Petrol costs
It was Reds vs Blues in one of the few matches on the Winter Solstice, as we edge closer to another lockdown in these crazy times. This was an absolute no-brainer to head to, and a relatively short 40 minute drive made this one of my nearer trips.
Last season I witnessed ecstatic scenes at Wirksworth as they gained promotion to this league, so I was interested to see what kind of a match it would be. I’d been to Teversal’s ground in summer 2009 on a boiling hot day as I walked round the ‘grounds of Mansfield’ but had never been to a match. One thing which stuck in my mind was that Teversal was the ground where Scarborough (the phoenix club) grabbed promotion from the NCEFL (2008-09 I believe).
The town is halfway between the M1 and Mansfield, but like many places on this section of the M1 corridor (Selston, Kimberley) it can only be reached via a fairly circuitous route. Still I arrived in plenty of time and it made a nice change to have a huge car park with spaces to spare.
Teversal Reserves started the match in 15th place with Nottingham FC in the top half of the table. The first half was marked by no less than 3 injury-enforced substitutions (2 of which were for the home side). In a hard fought match, Teversal took the lead with a penalty and then made it 2-0 just before half-time. The off the pitch highlight was the epic game taking place between some kids behind one of the goals - it reminded me of the rugby match (again a sideshow to the football) at Workington back in 2008.
The second half did not disappoint. Nottingham (whose name reminds me of the band The National) put the cat among the pigeons on about 50 minutes. Then Teversal - who were still holding their own - felt they had scored with an effort eventually cleared off the line. I could see straight down the goal line and can confirm it didn’t cross the line. They then had a penalty appeal waved away. Nottingham FC then equalised and the game opened up even more. The away side looked a bit quicker on the ball and had more guile in attack, but Teversal more than matched them for effort and determination.
After the referee had to retire - with his linesman taking over - the game heated up for the last 20-30 minutes. It really could have gone either way. Both sides played on when players were injured on the floor, such was their enthusiasm to score. Nottingham finally grabbed their goal - and a fine one too - when they volleyed into the roof of the net from a corner (leading to wild celebrations from the bench). As the game opened up and Teversal left gaps at the back, they made it 4-2 when they slotted in after the home keeper parried away. After a tumultuous 18 months, I was again delighted to be back at another non-league match, despite unexpected twists and turns and another long hiatus. This may well be my last match of 2021 - let’s hope for some more matches and some much needed normality in 2022.
