Eagle Valley, home of Arnold Town based in Nottinghamshire and play their trade in Step 7 of the non league pyramid in the Central Midlands League South Division. Nicknamed the “Eagles” as they play at Eagle Valley. A former Northern Counties side that I have witnessed at Shirebrook Town in the past and they were comfortably in the Northern Counties Premier Division up until 2013 before they went down and today find themselves at Step 7… Can they get back there one day? Today they host Blidworth Welfare who are fighting at the top of the table whereas Arnold are bottom… It’s going to be a long way back at this rate…
The journey onto the M1 once again… The Merry Miller: “Come on, come to Gresley or Stapenhill!” Sorry mate but I’m on my way to Arnold. The superstitious side of me can’t make a last minute change and the just under an hour journey sees me here at Eagle Valley in good time! Free Entry to this Central Midlands tie! Pleasant!
Kick Off! 2 minutes in and Blidworth play a ball forward, number 9 is free and he’s running in on goal 1 on 1… He’s scored!! What a start for Blidworth!!! 0-1!! Could this be a long day for Arnold?
The wind is starting to get a hold of the ball when it’s in the air especially… The worst weather to play in for me! Apart from fog!!! 16th minute and Arnold play a long ball forward… The wind has got that one! It falls to number 8 in the box, he sets himself and shoots… Over!
Arnold having more of the ball in this half but are not creating any real chances to get back into this game but are looking the more likely to find the next goal. Maybe it won’t be a long day for them after all… But there’s still time for more goals! 26 minutes on the clock and Arnold get the ball forward this time, number 10 wins it and he drives at goal, he gets into the box and shoots… Keeper gets a hand to it… It’s gone in!!! They’re level!!!! 1-1!! Game on!!
3 minutes later and the ball is loose in the Blidworth half, Arnold’s number 9 barges his man down… Blidworth not happy but play goes on and he runs in on goal, he’s around the keeper… But Blidworth’s defence get there and clear the danger.
No real chances for either team in this spell in the game with both teams having a share of possession but no cutting edge… It’s not been the best of halves sadly… Right on half time and Blidworth have a free kick on the halfway line, it’s launched into the box, it comes for number 2 at the far post for the header… Great finger tip save from the keeper! Arnold clear and that is half time with the score at 1-1.
Second half… Police cars in the car park… What’s gone on? Has something happened in the game at the side of the ground…? A lot of Referee whistles at one point in that first half over there… 54th minute and Blidworth come forward down the left, it’s played in low, Arnold get a foot to it and it comes for number 10 running in on the edge of the box to strike… And score!!!! Blidworth lead again!! The Blidworth fans are happy with that one!! 1-2!
58 minutes now and Blidworth play a long ball forward to number 9 who chases it on the right wing, he goes for the volley… Oooooh! The keeper makes the save and he had to!! It’s a corner, in it comes… Arnold clear.
64th minute and Blidworth’s number 3 battles with the Arnold man on the left wing, Blidworth win it and number 3 drives into the box and goes for it at the near post… Keeper saves and it’s another corner, in comes the corner… It’s a dangerous one… And it’s headed in!!!! Number 11 wins the header and it’s 3-1 to Blidworth now!! 1-3!
77 minutes on the clock and Arnold and Blidworth challenge for the ball in midfield, it falls to Blidworth’s number 15 and he’s got a free run at goal here, he gets into the box and shoots… He’s skied it… He’s wasted a big opportunity to kill off this game there!
Blidworth looking really comfortable in these final stages and the 3 points are looking like they’re in the bag for them! 89th minute and Blidworth launch the ball into the box from the right hand side, it’s dangerous… The keeper punches it but only to number 15… Who volleys it home!! 3 points are in the bag now!! Great finish! 1-4!! And that is that as the Referee blows for full time! A solid win for Blidworth!
FT: Arnold Town 1-4 Blidworth Welfare
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 2/10 – Not many in attendance but the Blidworth fans sat next to me were giving it a good go with their appeals to the Referee which were funny admittedly!
- The Ground: 6/10 – I’ve got a mixed opinion on this ground… I really like the setup they have here! I love the views and the bar and the 2 stands they have but on the other hand, I do think the location may be the reason why there maybe not many people in attendance as it seems very difficult to get to on public transport but I do love the views of the trees which does make it picturesque to an extent but overall I do like the ground!
- Expense: 10/10 – A free game is full marks regardless of the result!
- Overall Experience: 6/10 – I enjoyed it overall! A good game and I’m glad to tick off another team I witnessed at Langwith Road back in my Shirebrook Town days!
24/40