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Club's accounts
The club's accounts for the year ending December 31, 2019 are published as a PDF on the Member's page (log in required).
•The Midland Premier Walking Football League
March results showed a welcome return to form for the Senior Spireites at Nottingham, defeating Oakham 3-1 and drawing with Leicester in a tough game.
Spurred by two early and wonderfully subtle touch goals from Steve Housely, the Senior Spireites established control over Oakham Catmose and were set for a straightforward win. Sadly the second half proved more demanding as a shot was deflected past 'keeper Keith Arrowsmith. Despite remaining the better team and making more chances, there was a real danger the Spireites' opponents would pinch an equaliser. Indeed, it took two very timely tackles from Dave Moss to stop the unthinkable happening. As the game came to a close, Steve Housely fed John Longstaff who powered in an unstoppable drive to make the final score 3-1. A deserved win looking much closer than it appeared at the beginning.
It was a quite different game against Leicester as many predicted, and it soon turned out to be a bruising encounter which had the observers wondering when the referee might start showing a few cards. The very physical Leicester team went ahead in the first half but were pegged back with a quite superb Mark Griffiths' goal moments after the start of the second half. There were chances at both ends but marshalled by a battling Rob Church, the Spireites came away with a very satisfying and hard-earned point.
The Senior Spireites still remain in fourth place.
Previous results were:
v Boston United, Drawn 2-2 (Pete Jacques, Steve Housely)
v Chilwell Won 3-1 (John Quinn 2, Pete Jacques)
v Stamford Strollers Lost 0-3
v Nottingham Bramcote Lost 1-7 (Rob Church )
v Oakham Catmose Won 3-1 (Mark Griffiths, Pete Jacques, John Quinn)
v Leicester Lost 1-3 (Pete Jacques)
v Hucknall Won 4-0 (Mark Griffiths, Pete Jacques, Rob Church, Steve Housley)
v Matlock Arc Won 4-3 (Mark Griffiths, Pete Jacques 3)
v Boston United L 0-4
v Chilwell W 5-2 (Steve Housley 3, Rob Church, Pete Jacques)
v Stamford Strollers Lost 0-3
v Nottingham Bramcote Lost 0-4
•Injury update
Goalkeeper Pete Tonge is happily getting over his broken leg sustained on December 9 and the other day to pay us a visit and proudly show off his boot, rather than a pot. He is making good progress and hopes to be back soon doing what he does so well and keeping shots out.
Reports are that Alan Turner, who fell awkwardly under no challenge in a game but sustained a broken hand, is also making good progress. We look forward to seeing his return, too.
•Notes from the Referees meeting October 28th. These have been emailed to members but are listed here.
1. Although the WFA playing rules now allow scoring a goal from any outfield area of the pitch we agreed unanimously to continue playing with our rule of only being able to score from the opposition half. This is because it encourages a more passing game and gets everyone involved more in the game.
2. Players with the ball in the corner or facing the fencing must be allowed to turn before a challenge for the ball is made. Only one player at a time may challenge in these circumstances. This is for safety reasons. Also players are not allowed to hold on to the fencing, except to stop themselves from falling. However, should a player on a team in the lead deliberately go to the corner to waste time and avoid being challenged and may be regarded that as unsporting behaviour and the ball given to the opposition.
3. The people who give up 25% of their playing time each month to referee deserve respect and co-operation from the players. We recognise that we make mistakes sometimes (both when playing and refereeing) but the referee's decision must be accepted. Dissent towards a referee's decision will result in a warning and any continuing, or further, dissent is likely to result in a blue card, giving two minutes off the pitch to calm down, which will, obviously, impact on your team-mates. None of us like sending players off in our own sessions but we will if necessary.
4. If a player falls and the referee is uncertain whether he is OK, the game will be stopped until he is checked out. On restart, the ball will be returned to the side which had possession. This is to ensure player safety.
5. If the ball strikes the referee, causing the team in possession to lose it, play will stop and restart with a drop ball, giving it back to the team which had possession. Drop balls will always be uncontested in line with the new FA rules.
6. The WFA rules state that when the game is stopped by a whistle from the referee it must be re-started in the same way. This has sometimes not been enforced but it was agreed that if the offence is by defenders in their own half of the pitch it should be enforced in future. If a kick is taken before the whistle is blown the free kick will be reversed (Other team takes free kick).
7. Penalty takers must place the ball on the penalty spot, take one step back and may only take one step forward before striking the ball.