Entrance £3-50
Programme £1
Petrol (18 miles round trip) £3 (estimate)
Total £7-50
After the long journey for last week's groundhop, I fancied a local game for once. I guess there is some irony in the fact that I travel all across the country when there are non-league games just up the road. Today I was revisiting Dronfield Town, who I'd seen back in October for their first floodlit game. The ground was within a 25-minute drive of home, and the NCEL is among my favourite leagues, so this ideal for today.
Having spent quite some time looking for a space to park on the road (car park full!), I wandered across the cricket pitch to the entrance to the Stonelow Road ground. They'd kept the entrance low again (£3-50) and this time, there were programmes available. Despite the lack of spaces in the car park, the ground seemed fairly quiet, with barely 20 minutes to go until kick-off. This was shaping up to be a low-key affair, with Grimsby in 17th and Dronfield in 16th in the league. Safe from relegation, and miles off the unfortunate Appleby Frodingham (with a goal difference of -81).
In the game I'd seen in October, Dronfield had overcome a tough Shaw Lane Aquaforce side in the league cup. They performed equally well in today's game, proving that they can hold their own against more established NCEL sides. Grimsby had a glut of early chances, with George Newby firing across the box on 12 minutes, and then Matty Hall forcing a superb save from long-range. Dronfield slowly began to control the game and dominate proceedings. Lew Naylor headed wide from a tricky angle, before John Doran had a fine left foot shot smothered by the away keeper, and Danny Wood fired wide after some superb build-up play. Against the run of play, Grimsby's Luke Fanthorpe put the ball in the net, only for it to be ruled out as it was offside. Dronfield deservedly took the lead when they poked in from close range on 44 minutes.
Half-time, and I reached for my flask of bovril. Spring hasn't quite sprung yet, so anything to help warm up was appreciated. Dronfield came out looking hungry for more goals, and doubled their lead when Doran flew into the box to plant a diving header low into the net. Grimsby's sole clear-cut chance in the second half came when Steve Davis (not the snooker player!) smashed the ball over on 75 minutes. Then a superb move between Wood and Gange produced Dronfield's number 3. Wood then made it 4 when he took advantage of some calamitous defending by James Petronzio. Grimsby's game descended into frustration and late tackles began flying in. The team from Cleethorpes had been well and truly outclassed today by a well-organised and well-drilled Dronfield Town, who continue to establish themselves in this league. Back to the car, and I had the pleasure of a short drive back home in the light!
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