Clipstone FC

 A rare trip to the United Counties League, not a league I tend to go and watch very often at all. However having got a lift to it and it being a new ground it was very appealing after a late night getting back from Easington the night before.


We set off mid morning and picked up Goole Pete from Doncaster Station, then it was off to Clipstone. We stopped for lunch at the Jug and Glass pub, fish and chips each, a basic establishment but very good food, although one portion nearly didn't turn up, a quick reminder to the chef and it arrived in good time!


We arrived at the Lido Ground about 1430 and pin badges were on the turnstile for £3. Admission was £5/£3 and the cobra cafe was a sea of temptation. I'd have liked to have tried the clippy burger if I hadn't already eaten but I settled for a cup of pick and mix for £2 and a hot chocolate at half time. There was a covered seating stand along the side with two rows of plastic seats where we took our vantage point. There was plenty of standing space along both sides two and behind one of the goals, behind the other goal was out of bounds for spectators. I'd been wanting to go to Clipstone from their days in the North East Counties League, but sort of forgotten about them since their sideways move to the United Counties. 


The game was poor standard, Pinxton looked the more likely but it wasn't to be, Clipstone taking the lead with a good ball and run down the wing from the full back, then the number 9 composed himself before finishing nicely. They doubled their lead second half with a scruffy goal from a corner, Pinxton seemed to lose their rhythm and the game looked done and dusted but they did get a late consolation from the veteran midfielder wearing number 10 who looked at least 40. He hit a powerful shot in from 18 yards. This was after they had been reduced to 10 men, the incident was that late I didn't see it but I believe a loose arm caught the clipstone player in the face so it was a no brainer for the officials to show him a red, he nearly had the dressing room door off its hinges as he trudged off too. Not a big crowd, 74 the attendance, although a few of the local youths did have a drum and tried to get behind their team which was good to see. As the game reached its final throws the fog was drawing in rapidly, thankfully it wasn't an evening kick off or I don't think it'd have started. 


To get to the ground if heading into Mansfield on the train then take a stagecoach bus upto the ground, seemed fairly regular, if driving their they have a huge field at the back of the turnstile, plenty of parking space for all. 


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