GOALESS AS ALFRETON AND LINCOLN STRUGGLE

   ALFRETON TOWN 0 V LINCOLN CITY 0
   CONFERENCE NATIONAL AT THE IMPACT ARENA 17 MARCH 2015--7.45PM

THE IMPACT ARENA

This was an uninspiring draw from two struggling teams who failed to produce any noteworthy efforts on target in a game of little quality.  However much as though Alfreton would have loved all three points the one point gathered here may prove very vital at the end of the season.

Tonights game had seen the hierarchy at The Impact bring in a full admission price reduction

THE ARTISTIC SHOT OF ATFC FROM PEASE HILL

L-R KEV GRUNDY, GORDON FOSTER AND MARK THORPE

to £10 much to be applauded and certainly something that the blog took hold of for a visit to a club that was really the start of my non league experience many years ago in the 1980's.  I have said in previous blogs that once clubs enter the conference set up they lose a lot of their non league family and welcoming ethos and it does become more of a run of the mill attendance at the game.
But tonight was a great chance for me too catch up with some of my old muckers and I make no excuse for name dropping them. A description of the ground can be seen in a previous blog V Matlock Town.  First through the gate and a quick call into the programme shop run by Mark and Brian Thorpe a must for all non league fans to visit, there was then a chance to catch up with Swanwick Pentrich Road manager Kev Grundy, former ATFC physio and his General Manager Lee about happenings at The Swans.  There was then an appearance from former Chad sports journalist and Rainworth MWFC fanatic Gordon Foster always a pleasure to catch up with him after spending a few years in the press box together in the 1980's.  There was time to get a quick catch up with PA announcer Mr Bill Draper who has now hit some unbelievable target in the 1,000's of consecutive Alfreton Town games, an amazing achievement!

MATT WALSH IN ONION SELLERS HAT?

Before the game kicked off ex Alfreton player who regularly comes back to see The Reds Matt Walsh was caught up with in a cracking French style hat and then last but not least Neil Laughlin of Belper Town and non league hopping fame.
Neil has a tremendous knowledge of the non league scene and its clubs all over the UK and Ireland and is always a source of much useful and information and tips and certainly gets me thinking about new grounds to visit on the back of his advice.

GORDON BACK AT HIS WORK STATION AND TO
THE LEFT BILL DRAPER ON PA!

So the game well it never really captured much in the entertainment category, Lincoln could have scored on three occasions in the opening ten minutes but when Alfreton got back into it their finishing was just as poor as The Imps and the second half remained the same and nil nil at the final whistle did sum up this game.  Alfreton keeper John Mooney is worth a mention the man is a mountain he must be 6ft 6in in height and his thick set indeed he must look a major obstacle when a striker hares down on goal.
This point though has been added to The Reds all important safety total, whatever it ends up being, and if they achieve safety it really must be time for the awarders of the manager of the season for the conference to look no further than what Nicky Law has done here.  Its time these awards were looked at with a wider parameter than just winning the title Law is well on the way to another fantastic season here lets hope Alfreton can achieve safety and then get campaigning for him.
With around 140 Lincoln fans in tonight's crowd of 744 and probably a normal Alfreton following for midweek of 450 I would guess The Reds saw another 150 fans on the game tonight by dropping the price and they probably bought food, 50/50 and drinks too hopefully this exercise will be repeated had it not have been for Derby, Chesterfield and Mansfield being at home I believe the gate would have been even bigger.
This blog marks the 50th entry from the start of November and I would just like to thank all supporters, non league fans, the clubs involved in the games covered and my right hand man for Facebook and Twitter Mr Barry Dyke THANK YOU all for your support I hope its enjoyable and of interest I'm certainly enjoying the experience.

WARM UP ON A COLD NIGHT

SCARBOROUGH FC LIVES ON AT FEATHERSTONE ROVERS SUPERB GROUND OF CHARACTER

FEATHERSTONE ROVERS 6 V LEIGH CENTURIONS 40
KINGSTONE PRESS CHAMPIONSHIP POST OFFICE ROAD, THE BIGFELLAS STADIUM 15 MARCH 2015 3PM

THROUGH THE POSTS THE NEW STANDS IN ALL THEIR GLORY

Where do I start with grounds like this one you just have to fall in love with the history along with the undoubted current passion and commitment of the current Rovers fans.

IS THERE A BETTER ADDRESS
FOR A SPORTS GROUND

After a tight first half which saw the home side lead 6-4 the second half provided a performance that's was both clinical and dominant from Leigh Centurions in this battle of the roses.
As ever the visit took me via train to Wakefield Kirkgate and then because there are no trains on the Featherstone line on a Sunday it was an Arriva bus to the town of my intended destination arriving just after 1.30pm for this 3pm kick off.
As many of you will know the blog spent last summer watching National Conference Rugby and made a visit to see Featherstone Lions the towns amateur team.  During the visit I made a call to take a look at the Rovers ground and received a friendly welcome.  It was at that point that I marked down Post Office Road for a future visit for a game.  There in starts this trip of character can there be a ground with a better address than Post Office Road it just tells of the glory days of the 70's and 80's when the mining industry and town was powerful and more affluent.

POST OFFICE ROAD IN FULL SPLENDOUR AKA THE BIGFELLAS STADIUM

Sadly today the approach to the ground is accompanied by shuttered shops, it is after all a Sunday, but you can tell the town has seen better days and I could only imagine what the whole area was like in its more successful days in both community and rugby league.  As with then it is up to Rovers to make times slightly easier for their fans and community with some much sought after success.  The one thing that amazes you about Rugby League is the friendliness of the supporters alongside a large family element attending games and a large contingent are proud to wear their clubs colours here at Featherstone in the shape of all sorts of merchandise.

LEIGH CENTURION FANS MAKE THE MOST OF THE NEW STAND

Having entered the ground I purchased the programme and knew I had arrived in West Yorkshire with the thank you in the style of 'thank you cock', following onto to the steps that approach the terracing I also purchased a 'Golden Gamble' ticket and there was even a chance to donate to the final works of the two new stand here at The Bigfellas Stadium [more of this later].

FORMER SCARBOROUGH FC STAND ADMIRES THE OTHER NOW IN PLACE AT FEATHERSTONE

Once the stairway is climbed to the left is the main stand older in style which straddles the halfway line and then above the players entrance is the hospitality and bar areas before we move around to the stand behind the top posts which is at the front of the railway station.  Here lies a story because along with the a small stand to the right hand side touchline both have come from the former Scarborough Football Clubs Seamer Rd ground.  The passion and support of the Fev fans is no more evident than in these stands being moved and re constructed by a small band of supporters no mean feat and even with some work to be completed this is full credit to the guys for unbelievable work and fantastic commitment, Rovers you must be so proud of these guys-well done.
Coming down the opposite touchline to our entry and after the smaller of the two ex Scarborough stands is a large community stand with permanent non tip up seats.  Finally behind the posts at the Post Office Rd end behind the slope is some good old fashioned terracing its steep and others a cracking view of proceedings.

REFRESHMENTS BARS SIDE BY SIDE

Refreshments are superbly catered for with the a countless number of outlets scattered all around the ground with prices fairly reasonable, I managed to sample a chip butty and coffee but if you fancied a beer there were plenty of opportunities, well it wouldn't be rugby without a pint would it?
So onto the game and I was in excited anticipation my previous rugby league had been the old days of Mansfield Marksman on a few occasions and Sheffield Eagles at The Don Valley Stadium and the Owlerton Stadium neither of which are places conducive to good viewing so today it was a 'proper' ground.
The poor old referees and touch judges are kitted out in yellow and added lime green for the Specsavers adverts of which the highlight quote of the day came near the end form a Yorkshire lass in the stand who in full Yorkshire accent shouted at the touch judge "Tha wants t get back t Specsavers thas bin conned"! Priceless.

TERRACES IN ACTION

Half time had seen Featherstone come back from 4-0 down to lead 6-4 and all looked very good for the second period.
Sadly it was not to be as Leigh Centurions ran in 36 points without reply to secure a 40-6 victory as the hooter went.
Player wise the delightfully named Fuifui Moimoi, from Tonga, has the Carlos Valderama hair of rugby league and what's more and if he says its Thursday then its Thursday!

BIG HAIR, BIG PLAYER - FUIFUI MOIMOI

As ever with Rugby League the fitness and sheer coming together of the players in tackles never ceases to amaze me.  It was a trip and a game that I fully enjoyed in a ground of undoubted character with a supporter base of superb commitment to the cause of Featherstone Rovers.
Upon departure and all around the West Yorkshire area it always amazes me the lack of football pitches but the proliferation of rugby pitches and it was great today to see a large crowd of both Featherstone and Leigh supporters attending this game.
The reverse trip was via Arriva where we journeyed past Featherstone Lions ground, then the base of Sharlston Rovers ARLFC from The Pennine League and finally Wakefield Wildcats ground clearly visible from the top deck of the aquamarine liveried bus.  After an increasingly cold wait at a still under renovation, it seems after so long, Kirkgate station base was made just before 8pm.
If you have never visited Post Office Road give it a try I don't think you will be disappointed.


THEY THINK ITS ALL OVER IT IS NOW

NAUGHTONS DOUBLE STRIKE SECURES BEDWORTH A SHARE OF THE SPOILS

BEDWORTH UNITED FC 2 V BEACONSFIELD SYCOB FC 2
EVOSTIK SOUTHERN CENTRAL DIVISION @THE OVAL 14 MARCH 2015 3PM

THE MUCH PHOTOGRAPHED MAIN STAND AT BEDWORTHS THE OVAL

[THERE IS A WIDER SELECTION OF PICTURES ON THE WE ALL STAND TOGETHER FACEBOOK PAGE TOO]
Alex Naughtons brace for Bedworth secured a point for the home side against a determined Beaconsfield who had taken a second half lead and looked to be popping back down to Berkshire with all three points for a while.
So as ever the day started with a station departure and it was a rather full service to Leicester for the Cross Country service to Nuneaton which by past experience is always a two carriage packed and standing affair, no change today!
Dash to platform one at Nuneaton for the five minute change and on arrival I finally located the train.....it was one carriage.  So from 5 cariages to 2 and now finally 1 compartment, still on the plus side a seat was secured for the five minute meander to Bedworth.

CHAMBERLAINE ALMSHOUSES

On arrival the station is well ...just a couple of purpose built platforms and nothing else there did look like work was ongoing to extend the length not sure why with todays carriage allocation on this service that just pops down to Coventry and then returns.
Thankfully Bedworths station was very close by the town centre unlike some of our expeditions this season, however that's were the positives stopped.  The town is an uninspiring gathering of 1970's type commercial premises with a stilted 'T's' dominating the skyline and raising to the same heights of the The All Saints Church just across the square.
The one saving grace in the town centre is the wonderful Almshouses named after rector of the town for over 50 years Nicholas Chamberlaine the other added saving grace is the large Miners Welfare Park which our end destination Bedworth Utd's The Oval is situated by. 

NICE TOUCH WITH A WELCOME ONTO THE NEW 3G PITCH AT THE OVAL

The park was well populated and has a superb cricket pitch along with a nice café and community garden centre, sadly I found the café too late on a second circle.
The Oval has two entrances the 'town entrance' from the edge of the town is a smart floral gated approach entrance to the turnstiles before dropping down to pitch side.  Our entrance for today is the main one for all motor traffic and upon entrance the ground opens up with car parking to the right and left for officials and spectators.
There has been a big change since last summer to Bedworth's home base with the addition of a £600,000 state of the art 3G pitch thanks to part funding from various bodies however big credit must go to the clubs Chairman Mr Rayson Randle who dropped in nearly £250,000 to the deal. 

NICE AND NEAT

It looks lush and very green and as I have seen from visits this season to other clubs it really is the way forward getting games on and community usage of the facilities another benefit.  People at the club were rightly proud of it and a few said how good the surface was and they were sceptic, but not know.
Alongside the new pitch we have the obligatory neat tight meshed green fencing around the pitch perimeter and the behind the spectator walkway a higher fencing of the same make up securing the ground into a tighter area than of old.
Most shots of The Oval feature the main stand and its difficult not to as it is the striking feature of this neat and tidy ground, it has base seats of green in colour with yellow for the directors although they seem to stop on the club house side and view from the roof of the social club. 

DEB'Z SHED

The changing rooms are under the stand and behind are a set of toilets who double up as WC's for the park too although this access is closed when games are scheduled.  The new modern dug outs are also in front of the stand with to one side 'Deb'z Shed', it is a shed whether its Debs in there I didn't find out but at half time I managed to sample a Bovril from the quaintest of small plastic cups.  Behind both goals are uncovered with the end by the main entrance a area reserved for car parking.  Opposite the main stand is the clubs social facilities which are nicely decked out with the live TV game playing. 

To one the end opposite the main entrance is a club shop situated in and old changing room and by the side of this another snack bar.  So before the game I decided to continue the challenge of what to call a chip cob depending on where in country you are we've had bap, roll, balm well my friends here in Warwickshire its 'chip batch'!  Of course one was sampled along with a coffee all at very reasonable non league prices as usual.  We are now by the 'town entrance' turnstile and sloping walkway that meet the pitch side by this second snack bar.

The roof of the social club seems to be used for viewing and to the one end is a small building which seems to house the directors and guests for a commanding view of proceedings.

Todays action is a Central Division game and The Greenbacks visitors are Beaconsfield SYCOB Fc and yes I had to look it up.  I guess mainly due to this being only my third Southern League game of recent times, years ago I managed to take some games in at Ilkeston and Burton, before St Neots and Rugby this season.  SYCOB Slough Youth Club Old Boys and that's the last time I hope to type it in this report in either full or as an anacronym.
Bedworth took the lead on 20 minutes when a sharp shot across goal in off the right hand post from Alex Naughton bulged the net.  Two minutes later the game could have gone away from Beaconsfield when Daniel Creaney powered a superb header against the bar from 12 yards.

It was 1-1 on 25 minutes when Elliott Carey turned the ball in from close range and you could feel the sighs echo around The Oval at disappointment from the Bedworth supporters.
The second half was an industrious affair with the visitors battling away hard and giving very little in ground as Bedworths attacks continued to fall at the final hurdle.  The inevitable happened a hard low cross the six yard box was deflected into his own goal via Kyle Cartwright after 70 minutes.

Thankfully parity was restored ten minutes later when Naughton again fired home with confidence from 14 yards past Sam Bunting in the visitors goal.  Indeed only moments later the Bedworth number 11 found himself in the same position but this time he could not beat Bunting had he done so it would probably have been an injustice on the visitors and over all the draw was the correct result.  The last 20 minutes following the Beaconsfield second goal certainly produced the best action of the game and with 9 minutes stoppage time played for an early injury there were one or two tense moments for both sides.
A share of the point was though the outcome when just short of five o clock Mr Gudger blew his whistle for full time.

Back to Bedworth 'central' for the one carriage to Nuneaton, a delayed Leicester train looked likely to thwart a connection but by some fantastic opportunity a quick hop over the adjoining platform got me on the East Midlands train just as it pulled away from Leicester station.
Todays overview was of a nice ground neat and tidy with a superb new playing surface, two nice snack bars complimenting its social club.  Don't go too early though there's very little to keep you in the town centre better still make straight for The Oval and enjoy!
CHECK OUT THE WE ALL STAND TOGETHER FACEBOOK PAGE FOR A WIDER SELECTION OF PITCURES FROM TODAYS GAME

BEDWORTH STATION ON THE ONE CARRIAGE '153'

WATTERS SENDS STAVELEY TO THE FINAL

SHEFFIELD FC U21 V STAVELEY MW U21  1-2
HKL NMU21 LEAGUE CUP SEMI FINAL AT INKERSALL RD [REVERSED VENUE]
12 MARCH 2015 7.45PM

A Ryan Watters strike 9 minutes from time sent Staveley through to the final of the HKL Under 21 cup final after the tightest of semi finals.
Following notification from the publicity machine that is Mr Waite at Staveley to advise the reversal of this fixture the blog decided on a bit of Thursday night football and what a pleasure it was too.  Two teams who were full of commitment, pace and ability put on an excellent show for an appreciative crowd of 114.
As usual Staveley did this game full justice non of your ground open and that's it like some clubs would have probably done.  There was Chairman Mr Damms behind the bar, the ladies operating a full snack bar [chip cob purchased to be civil of course!] and club shop open too.  It has, once again, to be said well done Staveley I love it when clubs operate like this it gives all involved the feeling of taking the game seriously.
The game was a ding dong end to end affair in the first half with Sheffield probably unlucky not too take the lead, even having an effort cleared off the line but as so often happens it was Staveley who took the lead when Greg Fitzpatrick fired them ahead from the penalty spot after 37 minutes.
The second half started at full pace with both teams playing some lovely football on the excellent Inkersall Rd playing surface.  It wasn't however until the 74 minutes when Sheffield deservedly got back onto level terms when Daniel Barnsley swept the ball home from close range.
With the possibility of extra time beckoning it was the weaving run of Matt Cowan down the right that supplied the low cross for Staveley captain Ryan Watters to drive the ball home to send them into the final with just 9 minutes remaining.
A game of high tempo and quality with a big credit going to both sides and for the 114 who came along to support this semi final.

HEANOR SO NEARLY RUE MISSED CHANCES IN ARMTHORPE VICTORY

HEANOR TOWN 2 V ARMTHORPE W 1
NCEL PREMIER 11 MARCH 2015 7.45PM @THE TOWN GROUND [att 140]

TOWN GROUND READY FOR ACTION

Two first half goals secured Heanor Town all three points in a game that saw them miss a catalogue of chances.  The home side dominated the opening 45 minutes and most of the second half but as opportunities went begging Armthorpe found a well shielded ability to come forward and following a pulled back goal they forced The Lions into a nervous final few minutes.
As ever a midweek trip to Heanor is always something to look forward to and I think as listed in previous Town Ground visits this season its a club that has made good strides both on and off the pitch.

HEANOR TOWN'S NATHAN BENGER LOOKING TO ADD TO HIS 127 GOALS FOR THE LIONS

Before the game there was time for a quick lemonade in the attractive bar and then into the ground for the ever beckoning chip cob with peas, no problems with the cob recognition here back up north!  The ladies always greet you with a bit of banter and as mentioned with St Neots on Saturday clubs should cherish people like this who make you feel welcome at their ground.

PRSS OFFICER BUSY AS EVER!

There was time to catch up with Tony Sqiures, Press Officer, before the match and compliment the club on their new HTTV venture which is packaging highlights together for their website.  As mentioned, earlier, things are coming together nicely and with an improving match programme too it all adds to a enjoyable visit.
The blog also caught up with Heanor front man, and scorer of 127 goals for The Lions, Nathan Benger who sadly after the blog secured a photo for the website did not add to his total tonight but led the line with his usual endeavour.
Onto the game and a more one sided first half I have yet too see this season Heanor could have been three up before they finally broke the deadlock on 18 minutes when Greg Marriott supplied the cross that saw Jay Cooper power home a header to secure the lead.  Five minutes later it was deservedly two nil when Sean Gregory drilled a shot home from 14 yards after good play down the left from Cooper who turned assist after the opening goal.
Ten minutes before half time Richard Smith hooked the ball off the line when Samuel Jones looked likely to extend Heanor's lead to unassailable heights.

LEICESTERHIRE REF MICHAEL SCRIVEN PREPARES
HIS TEAM

The second half started at a blistering pace Sean Gregory set up Jay Cooper who at the back post with an open goal begging somehow blasted his effort against the upright and then almost immediately Kieran Debrouwer saw his effort well turned round the post by Armthorpe keeper Daniel Montgomery.  As Heanor powered forward the vital third goal just would not arrive and when Benger struck an superb effort from the edge of the box it was the crossbar that this time came to the rescue of Armthorpe.
From somewhere Armthorpe mounted probably only their second attack of the game and of course as so often is the case if you don't take your chances the opposition do Kieran Benson supplied the cross off the left and at the far post the ball was diverted over the line by, and you can take your pick here, Chris Shaw for an own goal or Armthorpes Simon Houlden depending on your view.  With 20 minutes to go this fired up the visitors and Benson so nearly levelled it but for a last gasp full length dive from Heanor's number one Ian Deakin who pushed the ball to safety.
The final minutes were a nervy affair with both sides looking to add to their tally but this was a game that Heanor should have had wrapped up by half time and a game that Armthorpe really failed to feature in as an attacking force until the last 20 minutes.
The usual all round enjoyable visit to Heanor well done guys.

ST NEOTS WARD OFF CIRENCESTER CHALLENGE

ST NEOTS TOWN 4 V CIRENCESTER TOWN 0
EVOSTIK SOUTHERN PREMIER LEAGUE @ THE COZY STADIUM 7 MARCH 2015 3PM

THE MAIN STAND AT THE COZY STADIUM

[A larger selection of pictures from today feature are on the 'we all stand together' Facebook page]
Two goals in each half from St Neots clinical finishing allowed the Cambridgeshire side to secure all three points in their onward push for a play off spot against a disappointing Cirencester side who so often lacked with the quality of the final ball letting them down.
For the second week running the blog was not heading to Wales and this time it headed south for only the second time this season, having taken a look at Rugby earlier this season St Neots had been on the 'to do list' for a while and today was the day.
With rail works at Grantham it was a round about journey with a change at Nottingham and then an unusual non stopping train to Peterborough via Melton Mowbray, mmm pies, and Stamford before changing for our final train to St Neots.
Last weeks Cleethorpes trip featured some of the most uninspiring views from the train this week was so different with small towns, churches and interesting scenery all the way.  Non more so than one farmer who had a whole field full of solar panels!
On arrival at the station a quick dash was made to visit the town for the first time and it can be added to Widnes and Rugby in the club of stations miles away from their town centres.  In fairness its about 1.5 miles away but it was a swift walk and it turned out to be a little bit of a let down, it not being the quaint town I had envisaged.

THE MODERN APPROACH

So after a quick circular tour of the town the blog made its way back past the station entrance road and under the east coast rail line and then left onto the new housing development that is Loves Farm.  Following a small walk along the part building site a small shopping arcade, with a little 'T's', at the far end was the curvaceous entrance to St Neots Town FC which runs parallel to the rail line.
There are some impressive modern style houses around the ground along side the ground are their 3G pitches and upon arrival we took a few pictures of the main entrance it was then that we were met by what proved to be a warm greeting of an afternoon. 

A FURTHER WARM WELCOME AT ST NEOTS

The club official on the door came out to welcome us and enquire where we were visiting from he informed us about the club and the ground, as ever it has to be said clubs you need people like this to make visitors feel welcome and following our entrance to the ground this welcome continued.  Programmes and 50/50 tickets purchased we got into a small conversation with the three sellers who also offered a warm welcome.
With a delayed start set for 3.15pm due to Cirencester being stuck on the A1 there was time for a circuit of the ground before popping along to 'Dianes Snack Court'.  As a northerner I must find the correct definition for a chip 'cob' the latter always being the problem anyway chips and cob [bap, roll, balm] was secured and it has to be said again via a very pleasant and well run snack bar.

AN OVERVIEW OF THE COZY STADIUM

So to the ground upon entry via the only turnstiles open today you are greeted with a superb glass sided sloping cover which I guess is for disabled supporters.  The ground has a narrow walkway all around with a smart perimeter green meshed fencing behind both goals are small covered terraced areas.

SNTV GANTRY

The far side is uncovered and houses a TV boxed gantry enclosure which his positioned high on the banking and is used by the excellent SNTV check out the clubs website for quality highlights, the dug outs are also housed on this side of the ground.  In the far corner there is also an impressive electronic scoreboard.  The opposite side and the side we entered on features the changing room, modern stand with PA box and at the top end two bar/function rooms the larger of which has a very large TV screen today showing the FA Cup game at Bradford City.
The only downside appeared to be a lack of a merchandise stall especially today with a fairly large crowd it does amaze me how clubs don't have items on display for sale most hoppers are souvenir purchasers too.

1,006 GAMES FOR PAUL BASTOCK TODAY

Before the game we managed to get a quick picture of ST Neots well known, ex Boston Utd, keeper Paul Bastock who is still going strong at 44 years young.  A few weeks ago Paul secured 1,000 games and today he made it 1,006 beating Peter Shiltons 1,005 appearances.  He may be a bit more bruised the next morning but his enthusiasm, pre match warm up and match performance belied any age  doubts.
The first half saw St Neots take a two nil half time lead Lee Clarke squeezed a cross goal shot in and then on the stroke of half time Tom Ward fired home his first goal for the club from 12 yards out into the bottom left hand corner.
The half featured an interesting participation exercise from the home supporters who flirted a chip onto the edge of the six yard box for the local seagull population to come down and claim their prize this happened on a few occasions and it created a bit of fun as sail seagull swooped to claim the food item. 

Ward added his second with a downward header on 87 minutes before a poor back pass let in substitute Nathan Frater who calmly rounded the Cirencester keeper Glyn Garner before slotting into the empty net.

It had appeared St Neots were happy to drift away to a 2-0 victory before the late goals but Cirencester had plenty of possession but their final ball this afternoon was really poor and let them down when with a better supply they would probably have pushed St Neots further.

CAREFUL

Following the delayed start the game finally came to a conclusion at just after 5.10pm and on referee Smiths final whistle St Neots were now only out of the play off zone on goal difference and they appear to be on the march with an excellent crowd of 428 at todays game.

PUT YOUR HANDS IN THE AIR..
REF.JOSH [SMITH]SAYS

Handily upon exit the station is accessible from of Loves Farm and within 5 minutes you can get to your required platform from the railway station bridge.
While waiting for the slightly delayed train two East Coast non stopping services, one south and one north, flew through the station and I mean flew!  The station itself does not have many attributes and looks very much like a commuter build with little in the way of facilities accept for its close proximity to the football ground.
Arrival back to base was delayed due to all three trains boarded being late the last one nearly half an hour.
As a day though it was an enjoyable one with a new ground you often don't get character but this

EVERYONE WANTS A FERRARI, HERES LORENZO FERRARI

I don't think applies to St Neots.  The ground is developing character, the supporters and officials were welcoming and the club seem to have so many things right from good pa system to good food bar, from a well proportioned ground to off the field media sites. 
With that said its a must for a visit if you have not been along check out the fixture list for a visit.
As ever its a difficult challenge to select from a selection of picture to feature in the blog so a larger variety are featured on the 'we all stand together' Facebook page

FUNCTIONALITY AT ST NEOTS STATION

WONDER WALL ROCKS OLD BOYS WITH LATE WINNER

STAVELEY MW 3 V BARTON TOWN OLD BOYS 2
NCEL PREMIER @ INKERSALL RD 4 MARCH 2015 7.45PM

GOOD PROGRAMME, GOOD GROUND, GOOD HOSPITALITY WHAT MORE COULD YOU WANT AT A GAME

This game gave so much over its 90 minutes non more so than man of the match Ellis Wall's superb late strike that secured Staveley all three points and Wall 5.9 for his celebratory somersault.
As ever Inkersall Rd has been covered in previous blogs so along with South Normanton mid week visits hopefully the blog features a few different shots.
There was a nice selection of local hoppers in attendance, a debut for the new Staveley MW FC beer blue stripe [4.3%] and the blog was allowed a quick photo opportunity from the 'tower'.  Mr Waite had once again popped out a cracking programme for enjoyment later on.  It was the Blue Stripe Bitters match day debut and it was receiving a regular sampling, the club also welcomed the ale producers Grafton Hotel and Brewing company along to the game.

ROZ IS BUSY PULLING YET ANOTHER BLUE STRIPE BITTER THE STAVELEY MWFC CORPORATE BEER

Having sampled a chip cob, purely for research purposes of course, the blog caught up with a few of the hoppers and league official Ian Cox who was in off duty attendance tonight.
The home side took the lead just past the quarter of an hour mark when Kurtis Morley took the ball down well in a challenge with Old Boys central defender before skipping the ball past a defender and smashing home from the edge of the penalty box.  The game continued apace and the visitor had a golden opportunity from the penalty spot on 27 minutes but Ashley Lattimore saw his effort saved by Steve Hernandez diving to his right.  They were not to be denied though when Barton captain Ashley Dexter turned in the box and fired the sweetest of strikes past the out coming Hernandez.
Staveley took the lead on 33 minutes when Lee Whittington converted from the inside right edge of the box with a superb strike with a lovely free flowing move started by Ellis Wall with his superbly fed pass.
That's how it remained at half time.
The opening 10 minutes of the second half started with an amazing sequence of Staveley play hitting the bar twice and missing two more equally good chances to put the game behind the visitors reach.  This was the signal that galvanised Old Boys as they powered back at Staveley looking for the equaliser.
Probably the best passing move of the game saw the visitors pull it back to 2-2 when the towering Scott Phillips struck a glorious shot past Hernandez after a five man move.
Both sides were going full on for the three points and then on 90 minutes heartbreak for Barton Town when Wall struck that excellent winner.
Amazingly there was still time for Barton to look for an equaliser and it was Phillips who saw his effort cleared off the line and somehow scrambled away to safety.
This game had most things and was often a paradox the ball often played from back to front as fast and direct as possible and then the sweetest of free flowing moves on the ground, the large amount of missed chances along side the sweetest of finishes, added to this it was played at 100 miles and hour with full commitment from both sides and a referee who allowed the game to flow freely well done Mr Meredith and both teams.
The attendance of 124 was once again a plus side for Staveley at a midweek game and we were witness to an excellent game.

ADDED HEIGHT FROM THE TOWER