Heanor Town v Radcliffe Olympic

Well ... that WAS a wet weekend wasn't it ?? As mentioned, I knew there were a few games called off before leaving Mossley for the journey down to Belper. I'd been hoping to take in Buxton v Ashton United, but when we arrived in Buxton about midday the place place was pretty much under water - the River Wye had flooded its banks by the park near the A6 - and the phone call to Buxton confirmed the worst. Carried on to Belper (A6 partly flooded - in fact it was closed coming back today !!) and started to make further enquiries. A very nice man at Heanor told me "The nets are being put up now, so hopefully ..." - that was enough for me ! Mrs Smiffy and our Michelle went off to see "the panto" (starring Mother-in-Law) - I took the car and travelled the 7 miles over to Heanor.

Into the Social Club - to be greeted by a bunch of Ilkeston Town fans - since Ilson folded, they've been following Heanor Town (it's only a mile or two down the road from Ilkeston) ... and they promised me goals as well. The weather was awful - I was amazed that the game was going ahead - blowing a gale across the pitch and chucking it down as well (glad I had Saturday "off the post" !!). Heanor share with the cricket club, and I found myself on the open side of the pitch with the wind and rain hitting my back big style - OK there was a stand on the other side but that would have meant wind and rain hitting the lens - you have to suffer for your art. The game - excellent considering the conditions - littered with errors naturally, but there were 22 players out there giving it 100%. Heanor missed a penalty just before half-time before Radcliffe took the lead midway through the second half, but the home team came through in the end with a couple of well-taken goals - as far as I remember the scorer of Heanor's first - Nathan Benger - used to be at Matlock Town ... considering the weather the pictures aren't too bad (now I'm home, the gear is gently drying out in preparation for something this coming midweek !!) ...

Heanor Town 2 Radcliffe Olympic 1

Quick pint after the game - failed miserably to dry myself out very much ... fortunately there was a Royal Mail mailbag in the boot to put on the car seat !! Back to Belper - a couple of pints in the "Grapes" (owned by Phil Varney - who's standing down as Belper Town Chairman - noticed Nailers secretary Dave Laughlin having a drinkie in there as well - didn't mention Shepshed Dynamo though ...). Home this afternoon ... to this ...

Midweek games - haven't really looked yet ... watch this space ...
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