United Counties League Premier Division North- Wednesday 2nd August 2023
A wet Wednesday night saw a trip to the Debdale Park Sports Club in Mansfield for a match between two sides who won their opening league fixtures on Saturday.
The hosts scored an impressive 3-1 victory away at Skegness Town thanks to goals from Ewan Robson, Craig Westcarr and Marley Grant. Westcarr is now 38 years of age and started his professional career at Nottingham Forest, playing three seasons in the First Division before its revamp to the Championship.
The visitors from Lincoln had to be patient against Kimberley Miners Welfare and came away with the three points thanks to a Jake Park strike with just over 20 minutes to go.
The Ground
The Debdale Park Sports Club is a multi-use sports club and the football ground is a lovely little set-up with three sheltered areas for spectators. The pitch took a lot of water throughout the day and evening and played really well for the entire match.
Live sports and a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are available in the bar. There is a decent amount of parking and for those who arrive late, parking is available on the road at the entrance to the facility. The Mansfield Woodhouse train station is just a short walk from the ground too.
The Cost
The £6 admission was, I thought, incredibly reasonable for a game of football. Concessions and children can enter for £4 and £1 respectively. According to the pricing board programmes were unavailable but a pin badge would have set you back £3.
Hot drinks in the kiosk will set you back £2 and there was food available, including huge portions of chips!
The Match
It wasn't the nicest set of conditions for a match with the rain that has fallen throughout the day but the pitch played well and some good football was on show.
Lincoln United, in their Celtic-style away kit, started the game slightly on top without troubling the home keeper. The hosts were keen to get the ball to their left winger, Marley Grant, who was looking to cause problems by isolating his fullback.
The game was only five minutes old when Grant cut back onto his right foot, bent a ball to the back post where it was volleyed back across the goal to be headed in by Craig Westcarr from a few yards out.
A couple of tackles started to fly in and it was the home side who looked the more likely to add a second goal. Knight struck an effort from a distance that rolled wide before Grant, who by this time had swapped to the right, played a low pass into the box that was met by Knight who saw his shot superbly blocked by a combination of United captain Foster and a midfielder.
Just minutes later, Sherwood had their second. It was Grant again causing problems down the right and his excellent low cross was tapped home by Knight. 2-0 and a mountain to climb for the visitors. Colliery was getting on top and, with frustrations heightened after what they saw as dubious refereeing decisions, the bench was well up for it. Knight and Westcarr up top were attempting to link up at every opportunity, Ewan Robson was getting on top of the midfield and number 10 Matthews was looking lively.
Right on half time, it was the turn of the away side to feel aggrieved by the officials as right back Swinn was injured in an aerial challenge. They believed that their player had been elbowed but, after two consultations with his linesman, the referee just awarded a free kick. Swinn was replaced immediately.
The second half started similarly to the first with United trying to get back into this game. Captain Foster had a header blocked from a corner and number 9 Park headed wide from a fiercely struck volley across goal from Liversidge.
Sherwood regained some control in the game and had Westcarr in on goal after a quick break. The former Chesterfield and Notts County forward attempted to round Steggles but the keeper got a good hand to the ball to pushthe attacker wide.
Midfield man Robson was again heavily involved as he carried the ball down the left, producing a great low cross that the striker couldn't convert. With 15 minutes to go, Sherwood was looking likely to add a third but centre-half Sean Wright challenged well with the forward through on goal.
United possibly shaded the possession in the second half but never really threatened Kinnerley in the home goal.
Attendance: 140
Player Watch
Following on from his goal at the weekend, I chose Sherwood Colliery's number 8 Marley Grant to focus on.
Grant started on the left and looked to have the beating of his opponent before switching sides and doing the same. Right-footed, he would look to cut in when on the left and this perhaps slowed him down. Saying that cutting back and crossing led to the opening goal.
Down the left, he looked to isolate the fullback and cut inside to cross or shoot but would also look to play high up the pitch for the ball in behind.
When he swapped sides, he played high up the pitch looking to get into the space behind the left back. He is quick and the speed of his decision-making quickened, perhaps due to being on his strong foot. He wasn't looking to track runners but instead focused on his offensive duties. However, he didn't shy away from a couple of tackles he was required to make.
As mentioned previously, Grant was among several impressive performers for the home side and man of the match Ewan Robson was among those.
A wet Wednesday night saw a trip to the Debdale Park Sports Club in Mansfield for a match between two sides who won their opening league fixtures on Saturday.
The hosts scored an impressive 3-1 victory away at Skegness Town thanks to goals from Ewan Robson, Craig Westcarr and Marley Grant. Westcarr is now 38 years of age and started his professional career at Nottingham Forest, playing three seasons in the First Division before its revamp to the Championship.
The visitors from Lincoln had to be patient against Kimberley Miners Welfare and came away with the three points thanks to a Jake Park strike with just over 20 minutes to go.
The Ground
Live sports and a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are available in the bar. There is a decent amount of parking and for those who arrive late, parking is available on the road at the entrance to the facility. The Mansfield Woodhouse train station is just a short walk from the ground too.
The Cost
The £6 admission was, I thought, incredibly reasonable for a game of football. Concessions and children can enter for £4 and £1 respectively. According to the pricing board programmes were unavailable but a pin badge would have set you back £3.
Hot drinks in the kiosk will set you back £2 and there was food available, including huge portions of chips!
The Match
It wasn't the nicest set of conditions for a match with the rain that has fallen throughout the day but the pitch played well and some good football was on show.
Lincoln United, in their Celtic-style away kit, started the game slightly on top without troubling the home keeper. The hosts were keen to get the ball to their left winger, Marley Grant, who was looking to cause problems by isolating his fullback.
The game was only five minutes old when Grant cut back onto his right foot, bent a ball to the back post where it was volleyed back across the goal to be headed in by Craig Westcarr from a few yards out.
A couple of tackles started to fly in and it was the home side who looked the more likely to add a second goal. Knight struck an effort from a distance that rolled wide before Grant, who by this time had swapped to the right, played a low pass into the box that was met by Knight who saw his shot superbly blocked by a combination of United captain Foster and a midfielder.
Just minutes later, Sherwood had their second. It was Grant again causing problems down the right and his excellent low cross was tapped home by Knight. 2-0 and a mountain to climb for the visitors. Colliery was getting on top and, with frustrations heightened after what they saw as dubious refereeing decisions, the bench was well up for it. Knight and Westcarr up top were attempting to link up at every opportunity, Ewan Robson was getting on top of the midfield and number 10 Matthews was looking lively.
Right on half time, it was the turn of the away side to feel aggrieved by the officials as right back Swinn was injured in an aerial challenge. They believed that their player had been elbowed but, after two consultations with his linesman, the referee just awarded a free kick. Swinn was replaced immediately.
The second half started similarly to the first with United trying to get back into this game. Captain Foster had a header blocked from a corner and number 9 Park headed wide from a fiercely struck volley across goal from Liversidge.
Sherwood regained some control in the game and had Westcarr in on goal after a quick break. The former Chesterfield and Notts County forward attempted to round Steggles but the keeper got a good hand to the ball to pushthe attacker wide.
Midfield man Robson was again heavily involved as he carried the ball down the left, producing a great low cross that the striker couldn't convert. With 15 minutes to go, Sherwood was looking likely to add a third but centre-half Sean Wright challenged well with the forward through on goal.
United possibly shaded the possession in the second half but never really threatened Kinnerley in the home goal.
Attendance: 140
Player Watch
Following on from his goal at the weekend, I chose Sherwood Colliery's number 8 Marley Grant to focus on.
Grant started on the left and looked to have the beating of his opponent before switching sides and doing the same. Right-footed, he would look to cut in when on the left and this perhaps slowed him down. Saying that cutting back and crossing led to the opening goal.
Down the left, he looked to isolate the fullback and cut inside to cross or shoot but would also look to play high up the pitch for the ball in behind.
When he swapped sides, he played high up the pitch looking to get into the space behind the left back. He is quick and the speed of his decision-making quickened, perhaps due to being on his strong foot. He wasn't looking to track runners but instead focused on his offensive duties. However, he didn't shy away from a couple of tackles he was required to make.
As mentioned previously, Grant was among several impressive performers for the home side and man of the match Ewan Robson was among those.
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