Leek CSOB 2 Daisy Hill 1

Saturday 18th February 2012
Leek CSOB 2 Daisy Hill 1
North-West Counties League Division 1
At: Harrison Park
Kick-off: 3-00 pm
Admission: £4; Programme: none
Weather: sunny spells, cold wind, brief shower
Attendance: 22
Duration: first-half: 46:04; second-half: 46:55

Leek CSOB provided a bright spot for me on a sombre day as they produced a battling second-half performance in coming from behind to defeat Daisy Hill. After bailing out at Longton Harriers, when it was clear their home game was not going to happen, I headed instead to Leek Town’s familiar Harrison Park to see my first-ever Old Boys home game. Trailing to Daisy Hill at the interval, the Old Boys responded in true battling fashion as they turned things completely around by the hour mark with goals from Rich Morton and Karl Miller. They then creditably held on for a richly-deserved morale-boosting victory to aid their fight to move off the bottom of the table.

After hearing that Bob Gee, a long-time Stafford Rangers fan and a lovely man to chat with, had sadly passed away during the night, I made my way up the A520 through Meir to Longton Harriers (pictured right). When I arrived at their Leek Road ground, a group of players were warming up, which I took as a positive sign the Staffs County Senior League Division 1 game with Ashbourne Town was on. By 2pm, it was clear something was wrong as neither opposition or match officials had arrived and the bottom goalmouth was completely waterlogged as well. A quick phone call home confirmed that CSOB’s home game with Daisy Hill was, thankfully, not marked ‘P-P’ on the NWCL website, so I made a hasty exit for Harrison Park.

The current 2011/12 season has been a difficult one for Leek CSOB (which stands for ‘County School Old Boys’) with news that several stalwarts leaving at the end of season and a seven-point deduction which sent them to the foot of the Division 1 table. Saying that, I know there are people working hard behind the scenes to keep the club going.

Goining into today’s fixture, Leek (10 points from 19 games with the aforementioned deduction) hadn’t played a league game for four weeks since they lost 4-0 at home to Wigan Robin Park. Their last league win came two months ago at Formby and their solitary home league win back in August. Visitors Daisy Hill (27 points from 22 games) stood around midtable in 9th position. The Old Boys gained one of their fourth league wins with a 2-0 victory at Daisy Hill back on Saturday 13th August.

Looking specifically at the Old Boys line-up, it included one familiar name in player-manager Brett Barlow, who made his debut for Stafford Rangers under Ian Painter some 14 years ago in 1997. He made 27 appearances for the Boro, scoring two goals.

Daisy Hill (wearing all blue) got the game underway defending the Macclesfield Road end in the first half and immediately won a corner.

The first chance fell to Leek after four minutes. Darren Gavin fouled Oliver Mellor 28 yards out and Karl Miller sent the free-kick over the bar. From another Miller free-kick, the ball rebounded off the wall and James Heath fired the rebound wide.

Daisy Hill got more into the game, after being guilty of “giving away the ball too cheaply”, and started to create chances. Craig Xuerbeb drove not too far wide from fully 30 yards out and just after the half-hour mark, Sam Parkinson saw a well-struck shot hit the left hand post and fly across the face of goal.

It was no surprise when the visitors took the lead in the 35th minute. Parkinson was fouled on the edge of the area by Heath and Ryan Chaisty expertly curled a right-foot free-kick into the far right-hand side of the net.

As I walked around the ground toward the Macclesfield Road end, I spotted a familiar face in Malc Hampton armed with his camera, It’s always good to catch up with Malc whenever I’m in North Staffordshire and today was no exception. He left at half-time, with photos taken, and I followed the crowd into a hospitably room underneath the stand for a much-needed tea! Alas the announced winning raffle ticket wasn’t mine.

A deflected shot from Heath signalled the start of Leek’s comeback and they got back on the level terms in the 49th minute. Mark Fox swung in the corner from the left and Rich Morton forced the ball over the line from just a few yards out.

On a heavy pitch that survived a morning inspection, Daisy Hill still posed a threat and Daniel Gregory fired against the near left-hand post.

Having survived that scare, Leek took the lead on the hour mark with the goal that proved to be the winner. A poor defensive clearance gifted a chance to unmarked leading scorer Miller who fired home from 12 yards out.

With just a slender one-goal lead, Leek defended in depth and restricted the visitors to a couple of long-range shot and another low effort which ended well side of the target.

Seconds were ticking way, perhaps slowly for the home side, and a looping shot Morton in the 90th minute cleared the stand behind the goal, to use up a few more seconds.

With resilient and determined defending keeping the Old Boys in front, Daisy Hill had one last chance in stoppage time. Once again, solid defending prevented any scoring opportunity coming from Callum Livingstone’s free-kick delivered into the packed home area.

A loud collective ‘Yeh!’ from the Leek players greeted the final whistle to celebrate a first home league win since early September – one that was richly deserved this afternoon.

I can’t finish without a word about Bob Gee who was always a pleasure to chat with whether it be in Market Square, Marston Road or elsewhere. RIP Bob.

Leek CSOB (red and white stripes / red / red and white hoops): 25. Ashley Knight, 2. James Heath (capt), 3. Russell Gibbons, 4. Samuel Pettitt, 5. Brett Barlow, 6. Rich Morton, 7. Mark Fox, 8. Oliver Mellor, 9. Joel Dawson (Grocott, 88), 10. Karl Miller, 11. Tim Barrass. Subs: 12. Adam Grocott (for Dawson, 88), 14. James McMullen (not used), 15. Zak Parker (not used), 16. Daniel Hyde (not used).

Daisy Hill (blue/blue/blue): 1. Adam Thomas, 2. Kyle Hynes, 3. Darren Gavin, 4. Marc Shemwell, 5. Paul Monks, 6. Craig Xuereb, 7. Alex Leigh, 8. Ryan Chaisty, 9. Daniel Gregory, 10. Sam Parkinson, 11. Sam Howell. Subs: 12. Callum Livingstone (for Gavin, 66), 14. Daniel Reid (for Leigh, 71).

Referee: R. Goodwin-Davey.
Assistants: J. Wilde and G. Walsh.

Goals:
0-1 Ryan Chaisty (35)
1-1 Rich Morton (49)
1-2 Karl Miller (60)

Cards:
Leek: Tim Barrass (YC, 44), Rich Morton (YC, 77)
Daisy Hill: Kyle Hynes (YC, 48), Ryan Chaisty (YC, 86)

I assume Longton’s game didn’t take place though the league’s website has a blank in the place where all the other games wither had a scoreline or P-P.

Stafford Town 1 Sporting Khalsa 2

Tuesday 14th February 2012
Stafford Town 1 Sporting Khalsa 2
West Midlands (Regional) League Premier Division Cup First Round
At: Evans Park
Kick-off: 7-45 pm
Admission: £4; Programme: £1 (28 pages; dated 7/2/12)
Weather: cold, windy, dry
Attendance: 23 (headcount)
Duration: first-half: 45:13; second-half: 50:28

The ‘romance’ of the West Midlands (Regional) League Premier Division Cup on Valentine’s Day [does that sound right?] saw Sporting Khalsa come from behind with two second half goals to book a home second round tie with Wolverhampton Casuals. Stafford Town, lacking leading scorer Sam Agar, held a slender advance at the interval though Morgan Hurley only to be ultimately undone by a couple of defensive slips. Wisdom Machangani levelled things up and then Tyler Maxwell what proved to be the winner on a windy night at Evans Park.

Stafford Town (red/red/red): 1. Karl Smith, 2. Josh Anderson, 3. Olly Parker, 4. Mat Dockerty, 5. James Price, 6. Rob Tomlinson, 7. Carl Morris (capt), 8. Dave Woodvine, 9. Morgan Hurley, 10. Craig Hulme, 11. John Kirby. Subs: 12. Jack Milgate (for Woodvine, 51), 14. Sean O’Callaghan (for Kirby, 90+2), 15. Adam Price (not used), 16gk. Andy Heal (not used), 17. Darren Alexander (not used).

Sporting Khalsa (blue and yellow stripes with yellow sleeves / blue / blue): 1. Thomas Turner, 2. Manraj Chanal, 3. Neil Eccleston, 4. Lee Onions, 5. Robert Holdcroft (capt), 6. Hayden Williams, 7. Wisdon Machangani, 8. Marc Thomas, 9. Stehen Thompson, 10. Andre Brown, 11. Shaun Campbell. Subs: 12. Deepak Gill (for Machangani, 77) 14. Tyler Maxwell (for Andre Brown, 68), 15. Adam Lane (not used), 16. Leon Brown (not used), 17. Mark Holdcroft (for Gill, 88).

Referee: James Kerrigan.
Assistants: Jonathan Bell and Richard Cattell.

Goals:
1-0 Morgan Hurley (39)
1-1 Wisdom Machangani (68)
1-2 Tyler Maxwell (79)

Cards: none

Llanfairpwll 3 Gwalchmai 3

Saturday 11th February 2012
Llanfairpwll 3 Gwalchmai 3
Lock Stock Welsh Alliance Division 1
At: Maes Eilian
Kick-off: 2-30 pm
Admission: £3; Programme: £1 (24 pages)
Weather: cold, dry
Attendance: 60 (headcount)
Duration: first-half: 47:24; second-half: 49:51

Today was one of firsts for me – watching a first-ever game on Anglesey as well as a first-ever Welsh Alliance game. In the company of driver Laurence Reade and fellow passenger Peter Grant, an Aussie from Melbourne via Osaka, I saw an entertaining six-goal game in which home side Llanfairpwll twice came from behind to earn a point after taking an early lead.

Last night, updates on Facebook and freezing temperatures around dhome persuaded me to join Laurence and Peter on their trip to North Wales and we ended up in the famous Anglesey village of Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch. A quick phone call on the way confirmed the game was on and we arrived in plenty of time to climb the Marquess of Anglesey's Column and, of course, visit the tourist magnet that is the railway station with its incredibly long sign.

Llanfairpwll moved to the current ground at Maes Eilian in 2008, a few hundred yards from their old home at Y Gors which is still used by the reserves and juniors. Maes Eilian is a decent ground with a stand containing 60 individual seats and cover in an elevated position behind the left-hand goal. As present there are no floodlights.

Programmes were available at the entrance and the teams were announced on the tannoy, first in Welsh and then in English.

The Welsh Alliance, sponsored by Lock Stock, is part of the third tier of Welsh football and promotes teams into the second-tier Cymru Alliance like the Welsh League (Wrexham Area) and Mid-Wales League. With two divisions (1 and 2 – no ‘Premier’ in this part of the UK), both Llanfairpwll (15 points from 21 games) Gwalchmai (17 points from 15 games) went into this Anglesey derby occupying 14th and 11th position, respectively, in the 16-team Division 1.

Gwalchmai (in sky blue shirts, black shorts and socks) got the game underway attacking from right to left in relation to the seated stand. Surprisingly kick-off was not preceded by fair-play handshakes.

It didn’t take long for the first goal which came after just under 90 seconds. Kelvin Frazer delivered a free-kick into the area from the right which wasn’t cleared and Aled Thomas fired home at close range via the underside of the bar. It was Thomas’ first goal for the club and a perfect start for Llanfair.

Gwalchmai quickly responded with a 6th minute equaliser. Corey Sinnott burst through the middle into the Llanfair area where goalkeeper Liam Dewing blocked the resulting shot. The rebound fell to Craig Evans who accurately fired into an empty net from 20 yards out.

The early goals continued and the visitors took the lead in the 10th minute. A free-kick played into the home area fell to Gerallt Jones who hit a low shot which thumped the right-hand post. James Burgess quickly followed-up to drive home the rebound.

Gwalchmai thought they’d scored a third goal six minutes later. A right-wing cross found Burgess, who looped a shot over Ewing and into the net from eight yards out. However, a raised offside flag dampened the celebrations.

However, the next goal (fourth of the afternoon) was not long in coming and what a spectacular strike it was. Aled Thomas beat a couple of defenders before unleashing a spectacular 25-yard shot which flew past Kenny Hughes into the back of the net. So 2-2 in the 19th minute!

Llanfair continued to create chances. Hughes produced a good save just after the half-hour mark to push over a 30-yard free-kick from Kelvin Frazer at the expense of a corner. Frazer fed Richard Evans who saw his shot bounce down from the underside of the bar without crossing the line. At the other end, Ewing needed to remain alert and produced a smart save to keep out Sinnott’s left-foot shot after the striker had cut in from the right.

A couple of minutes before the break, Richard Evans endured one of those moments which every striker dreads. Arwyn Owen did all the hard work on the left to tempt Hughes off his line. Owen pulled the ball back to Evans who hit the bar from barely eight yards out.

Like many in the crowd, I headed to the portacabin behind the stand to find a tea bar within a hospitality room.

Ewing produced another excellent save six minutes after the restart to keep out a Burgess’s header from Gerallt Jones’s left-wing cross.

In what was an even second-half of few clear-cut chances, Gwalchmai regained the lead in the 76th minute. Gerallt Jones found Gareth Allman, a midfielder wearing the ‘2’ shirt, hit a rising left-foot 25-yard shot past the outstretched hand of Ewing.

However, Llanfair got back on level terms with a classic centre-forward’s goal. Arwyn Owen delivered a deep cross from the right towards the far post where unmarked Richard Evans sent a free header past Hughes.

Both sides almost won the game in stoppage time. First, Llanfair had a goal disallowed. Arwyn Owen stayed onside as his latched onto a ball down the right and crossed low into the area. Unmarked substitute Sion Hogan got forward to slot home, from an offside position with just Hughes to beat.

Then, even deeper into stoppage time, Ewing produced a ‘top-class’ save to deny Gwalchami a winner by tipping over a header from Sinnott that seemed destined for the net.

Llanfairpwll (blue and black stripes / black / black): 1. Liam Ewing, 2. Stephen Smith, 3. Jack Williams, 4. Aron Owen, 5. Gavin Jones (capt), 6. Brendan Hogan, 7. Kelvin Frazer, 8. Rhys Evans, 9. Richard Evans, 10. Arwyn Owen, 11. Aled Thomas. Subs: 12. Hefin Danial (not used), 14. Ben Verburg (not used), 15. Sion Hogan (for Thomas, 65), 16. Dion Hughes (not used), 17. Andy Will (not used).

Gwalchmai (sky blue / black / black): 1. Kenny Hughes, 2. Gareth Allman, 3. Jason Thomas, 4. Stephen Sinclair (capt), 5. Jon Williams, 6. Paul Tilbury, 7. Matthew Jones, 8. Craig Evans, 9. Corey Sinnott, 10. James Burgess, 11. Gerallt Jones. Subs: 12. Mark Giffiths (for Sinnott, 82), 13. Kenny Jones (not used), 14. Paul Bryant (for Matthew Jones, 61), 16. Andrew Sinclair (for Stephen Sinclair, ht).

Referee: M. Petch (Deganwy).
Assistants: Miss C. Pritchard (Menai Bridge) and S. Parkinson (Bangor).

Goals:
1-0 Aled Thomas (2)
1-1 Craig Evans (6)
1-2 James Burgess (10)
2-2 Aled Thomas (19)
2-3 Gareth Allman (76)
3-3 Richard Owen (79)

Cards:
Llanfairpwll: Rhys Evans (YC, 58)
Gwalchmai: Paul Tilbury (YC, 21)

Sutton Coldfield Town 0 Kidsgrove Athletic 2

Saturday 4th February 2012
Sutton Coldfield Town 0 Kidsgrove Athletic 2
Evo-Stik League Division 1 South
At: Coles Lane
Kick-off: 3-00 pm
Admission: £7; Programme: £1-20p (24 pages)
Attendance: 141
Weather: snow
Duration: first-half: 45:46; second-half: 41:48 or c47:00

On a day when the wintry weather claimed the vast majority of non-league games, the players of Sutton Coldfield Town and Kidsgrove Athletic coped admirably with blizzard conditions on the snow-covered Coles Lane 3G pitch. After a goalless first half of few clear-cut chances, the finishing of Liam Shotton proved the difference between the teams as the striker netted both goals to give in-form Kidsgrove a 2-0 victory.

After days of sub-zero temperatures, it was no surprise yesterday evening and this morning to read about postponement after postponement on the Non-League Matters Forum. Indeed, once I’d decided not to head to Wigan v Everton or the evening rugby league at Salford City Reds, it was a case of which 3G pitch to head for. Fortunately, I opted for the easy option of Sutton Coldfield by train rather than a ‘new ground’ at either Salford Victoria or Manchester Gregorians. A good decision on two counts: Salford Vics was off and the afternoon snow would have given a ‘horrible’ drive back to Stafford from Sutton.

Snow started to fall as the train pulled into the station around 1-30 pm and grew heavier as I walked to the ground. Programmes were on sale by the entrance next to the stand. I was last at Coles Lane in 2006 and don’t think anything has changed apart from the playing surface. The tall stand with changing rooms below was still there as was the cover behind the right-hand goal and the cover on the far side near the clubhouse. I did spot some terracing on the far side of the stand.

Teamsheets were available though a late change saw Liam Shotton move up from the bench in place of Dave Walker in the Kidsgrove starting line-up. One player I was hoping to see in action this afternoon was former Stafford Rangers defender Ed Booth, Unknown to me, however, he left Sutton for Rugby Town in November after making 203 appearances for the Royals.

Looking at the Division 1 South table, Sutton Coldfield (44 points from 29 games) stood in eighth position, five points off the play-off zone. Poor recent form of just one win from their last seven games had hit their promising promotion bid. In contrast, Kidsgrove (34 points from 28 games) had eased their earlier relegation fears with a run of six league games without defeat to move up the table to 13th position. Topping the table were Neil Grayson’s Carlton Town on goal difference from Grantham Town.

Sutton Coldfield Town (in all blue) got the game underway attacking the clubhouse end in the first half, right to left in relation to my seat in the stand. The only thing of note during the opening 14 minutes was a booking for Kidsgrove defender Paul Taylor. Around the quarter hour mark, Sutton had a couple of opportunities but Scott Rickards fired a free-kick against the wall and Jon Jones headed wide from Matt Jackson’s left-wing cross.

Managed by Peter Ward, the January Evo-Stik League Division 1 South Manager of the Month, Kidsgrove were inches away from taking a 17th minute lead. From a foul on Andy Kinsey on the left, Ash Carter delivered the resulting free-kick to the far right post where Paul Taylor ran in to fire just wide.

The Royals went even closer to taking the lead on the half-hour. Andy Taylor was booked for a trip on Jon Jones just outside the Kidsgrove area and Mark Bellingham hit the left-hand post with a left-foot free-kick.

With snow continuing to steadily fall and the greenness of the pitch fast disappearing, Luke Chapman looked to catch out Grove goalkeeper Steve Hodgson from 30 yards out with the ball dipping over the bar.

Both sides created a chance each just before the interval. Paul Taylor drove over the Sutton bar and, in stoppage time, Bellingham sent a well-struck free-kick across the face of goal and not too far wide of the far left post.

So, goalless at the interval and out came several officials to sweep snow from the obscured pitch markings. I headed for the tea bar at the side of the clubhouse behind the goal!

Now attacking the clubhouse end, Liam Shotton broke down the right a minute after the restart and cut in before firing low into the near sidenetting. By now, players were forced to play in a proper blizzard.

Shotton was certainly troubling the home defence and played a low ball across the face of goal which the sliding Karl Charlton couldn’t quite reach.

Two minutes later in the 58th minute, Charlton and Shotton combined to beat the offside trap. Shotton got clear and beat the advancing goalkeeper Niall Cooper before slotting into an empty net.

The PA announcement of the “golden goal time 58th minute” reminded me about the scratch card I’d bought earlier. As I revealed the time on my card, hopes were raised with a second digit of ‘8’. Alas, the first digit was ‘6’.

Shotton, who returned to Kidsgrove in December following a spell with Stafford Rangers, doubled his side’s advantage in the 66th minute. Once again the Sutton defence was opened up with another perfect throughball from Charlton which Shotton fired home despite the attentions of Cooper and two defenders.

With the pitch completely covered in snow and not even a hint of green visible, I felt the referee was becoming concerned about the lines being obscured. He was, and called a temporary halt to the game in the 78th minute. “Five minutes break,” the referee announced as players returned to the changing rooms while the lines were again swept clear of snow.

Even though snow persisted, the game resumed after a break of around six minutes with a Kidsgrove throw-in on the far side. Little of note happened up to the full-time whistle, other than a glancing header from Charlton which Cooper held.

During the closing stages, I overheard one spectator in the stand wearing a red Walsall hat comment that "it must be 28 years since I've seen a game in conditions like this". It made about think about snowy games I'd seen - Nottingham United in 2010 and Stafford Rangers v Altrincham in 2005 immediately came to mind. Neither had snow falling during the game.

At the top of the drive on Coles Lane, I had another chat with ‘Groundhopper Dave’ who had a far more treacherous journey home than me to face.

As a footnote, just two Evo-Stik League games survived the weather, both on 3G pitches: the one I saw at Sutton and another at Durham. The scheduled game at Woodley Sports on the league other 3G pitch was postponed due to snow as was Salford Victoria’s Manchester League game. Manchester Gregorians did play on a 3G pitch at Platt Lane as did Salford City Reds on a snow-covered pitch.

Sutton Coldfield Town (blue/blue/blue): 1. Niall Cooper, 2. Nick Heath, 3. Matt Jackson, 4. Jon Jones, 5. Gareth Johnson, 6. Luke Edwards, 7. Matt Dodd, 8. Scott Rickards (capt), 9. Chris Gumery, 10. Mark Bellingham, 11. Luke Chapman. Subs: 12. Lee Parsons (not used), 14. Jimmy Quiggan (not used), 15. Marcell Simpson (for Johnson, 56), 16. Lyndon Weller (for Heath, 66), 17. Joel Fuller (for Rickards, 38). Manager: Chris Keogh.

Kidsgrove Athletic (red/red/red): 1. Steve Hodgson, 2. Danny Smith, 3. Paul Taylor, 4. Andy Taylor, 5. Jonathan Crompton, 6. Karl Charlton, 7. Ross Davidson, 8. Craig Dove, 9. Liam Shotton, 10. Andy Kinsey, 11. Ash Carter. Subs: 12. Sam Hall, 14. Dave Walker (not used), 15. Geoff Basford (not used), 16. Daniel Bull (not used), 17. Andrew Turner (not used). Manager: Peter Ward.

Referee: Bruce Rogers.
Assistants: Matt Giblin and John Harris.

Goals:
0-1 Liam Shotton (58)
0-2 Liam Shotton (66)

Cards:
Sutton: Jon Jones (YC, 56)
Kidsgrove: Paul Taylor (YC, 9), Andy Taylor (YC, 29), Craig Dove (YC, 55)

Widnes Vikings 14 Wakefield Trinity Wildcats 32

Friday 3rd February 2012
Widnes Vikings 14 Wakefield Trinity Wildcats 32
Stobart Super League
At: Stobart Stadium Halton
Kick-off: 8-00 pm
Admission: £20; Programme: £3-50 (52 pages A4)
Attendance: 8120
Weather: cold, dry
Duration (40): first-half: 46:29; second-half: 47:42

Super League XVII got underway this evening in sub-zero temperatures and I saw Wakefield Trinity score 24 unanswered points during the second half to deny Widnes Vikings a winning return to the top flight with a 32-14 victory.

Since I saw Crusaders bow out of Super League last August on the final day for the 2011 regular season, there has been plenty of change in the competition. Widnes Vikings have replaced the Welsh club and returned to Super League after six seasons in the Championship. Engage are no longer title sponsors with iconic trucking giant Eddie Stobart taking over on a three-year deal. Two clubs have new grounds – St Helens and Salford City Reds – and I did hear about some rule changes as well. Specifically at Widnes’s Stobart Stadium, the grass pitch has been replaced by an artificial surface known as the i-pitch.

The stadium, previously visited for football in 2004 and rugby league last June, is all-seater with a main South Stand and away fans housed behind the posts in the West Stand. I pre-booked a seat in the North Stand (early bird price of £20 rather than the £22 full price), which like St Helens last season, has unreserved seating meaning I could sit anywhere I wanted!

Programmes, a substantial 32 page A4 publication, appeared only to be on sale inside the ground, which I found unusual. Teams were announced and pre-match entertainment involved the Widnes Vixens dance troup and a couple of songs from local former X-Factor contestant James Michael.

Widnes Vikings (in white shorts with a black V, black shorts and white socks) got the game underway attacking the far West Stand end to give possession to the Wildcats. The visitors quickly drove upfield and thought they opened the scoring in the second minute. The decision was referred ‘upstairs’ to the video referee while fans turned their heads to watch numerous replays on the big screen. The Vikings fans around me were confident that no try would be awarded and they were right – ‘NO TRY SCRUM DEFENCE’ eventually appeared on the screen.

No second opinion was needed when the Vikings soon took the lead. Danny Craven went over which the bearded Patrick Ah Van converted. Ah Van’s sponsor, Warrington Caravan Centre, got a name check over the tannoy and I’m sure with that publicity they’ll want him to keep on kicking goals! I remember St Helens doing the same last season for goalkicker Jamie Foster’s sponsor.

The Vikings enjoyed plenty of possession in the Wildcats’ half but were punished for not turning it into points as Ali Lauitiiti reduced the deficit midway through the first half. Isaac John missed the conversion to keep the score at 6-4.

After the video ref denied Viking’s a try, the home side scored a second half on the stroke of half time. An Van scored but missed a difficult conversion, so 10-4 to the Vikings at half-time.

Now attacking the end closest to my seat in the North Stand Block B, Vikings almost extended their lead only for surging Chris Dean to be stopped in his tracks by a forward pass. Soon, the visitors were level with a try by Andy Raleigh, confirmed by the video ref, and conversion from John. All square at 10-10.

The video ref was kept busy and turned down another Vikings ‘try’. However, the home side were soon cheering again as Hep Cahill’s try regained the lead but Ah Van missed the conversion. It was just what the home fans needed as the Wildcats were certainly looking a threat.

Alas, for the Vikings, the Wildcats turned their ‘threat’ into a try when Richard Mathers exploited a “massive gap” in the home defence. John put over the conversion to put Wakefield in front for the first time and they never looked back. Tim Smith and John extended the lead before Ben Cross was sinbinned with 8:47 remaining to play no further part in the game (stints in the bin last 10 minutes of playing time). The twelve men of Widnes conceded two late tries both scored by Peter Fox, the second of which was converted by John.

While I got a really good view from Row 6, most of the tries and the big screen were down at the far East Stand end furthest away from me. Of the 46 points scored, only eight were scored at my end. Never mind as, once again, I found the whole occasion of a Super League game a pleasurable and exciting experience.

Points:
4-0 Danny Craven (try)
6-0 Patrick Ah Van (conversion)
6-4 Ali Lauitiiti (try)
10-4 Patrick Ah Van (try)
Half-Time
10-8 Andy Raleigh (try)
10-10 Isaac John (conversion)
14-10 Hep Cahill (try)
14-14 Richard Mathers (try)
14-16 Isaac John (conversion)
14-20 Tim Smith (try)
14-22 Isaac John (conversion)
14-26 Peter Fox (try)
14-30 Peter Fox (try)
14-32 Isaac John (conversion)

Lewisham Borough 1 Woodstock Park 5

Saturday 28th January 2012
Lewisham Borough 1 Woodstock Park 5
Kent Invicta League
At: Ladywell Arena
Kick-off: 3-00 pm
Admission: £3 including 16 page programme
Weather: cold, dry, sunny spells
Attendance: 31
Duration: first-half: 47:57; second-half: 46:22

With the forecast freezing overnight temperatures a reality this morning, I decided to press ahead with my plan to head to the capital on a £20 London Midland day return with watching a first-ever game in the new Kent Invicta League in mind. From a shortlist of three options, I chose Lewisham Borough’s Ladywell Arena, once I established I’d not been there before, and saw an entertaining six-goal encounter; unfortunately for the home side five of the six were scored by opponents Woodstock Park.

Last night on the Non-League Matters Forum in response to my query about previous teams using the ground, ‘Main Drain Man’ wrote that: Catford Wanderers in London Spartan League played there and were definitely around in that league in season 1991/2. They may have started playing there in early the noughties, outside your target dates, but Groundhoppers FC (honestly) in the Kent League at the time also played there.

A quick call from London Bridge to Chief Executive Ray Simpson confirmed the game was on (I guessed that anyway but wanted to make sure) so I headed to Catford Bridge station and a 10-minute walk past the site of the former Catford greyhound stadium to the ground. The ease of the final leg of the journey was in contrast to the part from Stafford Station to Euston as an incident at Atherstone, which closed the direct Trent Valley line, meant a longer and slower route via Birmingham New Street.

As usual, Andy of Kent’s directions proved invaluable: Left out of station, left into Doggett Road, then at end (road bends sharply right and becomes Silvermere Road) go straight on into ground.

On arrival, I was warmly welcomed by the programme seller who pointed out Ray Simpson to me. He came over for a chat and filled me in with information about the club, ground and plans for the future, as well as making sure the Assistant Secretary showed me the teamsheets.

Lewisham Borough (Community) FC, to give the full title, was formed in 2003 from the merger of Moonshot FC, Ten Em Bee FC and Elms FC.

The Kent Invicta League was formed during last summer as a step 6 feeder to the Kent League. Of the 16 founder members, 14 were members of the Kent County League last season along with the reformed Ashford United and newish club Erith and Dartford Town.

The ground itself is a multi-use venue with the football pitch inside a six-lane athletics track. The reception building at the near end incorporated changing rooms and a tea bar but, at present, there is no covered standing or seats. The left-hand touchline was roped off up to the half-way line and spectators watched the game from here or near the changing rooms. Dugouts were positions either side of half-way down the right-hand side. I was told of plans to erect a stand and a separate hospitality building.

Lewisham (33 points from 20 games) went into this fixture in 5th position as one of the league’s form sides. Visitors Woodstock Park (30 points from 21 games) stood three places below in the table. Last Saturday, Lewisham suffered a ‘terrible day’ by losing 4-0 at bottom side Orpington while Woddstock Park recorded an emphatic 6-3 home win over Crockenhill.

The referee wrong-footed me by lining up the players for the fair-play handshakes with their backs to the crowd facing the totally empty dugouts! “As we are lads, blue kick-off,” he announced after the toss and Woodstock Park (wearing all navy blue) got the game underway attacking the Silvermere Road end in the first half.

The visitors, no doubt buoyed by their win last Saturday, created several chances during the opening five minutes. Lewisham keeper Rilwan Anibaba leapt up to his left to palm round Liam Lewry’s 30-yard rising drive at the expense of a corner.

Despite Lewisham starting to enjoy plenty of possession, Woodstock Park took the lead in the 20th minute. Following a foul on Sabeur Trabelsi by Marvin Alebiosu near the left-corner of the area, deal ball specialist Craig Harvey delivered a delicious free-kick which the leaping Adam Overton headed home to score his ninth goal of the season (see right).

Anibaba may have had no chance of keeping out the first goal but six minutes later he did well to keep the deficit to just one. After having trouble dealing with a bouncing ball on the edge of his area, the keeper stuck up an arm to block Tommy Price’s resulting shot that seemed destined for the unguarded net.

Lewisham needed to reorganise at the back with the departure of defender Peter Adewumi-Martin through injury and could have equalised in first-half stoppage time. Alebiosu rounded the keeper inside the area only to see his angled shot deflected out for a corner by a covering defender.

I watched the first-half (and indeed the second-half as well) from around the half-way line behind the rope. Close to me were two supporters who, through their chat, sounded like groundhoppers from their chat. Alas, they did not want to engage in any conversation as I started a walk round the pitch at the interval.

Now attacking the far end, dominated the large University Hospital Lewisham, Woodstock Park doubled their advantage five minutes after the restart. Once again the home side were undone by a set piece when Overton headed home Jamie Sharman’s left-wing corner.

Needing a goal to get back into the game, there was hope for Lewisham when Alebiosu received a pass from Enoch Adjepong-Akosah and forced a save out of Ryan Bolton who hadn’t had a lot to do up to this point.

Hope, however, turned to despair when Woodstock Park scored their third goal in the 63rd minute. With a suspicion of offside, Tommy Price flicked the ball into the path of substitute Pat Bishenden on the right who fired home a low drive.

Needing to get forward and test Bolton, the home side did just that when Darren Flaherty, marked by two defenders managed to get in a low right-foot shot which the diving Woodstcok keeper got down to hold.

The two hoppers (see photo right) chatted about the Hellenic League!

Two more goals scored for the visitors in the space of 150 seconds turned what was a comfortable lead and into an emphatic one.

In the 73rd minute, Dave Boichat played the ball forward to Price who stayed onside and got down the left before crossing low across the face of goal where Bishenden bundled home at close range.

Two minutes later, after Alebiosu saw a shot blocked inside the Woodstock area, the visitors broke forward and exploited gaps in the Lewisham defence. Price fed Overton who completed his hat-trick with an angled shot from the left.

With the points secure, the aim of Woodstock Park was “clean sheet, all of us” and keeper Bolton did his bit with a diving save to keep out Kemo Darboe’s well-struck shot.

Not content with five goals, the visitors continued to press forward. Overton, looking for his fourth goal, saw a shot blocked and Craig Harvey’s effort was deflected wide for a corner.

I was pleased that Lewisham got on the scoresheet in the 83rd minute thanks to “a bit of quality”. Darboe battled inside a populated area and set up Flaherty who fired home a left-foot shot from eight yards out.

Lewisham keeper Anibaba prevented the visitors from scoring again with a superb double save in the 85th minute. He first kept out Aron McMullen’s initial shot and somehow regained his position to brilliantly keep out the follow-up from Overton.

At full-time, I had a quick chat with Ray Simpson and offered his club “best of luck for the rest of the season”, making it back to Catford Bridge in time to catch the 17:08 train to London Bridge.

I certainly have fond memories of my visit to the Ladywell Arena. As Mishi wrote on the Non-League Matters Forum, ‘the people who run Lewisham are very friendly’ and I totally agree!

Lewisham Borough (red/red/red): 1. Rilwan Anibaba, 2. Peter Adewumi-Martin, 13. Tashin Nicholas, 4. Enoch Adjepong-Akosah, 5. Nicky Brown (capt), 6. Nytram Dixon-Baker, 7. Dwayne Morris, 15. Durrand Iemott, 9. Matt Piper, 10. Marvin Alebiosu, 11. Darren Flaterly. Subs: 12. Jason Piper (for Adewumi-Martin, 27) 14. Kemo Darboe (for Piper, 67).

Woodstock Park (blue/blue/blue): 1. Ryan Bolton, 2. Marc Morrison, 3. Elliott Chandler, 4. Dave Boichat (capt), 5. Steve Collar, 6. Aron McMullen, 7. Craig Harvey, 8. Sabeur Trabelsi, 9. Adam Overton, 10. Tommy Price, 11. Liam Lewry. Subs: 12. Patrick Bishenden (for Trabelsi, ht), 14. Jamie Sharman (for Lewry, ht), 15. Lee Dengate (for Morrison, 62).

Goals:
0-1 Adam Overton (21)
0-2 Adam Overton (50)
0-3 Pat Bishenden (63)
0-4 Pat Bishenden (73)
0-5 Adam Overton (75)
1-5 Darren Flaherty (83)

Cards:
Lewisham: Nicky Brown (YC, 84)
Woodstock Park: none