Bentley Village 1 Askern Miners Reserves 1, attendance 155
14’ 0-1
83’ 1-1
@ Queen’s Drive
Bentley
DN5 9QB
No Admission or Programme.
This was the first game I had watched in the Doncaster League. It wasn’t a bad one to start with, as this was 2nd versus 3rd in the league table, with Bentley Village requiring a point to take the Division 1 (tier 2 of the league) title from Adwick Park Foresters, who had finished their fixtures and were top of the table on goal difference. The ground is little more than a pitch in a recreation ground, but for tonight’s game it was roped along one side and there were also three match officials appointed, which I assume would not normally be the case. A good crowd too, swelled by around 20 groundhoppers and a fair number of Adwick players, there to see if Askern could do them a huge favour.
The visitors came close to being party poopers. They went ahead after fourteen minutes, heading in at the far post, from a cross out on the left. Bentley Village looked very poor and certainly didn’t look like a team going for the title, especially one that had been unbeaten in the league this season. It remained 0-1 at the break, but the hosts piled the pressure on in the second half and the inevitable equaliser finally came, with just seven minutes left, when a mistake by the Askern ’keeper saw the ball lobbed back over him from just outside the box.
Above : Note the ridiculous colour clash of the Askern ’keeper and the home team!
Lepton Highlanders 3 Leeds City Reserves 2, attendance 175
3’ 1-0
16’ 2-0
26’ 2-1
52’ 2-2
80’ 3-2
@ Lepton Highlanders Sports & Social Club
Wakefield Road
Lepton
HD8 0LX
No Admission
£2 Programme, 8 pages.
This was the last match to be played in this division (third tier of the league, Step 9) and was a winner takes all as far as the league title went. It was 1st versus 3rd, and with just two promotion places available, it meant all three possible results would see a different outcome in both who took the title and who would end up in a higher division next season. Lepton Highlanders were on 48 points (+56 Goal Difference), as were second placed Woodkirk Valley (+ 29 GD), with Leeds City (+ 40 GD) a point further back.
Lepton got off to the perfect start, opening the scoring after just three minutes and we were only sixteen minutes in when they made it 2-0, beating the ’keeper at his near post, with an effort that really should have been saved. Ten minutes later the visitors pulled a goal back, shooting through the ’keeper’s legs, after a cross from the right wasn’t cleared. Seven minutes into the second half it was 2-2, after a poor punch clear by the ’keeper was lobbed back over him from the angle of the 18 yard box, going in off the far post. With ten minutes left Lepton netted the winner, cutting in from the right, before smashing the ball into the roof of the net. During the goal celebrations, one of their players suffered a suspected dislocated knee cap. An ambulance was called, but with none available, they were advised to get him into a car and drive him to hospital themselves! Surprisingly, we only had a seventeen minute delay, whilst the player was loaded into the car and taken away.
So Lepton take the title, and are promoted along with Woodkirk Valley, who finished second.
On arrival at the ground at 17.20 it was a bit concerning to find the gates locked and the place totally deserted, apart from another couple of ’hoppers. Thankfully, at 17.40, a player from each team arrived, then ten minutes later the gates were unlocked and the other players began to drift in. In the end though, they have to be given credit for getting underway just five minutes late. Parking is off Blue Hill Lane, where there is a small sized pitch , from where you walk down some grass banking and across another grassed area before reaching a much steeper drop, with the football pitch at the bottom. It is certainly a more pleasant walk getting down there than it is on the return!
The match was 5th versus 11th in the league table. It was hard to believe the first half finished goalless, as both teams pushed forward at every opportunity, in a very open game. Toller did get the ball in the net early on, but the ’goal’ wasn’t given, despite looking to be at least a yard over the line as the ’keeper scooped the ball clear. Toller did get the breakthrough just after the hour mark though, sparking a run of four goals in six minutes, when a long diagonal pass was finished with a shot across the ’keeper into the far corner. They doubled their lead two minutes later, but Wortley pulled it back to 1-2, shooting into the top corner from 16 yards, before Toller restored their two goal lead immediately to go 1-3 up. A clinical finish, from a one on one with the ’keeper, saw them go 1-4 up with twelve minutes left. Wortley did hit the woodwork twice in the closing stages, but were unable to reduce the deficit.
Brinklow 3 Folly Lane Boys Club Old Boys Association Reserves 3 (4-5 pens), attendance 104
13’ 0-1
41’ 0-2
43’ 1-2
51’ 1-3
53’ 2-3
81’ 3-3
@ Hawkes Mill Sports & Social Club
Hawkes Mill Lane
Allesley
Coventry
CV5 9FN
£3 Admission
No Programme.
In the end, it was the higher level team that took the honours, as the team that finished second in Division 2, played fourth in Division 1. Folly Lane were well on top in the first half. The opening goal was a cracker, as the player dived forward as a cross came in from the right, he back heeled it, looping the ball over the ’keeper. Four minutes before halftime it was 0-2, after a flick on was headed back across the six yard box into the far corner and Brinklow kept themselves in the game when they pulled a goal back just before halftime, finishing a through ball with a lob over the ’keeper.
Brinklow were much better after the break. In the opening minutes of the second half, they saw a header come back off the post, with the rebound hitting the crossbar, but soon found themselves 1-3 down, as Folly Lane scored with an angled shot that the ’keeper should really have saved, but within two minutes it was 2-3, as Brinklow punished a defensive error. Both teams created plenty of chances, before Brinklow levelled it up at 3-3 with nine minutes left, as their No.7 poked a shot past the ’keeper to complete his hattrick. Both teams could have won it in stoppage time. Folly Lane hit the crossbar with a looping header, before Brinklow missed a great chance, shooting straight at the ’keeper when clean through, in what turned out to be the last kick of the match.
It was straight to penalties. Brinklow went first, scoring their first four kicks, as did Folly Lane. The next kick was saved, the ’keeper diving to his left to turn it round the post. Folly Lane then made it 5 from 5 to win it.
Above : Brinklow pull it back to 1-2, with a lob over the ’keeper.
As far as final league positions go, this was 6th versus 4th in the table. Mayfield totally dominated the first half and led 0-3 at the break, courtesy of a hattrick from their No. 9. The opener came after nine minutes, an easy tap in, after his strike partner had beaten the ’keeper to a through ball, before pulling the ball back across the six yard box. The second came just after the half hour mark, when a block tackle saw the ball spin into the air, and he slid in at the far post, volleying in off the underside of the crossbar. The third came right on halftime, an excellent finish from the edge of the box.
Shirebrook looked a completely different team in the second half. Having created nothing in the first half, it took them just five minutes to pull one goal back, when a scramble in the box saw the ball blocked between defender and post, and although Mayfield cleared the ball, the Linesman signalled that the ball had crossed the line. Ten minutes later it was 2-3, when another close range finish from the hosts meant it was very much game on. Mayfield looked the more likely to get the all important next goal, although it was a bit of a surprise that it didn’t arrive until six minutes from time. A free kick from out on the left touchline was headed back across the six yard box and the ball was swept into the net from three yards.
The Surrey Premier County League (Step 7) is fed by the Surrey County Intermediate League (Western) and the Surrey South Eastern Combination League. I’ve always preferred the former of the two feeders, both for location of grounds and also the quality of football on offer. Today’s match certainly went a long way in changing my view on the playing standards, at least, in what was a ’winner takes all’ clash in Junior Division 1, which is Step 10, and the third tier of the S.S.E.C., sitting below the Intermediate Divisions 1 and 2.
Old Boys Clapham had finished the season top of the table, with 46 points (+ 25 Goal Difference) from their twenty games. Banstead Rovers came into this in second place on 44 points (+ 24 GD), with South Croydon in third, having amassed 43 points (+ 39 GD). Therefore, a win for either side would give them the title, whilst a draw would see Old Boys Clapham take the honours. Just to add a little more spice, if it was needed, only the top two teams get promoted!
The two sides were very evenly matched, in what was a game full of commitment. South Croydon broke the deadlock just after the half hour mark, glancing in a header at the near post, from a corner on the left, before doubling their lead just three minutes later, steering the ball into the far corner, after a pull back from the right. Four minutes before halftime Banstead Rovers had a chance to get back into it, but were unable to convert from the penalty spot.
South Croydon went 3-0 up on the hour, brilliantly curling in a shot with the outside of the foot, somehow avoiding the two defenders in the six yard box, after having been forced wide when beating the ’keeper to a through ball. Banstead pulled one back with seventeen minutes left, putting in the rebound, after a long range shot came back off the crossbar, but within two minutes, South Croydon restored their three goal lead, bundling in from 6 yards, after a shot had bounced down off the underside of the crossbar, to make it 4-1. Banstead did pull it back to 4-2, three minutes into stoppage time, but despite the Referee adding on a further seven minutes after the goal, South Croydon hung on to take the title and it will be Old Boys Clapham that join them in the higher division next season.
Above : Banstead see their first half penalty saved by the South Croydon ’keeper.
With the amount of games in this league that are awarded as walkovers, I wasn’t very confident of actually seeing a game tonight, especially with the visitors being bottom of the league table. However, I needn’t have worried. Both teams were out on the pitch doing their warm ups 10-15 minutes before the scheduled start and Stoke Poges had a full compliment of players, as well as three substitutes, which was good to see.
Old Windsor came into this 3rd in the league table, in a three way fight for the title, with current champions Singh Sabha Slough and Britwell. Unfortunately for Old Windsor, a 1-2 loss at home to Britwell on Saturday means the title is no longer in their own hands. Stoke Poges, on the other hand, really need to win two of their last three games, if they are to have a realistic chance of avoiding relegation.
Old Windsor got off to the perfect start, opening the scoring after ten minutes, then doubling their lead a minute later. Stoke Poges pulled one back within four minutes, but a clinical finish from just inside the box saw Old Windsor go 3-1 up midway through the half. Surprisingly, there were no more goals until the hosts made it 4-1 two minutes into the second half, heading in at the far post. The scoring was rounded off when Old Windsor added a fifth goal on sixty nine minutes, scoring from close range, after the ’keeper had saved the first effort.
The top three have all won their midweek matches, so it is still all to play for, although Britwell look to be favourites. Singh Sabha Slough stay top, with 35 points (+33 Goal Difference), with one game to play. Britwell are also on 35 points (+ 30 GD), but have two games left, as do third placed Old Windsor, who are on 34 points (+ 23 GD).
Having already been postponed on Friday, rearranged, then postponed again on Saturday, this one finally took place. A number of venues had been listed as hosting it, with the 3G cage here at Langley Academy finally settled upon, although the East Berkshire League had tweeted it was at Langley Grammar School, which also has a 3G pitch, and is not too far away, but once again it shows how poorly run this league is. Thankfully, Singh Sabha Slough had confirmed the correct address via Twitter.
This is a league renowned for teams failing to fulfil fixtures. The clubs who can’t be bothered to turn up are not punished, so it will never change, but it certainly has a detrimental effect on the teams going for the league title, as it is all well and good being awarded the three points (SSS have had walkovers awarded in their last 2 games as KS Gryf and Iver Heath couldn’t be bothered to play. Iver Heath also failed to play at Old Windsor on 23rd April), but there is no increase in the goal difference tally, and in this league, that can be the deciding factor. The usual suspects of Singh Sabha Slough, Britwell and Old Windsor once again battle it out at the top. Singh Sabha Slough, the reigning champions, came into this top of the table on 32 points (GD +31), with two to play. Britwell are second, also on 32 points (GD +28), but with three to play, as have third placed Old Windsor, who have 31 points (GD +19).
Frontline came into this 8th (third bottom) in the league table, but a win against the league leaders would see them climb to fifth. They had a full squad tonight and really had a go, contributing to a very entertaining match and Singh Sabha certainly had to work hard to take the three points. Frontline went ahead in the seventh minute, but the visitors levelled ten minutes later, with a 25 yarder that the ’keeper should really have saved. Frontline went back in front on twenty seven minutes, when a cross from wide on the right totally deceived the ’keeper and found the far corner. Singh Sabha drew level again in stoppage time at the end of the first half, coolly lobbing the ’keeper from the edge of the D. If only Frontline had held onto their lead heading into the break, then we might have had a different outcome. It wasn’t to be. Singh Sabha edged in front twelve minutes into the second half, the striker cutting back onto his left foot, before shooting into the bottom corner from 6 yards and they made it 2-4 with fifteen minutes left, when a through ball was taken wide of the ’keeper and finished from a tight angle.
The cage had no spectator area, but the three match officials had no problem with people standing inside the fence to watch.
Sporting Hackney normally play at Barking F.C., but they have also played one off games this season at Leyton Sports Ground, Wadham Lodge and today, here at Hackney Marshes. When I last saw them play at home, back on 8th January 2011, they beat Springfield 3-0 in a Middlesex County League Premier Division match, played on the 3G cage at Haggerston Park, in Shoreditch.
I wouldn’t normally make multiple visits to large complexes with vast amounts of pitches. I came to Hackney Marshes on 16th May 2011, when I saw Bethnal Green United ‘A’ lose 0-3 to St. Johns Arsenal Deaf, in a Middlesex County League Division 1 (Central & East) match. The game was played on one of the ’S’ numbered pitches, ( I never noted which one exactly, as I never expected to come back) which are across the Lee Valley Pathway from where today’s match took place. The term ’Show Pitch’ can be misleading, especially in this case. Nearest the building, which houses the changing rooms and cafe/bar, are the two ‘Show Pitches’. No. 1 runs widthways in front of the building and is nothing more than a pitch. No.2 is to the right of this, running at right angles, with this one being roped off. Today, it was hosting an Essex Olympian League Division 1 match between Snaresbrook and Beacon Hill Rovers, which kicked off half an hour after our match. It was a good back up to have, just in case there was a problem with my intended match.
Sporting Hackney came into this fifth in the league table, whilst Brentham were second, knowing that if they won their three remaining games, they would leapfrog current leaders NW London, who have finished their fixtures, managing to build a seven point lead in the process. It started well for the visitors, heading in at the far post with less than two minutes on the clock, but their performance from here on in was pitiful. They never had another attempt on goal until seventy four minutes later, and that was high and wide of the target. In between, Sporting Hackney were far the better side. They levelled through a header of their own, powerfully put in from a corner on the left and could have been four or five ahead by halftime. They went 2-1 up five minutes into the second half, coolly side footing home a ball pulled back from the right. They never looked like losing their lead. They hit the post with an effort that the ’keeper was nowhere near saving, before making it 3-1 in the dying minutes, a long ball superbly controlled wide on the left, beating a defender in the same movement, before cutting inside and shooting past the ’keeper into the far corner.
So, NW London take the title. The fact that Brentham had a chance of winning it, perhaps suggests the standard of this league is not the best.
I wasn’t sure that this game would definitely take place. It was 8th versus 12th in the league table, with nothing on the game for Parklands and they have already forfeited their final home game next Saturday, whilst Malpas hadn’t played since 23rd April and had already failed to turn up for this fixture when it was scheduled to be played earlier in the season. Although they are fourth bottom, the two teams immediately below them can both still get enough points to leapfrog them, so they are certainly not safe yet.
Malpas to Cronton, just north of Widnes, takes almost an hour to drive at the best of times, let alone during rush hour, so it was little surprise that the away team struggled to get here, with the last car load arriving right on the scheduled kick off time, hence the game getting underway ten minutes late. It didn’t seem to affect them though, as they matched the hosts from the off and looked a far better side than their league position suggested. Plenty of chances at both ends, with Parklands going closest to making the breakthrough, hitting the crossbar ten minutes before halftime, but it remained 0-0 at the break.
Parklands finally broke the deadlock nine minutes into the second half, when a defender put the ball past his own ’keeper when trying to cut out a cross. Three minutes later Malpas saw a shot hit the post, but levelled it up at 1-1 a minute later, firing in off the inside of the post. Parklands then scored twice in the next three minutes, to go 3-1 up and it was game over. They added three more, with the free kick that made it 5-1 being the pick of the bunch, before Malpas pulled one back to make it 6-2 with a couple of minutes left.
The journey up and back wasn’t great, with the SatNav taking us up the M1 (to avoid a vehicle fire on the M40) and across the A50 to Stoke, before finally joining the M6 at Junction 16. Coming back was a little better, although the M40 was shut between Junction 12 and 11 and the M25 closed from Junction 10 to 9, which meant by the time I arrived home, I had been driving for 9 hours 59 minutes!
