March 25th
AFC Dobbies v Thornleigh (1st XI Cup)
I watched the first half here, at the Old Standians ground, where the pitch was sticky and the football reasonable. Thornleigh, of the higher division, had healthy touch-line presence and a warm welcome to the President; a similarly warm welcome from the Dobbies touch-line where Big Ben Bradbury managed his players with enthusiasm and wit – the problem that the players didn’t feel the wit led to occasional misunderstandings, usually preceded with a word beginning with f, but little malice intended.
Thornleigh’s No 9, after persistently troubling the Dobbies defence with very little support from his teammates, finally earned a free kick just outside the box, which was dispatched with aplomb just before half-time.
The final score-line of 0-3 in favour of Thornleigh was perhaps something of a surprise; further player disciplinary troubles would not have been!
Bury GSOB v Ashtonians (1st XI Cup)
A quick run up to Bury GSOB’s immaculate grounds where all three teams were playing at home: I was only able to focus on their 1st XI playing my own club, Ashtonians; and their Reserves playing Old Bolts; both in the Cup.
The 1st XI game had started late as the Ashtonians captain had been taken seriously ill before setting-off, requiring ambulance attention and hospital admission so, when I arrived, it was not yet half-time with the score 2-1 in favour of the home team: Ashtonians, of the lower division, had also now lost their key player through a season-ending ligament injury.
Bury were the superior team in most departments, but Ashtonians showed plucky defensive qualities and fulfilled their potential threat on the break when the centre-forward equalised from a counter-attacking through-ball with 20 minutes to go.
However, with only one minute left on the clock, Bury used the long throw-in methodology into the box, Ashtonians defenders let the ball bounce, and an unusual scoring candidate swivelled on his backside to prod the ball home for a 3-2 victory for the Premiership side and a depleted, returning Ashtonians side.
The Reserves Cup team game on the adjacent pitch was equally closely fought, ending 1-1 followed by the drama of penalties. Of the five preferred penalty-takers, two from each team missed; those in the also-rans proved a better bet, the Bury goalkeeper finally saving the eighth penalty, as Bury also progressed here, 6-5.
Bury GSOB is an admirable club to visit; a leading club in the LAL. Its facilities often host meetings of clubs, and its playing surfaces at Buckley Wells are exceptional. However, it is the tone, mood and attitude of all concerned that is most impressive. Managers, spectators and substitutes are unfailingly courteous and understanding; nobody is screaming at referees from the touchline or abusing opposition players. There is a fare smattering of older spectators, including parents and one delightful couple of grandparents sat on a waterproof coat and a garden chair on the line. Both games were very closely fought, with plenty competitiveness, but without the ugly aggression of some of those now involved in the amateur game. Bury GSOB – a real privilege to visit as President.
Saturday 01 April 2017
Another double-up in the town of Radcliffe.
Radcliffe JFC v Horwich HMI Res – Div 2
This looked like a couple of Junior teams with one or two old hands on either side; and both sets of players participated with a degree of enthusiasm that reflected more on their youth than on their league positions.
But the pitch at The Derby High School is huge. I stepped out 18 yards from penalty area to touch-line, which made a pitch of 80 yards in width and proportionately long. The first half, which I watched, reminded me of my miserable golfing prowess on a par 5. If each stroke produces maximum length in a straight line, I reach the green in four. This was like both teams’ goal-to-goal efforts. If the ball was passed/kicked four consecutive times between players of the same team, it had a reasonable chance of reaching the opposition’s penalty area; but one stray pass or one long ball usually put paid to this objective and I don’t recall either goalkeeper making a save in the first half that I watched.
How was it, then, that there were six second-half goals leaving both teams back where they started, at 3-3?
Radcliffe Town v Old Mostonians - Div 2
Radcliffe Town Reserves v Lymm HAS Res
This was the next fixture on the list so I nipped down the back road to Radcliffe and King George’s Playing Fields where Radcliffe Town were, slightly surprisingly, 1-0 ahead.
This game was played with a lot more vehemence, including some excruciatingly petulant behaviour by a Mostonians forward who, having taken a very minor knock, sat on the grass sulking and refusing to walk/roll the two yards to the touchline. When he did finally arouse himself, swearing profusely at the referee for not stopping the game to indulge his sulk, he was substituted and soon afterwards, returned to the fray. Such behaviour was not untypical of both team managers
On the field, Mostonians had taken the upper hand, and two of many similar chances were converted into the winning goals: they looked strong and favourites for the Division 2 title.
I bumped into LAL secretary, Peter Duffy who was having a look at his foundation club, and some venerable members of the Radcliffe Town committee, who made me very welcome.
The two 1st XI team managers could learn a little Respect, and language restraint, from these stalwarts.
On the top pitch, Radcliffe comfortably dispatched a lightweight looking Lymm side 3-0, even with the indulgence of missing a late penalty, so half of the Home punters were content.
Monday 03 April 2017
Roach Dynamos v Thornleigh 1st XI Cup
Having watched Thornleigh progress through Round 1 with some degree of comfort, they were likely to face tougher opposition here at Roach, a ground I have never visited before as a player or referee. Warmly welcomed by Roach’s sub and secretary.
Thornleigh flippantly accused me of stalking them; it’s surprising how many times I come across the same Away team when trying to visit every Home ground. Anyway, they shouldn’t complain as I am proving to be their talisman in this impressive Cup run.
This was a cracking match, played in an excellent spirit, particularly when both teams had met in the League 72 hours earlier sharing a 1-1 draw. This spirit was helped by excellent refereeing, with a smile on his face, and a word in most players’ ears, which helped matters progress on the pitch.
Throughout the game a fair analysis would be that Roach held the upper hand, having more possession and the greater number of chances. They missed two easy heading opportunities, one in each half, when it looked easier for the unmarked Roach player to score; they had one cleared off the line and numerous attempts blocked, but it would also be a fair analysis to report that I cannot remember either goalkeeper making a significant save.
The stand-out moment occurred after an hour when Thornleigh made progress down the left flank from an innocuous half-way line throw-in. A clever flick, a simple pass, and an exquisite strike from outside the box curled into the top corner; a goal worthy of a place in the hat for the next round.
Tuesday 04 April 2017
Oldham Hulmeians Reserves v Bury GSOB Reserves – Div 2
A mid-week double-header as I try to squeeze-in as many visits as possible this week.
Oldham Hulmeians have moved their 1st XI and Reserves to the independent Oldham Hulme independent grammar school. Secretary Andrew kindly rang me to welcome me and informed me how well they had been treated at the school. The Hulmeians remain one of the few clubs to sustain four teams and were hosting one that has just dropped from four to three, Bury GSOB, again from the independent schools’ Old Boys forum (which also includes Old Bolts and Old Mancs). [The other clubs who sustain four teams – congratulations – are Radcliffe Town; Rochdale St Clements and Thornleigh.]
The guys on the line were an interesting crew. A couple of the older ones keen to inform me of the ‘terrible behaviour’ of their Saturday opponents who had two sent-off in a 2-2 draw. Meanwhile, their substitute was goading a young Bury player who promptly scored, then scored another very good goal again before half-time; and with another in-between, Bury coasted into a 0-3 lead. The final score of 0-5 probably reflected Hulmeians lowly league position.
On the Bury line I met my new friend, 48 year old Michael West, who prompted a brilliant e-mail trail about his last-minute winning goal in the Cup against my Ashtonians the previous Saturday.
I had described the goal as:
an unusual scoring candidate swivelled on his backside to prod the ball home for a 3-2 victory
he described it thus:
at the old age of 48, I see it as a wonderful turn and sweet half volley past the stranded keeper!
and the Ashtonians keeper, the tattooed Swifty by name, but not by nature, joined-in:
As the goalkeeper on the day I would say that it was a screamer that no keeper in the world would have saved hahah. It was a half -turn and luckily thru the legs of the defender.
Which just goes to show that you can’t believe everything you read in the Diary.
Chaddertonians v Rossendale FC – Div1
Meanwhile, over at Hopwood Hall, bottom of Division1 club, Old Chaddertonians, were hosting promotion candidates, Rossendale. Rossendale’s 0-3 half-time lead looked unassailable, but Chadds, to their utmost credit, kept battling-on and drew the second-half 1-1, leaving a final score of 1-4.
The game included a bizarre, pre-4th-goal incident. The Chadds full-back, trapped in his own corner area, tried the old one-two of turning to play it off the pressing forward for a goal-kick – once….twice…three times – and on each occasion the ball refused to rebound out of play. Ultimately the ball was crossed by the Rossendale winger for their fourth goal resulting in a little, unkind ‘stick’ for the Chadds lad from his own team-mates. Chadds continued to make a game of it and were justly rewarded with an excellent goal direct from a free-kick.
It was disappointing to hear the tale from Chairman Chris of the decline of a Club that has been a stalwart of the League and was now reduced from four teams to one, the Reserves dropping out of the LAL this year after half a dozen games. A team that still plays in a kit that is quartered. I recalled having been here on 10 September 2016 when the match was cried-off when Chadds could not raise a 1st XI. The diagnosis is familiar: old men, former players, administering the Club, managing teams, organising training and fund-raising, while younger players appear to lack the confidence or motivation to take on these roles and just ‘turn-up and play’. Is it society? Or could it be the product of junior football, where everything is done for players by enthusiastic parents (often over-enthusiastic), leaving them bereft of the skills and aptitudes (and attitudes) required to run an adult football club?
Wednesday 05 April 2017
Another double-header at two of the clubs with the most scenic grounds in the League, although this was a cold and breezy night and not for the faint-hearted in either game – players of spectators.
Ainsworth Res v Radcliffe St Mary’s Res – Div 4
The weather conditions of strong wind accentuated the advantage of the steepish slope at Ainsworth as a hardy few turned out for this Divison 4 affair.
Radcliffe played with the wind and slope advantage in the first half but played too many straight balls and missed too many chances to deserve any more than the 1-1 half time scoreline, much to the occasional despair of the inimitable Mr Ganz. Ainsworth defended their line heroically, if sometimes desperately, and their centre-forward scored an admirable first half goal, running with the ball in possession for a good 30 yards under the close supervision, but unchallenging presence, of a Radcliffe defender, to then smash it into the net from 20 Yards. That equaliser, and the sending-off of a Radcliffe player after 40 minutes, gave Ainsworth enough confidence to take advantage of the slope and weather in the second-half to run out 5-1 winners.
I wasn’t there to see that because I made my way through villages and towns to the excellent venue of Old Bolts at Chapeltown…
Old Boltonians v Old Mancunians Prem
…where on arrival it was still the first half, and scores were level at 1-1.
Old Bolts looked well on top for the remainder of that half when they were unlucky to see a header rattle off the crossbar and the rebound to be poked wide of an open goal. On the counter-attack, the Mancs centre-forward split the two less mobile Bolts centre-halves and earned a fairly soft penalty as the Bolts defender fell for the old trick of the forward running across him and hitting ground. Rather against the run of play, half-time score was 1-2.
The second half followed a similar pattern with Bolts pressing hard, but Mancs defending valiantly, with great confidence in their goalkeeper, and threatening with their speed on the break; on one occasion smashing a shot against the same crossbar that had been hit by the Bolts header in the first half, with the ball bouncing down onto the goal-line and back into play, with not a Russian linesman to be seen.
Bolts then won a similar penalty in a more crowded box and scored what was to be the equaliser and final goal of the game.
This was a cracking contest between two contrasting teams. Bolts were taller by about eight inches per man, and dominated possession and territory; Mancs were smaller and quicker, and dangerous on the counter-attack. The overall winner was amateur football at a high level played at an iconic venue with facilities to match. A welcome half-time cup of coffee allowed me the indulgence of sharing old times with Old Bolts committee members and former players: it was an absolute pleasure to be there.
Saturday 08 April 2017
Old Mancunians A v Old Blackburnians A – Div 4
Is this a record number of games for any LAL member to have spectated? – eight in eight days from Saturday to Saturday. When I was a little younger, eight by eight meant eight pints by 8 o’clock in eight different pubs (that only opened at 5 30); six by six subsequently became a challenge for the serious beer drinkers.
So it was time to see Mancs at home, having seen their 1st XI Away on Wednesday. Mancs have the privilege of playing at the superb University grounds. Their Reserve team game versus Hesketh had been ‘cried-off’ 24 hours beforehand as Hesketh Reserves couldn’t raise a team on Grand National Day (neither could Ashtonians Res twice in three days) but ‘A’team player, Howard Shore, continued with his gracious invitation to watch the ‘A’ team game in which he featured – for 80 minutes anyway. It was the 10 minutes before half-time that he and his fellow defenders went missing during which time Old Blacks smashed in four goals.
I had arrived at 3 00 pm with the score at 1-1, and Blacks reporting that Mancs had ‘battered them’ for the first 20 minutes. But then out of nowhere, came Blacks four-goal spree: two left-footed strikes, one 3-on-2 gimme, and one blasted in to make the half-time score 1-5. It’s hard to explain how it all happened, except to say that on three of the four occasions, Blacks forwards equalled or exceeded in number, the Mancs defenders: questions to be asked.
To put the game beyond doubt, Blacks scored a 6th shortly after half-time, then the game evened-out again with the final score at 2-7. This was surprisingly good entertainment for what was a summer’s afternoon of 4th v 2nd in the Division, enjoyed more by the travelling team than the Mancs.
Saturday 15 April 2017
Bolton Nomads v Mostonians Res – Div 2
An early kick-off on the 4G at the Essa Academy; the wind does not seem to have abated since the days of the long walk from the old Hayward High School across numerous pitches to play Old Haywardians. However, the football is very different The Nomads played some very skilful, some might say pretty, football, in contrast to the more robust, stronger and more physical approach of their table-topping opponents. Perhaps trying too hard to ‘be hard’, one outrageous sliding tackle right by the Nomads young right-back in front of the innumerable Mostonians supporters caused some consternation, a substitution, and a caution. Then Nomads quick centre-forward slipped between Mostonians goalkeeper and centre-half, who appeared to leave the responsibility to each other, and opened the scoring.
There was something of inevitability that Mostonians were soon back on terms converting a penalty, then a good counter-attack, followed by a powerful shot from a narrow angle, gave Mostonians a half-time, 1-2 lead.
In the second half, Nomads continued to play attractive football and missed two 1:1 opportunities before Mostonians overall strength won out with another quick brace in the second-half, followed by a final fifth to keep them on course for promotion.
Nomads should not be too disappointed: they played some great neat and tidy football suited to the 4G surface and should go from strength to strength as a young outfit. Mostonians should go on to be champions of Division 2.
A warm and courteous welcome from both teams and referee – thank you.
Castle Hill v Roach Dynamos – Div 1
Doubling-up again, I made the short hop across Bolton town centre up to the neat facilities at Castle Hill.
Here, I was welcomed, surprisingly, by Council member and top referee, Mick Morledge. He was having a day-off with a hamstring strain to watch his local club. By the time I arrived the score was 0-4 – and it was five by half-time.
Apparently, I missed the drama of the day. Club Secretary, Des Wilcox, who has endured a challenging season, adopted the goalkeeper’s jersey at the start of the game as Castle Hill struggled for players. When rounded by the opposition centre-forward, Des dragged him to the floor and was, according to the experienced Mr Morledge, rightly sent-off: the penalty was dispatched for a 0-3 lead to Roach at that point.
As Des, later, courteously and humorously welcomed me to Castle Hill, he was regretting his decision-making. With a final score-line of 0-9, he bemoaned the penalty being scored anyway, being reduced to 10 men, a future £35 fine, and a suspension, with only five men available for next week’s mid-week match at Ashtonians. Being a Club Secretary can be tough!
By half-time, it was 0-5; by the time I left it was 0-7 – with the seventh being the pick of the goals; an excellent header; and it finished 0-9. Like Chaddertonians the previous week, the future isn’t orange - that was the excellent opposition - the future, for Castle Hill, seems fragile.
Tuesday 18 April 2017
Valley United v AFC Dobbies – Div 2
Have you ever had the day when, as a player, referee, or even League President – you just don’t feel like the gig. After the first full day back at work following a longer than usual holiday, the 17 30 drive to Marl Pitts in Rossendale from Ashton felt like a ‘tough ask’, the only consolation being that I always choose the M6, M65, Grane Road route – the Grane Road being one of the most scenic drives in Lancashire, as it turned out to be in both directions this evening.
The game had just started when I arrived – and so had the entertainment - because this was one of the most exciting and incident-filled matches I had the privilege of watching this season. The game was played on the ‘top pitch’, a bumpy surface with a misleading slope which, aided by the breeze, offered a distinct advantage to the team kicking that way, which happened to be Valley United in the first half.
This was my first encounter with Valley United of any description, and what a good set of lads they appeared to be. A young side, which played some excellent football, in a very sporting manner. Dobbies are cut from a different cloth of tougher hew – and this made for interesting stuff.
In the first half, with the elements favouring Valley, they hit the post, then scored a simple goal after a great ‘advantage’ played by a highly competent young referee. But, just before half-time, Dobbies equalised when a free kick eluded the first pair of challengers only to be toe-poked home by a quicker reaction from a Dobbies forward. Extraordinarily, with Valley having the lion’s share of the half, Dobbies then gained a penalty when the Valley goalkeeper inexplicably, Joel Robles style, chased the Dobbies forward, who was running away from goal, and brought him down. He then smashed it against the cross-bar leaving a surprising half-time score at a modest 1-1.
The second-half was an arm wrestle for half an hour until Valley, against the elements, took the lead following a foul as the cautioned Dobbies centre-half ‘cleaned-out’ a Valley forward; the resulting free-kick cross was volleyed home. Valley’s opportunity to nail the game came from the award of another ‘soft’ penalty, but they managed to find the woodwork as well, this time both posts.
The excitement continued. Dobbies now had the initiative following the penalty miss, and a good chance was expertly tipped onto the cross-bar by the Valley keeper – and so the siege continued. Two, set-piece, incidents in the last five minutes, sealed the turnaround and result in Dobbies’ favour. A contestable free-kick was given to Dobbies on the edge of the penalty area; the sliding, hook-tackle is controversial in today’s game: the Valley defender certainly played the ball – was it a tackle from behind? – this was the (excellent) referee’s view. That was curled straight-in – 2-2.
As Valley defended desperately, man-of-the-match, Club Secretary, and star left back, Lewis Rouine, trapped the ball on his own penalty spot and the goalkeeper, perhaps naturally or naively, picked-up the ball. Rightly, judged a deliberate back-pass (although we’ve all seen them not given, and it was even a surprise to Dobbies), an indirect free-kick was awarded, was not defended well, and a simple touch and accurate curling shot found the back of the net with virtually the last kick of the match, and a 2-3 victory for Dobbies.
In summary, Dobbies came from behind twice to win 2-3 in the last minute; each team hit the woodwork from penalties; and the man-of-the-match was the Club Secretary from the losing team whose action inadvertently decided the game (although why did the keeper choose to pick-up the ball rather than clear it?). All this on a Tuesday night in the midst of the Rossendale fells before the return journey over the Grane Road – a great way to spend the evening after all, and thanks to both teams, and to Lewis and Big Ben for their courtesies.
Tuesday 19 April 2017
Whitworth Valley v Oldham Hulmeians – Prem
Another long trip out, for an evening match, to Whitworth – one of my favourite Lancashire villages. It has just about the right combination of industrial heritage and imaginative new housing to make it less twee than the Cotswolds (or the Ribble Valley!) but has more about it than Edgeside or Stacksteads. We once stayed in a hotel here – well, a pub, actually - whilst walking the Rossendale Way.
What it had tonight was the most bizarre set of road works I had ever seen in the village centre. Both sets of roadworks’ traffic lights were on Red, but both had been turned inwards to face the pavement – so everyone stopped, and no one knew whether to stop or go. This delayed my journey from central Manchester (90 minutes), but also everyone else’s, so the game was still in its infancy when I arrived at 19 00 with the Away team winning 0-1.
This was yet another surprisingly good game for a late season/evening gig. The standard of football for the Prem was not the greatest but mitigating factors were a number of Reserve team players in the ranks and these two teams are in the lower echelons of the Prem; Division 1 promotion prospects, Prestwich and Dobbies, will provide very challenging opposition next season. But the entertainment value was great (and far better than Wigan Athletic at £26/throw).
Hulmeians 0-1 lead on my arrival was overtaken by Whitworth Valley with competent goals either side of half time as the lead changed hands in favour of the Home side. But two goals from two set-piece events in the middle of the second-half restored the visitors’ lead to 2-3. From a corner, the classic near-post flick-on offered an unmissable chance for the on-coming Hulmeians forward for the equaliser. One minute later, the Whitworth forward thought the ball had gone out of play in the Hulmeians half; it hadn’t, and a line pass followed by a faster forward than defender saw him smash it into the top corner. Indeed, a fourth was only prevented by an excellent save by the Whitworth keeper.
But were Whitworth downhearted – no, not when the excellent referee gave a penalty following a wild swipe by the Hulmeians defender which was blasted into the top of the middle of the goal for a fair 3-3 final scoreline.
This was a good advert for the LAL, not least because of the wry sense of humour of both touch-line protagonists. The new Oldham manager and the Whitworth liner, for those familiar with Whitworth’s tight and pleasant ground, shared ‘the crack’ on the same touch-line throughout the second-half, mostly at the expense of the Hulmeians liner, who stood, reluctantly lonesome and unengaged, on the far touch-line. It was a real pleasure to listen-in on the gentle humour of two guys interested in promoting amateur football, in contrast with the sometimes completely partisan and foul-mouthed haranguing of officials and opponents by less intelligent souls in previous weeks. Much Respect to both. I have never visited Whitworth Valley previously as a player or referee: it felt good – enclosed ground, changing rooms and local club facilities on site, good smattering of local support, including some of the next generation, and a general, all-round, feel-good factor despite their lowly position in the Prem. Good club, good crack, good game, good night.
AFC Dobbies v Thornleigh (1st XI Cup)
I watched the first half here, at the Old Standians ground, where the pitch was sticky and the football reasonable. Thornleigh, of the higher division, had healthy touch-line presence and a warm welcome to the President; a similarly warm welcome from the Dobbies touch-line where Big Ben Bradbury managed his players with enthusiasm and wit – the problem that the players didn’t feel the wit led to occasional misunderstandings, usually preceded with a word beginning with f, but little malice intended.
Thornleigh’s No 9, after persistently troubling the Dobbies defence with very little support from his teammates, finally earned a free kick just outside the box, which was dispatched with aplomb just before half-time.
The final score-line of 0-3 in favour of Thornleigh was perhaps something of a surprise; further player disciplinary troubles would not have been!
Bury GSOB v Ashtonians (1st XI Cup)
A quick run up to Bury GSOB’s immaculate grounds where all three teams were playing at home: I was only able to focus on their 1st XI playing my own club, Ashtonians; and their Reserves playing Old Bolts; both in the Cup.
The 1st XI game had started late as the Ashtonians captain had been taken seriously ill before setting-off, requiring ambulance attention and hospital admission so, when I arrived, it was not yet half-time with the score 2-1 in favour of the home team: Ashtonians, of the lower division, had also now lost their key player through a season-ending ligament injury.
Bury were the superior team in most departments, but Ashtonians showed plucky defensive qualities and fulfilled their potential threat on the break when the centre-forward equalised from a counter-attacking through-ball with 20 minutes to go.
However, with only one minute left on the clock, Bury used the long throw-in methodology into the box, Ashtonians defenders let the ball bounce, and an unusual scoring candidate swivelled on his backside to prod the ball home for a 3-2 victory for the Premiership side and a depleted, returning Ashtonians side.
The Reserves Cup team game on the adjacent pitch was equally closely fought, ending 1-1 followed by the drama of penalties. Of the five preferred penalty-takers, two from each team missed; those in the also-rans proved a better bet, the Bury goalkeeper finally saving the eighth penalty, as Bury also progressed here, 6-5.
Bury GSOB is an admirable club to visit; a leading club in the LAL. Its facilities often host meetings of clubs, and its playing surfaces at Buckley Wells are exceptional. However, it is the tone, mood and attitude of all concerned that is most impressive. Managers, spectators and substitutes are unfailingly courteous and understanding; nobody is screaming at referees from the touchline or abusing opposition players. There is a fare smattering of older spectators, including parents and one delightful couple of grandparents sat on a waterproof coat and a garden chair on the line. Both games were very closely fought, with plenty competitiveness, but without the ugly aggression of some of those now involved in the amateur game. Bury GSOB – a real privilege to visit as President.
Saturday 01 April 2017
Another double-up in the town of Radcliffe.
Radcliffe JFC v Horwich HMI Res – Div 2
This looked like a couple of Junior teams with one or two old hands on either side; and both sets of players participated with a degree of enthusiasm that reflected more on their youth than on their league positions.
But the pitch at The Derby High School is huge. I stepped out 18 yards from penalty area to touch-line, which made a pitch of 80 yards in width and proportionately long. The first half, which I watched, reminded me of my miserable golfing prowess on a par 5. If each stroke produces maximum length in a straight line, I reach the green in four. This was like both teams’ goal-to-goal efforts. If the ball was passed/kicked four consecutive times between players of the same team, it had a reasonable chance of reaching the opposition’s penalty area; but one stray pass or one long ball usually put paid to this objective and I don’t recall either goalkeeper making a save in the first half that I watched.
How was it, then, that there were six second-half goals leaving both teams back where they started, at 3-3?
Radcliffe Town v Old Mostonians - Div 2
Radcliffe Town Reserves v Lymm HAS Res
This was the next fixture on the list so I nipped down the back road to Radcliffe and King George’s Playing Fields where Radcliffe Town were, slightly surprisingly, 1-0 ahead.
This game was played with a lot more vehemence, including some excruciatingly petulant behaviour by a Mostonians forward who, having taken a very minor knock, sat on the grass sulking and refusing to walk/roll the two yards to the touchline. When he did finally arouse himself, swearing profusely at the referee for not stopping the game to indulge his sulk, he was substituted and soon afterwards, returned to the fray. Such behaviour was not untypical of both team managers
On the field, Mostonians had taken the upper hand, and two of many similar chances were converted into the winning goals: they looked strong and favourites for the Division 2 title.
I bumped into LAL secretary, Peter Duffy who was having a look at his foundation club, and some venerable members of the Radcliffe Town committee, who made me very welcome.
The two 1st XI team managers could learn a little Respect, and language restraint, from these stalwarts.
On the top pitch, Radcliffe comfortably dispatched a lightweight looking Lymm side 3-0, even with the indulgence of missing a late penalty, so half of the Home punters were content.
Monday 03 April 2017
Roach Dynamos v Thornleigh 1st XI Cup
Having watched Thornleigh progress through Round 1 with some degree of comfort, they were likely to face tougher opposition here at Roach, a ground I have never visited before as a player or referee. Warmly welcomed by Roach’s sub and secretary.
Thornleigh flippantly accused me of stalking them; it’s surprising how many times I come across the same Away team when trying to visit every Home ground. Anyway, they shouldn’t complain as I am proving to be their talisman in this impressive Cup run.
This was a cracking match, played in an excellent spirit, particularly when both teams had met in the League 72 hours earlier sharing a 1-1 draw. This spirit was helped by excellent refereeing, with a smile on his face, and a word in most players’ ears, which helped matters progress on the pitch.
Throughout the game a fair analysis would be that Roach held the upper hand, having more possession and the greater number of chances. They missed two easy heading opportunities, one in each half, when it looked easier for the unmarked Roach player to score; they had one cleared off the line and numerous attempts blocked, but it would also be a fair analysis to report that I cannot remember either goalkeeper making a significant save.
The stand-out moment occurred after an hour when Thornleigh made progress down the left flank from an innocuous half-way line throw-in. A clever flick, a simple pass, and an exquisite strike from outside the box curled into the top corner; a goal worthy of a place in the hat for the next round.
Tuesday 04 April 2017
Oldham Hulmeians Reserves v Bury GSOB Reserves – Div 2
A mid-week double-header as I try to squeeze-in as many visits as possible this week.
Oldham Hulmeians have moved their 1st XI and Reserves to the independent Oldham Hulme independent grammar school. Secretary Andrew kindly rang me to welcome me and informed me how well they had been treated at the school. The Hulmeians remain one of the few clubs to sustain four teams and were hosting one that has just dropped from four to three, Bury GSOB, again from the independent schools’ Old Boys forum (which also includes Old Bolts and Old Mancs). [The other clubs who sustain four teams – congratulations – are Radcliffe Town; Rochdale St Clements and Thornleigh.]
The guys on the line were an interesting crew. A couple of the older ones keen to inform me of the ‘terrible behaviour’ of their Saturday opponents who had two sent-off in a 2-2 draw. Meanwhile, their substitute was goading a young Bury player who promptly scored, then scored another very good goal again before half-time; and with another in-between, Bury coasted into a 0-3 lead. The final score of 0-5 probably reflected Hulmeians lowly league position.
On the Bury line I met my new friend, 48 year old Michael West, who prompted a brilliant e-mail trail about his last-minute winning goal in the Cup against my Ashtonians the previous Saturday.
I had described the goal as:
an unusual scoring candidate swivelled on his backside to prod the ball home for a 3-2 victory
he described it thus:
at the old age of 48, I see it as a wonderful turn and sweet half volley past the stranded keeper!
and the Ashtonians keeper, the tattooed Swifty by name, but not by nature, joined-in:
As the goalkeeper on the day I would say that it was a screamer that no keeper in the world would have saved hahah. It was a half -turn and luckily thru the legs of the defender.
Which just goes to show that you can’t believe everything you read in the Diary.
Chaddertonians v Rossendale FC – Div1
Meanwhile, over at Hopwood Hall, bottom of Division1 club, Old Chaddertonians, were hosting promotion candidates, Rossendale. Rossendale’s 0-3 half-time lead looked unassailable, but Chadds, to their utmost credit, kept battling-on and drew the second-half 1-1, leaving a final score of 1-4.
The game included a bizarre, pre-4th-goal incident. The Chadds full-back, trapped in his own corner area, tried the old one-two of turning to play it off the pressing forward for a goal-kick – once….twice…three times – and on each occasion the ball refused to rebound out of play. Ultimately the ball was crossed by the Rossendale winger for their fourth goal resulting in a little, unkind ‘stick’ for the Chadds lad from his own team-mates. Chadds continued to make a game of it and were justly rewarded with an excellent goal direct from a free-kick.
It was disappointing to hear the tale from Chairman Chris of the decline of a Club that has been a stalwart of the League and was now reduced from four teams to one, the Reserves dropping out of the LAL this year after half a dozen games. A team that still plays in a kit that is quartered. I recalled having been here on 10 September 2016 when the match was cried-off when Chadds could not raise a 1st XI. The diagnosis is familiar: old men, former players, administering the Club, managing teams, organising training and fund-raising, while younger players appear to lack the confidence or motivation to take on these roles and just ‘turn-up and play’. Is it society? Or could it be the product of junior football, where everything is done for players by enthusiastic parents (often over-enthusiastic), leaving them bereft of the skills and aptitudes (and attitudes) required to run an adult football club?
Wednesday 05 April 2017
Another double-header at two of the clubs with the most scenic grounds in the League, although this was a cold and breezy night and not for the faint-hearted in either game – players of spectators.
Ainsworth Res v Radcliffe St Mary’s Res – Div 4
The weather conditions of strong wind accentuated the advantage of the steepish slope at Ainsworth as a hardy few turned out for this Divison 4 affair.
Radcliffe played with the wind and slope advantage in the first half but played too many straight balls and missed too many chances to deserve any more than the 1-1 half time scoreline, much to the occasional despair of the inimitable Mr Ganz. Ainsworth defended their line heroically, if sometimes desperately, and their centre-forward scored an admirable first half goal, running with the ball in possession for a good 30 yards under the close supervision, but unchallenging presence, of a Radcliffe defender, to then smash it into the net from 20 Yards. That equaliser, and the sending-off of a Radcliffe player after 40 minutes, gave Ainsworth enough confidence to take advantage of the slope and weather in the second-half to run out 5-1 winners.
I wasn’t there to see that because I made my way through villages and towns to the excellent venue of Old Bolts at Chapeltown…
Old Boltonians v Old Mancunians Prem
…where on arrival it was still the first half, and scores were level at 1-1.
Old Bolts looked well on top for the remainder of that half when they were unlucky to see a header rattle off the crossbar and the rebound to be poked wide of an open goal. On the counter-attack, the Mancs centre-forward split the two less mobile Bolts centre-halves and earned a fairly soft penalty as the Bolts defender fell for the old trick of the forward running across him and hitting ground. Rather against the run of play, half-time score was 1-2.
The second half followed a similar pattern with Bolts pressing hard, but Mancs defending valiantly, with great confidence in their goalkeeper, and threatening with their speed on the break; on one occasion smashing a shot against the same crossbar that had been hit by the Bolts header in the first half, with the ball bouncing down onto the goal-line and back into play, with not a Russian linesman to be seen.
Bolts then won a similar penalty in a more crowded box and scored what was to be the equaliser and final goal of the game.
This was a cracking contest between two contrasting teams. Bolts were taller by about eight inches per man, and dominated possession and territory; Mancs were smaller and quicker, and dangerous on the counter-attack. The overall winner was amateur football at a high level played at an iconic venue with facilities to match. A welcome half-time cup of coffee allowed me the indulgence of sharing old times with Old Bolts committee members and former players: it was an absolute pleasure to be there.
Saturday 08 April 2017
Old Mancunians A v Old Blackburnians A – Div 4
Is this a record number of games for any LAL member to have spectated? – eight in eight days from Saturday to Saturday. When I was a little younger, eight by eight meant eight pints by 8 o’clock in eight different pubs (that only opened at 5 30); six by six subsequently became a challenge for the serious beer drinkers.
So it was time to see Mancs at home, having seen their 1st XI Away on Wednesday. Mancs have the privilege of playing at the superb University grounds. Their Reserve team game versus Hesketh had been ‘cried-off’ 24 hours beforehand as Hesketh Reserves couldn’t raise a team on Grand National Day (neither could Ashtonians Res twice in three days) but ‘A’team player, Howard Shore, continued with his gracious invitation to watch the ‘A’ team game in which he featured – for 80 minutes anyway. It was the 10 minutes before half-time that he and his fellow defenders went missing during which time Old Blacks smashed in four goals.
I had arrived at 3 00 pm with the score at 1-1, and Blacks reporting that Mancs had ‘battered them’ for the first 20 minutes. But then out of nowhere, came Blacks four-goal spree: two left-footed strikes, one 3-on-2 gimme, and one blasted in to make the half-time score 1-5. It’s hard to explain how it all happened, except to say that on three of the four occasions, Blacks forwards equalled or exceeded in number, the Mancs defenders: questions to be asked.
To put the game beyond doubt, Blacks scored a 6th shortly after half-time, then the game evened-out again with the final score at 2-7. This was surprisingly good entertainment for what was a summer’s afternoon of 4th v 2nd in the Division, enjoyed more by the travelling team than the Mancs.
Saturday 15 April 2017
Bolton Nomads v Mostonians Res – Div 2
An early kick-off on the 4G at the Essa Academy; the wind does not seem to have abated since the days of the long walk from the old Hayward High School across numerous pitches to play Old Haywardians. However, the football is very different The Nomads played some very skilful, some might say pretty, football, in contrast to the more robust, stronger and more physical approach of their table-topping opponents. Perhaps trying too hard to ‘be hard’, one outrageous sliding tackle right by the Nomads young right-back in front of the innumerable Mostonians supporters caused some consternation, a substitution, and a caution. Then Nomads quick centre-forward slipped between Mostonians goalkeeper and centre-half, who appeared to leave the responsibility to each other, and opened the scoring.
There was something of inevitability that Mostonians were soon back on terms converting a penalty, then a good counter-attack, followed by a powerful shot from a narrow angle, gave Mostonians a half-time, 1-2 lead.
In the second half, Nomads continued to play attractive football and missed two 1:1 opportunities before Mostonians overall strength won out with another quick brace in the second-half, followed by a final fifth to keep them on course for promotion.
Nomads should not be too disappointed: they played some great neat and tidy football suited to the 4G surface and should go from strength to strength as a young outfit. Mostonians should go on to be champions of Division 2.
A warm and courteous welcome from both teams and referee – thank you.
Castle Hill v Roach Dynamos – Div 1
Doubling-up again, I made the short hop across Bolton town centre up to the neat facilities at Castle Hill.
Here, I was welcomed, surprisingly, by Council member and top referee, Mick Morledge. He was having a day-off with a hamstring strain to watch his local club. By the time I arrived the score was 0-4 – and it was five by half-time.
Apparently, I missed the drama of the day. Club Secretary, Des Wilcox, who has endured a challenging season, adopted the goalkeeper’s jersey at the start of the game as Castle Hill struggled for players. When rounded by the opposition centre-forward, Des dragged him to the floor and was, according to the experienced Mr Morledge, rightly sent-off: the penalty was dispatched for a 0-3 lead to Roach at that point.
As Des, later, courteously and humorously welcomed me to Castle Hill, he was regretting his decision-making. With a final score-line of 0-9, he bemoaned the penalty being scored anyway, being reduced to 10 men, a future £35 fine, and a suspension, with only five men available for next week’s mid-week match at Ashtonians. Being a Club Secretary can be tough!
By half-time, it was 0-5; by the time I left it was 0-7 – with the seventh being the pick of the goals; an excellent header; and it finished 0-9. Like Chaddertonians the previous week, the future isn’t orange - that was the excellent opposition - the future, for Castle Hill, seems fragile.
Tuesday 18 April 2017
Valley United v AFC Dobbies – Div 2
Have you ever had the day when, as a player, referee, or even League President – you just don’t feel like the gig. After the first full day back at work following a longer than usual holiday, the 17 30 drive to Marl Pitts in Rossendale from Ashton felt like a ‘tough ask’, the only consolation being that I always choose the M6, M65, Grane Road route – the Grane Road being one of the most scenic drives in Lancashire, as it turned out to be in both directions this evening.
The game had just started when I arrived – and so had the entertainment - because this was one of the most exciting and incident-filled matches I had the privilege of watching this season. The game was played on the ‘top pitch’, a bumpy surface with a misleading slope which, aided by the breeze, offered a distinct advantage to the team kicking that way, which happened to be Valley United in the first half.
This was my first encounter with Valley United of any description, and what a good set of lads they appeared to be. A young side, which played some excellent football, in a very sporting manner. Dobbies are cut from a different cloth of tougher hew – and this made for interesting stuff.
In the first half, with the elements favouring Valley, they hit the post, then scored a simple goal after a great ‘advantage’ played by a highly competent young referee. But, just before half-time, Dobbies equalised when a free kick eluded the first pair of challengers only to be toe-poked home by a quicker reaction from a Dobbies forward. Extraordinarily, with Valley having the lion’s share of the half, Dobbies then gained a penalty when the Valley goalkeeper inexplicably, Joel Robles style, chased the Dobbies forward, who was running away from goal, and brought him down. He then smashed it against the cross-bar leaving a surprising half-time score at a modest 1-1.
The second-half was an arm wrestle for half an hour until Valley, against the elements, took the lead following a foul as the cautioned Dobbies centre-half ‘cleaned-out’ a Valley forward; the resulting free-kick cross was volleyed home. Valley’s opportunity to nail the game came from the award of another ‘soft’ penalty, but they managed to find the woodwork as well, this time both posts.
The excitement continued. Dobbies now had the initiative following the penalty miss, and a good chance was expertly tipped onto the cross-bar by the Valley keeper – and so the siege continued. Two, set-piece, incidents in the last five minutes, sealed the turnaround and result in Dobbies’ favour. A contestable free-kick was given to Dobbies on the edge of the penalty area; the sliding, hook-tackle is controversial in today’s game: the Valley defender certainly played the ball – was it a tackle from behind? – this was the (excellent) referee’s view. That was curled straight-in – 2-2.
As Valley defended desperately, man-of-the-match, Club Secretary, and star left back, Lewis Rouine, trapped the ball on his own penalty spot and the goalkeeper, perhaps naturally or naively, picked-up the ball. Rightly, judged a deliberate back-pass (although we’ve all seen them not given, and it was even a surprise to Dobbies), an indirect free-kick was awarded, was not defended well, and a simple touch and accurate curling shot found the back of the net with virtually the last kick of the match, and a 2-3 victory for Dobbies.
In summary, Dobbies came from behind twice to win 2-3 in the last minute; each team hit the woodwork from penalties; and the man-of-the-match was the Club Secretary from the losing team whose action inadvertently decided the game (although why did the keeper choose to pick-up the ball rather than clear it?). All this on a Tuesday night in the midst of the Rossendale fells before the return journey over the Grane Road – a great way to spend the evening after all, and thanks to both teams, and to Lewis and Big Ben for their courtesies.
Tuesday 19 April 2017
Whitworth Valley v Oldham Hulmeians – Prem
Another long trip out, for an evening match, to Whitworth – one of my favourite Lancashire villages. It has just about the right combination of industrial heritage and imaginative new housing to make it less twee than the Cotswolds (or the Ribble Valley!) but has more about it than Edgeside or Stacksteads. We once stayed in a hotel here – well, a pub, actually - whilst walking the Rossendale Way.
What it had tonight was the most bizarre set of road works I had ever seen in the village centre. Both sets of roadworks’ traffic lights were on Red, but both had been turned inwards to face the pavement – so everyone stopped, and no one knew whether to stop or go. This delayed my journey from central Manchester (90 minutes), but also everyone else’s, so the game was still in its infancy when I arrived at 19 00 with the Away team winning 0-1.
This was yet another surprisingly good game for a late season/evening gig. The standard of football for the Prem was not the greatest but mitigating factors were a number of Reserve team players in the ranks and these two teams are in the lower echelons of the Prem; Division 1 promotion prospects, Prestwich and Dobbies, will provide very challenging opposition next season. But the entertainment value was great (and far better than Wigan Athletic at £26/throw).
Hulmeians 0-1 lead on my arrival was overtaken by Whitworth Valley with competent goals either side of half time as the lead changed hands in favour of the Home side. But two goals from two set-piece events in the middle of the second-half restored the visitors’ lead to 2-3. From a corner, the classic near-post flick-on offered an unmissable chance for the on-coming Hulmeians forward for the equaliser. One minute later, the Whitworth forward thought the ball had gone out of play in the Hulmeians half; it hadn’t, and a line pass followed by a faster forward than defender saw him smash it into the top corner. Indeed, a fourth was only prevented by an excellent save by the Whitworth keeper.
But were Whitworth downhearted – no, not when the excellent referee gave a penalty following a wild swipe by the Hulmeians defender which was blasted into the top of the middle of the goal for a fair 3-3 final scoreline.
This was a good advert for the LAL, not least because of the wry sense of humour of both touch-line protagonists. The new Oldham manager and the Whitworth liner, for those familiar with Whitworth’s tight and pleasant ground, shared ‘the crack’ on the same touch-line throughout the second-half, mostly at the expense of the Hulmeians liner, who stood, reluctantly lonesome and unengaged, on the far touch-line. It was a real pleasure to listen-in on the gentle humour of two guys interested in promoting amateur football, in contrast with the sometimes completely partisan and foul-mouthed haranguing of officials and opponents by less intelligent souls in previous weeks. Much Respect to both. I have never visited Whitworth Valley previously as a player or referee: it felt good – enclosed ground, changing rooms and local club facilities on site, good smattering of local support, including some of the next generation, and a general, all-round, feel-good factor despite their lowly position in the Prem. Good club, good crack, good game, good night.
