Matchday images (11) https://picasaweb.google.com/footballgroundsinfocus/SwanwickPentrichRoadFC

I was on the Notts Hop but only needed two of the grounds on Saturday (Underwood and Kimberley MW), so there was just scope for a game between the two said games. A lot depended on the fixtures falling right and a good get away from Underwood. All best laid plans looked like going pair shaped when the referee in the Underwood game seemed destined to scupper our plans. That game had kicked off late and then at half-time the teams were left waiting a good five minutes for the ref to appear. At one point it looked though we would have a few cases of heart attacks and kittens from some travellers. In the end we had 20 minutes to make the journey which SatNav had told to use a longer route as it was quicker than a direct route as we could use one Junction of the M1.

It transpired that a number of "well knowns" of our obsession had decided SPR was the venue for the afternoon entertainment. The sight of ten or cars carry a number of middle aged men dashing into the club car park at 2.50pm something must have bemused those already present. I say dashing but SPR have a "proper" entrance to a football ground, hidden away down a long narrow potholed road (track) where 5mph is a maximum speed. 
 
What a gem of a ground we found. A former Central Midlands League venue it's an excellent set up for it's current level. Two bits of cover one with a few seats, down one side and well enclosed. An old style dressing rooms block with a tea bar which also had a purpose built overhang. And a white washed brick built Gents!

The visitors were the better side in the first half, but were only drawing at 1-1 at half-time. They extended the lead by four in the second period, before the home team grabbing a late consolation and even then had an even later chance that rattled the cross bar. We had three officials on the game and I thought the standard was as good if not a tad better than the Nottinghamhire Senior League.
 
The club should be back in the Central Midlands League next season, they confirm this fact. A number of other clubs from their league may also have applied. One for the programme collectors is the fact the Central Midlands League are having a vote on scrapping their programme issuing rule at the leagues AGM.
 
An added bonus if we needed one was the sight in the distance of the Butterly Preserved Railway in full steam.