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May 2019

Posted in Uncategorized | June 1st, 2019

Soccer Sonnet

Now children, said the teacher with a smile

Put down your books and let your pencils fall

Come out into the playground for a while

And run around with me and kick a ball.

We’ll pick two teams and use our coats for goals

(But leave our bags and worries at the door)

And play the game with all our hearts and souls

And never mind the weather or the score.

I’ll promise not to test your soccer skills

The ball’s the only thing you’ll need to pass

Ther’ll be no Key Stage Three or spelling drills

There’ll be no top or bottom of the class

So let’s forget the gold stars for the day

And get outside – and run around – and play.

Allan Ahlberg (1937 – )

Wednesday 1st May 2019
North Bucks & District League Premier Division

Potterspury 1

Lee White 45,

Stoke Hammond Wanderers 3

Elliot Sharp 7,

Luke Anthony 81, 86,
Referee:- Andy Halladay. Attendance:- 10
This season:- matches 223. New grounds:- 99
This match was a slow burner which turned into a tetchy second half and exploded at the final whistle into full blown warfare. At least two players were decked and the melee lasted several minutes. The hosts should have won this match, but their minds were on a Cup Final on Saturday and their lowly visitors took full advantage in a lacklustre contest.

“The Dave Miller Stand”

The unseemly meleé at full time when both teams slogged it out for several minutes. Three players from the home side were dismissed, but it was the visitors who suffered the most. The result was taken away from them and awarded to Potterspury by 1-0. Allegedly, Stoke Hammond Wanderers had put out several players who were not registered with the club and this cost them the match and the points. Potterspury went on to win their cup final, despite having one player so badly injured in the scrap after the final whistle that he was unable to take part in that match!

Saturday 4th May 2019
Kershaws Cambridgeshire County League
Mead Plant & Grab Division 3A

Abington United 2

Paul Sangha 37,

Sam Whittaker 56,

Barrington 2

Dijon Jones 10,

Luke Chadwich 21,
Referee:- Jonathan Askew. Attendance:- 31

Admission:- F.O.C. Programme:- NONE
At a beautiful tree lined setting, deep in the heart of rural Cambridgeshire, cricket and football were being played side by side. The hosts were entertaining the divisional champions and the visitors soon eased into a two goal lead. Abington pulled one back before the interval – and after a volley of hailstones fell like Agincourt arrows – and then, in the second half, they drew level, deservedly so, and earned a well fought point! As the players trooped off, the cricketers had March Town at 88 for 6, but I didn’t linger to see the outcome!

Monday 13th May 2019
West Yorkshire League Premier Division

Salts 4

Luke Rhodes 35, 90+2,

Andrew Boote 37,

Sam Waterhouse 39,

Huddersfield Amateur 5

Glynn Haley 11,

Jacob Driver 42,

James Greenwood 77,

Slater Barnes 82, 90+1
Referee:- Kieran Dawson Attendance:- 55
This season:- Match 225. New grounds:- 101
Saltaire, cultural capital of Shipley in West Yorkshire and founded over 150 years ago by Sir Titus Salt. He it was who built the town and the sports facilities, but wouldn’t allow alcohol to be consumed in his metropolis. His huge mill dominates the sky line and houses a Hockney collection. Tonight, already relegated Salts were a goal down after ten minutes and 3-1 ahead half an hour later! The visitors pulled one goal back before the interval and added two more immediately after the break. Two more goals came in added time – one to each side – in this pulsating thriller! With Graeme Askham, John Main and Chris Berezai – and Nigel Askham and Peter Abbott!

Wednesday 15th May 2019
Pete’s Patisserie Sheffield & Hallamshire County Senior League
Premier Division

Swinton Athletic 1

Darren Walker 19,

Wombwell Main 0
Referee:- Daniel Brown. Attendance:- 61
Admission:- F.O.C. Programme:- NONE
Playing at the very impressive former home of Mexborough Athletic, a three sided ground with a substantial seated stand and concrete terracing on two sides of the pitch and which is shared with Mexborough CC, Swinton Athletic are very fortunate! This evening’s result cements third place in the table, but in a game of few chances and many wayward passes, they were somewhat fortunate to come away with the victory in what was a very evenly contested match.

Thursday 23rd May 2019
(Ashbourne) Summer League
The Bill Redfern Memorial Trophy Semi-Final

Biggin 2

Tom Mellor 52 (pen), 56,

Broughton Wanderers 5

Alex Goodall 11, 16, 50,

Josh Greasley 13,

Max Thornberry 45 (pen),
Referee:- Richard Robinson. Attendance:- 57
Admission:- £2.00. Programme:- NONE
When you visit The Red Lion Ground, give yourself time to visit The Red Lion pub in Hollington with their magnificent pies! Bit of a trek twixt ground and pub, but well worth it! Newcomers, Broughton Wanderers started this game at a gallop with three goals in the first quarter of an hour and then a further strike, a penalty, on the stroke of half-time. Biggin pulled things round and won the second half by 2-1, but it is Broughton who will face Doveridge in the final!

Saturday 25th May 2019
Midland Regional Alliance Premier Division

Ripley 0

Mayfield 2

Josh Dales 64, 66,
Referee:- Chris Petcu. Attendance:- 63
Admission:- F.O.C. Programme:- £2.00
This match was played at Eastwood CFC after earlier attempts to stage the game at Basford and Kilburn and it was the last match of the MRA Premier Division season. It is ten years since my last visit, just after the new stand was built and in the intervening period, the hosts had fallen seriously in status. They have, however, installed a 3G pitch and levelled off the playing area. Today’s match was lacklustre, both teams having difficulty acclimatising to the artificial surface, but the visitors deserved their victory. With Graeme Askham.