tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48972767447248222932024-03-13T03:10:33.596+00:00Pitch-side StoriesStories and football travels around Staffordshire, the Midlands, north and south and even as far as Norway and GermanyUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger997125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4897276744724822293.post-14506705673948099262013-10-30T18:57:00.002+00:002013-10-30T18:57:24.908+00:00New websitePitch-side Stories can now be found at <a href="http://www.pitch-side-stories.com">http://www.pitch-side-stories.com</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4897276744724822293.post-62766698372626287292013-10-08T23:59:00.000+01:002013-10-10T10:54:41.873+01:00Road to Bescot<b>Tuesday 8th October 2013<br>
Stafford Town 0 Tividale 2<br>
Walsall Senior Cup First Round<br>
At: Evans Park, Riverway, Stafford<br>
Kick-off: 7-45 pm<br>
Admission: £4; Programme: £1 (28 pages)<br>
Weather: mild and dry</b>
<br><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fjcJD6vb-SI/UlXgDNeIm9I/AAAAAAAAMCk/9mBvMUz1N48/s1600/p20131008a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fjcJD6vb-SI/UlXgDNeIm9I/AAAAAAAAMCk/9mBvMUz1N48/s400/p20131008a.jpg" /></a></div>First visit of the season to Evans Park for a Walsall Senior Cup First Round tie where Stafford Town were putting their unbeaten home record on the line against high-flying Tividale.
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A quick glance at the Midland Alliance league table highlighted the enormity of the task facing the Reds this evening. Tividale stood second in the table with a 100% record and only kept off top spot because leaders Highgate had amassed an extra four points from the four extra games they had played.
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2. Tividale P 8 W 8 D 0 L 0 F 28 A 5 PTS 24
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After bigging up the visitors, Stafford Town’s start to the Midland Combination Premier Division season needs bigging up as well – fifth in the table with just two defeats in nine league games. I saw then draw 0-0 at Pelsall Villa seven days ago.
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<b>Walsall Senior Cup First Round</b><br>
Bolehall Swifts v Bolemere St Michaels<br>
Romulus v Wolverhampton Casuals<br>
Stafford Town v Tividale<br>
Walsall Wood v Continental Star<br>
Byes for Bilston Town 2007, Brocton, Chasetown, Heath Hayes, Lichfield City, Pelsall Villa, Rushall Olympic, Sporting Khalsa, Stafford Rangers, Sutton Coldfield Town, Tipton Town and Walsall.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WedVndXAuf8/UlXg0S9tsFI/AAAAAAAAMCs/h8mr4mzaUkE/s1600/p20131008b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WedVndXAuf8/UlXg0S9tsFI/AAAAAAAAMCs/h8mr4mzaUkE/s400/p20131008b.jpg" /></a></div>For those of you unfamiliar with the stadium, Evans Park, named after Chairman Gordon Evans, is a relatively new ground which opened in March 2011. All the facilities are adjacent to the entrance including the 192-seater ‘Keith Mottershead Stand’. Keith has been a stalwart of football in Stafford for around 50 years and richly deserved the renaming of the stand in his honour during the summer.
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Compared to the Pelsall game seven days ago [Town didn’t have a game on Saturday], the Reds’ starting line-up showed three changes with Alex Barnfather, John Warburton, Morgan Hurley in for Chris McComisky, George Burslem and the boss Adam Cunningham.
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Visitors Tividale made no fewer than seven changes to the side that thumped Gornal Athletic 6-0 at the weekend. Andrew Parsons, Tim Jackson, Sam Williams and Ryan Winwood were the four who started both tonight and at the weekend.
<br><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1m06fFEJq44/UlZVT060gKI/AAAAAAAAMC8/nIOEqg9wxh0/s1600/p20131008c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1m06fFEJq44/UlZVT060gKI/AAAAAAAAMC8/nIOEqg9wxh0/s400/p20131008c.jpg" /></a></div>Tividale (in all yellow) got the action underway defending the cricket ground end of Evans Park in the first half. Stafford made a “good start” as Adam encouraged his side from the technical area and urged his side to “keep it up”.
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Even though neither side created a decent scoring opportunity during the opening 27 minutes, it was none-the-less a decent contest dominated by defences and midfields.
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The visitors gradually started to assert their authority and, in the 28th minute, Ryan Winwood cut in from the left and hit a low shot that flashed across the face of the Stafford goal.
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Tividale took the lead on the half hour with a goal that provoked much debate. No dispute as to whether it should be awarded or not but who actually should be credited with the goal? Ryan Winwood swung in a corner from the left which went into the net at the near post. My initial reaction was that Karl Edwards flicked the ball into the net [and even tweeted at the time to say so] though at half-time became persuaded that the goal was actually an own goal. Based on what Tividale subsequently tweeted and response from the striker, I’m giving it to Edwards.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EWeAem2woOw/UlZVxc5lv2I/AAAAAAAAMDE/LKhvB5SX0oE/s1600/p20131008e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EWeAem2woOw/UlZVxc5lv2I/AAAAAAAAMDE/LKhvB5SX0oE/s400/p20131008e.jpg" /></a></div>Dan Brown responded and fired wide of the right-hand post before the excellent Ben Sturgeon produced two super saves in quick succession to prevent the visitors from doubling their lead. Twice in the 42nd minute, the goalkeeper first did well to push a rising 20-yard snap shot from Andrew Parsons round the left-hand post, then kept out Levi Bailey’s far post downward header from the resulting corner.
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Half-time Stafford Town 0 Tividale 1
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Sturgeon was again called into action early in the second half, this time to block a well-struck shot from Brett Clark.
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Stafford gave a reminder to their fans just before the hour mark that they only trailed by a single goal. A neat passing move set up a chance for Francis Dacres who fired over from 25 yards out.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-thK5_zdSItw/UlZWD0y2K1I/AAAAAAAAMDM/eRtccZDBg2s/s1600/p20131008f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-thK5_zdSItw/UlZWD0y2K1I/AAAAAAAAMDM/eRtccZDBg2s/s400/p20131008f.jpg" /></a></div>Sensing an equaliser, manager Adam urged his side to “raise it” and up the “tempo”.
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Going into the last ten minutes, extra time still remained a distinct possibility with Stafford trailing to that 30th minute goal [I wasn’t complaining as an extra 30 minutes who have meant that Stafford’s journey on the ‘Road to Bescot’ was still alive.
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A bouncing ball down the middle put the Tividale defence under pressure and the harrying Brown forced Luke Paskin to concede a corner. This was swung in from the right by Hurley across the face of goal but no one could apply the finishing touch. Close.
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However, football can be a cruel game and it was certainly cruel to Stafford in the 87th minute when Tividale scored their match-winning second goal. A bouncing ball played forward into the Stafford area by Tim Jackson caused problems for Sturgeon and Brett Clark touched the ball into an empty net
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L7vwZtgpeUY/UlZWYWz-cCI/AAAAAAAAMDU/sOUhEKZu39M/s1600/p20131008g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L7vwZtgpeUY/UlZWYWz-cCI/AAAAAAAAMDU/sOUhEKZu39M/s400/p20131008g.jpg" /></a></div>Tividale advance to the second round along with Walsall Wood who defeated Continental Star 2-1 at Oak Park.
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<b>Stafford Town</b> (red/red/red): 1. Ben Sturgeon, 2. Alex Barnfather, 3. James Wild, 4. Mat Dockerty, 5. Jon Warburton, 6. Joe Woodward, 7. Francis Dacres, 8. Jake Turner, 9. Morgan Hurley (capt), 10. Dan Brown, 11. Jamie Cartwright. Subs: 12. Jack Milgate (for Barnfather, 76), 14. Matt Oulton (for Cartwright, 63), 17. Adam Cunningham. Manager: Adam Cunningham.
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<b>Tividale</b> (yellow/yellow/yellow): 1. Jack Hayfield, 2. Andrew Parsons, 3. Tim Jackson, 4. Andrew Dicken, 5. Levi Bailey, 6. Luke Paskin, 7. Samuel Wilson, 8. Sam Williams (capt), 9. Brett Clark, 10. Karl Edwards, 11. Ryan Winwood. Subs: 12. Matthew Waite (not used), 14. Stuart How (for Winwood, 89), 15. David Bellis (for Dicken, 72), 16. Thomas Overfield (for Wilson, 79), 17gk. Charles Price (not used). Manager: Stuart Scriven and Ian Long.
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Referee: Mark Murfitt<br>
Assistants: Ashley Parry and Matthew Brattley
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Attendance: 45 (headcount)<br>
Duration: first-half: 45:38; second-half: 47:07
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Goals:<br>
0-1 Karl Edwards (30)<br>
0-2 Brett Clark (87)
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Cards: noneUnknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4897276744724822293.post-16705804977860468012013-10-05T23:59:00.000+01:002013-10-11T15:29:25.475+01:00Thunderbolt<b>Saturday 5th October 2013<br>
Brocton 2 Bolehall Swifts 1<br>
St Mary’s Hospice Midland Combination Premier Division<br>
At: Silkmore Lane, Stafford<br>
Kick-off: 3-00 pm<br>
Admission: £4; Programme: £1 (36 pages)<br>
Weather: dry, sunny spells</b>
<br><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BmpC2BlSjLc/UlLtkZ3u9_I/AAAAAAAAMBA/QdDlini2Rk0/s1600/p20131005a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BmpC2BlSjLc/UlLtkZ3u9_I/AAAAAAAAMBA/QdDlini2Rk0/s400/p20131005a.jpg" /></a></div>As a supporter, I don’t think there is a better feeling than seeing a team you follow score a late winner. I felt a sense of real elation at Silkmore Lane around 4-45pm this afternoon when a 90th-minute David Berks thunderbolt sent Combination leaders Brocton three points clear at the top with a last gasp 2-1 victory. The stunning goal was a fitting end to an absorbing and tight contest between two sides who will be challenging for promotion to the Midland Alliance all season.
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The first Saturday of every month normally forces me to look at the fixtures close to home and, today, I didn’t need much persuading to watch a top-of-the-table clash on my doorstep. Both Brocton and visitors Bolehall Swifts have made an impressive start to the season, so much so, they went into this afternoon’s game at the top of the pile level on 22 points.
<br><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xTWAqSobHWI/UlMd48qoBMI/AAAAAAAAMBQ/XF4-gymMwI8/s1600/p20131005b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xTWAqSobHWI/UlMd48qoBMI/AAAAAAAAMBQ/XF4-gymMwI8/s400/p20131005b.jpg" /></a></div>The Badgers (1st with 22 points from eight games), who won each of their opening six league games, remain unbeaten and were involved in an amazing topsy-turvy game at Nuneaton Griff three days ago. I followed the action on Twitter and Brocton eventually claimed the points by the odd goal in nine.
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WON Sat 10 Aug – Brocton 4 Coventry Copsewood 0<br>
WON Tues 13 Aug – Pelsall Villa 1 Brocton 7<br>
WON Sat 24 Aug – Littleton 1 Brocton 3<br>
WON Mon 26 Aug – Brocton 4 Stafford Town 1<br>
WON Tue 3 Sep – Atherstone Town 2 Brocton 4<br>
WON Tue 10 Sep – Brocton 2 Lichfield City 1<br>
DRAW Sat 28 Sep – Lichfield City 1 Brocton 1<br>
WON Tue 2 Oct – Nuneaton Griff 4 Brocton 5
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Since the home game against Lichfield, which was covered by Pitch-side Stories, Brocton narrowly lost 2-1 in the FA Cup at Halesowen Town and progressed to the FA Carlsberg Vase First Round with a 5-3 home win over Wolverhampton Casuals after extra time.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S5XNShd9isA/UlMeFgkAzeI/AAAAAAAAMBY/U06frzztdcc/s1600/p20131005c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S5XNShd9isA/UlMeFgkAzeI/AAAAAAAAMBY/U06frzztdcc/s400/p20131005c.jpg" /></a></div>Visitors Bolehall (22 points from 10 games) lost top spot on Wednesday and have had also won six league games including their last four.
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For those unfamiliar with Silkmore Lane ground, it is the former home of Staffordshire Police and lay derelict until Brocton developed it into their smart permanent new home with two pitches, changing rooms and a hospitality room. The floodlight main pitch boasts a 110-seater stand.
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Team news, as always, was provided on the whiteboard displayed in the hospitality room window and showed Brocton lacking Sam Bell and Jack Lees, who had both travelled with Stafford Rangers to Frickley Athletic.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xd_lhWngBlg/UlMel9-rVFI/AAAAAAAAMBg/7z024EONPlc/s1600/p20131005d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xd_lhWngBlg/UlMel9-rVFI/AAAAAAAAMBg/7z024EONPlc/s400/p20131005d.jpg" /></a></div>Time for the action to commence, after I had a quick chat with the ever-popular Mick Fox (@backtogoalfox).
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While Bolehall (in blue) got the first half underway defending the changing rooms end, it was Brocton who made the biggest impact during the opening minutes. Dan Shore fired wide from 20 yards out and Paul McMahon fed Craig Hulme who shot over the bar.
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Gary Fife has been scoring goals since I first saw him feature for Stafford Rangers as a 17-year-old back in 2003. And he wasted no time in adding to his 200+ goal haul by putting the Badgers ahead in the 6th minute. Dan Lomas (pictured) provided the assist and Fife got forward from midfield to the edge of the area where he hammered a low shot past Bolehall goalkeeper Tom McNulty.
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Brocton needed to thank Adam Whitehouse for keeping them in front a minute after taking the lead. The goalkeeper did well to block a shot from the lively Steve Day with his legs.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NKKM8iAwpd8/UlR2x7VGJuI/AAAAAAAAMBw/l8gsgZsHWxg/s1600/p20131005e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NKKM8iAwpd8/UlR2x7VGJuI/AAAAAAAAMBw/l8gsgZsHWxg/s400/p20131005e.jpg" /></a></div>As chances continued to be created, an inswinging free-kick from Fife out of the left was headed off the line by a defender. Almost 2-0 but not quite.
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Watching the first half in the company of the Reverend Jeff Reynolds, the contest remained a tight one with most of Bolehall’s attempts on goal being shot from outside the area.
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McMahon, a recent signing from neighbours Stafford Town, forced Tom McNulty into a raction save.
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It was, perhaps, inevitable that Bolehall would get back on level terms before the interval, which they did in the 42nd minute. Day exchanged passes with Chris Sturridge-Packer to get a clear shot of goal and he duly fired home off the hand of Whitehouse.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WckvvPPrHaI/UlR34htDO4I/AAAAAAAAMB8/pvvmu6IvFWI/s1600/p20131005f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WckvvPPrHaI/UlR34htDO4I/AAAAAAAAMB8/pvvmu6IvFWI/s400/p20131005f.jpg" /></a></div>A half-time score of Brocton 1 Bolehall Swifts 1 was a fair reflection of the opening 45 minutes.
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Brocton made a change at the interval with Dan Shore replaced by Damien Charie, who I remember playing for Hednesford Town a few years ago.
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A nice move down the left led to a decent cross from Terry Carpenter which was inches too high for unmarked Sturridge-Packer.
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Brocton had to survive some pressure from Bolehall at the start of the second half and just after the hour mark, Fife forced a diving save out of McNulty who gathered the resulting loose ball at the second attempt.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lhDM26Ru_QE/UlR5N5T-v7I/AAAAAAAAMCI/SIx_49ex8rI/s1600/p20131005g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lhDM26Ru_QE/UlR5N5T-v7I/AAAAAAAAMCI/SIx_49ex8rI/s400/p20131005g.jpg" /></a></div>Amongst the crowd of about 110 was a contingent from Stafford Town, without a game and who should have been playing Bolehall until today’s fixtures were altered to allow Brocton to play one of their games in hand.
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Both sides went close to taking the lead midway through the second half. McNulty parried a shot from Fife and Sturridge-Packer drove over the Brocton bar from the edge of the area.
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With time running out in a game that could still have three possible outcomes, Brocton mounted a strong finish during the last ten minutes. Berks hit a well-struck long-range drive which beat the diving McNulty and shaved the outside of the right-hand post.
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The Bolehall goalkeeper, a minute later, dived to right to hold a low-angled shot from Fife that was heading for the bottom-left corner.
<br><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bhhGROCGca4/UlR6Ztqf2rI/AAAAAAAAMCU/_mlM0ocGjUo/s1600/p20131005h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bhhGROCGca4/UlR6Ztqf2rI/AAAAAAAAMCU/_mlM0ocGjUo/s400/p20131005h.jpg" /></a></div>The watch had ticked past 44 minutes of the second half when the game’s champagne moment came. Charie found Berks 20 yards out who sent an unstoppable volley past NcNulty. 2-1 to the Badgers!!!
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There still time for Bolehall to move one last attack. Carpenter delivered a left-win corner which Day headed across the face of goal. I didn’t spot it myself but I’m told that Mick Fox’s celebration was on a par with the goal!
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At full-time, it was clear that the win meant so much to the Brocton players, supporters and officials.
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Midland Combination football in Stafford is buzzing at the moment. Brocton are top of the table and still involved in the FA Carlsberg Vase which Stafford Town sit in fifth position. Both are in action on Tuesday; Brocton host Bromsgrove Sporting in the league while Town hope to make progress in the Walsall Senior Cup at home to Midland Alliance outfit Tividale.
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<b>Brocton</b> (green with white sleeves / white / green): 1. Adam Whitehouse, 2. Charlie Jones, 3. Jamie Evans, 4. Matt Skinner, 5. David Ablewhite, 6. Craig Hulme, 7. Dan Shore, 8. Paul McMahon, 9. Gary Fife, 10. David Berks (capt), 11. Dan Lomas. Subs: 12. Damien Charie (for Shore, ht), 14. Liam Haycock (for Hulme, 71), 15. Andy Bourne (for McMahon, 67), 16. Dale Roberts (not used), 17. Jethro Jarrett (not used). Manager: John Berks.
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<b>Bolehall Swift</b>s (blue/blue/blue): 1. Tom McNulty, 2. Nick Heath (capt), 3. Brett Larkins, 4. Greg Dickie, 5. Joe Obi, 6. Mick Pollard, 7. Steve Day, 8. Terry Carpenter, 9. Chris Sturridge-Packer, 10. Dave Yonwin, 11. Chris Cowley. Subs: 12. Mitchell Piggon (for Cowley, 64), 14. Kyle Turner (for Sturridge-Packer, 82), 15. Jamie Abbott (for Heath, 72), 16. Lewis Chadwick (not used).
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Referee: Dan Westwood.<br>
Assistants: Peter Dobson and Mark Winston.
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Attendance: 110 (headcount)<br>
Duration: first-half: 47:05; second-half: 47:20
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Goals:<br>
1-0 Gary Fife (6)<br>
1-1 Steve Day (42)<br>
2-1 David Berks (90)
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Cards: noneUnknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4897276744724822293.post-55272986488350232922013-10-01T23:59:00.000+01:002013-10-05T20:15:06.696+01:00Solid point<b>Tuesday 1st October 2013<br>
Pelsall Villa 0 Stafford Town 0<br>
St Mary’s Hospice Midland Combination Premier Division<br>
At: Bush Ground, Walsall Road<br>
Kick-off: 7-45 pm<br>
Admission: £4; Programme: £1 (16 pages)<br>
Weather: cold and dry [coat needed]</b>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L6gsvEtNBVo/Uk82Z9Swu-I/AAAAAAAAL8s/_dXSPsLiow8/s1600/p20131001a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L6gsvEtNBVo/Uk82Z9Swu-I/AAAAAAAAL8s/_dXSPsLiow8/s400/p20131001a.jpg" /></a></div>I love nostalgic revisits, especially to places like Pelsall Villa, where my previous trip occurred years or even a couple of decades ago. Walking through the turnstile from the small car park at the Walsall Road end, my first impression, like Boston Town on Saturday, was wow! Emerging into a large seated stand, which once stood as a covered terrace at the old GKN Sankey ground, my eyes initially looked down the slope to the goal and trees at the far end. To my right, straddling halfway, were the dugouts and to my left were an assortment of interesting buildings and structures making up the tea bar, hospitality room, changing room and old stand.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hu1ZUYwOQyc/UlBcqo7IaPI/AAAAAAAAL_g/zMQdNOHq1bg/s1600/p20131001b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hu1ZUYwOQyc/UlBcqo7IaPI/AAAAAAAAL_g/zMQdNOHq1bg/s400/p20131001b.jpg" /></a></div>It was good to be back at the Bush Ground after all these years.
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The midweek games I’ve seen so far this season have been few and far between. Today, it was a case of pulling out all the stops for a first look at Stafford Town and at the same time made a first visit to Villa’s Bush Ground in 24 years. While the slope from goal to goal is obviously still a natural feature, the ground has undergone much development with the aforementioned large stand at the top of the hill and floodlights. The game itself, watched in good company, was better than the scoreline suggests though most of the key incidents occurred during the final ten minutes.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_AD7mDrbm30/UlBdJy0V0lI/AAAAAAAAL_o/UAVZ-27jCCI/s1600/p20131001c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_AD7mDrbm30/UlBdJy0V0lI/AAAAAAAAL_o/UAVZ-27jCCI/s400/p20131001c.jpg" /></a></div>Apart from the odd blip in both the FA Cup and Vase, the 2013/14 campaign has been a good one for Stafford Town (6th with 17 points from nine games). A win tonight would have taken the Reds up into second position in the table and within two points of current leaders Bolehall Swifts.
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Pelsall (13th with 14 points from 12 games) may be in the bottom half of the table but are still on the ‘Road to Wembley’ in the FA Carlsberg Vase following a 1-0 home win over West Midlands (Regional) League side Sporting Khalsa. They face a first round tie against Coventry Sphinx towards the end of the month.
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The teams met at Evans Park last month with Stafford running out 4-0 winners.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OW-jNRByqVQ/UlBdr0ovyyI/AAAAAAAAL_0/obohxozzilM/s1600/p20131001d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OW-jNRByqVQ/UlBdr0ovyyI/AAAAAAAAL_0/obohxozzilM/s400/p20131001d.jpg" /></a></div>Attacking down the slope in the first half, Pelsall (in red and black) got the game underway and put Stafford under early pressure with goalkeeper Ben Sturgeon producing a decent save to keep out Mark Woolbridge’s 13th minute shot.
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Neither goalkeeper was seriously tested during the remainder of the first half. Town’s two chances were a long-range Jake Turner drive and a shot from captain Joe Woodward which looped over the bar off a defender.
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Changes started to be created a bit more frequently during the second half. Dan Brown fired wide of the Pelsall goal while Sturgeon remained alert at the other end to block a shot from Woolbridge with his boot.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AohHhz6JUQs/UlBgFZOQ_UI/AAAAAAAAMAA/kd1BjLaJHo0/s1600/p20131001e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AohHhz6JUQs/UlBgFZOQ_UI/AAAAAAAAMAA/kd1BjLaJHo0/s400/p20131001e.jpg" /></a></div>Pelsall thought they’d taken the lead in the 68th minute. Richard Taudrey’s initial shot was saved by Sturgeon and Alan Wilkes slotted home the rebound from an offside position.
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With time running out for both sides, Morgan Hurley powered a close-range shot towards goal in the 88th minute which hit defender James Lewis on the line. Referee Gould pointed to the spot and dismissed the unlucky defender off for handball, a touch harsh I felt but the letter of the law. Up stepped Brown but he sent the spot kick high over the bar. No chance of using Da Vinci Code clichés to describe the winner, no chance of describing the ball as spinning away from Pelsall’s goalkeeper Panasar and my run of 52 consecutive games without a 0-0 at an end. I did, however, have an enjoyable evening.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gc242cZJSbw/UlBjYELU7wI/AAAAAAAAMAk/0K1PksBpeWg/s1600/p20131001h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gc242cZJSbw/UlBjYELU7wI/AAAAAAAAMAk/0K1PksBpeWg/s400/p20131001h.jpg" /></a></div>On the plus side, it certainly was a solid performance from Stafford to earn a point which lifted them into the top five and extended their unbeaten run in the league to four games.
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I found Pelsall Villa a welcoming club and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend a visit.
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<b>Pelsall Villa</b> (red and black stripes): 1. Amarit Panasar, 2. Scott Summer, 3. John Chambers, 4. Ash Lawley, 5. James Lewis, 6. Richard Taundry, 7. Carl Morris (capt), 8. Michael Murray, 9. Mark Woolbridge, 10. Alan Wilkes, 11. Jordan Gaou. Subs: 12. Andrew Bentley (not used), 14. Kaine Mole (for Wilkes, 73), 15. Alex Parmmenter (not used), 16. Gavin Davis (not used), 17. Kieren Miller (not used). Manager: Craig Timmins.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8VNVUsFGb6Y/UlBk22rHihI/AAAAAAAAMA0/tqlDAdJCobg/s1600/p20131001f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8VNVUsFGb6Y/UlBk22rHihI/AAAAAAAAMA0/tqlDAdJCobg/s400/p20131001f.jpg" /></a></div><b>Stafford Town</b> (yellow/yellow/yellow): 1. Ben Sturgeon, 2. Mat Dockerty, 3. James Wild, 4. Chris McComisky, 5. Joe Woodward (capt), 6. Jamie Cartwright, 7. George Burslem, 8. Francis Dacres, 9. Dan Brown, 10. Adam Cunningham, 11. Jake Turner. Subs: 12. Morgan Hurley (for Cunningham, 84), 14. Alex Barnfather (for Turner, 76), 15. Dan Stockhall (for Cartwright, 69), 16. Matt Oulton (not used), 17. Jon Warburton (not used). Player-manager: Adam Cunningham.
<br><br>
Referee: Richard Gould<br>
Assistants: Dave Evans and Jonathan Nelson.
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Attendance: 30 (headcount)<br>
Duration: first-half: 45:42; second-half: 48:20
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Goals: none
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Cards:<br>
Pelsall: James Lewis (RC, 88)<br>
Stafford: Jamie Cartwright (YC, 46), Joe Woodward (YC, 63), Francis Dacres (YC, 90)
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nmF7mHsIwBs/UlBjMOrg7rI/AAAAAAAAMAc/RU_dbVPRobY/s1600/p20131001g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nmF7mHsIwBs/UlBjMOrg7rI/AAAAAAAAMAc/RU_dbVPRobY/s400/p20131001g.jpg" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4897276744724822293.post-33215937469508732762013-09-28T23:59:00.000+01:002013-10-08T16:21:04.654+01:00"Like watching Chelsea v Dortmund"<b>Saturday 28th September 2013<br>
Boston Town 5 Harborough Town 1<br>
ChromaSport and Trophies United Counties League Premier Division<br>
At: Tattershall Road, Boston<br>
Kick-off: 3-00 pm<br>
Admission: £5; Programme: £1 (24 pages)<br>
Weather: warm and sunny</b>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P1vcWkWL3B8/Uk2uAqcKjzI/AAAAAAAAL8c/NwE6SqLu2_o/s1600/p20130928a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P1vcWkWL3B8/Uk2uAqcKjzI/AAAAAAAAL8c/NwE6SqLu2_o/s400/p20130928a.jpg" /></a></div>Let me start with a question. Have the holders of the FA Trophy ever been knocked out by a club who at the time were members of the Midland League? The answer is ‘yes’ and the team that achieved the feat was Boston Town (known at the time as simply Boston FC). After battling through three qualifying rounds in 1979/80 with victories over Heanor Town, AP Leamington and Oxford City, Boston were given a ‘glamour’ First Round tie to Stafford Rangers of the Alliance Premier League, who had triumphed at Wembley the previous May. I saw the tie at Marston Road in which Boston took the lead through Daly and Rangers salvaged a replay with Alf Wood’s second half equaliser. The replay took some playing due to bad weather and ended up being played on a Monday afternoon. Wood gave Stafford a half-time lead but Boston fought back to claim a memorable 2-1 victory thanks to second-half goals from Cox and Mallinder. Boston lost to Mossley after a replay in the following round.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PA-TRjfzg9Y/Uk_jMReT5WI/AAAAAAAAL88/-XI9OWCHsrI/s1600/p20130928b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PA-TRjfzg9Y/Uk_jMReT5WI/AAAAAAAAL88/-XI9OWCHsrI/s400/p20130928b.jpg" /></a></div>School prevented me from watching the replay though at the time I wasn’t watching Stafford away from home in those days. So, over 33 years since that famous trophy run, I finally made it to Tattershall Road this afternoon at the suggestion of Wellingborough-based and Walsall-supporting groundhopper Neil Morris.
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Strange as it may sound, I was actually making the opposite journey to Boston United who were away to Stafford Rangers in the FA Cup. I can’t say my journey was much fun – long delays on the A453 approaching Nottingham and temporary traffic lights at a key junction in Grantham – and instructions in the 2013 Non-League Directory made finding the ground from the A52 a bit of a conundrum.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UFL15QJJAfc/Uk_joM2XTAI/AAAAAAAAL9E/ZI7ngh-2J2k/s1600/p20130928c.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UFL15QJJAfc/Uk_joM2XTAI/AAAAAAAAL9E/ZI7ngh-2J2k/s400/p20130928c.JPG" /></a></div><i>Try these if approaching from Grantham: on the outskirts of Boston, turn left at the roundabout just past the Hammer and Pinches pub. Cross the railway and turn right at the roundabout that immediately follows and turn right into Sleaford Road. After about one mile take the first exit at the roundabout into Carlton Road then right at the lights into Fydell Street. Continue over the railway level crossing and river then, at the point the road straightens, turn sharp left and double back into Tattershall Road [this bit I missed]. The ground entrance is on the left after 0.8 miles signed ‘Boston Town Football Club’ and ‘Witham Way Country Park’.</i>
<br><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gHSfYkSFUUA/Uk_mf8PHZJI/AAAAAAAAL9Q/y9YWOg8XtHw/s1600/p20130928d.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gHSfYkSFUUA/Uk_mf8PHZJI/AAAAAAAAL9Q/y9YWOg8XtHw/s400/p20130928d.JPG" /></a></div>The frustrations of the journey were soon forgotten after passing through the turnstile and experiencing a sense of ‘wow!’ with a first look the impressive Tattershall Road ground. A large covered terrace occupied much of the left-hand side, seats behind the far goal and both seats and covered standing down the right-hand side. I liked the fact that two of the three stands were named the Brian Curtis Stand and John Lyon Stand.
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I touched on Boston Town’s history and they were formed in 1964 as Boston FC as a result of the temporary withdrawal of Boston United from senior football. They competed in the Eastern Counties League, Midland League, Northern Counties East League and Central Midlands League before commencing in 1991/92 an unbroken 22-season run in the United Counties League Premier Division. ‘Town’ was added to the club’s name in 1994. On thing I'm still in the dark about is this, 'Why are Boston Town nicknamed The Poachers'.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KgPEFToGCaA/Uk_qk1IHEOI/AAAAAAAAL9c/axHS77sXpSs/s1600/p20130928e.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KgPEFToGCaA/Uk_qk1IHEOI/AAAAAAAAL9c/axHS77sXpSs/s400/p20130928e.JPG" /></a></div>One thing I couldn’t help noticing about today’s match was its so-called billing as second-from-bottom v bottom with both sides still looking for their first league win of the season. The league record of Boston Town (18th with three points from six games) doesn’t tell a complete story as they are unbeaten in their last two games and also defeated Downham Town 6-0 in the FA Carlsberg Vase at the beginning of the month.
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While Harborough Town (19th out of 19 with zero points from five games) have had no luck in the league so far this season, they have had some success in cup football. They have reached the FA Carlsberg Vase First Round and face Cleethorpes Town, the side I saw defeat Basford last Saturday.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xXtFyEWfusU/Uk_rXwIrseI/AAAAAAAAL9k/AyxeaBuTJIg/s1600/p20130928f.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xXtFyEWfusU/Uk_rXwIrseI/AAAAAAAAL9k/AyxeaBuTJIg/s400/p20130928f.JPG" /></a></div>Boston got the game underway attacking the clubhouse end and took an early 7th minute lead thanks to a lovely bit of skill. Josh Ford cleverly backheeled the ball into the path of Jordan Nuttell who fired low past Josh Carpenter from the edge of the area.
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It was “like watching Chelsea v Dortmund in the Champions League” – Boston in blue with white socks and Harborough in yellow and black.
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The lead was doubled ten minutes later after Daniel Pegg brought down Ford inside the area. Mr Cusick immediately pointed to the spot and Josh Ford drove home the resulting penalty.
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Without wanting to sound unkind to the respective defences, this game continued to have goals written all over it and as someone suggested, “this could finish 7-4”.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yPDy6PBhP48/Uk_r6_tNJ8I/AAAAAAAAL9s/ptB_6D2c6C4/s1600/p20130928g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yPDy6PBhP48/Uk_r6_tNJ8I/AAAAAAAAL9s/ptB_6D2c6C4/s400/p20130928g.jpg" /></a></div>Harborough, on a run of ten straight league defeats stretching back to the Saturday 20th April, got right back into contention in the 26th minute. “All the time in the world, Dave,” shouted the visitors’’ manager and Dave Goodman broke clear down the left and accurately placed a low right-foot shot past the dive of Ricky Drury into the far corner of the net.
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The attacks continued and Nuttell missed an easy change in the 35th minute. Fed by Callum Stocks, he rounded Josh Carpenter but fired into the side netting rather than empty net. We felt this could prove to be a “crucial miss” wit Harborough back in contention.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_uCR4peLzyU/Uk_-ChS95DI/AAAAAAAAL98/wBLnvATqVwo/s1600/p20130928h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_uCR4peLzyU/Uk_-ChS95DI/AAAAAAAAL98/wBLnvATqVwo/s400/p20130928h.jpg" /></a></div>Nuttell made amends four minutes after the restart by restoring Boston’s two-goal lead. The striker headed a deep left-wing corner delivered by Stocks towards goal which appeared to take a deflection as it crossed the line.
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Drury produced a diving save to keep out a shot from Michael Cirelli before Boston made it 4-1 midway through the second half. Lori Borbely, at the far post, swept home George Stainfield’s low cross from the right.
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Now with a match-winning lead, Boston continued to dominate and were denied a fifth goal by a world-class save from Carpenter. The Harborough goalkeeper acrobatically leapt up to his right to somehow turn round a 25-yard dipping volley hit by Frazer Bayliss than seemed destined for the top-left corner.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KlGGkkxBMJA/Uk_-8gJqvOI/AAAAAAAAL-E/6f3iQeGaBg4/s1600/p20130928i.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KlGGkkxBMJA/Uk_-8gJqvOI/AAAAAAAAL-E/6f3iQeGaBg4/s400/p20130928i.jpg" /></a></div>Boston did wrap up their first league win of the season by scoring a fifth goal in stoppage time. Like the fourth, Stainfield provided the cross from the right and Ford sent a low right-foot shot into the bottom-left corner.
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Arriving in such a rush and having not visited the town of Boston since 1988, I just had to spent time exploring the town centre before returning home, especially on a lovely sunny evening. The extraordinarily tall tower on St Botolph’s Church, known as the ‘Boston Stump’ is the stand-out feature. Also catching my eye were the Maud Foster Windmill, Swan Building built in 1877, statue of Herbert Ingram and 109-year-old Municipal Building on West Street. I couldn’t help noticing the number of shops selling produce from places like Poland and Latvia, highlighting the fact that Boston has a very diverse community with more eastern European immigrants than any other town in England.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xLnZw6EPkJc/Uk__k8qoSMI/AAAAAAAAL-M/_ZONM5Pg8KE/s1600/p20130928j.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xLnZw6EPkJc/Uk__k8qoSMI/AAAAAAAAL-M/_ZONM5Pg8KE/s400/p20130928j.jpg" /></a></div>I headed home with memories of both a ground with a wow factor and pleasant town with the largest parish church in England. Seeing the Poachers' side applauded off the field by their fans told me how much the win meant. Also, it was good to catch up with old friend Neil as well. May be I’ll make a second visit to Tattershall Road if one my local clubs pays a visit in the FA Vase.
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<b>Boston Town</b> (blue/blue/white): 1. Ricky Drury, 2. Luke Wilson, 3. Jason Field, 4. Ollie Pinner, 5. Michael Wood (capt), 6. Nick Jackson, 7. Callum Stocks, 8. Liam Bull, 9. Jordan Nuttell, 10. Josh Ford, 11. Lori Borbely. Subs: 12. Ollie Maltby (for Pinner, 79), 13gk. Matt Hocking (not used), 14. Frazer Bayliss (for Nuttell, 81), 15. George Stainfield (for Stocks, 63), 16. Ian Dunn (not used). Player-managers: Ian Dunn and Matt Hocking.
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<b>Harborough Town</b> (yellow / black / yellow and black hoops): 1. Josh Carpenter, 2. Ben Easson, 3. Glen Robinson, 4. Chris Piazza, 5. Craig Jacobs, 6. Daniel Pegg, 7. Michael Cirelli, 8. Garry Calrke, 9. Barnes Gladman, 10. Jack Borrows (capt), 11. Dave Goodman. Subs: 12. Clemence Amadelis (for Gladman, 20), 14. Elliott Morgan (for Jacobs, ht). Manager: Chris Church.
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Referee: Robert Cusick<br>
Assistants: Chris Giles and David Avison
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Attendance: 70 (headcount)<br>
Duration: first-half: 47:03; second-half: 47:31
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Goals:<br>
1-0 Jordan Nuttell (7)<br>
2-0 Josh Ford (17 pen)<br>
2-1 Dave Goodman (26)<br>
3-1 Jordan Nuttell (49)<br>
4-1 Lori Borbely (67)<br>
5-1 Josh Ford (90+2)
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Cards:<br>
Boston: Luke Wilson (YC, 37)<br>
Harborough: Craig Jacobs (YC, 17), Glen Robinson (YC, 74)
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4897276744724822293.post-9115134628224718622013-09-21T23:59:00.000+01:002013-09-26T15:25:51.587+01:00Vase upset at Basford<b>Saturday 21st September 2013<br>
Basford United 0 Cleethorpes Town 2<br>
FA Carlsberg Vase Second Qualifying Round<br>
At: Mill Street Playing Field, Greenwich Avenue, Basford, Nottingham<br>
Kick-off: 3-00 pm<br>
Admission: £5; Programme: £1 (16 pages + official teamsheet)<br>
Weather: warm and sunny</b>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V2AlN0yVjPc/UkQPQBRCxII/AAAAAAAAL6c/M3NHXlKgidg/s1600/p20130921b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V2AlN0yVjPc/UkQPQBRCxII/AAAAAAAAL6c/M3NHXlKgidg/s400/p20130921b.jpg" /></a></div>Today’s football recipe consisted of four ingredients… (a) FA Vase tie; (b) at a ground never previously visited; (c) not a million miles from home; and (d) a decent story to recall whatever the result. Out of the 153 ties being played this afternoon, four leapt off the page of the Football Traveller and I was sent of my way to north-west Nottingham for an intriguing contest between two Toolstation Northern Counties East League sides. Both recently gained promotion – Basford at the end of last season from the East Midlands Counties League to the Premier Division and Cleethorpes in 2012 from the Lincolnshire League to Division One.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nQkiPh6vhDg/UkQQ5sEuSiI/AAAAAAAAL6s/17ihcGHW_NU/s1600/p20130921d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nQkiPh6vhDg/UkQQ5sEuSiI/AAAAAAAAL6s/17ihcGHW_NU/s400/p20130921d.jpg" /></a></div>To me on paper, progressive Basford United looked to have the pedigree to move through several rounds or even make it all the way to the final at Wembley, especially after they found their goalscoring touch on Tuesday with a 5-1 against Heanor Town. On the other hand, I’d noticed Cleethorpes Town had made an impressive start to their second campaign in Division One. Who would prevail?
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Had things turned out differently on one March Saturday last year, I would have already visited Greenwich Avenue. But I decided to miss the middle two games of the four-game Central Midlands League ‘Bonanza’ (Basford and Dronfield) in favour of a visit to Appleby Frodingham after the opening game at Clifton and before the final game at Glapwell.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R7gMoYGHtMs/UkQm1n9Ai6I/AAAAAAAAL8E/LbzSeAJPRiY/s1600/p20130921l.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R7gMoYGHtMs/UkQm1n9Ai6I/AAAAAAAAL8E/LbzSeAJPRiY/s400/p20130921l.JPG" /></a></div>Looking at photos from that Bonanza game on Laurence Reade's blog (<a href="http://laurencereade.wordpress.com/2012/03/18/first-base/">link here</a>), improvements have been made a plenty at Greenwich Avenue in the intervening 18 months. A new perimeter fence for starters, seats in the stand near the dugouts as well as an extra area of covered standing behind one goal and of course floodlights. Another new facility nearing completion is the pitch-side changing room block.
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Arriving early, as is my preference, a club official kindly opened up the paybox – admission with souvenir match ticket (£5), programme (£1) and lapel badge (£3). Subsequently teamsheets were provided free of charge for those who purchased a programme, a nice and most welcome touch.
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The current league table shows Basford sitting 11th with 14 points from 11 games. Goalscoring looks to be a problem this season with no more than two scored in a game until a thumping 5-1 home win over Heanor Town on Tuesday (watched by On The Road’s Malc and Kev http://ontheroad2013-2014.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/basford-utd-5-1-heanor-town.html).
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hiq9fyMsovQ/UkQiV7lNfuI/AAAAAAAAL7g/9mmVi-40NbQ/s1600/p20130921i.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hiq9fyMsovQ/UkQiV7lNfuI/AAAAAAAAL7g/9mmVi-40NbQ/s400/p20130921i.JPG" /></a></div>Before the game I got chatting to an Ilkeston-based groundhopper wearing a Llandyrnog Summer League top who was making his first visit to the Mill Street playing fields for donkeys years.
<br><br>One of Northampton’s finest, Mr John Revitt esq, also arrived for his second visit to the ground having seen a 0-0 draw a few years ago played over 40 minutes each way. He assured me that he’d not morphed into his mode of transport – the Tram! [a joke for groundhoppers and one no doubt totally lost on those not familiar with ‘Garstang Bob’]. I was good to meet up with John again.
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The Basford United website (<a href="http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/basfordunitedfc/a/club-history-21149.html">http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/basfordunitedfc/a/club-history-21149.html</a>) provides an informative history of a club that had only come to my attention over the past couple of years.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FAfkRuaumzA/UkQRjooLFwI/AAAAAAAAL60/FCG56MwR8ig/s1600/p20130921e.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FAfkRuaumzA/UkQRjooLFwI/AAAAAAAAL60/FCG56MwR8ig/s400/p20130921e.JPG" /></a></div><i>Basford United's birthplace was the Old Pear Tree Inn in 1900. It wasn't long before they moved to the Dolly Tub pitch, which is now part of the Highbury Estate. In 1903 they moved to Catchems Corner where they stayed for 27 years until they moved to Vernon Avenue. A few years later they moved to Mill Street and in 1990 to Greenwich Avenue.</i>
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To their credit, Basford have risen from the 'lower reaches of Notts Alliance Division One' to Step 5 in little over 10 years. In recent times following a spell in the Notts Amateur League, they joined the Notts Senior League in 2006, then won the 2011/12 Central Midlands League South title at the first attempt after moving up a step and following this up by winning the East Midlands Counties League last season, also at the first attempt.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N4bUTfqZ9oQ/UkQeeRO1w0I/AAAAAAAAL7M/igzBSvSkz9g/s1600/p20130921f.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N4bUTfqZ9oQ/UkQeeRO1w0I/AAAAAAAAL7M/igzBSvSkz9g/s400/p20130921f.JPG" /></a></div>Five wins and two draws from their first nine league games is a pretty good return and enough to put Cleethorpes in third position in the Division One table. Defeated 2-0 at home by current leaders two weeks ago, they have bounced back with back-to-back wins over Hall Road Rangers in the league and most recently over Hallam in the League Cup.
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Referee James Thornhill (injured refereeing the Walsall Wood v Wigan Robin Park Vase tie I saw back in January) led the teams out from the soon-to-be-old changing rooms and Basford (in amber and black) soon got the action underway. The visitors won the toss and decided to attack the far railway end in the first half with the sun on their backs.
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Basford suffered an early blow when Ash Dyce picked up an injury around the nine-minute mark which forced the skipper out of the game.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-20eWN7NPbFM/UkQQKDlHTQI/AAAAAAAAL6k/A38Bi3gpJAo/s1600/p20130921c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-20eWN7NPbFM/UkQQKDlHTQI/AAAAAAAAL6k/A38Bi3gpJAo/s400/p20130921c.jpg" /></a></div>The home side created a decent chance to take the lead midway through the first half. Jamie Walker on the left threaded a path to Tyeisse Nightingale who saw his low shot held by the diving Cleethorpes goalkeeper Scott Drury.
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At this point, Cleethorpes had certainly been on top and they turned their dominance into an opening goal scored in the 28th minute. Luke Mascall on the left inside the area found Brody Robertson at the far post who fired a low angled shot across the Basford six-yard box. The ball rebounded off the far post and Nathan Emson slotted home the rebound to score his fourth goal of the season.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PHqgCaxNxg4/UkQeA6c19ZI/AAAAAAAAL7E/Nrnna_Ubiys/s1600/p20130921g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PHqgCaxNxg4/UkQeA6c19ZI/AAAAAAAAL7E/Nrnna_Ubiys/s400/p20130921g.jpg" /></a></div>Having been forced to adjust following the earlier departure of one central defender, Basford lost their other to injury as well when Jack Davies limped off. The home side certainly faced an uphill task, a goal down and just one substitution remaining.
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I made my way around to the stand and spent the latter stages of the first half in the company of the aforementioned Mr Revitt. Checking Twitter at half-time, I was left in admiration of the couple sat in front of me for their detailed account of the first half.
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Here’s how they saw the goal… 2<i>7' 0-1 #NoMoreTeletext: Fantastic switch ball by J. Oglesby to @Mascall17, he passes one player, squares the ball to @brody_robertson.... who's shot hits the post and rebounds into the path of @NathanEmmo who smashes the ball home</i>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FEJDE3z43OM/UkQh4Ry-9gI/AAAAAAAAL7Y/gzhZqgM_lnQ/s1600/p20130921h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FEJDE3z43OM/UkQh4Ry-9gI/AAAAAAAAL7Y/gzhZqgM_lnQ/s400/p20130921h.jpg" /></a></div>The Basford tweeter had also been busy as well… <i>Utd behind on 27 as really slack play allows a Cleethorpe forward to net off the post</i>.
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Elsewhere in the Vase, of particular interest to me,…Stafford Town losing 4-0 at Bromsgrove and down to ten men and Wolverhampton Casuals leading Brocton 2-1 at Silkmore Lane in a Staffordshire derby. March Town United, the club I visited seven days ago were losing 1-0 at home to Godmanchester.
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No joy with raffle as my ticket no-so-lucky strip of 946–950 yellow turned out to be a million miles away from the winning 316–320. Tea from the hatch near the paybox was a good cuppa.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jt23I_0TzgE/UkQjwDffp9I/AAAAAAAAL7s/rUYDrc9S76s/s1600/p20130921j.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jt23I_0TzgE/UkQjwDffp9I/AAAAAAAAL7s/rUYDrc9S76s/s400/p20130921j.jpg" /></a></div>It got worse for Basford in the 52nd minute with a second goal for Cleethorpes. Home goalkeeper Alessandro Barcherini got down to cut out Jonathan Oglesby’s low cross into the area from the left, succeeded only in presenting Emson with a gift of a chance which he duly slotted home. Two goals for Emson! Could the home side respond?
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“Any idea of the Forest score,” someone asked me. “Sorry, no,” I replied to an Italian-sounding man who couldn't be faulted for his vociferous support of the home team. Great to see characters like him watching non-league football.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZbjWzFvA6jo/UkQkvCQH3QI/AAAAAAAAL74/rgi9LSGSt6A/s1600/p20130921k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZbjWzFvA6jo/UkQkvCQH3QI/AAAAAAAAL74/rgi9LSGSt6A/s400/p20130921k.jpg" /></a></div>With a two-goal deficit to close simply to force extra time, Basford needed to show some urgency and, to their credit, started to do so. Perhaps their best chance was a late 25-yard shot by Tyeisse Nightingale which flew past the goal. Even Barcherini went up for a corner near the end. The well-organised Cleethorpes defence did their job.
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Disappointment for Basford at full-time and joy for Cleethoropes, winners in their first-ever FA Vase tie. Wonder who they’ll get in Monday’s First Round draw?
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Elsewhere, according to Twitter, nine-man Stafford Town endured an FA Vase exit to forget with an 8-0 defeat at Bromsgrove while Brocton scored two late goals to snatch a 3-3 draw against the Cassies and force extra time [Brocton ended up winning 5-3]. Late goals were popular in Stafford as Rangers netted a winner in the 95th minute to defeat FC United of Manchester at Marston Road.
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It was a pleasure to visit Basford United. Good luck to them for the rest of the season. Also good luck to Cleethorpes on the 'road to Wembley' and I'll be avidly following the tweets of #NoMoreTeletext. I'm sure I'll see both clubs again at some point during the season.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G2Sr6LUKMQw/UkMeSsjPZzI/AAAAAAAAL6M/dIIs9ss3nxk/s1600/p20130921a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G2Sr6LUKMQw/UkMeSsjPZzI/AAAAAAAAL6M/dIIs9ss3nxk/s400/p20130921a.jpg" /></a></div><b>Basford United</b> (amber/black/amber): 1. Alessandro Barcherini, 2. David Boafo, 3. Jamie Walker, 4. Ash Dyce (capt), 5. Jack Davies, 6. Martin Holt, 7. Theo Smith, 8. Jermaine Hollis, 9. Cashel Walters, 10. Tyeisse Nightingale, 11. Courtney Hastings. Subs: Martin Carruthers (for Smith, 63), 14. Lee Morris (not used), 15. Wayne Jones (not used), 16. Robert McCormack (for Davies, 28), 17. Kieren Kenton-Bradshaw (for Dyce, 15). Manager: Darren Saunders.
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<b>Cleethorpes Town</b> (red/red/red): 1. Scott Drury, 2. Daniel Grant, 3. Lawrence Howard, 4. Richard Peck, 5. Matthew Coleman, 6. Alex Flett, 7. Luke Mascall, 8. Darren Hanslip (capt), 9, Nathan Emson, 10. Brody Robertson, 11. Jonathan Oglesby. Subs: 12. Mark Sawyer (for Oglesby, 83), 14. Marc Cooper (for Robertson, 59), 15. Matthew Oswin (for Hanslip, 88), 16. Lee McFarland (not used), 17. Reece Newell (not used). Manager: Marcus Newell.
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Referee: James Thornhill<br>
Assistants: James Oldham and Peter Bailey
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Attendance: 74<br>
Duration: first-half: 46:55; second-half: 48:06
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Goals:<br>
0-1 Nathan Emson (28)<br>
0-2 Nathan Emson (52)
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Cards:<br>
Basford: Tyeisse Nightingale (YC, 67)<br>
Cleethorpes: Alex Flett (YC, 62)
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Footnote: Basford manager Darren Saunders resigned three days later after three successful years in charge and Cleethorpes were drawn away to Harborough Town in the First Round draw.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4897276744724822293.post-39125595898940786612013-09-20T23:11:00.000+01:002013-09-25T10:38:18.482+01:00The old stand<b>Saturday 14th September 2013<br>
March Town United 0 Great Yarmouth Town 4<br>
Thurlow Nunn League Division One<br>
At: GER Ground, Robingoodfellows Lane<br>
Kick-off: 3-00 pm<br>
Admission: £4; Programme: free (32 pages)<br>
Weather: sunny spells</b>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2VYVPmAOVEs/UkKcUDPj35I/AAAAAAAAL4k/VOMpBjoABtQ/s1600/p20130914b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2VYVPmAOVEs/UkKcUDPj35I/AAAAAAAAL4k/VOMpBjoABtQ/s400/p20130914b.jpg" /></a></div>‘The obvious focal point of the GER sports ground is the superb wooden main stand,’ wrote <i>The Itinerant Football Watcher</i> Peter Miles while Kerry Miller in the <i>History of Non-League Football Grounds</i> described the view from the old structure as ‘a maze of poles, pylons and tannoys obstruct the view of the pitch which is some 15 yards from the stand’.
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Both Peter and Kerry are referring to March Town United’s famous 90-year old wooden stand which was arguably the main reason for today’s 250-mile round trip to the fenlands of Cambridgeshire. On the grounds of progress, it may not be around for too much longer.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_7A2O0ael38/UkKgRwjpzxI/AAAAAAAAL4w/jqEOnvqy20w/s1600/p20130914c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_7A2O0ael38/UkKgRwjpzxI/AAAAAAAAL4w/jqEOnvqy20w/s400/p20130914c.jpg" /></a></div>Kerry describes the GER Ground in detail and the large grassed area on which the current pitch sits has in the past been used for a multitude of sports including cycling, tennis, skating, cricket and greyhound racing. The current wooden stand was erected around 1923 and once sported a blue and yellow striped decor.
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So with such a build-up, you can imagine how my heart sank on arrival to see puddles on the car park and a team carrying kit bags walking AWAY from the ground. Thankfully, a small group of officials standing by the refreshments building eased my concerns by saying the game was DEFINITELY ON!
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GS9Y42EtZVE/UkKjmPb3q7I/AAAAAAAAL48/awEmcGfob_A/s1600/p20130914d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GS9Y42EtZVE/UkKjmPb3q7I/AAAAAAAAL48/awEmcGfob_A/s400/p20130914d.jpg" /></a></div>What’s in a name? March Town United are unusual by having not one but two suffixes – for a very good reason. March Town, founded in 1886, moved to the GER ground vacated after the War by March GER United, another local side which began playing during the early 1920s and folded less than 20 years later. ‘United’ was added to ‘Town’ in 1950 and retained ever since.
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A stop on the way at what I call my ‘lucky’ McDonalds on the A14 near Rothwell and the relaxed drive up the A141 from Huntingdon via Warboys delayed my arrival. Still with time on my hands, a quick trip to the museum on High Street, with collections of railway memorabilia and cameras amongst other things, provided some background on the town I was visiting for the first time. The ornamental fountain, erected in 1911 to commemorate the coronation of King George V warranted more than a quick glance as did the interior of Wetherspoons in what was the Hippodrome Cinema.
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Once inside the ground [free programme and raffle tickets available by the turnstile], my trip from Staffordshire aroused plenty of interest and the Chairman kindly gave me a tour of the stand. Team lineups were displayed on a large Thurlow Nunn branded teamsheet.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lCO_J-iqeLM/UkKqnIO4G-I/AAAAAAAAL5Y/d4180qRsglM/s1600/p20130914e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0m; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lCO_J-iqeLM/UkKqnIO4G-I/AAAAAAAAL5Y/d4180qRsglM/s400/p20130914e.jpg" /></a></div>Having travelled a long way to see it, I just had to stand watching the first half from the stand despite the obstructions between my ‘seat’ and pitch. A well-known groundhopper, who I only know as the ‘March Hare’, and his trusty four-legged companion, filled me in on the season so far. In the 19-team Division One table, March (six points from seven games, two wins and five defeats) stood in 14th position while further up the table, visitors Great Yarmouth (11 points from seven games) occupied eighth behind leaders Swaffham Town.
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Surprisingly, the game wasn’t preceded by fair-play handshakes and March (in amber and black) got the action underway attacking the Town End, right to left in relation to the stand.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HxWYGFgGvGg/UkKtGQrkThI/AAAAAAAAL5k/mY4N809zrak/s1600/p20130914f.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HxWYGFgGvGg/UkKtGQrkThI/AAAAAAAAL5k/mY4N809zrak/s400/p20130914f.JPG" /></a></div>The game turned out to be Mitch Forbes’s match as the Great Yarmouth forward scored all of his team’s four unanswered goals.
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Not long after March were forced to replace injured central defender Lewis Cook, Forbes struck for the first time in the 17th minute. Joe Bryanton cross into the area from the left hit the bar via a defender’s head and Forbes forced home the rebound.
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The lead was doubled shortly before the interval. An accurate throughball gave Forbes a clear run on goal and easily beat the helpless March goalkeeper Ben Collett with a low shot. By this time, I’d moved from the stand to a position behind the March goal and got a decent view of this second goal.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Sz_rVr2PDVQ/UkKtmI2hc7I/AAAAAAAAL5s/SXTY_d6H1MI/s1600/p20130914g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Sz_rVr2PDVQ/UkKtmI2hc7I/AAAAAAAAL5s/SXTY_d6H1MI/s400/p20130914g.jpg" /></a></div>“We don’t concede this half,” was the instruction given to the Bloaters and they went in for half-time 2-0 up and very much in charge.
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Then came a real bonus. The winning raffle number of “green 992” matched one of the five numbers on my lucky strip!
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Facing an uphill task simply to gain a point, March faced a determined Yarmouth side told “don’t give them any hope, clean sheet important”.
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The friendliness of the March officials made me hope they’d mount a comeback in the second half. Alas, those hope were all but ended in the 52nd minute when the Bloaters netted a third goal. The assistant put his flag across his chest to signify a penalty after David Jackson tripped Robin Andersen inside the area. Forbes buried the ball in the net past Collett to score his second hat-trick of the season.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Lji4YaA_yW8/UkKt3e5o9mI/AAAAAAAAL50/6QwBmnoYGt8/s1600/p20130914h.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Lji4YaA_yW8/UkKt3e5o9mI/AAAAAAAAL50/6QwBmnoYGt8/s400/p20130914h.JPG" /></a></div>March rallied and Bloaters goalkeeper Danny Cable needed to be alert to block Ash Blanchflower’s shot with his boot. With march continuing to show plenty of improvement and urgency, the visitors or rather Forbes ended any hopes of a dramatic comeback by scoring a fourth goal. The striker latched onto Alex Formoso’s throughball and confidently fired past Collett.
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Late on, Forbes almost scored his fifth goal by thumping a pass from Joe McCabe against the bar.
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Almost forgetting to buy a club label badge, I found them on sale at the tea bar and rounded off a superb visit to the GER Ground with a slice of Victoria sponge. Yummy!
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DSUCbohQzw4/UkKuTW_U_rI/AAAAAAAAL58/8-eojchP3l4/s1600/p20130914i.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DSUCbohQzw4/UkKuTW_U_rI/AAAAAAAAL58/8-eojchP3l4/s400/p20130914i.jpg" /></a></div>I can’t praise March Town United enough for the welcome I received today. By the time I next make my way up Robingoodfellows Lane, whenever that may be, the view of the blue stand behind the fence will probably be much changed. Sadly, but in the interest of progress, the old stand is set for demolition next summer to make way for a modern clubhouse and new stand. I'm sure, however, the awaited facilities will play a big part in a new and exciting era for March Town United.
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Happy memories!
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<b>March Town United</b> (amber with black sleeves / black / black): 1. Ben Collett, 2. Gary White, 3. Ben Lemmon, 4. Marc Hipwell, 5. Lewis Cook, 6. Jon Gibbons, 7. David Jackson, 8. Lewis Thompson (capt), 9. Aaron McKenna, 10. Sean White, 11. Sam Darlow. Subs: 12. Ash Blanchflower (for Jackson, 64), 14. Stuart Dunlop (for White, 79), 15. Paul Richardson (for Cook, 14), 17gk. Alex Forest.
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<b>Great Yarmouth Town</b> (sky blue with white V / white / sky blue): 1. Danny Cable, 2. Shaun Bartley, 3. Robin Andersen, 4. Alex Formoso, 5. Ady Ager, 6. Jordan Forbes, 7. David Grandao, 8. Joe Bryanton (capt), 9. Mitch Forbes, 10. Scott Woodcock, 11. Leighton Crux. Subs: 12. Joe McCabe (for Woodcock, 56), 14. Charlie McAra (for Grandao, 70), 15. Josh Thomas (not used).
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VVUnR2GNteY/UjzIHkAJcEI/AAAAAAAAL4E/VUQLnuvN01Q/s1600/p20130914a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VVUnR2GNteY/UjzIHkAJcEI/AAAAAAAAL4E/VUQLnuvN01Q/s400/p20130914a.jpg" /></a></div>Referee: Gerald Daish<br>
Assistants: Peter Allen and Iain George
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Attendance: 35<br>
Duration: first-half: 46:19; second-half: 49:32
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Goals:<br>
0-1 Mitch Forbes (17)<br>
0-2 Mitch Forbes (40)<br>
0-3 Mitch Forbes (52 pen)<br>
0-4 Mitch Forbes (79)
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Cards:<br>
March: Gary White (YC, 27), Lewis Thompson (YC, 54)<br>
Great Yarmouth: noneUnknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4897276744724822293.post-59678603054686923212013-09-10T23:59:00.000+01:002013-09-20T17:35:52.094+01:00Nine out of nine for the Badgers<b>Tuesday 10th September 2013<br>
Brocton 2 Lichfield City 1<br>
St Mary’s Hospice Midland Combination Premier Division<br>
At: Silkmore Lane, Stafford<br>
Admission: £4; Programme: £1 (36 pages)</b>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jA1Nwm7XrKU/Ujwrgm2zoqI/AAAAAAAAL00/Wmm9zqnq_Uo/s1600/p20130910a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jA1Nwm7XrKU/Ujwrgm2zoqI/AAAAAAAAL00/Wmm9zqnq_Uo/s400/p20130910a.jpg" /></a></div>It turned out to be a good night for football in Stafford with positive news from the Badgers, Town and Rangers. Brocton returned to the top of the Premier Division table with a hard-fought victory 2-1 over Lichfield City which extended their 100% league record to six wins. Stafford Town recorded a 4-0 home victory over Pelsall Villa and Stafford Rangers, with Andy Mutch in temporary charge, picked up their first point of the season thanks to a 2-2 draw at home to Marine.
<br><br>
The Badgers have made an awesome start to the season by winning every one of the eight league and cup games they’ve played, including a victory over tonight’s opponents Lichfield in the Vase three days ago.
<br><br>
WON Sat 10 Aug – Brocton 4 Coventry Copsewood 0<br>
WON Tues 13 Aug – Pelsall Villa 1 Brocton 7<br>
WON Sat 17 Aug – Nuneaton Griff 2 Brocton 3 (FA Cup)<br>
WON Sat 24 Aug – Littleton 1 Brocton 3<br>
WON Mon 26 Aug – Brocton 4 Stafford Town 1<br>
WON Sat 31 Aug – Brocton 6 Ellesmere Rangers 0 ( FA Cup)<br>
WON Tue 3 Sep – Atherstone Town 2 Brocton 4<br>
WON AFTER EXTRA TIME Sat 7 Sep – Lichfield City 3 Brocton 4 (FA Vase aet)
<br><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cHVMCbzvevM/Ujwr8R24FsI/AAAAAAAAL08/SF1t_2oCSa8/s1600/p20130910b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cHVMCbzvevM/Ujwr8R24FsI/AAAAAAAAL08/SF1t_2oCSa8/s400/p20130910b.jpg" /></a></div>The game on Saturday sounds like it was a real cracker of a cup tie, settled in extra time by the odd goal in seven at Brownsfield Road with David Abelwhite’s penalty.
<br><br>
However, despite their 100% record, Brocton went into tonight’s derby in 3rd position with 15 points from 5 games. The top two, Littleton and Southam United, held a one-point advantage having played nine and eight games, respectively. Lichfield arrived at Silkmore Lane in 14th position in the 19 team Premier Division table with 9 points from 9 games.
<br><br>
Despite having plenty of games to choose from, a quartet of local groundhoppers including ‘Cannock Rob’ and ‘Rugeley Mugsy’ had the same idea as me by heading to what on paper looked an intriguing contest – and that is what it turned out to be from start to finish.
<br><br>
Brocton (in green and white) got the game underway defending the changing rooms end in the first half. It was good to see captain Matt Skinner in the side and prolific goalscorer Paul McMahon played up front alongside a new name to me in Jack Lees.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JAzIqNMvAME/UjwtNrmgRUI/AAAAAAAAL1M/oyF1mcdCiqg/s1600/p20130910d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JAzIqNMvAME/UjwtNrmgRUI/AAAAAAAAL1M/oyF1mcdCiqg/s400/p20130910d.jpg" /></a></div>Watching the first half (unusually) from between the dugouts rather than the stand, I felt Lichfield posed quite a threat during the first half hour. Liam Holt and Kyle Minto both forced smart saves out of Brocton’s in-form goalkeeper Adam Whitehouse and Minto fired against the bar as well.
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Brocton, however, took the lead shortly before the interval. Following a foul on McMahon by Todd Perry, Craig Hulme delivered the resulting free-kick from the left to the far post where McMahon headed the ball across the face of goal. Liam Haycock took full advantage to slot home at the far post.
<br><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v-iF3eGS6aI/UjwspjhoTpI/AAAAAAAAL1E/k2wHmh761_8/s1600/p20130910c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v-iF3eGS6aI/UjwspjhoTpI/AAAAAAAAL1E/k2wHmh761_8/s400/p20130910c.jpg" /></a></div>A set piece led to Lichfield’s equaliser scored in the 58th minute. Holt sent a long-range free-kick into the area which struck the head of Gary Fife and flew past Whitehouse.
<br><br>
Controversy twice reigned around the 70th minute when referee Dragon Kusmanovic awarded Brocton two penalties in as many minutes. The first one, for a push on McMahon, resulted in a great save by Craig Johnson to keep out Fife’s spot kick. McMahon put the rebound over the bar. Saturday’s hero Dave Abelwhite stepped up to take the second one after Ash Bennett brought down Sam Bell inside the area. Like the Vase game, he fired the ball past Johnson to score what proved to be the winner.
<br><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NgIKyPF_WTQ/UjwuQVVZE7I/AAAAAAAAL1o/dRFEJeLCuqo/s1600/p20130910e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NgIKyPF_WTQ/UjwuQVVZE7I/AAAAAAAAL1o/dRFEJeLCuqo/s400/p20130910e.jpg" /></a></div>Lichfield should have snatched a point in the closing stages. Holt crossed from the right but unchallenged Minto sent a free header wide of the target.
<br><br>
On top of the table with six league wins out of six, Brocton travel to Halesowen on Saturday for their first-ever FA Cup First Qualifying Round tie. The Badgers are really buzzing [if I can use a bee-related adjective in connection with a four-legged black and white creature].
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<b>Brocton</b> (green with white sleeves / white / green): 1. Adam Whitehouse, 2. David Abelwhite, 3. Matt Skinner (capt), 4. Rob Tomlinson, 5. Dale Roberts, 6. Charlie Jones, 7. Sam Bell, 8. Liam Haycock, 9. Jack Lees, 10. Paul McMahon, 11. Craig Hulme. Subs: 12. Gary Fife (for Haycock, ht), 14. Damien Charie (for Lees, 71), 15. Mark Cooper (not used), 16. Jethro Jarrett (for McMahon, 79), 17. Mick Fox (not used). Manager: John Berks.
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<b>Lichfield City</b> (red/red/red): 1. Craig Johnson, 19. Richard Deaville, 3. Jon Huckfield, 4. Todd Perry (capt), 5. Dan McLeod, 6. Dan Worrall, 18. Ash Bennett, 8. Dan Thurnstance, 9. Kyle Minto, 10. Liam Holt, 11. Ollie Budd. Subs: 12. Sam Griffin (not used), 14. Chris Milner (for Budd, 79), 15. Ross Adams (not used). Manager: Paul Holt.
<br><br>
Referee: Dragon Kuzmanovic<br>
Assistants: James Cox and Phil Magness
<br><br>
Attendance: 50 (headcount)<br>
Duration: first-half: 45:35; second-half: 47:31
<br><br>
Goals:<br>
1-0 Liam Haycock (38)<br>
1-1 Gary Fife (63 og)<br>
2-1 David Abelwhite (71 pen)
<br><br>
Cards:<br>
Brocton: none<br>
Lichfield: Todd Perry (YC, 71)<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jRQSbBIyzBA/Ujx5OKFlSZI/AAAAAAAAL18/RDyXsgij1MM/s1600/p20130910f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jRQSbBIyzBA/Ujx5OKFlSZI/AAAAAAAAL18/RDyXsgij1MM/s400/p20130910f.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eSIlpBeo39Y/Ujx5THB84KI/AAAAAAAAL2I/Qfg_AL3EJvQ/s1600/p20130910g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eSIlpBeo39Y/Ujx5THB84KI/AAAAAAAAL2I/Qfg_AL3EJvQ/s400/p20130910g.jpg" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4897276744724822293.post-47420739509051539112013-09-07T23:59:00.000+01:002013-09-20T21:36:10.281+01:00Banks-like save earns Fairfield a point<b>Saturday 7th September 2013<br>
Fairfield Villa 1 Sutton United 1<br>
St Mary’s Hospice Midland Combination Division One<br>
At: Fairfield Recreation Ground, Stourbridge Road<br>
Kick-off: 3-00 pm<br>
Admission: none; Programme: none<br>
Weather: mix of sunny spells and dark clouds</b>
<br><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ASiJUpRBtz0/UjoF_Y1nNCI/AAAAAAAAL0c/i_vbVkpE-So/s1600/p20130907a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ASiJUpRBtz0/UjoF_Y1nNCI/AAAAAAAAL0c/i_vbVkpE-So/s400/p20130907a.jpg" /></a></div>I walked away from the Fairfield Recreation Ground thinking what a good advert for non-league football I’d just witnessed. Appropriately for the fourth annual Non-League Day, long-established Division One side Fairfield Villa and newly-promoted Sutton United served up an absorbing contest, the outcome of which was always in doubt until the referee’s final whistle bought a 1-1 to a conclusion. Villa’s early first-half goal scored by Nathan Davies was cancelled out when Steve Radzynski sidefooted home an equaliser for United just before the hour mark. But the highlight of the game had to be a wonder save by Fairfield's James Burrows which brought back memories of Banks against Brazil in the World Cup at Guadalajara all those years ago.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lUbQ5ddaYg8/Ujx6erwHyuI/AAAAAAAAL2U/pwax6H6A1lI/s1600/p20130907b.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lUbQ5ddaYg8/Ujx6erwHyuI/AAAAAAAAL2U/pwax6H6A1lI/s400/p20130907b.JPG" /></a></div>Unlike Tuesday at Wythenshawe, I arrived in plenty of time to obtain the lineups and explore this tree-enclosed and leafy venue which boasts a feature I don’t think I’ve ever seen at a football ground before. Easily spotted behind the goal closest to the clubhouse, a large two metre high ornamental sundial, perfectly aligned for GMT, neatly positioned amongst some benches and shrubbery. The dial itself is decorated with images that describe the village’s history. Nice feature. Another football-related feature that stands out (pardon the pun) is the area of covered standing near the two dugouts with a distinctive tall roof.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-800N5RRvzMY/Ujx67CDWVrI/AAAAAAAAL2c/U5v43IGddgo/s1600/p20130907c.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-800N5RRvzMY/Ujx67CDWVrI/AAAAAAAAL2c/U5v43IGddgo/s400/p20130907c.JPG" /></a></div>One fact being put right this afternoon was the one that said I’d never seen Fairfield Villa play before, home or away despite them being continuous members of the Combination since 1985. I’d seen Sutton towards the end of last season at home in Sutton Coldfield and they ended the 2013/14 as Division Two runners-up to gain promotion.
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The current 2013/14 has been a good one so far for both Fairfield (8th out of 15 with eight points from five games) and Sutton (4th with 12 points from six games). Draw specialists Fairfield had suffered just one defeat and won both their home league games while Sutton won their first six league and cup games before losing at Hampton last Saturday.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pDHd5m8rR1Y/UjyE8B16fUI/AAAAAAAAL28/4DIrlimBgQk/s1600/p20130907d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pDHd5m8rR1Y/UjyE8B16fUI/AAAAAAAAL28/4DIrlimBgQk/s400/p20130907d.jpg" /></a></div>Pre-match drama centred about one of the assistants failing to arrive so, much to my relief though I would have offered my services, a home club official ran the line.
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Sutton (in dark green and black) got the game underway attacking what I’ll call the Sundial End and they certainly made an impressive start.
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However, it was Fairfield who edged in front during the 13th minute. Adam Guest’s delicious diagonal ball forward from the left to the far post was met by the outstretched leg of Nathan Davies who deflected the ball past goalkeeper Matt Gough into the bottom right corner of the net.
<br><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LoazujcbmAw/UjyFoCHPyCI/AAAAAAAAL3E/j-MxRhQ54Wg/s1600/p20130907e.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LoazujcbmAw/UjyFoCHPyCI/AAAAAAAAL3E/j-MxRhQ54Wg/s400/p20130907e.JPG" /></a></div>During the interval, refreshments were served in the clubhouse and I had some time to read the dedication next to a red Manchester United shirt bearing ‘DAVIS 36’. It is displayed in tribute to Jimmy Davis, ‘a popular and talented young footballer who was tragically killed in a car accident in August 2003’. He played for both Feckenham and Knowle as a youngster before joining United at the age of 14.
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Perhaps responding to some strong words during the interval, Sutton got back on level terms as the hour-mark approached. Phil Taylor, on the right, hit the bullseye with a perfect low cross into the area which Steve Radzynski swept home into the far left-corner of the net.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4qsFfy3qHQE/UjyGWMdPpxI/AAAAAAAAL3U/qVMIbiYUH1c/s1600/p20130907f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4qsFfy3qHQE/UjyGWMdPpxI/AAAAAAAAL3U/qVMIbiYUH1c/s400/p20130907f.jpg" /></a></div>A wonderful save in the 73rd minute kept Villa on level terms, similar to the one by Gordon Banks during the 1970 World Cup. Radzynski got on the end of a low right-wing cross and hit a seemingly goalbound shot. However, similar to Banks at Guadalajara, Jamie Burrows got across to dive to his right and deflect the ball over the bar. ‘Wonderful save’ is probably understating the brilliance of the goalkeeper.
<br><br>
The Fairfield defence was forced to resolutely keep the Sutton attack at bay with all hands to the pump. Adam Watson, however, failed to convert an easy chance for the visitors during the final ten minutes. “That should have been the winner,” said someone within earshot as should a later chance which totally unchallenged Sam Simmonds fired wide.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4KHS4oV9kWI/UjyHAxcg-CI/AAAAAAAAL3c/023r3E9Oz9o/s1600/p20130907g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4KHS4oV9kWI/UjyHAxcg-CI/AAAAAAAAL3c/023r3E9Oz9o/s400/p20130907g.jpg" /></a></div>Before making my way back up the M5 and home for the <i>Strictly Come Dancing</i> launch show, there was time to admire St Mark’s Church and locate the Nailers Arms in nearby Bournheath. Amongst the ales on offer at this the Cask Marque accredited pub was a new one for me in Bateman’s Yella Belly Gold.
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There is certainly a lot to like about Fairfield Villa. Why did I leave it so long to pay them a visit?
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<b>Fairfield Villa</b> (yellow/blue/blue): 1. James Burrows, 2. Jamie Hatfield, 3. James Cund, 4. Adam Guest, 5. Steve Frost (capt), 6. Chris Glover, 7. Ben Pearsall, 8. James Ashton, 9. Peter Jenney, 10. Nathan Davies, 11. Nic Briggs. Subs: 12. Gabor Yengel (for Cund, 70), 14. Oscar Collins (for Ashton, 76), 15. Kieran Evans (for Davies, 32).
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<b>Sutton United</b> (dark green / black / black): 17. Matt Gough, 2. Phil Taylor (capt), 3. Matt Lewis, 4. Sam Simmonds, 5. Aaron Long, 6. Jamie Hunter, 7. Nick Bell, 8. Tom Hicks, 9. Steve Radzynski, 10. Ryan Simmonds, 11. Adam Watson. Subs: 12. Pete Bromley (for Taylor, 81), 14. Josh Duggan (for Bell, 76), 15. Lee Hooper (for Long, 23).
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Referee: Jeff Widdett<br>
Assistants: David Simons and club linesman
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Attendance: 19 (headcount)<br>
Duration: first-half: 47:15; second-half: 47:07
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Goals:<br>
1-0 Nathan Davies (13)<br>
1-1 Steve Radzynski (58)
<br><br>
Cards: none<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JY64Dt771jA/UjyHeffgKKI/AAAAAAAAL3k/LVRgUGEunc8/s1600/p20130907h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JY64Dt771jA/UjyHeffgKKI/AAAAAAAAL3k/LVRgUGEunc8/s400/p20130907h.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7aYTKv3GAiM/UjyHxfnFx7I/AAAAAAAAL3s/XuPYcnnYIeU/s1600/p20130907i.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7aYTKv3GAiM/UjyHxfnFx7I/AAAAAAAAL3s/XuPYcnnYIeU/s400/p20130907i.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GTby-7kNqxc/UjyIGwz265I/AAAAAAAAL30/BbCiZDjyghU/s1600/p20130907j.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GTby-7kNqxc/UjyIGwz265I/AAAAAAAAL30/BbCiZDjyghU/s400/p20130907j.jpg" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4897276744724822293.post-6465126447694718222013-09-03T23:59:00.000+01:002013-09-17T16:01:34.419+01:00Georgians hang on for derby win<b>Tuesday 3rd September 2013<br>
Wythenshawe Amateurs 2 Stockport Georgians 3<br>
FBT Manchester League Premier Division<br>
At: Wythenshawe Club, Longley Lane<br>
Kick-off: 6-15 pm<br>
Admission: none; Programme: none<br>
Weather: sunny spells</b>
<br><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qy27elIpHo4/Ujdwqid8PHI/AAAAAAAALz8/N_x4WhPUDqI/s1600/p20130903a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qy27elIpHo4/Ujdwqid8PHI/AAAAAAAALz8/N_x4WhPUDqI/s400/p20130903a.jpg" /></a></div>For someone who prefers to arrive a good hour before kick-off, imagine the relief I felt just 14 minutes from the scheduled start of the Manchester League derby when the street name sign on the Farmers Arms told me I was about to turn left on to ‘Longley Lane’. And four minutes later after some toing and froing, I was parked up in a side street after discovering the small car park at the Wythenshawe Club was full. Panic over as I walked through the gate into the ground and huge sigh of relief, though not early enough to obtain the line-ups before the game commenced despite trying.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v5b8tYm3f7s/UjhuunyMncI/AAAAAAAAL0M/dK8RbYlTr6w/s1600/p20130903b.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v5b8tYm3f7s/UjhuunyMncI/AAAAAAAAL0M/dK8RbYlTr6w/s400/p20130903b.JPG" /></a></div>It was Peter Ford, on Facebook’s Non-League Grounds of England Wales and Scotland, who initially highlighted the game, and the two clubs’ websites and Twitter feeds whetted my appetite for a game between two unbeaten teams. Even so, I did make a late decision to head up the M6 to this corner of south Manchester. Peter did indeed make the trip along with ‘KYM’ and ‘DavyC’ as well as ‘Sale Holmfield’ whose presence I wasn’t aware of until reading his review on the Non-League Matters Forum.
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I said that Barnet’s new Hive ground (see Saturday’s report) has a traditional layout for a lower-league ground and, in a different way, so does Wythenshawe’s ground – a classic part-roped, part-railed pitch on one side of a cricket ground. The surrounding greenery on a nice late summer evening added to the general pleasantness of the venue, located around six miles south of Manchester city centre. I’d wanted to visit for a long while as my wife was born at the local hospital.
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Apart from the hospital connection, I felt some kind of familiarity with the home club. Did they feature on my old 1970s Bartholomew Football Map of England and Wales, or perhaps cropped up when I’ve reached the history of clubs that competed in the FA Amateur Cup? Peter Miles’ article dismisses the former idea (<a href="http://peterrmiles.wordpress.com/tag/bartholemews-maps/">http://peterrmiles.wordpress.com/tag/bartholemews-maps/</a>) as I can’t find my copy which used to be proudly displayed on my childhood bedroom wall.
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What I do know, briefly, is that the club was originally founded as Wythenshawe Lads Club in 1946 and Wythenshawe Amateurs FC was established four years later. They are long-standing members of the Manchester League and used to compete in the FA Vase and its predecessor the FA Amateur Cup.
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Both sides could rightly boast an unbeaten record; Wythenshawe (six points from four games) by virtue of three draws and Stockport Georgians (11 points from five games) by virtue of three wins.
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Attacking the west end in the first, Wythenshawe (in blue and white) got the game underway and certainly were the brighter side. They almost took a 22nd minute lead when Mark Hughes’ corner was knocked down to Alan Dolan who saw his shot blocked on the line.
<br><br>
In a ‘first half or two half’, Stockport started to dominate as the interval approached, taking the lead in the 34th minute. Tyrone Turner put Michael Taylor clear on the right and the skipper lobbed Paul Hughes, the Ammies goalkeeper who hesitated as he left his line.
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With much appreciation from myself, one Georgian official approached me during the interval to provide me with his team’s lineup.
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The visitors doubled their lead in the 53rd minute. Stuart Torkington crossed from the left and Turner sent a looping header over Paul Hughes from the edge of the area.
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Wanting to sample the view from the far side, I waited for a break in play before scurrying behind the goal. From my new vantage point near the away dugout, I saw what we thought was Georgians putting the outcome beyond doubt with a third unanswered goal scored just after the hour mark. George Langford's accurate pass split the home defence to present Sam Noar with a perfect change which he fired into the far bottom-left corner of the net.
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Game over? Well, no as the Ammies staged a spirited late comeback.
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David Wright powered home a header direct from a corner in the 71st minute to reduce the deficit and same defender saw a well-struck free-kick thump the Georgians bar. Then with a minute plus stoppage time remaining, Dean Preston scrambled home a second for Wythenshawe to set up a ‘grandstand’ finish.
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The Ammies couldn’t complete their comeback and the three points took Georgians to the top of the Premier Division table.
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My ‘teamsheet woes’ continued after the final whistle as the Wythenshawe lineup proved elusive, that was until back home when the website provided me the 16 names I needed.
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<b>Wythenshawe Amateurs</b> (blue and white stripes / blue / blue and white hoops): 1. Paul Hughes, 2. Dean Preston, 3. Lee Preston, 4. Chris Howard (capt), 5. Aaron Flynn, 6. David Wright, 7. Adam Stuart, 8. Mark Hughes, 9. Pat O'Brien, 10. Gavin Stewart, 11. Alan Dolan. Subs: 12. Adam Walker (for Lee Preston, 60), 14. Anthony Osbourne (not used), 15. Matt Newell (not used), 16. Danny McDonald (for Mark Hughes, 74), 17. Paul Hayes (for Stewart, 60).
<br><br>
<b>Stockport Georgians</b> (red / black / red and white hoops): 1. David Cash, 2. Sam Halligan, 3. Stuart Torkington, 4. Paul Beresford, 5. Jake Bramwell, 6. Luke Seaton, 7. George Langford, 8. Tyrone Turner, 9. Michael Taylor (capt), 10. Sam Noar, 11. Sam Partridge. Subs: 12. Ryan McNally (for Noar, 69), 14. Stuart Rayes (not used), 15. Thomas Russell (for Taylor, 62), 16. Carlos Royo-Barcena (for Langford, 80).
<br><br>
Referee: Daniel Deakin<br>
Assistants: Chris Goodwin and David Brown
<br><br>
Attendance: 64<br>
Duration: first-half: 46:41; second-half: 48:52
<br><br>
Goals:<br>
0-1 Michael Taylor (34)<br>
0-2 Tyrone Turner (53)<br>
0-3 Sam Noar (64)<br>
1-3 David Wright (71)<br>
2-3 Dean Preston (89)
<br><br>
Cards:<br>
Wythenshawe Amateurs: Chris Howard (YC, 45+1), Paul Hayes (YC, 77)<br>
Stockport Georgians: Sam Partridge (YC, 28), Michael Taylor (YC, 28), Tyrone Turner (YC, 90)Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4897276744724822293.post-72809698149337159312013-08-31T23:59:00.000+01:002013-09-14T00:28:34.810+01:00Bees buzzing at The Hive<b>Saturday 31st August 2013<br>
Barnet 3 Hyde 2<br>
Skrill Premier<br>
At: The Hive, Camrose Avenue, Edgware<br>
Kick-off: 3-00 pm<br>
Admission: £23 (seat in West Stand); Programme: £3 (70 pages)<br>
Weather: warm and sunny</b>
<br><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pg0CExnSZ6I/UjOZjUHb8XI/AAAAAAAALzk/erap_BUMTlE/s1600/p20130831a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pg0CExnSZ6I/UjOZjUHb8XI/AAAAAAAALzk/erap_BUMTlE/s400/p20130831a.jpg" /></a></div>I felt a sense of excitement walking up Turner Road from Queensbury tube station towards The Hive, the recently-opened new stadium of Barnet FC. At the same time, a sense of trepidation also filled my mind as well because the lack of cashpoint machine amongst the parade of shops near the station had left me perilously short of cash for the full set of seat in the stand, programme and badge. Why did I potentially ruin my trip to The Hive? Of course I wished I’d buzzed towards a bank as well as, or instead off, sampling Sharp’s Doom Bar and Lancaster’s Ginger Snap in two previously unvisited Cask Marque pubs around Warren Street.
<br><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oloZ4pLmfJo/UjOaKk36OOI/AAAAAAAALzs/Fh0Xz7i6ePc/s1600/p20130831b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oloZ4pLmfJo/UjOaKk36OOI/AAAAAAAALzs/Fh0Xz7i6ePc/s400/p20130831b.jpg" /></a></div>Again whilst walking, I thought about Barnet FC and the fact that it was over 41 years since I saw them lose to Stafford Rangers in 1972 FA Trophy Final, my match number two. I’ve got fond memories of Underhill, the stadium with the famous sloping pitch and assortment of stands which Barnet FC called home for 106 years until the summer move across North London to the Borough of Harrow.
<br><br>
Perhaps, the highlight of my seven visits to the old ground came in April 1986 when Bob Mountain scored a spectacular volley which clinched an aggregate victory for Stafford in a two-legged Bob Lord Trophy Final.
<br><br>
My nerves increased somewhat on arrival until a ‘BFC Helper’ pointed me in the direction of the ticket office at the south end and settled down when the chap behind the ticket office window told me that debit cards [and I guess credit cards as well] were accepted. The West Stand appealed especially with the position of the sun and for £23 I got a really good view of the action from Row E Seat 82, almost bang on the halfway line.
<br><br>
Now, suddenly with more than enough cash, a visit to one of the programme sellers returned to the agenda and I even could chance my luck with a 50/50 draw ticket as well. Badges could wait until after the game.
<br><br>
Originally the complex was part-developed as a new home for Wealdstone FC on what was the Prince Edward Playing Fields. Work stopped in 2004 and Barnet secured a lease two years later for their training ground and centre of excellence. The Hive stadium has what I would call a classic layout for a lower-league football – seats down both touchlines and covered terrace behind both goals. The West Stand with a capacity of 2684 seats is the dominant feature with the Jubilee Line running behind. Opposite the smaller East Stand is the ‘main stand’ even with a quarter of the capacity of the big stand. A big difference between Underhill and Hive is that the new pitch is as flat as a pancake with not a slope in sight, and a beautiful manicured playing surface as well.
<br><br>
Relegated from League Two at the end of last season, Barnet (1st with 11 points from 5 games) have started their first season back in the ‘Conference’ – now known as the Skrill Premier – in spectacular fashion. Fans could chant ‘We are top of the league’ following Monday’s 3-0 win at Braintree Town. In contrast, today’s visitors Hyde (21st with 2 points from 5 games) arrived at The Hive in the relegation zone having lost 8-0 at Forest Green on the opening day and subsequently drew 2-2 at Wrexham. Former Stafford Rangers striker David McNiven had the number 19 but hadn’t featured in any of Hyde’s games this season.
<br><br>
Attacking towards their own fans in the South End, Barnet got the game underway and didn’t take long to take the lead in the 5th minute. Curtis Weston fed Keanu Marsh-Brown on the right who raced into the area and steered a low shot wide of the diving David Carnell into the far bottom left corner of the Hyde net.
<br><br>
Barnet undoubtedly dominated most of the first half, the only surprise being it took them until the 40th minute to double their lead. Carnell blocked Jake Hyde’s initial shot and Mark Byrne fired home the rebound.
<br><br>
My bad luck and near misses with raffles and 50/50 draws are well documented. As the winning ticket number of today’s draw was announced, a sense of ‘it could be me’ grew as first “4”, then “3” then “1”, then “5” only to have a decent cash prize snatched for me with the revealing of the final digit “9” rather than a “5”. Damn – four numbers tickets after mine. At least it wasn’t the second ticket the seller tried to tempt me to buy.
<br><br>
Perhaps as an indicator of what was to come, one supporter sat behind me commented during the first half: “Hyde playing a little better now they’ve settled down”.
<br><br>
By my watch it took Hyde just 50 seconds to reduce the deficit at the start of the second half. Liam Tomsett, from fully 35 yards out, thumped a long range shot past Graham Stack.
<br><br>
The visitors were very much back in contention and another long range shot from Tomsett in the 78th minute got them back on level terms.
<br><br>
“They’ve had two very lucky long range shots,” said someone nearby in the stand. I thought they were better than that, once they’d settled down.
<br><br>
Barnet made a double change in a bid to score the winner and it turned out to be an inspired substitution. Harry Crawford had been on the field barely two minutes when the sent a low right-foot shot from the edge of the area into the bottom left corner of the net.
<br><br>
The drama wasn’t over as Louis Almond’s right-wing cross picked out unmarked Scott Spencer who ballooned his shot over the bar.
<br><br>
Relief for Barnet at full-time with a 3-2 win from a game they should have had sewn up long before Tomsett’s second-half double.
<br><br>
Walking away from the ground, I overheard that Cambridge United had won 3-0 to regain the lead, dropping the Bees to second on goal difference.
<br><br>
Reading Wikipedia, Barnet first team’s stay at The Hive could be a short one if ambitions to return the team to their home borough come to fruition. Their 10-year lease to play league football runs until the end of the 2022/2023 season.
<br><br>
<b>Barnet</b> (amber/black/black): 29. Graham Stack, 2. Andy Yiadom, 30. David Stephens, 5. Anthony Acheampong, 23. Jordan Brown, 17. Roberto Garcia Casabella, 8. Mark Byrne, 4. Curtis Weston, 7. Keanu Marsh-Brown, 11. Luke Gambin, 9. Jake Hyde. Subs: 20. Mauro Vilhete (for Villa, 82), 19. Luisma Villa (for Gambin, 28), 10. Harry Crawford (for Marsh-Brown, 82), 6. Jack Saville (not used), 13gk. Nick Jupp (not used). Head Coach: Edgar Davids.
<br><br>
<b>Hyde</b> (blue/blue/blue):1. David Carnell, 2. Josh Brizell, 22. Ben Dennis, 5. Luke Ashworth, 3. Adam Griffin, 6. Liam Tomsett, 16. Matty Mainwairing, 8. Alex Brown, 9. Scott Spencer, 10. Tom Collins, 15. Danny Carlton. Subs: 4. Will Haining (for Davies, 54), 11. Connor Hughes (for Mainwairing, 85), 7. David Poole (not used), 18. Louis Almond (for Collins, 71), 21. Adam Blakeman (not used). Manager: Scott McNiven.
<br><br>
Referee: Declan Ford<br>
Assistants: Neil West and Rob Smith<br>
Fourth Official: Jason Richardson
<br><br>
Attendance: 1669 (including 31 away fans)<br>
Duration: first-half: 46:00; second-half: 49:40
<br><br>
Goals:<br>
1-0 Keanu Marsh-Brown (5)<br>
2-0 Mark Byrne (40)<br>
2-1 Liam Tomsett (46)<br>
2-2 Liam Tomsett (78)<br>
3-2 Harry Crawford (84)
<br><br>
Cards:<br>
Barnet: Andy Yiadom (YC, 67), Curtis Weston (YC, 76)<br>
Hyde: Liam Tomsett (YC, 74)Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4897276744724822293.post-56434573347218112382013-08-26T18:00:00.000+01:002013-09-13T20:33:10.304+01:00Meliden 2 St Asaph 0<b>Monday 26th August 2013</b><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YPHZ2KQg5T8/UjDMY9XP82I/AAAAAAAALy0/lV2e_aYIjdo/s1600/p20130826ma.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YPHZ2KQg5T8/UjDMY9XP82I/AAAAAAAALy0/lV2e_aYIjdo/s400/p20130826ma.jpg" /></a></div><i>For many, this was game 11 out of 11 on the 2013 Welsh Groundhop; for me simply the second leg of a Bank Holiday ‘double’. Like Llandyrnog, I was also impressed with the welcome at Meiden, a village a few miles inland from Prestatyn, and the ground certainly was buzzing with a mix of locals and hoppers. With numerous minds perhaps starting to focus on the journey home, a feisty local derby with a past history fitted the bill perfectly to retain attention and it was Meliden who came out on top with an unanswered goal in each half. On a pleasant sunny evening, the visitors created and failed to convert a host of chances before being punished just after the half-hour mark. Dean Moss got free of his marker to head home a left-wing cross. After a ‘lively’ barbecue briefly threatened to cause headlines off the field, Meliden clinched the local bragging rights with a victory-clinching second goal late on. What a super strike it was, a looping 30-yard shot which flew past the helpless Luke Jones.</i>
<br><br>
<b>Meliden 2 St Asaph 0<br>
Lock Stock Welsh Alliance Division Two<br>
At: The Mine, Ffordd Pennant<br>
Kick-off: 6-00 pm<br>
Admission: £3; Programme: £1 (16 pages)<br>
Weather: sunny</b>
<br><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uNNx7V7gLfc/UjNn-1TRKyI/AAAAAAAALzE/Ny0kD1pYpmc/s1600/p20130826mb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uNNx7V7gLfc/UjNn-1TRKyI/AAAAAAAALzE/Ny0kD1pYpmc/s400/p20130826mb.jpg" /></a></div><b>Meliden</b> (orange/black/black): 1. Stephen Robinson, 2. Andy Jones, 3. Ryan Hassett, 4. Lewis Maroney, 5. Jamie Duffy, 6. Jamie Hobson, 7. Ashley New, 8. Jack McDougall, 9. Darren Cassidy (capt), 10. Dean Moss, 11. Alec Williams. Subs: 12. Kris Owen (for Moss, 62), 13. Woz Adam (for McDougall, 73), 14. Matty Mullholland (not used), 15. Matty Harrison (not used), 16. Adie Hoyle (for Duffy, 18). Manager: Paul Maroney.
<br><br>
<b>St Asaph</b> (white/blue/blue): 1. Luke Jones, 2. Johnny Taylor, 3. Jordan Owen, 4. Sam Benbow, 5. David Evans (capt), 6. Shane Thomas, 7. Steve Williams, 8. Paul Fleming, 9. Duncan Midgley, 10. Adam Cassidy, 11. Jason Foulkes. Subs: 12. Neil Cross (for Foulkes, 78), 14. Kris Fearnley (for Thomas, 67), 15. Matthew Quinn (not used), 16. Aiden Bell (not used). Manager: Graham Hunter.
<br><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AXouV2BC4DI/UjNoWo3hgwI/AAAAAAAALzM/IO_1pOh6H0A/s1600/p20130826mc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AXouV2BC4DI/UjNoWo3hgwI/AAAAAAAALzM/IO_1pOh6H0A/s400/p20130826mc.jpg" /></a></div>Referee: Nathan Jones (Denbigh)<br>
Assistants: Caerwyn Lloyd-Davies (Rhuddlan) and Nathan Wheatley (Denbigh)
<br><br>
Attendance: 323<br>
Duration: first-half: 46:14; second-half: 49:00
<br><br>
Goals:<br>
1-0 Dean Moss (34)<br>
2-0 Darren Cassidy (84)
<br><br>
Cards: noneUnknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4897276744724822293.post-34647969215895320212013-08-26T14:30:00.000+01:002013-09-08T22:42:54.402+01:00Llandyrnog United 1 Pwllheli 1<b>Monday 26th August 2013</b><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cZo6gpiqe3g/UiztXg89S9I/AAAAAAAALyQ/nLxOMYsZBL8/s1600/p20130826a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cZo6gpiqe3g/UiztXg89S9I/AAAAAAAALyQ/nLxOMYsZBL8/s400/p20130826a.jpg" /></a></div><i>For many years, I steered clear of all but the odd groundhop game. Mostly it was due to my commitment of ‘having’ to watch every Stafford Rangers game as a member of the press, particularly during the Phil Robinson era, and partly due to having a preference of visiting grounds on a ‘normal’ matchday. That all changed in 2010 when the annual August Welsh groundhop commenced a three-year stint in the Mid Wales League, a competition a grew to enjoy during the 1990s, particularly Sunday afternoon fixtures when the students of Aberystwyth University were the opposition. Hops weren’t just about watching three or four games a day, I again quickly realised the value of them as a social gathering – a congregation assembling from near, far and wide with a common love of the beautiful game. This game didn’t disappoint either with Josh Davies’ early goal for Llandyrnog cancelled out shortly before half-time by Pwllheli’s Meical Williams.</i>
<br><br>
<b>Llandyrnog United 1 Pwllheli 1<br>
Lock Stock Welsh Alliance Division One<br>
At: Cae Nant<br>
Kick-off: 2-30 pm<br>
Admission: £4; Programme: £1 (20 pages)</b>
<br><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TJXpX_bEj0I/UizuLb_kvPI/AAAAAAAALyY/corPt7jC9yo/s1600/p20130826b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TJXpX_bEj0I/UizuLb_kvPI/AAAAAAAALyY/corPt7jC9yo/s400/p20130826b.jpg" /></a></div><b>Llandyrnog United</b> (sky blue / navy blue / navy blue): 1. Gaz Pope, 2. Rob Render, 3. Iwan Davies, 4. Dan Porter, 5. Adam Lloyd, 6. Aled Roberts (capt), 7. Danny Roberts, 8. Sion Davies, 9. Josh Davies, 10. Tom Matischok, 11. Danny Jones. Subs: 12. Simon Brown (for Danny Jones, 80), 14. Liam Jones (for Render, 90+2), 15. Chris House (for Iwan Davies, 87), 16. Russ Moorcroft (not used). Managers: Russ Pierce and Neil Jones.
<br><br>
<b>Pwllheli</b> (white/black/black): 1. Kevin Davies, 2. Gareth Mellor, 3. Cedri Lloyd, 4. John Jones (capt), 5. Rhodri Scott, 6. Meical Williams, 7. Kyle Goodfellow, 8. Jamie Banks, 9. Dan Rylance, 10. Mark Bridge, 11. Dewi Jones. Subs: 12. Daffyd Jones (not used), 13. Lee Fletcher (not used). Managers: Steven Smith and Gareth Piercy.
<br><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sto93G0N7ag/UizvO7AVYWI/AAAAAAAALyk/6Dt1f5OPYMg/s1600/p20130826c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sto93G0N7ag/UizvO7AVYWI/AAAAAAAALyk/6Dt1f5OPYMg/s400/p20130826c.jpg" /></a></div>Referee: Phil Hughes
<br><br>
Attendance: 232<br>
Duration: first-half: 45:30; second-half: 50:53
<br><br>
Goals:<br>
1-0 Josh Davies (4)<br>
1-1 Meical Williams (40)
<br><br>
Cards: noneUnknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4897276744724822293.post-18083845280778953412013-08-24T23:59:00.000+01:002013-09-04T23:24:14.739+01:00Paget Rangers 2 Perrywood 3<b>Saturday 24th August 2013</b><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4WickeNWzuQ/UiehK79ybqI/AAAAAAAALxw/8rgLOk3i5Wg/s1600/p20130824a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4WickeNWzuQ/UiehK79ybqI/AAAAAAAALxw/8rgLOk3i5Wg/s400/p20130824a.jpg" /></a></div><i>Plenty of boxes ticked on this short trip to north Birmingham – first visit since the 1980s to much-changed and renamed Trevor Brown Memorial Ground, a first look at the reformed Paget Rangers and a chance to catch up with Worcester-based visitors Perrywood. The contest lived up to its ‘big game’ billing on Twitter as Perrywood twice came from behind to equalise before scoring the winner. They then survived an onslaught of pressure during the closing stages from 10-man Paget. Worthy of a mention are the tea bar ladies who made one vegetarian (i.e. me!) extremely happy with a double Linda McCartney sausage hot dog topped with fried onions. It was good to be back at Church Road!</i>
<br><br>
<b>Paget Rangers 2 Perrywood 3<br>
St Mary’s Hospice Midland Combination Division Two<br>
At: Trevor Brown Memorial Ground, Church Road, Great Barr<br>
Kick-off: 3-00 pm<br>
Admission: £2; Programme: £1 (16 pages)</b><br>
Weather: sunny spells
<br><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9neYwjCr3Iw/Uiey-yNOCcI/AAAAAAAALyA/ggT7j0xAqBA/s1600/p20130824b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9neYwjCr3Iw/Uiey-yNOCcI/AAAAAAAALyA/ggT7j0xAqBA/s400/p20130824b.jpg" /></a></div><b>Paget Rangers</b> (amber/black/black): 1. Paul Smith, 2. Michael Edmead, 3. Jeremie Lacaze, 4. Graham Bond, 5. Thomas O’Callaghan, 6. David Franklin, 7. Ashley Churchill, 8. Daniel Zouch (capt), 9. Mark Bennett, 10. Nathan Joshi, 11. Luke Bradley. Subs: 12. Michael Harrigan (for Lacaze, 60), 14. Kurt White (for Edmead, 74), 15. Richard Gayle (not used), 16. Matthew Coates (not used).
<br><br>
<b>Perrywood</b> (blue and white halves / blue / blue): 1. Carl Preece, 2. Logan Stoddart, 3. Chris Moore, 4. Jack Godwin, 5. Jordan Stoddart, 6. Carl Smith (capt), 7. Samuel Smith, 8. Luke Whittington, 9. Simon Mills, 10. Lee Seldon, 11. Jack Marsh. Subs: 12. Lewis Butterworth (for Mills, 26), 14. Ashley Banner (not used), 15. George Martin (for Seldon, 58), 16. Connor Poole (not used), 17. Nick Pearce (not used).
<br><br>
Referee: Alan Walker<br>
Assistants: Christopher Morby and Colin Hewitt
<br><br>
Attendance: 41<br>
Duration: first-half: 48:18; second-half: 50:15
<br><br>
Goals:<br>
1-0 Carl Smith (6 og)<br>
1-1 Simon Mills (18)<br>
2-1 Daniel Zouch (21 pen)<br>
2-2 Jordan Stoddart (56)<br>
2-3 Luke Whittington (59)
<br><br>
Cards:<br>
Paget: David Franklin (RC, 84)<br>
Perrywood: none
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4897276744724822293.post-12876429055090212932013-08-17T23:59:00.000+01:002013-09-04T23:11:34.489+01:00Llantwit Major 3 Penrhiwfer 1<b>Saturday 17th August 2013</b><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4_fVZX0wRR8/UieZH99VFJI/AAAAAAAALxU/SKAynYyc_0U/s1600/p20130817a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4_fVZX0wRR8/UieZH99VFJI/AAAAAAAALxU/SKAynYyc_0U/s400/p20130817a.jpg" /></a></div><i>The opportunity to meet 2013 Apprentice star Alex Mills [the one with the distinctive eyebrows] at Costa in Cowbridge took us to South Wales for the day. Once we’d had our coffee and cake, chatted to Alex and taken photos, as well as given our donation to the Costa Foundation, I made the short journey towards the coast to Llantwit Major’s Windmill Lane ground. Pleasantly surprised to bump into two familiar faces from my part of the world, we saw a feisty Welsh Cup tie in which Llantwit Major of Welsh League Division Three defeated Penrhiwfer 3-1 with Stewart Lindsay scoring twice. Inevitably in a contest littered with bookings, someone was going to see ‘red’ and it was the visitors from the South Wales Senior League who finished with ten men.</i>
<br><br>
<b>Llantwit Major 3 Penrhiwfer 1<br>
Welsh Cup First Qualifying Round<br>
At: Windmill Lane, Llantwit Major<br>
Kick-off: 2-30 pm<br>
Admission: £3 including 40 page programme<br>
Weather: showers sometimes heavy</b>
<br><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lWVNL3n9oAE/UieaEc3f3cI/AAAAAAAALxc/hPpcToO9cG0/s1600/p20130817b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lWVNL3n9oAE/UieaEc3f3cI/AAAAAAAALxc/hPpcToO9cG0/s400/p20130817b.jpg" /></a></div><b>Llantwit Major</b> (blue/blue/blue): 1. Jack Lansdown, 2. Wayne Faux, 3. Andy Shaw, 4. Lee Jones, 5. Rhys Gould, 6. Nicky Cox, 7. Christopher Rees, 8. Max Morgan, 10/9. David Hartley-Smith, 9/10. Stewart Lindsay, 11. Jordan Phillips. Subs: 12. Barry Whitlam (not used), 14. David Bevan (for Phillips, 74), 15. Jack Grahame (for Rees, 86). Manager: Barry Whitlam.
<br><br>
<b>Penrhiwfer</b> (red/black/red): 1. Michael Davies, 2. Jeffrey Glenn Price (capt), 3. Kyle Honeyfield, 4. Lee Michael, 5. Rhys Hughes, 6. Cefyn Harris, 7. Gareth Moyle, 8. Jordan Wilcox, 9. Stephen Bassett, 10. Craig Lee Jones, 11. James Trembath. Subs: 12. David Baker (for Harris, 52), 14. Steele Wathan (not used), 15. Ben Morrisey (not used), 16. Paul Gregory (not used), 17. Nigel Jones (for Jones, ht).
<br><br>
Referee: Steven Bayliss.<br>
Club linesmen.
<br><br>
Attendance: 20 (headcount)<br>
Duration: first-half: 47:10; second-half: 48:58
<br><br>
Goals:<br>
1-0 Jordan Phillips (18)<br>
1-1 James Trembath (23)<br>
2-1 Stewart Lindsay (32)<br>
3-1 Stewart Lindsay (83)
<br><br>
Cards:<br>
Llantwit Major: Wayne Faux (YC, 76)<br>
Penrhiwfer: Rhys Hughes (YC, 9), Gareth Moyle (YC, 43), Stephen Bassett (YC, ht), Nigel Jones (YC, 53), Jeffrey Glenn Price (RC, 76), Michael Davies (YC, 84)Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4897276744724822293.post-78754210892884516762013-08-16T23:59:00.000+01:002013-09-04T22:44:22.825+01:00Doncaster Rovers 2 Blackburn Rovers 0<b>Friday 16th August 2013</b><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z3lBP_pBE8Y/UieXWz1jdRI/AAAAAAAALxI/f9C9pLJXhkU/s1600/p20130816a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z3lBP_pBE8Y/UieXWz1jdRI/AAAAAAAALxI/f9C9pLJXhkU/s400/p20130816a.jpg" /></a></div><i>I was delighted when Aussie groundhopper Mark Taylor suggested meeting up this weekend during his extensive tour of England and several European countries plus Dubai on the way out and Thailand on the way home. He was planning a Yorkshire ‘double’ tomorrow at Leeds United and York City to follow tonight’s game at Doncaster Rovers. As I’d not visited the Keepmoat Stadium, I bought two tickets online for collection and met up with Mark in the centre of Doncaster for some ale [Acorn Forester for me] at the Old Angel before making our way to the ground. Watching from the West Stand, we saw Doncaster record their first league victory of the season with a goal in each half from new signing Theo Robinson and James Husband.</i>
<br><br>
<b>Doncaster Rovers 2 Blackburn Rovers 0<br>
Skybet Championship<br>
At: Keepmoat Stadium<br>
Kick-off: 7-45 pm<br>
Admission: £23 (seat); Programme: £3 (84 pages)<br>
Weather: sunny spells</b>
<br><br>
<b>Doncaster Rovers</b> (red and white hoops / black / black): 1. Ross Turnbull, 32. Reece Wabara, 14. Bongani Khumalo, 5. Rob Jones (capt), 3. James Husband, 26. James Coppinger, 19. Richard Wellens, 18. Paul Keegan, 11. David Cotterill (Syers 90), 22. Theo Robinson (Duffy 76), 9. Chris Brown. Subs: 13.gk Jon Maxted (not used), 2. Paul Quinn (not used), 6. David Syers (for Cotterill, 90+3), 7. Mark Duffy (for Robinson, 76), 8. Billy Paynter (not used), 12. Luke McCullough (not used), 23. Kyle Bennett (not used). Manager: Paul Dickov.
<br><br>
<b>Blackburn Rovers</b> (blue and white halves / white / white): 34. Jacob Kean, 2. Todd Kane, 5. Grant Hanley, 16. Scott Dann (capt), 3. Tommy Spurr, 25. Alan Judge, 8. David Dunn, 19. Chris Taylor, 6. Jason Lowe, 11. Jordan Rhodes, 45. Tom Cairney. Subs: 13gk. Simon Eastwood (not used), 7. Joshua King (for Dunn, 66), 9. Leon Best (for Taylor, 66), 21. Alex Marrow (not used), 24. Josh Morris (not used), 29. Corry Evans (for Cairney, 60), 31. Gaël Givet-Viaros (not used). Manager: Gary Bowyer.
<br><br>
Referee: Geoff Eltrigham<br>
Assistants: Joe Hull and Ross Joyce<br>
Fourth Official: Declan Ford
<br><br>
Attendance: 8707<br>
Duration: first-half: 46:16; second-half: 49:26
<br><br>
Goals:<br>
1-0 Theo Robinson (37)<br>
2-0 James Husband (58)
<br><br>
Cards:<br>
Doncaster: Chris Brown (YC, 32)<br>
Blackburn: Tommy Spurr (YC, 11), Grant Hanley (YC, 61), Chris Taylor (YC, 64)Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4897276744724822293.post-48408762789567144882013-08-11T23:59:00.000+01:002013-08-21T20:40:22.985+01:00Ratinger Spvg Germania 3 VfL Rhede 0<b>Sunday 11th August 2013</b><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W4_ssb-4L4Y/UhUXXGle_3I/AAAAAAAALwg/Y7Ynx_mIJjY/s1600/p20130811a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W4_ssb-4L4Y/UhUXXGle_3I/AAAAAAAALwg/Y7Ynx_mIJjY/s400/p20130811a.jpg" /></a></div><i>The delightful town of Ratingen, a few miles north-east of Düsseldorf, provided the setting for the third and final football leg of my German break. ‘Delightful’ because of the pleasant Marktplatz area I spent time in before heading back to Cologne and ‘delightful’ because of a warm friendly club who ticked all the boxes [apart from one]. Oberliga Niederrhein sits at the fifth tier of German football and today a hat-trick from summer signing Chamdin Said gave homesters (also known as Ratingen 04/19) a comfortable 3-0 victory over struggling VfL Rhede. At half-time, the tea bar provided a real treat of mandarin gateaux complete with cake fork and the only box not ticked during the whole day was most of the ground out of bounds to spectators apart from the large main stand.</i>
<br><br>
<b>Ratinger Spvg Germania 3 VfL Rhede 0<br>
Oberliga Niederrhein<br>
At: Stadion Ratingen, Am Stadion, Ratingen<br>
Kick-off: 3-00 pm<br>
Admission: 8 euro; Programme: free (4 pages)<br>
Weather: sunny spells</b>
<br><br>
<b>Ratinger Spvg Germania</b> (yellow/yellow/yellow): 1. Marcel Grote, 6. Patrick Fiedorra (capt), 7. Sascha Meier, 8. Yannic Melis, 9. Pier Schulz, 10. Daniel Rehag, 11. Chamdin Said, 12. Stefan Prengel, 13. Dennis Ter Haar, 14. Lukas Fedler, 17, Ali Can Ilbay. Subs: 25gk Alexander Pleß (not used), 2. Christoph Hub (not used), 3. Stefan Rott (for Ilbay, 78), 4. Björn Rohpeter (for Fiedorra, 82) 15. José Cervino Panero (not used), 20. Yusuf Keser (for Meier 78), 21. Kris Leipzig (not used). Coach: Alfonso del Cueto.
<br><br>
<b>VfL Rhede</b> (black/black/black): 23. Marc Tebroke, 3. Benedikt Spieker (capt), 6. Christopher Wilting, 8. Bodo Seeger, 10. Martin Schüring, 11. Simon Lechtenberg, 15. Raphael Bauer, 18. Frederik Arnold-Hallbauer, 20. Christopher Refke, 24. Florian Girnth. Subs: 1gk. Marvin Radüchel (not used), 2. Tobias Keil (not used), 13. Nico Frömmgen (for Refke, 61), 17. Felix Amler (for Girnth, 81), 19. Florian Hahm (for Schüring, ht). Coach: Javier Garcia Dinis.
<br><br>
Referee: Alexander Schuh.<br>
Assistants: René Donné and Axel Böhme.
<br><br>
Attendance: 300<br>
Duration: first-half: 45:06; second-half: 45:00
<br><br>
Goals:<br>
1-0 Chamdin Said (23)<br>
2-0 Chamdin Said (57)<br>
3-0 Chamdin Said (68)
<br><br>
Cards:<br>
Ratinger Spvg Germania: none<br>
VfL Rhede: Simon Lechtenberg (YC, 66)Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4897276744724822293.post-54963068246537983622013-08-10T23:59:00.000+01:002013-08-21T20:46:44.214+01:00Bayer 04 Leverkusen 3 SC Freiburg 1<b>Saturday 10th August 2013</b><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3-s-Ke91YKg/UhNz9N_ikXI/AAAAAAAALwQ/QgYTO110M-s/s1600/p20130810a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3-s-Ke91YKg/UhNz9N_ikXI/AAAAAAAALwQ/QgYTO110M-s/s400/p20130810a.jpg" /></a></div><i>Once I’d established a few days ago that tickets were available for this top-flight game, there was really no need to look elsewhere for a Saturday afternoon fixture. It was certainly worth the effort to once again sample the unique atmosphere of a top-flight Bundesliga game inside a modern stadium with what I consider a rather impressive roof. My ticket in block F4, booked online with print@home, put me among a group of predominantly Freiburg fans who ultimately went home despondent after their side lost 3-1 to an impressive Leverkusen side. Managed by ex-Liverpool defender Sami Hyypiä, the home side took the lead through a looping Stefan Kießling header but Mike Hanke levelled for Freiburg shortly before the interval. By the time the second half was nine minutes old, Leverkusen had scored twice through Korean Heung-Min Son and Sidney Sam. The visitors had a penalty saved and this ended their hopes of salvaging a point.</i>
<br><br>
<b>Bayer 04 Leverkusen 3 SC Freiburg 1<br>
1. Bundesliga<br>
At: Bay Arena<br>
Kick-off: 3-30 pm<br>
Admission: 23 euro seat; Programme: free (84 A4 pages)<br>
Weather: warm and sunny</b>
<br><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uUWtrVVg53w/UhUYPrf8RzI/AAAAAAAALwo/1xMa28xZcHU/s1600/p20130810b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uUWtrVVg53w/UhUYPrf8RzI/AAAAAAAALwo/1xMa28xZcHU/s400/p20130810b.jpg" /></a></div><b>Bayer 04 Leverkusen</b> (red/red/red): 1. Bernd Leno, 21. Ömer Toprak, 5. Emir Spahić, 26. Giulio Donati, 17. Sebastian Boenisch, 18. Sidney Sam, 8. Lars Bender (capt), 3. Stefan Reinartz, 27. Gonzalo Castro, 11. Stefan Kießling, 7. Heung-Min Son. Subs: 25gk. Palop (not used), 4. Phillip Wollscheid (not used), 6. Simon Rolfes (for Son, 70), 13. Jens Hegeler (for Sam, 80), 14. Roberto Hilbert (not used), 15. Levin Öztunali (for Castro, 87), 23. Robbie Kruse (not used). Coach: Sami Hyypiä.
<br><br>
<b>SC Freiburg</b> (white/white/white): 1. Oliver Baumann, 3. Fallou Diagne, 25. Oliver Sorg, 28. Matthias Ginter, 17. Jonathan Schmid, 23. Julian Schuster (capt), 4. Gelson Fernandes, 11. Hendrick Zuck, 20. Francis Coquelin, 14. Admir Mehmedi, 9. Mike Hanke. Subs: 21gk. Alexander Schwolow (not used), 27. Nicolas Höfler (not used), 30. Christian Günter (for Zuck, 68), 31. K. Guédé (not used), 35. Sebastian Freis (for Mehmedi, 76), 37. Sebastian Kerk (for Coquelin, ht), 41. Immanuel Höhn (not used).
<br><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4T9l5cWn45Y/UhUZDaoNt_I/AAAAAAAALww/LgeCi00BHss/s1600/p20130810c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4T9l5cWn45Y/UhUZDaoNt_I/AAAAAAAALww/LgeCi00BHss/s400/p20130810c.jpg" /></a></div>Referee: Gunter Perl.<br>
Assistants: Georg Schalk and Michael Emmer.<br>
Fourth Official: Bibiana Steinhaus.
<br><br>
Attendance: 27136<br>
Duration: first half: 47:00; second-half: 47:58
<br><br>
Goals:<br>
1-0 Stefan Kießling (21)<br>
1-1 Mike Hanke (40)<br>
2-1 Heung-Min Son (47)<br>
3-1 Sidney Sam (52)
<br><br>
Cards:<br>
Leverkusen: Stefan Reinartz (YC, 83), Emir Spahić (YC, 88)<br>
Freiburg: Fallou Diagne (YC, 35), Mike Hanke (YC, 55)Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4897276744724822293.post-2746710961407820562013-08-09T23:59:00.000+01:002013-09-26T15:26:08.678+01:001FC Köln U21 1 Fortuna Düsseldorf U23 4<b>Friday 9th August 2013</b><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qDoFcVbWFj8/UhNT8xWiNeI/AAAAAAAALvs/aeBYcoeWZho/s1600/p20130809a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qDoFcVbWFj8/UhNT8xWiNeI/AAAAAAAALvs/aeBYcoeWZho/s400/p20130809a.jpg" /></a></div><i>Back in Cologne for the first time since 2011 and, after finally conquering my nemesis the Cologne Dom tower, tonight my shortlist of games consisted of either Fortuna Düsseldorf v TSV 1860 München in 2. Bundesliga or this game just seven stops from my hotel on line 18. Choosing the easy option, the Franz Kremer Stadion is located in the middle of a large wood and includes a stand down one touchline and open terracing around the other three sides. Early table toppers Köln went into this game with a 100% record of two wins but proved no match for a skilful and hungry Düsseldorf side who put the outcome beyond doubt with four unanswered first-half goals. Tuğrul Erat and Tom Golley both scored twice with Köln’s second-half consolation coming from Jannis Nikolaou.</i>
<br><br>
<b>1FC Köln U21 1 Fortuna Düsseldorf U23 4<br>
Regionalliga West<br>
At: Franz Kremer Stadion<br>
Kick-off: 7-30 pm<br>
Admission: 10 euro (seat) or 5 euro (standing); Programme: free (4 pages)<br>
Weather: sunny spells and showers</b>
<br><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F99CYsB-urw/UhNV4dEhcXI/AAAAAAAALv4/gVSTO70lgwY/s1600/p20130809b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F99CYsB-urw/UhNV4dEhcXI/AAAAAAAALv4/gVSTO70lgwY/s400/p20130809b.jpg" /></a></div><b>1FC Köln U21</b> (white/white/white): 1. Marcel Schuhen, 2. Koray Kacinoglu, 4. Jannik Müller, 5. Stefan Schwellenbach (capt), 6. Danilo Wiebe, 8. Mario Engles, 9. Marco Ban, 11. Marius Laux, 18. Vojno Jesic, 21. Fabian Schnellhardt, 23. Jannis Nikolaou. Subs: 20gk. Sven Bacher (not used), 7. Fabio La Monica (for Jesic, 80), 10. Robin Hömig (not used), 15. Sven Engelke (for Müller, ht), 16. Lukas Scepanik (not used), 17. Fabian Poß (not used), 19. Steffen Schäfer (for Schwellenbach, 42). Coach: Stephan Engels.
<br><br>
<b>Fortuna Düsseldorf U23</b> (red/red/red): 22. Robin Heller, 6. Jens Langeneke, 7. Tuğrul Erat, 8. Christian Weber (capt), 17. Eren Taskin, 18. Marcel Hofrath, 19. Tim Golley, 26. Muhammet Karpuz, 28. Christian Gartner, 29. Ben Halloran, 30. Juanan. Subs: 1gk. Tim Boss (not used), 5. Robin Urban (not used), 13. Samuel Piette, (for Weber, 66) 14. Kaan Akca (for Golley, 80), 16. Aliosman Aydin (not used), 20. Megim Fejzullahu (for Taskin, 63), 23. Bastian Müller (not used). Coach: Taskin Aksoy.
<br><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ei8AwJVyijU/UhNWM54mq4I/AAAAAAAALwA/JRkg6JIlPxg/s1600/p20130809c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ei8AwJVyijU/UhNWM54mq4I/AAAAAAAALwA/JRkg6JIlPxg/s400/p20130809c.jpg" /></a></div>Referee: Dominik Jolk<br>
Assistants: Benjamin Bläser and Waldemar Ebel
<br><br>
Attendance: 750<br>
Duration: first-half: 45:02; second-half: 45:07
<br><br>
Goals:<br>
0-1 Tuğrul Erat (18)<br>
0-2 Tim Golley (24)<br>
0-3 Tuğrul Erat (34)<br>
0-4 Tim Golley (38)<br>
1-4 Jannis Nikolaou (85)
<br><br>
Cards:<br>
Köln: none<br>
Düsseldorf: Eren Taskin (YC, 35)
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4897276744724822293.post-15880192355140881412013-08-03T23:59:00.000+01:002013-08-18T20:00:16.053+01:00Hanley Town 2 Chadderton 2<b>Saturday 3rd August 2013</b><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B4MBFG_PY1c/UhEEovy41gI/AAAAAAAALvc/sM4qXTnlRic/s1600/p20130803a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B4MBFG_PY1c/UhEEovy41gI/AAAAAAAALvc/sM4qXTnlRic/s400/p20130803a.jpg" /></a></div><i>Following something of a pattern from the past few seasons, I opted to watch a newly-promoted side play their first game at a higher level and so this afternoon made a first visit to Abbey Lane in over 20 years. Hanley Town, Staffordshire County Senior League champions, hosted Chadderton for their first-ever North-West Counties League game and began life at step six with a 2-2 draw. Following a goalless first half in front of a decent gathering of locals and groundhoppers, Hanley twice took the lead through Joel Stair and Danny Tainton. Twice, however, they were pegged back by equalising goals from Chadderton’s Matthew Russell and Naill Sultan. The only disappointment on an excellent afternoon being the programme sell out long before I arrived 80 minutes before kick-off.</i>
<br><br>
<b>Hanley Town 2 Chadderton 2<br>
North-West Counties League Division One<br>
At: Abbey Lane<br>
Kick-off: 3-00 pm<br>
Admission: £4; Programme: sold out<br>
Weather: warm and sunny</b>
<br><br>
<b>Hanley Town</b> (blue/blue/blue): 1. Dave Jackson, 2. Josh Goodall, 3. Tom Hall, 4. Josh Thorpe, 5. Joel Stair, 6. Michael Machin, 7. Philip Parkes (capt), 8. Ben Blowers, 9. Danny Tainton, 10. Theo Stair, 11. Sean Mallin. Subs: 12. Neil Edwards (not used), 14. Nathan Grice (for Hall, 90+3), 15. Philip Ben Sambrook (not used), 16. Phillip Mannion (for Mallin, 76), 17. Thomas Cawley (not used).
<br><br>
<b>Chadderton</b> (red/black/black): 1. Nathan Beckett, 2. Benjamin Fletcher, 3. Christopher Pauley (capt), 4. Benjamin Greenidge, 5. Keith Melvin, 6. Michael Cheetham, 7. Sean Sherwood, 8. Macauley Harewood, 9. Niall Sultan, 10. Matthew Russell, 11. Joseph Jacombs. Subs: 12. Clive Best (for Jacombs, 67), 14. Sean Nolan (not used), 15. James Fawcett (for Harewood, 76), 16. Matthew O'Keefe (not used).
<br><br>
Referee: D. Critchlow.<br>
Assistants: G. Wild and S. Winley.
<br><br>
Attendance: 203<br>
Duration: first-half: 45:28; second-half: 50:15
<br><br>
Goals:<br>
1-0 Joel Stair (49)<br>
1-1 Matthew Russell (54)<br>
2-1 Danny Tainton (74)<br>
2-2 Niall Sultan (84)
<br><br>
Cards:<br>
Hanley: Josh Thorpe (YC, 68)<br>
Chadderton: Michael Cheetham (YC, 30)Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4897276744724822293.post-70230876836289219122013-07-07T23:59:00.000+01:002013-08-18T17:58:04.213+01:00Newcastle Town 0 Port Vale 4<b>Sunday 7th July 2013</b>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r2s7J542ey0/UhD8o7rWOAI/AAAAAAAALvQ/LA_XHAQlsn4/s1600/p20130707a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r2s7J542ey0/UhD8o7rWOAI/AAAAAAAALvQ/LA_XHAQlsn4/s400/p20130707a.jpg" /></a></div><i>My longer-than-usual summer hiatus from football briefly ended this afternoon for a very special personal reason. I’d previously seen at least one match on 352 of the 366 days of the year though, for some reason, 7th July had always proved elusive. And what a pleasure it was to add date number 353 to my tally watching this excellent pre-season fixture. In very warm conditions more suited to cricket, Port Vale scored two unanswered goals in each half to record a comfortable 4-0 victory. Gareth Tomlin, a summber signing from Southend United, bagged a brace during the second half to add to first-half strikes from Tom Pope and Louis Dodds. Newcastle Town, undoubtedly, won off the field with a decent attendance of 1446, all of whom I’m sure went home happy like me!</i>
<br><br>
<b>Newcastle Town 0 Port Vale 4<br>
Pre-Season Friendly<br>
At: Aspire Stadium, Buckmaster Avenue, Clayton<br>
Kick-off: 2-30pm<br>
Admission: £7 seat; Programme: £1-50 (48 pages)<br>
Weather: hot and sunny</b>
<br><br>
<b>First Half</b><br>
<b>Newcastle Town</b> (blue/blue/white): 1. Dave Parton, 2. Matt Lowe, 3. James Askey, 4. Warren Holmes, 5. Aaron Carter, 6. Andy Nicholls, 7. Kyle Diskin, 8. Dan Skelton (capt), 9. Tom France, 10. Nathan Sutton, 11. Tim Sanders. No first half substitutions.
<br><br>
<b><b>Port Vale</b></b> (yellow/black/black): 1. Chris Neal, 6. Richard Duffy, 4. Chris Robertson, 5. Joe Davis, 2. Adam Yates, 7. Jennison Myrie Williams, 14. Chris Lines, 8. Doug Loft (capt), 11. Louis Dodds, 9. Tom Pope, 10. Ben Williamson. No first half substitutions.
<br><br>
<b>Second Half</b><br>
<b>Newcastle Town</b> (blue/blue/white): 1. Dave Parton, 2. Matt Lowe, 3. James Askey, 4. Warren Holmes, 5. Aaron Carter, 6. Andy Nicholls, 7. Kyle Diskin, 8. Dan Skelton (capt), 14. Leon Ashman, 15. Jordan Cole, 17. Ash Hill. Subs: 12. Josh Gordon (for Diskin, 55), 18. Luke Askey (for Nicholls, 55), 11. Aaron Brady (for Skelton, 70), 16, Trialist (for Holmes, 76), 1. Josh Foxall (for Parton, 80), 10. Trialist (for Lowe, ???).
<br><br>
<b>Port Vale</b> (yellow/black/black): 12. Sam Johnson, 6. Richard Duffy, 23. Liam Chilvers, 5. Joe Davis (capt), 2. Adam Yates, 15. Chris Shuker, 18. Ryan Lloyd, 16. Gary O’Neill, 3. Kaid Mohamed, 20. Liam Dickinson, 22. Gavin Tomlin. Subs: 25. Price (for Davis, 61), 19. Shay Alexander (for Duffy, 61), 14. Ben Jefford (for Yates, 61), 24. Jordan Hugill (for Lloyd, 72).
<br><br>
Referee: Steve Rushton.<br>
Assistants: Simon Bennett and Mark Murfitt.
<br><br>
Attendance: 1446<br>
Duration: first-half: 45:44; second-half: 45:30
<br><br>
Goals:<br>
0-1 Tom Pope (5)<br>
0-2 Louis Dodds (14)<br>
0-3 Gavin Tomlin (52)<br>
0-4 Gavin Tomlin (61)<br>
<br><br>
Cards: NoneUnknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4897276744724822293.post-39581680652611133302013-06-01T23:59:00.000+01:002013-06-23T13:35:15.843+01:00Brassington 4 The Bridge 7<b>Saturday 1st June 2013</b><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jY7ViyHCEKQ/UauXsZYrZrI/AAAAAAAALuw/9m2XPEtNb68/s1600/p20130601a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jY7ViyHCEKQ/UauXsZYrZrI/AAAAAAAALuw/9m2XPEtNb68/s400/p20130601a.jpg" width="400" /></a><i>The Bridge producing a stunning second-half comeback to turn a 4-2 half-time deficit into a 7-4 victory to lift the Summer League’s Peter Young Cup. In the sunshine at Longford Lane, three goals came during the opening nine minutes as Brassington edged ahead through Joe Redfern and Matt Allcock after James Taylor had given after The Bridge an early lead. By the time the interval arrived, Redfern again and Tom Batterley had also found the net for Brassington either side of a Craig Richardson penalty. The 130-strong crowd then witnessed five unanswered goals from The Bridge including two from both Barrie Swan and James Ingram.</i>
<br />
<br />
<b>Brassington 4 The Bridge 7<br />
Summer League Peter Young Cup Final<br />
At: Longford Lane, Mammerton<br />
Kick-off: 7-00 pm<br />
Admission: £2; Programme: none<br />
Weather: dry, warm and sunny</b>
<br />
<br />
Summer League’s Peter Young Cup remembers a well-respected former Secretary who sadly passed away while holding the post. The winners of the inaugural competition were Stanton Nomads and last season Bradley lifted the cup defeating The Bridge 5-0. Traditionally the final is played at the G.B. Barrington Playing Field at Kirk Langley but unavailability due to cricket meant this year’s final was switched to the David Naylor Transport Ground on Longford Lane.<br>
<br>
Road to the Final<br>
MONDAY APRIL 29 – First Round<br>
Rose & Crown v The Bridge 0-1<br>
Mayfield v Kirk Langley 1-2<br>
Weston v Osmaston 0-1<br>
Red Lion v Doveridge 3-3 (2-4 pens)<br>
Biggin v FC Hulland 2-1<br>
Bradley, Wheel Inn, Brassington Byes
<br><br>
THURSDAY MAY 9 – Second Round<br>
Bradley v Osmaston 2-3<br>
Biggin v Wheel Inn 2-3<br>
Doveridge v The Bridge 1-2<br>
Kirk Langley v Brassington 2–4
<br><br>
WEDNESDAY MAY 22 – Semi Finals<br>
The Bridge v Osmaston 2-1<br>
At Osmaston Polo Ground<br>
Wheel Inn v Brassington 3-4<br>
At Mappleton
<br><br>
<b>Brassington</b> (navy blue / white / navy blue): 1. Mick Boam, 2. Tom Martin, 16. James Slater (capt), 4. Karl Allsop, 5. Mark Allcock, 6. Steve Ebbrell, 7. Tom Batterley, 8. Jamie Brindley, 9. Matt Allcock, 10. Joe Redfern, 11. Jamie Jack. Subs: 3. Steve Jack (for Allsop, 89), 12. Ben Slater (for James Slater, 86), 14. Zak Hurt (for Batterley, 86).
<br />
<br />
<b>The Bridge</b> (fluorescent yellow and black hoops / black / assortment [majority black]): 1. Dan Carter, 15. Craig Richardson, 7. Josh Sears, 5. Scott Lyon, 2. George Taylor, 10. Brad Lewis, 3. Stuart Astbury (capt), 16. Barrie Swan, 14. Jordy Wibberley, 8. James Ingram, 11. James Taylor. Subs: 17. Jimmy Carter (for Wibberley, 53), 9. Sam Archer (for Astbury, 58).
<br />
<br />
Referee: Syd Atwell.<br />
Assistants: Chris Cope and Josh Dowling.
<br />
<br />
Attendance: 130 (headcount)
<br />
<br />
Duration (45): first-half: 46:00; second-half: 46:38
<br />
<br />
Goals:<br />
0-1 James Taylor (2)<br />
1-1 Joe Redfern (8)<br />
2-1 Mark Alcock (9)<br />
3-1 Joe Redfern (19)<br />
3-2 Craig Richardson (30 pen)<br />
4-2 Tom Batterley (32)<br />
4-3 Barrie Swan (53)<br />
4-4 Barrie Swan (58)<br />
4-5 Jamie Brindley (61 og)<br />
4-6 James Ingram (73)<br />
4-7 James Ingram (90+1)
<br />
<br />
Cards: noneUnknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4897276744724822293.post-65049901045112465452013-05-16T23:59:00.000+01:002013-05-24T15:17:23.055+01:00Black Country Rangers 4 Wolverhampton Casuals 3<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pRR3UejmX40/UZjFWc2P-vI/AAAAAAAALr4/pvaHeS6EFOc/s1600/p20130516a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pRR3UejmX40/UZjFWc2P-vI/AAAAAAAALr4/pvaHeS6EFOc/s400/p20130516a.jpg" width="400" /></a><b>Thursday 16th May 2013</b><br />
<i>The J. W. Hunt Cup Final finished 4-3 as it did 12 months ago and tonight, at Molineux, holders Black Country Rangers retained the trophy thanks to a 90th minute winner from substitute Jozef Jakob. Following a quiet first half in which Paul Oakley gave Rangers a slender lead, the game certainly came to life after the break with no fewer than six goals. Jordan Nadat doubled Rangers’ lead before Casuals roared back to edge in front with goals from Sean Williams and two from Carlo Franco. Cassies looked like prevailing on their first appearance in the final until Jakob first levelled the scores and then netted the dramatic late winner. Off the field, a healthy crowd in the Billy Wright Stand boosted the funds of the Beacon Centre for the Blind and we won the raffle!</i>
<br />
<br />
<b>Black Country Rangers 4 Wolverhampton Casuals 3<br />
J. W. Hunt Cup Final<br />
At: Molineux<br />
Kick-off: 7-15 pm<br />
Admission: £3/£1; Programme: £1 (20 pages)<br />
Weather: cloudy, rain during the second half</b>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yBP_VQTJQg4/UZ9pGGRQ_9I/AAAAAAAALsg/xuTNj3uMmCU/s1600/p20130516b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yBP_VQTJQg4/UZ9pGGRQ_9I/AAAAAAAALsg/xuTNj3uMmCU/s400/p20130516b.jpg" width="400" /></a>After the excitement of the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday evening, tonight I bought my 2012/13 UK season to a close at another iconic stadium – Molineux. Facing each other at the home of Wolverhampton Wanderers in the final of the long-standing and much-respected J. W. Hunt Cup were two sides from the West Midlands (Regional) League Premier Division in Black Country Rangers and Wolverhampton Casuals. Both finished the season in the top five so a close contest was anticipated even though the two league meeetings produced an aggregate score of 10-1 in favour of the Casuals.
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2bZcO_OI1M4/UZ9sNmBvQMI/AAAAAAAALsw/OcDBzYhjd9Q/s1600/p20130516c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2bZcO_OI1M4/UZ9sNmBvQMI/AAAAAAAALsw/OcDBzYhjd9Q/s320/p20130516c.jpg" width="221" /></a>With credit to the JW Hunt Cup website (<a href="http://www.simplesite.com/jwhuntcup">http://www.simplesite.com/jwhuntcup</a>): <i>The JW Hunt Cup Charity football competition was formed in 1926 to raise funds for the sole benefit of the local blind. It is named in memory of John William Hunt, a local business man and benefactor. Mr Hunt, who died at the age of 81 in December 1925, founded the local Chillington Tool Company and was a supporter of local charities. The firm’s trademark was the ‘crocodile’ and the crocodile is incorporated into the trophy handles. It has been run every season since 1926/27 season including the War years. The inaugural winners were Short Heath United who beat Cannon Iron at Molineux in April 1927. Over £277,500 has been raised since! Season 2011/12 alone raised £6,000.</i>
<br />
<br />
2013/13 competition
<br />
<br />
First Round<br />
Wyrley Juniors 3 Penkridge Town1<br />
Black Country Rangers 1 Wednesfield RBL 1<br />
Chasetown 2 Wolverhampton Sporting 0<br />
Trysull 2 Wednesfield 3<br />
Wolverhampton Casuals 3 Stone Old Alleynians 2<br />
Wellington Amateurs 3 Ettingshall Park Farm 0<br />
AFC Smethwick 2 Tividale 1<br />
Brocton 6 Penncroft 0<br />
Warstones Wanderers 3 Stafford Town 4<br />
Sporting Khalsa 4 Continental Star 0<br />
Darlaston Town 0 Wolverhampton United 1<br />
West Midlands Police 1 AFC Wombourne United 4<br />
Heath Hayes 6 AFC Wulfrunians 0<br />
Willenhall Town 3 Pendeford Santos 1<br />
Wrens Nest 2 Pelsall Villa 3<br />
Bilston Town 3 Red Star Alma 0
<br />
<br />
Second Round<br />
AFC Wombourne 0 Sporting Khalsa 1<br />
AFC Smethwick 1 Bilston Town 2<br />
Black Country Rangers 3 Stafford Town 2<br />
Pelsall 0 Chasetown 2<br />
Brocton 1 Wolverhampton Casuals 5<br />
Wyrley Juniors 1 Willenhall Town 8<br />
Wednesfield 1 Wellington Amateurs 0<br />
Heath Hayes 1 Wolverhampton United 0
<br />
<br />
Quarter Finals<br />
Chasetown 4 Willenhall Town 3<br />
Wolverhampton Casuals 2 Heath Hayes 1<br />
Black Country Rangers 5 Wednesfield 0<br />
Sporting Khalsa 1 Bilston Town 0
<br />
<br />
Semi Finals (Monday 13th May)<br />
Black Country Rangers 4 Sporting Khalsa 3 (at AFC Wulfrunians)<br />
Wolverhampton Casuals 1 Chasetown 1 (aet, pens 4-3, at Sporting Khalsa)
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JzY1HQ0CnoM/UZ90wk0Yc3I/AAAAAAAALtY/_KSZEne5Kac/s1600/p20130516g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JzY1HQ0CnoM/UZ90wk0Yc3I/AAAAAAAALtY/_KSZEne5Kac/s400/p20130516g.jpg" width="400" /></a>I was quite surprised to find that the last of my six previous visits to Molineux came over 22 years ago in March 1991 before the old North and South Bank terraces and Waterloo Road Stand were demolished. The Steve Bull Stand (back then called the John Ireland Stand) remains in situ with three new stands – the large new Stan Cullis Stand at the north end, Jack Harris Stand behind the south goal and main Billy Wright Stand.
<br />
<br />
Both Rangers (5th with 88 points from 40 games) and Cassies (3rd with 97 points from 42 games) had a decent league season in the West Midlands (Regional) League with top-five finishing positions. Cassies soundly won both league meetings and I saw the 5-0 victory at Brinsford Lane back in February which followed a 5-1 win at Tividale earlier in the season.
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v1PV2NhpoEI/UZ9zNp3Hq3I/AAAAAAAALtA/BTiFFRmC7W8/s1600/p20130516d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v1PV2NhpoEI/UZ9zNp3Hq3I/AAAAAAAALtA/BTiFFRmC7W8/s400/p20130516d.jpg" width="400" /></a>Wolverhampton Casuals (in a change kit of sky blue and white stripes) got the game underway attacking the Jack Harris Stand (old South Bank end) in the first half.
<br />
<br />
We didn’t have to wait long for a goal as Black Country Rangers took the lead in the 7th minute. Paul Oakley ran into the area down the left and slotted a right-foot shot through Todd Henderson’s legs from 8 yards out.
<br />
<br />
Casuals went close in the 21st minute. Tom Maydew got forward down the right into the Black County area and hit a low shot on target which a defender got back to clear.
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n6JLFzWj3_w/UZ9zvpxpn0I/AAAAAAAALtI/ZEh11G3wi70/s1600/p20130516e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n6JLFzWj3_w/UZ9zvpxpn0I/AAAAAAAALtI/ZEh11G3wi70/s400/p20130516e.jpg" width="400" /></a>Confusion at the back gifted a chance to Oakley who, in a challenge with Todd Henderson, headed just wide of the unguarded Casuals goal.
<br />
<br />
Just before the break, Mark Bellingham couldn’t quite get on the end of a deep cross from Craig Love. The Casuals captain them drove a well-struck 30-yard shot just wide of the left-hand post.
<br />
<br />
Good news at the interval as our blue ticket 206–210 was announced as the winner of the raffle!
<br />
<br />
The second half immediately came to life when Sam Wilkinson flew at a right-wing cross from Nadat and sent a diving header just wide of the far post.
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cZ_Wf5pF8k8/UZ9z99aP_aI/AAAAAAAALtQ/6CozLDQukxU/s1600/p20130516f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cZ_Wf5pF8k8/UZ9z99aP_aI/AAAAAAAALtQ/6CozLDQukxU/s400/p20130516f.jpg" width="400" /></a>Unlike the first half, chances started to be created far more frequently and Black Country doubled their lead in the 56th minute. Nadat ran down the right into the area and slotted a low shot between Henderson and the near post.
<br />
<br />
Casuals immediately bounced back with a goal a minute later. Sean Williams, on the left curled a looping shot which hit the far right-hand post and went in off defender Craig Gregg.
<br />
<br />
Henderson produced a decent save to top over a rising shot from Adam Swain before Casuals scored a 69th-minute equaliser. Angelo Franco delivered a left-wing corner to the near post which was forced over the line by Carlo Franco.
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-15McpYegFBQ/UZ91pawrX1I/AAAAAAAALtk/MvQO1TcQQVQ/s1600/p20130516h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-15McpYegFBQ/UZ91pawrX1I/AAAAAAAALtk/MvQO1TcQQVQ/s400/p20130516h.jpg" width="400" /></a>It got even better for Casuals five minutes later when they took the lead for the first time. Again from a corner, Luke Tudor sent perfect ball from the right which Carlo Franco headed into the far left-hand side of the net.
<br />
<br />
Black Country replaced Russell Garner with striker Jozef Jakob who certainly made a dramatic impact on the Final.
<br />
<br />
Jakob, who I remember playing for Stratford Town a few years ago, got Rangers back on level terms in the 82nd minute. A long throw from the left was flicked on and Jakob sidefooted home at close range.
<br />
<br />
With rain falling at its heaviest, Henderson produced another decent save with his boot to keep out a shot from Nadat but couldn’t do anything to prevent Black Country scored what proved to be the winner.
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AZP_pZvfwqY/UZ92Whk76rI/AAAAAAAALts/7lqYj4-lfvU/s1600/p20130516i.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AZP_pZvfwqY/UZ92Whk76rI/AAAAAAAALts/7lqYj4-lfvU/s400/p20130516i.jpg" width="400" /></a>In the 90th minute, Gregg delivered a deep left-wing corner which hit the far post and rebounded kindly for Jakob to fire home.
<br />
<br />
There was still time for Casuals to mount a late attack. Sean Williams crossed deep from the right but Bellingham’s header was saved by Richard Kennerdy.
<br />
<br />
At full-time, Black Country’s Jordan Nadat was named Man of the Match.
<br />
<br />
<b>Black Country Rangers</b> (red/red/red): 1. Richard Kennerdy, 2. Adam Fincher, 3. Alex Hammond, 4. Russell Garner, 5. Aaron Lloyds, 6. Sam Wilkinson (capt), 7. Craig Gregg, 8. Jamie Hurdman, 9. Jordan Nadat, 10. Paul Oakley, 11. Adam Swain. Subs: 12. Lee Knight (not used), 14. Liam Hughes (not used), 15. Adam Harris (for Fincher, 63), 16. Douglas Gould (not used), 17. Jozef Jakob (for Garner, 79). Manager: Paul Garner.
<br />
<br />
<b>Wolverhampton Casuals</b> (sky blue and white stripes / navy blue / sky blue): 1. Todd Henderson, 2. Tom Maydew, 3. Luke Tudor, 4. Carlo Franco, 5. Daniel Lloyd, 6. George Williams, 7. Angelo Franco, 8. Craig Love (capt), 9. Mark Bellingham, 10. Matt Bailey, 11. Sean Williams. Subs: 12. Adrian Jones (not used), 14. Barry Evans (not used), 15. Ray Facey (not used), 16. Dan Pilgrim (for Love, 78), 17. Matt Dodd (for George Williams, 45). Manager: Carl Abbott.
<br />
<br />
Referee: Phil Magness.<br />
Assistants: Neil Faunch and Adrian Hall<br />
Fourth Official: Paddy Keane.
<br />
<br />
Attendance: 400 (estimate)
<br />
<br />
Duration: first-half: 45:36; second-half: 48:49
<br />
<br />
Man of the Match: Jordan Nadat (Black Country Rangers)
<br />
<br />
Goals:<br />
1-0 Paul Oakley (7)<br />
2-0 Jordan Nadat (56)<br />
2-1 Sean Williams (57)<br />
2-2 Carlo Franco (69)<br />
2-3 Carlo Franco (74)<br />
3-3 Jozef Jakob (82)<br />
4-3 Jozef Jakob (90)
<br />
<br />
Cards: none.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4897276744724822293.post-62612617190708150832013-05-14T23:59:00.000+01:002013-05-25T17:20:00.460+01:00Arsenal 4 Wigan Athletic 1<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x3xnANHlwe4/UZjx08R-2qI/AAAAAAAALsQ/RIgAFiAXtQQ/s1600/p20130514a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x3xnANHlwe4/UZjx08R-2qI/AAAAAAAALsQ/RIgAFiAXtQQ/s400/p20130514a.jpg" width="400" /></a><b>Tuesday 14th May 2013</b><br />
<i>Just three days after winning the FA Cup at Wembley, Wigan Athletic returned to the capital but suffered a 4-1 defeat at the hands on an impressive Arsenal side which condemns them to relegation to the Championship. Lukas Podolski gave the Gunners an early lead but, to the credit, Wigan levelled things up just before the interval direct from a Shaun Maolney free-kick. The Latics went close to taking the lead in the second half before three goals in eight minutes from Theo Walcott, Podolski and Aaron Ramsay gave Arsenal an unassailable 4-1 advantage. The win lifted Arsenal over Tottenham into the last Champions League qualifying spot and another three points on Sunday at Newcastle will guarantee them a 16th consecutive season in Europe’s premier club competition. I must say two things. First, what a good bunch the Wigan fans are to travel back to London is such numbers and, second, that the Emirates is a superb stadium and Arsenal should be applauded for the excellent non-confrontational stewarding which made the visit a real pleasure as an away fan.</i>
<br />
<br />
<b>Arsenal 4 Wigan Athletic 1<br />
Barclays Premier League<br />
At: Emirates Stadium<br />
Kick-off: 7-45 pm<br />
Admission: £35-50; Programme: £3 (84 pages)<br />
Weather: rain</b>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IKk4mA_Y2xg/UaDLayniOzI/AAAAAAAALt8/k-Nlk68b4ko/s1600/p20130514b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IKk4mA_Y2xg/UaDLayniOzI/AAAAAAAALt8/k-Nlk68b4ko/s400/p20130514b.jpg" width="400" /></a>I’m really not sure if I’ve seen a competitive English league game before so late into May where winning was vital to BOTH sides. Wigan Athletic simply had to win to keep alive their slender hopes of staying in the Premier League, otherwise they’d become the first team to win the FA Cup and be relegated in the same season. At the other loftier end of the table, Arsenal needed to win to move back into the top four and then would require a win on Sunday at Newcastle to guarantee Champions League qualification for a 16th consecutive season. A draw was no real use to either side as their fates would be in other teams' hands on the final day.
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xc703erMb4A/UaDMz4Gu9uI/AAAAAAAALuM/uxdtEZ4MzEk/s1600/p20130514c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xc703erMb4A/UaDMz4Gu9uI/AAAAAAAALuM/uxdtEZ4MzEk/s400/p20130514c.jpg" width="400" /></a>Being predominately a watcher of non-league football over the past 35 years, my one and only visit to Arsenal’s old Highbury ground came in March 1990, just under two years after my solitary visit to Wigan’s old Springfield Park. A trip to the Gunners’ Emirates Stadium, opened in 2006, had proved elusive until tonight.
<br />
<br />
What a relief it was to arrive at Arsenal tube station and then walk over the Ken Friar Bridge to get a first glimpse of the stadium's exterior adorned at the nearest point by a mural depicting four former greats – Bastin, Adams, Brady, Henry.
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XeKPx-jcK_w/UaDh7PeGdMI/AAAAAAAALuc/Juq78S5rCkc/s1600/p20130514d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XeKPx-jcK_w/UaDh7PeGdMI/AAAAAAAALuc/Juq78S5rCkc/s400/p20130514d.jpg" width="400" /></a>The relief stemmed from the nightmare journey down to London and one which did leave my wondering of the Emirates would indeed continue to remain elusive until next season or later. My London Midland train departed Rugby on time only to grind to a halt near Bugbrooke before reaching Milton Keynes. Twitter first and then the train manager’s announcement relayed bad news. Trains were struck due to overhead line damage caused by a train hitting an object hanging from the wires (photo right isn't mine, tweeted by Virgin trains). To London Midland’s credit, a cunning plan was hatched for the train to switch to the northbound track and return to Rugby for us passengers to transfer to another London-bound train via Northampton. This duly happened and thank fully, I arrived at Euston some 150 minutes later than planned. Alas, no time for sightseeing only a couple of pre-match ales at the Friend in Hand (London Pride) and Marquis Cornwallis (Peerless All American IPA) both Cask Marque-accredited pubs near Russell Square.
<br />
<br />
I don’t think the stress of the journey really subsided until I’d first arrived at Arsenal tube station and then got my hands on a programme from one of the numerous sellers near the ground
<br />
<br />
I think ‘WOW’ is an appropriate way to describe the ground, full of predominately red seats at a capacity of 60,361. From Block K, near one corner at the Clock End, the view was a decent one with what would have been a comfy seat with plenty of leg room; trouble was I only got to sit in it before the game and at half time. Reluctantly, to see the action, I had to stand like all of the fans in mine and adjacent blocks.
<br />
<br />
Digressing for a moment, two away Arsenal games I saw stick in my mind. The first, way back in 1981 when I was a student in the Steel City, was a shock 1-0 defeat at the hands of then Fourth Division side Sheffield United at Bramall Lane in the Milk Cup. Bob Hatton got the winner but Arsenal won the tie overall 2-1 on aggregate. The second, at Selhurst Park against Wimbledon, became infamous for events off the field. The floodlights failed just 10 seconds into the second half in suspicious and mysterious circumstances with the score still 0-0.
<br />
<br />
So going back to the league table, Arsenal went into tonight’s game in fifth position with 67 points from 36 games, two behind Tottenham Hotspur with a game in hand. Down in the relegation zone, Wigan were 18th and in the final relegation spot, four points from safety behind Sunderland with a game in hand on 35 points from 36 games.
<br />
<br />
While the Arsenal side particularly was packed with some star name, one name stood out from the fourth match officials – assistant referee Jake Collin. I remember the name well as he was just about the best non-league referee around during Stafford Rangers’s two-season stint in the Nationwide Conference/Blue Square Premier between 2006 and 2008. Now Collin graces the Premier League as a top assistant referee and the Champions League as well.
<br />
<br />
Wigan (in a change kit of all black) got the game underway attacking the Clock End (i.e. goal nearest to my seat).
<br />
<br />
Needing a win to regain their advantage over Spurs in the race to qualify for next season’s Champions League, Arsenal took the lead in the 11th minute. Santi Cazorla delivered a left-wing cross which unmarked Lukas Podolski headed home.
<br />
<br />
The Gunners enjoyed plenty of possession and played some scintillating football but couldn’t add a second goal. Theo Walcott had the ball in the net only to be flagged offside while I can’t recall goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny touching the ball too often.
<br />
<br />
Suddenly, Arsenal were made to pay for not scoring again and stunned by Wigan’s equaliser on the stroke of half-time. Shaun Moloney hit a stunning 25-yard free-kick past Szczesny. Wigan fans ecstatic – regained hope of avoiding relegation and good news for Spurs as well.
<br />
<br />
Wigan certainly came out fired up for the second half and could have taken a shock lead soon after the restart. Szczesny produced a great save to deny Arouna Kone and Wigan also had a goal disallowed. What would have happened in the two races to avoid relegation and secure the final Champions League spot had one of these chances been a goal.
<br />
<br />
Well, Wigan’s hope was shortlived as Arsenal regained the initiative to score three super goals in eight minutes to move from 1-1 to 4-1 up. Walcott converted a low cross from Cazorla to made it 2-1 in the 63rd minute. Cazorla was the provider five minutes later for Podokski to increase the lead and a run down the left and angled shot from Aaron Ramsay took the score out of reach of Wigan to 4-1.
<br />
<br />
Last time I saw Podolski play, he also netted twice for 1FC Koln against Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga two seasons ago. More super finishing from the German international tonight as well.
<br />
<br />
Sadly for the Wigan fans around me, their eight-season stint in the top-flight came to an end with Mike Dean’s final whistle. Their final game on Sunday at home to Aston Villa is now academic while Arsenal head to Newcastle needing to equal or better Tottenham’s result to extend their proud run of Champions League appearances.
<br />
<br />
As I tweeted: ‘Full credit to all the Wigan fans who made second London trip in 3 days in such numbers’.
<br />
<br />
With Holloway Road tube station closed and Arsenal likely to be congested, the only option even in heavy rain was a walk back to by Bloomsbury hotel. On the way, as a bonus, I stumbled on a most-welcoming Cask Marque pub – Hemingford Arms – with a nice pint of Sharp’s Doom Bar.
<br />
<br />
<b>Arsenal</b> (red with white sleeves / white / white): 1. Wojciech Szczesny, 3. Bacary Sagna, 4. Per Mertesacker, 6. Laurent Koscielny, 29. Kieran Gibbs, 8. Mikel Arteta (capt), 18. Aaron Ramsey, 7. Tomas Rosicky, 14. Theo Walcott, 9. Lukas Podolski, 19. Santi Cazorla. Subs: 21gk. Lukasz Fabianski (not used), 5. Thomas Vermaelen (for Arteta, 90), 10. Jack Wilshere (for Rosicky, 78), 15. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (for Podolski, 78), 17. Nacho Monreal (not used), 25. Carl Jenkinson (not used), 27. Gervinho (not used). Manager: Arsène Wenger.
<br />
<br />
<b>Wigan Athletic</b> (black/black/black): 1. Joel Robles, 3. Antolin Alcaraz, 17. Emmerson Boyce, 33. Paul Scharner, 18. Roger Espinoza, 4. James McCarthy, 10. Shaun Maloney, 14. Jordi Gomez, 15. Callum McManaman, 16. James McArthur, 2. Arouna Kone. Subs: 26gk. Ali Al-Habsi (not used), 5. Gary Caldwell (not used), 8. Ben Watson (for Gomez, 64), 9. Franco Di Santo (for McManaman, 57), 11. Angelo Henriquez (for Moloney, 85), 20. Fraser Fyvie (not used), 25. Roman Goldbart (not used). Manager: Roberto Martinez.
<br />
<br />
Referee: Mike Dean.<br />
Assistants: Jake Collin and John Brooks.<br />
Fourth Official: Phil Dowd.
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Attendance: 60068
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<br />
Duration: first-half: 47:24; second-half: 47:26
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Goals:<br />
1-0 Lukas Podolski (11)<br />
1-1 Shaun Maloney (45)<br />
2-1 Theo Walcott (63)<br />
3-1 Lukas Podolski (68)<br />
4-1 Aaron Ramsey (71)
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Cards:<br />
Arsenal: none<br />
Wigan: Antolin Alcaraz (YC, 52), Shaun Maloney (YC, 56)Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4897276744724822293.post-56786181372951068842013-05-06T23:59:00.000+01:002013-05-12T19:48:45.822+01:00Feckenham 1 FC Glades 2<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9Qz5LzPLBUo/UY_j6-uupfI/AAAAAAAALrk/zdPiU4f2eVA/s1600/p20130506a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9Qz5LzPLBUo/UY_j6-uupfI/AAAAAAAALrk/zdPiU4f2eVA/s400/p20130506a.jpg" width="400" /></a><b>Monday 6th May 2013</b><br />
<i>This was just about the perfect way of ending my 2012/13 English non-league season with a stress-free game on the hottest day of the year so far. The ground certainly surprised me with more character than I imagined and the bank behind the dugouts provided an elevated position from which watch the action as well as admire the view of the Warwickshire countryside. On field, after a goalless through entertaining first half, Glades took the lead soon after the restart through Justin Best and held until Steve Roche scored what looked like a late equaliser for the home side. In one final twist, Best scored his second goal and the winner in the first minute of stoppage time to give Glades maximum points.</i>
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<b>Feckenham 1 FC Glades 2<br />
Athium Midland Combination Division One<br />
At: Eldorado Close, Studley<br />
Kick-off: 3-00 pm<br />
Admission: none; Programme: none<br />
Weather: hot and sunny, gentle breeze</b>
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<b>Feckenham</b> (green with white sleeves / green / green): 1. Brendon Bunn, 2. Ashley Bunn, 3. Daniel Price, 4. Dean Brierley, 5. Gareth Hodgetts, 6. Matthew Cooke, 7. Jamie Wright, 8. Ross Hewitt, 9. Sam Partridge, 10. Kelvin White (capt), 11. Steve Roche. Subs: 12. Matthew Edwards (for Hewitt, 63), 14. James Burke (not used), 15. Adam Hill (not used), 16. Tom Craywell (for Partridge, 70). Manager: Ian Heppenstall.
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<b>FC Glades</b> (red/red/red): 1. Steve Cullen, 2. Gavin Williams, 3. Mathew Phipps, 4. Simon Quigley (capt), 5. Michael Hollis, 6. Richard Homer, 7. Tobias May, 8. Stuart Kempson, 9. Justin Best, 10. Ashley Cattermole, 11. Josh Wilson. Subs: 12. Aaron Kocsis (for Phipps, 86), 14. Ben Main (not used). Manager: Ben Main.
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Referee: George Warren.<br />
Assistants: Rob Lovegrove and Dan Roberts.
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Attendance: 35 (headcount)
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<br />
Duration: first-half: 45:46; second-half: 47:54
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Goals:<br />
0-1 Justin Best (48)<br />
1-1 Steve Roche (83)<br />
2-1 Justin Best (90+1)
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Cards:<br />
Feckenham: Matthew Cooke (YC, 18), Steve Roche (YC, 85)<br />
FC Glades: Stuart Kempson (YC, 43)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com