Bank Holiday Monday

Anstey Town 3-2 C.K. Dons
Monday 26th August 2013
Leicestershire Senior League Division 1
Terrace Road, Ellistown, Leicestershire

The Falcon Inn

A day out today spent with the wife (Angela) and dog (Millie), and not just for football. Firstly we headed up to Whatton House in the north of Leicestershire and had a look around the gardens. Admission was £3.50 each and payment was made at an honesty box at the entrance. Whatton House is located to the north of Long Whatton and we turned down Mill Lane (next to the church) in the village and followed the single track road to the house. After spending a pleasant hour walking around the gardens we then headed to the Falcon Inn in Long Whatton itself for some lunch before heading south for my football fix. 

21 photos of the house and gardens can be viewed in the slideshow below:

The drive to Ellistown took around twenty five minutes and we arrived with around fifteen minutes before the scheduled 3pm kick-off. No admission was charged or programme issued which is what I expected, though Anstey Town used to issue when previously in the Leicestershire Senior League (LSL). Both teams today are new members to the league, though Town were previously members between 1982 and 2009 before dropping down to the North Leicestershire for four seasons. Info on the Dons can be found on a previous blog post by clicking here. As you might have gathered by now Anstey Town do not play in Anstey itself but share the facilities at Ellistown. There is small section of cover between the two dugouts on the near side and an uncovered stand on the far side backing onto the second pitch.

The Dons had made an unbeaten start to life in the LSL winning two (2-0 v Anstey Nomads Reserves and 2-1 @ Hathern) and drawing one (1-1 v Asfordby Amateurs) of their opening three games, while Anstey had drawn one (1-1 v Hathern) and lost one (2-0 @ Barlestone St. Giles) of their opening two games. The first half was pretty poor though Anstey found themselves two nil up and the half time interval. The first came on seventeen minutes when Brown rounded Andrew Nicholson in the Dons goal and rolled the ball into an empty net. The second came just after the hour mark and was the result of a controversial awarding of a penalty by the referee. To be honest I had an excellent view of the incident and had no idea what he awarded it for, but anyhow Brown stepped up and sent Nicholson the wrong way. The second half was much more entertaining and the Dons will wonder how come the end they did not take at least a point from the game. They got a goal back on sixty three minutes when Steve Kirkham slotted the ball past the Town keeper. Anstey though quickly restored their two goal cushion as Brown completed his hat-trick just a minute later as he headed in a cross at the far post. The Dons were soon back within striking distance as a Tom Potts free kick on sixty seven minutes made it 3-2. The Dons always looked the more likely to score next and to be honest if it wasn't for the woodwork would have done. Firstly a Leighton Nicholson shot struck the base of the post, and finally in stoppage time Tom Potts and Steve Kirkham both headed against the bar within a matter of seconds of each other. This was their final chance of the afternoon and Anstey held on for their first victory of the season.

33 ground and match photos can be viewed in the slideshow below:

re-completing the LSL

C.K. DONS 2-0 ANSTEY NOMADS RESERVES
Saturday 17th August 2013
Leicestershire Senior League Division 1
Grantham Road, Skillington, Lincolnshire

Over the summer the Leicestershire Senior League (LSL) has had a massive shake up in terms of numbers, with reserve sides of teams higher up the non-league pyramid being accepted on mass including the visitors today. Whether this is a good thing is another matter and one in which I personally can see both pros and cons. There were also three new first teams admitted, with these being Houghton Rangers (champions of the Leicester & District League), Anstey Town (champions of the North Leicestershire League) and the C.K. Dons who won the Grantham & District League (GDL) Division 1 last season. The Dons are based in the village of Croxton Kerrial but due to their ground in the village not being up to standard they had to look elsewhere for somewhere to play. The main reason for their home ground failing the LSL ground grading is that there is no shower in the referees room. One option was in the village of Waltham on the Wolds but newly formed Grantham Athletic will be playing their home games there in the Lincolnshire League. The solution that was found was to play a season at the village of Skillington, over the border in Lincolnshire which is around seven miles away from Croxton. Also at the time the plan is to keep the pitch warm over in Croxton, with the club forming a reserve side to play in the GDL. So we have the situation of this...a Leicestershire based club playing in the LSL, but having to play home games in Lincolnshire, while a Grantham based club playing in the Lincolnshire League playing home games in Leicestershire!!!!

The C.K. Dons were formed in 2009 and were subsequently accepted into division 1 of the GDL. They finished in a creditable sixth place in the fourteen team division in their debut season. The following season an eighth place was recorded and the club also reached the final of the GDL's Junior Cup. It was at this time that I became aware of the club, and after exchanging e-mails with secretary Jez Hill I went up to Ancaster to watch the final against Heckington Millers, but the Dons were on the wrong end of a 3-0 scoreline. The club then took a year out to regroup and then came back a year later stronger and better. They not only won the GDL Division 1 title winning nine out of the ten league games, but reached three cup finals. First up was the Junior Cup which yours truly there to watch and take photos. This was played at Harrowby United's ground in Grantham against fellow Croxton Kerrial side Croxton AFC, but despite leading twice they lost on penalty kicks. The next final was the Benevolent Cup and a 3-2 victory was recorded against AFC Three Gables. And finally the Memorial Cup, but Premier Division champions White Swan Barrowby were too strong and ran out three nil winners. 

The village of Skillington is located within the South Kesteven District of Lincolnshire, six miles south of Grantham and three miles from the border with Leicestershire. The parish church of St. James is a grade 1 listed building and is built of limestone. Skillington also performs well in the small village category of the National Village in Bloom contest, becoming the first consecutive winner in 2003, 2004 and 2005. There are two pubs in the village, The Blue Horse Inn and  the Cross Swords Inn but unfortunately both were shut. The latter closed at 2pm so unfortunately no chance of a pre-match pint. 

The route to Skillington from my home in the west side of Leicester was via Melton Mowbray and Buckminster and took me around an hour to make the 34 mile journey. With nothing going on in the village I made my way to the ground which is at the village hall on the Grantham Road. Only the changing rooms were open and there were no toilet or catering facilities for spectators. The pitch is also home to the local cricket club and for this game the Dons roped off the pitch on all four sides and have built wooden dugouts to meet the LSL's grading criteria.

The match...it was played in dry and blustery conditions throughout and was hard fought and competitive. Both teams were fairly evenly matched during the game and clear cut chances were at a premium. It was the home side that came close to breaking the deadlock when a sweetly struck shot from Paul Chappell was touched onto the post from the visiting keeper. The second half started a few minutes early and I missed the Dons taking the lead. Apparently it was a screamer from midfielder Tom Potts. A few minutes later and the Dons were two up. They were awarded a free kick just inside the Nomads half near the left touchline, and Chris Morris's kick was headed home at the far post from Chappell. Again like the first half clear cut chances were few and far between, though the Dons should have been further ahead but Chappell shot straight at the keeper when through on goal. Late on in the game and Potts nearly got his second with what would have been an early contender for goal of the season. He hit an unstoppable shot from forty odd yards out that smacked the cross bar with the keeper motionless. 

Overall a good start for the Dons, and I feel they can use their location to their advantage as not many teams will like coming over to Skillington, especially in the middle of winter. I don't think they have enough to win the division, with my tip being Houghton Rangers, but should they keep the crux of the side together then a top six finish will not be beyond them.

Admission / programme: none
Attendance: 9, but plenty of sheep in neighbouring fields.

39 photos from the game taking during the first half can be viewed in the slideshow below:
  

CK v CK

CROXTON A.F.C. 2-2 C.K. DONS
(4-2 on penalty kicks)
Saturday 13th April 2013
Grantham & District League Junior Cup Final
Harrowby United FC, Dickens Road, Grantham

My final game of the weekend sees me make the drive across country to Grantham for a re-visit to Harrowby United Football Club. They are hosting the final of this year's Grantham & District League Junior Cup Final between two Croxton Kerrial sides, Croxton AFC and CK Dons. 

I attended the final of the same competition two years ago which also involved the Dons, but they were on the wrong end of a 3-0 scoreline against Heckington Millers. This year I was invited to attend  by the Dons secretary Jeremy Hill and would be rude not to accept. Also like two years ago my first game of the day involved Greenhill being the away side, but hopefully this time the Dons will be victors.

About the teams
Croxton A.F.C.

Croxton AFC were borne from a youth team in Wilsford and have been a long standing side in Croxton Kerrial for several years. They have gone through many years, good and bad, and have seen many players come and go, but some still remain from the "old days" of youth football". An evolving side and a new era is in development though, with a new logo and a new motto - Ad Finem (To The End), and this cup final comes in the second year of a plan to ensure Croxton AFC remains a team firmly involved and supportive of Saturday football in the Grantham area.

C.K. Dons

Based in Croxton Kerrial, the CK Dons were extablished in 2009 and have played their football in the Grantham & District League Division One (GDL) since their inception.

After two seasons of mid table finishes and a final appearance in the HITS Junior Cup the Dons decided to withdraw from competition for the 2011/2012 season to improve the structure of the club.

This season has seen a marked improvement, having represented the Grantham & District League well in the Leicestershire Saturday Trophy, narrowly being defeated in the quarter finals by Leicester & District League side Oadby Boys Club '93. The Dons are currently still in 4 cup competitions with promotion to the GDL Premier Division already secured.

Off the pitch the club has worked well to improve commercial aspects. ITA Taxis have joined our current sponsors Mandev and we look forward to representing them both in future competitions.

Route to the final
With only seven teams competing in this seasons competition, there have been only five matches leading up to today's final...

Round 1
AFC Skillington 0-4 CK Dons
Bottesford Reserves 5-1 Caythorpe
Rippingale & Folkingham 2-4 AFC Three Gables

Semi Finals
Bottesford Reserves 0-3 Croxton AFC
CK Dons 2-1 AFC Three Gables

The game
It was played for the most part in driving rain, that was as times almost horizontal, and a scrappy game ensued. No real clear cut chances for either side but it was the Dons that looked the most dangerous when going forward. After forty five minutes it was no real surprise that the score remained goalless.

The second half was a different matter altogether with the Dons scoring early on. In the space of a few minutes after their goal they should have put the game out of sight for their opponents, but a headed clearance off the line and a cracking save kept Croxton in the game. An equaliser came in spectacular fashion, when either a free kick or corner was not cleared it was volleyed home from the edge of the area via the underside of the bar. A superb strike worthy of any game. The game became scrappy again, and it wasn't until the last ten minutes that the Dons caused the Croxton defence problems. No real surprises then when they re-took the lead with around two minutes remaining, but like before they could not hold onto their advantage and see the game out. Within about sixty seconds Croxton equalised for a second time, and again with another world class strike. This time it was a sweetly struck shot from thirty odd yards from goal that flew past the CK keeper into the top corner of net. Very rarely do you see one goal of that caliber, let alone two.

With no extra time being played the game went straight to a penalty shoot out, and it was Croxton who held their nerve to win by four goals to two. On the drive home I did feel sorry for the Dons, but they still have other fish to fry this season, starting with a Culverthorpe Cup semi-final @ Bottesford this Saturday (20th April).

60 photos of Harrowby United FC and of the game can be viewed in the slideshow below:


For good measure I preceded this with a visit to East Leake Athletic FC in the North Leicestershire League Premier Division. Photos from their game against Greenhill Y.C. can also be viewed below:

Junior Cup Final

CK DONS 0-3 HECKINGTON MILLERS

Saturday 23^rd April 2011

Grantham & District League Junior Cup Final

Ermine Street, Ancaster

My second game of the day sees me head across country to Lincolnshire for this tea time kick-off in the final of the Grantham & District League Junior Cup sponsored by HIT Consulatancy. The 13 teams in division 1 compete in the Junior Cup, while the Senior Cup is competed for by the teams in the premier division.

The drive took around 80 minutes and included a stop for petrol. My route was simple taking me along the A6006, then onto the A46 to the island with the A52 and then headed towards Grantham. Going through Grantham I then turned onto the B6403 towards Ancaster. The drive along the 52 was very light in terms of traffic, with the smell of the rape seed crop to my left and the impressive Belvoir Castle sitting majestically to the south.  

The Grantham & District League as the name suggests is centred around the Grantham area and includes clubs from three different counties: Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire. Leicestershire is represented by Bottesford (+ reserves), Buckminster United and Croxton Kerrial sides Croxton AFC and CK Dons.

Mr Bill Hannigan (tournament sponsor) with the trophies

The final this year is to be played at Ermine Street, Ancaster which is home to premier division side Ancaster Rovers. The venue is roughly equi-distance between the two teams with it being 15 miles north east of Croxton Kerrial and 13 miles west of Heckington.

This season’s competition:

Round 1

Baston             4-1 Baston Athletic

Cranmer Arms       4-8 Bottesford Reserves

Morton             5-3 Rippingale & Folkingham

Newark Flowserve       Harrowby Athletic

Home win awarded

Skillington        3-4 Heckington Millers

Round 2

Heckington Millers 2-1 Baston

Lord Harrowby      4-6 Caythorpe

Morton             3-2 Newark Flowserve

Quarter Final

CK Dons            5-2 Bottesford Reserves

Semi Finals

Caythorpe          1-8 Heckington Millers

Morton             2-3 CK Dons

Recent finals:

2008: RHP Newark     3-0 Balderton Old Boys

2009: Bottesford Res 5-3 Caythorpe

2010: Beehive United 5-1 Grantham United

The following information on the two sides is taken from the programme:

CK Dons

Based in Croxton Kerrial, CK Dons were established in 2009 and managed a respectable sixth position finish in their maiden season. This season saw a slow start in the league but a recent upturn in results should see a similar top six finish, the same as last season. Having failed to make any semi-finals last season, a cup final and at least another cup semi-final represents a successful season of development at The Dons.

Top (L to R): Martyn Hallam, Kevin Hibbins, John Sheppard, Neil Bukavs, Rob Walters, Michael Hallam, Aaron Samways, Kiel Stewart, Steve Kirkham, James Frost
Bot (L to R): Jez Hill, Lee Waters, Kieran Hand, Dave Scott, Matt Keightley, Euan Burrows, Mark Cadman 

Heckington Millers

Heckington Millers Football Club, more commonly known as ‘Millers’, started in 2006 and in their first season won the League Cup. Since the teams inception three players have represented the club every season: Jay Carrington, Chris Doherty and Sean Jenkinson. Sean is also the clubs oldest player at 44 years old and the clubs youngest is Luke Townsend at 19.

On arriving at the ground around 45 minutes I made acquaintance with the CK Dons secretary Jeremy Hill who I had exchanged e-mails with prior to the game. The ground is a basic affair with the facilities shared with Ancaster Cricket Club. The pitch was roped off along the two touchlines and there is (along with changing rooms) a clubhouse / social club.

The game was very competitive and in the end the score line was harsh on the Dons. It was they who started better creating several chances in the opening couple of minutes and generally had the better of things in the opening ten minutes or so. The opening goal for the Millers came from a corner when the ball was bundled home on 14 minutes. This inability to defend at corners ultimately cost the Dons dearly. The goal knocked the Dons back a bit as for the next five or ten minutes Heckington had their best spell of the half. The Dons then got back in control and dominated the proceedings for the remainder of the half putting pressure on the Millers defence. Several good chances  came in the last five minutes of the half: 1) a good move on the left saw the ball struck the side netting, 2) a header from a corner was headed over and 3) the ball being cleared from underside of the bar from another corner. At this moment in time the last thing that the Dons wanted was the half to end. Two goals in the space of three minutes around the hour mark ended the game as a contest. Both came from set pieces with the second of the two coming from the Millers number 14 who headed home unmarked from three yards out. Both sides continued to go forward with the Dons trying to salvage some pride but alas to no avail.

Overall a good game of football and I was impressed with the standard on offer with this being my first ever Grantham League game. Like previously stated it was the Dons inability to defend at corners along with them not taking the numerous chances that came their way that was their undoing. This is not meant to take anything away from Heckington and congratulations go out to them.

Admission: £1 including 4 page programme

Raffle tickets: £1

Attendance: 110 (official) - seemed nearer 150

Match rating: 3 out of 5

A slideshow of photos taken during the game can be viewed in the slideshow below:

Five minutes after getting in my car the rain came to this part of Lincolnshire – good timing eh!!!

After a 75 minute journey I was back home at around 9pm seven and a half hours after leaving home.

Another busy today tomorrow (Easter Sunday) with a first visit to Donington Park for the British Truck Grand Prix.