Wednesday 21 November 2007
The journey goes 'international'
I will be off to Wales for the 3rd qualifying round as Sheffield face a trip to Colwyn Bay, a fellow Unibond 1 South club. In fact, they were meant to play there in the league on that day so no change in plan is needed. It's quite a trek for me but the place looks quite nice and a good day by the seaside is anticipated, weather permitting
Sunday 4 November 2007
Sheffield 3 Kendal 2
...or should I say Kendall or Kendle! Between them, Grantham and Sheffield seemed to be in a competition of their own to find as many ways as possible to mispell the name of the Cumbrian town, both in their programmes and notices.
It's nice to have a familiar companion on this new road to Wembley - the Lovell jinx was back. Last season the team I was following won 5 times in 18 matches. This year, the ratio is already down to 1 in 3. So, Sheffield enjoy your cup run - it won't last long!
I arrived at the 'Bright Finance Stadium' shortly after 2.00 having spent about an hour trying to find it in rural Derbyshire. Let's just say that the stands aren't imposing enough to be seen from 100 yards away let alone 1-2 miles. Never mind, I thought, it is a non-league club after all and I'm sure that the cheek that lets them call themselves 'The Club' would be matched by their friendliness. And, of course, I was right. What is it about certain clubs (mainly non-league I have to say) that means that you warm to them immediately - and I did to Sheffield.
It is a tiny 'stadium' but also neat and relatively new - the first one they have owned in their history. They are celebrating their 150th anniversary to the full. This will no doubt be the last time I attend a non-league ground where the announcer mentions an upcoming home game against Inter Milan! OK, it will be held at Bramall Lane, and won't be the first team but who cares.
To the game - Kendal (Kendall, Kendle, Kendill? etc etc) took the lead early on with a neatly taken goal from Mulvaney. I must say that it did look suspiciously offside, but in my experience linesmen are nearly always right with these decisions so I don't think Sheffield could probably complain too much. Kendal dominated the first 20 minutes or so, but Sheffield worked their way back into the game and deserved their equaliser when it came. It was a scrappy affair turned in by Ingall, who celebrated the goal a minute or so later by scything down a Kendal midfielder and earning a booking. 1-1 at half-time was a fair reflection.
The second half was like being at the swimming pool at the Olympics. The Kendal forwards spent most of their time diving in an attempt to get penalties. Arnison was booked for his troubles, but his was the least blatant. How the Kendal officials who were stood near me could feel they should have had lots of penalties is beyond me and the constant whining by the Kendal bench at the referee was unpleasant to hear. For the record, from a neutral's point of view he had a good game.
Sheffield took the lead early in the second half with a thunderbolt shot from Gavin Smith, the right back, who continues to be the club's top scorer this season, adding to the 10 he got last year. The Club looked to have finished it 15 minutes from the end when a shot from Powell, following smart work from Paul Smith, the impressive left back, was parried into the path of Ward for a simple tap in.
That looked to be that - until Kendal were finally awarded a penalty in injury time (after yet another dive!) and Wright slammed it home. Wright immediately ran into the goal to attempt to get the ball back and tried to wrestle it off the Sheffield keeper. Mulvaney, in his frustration tried to kick the ball out of his hands and was deservedly sent off. A pity that the match should end this way as it had been a thoroughly entertaining affair.
At least it wasn't a draw and the prospect of a midweek replay in Kendal has now gone. On Monday the Conference North and South sides will enter the fray as we reach the third qualifying round stage.
It's nice to have a familiar companion on this new road to Wembley - the Lovell jinx was back. Last season the team I was following won 5 times in 18 matches. This year, the ratio is already down to 1 in 3. So, Sheffield enjoy your cup run - it won't last long!
I arrived at the 'Bright Finance Stadium' shortly after 2.00 having spent about an hour trying to find it in rural Derbyshire. Let's just say that the stands aren't imposing enough to be seen from 100 yards away let alone 1-2 miles. Never mind, I thought, it is a non-league club after all and I'm sure that the cheek that lets them call themselves 'The Club' would be matched by their friendliness. And, of course, I was right. What is it about certain clubs (mainly non-league I have to say) that means that you warm to them immediately - and I did to Sheffield.
It is a tiny 'stadium' but also neat and relatively new - the first one they have owned in their history. They are celebrating their 150th anniversary to the full. This will no doubt be the last time I attend a non-league ground where the announcer mentions an upcoming home game against Inter Milan! OK, it will be held at Bramall Lane, and won't be the first team but who cares.
To the game - Kendal (Kendall, Kendle, Kendill? etc etc) took the lead early on with a neatly taken goal from Mulvaney. I must say that it did look suspiciously offside, but in my experience linesmen are nearly always right with these decisions so I don't think Sheffield could probably complain too much. Kendal dominated the first 20 minutes or so, but Sheffield worked their way back into the game and deserved their equaliser when it came. It was a scrappy affair turned in by Ingall, who celebrated the goal a minute or so later by scything down a Kendal midfielder and earning a booking. 1-1 at half-time was a fair reflection.
The second half was like being at the swimming pool at the Olympics. The Kendal forwards spent most of their time diving in an attempt to get penalties. Arnison was booked for his troubles, but his was the least blatant. How the Kendal officials who were stood near me could feel they should have had lots of penalties is beyond me and the constant whining by the Kendal bench at the referee was unpleasant to hear. For the record, from a neutral's point of view he had a good game.
Sheffield took the lead early in the second half with a thunderbolt shot from Gavin Smith, the right back, who continues to be the club's top scorer this season, adding to the 10 he got last year. The Club looked to have finished it 15 minutes from the end when a shot from Powell, following smart work from Paul Smith, the impressive left back, was parried into the path of Ward for a simple tap in.
That looked to be that - until Kendal were finally awarded a penalty in injury time (after yet another dive!) and Wright slammed it home. Wright immediately ran into the goal to attempt to get the ball back and tried to wrestle it off the Sheffield keeper. Mulvaney, in his frustration tried to kick the ball out of his hands and was deservedly sent off. A pity that the match should end this way as it had been a thoroughly entertaining affair.
At least it wasn't a draw and the prospect of a midweek replay in Kendal has now gone. On Monday the Conference North and South sides will enter the fray as we reach the third qualifying round stage.
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