Well worth the drive - Montagu Cup Final (plus a Leicestershire local Derby)

Monday 10 April 2023, Dearne and District 0 Dog Daisy United - Montagu Cup Final, Hampden Road, Mexborough.

Can see why a 'must visit' the Miners Welfare club house, the brick cricket pavilion, the one stand, the terracing with the white washed wall - and to[ that off with a fantastic crowd  for a competition the locals take some pride in, people were still queuing to get in, 15 minutes after the game started.

When this game was recommended by two friends, I knew taht I would get a visit worth the long drive, what was nice surprise, was the quality of football produced by a Step 7 side and their Sunday league opponents.

Dog Daisy, lost in the final last year after throwing away a lead but the result today never looked in doubt. All I can ad is taht make sure you get to visit this ground and make sure when you do it is the Montagu Cup Final.

Then a drive south to Leicestershire and a local derby:

Barwell 3 Coalville Town 1 - Southern League, Central Premier, Kirkby Road Sports Ground

Massive crowd, with over 75% coming from Coalville as they sit on top of the table, a great pay day for Barwell with their beer hut and food bar always having a queue.

Barwell may have had less fans at the ground, but they were the ones who left the ground happier as they saw their team beat local rivals and top of the table Coalville. A win they deserved with their young winger/forward, Beck-Ray Enoru involved in most of their good moves.

Ground wise, G4 pitch and no club house, with a sports bar , shared with the cricket and bowls club on the main road, one seated stand next to covered terracing, two other sides have grass banking to give an elevated view. 

Good display by Barwell, reckon Coalville, will still win the league but they look very tired and maybe better sue of subs would help.