Saturday 17 September 2016
Lymm Res v Wardle A – Division 5
Pre-match correspondence revealed that the League Secretary and his trusted Council colleague, Peter Jackson from Lymm, would not be present at today’s match as they were prioritising a good walk spoiled above amateur football watching; the last time I met Peter Duffy on a golf course he was on my fairway (but not my hole).
A warm welcome at Sandy Lane was received from Lymm’s Reserves team manager, Mike Dore, who had plenty of enthusiasm on his touch-line from his young team, subs and supporters.
Wardle are in the Council’s particularly good books. Two of their opening fixtures have been abandoned when opposition players have broken limbs during the game. On the first occasion, their team volunteered their match fees from the future re-arranged game to treat Joe Rooney (Ashtonians, tib and fib break) and his partner to a meal; on the second occasion, although the result was tight at the point of abandonment (3-2), they agreed that the result should stand. Fantastic sportsmanship, in the spirit of the LAL.
Sandy Lane looked splendid in the surprising September sunshine and the young Lymm team looked like they had the measure, and the legs, of Wardle. They swept into a comfortable 2-0 lead and missed a number of other chances. However, before half-time, Wardle pulled one back when a shot was wickedly deflected into the Lymm net. The second-half continued in the same fashion but again, against the run of play and Lymm rattling the post, Wardle equalised and went on to be 2-3 Away team winners.
Bizarrely, half way through the second-half, Lymm’s first team returned having been informed during their journey to Thornleigh in Div 4, that the match was postponed following a break-in of the changing rooms. Lymm arrived at Stapleton Avenue to find nobody present and the changing rooms, apparently, locked-up and intact – photographs taken. Now there’s a mystery for the Council to solve.
Saturday 01 October 2016
Thornleigh v Castle Hill – Division 1; Thornleigh A v Ainsworth Res – Division 4
Interesting introductory letter sent; then re-sent [shouldn’t send e-mails late at night when tired, Ed]
Here’s the content below:
I visited Stapleton Avenue twice last year. On the first occasion I ‘failed’ a referee on his assessment; on the second occasion, on an April evening, I watched Ashtonians (my Club) Reserves battered, 4-0. However, Ashtonians have followed in the wake of Thornleigh promotions last season and we will renew acquaintances this season, as we did in the 3-3 draw a couple of weeks ago. However, on that day not all good news: I was at Lymm watching their Reserves when their 1st XI returned from your ‘match not played’! No doubt explanations to follow.
Visiting Thornleigh last season, and talking to more mature members, took us back to another evening game when one of your spectators, with a single punch, broke Harry Lea’s (former LAL League goalkeeper) jaw. It must be more than 30 years ago when I was playing centre-half in that match. I have lived opposite his wife since – she has been married three times! Her next door neighbour is now Head of French at Thornleigh College, so loads of memories and connections.
And what a spectacular afternoon. I was warmly welcomed by Steve Glover, Club Secretary, and Chris Conniffe, old playing adversaries. Steve reminded me that Chris’ brother was one of the founders of Thornleigh in 1961 when the playing attraction was a free pastie. Today the burger and coffee van was on site and a pleasing half-time port of call – even the chipper-van-man was cheerful.
Thornleigh appeared to have the advantage over a bulky Castle Hill back 4 with some speedy wing-work leading to a 2-0 half-time lead.
An extraordinary four, high quality goals in short-order by Castle Hill completely reversed the fortunes of the match making the score 2-4, Thornleigh came back to 4-4, then a goal apiece levelled it at 5-5. One for the non-partisan spectators (Thornleigh making a bit of a habit of this). The players’ behaviour and challenging of the referee’s decisions, by both sides, was disproportionate (Thornleigh finished with 10 for this reason) – the referee was excellent – and it was disappointing to have both sets of supporters, subs and others on one touch-line, with the referee’s other flag left forlornly on the other touch-line. Not helpful.
On the adjacent pitch, a more successful bulky back-4 of Thornleigh ‘A’ snuffed-out any threat from Ainsworth, to win, comfortably, 3-1.
A post-match phone call reinforced Thornleigh’s officials’ behaviour as truly in the spirit of the LAL.
Saturday 08 October 2016
Rossendale v Ashtonians – Div 1
Another nostalgia-ridden introductory letter:
In the reverse fixture of about 25 years ago that I refereed, I sent-off one of the Rossendale guys for head-butting an Ashtonians player called Ian Walkden. Your guy, very big guy, appealed, and it was the only appeal I ever lost as a referee, because I relied on the evidence of a club linesman - and an Ashtonian player with a big bump on his nose. The Chairman of the Appeals Panel was one Colin Ackers, Honorary Life President of the LAL. Hey ho.
I'm sure there'll be none of those shenanigans on Saturday which I look forward to immensely.
In a crackerjack of a game, there was plenty of feistiness, and the young referee, Chris Tonge, who was also being assessed, did an excellent job of measured discipline, with half a dozen correct cautions but nobody down to 10.
Great set-up at Marls Pit, with Rossendale hosting Ilkley on the neighbouring rugby union pitch; £5 to watch that, but spectators could have saved their cash and watched this excellent match with the round ball. Rossendale dominated first half possession without particularly threatening goal, but benefitted from a last minute of the first-half penalty, which was well dispatched.
There was almost a goalkeeper goal for Rossendale when Ashtonians Reserves keeper made his only significant save, having mis-judged the bounce of his opposite number’s kick, he clawed it away for a corner. Ashtonians came more and more into the game in the second-half. A powerful header from one of many corners was cleared off the line but the pressure told when 16-year-old Imrie side-footed a sublime volley from 18 yards into the top corner; excellent technique deserving of a point.
Warm welcome from all Rossendalians, including James Forster who played 80 minutes in a hard fought centre of midfield.
Saturday 15 October 2016
Howe Bridge Mills v Horwich St Mary’s Victoria – Premier
Howe Bridge Mills A v Bolton Wyresdale Res Div 5
On the 4G, the first half hour belied the league table as bottom club, Howe Bridge Mills (HBM) held their own against second in the league, Horwich St Mary’s Victoria HSV) – is this the fixture with the most letters?
However, whilst walking over to the Div 5 game on the grass, and a warm welcome from Secretary Vinnie Monks, HSV took the lead against the stand-in HBM goalkeeper who had already shown some exceptional outfield skills, but failed to keep out a Route 1 attack. In the ‘A’ team game, HBM took the lead.
I was pleased to have a word with veteran referee Mike Morledge at half time. Mike was a combative mid-field dynamo in his days as a player for the long-forgotten Old Smithillians; I played against him many times for Ashton GSOB before turning to refereeing. I claim some merit in persuading Mike to referee after the end of his playing career. When I ref’d him, and he was still playing, he said that if a thug like me could take up the whistle there was hope for him. Mike has been a great servant to the LAL, as a referee and latterly on the League Council. He has won the Referee of the Year Award on innumerable occasions despite the evidence today that he still had not quite mastered the ‘advantage’ rule, and with a shorts-length that would have not been out-of-place in his 1950s playing days.
The first-half had ended in lively fashion, with HBM having a very good effort saved well, and smashing the cross-bar. However, at the beginning of the second-half, HSV safely tucked away a penalty and went on to win, comfortably, 0-7.
Perhaps the A team was the place to see the true spirit of the LAL played-out in a 4-2 victory for the home team.
Lymm Res v Wardle A – Division 5
Pre-match correspondence revealed that the League Secretary and his trusted Council colleague, Peter Jackson from Lymm, would not be present at today’s match as they were prioritising a good walk spoiled above amateur football watching; the last time I met Peter Duffy on a golf course he was on my fairway (but not my hole).
A warm welcome at Sandy Lane was received from Lymm’s Reserves team manager, Mike Dore, who had plenty of enthusiasm on his touch-line from his young team, subs and supporters.
Wardle are in the Council’s particularly good books. Two of their opening fixtures have been abandoned when opposition players have broken limbs during the game. On the first occasion, their team volunteered their match fees from the future re-arranged game to treat Joe Rooney (Ashtonians, tib and fib break) and his partner to a meal; on the second occasion, although the result was tight at the point of abandonment (3-2), they agreed that the result should stand. Fantastic sportsmanship, in the spirit of the LAL.
Sandy Lane looked splendid in the surprising September sunshine and the young Lymm team looked like they had the measure, and the legs, of Wardle. They swept into a comfortable 2-0 lead and missed a number of other chances. However, before half-time, Wardle pulled one back when a shot was wickedly deflected into the Lymm net. The second-half continued in the same fashion but again, against the run of play and Lymm rattling the post, Wardle equalised and went on to be 2-3 Away team winners.
Bizarrely, half way through the second-half, Lymm’s first team returned having been informed during their journey to Thornleigh in Div 4, that the match was postponed following a break-in of the changing rooms. Lymm arrived at Stapleton Avenue to find nobody present and the changing rooms, apparently, locked-up and intact – photographs taken. Now there’s a mystery for the Council to solve.
Saturday 01 October 2016
Thornleigh v Castle Hill – Division 1; Thornleigh A v Ainsworth Res – Division 4
Interesting introductory letter sent; then re-sent [shouldn’t send e-mails late at night when tired, Ed]
Here’s the content below:
I visited Stapleton Avenue twice last year. On the first occasion I ‘failed’ a referee on his assessment; on the second occasion, on an April evening, I watched Ashtonians (my Club) Reserves battered, 4-0. However, Ashtonians have followed in the wake of Thornleigh promotions last season and we will renew acquaintances this season, as we did in the 3-3 draw a couple of weeks ago. However, on that day not all good news: I was at Lymm watching their Reserves when their 1st XI returned from your ‘match not played’! No doubt explanations to follow.
Visiting Thornleigh last season, and talking to more mature members, took us back to another evening game when one of your spectators, with a single punch, broke Harry Lea’s (former LAL League goalkeeper) jaw. It must be more than 30 years ago when I was playing centre-half in that match. I have lived opposite his wife since – she has been married three times! Her next door neighbour is now Head of French at Thornleigh College, so loads of memories and connections.
And what a spectacular afternoon. I was warmly welcomed by Steve Glover, Club Secretary, and Chris Conniffe, old playing adversaries. Steve reminded me that Chris’ brother was one of the founders of Thornleigh in 1961 when the playing attraction was a free pastie. Today the burger and coffee van was on site and a pleasing half-time port of call – even the chipper-van-man was cheerful.
Thornleigh appeared to have the advantage over a bulky Castle Hill back 4 with some speedy wing-work leading to a 2-0 half-time lead.
An extraordinary four, high quality goals in short-order by Castle Hill completely reversed the fortunes of the match making the score 2-4, Thornleigh came back to 4-4, then a goal apiece levelled it at 5-5. One for the non-partisan spectators (Thornleigh making a bit of a habit of this). The players’ behaviour and challenging of the referee’s decisions, by both sides, was disproportionate (Thornleigh finished with 10 for this reason) – the referee was excellent – and it was disappointing to have both sets of supporters, subs and others on one touch-line, with the referee’s other flag left forlornly on the other touch-line. Not helpful.
On the adjacent pitch, a more successful bulky back-4 of Thornleigh ‘A’ snuffed-out any threat from Ainsworth, to win, comfortably, 3-1.
A post-match phone call reinforced Thornleigh’s officials’ behaviour as truly in the spirit of the LAL.
Saturday 08 October 2016
Rossendale v Ashtonians – Div 1
Another nostalgia-ridden introductory letter:
In the reverse fixture of about 25 years ago that I refereed, I sent-off one of the Rossendale guys for head-butting an Ashtonians player called Ian Walkden. Your guy, very big guy, appealed, and it was the only appeal I ever lost as a referee, because I relied on the evidence of a club linesman - and an Ashtonian player with a big bump on his nose. The Chairman of the Appeals Panel was one Colin Ackers, Honorary Life President of the LAL. Hey ho.
I'm sure there'll be none of those shenanigans on Saturday which I look forward to immensely.
In a crackerjack of a game, there was plenty of feistiness, and the young referee, Chris Tonge, who was also being assessed, did an excellent job of measured discipline, with half a dozen correct cautions but nobody down to 10.
Great set-up at Marls Pit, with Rossendale hosting Ilkley on the neighbouring rugby union pitch; £5 to watch that, but spectators could have saved their cash and watched this excellent match with the round ball. Rossendale dominated first half possession without particularly threatening goal, but benefitted from a last minute of the first-half penalty, which was well dispatched.
There was almost a goalkeeper goal for Rossendale when Ashtonians Reserves keeper made his only significant save, having mis-judged the bounce of his opposite number’s kick, he clawed it away for a corner. Ashtonians came more and more into the game in the second-half. A powerful header from one of many corners was cleared off the line but the pressure told when 16-year-old Imrie side-footed a sublime volley from 18 yards into the top corner; excellent technique deserving of a point.
Warm welcome from all Rossendalians, including James Forster who played 80 minutes in a hard fought centre of midfield.
Saturday 15 October 2016
Howe Bridge Mills v Horwich St Mary’s Victoria – Premier
Howe Bridge Mills A v Bolton Wyresdale Res Div 5
On the 4G, the first half hour belied the league table as bottom club, Howe Bridge Mills (HBM) held their own against second in the league, Horwich St Mary’s Victoria HSV) – is this the fixture with the most letters?
However, whilst walking over to the Div 5 game on the grass, and a warm welcome from Secretary Vinnie Monks, HSV took the lead against the stand-in HBM goalkeeper who had already shown some exceptional outfield skills, but failed to keep out a Route 1 attack. In the ‘A’ team game, HBM took the lead.
I was pleased to have a word with veteran referee Mike Morledge at half time. Mike was a combative mid-field dynamo in his days as a player for the long-forgotten Old Smithillians; I played against him many times for Ashton GSOB before turning to refereeing. I claim some merit in persuading Mike to referee after the end of his playing career. When I ref’d him, and he was still playing, he said that if a thug like me could take up the whistle there was hope for him. Mike has been a great servant to the LAL, as a referee and latterly on the League Council. He has won the Referee of the Year Award on innumerable occasions despite the evidence today that he still had not quite mastered the ‘advantage’ rule, and with a shorts-length that would have not been out-of-place in his 1950s playing days.
The first-half had ended in lively fashion, with HBM having a very good effort saved well, and smashing the cross-bar. However, at the beginning of the second-half, HSV safely tucked away a penalty and went on to win, comfortably, 0-7.
Perhaps the A team was the place to see the true spirit of the LAL played-out in a 4-2 victory for the home team.