West Wales Premier League

Friday 20th September 2024

Kick Off 19.00 Actual 18.59!

Seaside 0 Garden Village 1, attendance 209

54’ 0-1

@ Pen Rhos 3G Pitch

Copperworks Road

Llanelli

SA15 2NG

£3 Admission

£2 Programme available, but I won’t buy one at any event organised by Groundhop U.K.

I’d visited Seaside at their Crown Park ground back in February 2009, when, as a Carmarthenshire League team, they had beaten then League of Wales side Haverfordwest County 6-3 in a West Wales F.A. Senior Cup 2nd Round match. These days they are using the new 3G caged facility at Pen Rhos, behind Pen Rhos School, on the site of the old copper works. It’s just the standard set up, with spectator access along three quarters of one side. Normally, this wouldn’t be a problem, but tonight it was hosting the first game of this year’s ‘West Wales Hop’, so the crowd was five or six times their normal turnout and it just wasn’t capable of handling these sort of numbers (anything above fifty is pushing it!). The ground here is as bad as it gets and it is appalling to think this is allowed to host level 4 football. There aren’t even any changing rooms or toilets! Players and officials had to change at Crown Park and then walk the 300- 400 yards through the houses to the pitch, but at least it meant we had a short halftime, as everyone stayed out on the pitch! Despite being an organised hop, there was no effort whatsoever to cater for those watching. Not even a mobile caterer. There was food and drink back at Crown Park, but hardly ideal if you fancy a cuppa during the game!

Viewing was dreadful for the majority present, especially during a brief spell of rain (cue the umbrellas). It certainly detracted from the game and was hard to really get into it. It was 11th versus 13th in the league table and the two sides were evenly matched. The only goal came nine minutes into the second half, when a corner on the right was headed back across the six yard box and met with a second header that diverted it back into the far corner. Seaside nearly levelled in stoppage time, but a diagonal free kick into the box was headed against the post.

Hampshire Premier League

Senior Division

Tuesday 17th September 2024

Kick Off 19.00 Actual 18.59

Bishops Waltham Dynamos 1 Liss Athletic 2, attendance 23

15’ 1-0

75’ 1-1

81’ 1-2

@ The Mountbatten School, 3G Pitch

Whitenap Lane

Romsey

SO51 5SY

No Admission or Programme.

I received no reply from either club on Twitter as to whether this was going ahead okay, but a text message to the BWD Manager was replied to within minutes, confirming venue and kick off time. The 3G pitch here at The Mountbatten School is the regular home ground for BWD. It’s the standard cage set up, with spectator access along the near side, stretching about 30 odd yards each side of the halfway line.

The match was 13th versus 15th (out of 16). BWD took an early lead, following in to score with a follow up shot, after the initial effort was saved and it looked like it might have been enough to win it, as there were very few clear cut chances created. Liss drew level with fifteen minutes left, when a cross from the right was half blocked but fell perfectly for a first time finish into the bottom corner. Six minutes later they grabbed the winner, heading in powerfully from a corner on the right. They could have added a third, when they were awarded a penalty in stoppage time, but it was well saved by the ‘keeper.

Hampshire Premier League

Senior Division

Saturday 14th September 2024

Kick Off 12.30 Actual 12.32

Hook 1 Bishops Waltham Dynamos 1, attendance 40

60’ 1-0 (pen)

90’ + 5, 1-1

@ King George V Playing Field

Hook Common (A287)

off London Road

Hook

RG27 9JJ

No Admission or Programme.

I had hoped this would be part one of a double today. I’d intended going to league newcomers Rushmore Community at 3pm, but when checking the ground address on my spreadsheet this morning, I realised I’d already visited the ground for a Farnborough North End home game played there back in January 2012, when they were in the Surrey Elite Intermediate League. I decided to stick with the 12.30 kick off anyway, as it gave insurance against games being called off and would leave me the maximum alternatives if needed. This is one of the first grounds to suffer postponements during the wetter months, so it was one that needed visiting in dry weather, which was certainly the case today. I failed to get to a game here last season, but did see them host a home game played at Papermill Avenue in February. At least leaving early, I’d avoid the worst of the traffic, although queuing from M25 J10 all the way to M3 J4A meant the 44 mile drive (42 miles of motorway) took ninety five minutes…a sure sign that the kids school holidays are over!

Hook share the ground here with Hook & Newnham Cricket Club. Entering off London Road, there is a small car park, just about big enough to cope, with the grass verges on each side of the lane doubling capacity. The football pitch is on the right, roped off, with a pair of dugouts to the right. The changing rooms are on the far side of the cricket square, where there also appeared to be hot drinks available inside.

The match was 11th versus 15th (out of 16) and had plenty of effort, but very little quality. The only thing of note in a really poor first half was a shot from the visitors that hit the post. The game did improve after Hook took the lead with a penalty on the hour. Two minutes later BWD had a penalty of their own, but it was saved by the ‘keeper. It looked like it would end 1-0, when five minutes into stoppage time, a diagonal ball into the box was spilled by the ‘keeper, resulting in an easy tap in for the equaliser.

Oddly, the four grounds I’ve yet to visit in this league now (2 Senior Div, 2 Div 1) are all 3G pitches, one of which is today’s visitors, who are due to be at home this coming midweek.

Perry Street & District League

Premier Division

Wednesday 11th September 2024

Kick Off 18.15 On Time!

Shepton Beauchamp 1 Yetminster United 2, attendance 30

24’ 0-1

28’ 0-2

48’ 1-2

@ Shepton Beauchamp Playing Field

Brimgrove Lane

Shepton Beauchamp

TA19 0NE

No Admission or Programme.

So, another trip down to Somerset, just three miles west of last night’s game, brought down the curtain on the early season midweek kick offs, as Autumn draws ever closer. Entering the ground off Brimgrove Lane, into a small car park, the changing room building is to the right, with the pitch at the top end of the field, running widthways and bordered by trees on three sides.

The match was 8th versus 3rd in the league table, with the visitor’s knowing a win would see them regain first place, having been knocked off top spot due to the rest of the division playing their games last night. Yetminster had the better of the early exchanges and went ahead after twenty four minutes, scoring with a free kick from 20 yards into the far corner. They doubled their lead four minutes later, when a corner from the right was headed in at the near post. The second half was much more even. Shepton Beauchamp pulled a goal back eight minutes after the restart, capitalising on a miss kicked clearance by the home ‘keeper, to finish into the bottom corner from the edge of the box. Yetminster had a man sin binned shortly after and despite the hosts pushing hard for an equaliser, they managed to hold out for the win, helped by constant time wasting and gamesmanship (dropping to the ground every time the ball went to him and lying there until a Shepton player went towards him) from their substitute ‘keeper, who’d come on as a replacement for the injured first choice. At least he picked up a booking, as the Referee soon tired of his antics, but that’s little consolation to the hosts.

It had been dry on arrival and for the early stages of the match, but the evening soon turned to rain, causing the entire crowd and team ‘benches’ to head for the cover of the trees. There was overhang on the changing room building, but really too distant to watch the game properly from. Once the rain cleared, it brightened up for the second half, although it turned rather chilly. As with last night, the Referee played 2 x 40 minute halves and halftime was brief, with everyone staying out on the pitch and the light was better than we’d expected when we finished at 19.41.

Perry Street & District League

Premier Division

Tuesday 10th September 2024

Kick Off 18.15 Actual 18.17

South Petherton 2 Barrington 2, attendance 40

18’ 1-0

28’ 1-1

63’ 2-1

72’ 2-2 (pen)

@ South Petherton Recreation Ground

Lightgate Lane

South Petherton

TA13 5AU

No Admission or Programme.

It looks like we’re into the final midweek action for the non floodlit grounds, until late March, sadly. We had a handful of options in this league, opting for a Premier Division game, where 2nd hosted 5th in the league table. The clubs are only five miles apart (even less as the crow flies) and despite everyone being there well before kick off, we got underway a couple of minutes late, due to the visitors heading back to the changing rooms, just as it looked like we would get started slightly early. A combination of the late start and an evening spent mostly in drizzle and light rain, meant the Referee sensibly opted for 2 x 40 minute halves and a very short halftime, with everyone staying out on the pitch. We even got some stoppage time at the end of the match, but a full ninety minutes might have been pushing it a bit.

South Petherton opened the scoring midway through the first half, scoring at the second time of asking, following a scuffed shot that had been blocked. Barrington levelled ten minutes later, with a long range effort, shortly followed by a South Petherton sin bin just before halftime. They’d hardly got back to full strength when another player was sin binned, but having survived both periods of being a man short, they regained the lead, scoring after an initial shot was blocked, before the rebound was sent towards the far post for an easy tap in. Barrington had a shot tipped round the post and from the resulting corner had the ball in the net, but it was disallowed following a discussion between the Referee and home club Linesman. Minutes later they did make it 2-2 though, scoring from the penalty spot and South Petherton thought they’d grabbed a late winner, but it was disallowed for offside. It was pretty obvious to the neutrals present, but not the locals, that the Referee wouldn’t overturn the decision, having gone with the home club Linesman’s opinion at the other end.

South Petherton play on a typical village recreation ground, shared with cricket, the pitch being furthest from the changing rooms/clubhouse(open for drinks/sweets/crisps etc) running widthways. It was tree lined on two sides and has a children’s play area behind one goal. A travelling fair was set up on the cricket outfield, but not actually open yet.

F.A. Wales Amateur Trophy

1st Round

Saturday 7th September 2024

Kick Off 14.00 On Time!

Llannefydd 2 Corwen 1, attendance 75 (official)

7’ 1-0

65’ 2-0

81’ 2-1

@ Cae Llan

Llannefydd

LL16 5EA

£4 Admission

£2 Programme, 24 pages.

My original plan for this afternoon was to do Cei Connah versus Brymbo, but with the morning game at Yr Wyddgrug having been postponed, I wasn’t time restricted, so opted to tick off one of the two remaining teams I’d yet to visit in the Ardal North West League (Tier 3 in Wales) and opted for Llannefydd (the other being N.F.A. in Rhyl, who were at home in a league match). Firstly, it was a more awkward journey if coming from home and secondly, it was kicking off half an hour earlier (2pm, not 2.30 as stated on the programme). It also helped that this was a more reliable league and both clubs were up to date with their social media.

As this wasn’t my intended game, I hadn’t really done any research, so just put the postcode in the SatNav and took a steady scenic drive West from Mold. I ended up at a farm, having been taken left at the Hawk and Buckle Inn as I came into the village. I should have continued straight on, where the ground is the last thing on the left, just as you reach the national speed limit signs. There is a small car park, as well as more spaces along the grass verge just beyond the entrance. There is a pay booth, where match programmes are also available. I don’t always buy one these days, unless it’s the only way a club can actually take any money, but am glad I did today. If I hadn’t, I probably (definitely) wouldn’t have been aware of the quirky fact that the home team are one player short of being able to field a full Jones eleven! Williams were next best represented, with four listed for Corwen and three for the hosts. The Referee would certainly have his work cut out if dishing out red/yellow cards….wouldn’t want to see the wrong players getting suspensions!

Once inside, there are two seated kit stands along the right hand side and the pitch is railed on three sides, with the left hand side housing the dugouts and out of bounds to spectators. The far goal end is the only section without hard standing, whilst the changing rooms are in the corner, at the goal end nearest the road. There is also a tea bar, which did excellent burgers and the usual hot/cold drinks and sweets etc. All the club officials/volunteers were very friendly and I’d certainly recommend those who’ve yet to visit, to add it to their list.

Although it was a cup match, these two are in the same league, with this being 11th versus 10th, as far as league positions go and they’d drawn 3-3 in a league fixture here just 10 days ago. Llannefydd got off to the perfect start, smashing in an indirect free kick from 15 yards after seven minutes. Despite being well on top, they didn’t add their second goal until midway through the second half, when having hit the crossbar, before the ball was scrambled away for a corner, the resulting kick was headed in from six yards by Tom Jones, for his second goal of the game. I asked a local if he regularly scores two in a game. His reply?….”it’s not unusual”! Corwen made it interesting when they pulled a goal back with nine minutes left, cutting in from the right and shooting against the post, before the rebound was put into the far corner. They pressed hard for an equaliser, with their ‘keeper going up for every corner/free kick in the dying minutes, but Llannefydd held on for a deserved win. Unfortunately, for Corwen, it just goes to show, you can’t always ‘keep up with the Jones’s’.

Journey into North Wales this morning was via M54 and A5, A541 once past the West Midlands and home via the A55 and M6 for the return, getting back 14 hours after I’d set off. In the end, an excellent day out, albeit a long one.

North East Wales League

Championship Division

Saturday 7th September 2024

Kick off 11.30

Yr Wyddgrug P Bellevue P (Match Postponed)

@ Gwernymynydd Village Hall

Ruthin Road (A494)

Gwernymynydd

CH7 4AF.

So, for the second time this season, I arrived at a game in this division only to find that the game had been postponed (July 27 at Acton being the other). The home club ignored a question on Twitter regarding venue and kick off time, in answer to their match preview, but the Cymru App was still showing the game as being on and that it was an 11.30 kick off. Bellevue had tweeted the match at 9 o’clock this morning too, but on arrival at about 10.15, there were kids training on the pitch and when no players appeared to be arriving about an hour before kick off, I checked the Cymru App again, but the game was now showing as postponed! By sheer coincidence, Bellevue have been the visiting team in both failures. Needless to say, I will avoid any fixture in future where they are the visitors! At least I wouldn’t have a wasted day, as there were plenty of options for the afternoon…..although I’d be giving those in the North East Wales League a miss.

Perry Street & District League

Division 2

Wednesday 4th September 2024

Kick Off 18.15 Actual 18.19

Merriott Saints 2 Merriott Moretti 6, attendance 29

2’ 0-1

24’ 0-2

31’ 0-3

36’ 0-4

37’ 1-4

39’ 1-5

45’ 2-5

85’ 2-6

@ St. George’s Hall Playing Field

Merriott Road

Hinton St. George

TA17 8SL

No Admission or Programme.

Tonight’s game was the opening league fixture for these two. Merriot Moretti play in the village of Merriot itself, whilst Merriot Saints are based at St. George’s Hall in Hinton St. George, a mile west. The ground here is shared with cricket, which probably explains why the pitch was in such excellent condition. There is a small car park, with the village hall/changing rooms behind the near goal end, with a small area of cover on the front, which thankfully wasn’t needed tonight. The pitch runs lengthways from here, sloping upwards towards the far goal, whilst extra parking was available along the left hand edge of the cricket outfield.

The game itself was settled as a contest pretty early on as Moretti raced into a 0-4 lead after thirty six minutes. Saints did pull a goal back a minute later, but it was soon 1-5, as the much younger/sharper visitors attacked at will. Saints then got it back to 2-5, with a one on one finish in the final minute of the half, but there would be no way back for them. The second half produced far fewer chances, but Moretti added a sixth goal with five minutes left, breaking quickly before crossing for an easy finish from six yards.

Stroud & District League

Division 1

Tuesday 3rd September 2024

Kick Off 18.15 Actual 18.30

Horsley United 1 Tetbury Town 2, attendance 28

66’ 0-1

75’ 1-1

80’ 1-2

@ Horsley Village Hall

Priory Fields

Horsley

GL6 0PT

No Admission or Programme.

Around six o’clock the all too common question at this level was asked…”anyone seen the Ref?”….met with the usual response. That is…no response whatsoever and after much deliberation, the match finally got underway fifteen minutes late (resulting in 2 x 40 minute halves being played), with the home official who’d been dealing with the team sheets taking on the job. Tetbury were certainly not impressed and it looked at one point that we wouldn’t be getting a game at all. To be fair, apart from the first five minutes or so, the stand in did an excellent job, helped by the fact that the players seemed to have forgotten about it and just settled in to playing the game by then!

The two teams were evenly matched and as well as no Referee, it looked like there would be no goals either. Tetbury finally broke the deadlock with fourteen minutes left, but the real drama was still to come. With five minutes left Horsley had a corner. As it was about to be taken, a home player and the away ‘keeper ended up in the net, with punches flying in both directions. Once separated, both were sent off and from the corner the ball was headed in at the near post for the equaliser. Then, in the final minute, a cross from the right was headed high into the air and a Tetbury player managed to out jump the ‘keeper as it came back down, nodding in from close range to win the game.

Horsley play at the Village Hall (doubles as a shop), which is where they change and walk through to the pitch, entering behind the goal. The right hand side has grass banking running along it’s entirety, which offers a good view and even has a small section of cover perched at the top.

Above photo courtesy of Bob Lilliman.

Taff Ely & Rhymney Valley League

Greyhound Cup 1st Round

Monday 2nd September 2024

Kick Off 18.00 Actual 17.59!

Ynysybwl 0 Llantwit Fardre Reserves 3, attendance 63

18’ 0-1

63’ 0-2

82’ 0-3

@ Ynysybwl Recreation Ground

Heol-y-Plwyf

Ynysybwl

CF37 3HU

No Admission or Programme.

I never visited Ynysybwl when they were members of the Welsh League, when I believe they played home games on the rugby ground here at Ynysybwl Recreation Ground. The re-formed (2020 according to their badge) club now have their own designated pitch at the same venue, about 100 yards or so from the rugby pitch. They still get changed near the entrance, in a couple of metal container units, to the left of the rugby pitch as you come in off Heol-y-Plwyf. Car parking is sandwiched between a bowling green and a tennis court, whilst the football is down below, next to a floodlit rugby training pitch, end on and running lengthways away from here. The pitch is fully railed and there are a pair of dugouts on the left hand touchline, with a river beyond the trees lining the far side.

Tonight was a Greyhound Cup (League Cup) 1st Round match, with Premier Division hosting Division 1. It was keenly contested, with the visitors well worth their win. They opened the scoring after eighteen minutes, with a shot from the edge of the box that was hit with the outside of the foot, swerving in at the near post, after looking to be heading wide of the target as it was sent on it’s way. They could have doubled their lead six minutes later, but missed a penalty, which came back off the crossbar. They did make it 0-2 just after the hour, when a deflected cross in from the right was put in at the far post and they rounded off the scoring with eight minutes left, when a cross wasn’t cleared, leaving an easy one on one finish against the ‘keeper.

Certainly no problem getting this one finished in daylight. It kicked off a minute early (it would have gone to penalties if drawn) and with a short halftime break, where everyone stayed on the pitch, we were done and dusted by 19.35. I even managed to make it back into England before it was fully dark.

Above photo : The light holding out in the final minute of the match.