Steve B the Groundhopper

7pm 21 May  2026 Derbyshire Summer League Charlie Bassetts 14 Darley 0 (att 27) For the second Thursday running I ticked off a ground in the Derbyshire Summer League, and like last week it turned out to be a one-sided game. Charlie Bassetts played under the name Smithfield Uttoxeter last year . I assume the identity change is the result of having the backing of a different pub. They also have a new home venue. This year they're playing at Blythe Bridge High School on the edge of Stoke-on-Trent. I expected a basic pitch in a school playing field, but was surprised to find the playing area railed off on two sides, and a pair of dugouts. The home side had a comfortable evening, scoring seven times in each half. Darley's best spell was minutes 45 to 70 when, remarkably given the final score, they didn't concede a goal.

7pm 14 May  2026 Derbyshire Summer League Mickleover Athletic 13 Darley Abbey 2 (att 20) Despite its long history it had looked, until just a few weeks ago, as if the Derbyshire Summer League might fold due to a lack of teams.  Ultimately though seven have signed up for 2026. One of those is Mickleover Athletic, who have two sides in the Central Midlands Alliance League. I'm not sure how many first teamers took part in this opening fixture, but they were far too strong for Darley Abbey. It took the home side three minutes to open the scoring, and they were soon adding more goals. They netted ten before half time. Darley's two goals were also in the first half, a penalty to make it 4-1, and a second that made it 5-2. As often happens when a team is well ahead by half time, they lost momentum after the break. Although there would have been more goals had it not been for the Darley Abbey keeper. T he referee gave the visitors a helping hand by blowing for full time a few minutes ...