Spellbound

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The night is darkening round me,

The wild winds coldly blow;

But a tyrant spell has bound me

And I cannot, cannot go.

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The giant trees are bending

Their bare boughs weighed with snow.

And the storm is fast descending,

And yet I cannot go.

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Clouds beyond clouds above me,

Wastes beyond wastes below;

But nothing drear can move me;

I will not, cannot go.

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Emily Bronte (1818 – 1848)

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Saturday 2nd November 2024

North West Counties League Division 1 North

Maghull 3

Harrison Worden 36 (pen), Darren Brannigan 45+1, Jacob Till 90+1,

Route One Rovers 5

Anees Younis 16, 27, Muhammed Arshad 41, Zakariya Khan 82, Mohammed Hasnain 89,

Referee: Joshua Mitchell.                                             Attendance: 138

Admission: OMGDS £3.00 (£6).                    Programme: NONE.        Free team sheet.

Pleasantly impressed with Maghull’s Hall Field ground which they share with the local cricket club. There is secure fencing and hardstanding all around the pitch, a small covered, terraced standing area, but no seating unless you include the tiny number of picnic tables. Well stocked bar and a tight but imaginative food gallery serving Chinese chicken curry and “Scouse and crusted bread”. The parish church of St Andrew peeps above the tree line and The Leeds Liverpool Canal runs behind the far goal. The local railway station recently won station of the year across the whole country!

The visitors ground-share with Steeton in West Yorkshire and are presently mired deep in the relegation morass, but they were much the better side on the day. Five goals shared in the opening period gave them a single goal lead at the break, but after heavy home pressure in the second period, the visitors added two more before a last minute consolation to the hosts. Good game, helpful officials (providing free team sheets!) and friendly supporters of both sides! John Main and I came, not expecting much, but leaving pleasantly surprised. A very entertaining afternoon and well worth a visit.

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Monday 4th November 2024

Northants Senior Youth League North Division

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Tuesday 5th November 2024

Eastern Counties League Division 1 North

Needham Market U23 1

James Coton 30 (pen),

Haverhill Rovers 5

Ryan Twinn 16, Shaun Avis 23, Brandon McKay 31, 58, Tom Head 48,

Referee: Henry Harvey.                                                Attendance: 81

Admission: OMGDS £5.00 (£7).                                Programme: NONE

A wasted journey of nearly a hundred miles, hoping to take in the 3G pitch at right angles to the main pitch, where Needham Market U23s usually play, but not, apparently, for midweek games. Tonight, they played on the main pitch. A young home side, next to bottom in the league with but one victory from sixteen games, were comprehensively demolished by second in the table, Haverhill Rovers. Officially, there were 36 fee paying spectators, but I counted a crowd of 81.

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Saturday 9th November 2024

Velocity Wessex League Division 1

Ringwood Town 3

Lee Vint 64, 90+4, Joe Petty 82,

Cove 3

Luke Edmondson 3, Nathan Connolly 11, William Peters 26,

Referee: Ole Underhay.                                                      Official Attendance: 69

Admission: OMGDS £4.00 (£7).                                     Programme: On Line

A couple of miles outside the town of Ringwood and in the middle of nowhere is The Ringwood Community Hub recently developed with substantial financial support from AFC Bournemouth, whose women’s team play at the stadium. The pitch has been move around two metres (goal to goal), but the old stand remains in place, a new metal fence surrounds the pitch and a substantial complex including changing rooms and clubhouse has been erected (but without a bar or hot food). These two teams nestle just outside the play off places, but the visitors dominated the first half, scoring three times and missing several more opportunities aided by a constant stream of invective from their bench. The second half was a different story. Three goals in the final twenty five minutes, with two visiting players sin-binned, saw the game turned on its head and the draw was a pretty fair outcome. With John Main.

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Sunday 10th November 2024

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From “My November Guest” by Robert Frost (1874-1963):

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My sorrow, when she’s here with me,

Thinks these dark days of Autumn rain

Are beautiful as days can be;

She loves the bare, the withered tree;

She walked the sodden pasture lane.

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A short stroll out of the village, past the farm and down the track, where the fields are dotted with wooden frames and the aging ruin of a boundary wall lies amongst the remains of the recent harvest and a glittering autumnal array of leaves. A strange accoutrement bedecks the hedge along the way, before the farm returns to view and, beyond, the towering golden spread in the pocket park followed by the reverent homage to the fallen at village green and churches. With Charlotte, 5.04 miles and no stiles.

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Monday 11th November 2024

Northern Premier League Division I Midlands

Coleshill Town 2

Ryan Nesbitt 49, Jack Hallahan 90+2,

Coventry Sphinx 2

Shay Willock 22, Kyle Carey 24, Shay Willock s/o 88

Referee: Jack Shepherd.                                               Attendance: 125

Admission: OMGDS £8.00 (£10).                             Programme: £2.00

A cold, sharp evening and the visitors cut to the quick with two early, first half goals, and, they could have had more. The hosts were a different side after the interval and pressed forward determinedly, but it wasn’t until the second minute of added time and after the dismissal of the visiting striker, that they eventually claimed the equaliser.

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Symphony in Yellow

An omnibus across the bridge

Crawls like a yellow butterfly,

And here and there a passer-by

Shows like a little restless midge.

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The barges full of yellow hay

Are moored against the shadowy wharf,

And, like a yellow silken scarf,

The thick fog hangs along the quay.

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The yellow leaves begin to fade

And flutter from the Temple elms,

And at my feet the pale green Thames

Lies like a rod of rippled jade.

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Oscar Wilde (1854 – 1900)

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Monday 7th October 2024

Northern Premier League Division 1 Midlands

Coleshill Town 0

Sporting Khalsa 2

Andre Landell 12, Simeon Cobourne,

Referee: Brandon Scaife.                                           Attendance: 138

Admission: OAP £8.00 (£10).                                  Programme: ON LINE

Not much of a game to write home about on the 3G at Pack Meadow. These two mid-table teams fought a dour duel and it was the visitors who triumphed with two goals in the first twelve minutes. We might just as well have gone home at that point! With John Main and Mike Dean.

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Tuesday 8th October 2024

Hellenic League Floodlit Cup

Ludlow Town 6

Harry Jones 19, Ryan Lewis 28, 71, Ryan Clarke 43, Sean Evans 84, Kieran Dover 90,

Wellington 0

Referee: James Whittington.                                   Attendance: 73

Admission: OMGDS £3.00 (£5).                            Programme: ON LINE

A pretty impressive stadium at Bromfield Road which included a two sided stand so that matches could be watched on the 3G ground adjacent to the main pitch. The stand included a substantial bar and catering facility and upstairs viewing from a balcony. The hosts were just too good for the visitors, scoring three goals in each half and even having a penalty well saved by the opposition custodian.

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Wednesday 9th October 2024

Northern Premier League division 1 Midlands

Corby Town 0

Quorn 2

Ryan Berwick 31 (pen), Paddy Webb 76,

Referee: Jamie Stevenson.                                             Attendance: 594

Admission: OMGDS £7.00 (£12).                                Programme: £2.00

A short trip down the road to Steel Park for a top of the table clash (1st v 2nd) that fizzled out into a damp squib in front of a healthy congregation. Quorn were far superior and kept a tight control on the game scoring a goal in each half. The Steelmen were largely clueless and paid the price for maintaining only one striker for the majority of the match. The game would have benefited from a stronger referee.

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Saturday 12th October 2024

Velocity Wessex League Premier Division

Portland United 2

Freddie Beale 3, Greg Northwick 37,

Hamble Club 4

James Johnson 69, Harry Hamilton 74, William Gange 81, 90+3

Referee: Karl Stephens.                                          Attendance: 201

Admission: OMGDS £5.00 (£7).                         Programme: £1.00

Portland is on a tiny nipple of land extending into The English Channel south of Weymouth. The Camp and Satherley Stadium (named after former players) is a neat and pleasantly arranged arena with a hundred seater stand down one side and a sixty seater stand behind the near goal. Steep grassed banking opposite the main stand has benches for a scenic view of the match and there is a large club house with an extensive bar and refreshment facilities. Special mention for the programme, only £1 and very informative with a free team sheet as an added insert. The hosts dominated the first half, striking as early as the third minute and adding a confident second eight minutes before the break. The score remained so until twenty minutes from time, when Hamble Club suddenly woke up and punished their complacent hosts with a barrage of four goals. With John Main.

Monday 14th October 2024

Walsall Senior Cup 1st Round

Coleshill Town 2

Joe Palmer 24, 65,

Walsall 0

Referee: Greg Rollason.                                                      Attendance: 124

Admission: OMGDS £8.00 (£10).                                   Programme: £2.00

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Tuesday 15th October 2024

FA Cup 4th Qualifying Round Replay

Peterborough Sports 0

Rushall Olympic 0      after extra time

Referee: Robert Ellis-May.                                                  Attendance: 621

Admission: OMGDS £11.00 (£15).                                    Programme: £3.00

Rushall Olympic won 5-4 on penalties.

The hosts ramshackle stadium was heaving this evening with their biggest crowd of the season and there were high hopes of a first appearance in The FA Cup first round proper. It was not to be. After 120+ minutes of dour struggle and very few opportunities – and a sending off to each side, Sports had their fifth penalty saved and Olympic gleefully shot home all of their five spot kicks, to take the tie by the narrowest of margins and to welcome Accrington Stanley in the first round proper.

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Italy

I drove down to Stansted airport on the morning of Monday 21st October with son, Mike, grand son, Freddie and Alan Eathorne who is Mike’s brother-in-law and Freddie’s uncle. We caught the 07.40 Ryanair flight to Milan Bergamo and arrived after a trouble free crossing to catch a bus (seven euros) to Verona, a journey of over two hours! We don’t realise just how big Italy is! Beautiful city with extensive Roman remains and, of course Shakespearian connotations. We had a tiny Airbnb off the main roads and a bus ride away from the stadium.

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Monday 21st October 2024

(Italy) Serie A

Hellas Verona 0

Monza 3

Dany Mota 9, 74, Alessandro Bianco 79,

Referee: Federico Dionisi. Official Attendance: 23,500

Verona, founded by Greek students in 1903 and it was their professor who asked them to add the word “Hellas” (Greece) to the title of the club. They won The Scudetto (Italian Championship) exactly forty years ago (1984/5) but have flirted with Serie B and even Serie C during this century. The city of Romeo and Juliette has some amazing Roman remains and the weather was more akin to mid June than mid October. Monza scored their first victory of this season’s campaign with a consummate and commanding victory striking in the first half and two more in the second period against their mid-table hosts to the great delight of the 347 travelling supporters.

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from left: Ed, Freddie, Mike, Alan Eathorne.

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Freddie and Dad,Mike

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Tuesday 22nd October 2024

European Champions League Phase

AC Milan 3

Christian Politic 34, Tijjani Reijnders 61, 71,

Club Bruges 1

Kyrian Sabbe 51, Raphael Onyedika s/o 41

Referee: Felix Zwayer.                                                        Attendance: 58,649

Admission: €37.00.                                                            Programme: NONE

The Rossoneri (“red and black”) fans were not happy this evening and, indeed, the attendance was some 10/15,000 down on league fixtures. Milan have raised ticket prices for the next home match against Napoli, so that the cheapest ticket will be €100 rising to €479. There were long periods of silence in the stadium as the supporters showed their ire. There is still some dispute about replacing the iconic San Siro Stadium with a smaller version, but one that will have considerably more hospitality facilities! Now why does all this sound familiar??? As for the match, a 41st minute dismissal for the visitors was key to a home victory, but only after a ten man equaliser and a spate of substitutions. Good match! With son, Mike, grand son Freddie and Alan Eathorne.

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Freddie and Ed

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Ed, Freddie and Mike

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Freddie and Alan Eathorne

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Wednesday 23rd October 2024

(Italy) Serie D Girone B

ACD Pro Palazzolo 6

Fabio Ceravolo 19, 45, 54, Giovanni Alessandro 35 (pen), Nicolo Ciccone 62 (pen), 90+1

AC Crema 2

Pierpaolo Longo 12 (pen), Vincenzo Guarino53,

Referee: Gabriele Iorfida.                                                       Attendance: c400

Admission: OMGDS €12.00 (€15).                                      Free Team Sheet

All of the eight divisions in Serie D had afternoon kick-offs today and The Stadio Communale in Palazzolo Sulli Oglio hosted the highest scoring game in Girone B! There was plenty of cover on both sides of the pitch, which was useful because the precipitation was heavy and unremmitting. Some friendly locals shared their knowledge, apparently all the teams in this league have full time players, others refused admission to the stand on the opposite side of the ground. The opposition scored first, but found themselves 3-1 down at the interval. The scoring was similar in the second period and, by the end, Crema were a well beaten side. Mario Balotelli’s brother came on for the hosts as a 71st minute substitute. With son, Mike, grand son, Freddie and Alan Eathorne.

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from left: Freddie, Ed, Mike

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Freddie and dad, Mike with the “Steelmen on Tour” banner!

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It was a magical three days in Italy. We enjoyed Verona immensely, the city of Roman remains and Romeo and Juliette. Milan, of course we were re-visiting, but the accommodation was reasonably priced and comfortable in both Verona and Milan. It was good to see my sister, Maggie, albeit for a far too short a period and I am hoping to return in February, for another visit!

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The Colosseum in Verona

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Our Airbnb in Verona was just up a side street on the right of this picture.

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The River Adige in Verona was swollen form recent heavy rainfall in parts of Norther Italy.

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Ed and Freddie

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Freddie on the train

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Wednesday 30th October 2024

Notts Senior League Junior Cup 2nd Round

Trent Vineyard 5

Ross Adamson 11, 55, 57, Immanuel Dube 25, James Beavan 80 (pen),

Pegasus 4

Charlie Jones, 53, Joe Orville 60, 64, Charlie Wilson 82,

Referee: Simon Watt.                                                Attendance : 16

Admission: F.O.C.                                                     Programme: NONE

On a dank, drizzly evening, the 3G cage at Carlton le Willows Academy in Gedling near Nottingham served as the home venue for Trent Vineyard, whose own ground has no lights, but is situated by the weir on the banks of The River Trent. In a rip roaring encounter. The home goalkeeper with three injured fingers, played up front and acored a hat trick. His replacement as custodian, fumbled the ball at every opportunity! Good match, but not much to see inside the cage. With Chris Berezai and several other hoppers.

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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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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.

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..

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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Wednesday 2nd October 2024

Devon St Luke Challenge Cup 2nd Round

Cullompton Rangers 4

Aiden Horne 7, Harry Varnas, 37, Lucas White 66, Lewis Hill 86,

Teignmouth 3

Ashley Donohue 31, 42, 57,

Referee:: Dillon Gascoigne.                                                  Attendance: 56

Admission: OMGDS £3.00 (£6).                                        Programme: NONE

Rangers’ neat and welcoming home just off Duke Street, has hard standing all round a solidly fenced pitch, a seated stand on the far side of the pitch with seating for maybe sixty souls, but no other cover, except for a canopy outside the impressive bar and refreshment facilities. Behind the near side touchline, Express trains from Paddington to Exeter, thunder past. The hosts are enjoying this season from their lofty position atop the league table, but this evening they were made to work very hard for their victory. 2-2 at the interval, the visitors twice coming from behind … before they took the lead, early in the second period. The hosts regained parity just after the hour, but it took a goal four minutes from time to seal the victory and all the efforts of the visitors hat-trick hero, Ash Donohue, were in vain! Great Match!

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These last two matches were taken in during an annual holiday which this year was at Yarford in Somerset some four miles north of Taunton. Besides the football, we also took in Hestercombe House and Gardens, Dunster Castle and The West Somerset Railway from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead as well as visiting Watchett and Pitney where there was a farm shop. So I have kept them together even though they are in separate months!

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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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.

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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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!

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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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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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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