West Lancashire League

Premier Division

Saturday 27th April 2024

Kick Off 15.00 On Time!

Burscough Richmond 2 Coppull United 1, attendance 48

18’ 1-0

36’ 1-1

55’ 2-1

@ Richmond Park

Junction Lane

Burscough

L40 5SS

No Admission or Programme.

I had to look at the 3 pm kick offs in order to get in a double today and with the two clubs I hadn’t visited in the West Lancashire League Premier Division both being at home this afternoon, my mind was easily made up. I opted for Burscough Richmond (the other being Hurst Green) as it was the nearer of the two to Ince and arrived a good thirty five minutes before the scheduled kick off. The ground is accessed off Junction Lane, where I turned left into the small car park between Nos. 14 and 12 as I arrived from the south. On entering Richmond Park, there is a bowling green to the left, with the clubhouse/changing rooms adjacent, whilst the pitch is beyond, running at a slight angle. It is fully railed and has a pair of dugouts on the near side. The clubhouse had hot/cold food and drinks on offer and had I known just how good the pies were, I’d have had one pre-match, rather than waiting until halftime!

The match was 5th versus 14th (out of 17) in the league table. Burscough Richmond are the reigning champions, but third place will be their best possible finish this time round, such is the gap between them and leaders Thornton Cleveleys and second placed C.M.B. Although Coppull United could still mathematically be overtaken by second bottom Wyre Villa (it would take a freak set of results) they will survive at Step 7 for another season at least.

Both teams played an open game, with both playing attacking football, with no thoughts of negative tactics at all, which made it an excellent game to watch from a neutral perspective. Burscough opened the scoring after eighteen minutes, beating the ‘keeper at the near post with a diagonally hit free kick from 25 yards. Coppull deservedly levelled nine minutes before halftime, when a cross field pass was chested down and finished clinically into the far corner. What turned out to be the winner came ten minutes into the second half when a through ball was flicked on and finished into the bottom corner. Coppull nearly grabbed an equaliser four minutes into stoppage time when a header from a corner was headed clear off the line.

So, a successful day was had and a good way to notch up the milestone of my 6,000th football ground I’ve seen a match at. It certainly feels like it was a long time coming, not helped by the Covid 19 pandemic and of course the cardiac arrest I suffered that certainly slowed things down considerably!

For the record, the others were….

1,000 – 3rd March 1998 Bridgwater Town – Fairfax Park

2,000 – 13th December 2003 Ferryhill Athletic – Sunnyvale Leisure Centre

3,000 – 9th September 2009 Berkshire County Sports – Berkshire County Sports & Social Club

4,000 – 18th January 2014 R.F.C. Xhoffraix – Rue de la Tournerie

5,000 – 11th March 2018 Pont-A-Celles-Buzet- Rue Norte Dame des Graces

6,000 – 27th April 2024 Burscough Richmond – Richmond Park

Hopefully, both me and the blog will still be going strong when number 7,000 needs to be added sometime in the future…..

Cheshire League

Division 2

Saturday 27th April 2024

Kick Off 12.00 Actual 12.04

Wigan Town 1 Mersey Valley 0, attendance 39

60’ 1-0

@ Ince Rose Bridge Sports & Community Club (Ince Rose Bridge A.R.L.F.C.)

Pinfold Street

Higher Ince

WN2 2DZ

No Admission or Programme.

The early kick off here gave the perfect opportunity for a double today, even though it meant an early start for the 232 mile drive north to Ince, just east of Wigan. Wigan Town play at the ground of Ince Rose Bridge rugby league club, which means I’ll return to see a game here again one day, as under my rules of ground hopping, I like to visit a ground to see each sport that’s played at a venue.

The pitch is fully railed, with plenty of advert board infills and has a couple of dugouts on one side, as well as being floodlit. The small car park is behind the entrance goal end, which also houses the clubhouse (great collection of well known RL player’s signed shirts on display inside), which was open for business well before kick off and a tea bar was in operation as well, serving from a hatch in view of the pitch. Hot and cold food/drinks were available.

Wigan Town are rock bottom of the league table, having lost all bar one of their 27 league games so far (4-3 away win at Sandbach Town Ramblers) and lost the reverse fixture with today’s opposition 12-0 back in September (one of six double digit defeats they’ve suffered this season) so it didn’t look too promising for them. However, they’ve only lost narrowly in their last couple of matches, so perhaps things are starting to turn in their favour now. A lot of clubs, certainly down here in the south east, would have thrown in the towel by now and would have certainly failed to ‘raise a team’ (can’t be bothered to raise a team in truth) on numerous occasions, but full credit to Wigan Town in completing their season today, having played all 28 league fixtures.

The game never set the world alight, but was competitive throughout and no one could begrudge the hosts their first home win of the season (apart from Mersey Valley of course, but they are safe in mid table, so probably not that bothered). The only goal came on the hour, when a corner was cleared to the edge of the 18 yard box and returned with a first time shot that looped into the top corner, despite the ‘keeper getting a hand to it.

The game was over by 13.50, which left me ample time to head off for my second game of the day.

Midland League

Division 3

Thursday 25th April 2024

Kick Off 18.30 Actual 18.32

Silhill 5 Solihull Sporting 1, attendance 37

33’ 1-0

39’ 2-0

61’ 2-1

62’ 3-1

68’ 4-1

89’ 5-1 (pen)

@ Sharmans Cross Road

Solihull

B91 1RQ

No Admission or Programme.

Tonight’s game was 5th versus 12th in the league table, with Silhill still in with a great chance of being promoted. They are in a four way fight for second place, along with A.F.C. Birmingham, Feckenham and Northfield Town. Current leaders A.F.C. Solihull are nine points clear at the top, so look certain to take the title now.

Silhill were the better side throughout. They led 2-0 at halftime and also saw two more efforts hit the post. The second half started in the same way and they hit the post for a third time a matter of minutes in. When Solihull Sporting pulled a goal back just after the hour mark, with a looping header over the ‘keeper from the edge of the 18 yard box, it looked like Silhill would rue the missed chances, but they restored their two goal lead within a minute and never looked like losing it from here. Goal number four came six minutes later, with a last minute penalty rounding off the scoring, with the win lifting Silhill up to fourth place in the league table.

The ground here in Sharmans Cross Road has two pitches. The one right next to the clubhouse/changing rooms was hosting kids training (the parents took up 90% of the car parking, with a lot of the players having to park in the road) whilst the main pitch is a hundred yards away to the left. A couple of brick built dugouts on one side and roped off along the other.

Northamptonshire Combination League

Premier Division

Wednesday 24th April 2024

Kick Off 18.30 On Time!

Spratton 0 Roade 6, attendance 31

22’ 0-1

26’ 0-2

36’ 0-3

45’ 0-4

62’ 0-5

74’ 0-6

@ Spratton Sports & Social Club

Smith Street

Spratton

NN6 8HW

No Admission or Programme.

Tonight’s game was a must win game for Spratton. Anything other than all three points would mean they would finish the season second from bottom in the league table and be relegated. Roade, on the other hand, came into this in fourth place, just six points adrift of leaders Corby Strip Mills, but with a game in hand and a point behind second placed Blisworth, having played the same number of games. Earls Barton were third, on the same points as Blisworth, but they only have one game left (as well as having by far the most inferior goal difference) so can finish no higher than second.

Spratton Sports & Social Club has a couple of pitches. As you enter from Smith Street, the clubhouse/changing rooms are to the right, with a small sized pitch in front, whilst the main pitch is to the left, running parallel to the road and was roped off along each touchline. Despite kicking off on time, the Referee decided to play two forty minute halves (plus stoppage time of two minutes first half and one in the second). I’m not sure whether the ‘extra’ ten minutes would have helped Roade improve their goal difference by any more than the six they did manage, but it could come down to the matter of a goal or two that decides the title on the end. As it was, they were 0-3 up by halftime and scored three more in the second half. Considering Spratton lost their ‘keeper to injury after the second goal, replaced by an outfield player, they did well to keep the score down to six. They rarely threatened the Roade goal, but certainly didn’t make it easy for the visitors and put in a fully committed effort right to the end.

So, with three games left, it is still all to play for at the top, with Corby Strip Mills on 60 points (GD +45), Blisworth 58 points (GD +40) and Roade 57 points (GD +44).

Wiltshire Senior League

Division 1

Tuesday 23rd April 2024

Kick Off 18.30 Actual 18.29

Bratton 1 Park United 1, attendance 20

9’ 0-1

78’ 1-1

@ Bratton Recreation Ground

Trowbridge Road

Bratton

BA13 4RF

No Admission or Programme.

Tonight’s match was 5th hosting 1st in the league table, both still in with a chance of taking the title and very much in the mix as far as getting one of the three promotion places go. The only problem tonight was the ridiculous kit clash…Bratton in navy blue, with Park United in charcoal/grey and the Referee in black! At least standing with the sun at your backs meant deciphering between them was much easier, if not ideal. As expected, it was very keenly contested and could have gone either way. Park United were ahead after only eight minutes, finishing with an angled shot across the ‘keeper in to the far corner. They had enough chances to make the game safe, but the longer it went on, the more likely it looked that Bratton fancied their chances of getting something from the game and they deservedly levelled with twelve minutes left, when a corner from the left was headed down and hooked in from close range.

The draw keeps Park United top, extending their lead over second placed Faringdon Town to four points, but having played two games more, whilst Bratton are now fourth, six points adrift of third placed Purton, but with two games in hand and still 12 points behind the leaders, but with only three games in hand on them to make up the margin.

Home to Bratton is the local recreation ground, just to the north of the village when heading towards Trowbridge. It is shared with cricket, with the football to the left when looking from the car park/clubhouse. It is roped off along each, with a pair of wooden dugouts backing on to the road. Lovely views, with plenty of hang gliders about. Sadly, the Westbury/Bratton White Horse that’s carved into the Bratton Downs, that form the backdrop here, was on the wrong side of the hill to be viewed from the ground.

Essex & Suffolk Border League

Knock Out Cup Semi Final

Saturday 20th April 2024

Kick Off 14.30 On Time!

Thorpe Athletic 2 Earls Colne 0, attendance 48

5’ 1-0

90’ + 1, 2-0

@ Kirby Playing Fields

Halstead Road

Kirby Cross

CO13 0LW

No Admission or Programme.

Today’s game was an opportunity for Thorpe Athletic to take another step towards a treble winning season. They’ve already won the Essex F.A. Junior Cup and currently lead the Essex & Suffolk Border League Division 1 (need a maximum of 2 points from their last three games to guarantee finishing top). Despite Earls Colne being a division higher (10th place), Thorpe will have fancied taking full advantage of being at home for this one, having only lost once here all season (1-5 to title rivals Cressing United).

Sadly, from a neutral point of view, this wasn’t a great game. Thorpe were ahead after just five minutes, after a cross from the right saw a shot saved by the ‘keeper, but the rebound was smashed in from close range. The eighty five minutes that followed can best be described as attritional. Both ‘keeper’s pulled off one very good save each, but at no time did it look like there would be any further goals, until Thorpe finally killed it off a minute into stoppage time.

Kirby Playing Fields hosts cricket and football, the latter being to the right when looking from the changing rooms. Taped off along the cricket side and rather unusually, still having the old square goal posts. The pitch was bobbly, which probably didn’t help matters and it certainly didn’t feel much like Spring, as the ground is very exposed and there was a very cool wind blowing throughout, but at least it was dry for a change.

National League U19 Alliance

South Division

Friday 19th April 2024

Kick Off 11.30 Actual 11.32

Woking U19 3 Southend U19 5, attendance 27

24’ 1-0

27’ 1-1

28’ 2-1

40’ 3-1

61’ 3-2

73’ 3-3 (pen)

76’ 3-4

89’ 3-5

@ Woking College, 3G Pitch

Rydens Way

Kingfield

Woking

GU22 9DL

No Admission or Programme.

This was 9th versus 13th (out of 14) in the league table and could have produced far more goals than the ten it actually did, such was the attacking nature of both teams. Woking opened the scoring after twenty four minutes, doubling their lead just three minutes later. Southend replied straight from the kick off, but Woking restored their two goal lead five minutes before halftime. Southend pulled it back to 3-2 just after the hour and it was no surprise to see them level it up at 3-3, when they scored a penalty with seventeen minutes left. Within minutes it was 3-4 and despite creating plenty of chances, they were only able to add one more to the total, when a 30 yarder beat the ‘keeper from well outside the box with a minute left.

The game was played on the 3G pitch at Woking College. Typical cage set up with spectator viewing along three quarters of one side and a pair of dugouts on the other.

Yeovil & District League

Division 1

Thursday 18th April 2024

Kick Off 18.30 Actual 18.34

Templecombe Rovers 5 Bullets 0, attendance 35

27’ 1-0 (pen)

34’ 2-0

41’ 3-0

50’ 4-0

80’ 5-0

@ Templecombe Sports & Social Club

Vine Street

Templecombe

BA8 0JY

No Admission or Programme.

Tonight’s match involved two teams needing the points for different reasons. Templecombe came into this second in the league table, 4 points behind leaders Evercreech Sports, but with five games in hand, whilst Bullets are 7th (out of 11) and although Pen Mill Athletic are 5 points adrift at the bottom, with at least three games in hand on all the teams above them, whilst only three points separate the next four and goal difference is very close too.

It took Templecombe twenty seven minutes to break the deadlock, courtesy of a penalty, quickly followed by a downward header at the far post and four minutes before the break they made it 3-0 when a diagonal pass was chested down and finished into the far corner. When they added their fourth goal five minutes into the second half I expected it to become a real rout, but Bullets were still creating chances of their own, but Templecombe rounded off the scoring with ten minutes left, finishing one on one after being played through on goal.

The ground is entered via a one-way system in Vine Street. The clubhouse/changing rooms are in front of you, with the pitch out of sight to the right, set down in a dip, with the near side having grass banking running along the touchline and a few park benches at the top.

The win now sees Templecombe close the gap at the top to a single point, needing a maximum of 8 points from their last six games to guarantee the title, although a win at current leaders Evercreech in a couple of games time could clinch it earlier.

Bedfordshire County League

Premier Division

Wednesday 17th April 2024

Kick Off 18.15 Actual 18.19

A.F.C. Kempston Town Hammers 0 Queens Park Crescents 7, attendance 37

13’ 0-1, 17’ 0-2, 36’ 0-3, 39’ 0-4

48’ 0-5, 83’ 0-6, 85’ 0-7

@ Kempston Hammers Sports & Social Club

134 High Street

Kempston

MK42 7BN

No Admission or Programme.

Tonight I took the opportunity to visit the only ground I hadn’t previously seen a game at in this division. Hammers are rock bottom of the league table and already relegated, but at least tonight they had a realistic chance of getting their first win of the season, as Queens Park Crescents are second bottom and in the reverse fixture they drew 2-2…the only point Hammers have picked up all season! They came into this with a goal difference of -109, certainly not helped by losing 17-0 away at Biggleswade Reserves on Saturday, but to their credit, they have fulfilled all their fixtures to date and even had four substitutes tonight.

Crescents certainly did their survival hopes the world of good and now only trail Riseley Sports by two points and have three games in hand to make up the deficit. Tonight’s game was over as a contest by halftime, with two goals in the opening seventeen minutes setting Crescents on their way to what turned out to be a comfortable win. It was 0-4 by halftime and despite goal number five arriving three minutes into the second half, Hammers didn’t totally collapse and the final two goals only came in the last seven minutes.

The sports ground hosts cricket, rugby and football, with the latter in the far left hand corner as you enter off High Street, running parallel with Cemetery Road. Just a basic pitch and little else. Even the clubhouse remained closed.

Mid Sussex League

Premier Division

Tuesday 16th April 2024

Kick Off 18.45 Actual 18.48

Balcombe 0 Cuckfield Rangers 3, attendance 23

24’ 0-1

25’ 0-2

31’ 0-3

@ Ifield Community College, 3G Pitch

Crawley Avenue

Ifield

Crawley

RH11 0DB

No Admission or Programme.

Each time I get within touching distance of seeing a game at every first team venue in the Sussex football pyramid, another new ground pops up. In an effort to get fixtures played, Balcombe moved this game to the 3G pitch here at Ifield Community College, which although having no designated spectator area, the Referee had no problem with us standing inside the cage, as long as you remained on the one side with both teams ‘benches’.

The match was 3rd versus 7th in the league table, with Balcombe trailing league leaders Reigate Priory by seven points, but having three games in hand, so they were very much in with a chance of the title. Cuckfield Rangers are comfortably mid table and will end up roughly where they were coming into this, so it was a bit of a surprise to see how much effort they put into winning this and certainly didn’t turn up with an end of season attitude towards the game. The opening goal came on twenty four minutes, when a back pass saw the ‘keeper totally fluff his attempt to clear the ball and it rolled past him into the corner of the net. A minute later it was 0-2, when a cross from the left was finished side footed from 10 yards and six minutes later it was 0-3, when a through ball was taken wide of the ‘keeper and finished from a tight angle. With the points won, Cuckfield eased off in the second half and Balcombe never looked like getting back into it.

The defeat has certainly dented Balcombe’s hopes as far as the title goes. Even their games in hand aren’t enough to lift them above Reigate Priory and Ringmer A.F.C. now and the three teams below them, namely Westfield, Oxted & District and Eastbourne United Association, all have enough games in hand to go above them as well.