​After my daughter's game got pushed back to an 11:15 kick-off, it looked very much as if I wouldn't get toa game on Saturday afternoon. However, step forward Community Football Academy and Glen Villa, who were scheduled to meet at 4pm on the Oadby 3G pitch. Perfect! Just enough time to get back from Oxford, have a quick cup of tea and set off up the M1 for what looked like a tasty Division One clash. Hosts Community Football Academy sat in second prior to kick-off, having just played back to back games against the leaders St Patricks. After losing 2-0 at The Emerald Centre, CFA threw the cat amongst the pigeons with a resounding 8-2 win at Beauchamp College last Saturday. That result left CFA four point behind the leaders, who also had a game in hand. At the start of play, Glen Villa sat in fifth, a further 10 points adrift of CFA but with two games in hand on today's hosts. Earlier in he season BotP had the pleasure of watching both games between St Patricks and Glen Villa, a 4-2 away win for Villa (Reversal Of Fortune) and a 2-0 away win for St Patricks (A Warm Welcome). 
As a consequence of these two match, I already knew Villa boss Jonny Morgan and it was he who was one of the first people I saw upon arriving at the ground. After asking if I had the team sheets yet, he had a word with the CFA coach, who came over to share their list with me. Jonny then got the Villa sheet a little later, after a last minute change through Jake Inskip pulling up in the warm-up. Thanks to both teams for sharing their team sheets. It's very much appreciated.
I was also very pleased to meet CFA Chairman and founder Ahmed Maravia before the game, and even more pleased when it turned out that my blogs were already known to CFA, despite not having seen them play before. Ahmed spoke to me about the reason he set up CFA and just how far they and the charity had come in the 22 years since being founded. To find out more about the excellent work they do, I'd recommend taking a look at their website, especially the ABOUT US section.
Back to today's game. CFA were in search of a double over their visitors, having won 2-1 at The Rec in November. Two Charvin Ambhire goals enough to trump Jack Langton's goal for Villa.

​Both teams started the game looking quite lively, but it was the visitors who had the first real chance when Ira Caster was sent through. However, under pressure from a defender, his shot went straight at CFA keeper and captain, Aamir Bham.
CFA then soon made Villa rue that missed opportunity as the hosts went ahead. Four minutes in, Jaseem Khamkar drove up the right before firing over a low, driven cross that Lewis Dowle couldn't hold onto. The loose ball fell to Zak Yusuf who steadied himself before planting the ball into the net. 1-0.
It quickly got worse for Villa as CFA began to stroke the ball around with the confidence of a team who scored eight in their last game. Four minutes after going ahead, another raid into the Villa box culminated in Jaseem Khamkar being clipped inside the area. Penalty given. The same player picked himself up and slotted home the spot-kick. 2-0
To be fair to Villa, they tried to respond to this setback. Josh Wright saw his curling effort brilliantly pushed away by Bham and, after Hales had headed down a long ball, Caster arrived at the far post, but could only hit the side-netting. Harry Boorman then came close for CFA, but his header was just over the bar. Then Dowle made a very good stop to keep out Khamkar as CFA threatened more goals. 
A third did arrive, just past the half-hour mark. Younes Mihoubi was the architect, driving down the left before cutting the ball back into the path of Liam Taylor, who drilled the ball into the bottom corner. 3-0.
Once again, Villa tried to respond, but George Parker's free-kick, given after Cameron Grieff was caught by a stray arm that Villa thought was more than accidental, was never really troubling Bham, as it sailed over the bar and, if anything, it was CFA who looked more likely to add to their total before the break. In fact, only a very brave block from Dowle prevented Bleu McNeil from making it four in the final minute of the half.

HT Community Football Academy 3 Glen Villa 0. CFA well on top and played some very good football, using the surface to their advantage with quick passing. Villa with plenty of work to do if they want to get back into the game. 

​If the Villa coaches had wanted to see a marked improvement in the second half, they almost got their wish just three minutes after the restart. Josh Wright took aim from 30 yards sending his shot arrowing past Bham only for it to come back off the joint of post and bar. Very unlucky.
Credit to Villa, after chasing shadows for much of the first half, they had definitely got to grips with things in the second half. The fluent and fluid CFA attacks had been stemmed, but the visitors still couldn't find a way to cause problems for Bham. In fact, it was Dowle who was still the busier keeper, making comfortable stops from Adam and Hajat.
Into the final fifteen minutes, Villa did conjure up a coupe of half-chances. First Myles Cosgrove burst up the right wing, sending over a cross that was only marginally too far in front of George Parker flying in a t the far post. A few minutes later, a corner from the left found its way to the back post, arriving very quickly at the feet of Cosgrove, who couldn't get his strike on target.
A minute after that opportunity, CFA sealed the game completely when a dissecting through ball sent Mohamed Mahir clear. He calmly stroked the ball past Dowle for 4-0. That left just enough time for another substitute, Meroune Fahri, to see his goal-bound effort deflected over, as CFA saw out the game.

FT Community Football Academy 4 Glen Villa 0. A much better second half from Glen Villa, who stemmed the flow of CFA, but couldn't quite find a way back into the game. Maybe with a three-goal cushion, CFA also took their foot off the pedal a little, but they'd done the damage in the first half.
The result leaves CFA a point behind St Patricks, but having played two games more than the leaders. Villa remain in fifth spot but are now thirteen points behind CFA, albeit with two games in hand.
If you want to catch either of these teams in action then, weather permitting, they both have league games next Saturday. CFA travel to 12th placed Barrow Town who they beat 3-2 in the reverse fixture at the start of January. With St Patricks not playing, a point or more would see them go top. Glen Villa are back at home, as they welcome mid-table Holwell Sports Reserves to The Rec. The reverse fixture saw Sports score in the 89th minute to edge a the game 3-2.

Community Football Academy: 1.Bham(c), 11.Mihoubi, 18.Boorman, 5.Kone, 17.McNeil, 12.Bhandal, 13.Husain, 45.Taylor, 6.Adam, 15.Yusuf, 7.Khamkar. Subs: Hajat, 2.Jameel, 4.Bobat, 10.Mills, 16.Farhi, 8.Patel, 9.Mahir
Glen Villa: 1.Dowle, 13.Wright, 6.Payton, 12.D.Garrat, 7.Caster, 8.Greiff(c), 9.J.Parker, 10.G.Parker, 11.Morton, 15.Hales, 16.Cosgrove. Subs: 14.Mason, 2.Rowe, 18.Nwaigwe, 17.A.Garrat

The Ground
The Oadby 3G pitch is part of Beauchamp College campus. There's not a huge amount to say about the ground. It's a standard green cage design with spectator access along on side, although you can probably get a good view of the game from the pathway that rises up above the playing surface behind one of the goals. There's plenty of parking around the college and pathways leading around to the 3G pitch. There's no spectator cover but there are dugouts on the far side of the pitch.

Ground Number: 478
Att: 
Entrance: N/A
Programme: N/A

This Saturday, after another nerve-jangling morning watching my daughter's very depleted squad earn a tough point (this time against one of her old teams), I decided stay fairly local for the afternoon's entertainment. A short journey up the M40 for a Ben Turner Cup quarter-final between Oxfordshire Senior League Division Two side, Hornton, and the leaders of Division One, Witney Town. I last visited Hornton's delightful ground, The Cauldron, back in October 2023 when they beat Kings Sutton 3-1 in a league game (Countryside Caldera). Not too much has changed since that visit, although I do believe some extra hard-standing has been added towards the clubhouse end.
Last season, these two teams competed in the same division, with Witney winning the league and Hornton finishing in the lower half. Witney won both encounters, 3-0 at home and 3-2 in Hornton, a game that saw Hornton's Sam Sherpa-Moore see red.
This season Witney have gone from strength to strength and currently sit top of Division One, ten points clear albeit having played more games. Hornton are sitting in fifth spot, eight points from the promotion places. This position has been mainly down to their home form, where they have taken 10 points from five games.
Witney had already played a game to get to this stage of the competition, beating Hanney 5-2. It would, however, be Hornton's first game in the tournament this season, after receiving a bye in Round One. In last season' Ben Turner Cup, both Hornton and Witney were eliminated by the same team, eventual beaten finalists, North Leigh Reserves.
Many thanks to referee Barry Darvell and Hornton manager Liam Manley for sharing the team sheets prior to kick-off.

​On a very heavy pitch, kicking towards the clubhouse end in the first half, it was the lower-ranked, home side who started the stronger. Despite the fact that they had to make a last-minute change to their starting line-up when one of their players couldn't make the early kick-off on time, they set about their task with a certain vigour.
Having said that, the first effort to cause any kind of concern was Dom Griffin's 4th minute strike that fairly whistled over Matt Brice's crossbar. 
After that, it became the Tom Bennington show for a the next 20 minutes. The Witney goalkeeper took centre stage as the home side created a series of chances. The first save came on 8 minutes when Bennington was forced to go full-length to his right to fingertip Sam Sherpa-Moore's rasping drive around the post. A minute later the visiting stopper was quickly off his line to block from Olly Richards. Then, approaching the quarter-hour, Bennington produced the best stop yet when, after a great move down the left, Hornton fed the ball across the face of goal to Sherpa-Moore, coming in on the back post. Bennington somehow got across his goal to make a point-blank stop from the stunned striker.
On the half-way point, Bennington finally proved he was human when he spilled another Sherpa-Moore effort, recovering quickly to grab the ball before it squirmed over the line. Sherpa-Moore could easily have had a hat-trick and his side probably should be in front. However, it was still goalless. That was when Witney hit their hosts with a stunning three-goal salvo.
With 24 minutes on the clock and Griffin's 4th minute strike still the closest they had come, Witney sent a long ball forward up the left-hand channel. Hornton tried to shepherd the ball out for a goal-kick, but the heavy ground held it up. Before it could cross the line, the ball was slipped across the face of goal where Adam Holloway was lurking to stab past Brice. 0-1.
The home players had barely caught their breath from that shock when they found themselves two goals down, and this time it was an excellent piece of football from The Blanketmen. A series of quick passes sent Tyler Dix free on the left. He played the ball into the path of Redi Karaj, bursting into the box. Karaj took one touch in his stride before slipping the ball past Brice. 0-2. Lovely goal.
Witney were now full of confidence and, on 28 minutes, they made it three goals inside four minutes. Mercayd Morgan-Allen burst down the right, firing a low ball across the six-yard box to find Dom Griffin, who slammed the ball into the net. 0-3.
Shell-shocked Hornton, to their credit, steadied the ship from this point, but they couldn't find a way back to the dominance they showed in the opening minutes. Witney, now with a big cushion, also tightened things up, not allowing the home strikers the amount of room they got earlier on.

HT Hornton 0 Witney Town 3. An extraordinary half in some ways. Hornton were on top until the first Witney goal went in. That goal seemed to light a fire in the visitors, who suddenly bean playing with a renewed confidence and style.

The second half began in a very similar way to the beginning of the first half, Bennington making yet another save from the unfortunate Sam Sherpa-Moore, who was getting increasingly frustrated and had already picked up  yellow card.
The Hornton striker's mood was probably helped a little in the 53rd minute though, when he finally got the better of his nemesis, drilling the ball past the Witney stopper from the edge of the box. 1-3.
Having got a goal back, it was Hornton's turn to be inspired. Just past the hour, Daniel Hirst tried his luck from distance but couldn't trouble Bennington. Hornton were getting far more of the ball at this point, but couldn't find a way back into the game. Then, with just over 20 minutes remaining, Witney sealed their progress with a fourth goal. A long ball forward found Griffin, who was held up by Horton captain Peter Thorne. Griffin did well to hold the ball up though, waiting for reinforcement to arrive. Some quick feet engineered a yard allowing Griffin to fire the ball across the box where Adam Holloway had arrived, unmarked. All the striker had to do was put his head on the ball and it was game over. 1-4
At this point both sides knew that the game was up. Hornton, to their credit, kept pushing, but Witney were relatively comfortable now, and defended solidly to see the game out.

FT Hornton 1 Witney Town 4. Witney progress to the semi-final with what, on paper, looks like a comfortable victory. In reality, it was far from that. Their goalkeeper, Tom Bennington, must take full credit, and man of the match, for keeping them in the game early on, before they hit their hosts with a stunning trio of goals.
Hornton are back in league action next Saturday as they make the journey to fourth placed Dorchester, who won 4-1 at The Cauldron in the county cup back in October.
Witney, meanwhile, have a weekend off before they make the trip to relegation threatened Charlton United. Witney won the reverse fixture 5-0 with a hat-trick from Jack Morton and two from Adam Holloway.

Hornton: Brice, Burton, Bowden, Hist, Jordan, Lee, Sherpa-Moore, Phillips, Richards, Sabin, Thorpe(c). Subs: Boyle, Fox, Hillman, Middleton, Manley
Witney Town: Bennington, Shayler, Dix, Clarke, Robinson, Walker, Oliver(c), Preston-Carrey, Holloway, Karaj, Griffin. Subs: Morgan-Allen, H.Jackson, G.Jackson, Edwards

The Programme
Hornton produced a programme for this game, priced at £2. With 16 full-colour pages, it contains all of the features you'd expect. A column from the Hornton boss, Liam Manley and another from club captain, Peter Thorne. Coach Steve Jesic provides the column welcoming players and supporters. There are a few photos from last season's meeting between the sides, stats from Hornton's last game and a piece on today's visitors.
Well worth purchasing as a way of adding a few extra pennies to club's coffers.

Ground Number: Re-visit
Att: 36 (manual count. not mine)
Entrance: 
Programme: £2.00

​This Saturday BotP headed back up to the Midlands for a massive South Birmingham derby in Division Two of the Midlands Football League, with table-toppers Northfield Town making the short journey over to second placed Cadbury Athletic. So, after a nervy morning watching my daughter's team score a 90th minute winner in a cup quarter-final, I headed up the M40, destination Birmingham Moseley Rugby Club, a new ground to me. Neither of these teams were new to me and, in fact, I had seen them both play at home in that, but before Cadbury moved to the rugby club. My last visit to Cadbury was in 2023 when they defeated Boldmere Sports 7 Social Falcons 7-0 in front of the iconic Edwardian sports pavilion (Cadbury's Spectacular Seven). My visit to Northfield was, however, much more recent. I was there between Christmas and New year to see their 4-1 home win over Bolehall Swifts (Third Time Lucky)
At the start of play today, Northfield held a 10-point lead over The Chocolate Men, although Cadbury did have two games in had, making this a particularly important game for both teams. A win for Athletic would close the gap to seven, with the possibility of that becoming one if Cadbury could win their games in hand. A win for Town would give them a massive 13-point advantage with 10 games to play.
Cadbury were also coming into the game with an unbeaten home record, although Northfield were yet to taste defeat on the road. Both teams had only lost once this season. Tellingly, Cadbury's defeat came at the hands of Northfield, who beat them 2-0 at Shenley Lane back in December, a game that saw Athletic reduced to 10 when Alex Considine picked up two yellow cards.
Thanks to the match officials for sharing the team sheets with me prior to kick-off. Very much appreciated

​As you would expect in such an important contest, the opening minutes were very cagey with both sides keeping things tight and not wanting to be the first to concede. Having said that, even with few chances, the first quarter of an hour seemed to fly by.
The visitors were the first to create an opening when Adam Garmson managed to get a header on target in the 17th minute. However, it was a comfortable save for Fraser Oliver. At this point it was still a very evenly balanced game, but Northfield were beginning to up their game. 
It looked like it may take something special to break either defence down and, just past the midway stage of the half, that's exactly what happened. Northfield were awarded a free-kick some 30 yards out which Adam Garmson stepped to take, sending an absolute screamer flying into Oliver's top left corner. 0-1
The goal certainly gave the visitors a little extra boost and, whilst not dominating the ball, they were certainly on top at this point. Cadbury were struggling to make many inroads against a very well organised Town defence.
Thomas Walker, in the Northfield goal, did have to be quick off his line in the 34th minute, winning the footrace to clear before Wade Malley could latch onto a through ball. That aside, the Town stopper didn't have too much to deal with. Although, deep into added time, he was left helpless as a ball flashed across the face of his goal only inches from two purple-shirted players flying. Neither could get a touch and very soon afterwards the referee drew a close the first half.

HT Cadbury Athletic 0 Northfield Town 1. A very tight encounter between two well-matched sides. The only difference so far being a piece of individual brilliance.

​The home side began the second half with a renewed vigour and, seven minutes in, almost got themselves back on level terms when Callum Burston-Keeley's well-struck free-kick almost deceived Walker. Maybe the ball took a deflection or maybe it just swerved. Whatever the case, the Northfield keeper was forced to readjust and make a good save with his feet to keep the ball out. Five minutes later, however, Walker was left powerless. Once a gain the initial threat came from Burston-Keeley, who drove up the left before sending over a low ball that wrong-footed the defence. The ball was only half-cleared, straight into the path of John Baker, who smashed the ball back past Walker. 1-1
Northfield's response was almost immediate when Lewis McPike's shot looked to be goal-bound before purple captain James Morris rose to head clear. That was just past the hour mark. Five minutes later, the visitors got their noses back in front when a low cross from the left was met at the near post by Adam Garmson. 1-2
Back in front, Northfield looked to consolidate their position as the game began to get that little bit more feisty. No-one wants to lose a local derby and the passion from both sides was clear to see, both on the pitch and on the benches. A couple of debateable offside decisions going against the home side did little to cool down the tensions either. Both happened directly in line with me and I can say the second call was definitely offside, The first, however, when Burston-Keeley was set free, looked well on from my angle.
With ten minutes to go, Northfield came within inches of sealing the points when James Ward's dipping drive beat Oliver, but crashed back off the bar. The, with six minutes left, things really started to heat up.  First of all Northfield manager Ryan Smith was sent off for some rather vociferous comments to one of the assistants. A minute later Smith could, and should, have been even more upset. Cadbury attacked up the left again and when the ball fell into the path of James Morris, some 8 yards out, the Athletic captain somehow managed to clip the bar when, in all honesty, he should have buried the chance.
With a minute to go, Cadbury were then reduced to ten when Dean Fisher was sin-binned for, presumably, comments made to the referee. Almost immediately after the restart, there was another flashpoint when Alex Considine clattered McPike on the edge of the box, sparking a small melee, which the referee quickly dealt with.

FT Cadbury Athletic 1 Northfield Town 2. Well, from a neutral's perspective, what a great game. A thunderous 30 yard free-kick, crunching tackles across the park, two highly-committed teams, a sin-binning, a red card and a whopping 196 spectators. Brilliant entertainment.
So, where does that that leave us? Well, Northfield now hold a 13 point lead from Cadbury, who are now being chased hard by Birmingham United, three points behind after walloping Coventrians 9-1. I'm sure Northfield are not counting their chickens just yet, but it's hard to see them being caught now, especially as they have now won ten on the bounce and have only dropped two pints since mid-August. Next up, Cadbury make the trip to Tamworth to take on 10th placed Bolehall Swifts who they beat 4-1 in the reverse fixture. Northfield have a home Birmingham FA Vase match with Division 3 side, AFC Balsall.

Cadbury Athletic: Oliver, Gumbley, Cooke, Brooks, Morris(c), Considine, Froggatt, Fisher, Malley, Baker, Burston-Keeley. Subs: Alison, Maddocks, McGinn, Manning, Mudie
Northfield Town: Walker, Green, Tabberner, McPike, Ashmore, Wood, Ward, Westwood(c), Bourn, Garmson, Forbes. Subs: MacDonald, Wells, Need, Prince

The Ground
Birmingham Moseley Rugby Club is situated in the Billesley area of South Birmingham and is part of a multi-sport complex that includes a tennis and fitness centre, indoor bowls and a new Padel club. There's a large car park in front of the main pitch with access to the ground via a series of turnstiles. All of the facilities are on the opposite side of the ground from the entrance. A large clubhouse, bar and snack bar and an impressive main stand, straddling the halfway line, that provides ample covered seating. There's even an electronic scoreboard at one end of the ground. Obviously, the pitch is shared between the rugby club and the football club. However, the surface looked to be in very good condition, especially when considering the recent weather conditions. Opposite the ain stand there are two dugouts separated by what looked like a bus stop shelter.


Ground Number: 476
Att: 196
Entrance: £5.00
Programme:

It was another one of those weekends where my choice of match went down to the wire. There were games being cancelled left, right and centre. However, luckily for me, a very interesting county cup quarter-final game featuring a high-flying step 7 team at home to a step 6 side, was almost around the corner and, what's more, it was on.
The game in question? A Les underwood Junior Cup game between Northants Combo Premier League leaders Roade and Spartan South Midlands Division One outfit Rushden & Higham United. It was something of a coincidence that I ended up heading for Roade because I had spent the morning watching my daughter's team train after their county cup game, against Roade, was cancelled because the Roade team had, very sadly, folded. I do hope their players find other clubs soon. No-one wants to see a team fold. Unfortunately, under-16 girl's teams are prone to this especially with the pressure of exams looming.
On to today's game. Roade came into the match safe in the knowledge that they held a nine point lead at the top of the Northants Premier, even if local rivals Blisworth had two games in hand. This was a chance for them to test themselves against a team from the level above them. Rushden & Higham United, The Lankies, ply their trade in Division One of the Spartan South Midlands League, and are currently in mid-table. Their nickname comes from a previous incarnation, as Higham Town, when they played their home games on land belonging to The Duchy of Lancaster, hence the name, The Lankies.
This was a quarter-final of the junior county cup, effectively round three. Both sides had won home ties in round one. Roade beat Earls Barton United 2-0 whilst Rushden & Higham were 4-2 winners over FC Peterborough. In the second round Roade received a bye whilst United won a penalty shootout after drawing 0--0 at Raunds Town.
I'd like to say a massive thank you to the friendly and helpful staff at Roade, who went out of their way to get me access to both team sheets before the game.

​The opening encounters showed what a tight and tough encounter this was likely to be, with plenty of challenges flying in early on as both sides tried to establish themselves. The referee set his stall out early on, letting the game flow as much as possible, probably a little too much in the eyes of both teams. However, to be fair, he was letting things go on both sides.
Clear-cut chances were at a premium early on. Both teams had glimpses of goal in the opening 15 minutes, but neither could manage a breakthrough. Just before the 20 minute mark, Roade won a corner on their left which George Wingrove took, curling the ball in towards the visitor's goal. Goalkeeper Micky Ibbeson did well under pressure to push the ball away and was alert enough to grasp Andy Seaton's goal-bound header as it looped towards the corner. That was as close as either team had come so far, and it stayed that way until the 35th minute when Rushden took the lead. A short corner routine on the left seemed to have come to nothing when the ball was cleared towards the edge of the box. However, Johnny Carey was lurking to send a low shot past Michael Kirby. 0-1
The response from Roade was decisive and almost immediate. Only four minutes after going behind, the Step 7 side were level. It began with another Wingrove corner from the left. This was headed clear, but only back to the Roade number 10. He sent over a dangerous ball, with some pace, that Austin Bishop could only a glancing head to, sending the ball into his own net. 1-1

HT Roade 1 Rushden & Higham United 1. A very entertaining half from a neutral perspective. Two evenly matched teams who were both going flat out. A proper cup tie complete with an underlying bit of niggle.

​Roade, possibly buoyed by their equaliser, began the second half with renewed intent. Only two minutes after the restart JJ McCarthy forced Ibbeson into a flying save at full-stretch, to concede a corner. A few minutes later, however, even the excellent Lankies keeper was helpless as Ed Uka planted a free header past both the keeper and the far post. The Roade striker clearly annoyed that he hadn't put them in front. Then just before the hour Uka sent a low drive skidding past Ibbeson, only for the ball to crash back off the foot of the post.
Roade were definitely on the front foot at this point, keeping United penned back in their own half. Substitute Connor Letts was next to try his luck, sending a long-range effort wide of the mark, before Ibbeson came to United's rescue again on 64 minutes, producing a superb save to keep our McCarthy again.
Roade could easily have added three goals in the opening 20 minutes of the second half, if not for Ibbeson. Of course, as often happens in football, they came to rue these misses. United pressed forward and, a minute after almost conceding, they were awarded a penalty when Jason Okunnu was clearly tripped inside the area. No real arguments for Roade as Kai Magee stepped up and blasted his side back in front. 1-2
Roade responded as they did when going behind previously. However, this time, they were a little unlucky to see Uka's powerful header blocked  on the line. They were even more unlucky just a minute later when a long ball forward was miscued by a Roade defenders ending the ball spinning backwards over the top of their back-line. Kai Magee was alert to it, nipping in to loft the ball over Kirby and into the net. 1-3. Magee would be denied the chance of hat-trick after seemingly injuring himself in the act of scoring and having the go off. However, two goals in two minutes had seen the visitors give themselves breathing space, after being under some pressure early in the second half.
Two goals behind to a team a division above them could have spelled the end for Roade but, to their credit, they didn't let their heads drop and, with fifteen minutes remaining, they grabbed a lifeline. It was proper route one stuff. Kirby launched the ball downfield, his huge kick bouncing inside the United penalty area. Ibbeson came to claim but was challenged by both Uka and Wingrove. The ball slipped from his grasp as he landed, bouncing in front of Wingrove, who lofted it back into the unguarded net, amidst claims of a foul on the keeper. Nothing given and Roade were back in it. 2-3
The home side pressed forward looking for the leveller, but were indebted to defender Denham Salmon who got back behind his keeper to make a crucial goal-line headed clearance, saving a goal that would undoubtedly have finished the match. That proved to be the catalyst for a final push. Harrison Mackie's long punt forward almost caught out Ibbeson, who had to back-peddle to tip the ball over the bar. Then, three minutes into added time, Michael Osbourne sent the home supporters wild as he drilled the ball in from just inside the box. 3-3.
We would need penalties to separate the teams

FT Roade 2 Rushden & Higham United 3. A brilliant game of football to watch. Fully committed teams who competed to the very end of the game.

Penalties
Jack Bloodworth scores for Rushden. 0-1
George Wingrove scores for Roade. 1-1
Johnny Carey for The Lankies, in off the inside of the post. 1-2
Harrison Markie puts his effort wide. 1-2 after two kicks each.
Mason Jackson makes it 1-3 for the Lankies.
Denham Salmon scores to make it 2-3 after three each
Rushden goalkeeper Micky Ibbeson hits the post. Still 2-3
Roade stopper Michael Kirby to level it. Saved by Ibbeson 2-3
Jory Mann to win it for Rushden. Scores. 2-4

Rushden & Higham United progress to the semi-finals. All other quarter-finals were postponed, so they'll need to wait to see who they face from Woodford United v Blisworth, Harpole v Kettering Nomads and Desborough Town v Wellingborough Whitworth
Meanwhile, Roade have no fixture next week and will have to wait until the 24th, when they take on Kettering Nomads at home in the league, having won 2-0 in the reverse fixture.
The Lankies do have a match next Saturday, as they face a trip to Bell Close where they take on Leighton Town Reserves in the league.


Roade: Kirby, Lawton(c), Webster, Pannell, Seaton, Salmon, Faulkner, Collier, Uka, Wingrove, McCarthy. Subs: Daniels, Thorpe, Markie, Letts, Osbourne
Rushden & Higham United: Ibbeson, Dye, Jackson, Culwick, Bloodworth, Bishop, Okunnu, Palmer(c), Magee, Mann, Carey. Subs: Beasant, Demaj, King, Johnstone, Wells


Ground Number: Re-visit
Att: 
Entrance: N/A
Programme: N/A

​As often happens at this time of year, my original plans for this Saturday were scuppered by the weather, so Whetstone Athletic and St Patricks will have to wait for another day. Many thanks to St Patricks player-manager Sean Doy, for keeping me up to date with events in Leicestershire.
As always, I had a number of games on my list of possible so, with Whetstone off, I switched from one game involving teams that had climbed the leagues alongside each other, to a game involving two teams who were promoted together last season, Witney Town and Oakley United. Witney won the Oxfordshire Senior League Division Two last season, whilst Oakley came up even though they finished in fourth spot. Spoils were shared last season. Witney won this fixture 3-1, whilst Oakley were victorious at home, on the first day of the season, winning 4-0. During the season, BotP saw Witney beat Oxford Irish Athletic 4-1 at Gordon Way (Comfort Blanket) and, this time last year, I watched Oakley lose 3-0 at Stoke Mandeville in the Thomas Field Shield quarter-final (100% Stags).
Prior to kick off, Witney sat proudly atop the Division One table, 3 points ahead of Shipston Excelsior but having played two additional games. They'd only lost twice this season, but both of those had come at home. They were, however, on a run of five wins from their last six matches. Oakley started the day in 6th spot, 14 points behind their hosts but with four games in hand. They'd won two, lost two and drawn two of their last six, but were coming to Witney defending an unbeaten away record. This would be the first meeting of the teams this season.
A big thank you to referee Rob Jones for sharing the teams sheets, and having a chat before the game, and at half-time. Rob is known in my family as my daughter's favourite referee, despite the fact that he once had to threaten her with the sin-bin after a particularly vociferous complaint about a debatable offside flag.

​In front of a very sizeable crowd, on a bitterly cold afternoon, Witney started the stronger of the two teams without causing any immediate concern to visiting goalkeeper Micky Thompson. In fact, it was Oakley who were presented with the opening encounter's best opportunity when they were gifted the ball inside the Witney penalty area after eight minutes. However, they couldn't take advantage of the situation. After that wake-up call, Witney began to take control of the game.
Ryan Oliver was the first to go close, bursting clear on the right side before driving across the face of goal and narrowly wide of the far post for a goal-kick, despite Thompson getting the merest of fingertip touches to the shot. A few minutes later the home side went route one when a long ball over the top found Harrison Furlong who took on the shot first time, lifting the ball over Thompson but. unfortunately for Witney, over the bar too.
The Blanketmen were now well on top in terms of possession with goalkeeper Tom Bennington not much more than a spectator at this point.
Just after the midway point of the half, Jack Morton leapt like a salmon to meet a cross, only for his leader to loop just over Thompson's bar but, four minutes later, the home side finally broke the deadlock. Another ball beyond the Oakley back-line caused some confusion between Thompson, who had rushed to the edge of his box, and the defence. The half-clearance reached Harrison Furlong some 25 yards out. The Witney number 8 returned it first time, bypassing both stranded goalkeeper and covering defenders. 1-0. A lovely controlled strike.
Witney smelled blood and it looked like they would go on to establish a big lead now. Two minutes after the goal, left-back William Smaldon sent a curling effort in from the left flank, over Thompson and looking destined for the top corner, only for the ball to come back off the bar. Then the woodwork came to United rescue again just past the half-hour mark when Morton's cross found Furlong who met it with a powerful header, only for the ball to, once again, smash off the bar.
Oakley were wobbling, but hanging on and, to give them credit, they did stem the flow somewhat after those two close shaves. Furling came close again just before the break, when another long ball saw him beat Thompson only for his lobbed effort to clear the bar.

HT Witney Town 1 Oakley United 0. Witney controlled the half but only managed to find the net once. They could, and probably should, have been two or three to the good. Oakley must be quite happy to go into the break still very much in the game.

​Sure enough, with only three minutes of the second half gone, Witney were made to play for their missed chances.  Oakley's Tom Beckett picked the ball up on the halfway line and drove towards the right-hand side of the home penalty area. With defenders backing off him, Beckett went for goal, sending a low drive past Bennington's right hand into the bottom corner. 1-1
The Witney response to the equaliser was almost immediate, but Thompson was equal to Furlong's effort, making another good stop. That looked to have been crucial when, two minutes later, Oakley were awarded a penalty after Harry Gardner was clipped in the box. No real complaints from the home side as Daniel Pounds smashed the ball past Bennington from the spot. 1-2 with just seven minutes of the second period gone. Some turnaround from Oakley.
In response, Witney made a few changes as Oakley put players behind the ball in defence of their lead. There was, however, a long way to go. Could they hand on for over 30 minutes? 
Witney continued to push for a goal but, aside from a couple of freekicks, Jack Robinson's pushed away by Thompson and Ryan Oliver's effort flashing narrowly wide, the home side were struggling to get back into the game.
However, Oakley were dropping deeper and deeper. Since the second goal they had posed no further threat to Bennington's goal to the point where, at one point, the home keeper was complaining of being cold.

​Their plan looked very much as if it was going to pay dividends as we entered time added on. Even more so when, a minute in to added time, the home side engineered an opportunity for Andrew Gunn, but the centre-half could only stab his volley wide of the mark. Then, in the 94th minute, more drama as Rob Jones pointed to the spot for a foul in the area. This time there was some argument from the defence but, as the incident happened at the far end from my position, I couldn't say for sure if the complaints were justified. Whatever the case, the decision stood. Furlong stepped up and drilled the ball down the middle to level it up. 2-2.
There was barely time to restart the game before the final whistle went. A hard-earned point for both teams.

FT Witney Town 2 Oakley United 2. Witney will feel they did enough to win this one, but they didn't take their chances when they came and Oakley, who had much less possession, took the two big opportunities they had. Trying to defend their lead for most of the second half, almost paid off before the very late penalty.
With all other games called off, Witney's lead is now seven points at the top. However, they have now played three more than Shipston. Oakley stay in sixth, level on points with Yarnton Reserves
Next up for The Blanketmen is a trip to seventh placed Hanwell United who they beat 2-1 at home back in September. Oakley welcome Sporting Headington Academicals to Oxford Road, who are one point and two places above them. eh first meeting of the teams this season.

Witney Town: Bennington, Karaj, Smaldon, Clark, Gunn, Walker, Oliver(c), Furlong, Holloway, Morton, Griffin. Subs: Shayler, Preston-Carney, Robinson, Dix, Morgan-Allen
Oakley United: Thompson, Gardner, Walsh, Bailey, Atkinson, Bosher(c), Beckett, Dandridge, Falcus, Pounds, Knight. Subs: Kernan, Woodcock, Sargent, Mannerings, Lunn 

Ground Number: Re-visit
Att: 120+
Entrance: N/A
Programme: N/A

For my final game of 2025, I decided to head back up the M1 to Leicestershire for a Leicestershire & Rutland Challenge Cup quarter-final tie between GNG Oadby Town and Barwell. Despite this being a local derby with just over 11 miles between the grounds, it's not been a frequent fixture in recent years. There are currently two divisions separating the clubs, although neither club is exactly setting their respective league alight this season. Oadby play in the United Counties Premier South (Step 5) and are currently sitting second from bottom. Barwell play in the Southern league Premier Central (Step 3) and are currently placed 16th, eight points above the relegation spots. The teams last met in a league match during the 2009-10 Midland Alliance season. Barwell won both encounters, 6-0 at home and 3-1 away, on their way to taking the title and gaining promotion. They met more recently in this competition, with Barwell also coming out on top, winning 3-0 at Kirkby Road. The only other meeting of note in recent times, was an FA Vase clash in the 2006-07 season. Oadby gained a creditable 0-0 draw at Barwell, but then went down 2-0 at home in the replay.

​It was clear from the off that Oadby were not going to respect the two tier difference in the teams, and flew out of the blocks from the off. Their high-tempo play seemed to rock Barwell a little in the opening encounters, although the only attempt on target in the first ten minutes came when Taylor Shilcock tested Finn Osborn from distance. The home side looked dangerous on both flanks, especially on the left, where the pace of Mario Mendez was recognised early on by the Barwell defence.
Having made it through the opening third unscathed, Barwell then came close to grabbing the first goal themselves when a left-wing corner was only marginally too high for Sidik Atcha at the far post. A few minutes later, Oadby's Rizvan Hussain also tested out Osborn, with a quick turn and shot from the edge4 of the area.
Just before the half-hour, Barwell's Tyree Wilson produced a delightful piece of skill, controlling a long ball with his cheat before sending a dipping volley goalward, only for GNG stopper, Adam Binks, to match it with an equally impressive acrobatic save.
Oadby continued to look slightly the more dangerous team, their pace up front causing the visitors plenty of nervy moments. That said, as we approached the 40 minute mark, Barwell captain Kane Richards was sent clear by Wilson, only to see his driven cross evade everyone in the centre. Almost immediately afterwards, Oadby had a real chance when Stanley Mugisha intercepted a stray pass on the halfway line, raced clear and sent in a vicious drive that required Osborn to go full-length to tip the ball around the post.
It looked as if the Step 5 side were going to go into the break level until, with two minutes remaining in the half, Tyrell Waite drove down the Barwell left, taking the ball to the by-line before cutting back for Tyree Wilson, who struck the ball first-time, on the run, into the top corner. A great finish, even if slightly against the run of play. 0-1. To add salt into those wounds, three minutes into added time Oadby gave the ball away deep inside their own half and were immediately and clinically punished. The ball was quickly fed into Anthony Dwyer, who made no mistake with the finish. 0-2

HT GNG Oadby Town 0 Barwell 2. The Step 5 side more than held their own for just over 40 minutes but were then undone by a quality finish and a momentary lapse of concentration at the back. That was the difference. Barwell showed their higher-ranked status by taking their chances.

It was clear early on in the second half that Barwell were not planning to give Oadby a chance to get back into the game. In the first half the visitors had been rattled by Town's attacking approach, but there seemed to be a new steel to the Barwell side in the second half. With a two goal lead, they didn't necessarily need to go looking for goals,  they could just tighten the game up.
Around ten minutes in, Richards almost combined with Waite to add to the lead and, a few minutes later, Hussain brought a good save out of Osborn once again. On the hour a Barwell short corner routine ended with Dwyer flashing a shot wide. Then, on 63 minutes, Oadby were inches away from getting back into the game when a long throw from the right was flicked on twice before reaching Hussain, who's scissor kick clipped the top of the bar on its way out. Was that the big chance for the home team to get back into the game? As it turned out, yes it was. Both teams had half chances, but the only target hit was one of the Barwell supporters behind the Oadby goal.

FT GNG Oadby Town 0 Barwell 2. A semi-final berth secured by Barwell, but it was certainly not plain-sailing. Oadby defied the two step gap, by pushing their visitors all the way. On this display, it's hard to understand how Oadby can be in the relegation zone of their league. If they continue to play like this, they will surely pull clear. Their next game is a massive relegation 6-pointer at home to bottom side Bugbrooke St Michaels, who beat them 2-1 at Camp Hill back in August. Barwell, meanwhile, travel to leaders Spalding United on Saturday, in their first meeting this season.

GNG Oadby Town: 1.Binks, 2.Shilcock, 3.Anbhavne, 4.Kpolom-A-Kpolom, Gill(c), 7.Nnjai, 8.Jennings, 9.Mugisha, 10.Hussain, 11.Mendez, 14.Baker, 15. Apetorgor, 17.Jaga Singh, 18. Hanif, 19.Jeva Singh, 20.Dhami.
Barwell: 1.Osborn, 3.Reeve, 5.Atcha, 6.Mancinelli, 7.Hayes, 8.Hill, 10.Richards(c), 11.Wilson, 15.Dwyer, 16.Singh. Subs: 2.McDonald, 4.Cook, 12.Stockley, 19.Seaton

The Ground
GNG Oadby Town play their home games at The Riverside Football Ground which is situated in the Braunstone Town area of Leicester, south-west of the city centre. Accessed via the entrance to Ellesmere College, there's a small car park alongside the ground with extra parking on the side of the access route and in front of the college. The ground is accessed via a single gate just to the side of the main building that houses all of the facilities, clubhouse, snack bar and changing areas. There are two covered spectator areas, the main stand on the left-hand side as you enter and a covered standing area situated behind, and just to the right, of the car park end goal. The dugouts are opposite the main stand. The playing surface looks to be pretty much flat, with no discernible slopes.

The Programme
A 28-page magazine with full-colour, glossy outer pages, costing £2.00. The programme contains all of the standard articles, a welcome message, history of both clubs and this season's statistics for both the first-team and youth teams. There's also an article from the Non-League Paper and an interesting piece from Martyn Green about data analytics. Add to that a brief match report from the last meeting of the teams, back in January 2015, and there's plenty of interesting reading for the half-time break.

Ground Number: 474
Att: 
Entrance: £6.00
Programme: £2.00

​With Christmas done, it was time to get back to some football on Saturday and, as I already had to be in the Midlands, I decided to dip back into the Midland Football League. A quick glance at the fixture list revealed an attractive looking tie that also gave me the chance to see the Division Two leaders, Northfield Town, and take in a new ground, Shenley Lane, at the same time. Northfield started the day seven points clear at the top of the table, having taken 40 points from their 15 games, losing just once. Their opponents, Bolehall Swifts, began the day in ninth spot with 15 points from 14 games. Recent form and this season's previous meeting both favoured the home side. Northfield had won their last seven games whilst Swifts had won just twice in the same period. The meeting at Rene Road back in August had ended in a 3-1 win for Town.
Despite this being my first visit to Shenley Lane, I had seen both Northfield and Bolehall play twice before, the last of which was Bolehall's 2-1 home win over Lane head three years ago (Swifts Win By A Head). Previously I had seen Swifts lose 5-0 at Atherstone Town back in 2018 (Swifts No Match For Adders). As for Northfield, I saw them play in the Midland League Challenge Cup Final at Coventry Sphinx in May 2017, a game they lost 2-1 to NKF Burbage (Do You Know Who I Am?). I then saw them lose again in a Smedley Crooke Memorial Cup game at higher-ranked Quorn (On The Rebound).

​There was an icy blast blowing across Shenley Lane as the game started. However, it was only Bolehall who were caught cold, as the home side made a blistering start. Only 3 minutes were on the clock when left-back Rhys Forbes dinked a delightful ball through the middle, perfectly into the path of James Ward, who calmly slotted past Liam Moss. 1-0.
Swifts had barely got their breath back when, four minutes later, Town doubled their advantage. Jamie Molyneux put a hopeful ball into the six-yard box, which should have been tidied up by the Bolehall defence. However, they made a mess of it, presenting James Ward with another opportunity, which he duly took. 2-0
Two down within seven minutes and having barely been out of their half, Bolehall needed to steady the ship quickly, which they managed to do, at least for a further ten minutes or so. However, with only 18 minutes gone, they found themselves three down. Molyneux did very well to control a lofted pass, turning inside his man before playing in Liam Spink, who slotted the ball under the advancing Liam Moss. 3-0 and, at this point, it felt like it could end in a cricket score.
Credit to Bolehall though. They were rattled, but did manage to get some kind of foothold on the game. Thomas Walker, in the home goal, was still largely a spectator, but at least Swifts had stemmed the flow of goals. Just pas the half-hour mark, Spink was disappointed not to have grabbed his second goal, but only had six more minutes to wait, before once again being given the opportunity to fire past Moss. This time he took it, burying the ball into the bottom corner. 4-0.

HT Northfield Town 4 Bolehall Swifts 0. Northfield got off to a fast start and dominated the half. Having not stretched the home defence at all, Swifts will be looking at damage limitation in the second half.

​After a short break to warm up back in the clubhouse, the decent-sized crowd was ready to head back out for the second half, fully expecting to see Northfield score a few more. They did hit the ground running in the second period and, with less than a minute gone Ward came very close to getting his hat-trick, being denied by a very good save by Moss. The Bolehall keeper had clearly decided that conceding four was enough for one day. A few minutes later he was at full stretch to tip a another goal bound effort over the bar, as Northfield went in search of more goals.
Just past the hour though, even Moss was helpless as a cross looped over him toward the far post where both James Ward and Adam Bourn were coming in, unmarked. However, with the goal gaping the two Town players managed to get in each other's way and the chance was gone. Minutes after this Moss was again on his toes, keeping the score at four, with another fine save.
With just over twenty minutes remaining, Northfield decided to throw a little spice into proceedings. A Bolehall raid, which to be fair to the visitors was a much more common occurrence than in the first half, led to the referee pointing to the spot. From the opposite end the exact reason was unclear and the home defence clearly didn't agree with the decision. Bradley Hendry, particularly, made his feelings known and received a sin-bin for his comments. Lewis Moss ignored the protests and calmly slotted home the spot-kick. 4-1. Their was then a small melee in the aftermath of the penalty, which resulted in Liam Spink seeing red. So, suddenly, after being in complete control, Northfield's lead had been reduced and they were now down to nine players for the next 10 minutes.
The home side dug in well, however, and apart from a James Aucott-Hermann effort that went close, they held off the visitors well before being restored back to ten players with 11 minutes left. They then held their own well for the remaining minutes to take the points.

FT Northfield Town 4 Bolehall Swifts 1. Swifts made some improvement in the second half and, at the point that Northfield went down to nine, briefly looked like they meant business. However, the home side had done the damage early on and, in all fairness, could easily have doubled their tally if not for the effort of Bolehall keeper Liam Moss. My third time watching Northfield turned out to be lucky for them, after watching the lose twice previously.
Northfield remain seven clear, after nearest rivals Cadbury Athletic also won. Bolehall stay in ninth spot. Next up, Northfield travel to third placed Birmingham United, who they beat 4-2 at The Lane earlier in the season. Bolehall go to seventh placed Inkberrow, who are just a point ahead of them. The reverse fixture ended in a goalless draw.

Northfield Town: 1.Walker, 2.Forbes, 15.Tabberner, 4.McPike, 5.Hendry, 6.Cameron, 7.Ward, 8.Westwood(c), 9.Molyneux, 10.Spink, 11.Bourn. Subs: Green, McDonald, Prince, Hanks, Halpin
Bolehall Swifts: 1.Liam Moss, 2.Holmes, 3.Symonds, 4.Lewis Moss, 5.Brehany(c), 20.Soloman, 7.Radbourne, 8.Latham, 9.A.Baker, 10 Aucott-Hermann, 11.Barrett. Subs: 12.Baker-Yearwood, 13.Bennett, 14.K.Baker, 15.Orman, 21.Robinson

The Ground
Shenley Lane Sports Ground, or The Lane, is situated just to the north of Northfield town centre, in the south-west corner of Birmingham. There's a good-sized car park in front of the community centre with further parking available in surrounding streets, just a short walk away. Access to the football ground is not immediately obvious. You have to go into the community centre, through the bar and then head towards the toilets at the rear, where you'll see an exit door. There's a small hut where you can pay your entry fee before walking behind the main stand to enter the ground. The stand you walk behind is a brick-built structure that houses both covered standing and some bench seating. It occupies a space between the goal and corner flag, rather than being directly behind the goal. Access is available around the whole pitch, but there's only further cover available to the left, on the Black Haynes Road side. Here you find the dugouts, plus a low-roofed stand that sits between the dugouts. The pitch slopes across the playing surface, from left to right as you look from the entrance. Overall, it's a good facility with a couple of quirks in the unusual access route and the slightly rickety stand between the dugouts.


Ground Number: 473
Att: 68
Entrance: £5.00
Programme: N/A

​One thing is for sure, you don't always get the kind of warm welcome at a grassroots ground than you do at Glen Villa. Stepping out of my car, I barely walked 10 steps before I was greeted by Villa manager Jonny Morgan who immediately invited me into the clubhouse and made me a cup of tea. He then proceeded to arrange delivery of the team sheets and, with the help of his assistant manager, made further tea for an assortment of supporters and ground-hoppers, one of whom was none other than Tim Burgin. If you are regular reader, you may remember Tim from a previous blog. He is the Stourbridge based former West Brom season ticket holder that I chatted with at Tuffley Rovers back in July (Tuff Lesson For Cribbs). For two supporters of the famous blue & white stripes, it's odd that we always seem meet up at the grounds of teams that play in claret and blue.
The game today was the reversal of the reversal that happened last month. The original fixture was reversed after Villa's pitch got waterlogged. BotP had the pleasure of watching that match (Reversal Of Fortune), which Villa won 4-2. On that day Villa were in fourth, St Patricks were top of the league. Fast forward a month, and nothing had changed in terms of league positions. Both teams had won every game since that meeting. Villa had played just two but had showed some great goalscoring form, putting 7 past Saffron Dynamo Reserves and 8 past Hinckley Rovers Development. St Patricks had played four games, also winning all of them, scoring 18 goals and conceding just 5.
Consequently, today's fixture was probably of greater importance to Glen Villa, who trailed the leaders by 11 points but had a game in hand. Victory today would certainly lift them to within sight. Defeat would leave them trailing, and possibly even out of the promotion race.

​The team line-ups were not massively different to the meeting at The Emerald Centre last month. However, the visitors had top scorer Ryan Shilton on the bench, whilst Kane Pedan, who scored on debut last weekend, did start. This proved to be a significant change, especially early on in the game. Whilst Villa started sluggishly, Pedan was clearly wide awake. A second-minute snapshot, that flew wide, was a very early warning sign for the hosts. A minute later, Pedan drew a good save from Ben Perkins. Again the warning was not heeded because, with only 5 minutes gone, Pedan made certain with the third attempt, drilling a strike beyond the reach of Perkins to put St Patricks in front. 0-1.
The goal seemed to wake Villa up a little. They were behind in the 6th minute of the reverse fixture, so there was no need to panic just yet. However, despite starting to look a little more lively, passes were not hitting their mark, 50-50s were being lost, and no real impression was being made on the visitor's defence. In fact, it was almost on the stroke of the half-hour before Villa got a strike on target. Even then, Cameron Greiff, on the stretch, couldn't find enough purchase to test Paul Davis.
At the other end, Perkins had to be at his very best to acrobatically tip over Elijah Morton's close range header following a right-wing corner. Davis then had to replicate the save when he was almost deceived by George Parker's deflected free-kick, tipping that over for a corner too, as the home side attempted to get level before the break. As it happened, they had their captain Cameron Greiff to thank for only being a goal down at the interval. The striker, back to defend a corner, had to bravely throw his head at an in swinging corner that almost snuck in at the near post. Luckily for Villa, only Greiff ended up in the back of the net.

HT Glen Villa 0 St Patricks 1. Villa were very slow out of the blocks and paid the price by conceding early on. They slowly built into the game but couldn't find a way back in. St Patricks always looked dangerous, especially Pedan, who caused the home side a lot of problems.

​After a welcome trip back to the clubhouse to warm up a little, the second half was soon under way. I think most of the assembled spectators were expecting a Glen Villa reaction to the first-half, in which they'd not appeared to get up to full steam at any point. However, it was St Patricks who got the first strike off in anger with Rossa O'Donovan hitting the target, only for Perkins to make a comfortable save.
Villa were still not firing on all cylinders and, just past the hour, they paid the price for their wayward passing. Losing the ball deep inside their own half, their defence was split asunder by the driving run of Elijah Morton, who had latched onto the errant pass. Perkins was out smartly to make an excellent block but, unfortunately for the goalkeeper, the ball fell invitingly for Kane Pedan, who smashed it back past a defender on the line. 0-2
The second goal was the killer. Whilst not playing well, Villa could feasibly have got a single goal back. The way the game had gone so far, two goals looked to be out of reach for them. Of course, they didn't give it up but, try as they might, they couldn't find any rhythm and they struggled to put any pressure on Paul Davis's goal. They did finally make the goalkeeper work in the 83rd minute when George Parker managed to get a strike on target. Even so, it was a relatively comfortable stop for Davis. Pedan then almost picked up his hat-trick when his dipping volley was expertly turned over by Perkins.
The action in the third minute of added time summed up the home side's afternoon. George Parker superbly took down a long ball, controlling it and turning in a fluid movement before striking low across the goal. Davis was beaten but the ball came back off the foot of the far post, and that was that. Game over.

FT Glen Villa 0 St Patricks 2. Whilst it's fair to say that Villa never really got up to speed, credit has to be given to St Patricks, who managed the game excellently. After getting an early lead, they controlled the tempo whilst ensuring that they restricted the home side's chances to get back into it. The three points leaves St Patricks seven points clear at the top, although Community Football Academy do have a game in hand and Loughborough Dynamo, 12 points adrift, have three in hand. Glen Villa remain in fourth but are now 14 points off the top with just one game in hand.
Both teams have a rest before taking back to the field on January 3rd. Glen Villa are back at home, where 9th placed Heather St Johns Reserves are the visitors. The sides fought out a 3-3 draw in the reverse fixture. St Patricks make the journey over to Whetstone Athletic, who are currently 7th. St Patricks won the reverse fixture 4-1 at the end of November.


Glen Villa: 1.Perkins, 4.Langton, 5.Inskip, 6.Payton, 7.Castor, 8.Greiff(c), 9.J.Parker, 10.G.Parker, 11.Morton, 16.Stephen-Hales, 18.Frank-Nwaigwe. Subs: 2.Morrish, 12.Garratt, 14.Mason, 17.Cosgrove
St Patricks: 1.Davis, 13.Ridley, 30.Nicholls, 15.Higgins, 11.McMahon, 6.Doy, 5.Morton, 2.Higgins, 9.O'Donovan, 8.Doherty, 10. Pedan. Subs: 16.Brennan, 3.Pelos, 7.Shilton, 14.Byron, 12.Makombe

​The Ground
Glen Villa are based in the village of Great Glen, a few miles to the south-east of Leicester. They share the Great Glen Recreational Ground with the local cricket and tennis clubs. Accessed via service road off Fordview Close, there's a reasonably-sized car park situated to the rear of the social club and changing room buildings, and next to a children's play park. The club, or The Shed as the sign says, is a cozy place with the walls plastered with photos, pennants and other reminders of the club's past. The football pitch is a short walk away, past the cricket square and towards the far reaches of the recreation ground. Whist not restricted to the near side of the ground, spectators generally seem to gather there, behind the respect barrier. The opposite side, where the teams make  camp, is backed by trees and bushes. The pitch itself slopes down from right to left as you look from the club.


Ground Number: 472
Att: 
Entrance: N/A
Programme: N/A

This Tuesday I decided to head back into the United Counties League for my midweek game. I was tempted to visit GNG Oadby for the first time, but eventually I decided to make the shorter trip over to Northamptonshire for a very tasty looking clash between Moulton and March Town United. Both teams began the day in the top five, Moulton in fifth and March in second. A win for The Hares would take them above Nuneaton Town, into top spot. A win for the home side would put them level on points with March, albeit having played three extra games. This would be the first of three consecutive games, against the current top three, for Moulton. Following this evening's game they travel to Histon on Saturday before welcoming Nuneaton to Brunting Road on the 9th December.
The game promised to be a tight affair. Moulton had only lost once at home this season, 2-0 to Lutterworth Town, whilst a 3-1 defeat to Nuneaton was March's only reversal on their travels. When the teams met in The Fens last month, two goals in there second half minutes, from Florian Tsaguim and Daniel Emmington, edged out Moulton, who replied through Joshua Melling before succumbing by 2-1.
BotP last visited Brunting Road in August 2022, which was probably a lot warmer than this evening's weather. On that day the home side beat local rivals Rugby Borough 5-3 in a thoroughly entertaining Spartan South Midlands Division One game (Moulton Rock).

​Kick-off was slightly delayed when the assistant found an issue with the net at one end of the pitch. However, this was soon fixed and we were under way.  The Hares, who had won their last seven in the league were probably being shaded slightly by their hosts in the opening 10 minutes. Whilst certainly not one-sided in any way, shape or form, it was Moulton who looking the livelier of the two teams. However, as so often happens, slightly against the run of play, it was March who took the lead. The telling point was the defence-splitting pass between full-back and centre-half, that set Ben Tait free on the right. His low, driven ball across the face of goal, was perfect for Rio Henson who had the relatively simple task of applying the finish from close range. 0-1.
The goal changed the balance of the game. Suddenly it was the visitors who looked the more dangerous and, three minutes after going in front, they came close to doubling their lead. Henson was again on the end of a quick break but, this time, Magpies goalkeeper Adam North was able to make a good stop.
The game continued apace. Both sides fizzing the ball around on the artificial surface, which obviously suits a passing style of play. Having been rocked by going behind, it took Moulton a good ten minutes to regain a foothold. Just past the midway point of the half they managed their first really effort on target when Vincenzo Falcini volleyed a bouncing ball goalward. However, he didn't quite catch the shot and it was a relatively simple save for Jonah Gill. Nevertheless, the opportunity served to galvanise the home side as they began to force March deeper. Just past the half-hour mark. captain Dan White rose at the far post to power a header goalward, only for it to be cleared off the line.
Moulton were getting closer, and they came within an inch or so of equalising in the 38th minute. Falcini fired across the face of goal. The shot was going wide until Matty Long got the faintest of touches, only for the ball to come back off the inside of the far post. 
With time running out before the break, Moulton had to thank North again when he blocked a Toby Allen effort but then, with the clock ticking into the last minute of normal time, Moulton got back on level terms. March thought they had cleared the initial danger with a headed clearance but, as the ball bounced outside the box, Ed Odley stepped onto it, brilliantly controlling his first-time volley to send the ball flashing past Gill. 1-1

HT Moulton 1 March Town United 1. A thoroughly entertaining first half between two very good sides. The upper-hand passed between he teams but, overall, it was an even half. Two very different, but very well taken goals.

The second half was a different affair in many ways. Credit to both sets of coaching staff who had clearly identified where the danger was coming from and taken steps to nullify it. The end result was that, whilst both teams continued to play some great football, they cancelled each other out for much of the second period. The game was nonetheless interesting to watch, but there was much less in terms of goalmouth action.
Having said that, if not for Jonah Gill's athleticism, getting across his goal save Odley's 49th minute free-kick, at full-stretch, it may well have been a different game. As it was, both teams looked like their main objective was not to lose the game.
Clear-cut chances were at a premium and even half-chances were fairly rare. When they did come around, such as Lewis Isom's sight of goal in the 78th minute, they weren't taken. Both goalkeeper's made routine saves, but neither had to unduly stretch themselves.

FT Moulton 1 March Town United 1. Honours even and, over the 90 minutes, that's a fair result. Both teams had periods of dominance in the first half, but in the second they cancelled each other out, restricting opportunities at both ends. Two very good sides who will undoubtedly be there or thereabouts come May.
The result sees March miss out on top spot, but they are now in second, a point shy of Nuneaton Town. Moulton remain in fifth. They travel to third-placed Histon on Saturday. March, meanwhile, welcome seventh-placed Hinckley to Robingoodfellows Lane.
Check out the excellent match photos from Richard Eason Photography. There's even a few with yours truly in the background.


Moulton: North, Dicks, Osoimoejiokhian, Stevens, Melling, Odley, Falcini, Mensah, Long, White(c), Isom. Subs: Reza, Amaning, Kelly, Goodacre, Lagdon
March Town United: Gill, Francisco, Brumby, Hook, Emmington(c), King, Tsaguim, Foy, Allen, Tait, Henson. Subs: Hill-Seekings, Saunders, Cotton, Knowles

Ground Number: Re-visit
Att: 63
Entrance: £5.00
Programme: £2.00

​This Saturday the plan was to watch my daughter's game in Northampton on the morning, followed by a leisurely drive up the M1 to Great Glen for Glen Villa v St Patricks. However, Storm Claudia had different ideas. Firstly my daughter's county cup game was called off after a 7:30 pitch inspection but luckily, as I prepared to write-off the entire footballing Saturday, I got an X message from Glen Villa manager Jonny Morgan telling me that their game was on, although it had been reversed and would now be played at St Patricks' Emerald Centre ground.
So, even though I was going to have to postpone the promised cup of tea at Glen Villa, I set off for North-East Leicester for what promised to be a very interesting Leicestershire Senior League Division One clash.
St Patricks and Glen Villa have followed the same path through the divisions in recent years. If we go back to the Covid-shortened 2020-21 season, both were still in the Leicestershire County League, St Patricks in the Championship (Level 15 of the pyramid) and Glen Villa top of the league below them. Glen were then promoted two divisions, so that, the following season they competed in the Premier League (Level 14). St Patricks won the Championship that season. So, in 2023-23 the teams were both in the same division. St Patricks finished 2nd and gained promotion. Villa ended in fifth spot. During the season the teams drew 1-1 at St Patricks, with the reverse fixture ending 5-2 to St Patricks.
The following season both teams gained promotion. Glen Villa won the County Premier and St Patricks finished second in the Senior League Division Two. Last season St Patricks finished fourth in their first season in Division One. Glen Villa were promoted via second place in Division Two. Which brings us to the current season. One or both of these teams has gained promotion in each of the past five seasons, an extraordinary feat, and who says int's not going to continue?
Going into today's game Villa sat in fifth spot with 17 points from their opening 12 games. However, top of the pile were St Patricks, who had accumulated 28 points from 12 games and had a two pint advantage in second paces Community Football Academy.
Many thanks to referee Lucas Bond for sharing the team sheets with me prior to kick off.

​Kicking towards the clubhouse end, St Patricks made the stronger start, calling Ollie Jones into action as early as the 5th minute, when he got down sharply to stop a Niall McMahon effort. However, just a minute later, the Villa keeper was beaten by a precisely struck shot from Ryan Shilton, rifled into the top corner from the edge of the box. 1-0.
An ominous start for the visitors, but they rallied well and were only inches from getting back in the game on 15 minutes, when a free-kick was sent curling into the far post, only just evading the lunge of Cameron Grieff. A few minutes later Liam Morton went close with a header as Villa pushed hard for an equaliser.
The chances for the visitors continued to clock up. Top scorer Ira Castor was played in on goal only to be thwarted by Paul Davis sprinting off his line to narrow the angle. Then Liam Morton met a clearance with a superbly controlled volley from 25 yards. Davis was at full stretch to keep the ball out, pushing it wide for a corner. When this was delivered into the area, Jack Langton rose highest to power in the leveller. 1-1. A particularly pleasing goal for the gentleman standing next to me at the time, who just happened to be the father of the goal scorer.
Villa continued to look the livelier of the two sides, controlling midfield and looking the more likely to add to the goal tally. James Parker could have done just that on 27 minutes, but fired well over from a good position. Then, on the stroke of the half-hour, Castor burst down the right before delivering a lovely ball across the face of goal. Myles Cosgrove met it on the run, but couldn't control the effort, sending the ball well over the bar.
It was beginning to look as if Villa were not going to take full advantage of the dominance of the ball, and both myself and Mr Langton senior, were wondering if they might regret it in the second half should they not add to their tally.
However, with six minutes of the half remaining, Cosgrove and Castor switched roles. Cosgrove provided the cross from the left, which Ira Castor smashed past Davis. 1-2. The visitor's had their noses in front and, a minute before the break, only a very good save from Davis prevented Josh Wright's powerful drive from increasing the lead.

HT St Patricks 1 Glen Villa 2. A very good response from Glen Villa after going behind early on. They responded brilliantly, and deservedly took an advantage into the break. St Patricks, after a good opening 5 minutes, looked to be struggling to get out of first gear but, as league leaders, you'd expect a response in the second half.

​Sure enough, the home side looked to be much more fired up at the start of the second half. With only four minutes played after the restart, Kyle Nicholls showed their intent, bringing a good save from Ollie Jones. However, Jones was beaten for the second time ten minutes in. Elijah Morton created the opportunity down the right flank, sending over a dangerous cross that was converted at the far post by Nicholls. 2-2.
Suddenly the pendulum looked to have swung. St Patricks had a spring in their step now and it was Vila's turn to have their backs to the wall. Having said that, a slip from Jamie Pelos, just before the hour, presented Castor with an opening but the striker, not realising how much time he had, could only fire straight at Davis.
That, and the missed chances in the first half, were starting to look as if they may be costly as the league leaders began to assert themselves on the game more and more. To Villa's credit, however, they dug in and, even though they were ceding possession now, they restricted the clear-cut chances.
Then, after soaking up plenty of home pressure, Villa hit St Patricks with something of a sucker punch. Substitute George Parker did brilliantly on the left, driving to the goal-line before cutting the ball back into the path of Ira Castor, who smashed it past Davis. 2-3
That goal, in the 77th minute, took the wind out of the home sails and, in the final minutes, the visitors were once again taking command of proceedings. Parker came close again after bursting through and rounding the onrushing Davis, only to be forced too wide to get a strike on goal. A few minutes later, the Parker and Parker combination almost paid dividends again, but Davis was again quick off his line to force the shot wide of the mark. However, with almost the last kick of the game, the same link-up did pay off. James Parker fed in George Parker, who drove in on the angle and squeezed a shot in past Davis at the near post. 2-4. Game over.

FT St Patricks 2 Glen Villa 4. A hard-earned but, over the 90 minutes, thoroughly deserved three points for Glen Villa. The result sees them climb a place to fourth, and close the gap to St Patricks, who stay top, to eight points. Community Football Academy closed the gap to a point after a draw at home to Heather St Johns Reserves. Loughborough Dynamo moved to within three points of the top, with a game in hand, after beating Barrow Town 3-2.
Coming up next week. Glen Villa take on second from bottom Barrow Town at home. They've played twice already this season. Villa won 3-1 at Riverside Park in the league. They also won a League Cup clash 5-4 on penalties, after a 1-1 draw. Meanwhile, St Patricks are back at home as they welcome third-bottom Sileby Town Reserves to The Emerald Centre.

St Patricks: 1.Davis, 13.Pelos, 4.Ridley, 3.Darji, 2.Byron, 14.McMahon, 12.Higgins, 5.Morton, 8.Doherty, 30.Nicholls, 16.Shilton. Subs: 15.O'Donovan, 10.Makombe, 6.Doy, 9.Taylor, 11.Godhania, 7.Brennan
Glen Villa: 1.Jones, 4.Langton, 5.Inskip(c), 6.Payton, 7.Castor, 8.Greiff, 9.J.Parker, 11.Morton, 12.Wright, 16.Stephen-Hales, 17.Cosgrove. Subs: 2.Morrish, 10.G.Parker, 14.Mason, 15.Burke 

The Ground
The Emerald Centre is a community sports and social hub situated to the North-East of Leicester City Centre, supporting the local Irish community. There's a small car park just off Gipsy Lane but beware. If you park here, don't expect to make a quick getaway after the game. You will get blocked in. Parking in the local vicinity isn't too easy either because it's mainly double-yellows in the surrounding roads. However, you can find spots a little further up Gipsy Lane and off to the right.
Adjacent to the car park is a large, curved building that houses the clubhouse, bar and all of the changing facilities. There's a patio at the front of the clubhouse that looks out over the main sports field. Both football and Gaelic football are played on the same pitch, although the Gaelic version uses a longer pitch and, of course, has very different goalposts. There are no dugouts or spectator cover around the ground. However, they do have floodlights. The pitch itself, whilst not having any noticeable slope, could benefit from a trim. All n all, considering the recent heavy rain, it looked to have drained very well and didn't cut up too much during the game.


Ground Number: 471
Att: 
Entrance: N/A
Programme: N/A