Central Midlands League
Division 1 Central
Friday 6th May 2022
Kick Off 18.45 On Time !
Bakewell Town 2 Cromford & Wirksworth Town 2, attendance 152
8’ 1-0
18’ 2-0
62’ 2-1
83’ 2-2
@ Bakewell Recreation Ground
Haddon Road
Bakewell
DE45 1AW
No Admission
£2 Programme, 8 pages.
I am not a great fan of the Central Midlands League. It is a league that no longer serves a purpose and it would be far be far better if the clubs were redistributed into their respective county leagues, rather than having a footprint that overlaps so many other leagues at this level. I struggle to find the enthusiasm to complete the two Premier Divisions, having always kept this league up to date in years gone by, let alone bothering with the three divisions at Division 1 level and tonight seemed as good a time as any to bite the bullet and finally drop into the lower standard end of the league.
Bakewell Town had been crowned league champions during the week, but not by achieving it on the pitch, but because of their opposition not being bothered to raise a team to play a game, which subsequently saw the three points awarded. It was a pity, because Cromford & Wirksworth Town came into this third in the league table, and were only five points behind Bakewell, with both having two games to play, so this would have been a real ’six pointer’. Sadly, it wasn’t to be, but Cromford & Wirksworth still needed a point from their last two matches to guarantee a second placed finish.
Bakewell came flying out of the blocks, scoring twice in the opening eighteen minutes. It was hard to see how the visitors could possibly have been challenging for the title, as they were being totally overrun and were in danger of being on the end of a real thrashing, such was Bakewell’s dominance, but it remained 2-0 at the break. Just after the hour mark Cromford & Wirksworth pulled a goal back, scoring with a 25 yarder into the top corner and they grabbed an equaliser seven minutes from time, scrambling in from close range, after a free kick had been headed back across the six yard box. It gave them the point that ensured the runners up spot.
To celebrate the league title, Bakewell produced their first ever official programme (sold out 10 minutes before kick off), which attracted a fair number of ’hoppers. The locals were also out in force, despite the light rain that fell for most of the game, with an official crowd of 152 recorded on the league website. They even set up a table to sell hot/cold drinks and chocolate bars/homemade cakes, which also seemed to be well accepted. The club were presented with the trophy after the game and will play in the Premier Division next season. The ground is certainly not a great addition to Step 7, restricted somewhat by being on the cricket outfield. Just two temporary dugouts and a bit of rope down each side of the pitch. It is in a nice setting though.
