Match 38. Buntingford Town v Hatfield Social

Saturday 7^th May 2016 @3pm

Herts Senior League Premier Division

BUNTINGFORD TOWN 8-3 HATFIELD SOCIAL

The Bury, London Road, Buntingford SG9 9HZ

Admission and Programme: free (12pp)

Attendance:  h/c 20

Refreshments: McCoys 70p.

So as silly season gets underway, I turn to one of my usual step 7 leagues for May and drive to The Bury.  The ground is situated just off the A10 at the roundabout outside the village.  The pitch is completely railed off and has hardstanding down one touchline.  There are dugouts that look like converted sheds.  The clubhouse and changing rooms are elevated on banking and the veranda at the front offers a terrific view of the pitch.  There are 3 junior pitches on the complex and the club shares with the Cougar Youth sides. A few programmes were put on a table in the bar just before kick-off.

The game’s first goal didn’t arrive until 23 minutes through the half so I was not expecting the goal fest that followed.  A chip to the far post allowed Antcliffe to head into the corner. 5 minutes later an attack down the left and after making inroads from the by-line and cutting back, 2 efforts on goal were foiled before no10 shot low into the corner.  On 33 minute Hatfield got a goal back but Buntingford regained a two goal lead 3 minutes later when no11 curled a shot into the top left corner to make it 3-1 at half time.

Hatfield got back into the match just 2 minutes after the restart when a counter attack allowed a simple tap in.  10 minutes later the home side regained their cushion again when the no15 went on a mazy run passing 2 defenders before slotting the ball under the keeper. Within 2 minutes another goal arrived when a free kick on the right was crossed into the box and headed in.  Then on the hour it was 6-2 as a flowing move from halfway gave space for no14 to run into the area and squared it to no15 for his second goal of the match.  A consolation Hatfield Social goal when a shot on the edge of the box evaded the keeper into the far corner. A run from 40 yards out from no14 ended with beating a defender and sliding the ball into the net.  There was even a last minute goal when an attack down the left was crossed for 14 to tap in.

Another enjoyable game in the Herts Senior League which rarely lets me down at this stage of the season.

Match 37. Bedford v Holmer Green

Saturday 23rd April 2016 @3pm
Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division
BEDFORD 5-4 HOLMER GREEN
McMullen Park, Meadow Lane, Cardington, Bedford MK44 3SB

Admission Inc. Programme: £6 (16pp)
Attendance: 20
Refreshments: Mars bar 75p. 

I drove and dropped my wife and youngest at Cambridge and drove to McMullen Park, stopping to have a glance at Eaton Socon FC on the way, to find a perimeter fence in the middle of being erected to enclose the ground from surrounding park and fields. Maybe they are looking to step up into Step 6 in the near future. Bedford FC is literally next to Bedford Town FC, and has their own small car park which was full but plentiful parking at Bedford Town. Next to the entrance is a new clubhouse I believe is only a few months old. It is of a prefab nature and has a long ramp to get up the 4 foot to the Clubhouse entrance. There is a Lonsdale gym occupying another pre-fab on the left side and the remains of some kind of building to the left of that. As you enter by the pay hut the main stand is situated immediately to the left, with another covered area net to it with some wooden bench seating. The main stand is brick built with a mix of tip up seats and benches. The 2nd cover is more ramshackle and was probably a purely standing area previously. The only other furniture are the dugouts on the opposite touchline. 

I got stuck behind a horse box on the A428 so arrived 5 minutes after kick off. I had already missed the first goal as the gateman had informed me that Holmer Green had the lead. The game was soon level after about 10 minutes when a lob over the keeper by Campbell equalised for Bedford. Silford had a great run and cross down the left and Pinney finished the move off. I had only seen Bedford completely in charge since my arrival but Holmer drew level when a break and shot from the left was blocked by the keeper but Powles knocked in the rebound. Bedford went 3-2 up after half hour when Butcher scored with the help of a deflection. 

Holmer had threatened during the second half to draw level and after 2 near misses, made it 3-3 after 70 minutes when after the no11 had taken the ball off the right back, his cross allowed Deer to score on the back post with a diving header. Just as the Greens had got back into the game, they lost it in the next few minutes. Firstly a cross from the right was only half cleared and no9 ran across the area and touched the ball before drawing a foul. The penalty was taken successfully by no7, sending the keeper the wrong way. Then on the next attack when the defence were slow in clearing their lines, the ball was intercepted by no10 who rounded the keeper and slotted in from an acute angle. Holmer made a double substitution and got what was a small consolation on 90 minutes when Shed got behind the home defence and lobbed the keeper nicely. But it was too late as the ref soon blew up and the away bench weren’t happy, claiming here hadn’t been enough stoppage time, but it soon calmed down. 

I stopped off on the way back to Cambridge and got the results at The Polhill Arms in Renhold, which is a nice pub in a rural setting. 

Match 36. Warrington Town v Prescot Cables

Saturday 16^th April 2016 @3pm

Evo-Stik League Division 1 North

WARRINGTON TOWN 6-1 PRESCOT CABLES

Cantilever Park, Common Lane, Warrington WA4 2RS

Admission: £8

Programme: £2 (36pp)

Attendance:  1,411

Refreshments: None purchased.

A trip north for my wife to see one of her best friends who is battling cancer and a lovely evening was spent at her friend’s house.  With the ladies having a girly afternoon in Stockton Heath I found the nearest new visit for me, Cantilever Park and the side who needed a win to take the league title.  With their fairly recent FA Cup exploits it was good to get a first look at the ground.  It is quite unusual, with a 2 room large clubhouse and 2 storey changing rooms near the turnstile entrance with one bar entrance outside with little car parking space outside the turnstile.  There is an overhang from the clubhouse inside the ground and then 2 covered standing terraces built at an odd angle to the pitch. The floodlights have concrete stumps with a few of the large crowd taking advantage of a raised level.  Also along this side is a clubhouse and a snack bar, although with the 3 times usual attendance, the hot food ran out before half time.  Inside the clubhouse was a queue for the bar out to the door entrance, probably about 30 people long and only 1 or 2 bar staff.  Back to the ground and there is a several step terrace covered behind the far goal and the main seated stand is on the opposite side to the clubhouse.  An open hard standing area is behind the near goal with a 5-a-side pitch behind it.

The first goal on 13 minutes came when a throw in their own half was hooked up field into the path of Ciaran Kilheeney who controlled in and slotted past the keeper.  The 2^nd goal just 2 minutes later started again from a throw down the right, then a pass to Scott Metcalfe on the edge of the box and drove low beyond the keeper into the corner.  It was 3-0 on 32 minutes as another long throw this time on the left was headed on and scrambled in by Gerard Kinsella. Warrington made it 4-0 before half time when a through ball to the left winger made inroads into the area then swept across the goal for Gahgan to tap in from close range.

Prescot scored their consolation goal on the hour mark when Robert Doran taking the free kick left of goal about 25 yards out, curled it over the wall and beyond the keeper into the top corner. Warrington restored their 4 goal cushion when from a short corner the ball was worked onto the edge of the box then crossed to the far post for Daniel O’Donnell (not that one!) to slot in.  The final nail in Cables coffin came on 75 minutes when a dozen or so passes in the Cables half allowed a shot the be partially blocked but fell to no9 Kilheeney 12 yards out and he left footed beyond the dive of the keeper.

Much celebration at the end of the match and a happy vast majority of the crowd. I hope ex-manager Shaun Reid was proud as well as the current management team.

Match 35. Highgate United v Boldmere St Michaels

Saturday 9^th April 2016 @3pm

Midland League Premier Division

HIGHGATE UNITED 0-1 BOLDMERE ST MICHAELS

The Coppice, Tythe Barn Lane, Shirley, Solihull B90 1PN

Admission: £6

Programme: £1.50 (24pp)

Attendance:  60

Refreshments: Bovril, £1.

With cheap Virgin Train tickets booked to Birmingham New Street a while ago, it was lunch in the City Centre then walked to Snow Hill for the local train to Whitlocks End.  The 400 yards or so from the station via Tythe Barn Lane to The Coppice is interspersed with the other non-league grounds of Wychall Wanderers, Leafield Athletic and Shirley Town.  After going through the entrance to The Coppice, the car park is immediately in front with 3 full size pitches on the left, the club building on the right and the ground entrance 50 yds further ahead.  The clubhouse has a snack bar inside and the only toilets available are also inside the club building.  After going through the ground entrance in one corner, the railed off pitch has cover down one complete side and on the other side of the pitch, a strange, small elevated hut between the 2 dugouts.  The covered side has 2 rows of yellow seats along half of the pitch and a hard standing area beyond, with about 30 metres at the end being out of bounds due to uneven standing.

The match was one that the home side had about 70% of the possession, dominating the game but their passing accuracy and shooting had a lot to be desired even allowing for the difficult pitch conditions, made worse at half time when a 15 minute hail shower caught out the attendees coming out of the clubhouse after half time.  Highgate had the ball in the net after just 10 minutes but was disallowed for an offside decision by the linesman, who was behind play and had a hint of guesswork before raising his flag.  Boldmere capitalised on this decision by taking the lead after 22 minutes.  The number 11 who I think was Joe Smith made a good run down the left beating the no10 home player who looked like a makeshift right back, before crossing to the far post for Harry Howard to shoot into the far bottom corner.

The second half was strewn with errors but both sides had chances to add to the score.  The local support spoke of Aston Villa woes and got frustrated at the lack of skill on the park, but were a friendly enough bunch.  On my return to Birmingham after the match, I got off at Moor Street, which was a shorter walk back to New Street going through the Bullring.

Match 34. Gillingham v Coventry City

Saturday 2^nd April 2016 @3pm

Sky Bet League One

GILLINGHAM 0-0 COVENTRY CITY

Priestfield Stadium, Redfern Avenue, Gillingham ME7 4DD

Admission: £24

Programme: £3 (84pp)

Attendance:  7,200

Refreshments: Didn’t purchase any.

We were invited to my Mums for a birthday lunch and my stepdad treating (?) me to a match in the afternoon as he has been an avid Coventry fan since going to university there 30 years ago. We queued up for our seats in the Medway Stand from 2.30 and actually got to our 2^nd row seats near the away dugout as the teams walked out onto the pitch.  The ground was my first of the 92 back in 1975 and is much changed in the 30 odd years since although I have been back many times.  The Gills are in the hunt for promotion but were without Dack, McDonald and Egan were only fit enough to be on the bench and neither played a part in the match.

It was a game of 2 halves where Gills had the upper hand in the first, with Coventry reorganising themselves for the second half and playing the better football in the 2^nd 45.  For me it wasn’t the best of games, with some enjoyment coming from Tony Mowbray on the touchline, shouting throughout at his team, earning a colourful reply at one point from his centre back and continual berating of his own playmaker no7.  Justin Edinburgh had his hands tied on subs by injuries forcing 2 substitutions by the start of the second half.  The 2 best chances actually tip onto the bar by the keeper and he again did the same from a closer 10 yard shot which hit the underside of the bar and bounced on the goal line and cleared.

A draw didn’t really help either side but other results mean Gills didn’t lose ground.

Match 33. Worthing v Walton Casuals

Saturday 26^th March 2016 @3pm

Ryman League Division One South

WORTHING 1-2 WALTON CASUALS

Photronix Stadium, Woodside Road, Worthing BN14 7HQ

Admission: £8

Programme: £2 (32pp)

Attendance:  527

Refreshments: San Miguel 00, £2. Bovril, £1.

The first dry and sunny Saturday of the year and a family trip down to Worthing, where we had lunch at The Swiss Cottage in Shoreham before dropping me off at Woodside Road.  It has been over 10 years since my last visit and the ground has changed quite a bit in that time.  The bar is now under the Main stand and the old bar building looks unused.  Behind the near goal is covered standing and adjacent is the snack bar.  The main stand has standing in front of the raised seating, underneath is the clubhouse and changing rooms.  There are 2 other covered standing areas, one each behind the end goal and opposite the main stand.  They also have a 3G pitch with red surround inside the perimeter rail.

I spent the first half in the main stand before enjoying the sun in the second half on the terraces with a good size attendance.   The home side started the better side and soon went in front when a good cross from the right wing was headed in by Pope. This woke the visitors and they began to dominate the attacking play and created several chances with Worthing clinging on to their lead.  Inevitably Walton Casuals equalised after 20 minutes when a run down the left by Bamba was then curled into the area where Day was on hand to head past the keeper. The visitors then took the lead just before halftime when a free kick was lifted into the box where a header hit the crossbar before Rowe tapped in the rebound from close range.

The second half was evenly matched and the odds helped Worthing when Casuals were reduced to 10 men when Rhys Paul picked up a 2^nd yellow for a rash tackle in midfield. This allowed sustained pressure towards the Casuals goal until the final whistle but despite 2 late chances the visitors went home with a win.

Match 32. Stalybridge Celtic v Brackley Town

Saturday 19^th March 2016 @3pm

Vanarama National League North

STALYBRIDGE CELTIC 3-1 BRACKLEY TOWN

Bower Fold, Mottram Road, Stalybridge SK15 2RT

Admission: £12

Programme: £2 (40pp)

Attendance: 401

Refreshments: Steak Pie with gravy, £2.30. Peroni, £3

With a cheap day rail travel courtesy of Virgin trains it was off to a ground I have been wanting to visit for many seasons. A 12 minute journey from Manchester Piccadilly and a further 5 minutes bus ride to outside the ground. The car park is situated off Mottram Road and the nearest turnstiles are in the corner of the ground where the social club is located.  There is also turnstiles for the main stand with is for executive club members only. Inside the turnstiles is a toilet block one side and the snack bar on the other, which has a good selection of hot food.  The ground has a main seated stand and a raised seated stand with a standing paddock in front located opposite the aforementioned Main stand.  There is terracing behind both goals also partially covered. With another toilet block and a disused building with disabled area in front, this completes one of the best non-league grounds I have been to.

Both sides have been struggling this season and 3 points would help in the pursuit of staying in this league.  This was a game that the Celts just edged but both sides struggled in periods of the game and was not pleasing on this neutrals eyes.  Brackley started the better of the teams and came close on 3 occasions before Stalybridge took the lead after 15 minutes.  Chris Sim cut on from the run to the goal line and shot across the goal and hit the inside of the far post and judged to be over the line before the keeper clawed the ball to safety. Stalybridge had the better of the rest of the first half and had a shot clipping the crossbar before a goalmouth scramble just before half time allowed Brackley to level through a deflected shot resulting in an own goal.

The home side brought on 2 substitutes at half time and ten minutes into the 2^nd half, Stalybridge restored their lead when a cross was struck first time by one of the subs but well parried by the visiting keeper but Joyce reacted quickest to turn in the rebound.  The home side had their best spell of the game and went further in front with 15 minutes left when a throw was flicked on and sub Mudimu tapped in with the keeper stranded.  Brackleys heads dropped and the Celts played out the win in comfort.  The return to Manchester was quick and so I had 80 minutes to kill before my train back to London so I had a walk around Piccadilly Gardens and popped into the tired looking but cheaply priced Bar Rouge, part of the Britannia Hotel.

Match 31. Sutton Athletic v Glebe

Saturday 12^th March 2016 @3pm

Kent Invicta League

SUTTON ATHLETIC 2-4 GLEBE

London Hire Stadium, Lower Road, Hextable, Kent BR8 7RZ

Admission: £5 inc programme

Attendance: c60(h/c)

Refreshments: Bovril, £1. Mars, 60p

I had to stay local today so I chose a revisit to a game of 3^rd v 1st and crucial title race match.  Since my last visit Sutton have added hard standing on 2 sides and started on the third.  Pylons are in place awaiting lights and a new generator to power these and the club building.  They have recently been hit by vandals in the clubhouse but they are getting back to normal with bottles available in fridges only.  The other change is the refreshments are from a kitchen in the clubhouse rather than the van that was outside previously.   Still, it’s a ground with no cover so it was good to visit on a sunny, dry day.

The teams had a flat and surprisingly firm pitch to play on and the home side took the lead after just 8 minutes.  A free kick on the right was an in swinging cross and bundled in at the near post.  The lead only lasted until 15 minutes when a clumsy back pass was intercepted and although the keeper stopped the initial shot, the ball pinged around before Alderman got the decisive touch.  Glebe then took the lead on 25 minutes when a corner was headed in by Hooper.  The half ended level as Sutton equalised 7 minutes before the break when a cross was headed in by Desagnes for his second.

Glebe restored their advantage 5 minutes into the second half when another mistake at the back allowed Lockyer to nip in and score.  The game continued with more possession by the visitors but not without chances for Sutton to get an equaliser, but the game was put beyond doubt on 89 minutes when no4 was sent off for a flailing hand hitting his opponent when tussling for the ball.  The resulting free kick from 25 yards was deflected wickedly off the defensive wall and ended up in the opposite corner to where the keeper dived.

Another vital 3 points for Glebe as Sutton slip to fourth suffering a big blow to their championship prospects.

Match 30. AFC Emley v Yorkshire Amateur

Saturday 5^th March 2016 @3pm

Northern Counties East League Division One

AFC EMLEY 4-0 Yorkshire Amateurs

The Welfare Ground, Upper Lane, Emley, Huddersfield HD8 9RE

Admission: £4.50

Programme: £1.50 (24pp)

Attendance: 151

Refreshments: Sausage Roll, 50p. Peroni, £3

Having purchased cheap Virgin East Coast tickets some time back, had arranged to meet Sussexhopper at Ossett Town, but he abandoned his trip to Yorkshire as the weather played havoc during the week.  With Ossett being called off when on the train from London, my Plan B came into plan.  I had Emley or Nostell to choose from and my mind was made up when Onion Bag agreed to join me at newly sponsored Fantastic Media Ground.

Having arrived early after catching the 232 bus from Wakefield and securing my programme I went to The White Horse further down the road and then The Woodman before entering the ground and spotting OB behind the goal near the turnstile.   The ground has a raised main stand which offers an excellent view and also houses the snack bar down one side and toilets and committee room behind it.  There is covered standing behind the near goal with the clubhouse and changing rooms between the turnstile and main stand.

This was a fairly even contest with many chances for both sides but Emley had their goal machine Ashley Flynn who scored all 4 goals and had chances to almost be into double figures.  His first arrived after 17 minutes when he beat a one on one with the keeper.  His second and third were created by Townend, a 25^th minute cross from the right headed in from 8 yards and then a tap in on 75 minutes from a low cross.  His 4^th and best goal came 2 minutes later when a route one kick allowed him to set himself up and slam the ball from inside the box into the top of the net.

I had spoken to someone taking pictures before the game and met up with him, known as Catterick for a good chat on the way back to Westgate.

Match 29. Stamford AFC v Matlock Town

Saturday 27^th February 2016 @3pm

Evo-Stik Northern Premier League

STAMFORD AFC 2-0 MATLOCK TOWN

Zeeco Stadium, Borderville Sports Centre, Stamford PE9 1US

Admission: £10

Programme: £2 (42pp)

Attendance: 316

Refreshments: Steak Pie, £2.25. Bacon Roll, £2. Homemade Tomato Soup, £1.50, Mars, 90p. Becks Blue, £3.

With domestic duties meaning a late departure than anticipated but I arrived just before kick-off and parked on the waste ground next to the car park, being used as the overflow and was going through the turnstile as the match kicked off.  The new ground has a soulless feel about it. It has a main seated stand next to the entrance and standing cover behind one goal, whereas the rest of the perimeter is hard standing with a fence enclosing the ground. The club building is adjacent to the main stand and houses the toilets, dressing rooms and tea bar, with the clubhouse situated upstairs.  Plenty of room for future development but lacking atmosphere despite a child effort of banging a drum.  On the plus side the food on offer is excellent.  The pies are full of meat, flavour and can be accompanied by mushy peas and gravy. The tomato soup is thick and yummy too.

With The Daniels struggling at the wrong end of the table and Matlock in mid table no-man’s land, the game turned into one of those that was not pleasant to view. The impetus was understandably from Stamford and they dominated throughout he first half, with a chuck of a target man in Greg Smith and ably supported by no10 and attacking wide midfielders.  Stamford had a goal disallowed for handling and had about 5 corners before they went ahead after 20 minutes when a cross from the right was glanced with the head of Newman on the 6 yard near side across goal into the far corner.

Matlock had more possession in the second half but only carving out half chances with the home centre backs and veteran keeper Bastock in commanding form.  Stamford secured the win a few minutes from full time when a fierce shot was deflected away by the keeper but the loose ball fell to the onrushing Newman who forced the ball home before the keeper could recover.

Match 28. Chelmsford City v Margate

Saturday 20^th February 2016 @3pm

Vanarama National League South

CHELMSFORD CITY 2-3 MARGATE

Melbourne Community Stadium, Salerno Way, Chelmsford CM1 2EH

Admission: £13

Programme: £2.50 (64pp)

Attendance: 778

Refreshments: Hot Dog, £3. Becks Blue £2.80.

I arrived 5 minutes after kick off and luckily a parking space become free right by the turnstile entrance. So even though I was inside 6 minutes into the match I had missed the first goal scored by the home side.  I walked to the man stand and sat down just in time for the equaliser by Margate. The attack down the left hand side from Danny and Nathan Green ended up with the left back shooting hard and low into the corner.  Margate then took the lead 25 minut4es in when a looping header evaded the keeper and defender on the goal-line.  Despite Chelmsford coming back into the game, no clear cut chances ensued and Margate went in at half time with a slender lead.  

With a change in home formation to a Christmas tree set up, the home side won a penalty a couple of minutes into the half, where a trip allowed Williams to slot home the penalty kick.  The game started to get heated and then the captain Hughes was sent off for a high late tackle in the middle of the pitch.  From the free kick the ball was only half cleared and the visiting Captain drove the loose ball home.  With Margate controlling possession, Chelmsford made it even harder when Williams caught a Margate midfielder with a loose elbow and was dismissed to leave Chelmsford with 9 men.  Margate saw out the game in control and the home side definitely on the ropes and looking close at the relegation trap door behind them.

Match 27. Springfield v Bedmond Sports and Social

Saturday 20^th February 2016 @2pm

Anagram Trophy 3^rd Round

SPRINGFIELD 0a0 BEDMOND SPORTS and SOCIAL

Springfield Hall Park, Arun Close, Springfield, Chelmsford CM1 7QE

Admission: free

Programme: free (24pp)

Attendance: 22(h/c)

Refreshments: Ham Roll, 80p. Cheeseburger, £2.20.

I arrived 25 minutes before kick-off and the teams were warming up and the game declared on despite the pitch being soft and greasy with the drizzle turning into rain before kick-off.  I ventured into the clubhouse, where there was free programmes on tables to pick up and the Arsenal FA Cup game was on TV, but the bar was closed until after the match.  The pitch is railed on all 4 sides and 2 dugouts are on the near side, but there is no hard standing or floodlights.

The game kicked off with Springfield having the best of the play for fifteen minutes, although the local referee made the majority of decisions in the home sides favour, which niggled the away bench.  Then approaching a quarter of the match, a home midfielder lost out to a bouncing ball by the centre back, who went in hard and followed through making contact just above the ankle where a shuddering “snap” occurred.  The game stopped and there were accusations of maliciousness but it was one of those tackles that was unfortunate because of the conditions.  I hung around and had something to eat as the player remained on the pitch waiting for the ambulance.  At 2.50 the ref abandoned the match as the paramedics still hadn’t arrived.

So this “bracketed tick” meant some quick thinking and back in the car to revisit Melbourne Avenue to watch….

Match 26. Potters Bar Town v Egham Town

Saturday 13^th February 2016 @3pm

Southern League Division One Central

POTTERS BAR TOWN 0-1 EGHAM TOWN

Parkfield, The Walk, Potters Bar EN6 1QB

Admission: £8

Programme: £2 (28pp)

Attendance: 102

Refreshments: Bacon Roll, £2.50. Mini Cheddars, £1. Becks bottle £3.20

I had planned on a Herts Senior game but with the weather being wet, decided to revisit Potters Bar and guaranteed cover.  Since my last visit, there is building works to upgrade the clubhouse, but the rest of the cover remained the same.  The pitch was rather soft and behind one goal-line is a particular mud swamp that runs to the corner flag.

Potters Bar had the majority of the first half, with Casey up front looking particularly dangerous up front.  However, the Egham keeper was having a great game and produced at least 4 brilliant saves to make sure they went in at half time 0-0.  After the break, Egham upped their game and the teams were fairly even.  The game was decided in stoppage time, when following another save from the Egham keeper, within a minute a throw in was then crossed to Webb to head into the net from 6 yards.

Match 25. Rotherham United v Charlton Athletic

Saturday 30^th January 2016 @3pm

Football League Championship

ROTHERHAM UNITED 1-4 CHARLTON ATHLETIC

New York Stadium, New York Way, S60 1AH

Admission: £23

Programme: £3 (76pp)

Attendance: 9,227

Refreshments: Balti Pie, £3. Singha, £3.50

With Charlton offering free coach travel up to the match I purchased a ticket in the week and booked my pick up from Bexleyheath. We left at 9.15 and arrived at 1.30 after a 35 minute stop at Watford Gap Services, probably the dullest of Service stations.  The ground is near the town centre and after popping into The Corn Law Rhymer quickly, I headed through the town to The Bridge Inn, which is an excellent football friendly pub with quick bar service and hot pies available for a couple of quid.  I sat near the open fire and watched the Colchester v Spurs game on the big screen before walking the 7 minutes along the river to the Mears Stand.  The ground has the same unimaginative new ground stadium feel about it but has 2 unusual floodlights and a stepped gradient to the roof behind both goals.  A tip for refreshments in the away end, head for the 2^nd food outlet which has a much smaller queue  as most headed for the first outlet.

I had predicted a draw for these 2 struggling sides but I was pleasantly surprised by an open and entertaining match.  The 739 away supporters were delighted as they took the lead in the first 5 minutes when Makienok was set up by Bergdich from the left and the tall Swede entered the penalty area and shot hard into the net.  Rotherham equalised just 6 minutes later as Burke had loads of space on the right as he steadied himself and shot across the keeper into the net.  Both sides then had a midfield battle with the best chances coming from dead ball situations. Charlton sneaked the lead right before the break as an attack down the right wing was crossed and Vetokele was first to the ball to knock in from 6 yards.

Chances for both sides continued in the 2^nd half and got quite feisty with Makienok and Rotherhams centre back grappling with each other to both collect yellows. Makienok won the dual when he headed in his 2^nd from a corner, outjumping his adversary. Rotherham had a chance soon after to get a goal back with a penalty, but Clark-Harris blazed his spot kick into the crowd.  Rotherham continued to press and had most of the last 15 minutes but Charlton added a fourth on the break right at the end.

Back to the coach and left by 5.15. No breaks on the way back and apart from a 30 minute delay at Potters Bar because of an overturned van, arrived back at Bexleyheath by 21.45.

Match 24. Bedworth United v Paulton Rovers

Saturday 23^rd January 2016 @3pm

Southern League Premier Division

BEDWORTH UNITED 1-1 PAULTON ROVERS

The Oval, Miners Welfare Park, Coventry Road, Bedworth CV12 8NN

Admission: £9

Programme: £2 (36pp). Team sheet, free.

Attendance: 169

Refreshments: Chips & curry sauce £1.90

Train tickets purchased in the week relatively cheaply so a straightforward journey via Coventry and only a 5 minute walk from Bedworth Station to the Park.  The Oval is set in the corner of the park and is surrounded by trees and slopes downwards to the ground.  The 3G pitch has been in place for a year or so and new perimeter fencing and a spruce up has also been completed since I stopped off for a look at the ground a few seasons ago while on a trip to watch Nuneaton. It still retains a classic feel due to the raised seated stand above the dressing rooms on one side and the clubhouse building on the other, with 1^st floor viewing for the Directors and Vice Presidents.

The town centre was almost deserted and the only pub still open that I saw was the JDW so pre-match was spent there in The Bear and Ragged Staff.

Now I thought with a good pitch the home side would play on the ground but no, it was mainly hoof up the middle for them and Paulton weren’t much better, although they did play with 2 fast wingers. I could tell that they were 2 struggling teams in the bottom 3.  Paulton took the lead after 10 minutes when a pass to Felix on the edge of the box allowed him to control the ball and shoot powerfully past the home keeper. Bedworth had more possession but mainly in their own half and Paulton looked dangerous on the break with the fast wingers and the diminutive Super Mario up front.

At half time and during the second half the consensus from the regulars was that a change of management was needed. Indeed Storer was sat back in the dugout and allowed his assistant to bark encouragement from the technical area. Bedworth had used all 3 subs before their right back picked up a shoulder injury with 15 minutes to go so played on with 10 ½ men.  Salvation came in the last minute of normal time as a corner was shot goal wards and re-routed into the net by Bryan.

I even managed to catch the 1655 train to Nuneaton so had over an hours wait for my booked train so had a quick drink at The William White JDW (Larry Grayson to many) and watched the 1^st half of the WHU v Man City game in the Crown near the station.  

Match 23. Phoenix Sports v Waltham Abbey

Saturday 16^th January 2016 @3pm

Isthmian League Division 1 North

PHOENIX SPORTS 1-2 WALTHAM ABBEY

Mayplace Road East, Barnehurst DA7 6JT

Admission: £8

Programme: included with admission (24pp)

Attendance: 75

Refreshments: Bovril, £1. Cheeseburger, £2.50. Cheese roll, £1.50. Mars 70p.

With my Plan A at Bowers being called off alongside many others by 11.30, I decided to stay local and revisit Phoenix Sports for the first time since they graced the Kent County League a few years ago. Now playing at Step 4, the ground has seen development, with 2 off the shelf stands on the elevated banking on one touchline and turnstiles in place next to the changing rooms, clubhouse and all other facilities at the ground behind the nearside goal. There is also permission for visitors to use the school car park opposite the ground entrance, as the club car park is for players and officials only.

The pitch was in good condition, a change from my non-league visits so far this month. With the visitors manager Martin Hayes leaving the club there was a management duo in charge for the first time. A new formation of 3-5-2 was in place as opposed to the usual 4-4-2 of the home side.  The visitors looked solid at the back and half chances were even until Phoenix went ahead a quarter of the way through the match.  Adrian Stone, once of Carshalton among others, with less hair now but still used his experience to shoot through the keepers legs into the net.  But it was the away no9, Christian Assombalonga who caught my eye.  He looked dangerous whenever in an advanced position and is incredibly strong.  His first shot hit the net but was judged to have offended against the home centre back, but his next effort was deserved as the home keeper and defender hesitated to clear the ball and nipped in between them and rounded the keeper leaving a simple touch into the net.  Phoenix then made victory more difficult for themselves as centre back Whibley smashed into the visiting attacker and earned a straight red card just before the interval.

In the second half with the home side one man short, they still were making silly mistakes and the regulars there said it was the worst performance they had seen all season. That no9 had a couple of chances go just wide before he scored the winner on the hour when a through ball split the defence and he coolly round the keeper and slotted the ball into the net. The temperature dropped as the sun went down and I watched the last 20 minutes from the comfort of the clubhouse, with good views of the action.  The home side struggled on and Assombalonga missed his hat-trick chance when he shot over from six yards out.  A first win for several months for the bottom side and hope for a great escape.

Match 22. Tottenham Hotspur v Leicester City

Sunday 10^th January 2016 @4pm

FA Cup 3^rd Round

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 2-2 LEICESTER CITY

White Hart Lane, High Road, Tottenham N17 0AP

Admission: £25

Programme: £3.50 (100pp)

Attendance: 35,805.

Refreshments: None purchased.

A Christmas present to my brother-in-law, a Spurs fan who I accompanied by car, parking up half an hour before kick-off and walking the 1/2 mile to the ground. We were sat in the south stand lower tier, just to the left of the goal.  Probably my last visit before the demolition and move adjacent to the new ground in 2018.

Eriksen scored first for Spurs after  8 minutes when a Chadli shot was parried straight to him.  Leicester equalised just before halftime when from a corner, Wasilewski headed in from the near post.  In the second half, Leicester started well with the introduction of Okasaki who went on a mazy run in the penalty area and scored from 6 yards. Spurs finally brought on the reinforcements after 65 minutes and a controversial penalty on 89 minutes was despatched by Harry “one of our own” Kane.

Match 21. Mile Oak v Saltdean

Saturday 9^th January 2016 @3pm

Southern Combination League Division One

MILE OAK 1-0 SALTDEAN

Recreation Ground, Chalky Road, Portslade BN41 2YU

Admission: £5

Programme: £1 (60pp)

Attendance: 30 + several dogs.

Refreshments: Bovril and coffee, 80p each. Crisps and Snickers, 70p each.

I left with a list of 3 Sussex games still on and with positive tweets from Mile Oak on the drive down, I arrived 15 minutes before kick-off and parked in the sports centre over the road.  The ground is tucked away on a hill with houses on 3 sides and the playground on the 4^th side.  Being on a hill there is nice views beyond the dugouts of the South Downs standing under the cover that straddles the halfway line.  There is a seated stand behind the nearside goal and refreshments are available in the pavilion outside the entrance, which is a pre-school canteen.  There is apparently a Mile Oak Pub nearby where the teams go post-match but I was unaware and visited The Stag Inn after the match after parking and only popping my head in the St George Inn next door, which is a bit “local”.

The match was played in windy conditions throughout, with the rain entering in the second half 2 minutes after the linesman stated “at least it isn’t raining!” I was, without realising, standing in the company of LS Sofa Bear and the Mersey Mafia in the second half. The game was quite entertaining to watch and settled by just the one goal after about half an hour, a simple side foot from close range.

Match 20. Buckingham Town v Peterborough Sports

Saturday 2nd January 2016 @3pm
United Counties League Division One
BUCKINGHAM TOWN 1-3 PETERBOROUGH SPORTS
The Irish Centre, Manor Fields, Bletchley MK2 2HX

Admission: £4
Programme: “None printed today”
Attendance: 60
Refreshments: Potato soup, free.  Tayto crisps, 65p.

With my family wanting retail therapy in Milton Keynes I had a list of grounds which by 1.30 was down to either Bedford at McMullen Park or Manor Fields and as the game was definitely on despite the rain lashing down and puddles forming on the pitch just before kick-off.  Thankfully, the ref gave the nod to start and the game managed to complete despite several heavy showers throughout and a deteriorating pitch with no bounce and some players covered in mud.  It reminded me of some of those Match of the Day games in the 1970s.

The Irish Centre has a large function room and bar on the ground floor which was open until 3pm, then a smaller bar was open upstairs at half time, where hot drinks were available for free including a jug of potato soup, which was lovely.

The ground has a small pay box at the entrance and about 600 covered seats inside the ground.  The older stand seated about 100 and along one touchline length is a 500 seated stand on 3 rows, although the front 2 were wet due to the wind and rain.

Both teams did their best in the conditions but Peterborough Sports were the better side for the first hour, leading 2-0 before Buckingham really threw caution to the wind and reduced the deficit with 12 minutes left but Sports went 3-1 up 5 minutes before the end. It was end to end stuff and enjoyable to watch with many miss-hits, passes held up and footing lost in the conditions.

Match 19. Hoddesdon Town v Hertford Town

Saturday 28th December 2015 @3pm
Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division
HODDESDON TOWN 1-1 HERTFORD TOWN
The Stewart Edwards Stadium, Lowfield, Park View, Hoddesdon EN11 8PX.

Admission: £6
Programme: £1.50 (52pp)
Attendance: 302
Refreshments: Becks Blue, £3. Hot dog, £2.50. Minestrone Cup-a-soup, £1. 

Another ground revisit over the festive season.  No parking at the ground and restrictions nearby meant I had to park 5 minutes away near the town centre. The football ground is adjacent to the cricket pitch and the complex is surrounded by trees on one side where the entrance is.  To the left is a DIY covered standing area between the dugouts and a main seated stand is on the opposite touchline.  The club building incorporates changing rooms, tea bar, toilets and clubhouse.

 A bumper crowd watched a match that was full of incident.  The home right back was sent off after just 3 minutes for a late lunge at the left winger. The sides evened up when said left winger was dismissed just before the interval.  Both were the teams’ captain and bad discipline continued in the second half when another Hertford player got sent off for a second yellow and the manager also got his marching orders.  I stood between the dugouts in the first half and the “banter” between the dugouts was borderline abuse.

To make matters worse for the home side, a 20 yard free kick from Hatherly went into the net after 10 minutes.  The ten men didn’t give up and kept the score at one by half time and with the team numbers now level, started the half well and put pressure on Hertford especially after the visitor went down to nine men.  They finally drew level on 75 minutes and almost won near the end but a shot was cleared off the line.

Friendly bar and tea bar staff and with the very readable programme, a visit to Lowfield is highly recommended.

Match 18. East Grinstead Town v Three Bridges

Saturday 26th December 2015 @3pm
Isthmian League Division 1 South
EAST GRINSTEAD TOWN 2-0 THREE BRIDGES
The GAC Stadium, East Court, College Lane, East Grinstead RH19 3LS

Admission: £8
Programme: £2 (28pp)
Attendance: 132
Refreshments: Minestrone Cup-a-soup £1.

A return to a ground I visited 10 years ago for an evening game, so under an hours straightforward drive for me. A good size car park is in front of the main club building and turnstiles which are behind the near goal. There is grass banking on the right touchline which has a seated stand and covered terrace built into it and offers a great view of the proceedings on the pitch.  There is also a snack hut offering normal food fayre but I had a pocket full of Quality Street.

The Wasps are hovering near the relegation zone and Three Bridges are mid table.  The home side took the lead on 16 minutes when the striker went into the box and squared it to Tobon who struck it into the net from 15 yards.  East Grinstead were on top for most of the game but a shot from the visitors on half hour was tipped onto the crossbar by home keeper Taylor.  The second goal took a while coming but on 70 minutes the wait was worth it  A free kick 25 yards out was expertly left footed over the wall and into the bottom corner by Mahoney.