Somerset F.A. Senior Cup

2nd Round

Saturday 6th October 2018

Kick Off 14.00 Actual 14.04

Ilminster Town 2 Cheddar Reserves 4,  attendance 31

25’ 1-0

43’ 1-1

62’ 2-1

69’ 2-2

79’ 2-3

86’ 2-4

@ Archie Gooch Pavilion

Canal Way

Ilminster

TA19 9FE

Admission, by collection box

No Programme.

Normally, having stopped over following the match in Cornwall last night, I would have done another match in the area today, but having tickets to see Henning Wehn in Guildford at 7.30 pm meant I needed something a little nearer home, especially when having to allow for the possibility of extra time and penalties.

I had visited the ‘old’ ground of Ilminster Town on 8th November 2003, when they beat Crewkerne 3-0 in a Somerset County League, Division 1 match. That pitch, now minus the old covered area, is still there, with the new ground a couple of hundred yards away, separated by a cricket ground and a canal.

I picked this match, as I thought it was unlikely to need extra time to settle it, which was correct, but not for the reason I thought. With Ilminster being in the Premier Division of the Somerset County League and visitors Cheddar Reserves being in Division 3, albeit top and undefeated in their first six matches, I was expecting a home win.

Ilminster broke the deadlock with a deflected free kick on twenty five minutes, but Cheddar headed an equaliser just before the break. When Ilminster edged back in front just after the hour mark I thought they would go on to win comfortably, but Cheddar levelled again when an attempt to block a cross saw the ball loop over the goalkeeper and drop inside the far corner of the net to make it 2-2. Despite looking very tired, it was Cheddar who got their noses in front next and deservedly finished things off with a shot from an acute angle with four minutes left, to make it 2-4.

Ilminster may have been cheesed off with this result, but it suited me fine, leaving ample time to make it for the evening entertainment !

Cornwall F.A. Senior Cup

1st Round

Friday 5th October 2018

Kick Off 19.30. On Time !

Helston Athletic 3 Penzance 2 (AET),  attendance 156

8’ 1-0

15’ 2-0

30’ 2-1

43’ 2-2

118’ 3-2

@ Kellaway Park

Clodgey Lane

Helston

TR13 8PJ

£5 Admission, including Programme, 4 pages.

With the only two clubs I hadn’t visited in the South West Peninsula League Premier Division both having home matches tonight in the Cornwall Senior Cup, it was an ideal night to tick off Helston, with the back up of Sticker en route if I hit any traffic problems. The traffic was not too bad, but heading along the A30 between Bodmin and Camborne the mist began to come down and visibility was becoming poor. Thankfully, once I was south of Cambourne, it began to lift and it was totally clear for the last 8 miles or so heading into Helston.

The match was 14th in the Premier Division versus 6th in Division 1 West. After 15 minutes it looked to be going to form as Helston raced into a 2-0 lead. Penzance pulled one goal back, then just before the break, headed in an equaliser from a scramble inside the six yard box. Both teams had plenty of chances to win it in normal time, but it finished level at 2-2 after 90 minutes. Again, in extra time both teams had some decent chances to win it and with it looking like heading to penalties to decide it, Helston broke away and their striker managed to slot the ball past the on rushing ‘keeper to seal the win with just two minutes left on the clock.

The official crowd was announced as 156, although I only counted 128.

Taunton League

Seward Cup 1st Round

Wednesday 3rd October 2018

Kick Off 20.00 Actual 20.05

Nether Stowey 2 Norton Fitzwarren 0,  attendance 23

43’ 1-0

81’ 2-0

@ Bridgwater College Academy, 3G Pitch

Parkway

Bridgwater

TA6 4QY

No Admission or Programme.

The Taunton League schedule the majority of their cup matches to be played on Wednesday or Friday evenings, using this facility and another 3G Pitch in Taunton to stage games.

Having never seen a match in this league previously, I wasn’t sure what standard it would be. It turned out to be plenty of effort, but lacking somewhat in attacking ability. Despite it being 4th in Division 3 versus 7th in Division 2, the match was totally dominated by the lower level team. It looked like neither side was capable of scoring, but Nether Stowey broke the deadlock just before the break with a 40 yard punt that was fumbled over the goal line by the ‘keeper. The second goal was better though, with a 25 yard shot curled into the bottom corner of the net to seal it late on.

Liverpool Premier League

Premier Division

Tuesday 2nd October 2018

Kick Off 20.05 Actual 20.03

Liverpool Nalgo 1 B.R.N.E.S.C. 4,  attendance 32

7’ 0-1

37’ 0-2

41’ 0-3

42’ 0-4

85’ 1-4

@ Liverpool County F.A. Ground, 3G Pitch

Walton Hall Park

Walton Hall Avenue

Liverpool L4 9XP

No Admission or Programme.

I had visited the Liverpool County F.A. Ground twice before, as they have two floodlit grass pitches here, both with covered standing areas and fully railed. They are at the back of the complex, with the pitch to the right, as you look from the car park, visited on 27th April 2000, with the left hand of the two being visited on 19th November 2007.

The Liverpool Premier League schedule all members to play midweek matches here, rather than at their own grounds, but use the 3G Pitch, which is to the left of the car park as you enter the complex, hence the need to attend for a third time. There are a few ‘outside’ pitches as well, but I will probably never be back for any of those, but never say never !

Nalgo came into this in second place in the league table, still undefeated, knowing a win would take them top. B.R.N.E.S.C. (British Rail North End Social Club, to give them their full title) were fifth, but could go level at the top of the table with a win. As it was, it went the way of the ‘visitors’, who totally blew the hosts away in a superb first half display. The second half never really got going and the late goal for Nalgo was little consolation for them.

Despite the Liverpool Premier League being one of the best Step 7 leagues as far as the standard of football goes, off field it is just like being at a Sunday League match down the local park. The Nalgo ‘Manager’ spent the entire match stood about 2-3 yards on the pitch, joined by two or three others for the vast majority of the game, whilst a couple of kids played with a football, at times 10 yards onto the pitch, even when the game was being played in that half of the pitch at the time !!! I was surprised the 3 match officials didn’t do anything about this, especially as the Linesman on their side of the pitch would have been able to see very little of the touch line most of the time.