The plan was to go and watch a non-league game in the Nottingham area as neutrals. The game of choice was Dunkirk F.C. vs Ibstock United in the East Midlands Counties League . In case you aren't aware of these teams I I'll provide a brief summary. Dunkirk F.C., having been founded in 1946, sat second in the league 15 points from top with seven games in hand at the start of the day. Ibstock currently lie in midtable having joined the E.M.C.L. from the Leicestershire Senior League in 07/08. This is the highest level that either team have competed at since their formation. The reverse fixture in November ended in a 6-2 victory for Dunkirk. Following last weekends 9-0 victory over Anstey Nomads at the Ron Steel Sports Ground goals and entertainment was eagerly anticipated.
A short bus trip from Nottingham station landed my friends and I in the middle of Lenton Lane Industrial Estate. After initial confusion, some furious Google Maps action pointed us in the right direction. Several underpasses later, one of which contained more water than an average sized swimming pool, found us walking down Lenton Lane. With a football pitch in sight we set off down a side lane, a moment later it became apparent this wasn't the ground we were looking for, further investigation told us we were looking at Pelican Colts F.C.'s ground. Walking past this gave us our first glance of the Ron Steel stadium rising up from the centre of a surrounding golf course. A short cut across the 9th hole and through a hedge row found us meters from the clubhouse.
The offending hedgerow short cut.
A few very reasonably priced drinks in a tidy, leather sofa equipped clubhouse accompanied the Winter Olympics on the telly. Food was on sale although none of us can attest to it's quality. One distinctive feature of the clubhouse was the strong odour of Deep Heat emanating from the adjoined changing rooms. Five to three arrived quickly and the turnstiles beckoned. £4 admission and £1 for a good quality, informative programme seemed a bargain.
Two goals first half goals from Lee Day and Darren Garmston, on a heavy pitch, left the home team the happier as the half time whistle blew. A quick pint in the clubhouse later the second half kicked off. Banter with the linesman on our side of the pitch provided almost as much entertainment as the match. Anthony Gregory slotted home to make it 3-0 to Dunkirk and put the game out of Ibstock's reach. The performance was topped with a well dispatched Ben Middleton penalty leaving the final score at Dunkirk F.C. 4-0 Ibstock United. Overall the game provided ample entertainment for the 48 spectators, and for £5 what more can you ask? A quick beer with the players and fans in the clubhouse marked the end of our time at Dunkirk F.C. The return trip to the bus stop proved a much simpler task than getting to the ground and a regular bus service provided a speedy return to Nottingham station.
All in all a good day watching non-league football and great value for money.
