Northern League

Division 1

Wednesday 11th October 2023

Kick Off 19.45 Actual 19.46

Boro Rangers 0 Heaton Stannington 0, attendance 222

@ Phoenix Park

Trinity Catholic College

Lacy Road

Middlesbrough

TS4 3JW

£7 Admission

No Programme.

At least with tonight’s game being on a 3G pitch I had no worries about the game going ahead. Providing it didn’t snow! Tonight was the first midweek game played under the floodlights here and only the second match since Boro Rangers moved in here at the end of last month. Tonight’s official crowd was only 39 fewer than for the ground opener, with ‘hopper numbers into double figures. Although the ground is in a cage, it does have spectator access along one side and behind each end from the corner to the far side of the 18 yard box. The dugouts are on the inaccessible far side. There are two seated kit stands, both with 50 seats, bookending a section of seven steps of terracing. Viewing from the seats looked awful though, as they are set back from the touchline and people standing along the rail would give very poor sight lines of the game. Another case of ticking boxes, but not really fit for purpose! Catering and toilets (just one cubicle each for men/women) are outside the cage, but inside the pay gate. If you wanted anything during the match you’d be out of view of the pitch, not that that worries some people! The changing rooms are in a building behind the far goal end, about 20-30 yards beyond the fencing. You certainly don’t get the feeling of being at a Step 5 game.

Boro Rangers are newly promoted, having won Division 1 last season and came into this sitting in 11th place in the league table, whilst visitors Heaton Stannington were 5th. The two were very evenly matched and it came as little surprise that it failed to produce a goal, although it wasn’t as bad as you’d expect from a 0-0. The visitors did have a first half effort ruled out for offside, after a shot had redounded off the post and Boro had a looping shot come back off the crossbar early in the second half, but there were no real clear cut chances at either end.

So, after the farce of last night, that just leaves me with Washington to complete this league now……good luck will certainly be required to get a game in there! As I said yesterday, they might be one I just can’t be bothered with!

Northern League

Division 2

Tuesday 10th October 2023

Kick Off 19.45

Match Postponed at 19.00

Washington P Prudhoe Youth Club P

@ Northern Area Playing Fields

off Stephenson Road

Washington

NE37 3HR

No Admission or Programme.

Well, what a waste of an evening this was! Not to mention the near six hour drive and petrol and hotel costs. I knew that Washington had their home game called off on Saturday, due to a waterlogged pitch, so tweeted the club last night regarding whether there were likely to be any problems tonight pitch wise. Typically, the message wasn’t answered and when they re-tweeted about the match again this afternoon, I (wrongly) assumed all must be okay? No mention whatsoever about the pitch, but why would there be. It was between 22.5 and 23.5 degrees driving up and sunny, with a nice light wind too. And no rain whatsoever!!! Anyway, I arrived at the ground about 18.30 and saw the car park start to fill up. The floodlights were on and the pitch was freshly marked and nets and corner flags were up. Unfortunately, the Referee decided that the pitch was unplayable. It was an area a yard or two square, in one penalty area, apparently, so it was off! Quite how a pitch can be deemed waterlogged on a day like today is baffling. It’s not as if we’re talking about ‘parks football’ here. Now, if it had actually rained, then that’s a different matter……

This should have been my penultimate ground in the Northern League, but one that I’ll probably never bother doing now, as I could never trust that the game would actually take place…..I remember the days when this was a ‘proper’ league! I could do it on a Saturday of course, when there would be numerous alternatives, but as the ground is floodlit, it seems such a waste. Even back up games are no use if the call off comes too late, of course. Had this been called off earlier this afternoon, I’d have done a re-visit at Harrogate Town instead. I hadn’t been there since May 1991 (Ground No.349 at the time) when they drew 1-1 versus Farsley Celtic in a Northern Premier League Division 1 match. They’ve had quite a rise since then. They’re now in the Football League and the ground must have improved a bit too.

It will come as little surprise that the game here at Washington was the only game off tonight in league and cup matches involving Northern League teams. Just to rub it in a bit more, it finished 3-5 at Harrogate!

F.A. Sunday Cup

1st Round

Sunday 8th October 2023

Kick Off 14.00 Actual 13.59

Community Football Academy 11 Thurmaston Design & Print Company 0, attendance 54

17’ 1-0, 19’ 2-0, 21’ 3-0, 34’ 4-0, 38’ 5-0,

52’ 6-0, 72’ 7-0, 78’ 8-0, 85’ 9-0, 87’ 10-0, 90’ 11-0

@ Beauchamp College, 3G Pitch

Ridge Way

Oadby

LE2 5TP

£3 Admission

No Programme.

This was an all Leicestershire tie, with Leicester Alliance Sunday League hosting Leicester & Charnwood Sunday League, played at Beauchamp College in Oadby. It is a typical cage set up, with spectator viewing along three quarters of one side, although part of this is through high mesh fencing, so probably just short of half the pitch should really be counted as viewing area. There are a pair of dugouts on the far side and the normal multi coloured /multi sport pitch markings. Although there was a dividing wire across the centre of the pitch beforehand, it was unhooked before kick off.

It was a reasonable contest for the first twenty minutes or so, but once CFA opened up a three goal lead, which was increased to 5-0 by halftime, it was just a case of how many more goals they’d rack up in the second half. As it was, it was just the six. Thurmaston just gave up in the last ten minutes and a double figure score became inevitable. Goal number ten duly arrived with three minutes left and they added another one dead on ninety minutes, with the Referee immediately blowing the full time whistle.

Above : Goal number four on it’s way into the bottom corner.

Essex F.A. Premier Cup

1st Round

Saturday 7th October 2023

Kick Off 14.00 Actual 14.03

Old Chelmsfordians 2 Colne Athletic 2 (8-9 pens) attendance 19

4’ 0-1

28’ 0-2

69’ 1-2

75’ 2-2 (pen)

@ Memorial Sports Field

Old Chelmsfordians Association

Lawford Lane

off Roxwell Road

Writtle

CM1 2NS

No Admission or Programme.

The drive from Ilford to Writtle, to the west of Chelmsford, saw me arrive an hour before kick off, with the SatNav taking me on a route that avoided the A12 in its entirety, mostly on ‘B’ roads. The sports ground and car park were very busy as Old Chelmsfordians ‘A’ team were also at home today in a Mid-Essex League game. There are two pitches here, both running widthways. The nearest one to the clubhouse/car park was hosting the ‘A’ team game, whilst the furthest one, beyond the cricket square, was where the first team were playing. The far side was roped off and was also home to a 50 seat stand.

The match was a Step 7 clash, with 5th in Essex Olympian League Premier Division (W4 D2 L2) hosting 1st in Essex & Suffolk Border League Premier Division (W10 D0 L1). Colne Athletic only took four minutes to open the scoring, when a ball in from the left wasn’t fully cleared and was finished with a low shot into the far bottom corner of the net. They doubled their lead with a shot that curled over the ‘keeper from the angle of the 18 yard box into the far corner. Their job looked to be made easier when Chelmsfordians had a player sin binned two minutes later and they were then down to nine men when their ‘keeper was also sin binned seven minutes after that. Their club linesman was also sent off following the second incident, but they managed to survive with their goal intact during this time.

With twenty one minutes left they pulled a goal back, walking the ball into an empty net, after their striker won a race with the Colne ‘keeper to a ball over the top. Four minutes later they were level, netting from the penalty spot, where Colne had a man sin binned for arguing over the decision. Both teams had a chance to win it. Chelmsfordians saw a header come back off the crossbar and Colne saw the home ‘keeper pull off a point blank save right on ninety minutes. It was straight to penalties. The first 16 were scored, before Chelmsfordians saw their next one saved. Colne then won it with their next kick. As with my game on Wednesday night, the F.A Full Time website shows the incorrect score of the shootout. According to them it was 9-10.

Arthurian League

Premier Division

Saturday 7th October 2023

Kick Off 10.30 Actual 10.34

Old Foresters 1 King’s College School Old Boys 1, attendance 3

4’ 1-0

74’ 1-1

@ Old Parkonians Association

Oakfield Playing Fields

Forest Road

Ilford

IG6 3HD

No Admission or Programme.

Forest Road in Ilford is a ground hopping paradise. Today’s visit was the fifth different ground I’ve seen a game at along this road now (see map below). With Old Foresters now using the Old Parkonians Association for home matches, which all appear to be scheduled as 10.30 kick offs, it gives plenty of double opportunities later in the day. They play on the pitch that runs lengthways away from the clubhouse/changing room building, to the right of the cricket square when entering from the car park. The clubhouse was open for hot drinks and snacks for the entire game.

Today’s game was 6th versus 7th in the league table. It was a game of few chances and in the end a draw was about right. Foresters opened the scoring after four minutes, finishing off a right wing cross at the near post. King’s levelled with sixteen minutes left, when a shot from the edge of the box was deflected into the bottom corner.

Above : Ground locations visited in Forest Road…

1. March 2011-Manford Way-London Marathon Playing Field, IG6 3HJ
2. December 11 2011-Westhamians-Fairlop Oak Playing Field, IG6 3HJ
3. December 18 2011-Frenford Senior-Oakfields Sports Ground, IG6 2JL
4. April 2022-Sungate-Ilford Wanderers Rugby Club, IG6 3HJ
5. October 2023-Old Foresters-Old Parkonians Association, IG6 3HG

Taunton & District League

Seward Cup 1st Round

Wednesday 4th October 2023

Kick Off 20.00 Actual 20.02

Dulverton Town 3 Wellington Road Dons 3, (1-3 pens) attendance 13

6’ 0-1

45’ + 1, 1-1

59’ 2-1

60’ 2-2

65’ 2-3

82’ 3-3

@ Richard Huish College, 3G Pitch

South Road

Taunton

TA1 3DZ

No Admission or Programme.

The 3G pitch here at Richard Huish College has recently opened and is used for midweek cup matches in the Taunton & District League. The car park, and the pitch itself, are not accessible from the college entrance on South Road, but via Bishop Fox Drive, which itself is a right turn off Calway Road at the rear of the building. It is a typical cage set up, with spectator viewing along three quarters of one side and there are a couple of dugouts opposite. There are a number of different coloured lines marked out for multiple sports and annoyingly it has a dividing wire along the halfway line, although it only got hit with the ball once in each half.

The match was 6th in Division 2 versus 1st in Division 1. It was a much closer contest than I was expecting and there were chances galore at both ends. Wellington led early, but just couldn’t add to it and in stoppage time at the end of the first half Dulverton drew level. Just before the hour mark Dulverton went ahead, when a mix up between ‘keeper and defender saw a misjudged header leave the striker to roll the ball into an empty net. The lead lasted just seconds though, as Wellington levelled straight from the kick off, when a through ball was poked past the ‘keeper into the bottom corner and five minutes later it was 2-3, when a cracking 25 yarder was curled into the top corner, despite the ‘keeper getting a hand to it. Dulverton made it 3-3 with eight minutes left, following in from close range, after the ‘keeper had fumbled a header from a diagonal free kick into the box.

So, it was straight to penalties. Wellington went first. They scored the first two, but had their third saved. Dulverton managed to miss their first two (wide and post) but scored their third. Wellington then made it 3-1 and when Dulverton hit the crossbar with their next kick and that was it. Oddly, the F.A. Full Time website shows the penalty shootout score as 3-4. At least we got finished in time to beat the 10pm curfew on the floodlights, which apparently would have turned off automatically.

No problem with the journey down to Somerset, via M3, A303 and A358. SatNav brought me back via M5 and M4 (28 miles further!), despite two closures on the M5 and the M4/M25 interchange having no access southbound, this time diverting via the previous junction.

F.A. Wales Amateur Trophy

2nd Round

Saturday 30th September 2023

Kick Off 14.00 Actual 13.59

Glynneath Town 2 Afan United 5, attendance 67

7’ 0-1

14’ 0-2

19’ 1-2

29’ 1-3

36’ 2-3

47’ 2-4

79’ 2-5

@ Welfare Park

Addoldy Road

Glynneath

SA11 5DU

No Admission

£2 Programme, 16 pages.

I Hadn’t planned on coming here, but the offer of a lift swayed me, even if it meant missing out on a double elsewhere! The match pitted 5th in Neath & District League Premier Division (Step 5) versus 9th in South Wales Alliance Division 1 West (Step 6). Home to Glynneath is at Welfare Park, nothing more than a changing room building with two pitches. One for rugby, with very rusty posts and the other for football. On arrival there were just four corner flags in place, but the goals were wheeled into place and then the pitch was roped down each touchline and it actually began to feel like a ground. No admission charge, but the club did issue a limited number of match day programmes. 16 pages costing £2. Not worth bothering with really, as it was very poor, but it is their only way of taking any money, so good luck to them. All six ‘hoppers in attendance bought one, but very few locals appeared to have one.

Despite being a step below the hosts in the Welsh football pyramid, the visitors took charge early on. They were two goals up inside fifteen minutes and looked like it would be an easy afternoon for them. Glynneath pulled it back to 1-2, but Afan soon restored their two goal advantage. Another goal for Glynneath made it 2-3 nine minutes before halftime, setting up the second half perfectly, but when Afan made it 2-4 within minutes of the restart, thundering in a free kick off the underside of the crossbar, it seemed to knock the stuffing out of the hosts. Plenty of chances, at both ends, but only one more goal, which again went to the visitors, coolly lobbing over the ‘keeper from wide left of the 18 yard box with eleven minutes left.

On arrival into the town, just up the road from the ground, at the end of the high street, there was quite a crowd gathering, probably a couple of hundred. It turned out to be for the unveiling of a bronze statue for local celebrity Max Boyce, a big name in the 1970’s. He’s now 80, but was present for the occasion.

United Counties League

Division 1

Wednesday 27th September 2023

Kick Off 19.45 On Time!

Southwell City 5 Sandiacre Town 3, attendance 70

15’ 0-1

21’ 1-1

24’ 2-1

31’ 2-2

40’ 3-2

49’ 4-2

60’ 5-2

79’ 5-3

@ Centenary Sports Ground

Fiskerton Road

Brinkley

NT25 0TH

£5 Admission

Programme free, 24 pages.

I was pleased to have ignored the weather forecast, where heavy rain and high winds were forecast and decided to head for Southwell, which would see the completion of the United Counties League for me once again. I arrived to see a huge puddle at the car park entrance, but it looked more down to the poor quality of the surface, rather than a water logging problem and it was good to see the pitch was in superb condition. The clubhouse, which is in the near left hand corner of the ground as you enter, was open early and did hot food and drinks. The pitch runs lengthways away from here. A small section of covered standing is on the left hand side, as are the dugouts, whilst the standard seated kit stand is opposite. The pitch is neatly fenced, with plenty of advert boards and about half the ground has hard standing.

The league positions certainly didn’t suggest this would be a great watch, as it was 19th versus 20th, with only Selston keeping these two off the bottom. Both teams had only managed two wins apiece coming into this, but tonight’s game was really entertaining, both teams contributing to a good open game. Sandiacre opened the scoring, but two goals in four minutes saw Southwell turn it round midway through the half, but Sandiacre soon hit back to make it 2-2. Five minutes before halftime Southwell regained the lead, squeezing in a shot at the near post from a tight angle to go in 3-2 ahead. They added a fourth four minutes into the second half, beating the ‘keeper at the near post again, before adding goal number five on the hour to make it 5-2. At least Sandiacre managed to get a late consolation, firing high into the roof of the net after a cross was only half cleared.

As for the weather, there was a brief shower during the first half and the wind never affected the game any worse than at any match played at this time of year. Totally trouble free journey up to Nottinghamshire. The return saw the M25 closed between J15 and J13.

Hellenic League

Division 1

Tuesday 26th September 2023

Kick Off 19.45 Actual 19.44

Sporting Club Inkberrow 6 Moreton Rangers 1, attendance 106

5’ 1-0, 29’ 1-1, 38’ 2-1, 61’ 3-1, 63’ 4-1, 71’ 5-1, 84’ 6-1

@ Inkberrow Recreation Ground

Sands Road

Inkberrow

WR7 4HH

£5 Admission

No Programme.

Back in October 2003 I saw Inkberrow lose 2-4 (AET) at home to Tenbury United in a Worcestershire F.A. Junior Cup match here at Sands Road. The game that day was played on a pitch to the left when looking from the village hall. That pitch is still there, effectively in a different field. Since then a whole new area has been developed to the right as you enter from Sands Road, a good 200-250 yards from the former. A new car park (well organised with club helpers organising parking from about a hour before kick off) leads to the entrance where there are two parallel pitches, around 20 yards apart. There is even an old synthetic cricket wicket between the two and the cricket square was roped off as if it’s still in use. The pitch to the right is used by Inkberrow, who play in Midland League Division 2, whilst the one to the left, neatly fenced and floodlit, is home to Sporting Club Inkberrow. The clubhouse/changing rooms are behind the near goal end, with a couple of kit stands, one with seats, on the the left hand side, as are the dugouts. Quite a bit of hard standing in place too. Plenty of hot food/drinks available and apparently the club also do a proper printed programme sometimes. Not tonight, though.

Sporting Club Inkberrow are new into Step 6 this season, having been promoted from the Herefordshire League as champions. Tonight’s game was 6th versus 18th (out of 19) in the league table. These two had met on the opening day, where Moreton had won 1-0, which is hard to believe, such was the huge gulf between the two on tonight’s showing. Sporting were excellent and played football that was easy on the eye. Moreton did pull it back to 1-1 just before the half hour mark, having gone behind after just five minutes. Sporting edged back in front before just before halftime and a quick fire double just after the hour mark made it 4-1 and it was game over. Plenty more chances, but only two more goals and it could easily have been more than the 6-1 scoreline that we ended with.

So, the Hellenic League is once again complete. Good journey each way too, despite diverting via M4/A404 both ways, to avoid congestion on the M25 outbound and closure of the M40 at High Wycombe on the way back.

West Wales Premier League

Sunday 24th September 2023

Kick Off 14.30 Actual 14.29

Cwm Wanderers 1 Clydach 4, attendance 280

28’ 0-1

63’ 0-2

68’ 1-2

72’ 1-3

90’ 1-4

@ Parc Afon Twrch

Bethel Road

Cwm-Twrch Isaf

SA9 2PT

£5 Admission* (normal price £3, but forced increase by Groundhop U.K.) included programme, whether you wanted one or not!

This game was moved to a Sunday afternoon as it was part of the West Wales Premier League ‘hop. The only grounds of the six on offer this weekend I hadn’t been to were the two afternoon games. No point wasting a Saturday afternoon visiting C.K.S.V. on a day with all the razzmatazz surrounding a hop, but this afternoon certainly made sense. The drive down took 3 hours 7 minutes, with no hold ups whatsoever, although the return journey took ninety minutes longer, with the usual Sunday evening chaos on the M25 not helped by having to divert off the motorway at J11 and back on at J9.

The West Wales Premier League is Tier 4 in Wales and you don’t need much to play at this level. If the likes of Evans & Williams are allowed in, playing in a 3G cage that allows no spectators inside the mesh fencing, then that tells you all you need to know. Cwm, however, play at a proper ground. It is two and a bit sided as far as spectator viewing is concerned, railed along the sides, with the near goal end having mesh fencing backing onto the car park, whilst the other end was railed from the goal to the far corner. There is a kit stand on the near side, whilst the dugouts are opposite. There was a decent sized clubhouse and the club had also made a proper effort with the catering, making the most of their big payday. I note from other’s visits here that their ‘normal’ home crowd is only sixty odd. The club were charging a fiver today, having been told to do so by the organisers. It didn’t matter if you wanted a programme or not. I was told ‘’you’re being charged for it regardless, as you’re part of ‘the groundhoppers club’ (never knew such a thing existed). I assume it was the English accent that gave me away?…..

Luckily, the rain stayed away during the match, although it had obviously passed through earlier. The pitch was pretty wet, but didn’t cut up too badly. It certainly didn’t affect the game as a spectacle. Both teams went at it full throttle from start to finish as 10th hosted 4th in the league table. Clydach got the only goal of the first half, finishing after being played through one on one with the ‘keeper. Just after the hour it was 0-2, shooting into the top corner from the edge of the box. Cwm hit back within five minutes though, when a deflected free kick wrong footed the ‘keeper, but Clydach restored their two goal lead almost immediately, following in after an initial shot had been saved and they added their fourth goal right on ninety minutes. Not sure how many ‘hoppers will have seen this one though, as a number were already seen creeping away in an effort to get a quick getaway. Pathetic, but it is something that is the norm on these ‘events’.