Goals Galore in the Hope Valley Football League

Another round of fixtures saw 41 goals scored across 6 fixtures in another action-packed weekend throughout the Hope Valley Amateur Football League.

We kick off this week’s report in Youlgrave, where the home side were on the hunt for their first point of the season. The free-scoring and high-flying Tideswell were the visitors, where a thirteen-goal thriller was played out for those in attendance.

Tideswell maintained their perfect start to the season as they ended the game as 9-4 winners. Cameron Dalton, Kaleb Partridge and Nathan Rowe each hit the net for Tideswell, but yet again, the star of the show was Jack Bradbury.

Bradbury scored a brace in their first fixture, a hat-trick in their second, but decided that this week he would take it to another level by scoring SIX of Tideswell’s nine goals. Three wins from three for Tideswell, with Jack Bradbury spearheading the golden boot race with ‘just’ the eleven goals across those games.

The 19th Hole would get their first look at newcomers Chinley FC this weekend as they played out their weekend fixture. Chinley’s only defeat thus far was a narrow one to a very good Bamford side, and it would remain that way come full time this weekend also, as they were victorious after a 4-1 victory away from home. The 19th Hole’s Pete Richardson would score a consolation goal in the second half, but this wouldn’t be enough to inspire a comeback.

Hayfield Reserves have endured a rough start to their campaign as they failed to register a win in their first three matches. Darley Dale Lions were the next team to face them, and this was the week where Hayfield Reserves would spring to life! A demolition job saw Hayfield hit Darley for seven and take all three points with the score line finishing 7-1 to the home side. Jack Howell put the home side ahead, with Jake Hulse doubling their lead four minutes later.

Lewis Chadwick made it 3-0 just before half time, before an own goal made it four just after the break. Leo Gilman scored a consolation penalty for Darley, but Jack Hulse scored a further two to complete his hat-trick with Luke Adderley adding to Darley’s pain. This win moves Hayfield off the bottom and will provide them with confidence heading into their next fixture.

It would be a double sweep for Hayfield as an entity this weekend with the first team travelling to Calver for their fixture. A 4-0 victory over the home side would complete a perfect weekend for both Hayfield clubs, with Oliver Wyatt’s brace alongside Lukas Stang and Harry Wyatt’s goals confirming the three points. This victory puts Hayfield First team into the elite category of teams with a flawless start, as they match Tideswell’s perfect record of three games played, and all three of them being won.

Buxworth Reserves picked up their first win of the season last weekend but would have to overcome a newly revived Blazing Rag if they were to double their points total. Rag have entered this season rejuvenated and showed zero signs of slowing down this weekend as they picked up their third win of the season with a 5-3 victory over Buxworth. Benjamin Percival got a brace for Buggy, with Cameron Shaw also providing them with a goal. However, Christopher Carrington’s brace, and solo efforts from Callum Holmes-Kirkham, Daniel Howe and Dean Lomas would ensure that Blazing Rag continued on in their fine form.

The final game of the weekend saw Bamford host Dove Holes. Each side entered the game unbeaten up to the point of kick off, and this was reflected with the narrow score line. Aaron Hodgkinson put Dove 1-0 up just before half-time, but Bamford produced a spirited comeback in the second half with Tom Ibbeson and Elliot Maskrey each notching a goal in for the home side to ensure all three points stayed in Bamford with a 2-1 victory.

This win confirms that Bamford remain top of the table for another week at least, but Tideswell and Hayfield Firsts continue to breathe down their necks having played a game fewer and maintaining their perfect starts.