BANTAMS RAM THEIR WAY PAST COUNTY

DERBY COUNTY LADIES FC 1 V BRADFORD CITY WOMEN FC 3
30 NOVEMBER 2014 2PM FA WOMENS PREMIER LEAGUE NORTHERN
Following the usual dash from the morning Sunday League game it was a first visit to Borrowash Vics ground in Derby who stage the Ladies fixtures.  Sadly the ground as suffered some continuing vandalism and its heart breaking for the club who like all non league set ups work hard to keep their teams going.

The former Asterdale Bowl has see better days its looking very tired with too much ground around its perimeter to attempt to keep up to standard,  the large stand and terracing behind the entrance goal are impressive and at half time the bar/tea bar was a welcome break for a few minutes.
The game saw, as per Rhyl, as poor first half that saw the Rams go in 2 down at half time, the second half provided much better entertainment.  Bradford went 3 up and the Derby decided to start to play and some good stuff they put together too a case could probably have been made for a point but certainly a smaller margin than the two goal deficit that was achieved through a wonderful goal.  Natalie Reay picked the ball up 30 and from 25 yards out lashed home an unstoppable shot that surpassed much of Derby's first half quality.
The small crowd of around 35 were entertained well in the second period non more so than DCLFC public address announcer Nigel Wright who  whoops and hollows his way through goals, substitution and encouragement at full throttle and he's amazingly also sponsored by Hungry Horse pub The Merlin, he would go down a wonder in a Football League ground!
Good afternoon enjoyed catching up with the ladies game for the first time this season.
Upon departure The Asterdale club was by passed with damage to the building and behind it and adjacent to Borrowash's ground the Graham St Prims ground can be seen I hope they have good leases on their facilities because the whole area is looking a mess and you have to fear for a development on the site.

ONE MAN AND HIS DOG....AND NOW HORSE

FURNACE HILL HURRICANES V HASLAND COMMUNITY EAGLES 3-0
CHESTERFIELD SUNDAY LEAGUE 6  [30 NOV 2014]
This blog will not normally cover Sunday League fixtures but I thought this one was worth a mention.  The standard joke about some non-league games is attendance one man and his dog, well here at this game there was a horse that did take and interest in the game when he could find time from munching on the grass.

For the record it finished three nil to Furnace Hill [yellow] after a surprising goal less first half, the game above on the Sunday afternoon following this game featured many ladies and gentlemen with dogs so a revert back to normality!

RHYL TO ROUND 4.....JUST

FAW WELSH CUP ROUND 3---29 NOVEMBER 2014 2.30PM
RHYL 2 V GOYTRE UTD 1
The Lilywhites did what they had to do to progress to the next round and were probably always the side that would progress but they made hard work of seeing off a determined Goytre Utd from the Welsh League.

The Corbett Sports Stadium was a new ground for me and having seen it many times on S4C I delayed the pleasure for an hour with a dash around Rhyl before the game.  A typical seaside resort that has seen the good times and probably may not see them again its somewhat signified by its under development rail station which has the massive length platforms which are often seen at our former glorious seaside resorts.  The town itself is very average and even the seafront would appear to have seen better days but the people were great but it was time to move onto the game.
The façade of the ground, although dated, is certainly the most impressive of the Welsh Premier League grounds I have visited so far and following a welcoming chat and purchase in the club shop the entrance beckoned.  Programmes purchased it was all aboard for the lap of the ground and this now almost all seater ground was looking good on this sunny day.

  Its variety of seats and colours from concrete based stands to scaffold based the aquamarine behind the Arriva sponsored stand work well in this sponsorship deal.  To tea bars are looking good, indeed I even sampled a double decker hot dog and onions at half time!  Once again the club and supporters were very friendly and I managed to get into conversation with quite a few people during the afternoon-nice welcome guys.
The game kicked off with what looked like a trial with school boy officials being in control, maybe I'm getting older. 

Cadwallader settles Rhyl's nerves.

The 'canteen' double decker hot dog!

The first half was a terse affair that remained goal less this could be said to be justice for the entertainment provided.  The second period started with Rhyl stepping up a gear and Cadwalader smashed home a penlty after 57 minutes before they doubled their lead with a screamer from Dawson which flew in off the post from 30 yards out.  GAME OVER..... well no with 3 minutes remaining Thompson was sent off for the home side rather harshly for a dubious foul that the referee thought denied a goal scoring opportunity.   Goytre made it a tense final minutes when the free kick from the infringement was driven in from 30 yards out by Orme.
Rhyl survived the remaining stoppage time and progressed to round 4 but they will have to pay better than this to progress much further.

Usual race back to the station and having secured a seat time to reflect on another enjoyable afternoon in North Wales and a warm welcome received from Rhyl FC, look forward to visiting again soon.

BROMSGROVE VICTORIOUS IN THE DERBYSHIRE MIST

BORROWASH VICS 0 V BROMSGROVE SPORTING 5
FA VASE 2ND ROUND @ SOUTH NORMANTON [26 NOV 2014]
A storming performance from Sporting saw them secure five second half goals, something they could easily have achieved in the first half too, to storm into the third round of the FA Vase.

The game itself was a unique match following Borrowash's vandalism their changing rooms were unusable and following FA rejections of other suggestions South Normanton stepped in to stage this fixture something that put on another half an hour onto the trip for the visitors.  Two hour though was not enough to stop these enthusiastic Bromsgrove fans who cheered their team on all night.
The Sth Normanton playing surface is an excellent advert for the club and provided a wonderful game of football on this foggy night.  The first half had seen Bromsgrove miss quite a few opportunities to take and extend a lead but it remained goal less at half time.

The second half was all Bromsgrove as they scored three goals in four minutes before adding two more to gain a comfortable victory on the night.  Simon Brain completed a quality hat trick and the speed and attacking determination of the Bromsgrove side was a pleasure to see in the way they approached the game.

Bromsgrove captain Simon Fitter with 'The Mowdog'

I will certainly look to cover Bromsgrove for a future blog while wishing them all the best in the next round one has to have every thought for Borrowash.  Their tremendous efforts to keep a club going in the terrible circumstances of vandalism are to be admired and the small band of volunteers hopefully will find the desire to keep going.  It was good to see them re issue the programme from Saturdays postponed game and make every effort to be at South Normanton early to welcome visitors early to Lees Lane.

ROYALS FIND THE KEY TO UNLOCK WILLENHALL

MICKLEOVER ROYALS 2 V WILLENHALL TOWN 0
FA VASE ROUND 2--25 NOVEMBER 2014 7.45PM
In the end it was a right royal party at The Raygar Stadium, home of Mickleover Sports, as The Royals finally defeated a determined Willenhall Town.

A first half that at times was feisty was always played at a tremendous pace by the home side which at times had Willenhall wondering where the next attack was coming from but after about the half hour mark they appeared to get a grip on the game and the longer Mickleover failed to score the more you foresaw the breakaway goal.
It was goal less at half time and in the second half it looked as though we may be about to suffer the cold conditions with an extra 30 minutes of action.  Referee Allsop seemed to not fancy extra time either when he failed to give a foul on the Willenhall keeper when 9 times out of ten one would have been given allowing Wilson to slot into an empty net.  Then with three minutes to go a superb finish from Birch who cut in off the right and curled a beauty with his left foot into the tip corner form 20 yards out.
An enjoyable outing that was not a first visit to Station Rd but one that shows the strength of tenants Mickleover Royals who are clearly on the up.
It was great to catch up with a few friends tonight specifically The Mowdog from his blog of the same name, the AFC Mansfield lads including Rudi Funk their new manager, Heanor Town contingent and of course 'Frank' Willenhalls well dressed supporter and encourager!
Frank, below, kindly allowed me to take a picture and is the most courteous of chaps, but once the game starts he is a vocal encourager of the team from 5 minutes before the start of the game right through to the final whistle, well done mate the game needs characters.

We nearly had to pay to get out when the barrier from the car park remained closed for about five minutes and we then suffered the confusion of a diversion around Mackworth estate that saw us go around in circles before departing 50 yards up the road from where we started!

VISITORS ALL AT SEA AS TUPTON POWER TO VICTORY

22 NOVEMBER 2014
MIDLANDS EAST NORTH DIVISION
TUPTON RUFC V SKEGNESS RUFC  70-3
First time at rugby union and with prior evening engagements it meant missing football so what better than to watch the increasingly successful Tupton RUFC.  The club are in the process of developing a superb looking clubhouse facility and sports area for all with Rugby, football and cricket on the agenda.

The game featured high flying Tupton against bottom of the tabled visitors from Skegness and kicked off slightly late at 2.30pm after the visitors late arrival, the game had been switched from current first choice pitch at Tupton Hall School due to waterlogging.

It was a hard afternoon for the visitors with Tupton well away to 30 odd to nil at half time and with the very heavy conditions threatening to sap energy it was going to be a long second period for them.

Try count for Tupton was 11 with 5 conversions and a drop goal adding to the total and Skegness had a penalty kick as their solitary response,  But as ever at he end it was all handshakes and appreciation fro the visitors and of course its all 'sir' when addressing the referee.  So much more respectable than football as I had witnessed in rugby league in the summer, mind you if some of these lads say its Wednesday on a Saturday, believe me its Wednesday!

Thankfully above I managed to get the obligatory steaming scrum picture during the first half!

All in all this was a pleasant afternoon away from football and it will be fantastic to see Tupton RUFC develop their facilities which will only serve to aid the match day experience and encourage me to re visit again hopefully very soon.

WORKSOP REC THE CUP DREAMS OF ATHERSLEY

19 NOVEMBER 2014
ATHERSLEY REC 1 WORKSOP TOWN 3 [AET--1-1 90 MINS]
First visit for this NCEL Cup third round game.
Sheerien Park is a tidy ground and has had loving care given to it by its undoubtedly proud custodians as they have developed it too the standard required.  The small stand behind the goal and terrace down the first half of the near side are of the atcost type, the seated one behind the goal as with a lot of clubs seems to be in the wrong place, right behind the goal!

  The dug outs are separated from the crowd by a lovely surrounding picket fence making it look like somebodies private garden.  As you leave the entrance area and travel past the half way line the ground becomes sparser but never looses that proud and tidy feel that's is prominent in this ground.

Behind the goal running down from the entrance pay box is the superbly shielded area that houses serving area for the snack bar and bar which has a superb selection of souvenirs in a cabinet, all smartly displayed.  The café and bar area was well used and it was good to see the club having some merchandise on show and on sale.
At most points on our reasonably early arrival, 7pm, we were greeted by friendly club officials which once again is a credit to Athersley.
The game itself was a disappointment for the home side with Worksop playing some lovely approach football but lacking the clinical edge that could have seen them run away with the game in 90 minutes.  As it was we got to 90 minutes somehow all square and so we went into the extra 30 minutes and even though Worksop continued to miss further chances they scored twice and their progression in to the next round was complete.

Nice visit with a friendly Barnsley feel to the ground and great to see a selection of locals taking advantage of having a nice club in their community.
Att 133

CONCORD RANGERS FLY HIGH AT FIELD MILL

MANSFIELD TOWN 1 V CONCORD RANGERS 1
FA CUP 1ST ROUND  18 NOVEMBER 2014

Skrill South Concord Rangers did more than enough to earn themselves a replay at their Aspect Stadium following this draw against Football League 2 side Mansfield Town.
After an encouraging start for the 'non leaguers' their hearts looked to have been broken and that of Danny Glozier who in trying to clear a cross fired his header into the Rangers goal to give Mansfield the lead.  However within 60 seconds Jordan Chiedozie, son of ex Chesterfield, Notts County and Tottenham player John, fired home a screamer from 25 yards.

The remainder of the game saw chances go begging for both sides but Mansfield's consistent reliance on the long ball, with little hope of holding the ball up in the final third, was proving a major annoyance to the loyal Stags supporters in the crowd of 2,023.  Mansfield's inability to play football on the floor was contrasted by Concord's clear policy of playing 'football' and as the game wore on the final 15 minutes saw the Canvey Island side look confident of taking Mansfield back to Essex.
It was good to see a non league side do well in the cup against a league side, with credit to Mansfield for reducing ticket prices to £10 it certainly encouraged me because at £22 I would not have been there.
The ground from the top tier of the main stand at The One Call is superb and always a favourite of mine on any visit to Mansfield, externally the club have a very pleasant set of ladies issuing match tickets and the club shop now has a twin situated outside the main stand too.
The ground remains three sided and this will probably never alter now as it seems to have been like this for so long now, its interesting to note that after raising the question of other three sided grounds in the Football League only Oxford United could be thought of.
Concord arrived on a fantastic liveried coach fully decked out with leather seats a good start to their
grand day out.

  

Enjoyed the visit, on a slight negative the seats and certainly the back of them could do with a good power hosing down its worth taking some wipes if you get an obscure wing seat allocated!
Mansfield and I guess their Chairman have introduced three games before and after Christmas were for advance purchase you can see a league game for just £7, that's a great offer and I hope they receive the support and credit for this gesture its better than having a stadium two thirds empty.
Oh yes pink match ball and referee's in grey what next?
Wouldn't like to predict the replay result but you would guess it will be a tough night for the Football League side.

A TRIP TO THE PREMIERSHIP AT PRESTATYN

15 November 2014 2.30pm
PRESTATYN TOWN V PORT TALBOT TOWN 2-1 WELSH PREMIER LEAGUE

With an increasing interest in Welsh football Prestatyn had been on the radar for a while following visits to Airbus, Buckley and Connahs Quay it was time to move further down the alphabet and the North Wales coast too.

The fluid movements of the national rail system had dropped me in Prestatyn with a fantastic 3 hours to spend in the North Wales resort town and having read a fellow bloggers comments that a trip up 'Hillside' to a superb viewing point over Prestatyn, Rhyl and the North sea wind farms. 

With good speed out of the High St and up Ffordlas and towards Hillside the steepest of climbs I think I have ever made, certainly recently, would have tested the fittest of athletes.  Having arrived at the summit and gathered my breath I thank the previous blogger on this clear and sunny day the most remarkable views were on display.  With Snowdon to the left dropping down to the nearby coastal town of Rhyl and then my ultimate destination Bastion Gardens home of Prestatyn Town. Out into the North Sea the wind farm sites could be viewed along with a selection of ships.  All in all though this was a superb experience and when I had gathered myself to make the journey back down the incline, definitely easier than the climb, but somewhat difficult in stopping the walk becoming a run its that steep!

With time approaching kick off a quick sea front visit was undertaken before paying my £7 to enter Bastion Gardens and purchasing a couple of match day programmes from the club shop that was immediately in front of you as you came through the turnstile.

As usual a full circuit was made of the ground and although its not one of the smartest its full of character and of course the selection of cabins and building from toilet block, to office, to a large bar community area are present.  Having obtained a picture of the team sheet from a friendly official, something I have to day was evident throughout my visit here, it was time to take up a position to view the game from.  With the Port Talbot ultras in full voice and beating drum they were too add to the atmosphere of this game.

While wanting to take some pictures and the sun being very bright headlong into the stand I opted for behind the far goal and along the dug outs standing area.

 

Port Talbot started at a sharp pace and took the lead after three minutes and it looked like they may run away with the game but to prestatyn's credit they hold on and got back on level terms.  Then just before half time Leigh De Vulgt was dismissed by Referee Nick Pratt something that would probably level the game up.  So it turned out with the home side taking a lead early in the second half and while relying on that narrow lead until the 90 minutes were up it was a morale boosting victory for the second bottom club in The WPL.  The young guns of Prestatyn had worked their socks off and hung on for their third victory of the season with the help of a passionate and it has to be said a superbly encouraging crowd of 187.

 

This was a visit much planned and now finally undertaken, a game and visit to town and club that was a pleasure I look forward to revisiting soon and will follow Prestatyn's result with interest.

THE LONGEST TITLED GAME?

TUESDAY 1 NOVEMBER 7.45PM
ELLISTOWN AND IBSTOCK UNITED V BLABY AND WHETSTONE ATHLETIC EMCL CUP  2-1

A first visit to the united club of Ellistown and Ibstock against a fellow joined team Blaby and Whetstone it has to be said I had seen the home team at Holbrook Sports a few weeks ago in an entertaining match and this cup fixture was no different.
Do these two teams constitute the longest title football fixture?
Following a friendly welcome from the home club Chairman, who sorted us a selection of programmes, as non was issued for tonight's encounter a ground tour discovered a steady little ground with an amazing uncovered stand that separated main pitch from training pitch.  The stand looked like it had been transported from a cricket ground and can been seen below.

My travelling counterpart Mr P had a diverted journey for a game here at Terrace Road the previous Saturday when the game was postponed at 2pm due to a waterlogged pitch.  Tonight's encounter was also accompanied by a constant rain downpour after the early stages but both side put on a more than entertaining crowd for the small attendance of around 25.  Indeed we had most of the terraced stand to ourselves for the duration of the game aside from the referees assessor for a small time and then a player who decided to shelter form the rain while and injury was being attended too.

Worth a call along to Ellistown but both clubs would help from more up to date information on their websites to help the neutral visitor.

 

THE DUCK AND THE LINNET GET FEISTY ON A SUNDAY

Sunday 2 November 2014 Shaw Lane Aquaforce 4 v Runcorn Linnets 1

The duck of Shaw Lane was certainly the one dancing in this feisty encounter at 4.45pm on this Sunday afternoon fixture in Barnsley in front to an impressive crowd of 257.

A victory in score line that somewhat flattered the home side was aided by an rather unfortunate own goal for the fourth.  However after a tempestuous affair that had regularly seen Runcorn players surrounding the referee, Tim Walker, demanding decisions and card it was no surprise that most neutrals around me were more than happy to greet an Aquaforce victory.

Todays second visit to Shaw Lane for their first ever FA Vase game, 1st round here, was as before a pleasant affair a warm welcome from all at the club.  Nice greeting, a pleasant Chairman and a willingness to help all visitors out with team sheets etc.  Their only downside was I believe the lack of awareness about how popular this fixture would be with a big shortage of programmes, however all solved by the offer of reprints and posting to supporters after the game.

The PA system here is a superb affair always it seems playing some cracking music, for my liking anyway!

A 1-0 lead for Shaw Lane at half time was levelled soon after the break by Runcorn who at this time looked likely to go onto win the game.  But the hassling of the officials from both on the field and the dug outs somewhere lead to their undoing and Shaw Lane stormed away to the victory with some clinical finishing.

Connecting train journey was completed with the company of Ben from Ossett A and Mike from Bentley.  All in all a cracking game which both sides put so much into and Runcorn must have wondered how they lost by such a margin.