Being dropped off at Brewery Field the first impressions of Spennymoor Towns ground was not a disapointment. When you go inside everywhere is painted black to match the teams black and white colours and is spotless, all the terrace edges and steps have yellow edging for safety and the perimeter tarmac was faultless. There is a large seated stand in the centre of one side , covered seating behind one goal with standing on two sides which is covered behind the other goal. The clubhouse was busy with a mix of home and away supporters and there were covered hot food and drink kiosks in opposing corners, all in all, impressive.

I had gone to see Spennymoor Town F.C. play Plymouth Parkway in the Fourth Round of the FA Trophy. Plymouth had travelled 389 miles from their home ground, in all a 778 mile round trip, only 59 miles less than from John O’Groats to Lands End.

Plymouth are in the Southern League Division One South, two levels below Spenymoor who play in the National League North. Plymouth had already knocked out two teams from the National League South in previous rounds so there was a distinct chance of further giant killing.

The afternoon was dry but cold, the car had said 1.5 degrees as I had left it and I had no reason to believe that it was faulty. It was a still day with a background blue sky with some developing high cloud.

The pitch sloped quite steeply from end to end and had good green grass cover except in the goal mouths which had been sanded. It was surprising to see the teams using them in their warm ups and cutting them up further although remedial work was carried out on them before the off.

Plymouth Parkway were only set up in 1988 initially playing in Division 4 of the Plymouth District League and due to a sponsorship deal they were initially known as Ex – Air Flyers. After a year they moved to Parkway Sports Club. Successive promotions to the Plymouth District Premier League enabled them to apply and join a new Devon League in 1992 and in the next year changed their name to their current one. Their extraordinary journey continued in 1998 when they joined the new South West League and another turn was when in 2001 they fell out with their landlords, Parkway Sports Club, and had to play all of their games away from home until they found a new home, having played in Davenport for a while. Their new home Balhito Park was available from 2003 and it is where they remain today. Another evolution came in 2008 when they joined the newly formed South Western Peninsula League and in2016 they merged with another local Plymouth team Bar Sol Ona and in the same year gained a new local Entrepreneurial Chairman, Mark Russell who successfully steered them into the Sothern League Division One South where they sit today. Their story is of quite breathless progress.

Spennymoor Town have a shorter history only being formed in 2005 following the demise of two local clubs, Spennymoor United and Evenwood Town, the former having been born in 1904.

Their first game at Brewery Field was in the Northern League Division Two and two years later they were playing in Division One. As often happens growing pains caused some spectacular board room and managerial rifts and changes and although they won the Northern League four times and won the FA Vase in 2013 by beating Tunbridge Wells 2-1 in the final they weren’t admitted to the Northern Premier League until 2014. They finally went up into the Northern Premier League Division One North and two years later after successive play off spots they were again promoted, this time to the Northern Premier league, Premier Division. Their stay in the NPL was short as they were successful in another play off round and duly went up into the National League North where they sit today.

So an exiting game was expected between two of the Non League families high achievers of the past 20 years.

Spennymoor Town FC 3 Plymouth Parkway FC 1

Saturday 15th January 2022 kick off 3.00 pm Venue: Brewery Field

F A Trophy Fourth Round.

Moors v Parkway National League North v Southern League Division One North

Home Strip: Black and white vertical striped shirt with white sleeves and black shorts.

Away Strip: Yellow shirts with black arm band and navy blue shorts.

Plymouth kicked downhill in the first half but it was Spennymoor who had the better of the play and on 20 minutes Kyle Moore in the parkway goal did well to get his body in the way to prevent Glen Taylors goal bound header.

Nine minutes later it had all changed when the away team attacked down the right and Tom Bath advanced onto a cut back ball and curled it along the ground into the net for the lead.

Plymouths defense was standing strong and were able to rebuff any attack . They were dominant in the air and Spennymoor appeared to have run out of ideas by half time.

The attendance was announced at half time as a disappointing 670 of which there were 47 hardy fans from the South Coast.

Spennymoor now playing down hill continued to force the game and ten minutes into the second half Rob Ramshaw should have levelled when he skillfully beat the goalkeeper but his shot on goal only trickled forward to be cleared off the line by a Parkway defender. The home teams pressure continued and drew a few yellow cards.

With a few home supporters drifting away and towards the exit Luke Spokes latched onto a ball from a corner and was able to slot it home through a group of players to draw the teams level. Just three minutes later on 87 minutes the same happened again when from another corner Rob Ramshaw tapped home to send the players and home fans into delirium.

The third official held up the board for 7 minutes of added time and on cue Glen Taylor received the ball in the box, swiveled a nd curled the ball home to make it 3-1.

Plymouth did not give up but the seven minutes soon came to an end and their hard work that had kept them in front for most of the game had evaporated. All that was left was the thought of the long journey home but they had been on a very successful long journey to get this far and would not to be forgotten.

The game was high class and the facilities brilliant but I could not say that for the chips. Unfortunately the worst of the season, cold, limp, soggy with little taste. and half went in the bin resulting in a score of only 35.

I travelled on Saturday to Hucknall Town to see them play Borrowash Victoria.

My memory was always of them being a successful team but I noticed that they now play in the United Counties League Division One. Infact they were Champions of the Northern Premier League, Premier Division in 2004 but we’re denied promotion to the Conference due to ground grading. Hucknall kept up their higher status when in 2006 they were finalists in the F.A. Trophy only losing to Greys Athletic on penalties 6-5. Since these highs financial constraints and problems have seen them relegated, demoted and league reorganised to now play in the United Counties League Division One. With finances now well under control they are looking to climb back up the tiers although there are others as equally committed to the same goal. Hucknall though have seen many twists and turns since they were formed in 1943 as Hucknall Collier Welfare F.C. and I wouldn’t bet against them achieving their aim.

Their opponents Borrowash Victoria were initially formed much earlier in 1911 and have had several reincarnations and a move to nearby Spondon. They have played their football in the North Midlands not rising as high as Hucknall and find themselves this season adrift at the bottom of the league.

The rain that had been torrential in the morning had stopped prior to the game, leaving grey skies and a cool breeze. The heavy pitch had very muddy goal areas and touchlines and was slightly domed shaped falling away to each corner. The facilities at the ground include a very large covered seated area and good standing behind the goals with one end covered. The club house was big and well used with a good bar and refreshment bar. The whole ground would sit well at a higher level.

Hucknall Town F.C. 10 Borrowash Victoria A.F.C. 2

Saturday 8th January 2022. Venue: Watnall Road Ground – United Counties League Division One

Yellows v Vics: 5th placed v 23rd (Bottom)

Strip: Home – Yellow shirts with black arms and shoulders and black shorts.

Away – Red and White vertical striped shirts with red sleeves and shoulders with red shorts.

The game started cagily with teams getting used to the conditions and on 5 minutes a ball was mishit in midfield to allow Nathan Bennett of Borrowash to run through and hit a perfect short from the edge of the area to sail into the top right hand corner of the net, A surprising start to the game.

It was a bad start for Hucknall that became worse when their goalkeeper could not get off the floor after his attempt to stop the goal. Five minutes of the physios time was no help and he left the field in some considerable pain in what looked like an ankle injury most probably brought about by the sticky conditions.

Hucknall though took control and fifteen minutes later Craig Westcarr received the ball on the right and took it further away from the goal and then expertly chipped the keeper for them to draw level. Only two minutes later he had scored again, this time from the penalty spot after Aaron Lamb had been tripped.

The floodgates now opened and two minutes later and Aaron Lamb was finding the net at the near post after a through ball. A fourth was added by David Leake who met a corner from the right with a thunderous header.

To add to Borrowash’s woes Westcarr completed his hattrick when just before half time he tapped in a fifth when he pounced on a ball amongst a group of players.

Borrowash started the second half with more resolve but that man Craig Westccarr made it six when met a cross which he thumped into the righthand corner of the goal. Grant Ryan came on for Hucknall and his swash buckling approach was rewarded when he guided a ball home from close range.

That man Westcarr again made it eight as he hit a straight long range effort that fizzed into the net. Another substitute , Cayne Maxwell, stepped up to add two more, the first with a far post nod down and the tenth an easy shot with no opposition.

With some very black clouds looming and the cold creeping into the body Borrowash ended the scoring as they had begun it with a very good goal when 14 made a lot of ground to cut it back for 10 to guide home. Ten Two to the home team was an emphatic win with some very good play . Even with this heavy defeat Borrowash never gave up and there were some good performances by some of their players.

The chips were a good quantity, very hot, a little soggy but tasted better than they looked. A score of 78 was because of the taste although they did leave a bit of a greasy taste in the mouth for a while after.

For my first game of 2022 I visited Heanor to see them play Selsdon in the United Counties League Premier Division North, part of the Non League restructure which meant the United Counties taking on a larger role extending further into the Midlands.

Heanor is in the centre of Derbyshire and is close to the Nottinghamshire border and grew up around the silk and lace industry which was synonimous in the area. They were at home to Selston another village but only 7 miles away in Nottinghamshire. A good local derby on this bank holiday which reflected in the good crowd of 237.

Heanor Town have been established since 1883 and in their early years reached the first round of the F.A. Cup four times losing to Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest, Southampton and Bury. 60 years later they reached the same rounds again this time losing to the professionals of Carlisle and Bradford Park Avenue. They have won many local cups and changed Leagues through promotions and relegations but have also been caught up in the mergers and start ups of Leagues and reorganisation. Hopefully they can now put down roots in the United Counties.

Selston in contrast only started Saturday football in 1986 having been initially formed as a Sunday League team in 1968. They disbanded the senior team for three years in the early 21st century and now sit at their highest level of competition.

It was great to see bright blue skies after December was the greatest December since 1956 and with Covid felt very grey. There were some whisky clouds but these were scurrying across with the sky.

The ground is noticeable from a distance by the floodlights but also two mobile phone masts at diagonal ends. The turnstile was next to a large well appointed clubhouse with a large extra marquee extension to the rear with the New Years Eve Party still being advertised, although it was a sell out. Hopefully the team have recovered.

The pitch slopes end to end from the changing room end and from left to right. The grass looked to be under pressure with some muddy patches in the goal mouths. Next to the pitch is a large grass training area and pitches for youth football.

Heanor Town F.C. 0 Selston F.C. 0

The Lions v The Parishioners – Monday 3rd January 2022 – United Counties League Premier Division North.

Heanor kicked downhill in the first half and just edged the first 30 minutes getting behind the Selsdon defence on a few occasions. The play seemed to be stuck in the middle of the field in the heavy conditions and the referee blew for constant fouls often due to the poor ground.

Heanor did have players put through on 33 and 40 minutes but Tom Hilton missed to the left and Jamie Sleigh to the right.

Half time came and the crowd were grumbling that it can’t get any worse, they’ve had too much Christmas Pudding and they still have hangovers. The wind had increased and had a colder edge to it.

The second half found Selston gaining the upper hand and had what looked like a good call for a penalty turned down when Sean Gregory was upended on 36 minutes and 4 minutes later hit the bar.

Heanor did still pose a threat but Selstons George Wilkinson and Perry Marriot-Lane seemed to get any parts of their bodies in the way of any attack. My man of the match was Selstons number Ben Moore who was influential in the limb sapping midfield.

No goals but it was great to be out and see a very competitive match, hopefully the first of many this year. I intend to see more United Counties games as the year progresses.

The chips were just what were needed, they were very hot, golden, twice cooked and tasty. A good score of 78 but I would suggest a small portion is enough..

I decided this year to quench my thirst for Boxing Day football by visiting Hallam F.C in S10 Sheffield. The Sandygate Road ground has been well chronicled as the oldest football ground in the World. One I have visited and written about before. It is still recognised as then place where the first ever Inter Club game between Hallam and Sheffield F.C took place on a Boxing Day 161 years ago. The purist will say that Boxing Day is the 26th of December but today the 28th is the Boxing Day Public Holiday because this year the 26th fell on a Sunday.

I did not go to bathe in history but to see what is bubbling up in this corner of the city. There have been five crowds over 500 in all competitions in this 10th level of English football so far this season and today there are 1128 to see Hallam play Brigg Town in a second play third in the North East Counties League Division One. With only 3 sides of the stadium available for fans it felt full.

The game was on thanks to a 10.30 pitch inspection and you could see in one corner why the game had been in doubt after the rain of the preceding 48 hours. The clouds were still swirling in on this edge of the Pennines some 800 feet above sea level and the strengthening wind was giving a colder feel although it had been dry for the last 5 hours. The pitch which heavily slopes from one end to another looked very sodden in the lower half of the ground but the goal areas looked well playable.

I have written about Hallam before but Brigg Town are a new team to me and in the special 24 page program for this Christmas game there was a good history of both teams. Brigg have a long history like Hallam being formed in 1864 and like most teams of the era played local football in Lincolnshire. They like Hallam were founder members of the NCEL in 1982 where for 20 years they stayed until 2004 when they were promoted to the Northern Premier League where they stayed until 2014 and off field problems helped to see them slide through the NCEL to the Lincolnshire League but regained their NCEL status in 2019. New owners in 2017 have seen a dramatic change at the club, its facilities and community involvement, you could say that Brigg Town are definitely on the up back to their previous level. Brigg’s history also boasts two F.A, Vase wins in 1996 and 2003.

Hallam FC 3 v Brigg Town CIC 2

The Countrymen v The Zebras

Northern Counties East Division One: Tuesday 28th December 3.00 pm Kick Off

Hallam kicked downhill in the first half and took advantage of placing through ball that hel up in the conditions for players to run on to. They also employed long throws into Briggs penalty area from both sides of the pitch. Hallam took the lead on 19 minutes when one of the through balls was met by Iren Wilson who steadied the ball, burst forward and hit the ball into the top left corner of the net across the goalkeeper. Brigg responded and Myles wright in goal for Hallam made too good low down saves to keep them out. Hallam though were still creating chances and from a corner Iren Wilson popped up to against the bar. The thrilling first half ended with Hallam leading one nil.

Brigg threw everything at the game from the restart and after just 2 minutes from the restart a reckless tackle in the area gave Brigg the opportunity to level from the penalty spot. This was despatched by Scott Phillips and Brigg continued to push forward which gave Iren Wilson another chance to produce a carbon copy of his first half goal which he did in some style.

Hallam’s defence held firm despite a constant battering and in the gloom at the Brigg goal end Hallam went further ahead when Craig Mitchell squeezes home a third for the home side in a goalmouth scramble with 7 minutes left. Johnathan Oglesby however made the large home crowd nervous 4 minutes later when he scored with a superb long shot.

Hallam ran out 3-2 winners and have gone top of the League with North Ferriby losing at home. The S10 stirrings continue and if the rest of the season carries on like this 1128 may be beaten. It was great to be there and enjoy the atmosphere to lift the Covid gloom.

I did not buy any chips as the queue was very long and I decided to be careful with the ultra Omicron striking many people I know.