DERBY ROLLS ROYCE LEISURE 2-7 ALLENTON UNITED
Saturday 13th August 2011
Midlands Regional Alliance Premier Division
Rolls Royce Sports Ground, Moor Lane
Last week I a saw last seasons Midlands Regional Alliance (MRA) runners-up in action and today sees me take a look at the defending champions Allenton United. They have won the MRA for the past two years, firstly finishing three points ahead of Melbourne Dynamo in the 2009/10 season and a massive fifteen points ahead of Willington last season. Today sees them take on Derby Rolls Royce Leisure (DRRL) for a very local derby. The two teams play at different locations within the Rolls Royce complex - DRRL play on Moor Lane while the entrance to the complex Allenton play on is through "gate 1" which is on Victory Road, just to the south of the junction with Moor Lane. Nearby is the Moorways Stadium in which several teams in the MRA use the outside pitches, though I am not aware of anyone using the main stadium itself - if there is then despite it being an athletics stadium I will be interested in visiting.
A map showing the location and close proximity of the two pitches is below: (blue - DRRL; red - Allenton)
View Rolls Royce in a larger map
Rolls Royce - the company
The name of Rolls Royce is one that is well known the world over and its logo is one of the most recognizable of any company. A brief overview below of the Rolls Royce group is taken from the official website:
"Rolls-Royce, a world-leading provider of power systems and services for use on land, at sea and in the air, has established a strong position in global markets - civil aerospace, defence aerospace, marine and energy and nuclear.
Civil Aerospace
The civil aerospace business powers over 30 types of commercial aircraft and has a strong position in all sectors of the market: widebody, narrowbody and corporate and regional aircraft. Over 13,000 engines are currently in service with 650 airlines, freight operators and lessors and 4,000 corporate operators. A Rolls-Royce powered aircraft takes off or lands every 2.5 seconds.
Defence Aerospace
Rolls-Royce is the world’s second largest provider of defence aero-engine products and services, with 18,000 engines in service for 160 customers in 103 countries. Our engines power aircraft in all sectors: transport, combat, reconnaissance, training, helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles.
Marine
Rolls-Royce has a world-leading range of capabilities in the marine market, encompassing the design, supply and support of power and propulsion systems. We are leaders in the integration of technologically complex, mission critical systems for offshore oil and gas, merchant and naval vessels.
Rolls-Royce has more than 2,500 marine customers and has equipment installed on over 30,000 vessels worldwide, including those of 70 navies.
Energy
The energy business supplies gas turbines, compressors and diesel power units to customers around the world. The business is a world leader in the supply of power for onshore and offshore oil and gas applications. Our developing civil nuclear capability has further strengthened our position in the power generation market.
On the 29th June 2011 the company won a $1bn order from Singapore Airlines. For details on this click on the link below:
http://www.rolls-royce.com/civil/news/2011/110629_singapore_airlines.jsp
The club
The records I have for the club only go back to 1983 and between then and now are incomplete. In 1983 they were known as Rolls Royce (Derby) and joined the Central Midlands League (CML), transferring from the East Midlands Regional League. They won the Premier 1 division title in their debut season in the CML and were promoted to the Premier Division. In 1988 a change of name to Derby Rolls Royce occurred and they remained in the CML until 1997 when they joined the Midlands Regional Alliance (MRA). I don't have any tables for the MRA until 2005 so have no idea how they fared, but during the early part of the opening decade of the 21st century another name occurred, this time to their present title of Derby Rolls Royce Leisure. In 2005/06 and 2006/07 they finished in the runners-up position, firstly five points adrift of champions Ashover and secondly seven points behind Rowsley '86. Last season they finished in 9th place in the sixteen team division. This season both teams have played two games so far. DRRL have won one (2-0 v Holbrook St. Michaels) and lost one (2-1 @ Swanwick Pentrich Road), while Allenton recorded a 4-0 at home to Cromford last Saturday and a drew 0-0 in midweek at home to newly promoted Derby Royals).
http://www.rolls-royce.com/civil/news/2011/110629_singapore_airlines.jsp
The club
The records I have for the club only go back to 1983 and between then and now are incomplete. In 1983 they were known as Rolls Royce (Derby) and joined the Central Midlands League (CML), transferring from the East Midlands Regional League. They won the Premier 1 division title in their debut season in the CML and were promoted to the Premier Division. In 1988 a change of name to Derby Rolls Royce occurred and they remained in the CML until 1997 when they joined the Midlands Regional Alliance (MRA). I don't have any tables for the MRA until 2005 so have no idea how they fared, but during the early part of the opening decade of the 21st century another name occurred, this time to their present title of Derby Rolls Royce Leisure. In 2005/06 and 2006/07 they finished in the runners-up position, firstly five points adrift of champions Ashover and secondly seven points behind Rowsley '86. Last season they finished in 9th place in the sixteen team division. This season both teams have played two games so far. DRRL have won one (2-0 v Holbrook St. Michaels) and lost one (2-1 @ Swanwick Pentrich Road), while Allenton recorded a 4-0 at home to Cromford last Saturday and a drew 0-0 in midweek at home to newly promoted Derby Royals).
Following a cagey opening ten minutes from both sides Allenton turned up a gear or two and hit the hosts hard in a devastating spell. Four goals were scored in the space of just seventeen minutes, but in reality they could and should have scored at least a couple more before the end of the half. The opener came on eleven minutes when a long ball was knocked down and their #9 side footed the ball first time past the Rolls keeper. The Rolls heads went down and just two minutes later the #7 was allowed too much time on the ball. He hit a speculative shot that went into the bottom right hand corner past the keeper. The third of the afternoon came on twenty five minutes when the #7 got his second of the game. He was played onside and slotted the ball past the advancing keeper. Three minutes later and it became 0-4 and game over. Following good work on the byline by the #10, he then laid the ball back for the #8 who had the simplest of finishes from a few yards out. Rolls best spell of the half came in the last ten minutes and were duly rewarded with a goal. Their #7 held off the challenge of a defender and finished well from a narrow angle.
HT: 1-4
The second half was just five minutes old when Allenton scored their fifth (and best) of the afternoon. The #15 found himself unmarked on the right hand corner of the penalty area and, taking a touch to control the ball curled it into the top corner - simply class. With the game won Allenton appeared to take their foot off the gas and were content to let Rolls have the majority of possession for the rest of the game. They added a sixth just after the hour mark when a cross was headed home from a couple of yards out from the #2. Rolls got another consolation goal back on 67 minutes to make it 2-6 when a free kick was fumbled by the Allenton keeper which was bundled home from a yard or two out. The final goal of the afternoon came in in the 89th minute. The number #7 completed his hat-trick when he hit a lot shot past the Rolls keeper from the edge of the penalty area. The keeper straight away admitted he was at fault and apologised to his team mates.
Overall an enjoyable game and at times Allenton were superb going forward. How they will fare if teams get at them more and put more pressure on them is another matter. One thing is for sure is that they will be there or thereabouts in pursuit of a third consecutive MRA title.
Admission: none
Programme: none
Attendance: around 30
Match rating: 3 1/2 out of 5
Websites:
Rolls Royce
Midlands Regional Alliance (fa full time)
A selection of photos taken can be viewed below:
Websites:
Rolls Royce
Midlands Regional Alliance (fa full time)
A selection of photos taken can be viewed below:
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