This Tuesday my midweek travels took me back up the M1 into Nottinghamshire. My destination was Sandiacre, a small town almost equidistant between Nottingham and Derby.
The home team, Sandiacre Town, were embarking on their third season in the United Counties Division One (Step 6), after climbing up through the Central Midlands structure, of which they were founder members in 1983. The previous two seasons in Division One have been hard for The Saints, finishing 20th and 17th, but surviving to fight another day. This season has started in a much more positive light with six points from their opening three games and the chance to hit top spot this evening, if they should win.
This evening's visitors were FCV Grace Dieu who were only founded in 2023, the adult men's team of FCV International Football Academy based at Grace Dieu Manor in Leicestershire. Their two previous seasons have been very successful. They finished runners-up in the Nottingham Senior League Division One in the first season, earning promotion to the Premier League, which they won at the first time of asking, taking the title with a 10 point margin from Cotgrave. They came into this game unbeaten in their two outings so far, a 3-0 home defeat of Shirebrook Town and a 1-1 draw at Retford FC. Their multi-national squad featured players from nine different countries and included a few internationals such as Shahoi Dorsett (Antigua & Barbuda), Spencer Weir-Daley (Montserrat) and England Deaf Football defender Harry Boorman.
Thanks to both teams for posting the line-ups to social media before the game.
The home team, Sandiacre Town, were embarking on their third season in the United Counties Division One (Step 6), after climbing up through the Central Midlands structure, of which they were founder members in 1983. The previous two seasons in Division One have been hard for The Saints, finishing 20th and 17th, but surviving to fight another day. This season has started in a much more positive light with six points from their opening three games and the chance to hit top spot this evening, if they should win.
This evening's visitors were FCV Grace Dieu who were only founded in 2023, the adult men's team of FCV International Football Academy based at Grace Dieu Manor in Leicestershire. Their two previous seasons have been very successful. They finished runners-up in the Nottingham Senior League Division One in the first season, earning promotion to the Premier League, which they won at the first time of asking, taking the title with a 10 point margin from Cotgrave. They came into this game unbeaten in their two outings so far, a 3-0 home defeat of Shirebrook Town and a 1-1 draw at Retford FC. Their multi-national squad featured players from nine different countries and included a few internationals such as Shahoi Dorsett (Antigua & Barbuda), Spencer Weir-Daley (Montserrat) and England Deaf Football defender Harry Boorman.
Thanks to both teams for posting the line-ups to social media before the game.
Benni Wilson scores from the spot It's fair to say that it was a scrappy start to the game from both teams. Neither managed to establish any early fluidity and neither were able to retain possession for more than a couple of passes. In the opening 15 minutes neither keeper was tested but, as the half drew on and the teams settled, it was Sandiacre who began to gain the upper hand. They began to push FCV back into their own half and, when the did concede possession, were hunting in packs to win the ball back again, preventing the visitors from getting into anything resembling a rhythm.
Saints were rewarded for their increased tempo in the 19th minute when, after a small scramble in the box, a snapshot struck the arm of an FCV defender prompting the referee to immediately point to the spot. The shot struck the arms from fairly close range but, presumably, the referee deemed that the defenders arm was not in a natural position. Benni Wilson stepped up, calmly sending Antigua and Barbuda international Shahoi Dorsett the wrong way. 1-0.
The goal visibly shook the visitors and buoyed The Saints. Within a minute of conceding a fluffed clearance from Dorsett almost presented Jack Vipond with a clear sight of goal but, luckily for the keeper, his defenders were alert enough to snuff out the danger.
Town could smell blood now and they had FCV rattled. Passes were going astray and, try as they might, FCV could not stem the waves of Sandiacre attacks. Consequently, it was really no great surprise when, on 28 minutes, player-manager Jamie Williamson stooped to head in a right-wing free-kick, making it 2-0.
Sandiacre continued to hold the upper hand. Solid at back with Williamson and debutant Kesharn Brown dominant, they were also winning the midfield battle, forcing FCV into hurried passes which were either cut out or went completely astray. The visitors were getting increasingly frustrated.
Grace Dieu would probably have been relatively happy to go into the half-time break just two goals down, but even that was not to be. Conceding a free-kick some 30 yards out, the initial strike was blocked but fell back into the path of Benni Wilson who drilled an unstoppable effort into Dorsett's top left-hand corner. 3-0 and literally the last kick of the half as referee Liam Mark blew for the break as soon as the ball hit the net.
HT Sandiacre Town 3 FCV Grace Dieu 0. After the initial probing, Sandiacre took control of the game, breaking up FCV moves with tenacious closing down, and looking very dangerous every time they pushed forward. At two goals up they looked fairly comfortable. The third, on the stroke of half-time, could well have put the game to bed.
Saints were rewarded for their increased tempo in the 19th minute when, after a small scramble in the box, a snapshot struck the arm of an FCV defender prompting the referee to immediately point to the spot. The shot struck the arms from fairly close range but, presumably, the referee deemed that the defenders arm was not in a natural position. Benni Wilson stepped up, calmly sending Antigua and Barbuda international Shahoi Dorsett the wrong way. 1-0.
The goal visibly shook the visitors and buoyed The Saints. Within a minute of conceding a fluffed clearance from Dorsett almost presented Jack Vipond with a clear sight of goal but, luckily for the keeper, his defenders were alert enough to snuff out the danger.
Town could smell blood now and they had FCV rattled. Passes were going astray and, try as they might, FCV could not stem the waves of Sandiacre attacks. Consequently, it was really no great surprise when, on 28 minutes, player-manager Jamie Williamson stooped to head in a right-wing free-kick, making it 2-0.
Sandiacre continued to hold the upper hand. Solid at back with Williamson and debutant Kesharn Brown dominant, they were also winning the midfield battle, forcing FCV into hurried passes which were either cut out or went completely astray. The visitors were getting increasingly frustrated.
Grace Dieu would probably have been relatively happy to go into the half-time break just two goals down, but even that was not to be. Conceding a free-kick some 30 yards out, the initial strike was blocked but fell back into the path of Benni Wilson who drilled an unstoppable effort into Dorsett's top left-hand corner. 3-0 and literally the last kick of the half as referee Liam Mark blew for the break as soon as the ball hit the net.
HT Sandiacre Town 3 FCV Grace Dieu 0. After the initial probing, Sandiacre took control of the game, breaking up FCV moves with tenacious closing down, and looking very dangerous every time they pushed forward. At two goals up they looked fairly comfortable. The third, on the stroke of half-time, could well have put the game to bed.
FCV attacking the church end Grace Dieu came back out for the second half well in advance of Sandiacre and the officials, clearly keen to get going and knowing they needed an early goal if they wanted to get back into the game. To be fair, they did make much more of a fist of the game in the second period but were still unable to make too many inroads against a very determined home side, who defended from the front, closing the FCV players down at every opportunity.
What FCV were able to do was quell the waves of Sandiacre attacks.
There were one or two flare-ups as frustrations grew, possibly left over from a flash point that occurred in the first half. Sandiacre's work-rate off the ball looked as if it was going to earn them a clean sheet to go with their third straight home win. When goalkeeper Richard Stainsby stretched out a hand to make a good stop from substitute Ernest Osaretin in the 75th minute, that looked even more likely.
To their credit, FCV did not give up the ghost, even as late as added time. One minute into the four allotted, they did grab a late consolation when a ball in from the right was turned in by Aiden Wiseman. So muted was the response from a clearly disappointed and defeated FCV team that, initially, I wondered if he had put the shot wide.
FT Sandiacre Town 3 FCV Grace Dieu 1. An all-round excellent display from Sandiacre. FCV never managed to establish any kind of foothold in the game, mainly due to the incredible work-rate of the home side, who closed the academy players down across the entire pitch. I have rarely seen a team at this level capable of maintaining that level of press for an entire match. FCV are, undoubtedly, a good side who, given time and space, looked like they could be very dangerous. The Saints countered this by not allowing the time or space. The win sees Sandiacre go top of the table, at least until tonight's games have completed.
If you want to see either of these teams in action soon, they are both back in league action on Saturday. Sandiacre make the long journey North to Retford United who are currently unbeaten but play this evening against Staveley who have a 100% record so far. Meanwhile, FCV Grace Dieu are back at the Academy taking on South Yorkshire side Swallownest.
Sandiacre Town: Stainsby, Godwin, Neil, Durose, Williamson, Brown, Vipond, Brandon(c), Lambert, Wilson, Hlabangana. Subs: Burrows, Elliott, Moore, Almond, Sawa
FCV Grace Dieu: Dorsett, Boorman, Ahmed, Green, Adbi, Emery, Olajide-Oriowo, Merrick(c), Hallaci, Halliday, Weir-Daley. Subs: Tune, Hill, Osaretin, Wiseman, Ezeja
What FCV were able to do was quell the waves of Sandiacre attacks.
There were one or two flare-ups as frustrations grew, possibly left over from a flash point that occurred in the first half. Sandiacre's work-rate off the ball looked as if it was going to earn them a clean sheet to go with their third straight home win. When goalkeeper Richard Stainsby stretched out a hand to make a good stop from substitute Ernest Osaretin in the 75th minute, that looked even more likely.
To their credit, FCV did not give up the ghost, even as late as added time. One minute into the four allotted, they did grab a late consolation when a ball in from the right was turned in by Aiden Wiseman. So muted was the response from a clearly disappointed and defeated FCV team that, initially, I wondered if he had put the shot wide.
FT Sandiacre Town 3 FCV Grace Dieu 1. An all-round excellent display from Sandiacre. FCV never managed to establish any kind of foothold in the game, mainly due to the incredible work-rate of the home side, who closed the academy players down across the entire pitch. I have rarely seen a team at this level capable of maintaining that level of press for an entire match. FCV are, undoubtedly, a good side who, given time and space, looked like they could be very dangerous. The Saints countered this by not allowing the time or space. The win sees Sandiacre go top of the table, at least until tonight's games have completed.
If you want to see either of these teams in action soon, they are both back in league action on Saturday. Sandiacre make the long journey North to Retford United who are currently unbeaten but play this evening against Staveley who have a 100% record so far. Meanwhile, FCV Grace Dieu are back at the Academy taking on South Yorkshire side Swallownest.
Sandiacre Town: Stainsby, Godwin, Neil, Durose, Williamson, Brown, Vipond, Brandon(c), Lambert, Wilson, Hlabangana. Subs: Burrows, Elliott, Moore, Almond, Sawa
FCV Grace Dieu: Dorsett, Boorman, Ahmed, Green, Adbi, Emery, Olajide-Oriowo, Merrick(c), Hallaci, Halliday, Weir-Daley. Subs: Tune, Hill, Osaretin, Wiseman, Ezeja
Main stand and spire
The Ground
St Giles Park is situated to the North of Sandiacre town centre close to St Giles' Church which dates back to the 11th century. There's a small car park in front of the ground, just off Stanton Road. Additional parking is available on the surrounding streets. The clubhouse is accessed via the car park but the entrance to the ground, through a single gate, is situated behind the clubhouse and accessed via a path that runs alongside the building through the park. There is a single covered stand, directly behind the church end goal which has two rows of seats at either end and standing space in the centre. The team's name is emblazoned across the top of the stand with the church spire, that shares it's name with the park and stadium, standing proud above the treeline beyond. The dugouts are on the far side of the pitch backed by thick bushes and trees. There's no spectator standing on that side of the ground. The playing surface has no noticeable slopes and looked in good condition, especially considering the recent dry spell. Note that all spectator facilities are back in the clubhouse. There's nothing within the boundaries of the ground itself.
The Programme
The Saints produce a full colour, 16-page, matchday programme, available at the gate for £1. Contents include a history of the club, recent results and fixtures, current league table, full fixture list, visitors details and, of course, squad lists for the game.
Ground Number: 453
Att: 88
Entrance: £6.00
Programme: £1.00
St Giles Park is situated to the North of Sandiacre town centre close to St Giles' Church which dates back to the 11th century. There's a small car park in front of the ground, just off Stanton Road. Additional parking is available on the surrounding streets. The clubhouse is accessed via the car park but the entrance to the ground, through a single gate, is situated behind the clubhouse and accessed via a path that runs alongside the building through the park. There is a single covered stand, directly behind the church end goal which has two rows of seats at either end and standing space in the centre. The team's name is emblazoned across the top of the stand with the church spire, that shares it's name with the park and stadium, standing proud above the treeline beyond. The dugouts are on the far side of the pitch backed by thick bushes and trees. There's no spectator standing on that side of the ground. The playing surface has no noticeable slopes and looked in good condition, especially considering the recent dry spell. Note that all spectator facilities are back in the clubhouse. There's nothing within the boundaries of the ground itself.
The Programme
The Saints produce a full colour, 16-page, matchday programme, available at the gate for £1. Contents include a history of the club, recent results and fixtures, current league table, full fixture list, visitors details and, of course, squad lists for the game.
Ground Number: 453
Att: 88
Entrance: £6.00
Programme: £1.00
Programme
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