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Generals March On

30/4/2014

The games come thick and fast at this level. We had barely got over the nervous tension and excitement from Saturday before Tuesday was upon us and playoff night was here. I was heading back to my old training area (when I was a more serious runner) of Chesham, to watch the home team take on Stourbridge. Only 10 days previously the Glassboys had come to the Meadow, left with a 1-0 victory, and ended Chesham's title hopes. You sensed that the locals wanted revenge.
After meeting up with an old Baggie friend in the town, we bumped into some fellow travelling supporters and learned that the kick off had been put back by 15 minutes due to traffic congestion. You would like to think that it was down to the hordes of Midlanders heading down the M40 but, in reality, Chesham is a commuter town and today the Tube drivers were striking so more people had driven to London and back.
Upon entering the ground it was clear that a fair few had made the trip from the Black Country. A group of around 120 or so were behind one goal and there were a few other scatterings of red and white around the ground.
Stourbridge started the game well enough and, for the first 20 minutes, were definitely edging it. On 21 minutes, Kayleden Brown turned sharply and hit a shot from the edge of the box which beat the home keeper to make it 0-1. The Glassboys were value for their lead at this point. However, that is as good as it got.
To their credit, going a goal down, sparked Chesham into life somewhat and 10 minutes later they got their reward. Some sloppy Stourbridge defending lead to Dean Coleman misjudging a through ball allowing top scorer Drew Roberts to slip the ball home from close range. Now it was Stourbridge who were under some pressure and holding on for the half time whistle. At 1-1, it was time for both sides to re-group for the second half.
Chesham began the second half as they finished the first, on the front foot. Stourbridge were really struggling to gain a foothold on the game. Chesham were bossing the game and looking the more likely to score again.
Sure enough, on 63 minutes, a deep cross from the left, some hesitant away defending, a nod back across the goal and Chris Dillon forced the ball over the line from close range.
From that point onwards Stourbridge huffed and puffed but never really looked likely to pull it back. Chesham, marshalled at the back by experienced Darren Purse, kept it tight and could even have scored again themselves.
In the end it was a fairly comfortable and well deserved victory for the home team. They will now face either Cambridge City or St Albans City at the Meadow to decide who goes up with Hemel.
For Stourbridge it is a second season of playoff heartbreak but I am sure they will be back for another crack at promotion next season.

Chesham United - @cheshamutdfc, @cheshamutd_live
Stourbridge - @sfcofficial

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Glassboys secure fifth....just

28/4/2014

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Travelling support

Top Field, Hitchin, is a stadium that I have driven past many times. However, until Saturday, I had never been inside the ground. Being the last game of the season and a big game for the away side, I decided to not even attempt to park on the stadium car park. Instead, I opted for the local swimming pool, which is practically opposite.
Upon entering the ground through the turnstiles on Fishponds Road, I was pleasantly surprised. Top Field has been around for a long time and, in places it shows, but there is a certain charm and atmosphere about the place. It feels like a proper football stadium. Behind the Fishponds Road goal is a covered stand and a few rows of wooden benches. The main stand, on the Bedford Road side, features covered seating areas and somehow also manages to house the toilet block and the changing rooms. One can only assume that it is like the Tardis inside because it does not appear to be big enough to accommodate all of these facilities. Behind the far goal there are rows of uncovered concrete terraces (see picture) and finally, on the car park side, another covered area behind the dugouts and more wooden benching. Top Field has instantly become one of my favourite ground hops.
Stourbridge has laid on three coaches to accommodate their support for this game who were all desperate to see their team secure the point they required to make the playoffs. It was always going to be a nervy, tense sort of day. Hitchin, sitting happily in mid-table, had nothing but pride and a strong finish to play for but were clearly not going to just roll over for the Glassboys.
Stourbridge started well enough and had an opportunity to take the lead in the opening minutes when Kayleden Brown headed wide from inside the 6 yard area. However on 15 minutes, former Kidderminster Harrier, Brian Junior Smikle put the away team ahead. Cue jubilation from the massed ranks behind the goal.
The goal, however, did not seem to settle Stourbridge. Instead they allowed Hitchin to gradually work their way back into the game culminating with a frantic spell just before the break where they forced a couple of free-kicks and hit the bar from a resulting corner. The danger signs were there for Stourbridge but some better news was coming in from Bulpit Lane where a late first half penalty had seen Bideford go in 1-0 up at the break.
The second half saw Stourbridge again make the early chance but then, maybe through nerves or tension, they seemed to take their foot off and allow Hitchin to start playing some football. In the 66th minute the inevitable equaliser came when Michael King squeezed the ball home amidst a crowded goalmouth. From that point onwards, Hitchin looked much the better side and Stourbridge were starting to look like a team hanging on for a point. With Hungerford's recent record of coming from behind to win late on, this was a dangerous policy to adopt.
Sure enough, Twitter reports showed that Hungerford had scored two quick goals. This was followed, fairly quickly, by the official Hungerford feed denying these report, saying they had been hacked and that it was still 1-0 to Bideford. This ultimately turned out to be true but no-one at Hitchin really knew what the case was in Berkshire. Maybe Hungerford had pulled it back but wanted Stourbridge to think they were still in the driving seat? Who knows? Either way the Glassboys need to hang on for the point and, after surviving a very late penalty appeal, they did just that. As it turned out, just as well, because Hungerford did score two very late goals (the second in the 98th minute) to win the game 2-1.
The final playoff space had been decided on goal difference.
Three coach loads of very relieved Stourbridge fans and a pink emu headed back North, plotting their travel to Chesham on Tuesday evening.

Massive credit to Hungerford Town though. They have picked up 53 points since the New Year and deserve huge credit for the way they pushed the top five to the very last kick of the season making it a nerve jangling finish for all concerned.

Hitchin Town - @hitchintownfc
Stourbridge - @sfcofficial

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Easter Promotion Battles

23/4/2014

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A slightly tardy post this week due to the Easter festivities and then trying to catch up on 4 days worth of emails after returning to the office. I decided to combine my two Bank Holiday matches into a single blog. Neither of the games were first time visits to the stadium but both, could have and did have,
significant implications on the Calor Premier promotion and playoff places.
My first outing was a return to Bulpit Lane Hungerford for the rearranged match against local (ish) rivals Chippenham Town. I was at the original game, a few weeks back, which had to be abandoned after the terrible injury to Chippenham's Rob Dean. I know that Rob has had a couple of operations and one can only wish him a speedy and full recovery.
After the way that the original game was abandoned, with an ambulance on the pitch, a fracas amongst the players and a red card shown, I wondered what sort of atmosphere this match would be played in. As I said in my original blog, I didn't think the injury was caused by a malicious tackle but several of the players were very upset with the incident at the time.
Once the match had kicked off it was quite obvious that there was no lingering ill feeling from either side. The game was full on, as you would expect from a derby, but there didn't appear to be any hint of scores to be settled.
Chippenham, for a team with nothing left to play for, certainly started the brighter and we're pushing Hungerford back despite playing up the slope. Maybe Hungerford were starting to feel the effects of their punishing schedule and we're looking a yard slower in midfield. The Chippenham forward line of Alan Griffin and former Torquay striker, Lee Phillips, we're giving the home defence plenty to think about with their bustling style. However, a point for the Crusaders would be enough to leapfrog
Stourbridge into the remaining layoff spot. Hungerford's chances were being limited to fairly long
range efforts which the away keeper was dealing with reasonably comfortably.
Then, on 40 minutes, Chippenham got their reward when Griffin received the ball with his back to goal, turned sharply, and fired past the home keeper. It was nothing less than Chippenham deserved and as the teams went off for half time, it was the home management team who had the most work to do.
Sure enough, Hungerford came out in the second half looking sharper and that extra yard quicker to the ball. Just as I was tweeting that Hungerford were starting to get on top, a defensive slip allowed a cross to be met by top scorer Mark Draycott and the sides were level. I was fully expecting Hungerford to go on to win at this point. However, Chippenham had other ideas and would not just roll over. The remainder of the game was an even affair with both sides looking to win it. A great advert for the league.
With a few minutes left the away side were reduced to 10 after Guthrie received a second yellow. In injury time the numbers were evened up when the home keeper handled outside the area, earning a red card for himself but saving his team from defeat. The resulting free kick was easily stopped by the stand-in keeper and that was it, the referee blew to end a thoroughly entertaining game. Local pride was retained by both sides and Hungerford had their point to go into the playoff spots. News came through that Poole had beaten Chesham to keep themselves in the hunt for a playoff spot too. So, going into Super Saturday (as I am sure Sky would call it if they ever bothered to look this far down the
pyramid), Hemel still lead the way and would be up if they bettered Chesham's result. Just a couple of
points separated St Albans, Cambridge City, Hungerford and Stourbridge, with Poole a couple more back, with three playoff spots to contest. Stourbridge travelled to Chesham, Hemel went or Hungerford and Poole were at home to Cambridge. St Albans had an easier game at struggling Banbury. By the
end of the day, the title had been settled, Poole were out of contention but nothing else had been resolved. Stourbridge surprised Chesham with a battling 1-0 away win, Hemel confirmed the title by beating Hungerford 4-0 and Cambridge ended Poole's resistance with another one goal away win, whilst St Albans smashed 5 past Banbury.

On to my next match of the bank holiday, Stourbridge at home to safe but struggling Banbury United. The Glassboys had comfortably seen off the Puritans 4-0 at the Spencer Stadium earlier in the year and were expected to gain a fairly easy victory. Meanwhile, two points behind, Hungerford were away at local rivals Chippenham, their third meeting in just over a month. Just to add to the occasion, champions Hemel, were hosting a local derby with second placed Chesham.
A bumper crowd of 670 turned out at the War Memorial Ground on a bright, sunny Black Country Bank Holiday Monday. I say bumper crown but this was dwarfed by the 1943 crammed into Vauxhall Road, Hemel.
Stourbridge did not start the game like a team that needed all three points. By their standards they
were sluggish and wasteful with their passes. Banbury, it has to be said, did not offer a lot in return and home nerves were eased somewhat when Leon Broadhurst glanced home a Geddes corner on 10 minutes.
However, the proverbial floodgates remained only slightly ajar and the home side continued to struggle to find any fluency. Finally, on 39 minutes Kayleden Brown fired home a second to effectively end the game as a contest. At half time, Stourbridge lead 2-0 and news came through that two late
first half goals saw Chippenham lead Hungerford by the same score at Hardenhuish. If it stayed the same the Glassboys were in the playoffs.
In the second half Stourbridge found more of their normal passing style and started to really take complete control of the game. Another Brown goal, one from Smikle and another from Ben Billingham made for a very comfortable 5-0 score line. This victory proved to be even more important when Hungerford staged a stunning comeback, scoring twice in the final 13 minutes to win 3-2.
So, it is all down to the final weekend. Cambridge City are already guaranteed a playoff spot along with Chesham. Then come St Albans on 84, Stourbridge on 83 and Hungerford on 81. Stourbridge travel to mid table Hitchin Town requiring a point to make the playoffs due to their vastly superior goal difference. Hungerford take on Bideford at home while St Albans travel to Frome Town. A Hungerford victory, a St Albans defeat and a three goal swing will see the Crusaders pip the Saints. Points for both St Albans and Stourbridge will end Hungerford's hopes regardless of their result.
BotP will be at Top Field, Hitchin on Saturday along with at least two coach loads of Glassboys. It promises to be a tense finale to a fantastic season in the Calor Premier.
I'm sticking with my prediction that Chesham, Cambridge, St Albans and Stourbridge will make up the playoff positions. However, I didn't see the amazing effort that Hungerford have put in coming. Regardless of what happens on Saturday they deserve enormous credit for the late run they have made, playing three games a week for the last month of the season.
Finally, congratulations to Hemel Hempstead Town. A thoroughly deserved league title with a +93 goal difference. They have been the best team in the league this season by far. Good luck to them in the Skrill South next season.

Final day twitter feeds:

Stourbridge - @sfcofficial
Hungerford - @hungerfordtown
St Albans - @stalbanscityfc
Frome Town -@frometownfc
All the action - @basepyramid

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Bishops Bash Bridgey

20/4/2014

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After a day of digging for dinosaur bones with my 4 year old, I set off for deepest, darkest Gloucestershire for my first ever visit to Kayte Lane, Bishops Cleeve. The hosts, sitting just one place and 6 points above Fleet Town ink the relegation zone, we're taking on mid table Bridgwater Town. This was a rearranged fixture that had originally been called off in January at the height of the rainy season.
Kayte Lane is within a short head of Cheltenham racecourse a venue that I know well from years
of donating cash to poor bookies on Gold Cup day. The ground nestles in the shadow of Cleeve Hill about 3 miles out of Cheltenham itself. First impression as you enter through the single turnstile is that of a tidy little stadium. The official capacity is around the 1500 mark but there were just 57 there for this match, including a reasonable Bridgwater contingent.
Behind the turnstile end goal are the main facilities, clubhouse, bar, toilets, changing rooms and refreshments all set behind a large, paved patio area. To the left of the goal is a small seated, covered area, The Tai Stand, named one of the Directors. On the right hand side of the clubhouse is another covered, seating area. The rest of the ground consists of hard standing although behind the far goal is a sign that reads West End Stand. Not sure if this is tongue in cheek or a sign of future development.
Bishops Cleve, the Mitres, did not start the game like a team one lace off the relegation zone. From the first minute they were sharper, quicker to the ball and more accurate with their passing than Bridgwater. Maybe the away side, safe from relegation but adrift of the playoffs, were 'on the beach'
already or maybe Cleeve were up for it. Having not seen either teams before it was hard to tell but either way, the home team were definitely on top. To be fair to Bridgwater, when they did break, they looked useful up front. Their captain and centre forward both caused the home defence a couple of problems, but the keeper was not really tested.
Bishops Cleeve took the lead after only 3 minutes When a near post cross was forced over the line. Maybe that knocked the stuffing out of Bridgwater, but they didn't really threaten to equalise.
The away side's frustration was not helped by some odd decisions from the referee, who always seemed to be slightly off the pace of the game to me. I don't normally knock referees because it is a hard job that most of us couldn't do. However, the inconsistency of this particular referee was causing a few problems with the players on both sides. This bad decision making would come to the fore
in the second half.
At halftime, with the score at 1-0, I was expecting a Bridgwater reaction in the second half. However, when the teams returned, it was again the Mitres who controlled the game, forcing Bridgwater back with some quick passing moves. Then the moment that could have changed the game in the away teams favour. Diminutive home midfield, Oldham, flew into a 50-50 challenge and, in my opinion, clearly got the ball. The referee saw it differently and produced a straight red. I found out shortly afterwards that this was the players third end in five games so maybe that swayed the referees decision. Regardless of his previous disciplinary record, he can count himself extremely unfortunate to have been sent off for this tackle. Not even a yellow from where I was standing, only 10 yards from the incident.
Cleeve, instead of folding at this point, continued to press Bridgwater and duly got their reward when captain Matt Williams scored with just over 20 minutes remaining. The drama was not over though. When one of the assistants signalled that he had a problem and couldn't continue it looked, for a short while, that we may see an abandonment. With not fourth official present and, after much discussion, the flag eventually went to one of the home substitutes.
That was enough excitement for one night and, after a lengthy delay, the Mitres saw out the rest of the game to deservedly take a vital 3 points.

Bridgwater Town - @officialbtfc84

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Sandwiched between Churchill

10/4/2014

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The teams emerge at Eynsham Park

I was all geared up for a new ground on Tuesday night. It was a toss up between Thame United and Abingdon Town. I finally decided on the latter and headed off down the A34. I had barely crossed the M40 when my Sat Nav warned me of congestion around the A34/A420 junction. It was then that I remembered the roadworks caused by the Oxford Fatberg (this is a real thing, look it up) so I pulled into a layby and assessed my options. Yes, I could have turned back and headed south to Thame but, as I was already part of the way there I decided upon North Leigh. Not a new ground, but I hadn't been there this season and it is one of my favourite locations to watch football.
I have described Eynsham Park before but for the uninitiated it is a really picturesque setting, almost on the front lawn of Eynsham Hall and pretty much located in a forest clearing. When in the ground you get the feeling that you have stumbled upon a hidden treasure whilst walking in the woods. If you haven't been to this ground I heartily recommend a trip there.
On this particular evening the visitors were Fleet Town, stranded second from bottom of the division and looking doomed despite a good result at the weekend. North Leigh, on the other hand, are still looking at the playoffs as a distinct possibility. So, I was expecting a comfortable home victory.
Fleet can also boast a former Prime Minister amongst their ranks of ex-players. Whilst at university, none other than Clement Atlee played for the club.
The crowd was sparse, officially 49, but I was surprised how many had made the trip from Hampshire on a Tuesday night.
When the game began, I was again surprised. Fleet certainly did not start like a team at the wrong end of the table. In fact, they were the better team for the whole of the first period, passing the ball around very nicely and making a few chances. Unfortunately for them, they weren't able to convert their possession into a lead and this, ultimately, proved to be their downfall. North Leigh, I think by their own admission, were not playing as well as they could. However, they did mange to hit the post twice during the first half, showing that there was more to them than was meeting the eye. The sides went in 0-0 at half-time but I am sure that it was home manager Mark Gee who was shouting loudest in the changing rooms.
Whatever was said at half-time, it seemed to make little difference to either team. Fleet continued to have the lion's share of possession and were denied what I thought was a clear penalty early on. To be fair, the linesman was a little closer than I was and did not flag.
The game changed in 7 frantic second half minutes. In the 68th and 71st minutes North Leigh scored two quickfire goals, the second of which was a superb finsih, and knocked the stuffing out of Fleet. Four minutes later they added a third and it was, in effect, game over.
Fleet did manage a consolation in the 80th minute but never really looked like they were going to manage a storming comeback.
It finished 3-1 leaving North Leigh 3 points adrift of the playoffs and Fleet 6 points from safety. It was a very entertaining game with both teams trying to play football. My overall impression was that it was a good advert for football at this level. Worth the admission fee.

North Leigh - @northleigh_fc
Fleet Town - @fcfleettown

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Poole. In Dorset? It's a lovely place

4/4/2014

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Stourbridge corner

Thursday evening. Not the usual day for a football match but, due to their fixture congestion, Poole Town are having to fit a lot of games into a short time. So it was that I set out from my office and braved the M4, M25 and M3 on my 100+ mile trip to the South coast. After sitting in traffic for the first hour I finally broke free of London gravity and managed to start eating up some miles. However, once I got onto the M27 I was greeted by very dark skies and pouring rain. Or should I say pouring mud. There was so much Saharan dust in the air that, at one point, it was actually raining mud.
Nevertheless, after two and a half hours I arrived at School Lane, the rain had stopped, and was directed to a parking spot just on 7:30. Time enough for a cuppa and a bite to eat.
I had heard a number of tales of woe about Poole's Tatnam Ground ranging from basic, through to 'it's just a field next to a school'. So, after following the signs to the entrance, I was pleasantly surprised to see a tidy little ground. Basic yes, but not without it's own charm. At the opposite end to the car park entrance is a recently added covered standing area and on the opposite side to the school is a main seating area and another smaller covered standing area. The rest of the ground is hard-standing. The stadium has quite a tight feel to it and, as such, the 341 strong attendance was enough to create a good atmosphere. After walking around the ground and noting a fair few Black Country accents, I took position behind the Tatnam Road end goal and got ready to watch the game.
This was one of the matches that I had highlighted as a featured game of the week. The reason being the league positions of the two clubs. At kick-off Stourbridge were sitting in the last play-off position on 71 points. Poole, one place and four points behind but with 4 games in hand. An absolute must win for the Glassboys and a match of massive importance to Poole. It was always going to be a tense affair.
At this point I would like to pay tribute to Poole Town. With so many matches so close together and having to fit in Thursday night matches they had come up with the idea of football for a fiver. Yes, just £5! A fantastic idea which probably added 20% plus to the gate.
After a pulsating first 10 minutes in which both teams created good chances, the game settled into the tense, tight battle that was expected. Poole, undoubtedly, had the best of the remainder of the half and only some resolute Stourbridge defending kept the half-time score to 0-0.
I spent a fair portion of the first half chatting to one of the Poole stewards. A former referee himself, he had plenty of non-league tales to tell. I have to say that Poole is a very friendly club and the steward summed up the attitude of the people I met. I think they were genuinely pleased to see the travelling supporters.
Stourbridge started the second half looking much more lively than they had in the first. Throughout the team they looked sharper and quicker. Poole, however, weathered the initial storm and started to play their way back in. Then, almost out of the blue, Luke Benbow latched onto a mistake in the Poole defence and finished very neatly past Thomas in the home goal.
As is normal with the Glassboys these days (see Hemel report) they could not hold on to the advantage for too long. A rushed clearance was picked up by Poole midfielder Steve Devlin who hammered a 25 yarder past Dean Coleman. For a few minutes Poole looked like they might take hold of the game until, just past the 70 minute mark, a clumsy challenge on Benbow resulted in a Stourbridge penalty. Skipper Sean Geddes duly fired the spot kick home to send the travelling support wild.
Poole rallied and, for the final 20 minutes, had far more possession without ever really troubling Coleman's goal. After 5 minutes of injury time, the final whistle brought cheers of relief from the away fans. A vital three points.
Poole, however, still have four games in hand and are only seven points adrift. Anything could happen in the final few weeks of the season. next up for the Dolphins and the Glassboys are AFC Totton. Poole travel to Totton for a local derby this weekend, whilst the Stags visit Amblecote next week.

Poole Town - @pooletownfc
Stourbridge - @sfcofficial

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