Thorne Come Out On Top In Colliery Derby - Thorne Colliery vs. Bentley Colliery

Back of the stand at The Welfare Ground

My Dad had made it clear early on that he didn’t want to drive to Bury to see Scunthorpe on Boxing Day and I therefore had to find a local non league game. With their being no games in the North East Counties League and the nearest Northern Premier League game being at least an hour’s drive away, we ventured in to The Central Midlands League Black Dragon Division for the first time. We elected to make a raid over The Trent in to Yorkshire for the derby game between Thorne Colliery and Bentley Colliery.  Thorne were near the top of the table and had a lot of games in hand over the sides around them while Bentley were just a few places below their hosts. Thorne won the reverse fixture at The Bentley Welfare Ground 2-1 back in August.

Kick off under blue skies

Thorne have a couple of early chances to get the ball in to the Bentley box but both the corner and free kick are wasted. They get their first shot on target as the winger pulls the ball back for the forward but the Bentley keeper makes a good low save. The home side soon take the lead as the forward is played in and he slots home. The home side are rampant and a hard challenge creates a good shooting chance but the effort is a weak one. Thorne then create similar openings to the goal but both are wasted. The visitors have their first chance when a great ball is put in to the box but no one can get the killer touch. The home side soon make it two nil with a very similar goal to the opener. They soon make it three as the ball is slotted home from close range after a ball across the six is slotted home. Thorne then stretch their lead even further when the ball breaks after a tackle in midfield and the ball is smashed home.

The Bentley keeper prepares to kick in to the sun

The hosts almost go even further in front but the Bentley keeper makes a great close range save following a ball in to the box. They have another chance shortly afterwards but the striker fails to keep his balance. Bentley get on to the score sheet with a neat finish following a good passing move. Thorne have a chance to restore the four goal lead but the forward chips just wide when played in. With both sides easing off, we leave to make the mad dash back to Lincolnshire to Gainsborough.

Thorne looking for more goals in the second half.

The nearest station to The Welfare Ground is Thorne North. The ground is at least a forty five minute from the station. There are several pubs on the walk to the ground including the club sponsors The Moorends Hotel. There is no clubhouse at the ground. This was my first experience of The Central Midlands League and I was impressed by the level of football played by both sides.

An informative programme was produced for the game which included recent match reports and information on both sides. The programme enhanced how impressed I was by the whole Central Midlands League experience. 

Another view of the stand