​Despite not considering myself to be a true ground-hopper, I still feel the pull towards a new stadium every week. However, this midweek I fought off the temptation and decided to re-visit Willen Road, home of Newport Pagnell Town. To be fair, it has been almost three years since I last attended a game at the ground  and the prospect of a titanic battle between the second-placed Swans and fourth-placed Daventry Town was more than enough to sway my decision.

In the gap since I last visited, I had forgotten how much I like WIllen Road. It's a fine example of a ground for this level of the pyramid. The clubhouse and changing facilities are outside the actual ground, which is accessed through a gap in the surrounding foliage (the pitch is pretty much bordered by a natural barrier of trees, bushes and hedges, supplemented with fencing where necessary).
​As I approached the entrance, a stray ball from the warm-up flew over the hedge towards me. I trapped the ball, with a display of control that I rarely showed in my playing days,
before passing it back through the gap in the hedge. This drew the attention of the lady on the gate who jokingly pointed out that I might get a game at that rate. Unfortunately, I told her, I had forgotten to put my boots in the car.

​The only noticeable difference inside the ground since my last visit is the welcome addition of tea/snack hut on the car park side of the ground. As seems to be the case at most grounds, the staff working the staff bar are always friendly, happy to chat and clearly glad to see 'outsiders'
visiting their team. This was even more noticeable on Tuesday as the guy who made me a very nice cup of tea was also doing the PA announcements.
This didn't seem to faze him, as he juggled cups, tea bags and team sheets. He even let me have the team sheets to snap (much easier than trying to write the teams down) while he served another customer. It's little things like this that make me love non-league football so much.

The Swans were coming into the game defending a 100% home record in the league and looking to go within a point of league leaders Leicester Nirvana, who were in FA Vase replay action. Daventry, after resigning from the NPL in 2016, won the UCL Division One title last season and looking all set to make a good fist of a second consecutive promotion season despite a 3-1 defeat to Harborough Town at the weekend.
​
It was the home side, maybe buoyed by their 3-0 at Kirby Muxloe on Saturday, who started quickest and, within three minutes they had taken an early lead. A free-kick from the right was delivered into the heart of the Daventry penalty box. Josh Winters rose highest to glance his header past Cerga and into the back of the net to make it 1-0.

​The early goal sparked a response from Daventry and they immediately seemed to step it up a gear. The game was being played like a local derby. Tackles were flying in and scores were being settled all over the pitch and, despite the blustery conditions, there was a lot of good football on display.

With 25 minutes gone, Daventry conjured up the best move of the game. Some neat interplay in midfield led to Creaney being released down the right flank. His perfect, low, driven cross was met by Jake Bettles who made no mistake in firing the ball home. 1-1.

Daventry were now gaining the upper hand across the pitch and looking very dangerous when they pushed forward. They came very close to taking the lead after 38 minutes when a Jordan Orosz effort came back off Osbourne's bar with the keeper well beaten.
It looked like the sides would go into the break on an even keel, but Town had other ideas. A minute into injury time they won a free-kick, some way out on the right-hand side. The ball was delivered to the far post where Tom McGowan won the aerial battle to power the ball past Osbourne. 1-2.

HT. Newport Pagnell Town 1 Daventry Town 2.  Newport Pagnell started very brightly but Daventry fought back well, and, by the end of the half, it was they who were looking the better side, fully deserving their lead.

The Swans were back out very early for the second half and started, as they did in the first half, firmly on the front foot. They had a golden opportunity to equalise when a good move, similar to Daventry's first goal, saw a cross from the right drop to Koriya inside the Daventry box. However, the conditions caused the ball to bobble causing the striker to hesitate long enough for a defender to get in a block.
They were made to pay for their profligacy in front of goal when, on 70 minutes, Orosz found Bettles who beat the offside trap, ran on and beat the keeper with some ease to make it 1-3.

The biggest surprise of the second half was that there was not a red card shown to any player, not that it was a dirty game by any means. However, the referee had brandished so many cards in first hour that it seemed only a matter of time before a mistimed tackle led to a second booking and an early bath for someone. Thankfully, this was not the case and we finished what was a highly entertaining game with a full complement of players.

FT Newport Pagnell Town 1 Daventry Town 3.

The Purple Army makes up ground on all above them and are now just two points adrift of tonight's opponents. They were made to work extremely hard against a very good Swans side. On this evidence, the UCL Premier could be a fascination promotion race this season. Leicester Nirvana may be out in front and unbeaten so far, but these two sides will, undoubtedly, be snapping at their heals all season. Add to that Desborough Town, who are only three points below Daventry, then throw in Deeping with a couple of games in hand, and it's anyone's guess at the top.
 
Att.
Entrance: £6
Programme: £1.50

​Step back in time to the 2001-02 season, to a time when I followed the professional game and specifically West Bromwich Albion. My beloved Baggies had been out of top flight football for fifteen years but were, at last, challenging near the top of what I still prefer to call Division Two. The problem was that the noisy lot from Wolverhampton were ahead of us and looking set to pip us to the 'promised land'. We all know what happened next, Bob Taylor's diving header at Forest, Igor Balis smashing in the late penalty at Bradford, and then Darren 'Big Dave' Moore and Super Bob finished the job at home to Palace. I can't lie, it was the most exciting season that I have ever experienced as a supporter.

Notice that I mentioned the goals that helped us leapfrog Wolves into the automatic spots.
​However, most Albion fans from that era will point to the defence and, in particular, our goalkeeper Russell Hoult as the real reason that we went up. A club record 27 clean sheets that season, 24 of them in the league. Those goals that I mentioned above were in games that finished 1-0, 1-0 and 2-0 respectively. The nil being the pertinent fact.
Fast forward to the 2017-18 season and Albion's record-breaking shot-stopper is assistant manager at Midland Premier League side Quorn and, I hear, still turning out between the sticks at the ripe old age of 45. So, when I saw the Leicestershire FA Challenge Cup fixture, Leicester Road v Quorn pop up, the lure of a new stadium combined with seeing Houlty back in action was too much to resist.

​Leicester Road FC was formed following the liquidation of Hinckley United in 2013. They took a place in Midland League Division 2 and earned promotion to Division One, where they currently ply their trade, at the end of the 2014-15 season. They play their home games at the former home of Hinckley United, Leicester Road Stadium, which has a capacity of over 4,000. The ground is on the outskirts of the town adjacent to the town's sports club which hosts cricket, rugby and netball amongst other sports. The ground has three large stands, seating on the sports centre side of the ground, terracing opposite and behind the car park end goal. The far goal is backed by the players and officials facilities block.

The most striking thing about Leicester Road Stadium, as a first time visitor, is the friendliness. I was directed to a parking spot by two stewards who, when I walked back past them to get to the turnstile, both greeted me and wished me a pleasant evening at the game. The turnstile operator was equally jovial and also hoped that I enjoyed the game. I popped into the bar to get a cup of tea and the welcome in there was equally pleasant. Brilliant work from the club. That is how to make a first impression.

The team sheets were written out on a board outside the bar and I was very pleased to see that Mr Hoult was, indeed, custodian for the away side this evening. The game promised to be an interesting contest between a Step 6 side (Leicester Road) riding high in the league and full of confidence against a team from the lower reaches of the division above. Both sides had won at the weekend though, Leicester Road beating Heather St John's 2-1 and Quorn earning a very good 3-0 home win over Lye Town, their first home league win this season.

The game started at a good pace and both sides looked like they would enjoy the open spaces and good playing surface of the Leicester Road ground. It was the away side who were first into their rhythm and, with just three minutes on the clock, they got an early break-through. A cross from their right-flank, where winger Ryan Evans was to look dangerous all evening, caused some confusion in the home defence. Despite having opportunities to clear the ball, it fell to Leavi Oshungbure who side-stepped a defender and smashed the ball past Ricky Blewitt. 0-1.

Not long afterwards Quorn almost grabbed a second. This time a corner from the right was met with a powerful header that came back off the Road bar. This seemed to be the signal for the home side to step it up and, after 16 minutes, they grabbed an equaliser. The aforementioned Hoult came well off his line to claim a deep cross from the Leicester left. However, he couldn't hang on to the ball which was picked up by Matt Langham who unselfishly squared it for Nuno Gomes to drill it past a defender on the line. 1-1.

Three minutes later Hoult made amends for his costly mistake, getting down sharpish at his left-hand post to put a snapshot out for a corner. He was called into action again a minute later as the home side went looking for a second goal. Langham pulled the ball down in the box, turned sharply and fired in a low drive which Hoult did well to parry. He was, however, powerless to prevent Greg Downes from blasting the loose ball past him to make it 2-1 with 20 minutes on the clock.

Leicester Road were now full of confidence and playing some absolutely delightful football at times. never afraid to recycle play, they always seemed to have a man in space. All this against a Quorn side who are certainly no mugs themselves. When they did get hold of the ball, they showed that they too could play a bit and always looked dangerous when they pushed forward, especially with the pace of Evans on the right flank.

Just before the half-hour mark Quorn levelled the game again, this time with a slice of good luck. Simon Alcott tried his luck from 25 yards and his drive took a wicked deflection, looping the ball up and over Blewitt for 2-2.

HT Leicester Road 2 Quorn 2. What an entertaining first 45 minutes! Both sides very happy to play football with some particularly good passages from the home team.

After a fairly breathless first half it would have been reasonable to think that the teams might try to slow the action down a bit after the restart. No way! Two minutes into the second half Nuno Gomes is felled in the Quorn penalty area and the referee points to the spot. Greg Downes steps up and confidently gets his second of the night. 3-2.
​
There followed a period of relative calm, although in this game that just mean that there wasn't a goal in the next fifteen minutes. Both sides continued to play some lovely football. Leicester Road's passing game was, at times, a joy to watch. Quorn, although slightly more direct in their play, were very dangerous when they pushed forward. It was an intriguing game and you could tell that the scoring was not complete.
Sure enough, four minutes after the hour, Quorn were back on level terms. There was a short period of pinball in the Leicester Road penalty area before Nathan Dale took matters into his own hands and smashed the ball into the roof of the Road net. 3-3.

In keeping with the pace of the game I was actually still tweeting about the equaliser when Jordan Burrows rifled in a drive from the corner of the Quorn penalty area. Hoult got his fingers to it but could not prevent it flying into the far corner. A tremendous strike of the ball. 4-3.

Despite the best efforts of both sides there was no more scoring. Right at the death I did wonder if the game had one more piece of drama to throw at us though. Quorn won a corner with the clock ticking down. There was barely time for them to take it. Up went Hoult. Could he score the equaliser at the grand age of 45? 
The answer was no. Drama over and game over, but what a game!

FT Leicester Road 4 Quorn 3. A brilliant game to watch as a neutral. Two good footballing sides producing great entertainment and all for £6. What's not to like?

Quorn, who are currently way too close to the drop zone in the Premier League at the moment, look to be in a false position on this display. It's just a matter of time before they pull themselves away from any relegation worries. As for Leicester Road, if they continue to produce football in the vein that they did this evening then there is no doubt in my mind that they will achieve promotion this season.

Line-ups:
Leicester Road: Blewitt, Acton, Harrison, Downes (c), Unsworth, Earls, Burrows, Lyne, Langham, Kennedy, Gomes. Subs: Munton, Kingsley-Smith, Rudd, Holt, Highland (GK)
Quorn: Hoult, Mulonga, Mather (c), Oshungbure, Chapman, Gorman, Evans, Alcott, Brennan, Hicks, Gould. Subs: Dale, Oldham, Sandhu, Dodds, Thacker(GK)

Att. 55

Ground Number: 140
Entrance: £6
Programme: £1.50

​The FA Vase takes centre stage again this weekend, with 202 teams all dreaming of a Wembley Final as they battle it out in the First Round. This is often called the First Round Proper, a title that I struggle with. Referring to this as the first 'proper' round seems to belittle the efforts of the sides who have fallen along the way in the preliminary and qualifying rounds. For each of the teams involved, the first 'proper' round is the first game that they themselves have taken part in. So, I prefer to just call it the First Round.

The Vase is very much a favourite FA competition here at BotP. Don't get me wrong, the FA Cup and the FA Trophy are also fantastic (especially when Stourbridge are still in them), but there is something extra magical about the Vase. It gives small clubs the opportunity to make a mark, put their club and community on the map as well as have that, possibly, once in a lifetime chance to play in a Wembley Final. Surely the dream of every budding footballer from an early age?
​

​There are eight further Step 7 remaining in the competition:
Eastwood Community  play in the Central Midlands South, alongside Sherwood Colliery. The club was formed after Eastwood Town folded in 2014 and this is just their third FA Vase outing, having never progressed past the qualifiers previously. They will be grateful for a home time as they face Step 6 side, Dunkirk.

​Swanage Town & Herston have made the second round four times since their formation in 1966, the latest of which was in 1991-92 when they eventually went out at Tiverton Town, losing 2-0. This season they face a trip West for an away tie at Bodmin Town of the South West Peninsula Premier League.

​Staying on the peninsula, Bovey Tracy, who currently ply their trade in Division One East, face a daunting trip to the Isle of Wight to take on five time fifth-rounders Newport in Round One. The Moorlanders have made the First Round on two previous occasions, losing to St Austell in the 2012-13 season and at home to Shepton Mallet a year later.

​A little way North of Bovey Tracey lies Crediton, home of United. They also play in Division One East and are currently in second place, one place above The Moorlanders. Having played in Round One twice before, they now face a tricky trip to the New Forest to face Brockenhurst.

Cricklewood Wanderers, who were only formed in 2011, are playing their third FA Vase competition. They did make Round Two in the 2015-16 campaign, disposing of 
Risborough Rangers and Welwyn Garden City before bowing out with a 1-0 defeat at Ipswich Wanderers. They face a tricky trip to Step 5 outfit Cray Valley (PM).

​Pinxton are  small village side who have a Step 2 side, in Alfreton Town, on their doorstep. They fell at Round One last season but the season before progressed to the Third Round before narrowly going down 4-3 at home to Nuneaton Griff. They will be pleased to have been given a home tie, although high-flying Midland Division One side, Heather St John's, will be tough opponents.

Further down the M1, Bardon Hill of the Leicestershire Senior League have progressed into Round One for the first time in their history. In the 2015-16 qualifying stages, they lost 1-0 to eventual winners Hereford, but this was their best performance so far. They face a tough tie against fellow Leicestershire side Quorn who are currently mid-table in the Midland premier.

Finally, Westella & Willerby who were relegated from the NCEL Division One into the Humber Premier League last season, are another side who are into the First Round for the first time in their history. They will be pleased to have been drawn at home but still face a very tough game against record-breaking, four time Vase winning, Whitley Bay.

​The Seahorses are one of seven previous winners left in the competition. Of the remaining six, Bridlington Town just about have the edge in terms of Vase qualifications, having won once and been runners-up once. They last won the competition in 1993 with 1-0 win over Tiverton Town, three years after losing a replay, by the same score, to Yeading. The Seasiders travel to Tow Law Town, runners-up in 1998, in Round One.

2015 winners, North Shields, are also into Round One and face an interesting home tie against NCEL Premier high-flyers, Handsworth Parramore.
Another Northern League side, Whickham, who won the Vase when still a Wearside League team, face an all North-East clash when they welcome Stockton Town, freshly promoted into Northern League Division One.

Moving away from the North-East for a while, both Sholing who won in 2014 and Deal Town, who were the last winners at the old Wembley Stadium in 2000, face tricky away ties. The Hoops travel to freshly promoted Combined Counties Premier side, Balham whilst The Boatmen face the daunting prospect of taking on Hellenic 
League leaders, Highworth Town, who have a 100% record this season.

Finally, travelling back to the North-East, Dunston UTS who won the competition in the 2011-12 season, have been drawn at home but face a difficult task against North-West Counties Premier side Burscough, who were playing Step 4 football last season in the NPL North. The Fed's Wembley victory, 6 seasons back, came against fellow Northern League outfit, West Auckland Town, who are one of four beaten finalists still battling it out this season. The other three being Tow Law Town, Bedlington Terriers and Epsom & Ewell.

As mentioned above, Tow Law face a home tie with Bridlington Town in Round One. The Lawyers lost 1-0 in the 1998 Final to Tiverton Town. A year later, Tiverton defeated Bedlington Terriers by the same score. This season Terriers have a Round One home clash with North-West Counties side, Charnock Richard.

Epsom & Ewell were beaten 2-1 by Hoddesdon Town in the first ever FA Vase Final back in 1975. They have since been to Round Four on three occasions, the last one being in 2009-10 campaign. They face a tough away tie at newly promoted SCEL Premier side Rusthall.

From this point of the Vase onward, BotP will be following (in most case, virtually because getting to all the games is not an option) a team all the way to the Final in May. Our start point will be Pinxton FC, who feature in this weekend's Six of the Best.

,Too many late nights and, even worse, early mornings meant that this midweek I was once more inclined to stay local for my football fix. A couple of games had been considered before eventually settling for the most local of local games for me. It was just a short, 4 mile hop, to Ardley's ground to watch tenants Bicester Town take on Chinnor in the Hellenic League Division One East.

For the home side it was an opportunity to go top of the league and, with their visitors struggling near the bottom with just one win in seven, I was expecting it to be a fairly uneventful evening, with a comfortable home win. In the end, it turned into a very odd game indeed.

The game took less than a minute to give us the first talking point. As Chinnor pushed forward, down the slope from kick-off, a slack Bicester header back to the keeper was seized upon by Jason Castello who poked the ball past the on-rushing custodian and into the net. 0-1

The home side seemed a little bit stunned at going a goal down so early on. The tried to rally but after 10 minutes they almost conceded a second. This time the Chinnor number 9 got to a through ball on the right of the Bicester box. As the keeper came to meet him he pushed his shot past him, only to see it come back off the far post. That let-off for Bicester proved to be something of a turning point in the first half.
Bicester stepped it up and two minutes later Wayne Blossom was fouled in the box as he was about to have a shot on goal. A clear penalty but, should it have been a red card? There was certainly a case for one but the referee saw it differently and only awarded a yellow. Elliott Powell stepped up and calmly stroked the ball home to make it 1-1.

Two more minutes passed before Bicester had another penalty shout, this time for hand ball. I have to say, from my vantage point, it was a stone-cold penalty but, I'm not the referee and he either didn't see it or didn't believe it to be hand ball.
Bicester continued to dominate possession and, at times, played some really good football. They were just lacking a cutting edge. They were, however, always keen to get the ball on the floor and pop it about. It's good football to watch as a neutral. Chinnor really didn't show a lot after the opening ten minutes, constantly finding themselves chasing the ball around as Bicester probed for an opening.
Without warning the referee then blew for half-time. According to my watch, and those of the people around me in the stand, we had only played 40 minutes. As the players went off the pitch both benches had a word with the officials. Presumably pointing out their mistake.

HT Bicester Town 1 Chinnor 1. Playing five minutes short was only the second biggest surprise of the half. The first being that it was still level when Bicester had had so much of the play.

​After the break it became apparent that we were going to have a 40 minute second half as well. Presumably this is to ensure that no-one gets an advantage or disadvantage from playing in one or other direction - in this case, up or down the slope. I wonder if there will be any comeback from the league about this game being 10 minutes shorter than a standard match? Time to dig out the rule book.

Unusual it may have been, but within a minute of the restart there was an air of familiarity. A mistake in the Bicester defence, failing to clear a harmless looking cross, allowed Chinnor's number 9 to be presented with the ball six yards out. He made no mistake, slamming the ball past the keeper and making it 1-2.

The similarities between the first and second half did not end there though. Within 5 minutes of going behind, Bicester pushed forward and were awarded another penalty. Once more it was clear cut but, differently to the first one, there was no question about it being a goal-scoring opportunity this time. The player was not even going towards goal when he was tripped. Powell, once again, showed total composure as he rolled the ball into the net. 2-2.

After 51 minutes the game took a different path. Bicester took the lead for the first time. The Chinnor keeper spilled a shot and Powell was first to react. He was forced wide but managed to recycle the ball into the box for Blossom to stroke it into the corner of the net. 3-2.

Once Bicester had got in front you could sense that the game was over. In fact, despite being behind twice, it always felt like the home side were in charge of the game. Chinnor mustered a couple of efforts on goal but you felt it was going to take another colossal defensive foul-up for them to get back into the game.

FT Bicester Town 3 Chinnor 2. An extraordinary game in a lot of ways. Two 40 minute halves. The away side scoring in the first minute of each half and the home side, despite being behind twice, dominated the game from start to finish. I hate criticising officials but this evening the referee had a 'mare. Some very odd decisions and blowing early for half-time. The saving grace being that he made 'bad' decisions against both sides, so at least it was even. I'm sure it was just one of those nights. We all have bad days at work and this was his.

Bicester's win sees them leapfrog Penn & Tylers Green to go top. However, they have played two more games than Penn, who have yet to lose this season and are just a point behind.

Att. 43

Entrance: £5
Programme: Included in price

​I've been writing blogs and running this website for close to five years now and, I have to admit, there have been times when I have wondered if it is worth while carrying on. Today, however, was one of those days that reminded me of all the reasons that I stand around in all sorts of weather watching 22 people kick a ball about, stay up late and get up early, to research games and write blogs.
I don't do that many Saturday games but, as today was Non-League Day, arrangements had been made for me to attend a game. A happy coincidence was that my daughter was due to go to a friends birthday party in the afternoon, so I had a few hours free anyway. Happy Birthday Matilda!!!

In the lead up to Non-League Day I had tweeted which game I was going to attend, my chosen venue being Hithercroft, home of Hellenic Division One East side Wallingford Town, who were scheduled to take on Premier League Ascot United in the Challenge Cup. My tweet was met with a response from the Wallingford Town Twitter account inviting me to pop into the Boardroom to say hello before the game. Knowing that Phil Annets, or @FACupFactFile as he is otherwise known, was associated with Wallingford, I guessed that this invite may have had something to do with him. 

Having never been to Hithercroft before and having accepted the offer to drop in to the boardroom, I set off quite early and, after getting stuck behind a slow moving lorry on the A4074, I was glad I had.
Wallingford's ground is part of a multi-sport complex on the outskirts of the ground. A complex that, I am pleased to say, appears to be well used by the local community because, despite getting there at least half an hour before kick-off, the parking was completely full due to the rugby and hockey matches also taking place. It's quite easy to find a spot outside the complex, so it's no real hardship to walk a few extra yards to the ground and it's heartening to see so many people taking part in organised sports events. I wish I had had my camera ready when I approached the entrance to the ground and was faced with a wonderful scene that typified non-league football. No turnstile, just a someone sitting next to a small table, wearing a Wallingford Town scarf, collecting the entrance fee and handing out the complimentary programme. I was already won over by this ground and I hadn't even got in yet. We exchanged pleasantries as I handed over my cash and took the proferred programme because that's what happens in non-league football. It didn't matter if I was supporting Wallingford, Ascot or just there to watch a game of football. I was there and my attendance was appreciated.

​I quickly snapped the programme and tweeted to @nonlgeprogs, as requested in the pre-game Twitter preamble, before making my way to the Boardroom. Sure enough, I was greeted by Phil, who introduced me to Wallingford Town Chairman Simon Cowlard for a chat about the game, Wallingford's chances, Ascot's very good win over Bracknell in midweek and all things football. It is very clear to see, when discussing football with people like Phil and Simon, the passion and commitment in non-league football. There's no financial reward for a media person or even a Chairman at this level. They do it purely for the love of the game and the community. Wallingford Town are working very hard to become part of the local community fabric. Crowds are quite thin on the ground at the moment, but there is a lot of work going on to attempt to increase the interest. I sincerely wish them all the best. These are the sorts of efforts that I was referring to in my opening paragraph. If I love football and I whole-heartedly beleive that grassroots football is the foundation and bedrock of the game. Without it, there would be nothing. If, by writing a blog or publicising a game, I can attract just one more person to support the game at this level, then the late nights and early mornings would all be worthwhile.

Preaching over and, slipping the soapbox back into the cupboard, time to get back to today's game. New ground  and proximity to home apart, I had chosen this game because I thought it had the look of an interesting contect. Wallingford, newly promoted into Step 6 and more than holding their own so far, against Ascot United, currently struggling near the foot of the Hellenic Premier but showing signs of picking up in recent games. I could see it being a tight and competitive contest.

For the first ten minutes of the game the one step difference between the sides was completely invisible. In fact, if anything, it was Wallingford who were started the better. Maybe Ascot needed a little time to find their feet because they suddenly began to step their game up and, after 11 minutes came very close to opening the scoring. Mo Davies actually got the ball in the home net but was pulled back by the assistant's flag. Two minutes later the same player broke into the Wallingford box again. this time his angled drive clipped the outside of the post before going out for a goal kick.
The home side responded with some neat passing movements of their own and were always keen to move the ball around on the ground but couldn't find that final ball to set their forwards free.
Ascot once again came close to taking the lead on the half hour mark when Regragui picked the ball up 25 yards out, took aim, and unleashed a drive which beat Simon Matthews in the Wally goal before clipping the bar on it's way out for a goal kick.

HT Wallingford Town 0 Ascot United 0. Wally knocking it about nicely at times but have ridden their luck against an all-round sharper looking Yellamen side.

​Despite a quick start by Ascot, the second half gradually became the domain of the home side. Yes, Ascot were still a threat when they went forward but Wallingford, in my opinion, were looking the better side for much of the half. Having said this, with the odd exception, they still couldn't seem to generate the clear cut opportunity that their forwards were looking for. When their attacks inevitably broke down, the pace and trickery of James Goodey on the right combined with the patchy but dangerous attacking play of Mo Davies, made the Yellamen a danger to the Wallingford defence.
​
As we approached full-time it was becoming apparent that it would take something quite special to decide this game. Enter, stage right, James Goodey. The Ascot right-winger picked up the ball out wide, cut inside and unleashed a drive, from outside the box, that flew past Matthews and nestled in the far corner of his net. 0-1 on 87 minutes.
There was little time for Wallngford to respond and, when they tried, they were hit by the classic counter-punch deep into injury time. A defence splitting pass set Mo Davies clear and he finished clinically to make it 0-2.

FT Wallingford Town 0 Ascot United 2.
In the end, for me, 0-2 was quite a harsh result on Wallingford. Ascot deserved their win on the number of chances created alone. However, Wally battled hard and, throughout the game, continued to play their football. On this showing they will have no problem maintaining their Division One status and, on the other hand, Ascot should rise away from the foot of the Premier League. They are too good a side to be in a relegation battle.

Att.

Ground No. 139
Entrance: £5
Programme: Included in price

Tomorrow is Non-League Day and to mark the occasion BotP has a special offer.

Are you going to a non-league game? Why not send us a match blog, a write-up of the game or even just your thoughts on non-league football.
If you are visiting a non-league ground for the first time tomorrow or maybe a seasoned hopper that is taking a first timer along, we would be especially interested in your thoughts and experiences.

As a thank you, we have up to three shiny new Base of the Pyramid T-Shirts on offer (Only available in Large at the moment). Strictly a limited edition, these little beauties will look great on the terraces or serve as a handy drying cloth for the windows.

Go on, you know you want one.

Mail submissions to info@botp.co.uk

​Yarnton Road, being just a few miles from home, is my 'go to' ground when I want to watch a game but don't have time for a long journey. This was the case again this Wednesday. After missing out on a a cracker at Farnham on Tuesday night, I was in need of football therapy. So, a League Cup clash between The Greens and Swindon Supermarine looked like a good bet.

Anyone who has followed this blog over the years will know that I have never seen Kidlington lose a match and, what's more, I have 100% record at Yarnton Road. Played four, won four up until this evening.
I'm not going to go into the layout of Yarnton Road because this was my fifth visit and not that much has changed since the last one. What I will 
say is, if you haven't been to the ground, then get yourself down there. It's a good set-up. Decent football at a good price. What's not to like?

Autumn has really come on with a vengeance in the last week or so. There was already a noticeable nip in the air and a very chilly breeze blowing across the pitch as the players made their way out, Kidlington in their rather nice new green and black kit and Supermarine in the change kit of all red.
The home side looked pretty relaxed, despite being eight league places and eight league points below their opponents. Clearly boss Julian McCalmon had not over-emphasised the importance of retaining my 100% home record. The sides have not met in the league yet this season, so there was no pointer to the possible outcome from that aspect.

​Both sides seemed very happy to knock the ball around without really mounting any kind of serious assault on the opponents goal. With fifteen minutes played neither keeper had been stretched but both sides had shown some nice movement, with Kidlington having the lion's share of possession.
The Greens' extra possession paid off in the 21st minute when Swindon lost the ball just inside their own half of the pitch. A through ball split the defence allowing Anaclet Odhiambo to race clear. Josh Hill advanced from his goal but the Greens striker lofted the ball over him and, despite the stopper getting a touch, the ball nestled in the back of the Swindon net. 1-0.

Swindon tried to respond to going behind and continued to play the ball around. However, apart from the odd glimpse from Lee Marshall and some pace on the right flank, they didn't trouble Tetek in the home goal. In fact, it was Kidlington, and Odhiambo in particular, who came closest to scoring again in the first half. After 37 minutes the Greens striker found the ball dropping at his feet inside the penalty area but he snatched at the opportunity a little and the ball bobbled through to Hill. Three minutes brother Eddie, on an overlap down the right, fizzed in a low cross which Anaclet met well only to see his effort smash against the bar and bounce clear.

HT Kidlington 1 Swindon Supermarine 0. The Greens deservedly in front and very little goal threat from Swindon. Both sides want to knock the ball around and have played some decent football. A good game of football to watch so far.

​Supermarine were out early for the second-half and looked very much like they wanted to step it up a gear. They were certainly getting more of the ball in the early stages of the second period but, again, never really seemed to be causing any great problems for the Kidlington defence.
Once again, though, the game was enjoyable to watch. A little bit of niggle had crept in and one or two scores were being settled across the pitch. Kidlington looked to be fairly comfortable but, with just a single goal lead, they couldn't sit back too much.

With 10 minutes remaining, however, they effectively made the game safe after a slice of good fortune. Supermarine defender Ryan Wood slipped and was forced to bring down Odhiambo for a penalty. Mark Janes stepped up and hammered the ball home with a great deal of confidence. A very well struck spot-kick. 2-0.

The game was up at this point but Swindon, to their credit, did not let heads drop. They kept trying to play their football.
The Greens were not finished though and they had saved their best for last. Playing with a great deal of confidence now, they started a move in midfield, popping the ball about with one and two touches. The ball was spread wide to substitute Tommy Castle who produced a low driven cross. On the end of it was that man Odhiambo. His effort flew past Hill, crashing into the net off the underside of the goal. A superb team goal, and a finish off the woodwork as a bonus, worthy of the entrance fee alone. That, right there, was the beautiful game in a nutshell. 3-0.

FT Kidlington 3 Swindon Supermarine 0. The Greens ran out comfortable winners at the end of a good game which saw both sides trying to play some decent football. My 100% home record at Yarnton Road continues.

Att. 52

Entrance: £6 (Special price for a midweek cup match)
Programme: £1.50