Dominant Clay Cross into Round 3

 Derbyshire Senior Cup 2nd Round.

The Main Stand at Holbrook Sports.

Round 2 of this season’s Derbyshire Senior Cup saw the inconvenience of Holbrook Sports and Clay Cross Town work in my favour. A bout of manful meant I wasn’t able to get to the original date on 5^th December so imagine my joy when the match was postponed due to problems with the pitch.

I realise that the pleasure of having me attend the game was no consolation for both sides having to rearrange, but for me, a lucky break. It got me to see how Holbrook Sports faired against higher level opposition at one of the county’s smaller venues, a proper grassroots club, which the community are lucky to still have.

 

The two sections of cover at Holbrook Sports.

Originally formed in 1931 as Holbrook Miners Welfare the club reformed in 1996 as just plain old Holbrook. The club and its reincarnations have mostly been in the Central Midlands League, having some success in 1999/2000 when Premier Division champions. To gain promotion to the Supreme Division the club installed two areas of cover, containing around 56 seats in total. A small, almost youth shelter like structure, covers just 4 seats, the rest is in the adjacent main spectator cover, which at one point was known as the Robert Parker Stand.

The Robert Parker Stand in 2012

The club had some success after being founder members of the East Midlands Counties League (EMCL) back in 2008, the highest level the modern club has played at. They had two surprising, and historic, victories over more senior neighbours, Belper Town, in consecutive seasons in the FA Cup (2009-11) and followed that up with a run to the last 16 of the FA Vase in 2010/11. The good times at the higher level ended in 2017/18 when they took voluntary relegation from the EMCL. 

The club seemed to have been disbanded after we came out of Covid only for a local Sunday side, Eaton Angels, who play in the Derby Taverners League, moving into Shaw Lane and took up the Holbrook Sports name for the 2022/23 season.

 

The dug outs opposite the main stand at Holbrook Sports.

Promoted to the Premier South of the CML after just 2 seasons in Division 1 West, the club hope to consolidate this season as they sit comfortably in 11^th place, of 17 clubs.

Apart from the two areas of cover mentioned previously the rest of the ground is hard standing between the pitch and a grassed area, plenty of room for expansion should the need ever arise.

 

Hard standing behind the near goal at Holbrook Sports.

On a previous visit the club had a portakabin for a tea bar just inside the entrance and behind the near goal. This had an overhanging roof covering tables and chairs set out for spectators to use. This structure is still there but no longer a tea bar, refreshments are now back in the Social Club which is back in the car park the other side of the changing room building.

The now disused tea bar at Holbrook Sports.

I calculated about 80 were in attendance for this delayed tie, the clubs knew that whoever won would be at home to Ashbourne in the 3^rd Round. I mentioned I was lucky to see the game due to the postponement, well to cap it off the club had done a match programme. A 20 page effort for a quid, well done Holbrook Sports.

 

Holbrook's programme.

The game was dominated by higher ranked visitors Clay Cross Town but Sports were resilient, particularly in the 1^st half. Once Clay Cross took the lead through Ross Duggan on 19 minutes though, it never looked like Holbrook would get back into the game. Last ditch defending and a well organised defence kept Clay Cross’ lead to 1 goal until the 42^nd minute when Jobe Shaw scored.

 

Ross Duggan opens the scoring for Clay Cross Town.

2-0 at half time was no disgrace Holbrook looked a decent side despite being under pressure for much of the game. Clay Cross are building something special and the second half saw the visitors punishing the home sides mistakes.

 

Jobe Shaw's effort beats Holbrook keeper, Sam Linford.

Ross Duggan got his 2^nd on 62 minutes and Raife Poplar came off the bench to make it 4-0 on 79 minutes. When your luck is out then events can seem to conspire against you and on 82 minutes Holbrook’s Lewis Goddard was sent off for a second yellow card. It was his team mate, Rory Baker, who had committed the foul though, so Holbrook will feel aggrieved. A terrible back pass let Reece Clegg in for number 5 on 90 minutes. Clegg got another just a minute later to finish the scoring and see Clay Cross go through to round 3 with a 6-0 win. A harsh scoreline on the home side.

 

Sam Linford is beaten again.

Looking ahead, Holbrook hope to make some improvements starting with levelling the pitch. This may take place this Summer and with the new committee now running the club and development teams set up for the community, it looks like The Brookies are in good hands.