​A last minute change of plan on Tuesday saw me heading South rather than North, as was originally the idea. A combination of motorway problems and a late meeting scuppered my original game plan. However, I always have a list of backups, just for these occasions. So, after consulting traffic news again, I headed off down the A41 in the direction of Watford. My destination was the Spartan South Midlands Division One clash between Everett Rovers and Letchworth Garden City. The attraction was the chance to see how Rovers had got to this stage of the season, fourteen games in, unbeaten in the league and with an unblemished home record. All this is their first season at Step 6. Well worth a look in my book.
As stated, going into the game, Everett sat six points clear at the top of the table and had a 100% home record after six games. Their unbeaten league run was only slightly blemished by a 1-1 draw at Ampthill Town back in August. They'd also managed 51 goals in 14 games. All of this after being promoted from the Herts Senior Premier last season, following a third place finish. Letchworth began the evening in 18th spot, seven points above the bottom side Shefford Town & Campton. They did, however, have some recent history in their favour, having beaten Rovers 4-3 in the Herts FA Charity Shield back in August, thanks largely to a Will Blair hat-trick.

​It felt chilly as the teams kicked off, Letchworth, in yellow, kicking towards the clubhouse end in the first half. For some reason it always feels 5 degrees below in these new cage style grounds. Presumably it's just the effect of the wind whipping through the mesh. Thanks to Everett for posting their team sheet on social media. Unfortunately, I didn't have the Eagles sheet, so I could only use shirt numbers. I tried to match a few to names as the game went on, but only caught a couple of them.
The first shot on target from with team was from one of the players I had no name to attach the shirt. Letchworth's number 11 with the shot that was comfortable for Jonathan Pitts. However, despite being the first to get a shot off in anger, Eagles soon found themselves increasingly chasing the ball. 
When Letchworth keeper Adam Seymour punched a cross clear on 17 minutes, Archie Oates headed it straight back goalward but the keeper recovered well to push the ball wide of the post. The, two minutes later, a swift passing move set Harry Bennett free on the right side of the box, but his shot was well saved by Seymour.
Seymour was called into action again just before the half-hour, diving to his right to push away a shot on the turn from Alex Morgan. 
After being on the back foot for 20 minutes, Letchworth then sprang into life, or rather, Will Blair did. With around ten minutes to go until the break, Blair was et free on the right. He drove forward before firing over a cross-shot that Pitts managed to fingertip against the bar before it was cleared. Two minutes later, Blair was again bursting down the right. This time he cut inside before firing back toward the near post, sending the effort just wide of the mark. Two reminders to Everett that Eagles were not just here to make up the numbers.
There was still time for Seymour to, once again, win a one on one battle, this time blocking well from Harley Sells.

HT Everett Rovers 0 Letchworth Garden City Eagles 0. Rovers with more possession but couldn't find a way to make it pay. Letchworth showed that they had the ability to create chances and, arguably, came closest to getting a goal. Letchworth's goalkeeper, Adam Seymour, made a number of good stops to keep the scores level. 

​Rovers showed some early intent in the second half, attacking right from the off with Alex Morgan rising to get a header on target but not troubling Seymour. The hosts were now asserting their dominance more and it came as no real surprise when, after 52 minutes, they too the lead. The threat came down their left and when Sells laid the ball back across the edge of the area, there was Alex Morgan to drill a low shot into the net. 1-0.
To be fair, Letchworth dug in at this point and, although not threatening the home goal, they did hold their hosts at bay in a game that was getting increasingly tetchy as it progressed. There'd been a couple of minor flare-ups in the first half, but the underlying tension was more evident in the second. 
Seymour's one man duel with the home strike force continued, this time blocking well from Harry Bennett just past the hour mark, but even he was powerless when Brandon Bernhauser sent a strike fizzing just past his right-hand post, but the score remained 1-0.
With fourteen minutes remaining, however, the home side doubled their lead when Romeo Brandy's left-wing corner was glanced home by Nathan Page. 2-0. If that didn't seal the points, two minutes later the game was put beyond doubt. Rovers applied a full-pitch press from a Letchworth goal-kick. The pressure was perfectly executed, winning the ball back deep in Letchworth territory. Page slid the ball inside to Harley Sells and he duly rattled the ball past Seymour. 3-0.

FT Everett Rovers 3 Letchworth Garden City Eagles 0. Rovers maintain their 100% home record and increase their lead at the top to nine points. Credit to Eagles though, they frustrated the leaders and made them work exceptionally hard to get the three points. Their performance was way better than their league position indicates.
On Saturday both teams are back in league action. Everett take on the only team to take anything from them this season, fourth placed Ampthill Town. Letchworth make the journey over to Rushden & Higham United, who won 3-2 in the reverse fixture.

Everett Rovers: Pitts(c), Brinton, Speer, Cruz-Pinedo, McNamara, O'Sullivan, Sells, Oates, Morgan, Page, Bennett. Subs: Ward, Preedy, Pettingell, Bernhauser, Brandy
Letchworth Garden City Eagles(squad): Ali, Blair, Charles(c), Gillham, Goodwin, Humphreys, Morgan, Ryan, Seymour, Shimell, Kosky. Subs: Austin, Clare, Coker, Skelly

The Ground
Everett Rovers are based in the Leggatts Green area of Watford, just off the A41 and just a short Nimbus 2000 ride from Warner Bros. Studio. In the Summer of 2023 they installed a brand new artificial pitch. There's a good-sized car park just a short walk from the clubhouse building, which sits back from the pitch. Access to the ground is through a single gate reached via a path from the clubhouse. There's not too much to say about the pitch itself. It's a standard playing surface enclosed by the now familiar green mesh fencing. Spectator access is only allowed on one side and behind the clubhouse end goal. There is a small covered standing section just past the halfway line, with the dugouts on the opposite side of the ground.

Ground Number: 468
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​Or, to be more specific, a case of a D or a T. This Saturday I made the short trip towards Oxford to pay a visit to the village with two names. Bletchingdon or Bletchington? Take your pick. The village appears to be quite happy to use both. In fact, both names are used at the football club where both Bletchington's adult team and Bletchingdon Youth play. So, whilst Bletchingdon is the historic name, it seems that Bletchington is also used and the names are interchangeable.
Today's game was between mid-table Bletchington and third placed Witney Town. The hosts had won two of their six games so far whereas their visitors had four victories plus a draw to their name after the same number of matches. Town were also coming into the game boating a 100% away record, three from three.
The teams had been promoted together last season, Witney winning the league and Bletchington finishing in third spot, 13 points further back. Both league encounters ended in home wins. Witney won 5-1 at home, whilst this fixture ended 3-1 to Bletchington. 
My pre-match quest to find team sheets was, unfortunately curtailed when match official, Kevin Barker, informed me that he couldn't let me see the sheets because of a safeguarding restriction around players under the age of 18. Witney's line-up weas published on social media, so presumably it's the Bletchinton squad that has the under 18 players. So, it's a truncated match report section but, as always, I'm happy to make any corrections if notified.

​Both teams were going to have to battle both the conditions and the pitch. In between the gusty wind and downpours, there were periods of bright sunshine. These changes in conjunction with a playing surface that caused many unexpected bobbles and bounces, meant that flowing football was never going to be the order of the day.
The teams also looked to be fairly well matched, trading half chances in the opening 15 minutes. Adam Holloway for Witney delaying too long and being crowded out and Harry Brennan for the home side, latching onto along ball but sending his shot wide of the mark.
Tom Bennington, in the Town goal, had to deal with a shot on target form Bletchington's centre-forward before Ryan Oliver sent a dipping effort in on goal that the home keeper did well to grab at the second opportunity, after the ball took a nasty skip in front of him. That was in the 25th minute and, a minute later, Witney were awarded a penalty following a clear trip in the area. Adam Holloway stepped up and fired the spot-kick high to the keeper's right. 0-1
The response form Bletchington was almost immediate after they were awarded an indirect free-kick on the edge of the area. The ball was touched to their Number 14 but his goal-bound effort was deflected wide for a corner.
With eight minutes remaining, Witney doubled their lead and, from the home team's perspective, it was all way too easy. A looping cross from the left found Mercayd Morgan-Allen, all alone ten yards out. He planted his header past the keeper and Witney were cruising towards a two-goal leas at the break. 0-2
A minute later it could easily have been even better when Jack Morton's close-range effort was well blocked by the home keeper. The ball span up in the air only to be headed off the line by a defender. The keeper was then called into action again, blocking with his feet this time, after Andrew Gunn arrived at the far post  to power a header in from a few yards out. Morgan-Allen could also have had a second, but dragged the shot wide when clean through.
Of course, after coming close to being out of sight before the break, Witney were then sucker-punched just before the break. Failing to completely clear their lines, the ball broke to Bletchington's number 9, who fired home from six yards. 1-2

HT Bletchington 1 Witney Town 2. Witney looked to be cruising at 2-0 and could easily have been three or four in front. However, it was by no means one-way traffic and Bletchington got a reward for their hard work when they pulled a goal back. Game on?

​If not game on at the break, it certainly was six minutes into the second half. Maybe Witney had not managed to shake off the late goal back, but they were not fully awake when a long throw was launched into the area from the left. It was flicked on at the near post to be challenging by a group at the back pots. The ball ended in the net with Bletchington's number 9 celebrating, presumably after getting the final touch. 2-2
Conceding the equaliser roused the Town players who could, and should, have restored their lead five minutes later after Holloway burst down the left before squaring to an unmarked Morgan-Allen inside the box. However, with only the keeper to beat, the striker got his feet all wrong and scuffed the effort.
Just past the hour Ryan Oliver fired in a free-kick that took a nasty deflection but was dealt with admirably by the home goalkeeper. Five minutes later, however, the home defence was undone again. A long ball caused all sorts of problems, with the ball squirming loose, into the path of Jack Morton. His strike was far from clean, but accurate enough to beat the keeper and nestle the ball into the bottom corner. 2-3
Bletchington upped the effort again after falling behind. Captain Steve Barker brought the best out of Benington with a long-range effort that the keeper was at full stretch to push around the post. It was all hands to the pump for the visitors in the final ten minutes and there were one or two scares as the home side threw everything at them, all to no avail. Even with close to 10 minutes of added time, Bletchington couldn't quite find a way through.

FT Bletchington 2 Witney Town 3. A hard-earned victory for Witney, who extend their 100% away record to four games and leap into second spot, only behind Shipston Excelsior on goal difference. Bletchington slip one place into eighth after Graven Hill's 3-1 defeat of Yarnton Reserves.
Next week Bletchington are back at home as they face a local derby with 10th placed Kidlington A. Witney are also at home taking on A Charlton United side who currently reside in the relegation zone.

Witney Town: 1.Bennington, 12.Jackson, 3.Smalladon, 4.Miles, 5.Gunn, 6.Shayler, 7.Oliver, 8.Preston-Carney, 9.Morgan-Allen, 10.Morton, 11.Holloway. Subs: 14.Rearden, 15.Aidi, 17.Dix, 18.Robinson, 19.Kamara

​The Ground
Bletchingdon Sports & Social Club is situated just to the South of the village of Bletchingdon, between Bicester and Kidlington. The club provides a variety of sports to the local community including Cricket, Aunt Sally, Darts, Bar billiards and, of course, football. Accessed via a service road that runs alongside the cricket pitch and then between the football pitch and clubhouse, there's a reasonably sized car park with additional parking on the service road or in the large layby opposite the entrance. The clubhouse has a good-sized, covered patio area that overlooks the football pitch. This proved very handy today with the frequent squalls that passed over during the match. There's no further spectator cover, but there are two breeze-block dugouts on the far side of the ground.

Ground Number: 467
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I was back in Leicestershire this Saturday, for a first visit of the season to the Leicestershire Senior League, and there was only one place to be, Beaumont Park. Home side Leicester Atletico were taking on very near neighbours Anstey Town. Anstey is just over the A46 from Beaumont Park, but the club's are actually much closer than that. Anstey also play their home games at Beaumont Park. To add to that, there were also some pretty compelling statistics to make this a must see game. Atletico started the day top of the table with a 100% record after eight games. Anstey sat in fourth spot, four points back but having played a game more. Anstey, however, came into the game with a 100% away record. So, something had to give today. Anstey are also, of course, the reigning Senior League Champions.
This was also a clash of the two tightest defences in the league. Atletico had conceded just six in their eight games. Anstey had conceded eight in nine games. So, this was always going to be a close encounter that maybe even a single goal would seal. 
Thanks to referee David Clarke for sharing the team sheets prior to kick-off.

​As early as the second minute, Ali Ashkir got the first strike on target for Atletico, but it was a comfortable stop for Darren Taylor. This was to become a feature of the game, Atletico shots failing to make Taylor work hard.
Atletico continued to knock the ball about with some confidence, but it was by no means one-way traffic. In fact, it was a fairly even opening to the game, with neither keeper having to do too much. This all changed in the 14th minute when Anstey were awarded a free-kick 35 yards on their left side. Jake McLeary lofted the ball into the box where Anstey captain Joe Harris had got free. The centre-half managed to rise higher than home keeper George Robinson and defender Kieran Hefford, to glance the ball into the net. 0-1
As you would expect from  the league leaders, the goal sparked some response and the home side began to dominate possession but without causing the visiting defenders too much trouble. Zak Bham did finally make Taylor work but, even though the keeper had to get down to the shot, it was still a fairly comfortable stop.
A minute later Atletico had quite a vociferous penalty appeal when a diagonal ball into the box, looking for Ashkir, saw Taylor race off his line. The two players came together with the home player ending in a heap. The referee signalled no penalty, much to the ire of the home players and bench. To be honest, from the opposite end of the ground, it was impossible to get a clear view. 
The incident did nothing to ease the underlying feeling that there were a few local scores being settled on the pitch. Diminutive home number 10 Hamdi Barreh, in particular, seemed to be getting some special treatment from the visiting players. Maybe some history there?
Atletico continued to hold sway ion terms of possession throughout the remainder of the half. Diego Ramos had a good strike fly just over the bar and Hefford let rip from 30 yards just before the break. However, the theme continued. Darren Taylor was fairly unruffled between the Town sticks. His opposite number, George Robinson, had also not had a lot to do, apart from picking the ball out of the net once.

HT Leicester Atletico 0 Anstey Town 1. A very tight contest as you would expect between two high-flying sides. Leicester definitely having more of the ball, but neither goalkeeper has been particularly stretched. Whilst there hasn't been any real incident, there's undoubtedly a local derby feeling to the game.

​The second half began in the same mould as the first. Atletico taking control of the ball, but not quite able to generate a genuine goalscoring opportunity. Having said that, five minutes in Ryan Lovett did find himself unmarked at the far post but, having to take the chance quickly, he couldn't make a clean contact with the volley, putting it well wide.
Barren continued to get some fairly rough treatment, one such tackle resulting in a free-kick just on the hour mark. Barreh himself took it but, once again, Taylor was able to make a comfortable stop. Ashkir was the next to find himself with a half-chance, but from a tight angle he could only shoot straight at Taylor. 
At this point Anstey were not posing any great threat to the home team, seemingly quite happy to defend their one goal lead and, to be honest, looking relatively comfortable in doing so. They were, possibly, lucky to keep 11 on the pitch, however. Another altercation involving Barreh saw Josh McNamara push the winger away with a hand to the face. It was after the ball had gone, so the referee was not looking, but it was on the same side as the assistant. Luckily for the Town defender, it appears no-one got a view of it.
With just over 15 minutes of the game remaining, Anstey struck again, against the run of play. Josh O'Brien, who had worked tirelessly down the right side all game, launched a long throw into the home area. Leicester failed to clear the ball effectively and there was Conor Jackson to volley the ball into the ground and over Robinson's dive. 0-2
Two goals to the good with under a quarter of an hour remaining, Anstey could smell victory. They did, however, have one scare to deal with before the end. Ali Ashkir's 83rd minute free-kick took a skip off the plastic in front on Taylor, causing the goalkeeper to finally spill a shot, but his defence was switched on enough to hack the ball clear.
Jackson then had a golden opportunity to put the cherry on the cake when sent clear of the home defence, but could only fire over. In the end, it didn't matter. Atletico's 100% start to the season had gone, Anstey's 100% away record remained intact.

FT Leicester Atletico 0 Anstey Town 2. A great example of game management from Anstey. They saw less of the ball then their hosts, but defended well and restricted the home side to few chances. Meanwhile, when they got a chance, they took it. The result, combined with Magna's 3-0 home defeat and Loughborough Students draw, sees Leicester stay top but Anstey climb into second spot now just a point adrift. However, Atletico have a game in hand.
Next week Leicester Atletico are back at home as they welcome Thurnby Rangers in the League Cup. Anstey are also at home in league action against mid-table Friar Lane & Epworth.

Leicester Atletico: 1.Robinson, 2.Pathan, 5.Hefford, 15.Hussein, 3.Sandhu, 12.Dassu, 6.Ramos, 4.Ashkir, 10.Barreh, 16.Lovett, 11.Bham. Subs: 14.Osman, 8.Onochie, 7.Bloxham, 9.Djalo, 18.Hogsade
Anstey Town: 1.Taylor, 2.O'Brien, 3.Graham, 4.J.Harris(c), 5.Preston, 16.McLeary, 14.McNamara, 10.Z.Harris, 8.Barsby, 18.Connerstag, 12.Jackson. Subs: 11.Burton, 7.Page, 19.Daniels, 18.King, 20.Wallace

The Ground
Beaumont Park is home to De Montford University sports teams and boasts a number of sports pitches for rugby, football, lacrosse and American football. Situated to the North of Leicester city centre, the complex has Leicester Speedway Stadium on one side and the Walkers Crisps factory behind. Considering there are at a number of full-size pitches at the site, the car park is surprisingly small. Access from the car park is through a small gate next to the main gates. There's a large building that houses the changing rooms, toilets and a lounge area that has vendor machines selling snacks and hot drinks. Leicester Atletico plays their games on the all-weather pitch situated closest to the main building. It's pretty much a  standard, caged artificial surface pitch. Spectator access is limited to two sides, although there is a covered standing area opposite the dugouts. One thing I noticed, and this may well have been an optical solution, but the playing surface appeared to slope slightly way from the clubhouse building end. I'll be honest, the two grass pitches next to the artificial pitch, looked much more appealing.


Ground Number: 466
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​This Saturday, after watching the big U16 County Cup game between Brackley and Brackley, I headed off up the A43 for more Northamptonshire football, a Northants Combination Premier League game between Corby Stewart & Lloyds and Raunds Town. This was another ground that I had long had on my list so, like Bacup Borough on Wednesday evening, it was great to be able to finally get to Occupation Road. I'd also never se S&L play before, although I had seen their opponents play, even if it was 10 years ago (A Local(ish) Derby).
This would be the first time these teams had played in the same division since the 2017-18 season, when both were in Division One of the united Counties League. That was the season that Corby dropped into Step 7, where they've remained ever since. Raunds, meanwhile, stayed in the United Counties League before moving laterally to the Spartan South Midlands league in 2021. However, after flirting with relegation for three years, they finished bottom last season, joining Corby in the Northants Combination, who at the same time were being promoted from Division One back into the Premier League.
In that final UCL season, eight years ago, spoils were shared. Whilst Rounds had an empathic 7-0 home win, they were beaten 3-2 at Corby, one of only two wins all season for The Foundrymen.
Before kick off, Raunds sat in seventh spot with 11 points from their 7 games. They had won 3 out of the last 4 in all competitions, including a good 1-0 defeat of high-flying Medbourne. However, they lost at home to Burton Park Wanderers last time out. Stewart & Lloyds started the day two places and five points below their visitors, having played a game fewer. They had, however, lost their last three in all competitions. 

​Kicking up the slope in the first half, the home side opened the game on the offensive. Only a minute was on the clock when Lee Garvie had the first strike. It was off target, but it was a promising start from Corby who settled into the game well. However, that good start could have been completely undone in the seventh minute when Stan Roberts stuck out a hand to palm down a rather lively backpass, conceding a free-kick around 8 yards from goal slightly to the right as Raunds looked at it. The ball was touched for captain Ryan Lovell to strike but Roberts made up for his error with a great reflex save to push the ball wide for a corner.
It was tit for tat for a while after that. Joe Callaghan got free on the left for Corby, but couldn't find Michal Tkacik with his cross. Seconds later, at the other end, Michael Watson drew a very good save from Roberts and, from the ensuing corner, Ryan Bell was unfortunate to see his towering header fly inches over the bar.
Jamie Pickford then swung over a glorious ball for Lovell, who saw his diving header also narrowly beat the woodwork, whilst up the opposite end Callaghan was on the end of cross from Robinson, which he turned in at the far post only to see the assistant's flag up. The home side were not pleased with the decision. However, I was directly in line with it and, as a neutral, I can say that the decision was 100% correct.
Two minutes later Ryan Bell was close again, heading just wide after a good short corner routine saw him in space at the near post.
Just before the half-hour the hosts came close again when Tkacik ran the right hand channel before cutting the ball back for Robinson, who fired just over the bar. To be fair, Matthew Biggs probably had it covered anyway.
There were more half chances for Corby, mostly coming from Robinson's work o the wing. However, the final ball into the box never quite matched the accuracy of the approach work. Patrick Campbell came closest with a header for one of Robinson's crosses. Meanwhile, the final chance of the half fell to Raunds when Lovell glanced a header narrowly past the right-hand upright.

HT Corby Stewart & Lloyds 0 Raunds Town 0. A tight but lively half. Two evenly matched sides, both of whom were happy to attack at every opportunity. Aside from the disallowed goal, the early Lovell free-kick was probably the closest either side had come to scoring.

​Corby were back out for the second half well before the allotted times was up. Presumably there was not too much for the coaching team to say at the break. The certainly had not performed like a team that had lost the last three games. More of the same was probably the matching order for the second half.
Now kicking down the slope, they did appear to have seized the initiative and, although they didn't generate any clear cut chances early on, they seemed to have blunted the Raunds strike force, at least for now.
The first big chance of the second period came in the 70th minute when Matthew Biggs pulled off a very good one-handed save to keep out an acrobatic Cole McWilliam effort following a left-wing corner. Saying that, it was by no means one-way traffic. Two minutes later, Stanley Roberts had to be equally alert as he was forced to tip Jamie Pickford's dipping strike over the bar.
That save could well have proved decisive, because the very next minute Corby took the lead when another Dylan Robinson cross, this time bang on the money, was turned in at the near post by Liam Brown. 1-0
The goal prompted a response from Raunds, who very nearly got back on level terms with three minutes. Pickford was again the instigator on the right, beating his marker before delivering a low ball in to Alfie Young, who didn't catch it cleanly but, even so, it took a very good one-handed diving save by Roberts to keep it out.
With eight minutes to go Corby sealed the deal, but it wasn't without some controversy. A break down the left-flank saw the ball drilled across the face of goal, eventually going in at the far post off Michal Tkacik, much to the disgust of the Raunds defence who were adamant that the player was in an offside position. Being on the opposite side of the ground and almost at the other end, I had no view of the line so couldn't say either way. However, the assistant didn't flag and the goal was given. 2-0
There was no way that Raunds were going to get back from two goals down in the final 8 minutes plus stoppage. 

FT Corby Stewart & Lloyds 2 Raunds Town 0. After a very even first half, Corby definitely upped their game in the second and, in my opinion, just about deserved the three points based on that alone. However, Raunds arguably had the better chances int he first half, and could have gone into the break in front. It's hard to see there being too much between these sides come May.
Raunds remain in seventh spot, but the result sees Corby jump up to eighth, two pints behind The Shopmates with a game in hand. Next week Stewart & Lloyds are back at home as they welcome ninth placed Higham Town to Occupation Road. Town are one place and two points behind the Foundrymen, but have played a game more. Raunds make the journey to Finedon Volta, who currently sit in 12th spot, just three points above bottom team Heyford Athletic.

Corby Stewart & Lloyds: Roberts, Evans, Kingston, S.Parker, E.Parker(c), Wilkinson, Robinson, Garvie, Tckiak, McWilliam, Callaghan. Subs: Lyons, Brown, Martin, Campbell
Raunds Town: Biggs, Pickford, Rice, Spaughton, Kew, Chubb, Cowley, Bell, Lovell(c), Watson, Wilson. Subs: Seago, Buckland, Gordan, Young

The Ground
Corby S&L play at the Steward & Lloyds Sports Club just off Occupation Road in the North-West of Corby. The large, sprawling complex is home to cricket, rugby and football. The football and rugby pitches are alongside each other, separated by an eight-foot high fence. There's a large car park near the entrance to the complex, but also parking around the side of the football ground and near the clubhouse, behind one of the goals. There is no spectator access to the side of the ground that is bordered by the fence and the rugby pitch. This side of the pitch also houses the dugouts. On the opposite side is a the main stand, a covered seating area set back from the pitch, separated from the playing surface by the access road. There is also covered standing behind the goal opposite the clubhouse end. The clubhouse is a two-storey affair that has the changing areas on the ground floor and a bar on the top floor. The bar also has a balcony area that looks out over the pitch. The playing surface slopes back towards the clubhouse end.


Ground Number: 465
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​Wednesday evening presented an opportunity to visit a ground that had long been on my list, Bacup Borough. The 350-mile round trip from home had always posed something of a problem. However, week-long business meeting in Rochdale meant that I just happened to be less than 10 miles away and, what's more, Bacup were at home on Wednesday evening. So, passing up the chance of free food and booze, I slipped away from the hotel and headed up into the South Pennines for an evening of North-West Counties football.
Bacup's visitors on Tuesday, Fulwood Amateur, whilst being a long established team in West Lancashire, were playing at Step 6 for the first time in their long history. They'd made a pretty good start to life in the new league, winning three of their first seven games and sitting juts a point outside the play-offs. They had won their last two league games against Kendal Town and MSB Woolton, but had gone out of the Macron Cup on penalties to Nelson last time out. Bacup's start had not been so good. They began the evening just above the drop zone having lost two of their last three. However, a 1-0 win at high-flying Maine Road last time out suggested they were getting back to some form. They too had gone out of the Macron Cup on penalties, after a 0-0 draw with AFC Blackpool.

​Fulwood, in blue, were kicking towards the clubhouse end in the first half and, after an initial bout of sparring, appeared to settle into the game better than their hosts. They had the first real effort of note when Owen Wilkinson drew a good save from Billy Blake in the 11th minute. However, that was their opportunity and pretty soon afterwards they found themselves a goal down after Bacup's big, bustling centre-forward Paul Sholobi, was clipped in the box. The referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot, despite the protests from the Ams players and bench. Kyle Siddle stepped up to drill the spot kick home. 1-0
The goal almost sparked an instant response from Fulwood, who broke up the left and, when the ensuing cross was knocked down, Wilkinson got off a strike, but sent it straight into the arms of Blake. A few minutes later, they came even closer. Left-back Theodore Ball curled a lovely free-kick over the wall only to see it crash against the cross bar. The resulting scramble in the box saw the ball cleared off the line before the home side managed to get it clear.
Spencer Lucas was next to get a chance for Fulwood. Sent clear, one on one with Blake, the home goalkeeper came out on top. That was almost a double whammy for Ams, because Bacup broke straight up the other end and, when Kyle Siddle went down under pressure in the box, the home fans were baying for another penalty. This time, referee Lee Corns, was unimpressed, waving away the claims. Borough need not have worried to much though. A minute later they were two up when Oliver Hodgson was sent clear of the visitor's defence. He stroked the ball confidently past Jacob Barry for 2-0.
Two goals to the good, Bacup were now in the ascendancy and Fulwood appeared to be rocked. When Connor Morris fizzed another effort on target after 31 minutes, Barry did well to parry the shot clear. No-one would have been surprised if Borough had increased their lead before the break. However, Fulwood were having none of that. With six minutes of normal time remaining, they were back in it. Good work down the left presented Ball with a crossing opportunity. His ball into the box was perfect for Owen Wilkinson, who glanced a header past Blake. 2-1
Ams would have been very happy to get back inti the changing room with the score at 2-1 but their hopes were dashed on the stroke of half-time after Bacup earned a corner on the right. The ball was delivered towards the back post where Jacob May rose highest to power a header past Barry. 3-1

HT Bacup Borough 3 Fulwood Amateur 1. A deserved lead for Bacup at the break. Whilst they certainly hadn't dominated the ball, they took their chances well when presented with them and defended well when required. Getting the third goal just before the break may well have taken more wind out of Fulwood's sails.

​It felt as if there was an increased urgency from both sides at the start of the second half. Maybe just perception, but the tackles seemed to be getting more vigorous and tempers were beginning to fray a little at times. However, any hopes that Fulwood had of getting back into the game, were further dashed just before the hour. A hopeful ball lofted into the visitor's box was just the feed that Paul Sholobi wanted. He leapt into the challenge with Barry, beating the keeper to the ball and sending his header into the net. 4-1.
The game may well be slipping away from Fulwood, but they weren't quite ready to throw in the towel. Just past the hour mark an acrobatic overhead kick from Wilkinson brought an equally acrobatic save from Blake, as the visitors attempted to get back within striking range. Of course, pushing for a goal left them more vulnerable at the back and, after 67 minutes, the home side effectively sealed the points. Siddle chased down a through ball, arriving simultaneously with Jacob Barry, who had raced off his line. The ball popped out of the challenge, falling into the path of Connor Morris, who accepted the gift, sending the ball into an empty net. 5-1
Credit to Fulwood though. They still didn't give up. In fact, it's fair to say that they were the better team for the final ten minutes or so. Lucas missed a golden opportunity to get one back on 80 minutes, losing out in a duel with Blake again. There were also a series of last ditch blocks from the home defence. Real bodies on the line stuff as they closed the game out. However with 6 minutes plus stoppage time to go, Ams did get a consolation when they were awarded a penalty. Spencer Lucas drilled the ball past Blake to make it 5-2.
Fulwood were in a hurry to get the game back under way but, it was a case of too little, too late for them.

FT Bacup Borough 5 Fulwood Amateur 2. From a neutral perspective, a thoroughly enjoyable evening of football. Two very committed teams who, despite the final score, were really not too far apart. Bacup were the better team on the evening, but Fulwood showed more than enough to suggest that they are comfortable playing at this level.
On Saturday both are in league action away from home. Borough make the trip to bottom side Ashton Athletic who, after winning their opening game, have now lost their last six on the bounce. Meanwhile, Fulwood are off to the seaside as they face Blackpool-based Squires Gate, who are currently two points above the drop zone.

Bacup Borough: Blake, Langley, Boardman, May, Fallon(c), Hewitt, K.Siddle, R.Siddle, Sholobi, Morris, Hodgson. Subs: Mellor, Hayward, Walne, Thompson, Lancaster
Fulwood Amateur: Barry, Jackson, Ball, Imadiyiosatohanmwen, Braithwait(c), Wallbank, Bell, Rimmer, Lucas, Watkinson, Rickerby. Subs: Botes, Kinkela, MacDonald, Steele, Wignall

​The Ground
The Brian Boys Stadium is situated in the North-East corner of Bacup, almost at the end of the interestingly named Cowtoot Lane. Hemmed in on three sides by housing, but with open countryside on the far side, it feels like a non-league ground should feel. One thing you need to know if visiting is that parking is extremely limited at the ground. Cowtoot Lane is also quite narrow and, as it is residential, is already busy. However, there are plenty of parking spots available in the surrounding streets. Access into the ground is through a turnstile set back from Cowtoot Lane. It brigs you into the corner of the ground with the new clubhouse, raised above pitch level, off to your right, behind the goal. There are two stands, one on either side. Both look to have been around for a long time. The main stand, to your left as you enter, set behind the dugouts, is a covered seating area. The opposite stand has seats and covered standing. Actually, this appears to be two separate structures that are next to each other. The pitch slopes across the playing surface rather than lengthways, from the open countryside back down towards the main stand. The majority of the pitch is surrounded by a cement block wall. In light of recent tragic events, I wondered if there may be plans to replace this at some point. There already appears to be planned work around the ground. Aside from the new very smart clubhouse,  there are signs of work popping up at the opposite end of the ground too. The ground could do with a little spruce up, but I hope it isn't changed too much. It's atmospheric as it stands. A wonderful old ground that should be preserved. I'd wanted to visit for some time and, I'm pleased to say, it did not disappoint.

The Programme
At 32 full-colour pages, the match day programme is one of the heftier tomes you get at this level. There articles, aside from the usual advertising pages, including a two-page welcome message from 1st team boss Bent Peters, two pages of information about the evening's opponents, some player profiles and a round-up of the there North-West Counties divisions. All that for £2.00. Note that my copy was not stapled. I'm not sure if this applies to all copies.

Ground Number: 464
Att: 123
Entrance: £7.00
Programme: £2.00

​This Saturday I decided to dig back into the Northants Combination for my weekend football fix. A few weeks ago I was at Milton to see them take on Rushden (Rushden Leave It Late) and, noting that Rushden were at home this weekend, I decided to make the journey over to Wellingborough. Since that match in late September, Rushden have gone top of the league and today they were taking on the team in fifth place, Kingsthorpe Jets. Both teams are quite new to the Northants Combination. Rushden are in their second season, whereas this is the first season for Jets, as far as I can see. Rushden FC was formed out of the former Nene Sunday League side, Rushden Spartans when the club wanted to progress into Saturday football, joining Division One of the Northants Combination in July 2024. They finished a creditable seventh in their first season. I wasn't able to find out too much about Kingsthorpe's men's team but the About Us section of the web site shows that they are one of the largest grassroots clubs in Northamptonshire. I'll find out a little more about the later in a month or so when my daughter's team travels to Kingsthorpe in the County Cup.
Top of the table Rushden came in the game having lost just one of five, wining the other four, including last week's 4-1 defeat of Weldon United which saw them hit top spot. Jets had won two, drawn one and lost one. They too put four past Weldon United. Last weekend they went down 2-1 at home to Moulton Reserves in the County Cup, after being one up at the break.
Many thanks to the officials from both clubs who kindly allowed me to get a photo of the teams sheets before kick-off.

​There was no getting away from the effects of Storm Amy, sending very strong gusts across the pitch in a diagonal manner that would favour the team kicking away from the car park end. This was Rushden in the first half. It was clearly going t be more of a case of conquering the conditions rather than then opponents.

Six minutes in, with both teams having seen what the effects of the wind on the game would be, it was Rushden's Ryan Knowles who first sought to take advantage of the conditions, firing in a drive from 30 yards out. The ball flew wide, but it was worth an indication of how the teams could use the weather. On 12 minutes home centre-forward Dylan Wilson also had a crack, hitting the target this time but seeing his effort well fielded by Jack Eady.
Harry Keeble, playing out wide on the right for Rushden, was starting to exert some influence on the game. It was clear that his trickery and pace was giving the Jets defence a headache and Rushden looked to exploit this. Just before the quarter-hour a raking 60-yard ball was brilliantly controlled by Keeble on the right touchline, he beat his marker before sending over a cross that caused chaos in the visitor's penalty area but was eventually scrambled clear. Jets were struggling to make any inroads into the wind or into Rushden's defence at this point.
Keeble then sent another 30 yard effort flashing wide of Eady's left-hand upright and, when Sam Sueke launched a kick downfield on 18 minutes, Dan Owen did very well to control the bouncing ball, before sending it goalward in one fluid movement. Eady was at full stretch to push away the effort but the ball fell to Keeble who crashed a shot off  the bar from a narrow angle. It felt as if a goal was coming for the home side and, on 21 minutes, it finally did. Once again it was Keeble who was the instigator, sending over a cross from the right, this tome pulling it toward the edge of the box. Dylan Wilson controlled the ball, spun and sent a shot spinning past Eady into the corner. 1-0
Having breached the Jets' defence, Rushden looked to increase their lead before the break. However, six minutes after going in front, they came very close to presenting Kingsthorpe with an equaliser. Jets had the ball inside the home half and probed with a ball through the middle for Eddie Wanjohi to chase. It looked as if the home defence had it under control, but a lack of communication between goalkeeper and defender saw the ball poked past the onrushing keeper. Wanjohi ran on and looked like all he had to do was stroke the ball into an unguarded net. However, he delayed that fraction too long, allowing Sam Sueke to regain his ground and make an excellent block. That felt like the big chance for Jets and rally should have seen the get back on terms.
To their credit, Jets did manage to stem the flow of the Rushden attacks and, in the final 15 minutes of the half, also came close again to scoring themselves when Mark Webster's free-kick wasn't too far over Sueke's bar.

HT Rushden 1 Kingsthorpe Jets 0. A wind-assisted lead at the break for Rushden but the question everyone must be asking is "will one be enough?" Playing into the wind in the second half would almost certainly mean conceding ground to the visitors. Would Jets be able to take advantage of the conditions or would Rushden be strong enough to withstand them?

A minute into the second half it became clear that Jets were going to look at the conditions for assistance to get back into the game. Almost immediately lofting a long ball forward into the home penalty area. Jack Gill was after it but home keeper Sam Sueke had also spotted the danger, racing off his line to punch the ball clear and, in doing so, clearing our Gill, who went down in a heap causing immediate consternation from both sets of players. You had to feel sympathy for the Jets rolling substitute, who was clearly unhappy to have been taken off midway through the first half and now, 30 seconds after coming back on, was flattened by the keeper. Thankfully, after some treatment Gill was back on his feet and being led off the pitch. He also managed to come back on again later in the game, so the initial injury was clearly nowhere near as bad as it first looked.
Jets were not able to take advantage of the resulting free-kick with Andre Liburd's effort being bravely headed clear, but they did continue to push forward and, with the wind now in their favour, were certainly spending a lot more time in the opposition half than they did in the first period. However, they were still not giving Sueke too much to worry about and when Rushden did get hold of the ball, they were coping with the elements better, still managing to launch attacks of their own.
A game that had appeared to be played in a very friendly manner almost boiled over on the 70 minutes mark when a fracas developed off the ball. It was difficult to say what started it and, to be fair, it calmed down pretty quickly with just a yellow card each for the protagonists.
Webster, who had come close in the first half, then tested Sueke from range again, lashing in a free-kick from 25 yards that the Rushden stopper did well to punch clear. Then, inside the final 10 minutes, two incidents, one at each end, that could have been pivotal. First of all Rushden should have clinched the game when substitute Jonah Westmore broke up the right and sent over a low cross that looked to be perfect for Wilson, but somehow the striker managed to put the ball over the bar from inside the 6-yard box. Jets immediately launched an attack of their own and when Webster sent a long ball into the box, Sueke was forced to back-peddle and palm it over his bar after the wind turned it into an almost inch-perfect lob.
Kingsthorpe were now throwing as much as they could at their hosts, in search of the illusive equaliser. Of course, that left them vulnerable at the back and, three minutes into added time, Rushden did finally seal the deal. A quick break up the left gave WIlson a chance only for Eady to make an excellent stop. However the keeper was helpless to prevent Jonah Westmore from slotting home the rebound 2-0.

FT Rushden 2 Kingsthorpe Jets 0. A game that was ultimately decided in favour of the team that coped better with the awful conditions. Rushden only managed to score once with the wind in their favour, but they defended much better in the face of the wind and still found ways to cause problems for their opponents throughout the second half.
The result sees Rushden maintain their position at the top, still a point clear of Spencer Mill, who also won 2-0 at home. Kingsthorpe slip from fourth to seventh. Next week Rushden are away at second from bottom Harpole Reserves, whilst Kingsthorpe welcome fifth placed Thrapston Venturas to The Rec.

Rushden: 24.Sueke, 3.Bates, 2.Keenleyside, 6.Koltun(c), 5.Gray, 4.Owens, 8.R.Knowles, 7.Deveraux, 9.Wilson, 15.Souza, 17.Keeble. Subs: 16.Westmore, 14.Oslar, 22.Bailey, 10.O'Dell, 12.A.Knowles
Kingsthorpe Jets: 1.Eady, 4.Willmott, 2.Webster, 10.Liburd, 8.Oyston, 13.Burbidge, 3.Barrett, 14.Clark, 15.Francis-Tysoe, 9. Wanjohi, 7.Gill. Subs: 5.Craddock, 6.Gernon, 12.Ssemakula

The Ground
Rushden currently pay their home matches at Wellingborough Old Grammarians Sportsfield, which is situated on the north-western edge of Wellingborough. The complex is a multi-sport facility that also plays host to cricket, rugby archery and athletics. The ground is accessed from a service road off Sywell Road, which leads past the cricket club into a large car park. Adjacent to the car park is a clubhouse and large block that is divided into various changing facilities for teams and officials. The main pitch, that Rushden play on, is behind the car park and is backed by trees on two sides and a grass bank on one of the others. This bank separates the main pitch from the two small-sided pitches. There are purpose-built dugouts on this side of the pitch too. There's no spectator cover available around the pitch.


Ground Number: 463
Att: 
Entrance: N/A
Programme: N/A

After spending four hours travelling to and from a game on Sunday, I decided to keep things closer to home for my midweek match. Rather than a 210 mile round trip my total mileage on Tuesday was only just over 8 miles. The game in question; a Combined Counties Premier North local derby between Ardley United and Kidlington, teams separated by just over 10 miles. Prior to kick off Kidlington sat fifth in the table, in the play-off spots, with 18 points from 10 games played. Ardley were five places further down the table, with 11 points. However, the Sky Blues had only played 7 games. ​Despite their geographical proximity, the teams had not played in the same league for a decade, in the 2015-16 Hellenic Premier League campaign. Kidlington won the title that year, earning themselves a place in Step 4. They stayed at that level until relegation last season. Those last two league meetings both went in favour of The Greens, 5-1 at Yarnton Road and 3-0 in this fixture.
It was good to catch up with my former Chairman, from my coaching days, Ben Hillier, before the game. Ben did a huge amount for local football in Bicester and was instrumental in the growth of the youth game locally, especially championing girl's and disability football. I'm sure he'll do an equally good job at Ardley United.

​Although I've been to Ardley a number of times, it's been a little while and they have made at least one change since I last visited. The dugouts are now on the opposite side of the ground, the village hall side. There's also more spectator space on this side of the pitch now, so it was good to stand on that side and get a different perspective on the game.
The opening encounters of the game saw neither team cause their opposing goalkeeper any issues although Ardley, kicking up the slope, did slowly begin to look the more dangerous. Kidlington were struggling to find any kind of rhythm, much to the ire of their coaching staff. 
Their mood would certainly not improved on 18 minutes when the home side took the lead. Sam McConnell's driving run up the right was illegally halted near the corner of the box. Declan Benjamin took control, sending a low drive into the near post that Charlie Barnett got to but could not keep out. 1-0
The expected response from Kidlington did not really happen and it was actually Ardley who went closest to scoring again when captain Elliot Barton headed narrowly over following a left-wing corner.
That was just before the half-hour. Four minutes later, the home side did increase their lead when Kidlington failed to clear their lines. Declan Benjamin latched onto the loose ball inside the box before guiding his strike low to Barnett's left. 2-0

HT Ardley United 2 Kidlington 0. A deserved lead for the hosts at the break. Kidlington have yet to get their game together.

​Although there was little response to initially going behind, Kidlington did come out of the blocks quickly in the second half. Within a minute of the restart Ned Nicholson set off on a powerful break down the right before slipping the ball in to Adam Smith, inside the penalty area, who slotted the ball confidently past Seth Wicks. 2-1
Game on, or so you would think. However, Ardley didn't panic and were the next to create a chance. James Watts smashing a low drive in from 25 yards that Barnett did well to get to and push away. Three minutes later, the same player fired in another low effort that required even more acrobatics form Barnet, this time at the expense of a corner.
Ardley continued to create the better chances and the lively Benjamin came within inches of claiming a hat-trick when he latched onto a loose ball some 10 yards out. However, a last ditch lunge from a Kidlington defender sent the ball spinning wide for a corner.
Barnett was certainly the busier of the two goalkeepers. With fifteen minutes left he was out quickly and bravely to block at the feet of Alfie Dunn, then two minutes later he had to be brave again, diving at the feet of substitute George Cowmeadow, who stayed down after falling awkwardly. However, after a little treatment to his shoulder, he was able to continue. In the final 5-10 minutes Kidlington did step up their pace a little in an attempt to get back into the game, but they never really stretched Wicks.

FT Ardley United 2 Kidlington 1. The result sees Ardley move up one place and Kidlington remain in fifth place However, United are now just four points adrift of the Greens with three games in hand.
Up next for the Sky Blues is a home league game with mid-table Harefield United on Saturday. At the same time, Kidlington welcome another mid-table side, Holyport, to Yarnton Road.
Oh, and for anyone old enough to remember, the blog title is a play on the old Double Diamond advert.

Ardley United: 1.Wicks, 2.Gabbidon, 3.Taylor, 4.McConnell, 5.Barton(c), 6.Bailey, 7.Ngathe, 8.Watts, 9.Benjamin, 10.Dunn, 11.Harry. Subs: 12.Casbierd, 14. Cowmeadow, 15.Jenkins, 16.Howards, 17.Inyang
Kidlington: 1.Barnett, 2.D'Adreu, 3.Flanagan, 4.Castle, 5.Hawkins(c), 6.Gabbidon, 7.Courtney, 18.Shepperd, 9.Osborne, 10.Smith, 11.U;as. Subs: 12.Aust, 13.Clarke, 14.Lucas, 16.Hilchev

Ground Number: Re-visit
Att: 205
Entrance: £8.00
Programme: Online