12 midday 3 August 2019
Central Midlands League, Invitational Cup Final
Netherseal St Peters 1 Renishaw Rangers 3 (att 189) at Peel Croft, Burton-upon-Trent
The attraction of this match - a pre-season friendly despite being dressed up with a title and a trophy - was the venue. Peel Croft staged Football League fixtures between 1892 and 1907, but has been a rugby ground since.
Burton RUFC are on the move after this season so Peel Croft's days are numbered, and it's very unlikely there'll be any more association football following this double header staged by the Central Midlands League.
The main event was the Chairman's Cup Final at 3pm, a Community Shield-style curtain raiser to the season, but Netherseal and Renishaw took the opportunity to provide a warm-up act by competing for the Invitational Cup Final.
It felt more like a proper game than a friendly, and the slow pace owed more to the heat than any lack of competitiveness. Netherseal play in the Midlands Regional Alliance, and were always second best to Renishaw's Central Midlands League side.
Renishaw were ahead early but the lead didn't last long. It was still 1-1 well into the second half, despite Renishaw dominating possession and creating the majority of chances.
A penalty decider might have scuppered my hopes of getting to a second game at 3pm, so I was relieved when Renishaw's superiority was finally converted into two goals, and a trophy to begin their season.
Peel Croft is close to the centre of Burton, and while it is a historic and characterful venue it's clear to see why a move would be benefit Burton RUFC. The main stand apparently dates from 1907, built just after Burton United's Football League spell came to an end.
There's a single line of seats at the back of a banked covered area on the opposite side, while both ends are uncovered, with banking at the end nearest the entrance. It's a shame the ground will soon pass into history, but I was glad of the chance to see some football there before the bulldozers get to work.
Central Midlands League, Invitational Cup Final
Netherseal St Peters 1 Renishaw Rangers 3 (att 189) at Peel Croft, Burton-upon-Trent
The attraction of this match - a pre-season friendly despite being dressed up with a title and a trophy - was the venue. Peel Croft staged Football League fixtures between 1892 and 1907, but has been a rugby ground since.
Burton RUFC are on the move after this season so Peel Croft's days are numbered, and it's very unlikely there'll be any more association football following this double header staged by the Central Midlands League.
The main event was the Chairman's Cup Final at 3pm, a Community Shield-style curtain raiser to the season, but Netherseal and Renishaw took the opportunity to provide a warm-up act by competing for the Invitational Cup Final.
It felt more like a proper game than a friendly, and the slow pace owed more to the heat than any lack of competitiveness. Netherseal play in the Midlands Regional Alliance, and were always second best to Renishaw's Central Midlands League side.
Renishaw were ahead early but the lead didn't last long. It was still 1-1 well into the second half, despite Renishaw dominating possession and creating the majority of chances.
A penalty decider might have scuppered my hopes of getting to a second game at 3pm, so I was relieved when Renishaw's superiority was finally converted into two goals, and a trophy to begin their season.
Peel Croft is close to the centre of Burton, and while it is a historic and characterful venue it's clear to see why a move would be benefit Burton RUFC. The main stand apparently dates from 1907, built just after Burton United's Football League spell came to an end.
There's a single line of seats at the back of a banked covered area on the opposite side, while both ends are uncovered, with banking at the end nearest the entrance. It's a shame the ground will soon pass into history, but I was glad of the chance to see some football there before the bulldozers get to work.
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