Tuesday 15th September 2020
CMFL North
at the Jones & Co. Recreation Ground
Harworth Colliery (1) 2
Keegan Hepplestone 45+1
Jack Billau 78
AFC Phoenix (0) 0
Attendance: 137
I suspect that the ever growing local mosquito population of Bircotes have been fasting in preparation for when I ventured back to one of my old stomping grounds tonight. Subsequently they were treated to a sumptuous banquet with a main course of 137 victims headin out for for a night of thrills, spills and insect vampire activity under the bright lights of the ever improving Recreation Ground, on Scrooby Road, Bircotes, which to my knowledge is still the only ground in the known universe where one is treated to a free shot of 'mozzie' repellent on the way in.
I still shudder when I recall the time that I attended a pre-season evening game at Scrooby Road on a balmy (and barmy) Summer night wearing shorts. Two of the blood-thirsty and savage gnats got up one of my legs and masticated my manhood... I swear I still carry the scars to this day. If you ask me nicely I'll meet you behind the bike sheds at dinner time for a private showing.
It was one of those never to be repeated: "Quick love, get a picture of this bloody great big thing before the swelling goes down" moments.
Once you've been a part of Harworth Colliery FC you are always made to feel welcome and that you still belong as a part of the underpinning fabric of the club.
The genuinely friendly welcome I always receive whenever I am ever over this way (i.e. not anything like as often as I'd like to be) is greatly appreciated, heart warming and actually quite touching.
The banter is still as lively as ever too... but that's a two way street and if you are going to dish it out you should be able to take it back on the chin too. And besides, no offence was ever taken nor intended.
Prior to kick-off the 'Colliery' secretary Elaine Thompson received a memento on the pitch from the league treasurer and master of ceremonies: Mr John Cornthwaite, for having won the CMFL secretary of the year award for the 2019-20 season, which is voted for by the league committee. Congratulations mi' duck. I don't think a lot of people actually realise just how much work, dedication, responsibility and reallocation of personal time and space go into fulfilling this vital role if you're going to do the job properly... and Elaine obviously must do, because the calibre of individuals across the length and breadth of the CMFL who undertake such duties is very high.
The first half was a closely contested and tight affair, bereft of many clear cut goal-scoring opportunities as the two sides weighed each other up. It was 'competitive' for sure, but in a firm but fair kind of way and excellently overseen by the match referee Jamie O'Connor. That's the second time that I've complimented Mr O'Connor this year, but I'm not planning on making a habit of it, so don't ever go letting your standards drop Jamie, because I've got you in the range-finder and scope of my sights now pal... and one errant move could instigate an instance of trigger-happiness ;-)
The visiting side are a phoenix club, quite literally, raising from the ashes of Brinsworth based Phoenix FC to become AFC Phoenix during a recent internal reorganisation under the Phoenix Sports & Recreation umbrella, that created a need for a name change... in essence it's still the same long-standing club but they've had to be called something different because of a FA affiliation technicality. So now you know, eh!?
Just when he looked as though the game was going to reach the halfway point without either side having broken the deadlock... wallop! Keegan Hepplestone caught the ball sweetly on the volley and sent it screaming into the top corner of Joe Taylor's net. Pick that one out!
The hosts began the second-half looking to build on their lead, but as time passed by Phoenix began to apply a lot of pressure on the Harworth goal, to such an extent that the young 'Colliery' keeper: Jake Marshall end the night with the accolade of being chosen as the 'man of the match', for making a string of saves and displaying an excellent 'they shall not pass' mentality.
Ainsley Finney thumped a shot against the right hand upright and also went very close for the home side with a couple of long range strikes that would've made for quite spectacular goals if they had only been a fraction the other side of the woodwork, but Jack Billau scored for the second successive game and doubled the north Nottinghamshire sides lead with twelve minutes remaining, via a low shot from just inside the edge of the area, which gave Harworth enough wriggle room to see out the remainder of the game and keep a very lively visiting side at bay.
The result means, that Harworth have moved into second place in the table by virtue of winning their opening two games and though there is still a long way to go yet and a lot of good sides in the CMFL North Division, winning is a good habit to get into... and it's got to be better to be in a position of early season pacemakers than playing a game of catch-up once the fixtures starting building up thick and fast.
FT: Harworth Colliery 2 v AFC Phoenix 0
At the weekend AFC Phoenix, who started their league campaign with a 2-2 draw at home against Newark Town on Saturday, host Sheffield club Boynton Sports at their Pavilion Lane ground. While Harworth, who won 1-2 at Renishaw FC in their opening game, will be looking to make it three wins out of three when they travel to Moorends Welfare to take on Thorne Colliery.
Thanks to Elaine (HCFC) for providing me with the team line ups.
