After driving through the mist along the never ending A614 we arrived in Bridlington. Even on such a day ‘Brid’ has its charm and a sausage roll and coffee in the cafe on the third floor of Boyes can’t be beaten. The view down the beach is just magnificent, you can keep the “Shard

I walked from the town to the Football ground, a 12 minute stroll through suburbia of all shapes and sizes. You hear the tinny tannoy before the stadium appears behind the local Rugby Club which had a game playing on one of its many pitches.

There was a car park at the front and side and as you walked through the turnstile a young boy asked if you wanted your hand stamped for re-entry, did he know something that I didn’t.

The miserable day reflected on the stadium and it looked dull in the poor light. The floodlights came on at half time but they will be on all the while next week after the clocks went back an hour on Saturday. However the clubhouse was large, warm and friendly with the early Premiership kick off on the two screens. There was a drinks bar on one side and a snack bar in one corner, more of that later.

I was not surprised that Bridlington’s programme has been in the top two on 9 out of ten years in whichever League they were in. It is packed full of interest, photos and abundant statistics. The club are progressive in proffering the programme for £2 and a team sheet, for 20p, which has been printed in line with the teams handed in to the matchday officials. People who don’t want the programme can just buy it for a small cost increasing the income stream.

The pitch was of grass, lush and very flat surrounded by a long seated stand down one side, some covered terracing on the side of one end and between the two dugouts. One end of the ground is taken up by the club houses of the football and rugby clubs with hard attending in front.

The sky was a solid light grey with a dampness in the air that made the temperature of 11 degrees seem colder which may also have been effected by a breeze from the sea that was just shy of 1 mile away.

Bridlington were formed in 1920 out of another defunct local team. They played local football but gained a step up to the Northern Counties East league in 1982 with its formation. The 1990’s were a tumultuous time going to Wembley twice in the FA Vase and being winners once but they also were also disbanded and the team today has grown out of those ashes. Most of the time since has been in the Northern Counties East League but have played in the Northern Premier League East in recent seasons.

Carlton are based in North East Nottingham and I commented on their history two seasons ago when I visited them.

Bridlington Town v Carlton Town

Saturday 28th October 15.00 pm kick off. Queensgate Bridlington YO16 7LN

Northern Premier League East Division; Seasiders v Millers; 13th v 6th

Bridlington in all red strip: Carlton, White Shirts and Black Shorts.

A minutes silence was held to remember the great Sir Bobby Charlton.

The match soon settled down, with the home side being the most positive, without creating any chances by both sides. Bridlington’s attack came on 30 minutes which came to nothing and by then the more physical Carlton had already racked up 4 bookings. Carlton were awarded a soft penalty which struck the post and shortly after the Seasiders hit the post on 41 minutes which rebounded out.

Against the run of play it was Carlton who took the lead a minute later when Lamin Sisawo-Danso headed in, when unmarked, from a freekick out on the left. This meant Carlton went in at half time with a one goal lead which was against the run of play.

HT; Bridlington 0 Carlton 1

Carlton seemed stronger in the second half buoyed by their halftime lead and looked certain to go further ahead after 20 minutes which they would have done but for a point blank save by James Hitchcock. A few minutes later it was Felix Annan in the away goal who showed his skill in making a full length diving save to his left.

Bridlington tried hard to gain momentum but were denied by a dogged Carlton defence and some fresh legged substitutes who pressed hard on the home team. Carlton saw out the rest of the game to go third in the league with a game in hand on some of their rivals, looking good for a strong push for promotion.

Bridlington could have drawn the game if they had more cutting edge to their forwards. The 228 was 10 down on their average attendance which was not surprising on such a dull day.

The chips were welcomed, but although there was a great quantity for only £1.50 and were tasty they were also greasy and a bit soggy. Unfortunately only a score of 59.

Storm Babet had stopped me from being in Scarborough to see them play but despite the deluge that had engulfed many parts of the North I was still able to see a local football match.

I went to Handsworth in Sheffield to see them play top of the table Campion from Bradford. When I visited this ground before they had only recently completed their synthetic pitch and were building the rest of the facilities so it was good to see them finished. Along with the spirit level pitch with great hard standing and some covered seating is a clubhouse one end of the ground that houses the changing rooms and bar and food area. The finished ground is now impressive and is used along with the other pitches in this Oliver’s Mount complex for the many teams of all ages that now count this as their home. On the day of my visit there were officials from Northern Counties East who will surely have been impressed.

With flooding nearby it is incredible that games were being played locally for example on the artificial pitches at Worksop and Staveley. The green carpet looked even more authentic with a sparce covering of leaves from the surrounding trees and what looked like water being thrown up when the ball or foot glided on the surface. The splash effect was the black crumb that is layered onto the green carpet.

It was a cool 13 degrees with a grey cloudy sky that had small blue patches trying to sneak through. The loud speaker system was very audible, often not the case, a really great 32 page programme, team sheet or both were available on entry allowing you to be very informed. Despite all this effort and with Rotherham United cancelled the night before, Sheffield Wednesday away at Watford and Sheffield United kicking off at 20.00 pm there were only 162 there.

Although there had been a team at Handsworth for some years they take the start of the current club to be the 2013 merger between Handsworth and Worksop Parramore who took up Worksop Parramore’s higher league standing as Handsworth Paramore F.C. and played at Sandy Lane, Worksop. A Women’s team joined Sheffield and Hallamshire Women’s County League under the Handsworth banner in 2018 and the whole club was renamed Handsworth FC in 2019. The next year they returned home to Oliver’s Mount in Sheffield and a new all weather pitch.

Campion were formed in 1963, using their current name around 1975 when they entered the Bradford Sunday League moving to Saturdays soon after. They soon progressed to the West Riding League steadily moving up to the Premier League by 1993. Continued steady progress on the pitch and the facilities enabled them to be successful in joining the Northern Counties East League in 2016. Covid and the FA’s League reorganisation left them playing in the North West in 2021 but a successful appeal meant they were back in the NCEL in 2022 winning Division One. Now they are top of the Premier League and are looking to progress further.

Handsworth v Campion

Saturday 21st October 2023

Northern Counties East League Premier Division; 6th v 1st.

Express Worktops Stadium, Oliver Mount, Sheffield, S9 4PA

Handsworth: Gold shirts, Black shorts Campion: Royal Blue Shirts and shorts

Within 3 minutes Campion were ahead when a free kick by Luke Rhodes out on the left was missed by everyone and sailed into the net.
Campion looked strong, assured and focussed but on 11 minutes the home team were level when a cross from the right to the far post was headed back to Aaron Moxam who manged to control it and score.

Although the flow of the game was now equal Handsworth had the most chances and they converted one of them when just before half time Mason Barlow shot from the edge of box to top right hand corner.

Campion looked more pumped to start the second half as the temperature dropped to a cold 8 degrees and they equalised within 5 minutes as Stephen Crawford smashed the ball into the net after continued pressure.

This game had more twists in store as Handsworth regained the lead when a freekick from Ambers goalkeeper into area was headed up by a defender and after some scrappy play it fell to Aaron Moxam, again, who swivelled and kicked the ball into right hand corner along ground. The lead lasted only 6 minutes when on 74 minutes Sam Bradley headed home, when unmarked, from another freekick.

With time drifting on, the away team took the lead when Michael Trench turned the ball into his own net trying to stop it from reaching a Camion forward. This was after a string run down the left by Marcus Harper whose wicked whipped in ball caused all the trouble.

Unfortunately it was all over on 90 minutes when with Handsworth sending men forward for the equaliser they were caught out by a ball past their high line defence which Joseph Colley ran on to and lobbed the ball over Dylan Parkin who was off his goal line.

Handsworth 3 Campion 5

Heartbreak for Handsworth who had played well and perhaps deserved more. The league leaders showed their strength and determination to maintain their table topping position.

Unfortunately there were no chips for the third game running.

After last week’s 35 degrees, back home I decided to go to see Dearne and District FC play on a truly Autumnal evening. The rain of all day had cleared as I approached the ground where cars were abandoned on nearby open grass land. Walking to the match, having parked, I was glad of my large coat and the gloves I found in the pockets from last winter’s use. The 8 degrees felt colder from the effects of the breeze.

I watched a home game of Dearne and District last season but that was at their other ground just south of Goldthorpe. That ground is still used by the clubs numerous sides of all ages, abilities and sexes. The men’s senior team have moved their games to The Welfare Community Stadium in Bolton – upon – Dearne where there is a big push to climb up the football pyramid. Not only is the team top of the Central Midlands Alliance Division North but also pressing on with ground improvements to gain grading to move on. With floodlights, perimeter fencing, pitch side fencing for most sides, a hard standing path around the pitch (almost two sides completed), toilets, food and drinks outlets, an innovative stand made out of containers and a programme, amazing work so far.

The pitch was of thick grass that sloped from end to end and was undulating. Most of the 376 spectators were stood on the new concrete with some on the grass banks and behind one goal trains whizzed by to Doncaster and Sheffield.

There has been a major reorganisation for this season at the Central Midlands League where they have merged with the Midland Regional Alliance and changed name to the Central Midlands Alliance. There are now more divisions with 93 teams giving a greater depth and regional coverage, a league to watch in the future.

As I have said in a previous post Dearne and District were only formed in 1982 and are just starting to write their history. Elite are in the same situation creating their history since their set up in 2020 as an under 18s side. Their move into Thr Central Midlands Alliance has been smooth and bodes well for the future.

Dearne and District FC v Elite FC

Central Midlands Alliance Division North. Welfare Community Stadium Friday 13th October 19.45 kick off. 1st v 5th

Dearne and District red and white vertical stripes with blue shoulder flashes and red shorts: Elite all white strip.

The game was straight away off to a fast and furious pace with both teams showing intent. However it was the home team who took the lead after just 7 minutes when the ball was headed down to Curtis Wilkinson on the left of goal who made no mistake in drilling it into the far corner. Within a few minutes they were two nil up when Josh Moore received the ball 12 meters out and turned round to guide it into the top right hand corner.

The intensity of the game continued and Elite players showed some very good skills but the strength of the Dearne team kept them on top and they made it three nil just on half time when Curtis Wilkinson latched on to a beautiful cross from the right to head home unposed.

Straight at the start of the second half with me not totally concentrating, Dearne and District made it four when in the first minute they surged forward in numbers for Bayley Lowe to stab home. It was Baz Lowe who made it 5 on 58 minutes when a weighted pass over the defence allowed him to run past them and lob the goalkeeper who was rushing out to get the ball.

There were no more goals and Elite didn’t give up so it was competitive to the end. Elite are finding their feet at this higher level of football and will surely come up against lesser competition in this seasons campaign. Dearne and District look to be on course for higher things. I look forward to visiting here again to see their progress.

Unfortunately no chips but on a cold night the minced meat pie with gravy and mint sauce along with a hot cup of coffee went down well.

I decided to see an EFL Cup match and the £35 a ticket at Villa compared to £5 at Mansfield was a no brainer. I had not been to Mansfield Town’s ground for over 40 years but had driven past it many times.

It sits in the Retail Quarter of Mansfield on a hill with access by the ring road system that by-passes the centre but brings you to the current shopping experience.

I followed some fans across the many car parks, through a gap and up a path past what looked like an old mill pond to reveal the ground in front of us.

It had obviously changed from my last visit now having three modern seated stands and one side just advertising boards and a gantry for camera teams. The open side is on the steep side of the hill and any future development looks limited.

I sat high up in the main stand one row from the back with a great view of the pitch and the neon signs of the retail park that shone bright as the evening darkened. There was a dark cloud covering that didn’t threaten rain and the temperature of 17 degrees seemed warmer than in the day.

I typed Carabao Cup into my Samsung notes and predictive words changed it to ‘cardboard’. Carabao the sponsors of the cup are an energy drink, one I have never tried and are one of a long list of changing sponsors that have made the trophy a bit of a joke in some circles. Some teams also field younger second tier players to give them opportunity and save first team regulars from injury and burn out for the League games ahead All said and done the final is usually contested by the elite teams in England with entry to a European competition the prize.

Mansfield beat local rivals Sheffield Wednesday, away, on penalties in the previous round and Peterborough did the same at Portsmouth.

Mansfield Town v Peterborough United

EFL Carabao Cup, Kick off 19.45

Mansfield 3rd in League 2; Peterborough 8th in League 1

Stags v Posh

Mansfield, yellow shirts with Royal blue stripes down the side, Peterborough all white strip with a subtle pink pattern.

Peterborough steamed into attack and it looked like they would take the lead in the first minute but the attackers point blank shot hit a defender in the head and was cleared.

Back down the other end and with only 3 minutes 45 seconds on the clock a player running on goal was bundled down and the referee had no hesitation but to award a penalty which was coolly dispatched by Will Swan on 5 minutes.

Peterborough now dominated the game and their front 4 showed great speed and good wide play but the numerous crosses into the box came to nothing.

A chance came on 28 minutes when from a free kick 30 yards out the shot by Jason Clark- Harris took a cruel deflection leaving the goalkeeper wrong footed and the job of taking the ball out of the net. The large contingent of Peterborough fans now dominated the singing and chanting as their side played some slick football out of defence creating chance after chance.

Half time came all square but with Peterborough dominating the game even though they had not added to their tally.

With only a minute of the second half gone Peterborough took a deserved lead when a surge forward by the right back allowed Jason Clarke -Harris to hit the ball home for his and Peterborough’s second.

The crowd was now subdued and the game fell into a predictable one way flow but on 67 minutes Mansfield nearly equalised when a deflected shot that seemed goal bound was headed over by one of their own attackers.

A few minutes later both sides made changes which seemed to change the game and atmosphere. Panic is the word I would use as Mansfield pushed forward and their fans brayed for the equaliser. With the 90 minutes up another penalty was awarded to Mansfield as a player was bundled over in the box, a repeat of their first one and Lucas Akins slotted it calmly to the left of the Peterborough goalkeeper. Added time was frantic at both ends but ending 2.2 meant the dreaded penalties which were taken at the Peterborough fans end.

Two accurate penalties and two save by the home teams keeper made Mansfield favourites but the post had a say on two spot kick only delaying Mansfield’s 3.1 win.

What a turn round and jubilation by the majority of the 4372 fans. Don’t call this cup the cardboard cup in Mansfield or you might be put in your place. Mansfield now face another League One side in Port Vale in the next round with a chance of reaching the quarter finals.

Great evening under the lights.

Mansfield Town 2 Peterborough United 2

Mansfield won 3-1 on penalties.

Unfortunately no chips and the greasy cheese and onion pasty was not the best food experience.

Having enjoyed some games in the Sheffield and Hallamshire County League last season I thought I would visit the Premier Division leaders, after three games, Oughtibridge War Memorial Sports Club FC.

Oughtibridge is 5 miles north of Sheffield City centre and is now a commuter town as its industry has faded away. Still very much a farming area it is reached passing fields and you approach the ground downhill towards the bridge over the river Don and a concreted lane winding through trees next to the river and past a weir. As you pass down the lane the ground opens up to a car park bordered by the Don and to the left a large open park with a junior pitch in the forefront, an extensive cricket square in the centre and a full sized football pitch on the far side. One side of the park is housing and the other two sides are flanked with trees. To the left is a clubhouse built to look down on the cricket pitch and some way from the football.

Everywhere was lush green except for the cricket pitch that has had a hard season and has been repaired to recover for next summer. The trees were also green, not turning to their autumn colours yet although the 14 degrees temperature, the low sun and that seasonal feel made you realise that the summer was well over. The mixed sky of blue, white and black clouds contrasted the green.

The football pitch had a great long, thick grass cover, sloped slightly from end to end with plenty of undulations.

The Oughtibridge War Memorial Social Club was opened in 1921, the clubhouse was rebuilt in 2007 after the river Don floods. I have been unable to find a history of the football club.

South Emsall were formed in 2007 originally playing in local Doncaster Leagues. They joined the Sheffield and Hallamshire League in 2013 and are reigning Division one champions.

Oughtibridge War Memorial Sports Club v South Emsall Services Firsts

Saturday 23rd September Kick off 15.00 pm

Sheffield and Hallamshire County League – Premier Division.

1st v 11th. Bridge v Soldiers

Oughtibridge, yellow shirts with black sleeves and black shorts; South Emsall claret shirts with light blue sleeves and claret shorts.

I sat down on a low wall and within two minutes the visitors were ahead when Kilmartin curled a free kick, from just to the left of the goalkeeping area, into the net. Although the keeper managed to touch it his positioning was at fault. Not learning from the first goal a foul was committed from a similar range but this time the post stopped it from being two nil.

South Emsall were attacking strongly with through balls past a rigid back line of the defenders and one of these found Cam Kilmartin who ran on to draw the keeper and roll the ball into the corner for a two goal lead. Although the game was fast and furious it was South Emsall who had all of the control and Oughtibridge’s unbeaten start to the season looked doomed.

On 24 minutes, 4 minutes after going two behind, Oughtibridge pegged one back when the away keeper failed to clear the ball which fell to David Shepherd who buried it into the net.

Oughtibridge now started to exert more pressure but their cause was not helped when on 28 minutes a player was sin binned for a hard tackle that was a level above the on going battle. With a man down Oughtibridge continued to press until half time.

From the restart Cam Kilmartin of Emsall was still a handful yet Oughtibridge were pressing the strongest.

This pressure unfortunately caught them out when South Emsall’s captain, Mark Lynch, raced almost half of the pitch and despite defenders trying desperately to stop him he stayed on his feet and rolled the ball past the advancing goalkeeper for a third goal.

Oughtibridge’s continued possession till the end of the game brought them few if any scoring chances and their winning run was over.

Oughtibridge War Memorial Sports Club 1 South Emsall United Services 3

South Elmsall impressed me and I can only think that they will soon be climbing the league to challenge near the top. Their number 8, Cam Kilmartin, continued his impressive scoring feats having now scored 50 goals in 50 games with a further 38 assists, some record.

A crowd of about 30 plus walked away from the pitch towards the clubhouse in the waning autumn sun. In a few weeks time it will be either earlier kick offs or the floodlights on a Saturday afternoon.

There were no chips available so a coffee and chunky Kitkat had to suffice.

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The F.A. Cup Second Qualifying round brought me to Tamworth to see the step 2 home team from the National League North play the step 4 team Harborough Town of the Northern Premier League Midland Division.

You arrive at the ground through some houses and immediately find a large car park with helpers packing everyone in. A kiosk outside the ground sells tickets on the day but it appeared that most either bought on line or were season ticket holders.

Inside the ground it looks very traditional with stands and terraces having evolved over the years. There is a large covered seated stand down most of one side and on the opposite side a covered terrace where most of the local fans congregate and make most noise. Behind one goal is a low covered  standing area and at the other a larger open terrace.

The high  dull grey sky may have contributed to the look of the pitch that appeared very dark due to a large amount of crumb that lay on the green carpet. The pitch itself sloped from goal area to goal area and was open apart from trees behind one end. A slight breeze made the 18 degrees feel definitely autumnal.

Harborough Town are a new team although there have been previous clubs in the town. Market Harborough is a a growing commuter town that has a busy centre. In 2007 it progressively merged three teams, Harborough Town Juniors, Harborough Town Spencers and Harborough Minis and with the local council developed playing facilities that have benefitted all ages and sexes to create many teams that can use the artificial pitches. After 3 seasons in local Northamptonshire football they gained promotion to The United Counties League again stepping up a league two years later. In 2022 they won the Premier League and are today playing in the Northern Premier League Midland Division where they are currently 13th. A team on the up.

Tamworth FC were formed much earlier in 1933 and after playing in Midlands Leagues they reached the Southern League in 1972, returning again in 1988 after a few years in the doldrums. Their highest league placing was in the old Conference, just one league below the football League. They are currently in the National League North where they sit top after 9 games. Tamworth have a good cup pedigree having won the FA Vase in 1989 and been FA Trophy finalists in 2003.

Tamworth FC  v  Harborough Town FC

Saturday 16th September 2023    15.00 pm kick off.    Lambs v Bees

The Lamb Ground Kettlebrook Road Tamworth B77 1AA

F.A ,Cup Second Qualifying Round

Tamworth played down hill in the first half and initial pressure led to them scoring from a corner after 14 minutes which was disallowed for fouling the Harborough keeper. Things looked grim for the away team when on 20 minutes the referee showed a yellow, then red card to their  Connor Kennedy for what looked like kicking the ball away after a tackle.

Harborough though re-grouped and unexpectedly went ahead on 24 minutes when an out swinging corner from the right was met by Paul Malone who unopposed headed it into the middle of the goal for the lead. The away team were mustering a great defence with their very big back four managing to stifle the many home team attacks. I lost count of the referees yellow cards which I think were 4 or 5.

Half time came with Harborough hanging on to their lead and as the teams went off there was the unusual sight of two security guards walking off with the officials.

Half Time 0.1

Tamworth’s relentless pressure paid off just a few minutes after the restart when Kyle Finn ran forward on the right and his cross goal pass was met by Jordan Cullinane-Liburd who slammed it home.

With half of the second half gone Harborough were still holding out and occasionally looked like breaking away to add to their score. The disappointing attendance of 840 were mainly behind the home team and they found their voice when on 85 minutes a beautiful long ball from midfield to the far post was met by substitute Daniel Creaney who nodded the ball into the corner for the lead and win. Having defended magnificently for so long it was a mistake when the defender and keeper hesitated to go for the ball that was their undoing.

The Lambs had taken the sting out of the Bees and progressed to the next round.

Tamworth FC 2 Harborough Town FC 1

My man of the match was Harborough’s Jake Duffy who covered every part of the pitch with his constant running and involvement making up for their one man disadvantage.

The first kiosk we went to had no chips but a spectator directed us to another in a different corner of the ground. Luckily he did because they were the best of the season so far. They were hot, hot, hot but also tasty, uniform, golden, crispy, not greasy and had a good centre. A score of 74.