With little options for games today, this was a good one to do. It was a much more relaxing step 6 play-off final than Wednesday night for me! Given Beverley were only promoted to step 6 in 2022, the ground is quite basic one. It’s adjacent to a cricket pitch in a sports complex, meaning football spectators are only allowed down two-thirds of both lengths of the pitch, and behind one of the goals isn’t available to spectators. There’s one small seated stand as well as a couple of further bits of cover. With such a big crowd and only being allowed on around two-thirds of the ground, getting a viewing point was very difficult, especially given there is basically no elevation at any part of the ground. I watched the first half from a small pile of waste on the far side, and I doubt anyone has ever watched a game from there before today.

Although it’s a basic ground, Beverley are a friendly club, and they did everything they could to make today’s occasion as good as possible. The queue for food from the burger van was permanently massive so I didn’t get anything, and I presume the programmes were sold out.

The game was an entertaining one. Beverley had a few early chances, but in the opening 20 minutes, it was Shirebrook looking slightly the livelier with numerous good chances.

Beverley took the lead in the 26th minute through Ben Hinchliffe, and there was controversy late in the half as Shirebrook were awarded a penalty around four minutes after the incident. The Beverley goalkeeper clattered a Shirebrook forward, and from where I was, I thought penalty. The referee waved played on, before stopping play a minute later so the striker could get treatment. He was treated for a couple of minutes, and once the striker was up, the referee decided to speak to him assistant. Shortly after, the referee decided to award a penalty. Kieran Watson took the penalty but put it wide. Beverley led at the break.

Shirebrook equalised on the hour mark when a Brad McGowan header looked as though it should have been saved but wasn’t.

Both sides had chances to win it in the final half an hour, but this play-off final was to be decided on penalties. Beverley scored both of their first two, while Shirebrook missed their first and scored their second. Both sides scored their third, before Shirebrook’s fourth was saved. Beverley’s fourth was for the win, and it was converted meaning Beverley are promoted and Northern Counties East League Division One Play-Off champions.

It was a second night in a row of a game finishing 1-1 and the home side winning 4-2 on penalties for me.

Full-time: Beverley Town 1-1 Shirebrook Town (Beverley win 4-2 on penalties)

Next up for me is maybe a game in the Northern Alliance midweek.

Beverley Town: Dash, Knaggs (Phillips, 70′), Sellers, Larkin (Taylor, 87′), Plumber, Piercy (c), Tait, Hott, Hinchliffe (Harman, 83′), Norfolk, McFadyen (Suluburic, 57′)

Unused sub: Heward

Shirebrook Town: Squires, Mlynarski, Murr, Patterson (Allan, 84′), Grayson, McGowan, Carty (Partridge, 73′), Waldram, Watson, Matthews (Kimberley, 77′), Clayton

Unused sub: Munn

Admission: £5 adults, £3 concessions

Programme: Sold out I think

Attendance: 1,525 (apparently the ground capacity is only 1,000!)

Referee: Ronan Coller-Booth