Armthorpe Welfare 1 Arnold Town 2

Saturday 6th September 2008
Armthorpe Welfare 1 Arnold Town 2
Kool Sport Northern Counties East League Premier Division
At: Welfare Ground, Church Road
Kick-off: 3-00 pm
Admission: £5; Programme: £1
Attendance: 36
Weather: showers, sunny spells
Duration: first-half: 45:10; second-half: 48:41


Prolonged rain over much of the country threatened to reek havoc on today’s fixtures and in some areas that was true. The weather forecast suggested that South Yorkshire was the area to aim for and the informative Northern Counties League website gave details of some planned pitch inspections as well as known postponements. According to the website, the game at Armthorpe was due to have a noon inspection, but the status of the game on the website changed to 'match on' well before this time. So off I headed towards the M1 and up to ‘God’s Own County’.

Armthorpe is located in South Yorkshire, a few miles north-east of Doncaster close to the M18, and famous as the birthplace of Kevin Keegan. To reach the ground from the motorway, leave at junction 4 and follow the A630 towards Doncaster. Turn left at the second roundabout into Hatfield Lane and continue to the mini roundabout. Turn right into Church Road and the entrance to the ground is on the left next to the Premier Health & Fitness Health Studio and just before the Netto supermarket. Opposite the entrance are a Jet garage and Golden Cod fish and chip shop.

A short drive leads down to the entrance from Church Road where programmes (£1) are sold. All the facilities are on the near side. On long the near touchline is the Philip Mitchell Stand, a white structure containing three rows of bench seating. In fact there is a lot of white paint at the Welfare Ground which helps to make the place look neat and tidy. Behind the right-hand goal is an area of covered standing.

The programme was certainly a substantial publication containing no fewer than sixty pages with editorial content in the middle. Pen pics and history from Arnold Town were included along with a welcome page, league table and quiz amongst other features. A quick look at the league table showed Armthorpe in 14th position, one place and one point better off than unbeaten Arnold.

Armthorpe Welfare FC was formed in 1926, disbanded in 1974 and reformed in 1976. The post-1976 club progressed through the divisions of the Doncaster and District League to become a member of the Northern Counties East League in 1983. The club have enjoyed continuous membership of the NCEL Premier Division since gaining promotion in 1985.

With time on my hands before kick-off, I paid a visit to the Refreshment Room for a cup of tea and scone and noticed a memorial plaque dedicated to Philip Mitchell (to whom the stand is dedicated) who died in February 1990.

Lineups were announced over the tannoy prior to kick-off. Fair play was again evident as the players of both sides came out together behind the match officials, walked in front of the Philip Mitchell Stand then lined up either side of halfway before exchanging handshakes. Rain actually started to fall as the players came out.

Nearly all the crowd, like me, chose to start watching the game from the shelter of the main stand with a few brave souls dotted around under umbrellas. There were a few visiting fans from Arnold. The visitors, unbeaten in their first three league games, got the action under way attacking from right to left in relation to my vantage points, defending the end with covered standing. Rain was still falling when Arnold (maroon shirts, maroon shorts, maroon socks) took an 11th-minute lead. Harry Roe's right foot shot from 25 yards out took a big deflection on the way into the bottom left corner of the net. The visitors continued to create chances. Tom Watson hit the bar and sent another across the face of goal inches wide of the far left post.

The aforementioned rain eased by the half-hour mark and to, perhaps fit in with the sunnier conditions, an ice cream van in a neighbouring street was heard playing 'The Entertainer' to attract some custom. As the interval approached, Armthorpe keeper produced a diving save to turn round a low left-foot shot from Craig Mitchell. "Should have been 3 or 4" was the verdict of one Arnold fan and the half-time whistle also signalled a return trip to the Refreshment Hut for another welcome cuppa.

Back to the stand for the start of the second half and a positive response from Armthorpe (white shirts, white shorts, white socks). They equalised with just about their first effort on target in the 52nd minute. A free-kick delivered into the area was cleared to Josh Copeland, 20 yards out, who fired into the bottom left corner via the keeper's fingers. There was certainly plenty of action in both penalty areas with the game not at all one sided as the first half had been. In fact I'd say it was a 'cracking second half'. Rain returned midway through the second half and once again rattled the roof of the stand. Into the last ten minutes all square, Armthorpe keeper Leigh Graves produced another diving save to keep out a rising drive from substitute Josh Thornton. But Graves was beaten 40 seconds into stoppage time when Ashley Dyce headed home at close range. Armthorpe were awarded a last gasp free-kick. Liam Muirhead played it forward into a crowded area but the ball was cleared and the ref blew for full time.

"They didn't deserve it, they worked their socks off," said one disappointed Arnthorpe fan and he certainly was right about his side's second-half performance.

Armthorpe Welfare (white/white/white): 1. Leigh Graves, 2. Austin Hallam, 3. David Buck, 4. Liam Murhead, 5. Thomas Dorgan, 6. Daniel Sharpe (capt), 7. Liam Radford, 8. James Walker, 9. Stuart Preston, 10. Joshua Copeland, 11. Henry Sibenge. Subs: 12. Ashley Hunter (not used), 14. James Connor (not used), 15. Daniel Barker (not used).

Arnold Town (maroon/maroon/maroon): 1. Lee Broster, 2. Tom Watson, 3. Ashley Dyce, 4. Mark Clarke, 5. Chris Hudson (capt), 6. Brett Adams, 7. Harry Roe, 8. Nick Hall, 9. Craig Mitchell, 10. Deon Meikle, 11. Mark Brewster. Subs: 12. Tyeisse Nightingale (for Meikle, 69), 14. Simon Hore (for Watson, 85), 15. Josh Thornton (for Roe, 69).

Referee: R. Atkin (Scunthorpe).
Assistants: S. Hawkins and P. Saunders.

Goals:
0-1 Mark Brewster (11)
1-1 Joshua Copeland (52)
1-2 Ashley Dyce (90+1)

Cards:
Armthorpe: Stuart Preston (YC, 26), Daniel Sharpe (YC, 33), James Walker (YC, 71)
Arnold: Harry Roe (YC, 51)

AFC Wulfrunians 3 Shawbury United 0

Tuesday 2nd September 2008
AFC Wulfrunians 3 Shawbury United 0
FTL Futbol West Midlands (Regional League) Premier Division
At: Brinsford Stadium, Brinsford Lane, Coven
Kick-off: 7-45 pm
Admission: £3; Programme: £1
Attendance: 40 (headcount)
Weather: showers
Duration: first-half: 45:13; second-half: 45:41


Visitors Shawbury (in all blue) got the game underway defending the A449 end in the first half, right to left in relation to my seat in the stand.

AFC Wulfrunians got off to a great start by taking the lead in the 8th minute. Ricky Anslow intercepted a weak backpass and slotted home from 10 yards out. Shawbury finished the half strongly, winning six corners in ten minutes before the break without success.

Wulfs doubled their lead in the 56th minute. Richard Gummery delivered a left-wing corner which was flicked on to the far post where James Skedgell fired home. They scored a third goal eight minutes later to secure the points. The referee played a good advantage which allowed Kyle Brady a clear run on goal. His initial shot hit the post but he made no mistake from the rebound.

The game ended in heavy rain and it needed to remain patiently in the stand until it eased!

AFC Wulfrunians (red and white halves / black / red): 1. Matt Osborne, 2. Chip Southern, 3. Steve Showell, 4. Dan Crudgington, 5. Stewart Mason, 6. James Skedgell (capt), 7. Myles Fenn, 8. Dave Asbury, 9. Ricky Anslow, 10. Kyle Brady, 11. Richard Gummery. Subs: 12. Richard Miller (for Anslow, 75), 14. Mark Tipton (not used), 15. Marcel Tulloch (for Brady, 75), 16. Matthew Curley (not used), 17. Fraser Houston (for Gummery, 65).

Shawbury United (blue/blue/blue): 1. Steve Jones (capt), 2. Adam Smith, 3. Oliver Williams, 4. Patrick Ellis, 5. Marc Stallard, 6. Toby Ward, 7. Tom Coulson, 8. Luke Brown, 9. Steve Giles, 10. Tom Griffin, 11. Kevin McGarvey. Subs: 12. Eddie Knox (for Williams, 76), 14. Kyle Hobson (not used), 16. Gavin Davies (for Smith, 56), 17. Allister McHarrie (not used), 19. Chris Till (for Brown, 65), GK. John Williams (not used).

Referee: S. Checketts.

Goals:
1-0 Ricky Anslow (8)
2-0 James Skedgell (56)
3-0 Kyle Brady (64)

Cards:
AFC Wulfrunians: none
Shawbury United: none

Radford 2 Ibstock United 1

Saturday 30th August 2008
Radford 2 Ibstock United 1
East Midlands Counties League
At Selhurst Street
Kick-off: 3-00 pm
Admission: £4; Programme: £1
Attendance: 41
Weather: mostly sunny and humid
Duration: first-half: 47:04; second-half: 48:00


Ten-man Radford displayed some resolute defending during the last half hour to hold on to their 2-1 lead and record their first victory in the newly-formed East Midlands Counties League. All the goals came in the first 31 minutes before Radford were reduced in numbers just before the hour mark.

I found Radford FC such a warm and friendly club to visit. They ground, which has been improved over the past few seasons, was neat and tidy, the programme is a good read, club officials welcoming, and the Secretary was a real star. In fact, I’d say that everyone at Radford was a star! It was also nice to chat with an official from visitors Ibstock as well.


The club was founded in 1964 as Manlove & Alliots FC after an engineering firm and initially played Sunday football. When the firm transferred to Scotland in 1971, the name of Radford Olympics was adopted. The club joined the Central Midlands League Premier Division in 1983 and underwent another name change to Radford FC four years later. Promotion was secured to the Supreme Division in 2003 and after five years in the CML's top flight they became a founder member of the new East Midlands Counties League at the start of the current season.

There are eighteen founder members of the East Midlands Counties League; eight from the Central Midlands League including Radford, eight from the Leicestershire Senior League including Ibstock and two from the Northern Counties East League.

Radford's Selhurst Street ground is located to the north-west of Nottingham city centre. I approached from M1 junction 26. Take the A610 towards Nottingham until the ring road (A6514). Turn left at the lights and almost immediately move into the right-hand lane and turn right into Wilkinson Avenue. Continue to the end of this road and turn right into Radford Road (beware of the trams) before taking the fourth right just before Asda into Selhurst Street. For public transport users, trams run from the centre of Nottingham to Radford and stop on the far side of Asda on the outbound journey (Noel Street stop?) and on the nearer Radford Road for the return into the city.

There is a small car park at the ground. I got chatting to the car park steward who was interesting to hear where I'd come from. He passed on the message as the Secretary greeted me inside the ground. There is one entrance, off the car park, which is near the corner flag behind the goal at the north-eastern end of the ground. Most of the facilities are behind this near goal with bar, changing rooms and 100-seater stand. There is an area of cover on the near left-hand touchline which was recently erected and dugouts, tea bar and club shop along the right-hand touchline. Three floodlight pylons rise up from each side.

The programme, sold for £1 at the turnstile, is a good one with plenty of reading and use of colour. The recently-opened club shop (former Notts County and Stafford Rangers striker Devon White 'cut the ribbon') has a growing stock of programmes, books, badges and souvenirs. Hot and cold refreshments were sold with a smile from the tea bar. I had plenty of time to relax before kick-off and watch the start of the Rugby League Cup Final in the clubhouse while sipping a refreshing blueberry J2O!


Both sides went into the game on one point looking for their first league wins of the season. Radford got the game underway defending the entrance end of the ground and took the lead in the 10th minute. Grant Bailey crossed low from the left and Anthony Gregory smashed the ball into the back of the net from 10 yards out. The lead was doubled in the 29th minute. Bailey latched into a thoughball down the inside left channel in plenty of space and slotted it past the helpless keeper from inside the area. However, Ibstock halved the deficit two minutes later when unchallenged Jack Lewis got on the end of Mark Pallett's pass and fired past Keith Henstock. Duncan Osborne quickly got into a good position to restore the two-goal advantage but lifted his shot over the bar.

The home side were reduced to ten men in the 57th minute. Garmston received a straight red card for violent conduct with Ibstock’s Sam Adams booked for his part in the incident. After the sending off, the game certainly developed a competitive edge as Ibstock searched for an equaliser. The best chance fell to Adams who got forward to drive across the face of goal and wide of the far left post.

"It is a bit heart in mouth stuff," said one close-by supporter as Radford were forced to work hard to stay in front. They almost put the outcome beyond doubt in the 83rd minute. Bailey fed Gregory who saw a low goalbound shot blocked by David Smith (wearing distinct yellow boots) and Carl Wainwright forced a diving save out of Stephen Fowkes who may not have actually touch the ball on its way past the post.

"Corner flag," was the instruction as full time neared and Radford survived three minutes of added time at the end.

Radford (claret/claret/claret): 1. Keith Henstock, 2. Andrew Jachmann, 3. Michael Sullivan, 4. Matthew Loyley, 5. Anthony Gregory, 6. Dean Taylor (capt), 7. Robert Burton, 8. Darren Garmston, 9. Grant Bailey, 10. Scott Harlow, 11. Duncan Osborne. Subs: 12. Simon Bradbury (not used), 14. Steve Towle (not used), 15. Abbou Mandiang (for Harlow, 62), 16. Carl Wainwright (for Burton, ht).

Ibstock United (red/black/red): 1. Stephen Fowkes, 2. Sam Adams, 3. Chris Lewis, 4. Jason Munn, 5. Richard Wileman, 6. Michael Betts (capt), 7. Anthony Cresswell, 8. Mark Pallett, 9. Richard Lewis, 10. Jack Lewis, 11. Ian Cooper. Subs: 12. Danny Harrington (not used), 14. David Smith (for Cooper, 58), 15. Jack Powney (not used).

Referee: P. Booker (South Yorkshire).

Goals:
1-0 Anthony Gregory (10)
2-0 Grant Bailey (29)
2-1 Jack Lewis (31)

Cards:
Radford: Andrew Jachmann (YC, 45+2), Darren Garmston (RC, 57).
Ibstock: Sam Adams (YC, 57).

Manglerud Star Toppf 1 Fredrikstad FK Reserves 0

Monday 25th August 2008
Manglerud Star Toppf 1 Fredrikstad FK Reserves 0
Norwegian 2.div Menn avd 01
At: Lambertseter Match, Oslo
Kick-off: 6-00 pm
Admission: 50kr including 4 page programme
Attendance: 70 (headcount)
Weather: sunny spells
Duration: first-half: 45:04; second-half: 47:59


Even though Vålerenga were at home to Strømsgodset in the Tippeligaen, I decided to stick with my pre-trip plan of watching the third-tier game between Manglerud Star Toppf and second string of Tippeligaen side Fredrikstad FK. And the home side turned in a 'star' performance to record a single-goal victory.

In Norway, there are four third-tier divisions - 2.div avd 1, 2.div avd 2, 2.div avd 3 and 2.div avd 4 - which if combined into one would be equivalent in the Norwegian league structure to England's League One). They have equal status and feed into the Adeccoligaen (equivalent to England's Championship) which sits below the Tippeligaen (equivalent to England's Premiership).

Back in 2005, Manglerud enjoyed a memorable season when they won 2.div Menn avd 2 by a two-point margin to gain promotion from this third tier of Norwegian football to the Adeccoligaen. In 2006, they played home games at the famous Bislett Stadium near the centre of Oslo but finished third from bottom and were relegated back to the third tier after just one season in the Adeccoligaen.

Manglerud is a district of Olso, to the south east of the centre of the capital city, and they play their home games at the nearby Lambertseter Stadion, four stops further away from the city than Manglerud station down the number 4 T-bane line.

The Lambertseter Stadion is less than ten minutes walk from the T-bane station. After leaving the train, double back and exit the station to the road. At the top, turn right and cross the bridge to the traffic lights. Turn right into Langbølgen and continue past the shopping centre. Just after the pelican crossing, turn left into Glimmersvingen, go uphill and the ground is on the left. The tall floodlights are visible. For the return journey, cut the corner to the Oslo-bound platform by going through the shopping centre.


The ground is an athletics stadium with six-lane running track and eight tall floodlight pylons. The entrance is in the corner nearest the 100m start where admission money (50 krona) is taken and the free four-page programme is given away. To the right of the entrance, stretching down the length of the home straight to the PA box next to the athletics finishing line, is an open terrace of nine wooden steps complete with crush barriers. This is the only spectator vantage point inside the ground and there is a good tea bar next to the entrance as well. The clubhouse is located outside the perimeter near the 200m start and this is where I obtained the teams from a helpful club official (they were also read out over the tannoy).

Manglerud went into the game in sixth position in the fourteen-team division, with 22 points from 16 games. Fredrikstad occupied second-from-bottom. Just before Fredrikstad got the action under way attacking what I'll call the 200m bend end of the ground, the sound of chanting grew louder and louder. And in came four visiting fans, three of whom spent nearly all game chanting, singing and using their megaphone, as well as occasionally waiving their flags. These fans certainly had great fun and, amongst many other songs, sang lyrics relating to their team to the tunes of 'God Save the Queen' and Mike Oldfield's 'Moonlight Shadow'.


It was goalless at half-time so I decided to check out the tea bar – coffee and a waffle for 20 krona comes highly recommended!


Goalless draws don't necessarily bother me but I imagined one well-known football traveller getting more and more edgy as full-time approached without the net bulging. As if the singing fans were enough, a brass band started practicing in a nearby building. Then in the 85th minute, substitute Simen Halsan-Øien swung in a corner from the right and Jonas Rygg glanced a near-post header into the opposite side of the net. Delight for Manglerud!

The win lifted Manglerud over Valdres FK into fifth position, ten points behind leaders Mjøndalen.

Manglerud Star Toppf (green/green/green): 1. Kim Hording, 17. Marius Lie Bratland, 4. Henning Jørgensen, 5. Lorenzo Caroprese, 2. Andreas Thorud, 11. Morten Granum, 7. Jonas Rygg, 3. Lars Sandbu, 20. Stian Kristoffersen, 9. Christian Torp, 23. Trond Haugstad. Subs: 24. Lars Maalen Johansen, 14. Simen Halsan-Øien (for Kristoffersen, 84), 12. Felix Ademola (for Bratland, 61), 16. Edson Da Silva, 8. Eivind Kampen.

Fredrikstad FK 2 (white/red/white): 1. Tommy Runar, 5. Jørgen Hansen, 2. Gardan Mehmeti, 4. Jonas Becken, 28. Christian Halvorsen, 6. Bala Arezou, 10. Faton Hoti, 16. Martin Elvestad, 7. Oguz Sangirogla, 11. Odilon Kashama, 9. Mats Olavesen. Subs: 12 Lars Erik Johannesen, 17. Erlend Thorvaldsen, 19. Martus Flydahl (for Olavesen, 76).

Referee: Anders Gjermshus (Hamar IL).
Assistants: Jaffar Hussein Said (Rælingen) and Jon-Michael Knutsen (Løvenstad).

Goals:
1-0 Jonas Rygg (85)

Cards:
Manglerud Star Toppf: Lorenzo Caroprese (YC, 31), Morten Granum (YC, 60), Henning Jørgensen (YC, 68)
Fredrikstad: none

Stabaek 1 Lyn Oslo 1

Saturday 23rd August 2008
Stabaek 1 Lyn Oslo 1
Norwegian Tippeligaen
At: Nadderud Stadion
Kick-off: 7-00 pm
Attendance: 5718
Weather: sunny

Grorud IL 2 Nesodden IK 3

Saturday 23rd August 2008
Grorud IL 2 Nesodden IK 3
Norwegian 3.div Menn Oslo avd 05
At: Grorud Match
Kick-off: 3-00 pm
Attendance: 30 (headcount)
Weather: sunny spells


The first leg of a Saturday double in Oslo was the Division 3 (step 4) game between Grorud and Nesodden which the visitors won by the odd goal in five with a late winner.

Grorud IF are based to the east of Oslo city centre and the suburb of the same name is served by T-bane line 5 (pink). The ground is less than five minutes walk to the south of the station and is located on the right on Grorudveien after going over the dual carriageway.

However, I took a different route to get to the ground as I will explain. Having spent the morning travelling up to Holmenkollen and seeing the famous ski jump from a distance (I did the tour in 1992), I look T-bane line 5 from the city centre and got off at Rødtvet so I could have a look at the ground of Groruddalen of 2. Div Menn avd 2. After a quick look round, I had, in theory, plenty of time to walk to Grorud but I decided to take no chances and undertook a sweaty route-march. I had this thought that the Grorud game could be off and I would have to hurriedly return to Grorudallen.


Grorud’s ground has a grass pitch (orientated west-east) with a weed-strewn cinder track which presumably had been used for athletics at some time in the past. The club has a large club house building which also contains the changing rooms. At the front of the club house facing the facing the road is a snack bar called Evy's Gatekjokken. Along one touchline (the southern end of the ground) is a small wooden terrace structure with six steps which is OK for sitting in the dry but I guess not in the wet. Dugouts are on the opposite touchline. Thankfully it was dry as the ground has no shelter from any rain. Spectators can watch the game from both touchlines and behind the goal nearest to the road and clubhouse. There are some tall wooden floodlight pylons along each side. At right angles to the main pitch on the southern side is a floodlight artificial surface which I gather is used for first-team games towards the end of the season.

There was admission and spectators had open access to the ground from the car park off Grorudveien. When I arrived there were three club officials stood chatting (two from Nesodden and one from Grorud) and one of them understood my enquiry about teamsheets and club magazines. He turned out to be from the visitors but relayed a message in Norwegian to the man from Grorud who went into the clubhouse and soon emerged with the latest edition of the club magazine and pennant – which I really appreciated. I also copied down the starting line-ups from the team cards but substitutes had not been named.

The teams emerged from the changing rooms and walked together about 20 yards to the pitch before exchanging those fair play handshakes. All this happened while the local church bells chimed.


Grorud (22 points from 14 games) went into the game in sixth position in the twelve team league will Nesodden (27 points from 14 games) were three places higher in third, some nine points behind leaders KFUM.

I chose to watch the first half sat towards the top of the wooden terrace and the game started pretty soon after the players took to the field.

Visitors Nesodden (white shirts, black shorts and white socks) got the game underway but Grorud took the lead after just 115 seconds. Esling Nilsen fired into the bottom left corner from 10 yards after defender Christian Udaes slipped trying to clear the attack.

The equaliser came in the 20th minute. Andreas Giisel bundled over Kim Johnsen inside the area and Kim Viken stepped up to convert the resulting penalty. Grorud (yellow shirts, blue shorts, blue socks) created some decent chances as they tried to regain the lead. Nilsen headed wide and also sent a 20-yard free-kick straight at visiting keeper Arnfinn Rekdal. The home striker continued to pose a threat and just after the half hour got on the end of a pass from Simen Konasbaug and sent a well-struck shot flashing across the face of goal.

At half-time as the players left for the changing rooms, Grorud's Zacaria Magrowsi came over to the wooden terrace to shake hands with a few of his mates who were watching the game.


I moved over to the other side of the ground for the second half, near the dugouts, and spotted that a local resident, whose house overlooks the ground, had set up a table offering some refreshments.

Nilsen should have put Grorud in front in the 49th minute when he lifted the ball over the advancing keeper. Agonisingly for the striker, the ball flew just over the bar. Nilsen was again out of luck just after the hour mark when he saw a penalty saved by Rekdal. In the next attack, Magrowsi nipped past Dennis Ligonja but fired wide much to the frustration of the Grorud defender.

Eventually Nesodden took a 74th-minute lead. An initial shot from Magnus Rønningden was blocked and not cleared, allowing Johnsen to send a sweet strike home from the edge of the area, much to the players delight.

The aforementioned local resident came to pitchside with, presumably, refreshments on a tray covered by a white and yellow towel.

Aniv Nagzouzi fired straight at the Nessoden keeper from 15 yards but he played a part in Grorud's 84th-minute equaliser. He slipped a pass into the path of Simen Konasbaug down the inside right channel who sent a low shot into the opposite bottom left corner of the net.

But just 42 seconds later, including time to get the game restarted, came what proved to be the winner for Nessoden. ‘Number 10’ (aka Kenny Strandberg???), a 54th minute replacement for Sindre Storhaug, slotted into an unguarded net after home keeper Daniel Tomulevski rushed off his line.

For a speedy getaway to commence my journey to Stabaek, I moved round towards the entrance/exit and got a good view of a late 25-yard shot from Nilsen which flew over the bar.

Coton Green 4 Loughborough University 3

Wednesday 20th August 2008
Coton Green 4 Loughborough University 3
Midland Combination Premier Division
At: Red Lion Ground, Brereton
Kick-off: 7-45 pm
Attendance: 20 (headcount)
Weather: heavy rain


In appalling wet conditions, with heavy rain falling for much of the game, Coton Green recorded their first win as a Midland Combination side. The evening provided an opportunity to meet up with 'Walsall/Addis Neil' and Belayneh Teshome who is the general manager of Ethiopian Electric Sport Club.

Coton GreenFormed in 1982, Coton Green are based in Tamworth and run a host of teams from under-7s to their all-age team in the Midland Combination. Last season they finished runners-up in Division One and gained promotion to the Premier Division by entering into a ground share arrangement with Brereton Social FC.

Brereton's Red Lion Ground is located on the A51 Rugeley-Lichfield road. Travelling from Rugeley, turn left at the lights next to the Talbot Arms and the ground entrance is less than 100 yards on the right.

The entrance is off the club car park where admission money was taken and the eight-page programme with colour cover was sold for £1. There was certainly a warm welcome from the club official on the gate. Inside the programme were team line-ups, an editorial, brief opposition history and plenty of club contact numbers.


I'd previously twice visited the Red Lion Ground in 1985 and again in 2003, both for pre-season friendlies involving Brereton Social and Stafford Rangers. The ground certainly has been improved since 2003 with the addition of a seated stand on the near touchline six rows of individual amber-colours tip-up seats numbering around 120 seats in total. The club house is next to the entrance and has some additional covered standing. The grass bank behind the right-hand goal at the A51 end would have provided a good vantage point had rain not been falling so heavily.

As the programme editorial pointed out, this home game with Loughborough was Coton Green's first home floodlight fixture of the season. But they went into this match on the back of a 9-1 home defeat the previous Saturday at the hands of a 'very good Massey Ferguson outfit'. According to the programme: "we were 9 normal 1st team players and the Manager Steve Pike short as they were on a stag weekend in Budapest but never the less we should not have conceded so many goals."

Neil found out that visitors Loughborough University were managed by John Duncan, the former Tottenham Hotspur striker whose managerial jobs had included two spells in charge of Chesterfield.


Prior to kick-off, the Loughborough outfield players staged a huddle with the goalkeeper emerging late from the changing rooms to join in. Coton got proceedings underway in torrential rain defending the goal nearest to the A51 and they took the lead in the 5th minute. Matthew Ward delivered a free-kick into the area from around half-way and Damian Charie put away a first-time header.

Loughborough keeper David Coombes produced a smart save to turn round a low shot from Charie before the visitors equalised in the 25th minute. Adam Jones crossed from the right and Anthony Moulds powered home a header. Coton regained the lead in the 40th minute when Remi Williams stabbed home a low shot from the edge of the area.

Loughborough bounced back again in the 62nd minute to level things up at 2-2. Steve Blenkinsop crossed low from the left for Mikel Suarez to hammer a first-time shot into the bottom left corner of the net from 15 yards out. And they went so close to taking the lead when Adam Jones rifled a low drive against the left-hand post.


Coton took the lead for the lead for the third time in the 76th minute. A free-kick from the left into a crowded area was played out to Steven Roberts who drove a low ball across the face of goal which was forced home from a yard out by Mark Adey. Williams struck again in the 85th minute to give Coton a two-goal cushion. He slotted a 15-yard shot past the advancing keeper and defender Moulds couldn't prevent the ball from crossing the line.

That wasn't the end of the scoring. In the second minute of stoppage time, Moulds gave the visitors a lifeline when he fired home a low shot from the left side of the area in between the near post and keeper.

Play resumed and the question from the home bench was "How long?" The referee crossed his arms then blew for full-time as Loughbough took an indirect free-kick for offside. Coton had won their first Midland Combination Premier Division game by the odd goal in seven.