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!
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)
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.
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)
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.
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.
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.
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