Teesside League

Wednesday 15th March 2017

Kick Off 19.30, On Time !

Redcar Town 2 Guisborough Three Fiddles 0,  attendance 38

61′ 1-0

84′ 2-0 (pen)

@ Mo Mowlem Memorial Park

Trunk Road

Redcar

TS10 5BW

No admission or programme.

From the game in York, I had a couple of options, either go to Stockton Town, which would have completed the Northern League, or go here, which will probably host far fewer midweek games than the former. As it had been dry for a few days, it was better to do Redcar, as it is a grass pitch, whereas Stockton play on a 3G pitch, so it can wait for a day when the weather is less favourable.

It was only 4 miles further to come here, some 57 miles north of York, the majority of which was on the A19. The ground here is probably the best in the league, although I haven’t visited a Teesside League ground for at least 10 years, and wouldn’t require too much work for them to progress into the Northern League if they wanted to.

Another match that kicked off on time and we even had an earlier than expected finish, with both teams, and the match officials, staying out on the pitch for a five minute halftime !

A dreadful journey home, with the M1 having endless sections of 50 mph speed limits and the closure from Junction 20 to 18. Completed the 285 miles, including a couple of stops, in five and a half hours, climbing into bed at 0250.

British Universities & Colleges Sport

Northern 3B

Wednesday 15th March 2017

Kick Off 16.15, On Time !

York St. John University 0 Teesside University 2,  attendance 18

12′ 0-1

88′ 0-2

@ York St. John University Sports Park, 3G Pitch

Nestle Rowntrees Park

Haxby Road

York

YO31 8TA

No admission or programme.

A nice easy 35 mile drive to here from Leeds. Again, it was a venue I had previously visited for a match, having seen Nestle Rowntrees beat Bardsey 6-1 in the West Yorkshire League, Premier Division, on 18th March 2000. In those days, the ground was known as Mille Crux, and the grass pitch I saw the game on is still there, as is the small section of cover that runs along the Haxby Road side of the pitch.

The 3G pitch is built on the opposite side of some new buildings from the grass pitches and runs parallel to a brand new synthetic hockey pitch.

The match was 2nd v 3rd in the league table, although neither team could finish in any other position, whatever the outcome of today’s game.

British Universities & Colleges Sport

Northern 2B

Wednesday 15th March 2017

Kick Off 13.00 Actual 13.04

Leeds Beckett University 2 Leeds Trinity University 2,  attendance 53

37′ 1-0

49′ 2-0

68′ 2-1 (OG)

81′ 2-2

@ Carnegie Headingley Campus, 3G Pitch

Church Wood Avenue

Leeds

LS6 3QS

No admission or programme.

Beckett knew a win would mean they had won the league and all looked to be going well, until they conceded an own goal and they totally lost their way. The late equaliser meant that they could be pipped for top spot by University Northumbria 2nds, who were due to play at home later in the afternoon. As it turned out, Northumbria lost 1-3 to University Leeds.

I had been to a game here on 16th March 2005,(4-6 AET, v University Northumbria, in a Championship QF) when they were known as Leeds Metropolitan University, but that game was played on what is known as ‘Top Pitch’, which runs lengthways beyond the 3G pitch, albeit slightly offset. The only difference being the green barrier around the pitch is now replaced by a white one. It had also been free to park on the university campus in those days. Today, it was £2.40.

I had left home at 0730, for the 227 miles drive north, via M25 and M1, which allowed time for a stop off at Shepshed Truck Stop, (off Junction 23 of the M1) and a very good ‘Full English’, on what was hopefully going to be the first match of an intended treble of games today.