​I've never really thought of myself as a groundhopper. I do enjoy going to different grounds but I don't believe in missing out on a good game just because I have been to the stadium before. This Tuesday was a case in question. There were a few alternatives that I could have gone for but the lure of the Spartan South Midland Division One clash between Biggleswade FC and Baldock Town was just too much to ignore. My last visit was in November 2011 to watch Biggleswade Town take on Stourbridge (http://www.botp.co.uk/blog/revenge-of-the-waders).

This is Biggleswade's first season in the South Midlands League after being formed in May last year from the Biggleswade Town Under 18 side. Their first season has been extremely successful, so much so that, coming into this game, they were sitting on top of the league level on points but with a far superior goal difference to Baldock. In third place were Harpenden Town, having played the same amount of games and being three points adrift of the top two. With Langford a further six points back, the title looked very much like a three horse race.
The Langford Road Stadium has not changed much since my last visit, so no real need to describe it again. Instead, let's see what happened in the game.

It was Baldock who looked the more eager of the two sides in the first five minutes, snapping into tackles and moving the ball around quickly. However, despite having much the better of the opening encounters they found themselves behind after just five minutes.
Biggleswade's first meaningful attack saw a lovely played inside in between the Baldock centre-halves and right-back for Tom Cookman to run onto just inside the left-hand corner of the box. He took a touch and shaped a lovely shot past Farmer into the far corner. 1-0.
The game was fast developing into an intriguing battle between two evenly matched sides. Baldock were, in my opinion, having the edge in terms of possession but Biggleswade probably made the greater number of opportunities, albeit nothing really clear cut. In fact, neither side managed to stretch the opposition goalkeeper until a few minutes before the break when the Biggleswade keeper had to be alert to keep his side in front following an effort from Owen Robertson.

HT Biggleswade 1 Baldock Town 0. Both sides working very hard, especially in midfield. A half of few clear cut opportunities, Baldock edged possession overall but didn't make the Biggleswade keeper work until the half was almost over. 

​As it happened, that late effort from Baldock was a sign of things to come at the start of the second half.
The Reds flew out of the blocks and within two minutes of the restart Lewis Barker was unfortunate to see his rasping drive come back off the bar. Baldock continued to press Biggleswade and on 52 minutes, following a right-wing corner, they were awarded a penalty. When the ball was played into the six yard area a number of players went for the ball and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. I could not see an infringement myself, mainly because so many bodies attacked the ball, but there din't seem to be too much in the way of protest from the defence.
Luke Gregson made no mistake from the spot. 1-1.

Whereas the first half had been predominantly a battle fought in midfield, neither side were having any of that in the second 45 minutes with both sides going flat out to win the game.

Within five minutes of Baldock getting onto level terms they were behind again, almost out of the blue. The ball was switched out to the Biggleswade right flank and when a low, hard, cross came in there was Cookman to turn the ball into the net for his, and Biggleswade's, second of the night. 2-1.

Baldock heads could have dropped at this point, conceding so soon after getting themselves back into the game. They were having none of that though and it only took them six minutes to level the game up again. It was more of a route one effort this time. A long ball through the middle was flicked on by Gregson. Lee Harman had anticipated his partner getting a touch and that, combined with his blistering pace, took him clear of his marker. He ran onto the ball, beating the onrushing keeper, before firing the ball home for 2-2.

There was to be no let-up in incidents though. Biggleswade tried to hit back immediately and only a good save from Farmer prevented Cookman from claiming his hat-trick and putting the home side back in front. Seconds later, at the other end, Gregson had a chance to put Baldock in front but blasted over when he probably felt he should have scored. In Gregson's defence, the amount of work he had got through at this point was probably enough to grant him some leniency in not scoring.

He need not have worried too much anyway. On 72 minutes Baldock won a corner on their left which was defended well at the far post but at the expense of another corner, this time from the right. When this ball was played deep into the Biggleswade box it was headed back into the mix only for the home keeper to pull off a great reflex save. His efforts, however, were in vain as Liam Kenna was first to react, planting the ball into the back of the net. 2-3.

With well under 20 minutes remaining Baldock could have been excused for trying to close the game down and take away the three points. In fact, they may well have tried to do that but Biggleswade, to their credit, kept plugging away.
With only a minute or so left. Farmer made another superb save which looked to have sealed the points for The Reds. That was until the 95th minute when late pressure from Biggleswade earned them a penalty. Once again, I could not see the infringement clearly, but there was no doubt in the referee's mind.  
​Nathan George held his nerve and stroked the ball past Farmer to make it 3-3 and earn his side a valuable point.

This was almost the last kick of the game and what a game it was too, Two contrasting halves. The first a fascinating midfield tussle between to very well matched sides. The second a breathless, all out attacking feats of football. An absolute joy to watch. Both sides should be proud of their efforts and the fabulous advert for Step 6 football that they showed.

Biggleswade FC - @biggleswadefc1
Baldock Town - @baldocktownfc

Match Blog Extra
So, how have last night's results affected the league title race. Well, with Harpenden winning 4-0 at Winslow, the top three are now separated by just one point with six games each to play.

Here are the remaining fixtures for all three teams:

Biggleswade - Ampthill (H), Risborough (H), Langford (A), Arlesey (H), Wodson Park (A), Winslow (A)

Baldock - Wodson Park (A), Risborough (A), Brimsdown (A), Codicote (H), Harpenden (A), Ampthill (A)

Harpenden - Risborough (A), Ampthill (H), Hatfield (A), Baldock (H), Codicote (H), Brimsdown (H)

Interestingly, both Ampthill and Risborough Rangers could have a major say in the championship, with bith still having to play all of the top three. The standout fixture is probably Harpenden Town v Baldock Town, scheduled for April 18. 
Baldock appear to have the tougher run-in with five of their six games being away from home, including that big one at Harpenden. Biggleswade have three games against top half teams and three against bottom half teams remaining. It is Harpendedn who, in my humble opinion, have the best opportunity. They may be a point adrift but they have four remaining home games versus two away. They have four games against teams below halfway in the table and they have a certain amount of control over their own destiny with the game against Baldock.
Without a doubt, it's going to be a very close finish to the season and I'm sure that the best team will win it overall. From what I witnessed last night, it would be a shame for anyone to lose out.

​Bromsgrove Sporting wearing their green change kit, a nod towards their past incarnation, hit three first half goals to beat Racing Club Warwick and extend their lead at the top of the Midland League Division One.

This was not my first visit to Townsend Meadows having been there on the opening week of the 2014/15 season (http://www.botp.co.uk/blog/a-night-at-the-races-almost) to witness a 2-2 draw with Nuneaton Griff. However, Tuesday seemed like a very good day to re-visit the ground. The Racers are currently sixth, higher than they have been for a number of seasons, and their opponents this midweek were Bromsgrove Sporting, league leaders, title favourites and, of course, FA Vase semi-finalists. The Rouslers would no doubt be looking for a winning return to league action after, somewhat unluckily, going out of the Vase last Saturday and seeing Leicester Road cut their advantage to three points.
The reverse fixture, on the last day of 2016, had finished 1-1 with Warwick recovering from going a goal down to an early penalty, equalising and then defending valiantly for their point.

Not much seems to have changed at Townsend Meadows, or should I say the Church Farm Brewery Stadium, since my last visit. There is now a turnstile directly accessed from the adjacent car park which I am fairly sure wasn't there before but, apart from that, the ground appears unaltered.
One really nice touch, and one that I believe may be unique to The Racers, is the handing out of a menu when you enter the ground. I have certainly never seen this before, but it did bring a smile to my face. Of course, it may also help to bring revenue into the club by enticing people to try a burger alongside their match-day Bovril. Does anyone know of any other club that does this?

There was plenty of Rouslers support evident as the teams made their way onto the pitch, Racing Club in their amber and black colours. Sporting in their change kit of green.

It was Warwick, living up to their name, who flew out of the blocks. For the first ten minutes, in fact, it was Racing who were much the better side with Bromsgrove finding it hard to get into their stride.
Indeed, with around five minutes played, Warwick should really have taken the lead. A break down their left flank and a driven cross, which bypassed the Rouslers keeper Jonathan Brown, was met by an onrushing forward. Unfortunately for The Racers the attempt was hit directly at a covering defender and cannoned away to safety. Bromsgrove didn't learn from this warning though and a series of over hit or wayward back-passes kept putting Brown in awkward situations, a couple of which forced corners for the home side.
​
However, Sporting weathered this initial Racing Club storm and, gradually, they started to gain a foothold on the game. It was very much like watching a screw being turned. Bit by bit, inch by inch, Bromsgrove enforced their authority on the game, pushing Warwick further back into their own half. It was actually very impressive to watch. The whole team noticeably stepped it up a notch and imposed themselves all over the pitch.
Then, on 24 minutes, Nicol got on the end of a tempting cross from the right and glanced a header beyond Pigott in The Racers goal to put Sporting in front. 0-1.

The game was now being played, almost exclusively, in the Warwick half of the pitch and it was no great surprise when a second goal arrived 12 minutes after the opener. This time, after a corner was partially cleared, the ball was recycled to Bunn on the right. He engineered a superb cross to the far post where Cowley managed to bundle the ball over the line. 0-2.
​
Sporting weren't quite finished for the half and when Nicol was brought down in the box, Liam Spink stepped up to make it 0-3 from the penalty spot.

HT Racing Club Warwick 0 Bromsgrove Sporting 3. Although the home side had started the game very well, by the end of the half they were well and truly under the cosh.

​With the game as good as won, the second half was never going to be a spectacle, and so it proved. Bromsgrove continued to hold the upper hand and played some good football. Racing Club huffed and puffed but never really looked like getting themselves back into the game.
When Sporting did manage to fashion opportunities they found Warwick stopper Jonathan Pigott in sparkling form. 

Sporting won another penalty in the 81st minute, but Pigott produced a very good save to deny Spink his second goal of the game. Two minutes later Pigott pulled off a superb one-handed stop to keep the score at 0-3.

FT Racing Club Warwick 0 Bromsgrove Sporting 3.

With Leicester Road going down 1-0 at Lichfield City, The Rouslers now hold a five point lead and, with nine to play themselves, have two games in hand over The Knitters. Hinckley, who have played one more than Bromsgrove, are a further three points adrift in third place. Sporting travel to the Leicester Road Stadium on April 11 in  a game that could effectively see the title decided.

Racing Club Warwick - @rcwfc
Bromsgrove Sporting - @sportingfc

Tadley Calleva somehow contrive to lose at home to Baffins Milton Rovers.

It's been a while coming. In fact, Barlows Park has been on my list of grounds to visit for a couple of years but, this Tuesday evening, I finally managed to get to a Tadley Calleva home game. Not a bad one to go to either with the visit of second-placed Baffins Milton Rovers.

The game would feature the leagues top scorers, Baffins, who already had chalked up 120 goals this season. The league's three top individual scorers would also be on display. Baffin's Ryan Pennery (45) was leading the chart with Calleva striker Brett Denham (31) second and Rovers' Tyler Moret (30) in third. However, with the exception of leaders Hamble, we would also be seeing two of the tightest back-lines in the league. Tadley were also coming into the game on a run of seven league games without conceding a goal.

With this in mind and the fact that the reverse fixture in December was decided by a single Baffins goal, I was not expecting a goal-fest despite having so many leading scorers on show. What I did expect, and what I got, was a very tightly contested game between two quite evenly matched teams.

Barlows Park is a relatively new ground, only built in 2007, and is situated on the edge of Tadley. There are plenty of parking spaces right outside the clubhouse and also on the long driveway that leads up to the ground from Silchester Road. All of the facilities are on the car park side of the ground with the playing surface being accessed up a small incline from the facilities. There is a small covered seating area on one side of the ground with the dugouts directly opposite. The pitch has no noticeable slope to it and looked in pretty good condition.

​As I have pointed out in a number of match blogs recently, kick off times now seem to always be closer to 7:50 than 7:45. Today was no exception.

It was apparent almost from the kick off that this was going to be a close contest. Baffins fired the opening salvo, with an early shot that didn't really trouble the keeper, but apart from that the first ten minutes of the game was very even.

The main talking point of the match happened on the ten minute mark. A Tadley attack broke down in the Baffins half when a Rovers player used his hand. The referee missed the handball and Rovers broke upfield quickly. When the ball was played through the Calleva defence keeper Tom Hindmarsh was quick off his line but could only manage to fell the onrushing Rovers striker. It was a clear penalty offence but, luckily for the keeper, there were just enough covering defenders to prevent the red card coming out.
Tyler Moret stepped up and put Rovers in front. 1-0.
​
Four minutes later Tadley should really have been level. Top scorer Brett Denham was put clean through but, with just the keeper to beat, he screwed his shot wide. The game was still fairly even but, in truth, it was Tadley who were making the better chances. Once again, just before the half hour mark, they got beyond the Rovers defence but the shot was blazed well over the bar. Anthony Male in the away goal then kept his side in front with a very good save just on the stroke of half-time.

HT Tadley Calleva 0 Baffins Milton Rovers 1. Rovers quite fortunate to be ahead. Although the penalty decision was correct the referee should really have spotted the handball in the build-up. Tadley also had a number of opportunities to equalise but were a little wasteful in front of goal.

Tadley continued to push forward when the second half began and, if anything, had more of the ball than in the first half. Baffins were more and more forced to play on the back foot and rely counter attacks to relieve the pressure.
The Tadders were putting together some nice passages of play but time and again could not find the final ball to call Male back into action.
​
Whilst the game was being played predominantly in the Rovers half, they were leaving two players up most of the time meaning that Tadley always had to be wary of a break. Just after the hour mark Ryan Pennery almost benefited from one such break but fired his shot wide of the mark.
As the half drew on Tadley stepped up the pace again and almost grabbed an equaliser after 80 minutes but, once again, Rovers had their goalkeeper to thank for keeping their noses in front.
To be fair to Baffins, they defended very well and were equal to most things that Tadley threw at them. When the home side did manage to break through the Rovers defensive line they either found Male equal to the effort or could not quite find the target.

FT Tadley Calleva 0 Baffins Milton Rovers 1

Harsh on Tadley who had much more of the ball than their opponents. However, football is about goals and Baffins took their chance whereas Tadley failed to convert any of their efforts.

The win, combined with leaders Hamble drawing with Shaftesbury, leaves Rovers just three points off top place albeit having played two games more than Hamble. The Monks still have to travel to The Kendall Stadium on the penultimate weekend of the season, which could yet prove to be a title shoot-out. Whichever way that game goes, it increasingly looks like the same two teams that rose from the Hampshire Premier League last season will also be climbing up the ladder to Step 5 this season.

Tadley Calleva - @tadleycallevafc
​Baffins Milton Rovers - @bmrfc

​Saturday couldn't come quickly enough this week. Whilst my live football is normally restricted to midweek games, I do occasionally get out on a Saturday for really big games, and today was one of them. The FA Vase Semi-Final first leg between Coleshill Town and South Shields.
The day was all planned out in advance. Parkrun first thing, drop my wife and daughter at my mother-in-laws then off to Coleshill quite early to find a decent parking spot and sample the atmosphere. Arriving in the town at least 90 minutes before kick-off I came across one of the allocated parking areas, a school on Coventry Road, and turned in, to be greeted by a very pleasant and welcoming lady. 

At this point let's take a minute to look at what I would like to be the over-riding theme of this blog, the whole match day experience, in particular just how good it was. As I had a birthday party to attend in Oxfordshire after the game I needed to make sure that I could make a quick getaway after the final whistle. I asked the lady at the car park if there was any chance of being blocked in and she replied that she thought it was very unlikely, pointing me to another steward for directions to park. This steward, another cheery person, assured me that they woudl not be blocking anyone in and pointed me to a parking space. A good start. I headed into town to see if Vase fever had hit the locals. The first pub that I came to was heaving with claret and blue, flags everywhere and hundreds of Tynesiders sampling the local brews. Heading further into town I saw that at least 50% of the shops and public buildings were adorned with the blue & white of Coleshill along with various messages of good luck and encouragement for the team. Whilst not exactly Vase fever, the town had certainly taken the team to it's heart.
I headed back out of town towards Pack Meadow, which is situated on a road leading out of Coleshill, on the edge of the open countryside. On arriving at the ground I was also very pleased to see that club officials were standing outside the ground greeting all supporters as they made their way to the turnstile. A very nice touch.
With still more than 45 minutes until kick-off the ground was already starting to fill up. There were plenty of South Shields banners on show and still more Mariners sampling the goods at the beer tent behind one of the stands. I made do with a cup of tea and a browse through the match day programme. Spotting a team sheet being put up in the window of one of the offices I began to mark off the starters on the programme. I'd not got too far before another Coleshill official offered me a copy of the sheet. 
It was still almost 30 minutes until kick-off but definitely time to find a good vantage point because the ground was rapidly filling. 

The Shields fans that earlier had been outside the pub were now massed behind both goals and in fine voice as the teams were led out onto the artificial surface. Both sides were able to wear their first choice kits, Colehills in white shirts and blue shorts, South Shields in their claret and blue shirts with white shorts. 

Predictably the opening minutes of the game were fairly cautious from both sides. No-one wants to give away and early goal in a semi-final. However, it was the home side who made the first big chance on 7 minutes when Josh Quaynor free-kick from the right was tipped over the Shields bar by Liam Connell. In fact, Connell was called into action again a few minutes later and was certainly the busier of the two keepers. South Shields showed some signs of getting their passing game together but, in general, were struggling to get a foothold. Coleshill were opting for a more direct style of play, hitting the front men early, and were certainly creating the better chances.
The pattern continued throughout the opening half-hour. The Mariners threading a few passes together bu them losing out in the final third only to be hit by Coleshill breaks. One such break almost saw Jordan Nadat get on the end of a through-ball but Connell was quick off his line to get there first. 
Just after the 30 minute mark Nadat came even closer, curling a delightful shot towards Connells far post but, once again, the Shields stopper was equal to the effort, managing to get a fingertip to it and turn the ball wide.
Just when it looked like the sides would go into the break all square Coleshill finally got the reward for their first-half endeavour when a driven cross from the left was finished off by Nadat. 1-0 with barely time to kick off before the half-time whistle blew.

HT Coleshill Town 1 South Shields 0. A fairly even first half but the majority of chances had gone to the home side and they probably left the field thinking they could have been more than one goal ahead. Shields, despite flashes of great passing play, had been below their best and were most likely glad to hear the whistle.
Best chant of the half had certainly come from the South Shields fans behind the Coleshill goal where shaven-headed and bright, lime green wearing home goalkeeper Paul Hathaway was serenaded with the darts anthem 'Oh, Michael van Gerwen' (to the tune of White Stripes, Seven Nation Army) whenever he had the ball. To his credit, Hathaway seemed to take it in very good humour.
​

​Straight from kick-off in the second half it was clear that Lee Picton and Graham Fenton had had a few choice words to say to their players in the interval. The Mariners straight away looked more lively and it took just two minutes of the second period for them to draw level. Andrew Stephenson's drive was parried by Paul Hathaway in the Colemen goal but first to react was David Foley and he made no mistake in equalising. 1-1.
Shields tails were now up and their passing game was beginning to take hold but, despite this, Coleshill still posed a threat when they did break. Connell was once again called into action just after the hour when he got down smartly to turn away a Tom Weale free-kick.
Then it was Hathaway's turn to show his goalkeeping skills, denying the newly introduced Carl Finnegan with a tremendous one-handed stop when the Shields player was clean through. Coleshill then went up the other end and crashed a shot against Connell's post from way out (couldn't see who hit it from where I was standing).
Michael Richardson then collected a rushed Coleshill clearance and, spotting Hathaway a long way out of his area, tried to return the ball over the keeper from the halfway line but the ball went a yard or two wide of the goal. It was breathless stuff.

Just as in he first half, the second half had a sting in the tail though. As the clock ticked over to 90 minutes a driven effort across the Coleshill six-yard line was diverted into the net by Stephenson. 1-2. It was actually difficult to see who got the final touch but Stephenson seemed to be the one indicating to the bench that it was his goal. Not that it mattered to the delirious massed ranks of Mariners behind Hathaway's goal.
With four minutes of injury time to play The Colemen pushed forward looking for an equaliser but it was all to no avail as the referee drew the first leg to a close.

FT Coleshill Town 1 South Shields 2

Coleshill must have been ruing some of the chances they had in the first half and South Shields certainly have their goalkeeper to thank for keeping them in the game before half-time. However, in the second period, The Mariners performed much better than in the first half and eventually got themselves a slender lead to take back to South Tyneside next weekend. Coleshill certainly made enough chances and performed well enough to suggest that this tie is far from over and, as they say 'It's only half-time'.

Whatever the result, the people of Coleshill should be proud of their club. They put on a superb day for all concerned. The welcome for away fans and neutrals was second to none. It was a great advert for non-league football and I am sure it will be replicated at Mariners Park next Saturday.

Coleshill Town - @coleshilltownfc
South Shields - @southshieldsfc

Being an exiled Black Country person in Oxfordshire has both good and bad points when it comes to following non-league football. One of the bad points is that, on an evening when my 'own' club Stourbridge face a very local derby against Halesowen, I am unable to make it back home in time for the game. However, one of the good points is that I get to sample some great football at a number of different locations. So, with an eye on Twitter, this Tuesday I settled for the short journey to The Northcourt, home of Abingdon United who were due to play an Hellenic Division One West game against Purton.

I have actually been to Northcourt before, way back at the start of BotP and before I prodcued any kind of regular blog. In fact it is the fifth stadium on my Ground Hop list and I have been meaning to re-visit for some time now.
One of the interesting features about The Northcourt is that there is parking within the stadium, so if you are there early enough you can park either in the small car park next to the clubhouse or, as I did on Tuesday, just alongside one of the stands. As you can see from the photo, you could watch a fair part of the game from the warm confines of your car.

The ground has covered stands on both sides, a seating area on one side and a standing area, bounded by the dugouts, on the opposite side. The clubhouse, snack bar and changing areas are all housed in one block which is situated behind the goal on the Northcourt Road end. The service road to the car parking area runs between the clubhouse and the playing surface.
​
The first thing that I noticed this evening was the playing surface, which looked in extremely good condition. Given the amount of rain we have had recently this is to the great credit of the groundsman.

​Coming into the game Abingdon, in fifth, were placed one position above Purton in the table having 43 points to Purton's 39 and also having played three games fewer. However, in September, it was Purton who had come out on top of the reverse fixture when a Matt Bennett goal had given them a 1-0 victory.As seems to be the norm these days the game kicked off about 5 minutes later than scheduled. Not that it is a problem, but it does seem that more games kick-off at 7:50 than 7:45 in midweek nowadays.

In what was to become the theme for the entire game, it was Abingdon who just about had the edge on possession but Purton who, when they did have the ball, created the more clear-cut chances. It was immediately  clear that the sides were very evenly matched and for the first 15 minutes or so, the game was almost exclusively played in the middle third of the pitch with neither side forcing the opposing keeper into a save.

With around seventeen minutes on the clock it was the home team who produced the games best move so far and opened up the first real goal-scoring opportunity. A lovely flowing move down their left flank involving 3 or 4 players culminated in a low cross onto the edge of the area. It was met by Tom Butler but he couldn't keep his effort down and it went harmlessly over the bar.

There followed another period of midfield battling before Purton on the half-hour mark, and out of the blue, rattled the Abingdon bar with a shot from outside the box. This seemed to inspire the away side and suddenly they had Abingdon on the ropes for a few minutes. Two minutes after hitting the bar they really should have gone in front. Joe Herbert beat Abingdon keeper Jack Griffiths to a ball on the edge of the box but then, admittedly with a couple of defenders blocking his view, lifted his effort over the bar. It was a bit of a let-off for Abingdon but, to their credit, they quickly regained composure and the midfield tussle resumed for the remainder of the half.
​
HT Abingdon United 0 Purton 0. A very even game with the home side seeing more of the ball but the away side creating the better chances. It has to be pointed out that Purton had also been forced, by injuries, to make two substitutions during the first half.

​The second half started in pretty much the same vein as the first half with neither side really being able to establish themselves as the dominant force. Purton did have the ball in the net after 55 minutes but the assistant's flag was up for offside way before the ball crossed the line. This incident, however, was the start of the game really springing into life.

Two minutes later Abingdon were awarded a penalty much to the annoyance of the Purton team. I had a very clear view of the incident and, to be fair the contact was quite minimal but by the letter of the law it was a penalty in my opinion. Graham Bryan stepped up and fired the hosts into the lead. 1-0.

The Reds were not behind for very long though. Seven minutes after going a goal down they were awarded a penalty of their own. It happened at the opposite end to where I was standing and there were a lot of players between me and the incident, so I could not see why the referee pointed to the sport. However, there was minimal complaint from the home defenders, so I am guessing that it was a clear offence. Whatever the case, first-half substitute Ollie Hunt made no mistake and the visitors were level. 1-1.

The equaliser served to galvanise Abingdon and they immediately set about trying to find a second goal, forcing Max Scholefield into action far more than he was called upon in the first half. It was noticeable that some of the Purton players were getting more and more riled by some, shall we say, quirky refereeing decisions. Nevertheless, there was no doubting the next call that had to be made by the man in black. A Purton through ball was slightly over-hit allowing Griffiths to come off his line and quite easily get to the ball before Reds strike Rory Sproule. However, Sproule still lunged in for the ball and caught the keeper with a very late challenge. From my vantage point I have to say it looked a nailed on red card, and so it proved to be.

With the away side down to 10 men, Abingdon once more pushed forward looking for what would now surely be a winning goal. However, the Purton defence was resolute and, even with a player light, they still looked a threat going forward themselves.Just as the match looked to be drifting towards a draw there came another moment of drama. With the clock already past the 90 minute mark a Purton attack led to a ball into the box and when a rash defensive challenge came in the referee, for the third time, pointed to the spot. Up stepped Hunt to guide the ball into the corner of the net and put The Reds in front. 1-2.

There was barely enough time for Abingdon to restart the game before the referee drew proceedings to a close. In the end it as a harsh result for The U's on the balance of play. A draw would probably have been the fair result on the night but credit to Purton who still tried to push forward even after they lost a player. 

FT Abingdon United 1 Purton 2.

Abingdon: Griffiths, Wright, Hawtin, Butler, McCormack, Tabor, Bryan, Moss, Edney (c), Gila, Wharton. Subs: French, Oliviera, Hall, Forbes

Purton: Scholefield, McGunigall, Bearne, Shepherd, Stevens (c), Kent, Dorey, Herbert, Sproule, Bennett, Pocock. Subs: O. Hunt, P.Hunt, Hiscox, Miller

Abingdon United - @abingdonutd
​Purton - @purtonfc

The FA Vase Semi-Finals are almost upon us. A two-legged affair the first of which will be played this coming Saturday with the return legs the following weekend.
It's something of a showdown between the Midlands and the North(ish)-East with the Midlands sides being at home first. 
11 March
Bromsgrove Sporting v Cleethorpes Town
Coleshill Town v South Shields
18 March
Cleethorpes Town v Bromsgrove Sporting
South Shields v Coleshill Town

Both ties are fascinating and will, no doubt, attract large crowds once again. Let's take a look at the sides involved.

Bromsgrove Sporting (Midland League Division One - Step 6)
Sporting are the sole remaining representative from Step 6 and, as such, the rank outsiders for the Vase this year. However, they have scored more than any of the remaining teams, albeit in more games and with the aid of 13-0 victory in their opening qualifier against Ellistown & Ibstock United. Since that smashing start to the campaign they have played seven more games, three against higher ranked opponents, and conceded just five times. Three of those five were also shipped in the 1st Round during a local derby with Cadbury Athletic which The Rouslers won 5-3. Of the three Step 5 sides that have come up against Sporting only Bristol Manor Farm have actually managed to score a goal against them. Top scorer in the Vase for The Rouslers is Jason Cowley with 8 goals. 
In the league Sporting have a six point lead after their 6-0 win at Southam on Saturday. However, there's no taking it easy in the build-up to the big game as they have a league meeting with Bolehall Swifts to take care of on Tuesday.

Progress so far:
Qual 1 - Ellistown & Ibstock United (h) 13-0
Qual 2 - Tipton Town (A) 1-0
1 Cadbury Athletic (H) 5-3
2 Lichfield City (H) 3-1
3 Nuneaton Griff (A) 2-0
4 Sun Sports (A) 4-0
5 Bristol Manor Farm (H) 2-1
QF Buckland Athletic (H) 2-0

Cleethorpes Town (Northern Counties East Premier - Step 5)
The Owls are the lowest scorers remaining in the competition but, in fairness, they have only played five games to get to the semi-finals. They are also the only side left in the last four that has conceded at least one goal in every FA Vase game so far. Having said that, they are sitting pretty at the top of the Northern Counties East Premier and seem to be in perfect form coming into the sharp end of the campaign. Their superb and thoroughly professional 5-2 demolition away at Southall in the Quarter-Final was followed up with an equally impressive 4-1 mauling of their closest league rivals Pickering Town on Saturday, a display that earned them the BotP Step 5 Team of the Week award. Joint top scorers in the Vase are Liam Davis and Brody Robertson who both have four goals.
In the league The Owls have a seven point advantage over Pickering after The Pikes drew on Saturday whilst Cleethorpes local derby at Bottesford was rained off, leaving them with a game in hand over their rivals.

Progress so far:
2 AFC Emley (A) 2-1              
3 Bootle (H) 2-1
4 Billingham Town (A) 2-1    
5 Atherton Collieries (H) 3-2 
QF Southall (A) 5-2
​

​Coleshill Town (Midland League Premier Division - Step 5)
The Colemen, as with all of the remaining clubs, are still in with more than a fighting chance of their respective league title although, after Saturday's unexpected 2-1 reversal at Shawbury, they now trail Alvechurch by 9 points with just the one game in hand. They will have an full week to prepare for the semi-final with no midweek league game scheduled. Their progress in the Vase has been, with the exception of the second round victory over Uttoxeter, all against Step 5 sides. A 4-1 win over fellow Midland league promotion rivals Westfields was followed by two very impressive away wins, 3-0 at Eastern Counties promotion chasing Gorleston and 6-3 at Southern Counties East title hopefuls Crowborough Athletic. They then disposed of another Midland League rival, Sporting Khalsa, in the Quarter-Final after I had picked Khalsa as my dark horses for the competition (shows how much I know). Town have conceded just 5 goals in the 5 Vase games so far with striker Dean Rathbone being their top scorer with 5 goals.

Progress so far
2 Uttoxeter Town (A) 3-1
3 Westfields (H) 4-1
4 Gorlseston (A) 3-0
5 Crowborough Athletic (A) 6-3
QF Sporting Khalsa (H) 2-0

South Shields (Northern League Division One - Step 5)
The Mariners are many people's, including my own, favourite for the competition. Having had to enter at the second qualifying round stage they have played seven games to get to the Semi-Finals. However, they have conceded just 4 goals in those seven games whilst notching up 26 themselves. Their run has not been short on controversy however. In the 4th Round holders Morpeth Town had just scored to lead 4-2 in the 79th minute when the lights at Mariners Park failed. The game was eventually abandoned and ordered to be replayed. It was switched to Morpeth's ground where Shields produced a stunning performance to notch up a 4-0 victory. This was followed by a marathon trip to the South coast where they disposed of Team Solent by 5-2. Then, in the Semi-Final, Shields once again produced something special, hammering Newport Pagnell Town 6-1 in front of over 3,000 at Mariners Park, with leading scorer Gavin Cogdon scoring a brace to take his Vase total to six.
In the league they trail local rivals and league leaders North Shields by 8 points but do have two games in hand. They have no league game scheduled this midweek and can focus fully on the Semi-Final 1st leg.

Progress so far:
2Q Esh Winning (A) 4-0
1 Runcorn Linnets (H) 2-1
2 Marske United (H) 2-0
3 Staveley Miners Welfare (H) 3-0
4 Morpeth Town (H) 4-0 @Morpeth Town
5 Team Solent (A) 5-2 
QF Newport Pagnell Town (H) 6-1

So, the big question is 'Who is going to triumph and make it to Wembley?'
All four of the remaining sides have qualities that could take them all the way and, in my opinion, it is too close to call, however on the Non-League Show before the Quarter-Finals I picked out South Shields as my favourites for the trophy. A run of 22 consecutive victories in all competitions makes me think that they should still have that honour.
That being said, they are up against Coleshill who have already put out my suggested dark horses, Khalsa. They also have the slight advantage of playing the first leg on their artificial surface at Packington Lane.
​
In the other Semi-Final Cleethorpes, being a step above Sporting, must start as favourites. Having said that, Bromsgrove have already put out 3 teams from a higher division and there is no doubt that The Victoria Ground will packed to the rafters and rocking again on Saturday. If they can take a lead up to Lincolnshire for the return leg, who knows what could happen.

I have great respect for all of the remaining sides. It's a massive achievement to reach this stage of a major tournament. I can only imagine how it must feel to play in a game where the prize is a final at Wembley. I'm going to stick with my prediction of South Shields to win purely because they were my original choice and I should stick by my convictions. It would be interesting to see what the general consensus of opinion is. Why not leave a comment with who you think will be lifting the trophy in May?

As tomorrow is World Book Day I thought I would have a bash at re-writing last night's match report in a way that pays homage to a piece of classical literature. So, with huge apologies to Edward Lear and anyone who happens to love literature, here is the story of Baldock Town 6 Winslow United 0 in the style of the Owl and the Pussycat. Here's a link to the original entry (Reds in Beds)

The Reds and The Ploughmen went to battle
On a wet and muddy ground
The wind did blow and the rain did flow
But their footing still remained sound
With 12 on the clock a nice one, two
Set Robertson running quite free
His cross was steered, but just not cleared 
And Hennessey jumped with glee
With glee, with glee
Hennesey jumped with glee

A short while later, a corner was won
But sent way over too far
Robertson gave chase, his trickery was ace
And Pearson headed under the bar
Then two became three when Hennesey crossed
From the right, way over to left
Robertson arrived, for this goal he had strived
And his finish was oh so deft
So deft, so deft
His finish was oh so deft

Soon after half-time, James was on hand
When a ball looped up in the air
He smashed at the leather which flew, light as a feather
Much to the keeper's despair
Then Robertson once more, flighted a ball
As pinpoint as he could get
Furness leapt high and the ball did fly
It nestled deep in the net
The net, the net
It nestled deep in the net

There was more to come, they were not quite done
As Furness hit one from afar
The keeper did grand, to stretch out a hand
And deflect it onto the bar
But James was close by, and spyed his chance
To meet it with his head
The neatest of flicks, soon made it six
A half dozen, let it be said
Be said, be said
A half dozen let it be said

At this time of year and with British weather any follower of non-league football has to plan matches ahead and then keep an eye on the weather, social media and club websites in order to avoid unnecessary travel (see two weeks ago). This midweek I had made a list of potential games but top of the list was a long awaited visit to watch Baldock Town, who currently play their games at Stotfold FC's Roker Park ground. A Hertfordshire team playing their home games in Bedfordshire.
​
Coincidentally, on the morning of the game I received an email on my website from the Baldock club secretary, Lee Rusbridge, who had been looking at the website and was wondering if I fancied a trip to Baldock before the end of the season. Great minds think alike.

Heading over to Stotfold the rain was getting heavier and heavier. I was really starting to wonder if, like Quorn a few weeks back, I would arrive to find the floodlights dark and the match postponed. However, Lee had said he would drop me a message if the game got called off and, after frequent stops to check my Twitter feed, I arrived in Stotfold to find floodlights blazing and the game on.

Roker Park sits back off the road and as is accessed via a narrow drive way which opens onto a reasonably sized car park directly behind one of the goals. Just to the left of the car park is the club house and changing facilities. The dugouts are on the right hand side of the playing surface as you look from the car park. opposite these are the two covered areas, one standing and one seating. The pitch slopes slightly from the car park.

As a former West Brom season ticket holder Baldock Town, at least in their former incarnation, are quite dear to my heart being the first club of a certain Kevin Phillips or Super Kev as he was affectionately known at The Hawthorns. Interestingly, one of Phillips' other clubs was Sunderland who, of course, used to play at Roker Park. The coincidences don't  stop there either. Baldock's opponents this evening happen to be Winslow United. A former player and supporter of Winslow is Ayden Callaghan (he of Hollyoaks fame) who is also a fervent Wolves supporter. I'm sure he won't thank me for mentioning this but Super Kev liked nothing better than scoring against Wolves.

In the build up to kick off conditions were steadily getting worse. The rain was heavier and the wind had picked up to the extent that the rain was almost blowing horizontally down the slope towards the end that Winslow were defending in the first half. Unsurprisingly, it was Baldock who started the better, kicking down the slope and with the wind behind them, they set about laying siege to the Winslow goal. 
It took 12 minutes for the first goal to arrive and, when it did, it was a very nicely worked move that set it up. A neat one-two set Owen Robertson free down the left flank. His low cross was scuffed by a defender which allowed Luke Hennesey to nip in and lift the ball deftly over the United keeper to make it 1-0.
It was all Baldock at this point. The Winslow defence, when they did win the ball back, were finding that it was coming straight back at them. Therefore, it was no great surprise when Baldock increased their lead. A corner from the left was over-hit and fell beyond the far post. Roberston retrieved it, jinked around a player and made himself just enough room to measure a perfect cross for Stuart Pearson to head in for 2-0.

​Two minutes later and the Winslow back line was breached again. This time Robertson, who had made the first two goals, was brilliantly picked out with a deep right-wing cross from Hennesey. The winger made no mistake with his finish and it was 3-0 with only 22 minutes on the clock.

At this point, three-nil down, kicking into a strong wind, many teams would have folded. So it is great credit to Winslow that they refused to sit back like lambs to the slaughter. For thirty minutes the game had been pretty much played in the Winslow half but, as the weather improved slightly, the wind dropped and the rain slowed, Winslow began to stem the flow of red shirts and even to push forward themselves.

HT Baldock Town 3 Winslow United 0. A well deserved lead for Baldock but great admiration for the fighting spirit shown by Winslow after going three behind so early on.

After a cup of tea and a chat about all things football in the clubhouse, it was time to head out for the second half. Winslow now had the advantage of kicking down the incline but not so much from the wind, which had subsided somewhat.

Baldock continued to knock the ball about even though the pitch was getting increasingly sticky in places. At times they played some really impressive stuff and clearly like to keep the ball on ground and always seemed to be looking to give options to the man on the ball.

Shortly after Lee had pointed out the home number 10, Anthony James, as being their top scorer and someone who often scored spectacular goals the player took his cue and produced a stunner. Winslow thought that they had repelled a dangerous looking Baldock attack but when the ball looped towards James he smashed it from 25 yards, left-footed, over the keeper and into the net. It was a magnificent strike, perfectly executed. A goal that the aforementioned Super Kev would have been proud of. 4-0.

Four minutes later it was five. Once again Robertson, who was a constant threat all evening, had a big hand in the goal producing a perfect cross once again, this time for Josh Furness to powerfully head home. 5-0.
​
There was clearly no way back into the game for Winslow now but, to be fair, heads still didn't seem to drop. The Baldock defence was proving to be as tight as their attack was deadly though. When Winslow did manage to get over the halfway line, the Reds back-four was cleaning up very efficiently.
With 18 minutes left to play Furness wriggled free on the right and fizzed in a powerful effort from the angle of the 18 yard box. The keeper managed to push it against the bar but it fell perfectly for James to head in for his second and Baldock's sixth. 6-0.

It says something to the determination of a well beaten Winslow side that they managed to prevent Baldock notching a seventh goal in the remaining 20 minutes. Not only that but they did manage to bring home keeper Jack Farmer into action a couple of times. For Baldock, James did manage to get the ball in the net a third time but was denied his hat-trick by an offside flag.

FT Baldock Town 6 Winslow United 0. Baldock climb to third in the table and have a real chance of pushing for the title despite a tricky looking run-in. Winslow remain just below mid-table but are well clear of the basement battle. 

Baldock Town - @baldocktownfc
Winslow United - @winslowutdfc