Baslow Sports Field, home of Baslow FC based in the Peak District, Derbyshire. They play their games in the Hope Valley Football League Premier Division. The Hope Valley league is the gift that keeps on giving with plenty of fixtures still to play, Baslow is the chosen destination for me tonight! This is the second time I have come across this team after my visit to Bamford saw them on the wrong end of a 6-3 result so let’s hope for plenty of goals with Ashover the visitors here tonight!
A half an hour bus journey with lots of views later, and I have landed in Baslow and I have to say yet again it’s another Hope Valley Beauty!! Exploration time is over and now it’s time for the game! Free entry to this one! BANG! The same referee as the Hathersage game last week, great to talk to the Ref and get his views on why officiating in the Hope Valley is great! “It’ll be a good game tonight, Ashover are good but they struggle in front of goal a bit,” says the Referee. Proper Grassroots talking to the officials before the game!
Kick Off! Ashover starting the brighter of the 2 teams but no clear cut opportunities for them yet. 8 minutes in and number 4 for Baslow comes forward, great work by him and he plays number 11 through down the left wing and he drives it low across goal and here’s number 10!!! GOAL!! 1-0! Against the run of play… “YOU’VE GOT TO WORK BOYS!!!” Ashover’s manager not happy with his team here, is that the wake up call they need?
15 minutes gone and the Baslow keeper has the ball in the box and he plays it short to number 15 who plays it back to the keeper… It’s a poor back pass and it goes out for a corner, in it comes, here’s the header… Point blank save from the keeper! But it’s only half cleared and still in the box and here’s number 9… Shot blocked!
1 minute later and Baslow have the ball in the middle of the park… But they lose it and Ashover are on the attack, the ball is played through to number 9 and he’s got it and he’s in… And this time he does score!! It’s 1-1! And deservedly so! Great finish!
Ashover are starting to dominate now! 27 minutes on the clock and number 9 for Ashover drives down the left and he cuts into the box and drives towards goal on the by line, he pulls it back to number 7, he controls and shoots… Just wide! Big chance!
2 minutes later and here they come again, number 15 for Ashover is set free down the right, he drives into the box, tight angle but shoots anyway… Parried by the keeper straight back to him and he shoots again… OFF THE LINE… But straight to number 4 and here’s 1-2… OH NO HE’S MISSED!! About 6 yards out on the volley with the goal at his mercy and he blazes it high into the trees, sitter!
39 minutes gone and Ashover with the ball on the left, a long diagonal ball into the box and number 15 will get there… He’s dragged it just wide… How many chances are Ashover going to waste here? The referee sure was right about them missing chances! 44 minutes and here they come again, number 9 comes forward inside the box to the left and shoots… Saved! Corner, in it comes, half cleared again by Baslow and here’s number 5, he makes space for the shot… Deflected… Number 9 is there… OH HE’S MISSED!! About 2 yards out from my view and he’s headed it over… Another absolute sitter! The referee blows for half time with the score level somehow.
Second half, straight out the blocks again from Ashover, it’s wave after wave of attacks from them here. 49 minutes on the watch and number 7 for Ashover has the ball on the right, he drives into the box and cuts onto his left, shoots… Good save! Baslow clear.
56 minutes gone now and Ashover come forward yet again, number 9 is played through, he shoots… Straight at the keeper again with a huge groan from the Ashover bench. 62 minutes gone and a long ball is played by Ashover to number 11 on the right, he gets into the box and cuts onto his left, the shot… Straight at the keeper again!
Relentless pressure from Ashover with little response from Baslow, this could be the most unluckiest team I’ll have ever seen to not be winning, but here come Ashover again, big chance here… THEY’VE GOT IT! 1-2! And nothing more than they’ve deserved!
Baslow need to come again now, can they do it? It’s still Ashover who are dictating play here and look more likely to score again and here they come again, another dangerous attack… It’s 3!! And that should be that! Baslow failed to respond and would go onto lose 3-1.
FT: Baslow 1-3 Ashover
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 1/10 – Very few in attendance tonight with no crowd noise.
- The Ground: 6/10 – Another picturesque beauty! Great views and an all round good sporting facility!
- Expense: 10/10 – Free entry with goals! Need I say more!
- Overall Experience: 5/10 – An average day at the football, a decent game but nothing crazy to write home about in the end.
22/40