Park Avenue, home of Louth Town who were based in Lincolnshire. The first of 2 visits to this ground for me, the first game will be the subject for this one. 9th February 2013 and the visit of Shirebrook Town for this one. Shirebrook dreaming of promotion had to win, and win and win. But so were Louth which was why me and the rest of the travelling Shirebrook fans were not as optimistic as always before a match.
We arrived at the ground and made our way to the club house, which had the perfect vantage point for the game, with a view like that, why go outside? We needed to put the flag up and the players needed the Shirebrook Boys and the rest to cheer them on, that’s why! £2 to get in! BOOM! The flag was up and we positioned ourselves next to the away dugout. Kick off! A bright start for the visitors asking questions of Louth. 20 minutes gone and Shirebrook have a free kick in a good crossing position. Jack Barnett swung the ball in and it was missed by everyone… including the goalkeeper and the ball went straight in to the delight of the traveling fans!! 0-1 and a poor goal to concede.
Shirebrook continued to dominate and around the half hour mark, a crunching challenge on Joel Holland from behind put enormous pressure on the Referee from the Shirebrook fans, players and management. If only the former Rugby player turned commentator Mick Morgan was commentating this match, I wonder what he would have said? “GET HIM OFF THE FIELD!!” For sure! The Referee gave a yellow card much to the dismay of everyone associated with Shirebrook that day and the look of relief on the Louth manager’s face. Joel Holland would be out for the foreseeable but this did not stop Shirebrook’s control of the game and right on half time, Adam Burton doubled Shirebrook’s lead making the score at half time Louth 0 Shirebrook 2.
The second half began just as the first half began, Shirebrook continued to dominate. Wave after wave of Shirebrook attacks it just seemed to be a matter of how many Shirebrook would win by. The traveling Shirebrook fans were beginning to get annoyed with the missed chances but that all changed when a ball crossed into the Louth box was met by Carlos Forbes to head home to finally make it 3! Let’s all do the Poznan for the third time! Shirebrook continued to press and a second yellow given to Louth’s right back meant they would finish the game with 10 men. Shirebrook couldn’t find the fourth goal but I’m sure the Shirebrook faithful would have been delighted with that result before the match.
FT: Louth Town 0-3 Shirebrook Town
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 6/10 – Plenty of noise from the Shirebrook Boys in this one especially being a voice down but next to nothing from the Louth faithful.
- The Ground: 6/10 – A fantastic ground at that level of football made by the club house if anything, nothing much to shout about the rest of the ground mind.
- Expense: 10/10 – £2 to get in? Where else would you find that these days? 3 goals and a flawless performance added the value sky high!
- Overall Experience: 9/10 – A massive win for Shirebrook and a lovely ground to add to it, to top it all off, the fish and chip shop around the corner was one of the best I’d ever had!
31/40