The team's first match in the National Cup was on Sunday 30th October at Home against Olton and West Warks and we lost - 1-4 to a superior side. See below for photos etc.
Our performance was significantly better than when we last played Olton and better than the scoreline suggests. However, we then qualified for the :-
Quarter Finals, 9 April (last 8)
Our vintage team entertained Oxford Hawks in the quarter finals of the Vintage Plate competition at St. Mary’s on 9th April.
After the first few minutes, it was clear that the home team had the upper hand and it seemed only a matter of time before the floodgates opened and goals came.
However, this did not allow for the simple inability of our forwards to convert chances into goals. I lost count of the number of such chances in only the first 15 to 20 minutes.
As the game progressed, the likelihood of our scoring seemed to diminish but that of Oxford Hawks to score on one of their occasional forays into our 25 significantly increased.
Far too many passes, especially from midfield, went astray and far too many chances in front of goal went begging.
We did manage a few saves from Hawks and we “enjoyed” our half-time chat.
Nice to have Dave Platts back in goal ... and he did play well, the goal coming from defensive errors elsewhere.
But, all in all, not a vintage performance from the home team!
On the 22nd January away against Ben Rhydding.
The morning was cold and frosty, though fortunately without wind. As the frost cleared, the fog descended and we met at the Alma Leisure park for our journey to Ilkley. Unfortunately, our "bus" was unavailable to us due to a family bereavement for Tufty (hope all went well, Tufty), so it was off in a small pool of cars.
The weather brightened as we entered South Yorkshire and became quite pleasant as we first entered West Yorkshire. However, this was not to be maintained. The fog descended as we approached Leeds and did not improve!.
Our squad lined up, ready to start.
In the first five minutes we rapidly established our supremacy, particularly in mid-field, but the four or five quite reasonable chances we created were not converted. Would this be one of those games, would our strikers ever find the target, or keep hitting the keeper ?
We need not have feared, within a few minutes, the goals began arriving.
By half-time, we were 6 goals up, none conceded....in fact Mac (playing in goal) had not had to play the ball.
Mac's worked up a thirst
!
And some of the rest of the squad ...........
and our one supporter 
!!!
A few changes were made at half time which seemed to unsettle the team and very shortly after the restart, Ben Rhydding scored !
However, this was only a temporary setback, and our goalscoring recommenced. By the final whistle, we'd managed another 6 to make the score 12-1. A convincing display from a side playing well and against opposition who, on the day, could not match our endeavour and skill.
Compliments must go to the Opposition 'keeper, without whose efforts, the goal tally could've been much higher. It took us a while to realise that his positional sense and ground play were the principle reason for our not finding the net.
A few minutes before the end of the game, we introduced Dudley on at left wing. Very shortly afterwards, he scored a quite spectacular goal, probably the best of the game, running in to the area just in front of the 'keeper and deflecting a cross from the right high above his reach.
Back to the clubhouse for a nice warming shower and to experience yet another example of most excellent Yorkshire hospitality.
On a damp Sunday 30th October, Chesterfield Vintage team (Over 50s) entertained Olton and West Warks Vintage team in the first round of the National Vintage Cup. You may recall that Olton beat us 4-0 at home in the final stages of the Cup a couple of seasons ago, so we new we were in for a tough match.
There was a lively start to the game, both sides putting together somee good moves. After only a few minutes though, an Olton attack resulted in a goal.
However, within minutes, some sloppy defending by Olton resulted in a foul and the home team pulled level through a well taken penalty stroke by Andy Hall.
The next period of 15 to 20 minutes was quite even, and we had an opportunity to go into the lead following an excellent build up between Jan Ahmed and Nick Kennerly, Nick's final shot running just wide of the right hand post.
Both teams had further opportunities, but unfortunately for the home team, Olton managed to convert some of theirs, resulting in a final score of 4-1.
Whilst on the balance of play, Olton were deserved winners, the scoreline did not reflect the good performance put up by our team.
Still, we now qualify for the Plate competition (for first round losers) and the next game is on 22nd January.
Our selection of photos below includes one or two featuring Steve Mills, our guest keeper from Belper who stepped in at the last minute to cover for the incapacitated David Platts. We are indebted to Steve for his help, and for his good performance on the day. He will be joining us in further rounds.
For those of you who remember, there is a close connection between Steve and our Club ..... he is brother to Nigel Mills of whom we have fond memories.
