Belgium

West Vlaanderen Provincial Cup

1/8 Final

Thursday 1st November 2018

Kick Off 14.00 Actual 14.02

S.K. Staden 1 S.K. Nieuwkerke 1 (2-4 pens),  attendance 116

50’ 0-1

75’ 1-1

@ Sportcentrum De Wankaarde

Bruggestraat 41

8840 Staden

€5 Admission (€6 for league matches)

Team Sheet, free.

1st November is celebrated in Belgium as All Saints’ Day and taken as a Bank Holiday. Quite a few of the provinces play a round of their Provincial Cup matches on this day and even better for us is that most are played in the afternoon, so perfect for a day trip.

We were on the 09.20 Tunnel from Folkestone, although this was retimed to 09.24, then still left a minute late, but we were in Calais just after eleven, then it was only a 1 hour 20 minute drive to Staden.  On arrival at the ground we were greeted by two very friendly locals who were taking the admission money and later in the day we were all given a club scarf as a souvenir of our visit here today, which was a nice gesture.

The clubs women’s team were playing a cup match on the main pitch when we arrived, having kicked off at noon (they won 5-2), but that finished just over ten minutes before our game was due to start, so it wasn’t a problem, especially as the players had done their warm ups on a back pitch. We had already eaten in the town before the match, but unusually for a game in Belgium, hot food was available inside the ground, with hot dogs and burgers on offer, so we wouldn’t have gone hungry !

Staden are in sixth place in the league table of Provincial 3A (they were relegated from Provincial 2 at the end of last season), with Nieuwkerke being eighth in Provincial 2B. The first half had very few clear cut chances, but the visitors broke the deadlock with a bit of a scuffed effort early in the second half, before Staden levelled it up with a header fifteen minutes from the end. They nearly won it, when the move of the match culminated in a left footed volley being tipped over the crossbar by the visiting ‘keeper.

With no extra time, we went straight to penalties to decide a winner. Nieuwkerke went first and scored their first three kicks, before missing their fourth. Staden had missed their opener, as well as their fourth, so the visitors scored their next one to win it 2-4, although there was little celebration from them, which seemed strange.

We were back at The Tunnel and through check-in by 17.15 (I had received a text message from Eurotunnel warning of problems at check- in which was obviously not true ?) and through Passport Control less than ten minutes later. Then the fun began……

The schedule was totally messed up. We were booked on the 18.50, which was due out an hour and a half late, caused by delays at Border Control, according to Eurotunnel, which again was not true. As time went on, we were pushed back to a 21.20 departure, which we were actually loaded on, but we then sat there due to a ‘technical’ fault, eventually leaving at 21.54, some 3 hours 4 minutes late !!!!!

Yet again, Eurotunnel showed a total disregard towards their customers. I will once again be sending an e-mail voicing our dissatisfaction with their now ‘normal’ incompetence, once again failing to run to any sort of timetable. The best we can hope for, is a refund on this leg of our journey, which will be £30 in this case. I hate to think what it will be like after Brexit…….

Central Midlands League

Floodlit Cup 2nd Round

Wednesday 31st October 2018

Kick Off 19.45 Actual 19.49

Ashland Rovers 0 Pinxton 7,  attendance 52

2’ 0-1

42’ 0-2

62’ 0-3

66’ 0-4

69’ 0-5

80’ 0-6

88’ 0-7 (pen)

@ Kingsway Park

Hodgkinson Road

Kirby-in-Ashfield

NG17 7DJ

£3 Admission

£1 Programme, 20 pages.

These two both play in the South Division of this league. Ashland are tenth in the league table, having being transferred across from the Nottinghamshire Senior League this season, whilst Pinxton are top, having won all seven matches, with a goal difference of +28, so the win was not unexpected, especially as these two met here in the League Cup less than a fortnight ago, where it finished 1-4.

The Central Midlands League has gone downhill in quality over the last 20 years and is a league that serves little purpose these days. It would be far better for the clubs to return to their respective county leagues (although Derbyshire would need to form one to cover this level) as they sit at the same level of the non league pyramid nowadays, so it is nothing more than a sideways move for clubs and just means more travelling just to play at the same level.

This was an excellent match to watch as a neutral. Despite an early goal, Pinxton dominated the first half, but only got the second goal just before the interval. The second half was a real lesson in how to play the game and Ashland did well to keep the score in single figures as they were totally overwhelmed.

The ground here is a little unusual, in the fact that despite the pitch being grass, they have caged it in as if it is a 3G Pitch, with spectator access limited to one side. Simply dreadful.

Another terrible return journey, with closures on the M1 and M25, but with the SatNav managing to help avoid the sign posted diversions, I only lost 43 minutes off my original expected arrival time home.

British Universities & Colleges Sport

Midlands 4D

Wednesday 31st October 2018

Kick Off 14.00 Actual 13.53

Bishop Grosseteste University 6 Bedfordshire University 3rds 5,  attendance 18

7’ 0-1

30’ 0-2

32’ 1-2

39’ 2-2

45’ + 2, 3-2

49’ 4-2

53’ 4-3

55’ 4-4 (pen)

70’  5-4

80’ 5-5

87’ 6-5

@ Sports & Fitness Centre Field

Longdales Road

Lincoln

LN1 3DY

No Admission or Programme.

As I was going to a match near Mansfield in the evening, it made sense to head off to Lincoln for my afternoon entertainment, as both Universities in the city had home matches scheduled. I actually intended to go to Lincoln University versus Newman University, in Midlands 3A, but when I telephoned them en route, I was told that the match was off, as Newman could not be bothered to travel and play the game. I’m glad that they have such a pathetic attitude, as it meant that I would be doing the match here at Bishop Grosseteste instead. And what a match !

I arrived at the ground at 13.30 to see both teams warming up on the pitch and knew it was the correct match as BGU only have one team that play in the BUCS league, so it had to be their 1sts. Parking is free and also right next to the pitch, where the game could easily be watched from your car if the weather was poor.

BGU are the only 1st team that play in this division, so unless they draw another 1st XI in a cup match, the opposition will always be the visitors 2nds or lower. These were the bottom two in the league table, neither of them picking up a point so far, but something had to give today. It has to be said, that with defences like these, it is easy to see why they struggle. As a neutral though, it was great to watch. Every time there was an attack, it looked like there would be a goal and if this had finished 10-10, it wouldn’t have been a surprise.

North West Counties League

Division 1 South

Tuesday 30th October 2018

Kick Off 19.45  On Time !

Wythenshawe Amateurs 3 Maine Road 1,  attendance 308

41’ 1-0

45’ + 3, 1-1

71’ 2-1

78’ 3-1

@ Hollyhedge Park

Altrincham Road

Sharston

Manchester

M22 4US

£3 Admission

£2 Programme, 20 pages.

I had visited Wythenshawe Amateurs back on 28th February 2004, when they beat Atherton Town 2-1 in a Manchester League, Premier Division match. In those days they played at Longley Lane, in Northendon, but last season they moved into their brand new home at Hollyhedge Park.

This season has seen them promoted into Step 6, as members of the North West Counties League and tonight was their first match under their newly installed floodlights. The move here has certainly attracted a lot more spectators than the couple of dozen or so when I saw them last time, with tonight’s crowd of 308 setting a new attendance record for them.

The ground just about coped with this size crowd, but the fact that we endured frequent rain showers during the first half didn’t help, especially with a lack of cover, not helped with it being all one level, so the view is really poor. The entrance to the clubhouse was also a real bottleneck, caused by the bar being right inside the door, rather than further inside the room. At least you have no problem finding a chair here, with about ten per table, but it gives very little space for much else !

Three quid for this level is good value for money, but the programme was well overpriced, probably due to being on really thick glossy paper and containing little content, as well as having the wrong kick off time on the cover. The catering did a good job, but £1.50 for a very small, luke warm, cup of coffee is certainly something to avoid !

On the pitch, Amateurs, who are fourth in the league table, are a really good team, but they struggled to break down a very gritty Maine Road side who belied their third from bottom league position. In the end the score line was a little harsh on the visitors, who were much better than a two goal defeat might suggest.

Unlike some of our more recent trips to the North West, the M6 between Junctions 14 and 19 behaved itself in both directions, which is something that can rarely be said these days.

Somerset County League

Premier Division

Saturday 27th October 2018

Kick Off 15.00 Actual 14.59

Wrington Redhill 1 Nailsea & Tickenham 2,  attendance 25

7’ 0-1

67’ 1-1

71’ 1-2

@ Recreation Field

Silver Street

Wrington

BS40 5QN

No Admission or Programme.

It had taken 55 minutes to drive here from the north side of Bristol. Sadly, the rain was now falling more steadily and the temperature was only 4 degrees, but there was at least somwhere to use to shelter from the wind. The rain did stop briefly, just before halftime, but was falling again soon after.

Wrington have returned to their base here in the village, following a ground share at Clevedon Town, which was in place whilst separate toilets and changing rooms were being added for the use of female match officials, which would be used “once a year” according to a home club official.

This was a keenly contested local derby, with the two clubs being seven miles apart. Nailsea, who were seventh in the league table, always looked the better side, but having taken an early lead, were unable to add to it. The thirteenth placed hosts levelled with a free kick, but Nailsea were back in front within four minutes, heading in what turned out to be the winner, from a corner on the right.

Below : Nailsea & Tickenham open the scoring.

Below : Wrington level the scoring with a free kick that went in off the post.

Professional Development League

Saturday 27th October 2018

Kick Off 11.30 Actual 11.33

Bristol City U18 5 Coventry City U18 1,  attendance 40

53’ 1-0

56’ 2-0

60’ 3-0

73’ 3-1

76’ 4-1

79’ 5-1

@ SGS College, WISE Campus, Pitch 6

New Road

Stoke Gifford

Bristol

BS34 8LP

No Admission

Team Sheet, free.

The full title for this venue is South Gloucestershire & Stroud College, West of England Institute of Special Education. I had been here before, when I saw Bristol Academy beat Thornbury Town 2-1 in a Gloucestershire County League match on 26th September 2011, with the game being played on the ‘Show Pitch’, which is the one inside the running track, which is now home to Bristol City ladies team, who were going through a training session on it this morning.

Bristol City have used a number of home venues in the past, with this being the fourth ground I have seen them play on…..  1) 6.3.99 at Clifton College Sports Ground, U19 won 3-2 v Everton  2) 24.11.01 at Watson Pavilion, Clifton College Sports Ground, U19 lost 0-2 v Chelsea  3) 5.9.09 at Q.E.H. Sports Ground, U18 lost 0-1 v Chelsea.

With Bristol City playing the majority of their matches with a kick off time later than the standard 11am of most other clubs, it limits the opportunity of doubling up with an afternoon match, especially if planning a later match that is not floodlit, so with today being the last chance to get a 3pm kick off in before the clocks go back an hour, this was as good a day as any to come here.

There is no problem with access to watch games here and team sheets are available from inside the changing room building. The only real problem is being ripped off to park your car. With many matches today kicking off late and taking an age to finish, you have a choice between paying for 2 or 3 hours to park, but having arrived at 11.05, then I had to pay the latter, which was £3 and the match didn’t finish until 13.26.

The match was played on Pitch 6, with the U16’s, also playing Coventry, being on the adjacent Pitch 7, which meant all too frequent stray balls going onto the other pitch and vice versa. Having seen Coventry a few weeks ago, I knew what to expect…..dull, uninspiring football and no intention of crossing the halfway line. Their tactic worked for a while, but once Bristol City opened the scoring the floodgates opened and Coventry got the thrashing they deserved. Having scored with their first shot of the match, after 73 minutes, they did manage two more efforts, but by that time the hosts were totally in control and just went up an extra gear by adding two more goals.

This was the first cold day of the season, with a biting wind, not helped by rain arriving for the last ten minutes of the match.

As with all youth venues, it is awkward taking photographs, but I did manage to take a few….

North Riding F.A. Senior Cup

Preliminary Round

Wednesday 24th October 2018

Kick Off 19.30 Actual 19.37

Boro Rangers 3 Richmond Town 2,  attendance 62

45’ 1-0

51’ 1-1

53’ 2-1

54’ 2-2

70’ 3-2

@ Middlesbrough F.C. Foundation, Pitch 1

Normanby Road

Eston

Middlesbrough

TS6 9AE

No Admission or Programme.

If you think of the worst area near where you live, then go up a couple of rungs, then you have Middlesbrough. Driving from the A66, then heading south through South Bank, it really is grim and a bit of a concern as to whether the car would still be there after the match !

The Middlesbrough F.C. Foundation is a bit run down. The indoor pitch is closed for renovation, the cafe was closed and both drinks machines were out of order. As for the toilets…………

Anyway, on to the match. Tonight, there were two matches being played here, both in the North Riding F.A. Senior Cup, Preliminary Round. St. Mary’s 1947 versus Grangetown Boys Club was on Pitch 2, which was hired for the night, whilst Boro Rangers were hosting Richmond Town on Pitch 1, which is their normal home ground, so I opted for this.

Boro  won four trophies last season, including beating Richmond 7-0 in this competition (before losing 2-1 to York City in a later round) and are currently in second place in the North Riding League, Premier Division. Richmond are in seventh place in the Wearside League, which is at the same level of the Pyramid, Step 7.

Boro intimidated the officials at every opportunity, which was totally unnecessary, as they are a really good footballing side. This seemed to be a bit of a grudge match, probably due to the meeting they had in this cup last season. Boro were well on top, but struggled to make the breakthrough, finally edging in front right on halftime. Richmond looked a different team after the break, coming from behind twice, but were unable to do it a third time.

Thankfully, the car was still there afterwards and even though the match didn’t finish until 21.32 (ridiculous for a 19.30 kick off ! ) a relatively trouble free journey saw me arrive home at 02.15. Apart from about half a dozen stretches of 50 mph and single lane sections, which actually never caused any queueing traffic, the only problem I encountered was when the M25 was closed just one junction from home !

Below photo : Pitch 2 on the left, with Boro Rangers v Richmond Town on Pitch 1, to the right.

British Universities & Colleges Sport

Northern 1A

Wednesday 24th October 2018

Kick Off 13.30 Actual 13.32

Newcastle University 6 Leeds Trinity University 2,  attendance 10

5’ 0-1

18’ 1-1

20’ 2-1

29’ 2-2

31’ 3-2 (pen)

49’ 4-2

62’ 5-2

70’ 6-2

@ Longbenton Sports Ground, 3G Pitch

Coach Lane

Newcastle Upon Tyne

NE12 8AD

No Admission or Programme.

To guarantee making it round the M25 and through the roadworks north of Junction 13 of the M1, it meant a ridiculous 6am start for this one. At least once I was clear of that, it left plenty of time for breakfast at Loughborough Truck Stop, just off Junction 23 of the M1 and arrival at the ground just after noon.

Newcastle are using this ground whilst their normal home ground at Cochrane Park is undergoing renovation. Their team that play in the Northern Alliance on a Saturday, have also played here in the past.

Newcastle came into this top of the league table, having won their opening two matches. Despite being 3-2 at halftime, it was actually a very one sided match, with Newcastle well on top. The early goal in the second half killed the game off as far as a Trinity comeback was concerned. As well as scoring half a dozen goals, Newcastle also hit the crossbar four times and the post twice, so this could have ended up as a real thrashing.

Montgomeryshire Challenge Cup

2nd Round

Sunday 21st October 2018

Kick Off 14.30. On Time !

Llanymynech 1 Llanfair United 6,  attendance 37

19’ 0-1

24’ 0-2

48’ 1-2 (pen)

53’ 1-3

55’ 1-4

67’ 1-5

74’ 1-6

@ King George V Playing Field

Station Road

Llanymynech

SY22 6EE

No Admission

£1 Programme, 4 pages.

Llanymynech is a border town, split down the middle by the A483 Oswestry to Welshpool road. The west of the town is in Wales, whilst the east is in England, in the county of Shropshire. The football ground is in the English side, although the club play their football in the Montgomeryshire Amateur League Division 2, which is part of the Welsh Pyramid.

The match went totally to form. Llanfair play three levels higher, currently sitting in sixth place in the Mid Wales League Division 1 and had won 3-2 away at Hawarden Rangers in the Welsh F.A. Cup yesterday, with Llanymynech having had a day off as they had no scheduled fixture. When the hosts pulled it back to 1-2 , with a penalty early in the second half,  it was little more than a consolation goal. Despite hitting the woodwork with a couple of long range strikes, they never really looked capable of pulling off an upset.

Southern Combination League

Division 2

Saturday 20th October 2018

Kick Off 15.00 Actual 15.01

Worthing Town 0 Rustington 2,  attendance 28

38’ 0-1

74’ 0-2

@ Palatine Park Football Centre

Palatine Road

Worthing

BN12 6JN

No Admission

£2 Programme, 8 pages.

This is a club that you need to visit on a nice day, when there are no weather issues, or when the away team have a twitter account that is updated. Speaking to others who have been here, the last thing you want to do is contact the home club Secretary, who by all accounts is far from helpful and very abrupt and miserable when answering any enquiries about matches……what a great first impression of the club !

Anyway, Rustington tweeted early on that the game was on and with hardly a cloud in the sky, a trip to the south coast beckoned. The match was 6th versus 3rd in the league table, but it was a pretty dull match to watch as a neutral. There was very little quality on show, the unbeaten visitors going ahead when the home ‘keeper spilled a shot for an easy tap in and once the second goal came, it was game over.

When Worthing first entered this league, they played on a pitch as far from the clubhouse building as possible, which is now a couple of small sized pitches. They now play right outside the building, which is Pitch B, according to a plan of the complex that is on the outside of the building.

This now completes visits to all the grounds currently used in this league, although Broadbridge Heath are hoping to move into their new ground in the next month or so.