September 2024

When You Are Old

William Butler Yeats (1865 – 1939)

When you are old and grey and full of sleep,

And nodding by the fire, take down this book,

And slowly read, and dream of the soft look

Your eyes had once, and of their shadows deep;

How many loved your moments of glad grace,

And loved your beauty with love false or true,

But one man loved the pilgrim soul in you,

And loved the sorrows of your changing face;

And bending down beside the glowing bars,

Murmur, a little sadly, how Love fled

And paced upon the mountains overhead

And hid his face amid a crowd of stars.

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Sunday 1st September 2024

English Schools Cricket Association

National T20 FINALS Day (@Arundel Castle)

First Semi-final

Scarborough College (won toss) 162 for 7 (20 overs)

defeated

Shrewsbury School 136 for 6 (20 overs)

by 26 runs

Umpires: Matt French & John Tomsett. Scorer: Eddie McGeown

 

Second Semi-final

Harrow School 161 for 4 (20 overs)

defeated

Kings College Taunton 116 all out (15.2 overs)

by 45 runs

Umpires: Terry Barstow & Martin Bodenham.  Scorer: Eddie McGeown

 

FINAL

Harrow School (won toss) 195 for 8 (20 overs)

defeated

Scarborough College 132 all out (17.0 overs)

by 63 runs.

Umpires: Matt French & John Tomsett.    Scorer: Eddie McGeown

 

A fine day’s cricket, with Harrow School (perhaps not unexpectedly) head and shoulders above the rest of the competition. The day was overshadowed by the passing of Richard Somerford. He worked for ESCA for many years, nationally, regionally and also for Surrey and Norfolk.

Richard played an important part in the running of  the National School rounds. He was well liked and respected for all his hard work. Despite not being in the best of health,  he was determined to attend Finals day, but sadly passed away during the competition.

He was a valued member of The National Executive and will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

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Tuesday 3rd September 2024
National League NORTH
Brackley Town 0
Chorley 2
Jack Sampson 53 (pen), 85 (pen),
Referee: Harry Wager.                              Attendance: 535
Admission: OMGDS £14.00 (£18).        Programme: £3.00
Chorley gained some small measure of revenge this evening at St James’ Park in Brackley for their play-off defeat in May. In a closely fought contest, two second half penalties were enough to gain victory and the points for the visitors. With son, Jim and grand sons, Freddie, Sonny and Kingsley.
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Thursday 5th September 2024
FA Youth Cup Preliminary Round
Leicester St Andrews 0
Aylestone Park 3
Evan Kane 31, Saxon Nicholls 43, Bayem Onelum 82, Evan Kane s/o 72
Referee: Otis Mgundire.                             Attendance: 365
Admission: OMGDS £2.00 (£4).             Programme: NONE
The last time I was here, some fifteen years ago, the attendance was nineteen and that was for a UCL match! Much has changed in the meantime. There is a new club house, cover behind the goal and down the far side, a seated stand for maybe two hundred souls and a marquee pitch side for half-time refreshments. The club have also added “Leicester” to the front of their name. This may have been the FA Youth Cup, but there was a great deal of local pride at stake as both clubs come from the Aylestone area of Leicester. The visitors had the edge against a determined and enthusiastic home side and with two first half strikes and a third eight minutes from time, they garnered the victory despite the dismissal of their number seven with twenty minutes to go. With John Main..
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Saturday 7th September 2024
Wessex League Division 1
Romsey Town 4
Alex Wilson 11, Craig Bryant 63, H Russell 73, Robbie Stapleton 84,
Cove 2
Armani Riley 26, George Usuwu 90+1,
Referee: Lee Nowacki.                                  Attendance: 80
Admission: OMGDS £3.00 (£7).                Programme: on line.
A fine repast at the superbly appointed hostelry: “The Duke on The Test”, just outside the town of Romsey (pop: 15,000), in Hampshire. The Bypass Ground is full of character – if a little eccentric – with cover on three sides and seating along each flank. There is an adequate club house and a refreshment hut. In a dull opening period, both sides managed a single strike, but the second half perked up considerably. The visitors were down to ten men around the hour mark following a bad tackle. The hosts capitalised five minutes later and almost immediately, the visitors captain was invited to warm the bench for ten minutes after a furious altercation with the referee. The hosts extended their lead before his return and scored a fourth six minutes from the end. The visitors had the last word, however, with a strike deep into added time. With John Main.
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Monday 9th September 2024
Midland League Division 1
Chelmsley Town 0
Coton Green 3
James Henry 27, Matt Hunt 75, Luke Fox 79,
Referee: Okran Beedre.                                   Attendance: 175
Admission: £6.00.                                           Programme: NONE
Chelmsley Town are the tenants at Pack Meadow, home of Coleshill Town of the NPL. Tonight they were thoroughly outclassed by a workmanlike Coton Green who struck once before the interval and twice after half-time. The hosts had their chance to reduce the first half arrears but had a penalty saved four minutes after the break. With John Main, Lee West and Mike Dean.
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Tuesday 10th September 2024
Northern Premier League Division 1 Midlands
Loughborough Students 5
Marcus Gilipin 12, Quinton Zowani Dlodlo 44, 78, 86, Josh Strouts 58,
Rugby Town 1
David Kolodynski 72,
Referee: Brandon Scaife.                                     Attendance: 186
Admission: OMGDS £5.00 (£8).                       Programme: ON LINE
Another visit to the Holywell Sports Complex at Loughborough University. It is a majestically impressive stadium, but the students are finding the step up to the NPL difficult to adjust to, with three defeats from their four league games. Until tonight, that is. Rugby were cut to ribbons by some swift and incisive counter attacking from the hosts in a fine game of flowing football and if they keep this up, their position in the league will be secured! With John Main.
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Wednesday 111th September 2024
United Counties League Premier Division South
Rugby Borough 1
Cyrus Bruce 64,
Lutterworth Town 2
Louis Samuels 82, Abdul Summon 86,
Referee: Ali Cera. Official                          Attendance: 156
Admission: OMGDS £4.00 (£7).             Programme: £2.00
Ten years ago, there was very little on this site, now, it is virtually impossible to get a parking place, even on the vastly enlarged car park. All the clubs pitches are in full use late into the evening in what seems to be a highly profitable enterprise. The first team had a chance to go top of the league this evening and they blew it. After an hour’s dour struggle, the hosts took the lead, then had a player sin-binned for an over enthusiastic conversation with the referee. During his period off the pitch the visitors struck twice and claimed the victory!
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Isle of Man

We – John Main and I – boarded the ferry from Liverpool on Friday 13th September for the three hour crossing to Douglas on The Isle of Man. Whilst the primary object of the list was the football matches, it would be churlish not to include some of the island’s attractions.

The Liver Birds

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The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company entrance

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A small castle (folly?) in the bay off the beach at Douglas

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The horse drawn tram

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The magnificent sweep of Douglas Bay

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One of the electric trams

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Saturday 14th September 2024
Isle of Man League Premier Division
Onchan 0
Josh Kennedy s/o 44,
Peel AFC 5
Ben Woodbridge 4, Tomas Brown 37, 81, Rhys Oates 45, Daniel Pickering 89,
Referee: Peter Greenhill.                       Attendance: 57
Admission: F.O.C. Programme:           NONE
A morning spent on horse drawn and electric trams to Laxey and its giant wheel and then onto Nivision Park for this fixture at a stock car racing venue. Onchan (pronounced”Onkan”) are newly promoted to the premier division, but they were no match for their seasoned premier division rivals from Peel on the other side of the island. They were three goals and a man dismissed by the interval. The only question is how did the visitors only managed two second half strikes? With John Main.
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The Laxey Wheel, viewed from the station at Laxey
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The Manx Electric Railway to Laxey
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The excellent horse drawn tram on Douglas Bay.
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Saturday 14th September 2024 k.o.: 6.00pm
North-West Counties League Premier Division
FC Isle of Man 2
Stephen Whitley 4 (pen), 20,
Cheadle Town 0
Referee: Sam Leonard.                                 Attendance: 795
Admission: Hospitality£90 included return ferry from Liverpool, burger & chips, a beer and a programme and team sheet. Programme: included (£2)
The King George V Bowl is the IoM’s national stadium built recently for the “Island Games”. It is nominally an all seater stadium, but there was a lot of standing this evening and with only half the ground covered, lots of empty spaces in the rain! The game was pretty ordinary. Two first half goals and a sending off for the home manager (a technical offence – delaying the restart of play). In the second half, the away team manager was booked, but not much else happened. With John Main.
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Sunday 15th September 2024
Isle of Man Women’s League
Peel AFC Women 16
Becky Cole 6, 36, 51, 54, Lisa Contain 12, 20, 35, 39, Jenny Metcalfe 18, 23, 24, 63, Diniella Bethridge 31, Lucy O’Connor 58, Emma Gale 60, Aimmee Dentith (og) 78
Onchan Ladies 0
Referee: Sam Palmer.                                   Attendance: 31
Admission: F.O.C.                                         Programme: NONE
Peel, on the west side of the island is the third largest town, with a population of 5,700. There is a castle and a lifeboat station and a football ground full of character and quaintly appointed just outside the town. Today’s encounter in the island’s women’s league was a huge mismatch. The opposition were demolished, but the defeat should have been much greater. Friendly welcome and plenty of enthusiastic effort, but only one team in it, really.
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The castle at Peel
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And then ……………… like a whirlwind hurtling on, the weekend was over! We stayed the night, but on walking down to the beach the following morning after breakfast in the hotel, the horse drawn tram was not working. It seemed that all the tourism was closing down for the season and we were swept away on the afternoon ferry, back to Liverpool. and the onward journey back to. the Midlands!
But it hadn’t all been football. We especially enjoyed the horse drawn tram and the electric train ride to Laxey, where we caught a glimpse of The Laxey Wheel – apparently, the largest working wheel in the world! We took a bus ride to Peel and explored the area around the castle, and we walked. It must have been a mile and a half along the see front at Douglas and we walked that a few times! Excellent weekend.
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Wednesday 18th September 2024
United Counties League Division 1
Blackstones 0
Gedling Miners Welfare 1
Courtney Hastings 51 (pen),
Referee: Richard Doorbar.                                  Official Attendance: 65
Admission: OMGDS £4.00 (£6).                       Programme: £2.00
The “other” team in Stamford, formerly known as Mirrlees Blackstone after the engineering company, is a wonderfully atmospheric arena, especially at evening games in the Autumn with the floodlights peeping out of the trees like John Wyndham’s triffids. Both these teams are doing well this season, however, in a dour, but entertaining encounter, the visitors were narrow victors with a somewhat dubious penalty five minutes into the second period.
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Saturday 21st September 2024
FA Vase 2nd Qualifying Round
Rochester United 4
Tom Loynes 13, Mack Reilly 55, 67, Lucas Payne 58,
Welling Town 0
Referee: Lee Jarvis.                                   Attendance: 73
Admission: Concession £5.00 (£8).      Programme:£2
Bit of an uphill hike for nearly two miles from the station, Rochester United’s homely ground on Rede Court Road was a welcome sight. A stand with some two hundred seats, a small covered terrace and hard standing on three sides with a small bar and refreshment facilities. On a warm afternoon, the hosts swatted their opponents away like dealing with an annoying wasp. One goal in the first period, but three more after the interval saw them into the next round of The Vase.
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Monday 23rd September 2024
Premier League 2
Leicester City U21 3
Josh King 25, 29, Old Ewing 78,
Middlesbrough U21 1
Haleem Bakre 4 (pen), Harley Hunt s/o 64,
Referee: Jason Richardson.                                    Attendance: 174
Admission: concession £3.00 (£5).                      Free Team Sheet
Unremitting precipitation shrouded the host’s victory, but they went a goal behind early on only to bounce back for an interval lead. A dismissal for the reds and a final goal for the blues wrapped it all up!
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Tuesday 24th September 2024
Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division
Hartpury University 4
Tomos Shyamapant 24, Cheick Kone 70, Luke Salter 72, Louis Manning 90,
Hereford Pegasus 1
Carlos Moreira 3,
Referee: Richard Wood.                                      Official Attendance: 268
Admission: OMGDS £5.00 (£8)                       Programme: on line
At least the weather had improved and the pitch, despite the recent heavy rain and flooding, was in good condition. The students were back for the start of term and their numbers swelled the attendance (224 students and 44 paying customers!). These two teams are hovering in the play off positions and Pegasus took a very early lead. The sides were level by the interval, but three second half strikes by the increasingly rampant students saw them claim a decisive and well deserved victory. With Jack Warner and Graeme Holmes.
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Saturday 28th September 2024
Southern League Division 1 South
Bideford AFC 2
Finn Roberts 27, Jack Windsor 31, Jack Windsor s/o 88
Evesham United 1
Levi Steele 68,
Referee: Luke McFarlane.                                 Attendance: 267
Admission: OMGDS £6.00 (£8).                     Programme: £2.50
The Sports Ground in Bideford, home to the hosts for over a century, is a vast arena with covered seating on both sides of the ground, but no other cover. The floodlights are products of a bygone era, four mighty pylons dominate the stadium. However, Bideford AFC are languishing this season with four defeats out of their opening five league matches. The visitors are riding much higher in fifth position, but found themselves two goals adrift by the interval. They were much more effective after the break and pulled a goal back after the hour mark. However, despite heavy pressure, and a man dismissed for the home side, they were unable to draw level and the hosts took the victory and the spoils.
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August 2024

Today, Tomorrow, Long Ago and Years to Come

 

When yesterday we thought about tomorrow;
It’s strange to think that we just meant today.
Don’t look to days to wipe out stress and sorrow,
The calendar and clock refuse to play.
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When I was young these summer days meant cricket
From morning till collapsing into bed.
I’d strive to score some runs or take a wicket
Today I watch professionals instead.
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In days to come my grandkids may be players
And I’ll be cheering them with every shot.
But whether they are shooting stars or stayers,
I’m sure that they’ll have talents I have not.
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But look at days or years the same thing’s strange
The more things change the less things seem to change!

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by Anonymous

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Thursday 1st August 2024

Northants District U15 Triangular Tournament

@Kettering Town CC

In the first match (where I wasn’t umpiring) Kettering & Corby U15 lost to East Northants U15. In the following two games:

Northampton & South U15 (won toss) 111for 4 (20 overs)

defeated

East Northants U15 101 for 8 (20 overs)

by 10 runs

Umpires: Martyn Dobbs & Eddie McGeown

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Northampton & South U15 (won toss) 139 for 1 (20 overs)

lost to

Kettering & Corby U15    140 for 5 (16.5 overs)

by 5 wickets

Umpires: Colin Megennis & Eddie McGeown

Kettering & Corby U15 won the tournament on a better run rate.

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Saturday 3rdAugust 2024
FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round
Benfleet 3
Woodford Town 1
Referee: Adam Miller.                                                 Attendance: 347
Admission: OMGDS £4.00 (£6).                             Programme: £1.00
This is Benfleet’s first season at step five after winning The Eastern Counties League Division 1 South title last season and gaining promotion to The Essex Senior League. One week ago, they lost their opening league encounter, also against Woodford Town, on this ground (Woodside Park) by a single goal. They have returned to their own ground after sharing with Canvey Island for several seasons. A new one hundred seater stand, two small covered areas, hard standing on three sides and floodlights, have improved the ground to a degree and there is a bar and catering facilities, too. The official attendance looked a tad suspect. Several hoppers counted well over 400. The hosts scored three first half goals in a fifteen minute spell and thoroughly deserved their victory and revenge for last week’s defeat. With John Main.
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Tuesday 6th August 2024
Pathway Cricket at Weldon CC
Kettering & Corby u13 129 all out (33.5 overs)
lost to
Northampton & South U13 (won toss) 130 for 6 (23.3 overs)
by 4 wickets
Umpires: Martyn Dobson & Eddie McGeown
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Wednesday 7th August 2024
West Midlands (Regional) League Premier Division
FC Darlaston 4
Connor Garrett 46, Rhys Horton 62, 88, Number Rashad 84,
Gornal Colts 2
Alistair McCue 76, Zak Wadley 78,
Referee: Josh Lee.                                                        Attendance: 64
Admission: OMGDS £3.00 (£5).                              Programme: NONE
A free cheese ‘cob’ on entry to this evening’s match at The Rec where impressive Darlaston continued their successful start to the new campaign. Their ground is basic, a (mostly) fenced in field with dugouts and some steep terracing behind them. A small covered area behind one goal, but no hard standing – although the materials are there, donated by a local builder – there are also plans to install floodlights as the club hopes to move forward. This evening, after a goalless first period, the hosts gained a two goal advantage, only to squander it and then regain it with two goals in the final ten minutes. Good game!
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Note the terracing behind the dugouts, it used to have a roof over it!
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The only cover at the ground is this shed behind the near goal.
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Saturday 9th August 2024
Tony Barnett Memorial Trophy
(@ Workington Town RLFC)
Maryport Athletic 2
Ethan Weir 87, Ciaran Booty 90+1,
Northside 1
Max Litt 28,
Refere: Tommy Linford.                                                    Attendance: 129
Admission: £3.00.                                                             Programme: NONE
Workington Town’s impressive Derwent Park was the backdrop for this memorial match between the champions of The Cumberland County League and the champions of The West Cumberland Sunday League. Tony Barnett was a longstanding player, manager and administrator in Cumberland football and he passed away on 7th March this year. His family were here to present the trophy. Northside, the Sunday league team team scored midway through the first half and were very unlucky to lose to two strikes in the final five minutes of the match to the Saturday league side.
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Saturday 10th August 2024
Professional Development League
@Poolfoot Farm, Butts Road, Thornton Cleveleys FY5 4HX
Fleetwood Town U18 1
Harvey Currie 90+1 (pen),
Cardiff City U18 3
Dan Ola 22, Mannie Barton 58, Jake Davies 73,
Referee: Sam Orritt.                                                Attendance: 25
Admission: F.O.C.                                                   Programme: NONE
With John Main, Andy English and Richard Livall.
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Saturday 10th August 2024
North-West Counties League Division 1 North
Thornton Cleveleys 1
Jordan Beavers 33,
Daisy Hill 3
Jake O’Brien 49, Krisel Prifti 53, Ryan Talbot 83,
Referee: Jamie Law.                                                   Attendance: 145
Admission: OMGDS £3.00 (£5).                            Programme: £2.00
Gamble Road, home to the newly promoted Champions of The West Lancashire League, is a work still in progress. They hope to have the floodlights installed by the end of September and there are plans for a hundred seater stand and cover behind one goal. Very friendly club who supplied team sheets free of charge and a weird referee who somewhat distorted the match when he sent off a home defender after half an hour for two bookable offences. At that time, the hosts were leading 1-0 and it was a lead they clung onto until the break. Ten minutes after the break, the were behind and the visitors killed the game off with a third goal five minutes from time. With John Main and Andy English.
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Sunday 11th August 2024
Rutland League Division 1 (@Burghley Park)
Barnack (won toss) 279 for 7 (45 overs)
lost to
Burghley Park 280 for 1 (42.2 overs)
by nine wickets
Umpires: Mallie Bandaranaike and Eddie McGeown
Lovely day, the wicket was a batsman’s paradise and Burghley Park, with the horse trials due to start next week, was resplendent with Burghley House itself just visible about a mile away across the park. Keyan Gace was the man of the match with his imperious 157 no and Barnack’s challenging total was overhauled with comparative ease.
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Monday 12th August 2024
Cricket @Finedon Dolben CC
East Northants U15 (won toss) 219 for 7 (40 overs)
defeated
Northampton & South U15   66 all out (21.2 overs)
by 153 runs
Umpires: Bob Inchley & Eddie McGeown
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Wednesday 14th August 2024
Peterborough & District League Premier Division
Deeping United 0
Reece Driscoll penalty missed 48,
Wittering Premier 3
Dougie Zimbango 57, 65, Ben Roberts 75, Harry Whittington penalty saved 37,
Referee: Jonathan Clayton.                                              Attendance: 33
Admission: F.O.C.                                                              Programme: NONE
The Werrington Sports complex in Peterborough has four football pitches, one of which is presently the home of Deeping United. Both teams turned up with the same colour of shirts, so the visitors had to wear training bibs. Nobody had thought to unlock the changing rooms and the hosts, having held Premiair to 0-0 at half-time, were comprehensively dismantled in the second period and succumbed to a heavy home defeat. Simon Barton from Norwich was also there.
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Thursday 15th August 2024
Cricket @Rushden & Higham Town CC
Northants U11 110 all out (21 overs)
defeated
Yorkshire Central U10 (won toss) 78 all out (29 overs)
by 32 runs
Umpires: Jeff Beal & Eddie McGeown
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Friday 16th August 2024
Banbury Cricket Club hosted an u-11 ‘Hundred’ tournament, with teams from Buckingham, Witney and Chipping Norton also taking part. A beautiful arena with a spacious clubhouse, impressive nets, a large array of benches and trees accompanied by heartfelt commemorations and some enthusiastic play from all the teams involved, combined with plenty of budding talent. Have to confess an interest, as two of my grandsons were playing in the Chipping Norton team and the pictures include them batting and bowling! Banbury won the tournament with Chipping Norton being runners up, Witney third and Buckingham 4th.
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Kingsley batting
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Sonny scores a boundary with this shot.
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Kingsley batting ““` and “`out!
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Sonny bowling, dad, Jim umpiring.
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Sonny bowling, dad umpiring.
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Sonny bowling and his dad umpiring
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Jim with his Chipping Norton U11 team.
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Kingsley bats!
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Saturday 17th August
Northants Cricket League Division 7 (at Brigstock CC)
S&L Corby II(won toss) 332 for 3 (45 overs) Dinesh Rodrigo scored 183no, Mike McGeown 22no.
defeated
Brigstock II  195 all out (39.1 overs)
by 137 runs
Umpires: Jamie Stewart & Eddie McGeown
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Sunday 18th August 2024
East Midlands Women’s Cricket League Division 1 (@Kettering Town CC).
Kettering Town CC Ladies(won toss) 132 for 9 (40 overs)
defeated
Thrapston CC Women  101 all out (32 overs).
by 31 runs.
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Tuesday 21st August 2024
Cambridgeshire County League Premier Division
Comberton United 0
West Wratting 3
Brandon McKay 56, Callum Harrison 70, Spencer Sykes 85,
Referee: Oliver Humphreys.                              Attendance: 78
Admission: F.O.C.                                               Programme: NONE
Deep in the heart of Cambridgeshire, the tiny village of Comberton hosts maybe 2,000 souls and a football team who play at the Recreation Ground which also hosts the village cricket team. This evening they were professionally dismantled by an efficient visiting team who kept the game scoreless until the interval, but then unleashed three devastating second half strikes and could have had more! Tea, coffee and biscuits available at pitch side!
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Wednesday 21st August 2024
County Pathway Fixture @Wellingborough Old Grammarians
Derbyshire U13 Girls   88 all out (30.2 overs)
lost to
Northants U13 Girls (won toss)   90 for 3 (13.5 overs).
by 7 wickets
Umpires: Martyn Dobbs & Eddie McGeown
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Sunday 25th August 2024
Rutland League Division 2
(@Stamford)
Stamford Town (won toss).  226 all out (45 overs)
defeated
Uffington     157 all out (36.2 overs)
by 69 runs
Umpires: Bob Inchley & Eddie McGeown
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Monday 26th August 2024
Spartan South Midlands League Division 2
Milton Keynes College 1
Matthew Haworth 75,
Newport Pagnell Town Dev. 6
Chris Carter 5, Ash Harris 45+2, Josh Bird 61, Euphrapy Kalonga 68, Nat Edmond 70, Jack Turner 90,
Referee: Luke Damon.                                   Attendance: 64
Admission: F.O.C.                                          Programme: NONE
A cage with a plastic pitch on the inside, a club house outside for alcoholic refreshment (and tea/coffee), but NO viewing inside the cage. The match had to be observed through the wire mesh. There was no cover, no seating and precious little hard standing and yet … and yet … there was a comparatively healthy gathering of spectators between the cage and the main railway line from Euston to Scotland. The students had already lost their opening four league fixtures, so it was no real surprise when they succumbed to yet another heavy defeat. I don’t think I’lll be returning any time soon!
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Tuesday 27th August 2024
Central Midlands League North Division
AFC Phoenix 5
Josh Bennett 40, Chris Cook 63, Joel Bradshaw 66, Tanga Chiba 78, Cameron Beer 85,
Glapwell 0
Referee: Michael Gilvarry.                     Attendance: 36
Admission: £3.00.                                   Programme: £1.50
The Phoenix Sports Complex occupies a generous chunk of territory in the Brinsworth area of Rotherham, but football, the poor relation, is tucked away in a far corner of the empire. Enjoyed a fine repast in the generously proportioned pavilion before adjourning to the ground which was surrounded by a meshed fence and a metal railing round the pitch. There was shelter from the showers and a refreshment hut with tea/coffee and snacks. There was also an excellent programme. This was a contest which stuttered into life. The hosts carried a 1-0 lead into the second period, but then stamped their authority on the match with four unanswered strikes for a convincing victory.
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Wednesday 28th August 2024
Pathway Development Match (@Wollaston)
Northants U13 Girls (won toss) 252 for 3 (35 overs)
defeated
Oxfordshire U13 Girls 114 all out (32.4 overs)
by 138 runs
Umpires: Simon Clarke & Eddie McGeown
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Friday 30th August 2024
Premier League 2
West Ham United U21 1
Josh Ajala 64,
Norwich City U21 0
Referee: Jamie Oldham.                                Attendance: c200
Admission: £5.00.                                          Programme: NONE
The Hammers acquired this ground at Rush Green, formerly the home of Ford United, in 2016 and turned it into their training facility. There were plenty of very helpful and cheerful staff to welcome the fans, both outside and inside the ground. Spectating was all down one side where the fine stand stood and half way behind the near goalmouth. The match was keenly contested and the hosts just about deserved the victory, aided, however, by a very one-sided referee!
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Saturday 31st August 2024
Southern Combination Football League
Premier Division
Wick 1
Josh Irish 19,
Eastbourne United 1
Mason Creese 62,
Referee: Darren Eaton. Official                       Attendance: 101
Admission: OMGDS £4.00 (£7).                    Programme: £2.00
Crabtree Park is a scruffy little ground adjacent to the railway line in Littlehampton. Foundations are laid for a new stand, but the rest of the arena would benefit substantially from a touch of TLC. The clubhouse has an extensive bar area upstairs and a refreshments kiosk by the entrance downstairs. Adjacent to the upstairs bar is a shrine with candles to commemorate a popular and well loved chairman, Dave Phillips, who died very recently aged only 62. On the pitch, the visitors, who have yet to win a league match this season, fell behind before the break, but equalised around the hour mark and could easily have taken all three points.
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The memorial to Chairman, Dave Phillips who died a couple of weeks previous to the match aged 62.
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July 2024

Vitai Lampada

There’s a breathless hush in the Close tonight –

Ten to make and the match to win –

A bumping pitch and a blinding light,

An hour to play and the last man in.

And it’s not for the sake of a ribboned coat,

Or the selfish hope of a season’s fame,

But his captain’s hand on his shoulder smote

“Play up! play up! and play the game!”

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Sir Henry Newbolt (1862 – 1938)

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Tuesday 2nd July 2024
Pre-Season Friendly
Appleby Frodingham 0
Lincoln United 4
Henry Moore 14, Jack McMenemy 26, 28, Grimes 77,
Referee: James Day.                                      Attendance: 92
Admission: £5.00.                                         Programme: NONE
The hosts play on the football facility of the old British Steel sports complex. Overlooking the ground is a huge social area with snooker and pool tables, two large bars and a ballroom dancing area. The ground, itself, was very basic. Accessible on three sides and with a small stand for perhaps fifty souls. Lincoln United, as befits last season’s runners up in the UCL North division, were stratospheres higher than the hosts, who have just won back their place in the NCEFL after a ten year sojourn in The Lincolnshire League. Three first half goals proved the point, but only one second half strike due to a much better home performance and some woeful misses from the visitors!
With John Main and Stuart Long.
Although there were no programmes for this match, the hosts said that they do intend to issue for all home league games.
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Tony Morehead commented: “I worked at Appleby Frodingham from late ’68 till April ’74. The complex was a hive of activity culminating each summer in the famous show. Funfairs, entertainments of all colour and hue. Even the  Red Arrows putting in an appearance”.
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Sunday 7th July 2024
East Midlands Women’s Cricket League Division 1
Kirkby Portland Women 96 all out (39.5 overs)
lost to
Kibworth Women 98 for 4 (36.4 overs)
by 6 wickets
Umpires: Keith Timpson & Eddie McGeown
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The rare sight of a cricket tea at Kibworth CC!
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Monday 8th July 2024
Ashbourne Summer League
Bramshall 2
Joe Lobosco 40, Josh Ellis 42,
Vaults 3
Freddie Murphy 57, 81, Jake Edge-Lucas 76,
Referee: William Maskery.                                  Attendance: 15
Admission: F.O.C.                                                Programme: NONE
I found the ground, eventually, on the outskirts of Uttoxeter. Little more than a field with a wooden hut for changing rooms – oh, yes, and a stand with seating for about five spectators behind one goal! The playing surface was surprisingly good and well maintained, and the match was a good one, as these two teams – second and third in the league battled it out. The hosts held a two goal interval advantage, but the visitors took the victory and the points with three unanswered strikes in the second half. A smattering of hoppers in attendance, including Martin Hayden and Bob Lillyman.
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The changing “hut” at Bramshall
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The main stand with seats for maybe half a dozen (thin) spectators.
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Tuesday 9th July 2024
Pre-Season Friendly
Opening match at the NEW Ground
Shawbury United 1
Ollie Wispen 45+1
AFC Wulfrunians 5
Ryan Bright 1, 45+2, Freddie Cockerell 54, 74, Jake Webb 88,
Referee: Scott Davies.                                              Attendance: 56
Admission: F.O.C.                                                    Programme: NONE
The first match at Carradine Road, the new home of Shawbury Town, perennial groundsharers, they have finally, after a twenty year journey, reached a home of their own inside the town. There was a very friendly reception, but no alcohol, this evening, as they have yet to arrange a licence. The lady behind the bar told me that when the project for the ground commenced, her children were toddlers and that they are now in their twenties! There is also the possibility that the pitch at the new ground will be replaced with a state of the art artificial surface in the future. So, there is still much to be achieved, but there are two fifty seater stands, a substantial metal rail and hardstanding around the pitch, a large bar and refreshment area and floodlights. Their opponents this evening were from a step higher in the pyramid and it showed. Ryan Bright scored the first goal at the new arena in the first minute and scored again in the final minute before the interval. Three further second half strikes completed a comprehensive victory. With John Main and Graeme Holmes.
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Wednesday 10th July 2024
Northants Women’s Midweek Cricket League (@Irthlingborough)
Finedon Dolben Women 102 for 6 (20 overs)
defeated
Irthlingborough Women (won toss) 96 all out (17.1 overs)
by 6 runs
Umpire: Eddie McGeown
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Saturday 13th July 2024
Heritage Cup
Cray Wanderers 0
Sheffield 4
Alfie Smith 45, Jack Watson 54, 62, Luke Aldrich 58,
Referee: Jack Smith.                                                    Official Attendance: 466
Admission: OMGDS: £5.00 (£10).                           Programme: £2.00
This was a match between the two oldest clubs in England, and, also, marked the opening of Cray Wanderers new home at Flamingo Park. The new stadium is an impressive work in progress. A 3G surface with hard standing all round and a three hundred seater stand down one side and an older club house with ample bar and catering facilities. It was a pre-season friendly and not too much credit should be put to the score line as Northern Premier League Sheffield overcame their Isthmian League rivals mainly because they were more clinical in their finishing. The hosts hit the woodwork at least three times, but were unable to score. With John Main and a fair smattering of hoppers!
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The Heritage Cup
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Matchday Programme – £2.00 
Programmes will be issued for all home matches this season, but it is likely that the price will rise to £3.00
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Sunday 14th July
Cricket U-13 National T20 Cup Competition (@Burton Latimer)
Regional Final
Horton House U13 (won toss) 126 for 3 (20 overs)
defeated
Little Shelford U13 100 for 7 (20 overs)
by 26 runs
Umpires: Keith Timpson & Eddie McGeown
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Tuesday 16th July 2024
Pre-Season Friendly
ON Chenecks 1
Tom Tyrell 12,
Wellingborough Town 2
Joe Blowers 7, Neo Richard-Noel 13,
Referee: Chris Walton.                                    Attendance: 42
Admission: F.O.C.                                           Programme: NONE
This match was played on a 3G pitch in a cage in the grounds of Northampton School for Boys, a couple of hundred yards down the road from Chenecks usual haunt. Both of these clubs have been promoted this season, Chenecks to the premier division of The UCL and The Doughboys from the UCL to the NPL Division 1 Midlands. All the goals came in the opening fifteen minutes of an entertaining encounter and I expect that both teams will be challenging again this season!
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Wednesday 17th July 2024
Northants Midweek Women’s League (@Thrapston)
Thrapston Women’s CC Green (won toss) 117 for 3 (20 overs)
tied with
Thrapston Women’s CC Yellow 117 for 4 (20 overs)
I didn’t realise it at the time, but this match turned out to be very controversial. Thrapston Women’s Yellow team had won all their games this season and were champions. This match was tied and, at the time, I thought it was an exciting match with the last over being a maiden (I could have given a wide, but decided against it!). Later in the month, I got an email from the league (Fay Robinson), suggesting, strongly, that the two teams had conspired to effect a tie so that a) the champions would remain unbeaten all season and b) that Thrapston Greens would gain an extra point to give them a play off place in the league CUP rather than the league PLATE. This was not how the match felt to me., but did the two teams conspire??? If so, I was completely unaware of it.
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Thursday 18th July 2024
Rothesay 2nd Test Match
Day One @Trent Bridge
England 416 all out
Freddie and I took the train from Corby and were inside Trent Bridge by 10.00am. Great day’s cricket in glorious sunshine and Freddie got what he wanted – to see England bat. In fact, he got to see all of them bat, because, at the end of day one, England were 416 all out! Apparently, Freddie even managed to get himself on TV on one of his walks around the ground. To be fair, although they scored 416, England didn’t bat particularly well. There was an early flashing innings from Ben Duckett (71), a watchful 121 from Pope and 69 from Ben Stokes, the skipper. Zac Crawley was ducked early on and Joe Root managed just 14. It was a very good day out! We only saw Day One. On Day Two, The West Indies scored 457 all out and by the middle of day four, England had replied with 425 all out. Then The West Indies collapsed to 143 all out before the end of Day four and England won by 241 runs to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.
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Freddie Arthur McGeown
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Freddie and grand dad, Ed
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Saturday 20th July 2024
Northants Cricket League Division 7
@Bowden CC
S&L Corby CC IIs (won toss) 224 for 8 (45 overs)
defeated
Bowden CC IIs 159 all out (39.5 overs)
By 65 runs
Bowden is a pleasantly eccentric ground with a tree on the infield, which garners four runs each time it is struck. Adjacent to the ground, East Midland Railways have regular services. This match pitted third against second. S&L batting first set a reasonable, but not too daunting a total, however, young Freddie McGeown, bowling with pace and zest, took four for 29 off nine overs and it was this contribution that settled the tie! Proud grand dad was umpire for the match!
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East Midlands Railways run regular services from St Pancras to Nottingham, Derby and Sheffield.
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Sunday 21st July 2024
Cricket @ Oundle School
Northants U12 197 for 5 (40 overs)
defeated
East & Central Yorks U12 (won toss) 167 for 8 (40 overs)
by 30 runs
Umpires: Adam Jeskins & Eddie McGeown
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Tuesday 23rd July 2024
Pre-Season Friendly
Biggleswade FC 1
Ethan Kessell.
Cambridge United XI 4
Sam Okoye 45,68, Mark Murefu 80, Randy Bulakio 85,
Referee: Johnny Lamb.                                             Attendance: 94
Admission: F.O.C.                                                      Programme: NONE
Biggleswade FC, the youngest of the town’s trio of teams, actually groundshare at Bedford Town’s stadium in Cardington. Tonight, they were playing back in the town at a 3G plastic cage at Stratton Upper School. In a fine, free-flowing, pacy match, the hosts took the lead, but conceded on the stroke of half-time and conceded three second half strikes to give the youthful visitors a somewhat flattering victory. Several hoppers in attendance.
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Wednesday 24th July 2024
Cricket @ Oundle School
Derbyshire U12 (won toss) 177 all out (37 overs)
lost to
Northants U12 178 for 4 (40.3 overs)
by 6 wkts
Umpires: Martyn Dobbs & Eddie McGeown
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Saturday 27th July 2024
Velocity Wessex League Charity Cup FINAL
Moneyfields 0
Hamble Club 0
Referee: Ant Cross.                                                      Attendance: 128
Admission: OMGDS £4.00 (£8).                             Programme: £2.00
Reputed to have cost £10 million, Moneyfields’ new grounds (there is a separate enclosed pitch for the reserves), comprise of a 3G pitch in a glorified cage with a stand holding around 200 seats and a minimalist refreshment outlet and a bar round the back. Still to be installed is cover on the far side and the new upstairs bar facilities. The match was nothing to write home about. Hamble, the underdogs, a step below the hosts who had just won promotion to the Isthmian League, easily contained their rivals, but rarely made any impression on the home defence. Penalties decided the contest and Moneyfields took the spoils. With John Main.
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South Western Railways trundling past
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Programme
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Monday 29th July 2024
Area Pathway fixture @Marston St Lawrence CC
The tiny village of Marston St Lawrence, at the southern end of the county of Northamptonshire. Is home to around 200 souls and yet supports two cricket teams at its beautifully appointed cricket ground called Monk’s Piece. They are a very friendly club and certainly very competitive. This season, the first XI are unbeaten. Well worth a visit!
Kettering & Corby U13 (Won toss) 185 all out (32.4 overs)
lost to
Northampton & South U13 189 for 4 (33.4 overs)
by 6 wkts
Umpires: Colin Samuels & Eddie McGeown
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Tuesday 30th July 2024
County Youth Match @Oundle School
Northants U11s 198 all out (39.3 overs)
defeated
Notts U11s (won toss) 166 all out (36.5 overs)
by 32 runs
Umpires: Colin Samuels & Eddie McGeown
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Wednesday 31st July 2024
Northern Counties East League Division 1
South Leeds o
Horbury Town 1
James Cusworth 52,
Referee: Craig Atkin.                                                             Attendance: 255
Admission: OMGDS £4.00 (£6).                                       Programme: on line
This season, new arrivals in The NCEL, South Leeds (formerly Middleton FC) are plying their trade in The South Leeds Stadium, where Hunslet RLFC play their matches. It is a beautifully appointed arena, but, I may not be saying that on a cold, wet and windy January evening! There is a friendliness and a desire to succeed at the club and I really hope this promotion will work for them. This evening, however, they were defeated by another recent NCEL recruit, Horbury Town.
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Match ticket
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June 2024

I sat next to a duchess at tea

It was just as I feared it would be.

Her rumblings abdominal

Were simply phenomenal

And everyone thought it was me!

Anon

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Saturday 1st June 2024
Wigan & District Amateur League
Laithwaite Shield FINAL
Leigh Foundry 4
Ormskirk 1
Referee: Brian Power.                                             Attendance: 128
Admission: F.O.C.                                                   Programme: NONE
The Wigan & District Amateur League (founded around 1902) is a league that I actually refereed in, in the mid-1960s, although, I never officiated at The Golborne Sports Centre, where today’s final was held. There was a fine shield displayed by Andy Colton, vice president and former chairman of the league (see below) and very helpful officials, who, in the absence of a programme, provided oversight of the team information. Indeed, the referee, Brian Power, has been awarded referee of the season for this league. A goal to each side in the opening seven minutes and a bad penalty miss by Ormskirk after a quarter of an hour, was compounded by an Ormskirk own goal right at the end of the opening period. The Foundrymen added two further second half goals to record an emphatic victory. With John Main amidst a goodly gathering of hoppers!
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The badly missed penalty by Aaron Kirk in the fifteenth minute.
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Andy Colton, Vice-president and former chairman of the Wigan & District Amateur League with The Laithwaite Shield
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Golborne Sports have their main team in The Cheshire League, but they also have a side in The Wigan & District Amateur League.
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Sunday 2nd June 2024 (at Thrapston)
East Midlands Women’s League Division 1
Ockbrook & Borrowash Women  (won toss) 79 all out (32.4 overs)
lost to
Thrapston Women 80 for 4 (23.2 overs)
by 6 wickets
Umpires: Kate Marshall & Eddie McGeown
An opening stand of 60 by the visitors, suggested that a good score was in the offing. However, the next nine wickets yielded a paltry nineteen runs in almost seventeen overs. The hosts did not start confidently, slipping to 18 for 3 after nine overs, but a confident stand of 54 took them close to the winning tape, and eleven balls later, they romped home to win by 6 wickets, in the shadow of St James’ spire on a very warm afternoon.
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Wednesday 5th June 2024
Northants Women’s Midweek League (@ Overstone Park)
Thrapston Yellow 152 for 3 (20 overs)
defeated
Overstone Park Women   (won toss) 90 for 4
by 62 runs
Umpire: Eddie McGeown
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Friday 7th June 2024
T20 Vitality Blast Northern Group Stage (@ Northampton)
Northamptonshire Steelbacks (won toss) 169 for 4
(20 overs)
defeated.
Worcestershire Rapids 163 for 9 (20 overs)
by 6 runs
Umpires: Russell Warren & James Middlebrook
A pleasant evening with bright sunlight at Wantage Road and a half full stadium to see a fairly tepid encounter, only enlivened at the end, when the visitors needed eleven off the last over with two wickets remaining. Three balls later, the deficit was reduced to seven to win. Then the hosts took a wicket and no further runs were scored!
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Saturday 8th June 2024
Northants. Cricket League Division 1
@ Loddington
Loddington 181 all out (46.2 overs)
drew with
Thrapston(won toss) 156 for 9 (53 overs)
Umpires: Terry Owen & Eddie McGeown
Scorers: Simon Blackett & Ned Kelly
The idyllic surrounds of Loddington Playing Fields hosted this close encounter and after a rain delayed start, Thrapston inserted the hosts who posted a pretty competitive total, which included a half century from Jamie Esler. In reply, the visitors were always behind the clock and indeed with twelve overs to go, found themselves 82 runs adrift with nine wickets down. The final pairing managed to hold out for the remaining overs to claim an unlikely draw. An excellent tea provided by the hosts, which was an unusual occurrence since the COVID-19 outbreak as most cricket teams no longer provide teas!
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Sunday 9th June 2024
East Midlands Women’s Cricket League
Division 2 (@ Nassington)
Nassington Women (won toss) 68 all out (31.1 overs)
defeated
Hinckley Women  41 all out (20.5 overs)
Umpire: Eddie McGeown
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Wednesday 12th June 2024
Cricket @ Peterborough Town CC
Northants Over 50s     (won toss) 240 for 3 (45 overs)
lost to
Huntingdonshire Over 50s     243 for 5 (44.2 overs)
by 5 wickets
Umpires: Martyn Dobbs & Eddie McGeown
Scorer: Nathan Armstrong
A closely fought contest which went down to the very last over.  A handsome tea provided by the hosts, Huntingdonshire.
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Nathan Armstrong in the score-box
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It looks like an indoor tennis facility adjacent to the cricket pitch. 
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Thursday 13th June 2024
National Schools U-17 Cup (@ Stamford School)
Stamford School U-17     141 for 8 (20 overs)
lost to
Uppingham School    (Won toss) 143 for 3 (18.2 overs)
by 7 wickets.
Umpires: John Willcock & Eddie McGeown
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Friday 14th June 2024
@ Billericay Town
Lloyd’s Bank 8
Rhys Tyress (og) 24, Simon Walton 26, Harry Talbot 33, 37, Jack Mead 72, 75, George Nash 87, 90
London Police 0
Referee: Mark Jacobs.                                Attendance: 10
Admission: F.O.C.                                       Programme: NONE
New Lodge, home of, Billericay Town, has changed unimaginably since my only previous visit in 2011. It is now a pretty impressive stadium, albeit with a plastic playing surface. Lloyd’s Bank FC were also pretty impressive in their fine victory over London Police. They led 4-0 at the interval and after making eight half-time changes, they doubled that score in the second period. Indeed, were it not for some impressive saves by the police custodian and some incredibly glaring misses by the Bank’s profligate strikers, the score would have been much higher than the attendance! With John Main.
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Monday 17th June 2024
On a cloudless, sunny morning, the way led across the playing field, past the new fitness facility, and over to St James’ Church, standing proudly in the azure firmament. From there, down Church Gap and across the fields – and the railway line – with the village of Thorpe-by-Water clearly visible in the distance. The River Welland was sluggish and opaque, covered in reeds and weeds. Under the railway bridge that once carried the Rugby to Peterborough line and across to the village of Lyddington, passing a convenient resting place en route. More fields with long grass and herds of cows on the way to Caldecott where the parish church of St John the Evangelist, proudly pointed its spire towards increasingly cloudy skies. On the way out of the village, a flower shop by the roadside proudly displayed its colourful wares. The fields were covered in waste high grass and walking was difficult. Gretton Weir was low and cluttered, but it was good to see the tower of St James Church once more and to climb back into Gretton past the new houses on the steep path up to Arnhill. Opposite The Bluebell Inn, the Baptist Church had a graveyard wall bedecked with flowers in commemoration and celebration of two hundred years of service to the community. 8.25 miles and 13 stiles.
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Wednesday 19th June 2024
Northants Women’s Midweek League @ Geddington
Geddington Women 78 for 6 (20 overs)
defeated
Thrapston Women Green (won toss) 47 all out
by 31 runs
Umpire: Eddie McGeown
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Saturday 22 June 2024
Cricket @Uppingham School
Uppingham School Girls 117 for 6 (20 overs)
defeated
Oundle School Girls (won toss) 95 for7 (20 overs)
by 22 runs
Umpire: Eddie McGeown
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Sunday 23rd June 2024
East Midlands Women’s Cricket League Division 1
@ Kettering
Kettering Ladies (won toss) 119 all out (34.1 overs)
lost to
Blyth Women 120 for 2 (30.3 overs)
by 8 wickets
Umpires: Michael Carlisle & Eddie McGeown
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Monday 24th June 2024 Cricket @ Stamford School
Girls Cricket Festival
10.00am Eastbourne College U15 Girls 90 for 9 (100 balls)
lost to
Stamford School U15 Girls 91 for 7 (99 balls)
by 3 wickets
Umpires: Kiran Makwana & Eddie McGeown
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2.00pm Stamford School Girls U15 144 for 6 (20 overs)
defeated
Framlingham College U15 Girls 89 all out (18.4 overs)
by 55 runs
Umpires: Kiran Makwana & Eddie McGeown
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Tuesday 25th June 2024 Cricket @ Stamford School
Girls Cricket Festival
10.00am Framlingham College Girls (won toss) 167 for 3 (100 balls)
defeated
Eastbourne College Girls 114 for 7 (100 balls)
by 52 runs
Umpires: David Tress & Eddie McGeown
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2.00pm Seaford College Girls (won toss) 122 for 8 (20 overs)
lost to
Framlingham College Girls 124 for 4 (14.4 overs)
by six wickets
Umpires: David Tress & Eddie McGeown
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Wednesday 26th June 2024 Cricket @ Stamford School
Girls Cricket Festival
10.00am Seaford College U15 Girls 123 for 2 (100 balls)
lost to
Framlingham College U15 Girls (won toss) 126 for 7 (100 balls)
by 3 wickets
Umpires: Kiran Makwana & Eddie McGeown
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2.00pm Framlingham College U15 Girls (won toss) 103 for 2 (10 overs)
defeated
Eastbourne College U15 Girls 60 all out  (7.2 overs)
by 43 runs
Umpires: Kiran Makwana & Eddie McGeown
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Wednesday 26th June 2024
Northants Women’s Midweek Cricket League (8 aside)
@ Brixworth CC 6.00pm
Brixworth Women (won toss) 104 for 4 (20 overs)
lost to
Geddington Women 105 for 1 (13.1 overs)
by 7 wickets
Umpire: Eddie McGeown
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Saturday 29th June 2024
Northants Cricket League Division 1
@ Weekly & Warkton
Weekley & Warkton (won toss) 229 for 9 (50 overs)
defeated
Overstone Park 135 all out (35.4 overs)
by 94 runs
Umpires: Graham Lawman & Eddie McGeown
Scorers: Catherine Pringle & Lindsey Bates
After a dull morning, the sun came out in force for the afternoon session as the hosts posted a challenging total at Boughton Park. The visitors started positively, but then lost wickets regularly and subsided to a 94 run defeat. It was good to see two very professional and competent scorers (see below) supporting the on field umpires.
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Sunday 30th June 2024
Cricket @ Irthlingborough Town CC
Player Pathway fixture
Northampton & South U15  (won toss) 225 for 9 (40 overs)
defeated
East Northants U15 133 all out (24.3 overs)
by 92 runs
Umpires: Jeffrey Beale & Eddie McGeown
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May 2024

One Perfect Rose

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A single flow’r he sent me, since we met.

All tenderly his messenger he chose;

Deep-hearted, pure, with scented dew still wet –

One perfect rose.

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I know the language of the floweret

‘My fragile leaves,’ it said, ‘his heart enclose.’

Love long has taken for his amulet

One perfect rose.

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Why is it no one ever sent me yet

One perfect limousine, do you suppose?

Ah no, it’s always just my luck yo get

One perfect rose.

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Dorothy Parker (1893 – 1967)

 

Cricket (@ Oundle School)

Wednesday 1st May 2024

Yorkshire u14 128 all out (31.2 overs)

lost to

Northamptonshire u14 130 for 6 (29.4 overs)

by 4 wickets

Umpires: Colin Samuels & Eddie McGeown

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Cricket (@ Oundle School)

Thursday 2nd May 2024

Oundle School 1st XI 144 for 8 (25 overs)

tied with

Yorkshire CCC Academy 144 for 7 (25 overs)

Umpires: Danny Crowson & Eddie McGeown

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Friday 3rd May 2024 (@ Aylestone Park FC)
Leicester & Charnwood Sunday League
JD Berrington Griffin Senior Cup FINAL
Westend 5
Lynas King 22, 33, 82 (pen), Greg Mills 41, Shamar Petet 73,
Birstall Stamford 3
Arjun Hundal 16,Andre Article 26, Josh Crossley 69,
Referee: Noel McKenzie.                                                   Attendance: 181
Admission: OMGDS £2.00 (£5).                                     Programme: £2.00
Despite the heavy and unrelenting precipitation, this was a fine match at a surprisingly good standard. Both these teams were a credit to their league, but Westend had the greater fire power in an entertaining encounter!
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The winners (Westend) were accoutred in a fetching shade of pink!
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Saturday 4th May 2024
Peterborough & District League Premier Division
Tydd 1
Stanground Sports 8
Referee: Phil Hayes.                                                       Attendance: 34
Admission: F.O.C.                                                          Programme: NONE
A small changing rooms and kitchen and a field surrounded by a rope, were the facilities available at Tydd St Mary’s Playing Field (there was an excellent village shop at the end of the road supplying very reasonably priced victuals!). This was the hosts final game and perched perilously, just above the relegation drop zone, they now have to rely on favourable results from elsewhere to help them to avoid the drop. High flying Stanground Sports were in total command throughout, scoring four goals in each half, including a hat-trick for Taylor Duthie. Good to see Paul Jeffrey from Ely in attendance on a sunny afternoon.
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Sunday 5th May 2024 (@Thrapston)
East Midlands Women’s Cricket League Division 1 
Blyth Women 72 all out (25.5 overs)
lost to
Thrapston Women  75 for 5  (20.5 overs)
by 5 wickets
Umpires: Keith Simpson & Eddie McGeown
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Monday 6th May 2024
Cricket @ Kettering Town CC
Huntingdonshire u14 157 for 9 (40 overs)
defeated
Kettering & Corby u15 143 all out (33.3 overs)
by 14 runs
Umpires: Colin Megennis & Eddie McGeown
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Tuesday 7th May 2024
Cambridgeshire County League Division 1B
Exning United 3
Alex Prigg 64, 69, 71,
Needingworth United 3
John Gifford 10, Ben Carter 33, Charlie Whitehead 35,
Referee: Carlton Joseph.                                                         Attendance: 18
Admission: F.O.C.                                                                    Programme: NONE
Hansel & Gretel country, the little house in the woods where the players get changed and a football pitch surrounded by trees. The population of Exning is less than 2,000 but they have a football club competing well in the Cambridgeshire League even though the village is situated in Suffolk! The visitors, playing their last game of the season, drew their playing position out of a hat, which meant that their top striker was in goal and central defender in attack! It all worked well in the first half as they powered to a three goal advantage, but the hosts had the better of the second period and the match deservedly ended all square.
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Wednesday 8th May 2024 (@Geddington CC)
Northants Women’s Cricket League
Overstone Park Women (won toss) 103 for 3 (20 overs)
lost to
Geddington Women 106 for 0 (11 overs)
by ten wickets.
Umpire: Eddie McGeown
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Thursday 9th May 2024
Central Midlands Alliance Premier Division South
AFC Normanton 1
Josh Manifold 38,
Linby Colliery Welfare 2
Ashton Bernard 1, Ashley Mellor (og) 76,
Referee: Richard Thompson.                                             Attendance: 49
Admission: £2.00.                                                               Programme: £2.00
Not much to see at Boundary Meadows. There was a railed pitch and a building with changing rooms and a window for refreshments and drinks. This was the host’s third game in six days and a very end of season affair. The visitors opened the scoring within the very first minute. The hosts replied before half-time. A draw would have been a fair result, but, with fifteen minutes remaining, the home centre-half walloped a clearance against the head of his own custodian and the ball ricocheted into the net to give the visitors victory. Good to see Jack Warner in attendance!
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AFC Normanton
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Linby Colliery Welfare 
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Matchday programme
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Friday 10th May 2024 
Cricket @ Stamford School
U13 National Cup
King Edward School Birmingham (won toss) 191 for 6 (30 overs)
defeated
Stamford School 43 all out (18 overs)
by 148 runs
Umpires: Martyn Dobbs & Eddie McGeown
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Saturday 11th May 2024
Cricket @ Oundle School
Oundle School U15A (won toss) 172 for 9 (35 overs)
lost to
Rugby School 173 for 4 (22.4 overs)
by 6 wickets
Umpires: Alan Pearce & Eddie McGeown
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Sunday 12th May 2024
Cricket @ Kettering Town CC
East Midlands Women’s Cricket League Division 1
Kirkby Portland Women (Won toss) 157 for 4 (40 overs)
defeated
Kettering Ladies 140 for 6 (40 overs)
by 17 runs
Umpires: Keith Timpson & Eddie McGeown
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Monday 13th May 2024
Sheffield & Hallamshire Senior County league
Premier Division
Houghton Main 0
Jubilee Sports 1
Jay Evison 39 (pen),
Referee: Andrew Price.                                                       Attendance: 60
Admission:- F.O.C.                                                             Programme: NONE
Quite an attractive ground, railed on three sides with the fourth side open to the cricket pitch and, behind it, the cricket pavilion which serves both football and cricket. There was a quite substantial 120 seater stand on the far side of the pitch, but no hard standing. The match wasn’t a classic. The hosts are in relegation trouble whilst the visitors sit comfortably in third place. The only goal came from the penalty spot around five minutes before the half-time whistle.
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The only goal came from the penalty spot  ………….
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…………….. around 5 minutes before half-time
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Houghton Main
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Jubilee Sports
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Wednesday 15th May 2024
Oxfordshire Senior League Premier Division
Adderbury Park 5
Jimmy Hunt 11,  Joe Thornton 15, 21, Durrell Lives 73, Jack Welch 77,
Launton Sports 4
Charlie Bateman 40, 76, 86, Mike Dann 71,
Referee: Adam Morris.                                                          Attendance: 22
Admission: F.O.C.                                                                  Programme: NONE
Tucked away in the far reaches of the village on the edge of the Northamptonshire/Oxfordshire border, in the shadow of the 13th Century parish church of St Mary The Virgin, The Adders ply their trade on a field with a changing and refreshment facility. They raced into a 3-0 lead in the opening half-hour, but were pegged back by the interval. In the second period, Launton came back strongly, never actually reaching parity, but giving a good account of themselves. With son, Jim, and grandsons, Sonny & Kingsley.
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Saturday 18th May 2024
Northants Cricket League Division 1 (@Peterborough Town CC)
Burton Latimer   (won toss) 219 for 7 (50 overs)
lost to
Peterborough Town II   223 for 5 949.1 overs)
by five wickets
Umpires: David Brackenbury & Eddie McGeown
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Sunday 19th May 2024
East Midlands Cricket League Division 1  (@ Thrapston CC)
Kettering Ladies 190 for 5 (40 overs)
defeated
Thrapston Women (won toss) 118 all out (38 overs)
by 72 runs
Umpires: Alan Pearce & Eddie McGeown
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Tuesday 21st May 2024
Herts Senior County League Premier Division
Chipperfield Athletic 6
Charle Danks 16, Dan Griggs 17, 48, Adrian Abramian 56, 72, Louie Griffiths 76, 
Cuffley Seniors 1
Dan Jones 61,
Referee: Ben Soll.                                                                 Attendance: 34
Admission: F.O.C.                                                               Programme: NONE
Heavy, unremitting precipitation, overcast and gloomy, but, a pitch in surprisingly excellent condition, despite the rainfall. There was a wooden clubhouse with a veranda which provided some protection from the elements (and a cup of coffee), and a railed pitch with dugouts, but no hard standing. The visitors started the match with eight players, but it was only after they had increased their numbers to ten, that they began to leak goals. 0-3 down at the interval, they conceded three more in the second half, but did manage a consolation. With John Main, Paul Proctor and Phil Evans.
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Thursday 23rd May 2024
Peterborough & District Sunday League Division 1
Thorpe Wood Rangers 1
Edmunds Grunstein 88,
Orton Wanderers 6
Jamal Nyang 27, 57, 85, 90+2, Spencer Hawkins 30, Louis Freeman 83,
Referee: Jonathan Clayton.                                                     Attendance: 17
Admission: F.O.C.                                                                     Programme: NONE
I once dropped a slip catch off my eldest son’s bowling at The Pearl Assurance ground in Castor. The majestic building is still there, but looking very decrepit. The short, stubby tower of St Kyneburgha’s parish church peaks over the treetops as this evening’s visitors enjoyed a well deserved, heavy victory, going 3-0 up shortly after the interval, but then four more goals were packed into the final seven minutes! With John Main.
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Saturday 25th May 2024
Northants Cricket League Division 1 (@Weekley & Warkton CC)
Weekly & Warkton(won toss) 206 for 6 (50 overs)
tied with
Thrapston 206 all out (49.2 overs)
Umpires: Richard Nuttall & Eddie McGeown
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Sunday 26th May 2024
Rutland League Division 1 (@ Uppingham CC)
Newborough (won toss) 132′ all out (39 overs)
drew with
Uppingham 27 for 3 (7.2 overs) RSP
Match abandoned
Umpires: Andy Watson & Eddie McGeown
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Monday 27th May 2024
Cricket @ Nassington CC
Notts U11 Girls (won toss) 108 for 3 (20 overs
defeated
Northants U11 Girls 47 all out in 18 overs
by 61 runs
Umpires: Simon Clark & Eddie McGeown
____________________________
Northants U11 Girls (won toss) 110 for 1 (20 overs)
defeated
Notts U11 Girls 76 all out (18 overs)
by 34 runs
Umpires: Simon Clark & Eddie McGeown
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Tuesday 28th May 2024
Cricket @ Raunds CC
Northants Over 60s 98 for 8 (20 overs0
defeated
Berkshire Over 60s(won toss) 48 for 9 (20 overs)
by 40 runs
Umpires: Paul Bartlett & Eddie McGeown
This was a rain affected game which started off as a fifty overs aside contest, due to begin at 1.00pm. It was reduced to 30 overs aside from 3.00pm and when the rain continued, and it was further reduced to the minimum of twenty overs aside from 5.00pm.
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Wednesday 29th May 2024
Cricket @ Finedon Dolben CC
Horton House Women (won toss) 92 for 5 (20 overs)
defeated
Finedon Dolben Women 89 for 5 (20 overs)
by 3 runs
Umpires: Eddie McGeown
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April 2024

FIXTURES

Don’t get me wrong, I’d love nothing more
than to commune with Mother Nature.
But what can I do? It’s out of my hands:
Nigeria are playing Croatia.

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What’s that? Another meal on your own?
You’re quite right, there is nothing bleaker.
But this is the big one. I’ve waited all day.
Switzerland – Costa Rica.

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Sorry I shall miss your mum’s funeral
but I should be there in time for the wake.
Do understand, it’s Morocco – Iran
and for both teams there’s so much at stake.

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I see that you’ve filed for divorce.
I’ll sign the papers as soon as I can,
just ten minutes more (plus time added on)
of Colombia versus Japan.

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by Brian Bilston
Tuesday 2nd April 2024
Staying at Garth Ucha, a lovely, but lonely old farmhouse near Llanyblodwel in The Welsh Marches, south and west of Oswestry. Our walk took us down to the fast flowing river and across a rickety footbridge. A false turn brought us into contact with an alpaca, before we encountered a steep bridleway with a bubbling stream cascading downwards which making the footage fairly risky. High up at the top was the tiny hamlet of Soar with its own Methodist Chapel … whilst far away, across the valley, we could espy another, much more conventional religious establishment. We descended by waterlogged fields and a narrow road which drew us toward the church of St Michael the Archangel. The rector, Kathy Trimby, has been in charge for ten years, but is shortly moving to Australia. Across the narrow bridge over Afon Tanat (River Tanat), is “The Horseshoe Inn”, but, sadly there was no sign of life. A mile and a half along the riverside and a steep rise brought us back to Garth Ucha. 6.2 miles and three stiles.
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Tom Parkin & Matt Knowles
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Tom Parkin & Matt Knowles
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Eddie at the front and Matt behind
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Wednesday 3rd April 2024
Lock Stock Ardal North East Division
Penrhyncoch 3
Rhys Jenkins 45+1, 72, Dion Phillips 61,
Dolgellau Athletic 1
Isaac Pridmore (og) 32,
Referee: Jefferson Townsend.                                               Attendance: 131
Admission: £5.00.                                                                   Programme: £2.00
The tiny village (1,500 souls) of Penrhyncoch down on the Welsh west coast, houses a pretty efficient football set up. The ground has a stand behind one goal with 200 seats and a stand along one side with maybe 70 seats and a further covered standing area. On the pitch, they sit proudly at the top of Ardal North East by a considerable margin and though they fell behind (playing up the gradient) in this match, they had drawn level by the interval and two second half strikes assured them of victory against their local rivals and a step nearer the championship. Very friendly club and a good contest!
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Thursday 4th April 2024
North East Wales Football League Premier Division
Castell Alun Colts 2
Craig Worthington 79, Daniel Woosey 81 (pen),
Mynydd Isa 3
Jack Aitken 38, Lewis Tudor 42, Braden Lavin 90+2,
Referee: Arthur Smallman.                                              Attendance: 43
Admission: F.O.C.                                                             Programme: NONE
This is the fourth level of Welsh football, the ground is a railed pitch with hard standing down one side and no cover, which was prescient on a wet evening. It was, however, a cracker of an encounter. Last week, the hosts led 1-0 at Mynydd Isa until the 86th minute when they were hit with two goals. Tonight, they went two goals down by half-time and fought back with vigour, as the local railway train chuntered by, to gain parity with less than ten minutes to go. Mynydd Isa scored the winner in the second minute of added time. Very entertaining contest.
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Saturday 6th April 2024
West Midlands (Regional) League Division 1
Bustleholme 3
Ethan Masson 6, 80, Joe Clarke 56,
Wyrley 0
Referee: Ajay Sharma.                                                  Attendance: 25
Admission: £4.00.                                                        Programme: NONE
Bustleholme, in their short history, have played home fixtures at Bilston and Tipton and on Oldbury United’s old ground in Rowley Regis. Now, they are ensconced at the Walsall campus of The University of Wolverhampton on a plastic pitch in a soulless cage with viewing down one side only and no cover or seating. On the pitch, this afternoon, they effectively disposed of the opposition, despite the very windy conditions. The ground is heavily outlined at the foot of the plan of the Walsall campus photo (see below).
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The ‘ground’ is the heavily marked oval to the left of the plan
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Home side
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Away side
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Tuesday 9th April 2024
Northants Combination Division 2
Corby Rovers 7
Dylan Griffiths 2, 21, Danny Ward 29, 53, 62, Kaden McAlinden 67, Damien Allanson 85,
Burton Park Wanderers Reserves 1
Brad Towns 10, 
Referee: Thomas Lilly.                                                          Attendance: 18
Admission: F.O.C.                                                                 Programme: NONE
On a cold, showery evening at Jubilee Park in Corby, mid-table Rovers routed bottom team Burton Park in a contest that was far from one-sided. It just seemed like all the home sides chances went in, whilst the visitors, albeit fewer chances, missed the target. I haven’t seen a match here since my two eldest sons were playing and it brought back some memories! With John Main.
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Wednesday 10th April 2024
EFL League One
Peterborough United 3
Joal Randall 45+2,Harrison Burrows 55, Alex Iacovitti (og) 86
Port Vale 0
Referee: S. Martin.                                                             Attendance: 7,770
Admission: Hospitality.                                                    Programme: incl. (£3.50)
A spot of hospitality with my eldest and youngest sons at The Weston Homes Stadium. For some reason, the newish looking stand behind the furthest goal was not in use this evening. Port Vale are relegation threatened, whilst The Posh are looking good for a play-off spot. It took the hosts until the second minute of added time at the end of the opening period to score the first of their goals, but their increasing dominance saw two further second half strikes to seal a decisive victory.
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Liam and Jim, youngest and oldest sons!
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Thursday 11th April 2024
Spartan South Midlands League
Division 1 Cup Semi-final
Rothwell Corinthians 0
Moulton 2
Josh Adams 23, Andy Hall 79,
Referee: Nicholas Marriott.                                                               Attendance: 161
Admission: OMGDS £3.00 (£5).
Programme: NONE
Grandson, Freddie, was making his first visit to Sergeant’s Lawn, home of Corinthians, and there was a decent crowd for this cup semi-final – certainly double the normal attendance. This was a fractious, ill-tempered match, especially in the second half, when there were several ‘melees’. Moulton were the better side and deserved the victory, but the hosts had plenty of opportunities but never hit the target!
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Grand son Freddie Arthur McGeown
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Saturday 13 April 2024
Southern Combination Division1
Roffey 2
Ricardo Fernandes 62, Kelvin Lucas 87,
Seaford Town 0
Referee: Ryan Calver.                                                  Official Attendance: 82
Admission: £6.00.                                                        Programme: Included
Chennells Brook, home of The Boars, is a small, sparsely furnished stadium, which nonetheless has both charm and appeal, giving the feel of Hansel and Gretel in the woods with the added welcome and friendliness of the club officials. Roffey are already champions of this division looking forward with relish to step 5 next season, the visitors are favourites for the runners-up spot. The first half was best forgotten, but the champions stamped their authority on this game with two decisive second half strikes. With John Main.
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Yours truly at the entrance!
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Monday 15th April 2024
Premier League 2
Leicester City U21 3
Oliver Ewing 4, 7, Logan Briggs 79,
Stoke City U21 0
Referee: Dale Baines                                                              Attendance: 322
Admission: OMGDS £3.00 (£5)                                         Programme: free team sheet
A fairly straightforward stroll in the park for the young Leicester team. Two goals in the first seven minutes laid the foundation and from then on they were never unduly pressured. A third goal came ten minutes from the end to add icing to the cake. It was nice to see Sammy Braybrooke back from serious injury (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) and also Chris Popov. Very cold with a biting wind and patches of heavy rain.
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Tuesday 16th April 2024
Northants Combination Division 1
Crick Athletic 5
Mikey Hall 41, Carlton McKinley 70, Mate Karolyi 76, 89, Dom Gallagher 84,
Bugbrooke St Michael B 0
Referee: Paul Martin.                                                      Attendance: 11
Admission: F.O.C.                                                           Programme: NONE
A rare evening fixture on The Crick Playing Field with its well equipped facilities – changing rooms and social centre – and amidst the showers and the rainbows, they managed to get a full match in despite the gathering gloom of a spring evening. These two teams are becalmed in mid-table with equal points, until tonight’s match which saw the hosts score a well deserved, convincing victory.
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Thursday 18th April 2024
Cricket @ Stamford School
Girls T20 Knock-out Cup 1st Round
Stamford Girls 113 for 4 (20 overs)
lost to
Greshams Girls (won toss) 116 for 2 (14.2 overs)
by 8 wickets
Umpires: Colin Megennis & Eddie McGeown
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Thursday 18th April 2024
Northern Premier League Midlands Division 1
Anstey Nomads 2
Zayn Hakeem 44, 53,
Corby Town 2
Jack Keeble 42, Tristan Thompson-Matthews 83,
Referee:                                                                         Attendance: 337
Admission: OMGDS £6.00 (£10).                          Programme: on line
Fairly wet and miserable – and cold – for this match which had suddenly become important to the hosts with leaders, Harborough Town, deducted six points and losing top spot in the division. Nomads are in second place now and quite capable of achieving automatic promotion. Two goals late in the first period saw the game finely balanced at 1-1 . Early in the second half, Nomads took the lead and held it until seven minutes from full time, when The Steelmen spoiled the party by equalising. The draw was a fair result. With eldest son, Jim.
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Anstey Nomads
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Corby Town
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Saturday 20th April 2024
Cricket @ Stamford School
Stamford School (won toss) 307 for 9 (50 overs)
defeated
Oundle School 184 all out (43.5 overs)
by 123 runs
Umpires: Colin Megennis & Eddie McGeown
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Tuesday 23rd April 2024
Spartan South Midlands League
Division 1 Cup FINAL (@ Newport Pagnell FC)
Moulton 4
Luca Iciafano 4, Josh Melling 7, 84, Nat Ansu 88,
Northampton Sileby Rangers 2
Nathan Burrows 14, Iain Blake 45+5, Dean Love s/o 40,
Referee: Ben Bright.                                                 Attendance: 129
Admission: £8.00.                                                   Programme: F.O.C.
These two clubs are barely three miles apart as the crow flies. Quite why they had to play twenty miles away was beyond me! Three goals in the opening 15 minutes saw Moulton take the advantage and then, Sileby had their goalkeeper sent off for handling the ball outside the area. The ten men pulled level just before the interval and battled determinedly throughout the second half, but couldn’t prevent two late goals which gave the tie and the trophy to Moulton. The free programme had lots of information on Sileby and none (apart from squad names) about Moulton. With grand son Freddie.
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Wednesday 24th April 2024
Bedfordshire County League Premier Division
AFC Oakley 5
Chisom Amani 17, 70, Emoji Seoluwa 26, Joel Ives 43, Jonathan Tite 90+4,
Elstow Abbey 3
Joel Simpson37, Lamar Smithson 51 (pen), Craig Damon 80,
Referee: Shabz Hussain.                                            Attendance: 41
Admission: F.O.C.                                                       Programme: NONE
A well appointed, football community at the small village of Oakley just north of Bedford, with a railed pitch and dug-outs and a very modern social club. The hosts, in fourth place, were hoping to overtake the visitors, one point and one place above them. Oakley raced into an early, two goal lead, were pegged back, but restored their two goal advantage by the break. In the second period, four goals were shared and the hosts gained the victory, the points and third place in the table. With John Main.
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Saturday 27th April 2024
Velocity Wessex League Division 1
East Cowes Victoria 5
Jacob Reynolds 3,Jake Wright 45+2, Jez Conway 49, Ji Nash 62,  Raff Boyd-Kerr 76,
Frimley Green 0
Referee: W. Prior.                                             Attendance: 231
Admission: £3.00 (one price).                       Programme: on line.
An hour on the ferry down the Solent and across to The Isle of Wight and a brisk 25 minute walk uphill to Beatrice Avenue, home of The Vics. There was hard standing all round the pitch, a hundred seater stand and some further cover along the same side. Play-off chasing Vics needed to better Fleetlands result by at least two goals to overtake them into the play-offs and although they scored five against relegation threatened Frimley Green, it wasn’t enough as Fleetlands also won by 4-0. With John Main.
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The ferry that carried us across to The Isle of Wight
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The author in solemn splendour in the outdoor stand!
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Sunday 28th April 2024
Vanarama National League North
Play-off Semi-final
Brackley Town 1
Riccardo Calder 78,
Chorley 0
Referee: Will Davis.                                                    Attendance: 1,889 (378 away)
Admission: £15.00.                                                    Programme: £3.00
On a cold and wet afternoon at St James’ Park, neither of these two teams played well and at the end of a dour encounter, the hosts progressed to the play-off final with a goal fifteen minutes from time. In the final, they will host Boston United, who eliminated Scunthorpe United in the other semi-final. With son, Jim and grand sons, Sonny and Kingsley.
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An unseemly meleé at the end of the match
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Grandsons, Kingsley (left) and Sonny
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Tuesday 30th April 2024
Cricket @ Stamford School – U17 Knock-out Cup
Retford School (won toss) 275 for 6 (35 overs)
defeated
Stamford School 214 all out (35 overs)
by 60 runs
Umpires: Martyn Dobbs & Eddie McGeown
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March 2024

Springtime casts a spell of green,

Paints flowers opening to the sun,

Rains falls softly, saying ‘Wake’,

In a fresh world just begun.

Grow and burst, hatch and run.

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From “Seasons’ by Jo Peters.

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Friday 1st March 2024
Premier League 2
Manchester United u21 2
Zac Baumann 31, Ethan Williams 67,
Derby County u21 4
Tony Weston 22, 38, Cruz Allen 44, Bayo Fapetu 45+2
Referee: Elliot Bell.                                    Attendance: 956
Admission: F.O.C.                                      Programme: NONE
On a bitterly cold evening at Leigh Sports Village, Manchester United’s youngsters were well beaten by a rampant Rams team who might easily have added to their already emphatic victory. Entry was free, but complicated by having to acquire an on line ticket. There were no programmes or teamsheets, nor was the official attendance available. Made me quite pleased that Derby County won!
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Saturday 2nd March 2024 11.00am.
North West Counties League Premier Division
Longridge Town 2
Morgan Homson-Smith 20, Mitchell Marshall 45+1
Padiham 3
Jack Price 27, Joel Brownhill 38, Tyler James 78,
Referee: Joe Hind.                                           Attendance: 438
Admission: OMGDS £4.00 (£7).                  Programme: £2.00
Cold and wet, but a great welcome from the club and a pretty good match with a decent atmosphere. Padiham probably deserved the victory, but the hosts made them work hard for it. All square at 2-2 at the interval, Padiham struck a late winner around ten minutes from time.
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On the far side of the ground was the cricket pavilion with the foothills of the Pennines looming behind.
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There was snow on the hills in the distance, but no more than a thin drizzle below!
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Saturday 2nd March 2024, 2.00pm
East Lancashire League, Bob Little Trophy – Group B
Peel Park 4
Joe Shaw 17, Ryan Bramley 36, Ash Adair 74, Jimmy Broadhurst 85,
Hapton 4
Shane Kennedy 40, 64, Charlie Trickett 70, Steve Burbeck 81,
Referee: James Sykes.                                                  Attendance: 31
Admission: F.O.C.                                                         Programme: NONE
A first visit to Peel Park, former home of Accrington Stanley FC, on a wet, rainy afternoon. The referee had teamsheets, but none of the numbers corresponded to the numbers on the players shirts! This was step ten or eleven, after all. There was some small evidence of the old ground and The Peel Park Inn was serving drinks to take to pitch side. The match was a rip roaring tussle with neither side managing to gain the upper hand on a mud encrusted match. In this trophy, these two teams are 3rd and 4th out of five, so not a lot rested on the outcome, but both sides gave it their all in an eventful match.
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The Peel Park Hotel
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The forbidding brick built changing rooms with not a window in sight!
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Accrington Stanley FC played in The Football League from 1921 until 1962. Their predecessor, simply named Accrington, were founder members of The Football League in 1888, but resigned in 1893 rather than accept relegation to Division 2. They folded in 1896. Accrington did not have a Football League club again until in 1921/22, when the Lancashire Combination’s Accrington Stanley, who used to be rivals of the original Accrington, were promoted to Football League Division 3 North. Accrington Stanley resigned from The Football league in March 1962 (before the end of the season) with debts of around £60,000. The present club were founded in October 1968 and regained Football League status in 2005/06 following promotion from Conference National. Peel Park is the original home of Accrington Stanley, though little now remains to identify it as such.
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Sunday 3rd March 2024 11.45am
North West Counties League Division 1 North
Euxton Villa 3
Dan Singleton 24, 63, Joshua Briggs 37,
Darwen 0
Referee: Sam Oldfield.                                                  Attendance: 618
Admission: OMGDS £3.00 (£6).                               Programme: £2.00
Spelt “Euxton” pronounced “Exton”, three or four miles from the great metropolis of Chorley, they moved to their present ground in 1986, a gift from a benefactor and joined The NWCL in 2022. The attendance today set a new record for the club, who are presently ensconced in mid-table security. On the other hand, Darwen have the pedigree of being a former football League club, but today it was the parvenu who had the upper hand with a convincing victory on a fine sunny morning.
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Sunday 3rd March 2024, 2.30pm
North West Counties League Premier Division
Charnock Richard 7
Luke Power 5, Spencer Bibby 32, Nathan Nickeas44, 55, 64, Fenton Davies 79, Kevin Spinelli 87,
Skelmersdale United 1
Jacob Rodrigues 89,
Referee: Thomas De Prez.                                         Attendance: 534
Admission: OMGDS £4.00 (£6).                            Programme: £2.00
More than just a motorway service station on The M6 and more than just whipping boys for Chorley’s pre-season preparations, Charnock Richard were promoted to the NWCL in 2016 after several very successful seasons in the West Lancashire League. They were immediately promoted to the Premier Division and have remained there ever since gradually improving facilities at their Mossie Park home. Skelmersdale United, despite the inclusion of former Wigan Athletic, Tottenham Hotspur, Sunderland (amongst others) defender Pascal Chimbonda in their defence, as player coach, were no match for the home sides clinical and devastating attack. Seven goals were plundered before the visitors purloined their 89th minute consolation!
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Monday 4th March 2024, 7.00pm
Premier League 2 (at Seagrave Sports Complex)
Leicester City u21 2
Silko Thomas 15, 45+1,
Leeds United u21 0
Referee: Greg Rollason.                                                 Attendance: 260
Admission: OMGDS £3.00 (£5).                                 Free team sheet
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Saturday 9th March 2024
Western League Division 1
AEK Boco 1
Sam Thomas 25,
Cheddar 0
Referee: David Trevaskus.                                             Attendance: 82
Admission: OMGDS £2.00 (£6).                                 Programme: £1.00
The hosts, with their Greek/Argentinian derivation, too esoteric to explain concisely, are enjoying only their third season at Step 6, and have constructed a small, but comfortable stadium which sadly will not support the team above Step 5. They hope to gain promotion to The Southern League and have plans for an alternative stadium and a 3G surface. Today’s contest was not a classic. Cheddar, along with Bishops Sutton, are well adrift at the foot of the table, but they fought well and the hosts were restricted to a single early strike. The groundsman and Trustee, Jack Winter, was very forthcoming on information about the club and its ambitions. He also gave both me and John Main a club badge!
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The ground (True Clarity Walton Pavilion) is owned by South Gloucestershire Council and leased at a peppercorn rent to the club, who have built the club house and erected floodlights. However, it is in a public park and rights of way have to be observed, so, should the club reach a higher standard than Step 5, they will need to find a new home!
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Yours truly, captured from behind by John Main!
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The 2024 Scottish “Hop”

Took a hire car – a little one litre VW Golf – up to Scotland with John Main doing most of the driving, because I was not feeling particularly well. I’ve had a bad chest for a couple of weeks and I just can’t seem to shake it off! We had booked in at The Premier In south Stirling at junction 9 on The M9 motorway for two nights, but before that we went to the first match!

Friday 15th March 2024 7.45pm
East of Scotland League Division 2
Armadale Thistle 3
Kameron Jackson 13, Colin Strickland 83, Declan Wood 85,
Ormiston Primrose 2
Jacob Riley 11, 42,
Referee: David Gallagher.                                         Attendance: 436
Admission: OMGDS £5.00 (£8).                            Programme: £2.00
Armadale FC once graced the Scottish second tier, but they faded and Thistle took over the mantle without ever reaching those dizzy heights. They presently ply their trade in the eighth tier of Scottish football at their eccentrically named Volunteer Park. This season, they are pushing for promotion, whilst their opponents are several points adrift of safety at the foot of the table. It was squeaky bum time tonight. The visitors, demolished 5-0 by tonight’s hosts on their own ground, twice took the lead, deservedly, in the first half and only succumbed to two very late strikes to save the host’s blushes. They deserved better! Good game, good to see so many friends once again.
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Saturday morning at 9.15am we set out for the first game of the day at Luncarty, north of Perth. It lies between the A9 to the west and The River Tay to the east.
Saturday 16th March 2024 11.15 am
East of Scotland League Premier Division
Luncarty 5
Kyle Woolley 21, Ross McLachlan 33, Jamie Mackie 34, Rhys Davies 41, Ben Scarborough 82,
Crossgates Primrose 3
Jake Sutherland 3, Cameron Muirhead 31, 74,
Referee: Daniel Graves.                                         Attendance: 386
Admission: OMGDS £4.00 (£7).                        Programme: £2.00
Nestling in the morning sunshine, but with minimal facilities and cover (gravel behind the near goal, the only hardstanding), Scotrail trains chuntering over the viaduct down one side, this match between two of the graveyard sides turned into a thriller, 4-2 to the home side at the interval and a mere two second period strikes provided a healthy crowd, (some eight times the clubs average attendance this season), with a very entertaining encounter!
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A Scotrail DMU passing by on the embankment!
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Michael Squires sitting in noble splendour!
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Saturday 16th March 2024 2.00pm
East of Scotland League Premier Division
Kinnoull 0
Pencuik Athletic 0
Referee: Robert Bowie.                                              Attendance: 356
Admission: OMGDS £3.00 (£7).                             Programme: £2.50
A very basic ground on Tulloch Road in Perth with no cover, no hardstanding and no floodlights (although new ones have been acquired and will be installed when funds allow). There were no goals, either, in a poor match where neither side seemed to be able to shoot accurately and the home side gained only their fifth point of the season from twenty-one games. The final whistle was a relief!
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Saturday 16th March 2024 4.45pm
East of Scotland League Premier Division
Jeanfield Swifts 1
Fraser Smith 6,
Dunbar United 1
Taylor henry 90+2 (pen)
Referee: Terry Ormiston.                                            Attendance: 385
Admission: OMGDS £4.00 (£7).                               Programme: £2.50
A compact ground with good facilities, but still no hardstanding round the pitch, apart from a fine covered terrace down one side. This was a dour encounter between two sides on the fringe of the promotion race. The hosts struck early in the sixth minute and the visitors replied late with a penalty right at the death. A fair result. Towards the end of the match, ominously, the rain began to fall.
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The away team strip was turquoise and navy
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The heavens opened on a foul evening and the drive to the final match – maybe an hour in the dark and wind and rain and pot-holed roads was very challenging.
Saturday 16th March 2024 8.00pm
East of Scotland League Premier Division
Sauchie Juniors 3
Danny Smith 10, 35 (pen), 45, Ross Kavanagh s/o 43
Hill o’ Beath Hawthorn 2
Daniel Watt 46, Jordan Tosh 83,
Referee: Chris Hobbs.                                                    Attendance: 447
Admission: OMGDS £5.00 (£10).                               Programme: £2.00
In filthy weather and on a seriously waterlogged pitch, at Sauchie Juniors fine Beachwood Park stadium, these two teams played out a rumbustious encounter with the hosts establishing a three goal first half advantage despite the dismissal of one of their players. Hill o’ Beath started the comeback within seconds of the restart and attacked the ten men with determination. Sadly, their only reward was a Jordan Tosh strike in the 83rd minute and Sauchie narrowly took the points and the victory.
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Sunday 17th March 2024
East of Scotland League Division 1
Whitburn 1
Darren Liddell 65,
Whitehill Welfare 0
Referee: Richard McCartney.                                               Attendance: 540
Admission: OAP £5.00 (£8).                                                Programme: £2.00
Central Park in Whitburn is a generic junior Scottish football ground. Indeed, Whitburn were a junior side until a couple of seasons ago, since when they have enjoyed two promotions. The pitch was heavy and undulating and not conducive to good football as these two sides slogged it out, aided and abetted by a concatenation of drum beating. A 65th minute strike settled the encounter in the host’s favour and they just about deserved it! Many thanks to Chris and the team for a very enjoyable weekend!
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Craig Dabbs at the entrance to Whitburn 
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The main drum band whose cacophony was kept up throughout the match
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Matchday programme
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Sunday 17th March 2024
Scottish AFA Inter League Trophy 1st Round
Scottish Premier AFA 13 (thirteen!)
Connor McCabe 3, Shaun Rodgers 25, 34, Danny McBath 30, Mark Taylor 33, 37, 49, Liam Rowan 56, 86,Brandon Carmouche 60, 67, Connaire Dawson 80,
Andy Gilmartin 83
Dundee Saturday Morning League 0
@ New Tinto Park
Referee: Joe Cheney.                                          Attendance: 52
Admission: F.O.C.                                               Programme: NONE
Scott Struthers found this little tit-bit to round off the weekend oop north and it was a first visit to New Tinto Park, home of Benburb, after visiting the original ground almost exactly ten years ago. Houses cover the earlier footprint and the new home of Benburb is little more than a 3G pitch with no seating and a small covered stand on one side of the ground. The contest was a mismatch. Scotland’s premier amateur association demolished a pedestrian Dundee side with six first half goals and seven second half strikes.
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Saturday 23rd March 2024
Velocity Wessex League Premier Division
Hamble Club 1
Clayd Roach 77,
Brockenhurst 1
Ronan Moore 90+3
Referee: Christopher Cass.                                         Attendance: 95
Admission: £7.00 (£4).                                               Programme: On Line
Twelve years ago, I went to see GE Hamble play Fareham Town at Folland Park. Today’s team have no connection with that side (who are now called Folland Sports). Hamble Club play at The Abbey in Hamble-le-Rice in Southampton and are nicknamed (not surprisingly), ‘The Monks’. Brockenhurst, the visitors, are considerably higher in the league, but, today, they were fortunate to escape with a point, garnering an equaliser in the third minute of added time at the end of the match, having had a first half penalty saved.
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Tuesday 26th March 2024
Northern Premier League Midlands Division 1
AFC Rushden & Diamonds 4
Cairo Taylor 31, Tarik Dallas 35, Ryan Inman 69, Scott Jacob 79,
Cambridge City 1
Ryan Ingrey 6
Referee: Manesh Gupta.                                       Attendance: 269
Admission: OMGDS £8.00 (£11)                       Programme: On Line
The heavens opened on approach to the ground and the precipitation continued all evening. Hayden Road has been considerably improved by the hosts, but the iconic main stand is still out of use. Diamonds have endured a hellish season and before the match were rock bottom of the division. They went behind early on, but recovered to take a 2-1 interval lead. Cambridge then lost a player to a second yellow and the hosts drove home the advantage to win deservedly and convincingly …… but they only moved up one place and the threat of relegation still hangs over them!
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The South West Peninsular ‘Hop’

Thursday 28th March 2024. 250 miles to Exeter, booked into hotel. 25 miles to Honiton Town v Sidmouth Town. Arrived in plenty of time. Despite torrential rain, earlier in the day, the pitch looked perfectly playable. A lot of work had been undertaken by club volunteers, and yet, the referee called the match off at 6.45pm. He should have been at Sauchie juniors or Whitburn Juniors, two weeks ago. THEY PLAYED on surfaces substantially inferior to Honiton’s pitch. He could AT LEAST have started the match and called it off if conditions demanded. Was he frightened of a league referee’s assessor?
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Friday 29th March 2024 – 11.30am
South West Peninsular League
Premier Division East
Torrington 1
Tom Davey 19,
Crediton United 0
Referee: David Middleton.                                                 Attendance
Admission: OMGDS £4.00 (£6).                                      Programme: £2.00
The parish church of St Michael and all the angels commands the skyline at Vicarage Field. In 1646, after the Roundhead capture of Torrington, the Royalist captives were imprisoned in the church …. along with 80 barrels of Royalist gunpowder. Sadly for the captives, they were blown to kingdom come when somehow, the explosives ignited! The hosts – The Supergreens – considerably lower in the division, nonetheless took a deserved interval lead. They contrived to miss a penalty in driving rain in the fiftieth minute, but hung on till the end for victory and the points. Yours truly won the raffle worth£50.00!!!
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Eddie McGeown at the gates of Vicarage Field, Torrington.
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Eddie McGeown adorned in his Doctor Who scarf
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Friday 29th March 2024 – 3.00pm
South West Peninsular League
Premier Division East
Torridgeside 0
Okehampton Argyle 3
Brad Ausden 8, 12, Luke Mortimore 23,
Referee: Krzysztof Wegrzynowski.                                   Attendance: 451
Admission: OMGDS £4.00 (£6).                                     Programme: £2.50
The only hard standing at the ground is down (most) of the near side, but there is a good covered area and a small seated stand. Torridgeside are the junior of the two Torrington sides having been formed in 1989 and the major improvements to the ground were begun in 2020. They are struggling however around the foot of the table and a first half comical error by the home custodian started a mini goal spree for the visitors who held a three goal advantage at the interval. In the second half, the hosts were considerably more competitive, but the damage had been done and the hosts, try as they might could not pull back even one strike!
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Laurence Reade, right next to the stand with his satchel.
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Friday 29th March 2024 – 7.00pm
South West Peninsular League
Premier Division West
Holsworthy 0
Bude Town 0
Referee: Luke Dennis.                                                              Attendance: 906
Admission: OMGDS £4.00 (£6).                                           Programme: £1.00
The ground staff worked wonders on the sodden turf and the referee allowed play on a pitch that was not as good as Honiton, last evening. These two teams, less than ten miles apart served up a rip roaring first period, but lacking in goals despite the visitors having the edge, playing up the slope. The second period was more of the same, except that the hosts contrived to fluff two clear cut chances. Good game, despite the lack of goals!
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Saturday 30th March 2024 – 11.30am
South West Peninsular League Premier Division West
Liskeard Athletic 2
Ruben Kane 23, Max Gilbert 50
Dobwalls 0
Referee: Paul Redding                                                                Attendance: 508
Admission: OMGDS £4.00 (£6)                                              Programme: £1.00
Liskeard are flying high in the West division and took this game very comfortably despite the match opening with a monsoon of Biblical proportions. That had died away by the time the hosts scored the opening goal. After that, it was all plain sailing.
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Saturday 30th March 2024 – 3.00pm
South West Peninsular League
Premier Division East
Elburton Villa 1
Bentley Alcantara 56 (pen), Bentley Alcantara s/o 90+10
Bovey Tracey 2
Josh Haynes 15, 31, Mitch Thomas s/o 56, Neil Last s/o 90+10
Referee: Murat Kaymaz.                                                Attendance: 311
Admission: OMGDS £4.00 (£6).                                 Programme: £2.00
A minimalist ground with no cover, except that provided by a fifty seater Meccano stand. Two mid table teams and the visitors were comfortable winners despite having a man dismissed around the hour mark. The referee was exceptionally fussy and did not endear himself to a host of hoppers, and there were a further two dismissals deep into stoppage time!
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Saturday 30th March 2024 – 6.30pm
South West Peninsular League
Premier Division East
Ivybridge Town 6
Connor Rush 40, 90+3, Owen Pritchard 64, 74, 82, Bailey Mabin 79,
Dartmouth 0
Referee: Brandon Hawkins.                                                        Attendance: 388
Admission: OMGDS £4.00 (£6).                                               Programme: £1.00.
At half-time you would not have thought that more than 70 points separated these teams as top of the table Ivybridge held a slender single goal advantage over a spirited and challenging Dartmouth. The second half was a completely different kettle of fish. First of all, the rai s came and livened up the pitch, the visitors got tired and towards the end, the hosts piled on the pressure and the goals. They deserved to win, but one felt a certain admiration and sympathy for the visitors
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Sunday 31st March 2024 – k.o. 10.15am
Exeter & District Sunday League
Premier Division Cup Group B
Ide Green Rovers 3
Logan Burns 7, Sam Chapman 32, Jack Pullman 49,
St Martins AFC 2
Jake Langmaid 52, Matt Titmarsh 64,
Referee: Ashley Horn.                                                    Attendance: 11
Admission: F.O.C.                                                          Programme: NONE
Played at St Martins Minster Park ground which hosted a ‘hop’ match exactly six years ago today. The match had been switched because Ide Green Rovers haven’t been able to play a home match since January! It was a very good match. The hosts took a two goal interval lead and increased it within five minutes of the re-start and then had to withstand heavy St Martins pressure. Indeed, it is a miracle how they survived to achieve the victory. With five minutes to go, a St Martin’s player suffered a broken leg.
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Sunday 31st March 2024
FA Women’s National League
Division 1 South West
Torquay United Women 2
Kate McKane 32, Anthea Kaptein 45,
Maidenhead United Women 3
Izzy Stockton 22, Jade Hockney 82, Trinity Esprit 84,
Referee: Nuria Bonet.                                                             Attendance: 98
Admission: £5.00.                                                                  Programme: NONE
This match was played on the 3G surface at The Devon FA County Ground on Coach Road in Newton Abbot. The hosts are firmly ensconced in the relegation places whilst the visitors are ten points and four places better off. The visitors opened the scoring, however, against the run of play, but back came the hosts for a 2-1 interval advantage. The second half was an entirely different matter. The visitors ran the show, but it took two late goals to @claim the victory!
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Tuesday 2nd April 2024
Staying at Garth Ucha, a lovely, but lonely old farmhouse near Llanyblodwel in The Welsh Marches, south and west of Oswestry. Our walk took us down to the fast flowing river and across a rickety footbridge. A false turn brought us into contact with an alpaca, before we encountered a steep bridleway with a bubbling stream cascading downwards which making the footage fairly risky. High up at the top was the tiny hamlet of Soar with its own Methodist Chapel … whilst far away, across the valley, we could espy another, much more conventional religious establishment. We descended by waterlogged fields and a narrow road which drew us toward the church of St Michael the Archangel. The rector, Kathy Trimby, has been in charge for ten years, but is shortly moving to Australia. Across the narrow bridge over Afon Tanat (River Tanat), is “The Horseshoe Inn”, but, sadly there was no sign of life. A mile and a half along the riverside and a steep rise brought us back to Garth Ucha. 6.2 miles and three stiles.
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Tom Parkin & Matt Knowles
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Tom Parkin & Matt Knowles
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Eddie at the front and Matt behind
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February 2024

Daffodils

I wandered lonely as a cloud

That floats on high o’er vales and hills,

When all at once I saw a crowd,

A host, of golden daffodils;

Beside the lake, beneath the trees,

Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

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Continuous as the stars that shine

And twinkle on the milky way,

They stretched in never-ending line

Along the margin of a bay:

Ten thousand saw I at a glance,

Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

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The waves beside them danced; but they

Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:

A poet could not but be gay,

In such a jocund company:

I gazed—and gazed—but little thought

What wealth the show to me had brought:

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For oft, when on my couch I lie

In vacant or in pensive mood,

They flash upon that inward eye

Which is the bliss of solitude;

And then my heart with pleasure fills,

And dances with the daffodils.

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by William Wordsworth (1770 – 1850)
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Thursday 1st February 2024
Northants Senior Youth League North
Rothwell Corinthians u18 1
Preston Prins
AFC Rushden & Diamonds u18 6
Cian Shea 2, 29, 68, Jack Kuspert 14, Connor Buswell 42, Tomas Oliveria 86,
Referee: Chris Walton.                                             Attendance: 64
Admission: OMGDS £1.50 (£3).                           Programme: NONE
Corinthians’ youngsters were undone this evening by a Rushden side who have won every match this season. Four first half strikes put Diamonds firmly in control, but Corinthians fought gamely after the interval and scored one whilst only conceding a further two. Good game on a chilly evening.
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The results for the South division were:
Bugbrooke St Michaels White 2 ON Chenecks 1
Wellingborough Whitworth 0 Bugbrooke St Michaels Black 2
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Friday 2nd February 2024
Premier League 2 Cup Group G
Leicester City u21 3
Wanya Marcal 18, Silko Thomas 45+3, Oliver Ewing 75,
Brentford u21 2
Iwan Morgan 48 (pen) Kyreece Lisbie 86,
Referee: Alan Dale                            Attendance: 348
Admission: OMGDS £3.00            Programme: Free team sheet
After months of watching Leicester City u21s struggling and being regularly well beaten at Seagrave, tonight’s match was a welcome change. The young Foxes were well worthy of their victory and the margin of victory would have been even wider were it not for a careless defensive error some four minutes from time.
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Saturday 3rd February 2024
Velocity Wessex League Division 1
Verwood Town 0
Millbrook 3
Archie Greenhough 35, Jamie White 61, 90+2,
Referee: Omid Farjadpour.                                Official Attendance: 43
Admission: OAP £3.00 (£5).                             Programme: £2.00
We weren’t expecting much, but we were pleasantly surprised both by the friendliness of the welcome and the picturesque, rusticity of the ground. There were two covered areas down one side (one with a hundred seats) and hardstanding on three sides, but the ground was fairly open and you could easily watch the match without paying! Top of the table Millbrook eventually achieved a convincing victory, but the hosts competed well throughout and belied their lowly position in the table. The attendance conflicted with our head count of 77. With John Main.
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There were a lot of power cables overhanging the ground!
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Sunday 4th February 2024
FA Premier League
Manchester United 3
Rasmus Højlund 24, Alejandro Garnacho 49, 84,
West Ham United 0
Referee: Andrew Madley.                                         Attendance: 73,612
Admission: £39.00.                                                  Programme: £4.00
Only my twenty second visit to Old Trafford since my first in January 1962, but a lot has changed, yet despite it being an all seater ground, we stood for the entire match! The Hammers showed little appetite for the fight and meekly succumbed in an otherwise entertaining encounter. With son, Jim and grandsons, Sonny and Kingsley.
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I still have the programme from my first visit to Old Trafford in January 1962. Then, it cost 4d, today it cost £4
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Jim, Sonny, Kingsley
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Kingsley, Sonny and Jim
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Tuesday 6th February 2024
EFL League One
Cambridge United 0
Bolton Wanderers 0
Referee: David Rock.                               Attendance: c6,000
Admission: OMGDS £19 (£23).            Programme: £3.50
Quite how this match got started is questionable. It had rained all afternoon and evening and from the start the ball was held up by puddles and areas of waterlogged turf on the pitch. Nine minutes elapsed before the referee bowed to the inevitable and took the players off the pitch. He returned, briefly, with his colleague, but very soon appreciated that no further play would be possible!
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A very soggy Ed, Freddie and Mike!
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The massed banks of Bolton Wanderers fans behind the goal to our left – and the waterlogged goal area!
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Wednesday 7th February 2024
Lincolnshire League Premier Division
Crowle Colts 4
Joe Hare 7, 39, 76, Liam Snow 48,
Keelby United 4
Daniel Scrimshaw 6, Ben Cousins 50, Matthew Darwood 66, Coby Kavanagh 88,
Referee: Robert Elliott.                                              Attendance: 68
Admission: £2.00.                                                      Programme: £1.50
This was ambitious Crowle Colts second game under floodlights and more improvements are planned – hard standing around the pitch (with an avenue of silver birch behind one goal) and even plans for a large seated stand. In tonight’s crazy hotch-potch of a match, The Colts went behind after six minutes but regained parity a minute later, then took a 3-1 lead a couple of minutes into the second period, only to be pulled back to 3-3, taking the lead again with ten to go and then right at the death conceding the equaliser to an own goal! Good match, several ‘hoppers’ in attendance!
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Photograph, courtesy of Crowle Colts Twitter feed.
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The atmospheric avenue of silver birch behind the left hand goal.
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Saturday 10th February 2024
EFL Championship
Hull City 0
Swansea City 1
Liam Cullen 11,
Referee: Geoff Eltingham.                                              Attendance: 21,017
Admission: Hospitality (£154.80).                               Programme: incl. (£3.50)
Excellent hospitality. We were very well looked after and, of course, we all drank far too much! The game was pretty entertaining, but after the visitors scored in the eleventh minute, there was no way back for the hosts, try as they might.
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from left: Freddie (in grey), Kingsley, Jim, Jonny Crane, Liam, Aman Singh, Gary Miller, Rory Clarke, Sonny
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from the top: John Lord, Phil Evans and Mike
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Sonny to the front, then, Freddie, Kingsley and Jim.
From top left: Jim, Jonny Crane, Liam, Aman Singh
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Gary Miller and Rory Clarke
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Sonny, Freddie and Kingsley
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Tuesday 13th February 2024
EFL Championship
Leicester City 2
Abdul Fatawu 4, Jamie Vardy 36,
Sheffield Wednesday 0
Referee: Tom Nield.                                                   Attendance: 31,550
Admission: OMGDS £32.00 (£40).                       Programme: £3.50
A night out with two of my sons and three grandsons at a very wet King Power Stadium. The Owls were very poor in the first half, conceded after only four minutes and then again after 36 minutes, an exquisite strike by Jamie Vardy. The second half was much more even and there were times when the Foxes’ defence was rattled, but there was no question of where the points and the victory were going.
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Ed, Jim and Mike
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Sonny
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Freddie and Kingsley
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Wednesday 14th February 2024
Inter Services Triangular Tournament
British Army u23 1
Owen James 90+8
Royal Navy u23 1
Matthew Iceton 58
Referee: George Salloway.                                         Attendance: 70
Admission: F.O.C.            Programme: F.O.C.       Free team sheet.
The Military Stadium is, really, a one sided arena with a running track around the football pitch and viewing from a fifteen hundred seater stand down one side. The Army lost their opening fixture to The RAF and when The Navy opened the scoring just before the hour mark, it looked like a second defeat looming, in spite of the constant pressure exerted by the hosts. As the game wore on, so the pressure increased, until, eventually, in the eighth minute of added time, The Army clawed back a last gasp goal to draw the match!
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Saturday 17th February 2024, 3.30pm
Bundesliga
TSG 1899 Hoffenheim 0
Stanley Nsoki s/o 45+4
FC Union Berlin 1
Kevin Volland s/o 45+6 Brenden Aaronsson 84,
Referee: Robert Hartman.                                  Attendance: 19,050
Admission: OMGDS €42 (€44).                       Programme: NONE
A fine stadium barely two thirds full and a poor match punctuated by a tennis ball protest which added twelve minutes onto the first half, during which petulant period two players were dismissed (one from each side). The only goal came four minutes from time. The protest was over the increasing influence of money over football in Bundesliga, and it was the away contingent throwing the tennis balls. The walk up to the stadium gives a fine view of a couple of supersonic Concords high over The Sinsheim Technical Museum.
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The Sinsheim Technical Museum, on the way to the ground.
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Gary, Kevin Rory, Daz, Mike, and Adam on the right.
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Saturday 17th February 2024, 8.30pm
(German) Bundesliga 2
Karlsruher SC 2
Igor Matanovic 49, David Herold 64,
Fortuna Düsseldorf 2
Christos Tzolis 37, 51,
Referee: Karl Fritz.                                            Attendance: 26,563
Admission: OMGDS €24 (€26).                    Programme: NONE
A thoroughly rumbustious, raucous, and rowdy match! Brilliant entertainment! Flares, flags and choir masters perched precariously conducting the away fans. The BBBank Wildpark is an impressive stadium with free transport to and from the station. These two teams are perched just above mid-table, with the visitors in the higher position. Twice they took the lead and each time they were pegged back in a match that ebbed and flowed in tune with the enthusiasm of both sets of fans. Wonderful atmosphere.
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The smoke behind the far goal was the result of numerous flares being set off!
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The man in grey top and black trousers is precariously perched to conduct the away fans!
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Sunday 18th February 2024, 1.30pm
(German) Bundesliga 3
SV Waldhof Mannheim 0
FC Saarbrucken 2
Referee: Florian Lechner.                             Attendance: 19,210
Admission: OMGDS €26 (€30).                 Programme: €1       Team sheet: Free
Mannheim, where the first car was driven by Greta Benz, wife of Carl, after whom the stadium is named. However, in a more sinister memory, Mannheim, where Zyklon B was manufactured in WWII. Today’s match ticket came with a free transport pass to and from the town and free tram passage to and from The Carl Benz Stadion. It makes me ashamed to be British when I see how flexible public transport is in Germany. Every tinpot town has trams, buses and underground trains and much of it – certainly for the football fan – is free! We managed a pre-match drink in “Murphy’s Law”, an Irish pub in the town. These two teams are ninety miles apart, but the match – heavily policed – is regarded as a local derby and, today’s crowd was more than double their average for the season. The hosts are in deep relegation trouble. Regionaliga beckons, and on today’s evidence, they will do well to escape the drop. Lovely ground, great atmosphere!
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Before the match all the group met up in an Irish pub in Mannheim. From left (clockwise): Mike, Alan Eathorne, Gary Miller, Rory Clark, Jim, Daz, Adam Vallance and Kevin, with Dave missing with a sore foot and yours truly taking the picture.
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Monday 19th February 2024
U21 Premier League 2
Leicester City u21 1
Will Alves 39,
Crystal Palace u21 1
Luke Plange 26,
Match abandoned after 86 minutes after serious injury to Crystal Palace player. The referee was unable to continue the match because the required amount of medical support was not available having been used to treat the serious injury.
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Tuesday 20th February 2024
EFL League One
Cambridge United 1
Eoin Toal 8 (og), Lyle Taylor s/o 90+1
Bolton Wanderers 2
Paris Maghoma 52, Carlos Gomes 63,
Referee: David Rock.                                    Attendance: 6,525
Admission: F.O.C.                                         Programme: £3.50
Following the wash out of the abandoned game two weeks ago, tonight saw the match replayed and all tickets for the previous encounter were valid for tonight’s match. The Trotters had an appalling first half and were lucky to go in at the interval only one goal behind. Two second half goals in the space of ten minutes turned the game around, but Cambridge fought right to the end and looked the more likely, even after a dismissal for violent conduct. With son, Mike and grand son, Freddie.
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The massed ranks of over 900 Wanderers fans who had made the two hundred mile trip down to Cambridge.
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Son, Mike and Grandson, Freddie
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Wednesday 21st February 2024
Shropshire League: Tony Bywaters Cup Q/F
Dawley Town 3
Ross Jones 20, Reece Evans (og) 29, Sam Rigby 77, 
Ellesmere Rangers 1
Max Jones 81,
Referee: Lewis Tomkins.                                      Attendance: 56
Admission: F.O.C.                                                 Programme: NONE
Lilleshall, the former centre of excellence for the English FA (replaced in 2012 by St George’s Park in Staffordshire), provided the backdrop for this evening’s match in wet and muddy conditions. Dawley Town, nominally the hosts and in second place in The Salop League, are ambitious and currently raising funds for floodlights at their own ground. Ellesmere Rangers lie next to the foot of the division, but have played in The North-West Counties League. Dawley dominated throughout and were two goals to the good at the interval, they added a third, with fifteen minutes remaining, but Rangers had the last word with a goal of their own in the last five minutes. With John Main and a net full of hoppers!
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Saturday 24th February 2024
Cymru South
Abertillery Bluebirds 2
Carmarthen Town 0
Referee: Tegid Richards.                                                Official attendance: 124
Admission: £5.00.                                                           Programme: ON LINE
Bluebirds play their home games in the Six Bells area of the town where a disastrous mining explosion in June 1960 cost 45 miners their lives. In 2010, a statue called “The Guardian” was unveiled to commemorate all miners who lost their lives. It is said to be Wales’ answer to “The Angel of the North”. The ground nestles in the fold of a valley with stunning views all round, and was included in the football magazine 4-4-2s top forty best grounds to visit. They were promoted last season, but this season, they are struggling in the bottom two. Carmarthen, relegated last season from the top table lie in fourth place. Two second half strikes were enough to ensure a very well deserved victory for the hosts, but the win is unlikely to save them from relegation. With John Main.
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This month:- Games: 17       New Grounds:8
This Season:  Games: 112    New Grounds:- 65
Total:              Games: 4,922    New Grounds: 1,985

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January 2024

New Year

What can be said in New Year rhymes,
That’s not been said a thousand times?
The new years come, the old years go,
We know we dream, we dream we know.
We rise up laughing with the light,
We lie down weeping with the night.
We hug the world until it stings,
We curse it then and sigh for wings.
We live, we love, we woo, we wed,
We wreathe our brides, we sheet our dead.
We laugh, we weep, we hope, we fear,
And that’s the burden of the year.

Ella Wheeler Wilcox 1850-1919

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Monday 1st January 2024
Northern Premier League Midlands Division 1
Corby town 3
Toby Hilliard 5, 39, Ben Isaacson 47,
AFC Rushden & Diamonds 2
Caiko Taylor 44, Jarvis Wilson 67,
Referee: Joe Woolmer. Attendance: 714
Admission: OMGDS £6.00 (£12). Programme: £2.00
Lovely bright sunny morning and The Steelmen, at last, claimed their first home victory of the season in a nervy encounter against bottom club, Diamonds. There were a high number of hoppers there due to the early start and the number of afternoon kick-offs close by. Corby started brightly and were ahead within five minutes. They added a second towards the end of the half, but Diamonds responded with a strike of their own just on the interval. The Steelmen struck in the opening couple of minutes of the second half, but once again, just after the hour mark, Diamonds pulled a goal back. There was no further scoring, but a nervy final twenty minutes before Corby were able to claim their first home league win of the season!
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Monday 1st January 2024
Northern Premier League Midlands Division 1
Harborough Town 2
Tendai Daire 33, Ben Williams 64,
Rugby Town 1
Loyiso Recci 90 (pen),
Referee: Karl Donaghey. Attendance: 357
Admission: OMGDS £5.00 (£10). Programme: £2.00
In contrast to this morning’s match, the rain beat down incessantly after half-time onto Harborough’s 3G pitch. There has been a new seated stand installed since my last visit but it did little to keep the rain out! Considering that the hosts are top of the table and the visitors were third from bottom, this was no one-sided contest. Harborough held a two goal lead just after the hour mark, but Rugby pressed towards the end, and reduced the arrears. As at Corby Town in the morning, there was a goodly gathering of hoppers in attendance!
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Friday 5th January 2023
FA Cup 3rd Round
Fulham 1
Bobby De Cordova-Reid 24,
Rotherham United 0
Referee: Dean Whitestone.                                    Attendance: 15,083
Admission: OMGDS £15.00 (£20).                     Programme: £3.50
By train from Corby to St Pancras and then tube to Putney Bridge. The District Line was particularly busy and is apparently experiencing difficulties due to engineering works. I have not been to Craven Cottage since I went there to see a friendly International match on 3rd May 2014, where Italy and Republic of Ireland drew 0-0. The new Riverside Stand at Craven Cottage is not yet in operation, but looks impressive. Kids got in for £1 for this match which pleased my grandsons. Dad and mum were there, too. The match itself was nothing to write home about. A severely depleted Fulham side dealt economically with The Championship’s bottom club and progress to Round 4.
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Craven Cottage
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from the front :- Sonny, Kingsley, Jim and Cora
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The new Riverside Stand at Craven Cottage  …. was not in use for this match  ….. or is it not yet completed?
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Saturday 6th January 2024
Northern Premier League Midlands Division 1
Coleshill Town 2
Jonathan Letford 58, Alex Tomkinslon 90+2 Lamin Ceesay s/o 83,
Corby Town 2
Jack Keeble 48, Toby Hilliard 97 (pen),
Referee: Michael Wright.                                Attendance: 215
Admission: OMGDS £8.00 (£10).                Programme: £2.00
With so much precipitation over the last few days – and weeks – 3G was the only surface to rely on for a game taking place! Coleshill is a regular watering hole because they play their midweek matches on a Monday evening and, today was an opportunity to visit Pack Meadow in daylight. There was little to report in a goalless opening spell, but the second half burst into life with The Steelmen twice taking the lead, but twice being pegged back. The hosts also had a player dismissed some ten minutes from the final whistle.
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A pensive Freddie at Coleshill Town.
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Sunday 7th January 2024
FA Cup 3rd Round
Luton Town 0
Bolton Wanderers 0
Referee: Andrew Madley.                                                                         Attendance: 10,739
Admission: Hospitality (£85 adults and £35 for children).              Programme: incl. (£3)
I love trains and football days – even when the first train is cancelled when you get to the station! We had a wee spot of hospitality at Kenilworth Road in a packed stadium, creaking and groaning, and seriously in need of replacement. Despite the lack of goals, it was a pretty tense and exciting encounter and Wanderers fully deserved to fight another day.
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Freddie and Ed
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Jim and Sonny
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Freddie, Kingsley and Sonny
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Freddie and Ed
Monday 8th January 2024
Premier League 2
Leicester City U21 2
Harvey Godsmark-Ford 18, Oliver Ewing 90+3
Newcastle United U21 2
Dylan Stephenson 2, Ben Parkinson 74,
Referee: Abigail Byrne.                                       Attendance: 199
Admission: OMGDS £3.00 (£5).                     Free team sheet
It looked like it was going to be another defeat for Leicester after Newcastle took a second minute lead. We were all thinking if it was a question of ‘how many?’. The Foxes fought back, however, and were level by half-time. In the second half it was just a question of when Newcastle were going to regain the lead – and they did, midway through the half. A scrambled goal deep into injury time at the end of the match, allowed the hosts to grab a draw from what seemed certain defeat!
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Tuesday 9th January 2024
Nathaniel MG Welsh League Cup Semi-final
Guilsfield 0
Iwan Matthews penalty saved 84,
The New Saints 2
Jordan Williams 42, 74,
Referee: Huw Jones.                                            Attendance: 296
Admission: OMGDS £5.00 (£7).                      Programme: £1.00
Locating the floodlights was fairly straightforward, but finding an entrance to the ground was a tad more fraught – at one point, I ended up in a farmyard. Pleasant ground, seated stands on both sides and hardstanding all round, the bell ringers, from St Aelhaiarn’s church in the town, kept up a cacophony of campanology, but it didn’t help the host’s players. They were well beaten on the night, but their’s was a spirited defeat. They never gave up. However, TNS progress to the final and a prize of £10k plus a place in next season’s Scottish FA Cup at stake.
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Saturday 13th January 2024
Wessex League Division 1
Millbrook 6
Krysiek Krysztofowicz 9, 11, 22, 30, Mark Barker 69, Jamie White 74 (pen),
Frimley Green 1
Ronan Smith 52, Ben Harris s/o 73
Referee: Jack Hussey.                                   Attendance: 53
Admission: OMGDS £3.00 (£6).               Programme: £1.00
Millbrook – the Southampton variety – are comparative newcomers to the football fraternity having been formed (by amalgamation) in 2021, but they can trace their antecedents back as far as the formation of Bush Hill FC in 2002. They play at The Test Park Sports Ground, part of the Solent University sports complex. They are currently riding high in the play-off places, whilst their opponents are flirting with relegation. Four first half goals for the unpronounceable Krysiek Krysztofowicz set the tone for the match, but the visitors scored first in the second half, before having a man dismissed and conceding two further strikes.
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Tuesday 16th January 2024
Northern Premier League Midlands Division 1
Walsall Wood 2
Joshua Mansell 28, Alec Bradley 72,
Corby Town 4
Jack Keeble 35, 45, 52, Connor Tomlinson 36,
Referee: Richard Walker.                                 Attendance: 136
Admission: OMGDS £5.00 (£6).                    Programme: £2.00
Ten years since my last visit to Oak Park, the neat and tidy home of Walsall Wood and quite surprised at how reasonable the entrance fee (my grandson was charged just £1). The game was full of goals. The hosts scored first, but found themselves 1-3 down at the interval. In the second half, The Steelmen scored a fourth and then attempted to shut up shop, not a wise decision. The hosts pulled one goal back and could easily have had two or even three more goals, but in the end Corby hung onto and took the victory and the points. With grandson, Freddie.
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Belgium 2024

The 05.35 train from Corby to St Pancras to link up with Jim, Jonny Crane and Mark Sumner for the 09.01 Eurostar train to Brussels. Once in Brussels Midi-Suid, we caught a local train to Ghent.. Lovely city (and we walked a great deal around it, even our apartment was over a mile from the station). It was VERY COLD – much colder than in England – and there was ice and snow all around, but not recent. Lunch, then onto the apartment, I had a room to myself, but they had left the windows open and it was very cold!

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Friday 19th January 2024
(Belgian) Erste Klasse A
KAA Gent 1
Julien De Sart 60,
KV Mechelen 2
Daam Foulon 26, Bill Leroy Antonio 83,
Referee: Jonathan Lardot.                 Attendance: 12,696
Admission: €20.00.                            Programme: NONE, free teamsheet
If you think it’s cold in The UK, it’s Baltic in Belgium, with the temperature never rising above freezing and footpaths treacherously icy. Third placed Gent were out thought and undone by tenth place Mechelen, who attacked well on the counter and made the most of their few opportunities. For all their possession, the hosts carried little threat. With Jonny Crane and son, Jim.
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We heard, early on Saturday morning, that our second game – Erste Klasse B: FC Dender v FC Seraing – had been called off. Postponed due to the icy conditions. So, we entrained for Bruges and spent the afternoon looking round the city, visiting the Club Brugge shop and dining at Delaney’s Irish bar. In the central square, a procession in fancy dress was taking place with horse drawn carriages, but we never did find out what it was all about!
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The main square in Bruges
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The main square in Bruges.
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Naturally, we sampled the local brews
Jonny, across the table!
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Saturday 20th January 2024
(Belgian) Erste Klasse A
Club Brugge KV 3
Thiago 37, 65 (pen),Antonio Nusa 80,
KVC Westerlo 0
Arthur Piedfort s/o 90+1
Referee: Nicolas Laforge.                               Attendance: 18,583
Admission: €35.00.                                        Programme: NONE
Our earlier match at FC Dender having fallen to the icy conditions, tonight’s encounter in sub zero temperatures was our only match of the day. Westerlo started brightly, the little club from the sticks with average crowds of around 6,000 were up against the mighty Club Brugge in their fine stadium and it was the mighty Brugge who eventually prevailed with a first half goal from Thiago, a second from the same player, just after the hour and, ten minutes from time, Antonio Nusa struck the third. The visitors also had a player dismissed right at the end for a second yellow card. With Mark Sumner, Jonny Crane and son, Jim. We had a taxi pre-booked to take us back to the station in time to catch the very last train of the day back to Gent.
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Jonny Crane, Jim and Mark Sumner
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Jonny Crane
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Sunday 21st January 2024
(Belgian) Erste Klasse A
Royal Antwerp 4
Sporting de Charleroi 1
Referee: Eric Lambrechts.                                      Attendance: 12,444
Admission: €35.00                                                  Programme: NONE
The awesome approach to the ground belies the work in progress to bring it up to standard. An entire stand down one side is out of action and in need of replacement. Much has already been achieved, but much still needs to be done! The ground is, apparently, privately owned and there is some discussion about the best way forward to bring it up to modern standards. On the field, the hosts had little difficulty in dismantling the visitors defence, the only surprise was that Charleroi managed a very late consolation goal. With Mark Sumner.
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                                                       Yours Truly, Eddie McGeown
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Sunday 21st January 2024
(Belgian) Erste Klasse A
RWD Molenbeek 0
KAS Eupen 1
Edmond Renaud 58,
Match abandoned after 85 minutes.
Referee: Nathan Verboomen.                                Attendance: 3,500
Admission: €5.00.                                                   Programme: NONE, free team sheet
The match was on special offer at five euros at Molenbeek’s tired Edmond Machtensstadion, but the match was poor entertainment, no shots on target until the visitors struck in the 58th minute and no sign of the drama to unfold. With ten minutes to go and not a single home team shot on target, the faithful became restless and bangers – loud ones – were thrown around and onto the pitch. The referee took the players off for around twenty minutes and then restarted the match and almost immediately, another firework was hurled onto the pitch. That was that. The match was abandoned and riot police confronted angry fans whilst we were kettled in behind them, but eventually let out through a side gate. Fireworks were still being thrown at police as we hurried to catch the tram back to Brussels MidI-Zuid.
In accordance with Belgian FA and league rules, the final six minutes were played out at Molenbeek the following Wednesday. There were two further bookings, but no further goals and KAS Eupen won the match 1-0.
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No spectators allowed behind the goal, but the people in the flats had a good view!
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Riot police facing angry fans at Molenbeek
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The author, martialling his facts on the train from Antwerp to Brussels
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And that was the end of our Belgian sortie. Jonny Crane and my son Jim went to a different afternoon game: Belgian Erste Klasse B – Zulte Waregem 1 Jong Genk 1 (attendance: 5,539). After their match, they made their way to Brussels Midi-Zuid to catch the evening Eurostar back to London. Mark Sumner and I had booked into Appart’City hard by the station for one night, in order to catch the Molenbeek match, and met up with John Higgins who had been at Union St Gilloise for a match in the afternoon, whilst we were at Royal Antwerp. The following morning, we, too, boarded Eurostar for the trip back to London. It had been an exhilarating – but very cold – weekend, highly enjoyable, but also quite demanding.
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Tuesday 23rd January 2023
Leicestershire Senior League Premier Division
Aylestone Park Reserves 5
Lewis Turland 27,Aaron Preston 45+2 (pen), 66, Daniel Henry 63, Marley Spencer 72,
Thurnby Rangers 3
Connor Dixon 9, Colby White 47, 78,
Referee: Simon Fradley                                  Attendance:- 44
Admission: OMGDS £2.00 (£4.00)            Programme: NONE
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Tuesday 30th January 2024
Vanarama National League North
Banbury United 2
Manny Maya 10, Charlie Waller 32,
Darlington 1
Mitchell Curry 69
Referee: Eugene Robinson.                                      Attendance: 534
Admission: OMGDS £11.00 (£15).                         Programme: £3.00
Very impressed that 76 Darlington fans made the 400+ round mile trip to Banbury for tonight’s match! The Quakers are seemingly doomed to relegation! The Puritans, meanwhile have just strung two wins together to give themselves a realistic chance of escaping the drop. After Saturday’s 2-0 victory against Hereford, the visitors arrived with positive intent, but they lack a cutting edge and posed little threat until a comical error in the home defence presented them with what turned out to be a consolation goal. Two first half strikes won the game for Banbury..
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December 2023

In the bleak midwinter

In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow,
In the bleak midwinter, long ago
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Our God, Heaven cannot hold Him, nor earth sustain;
Heaven and earth shall flee away when He comes to reign.
In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed
The Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ.
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Angels and archangels may have gathered there,
Cherubim and seraphim thronged the air;
But His mother only, in her maiden bliss,
Worshipped the beloved with a kiss.
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What can I give Him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;
Yet what I can I give Him: give my heart.

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by Christina Rossetti (1830 – 1894)

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Saturday 2nd December 2023
Southern Combination League Premier Division
Saltdean United 0
Steyning Town 3
Charlie Meehan 32, Joe Radley-Martin 41, Tom Chalaye 68,
Referee: Brendan Jones.                                    Official Attendsnce: 102
Admission: OMGDS £5.00 (£7).                     Programme: £2.00
On a bitterly cold, yet bright and sunny afternoon on The South Downs, this match went ahead despite plenty of evidence of ice and frost. Hilltop Park is a very basic but scenic ground with a spectacular backdrop. There are seated stands on both sides of the pitch, but no other cover. There are changing rooms and a club house and bar. Sadly, this season, the hosts are struggling and were no match for their highly placed opponents. Two goals in the opening period and the coup de grace with twenty minutes remaining saw the visitors leave with the points and the victory.
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Monday 4th December 2023
U21 Premier League 2
Leicester City 1
Kian Pennant 69,
Wolverhampton. Wanderers 3
Owen Hesketh 19, Justin Hubner 47, Leo Lopez 53,
Referee: Aji Ajibola.                                            Attendance: 290
Admission: OMGDS £3.00 (£5).                     Free team sheet
This was my twenty-third visit to The Seagrave Sports Complex in Seagrave just to the north and east of Leicester and where Leicester City’s impressive complex, costing, apparently, up to £100 million to build, now hosts under 21 and under 18 fixtures as well as being the clubs main training ground. Leicester City have a poor u21 side. Admittedly, they have injuries, notably captain Sammy Braybrooke, who is out with an anterior cruciate ligament injury which will probably last the season! John and I saw Wolverhampton Wanderers u21 side heavily defeated by Aston Villa u21 last August at Bodymoor Park. Tonight, they made short work of Leicester City with a first half strike and two more early in the second half, before The Foxes claimed a consolation. With John Main.
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Saturday 9th December 2023
Northern Premier League Premier Division
Gainsborough Trinity 0
Ilkeston Town 1
Jaime Walker 25,
Referee: Joseph Goodwin.                                        Attendance: 462
Admission: OMGDS £9.00 (£13).                          Programme: £2.50
Despite the heavy rain of the last few days, the pitch was perfectly playable. Northolme is a traditional ground with terracing on all four sides and cover along three sides. They were formed way back in 1873 and were a Football League club from 1896 – 1912. Today, they languish in the lower echelons of the Northern Premier League’s top division. Ilkeston, meanwhile, are handily placed much higher up the table. They took the lead after half an hour and comfortably fended off their opponents for the rest of the game – including well over ten minutes of added time at the end of the match.
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Graeme Askham (1959 – 2020) Fellow “Hopper” passed away today three years ago. Many a happy match and many a ground visited!
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Friday 15th December 2023
Ebac Northern League Division 1
Redcar Athletic 1
Mason McNeil 37, Anthony Bell s/o 57,
Guisborough Town 2
James Frazer 78, Kurtis Hates 82,
Referee: Alexander Bourner.                                Attendance: 401
Admission: OMGDS £4.00 (£7).                        Programme: £2.00
On a raw evening on the north-east coast, this local derby was a feisty, rumbustious affair. The two grounds are barely seven miles apart and the teams are separated by two points in the lower reaches of the Division 1 table. The ground is somewhat basic, with round 100 seats down the near side and some cover behind one goal, but not a lot else. The hosts led at the interval, but just before the hour mark, they had a player dismissed and that changed the balance of the match. The visitors scored two goals in the final ten minutes and were good value for their victory. With John Main.
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Saturday 16th December 2023
Sunderland & District Mill View Social Club Over 40s League
Premier Division
Seaham Harbour CC Vets 2
Martin Deacon 33, Chris McCabe 44,
Boldon Colliery Old Barrel Vets 4
Graham Bruce 39, Steve Menzies 67, Andrew Yates 74, 79,
Referee: James Marshall.                                              Attendance: 13
Admission: F.O.C.                                                          Programme: NONE
A very blustery morning right on the coast at Seaham, but the ground was a pleasant surprise, fully enclosed with a railed pitch, a modicum of terracing and club house with changing rooms. The visitors are struggling after promotion last season, but the hosts were missing five of their players. The wind played havoc, but in an entertaining encounter, the visitors eventually triumphed with two late goals. With John Main.
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Saturday 16th December 2023
Northern League Division 2
Newcastle Blue Star 5
Dan Lanning 21, 23, Regan Paterson 65, Callum Larmouth 69, Matty Telfer 71,
Washington 1
Flavio Silva 78,
Referee: Nigel Fittes.                                             Official Attendance: 109
Admission: OMGDS £3.00 (£5).                        Programme: £2.00
The wind howled mercilessly around the marquee which provided Blue Star’s bar and king-sized TV screen. The ground, with plenty of seating and covered areas, felt a little ramshackle, with ad-hoc additions tacked on all round the arena, but, it appears to be a work in progress! Not so on the pitch! Second place Blue Star thrashed bottom but one club, Washington, it should have been more but over elaboration killed off several choice opportunities. With John Main.
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Tuesday 19th December 2023
Vanarama National League North
Banbury United 1
Ken Charles 40,
Chorley 4
Billy Whiehouse 25, Justin Johnson 37,Harvey Smith 53, Marco Rus 78,
Referee: Oliver Mackey.                                        Attendance: 429
Admission: OMGDS £11.00 (£15).                     Programme: £3.00
The Spencer Stadium, or should I say, The Banbury Plant Hire Stadium, has a new stand with around 100 seats on the opposite side to the existing stand. This season, however, they lost their manager and most of their players and after a bright first season in National League North, they are now struggling, despite victory at high flying Tamworth. This evening, they were comprehensively dismantled by a Chorley side fresh from a defeat at table topping Scunthorpe United, but who climbed back to third in the table with this victory.
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The new stand on the far side at The Spencer Stadium
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Ed and eldest son, Jim
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Jim and Mike
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Saturday 23rd Secember 2023
Northern Premier League Midland Division 1
Corby Town 1
Toby Hilliard 61, Dan Wallis s/o 54
Boldmere St Michaels 2
O’Shane Stewart 69, Owen Parry 75, Kai Knight s/o 28
Referee: Joseph Karram.                                           Attendance: 494
Admission: OMGDS £6.00 (£12).                           Programme: £2.00
Having spent a lot of time trying, unsuccessfully to locate Coventrians FC in Coventry, I sped back to take in a very local match at Steel Park on a mild and sunny, December afternoon. The home faithful were hoping and expecting a first home league win of the season. Ten home games, three draws and – now – Seven defeats. Fortunately, they have seven away wins out of nine matches! Both sides had a man dismissed and it was the hosts who opened the scoring to raise the spirits of a festive audience, but it was not to be and two strikes by the visitors in the final twenty minutes took the victory and the points!
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Boxing Day Tuesday 26th December 2023
Northern League Division 1 (11.00am)
Boro Rangers 2
David Lofts 47 (pen), 80,
Redcar Athletic 2
Brandon Holdsworth 37, Lewis Ritson 77,
Referee: J. Payne                                    Attendance: 254
Admission: OMGDS )5.00 (£7).         Programme: ON LINE
On a bright, sunny but cold morning, a plastic pitch in a cage with around 100 seats flanking a covered standing area. With such strong sunlight, viewing from behind one goal was the best option. Promoted from Division 2 of The Northern League at the end of their first season in that league, they formerly played at Stokesley FC and are now strongly placed in the upper echelons of Division 1. Local derbies don’t always go to form and this was no exception. Lowly Redcar were full value for the draw. They led twice and deserved their point. With John Main.
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Boxing Day Tuesday 26th December 2023
Northern League Division 2 (3.00pm)
Boldon CA 3
Levi Collins 39, 90, Jude Harrison 70,
Jarrow 3
Luke Hudson 12, Lutfur Karim 32, Chris Brennan 35,
Referee: T. Dutton.                                          Attendance: 144
Admission: OMGDS £3.00 (£5).                 Programme: £1.00
Alongside the ground where I once saw Jarrow Roofing bow out of the FA Vase at the semifinal stage in front of a crowd of well over a thousand, The Villa is home to Boldon CA. The covered stand on the far side has twice been blown down by wind and there is little or no shelter – or seating! Both of these teams are becalmed in mid-table and it was the visitors who were the more lively in the first half, taking a three goal lead before conceding just before the interval. The second half was a totally different vintage, the hosts pressed incessantly but, it finally took a goal deep into added time at the death to retrieve a point from the game. With John Main.
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John Main
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Wednesday 27th December 2023
Northern Premier League Midlands Division 1
Cambridge City 1
Mikey Davis 60,
Corby Town 1
Connor Tomlinson 7,
Referee: Jorden Gibson.                         Attendance: 287
Admission: OMGDS £5.00 (£10).        Programme: £2.00
Cambridge City are still waiting for their new stadium in Sawston to be completed, hoping to get in there some time this season, but, in the meantime, they are groundsharing on the 3G at Westwood Road, home of St Ives Town. It has been a less than auspicious season for both of these clubs. The visitors. have yet to register a home victory and the hosts were thrashed 7-0 the last time they played here. Perhaps both sides were satisfied with a point, but in truth, neither side deserved to win. With son, Mike, grandson, Freddie and Gary Miller.
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Freddie, Gary and Mike
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Saturday 30th December 2023
United counties League Premier Division North
Loughborough Students 4
Joe Fountain 2, Josh Wicks 51, Dylan Edwards 20 (pen), 56 (pen), 
Hucknall Town 1
Ayleul Dill 90,
Referee: Oliver Morton. Attendance: 134
Admission: OMGDS £5.00 (£8). Programme: NONE
Eldest son, Jim and grandsons, Sonny and Kingsley, were definitely impressed with their first visit to The Holywell Stadium – as, indeed, they should be! There were no programmes, but a teamsheet was posted in the clubhouse behind the main stand. Poor old Hucknall are already somewhat adrift at the foot of the table and, they were lucky to catch their high flying hosts in a generous mood. Two goals in each half and several other acceptable chances spurned, before the visitors grabbed a ninetieth minute consolation.
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Sonny and Kingsley preferred to lurk behind the goal …….
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……. Ed and Jim preferred to view from up in the stand!
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Sunday 31st December 2023
JD Cymru North
Mold Alexandra 3
Steve Watkins 39, Jake Roberts 68, Daniel Warren 74,
Prestatyn Town 0
Referee: Aled Williams.                                        Official Attendance: 224
Admission: OMGDS £3.00 (£7).                       Programme: NONE
Alyn Park is an old fashioned ground with a high traditional stand on one side and club house and bar, but that is the extent of the facilities. There is a huge car park, but the only realistic spectator viewing is down one side of the ground. The hosts are handily placed fifth in the league, but the visitors are struggling at the bottom, some five points adrift of safety. For all that, the visitors made the better start, but by the interval, they were a goal down and two further second half strikes sealed their fate! With John Main and a good gathering of hoppers.
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