Admission: Concession: £5.00 (£7). Programme: on line
The wind and the rain increased in ferocity as the afternoon wore on. The National League North match on the adjacent (grass) pitch fell to the weather, but, on the 3G, the match went ahead. The hosts, with but one victory in twenty one league outings this season, went ahead after only three minutes, but were behind at the interval and, despite a spirited second half performance, were killed off by a third goal from the visitors three minutes from the final whistle!
Jeremy Monga 10, Louis Page 13, Henry Cartwright (pen) 23,
Aston Villa U21 1
Brad Burrowes 90+2
Referee: Paul Cooper. Attendance: 342
Admission: OMGDS £3.00 (£5). Free Team Sheet
Three goals in the first twenty-five minutes gave the hosts a somewhat flattering interval score line. Villa spurned several gilt edged first half chances and then spent the second period encamped in the Leicester half with only a single strike for their efforts and that in the second minute of added time. With John Main.
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Saturday 2nd November 2024
North West Counties League Division 1 North
Maghull 3
Harrison Worden 36 (pen), Darren Brannigan 45+1, Jacob Till 90+1,
Route One Rovers 5
Anees Younis 16, 27, Muhammed Arshad 41, Zakariya Khan 82, Mohammed Hasnain 89,
Referee: Joshua Mitchell. Attendance: 138
Admission: OMGDS £3.00 (£6). Programme: NONE. Free team sheet.
Pleasantly impressed with Maghull’s Hall Field ground which they share with the local cricket club. There is secure fencing and hardstanding all around the pitch, a small covered, terraced standing area, but no seating unless you include the tiny number of picnic tables. Well stocked bar and a tight but imaginative food gallery serving Chinese chicken curry and “Scouse and crusted bread”. The parish church of St Andrew peeps above the tree line and The Leeds Liverpool Canal runs behind the far goal. The local railway station recently won station of the year across the whole country!
The visitors ground-share with Steeton in West Yorkshire and are presently mired deep in the relegation morass, but they were much the better side on the day. Five goals shared in the opening period gave them a single goal lead at the break, but after heavy home pressure in the second period, the visitors added two more before a last minute consolation to the hosts. Good game, helpful officials (providing free team sheets!) and friendly supporters of both sides! John Main and I came, not expecting much, but leaving pleasantly surprised. A very entertaining afternoon and well worth a visit.
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Monday 4th November 2024
Northants Senior Youth League North Division
Desborough Town U18 4
Owen Shepherd 18, 45, 58, 73,
Kettering Town U18 6
Ellis Chapman 22, Adam Barnett 37, 90+3, Tom Williams 65, Elvis Allen 86, Gedminas Grevishes 90+6
Referee: Aaron Lloyd. Attendance: 110
Admission: £3.00 Programme:- NONE
Tough night for Desborough on their return season in The Northants Senior League, playing against a strong Kettering Town side. They led twice in the first half, but had to be content with honours even at the break. They led twice more in the second period and with fifteen minutes to go, they held a slender 4-3 advantage. Three more goals from the visitors, two of them in added time swept the match away from a very young home side, who, nonetheless competed effectively and enthusiastically.
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Tuesday 5th November 2024
Eastern Counties League Division 1 North
Needham Market U23 1
James Coton 30 (pen),
Haverhill Rovers 5
Ryan Twinn 16, Shaun Avis 23, Brandon McKay 31, 58, Tom Head 48,
Referee: Henry Harvey. Attendance: 81
Admission: OMGDS £5.00 (£7). Programme: NONE
A wasted journey of nearly a hundred miles, hoping to take in the 3G pitch at right angles to the main pitch, where Needham Market U23s usually play, but not, apparently, for midweek games. Tonight, they played on the main pitch. A young home side, next to bottom in the league with but one victory from sixteen games, were comprehensively demolished by second in the table, Haverhill Rovers. Officially, there were 36 fee paying spectators, but I counted a crowd of 81.
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Saturday 9th November 2024
Velocity Wessex League Division 1
Ringwood Town 3
Lee Vint 64, 90+4, Joe Petty 82,
Cove 3
Luke Edmondson 3, Nathan Connolly 11, William Peters 26,
Referee: Ole Underhay. Official Attendance: 69
Admission: OMGDS £4.00 (£7). Programme: On Line
A couple of miles outside the town of Ringwood and in the middle of nowhere is The Ringwood Community Hub recently developed with substantial financial support from AFC Bournemouth, whose women’s team play at the stadium. The pitch has been move around two metres (goal to goal), but the old stand remains in place, a new metal fence surrounds the pitch and a substantial complex including changing rooms and clubhouse has been erected (but without a bar or hot food). These two teams nestle just outside the play off places, but the visitors dominated the first half, scoring three times and missing several more opportunities aided by a constant stream of invective from their bench. The second half was a different story. Three goals in the final twenty five minutes, with two visiting players sin-binned, saw the game turned on its head and the draw was a pretty fair outcome. With John Main.
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Sunday 10th November 2024
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From “My November Guest” by Robert Frost (1874-1963):
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My sorrow, when she’s here with me,
Thinks these dark days of Autumn rain
Are beautiful as days can be;
She loves the bare, the withered tree;
She walked the sodden pasture lane.
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A short stroll out of the village, past the farm and down the track, where the fields are dotted with wooden frames and the aging ruin of a boundary wall lies amongst the remains of the recent harvest and a glittering autumnal array of leaves. A strange accoutrement bedecks the hedge along the way, before the farm returns to view and, beyond, the towering golden spread in the pocket park followed by the reverent homage to the fallen at village green and churches. With Charlotte, 5.04 miles and no stiles.
A cold, sharp evening and the visitors cut to the quick with two early, first half goals, and, they could have had more. The hosts were a different side after the interval and pressed forward determinedly, but it wasn’t until the second minute of added time and after the dismissal of the visiting striker, that they eventually claimed the equaliser.
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Friday 15th November 2024
Northern League Division 2
Horden CW 4
Philly Angus 10, 46, Taylor Campbell 32, Jack Pounder 40,
Chester-le-Street Town 0
Referee: Alex Bourner. Attendance: 230
Admission: OMGDS £2.00 (£5). Programme: £2.00
A real old fashioned ground with some steep terracing on three sides and a row of terraced houses overlooking the pitch, but … a pretty new, one hundred seater stand on the opposite side. Sadly, there was no indoor facility for spectators once inside the ground and, on a chilly evening, that would have been very welcome! The hosts regained top spot in the division with this victory and avenged their only league defeat this season, way back in August, when tonight’s visitors won 2-0. Three goals to the good playing down hill in the first period, the hosts scored a fourth within a minute of the restart and the game died a little thereafter with numerous substitutions and The Marras content to run the time down to the final whistle.With JohnMain.
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Saturday 16th November 2024
Sunderland & District Over 40s League Division 1 (k.o. 10.30am)
South Shields Vets 6
Steven Graham 54, 59, 71 (pen), 75 (pen), Johnny Wightman 70, Stuart Smith 73,
CSSC Darsley Park Vets 0
Referee: David Hogg. Attendance: 15
Admission: F.O.C. Programme: NONE
The very pleasant arena at Harton and Westoe was the venue for this clash between highly placed hosts and next to bottom visitors. Surprisingly, there were no goals in the first period, but the hosts struck six times after the interval to score a league double over their opponents, having won by 4-3 at Darsley Park. I once visited this ground – ten years ago in April 2014 – with another groundhopper, Dave Rush. We were on a Northern League ‘hop’ and just before the morning match on that day we drove past and stopped for a look at Harton & Westoe’s ground. We both promised each other that ONE DAY, we would come here for a match. I don’t think either of us believed that we would, and, certainly, I never believed that ten years later, completely by accident, I would be watching a match here!
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Saturday 16th November 2024
Northern League Division 1 (k.o.: 3.00pm)
Blyth Town 1
Dan Wilson 18,
Easington Colliery 1
Dylan Elliott 67,
Referee: Jack Whitfield. Official Attendance: 128
Admission: OAP £4.00 (£7). Programme: ON LINE
Blyth Town are a recent addition to football in the town, only arriving on the scene in 1998. Their ground is a cage with a grassed pitch, hardstanding all round and a seated stand for around a hundred spectators, but no other cover! There are good catering facilities and a large bar. The team sits in second place in the table with hopes of promotion to The NPL. The visitors, whilst not threatened by relegation, occupy a lowly position. It was no surprise when the hosts took an 18th minute lead, but never looked like being able to build a bigger cushion. Midway through the second period, their opponents struck an equaliser and were good value for the draw and their point. The official attendance seemed low, I would have said a figure nearer to two hundred was more accurate!
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Sunday 17th November 2024
“November” by Thomas Hood (1799-1845)
No sun – no moon!
No morn -no noon –
No dawn – no dusk – no proper time of day.
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No warmth, no cheerfulness, no healthful ease,
No comfortable feel in any member –
No shade, no shine, no butterflies, no bees,
No fruits, no flowers, no leaves, no birds! –
November!
A short walk on a mild morning down The Dusty and across the fields to Kirby Hall, silent and bare in the Autumnal stillness. Onwards up the driveway, espying a tree harbouring what appeared to be a ball of mistletoe. Along Kirby Road, where Rockingham Motor Speedway lined the horizon, to the junction with Gretton Brook Road and along the farm track, through newly ploughed fields, both claggy and clarty, with a silent tree, encircled by bushes to guide the way. The heavy mud clung like a ball and chain until, reaching The Dusty again and up Southfields, along Kirby Road and back to base! With Charlotte, 5.23 miles and five stiles.
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Monday 18th. November 2024
Northern Premier League Midlands Division 1
Coleshill Town 4
Isaac Idegoke 19, Alex McSkeane 69, 71, 88,
Corby Town 0
Referee: Benjamin Stott. Attendance: 135
Admission: OMGDS £8.00 (£10). Programme: £2.00
Quite amazing that even a relatively small crowd turned out on such a filthy night – including the thirty or forty who made the sixty mile trip from Corby. They were well beaten on the night. The hosts scored a solitary first half goal, but a second half hat trick completed the rout. With sons, Jim and Mike, grandson, Freddie and John Main.
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Friday 22nd November 2024
Premier League 2 Cup Group B
Leicester City U21 0
Hull City U21 2
Referee: Aaron Jackson. Attendance: 262
Admission: OMGDS £3.00 (£5). Programme: Free Team Sheet.
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Saturday 23rd. November 2024
Southern Combination Premier Division
Bexhill United P
Crawley Down Gatwick P
Referee: Ryan Calver. Attendance: N/A
Admission: OAP £5.00 (£7) reimbursed Programme: £1.00. Match OFF!!!!
Bexhill United was called off five minutes after I arrived at 2.40pm -waterlogged pitch they said, it looked fine to me!!
Mind you the rain was lashing down and the winds were very strong and I am now soaked wet through having walked to the ground and back from the station.
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Tuesday 26th November 2024
Hinchingbrooke Cup 1st Round
Godmanchester Rovers 1
Deeping Rangers 3
Referee: Andrew Hitchcox. Attendance: 60
Admission: OMGDS £5.00 (£7). Programme: on line
Bearscroft Farm is all built up, now, with new houses all around it. The Hinchingbrooke Cup is a competition for clubs historically associated with Huntingdonshire, a county that no longer exists. Theses two clubs play in parallel divisions of The UCL – Deeping in the premier division north and Goddy in premier division south. Both are struggling, the hosts are rock bottom and, in their division, Rangers are one place off the bottom. The visitors ran away with the first half and went into the break with a 3-0 advantage. The hosts came out all fired up for the second half, but only a single goal resulted from their onslaught!
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Wednesday 27th November 2024
Essex Senior League
Athletic Newham 2
Leonardo Luis De Carvalho Pedro 67, Charlie Campbell 77,
Great Wakering Rovers 3
Dominic Locke 5, 55, Ben Search 33,
Referee: David Moreno-Rojas. Attendance: 54
Admission: OAP £5.00 (£7). Programme: ON LINE
Played on one of the three 3G pitches at Parsloes Park in a cage with viewing on three sides a few Meccano structures down one side and behind one goal and minimal refreshment facilities (hot drinks and sausage rolls). The visitors were the more highly placed and strolled to a 2-0 interval lead, which they increased to 3-0 by the hour mark. The hosts were unfairly denied TWO nailed-on penaltiy decisions in the second period, and fought back well, reducing the deficit to a single goal margin at the finish …. and, deserved better! Good to see Peter Miles in attendance!
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Saturday 30th November 2024
Velocity Wessex League Division 1
New Milton Town 3
Brad Snelling 35, 85, Adam Pattison 56 (og),
Totton & Eling 1
Jamie Craven 75,
Referee: Stephen Fall. Official Attendance: 174
Admission: OMGDS £4.00 (£6). Programme: £1.00
Fawcett’s Field is a council owned ground with a fine 262 seater stand, hard standing all round and a substantial pitch surrounding fence. However, there was no other cover or furniture. Adjacent to the ground is a bar and catering facilities. The hosts sit proudly at the top of the table. This was their sixth victory in a row and twelfth game unbeaten, but they made hard work of a workmanlike Totton & Eling side. Beautiful sunset followed by a rolling mist as the game glided towards a close. With John Main.
Family day out with hospitality for all my sons and three of my grandsons at Bolton Wanderers inaptly named “Toughsheet Stadium”. The hospitality was excellent, but the hosts first half performance was woeful and they found themselves two goals adrift. The second half was an immeasurable improvement, parity was restored, but the deserved winner proved elusive despite the heavy assault.
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Sonny, Daz and Ed outside the ground
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From left: Mike, Liam, Jim and Daz, the sons and son-in-law
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Grand sons: Kingsley, Sonny and Freddie
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Sonny and Kingsley under the statue of one of Bolton Wanderers “Greats”, Nat Lofthouse.
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Monday 7th October 2024
Northern Premier League Division 1 Midlands
Coleshill Town 0
Sporting Khalsa 2
Andre Landell 12, Simeon Cobourne,
Referee: Brandon Scaife. Attendance: 138
Admission: OAP £8.00 (£10). Programme: ON LINE
Not much of a game to write home about on the 3G at Pack Meadow. These two mid-table teams fought a dour duel and it was the visitors who triumphed with two goals in the first twelve minutes. We might just as well have gone home at that point! With John Main and Mike Dean.
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Tuesday 8th October 2024
Hellenic League Floodlit Cup
Ludlow Town 6
Harry Jones 19, Ryan Lewis 28, 71, Ryan Clarke 43, Sean Evans 84, Kieran Dover 90,
Wellington 0
Referee: James Whittington. Attendance: 73
Admission: OMGDS £3.00 (£5). Programme: ON LINE
A pretty impressive stadium at Bromfield Road which included a two sided stand so that matches could be watched on the 3G ground adjacent to the main pitch. The stand included a substantial bar and catering facility and upstairs viewing from a balcony. The hosts were just too good for the visitors, scoring three goals in each half and even having a penalty well saved by the opposition custodian.
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Wednesday 9th October 2024
Northern Premier League division 1 Midlands
Corby Town 0
Quorn 2
Ryan Berwick 31 (pen), Paddy Webb 76,
Referee: Jamie Stevenson. Attendance: 594
Admission: OMGDS £7.00 (£12). Programme: £2.00
A short trip down the road to Steel Park for a top of the table clash (1st v 2nd) that fizzled out into a damp squib in front of a healthy congregation. Quorn were far superior and kept a tight control on the game scoring a goal in each half. The Steelmen were largely clueless and paid the price for maintaining only one striker for the majority of the match. The game would have benefited from a stronger referee.
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Saturday 12th October 2024
Velocity Wessex League Premier Division
Portland United 2
Freddie Beale 3, Greg Northwick 37,
Hamble Club 4
James Johnson 69, Harry Hamilton 74, William Gange 81, 90+3
Referee: Karl Stephens. Attendance: 201
Admission: OMGDS £5.00 (£7). Programme: £1.00
Portland is on a tiny nipple of land extending into The English Channel south of Weymouth. The Camp and Satherley Stadium (named after former players) is a neat and pleasantly arranged arena with a hundred seater stand down one side and a sixty seater stand behind the near goal. Steep grassed banking opposite the main stand has benches for a scenic view of the match and there is a large club house with an extensive bar and refreshment facilities. Special mention for the programme, only £1 and very informative with a free team sheet as an added insert. The hosts dominated the first half, striking as early as the third minute and adding a confident second eight minutes before the break. The score remained so until twenty minutes from time, when Hamble Club suddenly woke up and punished their complacent hosts with a barrage of four goals. With John Main.
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Monday 14th October 2024
Walsall Senior Cup 1st Round
Coleshill Town 2
Joe Palmer 24, 65,
Walsall 0
Referee: Greg Rollason. Attendance: 124
Admission: OMGDS £8.00 (£10). Programme: £2.00
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Tuesday 15th October 2024
FA Cup 4th Qualifying Round Replay
Peterborough Sports 0
Rushall Olympic 0 after extra time
Referee: Robert Ellis-May. Attendance: 621
Admission: OMGDS £11.00 (£15). Programme: £3.00
Rushall Olympic won 5-4 on penalties.
The hosts ramshackle stadium was heaving this evening with their biggest crowd of the season and there were high hopes of a first appearance in The FA Cup first round proper. It was not to be. After 120+ minutes of dour struggle and very few opportunities – and a sending off to each side, Sports had their fifth penalty saved and Olympic gleefully shot home all of their five spot kicks, to take the tie by the narrowest of margins and to welcome Accrington Stanley in the first round proper.
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Italy
I drove down to Stansted airport on the morning of Monday 21st October with son, Mike, grand son, Freddie and Alan Eathorne who is Mike’s brother-in-law and Freddie’s uncle. We caught the 07.40 Ryanair flight to Milan Bergamo and arrived after a trouble free crossing to catch a bus (seven euros) to Verona, a journey of over two hours! We don’t realise just how big Italy is! Beautiful city with extensive Roman remains and, of course Shakespearian connotations. We had a tiny Airbnb off the main roads and a bus ride away from the stadium.
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Monday 21st October 2024
(Italy) Serie A
Hellas Verona 0
Monza 3
Dany Mota 9, 74, Alessandro Bianco 79,
Referee: Federico Dionisi. Official Attendance: 23,500
Verona, founded by Greek students in 1903 and it was their professor who asked them to add the word “Hellas” (Greece) to the title of the club. They won The Scudetto (Italian Championship) exactly forty years ago (1984/5) but have flirted with Serie B and even Serie C during this century. The city of Romeo and Juliette has some amazing Roman remains and the weather was more akin to mid June than mid October. Monza scored their first victory of this season’s campaign with a consummate and commanding victory striking in the first half and two more in the second period against their mid-table hosts to the great delight of the 347 travelling supporters.
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from left: Ed, Freddie, Mike, Alan Eathorne.
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Freddie and Dad,Mike
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Tuesday 22nd October 2024
European Champions League Phase
AC Milan 3
Christian Politic 34, Tijjani Reijnders 61, 71,
Club Bruges 1
Kyrian Sabbe 51,Raphael Onyedika s/o 41
Referee: Felix Zwayer. Attendance: 58,649
Admission: €37.00. Programme: NONE
The Rossoneri (“red and black”) fans were not happy this evening and, indeed, the attendance was some 10/15,000 down on league fixtures. Milan have raised ticket prices for the next home match against Napoli, so that the cheapest ticket will be €100 rising to €479. There were long periods of silence in the stadium as the supporters showed their ire. There is still some dispute about replacing the iconic San Siro Stadium with a smaller version, but one that will have considerably more hospitality facilities! Now why does all this sound familiar??? As for the match, a 41st minute dismissal for the visitors was key to a home victory, but only after a ten man equaliser and a spate of substitutions. Good match! With son, Mike, grand son Freddie and Alan Eathorne.
All of the eight divisions in Serie D had afternoon kick-offs today and The Stadio Communale in Palazzolo Sulli Oglio hosted the highest scoring game in Girone B! There was plenty of cover on both sides of the pitch, which was useful because the precipitation was heavy and unremmitting. Some friendly locals shared their knowledge, apparently all the teams in this league have full time players, others refused admission to the stand on the opposite side of the ground. The opposition scored first, but found themselves 3-1 down at the interval. The scoring was similar in the second period and, by the end, Crema were a well beaten side. Mario Balotelli’s brother came on for the hosts as a 71st minute substitute. With son, Mike, grand son, Freddie and Alan Eathorne.
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from left: Freddie, Ed, Mike
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Freddie and dad, Mike with the “Steelmen on Tour” banner!
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It was a magical three days in Italy. We enjoyed Verona immensely, the city of Roman remains and Romeo and Juliette. Milan, of course we were re-visiting, but the accommodation was reasonably priced and comfortable in both Verona and Milan. It was good to see my sister, Maggie, albeit for a far too short a period and I am hoping to return in February, for another visit!
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The Colosseum in Verona
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Our Airbnb in Verona was just up a side street on the right of this picture.
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The River Adige in Verona was swollen form recent heavy rainfall in parts of Norther Italy.
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Ed and Freddie
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Freddie on the train
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Wednesday 30th October 2024
Notts Senior League Junior Cup 2nd Round
Trent Vineyard 5
Ross Adamson 11, 55, 57, Immanuel Dube 25, James Beavan 80 (pen),
Pegasus 4
Charlie Jones, 53, Joe Orville 60, 64, Charlie Wilson 82,
Referee: Simon Watt. Attendance : 16
Admission: F.O.C. Programme: NONE
On a dank, drizzly evening, the 3G cage at Carlton le Willows Academy in Gedling near Nottingham served as the home venue for Trent Vineyard, whose own ground has no lights, but is situated by the weir on the banks of The River Trent. In a rip roaring encounter. The home goalkeeper with three injured fingers, played up front and acored a hat trick. His replacement as custodian, fumbled the ball at every opportunity! Good match, but not much to see inside the cage. With Chris Berezai and several other hoppers.
Scarborough College(won toss) 162 for 7 (20 overs)
defeated
Shrewsbury School 136 for 6 (20 overs)
by 26 runs
Umpires: Matt French & John Tomsett. Scorer: Eddie McGeown
Second Semi-final
Harrow School 161 for 4 (20 overs)
defeated
Kings College Taunton 116 all out (15.2 overs)
by 45 runs
Umpires: Terry Barstow & Martin Bodenham. Scorer: Eddie McGeown
FINAL
Harrow School (won toss) 195 for 8 (20 overs)
defeated
Scarborough College 132 all out (17.0 overs)
by 63 runs.
Umpires: Matt French & John Tomsett. Scorer: Eddie McGeown
A fine day’s cricket, with Harrow School (perhaps not unexpectedly) head and shoulders above the rest of the competition. The day was overshadowed by the passing of Richard Somerford. He worked for ESCA for many years, nationally, regionally and also for Surrey and Norfolk.
Richard played an important part in the running of the National School rounds. He was well liked and respected for all his hard work. Despite not being in the best of health, he was determined to attend Finals day, but sadly passed away during the competition.
He was a valued member of The National Executive and will be sorely missed by all who knew him.
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Tuesday 3rd September 2024
National League NORTH
Brackley Town 0
Chorley 2
Jack Sampson 53 (pen), 85 (pen),
Referee: Harry Wager. Attendance: 535
Admission: OMGDS £14.00 (£18). Programme: £3.00
Chorley gained some small measure of revenge this evening at St James’ Park in Brackley for their play-off defeat in May. In a closely fought contest, two second half penalties were enough to gain victory and the points for the visitors. With son, Jim and grand sons, Freddie, Sonny and Kingsley.
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Thursday 5th September 2024
FA Youth Cup Preliminary Round
Leicester St Andrews 0
Aylestone Park 3
Evan Kane 31, Saxon Nicholls 43, Bayem Onelum 82,Evan Kane s/o 72
Referee: Otis Mgundire. Attendance: 365
Admission: OMGDS £2.00 (£4). Programme: NONE
The last time I was here, some fifteen years ago, the attendance was nineteen and that was for a UCL match! Much has changed in the meantime. There is a new club house, cover behind the goal and down the far side, a seated stand for maybe two hundred souls and a marquee pitch side for half-time refreshments. The club have also added “Leicester” to the front of their name. This may have been the FA Youth Cup, but there was a great deal of local pride at stake as both clubs come from the Aylestone area of Leicester. The visitors had the edge against a determined and enthusiastic home side and with two first half strikes and a third eight minutes from time, they garnered the victory despite the dismissal of their number seven with twenty minutes to go. With John Main..
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Saturday 7th September 2024
Wessex League Division 1
Romsey Town 4
Alex Wilson 11, Craig Bryant 63, H Russell 73, Robbie Stapleton 84,
Cove 2
Armani Riley 26, George Usuwu 90+1,
Referee: Lee Nowacki. Attendance: 80
Admission: OMGDS £3.00 (£7). Programme: on line.
A fine repast at the superbly appointed hostelry: “The Duke on The Test”, just outside the town of Romsey (pop: 15,000), in Hampshire. The Bypass Ground is full of character – if a little eccentric – with cover on three sides and seating along each flank. There is an adequate club house and a refreshment hut. In a dull opening period, both sides managed a single strike, but the second half perked up considerably. The visitors were down to ten men around the hour mark following a bad tackle. The hosts capitalised five minutes later and almost immediately, the visitors captain was invited to warm the bench for ten minutes after a furious altercation with the referee. The hosts extended their lead before his return and scored a fourth six minutes from the end. The visitors had the last word, however, with a strike deep into added time. With John Main.
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Monday 9th September 2024
Midland League Division 1
Chelmsley Town 0
Coton Green 3
James Henry 27, Matt Hunt 75, Luke Fox 79,
Referee: Okran Beedre. Attendance: 175
Admission: £6.00. Programme: NONE
Chelmsley Town are the tenants at Pack Meadow, home of Coleshill Town of the NPL. Tonight they were thoroughly outclassed by a workmanlike Coton Green who struck once before the interval and twice after half-time. The hosts had their chance to reduce the first half arrears but had a penalty saved four minutes after the break. With John Main, Lee West and Mike Dean.
Another visit to the Holywell Sports Complex at Loughborough University. It is a majestically impressive stadium, but the students are finding the step up to the NPL difficult to adjust to, with three defeats from their four league games. Until tonight, that is. Rugby were cut to ribbons by some swift and incisive counter attacking from the hosts in a fine game of flowing football and if they keep this up, their position in the league will be secured! With John Main.
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Wednesday 111th September 2024
United Counties League Premier Division South
Rugby Borough 1
Cyrus Bruce 64,
Lutterworth Town 2
Louis Samuels 82, Abdul Summon 86,
Referee: Ali Cera. Official Attendance: 156
Admission: OMGDS £4.00 (£7). Programme: £2.00
Ten years ago, there was very little on this site, now, it is virtually impossible to get a parking place, even on the vastly enlarged car park. All the clubs pitches are in full use late into the evening in what seems to be a highly profitable enterprise. The first team had a chance to go top of the league this evening and they blew it. After an hour’s dour struggle, the hosts took the lead, then had a player sin-binned for an over enthusiastic conversation with the referee. During his period off the pitch the visitors struck twice and claimed the victory!
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Isle of Man
We – John Main and I – boarded the ferry from Liverpool on Friday 13th September for the three hour crossing to Douglas on The Isle of Man. Whilst the primary object of the list was the football matches, it would be churlish not to include some of the island’s attractions.
The Liver Birds
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The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company entrance
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A small castle (folly?) in the bay off the beach at Douglas
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The horse drawn tram
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The magnificent sweep of Douglas Bay
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One of the electric trams
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Saturday 14th September 2024
Isle of Man League Premier Division
Onchan 0
Josh Kennedy s/o 44,
Peel AFC 5
Ben Woodbridge 4, Tomas Brown 37, 81, Rhys Oates 45, Daniel Pickering 89,
Referee: Peter Greenhill. Attendance: 57
Admission: F.O.C. Programme: NONE
A morning spent on horse drawn and electric trams to Laxey and its giant wheel and then onto Nivision Park for this fixture at a stock car racing venue. Onchan (pronounced”Onkan”) are newly promoted to the premier division, but they were no match for their seasoned premier division rivals from Peel on the other side of the island. They were three goals and a man dismissed by the interval. The only question is how did the visitors only managed two second half strikes? With John Main.
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The Laxey Wheel, viewed from the station at Laxey
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The Manx Electric Railway to Laxey
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The excellent horse drawn tram on Douglas Bay.
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Saturday 14th September 2024 k.o.: 6.00pm
North-West Counties League Premier Division
FC Isle of Man 2
Stephen Whitley 4 (pen), 20,
Cheadle Town 0
Referee: Sam Leonard. Attendance: 795
Admission: Hospitality£90 included return ferry from Liverpool, burger & chips, a beer and a programme and team sheet. Programme: included (£2)
The King George V Bowl is the IoM’s national stadium built recently for the “Island Games”. It is nominally an all seater stadium, but there was a lot of standing this evening and with only half the ground covered, lots of empty spaces in the rain! The game was pretty ordinary. Two first half goals and a sending off for the home manager (a technical offence – delaying the restart of play). In the second half, the away team manager was booked, but not much else happened. With John Main.
Peel, on the west side of the island is the third largest town, with a population of 5,700. There is a castle and a lifeboat station and a football ground full of character and quaintly appointed just outside the town. Today’s encounter in the island’s women’s league was a huge mismatch. The opposition were demolished, but the defeat should have been much greater. Friendly welcome and plenty of enthusiastic effort, but only one team in it, really.
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The castle at Peel
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And then ……………… like a whirlwind hurtling on, the weekend was over! We stayed the night, but on walking down to the beach the following morning after breakfast in the hotel, the horse drawn tram was not working. It seemed that all the tourism was closing down for the season and we were swept away on the afternoon ferry, back to Liverpool. and the onward journey back to. the Midlands!
But it hadn’t all been football. We especially enjoyed the horse drawn tram and the electric train ride to Laxey, where we caught a glimpse of The Laxey Wheel – apparently, the largest working wheel in the world! We took a bus ride to Peel and explored the area around the castle, and we walked. It must have been a mile and a half along the see front at Douglas and we walked that a few times! Excellent weekend.
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Wednesday 18th September 2024
United Counties League Division 1
Blackstones 0
Gedling Miners Welfare 1
Courtney Hastings 51 (pen),
Referee: Richard Doorbar. Official Attendance: 65
Admission: OMGDS £4.00 (£6). Programme: £2.00
The “other” team in Stamford, formerly known as Mirrlees Blackstone after the engineering company, is a wonderfully atmospheric arena, especially at evening games in the Autumn with the floodlights peeping out of the trees like John Wyndham’s triffids. Both these teams are doing well this season, however, in a dour, but entertaining encounter, the visitors were narrow victors with a somewhat dubious penalty five minutes into the second period.
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Saturday 21st September 2024
FA Vase 2nd Qualifying Round
Rochester United 4
Tom Loynes 13, Mack Reilly 55, 67, Lucas Payne 58,
Welling Town 0
Referee: Lee Jarvis. Attendance: 73
Admission: Concession £5.00 (£8). Programme:£2
Bit of an uphill hike for nearly two miles from the station, Rochester United’s homely ground on Rede Court Road was a welcome sight. A stand with some two hundred seats, a small covered terrace and hard standing on three sides with a small bar and refreshment facilities. On a warm afternoon, the hosts swatted their opponents away like dealing with an annoying wasp. One goal in the first period, but three more after the interval saw them into the next round of The Vase.
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Monday 23rd September 2024
Premier League 2
Leicester City U21 3
Josh King 25, 29, Old Ewing 78,
Middlesbrough U21 1
Haleem Bakre 4 (pen),Harley Hunt s/o 64,
Referee: Jason Richardson. Attendance: 174
Admission: concession £3.00 (£5). Free Team Sheet
Unremitting precipitation shrouded the host’s victory, but they went a goal behind early on only to bounce back for an interval lead. A dismissal for the reds and a final goal for the blues wrapped it all up!
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Tuesday 24th September 2024
Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division
Hartpury University 4
Tomos Shyamapant 24, Cheick Kone 70, Luke Salter 72, Louis Manning 90,
Hereford Pegasus 1
Carlos Moreira 3,
Referee: Richard Wood. Official Attendance: 268
Admission: OMGDS £5.00 (£8) Programme: on line
At least the weather had improved and the pitch, despite the recent heavy rain and flooding, was in good condition. The students were back for the start of term and their numbers swelled the attendance (224 students and 44 paying customers!). These two teams are hovering in the play off positions and Pegasus took a very early lead. The sides were level by the interval, but three second half strikes by the increasingly rampant students saw them claim a decisive and well deserved victory. With Jack Warner and Graeme Holmes.
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Saturday 28th September 2024
Southern League Division 1 South
Bideford AFC 2
Finn Roberts 27, Jack Windsor 31,Jack Windsor s/o 88
Evesham United 1
Levi Steele 68,
Referee: Luke McFarlane. Attendance: 267
Admission: OMGDS £6.00 (£8). Programme: £2.50
The Sports Ground in Bideford, home to the hosts for over a century, is a vast arena with covered seating on both sides of the ground, but no other cover. The floodlights are products of a bygone era, four mighty pylons dominate the stadium. However, Bideford AFC are languishing this season with four defeats out of their opening five league matches. The visitors are riding much higher in fifth position, but found themselves two goals adrift by the interval. They were much more effective after the break and pulled a goal back after the hour mark. However, despite heavy pressure, and a man dismissed for the home side, they were unable to draw level and the hosts took the victory and the spoils.
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Wednesday 2nd October 2024
Devon St Luke Challenge Cup 2nd Round
Cullompton Rangers 4
Aiden Horne 7, Harry Varnas, 37, Lucas White 66, Lewis Hill 86,
Teignmouth 3
Ashley Donohue 31, 42, 57,
Referee:: Dillon Gascoigne. Attendance: 56
Admission: OMGDS £3.00 (£6). Programme: NONE
Rangers’ neat and welcoming home just off Duke Street, has hard standing all round a solidly fenced pitch, a seated stand on the far side of the pitch with seating for maybe sixty souls, but no other cover, except for a canopy outside the impressive bar and refreshment facilities. Behind the near side touchline, Express trains from Paddington to Exeter, thunder past. The hosts are enjoying this season from their lofty position atop the league table, but this evening they were made to work very hard for their victory. 2-2 at the interval, the visitors twice coming from behind … before they took the lead, early in the second period. The hosts regained parity just after the hour, but it took a goal four minutes from time to seal the victory and all the efforts of the visitors hat-trick hero, Ash Donohue, were in vain! Great Match!
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These last two matches were taken in during an annual holiday which this year was at Yarford in Somerset some four miles north of Taunton. Besides the football, we also took in Hestercombe House and Gardens, Dunster Castle and The West Somerset Railway from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead as well as visiting Watchett and Pitney where there was a farm shop. So I have kept them together even though they are in separate months!
When yesterday we thought about tomorrow;
It’s strange to think that we just meant today.
Don’t look to days to wipe out stress and sorrow,
The calendar and clock refuse to play.
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When I was young these summer days meant cricket
From morning till collapsing into bed.
I’d strive to score some runs or take a wicket
Today I watch professionals instead.
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In days to come my grandkids may be players
And I’ll be cheering them with every shot.
But whether they are shooting stars or stayers,
I’m sure that they’ll have talents I have not.
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But look at days or years the same thing’s strange
The more things change the less things seem to change!
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by Anonymous
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Thursday 1st August 2024
Northants District U15 Triangular Tournament
@Kettering Town CC
In the first match (where I wasn’t umpiring) Kettering & Corby U15 lost to East Northants U15. In the following two games:
Northampton & South U15(won toss) 111for 4 (20 overs)
defeated
East Northants U15 101 for 8 (20 overs)
by 10 runs
Umpires: Martyn Dobbs & Eddie McGeown
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Northampton & South U15 (won toss) 139 for 1 (20 overs)
lost to
Kettering & Corby U15140 for 5 (16.5 overs)
by 5 wickets
Umpires: Colin Megennis & Eddie McGeown
Kettering & Corby U15 won the tournament on a better run rate.
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Saturday 3rdAugust 2024
FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round
Benfleet 3
Woodford Town 1
Referee: Adam Miller. Attendance: 347
Admission: OMGDS £4.00 (£6). Programme: £1.00
This is Benfleet’s first season at step five after winning The Eastern Counties League Division 1 South title last season and gaining promotion to The Essex Senior League. One week ago, they lost their opening league encounter, also against Woodford Town, on this ground (Woodside Park) by a single goal. They have returned to their own ground after sharing with Canvey Island for several seasons. A new one hundred seater stand, two small covered areas, hard standing on three sides and floodlights, have improved the ground to a degree and there is a bar and catering facilities, too. The official attendance looked a tad suspect. Several hoppers counted well over 400. The hosts scored three first half goals in a fifteen minute spell and thoroughly deserved their victory and revenge for last week’s defeat. With John Main.
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Tuesday 6th August 2024
Pathway Cricket at Weldon CC
Kettering & Corby u13 129 all out (33.5 overs)
lost to
Northampton & South U13 (won toss) 130 for 6 (23.3 overs)
by 4 wickets
Umpires: Martyn Dobson & Eddie McGeown
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Wednesday 7th August 2024
West Midlands (Regional) League Premier Division
FC Darlaston 4
Connor Garrett 46, Rhys Horton 62, 88, Number Rashad 84,
Gornal Colts 2
Alistair McCue 76, Zak Wadley 78,
Referee: Josh Lee. Attendance: 64
Admission: OMGDS £3.00 (£5). Programme: NONE
A free cheese ‘cob’ on entry to this evening’s match at The Rec where impressive Darlaston continued their successful start to the new campaign. Their ground is basic, a (mostly) fenced in field with dugouts and some steep terracing behind them. A small covered area behind one goal, but no hard standing – although the materials are there, donated by a local builder – there are also plans to install floodlights as the club hopes to move forward. This evening, after a goalless first period, the hosts gained a two goal advantage, only to squander it and then regain it with two goals in the final ten minutes. Good game!
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Note the terracing behind the dugouts, it used to have a roof over it!
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The only cover at the ground is this shed behind the near goal.
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Saturday 9th August 2024
Tony Barnett Memorial Trophy
(@ Workington Town RLFC)
Maryport Athletic 2
Ethan Weir 87, Ciaran Booty 90+1,
Northside 1
Max Litt 28,
Refere: Tommy Linford. Attendance: 129
Admission: £3.00. Programme: NONE
Workington Town’s impressive Derwent Park was the backdrop for this memorial match between the champions of The Cumberland County League and the champions of The West Cumberland Sunday League. Tony Barnett was a longstanding player, manager and administrator in Cumberland football and he passed away on 7th March this year. His family were here to present the trophy. Northside, the Sunday league team team scored midway through the first half and were very unlucky to lose to two strikes in the final five minutes of the match to the Saturday league side.
Jake O’Brien 49, Krisel Prifti 53, Ryan Talbot 83,
Referee: Jamie Law. Attendance: 145
Admission: OMGDS £3.00 (£5). Programme: £2.00
Gamble Road, home to the newly promoted Champions of The West Lancashire League, is a work still in progress. They hope to have the floodlights installed by the end of September and there are plans for a hundred seater stand and cover behind one goal. Very friendly club who supplied team sheets free of charge and a weird referee who somewhat distorted the match when he sent off a home defender after half an hour for two bookable offences. At that time, the hosts were leading 1-0 and it was a lead they clung onto until the break. Ten minutes after the break, the were behind and the visitors killed the game off with a third goal five minutes from time. With John Main and Andy English.
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Sunday 11th August 2024
Rutland League Division 1 (@Burghley Park)
Barnack (won toss) 279 for 7 (45 overs)
lost to
Burghley Park280 for 1 (42.2 overs)
by nine wickets
Umpires: Mallie Bandaranaike and Eddie McGeown
Lovely day, the wicket was a batsman’s paradise and Burghley Park, with the horse trials due to start next week, was resplendent with Burghley House itself just visible about a mile away across the park. Keyan Gace was the man of the match with his imperious 157 no and Barnack’s challenging total was overhauled with comparative ease.
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Monday 12th August 2024
Cricket @Finedon Dolben CC
East Northants U15(won toss) 219 for 7 (40 overs)
defeated
Northampton & South U15 66 all out (21.2 overs)
by 153 runs
Umpires: Bob Inchley & Eddie McGeown
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Wednesday 14th August 2024
Peterborough & District League Premier Division
Deeping United 0
Reece Driscoll penalty missed 48,
Wittering Premier 3
Dougie Zimbango 57, 65, Ben Roberts 75, Harry Whittington penalty saved 37,
Referee: Jonathan Clayton. Attendance: 33
Admission: F.O.C. Programme: NONE
The Werrington Sports complex in Peterborough has four football pitches, one of which is presently the home of Deeping United. Both teams turned up with the same colour of shirts, so the visitors had to wear training bibs. Nobody had thought to unlock the changing rooms and the hosts, having held Premiair to 0-0 at half-time, were comprehensively dismantled in the second period and succumbed to a heavy home defeat. Simon Barton from Norwich was also there.
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Thursday 15th August 2024
Cricket @Rushden & Higham Town CC
Northants U11 110 all out (21 overs)
defeated
Yorkshire Central U10 (won toss) 78 all out (29 overs)
by 32 runs
Umpires: Jeff Beal & Eddie McGeown
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Friday 16th August 2024
Banbury Cricket Club hosted an u-11 ‘Hundred’ tournament, with teams from Buckingham, Witney and Chipping Norton also taking part. A beautiful arena with a spacious clubhouse, impressive nets, a large array of benches and trees accompanied by heartfelt commemorations and some enthusiastic play from all the teams involved, combined with plenty of budding talent. Have to confess an interest, as two of my grandsons were playing in the Chipping Norton team and the pictures include them batting and bowling! Banbury won the tournament with Chipping Norton being runners up, Witney third and Buckingham 4th.
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Kingsley batting
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Sonny scores a boundary with this shot.
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Kingsley batting ““` and “`out!
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Sonny bowling, dad, Jim umpiring.
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Sonny bowling, dad umpiring.
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Sonny bowling and his dad umpiring
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Jim with his Chipping Norton U11 team.
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Kingsley bats!
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Saturday 17th August
Northants Cricket League Division 7 (at Brigstock CC)
S&L Corby II(won toss) 332 for 3 (45 overs) Dinesh Rodrigo scored 183no, Mike McGeown 22no.
defeated
Brigstock II 195 all out (39.1 overs)
by 137 runs
Umpires: Jamie Stewart & Eddie McGeown
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Sunday 18th August 2024
East Midlands Women’s Cricket League Division 1 (@Kettering Town CC).
Kettering Town CC Ladies(won toss) 132 for 9 (40 overs)
defeated
Thrapston CC Women 101 all out (32 overs).
by 31 runs.
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Tuesday 21st August 2024
Cambridgeshire County League Premier Division
Comberton United 0
West Wratting 3
Brandon McKay 56, Callum Harrison 70, Spencer Sykes 85,
Referee: Oliver Humphreys. Attendance: 78
Admission: F.O.C. Programme: NONE
Deep in the heart of Cambridgeshire, the tiny village of Comberton hosts maybe 2,000 souls and a football team who play at the Recreation Ground which also hosts the village cricket team. This evening they were professionally dismantled by an efficient visiting team who kept the game scoreless until the interval, but then unleashed three devastating second half strikes and could have had more! Tea, coffee and biscuits available at pitch side!
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Wednesday 21st August 2024
County Pathway Fixture @Wellingborough Old Grammarians
Derbyshire U13 Girls 88 all out (30.2 overs)
lost to
Northants U13 Girls (won toss) 90 for 3 (13.5 overs).
by 7 wickets
Umpires: Martyn Dobbs & Eddie McGeown
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Sunday 25th August 2024
Rutland League Division 2
(@Stamford)
Stamford Town(won toss). 226 all out (45 overs)
defeated
Uffington 157 all out (36.2 overs)
by 69 runs
Umpires: Bob Inchley & Eddie McGeown
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Monday 26th August 2024
Spartan South Midlands League Division 2
Milton Keynes College 1
Matthew Haworth 75,
Newport Pagnell Town Dev. 6
Chris Carter 5, Ash Harris 45+2, Josh Bird 61, Euphrapy Kalonga 68, Nat Edmond 70, Jack Turner 90,
Referee: Luke Damon. Attendance: 64
Admission: F.O.C. Programme: NONE
A cage with a plastic pitch on the inside, a club house outside for alcoholic refreshment (and tea/coffee), but NO viewing inside the cage. The match had to be observed through the wire mesh. There was no cover, no seating and precious little hard standing and yet … and yet … there was a comparatively healthy gathering of spectators between the cage and the main railway line from Euston to Scotland. The students had already lost their opening four league fixtures, so it was no real surprise when they succumbed to yet another heavy defeat. I don’t think I’lll be returning any time soon!
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Tuesday 27th August 2024
Central Midlands League North Division
AFC Phoenix 5
Josh Bennett 40, Chris Cook 63, Joel Bradshaw 66, Tanga Chiba 78, Cameron Beer 85,
Glapwell 0
Referee: Michael Gilvarry. Attendance: 36
Admission: £3.00. Programme: £1.50
The Phoenix Sports Complex occupies a generous chunk of territory in the Brinsworth area of Rotherham, but football, the poor relation, is tucked away in a far corner of the empire. Enjoyed a fine repast in the generously proportioned pavilion before adjourning to the ground which was surrounded by a meshed fence and a metal railing round the pitch. There was shelter from the showers and a refreshment hut with tea/coffee and snacks. There was also an excellent programme. This was a contest which stuttered into life. The hosts carried a 1-0 lead into the second period, but then stamped their authority on the match with four unanswered strikes for a convincing victory.
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Wednesday 28th August 2024
Pathway Development Match (@Wollaston)
Northants U13 Girls (won toss) 252 for 3 (35 overs)
defeated
Oxfordshire U13 Girls 114 all out (32.4 overs)
by 138 runs
Umpires: Simon Clarke & Eddie McGeown
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Friday 30th August 2024
Premier League 2
West Ham United U21 1
Josh Ajala 64,
Norwich City U21 0
Referee: Jamie Oldham. Attendance: c200
Admission: £5.00. Programme: NONE
The Hammers acquired this ground at Rush Green, formerly the home of Ford United, in 2016 and turned it into their training facility. There were plenty of very helpful and cheerful staff to welcome the fans, both outside and inside the ground. Spectating was all down one side where the fine stand stood and half way behind the near goalmouth. The match was keenly contested and the hosts just about deserved the victory, aided, however, by a very one-sided referee!
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Saturday 31st August 2024
Southern Combination Football League
Premier Division
Wick 1
Josh Irish 19,
Eastbourne United 1
Mason Creese 62,
Referee: Darren Eaton. Official Attendance: 101
Admission: OMGDS £4.00 (£7). Programme: £2.00
Crabtree Park is a scruffy little ground adjacent to the railway line in Littlehampton. Foundations are laid for a new stand, but the rest of the arena would benefit substantially from a touch of TLC. The clubhouse has an extensive bar area upstairs and a refreshments kiosk by the entrance downstairs. Adjacent to the upstairs bar is a shrine with candles to commemorate a popular and well loved chairman, Dave Phillips, who died very recently aged only 62. On the pitch, the visitors, who have yet to win a league match this season, fell behind before the break, but equalised around the hour mark and could easily have taken all three points.
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The memorial to Chairman, Dave Phillips who died a couple of weeks previous to the match aged 62.
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