THATS THE WAY CHADAWAY AS SUB WINS IT IN STOPPAGE TIME FOR AYLESTONE PARK

AYLESTONE PARK 2 HUNTINGDON TOWN 1
UCL 1 @ SAFFRON LANE
9 MARCH 2019 --- 3PM

LATE WINNER FROM MATT CHADAWAY FOR AYLESTONE PARK

A dramatic 92nd minute winner from substitute Mark Chadaway broke the second half deadlock that had seen chances galore go begging but in the process devastate lowly visitors Huntingdon who themselves had been pushing for a winner. 
Journey to Leicester would be a challenging one with Sheffield Wednesday on the same line for their game at Derby and when a delayed XCountry came in with standing room the option to take this and change at Derby for the following on EMT service which should unload a few was taken.  It was then that I realised I may have miss calculated with Leicester City also being at home and todays destination passing the King Power.  However there was a cunning plan Baldrick with a aquamarine special running either way around the route that served Aylestone Park FC.  With time to play with the option of a look around the nearby Wigston centre was opted for, with a lack of encouraging take- aways the option to visit the newly refurbished Two Steeples was taken and a fish and chip meal.
This arrived after half an hour wait and as time drifted on I was fearing having to depart, it was good fayre however they were clearly in chip and pea counting portion control mode which was disappointing for just shy of nine quid.

TOWARDS THE PITCHSIDE CAFE

Hopping back on the circular '48' and after a frustrating delay for a driver change we started to collect City fans on their way to the 'big game'.  As ever to hear the conversations it just make me realise why I enjoy the non league and its volunteers so much more.
Departing more or less opposite the ground and approaching the pay box a warm greeting encouraged you into the ground and with programme, 50/50 and admission all gained in one fell swoop there was time for a look around.
Aylestone Park were last seen in a East Midlands League cup final at Barrow Town versus South Normanton a few years back and the gateman and grounds man well remembered that day of torrential downpour within a minute of the final whistle that left the whole area flooded!  The visit to their home base had been on the list for a while and always put off with the prospects of an uninspiring feel in the forefront of my thoughts, it was though a pleasure to be proved wrong.  From the warm welcome to a smart ground and some excellent catering facilities including a wonderfully pleasant lady in The Pitchside Café this was a very enjoyable visit.

DOUBLE SIDED DUGOUTS TO THE REAR

To the mini tour then to the right of our entrance is the clubhouse along with changing room facilities all added to by a large hang on marquee building.  The far side is out of bounds backing onto a further pitch and has the strange addition of back to back dug outs that are both in one half of the pitch.  The near side touchline is smartly adorned with advert boards a selection of smart wooden park type seats and along the half way a red tip up seated Atcost stand. 
At the top corner is the Pitchside Café a wooden chalet type building were you can also go inside with its fully tabled and chaired sit down area, this was an impressive addition and was well run by the lady on duty today.  Behind the far goal is an uncovered walkway and behind this is the clubs recent 3g pitch which adds a further progressive touch to this complex of pitches.  Overall the ground gave a well cared for and tidy impression to todays visitor.

I FORGOT TO CHECK WHO THE CLUBS SPOSNOR WAS.

Thankfully the clubs manager had confirmed todays game was on with no problems mid morning its just a shame that the club are not to active on social media because as ever there is a smashing little set up on hand here in Leicester.
There was not too much to play for the young Aylestone Park side were pretty well in mid table security whereas Huntingdon would like a few points to pull away from the bottom two of the table but will probably be ok.  The weeks wet weather had given way to gusty winds which really wrecked most of this game for the purist but overall the pitch looked in steady condition for this time of the season.
The first half didn't produce too much in the terms of chances for the visitors Christian Le forced Tom Holyoak into a finger tip save before the deadlock was broken with a screamer against the wind from 25 yards by Riley Davoile just past the twenty minute mark.

COREY KINGSTON EQUALISES FOR HUNTINGDON

The second half though produced a selection of chances that probably proved why these two sides are in the position they are, they just couldn't finish otherwise this could have been 5-5.
A fair few of the chances fell to visiting captain Corey Kingston who stretched and endeavoured to get a touch on quite a few occasions but it looked like it would not be his day that was until just over the hour mark when he turned in a group of players to fire home from close range to level the scores.
For Aylestone Park Cory Holden had forced the visiting keeper into a save that saw his effort ultimately strike the bar.

SHIRT SWAPPING COMES BEFORE THE FINAL WHISTLE

An exciting open second half had seen both sides attack and it looked neither would get the winner that was until we entered the second minute of stoppage time when the ball found Chadaway unmarked and he fired home from close range to win it for Aylestone Park.

REFEREE BULLEN OBSERVES AND BLOWS THAT WHISTLE

The final whistle saw a few of the Huntingdon players slump to their knees they had given so much to this game and you had to feel for them with this last gasp winner but they had contributed to a superb second half taking into account the conditions.

CHADAWAY [LEFT] CELEBRATES THE LATE WINNER

Return journey saw us through the traffic fairly quickly with a comfortable seat gained return around 7pm at base station and once again proving the ones that you put off are sometimes a really nice surprise.

A STRANGE DAY IN NORTHAMPTONSHIRE

ROTHWELL CORINTHIANS 1 KIRBY MUXLOE 2
UCL PREM @ SERGEANTS LAWN
2 MARCH 2019 ---3PM

EARLY ROTHWELL CORINTHIAN PRESSURE

When the day ended in the neighbouring town of Kettering at a famous High Street fast food restaurant with the information that there was no ice cream it just about summed up a peculiar day in North Northamptonshire for the ultimate finish to this establishments meal for me is one of their famous delicacies!
My melancholic mood was fed by the events of the day and left an obscure feel around the experience and probably the main event.  It started in the normally but recently unusual manor of standing to Leicester and then again on the connecting service to Kettering.  It would be the first time I had departed the front of this station and walked the pavements of the town centre having previously visited the delightful old lady that was Rockingham Road home of Kettering FC a fair few years ago.  The ground is now demolished and The Poppies find themselves way out of town at Burton Latimer a great shame to all football fans although upon leaving in the evening a station conversation struck up with a fan informed me the club have now purchased land on the edge of town, but this will be a long term project.
Kettering Town FC had a exciting cup pedigree but were a club that never quite made it you feel and on todays visit the town centre felt very much the same.  With Scunthorpe topping the table for a town with no redeeming features todays expedition around the Northamptonshire town had them well up in the play off zone to challenge the leaders. 
I guess it was a mirror image of failing high streets with the loss of its M & S, same corporate id's of the local spoons and Stagecoach that added to the air of melancholy, which was probably down to my developing mood who knows.  The one thing that cheered me up as I left on the Desborough bound bus was the sandwich shop entitled 'butter me up' yea a smile had briefly approached my face.

THE UNIQUE MARKET HOUSE IN ROTHWELL

Arriving in Rothwell by the busy A14, something which would constantly challenge your senses while in the small town centre, we were soon departing and on Bridge St.  It was all fairly familiar territory even though only having visited once previously its a small centre with some very interesting historical buildings.  The impressive highlight is marked by The Market House which now has a charity shop within its confines, the Parish Church offers a smart walkway around and sitting by the side is the former Jesus Hospital and Alms-houses and the quaint row of stone terraces that make up Hospital Hill. 
Having waited in the local chippy the order arrived with meat item I had not ordered on it surprisingly for the second time this week at different establishments of course, while in there a conversation was struck up with a chap who had Sammy Lee as a cousin, his mum had dated Gordon Banks and Trevor Francis was also connected to his family, it was an obscure day.  So I decided to take a short walk to Cecil St the reason for my last visit.
Approaching two decades ago a visit to the ground of Rothwell Town for an FA Cup game found a side that had graced The Southern Premier League and a lovely little ground with a cracking stand and inappropriately placed floodlight right at the front of it.  However I remember an enjoyable afternoon spent there, the field of former glories now has a housing estate on it and sadly forlorn and friendless on one of the houses front garden was a football, my levels of melancholy rose again did the owners even know they were somewhere approaching the penalty box?
From the stand the day of my previous visited you could view the distant ground of  Rothwell Corinthians at the time the smaller neighbour in The United Counties League and now the only club representing this small town.

ONE OF THE TWO SEATED STANDS AT SERGEANTS LAWN

Reading the local notice board the library proudly announced it was 'open for now' with the sad state of things in the county many are closing or are being farmed out to volunteers as Northamptonshire County Council looks to sort out its budget difficulties, the irony wasn't lost on me that The Conservative Club was its very close neighbour.  These establishments are the hub of communities like Rothwell and looking at some of the activities and events that are still being staged at these worrying times within its walls lets hope the volunteers and supporters can keep the library operational.
There was though humour along the way mainly supplied by the rail network which surpassed itself with todays announcements starting with the train from Leicester to Kettering which had no catering facility.  The corporate declaration was "we apologise there is no catering today...this is due to Rail Gourmet being unable to provide a host", this was probably bettered by the pre-programmed call for the 1845 Kettering departure to Corby "this train is made up of five coaches.  This train has four coaches".  When it came to the 1900 service I required the dreaded "This train is reported as full and standing" normally a sign that the third class roof seats are required but amazingly they must have all got off at Bedford because on arrival it was probably the emptiest train of the day.

NO GOAL LINE TECHNOLOGY REQUIRED HERE AS KIRBY CLEAR THEIR LINE

Rothwell Corinthians are based on the Desborough Road just to the top side of the cricket club and entrance to the ground is by the quaintest of footpaths to the pay box.  Small stands on both sides with the near side having a small additional covered terrace, there has been some upgrades done and everything is functional with the far goal being out of bounds three sides remain accessible.  The clubhouse is a small dark affair but remains comfortable for the small crowd today and offers basic snack and bar facilities.  Both clubs are very infrequent visitors to their social media accounts and I have often wondered about the correlation between low attendances and a lack of publicity.
The relegation charged affair was just that full of effort and when Corinthians led at half time through a nice finish from the number 8, who upon checking the team sheet had been replaced by a number 17 so who knows but I can only guess at Ryan Clark, you could not see them losing.
However the second period found Kirby Muxloe in a different mood, non melancholic probably, and they equalised with twenty minutes remaining thanks to Aaron Love who hit a sweet 25 yard free kick into the Rothwell net and then just nine minutes later Mark Tinsley stretched to turn the ball home to secure a vital three points for the Leicestershire side who even missed a penalty on 89 minutes when Adam Parry scuffed the spot kick well wide.
Did I mention melancholy?  It was a strange day.

FARTOWN A GROUND NEARLY LOST

FARTOWN AND HUDDERSFIELD RUGBY LEAGUE, CRICKET AND FOOTBALL
FEBRUARY 2019 NOSTALGIA AROUND HUDDERSFIELD

FARTOWN TODAY THE FORMER HOME OF HUDDERSFIELD RUGBY LEAGUE

The sporting complex of Fartown one mile to the north of Huddersfield town centre clings on to its existence by the skin of its teeth but is a sad reflection of its former glory days when the towns rugby league side, Yorkshire Cricket Club, FA Cup football, baseball and athletics graced its expanse.
Nostalgia is lost on youth, to badly misquote a similar observation, as you enter your more thoughtful years I guess it all starts in your 40's and then develops to 'those were the days' meanderings and in an all too infrequent feature on this blog its time to echo those thoughts once again.
Huddersfield is fairly well known to me in its centre and former Leeds Road football ground but until last summer I have to admit to being oblivious to Fartown and its sporting history.  All that though was changed by Dennis Kaye during a chance meeting at Kirkburton Cricket Club where the 82 year old waxed lyrically along with his scrapbook about the good old days at the ground.  The glory days are often seen as a time anywhere in the first 70 years of the last century when travel was not as easy and the massive industrial population turned out in numbers to support their home town sports and so the wonderful story of Fartown by Dennis set me off on this journey.
Having researched a fair bit about the ground along with the recollections of Dennis it only took me about eight months to actually get aboard the train from base station to change at Sheffield for the beautiful journey via the Penistone line, normally I would be admiring the countryside but having done this so much last summer there was a semi blasé attitude to the fore as I engrossed myself in this weeks Rugby League Express an excellent publication.

 IT ALL STARTED RIGHT HERE

Out onto the station precinct to be greeted by Huddersfield's own Harold Wilson in jovial statue form the important part of this impressive square is the George Hotel which sits to the left hand side, with our back to the station, and now sadly since 2013 a closed establishment.  The building is a smart reflection of its time and carries grade 2 listed building status.  Its relevance to todays story and
Rugby League is the initial breakaway to from rugby union to form Northern Rugby Union came about in a meeting at this hotel on 29 August 1895, later on in 1922 the change was completed to The Rugby Football League.  The proprietor of the hotel was the original owner in 1868, as Huddersfield St Johns Cricket Club who merged with the athletics club, of our intended main destination today and up until its closure housed the Rugby League Heritage Centre within its basement.
Before nostalgia could commence there would be a requirement for sustenance for the afternoon and walking along the Bradford Rd in Hillhouse Mother Hubbards Fish Restaurant was spotted a smart establishment that served up an excellent bit of fayre and also added to the days gone by feel.  The whole restaurant was adorned with old scenes of the town and its first restaurant in Bradford which was opened by Coronation St characters Stan and Hilda Ogden, those were the days!

MEMORIAL TOWER BY THE ENTRANCE TO FARTOWN COMPLEX

Cutting through the back streets and coming out onto Spaines Rd the complex opens up before you first noticing the massive stone built memorial clock tower sitting proudly in front of the cricket ground, I say clock tower but sadly that has been removed due to vandals and now has a Yorkshire white rose firmly in place. 
Its here where the history starts oozing out with Yorkshire using the ground for over 70 first class matches including touring teams the memorial pays tribute to three of Huddersfield's greatest.  Yorkshire and England players Wilfred Rhodes, George Hirst and Schofield Haigh indeed Rhodes played into his 50s and still has the record of oldest player in a test match at 52 years and 165 days in 1930.  Yorkshire first played at the ground in 1873 with the last appearance for the county game in 1955, although the Sunday and at times sponsored John Player League one day game was an irregular performer between 1969 and 1982.

LOOKING TOWARDS THE FORMER SCOREBOARD END

The cricket ground itself had a large pavilion to the left hand side of our entrance and this was fronted by a sweep of banked seating overlooking the playing area which was separated by a wide track area around the outfield.  This would probably be a reminder to the complex's original developers the athletics club and this is still within history's grasp as the clock tower sitting atop the mothballed pavilion carries the title 'HC & AC FARTOWN'.
Today sees a rugby pitch on the hallowed turf and the only activity is a walker getting their step count up by briskly completing circuits of this former glory days site.

FORMER NORTH TERRACE WITH FLOODLIGHTS AND FENCING STILL IN PLACE

Moving up the embankment and we approach the former Fartown home of Huddersfield Rugby League Club a need for structure here and not getting carried away with history is always a problem so deep breath and here goes.  Thankfully the ability to take pictures and the five set of lights sitting to the front of the former north terrace were still in situ but with just two lights on the poles the original eight were clearly no more. 
The terrace in pictures of old was a massive viewing area most viewable only show half of the terrace with the area to the top and rear closed off over the years but there area a few showing it in its entirety.  During an external walk around the site through rough walked fields I later realised I would have been stood at the summit of this terrace which is now sadly taken over by nature and full of trees and undergrowth.

LOOKING TOWARDS POPLAR ST DOWN THE MAIN STAND TOWARDS THE WEST STAND

The pitch was freshly whitewashed as thankfully St Josephs still apply their trade in amateur rugby league to this day supported by some changing room cabins which sit on the site of the demolished main stand, along this side there are still some remnants of the footings for the dug out areas.  The far end to the east the former scoreboard end is again largely overgrown as is the opposite end behind the posts this was the business end with changing rooms and the barrelled roof synonymous with many sports grounds of the day with the stone rowed houses of Poplar St still overlooking the proceedings to this day.  Again the nature of neglect showed through but strangely with the terracing ripped up, stands demolished the two consistent survivors was the pitch boundary metal fencing and the floodlights, although the chances of the latter working I guess are very remote.
The famous faces that graced the turf are too many to mention but Holmfirth born centre Harold Wagstaff was one to the top of the list making his debut for his home towns side of Underbank Rangers at 14 he moved onto the claret and golds to make his first appearance at just 15 years old.
Ground facts are many here are just a few to whet the appetite, Huddersfield Rugby League from 1878 to 1992, Challenge Cup Finals 1908 and 1910 alongside internationals and semi finals, formerly known as The St Johns Ground the record attendance was on 1947 for a cup semi final 35,136 with Huddersfield's top gate 32,912 with the polar opposite being in 1986 just 303.  The last game on the ground was against Ryedale York with 1,619 in attendance.  For the footy fans the FA even staged a FA Cup semi final at Fartown in 1882 between Blackburn and Sheffield Wednesday who fought out a 0-0 draw.  The complex even welcomed baseball for one exhibition fixture.
In the latter years as the stadium fell into need of repair the club added the suffix Barracudas and renamed the ground Arena 84 sadly not much seemed to work and the club gradually were engulfed by their ageing stadium and in 1992 moved to share at the football clubs ground Leeds Road which also went the same way before both clubs moved to their current ground sharing arrangement.
During the research I came across an interview with Keith Burhouse who has sadly passed away but his love for his club tells the story of so many people and their team.  Volunteering in the early eighties to try to get Fartown up to speed nothing was rejected as a job to help the club even his tale of climbing half way up the floodlights to change a bulb and realising he was scared of heights but then considering this was for his beloved Huddersfield Rugby League Club he gripped on harder got to the top and changed the bulb! 
A great selection of tales about Keith's involvement and then as Associate Director with the Giants makes you not only warm to the man but the sport who thankfully recognised his additional monumental efforts to also record the artefacts of the heritage museum.  It was a heart warming story and one that will put Keith and people like him forever in the clubs history.
Before leaving Fartown one recommended viewing, by the usual sources, is 'the battle of Fartown' in 1981which gives some background to the ground a particularly memorable fixture when Wigan came to town for a second division promotion fixture that ended up with Manchester referee Vin Moss sending off half a dozen players as emotion spilled over!

CENTRE SPOT AT FORMER LEEDS RD GROUND

It was time to depart Fartown and having stood and walked in the footsteps of many of the greats and spent time considering the spectators that had once packed these terracing it just remained a sad observation that there was enough electrical equipment, alongside other rubbish strewn around the site to stock your local retailer plus a nice collection in soft furnishings to make up a non matching settee.
Leaving Fartown under the Leeds bound railway line and over the canal the first site of our closing destination of The John Smths Stadium came into sight but not before we crossed the busy Leeds Road and started taking pictures of the car park floor in the B and Q retail park to the amazement of quite a few.  For here is the centre circle, nicely marked out with a memorial plaque, of the former Huddersfield Town ground, somewhere I had attended a game on a few occasions previously.
A grand old ground again with a massive stand and equally massive terracing and the famous cowshed end given its name due its barrelled roof, much like Fartown, making it look very much like a barn type of building.

THE NEW HOME FOR FOOTBALL AND RUGBY LEAGUE

Anyway before security arrived to move me on a short goal kick away is the newish home of Huddersfield Town and Huddersfield Giants its varying stadium names from Kirkless to Alfred Mcalpine and Galpharm to the current John Smiths give way to a modern unique stadium offering a very different sightline to many of the modern stadia.  Its a bowl sitting in a bowl and very difficult to take external pictures of with a game on in the evening against Wolves the whole place was very busy in preparation for kick off.  There was though time to observe a lovely nostalgic touch with a set of turnstiles and wall from the old Leeds Road ground proudly rebuilt inside the new stadium.
For the blog though it was time to bid farewell for now to Huddersfield and having missed him on arrival Felix the famous station cat was now on shift at Platform One to see me away back down the Penistone line with memories intact of an engrossing visit reliving the memories of Huddersfield sporting days which now belong to nostalgia.

ALL SQUARE AT ARMTHORPE AS OLLERTONS KING SCORES AGAIN

ARMTHORPE 1 OLLERTON TOWN 1
NCEFL 1 @ CHURCH ST
23 FEBRUARY 2019 --- 3PM

ARMTHORPE V OLLERTON TOWN

Honours were even at the end of ninety minutes of football but Gavin King showed the prowess that has made him the leagues top scorer by pouncing to give the visitors the lead in the first half against the run of play before Armthorpe equalised straight after the half time break through Joshua Dodd.
Armthorpe pushed on for a winner that wouldn't come even after the visitors were reduced to ten men by the dismissal of Brandon Shaw mid-way through the second half.
After weeks away from travelling north due to the Northern Rail dispute and recent journeys to the South Midlands league proving somewhat frustrating today would see a short journey to a ground that had been on the 'to do' list for too long.  Coming from mining stock and a mining town its always interesting to visit some of the former colliery villages around Yorkshire for football or cricket and today would be no exception.

MAIN STAND BUT YOU HAVE TO LEAVE THE MAST/FLOODLIGHT IN DONT YOU

Short hop over the border to Sheffield with a change to arrive in Doncaster station, whisper it quietly but I got a seat on a XCountry service, with departure from the adjacent bus station to Armthorpe more or less immediately.  Just short of the village Doncaster Knights Rugby Union ground was starting to get busy for their fixture and on approaching the ultimate destination we passed the site of the former colliery, Markham Main.  Closed with 50 years of reserves in 1996 after 76 years of service the village did not give the impression of some of the former struggling locations around South Yorkshire after the axe fell on this proud and fruitful industry.
Departing on the busy Doncaster Road just four miles from Doncaster itself there seemed to be a selection of two shopping areas and having sampled Cooplands before wondering back in I managed a quick pastry from Greggs all in the aim of being fair to both companies you understand!

LOOK AT THEM BEAUTIES ALTHOUGH I DONT FANCY CHANGING THE BULBS

Armthorpe seemed to have moved on better than most former mining areas from the devastation of losing its main source of jobs mind you the massive Wheatsheaf pub was still proudly displaying a banner 'summer pub of the season 2013'.  Directly over the road is the Markham Main miners
memorial garden and having failed to gain entry via its locked front gates I disappeared down to the community centre which sat to the side, thankfully it was at that point the side gate, open, came into view.  The obligatory half cut pit wheel could be inspected more closely with a plaque to the 87 miners lost in the colliery during its history, including a 15 year old in its earlier years and in memory of all the men and women who had worked there.  Outside to the road side there is also a nice touch with a further sign highlighting the garden.  As an additional note the village was the birthplace of former England international Kevin Keegan not sure how many re visits he makes back to his homeland.
Having already been asked by two different car drivers where the ground was I was a aware of a small roadway just before the Morrison's and indeed was able to find the home of Armthorpe Fc fairly easily.

FIRST HALF SWAYING

The season started with a need to do some of the local grounds that had evaded me or just been put off constantly as not being fancied too much and there has been some surprises along the way with pleasant visits and todays trip to Armthorpe Fc can be added to that list a tidy ground, smart in presentation, with a collection of volunteers, alongside a programme, public address system and bar/snack bar the club seemed to have it all sorted.
Immediately on entry the business end offers up to the left the changing rooms while to the right the referees room and the secretary's office and beyond the smart bar area which was well run and was thankfully doing chip cobs and it would of course have been rude not to sample a couple during the afternoon.  The stars of the show are the old style, pit yard, type floodlights displaying non-league grandeur.  Behind the far goal is a covered terrace area but right up by the entrance is a half pitch side bench seated stand with snuggled up to its side a massive phone mast with floodlights mixed in within the structure.  The whole ground has a wide walkway and it was a pleasure to have four sides to walk around again and the overall tidiness of the place was a credit to the club with most things being in their place not strewn around the ground.

REFEREE PONTIN LOOKS TO MAKE RABBIT EAR SHADOWS ON THE FLOOR

These two have little to play for in stakes of promotion or relegation but it would be Armthorpe who got off to a dominant start and it was danger man Chris Simpkins who tested the visiting keeper Joe McCormack with two early efforts, he then turned supplier for Dodd to fire just wide. Ollerton did get an effort in Aaron Sennett-Neilson saw his shot blocked but then more or less immediately Simpkins was just off target at the other end.

CELEBRATION FOR GOAL NUMBER 28 FOR GAV KING [LEFT]

As so often happens don't take your chances and the other team do and with NCEL 1 top scorer King on show for Ollerton give him a chance from 8 yards and you have a good guess where it will end up as he notched goal number 28 for the season just after the half hour mark.
Half time brought the riposte of the day when snack bar wag approached the counter and asked "have you got any sausage rolls" when the reply came back to the negative our customer further light heartedly asked "what sort of canteen do you call this"?  Cue snack bar lady's response "a canteen without sausage rolls"!

SIMPKINS SETS OFF FOR ARMTHORPE

Reinvigorated by a half time team talk Armthopre who had seemed to have the stuffing taken out of them by the Ollerton goal came out with a new vigour and were level within two minutes with a sweet edge of the box strike from Dodd after the initial attack was cleared towards him.
Mid way through the half Shaw was a little unlucky in bringing down an Armthorpe player who ran right across the front of him 30 yards out and although you have seen referee's issue yellow here Mr Pontin selected red.

SHAW IS SHOWN THE EXIT

Lewis Price struck a post for the visitors but it was now all Armthorpe with Luke Williams becoming the conduit for all things dangerous to the Ollerton defence and when he went down under a challenge from Ben Bowring he was adamant it was a spot kick.  Referee Pontin didn't agree and he was supported by Reece Conroy who informed the Armthorpe player he should stay on his feet.  The pressure was mounting and the visitors appeared to be lucky in the closing stages when keeper McCormack came out and while going for an aerial ball absolutely flattened Armthorpe sub Darren Mansaram but again their was nothing doing in the eyes of the official and so we arrived at the final whistle with a goal and a point apiece.
A swift departure back to the dark cave that is Doncaster Bus Station with a quick change for the Northern service to steel city a further platform hop saw base station arrived in a remarkable one and a quarter hours later after departing Armthopre.  A pleasant visit on a sunny spring like day and always be ready to be surprised by your own perceptions, this is a nice little set up.

COLNEY DERBY CLASH WON BY HEATH

LONDON COLNEY 0 COLNEY HEATH 2
SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS PREMIER LEAGUE @COTLANDSWICK
16 FEBRUARY 2019 --- 3PM

COLNEY HEATH CELEBRATE THEIR SECOND GOAL THROUGH DANIEL FITZGERALD [8]

Goals either side of the half time interval from Sam Doolan and Daniel Fitzgerald were enough to seal derby day victory for Colney Heath who along with a local charity who kindly received the gate receipts donated by the home side also proved to be winners on the day.
For the third week in four it was time to head off to The South Midlands League for a new ground and in determination to seek out a further insight to some of the clubs within it.  Todays journey would rely, as ever, on some sharp connections and after departing base station at 1040 changes at Leicester and Luton Airport Parkway found arrival at St Albans City just shy of 1pm.  Sadly there was no time to look around the streets and the Metroline service 84 was on route to London Colney straight away.  Within around ten minutes we crossed the North Orbital Road something that just a short goal kick away would take you to todays visitors Colney Heath.  Passing the ground to alight at the old part of the village and just short of the bustling M25 and of course the training facilities of Arsenal and Watford of the Premier League.

THE UNIQUE TELFORDS BRIDGE OVER THE RIVER COLNE

Crossing over the road bridge that spans the River Colne and departing the middle doors of the Transport for London service brought a unique feeling to this journey.  Sitting astride the water is the accommodating Bull and Green Dragon establishments sadly no time to make acquaintances for the reason for departure was to photograph the unique seven arch spanned bridge which apparently gives it a strength belied by a lack of thorough foundation.  Crossing over the footbridge to the north side of the river the coat of arms is proudly on display on the village green and a sign warning about blocking the 'ford' which is still open to cross the river should you wish, this was the old route before the bridge which now bears the name of Telford was built.

LONDON COAL TAX MARKER

Climbing back up to the road side a unique small white marker post with City of London coat of arms upon it has sadly seen better days but is part of over 200 that encircle London.  London Colney was one of the crossing points into London that from the 1860s saw a London Coal Tax payable to the London Corporation and the marker was a reminder to all transporters. 
At this point it became like a Radio 4 programme 'Ramblings with Claire Balding', something I often enjoy very early on a Saturday morning, where said presenter travels around the country and gets into conversations about interesting and obscure facts about her chosen destination.  Cometh the time cometh Ken who cautiously approached "can I ask what you are taking a photo of"?  Well of course you can, I equally cautiously, having researched my visit told him what I believed I had just snapped and Ken was happy to confirm being a local historian, village protector and promoter of all things London Colney.  It was a pleasure to discuss many things including the bridge, the posts and learn about some of the history of the area I might get Claire to give him a call he would make a good programme on the village.

GOOD SIZED STAND AT COTLANDSWICK

Sadly after fifteen minutes it was time to move as the clock was pressing towards 2pm, back along the main street and calling in at Simmons 'baking since 1838', I guess they need a day off now come on, to sample a cheese, potato and onion pasty along with a rocky road all of which was highly recommended from a smart looking establishment.
London Colney Fc had made a philanthropic gesture of donating all gate receipts and any additional raffle monies to two local charities from todays game and when the other, a local school, generously gave up their half to the other it was Breast Cancer Now Charity who gained £900 from this wonderful offer.

KEN CHARLERY [R] FORMER PETERBOROUGH BIRMINGHAM AND BARNET PLAYER NOW LONDON COLNEY MANAGER

The ground can be entered by the North Orbital Road or on foot by the leisure centre and the set up has a feel of a ground within a park that is separate and now enclosed a bit like Harpenden only more spacious. 
Having paid £7 for entry there was no programme and the offer of an online one sadly seems to be increasingly the order of the day which is a real shame its always good to take something away from a visit, it would appear an online version did not materialise for todays encounter.
A quick descriptor entering via the Leisure centre to the immediate right are the changing rooms and clubhouse facilities the latter which had a well worn feel to it.  Down the left hand touchline an impressive joined up Atcost stand with just short of 200 seats and by the top side of it a very small shelter for covered standing which was beaten by a slightly larger affair behind the far goals, although hats off there was enough foresight to place it to one side of the nets not directly behind like so many clubs.  The far touchline has behind it the entrance road and a selection of rugby union pitches the dug outs straddle the half way line and back towards the top goal a vantage point is offered by a grass banking.
Having obtained the teams early with thanks to Kim there was also time to catch up with Mathew from Radio Veralum, shortened version of Verulamium former Roman city close by to St Albans, the local community radio station who were covering the game today.

CHRIS BLUNDEN HITS THE BAR FOR COLNEY HEATH FROM THE PENALTY SPOT

To the proceedings then and the first half was a poor affair probably not aided by a bobbly pitch and indeed over the last few weeks there had been a spoiling in the quality stakes with 4g pitches to the fore. 
The first half was full of mistakes while the effort was there and this was probably backed upon 25 minutes when Dan Westmore was fouled in the box Chris Blunden struck the spot kick against the bar.

GETTING TO KNOW YOU

The fear off a 0-0 was on the cards but thankfully on the stroke of half time the deadlock was broken when Doolan guided in a well placed header past Jack Metcalf in the London goal.
In fairness the second half livened up with some added feistiness to keep all observers alert.  Within a minute of the restart Spencer Clarke-Mardel saw his effort cleared off the line by the home sides Mickey Shuttlewood.  Just two minutes later though the lead was doubled and the result effectively settled when Fitzgerald saw his first shot blocked he made no mistake with the sweetest of finishes from the edge of the box with his second effort.

LONDON COLNEY HEADER SCRAPES THE BAR

It was all Colney Heath now with Blunden having his shot turned around by the home keeper before Gregg Shaw was denied by Shuttlewood with another goal line clearance.  The home side didn't seem able to muster much of a response and a few frustrations boiled over but were kept in hand by referee Nick Fuller.  In the closing minute a hat trick of goal line clearances was completed by Shuttlewood as the visitors were denied a third goal, but over the ninety minutes the Colney Heath ran out the worthy winners.
An immediate departure onto a just arriving 84 saw tight connections at St Albans, Luton Airport Parkway followed by thirty minutes of time lapse at Leicester and remarkably base station was achieved at 7.40pm.
As ever an interesting day out on the hop supported by meeting the engaging Ken in the village prior to the match come on Claire Balding ramblings around London Colney I can hear it now!

CRAWLEY GREEN DEFEATED BY FOURTH PLACE BIGGLESWADE UNITED

CRAWLEY GREEN 0 BIGGLESWADE UNITED 3
SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE PREMIER @ THE BRACHE
9 FEBRUARY 2019 --- 3PM

EARLY CRAWLEY GREEN V BIGGLESWADE UNITED ACTION

A brace from David Parkinson helped Biggleswade United consolidate their fourth place in the Premier League as a handful of clubs chase down top spot, Crawley Green just outside that zone started off at a fair old pace and in the opening twenty minutes should have been ahead but when the early challenge fell away it was the visitors who commanded the remainder of the game.
After a week of the wet stuff and heavy winds in the north The Brache home of Luton Town for their training and now for their second season Crawley Green came back into play following some research three weeks ago.  Just a couple of weeks back the 'dirty clarets' had been viewed at Harpenden, this blog is just a couple back if you wish to take a look, and today would be just my second encounter with The South Midlands League.

BIGGLESWADE CLEAR THROUGH JOE GAUGE WITH VAUXHALL HQ IN THE BACKGROUND

The nature of the capital bound trains from base station means that with a brief change in Leicester Luton Parkway Station can be reached in just under two hours so an 1140 departure was comfortable with seats gained on both journeys this is becoming a favourite time and journey!  Parkway sits just to the south of Luton and although I fancied a look at the town it all seemed to much of a rush and the decision was made to meander along to the ground which is a mere ten minutes walk from the station platform.  Exiting and passing the Parkway retail shopping area the slight incline brings you to the head office of Vauxhall an impressive tall building with flags flying high.  Turning into Park St and the entrance to The Brache is reached within a few hundred yards.

PARKWAY IN THE BACKGROUND AS UNITED CLEAR AGAIN FROM EARLY PRESSURE

The whole site was the former home of Vauxhall Motors FC and Luton Vauxhall and of course was the works sports site with numerous facilities and a bowling green which remains but in a derelict state.  Around three years ago the site was secured by Luton Town who now train there and thankfully Crawley Green, which by the way is a suburb of Luton, along with The Hatters worked out a deal to bring the senior non league side back into the town from their decade plus ground share at Barton Rovers.

UNIQUE STAND AT THE BRACHE WITH BAILEY HILL WATER TOWER ON THE HILL

A pleasant welcome by the lady and gentleman on the entrance allowed admission and programme to be gathered for £7, the latter is a thick booklet with some informative pieces however most is a season long wrap round but the insert contains most of the current facts you would require. 
Arriving early I was allowed to approach by the smart modern cabin changing rooms and up the narrow steps too the 3g playing surface.  Immediately to the left is a small standing cover behind the goal is uncovered with a two step terrace towards the corner is The Pavilion and The Hub the latter which would house eats and drinks ably manned by once again more pleasantry this time from
Vicky.  This operates as a self service facility a bit like going to a supermarket café you pays Vicky and collect a cup and away you go to the water boiler it all worked fairly well clearly the locals had been well trained although there was no hot food a selection of rolls was on offer, I just opted for copious amounts of healthy Mars bars.  Back outside and continuing the circuit this far side has behind the boundary caged pitches and behind the far goal excellently manicured grass pitches and once again a small step terrace backed off by a hedge.  Coming back to the entrance touchline the star is a very smart wooden stand which was well maintained behind this The Bunker for the grounds mans and we are back at the changing rooms.  Days of old are certainly revealed by the side of The Pavilion a sweeping set of steps brings you up to this higher level from the entrance road and other examples of this are around the site revealing I guess the glory days of a major company supplying recreational facilities much like The NCB in the mining days of old up north.

THE FLATS OFF STRATHMORE OFFER ANOTHER BACKDROP TO THE GAME

Some trips have you in anticipation and disappoint, some prove to be wow inducing, some you set off on with the sole idea of just visiting and some your not quite sure but it will be a game.  Todays was probably the latter but it proved for me a wow I really enjoyed the history of the site, the friendly welcome and while some countryside based grounds have interesting back drops to add to the flavour The Brache offered a selection of backdrops all around to keep the hopper entertained.  The Vauxhall offices badged up were viewable behind the Luton end goal as were the two high rise blocks of flats off Strathmore Avenue.  Behind the hub is Parkway shopping precinct, station and the airport which constantly entertains Ryanair, easyJet [happy corporate spelling] planes on a five minute basis flying directly over the pitch.  Behind the far goal the busy A1081 adds to the noise factor and then the rising streets behind the stand are topped off with Bailey Hill Water Tower aloft their highest point, so plenty to keep your attention if the action on the pitch is a little quiet.

SOME EARLY LYING DOWN ON THE CARPET

Onto the proceedings then and Biggleswade visit in fourth place a couple behind their fellow league neighbours who have no prefix or suffix and have had a successful FA Vase season, indeed the town has a ridiculous, for its size, three senior football clubs.  Crawley Green are back home and in their second season back enjoying a position just outside the top set but looking to step on with manager Chris Devane at the helm, who I must thank for his response to my match and direction enquiries on the morning of the game.
If the opening salvo was anything to go by Crawley Green would upset the second place club when Matt Clark cleared off the line from Jake Alderson, it was then the turn of United keeper Ollie Leslie to come to the fore turning away efforts from Aaron Morgan and Phil Draycott.  You had to develop the thought that the home side were going to take the lead and then quickly extend it however the chances had come and gone and slowly but surely Biggleswade got into the game and the inevitable happened on 33 minutes they took the lead with probably their first chance.  Debut keeper Daniel Gould stopped from Sam Holmes but as the ball broke free Parkinson was on hand to squeeze it home.

DAVID PARKINSON [LEFT] CELEBRATES HIS OPENING GOAL

The second period saw an increasing dominance of proceedings from United and they extended their lead on 59 minutes when Parkinson cut in on off the left and curled the ball in at the far corner with Gould probably beaten as the ball bounced fractionally in front of him as he was going down.  Crawley Green were thankful to Gould soon after when he denied Holmes and then Joe Gauge to keep it at 2-0.

EARLY CRAWLEY GREEN ACTION

With three minutes remaining then goal of the game started from the back when keeper Leslie lofted a wide ball out to Kane Farrell who skipped past the Clarets player over the half way line a one two with Parkinson saw him whip in a low cross for Holmes to despatch with confidence into the Crawley Green goal.  A sweet flowing move aided by the 3g surface and some distant defending from the home side but a lovely goal all the same.  In the final minute Gould again kept the score line down when he saved from livewire Holmes.
With a good half an hour to get back to Parkway a quick check of the scores in The Hub was the call of the day before bidding farewell to a very enjoyable visit to a friendly club situated in interesting surroundings. 
Returning the same way with a brief change in Leicester the 5.25pm soon had me back at base at just short of 7.30pm with seats gained again this had been a weirdly wonderful day on public transport, for a change.

JOSH'S AT THE DOUBLE ARE TOO MUCH FOR CAVALIERS

FC CAVALIERS 1 WOLLATON 2
NOTTINGHAMSHIRE SENIOR LEAGUE PREMIER @ FOREST ZONE
2 FEBRUARY 2019 --- 3PM

FC CAVALIERS [GREEN] V WOLLATON


Second half goals from Josh Stevenson and Josh Lewis gave Wollaton a victory following a bit of quality from David Kolapo just before half time that had given Cavaliers an interval lead. 
Sticking to their task the visitors would take their second half chances to deny the home side any return from their slick first half skills.
After a week of hard frosts and towards the weekend a varying amount of snow was deposited erratically around the country all local games to the blog in The NCEFL and  CMFL were called off so the search for a 3g lead to a few far flung travels but after a text to FC Cavaliers manager Martin Hickey the decision was made for a re-visit.  Thanks go to Martin for his prompt response to confirm there was no problems with snow etc on their 3g pitch and around mid day the Comet was launched to a first change at Ripley and then onwards to Victoria terminus in Nottingham.  Along the way any lying snow soon disappeared and the outlying pitches at the Forest had a few games on them such was the change in conditions in the city compared to the rural areas.

MR CLOUGH MEMORIES OF THE FOREST GLORY DAYS

The club was covered last season, December 2017, so I will not go back into the history as nothing much has changed, with admission paid, sadly there was no programme, but as ever a friendly
welcome awaits and it was nice to have a brief chat with Mr Hickey.

CAVS MANAGER MARTIN HICKEY PREPARES FOR A COLD AFTERNOON

Wollaton are on the up at present with an excellent 7-1 win last weekend and under the guidance of new manager Jamie Chaplin the club are moving along nicely although they still sit below Cavaliers who always seem to have a collection of quality players to make good use of the 3g playing surface.  Thankfully Wollaton's Chairman Bill Fishwick was in attendance and it was excellent re-acquaint
myself with him, he along with his small band of helpers make his club well worth a visit too on the NSL circuit.

FIRST HALF CAVALIERS IN CONTROL

The entrance to the ground guides you along a staircase that takes you to pitch side and along the way the wall has been painted with Mr Clough and one of his famous quotes "I wouldn't say I was the best manager in the business - but I was in the top one".  The proceeding ladies game had gone to penalties so having enjoyed the shoot out excitement we kicked off around seven minutes down.
The first half was devoid of too much in the chance category with Cavaliers playing some silky stuff on the carpet but at times a little bit over elaborate something I believe the 3g lulls you into, whereas on a grass pitch the ball would be in the penalty box a lot quicker.

DAVID KOLAPO [RIGHT] CELEBRATES WITH HIS TEAM MATES THE OPENER

Just before half time as the game looked to be heading to a goal less opening 45 minutes the undoubted skill of Kolapo came to the fore, back from his Newark Flowserve adventure,
he cut in off the left and fired home a sharp low shot past the Wollaton number one Donny Brown which proved just enough when referee Lewis Quayle blew for half time shortly after.

LOOK AT THE BALANCE

Wollaton came back out from their interval with a new determination and pushed back Cavaliers who seemed now to be struggling to hold any possession like they had produced in the first period.  Two goals in a ten minute period proved the home sides un-doing on 55 minutes after Cav's keeper
Maison Riley had turned round a visitors effort for a corner the resultant quadrant kick was converted by Stevenson from close range.  This was no more than the front man deserved after leading an excellent line all afternoon he proved a constant handful for the home defence.  The winning goal had a touch of fortune to it when Leiws hit an edge of the box shot that Riley palmed up into the air only for the ball to fall agonisingly back over his head into the goal, but it would prove enough to secure three points.

JOSH STEVENSON GREAT CONTRIBUTION FOR WOLLATON THIS AFTERNOON

The temperature rose with ten minutes to go, on the pitch anyway, when Tom Slade was cautioned for a foul on Kolapo and with Cav's Andrew Danylyszya running into the mix he was also shown a yellow by referee Quayle.  The home side showed some late urgency and now proceeded to get the ball for more quickly into the box and went oh so close in the third minute of stoppage time when a low curling free kick off the right by Bayliegh Reid was a fraction away from Kolapo who just missed getting the decisive touch that would have probably forced a draw.

SECOND HALF APPEARANCE FOR ABDDY COLE

An entertaining game watched by a small gathering on an increasingly cold day as ever hopefully I can re-visit and maybe on a nice warm day today though it was thanks to both clubs for their efforts.
Ten minute walk back to Victoria terminus saw departure to Derby on The Red Arrow and the sporting weekend would continue in ram town with a aquamarine special out to The Clarence Wiggins Sports Centre for Derby Trailblazer v Essex Leopard in the National Basketball League.  First time this season catching up with the blazers and a sharp victory 102-93 only in the third quarter did they look in doubt when Essex took the lead after scoring heavily otherwise it was a home victory that looked a good call for most of the evening.
As the frost continued overnight and with a lack of Sunday round ball entertainment the opening game of The Rugby League Championship allowed for the weekend festival of sport to continue at The Olympic Legacy Park for Sheffield Eagles versus Swinton Lions a wonderful opening day victory for the home side 64-10, I reckon this is the first time I have seen the side win at their new home, this was a wonderful experience for the long suffering Eagles fans.  The only downside is the new ground, featured last season, has seen a decline in facilities with half of the temporary stand now taken away, no operational scoreboard, no cover to shield from the wet stuff and still a small selection of Portaloos only.  Its a real shame but although its a difficult cash flow problem for the club they had an offer induced crowd of well over a thousand in attendance today but some of the facilities on available need looking at urgently if they are to get the feel of rugby league as given at other Championship level clubs.
A weekend that offered up some entertaining spot thoroughly enjoyable games at all three venues and thankful for 3g at two and indoor at the other.