Park Road… The closest ground to my Shirebrook home besides Shirebrook Town! A place for me, my brothers and friends to have a kick about when we have some down time. It’s also the home of Shirebrook Gate who play in the ICI Mansfield Sunday League Division One.
Thanks to Chris last night who mentioned that there is a game on in Shirebrook on this Sunday morning either at Park Road or at Coronation Drive at 11am. It’s 10:45am and I am out the door, I’m going to try Park Road first. The shortest journey to a ground I’ll ever have sees me here in 5 minutes, do we have a game here…? Yes we do! Shirebrook Gate vs Blidworth Miners in a friendly! Here we go!
Kick Off… Straight away and Shirebrook win the ball of Blidworth and number 18 is played through, is this the quickest goal I’ve ever witnessed… No! He’s put it wide… It certainly should have been!
2 minutes later and Gate break forward down the right with number 9 who’s got the pace on the Blidworth left back, he gets into the box and goes for the top corner… Just wide! Another big chance early on!
2 minutes after that and Blidworth hit the ball forward, number 9 is through… But the flag is up… Referee doesn’t acknowledge and he’s in, he shoots… He’s put it wide… It came off a Gate player on the way through the Referee says, what a chance again!
10th minute and Gate come forward down the right, number 9 is through in the box on the right, he shoots… Keeper saves!
1 minute later and Gate have the ball in the Blidworth half, number 12 has it and he goes for goal from 30 yards… Keeper has fumbled it… It’s hit the post and……… It’s there! No more than Gate have deserved! Proper Sunday League! 1-0!
2 minutes later and here come Gate again, a long ball is played over the top for number 9 who gets onto it and he gets into the box and gets a shot away… Over! How many chance are Gate going to waste here?
18th minute and Gate have the ball on the left, it’s a deep cross into the box and here’s number 18 with the free header… Oooooh! Just wide!
The game has slowed down but Blidworth are starting to get back into it slowly. 37 minutes on the watch and Gate win the ball back in the Blidworth half, it’s played to number 12, 30 yards out and he goes for goal again… Wide!
42nd minute and Gate play down the left, a lovely through ball sees number 18 in behind the Blidworth backline, he’s through in goal… Oh dear! He’s sliced that one well wide! “Get him off he’s f*****g w**k!” The Shirebrook Gate bench in good spirits this Sunday morning! Gate lead 1-0 at half time… Somehow!
Second half and…
I’m now running the line for the second half… Hopefully no controversy!
49 minutes gone and Blidworth have a throw in on the left, it’s played in and the cross comes in, it comes to number 18 on the edge of the box and he goes for the volley… Over!
1 minute later and Gate have a corner… Contentious but I am certain on that one! in comes the corner… Blidworth get it away but only to Shirebrook’s number 5 on the edge of the box, he shoots… Deflected… And in! A bit of luck but it’s no more than they’ve deserved! 2-0!
60th minute and Blidworth hit the ball long into the box, keeper saves it with his knees and it’s loose in the box, Blidworth’s number 9 goes for it… He’s brought down there! Penalty! The Gate man didn’t get the ball and the Referee has made a good call there for me! Number 9 will take… And score! 2-1! Game on!
65 minutes now and Gate come forward, number 12 has it, 25 yards out and he shoots… OH! It’s gone in! I think the pitch may have helped there! The keeper couldn’t keep it out and Gate restore their 2 goal cushion! 3-1!
1 minute later and Gate play a ball over the top again, number 10 gets onto it and he shoots… Saved! He’s there for the rebound… Goal! Another one for Gate and that surely is the win for them! 4-1!
2 minutes after and Gate play down the right, number 8 drives into the box, he squares it to number 10, he plays it back to number 8… Who finishes! It’s becoming a rout now! 5-1!
72 minutes now and Gate play another long ball forward, number 8 outpaces his man and he’s in again… To score number SIX!! Good finish! 6-1!
80th minute and Gate play down the right, it’s crossed in, number 7 is there at the back post with the header… Over!
82 minutes now and Blidworth’s number 9 and Gate’s number 16 battle for the ball in the Gate half… Uh-oh! It’s getting nasty! They’re squaring off… Number 16 goes in with his head and the other players run onto the pitch here… Not much of a friendly now! It has calmed down at last and the Referee pulls both players over, surely number 16 must go… He does! Red card for him but what about Blidworth’s number 9…? Yellow card! Fair enough but he will go off as I think he’s drawn blood.
Play goes on with Blidworth temporarily down to 10 along with Gate who will play on with 10 men. About 3 minutes later and number 9 is back. Gate keep coming forward but will have to settle with 6 of the best this morning!
FT: Shirebrook Gate 6-1 Blidworth Miners
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 2/10 – A few cheers and jeers from the small crowd here today.
- The Ground: 3.5/10 – A special ground for me! It is just a field but the trees give it a nice backdrop along with the houses on the far side.
- Expense: 10/10 – £0!!
- Overall Experience: 6/10 – A good game I thought and I enjoyed running the line and I’m glad that I’ve finally ticked it off rather than casually playing on it!
21.5/40