Ashover Playing Fields, home of Ashover FC based in Derbyshire and play their trade in the Hope Valley Premier Division. Another Monday and another Hope Valley League game!! The Hope Valley League has been great to me lately so let’s hope that continues. A fantastic performance from Ashover away at Baslow last week and if they play like they did last week, tonight’s visitors Fairfield will have to put in a shift to stop them!
Arrival in Ashover and once again it’s another beautiful little village right on my doorstep!! It’s a shame about the weather… Pouring rain coming down very fast, not going to help the playing surface… But now it’s time for kick off. Free entry for this one! Ha ha ha!
Kick Off! Both sets of players getting used to the recent rainfall here to start with. Both teams enjoying spells of possession. 8 minutes in and Fairfield’s number 8 wins possession in the Ashover half and carries it forward, he gets to the edge of the box and shoots… Wide! Goal kick.
11 minutes on the clock and Ashover have the ball at the back, the ball is played back to the keeper… Oh dear he’s miss kicked it and here’s number 14 for Fairfield with the goal gaping… He hasn’t missed!! Fairfield lead here!! 0-1!! It shouldn’t happen to a goalkeeper…
Plenty of other groundhoppers in attendance tonight!! Great to meet them all and here their stories!! Fairfield growing in confidence now and starting to become the better side. 15 minutes on the clock and they have the ball on the left hand side, it’s a cross from deep and here’s number 11 with a free header… He’s put it wide… Should have been 2 there!
17 minutes in and Ashover win a corner, in it comes, headed towards goal… AND IN!!! Number 7 at the far post unmarked and at point blank and it’s 1-1! 4 minutes later and Fairfield come forward down the left, driven into the box and it’s a sliding contest for the ball between attacker and defender, the ball has fallen to number 11 for Fairfield in the box… GOAL!! But it’s a late flag from the assistant referee and the goal will not stand. Offside! Fairfield not happy with that one…
The game is opening up now with both teams creating decent chances, definitely another goal in this I’d say. 29 minutes gone and Ashover’s number 7 has the ball down the right, he makes space for the cross, straight to number 10 on the volley… He’s fluffed it in the air and Fairfield clear.
36 minutes later and Fairfield come forward, the ball is played to number 8 who’s 25 yards out, why not? Just wide! Good effort! 43 minutes on the watch now and Fairfield come again, a long ball is played in and poorly dealt with by Ashover and number 16 is there to pounce, he shoots… Good save by the keeper but it falls to number 11!! He can’t connect with it and the keeper claims it. No more chances and the score at half time remains 1-1.
Second half, 4 minutes in to the second half and Ashover play forward, a through ball to number 7 and he’s onside… He’s hit the post… Goal kick, big chance! 54 minutes and the referee has pointed to the side line… Number 11 for Fairfield is walking, has he said something he shouldn’t have?
it’s becoming a very tight game now with one mistake looking like being a decider in the game. The hour mark now and Fairfield come forward, a through ball has found number 13 running in at the edge of the box… He’s blazed it over! Big moment!
67 minutes gone and a free kick to Fairfield, number 8 steps up, hits the wall and it goes in the air, drops down and a push on the Ashover player sees them win a free kick and a frustrated Fairfield bench who are starting to make more noise for their team now.
74 minutes on the watch now and Fairfield come forward again down the right, drives into the box and the low cross to number 11!! Just over… What a reintroduction that would have been! The Fairfield bench with their heads in their hands.
82 minutes gone and Fairfield come again, a through ball is played but the Ashover defender has got his foot to it but the ball is in the air and it has found number 14 who has got a sight of goal here… He’s scored!!!! 1-2!! Unlucky on Ashover but brilliant for Fairfield and the bench goes nuts!! Can Ashover respond?
1 minute later and Ashover have a corner, number 7 whips it in, it’s curling in… Headed off the line and out for another, a bit of pushing and shoving from both sets of players, this game is heating up!! In comes the second corner… Fairfield clear.
Ashover throwing the kitchen sink at Fairfield now. 90th minute and Ashover have the ball on the right, the cross comes in… Keeper claims. Fairfield have defended well in the second half and they hold on for the win!
A quick goodbye to everyone I’ve met here tonight and now the walk to Kelstedge for the bus home. Plenty of time to kill before the bus arrives so a quick pit stop at the Kelstedge Inn and what a lovely bar it is! The Hope Valley League is the gift that keeps on giving!!
FT: Ashover 1-2 Fairfield
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 2/10 – Not any singing from any spectators tonight, but the Fairfield bench made it feel more like a football match!
- The Ground: 5.5/10 – Another beautiful view at a lovely village! My only criticism is that the ground is slightly slanted and not flat which has cost it a few points because the views are spectacular!
- Expense: 10/10 – Free for a tight game and goals!
- Overall Experience: 7/10 – A decent game and great to meet other groundhoppers here tonight! A good day all in all!
24.5/40