Hellenic League

Premier Division

Tuesday 24th September 2024

Kick Off 19.45 On Time!

Hartpury University 4 Hereford Pegasus 1, attendance 268

3’ 0-1

25’ 1-1

71’ 2-1

72’ 3-1

90’ 4-1

@ Hartpury University Stadium

Hartpury Sports Academy

off A417

Hartpury

GL19 3BG

£8 Admission

No Programme.

I first came to a game at Hartpury University back in March 2006, when they were known as U.W.E. Hartpury. I saw them beat Sheffield Hallam University 2-1 in a British Universities Sports Association Cup Semi Final, which was played on the grass pitch (No. 13 on map) to the left of the driveway as you enter the complex. They subsequently used that ground when they entered into the football pyramid, but this season, with promotion into Step 5, they are now hosting games on the main stadium here (No. 8 on map), which was originally home to just their rugby team, who currently play at the second level nationally. There is a full length seated stand and access for spectators on all four sides. There is a bar at the back of the stand and food and drink were available from mobile catering units. The crowd tonight was very impressive for this level and certainly looked higher than the official figure of 268. An interesting point of note though is that students based here get in free and apparently, the number of paying customers totalled just 44!

The match was between two teams who’d got off to good starts this season, as 3rd hosted 5th in the league table. Hereford Pegasus were ahead after just three minutes, when a shot from the edge of the box found the bottom corner. Hartpury levelled with a close range finish midway through the half and thought they’d gone in front just before halftime, but the goal was ruled out for offside. They did go ahead with nineteen minutes left though, dinking the ball over the ‘keeper when played through on goal and a minute later it was 3-1, finishing with a first time shot. They added a fourth goal in the final minute, cutting in from the left before giving the ‘keeper no chance.

West Wales Premier League

Saturday 21st September 2024

Kick Off 17.30 On Time!

Mumbles Rangers 7 Bryn Rovers 0, attendance 160

22’ 1-0

23’ 2-0

41’ 3-0

50’ 4-0

56’ 5-0

68’ 6-0

88’ 7-0

@ Swansea University Sports Park, 3G Pitch

Sketty Lane

Swansea

SA2 8QB

£3 Admission

£2 Programme available, but I won’t buy one at any event organised by Groundhop U.K.

When I visited Mumbles Rangers previously they were in the Swansea Senior League, where I saw them lose 1-5 to Brynawel in a Premier Division match, which was a 6pm midweek kick off on 17th September 2019. They played at Underhill Park back then, in Mumbles itself. That ground has had a total revamp, including the installation of a 3G pitch, so it seems rather odd that they are now playing at a 3G pitch in Swansea, rather than using their own ground. The stadium pitch here at Swansea University was visited for a Welsh League game in December 2017, but tonight’s game was played on the 3G pitch that runs parallel to that, to the south. You still enter through the stadium and the tea bar and toilets were available there, as the caged set up has no facilities of its own, although it does have the benefit of spectator access along the whole of one side, as well as grass banking along the entirety, which offered a good view from the top, making it a much better match day experience, even with a decent crowd present.

The match was 9th versus 16th (bottom). As expected, it was a comfortable home win. Mumbles were coasting after two goals in as many minutes saw them go 2-0 up midway through the first half, before adding a third goal just before halftime. They even missed a penalty too, although most people present thought that the ball had come back off the wheel inside the goal frame, rather than hitting the post, which is how the Referee seemed to think it stayed out. Anyway, it wasn’t going to affect the outcome. It only took five minutes of the second half before goal number four did arrive. Two more goals soon followed, before the scoring was rounded off with two minutes left, giving the hosts a resounding 7-0 win, leaving Bryn rooted to the bottom of the table, having now lost all eight games they’ve played.

Luckily for me, I’d already visited the two scheduled games for tomorrow, so headed straight home after the final whistle, where a clear run meant arriving back just before 11 pm.

West Wales Premier League

Saturday 21st September 2024

Kick Off 14.00 Actual 14.01

Penlan A.F.C. 0 Rockspur 1, attendance 332

40’ 0-1

@ Mynydd Newydd Playing Fields

Heol Gwyrosydd

Penlan

SA5 7BS

£3 Admission

£2 Programme available, but I won’t buy one at any event organised by Groundhop U.K.

It was only twelve or thirteen minutes drive from Ynystawe to Penlan, on the northern fringes of Swansea, for the next game. The entrance lane into the ground off Heol Gwyrosydd opens out into a large car park, with the clubhouse/changing rooms in front of you. Penlan Rugby Club play on a pitch to the right, whilst to the rear of the building is a huge expanse of grass, home to a number of Swansea Senior League teams (there was a game on one of the pitches today) and also the enclosed pitch of Penlan A.F.C. It is as far to the left of the complex as it could possibly be, around 250 yards from the building. There was a gap in the metal perimeter fencing that was accessible off Heol Emrys, which was almost pitchside, but it wasn’t the most salubrious area to have parked your car, judging by the state of the houses backing onto the ground. The clubhouse here was busy and the hot food on offer was excellent. Plenty of choice and ran to almost military style precision by the five or six manning operations. Hot drinks were served from a separate area, which meant everyone was served quickly. It was a shame it was so far from the pitch, as it would have been well worth another visit at halftime!

The match was 8th versus 1st in the league table, the visitors coming into this with a 100% winning record from their opening nine games, amassing a goal difference of +37 in the process. Although short on goals, it certainly wasn’t lacking in commitment. A little too much at times! Rockspur had a man sent off midway through the first half, but still managed to score what turned out to be the winning goal five minutes before the break, when a diagonal free kick into the box was headed back across the face of goal and finished with a shot on the turn that found the bottom corner. Penlan did have a goal ruled out for offside just after the hour mark, but never really looked drawing level. The closing stages were a real red card fest. Penlan were first, levelling the game up as ten a side. This was shortly followed by a second one for Rockspur (10 v 9) and in the last throes Penlan lost another two, which saw us finish with just eight versus nine at the final whistle. It’s not always the case, but yes, it was that kind of game.

West Wales Premier League

Saturday 21st September 2024

Kick Off 11.00 On Time!

Ynystawe Athletic 2 Dafen Welfare 2, attendance 194

16’ 0-1

34’ 1-1 (pen)

54’ 1-2

58’ 2-2

@ Ynystawe Park

Park Road

Ynystawe

SA6 5AP

£5 Admission, including programme, whether you wanted it or not! (I certainly don’t want one at any event organised by Groundhop U.K.)

After an overnight stay in Llanelli, it was off to Ynystawe Athletic, just north of the M4, for what was the first game, of three, on today’s ground hop. Heading north from the motorway it is a right turn off the A4067 into Park Road, the ground is about 100 yards along on the left. There is a very small car park, but no problem parking along the road side. You enter behind the goal, with the fully railed pitch running lengthways away from you, with a pair of dugouts on the left and the changing rooms behind the far goal. A cricket square separates the main pitch from a second pitch, slightly offset, that was also hosting a game today (Reserves ?) with a later kick off. As with last night, the players had to get changed elsewhere (changing rooms here being used for the other match), this time at Ynystawe Cricket Club and walk the 300-400 yards to the pitch. Again, as with last night (there’s a theme developing here), no facilities pitchside, so again the full potential of the money making opportunity was not grasped. It was probably a shock to the locals to be charged £5 admission too (I doubt that they actually are charged the inflated price), although this was the only club (of the 4 I’d be doing) to enforce the cost of programmes whether you wanted one or not.

The match was 8th versus 11th. Dafen Welfare took an early lead, finishing into the bottom corner after being played through on goal. Ynystawe levelled with a penalty eleven minutes before halftime. Dafen went back in front nine minutes into the second half, when a first time shot beat the ‘keeper at his near post. Ynystawe were only trailing for four minutes, drawing level with a header that took a slight deflection on its way in. The hosts should have won it late on, but the player slipped over with the goal gaping. They also had a player sin binned in stoppage time, but too late to have any effect on the game.

It had rained quite heavily in the hour up to kick off, but the pitch was in excellent condition. It was one of those days where the weather forecast was that it was to improve as the day went on. Let’s hope they’re right.

West Wales Premier League

Friday 20th September 2024

Kick Off 19.00 Actual 18.59!

Seaside 0 Garden Village 1, attendance 209

54’ 0-1

@ Pen Rhos 3G Pitch

Copperworks Road

Llanelli

SA15 2NG

£3 Admission

£2 Programme available, but I won’t buy one at any event organised by Groundhop U.K.

I’d visited Seaside at their Crown Park ground back in February 2009, when, as a Carmarthenshire League team, they had beaten then League of Wales side Haverfordwest County 6-3 in a West Wales F.A. Senior Cup 2nd Round match. These days they are using the new 3G caged facility at Pen Rhos, behind Pen Rhos School, on the site of the old copper works. It’s just the standard set up, with spectator access along three quarters of one side. Normally, this wouldn’t be a problem, but tonight it was hosting the first game of this year’s ‘West Wales Hop’, so the crowd was five or six times their normal turnout and it just wasn’t capable of handling these sort of numbers (anything above fifty is pushing it!). The ground here is as bad as it gets and it is appalling to think this is allowed to host level 4 football. There aren’t even any changing rooms or toilets! Players and officials had to change at Crown Park and then walk the 300- 400 yards through the houses to the pitch, but at least it meant we had a short halftime, as everyone stayed out on the pitch! Despite being an organised hop, there was no effort whatsoever to cater for those watching. Not even a mobile caterer. There was food and drink back at Crown Park, but hardly ideal if you fancy a cuppa during the game!

Viewing was dreadful for the majority present, especially during a brief spell of rain (cue the umbrellas). It certainly detracted from the game and was hard to really get into it. It was 11th versus 13th in the league table and the two sides were evenly matched. The only goal came nine minutes into the second half, when a corner on the right was headed back across the six yard box and met with a second header that diverted it back into the far corner. Seaside nearly levelled in stoppage time, but a diagonal free kick into the box was headed against the post.

Hampshire Premier League

Senior Division

Tuesday 17th September 2024

Kick Off 19.00 Actual 18.59

Bishops Waltham Dynamos 1 Liss Athletic 2, attendance 23

15’ 1-0

75’ 1-1

81’ 1-2

@ The Mountbatten School, 3G Pitch

Whitenap Lane

Romsey

SO51 5SY

No Admission or Programme.

I received no reply from either club on Twitter as to whether this was going ahead okay, but a text message to the BWD Manager was replied to within minutes, confirming venue and kick off time. The 3G pitch here at The Mountbatten School is the regular home ground for BWD. It’s the standard cage set up, with spectator access along the near side, stretching about 30 odd yards each side of the halfway line.

The match was 13th versus 15th (out of 16). BWD took an early lead, following in to score with a follow up shot, after the initial effort was saved and it looked like it might have been enough to win it, as there were very few clear cut chances created. Liss drew level with fifteen minutes left, when a cross from the right was half blocked but fell perfectly for a first time finish into the bottom corner. Six minutes later they grabbed the winner, heading in powerfully from a corner on the right. They could have added a third, when they were awarded a penalty in stoppage time, but it was well saved by the ‘keeper.

Hampshire Premier League

Senior Division

Saturday 14th September 2024

Kick Off 12.30 Actual 12.32

Hook 1 Bishops Waltham Dynamos 1, attendance 40

60’ 1-0 (pen)

90’ + 5, 1-1

@ King George V Playing Field

Hook Common (A287)

off London Road

Hook

RG27 9JJ

No Admission or Programme.

I had hoped this would be part one of a double today. I’d intended going to league newcomers Rushmore Community at 3pm, but when checking the ground address on my spreadsheet this morning, I realised I’d already visited the ground for a Farnborough North End home game played there back in January 2012, when they were in the Surrey Elite Intermediate League. I decided to stick with the 12.30 kick off anyway, as it gave insurance against games being called off and would leave me the maximum alternatives if needed. This is one of the first grounds to suffer postponements during the wetter months, so it was one that needed visiting in dry weather, which was certainly the case today. I failed to get to a game here last season, but did see them host a home game played at Papermill Avenue in February. At least leaving early, I’d avoid the worst of the traffic, although queuing from M25 J10 all the way to M3 J4A meant the 44 mile drive (42 miles of motorway) took ninety five minutes…a sure sign that the kids school holidays are over!

Hook share the ground here with Hook & Newnham Cricket Club. Entering off London Road, there is a small car park, just about big enough to cope, with the grass verges on each side of the lane doubling capacity. The football pitch is on the right, roped off, with a pair of dugouts to the right. The changing rooms are on the far side of the cricket square, where there also appeared to be hot drinks available inside.

The match was 11th versus 15th (out of 16) and had plenty of effort, but very little quality. The only thing of note in a really poor first half was a shot from the visitors that hit the post. The game did improve after Hook took the lead with a penalty on the hour. Two minutes later BWD had a penalty of their own, but it was saved by the ‘keeper. It looked like it would end 1-0, when five minutes into stoppage time, a diagonal ball into the box was spilled by the ‘keeper, resulting in an easy tap in for the equaliser.

Oddly, the four grounds I’ve yet to visit in this league now (2 Senior Div, 2 Div 1) are all 3G pitches, one of which is today’s visitors, who are due to be at home this coming midweek.

Perry Street & District League

Premier Division

Wednesday 11th September 2024

Kick Off 18.15 On Time!

Shepton Beauchamp 1 Yetminster United 2, attendance 30

24’ 0-1

28’ 0-2

48’ 1-2

@ Shepton Beauchamp Playing Field

Brimgrove Lane

Shepton Beauchamp

TA19 0NE

No Admission or Programme.

So, another trip down to Somerset, just three miles west of last night’s game, brought down the curtain on the early season midweek kick offs, as Autumn draws ever closer. Entering the ground off Brimgrove Lane, into a small car park, the changing room building is to the right, with the pitch at the top end of the field, running widthways and bordered by trees on three sides.

The match was 8th versus 3rd in the league table, with the visitor’s knowing a win would see them regain first place, having been knocked off top spot due to the rest of the division playing their games last night. Yetminster had the better of the early exchanges and went ahead after twenty four minutes, scoring with a free kick from 20 yards into the far corner. They doubled their lead four minutes later, when a corner from the right was headed in at the near post. The second half was much more even. Shepton Beauchamp pulled a goal back eight minutes after the restart, capitalising on a miss kicked clearance by the home ‘keeper, to finish into the bottom corner from the edge of the box. Yetminster had a man sin binned shortly after and despite the hosts pushing hard for an equaliser, they managed to hold out for the win, helped by constant time wasting and gamesmanship (dropping to the ground every time the ball went to him and lying there until a Shepton player went towards him) from their substitute ‘keeper, who’d come on as a replacement for the injured first choice. At least he picked up a booking, as the Referee soon tired of his antics, but that’s little consolation to the hosts.

It had been dry on arrival and for the early stages of the match, but the evening soon turned to rain, causing the entire crowd and team ‘benches’ to head for the cover of the trees. There was overhang on the changing room building, but really too distant to watch the game properly from. Once the rain cleared, it brightened up for the second half, although it turned rather chilly. As with last night, the Referee played 2 x 40 minute halves and halftime was brief, with everyone staying out on the pitch and the light was better than we’d expected when we finished at 19.41.

Perry Street & District League

Premier Division

Tuesday 10th September 2024

Kick Off 18.15 Actual 18.17

South Petherton 2 Barrington 2, attendance 40

18’ 1-0

28’ 1-1

63’ 2-1

72’ 2-2 (pen)

@ South Petherton Recreation Ground

Lightgate Lane

South Petherton

TA13 5AU

No Admission or Programme.

It looks like we’re into the final midweek action for the non floodlit grounds, until late March, sadly. We had a handful of options in this league, opting for a Premier Division game, where 2nd hosted 5th in the league table. The clubs are only five miles apart (even less as the crow flies) and despite everyone being there well before kick off, we got underway a couple of minutes late, due to the visitors heading back to the changing rooms, just as it looked like we would get started slightly early. A combination of the late start and an evening spent mostly in drizzle and light rain, meant the Referee sensibly opted for 2 x 40 minute halves and a very short halftime, with everyone staying out on the pitch. We even got some stoppage time at the end of the match, but a full ninety minutes might have been pushing it a bit.

South Petherton opened the scoring midway through the first half, scoring at the second time of asking, following a scuffed shot that had been blocked. Barrington levelled ten minutes later, with a long range effort, shortly followed by a South Petherton sin bin just before halftime. They’d hardly got back to full strength when another player was sin binned, but having survived both periods of being a man short, they regained the lead, scoring after an initial shot was blocked, before the rebound was sent towards the far post for an easy tap in. Barrington had a shot tipped round the post and from the resulting corner had the ball in the net, but it was disallowed following a discussion between the Referee and home club Linesman. Minutes later they did make it 2-2 though, scoring from the penalty spot and South Petherton thought they’d grabbed a late winner, but it was disallowed for offside. It was pretty obvious to the neutrals present, but not the locals, that the Referee wouldn’t overturn the decision, having gone with the home club Linesman’s opinion at the other end.

South Petherton play on a typical village recreation ground, shared with cricket, the pitch being furthest from the changing rooms/clubhouse(open for drinks/sweets/crisps etc) running widthways. It was tree lined on two sides and has a children’s play area behind one goal. A travelling fair was set up on the cricket outfield, but not actually open yet.

F.A. Wales Amateur Trophy

1st Round

Saturday 7th September 2024

Kick Off 14.00 On Time!

Llannefydd 2 Corwen 1, attendance 75 (official)

7’ 1-0

65’ 2-0

81’ 2-1

@ Cae Llan

Llannefydd

LL16 5EA

£4 Admission

£2 Programme, 24 pages.

My original plan for this afternoon was to do Cei Connah versus Brymbo, but with the morning game at Yr Wyddgrug having been postponed, I wasn’t time restricted, so opted to tick off one of the two remaining teams I’d yet to visit in the Ardal North West League (Tier 3 in Wales) and opted for Llannefydd (the other being N.F.A. in Rhyl, who were at home in a league match). Firstly, it was a more awkward journey if coming from home and secondly, it was kicking off half an hour earlier (2pm, not 2.30 as stated on the programme). It also helped that this was a more reliable league and both clubs were up to date with their social media.

As this wasn’t my intended game, I hadn’t really done any research, so just put the postcode in the SatNav and took a steady scenic drive West from Mold. I ended up at a farm, having been taken left at the Hawk and Buckle Inn as I came into the village. I should have continued straight on, where the ground is the last thing on the left, just as you reach the national speed limit signs. There is a small car park, as well as more spaces along the grass verge just beyond the entrance. There is a pay booth, where match programmes are also available. I don’t always buy one these days, unless it’s the only way a club can actually take any money, but am glad I did today. If I hadn’t, I probably (definitely) wouldn’t have been aware of the quirky fact that the home team are one player short of being able to field a full Jones eleven! Williams were next best represented, with four listed for Corwen and three for the hosts. The Referee would certainly have his work cut out if dishing out red/yellow cards….wouldn’t want to see the wrong players getting suspensions!

Once inside, there are two seated kit stands along the right hand side and the pitch is railed on three sides, with the left hand side housing the dugouts and out of bounds to spectators. The far goal end is the only section without hard standing, whilst the changing rooms are in the corner, at the goal end nearest the road. There is also a tea bar, which did excellent burgers and the usual hot/cold drinks and sweets etc. All the club officials/volunteers were very friendly and I’d certainly recommend those who’ve yet to visit, to add it to their list.

Although it was a cup match, these two are in the same league, with this being 11th versus 10th, as far as league positions go and they’d drawn 3-3 in a league fixture here just 10 days ago. Llannefydd got off to the perfect start, smashing in an indirect free kick from 15 yards after seven minutes. Despite being well on top, they didn’t add their second goal until midway through the second half, when having hit the crossbar, before the ball was scrambled away for a corner, the resulting kick was headed in from six yards by Tom Jones, for his second goal of the game. I asked a local if he regularly scores two in a game. His reply?….”it’s not unusual”! Corwen made it interesting when they pulled a goal back with nine minutes left, cutting in from the right and shooting against the post, before the rebound was put into the far corner. They pressed hard for an equaliser, with their ‘keeper going up for every corner/free kick in the dying minutes, but Llannefydd held on for a deserved win. Unfortunately, for Corwen, it just goes to show, you can’t always ‘keep up with the Jones’s’.

Journey into North Wales this morning was via M54 and A5, A541 once past the West Midlands and home via the A55 and M6 for the return, getting back 14 hours after I’d set off. In the end, an excellent day out, albeit a long one.