I know the M180 from a previous life but this time it was to see Scunthorpe United play Darlington in the FA Trophy second round. These two ex English Football League clubs have been on a downward trajectory but have now steadied their ships and look to move higher.

It was a grey day with full cloud cover that luckily gave no more rain. It almost seemed a balmy day at 13 degrees and even the breeze didn’t feel cool.

The stadium is just off the motorway into town and just behind a retail park. There is plenty of hard standing parking, don’t park there if there is an alternative, I queued for 25 minutes to get out and then had to navigate those leaving the Retail Park.

Once inside you can see that Scunthorpe have been at a higher level. There are three sides with covered seating and one covered standing terrace all linked with the same roofline. Only two and a bit sides were open for the crowd of 1977. The leg space on the seats was great, not like having to be a contortionist to recently sit at Mansfield. An amazing ground for a National League North side. It did look a bit shaby but not surprising after recent times and the greyness of the day didn’t help.

The vibrant green grass flat pitch stood out against the grey sky.

1899 saw the start of Scunthorpe United, 11 years later merging with North Lindsey United and adopting the name Scunthorpe and Lindsey United, a name they kept until 1958 when they dropped the Lindsey. After formation their success in local football was rewarded with entry to the Midland League in 1912. Their success in that league spawned applications to the Football League which was finally rewarded in 1950.

The highest level they reached was 6 years in the Second Division in the late 50’s and early 60’s. and again in the Championship in 2007 and 2010. They then yo-yoed in leagues One and Two until relegation to the National League in 2022 and lower still the following season to where they are today.

Uncertainty at board level over the last few years has seen them teetering on extinction but they were bought by a local business person in early October 2023 and just a few days ago it was announced that their Glanford Park ground has been saved too, is this the start of a come back.

Darlington were founded even earlier in1883, after playing locally they were founder members of the Northern League in 1889 and of the Third Division North in 1921. They too have been in the second tier of the Football League but were relegated to the Conference in 1989 only to bounce straight back. With the turn of the millennium they were financed by a George Reynolds and they moved to an amazing new stadium. Unfortunately loans, previous personal problems and little chance of filling the stadium led to their first administration in 2003. Despite a charity match by famous footballers raising £100000 and being sold on they again went into administration in 2009 but again survived. They were relegated to the Conference in 2010 and sparked a mini revival when they won the FA trophy at Wembley in 2011. 2012 saw another administration and a relegation. Darlington was wound up in 2012 and placed in the Northern League with the new name Darlington 1883. They duly won the Northern League in 2013 as a fan/community owned club and further back to back promotions from the Northern Premier League in 2015 and 2016. They did change their name back to Darlington FC in 2017 and developed their new ground and after 4 years looked set at their new level until this season languishing near the bottom.

Saturday 18th November 2023 Kick off 15.00 pm FA Trophy Second Round.

Glanford Park, Scunthorpe Iron v Quakers also ‘Darlo’

3rd in National League North v 22nd in National League North

Scunthorpe; claret shirts and shorts with light blue shoulders and sleeves, Darlington Black and white horizontal hooped shirts with black shorts

Scunthorpe United FC 2 Darlington FC 0

Darlington started the game on the back of an eight nil drubbing at Chorley in mid week and things didn’t look good when on only 8 minutes Connor Smith of Scunthorpe was left alone to run through to receive a perfect pass to let him clip the ball along the ground across the goal keeper into the far corner of the net. Scunthorpe dominated play and added a second on 28 minutes when some individual brilliance from Jacob Butterfield saw him unleash a 25 yard shot into the net.

It took until 34 minutes for Darlington to have their first shot but with no avail and by half time the home team were well on top with from my estimate over 65% of possession.

The dullness of the second half did not improve as I watched a train meander by on an embankment behind the goal rather than the football. There was a burst with 6 minutes left when Darlington finally had a shot cleared off the home team’s line and another that just clipped the post.

All in all a dull game after last weeks 4.4 in Beverley although the home fans were happy as their revival continues.

Unfortunately no chips or hot drinks other than coffee although some fans in front of me were expecting a return of a better food offering now that the ground ownership has been secured. Instead I had a sausage roll that was delicious but not good for the waist line.

There was also no program!

Back again to Mansfield this time to see a EFL Trophy game, a competition I have never really understood the necessity except for the benefit to the two teams who reach the final. Tuesday 7th November EFL Trophy.

Mansfield were playing Everton U21’s but without an on line or physical team sheet I had no idea who the young hopefuls were. This was apart from Seamus Coleman one of the Senior players allowed in the regulations. I believe he is coming back from injury and his experience, control and commitment showed until subbed off as a precaution after a slight injury.

It was a cold clear night but only 819 had turned out (74 from Everton). The pitch looked great but after just a few moments there were traces of brown showing though the grass after the recent continual rain.

Everton were on top in the first half and looked in complete control but for some scrambled away corners at the end of the first 45 minutes. Some of their team showed amazing pace with the ball and their inter passing skill and positional play was good. However they too had not really troubled Mansfield’s reserve goalkeeper who looked very composed.

Mansfield goalkeeper made 2 point blank saves in 1st 15 mins of the second half and Everton clipped the intersection of the upright and crossbar with a right foot curler 5 minutes later.

Nigel Clough made 4 changes on 73 minutes to try to change the game, with no avail and the game drifted on. One minute into the 4 minutes added time Mansfield’s Cooper, was adjudged to have pulled over an attacker who looked suspiciously to be leaning on. Up stepped Chermitti to hit the ball straight down the middle as the goalkeeper dived to his right.

No way back for Mansfield and a cruel way to lose.

Mansfield Town o Everton U21 1

Having completed my trilogy of Mansfield games I had time to reflect on footballs lower level survival.

How do you compare the income generated for an attendance of 819 for an official cup game with the money earned and spent at the pinnacle of the game. The gap between the top teams who play in Europe and those in the lower divisions grows inexorably every day. I wandered who this trophy is for, the smaller clubs, who must earn little if any income from the games or a means for the Premier teams to have competition for their Under 21’s players.

Clubs were born out of Churches, factories, cricket teams, Sunday League teams, youth teams etc, but the main theme was their community. Often as theses teams grew they needed local benefactors to support their gate receipts. This support may have been altruistic, due to a love of their local area or sometimes as a way of improving their standing in the community or to gain advertising for their company. The thing that is most relevant here is ‘Local’, which was also the tag that would be used to talk about fans. Fans started following their local team because there was not the transport to travel far and wide, they couldn’t justify the cost, they often worked Saturday mornings and there were a host of local newspapers that reported about the clubs. The majority of fans were from a working class background and if their club reached a national final ( FA Cup or Amateur Cup) they would descend on the capital and take it over, claiming it for their club and community. To some degree, communities not being left behind as teams from all parts of the land reached Wembley.

Jump to today and there are only a relative few teams who are going to win everything, backed by TV rights deals, a commodification of the club, European football and an ownership structure that may have an agenda to maximise profits or benefit the sporting political ethos of different states. There is a disconnect here that spills over to the fans. Fans of the Elite clubs are now from all over the world due to games being broadcast to everywhere, social media and an increase in disposable income and transportation. Low cost airlines even allow people to support teams in other countries than their own. So the working class community fan has been slowly squeezed out as the so named ‘prawn sandwich fan’ has been willing to pay increased seat prices, club merchandise prices and experience add-ons. Even the wealth of owners is graded, it cost Wrexham a great deal to get out of the National League but how deep are their owner’s pockets to get into the Premiership? Even if they succeed, there is a further tier level to confront. It appears to me there are the relegation clubs, often those promoted from the year before, the mid table group who don’t go down but don’t make it to the top table and the Elite. Having watched Watford in a previous era, my love of Luton FC is somewhat tainted, but I am rooting for this Supporters’ Trust owned club to defy the odds and stay up. Will this community disconnect result in local causes being overlooked for one’s that cater for their international base.

This wealth has increased the power of players to rightly demand their share of the riches but this has percolated to lower divisions clubs who can not afford it. This has also led to a disconnect with local fans in that they want success but there are no local players, often they are from the far side of the earth spending a fleeting glance in the history of the club. Although you could not say that Charlie Aitkin was local to Aston Villa, being born in Edinburgh, his recent death showed the loyalty by player and club that is so very rare to see. He played 660 games for Villa, all but 3 of them from the start, in three different divisions and was a League Cup winner. Now it seems that Elite Football Academy’s draw youngsters from far and wide and then often off load them to ensure they comply with the Fair Play Rules. Using Villa again as an example, will we see a Grealish, born in Birmingham and one of their own, come through again?

As top clubs increase their match day prices to maximise income to cover costs the fans have become more drawn from a wealthy group, travelling often from far away. Tickets in the Premier League often start at £50+ if you have paid for club membership. There are loyal fans who I admire in keeping faith despite the cost demands of todays living.

Are there clouds on the horizon for the Super Clubs, TV Rights deals are not expected to see the rises of the past as more and more TV and streaming companies merge, Disney-Hulu, Warner-Eurosport- TNT Sport-BT, more sharing of content among rights owners and perhaps we have reached peak English football. There is also the big fish on the horizon, Saudi Arabia, who have disrupted golf and football with the lure of big salaries in their Global Sports Domination Program.

In my mind the EFL Trophy needs modifying if it is to survive. Perhaps very local leagues to start the season drawing in derby crowds with a final on New Year’s Day! Just a thought, I’m sure there are others.

It’s been good to go to Mansfield and enjoy a real community feel and belonging. Thank you, but it’s back to the lower levels for me to really feel that connect.

As I have said before there are no chips at Mansfield so I was ready for a cup of mushy peas with mint sauce. Horror, I had left my wallet at home because the ticket was on the phone. Perhaps it’s time to add payment to my phone.

I journeyed again to Mansfield for their next game in the EFL cup home to Port Vale. To have achieved progress to the last 16 (Fourth Round) was a good achievement but they did not use this attainment as a cash cow opportunity but kept prices low, my ticket was £5. I looked at the cost of going to a similar round game at a Premier League club and costed it at £20 to become a member and a ticket for £52, wow. More of that in a later post but first the game.

Mansfield Town v Port Vale

Tuesday 31st October 19.45 kick off.

EFL Cup (Carabao) Fourth Round (Round of 16)

One Call Stadium, Quarry Lane, Mansfield, NG18 5DA

The Stags v The Valiants Fourth Tier of English Football v 3rd Tier

Mansfield, Yellow shirts with blue flash from armpit to end of shirt and Royal Blue shorts. Port Vale, White shirts with two wide horizontal bands of black and yellow and Black shorts.

It was a very foggy drive and the dampness hung in the air all around you but the temperature was a mild 10 degrees.

There were still people queuing up for tickets and three sides of the ground were open for this game as against two in the previous round. 1644 from Port Vale took up the whole of one end and their continual singing and chanting created a good atmosphere within the 7432 attendance. The home crowd had increased from 3690 in the previous round to 5788 on the night which vindicated the clubs decision to keep prices reasonable a good example of a club that knows its community.

Mansfield Town FC v Port Vale

The fog swirled round the lights and became thicker and made it difficult to see the far end.

The match started at a frantic pace, end to end with Port Vale using Tommy Sang overlapping on the right and delivering tantalizing crosses that caused problems and one shot from one of his passes shaved the post after 12 minutes. Port Vale continued to show the greater endeavour and 12 minutes later it looked to me like a handball in the penalty area by a home defender to me but in the gloom I could have been wrong.

Despite all of the Port Vale possession Mansfield nearly went in ahead at half time when a great cross was met by Keillor-Dunn who se volley was brilliantly saved at point blank range by Connor Ripley in goal for the visitors.

Port Vale had created the most chances but Mansfield had stayed in touch and caused problems with some quick long balls to the wings for forwards to run on to.

HT Mansfield 0 Port Vale 0

The second half was only minutes old when Alfie Devine ran through the middle from half way and from 20 yards out curled a shot that beat the diving Mansfield keeper to his left.

Port Vale bossed the game from here although a triple substitute by the home side did inject some positivity but it was Vale who nearly wrapped it up a few minutes later when Christy Pym had to make two good saves to keep the game alive.

The Home supporters were riled by the assistant referee who made three contentious decisions against them when they were attacking with some momentum.

There was unfortunately no late charge and comeback for Mansfield like against Peterborough in the previous round.

Being Halloween, could I say this was a thriller, No, could I say it was a horror show, No, it was a straight forward display by the higher League side who progressed to the next round

Mansfield Town 0 Port Vale 1

No chips here as I have written before but this time I had the sausage roll, not quite as good as chips but a worthy contender.

I have been lucky this year to have seen football on the islands of Guernsey, Lewis, Anglesey and now Madeira.

A very new experience as I drove from the coast to near the top of the hill/mountain that towers over the capital Funchal. The road that Google maps took me up seemed so steep I would topple back at any moment. The car as well as me needed oxygen at the top.

It was all worth it reaching the Madeira Stadium where Nacional Deportivo FC of Madeira play their games. I was warned that parking could be a problem but I found a storied car park built into the rock under the stadium. Great just to drive in to but as I expected getting out wasn’t the easiest as I queued for 20 minutes.

The facility here is first class with synthetic training pitches opposite where some juniors were playing watched by an enthusiastic crowd. It was only 7.50 Euros to get in for a seat on the side with the sun behind you which was needed in the 30 plus degree heat. There were food and drink outlets outside but only a small soft drinks bar inside and no chips or programme. The heat was constant with no wind and clear blue skies. The kick off at 11.00 am seemed to go against the old adage ‘only fools and English men go out in the midday sun’ but as I have found here in Madeira it seems to be the hottest around four in the afternoon.

The pitch was snooker table flat with a mottled yellow and green grass cover that was being watered profusely ahead of kick off , which meant players lost their footing and cut up large divots at times.

There were stands on both sides. One side, the one in the sun, was all seater with a line of hospitality boxes along the top row. The other side had a seated top tier with standing in the lower area. There was also a smoker amongst the group of pensioner supporters who were around me and whose gang I was assimilated into.

At one end of the ground there was just a sheer drop down into Funchal and a cruise ship could be seen docked far below. The other end is also fenced and adorned with adverts but has a grass training area behind the fence.

CD Nacional vs UD Oliveirense

Portugal National League 2

Saturday 7th October 2023: 11.00 am kick off. 4th v 6th

Nacional all black strip with white chevrons on the shoulders. Oliveirense red shirts black shorts.

Within 3mins of the kick off J Ramirez of the home tram hit the bar when it was easier to score, however a minute later the same move again of a cross from right he tapped in his second chance.
Nacional looked very confident from the back and in midfield and went two up on 11 minutes when a severely deflected shot found its way to G Da Silva Chuñha the number 77 who was stood infront of the keeper and only had to tap the ball home. If this had been the English Premier League a ten minute VAR review may have intervened. Hand shakes all around celebrated the goal.

11minutes later and it was 3 nil when a cross from the left was collected by Witi who cooly took the ball down 7 uards out and placed it along the ground to the right of the goalkeepers despairing dive.
Oliveirense were skillful but didn’t show the same energy or commitment. A drinks break on 31 minutes also saw the first sub for the away team and prhaps this helped with them scoring on roughly 39 minutes but it was ruled offside. Oliveirense were now coming more into the game but the heat was now slowing the game down. Even in the heat the ball boys were throwing new ball to players as soon as one went out of play to keep the game moving.

With half time approaching Nacional added a 4th when a long ball was misjudged by the goalkeeper and although Witi was very wide he expertly slotted the ball across the goal line. Three minutes VAR ruled it out but he was not to be denied the fourth when he met a beautiful curved cross, along the ground, from the overlapping right full back to send the home team in for the break well on top.

Half time hadn’t come too soon for the travellers but their woes were added to when only 7 minutes from the restart a wonderfully weighted cross from Silva, right out on the touch line, onto Witi’s head who had no problem adding to his tally. High fives from all my new friends and a check by them to show their team had moved into second place in the league.

The game now had many substitutes on both sides, another drinks break, and a slower pace as both sides saw the game out to the end at a walking pace under the scorching sun.
I was lucky to witness a good quality football match in such hot conditions that sent the home supporters away with a smile but a long journey back to the mainland for the losers. Witi will have enjoyed his hatrick and the match ball, which one I have no idea. I’m sure he would like to be thought of as a player in Christiano Ronaldo’s footsteps who started his career here. It was disappointing that a crowd of only 1262 saw such a good match.

CD Nacional 5 – 0 UD Oliveirense

I drove past the NewYork Stadium where Rotherham United were playing Leicester City on the way to see Wombwell Town play.

Wombwell Town were promoted from the Sheffield and Hallamshire County Senior League last season. They only finished 5th but were the team finishing highest from the league to apply with the correct ground grading. I visited the other team in Wombwell, Wombwell fc, last year, and although they finished second in front of “Town’ their open ground next to and part of a cricket club as many original teams grew from, prohibits them from rising up through the pyramid.

Wombwell Town’s ground is unusual in that one side is bordered by a go cart stadium. The pitch itself is surrounded by a defunct running track which makes the seated stand and clubhouse/changing rooms a long way away. Planned development is in hand with the impressive club house currently being extended to provide more income streams and are working with the NCEL for funding of new floodlights. There is room in the future for a whole complex of synthetic main and training pitches, should they wish.

There was lots of parking extended by the use of the the go-cart facility. The seated stand and large ground made the 123 supporters vanish in the vastness

There have been a number of Wombwell Town teams dating back to 1896 with the last renaissance folding in 2000. The current team were formed in 2018 and considering the thwarted Covid seasons they have done brilliantly to have achieved the development of the club both on and off the pitch.

Glasshoughton started life in 1964 in Sunday football later switching to Saturdays and gaining admission to the Northern Counties East League in 1985. They worked their way to the Premier Division in 1991 through promotion and league reorganisations. Having reached the Premier Division twice they have been back in Division 1 since 20015.

It was a warm 18 degrees, sunny but with white, grey and black clouds dotted around across the sky. A very flat pitch had great grass cover but as I said earlier the old running track made it all look a long way away.

Having last week bought a share in Kings Lynn this week I was shocked at how little I paid, £1 entrance, £1 for a program, £2 for chips, £1 for a coffee and £1 for a raffle ticket, a total of £6 against £28. Wombwell were even organised to post a team sheet on the window of their well equipped club house and copies of the team sheet were passed around the fans.

Wombwell Town 3 Glasshoughton Welfare 2

Saturday 26th August 2023 15.00pm kick off

Northern Counties East League Division 1

Wombwell Recreation Ground Station Road, Wombwell, S73 0BJ

4th v 17th. Wellers v Welfare

Wombwell Red shirts, Black shorts
Glasshoughton, Green hooped fronts to shirts with green arms, the back is green with two white hoops around the bottom. Green shorts.

I only had to wait for 3 minutes to see the first goal when Wombwell’s captain, Edward Agnew ran in unmarked from a corner to head the ball down into the net. Wombwell continued their dominance in the first 20 minutes of the half but after that Glasshoughton showed that they were not going to be push overs. Town kept their lead until half time but it was a slender one.

Welfare came out strong in the second half and with 8 minutes gone they equalised when Bolton Makwedza attacking wide ran through strongly to the by line and his superb cross was met by Harrison Rowley who nodded the ball home.

The game became more frantic and only 5 minutes later Wombwell were ahead again when the goalkeeper parried a shot which was pounced on by Gavin Allott who unopposed tapped it in. The home team now used Owen Birks long throw ability who created problems. Owen Birks had already impressed me with his aerial ability and strength in the back four and was my man of the match.

Glasshoughtons persistence paid off when they equalised after 33 minutes when the home keeper, Johnathan Davis, made a great right handed save which unfortunately fell to Harrison Rowley to score his second.

It looked like a draw but at the end of normal time ‘Wellers’ Gidhafi Kiwanuka was tripped by the away teams goalkeeper and Gavin Allott sent goalkeeper, Alfie Hayes-Daubney to his left and placed his kick in the left hand of the net.

Wombwell saw out the added 6 minutes to have now won 5 out of their 6 league games, a great start for the new boys to the League. Wombwell are a team to watch for the future with regards their results and the development of their stadium.

To the purist these were fries not chips. they were hot, just fried, tasty, crispy , golden, not greasy and had a good centre. The best this year to date and a score of 67.

I drove two junctions down the M1 to Alfreton for their home pre-season friendly against Notts County.

Until this season there was only one division between these two teams, Alfreton playing their football in the National League North with Notts County in the one above, the National League. That was until the play off final at Wembley in May against Chesterfield which Notts won and are now back in the English Football League Two.

Many were disappointed with their demise from the EFL but a drop down to the National League has led to a strengthening at all levels of the club and they have regained their status as the oldest professional football club in the world. Their birth in 1862 predates the Football Association and they were one of the twelve founder members of the Football League.

Alfreton’s ground is located in a housing estate not far from the centre of town. A small car park was full early and local residents were dealing with parked cars in the side streets which were not obstructing driveways or the highway.

It was busy getting in due to the crowd of 1077, the majority Notts County fans making the short journey on what appeared to be a pleasant evening. The ground has open seating at one end and down one side, with covered seating and standing opposite. One end has a partially covered standing terrace which was not well used as most people were casually sat down. A few of the County fans were wearing their new blue away kit rather than their traditional vertical black and white stripes.

Alfreton were In all red and were eager to get under way on the sloping grass pitch that at this time of the season looks like a glimmering green carpet. The blue skies were scattered with some ominous looking black clouds and the breeze was turning to a wind which for the second half of July was cold.

Alfreton Town 0 Notts County 5

Tuesday 25th July 2023. 19.30 pm kick off

Pre season friendly.

From the first minute Notts County took control of the game with a slow build up from the back which sometimes seemed almost casual. A team pressing harder against them would have turned over a few balls.

From what seemed lethargic football resulted in Notts County hitting the post and seeing a shot go millimetres wide in the first 30 minutes. 3 minutes later Langsett received a neat through ball from the right which he scooped into the net for the lead. Langsett made it 2 nil 5 minutes later when he latched on to a ball from the other side delivered by Adam Chicksen (Chico).

Not long before half time Langsetts made it a hat-trick with a second attempt goal after a pass from the perious McGoldrick. It did look though that the ball touched a defender on its way into the net.

Notts continued their dominance after the restart and both teams started to make changes with some at a 15 minute drink break. A few minutes later one of the substitutes Scott tapped home a beautifully cross from ‘Chico’.

The best goal was the last, with 11 minutes left on the clock. McGoldrick made acres of space and time for himself and let fly a curving shot from roughly 8 meters that flew into the top corner of the net past the outstretched left hand of the Alfreton goalkeeper.

The game fizzled out and at the end of the 90 minutes the teams , stadium and fans had all had a good run out for the new season.

Bring it on.

Unfortunately I had to queue for 25 minutes for chips which although were a good quantity left a greasy taste in the mouth afterwards. A score of only 60 for my chip league.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Where else in the world can you watch a semi-final of a football cup within the walls of an Elizabethan Castle with the sea as a backdrop, the answer is Berwick-upon-Tweed.

I ventured north to the border town of Berwick-upon-Tweed to see a game in the Berwick-upon-Tweed Charities Cup. This annual event has been on my radar for sometime but other commitments have intervened. This year I made it and having been I would like to go back.

The Berwick-upon-Tweed Charities Cup has been in existence since 1948 but there have been charity match competitions on the grounds since 1922. Famously Lowry, who spent some time in the town, painted a picture of a football match at the ‘Stanks’.

Hospital Cups were often annual events played in early summer to raise money for health care pre NHS. Many have fallen by the wayside but this has survived and flourished over the years and is now growing a women’s competition as well. There have been some hiccups and restarts along the way but the dedication of volunteers, officials, players and supporters means every year they come together to create this great tradition and fund raiser. The competition is also iconic as it is played part surrounded by the walls of the historic Elizabethan Castle. It’s nickname ‘The Stanks’ derives its name from it having been a ditch/moat and most probably the end of the latrines.

Teams enter from both sides of the borders continuing the rivalry of many centuries that has seen Berwick change hands from Scotland to England many times. Although in England today its most senior football team, Berwick Rangers, competes in the Scotish Lowland League, hoping to regain its position back in the SFL.

The competition raises between £5000 and £8000 each year and the benefitting charities this year are :

The Berwick and District Cancer Support Group.

North View Pensioners Club

Berwick and District friends of Dementia

The North Star Centre

Berwick Stroke Group

21 teams set off in the men’s competition in May from, pubs, sports clubs, companies and groups of friends.

Simpsons Malt v Murder on Zidance Floor

Tuesday 18th July 7 p.m.kick off.

Berwick Charities Cup Semi-Final

Simpsons, Light blue tops with red dark blue shoulder flashes  and dark blue shorts: Murder on Zidance Floor, red and black vertical striped shirt fronts with black backs and black shorts.

To start the match there were grey high clouds but no show of the forecast rain and little wind in this sheltered venue. The undulating grass pitch had little wear, only in one goal mouth.  I sat on a wall to casually watch the match along with a crowd of all ages that built to my count of 120. A local ice cream van was on hand to provide refreshments.

Simpsons started the game strongly looking the most physical side and very strong in the air. Their number 11 was booked early on for a crunching tackle and they created the best chance of the half when they hit the bar on 23 minutes.

Both teams though looked like they really wanted to win the game and Murder on Zidance Floor showed some neat moves and skilful running with the ball. The game ended 0.0 at half time and although there were no chants or shouting from the fans there was plenty of family and friends chat as to who was going to win. There was however an atmosphere at this amazing ground that has seen thousands of players and combatants over the years.

The game had hardly settled down in the second half when with about five minutes gone the ‘Murder’ defence failed to pick up Jack Cumming’s run and he managed to squeeze the ball into the net between the goal post and the keepers let hand.

Could ‘Murder’ respond, well their chances were improved around 5 minutes later when Simpsons number 11 was sent off for a second bookable offence which in fact was his third strong challenge of the game. The one man advantage was evident as they pushed forward constantly. I thought surely they would score but their shooting boots were not with them and their high balls into the Simpsons defence were always won by the defenders.

There was to be no late substitute of Zinedine Zidane off the bench or a sound track of one of Sophie Ellis-Bextors ‘Kitchen Disco’s’ to spur them on and the referee finally blew for full time and both sides looked exhausted in a game that could easily have been the final.

The final is on the 29th July at 18.30 pm between Simpsons Malt and Cheesy Waffles Project.

While staying in Berwick I visited Berwick Rangers ground and towering over it are the seed stores of Simpsons Malt, perhaps an omen.

Afterward: In the final Cheesy Waffles Fc defeated Simpsons Malt 5-1

Football’s Strangest Matches (Extraordinary but true stories from over a century of football). Written by Andrew Ward

First published in 1989, this book the 2004 reprint. Published by Robson Books from a imprint of Chrysalis Books Group plc.

This book was a filler after reading Peter May’s trilogy about a policeman who returns to Lewis in the Outer Hebrides and see’s life changing events unfold as he sets about solving three different murders all of which are tied in to his past and future.
I thoroughly enjoyed the books as I did this one.

It’s 66 short stories were quick easy reading that made you think and smile. It was often some of what seemed daft experiences at the time that shaped the game as we know it today. The content ranges from 1895 to 2000 and I was at one of the events set out in a chapter. In January 1961 Luton were at home to Manchester City in the FA Cup and I saw them go 2 nil ahead only to be pegged back by 6 goals all scored by Dennis Law. But the game was abandoned on 69 minutes due to the rain making an already muddy pitch unplayable. When the game was replayed although Dennis Law scored it was Luton who ran out 3-1 winners and progressed to the next round. It’s strange how your memory pales as I always thought it was abandoned because it was too icy.

There are tales about a hypnotist, a game where they wore gas masks, a penalty kicking elephant and 227 more.

An easy to pick up and put down book that’s worth a look.

It’s only July 8th but I’m lucky to be seeing my first game of the new season albeit a pre season friendly between Llangefni of the Ardnal NW League and Chadderton of the North West Counties League.

Llangefni can be considered the capital of Ynys Mons with the administrative buildings all being located here and roughly 5200 inhabitants.The ground is on the northern edge of town boasting a large car park at the front. It was only £1 entrance and walking through the gate revealed a large ground with seated stands on both sides, one much larger than the other and covered standing at each end.

To the left as you walk in is a large clubhouse and bar and behind this a food kiosk. I took a plate of chips and a coffee and sat at the back of the main stand to admire a flat grass pitch that had been cut short very recently giving off a yellow glow that will turn a vivid green by the time the season starts with the rain that comes to this part of these Isles. Beyond the football ground were fields edged with hedges and a farmhouse where a tractor was being used to create a neat store of silage. Others sat in the stand with their teas, coffees and food, reacquainting their taste buds with football food.

The sky was grey but the warm day felt Muggy and the 19 or so who had travelled from Chadderton on a luxury coach were sweating already under the warm up games and runs inflicted by the coaches. Llangefni seemed more relaxed and only 13 were on the pitch.

Llangefni Town 0 Chadderton FC 4/5/6

Saturday 8th July 2023 14.30 pm kick off

Llangefni of the Ardnal NW League (The third tier of the Welsh football system) v Chadderton of the North West Counties League Premier Division.

Llangefni in Royal Blue shirts and shirts v Chadderton in Red shirts and shorts with faint white diagonal lines across the shirts.

The game soon settled into a pattern of Chaderton having most of the ball but in the first 15 minutes they only found the target once when the home keeper did well to tip the shot over. Some of their sighting problem may have been because the training goal and net had been left next to the real goal which was removed after complaints by Chadderton forwards and the goalkeeper.

There were some lazy passes and sweaty brows  as 30 minutes had gone by leading to
sloppy play. On 33 minutes in the goal area the Llangefni defence gifted the ball to Chadderton. They took full advantage, the ball being rolled across the goal to be tapped in for the first goal.

A few minutes later a ball rebounded off a Llangefni player to give no. 11 a run on goal for quarter of pitch.  He took the ball to the keeper and squeezed it in by the post.

The score stayed at 0.2 at half-time and I reflected on my own lethagy in the first half having just sat relaxing in my back row seat for the whole of the time.

Chadderton made a few changes at half time and immediately some flowing passing resulted in a goal.
Then after 20 mins the referee booked no. 3 for what seemed to me to be enthusiasm. This didn’t put him off when after Chadderton had numerous chances he attacked on the left placing a ball just ahead of an advancing forward who hit it just beyond the Llangefni’s keeper for a 4 nil lead.

Just 3 minutes later it was five as the llangefni defence couldn’t keep back the tide as they tired and after another 5 mins a through ball was siezed on to be tapped past the keeper. I thought it was 6 but Chadderton’s twitter said 5 and Llangefni’s said 0.4.

Luckily it didn’t matter and but for numerous flagging for offside it could have been many more.

A great run out for both sides as the season looms. I also shook off my lethargy with two laps of the ground in the second half. I also reflected on my good fortune having seen 3 games on the outer Islands of the British Isles in the last 90 days.

As for the chips that were cooked to order, they were hot, crispy but soggy in middle and a taste of grease. Where do you start scoring for a new season, unfortunately a low 60.

N.B.

My friend in Guernsey contacted me to let me know that Ynis Mon have made it to the semi-final of the Island Games football competition being held there. They will play Bermuda for a place in the final.

Their squad has 5 players from Llangefni FC which explains the lack of competitiveness in the game I saw on Saturday.

Thank you Robert.

Ynis Mon beat Bermuda in the semis but lost to Jersey 5.2 in the final.