Bottesford 3 Sutton Bonington 2
Leicestershire Senior League – League Cup
The silly season is drawing to a
close now and this, as far as I was concerned, was the final midweek of early
kick-offs.
It was pleasing to see that Rob
Campion, the now Fixtures Secretary of Leicestershire Senior League, had kindly
put in all of the Beacon Bitter League Cup ties in what is effectively the
final chance to take advantage of the rapidly receding daylight. Rob is a great appointment by the way, you can already see via social media the impact he's having.
I had a couple of choices, one was
Newbold Verdon, but I chose to head in a slightly different direction for the
LSL, towards Grantham, because Bottesford Football Club, who play right on the
Nottinghamshire / Leicestershire border, were one of the new entrants to the league this
season.
Steve went in pre-season and said
what a good set up it was, so I was quite looking forward to heading East of
Nottingham on a night when the Reds were taking on the Rams at the City Ground in the
Rumbelows Cup.
Setting off from Sheffield, I let
the sat nav lead the way and I did enjoy the surprises it game me as first we
went towards Mansfield, before heading down past Kings Mill Hospital and onto
the bypass the goes via Rainworth to the Newark Road.
It was a right at the roundabout
down past White Post Farm and on the road that leads down through Oxton and
Lowdham, before joining the A52 at Bingham. Bottesford is about four miles East
of Bingham, and having passed the ground on the way into the village, and noted
signs of life, I took the decision to refresh myself at The Rutland Arms.
The Dry Roasted Peanuts were a bit
disappointing, they were of the Lichfield variety as opposed to KP and having been
let down before, I should have known better than to even think they would be of
an acceptable standard. I will remember again next time…..
Anyway, suitably watered it was
back along to the football ground which is a huge expanse, largely in the
middle of nowhere. The car park is plentiful, and in front sits a modern
building which has the dressing rooms and a café area, although that wasn’t in
use.
Beyond this are pitches, lots of
them, with the first team game taking place on the one directly in front of the
building, complete with what looks to be a brand new plastic barrier all the
way around it. The pitch, as seems to be the norm these days, looked excellent.
At the adjacent pitch furthest away from the building, one of the junior sides
was in action, and without keeping score, they seemed to win handsomely! Bottesford look to have a large and thriving junior section, and that will stand them well for future years, it's great to see
Bottesford competed in the second tier
of the North Leicestershire League last season, and finished just below half
way, but they have been accepted into the LSL this season and went into the
game having one won and lost won, which was an identical record to Sutton
Bonington.
One or two members of the
travelling fraternity were in attendance, including Peter Ford who sets himself
a target of watching 365 games a season which for him runs 1st July
to 30th June (guess how he came to that figure), but anyway, he fell
twenty or so short last time around, so he’s hoping to do better this season! I've never seen a game in the Montrose Welfare League, bit give it time.....
The visitors went in at half time
leading 1-0, but found themselves 2-1 down before replying with an equaliser. With the
light fading quickly and forked lightning being seen to the East, we did wonder
if the game went to a penalty shoot out, just how much visibility would be
left? Anyway, we need not have worried as Bottesford grabbed a late winner to
move into the next round.
It was pretty dark by the final
whistle, and that gloom only worsened as I had the joy of listening to Derby’s
Reserves (Cocu needs ****ing over that) get a pasting at Forest. But, another
very enjoyable night watching one of the new LSL recruits, but Rob, this was as
near to Grantham as you need to be going, honestly, no closer mate!
Three to go now……
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