Hope Valley League
Edale 8
Stoney Middleton 4
Atten 6
An
astonishing day in the Hope Valley that will live long in the memory
for a variety of reasons
The
journey over to Edale was a nightmare in every respect. We endured
substancial delays at every moment. Getting held up behind a Bride in
a vintage car just west of Barnsley , then temporary roadworks hold
up at Silkstone , Penistone and Millhouse Green. Then getting stuck
behind a horse box , then large lorry on the Woodhead Pass. Missed
the turning for Glossop , Then enduring delays behind a learner
driver through Glossop. Then at Hayfield near Kinder Scout getting
caught up with Mountain Rescue , blue lights flashing every where.
Upon
finally arriving in Edale we could not find the football pitch and in
the end ran out of petrol. Thankfully a kind resident of the village
went home to grab a can of petrol they had saved for such
emergencies. The nearest garage was five miles away in Hope. God bless
those lovely people !
Edale
FC play in the Village playing fields adjacent to a play park.
Players change in the portacabin.The ground has no furniture of sorts
but has spectacular views to Kinder Scout which more than make up for
the lack of facilities. The pitch was long and bumpy all over. The
touchlines were hardly white and were more like deep grooves.
The
match itself was non stop entertainment including some fantastic
goals including a 25 yard screamer in to the top corner, an
up-and-under from level with the corner flag. A 20 yard free kick
curler into the top corner , a clever chip over the goalie , and
plenty more.
Stoney
Middleton actually went 2-1 up midway through the first half and
looked in control and had plenty of chances to go further ahead. But
Edale equalised before half time. HT 2-2.
After
a four minute break off they went again and suddenly Edale went
beserk scoring 4 goals in no time to make it 6-2. Stoney grabbed one
back to make it 6-3 , but then Edale scored 2 more quick goals to
make it 8-3 and there were still 15 minutes left to play.
Then
a Stoney player was at least ten yards offside …. yes I did say ten
yards ! and the ref played on for them to score and make it 8-4.
Moment
later the ref blew the final whistle to end a most breathtaking
afternoons entertainment. For the many near misses , excellent saves
this game could of ended 11-8 very easily. The Stoney Middleton
players were still shaking their heads as they returned to the
changing rooms whilst the Edale players were taking the nets down.
Then quite bizarrely within minutes the whole place was empty as if
nothing had happened …
The
journey back to base was thankfully a straight forward one and we
could even see the early leavers at Hillsborough. But not before
stopping off in Hope Village for some home made Bakewell Tart.
The
more I visit the Hope Valley League the more I enjoy it and the more
I want to visit. You
are assured of goals , players who try their best for the love of the
game and some stunning scenery so whats not to like ?
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