Castle Leisure Park, home of Walker’s Wanderers based in Bolsover, Derbyshire and play their trade in the Chesterfield Sunday League Division 5.
This is the one I have been waiting for! The ground that every groundhopper wants to see in this league! The former home of the old Carr Vale United who played in the old Midland League but is now a Sunday League setup.
The weather is better than expected so let’s make the short journey through Woodseats to Meadowhead, through Staveley and into Carr Vale, do we have a game…? Yes we do! In fact there’s 2 games on but in accordance with the Groundhopping Police regulations, only one game shall be seen. So it’s Walker’s Wanderers vs Badger FC and we have arrived just as the whistle blows for kick off!
Kick Off! 6 minutes in and Walker’s are played through, they get into the box and the shot comes in… Keeper parries it and here’s number 2 running in… Who puts it away! Good start for Walker’s! 1-0!
10 minutes now and Walker’s have a corner, in it comes… Number 8 with the header… Just wide! Walker’s are flying so far!
2 minutes later and here they come again, number 8 plays it forward looking for number 2, he misses it but number 8 might get onto the end of this… He does and he shoots from just inside the box on the left… And he’s found the bottom corner!! Brilliant finish!! It’s 2-0!
15th minute and Walker’s down the right, it’s crossed in, it comes to number 16 at the back post, he controls and gets his shot away… And he’s scored! He’s beaten the keeper at the near post and Walker’s Wanderers are RUNNING away with this one! 3-0!
28th minute and Walker’s have a free kick in the Badger half, it’s played into the middle… And it’s turned in… But no it was off a hand and it won’t count! Cheeky!
2 minutes later and Badger come forward now, they get into the box and the shot comes in… It’s scuffed and it comes for number 12… He doesn’t get enough on it and the keeper claims it.
The game has fizzled out and Badger have grown more into it but at half time it remains 3-0.
Second half, 51st minute and Badger have a free kick in the Walker’s half, it’s played forward to number 11 who flicks it up and goes for the volley… Brilliant save! It is a corner, in it comes… Keeper catches.
67th minute and Badger play it forward, number 4 will get onto it and and the keeper has come off his line here, number 4 goes for the lob… It’s wide! Big opportunity there!
2 minutes later and number 11 comes forward for Badger, he gets into the box and plays in number 4 who must score… Saved! Walker’s clear. It was a tame effort and he should’ve scored easily!
Corner for Badger now on 85 minutes, in it comes… That’s hit a Walker’s hand surely… Yes it did and it’s a Penalty! Grandstand finish? Number 11 steps up… Ooooooh he rolls it right into the corner and they do get one back! Good Penalty! 3-1!
87 minutes now and Walker’s pile on the pressure again, it’s played through into the box for number 8 who slides for it… And he gets it! That seals it for Walker’s! 4-1!
Into stoppage time and Walker’s have a free kick right on the edge of the box, number 8 steps up… Goes for the curler… Oooooh! Just wide! Referee blows for full time!
FT: Walker’s Wanderers 4-1 Badger FC
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 2/10 – Not too many here today sadly but they were getting behind the game well.
- The Ground: 8/10 – It’s absolutely brilliant! The backdrop of Bolsover Castle is what makes this place what it is! Beautiful! If it had a stand like it did back in the Carr Vale United days? Easy 10/10!
- Expense: 10/10 – Only £1 on Tea and a free bun! Can’t fault it!
- Overall Experience: 6/10 – I enjoyed it today and I’m really glad to see this ground at long last!
26/40