ONE GOAL QUAY TO PRE SEASON NOMADS VICTORY

CONNAHS QUAY NOMADS 1 CLIFTONVILLE 0
PRE SEASON FRIENDLY @ AIRBUS UK
22 JUNE 2019 --- 2PM

CONOR HARWOOD [LEFT] SEES HIS HEADER GOALBOUND FOR THE WINNER

A second half headed goal from substitute Conor Harwood was enough to give the Welsh side victory in a very close pre-season affair that in fairness could have gone either way with overall both sides being very happy with this workout in warm conditions as they plan for imminent European fixtures.

PADDY MCLAUGHLIN BRINGS HIS CLIFTONVILLE SIDE TO WALES

From past experience I've learned not to bother too much with pre-season games and don't normally disrupt the summer of rugby league and cricket but today with Cliftonville from the north of Ireland visiting the opportunity to see the oldest club in Ireland, formed 1879, could not be missed.  The club based at the wonderfully named Solitude were in serious warm up mode for their Europa League Preliminary Round game at Barry Town United in five days time and after victories at Derry City [2-1] and at home to Ards [5-0] the flight over to North Wales would see them encounter some Welsh Premier League opposition to set them up for what to expect in South Wales.
Connahs Quay are around three weeks away from their own European fixture versus Kilmarnock and after a goalless draw against the Isle of Man last weekend, also at Airbus, it would be a stronger side on show today with the need for both sides to move up a gear.

TIGHT SQUEEZE WITH JOE GORMLEY RIGHT

So with anticipation departure from base would be at 1020 and with changes at Stockport and Crewe, where I gained my first seat of the day[!] we arrived at platform one in Chester with time to catch the 1255 X4 to Mold which would conveniently leave from right outside the station and drop us off adjacent to the ground just before 1.30pm.  It was all rather tight on connections and any delay could have seen this a failure but thankfully all went well and it was a warm and sunny day at last after recently disappointing early summer days.

CHRIS CURRAN WATCHED OVER BY THE CLIFTONVILLE BENCH

Both sides were out on the pitch and after paying the £5 admin first sight of the two sides warming up was gained, Nomads produced a mini programme which was a creditable effort that sold out something I think the club were surprised about but there had been interest in the game all week a club official said.  The crowd of around 150 was made up of a collection of home supporters, Cliftonville supporters and a healthy collection of hoppers.  During the game it was lovely to catch up with the prolific Paul Moran who covers many games and you can see his pictures and thoughts on his twitter account, I had met Paul on a few occasions previously and he is of course the son of the ultimate one club man the legendary Liverpool manager and boot room team Ronnie Moran.

DERRY CITY LOANEE CONOR MCDERMOTT

Teams are always nigh on impossible to get for these games and having done some reviewing of the excellent Cliftonville Twitter and website I hopefully recognised a few players but of course its always difficult with changing hairstyles etc, so apologies if there are any mistaken ID's.
Both sides looked pretty strong with Chris Curran the North Belfast sides captain starting and loan signing from Derry Conor McDermott also on show.  For Nomads it was good to see Michael Bakare involved but frontman Michael Wilde was out I guess injured but in attendance watching. 
Cliftonville would play in their all green Sean Graham sponsored kit something they have done for all pre season friendlies while Nomads had heir new white away kit on but sadly no numbers on their backs which made the whole set up look strange, there was small numbers on the front and shorts but it was slightly disappointing.

LEVI IVES MOVES FORWARD

By the end of the first half I wondered why I hadn't done the cricket in all fairness it was a dour affair with little in the way of chances and we went into the break of course without any goals.
The second period by contrast was the complete opposite we had a handbags at ten paces which took a while to calm down as referee Pratt intervened and sensibilities returned on this hot day that had seen a few tempers boil over.  By now the game had opened up and we were witnessing a very open end to end encounter in the last half an hour Cliftonville [18] hit the woodwork with a crashing shot from the edge of the box but it was sub Harwood for Connahs Quay who would have a more or less immediate effect after coming on with an hour gone it took him just five minutes to guide home new signing Callum Roberts free kick off the right with a well directed header.

GETTING TO KNOW YOU

As Cliftonville looked for the equaliser it was only an excellent save from Jamie Brass who denied them with ten minutes remaining coming out to meet the visitors number 10 who was clean through on goal.  Then with the clock ticking away the ever prominent danger of Levi Ives down the left saw the Cliftonville man get in the box to get a shot away but it was just wide and Connahs Quay would defend well to see the game through.

SECOND HALF CLIFTONVILLE MOVE MONITORED CLOSELY

This had been a tough work out for both sides in the conditions and although results don't matter it could have gone either way.  Time for me to leave although I did think otherwise as around twenty boxes of pizzas arrived for after match hospitality, mmm pizza!
Major queue of hoppers for the bus back to Chester but having let the train station bound bus go I along with a few others boarded the double decker back to the bus station and with a very quick connection opted to take what turned out to be a brief look at Chester Broughton Hall Cricket Club which was todays standby.  Unfortunately the seconds and the fourths games would come to a close within 40 minutes of arrival due to low totals posted but there was time for a look around this wonderful clubhouse and take on board some substance in the form of a chip cob and a pint of the lemonade.
Opting for a twenty minute walk back along the Shrosphire Canal for a different view of the sights of Chester would see a departure from the city at 5.55 and with comfortable changes at Crewe, Stockport and this time Sheffield base station was arrived at just after 8.30pm.
Good day out, once again no Beluga spotted at Airbus but great to catch up with both sides and enjoyed the first viewing of Cliftonville it will be enthralling to see how both clubs get on in Europe this season.

HILL WIN TO EYE UP THE SUMMIT

BRADFORD DUDLEY HILL 33 BEVERLEY 18
NCL2 @ THE NEIL HUNT MEMORIAL GROUND
15 JUNE 2019 --- 2.30PM

BRADFORD DUDLEY HILL ARLFC

A fairly comfortable victory from Bradford Dudley Hill saw them keep their gaze on the top echelons of the National Conference League Two table and apart from two quick tries from Beverley early in the second half that threatened a comeback the home side remained resolute to secure the points.
The continuation of the train to Leeds saga would continue today with the option of a Northern service to Leeds allowing me a vestibule tip down seat after Sheffield, supplying the ultimate luxury because the gamble on a Cross Country return to base after the game back fired with the usual all standing chaos that the wonderful operator offers being on show again, see the last three blogs!
A comfortable change in Leeds would allow arrival in Bradford at 1pm and the one thing that is superb about the city is its excellent bus routes and adjacent interchange even though today would see a brief two minute walk out of the station to Bridge St to catch the 608 to Holme Wood and remarkably in one pulled for an immediate departure.

FOR THOSE CONCERNED ABOUT MY WELFARE FISH AND CHIPS ARE STILL ON THE MENU

From recent visits you will have gleaned Bradford is probably not one of my favourite places but it has to be said that some of its historical buildings from its glory days are a joy to behold however they are often matched by a regular collection of dereliction and rubbish strewn Herras fencing, still Little Germany and the Leeds Road would see us arrive on Sticker Lane close to the Parry Lane junction within around five minutes.  Firstly I opted for a small meander to Laisterdyke Cricket Club which may have provided a bit of after match sport, sadly the whole set up looks to have gone by the wayside with ground fenced off and overgrown and club I guess the same.  Walking back towards Sticker Lane and with Bradford being in a bowl the far sides of the city are often the most visible and Bradford City FC was standing proudly on the north side of the city from the terrace houses of Buller Street.
Luncheon had been researched and the aforementioned would provide Parry Lane Fisheries and it would have been rude not to have sampled a fish and chips which was awaiting, once again good fayre but the Yorkshire reviews of their fish shops do seem very generous in their ratings.  Wobbling down Parry Lane with food in hand the first spots of rain appeared so I quickly grabbed a picture of an excellent view of the ground with north west Bradford in the background.

LOOKING BACK TO THE BUSINESS END FROM THE COVERED TERRACE

The ground is set in a strange area of industrial buildings and units some operating and others that have seen better days but snuggly adjacent to the ground on Lower Lane are a small selection of houses with an adjoining cul de sac appearing out of place in what looks a non residential area.

LEWIS STRAW KICK TO THE WIND TURBINE END FOR BEVERLEY

Entry to the ground was by a friendly Yorkshire lass with admission paid there was the old problem of no programme issued which is always disappointing, no reading material for the return journey.
The ground is like that good old comfy chair that you love but its got stuffing appearing out of the sides and back and one of the springs has sprung through its restraining material, you love it but you just don't want to touch it in case.  The club has a full section of covered standing behind the sticks to the left which is certainly creditable and not seen to much in The NCL, the business side has a collection of buildings from changing rooms to clubhouse which features an external hatch for a snack bar.  It is also unusual in having its dug outs on the same side of the pitch and these are separated by a massive scoreboard which was sadly not operated today.  With the grass growing long the far side and right hand side end did not look too welcoming and I reserved the visit to the business side and covered end.  With floodlights in situ, I couldn't tell you if they are working, Dudley Hill have what many clubs who are playing in parks would love a ground to call their own however I know its about money and volunteers but it did need some hugs and a bit of loving.

HILL STRUGGLE TO HOLD BEVERLEY BACK IN EARLY ACTION

The game looked an equally matched affair on paper and after the visitors had beaten the Hill earlier in the season they would look for a strong response and when they led at the break 22-6 they got just that.  After three minutes the response was there when Andy Walker went over for Simon Sewell to max it, adding three more conversions during the afternoon plus a late drop goal to his contribution.  Beverley levelled four minutes later thanks to Lewis Miller and Lewis Straw who converted for the first of his three.
After that though it was all the Bradford side with Jamie Brantley, Martin Southwell and Lewis Johnson crossing the whitewash to secure a comfortable half time lead thanks to conversions for the former and latter try.

FIRST HALF TRY FOR MARTIN SOUTHWELL

The second period started well for the home side within five minutes they had gone 28-6 thanks to Alisadir Firth who forced his way through under the mark.  However whether Dudley Hill relaxed or Beverley upped their game two tries in five minutes brought about thoughts of a comeback when Kingsley Okra Overton and Ben Naylor allowed Straw to go 100% on his conversions there was just teen points in it.
Normal service was resumed on 58 minutes with Rob Brown going over before the margin went to fifteen thank to a close range drop goal from Sewell with three minutes remaining.

ALISDAIR FIRTH BREAKS FREE TO HEAD FOR THE LINE

A fair outcome from the proceedings allows Dudley Hill to enjoy fifth place and sit in a very nice place to challenge Wigan St Judes, West Bowling and Barrow Island who sit just two points above them.

AND FIRTH MAKES THE LINE

Return via mini climb up Parry Lane was in now torrential rain after much of it had held off for the afternoon it was time to walk to the next stop to find a bus shelter with the smallest roof imaginable, for my big head, with additional umbrella doing little the streets of south Bradford were now mini streams.  Thankfully a '630' arrived quickly to whisk me back to the station and with no chance of much play at Farsley Cricket Club I opted to return straight back to base which after departing Leeds at 5.10pm saw arrival around an hour later at base station.

EAST LEEDS MAKE IT FAR FROM EASY FOR LEADERS

EAST LEEDS 8 WIGAN INCE ROSE BRIDGE 18
NCL 2 @ EASY ROAD
8 JUNE 2019 --- 2.30PM

EAST LEEDS AT HOME AT EASY ROAD

A measurable improvement by East Leeds after last weeks loss with a depleted side saw league leaders Ince Rose Bridge made to work hard for the two points and in conditions that made handling difficult the home side suffered a few errors that otherwise would have made this score line much closer.
Opting for a Northern service to Leeds after the recent weeks of Cross Country chaos failed to alleviate the problem and one hour and a quarter today it had been all standing as the train became aisle standing from Barnsley, anyway enough said.  Today should have been a debut at Nottingham Outlaws a side playing in the Yorkshire League but once again a Yorkshire based club pulled out on the afternoon before with the unable to raise a side call for the trip to Robin Hood Country.  Cricket was out of the question and flaming June would see top coat and umbrella in fashion for a brisk walk across Leeds allowing a convenient departure out to, surprisingly, the east of Leeds on a 62 First Bus circular that would pull its way through the flats of Saxton Gardens, onwards to the terraces of Cross Green and having circled around the ground a departure at Dial Rd, after travelling along the uniquely titled Upper Accommodation Road, for the 200yard walk to East Leeds ARLFC.

THE BUSINESS END

It had been around five years since the last visit for Easy Road and not much had changed the area is very much a community that in the 'good old days' would have been an steady walk of just under a mile to the city centre but now requires local knowledge and the navigation of major lane bypasses and circular roads.  The ground sits in Richmond Hill and its fair to say the area has seen better times but as ever clubs like East Leeds offer a community moulding experience.  The wets stuff was now coming down sharply so a visit to the clubhouse would see as ever here a hive of community activity with all age groups either having played or just off to play making the club a high footfall establishment.  Taking place on the pitch was a juniors cup game against Guiseley with a large enthusiastic crowd sadly by the time the weather had got worse and the main game kicked off there was just around 40 in attendance under umbrellas and tree cover.

ONE OF THE CLARK ESTABLISHMENTS SIDDLES UP TO THE GAME

This ground is a superb community set up alongside the feel of the club overall the very short road, Cross Easy Road at the side of the club has changing rooms at the end and before the next block of changing rooms you enter pitch side via a small walkway that takes you up two steep flight of steps that sees the pitch in a lofty position around the height of the roof of the 2 storey club.
With the modern Richmond Hill Academy down one touchline the rest of this tight ground is captured by the terrace houses flush to pitch side.  The relevance of the Clarke family I have not found out but needless to say the streets all bear the family name with Lane, Mount, Avenue, Crescent, Terrace, Road, Row, Grove and View all featuring from a northerly starting point around this ground!

EAST LEEDS BRING IT AWAY FROM THEIR OWN LINE

The previous visit to East Leeds was enjoyable and today would prove the same with a more than competitive game thrown into the mix, there were a few travelling hoppers and the only down side which is something mentioned before both teams seem uninterested in promoting their games on social media, the home side were contacted to check the game was all ok but having received no reply I took the chance and it paid off and a programme although small was issued to give me something to peruse later on the train.

FOR FAIRNESS HERE IS INCE ROSE BRIDGE IN POSSESSION

Having returned for a very fairly priced chip cob, £1.50, which I only got after changing the latter to butty, haha.  There was time to grab the teams and although the visitors side seemed to line up correctly the home side showed no number 18 or 20 of which they had in their line up and the Rugby League Express shows the home sides try scorers as different to the number on he team sheets once again making a report very difficult.

PLENTY OF OPTIONS HERE FOR A PASS

With the rain now falling sharply and a sharp breeze getting up it would not be a good afternoon for the gentleman of East Leeds and Ince and after last weeks performance at West Bowling you feared for them against the top of the table side.  Fear not a resurgent 'Easts' were so unlucky to go to oranges down to a Daniel Cassidy try turned into a maximum by Robbie Valentine.
Two errors would allow the visitors on 49 and 67 minutes to go over the whitewash Michael Parr and Callum Wilson.  The first try was excellently converted by Valentine from the left hand touchline a superb feat in the conditions.  In between East had pulled four points back from, take your pick here see earlier team sheet difficulties, either James Duckworth or Jason Priestly.

REFEREE HOUGHTON AWARDS A PENALTY TO ROSE BRIDGE FOR LIFTING A PLAYER DANGEROUSLY HEAD FIRST OR IS IT JUST A NEW DANCE CRAZE

With seven minutes remaining Valentine opted to gain two points from a penalty and the visitors had finished for the afternoon.  In between a rash of three sin bins, two for the home side and one for the visitors, the home side reduced the arrears when [18] Duckworth/Priestly went over in the right hand corner.

SECOND HALF BROLLY ACTION

A superb game with the ever vocal visiting bench realising in the last minutes they had secured the points their loudness reflecting a superb effort East Leeds had put in by challenging them all the way back to the showers.
Reversing back to Dial Road the '62' would allow for the completion of the circular bus route before walking across the busy Leeds city centre to the rail station and a seated[!] departure at just after 5pm would see arrival back in base station about 75 minutes later.
Nice weather would have helped but I do like a visit to East Leeds ARLFC a hidden gem of a rugby league ground.

WEST BOWLING AND BOWLING

WEST BOWLING 48 EAST LEEDS 6
NATIONAL CONFERENCE LG 2 @ EMSLEY MEMORIAL RECREATION
1 JUNE 2019 --- 2.30PM

WEST BOWLING IN POSESSION

On a day that promised so much it didn't take long for Cross Country trains to raise the blood pressure levels with once again a completely unacceptable level of service that would see a stressful effort to get along for a debut visit to West Bowling Rugby League Club and a hoped for pre match wander around the wonderful Odsal Stadium, thankfully the whole sporting day was capped off with a visit to Farsley Cricket Club before Cross Country consistently closed the day with another appalling journey.
Departure from base station and deciding to leave the Northern slow service to Leeds the 'give em another chance' option of the 1103Cross Country to Leeds would depart all standing and by the time Sheffield was left it was sardine time yet again with the travelling public the full length of the train, mind you we did have the trolly host trapped in our part of the train.  The first announcement came around ten minutes after leaving Sheffield and unbelievably the train manager announced the make up of all four carriages before adding unreserved seats are in coach c, what planet was this man on the bloody train is rammed mate if only you could get out of your cabin.  Needless to say rammed trains always find every delay and this one was no exception by the time we arrived in Leeds a 55 minute journey had taken 1 hour and 24 minutes and with connection missed I was hoping for a swift change in Bradford Interchange for a bus that would still allow an Odsal visit.

ODSAL SPONSORED BY WOWS AND LOTS MORE WOWS

An aged man sprinting across a tiled floor from station to bus bays is not a pretty sight but thankfully the 643 to Buttershaw was made with seconds to spare and this would take us along the steep Manchester Road that climbs out of Bradford to the south side of the city.  Interestingly at stages it adopts ownership of a guided busway along the middle of the wide sections of the main road before pulling back across three lanes to drop me off by the Richard Dunn Sports Centre, the former heavyweight boxer from the city had what at the time was a modern looking centre named after him however now it looks rather dated from the outside although it does sit in a lot of its own grounds.
Over the way is Odsal Stadium surrounded by large walls the massive floodlights poke out to remind you that the arena is definitely beyond.  Having popped round to look at the shop there was a gate open as preparations were taking place for tomorrows challenge cup quarter final between The Bulls and Halifax and thankfully this allowed a first visit.  The ground is sat in a natural bowl and sets up a great viewing ground having previously welcomed speedway and football it is still of course graced by Bradford Bulls and was originally built by Bradford City Council for Bradford Northern after part of the site had been used as a rubbish dump.

LOOK AT THE SIZE OF THAT TERRACING WOW

I found myself just constantly saying 'wow' and then 'wow' again and again it really is an impressive set up, of course there is now a dated element to the terraces but the depth and the curve of the terracing is only matched by the enormous floodlights and beyond the far sticks the tiered hospitality set up.  The main stand itself is impressive and vast in depth undoubtedly in these current austere times it needs some love and attention but it is such a vast site that the cost would be big but never let stadia like this disappear its well worth the fight.

OLLIE BARLTE LEAVING EVERYBODY STANDING AND SITTING

Moving back down Manchester Rd a quarter of a mile to the home ground of West Bowling which is on a park/recreation ground it offers a banked viewing area which surveys the pitch and surrounds to the north of Bradford including Manningham Mill.  The lower far side is railed for a bit of serious leaning although most of the crowd opted for the high vantage point.  The club operate out of cabins on site and have a snack bar facility and a scoreboard which was well operated throughout this high scoring home performance, thankfully we also have a club issuing a good match day programme too.  It is of course hard because they have little other revenue streams available to them and as an aside to selling the programme they do take a collection around half time to help funds.  Park games are not ideal for watching and obviously make it even harder for the clubs too.

MORE WEST BOWLING CONTROL

There won't be too much detail on todays game needless to say I took the notes but by the time the home side were 22-0 to the good after 20 minutes, a score that hadn't moved by oranges, it all became a procession for the dominant Bradford side who found little opposition from their visitors.
There was a brief interlude when East Leeds scored a maximum in the early stages of the second half but when West Bowling powered on in the closing stages they romped away to a 48-6 victory.
Not the greatest of games for a neutral but a confident win for high flying West Bowling while East Leeds are dropping through the table with recent results.

GOT THE RIGHT PLACE

Frequent buses along one of the main routes into the city allowed a quick return to Bradford Interchange and having hatched a plan to drop back and see Farsley Cricket Club if conditions where right it was just eight minutes after departing the station that we arrived in New Pudsey.  A few weeks back a similar call had been made to see Pudsey St Lawrence to the opposite side of the planned visit today after Field FC had had their game abandoned at half time.
Today would by a steady twenty minute walk to Red Lane and with a small footpath found adjacent to the ground I could view second innings proceedings on approach.  Farsley had batted first and been bowled out for 169 in the final over and with what looked like a close game in prospect local rivals Undercliffe were just an over or so into their reply.

SMART SET UP AT RED LANE HOME OF FARSLEY CRICKET CLUB

The club here it would appear charge a £3 admission something that seems familiar with some Yorkshire clubs but they also issue a programme for the game if you are here for the start.  There is a smart pavilion alongside a very tidy ground and pristine outfield with a collection of stone cottages sitting by the ground there are some additional views to give a Yorkshire cricket ground feel to proceedings.
Farlsey President former England and Yorkshire Captain Ray Illingworth was in attendance and this weekend will by 87 years young fantastic to see him still involved with his local club and he would have been pleased with proceedings as Undercliffe lost a steady collection of wickets to shots that they really didn't need to be playing and ultimately an excellent 70 from Simon Lambert saw him run out of partners and they were bowled out for 134 in the 41st over.  For Farsley James Logan had returned 5 for 42 to do much of the damage.

FARSLEY PRESIDENT RAY ILLINGWORTH [RIGHT]

A nice addition to the sporting day and with a comfortable finish a swift connection out of New Pudsey station allowed a connection onto the Cross Country train back to base station needless to say ten minutes late on return, rammed all the way, with manual seat reservations just in abbreviation format and for the north journey not the southern journey we were now undertaking.  How do some of these companies retain their franchise I will now be on desperate restraint to avoid this companies services at all costs if possible the overcrowding issue is a constant problem and has been so for as long as I can remember.
Nice to finish with a small selection of calming cricket and a wonderful opportunity to take a look at Odsal Stadium all backed up with some rugby league, and of course sandwiched inside lovely Cross Country journey's!