Marcus, don’t argue with the ref.
Yes, he needs glasses
Yes, he should keep up with play
Yes, he’s a pawn
In some international betting syndicate
But don’t argue with him
He’ll send you off.
And if he doesn’t, I will.
…………
Marcus, what did I say?
I warned you
You’re argumentative
He was bound to send you off.
Your own mother would send you off.
And besides –
Besides –
Besides _
Marcus…….. shut up.
From ‘Team Talk’ by Allan Ahlberg
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Saturday 14th September 2013 FA Cup with Budwieser k.o.:- 3.00pm
First Qualifying Round
Runcorn Linnets 2
Mark Houghton 46
Matthew Atherton 49
Glossop North End 1
David Young 32
referee:- Mr M. McDonald attendance:- 356
It is a long time since I have been to Canal Street, the old lair of Runcorn. In the sixties and seventies, they were a force to be reckoned with in The Northern Premier League and more than once I winced as Chorley received yet another thrashing at their hands at their Canal Street fortress. Sadly it is no more and The Linnets, who are descended from the original club, now play at a soulless, tin can of a stadium, not unlike a mini Deva Stadium at Chester City. There was a seated stand for about one hundred spectators down one side, a covered area behind one goal and a couple of perspex bus shelters along the side opposite the seated stand.
Their opponents, Glossop North End had a strong following who gave noisy support throughout. They have an even stronger pedigree, having graced The Football League Division Two for fifteen years leading up the the First World War. Today, however, despite a valiant effort, they came off second best and – for this year at least – bowed out of The FA Cup.
Monday 16th September 2013 Calor Southern League k.o.:- 7.45pm
Premier Division
St Albans City 0
Ryan Wharton s/o 65
Cambridge City 1
Adam Marriott 15
referee:- Andy Aylott attendance:- 327
The cricket pavilion at Clarence Park
St Albans have a lovely stadium. It is really old-world, and is set in the middle of a park with a cricket pitch on one side and the Midland Main Line on the other. I hadn’t been to the ground since October 1999, when they defeated Canvey Island 2-1 in an FA Cup 4th Qualifying Round Replay. Parking was difficult and I had a long walk through the park to get to the turnstile.
The beautiful wooden stand along one side and the terracing all round the ground contrasted sharply with the new covered standing area opposite and the tall dark trees surrounding the ground gave the ground a ‘hemmed in’ feel. Phil tells me, and he has played both cricket and football at Clarence Park, that in his day, you could watch the football and the cricket simultaneously!
These two teams were well placed in their division and St Albans had just thrashed Enfield of The Ryman League 6-1 in an FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round tie. They were full of confidence. Cambridge City have just lost their Milton Road ground and are now sharing with Histon. They were in complete control of this match and despite adding John Frendo, from Hitchin Town, in attack, and Paul Bastock, from Boston United, in goal, The Saints had little to offer against a confident, determined visiting team who really ought to have won by a wider margin.
Tuesday 17th September 2013 Calor Southern League k.o.:- 7.45pm
Premier Division
Banbury United 3
Leon Simpson 16,
Kynan Isaac 69
Anderson Pinto 85
Wayne Blossom s/o 24
Corby Town 1
Tom Wright 51
Tom Ingram s/o 86
Josh Moreman s/o 90+2
referee:- Christopher O’Donnell (Leighton Buzzard) attendance:- 157
This wasn’t my first visit to Banbury United’s Spencer Stadium, nor was it the first time I had seen Corby Town defeated there! However, it was a good opportunity to visit my grandson and his parents in Chipping Norton. Indeed, James, his dad, joined his brother, Mike, and I at the match. When Wayne Blossom was sent off in the 24th minute, Banbury were already one goal up and Wayne, on his way off the pitch, accompanied by some friendly banter, invited James to ‘get-together’ behind the stand after the game!
Corby Town were abysmal. Their only goal came when the keeper completely missed a back-pass and the ball rolled on towards the goal and The Steelmen’s number nine crashed it over the line. That apart, they had no ideas and never looked likely to threaten their hosts goal area. Two sendings off in the last five minutes just compounded an awful evening for the visitors.
Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division: Banbury United
