There was more than one winner at Melton Mowbray.

I travelled south to Melton Mowbray to see a United Counties Premier North game between Melton Town and Hucknal Town. I did so with some trepidation because knowing that it was a new modern ground at a sports complex, I expected a bland arena.

The ground is in the Melton Sports Village on the south side of town. There is an exercise suite, sports hall for badminton, 5 a side football, basketball. Table tennis, roller disco and more. Outside are all weather pitches for tennis, football, hockey and a rugby pitch that I could see. As I turned up, the car park was full and a large crowd were watching the rugby. Luckily, there was enough parking for all, and I walked down to a new turnstile entrance that revealed a 3G pitch, which appeared to have a slight slope from end to end. Also, a fantastic new clubhouse called ‘Pitch side’ that had plenty of space and seating a well stocked bar, two large TV’s, a juke box and the toilets were immaculate too. Next to this is a changing room. These facilities cover one end with some seating on the veranda of the’Pitch side’. The other end is open with flat standing. On one side, there is a small, ample seating area, and on the opposite side, a small covered standing area. This is made of wood and gives a feeling of having some history, but I’m sure it’s not that old.

The temperature was about 19 degrees with a grey overcast sky, with some fluffy clouds, with a few blue chinks and a damp feeling in the air.

History

Melton Town FC have had a few reincarnation to get to where they are today. Formed in 1894, they only lasted two years in the Leicestershire and Northamptonshire League. Reborn again for two years in 1910 in the Leicestershire Senior League, they didn’t surface again until 1945 and this time spent 9 years. Back again in 1972, they were able to gain promotion to the Central Midlands League in 1986 and move up to the Premier League Two seasons later.

However, by 1992, they disbanded when planning problems with their floodlights were the last straw. Reformed again in 2004 as Melton Mowbray FC they played in Leicester leagues until their promotion to the UCL in 2016. 2016 also saw a move to a new ground and a change of name to Melton Town. Since then, they have moved up to the UCL Premier North, changed to a 3G pitch and built a new clubhouse. A fantastic journey that has now grown deep roots.

Hucknall Town FC were formed in 1943 as Hucknall Colliery Welfare FC and changed its name to Hucknall Town 44 years later. By 1999, they were playing in the Northern Premier League Premier Division. Despite finishing as Champions in 2004, they were refused entry to the then Conference because of ground issues. Despite this, they nearly won the FA Trophy 2 years later, only losing on penalties to Greys Athletic in the final. After this, they went through a disastrous time being relegated 5 levels by 2013 to the Central Midlands League. Strenuous efforts to rectify financial problems worked, and the club won their League in 2019. After a short stay in the East Midlands League, they were moved to the United Counties League and are now in the Premier Division.

Melton Town FC 1 Hucknall Town FC 2

Saturday 30th August 2025, 15.00 pm kickoff. United Counties League, Premier North. Attendance 167.

The Pork Pie Army v The Yellows/The Town, 14th v 13th

Melton were in all red, the goalkeeper all grey with black shoulder flashes.

Hucknall; Yellow shirts with black shorts, the goalkeeper in all orange.

Hucknall Town had the better of the first 15 minutes coming closest to scoring. Both teams looked lively, showing good skills at a fast pace in an increasing wind. By the end of the half, the home team had turned it round and were looking most likely to score.

Melton created good runs on the wings, particularly the right, but crosses were missed or blocked by the visitors. It was a run through the middle by Toby Fura from 30 yards out that broke the deadlock when he steadied the ball, moved forward, shot along ground to the goalkeepers right, into bottom right hand corner. Despite the goalkeeper getting his fingertips to it,

Melton were in front. They weren’t ahead for long, 4 minutes later, a high ball in from a freekick on the left gave Lewis Belgrave a free header into the right side of the goal.

The game became free flowing with the home side missing chances again created from the right wing. Melton rued their chances when in the final minutes a copycat free kick, from the left, presented Taylor Jaine, with another free header at the far post which he looped over the rooted keeper for a 2.1 lead.

There was little added time for the home side to respond, and Hucknall were joyous in their win.

For me, though, Melton Town won as well with their great facilities, friendly atmosphere, and attacking football. This combination can only grow their fan base and increase the income for the club.

There were no chips, but in Melton Mowbray, the home of the pork pie, what else could you have. It was delicious and served on a football pitch serviette, amazing. Great staff, four behind the bar, meant the large queue at half time was dealt with in a flash.

Feisty M180 Derby

The first junction off the M180 brings you to the Isle of Axholme. It’s not an island now, but before the marshland was tamed and drained local flooding made it appear as one.

The destination was Crowle, a new member of the Northern Counties East League Division One, having been promoted from the Lincolnshire League.

Past peat cutting and the draining of the bogs have resulted in roads that are above field level and are undulating and uneven.

The road to Crowle I took has straight sections, sharp bends, a manned level crossing, through which trains bound for Drax Power Station carrying imported wood pellets from the Docks at Immingham pass, and a bridge over drainage canals.

Crowle’s football ground is in the outer South Western tip of the town. On entering the tarmacked car park, you can see a modern football set up surrounded by fencing. The clubhouse and changing rooms are large and run for half of one side of the pitch. Apart from a small covered standing area in the far corner, there are no other buildings. There is no seating and only a path round two sides of the ground. The pitch is basically flat but with undulating areas and some tussock grass that has been left due to the lack of rain and the yellowing of the rest of the playing area. This is a ground in progress as they upgrade the facilities to compete at this level since their elevation.

It was 22 degrees, blue skies with some white straight lined clouds. The sun faded fast, making watching difficult to see, but produced some good coloured skies. The floodlights were on from the start but didn’t make a difference until the sun went down on the big sky.

Crowle United Junior Colts was formed in 1997 after various teams had represented the village, joining the Scunthorpe League. They changed their name to the current one the following year.

They stayed in that league until 2018 apart from 3 seasons in the Gainsborough and District League. In that year they joined the Central Midlands league where they had immediate success and after competing in the premier Division for 3 years, they moved to the Lincolnshire League in 2022. After just 3 seasons by finishing second in the premier league in 2024/25 they moved up to the Northern Counties East league, Division One, for the first time.

Brigg Town can trace a history back to 1864, one of the earlier teams in the country. Playing for a long time in Lincolnshire Leagues, they moved up to the Midland League in 1976, and in 1982, when League mergers created the Northern Counties East League where they were founder members.
Their highest league status was reached in 2004 when they were promoted to the Northern Premier League, but 11 years later, they were back in the NCEL. 2017 saw a further fall back into the Lincolnshire League, which they bounced back from the following year and have stayed there since. Briggs Cup exploits have been amazing winning the FA Vase on two occasions in 1996 and 2003.

Crowle Colts 3 Brigg Town 2

Northern Counties East League, Division One, Tuesday 26th August 2025, 19.45.pm kick off. 14th v 16th, The Colts v The Zebras. Windsor park, Godnow Road, Crowle, Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, DN17 4EE

Crowle; Red shirts with white trim and black shirts, goalkeeper in all purple.

Brigg; All royal blue, goalkeeper in all yellow.

There is only 25 miles between these two teams along the M180 so the competitiveness in this feisty duel was not surprising. The good crowd of 241, many from Brigg, were stunned that within 13 minutes Crowle were two nil ahead. Crowle were far more at home with the uneven hard pitch and the uneven fast bounce it created along with a dust flurry with most kicks. It was lee Ridley who put them ahead after just 8 minutes when he rose to head home a curled free kick from the right with the away keeper stranded off his line. Only 5 minutes later a very low corner from the right was met at the near post by a Crowle player who flicked it on for Henry Cook to steer into the net. both sides now put in a lot of effort and intent as Brigg came more into the game. They were rewarded with just minutes left before half time when a Brigg corner was not properly cleared and after some attempts to score Joshua Jordon took control and guided it into the net.

With just seconds left before the referee blew for half time the Crowle keeper tipped a certain goal over the bar for the home team to go in leading at half time.

Brigg made two substitutes to start the second half and both teams continued their frantic hit and run football often slowed by some fierce tackles. Brigg managed to draw on 73 minutes when the referee awarded them a penalty for a contested hand ball decision. Harry Parr for Brigg converted it into the bottom left corner of the goal with the home keeper just getting his finger tips to it. It was now anyone’s game, but only five minutes later Crowle were awarded a free kick to the left of the ‘D’. Henry Cook restored their lead with a neat shot past the wall and into the top right hand corner. A very good strike which turned out to be the winner as the final 12 minutes became even more competitive with some daft antics on and off the ball by both sides. Crowle will build on this result to survive in their first season in the league and Brigg with their competitiveness should soon get the results to climb the league as well.

No chips in the big club house, so just a coffee.

Chesterfield win the Battle of the ‘rites’.

On my way back from visiting the impressive Locomotion, I called in to the Wetherby Road ground to see Harrogate Town play Chesterfield in the EFL Two.

Although there was high grey clouds cover it was dry and warm with the temperature hitting 22 degrees. This is a stadium shoe horned into a piece of land next to the main road and surrounded by houses. Because there isn’t a car park, the residents have to endure supporter parking outside their houses and slow moving traffic before and after the game. A move to an out of town site would most probably benefit everyone.

The stadium has 3 covered seated stands down one side, covered, half standing, half seating behind one goal with all covered standing at the other end. The other side of the ground is all covered too with a small seating area, the rest standing apart from some portacabins in one corner. A lot packed into the space.

The pitch was a brilliant green flat expanse of grass.

Having been impressed with what has been achieved here, I was shocked to find my seat was behind a floodlight pylon. This not only affected me but also others around me. I put up with it for the first half but moved to standing behind the goal for the second half.

In comparison to Chesterfield, Harrogate Town didn’t form until mid 1919 but only a year later they were one of the teams to start the Yorkshire League but remained in the West Riding League before moving that team to the Midland League and folding it soon after. concentrating on the Yorkshire League they became champions in 1927 but moved again to the Northern League but disbanded in 1935. The use of the Harrogate Town name was first used with a resumption of a team after the Second World War then playing in the West Yorkshire League and a move back to the Yorkshire League happened in 1957.

With the re-organisation of local Leagues in 1982 Harrogate town were inaugural members of the newly formed Northern Counties East and just five years later were founder members of a new League again, this time the Northern Premier League, First Division. In 2002 they were promoted to the Premier Division as league champions of Division 1 and continuing their innovations were founder members of the Conference North in 2004.

2011 was a transformative year for the club with the take over by Irving Weaver father of Simon Weaver, the manager. After the club changed to full time contracts in 2017 they went on to win the league play-offs. Covid now played a part in their rise when with the season curtailed and with an average points per game of 1.78 were put into the play-offs where at Wembley in 2020, they eventually overcame Notts County to claim a place in the English Football League. They have remained in the EFL League Two ever since, an amazing rise.

Chesterfield formed in 1866 claim to be the 4th oldest league club still in existence. A chequered history of league status and liquidation led to their reincarnation when they re-joined the football league in 1921. They have been up and down the leagues in their history but reached a low point in 2018 being relegated to the National League. Off the field problems were resolved by a take over in 2020 by a Community Trust who with great local support have steered the club to a new era of major ownership by local Paul and Ashley Kirk. Now back in the EFL they look to rise up the leagues again.

Harrogate Town 1 Chesterfield 2

Saturday 22nd August 2025, English Football League Two. Kick off 15.00 pm. 9th v 4th. Town/Sulphurites v Spireites.

Harrogate Town FC Wetherby Road, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG2 7SA

Chesterfield looked sharp from the off, playing long balls out wide for a speedy front 3 and overlapping full backs. It was the left back who swept forward after 5 minutes with the ball eventually being passed to Ronan D’Arcy who changed direction 5 times before slotting the ball along the ground into the right hand corner. Chesterfield’s three front runners continued to put pressure on the home defence and caused them continual problems. At the other end Harrogate came more into the game but apart from one shot that whizzed by the right hand post didn’t look like scoring. Duke-McKenna playing out wide on the left was Harrogate’s main threat and managed to whip in some good crosses, but no one was there to connect with them. The Chesterfield supporters, 1050 out of a crowd of 3276, continued to make the most noise as the teams left the field at half time.

Something in the waters in Harrogate they say, and Harrogate must have drunk some at the interval because they looked a different team. The back four started to tie up Chesterfields front runners after an early burst and push forwards themselves. The home crowd silenced the away fans when on 50 minutes Duke-McKenna collected a pass on the edge of the goal area and drilled it past Hemmings in the Chesterfield goal.

Harrogate kept up the pressure and gained the initiative which Chesterfield tried to stem with substitutes. On 80 minutes Harrogate substituted Bradbury, who looked like their tallest defender, and only two minutes later from a corner on the left the ball came to Dunkley, the tallest player on the pitch, who unopposed headed in from the centre of the goal to give the away side the lead for the second time. Chesterfield played out the game for a good win on the road to move them up to second in the league.

This was an enjoyable game and a friendly ground with good facilities apart from the floodlight post. One of Harrogate’s nick name is the Sulphurites and Chesterfield The Spireites but neither of their fans would chant that. However you could say that Chesterfield won the battle of the ‘rites’.

Unfortunately no chips but there was a really good food selection. I chose a free ice cream, an Oreo Ice Cream Sandwich. Not a fan of Orio’s although I know they are very popular and have not changed my mind after this.

At half time I had a coffee and a KitKat at the Hydration Station, a nice touch that.

The mascot was an alligator? I have since researched that they are Harri-gator, I should have guessed that.

The programme was £5 and was packed with 70 glossy pages, very informative. It was the same one for all Harrogate’s home games in August, a novel good idea, maybe stats a little out of date by the time of this game.

A4 size was great as a magazine but a little large to put in a pocket

Speedy South Normanton Athletic.

A check at lunch time about my planned visit to Rotherham United soon turned to dust as I found that the game against Burton Albion, for which I had bought a ticket, had been postponed. Evidently, Burton’s lights had failed in a league Cup game, and the replay of this took preference over their league game.

A quick search for a substitute brought up South Normanton Athletic at home to Rainworth Miners Welfare in Division 1 of the United Counties League. South Normanton had been promoted to this league at the end of last season as champions of the Central Midlands League South, whereas Rainworth had finished just above the relegation zone of the United Counties Division 1. The season had started differently for these two clubs, only 10 miles between them, with South Normanton 2nd and Rainworth bottom of the league.

I had not been to this ground for 6 years. It is only a short distance from Junction 28 of the M1, and after driving through some houses, you come to a very large car park. Unbelievably, after 3 official heat waves this summer and droughts proclaimed in some areas, I arrived with the sky overcast with some very dark clouds. There was some faint drizzle in the air, and the new floodlights since I was last here were on from the start. Surprising for mid-August. The temperature had also dropped to 15 degrees and felt colder in the strong breeze, and with the stadium being on top of a hill, I was glad I had put on extra layers. There are good views over distant Derbyshire hills.

My first impressions were how much tidier it was with the new floodlights and a new seated stand in the middle of one side. This seated area complements the two others behind one end with the rest of the ground surrounded by a wide perimeter path. The grass pitch slopes slightly from end to end, with the grass looking stressed in some areas. The club house in one corner is large and well decorated with what looked like newly updated toilets. Outside the clubhouse is a very tidy food kiosk, which did not open until 15 minutes before kick off.

South Normanton AFC were formed in 1926 as South Normanton Miners Welfare, which they changed in 1990 to South Normanton Athletic FC. Following a fire, lack of money and an ageing committee they were forced to fold in 2008 but since a new start they have been able to steady the ship and move back into the United Counties League this season.

Rainworth is South East of Mansfield, an ex mining village like South Normanton. The club was formed in 1922 and spent most of its life in the Nottinghamshire Alliance League, sometimes known as Rufford Colliery F.C. Their greatest achievement in the last century was reaching the FA Vase final in 1982, where they lost to Forest Green Rovers who were at the start of their major climb from almost obscurity to the Football League. More recently, their fortunes have faded.

South Normanton Athletic FC 7 v Rainworth Miners Welfare FC 0

Tuesday 19th August 2025 17.45 pm Kick Off, United Counties League, Division 1,

The Shiners v The Wrens, 2nd v 23rd

South Normanton: Kit all Royal Blue, the goalkeeper in dark pink top with black shorts.

Rainworth: White shirts with a black stripe on the shoulder, the goalkeeper in all purple.

South Normanton played the first half down the slight slope and immediately showed their pace on both wings. It was no surprise that with 19 minutes gone, Billy Whitehead passed retreating defenders to slip the ball along the ground for Archie Brown to find the back of the net.

Rainworth kept battling, mainly defensive, but out of the blue on 27 minutes George Morris hit a fierce shot from outside the goalkeepers area into the bottom left hand corner of the goal. This was after some neat inter-passing to create the space. Neither side added any other goals before half time and at the away team must have been pleased to be only 2 goals behind.

The ‘Wrens’ continued to stand firm until with 13 minutes of the second half gone, Marc Bright showed his speed, once again, racing on to a long ball over the top of the defence to whip it past the goalkeeper. Rainworth did now apply a little pressure but going forward left further gaps at the back and a ground pass to Billy Whitehead was despatched with ease past the outstretched legs of the keeper. At four nil this prompted mass substitutions by the home team and the flood gates opened , a fifth being added 6 minutes later by Josh Pickering, a substitute, again a home player outpacing the Rainworth defence.

Only a few minutes later and it was six when Albie White rose to head the ball down and into the net from a corner on the right. To add the icing on the cake Billy Whitehead made it seven on 84 minutes after another pacy run presented him with the ball to tap in.

Rainworth were pleased that it was soon all over, and even this early in the season they are rooted to the bottom of the table with no points after 7 games, with a goal difference of -27. It’s a long time until next May, lets hope they re-group and find some form soon. It may seem silly to say but with a seven nil loss I though their goalkeeper looked a good player.

The Shiners on the other hand went joint top after their win and look a very speedy team that will be a handful for any of their rivals in the league.

The Chips were good too, as first in the queue I received a hot portion, which were not golden but crispy, tasty, no greasy after taste and a nice texture. A score of 69. I nearly gave them one more for the serviettes available on the counter.

Beautiful evening for football.

After my trip to see Berwick Rangers, I was lucky enough to be able to be able to go to Llangollen Town FC to see them play.

Llangollen set in the valley of the river Dee is a town frequented by tourists for its picturesque setting, the Llangollen herritage railway, and the Llangollen branch of the Shropshire canal. The whole area is a UNESCO World Herritage Site, including the amazing Pontcysyllte Aquaduct.

The football pitch has a stunning backdrop, too, with hills and trees all around, just meters away from the water flowing in the valley floor. There was plenty of parking, with overflow cars parked on the adjacent field. Over 100 people had turned up on a glorious evening with the car registering 30 degrees with the blue sky interrupted by some high white ribbons of cloud.

The yellowing grass pitch sloped from side to side, and the uneven surface had not been helped by some previous mole activity.

There was a modern club house with changing rooms and spectators facilities, infront of which was a 2 tier covered seating area with some standing behind it

The pitch is surrounded by railings and a flat concrete path. There was a lot of chat and banter in both English and Welsh within the good crowd of about 100+. With only 5.3 miles by car between the clubs, it was a very local derby.

One of the ladies from the food kiosk came round with a tub and card machine during the game, suggesting a payment of £4 to watch the match and seemed to be getting a good response.

With an expansion of the top league in Wales at the end of the season, a good finnish by either of these two clubs could bring better chances of promotion.

Llangollen Town F.C 0 Cefn Albion 2

Tuesday 12th August 2025, Kick off 18.30 pm. Ardal North League, North East Division (Third tier of Welsh Football). 15th v 4th

Llangollen; Shirts red and blue vertical stripes with red shoulders and blue patch on the back. Blue shorts. Goalkeeper in all grey.

Cefn Albion; All white strip, shirts with blue shoulders. Goalkeeper in all lime green.

Albion were on top in the 1st 15 minutes with some tasty tackles on the hard ground.

The temperature had not dropped and the teams came off for a quick drinks break on 23 minutes.

Within 2 minutes of the re-start a Llangollen defender handled a shot on goal. Albion’s number 6 hit it hard into the top right of the net to give them a 1 nil lead.
Llangollen were being continually pegged back and their rearguard play looked solid. The Llangollen goalkeeper was also called on to make some good saves.
Play was interrupted with balls being lost in the adjacent trees and bushes.

But just on half-time a long ball to Albions number 6, was controlled, steadied, and slipped along the ground, beating goalkeeper, for a forward to tap in. If not for that goal Llangollen could still have been in it as the referee immediately blew for the break.

During half-time an impromptu game between 20 or so lads,at one end kept some of the crowd amused.

Llangollen came more into the game as the second half started with play being very even. Another drinks break was needed halfway through the 45 minutes, after which Cefn made various changes and but for the home teams goalkeeper, would have added to their tally.

The defeat for Llangollen sent them to the foot of the league table whilst Cefn Albion moved up to second.

This was a beautiful evening for football, appreciated by all spectators, but hard work for the players in the heat. I really enjoyed the atmosphere and the efforts put in by Llangollen for the spectators. It’s going to be a long, hard season for them, though.

Luckily, there were some chips in the clubhouse, which was spacious and manned by two happy women. One of which collected the 4 pounds from the fans. What would clubs do without such helpers.

While in the area, I also visited the Cambrian Herritage Railway at Oswestry. A well run little railway which had an engine with reference to football.

Alun Evans was a key player for Liverpool and Villa in the 1970’s and scored 130 goals in his senior career in both England and Australia.

Arthur Wharton

Back in July 2020 I posted a blog about Arthur Wharton that was titled ‘Black Footballers Matter’, after I came across his grave in Edlington near Yorkshire Mains football ground, where a new headstone had been erected after public subscription to recognise the first black professional footballer in the world.

One of the club’s he played for was Darlington and I found a further dedication to him there. I had visited a newly opened free museum/park, Hopetown. It is well worth visiting particularly this year with us celebrating the 200th anniversary of the Stockton to Darlington railway.

Having made a wrong turn to find a nearby Morrisons I saw an Arthur Wharton mural on the side of a building which housed the Arthur Wharton Foundation. The mural was painted by Jae Kaes who originally hails from Spain but was living in London, a world renowned mural artist.

The Arthur Wharton Foundation was created to celebrate his life as a true national and sporting pioneer. Not only a footballer, he was acclaimed the worlds fastest man at Stamford Bridge in July 1886 when he ran 100 yards in 10 seconds in authentic championship conditions. His cricketing prowess was also appreciated, playing in the very competitive Lancashire and Yorkshire Leagues as both an amateur and a professional. He also spread his talents to Rugby Union playing for Darlington, Rotherham and Heckmondwike.

Truly an amazing man.

Fittingly, opposite the foundation a small football pitch has been squeezed into a piece of grass which hopefully will produce the budding stars of a new generation.

An iconic ‘Game of two halves’.

Each season I like to watch an Extra Preliminary Round of the FA Cup, the start of the journey to the final at Wembley. Last year, I started with Albion Sports losing at home to Trafford FC. The game was played at Bradford Park Avenues ground whilst they’res at Myra Shay was being updated to League standards

I noticed this year that Albion had been drawn away to Sheffield FC at the same stage of the competition. I drove to Dronfield, Sheffield still playing in Derbyshire, with their plans to finally set up in Sheffield stalled yet again.

Over recent years, the grounds car park has been reduced and a charge has now been introduced. There have also been little done to upgrade the ground although t looked good in the sunshine with the blue skies dotted with white fluffy clouds. The flat grass pitch, heavily sanded, looked in perfect condition after its rest, emphasised by the end to end striping by the cutting. There is still seating behind one goal, an end that also has the club house, changing rooms and food kiosk. One side has terraced standing with half of it covered, and the rest of the ground just has a path around the perimeter.

These two teams play in the same league, Northern Counties East, Premier Division, having played just one league game of the new season. Sheffield started their campaign with an away draw whilst Albion lost.

Albion Sports in their 51st year, started off playing Sunday League football. Steady progress led them to be winners of The Asian Cup and Bradford Senior Cup and League in 2000. That same season and in 2005 they went all the way to the final of The FA Sunday Cup, but were runners up on both occasions. In 2007 Albion moved to playing on Saturdays where they were successful in local leagues and were elected to the Northern Counties East League in 2011 which they won 3 years later and gained promotion to the Premier Division where they play today. An impressive rise in their short History.

Sheffield FC’s history as the worlds oldest team is well documented and their web site provides a good description of their pioneering days and up to date.

Sheffield FC 1 Albion Sports 1

Saturday 2nd August 2025, 15.00 pm kick off, Extra Preliminary Round of the FA Cup.

The Club v The Lions

Sheffield FC: Red and black quartered shirts, black shorts, Goalkeeper in yellow.

Albion Sports: All white kit with goalkeeper in all Pink.

Before kick off Albion were in a long huddle but it was Sheffield who started the game with the greatest intensity. The Club attacked down both wings with their most success coming from down the right and it was from there that on 13 minutes a cross was met by Nathaniel Crofts, at the far post, who headed the ball into the net. Sheffield were the more composed team and dominated play. Sheffield looked as if their training for the new season was paying off appearing to understand where each other were and where to put the ball. Alex Hardwick was denied by a point blank save by James Aspinall 10 minutes before half time and just before half time his header from a corner tipped the top of the cross bar. As the teams came off at half time Sheffield had looked well in control and the better team.

What a change in the second half with Albion Sports now dominating play, that must have been some team talk at the break. With Sheffield’s goalkeeper screaming for his players to challenge the opponents, Albion executed some neat play around the box to give Nathan Cartman the opportunity to curl a shot across Jim Pollard’s outstretched left hand to nestle in the corner of the net to equalise.

After the goal the referee allowed a drinks break, on the warm day, and also to attend to an injured player. Sheffield needed to regroup, but Albion kept up the pressure playing through a blizzard of dandelion seeds swirling around the pitch. Albion didn’t manage to get the winner and both sides will replay in the week. Certainly a game of two halves and Sheffield must have rued their first half chances and should have gone in at half time well out of sight.

A very good program for £2. It had good info on the clubs, players, and stats.

After just two matches of the new season I have been lucky to have had two portions of good chips. These were golden, crisp, no greasy after taste but not quite as tasty as last weeks at Berwick, a score of 66.

The Berwick Charities Cup Final 2025.

Having watched Berwick Rangers play Cowdenbeath in the afternoon, I made my way to ‘The Stanks’, the area just outside the Elizabethan Castle walls. Berwick Rangers played some of their early games here.

This is the third year I have been to this competition, but the first final I have been able to attend.

Thanks to the community, this cup has been played for over 100 years, raising funds for local charities. Much needed today as it has been in all its years.

The match kicked off early, 18.56, after the teams had been led onto the pitch by a lone piper.

https://videopress.com/v/wVLxpDrR?resizeToParent=true&cover=true&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=true

As normal, it was an amazing sight to see the pitch, restored every year for this competition, enclosed on two sides by castle ramparts, and lined by a narrow local road on the other two. Looking beyond, you can see a beach and the North Sea. A good crowd had gathered. Mainly sitting on the wall or standing pitch side or on the road. A collection was taken for the fund, and a table heaved with the donations for the raffle.

As usual, an ice cream van was in attendance behind the goal.

The evening had cooled from the 20 degrees of the day, except if you were playing. Evergreens were from Chirnside north of Berwick in Scotland and Hadda Mad Dogs from Amble in England. So it looked like the normal borders rivalry and skirmish.

Evergreens 4 Hadda Mad Dogs 2

Saturday 26th July 2025, 18.56 kick off. The Berwick Charities Cup Final, The Stanks, Berwick Castle, Berwick Upon Tweed.

Evergreens, all green with the goalkeeper in all pale blue.

Hadda Mad Dogs, black shirts with lime green shoulders and sleeves, lime green shorts, goalkeeper in yellow top black shorts.

The referee had a lime green shirt and socks with black shorts. There was a lot of confusing green everywhere.

The first 14 minutes were very even with the full backs playing nearest the road, making some fierce tackles.

On 15 minutes, a ball was hit down the left for Evergreens number 6 to run past all defenders and Cross for a forward to score unopposed.

Evergreens didn’t hold the lead for long when 6 minutes later, number
11 sored a similar goal for Hadda, receiving a pass from the left and clipping the ball past the goalkeeper.
Just before half time, the Hadda goalkeeper made a crucial save at the foot of the post to keep it at 1.1 at half time.

Evergreens came out strongly in the second half, and within 25 minutes they had added three more goal to lead 4.1.
First, a header through to 12 who coolly drew the keeper to score. A few minutes later, 11 received the ball on the centre spot and fired home. The fourth was a tap in by 9 who had been left on his own.

Madda did get one back on roughly 40 minutes when their number nine received the ball nearly 30 yards out, turned and smashed it into the top right-hand corner of the net. The best goal of the evening, but too late as Evergreens saw out the rest of the game with ease.

As usual, it is always a joy to watch football in this location, a community event, competitive to the end and in good humour. Please keep it going. We need more things like this.

A great start at Berwick Rangers.

My first League game of the 2026/26 season was a Scottish Lowland League game between Berwick Rangers and Cowdenbeath. It has not been long since both of these teams were playing in the SFL. Dropping out is a big disadvantage because it is so difficult to get back.

Although Berwick Rangers are based in England, they continue playing in the Scottish football system like their nearby neighbours Tweedmouth Rangers FC, who play in the East of Scotland League. Berwick don’t only play in Scottish football rather than English they also play in Tweedmouth rather than Berwick, the river Tweed separating the two. Cowdenbeath have the nickname of ‘The Blue Brazil’, a little irony, I believe. They do play in blue. I have, in previous years, reviewed a book about the fall of the ‘Blue Brazil’.

I started my afternoon with a Haggis and cheese backed potato at the Riverside Café with a short 10-minute walk from there to the ground. The café was also feeding a fan from Aberdeen who had travelled down for the game.

The ground is behind housing with a large area for parking and is shared with Berwick Bandits, the Speedway team. Once through the turnstiles, where they were collecting for new floodlights, the ground looks large with a main seated stand on one side and covered terracing on the other. The pitch was a lovely green looking to have been well prepared for the new season. It had been cut in circles around the centre spot for a pleasing pattern.

Although it was 20 degrees, it seemed chillier in the wind, which was making grey and white clouds scurry past. The big reveal of the match was that Berwick would be wearing their new third kit for the first time.

Berwick Rangers 2 Cowdenbeath 0

Saturday 26th July 2025 Lowland League, 15.00 pm kick off . Shielfield Park, Tweedmouth, Berwick Upon Tweed, TD15 2EF. The Gers v The Blue Brazil, Attendance 541

Berwick Rangers, All black kit with some yellow edging, goalkeeper in blue top and black shorts.

Cowdenbeath, Light blue shirts with white shorts, goalkeeper in all yellow.

The game kicked off, and the first 20 minutes were uneventful as both teams looked to find rhythm and pattern after the break from competitive football. Cowdenbeath scored after 23 minutes, but it was disallowed for off side. the game now stopped while an official walked round the ground to deal with a blue flare that had been thrown onto the edge of the pitch in celebration. Some players took advantage of the stoppage through an unofficial drinks brake.

The game continued in a dull fashion, but on 38 minutes, Berwick took the lead through Mikey Mbewe, who stroked the ball along the grass into the net after a corner from the left and two blocked shots. At half time, I felt that both teams were trying to blow away early season cobwebs.

The second half started much brighter with Cowdenbeath’s attacks coming from mainly down the left, and both teams had more chances in that period than the whole of the first half. The more competitive game was ended with 20 minutes left when Rangers, number 8, Stuart Mair, controlled a strong pass, turned and from 20 yards hit the ball sweetly into the top right hand corner of the net. With less than 10 minutes left a heavy tackle by a Cowdenbeath defender caused some reaction, and the resulting ruck was reviewed by the referee and his linesman with only one yellow card being issued.

Cowdenbeath scored with 2 minutes left but were again denied by the linesman’s offside ruling.

Berwick fans seemed happy with the result and felt that the team would do better than a relegation battle this season. They deserved to win, but Cowdenbeath need to go back to review how they can be more effective and proactive upfront.

The chips were a great start for this seasons chip league with a healthy score of 70. They were golden, crisp, tasty, no taste of fat, soft inside, if anything a bit dry. I decided against a Scotch Pie as I was not in Scotland but then foolishly bought a Bovril at half because, as I revealed in a recent blog, it was invented in Scotland. I made a mistake there.

Great to visit a friendly ground and hope that either of these teams can challenge this season to return to the SFL.

The start of my 2025/26 football season?

After such a long wait for the new football season, I started my pre- season training at one of my favourite venues.

On Tuesday, 22nd of July, I was lucky enough to see the final of the Crammond Cup at ‘The Stanks’ just next to the walls of Berwick Castle. The Crammond Cup is for those teams knocked out in the early rounds of the Berwick Charities Cup, a competition held for over 100 years to raise money for local good works.

The final should have been played on the previous Saturday, but the constant down poor made it unplayable. Both teams, Prior Wolfs and Murder on Zidancefloor were without players who could have made the Satuday match but this didn’t matter to them two teams on the pitch and the well over 150 fans who turned up to watch. A rough count had it at 16 on the ramparts, 24 at the Ice Cream Van end with the rest on the road and wall side. There were behind one end with 16 young boys having their own final. Great noise and celebrations after each goal.

This is a family fun competition run by a small band of dedicated people who epitomises grass roots, football, and community. I have been proud to have supported it for the last 3 years.

This years pitch had been prepared to a lush green grass cover that was pot marked by some bald patches made by mole hills that had been dealt with earlier.

There were grey building clouds, getting darker, which made it seem more like autumn than the outstanding summer we have had so far. The wind was blowing right to left and kept the temperature down, and prompted the need for a jumper.

Berwick Castle Wall Tuesday 22nd July 2025. 7 pm kick off.

Murder on Zidancefloor. White shorts, white shirts that graduated down to blue at the waist. Goal keeper, lime green top, black shorts.

Prior Wolfs, red tops with short navy sleeves, with blue shorts. Goal keeper in an orange top and black shorts.

Prior put on most of the pressure in the first 10 minutes and after a further 10 minutes a quick break from defence to the left saw the ball crossed to the head of number 9 in centre of goal, his attempt looped over the goalkeeper to give them the lead.

Murder on Zidancefloor responded with some attacking zeal. They were the better team right up until half time with their diminutive number 12, the stand-out player of the first half.

After a quick five minute turn round at half time ‘Murder’ continued to be on top for the first 15 minutes of the second half.

Their efforts, though, were in vain when with 17 minutes of the half gone, Prior Wolfs swung in a corner from the right that was headed home, like a bullet, by their unmarked number 7.
Just a few minutes later it was all over when a frree kick from the left was not dealt with by the defence and the goalkeeper managed to palm a shot onto the upright for after a further blocked shot it was rifflef in for 3 nil.

There was no coming back now, although Murder on Zidancefloor did not give up.

On 19 minutes, another inswinger, this time from the right, was met by 9 who headed down and in.
On 21 minutes, it was 5 nil after a tap in to left of goal. The 6th, perhaps the best of the night, when from outside box number 7 controlled a pass swivelled and smashed it into net. As the game concluded, a corner from the right was met by a stooping header that squeezed into the inside of the pot.

A well-deserved wi for Prior Wolfs, but their opponents provided a good test which served up a great final. The winners were also the organisers and the community of fans that enjoyed their night out.