… Good block! Chapel clear the danger! Brilliant defending there!

38 minutes on the clock and Chapel have a corner, in it comes… It’s loose… Bakewell clear but Chapel retrieve it on the left, it’s played back into the middle, it’s flicked on and here’s number 14… Oh he’s scored!! He’s managed to lob the keeper and Chapel double their lead! 2-0!

2 minutes later and Chapel come again, number 17 has it and he’s gone for the lob from distance… OHHHHHHHHHHH!!! FANTASTIC!!! What a goal that is!! A goal worthy of winning any game! 3-0! That is the score at half time here.

Second half, very physical this half so far with little chances. 65th minute and Bakewell have a throw-in on the left, they drive into the box and play it across… It’s blocked and it’s loose in the air, Bakewell win the header and it comes to number 7 to shoot… Goal! Bakewell have one back! 3-1! Is this the start of a fightback here?

69 minutes now and Bakewell down the left again, it’s played to number 9 who drives into the box and he plays it across, number 14 running in… What a crucial block that is from the Chapel defender! Chapel clear the danger! Fantastic defending again there!

78th minute and Bakewell have a free kick on the edge of the box to the right in a crossing position, in it comes… Number 8 is there at the back post and he heads it back across, number 5 hooks it towards goal… It’s off the bar! Chapel clear.

It’s all Bakewell now trying to get back into this game but are losing their heads a little here… It’s only pre-season but it’s being played in ill tempered spirits here you have to say.

80th minute and Chapel have a free kick in the Bakewell half, it’s played into the box, number 10 with the header… Keeper gets a hand to it… Number 10 gets there for the rebound… He can’t put it towards goal and Bakewell clear.

82 minutes on the clock and Bakewell come again, it’s played to number 9 on the edge of the box and he shoots… Keeper tips it wide. Good save! Corner, played in… It falls to number 5 in the six yard box… OH! He’s put it over… He’s somehow missed the target and Chapel survive another day.

2 minutes later and Bakewell down the left again, crossed in, headed away but only to number 5 on the edge of the box to shoot… It’s in!! Great strike! Have we got a grandstand finish here? 3-2!

Can Bakewell find that equaliser? Tempers are hotting up in the Bakewell camp… Flying into challenges and abuse towards the Referee…

90th minute and Bakewell come forward again, the ball is played forward, the Bakewell man slides for the ball and gets there and he’s put number 8 through on goal here, is this the moment…? NO! He’s hit the top of the bar! That was the chance for Bakewell there… Play goes on… That’s it! Chapel Town have won!

FT: Chapel Town 3-2 Bakewell Town

Ratings

• Atmosphere: 1/10 – Not many here sadly.
• The Ground: 8.5/10 – I really like this ground! An Amateur club that has facilities that clubs above them would be proud of! Very picturesque with views at all angles and a very unique stand. The club bar was surprising! And in a very good way! A lovely little facility! A hidden gem this ground!
• Expense: 10/10 – Free entry!!
• Overall Experience: 10/10 – A great game in a lovely place! We had a good day in Chapel-en-le-Frith today but what made it for us was the welcome from Alastair and the Chapel manager! One of the friendliest clubs we have visited on our travels! Groundhoppers assemble!

29.5/40