Not been to the Blidworth Welfare Ground for a while and if they continue to play like this, I think it may be a while before I visit again!
Clifton have a good squad, but Blidworth made them look like world beaters, so abject was the home teams performance.
I almost changed my mind about going to this game. Kev was feeling under the weather so decided to give it a miss, so I almost took the easy option of going up the road to see AFC Hucknall take on Nottm Utd. That game finished 3-4 to United.
Pleased that I stayed faithful to the fixtures, although I have to admit that with my "Blidworth hat" on, I was very disappointed with the result.
Teams:
Welfare: Stanhope, R Meehan, Goody, Webster, R Evans, Paling, Gould C, Shelton, Senior, Moult, Gould C
All Whites: Parlatt, Banister, Bee, Robinson, Torr, J Richardson, Heath, B Richardson, Atkins, M Evans, Stark
Great to catch up with Blidworth Treasurer Scott Ward again, and I have to compliment him on the match day programme. I had previously criticised the Welfare publication, but my criticism was well meant, and seems to have had an effect - 32 pages - top effort, Scotty - well done.
Scott enlightened me as to why the team were changing in the stand behind the goal, while Clifton were using the Welfare function room. A recent burst pipe caused a lot of destruction in the usual changing facilities, and although they were partially usable, the Insurance company had shut them down in midweek as they were still assessing the damage. No chance to call off the game or arrange another venue, so it was what it was. Clifton were apparently brilliant about the whole situation, and accepted Blidworth's limited hospitality with composure and grace.
"On The Road" friend Rob Townsend was in the middle and he made it clear fro the start that he wasn't going to put up with excessive foul language, giving Clifton right back Mike Banister particular attention!
I've known Banno a long time, and as with all players in today's modern game, he is well versed in swearing,
It should be noted though, that just because we usually take bad language as the norm, some people do find it offensive, and if ladies and children are present it can be somewhat embarrassing.
I spend the entire game with Dave Banister, Michael's Dad and keen reader of this blog.... again, I have known Dave for years and it's always a pleasure to be in his company.
Clifton took the lead in just the 8th minute when Micky Evans crossed from the right and CHRIS ATKINS tame mis-hit volley deceived Welfare keeper Paul Stanhope who will be disappointed that he didn't save the effort. ATKINS was on target again on 25, this time latching onto a ball from Banister before firing past Stanhope from an acute angle. H-T 0-2
Spent the break watching a youth game on the top pitch, but my mind wasn't on the game - I was puzzling over why Blidworth's Tom Moult had been booked by Referee Townsend for knocking the ball into the Clifton net with his hand, while earlier Evans had attempted the same for the visitors and only received a quiet word. Rob explained on his way back to the middle after his cuppa - one was blatant, the other wasn't, and it wasn't adjudged to have been an attempt to deceive the officials. Good enough for me.
ATKINS completed his personal triple in the 48th minute. After breaking a very loose attempt at an off-side trap, the no. 9 calmly rounded Stanhope before rolling the ball into the empty net. Atkins' strike partner MICKY EVANS opened his own account on 55, and it was Atkins who provided the cross from the right that one of the League's top marksman coolly volleyed home.
Chris Atkins - hat-trick
Voller, Atkins, M Evans, R Evans
Atkins, M Evans, Heath, B Richardson
Clifton netted their fifth with 72 minutes played - a great ball by Ben Richardson picked out Atkins again on the right, and again the no. 9 crossed into the box to where EVANS was on hand to side foot home from close range.
With four minutes left to play, Heath fired in a cross from the right and the ball was superbly brought down in the box by Blidworth right back Ryan Meehan, unfortunately trapping the ball did nothing other than set up Clifton sub DORIAN MILLER who gleefully fired home from close range.
Blidworth managed to knacker up Parlatt's clean sheet, although the keeper was 100% to blame, falling over whilst trying to clear a SCOTT GOODY hopeful punt from inside his own half, allowing the ball to roll into the gaping net! Clifton had the last word though, BEN RICHARDSON on the end of yet another cross from the right - the no. 8 side-footing home from 8 yards out. F-T 1-7
A "bad day at the office" for Blidworth? I suppose you could say that, but in reality, the home team were put to the sword by a very talented Clifton outfit.
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| Blidworth Gaffer Dave Voller and skipper Jamie Senior must have wondered what hit them!! |
Admission £3
Programme - £1 ( well worth the money!)
Attendance 52
