155 But Still Fighting

Clifton All Whites  2  Belper United  1

East Midlands Counties League Cup – Semi Final

BBC Radio Derby – Sports Scene Final, I think I’ve been down this route before in the blog, but not to worry, I’m going to do it again just one more time!

It was the journey home from my Grandma’s in Mickleover on a Saturday night, we would normally be on the final straight back to Fritchley when the non-league reports came on, and always featured were Borrowash Victoria, with Ian ‘Chunky’ Collins providing the report from firstly Deans Drive, and then the Asterdale Bowl.

The Vics are one of the stalwarts of non-league football in Derby, joining the First Division of the old Midland League in 1979, before becoming founder members of the Northern Counties East League in 1982. They defected to the Central Midlands League along with many other local sides in 1986, but within ten years they were back in the NCEL.

They had a four season spell in the Premier Division, but were relegated and then moved sideways to the East Midlands Counties League where they remain.

The Asterdale Bowl was the chosen venue for tonight’s League Cup semi-final between Clifton All Whites and Belper United, with United of course being former ground sharers at Borrowash a couple of seasons ago when Belper Town decided they didn't want them for a spell!

I’ve not been for a few years to the Bowl, and to be fair to the Vics, the last couple of seasons have been something of a struggle. This season in particular they sit second bottom of the table having conceded 155 goals, indeed on five occasions they’ve conceded double figures in a game, but to be fair, over recent weeks they do look to have steadied the ship a little.

But, with some new blood behind the scenes, and no lack of effort or enthusiasm, the future does look significantly more rosy. The word on the street is that no one will be relegated, which would be a real boost for the Vics because with their infrastructure, they should be a Step 6 club.

The ground is vast in terms of size. The Asterdale complex itself is a huge site, with the home of Graham Street Prims on the left as you drive in, and the now derelict Asterdale Club standing out like a monolith from days gone by as many ponder what the future holds for it.

Once beyond the car park is the slope that takes you down to the turnstiles at the back of the goal, with the old golf driving range stand immediately to the right. Yes, the ground was once a driving range, and that largely explains the vastness of it. A seated stand has been put on the halfway line while opposite are the dressing rooms. A bar sits to the far end of the driving range stand, from which food can now be purchased to accompany your drinkies, following the closure of the wonderful old tea bar that used to be at the opposite end of the stand.

The pitch is large, and considering the recent wet weather it looked in good shape, while the only criticism would have to be the floodlights, they are not especially powerful, but I’m sure that’s something that the club have on the radar when funds allow.

My first visit came in 1994 when I saw them play Nuthall in an FA Vase Replay (it went to three replays if I recall), since then visits have tended to be midweek games, or on the odd occasion when Belper United were indeed sharing with them.

I quite fancied Belper to win the game, especially given they’ve had some good results against Clifton already this season, but to be fair they never got out of the blocks in the first half and found themselves 2-0 down at the break against an All Whites side that were confident and sharp in all areas of the pitch.

The second half was a totally different story as United got a goal back from the penalty spot, and went on to throw the kitchen sink at Clifton, very much in the same way the Nottingham based side did in the first period. With a bit more composure they may well have got an equaliser and even gone on to win the game, but in all honesty, it was the first half that did for them.

Clifton go on to play Newark Flowserve in the Final, it should be an interesting encounter. On paper you would fancy the big spenders from Newark, but.....

As for Borrowash, I do hope that they stay up and I do hope that those behind the scenes see the efforts they are putting in bear fruit. A competitive Vics side is good for local football, they’ve been a top team in the past and they could be again.

I recall back in 1991 they went to Conference side Macclesfield Town in the FA Cup and won 2-1, that was one hell of a result. The two clubs nowadays couldn’t be further apart in reality, but just getting back into the FA Cup with a decent league position would be an achievement for the Vics.

I don’t think anyone who appreciates what it takes to run a non-league football club would begrudge them that.