On the journey to  Scotland for the New Year I stopped off at Brunton Park to see Carlisle United play Macclesfield Town.

Carlisle were on a winning streak, a 6 nil win in their last match and Macclesfield now under new Manager Sol Campbell had lifted themselves from the foot of League 2 in their last match. Sol Campbell’s arrival had put some fight in a doomed team through his winning mentality, managerial apprenticeship watching Arsen Wenger and experiece at all levels.

The program was original in that it opened out giving you a pleasing poster style keep sake.

Macclesfield are in fact the older of the two clubs having been formed in 1874 to Carlisles 1904 but they have only been a Football League team since gaining promotion back from the National League last season. They previously spent many years in the Cheshire League and Manchester League before being founder members of the Northern Premier League in 1968. They also won the first ever FA Trophy final at Wembley in the 1969/70 season where they defeated Telford United 2-0. Telford gained revenge 1-0 in the 1989/90 final. Macclesfield appeared again in the 1995/6 final  beating Northwich Victoria 2-1  but in 2017 they lost to Lincln City 3-2.

With promotion being granted to Non League teams Macclesfield won the Conference in the 1996/7 season and were given Foot ball League status. They immediately gained promotion to the now League One but we’re relegated the following year. They managed to hold on to their League status  until 2012 -when relegated back to the Conference.

Carlisle by contrast have been in the Football League since 1928 and played in the highest league in England in 1974/75 for one season. They did lose this Football League  status in 2004 but came back the following year.

Carlisle United 2 Macclesfield Town 1

A beautiful late December day greeted the teams onto a well prepared surface at Brunton Park.

Carlisle however were unprepared for the slick interpassing of the visitors and within two minutes Macclesfield were ahead after Scott Wilson collected a through pass and  ran past a leaden footed defence  to slot the ball  in the net. Macclesfield had the best of the first half with their fluent football as Carlisle seemed to be limited to passes along the back line and high balls to the forwards. No 9 Hallam Hope used these ball to the best advantage out on the left and on 44 minutes he cut in and received a return pass in the middle of the goal and blasted it home.

The home team went in luckily all square at half time.

Macclesfield kept up their neat football to start the second half  but Carlisle gained control as the game wore on and started to press for a winner. With the game seemingly over Danny Grainger crossed from the left and the skied ball by Jerry Yates was thought to be going over the bar  by the fans but it looped over O’hara into the net for a surprising victory. Carlisle kept up their promotion push and although Macclesfield lost they must have been pleased with their improving form.

Another ground with no chips. Seems the higher up the pyramid the less chance you get of chips. A Wright’s meat and potato pie instead. This was hot, deep filled and tasty at £2.90 but not the same.

A visit to beautiful Buxton is usually cold, even on a summers day there always seems to be a cool breeze. Nearby Flash is the highest village in England and at one time had the record for the coldest. Boxing day was a balmy 8.5 degrees even at the ‘Tarmac Silverlands Stadium’ which is the highest football ground in the English pyramid system at 1000ft above sea level.

The days fixture was the Peak District derby between Buxton FC and Matlock Town FC both respectively in mid table positions in the Evostik League (Northern Premier League) – Premier Division. Twenty miles apart and at opposite ends of the Peak Distict Mational Park they have maintained a healthy rivalry for some years.

Buxton like many clubs started as an off shoot of a local cricket club around 1877 and have played in local and Northern Leagues all of their history.  Similarly Matlock FC were formed in 1878 and again have played at the same level as Buxton. They came to national notice for their exploits in the 1974/75 FA Trophy when they reached the Wembley final and defeated Scarborough Town 4-0. This result was also noted for the fact that the team had three brothers playing in it.

Buxton have been playing their Football at Silverlands since 1884 and in recent years have seen a major transformation. The ground sponsored by Tarmac, a local quarry operator, has seen the concourse and standing areas surfaced to a high spec. There are communications masts within the ground, presumably a source of income, and a very good club house. But the most noticeable new addition is the 4G pitch which allows the club to hire it out to Junior teams and a partnership with Rochdale FC who run an Elite Development Centre for 15 & 16 year olds one evening a week. These developments are very wise to maintain an income stream to sustain the club. The Silverland ground is the tidiest most professional I have visited all season. My traditionalist view of keeping grass pitches has been changed by this ground.

Buxton FC 2 Matlock Town 2

The game started competitively and Matlock were on top for the first 20 minutes with long throw ins causing concern to the Buxton defence. A free kick to Buxton on the edge of the penalty  was curled in off the nearside post  by John Pritchard to give Buxton the lead and a few minutes later a miss kicked clearance, after Buxton pressure on the left, gave Bradley Grayson an easy tap in. Buxton’s goal superiority did not last long as Matlocks Marshall cut into the penalty area and neatly lobbed the ball over the advancing keeper on 41 minutes. With half time beckoning the Gladiators again swept forward and Yates shot the visitors level.

The second half saw end to end action with Matlock finishing the stronger. A score line of 5 all could have been the result with all the chances that were created. In the end the good crowd of 880 went home happy. The game certainly lived up to the Boxing Day football tradition first started in 1860 with a game between Hallam and Sheffield FC. It was also a timely end as the Buxton cold was beginning to be felt underfoot.

The chips were £2, golden brown, hot, firm and tasty and scored a high 78. The refreshment kiosk was efficiently manned by three people and were kept very busy throughout the match.

With Christmas only 3 days away a trip to Retford to see Retford United v Thorne Colliery FC in the Black Dragon Central Midlands Football League (North) Division was a welcome diversion.

Retford United play on the edge of town where there is ample parking.  I was greeted by two teenagers manning the gate, another selling score cards for the youth team, three teenage girls selling meat raffle tickets and another teenager looking after the food/drinks kiosk. Without such volunteers I’m sure the club would struggle, thank you. The facilities are good with a covered seating area one side and some cover behind the goals but the best was the club house which was large, comfortable, showing the days football scores and warm.

Retford United were formed in 1987 and have played their football in higher divisions but a dedicated team are trying hard to get them back to that level. Their opponents have been around since the 1920’s and spent most of their time playing in the Yorkshire League.

Retford United 3 Thorne Colliery FC 2

The almost flat pitch was very soft after days of rain yet very playable and the game was underway with both teams trying to play the ball out of defence rather than just hoof it up field. Leon Osborne was lively up front for Retford and it was no surprise when he cut in from the left and curled the ball into the top right corner for the first goal on 9 minutes.

A shot of his on 23 mins trickled up a defenders arm and it was adjudged to be hand ball and Leon Osborne obliged with the penalty sending the ball to the right and the goalkeeper to the left. The floodlights came on as celebration or because it was the shortest day of the year.

Retford should have been out of sight but a miss kick by the Retford goal keeper hit the Thorne number 11 and bounced into his net. Osborne’s display was rewarded with a hat trick just on half time when he swept home a good cross from the right.

Into the second half Osborne again had the ball in the net but was judged to be off side and soon after was subbed off.

Thorne did not give up and another terrible mistake by Retford’s goalkeeper, fumbling a corner from the left, gave them an easy tap in to make it 3-2. A rising full moon over the Retford club house must have been a good omen for them as they hung on for the win.

All in all a good afternoon but the chips were unfortunately just warm and a bit soggy, gaining a score of only 43. The price of £1 for each of the coffee and chips was amazing value.

A good time to publish the Chip League table so far this season.

On another grey but dry Saturday FC Bolsover v Glasshoughton Welfare FC stood out as an interesting game. Bolsover were the worst team in the pyramid having played 18 games with no points and a goal difference of minus 60. They had recently signed on some new players and only lost their previous game by the odd goal so was this the turning point of their season. The omens were good as their opponents Glasshoughton Welfare had lost their previous five games but were in a respectable mid table position.

Bolsover started in the Central Midland league only two seasons ago, gained immediate promotion and managed to hold onto their Toolstation North East Counties League Division One status by one point on the last day of last season. This is their second year as tenants at Shirebrook Towns ground but are actively looking for a site to play their football in their home town.

A Glasshoughton Colliery team had been around for some years but when it disbanded in 1974 an approach was made to Ansons Sports works team to adopt the Glasshoughton name and play at their Leeds Road Ground. They have since had many ups and downs but have battled on to a peak of the NECL premier but are now playing in Division One.

FC Bolsover 3 Glasshoughton Welfare FC 2

With Bolsover having lost their 18 league games their chances did not look good with their goalkeeper wearing number 13 on his shirt. The game had been in doubt with a 12.15 inspection but the pitch was perfect thanks to its excellent drainage being on top of a limestone outcrop. There is a goal to goal slope and the grass cover was fully intact.

Glasshoughton immediately took the lead after 4 mins from Glasshoughton’s No.9 after a cross from the right. However Bolsover did not cave in and pressurised the visitors into giving away a corner from which the cross was headed home for 1-1 by their dominant number 9 Jack Warwick.

Despite efforts from both sides it wasn’t until the 60th minute that Glasshoughton took the lead again through their No 9, against the run of play. Bolsover were immediately back on level terms within a few minutes with a second header for Warwick from a pass by Jake Morrison. The fairy tale ending was assured when on 64 minutes Bolsover were awarded a penalty and it was slotted home by Brett Lucas. Despite pressure from Glasshoughton until the end of the game they were not able to take away Bolsover’s first points of the season.

It was a pity that only 50 people (18 paying according to the man on the gate) were there to witness the win which still gives Bolsover a mountain to climb to stay in the league, but at least some hope. Of the 18 paying, I chatted to 2 ground hoppers, one from Peterborough and one from Wakefield who regularly roam the country and abroad.

These were the best chips of the season so far and were provide by a lady from the host club, Shirebrook Town, who is at the ground every week. They were tasty, thick, hot, not spoilt by an oily taste, a score of 85. I was offered American Red salt on the chips which I tried separately and was pleased I didn’t ruin the chips with this spicy condiment.

A visit to Forest Town Arena was intriguing to see an EvoStik League East Division game between AFC Mansfield and Sheffield FC.

Sheffield FC recognised as the oldest club in the world (dating back to 1857) taking on the Leagues newest side(formed in 2012). AFC Mansfield were formed by three directors of Mansfield Town who were in dispute with the Management of that club and have since risen very quickly from start up, through the Central Midland League, North East Counties League to where they are today.

The League game was arranged because both clubs have been knocked out of the FA Trophy and follows the reverse fixture at Sheffield the previous week which ‘The Club’ won 2-0. Sheffield are just below the play off positions while Mansfield are in the danger zone to be relegated. AFC Mansfield have been busy in the transfer market recently and included in their team two new loan signings from Northampton Town Sean Whaler and Giuseppe Iaciofano.

The mist had just lifted as I arrived giving way to grey skies with a weak watery autumn sun trying to break through. Being early I went for a coffee in the Forest Town Community Centre just in time to see the final 15 minutes of the Rotherham v Sheffield United derby with Rotherham  scoring a much deserved equaliser at the death ,

The Forest town Arena is  set below the Community centre and Car Park and is a bowl with a cycle track round the edge that looks to have had little use of late. The pitch was flat but the surface looked a bit bumpy due to tufty grass.

There was one small covered stand for officials, seating with no roof, some terracing and a veranda from the Community Centre. The crowd of 101 mostly sat in the uncovered area or on the veranda. The two pounds program had a brilliant history of Sheffield and profiles of the home teams players, statistics on the league, comment on the non league scene and notes by the chairman and Manager. All in all a very good read especially with the team sheet of the day that was fully updated.

AFC Mansfield 2 Sheffield FC 3

The game started evenly with both sides using long throws to the penalty area as an early ploy and Mansfield’s Iaciofano had a headed goal disallowed for a foul on the Goalkeeper after only 4 minutes following a corner,

Sheffield however started to boss the game and on 43 minutes  it was no surprise when Sheffield’s Marc Newsham headed home at the far post after good work from no.9 Mitchel Dunne who was continually putting pressure on Mansfield’s defence down the left.

After 51 minutes the same combination combined to give Newsham the chance to tap home Sheffield’s second and a third was soon added (65 minutes) when James Gregory was put through and he smashed the ball passed the helpless Jason White.

The Dunne, Newsham, duo nearly added another after Dunne completely out foxed the Mansfield defence only for Newsham’s shot to go wide.

Almost immediately Mansfield attacked and the substitute Dear crossed for Iaciofano to head in. Only two minutes later on 85 minutes Grant Ryan ran through and chipped it over the advancing goalkeeper to make it 2-3. Despite further efforts Sheffield saw out the rest of the game for what ended a fortunate win despite being in charge for long periods of the game.

Mansfield could take heart in the showing of their new signings and they should pull away from the relegation area in the next few weeks. The outstanding player for me was Mansfield’s centre back Jordan Annable who has come through their junior ranks, I would expect him to be playing at a higher level very soon.

Unfortunately Mansfield didn’t do well in the chip league either with a score of only 45, they were the end of a batch, soggy, warm and the oil had a rather burnt taste.

On a grey Saturday afternoon I arrived at the Proact Stadium in Chesterfield to see them play Billericay Town in the first Round of the FA Cup. Gone are the days when in 1997 Chesterfield reached the semifinals only to lose to Middlesbrough 3-0 in a replay after it ended 3-3 in the first game. A not given disputed goal, when it was adjudged that the ball had not crossed the line, would have given Chesterfield a famous victory, oh for today’s technology.

Chesterfield then in the 3rd tier of football have fallen to 17th place in the 5th tier (The National League). Their fall has been considerable and the club remains up for sale. Back in 1997 they would have played at their ramshackle Saltergate ground that despite the discomfort had plenty of atmosphere, now lacking in this modern concrete stadium graced by just under 3000 spectators. Saltergate used to be very close to the town centre but the new stadium is now out of town close to food outlets of Tesco, Aldi,  Asda, Iceland, Sainsbury’s and Lidl, food city infact.

Billericay Town FC by contrast are top of the National League South and the local Derbyshire Times reported that Chesterfield were the underdogs despite being in a division higher. Billericay were purchased in December 2016 by Essex millionaire Glenn Tamplin who has invested well over £2,000,000 in the club, initially recruited some high profile ex professionals and made himself Manager as they gained promotion from the Isthmian League to the National League South at the end of last season. They have again invested heavily in their push to win promotion into the National League under Dean Brennan.

Armistice day was remembered by playing the last post and two minutes silence was observed.

The pitch was a very flat, green surface that looked the best I have seen all season. The Programme though at only £2 was only 16 pages with not a great deal of statistics or information which seemed to reflect Chesterfield’s plight.

Chesterfield Town FC 1 Billericay Town FC 1

Chesterfield bossed the first half and should have gone in at halftime with the tie out of sight. Some clever running and inter passing by Marc Antoine-Fortune and Zavon Hines should have seen more reward. However in the 17th minute Laurence Maguire rose at the far post to head home a free kick by Joe Rowley to put them infront.

The second half brought a string of decisions by the referee against Chesterfield and the crowd became more annoyed as one of these disputed tussles led to Billericay working the ball from a free kick to Emanuel who from 25 yards out hit a superb curling shot with his instep to beat Callum Burton.

Chesterfield rallied but it was mere huff and puff as the created chances never looked like being converted. It looks good for Billericay in the replay at their home ground but who knows in the FA Cup.

For the second game running the home team scored a nil in the chip league as none were available. I had to settle for a coffee and a chunky Kit Kat for £3.50.