Like rain it sounded till it curved

And then I knew ’twas wind –

It walked as wet as any Wave

But swept as dry as sand –

When it had pushed itself away

To some remotest Plain

A coming as of Hosts was heard

That was indeed the Rain –

It filled the Wells, it pleased the Pools

It warbled in the Road –

It pulled the spigot from the Hills

And let the Floods abroad –

It loosened acres, lifted seas

The sites of Centres stirred

Then like Elijah rode away

Upon a Wheel of Cloud

by Emily Dickinson (1830 – 1886)

Wednesday 1st November 2023

United Counties League Division 1

Blackstones 4

Birstall United 0

Referee: Ryan Allison.                                               Attendance: 94

Admission: OMGDS £4.00 (£6).                            Programme: £2.00

The floodlights glowed down from the treetops and leaves scattered the field like a golden harvest of poppies. Blackstones have an atmospheric ground which stirs the spirit and, tonight, their team were electric, too. Both of these teams are there or thereabouts in the play-off places and it was the hosts who leapfrogged their rivals with a stunning and decisive victory.

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Atmospheric as the moon glows behind the giant triffids rising above the trees to light the game!

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Tuesday 7th November 2023

Northern Premier League Midlands Division 1

Spalding United 1

Jordan Graham 21,

Corby Town 2

Connor Tomlinson 33, Daniel Gordon 73,

Referee: Dan England.                                     Attendance: 279

Admission: OMGDS £5.00 (£10).                 Programme: £2.00

On a mild November evening at the well appointed Sir Halley Stewart Field, something had to give. Five home wins for the hosts in second place in the table, five away wins for the mid-table visitors. It was the Steelmen who took the honours, coming from behind to take a winning lead from a free kick in the 73rd minute following the dismissal of the offender for a second yellow card. With grand son, Freddie.

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A large contingent of Corby Town supporters cheered their side on!

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Saturday 11th November 2023

West Midlands (Regional) League Division 1

Wyrley Juniors 0

Wellington Amateurs 2

Rune Corinaldi 32, Joshua Wycherley 50

Referee: Mark Owen.                                       Attendance: 34

Admission: £5.00.                                           Programme:- NONE

Barely a hundred yards away, across the road and over the railway bridge from Sikh Hunters’ Long Lane Park, is … Long Lane, home of today’s hosts, Wyrley Juniors, sadly struggling in this division, with only one league win all season. Their opponents, sit proudly atop the league, with a couple of games in hand. A goal in each half was enough to garner a regulation victory for the visitors, but they really should have scored more!

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Monday 13th November 2023

Birmingham FA Senior Cup 2nd Round

Coleshill Town 0

Redditch United 0

(Coleshill Town won 4-2 on penalties)

Referee: Lewis Smith.                                   Attendance: 144

Admission: OMGDS £8.00 (£10).             Programme: NONE

An eminently forgettable game on the Pack Meadow 3G surface, where defences dominated and chances were extremely thin on the ground. The visitors had two spot kicks saved, the hosts scored all of theirs! With John Main and Lee West.

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Tuesday 14th November 2023

Northants Senior (Hillier) Cup 2nd Round

Kettering Town 4

Will Mellors-Blair 65, 76 (pen), Huw Dawson 81, Kieran Dawes 87,

Corby Town 2

Daniel Gordon 4, Toby Hillard 48,

Referee: Harry Price. Official                                 Attendance: 183

Admission: OMGDS £10.00 (£15).                      Programme: NONE

A pricey night out at Kettering Town’s shambles of a stadium in Burton Latimer. The visitors were good value for a half-time lead which they doubled at the start of the second period. They then gave away a silly goal from a custodian’s error and shortly afterwards, the referee intervened to award the hosts a dubious penalty. It was more than the visitors could bear and two late strikes sealed the victory for The Poppies.

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Wednesday 15th November 2023

Eastern Counties League Division 1 North

FC Peterborough 3

Holbeach United 1

Referee: Rhys Taylor.                                          Attendance: 162

Admission: OMGDS £3.00 (£5).                     Programme: £2.00

The last time I was at Chestnut Avenue, Peterborough Northern Star (now defunct) were the hosts and FC Peterborough were plying their trade in the lower echelons of the PDFL. This evening, I was gifted a club badge on entry and accosted (in good heart) by a batsman I’d given out LBW last May! The hosts were clearly the superior side and it was only after they introduced a plethora of substitutes that the visitors were able to claim a consolation strike.

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Saturday 18th November 2023

Southern Counties East League Premier Division

Hollands & Blair 2

Dean Grant 12, Frankie Griffin (pen) 48,

Rusthall 1

Jesse Hammond 3,

Referee: Kristian Kaczala.                                      Attendance: 115

Admission: OMGDS £5.00 (£8).                         Programme: on line

Not a fan of 3G, but this small, cramped ground with hardstanding all the way round, cover behind the near goal and covered seating down each side, was quite attractive, despite black being the dominant background colour. These two teams occupy places in the bottom half dozen of the division yet, surprisingly they produced a competitive and evenly matched contest. A goal apiece at the interval, the hosts scored from the spot almost immediately after the break and just about deserved the victory and the points. With John Main.

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The penalty, just after half-time which sealed the victory for the hosts.

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Tuesday 21st November 2023

Southern Combination League Premier Division

Crawley Down Gatwick 3

Sam Clements 30, Oli Leslie 56, 59,

Shoreham 0

Referee: Patrick Joliffe.                                           Attendance:- 61

Admission: OMGDS £4.00 (£7).                          Programme: NONE

Fine repast at The Duke’s Head, prior to the match, then onwards to the ground hidden behind The Haven pub cum cafe in the village of Crawley Down. There is a substantial seated stand down the near side, covered standing behind one goal and hard standing all the way round the pitch. The visitors are rock bottom of the division and the wonder is how they managed to escape with a mere 0-3 defeat! The hosts were profligate and wasteful and that piece of tautology is nearly as bad as the title of the competition.

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Number 4 for the away side is: Tom Bold.

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Wednesday 22nd November 2023

Norfolk FA Senior Cup 2nd Round

Dussindale & Hellesdon Rovers 0

Heacham 1

Nathan Davies 8, Nathan Davies s/o 39. Charlie Royle s/o 78,

Referee: James Sneddon.                             Attendance: 106

Admission: OMGDS £4.00 (£7).               Programme: £1.00

The hosts play their home matches at “The Nest”, a community hub and sports centre close to Norwich airport. There are two floodlit 3G pitches and a host of other sporting facilities and opportunities. Dussindale are newly arrived in the Eastern League, whilst Heacham, in only their second season, are already a division above them. A single goal separated the sides, the visitors had a player dismissed in each half, yet were still able to keep the hosts at bay and defend an eighth minute lead to proceed to the next round. With John Main, Paul Proctor and Chris Garner.

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Saturday 25th November 2023

Isthmian League South East Division

Broadbridge Heath 0

Burgess Hill Town 0

Referee: James Kerten.                                       Official Attendance: 228

Admission: OMGDS £6.00 (£10).                    Programme: £2.00

The hosts moved into their purpose built stadium just four years ago. Previously, they had been playing at the athletics stadium adjacent to their present new ground. There is an extensive club house with changing rooms and social/catering facilities, a stand with a hundred seats on the opposite side of the ground, and a small covered area behind one goal. The game was competitive and entertaining, but chances – never mind goals – were few and far between!

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Tuesday 28th November 2023

NCEL League Cup 2nd Round

Louth town 5

Sam Swinn 45+1, Bailey Wright 74, Harry Crawford 79, Reece Southwood 84, Harry Jacklin 86,

Armthorpe Welfare 0

Referee: Robert Nunn.                                                   Official Attendance: 105

Admission: OMGDS £3.00 (£5).                                 Programme: £1.00

The last time I saw Louth town play was at Park Avenue, back in 2009, when a crowd more than twice the size of tonight’s gathering saw a thrilling FA Vase tie which Sleaford Town won, after extra time, by the odd goal in seven. It is quite a story how Louth United went out of action in 2007, reformed and continued to play at Park Avenue, lost their ground and reformed again to play at their present location. When I first came to see them, I happened on this ground before being directed to their then ground! Tonight was Louth Town’s first match under floodlights at their new ground, which, sadly, is not even in Louth, but down the road at Saltfleetby. In a lacklustre first half they laboured against relegation threatened Welfare, but four second half strikes sealed the tie decisively. Nice touch in the urinals in the men’s loo!

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The only available seating was in a 50 seater Meccano stand down one side.

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Improving accuracy in the loo!

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Originally, when I asked at the turnstile for a programme, they told me programmes were “on line only”. Then I discovered this sitting behind the bar and purchased the official matchday programme for £1.00. Free team sheets were also available.

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[…]

October Poem

The month of carnival of all the year,
When Nature lets the wild earth go its way,
And spend whole seasons on a single day.
The spring-time holds her white and purple dear;
October, lavish, flaunts them far and near;
The summer charily her reds doth lay
Like jewels on her costliest array;
October, scornful, burns them on a bier.
The winter hoards his pearls of frost in sign
Of kingdom: whiter pearls than winter knew,
Oar empress wore, in Egypt’s ancient line,
October, feasting ‘neath her dome of blue,
Drinks at a single draught, slow filtered through
Sunshiny air, as in a tingling wine!

by Helen Hunt Jackson (1830-1885). She was a poet, a novelist and an activist who campaigned on behalf of native Americans. Her “Calendar of Sonnets”, offered a sonnet for every month of the year, accompanied by illustrations.

 Francis Lee (29th April 1944 – 2nd October 2023)

When I were a lad, I were a big supporter of Bolton Wanderers. They got relegated from th’ old First Division around 1964 and, that season, Franny Lee were Bolton Wanderers’ top scorer. It were also round about then that they had these two wingers. “Tiny” Taylor on the left wing and Franny Lee on the right wing.

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I think I first saw him play in an FA Cup 3rd Round replay against non-league Bath City at Burnden Park on 6th January 1964 . There were a big crowd that night (26,500) and Franny scored a penalty in Bolton Wanderers 3-0 victory.

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Wednesday 4th October 2023

EFL Championship

Leicester City 3

Kiernan Dewsbury Hall 60, 90,, Kelechi Iheanaco 76, 

Preston North End 0

Referee: Darren England.                             Attendance: 30,380

Admission: OMGDS £32.50 (£40).
Programme: £3.50

After a torrid yawn of a first half, the hosts woke up and smote three past a very defensive and lacklustre North End side, to take The Foxes back to the summit of the EFL Championship.

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Saturday 7th October 2023

LeicestershireSenior League Premier Division

Burbage & Huncote 9 

Tom Mason 11,22, Cameron Atkinson 32, 64, 65, 70, Liam Pescott 41, 51, 81,

Barrow Town 3

Tramaine Byron 17, Dean Hopewell 28, Joe Smith 57,

Referee: Martyn Jarvis.                                             Attendance: 35

Admission: F.O.C.                                                      Programme: NONE

A warm Indian Summer’s afternoon at well equipped Huncote Sports Club which has a cricket pitch and two football pitches, one railed and with substantial dugouts – and a large bar and refreshment area and equally large changing rooms. The visitors used to grace The United Counties League and The Midland League, but are now languishing in the lower reaches of the LSL Premier Division. There were six goals in each half. The first half was the more evenly balanced, with the hosts taking a 4-2 lead, but after the break, they ran in five more to one in reply to claim a stunning and deserved victory.

Wednesday 11th October 2023

United Counties League Premier Division South

GNG Oadby Town 2

Lamar Parkes 48, Tyrel Francis 90+6

Lutterworth Town 5

Benjamin Adomako 3, Nick Reeves 17 (pen), 47 (pen), Ben Bradshaw 36 (pen), Luke Wilson 65,

Referee: Adam Crosby-Smith. Attendance: 68

Admission: OMGDS £3.00 (£6). Programme: £2.00

A new seated stand has appeared at Narborough Road since my last visit, and seeing as Oadby Town no longer really exist – even their ground has apparently been taken over by Leicester Tigers – I think the time has come for GNG to revert to their original status. Tonight they were well beaten by a side struggling and fourth from bottom in the league. Three unanswered first half strikes, including two penalties, were followed by a third penalty immediately after the restart. The visitors added a fifth before the hosts redeemed some pride with the final goal deep into added time at the end of the match.

Saturday 14th October 2023

Northants Combination Premier Division

Heyford Athletic 0

Corby Strip Mills 4

Oak Mapson, 23, Bradley Marshall 48, Liam Brown 66, Louis Martin 71,

Referee: Nathan Japp.                                           Attendance: 16

Admission: F.O.C.                                                  Programme: NONE

A decided chill in the air in the Northamptonshire village of Nether Heyford and a fine repast at The Sun hostelry before repairing to the Heyford Playing fields (football, cricket, tennis, bowls, netball/basketball) for the afternoon match. There was a large club house with bar and refreshments and a railed field with hardstanding down most of one side, but precious little else, apart from a tiny covered area at the far end of the clubhouse. The match was fairly even until half-time when the visitors led by a single goal, but after the break, they ran riot, scoring three but missing many more gilt edged chances!

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Monday 16th October 2023

MMP Central Wales League South

Knighton Town 2

Callum Stead 43, Declan Beddoes 64,

Aberystwyth University 1

Adam Carey 88,

Referee: Christopher Corfield.                          Attendance: 95

Admission: £3.00.                                              Programme: NONE

A quaint ground, with an air of genteel decline and a pitch that looked as if it had hosted a herd of cows earlier in the day! Despite all that, there was a friendly welcome a bar and catering hut that did a roaring trade and a cracker of a game with no time wasting, no feigning of injuries and no need for the physio and his wet sponge. The hosts led at the interval, doubled their lead just after the hour mark and the visitors consolation came with three minutes to go. Plenty of ‘hoppers’ there and a really enjoyable evening!

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Saturday 21st October 2023

Isuzu FA Vase 1st round

Hamworthy Recreation 4

George Deem 12 (pen), Chris Long 28, 43, 56,

Bovey Tracey 0

Referee: Lewis Ward.                                                Official Attendance: 82

Admission: OMGDS £3.00 (£6).                            Programme: included

Strange place, the BJM Stadium, wonderful clubhouse facilities (there was even a wedding reception going on all afternoon), we enjoyed a pre-match meal and could have watched the game from an outside balcony! However, access to the ground was haphazard – you could easily avoid paying an entrance fee – the ground itself was very open. There was a fifty seater stand on the far side but the only other cover was a small roofed terrace down the near side. The ground is shared with a cricket club. Hamworthy Recreation are enjoying an unbeaten season in the league and are comfortably top with twelve wins and a draw this season. Their only reverse came in the Wessex League Cup when they lost on penalties to more highly placed Moneyfields after a 1-1 draw. As for this match, no contest! The hosts led 3-0 at the interval, took their foot off the pedal after the break, but still ran out 4-0 winners to progress to the FA Vase 2nd Round. With John Main.

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Tuesday 24th October 2023

Vanarama National League South

St Albans City 3

Abby Akanbi 13, 79, Dylan Fage 18,

Slough Town 2

San Bayliss 60, Josh Jackman 74,

Referee: Michael Robertson-Tant.                             Attendance: 1,138

Admission: OMGDS £9.00 (£16.50).                       Programme: £3

Six years since my last visit to Clarence Park, but a first visit for son, Mike and grandson Freddie. Lovely old fashioned ground, with cover on all four sides, but the new-ish plastic dugouts just add to the restricted vision most of the way along the side of the main stand. Good match! Slough’s shambles of a defence let in two early goals, but after the interval, they came back strongly and had equalised with a scant fifteen minutes remaining, only for the defence to let them down again and, rather fortuitously, the hosts held on for victory!

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The view from the main stand was fairly badly obstructed. The ‘dug-outs” should have been below ground level

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Grand Dad and Grand Son – Eddie & Freddie

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Wednesday 25th October2023

EFL Championship

Stoke City 1

Wesley 80,

Leeds United 0

Referee: Paul Tierney.                                 Attendance: 25,871

Admission: OMGDS £20.00 (£30).        Programme: £3

A first visit to the Britannia Stadium for grandson, Freddie and he was mildly impressed with the ground, where before the match all sorts of tricks were played with the floodlights and other coloured lighting. The match itself, was enthralling. Two competent sides generally cancelling each other out, but the hosts had more ambition in attack whilst the visitors had clearly come for a share of the spoils and they were undone, ten minutes from the end by a flashing header from a rare corner kick. The goal and the result sent the home faithful into raptures at the end! Things might have been a little different had Patrick Bamford not missed a 75th minute penalty!

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ITALY 2023

This year it was the turn of my eldest son, Jim (and his friend Jonny Crane) along with grand sons Sonny and Kingsley to make the trip to Italy. We all flew out of Luton Airport on the 06.30 flight and landed safely at Milan Malpensa at 09.40 CET. Straight to Milano Central on the Malpensa Express and met up with Maggie (my sister), briefly, before entraining once again for Genoa. We stayed overnight in Genoa in an airbnb in the San Giorgios area of the city and returned by train the following morning to Milan.

Friday 27th October 2023

Italy Serie A

Genoa CFC 1

Albert Gudmunsson 35,

US Salernitana 0

Referee: Davide Massa.                               Attendance c30,000

Admission: €60.00.                                    Programme: NONE

Genoa Cricket and Football Club, the oldest club in Italy, originally founded as the English cricket team abroad, hence, the cross of England on the club logo. Neither of these two teams are enjoying successful seasons, with but two wins between them from their combined total of eighteen matches – both wins to the hosts, who made it a third victory, albeit a trifle fortunately, this evening, having scored in the 35th minute, they had to withstand a savage second half onslaught from the visitors. Excellent atmosphere with much coloured smoke, flag waving and continuous noise! Great evening!

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Saturday 28th October 2023

Italy Serie B

Feralpisalo 0

AC Reggiana 3

Janis Antiste 7, Luca Cigarini 44(pen), Edoardo Pieragnolo 55,

Referee: Antonio Rapuano.                                    Attendance: c1,750

Admission: OMGDS €10.00 (€15).                      Programme:NONE

Faded glory, genteel poverty, what once must have been a magnificent stadium looks tired and forlorn, great chunks of the running track have disappeared and who knows what happened to Piacenza, a strong member of Serie A in the 1990s but now plying their trade in Serie D after bankruptcy in 2012 and re-formation in 2019. In the meantime, newly promoted Feralpisalo are finding life tough in Serie B, currently occupying a relegation spot. Today, they were well beaten by a side also in the lower echelons of the league. The weather was so mild that many of the visiting faithful declined to wear anything above the waist! VAR was used to determine the penalty that led to the second goal.

We were very much indebted to an Italian friend of my sister Maggie (who lives in Milan). Mario Spizzico lives in Piacenza and he was very generous in driving us from the railway station to the stadium AND returning at the end of the match, to take us back to the station in time to catch a very tight connection back to Milan Rogoredo.

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Saturday 28th October 2023 k.o.: 6.30pm CET

Italy Serie C Girone A

AS Giana Erminio 1

Maguette Fall 54,

SSD Pro Sesto 1

Nicolo Bruschi 32,

Referee: Luigi Catanoso.                                 Attendance: c 2,000

Admission: €5.00.                                            Programme: NONE

Another lovely ground that has seen better days, and, despite the paucity of the attendance, we had to queue for half an hour, overseen by a strong carabinieri presence, for the privilege of purchasing a 5 euro ticket, but only after each of our passports had been scrutinised and the details entered on the computer. Once inside the stadium we were met with a three metre high metal fence and viewing high up in the stand was obligatory. This was the third tier of Italian football, but I doubt if any half decent Conference North or South team would have had much trouble in disposing of either side. A goal to the visitors before the break and an equaliser early in the second period, this match had 1-1 stamped all over it! The nearest Metro station was Gorgonzola, home of the cheese, I believe, and that took us back to Milano Centrale.

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Eldest son, Jim with my grandsons, Kingsley, left and Sonny, right.

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On the platform at Gorgonzola Metro and only seventeen stops from Milano Central!

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Sunday 29th October 2023

Italy Serie A

AC Monza 1

Andrea Colpani 27,

Udinese 1

Lorenzo Lucca 66,

Referee:- Alessandro Prontera. Attendance: c10,000

Admission: €30.00. Programme: NONE

A quite impressive ground, but with cover only down one side, the rest of the spectators were open to the elements like Feyenoord in the old days or La Romareda at Real Zaragoza. However, it is a relatively small stadium, accommodating only around 18,500 spectators. Today, it was barely half full. The hosts were the more impressive in the early stages and took the lead after 27 minutes, but Udinese were never out of it and had chances before their 66th minute equaliser. The draw was a fair result.

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Back on Monza Station after a two mile walk from the stadium, grandsons, Sonny, left and Kingsley, right, display their newly acquired Monza scarves.

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Tuesday 31st October 2023

Abacus Lighting g Central Midlands Alliance

Black Dragon North Division

Dearne & District 7

Glapwell 1

Referee:- Richard Trinder.                                 Attendance: 164

Admission: OMGDS £1.00 (£3).                      Programme: NONE

The Dearne Miners Welfare park in Goldthorpe, near Barnsley, is a work in progress. There is hard standing down one side and being constructed behind one goal. There are floodlights, of course and plans to build changing rooms behind the opposite goal. At present, the club house and bar are outside the ground, although alcohol and pies and peas are available inside the ground. They are an ambitious club and unbeaten in the league this season and with ambitions to gain promotion to The Northern Counties East League. At a recent match against second placed Doncaster City, which they won 1-0, there was an attendance of over 700. On a pretty miserable evening, the hosts scored seven, but the visiting keeper played a blinder and kept the score line down. Several hoppers were there and the Alliance president, Eddie Pearce, very optimistic about the future of the league and it’s ambitions.

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‘September’.

Lo! a ripe sheaf of many golden days
Gleaned by the year in autumn’s harvest ways,
With here and there, blood-tinted as an ember,
Some crimson poppy of a late delight
Atoning in its splendor for the flight
Of summer blooms and joys­
This is September.

Lucy Maud Montgomery (1874-1942) is best-known for her classic novel for children, Anne of Green Gables, set in Montgomery’s own country of Canada (on Prince Edward Island). But Montgomery was also a poet, and in this short poem about September (quoted above in its entirety) she pays tribute to the ‘late delight’ of the month.

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After a superb repast at Bistrot Pierre, in the centre of town and next to a Steampunk festival taking place on the front, we repaired to The Oval, on Channel View Road, a well looked after arena with two seated stands and a standing covered area (all of the Meccano variety, but very suitable nonetheless) on a sunny and warm afternoon. There was confusion over the team lists, which bore no resemblance to the team board written up before the game and no-one, initially, appeared to know who the officials were. However, the stage was set for an FA Cup tie that was ….. underwhelming for the first hour, but which then produced three goals and a victory for the hosts. With Phil Evans and Giles Ashman.

Tuesday 5th September 2023

Vanarama National League North

Tamworth 2

Dempsey Arnott-John 21, Kyle Finn 32,

Chorley 1

Jack Hazlehurst 90+2

Referee: Darren Rogers.                                    Attendance: 921

Admission: OMGDS £14.00 (£18)                  Programme: £3.00

Eighteen years since my last visit and the obvious difference was the installation of a 3G pitch. Apart from that, it was the rip off prices that were charged! £14 for a concession to sit in the stand and that didn’t include £2.00 for the car park! Three pounds for the programme. A carton of curried chips was £4.50 and a cheeseburger was £6.00, not to mention the price of a pint of beer! The team sheets were free, however! As for the game, two early goals for the hosts rather settled the match but Chorley pulled one back in the 91st minute and were unlucky not to equalise a few minutes later.

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Wednesday 6th September 2023

FA Women’s National League Division 1 Midlands

Loughborough Lightning Women 3

Jessica Collyer 17, Hannah Plumb 21, Lauren Purchase 58,

Notts County Women 0

Referee: Charlotte Spalding.                                     Attendance: 126

Admission: OMGDS £2.00. (£5).                            Programme: on line

On a very warm and humid evening, a drinks break was taken in each half as relegated Lightning continued their fine start to the season with a convincing victory over Notts County Women, who have yet to record a victory. With John Main.

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Saturday 9th September 2023

Toolstation Western League Premier Division

Nailsea & Tickenham 0

Manager dismissed 38 mins (foul & abusive language)

Barnstaple Town 2

Billy Tucker (c) 38, Harry Foster 45+6,

Referee: Rebecca Halford.                                Attendance: 118

Admission: OMGDS £5.00 (£7).                    Programme: On Line.

Just south of Bristol across the Avonmouth bridge and into the North Somerset villages of Tickenham (pop 900) and Nailsea (pop 15,500), although Tickenham has the more impressive parish church of SS Quiricus and Julietta and right on the edge of Nailsea is the football ground, formed as recently as 2015. Most of the facilities (changing rooms, bar, toilets, refreshment areas) are housed in portakabins and the only stand (and covered area) is a scaffolded structure with maybe fifty seats. The club has done well to reach these dizzy heights in just eight years, but they were undone today by a club who recently graced The Southern League. Two first half goals and the dismissal of the home manager for foul and abusive language was enough to clinch the victory for the visitors in desperately hot and humid conditions which necessitated two drinks stoppages in each half! With John Main.

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Monday 11th September 2023

Pitching-in Southern League Premier Division Central

Hitchin Town 3

Stan Georgia 48, Finley Wilkinson 58 (pen), Daniel Idiakhoa 80,

Nuneaton Borough 0

Referee: S Kyle. Attendance: 435

Admission: OMGDS £9.00 (£13). Programme: £2.50

It’s Monday, so it must be Hitchin and around 35 other hoppers joined me for this step three clash at their iconic Top Field stadium. The first half was fairly evenly matched and Borough maybe even shaded it, but they ran out of steam after the break and conceded three times to a rampant Canaries.

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Tuesday 12th September 2023

Servio Hampshire Senior Cup 2nd Round

Alton 3

Nasim Regragui 10, Luke Perkins 19, 33,

Aldershot Town 2

H. McKenna 58, Tommy Willard 61,

Referee: Ant Cross.                              Attendance: 562

Admission: OMGDS £4.00 (£7).      Programme: £2.00

15.08 train from Corby to St Pancras (16.22)and then Waterloo (17.25) to Alton terminus at (18.31). The ground is a short (ten minute) walk from the station.

Not a fan of plastic surfaces and this one looked a tad worn. It played well, however, and a large crowd were treated to a well fought local derby in which the underdogs ran their visitors ragged in the first period and took a three goal advantage into the interval. After what must have been a tough half-time altercation, a far more determined Aldershot side came out for the second half, laid siege to the hosts goal, pulled two goals back, but, in the end, couldn’t manage to draw level. Excellent game, big crowd!

The reverse journey was a tad more complicated. 21.44 from Alton to Woking (22.21) and was there, supposed to transfer to a non-stop faster train to Waterloo. When I got to the platform, I found that it was eight minutes late! Hence I got into Waterloo five minutes later than if I had stayed on the original train! A fifteen minute wait on the platform at 23.15 for a Piccadilly line tube to St Pancras, but I got there in time for the 23.54 to Corby from which only two passengers alighted (including myself) when it arrived at 01.40.

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Wednesday 13th September 2023

Nottinghamshire Senior League Division 1

FCV Grace Dieu 2

Emiriu Hafeez 19, Danield Brooks 45,

Hucknall Town Reserves 2

Bradley Evans, 28, Kieran Orange 43

Referee: Dave Southern.                                   Attendance: 59

Admission: F.O.C.                                             Programme: NONE

Named after a local 12th century Augustinian monastery close by (but sadly, now, no more than a ruin), this was the host’s first league match at their new home, in their first season in The NSL. By the end of a feisty opening session, all the goals had been scored and the second half was a bit of a let down. There was a goodly smattering of hoppers in attendance, John Main, Martin Hayden, Peter Abbott, Greg, the pencil man, and Kizz Everard! Quite why FCV chose to play in the NSL when they are a Leicestershire side, isn’t known, except that they may have been offered a higher status in The NSL than they might have achieved in The Leicestershire Senior League. The ground is very basic. Two good sized “dug-outs” on the far side and a metal barrier with mesh surrounding the pitch, with viewing down (mainly) one side, but plenty of scope for development for someone with deep pockets.

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Friday 15th September 2023

Premier League 2 League Cup Group G

Leicester City U21 3

Wanya Marcal 31, Amani Richards 56, Silko Thomas 90+4

BurnleyU 21 4

Joe Wesley 45, 80, Basilio Sokoliche 61, Lewis Richardson 64

Referee: Dale Baines.                                               Attendance: 253

Admission: OMGDS £3.00 (£5).                           Free team sheet

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Saturday 16th September 2023

Velocity Wessex League Premier Division

Bournemouth FC 5

Joe Freak 12, 30,James Stocker 22, Cam McMonagle 85, Jayden Medcraff 88, 

Lymington Town 1

Mati Grybowski 90

Referee: Catalin Tanage.                                            Attendance: 104 (official attendance – 83)

Admission: OMGDS £4.00 (£7).                             Programme: £1.50

Victoria Park, the quaint home of The Poppies, Bournemouth’s “other” team, is situated in a quiet residential area and is relatively open on three sides, with the fourth side housing a stand to seat around 200 souls, a bar and clubhouse with minimal food options and changing rooms. Today, they were playing bottom of the table Lymington Town, recently of the Southern League. 3-0 at half-time and 5-0 until the ninetieth minute when, belatedly, the visitors pulled one goal back. With John Main.

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Tuesday 19th September 2023

Northants Senior (Hillier) Cup 1st Round

Desborough Town 2

Archie Elmore 74, Rico Duggan 81,

Bugbrooke St Michael’s 2

Johnny Carey 13, Eddie Panter 49,

Desborough Town won 5-3 on penalties.

Referee: Ben Bright.                                                  Attendance : 76

Admission: OMGDS £4.00 (£7).                            Programme: £1.00

Lovely evening with a cooling breeze at The Waterworks Field as Desborough Town who had taken the visitors apart on their own ground by 5-1, just three weeks ago, found themselves 0-2 down with but half an hour left! They clawed their way back into the match scoring two late goals and then despatched all five of their penalties, whilst the visitors missed their fourth! Good to see Stuart Long at the game. Won a box of chocolates in the raffle, but came out to a flat tyre on my car and had to summon the assistance of the RAC. Didn’t get home until 12.30am!

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The impressive old style floodlight pylons at The Waterworks Field

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Desborough Town Programme – priced at £1.00

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Friday 22nd September 2023

Cymru South

Ammanford 0

Goytre United 1

Ben Cripps 39,

Referee: Alex McInch.                                         Attendance: 208

Admission: OMGDS £4.00 (£5).                      Programme: NONE

It is the rugby club that dominates in Ammanford, but the football club has the handsome stand with seating for around 300. There were a couple of hundred spectators there, this evening, with but a single portakabin toilet to service them all! There was no programme, this evening, but they do provide programmes more often than not. The hosts sit fourth in the table, but this evening, they were easily contained by visitors from the other end of the table, who snatched the victory and the points with a solitary 37th minute strike.

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Saturday 23rd September 2023 (11.00am)

Macron West Wales Premier League

Pontaddulais Town 1

Ash Johns (og) 36,

Rockspur Fords 6

Kian Griffiths (og) 2, Harry Price 19, Daniel Williams 24, Sam Keefe 45+3, 65 (pen), Colin Harris 54, Ryan Morgan s/o 70,

Referee: Gareth Williams.                       Attendance: 260

Admission: £5.00.                                    Programme: included

The entrance to Coedbach Park from the small but bustling town of Pontaddulais has the atmosphere of Hansel and Gretel wandering into the woods. The ground, at the other end is very basic. A railed pitch and some changing rooms. The match was very one-sided. The visitors led 4-1 at the interval and should have added more than their two second half strikes. There was a red card for the visitors after 71 minutes and, unusually, a sin-binning for the home goalkeeper!

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Saturday 23rd September 2023 (2.00pm)

Macron West Wales Premier League

CK Swiss Valley 1

Thomas Lewis (og) 65,

Garden Village 6

Calem Rees 2, 5, Nathan Logan 38, 54, Tobias Jones 39 (pen), Jack James 56,

Referee: Pascal Neale.                               Attendance: 169

Admission: £5.00.                                    Programme: included

A field with a rail around it, not much more to add to that, except to say that the quality of the refreshments was less than expected from previous ‘hops’ when clubs made a real effort to put on a ‘spread’. The hosts were never in this match. They conceded two goals in the first five minutes and two more before half-time. Even the lone score for them was a gift from the opposition!

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Saturday 23rd September 2023 (4.45pm)

Macron West Wales Premier League

Dafen Welfare 0

Joshua Morgan s/o 29,

Ynystawe 8

Casey Coughlin 5, 54, Can Owens 14, Ben James 25, 33, Michael Morgan 45+1, Ryan Gibbons 69, James Towell 90+1,

Referee: Paul Jones.                                Attendance: 252

Admission: £3.00.                                   Programme: £2.00

Another field for this third match of the day and another game where a bottom half of the table team were thrashed by a top half side. The hosts had a player dismissed on the half hour mark which made an uphill task even more difficult, but, by then, they were already three goals adrift, with two more to come before half-time. The second half was an anti-climax with a mere three further strikes as the visitors eased their foot off the accelerator!

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Sunday 24th September 2023 (11.00am)

Macron West Wales Premier League

Bryn Rovers 3

Adam Campbell 45+2, 53, 62, missed penalty 69,

West End 1

Dale Griffiths 29,

Referee: Robert Fulford.                                      Attendance: 153

Admission: £5.00.                                                 Programme: included

High up in the valleys of South Wales, Bryn Rover’s small ground has no cover and a portakabin changing rooms and toilets. Heavy, unremitting, wind driven precipitation accompanied this contest on a mudbath of a pitch, and at times it was all spectators could do to gain some respite from the rain. For all that, it was a good match. The hosts took the lead in the first half, but were pegged back by the interval and Adam Campbell, the scorer went on to claim his hat trick in the second half, but also smote the bar with a penalty.

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Heavy, unremitting precipitation!

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Adam Campbell’s 69th minute penalty hits the crossbar!

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Changing rooms and toilets, the only furniture at the ground!

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Sunday 24th September 2023

Macron West Wales Premier League

Cwm Wanderers 1

Harvey Ranford 63,

Clydach 4

Ryan Thomas 28,72, Cam Jones 63, Zahid Islam 90+1

Referee: Ryan Kenny.                                   Attendance: 280

Admission: £5.00.                                        Programme: included

Park Afon Twrch is considerably superior to several other grounds in this league. There is a stand with seating for around 200 souls and an extensive clubhouse with bar and a wide range of food and drink available including helpings of the local Welsh broth. It was a good match, too, but the hosts were, eventually, well beaten. However, the score line, maybe, flattered the visitors.

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Monday 25th September 2023

Premier League 2

Leicester City U21 1

Amani Richards 87,

Miiddelsbrough U21 3

Calum Kavanagh 19, Nathan Simpson 54, Max Howells 77,

Referee: Aji Ajibola.                                     Attendance: 216

Admission: OMGDS £3.00 (£5).              Free team sheet

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Tuesday 26th September 2023

Combined Counties League

Premier Challenge Cup 1st Round

Yateley United 2

Tom Rudall 75, Fin Scott 90+8

Camberley Town 4

Mason Taylor 37, 45+2, 47 (pen), Stan Jones 78,

Referee: Matthew Childs.                       Official Attendance: 427 (ground record)

Admission: OMGDS £3.00 (£5).          Programme: £2.00

Very friendly welcome at this relative newcomer to Step 6, Sean Devereux Park was heaving for this first match under floodlights. They have yet to install seats, but the club house is substantial and with hard standing on two sides of the pitch and a small corrugated covered terrace behind one goal, the club is moving in the right direction, one suspects there is a sugar daddy in the background! Tonight, they were taking on a side from Step 5, same league, but a division higher. The visitors achieved a comfortable victory, but the hosts put up strong resistance and were not disgraced. Several hoppers in attendance.

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The teams were displayed on a screen adjacent to the entrance to the club house – an excellent innovation that I’ve not seen elsewhere!

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Wednesday 27th September 2023

United Counties League Premier Division South

Rugby Borough 1

Sam Lockley 90+3

Cogenhoe United 0

Referee: Daniel Haywood.                             Official Attendance: 106

Admission: OMGDS £3.00 (£5).                  Programme: £2.00

A bit of wind and a bit of rain, but these two teams provided an entertaining encounter that could have gone either way with both sides unleashing regular shots on goal, but with time running out a nil-nil draw seemed inevitable. It took a ninety-fourth minute strike to settle the contest! With John Main.

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Saturday 30th September 2023

EFL Championship

Watford 2

Vakoun Bayo 19, Wesley Hoedt 52,

Middlesbrough 3

Riley McGree 5, 12, Josh Coburn 64,

Referee: Oliver Langford.                                Attendance: 18,446

Admission: hospitality.                                    Programme: incl. (£3.50)

Youngest grandson’s ninth birthday present and both he, his brother and dad were cheering a Middlesbrough victory after the hospitality failed to live up to their expectations! The visitors were clearly the better side, but two goals in the opening 12 minutes had been cancelled out by the hosts barely five minutes into the second half! There was still gas in the tank for a winning strike with twenty-five minutes to go, to earn a deserved victory.

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From left:- Kingsley, Ed, Sonny and Jim

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CRICKET:-

Sunday 3rd September 2023

ESCA (English Schools Cricket Association)

U-15 Schools T20 Finals Day at Arundel Castle

1st Semi-final:

Sedburgh School 115 for 8 (20 overs)

lost to

Trent College 116 for 0 (13.1 overs) by 10 wkts.

2nd Semi-final:

Whitgift School 164 for 4 (20 overs)

lost to

Kings College Taunton 168 for 2 (18 overs) by 8 wkts

FINAL:

Kings College Taunton 178 for 4 (20 overs)

defeated

Trent College 142 for 8 (20 overs) by 36 runs

An excellent day’s cricket at an iconic venue!

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picture courtesy of the Arundel CC Twitter page

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picture courtesy of the Arundel CC Twitter page

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picture courtesy of the Arundel CC Twitter page

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The score box, where a lot of recording of the day’s events took place

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Sunday 10th September 2023

East Midlands Women’s Cricket League

Division 2 South (at Nassington CC)

Nassington Women (won toss) 184 for 8 (35 overs)

lost to

Market Overton Women 185 for 3 (24.0 overs)

by 7 wickets

Umpire: Eddie McGeown

In a match affected by heavy rain, and thunder and lightning, at Nassington’s tight little ground on the banks of The River Nene and not too far from Peterborough, the visitors eventually cruised to victory against the plucky hosts, for whom Sophie Lawrence posted a not out score of 112 off 96 balls which included 16 fours.

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Sunday 17th September 2023

East Midlands Women’s Cricket League

Division 2 South (at Nassington)

Nassington Women 262 for 4 (35 overs)

defeated

Shepshed Women (won toss) 80 all out in 12.2 overs

Umpires: Alan Pearce & Eddie McGeown

Last game of the season at Nassington and last week’s hero, Sophie Lawrence smote another ton, this time scoring 117 off 73 balls with 19 fours and one mighty six! Her opening partner and team captain, Holly Hammond-Lewis, scored an unbeaten half century off 99 balls with 4 fours as she watchfully carried her bat throughout the innings after the opening stand, between the two, of 188. The visitors subsided dramatically, to 80 all out. Last match of the season!

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Holly Hammond-Lewis and Sophie Lawrence beneath their respective individual scores!

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The Lake Isle of Innisfree

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I will arise and go now, and go to Innisfree,

And a small cabin build there, of clay and wattles made.

Nine bean rows will I have there and a hive for the honey-bee,

And live all alone in the bee loud glade

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And I shall have some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow

Dropping from the veils of the morning to where the cricket sings,

There midnight’s all a glimmer, and moon a purple glow,

And evening full of linnet’s wings.

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I will arise and go now, for always night and day

I hear lake water lapping with low sounds by the shore,

While I stand on the roadway, or on the pavements grey,

I heat it in the deep heart’s core.

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William Butler Yeats (1865 – 1939)

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Friday 11th August 2023

Premier League 2

Aston Villa U21 0

West Bromwich Albion U21 3

Rayhan Tulloch23, Jamie Andrews 69, 83,

Referee: Andrew Humphries.                                    Attendance: 298

Admission: £5.00.                                                        Free Teamsheet

The opening game of a strangely structured Premier League 2, with twenty six teams seemingly in one division. Villa were swept away by a powerful Albion side, but were not helped by a two yellow card dismissal just after the hour mark. With John Main.

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John Main at Bodymoor Heath

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Monday 14th August 2023

Premier League 2

Leicester City U-21   2

Amani Richards 34, Zach Booth 45+7,

Derby County U-21  1
Owen Oseni 82,

Referee: David Richardson                 Attendance: 201

Admission: OMGDS £3.00 (£5)       Free Team Sheet

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Tuesday 15th August 2023

Hertfordshire Senior County League Premier Division

Cuffley 0

Hinton 2

Cameron Hough 32, Fabian Brown 87,

Referee:- Les Moody. Attendance:- 56

Admission: F.O.C. Programme: NONE

These two teams are barely five miles apart, the hosts near Potters Bar and the visitors from Enfield. The rivalry is intense, but there was only one winner and with a goal in each half, the visitors, comfortably, took the victory and the spoils!

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Wednesday 16th August 2023

Noerthern Premier League Division 1 Midlands

Corby Town 0

Shepshed Dynamo 1

Reece Morris 89,

Referee: Harley Hetherington. Attendance: 570

Admission: OMGDS £6.00 (£10). Programme: £2.00

A large gathering watched the hosts striving mightily to make an impression on this game and they kept the visitors penned in their own half for long periods without ever looking likely to score. Smash and grab in the 89th minutes and the visitors went away considerably the happier!

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Saturday 19th August 2023

Emirates FA Cup Preliminary Round

Stockton Town 2

Adam Nicholson 73, Kevn Hayes 90+6,

Ashington 1

Jordan Summerly 53,

Referee: Sam Ross. Attendance: 321

Admission: OMGDS £7.00 (£9). Programme: £2.00

A modest 3G caged arena that nonetheless boasts two seated stands down one side and a hospitality suite as well as a small covered area behind one goal. Two cans of beer/lager/cider for a fiver was a bonus! Today, the hosts were a tad fortunate. They fell behind to a 53rd minute strike which looked likely to win the game, huffed and puffed to equalise with ten minutes remaining, and scored the winning goal in the 97th minute after their opponents had been reduced to ten men.

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Thursday 24th August 2023

Anglian Combination Premier Division

Aylsham 0

Yelverton 2

Jack Watson 13, Dan King 81,

Referee: Leon Howard.                                              Attendance: 94

Admission: F.O.C.                                                      Programme: NONE

Aylsham first played at their new home – Youngs Park – in the 2016/17 season and already plans are afoot for a £1.25 million 3G stadium to be constructed adjacent to the present site. After tonight’s performance and a pointless three game opening to the season, they may have been relegated from the premier division when they take possession of their new arena! Paul Proctor, Martin Hollands and mxhornet were also in attendance for this league match, unusually played on a Thursday.

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Saturday 26th August 2023

Isuzu FA Vase 1st Qualifying Round

Sutton Athletic 1

Jack Kirby 27,

Pagham 1

Dan Simmonds 57,

Sutton Athletic won 4-3 on penalties

Referee: Bruno Marques. Attendance: 59

Admission: OMGDS £5.00 (£10). Programme: £2.00

Unusual to find such a rustic arena so close to the capital and just over the Thames crossing at Dartford. There was a small scaffolded covered area down the near side and seating (also scaffolded) for around 100 souls on the far side. A small club house, (with changing rooms)and bar completed the amenities. Not a great advert for teams from The SCEL and The SCL, this was a dour contest of few opportunities and the penalty lottery shoot-out was won by the hosts!

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Monday 28th August 2023

Hellenic League Division 1

Tytherington Rocks 1

Kyle Head 43,

FC Bristol 2

Rick Davis 14, Kristian Miller 77,

Referee: Simon Turner. Attendance: 88

Admission: OMGDS £4.00 (£6). Programme: On line

Tytherington, a small village in south Gloucestershire of less than a thousand souls, does very well to support a step six club. The ground, visible from the M5, is situated at the end of a very narrow single track road, with a moderate stand of maybe 50 seats and a small club house with changing rooms and a bar behind the far goal. Today’s visitors, FC Bristol, we’re formerly known as Lebeq and play at the Glos FA HQ in Almondsbury. Today, they had the measure of the hosts and won more easily than the score suggests. The referee added on a total of 25 minutes added time!

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John Main at the entrance to The Harwicke Playing Field

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Tuesday 29th August 2023

Peterborough & District League Premier Division

Stanground Sports 5

Louie Venni 14, 38, 48, 75, James Stainsby 72,

Ramsey Town 0

Referee: Neil Smith.                                                    Attendance: 52

Admission: F.O.C.                                                       Programme: NONE

A railed pitch with substantial dug-outs and a minimum of cover from the persistent precipitation. The hosts were in total command throughout with three second half strikes to add to their 2-0 half time lead. With John Main.

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Wednesday 30th August 2023

United Counties League Premier Division South

Rugby Borough 1

Sam Lockley 58, Max Proudlock (c) s/o 38

GNG Oadby Town 5

Camen Bhanda 33, Mussa Bham 62, 75, 80, Lamar Parkes 73.

Referee: Daniel Miller.                                           Attendance: 88

Admission: OMGDS £3.00 (£7).                          Programme: £2.00

On their 3G pitch on the night of the super moon, the hosts were given a footballing lesson from a very composed GNG side. The 38th minute sending off, for a second yellow card, of the home captain contributed to the heavy defeat, but in truth, the visitors were always the better side. With John Main.

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CRICKET

Tuesday 1st August 2023

District Pathway Cricket at Wellingborough Old Grammarians CC

Kettering & Corby U-11 211 for 7 (35 overs)

defeated

East Northants U-11 (won toss) 61 all out (17.4 overs) by 150 runs

Umpires: Colin Samuels & Eddie McGeown

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Wednesday 2nd August 2023

District Pathway Cricket at Rushden & Higham Town CC

East Northants U13 (won toss) 77 for 6 (20 overs)

lost to

Kettering & Corby U-13 78 for 4 (16.1 overs) by 6 wickets

Umpires: Keith Timpson & Eddie McGeown

In a rain affected match reduced fro the original 35 overs per side, East Northants U=13 were worst affected as the had already completed 10.1 overs when persistent rain showers reduced the match overs.

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Wednesday 2nd August 2023

Northants Women’s Midweek Cricket League

Geddington Women  125 for 2 (Caitlin Connelly 50 no) (20 overs)

Brixworth Women (won toss) DNB – match abandoned, RAIN.

Umpire: Eddie McGeown

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Friday 4th August 2023

County U-15 Match at Oundle School

Buckinghamshire U15 101 all out (35.1 overs)

lost to

Northamptonshire U15 (won toss) 104 for 4 (23.4 overs) by 6 wickets

Umpires: Martyn Dobbs & Eddie McGeown

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Sunday 6th August 2023 (at Burton Latimer)

East Midlands Women’s Cricket League Premier Division

Burton Latimer Women 174 for 7 (45 overs)

defeated

Welbeck Women (won toss) 90 all out (32.1 overs) by 84 runs

Umpires: Martyn Dobbs & Eddie McGeown

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Monday 7th August 2023

County Development Match (at S&L Corby)

Kettering & Corby U-11 (won toss) 100 all out (28.2 overs)

defeated

Northampton & South U-11 50 all out (14.1 overs) by 50 runs

Umpires Martyn Dobbs & Eddie McGeown

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Wednesday 9th August 2023

County Pathway matches at Oundle School

1. T20

Nottinghamshire U-13  Girls (won toss) 95 for 5 (20 overs)

defeated

Northamptonshire U-13 Girls 92 for 5 (twenty overs) by three runs.

2. The Hundred

Nottinghamshire U-13 Girls (won toss) 82 for 5 (100 balls)

defeated

Northamptonshire U-13 Girls 78 for 7  (100 balls) by seven runs

Umpires: Alan Pearce & Eddie McGeown

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Saturday 12th August 2023

Northants Cricket League Division 8

at Great Bowden

S&L Corby II (won toss)  240 for 8 (45 overs)

defeated

Great Bowden 157 all out (34.5 overs) by 83 runs

Umpire: Eddie McGeown

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Sunday 13th August 2023

East Midlands Women’s Cricket League

at Nassington

Houghton & Thurnby Women 160 for 6 (35 overs)

defeated

Nassington Women (won toss) 106 for 9 (35 overs) by 54 runs

Umpires: Colin Megennis & Eddie McGeown

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Monday 14th August 2023

District Development Match

at Rushden & Higham Town CC

Northampton & South U13 239 for 8 (35 overs)

defeated

East NorthantsU13  (won toss) 90 all out (24 overs) by 149 runs

Umpires: Keith Timpson & Eddie McGeown

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Thursday 17th August 2023

District Development T20 Matches

at Wellingborough Old Grammarians CC

Kettering & Corby U-11 119 for 9 (20 overs)

defeated

Northampton & South U-11 104 for 5 (20 overs) by 15 runs

Umpires: Keith Timpson & Eddie McGeown

East Northants U-11 76 for 5 (20 overs)

lost to

Northampton & South U-11 77 for 5 (16.4 overs) by 5 wkts

Umpires Simon Clark & Eddie McGeown

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Sunday 20th August 2023

East Midlands Women’s Cricket League 

at Thrapston CC

Ockbrook & Borrowash Women  92 for 9 (40 overs)

lost to

Thrapston Women   93 for 0 (17.4 overs) by ten wkts

Umpires: Bob Inchley & Eddie McGeown

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Monday 21st August 2023

U-15 T20 Festival 

at Burton Latimer CC

Kettering & Corby U-15 133 all out (18 overs)

lost to

East Northants U-15 137 for 4 (18.4 overs) by six wkts

Umpires: Keith Timpson & Eddie McGeown

Northampton & South U-15 94 all out (19.2 overs)

defeated

East Northants U-15 78 all out (16.5 overs) by 16 runs

Umpires:- Simon Clark & Eddie McGeown

Northampton & South U-15 139 for 2 (20 overs)

defeated

Kettering & Corby U-15 131 all out (19.2 overs) by 8 runs

Umpires: Keith Timpson & Eddie McGeown

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Tuesday 22nd August 2023

County U-14 Match

at Saffron Walden CC

Essex U-14 (won toss) 227 for 9 (45 overs)

defeated

Northants U-14 145 all out (36.4 overs) by 79 runs

Umpires: Martyn Dobbs & Eddie McGeown

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Wednesday 23rd August 2023

U-10 County Match

at Rushden & Higham Town

Warwickshire U-10 117 all out (29.2 overs)

lost to

Northamptonshire U-10 118 for 8 (33 overs) by 2 wkts

Umpires: Steve Dickinson & Eddie McGeown

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Wednesday 23rd August 2023

Northants Midweek Women’s Cricket League Plate FINAL

at Kettering Town CC (6.00pm)

Geddington Women (won toss) 116 all out (18 overs)

lost to

Brixworth Women 117 for 2 (17.1 overs) by 5 wkts

Umpires: Nick Beesely & Eddie McGeown

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Barby is on the Northants and Warwickshire border, and their main team play in The Warwickshire League Division 2. They do, however, amongst their many other teams, have a side in Division 13 of the Northamptonshire League. It is a lovely ground with two full sized pitches separated by a line of trees, a club house with changing rooms and a bar and a substantial score box. Today’s matches were played by enthusiastic sides from Herts and Northants and it was fitting that each team had a victory. Better than that, it was good to see so many talented and enthusiastic young cricketers!

My heart aches and a drowsy numbness pains

My sense, as though of hemlock I had drunk,

Or emptied some dull opiate to the drains

One minute past and Lethe – wards had sunk.

Tis not through envy of thy happy lot,

But being too happy in thy happiness,

That thou, light winged Dryad of the trees,

In some melodious plot

Of beechen green, and shadows numberless,

Singest of summer with full throated ease.

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from “Ode to a Nightingale” by john Keats (1795 – 1821)

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Tuesday 11th July 2023

Pre-Season Friendly

Lutterworth Town 5

Nuno Gomes 21, 32, 48, 65, Bruno Capella 79,

Nuneaton Griff 0

Referee: Sam Anderson.                                             Attendance:- 64

Admission: F.O.C.                                                        Programme:- NONE

Lutterworth gave away free admission to this match, calculating that the bar receipts would cover expenses. Down one side of the pitch, the covered standing area had its roof removed and new hard standing installed in preparation for an extension. On the field, the step five side predictably dismantled the step six team with four goals from Nino Gomes, but it was a very entertaining tussle with the interjection of a half-time monsoon!

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You can just see the outlines of the covered area that is being re-developed

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Thursday 20th July 2023

Pre-Season Friendly

Thurlow FC 1

Aidan Leach 73,

Thaxted Rangers 0

Referee: Stuart Watson                                                            Attendance: 26

Admission: F.O.C.                                                                     Programme: NONE

Thurlow’s Wratting Road ground in Great Thurlow, is actually just inside Suffolk, but they play in The Cambs County League. Last season, they were undefeated in the fourth tier and won promotion as champions to the third tier, whilst tonight’s rivals play in the second tier of the same league. Despite the paucity of goals, this was a good game and the hosts fully merited their narrow victory.

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