SWIFTS FLY OFF WITH CHAMPIONSHIP IN GOAL FEST

LUTTERWORTH TOWN 7 BIRSTALL UNITED 1
UCL 1 @ KONG PARK DUNLEY WAY
27 APRIL 2019 --- 3PM

LET THE CELEBRATIONS BEGIN WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS

An unrelenting attacking performance from Lutterworth Town saw them make no mistake in
claiming the UCL Division One championship on the final day of the season as the overall UCL League top scorer Tendai Daire bagged a hat-trick to finish on 47 goals for the season alongside a brace from Jordan Small it swept away visitors Birstall United.
Travel from Crooked Spire town was all standing to Leicester as the oval ball crew were joining the service in numbers for the Tigers game at Welford Road, of course its nothing new in current day train travel.  Thankfully the short dash to board the X84 in fox city soon had an upper saloon seat gathered for the 1 1/4 hour saunter around the quaint south west Leicestershire villages.  For a first time trip its always interesting for the inquisitive however for a regular journey its probably about 45 minutes longer than it needs to be, thankfully today I was the interested debut visitor and upon departure in the town a brief look around ensued.  Revealing the old town hall, a selection of practical shops alongside boutique type emporiums led this to being a functional and smart town rather than any stand out features being present.  However the cricket club was back in action and had a picturesque ground with pavilion but the blustery winds were increasing and it was far to cold to hang about for more than a few deliveries.

NEW ATCOST AT THE BUSINESS END

Heading out towards the ground and passing the Morrison's and Waitrose, who interestingly more or less share buildings never mind car parks, they are that close, Dunley Way is arrived on and towards the far end a private approach road leads to todays destination of Lutterworth Town FC.
Admission and programme purchased a quick circuit was taken up first and the ground is a fairly easy one to describe the near touchline has a 'home built' wooden stand with two rows of plastic base seats the walkway continues to the far goal which has no standing behind it.  Having craftily gone under the barrier to the far touchline this contains a walkway and two dug outs and back at the entrance end by the corner flag an Atcost stand for around 50 and behind it the clubs bar/snack bar and changing rooms, there is also a turnstile pay structure built into a recess.

FINE BIT OF TIMBER FOR AN ORIGINAL STAND ON THE HALF WAY LINE

The clubhouse is smart with lots of corporate orange and has a split bar/snack bar sadly there was no warm food I had avoided the takeaways in town and the gambled didn't pay off but a warming tea on this cold afternoon came in handy.  It was good before the start to meet Chairman Andy Dixon who had kindly responded to my text enquiry in the morning and an informative chat followed with himself and a couple of club officials alongside a former Burntwood supporter and official who is now a regular at Dunley Way.  The friendly nature of clubs often adds to the flavour of the trip some though amazingly cannot or don't want to do it here at Lutterworth they do and it made all the more difference for being warmly welcomed to their club, indeed during the afternoon there was a pleasant reception from many of the locals.

JUST PUT YOUR FOOT ON THE BALL

Lutterworth Town finally found themselves back at Dunley Way in the town itself after a brief spell at Coventry Rd and previously Hall Park the former and the latter homes of the towns other club Athletic who seemed to take part in this musical chairs parade.  But hopefully now both clubs have their homes and slowly but surely Town have brought in two stands, developed floodlights and their hospitality facilities giving a small but homely feel to the club.

TOP SCORER AND CAPTAIN DAIRE

Last time out the big Lutterworth derby saw Town win 3-0 at Hall Park and claim promotion but today would be for the ultimate prize of the title slip up and Anstey Nomads could claim the honour.
By half time and four goals to the good the UCL officials car hovering around the area with the
trophy was well and truly on the highway to South Leicestershire.  A quick free kick after just three minutes caught nearly everybody out but for Small who latched onto it and fired home, Jamie Cooper lashed home a lose ball from just inside the box to make it 2-0 and by the interval Daire had added a couple more to make this a comfortable procession now for the home side.

COOPER CELEBRATES TOWNS SECOND GOAL

Half time brought irony to the fore something match officials probably don't register with and on a increasingly windy and cold afternoon both teams were eager to get on with proceedings and had left the changing rooms and on the pitch ready to re-start by 4pm.  Of course officials being just that had probably not heard 30 players plus managers and coaches leave the changing rooms beside them and finally ventured out at around 4.05pm to loud cheers and applause.  It beggars belief at times but of course half time is fifteen minutes and we are having it lads, rules are rules.

BIRSTALL CLEAR THEIR PENALTY BOX UNDER PRESSURE

Within four minutes of the second half beginning Birstall looked ready to start the great comeback when Nathan Turner produced a lovely chip to pull a goal back and for a while Lutterworth
seemed to have lost a little impetus however within this passage Small could easily have added to his tally having the ball cleared off the line three times.  But top scorer Daire completed his hat trick even adopting a cheeky staggered penalty.
There was still time for Lutterworth to add a seventh in the closing minutes thanks to William Cooper and it should have been eight for moments earlier Kade Lewis had taken a second penalty but tried an awful soft chip past the keeper who guessed correctly to red face the player thankfully goal difference was not to be a factor today.

LUTTERWORTH HOLD THE BALL UP GREAT CONTROL

The final whistle brought about scenes of joy only experienced by a select few teams at the end of long hard seasons that most clubs will endure many times but for today and 2018/19 it is Lutterworth Town who would deserve the recognition for their achievements with the presentation of the league championship trophy and a quiet night in with the TV I'm sure followed for these reserved players and officials!
Always a pleasure to see a clubs joy its always easier when you are wining but hopefully most of the side can stop together for a new challenge at step 5 next season for a club that had a nice welcoming feel about it.

MARCH HOP UP TO FOURTH

MARCH TOWN UNITED 3 FAKENHAM TOWN 1
EASTERN COUNTIES FIRST DIVISION NORTH @ ROBINGOODFELLOWS LANE
22 APRIL 2019 --- 3PM

MARCH TOWN UNITED FC

The Hares hopped over Fakenham and into fourth place thanks to a brace from Craig Gillies including a wonder goal and a superb finish from Toby Allen.  This would be Fakenham's first defeat since Christmas and a major victory for the high flyers of March as they will look to secure fourth place next weekend at Diss.
So why March well after coming back from St Ives Chris from the Buxton parish just happened to say 'you need to take a look at March', up for the challenge the research was done and after a departure at 1050 from base station a change at Peterborough nearly two hours later gave a forty minute break which allowed a viewing of the new in trial LNER Azuma and the chance to purchase one of those very reasonably priced pasties!

HOW BIG IS OUR TOWN HALL

Departing towards March and the Fenlands saw the scenery change radically into flat lands and the most interesting thing about departure at the station is the closed platforms and to the north of the station the former Whitemoor marshalling yards which in the 1930s where one of the largest in Europe now closed in the 90s.  The area was the junction for Great Eastern Railway and Great Northern Railway and the former is the instigator of todays sports ground our ultimate destination and the stadium still carries that name.

EDWARD V111 ROYAL CYPHER

The temperature rise over the bank holiday period made the fifteen minute stride into March a sharp one but once again a small functional town with an amazingly ostentatious town hall, spoons in a former cinema and water fountain being a few of the highlights along with the River Nene which passes through the centre of March.  Slightly off the main shopping area is the Post Office which features one of the small amount of royal markings for Edward V111 with most buildings and post boxes displaying ER11, this was a reminder of history to the formers short reign before abdication.  Not many Royal Cypher's were changed and the few that were like the one here in March remain a reminder to times gone by.
A brief walk back towards the station finds The GER Ground, formed in 1923 during its time has staged speedway, football, cricket, cycling and greyhounds the latter saw its first race in 1961 before its closure in 1984.  The track was a grass surface and operated with an inside hare system indeed the football club at the time were non too impressed by the moving of the stand away from the pitch to accommodate the dog track.  Part of the former track area has been sold and houses build on so replacing some of the curve to the south of the stadium.

THE ICONIC LIGHTS DOWN THE ENCLOSURE AND DUG OUT SIDE

How's it look today, well after entering through the small new clubhouse with adjoining changing rooms you pass out into the ground to the left is the snack bar but its to the right we go the star of the show is undoubtedly the stand apart from a small brick base this is all wooded and absolute old school gem which I'm led to believe is up for replacement so visit soon.  To the front is a grassed paddock/picnic area moving on the former greyhound judges box is still in situ and towards the top corner are a selection of modern turnstiles which appear not to be in use any more.  The sites former partner is clearly influential in that viewing down both touchlines finds you frustratingly far from the action.  The far goal has a walkway and grass banking behind it and the initial weed strewn far side gradually drops away from the pitch with a yellow and black covered terrace which sadly has a completely obliterated view of the pitch by the placement of dug outs in front of it.  Behind the goal by the side of our entrance is uncovered walkway and we are back at the start to pay our entrance fee at a table within the club house and obtain a programme.  The 8 floodlights are of the station/pit yard type and impressive structures that add to the feel of this ground overall though I guess parts of this ground are not used too much and todays crowd is a fantastic response from the locals bringing in 167 on the gate, higher than normal.

RYAN CURTIS OF FAKENHAM ON THE BALL WITH THE
FORMER GREYHOUND JUDGES BOX IN THE BACKGROUND

Before the game it was good to catch up with the clubs video supplier who was busy setting up various cameras and microphones around the ground you can see the action via the clubs twitter feed and its well worth a look.
The action had started tentatively until that was on 14 minutes a deep free kick found the visitors Alex Walpole inexplicably place the ball back across his own goal and it was Gillies who forced the ball home at the far post to give The Hares the lead.

MARCH IN CONTROL IN EARLY FIRST HALF ACTION

Just under ten minutes later Fakenham were level a nice whipped in cross off the left found Walpole make amends with a sharp header.
March were in the lead again on 29 minutes with the ball flying about under no control from either time a header down fell to Gillies 35 yards out and he lashed the ball on the half volley over the head of Tom Coombe in the visitors goal only for it to nestle into the back of the net, one to tell the grandkids about Craig.

ALEX WALPOLE HEADS THE EQUALISER FOR FAKENHAM

The second period started with the visitors upping the tempo but a goal would not come and you did gain the impression that March were sitting comfortably on this game. 
Thankfully we did see another goal and it was for the home side when Allen was put through and unleashed a superb finish to make it 3-1.  Before being substituted Allen showed his striking prowess with another well timed strike but over the closing fifteen minutes referee Lander could have blown up this was over as a contest Fakenham had nothing at all to give and March were happy with what they had secured.

YOU NEED HANDS

Nice little club with an historical sporting facility which still affects its viewing today from the sidelines with its impressive main stand remaining a steadfast reminder of its past and current days of sport in March.
Walk back to the station was comfortably in time for the Greater Anglia, first time experienced, service to Peterborough with a 45 minute wait there was time to visit Waitrose and meet up with Sam who had been to Watch the Saints derby Ives v Neots unfortunately a 0-0 outcome.  The luxury of a direct service saw arrival back at base just after 8pm from an enjoyable debut in The Eastern Counties League and a visit to March.

HEADY HEIGHTS FOR WINTERTON

WINTERTON RANGERS 3 AFC EMLEY 0
NCEFL 1 @ WEST ST
20 APRIL 2019 --- 3PM

CALLUM FOSTER CELEBRATES HIS GOAL FOR WINTERTON

A comprehensive victory for Winterton who looked a well organised outfit saw fourth spot secured and the challenge going forward to potentially finish third with a win in their final game of the season next Saturday in Derbyshire.
Off the back of a very poor game yesterday the one saving grace is you very rarely witness two bad ones in a row so it was with enthusiasm that I set off for North Lincolnshire, again.  After a brief change in Sheffield the Cleethorpes bound train was not to bound up with Bank Holiday trippers and I gained a seat for an interesting conversation with an elderly gentleman on his was back to Grimsby and as he enquired where I was going he replied 'people only go to Scunthorpe if they have too', before following it up with 'pretty much like Grimsby too'.  Time travelled fast and departure at 'sunny scunny' saw a lung creaking sprint to a town centre bus stop for the orange liveried Hull 350 service which I made with 3.54 seconds to spare it was that close with barely enough time to return my breathing to normal capacity.

MAIN STAND AT WINTERTON RANGERS

After leaving the outskirts of the town and flowing by the fields of Roxby the bus soon turned into the really rather impressive village of Winterton, although it would appear for local government purposes it is a town.  Having departed a stop earlier than I had intended there was just over ten minutes before closing time for the Town Chippy thankfully I made it for home made fish cake and a portion of England's finest.  A brief food laden walk around the streets of the village which is around 5 miles north of Scunthorpe on the way to the Humber and Kingston Upon Hull revealed a collection of neat houses, village self contained shops catering for most things meaning you probably didn't have to leave for basic essentials.  There was even a prestige car company 'Richtoy'  I wasn't sure whether that was a play on words but it does appear to be a shortening of both the owners Richard Clayton and Toyne Fox.  The village had a fairly well to do feel about it and save for all the flat land in this part of the country it was a place that felt very comfortable to spend a spring afternoon in.
West St gives up the ground entrance by the Town Council offices but also shows the way to the skate park, library and community gym.  A fiver for entrance is very reasonable with a functional programme containing quality pictures from the clubs photographer who it was a pleasure to meet whose enthusiasm was clear for the club.  Having been in generous mood a couple of raffle tickets and Fulham on the scratch card did pay dividends when the London side gained another win and I pocketed me £20 at half time.

LIBRARY SIDE ENCLOSURE

First impressions here are of a very smart set up, well cared for with two tidy stands, the circuit then reveals, to the left and behind us the changing rooms, snack bar café and clubhouse once again very tidy throughout and a credit to the club.  The far side has a stand that is well catered for with a large selection of tip up seats offering a good view over the dugouts which drop down into the floor by a step.  Behind the far goal is uncovered and down the opposite side and at the front of the library is a smart covered terrace enclosure around the half way line.  Its all very modern and sanitised but as we come back to the turnstile block the toilets sum up the place people actually care about this ground, the facilities were clean and tidy where many clubs loos you dare not venture into them.  Well done Winterton officials a cracking little ground keep looking after it its a credit to you.

PAUL GRIMES WINTERTON

The first half I spent in the company of a local teacher watching the proceedings and discussing footy, all things educational and local bistros amidst this Paul Grimes Rangers assistant manager was putting in a tremendous shift working the AFC Emley, next season to be Emley AFC [?!] back line to the full and in the opening minutes crashed an effort off the visitors bar.
But it wasn't until 28 minutes that Luke Anderson gave the home side the lead and that was doubled on 39 minutes when Emley failed to clear their box Callum Foster was on hand to pounce to score much to his delight as he wheeled away to celebrate.

HEADS ITS MINE

The second period was put to bed within ten minutes of the re start when Elliot Broughton stormed away and fired home with confidence to make it 3-0.  It was comfortable going now for the home side and although it would have been nice to see them add to their total Emley continued to try for a way back into the game but overall Winterton were too strong for them today.

GET SOMETHING ON IT

The returning 350 was well on time allowing a 45 minutes in Scunthorpe where sadly the improvements appeared not to have happened and redeeming features could still not be found although on a sunny day the place did look marginally better than normal.

EMLEY KEEPER GEORGE CLARKE GETS A VITAL TOUCH

Back at the station and normal service was to be resumed with toilets locked and a notice declaring call for the keys at the ticket office and show your ticket needless to say the ticket office had a notice up saying closed all day due to staff shortages, the new lifts to the footbridge were not working and the clock on platform two was still an hour behind alongside a non functional destination display, still this was Scunthorpe.

EMLEY HAVE JUST BEEN TOLD THEY ARE GOING BACK VIA SCUNTHORPE

Return to the big steel city for the change was all fairly civil until the EMT service to base was loaded back to the capital with Euston out of action all weekend there was a collection of Manchester City fans travelling back and standing of course occurred all in a carriage with its heating stuck on.
Base was arrived at just before 8pm from a very enjoyable trip to a nice little self sufficient village which contained a super non league side what more could anybody want?

GREAT GROUND SHOCKING GAME

GAINSBOROUGH TRINITY 0 HEDNESFORD TOWN 0
EVOSTIK NORTH PREMIER @ NORTHOLME
19 APRIL 2019 --- 3PM

THE SPLENDOUR OF NORTHOLME

Probably one of the best non league grounds around old style but modern in its outlook and upkeep will have witnessed many classics in North Lincolnshire, sadly this was not one of them.  For a game that purports to be entertainment the handing over of a dozen gold coins ought to have brought more than one effort of note on goal unfortunately it left the double sending off Anthony Wilson and Daniel Racchi to have the audacity to register at the top of the point of note table.

STAR OF THE SHOW

The journey started as ever with a short trip to Sheffield with the dreaded Good Friday announcement of 'the next train is reported as full and standing', this mainly being due to Euston being closed and all capital escapees to Manchester were following the steel city Peak District route. 
The comfort of the Lincoln journey soon allowed a seat, yes a seat and departure was to be at Gainsborough Lea Road, sadly central station which is just that is only served by three inbound services on Saturdays, although this I believe is due to become an improved weekday service from May.

GONE ARE THE STEAM ENGINES ENTER RETAIL WORLD

Gainsborough Lea Road and Central station were only a few years ago described as the most underinvested stations on the network and not too much appears to have improved departing via the structure of wooden steps, ramps topped off with pagoda type structures there is a feel of being stuck in an eternal children's adventure playground at your local.
The walk of about a mile and a half to the ground was for the first mile one of underwhelming monotony however by the time I 'arrived' the highly impressive frontage and gateways of Marshall's the former agriculture machine and steam engine manufacturers to heighten the mood sadly now of course close in post industrial Britain but kindly re developed as a retail park.  The town centre adjacent to this is small but looks functional and on the northern edge the impressive Gainsborough Old Hall a fine example of a medieval manor house, whatever that may be.  The centre was impressive and certainly somewhere had there been a little more time that would have warranted more time in it, ok I'd have spent it in KFC.

IMPRESSIVE NORTH ST ENCLOSURE AND THERES THREE MORE OF THESE

Northolme sits a few hundred yards to the north and had once again been on the cards for a visit for ages for a club so close geographically to base and it is a beauty and thankfully well preserved with so many clubs selling up and moving on to a farmers field lets hope this never happens with Trinity.
Having paid up and draw tickets purchased a circuit of the theatre of dreams found to the left a
fantastic covered terrace behind the North Street goal passing Fergals Shack and the club shop both in a lofted position the far touchline takes us past executive bar and the deep barrelled roof stand which straddles either side of  the half way line.  Through the segregation fencing and along to the 'away' terrace a steep uncovered enclosure leads you back through the demarcation zone to a covered terrace back along the touchline and back to the snack bar, toilets and our original entry point.  It does need re iterating this is impressive its lived in but clearly loved and cared for too.

WINGING IT IN GAINSBOROUGH

Having greeted 'cod of the north' from Kempster who were here filming I had not seen both of them for a while it was time to take up position in a crowd of over 800 the ground still looked well empty so cavernous is it. 
The game er,well yes like a student waffling around his unrevised exam it was ninety minutes were not much happened etc.  Gainsborugh in a play off place I expected to show better bit Hednesford thwarted well and although both teams gave undoubted effort as a spectacle it was poor.

TRINITY KEEPER JOE GREEN WINS THE DAY

The first half and indeed the games only footballing point worth mentioning was a superb free kick ten minutes before half time from Alex Byrne but Jacob Weaver was equal to it with an excellent save to deny Trinity.

HEDNESFORDS RACHHI THE FIRST TOO BE SENT OFF BY REFEREE FREEMAN

The second half was much the same producing little in the final third and after a few frustrations around the pitch seemed to involve Racchi and then Wilson defending himself the referee who had been fussy in stop starting a poor game all afternoon finally got to grips with the situation but of course it resulted in a red card for both players that's after he had called both his assistants together to confirm the confrontation after he had denied Gainsborough a penalty.  As the tensions rose it took around five minutes to re-start the game as both players seemed reluctant to go back in doors with the lovely weather outside!

CAN SOMEBODY PLEASE SCORE

The long walk back would start shortly afterwards for me too and having finally arrived back at Gainsboroughs only functional station today there was a feel that it may be quicker to walk to Lincoln or Worksop to pick up this service.
One thought though remains from today, great ground.

TIBSHELF VICTORIOUS AT LITTLE EATON

LITTLE EATON 2 TIBSHELF 4
MIDLAND REGIONAL ALLIANCE PREM @ ST PETERS PARK
17 APRIL 2019 --- 1830HRS

LITTLE EATON HEAD FORWARD IN ACTION AT ST PETERS PARK

A highly entertaining game saw Tibshelf finally get over the line for the three points in this mid table battle after Little Eaton reduced the deficit to just one goal after two second half strikes in three minutes had set up a grandstand finish.
Having been to the village of Little Eaton before I knew of its undoubted beauty away from the thundering A38 and A6 that sit parallel to the village with the old Alfreton trunk road running through the main part of the village that most travellers see.  There is though a world beyond with some superb time honoured buildings, rolling fields and even the main train line also within view to add plenty of interest to a visit.

THE IMPRESSIVE PAVILION AND CHANGING ROOMS AT LITTLE EATON

Both clubs had been on the radar for most of the season and tonight the opportunity came as the 'silly season' for hoppers kicks in thanks to a lift from level 4 referee Rob Rees who would be mentoring, by running a line, Ryan Handbury in his first senior 'Saturday' game.  Overall Ryan had a good game and got through well with his dad on the other line to him it was a nice start for him at this level.
St Peters Park has a highly impressive two tier pavilion/village hall with cricket also on the site the football pitch is of course to one side with the back drop of St Paul's Church and the stone built church hall adding to the pleasing setting, there are a selection of seats on top of a small banking at this end of the ground to aid viewing.  The club had roped off one side and towards the far goal the grazing fields that edge the village away from Derby just a mile or so to its south overall this is a really nice ground to view on certainly when the weather is clement.

TIBSHELF ON THE ATTACK WITH THE STONE BUILT CHURCH HALL OVERVIEWING PROCEEDINGS

So to the game and Tibshelf had a strong showing in the first half but went closest before breaking the deadlock when Matt Wiseman struck the bar following a free kick from Ryan Baldwin.
The lead was finally taken with a bit of determination when Brett Gibb forced his way through to fire home two minutes before half time and then more or less immediately the lead was doubled when Luke Maskill headed in at the back from a John Gibb Cross.

BRETT GIBB RISES HIGH TO HEAD ON FOR TIBBY

We had witnessed three goals in five minutes when within two minutes of the restart George Culley finished a pin point cross from Jordan Maskill.  It looked all but over however the quick sequence of goal scoring was taken up by Little Easton who secured two in three minutes and probably the best goals of the game on 70 minutes Chris McCready popped in an exquisite lob from 25 yards out and then the same distance saw Louis Kinnerley strike home a sweet free kick.  The head of steam somehow seemed to be lost by the home side and it was to be Tibshelf who made certain of the three points on 89 minutes when Maskill [L] set up Maskill [J] to convert.
A good advert for the MRA and a very pleasant and entertaining venue with a friendly gathering appreciating this encounter.  The evening was rounded off with a chippy visit sadly the village establishment was closing so it was off to nearby Alfreton for sustenance.

ST IVES STAY RESOLUTE IN VICTORY

ST IVES TOWN 1 REDDITCH UTD 0
EVOSTIK SOUTH PREMIER CENTRAL @ WESTWOOD ROAD
13 APRIL 2019 --- 3PM

A STRONG ST IVES DEFENCE CLEAR

A single strike ten minutes into the second half from Andrew Osei-Bonsu was all that St Ives needed to pick up three points admittedly his effort took a sharp deflection to beat the visiting keeper and I guess summed up the game that was looking like it wouldn't produce a goal.  But there is no denying the 'togetherness' of St Ives having seen them twice now on the road at Stourbridge and at home today.
Its often been a thought to write this blog in reverse but today it sort of developed by accident when time to take a look at the little town centre of St Ives came after the game and I'm glad the effort was made to visit.  The journey came about after assisting a friend with their travel plans to visit a nearby village and after working some times out I thought it would be a waste not to put it to good use and go myself especially after seeing the 'Ives' in the West Midlands a few weeks earlier and although the game wasn't great the club seemed a friendly bunch.
The travel part of this blog continues to be repetitive needless to say departing base station it was all standing and by the time Nottingham travellers boarded we arrived at Grantham and it had become a sardine tin yet again.  Thankfully here the passengers who were diverted to catch London trains at Mrs T's town left us but EMT in their wisdom had left a 2 carriage unit on the service making no attempt to upgrade knowing of the planned maintenance problems, we are having a chat.  Changing at Peterborough the luxury of eight cars with just 2 of us in the front carriage was bizarre but the departure at Huntingdon did find a calmer feel in the air than 2 hours earlier.

THREE STAND ON ONE SIDE AT WESTWOOD ROAD

Arriving in the former constituency of Sir John Major a swift departure on service B went the elongated route via the bus station and then a myriad of housing estates on the northern edge of the town.  The town was the birthplace of Oliver Cromwell former republican and a major influence in 1600s England strangely the reminder of his relevance to the area is in St Ives where he lived for a period of time with a statue in the centre of town, sadly the sun was the wrong way around to use a decent picture of the suited and booted gentleman.
Good time was made up from leaving Huntingdon at 1.15 thirty minutes hence and we departed adjacent to Westwood Rd a pleasant walk to the ground found the large imposing leisure centre with the home of St Ives to one corner along a dog legged lane.
A friendly welcome at the gate allowed for entry to have a circuit in the bag before purchasing some raffle and the clubs 30p mini programme, you see St Ives are one of the clubs that now produce on line which is probably the only let down of a visit here but I knew this before travelling.  On the plus side though there is a small 4 page programme and a team sheet available so the club have tried to cater there is also a nice little club shop on a table by the entrance.

THE MAIN BUSINESS ENCLOSURE

This is a homely ground and one you probably feel is short of a major stand out structure but its one that immediately you cant help but love it's smart and tidy with a super recycling job made of boundary boards made up of former wooden decking.  To the right the walkway takes you behind the goal and onto the far side which has firstly an Atcost structure before its main stand has a selection of tip up and just seat base types of accommodation, the roof is clad in scaffolding I guess for anybody that wants to film the proceedings.  Beyond this is a wooden homemade structure with the newer type of part corrugated cover, moving round the far goal has just the walkway and you are soon back to the business end.  A difficult structure to describe with the changing rooms, snack bar, bar and a directors seating area alongside a covered terrace it has the feel of a 70's structure with the dug outs to the front of this enclosure.  Its not one of the big boys in ground terms and neither to that matter are St Ives but I really enjoyed visiting and will keep a keen eye on their progress.
To the encounter then that was after we had seen off the snow and sleet shower that visited us ten minutes before kick off good grief you had to laugh as club stall was covered up raffle books were quickly taken into the dry and the turnstile stopped clicking as everybody went for cover.  Thankfully there was a late surge that saw the crowd rise to 179 for todays match.

ST IVES IN CONTROL

Redditch arrived very much the form team but when I watched them a few weeks ago its was an entertaining 0-0 and today they also managed to secure nil although I'm not sure how they didn't register.  They dominated the first half but St Ives after a tremendous performance at high flying Stourbridge were giving me the impression of a defensive counter attacking side. 
The first half had certainly called on their back line to be resolute and a debut for 18 year old keeper Shay Griffiths proved to be one of the highlights.  He saved superbly from Robbie Bunn and then moments later Luke Yates saw his goal bound effort finger tipped onto the post.

CRAIG ADAMS IN ENCOURAGING POSE

St Ives were struggling to put anything of note as an attacking force but Griffiths and the line at the front of him were doing a sterling job.  In this they were assisted by Craig Adams the Ives assistant manager who you have to love he plays every ball and encourages the players to keep their concentration high so that when chances come they can take advantage.
This they did within ten minutes of the start of the second half Osei-Bonsu cut on off the right edge of the penalty box striking a sweet shot that had the misfortune, for Redditch, of striking the back of defender Josh Hawker and completely wrong footing Reece Francis and so the winner was claimed.
The second period though was a more open affair with the home side taking part a little more in the visitors half indeed Francis had to be on hand to deny Ives substitute George Bailey.  At the other end debut boy Griffiths was on hand to save from Richard Batchelor and even when keeper Francis came up for a last minute attack that resolute defending of St Ives won the day with a towering headed clearance from Tom Wood.

A CLOSE RUN THING

A game that never really got going but produced a valuable three points for St Ives in their attempt to have a successful completion to the season and even though Redditch needed a win to guarantee survival other results saw to that for them.
Here's were the blog goes the wrong way round, now for the town!  With a bus more or less immediately returning to Huntingdon I opted to take 45 minutes out in St Ives and return later.  The Waits by the River Ouse where in floral bloom and in the town centre Mr Cromwell was still overseeing proceedings, the quaint chapel on the bridge and the bridge itself had plenty of takers as a pleasure cruise headed back to town.

CHOCOLATE BOX VIEW OF THE OUSE AT ST IVES

A visit to Waitrose found a woeful, again, shortage of sandwiches although I guess its all canapés around here.  The bus station that would supply the bus to take me back to Huntingdon was based on the former cattle market, the irony was lost on me as I feared the return cattle class service for the transport using public.

BUS STATION FORMER CATTLE MARKET YOU WORK IT OUT

The station forecourt was soon in sight and after a small wait the Great Northern train to Peterborough gave me 25 minute of down time before boarding the 7.30 to Nottingham and once again after 25 minutes wait amidst some drunken scenes, quite amazing for half past eight, we were off to arrive at base station just after 9.30pm.
No Chip shop chips today but I did manage to probably throw the young 'uns in the snack bar into chaos by asking for a chip cob, non-local alert.  However there was time to sample a West Cornish Pasty at Peterborough all for the princely sum of £19.99, not quite but you get the drift.  A superb day and very enjoyable visit to little old St Ives FC and its town hopefully I can catch up with them soon.

POTTER MOLDS VICTORY FOR RUNCORN

NEWCASTLE TOWN 1 RUNCORN LINNETS 2
EVOSTIK 1 WEST @ LYME VALLEY STADIUM
6 APRIL 2019 --- 3PM

ACTION FROM NEWCASTLE V RUNCRON LINNETS WITH VISITNG KEEPER AT FULL STRETCH

A cheeky overhead kick from Freddie Potter with three minutes of 'normal time' remaining secured the goal that gave Runcorn Linnets a vital three points in their promotion chasing season.  The
visitors made hard work of it against a stubborn and resolute Newcastle Town who had shown little as an attacking force but it was the visitors lack of a clinical finish that looked to be denying them three points that was until Potter sent the green and yellow army quite literally potty.
New Saturday same story all standing to Derby but the normal bus on wheels to Stoke this time out would grace us with 2 carriages, I know say it quietly somebody at EMT may not know!  Arrival in the smashing old station that is Stoke on Trent saw a regular connection made from outside for Newcastle Under Lyme town centre via the old industrial Stoke town centre a shadow of its former self.  The 15 minute journey and 1pm arrival allowed a brief look around an impressive little town centre and research allowed for a visit to Smiths Chippy for a further sampling.  The impressive sign declaring 'money cant but you happiness but you can but fish and chips and that's more or less the same', who can argue with that one.

MAIN STAND AT NEWCASTLE TOWN

The walk to the ground was about twenty minutes through the Lyme Brook Valley Park which was symbolised by the notice boards being unreadable due to graffiti, over long grass and a selection of dogs visiting.  It should be a complimentary area to the town but looked uncared for although
I guess its a budget cut austerity issue it is a potentially great asset though.  Towards the top end and our destination shines out with beyond it rugby and cricket grounds this area looks the better cared for part of the recreational area.

A THING OF BEAUTY

Newcastle Town and their ground create a unique or is it obscure facility with a steep velodrome around the pitch which sits in a bowl and the stands sit flush to the oval walkway above the cycle track.  The club had been on the 'to do list' but sub-sectioned along with the 'running track' clubs but after many positives from other visitors todays was the time to grab the proverbial bull by the horns and I must say it was a favourable impression I came away with today.  Certainly in places, behind the goals, you are a long way away but the height all around the pitch does make up for this with a commanding view of proceedings.

FLAGS, WRIGHTS PIES, CYCLE TRACK AND OH YES FOOTBALL

A friendly welcome on the turnstiles was given and then after purchase of programme and goalden goal ticket the circuit, quite literally began.  Climbing the steps to stand on top of the cycle track the walkway takes you around to the far side with a stand of around three step height beyond the far goal and back to the business end the deep but narrow stand is the main selling point with to its side by the half way line two small enclosures and a hospitality cabin behind these are the changing rooms and the clubs bar and of course the catering facilities.  The initial entrance is also of note as you come in at pitch level but for viewing purposes everything is above you via a climb.
Noteworthy here is that the bar was opened by Sir Stanley Mathews in 1991 and amongst a few plaques on the wall outside was one for Tommy Godwin being very worn and difficult to read I decided to look him up and found a cyclist from Stoke and obviously the major relevance to the velodrome here at the stadium.  Tommy was born on 1912 in Fenton, Stoke on Trent and at the age of 12 took a delivery round for a local grocers to his heart which of course undertaken with a bike which saw his interest in cycling grow.  At 14 he took part in a 25 mile time trial, during his increasing mileage intake he achieved in 1939 a world record in yearly mileage of 75,065 and just to top that in 500 days he completed 100,000 miles at an average of 200 miles a day, a remarkable feat.  Interestingly Tommy worked for a pie makers in Burslem at one stage and became a vegetarian and was also tea total.

5.9 FOR ATRISTIC IMPRESSION

Although there is always some unknown fact or personality discovered on the hopping circuit we were here for the main event and with around 50% of the crowd made up with Linnets fans it would be as ever a lively afternoon, for on our previous crossing of paths they are always passionate and committed to the cause and today I would even make the case for them getting their side over the line with the late goal.
The first half was about Linnets trying to break down the Newcastle defence and it didn't happen they went close though as early as five minutes when Ronnnie McCarthy saw his 25 yard free kick strike the post there were also penalty claims turned down before the interval.

1-0 TO RUNCORN LINNETS AS HICKEY CONVERTS A TRICKY ONE

The breakthrough came just ten minutes into the second half Kristian Holt headed back across goal and at the far post Antony Hickey a yard out avoided contact with his hand the ball striking the left side of his chest and for a moment stuck on the line as it bounced up he avoided any potential further contact with his hand and as though under threats from the Runcorn player it spun back over the line. 
The opener had been a long time coming with patience and hard work but within three minutes Town were level a long through off the right found the head of Chris Smith who rose to beat Scott Thomas.
The last twenty minutes saw the game open up with Hickey missing a sitter when clean through firing wide of the mark at the other end a joint header from Joshua Glover and Ben Fraser saw Thomas push the ball onto the bar.  As the game opened up at last, Jordan Cole forced Thomas into another save while for Runcorn the bar came to the rescue of Newcastle.

HICKEY TO WRAP IT UP NOT THIS TIME

The clock was running down as Newcastle looked to play out time one final push was required and the winner came for the tangerine clad, not literally, visitors with the ball hovering around the danger zone it fell to substitute Potter who with back to goal tried the extraordinary with an overhead kick 8 yards out he found the bottom corner of the Newcastle goal.  Queue scenes of wild celebration and if the players had the strength at this stage to scale the cycle track they would have been with the fans however on this occasion both stood at a distance celebrating the three points that very much keep the visitors season alive.

LINNETS STRIKE THE BAR BEFORE THE LATE WINNER

An intriguing ground with a friendly bunch all around, the lively Runcorn Linnets supporter portray a love of their 'cooperative' fans lead club and I shall watch their closing games to check on promotion progress.
Return bus 25 to the station all went well and we were away from the Potteries just after 5.30pm and back at back at 7pm from a very enjoyable jaunt.