The Stag Ground, home of Kimberley Miners Welfare based in Nottinghamshire and play their trade in Step 5 of the Non League Pyramid in the United Counties League Premier Division North.
The 2022 Champions of the United Counties Division One! They are currently mid-table in the Premier North Division which is certainly respectable but their metal will be tested today as Heanor Town make the short journey across to the Stag Ground.
A late kick off for my coaching duties with Wisewood this morning… Afternoon in fact sees my choice in games limited to a very shorter mile radius… South Normanton Athletic? Kimberley Miners Welfare? A revisit to Pontefract Collieries? Well South Normanton has gone under so it’s going to be Kimberley Miners Welfare! On we go!
It’s straight onto the M1 and off at Junction 26 and into the Stag Inn with half an hour to go until kick off. £6 for this match! Smashing! Pin Badge for £3 as well! The players are ready and so are we! Here’s to a good game lads!
Kick Off! “Come on Heanor!” A group of boys are giving it a good go so far. 3 minutes in and Heanor have a free kick in the Kimberley half, it’s lumped into the box, Heanor get the ball and it’s played through to number 6 running in to the right of the box to shoot… Saved! Really good early save there by the Kimberley keeper and it’s a corner for Heanor. In it comes… Headed away and Heanor retrieve it and play it forward… Offside! Kimberley win a free kick.
12th minute now and Heanor play down the right wing, it’s played across low and here’s number 8 running in… He’s missed! He’s put it wide from close range… That should be 1-0 to Heanor!
1 minute later and Kimberley come forward, they work it across to number 11 in the box on the left and he’ll cut inside and shoot… OFF THE BAR! Kimberley get there for the rebound… Blocked! It comes for a Kimberley man… The Referee blows for a free kick to Heanor as it comes off the Kimberley man’s hand.
21 minutes now and Heanor play down the right, the cross comes in, it’s flicked on by a Kimberley head and it’s fallen for number 3 to volley… OFF THE BAR! It hits the keeper’s legs… But he claims it in his grasp. What a goal that would have been!
28th minute and Kimberley play forward, it’s worked out to the left and it’s played into the box for number 3 to shoot on the left… Saved! Good passing play there from Kimberley in the meantime.
41 minutes on the watch and Kimberley play down the left, it’s crossed in, number 11 is free at the back post to volley… OFF THE LINE! Brilliant defending there with the keeper well beaten! At half time the score remains deadlocked at 0-0.
Second half, 52 minutes played and Kimberley have the ball in their own box… But they’ve lost it and number 9 drives at goal… He’s brought down… Penalty! That is not a Penalty for me! He won the ball! Kimberley are furious and I would be too! Number 10 will take for Heanor… And he scores!! They lead! They’ve been worth the lead so far in this game with all due respect! 0-1!
“Oh Kimberley is full of fun!” Another group of boys are giving it a go now! Rivals! They’ve been great all game the Heanor boys especially!
58th minute and Kimberley win a free kick just outside the box to the left, number 8 will shoot… OH! Brilliant save by the keeper! Corner… Cleared by Heanor.
77th minute and Heanor come forward, number 12 charges into the box to the right and he shoots… Saved! Big save there!
85 minutes now and Kimberley bomb down the left wing, it’s crossed in… Keeper gets a hand to it and it’s headed back across goal by Kimberley… No on attacking it and Heanor clear.
Kimberley are throwing everything at Heanor now, can they find that all important equaliser? Play goes on… Last chance here now perhaps and Kimberley play down the left… They can’t find the cross and Heanor dispossess to clear… That’s it! A massive three points for Heanor!
FT: Kimberley Miners Welfare 0-1 Heanor Town
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 4/10 – The young boys here today were fantastic but that was all the noise there was.
- The Ground: 5/10 – It’s an alright ground! Nothing too special but still something to be proud of!
- Expense: 8/10 – £40 for fuel, £6 to get in, £3 for pin badge and then £5 for food and drink, was it worth it? Nearly.
- Overall Experience: 6/10 – It was ok here today! Saw a competitive game and a goal! Pretty good!
23/40