tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31109647082934370002024-02-19T04:54:14.093+00:00i want football 2009Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger94125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3110964708293437000.post-3617078070340723952009-12-28T22:22:00.004+00:002009-12-28T22:45:03.293+00:00Monday 28th December 2009<strong>Calverton Miners Welfare 0 Newark Town 1<br />Abacus Lighting Central Midlands League Buckingham Insurance Supreme Division<br />At: Hollinwood Lane<br />Kick-off 3-00 pm<br />Admission: £3; Programme: £1 (36 pages)<br />Attendance: 65 (headcount)<br />Weather: very cold, dry, clearish sky<br />Duration: first-half: 46:43; second-half: 49:40</strong><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxQPjm7IyyUuPOoT0JPuuwDbKOB1V5E6n46FVDjz1dPbSI-dJt-sAJ4aI5KJgtjVil1CiSkZOQ9dZUlxHE8caixQXypKN_F1V_8kXSkXOFmJHqdQ16_-GIjshoglw_vHGh8KkqYpGeXOM/s1600-h/p20091228a.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxQPjm7IyyUuPOoT0JPuuwDbKOB1V5E6n46FVDjz1dPbSI-dJt-sAJ4aI5KJgtjVil1CiSkZOQ9dZUlxHE8caixQXypKN_F1V_8kXSkXOFmJHqdQ16_-GIjshoglw_vHGh8KkqYpGeXOM/s400/p20091228a.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420417874014004834" /></a><br />The recent wintry weather hit the East Midlands football scene hard, so much so that this game was the first Buckingham Insurance Supreme Division fixture to take place since Saturday 12th December. It was always a tight affair settled in favour of title-chasing Newark Town by Simon Ellison’s first-half goal.<br /><br />Outside the professional game and Blue Square Conference, there weren’t too many games scheduled for today in my usual midlands and north-western haunts. And with the freezing weather continuing to force postponements, I was pleased to read the message from Rob Hornby on the nonleaguematters forum that “CMFL Calverton MW v Newark Town Pitch has just passed inspection, so 3pm kick off”. Further to that: “Calverton is deffentley (sic) ON but wrap up warm its going to be a cold one!! Programme issued and I will have the teamsheets to hand if anyone wants to copy then down.”<br /><br />The village of Calverton is located around six miles north-east of the centre of Nottingham and, as the directions I had suggested, there was no problem what so ever finding the ground. On the way I passed Arnold Town’s new ground and approached along Main Street from the B6386 junction by the golf course signed Calverton. Hollinwood Lane was first left and the ground on the left next to the household waste and recycling centre.<br /><br />No problem as I said finding the ground but a lot of problems finding a parking space. The welfare car park was full and the surrounding streets were marked with single yellow lines complete with in-force parking restrictions. Eventually I found a spot on an unrestricted road – Collyer Road – around 300 yards away.<br /><br />The ground was behind the welfare building (aka The Top Club) and the pitch ran lengthways from the entrance. Hardstanding ran the entire length of the nearest touchline, the Clubhouse End, with a recently erected covered stand occupying the area immediately behind the goal. There are plans to install black seats obtained from Derby County’s old Baseball Ground. Around the other three sides was flat standing on grass with the dugouts down the right-hand side either side of the halfway line.<br /><br />The roots of the present-day Calverton Miners Welfare FC go back to 1946 when a gentleman called Arthur ‘Jotty’ Matthews formed a Calverton Colliery team. They joined the Notts Alliance in 1998/98 after another local team, Calverton Town, folded and CMW became a founder member of the Notts Senior League in 2004. The club took the bold move to join the Central Midlands League Premier Division two years later and gained promotion to the Supreme Divison in 2008. Last season, their first in the Supreme Division, Calverton finished in an impressive third position. However, during the close season, the first team management and almost the entire first-team squad defected to Gedling Miners Welfare.<br /><br />As promised, programmes were available and teamsheets handed to those who wanted one. A few cars loads arrived minutes before kick-off having watched the early kick-off East Midlands Counties League game at nearby Radford.<br /><br />Calverton, 13th in the 18-team league on 22 points from 22 games, had played more games than any other side in the Buckingham Insurance Supreme Division. Visitors Newark Town (34 points from 17 games) arrived at Hollinworth Lane in good form. With two games in hand they trailed leaders Kirkby Town by seven points and had moved up the table on the back of a run of five wins from their last seven games.<br /><br />Both sides were last in action over two weeks ago on the aforementioned 12th December when Calverton won 1-0 at Blidworth Welfare and Newark won 4-1 at Westella & Willerby.<br /><br />Before kick-off, I took advantage of Rob Hornby’s offer to get an on-pitch view of the fairplay formalities and also take a Calverton team photo as well. Thanks Rob.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7pB7OOBGDZk8Sri5XtC9j96kE9jyfsRvc2giZenbNyqr7POnYiZdPG5uyAanyBvWj7Obpj2t8tnVgU4zHxA3Dy1IkS1bENo7SHJnGpr3TN33tznq3kqUOXlSQ6ezQm-yjuwkbdozNYtg/s1600-h/p20091228f.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7pB7OOBGDZk8Sri5XtC9j96kE9jyfsRvc2giZenbNyqr7POnYiZdPG5uyAanyBvWj7Obpj2t8tnVgU4zHxA3Dy1IkS1bENo7SHJnGpr3TN33tznq3kqUOXlSQ6ezQm-yjuwkbdozNYtg/s400/p20091228f.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420421144587690002" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoxotdA6V00K0NqqITJOERfYuz8kItlIZGc2mcd87_8JaQc6oXgKjIAVm-KxHmtUBEatjr1hZjUOuC5Kj0gZN9kRhevhASZvcFDhI-RR3ndUrc47lEdZ5sdrLG3vVW_J_coS7BserGVkA/s1600-h/p20091228g.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoxotdA6V00K0NqqITJOERfYuz8kItlIZGc2mcd87_8JaQc6oXgKjIAVm-KxHmtUBEatjr1hZjUOuC5Kj0gZN9kRhevhASZvcFDhI-RR3ndUrc47lEdZ5sdrLG3vVW_J_coS7BserGVkA/s400/p20091228g.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420421138240249922" /></a><br />Newark got the action underway attacking the Clubhouse End but it was Calverton who created the early chances. The visitors got a “Town wake up” call when Fraz Ahmed delivered a great cross from out of the left which the unmarked Gareth Clarkson headed straight at Garry Attwood.<br /><br />Matt Roche had the ball in the back of the Calverton net just before the midpoint of the half only to be denied a goal by a raised offside flag.<br /><br />A neat passing move led to Newark scoring the only goal in the 39th minute. Martin Wilson pulled the ball back from the bye-line and Simon Ellison fired home a low right-foot shot. It was the strikers 10th goal in as many games.<br /><br />The visitors were in the ascendency and Simon Ellison headed against the bar before the interval. The feared striker wanted another goal and saw another header cleared from in front of goal.<br /><br />The crowd adjourned to the Top Club, where a kitchen hatch did a roaring trade in hot drinks, unaware of the drama unfolding outside. Reported problems with the generator used to power the lights threatened to cause an abandonment until a puff of smoke and the ‘sweet’ smell of diesel provided good news. On came the lights and the second half kicked-off around 25 minutes after the first half had ended.<br /><br />Newark almost doubled their lead early in the second half when Wilson fired against the left-hand post.<br /><br />Calverton showed some urgency and Attwood needed to get down smartly to stop Gareth Clarkson’s curling free-kick. With time running out they brought on all three substitutes and pushed defender Seb Firman into attack.<br /><br />The “big push now Calvo” almost led to an equaliser. Callum Kitchin hammered a 30-yard shot inches wide while Attwood reacted superbly to tip over a decent shot from Liam Harris.<br /><br />Newark made absolutely sure of the win by getting the ball deep into Calverton territory at the start of stoppage time and made sure it stayed there until the full-time whistle.<br /><br />The three points lifted Newark up one position in the table over Ollerton Town into fourth spot and nicely set themselves up for a sustained title challenge. Only one other Central Midlands League game survived today, the Premier Division game at South Normanton Athletic won 4-1 by visitors Church Warsop Miner Welfare.<br /><br />On the way home, I found some elusive Namaqua wine in the Burton-on-Trent branch of Morrisons – Namaqua being the sponsor of Sky’s South Africa v England test match coverage. Who says advertising doesn’t work?<br /><br /><strong>Calverton Miners Welfare</strong> (chilli red / navy blue / navy blue): 1. Mike Randall, 2. Marc Cannon, 3. Liam Harris (capt), 4. Seb Firman, 5. Justin Pinnock, 6. Fraz Ahmed, 7. Chris Jackson, 18. Rob McCoy, 9. Simon Gould, 10. Gareth Clarkson, 11. Chris Myton. Subs: 14. Tom Daniel (for Gould, 85), 16. Callum Kitchin (for Ahmed, 57), 17. Dan Clifford (for Cannon, 51). Manager: Tony Cox.<br /><br /><strong>Newark Town</strong> (sky blue / white / sky blue): 1. Garry Attwood, 2. Sam Wilford, 3. Steve Carty, 4. Simon Greenfield (capt), 5. Ryan Stafford, 6. Martin Wilson, 7. Tom Mallinson, David Issott, 9. Simon Ellison, 10. Matt Roche, 11. Mark Ellison. Subs: 12. Louis Cree (for Issott, 76), 14. Ben Barnard (for Carty, 76), 15. Luke Parsons (for Roche, 81).<br /><br />Referee: Alix Pashley.<br />Assistants: Damian Cottrell and James Robinson.<br /><br />Goals:<br />0-1 Simon Ellison (36)<br /><br />Cards:<br />Calverton: Rob McCoy (YC, 62).<br />Newark: none.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5vR2tu_uFpZcVvTmXDtMyN4sG8Vk0RmMW4y0KfbIvAB0UV_OuEtS7lpAEVOMCrbQMoXM1bp8wB2KdFHrSs-khE-4pLJoTTPiMh0d2-noi3nA8y9RUfEeCIqvfVRmrigcBQAsrBskAJdk/s1600-h/p20091228b.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5vR2tu_uFpZcVvTmXDtMyN4sG8Vk0RmMW4y0KfbIvAB0UV_OuEtS7lpAEVOMCrbQMoXM1bp8wB2KdFHrSs-khE-4pLJoTTPiMh0d2-noi3nA8y9RUfEeCIqvfVRmrigcBQAsrBskAJdk/s400/p20091228b.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420421268350372034" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW1waz-LD7iFvp9sjwqyKUVXZKCesKsRuS0Vi9QrWbZMClTH14TFOHwzHoVCe1MiFymd0YFyZohDNSdDMTdNAAVCRWKPT0iwRiJIfKy3tdYPv7eJRRhj_c8TnVfvDxt-VIT5tAaM666cI/s1600-h/p20091228c.JPG"><img style="display:block; 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margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBv4kIM9y9twVmG8GtawKc8TjyvLjKOaPPEA0gjH91zrcrmrZAjrvM_zSbbPaZp_u9xXMF7xZMDZeqOQXoUb1_U8Me-mKnPCqcdQuLZNd7AUpwHOaKGpjt4eW_qyDXpMIJdDlgkfiqfZo/s400/p20091228m.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420420897417570226" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfr5Z2djpGRB6fdXV1co7Zhaia62CPOW8q8Icy2V4Yix0yvAP_KTPl8vdq1XVvqp_P3Gst0jtj3Z0194TSsw7zOiolRSrTqyLmmTA_zZdzU76Y7DJuIsBliCPcaqRygp_6z9IcwAsJm9Q/s1600-h/p20091228n.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfr5Z2djpGRB6fdXV1co7Zhaia62CPOW8q8Icy2V4Yix0yvAP_KTPl8vdq1XVvqp_P3Gst0jtj3Z0194TSsw7zOiolRSrTqyLmmTA_zZdzU76Y7DJuIsBliCPcaqRygp_6z9IcwAsJm9Q/s400/p20091228n.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420420891352848882" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3110964708293437000.post-5609405880637595612009-12-26T23:59:00.003+00:002009-12-28T22:22:34.368+00:00Saturday 26th December 2009<strong>Highworth Town 2 Reading Town 4<br />FTL FUTBOL Hellenic League Premier Division<br />At: Elm Recreation Ground<br />Kick-off 3-00 pm<br />Admission: £4; Programme: £1 (32 pages)<br />Attendance: 205<br />Weather: mild, rain during second half<br />Duration: first-half: 46:44; second-half: 48:12</strong><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimRcnKeamnKmgXShVWsdKTWWFE3RMpDylVdSEzyAKCTQTt4GiUmZSrdn4JjNdg6DklYcXYJx8yY-YmLJ5H01GTHmKehzdHZjh6cGouWwc3X1RVgFBfjM_oN_9rCtLlhDlT0OuoSNKHIO0/s1600-h/p20091226a.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimRcnKeamnKmgXShVWsdKTWWFE3RMpDylVdSEzyAKCTQTt4GiUmZSrdn4JjNdg6DklYcXYJx8yY-YmLJ5H01GTHmKehzdHZjh6cGouWwc3X1RVgFBfjM_oN_9rCtLlhDlT0OuoSNKHIO0/s400/p20091226a.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420235341363427666" /></a><br />I suppose there was a slight disappointing sense of failure about not managing to complete a Bank Holiday ‘double’ as I ended up with just a plain old 3 pm Saturday afternoon fixture. But there was nothing plain or disappointing about this feisty encounter between two in-form sides which produced six goals and two red cards. And I was able to plug a gap on my football CV I’d wanted to fill for a long while.<br /><br />Highworth Town, nicknamed The Worthians, were formed way back in 1893 and played in various local leagues before progressing into the Hellenic League in 1984. The current season is their 16th consecutive season in the Premier Division which they won in 2004/05. Last season The Worthians won the Wiltshire Senior Cup for the fifth time. Reading Town joined the Hellenic League Premier Division at the start of last season after switching from the Combined Counties League.<br /><br />With no luck in finding a morning kick-off, I got a “definitely on” and “kick-off 3 pm” when I phoned Highworth while parked at the entrance to Archdale 73 FC’s ground in north Worcester. Of course, I headed south ASAP and got to the ground around 2½ hours before kick-off. I like to arrive early but this was early even by my standards!<br /><br />I’d time on my hands to play the sightseer role – the brown sign pointing down the High Street listed ‘13th Century Church and Market Square’. I also learned that Highworth is twinned with Pontorson and spotted the Post Office (which Wikipedia told me afterwards played a secret role for British resistance movement during the Second World War) as well as several pubs incluing The King and Queen, Saracen’s Head and The Globe. It was nice to see the pleasant and unspoilt Market Square area was a conservation area.<br /><br />Back to the football and the ground was located just off the A361 towards Swindon. Travelling south, turn right into The Green leading The Elms by Sweeney’s Hairdressers and opposite The Fox (a pub that boasts the last pub food before M4) and the ground was 100 yards on the left.<br /><br />With the pitch running lengthways from the entrance, there were two identical seated stands down the left-hand touchline, either side of an area of covered standing which straddled halfway. Dugouts were opposite on the side next to the cricket ground where there was no spectator access. The clubhouse and changing rooms building was located next to the entrance and the bar area included a tea bar.<br /><br />Line-ups were announced over the tannoy just before kick-off.<br /><br />Highworth (33 points from 19 games) went into this Boxing Day clash on the back of three consecutive league victories. Wins over Kidlington (3-1), Old Woodstock Town (4-0) and 11 days ago at Carterton Town (5-1) had lifted them into seventh position in the Premier Division table.<br /><br />Visitors Reading Town (54 points from 21 games) arrived at the Recreation Ground on top of the table, seven points clear of nearest rivals Almondsbury Town. They began the season with a 20-match unbeaten run in the league which came to an abrupt end in their last game, played on Tuesday 15th December, which they lost 2-1 at Kidlington Town.<br /><br />Attacking the Leisure Centre end in the first half, Reading got this game underway between a home side in a ‘rich vein of form’ and the visiting ‘table toppers’.<br /><br />A mistake by Ian Gill led to the visitors taking the lead in the 11th minute. Graham Lewis picked up the keeper’s poor clearance and fed James Clark who slotted home from the left side of the area. Gill required treatment after challenging the scorer and was replaced by substitute Paul Haines in the 16th minute.<br /><br />Mark Hughes’s deflected shot wrong-footed Haines and almost ended up in the net before Highworth levelled things up in the 23rd minute. Dan Hilder and Dave Stuod combined on the left and Steve Robertson hammered home the resulting low cross at the far post.<br /><br />Highworth were awarded a penalty in the 33rd minute when Chris Grace brought down Stroud inside the area. The keeper was booked and Steve Yeardley sent him the wrong way from the spot.<br /><br />However, the joy of putting his side in front changed for Yeardley two minutes later. The defender retaliated following a foul by Reading’s Hughes and unsurprisingly received a straight red card after the referee consulted both assistants.<br /><br />The festive mood continued at half-time with the sound of Chris De Burgh’s ‘A Spaceman Came Travelling’ and other seasonal songs. During the interval I spotted a plaque commemorating the opening of the floodlights back in July 1994 by Mrs Anne Haines during a game with QPR.<br /><br />I returned to my seat on the back row next to one sponsored/dedicated/reserved in the name of ‘Jacqueline Youd’. But a heavy shower forced fans to seek shelter and I moved one row forward to maintain my view of the action.<br /><br />Both keepers made a decent save each just before the midpoint of the second half. Grace palmed away a curling free-kick from Hilder while Haines blocked a fierce rising 30-yarder hit by Lucca Riccio.<br /><br />Reading got back on level terms in the 69th minute. Aaron Parfitt corner wasn’t completely cleared and unmarked defender Michael Hancock fired home from inside the area.<br /><br />The visitors, with their numerical advantage, continued to threaten and Clarks’ header was held by diving Haines. They eventually regained the lead to take a vital 3-2 advantage in the 84th minute. Parfitt exchanged passes with Ian Brooks and fired past Haines at close range.<br /><br />Hughes netted Reading’s fourth goal in the 87th minute. From Parfitt’s free-kick played forward into the Highworth area, the Reading skipper fired home as the ball wasn’t cleared. However, Hughes picked up a second booking during the celebration and the visitors also finished the game with 10 men.<br /><br /><strong>Highworth Town</strong> (red/black/red): 1. Ian Gill, 2. Steve Yeardley, 3. Dave Stroud, 4. Stuart Pearson, 5. Tom Cole (capt), 6. Craig Curtis, 7. Tony Joyce, 8. Ben Snook, 9. Steve Robertson, 10. Matty Bennett, 11. Dan Hilder. Subs: 12. Kevin Tate (not used), 14. Dan Bishop (for Stroud, 79), 15. Richie Crocker (for Robertson, 74), 16. Lee Spalding (not used), GK. Paul Haines (for Gill, 16). Manager: Dave Webb.<br /><br /><strong>Reading Town</strong> (blue / blue / sky blue): 1. Chris Grace, 2. Danny Williamson, 3. Mark Hughes (capt), 4. Michael Buck, 5. Michael Hancock, 6. Gary Clifford, 7. Scott Rees, 8. Lucca Riccio, 9. Aaron Parfitt, 10. Graham Lewis, 11. James Clark. Subs: 12. Tristam Dennis (for Parfitt, 89), 14. Ian Brooks (for Rees, 76), 15. Danny Brownlie (not used), 16. Dwayne Hamilton (for Clark, 79). Manager: Colin Millard.<br /><br />Referee: D Sallis.<br />Assistants: J Cox and R Ashman.<br /><br />Goals:<br />0-1 James Clark (11)<br />1-1 Steve Robertson (23)<br />2-1 Steve Yeardley (33 pen)<br />2-2 Michael Hancock (69)<br />2-3 Aaron Parfitt (84)<br />2-4 Mark Hughes (87)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-E6Sb9ALh3s5FIzDY4vHhHRETmdEsyHOMT-jWNtp_KLg3eQ1fXH1jXdxE7C6fcgPwKNADfketS05ijCyOtwTOGHdHGSjTcElfT3eemc3CwfACwhpvim0Ny8dpUc0-vkY6r2n86qOIzOo/s1600-h/p20091226b.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-E6Sb9ALh3s5FIzDY4vHhHRETmdEsyHOMT-jWNtp_KLg3eQ1fXH1jXdxE7C6fcgPwKNADfketS05ijCyOtwTOGHdHGSjTcElfT3eemc3CwfACwhpvim0Ny8dpUc0-vkY6r2n86qOIzOo/s400/p20091226b.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420415937929719698" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPTmIH_agZEFutbpSwE_ZjCcJd2Qn4vRa5HtPrfUbIn4PYb8HvGplt2UtSIyiPRXBe3TEt5rdHgMU2zspdNfmgufXo85uxXyohl-RXpbWW2p3Ci3_nWDEUz6sJkgyvvh-xTX2k452YcAk/s1600-h/p20091226c.JPG"><img style="display:block; 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margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYoBoFen_dct5dCmmYnkaJLg0kCO2v2Om1YXvSHM-l65jSlW1NLWgi7wiKGa3qd4FwR_F-i6VzqKQXYwbhOa8Q01GTPUau48id2uJQHDKIkMOgw8cCUFLQFIU5J7OAoe373uokeNlqv4U/s400/p20091226m.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420415197526755186" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiklf7wTEcF5mjRoZsIeyVGxnpDX7z0vfW59n6YtFdOEBOums1SD7Sk2Eaws-b3wTjmRPx5WtAqETi4bhuipODwc6yk1rvfg7ZT2Pbf2not3sagYYTzi8AAUzAgxWV6l3Pj7pA_SrBZKxE/s1600-h/p20091226n.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiklf7wTEcF5mjRoZsIeyVGxnpDX7z0vfW59n6YtFdOEBOums1SD7Sk2Eaws-b3wTjmRPx5WtAqETi4bhuipODwc6yk1rvfg7ZT2Pbf2not3sagYYTzi8AAUzAgxWV6l3Pj7pA_SrBZKxE/s400/p20091226n.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420415193316253890" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-XYY7_1_93MqXL0xPdkrUEuQ4WxkGAgXgHZSzoAAVLgJOnHrNZ7dKJ-8gbbH2nSAcNaS_QVMo0QR4OynMV2B1ehAbr47b5ldmIDlTwsPJeS5pLqEPfrwxgg6fA_pv-VTyJgbLC9Hm1DY/s1600-h/p20091226o.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-XYY7_1_93MqXL0xPdkrUEuQ4WxkGAgXgHZSzoAAVLgJOnHrNZ7dKJ-8gbbH2nSAcNaS_QVMo0QR4OynMV2B1ehAbr47b5ldmIDlTwsPJeS5pLqEPfrwxgg6fA_pv-VTyJgbLC9Hm1DY/s400/p20091226o.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420415188157353746" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCM2wCiaX9iylhR4X9sITjTHWuHPHDdUnVMEkevltBE4VGR4Hfqm6aWx6vnavvD5P1Oph-ApJ-EXoxi0RdwgjLm-6YYAY8q3VyJ7FftrSCZe-ausuL_rTuiF0t_AanKnXlPlFgE7eQEZA/s1600-h/p20091226p.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCM2wCiaX9iylhR4X9sITjTHWuHPHDdUnVMEkevltBE4VGR4Hfqm6aWx6vnavvD5P1Oph-ApJ-EXoxi0RdwgjLm-6YYAY8q3VyJ7FftrSCZe-ausuL_rTuiF0t_AanKnXlPlFgE7eQEZA/s400/p20091226p.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420415186569105826" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3110964708293437000.post-17463316539264708762009-12-19T21:36:00.009+00:002009-12-20T22:14:58.832+00:00Saturday 19th December 2009<strong>Stratford Town ‘A’ 1 Blackwood 5<br />Midland Combination Division 3<br />Stratford Town FC 3G pitch, Knights Lane<br />Kick-off: 2-00 pm<br />Admission: none; Teamsheet: free<br />Attendance: 41 (headcount)<br />Weather: very cold, dry<br />Duration: first half: 46:40; second half: 48:56</strong><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoqtbWxk07ujVBywb1ZGTtSTJFajhdbAXjVbqHwLmQoIKGAaPr6_creSdr1t9bjK8Nt9uJHw9OVeKkX2FU6m46hIlLjOpvWx8x7NZsn6dQDrmfs7Gy-tv0Ho2Hmw-yRkQlTOoV1ABPYZ4/s1600-h/p20091219a.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoqtbWxk07ujVBywb1ZGTtSTJFajhdbAXjVbqHwLmQoIKGAaPr6_creSdr1t9bjK8Nt9uJHw9OVeKkX2FU6m46hIlLjOpvWx8x7NZsn6dQDrmfs7Gy-tv0Ho2Hmw-yRkQlTOoV1ABPYZ4/s400/p20091219a.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417065044234394914" /></a><br />The 3G pitch used by Stratford Town ‘A’ proved the saviour of many a football traveller’s afternoon, including my own.<br /><br />The weather forecast earlier in the week suggested problems for football today, especially after Thursday’s snow. I hadn’t anticipated that the ice and freezing temperatures would totally wipeout the entire Midlands non-league programme – apart from an artificial oasis in the heart of Shakespeare country.<br /><br />I can’t, however, give myself credit for spotting this game and I must show my appreciation to ‘acmold’ for flagging it up on the nonleaguematters website forum. I must also thank Secretary Mr Stephens for replying to my email late last night.<br /><br />When I left home not long before noon, the temperature on the car thermometer was a chilly –2.5°C. I travelled via Henley-in-Arden to check if Henley Forest’s game had survived the weather, which it hadn’t, and made my way through busy Stratford-on-Avon and out on the B4086 (signed Wellesbourne) to Tiddington. Knights Lane (signed Loxley 3) was on the right on the Stratford side of the village and the drive up to the Stratford Town ground around 1/2 mile down Knights Lane on the right just past the school.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh63YvLG_1npx8f3MGKnkPC7ZUYEvKtEWYUy__XakvRwKphlDQLHXQNa8HFTJi0ylLBoSf-bfRgs8WNX4-YpvIJ7LRNTBB7pXv5Nr6xoQlKAxRppdRLqc03wVNEG4VaEQwNQk0Bg99O60U/s1600-h/p20091219c.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh63YvLG_1npx8f3MGKnkPC7ZUYEvKtEWYUy__XakvRwKphlDQLHXQNa8HFTJi0ylLBoSf-bfRgs8WNX4-YpvIJ7LRNTBB7pXv5Nr6xoQlKAxRppdRLqc03wVNEG4VaEQwNQk0Bg99O60U/s400/p20091219c.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417071941193184402" /></a><br />I parked up and spotted ‘Tim’ sat in his car reading his Football Traveller. Into the bar and there were a host of travellers including ‘Leatherhead Pete’, ‘acmold’ and ‘Traveller Bill’.<br /><br />The 3G pitch (orientated south-east–north-west) was enclosed by a tall green wire mesh cage. The entrance was adjacent to the club building and car park, and the pitch ran lengthways. The right-hand touchline was roped off as was a portion of the near byeline next to the entrance. Dugouts straddled the halfway line down the left with three floodlight pylons down each side. There was no spectator access behind either goal. Incidentally, the main first-team stadium was on the other side of the club building.<br /><br />‘acmold’ produced a sheet giving the match officials, league table and Stratford’s results this season which was supplemented by two teamsheets kindly produced by Stratford. I said two because they produced a second one following a change in the home starting line-up. The Stratford officials couldn’t have been more helpful and welcoming to their unexpected invasion of spectators.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP1EIefa0wDE3eyb3QdpEmWXrZqYpoxG6gUkYu_J31DU6R0_iaoUqhMj2RqUHEaJKLd6aXjHu0zzCRhbtJnNJgtlKJg-tZGax8v15lEDe6iU0A2VlOjuy_HYU1PEIKRZ7ZSBArfQ-z5ck/s1600-h/p20091219l.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP1EIefa0wDE3eyb3QdpEmWXrZqYpoxG6gUkYu_J31DU6R0_iaoUqhMj2RqUHEaJKLd6aXjHu0zzCRhbtJnNJgtlKJg-tZGax8v15lEDe6iU0A2VlOjuy_HYU1PEIKRZ7ZSBArfQ-z5ck/s400/p20091219l.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417071388391624578" /></a><br />Stratford (14 points from 10 games) went into the fixture in eighth position in the 16-team division. Last Saturday they drew 2-2 at Shipston Excelsior.<br /><br />Visitors Blackwood (22 points from eight games) were in fourth position, ten points behind leaders Dosthill Colts Reserves with six games in hand. The only league points dropped so far this season were on August Bank Holiday Monday in a goalless draw at Clements ’83. Blackwood would be comfortably top of an American-style sorted by points per game. <br /><br />Blackwood’s starting line-up including one name immediately familiar to me. Chris Milliard impressed a few years ago as a Stafford Rangers squad player without breaking into the first team. Chatting to the father of one of the Blackwood players during the second half, he reminded me that goalkeeper Richard Mills and substitute Ross Clarke (not Russ Clark as printed on the teamsheet) also played for Stafford’s Reserves and County League sides as well.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhylCPwl_XYlshH8tNBPy-3k2z8RuE6A-vMI_EXgik7yUVBVLYcU7wKODlBAFZY3jQOh0-o-b3cyirQJChESfFdp3Fi9CcvSuNEdqPdjFYsn3odXkXDTQK1K7oD_O09hbyCpM2e9QCJ-B8/s1600-h/p20091219d.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhylCPwl_XYlshH8tNBPy-3k2z8RuE6A-vMI_EXgik7yUVBVLYcU7wKODlBAFZY3jQOh0-o-b3cyirQJChESfFdp3Fi9CcvSuNEdqPdjFYsn3odXkXDTQK1K7oD_O09hbyCpM2e9QCJ-B8/s400/p20091219d.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417071940764173490" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5S7OseDlkXya41ERsdyY7JoiX2ARp5qUs9bFPGoDlV-3WCJBM37sY_ENRLzLFkkR9TcTbUCXgHAn5NVkC4n9sMuvQcGz3_hSN6XqXnnrguOa6ls-1YUuKwPN7pieOoCuM-R0AHz3SSNs/s1600-h/p20091219e.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5S7OseDlkXya41ERsdyY7JoiX2ARp5qUs9bFPGoDlV-3WCJBM37sY_ENRLzLFkkR9TcTbUCXgHAn5NVkC4n9sMuvQcGz3_hSN6XqXnnrguOa6ls-1YUuKwPN7pieOoCuM-R0AHz3SSNs/s400/p20091219e.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417071934845519058" /></a><br />Once the fairplay formalities were concluded, Stratford (wearing blue shirts, blue shorts and white socks) got the game underway defending the near clubhouse end in the first half.<br /><br />“C’mon Town, straight in!” while Blackwood were encouraged to have “plenty of chat on the ball”.<br /><br />Blackwood (wearing black and red striped shirts, white shorts and red socks) took the lead in the 7th minute. Ashley Griffiths received a pass from David Johnson and fired towards goal. A defender attempting a clearance succeeded only in hitting his own keeper Duncan Thorpe with the ball which flew into the net.<br /><br />After Stratford won the game’s first corner, Thorpe was forced into action at the other end to turn round a close range shot from Chris Milliard wearing a pair of distinctive yellow boots.<br /><br />The visitors continued to create chances and Milliard saw another shot cleared from in front of goal by Tom Dyke. Blackwood, however, didn’t have to wait long for a second goal which came in the 24th minute. Adam Tilsley played the ball into the path of Johnson on the right who fired a rising shot across the face of goal and into the far side of the net off the hands of Thorpe.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCUQLHk9C5RyKeFcM60GcynYBSEso2f0fXh3AYcAKcuTBv4bYj-RDbc9AFS4vmveQfFNJvbk8SRn8ILlRwiPR9Vos66_KaHlbxeyxdNDR2lNmDFdjIbkB3N3_LIaz-XBrdMvXO-Dt894o/s1600-h/p20091219h.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCUQLHk9C5RyKeFcM60GcynYBSEso2f0fXh3AYcAKcuTBv4bYj-RDbc9AFS4vmveQfFNJvbk8SRn8ILlRwiPR9Vos66_KaHlbxeyxdNDR2lNmDFdjIbkB3N3_LIaz-XBrdMvXO-Dt894o/s400/p20091219h.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417071584265995378" /></a><br />Stratford pulled a goal back on the half-hour mark. Danny Bailey’s shot from the left side of the area took a deflection and flew past Richard Mills into the net.<br /><br />In the 34th minute, Blackwood restored their two-goal advantage. Johnson found Milliard who thumped a well-struck shot against the bar. Griffiths reacted first and slotted home the loose ball.<br /><br />The visitors wanted more goals and Thorpe did well to hold onto James Hudson’s curling shot as Griffiths looked to take advantage of any mishandling by the keeper.<br /><br />It was the impressive Milliard who netted Blackwood’s fourth goal in the 43rd minute. Griffith’s initial shot hit defender Chris Stephens and the visitors’ skipper put away the rebound.<br /><br />Blackwood looked home and hosed but stil it was a case of “let’s not switch off now”.<br /><br />It was back into the bar at half-time where hot teas and coffees did a roaring trade – most welcome.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwAfiCEMyu1izghGgPRmHzF470AJyxJoP2q2gX1DGQxOaQoa2XR93Rxi8ufI5y_xF0uyTyOV7BXXrADtfZ-Mmdug65pBAubt_JT1hmBiVUr8fg-W6gub4vx6ykw-MfXTNWOcpP-Z9prqw/s1600-h/p20091219m.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwAfiCEMyu1izghGgPRmHzF470AJyxJoP2q2gX1DGQxOaQoa2XR93Rxi8ufI5y_xF0uyTyOV7BXXrADtfZ-Mmdug65pBAubt_JT1hmBiVUr8fg-W6gub4vx6ykw-MfXTNWOcpP-Z9prqw/s400/p20091219m.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417071386974425058" /></a><br />Half-time didn’t put a stop to Blackwood’s chances and Johnson saw a good effort saved just after the restart. Like the first half, I stood down the right-hand side like all the other travellers. Nine minutes into the second half, Johnson from the centre of the Stratford half fed Griffiths who saw a low drive fly past the right-hand post.<br /><br />Stratford made a double change in the 58th minute, replacing tall forward Steve Hicks and midfielder Sam Allen with Dominic Trinder and Nathan Edgington.<br /><br />Blackwood defender Warren Grant picked up a booking five minutes later for dissent and he was followed into the book by Dyke and Edgington, both in the 67th minute for separate fouls.<br /><br />Tom Brown became Straftord’s third and final substitution in the 68th minute, replacing Jono Stephens. Their bench still had hope of getting something out of the game: “one goal and we are back in it”.<br /><br />Blackwood replaced James Hudson with Joe Busst in the 73rd minute and they looked to “pick it back up”. And they almost responded with a goal. Griffiths played the ball into the path of Tilsley who sent a right-foot shot straight at Thorpe.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8vC-xMhVe_9nchftE-CmwnxKlaIHl56Q6Tb06osL9ztJj1VM5mSrlT8sfOe_IZvQaHNDYR8Le51LHEfj1Ug86IumLAAOob-ofIq2YGI_rplt2LDyGnXckMLqjo_PKjHbVD_scGFktJmw/s1600-h/p20091219n.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8vC-xMhVe_9nchftE-CmwnxKlaIHl56Q6Tb06osL9ztJj1VM5mSrlT8sfOe_IZvQaHNDYR8Le51LHEfj1Ug86IumLAAOob-ofIq2YGI_rplt2LDyGnXckMLqjo_PKjHbVD_scGFktJmw/s400/p20091219n.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417071376505510626" /></a><br />In a game that was anything but dirty or bad tempered, Blackwood’s Alyn Rose bcame the fourth and final player to pick up a yellow card, this one produced for a foul.<br /><br />Just like Stratford, the visitors made all three substitutions; ex-Stafford Rangers man Ross Clarke replaced Griffiths in the 78th minutes and Joe Lynch came on for Wayne Hall two minutes later.<br /><br />Even though the outcome was not in doubt, Stratford still looked to reduce the deficit and Trinder fired straight at Mills from just outside the area.<br /><br />Thorpe produced a good block to thwart Johnson at the expense of a corner.<br /><br />The game looked to be heading for a 4-1 win for the visitors until Milliard rounded out a great personal performance by scoring the spectacular fifth goal in the 90th minute. He hammered home a rising 20-yard left-foot shot that flew into the net past Thorne.<br /><br />A sixth goal almost came in stoppage time. Clarke saw his initial shot blocked by Thorne’s legs and then had a follow-up shot fly off the keeper for a corner.<br /><br /><strong>Stratford Town ‘A’</strong> (blue/blue/white): 1. Duncan Thorpe, 2. Tom Dyke, 3. Clayton Foster, 4. Jono Stephens, 5. Chris Stephens, 6. James Bailey (capt), 7. Danny Bailey, 8. Sam Allen, 9. Ashley Wilkes, 10. Steve Hicks, 11. Ben Gibson. Subs: 12. Nathan Edgington (for Allen, 58), 14. Tom Brown (for Jono Stephens, 68), 15. Dominic Trinder (for Hicks, 58).<br /><br /><strong>Blackwood</strong> (red and black stripes / white / red): 1. Richard Mills, 2. Simon Hudson, 3. Wayne Hall, 4. Chris Fitzgerald, 5. Warren Grant, 6. Adam Tilsley, 7. David Johnson, 8. Alyn Rose, 9. Ashley Griffiths, 10. Chris Milliard (capt), 11. James Hudson. Subs: 12. Joe Busst (for James Hudson, 73), 14. Joe Topham (not used), 15. Joe Lynch (for Hall, 80), 16. Ben Weldon (not used), 17. Ross Clarke (for Griffiths, 78).<br /><br />Referee: K Cheeseman.<br />Assistants: K Morgan and N Chester.<br /><br />Goals:<br />0-1 Duncan Thorpe (7 og)<br />0-2 David Johnson (24)<br />1-2 Danny Bailey (31)<br />1-3 Ashley Griffiths (34)<br />1-4 Chris Milliard (43)<br />1-5 Chris Milliard (90)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ZKjNs-4PBIT6ixvIzFhsGV5ACT7bhWbViYpXQjQPQt7rpFbk27CB_H8qcNFQSR5y0UW-RtgFPTdnqFWoreyhG48V1B0AmwaZnJPuRILYKXL08NLsu7ck696edglnNCzgVATA1AhmtAk/s1600-h/p20091219b.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 189px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ZKjNs-4PBIT6ixvIzFhsGV5ACT7bhWbViYpXQjQPQt7rpFbk27CB_H8qcNFQSR5y0UW-RtgFPTdnqFWoreyhG48V1B0AmwaZnJPuRILYKXL08NLsu7ck696edglnNCzgVATA1AhmtAk/s400/p20091219b.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417071946504131794" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqJOeU9S9xwKHtfRzR4e7E6WgTbp0Gg4D8-y1UU1uoBW56tqIw1smcu_Kab7PkdIMHByNx4rqeqox7I0pldMuau0vyB51_4EzJsi6vUh-77p1FfEwI-oUL_I72f7cTm_O-98TClsbt7Gc/s1600-h/p20091219f.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqJOeU9S9xwKHtfRzR4e7E6WgTbp0Gg4D8-y1UU1uoBW56tqIw1smcu_Kab7PkdIMHByNx4rqeqox7I0pldMuau0vyB51_4EzJsi6vUh-77p1FfEwI-oUL_I72f7cTm_O-98TClsbt7Gc/s400/p20091219f.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417071595108574322" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivngqQoVTqMlMgkuBhadYgH04HTJgtQAYrQaLMNzvSlgr4pFAq13UUGdldDXDsPFTlTU-dQcGfFdIJ3JtZSrr6OgyNvD5kCItYIvHmBApbnaRpwBQx2LdYMdKV-DfACwd2Mr7U7mMhu2g/s1600-h/p20091219g.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivngqQoVTqMlMgkuBhadYgH04HTJgtQAYrQaLMNzvSlgr4pFAq13UUGdldDXDsPFTlTU-dQcGfFdIJ3JtZSrr6OgyNvD5kCItYIvHmBApbnaRpwBQx2LdYMdKV-DfACwd2Mr7U7mMhu2g/s400/p20091219g.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417071592014704130" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLWvH4C7DIlDErydfM0vOLPrYWt8KaC6Qu9VWqUeOGofRDJhoVGujCaG0YllD2bi2oUSzO5wRin5eV6NhvLPLTsvrNBGDkGbCgF95kET3c_hPYsOLl-EdJ6_4JapivSLIrjh3UUFuDbIc/s1600-h/p20091219i.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLWvH4C7DIlDErydfM0vOLPrYWt8KaC6Qu9VWqUeOGofRDJhoVGujCaG0YllD2bi2oUSzO5wRin5eV6NhvLPLTsvrNBGDkGbCgF95kET3c_hPYsOLl-EdJ6_4JapivSLIrjh3UUFuDbIc/s400/p20091219i.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417071582642724898" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJOW25HTyDXJ2Vvwl7ZrPl4gR8nWoKIq-bwJSZyd4HgvMknPOXdoYvKcGBMwGQ9Ke5mEPDujpAWf5Ix1KUVLlUy6EE8HAu24kSgiYJbj-fItI5e0hs_QenMImdjbpmtQD0A7TXqQEjQco/s1600-h/p20091219j.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJOW25HTyDXJ2Vvwl7ZrPl4gR8nWoKIq-bwJSZyd4HgvMknPOXdoYvKcGBMwGQ9Ke5mEPDujpAWf5Ix1KUVLlUy6EE8HAu24kSgiYJbj-fItI5e0hs_QenMImdjbpmtQD0A7TXqQEjQco/s400/p20091219j.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417071578798243602" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOIC3nkupq-upBmmJdLhl-WDv6IK-yJFDc6IHl08ATxeBbsOHx48rx1wqA2FUlJmiBztn_TpyW9NiCnYbJ8RTZsmQF9t-Xy-HE4vnZvx_vjdpAGLnirlRRp9hjYHUP3WKRcklgqOUJGjI/s1600-h/p20091219k.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOIC3nkupq-upBmmJdLhl-WDv6IK-yJFDc6IHl08ATxeBbsOHx48rx1wqA2FUlJmiBztn_TpyW9NiCnYbJ8RTZsmQF9t-Xy-HE4vnZvx_vjdpAGLnirlRRp9hjYHUP3WKRcklgqOUJGjI/s400/p20091219k.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417071388851262354" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ4gh8gfdGkTL5wlQblgGDmHcFZG2lvIdow6P3hfm9SLd5bl_gQcXmKnZnOD_s4zUNQNSEY1amA779h2WJ6sn_JBOXJPxty-ij42yJByePYROObH3ec1dHME-aURuA2KJg4uRwd0zdTMk/s1600-h/p20091219o.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ4gh8gfdGkTL5wlQblgGDmHcFZG2lvIdow6P3hfm9SLd5bl_gQcXmKnZnOD_s4zUNQNSEY1amA779h2WJ6sn_JBOXJPxty-ij42yJByePYROObH3ec1dHME-aURuA2KJg4uRwd0zdTMk/s400/p20091219o.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417071372129284530" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3110964708293437000.post-17053792994442473422009-12-12T23:59:00.005+00:002009-12-23T20:20:37.065+00:00Saturday 12th December 2009<strong>Sherburn White Rose 2 Beeston St Anthony 1<br />West Yorkshire League Premier Division<br />At: Recreation Ground, Finkle Hill<br />Kick-off: 2-00 pm<br />Admission: £1 raffle; Programme: none<br />Attendance: 40 (headcount)<br />Weather: cold, dry, sunny during first half<br />Duration: first half: 46:12; second half: 49:14</strong><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlJtkknRBCvFi5dvZ-kq6kdZWWbojFXcR2Cn2SrEfwftdgOp9ZCc_NKSQ2t73EyYAt_CeE5VpVIf6n-GbzdtirGeCr0lQeGUF1eqMtcpWZtURxJurFBSa5wYTwfEL7E7zjSTNaCM0g5co/s1600-h/p20091212a.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlJtkknRBCvFi5dvZ-kq6kdZWWbojFXcR2Cn2SrEfwftdgOp9ZCc_NKSQ2t73EyYAt_CeE5VpVIf6n-GbzdtirGeCr0lQeGUF1eqMtcpWZtURxJurFBSa5wYTwfEL7E7zjSTNaCM0g5co/s400/p20091212a.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414680707705798546" /></a><br />A pre-Christmas trip to relatives in Yorkshire provided an opportunity to dip my toe into the Step 7 West Yorkshire League Premier Division. At just six miles from our destination, the top of the table clash between third-placed Sherburn White Rose and leaders Beeston St Anthony was an ideal way to start a new league.<br /><br />I’m a big fan of websites and have been for well over 10years. As someone who used to edit a club website, I was mightily impressed with Sherburn’s site with news from a host of team the club runs – first team, second team, third team, over-35s, under-18s and juniors. It was the photo of the ground on the home page that ultimately persuaded me that Finkle Hill was the place to head to.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuQAqOHI3uCcQyaHWXlHwAKZZUhlotGvfJozwhyphenhyphenssu2amhDmtonZkwNpSTxnZ4XrBlPZgiimSRddumam-FUDQ0qfwSifGBb34ASq8d4lYeBeTE27_fxbmyoDFN87YQbyizovkLi8rktNE/s1600-h/p20091212b.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 69px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuQAqOHI3uCcQyaHWXlHwAKZZUhlotGvfJozwhyphenhyphenssu2amhDmtonZkwNpSTxnZ4XrBlPZgiimSRddumam-FUDQ0qfwSifGBb34ASq8d4lYeBeTE27_fxbmyoDFN87YQbyizovkLi8rktNE/s400/p20091212b.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414686532214421042" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNx0caJkdw3yS09YJX9Ovbd9st4JJPznI7_QfjywooYMe_RYHMI-2yut6uwxIMdxwBjyuCVcZyVQkZti_AtuqHb4Nz4fVTMLZwCBf8cG3ZAseg1GL6_FsCcCVB0Z7L1NiCUJN5F3mkr6Q/s1600-h/p20091212c.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNx0caJkdw3yS09YJX9Ovbd9st4JJPznI7_QfjywooYMe_RYHMI-2yut6uwxIMdxwBjyuCVcZyVQkZti_AtuqHb4Nz4fVTMLZwCBf8cG3ZAseg1GL6_FsCcCVB0Z7L1NiCUJN5F3mkr6Q/s400/p20091212c.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414686526767369138" /></a><br />The site provided a club history, most useful to get to know the club. Sherburn White Rose reformed in 1960 and been members of the West Yorkshire League for 50 years. In 2003, they benefited from a substantial grant from the Football Foundation and used the funds to build a brand new clubhouse, encompassing a bar, function room, kitchen and four modern changing rooms. West Yorkshire League Premier Division status was regained in 2006 and a year later Sherburn began to field three Saturday teams for the first time.<br /><br />The Finkel Hill Recreation Ground proved easy the find. I approached the village from the west on the B1222 to the lights in the centre by The Swan and Red Bear pubs. I took the Tadcaster road uphill and the ground was 300 yards on the right, past the Co-op and just before the national speed limit signs.<br /><br />The pitch (orientated west–east) ran lengthways behind the clubhouse and slightly sloped from right to left. It was railed off down each touchline and behind the far goal with dugouts positioned either side of halfway down the left-hand touchline. There was no hardstanding around the pitch, apart from an elevated area in front of the clubhouse and changing rooms. The ground boasted five floodlight posts which I guess were only used for training. As well as football, the Recreation Ground also caters for bowls and tennis as well.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3diSDaUhDUme7FpaiD7TkXAXiwV5AQhIA07amgpcw5E2iUxiYqslYNu7asYSm5xaK9nfDVjobtG7l7RX9cp2NckX-hI1e3491I3rH9XlX_YNYRi0wow-0n3eXu9ldLpWqWsnMl80P9O0/s1600-h/p20091212k.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3diSDaUhDUme7FpaiD7TkXAXiwV5AQhIA07amgpcw5E2iUxiYqslYNu7asYSm5xaK9nfDVjobtG7l7RX9cp2NckX-hI1e3491I3rH9XlX_YNYRi0wow-0n3eXu9ldLpWqWsnMl80P9O0/s400/p20091212k.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414686080001509106" /></a><br />A second pitch, a couple of hundred yards to the north, and next to the bypass, was used by Sherburn’s third team for their home Selby League game against Ferrybridge.<br /><br />Sherburn (in third with 23 points from 13 games) were looked to bounce back to winning ways after their six-match unbeaten run in their league came to an end at Otley Town last Saturday. They lost 2-1 and had two players dismissed.<br /><br />Leaders Beeston (32 points from 14 games) were also on a good run of form of eight league games without defeat since they lost 5-1 at Field in mid-September.<br /><br />Nick Peacock, the home manager, was most obliging in providing the Sherburn line-up and the referee kindly let me note down the numbers of the visitors. It certainly helped that the West Yorkshire League full-time website included squad lists and recent line-ups for both sides as no programme was issued today.<br /><br />There was no official admission charge or programme, though everyone including the players appeared to participate in the raffle.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCglBDMWT1NM8SXigS-fm-uqev_O9iuDtAvH6-4c1cKRZRwuGDWfoQtaoSS2itnuwmjAdVvG1HpbUyh7yIxDgf4YLZ7eUfW39kkHpWjtQy8iBlsGQz2GABKdpePeq70aCYzuUgix46O7U/s1600-h/p20091212g.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCglBDMWT1NM8SXigS-fm-uqev_O9iuDtAvH6-4c1cKRZRwuGDWfoQtaoSS2itnuwmjAdVvG1HpbUyh7yIxDgf4YLZ7eUfW39kkHpWjtQy8iBlsGQz2GABKdpePeq70aCYzuUgix46O7U/s400/p20091212g.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414686404298533506" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQx7vEPvjQFjzxHCiFB0ZCTTaJjGTwBfgWTf-7JcksRYbVorKj6ymD767XwtB6-rkyx9QH4KI_o7HAMaSYAhGyEHm5dJwHchih1FeevM3IJfta3JAxKz-Y3mbdtjVhbejVZoHTuaAAXwo/s1600-h/p20091212h.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQx7vEPvjQFjzxHCiFB0ZCTTaJjGTwBfgWTf-7JcksRYbVorKj6ymD767XwtB6-rkyx9QH4KI_o7HAMaSYAhGyEHm5dJwHchih1FeevM3IJfta3JAxKz-Y3mbdtjVhbejVZoHTuaAAXwo/s400/p20091212h.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414686398103780194" /></a><br />“Change over,” announced referee Emma Hock and, after Beeston were encouraged to “set the tempo early”, it was the visitors (wearing green and black stripes, black shorts and green socks) who got the game underway defending the changing rooms end in the first half.<br /><br />Sherburn (wearing all yellow) almost took an early lead. Adam Priestley intercepted a weak backpass header before flicking the ball over the advancing keeper and just wide of the unguarded net.<br /><br />Raffle tickets came round – £1 per strip – but with my luck there was no change of my pink strip 161–165 being drawn out… and I was right.<br /><br />Play was mostly in midfield with few chances created. Just before the quarter hour mark, Priestley played the ball into the path of James Middleton though the brave Beeston keeper Karl Codd left his line to dive at the feet of the attacker.<br /><br />Beeston midfielder John Ward tried his luck from the edge of the edge of the area with an angled left-foot shot which missed the far corner of the net. It was certainly “worth a go”.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQy-qYiCOGMbNm5Uuwr6CgFNprWSzt3LlyZFWcZu9zXD0RM9_BXXwDHoU6syQ4nx9wlKNQajUWO7xxXf1KCvallfXeCBfcdjw2ux9ZV1eGudKE8KjUhQUYHP9kgiI98oNjmemh9Tf2Uho/s1600-h/p20091212i.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQy-qYiCOGMbNm5Uuwr6CgFNprWSzt3LlyZFWcZu9zXD0RM9_BXXwDHoU6syQ4nx9wlKNQajUWO7xxXf1KCvallfXeCBfcdjw2ux9ZV1eGudKE8KjUhQUYHP9kgiI98oNjmemh9Tf2Uho/s400/p20091212i.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414686396273269458" /></a><br />Around the half-hour mark, Adam Sadler got the chance to shoot 30 yards out and his right foot drive flashed past the left-hand post. Sherburn appealed, unsuccessfully, for a penalty when David Haley went down inside the area under Sean Jeavons’ challenge.<br /><br />The visitors seemed happy with the way things had gone in the goalless opening half hour. “We are getting there, just stay patient,” was the view of Lee McGuire. They continued to create the better chances and a cross-cum-shot from Matthew Bennett out on the right landed on the roof of the net. Simon Hudson got across well to hold a deflected 30-yard drive hit by Ryan Boden.<br /><br />However, Sherburn went agonisingly close to taking the lead in the 40th minute. Middleton whipped in a right-wing cross for unmarked Priestley to head against the base of the near post. Soon at the other end, the diving Hudson held John Ward’s deflected shot which was heading for the bottom-right corner of the net. “We need to drive on,” shoute done encouraged Beeston player.<br /><br />Referee Hock brandished a yellow card towards Ward in the 45th minute for colourful language directed towards an assistant. The Beeston midfielder felt he should have been given a free-kick.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRDk3TCAPThHaWo2z7LrhletkLJsWLpnjVGsO8WdaYtKU9upoauaDExbha3fOxwqd483lYMgcBN7vti-bwXLooW1WzFjFAeLbZo_IRdKRdIK9juASqDoabOD7SvdBLVYuX4__uITJURlY/s1600-h/p20091212j.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRDk3TCAPThHaWo2z7LrhletkLJsWLpnjVGsO8WdaYtKU9upoauaDExbha3fOxwqd483lYMgcBN7vti-bwXLooW1WzFjFAeLbZo_IRdKRdIK9juASqDoabOD7SvdBLVYuX4__uITJURlY/s400/p20091212j.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414686085642501634" /></a><br />I’d read a previous review of a visit to Sherburn which mentioned a tea bar and, thankfully, on a cold afternoon it was up and running again from a hatch next to the clubhouse entrance.<br /><br />Into the second half and Sherburn, now attacking the far end, took the lead just over five minutes after the resumption. Middleton on the right fed Priestley inside the area and the striker fired across goal into the opposite bottom-left corner of the net (see photo immediately below).<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0GwSwQ-Sx0HkeXMcp_K-EMDDNJ91B4kOvEuKIyNFPwqJxN8Ob0TQcs_W3hnbn9aToJPrvJfEuSBQ_cB7NX3jK6LAE3r4MCR-n0mjvzMqIImJTbM6kJdY-kz9MIGkjKUkwTfUqL7zeIYE/s1600-h/p20091212m.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0GwSwQ-Sx0HkeXMcp_K-EMDDNJ91B4kOvEuKIyNFPwqJxN8Ob0TQcs_W3hnbn9aToJPrvJfEuSBQ_cB7NX3jK6LAE3r4MCR-n0mjvzMqIImJTbM6kJdY-kz9MIGkjKUkwTfUqL7zeIYE/s400/p20091212m.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414686074703886994" /></a><br />It got even better for the home side in the 54th minute when leading scorer Priestley struck a second goal. He broke down the left and sent a curling shot into the far right corner of the net. The visitors responding with a substitution two minutes later as the more attacking Lee Turnbull replaced Baggaley which resulted in a reshuffle at the back.<br /><br />Playing with a sense of urgency, Besston set about reducing the deficit and put the home side under pressure. Turnbull fired across the face of goal.<br /><br />In the 72nd minute, Paul McMullen delivered a deep cross from the left which was headed back towards goal by John Wardropper (aka ‘Bomber’) and cleared by Danny Graham. Sherburn quickly broke and Priestley fired into the sidenetting.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEONzqEnb8qTMQbzhlWjBVSfJWPEI_ZcqjDZMVwkHGomFHxQdBCLkWBAzg70_UQWoCWUKREVLzsUaW-rUOzROPcUx2Vlt-tCkMo1jX0qJlkRShkshBhNwcLKNzj2lCQjC-dHMDPLoIri0/s1600-h/p20091212n.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEONzqEnb8qTMQbzhlWjBVSfJWPEI_ZcqjDZMVwkHGomFHxQdBCLkWBAzg70_UQWoCWUKREVLzsUaW-rUOzROPcUx2Vlt-tCkMo1jX0qJlkRShkshBhNwcLKNzj2lCQjC-dHMDPLoIri0/s400/p20091212n.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414686067273607586" /></a><br />The visitors remained confident that “it’ll come” and they had a penalty appeal turned down for a challenge on Jason Bradley. Beeston piled on the pressure and Hudson did well to hold onto a low 25-yard drive from Ward.<br /><br />Beeston eventually reduced the deficit in the 84th minute from soft free-kick to set up an exciting finale. There was “no need for that” when Scott Williams fouled Ward 22-yard out in a central position. Sean Jeavons stepped up to curl the ball over a six-man wall and into the net via the underside of the bar. Keeper Hudson picked up a cut in the meleé that followed in front of the Sherburn goal.<br /><br />It was certainly heated and referee Hock needed to work hard to keep things under control with Sherburn defending in numbers. Goalscorer Jeavons picked up a 90th minute booking for a foul of Hudson.<br /><br />Raffle ticket sales continued in the clubhouse after the game with players encouraged to participate. But, alas, when the winning ticket was drawn, it was no surprise my losing raffle streak continued as ticket 216 bagged the prize.<br /><br /><strong>Sherburn White Rose</strong> (yellow/yellow/yellow): 1. Simon Hudson, 2. Neil Dixon, 3. Danny Graham, 4. James Jollands, 5. Rob Foreman, 6. David Haley, 7. James Middleton, 8. Alex Booth (capt), 9. Adam Priestley, 10. Adam Sadler, 11. Scott Williams. Subs: Chris Thompson, Daryl Carter (both not used). Manager: Nick Peacock.<br /><br /><strong>Beeston St Anthony</strong> (green and black stripes / black / green): 1. Karl Codd, 2. Mark Baggaley, 3. Ryan Boden, 4. Lee McGuire, 5. John Wardropper, 6. Ryan Thorpe (capt), 7. Matthew Bennett, 8. John Ward, 9. Sean Jeavons, 10. Jason Bradley, 11. Paul McMullen. Subs: 17. Lee Turnbull (for Baggaley, 56), Anthony Williamson (not used), Matthew Fannon (not used).<br /><br />Referee: Emma Hock (Leeds).<br />Assistants: Jim Jones, Garreth Rhodes.<br /><br />Goals:<br />1-0 Adam Priestley (51)<br />2-0 Adam Priestley (54)<br />2-1 Sean Jeavons (84)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNJ1nhF3WubnGJVA58B8-ffqFCMe52WJi1J8rG_zhAyAlHmdW8BGjm5MurKvNww9-hcO6UJp1JcTCUtxNyMDLL6vblDwYe0HhV18Pu8TzyUXOvaIBGthtrIfdOCxaOOTn7VA26UkpDBR4/s1600-h/p20091212d.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNJ1nhF3WubnGJVA58B8-ffqFCMe52WJi1J8rG_zhAyAlHmdW8BGjm5MurKvNww9-hcO6UJp1JcTCUtxNyMDLL6vblDwYe0HhV18Pu8TzyUXOvaIBGthtrIfdOCxaOOTn7VA26UkpDBR4/s400/p20091212d.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414686525943321154" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi33DvCYXZJzIrs5k_vbcq-XbLbD_c4D7Te_agKVUNW07_O_1RzJLJQu0nbrXcufbgJjG6rc7Am90RA_-JEKxyEjHbdY-YtaJE1ZuJzRokuSaHweSR2BGBpApqUkUsOpj9-JJjOLBY_n0M/s1600-h/p20091212e.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi33DvCYXZJzIrs5k_vbcq-XbLbD_c4D7Te_agKVUNW07_O_1RzJLJQu0nbrXcufbgJjG6rc7Am90RA_-JEKxyEjHbdY-YtaJE1ZuJzRokuSaHweSR2BGBpApqUkUsOpj9-JJjOLBY_n0M/s400/p20091212e.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414686413485389570" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifSo5DSN554r44IW7X6QHyPsq4MwYHliQ7qlt1TMo6H8av3UgeOytBU-iwi5mSvd30XfK-XXdjNMUKtL1D9Znzhs3CIgPfRLJcfnKCwpFwBtF9VBK9YONoQQ6WQNT4GFt-B8FaeeYANSA/s1600-h/p20091212f.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifSo5DSN554r44IW7X6QHyPsq4MwYHliQ7qlt1TMo6H8av3UgeOytBU-iwi5mSvd30XfK-XXdjNMUKtL1D9Znzhs3CIgPfRLJcfnKCwpFwBtF9VBK9YONoQQ6WQNT4GFt-B8FaeeYANSA/s400/p20091212f.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414686409475748002" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL_nQ1-OXwXMNXLjB0-mnGLS-5fHfTK0COp6xfb5Z3Ya5eEjRcA0fczSeQ9TuwsfHNrTMqtc5SMhQa3lpuCO_-GcI0hwezGi0T5Er1y3h3fv2PHkXv4qCgCPeXsR_v8KfdZySVmTqyag0/s1600-h/p20091212l.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL_nQ1-OXwXMNXLjB0-mnGLS-5fHfTK0COp6xfb5Z3Ya5eEjRcA0fczSeQ9TuwsfHNrTMqtc5SMhQa3lpuCO_-GcI0hwezGi0T5Er1y3h3fv2PHkXv4qCgCPeXsR_v8KfdZySVmTqyag0/s400/p20091212l.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414686076764512162" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3110964708293437000.post-29570038838514879572009-12-05T23:59:00.006+00:002009-12-08T08:55:08.410+00:00Saturday 5th December 2009<strong>St Neots Town 2 Boston Town 2<br />Hereward Teamwear United Counties League Premier Division<br />At: Rowley Park<br />Kick-off: 3-00 pm<br />Admission: £5; Programme: £1 (24 pages)<br />Attendance: 200 (headcount)<br />Weather: dull, rain throughout second half<br />Duration: first half: 47:34; second half: 48:40</strong><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAuCRR3IUFl669afzxjSG7FmXCHmV-0lWlsP59VKIcev4gYcule23rJR_HNhNmV_rlz6hyphenhyphenGAkYtKauZMNWIYjeb1redVHWGKwDuDp_mf82gymZUGu1NIlGyfbx2f1ioUTtLfGBgx6Pae4/s1600-h/p20091205a.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAuCRR3IUFl669afzxjSG7FmXCHmV-0lWlsP59VKIcev4gYcule23rJR_HNhNmV_rlz6hyphenhyphenGAkYtKauZMNWIYjeb1redVHWGKwDuDp_mf82gymZUGu1NIlGyfbx2f1ioUTtLfGBgx6Pae4/s400/p20091205a.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412580128131358898" /></a><br /><br />Today had lots of similarities to last week’s trip to Godmanchester Rovers –same route as last week up to A14 junction 14, lunch at the same McDonalds near Rothwell, my first game in a particular league for many years, making a sort of footballing Groundhog Day!<br /><br />On Thursday, after choosing St Neots v Boston as my preferred destination, I sort advice from a footballing friend with local knowledge, ‘Stevenage Brian’, who suggested this game at St Neots would be 95% certain to go ahead even with some adverse weather which had been forecast. He was at Tuesday’s home game with Raunds Town and reported that: “You should have no problem with St Neots at all. I was there Tuesday night. It was in very good condition, very grassy and they will make every effort to play.”<br /><br />Everything went well on the way and knowing the closure for roadworks on the northbound A1 from the Black Cat Roundabout, I detoured off the A14 via Catworth, Kimbolton (a delightful village) and Great Staughton into St Neots. But there were long queues crossing the Great Ouse bridge into the town centre, so I aimed instead for the southern/eastern bypass, confirmed the game was on and arrived just before 2-30 pm.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDTJww1iWTQhF_BdpWFfsCuyD32Xd5SeVWoxfZNCxvWi3jrYe8wUyV6cTtfIH03WXpeH0SPFea3e_jI-xsm5h37hb9ozydY9Rz0nxOxhAFP1AO0rFuvD3iuKllCth9EJRKsXq8fm4_kGg/s1600-h/p20091205b.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDTJww1iWTQhF_BdpWFfsCuyD32Xd5SeVWoxfZNCxvWi3jrYe8wUyV6cTtfIH03WXpeH0SPFea3e_jI-xsm5h37hb9ozydY9Rz0nxOxhAFP1AO0rFuvD3iuKllCth9EJRKsXq8fm4_kGg/s400/p20091205b.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412580132030042210" /></a><br />The new Rowley Park, on the site of the former Loves Farm, was opened in April 2008 at a reported cost of £6.8million (Hunts Post link) and replaced the old Rowley Park located around 400 yards away to the south next to the main road.<br /><br />Mrs ‘iwf’ (then Miss ‘iwf’) has interesting memories of our trip to the former ground back in April 1996. After being hit by the ball, she found it difficult to understand the urgency to leave the clubhouse for the start of the second half! St Neots won that game against Spalding United 2-0 in front of a crowd of about 50.<br /><br />Back to the present and the new Rowley Park was certain an impressive football venue. The road up to the ground along Dramsell Rise from the roundabout on the B1428, east of the town centre and 200 yards east of the railway, meandered through cleared but so far undeveloped land.<br /><br />With a small car park to the left, the turnstile was round to the left and, through it, the pitch (orientated north–south) ran widthways to the right. A hive of activity greeted me once inside. All the facilities were down the near touchline with a stand straddling halfway which contained around 200 individual navy blue tip-up seats in six rows. Flanking the near side of the stand was the club shop and on the far side the Burger Bar and also the entrance to the bar. To the left of the turnstile block near the corner was an area of covered standing with a clear roof. Covered terracing featured behind each goal and the dugouts were over on the far touchline either side of halfway. Behind the far goal were a series of tall trees and the main line into Kings Cross was beyond the far touchline. All in all Rowley Park was an impressive venue for step five and built with a higher level of football in mind.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUoud-_ergCPEpKbBjvXf0fYcQsu6NrTn1Fy4IOPixtF5bbJUC4eVjLOe1o3rc7r46WJypFyo4W36Tjk1_xky5p-i1YQ9qWh43raVTZgPoiutTa84Xfib4YLp4-hZ-gfIjoFW-vzrcUyg/s1600-h/p20091205d.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUoud-_ergCPEpKbBjvXf0fYcQsu6NrTn1Fy4IOPixtF5bbJUC4eVjLOe1o3rc7r46WJypFyo4W36Tjk1_xky5p-i1YQ9qWh43raVTZgPoiutTa84Xfib4YLp4-hZ-gfIjoFW-vzrcUyg/s400/p20091205d.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412580122485029378" /></a><br />A run of seven league games without defeat had propelled St Neots (52 points from 23 games) into second position, level on points with leaders Daventry Town A win or a draw today would take the Saints top though Daventry, on FA Vase duty, would have five games in hand. The Saints were nine points clear of third-placed St Ives Town but a closer look at the teams below showed nearly all had games in hand so second place wasn’t as secure as it first appeared.<br /><br />Visitors Boston Town (fifth position on 39 points from 19 games) were also on a good run of five league games without defeat and also had games in hand to significantly close the gap on second-placed St Neots.<br /><br />I borrowed a notebook from one of the men in the press box to copy down the lineups though these were announced over the tannoy as well. Teams came out to Thin Lizzy’s ‘Boys are Back in Town’, so far the most popular choice so far in a competition to decide the ‘coming out’ music.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy2H4TxbU8klXzMW56IOfXcfTpqPVYq7aq0l7h6SSnAx6620UTuHR5k5a2Ium4aFDMCXBEfFNQImqpIcn-WcpGfPwcscURLdpzoOHEXVKozJ1jwTW2p4fSRBRF1i9dkw_6lRwW1GqQEt4/s1600-h/p20091205i.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 91px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy2H4TxbU8klXzMW56IOfXcfTpqPVYq7aq0l7h6SSnAx6620UTuHR5k5a2Ium4aFDMCXBEfFNQImqpIcn-WcpGfPwcscURLdpzoOHEXVKozJ1jwTW2p4fSRBRF1i9dkw_6lRwW1GqQEt4/s400/p20091205i.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412579971979314882" /></a><br />After the fairplay formalities were completed, Boston Town (wearing yellow shirts, black shorts and yellow socks) got the game underway attacking the car park end. This was right to left in relation to my seat in the stand on the third row in the left-hand block.<br /><br />It was home side St Neots (wearing sky blue shirts with a navy blue diagonal stripe, navy blue shorts and socks), however, who forced the early play and I don’t think the ball spent much time out of the Boston half during the opening 10 minutes.<br /><br />Barely 30 seconds had elapsed when Paul Garrett, on the left, fired just wide of the near post. The same player took a 25 yard free-kick which hit the five-man defensive wall. Another shot went flashing past the visitors’ goal when Andy Lodge shot from 35 yards out.<br /><br />However, things all changed in the 14th minute when Boston were awarded a penalty against the run of play. Gary Bull, once of Nottingham Forest and Barnet, was bundled over inside the area by Glenn Fuff and Mr Smith immediately pointed to the spot. Paul Goodhand stepped up only to slam the resulting penalty against the right-hand post. In the ensuing melee, Goodhand hooked the ball into the net but the goal was disallowed presumably for offside.<br /><br />However, Goodhand’s disappointment soon turned to joy in the 17th minute when he did put Boston in front. He cut into the area from the right and fired an angled shot across the face of goal into the far left corner.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY9pdQx3xfl-CxdAgwIhyphenhyphenRNGFbNJgFRTh4f6x9b2xvjUqk9XHLiyGYetoesBxibwtxxvK6gGMcvc_rCpHAQNNkcdJh29syd70mK25thX1lpDsoXnL-Zz07aUy6911lL_4sD73LAoYjzo0/s1600-h/p20091205k.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY9pdQx3xfl-CxdAgwIhyphenhyphenRNGFbNJgFRTh4f6x9b2xvjUqk9XHLiyGYetoesBxibwtxxvK6gGMcvc_rCpHAQNNkcdJh29syd70mK25thX1lpDsoXnL-Zz07aUy6911lL_4sD73LAoYjzo0/s400/p20091205k.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412579787482294738" /></a><br />Close to me in the stand there was some chatter about yesterday’s World Cup draw and a Dad explained to his young son what a seeded team was.<br /><br />In the 23rd minute, Matt Price fired straight at Luke McShane from 25 yards out and the St Neots keeper immediately launched an attack upfield and Josh Sozzo Sent a looping header over the helpless Nick Conroy to score the equaliser from 12 yards out.<br /><br />The enthusiastic young fan was delighted and predicted more goals: “C’mon Saints, we can get a few more now”.<br /><br />Boston won three corners in succession around the half-hour mark before the raffle ticket seller came round – would green 491–495 be lucky? No chance as the seller had plenty of customers but I didn’t know at the time that three prizes were up on offer.<br /><br />A delightful passing move almost led to a goal for St Neots in the 40th minute. Several players were involved before Paul Garrett crossed from the left bye-line and Jon Mitchell headed over at the far post.<br /><br />But the Saints took the lead a minute later with a goal that reminded me of one from my youth when Kevin Keegan scored against Scotland after exchanging passes with Trevor Brooking 30 years ago. Today, Sozzo exchanged a one-two with Mitchell which sliced open the Boston defence before firing low into the bottom right corner. Certainly a contender for my goal of the season.<br /><br />Soon after play resumed, Mitchell’s afternoon came to a premature end. He was hurt going for a 50-50 ball with Boston keeper Conroy and was replaced in the 44th minute by Greg Usher.<br /><br />At half-time I joined the queue for the Burger Bar and got myself another large tea, using just about the last drop of available milk.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjrN9bMXVZc37s0uXImDpHNRFhFJxqAPTv8TCoyMo2rg4pfXFOXdj2yiHJ0-V06jtcIR_w8zCpF8TD0yuxZYh44tbfST3MAJMMrK56r_lflLg7LiZFKyv2rS7f5BheCvxTIazQE9zc_v8/s1600-h/p20091205l.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjrN9bMXVZc37s0uXImDpHNRFhFJxqAPTv8TCoyMo2rg4pfXFOXdj2yiHJ0-V06jtcIR_w8zCpF8TD0yuxZYh44tbfST3MAJMMrK56r_lflLg7LiZFKyv2rS7f5BheCvxTIazQE9zc_v8/s400/p20091205l.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412579781251461234" /></a><br />The players returned to the field to the sound of ‘when the saints go marching in’ and a second St Neots change was revealed with Nicky Hurst replacing Lodge in straight swap at left back.<br /><br />With rain now falling, the home side should have further increased their lead 10 minutes after the restart. Substitute Usher on the right saw an initial shot blocked by Matt Hocking and Robert Hughes following up couldn’t keep his effort down from 20 yards out.<br /><br />Winning raffle tickets were announced on the hour – blue 940, green 454, pink 488 – before Liam Ogden got the better of Mickey Hyem on the edge of the Saints area before firing wide of the far right post.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVjxOyLWaQAbHAeAJuLFj7t9L_9jo6SYt3M7Nsis8trMtmHlP2v5dAo3FgRiBiPJXrXZY5ttFP_GYz9fV4XUdzPb2rST_k9ji_m27TXV6nki-8jFI7J3-U7HFtMRiW-nVdmZfpQxl-ILI/s1600-h/p20091205m.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVjxOyLWaQAbHAeAJuLFj7t9L_9jo6SYt3M7Nsis8trMtmHlP2v5dAo3FgRiBiPJXrXZY5ttFP_GYz9fV4XUdzPb2rST_k9ji_m27TXV6nki-8jFI7J3-U7HFtMRiW-nVdmZfpQxl-ILI/s400/p20091205m.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412579779775004578" /></a><br />Boston made a double change in the 65th minute with Nathan Iley and Lawrence Lambley replacing Ogden and Shaun Baker. Two minutes later there were groans from the home fans when Mickey Hyem was booked for a foul on Mark Foster.<br /><br />The visitors launched a swift break after Garrett’s free-kick was cleared. Iley played the ball into the path of Goodhead who had the space and time to hammered the 74th minute equaliser past McShane at close range. The Boston fans and officials made their voices heard in celebration. Despite the goal, a point was still good enough to take St Neots back to the top of the table.<br /><br />With Sozzo and Goodhead both netting twice, who would complete their hat-trick first wondered the enthusiastic youngster still sat with his Dad in the same block as me.<br /><br />Boston made their final substitution in the 76th minute when Jon Rowen replaced Foster.<br /><br />The Saints looked to respond and Ben Brown bravely blocked a well struck 25-yard shot from Hughes. They appealed for a penalty when Chris Hyem’s ball into the area struck Hocking though most of the shouts came from the crowd. A good effort from Tony Scully was held at the second attempt by Conroy.<br /><br />In the 82nd minute, St Neots made a third change with Scully replaced by Daniel French.<br /><br />With stoppage time approaching, a slip by Brown allowed St Neots to break and Garrett saw his shot deflected for a corner.<br /><br />Usher asked the ref how long but I didn’t see or hear the reply. The home side had one last chance, a corner delivered by Garrett which was cleared for Hughes to fire well wide from outside the area.<br /><br />In the end, a point was good enough to take St Neots back to the top of the table, one point clear of Daventry Town who now have five games in hand. Today Daventry were playing an FA Vase tie at Leiston which they won 4-3 after extra time.<br /><br /><strong>St Neots Town</strong> (sky blue with navy blue diagonal stripe / navy blue / navy blue): 1. Luke McShane, 2. Mickey Hyem, 3. Andy Lodge, 4. Robert Hughes, 5. Glenn Fuff (capt), 6. Jodran Gent, 7. Tony Scully, 8. Chris Hyem, 9. Josh Sozzo, 10. Jon Mitchell, 11. Paul Garrett. Subs: 12. Liam Harrold (not used), 14. Daniel French (for Scully, 82), 15. Johnny Docker, 16. Nicky Hurst (not used), 17. Greg Usher (for Mitchell, 44).<br /><br /><strong>Boston Town</strong> (yellow/black/yellow): 1. Nick Conroy, 2. Matt Hocking, 3. Matt Price, 4. Ben Brown, 5. Shaun Baker, 6. Mark Foster, 7. Lazlo Lovas, 8. Paul Goodhand, 9. Ollie Pinner, 10. Gary Bull (capt), 11. Liam Ogden. Subs: 12. Lawrence Lambley (for Baker, 65), 14. Jon Rowan (for Foster, 76), 15. Nathan Iley (for Ogden, 65), 16. Ben Denham (not used).<br /><br />Referee: James Smith<br />Assistants: N Arthur and L D’erriante.<br /><br />Goals:<br />0-1 Paul Goodhand (17)<br />1-1 Josh Sozzo (23)<br />2-1 Josh Sozzo (41)<br />2-2 Paul Goodhand (74)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKutqH9O9PmAKvlTFHNF1usQGROFP_i3sVbCaVyHMQrO32dEw1GCbSGXX0ygvolFHcMzesr8efgVtkIIiKsYlOwgMCJhC2kudJYMTxa_Igknf5jCtepo9Rvvfeh3X-zCaXg3FggOd8SRg/s1600-h/p20091205c.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKutqH9O9PmAKvlTFHNF1usQGROFP_i3sVbCaVyHMQrO32dEw1GCbSGXX0ygvolFHcMzesr8efgVtkIIiKsYlOwgMCJhC2kudJYMTxa_Igknf5jCtepo9Rvvfeh3X-zCaXg3FggOd8SRg/s400/p20091205c.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412580125221227282" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4n47NLEu8aC7snQd_29yOXx4dLHncE2WPJnTpfM0DHkAfLp7OfPU2tff6YKxapmYH4PFZ1LzgP3DUthuLNfJ5ohkFZkx9vJU1OWbARo7tpwD0OrlpdPsgTwrA83_Nw9Y6fowVf9vF_tI/s1600-h/p20091205e.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4n47NLEu8aC7snQd_29yOXx4dLHncE2WPJnTpfM0DHkAfLp7OfPU2tff6YKxapmYH4PFZ1LzgP3DUthuLNfJ5ohkFZkx9vJU1OWbARo7tpwD0OrlpdPsgTwrA83_Nw9Y6fowVf9vF_tI/s400/p20091205e.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412579988086891666" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-xpZPaL5VwciFDNKVNOAbvw-NH-RIeW-B9FVCzXea19PwXCika1iP45ZTUWFD9w7Qryx6yietX5TNlEDCStuCkRlpt0lIow62D2fH7EO5DD98_b2ZzGhbjuOjw61yozMEPDnBENj86gE/s1600-h/p20091205f.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-xpZPaL5VwciFDNKVNOAbvw-NH-RIeW-B9FVCzXea19PwXCika1iP45ZTUWFD9w7Qryx6yietX5TNlEDCStuCkRlpt0lIow62D2fH7EO5DD98_b2ZzGhbjuOjw61yozMEPDnBENj86gE/s400/p20091205f.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412579984580043586" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMX8wbCiNmGPRywelNh5jisGNlOQphAvrDZU65cgGxW_mUpUMrM-ZXrhZPgsRHRtrYZ_ZmEfp4lD7nmqFIu0RT6ec1z7GjEulTy7uJTmpEniT947uWQE1mTbeAJ8UMIVhkCyu12-QcHWk/s1600-h/p20091205g.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMX8wbCiNmGPRywelNh5jisGNlOQphAvrDZU65cgGxW_mUpUMrM-ZXrhZPgsRHRtrYZ_ZmEfp4lD7nmqFIu0RT6ec1z7GjEulTy7uJTmpEniT947uWQE1mTbeAJ8UMIVhkCyu12-QcHWk/s400/p20091205g.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412579981438935698" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigs0Hs2C81IFjGFjA-GfGEKHLoGSNh1DHoxt46vgikIPr8pKV_iF7Lb6A3iPwAhc-xeVkdaHFptfHxm2n5bHK5s3VgvkeVfyEQa-lsle3R6nI1391M2Vu4NRKatCWE6BDytScQNm813lo/s1600-h/p20091205h.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigs0Hs2C81IFjGFjA-GfGEKHLoGSNh1DHoxt46vgikIPr8pKV_iF7Lb6A3iPwAhc-xeVkdaHFptfHxm2n5bHK5s3VgvkeVfyEQa-lsle3R6nI1391M2Vu4NRKatCWE6BDytScQNm813lo/s400/p20091205h.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412579976908260066" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE4GUd-SyGftJ3Oo1MDfygTuWSt0xcyENrLVAXxx9ELWVeMzAp2seSH0jpHknLBZIRElujWyKxl37fLyhUjiO64wo_C1aVF7Yaca06X0-Rc8618Af7Oe5MV69K0llxPRCKb6t2IlCHR3g/s1600-h/p20091205j.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE4GUd-SyGftJ3Oo1MDfygTuWSt0xcyENrLVAXxx9ELWVeMzAp2seSH0jpHknLBZIRElujWyKxl37fLyhUjiO64wo_C1aVF7Yaca06X0-Rc8618Af7Oe5MV69K0llxPRCKb6t2IlCHR3g/s400/p20091205j.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412579793597687714" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaBfuO9LaBiPmxlWZqgOTBDat9ONlew1YCNWqAHexHM7mI-7Ppa32KFZ2GMbQd4_NzIdOMBmTUiIZweD-Mr9_dlGYcnaV1T-psGoktd6fjhel12QALfKr0mOUSJnv9fTEZfqZ8_B2mBQI/s1600-h/p20091205n.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaBfuO9LaBiPmxlWZqgOTBDat9ONlew1YCNWqAHexHM7mI-7Ppa32KFZ2GMbQd4_NzIdOMBmTUiIZweD-Mr9_dlGYcnaV1T-psGoktd6fjhel12QALfKr0mOUSJnv9fTEZfqZ8_B2mBQI/s400/p20091205n.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412579769405519218" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3110964708293437000.post-76165779104390646352009-11-28T21:09:00.013+00:002009-11-29T21:11:45.345+00:00Saturday 28th November 2009<strong>Godmanchester Rovers 1 Ipswich Wanderers 1<br />Ridgeons Football League Division 1<br />At: Bearscroft Lane<br />Kick-off: 3-00 pm<br />Admission: £4 including 28 page programme<br />Attendance: 40<br />Weather: cold, dry<br />Duration: first half: 45:27; second half: 48:05</strong><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPpY2No2hxmTZnWF_-c6E3K9FTuzl2MreeQk5mNFhVvaC3ETxPGSBBGoAxCPAS9-5Kceaqj1qtfdZECPkG4KUKDgnOrRfz3aIRQhbMUnofwXIrA4Dymc4gX5E-dqHOrgzfsZf0rEy6BUs/s1600/p20091128a.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPpY2No2hxmTZnWF_-c6E3K9FTuzl2MreeQk5mNFhVvaC3ETxPGSBBGoAxCPAS9-5Kceaqj1qtfdZECPkG4KUKDgnOrRfz3aIRQhbMUnofwXIrA4Dymc4gX5E-dqHOrgzfsZf0rEy6BUs/s400/p20091128a.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409267985169559762" /></a><br />Over the past few weeks, I have been creating ‘backdated’ i-want-football blogs featuring the games I saw in 1998, 1999 and 2000. One thing I noticed was this: it had been nine years since I last saw a game at an Eastern Counties League ground, a competition back them called the Jewson League. That game was an FA Vase tie at Mildenhall Town in December 2000 and my last league game in the ECL was at Warboys Town in February 1999.<br /><br />So, thinking about today’s destination when The Football Traveller arrived earlier in the week, I warmed to the idea of an Eastern Counties League game. To me, there seemed no better place to reacquaint myself with the competition now known as the Ridgeons Football League than Godmanchester Rovers, the most westerly of the 41 members clubs and nearest to home.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG0wxuF1NhHvbW1ftlirRVztT-O5ygqG4KcnWRPSjyo-C-tUNth0Soxgx1N8Rq-9iYgDsrlg5rnbTx8gpVBhoamKpzjjaHSwY5QrM6nGH-0VlJ82VveOAOZeoxOiYnT8NbLeRx4ADFj7k/s1600/p20091128b.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG0wxuF1NhHvbW1ftlirRVztT-O5ygqG4KcnWRPSjyo-C-tUNth0Soxgx1N8Rq-9iYgDsrlg5rnbTx8gpVBhoamKpzjjaHSwY5QrM6nGH-0VlJ82VveOAOZeoxOiYnT8NbLeRx4ADFj7k/s400/p20091128b.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409270080153813602" /></a><br />Godmanchester Rovers, or ‘Goddy’ as they are referred to as, joined the Eastern Counties League in 2002/03 and the current campaign is their seventh in Division 1. Their Bearscroft Lane ground was located in a rural setting around 3/4 mile south of A14 junction 24 (A1198 towards Royston). The left-hand turn into the lane, marked by a sign for ‘Bearscroft Farm’ came as the road started to bend 100 yards after a right turn to ‘Godmanchester Roman Way Industrial Estate. I must confess to not spotting it first time round in my keenness to arrive and ended up several hundred yards further down the road before realising my error.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnlp7otV_-QZu8BnbaIbTD4TIUmdfcmqx5zAmhKOgQPm1bc5P1GO7jlXYN4fUQDjBDp7p8hQONji4IcsDnCDy2PyZ40ABggbeAcuic7UnLsMhG5fUraEU1JIrDY3v6vglTfNnsp2SDfVI/s1600/p20091128e.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnlp7otV_-QZu8BnbaIbTD4TIUmdfcmqx5zAmhKOgQPm1bc5P1GO7jlXYN4fUQDjBDp7p8hQONji4IcsDnCDy2PyZ40ABggbeAcuic7UnLsMhG5fUraEU1JIrDY3v6vglTfNnsp2SDfVI/s400/p20091128e.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409270070975037122" /></a><br />A signed marked the entrance down the lane and once inside the ground, the fully railed-off pitch (orientated south-west–north-east) ran widthways to the left and parallel with the lane. Parking was behind the near goal and all the facilities were down the near touchline. Two sky blue painted building housed the bar and changing rooms, and a further portacabin housed the snack bar. A new Arena stand containing 50 blue individual tip-up seats stood around the halfway line with a further area of covered standing stretching towards the edge of the far penalty area. Opposite new newly-built dugouts with a second pitch behind and running parallel with the main pitch.<br /><br />Without a league win for almost two months, Godmanchester (in 13th position with 15 points from 14 games) had a great opportunity to end this run against second-from-bottom Ipswich and record a ‘double’ in the process. The visitors (nine points from 14 games) had only won one league game since the end of August and that was against bottom club Fakenham without a point all season.<br /><br />The fixtures/results list in the programme (free with admission) showed a quirk in this season’s FA Cup and FA Vase draw which had Godmanchester play Rothwell Corinthians four times in ten days – both ties went to a replay.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsrdSdv1t8PvcPky2-6thICkbZPxsJ1_spfIHJOBqYojIV4Xnf4z3wPjB5LDlzk1PdF1v9lXVo38JoCQqLPbyiuNqUdtlo7iNANa3dnKFBzgcLf1emgsRSvOuuChHs-zWg90z2rZK9HCE/s1600/p20091128c.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsrdSdv1t8PvcPky2-6thICkbZPxsJ1_spfIHJOBqYojIV4Xnf4z3wPjB5LDlzk1PdF1v9lXVo38JoCQqLPbyiuNqUdtlo7iNANa3dnKFBzgcLf1emgsRSvOuuChHs-zWg90z2rZK9HCE/s400/p20091128c.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409270081787124754" /></a><br />After walking around the ground, I got chatting to one of the visiting Ipswich committee men who worked out I was indeed a ‘groundhopper’. The chap, Roger Wosahlo, was intrigued I’d travelled 111 miles to watch the game and introduced me the Secretary who recalled visiting my old club Stafford Rangers with Stevenage Borough. I puzzled the committee man by amending the teamsheet in my notes in green. Was that some eccentricity? No, simply the colour of the pen that came out of my pocket to mark up the teams in the bar, which I copied down off an impressive teamsheet complete with impressive handwriting.<br /><br />To answer the question I was posed, <a href="http://i-want-football-1998.blogspot.com/1998/03/saturday-14th-march-1998.html">my visit to Ipswich Wanderers</a> was on Saturday 14th March 1998 when they defeated Mildenhall Town 3-0 in a Jewson League Division 1 game.<br /><br />In the bar, we got chatting to a reporter who was covering the game from BBC Radio Cambridgeshire, and then a young reporter with the surname Stafford who was reporting for the visitors.<br /><br />Before kick-off, teams were announced over the tannoy – unfortunately an old teamsheet was read out providing the line-ups from a game played earlier in the season.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhooMy2MjMwJwsBVdE7pTmnLmVd5cypRUKgJv0WKUsNhyphenhypheng_WhV9n5RCDDlAbKInTWTOimUkuBa3071pMXQsWAI9W8Ngfkcs4RFOhntHXUAJVUGQ9g_90Ds11jawpnmyl53wbUUH75pFX2g/s1600/p20091128f.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhooMy2MjMwJwsBVdE7pTmnLmVd5cypRUKgJv0WKUsNhyphenhypheng_WhV9n5RCDDlAbKInTWTOimUkuBa3071pMXQsWAI9W8Ngfkcs4RFOhntHXUAJVUGQ9g_90Ds11jawpnmyl53wbUUH75pFX2g/s400/p20091128f.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409269750917145490" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjluWFUTR6lpzirIVOfz2xrr5QGTAeHBQ19RI4pTYfL4xye9DzmDJ9jWBHR70klV09DOOAKU8US5T420NGXctCE-lPqR2PoO6SrKiEHLRQWrETj-Atb6CGxf8OcTegKB2K6xHy0X3CEPH0/s1600/p20091128g.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjluWFUTR6lpzirIVOfz2xrr5QGTAeHBQ19RI4pTYfL4xye9DzmDJ9jWBHR70klV09DOOAKU8US5T420NGXctCE-lPqR2PoO6SrKiEHLRQWrETj-Atb6CGxf8OcTegKB2K6xHy0X3CEPH0/s400/p20091128g.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409269745074452626" /></a><br />Ipswich Wanderers (wearing yellow shirts, yellow shorts and turquoise green socks) got the game underway attacking the car park end in the first half. And the visitors created the first attempt on goal as James Buckle fired straight at Goddy keeper Connor Jordan from just outside the area.<br /><br />Visiting keeper Gary Hammond did well to thwart James Hull who had been put clear inside the area but could do nothing to prevent Godmanchester (in sky blue shirts, navy blue shorts and socks) from taking an 12th minute lead. John Brierly swept the ball out to the right to Steve Hurst who found space to whip in a cross which Craig Rumens turned into his own net at the near post under pressure from James Hall.<br /><br />I opted to watch the first half from under the cover next to the stand and, as it turned out, rather foolishly started to dream of a large goal haul by the home side as they started to create chances.<br /><br />Lee Boon fed Adam King who forced a save out of Hammond at the expense of a corner and Boon hit a deflected shot into the arms of the keeper. Just after the half-hour mark, Hurst sent a 35-yard free-kick flashing past a five-man wall and the left-hand post.<br /><br />But Ipswich started to pose problems without really stretching the home defence, apart from winning a couple of corners, until Maurice Fike fired across the face of goal.<br /><br />The visitors almost equalised five minutes before the break. Bird exchanged a one-two with Fike inside the area and fired a low angled shot towards the far left post. Lee Broomfield, a tall striker with resembling Jesus (appropriate as the home side had ‘God’ in their name), got on the end and fired over from just a few yards out.<br /><br />Buckle was booked in the 42nd minute for a foul on King and James Hall sent the resulting free-kick over the bar.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLWbGrO25gL1N9z_YCdXeUrJ7kdpKCUaHHnwWqYmWIEWz589tZyuDMuZgNAjVYv1ZZoUar4vqDdDyxixx_-n43J5bBWTHW-caJKnE_3Y9pR7bU67v6szYijolUvBrNAKun4UipjTAB1_I/s1600/p20091128l.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLWbGrO25gL1N9z_YCdXeUrJ7kdpKCUaHHnwWqYmWIEWz589tZyuDMuZgNAjVYv1ZZoUar4vqDdDyxixx_-n43J5bBWTHW-caJKnE_3Y9pR7bU67v6szYijolUvBrNAKun4UipjTAB1_I/s400/p20091128l.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409269388982493826" /></a><br />I retreated to the Snack Bar at the interval for a tea and chips. For meat eaters there was certainly a good menu and burgers seemed to be popular. The two ladies behind the counter, both wearing sky blue ‘GRFC COMMITTEE’ tops, were very friendly and one of them kindly popped down to the bar to get me a lapel badge which simply just had the word ‘Goddy ‘ on it.<br /><br />Half-time soon ended and I decided to watch the second half from the far side in the half now being attacked by Goddy. My view had changed from a rural one to one of the orange lights of Huntingdon and the sounds of the A14, which I must confess to have not noticed during the first half.<br /><br />Godmanchester were inches away from doubling their lead in the 54th minute. A long clearance downfield by Jordan fell to James Hall, just outside the area, who went for goal and agonisingly saw his shot hit the left-hand post having beaten the diving Gary Hammond.<br /><br />James Hall went close again but this time it was the boot of Gary Hammond that stopped his shot.<br /><br />Just before the hour mark, Wanderers appealed for a penalty when Broomfield went down but all they got from the young referee, who incidentally gave a superb performance, was a corner.<br /><br />In the 61st minute, Scott Welton became the second player to be booked. As the last defender, he caught Brierly on the edge of the Ipswich area and only stayed on the field because the flag had been raised for offside and the referee had blown his whistle.<br /><br />Brierly got forward again and this time fired just wide from 20 yards out while at the other end Bloomfield then forced a good diving save out of Jordan.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOHYNCqBroVI707HGFluqe-GGW2a5uoyDHo7abGQU3WpLXg095AcGvFLPfDog40ziXGwI93LROURFhOHyw80JWrGq1vpGRzX4QROAQg9Lh1lHFRdqJcgttqGI17S-b-P32q0NQW2J2a98/s1600/p20091128m.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOHYNCqBroVI707HGFluqe-GGW2a5uoyDHo7abGQU3WpLXg095AcGvFLPfDog40ziXGwI93LROURFhOHyw80JWrGq1vpGRzX4QROAQg9Lh1lHFRdqJcgttqGI17S-b-P32q0NQW2J2a98/s400/p20091128m.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409269389147801762" /></a><br />Just like last week’s game at Coton Green, the second half was far better than the first.<br /><br />Briely picked up a booking in the 73rd minute for a late challenge on Welton.<br /><br />Martin Ray, the Goddy skipper, encouraged his side with a shout of “clean sheet, keep it tight”. But guess what happened shortly after in the 76th minute? Ipswich equalised with a well struck 20-yarder from James Hall that flew into the bottom right corner.<br /><br />Before the game resumed Godmanchester replaced Kamau with Steve Thompson. Ipswich soon made a change in the 79th minute with Jamie Tynan coming on for Sarvio Moore.<br /><br />Ipswich kept pressing forward and almost took the lead. Fike dribbled through the entire Goddy defence and I thought he was going to score. But Jordan did enough to block the shot and Leon Parnell, following-up, couldn’t keep the ball down from the rebound. A lucky escape for the home side.<br /><br />Gary Hammond also excelled to turn round a curling shot from Boon that looked to be heading for the far right corner of the net.<br /><br />Goddy made a second change in the 86th minute – Jonny Hall replaced Chris Hugill – as they looked for the winner and they nearly got it two minutes later. Boon flicked the ball into the path of James Hall inside the area who just needed to keep his shot down but it ended up over the bar.<br /><br />After the final whistle, while the Ipswich players left for the changing rooms no doubt satisfied with a point, the home side held an ‘inquest’ on the field which didn’t seen too critical or heated.<br /><br />Before hitting the A14, I took a detour into the town, parked up and had a look at Godmanchester’s famous landmark, the Chinese Bridge.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-2joaoNyVoD6IuX7RB9MCzTAf-UiHSJ1c62OYPzDCWfUIBt_SoDe1V2_tFXN5HsKkWOSt_DRgIo6TsKhoWSSMp-Bqy66luvanr2MloPtk0iXbnQP1x6mRx45rgVvGxpC8usWeQ1cXGYo/s1600/p20091128o.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-2joaoNyVoD6IuX7RB9MCzTAf-UiHSJ1c62OYPzDCWfUIBt_SoDe1V2_tFXN5HsKkWOSt_DRgIo6TsKhoWSSMp-Bqy66luvanr2MloPtk0iXbnQP1x6mRx45rgVvGxpC8usWeQ1cXGYo/s400/p20091128o.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409269380755369570" /></a><br /><strong>Godmanchester Rovers</strong> (sky blue / navy blue / navy blue): 1. Connor Jordan, 2. Steve Hurst, 3. John Brierly, 4. Darren Ray, 5. Rob Stamper, 6. Martin Ray (capt), 7. Adam King, 8. Chris Hugill, 9. Lee Boon, 10. James Hall, 11. Josh Kamau. Subs: 12. Steve Thompson (for Kamau, 77), 14. Lee Hazell (not used), 15. Jonny Hall (for Hugill, 86), 16. Stuart McKay (not used).<br /><br /><strong>Ipswich Wanderers</strong> (yellow / yellow / turquoise green): 1. Gary Hammond, 2. Scott Welton, 3. Ben Hammond, 4. Leon Parnell, 5. Ben Cole, 6. Craig Rumens, 7. Maurice Fike, 8. James Buckle (capt), 9. Lee Broomfield, 10. Rob Bird, 11. Sarvio Moore. Subs: 12. Jamie Tynan (for Moore, 79), 14. Steve Bucks (not used), 15. Robert Forbes (not used).<br /><br />Referee: Chris Pollard.<br />Assistants: I George and A Warburton.<br /><br />Goals:<br />1-0 Craig Rumens (12 og)<br />1-1 Rob Bird (76)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYLhRZEcQbLk3azLKUb3FHVTyfOf-lev1PGyAQSg5w95En0QTuB0hTui4uttvhqzgoMNhpSnrtcaI-Ch8knqY-KpyYsPJQd-v4N3xaz00olDIo3VsiMYXVmucurhy2uYS0W-C8gCRzJbg/s1600/p20091128d.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYLhRZEcQbLk3azLKUb3FHVTyfOf-lev1PGyAQSg5w95En0QTuB0hTui4uttvhqzgoMNhpSnrtcaI-Ch8knqY-KpyYsPJQd-v4N3xaz00olDIo3VsiMYXVmucurhy2uYS0W-C8gCRzJbg/s400/p20091128d.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409270077086527634" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJkMML74zR52MUmK6EfOD1bLGjDSTr22Gc0rr0W8xZNgP37JD28jaMThjhS8VWySQqihyJUJH_Mq1r7SJaEXTab1yTqe_RMrrwIcj70U3OOJ5KnfFtyc9AGq0-DgowpJxY75Lb-2u9JMg/s1600/p20091128h.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJkMML74zR52MUmK6EfOD1bLGjDSTr22Gc0rr0W8xZNgP37JD28jaMThjhS8VWySQqihyJUJH_Mq1r7SJaEXTab1yTqe_RMrrwIcj70U3OOJ5KnfFtyc9AGq0-DgowpJxY75Lb-2u9JMg/s400/p20091128h.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409269739628675890" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrg52nNyW5UidcMM0WeQ-xlFSODvkPkQx_GLUI-rPhT0G018yXL1VjFGqt4nfuUJX-VK0DxiENpRbql3dgF9M-sy5_enfEEqVNugLmjYHGePFx1HSiSI6xXdTepMo3WYgBL5SeN1Fctqc/s1600/p20091128i.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrg52nNyW5UidcMM0WeQ-xlFSODvkPkQx_GLUI-rPhT0G018yXL1VjFGqt4nfuUJX-VK0DxiENpRbql3dgF9M-sy5_enfEEqVNugLmjYHGePFx1HSiSI6xXdTepMo3WYgBL5SeN1Fctqc/s400/p20091128i.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409269736538004898" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqi-nBnh9FXwtuPlcuDiBVNhB_reufcNvgC2NjBkogaeYgG3Hj5OzJ9ZxM7faKRtoCDH1awYEiPsA2AoWMsw6S9TyMDbehCfnZ0tweQXD_rVGoC8DJlccT6blJTDA6ZCe-r3It_LSPuHc/s1600/p20091128j.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqi-nBnh9FXwtuPlcuDiBVNhB_reufcNvgC2NjBkogaeYgG3Hj5OzJ9ZxM7faKRtoCDH1awYEiPsA2AoWMsw6S9TyMDbehCfnZ0tweQXD_rVGoC8DJlccT6blJTDA6ZCe-r3It_LSPuHc/s400/p20091128j.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409269728045428178" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi05cRX1lUu2uDKDv0QBrwOvtfYjAkHoHcKrnQM-bF_vjW7m3cKUl76JMHZ0lSBpvG48U2vBFyiV_TdBmShWqxzpygroTxuB719x15wQF_yDV1LneFtYeiUntPACG2Ark0zh2uVMs3fq2s/s1600/p20091128k.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi05cRX1lUu2uDKDv0QBrwOvtfYjAkHoHcKrnQM-bF_vjW7m3cKUl76JMHZ0lSBpvG48U2vBFyiV_TdBmShWqxzpygroTxuB719x15wQF_yDV1LneFtYeiUntPACG2Ark0zh2uVMs3fq2s/s400/p20091128k.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409269392611275250" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUW0dWLAnlNryLraHS9Pp2m2EC6UcVqf3zoSzxiYJlXWnElDekEoNgK7Vl7lJmcsq7nwiQlzn8tdjCeGizfIeNh5otYyp1M18CEl2i3ahSYfGx7rruFtA63KTsVIstU5XQW0v8VPnB4ts/s1600/p20091128n.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUW0dWLAnlNryLraHS9Pp2m2EC6UcVqf3zoSzxiYJlXWnElDekEoNgK7Vl7lJmcsq7nwiQlzn8tdjCeGizfIeNh5otYyp1M18CEl2i3ahSYfGx7rruFtA63KTsVIstU5XQW0v8VPnB4ts/s400/p20091128n.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409269385826309186" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3110964708293437000.post-41055541674246156972009-11-21T16:57:00.010+00:002009-11-23T18:55:23.145+00:00Saturday 21st November 2009<strong>Coton Green 1 Mile Oak Rovers & Youth 0 <br />Midland Combination Division 1 <br />At: New Mill Lane <br />Kick-off: 2-00 pm <br />Admission: £1; Programme: £1 (20 pages) <br />Attendance: 15 (headcount) <br />Weather: wet and windy <br />Duration: first half: 45:00; second half: 48:17</strong><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYDIq07VEu1j3I__oCbA5bpjl_av9oaySdTDz-Gl-0tc9Cyv-zwBJk-9LEqVNkgpZLzlr6kkDI0ng0bvAfsWQgbtRMe-m0raG6BgocjO9Vl1Gbb0eVlmQ5uadg6wN6J0KL-3gUU3aD0Go/s1600/p20091121a.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYDIq07VEu1j3I__oCbA5bpjl_av9oaySdTDz-Gl-0tc9Cyv-zwBJk-9LEqVNkgpZLzlr6kkDI0ng0bvAfsWQgbtRMe-m0raG6BgocjO9Vl1Gbb0eVlmQ5uadg6wN6J0KL-3gUU3aD0Go/s400/p20091121a.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406602814638763346" /></a><br />It had to be a local game this afternoon, preferably with a 2-00 pm kick-off, as I’d got relatives visiting from Yorkshire to see. This fixture stood out as one with a round trip of just 50 miles and also a local derby between two teams based just 1.5 miles apart. I also thought that if last Saturday’s game was on despite the rain then one would be as well.<br /><br />The scenario seemed appropriate for a wet and windy November afternoon, and this trip to Coton Green turned out to be just what I was looking for, with a programme, lapel badge and a roof over my head during the game. And the match wasn’t a bad one either.<br /><br />This season, following relegation from Midland Combination Premier Division to Division 1 after one season in the top flight, Coton Green’s first team are back playing at New Mill Lane. Last season they shared at Brereton Social and I saw them defeat Loughborough University 4-3 in a midweek game 14 months ago.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK0uFDvpe6II38fWI1WKuSc9HO4ArI5TVd2ySdD6CixsdqZMyQa0QNzu-EsTdRo5yAVqIQhYlve__Ec7AcrUicR0iAQ3FUknMHZeGzKyTW0A8-1rSb3g7NzUIZLo6ffh1E7C43i8CNXxs/s1600/p20091121c.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK0uFDvpe6II38fWI1WKuSc9HO4ArI5TVd2ySdD6CixsdqZMyQa0QNzu-EsTdRo5yAVqIQhYlve__Ec7AcrUicR0iAQ3FUknMHZeGzKyTW0A8-1rSb3g7NzUIZLo6ffh1E7C43i8CNXxs/s400/p20091121c.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406673769362728226" /></a><br />I approached via the A5 from Lichfield and took the A453 exit at the bottom of the hill towards Sutton Coldfield (also signed Mile Oak, Hospital and Fazeley). At the lights by the Mercedes Benz, I turned left, again following ‘H’ along a straight road to the roundabout in Fazeley. I turned right and New Mill Lane was 300 yards on the left after the ‘Drayton Bassett’ sign and just before the 40 mph zone. The ground was at the end of the lane which, for most of the way, ran parallel with a stream. But… I must confess difficulties in initially spotting the turn into New Mill Lane. <br /><br />There were two pitches, both running lengthways (and orientated west–west) and fully railed off with dugouts. In between the two pitches on the left was the impressive clubhouse and changing room building, officially opened on 7th August 2005 by then Tamworth FC manager Mark Cooper. The nearest pitch next to the car park was the main one and used for today’s game. On halfway down the right-hand side was an area of cover opposite the two dugouts. Also down the left-hand side was a bench dedicated ‘in loving memory of Richard Davis 21st May 1968 to 26th November 2008’. Hard standing ran from the dugouts round the far goal and back to the stand.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8thlKB7zcXMyD6rP6F6p6sQtavUNBD7yMsRaRgU3FMVS2_Tkm0ZEae8pUYFfBsIqzBiWJMxpoH5KDnoO-prN_-u1YFOzH47w1Q2ODLujofZNkWCopHyihEJx-H7VDy62AS7RwRn84oMQ/s1600/p20091121e.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8thlKB7zcXMyD6rP6F6p6sQtavUNBD7yMsRaRgU3FMVS2_Tkm0ZEae8pUYFfBsIqzBiWJMxpoH5KDnoO-prN_-u1YFOzH47w1Q2ODLujofZNkWCopHyihEJx-H7VDy62AS7RwRn84oMQ/s400/p20091121e.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406673763955165250" /></a><br />Both sides went into the game in the lower half of the table with just four wins between then from a combined total of 28 league games. Coton Green stood in 13th position in the 17-team division with 10 points from 13 games. Mile Oak were one off the bottom with four points and their solitary league win came three weeks ago when they won 5-4 at Newhall United. Confidently Coton Green registered their last league win on the same day, defeating West Midlands Police 4-0 at home.<br /><br />Before the game, I enquired about programmes in the clubroom and an official in there suggested they would be brought round, which they were, and this official certainly made sure everyone had the opportunity to purchase a copy. I also noted down the team line-ups over a cup of tea in a proper mug. Refreshments were available inside the clubroom and served by two very efficient and polite teenagers.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2bI8nY_dOaW-t7ROeZ8TouNQE_0TRx8IfUjGWn8dDCQOvBRLh5fTei0zENfJMgRNL4VZbdMl0sM4z24akxC_eYye5VtNzNIZVQ9gM3sulMYIiJhcc37E-C8w3DTDlNYF_H2kUCdNSL3U/s1600/p20091121g.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2bI8nY_dOaW-t7ROeZ8TouNQE_0TRx8IfUjGWn8dDCQOvBRLh5fTei0zENfJMgRNL4VZbdMl0sM4z24akxC_eYye5VtNzNIZVQ9gM3sulMYIiJhcc37E-C8w3DTDlNYF_H2kUCdNSL3U/s400/p20091121g.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406673480442591378" /></a><br />I made my way round to the stand, like the majority of the crowd. Teams stayed as they were after the toss and Mile Oak (wearing gold shirts, blue shorts and socks) got the game underway attacking the clubhouse end, or left to right in relation to my vantage point.<br /><br />News came through of a goal at Anfield, “Liverpool 1-0 up, Skrtel”, just before Mile Oak won an early corner. Swung in by Sean Keith, it caused problems for Coton keeper Steve Tonks and was the ball was partially cleared to Dale Lynch who drilled a low shot just wide. “Bad luck, Dale,” comments one Mile Oak fan.<br /><br />It has been dark and windy since my arrival and the rain which began shortly before kick-off started to get a bit heavier, fortunately slanting across the pitch from behind the stand. The wind grew stronger and ever more autumn leaves landed on the playing surface.<br /><br />Mile Oak striker Darren Alder picked up a knock early on and was replaced in the 11th minute by Mark Draycott who played up front alongside Kieran Pitkan.<br /><br />A rather bizarre incident occurred midway through the first half. A spectator drove into the ground, parked up and walked to the stand where he was asked to pay his £1 admission charge. The man refused, walked back to his car and promptly drove off!<br /><br />Chances were scare until Coton Green (wearing all white) went close to a goal in the 34th minute. Ross Schuck crossed deep for the far post from the right and the ball went out of a corner when both Andy Ross and defender Sean Keith went for it at the far post. Swung in from the left, Steve Hopgood headed Schuck’s corner off the line by and a follow-up shot by Chris Francis was cleared in front of goal by Dan Hales. Defenders got in the way of two further shots, much to the relief of the Mile Oak fans stood in the stand.<br /><br />The home side had another opportunity to take the lead in the 42nd minute. Scott Lipton played an accurate diagonal ball forward from the left to the far post. It fell to “man at the back” Schuck who hit a first-time volley just wide.<br /><br />The referee brought the first half to a close right on the 45-minute mark with the score still goalless and we all headed for the clubroom where another cup of tea awaited. I spotted a club shop price list pinned up on the wall and so picked up a pin badge.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqpVP2-VxLQFPyHfyHwC1WjASA9O5DD_0J_w_6dlH1HWxQ_C4nWOduek8-wZz2UUNHtD96LtVymi3pApTLNuKrPD5LpIyF8WtMKnbjAQcnhrYJrw7vzoT4zBjmir5zGlU9Crkmt4l7Ywk/s1600/p20091121k.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqpVP2-VxLQFPyHfyHwC1WjASA9O5DD_0J_w_6dlH1HWxQ_C4nWOduek8-wZz2UUNHtD96LtVymi3pApTLNuKrPD5LpIyF8WtMKnbjAQcnhrYJrw7vzoT4zBjmir5zGlU9Crkmt4l7Ywk/s400/p20091121k.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406673285930450114" /></a><br />I was back to the stand for the start of the second half and both sides created a chance within a couple of minutes of the resumption. Steve Wagstaffe fired straight at Guttery from 20 yards while Keith delivered a threatening free-kick across the face of the Coton goal from the left but no-one from Mile Oak could apply the finishing touch.<br /><br />I got chatting to a man wearing a bright blue fleece and he turned out to be a Tamworth fan. He didn’t normally travel away so chose this short trip to New Mill Lane rather than a much longer one to Ebbsfleet where the Lambs were playing today. Of course, Tamworth have the impressive Danny Alcock in goal who used to play for my old team Stafford Rangers.<br /><br />Back to the action and Coton were denied a goal by an excellent save from Guttery. The diving keeper stretched out a right hand to parry a well struck shot from the lively Schuck that looked destined for the net.<br /><br />With the home side in the ascendency, Mile Oak skipper Lee Salt called for more positive defending. He was again concerned when Schuck played the ball into the area towards Francis who couldn’t take advantage.<br /><br />Mile Oak made their second change in the 66th minute with Daniel McGoing replacing Lynch.<br /><br />Coton Green broke the deadlock in the 69th minute with what proved to be the winner. Scott Lipton crossed from the left for Barton to volley into the roof of the net from 10 yards out. “Get your heads up,” urged the Mile Oak captain as plenty of time remained for his side to equalise.<br /><br />The visitors did get that chance within a couple of minutes. Chris Pemberton crossed a cleared corner deep to the far post where Dexter Walker sent a free header over the bar.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-L9gHFp6whXpC0Q-hbXtM9107KlaJJVVP0Xv1zXReDTmWAbD93TDiqb6X8mMCXmuniKxlb6Aid2_bpr261bQwWXXywlGLFLnx7Fqs7NtdV3hTy2wmCC2l-kZNjZMfQ-PlUvJvhrEDmYA/s1600/p20091121l.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-L9gHFp6whXpC0Q-hbXtM9107KlaJJVVP0Xv1zXReDTmWAbD93TDiqb6X8mMCXmuniKxlb6Aid2_bpr261bQwWXXywlGLFLnx7Fqs7NtdV3hTy2wmCC2l-kZNjZMfQ-PlUvJvhrEDmYA/s400/p20091121l.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406673284001203890" /></a><br />In the 76th minute, Coton Green made a double change with Simon Latchford and Steve Pike replacing Jamie Cartwright and Barton.<br /><br />My friend the Tamworth fan received a text message with good news. His side had taken the lead at Ebbsfleet with Prichard the scorer.<br /><br />Wagstaffe required lengthy treatment for what looked like a shin injury before hobbling off supported by the trainer. He was replaced in the 84th minute by Lee Barnes.<br /><br />With time running out, Mile Oak won a corner and sent the big men up from the back. Pemberton swung the corner dangerously into the six-yard box and the ball was scrambled clear. This was just about Pemberton’s last contribution as Shaw Casey came on for the wide midfielder in the 89th minute.<br /><br />“How long?” enquired one player of the referee. “Four minutes,” came the reply and the match official duly blew for full-time four minutes and a few seconds later.<br /><br />There were handshakes all round at the end of a good natured game. Unusually it had been a local derby without any bookings and there was little possibility of any either.<br /><br /><strong>Coton Green</strong> (white/white/white): 1. Steve Tonks, 2. Steve Roberts, 3. Scott Lipton, 4. Jamie Cartwright (capt), 5. Evan Ross, 6. Jamie Barnes, 7. Ross Schuck, 8. Steve Wagstaffe, 9. Dale Barton, 10. Chris Francis, 11. Andy Ross. Subs: 12. Simon Latchford (for Cartwright, 76), 14. Lee Barnes (for Wagstaffe, 84), 15. Steve Pike (for Barton, 76), 16. Darren Coles.<br /><br /><strong>Mile Oak Rovers & Youth</strong> (gold/blue/blue): 1. Dave Guttery, 2. Steve Hopgood, 3. Sam Jones, 4. Dan Hales, 5. Dexter Walker, 6. Lee Salt (capt), 7. Sean Keith, 8. Dale Lynch, 9. Kieran Pitkan, 10. Darren Alder, 11. Chris Pemberton. Subs: 12. Mark Draycott (for Alder, 11), 14. Shaw Casey (for Pemberton, 89), 15. Joe Bannister, 16. Daniel McGoing (for Lynch, 66), 17. Ainsley Henderson.<br /><br />Referee: Kev Wright.<br />Assistants: Ian Murphy and Kurt Bartlett.<br /><br />Goals:<br />1-0 Dale Barton (69)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieiwCl2scl0vCsTdQcylrzIY7r_82AvyBmHkxGwACHSNUyViNRYR9SnN9Kw3V0ln3NssqpqMB2waipWKE4TW71ByJsVTzwibPcJwug9AkYLbkXfdOdtqDE0D3xY64V4-ByvEJRP1Dz_PI/s1600/p20091121b.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieiwCl2scl0vCsTdQcylrzIY7r_82AvyBmHkxGwACHSNUyViNRYR9SnN9Kw3V0ln3NssqpqMB2waipWKE4TW71ByJsVTzwibPcJwug9AkYLbkXfdOdtqDE0D3xY64V4-ByvEJRP1Dz_PI/s400/p20091121b.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406673772054273666" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe0gXRyNrf7HaFdIFG5ipZ0wL0oWBptsrDef09aD-aIDUwijjOvVRu12Erf3MFUs1C43cIu_d_yNhGmJH_ylftP7G5qI1sgSWlco__4Y_quxEGHsuGVXmBtZMHfqemm4RqQv2N-mmJTQU/s1600/p20091121d.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe0gXRyNrf7HaFdIFG5ipZ0wL0oWBptsrDef09aD-aIDUwijjOvVRu12Erf3MFUs1C43cIu_d_yNhGmJH_ylftP7G5qI1sgSWlco__4Y_quxEGHsuGVXmBtZMHfqemm4RqQv2N-mmJTQU/s400/p20091121d.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406673768318380866" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVf-vBuzwds4gb9DBOQyoBRCuS5mRSIrvnHuSemmccSERWH8xGezrNvoShvabpscmdjiRnwuF2s1fF1PZeKV5CAXmE0hHK8txcQmedBM2f365yO4SstQOyiR5TyXByPFAWu_eLsxj_4Ro/s1600/p20091121f.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVf-vBuzwds4gb9DBOQyoBRCuS5mRSIrvnHuSemmccSERWH8xGezrNvoShvabpscmdjiRnwuF2s1fF1PZeKV5CAXmE0hHK8txcQmedBM2f365yO4SstQOyiR5TyXByPFAWu_eLsxj_4Ro/s400/p20091121f.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406673485269811106" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwPvYsVuoiRp6JbOwOsPrMsA4-MTvk7yPPA8j5931K99Cji2qxogs84G19CHwdJHOIkCvvyDlJdmn4kxoV-XCLFZ8EsFaV2JTtSuxlZSx1RJ0VqnyBOuzXf5QD2WsLNQj3MIM1B4vtljY/s1600/p20091121h.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwPvYsVuoiRp6JbOwOsPrMsA4-MTvk7yPPA8j5931K99Cji2qxogs84G19CHwdJHOIkCvvyDlJdmn4kxoV-XCLFZ8EsFaV2JTtSuxlZSx1RJ0VqnyBOuzXf5QD2WsLNQj3MIM1B4vtljY/s400/p20091121h.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406673479555251122" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0PxV9-uNfJBkOCZXvit7XbCw5euPkixHzXTW65D0d-tmEZyN0tfOjH6lZeN4cHmk9F5L3Nn_6H3jh3xBvCNXVwqKiT0KP7xhg6HnwdZYAiwOwxK66PxrROBZfFkcMWDW_2jvwSEN3Ir8/s1600/p20091121i.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0PxV9-uNfJBkOCZXvit7XbCw5euPkixHzXTW65D0d-tmEZyN0tfOjH6lZeN4cHmk9F5L3Nn_6H3jh3xBvCNXVwqKiT0KP7xhg6HnwdZYAiwOwxK66PxrROBZfFkcMWDW_2jvwSEN3Ir8/s400/p20091121i.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406673475149777442" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiM-fL4cz8LnztZ05cUfwuLCfdCMgycyjPDTHkWoMD6eqIaIJbM_aEBPb5qpT8suOUXTEfoZUuR8iYCIkVa9aRhW21IwrqMaFTT7cj6kyMvs3j82y3reygcTf6_IwOQlCQfTDFTRqGb8A/s1600/p20091121j.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 399px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiM-fL4cz8LnztZ05cUfwuLCfdCMgycyjPDTHkWoMD6eqIaIJbM_aEBPb5qpT8suOUXTEfoZUuR8iYCIkVa9aRhW21IwrqMaFTT7cj6kyMvs3j82y3reygcTf6_IwOQlCQfTDFTRqGb8A/s400/p20091121j.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406673471454001058" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6IYCvQ7QPB2gz69dH5izkbfwWqBk8rESZmQ06GYJOZF3kt1cRbPtQOGc8hwQboer18Y-1c4Jhjgmuf22SbJ_32QJ37183GaYQSrdUc17yy8xIpuDWBl-nX31bnhA1BOqOH-elVCkUCxU/s1600/p20091121m.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6IYCvQ7QPB2gz69dH5izkbfwWqBk8rESZmQ06GYJOZF3kt1cRbPtQOGc8hwQboer18Y-1c4Jhjgmuf22SbJ_32QJ37183GaYQSrdUc17yy8xIpuDWBl-nX31bnhA1BOqOH-elVCkUCxU/s400/p20091121m.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406673277574023330" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSpppFrk5YjDdkYCaZhgY0SRvZT3NVmqLCtQ_wiCqYtHaEXK2YJSYUn7A0IxQ5ivDxNiHCg_37k-I0ZOpWSavBq6jICYhU2Kv3roKaa3tVIF-pXepEt6SgJNrrmh7NpBfWkWItsziSxlY/s1600/p20091121n.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSpppFrk5YjDdkYCaZhgY0SRvZT3NVmqLCtQ_wiCqYtHaEXK2YJSYUn7A0IxQ5ivDxNiHCg_37k-I0ZOpWSavBq6jICYhU2Kv3roKaa3tVIF-pXepEt6SgJNrrmh7NpBfWkWItsziSxlY/s400/p20091121n.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406673277198716690" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx69h2dWik2kVF9lq3gul9QFBZCj1I0c5efHQBRESAt6WCgrexQAS8SVLF0VigNryRFFtT1Q8mwKyqhF3bdlOZsZqnA3cjUg9L4JIwOI50FzpSvfEqGX5pUxZz7lkXcrxrxWY7FfCCRB8/s1600/p20091121o.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx69h2dWik2kVF9lq3gul9QFBZCj1I0c5efHQBRESAt6WCgrexQAS8SVLF0VigNryRFFtT1Q8mwKyqhF3bdlOZsZqnA3cjUg9L4JIwOI50FzpSvfEqGX5pUxZz7lkXcrxrxWY7FfCCRB8/s400/p20091121o.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406673275424019810" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3110964708293437000.post-21904833197624332702009-11-14T23:59:00.011+00:002009-11-16T10:29:29.241+00:00Saturday 14th November 2009<strong>Linby Colliery Welfare 1 Clifton 3<br />precision training Nottinghamshire Senior League<br />At: Church Lane<br />Kick-off: 2-00 pm<br />Admission: none; Programme: £1 (44 pages)<br />Attendance: 45 (headcount)<br />Weather: cloudy with sunny spells and showers<br />Duration: first-half: 46:45; second-half: 50:37</strong><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-GbKWT_EQA0Ih0q-VzjC3hxTCbjevJNoCbIlxzyuEb3hsCeQDq25eUJKHXcKUjdC9yhrqoN5RdefnoQyMootM1BxR8LVug7tFMEY0Jc9QyMjmW8m8BJJxL3U-Dg-7NNSwdqV1KX2p7v0/s1600-h/p20091114a.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-GbKWT_EQA0Ih0q-VzjC3hxTCbjevJNoCbIlxzyuEb3hsCeQDq25eUJKHXcKUjdC9yhrqoN5RdefnoQyMootM1BxR8LVug7tFMEY0Jc9QyMjmW8m8BJJxL3U-Dg-7NNSwdqV1KX2p7v0/s400/p20091114a.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404068689065642194" /></a><br />Wet and windy weather on Thursday and yesterday threatened to spoil today’s action – and it did in many parts of the country. It was sunny at home this morning, so I had everything crossed that my first choice match would survive the deluge.<br /><br />After studying this week’s Football Traveller magazine, I opted to visit a ground I’d previously passed during March’s hop on my way from Bulwell Town to Kirkby Town. I was impressed with what I saw at Linby Colliery Welfare so opted to head for their home Notts Senior League game with second-placed Clifton.<br /><br />Linby are one of just a few clubs in the league to produce programmes and have covered standing at their ground.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx8tKqx18I4pV8I2FGFqT31nKJL-QyrAwEVhsMPdFNkzrbkrdm_3utKrKFZ2mhErPXOx3CNxO_2SHIdSAEX5oQpYfjNANGOjVnN2BhxQq2l5rB0bh5ml9YsSmL0zll65RrbI9u6miOhno/s1600-h/p20091114d.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx8tKqx18I4pV8I2FGFqT31nKJL-QyrAwEVhsMPdFNkzrbkrdm_3utKrKFZ2mhErPXOx3CNxO_2SHIdSAEX5oQpYfjNANGOjVnN2BhxQq2l5rB0bh5ml9YsSmL0zll65RrbI9u6miOhno/s400/p20091114d.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404072638600977490" /></a><br />Setting off early and getting there early around 1-45 pm, I was pleased to time my arrival with that of the Clifton squad. The Linby squad were also assembling so no need to check if the game was on and, in fact, the pitch didn’t feel that damp when I walked round the pitch.<br /><br />As the programme states, Linby moved to the current home in 1985 after vacating their famous Gatehouse ground which attracted a crowd of 6850 for the visit of Gillingham for an FA Cup First Round tie back in November 1950. Sadly the ground was lost after the mine closed.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFgppfkntwXbGtW7Hw-rgcLiblD3KWSDcLztCI_p3fanpvR2jLlCJK1cQCwbuMOoz3th5MI03w9RVq3ITqydiy1IrZakovBEbCleU-e7jO9mWNavQboxu8o3ICMQZOMIVTvMhW5Q_qVW4/s1600-h/p20091114h.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFgppfkntwXbGtW7Hw-rgcLiblD3KWSDcLztCI_p3fanpvR2jLlCJK1cQCwbuMOoz3th5MI03w9RVq3ITqydiy1IrZakovBEbCleU-e7jO9mWNavQboxu8o3ICMQZOMIVTvMhW5Q_qVW4/s400/p20091114h.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404072628875946226" /></a><br />The current Linby CW ground, overlooked by St Michael’s Church, proved straight-forward to find down Church Lane. I approached from the northern end of the A611 Hucknall bypass then followed signs for Linby. Just after crossing the railway level crossing, it was left at the roundabout that followed, signed B6011 to Linby and Papplewick, then first right by the church and white flag pole into Church Lane. The ground entrance was 200 yards on the right by the signs for the Bailiwicks Court development.<br /><br />In through the gates and immediately into car park, the pitch (orientated south-west–north-east) ran lengthways on the top side of a large field which previously was home to Linby CW Cricket Club, hence the size. On the near end were separate changing rooms for home and away as well as the cricket pavilion. Down the right-hand touchline of the fully roped-off pitch was an old stand from bygone years from which the view was obscured by the away team dugout. Opposite, a more modern area of cover, next to the home dugout, had so such viewing obstructions. A white rail extended from in front of the cover towards the near end along a small additional area of uncovered hand standing. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh93bVajbE4NrSE7R1WH09KxtaiGPxVGKEdUes40t4GlL7ihelkiR23EJAz4BQm5aaBC1SfL6iW8CVDZ7tFw_dyvpl4TqFAzMnir1_Da5xjvgxjpxLy9ifuI7PQxe58voLeHLIN7SzOcpU/s1600-h/p20091114g.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh93bVajbE4NrSE7R1WH09KxtaiGPxVGKEdUes40t4GlL7ihelkiR23EJAz4BQm5aaBC1SfL6iW8CVDZ7tFw_dyvpl4TqFAzMnir1_Da5xjvgxjpxLy9ifuI7PQxe58voLeHLIN7SzOcpU/s400/p20091114g.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404072631935573122" /></a><br />I headed for the pavilion and inside found a TARDIS-like room including a tea bar. I picked up a programme (£1) and lapel badge (£3), as well as those all important teamsheets from the respective club secretaries. There was also a display titled ‘Linby in National Mag!’ from when the club were featured a couple of years ago in Groundtatstic. I got chatting to the father of one of the Clifton players and learned about the strength of the Notts Senior League this season; he provided good company over a cup of tea and I stood next to him and his cycling friend during the game as well.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguMVQ3rhmXU5QQVzn0k6IV96848WOrQNitXvYWpYJKr0gp4HLU60nPI343JKe6z6IOOQ6PpiELUoqYFzy9QaKL7msEVy7EgV-GUC6SLQ5pqPPUgQVbcLCQnVUxgvdJxOZMMFImz2Za7DY/s1600-h/p20091114c.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguMVQ3rhmXU5QQVzn0k6IV96848WOrQNitXvYWpYJKr0gp4HLU60nPI343JKe6z6IOOQ6PpiELUoqYFzy9QaKL7msEVy7EgV-GUC6SLQ5pqPPUgQVbcLCQnVUxgvdJxOZMMFImz2Za7DY/s400/p20091114c.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404072795734836498" /></a><br />Linby in seventh place with 17 points from 13 games, have had a good run of late through a three-match unbeaten run came to an end with a 4-1 defeat at Keyworth last Saturday. However, for this game they were lacking flu-hit leading scorer Julien Wright who had scored nine of Linby’s 20 league goals this season.<br /><br />Second-placed Clifton (29 points from 13 games) went into the game, one point behind leaders Basford United, knowing that a win for them and anything less for the leaders would see the side reclaim top spot in the table. Unlike Linby, Clifton did have their leading scorer Michael Evans who also topped the Premier Division goalscoring chart with 13 goals.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7OJGI6p2q-gwG27hCyxKMz9SjWu4tv06U7ut7B8vst1BV3EwJYsSRfgyy7lEyaTjeRjUPHCtYUIR6DLhtNmEGJVCzEUmX_12paRBoln06qjl8dzng4x6z-5tsCCec3m6G0Q5x1gV2i44/s1600-h/p20091114i.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7OJGI6p2q-gwG27hCyxKMz9SjWu4tv06U7ut7B8vst1BV3EwJYsSRfgyy7lEyaTjeRjUPHCtYUIR6DLhtNmEGJVCzEUmX_12paRBoln06qjl8dzng4x6z-5tsCCec3m6G0Q5x1gV2i44/s400/p20091114i.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404072452908231602" /></a><br />There was no fairplay entrance, or handshakes after the teams walked the 60 or so yards from changing rooms to pitch.<br /><br />I opted to stand down the left-hand side and saw Clifton (wearing all white) got the same underway defending the far end in the first half. Linby opted to make use of the wind in the first half.<br /><br />Linby (wearing red shirts, black shorts and red socks) created the game’s first decent chance in the 13th minute. Hesitation in the Clifton defence allowed Ross Cheeseman’s deep left-wing cross to end up at the feet of Nick Davies, who hit a well struck shot that the diving John Marriott pushed cleared.<br /><br />Dave Elson was booked three minutes later for a foul on Barry Turner, a decision that had one Linby supporter claiming “he got the ball, ref”.<br /><br />It was certainly competive on the field with the referee occasionally needing to calm things down. On the half hour, Clifton’s Michael Evans fired just over the bar from 20 yards out.<br /><br />Half-time came without a goal and only the odd scoring opportunity though the game was anything from dull. I adjourned to the pavilion and enjoyed my tea so much reading the Groundtastic diplay that I saw the players emerging from the changing rooms before I was ready to emerge myself.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBwruQKqJIBtva6abDBZydkpA3HyDsWgFVsAe65_FGm7oMAcGrzvoLQwYdNv45uGNkSHQn0_4PYXzvHXMoUIa01iFDjxqFZL7v4vm9V8npZUoEVNUlKntNaXiDM0o5cfXOS8yPGXhNmsA/s1600-h/p20091114l.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBwruQKqJIBtva6abDBZydkpA3HyDsWgFVsAe65_FGm7oMAcGrzvoLQwYdNv45uGNkSHQn0_4PYXzvHXMoUIa01iFDjxqFZL7v4vm9V8npZUoEVNUlKntNaXiDM0o5cfXOS8yPGXhNmsA/s400/p20091114l.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404072444536543730" /></a><br />It was only 3 pm and certainly getting darker. Cars passing by on Main Street had lights on and no doubt Church Lane would have been lit up as well had floodlights been available.<br /><br />Clifton almost took the lead within a minute of the restart when Danny Johnson saw a shot cleared off the line.<br /><br />The visitors maintained their strong start to the second half. Evans went for goal with a free-kick taken while the wall was being organised and Linby’s Craig Lear was alert enough to turn the ball round his right-hand post.<br /><br />Linby took the lead in the 57th minute with a goal that left the Clifton defence fuming. Cheeseman’s initial shot was blocked by Marriott and the ball ran to Kyle McDermott on the right. The midfielder drilled a shot into the 6-yard box which went in via a defelction. Referee Mr Towers was sufficiently concerned by Clifton’s protests that he only confirmed the goal after confirmation from his assistant.<br /><br />Evans went close again with another free-kick before Linby made a change in the 59th minute with Ash Keetley replacing Elson.<br /><br />Clifton got back on level terms in the 66th minute when Evans was brought down inside the area by Jake Keetley who picked up a yellow card. Unsurprisingly, leading scorer Evans picked himself up and sent Lear the wring way from the penalty spot.<br /><br />The sky started to brighten up after a rain shower but not for McDermott was booked in the 72nd minute. He required treatment after being hurt in a 50-50 challenge and received his yellow card for comments made towards the referee before limping off slowly to the sidelines.<br /><br />Evans also went in the book for dissent in the 77th minute at the same time that Notts County trainee Ashley Way replaced Johnson in a straight swap on the Clifton left. <br /><br />Linby had a great opportunity to regain the lead in the 80th minute. Davies did well to keep the ball in play down the right and then deliver a deep cross towards the far post where Cheeseman volleyed over.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilJiMdNjIb4k73DObOnnNZdyz64MSnhqI5uX19cQRcs7YRLLqoiJlHsZcBfO0xxOm0oR29GDGFGFq7uOMcj_CzupPJViIIKDcrH9-u2duFohlkS_xWUjXpH6NKIwv_DtrGc9LyDqjiRik/s1600-h/p20091114m.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilJiMdNjIb4k73DObOnnNZdyz64MSnhqI5uX19cQRcs7YRLLqoiJlHsZcBfO0xxOm0oR29GDGFGFq7uOMcj_CzupPJViIIKDcrH9-u2duFohlkS_xWUjXpH6NKIwv_DtrGc9LyDqjiRik/s400/p20091114m.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404072438781244930" /></a><br />Both sides clearly wanted to win and Clifton made a second change in the 85th minute with Alan Smithson replacing Danny Gunn. The visitors suffered a blow soon after when Michael Holtham was carried off after failing to respond to treatment on the field. He was replaced by Paul Archer in the 88th minute.<br /><br />Evans hoped for another penalty when he went down inside the area and so did Linby after the ball struck Vaughan Harvey just inside the Clifton area.<br /><br />I was told to look out for Way after he came on and the youngster didn’t disappoint with an spectacular finish to put Clifton in front right on the 90 minute mark. Found unmarked on the left inside the area by Mitchell’s deep cross, he hammered a rising shot that Lear couldn’t keep out despite getting a touch.<br /><br />I wondered how much injury time was to come for Linby to grab an equaliser. Several minutes I though because of the goals, substitutions and the odd bit of treatments from the trainers.<br /><br />Davies tried to catch out Marriott with a cross-cum-shot that was heading for the top right corner until the keeper got across to hold.<br /><br />In the end there was another goal but, unfortunately for the home side, it was a third Clifton goal scored in the fifth minute of stoppage time. Mitchell planted a low angled shot wide of Lear into the far bottom left corner. The goal meant so much to the visitors as clearly seen by their celebrations in front of the stand.<br /><br />There was almost a fourth Clifton goal just before the referee blew for full-time. Lear failed to hold Evans’ low shot but managed to claim the loose ball at the feet of the Way, who in any case was flagged offside.<br /><br />On the way home, I continued down Church Lane to see of anything remained of the former colliery. There were houses and industrial units but alas there is no sign of it apart from an old pit wheel erected as a memorial and visible from Waterloo Road.<br /><br />Linby are certainly a club that should find a high place on any football traveller's 'step 9 grounds to do' list.<br /><br /><strong>Linby Colliery Welfare</strong> (red/black/red): 1. Craig Lear, 2. Darren Dickens, 3. David Hardy, 4. Dave Elson, 5. Ross Horton, 6. Pete Campbell (capt), 7. Kyle McDermott, 8. Jake Keetley, 9. Simon Martin, 10. Ross Cheeseman, 11. Nick Davies. Subs: 12. Ash Keetley (for Elson, 59), 14. Tom Walters (not used), 15. Tee Ebanks (not used), 16. Andy Corthorn (not used).<br /><br /><strong>Clifton</strong> (white/white/white): 1. John Marriott, 2. Michael Bannister, 3. Russell Howard, 4. Jake Richardson, 5. Michael Holtham (capt), 6. Vaughan Harvey, 7. Karl Mitchell, 8. Danny Gunn, 9. Barry Turner, 10. Michael Evans, 11. Danny Johnson. Subs: 12. Ashley Way (for Johnson, 77), 14. Paul Archer (for Holtham, 88), 15. Matt Carver (not used), 16. Carl Spibey (not used), 17. Alan Smithson (for Gunn, 84).<br /><br />Referee: Phil Towers (West Bridgford).<br />Assistants: Tony Watson and John Was.<br /><br />Goals:<br />1-0 Kyle McDermott (57)<br />1-1 Michael Evans (66 pen)<br />1-2 Ashley Way (90)<br />1-3 Karl Mitchell (90+4)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdOvWxo2LWD_HHeV5A4OnGDCc6Td21pHSCrsDbc47KWPcxkdU0GOxGxdSYMeTNCPY3vYQHf2FHKDZETtN5k6dn5NO28IkScoa5WGeZq5gP6l8KTWm6zRCy9iGXFPhhVs3UB6pHeG81twc/s1600-h/p20091114b.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdOvWxo2LWD_HHeV5A4OnGDCc6Td21pHSCrsDbc47KWPcxkdU0GOxGxdSYMeTNCPY3vYQHf2FHKDZETtN5k6dn5NO28IkScoa5WGeZq5gP6l8KTWm6zRCy9iGXFPhhVs3UB6pHeG81twc/s400/p20091114b.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404072795828851218" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigJ6g-wFKz_jgwVwq3ndSDPeF2hY4PZsbEathyphenhyphenxANTFWGJ5Lc6T3oq8nzVLZgOQ8KT7J3141k5hWwpEnNamR2h5JHb3-bJrjJaHmDNhzk8tOCpeH-n3PHTkNAqX_bmzu3tnoJYWu-rA_I/s1600-h/p20091114e.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigJ6g-wFKz_jgwVwq3ndSDPeF2hY4PZsbEathyphenhyphenxANTFWGJ5Lc6T3oq8nzVLZgOQ8KT7J3141k5hWwpEnNamR2h5JHb3-bJrjJaHmDNhzk8tOCpeH-n3PHTkNAqX_bmzu3tnoJYWu-rA_I/s400/p20091114e.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404072636790191346" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMXI96Kjq7wLiYXwPiN_MbdvCCewSwVRujuGVSiBvZRn-ceds3tddfCtVJ-cxAbQU6yQjCCHYWsAC67ui8BHDQBfmjBY0ff4nrDCRdMbCRun8eDdFyWT-XEnauYAqQsKmmGdRgL-XCedM/s1600-h/p20091114f.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMXI96Kjq7wLiYXwPiN_MbdvCCewSwVRujuGVSiBvZRn-ceds3tddfCtVJ-cxAbQU6yQjCCHYWsAC67ui8BHDQBfmjBY0ff4nrDCRdMbCRun8eDdFyWT-XEnauYAqQsKmmGdRgL-XCedM/s400/p20091114f.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404072634790733970" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiIvkMlnBAnpe22C9uEgny9-dmdLvqQTbxYhKQuF8CrnmCiD3mhMRvyrONmGfP5OHpmCNy1OcQYozEwBufUOFbTCg9HbVKIohbqOsCmwEl7bbxHFE_lmlOQkKF6gy15RE9acU34QSE6IU/s1600-h/p20091114j.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiIvkMlnBAnpe22C9uEgny9-dmdLvqQTbxYhKQuF8CrnmCiD3mhMRvyrONmGfP5OHpmCNy1OcQYozEwBufUOFbTCg9HbVKIohbqOsCmwEl7bbxHFE_lmlOQkKF6gy15RE9acU34QSE6IU/s400/p20091114j.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404072450046957026" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEQjkBKF57BrLgjxYpjK1N4logkMC2kvSYeDgZoUfvBG4CjcszhkDMlFmzDxw7ZgnDTLj3NVnLCY0NAgBlK0x6tI17qarzxpHeMvvkDrOayIjhuT4mi2UwGd8VpkIzR1a1JnYl3ehpwvw/s1600-h/p20091114k.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEQjkBKF57BrLgjxYpjK1N4logkMC2kvSYeDgZoUfvBG4CjcszhkDMlFmzDxw7ZgnDTLj3NVnLCY0NAgBlK0x6tI17qarzxpHeMvvkDrOayIjhuT4mi2UwGd8VpkIzR1a1JnYl3ehpwvw/s400/p20091114k.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404072449048366978" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3110964708293437000.post-16678670537314896702009-11-07T22:01:00.012+00:002009-11-13T09:02:14.395+00:00Saturday 7th November 2009<strong>Kirby Muxloe 1 Tipton Town 1<br />Aspire Midland Alliance<br />At: Kirby Muxloe Sports Club, Ratby Lane<br />Kick-off: 3-00 pm<br />Admission: £5; Programme: £1 (20 pages)<br />Attendance: 63<br />Weather: cold, weak sunshine<br />Duration: first-half: 45:57; second-half: 48:35</strong><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirXWSRx-7p9B4x7J5tsj5mN5qFaco2PZ0hVf0esMCz18jyqcSKqrgVkS0AgKO-1vnpW0j-tX3UTCESiBPkIMUeEzAUTfpUaDTT6jmZJm3zKp3hRedY2NcXEtWU6yp01vekdecElpU82rA/s1600-h/p20091107a.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirXWSRx-7p9B4x7J5tsj5mN5qFaco2PZ0hVf0esMCz18jyqcSKqrgVkS0AgKO-1vnpW0j-tX3UTCESiBPkIMUeEzAUTfpUaDTT6jmZJm3zKp3hRedY2NcXEtWU6yp01vekdecElpU82rA/s400/p20091107a.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401483465519792818" /></a><br /><br />On Wednesday evening I was parked up outside a local high school waiting for Junior ‘iwf’s orchestra practice to end, with rain lashing down and large pools of water forming on the car park tarmac. I wondered what the weekend would have in store in terms of finding a game that would survive this and further deluges.<br /><br />Come today, I had a shortlist of three possible games but one of them, which would have had me meeting up with Malc the ‘On the Road’ blogger, became a none starter. Uncertainties over waterlogging as their ground was close to the River Trent, an unobtainable ground phone number and the slowness of Junior ‘iwf’ to get ready – she was spending the afternoon with her Grandad – meant a trip to Gedling Town will have to wait for another day. Gedling’s game was on and Malc saw them pull off a 3-1 win to defeat leaders Heanor Town.<br /><br />So with the shortlist down to two – Coventry Copsewood or Kirby Muxloe – I plumped for the latter as their Ratby Lane ground was the only one in the Aspire Midland Alliance I hadn’t previously visited. A quick phone call en route confirmed the game was definitely on.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWZ3lf2Y3wmhsib91aO3ifUAX3MVDZPToZCRShOYgzN3gr8nC5GLBVE3idLEztmyPP2QPXtQhrYWbnOGPU1BXwIvCZ2v0qXWBtDn461rxmTRLRfBOo58TSPA41JE6IDcrpevYjT7TW2RM/s1600-h/p20091107b.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWZ3lf2Y3wmhsib91aO3ifUAX3MVDZPToZCRShOYgzN3gr8nC5GLBVE3idLEztmyPP2QPXtQhrYWbnOGPU1BXwIvCZ2v0qXWBtDn461rxmTRLRfBOo58TSPA41JE6IDcrpevYjT7TW2RM/s400/p20091107b.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401489101409245586" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5wHdA8QC_snJoIyv07bCdkrmV2_s-HtmGnycGBuwFzuurT1wqW7o6otXvHCxm0RS-81WdYL2pOYsLWo9uishQ08PupzLIQLUPmI44zD0f9GYGjbTAg6GCY5oMNBeczukOmynSNds2xRk/s1600-h/p20091107c.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5wHdA8QC_snJoIyv07bCdkrmV2_s-HtmGnycGBuwFzuurT1wqW7o6otXvHCxm0RS-81WdYL2pOYsLWo9uishQ08PupzLIQLUPmI44zD0f9GYGjbTAg6GCY5oMNBeczukOmynSNds2xRk/s400/p20091107c.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401489100613592242" /></a><br />I can only recall only ever visiting the village of Kirby Muxloe once to see the castle a couple of years ago.<br /><br />I approached Kirby Muxloe on the A47 from Hinckley and via the shiny new Earl Shilton bypass. The SatNav suggested ignoring left-hand turns towards the village and eventually I crossed over the M1. At the lights by the Co-op, I finally took a left-hand turn, signed B5380 to Kirby Muxloe and continued through the next lights to the first roundabout. It was the first exit, back over the M1 and over the next roundabout in the village, following signs to Desford and Ratby, to the next mini roundabout. The machine suggested I had arrived but the ground was 100 yards on the right towards Ratby next to the 40 mph sign.<br /><br />Through the gates, the car park was straight ahead, as was the social club, with the entrance on the left. It picked up a programme (£1) at the white paybox and the pitch (orientated south-east–north-west) ran lengthways. Down the left-hand side between the near corner flag and halfway was a white painted brick-built stand containing around 100 individual blue seats in four rows as well as a press area for one reporter. A new wooden fence down that side separated the football ground from the adjoining cricket field. Dugouts were positioned down the left-hand touchline either side of and close to the halfway line. Behind the far goal was what looked like a newly-constructed area of cover.<br /><br />The club official manning the paybox asked me where I’d come from and he remembered me after I told him about my blog posting from the Graham Street Prims game which was linked tofrom the Kirby Muxloe website. I promised to send a link to this report as well.<br /><br />Over the tannoy a Rod Stewart CD was playing and by the time I’d finished my walk around the pitch, the Scot was still blasting out his greatest hits. Later I was reminded of this when Rod appeared on Strictly Come Dancing! The tannoy was also put to good use before kick-off to announced the line-ups – a teamsheet had been prominently displayed on the side of the paybox so full marks to Kirby for making the info so readily available.<br /><br />The visitors included Nicky Campbell in their starting line-up – not the 5 Live breakfast presenter but a nippy striker who briefly played for Stafford Rangers at the start of the 2004/05 season.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1HLA5fzHN00PSeD_EsxX4ebgikn1F4IVgnTAKu6Fjll5swOU_o7acvdhiRbA8z410VRfV0eCle-GyxKCvhfmA2EcbuDDjdGwLAW175NoL6KoeG9buShiRllj9_5sc62_gcyY5Co1U6ZE/s1600-h/p20091107e.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1HLA5fzHN00PSeD_EsxX4ebgikn1F4IVgnTAKu6Fjll5swOU_o7acvdhiRbA8z410VRfV0eCle-GyxKCvhfmA2EcbuDDjdGwLAW175NoL6KoeG9buShiRllj9_5sc62_gcyY5Co1U6ZE/s400/p20091107e.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401488980311708050" /></a><br />Kirby Muxloe had made a solid start to their first-ever season in the Aspire Midland Alliance. They occupied 9th position in 22-team division with 21 points from 15 games, on a good run of three straight league victories including last Saturday’s 6-4 win at Alvechurch where Jamie Mason bagged four goals. <br /><br />Visitors Tipton Town (26 points from 13 games) went into the game riding high towards the top of the table in third position, some 15 points behind runaway leaders Barwell with two games in hand. They were unbeaten away from home and conceded just two goals in six away league games.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-lzKPTTOzD0GeU80Dg7OL5-eHUoAIkU8Hi3r2k6Ugao3R2qnwWNF7DZtpOFZxmNRViYquUN8e5n9rzMhR5ShTm58fyzHdFr6afuEcce6Gz1iqKhDX3cixtJXT1bcO1yabYRBxLC7lmcg/s1600-h/p20091107f.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-lzKPTTOzD0GeU80Dg7OL5-eHUoAIkU8Hi3r2k6Ugao3R2qnwWNF7DZtpOFZxmNRViYquUN8e5n9rzMhR5ShTm58fyzHdFr6afuEcce6Gz1iqKhDX3cixtJXT1bcO1yabYRBxLC7lmcg/s400/p20091107f.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401488975741054530" /></a><br />I opted to stand down the left-hand side, midway between the dugouts and the near corner in the half defended by the home side in the first half. Tipton (wearing black and white striped shirts with white sleeves and a white back, black shorts and red socks) got the game underway attacking from left to right in relation to my vantage point.<br /><br />The first notable chance didn’t come until the 8th minute. Jamie Mason drove the ball across the face of the Tipton goal and Stuart Verrall couldn’t get on the end at the far post.<br /><br />“Kirby Muxloe, good start, keep the temp,” commented Adam Wilcox in goal for the home side and this was echoed with another “good start Kirby” from the technical area.<br /><br />At this point I was trying to work out which Kirby player was being referred to as ‘cheeky’. In the distance, traffic flashed past on the M1 around 300 yards away on the other side of the cricket field.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkVQSxdVQW_ulK2z5840OPi-OxKpiKnh9VIG7SRXWjXCgb0aBrYXZWSKutxoWUu0KIMSS6NA_1VQibqcNpmaAjSaMmsZje9KOpZT4sJDKcZfut7P2C_uLzZnsWUA4oXUTbyGysRqQ3NHg/s1600-h/p20091107j.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkVQSxdVQW_ulK2z5840OPi-OxKpiKnh9VIG7SRXWjXCgb0aBrYXZWSKutxoWUu0KIMSS6NA_1VQibqcNpmaAjSaMmsZje9KOpZT4sJDKcZfut7P2C_uLzZnsWUA4oXUTbyGysRqQ3NHg/s400/p20091107j.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401488786368998994" /></a><br />Kirby were awarded a penalty in the 16th minute for a trip by Richard Huckfield on Mason. Danny Taylor stepped up to the spot but fired against the left-hand post, having sent Wes Cox the wrong way.<br /><br />Huckfield must have been relieved and almost gave his side the lead, glancing a header just wide of the left-hand post from Nicky Pugh’s free-kick into the area.<br /><br />Mason intercepted a weak back-pass and saw his resulting shot blocked by Steve Palmer at the expense of a corner.<br /><br />In the 22nd minute, Kirby keeper Wilcox was booked, presumably for handling just outside his area, an offence spotted by an assistant who was some 60 yards from the incident.<br /><br />Tipton enjoyed a good 10-minute spell of pressure around the half-hour mark as the home side were kept on the back foot. Kirkby couldn’t keep the ball out of their own half and, in the 35th minute, from the last of five corners in this period, Chris Morris saw a low shot blocked in front of goal by defender Richard Darlison.<br /><br />In the 42nd minute, Morris cut into the area from the left and keeper Wilcox gathered up the ball. However, Morris kept going, felled Joshua Pitsillides and picked up a booking.<br /><br />I’d finally worked out who ‘cheeky’ was – Kirby’s no. 5 Craig Pietrzyk.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhu5TlRdaR2Apbm3PaVHRufvfjdChV6WEE5UoA8WHqoLohKfOY6hU-gitxgbtkrmtBymIzFtv_chLp3H3u7ki2EucdmG_VWnhNXfTyYnpwdP46kJ-03-gFtXgIaH0SuWRLOIC-uc18Az4/s1600-h/p20091107h.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhu5TlRdaR2Apbm3PaVHRufvfjdChV6WEE5UoA8WHqoLohKfOY6hU-gitxgbtkrmtBymIzFtv_chLp3H3u7ki2EucdmG_VWnhNXfTyYnpwdP46kJ-03-gFtXgIaH0SuWRLOIC-uc18Az4/s400/p20091107h.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401488968306852642" /></a><br />Along with most of the crowd, I waited for the players to enter the changing rooms before joining the refreshments queue just inside the social club. ‘Pie and peas’ was a popular choice and proved too tempting for me as well, except that I ignored the pie as it was of the meat variety and just had the peas, as well as a tea.<br /><br />Back outside, the ground was almost deserted and it was getting decidedly chillier – even with hot tea and peas inside me! The crowd emerged from the warmth of the social club, out came Kirby’s Stuart Verrall on his own, followed by the Tipton team, followed by the match officials and swiftly followed by the remaining Kirby players.<br /><br />With the lights switched on during the interval, Kirby made a change for the second half with Mark Schulz replacing Taylor.<br /><br />Tipton took the lead in the 49th minute. Huckfield got forward from the back and fired a rising 20-yard shot into the top-left corner via the outstretched hands of Wilcox who did his best to keep the ball out.<br /><br />Wilcox was forced into action to turn round a long-range free-kick curled towards goal by Pugh.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiI8JKCehRqSLVNySwqS6DzWymZ2QsxPJ1TBFrV-sfXoC66ZPCb-8O61Pd_-7Q390fYFhpF7bOy1wr9x_408rc0DsBKNqDyh-pSIYEk9qZ2pnqtWyR9m2anKquoRR-rfNmxeJpchzM4gg/s1600-h/p20091107k.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiI8JKCehRqSLVNySwqS6DzWymZ2QsxPJ1TBFrV-sfXoC66ZPCb-8O61Pd_-7Q390fYFhpF7bOy1wr9x_408rc0DsBKNqDyh-pSIYEk9qZ2pnqtWyR9m2anKquoRR-rfNmxeJpchzM4gg/s400/p20091107k.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401488785928816850" /></a><br />I eventually opted to watch the game from the stand side, again in the half attacked by Tipton. Their red numbers were less distinct than the prominent white numbers on the back of the home side who were now attacking the social club goal furthest away from me.<br /><br />After the hour mark, Kirby upped their game in a bid to grab an equaliser and Pietrzyk fired an angled shot across the face of goal. But they survived a scare when Morris fired just over the bar.<br /><br />In the 72nd minute, Tipton replaced striker Morris with Nathan Jones in a straight swap up front. A minute later, Hardeep Phull came for Kirby in place of Karl Wilson.<br /><br />Both sides made a further change at the same time in the 80th minute – Kirby brought on Rob Pitman for Verrall while Tipton replaced Ashley Wells with Chris Rabone.<br /><br />Just 10 minutes plus stoppage time remained for Kirby to bag an equaliser and they were urged to “work hard”.<br /><br />Tipton made a third change in the 84th minute with Liam Bood replacing ex-Stafford man Nicky Campbell. An enquiry from a home player to the near assistant established there were “seven plus whatever he puts on”.<br /><br />Eventually Kirby levelled things up with an 87th-minute equaliser to keep their short unbeaten league run going. Mason powered home a close-range header direct from a free-kick delivered from the right bye-line outside the area. Tipton skipper Palmer was booked before the restart, presumably for something he had said out of turn.<br /><br />Tipton appealed for a penalty in stoppage time when Rabone went down but the referee said declined the request.<br /><br />I was pleased to have visited Kirby Muxloe FC and rounded things off at this really welcoming club by purchasing a smart lapel badge from behind the bar before setting off home.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGkJVJ6bC6cP_QYd3RxJ9WD5UH9fOn0wfoKOdRBSc9VEDS-3SLoihAY4ce6yjB6zpCWxqrdvccQo4swUv55Wg9uwlpiRUvkc40YD_WgXiceJyG6Wrtcic0EiY8j8mr01sz5L3Xs8_ZhdU/s1600-h/p20091107m.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGkJVJ6bC6cP_QYd3RxJ9WD5UH9fOn0wfoKOdRBSc9VEDS-3SLoihAY4ce6yjB6zpCWxqrdvccQo4swUv55Wg9uwlpiRUvkc40YD_WgXiceJyG6Wrtcic0EiY8j8mr01sz5L3Xs8_ZhdU/s400/p20091107m.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401488778137951842" /></a><br /><strong>Kirby Muxloe</strong> (yellow with yellow and blue sleeves / blue / blue): 1. Adam Wilcox, 2. Karl Wilson, 3. Richard Darlison, 4. Jamie Mason (capt), 5. Craig Pietrzyk, 6. Bryn Statham, 7. Gary Moult, 8. Danny Taylor, 9. Stuart Verrall, 10. Joshua Pitsillides, 11. James Mee. Subs: 12. Hardeep Phull (for Wilson, 73), 14. Mark Schulz (for Taylor, ht), 15. Rob Pitman (for Verrall, 80), 16. Matt Welbourne, GK. Jordan Wait.<br /><br /><strong>Tipton Town</strong> (black and white stripes with white sleeves / black / red): 1. Wes Cox, 2. Eric Bowen, 3. Steve Palmer (capt), 4. Danny Bragoli, 5. Dan Parker, 6. Richard Huckfield, 7. Ryan Mosedale, 8. Ashley Wells, 9. Chris Morris, 10. Nicky Campbell, 11. Nicky Pugh. Subs: 12. Ross Brown, 14. Nathan Jones (for Morris, 72), 15. Liam Bood (for Campbell, 84), 16. Chris Rabone (for Wells, 80). GK. Matt Osbourne.<br /><br />Referee: R Pettipher.<br />Assistants: P Riley and N McKenize.<br /><br />Goals:<br />0-1 Richard Huckfield (49)<br />1-1 Jamie Mason (87)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9BjOUHaLp8LXvmC90R-tNMGpKTnuyvL93TE-tYG0Iesd5_rvG03GxlahESds8QE6Gd26wp3w62q6T-bN304RDtE7MDgjKtG8O9eWytaD1k7mj6GBlMHSnvN76H0VBuHGTBB8APrrqbUI/s1600-h/p20091107d.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9BjOUHaLp8LXvmC90R-tNMGpKTnuyvL93TE-tYG0Iesd5_rvG03GxlahESds8QE6Gd26wp3w62q6T-bN304RDtE7MDgjKtG8O9eWytaD1k7mj6GBlMHSnvN76H0VBuHGTBB8APrrqbUI/s400/p20091107d.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401488976748185490" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUun_GI5K7Hw_R6ujxTWF2E-zjLZLSsq3hQC6vw4Cfr36VnnfB5C6BVcubQiBaMqvHcPJ6hF05Ju-QdhXVw-h8Ecofk3e-1yuyz6SM-ZmmEemYXjprQYDtg9PbETH_nLIMJmVGT2J_3tg/s1600-h/p20091107g.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUun_GI5K7Hw_R6ujxTWF2E-zjLZLSsq3hQC6vw4Cfr36VnnfB5C6BVcubQiBaMqvHcPJ6hF05Ju-QdhXVw-h8Ecofk3e-1yuyz6SM-ZmmEemYXjprQYDtg9PbETH_nLIMJmVGT2J_3tg/s400/p20091107g.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401488971120679138" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF9BqlZ_0J5lfdPavjWNB12sRApVyE7akwIFdwKv54KQdSUqPbvEmwV7sfDLcDa5aWrtOGeAHXG3QllOizVqF-8_LcsazphmcRN-79ZckQiR4yhaYLlQZV68byPFwYlSfwEy7hJr6T4W4/s1600-h/p20091107i.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF9BqlZ_0J5lfdPavjWNB12sRApVyE7akwIFdwKv54KQdSUqPbvEmwV7sfDLcDa5aWrtOGeAHXG3QllOizVqF-8_LcsazphmcRN-79ZckQiR4yhaYLlQZV68byPFwYlSfwEy7hJr6T4W4/s400/p20091107i.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401488791062599858" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjedKVGT0UaJzgPeuzB6Dx_QUOgkPQK6S_HE3qnLTn4uqNg5sAA2cYoXT3TUKbLLN7hZHqknw_EfNuVNUo7ztNMV4inMeePjuSlt11QW59o_rNCh7ZBwqa0ZI2m8vSZToho72sThfoZgd8/s1600-h/p20091107l.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjedKVGT0UaJzgPeuzB6Dx_QUOgkPQK6S_HE3qnLTn4uqNg5sAA2cYoXT3TUKbLLN7hZHqknw_EfNuVNUo7ztNMV4inMeePjuSlt11QW59o_rNCh7ZBwqa0ZI2m8vSZToho72sThfoZgd8/s400/p20091107l.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401488781337958626" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3110964708293437000.post-40209841791769942032009-10-31T19:13:00.013+00:002009-11-02T12:25:28.363+00:00Saturday 31st October 2009<strong>Greenwood Meadows 1 Heanor Town 2<br />East Midlands Counties League<br />At: Old Lenton Lane<br />Kick-off: 3-00 pm<br />Admission: £4; Programme: £1 (16 pages)<br />Attendance: 51<br />Weather: mild, weak sunshine<br />Duration: first-half: 45:39; second-half: 51:47</strong><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYWhzk1jyqjOpc-0HLRYrzFZ63SnQVQ7wPclhz9t_cnq2-HT9FIUDncHnpQajWxy_mpCZnnTTnzkXndDJWd86iePG3ImJZIAWRUSZFFwYju-OmJ84U3p8UWrpiIB8n-fqVQwE7314GwH4/s1600-h/p20091031a.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYWhzk1jyqjOpc-0HLRYrzFZ63SnQVQ7wPclhz9t_cnq2-HT9FIUDncHnpQajWxy_mpCZnnTTnzkXndDJWd86iePG3ImJZIAWRUSZFFwYju-OmJ84U3p8UWrpiIB8n-fqVQwE7314GwH4/s400/p20091031a.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398848025837095730" /></a><br />I’d not been over to Nottingham for a couple of months – apart from, that is, nipping round the southern bypass on my way to and from Lincoln United – and I’d not seen an East Midlands Counties League (EMCL) side action since Bardon Hill’s wonderful FA Cup win last month.<br /><br />So, last night I pondered where to head today with the above thoughts in mind and spotted something really exciting in the EMCL. The fixture compiler couldn’t have planned a much better end to October and produced what I called the ‘East Midland Counties League Super Saturday’. Leaders Heanor Town were at fourth-placed Greenwood Meadows and second-placed Gedling MW (level on points with the leaders) entertained third-placed Dunkirk (one point off the top). I’d been to Gedling earlier in the season so my destination this afternoon had to be Meadows’ Lenton Lane ground.<br /><br />A quick glance at the top of the league showed just how tight things were around the summit. Just two points separated the top five and any one of the top five could have been top come 5 pm this evening. Fifth-placed Bardon Hill had more than a good chance of picking up three points at lowly Anstey Nomads.<br /><br />I approached Nottingham on the A453 passing the Radcliffe Power Station and Clifton before heading north, briefly, on the A52 signed Derby. No sooner had I joined the A52, I took the second exit, signed ‘Lenton Industrial Estate’, down to the roundabout below. Lenton Lane was immediately on the left after taking the ‘Boots Ind. Est. (West)’ exit, Greenwood’s ground being 200 yards on the right just past the turn for the Riverside Golf Centre.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8n3wDCSEZyFBztS29r12qaeDkENwod1GJSTOzqkZcsR0cVkytd4w1_ULGByMtbuRa8udVhuDA5oMUNucVFGKqDAOVZbwhXqtj5zyalZKXfztsVNqxTrmN0f1CeG-Gmh9U-mxQT7waqU4/s1600-h/p20091031c.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8n3wDCSEZyFBztS29r12qaeDkENwod1GJSTOzqkZcsR0cVkytd4w1_ULGByMtbuRa8udVhuDA5oMUNucVFGKqDAOVZbwhXqtj5zyalZKXfztsVNqxTrmN0f1CeG-Gmh9U-mxQT7waqU4/s400/p20091031c.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398852902528546562" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB16NiWLDO1aAzhinOggn9fEC8jvVRS5SQPQwg9yte7e_DZxW2pKy156qfGJ8grnxvCQOUOqcuSizwyvtVtm-eEAVeSKm3-04V3MRsGyI6uMZ6MyK_yqFjblclmf9xYsnuQz9IJ3tDvHE/s1600-h/p20091031b.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB16NiWLDO1aAzhinOggn9fEC8jvVRS5SQPQwg9yte7e_DZxW2pKy156qfGJ8grnxvCQOUOqcuSizwyvtVtm-eEAVeSKm3-04V3MRsGyI6uMZ6MyK_yqFjblclmf9xYsnuQz9IJ3tDvHE/s400/p20091031b.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398852908704038242" /></a><br />Immediately through the gate, I was directed to a parking space next to a camper van and the pitch (orientated north-west–south-east) ran lengthways behind a fence that separated the car park from the rest of the ground. The entrance was to the left, where I picked up a programme, and beyond was the clubhouse and changing room building. <br /><br />A smaller training and warm-up pitch was situated behind the near goal with two stands and dugouts down the left-hand touchline. The nearest stand contained a couple of benches while the far one had two rows of individual blue tip-up seats, around 40-50 seats in total.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi00vBXmrs9Yah7s0myMPL3gxcMniC_JQ28spZbbL-y9uKV5-D27XKoRulqzmHHIypFUCSvg811jy2O2PPzX9DX5G0lqNGNQ06-mcgfQr4pmS1Pt1110KP9y4MeZYjeU0iGlsq78jJa_Mk/s1600-h/p20091031e.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi00vBXmrs9Yah7s0myMPL3gxcMniC_JQ28spZbbL-y9uKV5-D27XKoRulqzmHHIypFUCSvg811jy2O2PPzX9DX5G0lqNGNQ06-mcgfQr4pmS1Pt1110KP9y4MeZYjeU0iGlsq78jJa_Mk/s400/p20091031e.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398852893088806738" /></a><br />Before kick-off, I was made to feel very welcome in the clubhouse and got myself a tea and chips, as well as a nice lapel badge from behind the bar.<br /><br />Teams were announced over the tannoy. Heanor’s line-up included two players with well-known fathers – goalkeeper Sam the son of former FA Cup winner Steve Ogrizovic and Ashley the son of current Glapwell and former Stafford striker Neil Grayson.<br /><br />Greenwood went into the game in fourth position on 23 points from 11 games, two points behind the leaders Heanor who had also played the same number of games. They had won four of their last five league games, including the last two at Radford and Blackwell.<br /><br />Heanor arrived at Old Lenton Lane on a run of eight league games without defeats and had won their last four games. Coincidently their last league defeat came at the end of August when they visited Dunkirk, Greenwood’s very near neighbours. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmvpLTcyg92XYnvlksp6VI59zRieUy5bNivGY9i9MAgDbGOsSXmQbRIM_tRtOHmu1Kns46SQXhK7_qoVEV5eYyDnNwch-gjB-b46QsGjw2dD_sBG-msmbzDD4N29B5muxiRuxlJUxhMko/s1600-h/p20091031g.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmvpLTcyg92XYnvlksp6VI59zRieUy5bNivGY9i9MAgDbGOsSXmQbRIM_tRtOHmu1Kns46SQXhK7_qoVEV5eYyDnNwch-gjB-b46QsGjw2dD_sBG-msmbzDD4N29B5muxiRuxlJUxhMko/s400/p20091031g.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398852307262723362" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOkbS_juyCSWciBM0JUDiUkyRxmYOj5WzeP_VrQJQPd8kwRgOSB_6VUmCE18z_Rty0Lsm_06Ka921znethlbpNTQ1d9oyZPFKQBCVOU0FD7zrE4mxjKYxfhnY1_bS36uY0sZZ5_8e6R6U/s1600-h/p20091031h.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOkbS_juyCSWciBM0JUDiUkyRxmYOj5WzeP_VrQJQPd8kwRgOSB_6VUmCE18z_Rty0Lsm_06Ka921znethlbpNTQ1d9oyZPFKQBCVOU0FD7zrE4mxjKYxfhnY1_bS36uY0sZZ5_8e6R6U/s400/p20091031h.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398852300469310242" /></a><br />After the fair play formalities were conducted, Greenwood held a huddle minus their captain who was with the opposition skipper and match officials in the centre circle. The teams stayed as they were and said captain Dave Boafo joined his teammates for the conclusion of the huddle which broke to a large shout of “Greenwood”.<br /><br />Heanor (wearing all white with blue trim) got the game underway defending the near Lenton Lane end, and, after Greenwood’s Rory Francis fired an early chance over the bar, took a 5th minute lead. Gary Webster, out on the right, delivered into the area and fell for Lee Hodgson to gratefully fire past Paul Farnsworth at close range. Quite a few Heanor fans were at the game, which attracted Greenwood’s biggest league home crowd of the season so far, and made themselves heard with a celebratory roar as the ball went in.<br /><br />I got quite a good view of the goal, having opted to stand in the half attached by the visitors. But the flies were proving a nuisance.<br /><br />Greenwood (in green shirts, black shorts and green socks) created a decent chance in the 10th minute. Jourdain Blair crossed from the right towards the near where Chris Atkins sent a diving header just wide. The home side won no fewer than five corners during the opening 23 minutes and from the fourth one Kristian Stephens glanced a header across the face of goal.<br /><br />By this time, the flies had got the better of me so I moved nearer the clubhouse into the half attacked by the home side. Greenwood’s black numbers on the back of their green shirts also played a part in my decision to move near to the goal there were attacking.<br /><br />The referee had a word with Heanor’s Danny Williams after a foul on Dave Boafo who, moments later, brought down a Heanor player around the halfway line. Lee Stevenson sent the resulting free-kick forward into the Greenwood area and central defender Adam Kay powered home a header. The visitors were two-up in the 27th minute and any hopes Greenwood or the other three chasing sides had of snatching top spot appeared over. I felt the goal was tough on the home side considering the amount of possession they had had.<br /><br />A very long bouncing clearance by home keeper Farnsworth caused uncertainly in the Heanor defence and Sam Ogrizovic was unable to prevent another corner. Ashley Harrison delivered it accurately into the area where Kieran Walker headed over from just five yards out.<br /><br />Callum Mason drew applause from the visiting faithful with a 25-yard dripping volley just wide of the target before, in the 37th minute, Atkins missed a simple chance to halve the deficit. Found unchallenged at the far left post just six yards out, the striker miscued his shot and fired across the face of goal. “How did he miss that,” wondered one spectator stood near me. I felt the same from my new vantage point next to the goal that Greenwood were attacking.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBs2kCd5uSKdRWvlqV7grhoSAVTgGVLZVW-eQsieiTkFt1yugj73refARD5JZwqWuMWqVkLMC9piljLSlXN7CQBKh8U01QZHouryuDboPcxtv0G2tkl_Ue2uA2uhv4IMTDiJj5boLMqQ8/s1600-h/p20091031m.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 399px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBs2kCd5uSKdRWvlqV7grhoSAVTgGVLZVW-eQsieiTkFt1yugj73refARD5JZwqWuMWqVkLMC9piljLSlXN7CQBKh8U01QZHouryuDboPcxtv0G2tkl_Ue2uA2uhv4IMTDiJj5boLMqQ8/s400/p20091031m.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398852124489428514" /></a><br />I popped back into the clubhouse and joined the queue for the tea bar before opting to stand down the right-hand touchline facing the dugouts and stands.<br /><br />Ashley Grayson became the first of two Heanor players to pick up a booking. He was yellow carded for a foul on Francis in the 52nd minute.<br /><br />The floodlights came on around the time of the booking just before Heanor almost further extended their lead. Grayon looked to put Williams clear only for a brave saving tackle to prevent a clear shooting change. Farnsworth, the Meadows keeper, was mightily impressed with his defender.<br /><br />Reflecting around the hour mark, I felt that Heanor were comfortably holding their two-goal advantage despite Greenwood raising their game.<br /><br />The home side made a double change in the 64th minute. Ashley Whitt replaced Atkins and Rob Burton came on for Robinson. In a reshuffle, central defender Romaine Graham was pushed forward as an extra attacker alongside new man Whitt and Blair.<br /><br />Greenwood were “ticking” when Blair fired an angled shot wide of the far left post and their hard work was rewarded with a goal in the 74th minute. Blair created himself a chance inside the area and fired past Ogrizovic from 8 yards out.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmrbXdyRVcM568JxL2nSWjbYgFGGXkwyO696ZUzzzXZ7trURbqUlgknBuDMheg0BCYapjCrBbxUBqO8AojNcCWMGU0O_G6_Prz9veP9K9YGsbFPfNf3Fu0vsyTc-nZ6ep10h0cTBADKM0/s1600-h/p20091031o.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmrbXdyRVcM568JxL2nSWjbYgFGGXkwyO696ZUzzzXZ7trURbqUlgknBuDMheg0BCYapjCrBbxUBqO8AojNcCWMGU0O_G6_Prz9veP9K9YGsbFPfNf3Fu0vsyTc-nZ6ep10h0cTBADKM0/s400/p20091031o.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398852116718050786" /></a><br />Heanor were urged to “focus” as the home side pressed for an equaliser which had seemed so unlikely after the visitors’ 27th-minute second goal.<br /><br />A third and final substitution for Greenwood saw Craig Meakin replace Francis and so began their “most important 10 minutes of the season so far”. And the final 10 minutes plus stoppage time certainly didn’t lack excitement.<br /><br />Greenwood appealed for a penalty for handball against Tom Burgin turned down though I felt that the referee may have assessed things differently had he had the my view of the incident.<br /><br />Hodgson went down with what looked like cramp and was replaced in the 84th minute by tall striker George Walker. Williams went in the booking three minutes later for a foul and at the same time one member of the Heanor dugout was ‘sent off’, presumably for protesting the decision.<br /><br />Into stoppage time and Heanor replaced Mason with Danny Roberts. “How long?” asked the Heanor keeper, “five, four?”. I didn’t hear the referee’s answer but there was enough time for Ogrizovic, under pressure, to palm Meakin’s deep free-kick over the bar. The visitors broke upfield following the resulting corner and Williams was denied a shooting chance by Kieran Walker’s brave tackle.<br /><br />With over six minutes of injury time already played, Heanor again wanted to know “how long?” The answer quickly came – Farnsworth parried Webster’s low shot and the referee blew for full time to end a pulsating second half.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhT4j79YUSykPBGCQoX3PQRMmHpibXJhiq9BRW6ZuqdGmVBInpJIeuu3PjTIgvUkPOOkTBuiWFRK9Hcl8KkiPOUwpw_gzDzyYLoyZZQhfo2G_4BqXJRDzxLHWZosDgZSjN-JEdkBhLRQ0/s1600-h/p20091031p.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhT4j79YUSykPBGCQoX3PQRMmHpibXJhiq9BRW6ZuqdGmVBInpJIeuu3PjTIgvUkPOOkTBuiWFRK9Hcl8KkiPOUwpw_gzDzyYLoyZZQhfo2G_4BqXJRDzxLHWZosDgZSjN-JEdkBhLRQ0/s400/p20091031p.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398852111527396098" /></a><br />Before setting off, I popped into the clubhouse to the final scores and noticed a good result for my old team – a 2-2 draw at home to Northwich to follow Tuesday’s win at Ilkeston. Manager Chris Brindley’s hard work looks to be paying off.<br /><br />Heanor had banished all the talk of one of their four nearest challengers knocking them off top spot. Dunkirk won 5-3 at Gedling Town to move up to second while wins for both Bardon Hill (11-0 at Anstey Nomads) and Gresley FC (6-2 at home to Graham Street Prims) pushed Greenwood Meadows down to sixth, admittedly just five points behind the leaders.<br /><br /><strong>Greenwood Meadows</strong> (green/black/green): 1. Paul Farnsworth, 2. Dave Boafo (capt), 3. Ashley Branson, 4. Kieran Walker, 5. Romaine Graham, 6. Kristian Stephens, 7. Rory Francis, 8. Nathan Robinson, 9. Jourdain Blair, 10. Chris Atkins, 11. Ashley Harrison. Subs: 12. Craig Meakin (for Francis, 80), 14. Rob Burton (for Robinson, 64), 15. Ashley Whitt (for Atkins, 64).<br /><br /><strong>Heanor Town</strong> (white/white/white): 1. Sam Ogrizovic, 2. Lee Stevenson, 3. Tom Burgin, 4. Callum Mason, 5. Michael Norbury, 6. Adam Kay, 7. Gary Webster (capt), 8. Ashley Grayson, 9. Danny Williams, 10. Lee Hodgson, 11. Graham Wells. Subs: 12. George Walker (for Hodgson, 84), 14. Dean Randall (not used), 15. Danny Roberts (for Mason, 90+2), 16. Anthony Bedward (not used). <br /><br />Referee: A Smith<br />Assistants: P Wade and J Shaw.<br /><br />Goals:<br />0-1 Lee Hodgson (5)<br />0-2 Adam Kay (27)<br />1-2 Jourdan Blair (74)<br /><br />It is well known there are a number of clubs and sports catered for amongst the vast Lenton Lane playing fields and, with time on my hands before kick-off, took a walk to check out the others – Dunkirk FC, Bilborough Pelican FC and Notts Unity Casuals CC, University of Nottingham’s Grove Farm Sports Ground, the aforementioned Golf Centre and Pelican Colts FC’s Dave Eastwood Sports Ground. Bilborough Pelican were also at home and I purchased a Pelican FC lapel badge from their clubhouse but there was no programme issued.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ghhpogFlnQFmtkFwylzbRUXHsbXFpHxKP4cb5whFzQjWkteZ4TBOMekoYqJ0PbXdZIPPTRwltWVgJZAFRVjQK8qdEe4V_dAYZ88CmRUHaYAARtzB7ht0QSd8QP0vu904SO0YGW-o0zg/s1600-h/p20091031d.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ghhpogFlnQFmtkFwylzbRUXHsbXFpHxKP4cb5whFzQjWkteZ4TBOMekoYqJ0PbXdZIPPTRwltWVgJZAFRVjQK8qdEe4V_dAYZ88CmRUHaYAARtzB7ht0QSd8QP0vu904SO0YGW-o0zg/s400/p20091031d.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398852898871227266" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9dntY9oiznsCWdQJxEHWJS66iJhcyJWGgfLFFhLTg0bMbEMhuF60VYQU6fJCGVFwSUaDf_w8sUWw_sOA0Q4a8q84SoRy9tpWe68KqDIDFx8ECMswS1HLpTJ6sVdEgxuCLct7FvJBz30I/s1600-h/p20091031f.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9dntY9oiznsCWdQJxEHWJS66iJhcyJWGgfLFFhLTg0bMbEMhuF60VYQU6fJCGVFwSUaDf_w8sUWw_sOA0Q4a8q84SoRy9tpWe68KqDIDFx8ECMswS1HLpTJ6sVdEgxuCLct7FvJBz30I/s400/p20091031f.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398852895042580770" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdk-oQfdKZvMS0s-POhtgn-tVHIdUyX7tDdRS7C_Rs0CQNMorThcVkXv3NE21zyzuoNF7b2s8LvD46Cd-iTx8bwoMA_nMyNre5lI_xCKOGt382YLrHQsrfmlqmoFBjdC2oRVAOfplt2Jw/s1600-h/p20091031i.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdk-oQfdKZvMS0s-POhtgn-tVHIdUyX7tDdRS7C_Rs0CQNMorThcVkXv3NE21zyzuoNF7b2s8LvD46Cd-iTx8bwoMA_nMyNre5lI_xCKOGt382YLrHQsrfmlqmoFBjdC2oRVAOfplt2Jw/s400/p20091031i.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398852296460305890" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK1CPEFOl6uKahaQrWh5fe5ob1CxLeQ8QS9yNbEqmvs2Il3WAT2JEVLdTzz2JEmiVHJm2teqxMrjDZ0QOe-CGGDgyA2hlWiM7CGCu5jbWlKEssDYF5xUmrkvzu9GGaiAMjgogJNNiBX2I/s1600-h/p20091031j.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK1CPEFOl6uKahaQrWh5fe5ob1CxLeQ8QS9yNbEqmvs2Il3WAT2JEVLdTzz2JEmiVHJm2teqxMrjDZ0QOe-CGGDgyA2hlWiM7CGCu5jbWlKEssDYF5xUmrkvzu9GGaiAMjgogJNNiBX2I/s400/p20091031j.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398852294858485138" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiXYuVb47HZFtP3_G0QeK02qukxbu37W0OiuWGFvXKRwlBqWE8czL2UnR8ZdZimEBG8L5tsX3sXgV-x2bw_TXWXGWeUzUPsiFEk-sC0Tl3gsCixbuuC8sGxrfOhlU-I6BZ_rnATMzqZQE/s1600-h/p20091031k.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiXYuVb47HZFtP3_G0QeK02qukxbu37W0OiuWGFvXKRwlBqWE8czL2UnR8ZdZimEBG8L5tsX3sXgV-x2bw_TXWXGWeUzUPsiFEk-sC0Tl3gsCixbuuC8sGxrfOhlU-I6BZ_rnATMzqZQE/s400/p20091031k.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398852287571356706" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfEtaKVoidxWrdHQfNRrjyMgNeNrVYieonmDUTrNfAiAq0gj5fEQFBD70fILS0W-VQKC_b__2KwtAZ8tgYGvns0gaDnV2HaqaoefYW0z9_Ec9b7LMT_wqwim9Lb_ZKi5cZaUxaaGZAFfg/s1600-h/p20091031l.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfEtaKVoidxWrdHQfNRrjyMgNeNrVYieonmDUTrNfAiAq0gj5fEQFBD70fILS0W-VQKC_b__2KwtAZ8tgYGvns0gaDnV2HaqaoefYW0z9_Ec9b7LMT_wqwim9Lb_ZKi5cZaUxaaGZAFfg/s400/p20091031l.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398852127447373458" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2TQnmpyzIoFNqH3v6kgu5KZsmu9-6yD0n_hj68183eh0P41NbzmRQKjG3HIaACBkcWJVijziOUYB0yec8RZXoqsMhnMvRHynf4sFwbf2HUUUZ6cwu2kdzfm7h7nCbzzZ_HyakDqXbkLE/s1600-h/p20091031n.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2TQnmpyzIoFNqH3v6kgu5KZsmu9-6yD0n_hj68183eh0P41NbzmRQKjG3HIaACBkcWJVijziOUYB0yec8RZXoqsMhnMvRHynf4sFwbf2HUUUZ6cwu2kdzfm7h7nCbzzZ_HyakDqXbkLE/s400/p20091031n.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398852120134408226" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3110964708293437000.post-27824293117724468332009-10-24T23:59:00.010+01:002009-10-30T19:02:55.215+00:00Saturday 24th October 2009<strong>Wells City 1 Bridport 0<br />Toolstation League Division 1<br />At: Athletic Ground, Rowdens Road<br />Kick-off: 3-00 pm<br />Admission: £4; Programme: £1 (24 pages)<br />Attendance: 98<br />Weather: sunny, winndy, occasional showers<br />Duration: first-half: 46:27; second-half: 50:00</strong><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh04iO-4rpY4kKxGBJ00MHMTppQYHdpVWVBPz2Qv2Olj7nkJGIFGkWE252z07XfGm51sD_XPrlqYvF1IBJytHjBQPGUtZuiB_U3wZFJxBdN41sz9VHaRGEWSy5JZxrx5A854uUC6l6TsLY/s1600-h/p20091024a.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh04iO-4rpY4kKxGBJ00MHMTppQYHdpVWVBPz2Qv2Olj7nkJGIFGkWE252z07XfGm51sD_XPrlqYvF1IBJytHjBQPGUtZuiB_U3wZFJxBdN41sz9VHaRGEWSy5JZxrx5A854uUC6l6TsLY/s400/p20091024a.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396857350807622274" /></a><br />It’s FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round day but my bid to watch a game in each of the six qualifying round on a new ground came to an end at the final hurdle.<br /><br />We had long planned to be in Devon this weekend at the start of half-term, and when the draw was made my only FA Cup option was Truro City v Forest Green Rovers, as long as Truro won their Third Qualifying Round reply. Mangotsfield put a stop to that idea with a win on penalties so they instead hosted the Blue Square Premier side.<br /><br />No need for the violins, however, as a club I’d long wanted to visit, Wells City, were at home and, better still, were top of the league as well.<br /><br />I opened the curtains this morning to a worry sight – rain steadily falling and large puddles of water on the road outside. I contemplated the first ‘fun’ day of the season trying to find a match that was on? Would fate have me ending up at the FA Cup tie at Paulton, a ground I’d visited many years ago?<br /><br />Anyway, before setting off, I phoned Wells and got no reply which I assumed was good rather than bad news. I needn’t have worried as we arrived in the Cathedral City to sunshine and a perfect playing surface. We approached Wells up the A39 from Glastonbury and turned right onto East Somerset Way (A371 towards Shepton Mallet) at the roundabout next to R. Tincknell & Son. Rowdens Road was first left and the ground was at the end doubling back almost to the Glastonbury Road.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdfekxgXat1ejHGr9t-XBNFf8M6Y8iMicObx69QYAce_T8xrxBxsI81WV01usNPulzRAQTb2ZhyVKSW07_fbfS_7oI2co2IJCXiZozajceUIKPGEFfftr4uwdrQhyphenhyphenpnTMv8KFNCEwFLA0/s1600-h/p20091024c.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdfekxgXat1ejHGr9t-XBNFf8M6Y8iMicObx69QYAce_T8xrxBxsI81WV01usNPulzRAQTb2ZhyVKSW07_fbfS_7oI2co2IJCXiZozajceUIKPGEFfftr4uwdrQhyphenhyphenpnTMv8KFNCEwFLA0/s400/p20091024c.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397032964274139074" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivVYPSUkFjm7a7NENioqgCNuNPnHvrc7F6zpRqrucFgaRah8H-CXVPLzxT0xZfdBRv6fIV_KvhyphenhyphenIrten5t2S1iASc97Cx7XveLinj-8V3qu0KTle0GXjwC-idGFHSStMk3ISTA1bHYQf0/s1600-h/p20091024d.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivVYPSUkFjm7a7NENioqgCNuNPnHvrc7F6zpRqrucFgaRah8H-CXVPLzxT0xZfdBRv6fIV_KvhyphenhyphenIrten5t2S1iASc97Cx7XveLinj-8V3qu0KTle0GXjwC-idGFHSStMk3ISTA1bHYQf0/s400/p20091024d.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397032957080552738" /></a><br />With bags of time (which I thought might have been needed to find another game), we walked into the city centre, past the Star Hotel, where my mother-in-law and the father of Mrs ‘iwf’ stayed on honeymoon back in the fifties, to the Cathedral. I returned to the ground down Priory Road into a stiff wind that was to have an impact on the game.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-SKCbGTLuu8S9xrSl1ewM8upKnFZSf8jKH5yk3Tm5w0UH1nSle3sZeCWSc09i3c4dpdCeCOI6EXOaptTSS3-br0LKJ727OitJUHiQOK7S1z9U48K2HX0L38OMe9_p6T0GSDBI-rLhOBo/s1600-h/p20091024b.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-SKCbGTLuu8S9xrSl1ewM8upKnFZSf8jKH5yk3Tm5w0UH1nSle3sZeCWSc09i3c4dpdCeCOI6EXOaptTSS3-br0LKJ727OitJUHiQOK7S1z9U48K2HX0L38OMe9_p6T0GSDBI-rLhOBo/s400/p20091024b.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397032961705795346" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSwlgX4F31X0Ini0bepuxqz4LSSq3gK91hxBxoezCQuGO91S7U6nHohouuFRWEtHwICUNFvP9bpkdHU7MbvXePbUqlgkXO3vCHEAB33vc-i1j3ziGBRgCeG7PoX72JalSYpmYgOdkb1-U/s1600-h/p20091024f.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSwlgX4F31X0Ini0bepuxqz4LSSq3gK91hxBxoezCQuGO91S7U6nHohouuFRWEtHwICUNFvP9bpkdHU7MbvXePbUqlgkXO3vCHEAB33vc-i1j3ziGBRgCeG7PoX72JalSYpmYgOdkb1-U/s400/p20091024f.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397032773054236578" /></a><br /><br />The Athletic Ground at which Wells play is a multi-sport venue consisting of a large playing field. At the entrance I noticed a gate commemorating ‘Mary Bignal Rand 1960 1964’ and a plaque told of Mary Rand’s long jumping achievements including a world record at the Tokyo Olympics Games of 1964. There was a paybox where the matchday programme was available and the pitch (orientated north-south) ran lengthways occupying the left-hand side of a much larger recreation ground. All the facilities were down the far left-hand touchline with a seated stand – ‘The Mike Cornish Stand’ – on halfway, behind the dugouts, containing four rows of benches with individual places marked out for around 180 spectators. Veronica’s Teas was adjacent to the stand and I couldn’t resist tea in a proper yellow mug and slice of jam swiss roll. Alas no lapel badges were available.<br /><br />Before kick-off, I met fellow traveller ‘RS Cavendish’ and spent an enjoyable afternoon in his company. The home manager and referee provided the teamsheets but the line-ups were announced over the tannoy as well.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3dYuKI65AmhGI9-4B4T-USnBf8L_LnpX6z94ZhBViCz5dLMgdh3wm5fVLl52xATIQ-eL5PtARSMzzGK9g7h0n_Q6Pg5n8DbQKApDEl6smzSbnzG8EL-a5QLv9lqqGVr_izPdPKUv5G4E/s1600-h/p20091024i.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3dYuKI65AmhGI9-4B4T-USnBf8L_LnpX6z94ZhBViCz5dLMgdh3wm5fVLl52xATIQ-eL5PtARSMzzGK9g7h0n_Q6Pg5n8DbQKApDEl6smzSbnzG8EL-a5QLv9lqqGVr_izPdPKUv5G4E/s400/p20091024i.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397032766396039330" /></a><br />Before the game, the Wells squad had their team photo taken along with the shirt sponsor.<br /><br />As mentioned, Wells went into the game on top of Division 1 on 31 points from 13 games, three points clear of second-placed Westbury United who had three games in hand. They began the season unbeaten in their opening 13 league and cup games, winning all except for a draw against Minehead. In his programme column, the Wells manager Tim Moxey explained his team had suffered the ‘Manager of the Month’ curse as they spluttered this month, losing to both Gillingham and Elmore, after he picked up the September award. Last Saturday, Wells got back on track with a 2-0 win at lowly Chard.<br /><br />Visitors Bridport (11 points from 11 games) went into this game in 15th position in the 20-team division. Wells boss Moxey mentioned that the meeting between the teams at Bridport earlier in the season was a tight affair which was won by Wells with a single goal scored by Ian Howse.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYVaM-1OQU-A1aXtELtiKDOfF_tzkK2Lz1rn50Xuk3SvesWhYptRO6Q-w1EAkuJi34OeqPcZV6g2dWS8PVyeaat7_C0qr4N_tJkGCok94exRiyspnXeB7Ae6iwpAdKzrTtJWnpgggXdng/s1600-h/p20091024k.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYVaM-1OQU-A1aXtELtiKDOfF_tzkK2Lz1rn50Xuk3SvesWhYptRO6Q-w1EAkuJi34OeqPcZV6g2dWS8PVyeaat7_C0qr4N_tJkGCok94exRiyspnXeB7Ae6iwpAdKzrTtJWnpgggXdng/s400/p20091024k.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397032559330558818" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaZqv33A7BaVBvlXRhM7wmkvkMfkGu83ANI_VEaCOvlNNKJqQvDavsYKYU_HQRyaV7V1a0J1VjHxaCCM15GJwz8r-Fz61TVSzdP-hjQ98-9_OhZ8cAqSL4nqeKcJjK0JLLMqLA3sQUNDE/s1600-h/p20091024l.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaZqv33A7BaVBvlXRhM7wmkvkMfkGu83ANI_VEaCOvlNNKJqQvDavsYKYU_HQRyaV7V1a0J1VjHxaCCM15GJwz8r-Fz61TVSzdP-hjQ98-9_OhZ8cAqSL4nqeKcJjK0JLLMqLA3sQUNDE/s400/p20091024l.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397032554991632610" /></a><br />A local junior football team provided a guard of honour from the teams as they emerged from the changing rooms behind the match officials before exchanging handshakes lined up in front of the stand.<br /><br />I opted for a seat on the back row of the stand, alongside ‘RS C’ even though the near right corner was obscured by the changing rooms. Bridport (wearing red and black striped shirts, black shorts and socks) got the game underway defending the Rowdens Road end in the first half and attacking into the strong wind.<br /><br />The game’s major talking point came with barely five minutes on the clock. Steve Murray saw a low shot, fired from outside the area, hit the arm of defender Chris Senior who had flung himself in the way of the ball. The referee pointed to the spot and Murray fired home the opening and, as it turned out, match-winning goal, timed in the 6th minute.<br /><br />Chances were extremely scare as Wells (wearing blue shirts, blue shorts and white socks) did most of the attacking with the aid of the wind. They won several corners that came to nothing and, midway through the half, Bridport keeper Simon Evans got down to hold a low left-foot shot from Jake Brown hit from the right side of the area.<br /><br />The home side were inches away from doubling their lead on the half hour. Steve Sokol hit a thunderous shot which hit the inside of the left-hand post and rebounded across the face of goal.<br /><br />Bridport created their first decent chance in the 37th minute. Hesitancy in the Wells defence allowed Senior, up with attack following a free-kick, to get in a right foot shot which keeper Terry Punchard blocked. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh36l_t6dMfM9vHlH-4kFE9_iG8-BhrwO7UNEInnCSnYIdPdXoHAqNcQ00kXF0g2YlT476BHWjz_lngFbIpf09uE4YCM_jMvuz6T-aUrem_DKUeBPilDh9gCHKF1rP7DGkcTLoWhN-jfzg/s1600-h/p20091024j.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh36l_t6dMfM9vHlH-4kFE9_iG8-BhrwO7UNEInnCSnYIdPdXoHAqNcQ00kXF0g2YlT476BHWjz_lngFbIpf09uE4YCM_jMvuz6T-aUrem_DKUeBPilDh9gCHKF1rP7DGkcTLoWhN-jfzg/s400/p20091024j.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397032564024908722" /></a><br />After staying put and chatting to ‘RS C’ at half time, the second half soon got underway and Bridport had another chance five minutes after the resumption. Shane Evans got into the area down the left and pulled the ball back for Wise who couldn’t keep his shot down. Roger Cummins was unlucky to narrowly miss the target with an acrobatic overhead kick which deserved better.<br /><br />I wondered if Bridport were going to equalise, especially when Punchard did well on the hour to tip over a rising long-range drive from Senior. <br /><br />Drizzle started to fall, briefly, and play was momentarily halted when a blue umbrella was blown onto the pitch from the far side.<br /><br />Senior was booked in the 68th minute for a foul on Jack Malone, who was able to continue after treatment, and three minutes later Mat Condliffe saw yellow as well for dissent.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwwhZqtJtWGqjl9o_Z6PtqEGCqhgVGAXXhbmsrw7ODnXt0-4M36-iO-wdMGPDvhbVM0pZdj_sfQYD4oX5oUdjMzFfoYS59HmWBVphUKhE1XFWM9g0_EVksE0gGpAkDf-EjNDTRrWssYCc/s1600-h/p20091024m.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwwhZqtJtWGqjl9o_Z6PtqEGCqhgVGAXXhbmsrw7ODnXt0-4M36-iO-wdMGPDvhbVM0pZdj_sfQYD4oX5oUdjMzFfoYS59HmWBVphUKhE1XFWM9g0_EVksE0gGpAkDf-EjNDTRrWssYCc/s400/p20091024m.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397032549960668498" /></a><br />Bridport boss Trevor Senior made a change in the 73rd minute when Carl Bulman replaced Alan Hill, just before a rare Wells chance fell to Ian Howse but Simon Evans made a comfortable save.<br /><br />Wells brought on Dan Jenkins, in his distinctive yellow boots, in place of Murray in the 75th minute and two minutes later Wells midfielder Ross McErlain picked up a booking for a foul on Wise.<br /><br />Still hoping for an equaliser, manager Senior asked the near-by assistant how long was left. “11 minutes came the reply,” and the boss made a second substitution in the 82nd minute, replacing Shane Evans with Dom McAllister.<br /><br />Bridport continued to press forward in search of the elusive equaliser, without success and had to return home with Dorset with a narrow defeat. Wells defender Mark Randall was booked for handball in stoppage time (90+3 minutes).<br /><br />Unknown to me sat on the back row of the stand, the lights had been switched on sometime during the game - the nights are certainly drawing in especially with the clocks going back tonight!<br /><br /><strong>Wells City</strong> (blue/blue/white): 1. Terry Punchard, 2. Jack Malone, 3. Mark Randall, 4. Jamie Gowers, 5. Kyle McErlain (capt), 6. Nathan Truckle, 7. Steve Sokol, 8. Ross McErlain, 9. Ian Howse, 10. Jake Brown, 11. Steve Murray. Subs: 12. Steve Osgood, 14. Steve Griffin, 15. Dan Jenkins (for Murray, 75).<br /><br /><strong>Bridport</strong> (red and black stripes / black / black): 1. Simon Evans, 2. Alan Hill, 3. Matt Condliffe, 4. Chris Clarke, 5. Chris Senior, 6. Ryan Hayter (capt), 7. Tom Coggins, 8. Dan Wise, 9. Ashley Clarke, 10. Shane Evans, 11. Roger Cummins. Subs: 12. Carl Bulman (for Hill, 73), 14. Dom McAllister (for Shane Evans, 82), 15. Trevor Senior.<br /><br />Referee: I Harley.<br />Assistants: P Bell and P Mawhood.<br /><br />Goals:<br />1-0 Steve Murray (6 pen)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjabfR15fs8Qn0XipwOEmhFkyospIw_G-DEGDx3kySTj4hJYt47u_XJJt04WT9f-w2i0Zo4G2MV1lps3USkyn95NFuIzRt6j7OrFmREn__O-2KLNPh-hpSXuOIxu4dGPIMOUfS9U-Z9h8g/s1600-h/p20091024e.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjabfR15fs8Qn0XipwOEmhFkyospIw_G-DEGDx3kySTj4hJYt47u_XJJt04WT9f-w2i0Zo4G2MV1lps3USkyn95NFuIzRt6j7OrFmREn__O-2KLNPh-hpSXuOIxu4dGPIMOUfS9U-Z9h8g/s400/p20091024e.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397032774897767634" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuKFp3cgmB6MgOpxr-QlDr_Vw-4ux0Ce6eNp6iPBy7qijM1yLORKFwaaRb4dB8HVUMlJSSACg0IUR-aqfiGek8fLLT1kOhyphenhyphenbUUd6I4XmZzEyfzdvDNZLoEUn3R-p7S0kWowXzZXZWr-II/s1600-h/p20091024g.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuKFp3cgmB6MgOpxr-QlDr_Vw-4ux0Ce6eNp6iPBy7qijM1yLORKFwaaRb4dB8HVUMlJSSACg0IUR-aqfiGek8fLLT1kOhyphenhyphenbUUd6I4XmZzEyfzdvDNZLoEUn3R-p7S0kWowXzZXZWr-II/s400/p20091024g.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397032774245239298" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0cbC9Q-wbR_na-Ey728wmLonPMvL3nBDre2SvsNMn8faWZe_i8v1DbMb2JtNNmqF-dDkyhIMXIDvvK5q-5nt54oOT3xZyF53DH9sM8IGpWascNsWvqCk1AI_185FaTLciQ5U9aj8XAPQ/s1600-h/p20091024h.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0cbC9Q-wbR_na-Ey728wmLonPMvL3nBDre2SvsNMn8faWZe_i8v1DbMb2JtNNmqF-dDkyhIMXIDvvK5q-5nt54oOT3xZyF53DH9sM8IGpWascNsWvqCk1AI_185FaTLciQ5U9aj8XAPQ/s400/p20091024h.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397032767785074178" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ZC6TGNRbXV8OPtUx3gKHESMP15fljaos_Y1tzqCBMPdEnbjQRIpgdm3LGWZAKTdKrYCWq0PtjFfza2HxNTFlla4HyD44H37GhXf_spiAYSG_SYut6AtBMGgSEmMfknByj2PZxSjITc8/s1600-h/p20091024n.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ZC6TGNRbXV8OPtUx3gKHESMP15fljaos_Y1tzqCBMPdEnbjQRIpgdm3LGWZAKTdKrYCWq0PtjFfza2HxNTFlla4HyD44H37GhXf_spiAYSG_SYut6AtBMGgSEmMfknByj2PZxSjITc8/s400/p20091024n.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397032549590275602" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3110964708293437000.post-36151355549924235312009-10-20T23:59:00.005+01:002009-10-30T19:03:31.823+00:00Tuesday 20th October 2009<strong>Heathtown Rangers 5 Lye Town 0<br />West Midlands (Regional) League Premier Division<br />At: Cottage Ground<br />Kick-off: 7-45 pm<br />Admission: £4; Programme: £1-50 (20 pages)<br />Attendance: 20 (headcount)<br />Weather: mild, occasional drizzle<br />Duration: first-half: 45:31; second-half: 47:42</strong><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8LWGSrvxTVbm01R_6idPV4kGSjdrhAOSfRaS0V_vefdQXGSEMUWv6ZH7wCeKKzvmVdVR6TjMmETHRhW083JM_VKbwy3dtNB0qgarztg1GEvYgzNP8YZtAB9-T_rVwlUO20cE9CD2VNaU/s1600-h/p20091020a.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8LWGSrvxTVbm01R_6idPV4kGSjdrhAOSfRaS0V_vefdQXGSEMUWv6ZH7wCeKKzvmVdVR6TjMmETHRhW083JM_VKbwy3dtNB0qgarztg1GEvYgzNP8YZtAB9-T_rVwlUO20cE9CD2VNaU/s400/p20091020a.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394966623021862242" /></a><br />There are quite a few groundsharers in the West Midlands (Regional) League and one of them is Heathtown Rangers, who play home games at Wednesfield’s Cottage Ground on Amos Lane.<br /><br />So, tonight’s Premier Division game fell into the category of a ‘bracketed tick’ where I saw Heathtown play a home game for the first time on a ground I’d previously visited. Admittedly my previous two visits to the Cottage Ground were over 20 years ago both to see Wednesfield play a home WMRL game – first against Harrisons in 1987 and then against Stourport Swifts in May 1989.<br /><br />Programmes were on sale at the entrance to the ground and I was interested to read the history of Heathtown Rangers, particularly its origins. The club owes its roots to the local lock industry and were formerly known as Chubb Sports FC. When the Chubb factory closed down, which resulted in the pitches being sold for housing, the present name was chosen by the players who also designed the club’s badge in 2001. Heathtown joined the West Midlands League from the Bilston League in 2005 and swiftly moved from Division 2 to the Premier Division with immediate back-to-back promotions. Last season, their first in the Premier, saw them finish in a creditable eighth position. Previously, Heathtown played home Bilston League games at Fallings Park.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPu3AT57MBasv0XR1SyRKXUylVihI0zPjroaCMChGJw3Xz6Br61ToKg1vz5ihpel_zJnmNKkLZSilEOwb_k19kiPqpqnLQ8K3keYvjy5KtVTXGgz1rI5el9wfWbGosh-CWZJkHF98Sjtc/s1600-h/p20091020c.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 99px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPu3AT57MBasv0XR1SyRKXUylVihI0zPjroaCMChGJw3Xz6Br61ToKg1vz5ihpel_zJnmNKkLZSilEOwb_k19kiPqpqnLQ8K3keYvjy5KtVTXGgz1rI5el9wfWbGosh-CWZJkHF98Sjtc/s400/p20091020c.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394965819164997826" /></a><br />I approached the Cottage Ground via the southbound A460 towards Wolverhampton from M54 Junction 1. Next to the Pear Tree pub, there was a left turn into Pear Tree Lane (B4484) and the ground entrance was one mile ahead on the left just past Cottage Close, having gone straight on at the two roundabouts. Pear Tree Lane by the way became Lower Knowle Lane and then Amos Lane.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh04aYXVjhCTgaD6Egf2-dVG2RmCptrwH8xYR3bLwNH00j9sq3saBk9UTCszZwZcPW-F14na3-dXG_erl6SSbTl4MUycaoh03rTl6g7tXhX2qoI9YfPXBgVGlyQKhKuezc3oIzcADlGiMs/s1600-h/p20091020b.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh04aYXVjhCTgaD6Egf2-dVG2RmCptrwH8xYR3bLwNH00j9sq3saBk9UTCszZwZcPW-F14na3-dXG_erl6SSbTl4MUycaoh03rTl6g7tXhX2qoI9YfPXBgVGlyQKhKuezc3oIzcADlGiMs/s400/p20091020b.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394966617781806610" /></a><br />Through the gates, the pitch ran lengthways beyond a small training pitch with Wednesfield’s clubhouse, changing rooms and hospitality room all behind the far goal. Down the near left-hand touchline on halfway was a stand containing six rows of benches with individual numbered places marked out. Opposite were the dugouts spaced about 200 yards apart either side of the halfway line.<br /><br />Both sides went into the game on 12 points in a lowly league position in the 21-team division. Heathtown, having played 15 games, occupied 18th position and were one position below visitors Lye Town who had played three games less.<br /><br />I had a chat with the club official manning the entrance, who incidentally knew the Stafford Rangers Chairman Jon Downing, and he told me about Saturday’s home game against Darlaston (lost 3-0) when the Heathtown keeper was sent off early on.<br /><br />Heathtown was a welcoming club, as were the Lye officials as well, and I obtained the team line-up from the hospitality room as well as a cup of tea.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgehyphenhyphenjPAuc4wvX7Dq96ud8MHxuAiOZNrW6lS6AOcRfon1Hh015huVBZPIi1t5l8qEXdOxFh2_fOEpUvx1VOSs1cSDcsbPUz5f_FPdMlrBNL2xuSExdODLeeUUizenPXqIsLfygolyO9CIc/s1600-h/p20091020i.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgehyphenhyphenjPAuc4wvX7Dq96ud8MHxuAiOZNrW6lS6AOcRfon1Hh015huVBZPIi1t5l8qEXdOxFh2_fOEpUvx1VOSs1cSDcsbPUz5f_FPdMlrBNL2xuSExdODLeeUUizenPXqIsLfygolyO9CIc/s400/p20091020i.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394965475714172386" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMqWUbn0RmN2048-Swj8jRk1wXjtHZrDRwhI8vXEOOK5hiXHHrnMxdAggoJwgeMm0Mo9Q83hWTYj6pF-TiZgaANnuqJlEJF8SQmw30OdymECIXz4GHXFm2BO-ZDD-xvzcYpHigjrxp670/s1600-h/p20091020j.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMqWUbn0RmN2048-Swj8jRk1wXjtHZrDRwhI8vXEOOK5hiXHHrnMxdAggoJwgeMm0Mo9Q83hWTYj6pF-TiZgaANnuqJlEJF8SQmw30OdymECIXz4GHXFm2BO-ZDD-xvzcYpHigjrxp670/s400/p20091020j.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394965474489632082" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvrYhI5npETS1A6eirj5Lg72mmKrIBvmSHfocONygcHuXcmMz5qfs7KnwLmZgXQHh83ENKaQIFEWd1B6_E-gjKXC2pUXV85pDHUOJPsYtZnLt92ajVCGmndCXCb0p5dTkJryHUANGocgc/s1600-h/p20091020k.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvrYhI5npETS1A6eirj5Lg72mmKrIBvmSHfocONygcHuXcmMz5qfs7KnwLmZgXQHh83ENKaQIFEWd1B6_E-gjKXC2pUXV85pDHUOJPsYtZnLt92ajVCGmndCXCb0p5dTkJryHUANGocgc/s400/p20091020k.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394965472320428370" /></a><br />I was the only person sat down when the teams exchanged fair-play handshakes in from of what one person on the field described as the ‘packed stand’. I’d like to think they appreciated my presence. I opted for position 107 in the third row and soon was joined by others.<br /><br />As the official had told me earlier, this game was a real ‘six-pointer’ as the winning side had the opportunity to put some daylight between themselves and the bottom two clubs Bromyard on seven points and Shawbury on four points.<br /><br />“Big and strong all round,” urged the Lye captain, “we’ve got the wind with us.” He also told his side to be aware of the “short pitch”.<br /><br />Heathtown (wearing blue shirts with white sleeves, blue shorts and socks) got the game underway attacking towards the Amos Lane end into the wind and took the lead with just 58 seconds on the clock. Lye keeper Matthew Jones spilled Paul Harris’ initial shot and John Holdcroft slotted home the loose ball by the left-hand post.<br /><br />It got even better for the home side with a second goal scored in the 12th minute, and with the help of an error from Matthew Jones. This time, the keeper failed to hold a low right-wing cross delivered by Michael Flavell and Holdcroft again got forward to slot home at close range.<br /><br />Lye (in yellow shirts, green shorts and socks) quickly got forward and Andrew Morris made a brave block at the feet of the onrushing Mathew Poyner. The visitors won a corner from which Darren Field rose to head wide.<br /><br />Lye skipper Danny Adams prevented a third goal with a saving tackle on Harris to prevent the striker having a clear shot on goal.<br /><br />Just before the half-hour mark, hesitancy in the Heathtown defence prevented a chance for Jimmy Darcy and Andrew Morris produced a diving save to turn round a well-struck 25-yard right-foot shot. The diving keeper did well again to keep out a curling right-footer from Brett McGilliam at the expense of a corner.<br /><br />Heathtown moved further ahead in the 41st minute with a third goal. Harris found space inside the area on the right and smashed a low shot into the near bottom corner from 15 yards out.<br /><br />Before the interval, Lye were inches away from making inroads into the deficit. Poyner’s lob cleared Andrew Morris but agonisingly dropped just over the bar. The same player also sent a 30-yard drive just wide of the target as well.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIppOrWK0Ikh_iaorYy-eRcy5LNjCHABLxKRTEEzsAx8WyTP4JczqhMHXy_6xG0BzysORyIyVXBT7Yahk4Rb6Fw6ayek7JkMalsFXOIj43BZpB-sDbm0IM4RL8NFEBz3knwhZve9HUXp4/s1600-h/p20091020l.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIppOrWK0Ikh_iaorYy-eRcy5LNjCHABLxKRTEEzsAx8WyTP4JczqhMHXy_6xG0BzysORyIyVXBT7Yahk4Rb6Fw6ayek7JkMalsFXOIj43BZpB-sDbm0IM4RL8NFEBz3knwhZve9HUXp4/s400/p20091020l.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394965466633614354" /></a><br />I popped back into the hospitality room at the interval for another tea (I settled my debt from earlier caused by a lack of change on my part) before returning to the stand, this time into position 186 on the fifth row.<br /><br />Heathtown got forward after the resumption and Flavell was given the time and space to charge down the middle before unleashing a powerful shot which flew past the left-hand post.<br /><br />A quick spate of booking started in the 54th minute when Lye’s Field received a yellow card for chopping down John Cordy. A minute later Heathtown’s Nathan Jones was booked for a needless deliberate handball inside the Lye area and Cordy followed his teammate into the book in the 57th minute for a late tackle on Adam Cross.<br /><br />Lye changed their forward line in the 63rd minute when Ash Greenaway replaced Adam Meacham but it was Heathtown who next found the net with their fourth goal scored three minutes later. Harris stayed onside to latch onto a pass played out to the left by Flavell and crossed low into the area. Nathan Jones was perfectly placed to fire home at the far post.<br /><br />The visitors made a second change in the 71st minute. Meacham’s strike partner Poyner also went off and on came Adam Wooldridge. But ‘lightning’ did strike twice as Heathtown found the net within 34 seconds of the substitution. A slip by Tony Arnold just inside his own half allowed Flavell to run all the way to the area where he fired an angled low left-foot shot into the opposite bottom right corner.<br /><br />Before the game restarted after the goal, Cordy went off for Heathtown and on came James McKerdy. Harris picked up a booking for preventing Lye from taking a quick free-kick in the 75th minute and two minutes later both sides made a further substitution; Lye brought on Mark Whitehouse in place of Mathew Foster and Leon Spence replaced Matthew Jones for Heathtown.<br /><br />Bookings continued in what was anything but a dirty game. Skipper Leon Pugh talked his way into a yellow card after impeding the progress of Arnold inside the home ‘D’. The resulting free-kick, taken by Cross, flicked the four-man wall and then the top of the bar as well.<br /><br />Lye didn’t stop looking for a goal and almost got one in the 84th minute. Whitehouse fed Greenaway who saw a low shot parried by the diving Andrew Morris. The ball went out as the keeper attempted to recover the loose ball and to the frustration of the visitors, the nearby assistant signalled a goal kick.<br /><br />The arrival of Ryan Nash in the 87th minute wrapped up the evening’s substitution when he replaced home striker Flavell.<br /><br />There was time for one chance. McKerdy battled on the edge of the Lye area to get in a shot which Matthew Jones kept out with his leg at the expense of a corner.<br /><br />Deep into stoppage time, Heathtown won a final corner which, despite winning 5-0, they decided to keep in the corner. I suppose I prevented any change of spoiling the clean sheet.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMxxV2XsEuvrqWXnUR3DONn8FCWYRH3mxdzcHEkYPhtY3bcaUvSN-gFXn5mq_DDnPymlBuod3bJZ26YAv8SnSmRtZrrVF0pMu_U97Q_b8zkttMXbyX4iFb8E0TRFNoRWigfG3lZrEELEw/s1600-h/p20091020h.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMxxV2XsEuvrqWXnUR3DONn8FCWYRH3mxdzcHEkYPhtY3bcaUvSN-gFXn5mq_DDnPymlBuod3bJZ26YAv8SnSmRtZrrVF0pMu_U97Q_b8zkttMXbyX4iFb8E0TRFNoRWigfG3lZrEELEw/s400/p20091020h.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394965480741606818" /></a><br /><strong>Heathtown Rangers</strong> (blue with white sleeves / blue / blue): 1. Andrew Morris, 2. Nathan Cain, 3. Leon Pugh (capt), 4. Gavin Harvey, 5. Daniel Lloyd, 6. John Holdcroft, 7. Nathan Jones, 8. John Cordy, 9. Paul Harris, 10. Michael Flavell, 11. Ryan Jones. Subs: 12. Leon Spence (for Jones, 78), 14. Ryan Nash (for Flavell, 87), 15. James McKerdy (for Cordy, 72), 16. Craig Quinn, 17. Tom Griffiths. Manager: Lea Cain.<br /><br /><strong>Lye Town</strong> (yellow/green/green): 1. Matthew Jones, 2. Tony Arnold, 3. Mathew Foster, 4. Adam Cross, 5. Darren Field, 6. Danny Adams (capt), 7. Mark Hill, 8. Jimmy Darby, 9. Mathew Poyner, 10. Adam Meacham, 11. Brett McGilliam. Subs: 12. Adam Wooldridge (for Poyner, 71), 14. Mark Whitehouse (for Foster, 78), 15. Ash Greenaway (for Meacham, 63), 16. Mark Bache. Manager: Mark Bache.<br /><br />Referee: A Luckett.<br /><br />Goals:<br />1-0 John Holdcroft (1)<br />2-0 John Holdcroft (12)<br />3-0 Paul Harris (41)<br />4-0 Nathan Jones (66)<br />5-0 Michael Flavell (72)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkuRWEBBFw-iR7ajtUNRMoDj86tB54r_JoI_r2a6MZJieN1m8YbAlR18Q_0rdAaa7rQIBqtz19tB0g079cAYuUWp05s3-K7Dfq0k6SRMYqtIG_JLu_TcfPU-xDWBc5HkS9VSEpXuVl_0Y/s1600-h/p20091020d.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkuRWEBBFw-iR7ajtUNRMoDj86tB54r_JoI_r2a6MZJieN1m8YbAlR18Q_0rdAaa7rQIBqtz19tB0g079cAYuUWp05s3-K7Dfq0k6SRMYqtIG_JLu_TcfPU-xDWBc5HkS9VSEpXuVl_0Y/s400/p20091020d.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394965818701172642" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfOyY5iNAW9AfgwRgbl8WFRm4FB1_tZLBMNe9iRcljCqMUrIAZ-VP3W9TUNJj8IZKirUHJ8ZL_35PSJpt6GTUpMEsm0BLSF3STFNZO3NBtUZLHTa0RdaWLu38ZFc6HDCj7jL1t0SvrzI8/s1600-h/p20091020e.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfOyY5iNAW9AfgwRgbl8WFRm4FB1_tZLBMNe9iRcljCqMUrIAZ-VP3W9TUNJj8IZKirUHJ8ZL_35PSJpt6GTUpMEsm0BLSF3STFNZO3NBtUZLHTa0RdaWLu38ZFc6HDCj7jL1t0SvrzI8/s400/p20091020e.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394965817093343090" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBxMBXN3BNb3O80bmQkfZmVJvWo3nt5TLvIIXiLnSBpRwd7a9gGl4O-Ji9klp_jz0CdyOfw37U_Nb5b181uidZQDLTJ_vR40T5AxJGK3FuZIrc_aSzY9WvrVWG7GaiO5-GCCMVxgfucm4/s1600-h/p20091020f.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBxMBXN3BNb3O80bmQkfZmVJvWo3nt5TLvIIXiLnSBpRwd7a9gGl4O-Ji9klp_jz0CdyOfw37U_Nb5b181uidZQDLTJ_vR40T5AxJGK3FuZIrc_aSzY9WvrVWG7GaiO5-GCCMVxgfucm4/s400/p20091020f.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394965806854899586" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoYS8KwE5Inb0vvRMccJymRxO2VEJDKDkQHFNukTec2tB6LBAhnL-5xHUGlVXbUeHLZ5x7A-izStzkAVE64tFJgC2QCs4IeTHWmHXVBN6AlM8UDLgL-17kW3Vzkf1BJxHzWtcev1oh6mY/s1600-h/p20091020g.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoYS8KwE5Inb0vvRMccJymRxO2VEJDKDkQHFNukTec2tB6LBAhnL-5xHUGlVXbUeHLZ5x7A-izStzkAVE64tFJgC2QCs4IeTHWmHXVBN6AlM8UDLgL-17kW3Vzkf1BJxHzWtcev1oh6mY/s400/p20091020g.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394965802402319650" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3110964708293437000.post-41106326048021656532009-10-17T23:59:00.009+01:002009-10-22T19:19:44.014+01:00Saturday 17th October 2009<strong>Ellesmere Rangers 3 Wolverhampton Casuals 1<br />West Midlands (Regional) League Premier Division<br />At: Beech Grove<br />Kick-off: 3-00 pm<br />Admission: £3; Programme: £1 (36 pages)<br />Attendance: 80 (headcount)<br />Weather: mild, sunny<br />Duration: first-half: 46:46; second-half: 48:14</strong><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSVfKnwa5S_pYNI8Ketc-yPiq25iixsYFbTLx5BUYAcVtCmwO1Q6k59CYswTdvm91ADEdodF9wKxiYRnUgp5TgN_DEPDq7pPDgSYeEYyMSw81du291zPC8ugKbQ2mDMWfj0JN8DeKdVwg/s1600-h/p20091017a.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSVfKnwa5S_pYNI8Ketc-yPiq25iixsYFbTLx5BUYAcVtCmwO1Q6k59CYswTdvm91ADEdodF9wKxiYRnUgp5TgN_DEPDq7pPDgSYeEYyMSw81du291zPC8ugKbQ2mDMWfj0JN8DeKdVwg/s400/p20091017a.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393865586536993986" /></a><br />I learned quite a bit following the recent trip to Retford about what sort of places to take Junior ‘iwf’. We both felt that, even though Retford was a good place to visit, it was a touch too far to travel.<br /><br />Today Mrs ‘iwf’ was enjoying the delights of a scenic railtour to Carlisle out via the Settle and Carlisle line and back via the Cumbrian coast line. So, once again, Junior was with me. We opted for a short journey and she chose West Midlands League leaders Ellesmere against midtable Wolves Casuals for the shortlist I offered.<br /><br />On the way, we talked about the difference between an ‘optimist’ and a ‘realist’. For this game, an ‘optimist’ would think Casuals had a chance of at least a point while the ‘realist’ would be certain of three points for Ellesmere come full time.<br /><br />The 47-mile journey took us via Newport and Whitchurch before an unexpected twist – we crossed into Wales a few miles west of Whitchurch before returning to England along the A495 before reaching Ellesmere. We passed the famous Mere and then through the town centre before following Oswestry signed (still A495) before turning right into Trimpley Street (B5058 signed St Martins). It was left into Cambria Avenue and the ground entrance was clearly signed on the right just after the crossroads.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx12lpGAFoE8xi5Yb3rJU_Tp3cBhQczjg8YWxD4Klg2V6iI9aW0hi0KuRl0a9ezbot5g-M52nc2DBPDZOpcmPAwYzVVnHJtgQ-nLXFk3v-rbQKt4eXhFXK28c8HnFExR8CS3_6OkNgJtk/s1600-h/p20091017b.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx12lpGAFoE8xi5Yb3rJU_Tp3cBhQczjg8YWxD4Klg2V6iI9aW0hi0KuRl0a9ezbot5g-M52nc2DBPDZOpcmPAwYzVVnHJtgQ-nLXFk3v-rbQKt4eXhFXK28c8HnFExR8CS3_6OkNgJtk/s400/p20091017b.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394249804122426914" /></a><br />A short drive between houses led to a large recreation ground and we parked on the left facing the grass before the clubhouse. There were three pitches, one straight ahead running lengthways and two on the right running widthways with the enclosed Ellesmere ground being the nearest of the latter two. A metal fence with tarpaulin-like material attached separated it from the rest of the recreation ground and made sure no one could watch without paying!<br /><br />The turnstile was on the far side of the clubhouse and a decent programme was on sale there for £1. Admission prices were prominently displayed – £3 for me and £1 for Junior. Through into the ground, the pitch (orientated south-east–north-west) ran widthways to the right. Adjacent to this near corner was the adjoining clubhouse/tea bar and changing rooms building. On halfway down the near touchline was the stand with covered standing and around 109 individual tip-up seats in four rows. Opposite were the dugouts wither side on the halfway line.<br /><br />We felt warmly welcomed in the tea bar. We didn’t spot the ‘golden arches’ on the way so Junior was pleased with here chips and also a club badge for £3 prominantly featuring a white swan. The home Secretary took time to lend me the teamsheets even though the line-ups were going to be announced over the tannoy.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkZ52jSwCmIjXHg2gTDITzXBA-5vC9_3kCnQe7tBdSYKjgaohx-RLxtWZ0cVpkO-WR1xSHlp605e3H_FehWSoCsRzZcchl5473R4eSarOiEwCUdAoO9UsoKY_KuTbD_cN30MUNvPO8Y0k/s1600-h/p20091017i.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkZ52jSwCmIjXHg2gTDITzXBA-5vC9_3kCnQe7tBdSYKjgaohx-RLxtWZ0cVpkO-WR1xSHlp605e3H_FehWSoCsRzZcchl5473R4eSarOiEwCUdAoO9UsoKY_KuTbD_cN30MUNvPO8Y0k/s400/p20091017i.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395489247190773554" /></a><br />The programme cover acknowledges the fact that 2009 is Ellesmere’s 40th anniversary and next month both an Anniversary Party and Sportsman’s Dinner with Lee Sharpe are being held to commemorate the milestone. Ellesmere are nicknamed the ‘Swans’.<br /><br />Also included was a league table which showed Ellesmere (29 points from 23 games) on top of the table, one point better off than Shropshire rivals Ludlow Town, with just one league defeat. Visitors Wolverhampton Casuals occuplied 14th position with 13 points from their 12 games.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH4kG2It64jp1hBEkL0SAyWPoHBbM_dc22Sf4Zk1c3hwUx7QkJAlUToLVVzKhgoJFhxVJ-_EqrCp6Q4bZeWqKwZZ9fLUIe_UM58RCMYHHJNXydxZ11uQWUrN1oAMAwX_aG2EGD42rDHT0/s1600-h/p20091017d.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH4kG2It64jp1hBEkL0SAyWPoHBbM_dc22Sf4Zk1c3hwUx7QkJAlUToLVVzKhgoJFhxVJ-_EqrCp6Q4bZeWqKwZZ9fLUIe_UM58RCMYHHJNXydxZ11uQWUrN1oAMAwX_aG2EGD42rDHT0/s400/p20091017d.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394249790475985730" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgStUZN2j8QyBqQpQTAF4d-oLkIreRA8WTZln14OuKRuXesj1guvGggN9kU2IBpUs0TmpYnVeyxdE2mJroVDxx3a6sTrBZwythNeC8YgrYeZZD75bEaY-fnDEPUMgaCiBQ82pJnxRIOrO8/s1600-h/p20091017e.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgStUZN2j8QyBqQpQTAF4d-oLkIreRA8WTZln14OuKRuXesj1guvGggN9kU2IBpUs0TmpYnVeyxdE2mJroVDxx3a6sTrBZwythNeC8YgrYeZZD75bEaY-fnDEPUMgaCiBQ82pJnxRIOrO8/s400/p20091017e.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394249784035989554" /></a><br />We opted for seats on the back row, numbers 81 and 82, and saw Ellesmere get the game underway attacking from left to right towards the far end. Within a minute, the raffle ticket seller reached us – would strip 861–865 be lucky?<br /><br />As expected, the league leaders made a dominant start and soon Casuals’ keeper Steve Booth was called into action to turn a right-foot shot round the left post with a diving save. Danny Barton headed over at close range from the resulting corner.<br /><br />A fan sat near us with a radio provided an early update of scores elsewhere – Lewis Neal with the first goal of the day and an own goal by Zat Knight.<br /><br />The ball had been mostly in the Casuals half until the visitors got forward in the 13th minute to take the lead very much against the run of play. Anton Daley inside the area received a pass from Mark Walpe and saw an initial shot blocked. The rebound fell to Luke Tudor, wearing three but playing on the left side of midfield, who fired low into the bottom-left corner. Junior said to me that the ‘optimist’ was right so far!<br /><br />Casuals grew in confidence and Rangers keeper Andy Mulliner turned round a good effort from unmarked Mark Webb.<br /><br />The worried fans to our right had something to cheer when defender Mark Walpe sliced an attempted clearance straight out for a throw.<br /><br />Booth was again called into action in the 23rd minute. Ian Rowlands exchanged a one-two with Andy Ford down the right and the former delivered a dangerous low cross which the keeper got down well to cut out.<br /><br />“Arsenal 2 Birmingham 0,” was the latest from the Emirates. I predicted a 1-0 scoreline, which now couldn’t happen, so I hoped Arsenal would stay in front to give me a correctly predicted home win.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2F2F9wPN87YpvWN0_MsPff4OX4rVk-Qol0ezyQaGKNr_1TgSmCiBif-PtzuXneGIUa1qiTR5-YOcDOxlXDG22A9z-pbdZSaldo6y8V9_pXahQf19q_HNQKgHYjw0jkK_mu9Uymaw4mbw/s1600-h/p20091017f.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2F2F9wPN87YpvWN0_MsPff4OX4rVk-Qol0ezyQaGKNr_1TgSmCiBif-PtzuXneGIUa1qiTR5-YOcDOxlXDG22A9z-pbdZSaldo6y8V9_pXahQf19q_HNQKgHYjw0jkK_mu9Uymaw4mbw/s400/p20091017f.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395489411879595122" /></a><br />Kenny Paul fired across the face of the Casuals goal before Ellesmere got back on level terms in the 29th minute. Following a foul by Matt Turner on the Ellesmere right, Andy Reeve delivered a free-kick into a populated area and Barton rose to power home a header. The ‘realist’ must have been pleased!<br /><br />The home side were on a roll. Rowlands did well out on the right and got in a goalbound shot that was blocked by Jon Clarke. The resulting corner fell to Scott Graham at the far post who went for goal. Adam Edmunds got hurt putting his body in the way though was able to continue after treatment.<br /><br />However, a fine reaction save from Mulliner prevented Casuals from regaining the lead in the 36th minute. The keeper somehow stopped a first-time bullet header and the loose ball was scrambled clear.<br /><br />Just before the break we had another score update, this time informing us that ‘Valencia got the second’. Presumably the Manchester United player had found the net rather than the Spanish giants!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq4fA1SU7Ta7McgC8D39Lu_PILoF2byfYv9fgdbTtHj9F3aszwDruWyW_ha_3Hzkkocp7Er9iaR06y6zMOq5xdt9H6C7JY1GVOJ69Ikjugcmy_7ZoqJz601Jx3aXRcV2mmrXJbzhp41SQ/s1600-h/p20091017g.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq4fA1SU7Ta7McgC8D39Lu_PILoF2byfYv9fgdbTtHj9F3aszwDruWyW_ha_3Hzkkocp7Er9iaR06y6zMOq5xdt9H6C7JY1GVOJ69Ikjugcmy_7ZoqJz601Jx3aXRcV2mmrXJbzhp41SQ/s400/p20091017g.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395489412844288898" /></a><br />After popping back to the tea bar at half-time, I had a change to my normal routine. I usually take my ground photos before kick-off but this time we circumnavigated the pitch during the interval for a change.<br /><br />I was back to seats 81 and 82 for the second half and the two Ellesmere WAGs, one wearing leopard skin print leggings, were still in position on the front row near us. Alas, no joy on the raffle.<br /><br />Ellesmere were awarded a penalty in the 51st minute for a trip by Clarke on Barton. Mark Walpe was unimpressed with the decision and picked up a booking for dissent before Barton sent Booth the wrong way from the spot – “Ellesmere’s second goal scored by Danny Barton!,” announced the tannoy man.<br /><br />Casuals bounced back and almost equalised. David Walpe saw his shot blocked by a defender but Daley couldn’t take advantage of the rebound.<br /><br />Edmunds was booked in the 56th minute for dissent just before we heard that “West Ham have scored at Stoke.”<br /><br />Booth got down to save a well-struck shot from Barton before Edmunds received what looked like a final warning from the referee for more dissent. Just after the hour mark, Booth again did well and turned a long ball forward by Reeve round the post at the second attempt.<br /><br />Reeve was replaced by Chris Catterall in the 65th minute and Ellesmere scored their third goal two minutes later. Booth did well to keep out a long-range shot from Graham but Catterall squared the loose ball to Barton who slotted home to compelte his hat-trick.<br /><br />Casuals made they only substitution in the 68th minute with the unimpressed Mark Walpe replaced by Tom Chew.<br /><br />Barton fell victim to the current interpretation of the offside rule two minutes later. He was certainly puzzled when flagged offside for touching the ball a few yards inside his own half. The striker had strayed offside moments before in the Casuals half and the flag had gone up when he became active.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIoLFS6zptID2h3GU4eYtQRtc3DHwFzTvx_CMf8w4Esty10WoZ4T0IGiVUJyKcWuxw67xg-686Mon7TFrM-CyRHhcK4tx-ZKmitDDnHOHvnFQPv7dC35O_4OWBiAwKpDfkoVMm0LqwNmQ/s1600-h/p20091017n.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIoLFS6zptID2h3GU4eYtQRtc3DHwFzTvx_CMf8w4Esty10WoZ4T0IGiVUJyKcWuxw67xg-686Mon7TFrM-CyRHhcK4tx-ZKmitDDnHOHvnFQPv7dC35O_4OWBiAwKpDfkoVMm0LqwNmQ/s400/p20091017n.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395489033770101858" /></a><br />Confident the points were in the bag, Ellesmere took off hat-trick hero Barton in the 75th minute to loud applause from the home faithful and brought on Gaz Meredith. Strike partner Kenny Paul went off four minutes later to give Jack Keating a taste of the action.<br /><br />Casuals’ John Turner picked up a booking in the 90th minute for a heavy challenge on Ian Rowlands who required treatment in order to finish the game.<br /><br />The fan near us asked the nearby assistant how long was left and the helpful official told us that the referee had signalled two minutes of added time – sufficient for the man with the radio to tell us that ‘Defoe sent off’ and ‘Liverpool 1-0 down’.<br /><br />I thought Casuals gave the league leaders a good test and the visitors held an in promtu team meeting sat on the pitch after the full-time whistle.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjOVb8KDn8akrUFSBTR7peLBoiVKYnuAvYvl0GemgjovLf9xiKbP_GTUjEAVdUR8s-X9voIMRzuWzO2BglprhaEWc-VcdH1_kWx15ofuOZrZl4R_vnGWSkoDjBPnJEtqe1MWZ_GQW_0Bk/s1600-h/p20091017q.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjOVb8KDn8akrUFSBTR7peLBoiVKYnuAvYvl0GemgjovLf9xiKbP_GTUjEAVdUR8s-X9voIMRzuWzO2BglprhaEWc-VcdH1_kWx15ofuOZrZl4R_vnGWSkoDjBPnJEtqe1MWZ_GQW_0Bk/s400/p20091017q.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395489024433248034" /></a><br />On the way home, we stopped off at The Mere (which puts the ‘mere’ into ‘Ellesmere’) – a highlight for Junior ‘iwf’ with the opportunity to see and photograph an assortment of swans and ducks. I think it was the highlight of her day.<br /><br /><strong>Ellesmere Rangers</strong> (sky blue / navy blue / navy blue): 1. Andy Mulliner, 2. Ian Rowlands, 3. Andy Reeve, 4. Andy Ford (capt), 5. Craig Fear, 6. Carl Harris, 7. Nathon Leonard, 8. Eddie Hope, 9. Danny Barton, 10. Kenny Paul, 11. Scott Graham. Subs: 12. Jack Keating (for Paul, 75), 14. Chris Cattrall (for Reeve, 65), 16. Gaz Meredith (for Barton, 75), GK. Sam Jones.<br /><br /><strong>Wolverhampton Casuals</strong> (green and black stripes / green / green): 1. Steve Booth, 2. John Turner, 3. Luke Tudor, 4. Matt Turner, 5. Jon Clarke, 6. Nick Jones, 7. Mark Walpe, 8. David Walpe, 9. Mark Webb, 10. Anton Daley, 11. Adam Edmunds. Subs: 12. Tom Chew (for Mark Walpe, 68), 14. Matt Hard, 15. Dennis Robinson, 16. Michael Allen.<br /><br />Referee: Dell Hill.<br />Assistants: DC Plant and B Polak.<br /><br />Goals:<br />0-1 Luke Tudor (13)<br />1-1 Danny Barton (51 pen)<br />2-1 Danny Barton (29)<br />3-1 Danny Barton (67)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbZgtEwfX-mTlBRCqHBF6ZaZsD0LNdEC54IvpTTceZR_tzzEd4_4Cqz2p6c-nzFK1NipAldz2PxtNfhwReBnkq_7TKxgT6P2sdZFEQ2gQkopgexiyz_TYDpGY18VZGsG3iBbexYNh1zH0/s1600-h/p20091017c.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbZgtEwfX-mTlBRCqHBF6ZaZsD0LNdEC54IvpTTceZR_tzzEd4_4Cqz2p6c-nzFK1NipAldz2PxtNfhwReBnkq_7TKxgT6P2sdZFEQ2gQkopgexiyz_TYDpGY18VZGsG3iBbexYNh1zH0/s400/p20091017c.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394249796696760946" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA3w7lc8V1VIMdvWWqUQ1W-IxcfVGHHdGziWZfutqagOy4-jTI6bptf5jAP9iexiiaRnIUubHkvH6BjFW3o-T_4G5ybkSsl73sSH8ArQDn7VsycLmxXWMO4CHt9mxTWDDx6l81e12Czoc/s1600-h/p20091017h.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA3w7lc8V1VIMdvWWqUQ1W-IxcfVGHHdGziWZfutqagOy4-jTI6bptf5jAP9iexiiaRnIUubHkvH6BjFW3o-T_4G5ybkSsl73sSH8ArQDn7VsycLmxXWMO4CHt9mxTWDDx6l81e12Czoc/s400/p20091017h.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395489254417697730" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMj4SHlTwTlf8CAAhSFQ7tQSRF8dKd-98tF6m19-JrLoAOpY2irIKO30BNZUDILNBGI7TO47vKZ_5Qq8NHgM9RF42X1D5v7qzvRXtOfkZ_fr8e1AbxXbn8wfnONP-Vj_Ik19zUkOMGmVM/s1600-h/p20091017j.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMj4SHlTwTlf8CAAhSFQ7tQSRF8dKd-98tF6m19-JrLoAOpY2irIKO30BNZUDILNBGI7TO47vKZ_5Qq8NHgM9RF42X1D5v7qzvRXtOfkZ_fr8e1AbxXbn8wfnONP-Vj_Ik19zUkOMGmVM/s400/p20091017j.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395489242014676562" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBKgeLyUNg-TZuLhbiMfXFpW4mcEjaNcgD6sBYZlScJZwp2OV0X7hQnp8CFRt6ErNhUiktK0CEgSYFsw5T3snetWkg7_SGanlh1I11T0WYx_OmYCNQDz4GqtyaEKN52O4AHuWM_ELJe5U/s1600-h/p20091017k.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBKgeLyUNg-TZuLhbiMfXFpW4mcEjaNcgD6sBYZlScJZwp2OV0X7hQnp8CFRt6ErNhUiktK0CEgSYFsw5T3snetWkg7_SGanlh1I11T0WYx_OmYCNQDz4GqtyaEKN52O4AHuWM_ELJe5U/s400/p20091017k.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395489244363375858" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlT3L0uKHy2sXF391n_LbHS17rdJMqhGRnBOfN7rh0CsqCSGltQqsjIkQBEWiF0VyUsjwcmNrxy_bfnWvbcZ1y-nQ53TOXvkptGTRxpOarMwNc0NBNU69YmtxUBmHiAMwwxwxjG5kBpPE/s1600-h/p20091017l.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlT3L0uKHy2sXF391n_LbHS17rdJMqhGRnBOfN7rh0CsqCSGltQqsjIkQBEWiF0VyUsjwcmNrxy_bfnWvbcZ1y-nQ53TOXvkptGTRxpOarMwNc0NBNU69YmtxUBmHiAMwwxwxjG5kBpPE/s400/p20091017l.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395489240944654530" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDZs6x6CrkQthTNalg6Gb1XjLzvJu_QdFoZBQUgdrVgqWW_RYysVCafycXEpcCRXsMAV8rJLKVB3BIktvBzvPjReqKnn0LOx1gS_8zxkgqiBGuN71qiBmJJh7c_aMe2I6UsiEguz732_s/s1600-h/p20091017m.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDZs6x6CrkQthTNalg6Gb1XjLzvJu_QdFoZBQUgdrVgqWW_RYysVCafycXEpcCRXsMAV8rJLKVB3BIktvBzvPjReqKnn0LOx1gS_8zxkgqiBGuN71qiBmJJh7c_aMe2I6UsiEguz732_s/s400/p20091017m.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395489034330193314" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGuOqQWuZdqXTy76SH1BhlhxoPxSPP3OIoJEdaZ96yWI_Gtb_-_bh0m2kW4HTKowQkoquWFG1tJJeDZK1IdUzbqMUgOt4BQtuxsptk7c1XX6PjC7-8Xd734C4umS8j2k7I_mgCyUXLJ7w/s1600-h/p20091017o.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGuOqQWuZdqXTy76SH1BhlhxoPxSPP3OIoJEdaZ96yWI_Gtb_-_bh0m2kW4HTKowQkoquWFG1tJJeDZK1IdUzbqMUgOt4BQtuxsptk7c1XX6PjC7-8Xd734C4umS8j2k7I_mgCyUXLJ7w/s400/p20091017o.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395489030900651506" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYHmWfnpxaXUOlotoMZlqbhhdY-mRYyNzOpeexvLXS_fsyX0JOqk3QftJ5i-Kjhj02Od9k8O2qwLuUF6JGKHaAjBj5Ghi_iSESYaeLo6Q2awdDpJqGOjHIJKs1w8hH0iZBOtrO_6oNa1U/s1600-h/p20091017p.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYHmWfnpxaXUOlotoMZlqbhhdY-mRYyNzOpeexvLXS_fsyX0JOqk3QftJ5i-Kjhj02Od9k8O2qwLuUF6JGKHaAjBj5Ghi_iSESYaeLo6Q2awdDpJqGOjHIJKs1w8hH0iZBOtrO_6oNa1U/s400/p20091017p.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395489029364743954" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3110964708293437000.post-66632883218893918722009-10-10T23:59:00.013+01:002009-10-13T22:06:17.966+01:00Saturday 10th October 2009<strong>Aylesbury FC 4 Chesham United 3<br />FA Cup sponsored by e.on Third Qualifying Round<br />At: Haywood Way<br />Kick-off: 3-00 pm<br />Admission: £7; Programme: £1 (24 Pages)<br />Attendance: 448<br />Weather: warm, mostly sunny<br />Duration: first-half: 46:37; second-half: 51:20</strong><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMieBJkDDAu1NM1KDEAa0irXRvkJMtx7mSrGfbOE4-F5BJ2DNzUujuscMd0uCwBrHZfuffDfIKTu527vfGfhYGCxppjJMD1oY9iwlrlxk5gKQDOdYB71cZzHokwsjmzSdg0tZEKaGe3vw/s1600-h/p20091010a.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMieBJkDDAu1NM1KDEAa0irXRvkJMtx7mSrGfbOE4-F5BJ2DNzUujuscMd0uCwBrHZfuffDfIKTu527vfGfhYGCxppjJMD1oY9iwlrlxk5gKQDOdYB71cZzHokwsjmzSdg0tZEKaGe3vw/s400/p20091010a.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391287590578256978" /></a><br />Mrs and junior ‘iwf’ needed no second invitation for another shopping trip to Milton Keynes, which fitted in perfectly with my plan to take my FA Cup run into a fifth consecutive round. New grounds in the draw were thin on the ground, so to speak, but one tie that leapt out was the localish derby between Aylesbury FC (formerly Aylesbury Vale and before that Stocklake FC) and Chesham United.<br /><br />There aren’t too many Step 5 clubs left in the draw like Aylesbury and, in fact, the only other clubs at that level I could spot were Coventry Sphinx (conquerors of you know who).<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvoCaQ8VvGIsfjbjYjxW5mtsG9L8lr-umlDt734x2St2-xMLbgC9E2OWuaNt03TeChc1BP-SyFped3LbqFmEiohS-iNzQO4i7wRBriDhit0GXfn19gazfxv1V8AYIH961SnZw5LnUCPRY/s1600-h/p20091010c.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvoCaQ8VvGIsfjbjYjxW5mtsG9L8lr-umlDt734x2St2-xMLbgC9E2OWuaNt03TeChc1BP-SyFped3LbqFmEiohS-iNzQO4i7wRBriDhit0GXfn19gazfxv1V8AYIH961SnZw5LnUCPRY/s400/p20091010c.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391308844245766658" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4aQaXpn8TM9kTTmL6pnuphdYJk2m5NaRaPYDIQCVnHGDLQXHDc3Lb00QeQzudqwZ_q1RIRwaXYfJBWTz97vm-T_7cn2qJb6KRGAnoF8ztzSNPN-6-wJT7GOGv6fbOpB-OjPe6Kp9Veqg/s1600-h/p20091010d.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4aQaXpn8TM9kTTmL6pnuphdYJk2m5NaRaPYDIQCVnHGDLQXHDc3Lb00QeQzudqwZ_q1RIRwaXYfJBWTz97vm-T_7cn2qJb6KRGAnoF8ztzSNPN-6-wJT7GOGv6fbOpB-OjPe6Kp9Veqg/s400/p20091010d.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391308740041131250" /></a><br />Home club Aylesbury FC have had a great run in the cup this year, already getting through four rounds and amassing £9750 in prize money along the way. So far they have beaten Langford, Leighton Town, Erith Town and Wingate & Finchley in the last round. Each win came after a replay. To reach the Third Qualifying Round Chesham had got past Chalfont St Peter, Harrow Borough and Billericay Town.<br /><br />I dropped off the duo in Central MK and headed for Aylesbury via the A421, the village of Mursley, B4032 then south on the road from Buckingham, A413. On the outskirts of the town, I had a quick look to see what was happening at the old Aylesbury United ground, which is still in situ though nature looks to be taking control. I respected the ‘Private Property Keep Out’ notices and resisted a closer look, continuing on instead towards town. At the traffic lighted crossroads just after the Horse and Jockey pub, 100 yards further on from the old AUFC ground, turned right at the light, signed ‘Bicester (A41)’ and continued to roundabout by the Texaco garage, turning right into Bicester Road. At the fifth roundabout, by the Cotton Wheel pub, I turned right and Haywood Way was 200 yards on the left.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLp_1aPEEo0zceu3BoSweqSud98jMRdgYFjMjRueTsBeh6j1Kw99dWgsG-OMmzF_qAvI3i-ASP1nsyYqnu1nt7mZVEiUMiP3huhHMHpsf8j2eoDpvm0xl9N0hjWSG62WiMOJT0YHvcf4w/s1600-h/p20091010b.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLp_1aPEEo0zceu3BoSweqSud98jMRdgYFjMjRueTsBeh6j1Kw99dWgsG-OMmzF_qAvI3i-ASP1nsyYqnu1nt7mZVEiUMiP3huhHMHpsf8j2eoDpvm0xl9N0hjWSG62WiMOJT0YHvcf4w/s400/p20091010b.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391308850458598066" /></a><br />Even though I arrived around 1-45 pm, the place was starting to buzz and a steward directed me to a parking spot on the grass. Programmes were on sale at the turnstile which I read in the car.<br /><br />In the Molten Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division, Aylesbury FC were having a fantastic season so far. They went into this tie unbeaten in the league in fourth position (22 points from eight games) with games in hand on the top three, including leaders Chalfont St Peter who were just two points better off.<br /><br />Visitors Chesham United play in the Zamaretto League Division 1 Midlands. They were in fifth position behind leaders Rothwell Town on 13 points from six games, and four of their six league wins have been away from home.<br /><br />The ground entrance was in one corner by the side of the social club and the pitch (orientated north-east–south-west) ran widthways to the left. All the facilities were down the near left-hand touchline between the corner and halfway. The social club, which incorporated the changing rooms and players entrance was positioned close to the entrance with the main stand, at a slight angle to the pitch, further on. It contained four rows of brown individual bucket seats, numbering about 90 in total, with the PA point, T-Bar and toilets at the back. Opposite were the dugouts positioned either side of the halfway line, with a small-sized pitch behind, and an area of cover behind the near goal provided additional shelter. A green wooden fence with white post and rail behind enclosed the pitch.<br /><br />The teams were available at the PA point, and they were also announced over the tannoy. I had a chat with the club official there and he agreed this was the biggest game in the club’s history. He also pointed out that most of the AFC squad were with Aylesbury United last season. I got myself a tea from the T-Bar and settled down in a seat on the second row. However, even with nobody standing where they shouldn’t, it was obvious that my view was going to be obscured. So, after the teams emerged, I made my way round to the other side and stood near the away dugout.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGYrK0J1-c8dsNU69tusamabPk7pldV1HRuu4MlZ3XvDhl3ZOz3kfLNH6rI7ly9tweSN8wFw9wTbi13nakVGwnoLhlE1NCixP6f5wc7Bq6eYC6a9ZXiUeoh0Mo1PRY-IvwQ3O-o-7fMK4/s1600-h/p20091010e.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGYrK0J1-c8dsNU69tusamabPk7pldV1HRuu4MlZ3XvDhl3ZOz3kfLNH6rI7ly9tweSN8wFw9wTbi13nakVGwnoLhlE1NCixP6f5wc7Bq6eYC6a9ZXiUeoh0Mo1PRY-IvwQ3O-o-7fMK4/s400/p20091010e.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391309562325802018" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7-c4GarW1o46zQMul9NZt3kuCRxtyHY07qb74FpY8wHlKEMEZHkP8NvGSEXcE4P7t2AUUtKB4eMXOBl1rm1HIyrJQp4xm2lsH3WOMb-5wO-_zSwLhLdDIbWq71W7jnR1sRLXhj5LwQpI/s1600-h/p20091010f.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7-c4GarW1o46zQMul9NZt3kuCRxtyHY07qb74FpY8wHlKEMEZHkP8NvGSEXcE4P7t2AUUtKB4eMXOBl1rm1HIyrJQp4xm2lsH3WOMb-5wO-_zSwLhLdDIbWq71W7jnR1sRLXhj5LwQpI/s400/p20091010f.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391308728437611186" /></a><br />Aylesbury FC (wearing red and black halves, black shorts and socks) got the game underway attacking the far end with the sun shining into the eyes of their defenders.<br /><br />It was the visitors (in a change kit of yellow shirts, sky blue shorts and yellow socks) who made the better start in what was a fast paced opening. The first decent chance came in the 9th minute when Aylesbury keeper Steve Smith tipped over a rising 20 yard right foot shot hit by Steve Wales.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTnevlhE59xd5oJktpj6lKpuxePIyW62AedcUhH9mgDMZLzpMpfZB6zyor_PhPoLJXmXYAdRHTamlfW2uoyrjobnyohts10XCAAlTo0_KBGeWuJP8IDMeBMxsB1DzTaQBuF1TcAzeVsb4/s1600-h/p20091010g.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTnevlhE59xd5oJktpj6lKpuxePIyW62AedcUhH9mgDMZLzpMpfZB6zyor_PhPoLJXmXYAdRHTamlfW2uoyrjobnyohts10XCAAlTo0_KBGeWuJP8IDMeBMxsB1DzTaQBuF1TcAzeVsb4/s400/p20091010g.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391308724039276034" /></a><br />Chesham failed to take advantage of their early possession and were left stunned as Aylesbury (wearing red and black halves, black shorts and socks) took a 15th minute lead against the run of play. Mark Lambert was booked for bringing down Stuart Maynard inside the area and Craig Henney despatched the resulting penalty. A home fan, stood one side of me shouted ‘yeh!’ while the Chesham bench appeared unimpressed with the decision. The goal was announced over the tannoy by the official I’d been chatting to some 30 minutes earlier.<br /><br />Chesham were urged to “liven up” and Wales was next to pick up a booking in the 20th minute. The vociferous visiting fans stood at the covered end seems unimpressed with the decisions going against their side, so much so that they launched into sarcastic cheers when a 50-50 call went in their favour.<br /><br />In the 29th minute, the yellow card came out for the third time and brandished at Aylesbury’s Ben Stevens for blocking the path forward of Leon Archer inside the centre circle. Moments later, Chesham almost equalised. Danny Talbot’s deep corner was headed toward goal and Mark Boyce cleared off the line with the aid of the right-hand post.<br /><br />Despite continued pressure from the visitors, Aylesbury nearly doubled their lead. Henney got in a close-range bullet header which keeper Richard Haywood superbly parried and Michael Bardle cleared the loose ball.<br /><br />The visitors got back on level terms in the 35th minute. Hesitancy in the Aylesbury defence presented Chris Bangura with the opportunity to slot home into the bottom left corner. The Chesham fans started to sing and soon Smith got down to his right to save Archer’s shot after the striker got between Stevens and Matt Hayward.<br /><br />In the 40th minute, Aylesbury regained the lead with arguably the goal of the game. Gareth Price sliced open the Chesham defence with a superb throughball into the path of Henney who confidently fired an angled shot past Haywood from the left.<br /><br />Two minutes later, Chesham picked up a third booking as John Kyriacous saw ‘yellow’ for a foul on Dean Brennan.<br /><br />What a first half it had been and I couldn’t wait for the second half.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGvUBi4x5bzvdn3uAxSGFkbILnroe0-rYB_VTmQN4QxpepWcA0OsIFZ7Bg7K7ochRTpB6x6VAUOe9CElHxW4j7vBzAu6AEgwJP58F5geiQXqOoIrdxA_bAKdgWc_mpEZNc3eMHp5Tof9Y/s1600-h/p20091010i.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGvUBi4x5bzvdn3uAxSGFkbILnroe0-rYB_VTmQN4QxpepWcA0OsIFZ7Bg7K7ochRTpB6x6VAUOe9CElHxW4j7vBzAu6AEgwJP58F5geiQXqOoIrdxA_bAKdgWc_mpEZNc3eMHp5Tof9Y/s400/p20091010i.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391308365580856130" /></a><br />I moved position of the second half and stood near the home dugout. No real logic for the move except that I’ve walked up towards the covered end just before the interval to take a pic of the massed Chesham fans.<br /><br />“C’mon boys, good start,” was the Chesham rallying call as the sides prepared to resume the action. The assistant on my side checked there were no substitutions – saved me the job of spotting any players numbered 12 or above. My only concern were the dark clouds gathering behind me to the north. Still if it did rain, then the cover behind the goal wasn’t too far away.<br /><br />No one could have forecast the explosive start to the second half.<br /><br />Aylesbury quickly won a corner on the right which was played short and crossed into the area. Henney rose to flick an angled header into the far left-hand side of the net to complete his hat-trick. The perfect start for the home side – a goal timed at 76 seconds after the restart.<br /><br />Chesham had barely got the game started when Aylesbury scored again within 71 seconds to go 4-1 up. Price raced down the right and squared the ball towards Henney lurking at the far post. However, the unfortunate Gudgeon cut out the cross but succeeded only in putting the ball into his own net. Dreamland for Aylesbury, 4-1 up, and were those dark clouds gathering for the visitors?<br /><br />Obviously not, as Chesham quickly got back into contention with a goal of their own in the 49th minute. Hesitancy in the home defence allowed Bangura to fire home at close range.<br /><br />What a crazy start to the second half and there was almost another goal. Henney was put clear but Haywood left his line to block the striker’s shot with a raised arm.<br /><br />Chesham made a double substitution in the 56th minute. Darrell Cox and Dom Marsala came on for Dave Fotheringham and Kyriacous in a more attacking 3-4-3 formation.<br /><br />Just before the hour mark, Stevens having already been booked, brought down Archer and received a long lecture from the referee but no second yellow. There was also a bit of handbags as well.<br /><br />In the 65th minute, Chesham made their third and final change – Danny Burnell replaced two-goal Bangura. Burnell, however, picked up a booking after barely 77 seconds on the field for what looked like dissent. He went down inside the area and appeals unsuccessfully for a penalty.<br /><br />Winning raffle numbers were announced though I didn’t spot any tickets on sale. With my luck I wouldn’t have won anyway.<br /><br />Cox went in the book for dissent in the 69th minute, just before Haywood produced a good save to parry a shot from Brennan.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqq2LO3k2hnnZlcw39YbkOl9tgUx3m6J6fu_ezfjW1mnrDw-86ovH1T3or1xw8g8kw0ItMobax8r1KUi612kMFUfcgPMvFBkAVoL2QplIgsxv4cMAcz-DB9fbwdWZ-nLWTnZDjARbR0l4/s1600-h/p20091010l.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqq2LO3k2hnnZlcw39YbkOl9tgUx3m6J6fu_ezfjW1mnrDw-86ovH1T3or1xw8g8kw0ItMobax8r1KUi612kMFUfcgPMvFBkAVoL2QplIgsxv4cMAcz-DB9fbwdWZ-nLWTnZDjARbR0l4/s400/p20091010l.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391308342078857650" /></a><br />Aylesbury made a change in the 71st minute with skipper Greg Williams replaced by Kieron Schmidt and Matt Butler took over the armband. Two minutes later the home side made another substitution as Nathan Graham replaced hat-trick hero Henney.<br /><br />Maynard was booked in the 75th minute for a foul on Cox and Bardle picked up a booking two minutes later, also for a foul. The referee certainly had a liking to getting his yellow card out. How many booking was that now? … eight.<br /><br />A poor Chesham corner allowed the home side to break upfield. Price’s initial shot was blocked and Maynard, following up fired over. He could have easily put the outcome beyond doubt.<br /><br />Graham and Gugeon clashed inside the Chesham half prompting the referee to book the pair. The talk around me concerned the mounting tally of bookings, now ten, without anyone picking up a second one. We wondered what the record is for most bookings in a game with a sending-off. Answers on a postcard…<br /><br />Chesham kept on pressing and the home bench were concerned. “Don’t sit too deep. We are inviting pressure,” came the instruction from the bench.<br /><br />We wondered how much injury time would be added and guessed that with the bookings, substitutions and goals, there must be at least five minutes.<br /><br />There seemed to be more twists and turns in turns in this game than anything a scriptwriter could come up and the drama wasn’t over yet – stoppage time produced even more.<br /><br />In the second minute of stoppage time Cox, having already been booked and given a final warning, clattered into Stevens, leaving Mr Fielding with little choice than producing a second yellow card. The substitute headed for the changing rooms and Chesham’s slim chance of forcing a draw looked even slimmer.<br /><br />However, the visitors forward and Marsala hit a left-foot drive from the edge of the area which the diving Smith turned round the left-hand post. This led to two successive corners and when Aylesbury failed to clear the second, Burnell fed Archer who fired home at close range – 4-3! The goal was timed at 90+5 minutes and I reckoned their must have been at least a minute still to play.<br /><br />Aylesbury got forward from the restart and keeper Haywood, who had been up with the attack before the last goal, did well to turn round a low angled drive from Schmidt. The corner was just what the home side needed to wind down the clock and Chesham knew the game was up when the referee checked both watches before blowing the final whistle.<br /><br />Naturally the home side were jubilant and celebrated with a team hug in the centre circle. Now they could really dream of a potential Fourth Qualifying Round tie against the likes of Luton Town or Oxford United.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXsJhTHbYKVcrMD4sZ7vkU9dbBDh1elA6m5_0-JDz5EEjkrzvmCkxf6Eh0PDb6TGl-_kBa3V_Ifn9tNxJae5Sil32NcU3macdpkek3OvAAASyBbGoOYkseZ2U727S3ww9uNx4h1KAgRuM/s1600-h/p20091010m.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXsJhTHbYKVcrMD4sZ7vkU9dbBDh1elA6m5_0-JDz5EEjkrzvmCkxf6Eh0PDb6TGl-_kBa3V_Ifn9tNxJae5Sil32NcU3macdpkek3OvAAASyBbGoOYkseZ2U727S3ww9uNx4h1KAgRuM/s400/p20091010m.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391308336907925138" /></a><br />Goals:<br />1-0 Craig Henney (15 pen)<br />1-1 Chris Bangura (35)<br />2-1 Craig Henney (40)<br />3-1 Craig Henney (47)<br />4-1 Danny Gudgeon (48 og)<br />4-2 Chis Bangura (49)<br />4-3 Leon Archer (90)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYh6pgt6ruNA5cENb_sheBBbclXyzX-HpgKCWPBk8GMb66-53L61ZA4aBdDD4YRf483PAl5-Px0gXU37K7_ZIHIESEgSmg3-yBxMjztCKG2US_bMKFDgOdP3IjDjA6GLrB4bcJwslw84U/s1600-h/p20091010h.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYh6pgt6ruNA5cENb_sheBBbclXyzX-HpgKCWPBk8GMb66-53L61ZA4aBdDD4YRf483PAl5-Px0gXU37K7_ZIHIESEgSmg3-yBxMjztCKG2US_bMKFDgOdP3IjDjA6GLrB4bcJwslw84U/s400/p20091010h.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391308719863057346" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYpMD5jT_OkSDYPHmArGmXD6x0a6zjf_2OLJBO67Vdawa_NmZF-E9UlBRmN0FsQXwwNWbybhfFNO9HbvDHyI1MbcX2PgsVQA-gpv2eE5Ekt93CV_OWUd8oag7pqB7hK0fW56ygEP2jxeI/s1600-h/p20091010j.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYpMD5jT_OkSDYPHmArGmXD6x0a6zjf_2OLJBO67Vdawa_NmZF-E9UlBRmN0FsQXwwNWbybhfFNO9HbvDHyI1MbcX2PgsVQA-gpv2eE5Ekt93CV_OWUd8oag7pqB7hK0fW56ygEP2jxeI/s400/p20091010j.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391308360821549618" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKpvexkCIimGXDoPruUfU4kbMw8uckdXq4jRJXm9xQRxvQSXGmfOyqhGkCSsH9-2KRIj0u2lLD13ZnzqrB1J6ZSt5XHE2X28A0Ay1sfC16-oTHl1BlSHO_6LBhkV_UAyM92k47S5jfKek/s1600-h/p20091010k.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKpvexkCIimGXDoPruUfU4kbMw8uckdXq4jRJXm9xQRxvQSXGmfOyqhGkCSsH9-2KRIj0u2lLD13ZnzqrB1J6ZSt5XHE2X28A0Ay1sfC16-oTHl1BlSHO_6LBhkV_UAyM92k47S5jfKek/s400/p20091010k.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391308349296662578" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3110964708293437000.post-69810781383026915132009-10-06T23:59:00.006+01:002009-10-22T19:50:24.751+01:00Tuesday 6th October 2009<strong>Dudley Sports 2 Shawbury United 0<br />West Midlands (Regional) League Premier Division<br />At: Hillcrest Avenue<br />Kick-off: 7-45 pm<br />Admission: £3; Programme: £1 (24 pages)<br />Attendance: 30 (headcount)<br />Weather: mild, heavy rain during second half<br />Duration: first-half: 46:12; second-half: 48:13</strong><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn9d4k6HWaLz-cQrQ4fezjXvtiH_7BBaaimN4k-9K3AGnzGBkI6UsM3NAbwcfXAG3IAdNSC-Scc8lLsJoguY8FW8udLT-w_nqyjuFf5F-QUamtp042rT25pDo6JtNET7L_w8w4TRA4WAk/s1600-h/p20091006a.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn9d4k6HWaLz-cQrQ4fezjXvtiH_7BBaaimN4k-9K3AGnzGBkI6UsM3NAbwcfXAG3IAdNSC-Scc8lLsJoguY8FW8udLT-w_nqyjuFf5F-QUamtp042rT25pDo6JtNET7L_w8w4TRA4WAk/s400/p20091006a.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389759019379629842" /></a><br />I decided to plug a gaping hole in my football-watching CV with a trip to Dudley Sports’ Hillcrest Avenue ground. For some reason in my mind, Dudley Sports had been in the ‘have I been or not’ category until I got round to checking and found that I hadn’t previously visited them. No time like the present, therefore, to head for an interesting-looking fixture between two sides in need of a victory.<br /><br />Dudley Sports are based at the Dudley Employees Sports and Social Club and the floodlight main pitch was on the far (south-western) side of a larger playing field. I drove via Wolverhampton and down the A491 towards Stourbridge – following a MASTERCLASS driving school learner from a while down from Wall Heath until it turned off to the left towards Kingswinford. I continued on the A491, not quite as far as Stourbridge FC, before turning left by the Maverick pub onto the A461 (signed Dudley and Brierley Hill). After about a mile, there was a left turn, signed Dudley Sports FC, into High Ercal Road and the ground was on the right at the end of Hillcrest Avenue.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG90xNVY9oaiyjj1OSf87mCvbjfEOfZ8VvSq0VSC-2DPhCLcn0WK57bY0tvVFMrcRnKvjTMxnsGCo7-JwxZLNG4ZtsS2rCSLfAACgoVYzjTCudkTeAhaS3YSzgBrJXBEXeMYwd3uU2s_w/s1600-h/p20091006b.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 167px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG90xNVY9oaiyjj1OSf87mCvbjfEOfZ8VvSq0VSC-2DPhCLcn0WK57bY0tvVFMrcRnKvjTMxnsGCo7-JwxZLNG4ZtsS2rCSLfAACgoVYzjTCudkTeAhaS3YSzgBrJXBEXeMYwd3uU2s_w/s400/p20091006b.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389759011863820514" /></a><br />As well as a social club and bowling greens, there was a large recreation ground with room for two pitches. Near the entrance, from where I picked up a programme, a marked out pitch ran widthways with the main floodlight pitch (orientated north-west–south-west) over on the far side running lengthways and fully railed off with a white post and rail. There were two areas of covered standing down on the right-hand touchline before the dugouts – one of the stands was named the ‘Mick Davies Stand’. Opposite, another stand named the ‘Joe Forrest Stand’, roughly on half-way down the left-hand touchline contained two small sections of benches either side of an area of covered terrace. It was a walk across the first pitch to the clubhouse, located in the near right-hand corner, containing changing rooms, club room and the all important Snack Bar! A fenced off passage led from the changing rooms to the pitch.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibizinJHTOu4f8TpEkYwLBgyHD7DHfvQPNA4yRCSWfavNae3nGWCni_bs-zCkYOy05bWLS5kvnYhBGyd-k_Ar7zaBnj1yBkAJG207mYF11dvhBL1PeLF_2yBRtx-8A-IDWw0DC1Qp5rgM/s1600-h/p20091006c.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 334px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibizinJHTOu4f8TpEkYwLBgyHD7DHfvQPNA4yRCSWfavNae3nGWCni_bs-zCkYOy05bWLS5kvnYhBGyd-k_Ar7zaBnj1yBkAJG207mYF11dvhBL1PeLF_2yBRtx-8A-IDWw0DC1Qp5rgM/s400/p20091006c.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389759006305300242" /></a><br />Both sides went into the game in the lower half of the table with lengthening runs without a win. Dudley Sports (8 point from 9 games in 17th position) hadn’t won since the end of August, a run of six league and cup games, though they did hold league leaders Ellesmere to a goalless draw 10 days ago. Visitors Shawbury were bottom of the Premier Division table with just four points from 10 games. Their solitary league win came in the reverse fixture at Bowens Field, defeating Sports 2-0. Could they do the ‘double’ tonight?<br /><br />The Dudley Sports officials were more than helpful to myself and another traveller who had come up from London for the game. ‘Steve Bull’ was named at number nine for the home side and I joked that even if this player was a goalkeeper he would insist on still wearing nine! The Dudley side showed two changes for that which started Saturday 3-1 home defeat at the hands of Bustleholme – Lee Downing and Chris Knight came in for Nathan Kirby, who dropped to the bench, and Chris Rabone. Shawbury, beaten 6-2 by Ludlow on Saturday, brought Daniel Tysoe, Luke Brown and Steve Giles into the starting line-up. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAxX571WNKevSOb8Bm5ipuyBy4UwQVkfL4VEihhpVw4trOGCy6P3hTfgTU0506DYmxRoVNBV46n-6aQblm_udpJSsHCr0Num9ULFGn9Mc-J4nRC2tCp-LoWl76aU5yWJQLCVN1_0tMz8Q/s1600-h/p20091006k.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAxX571WNKevSOb8Bm5ipuyBy4UwQVkfL4VEihhpVw4trOGCy6P3hTfgTU0506DYmxRoVNBV46n-6aQblm_udpJSsHCr0Num9ULFGn9Mc-J4nRC2tCp-LoWl76aU5yWJQLCVN1_0tMz8Q/s400/p20091006k.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389758616992422210" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPoKqy2YUXweL7mq0xbgZy4pF1NmpzlzbztqTUWyTSp7YQUzPsf81LGZ_5NZ-VmE2YWJ_ASCvDsn57GV_GH1O9N6vEkrgfdiixOSlFg4WfJvNOmQhYPqE8S0Qqc4XkRIGfHggqsO9AUFs/s1600-h/p20091006l.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPoKqy2YUXweL7mq0xbgZy4pF1NmpzlzbztqTUWyTSp7YQUzPsf81LGZ_5NZ-VmE2YWJ_ASCvDsn57GV_GH1O9N6vEkrgfdiixOSlFg4WfJvNOmQhYPqE8S0Qqc4XkRIGfHggqsO9AUFs/s400/p20091006l.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389758606821806898" /></a><br />Teams exchanged fair-play handshakes lined up in front of the Mick Davies Stand. “Stay as you are, please,” said the referee after the captain’s met in the centre circle. Dudley Sports (wearing green shirts with white sleeves, green shorts and socks) were defending the near end (open end) and got the action underway. I was stood on the terrace section of the Joe Forrest stand, so the home side attacked from right to left towards the trees and large net.<br /><br />With just 37 seconds on the clock, Steve Bull charged down a back pass clearance by Shawbury keeper Ian Gillespie who recovered the ball as it looped towards goal.<br /><br />It didn’t take Sports long to take the lead, 106 seconds in fact, and what a superb goal it was. Chris Knight got on the end of Lee Dimmock’s throughball, took a couple of touches before hitting a left-foot volley into the bottom left corner from just inside the area.<br /><br />Things got even better for the home side with a second goal in the 6th minute. Tom Russell played a free-kick forward in to a crowded area from the left just inside the Shawbury half. Defender John Willetts forced the ball home at close range.<br /><br />I’m sure that Shawbury were fearful of another bad result after they conceded eleven goals in their previous two games. It was one-way traffic and the home side would have been encouraged to hear: “Dudley Sports, great start”.<br /><br />Having stood for the first 14 or minutes, I decided to make use of the benches in the Joe Forrest Stand.<br /><br />Shawbury started to push forward into Dudley territory and in the 16th minute a rising 30-yard drive from Matty Turl was palmed over the bar by the leaping Adam King in the Dudley goal. The home side were warned “no silly goals” and broke upfield from the second of two successive corners. Mitchell Orford got into the Shawbury area but Daniel Tysoe got back to clear.<br /><br />Sports defender Luke Astley picked up a booking in the 25th minute for bringing down Andy Webb who was making progress down the Shawbury left. The resulting free-kick was whipped across the face of goal; no one though got on the end. The visitors were awarded another free-kick near the right corner of the area. Eddie Knox delivered the ball over the two-man wall and Russ Whitfield headed straight at King at the far post.<br /><br />In the 36th minute, hesitancy in the Sports defence allowed Steve Giles to eye up an opportunity and he launched a dipping volley that dropped just over the bar. Shawbury were back in contention – could they reduce their two-goal deficit?<br /><br />As the interval approached I started to walk round to the snack bar and got a good view of another Shawbury chance. Awarded a free-kick near the right corner, Knox found Adam Smith on the edge of a crowded area who did well to set himself up a chance but fired over the bar.<br /><br />As the players walked up for half-time, I heard one Sports fan say to another: “They’ve only won one game all season and that was against us.” Shawbury had the better of the play in the latter stages of the first half and I felt that an early goal for them in the second half would make things interesting.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWHYQCt9XkmngAAm8M1thwVMi3Sf1JFn_-SRpYcix4TcBWmvig6mPh5A-X_4Xl3v6oyda3tFLLoqGKSEZheyhB9T9zb0g9MlVbnazmhPIWPANvpa9aWy-shyphenhyphentR8x9zU_5BQM9GE6q13_g/s1600-h/p20091006m.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWHYQCt9XkmngAAm8M1thwVMi3Sf1JFn_-SRpYcix4TcBWmvig6mPh5A-X_4Xl3v6oyda3tFLLoqGKSEZheyhB9T9zb0g9MlVbnazmhPIWPANvpa9aWy-shyphenhyphentR8x9zU_5BQM9GE6q13_g/s400/p20091006m.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389758604214361650" /></a><br />A tea and chocholate (crunchie actually) were most welcome from the snack bar at half-time and the girl who had manned the turnstile before kick-off was now serving with another cheerful lady. I spotted Sports ‘number 5’ Tom Russell, who had had treatment in the first half, fetch some ice from the freezer. He didn’t emerge for the second half and on came Richard Perry in his place.<br /><br />There were various comments on the field immediately before the game resumed: “Let the ball do the work” and “we ain’t done nothing yet” were the comments towards those in green while the visitors were urged: “heads up Shawbury”.<br /><br />Dudley made a bright start to the second half, now attacking from left to right in relation to my position back on a bench in the Joe Forrest Stand. A back header by Russ Whitfield put Bull clear down the right but the striker fired wide as defenders closed in. Knight raced down the right outpacing his marker and cut in to the area only to fire straight at Gillespie. In the 51st minute, Bull blocked Gillespie’s backpass clearance through the ball flew away from the unguarded net.<br /><br />The visitors also started the second half well and Dudley were urged to keep it “nice and tight and concentrate”.<br /><br />David Thomas was yellow carded in the 55th minute for a foul on Knight. Another foul on Orford led to another free-kick 25-yards out from which Gillespie produced a fine diving save to turn round Willetts’ goalbound attempt.<br /><br />Giles was booked in the 61st minute, presumably for dissent.<br /><br />Sports continued to create the better chances and Gillespie again excelled to fingertip a rising left-foot shot from Knight over the bar.<br /><br />“C’mon Shawbury,” came the cry, “a bit of pressure now boys”. One goal and the visitors would be really in with a shout of a point.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1YNb4nzd4fbbzGJE8thaFbjFwvSLJRs0cCqp4-XoGT9jcQP8Lmwyrc7hbQQ2mBMgIYEtxy4vbJAbWbkivhgzJowe6ImdDfJJpO1_BrAhi0KOni_xZTcUM3aas9DfTvr8y1GkC3m56Z9M/s1600-h/p20091006n.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1YNb4nzd4fbbzGJE8thaFbjFwvSLJRs0cCqp4-XoGT9jcQP8Lmwyrc7hbQQ2mBMgIYEtxy4vbJAbWbkivhgzJowe6ImdDfJJpO1_BrAhi0KOni_xZTcUM3aas9DfTvr8y1GkC3m56Z9M/s400/p20091006n.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389758598076488866" /></a><br />Suddenly the heavens opened around the 66th minute, the same rain that I later found to have forced an abandonment at Heath Hayes.<br /><br />Both sides made a substitution in the 70th minute – Louis Taylor replaced Kalum Evitts for the homesters while the visitors brought on Will Backwell in place of Brown.<br /><br />With the rain increasing in ferocity, Webb delivered a free-kick into the crowded Dudley area where Whitfield rose to head wide. Shawbury couldn’t make the breakthrough what I thought was a solid home defence led by the tall commanding Ashley Pountney.<br /><br />Taylor committed two fouls in quick succession and was booked after the second one in the 84th minute.<br /><br />Perry got into the Shawbury area down the right and fired over from a narrow angle while, at the other end, Giles did well to set up a decent chance for Webb who couldn’t keep his shot down.<br /><br />The rain just didn’t look like easing so I began to contemplate a sprint to the car at full-time<br /><br />Dudley made a final change in the 87th minute when Orford was replaced by Daniel Thompson. Just before the referee blew for full-time, Gillespie got down to keep out Kinght’s low shot.<br /><br />And I was right about needing a sprint to the car!<br /><br /><strong>Dudley Sports</strong> (green shirts with white sleeves / green / green): 1. Adam King, 2. Luke Astley, 3. Lee Dimmock, 4. John Willetts (capt), 5. Tom Russell, 6. Ashley Pountney, 7. Mitchell Orford, 8. Lee Downing, 9. Steve Bull, 10. Chris Knight, 11. Kalum Evitts. Subs: 12. Richard Perry (for Russelll, ht), 14. Louis Taylor (for Evitts, 70), 15. Daniel Thompson (for Orford, 87), 16. Mitchell Lester, 17. Nathan Kirby.<br /><br /><strong>Shawbury United</strong> (red/red/red): 1. Ian Gillespie, 2. Adam Smith, 3. Eddie Knox (capt), 4. Russ Whitfield, 5. Daniel Tysoe, 6. Matty Turl, 7. David Thomas, 8. Luke Brown, 9. Steve Giles, 10. Troy Manning, 11. Andy Webb. Subs: 12. Will Backwell (for Brown, 70), 14. Chris Lamb.<br /><br />Referee: G Hubbard.<br /><br />Goals:<br />1-0 Chris Knight (2)<br />2-0 John Willetts (6)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj42eI6nKYtRqAVMsv3T7KqDqRzylWDcFZoeWnKH9vNOEKQqA1uP9wFhxwxSgSFrMpt0Z5ivYHzdHQ-aTSVeBnvD0VBUmoKQWsjtUFto0YmjhH_42mOOKYtUvrkQui7J5n3DdrELvuCWZo/s1600-h/p20091006d.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj42eI6nKYtRqAVMsv3T7KqDqRzylWDcFZoeWnKH9vNOEKQqA1uP9wFhxwxSgSFrMpt0Z5ivYHzdHQ-aTSVeBnvD0VBUmoKQWsjtUFto0YmjhH_42mOOKYtUvrkQui7J5n3DdrELvuCWZo/s400/p20091006d.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389758999864272786" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8NuUXQcrpqkz9wb062WrK3Z8GrgvoSpN8ItGQWXsQXz4z_SXtIKL_pVOqu8t7Mhz9eQ3pEjjWgaEOkn9nTwcugybzMxxwq3kYOz9hCB-ViRMquM6wbVDU0N3udXa4n9gXjQY5tgTcaog/s1600-h/p20091006e.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8NuUXQcrpqkz9wb062WrK3Z8GrgvoSpN8ItGQWXsQXz4z_SXtIKL_pVOqu8t7Mhz9eQ3pEjjWgaEOkn9nTwcugybzMxxwq3kYOz9hCB-ViRMquM6wbVDU0N3udXa4n9gXjQY5tgTcaog/s400/p20091006e.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389758841218390050" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJaVFj9Y_xaqTZ3aQS7VFfpld8saW7-ONf7FlNSr-NutQLX3pKnpR8OYdSbdJkeoJHylOTBSGRIiE7g65QOCmLsDmOunhPPH9Zbel6bT0vBkH00hRGatEzhkLp-rs7dyV1zN6OWx790Mg/s1600-h/p20091006f.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJaVFj9Y_xaqTZ3aQS7VFfpld8saW7-ONf7FlNSr-NutQLX3pKnpR8OYdSbdJkeoJHylOTBSGRIiE7g65QOCmLsDmOunhPPH9Zbel6bT0vBkH00hRGatEzhkLp-rs7dyV1zN6OWx790Mg/s400/p20091006f.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389758835189401698" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZEHZr55YJ0qBEu5pepogWCL3UiCzKlyu50xMVO3t8b67sTOiB7hFlHZNmH0gtPOW_BRa8v9_BLoFnMdsw-boKvXp0qBQ7DRdBDFR7ycNIJrGCyLqPuh3MXsxWQmmbvl7CuZhljsDxL7k/s1600-h/p20091006g.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZEHZr55YJ0qBEu5pepogWCL3UiCzKlyu50xMVO3t8b67sTOiB7hFlHZNmH0gtPOW_BRa8v9_BLoFnMdsw-boKvXp0qBQ7DRdBDFR7ycNIJrGCyLqPuh3MXsxWQmmbvl7CuZhljsDxL7k/s400/p20091006g.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389758829749770994" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhskUggN0fkgRsidWIMCajHMQHzjdVEPP6BQNBAp96NCrDOPpuA95Ce3W2xljJJacCc1oB8jDXHVBBgaKUchYDmETC8zwx3Jx6Ng9ELCTIkr7ObCUmmm0GHsx2cofxgFWh4OwQheKW6hrg/s1600-h/p20091006h.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhskUggN0fkgRsidWIMCajHMQHzjdVEPP6BQNBAp96NCrDOPpuA95Ce3W2xljJJacCc1oB8jDXHVBBgaKUchYDmETC8zwx3Jx6Ng9ELCTIkr7ObCUmmm0GHsx2cofxgFWh4OwQheKW6hrg/s400/p20091006h.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389758825468745426" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiylqRrrCv0VfByZSdXg9y9_aW0JykadcQDcgynqhlnWB1uWBGWjQjkAQVf0NQlYcratITzfaRq6_M4_FArGm43J5t70pM6AuOjGYGty02wgaj7PjPC5PKNvuTSOWCCjjaz1ySa4gifY3c/s1600-h/p20091006i.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiylqRrrCv0VfByZSdXg9y9_aW0JykadcQDcgynqhlnWB1uWBGWjQjkAQVf0NQlYcratITzfaRq6_M4_FArGm43J5t70pM6AuOjGYGty02wgaj7PjPC5PKNvuTSOWCCjjaz1ySa4gifY3c/s400/p20091006i.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389758815187598882" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVHPMO0ILDHQuBaVCW2PTCwyhUuX0Po1kIG3sTduxFx0_vMk9s79UhNWigirguM2cwN175yZPsXmcR10Sb6rJ0TRcEEIWJ6RRrn6u-yi-mrFwM9oX9lsgFCSnWYRA8KOz00uVj9Nz6AE0/s1600-h/p20091006j.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVHPMO0ILDHQuBaVCW2PTCwyhUuX0Po1kIG3sTduxFx0_vMk9s79UhNWigirguM2cwN175yZPsXmcR10Sb6rJ0TRcEEIWJ6RRrn6u-yi-mrFwM9oX9lsgFCSnWYRA8KOz00uVj9Nz6AE0/s400/p20091006j.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389758618159115330" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3110964708293437000.post-68734924777520476562009-10-03T23:59:00.004+01:002009-10-22T20:03:45.813+01:00Saturday 3rd October 2009<strong>Retford United 0 Marine 1<br />Unibond League Premier Division<br />At: Cannon Park<br />Kick-off: 3-00 pm<br />Admission: £8/£5; Programme: £2<br />Attendance: 233<br />Weather: sunny spells, blustery wind<br />Duration: first-half: 47:11; second-half: 49:04</strong><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5kuJ87L4h65sNEaG_VzqsqIGcJJdustI68KoYIDYgF9L2VGEDw1MevAruHPQV8gm5aitbDEWlo1z7YcYC9I7BgbUTH9qcmWLb2ixrXo5M0W3GSQjVYCgqkWiw3gyl6kLlhKgr03O_xls/s1600-h/p20091003a.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5kuJ87L4h65sNEaG_VzqsqIGcJJdustI68KoYIDYgF9L2VGEDw1MevAruHPQV8gm5aitbDEWlo1z7YcYC9I7BgbUTH9qcmWLb2ixrXo5M0W3GSQjVYCgqkWiw3gyl6kLlhKgr03O_xls/s400/p20091003a.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389749508076153698" /></a><br />It was the first Saturday of the month and Mrs ‘iwf’ couldn’t resist our church’s walking group outings to Barton-under-Needwood for a stroll round the east Staffordshire countryside and pub lunch. So I had Junior ‘iwf’ with me today and she chose this Unibond League Premier League game between the home side I’d seen at Sheffield FC on New Year’s Day and visitors who I last saw play in 1998.<br /><br />No sign of football fans on the move as we made our way though we did spot a team coach (no time to make out the team name), heading west along the A50 near Sudbury. I promised a ‘McLunch’ so a detour to Woodall Services where we spotted a few fans wearing Leeds United replica shirts.<br /><br />We found Cannon Park in a rural location just to the east of Retford on Leverton Road. Travelling through Retford and, after passing Morrisons and crossing the river, we turned right into Arlington Way then first left next to the boarded-up Broken Wheel pub into Spital Hill. This road became Leverton Road and the ground appeared on the right after the houses ended and past both the canal and railway bridges.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg28kwPwiZXLkymqXIFy6frMn5u50BR7aOskJ82LdWziN712Jc_ZdVmYVIf8-VNQrfVafn5y_uiwYPTYAZDd-mBPNEAqZTu2qAQgtmkJD9s7BQNK4Ny-G-PNPuF6BMG6709DZlqszzbqrY/s1600-h/p20091003b.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg28kwPwiZXLkymqXIFy6frMn5u50BR7aOskJ82LdWziN712Jc_ZdVmYVIf8-VNQrfVafn5y_uiwYPTYAZDd-mBPNEAqZTu2qAQgtmkJD9s7BQNK4Ny-G-PNPuF6BMG6709DZlqszzbqrY/s400/p20091003b.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389749499472716226" /></a><br />Large signs announced the place as Cannon Park, which I read in the programme had been Retford’s home since 2000. Through the turnstiles, programmes were on sale immediately inside the ground and the pitch (orientated roughly north–south) ran lengthways. Down the near touchline were several buildings housing the club shop, hospitality and PA room as well as a brick building on halfway with incorporated the bar, tea bar and changing rooms. Covered standing and he dugouts were also on the near side. A seated stand opposite over on the far touchline contained four rows of individual predominately black tip-up seats, numbering I estimate around 130. Two Retford flags were attached a wire mesh fence behind the near goal to prevent some stray shots from flying into the car park.<br /><br />The 52-page programme, on sale for £2, impressed me with its wide variety of articles, match reports and statistics.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu2FyLnOwNVB6m4BqXIAcswgox5KI0qYQzvoIEj9ye-KWaga6VQYwPnbLFdYdymj1abu2E3ZYPOAE1_Jw9Usp3hak97g7AonfR7eAp9Nzd3Sh9yel0ikLj1WmY7nSRbtIMTBwQh0j-3OM/s1600-h/p20091003c.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu2FyLnOwNVB6m4BqXIAcswgox5KI0qYQzvoIEj9ye-KWaga6VQYwPnbLFdYdymj1abu2E3ZYPOAE1_Jw9Usp3hak97g7AonfR7eAp9Nzd3Sh9yel0ikLj1WmY7nSRbtIMTBwQh0j-3OM/s400/p20091003c.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389749497654193218" /></a><br />I’d read about Retford’s newly opened club shop on the website so we popped into purchase two badges – one of this season’s design and another one from last season. Teams were displayed on a whiteboard positioned outside the PA room. Former Stafford Rangers keeper James Lindley started for Retford while Junior ‘iwf’ was spotted the name of Michael Jackson amongst the Marine substitutes.<br /><br />Promoted after winning the Division 1 South title last season, Retford are enjoying their first-ever season in the Unibond League Premier Division. They also won the South division in 2007/08 only to be refused promotion after failing a ground grading inspection. In fact they have made great strides up the pyramid in recent season since being crowned Central Midlands League Supreme Division Champions in 2003/04.<br /><br />Retford went into this game unbeaten at home in 7th position with 17 points from 10 games. Marine were in the lower half of the table in a slightly 13th position on 13 points from 12 games. The seven teams immediately below Marine had games in hand and were within two points.<br /><br />Players lined up in from of the clubhouse with their backs to the stand. Retford got the game underway attacking the entrance end, right to left from our position from the third row of the stand.<br /><br />The home side (wearing black and white striped shirts with white sleeves, black shorts and socks) quickly got forward and won a first corner with less than a minute on the clock. The Retford drummer, who I presume was the same drummer at Sheffield FC on New Year’s Day, was encouraged by his side’s good start by starting to make his present heard.<br /><br />Neil Harvey, sent off on New Year’s Day, got into a good position from Stuart Ludlam’s pull back and swept a low shot straight at Marine keeper Tim Dittmer, formerly with Vauxhall Motors.<br /><br />In the 10th minute, Retford were awarded a free-kick 29 yards out, central position. Michael Simpkins stepped up to hit a left-footer over the wall that seeming destined for the top-right corner. Dittmer leapt up to his left to produce a superb save to turn the ball round for a corner. <br /><br />Marine (in a change strip of yellow shirts, green shorts and socks) were under pressure but a mistake by James Lindley could have led to a goal. The keeper’s back pass clearance hit Alan Burton but the relieved Lindley recovered the ball with Burton and two other attackers closing in.<br /><br />Dittmer again excelled in the 13th minute. Simpkin’s long free-kick was allowed to travel all the way to Harvey unmarked inside the Marine area but the keeper did well to beat away a well-struck shot.<br /><br />Retford continued to create chances. Harvey spotted Dittmer on his line and sent a lob over the keeper which dropped just over the bar. The drummer was encouraged to beat his drum again for the home side missed another opportunity. Harvey fed strike partner Mick Godber who looked to round Dittmer in a one-on-one. However, the keeper got down bravely at the feet of the striker to push the ball to safety.<br /><br />Just before the midpoint of the first half, a free-kick played forward into the Retford area wasn’t cleared and Jamie Rainford poked a 15-yard shot just wide of the right-hand post.<br /><br />Perhaps the key moment of the whole game came in the 30th minute. Terry Barwick lunged at Jamie Rushton inside the Marine half close to the stand and was dismissed with a straight red card. The limping Rushton was helped off after some treatment and replaced in the 33rd minute by Peter Crewe wearing lime green coloured boots. Would 10-man Retford pay for their earlier missed opportunities?<br /><br />Crewe almost made an immediate impact. Lindley appeared to fumble a loose ball inside the area which the substitute fired into the unguarded net from a narrow angle. The goal, however, was disallowed for what could only have been a foul on the former Stafford keeper.<br /><br />Chances dried up until Marine created a slight opportunity just before the interval. Rainford battled on the edge of the area to set up Steve Hussey wouldn’t keep a rising shot down.<br /><br />We popped back to the car before joining the refreshments queue by the tunnel for a tea and chocolate. I didn’t stop any raffle tickets on sale so we were surprised to hear the winning ticket announced – 907 yellow. <br /><br />We returned to our seats on the third row of the stand and spotted that Retford had changed goalkeeper. I don’t know what happened to Lindley for Chris Kingston to emerge for the second half.<br /><br />Just as they had done an hour or so before, Retford also made a good start to the second half. Godber did well to stretch and make contact with a low ball into the area but his effort flew over the bar. Lee Thompson delivered a free-kick into a crowded area from the left bye-line that initially fell to Nicky Ellis and the unlucky Godber saw his shot blocked.<br /><br />However, as suspected, Marine were to make Retford suffer for not turning their excellent opening half-hour performance into a goal. In the 55th minute, Crewe still in his lime green boots dribbled into the area and Alan Burton hit an unstoppable 15-yard shot into the top-right corner. It certainly was a cracking finish and Kinsgton could do no more than retrieve the ball from the back of the net.<br /><br />Retford took a while to respond. Coming down the left, the lively Harvey got the better of defender Tony Davies, who was completed wrong footed, but ended up firing over the bar<br /><br />The home side picked up a couple of bookings in quick succession – Colin Marrison in the 67th minute for a foul on Hussey and Thompson three minutes later for a foul on Stephen Brown.<br /><br />Marine made their second change in the 71st minute, replacing Lee Parle with Stephen Johnson. The visitors defence was in control though James Bell picked up a 77th-minute yellow card for needlessly kicking the ball away to waste time.<br /><br />A minute after Bell’s booking, Retford made another substitution, taking off a defender, Thompson, and bring on Ian Clarke who was pushed further forward. Would a change in formation to three at the back bring an equaliser?<br /><br />Bell was fortunate to escape a second yellow for a foul on Harvey. The striker continued briefly after treatment but eventually replaced in the 82nd minute by Paul Grimes.<br /><br />Marine could have wrapped up the points with a second goal. Crewe sent Johnson down the left who delivered a low cross into the area. Rainford got on the end but fired wide of the right hand post.<br /><br />With the sun shining and plenty of blue sky, Retford mounted a strong finish. Marrison saw a shot blocked inside the area by Davies after good work by Godber and in the next attack Bettney couldn’t direct a shot on target. The drummer got excited as Retford forced two corner in quick succession which came to nothing.<br /><br />Just before four minutes of stoppage time were announced even Kingston went up into the Marine area for another Retford corner.<br /><br />Rainford was booked for timewasting (90+1 minutes) before his well-struck shot was beaten away by the alert Kingston. The keeper also did well to tip over a rising shot from Brown which led to two successive corners where Marine made sure the home side had no opportunity to break upfield.<br /><br />Neil Harvey was named Man of the Match.<br /><br />Goal:<br />0-1 Burton (55)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFnFfyNikcwDGSvQNeZFBZaloDJQM6XChikMIE2YZVs0aQzsNO19xbDzOmz4P317hJfQabUtWRUGA7HkvYHtzmeLoCyVcgQRbRZvpKF3gYPAEeVv8WJsqpSdcpEIciJZFNaO0vVxmTGds/s1600-h/p20091003d.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFnFfyNikcwDGSvQNeZFBZaloDJQM6XChikMIE2YZVs0aQzsNO19xbDzOmz4P317hJfQabUtWRUGA7HkvYHtzmeLoCyVcgQRbRZvpKF3gYPAEeVv8WJsqpSdcpEIciJZFNaO0vVxmTGds/s400/p20091003d.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395501936227583954" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUTbvdsj2IEzRvvFrV9_H7gpTgIMkfbRN5qeoW5PDdmFG77-QhvUjvASCZDKcgttUPSd3WSHyx53X_SvHhrDWV6BhR2GW7dlSz_AJhNKFZ2i_25roymGyG3SxbBoRFOANm1zABsGtFhPs/s1600-h/p20091003e.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUTbvdsj2IEzRvvFrV9_H7gpTgIMkfbRN5qeoW5PDdmFG77-QhvUjvASCZDKcgttUPSd3WSHyx53X_SvHhrDWV6BhR2GW7dlSz_AJhNKFZ2i_25roymGyG3SxbBoRFOANm1zABsGtFhPs/s400/p20091003e.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395501925635040930" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKn2POJ2oBZZJzZamkb4hWnT4lEdZ3LSLf4X5vviKoIhhfx8iUHziaj5c61Diqoa442U8KSo6v9bHJEvu48MuzoZJgak3v65nmLY77Dm5JIV0E0GagvAx1iI5B4Vz-NVkc4-NDDdPocc0/s1600-h/p20091003f.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKn2POJ2oBZZJzZamkb4hWnT4lEdZ3LSLf4X5vviKoIhhfx8iUHziaj5c61Diqoa442U8KSo6v9bHJEvu48MuzoZJgak3v65nmLY77Dm5JIV0E0GagvAx1iI5B4Vz-NVkc4-NDDdPocc0/s400/p20091003f.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395501928525178050" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXxShqht4zkPy8dUMBB73QmOdy8szTgTnJP3Qtn-YYPLgoR1aqF0NkzQD88bWXQcNbXHOVdHTEGcd_98dwBw5qk5QLezIaXmtGd0Dc0ukFh_OCtgPDGjOFXqqz5GGlyXeaIUkbzSQrK64/s1600-h/p20091003g.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXxShqht4zkPy8dUMBB73QmOdy8szTgTnJP3Qtn-YYPLgoR1aqF0NkzQD88bWXQcNbXHOVdHTEGcd_98dwBw5qk5QLezIaXmtGd0Dc0ukFh_OCtgPDGjOFXqqz5GGlyXeaIUkbzSQrK64/s400/p20091003g.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395501801737558738" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhezyHG_axjDmWnMECpkDdjQpIMXKY2f97I5ZfILNHEWFMXrCfXSeolSC38pTG_fn0YghGqq24wBPJ1o_3LFPAOCACxghL8iD-aDGmX9watSHYxP_A7RI7JRTs2q9E1lLkyIUBeqAeefX4/s1600-h/p20091003h.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhezyHG_axjDmWnMECpkDdjQpIMXKY2f97I5ZfILNHEWFMXrCfXSeolSC38pTG_fn0YghGqq24wBPJ1o_3LFPAOCACxghL8iD-aDGmX9watSHYxP_A7RI7JRTs2q9E1lLkyIUBeqAeefX4/s400/p20091003h.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395501797256498754" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs3lq38D2HX6QzHM5jJYulw3VAS4evQjmMWfCV7y4L08jF9Ak9hkkezHIt1a4JPLys4Rqj4BdCSWnjHnvbREZ2IkHgIaxrubdIKojz7v-vcyLLSVNpeQM6vcWD69-odqSeYldZbOa0Hwc/s1600-h/p20091003i.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs3lq38D2HX6QzHM5jJYulw3VAS4evQjmMWfCV7y4L08jF9Ak9hkkezHIt1a4JPLys4Rqj4BdCSWnjHnvbREZ2IkHgIaxrubdIKojz7v-vcyLLSVNpeQM6vcWD69-odqSeYldZbOa0Hwc/s400/p20091003i.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395501794999923666" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhotA-ectgwg5iPq7hdcO-C8RTYZtU7ly5ULLPKD5B9S_24b_633er92pxoAX7q5QfroGp7AeJfbk2Sn4pWIPoNz3FWk-c3EFL0WrjecHa8V6oqLCMzJQ_ACfjwKP86M7HwQ6BYh1vGTrw/s1600-h/p20091003j.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhotA-ectgwg5iPq7hdcO-C8RTYZtU7ly5ULLPKD5B9S_24b_633er92pxoAX7q5QfroGp7AeJfbk2Sn4pWIPoNz3FWk-c3EFL0WrjecHa8V6oqLCMzJQ_ACfjwKP86M7HwQ6BYh1vGTrw/s400/p20091003j.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395501795018716722" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii72NVGVSvddpUz0mxY6431Lc9saBU2pKe0zYAmdoPZBhnlm-3PS72jzbYSDqGrj9jsayRURExxSzdWyGAry_vIN_73dqxJrNYv8mHVuxOnZiyBOpCKjr7aKtlpxeiVIyrOvIabPBNJ3c/s1600-h/p20091003k.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii72NVGVSvddpUz0mxY6431Lc9saBU2pKe0zYAmdoPZBhnlm-3PS72jzbYSDqGrj9jsayRURExxSzdWyGAry_vIN_73dqxJrNYv8mHVuxOnZiyBOpCKjr7aKtlpxeiVIyrOvIabPBNJ3c/s400/p20091003k.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395501791671790386" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3110964708293437000.post-62984037403068640432009-09-29T23:59:00.006+01:002010-01-04T18:50:22.253+00:00Tuesday 29th September 2009<strong>Rainworth Miners Welfare 2 Selby Town 1<br />KoolSport Northern Counties East League Premier Division<br />At: Welfare Ground, Kirklington Road<br />Kick-off: 7-45 pm<br />Admission: £4; Programme: £1<br />Attendance: 79<br />Weather: cloudy, mild, dry<br />Duration: first-half: 47:47; second-half: 50:04</strong><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpQzJ-YTYLIQ3NqglTlfsS_-Qy7M2cZIxCShoP0AbvAYHcXnOX448E1y1hPQ1FaetgTDONj-AzqBB22DcM9kDBffSAtk1G-tNjZbsGM4NJKC_DVpbbaHJyBvuVM5BysaJCQjKNZKopQ4A/s1600-h/p20090929a.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpQzJ-YTYLIQ3NqglTlfsS_-Qy7M2cZIxCShoP0AbvAYHcXnOX448E1y1hPQ1FaetgTDONj-AzqBB22DcM9kDBffSAtk1G-tNjZbsGM4NJKC_DVpbbaHJyBvuVM5BysaJCQjKNZKopQ4A/s400/p20090929a.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388303322285707442" /></a><br />Aha! Time for another of my coincidental links. Yesterday’s FA Cup Third Qualifying Round draw gave my old team Stafford Rangers a potential home time against Bedworth United, the team that defeated Rainworth Miners Welfare 2-1 on Saturday in controversial circumstances. So controversial, in fact, for a variety of reasons that Rainworth have appealed for the tie to be replayed.<br /><br />Mention Rainworth Miners Welfare FC and I think of one of those romantic cup runs took place in the FA Vase back in 1981/82 season. I was still at university (or more accurately polytechnic) when the true amateurs of Rainworth, then of the Notts Alliance, made it through all the way to the final at Wembley where they lost to Forest Green Rovers. Their home semi-final against Barton Rovers, according to the history on the club’s website, attracted a crowd of 5071 which is still the biggest attendance for a Vase tie outside the final.<br /><br />It was a trouble-free journey up the A38 and I knew exactly how to find the ground. From the end of the Mansfield bypass where the A617 met the A6191, I took the B6020 towards Rainworth, following a learner in a Ridings diving school car, to the heart of the village. Just past the Rainworth Fish Bar and next to the Robin Hood pub, the turn up to the Welfare Ground was on the left. It was up the hill on Kirklington Road just before the Welfare building.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIiXHWimTOOnJNbiOT2gs-Ph6bE6pNu0Kk0c2LECEoEyRjheDkJo8m0sXHpLo3YrJnCQIDIVuU5ore_mno5xtr5lVPwTCKBzYzVfxbFeiVXEqBi-0x4LdnAKxWKSPHg4v859oqGUZ13bg/s1600-h/p20090929c.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIiXHWimTOOnJNbiOT2gs-Ph6bE6pNu0Kk0c2LECEoEyRjheDkJo8m0sXHpLo3YrJnCQIDIVuU5ore_mno5xtr5lVPwTCKBzYzVfxbFeiVXEqBi-0x4LdnAKxWKSPHg4v859oqGUZ13bg/s400/p20090929c.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388303302693239314" /></a><br />A large sign advertised the next home game. The Alan Wright memorial gates marked the entrance and through them into what previously was a large recreation ground before development of the stadium – nowadays a playing field on the left and stadium on the right.<br /><br />The turnstiles were located in one corner of the stadium and all the main facilities were around this corner. A building behind the near goal, known as the Welfare end, housed the changing rooms and ‘T-bar’ with several small building on the near touchline. Banking ran up to a wall next to the road. A stand containing around 150 individual tip-up seats stood n halfway down the near touchline. Opposite were the dugouts either side of the halfway line and another area of cover with standing room and, I guess, another 60 black seats in two rows. The bypass ran beyond the far goal, protected by a large tall net, though it would take some shot to reach the road! All in all a really neat and tidy place to watch football.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_3FpE0ri5ViExBBCp4-gsXmN9Q_6yMt6mTgcplxaP26TD3fSbuFGnfJGPfHtZxPgTcCXqGz_YTiBQRxYGG9bTk3KepNESVK3x5Kt_em2ybxoCNkooJi2Vxzbjc4Fng9gF9teEqkSE6qY/s1600-h/p20090929i.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_3FpE0ri5ViExBBCp4-gsXmN9Q_6yMt6mTgcplxaP26TD3fSbuFGnfJGPfHtZxPgTcCXqGz_YTiBQRxYGG9bTk3KepNESVK3x5Kt_em2ybxoCNkooJi2Vxzbjc4Fng9gF9teEqkSE6qY/s400/p20090929i.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388302942873745810" /></a><br />Through the turnstiles, programmes £1, the first person who said “hello” to me turned out to be ‘Rainworthgord’, forum user, match reporter, PA man, programme editors, etc. After picking up a teamsheet (free to programme purchasers), I had a chat with Gordon about the Bedworth game and found out that he was at my personal ‘match no. 1’, a game in October 1971 between Stafford and the now defunct Nottinghamshire-based Sutton Town.<br /><br />I enquired about club badges and was grateful to Secretary Les for finding one for me when it looked as it all current stock had been sold.<br /><br />The programme, bang up to date with the events of Saturday, included a league table which showed visitors Selby Town (18 points from eight games) in fourth position, three points behind leader Bridlington Town. Rainworth, in the NCEL Premier Division for the first time ever this season, were on 10 points from six games in 12th position and had the incentive of leaping into the top half with a win tonight.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU6EP6w6KG9CuqxBOOTRJWIOeC71HKLN-Si38Xeke5sUg35zTmca1FNwL6MORM96ZryKA7IWguRfsU1g4oMubINpqn1Okw9z-b5UBUKIGlnzt954yRAVm8b4DwZl_maIIhXke0_OFXKw8/s1600-h/p20090929j.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU6EP6w6KG9CuqxBOOTRJWIOeC71HKLN-Si38Xeke5sUg35zTmca1FNwL6MORM96ZryKA7IWguRfsU1g4oMubINpqn1Okw9z-b5UBUKIGlnzt954yRAVm8b4DwZl_maIIhXke0_OFXKw8/s400/p20090929j.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388302933191274738" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin5ElPx-WgGdx7U_ndGHrGb_WfufzfXmRb39Wu3ytrXWij5asxXshZUoNSfg1GFO-BWd7tEo-FGSJB9LXzgPGgJSQL2AbUkOlpSxh7QqCcufIz4j7J1xZvo4-Skm1AI8Y86jP8yzPEjVY/s1600-h/p20090929k.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin5ElPx-WgGdx7U_ndGHrGb_WfufzfXmRb39Wu3ytrXWij5asxXshZUoNSfg1GFO-BWd7tEo-FGSJB9LXzgPGgJSQL2AbUkOlpSxh7QqCcufIz4j7J1xZvo4-Skm1AI8Y86jP8yzPEjVY/s400/p20090929k.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388302929860850658" /></a><br />Once the fair-play handshakes were over, the respective captains met in the middle and the referee announced: “turn around, red kick”. Visitors Selby (wearing all red) got the action underway defending the near Welfare end in the first half. I opted for seat in the newer stand on the near side – back row, blue seat.<br /><br />The home fans near me in the stand were soon applauding their side’s opening effort on goal. Matt Baxter hit a rising 35-yard drive which Selby’s Adam Mitchell saved underneath the bar.<br /><br />Rainworth (wearing all white) made a positive start and the tall defender Barry Alberry sent a far post header straight at Mitchell from Simon Wright’s deep corner. They went even closer in the 9th minute. Ant Lynam was given space down the right and cut into the area before firing a low angled shot. The ball hit defender Chris Gowan and was heading for the net until Scott Pickles got back to clear off the line.<br /><br />Selby were “not switched on”, to quote one comment I heard, but created problems for the Rainworth defence on the quarter hour. Tom Matthews’ free-kick looped up towards goal off the wall where Luke Ibbetson saw a header blocked and eventually the ball was cleared.<br /><br />Gordon came over a mentioned an interesting fact. Rainworth’s Brendan Sweeney once played in the Champions League against Liverpool for Cork City – but when?<br /><br />Despite not winning one for as long as I can remember, I opted again for a go in the raffle, lucky strip blue 831–835.<br /><br />Shortly after I parted with £1, Rainworth took the lead in the 20th minute. From the right, Cameron Fearon propelled a long throw towards the near post where the ball was flicked on for Danny Naylor to volley into the bottom left corner. <br /><br />Rainworth central defender Ian Streather was booked on the half hour for tripping Luke Ibbetson who was making progress down the right.<br /><br />A long-range effort by Gowan sailed over the bar though did give Selby enough encouragement to “keep it up”. And they went even closer when Stuart Dove sent a close-range header straight at Rainworth keeper and skipper Mark Hales.<br /><br />Lynam had a chance to double his side’s lead. He stayed onside and broke down the right before hitting a low shot which Mitchell kept out with his boot. From the rebound, Lynam forced a corner from which Baxter’s header was cleared off the line.<br /><br />The referee played advantage after Josh O’Neill went down under Naylor’s challenge and when play stopped the home midfielder received a 44th minute yellow card. Selby finished the half on the attack and really should have equalised. Instead, Brenton Leister fired over from just a few yards out.<br /><br />Having had a tea from the T-bar before the game, I took up Gordon’s invitation to go into the Visiting Team Officials room during the interval. Alas, no luck with the raffle when the numbers were announced - first prize to 781 and second prize to 786. ‘Walsall Neil’ sent me a text to say ‘at Millwall ht 0.0’.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcUSv2n8yVvlKN0PDHS_SVRtPNWwyjw-tqDUvSlU5GEu4R0K-W75u6M2oqA_A9gBJvWhBhQ2Hs3nsui8TedBYYqUlRE3edRHBmtiec7fQDUqg0xTxcTINEeGTbUFCcWzmFXZtMkV7-knA/s1600-h/p20090929d.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcUSv2n8yVvlKN0PDHS_SVRtPNWwyjw-tqDUvSlU5GEu4R0K-W75u6M2oqA_A9gBJvWhBhQ2Hs3nsui8TedBYYqUlRE3edRHBmtiec7fQDUqg0xTxcTINEeGTbUFCcWzmFXZtMkV7-knA/s400/p20090929d.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388303150520763554" /></a><br />Shortly after the second half commenced, the attendance of 79 was announced of the tannoy.<br /><br />Rainworth should have doubled their advantage. Mitchell failed to reached Sweeney’s left-wing cross but unmarked Lynam fired over at the far post to groans from home fans.<br /><br />The miss didn’t matter as Lynam made amends in the 55th minute by netting his side’s second goal. Julian Topliss broke down the right with Selby wanting a raised offside flag and crossed low to the far post. Lynam was perfectly placed to sidefoot home into the bottom left corner. The referee had a quick word with the assistant over on the far side and the goal stood. I think Selby’s bench continued their protests as the referee needed a word with them as well.<br /><br />Mr Cook had another situation to deal with five minutes later. Gowan chopped down Naylor and escaped with just a booking. The Rainworth midfielder was forced off and, while his side were temporarily down to ten men, Hales leapt up on his line to hold a chip from Leister hit from the edge of the area.<br /><br />Naylor was unable to continue and replaced by Jermain Hollis in the 62nd minute.<br /><br />The home defence survived a scare. Tom Reid delivered a perfect ball from the right to the far post towards unmarked Stuart Dove. The cross presented the striker with a routine tap-in but instead he ballooned the ball over the bar.<br /><br />I really was enjoying this game and Selby halved the deficit in the 69th minute to set up a tense finale. Dove was the provider with a ball into the area from the right which Ibbettson fired home from barely six yards out. Skipper Leister raced into the back of the net to retrieve the ball in an attempt to quickly get the game restarted.<br /><br />Rainworth responded with a tactical substitution as striker Topliss was replaced by Andy Jones in the 71st minute. Two minutes later, Selby brought on Ian Beckram in place of O’Neill. “C’mon we need one more. C’mon Wreneth,” were the cries from the nervous home fans sat near me.<br /><br />Selby made another substitution in the 82nd minute replacing Leister with Steve Lyon who took over the captain’s armband. But it was the home side who went close to scoring. Hollis got down the right to the byeline before pulling the ball back. It reached Jones who hit a well-stuck 25-yard shot only to see it blocked by a defender inside a crowded area. Mitchell produced a smart save to turn round a 35-yarder from Baxter.<br /><br />The closing stages were really end-to-end and one still nervous home fans asked the nearby assistant who long was left. “I’ve got 2 1/2 minutes duck,” came the reply. That mist have been to the start of stoppage time<br /><br />Tom Matthews made a bid for glory with a surging run down the middle. However, his progress was halted by Fearon’s saving tackle on the edge of the area. Rainwroth quickly broke upfield and Lynam got clear but Mitchell bravely claimed the ball at the feet of the striker.<br /><br />Into stoppage time and chances continued to be created. Mitchell thwarted Lynam with a decent near-post save. Craig Robinson replaced Reid (90+1 minutes) who could have set up one last opportunity for an equaliser but sprayed his pass towards Michael Staley out for a throw instead.<br /><br />Once the league table was updated, Rainworth had in fact leapt all the way up to fifth position.<br /><br />The programme editor hoped that any groundhoppers would ‘return home with good memories of our club and our village’. I certainly did!<br /><br />Goals:<br />1-0 Naylor (21)<br />2-0 Lynam (55)<br />2-1 Ibbetson (69)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh71-D9APxStlkWUeaFPMHd64IFvVpEA6-juVR20VUuAoXyOOU3lF1zD1yHpLoGtNV45UOIWzdjJnbVxtTmvGc80S8_vQTZ_8qfpJ2U5maeBkmXTmKTU6oWH81yE9lJlEi80ohFEWQwK_A/s1600-h/p20090929b.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh71-D9APxStlkWUeaFPMHd64IFvVpEA6-juVR20VUuAoXyOOU3lF1zD1yHpLoGtNV45UOIWzdjJnbVxtTmvGc80S8_vQTZ_8qfpJ2U5maeBkmXTmKTU6oWH81yE9lJlEi80ohFEWQwK_A/s400/p20090929b.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388303314771077122" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOgpiAjYjq5O702D3TqGO0B9yTgX8ol5WAyycLY9rJrtfrOsnHctJwMxTZGXKxN4SVSY0vYzzx8TVEfS7xCZdZJUZkjvFZNwQkDkxoIJ9Z_Q6HHQVIeSd3FJ4PUBpTQefiDnIiIt5wWWM/s1600-h/p20090929e.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOgpiAjYjq5O702D3TqGO0B9yTgX8ol5WAyycLY9rJrtfrOsnHctJwMxTZGXKxN4SVSY0vYzzx8TVEfS7xCZdZJUZkjvFZNwQkDkxoIJ9Z_Q6HHQVIeSd3FJ4PUBpTQefiDnIiIt5wWWM/s400/p20090929e.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388303144856033442" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh04W1zEZkgcjqAVacDFE3K5UZ9c_FMOyYZPA-B_BsZgCpvowcUYbR5G6WSowWXj8s3rO80qVEfHucURrBVjzH4JEFyaF9a8yMeUu-j9ou47Z3CyYT63JHnGnFM_lt16zbB3nxSvdag9wU/s1600-h/p20090929f.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh04W1zEZkgcjqAVacDFE3K5UZ9c_FMOyYZPA-B_BsZgCpvowcUYbR5G6WSowWXj8s3rO80qVEfHucURrBVjzH4JEFyaF9a8yMeUu-j9ou47Z3CyYT63JHnGnFM_lt16zbB3nxSvdag9wU/s400/p20090929f.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388303140620887298" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNDkJw9yEVxRZfY3Dg2V6tIa0dnYZVDHDnAGu41my88qZg7SXfWB33E-WpTRZmOdlVudu9sV_h9hF7s9w7NMqR8UZt7diYxz98FefXwa-Y-LocHF41ZAQGJ-EsW6bIYyjDlvC_CQoyHiU/s1600-h/p20090929g.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNDkJw9yEVxRZfY3Dg2V6tIa0dnYZVDHDnAGu41my88qZg7SXfWB33E-WpTRZmOdlVudu9sV_h9hF7s9w7NMqR8UZt7diYxz98FefXwa-Y-LocHF41ZAQGJ-EsW6bIYyjDlvC_CQoyHiU/s400/p20090929g.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388303133925858562" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizLwDktqwVFHV7GNzkbOcP3bgq7XiQMHkOBFMET5oU57LbWYgNQmUDeIB7Z_PgAFpyc5U_GGq2ekppy-gkFhgVaAO_Rd5c1GDul82nBI48vQsiLk7xiCC1RNevOdlNPr8UR_B4fHclYZg/s1600-h/p20090929h.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizLwDktqwVFHV7GNzkbOcP3bgq7XiQMHkOBFMET5oU57LbWYgNQmUDeIB7Z_PgAFpyc5U_GGq2ekppy-gkFhgVaAO_Rd5c1GDul82nBI48vQsiLk7xiCC1RNevOdlNPr8UR_B4fHclYZg/s400/p20090929h.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388303122120380530" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv-292bfZ2UFQ9TU5SfsbPzgESsd1-IpiDOI2I8qWYhpiUHRz7oGyGR674LMp_1ihkNqtKY1t2RUYJXW86v_Fv78QLax5O4DMszOvebEe29V7-N_CghEmXTUy7tvS-MaDsz36WQV1XXlY/s1600-h/p20090929l.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv-292bfZ2UFQ9TU5SfsbPzgESsd1-IpiDOI2I8qWYhpiUHRz7oGyGR674LMp_1ihkNqtKY1t2RUYJXW86v_Fv78QLax5O4DMszOvebEe29V7-N_CghEmXTUy7tvS-MaDsz36WQV1XXlY/s400/p20090929l.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388302923580436002" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUW_FI7Ecrtw7Q6J6F-USNQ25u55AG5C3ZRzP6FirWpjWMBahoe3XO9ihK841M1fSsRBPVfeDmLNC573tjHP43s8Wc56fuZXRgt9sAz0H8D7unyNeHkmqirGp4QjiVnP-JG6Ej1RmGZ3I/s1600-h/p20090929m.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUW_FI7Ecrtw7Q6J6F-USNQ25u55AG5C3ZRzP6FirWpjWMBahoe3XO9ihK841M1fSsRBPVfeDmLNC573tjHP43s8Wc56fuZXRgt9sAz0H8D7unyNeHkmqirGp4QjiVnP-JG6Ej1RmGZ3I/s400/p20090929m.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388302918775049586" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3110964708293437000.post-85322733185672733332009-09-26T23:59:00.005+01:002009-09-28T12:10:09.714+01:00Saturday 26th September 2009<strong>Lincoln United 2 Jarrow Roofing Boldon CA 1<br />FA Cup sponsored by e.on Second Qualifying Round<br />At: Ashby Avenue<br />Kick-off: 3-00 pm<br />Admission: £6; Programme: £1-50<br />Attendance: 151<br />Weather: warm with continuous sunshine<br />Duration: first-half: 49:12; second-half: 48:15</strong><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAIsuYGznbgEVleeuOmZ5y8bUlxN2LMAWGol_8nRMNSAZNfRUfA-RaCOX6XPHZkkVsLltNdQhvSFYOpqTsKhW2flXoZz3g00GVcUgvJYCVMCBGHnEnSpIsDN6yTP0_OE8Oe8cxBb7SnvM/s1600-h/p20090926a.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAIsuYGznbgEVleeuOmZ5y8bUlxN2LMAWGol_8nRMNSAZNfRUfA-RaCOX6XPHZkkVsLltNdQhvSFYOpqTsKhW2flXoZz3g00GVcUgvJYCVMCBGHnEnSpIsDN6yTP0_OE8Oe8cxBb7SnvM/s400/p20090926a.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386472189578869762" /></a><br />So far this season, my FA Cup trips have taken in three clubs from the East Midlands Counties League – Gedling Miners Welfare, Borrowash Victoria and Bardon Hill Sports – as well as the bonus Sunday tie at Cirencester. After Bardon defeated Barton Town OB, my initial thought was to watch their second qualifying round tie provided it was played at a ground I’d not previously visited. They were given an away tie at Northwich Victoria, a venue at which I’d seen Stafford play at on, so I looked elsewhere in the draw for today’s game.<br /><br />One tie which stood out was this one between two teams with contrasting league form. Lincoln United had just a single league point near the foot of the Unibond League Division 1 South table while visitors Jarrow Roofing were challenging for promotion towards the top of the Skill Training Ltd Northern League Division 2. Giantkilling alert!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiSazNy73Fu9_hB63CHfRK4g_aiXyycGtRi3qd-ozu-xjGUOAH07F06l25XNKUG7wc7_Ov5psyV1ukJoVuyLqdYVVLfLXNHhM48Ferwh9F73XVO3ya7TiBfGoHfUiD81ZItQfz7rDA_G8/s1600-h/p20090926e.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiSazNy73Fu9_hB63CHfRK4g_aiXyycGtRi3qd-ozu-xjGUOAH07F06l25XNKUG7wc7_Ov5psyV1ukJoVuyLqdYVVLfLXNHhM48Ferwh9F73XVO3ya7TiBfGoHfUiD81ZItQfz7rDA_G8/s400/p20090926e.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386472007181690754" /></a><br />Yesterday my good friend ‘Walsall Neil’ suggested that the crowd for any football trip should ideally be greater than the mileage from home to the ground. He opted to make the 58-mile trip from Croydon to Clymping in Sussex while I opted to keep my FA Cup run going with this intriguing tie at Lincoln needing a crowd in excess of 88 fans. I was confident that a three-figure crowd would be attracted to Ashby Avenue.<br /><br />The directions to Ashby Avenue appeared straight forward and so they proved to be. From the Skellingthorpe roundabout on the A46 Lincoln north bypass, I followed the ‘Birchwood’ sign towards the city and went straight through the first set of lights next to a filling station construction site. Just after passing the partially obscured lake to the right and recreation ground to the left and entering the 30 mph zone, Ashby Avenue was on first right (look out for the ‘Ashby Avenue Sports Ground’ sign) and the ground 200 yards on the right just past the tower block.<br /><br />One the way, I spotted the team coach from a Stockport firm on the A52 near Radcliffe, which I guessed was carrying Witton Albion to Grantham.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqOqvyHeV0U3JQcdSi6YN59Y1IupPJBcdR4aFz9bnzeQaYWI0lNx66kkwiS07ZAVOCCErXJ6ROwoRaQIGDTBxLfrFhK5dlOd7r34F6U2hF3FS3V8xm1thTFtSCpsZh0tjV55j-Ca-JBLs/s1600-h/p20090926b.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqOqvyHeV0U3JQcdSi6YN59Y1IupPJBcdR4aFz9bnzeQaYWI0lNx66kkwiS07ZAVOCCErXJ6ROwoRaQIGDTBxLfrFhK5dlOd7r34F6U2hF3FS3V8xm1thTFtSCpsZh0tjV55j-Ca-JBLs/s400/p20090926b.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386472177516797346" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZdfw6NfLHds7PV7H_vTXfhPYm6Kbcmy1xionhHIcYntkWmWSCd9yb4GHRvSOZMY-R_0Hg9Ux5SDMcD8SZXqB_ply6S8DgSgNHKHQ_2tZCMUI323-MQ2Gnmgb8P1hR2Qo94E0z3bcAgnQ/s1600-h/p20090926c.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 367px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZdfw6NfLHds7PV7H_vTXfhPYm6Kbcmy1xionhHIcYntkWmWSCd9yb4GHRvSOZMY-R_0Hg9Ux5SDMcD8SZXqB_ply6S8DgSgNHKHQ_2tZCMUI323-MQ2Gnmgb8P1hR2Qo94E0z3bcAgnQ/s400/p20090926c.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386472175375833890" /></a><br />A large sign confirmed the home of both ‘Lincoln United Football Club’ and ‘Hartsholme United Cricket Club’ and parking for spectators was round the right by the cricket pitch. There were fans milling around in Jarrow replica blue and yellow shirts and I picked up a programme from the turnstile before heading off in search of lunch. I found the Lakeside Fish Bar close by on Skellingthorpe Road though had I known the extensive menu in the football club’s canteen, even for a vege like me, I’d have probably eaten there instead. Still, I enjoyed my chip from the ‘LFB’.<br /><br />Though the turnstile on the far side of the cricket pitch, the fully-enclosed football pitch (orientated north-east–south-west) ran lengthways. All the main facilities were behind the near goal with a changing room and hospitality building closest and separate canteen (aka The Willy White Suite) and club shop beyond. A sturdy plastic coated wire fence protested the building from shots hot wide of the goal. A plaque on the wall of the said building explained it was erected in memory of Bryan Smith. Down the left-hand touchline stood the main stand containing four rows of individual tip-up seats and at the far end was the Claudine Morley Stand covered standing behind the goal. There were a couple of interesting structures along the right-hand touchline. On halfway were the dugouts and press box with the Arthur Simpson Stand containing two rows of benches, located between the dugouts and far right corner. I opted to watch the whole game from a position on the back row of this quaint stand.<br /><br />It is fair to say that Lincoln United’s league form this season had been in complete contrast to the cup. They went into this tie second from bottom in the Unibond League Division 1 South table with just one point from six games – a 3-3 draw at home to Kidsgrove Athletic a month ago. The only team below them, Willenhall Town, were only bottom because 10-point deduction.<br /><br />In the FA Cup, Lincoln have beaten Friar Lane & Epworth and then pulled off a shock result in the last round to beat Unibond League Premier Division side Retford United in a replay. On Tuesday, good cup form continued as they hammered Loughborough Dynamo 5-1 in the Unibond League President’s Cup.<br /><br />The programme gave the complete FA Cup record of both sides and I noticed that Jarrow Roofing were enjoying their best-ever run in the competition. They had already overcome three hurdles against more senior opposition in Armthorpe Welfare, Penrith and most recently Garforth Town. In the league, they were in third position (18 points from seven games, six wins and a defeat), seven points behind leaders Sunderland RCA with two games in hand.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtwlSi-o6s8sUvkJw0A68_ItdZqACBtXTy3dBL_Uolxe5_whCkRgl9PyG8Lnp18n1P78MJuVtBAr_udTX-EYWx51cbR4OVrU3WwSNkgmHUpUumYW3QnqDqBO9pZoPWn0AD_Eq7YrEnw1E/s1600-h/p20090926i.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtwlSi-o6s8sUvkJw0A68_ItdZqACBtXTy3dBL_Uolxe5_whCkRgl9PyG8Lnp18n1P78MJuVtBAr_udTX-EYWx51cbR4OVrU3WwSNkgmHUpUumYW3QnqDqBO9pZoPWn0AD_Eq7YrEnw1E/s400/p20090926i.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386471983566291570" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJGg9Gi0JMGvwcj2KLPqiXWvNzlhPKkAhuJ546D7XPN4ChTXhG8iJvWCVq3sfkAKKQrfAgtOmw7wNt-zp9geF4PHbfHlYceKbUspy08-Zyyp6_jUY1JJH_qb4VrrV4Gx1-nptD1IfA1Xg/s1600-h/p20090926j.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 399px; height: 58px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJGg9Gi0JMGvwcj2KLPqiXWvNzlhPKkAhuJ546D7XPN4ChTXhG8iJvWCVq3sfkAKKQrfAgtOmw7wNt-zp9geF4PHbfHlYceKbUspy08-Zyyp6_jUY1JJH_qb4VrrV4Gx1-nptD1IfA1Xg/s400/p20090926j.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386471675449898770" /></a><br />Teams lined-up facing the main stand to exchange those fair-play handshakes. Teams stayed as they were after the toss and Lincoln (wearing white shirts, red shorts and sock) got the action underway attacking the Claudine Morley Stand end in the first half defending into the sun.<br /><br />The first major incident came in the 3rd minute when Sam Wilkinson was booked for a heavy challenge of Roofing skipper Brian Rowe. A fan wearing a Notts County replica shirt with his son walked by and I wondered what he thought about Sol Campbell’s one-match strint with the Magpies.<br /><br />It was the visitors (wearing all blue with yellow trim like the replica shirts I’d seen) who created the game’s first chance as Michael Hepplewhite and Paul Milner combined on the right. The former crossed into the area where Tony Thirkell saw a header held by Mario Ziccardi, who I remembered playing for Grantham in the past.<br /><br />The raffle ticket seller came round, £1 a strip, and I enquired if the badge pinned to his tie was on sale. He said ‘yes’ and mentioned the club shop would be open at half-time. No chance of peach 141–145 being lucky?<br /><br />Referee Michael Bell had his yellow card out again in the 10th minute to caution Jaarrow’s Robert Houghton for a foul on Sean Cann.<br /><br />Jarrow certainly settled well in what could be described as the biggest game in the club’s history and they went close four minutes after the booking. A poor back pass header was intercepted by unmarked Michael Chapman who couldn’t be flagged offside. He broke into the area down the left and fired wide of the far post where the ball was cleared for a corner.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtRIjQBE6lM2ITDmthtu18kHrWl3r2o_ciWMf28KR2j2tU4AJY-NcZM-gQKZ_LRzEUx4zNPk9ZSZGUaWFs-RA1sGvzTUOnibP4TGhCicpgGjB9uF6i_gGp53C7H91Cdg5RQrs9CpVj9HM/s1600-h/p20090926k.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtRIjQBE6lM2ITDmthtu18kHrWl3r2o_ciWMf28KR2j2tU4AJY-NcZM-gQKZ_LRzEUx4zNPk9ZSZGUaWFs-RA1sGvzTUOnibP4TGhCicpgGjB9uF6i_gGp53C7H91Cdg5RQrs9CpVj9HM/s400/p20090926k.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386471673741112994" /></a><br />I sensed the home fans were getting a bit nervous, especially when Keith Foster whipped a free-kick across the face of the Lincoln goal. And the fans near me were again concerned as defender Ryan Porter was forced to produce a saving tackle inside the area to deny Hepplewhite a shooting chance.<br /><br />Lincoln were clearly second best during the opening half hour but started to show more promise during the last 15 minutes of the half. Terry Fleming won a corner and one of the fans near me predicted a (Brendan) McDaid goal – the corner, however, came to nothing.<br /><br />I spotted another replica shirt, a yellow Norwich City one, and he was on the phone taking about a keeper being sent off and a penalty. He must have been talking about City Fraser Forster who saw red after conceding a penalty at Gillingham. <br /><br />Ziccardi produced a good save in the 35th minute to beat away an angled shot from Nathan Bonar who had got the better of McDaid.<br /><br />At the other end, Cann got down the left and crossed into the area but Foster cleared the danger. “A goal now would be worth so much,” said the fan, no doubt lifted by Lincoln’s improved play. Little did they know that the visitors would find the net.<br /><br />“Minimum of four minutes of added time,” came over the tannoy and it looked like being a goalless first half until the Roofers took the lead in the second minute of stoppage time. Thirkell latched on to a long ball forward into the Lincoln area, got the better of Terry Fleming and fired home at close range.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdmQ8ZczI0Ak2n5pPaXSNBSx_QVLFBV1NhyphenhyphenulK6bNojLfezwh_mR7bmn-xEVUki9o7jEifzTnz5glZ9ctcfNbfOmGlPdORTY_S_mDPVzGIRyXmJPJK1A2nDNkGQs2Jt1SfyjCncrcohQA/s1600-h/p20090926h.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdmQ8ZczI0Ak2n5pPaXSNBSx_QVLFBV1NhyphenhyphenulK6bNojLfezwh_mR7bmn-xEVUki9o7jEifzTnz5glZ9ctcfNbfOmGlPdORTY_S_mDPVzGIRyXmJPJK1A2nDNkGQs2Jt1SfyjCncrcohQA/s400/p20090926h.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386473894414482338" /></a><br />As promised, the club shop was open and there were two other Lincoln United badges for sale in addition to the 70th anniversary one I’d seen, each costing £3. I also picked up a Lincoln City Ladies programme as well from last month. I then joined the queue for the canteen and was once again served a tea by the two cheerful ladies behind the counter. By the way, I was unlucky in the raffle as none of the three winning stripes remotely matched mine.<br /><br />The home side needed to up their game in the second half if they were going to avoid a giantkilling and they did just that by equalising in the 52nd minute. Like the Jarrow goal, it came from a long ball. Wilkinson exchanged a one-two with Jamie Forrester before sidefooting low past keeper Adam Dowell.<br /><br />There was almost a quick-fire second goal for Lincoln, prevented by a good block by Dowell to deny the lively George Zuerner. The same player then fired into the side netting in the next attack.<br /><br />Lincoln had their tails up and took the lead in the 60th minute. Zuerner latched onto a forward pass, got past Scott Donaldson, and confidently fired past Dowell.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgWCNRvYeXVOJ3tJE6-vqS0hq5qUw7fAnlidDhXkjNl09ZPc4-qNWqsdBX412Kl1bLgMO-ysN7FdAH3EYnUVQNXlmmhRBfO6aRr2bcYn5ZkRSLvOKKhCbpIh7NsXdFkiOZZOthnV6DtUA/s1600-h/p20090926m.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgWCNRvYeXVOJ3tJE6-vqS0hq5qUw7fAnlidDhXkjNl09ZPc4-qNWqsdBX412Kl1bLgMO-ysN7FdAH3EYnUVQNXlmmhRBfO6aRr2bcYn5ZkRSLvOKKhCbpIh7NsXdFkiOZZOthnV6DtUA/s400/p20090926m.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386471660853507170" /></a><br />Ziccardi produced a good save to push clear a rising shot from Chapman before the visitors made a change in the 70th minute with Martin Thompson replacing Donaldson. Lincoln made a change themselves three minutes later as Forrester was replaced by Sam Mullarky.<br /><br />With 10 minutes plus stoppage time remaining, both sides unsuccessfully appealed for a penalty and, in the 83rd minute, Roofer’s defender Foster was booked for retaliation.<br /><br />Ziccardi needed to remain alert and the keeper rushed out of his area to boot the ball clear as Hepplewhite closed in on a ball down the middle.<br /><br />Jarrow played a last throw of the dice in the 89th minute when Paul Catto replaced Bonar though they were given little opportunity of forcing an equaliser in the ‘minimum of three minutes added time”.<br /><br />I’ve had complains in the past that I simply go the game and come home. So, before heading back I decided to do a little bit of sightseeing and took in the old racecourse with the old stand still in situ, as well as a closer look at the cathedral.<br /><br />Goals:<br />0-1 Tony Thirkell (45+2)<br />1-1 Sam Wilkinson (52)<br />2-1 George Zuerner (60)<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXaHsCBzi3SvGjaVUvwOcMZvOidtDRd_NTOSce9fHgjIxwE0lc7tCDfNckbUKa4QrM7QNtG4ckD46qDI1P1JpLc5egx9P4YRCPIfP5s7ErC3g7eA-Ai753yH25bk1MvYfEkGW6ApYCjSw/s1600-h/p20090926d.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXaHsCBzi3SvGjaVUvwOcMZvOidtDRd_NTOSce9fHgjIxwE0lc7tCDfNckbUKa4QrM7QNtG4ckD46qDI1P1JpLc5egx9P4YRCPIfP5s7ErC3g7eA-Ai753yH25bk1MvYfEkGW6ApYCjSw/s400/p20090926d.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386472168713686578" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiliYMleLH3S2NP0nHEyDFesJBJ3t2rVwt0eXpeJz4D3ZO4UuGyqxJH7RMmZI7DUiVGq-BHe13-Lkr22-h1hVPdKz9YBntsT-PqJx34H3y7nTo5KbUSNFrWlWoTzE7K0zNhsfzAlzDXDJU/s1600-h/p20090926f.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiliYMleLH3S2NP0nHEyDFesJBJ3t2rVwt0eXpeJz4D3ZO4UuGyqxJH7RMmZI7DUiVGq-BHe13-Lkr22-h1hVPdKz9YBntsT-PqJx34H3y7nTo5KbUSNFrWlWoTzE7K0zNhsfzAlzDXDJU/s400/p20090926f.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386471998557954322" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUO-HYrd0B8d3Eko_XbQ9tHcc9LTGjMIg9d_uJsjz_zt1wUgjEEOM2U8Xv1CDvUepkEEPvn42Ot2XhSsuXOsPgok10IGAE-qH1DRCLGR9DeE5Ur5XB3rF0P-gjUzV0Q7fIVd1NN9w8lok/s1600-h/p20090926g.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUO-HYrd0B8d3Eko_XbQ9tHcc9LTGjMIg9d_uJsjz_zt1wUgjEEOM2U8Xv1CDvUepkEEPvn42Ot2XhSsuXOsPgok10IGAE-qH1DRCLGR9DeE5Ur5XB3rF0P-gjUzV0Q7fIVd1NN9w8lok/s400/p20090926g.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386471992792389906" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAj-ypGPkpeNp0XaBDnUsM8YgXFmXE8foWhdTPRc106s9pLsfycLktbOPo8yMeriuR5A0uwJ2YeXSPY9APpBRnYypKJI9fddsSGbZXPUW4PnmxjhA8xv2lZmC2wrE-IVliQVQ_A21C1X4/s1600-h/p20090926l.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAj-ypGPkpeNp0XaBDnUsM8YgXFmXE8foWhdTPRc106s9pLsfycLktbOPo8yMeriuR5A0uwJ2YeXSPY9APpBRnYypKJI9fddsSGbZXPUW4PnmxjhA8xv2lZmC2wrE-IVliQVQ_A21C1X4/s400/p20090926l.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386471665718052370" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiViocF6Kqsu3Yy80-7l9kbXHzLCj6vNLygiR9O6ER9B5d6CmSPCeDjboeJukeyL4tXHqZP5mHy4CEvcuiuE4S1c9Qo8JNvguIK0bPQBNsNt8YcgKScJGSwBKeO_g2eOmMUfR1dV9tdyzw/s1600-h/p20090926n.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiViocF6Kqsu3Yy80-7l9kbXHzLCj6vNLygiR9O6ER9B5d6CmSPCeDjboeJukeyL4tXHqZP5mHy4CEvcuiuE4S1c9Qo8JNvguIK0bPQBNsNt8YcgKScJGSwBKeO_g2eOmMUfR1dV9tdyzw/s400/p20090926n.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386471653487914450" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3110964708293437000.post-28349338081392290012009-09-20T23:59:00.012+01:002009-09-24T14:30:07.478+01:00Sunday 20th September 2009<strong>Causeway United 4 Coventry Sphinx 0<br />FA Carlsberg Vase Second Qualifying Round<br />At: War Memorial Athletic Ground<br />Kick-off: 3-00 pm<br />Admission: £5; Programme: £1-25 (28 pages)<br />Attendance: 108<br />Weather: warm and sunny<br />Duration: first-half: 47:21; second-half: 47:22</strong><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIppDdfsxnrFGzfGviHeiblxu7kd6HzLhpVie9Pef3YgpPBOPOlUw_xmew2sZmnrzkNbzYY0Vjqeuvny6cg1cCAY8zxK0XMd6bueEL-q_4vnPHdCF8a6cWe9UT0m0jUuXAfDfLou6WzyQ/s1600-h/p20090920a.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIppDdfsxnrFGzfGviHeiblxu7kd6HzLhpVie9Pef3YgpPBOPOlUw_xmew2sZmnrzkNbzYY0Vjqeuvny6cg1cCAY8zxK0XMd6bueEL-q_4vnPHdCF8a6cWe9UT0m0jUuXAfDfLou6WzyQ/s400/p20090920a.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383967362436008530" /></a><br />I’d better not get used to this … football on two consecutive Sunday afternoons!<br /><br />There were a few games to choose from today and I opted for the all Midland Alliance Vase tie between Causeway United and Coventry Sphinx. And, spotting the Stafford Rangers team coach travelling south on the M1 yesterday evening provided a coincidental link into this game as my old friends from the Blue Square North visit Sphinx in the FA Cup on Saturday.<br /><br />I’d not previously seen a Causeway home game and they currently share with Stourbridge FC. It was about 18 years ago when I last visited the War Memorial Athletic Ground, for an FA Cup tie with Long Buckby played on a sunny Sunday afternoon in September 1991. My earlier and only other visit was on a dark March evening in 1987 for a Staffs Senior Cup replay.<br /><br />One concern I had en-route was the journey through Wolverhampton with Wolves entertaining Fulham at 2 pm. Apart from a lot of parked cars, I was surprised how quiet it was approaching Molineux 10 minutes before kick-off, even on Waterloo Road which runs alongside the main Billy Wright Stand. Close to the ground and in sight of the Stan Cullis Stand and Goal Post pub, things really started to buzz though I was amazed that, apart from the odd fan, no one seemed to be hurrying to get into the ground before kick-off. I was stationary in traffic by the Billy Wright statue when I heard a great roar and fanfare, presumably, as the teams came out. Still the fans didn’t seem to hurry.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuLqlAcUUQMy8nBbjA1ZYBsnMwRl4U66krxbrwksPcP_ENVAm9ZFEdKupuEyRpORVrNcZMhWGeyWyzL5Iqs_sQhQuYouThxpi-JYim6O-4gQa0-Uz3hVKRzv-_zKeb-dqmOdmQT3MIXRs/s1600-h/p20090920c.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuLqlAcUUQMy8nBbjA1ZYBsnMwRl4U66krxbrwksPcP_ENVAm9ZFEdKupuEyRpORVrNcZMhWGeyWyzL5Iqs_sQhQuYouThxpi-JYim6O-4gQa0-Uz3hVKRzv-_zKeb-dqmOdmQT3MIXRs/s400/p20090920c.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383974361646412370" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKP7REfGBWLf5UKrz450UGZqX35kskQSmr14tZk-YR1LTkzeEqXopr3UIteUqSX_sJ8ffSgXntE4K6ZyTqPeanv6RGY-ZsWaDZiZaWvY9ttL18NVS3NdJVjxb-gbdulYH2ip5AzqqTvrQ/s1600-h/p20090920d.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKP7REfGBWLf5UKrz450UGZqX35kskQSmr14tZk-YR1LTkzeEqXopr3UIteUqSX_sJ8ffSgXntE4K6ZyTqPeanv6RGY-ZsWaDZiZaWvY9ttL18NVS3NdJVjxb-gbdulYH2ip5AzqqTvrQ/s400/p20090920d.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383974263988180658" /></a><br />Twenty minutes later, I was travelling south down the A491 from the A449 at Wall Heath towards Stourbridge, listening to the Manchester derby on the radio and hearing that Kevin Doyle had put Wolves in front. The entrance to the ‘WMAC’, in the Amblecote district of the town, was on the right through the arch, just before the lights by The Royal Oak pub. A car park on the other side of the arch provided a first option to leave the car but I made my way through the second set of gates and parked by the cricket pavilion.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZSo5IDQz6eCDwZxfvxLbfhyphenhyphenN8miqOCg053ALOIqNMRC9jKpkzYrdSqyGPe2qUxDzwfnYmmLrSiHpv87Acrsb1aJuczQ9LOJgjC3ejNsGhauhOrr198y5us8WWBB_IA5r86VPYVNJhAOk/s1600-h/p20090920e.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZSo5IDQz6eCDwZxfvxLbfhyphenhyphenN8miqOCg053ALOIqNMRC9jKpkzYrdSqyGPe2qUxDzwfnYmmLrSiHpv87Acrsb1aJuczQ9LOJgjC3ejNsGhauhOrr198y5us8WWBB_IA5r86VPYVNJhAOk/s400/p20090920e.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383974259155795474" /></a><br />Programmes were on sale at the table by the clubhouse and teams were both displayed at the PA box window and announced over the tannoy. There were quite a few other travellers milling around as well. From a personal point of view, there were two ‘debuts’ – the hat bought for me at Brodsworth Hall yesterday and also a new notebook.<br /><br />The ground itself (orientated roughly east–west) occupies one side of Stourbridge Cricket Club’s pitch and spectators only have access to three sides. Behind the near goal was the clubhouse and changing rooms, and also a couple of terrace steps next to the pitch barrier. Down the far touchline stood an interesting stand which comprised three distinct adjacent sections. The two outside sections were covered terrace with a middle section housing seven rows of red-painted benches either side of the directors/officials box. Behind the far goal was a large cavernous covered stand, the ‘Shed End’, with no fewer than ten wide terrace steps.<br /><br />Causeway (2nd position behind leaders Barwell with 18 points from seven games) had made a great start to their 2009/10 Midland Alliance campaign, despite playing all but one league game away from home. Ironically, the only points they’ve dropped were in a 1-0 home defeat at the hands of Westfields. Coventry Sphinx (18th position with six points from six games) were in a lowly false league position and had three games in hand on the four teams immediately above them in the table.<br /><br />In the FA Carlsberg Vase First Qualifying Round played two weeks ago, Causeway won 2-0 at home to Ellesmere while Coventry Sphinx won by the same scoreline at Ashby Ivanhoe.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrjQIjtHQZC84ckoBo0Eh3ZUI4R7OT2iUinCcFgPnuUVfh0k1lvMM_Beal0HChWfPD5QQ0a_Hgi48GRvRNcsJ911U-UmI03FL5SfmIfR71M1Ob5HY2LiNFuWK6o7X7DPA2SCqZGSc5YI8/s1600-h/p20090920f.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrjQIjtHQZC84ckoBo0Eh3ZUI4R7OT2iUinCcFgPnuUVfh0k1lvMM_Beal0HChWfPD5QQ0a_Hgi48GRvRNcsJ911U-UmI03FL5SfmIfR71M1Ob5HY2LiNFuWK6o7X7DPA2SCqZGSc5YI8/s400/p20090920f.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383974255195196402" /></a><br />I didn’t expect anything else as the teams came out in fair-play fashion before lining up on the pitch in front of the benched section of the stand.<br /><br />Causeway (wearing all blue) got the game underway attacking the Shed End in the first half. I opted for a position sat in the stand so, in other words, the home side were playing from right to left.<br /><br />It was visitors Coventry Sphinx (wearing a change kit of all red) who created the early chances. Kelvin Phillips volleyed over from the edge of the area and, from a free-kick delivered into the area by Aaron Donaldson, Terry Ward saw a far-post header held by Causeway keeper Joel Skeldon.<br /><br />I tried a couple of viewing positions and settled on a front row place on row A, position 5, in the section in the half defended by Causeway and nearest the visitors’ dugout.<br /><br />Causeway took an early lead in the 13th minute. Sam Beasley’s right-wing corner wasn’t cleared and leading scorer Matt Gardner fired home inside a crowded area at close range.<br /><br />Raffle tickets came round and my lucky strip was orange 81–85.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikhFj1OsmySwG-EjRRYXhCU66iOAiWtNZDXa4DHpQ0Go2HWyLNocMj4ehsdNMnO0UsAeBVdnwttdjDQHHQzRi78CTgLdA1VsbJ6uFwq4-zZu_iIk3Z22ucUSjzPXPVu37JkDzyrT4oOOM/s1600-h/p20090920g.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikhFj1OsmySwG-EjRRYXhCU66iOAiWtNZDXa4DHpQ0Go2HWyLNocMj4ehsdNMnO0UsAeBVdnwttdjDQHHQzRi78CTgLdA1VsbJ6uFwq4-zZu_iIk3Z22ucUSjzPXPVu37JkDzyrT4oOOM/s400/p20090920g.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383974245823407938" /></a><br />Midway through the half, Causeway had a good shout for a penalty. Ben Stretton chipped the advancing keeper and went down, in a manner that wasn’t clear to me, and the referee waived play on. I really didn’t know where it was a good decision or not though the attacker wasn’t deemed guilty or accused of diving.<br /><br />The referee was more receptive to the home side in the 27th minute when Stretton was brought down by Ward just outside the Sphinx area. Gardner stepped up to curl the resulting free-kick over the six-man wall and between the bar and the outstretched left hand of leaping keeper Carl O’Neill.<br /><br />The game was all but over as a contest two minutes later when Gardner completed his hat-trick. Fed by Stretton, the striker wrong footed a defender on the edge of the area before firing low into the bottom left corner of the net.<br /><br />Gardner was proving too hot to handle and almost scored a fourth goal in the 31st minute. Stretton combined with Carl Hind out on the right and delivered a deep cross. The unchallenged striker stretched to get his head to the cross and sent the ball across goal just wide of the far post.<br /><br />Causeway’s Beasley was lucky to escape with just a talking to for a foul on Craig Goodbody before Sphinx suffered another blow in the 37th minute. Kyle Rhodes suffered a nasty cut to his forehead (which neither the referee, the closest assistant or my good self spotted) that put midfielder out of the game. <br /><br />There was almost another goal for the home side after Rhodes went off. Chris Field flicked the ball past the advancing O’Neill and headed towards and unguarded net. But Liam Kay got back to head clear at the expense of a corner.<br /><br />Before the corner was taken, the unfortunate Rhodes failed to reappear and was replaced, in the 41st minute, by Jamie McAteer.<br /><br />The referee finally produced a card in first half stoppage time (45+1) when Goodbody was booked for a foul on Beasley.<br /><br />Half-time came with Causeway holding a comfortable lead. I agreed with an assessment I overheard that Sphinx started well but heads dropped as soon as they went behind.<br /><br />The referee drew the winning raffle ticket before going in to the changing rooms – green 381-385 so not luck again.<br /><br />I checked the identity of the first goalscorer with a fellow traveller before popping in to the clubhouse for the usual tea and chips from the hatch I returned to the stand and opted for position 14 on row A, close to where I’d been in the first half.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9IfKtgV4uF4gYY2jtcsgc8D8Fx_B8BbyKSuE-K_gWAnxN5g7Bo48JxB-uNfs0-DfYWBR7ZB1bpSG1Sf2PgiCGVv9MUo5rpx8hnAphESdppLzrCpdCeGTDdPMkXO-Q9ZAYVvGw0HDppU8/s1600-h/p20090920j.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9IfKtgV4uF4gYY2jtcsgc8D8Fx_B8BbyKSuE-K_gWAnxN5g7Bo48JxB-uNfs0-DfYWBR7ZB1bpSG1Sf2PgiCGVv9MUo5rpx8hnAphESdppLzrCpdCeGTDdPMkXO-Q9ZAYVvGw0HDppU8/s400/p20090920j.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383974060146895906" /></a><br />Sphinx were back out on the field barely ten minutes after the first half had ended. They waited for the home side to emerge before having a motivating team huddle. The visitors, now attacking the far end, needed a good start to the second half and started to put Causeway under pressure. They were awarded a free-kick just outside the area. Goodbody took a very long run up and fired low past both the three-man wall and left-hand post.<br /><br />With the visitors very much in the ascendency, the Sphinx manager made a second change in the 58th minute. Goodbody went off and on came the more attacking Joshua Ruff. “Sphinx, better stuff,” was soon the verdict from the sidelines but the visitors still had a three-goal deficit and little over half an hour to close it.<br /><br />Way over in the distance, there must have been a function at the cricket pavilion as smartly dressed individuals started to gather on the steps in front of the ornate building.<br /><br />Sphinx kept up the attack as the overlapping Tommy Muldoon picked up the ball out on the right. He sent a low ball across the face of goal but unmarked Aaron Donaldson couldn’t quite apply the finishing touch.<br /><br />Hat-trick hero Gardner was replaced in the 69th minute with Duncan Willetts and four minutes later Mark Jones chopped down Ruff to unsurprisingly pick up a booking. Causeway made their second substitution in the 75th minute, replacing Aaron Drakeley with Steve Poole, and a third on in the 79th minute, replacing Hind with Stuart How.<br /><br />For most of the second half the ball seemed to be rarely out of the Causeway half, though the home defence made sure Sphinx couldn’t turn their possession into a goal. The visitors’ challenge started to peter out in the last 10 minutes. David Plinston dribbled into the Sphinx area and saw his shot well blocked by the advancing O’Neill.<br /><br />It wasn’t long before Causeway wrapped up the scoring with a spectacular 87th minute strike. Substitute Duncan Willetts hit a rising 30-yard right-foot drive which gave O’Neill no chance of keeping out. <br /><br />Before the referee brought the tie to a close, Willett miss-kicked in front of goal following food work by Mark Jones and Stretton and, in the 90th minute, Sphinx’s James Holmes was booked for dissent.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisE8Dldo4hPfyUFbLuCStI2g8vYrgCsSGL3cnLgSR5NFdU8o7Vfj_mM3Z4e4W2z4qO7CRM3gI1o5aXTnnba5KFH0Ms_EHuFovCunGbqN4eRlkgJ20Tnj9ypLOPc8nYY8cwv4wEc_B8C6E/s1600-h/p20090920m.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisE8Dldo4hPfyUFbLuCStI2g8vYrgCsSGL3cnLgSR5NFdU8o7Vfj_mM3Z4e4W2z4qO7CRM3gI1o5aXTnnba5KFH0Ms_EHuFovCunGbqN4eRlkgJ20Tnj9ypLOPc8nYY8cwv4wEc_B8C6E/s400/p20090920m.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383974040118130418" /></a><br />Causeway, who pocketed £900 prize money for the win, will have to wait to find out who they’ll visit in the First Round until the Loughborough University and Dudley Town replay on Tuesday.<br /><br />Before setting off home, I enquired about Stourbridge and Causeway United pin badges and bought one representing the former at £3.<br /><br /><strong>Causeway United</strong> (blue/blue/blue): 1. Joel Skeldon, 2. Mark Jones, 3. Sam Beasley, 4. Dan Cox, 5. Matt Aston, 6. Chris Field (capt), 7. Matt Gardner, 8. Ben Stretton, 9. David Plinston, 10. Aaron Drakeley, 11. Carl Hind. Subs: 12. Darren Whitley, 14. Steve Poole (for Drakeley, 75), 15. Danny Jones, 16. Stuart How (Hind, 79), 17. Duncan Willetts (for Gardner, 69).<br /><br /><strong>Coventry Sphinx</strong> (red/red/red): 1. Carl O’Neill, 2. Craig Goodbody, 3. James Holmes, 4. Kyle Rhodes, 5. Terry Ward (capt), 6. Liam Kay, 7. Aaron Donaldson, 8. Gary Mead, 9. Kelvin Phillips, 10. Jerome Murdock, 11. Tom Muldoon. Subs: 12. Joshua Ruff (for Goodbody, 58), 14. Jamie McAteer (for Rhodes, 41), 15. Chris Daffern.<br /><br />Referee: R. Hathaway (Tamworth).<br />Assistants: I. Gillespie (Sutton Coldfield) and N. Underwood (Erdington).<br /><br />Goals:<br />1-0 Matt Gardner (13)<br />2-0 Matt Gardner (27)<br />3-0 Matt Gardner (29)<br />4-0 Duncan Willetts (87)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9NMXExfRnW1Q8TVtMU1Y1qVC9BhJv6uOOwOmK3rHXmIOYk1uxplyOtQeXoqajMT9dRqs6tAu9mazPzesvaDlpWwqbiHblmeuTxyV-PjOxwgpg6m0Bn6SGlEhwVEEI-Ya2YCIi8dWaHhE/s1600-h/p20090920b.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9NMXExfRnW1Q8TVtMU1Y1qVC9BhJv6uOOwOmK3rHXmIOYk1uxplyOtQeXoqajMT9dRqs6tAu9mazPzesvaDlpWwqbiHblmeuTxyV-PjOxwgpg6m0Bn6SGlEhwVEEI-Ya2YCIi8dWaHhE/s400/p20090920b.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383974366503937634" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim3LW4lAv7R70eQf-r2aW2s-2l5ZsfUIfZPd9YvA7UY-CBqfuTHQbAEBMv08NGL8YER4gEgwfbIEGiVXMNdjY5lgjVLeC81xJjFP9NNi8eyntKTenl9tstdD4ywT9bba9dFH-13obGlto/s1600-h/p20090920h.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim3LW4lAv7R70eQf-r2aW2s-2l5ZsfUIfZPd9YvA7UY-CBqfuTHQbAEBMv08NGL8YER4gEgwfbIEGiVXMNdjY5lgjVLeC81xJjFP9NNi8eyntKTenl9tstdD4ywT9bba9dFH-13obGlto/s400/p20090920h.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383974242831315122" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9slZQg7bwe09PBv8LDeMyiJ_NtFTP2lb8zPV7UdcSUeEb1uHNEzMBpDVWjNDST_JI84QLoPHRxLaK0wb2pPmFSlQT7sTwo9a2qL9QmIg2XmkA3nCYcAT0n_ZdsW0BqRQvvNO4orCPAHw/s1600-h/p20090920i.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9slZQg7bwe09PBv8LDeMyiJ_NtFTP2lb8zPV7UdcSUeEb1uHNEzMBpDVWjNDST_JI84QLoPHRxLaK0wb2pPmFSlQT7sTwo9a2qL9QmIg2XmkA3nCYcAT0n_ZdsW0BqRQvvNO4orCPAHw/s400/p20090920i.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383974063975005826" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjee3Z0zdgxdsfw6-NkHz2bYM6MS5nDrt_oix9l3IRh8Z-H-yWx4yvWPqP1ktPJBXVDE8dAp-Xp_gzF4yRM7Cu8Zu1vXjTk6MBHtVbXuCGgln0iTb9-QciS8RydZo1JeSTJtUCRSTRxSpQ/s1600-h/p20090920k.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjee3Z0zdgxdsfw6-NkHz2bYM6MS5nDrt_oix9l3IRh8Z-H-yWx4yvWPqP1ktPJBXVDE8dAp-Xp_gzF4yRM7Cu8Zu1vXjTk6MBHtVbXuCGgln0iTb9-QciS8RydZo1JeSTJtUCRSTRxSpQ/s400/p20090920k.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383974051613106786" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqc_AV8w9i0coz4mPknFlyGS88mCFJq-cSoSMlqM7hVJYW09XBZqZiblE8GVtiZElyKaMiSBepgb5_RpWcw4-o_YwyFeUNpDxWxhSp3ykTV23i0fNlKPQbTmd6bYPpp5hwM06sYeXEY5M/s1600-h/p20090920l.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqc_AV8w9i0coz4mPknFlyGS88mCFJq-cSoSMlqM7hVJYW09XBZqZiblE8GVtiZElyKaMiSBepgb5_RpWcw4-o_YwyFeUNpDxWxhSp3ykTV23i0fNlKPQbTmd6bYPpp5hwM06sYeXEY5M/s400/p20090920l.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383974044901844690" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3110964708293437000.post-81590206577113960652009-09-19T21:37:00.017+01:002009-12-23T21:02:20.733+00:00Saturday 19th September 2009<strong>Brodsworth Welfare 0 Thackley 5<br />KoolSport Northern Counties East League Premier Division<br />At: Welfare Ground<br />Kick-off: 3-00 pm<br />Admission: £5; Programme: £1-50<br />Attendance: 40<br />Weather: warm and dry, sunny spells<br />Duration: first-half: 47:06; second-half: 47:23</strong><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpkrHelwmXffFIV0Q62qf6PIGZgy9HvNBA4-0vCQOpCNF8i1mRmpaClQANNVh6PoN4ErRrTT6TlmA54Ku9UWyTfR9KyzYGTRrV3IU0DSmdLtiZlYDvnaAOcnWPhid_LeOVm2YDGN56kpE/s1600-h/p20090919a.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpkrHelwmXffFIV0Q62qf6PIGZgy9HvNBA4-0vCQOpCNF8i1mRmpaClQANNVh6PoN4ErRrTT6TlmA54Ku9UWyTfR9KyzYGTRrV3IU0DSmdLtiZlYDvnaAOcnWPhid_LeOVm2YDGN56kpE/s400/p20090919a.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383282029094459362" /></a><br />We’d been waiting for the chance to double-up English Heritage’s Brodsworth Hall and a Brodsworth Welfare home game. And with autumn opening hours less convenient and probably the weather as well, we decided to head for South Yorkshire on a really nice late summer day.<br /><br />I enjoyed the drive up to South Yorkshire and we spotted the Goole FC team coach travelling in the opposite direction on the way to Rushall Olympic. Scarves from Birmingham City and an orange/white hooped one were also seen and during our ‘pit spot’ at Woodall Services fans wearing Hull City, Leeds United and Doncaster Rovers shirts milled around.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCdeM4gxsIhAeCz2io5ZVGQ-dUCvXwMoWizRzAH0MqfKYdMYWIp-QhIVM6Jg6HK2k2Td__WXV7C2RY6VJhQVLP31cTZ8P41MUXwsKINlL3UAQZlCH8KuxpWMHQEtSXIvCWIfJ1_gIreEo/s1600-h/p20090919b.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCdeM4gxsIhAeCz2io5ZVGQ-dUCvXwMoWizRzAH0MqfKYdMYWIp-QhIVM6Jg6HK2k2Td__WXV7C2RY6VJhQVLP31cTZ8P41MUXwsKINlL3UAQZlCH8KuxpWMHQEtSXIvCWIfJ1_gIreEo/s400/p20090919b.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383282022567060802" /></a><br />Our next port of call was Brodsworth Hall, close to the A638 and a couple of miles from A1(M) junction 37. I’d got time to get a glimpse of the hall and gardens before leaving Mrs and Junior ‘iwf’ there for the afternoon while I headed off to the match. <br /><br />Brodsworth’s Welfare Ground was easy to find and around 2 ½ miles from the Hall. Travelling south on the A638 dual carriageway (Great North Road) towards Doncaster town centre, there was a left turn into Welfare Road (signed Adwick Leisure Centre) just after the ‘Picture House/Bingo Hall’ and Woodlands pub. Fourth Avenue was the first left and the ground entrance was at the end of this short cul-de-sac.<br /><br />Just before turning off the Great North Road, I noticed players on a pitch behind park railing which turned out to be, like the Welfare Ground, next to the cricket ground. I wonder if this game was the Doncaster Senior League Division 1 game between Woodlands Rhino and ISG Doncaster, played according to mitoo at ‘Brodsworth Welfare 2’?<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizPZC1j-Rl6XpLSec0TnBfJmF1yVaWtf7Ac_93FymyEEufhXZdFXk1PTrz2s4cdlziRjKuSdzfec3qJgrTot59G41KF9q7gweZRmPQdk5RR0c5sEC8EumZigOj485DaHxfnSahyphenhyphendVvYEc/s1600-h/p20090919c.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizPZC1j-Rl6XpLSec0TnBfJmF1yVaWtf7Ac_93FymyEEufhXZdFXk1PTrz2s4cdlziRjKuSdzfec3qJgrTot59G41KF9q7gweZRmPQdk5RR0c5sEC8EumZigOj485DaHxfnSahyphenhyphendVvYEc/s400/p20090919c.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383282016798234914" /></a><br />According to a sign I didn’t initially spot, there was parking available at the Welfare Hall but I left the car on the grass adjacent to the cricket ground. What appeared to be the only entrance was next to the scoreboard and into one corner of the football ground at the top of a small bank. The pitch (orientated south-east–north-west) ran widthways to the left and enclosed by a sky blue pitch-side wall. A new area of cover had been recently erected behind the goal at the far end. On the near left-hand touchline was a decent sized seated stand containing several rows of benches with dugouts in front either side of the half-way line. To the right of the entrance were the clubhouse, changing rooms (with signs labelling ‘HOME’, ‘AWAY’ and ‘OFFICIALS’) as well as the Gents! All in all, a ground that was well worth a visit.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRW9EHLCGps7Co5a31R97gLRvlcOLLoDJ8KMmCJKtNxu1gQhL8fsM-Q59AM0563TaVYrdTasCR09SwsMVyvIS5ZIIwmkK1KrDilv9wi0T7vpOxVwKc1Yh1xRBJtZZo8Og9n0LOSZewbKo/s1600-h/p20090919n.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRW9EHLCGps7Co5a31R97gLRvlcOLLoDJ8KMmCJKtNxu1gQhL8fsM-Q59AM0563TaVYrdTasCR09SwsMVyvIS5ZIIwmkK1KrDilv9wi0T7vpOxVwKc1Yh1xRBJtZZo8Og9n0LOSZewbKo/s400/p20090919n.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383281078326195906" /></a><br />With time on my hands before kick-off, I popped into the clubhouse which also houses the tea bar. On sale were two different designs of lapel badge and in here, I obtained the line-ups from home and away club officials. I got myself a tea and made a mental note to return at half-time for chips. The clubhouse felt such a friendly and welcoming place.<br /><br />It was fair to say that Brodsworth’s 2009/10 campaign hasn’t gone the way they wanted it to. They went into this game bottom of the 20-team Premier Division without a single point from six games and a goal difference of –35. They’d scored two goals – one on the opening day at home to Hallam and the other last Saturday at Selby Town.<br /><br />Thackley (in 10th position with nine points from six games) were rocked in the build-up to this game by the ‘shock’ resignation of manager Billy Fox and his assistant Nigel Ransom. Caretakers Sean Clifford and Dave Walters took charge for Wednesday’s win at Shirebrook and were also due to be in the dugout today.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnBNn5pdRKg0r2TF05Dtx_rjbfgXGgJKJxAV51YN1T0-vynW_McxbG1QiCStnRW8c5W82u_FwtlN99XV5n8ax0On-gYTrZN77JkZBaKp6sF8jiaIRqnzg_1z6SRaAn-M2VfLg5_Ga6vIs/s1600-h/p20090919g.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnBNn5pdRKg0r2TF05Dtx_rjbfgXGgJKJxAV51YN1T0-vynW_McxbG1QiCStnRW8c5W82u_FwtlN99XV5n8ax0On-gYTrZN77JkZBaKp6sF8jiaIRqnzg_1z6SRaAn-M2VfLg5_Ga6vIs/s400/p20090919g.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383281348684963410" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3c60Rt_ZctD35Eiu5BkX1yC1DMgxZRyLY3ymAIlbRHNBCsTythOsKV837DYm7naXUYLAbCLn7gGLX52jfX5If5wBMMj_c-DhaDry6EQ5fsQ1Lz9boWg1LM2JcFjj8K42nuYtvBFEcfZE/s1600-h/p20090919h.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3c60Rt_ZctD35Eiu5BkX1yC1DMgxZRyLY3ymAIlbRHNBCsTythOsKV837DYm7naXUYLAbCLn7gGLX52jfX5If5wBMMj_c-DhaDry6EQ5fsQ1Lz9boWg1LM2JcFjj8K42nuYtvBFEcfZE/s400/p20090919h.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383281346243512338" /></a><br />Teams emerged in fair-play fashion and soon Brodsworth (wearing sky blue and navy blue striped shirts with sky blue sleeves, navy blue shorts and socks) got the game underway attacking the far end with its covered standing. I opted for a place in the stand, second to back row on the side nearest to the visitors’ dugout.<br /><br />Thackley (in red shirts with white sleeves, white shorts and red socks) made what was described by their bench as a “positive start”. Joel Birks hit a 30-yard left-foot drive that flashed past the left-hand post and the same player also sent an angled shot across the face of the home goal.<br /><br />Despite the visitors enjoying plenty of possession, Brodsworth were certainly competitive and this didn’t go unnoticed by one observer sat in the stand who commented: “They haven’t started like a bottom of the league team”.<br /><br />However, Thackley took the lead in the 18th minute. Ross Daly was tripped inside the area and Dean Waters sent keeper Martin Spavin the wrong way from the spot.<br /><br />Spavin soon produced an excellent save to deny Thackley a second goal. Nicky Matthews latched onto a flick from Danny Tononczak and got clear into the area but the keeper left his line to bravely block the resulting shot. The Brodsworth keeper again excelled in the 25th minute to tip over an angled rising drive hit from the left side of the area by Joel Birks.<br /><br />Thackley doubled their advantage in the 26th minute despite another good save by Spavin who blocked Birks’ initial shot with this boot. The ball wasn’t cleared and Matthews fired home low from a narrow angle across goal into the far left corner of the net.<br /><br />Spavin was certainly in inspired form and produced an acrobatic save to beat away Birks’ close-range volley.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVhbwFLJYZfu8JRl4f-7C4RBkDgV9w2OnzMGExp6n_L7F8eT0hQ0Eg-6aC_dl9VspSHUjbW6pRjbjIGQf8vjTq3rIYlEY-gSuko5ZxIPuXHixfb5i52pNfEgQObDHTdGdbUbgRmBFIw0U/s1600-h/p20090919k.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVhbwFLJYZfu8JRl4f-7C4RBkDgV9w2OnzMGExp6n_L7F8eT0hQ0Eg-6aC_dl9VspSHUjbW6pRjbjIGQf8vjTq3rIYlEY-gSuko5ZxIPuXHixfb5i52pNfEgQObDHTdGdbUbgRmBFIw0U/s400/p20090919k.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383281101290261042" /></a><br />I headed for the clubhouse and did indeed get the portion of chips I’d promised myself before returning to the same position in the stand.<br /><br />Referee Booker lived up to his surname in the 49th minute by brandishing the game’s first yellow card for a foul by Brodsworth skipper Shane Fox. The home side made a first change a minute later with Liam O’Neill replacing Daniel Billing. Brodsworth’s Nathan Brady was also booked in the 55th minute for kicking the ball away after being flagged offside.<br /><br />The Thackley bench were far from happy with the start their side had made to the second half. Their only effort of note was a dipping volley by unmarked Birks that failed to hit the target. “Everything we’ve talked about we haven’t set in motion,” was the shout from the sidelined.<br /><br />The wake-up call soon did the trick as Thackley scored again in the 56th minute. Adam Fretwell appeared to have few options on the edge of the area so tried the lob Spavin and ball dropped into the net.<br /><br />In response, Brodsworth got forward and O’Neill got a shot on target which keeper Scott Dinnigan held.<br /><br />A club official came round with a football card rather than a raffle. I opted for ‘Stoke City’ but The Potters didn’t prove to be lucky for me.<br /><br />Thackley made a change on the hour when the limping Matthews was replaced by Martin Brissett and they scored again in the 64th minute. Awarded a free-kick a couple of yards outside the area, Dean Walters hit the ball with his right foot over the five-man wall and straight into the left side of the net past Spavin who never moved.<br /><br />Barely a minute after the goal went in, Chris Peake made a surging run down the middle towards the Thackley goal only to have his passage blocked by Rob Ward who, unsurprisingly picked up a booking. Fox’s free-kick hit the wall.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE8H9SvOJRDN3fwm-jXuScDIR-VlGcNrGC1SRPBB3F4yAxjsoWhiFElHIoYmkFCdw8-AmItEnGD0u1eU-4CMhQ5tAkT0FqS3Gj_VReUtXVJxuOXjD7r4-wagqaN20ZwYARWYDDQ-QN2d4/s1600-h/p20090919l.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE8H9SvOJRDN3fwm-jXuScDIR-VlGcNrGC1SRPBB3F4yAxjsoWhiFElHIoYmkFCdw8-AmItEnGD0u1eU-4CMhQ5tAkT0FqS3Gj_VReUtXVJxuOXjD7r4-wagqaN20ZwYARWYDDQ-QN2d4/s400/p20090919l.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383281093763475378" /></a><br />Thackley made another change in the 66th minute – Bruce Hogg replaced Birks – before they took were awarded a free-kick in a dangerous position just outside the area. Adam Richardson picked up a booking (70th minute) for bringing down Toronczak and Walters stepped up to take the free-kick. However, there was no repeat of his earlier feat as this time the ball hit the wall. In between the booking and free-kick, Thackley replaced Fretwell with Richard Patterson.<br /><br />Despite conceding five goals, Spavin had an impressive game and did well to block a shot from Brissett that resulted from a patient build-up and cross from Hogg.<br /><br />Brodworth’s endeavours perhaps deserved a goal. Daniel Freer whipped a cross from the left into the area but Peake couldn’t direct his header on target. The home side made a 77th-minute substitution to bring on Stuart Laidlaw for Matt Bedford.<br /><br />Thackley wrapped up the scoring in the 79th minute. Spavin failed to hold a close range shot from Toronczak who managed to fire home the loose ball at close range.<br /><br />The visitors wanted even more goals but once again found Spavin no push over. Hogg fed Brissett who saw his shot turned round by the keeper who, by my reckoning, had kept the visitors’ tally to single figures.<br /><br />Brodworth made a further late substitution in the 88th minute – Ryan Fletcher replaced Ashley Gillespie – before Spavin produced another save to block Ross Daly. In stoppage time, Spavin parried a long-range free-kick from Hogg but Toronczak was unable to take advantage of the loose ball.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAcizBabajVccCZC8IIsBUebCP2yZqIt_ZtZmZhm7V3HtJ5WrO8o14DWqaetHtiErlYz82DAcXXu49W_OxivdCglOO69jlS351zwWGQMhw8Y-hCYBf_cwWLDKaXyi6-ODu7NQMlDmMD-I/s1600-h/p20090919m.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAcizBabajVccCZC8IIsBUebCP2yZqIt_ZtZmZhm7V3HtJ5WrO8o14DWqaetHtiErlYz82DAcXXu49W_OxivdCglOO69jlS351zwWGQMhw8Y-hCYBf_cwWLDKaXyi6-ODu7NQMlDmMD-I/s400/p20090919m.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383281086370273858" /></a><br />On the way home we added football-related vehicle to our list travelling down the M1 and it was a familiar one… the Stafford Rangers team coach!<br /><br /><strong>Brodsworth Welfare</strong> (sky blue and navy blue stripes with sky blue sleeves / navy blue / navy blue): 1. Martin Spavin, 2. Bayden Lockwood, 3. Daniel Billing, 4. Matt Bedford, 5. Adam Richardson, 6. Ashley Gillespie, 7. Shane Fox (capt), 8. Paul Haigh, 9. Nathan Brady, 10. Chris Peake, 11. Daniel Freer. Subs: 12. Ryan Fletcher (for Gillespie, 88), 14. Stuart Laidlaw (for Bedford, 77), 15. Liam O’Neill (not used).<br /><br /><strong>Thackley</strong> (red with white sleeves / white / red): 1. Scott Dinnigan, 2. Neil Murray, 3. Jerome White, 4. Rob Ward (capt), 5. James Firth, 6. Adam Fretwell, 7, Dean Walters, 8. Ross Daly, 9. Nicky Matthews, 10. Danny Toronczak, 11. Joel Birks. Subs: 14. Richard Patterson (for Fretwell, 70), 15. Martin Brissett (for Matthews, 60), 16. Bruce Hogg (for Birks, 66).<br /><br />Referee: P Booker (South Yorkshire).<br />Assistants: T Bramall (South Midlands) and P Tomes (North Yorkshire).<br /><br />Goals:<br />0-1 Dean Waters (18 pen)<br />0-2 Nicky Matthews (26)<br />0-3 Adam Fretwell (56)<br />0-4 Dean Walters (64)<br />0-5 Danny Toronczak (79)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeP6OC7mWOEKbXeAiGgeNh6WBsSvaTi2eT1EzTNRSFAVhMYv1Oa8PAZf_DFk9nIcdKTw-7xlUbOMnE8g5ZnO4nLtukbeuuvuakF3L7BfsVOML9TkEHD6qbQYPH__igm1oDILAyXTPa7Lg/s1600-h/p20090919d.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeP6OC7mWOEKbXeAiGgeNh6WBsSvaTi2eT1EzTNRSFAVhMYv1Oa8PAZf_DFk9nIcdKTw-7xlUbOMnE8g5ZnO4nLtukbeuuvuakF3L7BfsVOML9TkEHD6qbQYPH__igm1oDILAyXTPa7Lg/s400/p20090919d.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383282011178217586" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVb3DArhkjJvWWKhjuZM_TrXknLNWbGilwtyxdIU-iJrIp7ZvsL6tZwTBvWe9OMYlyMQoLk28l2PN4cAyivfdY4e64TB_ZRiZK_6gcOi6bau2SSLSgPBZEbSJzLlCJaX7lVRk35nJFJ9I/s1600-h/p20090919e.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVb3DArhkjJvWWKhjuZM_TrXknLNWbGilwtyxdIU-iJrIp7ZvsL6tZwTBvWe9OMYlyMQoLk28l2PN4cAyivfdY4e64TB_ZRiZK_6gcOi6bau2SSLSgPBZEbSJzLlCJaX7lVRk35nJFJ9I/s400/p20090919e.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383281364537660738" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF7DGmwYBRyYbfPw3W4uxX3ntDEq2WUUY5Jv3VlIdmSX-R1G11bMSINx2m07TZZVnwIX6od2kcLEnh2C1nM6rDsyfnFlRpDNBkxpo1sQHx9OlWytM2p-1fbEabf1R9eNtiqhyllH0JVVg/s1600-h/p20090919f.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF7DGmwYBRyYbfPw3W4uxX3ntDEq2WUUY5Jv3VlIdmSX-R1G11bMSINx2m07TZZVnwIX6od2kcLEnh2C1nM6rDsyfnFlRpDNBkxpo1sQHx9OlWytM2p-1fbEabf1R9eNtiqhyllH0JVVg/s400/p20090919f.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383281359291101346" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw2iir-UpyJnk5m2WJ1mwAvC5YsZfvTYrJ7Hs6CpB4sjQ8wn40IkxIFGqIZG2ggGCaOy7CD9MJcrv9HNaeJFZfS3X30M8XDACcR-G9S_VUh5ZnPU_UwfUAbUDkRPzGQokWY5vbGPuxQ_0/s1600-h/p20090919i.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw2iir-UpyJnk5m2WJ1mwAvC5YsZfvTYrJ7Hs6CpB4sjQ8wn40IkxIFGqIZG2ggGCaOy7CD9MJcrv9HNaeJFZfS3X30M8XDACcR-G9S_VUh5ZnPU_UwfUAbUDkRPzGQokWY5vbGPuxQ_0/s400/p20090919i.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383281341252389586" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjeCs1CmzMtqf7Hthm5xdJN21-S4CVKGJXaBjLYNoN51M9M2NrzZoPeU2dyBbnY75x9FEV-KGre7yv6ECQKkDJwVnWxd5S7lqq7ujfdasEnqiXUWKEPcnc4Oa2Ly_dQSiP61DLod2CJRM/s1600-h/p20090919j.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjeCs1CmzMtqf7Hthm5xdJN21-S4CVKGJXaBjLYNoN51M9M2NrzZoPeU2dyBbnY75x9FEV-KGre7yv6ECQKkDJwVnWxd5S7lqq7ujfdasEnqiXUWKEPcnc4Oa2Ly_dQSiP61DLod2CJRM/s400/p20090919j.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383281106971992306" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3110964708293437000.post-4925191730396475862009-09-13T23:59:00.008+01:002010-01-04T18:48:29.038+00:00Sunday 13th September 2009<strong>Cirencester Town 2 North Leigh 1<br />FA Sponsored by E.ON First Qualifying Round<br />At: Corinium Stadium<br />Kick-off: 3-00 pm<br />Admission: £6; Programme: £1-50 (32 pages)<br />Attendance: 144<br />Weather: cloudy, dry, occasional sunny spell<br />Duration: first-half: 50:08; second-half: 50:15</strong><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtqjRpXX_ytbVd3Z5hze_4G8QJ_8Q8uqDGBdSFsLTOmJfOitM-FKCOuArMasCblGy218UPBh447mdTwU-op3MOwcMMDyubvdlu0CwGjrdIjq98qPcbmqssdCTOW7Vlne49Nl-1qiocjdk/s1600-h/p20090913a.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtqjRpXX_ytbVd3Z5hze_4G8QJ_8Q8uqDGBdSFsLTOmJfOitM-FKCOuArMasCblGy218UPBh447mdTwU-op3MOwcMMDyubvdlu0CwGjrdIjq98qPcbmqssdCTOW7Vlne49Nl-1qiocjdk/s400/p20090913a.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385030435973054322" /></a><br />Football can be cruel sometimes and was this afternoon to North Leigh. They thought they’d done enough to force a replay with a late equaliser, only to concede an injury time penalty which put Cirencester Town into the next round of the Cup.<br /><br />‘Corinium’ was very much the theme of our Sunday trip down the M5 to Gloucestershire. My destination was Cirencester Town’s Corinium Stadium while Mrs and Junior ‘iwf’ were heading for the town’s Corinium Museum after I dropped them off to start their Roman trail at the amphitheatre.<br /><br />I was actually quite surprised when Mrs ‘iwf’ agreed with the idea a couple of days ago. Then again, it was a ‘new’ town for her and Junior was studying the Romans in History at school. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPZFH4WBetFs8GFQG1Tx8dDNhoaWjoA1x9vIjAX2rEwIHOResS8pfs6-pmichK0nQgoOqOAXfqu2O8GqENcYYdytxOT6PqvXrY3h7baCLKJODdN61SMy4Vy5BEdPyHA3IRTMGJ2fONc5Q/s1600-h/p20090913b.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPZFH4WBetFs8GFQG1Tx8dDNhoaWjoA1x9vIjAX2rEwIHOResS8pfs6-pmichK0nQgoOqOAXfqu2O8GqENcYYdytxOT6PqvXrY3h7baCLKJODdN61SMy4Vy5BEdPyHA3IRTMGJ2fONc5Q/s400/p20090913b.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385030864615119186" /></a><br />Founded in 1889, Cirencester Town joined the Southern League (currently known as the Zammaretto League in sponsored form) for the 1996/97 season as Hellenic League Champions. They were promoted to the Southern League Premier Division in 2004 and spent four seasons in the top flight before relegation back to the second tier South and West Division.<br /><br />During the late 1990s, the club realised their old Tetbury Road ground (which I visited in December 1994) couldn’t accommodate all the club’s other junior and ladies sides. They developed a site on Kingshill Lane which not only includes the first team’s Corinium Stadium but other pitches and facilities as well. <br /><br />The turnstiles were off the car park next to the main club building and through to the other side the pitch ran widthways to the right. All the main facilities were along the near touchline – a burger van to the left with a large clubhouse building, changing rooms and seated stand for club officials. Behind the top goal was an area of covered standing known as the ‘Shed End’. On halfway on the opposite touchline containing six rows of mostly red, with the odd green one, individual tip-up seats. In one area at the back was a prominent ‘NLFC WINDMILL ARMY’ yellow and black flag.<br /><br />I quickly spotted ‘AndyD’ leaning against the pitch perimeter barrier. Soon other traveller arrived at the game including ‘Davy C’ and ‘Jaundiced Hack’. ‘AndyD’ and ‘Jaundiced Hack’ had a differing opinion as to whether the stand on the far side had corner from Cirencester’s old ground.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrR80SfxiLozPz7wsEXa219XfNLsOM0-lzzNyGB5pev8jjueJnyZ5sERRfGeeI77_LcoF9A9GWAIWZAO1Lw2daymrGjaIMQtJeAT2ZoliWTE9YYktZHXYJQlIm0sc1-pQ2z3fYnntAz2g/s1600-h/p20090913d.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrR80SfxiLozPz7wsEXa219XfNLsOM0-lzzNyGB5pev8jjueJnyZ5sERRfGeeI77_LcoF9A9GWAIWZAO1Lw2daymrGjaIMQtJeAT2ZoliWTE9YYktZHXYJQlIm0sc1-pQ2z3fYnntAz2g/s400/p20090913d.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385030345725169538" /></a><br />After five league games, goal difference was all that separated third-placed Cirencester and fifth-placed North Leigh in the Zamaretto League Division 1 South and West table. Both sides had an identical record of three wins, one draw and one defeat to gain their ten points. Newly promoted league leaders VT FC were three points better off on 13 points from their five games.<br /><br />I suppose this was a tie that neither side really wanted at this early stage of the FA Cup with both of them in early season contention for promotion up to the Premier Division. Cirencester won with Preliminary Round tie 2-1 at home against Thatcham Town, another promotion-chasing side in the same division. North Leigh also won 2-1 at home against Hellenic League opposition in the shape of Milton United.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg15csl5ETU_67jgbsdxbrpCLvZE8gFQtG68OzQt4yM6YGFR5EhFDkDLBaipHk40Y4G08qGpAOhyKaHrRgmazy4Q1T2-uXfu0e5g7IM2XZFVrXDLXnwkFvuTnYT3PuKgj-vplP9VM3jni4/s1600-h/p20090913f.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg15csl5ETU_67jgbsdxbrpCLvZE8gFQtG68OzQt4yM6YGFR5EhFDkDLBaipHk40Y4G08qGpAOhyKaHrRgmazy4Q1T2-uXfu0e5g7IM2XZFVrXDLXnwkFvuTnYT3PuKgj-vplP9VM3jni4/s400/p20090913f.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385030341325213394" /></a><br />I opted to sit in the stand on the far side and, before kick-off, several North Leigh fans started to make their voices and drums heard. They did observe a pre-match minute silence, which I knew they’d respect.<br /><br />The programme caused a bit of confusion as it listed ‘Leigh Town’ as the opposition. The visiting fans took great delight in singing about the error to remind the Editor knew about the mistake – if he was inside the ground that is.<br /><br />Teams were turned round after the toss and North Leigh got the tie underway attacking the northern Shed End with its covered terrace.<br /><br />I counted seven vocal North Leigh fans who made everyone know that their team was the “pride of the countryside”.<br /><br />Cirencester should have taken a 15th-minute lead. Zak Westlake played the ball forward to the unchallenged Scott Griffin who from just 8 yards out sent a first-time shot wide of the target.<br /><br />Griffin made up for the miss by setting up a goal for Carl Brown who put the home side in front in the 22nd minute. He fed Brown down the right inside the area who fired a narrow-angle right-foot shot through the legs of Sam Warrell into the net.<br /><br />Brown was agonisingly close to scored again two minutes later. He got into the path of Jody Bevan’s flick on and played the ball goalwards only for North Leigh skipper Stuart Huxley to hook the ball off the line.<br /><br />The visitors were forced to make a change in the 43rd minute after Simon Futcher was stretchered off with a right ankle problem. On came Chris Allen who got a rapturous welcome from the North Leigh fans.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmHnu0nrJDfZOgN8xcQ4zC6ZCHsoRhNZbHmoLPSwsFwmLh7wzXO6qTvBVadLB6ss_wo0yV8vldooYVlFNneASTQ7mc_Zeyhc1AoGC9vTEQfei5pGv1Jg8E-uLfZLYpAXXwtFQK2kAI_Uw/s1600-h/p20090913i.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmHnu0nrJDfZOgN8xcQ4zC6ZCHsoRhNZbHmoLPSwsFwmLh7wzXO6qTvBVadLB6ss_wo0yV8vldooYVlFNneASTQ7mc_Zeyhc1AoGC9vTEQfei5pGv1Jg8E-uLfZLYpAXXwtFQK2kAI_Uw/s400/p20090913i.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385030110702190994" /></a><br />At the interval I joined the queue at the Cirencester Town Burger Van – tea 80p and chips £1-20.<br /><br />Into the second half and needing a goal, North Leigh started to show some urgency and Matt Taylor shot just wide at the end of a well-worked move.<br /><br />Bath pulled off a good save in the 79th minute following a foul on Andy McCabe 30 yards out. Stuart Hole curled the resulting free-kick over the three-man wall and the keeper turned the ball over the bar which was heading for the top-left corner.<br /><br />The keeper was busy and from the corner punched Allen’s header off the line to safety.<br /><br />It was no real surprise when North Leigh got their reward with an equaliser scored in the 83rd minute. Andrew Helby delivered a left-wing corner who Karl Dodds headed home via a touch off defender Carl Brown.<br /><br />North Leigh’s second half performance looked to have earned themselves a replay until a dramatic twist in the third minute of stoppage time. The referee pointed to the spot when Dodds fouled Griffin inside the area and Griffin held his nerve to send Warrell the wrong way with the resulting penalty.<br /><br />The visitors had time for one last attack as Allen crossed into a packed area. Bath made the catch and the game was over.<br /><br />I subsequently learned that Carl Brown was named Man of the Match.<br /><br /><strong>Cirencester Town</strong> (red and black stripes / black / red): 1. Matt Bath, 2. Zak Westlake, 3. Tom Etheridge, 4. Chris Thompson, 5. Nick Dunn, 6. Lyndon Tompkins (capt), 7. Jamie Reid, 8. Chris Williams, 9. Jody Bevan, 10. Scott Griffin, 11. Carl Brown. Subs: 12. Jason Welsh (for Bevan ,69), 14. Lee Stevens (not used), 15. Robert Dean (for Dunn, 84), 16. Max Etheridge (not used).<br /><br /><strong>North Leigh</strong> (sky blue / sky blue / sky blue): 1. Sam Warrell, 2. Aaron Posey, 3. Simon Futcher, 4. Andrew Helby, 5. Stuart Huxley (capt), 6. Karl Dodds, 7. Robbie Wyatt, 8. Stuart Hole, 9. Matt Taylor, 10. Andy McCabe, 11. Ryan Curtin. Subs: 12. Chris Allen (for Futcher, 43), 14. Jason Smith (for Wyatt, 58), 15. Harry Burnley (not used), 16. Alfie Saunders (not used), 17. Adam Lonsdale (not used).<br /><br />Referee: CE Husband (Leicester).<br />Assistants: PE Stowe (Evesham) and R Thomas (Worcester).<br /><br />Goals:<br />1-0 Carl Brown (22)<br />1-1 Karl Dodds (83)<br />2-1 Scott Griffin (90+4 pen)<br /><br />Cards:<br />Cirencester: Tom Etheridge (YC, 73).<br />North Leigh: Simon Futcher (YC, 34), Karl Dodds (YC, 54), Andy McCabe (YC, 63), Stuart Hole (YC, 81).<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpNSHJWy0X2WzfgyxCKNhHwkZ9pCgWJsomg2WyGgCIgL_1tgNGPC5XiNSuGZym5KPeFVbk2Lo9JoHBtAaGzfFitki7PJndXEHKiMej9thyq4qam5FC2jdhOds7stvdwkHRHaVmo3uFwiM/s1600-h/p20090913c.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpNSHJWy0X2WzfgyxCKNhHwkZ9pCgWJsomg2WyGgCIgL_1tgNGPC5XiNSuGZym5KPeFVbk2Lo9JoHBtAaGzfFitki7PJndXEHKiMej9thyq4qam5FC2jdhOds7stvdwkHRHaVmo3uFwiM/s400/p20090913c.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385030350727293618" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmDC1nr32_7-rBUHaNzI9MyIwB3so63pv4VFx0rW5lZZEVWiy2YQ_NlfpdaAyaojhtpcY-u-4Bg7GFQr0h8tCSekyvFW8hYBI5-yf9TNR84ZhID6lC8lt6m__8ekSGJv2fp7W63aO5gyo/s1600-h/p20090913g.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmDC1nr32_7-rBUHaNzI9MyIwB3so63pv4VFx0rW5lZZEVWiy2YQ_NlfpdaAyaojhtpcY-u-4Bg7GFQr0h8tCSekyvFW8hYBI5-yf9TNR84ZhID6lC8lt6m__8ekSGJv2fp7W63aO5gyo/s400/p20090913g.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385030333226916338" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7rvftR0Fclo1ANboSJZEBBK0W8AhviEqVOsB6OoaMKrjBZ2WP0Qtmyu6A0UK3HdWLo1dkfIGyUGMiAQCYwWCFKWbWMkiasXUTS22o4SZ5yb9aoo6EXCOCL5CeXbgTTyGY_RTSAmIvecY/s1600-h/p20090913h.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7rvftR0Fclo1ANboSJZEBBK0W8AhviEqVOsB6OoaMKrjBZ2WP0Qtmyu6A0UK3HdWLo1dkfIGyUGMiAQCYwWCFKWbWMkiasXUTS22o4SZ5yb9aoo6EXCOCL5CeXbgTTyGY_RTSAmIvecY/s400/p20090913h.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385030118660864034" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTTUwjbeUxHQ-47HHoZc6K8xXzdy3EecDs1oVkdSLNhAYXH-H05PlcX68f0K3r2OdgcLXnZYDJ22fVdRg1gXf6gLkPIDkUtajhF1569W-uZMtbukCHLkgu0CxUc6p1r4QAwwdJ4u-4-UU/s1600-h/p20090913k.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTTUwjbeUxHQ-47HHoZc6K8xXzdy3EecDs1oVkdSLNhAYXH-H05PlcX68f0K3r2OdgcLXnZYDJ22fVdRg1gXf6gLkPIDkUtajhF1569W-uZMtbukCHLkgu0CxUc6p1r4QAwwdJ4u-4-UU/s400/p20090913k.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385030105689272818" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8LbfW6ft_pB71NqVHHsJoU0g7CACEb3VoS9bRNbjRuUtd0dJkoz-whwI-VLA25DzMte7bbSqJZeYzaQcXgnhGjBeDTRg5Kz5opHFavPiErKuLViACFOx_QRlK29KLFKW5kGV2YHXNT60/s1600-h/p20090913l.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8LbfW6ft_pB71NqVHHsJoU0g7CACEb3VoS9bRNbjRuUtd0dJkoz-whwI-VLA25DzMte7bbSqJZeYzaQcXgnhGjBeDTRg5Kz5opHFavPiErKuLViACFOx_QRlK29KLFKW5kGV2YHXNT60/s400/p20090913l.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385030100292406482" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimQlPKNsFIcmxjSDbdh1AZEdU6F5vXmSoiZZ2stDaqMFwSnq2F89G9dtV34rPa92-cBiLKrejT2fosPl5Tg3ZhWhDXBuXyW-fUagygfJcrW4yKnzqFeH940DhVpEfa6JubVyg27oq41SM/s1600-h/p20090913m.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimQlPKNsFIcmxjSDbdh1AZEdU6F5vXmSoiZZ2stDaqMFwSnq2F89G9dtV34rPa92-cBiLKrejT2fosPl5Tg3ZhWhDXBuXyW-fUagygfJcrW4yKnzqFeH940DhVpEfa6JubVyg27oq41SM/s400/p20090913m.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385030093093959202" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3110964708293437000.post-42563535840483233792009-09-12T23:59:00.007+01:002009-10-03T10:36:39.105+01:00Saturday 12th September 2009<strong>Bardon Hill Sports 5 Barton Town Old Boys 0<br />FA Cup sponsored by e.on First Qualifying Round<br />At: Bardon Close<br />Kick-off: 3-00 pm<br />Admission: £5; Programme: £1 (48 pages)<br />Attendance: 120<br />Weather: warm and sunny<br />Duration: first-half: 46:16; second-half: 48:40</strong><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZiFt0L2iTbWKcsOmbjD_9GBnRsnTL7Jrz80spA8D12ZhO8Jee84We5py76dTbmHS2oQFCdTbAr5u2H4ntaMy-oBrJb2zO4yU6jJ00RuC6TYeY1KVsskIWBq-dsC187ax5LnPeIlvN5Bo/s1600-h/p20090912a.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZiFt0L2iTbWKcsOmbjD_9GBnRsnTL7Jrz80spA8D12ZhO8Jee84We5py76dTbmHS2oQFCdTbAr5u2H4ntaMy-oBrJb2zO4yU6jJ00RuC6TYeY1KVsskIWBq-dsC187ax5LnPeIlvN5Bo/s400/p20090912a.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382533804383328722" /></a><br />A year ago, I saw a real ‘David versus Goliath’ tie in the First Qualifying Round when Meir KA produced a massive upset to hold Halesowen Town to a 1-1 draw. Today, the teams appeared more evenly-matched on paper but, none-the-less, I was really looking forward to seen them battle for a potential glamour tie in the Second Qualifying Round.<br /><br />So far my 2009/10 FA Cup trail has taken in two home ties for clubs in the East Midlands Counties League at Gedling Miners Welfare and Borrowash Victoria. Both drew at the first attempt only to lose in replays away to higher-ranked opposition. Just two EMCL sides made it through to the First Qualifying Round – Holbrook MW away to Rainworth MW and this tie where Bardon Hill Sports were hosting Barton Town Old Boys.<br /><br />I guessed that Bardon Hill didn’t have a long FA Cup history. In fact, as mentioned in the programme, this season is actually their first-ever campaign in the famous competition and so far can boast a 100% record!<br /><br />Both Bardon Hill and Barton Town entered the competition at the very first hurdle, the Extra Preliminary Round, four weeks ago. Bardon produced a fantastic performance to defeat Arnold Town of the Northern Counties East League Premier Division by the odd goal in five. Barton did well to overcome Gedling Town in a home replay 2-1 after the initial tie finished all square at 2-2.<br /><br />For Bardon Hill, the reward was an away tie in the Preliminary Round at Coalville, and they produce a shock result to defeat their more senior local neighbours by a single goal. Barton Town also faced a side from the Midland Alliance, Kirby Muxloe, and went goal crazy with a 6-1 home win.<br /><br />The two wins pocked each side £2250 in prize money for their two wins with another £3000 awaiting the winner of this First Qualifying Round tie, as well as the possibility of a glamorous tie in the next round against a Blue Square North side.<br /><br />My route via Rugeley, Burton (petrol stop at Morrisons) and the Ashby bypass was a familiar one and almost identical to the one taken to Ellistown and back from Ibstock on the recent Bank Holiday Monday. Bardon Hill, like the other two clubs, are based close to Coalville.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUnZZhDp4uEGmDUQTsc7JyRfPtLt91Emd8Q6JQj2uKV3cZqiZCOydHU2cQKaefO9Gn6DHl6g-5AeIRBnv0Vsu1TxXo6rMm3HHzsleLSpLNRRqy2CmZIbhbCb6VBGSWdiNdaXMRvHIouI4/s1600-h/p20090912b.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUnZZhDp4uEGmDUQTsc7JyRfPtLt91Emd8Q6JQj2uKV3cZqiZCOydHU2cQKaefO9Gn6DHl6g-5AeIRBnv0Vsu1TxXo6rMm3HHzsleLSpLNRRqy2CmZIbhbCb6VBGSWdiNdaXMRvHIouI4/s400/p20090912b.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382533800304501570" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggCi1uwljd_AvOLXVBK5G_YQsRDlOMrqYgiOINnOwpnNeyPpMd2nS1TXWWk0G2Vu9LbvYi-Ay15fLZ5KyAQEG4pzb_VzBhGPP_QRiwdiq4QBfJN-tc4GpZcYNc3NnVTafvqthuZJGoztc/s1600-h/p20090912c.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggCi1uwljd_AvOLXVBK5G_YQsRDlOMrqYgiOINnOwpnNeyPpMd2nS1TXWWk0G2Vu9LbvYi-Ay15fLZ5KyAQEG4pzb_VzBhGPP_QRiwdiq4QBfJN-tc4GpZcYNc3NnVTafvqthuZJGoztc/s400/p20090912c.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382533792449952738" /></a><br />The ground was straight forward to find being just off the A511. Travelling south in the direction of the M1 and Leicester, Bardon Close was on the left, just before the houses ended and Total garage. The entrance was about 100 yards on the right and the first thing I noticed was the cricket match taking place to the right – the football stadium was straight ahead.<br /><br />At the entrance, I picked up a programme (£1) and was delighted to find club badges on sale as well. Sat in my car reading the programme, I could see how much this tie meant to Bardon Hill Sports. The editor wrote: “How could anyone associated with this club over the past five decades could have imagined that we would be in this position and playing in the most famous and magical domestic trophy in the world, and winning!!” Board member ‘Foz’ added: “It is difficult to keep coming up with new superlatives to describe the clubs entry into the FA Cup…”<br /><br />Through the ‘turnstile’, the pitch (orientated north-west–south-east) ran lengthways. Behind the near goal were the hospitality room and changing rooms, protected by a net. Down the right-hand touchline nearest the cricket ground, was a seated stand, running from the level with the near ‘D’ to halfway. It had two rows of blue individual tip-up seats and on either side of the stand were areas of open terracing. Dugouts were on halfway down the left-hand touchline.<br /><br />Teamsheets were available in the hospitality room where ‘Medders’, who I’d last seen at Droitwich Spa back in April, was also recording those important line-ups (which were also announced over the tannoy). His mate Keith spend the time before kick-off watching 10 minutes of cricket and I also spotted ‘chris1963’ (last met in Copenhagen!) as well.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuFd1e4tea0cEHU137Rcm-YcfKiGjCbEIGv_jazo5XSNs8tErGzTiHmBt7CjH03zT11UkGBz-Ve3sulJ9a5qanfcnnAMcGspLLndBxk6MG4HCWYEs8PkodqddJEt05F7j_5fi-q_YqFds/s1600-h/p20090912e.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuFd1e4tea0cEHU137Rcm-YcfKiGjCbEIGv_jazo5XSNs8tErGzTiHmBt7CjH03zT11UkGBz-Ve3sulJ9a5qanfcnnAMcGspLLndBxk6MG4HCWYEs8PkodqddJEt05F7j_5fi-q_YqFds/s400/p20090912e.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382533645543202306" /></a><br />Bardon Hill (in eighth position with seven points from five games) have made a solid start to the 2009/10 East Midlands Counties League and, in fact, only lost their unbeaten league record on Tuesday evening. They went down 1-0 at home to unbeaten Gedling Miners Welfare. Visitors Barton Town Old Boys have only played three league games in the KoolSport Northern Counties East League Division 1. They were in 14th position (out of 18 teams) with three points coming from one win and two defeats.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Ur0ONzKKjIxIwt4umsBJstR6XXIlKrW7X523HTo1ewiJfKlPHLtYGCTiQUfKpeRct94tUFaLZjrKF9doRnuCkTWTp2i36v6VG_Tie70N07LDYBrNndnQzas-oLOwghgdAVxNxMNvD2Y/s1600-h/p20090912h.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Ur0ONzKKjIxIwt4umsBJstR6XXIlKrW7X523HTo1ewiJfKlPHLtYGCTiQUfKpeRct94tUFaLZjrKF9doRnuCkTWTp2i36v6VG_Tie70N07LDYBrNndnQzas-oLOwghgdAVxNxMNvD2Y/s400/p20090912h.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382533630077940274" /></a><br />As is the norm in the FA Cup, teams came out behind the match officials in fair play fashion, lined up in front of the stand before exchanging those pre-match handshakes.<br /><br />Barton Hill (wearing white shirts, blue shorts and blue socks) got the game underway, defending the entrance end in the first half; in other words attacking from left to right from my seat on the back row of the stand, number 78.<br /><br />Both sides made a cagey start and on the quarter hour Matt Garner headed over the Old Boys bar. Bardon took the lead in the 19th minute with a well-worked goal. Jake Duffy slipped a perfect pass into the path of Vernon Hart-Harper who fired low into the bottom right corner from just inside the area. There was a great roar of approval from the home fans!<br /><br />On the half hour, Barton (wearing maroon shirts and shorts with white socks) created a chance on the edge of the area and Gareth Barlow fired over the bar.<br /><br />The day got even better for the home side when they doubled their lead in the 33rd minute. Adam Griffiths hammered a volley home from 15 yards after the Barton defence failed to clear. The raffle ticket seller made his way round to be me soon after the goal went in – would white 36–40 prove lucky?<br /><br />Bardon Hill almost scored again as the interval approached. Barton keeper Tom Nicholson produced a superb diving save to turn round Duffy’s header but a goal wouldn’t have counted as a flag went up for offside.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFuaETpNNCbr3KWYbKPxsv7c28pI12H8b2jnJKITXk9bxWfGij-aEinlzXnIbquJe4-5n3TtQmkLmGz6jXGLcStmjaoOEf119O3_WsQzzHA8vcUaV4VXA38iVqcZYd28tLeltoye5QDdE/s1600-h/p20090912l.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFuaETpNNCbr3KWYbKPxsv7c28pI12H8b2jnJKITXk9bxWfGij-aEinlzXnIbquJe4-5n3TtQmkLmGz6jXGLcStmjaoOEf119O3_WsQzzHA8vcUaV4VXA38iVqcZYd28tLeltoye5QDdE/s400/p20090912l.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382533331834446514" /></a><br />Half-time refreshments were served in the cricket pavilion (adjacent to the car park) and by coincidence the cricketers were taking tea. I got back into the ground to hear the bad news: “471–475 on salmon,” came over the tannoy and I was miles away from the prize.<br /><br />Players were out for the second half before the match officials and had to wait longer for the assistants to recheck the nets. I was back in the same seat and Bardon were now the nearest goal by the entrance. The visitors made a change at the interval with Lee Mouds replacing Lee Mohammed.<br /><br />Bardon were 45 minutes from dreamland when game resumed and quickly scored their third goal within 86 seconds to effectively put the outcome beyond doubt. Nicholson could only flap at Liam Hibberd’s right-wing cross to present Matt Garner with a routine task of heading home at close range.<br /><br />The visitors made a second change in the 50th minute with Shaun Mitchell coming on in place of Nathan White. But they had a moment of worry five minutes later when Nicholson suffered what initially looked like a nasty leg injury dealing with a corner. However, the keeper was able to continue after treatment and displayed no ill effects. <br /><br />Around the hour mark, the sun was shining at a right angle to the pitch and as I noticed the shadow of the floodlight pylon near me following the half-way line.<br /><br />“2-1 up Leicester, Fryatt again,” said a fan near me to his mate – it was looking like a good day for them with Bardon progressing in the cup and the Foxes heading for three points.<br /><br />The day got even better for the home side and fans as Bardon scored a fourth goal in the 62nd minute. Garner cut in from the left and pulled the ball back for Hibberd to hammer home into the bottom left corner of Nicholson’s net.<br /><br />With both feet in the next round, the home side made a first change in the 70th minute when Hibberd, scorer of the fourth goal, went off to be replaced by Dave Jones. <br /><br />Barton struggled to make an impact inside the home area but Dave Moulds sent a glancing header wide from Pat Masterton’s left-wing cross.<br /><br />This was followed by a double Bardon substitution in the 75th minute with Joe Jackson and Daniel Piper replacing Dean Partner and Steven Moult. Barton got in on the substitution act, as well, replacing Dave Moulds with Scott McKay a minute later.<br /><br />Nicholson produced a superb reaction save to tip over Jones’ close-range bullet header which came from Piper’s cross. At the other end, Bardon keeper Aaron Harris had a quiet afternoon though he needed to remain alert to hold an angled left-foot shot from Lee Moulds.<br /><br />“4-1 Man City,” ‘announced’ the same fan that gave us the Leicester update.<br /><br />A perfect day for Bardon Hill Sports FC was rounded off with a fifth goal in the 90th minute. Substitute Jones was put clear and lobbed the helpless keeper with the ball dropping into the bottom left corner of the net.<br /><br />Three minutes added time produced no further incident and the final whistle was greeted with applause from delighted home fans – the dream had come true!<br /><br />At the end of the game, I checked the scorer of Bardon’s second goal with ‘Medders’ and we both had the same name!<br /><br />There was time to relax with a few overs of cricket through it didn’t look likely that Bardon Hill would record a cross-sport winning double. They posted a score of 189 and Market Bosworth were well on course to overhaul that total when I left on 53 for 1 from 11 overs.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHGchQiR6yRnn-B6hlfMOjWMGYH9Bzld_Rpyty2yEpKHx0M1Ja6d3guFXdgDLfXmmVU6nOoB0pkAUCVQGtt5CBXe3LFIGlvkgc9XQ7otak5YElT4tJq_HTDUnMOJcDHhpiQ0mLyfkmCo4/s1600-h/p20090912m.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHGchQiR6yRnn-B6hlfMOjWMGYH9Bzld_Rpyty2yEpKHx0M1Ja6d3guFXdgDLfXmmVU6nOoB0pkAUCVQGtt5CBXe3LFIGlvkgc9XQ7otak5YElT4tJq_HTDUnMOJcDHhpiQ0mLyfkmCo4/s400/p20090912m.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382533329396811730" /></a><br />Footnote: Bardon Hill did get a glamorous Second Qualifying Round tie with a trip to Blue Square North side Northwich Victoria. Market Bosworth knocked off the required runs to win the cricket.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_qJ0Ic_6t4khbxeig2NgkQh1Uz2XEo0KKwY1t9QT98lgDUzz_qw9FoO9pGDE_jshk_5sWmOm7z2N0FGQmJW9gYa7t5amrOmIK-PXF0TvZHSo-i-Ty1bV-NLvNgOy6Io7xBJ-n2MA2lkM/s1600-h/p20090912d.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_qJ0Ic_6t4khbxeig2NgkQh1Uz2XEo0KKwY1t9QT98lgDUzz_qw9FoO9pGDE_jshk_5sWmOm7z2N0FGQmJW9gYa7t5amrOmIK-PXF0TvZHSo-i-Ty1bV-NLvNgOy6Io7xBJ-n2MA2lkM/s400/p20090912d.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382533650180548978" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxvbNBDWpMEdQ0VEFr37FBWvSlMR9Y-hPkBsHCDgqoDNygE_ru_hbK9S_OWU2eIn0dYeMvXJlBYNKhATDjO1u2NfYhj75icmniUzKonnc-7fYLJmEJAx1wVOkMap1eN5_JVTiWfjAG4FY/s1600-h/p20090912f.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxvbNBDWpMEdQ0VEFr37FBWvSlMR9Y-hPkBsHCDgqoDNygE_ru_hbK9S_OWU2eIn0dYeMvXJlBYNKhATDjO1u2NfYhj75icmniUzKonnc-7fYLJmEJAx1wVOkMap1eN5_JVTiWfjAG4FY/s400/p20090912f.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382533641078442738" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik83dowyJIRW-lUkwwNbmiuTGgC0mWQGI661AMM7An5zZQTRjQvLyBFYyTDiU-4n5y48FaXHXcou-ZvE3fNUzgZrKxraaUeHLw7FMmi7bcTQuI9oU3FKjnnM0HnXDQaK1t567dC-5VU3c/s1600-h/p20090912g.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik83dowyJIRW-lUkwwNbmiuTGgC0mWQGI661AMM7An5zZQTRjQvLyBFYyTDiU-4n5y48FaXHXcou-ZvE3fNUzgZrKxraaUeHLw7FMmi7bcTQuI9oU3FKjnnM0HnXDQaK1t567dC-5VU3c/s400/p20090912g.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382533640362726834" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_XTxa7RypAxnjLCiIUrJx-Se2ULBu7D-nArhXEfOFKRdCeufm84SusUbRWBE2rnZPHJdZw_kSErDPKpwT_uYL9t4qN4b_itVbDl5B0Ct1M8BZVC-K_5NIdmVqss7Zmf51m7u3iEoKw6I/s1600-h/p20090912i.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_XTxa7RypAxnjLCiIUrJx-Se2ULBu7D-nArhXEfOFKRdCeufm84SusUbRWBE2rnZPHJdZw_kSErDPKpwT_uYL9t4qN4b_itVbDl5B0Ct1M8BZVC-K_5NIdmVqss7Zmf51m7u3iEoKw6I/s400/p20090912i.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382533356812181426" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIpwmyRTrDJjAzKTGUHeV0xnI2EcosXibp0QW683_NL-urBLlIbU-J4n2I1F_c3ZUGA6ggx9eNbPmZ0emEnqbGVUbF83t03ldHUESnfQwvZeARZVL9kpGa6yx2iCRKgNXSP8pJCDmPDvg/s1600-h/p20090912j.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIpwmyRTrDJjAzKTGUHeV0xnI2EcosXibp0QW683_NL-urBLlIbU-J4n2I1F_c3ZUGA6ggx9eNbPmZ0emEnqbGVUbF83t03ldHUESnfQwvZeARZVL9kpGa6yx2iCRKgNXSP8pJCDmPDvg/s400/p20090912j.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382533352038489090" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ1UWhzkJvcChi1klede_TXKJMFeW-wj9WIlcJ-x02QpGNXjpdCYshsjdWBrYZwbHFJiJOWah43cTmkCYXAKeF1QUh4LeiOhpm84k-zl3iGa4V6d8xvhCEQGK7Vbcxpup7PHU1Pxcrz88/s1600-h/p20090912k.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ1UWhzkJvcChi1klede_TXKJMFeW-wj9WIlcJ-x02QpGNXjpdCYshsjdWBrYZwbHFJiJOWah43cTmkCYXAKeF1QUh4LeiOhpm84k-zl3iGa4V6d8xvhCEQGK7Vbcxpup7PHU1Pxcrz88/s400/p20090912k.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382533340716366402" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3110964708293437000.post-19601084679264708662009-09-08T23:59:00.006+01:002010-03-13T20:16:57.756+00:00Tuesday 8th September 2009<strong>St Helens Town 2 Atherton Laburnum Rovers 2<br />Vodkat League Premier Division<br />At: GPW Recruitment Stadium, Knowsley Road<br />Kick-off: 7-45 pm<br />Admission: £5; Programme: £1-20<br />Attendance: 163<br />Weather: Rain<br />Duration: first-half: 47:10; second-half: 48:52</strong><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkqwxld5NgqZrilen4J3p2NGWDO7d_VC_HDoFQnmIics4Iy4SaMv120kLfuBN6XO5k0Y-k7hV1hCGzbOmxzgs4_MWcFG2dNYfMlQGV3L6UIpXZPUu5XLf8IxDM5PIHoxX5INw9V3c-PEo/s1600-h/p20090908a.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkqwxld5NgqZrilen4J3p2NGWDO7d_VC_HDoFQnmIics4Iy4SaMv120kLfuBN6XO5k0Y-k7hV1hCGzbOmxzgs4_MWcFG2dNYfMlQGV3L6UIpXZPUu5XLf8IxDM5PIHoxX5INw9V3c-PEo/s400/p20090908a.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381720497540358850" /></a><br />St Helens and Atherton LR shared the points on a horrible damp and wet evening at an iconic stadium which is set to be demolished for housing in 2011.<br /><br />I was a bit 50:50 about whether to go out tonight and waited until Junior ‘iwf’ got back home from her first day at high school before decided whether or not to head out. Everything went OK so I made my up the M6 to finally visit what could well be the non-league ground which the biggest capacity in England that isn’t shared by a more senior club. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCTzK3MLkM7N1Fpb2ecfegnAV-tLuS2slzbeMVdq03fjoARIkGF4mKFmZqccX56P2kzUzH8MaGT9HA1soPVjbkXhDRAK2b7pKdwvHB-is90w36HtazFAmRVsFcmInMsyMt801_J35sqHM/s1600-h/p20090908b.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCTzK3MLkM7N1Fpb2ecfegnAV-tLuS2slzbeMVdq03fjoARIkGF4mKFmZqccX56P2kzUzH8MaGT9HA1soPVjbkXhDRAK2b7pKdwvHB-is90w36HtazFAmRVsFcmInMsyMt801_J35sqHM/s400/p20090908b.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382449324939829586" /></a><br />The GPW Recruitment Stadium (aka Knowsley Road) is well known as a top Rugby League venue and it has also been the home of St Helens Town FC as well since 2000. But the days of this 17,500 capacity venue are numbered. Work has already begun on the new stadium a new 18,000 capacity stadium on the derelict former United Glass site that is expected to open ready for the start of the 2011 Rugby League Super League season. <br /><br />I can’t say I enjoyed the journey – very wet conditions north of Knutsford and a queue north of the M6/M62 interchange, as well as a puzzling route selected by the ‘machine’ of the A580 which got me there but didn’t seem efficient.<br /><br />Along the A580 from the M6 at Haydock, I ignored a couple of roads signed St Helens until reaching the traffic light at the A570 junction with a Tesco petrol station on the corner – 1.6 miles to go according to the SatNav. I followed the A570 left (Rainford Road) towards the town centre until a puzzling right turn into Hartington Road, followed by right into Kiln Lane and left folk into Alder Hey Road. Soon I hit the T junction with Knowsley Road and the stadium with there to the left on the opposite side of the road. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb_2WCqPA2h5CSqSpUWmt7yD167vCreIkPd0tJAYgeuMWGyES8sVQPFkVbqRPkB3H2z3BaNte8o2Mb69Bf919a9gAMF4lB9DDnkReN1Av1W9kcnnDkf1Evoro_6wvwwIB12qrRP4_UZ8E/s1600-h/p20090908d.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb_2WCqPA2h5CSqSpUWmt7yD167vCreIkPd0tJAYgeuMWGyES8sVQPFkVbqRPkB3H2z3BaNte8o2Mb69Bf919a9gAMF4lB9DDnkReN1Av1W9kcnnDkf1Evoro_6wvwwIB12qrRP4_UZ8E/s400/p20090908d.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382449212881295394" /></a><br />Both sides went into tonight’s game in opposite halves of the Vodkat League Premier Division table. St Helens (in fifth position with 10 points from five games) have made a good start of the season with three league wins, one draw and one defeat. <br /><br />Visitors Atherton Laburnum Rovers, in 17th position out of 22 teams, have also played five games and their tally of five points came from a win, two draws and two defeats. <br /><br />Both St Helens and Atherton crashed out of the FA Vase on Saturday losing, respectively, to Padiham and Colne.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdxfZWJJpF8C6FlJw8mou0nHNJX_jCQH59wimy0dY_BYgJA3rajW2vG6I6S7yzJz1n6zd8lnj8yTPFi_QYSIPR5-jspkkxkkuem9iKSa71PR-AC_o3ykWfLU9bfARQVERWc5fSjkRFjNQ/s1600-h/p20090908g.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdxfZWJJpF8C6FlJw8mou0nHNJX_jCQH59wimy0dY_BYgJA3rajW2vG6I6S7yzJz1n6zd8lnj8yTPFi_QYSIPR5-jspkkxkkuem9iKSa71PR-AC_o3ykWfLU9bfARQVERWc5fSjkRFjNQ/s400/p20090908g.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382449193073528594" /></a><br />There was a welcome announcement and a reading of the line-ups before kick-off. I opted for seat in the main Hattons Solicitors Stand and began on row 5 seat 23 – for some reason the seats weren’t numbered consecutively.<br /><br />Atherton LR got the game underway attacking the Dunriding Lane End open terrace – right to left in relation to my vantage point. It was cold and damp with driving rain on the backs of the Atherton players.<br /><br />The home side were certainly creating the better chances and a low shot from Mike Scully was blocked in front of goal by Louis Edwards. Surface water was coming up off the pitch and, with black numbers on the back of the red and white striped St Helens shirts, it was proving difficult to spot who did what in the conditions.<br /><br />Atherton took the lead in the 32nd minute against the run of play. Stephenson battled past Chris Burke out on the right and drove the ball across the face of goal. It was pulled back to the edge of the area from where Phil Howard fired a low shot into the bottom left corner. <br /><br />Something suddenly dawned on me. Out of the depths of my mind, I recalled that the game I saw at St Helens’ old Hoghton Road ground was… St Helens v Atherton LR. For a while I reckoned this was the first league game I’d seen played on two different grounds until, of course, I remembered seeing Stafford play leagues games at both the former and current homes of the likes of Weymouth, Grantham Town, Witton Albion and Wycombe Wanderers, to name four.<br /><br />In what became a keenly contested encounter, St Helens finished the half strongly as they looked for an equaliser – and almost got one. Graeme Mitchell beat Andy Hewitt with a header only for the ball to hit the left-hand post and rebound across the face of goal.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAUiXAvLKoGnk0eNz7n8UneofZr7nrMC9HuqDyqWF_Z_Oo4OrF2vhm7Vxm7-J9YPBgqH1UmtWfoGRbxrpxncE2YbRlK43w-EHxmriu-ZVHSNEcMbAGHWol6-6JW3NzfiA8jbdRBZzbuqY/s1600-h/p20090908h.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAUiXAvLKoGnk0eNz7n8UneofZr7nrMC9HuqDyqWF_Z_Oo4OrF2vhm7Vxm7-J9YPBgqH1UmtWfoGRbxrpxncE2YbRlK43w-EHxmriu-ZVHSNEcMbAGHWol6-6JW3NzfiA8jbdRBZzbuqY/s400/p20090908h.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382449185675355842" /></a><br />I’d made use the Refreshment Kiosk before kick-off in the corridor underneath the main stand and headed there again once the half-time whistle was blown. This time in the queue was a local WAG with purply-reddish coloured hair and wearing faded blue jeans, who I initially thought was one of the Fitch twins from Skins. Raffle tickets had been on sale at the entrance to the stand before kick-off – alas the winning strip of 101–105 wasn’t mine.<br /><br />During the interval, the rain had stopped and the wind eased. St Helens resumed with a desire to equalise and levelled things up on the hour mark. Michael Scully got free of his marker inside the area and wrong-footed Hewitt with a deflected shot off a defender.<br /><br />Buoyed by the goal, St Helens were in the ascendency but Iain Dyson missed a great chance to put his side in front. Instead he fired wide after good work by Karl Ledsham and Rob Hanley.<br /><br />However, the miss proved costly as Atherton regained the lead in the 72nd minute. Howard got the better of two defenders before drilling a low shot into the bottom-right corner of the net.<br /><br />The lead lasted six minutes and it was a goal from Ledsham which got St Helens back on level terms. A good move down the left provided a cross which was not cleared and Ledsham hit a rising shot into the roof of the net from the edge of the area.<br /><br />Both sides could have scored a winner in the closing stages. Dougie Pitts fired across the face of the Atherton goal while, at the other end, Graeme McCall got down well to hold on to a low shot hit by substitute Jake Patton. The St Helens keeper also saved from Phil Johnson in stoppage time.<br /><br />Highlights on <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/StHelensTownFC#p/u/38/0q41RwkJLw8">YouTube</a><br /><br /><strong>St Helens Town</strong> (red and white stripes / red / red and white hoops): 1. Graeme McCall, 2. John Elias, 3. Mark Evans, 4. Stephen Kay, 5. Chris Burke, 6. Dougie Pitts, 7. Iain Dyson (capt), 8. Karl Ledsham, 9. Mike Scully, 10. Graeme Mitchell, 11. Marc Stephens. Subs: 12. Rob Hanley (for Mitchell, 58), 14. Ian Frazer (for Dyson, 81), 15. David Burns (not used), 16. Nick McLoughlin (for Evans, 81), 17. Kevin Woods (not used).<br /><br /><strong>Atherton LR</strong> (yellow/blue/yellow): 1. Andy Hewitt, 2. Phil Johnson, 3. Craig Ward, 4. Lee Skett, 5. Ross McNair (capt), 6. Louis Edwards, 7. Rob Molyneux, 8. Jon Stephenson, 9. Phil Howard, 10. Paul Gallagher, 11. Mathew Gregory. Subs: 12. Rob Smith (for Stephenson, 72), 14. Jamie Patton (for Gallagher, 65), 15. Ben Cartwright (for Gregory, 68), 16. Neil Murray (not used), GK. Paul De Garis (not used).<br /><br />Referee: PR Marsden (Leyland).<br />Assistants: C Isherwood and SL Jones.<br /><br />Goals:<br />0-1 Phil Howard (32)<br />1-1Mike Scully (60)<br />1-2 Phil Howard (72)<br />2-2 Karl Ledsham (80)<br /><br />Cards:<br />St Helens: Karl Ledsham (YC, 32), John Elias (YC, 35), Iain Dyson (YC, 57)<br />Atherton: Phil Howard (YC, 15), Lee Skett (YC, 54), Phil Johnson (YC, 90+2)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwzrYeGvZDEe3siBxwjygR47WPtKrLI36CiKq0Gsl7smPEu67U4FSgoELX69BsVIsxdfAZjDrgtqzuof0vfLfZfvK0l1jN-yzHN7ge54hQ9ExkDTZJdwQIN7BiBBkLAFJ_0ZAFeYQiGkM/s1600-h/p20090908c.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwzrYeGvZDEe3siBxwjygR47WPtKrLI36CiKq0Gsl7smPEu67U4FSgoELX69BsVIsxdfAZjDrgtqzuof0vfLfZfvK0l1jN-yzHN7ge54hQ9ExkDTZJdwQIN7BiBBkLAFJ_0ZAFeYQiGkM/s400/p20090908c.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382449313921284546" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwNo8kwxP44yKhDMxdKFvO0le-HG5qofWppTH8pmvEfyjpXPes-q9qjf4MFgYd-udTqk3Fe3ZMPGiencb7PZYgIkSlu7subVBWIQcPxDDyJh_tBxKGgBsPbI1JnDkXQZ9dDezksRcnjfg/s1600-h/p20090908e.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwNo8kwxP44yKhDMxdKFvO0le-HG5qofWppTH8pmvEfyjpXPes-q9qjf4MFgYd-udTqk3Fe3ZMPGiencb7PZYgIkSlu7subVBWIQcPxDDyJh_tBxKGgBsPbI1JnDkXQZ9dDezksRcnjfg/s400/p20090908e.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382449204509684066" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCuBKCpW9FiEPGe2YTeJfhFJLdZNGWEszsoRI2EWF5ki0T8JeRXvjXUYbd0VK_D821vHmnqA2gkRUXhS5m6oDk_EIQQFr9ytCO75se4rpetZlVCSoYJ7IeCsIEIQAc0xVnepv_cOcfM-Y/s1600-h/p20090908f.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCuBKCpW9FiEPGe2YTeJfhFJLdZNGWEszsoRI2EWF5ki0T8JeRXvjXUYbd0VK_D821vHmnqA2gkRUXhS5m6oDk_EIQQFr9ytCO75se4rpetZlVCSoYJ7IeCsIEIQAc0xVnepv_cOcfM-Y/s400/p20090908f.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382449201402651506" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3110964708293437000.post-86596624066148801752009-09-05T23:59:00.001+01:002009-09-06T11:07:14.629+01:00Saturday 5th September 2009<strong>Quorn 3 Glapwell 1<br />Unibond League Division 1 South<br />At: Farley Way Stadium<br />Kick-off: 3-00 pm<br />Admission: £6; Programme: £1-50 (40 pages)<br />Attendance: 152<br />Weather: cloudy<br />Duration: first-half: 46:52; second-half: 49:10</strong><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6cfJAx2kOz2cTWrsm3QlfFLlD_XQX3Vd5yMcYFlTDOdIXi_ocBu1oLKdZReRR6ZCfpGs7ExYpVRyGXWwFmrIGUQIy6dbETWb9E5Hp-IuskuRlAjxa74w5kgfpQo1HBSSceA05vR4AGSE/s1600-h/p20090905a.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6cfJAx2kOz2cTWrsm3QlfFLlD_XQX3Vd5yMcYFlTDOdIXi_ocBu1oLKdZReRR6ZCfpGs7ExYpVRyGXWwFmrIGUQIy6dbETWb9E5Hp-IuskuRlAjxa74w5kgfpQo1HBSSceA05vR4AGSE/s400/p20090905a.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378293750773372370" /></a><br />I had Junior ‘iwf’ with me today for the first time this season and, out of a number of options offered, she decided upon a chance to see former Stafford Rangers striker Neil Grayson in action once more.<br /><br />Her choice meant a second consecutive Saturday seeing Quorn in action but I wasn’t complaining. I’d not been to the Farley Way Stadium before and it provided a further opportunity to watch both ex-Stafford man Tom Ingram and the well-known Julian Joachim.<br /><br />Both Ingram and Joachim have recently joined Quorn and I didn’t know until reading the programme that Ingram had previously played for Quorn’s at Under-18 level earlier in his career. Grayson, approaching his 45th birthday, is a player I really admire. He became a fans favourite at Stafford and joined Glapwell in summer 2008 following Rangers’ relegation from Blue Square Premier. Stafford’s loss was Glapwell’s gain and I wonder whether I would have retired from my press work at Marston Road if the likes of Garyson had stayed with the club.<br /><br />Since last Saturday’s goalless draw at Borrowash in the FA Cup, Quorn eased through the replay with a 4-1 victory to earn a home tie against Mickleover Sports next Saturday. Both Ingram and Joachim were amongst the scorers and the programme match reporter gave Man of the Match to Ingram.<br /><br />In the league Quorn were second from bottom with one point from four games and only remained off the bottom because Willenhall Town started the season with a 10-point deduction. Visitors Glapwell (in ninth position with seven points from five games) were looking for a third straight league and cup win following last Saturday’s 3-1 win over Ellistown in the FA Cup and Monday’s Bank Holiday 3-0 victory over Goole. <br /><br />There was no need for the SatNav today as the directions from the A6 to the south of Loughborough appeared straightforward. From the roundabout to the north of the village where the Loughborough bypass (A6004) met the A6, we took the southbound exit signed ‘Quorn Woodhouse’. At the first set of lights just past the garden centre, we turned left into Farley Way and the ground was no more than 50 yards on the left.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjueU-1Sjl2K6uilzpP7XKSzZOxJDny6yZiZzQDIx_0ZBgPnqZXT3fVGVKxKmyg_TDT5M2emdWx-pOU6KRl0iIEFDe6j6KU_Fv2SCbTV0VPiDfO7QGvEplaGrU6qVcw6dEkinbwOKIpSRU/s1600-h/p20090905b.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 328px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjueU-1Sjl2K6uilzpP7XKSzZOxJDny6yZiZzQDIx_0ZBgPnqZXT3fVGVKxKmyg_TDT5M2emdWx-pOU6KRl0iIEFDe6j6KU_Fv2SCbTV0VPiDfO7QGvEplaGrU6qVcw6dEkinbwOKIpSRU/s400/p20090905b.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378293740802344178" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuAw42kIJHCoVmLD_orXo3r5C_I8uTcm4HxyJcttAazxYq2mh6B4-VmSAHpDHOzhabqN48pjrmxwuD2TygB4VkDBImudPH0yFRkQlJq6JSBTN9tD2GdxzroQqGbTSM_aEoiwREzMPFOz8/s1600-h/p20090905c.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 254px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuAw42kIJHCoVmLD_orXo3r5C_I8uTcm4HxyJcttAazxYq2mh6B4-VmSAHpDHOzhabqN48pjrmxwuD2TygB4VkDBImudPH0yFRkQlJq6JSBTN9tD2GdxzroQqGbTSM_aEoiwREzMPFOz8/s400/p20090905c.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378293731284307794" /></a><br />A Quorn FC sign and also matchday advertising board marked the entrance and we parked up behind the near goal. From the car park, the turnstile was to the left of the stand and a programme seller was well positioned on the other side. The pitch (orientated south-east–north-west) ran lengthways with a new area of cover occupying most on the length of the near end, known as the Farley Way end. It had been recently constructed using some of the proceeds of the sell-on clause for former player Luke Varney who moved from Crewe to Charlton in May 2007. An impressive stand was positioned along most of the right hand touchline, containing three rows of red individual tip-up seats. A smaller training pitch was behind that stand. On the left touchline, were the dugouts and another impressive building housing the changing rooms, clubhouse and tea/food bars. The clubhouse has been recently extended, again using proceeds from Varney’s sell-on clause. Four floodlight pylons rose down each touchline. <br /><br />A plaque on the clubhouse wall commemorated the opening of the Sutton Park Ground (now the Farley Way Stadium) by Frank Clark, then manager of Nottingham Forest, almost 14 years ago.<br /><br />Before the game we checked out the tea bar – tea in a proper 2007/08 Unibond League mug and as well as cola, chocolate and a lolly for Junior.<br /><br />A teamsheet was displayed from a clubhouse window and I was pleased to see Messers Ingram, Joachim and ‘the legend’ Grayson all starting. Another familiar name to me in the Glapwell side was another former Stafford man in defender Chris Timons who made five appearances on loan for Rangers during the 1994/95 season.<br /><br />We decided on a seat in the stand and opted for the middle row near halfway in seat 87 and the unnumbered seat (where 86 would be) next to it. Before kick-off, we chatted to Mrs Grayson and she hoped Neil would score a goal for us.<br /><br />Teams emerged down a retractable red tunnel in fair play fashion. Glapwell broke to the near Farley Way end and Quorn to the far end. Teams stayed put after the toss and Glapwell (wearing all yellow) got the action underway, attacking from left to right in relation to our vantage point.<br /><br />The visitors had all the early possession and, in the sixth minute, Quorn keeper Craig Jones produced a fine save to tip over Ryan Goward’s rising 25-yard drive. A long throw from Liam Powell, propelled into the area from the right, led to a chance for Neil Grayson. The veteran turned and forced Jones to excel again with a diving save to turn a low left-foot shot around the right-hand post for Glapwell’s fifth corner during the opening 12 minutes.<br /><br />Quorn (wearing all red) started to push forward and won a corner on the left when Adam Walker headed out Anthony Marriott long diagonal ball forward. Ashley Robinson delivered the corner into the six-yard box where Russell Peel forced the ball home to put the home side ahead in the 14th minute.<br /><br />The lead lasted just four minutes before a corner led to the visitors levelling things up in the 18th minute. Goward swung the ball in from the right, Grayson flicked it on for Ian Brown to head home. Like Peel’s goal, the equaliser was announced over the crystal-clear tannoy speaker above us.<br /><br />From the restart, Quorn pressed forward. A long-throw on the left by Robinson was cleared back to the midfielder who hit a rising drive that flicked the top of the bar.<br /><br />Glapwell appealed for a penalty in the 27th minute. Matt Varley cut in from the left and fired towards goal. The ball hit a defender at the near post but the referee ignored strong appeals for handball.<br /><br />Another thing that impressed me this afternoon was the excellent playing surface of which the groundsman must, no doubt, be proud of.<br /><br />With defences getting on top, chances before scare until Quorn were awarded a free-kick 35-yards out as the interval approached. Peel went for goal and saw his shot deflect of the wall for yet another corner. Michael Papparozzi then tried his luck with a rising shot from the edge of the area and defender Kris Matthews attempted an acrobatic overhead kick.<br /><br />In first-half stoppage time, Marriott was booked for a heavy challenge on Goward.<br /><br />Players came out for the second half to the sound of ‘Heart of Glass’. Joachim got down the right and did well to cross from on the bye-line but Pell running in couldn’t direct a header on target. Grayson, who impressed the Quorn fans sat immediately behind us, got the sniff of a chance and hammered a rising left-foot shot just wide of the target.<br /><br />The visitors thought they should have been awarded a 55th minute penalty. Matthews brought down Varley inside the area but the referee awarded a corner instead. Goward appeared to be booked for protesting. From the corner, Chris Timons saw a header blocked in front of goal and Brown hooked the ball wide in the ensuing scramble.<br /><br />Both sides made their first change at the same time just after the hour mark. Glapwell brought on Conor Higginson in place of Powell (62nd minute) and before play resumed, Quorn replaced Turner with Daniel Wright (63rd minute).<br /><br />Higginson almost made an immediate impact and Jones did well to keep his side on level terms. The substitute got on the end of a throughball into the area and saw his shot blocked by the advancing keeper.<br /><br />Jones’ intervention provided crucial as Quorn took a giant step towards winning their first league game of the season by taking the lead in the 67th minute. And I was ex-Stafford man Ingram who applied the finishing touch. Peel delivered a perfect cross from the left and Ingram hooked it home with his left foot from 8 yards out. “The scorer of the second Quorn goal, Tom Ingram!” came the announcement. I was so pleased for the midfielder who scored twice in 29 Stafford appearances during 2007 and 2008.<br /><br />Papparozzi sent a rising 25-yard shot over the Glapwell bar before it got even better for the home side in the 71st minute. Robinson latched on to a throughball from Ingram and beat two defenders before unleashing an unstoppable 20-yarder which gave Neil West no chance of stopping. <br /><br />Before the game restarted, Glapwell made a second change (72nd minute). Adam Kimberley, who had impressed me when I saw Glapwell at Brigg back in January, replaced Goward.<br /><br />Jones produced another vital save to preserve Quorn’s two-goal lead, turning round Steve Kennedy’s downward header from the second of four consecutive corners. Glapwell made a third change in the 76th minute – Nathan Benger replaced goalscorer Brown – and started to throw men forward. Kennedy headed wide from yet another corner.<br /><br />Quorn made their final two substitutions – Phillip Miller, a lively forward, on for Joachim (81st minute) and Thomas Liberatore for Papparozzi (85th minute). Just as he had for all the goals and substitution, the announcer cleared told fans of the changes. The other sub Wright was booked for a foul just before the latter change.<br /><br />With the points and a first league win seemingly in the bag for Quorn, the announcer reminded fans of next Saturday’s home FA Cup game with Mickleover.<br /><br />The referee indicated and the tannoy man announced four minutes of added time and, during it, Quorn made sure that Glapwell couldn’t score one let alone two of the goals needed to force a draw. The home side kept the ball deep in Glapwell territory near the right corner flag with Ingram playing his part down there.<br /><br />Full time came and the announcer thanked the crowd for their attendance. Before we started walking round, Tom Ingram’s Dad recognised me and we had a brief chat. I was impressed with the part Tom had played in the game and they way he took his goal. We had time to buy that all-important Quorn AFC lapel badge (£3) from behind the bar and set off home.<br /><br />Two final statistics are the corner count – Quorn 6, Glapwell 13 – and attendance of 152 – the highest from Quorn’s three league games this season and just 13 short of the crowd that saw Tuesday’s replay against Borrowash which was Joachim’s first appearance at Farley Way Stadium.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3110964708293437000.post-28893274722538869432009-08-31T19:45:00.005+01:002009-09-02T10:07:41.860+01:00Monday 31st August 2009 7-45 pm<strong>Ibstock United 1 Hinckley Downes 1<br />At: Welfare Ground, Leicester Road<br />Kick-off: 7-45 pm<br />Admission: £4; Programme: £1 (12 Pages)<br />Attendance: 35<br />Weather: mild, mostly dry<br />Duration: first-half: 46:56; second-half: 48:05</strong><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid9yPv2ha3aAO84rk4n2AxHNeFRWVk3h6lrLX4N5FYyReovVqEplFW5MduF2sfjj7qEbNR-GWKtCdh1DlnuXcBnTciGwIFahyphenhyphensTMLV5eBJFV1suAB63RSpIEtud1dzbjhkvqykrdfTnPg/s1600-h/p20090831b9.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid9yPv2ha3aAO84rk4n2AxHNeFRWVk3h6lrLX4N5FYyReovVqEplFW5MduF2sfjj7qEbNR-GWKtCdh1DlnuXcBnTciGwIFahyphenhyphensTMLV5eBJFV1suAB63RSpIEtud1dzbjhkvqykrdfTnPg/s400/p20090831b9.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376792943252947170" /></a><br />It was about 2.5 miles between the grounds of Ellistown FC and Ibstock United, so I had plenty of spare time before the second leg of my Bank Holiday double got underway.<br /><br />After some games were lost to FA Cup replays or switched to tomorrow, there were six East Midlands Counties League games on today and all bar this one were played this afternoon.<br /><br />Ibstock’s ground was easy to find and actually on Leicester Road (on the left just before the roundabout) which links the centre of Ellistown with the northern edge of Ibstock. It was also close the A447 Coalville to Market Bosworth road: travelling south from Coalville and A511, turn left into Ashby Road (signed Ellistown 1 ½ miles), past the Jet garage to the next roundabout by the Co-op, left into Leicester Road and the entrance was 100 yards on the right. A drive led away from the road into the car park with the Welfare on the left and ground on the right.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja4sH_yuD5ZAN3wiM0gdTEBKRoITxgP0SxJ6kw48viViX1pxU6veEZhs7kn5qZasVIJMHkOnHP-N3E057tNmciPk3HBCqZk5XZTj-mcIb_dle28dLj73wO37uvq6z0WdnGSByo8gLrj_o/s1600-h/p20090831b1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 334px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja4sH_yuD5ZAN3wiM0gdTEBKRoITxgP0SxJ6kw48viViX1pxU6veEZhs7kn5qZasVIJMHkOnHP-N3E057tNmciPk3HBCqZk5XZTj-mcIb_dle28dLj73wO37uvq6z0WdnGSByo8gLrj_o/s400/p20090831b1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376793136090110514" /></a><br />I popped into the village centre and got my tea from the Ibstock Fish Bar. Close by I spotted an impressive clock, erected to celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee in 2002, which was worth closer inspection. After parking up outside the ground, it was a trip to the nearby Co-op for a banana, chocolate and Pepsi to wash everything down!<br /><br />Two ‘hoppermobiles’ arrived, a car or four and another of one – all had both been to the Coleshill v Coalville afternoon game in the Midland Alliance (which Coalville won 1-0 with former Stafford keeper Richard Williams impressing to keep a clean sheet). I pointed one car load in the direction of Ellistown so they could have a look at that ground while the other lone traveller ‘Epsom Nigel’ took some photos. The time until things opened up flew by a lot quick than I anticipated.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDYhuc56ktVLddydTiz7I2DAVMQzOlKd4suSEdAH1VSETHgvDm3TKSpcNjYVNIjjcfx8UocCxwDaSixM04AVO9_ENIzjdKEirgp_MK1RlSwXoQ1evFWtP_1WfhiS9fpqUkkQu6e_YlQ9I/s1600-h/p20090831b4.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDYhuc56ktVLddydTiz7I2DAVMQzOlKd4suSEdAH1VSETHgvDm3TKSpcNjYVNIjjcfx8UocCxwDaSixM04AVO9_ENIzjdKEirgp_MK1RlSwXoQ1evFWtP_1WfhiS9fpqUkkQu6e_YlQ9I/s400/p20090831b4.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376793118412252338" /></a><br />Through the impressive entrance, a reminder of the days of Ibstock Welfare FC, the pitch (orientated north-west–south-eat) ran widthways. I emerged near to one corner flag with all the facilities down the near side. Immediately to the left of the entrance was the refreshments building and next to that was an area of covered standing set back from the pitch which included three rows of benches on the left hand side. On halfway down the nearside was a modern building which incorporated the changing rooms. The other three sides were hardstanding with no additional cover. The pitch was mowed before kick-off with strip down the middle left uncut.<br /><br />By the time the programmes became available, hot off the press with this afternoon’s results included, one traveller had decided to change plans at the last minute and hot-footed over to nearby Heather St John who also were kicking-off at 7-45 pm as well. We (I and ‘Darlington Harvey’) were both indebted to officials from both clubs for loaning their teamsheets.<br /><br />Before kick-off there was, of course, time for a mug of tea (50 p)!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK90-NFornBb98XQXQHhd2CLX_-m_IHjXMa-aKl-hrJgFa3vK2QodpbvUR3AhX1Al6ZfxDsEtODtDrqP0u9cy7rNCwJubxFTdvy1zftGrwcZWBA5JymiCB3xL54WorzWqFG-4ql99f88c/s1600-h/p20090831b3.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK90-NFornBb98XQXQHhd2CLX_-m_IHjXMa-aKl-hrJgFa3vK2QodpbvUR3AhX1Al6ZfxDsEtODtDrqP0u9cy7rNCwJubxFTdvy1zftGrwcZWBA5JymiCB3xL54WorzWqFG-4ql99f88c/s400/p20090831b3.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376793128844239330" /></a><br />Ibstock began the day in 16th position in the 20-team league table with three points from five games – they were still looking for their first league win of the season having drawn three and lost two. Visitors Hinckley Downes were three places better off in 13th on the same number of points but better goal difference and having played just four games. They had won one – at home to Holbrook Miners Welfare – and lost three games. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQgdagAPsgD4FGGKeJUdjNIcvBg7uF0xNvLazE_VeSlYPXF4esFnc0Mh9GeGBavr5r0t-K7nJLxxl17tT3xcmc5LUSrjlVgYoTzm4hyphenhyphenCXoEhNsCvKad6LwJhCxfuCDXk8fv2_YIbFJqUs/s1600-h/p20090831b5.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQgdagAPsgD4FGGKeJUdjNIcvBg7uF0xNvLazE_VeSlYPXF4esFnc0Mh9GeGBavr5r0t-K7nJLxxl17tT3xcmc5LUSrjlVgYoTzm4hyphenhyphenCXoEhNsCvKad6LwJhCxfuCDXk8fv2_YIbFJqUs/s400/p20090831b5.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376793115297801762" /></a><br />As the norm in this league, the teams emerged in fair play fashion. Wit lights on from the start, Hinckley Downes (wearing blue shirts with blue and white striped sleeves, blue shorts and blue socks) got the game underway attacking the near Leicester Road end. Before the game I got chatting to the ‘Darlington Harvey’ and the other travellers in the car from the north-east (Graham, Ray and John – though one was up from South Wales) and were walked round to the far side for the first-half.<br /><br />Ibstock (wearing red and white striped shirts, red shorts and red socks) won the first corner in the third minute and almost scored. Mark Pallett hit a right-foot volley which Hinckley’s Adam Smith cleared off the line.<br /><br />Chances were scarce and Andy Tidey headed straight at Ibstock keeper Steven Fowkes from Tom Hodson’s long free-kick.<br /><br />John Lovitt broke down the left, having stayed onside, and delivered a low cross from which Ben Weir saw a shot blocked by a defender.<br /><br />By the time, Hinckley were awarded a free-kick in the 39th minute just outside the Ibstock area, neither keeper had been unduly troubled. And the free-kick, which Tidey sent over the five-man wall, bar and fence behind the goal didn’t either.<br /><br />Just before the break, Luke Bradshaw played a delightful diagonal forward ball into the Ibstock area. Greg Richards looked set to shot until defender Rich Wileman made a vital saving tackle.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUdQDci-c9cp4ZVQEzfgpBxKydYn2cNWS-pTkpEGnAbtuh4TzCQJwbRo9ea6ojT3tT7HyqUPRMWD_VHbuKCuTZVpblBQcQ8D2coogfZjA0qZFtRYaYKB7QGdmKg28YjLN6TgRAQCPUsUo/s1600-h/p20090831b6.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUdQDci-c9cp4ZVQEzfgpBxKydYn2cNWS-pTkpEGnAbtuh4TzCQJwbRo9ea6ojT3tT7HyqUPRMWD_VHbuKCuTZVpblBQcQ8D2coogfZjA0qZFtRYaYKB7QGdmKg28YjLN6TgRAQCPUsUo/s400/p20090831b6.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376792958832185266" /></a><br />At half-time we walked back round to the refreshments building and opted to stay put to watch the second half from the patio-like area by the entrance.<br /><br />The second-half was less than two minutes old when a moment of magic from Dan Stevenson gave Ibstock the lead. The referee brought play back for an infringement just outside the Hinckley area. Stevenson stepped up and hit the free-kick past the wall and into the bottom left corner past the static keeper Wayne Connolly who really had no chance of keeping the ball out.<br /><br />Ibstock were certainly lively during the second half and Tom Hodson’s tackle prevented another chance for Stevenson. Hinckley also survived a scare in the 56th minute when Curtis Smith sliced an attempted clearance over his own bar.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPhUBrPd4sGR2P0T46QINybc6STvG2vJ4B5IZ66HX0z4Nvwi4SjUUtoAtNjwbLX5uF5z2a6CmHiY5FxXo62snXmd6AUXxg1YJZeO5CXvH_5wJwhtVKMQJ2DHeEsaPG_oPaR9VstllMBVY/s1600-h/p20090831b10.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPhUBrPd4sGR2P0T46QINybc6STvG2vJ4B5IZ66HX0z4Nvwi4SjUUtoAtNjwbLX5uF5z2a6CmHiY5FxXo62snXmd6AUXxg1YJZeO5CXvH_5wJwhtVKMQJ2DHeEsaPG_oPaR9VstllMBVY/s400/p20090831b10.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376792938851622370" /></a><br />Not long after spots of rain began to fall, Hinckley made a double change in the 72nd minute. Marc Orton and Ben Laxton replaced Adam Smith and Bradshaw. The visitors almost levelled things up from Richards’ shot but the diving Fowkes got down at the near post to save.<br /><br />Ibstock replaced Lovitt with Jack Lewis in the 75th minute, and seven minutes later, Hinckley sub Orton was booked for his part in an off the ball incident right in front of the referee’s nose.<br /><br />Hinckley almost equalised in the 83rd minute. Louis Hamilton whipped the ball across the face of goal and Richards couldn’t quite get on the end. Two minutes later, Hinckley made their third and final chance as Brett Marvin replaced Hamilton.<br /><br />Ibstock must have thought they were heading for their first league win of the season. However, Hinckley agonizingly equalised in the 89th minute through Tidey’s deflected shot which eluded the diving Fowkes and ended up in the bottom right corner.<br /><br />Both sides showed some urgency to find a winner in stoppage time, without success.<br /><br />Goals:<br />1-0 Dan Stevenson (47)<br />1-1 Andy Tidey (88)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidN5phEZs8OCsf3vVV5blyvr4d2xnw9YXJrNCi0ByRtlXx1YZSFDePI_1TJ8OPyaWSVqSxfTjJ7nsC4An31_nBc7ZuCE22iGNG7Tq0g5541w3mQOVcDM70LnuZlwThJiIsxX7G9Fdl3ow/s1600-h/p20090831b2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 211px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidN5phEZs8OCsf3vVV5blyvr4d2xnw9YXJrNCi0ByRtlXx1YZSFDePI_1TJ8OPyaWSVqSxfTjJ7nsC4An31_nBc7ZuCE22iGNG7Tq0g5541w3mQOVcDM70LnuZlwThJiIsxX7G9Fdl3ow/s400/p20090831b2.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376793129768419138" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd9h9LfSKzLPbT5pVtBAZslHS1Ytu7e7Lv5VCnLDQ3BZMmIyLNoJUwps4EkBbnH6WWRNMJ1nd4u5lEtwAp9sHAY9JWIqjmywz5hjql8bHesbv9RZ43QdlNbE7WutLC3uPccUNqipexYWM/s1600-h/p20090831b7.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd9h9LfSKzLPbT5pVtBAZslHS1Ytu7e7Lv5VCnLDQ3BZMmIyLNoJUwps4EkBbnH6WWRNMJ1nd4u5lEtwAp9sHAY9JWIqjmywz5hjql8bHesbv9RZ43QdlNbE7WutLC3uPccUNqipexYWM/s400/p20090831b7.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376792952858888130" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0iBRf4ANdHktZiakaEy3T8gZixP-lKT0tt5oLWbobK9DtqHQUhnX16kS7oFQw3yAynXSyEzlNXRsHpAMCEOhSP7b5XCgwpug7dgHOH2ZhFF4YhNKonqFQdd9hEqo88YvKlgzRKprPGjo/s1600-h/p20090831b8.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0iBRf4ANdHktZiakaEy3T8gZixP-lKT0tt5oLWbobK9DtqHQUhnX16kS7oFQw3yAynXSyEzlNXRsHpAMCEOhSP7b5XCgwpug7dgHOH2ZhFF4YhNKonqFQdd9hEqo88YvKlgzRKprPGjo/s400/p20090831b8.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376792951186983490" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com