Saturday 7th May 2011

Stone Old Alleynians 1 Sporting Khalsa 1
West Midlands (Regional) League Division 1
At: Motiva Park (groundshare at Stone Dominoes FC)
Kick-off: 3-00 pm
Admission: none; Programme: £1 (24 pages)
Attendance: 29 (headcount)
Weather: cloudy, dry
Duration: first-half: 45:50; second-half: 49:48

Familiar venue (fifth visit), familiar colours (black and white stripes), but unfamiliar home side. Shame on me not for not having seen Stone Old Alleynians play either home or away until today, considering I made just a short 13.3 mile trip from home to ground. I found such a welcoming club with the added bonus of a decent programme. Both sides had something to play for – visitors Sporting Khalsa needed to avoid defeat to secure third position which may be high enough for promotion to the Premier Division. Stone’s aim was to win and move up to fifth position, After Stone had created several chances, it was Khalsa who took a 20th minute lead through Satnam Sangha. The home side, who included former Stoke City and Stafford Rangers midfielder Jamie Cartwright and ex-Stafford youth player Darryll Johns, equalised in the 70th minute when Steven Millington fired home at close range. Stone finish the season in sixth position, the highest they have achieved in the pyramid during their 49 year history while Sporting Khalsa have to wait to see if third is high enough for promotion.

Goals:
0-1 Satnam Sangha (20)
1-1 Steven Millington (70)

Monday 2nd May 2011

Church Warsop 1 Pinxton 0
Abacus Lighting Central Midlands League Buckingham Insurance Supreme Division
At: The Alley, Wood Lane
Kick-off: 2-00 pm
Admission: £3; Programme: none
Attendance: 40 (headcount)
Weather: Sunny, strong cold win
Duration: first-half: 47:20; second-half: 47:32

I arrived at The Alley around 20 minutes before kick-off to be greeted by Rob Hornby who told me that kick-off had been put back an hour to 2 pm and gave me some tips on the best places to park. This gave me time to visit the nearby old ground of Welbeck Welfare (which may be used again next season) and Warsop’s St Peter and St Paul Church. Laurence Reade, Lee West and Chris Berezai amongst other travellers duly arrived with Laurence heading for Ollerton before a planned return for Welbeck’s 5 pm kick-off at The Alley. As for the game itself, the strong blustery wind wasn’t conducive for entertaining football and neither side had anything to play for with Pinxton guaranteed third position. Plenty of chances were created and Church Warsop’s winner came from a 73rd minute penalty. Jamie Renshaw was penalised for handling Adrian Smith’s cross and Craig Cantrell fired home from the spot. At full time I made my way to the Summit Centre to catch the last 13 minutes of Kirkby Town v Dronfield Town, which finished 3-1 to Kirkby. All four goals had been scored by the time I’d arrived and it was good to spend some time in the company of Malcolm Storer (a pleasure to give an APTCOO donation), Kev Goodman, Eddie Fogden and ‘FredKirkbyTown’.

Church Warsop (navy blue / navy blue / navy blue): 1. Craig Tansley, 2. Adrian Smith, 3. Liam Middleton, 4. Craig Charlesworth, 5. Brett Crew, 6. Robert Camm, 7. Sam Ward, 8. Craig Cantrell, 9. Lee Eason (capt), 10. Liam Marsden, 11. Jordan Claxton. Subs: 14. Luke Cower (for Crew, 71), 15. Alex Marsh (not used), 19. Richard Preston (not used).

Pinxton (white shirts with black sleeves / black / black): 1. Dave McCarthy, 2. Josh Parker, 3. Ryan Kerlin, 4. Joe Riley, 5. Jamie Renshaw, 6. Liam Collins, 7. Frazer Thomas (capt), 8. Sam Hutsby, 9. Blake Vincent, 10. Martin Jones, 11. Martin Newman. Subs: 14. Jay Cooper (for Newman, 48), 15. Lewis Fantom (for Hutsby, 55), 17. Rory Davis (for Kerlin, 79).

Referee: Stephen Hall.
Assistants: Gareth Carlile and Martin Jones.

Goals:
1-0 Craig Cantrell (73 pen)

Saturday 30th April 2011

Stalybridge Celtic 3 Stafford Rangers 2
Blue Square Bet North
At: Blower Fold
Attendance: 583

Stafford Rangers failed in the bid to avoid relegation to the third tier of non-league football, going down 3-2 to an impressive young Stalybridge Celtic side who played some delightful passing football on a decent playing surface. For the first 70 minutes, Rangers looked like dropping to the Evo-Stik League with barely a whimper as goals from Connor Jennings (13th minute) and Arthur Gnahoua (58th minute) looked like being part of a substantial win for the home side. Up to that point the only decent Stafford effort was a Luke Keen shot that rebounded off the bar. But, in the Blue Square Bet North’s ‘Old Firm’ game, Rangers halved Celtic’s lead with an Andre Francis header (63rd minute) and suddenly decided to go on the attack. Gaps at the back allowed Joel Bembo-Leta to restore Celtic’s two goal lead in the 74th minute, only for Marco Adaggio (or possibly a Jan Budtz own goal) to quickly reply for Rangers. Stafford pressed hard and Danny Edwards headed inches over the bar while Celtic should have scored again during an exciting finale. Deep into stoppage time Jermaine Johnson was sent off for a professional foul. In the end, it wouldn’t have matters if Stafford had won as Hyde triumphed 2-1 at Corby to leave Stafford four points from safety in the final league table. Even though I wasn’t a member of the press today, I particularly enjoyed rolling back the years by sitting in the press box and enjoying the company of Gary Hazlehurst.

Friday 29th April 2011

Wakefield 0 Curzon Ashton 1
Evo-Stik League Division 1 North
At: College Grove, Eastmoor Road
Attendance: 208

After enjoying the build-up to the Royal Wedding and the first half hour of the marriage service (hearing the next 90 or so minures on the radio), I headed north for Wakefield’s final league game at College Grove before groundsharing at Ossett Town next season. Just like Lutterworth on Monday, the home side was unable to mark the occasion with a victory as Curzon Ashton won with a single goal scored in the 40th minute by Daniel Broadbent. Curzon’s season isn’t over as they visit Chorley on Monday in a one-legged play-off semi-final as they continue their bid to reach the Premier Division and possibly face Stafford Rangers next season. Unlike Lutterworth, there was no celebratory atmosphere at College Grove due to the circumstances of Wakefield’s departure. There were a large number of travellers at the game and it was good to chat with Facebook friend Callum Smith at half-time. At full-time I headed along the M62 to Marsden for what I hoped was a 6-15 kick-off against Kirkburton. However, there were just two cars in the car park, one driven by Dave Johnson from Leatherhead who told me the game had been played earlier at lunchtime!

Monday 25th April 2011

Lutterworth Athletic 0 Aylestone Park 1
Everards Brewery Leicestershire Senior League Premier Division
At Steve Rendall Park, Dunley Way
Kick-off: 3-00 pm
Admission: none; Programme: £1 (pages)
Weather: warm and sunny
Attendance 120 (headcount)
Duration: first-half: 46:05; second-half: 47:24

Lutterworth Athletic’ s badge shows ‘EST 1993’ and for the past 18 years they have been based at Dunley Way. Today, however, the ground hosted the final home league game before the club moves about a mile or so north to the Lutterworth Soccer Centre on Hall Lane. From the start of next season, the first team will play on the grass pitch currently used by Lutterworth Town. I was first aware of the club’s impending move from Dunley Way to Hall Lane a few weeks ago when reading Laurence Reade’s review of his visit to the ground on Facebook. And thanks to a message in the ‘Where are you going’ section of Tony’s Non-League Forum, which read ‘Lutterworth Athletic - Aylestone Park 3.00pm Last league game to be played at Dunley Way Admission £2 Programme £1’, I decided to make one of those ‘now or never’ trips along the A5 to the Leicestershire town. I’d actually been to Dunley Way once before, back in January 2009, more in hope than expectation that the game that day had survived a big freeze. The game was off and I headed instead to the Walkers Stadium.

The ground, known as the Steve Rendell Park and named in honour of one of three founders of the club who passed away late last year, was a pleasant and buzzing place. No covered standing or seats, though the trees down the west side of the ground provided shade for those, like myself, who wanted to avoid the strong sun. The ground was three-sided with no spectator access behind the south goal, hardstanding around the other three sides. The floodlights had been removed though some of the bases still remain. Close to the entrance was the club building which housed a bar, tea bar and changing rooms with patio in front.

For Lutterworth (4th place with 54 points from 29 games), the final home game was also their final league game of the season. Mathematically they still could finish third though in reality they needed to finish off with a win to hold on to fourth spot, not quite enough to earn the promotion spot which should go to third-placed Blaby and Whetstone. Visitors Aylestone Park (43 points from 28 games) occupied ninth position knowing that two wins from their last two games would seem then finish one place higher in the Premier Division table.

A bumper crowd enjoyed the warm April sunshine with several travellers in attendance (from Northampton, Kent and East Anglia, amongst others). The home side got the action underway a couple of minutes before 3 pm by my watch, defending the changing rooms end in the first half. To be honest the first 42 minutes were largely uneventful in terms of scoring opportunities though certain players on both sides were starting to test the qualities of the young referee. Aylestone defender Luke Baston picked up a booking for the second of a couple of fouls in quick succession. The tide then turned in favour of Aylestone Park during the minutes leading up to the interval. Nick Colford rattled the bar and Jack Limbert forced Atheltic keeper Sam Green to leap and palm over a rising 22-yard shot.

After the break, the visitors continued to create chances and they scored what proved to be the winner in the 71st minute. A low cross from the right was fired home at the second attempt by Gaz Seal. The elaborate goal celebration in front of their dugout was perhaps fitting for what will be the last first-team league goal scored at the ground. Kieron Neat’s header was blocked on the line by a defender as Aylestone looked to extend their lead while the closest Lutterworth came to an equaliser was an 81st minute header across the face of goal by Alex Heathcott.

Back home, I was surprised to find that, prior to today, I’d only ever watched one previous Leicestershire Senior League game (and that was back in 1989 at Friar Lane Old Boys) and two Tebbutt Brown cup games with an LSL club being the home team (1988 at Stapenhill and 1991 at Anstey Nomads). A few more trips next season to Leicestershire are long overdue.

Goals:
0-1 Gaz Seal (71)

Saturday 23rd April 2011 (6-30 pm)

Aston 2 Northfield Town Reserves 0
imosports Midland Combination Division 3
At: Moor Lane
Attendance 10 (headcount)

I must admit this place wasn’t the most inspiring, being a railed off pitch on part of a much larger and featureless playing field. Home side Aston still have something to play for – second place – and they totally dominated the whole game. Surprisingly they only scored twice, in the 21st minute through Icse Nelson and at the end in second-half stoppage time through Felix Okome. After I sent him a text earlier from Burntwood, Mike Greaves made his way from Pelsall Villa for a second game of the day, and Paul Kingston was one of two other travellers also at the match.

Saturday 23rd April 2011 (3-00 pm)

Burntwood Town 1 Phoenix United 1
imosports Midland Combination Division 1
At: Long Lane, Essington
Kick-off: 3-00 pm
Admission: none; Programme: none
Weather: warm and sunny, short heavy rain
Attendance 7 (headcount)
Duration: first-half: 46:02; second-half: 45:39

I needed an afternoon game close to Aston (6-30 kick-off) and a ground with the guarantee of covered seating or standing with heavy rain forecast. So, with some kind of curiosity after their 22-0 midweek defeat, I opted for a revisit to Long Lane currently used by Burntwood Town where I’d previously seen Wyrley Rangers play Stafford Town in 2005. Back in October, prior to my visit to New Bradwell St Peter, I wondered how a side (visitors Sport London e Benfica) would react to a 16-0 defeat in their previous game. This afternoon was a similar occasion. How would Burntwood react? Well they took the lead through Andrew Highman in the 25th minute and held on despite considerable pressure from Phoenix. Would they win their first league game of the season? It seemed likely when Lewis Moseley produced a superb save late on to keep his side in front but the Burntwood keeper turned from hero to villain in the 90th minute by needlessly conceding a penalty. Steffan Morrison fired home from the spot to level things up with virtually the last kick of the game to leave Burntwood gutted and still searching for that elusive first league win on the season. And rain did fall heavily midway through the first half so the roof over the 100-seater stand came in useful!

Goals:
1-0 Andrew Highman (11)
1-1 Steffan Morrison (90 pen)

Friday 22nd April 2011

Roman Glass St George 4 Almondsbury UWE 1
Toolstation League Division 1
At: Roman Glass Sports Club, Whiteway Road, Bristol
Attendance: 72

With Roman Glass St George moving to the Gloucestershire FA ground at Almondsbury next season, I was good to finally watch a game at their current ground on Whiteway Road. The ground may boast a covered terrace though has no lights and minimal hard standing which may explain the decision to move. The pitch is part of a larger playing field and unusually the cricket square was behind one goal rather than adjacent to a touchline. Several travelled had the same idea as me to watch the third last home game, including Facebook friend Stephen Jackson and Nigel Pond. On a warm sunny day, few chances were created during the first half though one of them was headed home by Paul Coles just after the half-hour mark to give Roman Glass the lead. We all headed for the clubhouse at half-time and it was nice to sit down and chat with the other travellers over a hot drink. A mix-up in the Almondsbury defence two minutes after the restart allowed Mikey Gooding to double his side’s advantage. It got even worse for the visitors when Nathan Churchill fired home the third Roman Glass goal and Simon Mansfield the fourth goal in the space of 118 seconds just before the hour mark. The home side looked to be heading for a clean sheet until they conceded a penalty in stoppage time which Simon McElroy duly converted. RGSG came across as a friendly club and I appreciated the help of Secretary Emily Baldwin and the PA announcer for providing the teamsheets.

Wednesday 20th April 2011

Stafford Rangers Reserves 3 Worcester City Reserves 0
Central Conference Cup Semi Final
At: Marston Road
Kick-off: 7-45 pm
Admission: £3 including free teamsheet
Attendance: 19
Weather: mild, dry
Duration: first-half: 45:00; second-half: 45:46

Back to Marston Road less than 24 hours after I left the ground yesterday and this time around there was, at last, some good news for Stafford Rangers! The Reserves, admittedly with just two players who had played for the first team this season, produced a decent performance to defeat Worcester City Reserves and reach the Central Conference Cup Final. Callum Smith opened the scoring in the 10th minute and Adam McMahon doubled the lead in the 38th minute. McMahon scored again in the 82nd minute to put the outcome beyond doubt. The official attendance of 19 (headcount was 29) was the lowest I’ve been part of at Marston Road in any competition. The other Central Conference Cup semi final, between Ilkeston and FCV Reds, will be played next Thursday with the final on Wednesday 4th May.

Tuesday 19th April 2011

Stafford Rangers 0 Eastwood Town 2
Blue Square Bet North
At: Marston Road
Kick-off: 7-45 pm
Admission: £11; Programme: £2
Attendance: 338
Weather: mild, dry
Duration: first-half: 46:00; second-half: 49:06

The last home league game at Marston Road this season and another defeat. And, it looks like Stafford Rangers will need to win both of their two remaining games to have any chance of avoiding relegation, and hope that Hyde fail to win any of their last three games. Boro’ remain two points from safety with an inferior goal difference after another tame performance allowed Eastwood to ease to a 2-0 victory. With a starting line-up showing five changes from Saturday, they started brightly playing with passion fight and spirit though that all changed when the visitors took the lead in the 15th minute with a Jermaine Johnson own goal. Up to half-time, Eastwood could have scored again as defender David Haggerty twice headed against the bar and man-of-the-match Lee Evans produced a couple of good saves. Rangers’ best effort all game was a well-struck left foot shot from Marco Addagio on the half-hour which was tipped over by John Danby. In the second half, Ben Mills twice went close to scoring an equaliser and Eastwood wrapped up the win with a spectacular strike in the second minute of stoppage time from substitute Peter Knox.

Monday 18th April 2011

Lea Hall 5 Hawkins Sports 0
Staffordshire County Senior League Division 2
At: Lea Hall Miners Welfare Centre, Sandy Lane, Rugeley
Kick-off: scheduled 6-30 pm, actual 6-55 pm
Admission: none; Programme: none
Attendance: 15 (headcount)
Weather: cloudy, dry
Duration: first-half: 41:44; second-half: 39:18

The game got underway 25 minutes after the scheduled kick-off time due to the late arrival of the visitors. While the home side had eleven players plus five named substitutes, Hawkins began with ten men and conceded an early goal. The visitors were reduced to nine men after 11 minutes when their goalkeeper was forced off through injury and conceded a second goal from Frankie Wynn in the 17th minute. A substantial victory looked on the cards for Lea Hall before the arrival eight minutes later of Martin Garbitt took their numbers back up to ten. After the break, Hawkins produced a spirited fightback without finding the net and kept Lea Hall on their toes. Three more goals from the home side, including a brace from substitute Stuart Tupper, made the scoreline sound more of a convincing victory than it actually was. The evening didn’t show this league anywhere near its best though I did get the impression that Lea Hall are keen to progress to a higher level. Over the next few years, finance permitting, they could become a real gem. Saying that, it was good to watch the game in the company of Dave ‘Veteran’ Woodings and a traveller from Crewe who recalled he’d previously met me at Brocton last season.

Saturday 16th April 2011 (3-00 pm)

Stafford Rangers 1 Droylsden 5
Blue Square Bet North
At: Marston Road
Kick-off: 3-00 pm
Admission: £13 seat; Programme: £2 (40 pages)
Mileage: 4.1 miles (just to ground)
Attendance: 405
Weather: sunny spells
Duration: first-half: 48:29; second-half: 48:08

Ciaran Kilheeney scored four goals as Droylsden inflicted a moral-sapping thrashing on Stafford Rangers who now face a near impossible task to avoid relegation. The visiting captain and striker netted twice in each half (9th, 44th, 46th and 55th) before Domaine Rouse made it 5-0 in the 69th minute. Substitute Luke Keen pulled a goal back two minutes later but Stafford rarely looked like scoring despite enjoying a lot of possession. Stafford now trail Hyde by two points with three games left after the Tameside club drew 2-2 at Boston United. Can Matt Elliott lift his side for the visit of Eastwood Town on Tuesday?

Goals
0-1 Ciaran Kilheeney (9)
0-2 Ciaran Kilheeney (44)
0-3 Ciaran Kilheeney (46)
0-4 Ciaran Kilheeney (55)
0-5 Domaine Rouse (69)
1-5 Luke Keen (71)

Wednesday 13th April 2011

Minehead 1 Langford Rovers 2000 4
Errea Somerset County League Premier Division
At: Ireton Road
Kick-off: 7-45 pm
Admission: £2; Programme: £1
Mileage: 89.5 miles from Cheddar
Attendance: 66
Weather: occasional drizzle, windy
Duration: first-half: 45:14; second-half: 49:58

I hadn’t planned to watch this one and so didn’t print out a map – fortunately the ground wasn’t too difficult to find. Previously one of the top non-league sides in the country during the mid-1970s, Minehead now find themselves a mid-table side in the Somerset County League Premier Division. The main feature of the ground is the large stand which, according to an article in the programme by the Chairman, has been saved from demolition. Last Wednesday, Minehead lost heavily at home and tonight turned in another poor performance as they went down 4-1. Langford scored twice in the first half in the 17th and 29th minutes and put the outcome well and truly beyond doubt with two more goals after the break scored in the 49th and 84th minutes. Minehead pulled a goal back in stoppage time. I took advantage of an elevated view to watch the majority of the game from the stand – position 47 on the second row of the wonderful old stand, still with a nameplace attached ‘NO. 47 A.POUNDER’, no doubt a season-ticket holder from a bygone age.

Goals:
0-1 Ashley Towler (17)
0-2 Ryan Havard (29)
0-3 Ryan Havard (48)
0-4 Ross Needs (84)
1-4 Luke Bloys (90+3)

Tuesday 12th April 2011

Cleeve West Town 0 Burnham United 5
Errea Somerset County League Division 1
At: King George V Playing Fields, Meeting House Lane, Cleeve
Kick-off: 6-30 pm
Admission: none; Programme: none
Mileage: 20.6 miles
Attendance: 14 (headcount)
Weather: sunny and windy
Duration: first-half: 46:57; second-half: 45:20

Cleeve West Town play in the village of Cleeve on A370, south-west of Bristol, and just a half-hour drive from our holiday base at Cheddar. The pitch is part of a larger recreation ground, railed off down one side and roped off on the other three sides nearest the cricket square. Burnham went into the game in 12th position, two points behind 9th placed Cleeve with three games in hand, and produced a dominant performance to record a 5-0 away victory. They led 3-0 at the break (the giant ‘Peter Crouch like’ Steve Neilson headed home the second goal) and even could afford to have a penalty saved just before half-time. Cleeve rarely looked like scoring in the second half and Burnham went on to add two more goals, both scored by substitutes. Interestingly, the home side were formed about 1965 when Backwell’s third team decided to form their own club under the name of ‘West Town’ and added the prefix ‘Cleeve’ when they moved to the King George V Playing Fields.

Goals:
0-1 Steve Leaf (18)
0-2 Steve Neilson (35)
0-3 Warren Whitfield (39)
0-4 James Vickery (58)
0-5 William Peake (83)

Monday 11th April 2011

Rugeley Rangers 4 Lea Hall 4
Staffordshire County Senior League Division 2
At: Ravenhill Park (Brereton Town FC)
Kick-off: 6-30 pm
Admission: none; Programme: none
Mileage: 16.9 miles
Attendance: 72 (headcount)
Weather: sunny, cold wind
Duration: first-half: 45:00; second-half: 45:50

Since my trip to Penkridge Town earlier in the month, the grounds of Rugeley Rangers (8.2 miles) and Lea Hall (7.8 miles) have moved to the top of my list of nearest unvisited ground. Both met this evening in a Rugeley derby at Brereton Town’s ground, which Rangers use, and they ended up sharing eight goals, including two own goals. Rangers twice took the lead in the first half only to be pegged back on both occasions. The visitors edged ahead early in the second half but Rugeley hit back with goals in the 61st and 80th minutes. I felt a Lea Hall equaliser was likely and it came in the 84th minute with the best goal of the game – Sam Chandler crossed low from the right and unchallenged Paul Dutton hammered the ball home at close range. The game was played in a good spirit, entertaining and excellently refereed. Both linespersons were female which I think is a first for me. An enjoyable evening spent in the company of Laurence and Lee.

Goals
1-0 Dean Watkiss (7)
1-1 Neil Hill (17 og)
2-1 Dean Watkiss (25)
2-2 John Rob Dutton (33)
2-3 Paul Dutton (56)
3-3 Pete Gladwin (61)
4-3 Chris Faulkner (80 og)
4-4 Paul Dutton (84)

Saturday 9th April 2011

Mahal 0 Team Dudley 3
West Midlands (Regional) League Division 2
At: Hadley Stadium, Bearwood, Birmingham
Kick-off: 3-00 pm
Admission: none; Programme: none
Mileage:54.4 miles
Attendance: 8 (headcount)
Weather: warm and sunny
Duration: first-half: 46:00; second-half: 49:44

Though there were other games with more appeal, I felt I had to finally make a visit to the Hadley Stadium in Bearwood, a few miles north-west of Birmingham City Centre, especially as Mahal were hosting their last home game of the season. Over the years several clubs have been based at this athletics venue which boasts 689 seats and floodlights. Craig Edwards put Team Dudley ahead in the 32nd minute during a first-half in which the visitors created the better chances. Mahal improved after the break and gained a lifeline in the 83rd minute when keeper Sandip Bains kept out Steve Bradley’s penalty. However, Ryan Spittle scored twice in stoppage time to give Team Dudley what sounds like a comfortable victory.

Goals:
0-1 Craig Edwards (32)
0-2 Ryan Spittle (90+3)
0-3 Ryan Spittle (90+5)

Wednesday 6th April 2011

Stafford Rangers Reserves 1 Bromsgrove Sporting Reserves 2
Central Conference League Cup Quarter Final First Leg
At: Marston Road
Kick-off: 7-45 pm
Admission: £3; Programme: free teamsheet
Mileage: 0 miles (walked the 8 miles round trip)
Attendance: 27
Weather: sunny spells, mild and dry
Duration: first-half: 45:32; second-half: 47:36

This was the first Reserve team game of the season as this cup competition has changed from round-robin to knockout format due to the severe weather and fixture congestion. Rangers boss Andy Bates named a few first-team squad players and drafted in others from Stafford Town and Stone Old Alleynians including Dave Woodvine and Paul McMahon. Sporting fielded their first team and took lead on the quarter hour mark through Shaun May. Adam McMahon converted a chance created by his brother Paul to level things up in the 38th minute. Joe Brookes regained the lead for Sporting from the penalty spot in the 53rd minute and they held on despite Woodvine heading against the bar. I picked up a copy of last Saturday’s first-team programme and learned the sad news of the death of former Secretary Peter Wall at the age of 67. Rest in peace, Peter.

Stafford Rangers Reserves (yellow/black/black): 1. Tom Turner, 2. Joe Rogers, 3. Craig Reid, 4. Callum Wright, 5. Grant Goodhead, 6. Dave Woodvine (capt), 7. Craig Holland, 8. James Marsden, 9. Adam McMahon, 10. Paul McMahon, 11. Zac Dellicompagni. Subs: 12. Mike Weston (for Dellicompagni, 53), 14. Tom Holroyd (not used), 15. Andy Kirkbride (for Adam McMahon, 60).

Bromsgrove Sporting Reserves (red and white stripes / blue / blue): 1. James Stewart, 2. Danny Lismore, 3. Stewart Brighton, 4. Neil Cooksey, 5. Richard Griffiths (capt), 6. Joe Brookes, 7. Dan Wilkes, 8. James McKeon, 9. Odane Barnes, 10. Sean May, 11. Richie Robinson. Subs: 12. Nick Allen (for Brighton, 64), 14. Chris Bright (for May, 69).

Referee: Terry Holbrook.

Goals:
0-1 Sean May (15)
1-1 Adam McMahon (38)
1-2 Joe Brookes (53 pen)

Saturday 2nd April 2011

Penkridge Town 2 Wrens Nest 5
West Midlands (Regional) League Division 2
At: Monkton Recreation Centre
Kick-off: 3-00 pm
Admission: none; Programme: none
Mileage: 0 miles (walk, bus train)
Attendance: 10 (headcount)
Weather: warm and sunny
Duration: first-half: 45:28; second-half: 50:51

With no car, I decided to use shanks’ pony, bus and train to visit my nearest unvisited ground (I know it could have run the 5.6 miles, lol). Penkridge’s ground, located on the western side of the village towards Whiston, is simply railed off down the two touchlines with some hardstanding and no cover. I had a good chat with the Wrens Nest Chairman who provided the teamsheets and a copy of one of his club’s regular matchday programmes. During the first half, title-chasing Penkridge twice took the lead and twice Wrens Nest got back on level terms. The visitors then raced into a 4-2 interval lead with goals in the 39th and 44th minutes and added a fifth shortly before the full-time whistle. Penkridge didn’t produce a programme though I picked up a newsletter from earlier in the season.

Goals:
1-0 Alex Dodds (9)
1-1 Stephen Witton (16)
2-1 Alex Dodds (18)
2-2 Le Witton (22)
2-3 Sam Pearson (39)
2-4 Stephen Witton (44)
2-5 Sam Pearson (87)

Friday 1st April 2011

Bala Town 2 Aberystwyth Town 1
Principality Welsh Premier League Play-off Conference
At Maes Tegid
Kick-off: 7-30 pm
Admission: £6; Programme: £1-50 (36 pages)
Mileage: 91.9 miles (89.5 + 2.4 before car broke down)
Attendance: 223
Weather: mild and dry
Duration: first-half: 46:24; second-half: 48:35

I really enjoyed the drive particularly the stretch on the B4391 between Penybonyfawr and Bala itself. Inside the ground I didn’t expect so many Welsh speakers and for the PA man to make announcements first in Welsh and second in English. On the field, Bala took the lead through Mark Connolly in the 32nd minute direct from a 28-yard right foot free-kick that flew into the top-right corner. But the visitors levelled things up just before the interval. Connolly scored direct from another 28-yard free-kick in the 67th minute to restore Bala’s lead which they held until the final whistle. A daylight visit is recommended to take the views of the surrounding area and hills, and the ground has been improved in recent times with a new stand holding seats obtained from Shrewsbury Town’s old Gay Meadow (going by the STFC stickers). On the way home around 3 miles north of Bala on the A494 , the clutch on my car failed and I didn’t get home until 3 am with the help of a recovery truck sent by the AA. Never mind, at least the car did the decent thing and broke down after the match!

Bala Town (black and white stripes / black / black): 1. Terry McCormick, 2. John Irving, 3. Owain Roberts, 4. Danny Williams (capt), 5. Shaun Kelly, 6. Ross Jefferies, 7. Mark Connelly, 8. Mark Jones, 9. Chris Mason, 10. Michael Hayes, 11. Ryan Marriott. Subs: 12. Gethin Edwards (for Mason, 90), 14. Steve Morrison (for Marriott, 85), 15. Mark Powell (not used).

Aberystwyth Town (green/green/white): 1. Steven Cann, 2. Conall Murtagh, 3. Michael Howard, 4. Aneurin Thomas, 5. James McCarten, 6. Anthony Finselbach, 7. Ricky Evans, 8. Bari Morgan (capt), 9. Lewis Codling, 10. Ashley Stott, 11. Adam Pepper. Subs: 12. Craig Williams (not used), 14. Steff Edwards (for Pepper, 69), 15. Cledan Davies (for Evans, 81).

Referee: Matt Bridges.
Assistants: Gareth Jones and J. B. Brookes.
Fourth Official: Mick Pratt.

Goals:
1-0 Mark Connolly (32)
1-1 Ashley Stott (42)
2-1 Mark Connolly (67)

Thursday 31st March 2011

Stone Dominoes 1 Congleton Town 3
Vodkat League Premier Division
At: Motiva Park
Attendance 107

‘Dominoes toppled by Congleton’ could be an appropriate headline after the visitors came from behind to take the points back to south Cheshire. Stone took an early 14th-minute lead through Ryan Connor and held it until the Bears equalised just before the half-hour mark from a Danny Griggs penalty. Twice quickfire goals from Andy Hurst early in the second half (48th and 54th minutes) put Congleton in the driving seat and they perhaps could have won by a greater margin. The Congleton side in the programme included ex-Stafford midfielder Robert Heath but he didn’t feature nor did Kevin Street who has just signed for Stone. This was my fourth visit to the ground and also at the game was Martin? from Middlewich.

Saturday 26th March 2011 (8-00 pm)

South Normanton Athletic 6 FC 05 Bilsthorpe 1
Abacus Lighting Central Midlands League Black Dragon Premier Division
At: Exchem Arena, Lees Lane
Attendance: 223

After dropping Mike off at Chesterfield Station, I didn’t make up my mind to watch the fourth and last game until reaching M1 junction 28, a few miles from the Exchem Arena. In the end it was a pleasure to complete a rare ‘four games in a day’ with a revisit to a ground previously visited back on Easter Monday 1995. Bottom club FC05 played a lot better than a side that had won just five points all season and South Normanton, the leaders and probable Champions, led at the interval by just a solitary goal. The floodgates, however, opened during the second half with Adam Nicholls bagging a hat-trick. Ex-Stafford striker Andy White featured for the home side but didn’t get on the scoresheet. Before heading home, it was nice to have a chat with Hazel and Rob after the game and let us hope there will be another Bonanza to look forward to in 2012.

Saturday 26th March 2011 (5-00 pm)

Parkhouse 5 Sutton Town 0
Abacus Lighting Central Midlands League Buckingham Insurance Supreme Division
At: Holmgate, Clay Cross
Kick-off: 5-00 pm
Admission: hop ticket or £3; Programme: £1 (20 pages); Teamsheet: 30p
Weather: cloudy, dry, cold wind
Attendance: 246
Duration: first-half: 45:55; second-half: 42:52

Parkhouse are based on the western side of Clay Cross, some 40 minutes or 18 miles from Edwinstowe. This match, the third of today’s four Bonanza fixtures, pitted mid-table Parkhouse against third-bottom Sutton and it went true to form with the home side hitting five unanswered goals. With no lights at Parkhouse, the gloom made it impossible to finish a full game so the referee was forced to ‘abandon’ the game in the 88th minute with the result standing.

Saturday 26th March 2011 (1-40 pm)

Thoresby CW 1 AFC Hucknall 1
Abacus Lighting Central Midlands League Black Dragon Premier Division
At: Thoresby Colliery Welfare Sports Ground, Edwinstowe
Kick-off: 1-40 pm
Admission: hop ticket or £3; Programme: £1 (20 pages); Teamsheet: 30p
Weather: cloudy, dry, cold wind
Attendance: 189
Duration: first-half: 47:24; second-half: 48:58

With Mike Greaves expertly navigating, we made the 24 mile journey via Worksop in 45 minutes to the second Bonanza match. Thoresby are based in the heart of Sherwood Forest at Edwinstowe. With a bitingly cold win persisting, the sides shared the points in a game with few clear-cut scoring opportunities. The goals came at either end of the game with Thoresby taking the lead in the 3rd minute and Hucknall grabbed a point with a 90th-minute equaliser.

Saturday 26th March 2011 (10-15 am)

Phoenix FC 0 Kiveton Park 0
Abacus Lighting Central Midlands League Black Dragon Premier Division
At: Phoenix Sports and Social Club, Pavilion Lane, Brinsworth
Kick-off: 10-15 am
Admission: hop ticket or £3; Programme: £1 (24 pages)
Weather: cloudy, dry, cold wind
Attendance: 227
Duration: first-half: 47:39; second-half: 49:29

An early start (out of the house just after 8am) to make sure I got to the outskirts of Rotherham in time for the first leg of today’s four-match Central Midlands League Bonanza, a 10-15am kick-off in the Premier Division at Phoenix FC. The annual event – this year it is the eighth – got underway last night when Kinsley Boys narrowly defeated Harworth CI 1-0 in the Supreme Division. As planned, my travelling companion for the first three games, Mike Greaves, met me at the ground after catching the train from Birmingham and walking from Meadowhall. In a bitterly cold wind, neither side found the net and visitors Kiveton Park finished with ten men after Daniel McPherson was shown a second yellow card.

Phoenix FC (blue and maroon stripes / blue / blue): 1. Matt Herschell-Smith, 2. Liam O’Brien (capt), 3. Carl McNally, 4. Chris Lund, 5. Reece Wesley, 6. Steve Spence, 7. Aaron Cross, 8. Tom Colclough, 9. Liam Colclough, 10. Ryan Moorcroft, 11. Carl Garlick. Subs: 14. Simon Cookson (for Liam Colclough, 42), 15. Lee Dexter (for Sepnce, 74), 16. Andy Garlick (for Tom Colclough, 62).

Kiveton Park (red/red/red): 1. Jonathan Parker, 2. Matthew Preece, 3. Jake Lee, 4. Daniel McPherson, 5. Daniel Harrison, 6. Jamie Taylor (capt), 7. Matthew Thompson, 8. Lee Brooks, 9. Carl Longmore, 10. Robert Gorman, 11. Jordan Cocks. Subs: 12. Shane White (for Cocks, 87), 14. Liam Hopkinson (not used), 15. Tom Perrie (not used).

Referee: Roger Evans (Dronfield)
Assistants: Gareth Moffitt (Retford) and Danielle Miller (Retford)

Goals:
None

Cards:
Phoenix: none
Kiveton Park: Daniel McPherson (YC, 64), Lee Brooks (YC, 66), Daniel McPherson (YC/RC, 74)

Saturday 19th March 2011

Riverway 2 Penkridge Town 3
West Midlands (Regional) League Division 2
At: Beaconside Sports Centre
Kick-off: 2-30 pm
Admission: none; Programme: none
Weather: sunny
Attendance: 10 (headcount)
Duration: first-half: 45:34; second-half: 45:38

On my first visit to the ground, Penkridge captain Steve Thompson scored in the 26th and 59th minute as his side looked to be heading for a comfortable victory in this local derby. Riverway pulled a goal back in the 78th minute through a 25-yard shot from Thomas Duffy that flew into the top-left corner. Penkridge quickly restored their two-goal lead from a deflected Tom Williams free-kick, only for substitute Ben Smith to score again for Riverway and they almost equalised in stoppage time. The last 15 minutes made up for a largely forgettable opening 75 minutes and I enjoyed the company of Bob Powell who had travelled up from London to see the game. After dropping off Bob nearer to the station, I saw the last 23 minutes at Stafford Town. Gornal were leading 1-0 when I arrived and that was the final score.

Goals:
0-1 Steve Thompson (26)
0-2 Steve Thompson (59)
1-2 Thomas Duffy (78)
1-3 Tom Williams (84)
2-3 Ben Smith (85)

Tuesday 15th March 2011

Stafford Town 1 AFC Wulfrunians 2
West Midlands (Regional) League Premier Division
At: Evans Park
Kick-off: 7-45 pm
Admission: £4; Programme: £1 (28 pages)
Mileage: 6.8 miles (via ASDA on the way home)
Weather: mild, dry
Attendance: 60 (headcount)
Duration: first-half: 47:51; second-half: 50:12

League leaders and likely champions AFC Wulfrunians came from behind to deny Town a deserved point with a very late winner. After the visitors had missed a penalty, Town took the lead in stoppage time with the referee restarting the game for just one second before blowing the half-time whistle. AFC Wulfs got back on level terms just after the hour mark and scored their cruel late winner. An enjoyable evening which attracted a host of groundhoppers and Stafford Rangers fans, and I watched the game in the company of Paul Sparrow from Horley in Sussex.

Stafford Town (red/red/red): 1. Matt Cotterill, 2. Matt Dockerty, 3. Oliver Parker, 4. Josh Anderson, 5. Justin Worthington, 6. Jack Lee, 7. Craig Holland, 8. Dave Woodvine (capt), 9. Paul McMahon, 10. Gary Bearesley, 11. Liam McKinney. Subs: 12. Tom Hiatt (for Dockerty, 79), 14. Phil Ellerby (not used), 15. Andrew Heal (not used), 16. Tom Poole (not used).

AFC Wulfrunians (yellow and black halves / black / black): 1. Danny Tipton (capt), 2. Antony Collins, 3. Timothy Jackson, 4. Mark Tipton, 5. Graham Ashton, 6. Joseph Williams, 7. Mensah Kinch, 8. Robin Sheffield, 9. Mark Swann, 10. Antony Cox, 11. Nathaniel Lawson. Subs: 12. Thomas Southern (not used), 14. Michael Eagles (for Swann, 90), 15. Danny Crudginton (for Lawson, 60), 16. James Skedgel (not used), 17. Richard Anslow (for Cox, 76).

Referee: Phil Reade.
Assistants: G. Barrow and J. Kerrigan.

Goals:
1-0 Gary Bearesley (45+3)
1-1 Mensah Kinch (65)
1-2 Richard Anslow (87)

Cards:
Stafford: none
AFC Wulfrunians: Timothy Jackson (YC, 21)

Saturday 12th March 2011

Brocton 1 Pelsall Villa 2
Midland Combination Premier Division
At: Old Police Sports Ground
Kick-off: 3-00 pm
Admission: £4; Programme: £1
Mileage: 6.8 miles
Weather: cloudy, showers
Attendance: 43
Duration: first-half: 45:00 second-half: 50:12

After three midweek trips, at last a first Saturday afternoon visit to Brocton’s Old Police Sports Ground I far as my records are concerned through I did ‘watch’ a game between Staffs Police and Bilston Town sometime during the mid-1970s. Second-from-bottom Pelsall took a first-half lead from the penalty spot and doubled it with a spectacular dipping 50-yard shot hit from out on the right by Dan Hall. Richard Jones pulled a goal back for the Badgers, who could find an equaliser with leading scorer Gary Fife hitting the woodwork. With just a 3.6 mile round trip from home to ground, I’ve normally walked to the ground though tied legs from last night’s nine mile training run left me needing to use the car for once.

Brocton (green/white/green): 1. Adam Whitehouse, 2. Richard Jones, 3. Aaron Gough, 4. Michael Hathaway, 5. Dan Lomas, 6. Matt Skinner (capt), 7. Jim Mulherin, 8. Jon Wylde, 9. Andy Chandler, 10. Alex Barnfather, 11. Jamie Evans. Subs: 12. Dan Richardson (for Hathaway, 47), 14. Gary Fife (for Mulherin, 71), 15. Rob Winstanley (for Barnfather, 83), 16. Jack Hall (not used), 17. Richard Miller (not used).

Pelsall Villa (red and black stripes / black / black): 1. Chris Collins, 2. Dan Hall, 3. John Littler, 4. Harry Phillips, 5. Aaron Simpson, 6. Craig Timmins, 7. Scott Chapman, 8. Andy Bentley (capt), 9. Mark Holdcroft, 10. Mitchel Green, 11. Keith Grimley. Subs: 12. Ryan Wilkins (for Green, 68), 14. Hamilton Nunda (for Holdcroft, 81), 15. Jason Wright (not used), 16. Jon Vickers (not used).

Referee: Trevor Sharratt
Assistants: Paul Lindsay and Phil Lindsay

Goals:
0-1 Andy Bentley (28)
0-2 Dan Hall (55)
1-2 Richard Jones (61)

Cards:
Brocton: none
Pelsall: Scott Chapman (YC, 22), Andy Bentley (YC, 73), Aaron Simpson (YC, 80)

Tuesday 8th March 2011

Stafford Rangers 0 Boston United 4
Blue Square Bet North
At: Marston Road
Kick-off: 7-45 pm
Admission: press pass; Programme: £2 (44 pages from original date)
Mileage: 8.2 miles
Weather: cold, dry
Attendance: 260
Duration: first-half: 49:35 second-half: 47:34

First game for six days after family had to come before football on Saturday, though the game I missed was Stafford 0 Hyde 5! Fans voted with their feet and on a cold evening just 260 fans turned up at Marston Road (around 80 following the visitors), the lowest home league crowd for 45 years. Stafford Rangers proved no match for promotion-chasing Boston United who eased to a 4-0 victory with all the goals coming before half-time. The Pilgrims took the lead after just 33 seconds, added a second goal in the 28th minute, a third in the 31st minute and completing the scoring courtesy of a 41th-minute Jermaine Johnson own goal. Rangers rarely tested Boston keeper Dan Haystead though he did produce an excellent second-half save to deny Niall Maguire – one of only three efforts on target for the men in black and white. First-half injuries sustained by Craig McAughtrie and Levi Reid didn’t help Stafford’s cause.

Wednesday 2nd March 2011

Eccleshall 0 Wigan Robin Park 1
Vodkat League Division 1
At: Pershall Park
Kick-off: 8-00 pm
Admission: £4; Programme: £1 (32 pages)
Mileage: 26.6 miles
Weather: very cold, dry
Attendance: 54
Duration: first-half: 47:42; second-half: 48:44

Newly-appointed manager Peter Hall took charge of Eccleshall for the first time but his side were narrowly unable to give him a winning start against 10-man Wigan Robin Park. The visitors, who had defender Chris Williams sent off just before half-time, scored the only goal of the game early in the second half through Chris McNally and held onto their lead until the final whistle. This was my fourth visit to Pershall Park, the first in 1987 and the second and third both in 2008.

Saturday 26th February 2011

Yorkshire Amateur 2 Staveley Miners Welfare 2
KoolSport Northern Counties East League Division 1
At: Bracken Edge
Kick-off: 3-00 pm
Admission: £4; Programme: £1 (20 pages)
Mileage: 228.0 miles
Weather: Mild, sunny, a few rain showers
Attendance: 80
Duration: first-half: 45:02; second-half: 48:44

While local games involving both Stafford Town and Stafford Rangers were on a long list of postponements due to a waterlogged pitch, there were no such problems at Bracken Edge in Leeds. True, it was a lot further than I’d planned to travel but the top teams in the NCEL Division One served up an entertaining game. After a goalless first half, leaders Staveley twice took the lead and second-placed Yorkshire Amateur twice got on level teams, snatching a vital point courtesy of a late own goal.

Goals:
0-1 Ryan Damms (59)
1-1 Chris Hitchins (65)
1-2 Chris Coy (77)
2-2 Michael Staley (86 og)

Tuesday 22nd February 2011

Stone Dominoes 1 Winsford United 4
Vodkat League Premier Division
At: M-way Stadium at Springbank Park
Kick-off: 7-45 pm
Admission: £5; Programme: £1 (36 pages)
Mileage: 25.7 miles
Weather: cold and dry, a bit misty
Attendance: 102
Duration: first-half: 47:47; second-half: 55:10

Goals have never been in short supply whenever I’ve visited the floodlight M-way Stadium at Springbank Park and tonight continued that trend. Five more goals were added to the tally that now stands at 24 goals in four games seen there. Unfortunately for Stone, four of the five scored at this evening’s game came from the visitors who maintained their promotion push. Liam Newman bagged a hat-trick, scoring twice during a ‘three goals in 10 minutes’ spell midway through the first half to put his side in control. Stone rallied after pulling a goal back during the second half but Newman netted his third goal in second-half stoppage time to wrap things up.

Stone Dominoes (red/black/black): 1. Ben Chapman, 2. Adam Edwards, 3. Glenn Ray, 4. Ryan Connor, 5. Gareth Mayer, 6. Matthew Bradbury, 7. Anthony Marshall, 9, Leon Ashman, 10. James Curley (capt), 11. Andy Matthews. Subs: 12. Simon Eldershaw (for Bradbury, 90+1), 14. Michael Marren (for Matthews, 87), 15. Adam Sloane (for Mayer, 59), 16. Andy Bourne (not used), 17. Liam Rigby (not used).

Winsford United (blue/blue/blue): 1. Richie Mottram, 2. Jack McKay, 3. Lee Duckworth, 4. Colin McAllister, 5. Adam Bayley, 6. Michael Ellison, 7. Adam Foy, 8. Lee Jones (capt), 9. Mattie Ward, 10. Liam Newman, 11. Ryan Stewart. Subs: 12. Mike Brandon (for Morrtam, 80), 14. Lee Thompson (not used), 15. Daniel Brown (for Bayley, ht), 16. Ben Purdue (for Foy, 69), 17. Allan Glover (not used).

Referee: J. A. Sheffield.
Assistants: N. Faunch and R. Gould.

Goals:
0-1 Liam Newman (16)
0-2 Mattie Ward (21)
0-3 Liam Newman (25)
1-3 James Curley (77)
1-4 Liam Newman (90+7)

Cards:
Stone: none.
Winsford: none.

Saturday 19th February 2011

Wellington 6 Stafford Town 1
West Midlands (Regional) League Premier Division
At: Wellington Playing Field
Kick-off: 3-00 pm
Admission: £3; Programme: £1 (24 pages)
Mileage: 141.0 miles
Weather: dry with late sunshine
Attendance: 45 (headcount)
Duration: first-half: 46:17; second-half: 47:00

Non-league fixtures were badly hit again with snow in the north and waterlogged pitches elsewhere. Just two of nine games in the West Midlands (Regional) League Premier Division took place and one of them was my preferred destination – Stafford Town’s trip to Herefordshire-based Wellington. However, after conceding the opening goal after just 15 seconds and another five before half-time, Town may well have wished this game had joined the list of postponements. A goal from Matt Buckham, which reduced the deficit to 3-1, gave Town hope but they were left fuming over a controversial decision not to award a penalty for a challenge on Paul McMahon which would have led to Wellington being reduced to ten men. After the break, Stafford salvaged some pride by drawing the goalless second half. I was impressed with the setup at Wellington which included welcoming club officials, a decent tea bar and the tannoy being used to announce the line-ups.

Tuesday 15th February 2010

Stafford Rangers 4 Hednesford Town 2
Staffordshire Senior Cup Quarter Final
At: Marston Road
Kick-off: 7-45 pm
Admission: press pass (£5+£2); Programme: free teamsheet
Mileage: 8.6 miles
Weather: rain
Attendance: 247
Duration: first-half: 46:00; second-half: 46:19

Two local rivals went head to head with the prospect of a home semi-final tie against Kidsgrove Athletic awaiting the winner. And it was Stafford Rangers who progressed and gained local bragging rights over Hednesford Town with a 4-2 win on a very heavy Marston Road pitch. The win had seemed a long way off when the visitors took the lead after just 47 seconds courtesy of an own goal from Alex Forde, but the impressive Tyree Clarke led the recovery with a hat-trick.

Saturday 12th February 2011

Winterbourne United 0 Easington Sports 0
UHLSPORT Hellenic League Division 1 West
At: The Rec, Parkside Avenue
Kick-off: 3-00 pm
Admission: none; Programme: £3 (28 pages)
Mileage: 214.2 miles
Weather: dry and sunny
Attendance: 48
Duration: first-half: 46:54; second-half: 49:09

The two names at the top of my ‘grounds to visit before the end of the season’ are Parkside Avenue and Whiteway Road, the respective homes of Bristol-based clubs Winterbourne United and Roman Glass St George. Both will to be moving to share the ground close to M5 junction 16 that will be vacated at the end of the current season by Zamaretto League side Almondsbury Town.

Coincidently today, both clubs at the top of my list were at home this afternoon but, after scanning forthcoming fixtures, opportunities to head south on convenient Saturdays to watch a future Winterbourne home game were far more limited than a Roman Glass St George home game. So, Parkside Avenue it was this afternoon for a home game in the UHLSPORT Hellenic League Division 1 West against Easington Sports.

The short stretch of the M4 from the M5 to M32 can be rather prone to queues, so rather than take the so-called quickest route, I left the southbound M5 at junction 14 and made my way to Winterbourne via the B4059 and then B4058. Initially following signs for Yate signs, I passed through villages like Cromhall, Rangeworthy and Iron Acton. So approaching from the north, Parkside Avenue was on the left-hand side after passing the boarded-up pub The Swan and around 100 yards after the Taj Brasserie. The entrance to the ground on Parkside Avenue was on the right between house numbers 18 and 20.

With Laurence Reade visiting the ground last week, I knew not to expect a stand or covered standing or any hard-standing around the pitch perimeter. But I knew that the Winterbourne officials put in a lot of effort and their welcome certainly backed that comment up. With no means to taking a gate, programmes were on sale from the bar inside the pavilion – £3 for a good read – and also sold the Chairman after kick-off walking around the pitch.

Looking at the league table, it was clear than neither Winterbourne (8th in the 15-team division with 24 points from 17 games) or Easington (11th with 19 points from 15 games) could finish in a promotion position or in the bottom three. Both had a recent league record of one win from their last five games. If either side managed to find a winner this afternoon, then the winning team would end a winless sequence – Winterbourne hadn’t won a league game at home since October while Easington have been waiting for an away league win since September.

Teams stayed put after the toss, so Easington (wearing sky blue and white striped shirts, black shorts and navy blue socks) got the game under way attacking the car park end in the first half. Perhaps the Winterboune skipper though that the visitors may have problems defending into the sun shining at an angle from the west.

Even though neither keeper was called upon to make a serious save, the first half could be described as competitive. Easington midfielder Graham Source saw a shot cleared off the line, while Winterbourne’s Ben Dowdell, nicknamed ‘Nani’, fired a couple of shots wide of the target.

At half-time I received my usual phone call from Marston Road when Stafford are playing at home with not good news. In the battle of the bottom two, basement side Redditch were leading 1-0 in a poor game on a poor muddy pitch. Time, I feared, to get out the map showing the location of Evo-Stik League Premier Division grounds.

Luck continued to be with Winterbourne (wearing all red) as a header from Dan Watkin was blocked on the line. Just after the hour mark, Source hit a speculative 30-yard drive that ended up rising high and wide of the target, much to the embarrassment of the player himself. And five minutes later, as if the suggest that the afternoon would indeed end up goalless, Ashley Knight sliced a 25-yard shot well wide of the visitors’ goal.

Jack Strawroski dived to his left to keep out a Watkin shot while, at the other end, Greg Stutt headed against the top of the Easington bar.

Into stoppage time and both sides claimed a penalty, in which the referee’s only interest was to reach for his cards. Easington Dan Reeves dribbled past three defender before going down in the box – referee Mr Jack’s only response was a booking for diving. And Winterbourne’s Knight was dismissed for foul language after having his penalty appeal turned down. Winterbourne, who were preparing to replace Knight with Jack James, ended up playing the last 27 seconds with ten men.

So, goalless at full time so Winterbourne and Easington are now one league win out of six games. And both aforementioned winless sequences continue.

Before heading home, I received the full-time score from Marston Road and may be the Evo-Stik League map might not be needed after all. Stafford were much improved in the second half and won 2-1 with goals from Ben Mills and Tyree Clarke.

There was time to have a chat with a club official, who helped me vacate a tight parking space, and I passed on my thoughts about the enjoyable afternoon I’d have. He confirmed the move to Almondsbury which will see Roman Glass St George relocate their first-team as well.

Winterbourne United (red/red/red): 1. Joshua Strawroski, 2. Steve Chambers, 3. Tristan Day, 4. Mike Millett, 5. Jack Watts, 6. Greg Stutt, 7. James Mainstone (capt), 8. Sam Vile, 9. Jimmy Potts, 10. Ben Dowdell, 11. Ashley Knight. Subs: 12. Sean Coles (for Day, 75), 14. Jack James, 15. Kieran Williams. Mgr: Nick Tanner.

Easington Sports (sky blue and white stripes / black / navy blue): 1. Richard Meadows, 2. Chris Kirby, 3. Terry Fitton, 4. Dave Nicholls, 5. James Hastie (capt), 6. Gareth Source, 7. Dan Watkin, 8. Niall Higgins, 9. Luke Bedding, 10. Andy Parsons, 11. Dan Reeves. Subs: 12. Simon Jones (for Parsons, 75), 14. Aaron Bedding. Mgr: Andy Bedding.

Referee: S. Jack.
Assistants: P. Laggett and M. E. Jones.

Saturday 5th February 2011

Stafford Rangers 1 Nuneaton Town 2
Blue Square Bet North
At: Marston Road
Kick-off: 3-00 pm
Admission: £13; Programme: £2 (44 pages)
Mileage: 11.6 miles (longer route than normal)
Weather: rain
Attendance: 529
Duration: first-half: 45:36; second-half: 46:34

The local weather forecast that suggested either ‘rain’ or ‘heavy rain’ for this afternoon made the sensible destination today one with covered standing or seating. And Stafford Rangers’ home game with Blue Square Bet North leaders Nuneaton Town was the logical choice, especially in these days of sky-high petrol prices (125.9p per litre at Shell near Marston Road). Ettingshall Park Farm and Penkridge will have to wait for a drier afternoon.

Last time I was at Marston Road (0-2 defeat against AFC Telford United), Matt Elliott was in charge for what turned out to be his only game as Caretaker Manager before he was appointed as Tim Flowers’ replacement. His impact since the Telford game has been to end the goal drought with eight goals in the last four games with the only reward being a much-needed victory and three defeats.

Elliott’s men (13 points from 23 games) needed three points today as they went into this fixture, in the relegation zone in 20th position and six-points behind 19th-placed Hyde. But to do so they would need to defeat the league leaders (51 points from 24 games) sitting three points clear of Guiseley, just as Hyde surprisingly did 11 days ago at Triton Showers Community Arena (aka Liberty Way the home of Nuneaton Town).

The arrival of Nuneaton Town, former from the ashes from the former Nuneaton Borough though still nicknamed ‘Boro’, brought popular keeper Danny Alcock back to Marston Road. He was returning to league action after a one-match ban for his red card at Harrogate Town last month. Stuart Pierpoint was another returning old boy, though I never saw him in a Stafford shirt – nor did I today either in one of Nuneaton’s pink shirts.

Heavy rain in the hours before kick-off left the pitch ‘heavy’.

With floodlights on from the start, my thought when the visitors got the game under way attacking the Social Club end was that if Hyde can defeat Nuneaton away from home, then Stafford could do so at Marston Road.

Disaster struck for Stafford after just 202 seconds. A poor clearance by skipper for the day Andre Francis ended up at the feet of Kyle Storer who sent a deep inch-perfect diagonal ball forward into the Rangers area. It fell invitingly for unmarked Simon Forsdick to volley past Evans into the far bottom right corner of the net. 1-0 down in the fourth minute.

Rangers could have quickly levelled things up. Ben Mills pulled the ball back to Shane Benjamin on the edge of the area who couldn’t keep his well-struck shot down.

A heavy tackle in the 15th minute by Martyn Naylor on Mark Noon, forced the Nuneaton skipper out of the game and Kyle Storer took over the armband.

Rob Oddy sent a 25-yard shot flashing past the Rangers goal midway through the half. Almost 2-0 to the visitors.

There was hope for Stafford as the interval approached. A ball forward into the Nuneaton area fell to Danny Edwards. He couldn’t get in a shot but Mills saw his effort blocked by a defender. The ball was cleared and crossed back in to the area for Benjamin to head well wide. Benjamin had the ball in the back of the net in the 40th minute though the flag for offside was already raised when Mills set up the chance. Francis surged forward and slipped a pass to the feet of Edwards, in the area on the left who fired against the bar.

Despite this flurry of chances, Nuneaton dominated the first half and Rangers struggled to make an impact up front on what was becoming an increasingly muddy pitch.

Harry Shaw came up to the PA box at half time to give the winning number in the ‘Golden Gamble’ draw and also the attendance, which was 529. During the interval Levi Reid, suspended today along with Craig McAughtrie, received an award to mark his 100th appearance for the club.

As if to uncannily mark Groundhog Day (celebrated in the USA and Canada three days ago), Nuneaton scored in the fourth minute of the second half, just as they had done an hour earlier in the first half. James Armson fed Oddy who got to the right bye-line and crossed for Justin Marsden to head home.

As the second half wore on, there was little sign of a goal for Stafford. Behind me in the stand, the match sponsors started to deliberate on which Rangers player to select as ‘Man of the Match’. Francis was the popular choice though one of the group commented that it was ‘hard to pick one when the side is 2-0 down’.

Evans kept his side in with a sniff of gaining an unlikely point. The keeper reacted to push over a deflected shot from Armson.

The save took on some significant in the 87th minute. Substitute Tyree Clarke latched onto a ball down the right and hit a deep cross towards the far left post. Another replacement Tom Moss got in an initial shot that Alcock blocked on the line and Moss, himself, forced home the loose ball.

Hope for Stafford may be but, in reality, merely a consolation goal as the referee added barely a minute of stoppage time to try and secure an equaliser. And the Man of the Match was… Andre Francis for, in my opinion, his tireless effort and enthusiasm.

The defeat left Stafford firmly rooted in the relegation zone and now one point further away from safety than they were at 3 pm. Third-from-bottom Hyde moved up a place after winning 1-0 at bottom side Redditch United, who visit Marston Road on Saturday. So, 20th-placed Stafford are now seven points off safety and Gloucester, who now occupy 19th place, have no fewer than five games in hand on Matt Elliott's men.

So, for the fourth consecutive Saturday, my car hasn’t been more than four miles from home, though for two of them I was a lot further from home myself!

Stafford Rangers (black and white stripes / black / black): 1. Lee Evans, 2. Martyn Naylor, 3. Mark Dudley, 4. Jermaine Johnson, 5. Ashley Wooliscroft, 6. Andre Francis (capt), 7. Marco Adaggio (15 Tom Moss 79m), 8. Niall Maguire, 9. Shane Benjamin, 10. Ben Mills, 11. Danny Edwards. Subs: 12. Tyree Clarke (for Mills, 70), 14. Alex Forde (for Naylor, 85), 15. Tom Moss (for Adaggio, 80), 16. Danny Campbell (not used), 17gk. Tom Turner (not used).

Nuneaton Town (pink/blue/blue): 1. Danny Alcock, 2. Rob Oddy, 3. Simon Forsdick, 4. Mark Noon (capt), 5. Gareth Dean, 6. Danny Spencer, 7. Adam Walker, 8. Kyle Storer, 9. Justin Marsden, 10. Lee Moore, 11. Guy Hadland. Subs: 12. Chris Dillon (for Moore, 76), 14. Eddie Nisevic (not used), 15. Robbie Burns (for Oddy, 83), 16. James Armson (for Noon, 19), 17. Cyrus Christie (not used).

Referee: Matthew Wilkes (Dudley).
Assistants: Dimitru Cheosiaua (Redditch) and Phillip Hardisty (Sedgley)

Goals:
0-1 Simon Forsdick (4)
0-2 Justin Marsden (49)
1-2 Tom Moss (87)

Cards:
Stafford: Niall Maguire (YC, 20), Jermaine Johnson (85)
Nuneaton: Gareth Dean (YC, 64)

Saturday 29th January 2011

Stafford Town 2 Goodrich 3
West Midlands (Regional) League Premier Division
At: Evans Park
Kick-off: 3-00 pm
Admission: £4; Programme: £1 (28 pages)
Mileage: 7.8 miles via Riverway FC
Attendance: 65 (headcount)
Weather: cold and sunny
Duration: first-half: 45:08; second-half: 49:00

Stafford Town (red/red/red): 1. Karl Smith, Mat Dockerty, 3. Scott Urquhart, 4. Josh Anderson, 5. Rob Tomlinson, 6. Tom Hiatt, 7. Oliver Parker, 8. Dave Woodvine (capt), 9. Gary Bearesley, 10. Sam Hollinsworth, 11. Matt Buckham. Subs: 12. Nathan Cooper (for Parker, 73), 14. Paul McMahon (for Hollinsworth, 66), 15. Phil Ellerby (not used), 16. Mark Johnson (for Urquhart, 83), 17. Andy Heal (not used).

Goodrich (white/ navy blue / navy blue): 1. Daniel Ware, 2. Matthew Harris, 3. William Holt, 4. Stuart Skitt, 5. Chris Porter, 6. Darnell Francis, 7. Liam Bood, 8. Matt Rutter (capt), 9. Dan Westwood, 10. Michael Allen, 11. Adrian Jones. Subs: 12. Adam Morton (for Holt, 51), 14. Dan Chattwood (for Skitt, 80), 15. Levi Chambers (for Westwood, 66), 16. Alex Fletcher (not used).

Referee: Phil Reade.
Assistants: Tim Pearson and John Downs.

Goals:
0-1 Darnell Francis (12)
1-1 Gary Beardsley (22)
1-2 Michael Allen (62)
2-2 Matt Buckham (74)
2-3 Levi Chambers (77)

Cards:
Stafford: Rob Tomlinson (YC, 15); Rob Tomlinson (YC/RC, 62), Mat Dockerty (YC, 79)
Goodrich: Darnell Francis (YC, 57), Matthew Harris (YC, 90+2)

Saturday 15th January 2011

Cammell Laird 2 Bamber Bridge 4
Evo-Stik League Division 1 North
At: Kirklands
Kick-off: 3-00 pm
Admission: £6; Programme: £2 (28 pages)
Mileage: 6.1 miles by car; train to Rick Ferry via Lime Street
Attendance: 63
Weather: mild, dry, windy
Duration: first-half: 48:04; second-half: 49:19

I decided to let someone else do the driving so headed to The Wirral by train via Liverpool Lime Street to Rock Ferry Station and a 10 minute walk to the ground. A couple of phone calls confirmed the game was on though I need not have worried as the pitch firm and dry, though ‘some scary looking clouds’ were gathering when I made the first call before leaving home. I was made to feel very welcome by every club official I met at a wonderfully friendly club who deserve more locals to make the effort to watch them. Bamber Bridge eased to a 2-0 lead at the interval before Laird reduced the deficit. A penalty restored Bridge’s two-goal led which became a 4-1 lead in the 73rd minute. The visitors then had a man sent off and Laird netted another consolation goal in stoppage time at the end.

Cammell Laird (blue/blue/blue): 1. Phil Palethorpe, 2. Jordan Evason, 3. Lee Hammond, 4. Carl Clampitt, 5. Chris Adamson, 6. Lee Atherton (capt), 7. Adam Wilson, 8. Marc Stevens, 9. Jamie Henders, 10. Paul Wheeler, 11. Danny Andrews. Subs: 12. Shaun Holmes (not used), 14. Kevin Pollard (for Wilson, ht), 15. Nathan Edison (not used), 16. Scott Mason (not used).

Bamber Bridge ( red/red/red): 1. Ben Hinchliffe, 2. George Bowyer, 3. Martin Crowder, 4. Luke Atherton, 5. Michael White (capt), 6. Warren Beattie, 7. Alistair Waddecar, 8. Neil Reynolds, 9. Aaron Taylor, 10. Sean Williams, 11. Richard Allen. Subs: 12. Peter Wright (for Allen, 74), 14. Chris Marlow (not used), 15. Mike Galliers (forTaylor, 78), 16. Louis Mayers (for Waddecar, 84).

Referee: J T Wilson.
Assistants: J Fearns and P A Jones.

Goals
0-1 Aaron Taylor (16)
0-2 Richard Allen (33)
1-2 Danny Andrews (63)
1-3 Michael White (65 pen)
1-4 Warren Beattie (73)
2-4 Danny Andrews (90+2)

Cards:
Cammell: Chris Adamson (YC, 65)
Bamber: Sean Williams (YC, 45+2), Sean Williams (YC/RC, 76)

Tuesday 11th January 2011

Stafford Rangers 0 AFC Telford United 2
Blue Square Bet North
At: Marston Road
Kick-off: 7-45 pm
Admission: press pass; Programme: £2 (44 pages, dated 26/12/10)
Mileage: 8.1 miles
Weather: very cold, dry
Attendance: 763
Duration: first-half: 47:53; second-half: 48:19

Stafford Rangers’ Blue Square Bet North goal drought now stands at 480 minutes of league action plus stoppage time after a fifth consecutive league game without finding the net. Goals from Phillip John in first-half stoppage time and Alex Meechan late on suggest a comfortable victory for AFC Telford but Stafford were certainly the better side during the first half AND DESERVED A GOAL.

On the day after former England goalkeeper Tim Flowers resigned as manager, Danny Edwards, Jermaine Johnson and Ben Mills all went agonisingly close to becoming the first player to score a league goal since November. The trio were all denied by top drawer saves from Bucks’ keeper Ryan Young, named man of the match on his side’s official website.

Stafford Rangers (black and white stripes / black / black): 1. Lee Evans, 2. Martyn Naylor, 3. Mark Dudley, 4. Jermaine Johnson, 5. Craig McAughtrie (capt), 6. Levi Reid, 7. Tyree Clarke, 8. Andre Francis, 9. Danny Campbell, 10. Sean Kinsella, 11. Danny Edwards. Subs: 12. Ben Mills (for Campbell, 52 mins), 14. Alex Forde (not used), 15. Chris Sterling (for Clarke, 82 mins), 16. Tom Moss (for Kinsella, 76 mins), 17gk. Tom Turner (not used)

AFC Telford United (yellow/yellow/yellow): 1. Ryan Young, 2. Will Salmon, 3. Sean Newton, 4. Carl Rodgers, 5. Stuart Whitehead, 6. Shane Killock (capt), 7. Phillip John, 8. Phil Trainer, 9. Adam Proudlock, 10. Andy Brown, 11. Jon Adams. Subs: 12. Liam Murray (not used), 14. Lee Smith (for John, 76 mins), 15. Alex Meechan (for Proudlock, 82 mins), 16. Danny Carey-Bertram (for Brown, 89 mins), 17gk. Daniel Platt (not used).

Referee: Steve Copeland (Wallasey).
Assistants: Sam Mulhall (Northwich) and Phillip Stubbs (Crewe).

Goals:
0-1 Phillip John (45+3)
0-2 Alex Meechan (83)

Cards:
Stafford: Danny Campbell (YC, 36), Jermaine Johnson (YC, 68), Craig McAughtrie (YC, 84)
AFC Telford: Stuart Whitehead (YC, 54), Carl Rodgers (YC, 90+3)

Saturday 8th January 2011

Staveley Miners Welfare 6 Brodsworth Welfare 1
KoolSport Northern Counties East League Division 1
At: Inkersall Road
Kick-off: 3-00 pm
Admission: £4; Programme: £1 (28 pages)
Mileage: 137.2 miles
Weather: cold, dry, icy wind
Attendance: 82
Duration: first-half: 47:01; second-half: 48:26

Staveley Miners Welfare went top of the table with a comfortable victory over bottom side Brodsworth Welfare, with a winning margin enhanced by two late goals. Both sides scored during the opening 175 seconds and from then on Staveley missed or had saved a hatful of chances. Brodsworth, who have now lost 22 consecutive league and cup games, didn’t look that bad and keeper Ross Adamson produced a series of excellent saves; they also hit the wodwork as well. Inkersall Road is a decent ground with a 138-seat stand and additional cover behind one goal. Work on a brand new clubhouse, which was open for business, is nearing completion to provide an impressive addition to the ground that is suitable in my opinion for Evo-Stik League football. All Staveley need to do is gain promotion and return to the NCEL Premier Division for the first time since 2001. This was another good day out at a welcoming club keen to move up the pyramid.

Staveley Miners Welfare (blue and white stripes / blue blue): 1. Matthew Lawrence, 2. Tom Jones (capt), 3. Kyle Fores Chambers, 4. Rob Ward, 5. Dean Walters, 6. Aymen Tahar, 7. Jamie Smith, 8. Andrew Fox, 9. Ryan Damms, 10. Chris Coy, 11. Joe Thornton. Subs: 12. Ashley Foyle (not used), 14. Scott Bates (for Thornton, 78), 15. Richard Patterson (for Walters, 50), 16. Scott Ellis (not used), 17. Adam Houghton (for Damms, 64).

Brodsworth Welfare (orange/black/black): 1. Ross Adamson, 2. Jamie Cooke, 3. Matty Bedford, 4. Josh Copeland (capt), 5. Danny Billing, 6. Luke Bishop, 7. Lee Parker, 8. Josh Blenkiron, 9. Tom Hyde, 10. Chris Hart, 11. Matt Findley. Subs: 12. Aaron Trobac (for Hyde, 78), 14. Sam Kirk (Hart, 70), 15. Hayden Tomlinson (for Blenkiron, 82).

Referee: Adam Smith.
Assistants: Gareth Carlile and Aiden Coleman.

Goals
1-0 Ryan Damms (2)
1-1 Andrew Hyde (3)
2-1 Joe Thornton (21)
3-1 Andrew Fox (33)
4-1 Chris Coy (77)
5-1 Adam Houghton (86)
6-1 Adam Houghton (90+3)

Cards:
Staveley: none
Brodsworth: none

Monday 3rd January 2011

Stafford Rangers 0 Alfreton Town 1
Blue Square Bet North
At: Marston Road
Kick-off: 3-00 pm
Admission: press pass; Programme: £2 (44 pages)
Mileage: 8.1 miles
Weather: cold, dry
Attendance: 544
Duration: first-half: 47:16; second-half: 48:00

Unlike my two unsuccessful attempts to watch a game at Marston Road last month, everything went according to plan for the Stafford Rangers’ first home game of 2011. Everything that is expect the scoreline which left manager Tim Flowers still searching for his first league win in charge of The Boro’. Alfreton’s winner came in the 53rd minute through Liam Hearn though by this time they had been reduced to ten men. Anthony Howell had been shown a 32nd-minute straight red card shown for a dangerous challenge on Jermaine Johnson. Stafford striker Ben Mills was guilty of a couple of bad misses – one in each half – which could have earned his side a point. This was only my second Stafford game since I ceased being a member of the Rangers press in April 2008.

Stafford Rangers (black and white stripes / black / black): 1. Robert Ambrusics, 2. Martyn Naylor, 3. Mark Dudley, 4. Andre Francis, 5. Craig McAughtrie (capt), 6. Jermaine Johnson, 7. Levi Reid, 8. Sean Kinsella, 9. Ben Mills, 10. Danny Campbell, 11. Tyree Clarke. Subs: 12. Seb Harris (for Mills, 83), 14 Alex Forde (not used), 15. Chris Sterling (for Francis, 79), 16. Malvin Kamara (for Campbell, 60), 17gk. Lee Evans (not used).

Alfreton Town (yellow/yellow/yellow): 1. Paddy Gamble, 2. Josh Law, 3. Connor Franklin, 4. Aden Flint (capt), 5. Paul Lister, 6. Laurie Wilson, 7. Jordan Hall, 8. Anthony Howell, 9. Anthony Wilson, 10. Liam Hearn, 11. Ian Ross. Subs: 12. Christopher Hall (not used), 14. Darren Stride (for Hearn, 81), 15. Jake Moult (for Ross, 77), 16. Nathan Arnold (not used), 17. Paul Clayton (for Wilson, 74).

Referee: Peter Davies (Altrincham).
Assistants: Roger Andrew (Stockport) and Ian Hurdle (Holmes Chapel).

Goals:
0-1 Liam Hearn (53)

Cards:
Stafford: Martyn Naylor (YC, 88)
Alfreton: Laurie Wilson (YC, 28), Anthony Howell (RC, 32)

Saturday 1st January 2011

Garforth Town 1 Durham City 1
Evo-Stik League Division 1 North
At: Genix Healthcare Stadium
Kick-off: 3-00 pm
Admission: £7; Programme: £1-50 (36 pages)
Mileage: 226.0
Weather: cold, dry
Attendance: 108
Duration: first-half: 47:24; second-half: 48:40

Even though it was a Saturday, most non-league footballers had the day off, so choice was limited. Garforth gave a definately 'on' when I phoned them so headed there, even though I'm back in the area tomorrow for a late Christmas family gathering. No goals in an average first half which Garforth dominated. The second half was far more pulsating with Garforth taking the lead in the 65th minute and Durham levelling in the 80th minute. Both scorers were substitutes who netted within minutes of taking the field. All in all, an enjoyable day at a friendly club.

Garforth Town (yellow/blue/white): 1. Ben Higginson, 2. Milton Turner (capt), 3. Andy Villerman, 4. Rob Pacey, 5. Declan Normaschild, 6. Tom Marron, 7. Ben Small, 8. Chris Fisher, 9. David Brown, 10. Chris Howarth, 11. Jason St Juste. Subs: 12. Adam Priestley (for Villerman, 62), 14. Daniel Turley, 15. Kyle Collins (not used), 16gk. Lee Kelsey (not used).

Durham City (white/white/red): 1. James Winter, 2. Rufus Ayre, 3, Gareth Ayers, 4. Craig Harbord, 5. Ross Wilkinson (capt), 6. Arjun Purewal, 7. Josh Home-Jackson, 8. Elliot Cutts, 9. Stephen Thompson, 10. Jack Pounder, 11. Amar Purewal. Subs: 12. Evann Graham (for Harbold, ht), 13gk. Lewis Graham (for James Winter, 39), 14. Conor Winter (for Cutts, 78), 15. Jonny Monaghan (not used), 16. Gus Bonnington (not used).

Referee: Graham Freer.
Assistants: Peter Cook and Jan Suchecki.

Goals:
1-0 Adam Priestley (65)
1-1 Conor Winter (80)

Cards:
Garforth: none
Durham: Elliot Cutts (YC, 58)

Match Facts 2011

Saturday 1st January 2011
Garforth Town 1 Durham City 1
Evo-Stik League Division 1 North
At: Genix Healthcare Stadium
Kick-off: 3-00 pm
Admission: £7; Programme: £1-50 (36 pages)
Weather: cold, dry
Attendance: 108
Duration: first-half: 47:24; second-half: 48:40

Garforth Town (yellow/blue/white): 1. Ben Higginson, 2. Milton Turner (capt), 3. Andy Villerman, 4. Rob Pacey, 5. Declan Normaschild, 6. Tom Marron, 7. Ben Small, 8. Chris Fisher, 9. David Brown, 10. Chris Howarth, 11. Jason St Juste. Subs: 12. Adam Priestley (for Villerman, 62), 14. Daniel Turley, 15. Kyle Collins (not used), 16gk. Lee Kelsey (not used).

Durham City (white/white/red): 1. James Winter, 2. Rufus Ayre, 3, Gareth Ayers, 4. Craig Harbord, 5. Ross Wilkinson (capt), 6. Arjun Purewal, 7. Josh Home-Jackson, 8. Elliot Cutts, 9. Stephen Thompson, 10. Jack Pounder, 11. Amar Purewal. Subs: 12. Evann Graham (for Harbold, ht), 13gk. Lewis Graham (for James Winter, 39), 14. Conor Winter (for Cutts, 78), 15. Jonny Monaghan (not used), 16. Gus Bonnington (not used).

Referee: Graham Freer.
Assistants: Peter Cook and Jan Suchecki.

Goals:
1-0 Adam Priestley (65)
1-1 Conor Winter (80)

Cards:
Garforth: none
Durham: Elliot Cutts (YC, 58)

Monday 3rd January 2011
Stafford Rangers 0 Alfreton Town 1
Blue Square Bet North
At: Marston Road
Kick-off: 3-00 pm
Admission: press pass; Programme: £2 (44 pages)
Weather: cold, dry
Attendance: 544
Duration: first-half: 47:16; second-half: 48:00

Stafford Rangers (black and white stripes / black / black): 1. Robert Ambrusics, 2. Martyn Naylor, 3. Mark Dudley, 4. Andre Francis, 5. Craig McAughtrie (capt), 6. Jermaine Johnson, 7. Levi Reid, 8. Sean Kinsella, 9. Ben Mills, 10. Danny Campbell, 11. Tyree Clarke. Subs: 12. Seb Harris (for Mills, 83), 14 Alex Forde (not used), 15. Chris Sterling (for Francis, 79), 16. Malvin Kamara (for Campbell, 60), 17gk. Lee Evans (not used).

Alfreton Town (yellow/yellow/yellow): 1. Paddy Gamble, 2. Josh Law, 3. Connor Franklin, 4. Aden Flint (capt), 5. Paul Lister, 6. Laurie Wilson, 7. Jordan Hall, 8. Anthony Howell, 9. Anthony Wilson, 10. Liam Hearn, 11. Ian Ross. Subs: 12. Christopher Hall (not used), 14. Darren Stride (for Hearn, 81), 15. Jake Moult (for Ross, 77), 16. Nathan Arnold (not used), 17. Paul Clayton (for Wilson, 74).

Referee: Peter Davies (Altrincham).
Assistants: Roger Andrew (Stockport) and Ian Hurdle (Holmes Chapel).

Goals:
0-1 Liam Hearn (53)

Cards:
Stafford: Martyn Naylor (YC, 88)
Alfreton: Laurie Wilson (YC, 28), Anthony Howell (RC, 32)

Saturday 12th February 2011
Winterbourne United 0 Easington Sports 0
UHLSPORT Hellenic League Division 1 West
At: The Rec, Parkside Avenue
Kick-off: 3-00 pm
Admission: none; Programme: £3 (28 pages)
Weather: dry and sunny
Attendance: 48
Duration: first-half: 46:54; second-half: 49:09

Winterbourne United (red/red/red): 1. Joshua Strawroski, 2. Steve Chambers, 3. Tristan Day, 4. Mike Millett, 5. Jack Watts, 6. Greg Stutt, 7. James Mainstone (capt), 8. Sam Vile, 9. Jimmy Potts, 10. Ben Dowdell, 11. Ashley Knight. Subs: 12. Sean Coles (for Day, 75), 14. Jack James, 15. Kieran Williams. Mgr: Nick Tanner.

Easington Sports (sky blue and white stripes / black / navy blue): 1. Richard Meadows, 2. Chris Kirby, 3. Terry Fitton, 4. Dave Nicholls, 5. James Hastie (capt), 6. Gareth Source, 7. Dan Watkin, 8. Niall Higgins, 9. Luke Bedding, 10. Andy Parsons, 11. Dan Reeves. Subs: 12. Simon Jones (for Parsons, 75), 14. Aaron Bedding. Mgr: Andy Bedding.

Referee: S. Jack.
Assistants: P. Laggett and M. E. Jones.

Cards:
Winterbourne: Greg Stutt (YC, 36), Ben Dowdell (YC, 72), Ashley Knight (RC, 90+3)
Easington: James Hastie (YC, 72), Dan Reeves (YC, 90+2)

Saturday 26th March 2011 (10-15 am)
Phoenix FC 0 Kiveton Park 0
Abacus Lighting Central Midlands League Black Dragon Premier Division
At: Phoenix Sports and Social Club
Kick-off: 10-15 am
Admission: hop ticket or £3; Programme: £1
Weather: cloudy, dry, cold wind
Attendance: 227
Duration: first-half: 47:39; second-half: 49:29

Phoenix FC (blue and maroon stripes / blue / blue): 1. Matt Herschell-Smith, 2. Liam O’Brien (capt), 3. Carl McNally, 4. Chris Lund, 5. Reece Wesley, 6. Steve Spence, 7. Aaron Cross, 8. Tom Colclough, 9. Liam Colclough, 10. Ryan Moorcroft, 11. Carl Garlick. Subs: 14. Simon Cookson (for Liam Colclough, 42), 15. Lee Dexter (for Sepnce, 74), 16. Andy Garlick (for Tom Colclough, 62).

Kiveton Park (red/red/red): 1. Jonathan Parker, 2. Matthew Preece, 3. Jake Lee, 4. Daniel McPherson, 5. Daniel Harrison, 6. Jamie Taylor (capt), 7. Matthew Thompson, 8. Lee Brooks, 9. Carl Longmore, 10. Robert Gorman, 11. Jordan Cocks. Subs: 12. Shane White (for Cocks, 87), 14. Liam Hopkinson (not used), 15. Tom Perrie (not used).

Referee: Roger Evans (Dronfield)
Assistants: Gareth Moffitt (Retford) and Danielle Miller (Retford)

Goals:
None

Cards:
Phoenix: none
Kiveton Park: Daniel McPherson (YC, 64), Lee Brooks (YC, 66), Daniel McPherson (YC/RC, 74)

Friday 1st April 2011
Bala Town 2 Aberystwyth Town 1
Principality Welsh Premier League Play-off Conference
At Maes Tegid
Kick-off: 7-30 pm
Admission: £6; Programme: £1-50 (36 pages)
Weather: mild and dry
Duration: first-half: 46:24; second-half: 48:35


Bala Town (black and white stripes / black / black): 1. Terry McCormick, 2. John Irving, 3. Owain Roberts, 4. Danny Williams (capt), 5. Shaun Kelly, 6. Ross Jefferies, 7. Mark Connelly, 8. Mark Jones, 9. Chris Mason, 10. Michael Hayes, 11. Ryan Marriott. Subs: 12. Gethin Edwards (for Mason, 90), 14. Steve Morrison (for Marriott, 85), 15. Mark Powell (not used).

Aberystwyth Town (green/green/white): 1. Steven Cann, 2. Conall Murtagh, 3. Michael Howard, 4. Aneurin Thomas, 5. James McCarten, 6. Anthony Finselbach, 7. Ricky Evans, 8. Bari Morgan (capt), 9. Lewis Codling, 10. Ashley Stott, 11. Adam Pepper. Subs: 12. Craig Williams (not used), 14. Steff Edwards (for Pepper, 69), 15. Cledan Davies (for Evans, 81).

Referee: Matt Bridges.
Assistants: Gareth Jones and J. B. Brookes.
Fourth Official: Mick Pratt.

Goals:
1-0 Mark Connolly (32)
1-1 Ashley Stott (42)
2-1 Mark Connolly (67)

Cards:
Bala: Danny Williams (YC, 82)
Aberystwyth: Ricky Evans (YC, 49), Aneurin Thomas (66)

Saturday 2nd April 2011
Penkridge Town 2 Wrens Nest 5
West Midlands (Regional) League Division 2
At: Monkton Recreation Centre
Kick-off: 3-00 pm
Admission: none; Programme: none
Mileage: 0 miles (walk, bus train)
Attendance: 10 (headcount)
Weather: warm and sunny
Duration: first-half: 45:28; second-half: 50:51

Penkridge Town (yellow and blue halves / yellow / yellow): 1. Chris Sharman, 2. Tom Ranford, 3. Stuart Chick, 4. John Codnor (capt), 5. Matt Forsyth, 6. Dave Northwood, 7. Tom Kent, 8. Richard Reeves, 9. Alex Dodds, 10. Tom Radcliffe, 11. Chris Wood. Subs: 12. Rob Haynes (for Radcliffe, 67), 14. Tom Williams (for Wood, 59), 15. Andy Taylor (for Codnor, 59).

Wrens Nest (orange/black/black): 1. Andrew Tansley, 2. Mathew Stevens, 3. Derone Cummins, 4. Gareth Hadden, 5. Alex Parrott, 6. Sean Wynne, 7. Andrew Cole, 8. Lee Witton, 9. Sam Pearson, 10. Scott Foster, 11. Stephen Witton (capt). Subs: 12. Adam Checketts (for Foster, 74), 14. Richard Watts (not used), 15. Christopher Pike (not used), 17. Dana Meddings (not used).

Referee: D. Laing.
Assistants: D. M. Corrigan and P. Felton.

Goals:
1-0 Alex Dodds (9)
1-1 Stephen Witton (16)
2-1 Alex Dodds (18)
2-2 Le Witton (22)
2-3 Sam Pearson (39)
2-4 Stephen Witton (44)
2-5 Sam Pearson (87)

Cards:
Penkridge: Dave Northwood (YC, 89), Rob Haynes (YC, 90)
Wrens Nest: Mathew Stevens (YC, 90+5)

Monday 2nd May 2011
Church Warsop 1 Pinxton 0
Abacus Lighting Central Midlands League Buckingham Insurance Supreme Division
At: The Alley, Wood Lane
Kick-off: 2-00 pm
Admission: £3; Programme: none
Attendance: 40 (headcount)
Weather: Sunny, strong cold win
Duration: first-half: 47:20; second-half: 47:32

Church Warsop (navy blue / navy blue / navy blue): 1. Craig Tansley, 2. Adrian Smith, 3. Liam Middleton, 4. Craig Charlesworth, 5. Brett Crew, 6. Robert Camm, 7. Sam Ward, 8. Craig Cantrell, 9. Lee Eason (capt), 10. Liam Marsden, 11. Jordan Claxton. Subs: 14. Luke Cower (for Crew, 71), 15. Alex Marsh (not used), 19. Richard Preston (not used).

Pinxton (white shirts with black sleeves / black / black): 1. Dave McCarthy, 2. Josh Parker, 3. Ryan Kerlin, 4. Joe Riley, 5. Jamie Renshaw, 6. Liam Collins, 7. Frazer Thomas (capt), 8. Sam Hutsby, 9. Blake Vincent, 10. Martin Jones, 11. Martin Newman. Subs: 14. Jay Cooper (for Newman, 48), 15. Lewis Fantom (for Hutsby, 55), 17. Rory Davis (for Kerlin, 79).

Referee: Stephen Hall.
Assistants: Gareth Carlile and Martin Jones.

Goals:
1-0 Craig Cantrell (73 pen)

Cards:
Church Warsop: none
Pinxton: Josh Parker (YC, 54), Liam Collins (YC, 90+2)