Winter

Winter when your warm breath smokes

In the bitter morning chill

Night brings frosts that creep and crisp.

Trees are stretching black and still

Etching patterns where the bright

Robin dares a whistling trill.

by Jo Peters (1937 – 2001)

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Saturday 1st February 2025

EFL League Two

Tranmere Rovers 1

Kristian Dennis 50,

Colchester United 3

Lyle Taylor 9 (pen), 33, Owura Edwards 63,

Referee: Scott Oldham. Attendance: 5,166

Admission: Hospitality (£84.00). Programme: incl. (£3.50)

Prenton Park is a fine looking stadium much changed since my first visit in September 1967, when Colchester were also the visitors – but lost that match by 4-2! Excellent hospitality with seats in the directors box right on the half-way line. Great to meet up with family and friends! Tranmere were not at the races today and Colchester barely had to move out of second gear to claim a straightforward victory. Two first half strikes, the first from the penalty spot and a further second half goal after the hosts had pulled one back shortly after the interval, garnered a richly deserved victory.

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Penalty scored by Lyle Taylor for Colchester United after nine minutes.

Very much an old fashioned ground and I can remember nothing from my first visit in 1967!

Sonny, Freddie and Kingsley in the dugout!

from left: Alan Eathorne, Gary Miller, Aman Singh and Mike McGeown

Chris Berezai and Phil Evans

From left : Mark Sumner, Francesca Parkin,Matt Knowles and Chris Berezai

Eddie with Man of the match, Saidou Khan

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Monday 3rd February 2025

National League South

Hemel Hempstead Town 3

Brandon Barzey 15, 82, Oliver Lynch 55,

Boreham Wood 4

Femi Ilesanmi 4, Kwesi Appiah 27, Tom Whelan 44, Matt Rush 88,

Referee: Ashley Clarke. Attendance: 681

Admission: OAP £10.00 (£15). Programme: £3.00

I didn’t realise that Hemel had installed a plastic pitch (a couple of seasons ago, said one of the stewards). My last visit was twenty years ago when they were a Southern League team. Tonight’s rumbustious affair was rightly decided in the visitors favour. They were the better side and presently occupy top spot in a very congested promotion race. They were however, made to work very hard for their victory. 1-3 down at the interval, the hosts staged a fighting comeback to draw level, only to see the visitors snatch victory in the 88th minute. Eight minutes of added time were played, but The Tudors couldn’t draw level again.

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Tuesday 4th February 2025

Southern League Premier Division Central

Banbury United 1

Harry Reilly 19,

Kettering Town 0

Referee: Daniel Lamport. Attendance: 602

Admission: OAP £10.00 (£14). Programme: on line

Kettering Town’s promotion ambitions were severely dented by a solid defensive display from The Puritans. The hosts scored a rare thunderblaster after only nineteen minutes and then fended off all Kettering’s attenpts to secure an equaliser. The attendance this evening was boosted by a large following of away supporters. Good match!

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Wednesday 5th February 2025

Eastern Counties League Division 1 North

Parson Drove 1

Gerson Dos Reis 31,

FC Peterborough 1

Vitor Vaz 74 (pen),

Referee: Ceredig Cattanach-Chell. Attendance: 45

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

On a bitterly cold evening deep in the Cambridgeshire fenlands, these two teams served up a tasty encounter. The visitors are vying for a play-off spot, whilst the hosts are languishing in lower mid-table. It was the hosts who took the lead after half an hour and they held onto it doggedly until FC Peterborough were awarded a soft penalty with fifteen minutes to go. A draw was probably a fair result, but the referee inexplicably played twelve minutes of added time at the end of the match!

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Thursday 6th February 2025

Leicestershire Midweek Floodlit Youth League

Southern Division

Lutterworth Town u18 1

George Coulthard 56 (pen),

GNG Oadby Town u18 2

Joe Walton 20, Jaiden Jones 67,

Referee: Toby Smith. Attendance: 17

Admission: F.O.C. Programme: NONE

A bitterly cold evening and a pretty flaccid encounter. The visitors were worthy winners. With John Main.

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Saturday 8th February 2025

Southern Combination Division 1

Seaford Town 2

Callum Connor 59 (pen), Marcus Richmond 78,

Godalming Town 0

Referee: Harvey Howe. Official Attendance: 106

Admission: OAP £3.00 (£6). Programme: £1.00

A sloping pitch from side to side, very soft underfoot and in a public park, with hard standing all round and good bar and refreshment facilities, made this a very pleasant visit. Seaford top the division with the visitors in the play-off places, this was a keenly contested encounter, tempestuous at times and after a goalless opening period, the hosts took control, scoring on the hour mark from the penalty spot and adding a second some twelve minutes from time. With John Main.

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It was a very “heavy” pitch as can be seen from this photograph, with the author striding towards the camera to the left of the picture (courtesy of John Main)

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Wednesday 12th February 2025

Lincolnshire Senior Trophy Semi-final

Bourne Town 2

Brad Marshall 2, Zac Munton 63,

Blackstones 1

Will Bestwick 76,

Referee: Nick Elliott. Official Attendance: 310

Admission: OAP £5 (£6). Programme: NONE

A wet, cold and thoroughly miserable evening at Abbey Lawns, where FA Vase quarter-finalists and UCL premier division high fliers, Bourne Town, were expected to defeat near neighbours, Blackstones of UCL Division 1. When they scored in the second minute, it looked like it might be a rout and for most of the first period, the hosts ran their neighbours ragged, but it wasn’t until just after the hour mark that they added a second goal. A flurry of substitutions by both sides worked in Blackstones favour. They came back strongly and scored in 76 minutes, but despite their growing dominance, they were unable to garner an equaliser. Good game!

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GERMANY 2025

We were a large party this year, flying from Stansted to Nuremberg on the Friday afternoon and returning (most of us) on Monday afternoon. Having reached Nuremberg, we then entrained for Augsburg.

Friday 14th February 2025

Bundesliga

FC Augsburg 0

RB Leipzig 0

Referee: Sascha Stegemann. Attendance: 28,260

Admission: €35.00. Programme: €1.00

Bitterly cold at The WWK Arena in Augsburg and, arriving 45 minutes early it took another half hour’s melee to negotiate past the bag and clothes check. The ground is some 16 years old and nine years ago, hosted Liverpool in a Champions League knock-out phase match. Great seat on the half-way line, but the game was poor. Two teams going through the motions, neither posing much of a threat and precious few chances throughout the ninety minutes. Then it was back to the scrum to get on a tram back to town!

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Saturday 15th February 2025

Bundesliga

VFB Stuttgart 1

Nick Woltemade 72

VfL Wolfsburg 2

Tiago Thomas 76, Mohammed Amoura 87 (pen),

Referee: Tobias Welz. Official Attendance: 58,000

Admission: €60.00. Programme: F.O.C.

Magnificent stadium which holds just over 60,000 spectators and passionate aficionados urging on their heroes, but the first half was drab and colourless, much like last night’s encounter. So too, was the first portion of the second half, but the game livened up considerably in the final quarter, including an equalising penalty for the visitors for which the referee lingered long over the tv screen. Sad to miss the morning U19 match due to rail delays, but this encounter ended up tasty and feisty!

My match day ticket was refused at the turnstile and I had to go to the ticket office to get it verified. However, they said that it was a false ticket and I was forced to spend €60 on a new ticket to get into the ground.

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from left: Adam, Jim (behind), Rory Clark (in front), Liam (in front), Dave (hidden behind), Kevin, Billy (behind), Gary Miller, Daz, Mike and Alan Eathorne

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Sunday 16th February 2025

Bundesliga 2

FC Nuremberg 2

SVV Ulm 0

Referee: Richard Hempel. Official Attendance: 29,355

Admission: €35.00 Programme: NONE

Another bitterly cold day and a poignant and timely morning visit to the Nazi Congress hall before adjourning to the stadium, much changed since it hosted SS rallies in the 1930s. The visitors are in serious relegation trouble and were not helped by a 59th minute dismissal. It was a dour match where the hosts found it difficult to break down a well organised defence. Both goals came in the final four minutes. With sons, Jim, Mike and Liam and friends!

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Pre-match drinks: on the left from front: Alan Eathorne, Adam, Kevin, Rory Clark, and Daz. On the right from the front: Billy, son Liam, Gary Miller, and son James

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Large swathes of the ground were closed, as can be seen from the above photo. The capacity of the ground had been raised to just over 50,000 for the World Cup in 2006, when half a dozen matches were played at the stadium.

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Wednesday 19th February 2025

Northants Senior (Hillier) Cup Semi-final

Corby Town 3

Danny Gordon 25, Spencer Edwards 56, 60,

Peterborough Sports 0

Referee: Luke Scott. Attendance: 339

Admission: £5.00. Programme: NONE, teamsheet 50p

The Steelmen are two divisions below their rivals from National League North, but neither team was at full strength, even for a semi-finals and entry prices were reduced to a fiver. Last Saturday, Peterborough Sports drew an attendance of 190 for a National League North match! A very even first half saw the hosts gain a single goal advantage direct from a corner after 25 minutes. Two early second half strikes, taking advantage of fairly elementary defensive errors, killed the game off until a player melee in added time saw a lenient official award but two cautions!

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Note the error on the above display. This match was NOT a Northern Premier League match!

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Remember, the time of year
when the future appears
like a blank sheet of paper
a clean calendar, a new chance.
On thick white snow
You vow fresh footprints
then watch them go
with the wind’s hearty gust.
Fill your glass. Here’s tae us. Promises
made to be broken, made to last.

by Jackie Kay (1961 – )

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Saturday 4th January 2025

EFL Championship

Norwich City 2

Amankwah Forson 90+1, 90+5,

Coventry City 1

Milan Van Ewijk 24,

Referee: James Bell.                                                     Attendance: 26,682

Admission: OAP £21.00 (£31).                                 Programme: £4.00

Smash and grab! Only my sixth visit since 1968 when Blackpool were the winners and, as a student in Liverpool, I drove down overnight for the match. For long periods in this match, after Coventry’s 24th minute opener, this game drifted into infinity and …. suddenly woke up in added time right at the very end when The Canaries grabbed two goals (91 & 95 minutes) to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. With sons, Jim and Mike and grandson, Freddie.

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Pre match lunch in The Gunn Club – from left: Mike, Ed, Jim and Freddie

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Grandson, Freddie and Grandad, Ed

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Ed at the front with Freddie next to him and Jim and Mike beyond!

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Brilliant day out! Jim drove us all to Peterborough and we caught the 10.40 train to Norwich, arriving at 12.11. It was only a ten minute walk to the stadium and we were booked into The Gunn Club for lunch at 12.30pm. Excellent meal, good seats in the stand, Coventry City should have won! Norwich after a lacklustre performance for ALL of normal time, redeemed themselves with two goals in added time at the end of the match. Then it was the 17.50 back to Peterborough, Jim drove us back to Corby and got himself home to Banbury before the snows arrived!

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Tuesday 7th January 2025

Spartan South Midlands League

Division 1 Cup Quarter-final

Moulton 1

Matty Long 20,

Desborough Town 5

Will Russell 25, 44, 46, Iain Blake 70, Kai Magee 83,

Referee: Jakub Gierczyk.                                            Attendance: 71

Admission: oAP £4.00 (£7).                                      Programme: FREE

It wasn’t a chit billy, it was absolutely Baltic. I had to scrape the ice off my car after the match! Good game, though, on Moulton’s state of the art plastic pitch. These two teams are seriously challenging for promotion and it was the hosts who took the lead after 20 minutes. Back came Ar Tarn with two goals of their own to take the lead at the interval and three second half strikes completed a comprehensive dismantling of the home side!

There was an incident in the thirty second minute when the referee awarded a free kick to the home side but the away team player remained on the ground. I couldn’t see very well from the other side of the pitch, but a visiting side substitute came onto the pitch and shoved (the referee allegedly said: “head-butted”) a player from the home side. The substitute was sent off without ever kicking the ball! On his way off the pitch, he told me that one of the home players had stamped on the head of the player lying on the ground. The incident added ten minutes to the first half.

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Friday 10th January 2025

Premier League 2

Leicester City 0

Crystal Palace 2

Ademola Ola-Adebomi 15, Hindola Mustapha 82,

Referee: Alan Dale. Attendance: 173

Admission: OAP £3.00 (£5). Free Team Sheet

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Saturday 11th January 2024

Jewson Western League Division 1

Sturminster Newton United 2

Buddy O’Shea 45+2, 84,

Mendip Broadwalk 1

Rhys Hickery 1,

Referee: David Kemnery. Official Attendance: 133

Admission: OAP £4.00 (£7). Programme: £2.00

This is the first season in The Western League for both of these clubs. The Cherries, mind you, can trace their history back to the 1870s and an FA Cup encounter with the legendary ‘Wanderers’. The ground is spartan, with hard standing on two sides and a small covered standing area on one side. The concrete base for a seated stand is further along the same side. There is a large club house with catering facilities and a bar. The match began explosively with a goal after only 40 seconds to the visitors. They hung onto this lead until added time at the end of the first half, when the hosts equalised. A second goal to the hosts six minutes from time gave them the victory, but not before a sending off for the visitors in the eighth minute of added time and tense contretemps between player and spectators on his way to the dressing room! With John Main.

Monday 13th January 2025

Walsall Senior Cup Quarter-final

Coleshill Town 0

Rushall Olympic 0

Referee: Alex Rolfe. Official Attendance: 101

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

Coleshill Town won 4-2 on penalties after 90 minutes

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Tuesday 14th January 2025

Northern Premier League Midlands Division 1

Rugby Town 1

Harrison Nee 24,

Loughborough Students 1

Hussein Issa 63,

Referee: Jason Porter. Official Attendance: 143

Admission: OAP £5.00 (£10). Programme: £2.00

Butlin Road is an impressive stadium with hard standing throughout, cover on all four sides, crash barriers and substantial terracing behind each goal. It was a pity that only a smattering of spectators were there to witness the encounter. Rugby Town’s average attendance this season is 288, but less than half of that turned up tonight. Relegation threatened Rugby, under new management, enjoyed the better of the first half and took a 1-0 lead into the interval. The students responded well in the second period and struck on the hour mark to level the score … and a draw was probably the right result! With John Main.

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Wednesday 15th January 2025

West Herts St Mary’s Challenge Cup Quarter-final

Tring Athletic 2

George Carbery 56, 80 (pen),

Tring Corinthians 1

Harry Robertson 67,

Referee: Robert Poole. Attendance: 141

Admission: OAP £5.00 (£9). Programme: NONE

Both of these teams grace The Spartan South Midlands League, but there are two divisions between them, with hosts, Athletic in mid-table in the premier division and Corinthians in mid table in division 2. It should have been a massacre, but the hosts were woefully profligate and the visitors plugged away doggedly. After a goalless first half, Athletic took the lead just before the hour mark, Corinthians equalised some ten minutes later with an outrageous free kick and, out of nowhere, the hosts won it with a penalty five minutes from time! Heavy fog rolled in midway through the second half!

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Saturday 18th January 2025

Southern Combination League Division 1

Billingshurst 0

Worthing United 2

Danny Kingston 15, Dan Hills,

Referee: Oliver Westgate. Official Attendance: 102

Admission: OAP £4.00 (£7). Programme: ON LINE

I do hate unnecessary tautology. Surely a “league” is a “ combination”! No need to say it twice! Jubilee Fields is a good walk from Billingshurst Station – even when the postcode is correct! The ground is very basic. A grass pitch with hard standing on three sides and a seated stand with around 75 seats. There is a wire fence surrounding the arena and there were spectators who watched for free on the outside of it. The club house is shared with the cricket club. These two sides are aiming for the play-off places and fifth placed Worthing were deserved victors with a goal in each half against the seventh placed hosts.

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Monday 20th January 2025

Northants Senior Youth League North Division

Blackstones U18 5

Will Pearce-Smith 6, Joe Johnson 15, Johan Coughlan 57, Henry Moxley 73, Finn Seggie 79,

Corby Town U18 2

Lionel Gazire 29, Kyle Hutchison 79,

Referee: Junior Jones. Attendance: 73

Admission: OAP £1.00 (£3). Programme: NONE

Good match at Lincoln Road in Stamford, where the hosts were playing joint leaders from Corby, both teams having suffered but one league defeat all season. Blackstones were two ahead inside fifteen minutes, but Corby pulled a goal back before the interval. After the break, Blackstones struck three more times before the young Steelmen grabbed a late consolation to make the score more respectable. Excellent entertainment on a very chilly evening!

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Southern League Division 1 Central

Tuesday 21st January 2025

North Leigh 0

Harley Vazza s/o 87,

Hertford Town 2

Benjamin Herd 17, Adeniyl Gbolahan 77,

Referee: Samuel Lee. Attendance: 44

Admission: OAP £5.00 (£10). Programme: ON LINE

Lovely rustic setting at Eynsham Park, but the hosts, representing a village of under 2,000 souls are punching well above their weight! Not for much longer, however, bottom of the table and fifteen points from safety, they were well beaten tonight, a goal in each half and a penalty saved to keep the score respectable. The hosts also had a man dismissed in the final three minutes for a second yellow card. With son, Jim and grandsons, Sonny and Kingsley!

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Wednesday 22nd January 2025

United Counties League Premier Division North

Melton Town 1

Kairo Edwards-John 48,

Bourne Town 2

Tom Siddons 10, Paul Malone 83,

Referee: Thomas Kennedy. Official Attendance: 159

Admission: OAP £5.00 (£7). Programme: £2.00

Top of the table Bourne Town are chasing consecutive promotions, whilst mid table Melton Town are on a bad run of seven defeats. The hosts have made substantial improvements to their stadium, including a 3G pitch, addditional hard standing all round and a pretty impressive lounge and catering area behind the goal. Tonight, they were unlucky. The visitors were clearly unhappy on the 3G surface and for long periods were outplayed by the hosts. However a goal at each end of the game gave The Wakes the victory despite an equaliser immediately after half-time.

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Saturday 25th January 2025

Northern Premier League Midlands Division 1

Corby Town 1

Callum Milne 90+2

Bedworth United 0

Referee: Grace Lowe. Attendance: 538

Admission: OAP £7.00. Programme: £2.00

Bedworth came to spoil and frustrate, and to waste time. They very nearly succeeded. In a scrappy encounter, The Steelmen were ineffectual and largely clueless, but they managed a goal in the 92nd minute, which was more than they deserved, but just what Bedworth deserved!

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Wednesday 29th January 2025

Southern League Division 1 Central

Kidlington 0

Thame United 2

Tom McElroy 18, Ty Deacon 32 (pen),

Referee: Samuel Olhausen. Attendance: 91

Admission: OAP £5.00 (£10). Programme: £2.00

This was my first visit in ten years to Yarnton Road and not a lot had changed in that time. The car park was still full of potholes and the ground still had that feel of genteel decay. The team are in serious trouble, too, and might easily drop out of the Southern League at the end of the season. Despite all of this, they certainly enjoyed vociferous support! Visitors, Thame United scored twice in the opening period, however, the hosts were much more determined after the break, but never really looked like scoring.

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The Way Through the Woods

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They shut the road through the woods

Seventy years ago,

Weather and rain have undone it again,

And now you would never know

There was once a road through the woods

Before they planted the trees.

It is underneath the coppice and heath

And the thin anemones

Only the keeper sees

That, where the ring dove broods,

And the badgers roll at ease,

There was once a road through the woods

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by Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936)

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The wind and the rain increased in ferocity as the afternoon wore on. The National League North match on the adjacent (grass) pitch fell to the weather, but, on the 3G, the match went ahead. The hosts, with but one victory in twenty one league outings this season, went ahead after only three minutes, but were behind at the interval and, despite a spirited second half performance, were killed off by a third goal from the visitors three minutes from the final whistle!

Tuesday 10th December 2024

Isthmian League Division 1 North

Cambridge City 0

Brentwood Town 1

Mekhi McKenzie 51,

Referee: Oliver Morris-Sanders.                                      Attendance: 322

Admission: OAP £5.00 (£10).                                          Programme: £3.00

Impressive new arena, but a great deal still to be done. Plenty of refreshment facilities, but only a portakabin wherein to enjoy them. Cover on all four sides and an impressive 500 seater stand. Sadly, the team couldn’t match the facilities and subsided to a single goal defeat which which was more emphatic than the scoreline suggests. With John Main, Dave Wooding and Martin Hollands.

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Friday 13th December 2024

Northern League Division 2

Washington FC 0

Ryton & Crawcrook Albion 5

Matthew Hayton 20, Fergus Lynch 22, Glenn Caygill 24, Louis Calvert 45 (pen), 57 (pen),

Referee: Lewis Chirnside.                                                        Attendance: 93

Admission: OAP £3.00 (£5).                                                  Programme: NONE

A comfortable club house festively decked out, but the rest of the ground was fairly basic. A substantial plastic rail surrounded the pitch with hardstanding all round. A small 50 seat stand and an even smaller covered terrace were the only other furniture. Bottom of the table and eight points adrift, Washington were plucky in defence, but well placed Albion scored four first half goals and rounded off with a fifth on the hour mark to complete a comprehensive rout.

Saturday14th December 2024

Northern League Division 1. kick-off 12 noon

West Allotment Celtic 0

Easington Colliery 5

Thomas Hunter 2,  Christopher Trewick 28, Bradley Hird 54 (pen), James Fairley 90+2 (pen), Reece Kenney 90+7,

Referee: Ben Whitfield.                                                          Attendance: 104

Admission: OAP £4.00 (£7).                                                Programme: £2.50

West Allotment Celtic have a ground containing hard standing on three sides a metal fence around the pitch and two fifty seater stands down one side and a covered terrace behind one goal, with additional catering facilities outside the ground. It was a cold midday kick off and the hosts were never at the races. A goal down inside two minutes and two down by the interval, they conceded three second half strikes interrupted by a medical emergency when the father of one of the players collapsed and had to be hospitalised.

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Saturday 14th December 2014

Northern League Division 2 kick-off: 3.00pm

Prudhoe Youth Club 0

Jarrow 0

Referee: A Duffy.                                                            Attendance: 82

Admission: OAP £3.00 (£6).                                       Programme: FREE

Kimberley Park is an old fashioned stadium at the bottom of the hill below the town of Prudhoe and with a pronounced slope from goal to goal. There is hard standing all round and covered seating for around one hundred souls and further standing cover. The matchday programme comes free with entry which is a bonus for an OMGDS like me! No goals, today. Second in the table, Jarrow had the better of the encounter, but were unable to break down a determined home defence. With John Main.

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Monday 16th December 2024

Premier League 2

Leicester City U21 1

Harvey Godsmark-Ford 89,

Everton U21 1

Omari Benjamin 83,

Referee: Adam Bancroft.                                               Attendance: 249

Admission: OAP £3.00 (£5).                                        Free teamsheet

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Tuesday 17th December 2024

United Counties League Premier Division North

Bourne Town 4

Zak Munton 46,Will Bird (pen) 63, Zac Allen 84, Tom Siddons (pen) 87,

Newark & Sherwood 0

Referee: Istvan Modd.                                           Attendance: 226

Admission: OAP £5.00 (£6).                               Programme: on line

It is five years since my last visit – at a time when the FA were demoting them to Division 1 because the ground wasn’t enclosed. Last season they were Division 1 champions and this season, they sit in second place, four points behind leaders, Eastwood CFC, but with two games in hand. The first half was pretty turgid, with the best of very few chances going to the visitors. A goal one minute into the second period changed the tenor of the game and the hosts added three more (two of them penalties) to run out convincing winners.

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Thursday 19th December 2024

Friendly

Leicester City U21 2

Olympique de Marseille B 0

Referee: Andy Humphries.                                               Attendance: 189

Admission: OAP £3.00 (£5).                                           Programme: NONE

A 6.00pm start for this friendly match on a very cold evening and not a match that will live long in the memory. With John Main.

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Saturday 21st December 2024

Spartan South Midlands League Division 2

Padbury Village 4

Milon Keynes Irish Reserves 2

Referee: Ron James.                                                      Attendance: 35

Admission: F.O.C.                                                          Programme: NONE

Padbury is a small hamlet on the road from Buckingham to Aylesbury, with a population of just over 800. This was the last ground I needed to complete the SSML and for such a small place, it had a neat, well set out playing area with hard standing on two sides and a clubhouse serving drinks and chocolate. The hosts are struggling, having lost eleven of their opening fourteen games. This was their second league victory and it was well deserved. Four goals were shared during a wet and windy opening twenty minutes and the hosts scored a third just before the interval. They dominated the second half, playing up the slope, but with the wind in their favour. However they were only able to add a single strike to their total. With John Main.

Boxing Day Thursday 26th December 2024

Jewson Western League Division 1

Avonmouth 2

Charlie Aldom 37, Josh Pearce 69,

Shirehampton 2

Ben Adam 63, Ciaran Greening 90,

Referee: Joseph Drew.                                               Official Attendance: 528

Admission: OAP F.O.C. (£6)                                    Programme: £2.00

In the shadow of The M5 motorway, this was a thud and blunder local derby on a heavy pitch in misty murky conditions. Both teams are recent additions to The Western League and their grounds are barely a mile apart. The King George V Recreation Ground has had quite a lot of improvements, including state of the art floodlights but have yet to start building on a required stand. Hard standing on two sides, coffee for £1, pastie/pie £2 and pensioners allowed in free! This was a mid=table clash with the visitors slightly better placed and with games in hand. The hosts led twice, but were pegged back for a second time in the ninetieth minute. A draw was a fair result! With John Main.

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Saturday 28th December 2024

Southern League Premier Division Central

Harborough Town 4

Ben Stephens 9, Luis Rose 55, Connor Kennedy 86, Joel Carta 89,

Leiston 0

Referee: Dario Mathewson. Attendance: 404

Admission: OAP £6.00 (£10). Programme: £2.00

A murky, dank day at The Harborough Community Stadium. Since last season, they have opened up a whole length of the ground with covered terracing along most of that side. Leiston were the better placed of the two teams with the hosts a bare three points off the dreaded trapdoor, but it was they who started the more positively and they went ahead after only ten minutes. Leiston huffed and puffed, but tired in the second period, when the hosts struck three more times, two of them in the last five minutes. With son, Jim and grand sons, Sonny and Kingsley.

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Monday 30th December 2024

Northern Premier League Midlands Division 1

Anstey Nomads 2

Jordan Annable 71, Kyle Tomlin 88,

Quorn 3

Cain Noble 19, Luca Alonzi 57, Silvio Bello 90+7,

Referee: Gareth Davis.                                        Official Attendance: 569

Admission: OAP £6.00 (£10).                           Programme: on line

On a chilly evening in Leicestershire, a healthy turnout (including not a few ‘hoppers’) enjoyed an entertaining local ‘derby’ where the visitors, who are runaway leaders of the division, were made to work very hard for their victory. They led 1-0 at the interval and doubled their lead around the hour mark, but back came Nomads with two late goals, the second in the 88th minute, only for Quorn to snatch a winner in the seventh minute of added time. With John Main, Dave Woodings, Tony Morehead and good to see Magret Hanke and Jens-Uwe Hanssen over from Germany for a short visit.

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Photograph courtesy of Magret Hanke. The grumpy old man with a beef burger behind the goal at Anstey Nomads.

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Teamsheet for Quorn

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Teamsheet for Anstey Nomads

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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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Friday 15th November 2024

Northern League Division 2

Horden CW 4

Philly Angus 10, 46, Taylor Campbell 32, Jack Pounder 40,

Chester-le-Street Town 0

Referee: Alex Bourner.                                                  Attendance: 230

Admission: OMGDS £2.00 (£5).                                Programme: £2.00

A real old fashioned ground with some steep terracing on three sides and a row of terraced houses overlooking the pitch, but … a pretty new, one hundred seater stand on the opposite side. Sadly, there was no indoor facility for spectators once inside the ground and, on a chilly evening, that would have been very welcome! The hosts regained top spot in the division with this victory and avenged their only league defeat this season, way back in August, when tonight’s visitors won 2-0. Three goals to the good playing down hill in the first period, the hosts scored a fourth within a minute of the restart and the game died a little thereafter with numerous substitutions and The Marras content to run the time down to the final whistle.With JohnMain.

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Saturday 16th November 2024

Sunderland & District Over 40s League Division 1 (k.o. 10.30am)

South Shields Vets 6

Steven Graham 54, 59, 71 (pen), 75 (pen), Johnny Wightman 70, Stuart Smith 73,

CSSC Darsley Park Vets 0

Referee: David Hogg.                                           Attendance: 15

Admission: F.O.C.                                                Programme: NONE

The very pleasant arena at Harton and Westoe was the venue for this clash between highly placed hosts and next to bottom visitors. Surprisingly, there were no goals in the first period, but the hosts struck six times after the interval to score a league double over their opponents, having won by 4-3 at Darsley Park. I once visited this ground – ten years ago in April 2014 – with another groundhopper, Dave Rush. We were on a Northern League ‘hop’ and just before the morning match on that day we drove past and stopped for a look at Harton & Westoe’s ground. We both promised each other that ONE DAY, we would come here for a match. I don’t think either of us believed that we would, and, certainly, I never believed that ten years later, completely by accident, I would be watching a match here!

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Saturday 16th November 2024

Northern League Division 1 (k.o.: 3.00pm)

Blyth Town 1

Dan Wilson 18,

Easington Colliery 1

Dylan Elliott 67,

Referee: Jack Whitfield.                                         Official Attendance: 128

Admission: OAP £4.00 (£7).                                 Programme: ON LINE

Blyth Town are a recent addition to football in the town, only arriving on the scene in 1998. Their ground is a cage with a grassed pitch, hardstanding all round and a seated stand for around a hundred spectators, but no other cover! There are good catering facilities and a large bar. The team sits in second place in the table with hopes of promotion to The NPL. The visitors, whilst not threatened by relegation, occupy a lowly position. It was no surprise when the hosts took an 18th minute lead, but never looked like being able to build a bigger cushion. Midway through the second period, their opponents struck an equaliser and were good value for the draw and their point. The official attendance seemed low, I would have said a figure nearer to two hundred was more accurate!

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Sunday 17th November 2024

“November” by Thomas Hood (1799-1845)

No sun – no moon!

No morn -no noon –

No dawn – no dusk – no proper time of day.

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No warmth, no cheerfulness, no healthful ease,

No comfortable feel in any member –

No shade, no shine, no butterflies, no bees,

No fruits, no flowers, no leaves, no birds! –

November!

A short walk on a mild morning down The Dusty and across the fields to Kirby Hall, silent and bare in the Autumnal stillness. Onwards up the driveway, espying a tree harbouring what appeared to be a ball of mistletoe. Along Kirby Road, where Rockingham Motor Speedway lined the horizon, to the junction with Gretton Brook Road and along the farm track, through newly ploughed fields, both claggy and clarty, with a silent tree, encircled by bushes to guide the way. The heavy mud clung like a ball and chain until, reaching The Dusty again and up Southfields, along Kirby Road and back to base! With Charlotte, 5.23 miles and five stiles.

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Monday 18th. November 2024

Northern Premier League Midlands Division 1

Coleshill Town 4

Isaac Idegoke 19, Alex McSkeane 69, 71, 88,

Corby Town 0

Referee: Benjamin Stott.                                           Attendance: 135

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

Quite amazing that even a relatively small crowd turned out on such a filthy night – including the thirty or forty who made the sixty mile trip from Corby. They were well beaten on the night. The hosts scored a solitary first half goal, but a second half hat trick completed the rout. With sons, Jim and Mike, grandson, Freddie and John Main.

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Friday 22nd November 2024

Premier League 2 Cup Group B

Leicester City U21 0

Hull City U21 2

Referee: Aaron Jackson.                                          Attendance: 262

Admission: OMGDS £3.00 (£5).                           Programme: Free Team Sheet.

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Saturday 23rd. November 2024

Southern Combination Premier Division

Bexhill United P

Crawley Down Gatwick P

Referee: Ryan Calver.                                                        Attendance: N/A

Admission: OAP £5.00 (£7) reimbursed                      Programme: £1.00. Match OFF!!!!

Bexhill United was called off five minutes after I arrived at 2.40pm -waterlogged pitch they said, it looked fine to me!!

Mind you the rain was lashing down and the winds were very strong and I am now soaked wet through having walked to the ground and back from the station.

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Tuesday 26th November 2024

Hinchingbrooke Cup 1st Round

Godmanchester Rovers 1

Deeping Rangers 3

Referee: Andrew Hitchcox.                                     Attendance: 60

Admission: OMGDS £5.00 (£7).                           Programme: on line

Bearscroft Farm is all built up, now, with new houses all around it. The Hinchingbrooke Cup is a competition for clubs historically associated with Huntingdonshire, a county that no longer exists. Theses two clubs play in parallel divisions of The UCL – Deeping in the premier division north and Goddy in premier division south. Both are struggling, the hosts are rock bottom and, in their division, Rangers are one place off the bottom. The visitors ran away with the first half and went into the break with a 3-0 advantage. The hosts came out all fired up for the second half, but only a single goal resulted from their onslaught!

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Wednesday 27th November 2024

Essex Senior League

Athletic Newham 2

Leonardo Luis De Carvalho Pedro 67, Charlie Campbell 77,

Great Wakering Rovers 3

Dominic Locke 5, 55, Ben Search 33,

Referee: David Moreno-Rojas.                                           Attendance: 54

Admission: OAP £5.00 (£7).                                              Programme: ON LINE

Played on one of the three 3G pitches at Parsloes Park in a cage with viewing on three sides a few Meccano structures down one side and behind one goal and minimal refreshment facilities (hot drinks and sausage rolls). The visitors were the more highly placed and strolled to a 2-0 interval lead, which they increased to 3-0 by the hour mark. The hosts were unfairly denied TWO nailed-on penaltiy decisions in the second period, and fought back well, reducing the deficit to a single goal margin at the finish …. and, deserved better! Good to see Peter Miles in attendance!

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Saturday 30th November 2024

Velocity Wessex League Division 1

New Milton Town 3

Brad Snelling 35, 85, Adam Pattison 56 (og),

Totton & Eling 1

Jamie Craven 75,

Referee: Stephen Fall.                                             Official Attendance: 174

Admission: OMGDS £4.00 (£6).                          Programme: £1.00

Fawcett’s Field is a council owned ground with a fine 262 seater stand, hard standing all round and a substantial pitch surrounding fence. However, there was no other cover or furniture. Adjacent to the ground is a bar and catering facilities. The hosts sit proudly at the top of the table. This was their sixth victory in a row and twelfth game unbeaten, but they made hard work of a workmanlike Totton & Eling side. Beautiful sunset followed by a rolling mist as the game glided towards a close. With John Main.

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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

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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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