I looked at the F.A. Vase Cup draw and was drawn towards two Miners Welfare teams playing each other. Hemsworth Miners Welfare F.C. v. Nostell Miners Welfare F.C. but Hemsworths pitch had been dug up to lay a new artificial one which meant Nostell were playing at home away. The home advantage may help to even up the fact that Nostell play in the First Division of the Toolstation Northern Counties East whereas Hemsworth are in the division above, the Premier Division. There was also the added ingredient that these two teams play only 4.3 miles apart, a true local derby.
To get to the Nostell ground you have to drive through some housing off the main road at New Crofton. There was plenty of parking in the leafy surroundings of the Crofton Community Centre which appeared to have more than one ground a bowling green and a very good club house. Teams of all ages play here and everywhere was tidy and spotless. Covid restrictions still in play and a one way system led me into the ground and I decided to give the club house a miss but found a quieter food and drinks counter.
The pitch must be one of the most secluded in the country one side bounded by a bank with a small seating area and other three sides by mature trees which were swaying in the strong breeze. At one end of the flat pitch leaves were falling changing the green long grass into a mottled green and yellow patchwork.
Most of the small 108 crowd were huddled under the covered seating area as the rain turned to bright sunshine and back to rain throughout the game.
Hemsworth Miners Welfare F.C. was formed in 1981 after Hemsworth Coliery F.C. had folded but they soon gained promotions within the local leagues to be elected to the Northern Counties East League in 2008 and four years ago were elevated to the Premier league after being Champions of League 1.
Hemsworth have become a truly community club and their current laying of an artificial pitch will give greater access to everyone to play and in all weather’s. It should also generate an extra income stream.
Please if you have time watch this video made about Hemsworth by Barnsley F.C. It epitomises what a Non League club does within it’s community. One quote from the video says “Non League is honest “. https://twitter.com/i/status/1182611803798245376
Nostel Miners football can be traced back to the 1890’s and the Miners Welfare formed in 1928 when the current land that is used today was bought. The club have played for most of their history in local leagues and in 2006 were promoted to their current League. Since the demise of the local pit the club has become a community club.
Hemsworth M.W. 3 Nostel M.W. 0
Hemsworth took control of the game from the start and hit the bar and missed simple chances before they took the lead on 23 minutes when the ball was whipped in from the right after a corner on the left and Josh Wright nodded the ball unopposed for them to take the lead.
Five minutes later the game was held up for some time as a Hemsworth player, Josh Wright, went down after a clash with what looked like a knee injury. After shouts of pain and treatment a stretcher was called and he was carried off the pitch.
Hemsworth’s midfield continued to dominate the play and they finished comfortably ahead at half time.
Within 2 minutes of the restart Nostells no20 was sent off for a very strong tackle which left them with a mountain to climb and 5 minutes later Hemsworth doubled their lead when no.7
Valladolid Collins was able to tap the ball home following a good pass from the left.
The game was put beyond Nostells reach on 66 minutes when Hughes with his first touch, having just been brought on ,cut inside, steadied himself, and from 5 metres out curled the ball along the ground inside the post for an unassailable 3 goal lead.
That’s how it stayed at the end of 90 minutes so the away home team were unable to create a giantkilling upset and Hemsworth gained local bragging rites.
The snack bar was very reasonably priced and the chips were cooked separately and were mega hot, crispy, golden, good quantity and above all tasty. Only slightly below last week’s Ilkeston standard with a score of 83. Either the chips are getting better or I need to get out more.
Payonthegate 