Doe Lea AFC

Doe Lea Recreation Ground, home of Doe Lea AFC based in Derbyshire and play their trade in the Chesterfield Sunday League. Nicknamed the “Stutemen” which is named after the Village’s Social Club.

I’m well and truly making up for lost time after last week’s football blackout! My very first Chesterfield Sunday League game as part of a Super Sunday double. Butchers Arms are the visitors to Doe Lea Recreation Ground today in Doe Lea’s first game of the season.

The very short journey past Pleasley roundabout, through Glapwell and into Doe Lea with about 10 minutes till kick off. Free Entry here! Sweet! But first a minutes silence in memory of the Queen.

Kick Off! 4 minutes in and Doe Lea play down the right hand side, it’s crossed in and number 9 is there with the header… Brilliant header! Clinical! Brilliant start for Doe Lea!! 1-0!

9th minute and Doe Lea’s number 9 is played through, the keeper comes out… Number 9 gets there first… But the shot is going wide and Butcher’s Arms can retrieve it. Doe Lea want a Penalty for the follow through but they haven’t got a prayer.

18 minutes on the watch and Butcher’s have a throw in on the left, it’s a long one into the middle, the keeper comes for it… He’s missed it… It’s headed away but only to Butcher’s number 5 who heads it across goal, it’s flicked towards goal… OH! Good hand there by the keeper who clams the loose ball. Good goalkeeping!

24 minutes gone and Doe Lea play down the left wing with number 7, he gets his cross away and it comes to number 11 at the back post who controls and shoots… He’s missed! Big chance there you have to say!

36th minute and Butcher’s have a free kick in the Doe Lea half, it’s played short and it’s drilled into the box, it’s number 5 from point blank… Oh no! He’s headed over from close range! That should’ve been the equaliser! At half time the score remains 1-0 to Doe Lea.

Second half, 51 minutes now and Doe Lea come forward again, it’s played to number 11 on the right and he gets into the box, he gets his shot away…… Wide!

64th minute and Doe Lea come again, this time down the left wing, it’s played in, it’s headed back and here’s number 9 to shoot… Blocked but it comes back for number 8… He’s skied it!

1 minute later and Butcher’s number 17 loses the ball in his own box on the left and here’s number 8, he squares it to number 9 to shoot… Good save but here’s number 8 for the rebound…… Saved again! Corner for Doe Lea, in it comes… The header… Wide!

68th minute and Butcher’s come forward but Doe Lea will retrieve the ball, the keeper is out of his area and clears the ball… Wait a minute no he hasn’t! He’s given it straight to Butcher’s number 9 who goes for goal from 25 yards with the keeper AWOL, Doe Lea’s number 6 tries to intercept… But he can’t get there!! Butcher’s Arms are level!! It’s 1-1!!

76th minute and Doe Lea come forward with number 7 who charges towards goal… He’s brought down on the edge of the box and it will be a free kick for Doe Lea in a good position… Number 7 is not happy with that challenge and he is taking his frustrations out on the Butcher’s players here… Oh dear it’s getting angrier between the 2 sets of players now… Eventually it does calm down and there will be no royal rumble! Number 17 will take the free kick… OHHHHH IT’S SPECTACULAR!! Brilliant free kick! And Doe Lea have the lead again!! 2-1!

The game goes on and can Butcher’s Arms find the equaliser here? 89th minute and Doe Lea have a corner, in it comes… Number 15 is there at the back stick… But he’s headed it wide.

Just past the 90th minute and now and Butcher’s play down the right, it’s crossed in… The keeper palms it away and Doe Lea hook the ball away, number 5 retrieves it for Butcher’s and he shoots from 35 yards out… It’s wide!

One final charge perhaps for Butcher’s, a free kick on the half way line for them now, the keeper lumps it forward…… It’s straight into the keeper’s grasp… And the final whistle goes here! A terrific start for Doe Lea!

FT: Doe Lea AFC 2-1 Butcher’s Arms

Ratings

• Atmosphere: 1/10 – Not many in attendance sadly.
• The Ground: 7/10 – This was so much better than I thought it would be! Hope Valley League eat your heart out! As far as Sunday League setups go, this is one of the best! I wouldn’t say it’s as good as Queens United but it certainly is up there! Very picturesque and it has changing rooms! A hidden gem!
• Expense: 10/10 – Only £20 on fuel! Buzzing with that one!
• Overall Experience: 6/10 – A very competitive game to say the least and I’m very glad I decided to come here today!

24/40