Belper Town v Clitheroe

OK - it's not exactly part of "Six Tame Sides" - but stuff needed to be done at Mother-in-laws while she was away (like sorting out a new kitchen !), so it was to ChristChurch Meadow we went for the football fix.

Nipped into the "George" before the game - to see a large band of Clitheroe fans - including Billy who I last saw, whilst accompanying a band of Clitheroe fans on the last leg of their sponsored walk to Mossley last season - first question naturally was "How are your feet ?".

To the game - two teams in trouble - so something had to give. Belper started well, and after 17 minutes Mushambi set up Chris Davies with a golden chance to make it 1-0 - but his feet got all tangled up with the ball - and the Nailers were left to rue that chance when just before the half-hour Darrell Avery found space down the left and his well-hit shot from a very acute angle went across Carney and crept in at the far post.



First blood to Clitheroe - Avery's shot creeps in.

Urged on by the usual small, yet voiciferous "Blue Army, Clitheroe then spent a ten munute spell camped in the Belper half, with Carney making one excellent save from Jones. Just before half-time Clitheroe doubled their lead when Exton (my MOM) outstripped everyone - again down the left - before picking his spot.




The "Blue Army" - with flappy flag !

The second half saw chances at both ends - Mushambi had one great effort for Belper which fizzed over the bar, and Clitheroe had further chances to increase their lead. It was "game over" on the hour though when Belper's Ashley Foyle "saw red" for one of those "last man tackles" that don't quite work ! Ten minutes later a shot came back off the Belper bar for Sargeson to make it 3-0 to the visitors and send the Clitheroe fans happily back up the A50 - apparently they don't use the A6 version of "going home" !



Mushy's shot just clears the bar.

The atmosphere was bleak in the bar afterwards (and not just because there was no "Pedigree" in the jug !) - much of was was borne out by the announcement this morning (Sunday), that Belper Manager Ernie Moss had tendered his resignation. Also met Brendan after the game - a guy I've known for a long time - we used to share Stafford Rangers matches back in the 80s.

I slithered off to go out for a meal at the "Elaichi" Bangladeshi Restaurant with Mrs Smiffy, daughter (up from Derby Uni) and sister-in-law Judith. A fine mixed kebab, followed by Tandoori Monkfish, washed down with some Kingfisher Beer. Fell asleep later .....

Other pictures available at http://s146.photobucket.com/albums/r272/mossleysmiffy/BelperClitheroe/