Billed as the title decider, so didn't want to miss this one. Unfortunately it was a bit of a disappointing game, the quality of football from both teams leaving much to be desired.
The result does actually mean that the Stags now need only one point form their final league game to clinch the league title - and that game is against the Division whipping boys Bilborough Town on the 18th December.
Mansfield had beaten Blidworth at the Welfare Ground earlier in the season - a penalty scored for the young Stags after their hosts had failed to convert from the spot. They say history repeats itself and the same scenario decided the outcome of this game. Welfare's Nathan Holmes crashed his 33rd minute penalty against the Mansfield bar, but Stags striker DAN FLETCHER made no mistake on 65, stroking the ball past the visiting keeper from 12 yards.
This was more of a social occasion really - plenty of familiar faces to keep me entertained when the football failed to! Had a chat with Brett Marshall - mostly about the non-league radio show on Manfield 103.2, on which he appears so regularly. He also asked me to ensure I mentioned that he bought a fiver's worth of raffle tickets and then generously donated three quids worth to me! Didn't win though - unlike when I paid at Heanor last season and he walked away with a bottle of wine!!
Also at the game was Heanor Town General Manager Scott Ward - he made his debut on the radio show on Wednesday and he has since had a bit of stick on social media sites apparently.. I thought he did okay for his first time.
Joined Richard Lane and Rob Hornby under the stand to watch the game. This was Rob's first U19 game and I don't reckon he was too impressed. Referee was local legend Mick Leslie - the players from both teams gave him a hard time - but he managed to get the game finished with 11 v 11 somehow.
Admission: £2 (inc programme)
Attendance: didn't count, but I reckon there must have been about 50 -60 present
