TT SEPTEMBER 2005 

INDEX
 
(058) - 28/09 - Stephen Harris: AFC Totton v Paulton R (FAC2Q);                                                                                         (057) - 28/09 - Mike Latham: Blackpool Mech v Holker OB (NWCL);                                                                                         (056) - 26/09 - Barry Neighbour: The Dorset Hop 2005;                                                                    (055) - 25/09 - Mike Latham: Salford City (NWCL) in FAC2Q;                                                                                                (054) - 22/09 - Mike Latham: Burton Albion v Morecambe (Conf);                                                                                           (053) - 22/09 - Mike Latham: Norton Utd (NWCL) v Tev'sal (FAV1);                                                                                       (052) - 21/09 - Barry Neighbour: latest September travels...;                                                                                               (051) - 21/09 - Paul Roth: Ramsgate v Hastings Utd (Ryman1);                                                                                                 (050) - 20/09 - Mike Latham: Ashton Utd v Leek Town (Unibond P);                                                                                         (049) - 19/09 - Stephen Harris: Southall (CCL) in FAV1Q;                                                                                                        (048) - 18/09 - Paul Roth: Lincoln M (NCEL) v Nettleham (FAV 1Q);                                                                                        (047) - 18/09 - Mike Latham: Runcorn FC Halton (Unibond Premier);                                                                                        (046) - 13/09 - Dave Reed: Haywards Heath Town (SCL) and Sprowston Wanderers (ACL) in the Norfolk Senior Cup;                 (045) - 11/09 - Michael Greaves: Cefn U v Connahs Q N (Welsh Cup);                                                                                      (044) - 11/09 - Paul Roth: Cirencester T v Wimbourne T (FAC1q);                                                                                            (043) - 09/09 - Mike Latham: Maltby Main v Pickering T (NCELP);                                                                                           (042) -07/09 - Stephen Harris: Mole Valley Predators v RPV (CCLP);                                                                                          (041) - 07/09 - Mike Latham: Thackley v Brodsworth MW (NCELP);                                                                                        (040) -06/09 - Mike Latham: Curzon Ashton v Atherton C (NWCL);                                                                                         (039) - 06/09 - Barry Neighbour: Last Weekend's travels;                                                                  (038) - 04/09 - Barry Neighbour: Recent August Travels;                                                                   (037) - 04/09 - Mike Latham: Evesham v Aylesbury (Southern Lge);                                                                                        (036) - 04/09 - Mike Latham: Redditch Utd v Hednesford T (NCN);                                                                                        (035) - 04/09 - Paul Roth: Coalville Town v Westfields (MFA);                                                                                                (034) - 03/09 - Michael Greaves: Ellesmere Rgrs v Riverway (WML1);                                                                                        (033) - 01/09 - Mike Latham: Padiham v Ashton Town (NWCL);                                                                                                (032) - 01/09 - Peter Abbott: Huntingdon Town v Burton PW (UCL)
  

READ REPORTS BELOW


28/09/05 TT No.58: Stephen Harris - AFC Totton (Wessex League) 

 

Saturday 24 September 2005; AFC Totton 2-1 Paulton Rovers; FA Cup; att 150, programme issued, admission £4

My requirements for last Saturday were an FA Cup fixture on a ground I had not previously visited, that was far enough away from home to feel like a proper day out, but which could be reached relatively quickly. AFC Totton seemed to fit the bill, and provided a match between two clubs who can rarely, if ever, have played each other before. In fact the supposedly quick journey down turned into a gruelling three and a half hour nightmare of delayed trains and shambolic bus transfers past engineering works. This meant I had to walk rather briskly to the ground to see the kick-off, missing all the sights of Totton. A local spectator later told me that there were no sights at all, absolutely none whatsoever; so it seems I did not miss much. He used the word 'chav' more than once in describing the nature of the town.


Testwood Park is a pleasant venue with quite a bit of character. The pitch is enclosed by a white rail and a concrete pathway, with tall, dense Leylandii hedges flanking each side. The middle third of one side has a low, blue 1980s stand with four rows of blue and white bench seats and the words 'AFC TOTTON' neatly labelled in white on the facia. Opposite this is another length of blue-painted (in fact everything in the ground is blue-painted) cover, housing two terrace steps. This too has the club name on the facia, but is set well back from the touchline and it is mostly used by the groundsman as an equipment store. Only one spectator chose to stand here, whilst two others used it as a handy place to park their bicycles during the game. One end has the dressing rooms, clubhouse and tea bar, the other provides distant views of the tower blocks of Southampton. Perhaps the most striking feature is the floodlights which are of a unique design on short, white poles. I have always felt that a decent non-league ground should have a good number of mysterious huts and sheds dotted about the place, and Testwood Park features no less than eleven assorted caravans, huts, sheds and containers in various shades of blue and states of dilapidation. A grand sight.

The crowd for this game was comprised mainly of rather mature gentlemen, with a far higher proportion than usual of chaps in blazers and club ties - especially amongst those who had travelled from Somerset. At half time, there was the rather startling sight in the clubhouse of white wine being sipped from real wine glasses. You don't get that kind of thing on my usual East London circuit. Unfortunately, all this gentility was not replicated on the pitch, where the two teams put in one of the dirtiest and games I have seen for a long time. The language was bad! The fact that Paulton have defenders nicknamed 'Chopper' and 'Killer' tells you all you need to know about them - and Totton were little better.  Within minutes of the start a Paulton forward collided with the home keeper, resulting in both needing treatment and the keeper's name going in the book.  Three minutes later an identical collision between the same two on the same spot resulted in lengthy treatment for the forward who eventually departed the field on a stretcher and later left the ground in an ambulance.  In all, the trainers were on at least six times in the first half, whilst neither goal was really threatened.  Astonishingly, the referee deemed all this to be worthy of just two minutes injury time - I was expecting at least ten.  The second half was just as dirty and goals looked increasingly unlikely. Then all of a sudden we had a cracking last fifteen minutes and an unlikely 2-1 home win which was greatly celebrated by almost all present.

 

The match programme was a fairly standard issue, with an attractive cover, for £1.  FGIF Match rating 2*

 

28/09/05 TT No.57: Mike Latham - Blackpool Mechanics (NWCL)

 

Tues 27 Sep 2005, NWCLD2, Blackpool Mechanics 2-2 Holker Old Boys (att- 30)

 

Blackpool Mechanics play at a well appointed small ground next to Blackpool Airport and about two-and-a-half miles from J4 of the M55 motorway.  The journey down Common Edge Road takes the traveller past the grounds of Squires Gate (NWCLD1) and Wren Rovers (West Lancashire League) into Jepson Way where the Mechanics ground awaits.

 

Named after Mechanics' long-serving late secretary and founder member Walter Jepson, Jepson Way also allows access to a nearby industrial site and a sprawling estate of modern housing.

 

There is plenty of parking for the size of crowds that Mechanics attract, despite their closed season merger with Lytham St Annes of the West Lancashire League.  Your correspondent arrived ten minutes late after hold-ups on the motorway but was told by the friendly gate steward that his £3 entrance fee had pushed the receipts over the £20 mark.  A rather basic 24-page programme was an additional £1 with good histories of Mechanics and their visitors from Barrow-in-Furness the highlights.

 

Blackpool Gladiators RLFC (who began as Blackpool Borough) played out their existence at the Mechanics ground in the early 1990s before leaving the senior Rugby League in 1993 and finally folding in 1997 following several years in the amateur ranks.  The ground had changed little since that time and the welcome was still warm and welcoming.

 

With cover on all four sides the ground is one of the best in the league and the playing pitch was in excellent condition and perfectly flat.  There are two small seated areas down both sides and small covered standing areas behind both goals.  The clubhouse is situated next to the dressing rooms at the entrance and there were good bar facilities and a small tea bar that dispensed hot drinks and pie and peas at cheerful prices.

 

The floodlights were of excellent quality and the action on the pitch was lively and entertaining, despite the driving cross-wind and occasional torrential rain showers straight off the Irish Sea. Mechanics took the lead with a 'route one goal' and secured a draw with a scrambled late equaliser after the visitors had scored two fine goals from sweeping moves.

 

A visit to Jepson Way is a stress-free and rewarding experience - the traveller is afforded a friendly welcome and the facilities are above the standard expected at this level. FGIF Game rating: 3*

 

26/09/05 TT No.56: Barry Neighbour - The Dorset Hop

 

On Saturday 24th september I ventured down to Dorset/Somerset to attend the latest Hop. Picking up my travelling companions Gerry and Alan on route at Sailsbury we were in Yeovil in time for breakfast at the local Wetherspoons before heading for our first game, Westland Sports v Stourpaine. This was a fairly new ground with work still being carried out to the dressing room complex, there were no bar facilities though a number of 'hoppers headed for a nearby pub for their early fix. The ground is railed off but has no other facilities to boast off. The game ended up an easy stroll for the home team as they ran out comfortable 6-0 winners. The 16 page programme priced at Ã�£1 was adequate but only listed the home team squad and no mention of the opposition line up. Match Rating 3* A word of warning for any hoppers heading to Westland in future to check Yeovil Town's fixture as this is on the same road and could lead to traffic congestion.

After the game we travelled back into Dorset to Sturminster Newton for United's game against Bournemouth Sports. Sturminster moved to their ground in 1996 and now boast a comfortable clubhouse and an enclosed ground with a small covered area on the near side. The other three sides are open. Unfortunately the game was awful as neither team could string two passes together and the skill level was nil. When a goal did come it was an OG off the Sturminster defender's head. Bournemouth did actually manage a second to win 2-0 but this was poor. Match Rating 1* 28 Page Informative programme Cost Ã�£1.

The third game of the day saw the short trip to Gillingham Town against high flying Poole Borough. Gillingham have a covered stand on the far side which is being renovated and now boast a set of floodlights (I believe this was the inaugural match under the new lights). They also have a thriving clubhouse and are looking to progress into the Wessex League. High-flying Poole arrived in third place and looked a decent team playing some good football. However it was the home side who came out on top with quick counter attacks to run out 6-0 winners that shocked their visitors. Match Rating 4* The 68 Page Programme was full of news items (I am still ploughing through it) and was well worth the Ã�£1 asking price. All in all a good day out 3 new grounds, 3 new badges and 14 goals.  

 

The following day I took the wife to Henley for the day which just happened to clash with the home side playing Chelsea Old Boys in a  Charity match in aid of Cancer. A 16 page programme was included in the Ã�£5 admission price. I recognised some of the Chelsea names who starred: Kerry Dixon, Clive Walker, Gary Stanley, Peter Rhodes Brown, Trevor Aylott but not sure who the rest were as they did not announce the team line-ups (other than to say the Chelsea players needed no introduction). Sorry they did; I don`t remember Chelsea having a coloured striker called Stefan. He scored a hatrick as Chelsea ran out 6-2 winners. Match Rating 3* but an enjoyable afternoon anyway in the sunshine.


25/09/05 TT No.55: Mike Latham - Salford City (NWCL)

 

Sat 24 Sep 2005, FA Cup 2Q; Salford City 1-0 Gateshead (att- 213)

Simon Inglis's brilliant book, 'Played in Manchester' (English Heritage, 2005) informs us that Moor Lane has remained in continuous use for organised sport for over 320 years, longer than any other open space in Manchester. Since 1979 it has been leased by Salford City FC of NWCL Div1 from Salford City Council. The ground once formed part of the Kersal Moor racecourse, dating back to 1681 and has also been the home of sports as diverse as cricket, tennis, archery and rugby league.

Located on Moor Lane, just off the A56 road that runs from Prestwich into Manchester and a few minutes' drive from the M62 motorway, the ground is in a leafy residential area and has vast room for development. The main feature is an unusual main stand, painted white, with several pillars from the roof and bench seating. Opposite this is a covered terrace. The rest of the excellently maintained ground is hard standing. The social club and tea hut are located in temporary buildings on the main stand side and there are excellent vantage points around the site.

The programme was a superb 44-page effort, costing only �£1, with an informative statistical section, an interesting feature on the visiting team and good coverage of other leagues as well as several other articles of interest. Clearly a labour of love for its compiler, Scott White, it is one of the best the writer has seen on his travels.

Salford City FC are clearly a team on the up and they continued their good start to the season with a 1-0 victory over the Unibond Premier League side, courtesy of a goal seven minutes from time. They reached the third qualifying round of the FA Cup for the first time. On a warm late September afternoon Moor Lane was an idyllic place to watch an excellently contested game played on an outstanding playing surface. Club officials were friendly, the tea hut offered fine fare and both sides played good football.

It was a most enjoyable and stress-free afternoon and worth far more than the entrance fee of �£4. A visit to the historic Moor Lane ground comes highly recommended.

Match rating: 4*

 

23/09/05 TT No.54: Mike Latham - Burton Albion (Nationwide Conference)

 

Tues 20 Sep 2005, Nationwide Conference, Burton Albion 0-4 Morecambe (att- 1,352)

 

The Staffordshire town of Burton-on-Trent is known worldwide for its brewing industry but it also boasts a rich sporting heritage.

 

Sadly, one of the great traditional remaining soccer and rugby grounds is set to soon disappear under the bulldozer and be transformed into yet another supermarket.

 

Peel Croft is a wonderfully atmospheric rugby ground, home to Burton RFC (founded 1870).  They played their first match there in 1872, defeated the New Zealand Maoris in 1888 and, after playing elsewhere, returned to the ground in 1910, buying the freehold in 1953.

 

At the turn of the 19th century, however, Peel Croft was better known as a soccer ground. During the formative years of the Football League Burton boasted a total of three clubs - Swifts, Wanderers and United - who all played League football.

 

Burton Swifts were founder members of Division Two in 1892 and after finishing bottom of the table in 1901 amalgamated with Burton Wanderers to become Burton United.  At the time the defunct Wanderers club was claimed to be the fourth oldest football club in England. The new merged club failed to gain re-election in 1907 and folded in 1910, allowing the rugby club to reclaim the ground.

 

The first Football League game played at Peel Croft resulted in a 7-1 win for Swifts over Crewe Alexandra on 3 September 1892 and the last match was a 2-0 win against West Brom on 27 April 1907.  The highest attendance recorded was 5,000 against Newton Heath (forerunners of Manchester United) in 1894. 

 

The grandstand at Peel Croft was built in 1907 as a successor to the one destroyed by a fire earlier in the year.  Unfortunately this impressive structure, which still exists today, saw very little Football League action. 

 

Burton Wanderers, meanwhile, originally played at Derby Turn, a ground located further north of the town centre between Derby Road and the railway sidings.  They vacated the ground after amalgamating with Swifts in 1901 and the site was taken over and developed by the Midland Railway Company. Wanderers were elected into the Football League in 1894, two years after Swifts, and failed to gain re-election in 1897.  It is amazing to think that a town the size of Burton (with a population of around 40,000 one hundred years ago) boasted, for three years, two Football League clubs.  The highest crowd at Derby Turn was 5,000 for the Burton derby game against Swifts on Christmas Day 1896.

 

A visit to Peel Croft, located next door to Asda supermarket on Lichfield Street, is a rewarding one.  It is easy to imagine the days when it was a Football League venue.  The main stand, built in 1907, still looks an imposing structure and the banking at the Litchfield Street end is also almost certainly unchanged, as is the railway sleeper and ash terracing on the south side.  Peel Croft is definitely one of the best preserved old grounds in the country - at least for the moment.

 

The present-day Burton Albion were founded in 1950 in a bid to revive professional soccer in the town following a meeting at which 700 local people attended.  Albion moved from their original ground at Wellington Street to Eton Park in 1958 and this stayed their home until the end of the 2004/05 season.

 

An atmospheric, if cramped ground with a capacity of around 4,500 that could give a claustrophobic feel, the site of Eton Park has since been developed by Fairclough Homes who advertise in the club programme: 'Once the home of Burton Albion FC.  Now you can make it yours.'

 

Albion's new home is just across the way at the Pirelli Stadium.  If you've been to the new grounds of Chester City and Scunthorpe United you'll know what to expect: sanitised, bland, boring.  Just like the faceless retail parks that blight Burton like many other places in the UK, you could be anywhere.

 

To be fair to Albion, the staff and stewards are friendly and they do have decent catering outlets (run by the club not outside franchisees - other clubs take note) and bar facilities.  The three standing sides of the ground gave good sight-lines of the action and the pitch and floodlights were excellent.  The main feature of the stadium is a spectacular glass-fronted main entrance which is the only part of the ground that gives it some individuality.

 

With Morecambe looking a class apart and strolling to a 4-0 victory Albion's problems in the bottom three intensified.  They looked a long way off emulating their three predecessors who brought Football League status to the town. But the hapless home performance was greeted with great equanimity by the home fans in a 1,300 crowd whose reaction to an embarrassingly inept display was surprisingly muted. 

 

With admission Ã�£12 adults (Ã�£14 for the main stand), Ã�£10 concessions and Ã�£3 under-16s, the Pirelli Stadium is not a cheap place to visit.  A decent 48-page programme with good use of colour and one or two interesting articles sold for Ã�£2.  There is plenty of free parking around the ground and it is a stress-free if rather unexciting place to visit.  But couple it with a visit to Peel Croft and the day becomes very worthwhile.

 

22/09/05 TT No.53: Mike Latham - Norton United (NWCL)

 

Wed 21 Sep 2005, FA Vase 1Q replay, Norton United 1-0 Teversal (att-130)

 

Norton United's ground is situated deep in the heart of the Potteries, about 10/15 minutes drive from J16 of the M6 and a few miles from Port Vale FC at Burslem.

 

The soccer ground is part of a large welfare complex, originally built to service the miners of Norton Colliery (closed 1977) in their leisure time.

 

The land around the ground is very hilly and the welfare ground is reached about 200 yards up Community Drive by the side of the community centre in Smallthorne.

 

The complex is on two levels with a cricket ground and pavilion/ club house on the top level and the football ground on a lower level.  With a small all weather soccer pitch in use there is a real community feel to this small but extremely friendly organisation.

 

The well-stocked tea bar was well frequented throughout a mild evening and the cricket pavilion bar served a wide variety of refreshments.

 

Entry to the football club was only Ã�£3 and a 32-page programme with several good and informative pieces of editorial and photographs was Ã�£1.  Only 30 had been produced and these were soon snapped up.

 

The only cover on the ground is a 30-foot covered standing and seated area to the left of the halfway line at the cricket pavilion side of the ground.  On the far side behind the dugouts were some mature trees which served as an excellent shield to stop balls being deposited into neighbouring gardens and also gave a rural feel in the floodlights. 

 

The rest of the ground was hard standing behind a post and rail fence though there are some excellent viewpoints, particularly from the banking at the cricket ground side.  The view from here to the right is a spectacular one over the Ford Green valley.

 

The playing area, re-laid over two years ago, was in excellent condition.

 

The club was only formed in 1989 and entered the NWCL in 2001 after competing successfully in the Staffordshire Senior League.  With considerable ground improvements in the last five years- the Ã�£35,000 re-laid pitch, excellent floodlights, new changing rooms and redeveloped clubhouse- Norton are clearly an ambitious and well-run club.  They also now run a second team and Sunday team as well as several junior sides and are hopeful of developing a second pitch behind the goals on the far side opposite the club house.

 

Having shared a 1-1 draw with their NCEL opponents Teversal on the Saturday the replay also looked like going to extra time until Norton's skipper John Powell headed home a corner in the second minute of injury-time to decide a hard-fought game.

 

All the club officials were very friendly and welcoming and there were several travellers in attendance.  A visit to Norton United FC is highly recommended.

 

Game rating: 3*

 

21/09/05 TT No52: Barry Neighbour - Recent September Travels

 

Recent Games: Tuesday 13th September 2005; Cove 4 Ash United 3 Combined Counties Premier Cup 2nd Round; 24 Page Programme included in Admission Price. Att 75: FGIF Rating: 4 Stars.

 

Cove raced into a surprise 3-0 lead in the first-half in a lively encounter. Ash got one back just before the break to reduce the defecit and incredibly pulled the score back to 3-3 in the second-half and looked the more likely side to grab a winner. But it was the home side who had the final sting in the tail, scoring the winner just before time to prevent the gallant Ash comeback. Cove have a new stand to replace the one that was burnt out. Unfortunately I did not have my camera with me on the night to take a picture of it.

 

Saturday 17th September 2005; Eastbourne United Association 1 Mile Oak 3; FA Vase 1st Qualifying Round; 36 Page Programme: 50p; Att: about 50:  FGIF Rating: 3 Stars

 

2nd Division Mile Oak came from a goal behind to win 3-1 against their 1st Division Sussex League counterparts. This is a funny ground with a large delapatated stand which is way over fifty metres from the pitch. It looks like the pitch has been moved at some time. Plans in the clubhouse seem to indicate that major development is to take place with the pitch being turned and a new stand and covered terracing built alongside it.

 

Tuesday 20th September 2005; Horley Town 4 Bookham 0;  Combined Counties League Premier Challenge Cup 1st Round; 32 Page Programme Priced Ã�£1; Att: 45; FGIF Rating: 3 Stars  

 

Top of the table Horley took on 1st Division Bookham and soon made their class tell with a goal timed at just 37 seconds (ref confirmed) from fully 30 yards. They followed this with a second after 4 minutes when a left wing cross was converted. Bookham started to compete a bit more but Horley's class was still evident in the 22nd Minute with a 3rd goal again hit from outside the area. There were no more goals in the opening half. The second half was really quite poor as Horley took the foot of the peddle and we had to wait until the 90th minute for their 4th when the winger cut inside before a delicate lob left the keeper stranded. This was my first visit to the New Defence and the set up is certainly impressive with a clubhouse upstairs that looks out over the whole pitch. A seated stand is attatched below the clubhouse, the other 3 sides are open.

 

Is the 37 second goal the fastest of the season? One for the Anoraks!

 

21/09/05 TT No.51: Paul Roth � Ramsgate (Ryman League 1)

 

Ramsgate v Hastings United; Ryman League One; Res: 2-1; Entry: �£7; Programme: �£1

Taking a rare opportunity to watch midweek football, I travelled the short distance to see the Rams in action in their new surroundings of the Ryman League.
Approaching from the sea Ramsgate at first glance must appear like a playboys paradise with all the exspensive yachts moored in the impressive harbour. But a few steps into the town it is apparent it is more "Delboy" than "Playboy" and, in truth, is a little run down.

Southwood, the home of the Rams, is situated about mile out of the main town in a warren of terraced houses and the entrance at the end of Prices avenue is typical of a really old fashioned club. A few alterations have taken place to facilitate the team's promotion - the turnstiles are now moved back 50 yards into the ground and car parking is provided on the open side of the playing area which has been partially fenced off. The cantilevered main stand running the whole length of the far side of the pitch has a new roof-not before time! One thing which urgently needs attention is the awful floodlighting system but I understand that is in hand. One visiting fan reckoned the game should be called off as the "lux" value was so low. But that wasn't quite how he put it!

A quick read of the not as good as usual programme and it was straight into the action and within 3 minutes the Rams were in front through a well taken header from the first corner of the game. It is hard to judge a team's potential when their opponents are so poor, as Hastings were throughout, but suffice to say Ramsgate went on to complete a comfortable enough 2-1 victory with the visitors scoring in the last minute (only as a consolation) to maintain their second spot in the table.

A first for me at a football match, I think, at half time, was the cockle and prawn seller vending his wares as he paraded around the ground in the 15 minute break. It is a change from the omnipresent burgers, although they were freely available from the catering pavilion !!

A pleasant evening out on the "Kentish Riviera ".

 

20/09/05 TT No.50: Mike Latham - Ashton United (Unibond Premier)

 

Mon 19 Sep 2005, Unibond Premier, Ashton United 3-1 Leek Town (att - 233)

 

Ashton United may be struggling on the field but off it they continue to set the standards with a standard of catering and programme of excellent quality.

 

Pie and peas from the Hurst Cross tea room is one of the top delicacies of the Unibond League and the 44-page programme, also costing only �£1.20, is an outstanding effort.

 

Packed with information and updated for games played just two days previously, the programme has some great features, including an informative view from the boardroom, detailed match reports, excellent statistics (including details of the home club's players, former clubs and career records), two historical articles, an A to Z of last season, round-ups of other leagues and detailed information on the visitors.

 

No hint of bias either - the recent home defeat to Burscough is reported as 'it could have been ten' while individual players don't escape criticism.  A quality effort - easily the best I've seen this season.  And how do they produce it for the price?  Programme editor Ken Lee deserves a heap of accolades for what is clearly a labour of love.

 

Hurst Cross is an atmospheric ground, hemmed in by terraced houses, and not the easiest to find though a detailed road map helps the journey from J23 of the M60 through the centre of Ashton-u-Lyne and out onto the Mossley road take about ten minutes.

 

The club is building up its collection of flags and a dozen proudly waved in the late summer breeze of a mild evening. With a small main stand, a cover opposite and two uncovered ends, Hurst Cross is an excellent viewing ground and the club helpfully post a teamsheet by the entrance for spectators to note down both teams - an excellent service that many others should seek to emulate. Simple but effective.

 

Starting the game bottom of the table after relegation from Conference North last season, Ashton built on their 1-1 draw at BPA last Saturday, with a good victory in an entertaining game.  I have seen a few games at Unibond level this season so far and the standard in each has been very good.  Leek at one stage put together a 30-man passing move but they lacked sharpness in front of goal and paid for defensive errors at the back.

 

A visit to Hurst Cross comes highly recommended and, playing their midweek games on a Monday night means there are plenty of opportunities for travellers to fit in a visit.

 

Match rating 3*

 

19/09/05 TT No.49: Stephen Harris - Southall (CCL)

 

Sunday 18 September 2005; Southall 2-3 Wroxham; FA Vase; att: 60, programme issued; admission �£5

Despite having been finalists in both the FA Amateur Cup and the FA Vase - the latter as recently as 1986 - Southall remain one of London's more obscure and least supported clubs. They gave up their large and crumbling Western Road ground in 1992 and have spent the last 12 years in exile, playing on a variety of Buckinghamshire grounds in front of ever-dwindling crowds. But this season they have returned to Southall, playing home games at The Warren (Yeading FC), whilst harbouring plans to develop a new community sports ground of their own.

I was half expecting to see some ground improvements following Yeading's lucrative FA Cup run of last season, but this was not the case. In fact the place was looking a bit tatty, with the perimeter fence down at one one point and weeds invading the pathway around the far side. The handful of loyal Southall supporters were supplemented today by a few away fans and a gathering of groundhoppers, around 80 in total.

Southall have a reputation for being a hard, physical side and that was certainly true today. It was interesting to see that their pre-match warm-up routine included practice at shouting 'our ball ref' and they gave the officials a pretty tough time throughout the game. Wroxham had a few ball players amongst their line-up, so we were anticipating an interesting game with a contrast in styles. The general feeling was that strength would win out in the end, but this was not to be the case. The pivotal moment was the successful conversion of a penalty by Wroxham at the beginning of the second half to put them 2-1 up, a lead they managed to hold on to.
A match programme was to be included with admission, but these did not arrive until shortly before kick-off, when we had the rather un-eddifying spectacle of around 40 spectators scrambling to get hold of a copy. There were actually plenty to go around, but I guess we had all been in the situation where the programmes finally arrive and it turns out that only a dozen or so have been printed. In fact they were so poor in quality that most were chucked away within a few minutes anyway.

18/09/05 TT No.48: Paul Roth - Lincoln Moorland (NCEL1)

 

Lincoln Moorlands  v Nettleham; F.A.Vase 1st Qualifying round; Res: 4-1; Programme: Ã�£1; Entry: Ã�£5;  Att: 90

Our days always start at about 5.30a.m. when our beloved persian cat "Ben" wakes us up. So it was a change to awaken him from his slumbers when I got out of bed at 4.45a.m. to set off on my trip to Lincoln! This is certainly one drawback living where we do. A train trip I felt was in order this week as the car has been taking quite a pounding of late .Also I could have a few beers!

So from Margate to Victoria and Kings Cross to Lincoln via Newark I was in the city at 11.30 and ready to tackle the eight pubs in the new GBG I had not frequented before. And what an excellent trip round it was in the glorious autumnal sunshine. Also I must mention what a lovely city Lincoln is, especially up in the old town around the cathedral, although a tad hilly!

So to the football! Moorlands' Newark Road ground is about a mile and a half south of the city and the entrance is just a signed gap which could be easy to miss if driving past. The ground is in fact a lovely surprise as it opens out to the left and has quite a rustic feel to it. Standing behind the far goal looking back it is lovely to see rolling hills in the distance, yet so near to the City centre. There are two stands, one on each side of the ground and the floodlight pylons have been painted Lincoln green, despite the homesters playing in light blue! The clubhouse lies outside the ground and is well worth a visit as it has a couple of beers on handpump. The tea bar has a very limited range of goodies to tempt the starving.

After reading the newsy 20 page programme - one thing to my chagrin I spotted was that this was the 1st club in this league I had visited so I have a bit of work to do. The game got underway with Moorlands taking the lead in the 2nd minute. This was to set the trend as Nettleham were always second best and were lucky to bow out of this term's vase by only 4 goals to 1.

Walking back into the city I had a couple more pints, a welcome bag of cod,chips and peas and returned back to Margate, sharing the journey part of the way with jubilant Peterborough fans who had just seen there heroes win 2-1 at Sincil Bank

Arriving home at midnight I was not too amazed to find "Ben" unconcious on our bed and praying he would not be up at the crack of dawn as usual.

For those few who are interested, as it was a train day, 18855 steps!!

18/09/05 TT No.47: Mike Latham � Runcorn FC FC Halton (Unibond Premier)

 

Sat 17 Sep 2005, Unibond Premier, Runcorn FC Halton 2-1 Wakefield-Emley (att - 101)

 

Runcorn enjoyed considerable success in the Conference and FA Trophy during the last twenty years but currently play in the Unibond Premier Division following their relegation from Conference North last season.

 

After selling their atmospheric Canal Street home for property development the Linnets moved into the luxurious surroundings of the Halton Stadium in Widnes, co-sharing with Widnes Vikings Rugby League team.  They changed their name to Runcorn FC Halton to reflect their relocation across the River Mersey.

 

But with attendances declining the club was unable to afford the match rental charges and moved out of the council-owned stadium late last season to begin a ground-share with Prescot Cables FC, about three miles from St Helens.

 

Cables' Valerie Park ground is situated on Hope Street just off the A57 road at the top part of the town.  In a quiet residential area there is plenty of street parking, especially with the crowds that Runcorn currently attract.

 

Just 101 saw the Linnets achieve their first league win of the season thanks to two free-kicks by fullback Flood.  The visitors wasted three golden opportunities in the opening ten minutes and Runcorn noticeably grew in confidence thereafter, despite losing one of their players to a broken arm.

 

The Hope Street ground, which will celebrate its centenary in 2006, is a good non-league venue and the welcome is a warm one.  Runcorn produce an impressive 28-page programme for Ã�£1.50 and admission was Ã�£7 adults which also qualified for admission to the imposing main stand.  The rest of the ground is standing, with a small cover at the Hope Street end.  On the far side, opposite the main stand, is a large grassed banked area that gives an excellent view of the action.

 

A club-house and tea-bar are situated under the seating area of the main stand and both were well worthy of custom.  The tea-bar sold a variety of hot drinks and snacks at reasonable prices and the social club also offered a good selection of drinks in a good degree of comfort.

 

Realistically Runcorn need to return to the town, and quickly, in order to re-establish themselves as a force in the non-league world.  They are being kept going by a dedicated band of supporters and officials but their support has waned to a small level since Canal Street was sold.  Happily, there are plans to build a new stadium in the town in the next two years.  For the Linnets faithful the return home cannot come quickly enough.

 

One of Rugby League's perennial strugglers, Prescot Panthers finally folded in 1997 after playing out their days at Hope Street. The club initially earned senior status as Wigan Highfield in 1922 and later played under the names of London Highfield, Liverpool Stanley, Liverpool City, Huyton, Runcorn Highfield (when they ground-shared at Canal Street in the 1980s) and Highfield before making their umpteenth, and final move, to Prescot.  The ground had changed little in appearance in the intervening years but still has plenty to commend it.

 

Runcorn's win put them in good heart for their derby clash with Prescot Cables 'at home' four days later.

 

13/09/05 TT No.46: Dave Reed - Haywards Heath Town (SCL) and Sprowston Wanderers (ACL)

 

Last Friday I made a return visit to Haywards Heath Town and it was good to see that the club's fortunes, off the pitch at least, have taken a turn for the better.  There is a new regime in place who have made some cosmetic alterations to the place but most important is that programmes are being issued once again. This is a sixteen page production inside a stiffer cover with colour throughout and with seven pages of adverts, selling for Ã�£1.  Mind you, the club secretary was not too impressed by the League giving them six consecutive home fixtures to start the season, leaving them only another seven for the rest of the season!
Good entertainment on the night as the home side went down 4-3 to Forest conceding a last minute goal after having pulled back to 3-3.

Saturday saw me spending my birthday on a cricket ground in Norfolk by a roped-off pitch and no programme watching Sprowston Wanderers beat Dersingham Rovers 2-0 in the Norfolk Senior Cup.  A decent enough game though with plenty of action at either end of the pitch.

11/09/05 TT No.45: Michael Greaves - Cefn United FC (Welsh League/Wrexham Area)

 

10th September 2005; Cefn United 0 Connah's Quay Nomads 2; Welsh Cup Round 1 �£1 admission with 24 Page programme.

I really enjoy the early rounds of the Welsh Cup with it's mix of small and large clubs. There was plenty of choice in this year's first round but I eventually decided on a trip to Cefn United of The Welsh League (Wrexham Area) against Premier side Connahs Quay Nomads .

Cefn's ground is Church Field in Rhosymedre and as the name suggests it is a field next to a church! Fully railed-off but with no cover the church and its graveyard on one side, bushes at one end and the railway on the other side nicely enclose the ground. There is a dressing room block next to the entrance behind the goal from where club officials will make you a cuppa if you ask.

Cefn were not disgraced against their National league opponents although the match was rather spoilt by constant petty fouls and niggles.

The nearest station Ruabon is about 25 minutes walk.

11/09/05 TT No.44: Paul Roth - Cirencester Town (SL)

 

Cirencester Town v Wimborne Town; F.A. Cup 1st Qualifying round;  Res: 5-3 Att: 147;
Programme: �£1-50.

Despite having been to Cirencester Town's old ground and that of United's (formerly the "Herd FC") I decided to venture once again into not so deepest Gloucestershire and visit the Corinium Stadium, the fairly newish venue for soccer in the town, for this F.A Cup match.

Approacing from the M4 one has to pass the road that leads up to the ground and double back after circumnavigating a roundabout to go first left along Kingshill Lane where the arena can be found half a mile hence.

My first impressions were that of slight disappointment. The ground has two small seated stands but no terracing and hard standing all the way round. I suppose for Southern League Premier football I expected a bit more -the Corinium Stadium is what I would describe as no more than a very smart Hellenic set up. Am I being too much of a curmudgeon?

Outside is a vast green hangar that hosts indoor activities such as five-a -side football etc,etc. The clubhouse is a vibrant place and hosts all manner of functions and was well patronised. Sheltering in it from the heavy rain, I read the newsy 32page programme before kick off. There is a small tea hut towards the far goal selling the usual ephemera.

The game itself was pure delight, played on a wonderous surface that lent itself to passing football  with some truly superb goals as the hosts cruised into the next round by 5 goals to 3. If it hadn't been for the super efforts of the visiting goalkeeper and some wayward finishing "Ciren" would have run up a cricket score.

As a footnote everyone has a tale to tell of the "most", "least", "worst", "best", and time tends to fade the memory of what just these events really were like.  I can, without doubt, say driving home around the M25 I encountered the "heaviest" rain and "most" water on a motorway I have ever seen!

F.A. Vase next week and a trip on the train I think!!


09/09/05 TT No.43: Mike Latham - Maltby Main (NCELP)

 

Wed 7 Sep 2005, NCEL Premier Division; Maltby Main 1-1 Pickering Town (att- 60)

 

Maltby is an old colliery town in South Yorkshire situated just of J1 of the M18 motorway with Rotherham and Doncaster in close proximity.  The huge welfare ground hosts cricket and football and the two sports share a common pavilion- an impressive, newly constructed building which stands behind one corner flag of the enclosed football ground.

 

Surrounded by a housing estate and about half-a-mile from the main crossroads in the centre of Maltby, the football ground is located off the quaintly named Muglet Lane.

 

Kerry Miller's fantastic book, The History of Non-League Football Grounds, shows just a small stand on the photo of the Maltby ground but since the book was published a small covered standing area has been added alongside.  The pitch was surrounded by a neat post and rail fence and the floodlights were excellent.  Apart from the two covered areas the rest of the ground is flat standing though all the surrounds have been concreted and the ground is maintained to a good standard.

 

The original football club was founded in 1916 as Maltby Main FC (the local colliery) and disbanded in 1965.  Maltby Miners Welfare FC was formed in 1970 as a football section of the Miners Welfare.  There was a split from the welfare club in 1996 and the club name was changed to Maltby Main FC, although the club continues to play at the Welfare ground.

 

The magnificent dressing room and hospitality rooms cost a reported quarter-of-a-million pounds and were constructed in 2000.  Included in this structure is an excellent small tea bar that serves hot and cold drinks, beef burgers and pie and peas.  A notice at the tea bar states that any profits are used towards the children of the neighbouring housing estate.

 

Ã�£5 secured admission and an excellent 28-page programme, full of interesting reading material, sold for Ã�£1.  This contained an excellent and informative article on the club's history as well as plenty of information on the visitors and on league news.

 

On a warm dry evening the teams played out an entertaining 1-1 draw in a game that was played in an excellent spirit and was well refereed.  Several travellers were in attendance, including one who had made the journey from Kent. Club officials were very friendly and helped contribute to a good evening out.  The welfare club is situated opposite the ground and was also welcoming.  Match Rating 3*.

 

07/09/05 TT No.42: Stephen Harris - Mole Valley Predators (CCL)

 

Tuesday 6 September 2005; Mole Valley Predators 2-0 Raynes Park Vale; CoCo League; att 66, programme issued, admission �£4.50.

Mole Valley Predators have one of the more exotic names in English senior football and are an amalgamation of the three clubs who shared the River Lane Sports Ground last season. From Fetcham Park United they have inherited a thriving youth set up, from Predators FC a name, a club badge and red and white colours, and from Chessington United places in the CoCo League, FA Vase and FA Cup.  A good deal all round it seems.
The ground has five pitches and a rural feel despite being just fifteen minutes walk from Leatherhead station - a spooky walk too on the way back in near total darkness past the local boneyard. The main pitch is railed on three sides, with a hedge behind one goal. The near side and far end have hard standing, some of which is a bit tatty. But piles of builders materials suggested that some sprucing up is in hand.  Midway along the near side is a pleasant, modern brick-built clubhouse and dressing room block, with tea bar within.  This has a spacious overhang which would have comfortably accommodated the entire crowd in poor weather; standing or on the scattering of seats put out here. But on a pleasant evening the small crowd scattered itself far and wide and made appropriate use of the picnic tables beside the near touchline.
The word on the street was that RPV have a pretty good team this season, whilst two friends had independently described Predators to me as 'useless' in recent days.  Not so. The home side took an early lead then withstood some relentless RPV pressure as their goal led a charmed life. But Predators came strong in the second half and begun to look worthy of a win. Their players were enthusiastic and clearly enjoying their football, whist the visiting team were reduced to swearing at each other. Inevitably, it seemed, RPV gave away a penalty which was emphatically put away for a 2-0 win.
I'm afraid that the programme was a rather poor effort on this occasion - little more than line-ups and league table with some standard history paragraphs - given to the earlier arrivals on entry. Overall I enjoyed my first visit to this small club which is striving to establish itself with a new identity.  Match Rating 3*


07/09/05 TT No.41: Mike Latham - Thackley (NCELP)

 

Tues 6 Sep 2005, NCEL Premier Division, Thackley 1-1 Brodsworth MW (Att - 100 est)

 

Thackley FC play at Dennyfield, a ground located in a pleasingly rural location just off the Leeds- Keighley road in the village of Thackley, about three miles from the city-centre of Bradford.  It is far from the easiest of grounds to find as a car traveller but the search is worthwhile.

 

The ground is to be found up the hill from Thackley corner, off a private tree-lined lane past Thackley CC.  A riding-stables is next-door and the lane eventually leads to a sewerage works which, a club official informed me, was once the envy of Europe in the 1930s.  The football ground was built on an old refuse tip.  There is plenty of car-parking and a small but welcoming club house stands just outside the small ground.  As the refreshment caravan was burnt out a few months ago and a new solid structure to house the new tea-room is being constructed the club house serves hot drinks and pies at half-time. The welcome from the club official on the turnstiles was equally friendly as Ã�£5 secured admission and a 20-page programme with an atmospheric front cover and a decent amount of reading material.  It takes very little effort for the man on the turnstile to say; 'Welcome to Thackley.  I hope you enjoy the game'.  But it immediately puts the neutral groundhopper in a good frame of mind.  Other clubs take note.

 

The ground is enclosed by a concreted panel fence and a red and white post and rail fence surrounds the playing area.  The main feature of the ground is a small seated stand with the legend 'Thackley Football Club' in distinct white letters on its roof.  There is a small cover for standing spectators to its right and the rest of the ground is open standing on newly-concreted standing areas.  The dug-outs are opposite the main stand.

 

The game was well contested and sporting for the most part but unfortunately contained two injuries- one to each side- which necessitated nearly ten minutes' overtime.  Brodsworth, who had led to a headed goal from a corner, looked set for their first points of the season until the home sub struck the equaliser in the last minute of normal time.  Ironically many felt he should have been sent-off before the goal having committed a two-footed foul which brought out only a yellow card and then a dangerous late challenge on the visiting goalkeeper for which he escaped with a warning.  A home spectator who wrongly berated the goalkeeper for play-acting was then shown the deep cut on his thigh during a break in play.

 

Thackley are a friendly club and the rural nature of their ground comes as a surprise considering its close proximity to the metropolitan districts of Leeds and Bradford close-by.  A visit there comes recommended.  Game rating 3*

 

06/09/05 TT No.40: Mike Latham - Curzon Ashton (NWCL1) - new ground

 

Mon 5 Sep 2005, NWCL D1 Curzon Ashton 4-1 Atherton Collieries (att - 152)

 

Curzon Ashton's new ground looked highly impressive in the twilight of a hot late summer's evening and the first impressions were found to be the right ones. As darkness fell and the impressive floodlights illuminated the ground it was a world away from their old National Park venue which they vacated just over a year ago.

 

Built with the assistance of Tameside MBC and the Football Foundation, the Tameside Stadium is located off Richmond Street which runs from the town centre of Ashton-u-Lyne, just 5 minutes off the M60 motorway.  After passing Ashton Cricket Club on the left the stadium can be seen further down the street on the left-hand side.  Despite its close proximity to the town centre it is in a semi-rural location with a farm behind the far goal. The whole complex has been developed impressively and an athletics arena and all-weather floodlit football pitches are also on site. There is plenty of parking.

 

Ã�£5 secured admission to the stadium which has a neat seated stand on one side and an elevated terrace with cover on the far side and uncovered shallow terraces behind both goals.  With social facilities behind the seats in the main stand the ground is very well equipped and should easily comply with Conference grading requirements. The development of Ashton Moss continues apace with a large retail and business park sprouting up a few hundred yards away.

 

A significant number of groundhoppers saw an entertaining game with Curzon winning 4-1 and displaying some clinical finishing at times. But the visitors, smarting from an 8-0 home defeat three days earlier, contributed fully towards a game that always held the interest.  The playing pitch was flat and well grassed with occasional bare patches and the club clearly has a facility that will be the envy of many of their neighbours.

 

To complete the evening Curzon Ashton's informative 60-page programme is one of the best around the circuit and a bargain at Ã�£1.20 while the tea bar sold hot drinks, pie and peas and a range of delicious pasties. A visit to the Tameside Stadium comes highly recommended.  Match rating 4*

 

06/09/05 TT No.39: Barry Neighbour - Shrewsbury Town (FC2); Heath Hayes (WMLP) and Burntwood (MCFL2)

 

With all the fixtures being rearranged due to the Internationals I took the opportunity to visit a ground which is due to close soon.

Friday 2nd September 2005
Shrewsbury Town 2 Oxford United 0; Att : 4073; Coca Cola League 2;  Rating: 4*
Admission: �£13 (Terrace); Programme: 64 pages, �£2.50.

 

I attended the game with my wife (staying overnight at The Shrewsbury Hotel which is a Wetherspoons Lodge). This was a short walk through the town centre to Gay Meadow. The ground has a stand along the full length of the pitch but the other three sides are terracing of which two are covered. The game was very entertaining with Shrewsbury taking a 10th minute lead from the penalty spot. Oxford hit back creating a number of chances but were caught out again after 20 minutes as Shrewsbury doubled their advantage with a crisp volley which gave the Oxford keeper no chance. United, prompted by former Brentford player Chris Hargreaves in midfield and the lively Chris Hackett up front, kept Shrewsbury on their toes as both sides created chances. With no further goals it was the home side that took the spoils.

 

GROUND NEWS: Shrewsbury have planning permission for a new stadium. However the firm who were to build the ground have been taken over and the new firm are debating whether to go ahead (despite running the risk of severe penalty clauses if they fail to do so). Hopefully this will soon be sorted and Shrewsbury are still looking at being in their new ground by next season.


Saturday 3rd September 2005
Heath Hayes 1 Dudley Town 3; Att: about 30; West Midlands Regional League Premier Division
Programme: Issued (no further details); Match Rating: 3*

 

Although I arrived at Heath Hayes thirty minutes before kick-off, the road leading up to the ground was closed. The suggested diversion route (which involved a lengthy wait at some traffic lights) added to my frustration. As a last resort  I decided to ignore the 'Road Closed' signs. Luckily I managed to reach the main entrance to the club just before the roadworks. Unfortunately all the programmes had sold out by now. The ground had three small stands and a dressing room pavillion down one side but the other three were open around a railed off pitch. The game was quite entertaining with Dudley running out comfortable and deserved winners. After this it was a short trip to Burntwood.

 

Burntwood 2 Archdales`73 4; Att: 16 (Counted); Midland Combination League Division 2; Match Rating: 3*
No Programme Issued or Admission taken.

 

All the directions (on the map) seem to indicate that the ground in Rugeley Road is in the centre of Burntwood. However the Burntwood Shopping Centre is about a mile away from the club. Continue and make a turning next to the White Swan Pub where the ground is on the left hand side. It is pretty basic; the pitch is roped off and there is some covered seating half way down one side. This was another good gane to watch with Archdales coming from behind to win 4-2 and take the points. The people running the club were very friendly and it is worth a visit especially if they start issuing programmes again.

 

04/09/05 TT No.38: Barry Neighbour - Recent August Travels 

 

On the way back from the Welsh Hop we took in the first game of the Hellenic Hop:

 

Sunday 28th August 2005; Trowbridge Town 7 Tythrington Rocks 2  Att: 369
GLS Hellenic League Division 1 West;  Rating: 5*; Admission: Ã�£2.50; Programme: 40 Pages, Ã�£1
This game was between last season's 2nd and 4th place teams and promised to be a cracker - and so it turned out. Despite the scoreline Tythrington played well but were simply blown apart from the home side's clinical finishing. Having seen a nine-goal thriller in the last game of the Welsh Hop we never expected to see another nine goals here. This incidently is the biggest win of the season I have seen to date. Despite a railed-off pitch and cover on one side Trowbridge plan to move grounds soon so it is advisable to get there as soon as possible. Having dropped the boy off at the Reading Festival on the way back from Trowbridge he was back in time for the following days footy treats.

 

Monday 29th August 2005; Chinnor 3 Oxford Quarry Nomads 0  Att: 306
GLS Hellenic League Division 1 East  Rating: 3*; Admission Ã�£3 (including 24 page programme)
A bumper gate for the small Oxfordshire outfit who play on a roped-off pitch. The clubhouse had real ale on sale which went down well with the 'hoppers. As for the game itself the 3-0 scoreline was a fair reflection on play against the re-named Oxford Quarry Nomads. After this it was a trip down the M40/M4 to see Brentford draw 1-1 with Gillingham.
 

Wednesday 31st August 2005; Keynsham Town 1 Hallen 1  Att: 54
Toolstation League Premier Division  Rating: 3*; Programme: Issued (no details available)
After the goal glut at the weekend I thought fate had caught up with me at Keynsham. Due to missed chances by both sides this game seemed to be heading for a goaless draw. Keynsham scored against the run of play three minutes before the end, only for Hallen to hit back immediately through a penalty. Hallen even had time to get a player booked for diving as they tried to win another spot-kick right at the end of the game.

 

04/09/05 TT No.37: Mike Latham - Evesham (Southern League)

 

Sat 3 Sep 2005, Southern League Premier Division;  Evesham Town 2-0 Aylesbury United (att - 193)

 

Common Road, Evesham is another ground playing out its final days before the Evesham club move to a proposed new ground.  There is talk the club could even vacate the site by Jan 2006 and then ground-share at Worcester City.

 

Far from the easiest ground to find, Common Road is reached by turning up the side of Barclays Bank in the town centre and then following a circuitous route than ends in Common Road, turning right into the ground before a railway bridge.

 

There was plenty of parking and the officials on the gate were very welcoming.  An excellent 44-page programme sold for a bargain Ã�£1.20 and had plenty of reading material.

 

There is a club house, tea bar and club shop behind the goal at the entrance to the ground and a small cover at this end.  The only other cover is provided in the small main stand, which Evesham brought with them from their former ground at Crown Meadow in 1968, with the rest of the ground open standing.  A large embankment runs up the railway line that lies behind the far side, opposite the main stand, but this is out of bounds.

 

On a hot and sunny afternoon Common Road was a pleasant place to watch football but the quality of the game failed to match the surroundings.  Evesham won with two goals from their striker Richard Ball, whose second goal was a memorable first-time screamer that flew into the net past the stranded visiting goalkeeper.

 

If you have not visited Common Road the advice is to do so while you can, especially if the weather is set fair.

Match rating: *

04/09/05 TT No.36: Mike Latham - Redditch Utd (NCN)

Sat 3 Sep 2005, Conference North; Redditch United 1-2 Hednesford Town (att - 381)

Anyone going to Redditch for the first time by car is advised to allow at least an extra half-hour for their journey as the town has an unbelievable one-way system.  One wrong turn and you can drive miles trying to get back to where you were.  Exit 7 off the ring road takes you eventually to the Valley Ground of Redditch United FC, but one wrong and you are back on that infernal ring road.

 

The ground is approached up a small track off the Bromsgrove Road out of the town, about 400 yards or so down the road from the station.  There is plentiful parking and the locals were friendly.

 

On a beautiful summer's day the noon kick-off attracted a crowd of less than 400, about half of whom had come from Hednesford. 

 

The main stand is highly unusual with a large glazed viewing area on a level above the seats.  Set back from the pitch, with the dug-outs either side, admission here was an extra 50p.  The stand also incorporates the dressing rooms and social facilities.  Alongside was a tea bar manned by friendly staff and a club shop.

 

On the opposite side of the ground is a covered terrace and there is also a small cover behind the terrace at the car-park end.  Behind the far goal was a temporary stand the like of which is used for open golf tournaments.  With its vast oval shape the ground is impressive and there is a large amount of space for the club to develop their facilities further. Despite being just out of the town centre there are some pleasing rural views.

 

After falling behind Hednesford fought back and won the game with a well-taken goal by substitute McMahon just before the hour-mark.  The game died a death in the last half-hour with the heat taking its toll on the players but the visit was an enjoyable one.  An unremarkable 28-page programme sold for Ã�£1.60.  Surprisingly this did not include the usual page of club officials and contact numbers etc.  Like many these days it listed a squad of players from both teams with no numbers meaning that if the spectator lacks shorthand skills and A1 hearing it is impossible to find out who is playing from the tannoy.  Some clubs get round this by posting a notice of both line-ups near the club house entrance for the convenience of spectators but Redditch did not appear to do this.

 

Match rating : ** 

04/09/05 TT No.35: Paul Roth - Coalville Town (MFA)

Coalville Town v Westfields Sat 3rd Sept, Midland Football Alliance; Res:1-0.Entry Ã�£5 Programme Ã�£1.

Like the majority of 'hoppers I was determined to get two games "in" on Saturday as England ground out victory in Wales. An early start, too early in fact, as I was two hours premature arriving in Hinckley for their noon kick off against Northwich Vics. Our wonderful web-host has covered the new Marston stadium in depth before so I wont linger here, suffice to say that although the stadium is quite splendid it is a bit soulless - a testament to what mankind can do with concrete and breeze blocks! The game however was tremendous with the "Vics" winning 3-1. This is a really good footballing team,and Iam sure will entertain wherever they play.

Fifteen miles up the A447 found me in Owen Street, the home of Coallville Town. What a lovely contrast; a place with charm, oozing with character. In fact driving down Owen Street you don't see the ground at all, until you turn left into a narrow dirt track and the ground lies ahead.

After parking, I paid the Ã�£5 entry fee and bought the newsy programme - Ã�£1. This is actually a pretty informative read and good value. The clubhouse lies on the right of the ground and is made all the more pleasant at this time of year as it overlooks the cricket ground. The stadium has no less than three covered stands with tip up seating, holding I would guess about fifty people in each. It is backed by a large bank behind the far goal which must be a slag heap from the nearby pit. This helps to give the arena a more closed-in feel. Naturally the club have floodlights. The cheap tea bar is also worthy of note.

Coalville won the match 1-0 and should have scored more. On a hot afternoon the thing that struck me most was that the homesters were by far the fitter of the two teams.

Rightly so, the club are still basking in the glory that brought them so much media attention after last year's F.A. Cup run and I will eagerly be looking for their result when they play at Ilkeston Town next week in the 1st qualifying round.

03/09/05 TT No.34: Michael Greaves - Ellesmere Rangers (WML1)

On August 20th I saw Ellesmere Rangers beat Riverway 1-0 in West Midlands League Division 1. Admission �£2 excellent programme 50p. The Beech Grove playing fields are difficult to find being tucked away down a narrow entrance off Beech Drive.

Once there you find 3 pitches with the main one railed off with no cover. The club are in the process of erecting floodlights expecting them to be ready in October. There is no clubhouse but there is a refreshment room. A friendly club who I expect to see progress in the next few seasons. Ellesmere is a lovely town with plenty of old fashioned shops and the mere is worth a visit. There is a bus service from Shrewsbury about every one and a half hours. Journey time 40 minutes.

01/09/05 TT No.33: Mike Latham - Padiham (NWCL)

 

Wed 31 Aug 2005, NWCLD2 Padiham 4-1 Ashton Town (att- 72)

 

There are those football grounds that you are glad to get away from as quickly as possible, a 'tick' in the book safely achieved and a vow never to return.

 

And there are those whose ambience hits you as soon as you walk inside making return visits all the more pleasurable to anticipate.

 

The Arbories Memorial Sports Ground at Padiham definitely falls into the latter category.  Immaculately maintained and located high above the East Lancashire town, next door to an idyllic-looking cricket ground, the North West Counties League venue is a jewel- an immaculate pitch, welcoming clubhouse and tea bar (where you can reserve a pie for after the game), excellent floodlights and several excellent vantage points, it is a small and modest venue but one to savour.

 

Though the crowd was small the pride and passion of the knowledgeable locals was very evident and the club officials were friendly and welcoming to an unfamiliar face.

 

Padiham play very good football, too- after falling behind they drew level by half-time and then dominated the second half; their one-touch attacking football was a joy to behold.

 

An informative 48-page programme sold for only Ã�£1 and with admission only Ã�£3 for adults it made for superb value for money and a great way to spend a Wednesday evening.  Only a few minutes' drive from J8 of the M65 the ground is easy to find and the search is made rewarding as soon as you go through the turnstile.

 

A visit comes highly recommended. FGIF Match Rating 4*

 

01/09/05 TT No.32: Peter Abbott - Huntingdon Town (UCL)

 

Last night's visit to Alconbury (Pet & District Lge) proved an interesting new experience and underlined the importance in having a fall-back game.

Very hot, tidy set-up, plenty of players kicking-in early for 6-15 start, early sight of team line-ups, then asked who the ref was, no problem getting a name, but it then dawned on the home secretary that he hadn't actually seen the ref!  

With alarm bells now ringing, telephone calls to the league gleaned the fact that the ref sec had been unable to get hold of the appointed official and believed him to be on holiday, but it slipped his mind to re-appoint another! 2 local refs were called but to no avail and about 6-45 (now running out of time to complete the game) a "friendly" game kicked-off apparently each half (duration unsure) to be "reffed" by each manager !  

At this point I headed to the back-up at Huntingdon Town who won 2-0 in a tight game (v Burton PW), but failed to issue despite promises to other hoppers present! Less of a tidy set up here, large car park, but only a string of portacabins quite a way behind the goal, one of which was the tea bar but had no hot food, and a smallish length of cover on the far side, not really needed despite the threat of thunderstorms.

Having double-checked the Pet & District League website (excellent) this morning, all other games were played and with hindsight I could have headed for last years champions Whittlesey. Good start to a new league, eh!

 

End