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No.58 - Sat 19th May 2012; Central Midlands League South Division; 3.00 at the Norman Archer Memorial Ground; Clifton Lane; Ruddington; Nottingham; Notts; NG11 6AA. |
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Matchday images (72) https://picasaweb.google.com/footballgroundsinfocus/CliftonFC04
Hat-trick Andy points the way ... Well here we are, some ninety or so miles from home watching our final game of football, as another exciting hopping season draws to a close. Today we have saved one of our longest trips of the campaign for the eagerly-awaited Central Midlands League fixture featuring two Nottinghamshire-based sides with Clifton Football Club entertaining Nottingham United in a Division South match (the last one of the campaign in this section) at the well appointed Norman Archer Memorial Ground. After missing out on Rob Hornby's recent superbly organised CML Hop Bonanza I was really pleased to make amends and finally get this one 'done'. After arriving at the ground (located I think nearer to Ruddington than Clifton) well ahead of kick-off and parking up close to pitchside, there was plenty of time for the hoppers from Racing HQ to order an inexpensive pre-match hot snack (sausage and chips) from the kitchen found inside the club house. Very tasty. We then tracked down a couple of matchday programmes dispensed cheerfully by a lady manning (or should that be womanning?) the pay-booth situated just inside the main entrance. Included with the £2 recession-busting admission fee we obtained a rather unique and beautifully designed glossy A3 folded sheet-style copy which revealed the important match details on the front, manager's notes and playing squads in the middle and sponsors' adverts on the back. Once opened out the reverse highlighted a short club history and list of personnel covering the hosts, notes on the visitors and an in depth interview with the departing manager Chris Duffil who was answering questions posed by his assistant James Turner giving plenty to read. Complete with full colour photos this was certainly the first programme of its type to be added to my collection. For those of you who, like myself, missed the recent Hop game or have yet to attend a game here, the Norman Archer Memorial Ground, found off Clifton Lane, is easy to find if coming from Ruddington village centre via the A60. As you will see from the album uploaded to the FGIF gallery, the enclosed venue is dominated by a series of huge imposing telegraph pylons which convey power through a large number of overhanging cables that straddle the adjacent grassland site. The main facilities including a smart pavilion, function room and changing rooms are located behind the goal nearest to the entrance. A low covered stand which runs partly along the length of the far side provides some temporary seating (with a raised platform for enhanced viewing!) and shelter for approximately fifty or so spectators. Two sturdy brick built, white-washed dug outs are positioned in front. A gravel/grit path along the opposite touchine offers some hard standing. The pitch which is fully enclosed by a concrete post and rail perimeter surrounds the entire playing area. A number of advertising boards attached to supporting stakes add a splash of colour to proceeedings. One of the club officials explained to me that plans are in hand to add floodlights to the site within the next two seasons at a cost of approximately £60,000 necessary to meet league ground grading requirements. Watch this space as they say! The club is well-known throughout the county for it's infamous 'All Whites' nickname which caused controversy amongst some quarters in the mid-nineties leading to the official scrapping of the tag. There has been much success on the pitch with the club formerly playing in the Midland's League and Notts Alliance where they reached the Third Round of the FA Vase in 1975-76. Later as members of the Nottinghamshire Senior League the Senior League Cup and Senior Division titles were won in 2006 and 2010 respectively. Clifton FC has since gained promotion to the Central Midlands League where after restructuring they now find themselves in the South Division. To say it's been a terrific season for everyone at the club is an understatement after achieving a top four league place as well as reaching both the CML Cup Final (v Dronfield, 2-5) and the Notts Senior Cup Final (v Eastwood Town, 0-2) to establish themselves firmly on the East Midlands footballing map. The match result today would not affect the current league standing as the hosts were already guaranteed fourth place (after their midweek game at Newark Town) although a win for their opponents would elevate them into the top ten. Any thoughts of a lack-lustre end of season spectacle were soon to be dismissed as both sides contributed to a fully absorbing end to end game of football brimming with loads of local pride. United took control of the game when ace front runner Andy Richards (12) opened the scoring with a cracking strike from 25 yards which saw the ball beat keeper John Marriott at his right hand post. With minutes the hosts drew level through Alex Haughton (16) with a low shot from inside the area. Back down the other end it was Richards (18) who grabbed his second after stabbing home a loose ball following a goal mouth scramble to give the visitors the lead once again. On the stroke of half-time Clifton equalised through Michael Evans (44) - his 49th goal of the campaign no less - who sent a low cross into the area which took a deflection before finding the net making it 2-2. After the break United went ahead when Frenchman Chris Pinard (69) found the net from five yards out after a poor clearance. As frustration set in Clifton lost defender Lee Torr (76) following a second bookable offence. The visitors sealed the points when Richards (90) was in the right place to beat the offside trap and drill the ball unchallenged under keeper Marriott to bag his hat-trick and seal a superb all-round performance. A decent crowd numbering just over seventy spectators attended the game which was played mostly in dull, overcast and chilly conditions. I was joined pitchside by hopper Dave who had travelled over from Crewe to watch the game. Although we had not met before it was amazing to learn how many mutual ground collecting friends and acquaintances we shared. Nice one mate! Interestingly a Nottinghamshire FA referee's assessor was also present sitting close to the half-way line throughout the action. Complete with waterproof clip board and pencil it was interesting to observe his unique scoring system on what was the most complex pro-forma I had ever seen in my life - thankfully he reported that young referee Gareth Davis who had a superb game had reached the required score to 'pass' his test!! For those of you who have yet to attend a game at the Norman Archer Memorial ground I can thoroughly recommend a visit here. The club is run by a warm, friendly group of helpers who will make you feel welcome during your short stay. We thoroughly enjoyed our day out to round off what has been another great season of football travelling. It just remains for me to say thanks for reading my 'Rambles', have a great summer wherever you go and see you soon! FGIF Match Stats Scorers: (H) A Haughton (16); M Evans (44) and (A) A Richards (12; 18; 90); C Pinard (69) Attendance: 72; Admission; £2 incl. folded A3 programme; Match rating: 5/5; Ground rating: 4/5. Links http://www.football.mitoo.co.uk/News.cfm?LeagueCode=CENTM2011 |
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edited on 20/05/12 |
