Bamford Recreation Ground, home of Bamford FC based in the Peak District, Derbyshire and play their trade in the Hope Valley Amateur League Premier Division. The games are coming thick and fast!! Sure am making up for loss time after Lockdown 3! My first game in the Hope Valley League and as a big fan of Picturesque grounds, I sure am optimistic. Let’s hope there’s goals too! Baslow FC the visitors to Bamford tonight.
On the day of the re-opening of pub beer gardens, it would be rude not to visit one of my personal favourite bars in the city whilst waiting for the train right?
Made it to Bamford with about 40 minutes to kick off. A lovely little village at first glance!! Time to get to the ground! Free entry for this Hope Valley tie! Fred Flintstone himself could definitely describe how I feel about that!!
Kick Off! A slow start to the game but both teams enjoying spells of possession. 6 minutes in and Bamford come forward, number 11 plays the ball to number 9, he miss controls it but nevertheless sets up number 7 on the volley on the edge of the box! Over! Best chance so far, let’s hope the game opens up.
14 minutes gone, Bamford come forward down the right hand side, the low cross comes in for number 6, 3 yards out, must be… OH WHAT A SAVE!! The Baslow keeper somehow kept it out from point blank and cleared by the Baslow defence.
Bamford starting to dominate the game and it looks only a matter of time before they take the lead. 20 minutes gone and Baslow have the ball, a long ball played towards Baslow’s number 15, the keeper is committed to the edge of the box, and number 15 is past him… He’s put it wide… 2 Bamford defenders were around and look to have put him off and it’s still 0-0.
26 minutes now and Bamford come forward again, number 9 charges into the box from the right hand side and shoots… Saved by the keeper but it’s not done yet, the ball comes back to number 9, he passes to number 6 and he’ll measure a cross, number 10 at the far post unmarked for Bamford… OH HE’S PUT IT WIDE!! Another sitter in the game… Surely a goal is coming!
1 minute later and here come Bamford again, number 9 is played through, the Baslow defender trying to put him off… But he can’t and number 9 scores for Bamford! There it is and it’s been coming! 1-0! Baslow restart the game and give away possession cheaply, Bamford waste no time and play the ball on the left, a through ball finds number 10 in the box, he’s in… IT’S 2!!!! Just like that! 2-0 and Bamford are cruising!
32 minutes gone and Baslow win a throw in on the left, a long throw into the box that Rory Delap would have been proud of, and Bamford can’t clear, it’s pinball in the box… The Bamford keeper manages to collect and Bamford are safe for now. 3 minutes later and Baslow have the ball in their own half, a long ball is played and number 9 is through, keeper comes out, number 9 rolls it past him… The Bamford defender gets there in time and puts it out for a corner, the corner comes in… And headed in!! Number 16 is there for Baslow to head home and it’s 2-1!
Bamford restart the game, just like Baslow they give the ball away and Baslow come forward now, the ball is played to number 9 who’s onside here, he tries the shot but number 2 is there for Bamford… Oh no! What’s he done!? He’s turned it into his own net! The shot was definitely going wide but number 2 for Bamford slides in to stop it going in but directed the ball into his own net and just like that, they’re level!
41 minutes on the watch and Bamford are looking good here, they come forward again and play the ball to number 9, no flag here… He scores!! great finish and Bamford regain the lead! 3-2! The game became an end to end affair but there would be no more goals before half time and the score remained 3-2.
Second half, 2 minutes into the second half and Baslow play another long ball into the box, number 15 is stretching… Not enough on it and the Bamford keeper makes the save and Bamford clear. 54 minutes now and Bamford play a long ball looking for number 9, he wins out and drives at goal, edge of the box and shoots… Straight through the keeper, it’s a howler and it’s 4-2! Through the legs of the keeper but he should have saved that!
2 minutes later and Baslow have the ball in defence, the ball is played back to the keeper and he plays it back.. No he doesn’t he’s given it away and number 11 has a bog chance here!! Good save from the keeper and it’s a corner, in comes the corner, all the way out and the Baslow keeper gets away with one there.
58 minutes and Baslow come forward, a shot comes in and blocked but falls to number 15 who shoots… Deflected… Just wide! Corner! In comes the corner, headed away and Bamford are on the break here, number 9 drives down the left, he plays the ball to number 11, good control… Wonderful finish!! Brilliant! 5-2 and has this game gone beyond Baslow now?
66 minutes now and Baslow play a long ball, number 15 pounces on it, out comes the keeper and he’s in no mans land, number 15 goes for the lob… Just wide… It’s just not Baslow’s day it seems here. 3 minutes later and Baslow have the ball at the back and play back to the keeper, the keeper hits it long but scuffs it, straight to number 9 for Bamford and he bares down on goal… He tries to be clever and the keeper recovers and collects the ball much to the dismay of the Bamford team and management.
79 minutes and Bamford’s number 9 is running at Baslow again, he beats the last 2 defenders, he’s around the keeper… Keeper gets a hand to it… Cleared off the line brilliantly! A vital hand from the keeper manages to slow number 9’s momentum there. 83 minutes gonw and another long ball played by Baslow, number 4 heads down for number 15 who controls it… And finishes! 5-3 now! What a game this has been!
Straight from kick off and Bamford are on the move, they drive down the right and cross it low, number 9 gets there and pulls it back for number 10… He scores!! 6-3 and that should be that! Both teams continuing to threaten the goals but that would be the final goal of the game.
FT: Bamford 6-3 Baslow
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 1/10 – A few people in attendance but no noise hardly sadly.
- The Ground: 6/10 – I have to say this is one of the most beautiful places I have ever watched a football match at! Incredible scenery! Even though there are no stands, the views are just sensational and that’s why it is a high one!
- Expense: 10/10 – Free entry and 9 goals!! I would give 11/10 if I could!
- Overall Experience: 9/10 – A lovely day all in all! The Hope Valley League did not disappoint and I look forward to seeing more of it soon!
26/40
Agree with your ground rating and comment. Good game!
I went to the previous game on Saturday they lost 2-3 to Furness Vale beautiful setting.