Newbold Back Lane, home of Brampton Rovers AFC based in Chesterfield, Derbyshire and play their trade in the Chesterfield Sunday League Division Four.
My third time visiting the Chesterfield Sunday League, third time lucky? This time I was invited by manager Craig and I can never turn down an invitation! Brampton Rovers vs Spartans FC with 3 points separating the 2 teams. It should be a Sunday special!!
The short journey through Woodseats and into Newbold just in time for the 10:45 kick off. A quick look around… There is the main pitch behind this little building in front of me. *WHISTLE* oh and I’m just in time!
Kick Off! 2 minutes in and Brampton have a corner, in it comes… Number 27 with the header… Just wide! Spartans lump the ball upfield from the goal kick, brampton win it back and come forward again, it’s played in to number 27 in the box on the left, he shoots… OFF THE POST! Spartans clear.
10th minute now and Spartans play down the left, it’s played in, keeper stretches for it… He doesn’t get there and number 4 slides in… It’s just beyond him and it’s wide… So close! “Come on Spartans they’re s***!” Well…
Craig has been spotted and it’s a very warm welcome from him and some of the other Brampton boys! Not too pleased with his teams performance so far… Brampton resorting to long balls rather than the usual passing football… Will it be costly?
19 minutes now and Brampton play down the right with number 10 and he drives at Spartans, he gets into the box and shoots… Keeper parries… Number 8 is there for the rebound… Good block and Spartans clear. Big moment there!
23 minutes on the watch and Spartans have a corner, in it comes… It’s pinball in the box… It comes for number 9 at the back stick to shoot… Keeper gets a foot to it and Brampton clear.
1 minute later and Brampton charge down the left, they get into the box, it’s played across the six yard box and number 25 will score… He does! Tap in! Brampton have the lead! Relief for Craig! 1-0!
4 minutes later and Spartans play down the left hand side now, it’s played in low into the box, number 14 goes in at the near post… He’s got it! They’re level! They’ve been worth a goal in this spell of the game you have to say! 1-1!
It’s a tasty affair now with big tackles flying in… I hope there isn’t a fight about to brew… Both teams having a fair share of possession but at half time it remains deadlocked. Into the tea bar I go.
Second half, 50 minutes on the watch now and Brampton play forward, they get into the box on the left, it’s played across… Number 27 is there… And he scores!! Right place at the right time and Brampton lead again!! 2-1!
3 minutes later and Spartans have a corner, in it comes… Keeper comes… Number 9 gets there first… And he’s hit the post… Brampton clear. So close again after going behind there from Spartans.
56th minute and Brampton play the ball over the top towards number 25 and he is free and he gets to the edge of the box to the ball and he shoots first time… He’s scuffed it… Straight into the keeper’s grasp… “TAKE A TOUCH!” Craig’s feelings very clear here.
65 minutes now and Brampton play a ball over the top for number 25 to run onto, he gets into the box on the right and he shoots… Keeper saves and it’s a corner for Brampton, in it comes… headed out for another, in it comes again… Straight into the side netting…
The game goes on and you do feel that there is another goal in this game but for who? 77th minute and brampton come forward, they get into the box, it comes to number 2 who shoots first time… Over!
2 minutes later and Brampton come again, it’s played to number 16 just outside the box on the right, he puts it on his left foot and he shoots… AND THAT IS FANTASTIC!!! What a strike!! Brampton are surely going to go on and win this now! Brilliant goal there from 16! 3-1!
84th minute and Spartans aren’t giving up just yet! They play it into the box from the left, number 13 controls and sets up number 12 to shoot… OH! He’s missed… What a chance that was to set up a grandstand finish! Just over from about 15 yards out…
90th minute here and Spartans have a free kick from around 30 yards out, in it comes… Deflected… Keeper spills it and here’s number 19 running in who will score… NO!! He’s somehow put it wide from about 3 yards… Absolute sitter! Miss of the season so far for me…? Brampton win this game 3-1.
FT: Brampton Rovers 3-1 Spartans FC
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 1/10 – Not many in attendance sadly…
- The Ground: 4.5/10 – It’s not a bad little setup! It’s catered for every age group at the club and it does have a tea bar which a lot of Sunday League clubs don’t have! Some decent views of the Derbyshire countryside as well!
- Expense: 10/10 – £0!!
- Overall Experience: 8/10 – A big thank you to Craig for the invite today and the Brampton players for the warm welcome! A good game played in good spirits I saw today as well.
23.5/40