​In a football equivalent of panic-buying in preparation for Lockdown 2, I set out on Wednesday evening for my third game in four days. Keeping relatively close to home for this one, I was heading North to Warwickshire and the Hellenic Division Two North clash between Southam United and Thame United Reserves. It's great to see Southam playing senior football again. The first team folded in 2017 after finishing bottom of the Midland League Division One. They reformed last season, joining the Hellenic League in Division Two. Not only that, but during this period they have also moved grounds, not very far admittedly, but a new ground for me nevertheless. I visited the old Banbury Road ground on two occasions. In fact it as one of the very early BotP hops, in October 2013 when Southam entertained Studley in the old Midland Combination. The second visit was in January 2017 when Littleton were the visitors. On both occasions Southam lost the game without scoring, conceding three to Studley and four to Littleton. Probably just as well that I didn't tweet that fact before I left the house, they may not have let me in.
Just for a change, this blog is featuring monochrome photos for no other reason than that I quite liked them.

​The Ground
Southam's new ground is literally a long goal-kick away from their old Banbury Road home. The new facility includes a large two story building which incorporates the clubhouse, snack bar and changing facilities as well as ample car parking facilities. The club wants to use the new stadium as a focal point to create a very much community focused facility, developing football from junior to senior levels. I also noticed a Wildcats poster at the ground. As a girl's football coach myself, this is great to see. The more clubs do to promote the girl's game, the better in my eyes. The new stadium will be known as Bobby Hancocks Park in memory of the club's most prolific player and servant. Mr Hancocks, or Mr Southam as he is fondly known, served the club for over 50 years in pretty much every capacity you could think if. He is the club's record appearance holder and the club's record scorer. The exact number of goals he scored is not recorded but it is acknowledged that the total is well above 1,000. He also once scored 85 in a season. An incredible servant to Southam United and non-league football. Sadly Mr Hancocks passed away in 2017 but his name will live on at the new ground.
As I have seen at every ground I have been to since the resumption of play, Covid measures were in place. Track & trace was either manual or through the app and QR code. There was hand sanitiser available and signs on the toilets to ensure only one person entered at any time.
Entrance to the ground was via a gate at the rear of the clubhouse. Southam do not currently charge for entry but they did have a donation box set up at the track & trace station. It was good to see a decent sized crowd and what appeared to be a fairly sizeable donation in the pot.

​The Background
Both sides were coming into the game on the back of good starts to the season. Thame were sitting in second place, two points behind leaders Heyford Athletic but having played a game more. Southam were a number of places lower in the table but, after only playing two games, were boasting a 100% record after recording 4-3 wins in both of their opening games. Clearly the team were continuing from their form prior to last season's untimely end when they headed the table and had won 16 of their 17 league games before Lockdown 1.
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​The Game
The game started off at a frantic pace with both sides seemingly anxious to make their mark on the match and we didn't have to wait too long for the opening goal. It was the visitors who took the initiative when Dan West controlled the ball, turned sharply and rifled an effort past Edward Cox in the Southam goal. 0-1.
The goal served to increase the confidence of Thame and with Southam struggling to get a grip on the game, the home side were thankful to their keeper on a couple of occasions with one flying save, in particular, drawing applause from the local support.
At the other end debutant Thame keeper George Collingwood did not have many saves to make, although he was very sharply off his line to block the home side's best chance of the half when Steele threatened.
It was Collingwood's long kicks that were launching a number of the visitors' attacks too. Each time he kicked the ball out of his hands he was getting very close to the edge of his box, so much so that a group of home supporters, who had already had some light-hearted banter with the keeper, told the referee to keep an eye on him. The referee duly obliged but, to be fair, he was still easily reaching well inside the Southam half with his kicks even without the extra step outside the box.

HT Southam United 0 Thame United Reserves 1. Thame the more fluent of the two sides. Southam struggled to get any rhythm in their game.

​We weren't too far into the second half when Southam's stopper Cox was getting pats on the back for, once gain, keeping his side in the game, this time flying to his left to push a stinging effort wide for a corner.
Southam were still struggling to get into the game. Way too many passes were missing their target and Collingwood wasn't having to do too much at all. Although he did have to turn one long range effort over the bar. It was a decent enough save but definitely one for the cameras.

Just when it was beginning to look as if the early Thame goal was going to be enough to win it, Southam snatched an equaliser out of the blue. A long ball up the middle seemed to be misjudged by the defender allowing Levi Steele to run onto it and calmly slot past Collingwood. 1-1. Within a minute of the restart Thame almost it straight back when Davis intercepted a Southam pass, looked up and tried his luck from near on the halfway line. Cox was beaten but the audacious effort just cleared the bar. It would have been a wonderful goal, Beckhamesque was the word I used on Twitter.

The equaliser certainly stirred Southam and, as we approached the final minutes, and for a while they did start to offer quite a bit more than they had earlier in the game. Unfortunately, after Brandon Hallmark was sin binned for, I think comments made to the referee, they had to hang on for the final few minutes. Even so, neither side could find a winner before the referee blew for the end of the game.

FT Southam United 1 Thame United Reserves 1. A good point for both teams in the end. Thame will no doubt feel they should have won the game, especially as the home keeper was undoubtedly man of the match. Overall though, they were two fairly evenly matched sides, both of which will be closer to the top than the bottom of the table come May, in my opinion.
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Southam United: Cox, Lenihan, Tennent, Harris, Hallmark, Locklin, Ethan Champkins, Ellis Champkins, Steele, S.Barby, Okolo. Subs: Long, Otunji, Trinoi, Hartwell, Knights, R.Barby

Thame United Reserves: Collingwood, Hurley, Russeu, M.West, Johnston, Sturgess, Lynch, Davis, D.West, Pykett, Casey

Att: 60
Ground Number: 251
Entrance: Donation
Programme: N/A

​Where to go for my 250th new ground. That was the main question on my mind this week. Well, apart from what am I going to do for the next month? and why did I spend so much time researching possible games in November? I had really been looking forward to the Dudley derby next week and doing a whole piece on my home town. Oh well, I'll just file the notes and wait for the re-schedule.
Time to get in some live football before Lockdown 2 takes effect. With that in mind, I headed South on the A34, destination Alton Hampshire, former home of Jane Austen and current home of Wessex Division One side, Alton FC who were scheduled to take on Ringwood Town in a league game.

The Ground
This was my first visit to Anstey Park which has been the home of Alton, originally as Alton Town, since 2015. The ground was refurbished when they moved in, including the laying of an artificial surface, and then again in 2017 when a new stand was opened. It is situated on the North-Eastern edge of the town, adjacent to the rugby club. There is a large car park right outside the main entrance to the ground, so barring a very large attendance, here should not be any need for a long walk. Entrance is through a single turnstile which leads in between the clubhouse and the main stand. Directly opposite this is a covered and raised standing area which straddles the halfway line and covers approximately a third of the length of the pitch. There is also a piece of uncovered terracing on the far side of the ground which looks to be much older than the stands or the pitch, presumably a leftover piece of history? Generally, I tend to find new or refurbished stadiums a little sterile at times. However, the club has added club badges, flags and banners around the enclosure which add to the atmosphere of Anstey Park. A good touch which gives the place a little more character.

The Background
The sides came into the game on very differing runs of form. Alton, sitting in third spot, had won their lats three in the league and were unbeaten since a 5-1 defeat at Laverstock & Ford back in September. Ringwood were in 14th spot on the back of 4 consecutive league defeats in which they had conceded 18 goals. They had, however, managed a 5-1 win at Romsey in the FA Vase in the middle of this run. Last season they only met twice, a 3-0 away for Alton. In the last full season honours were shared with Ringwood winning 3-2 at home and Alton winning this corresponding fixture 2-0 with two goals inside the first 22 minutes.
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​The Game
As you would expect given the relative form and league positions, it was the home side who settled into their rhythm first and it didn't take them too long to convert that into a goal. On 8 minutes Liam Knight, who would be a constant threat all night, used his pace and skill to breeze past his marker on the left. His low, hard, driven cross was met by George Bowerman and it was 1-0 to Alton.
Alton continued to be the better side in terms of possession but despite the early goal the expected onslaught never materialised. Their build up play was neat, tidy and sharp but they didn't manage to seriously test Liam Harris in the Ringwood goal.
Then on 34 minutes, as often happens in games like this, completely out of the blue, Ringwood grabbed an equaliser. It was a bustling run from midfield that set the goal up. Greene did well to block the initial effort but Shaun Prentice was on hand to snap up the rebound. 1-1

HT Alton 1 Ringwood Town 1. Alton were well in control of the game without really threatening to run riot. Then, out of the blue, Ringwood levelled it up. After the equaliser the game was very open and end to end stuff.

​Now here's a sight that you don't see often at a Step 6 game in Hampshire. As I was sipping my half-time cup of tea I happened to notice a man walk past wearing a Dunfermline Athletic beanie. I was disappointed that I wasn't wearing my Albion Rovers scarf.

The second half started in a very similar manner to the first. The only slight difference was that it took the home side a couple of extra minutes to score. This time it was  a corner from the left but. once again, it was George Bowerman who applied the final touch, getting in front of his marker to nod the ball home. 2-1
The response from Ringwood was pretty good this time. They were certainly posing more of a threat than they did in the first half. Sam Brown went on a couple of jinking runs but could not find an end product. They were finally undone when, once again, Liam Knight went on a run down the left. His cross was met by Bowerman who need little persuasion to complete his hat-trick. 3-2

All three Alton goals came from their left-hand side where Knight had proved a real handful to Ringwood's right-back Luke Carter. To be fair to the defender, despite it being apparent early on that Alton were using their left side as their out ball, he never really got the cover he needed from his team-mates.

Ringwood continued to plug away and did manage to get a very late consolation goal in the 90th minute through Adam Riley to make it 3-2, but it was all too little, too late.

FT Alton 3 Ringwood Town 2. The win leaves Alton in third spot but they have two games in hand on leaders Laverstock & Ford who are seven points better off.

Alton: Greene, Phillips, M.Graham, Dryden, Moore, O.Graham, Fowler, Black, Sanderson, Bowerman, Knight. Subs: Hunter, Covey, Wright, Benham, Hardcastle
Ringwood Town: Harris, Carter, Evans, C.Harrison, Horton, Osman(c), Taylor, F.Harrison, Hamm, Prentice, Brown. Subs: Cole, Petty, Porterfield, Williams, Riley

Att: 133
Ground Number: 250
Entrance: £5.00
Programme: £1.00

​With the announcement of lockdown 2 still ringing in my ears, I set out for the Midlands on Sunday with my daughter. We were going to visit Nana & Gramps (my parents), get some shopping in, and get a visit in before Tuesday's revelations. As always, my daughter was keen for me to leave her with her grandparents, presumably so that she could ensure they knew exactly what she wanted for Christmas. So, I decided to take the opportunity to nip down to Stourbridge and sample some Women's FA Cup action between Stourbridge Ladies and Crusaders Ladies, a team from the Bournville area of Birmingham. A little strange that I was going to watch a Third Qualifying Round game on the same day that Manchester City and Everton would be contesting last season's Final at an empty Wembley Stadium.

The Ground
I have been to the War Memorial Ground more times than I care to remember, but I was quite shocked to find that this was my first visit since Stourbridge's 0-0 draw with Witton Albion in the 2017-18 season. After a quick visit to the club shop to get a club mask for my Dad (and one for me), I followed the new one-way system around the back of the clubhouse into the ground. Not that much has changed since my last visit. The ground has been spruced up, as you would expect, but my main thought, as I made my way towards the Shed End, was just how much I like the ground and how much I had missed being there. Maybe a bit of nostalgia, given the current world circumstances, but it's close to half a century since I first watched Stourbridge play there and I certainly hope I'll be back there many more times yet.

​The Background
This game was a match-up between two clubs boating a 100% record this season. Crusaders, who play in the West Midlands Regional Women's Premier League one division above Stourbridge, had played two league games, beating Redditch United 3-0 at home and following up with a 3-2 defeat of City of Stoke in the Potteries. In the FA Cup they saw off Kidderminster Harriers 1-0 in the Preliminary Round, then defeated Stourbridge's league-mates Cookley Sports 4-0 before beating Oadby & Wigston 3-2 in Leicestershire. 
Stourbridge, three for three in the league with a goal difference of 25-0, started in the FA Cup with an 8-0 defeat of Port Vale, they then conceded the only goal of this season so far in defeating Wryley 8-1 at home. Following that they won 6-0 at Knowle and 5-0 at Worcester City. 

​The Game
The game was well-contested from the first minute with both sides probing to find gaps in what looked to be two tight defensive units. Both right flanks seemed to be the focus with Carly Aldred for Stourbridge and Jessica Tsapparelli for Crusaders looking very lively. Despite this neither team managed to test the opposing goalkeepers early on.
That was until the 21st minute when Glassgirls captain Courtney Murphy decided to try her luck from outside the box. She struck her shot well but Crusaders keeper Justine Lewis was equal to it, tipping the ball over the bar. The respite was sort-lived however. From the resultant corner, taken by Amber Lawrence, Ruby Meeson was on hand to force the ball over the line. 1-0

Despite a mini rally from the away side after going behind, it was Stourbridge who continued to look the more menacing of the two sides. Lil-Beth Bown's willingness to make runs almost saw her set free and Carly Aldred's pace prompted by Amber Lawrence's passing was a constant threat. Not that the Glassgirls' defence could relax though. Crusaders continued to look a very capable side, with Tsapparelli and Kisty Spencer both testing Amie Summers in the home goal.
Five minutes before half-time Stourbridge once again broke down their right-flank through Aldred. She beat her defender and drove into the box before appearing to be felled by a clumsy looking challenge. From my vantage point it was as clear a penalty as you could wish to see. However, neither the assistant or referee, who both appeared to have good views, indicated a spot kick much to the amazement of Stourbridge players and supporters.

HT Stourbridge 1 Crusaders 0. The Glassgirls edged the half in terms of possession and chances, but were made to work very hard by a competitive and industrious Crusaders team who continued to look a threat throughout.
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Crusaders looked even more fired up as the second half started and immediately had Stourbridge on the back foot. It was time for the Glassgirls to show why they had only conceded one goal in seven games. They did this admirably. The entire defensive line stood firm, supported well by a midfield that was being pushed deeper by the Crusaders onslaught. However, as the half progressed and Crusaders pushed more players forward looking for an equaliser, it left space for Stourbridge to use their pace in behind the visitors defence. Hollie Somers was brought on giving them width on both sides, with Aldred and the over-lapping runs of Thacker on the left and Somers on the right. Somers almost got on the scoresheet but once again Crusaders keeper Justine Lewis saved very well to deny her. Aldred also burst through only to be denied by Lewis who, it has to be said, was having a very good game. At the other end Lilley put an effort just over Preston's crossbar before Stourbridge hit their visitors twice to sew the game up.  First of all in the 86th minute substitute Alex Nicklin slipped a superb pass inside the left-back from Somers to run onto. Her low cross was controlled and finished superbly by Amber Lawrence for 2-0. Lawrence was then booked by the referee for celebrating too much. Crazy decision.
Then, with Crusaders still battling to get back into the game, Courtney Murphy lined up another long-range effort, giving Lewis no hope with a perfectly placed shot into the top corner. 3-0

FT Stourbridge 3 Crusaders 0. A superb result for The Glassgirls who progress into the First Round for the first time in their history. However, the final score line is harsh on Crusaders who were well in the game until the final few minutes. Two very good footballing teams who served up one of the most entertaining games I have seen this season. Stourbridge will now face an away trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers in Rouinds One.
Stourbridge: Preston, Thacker, Bate, Heaselgrave, Turvey, Lawrence, Moran, Bown, Murphy(c), Meeson, Aldred. Subs: Allen, Plimmer, Coleman, Nicklin, Somers

Att: 252
Ground Number: Re-Visit
Entrance: £4.00
Programme: £2.00