​It's that time of the year again. The time when the fixtures start to thin out but the games tend to have more importance. Wednesday evening was a case in question. Two games on my list, both big in their own way and both significant for different reasons. Firstly, there was a Abbeymead rovers playing Longlevens Dev. with Rovers requiring a win to stave off relegation. Then there was the Northants Combination Premier Division Cup Final with current holders and league runners-up Blisworth taking on league champions Roade. A shame that they were on the same evening because I was keen to see both games. However, having missed Blisworth's recent Junior Cup Final at Sixfields, I was inclined to return to Sileby for what promised to be an enthralling game between the best two sides in the Northants Combination this season. Abbeymead are top of my list for next season.

​The Ground
I often omit this section when writing a blog for a re-visited ground. However, there are a couple of reasons for not doing so this time. First of all, I haven't been to Fernie Fields since November 2014 when my blogs were completely different to the current format, so it is worth a review of the ground. Secondly, I wanted to take the opportunity to give praise where it is due. Fernie Fields is a superb facility, clean, tidy and extremely well maintained. The car parking was well marshalled, the snack bar staff were friendly and the pitch looked as good as if this was the first game of the season rather than the last. An credit to the groundsman and to the club in general. A fitting location for a cup final.
I'm not sure that too much has changed at the ground since my last visit. The only major difference that stood out was that the Sileby Rangers sign behind one of the goals has now gone. The Talavera Way side of the ground, which is where the car park and ground entrance is situated, also houses the main covered seating area. Either side of this there is covered standing running the full length of the ground. There is hard-standing surrounding the rest of the ground but no more covered areas. To the right of the entrance, behind one of the goals, there is a clubhouse, snack bar window, patio area with tables and the toilet facilities. 
Although my last visit was almost 8 years ago now, the game I saw that evening remains one of the most entertaining games of football I have ever witnessed (Smells Like Team Spirit)

​The Background
As stated above, this was a Cup Final featuring the top two teams in the Northants Combination Premier Division. After a a season in which the teams were neck and neck Roade finally pulled clear in mid-March when they won 4-1 at Blisworth (All Roads Lead To Roade), a result that avenged a 2-1 home defeat back in November. Blisworth were the league's highest scorers, averaging almost 4 per game. Roade had the tightest defence, conceding fewer than 1 per game on average. Having seen both teams play a couple of times this season, I can vouch for just how good they both are and how evenly matched the sides are (despite that last 4-1 result). This was also the first time that the Premier Division Cup Final had been played since before the pandemic. Blisworth, or James King Blisworth as they were then known, were the last winners after beating Kettering Nomads in the that season's final. They had also won it in 2017, beating the same opposition. Sandwiched between these wins was a defeat to Moulton in 2018. Roade made the final in 2016 but were beaten by Harpole.
To get this far Blisworth beat Rothwell FC Aztec 3-1 in Round 1. They then went to Stewart & Lloyds in the Quarter-Final, winning 5-0, before finally overcoming Wollaston Victoria 4-3 on penalties, after a 4-4 draw, in the semi-final. Roade had a bye in Round 1 but then won 3-2 at Harpole before beating Moulton 2-1 away from home in the semi-final.

​The Game
A decent crowd had built up by the time the teams came out. It's fair to say that Roade settled the quicker of the two and, certainly in terms of possession, had the lion's share over the first fifteen minutes. However, despite their territorial advantage, they couldn't not find a way to penetrate a solid looking Blisworth defence. As the game started to even out, Blisworth redressed the balance of the game but were also finding the Roade defence as resolute as their own.
On the half hour mark we had a situation where both physios were called onto the pitch simultaneously, luckily neither injury was serious. The players took time to grab a quick drink and get revised instructions from the bench. So far the game had been something of a midfield stalemate. Both sides showing some good work in the middle third but then finding that both defences were on top of their game. Neither goalkeeper had been stretched at this point. This trend continued almost up until the half-time whistle. However, on 44 minutes as we were all preparing for our half-time refreshments, the deadlock was finally broken and it was Blisworth who were celebrating. They won a corner on the left which Kieran Westbury went over to take. He lofted the ball towards the back post where centre-half Rhys Gartland rose highest to power a header towards goal. Josh McAdoo got across well but could not get enough on the ball to keep it out of the net. 1-0

HT Blisworth 1 Roade 0. Both defences have been in charge for the majority of the half so quite fitting that the only goal so far was scored by a defender.

​The second half was initially not too different from the first. Roade, being behind, had slightly more urgency, but both sides continued to stick to their game plans and, as in the first half, neither goalkeeper was being kept too busy. Although, for one of them at least, this was about to change.
In the 69th minute, with Blisworth defending a Roade foray, the ball was fed to Blisworth substitute Ross Watson inside his own half. He immediately looked to break forward, fending off a challenging and weaving around a couple more before surging towards the edge of the Roade penalty area. McAdoo was off his line quickly though, narrowing the angle enough to force the shot to go wide of the mark. It was great run though, livening up a game that had, at that point, tailed off a little. 
The miss looked as if it might be even more important two minutes later as the game sprang into life again. A long ball out of the Roade defence for once caught out the Blisworth back line, sailing above their heads. A Roade striker (I was at the other end and didn't see who it was) was alive to the possibilities and had taken the chance of running in behind the line. It paid off as he reached the ball a split second before Blisworth keeper Jack Bradshaw. The keeper couldn't prevent himself from taking out the striker right on the edge of the penalty area. The referee took a little time to consult with his assistant before brandishing a red card to Bradshaw. After a short delay for treatment to the Roade player and for the Blisworth bench to work out who to sacrifice in order to get reserve keeper Sachin Tayal on, the free-kick was taken but came to nothing. However, with 20 minutes remaining, it was backs to the wall time for Blisworth. Roade surged forward at every opportunity but were nowhere near as clinical up front as they were in the league match two months ago. They were also not allowed to relax by a Blisworth team who did not let the red card affect their ability to counter-attack effectively. In fact in the closing minutes it was Blisworth who probably had the best chance when Nathan Bobowicz burst through but dragged his shot wide. Roade just could not find a way through the Blisworth defence and, after a few minutes of stoppage time, the referee drew a close to the game.

FT Blisworth 1 Roade 0. A tight and tense match throughout decided by a single goal from a set piece as the sides cancelled each other out for much of the game. Great credit to Blisworth for the way they approached the game after going down to 10 men. Roade denied the league a cup double but will be more than happy with the title. Blisworth didn't get the league title for the first time in seven years but they did manage a cup double. Both sides have provided plenty of entertainment over the season and I for one will definitely be heading back to the Northants Combination next season.
Oh, and for anyone interested, Abbeymead Rovers won 1-0 securing the points required to retain their place in the Gloucestershire Northern Senior League Division One.

Blisworth: 1.Bradshaw, 2.Herbert, 3.Reina, 4.Redding, 5.Gartland, 6.Morgan, 8.Lyons, 9.Duffy, 10.Bobowicz, 11.Westbury, 14.Major. Subs: Tayal, Watson, York
Roade: McAdoo, Betts, Hogben(c), Lawton, Jackson, Faulkner, Lewis, McDonald, Wingrove, Joyce, Watts. Subs: Hall, Roberts, Smith, Abrams, Reece

Ground Number: Re-visit
Att:
Entrance: £5.00
Programme: Included

I'll be honest, this was not the number one game on my list of possible ganes today. It was up there but I had originally intended to go to Abbeymead Rovers v Brockworth Albion in the Gloucestershire Northern Senior League. This was a crucial relegation battle that Rovers needed to win to have any chance of beating the drop. However, in the morning I had to take my girl's under 12s into a relegation play-off game. What a match it turned out to be. Twice we took the lead, twice we were pegged back, with my keeper saving a penalty in all of that action. The game went to extra-time where we finally managed to get our noses in front and stay there. I'm not ashamed to say, I was drained at the end of the game (coaching is mentally more tiring than actually playing the game) and I really couldn't face watching another relegation dogfight. I needed entertainment to help me wind down. As it turned out, that was exactly what I got.

​The Background
This game was the North Bucks League Premier Division Challenge Trophy Final. Great Horwood had already claimed the league title and were hoping to pull off a fantastic double. Hanslope had finished fourth in the league, 14 points adrift of Great Horwood, in what their Twitter account had described as a disappointing season. However in the league games between the sides honours had been shared over the season. Early on in the campaign Hanslope registered a 3-1 home win. This was countered by Great Horwood's 4-2 home win in February.
As far as this competition's concerned Great Horwood won it once before, back in the 20016-17 season. Hanslope are defending the trophy having beaten Aylesbury Vale Dynamos Dev. 7-1 at Willen Road last season. I didn't see any reference to previous wins but I'm sure someone will let me know if this statistic is incorrect,
​To get to this stage Great Horwood had seen off Willen 3-2, Stewkley 2-0 and then Bletchley Scot 4-1 in the semi-final. Hanslope won 1-0 at MK Irish Athletic before beating Marsh Gibbon 3-1 away and then Grendon rangers by the same score in the semi. 

​The Game
Before getting into the game itself, a big thank you to the Buckingham Athletic Chairman and the NBDFL Official who were both happy to share team sheets with me before the game. It's always a lot easier to write these blogs when I have names against the shirt numbers.
After some initial sparring it was Great Horwood who created the first good opportunity when Andy Brunning wriggled free down the right before drilling a low, hard cross right across the face of the Hanslope goal. Unfortunately for Horwood no strikers was able to get a touch on the cross. The chance was a sign that Great Horwood were stepping up the pressure and two minutes later they came close again when a half clearance fell to Dale Armitage just outside the box, but his volley was just too high and wide of the target. Two more minutes passed before Horwood went even closer. A long throw-in caused chaos in the Hanslope area before Brunning was able to get a flick on the ball sending it past the outstretched hand of McKenzie, only for the ball to come back off the foot of the far post and be cleared. A minute later they hit the opposite post when a thumping header from a corner beat everyone but not the woodwork. The ball came back into play but was then scrambled off the line with the keeper beaten. Great pressure from the team in yellow, who were unlucky not to have gone ahead.
Just past the halfway mark of the half, Hanslope conjured up their first really dangerous looking attack when James Gregory's near post cross just evaded the touch of Matt Pickard. However, the Hanslope striker was to get another chance just before the half-hour mark. It began with an intricate passing move before the ball was fed into Pickard. He twisted first one way then the other, giving himself a small gap to fire through a sea of legs past an unsighted Lightfoot. 0-1, against the run of play but I doubt that would be a concern of Hanslope.
Suddenly, after being on the backfoot, Hanslope's tails were up. Three minutes after scoring Pickard came close to a second but his powerful drive went just wide of the target. Undeterred Hanslope came looking for more and, after winning a free-kick out on the left flank, Gregory again delivered a superb cross. This time it was onto the head of Michael Read who met the ball well but kept his effort too close to Lightfoot.
Great Horwood took a few minutes to recover from going behind but did stem the flow of Hanslope attacks before forcing Callum McKenzie into a good save on 36 minutes, signalling that they were far from out of the game. What they couldn't do, however, was find a way to breach the Hanslope defence before the break. At some point before the break Great Horwood also lost Frankie Tarrant to a sin-binning, although I have to say I didn't see or hear the offence myself.

FT Great Horwood 0 Hanslope 1. On the balance of possession Great Horwood would no doubt consider themselves unlucky to be behind. They could easily have been  couple of goals to the good. However, if you don't take your chances there is always the possibility of being punished and that is exactly what Hanslope did to them.

​Hanslope started the second half as if they had a point to prove and, of course, were facing only 10 players for the first five or six minutes. Any idea that they might try to sit on their lead was quickly thrown out of the window as they immediately pushed Great Horwood back from kick off. Horwood needed something special to get themselves back in the game and that is exactly what they got on 52 minutes. Freshly up to full strength after Tarrant's sin-bin time ended, An innocuous looking cross was planted into the Hanslope area. Nothing looked on until Gary Ridgeway performed some aerial acrobatics, producing a scissor kick that sent the ball spiralling over McKenzie and into the far top corner. A spectacular goal. 1-1
Suddenly it was Great Horwood who were in the ascendency. Just before the hour mark a through ball was chased down by Brunning. The striker was going away from goal but Mckenzie, sprinting off his line, took him out and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. A moment of madness from the keeper but when Sam Archer stepped up to strike the spot-kick, McKenzie made amends by throwing himself to his right, making a great save.
There was a brief period where the game lulled a little which, as it happened, was probably just as well to give the spectators chance to steel themselves for the closing stages. On 69 minutes a sloppy back pass was almost seized upon by Tarrant but McKenzie just manage to get there first and clear. then a minute later Horwood substitute Glen Hawkins got a flick on to a through ball which dropped perfectly to  Dale Armitage. His curled effort flew just high and wide of McKenzie's far post. It looked as if Horwood were getting back on top but that appears to be when Hanslope are at their most dangerous. Sure enough, on 78 minutes and again slightly against the run of play at the time, they got in front once more. A corner from the right was played deep towards the far post where Mike Jones was lurking to head home. 1-2.
The goal brought about a response from Great Horwood and they were very close to getting back on level terms within two minutes.  A free-kick from just inside the Hanslope half, was floated into the penalty area. Once again Hawkins got the all important flick on, this time perfectly for Brunning to get his head to it from less than 10 yards out. McKenzie reacted brilliantly though, diving to his right and pushing the ball against the post and out for a corner.
That was looking like the match winning save until the 88th minute when we had a moment of some controversy. Great Horwood had a corner on their right. It was played in towards the far post where a group of players challenged for it. The ball was was diverted either by a head or foot towards the the Hanslope goal and seemed to cross the line before the keeper scooped it away. However, the referee had already blown and was signalling for a penalty. I honestly didn't see what the offence was but the Hanslope players didn't appear to protest too much. The Great Horwood players were more incensed because they felt they had had a goal ruled out in favour of the spot-kick. Captain Sam Archer stepped up again, a brave move after already missing, and with less then two minutes of normal time to go. This time, however, his aim was true. He went the same way but McKenzie was powerless to stop this one. 2-2.
We headed into the final minute of the game and the momentum now seemed to have swung to Great Horwood again. I was on the verge of texting my wife to let her know that we may have to delay dinner when Hanslope sprung the ultimate surprise. Their initial attack seemed to have come to nothing but the ball was recycled back into the middle of the area where Tom Parish was available to crash a superb volley past Lightfoot. 2-3 and cue huge celebrations from the Hanslope players, bench and supporters.
Even in this game of swings and roundabouts there was not enough time for Great Horwood to recover from the latest blow before the referee blew his whistle to signal the end.

FT Great Horwood 2 Hanslope 3. Wonderful entertainment on a glorious, sunny afternoon. Just what I needed to wind down form the stress of the morning. Thanks to both sides for their contribution to a great afternoon of football. A credit to the league. many congratulations to Hanslope who showed superb spirit throughout the game, even when they were pushed back for quite a bit of time. Commiserations to Great Horwood, it was just not their day today but I am sure they will be more than happy with their league title. For me, I've really enjoyed my forays into the North Bucks League and I will most certainly be getting to more games next season. Great to see that Hanslope keeper Callum McKenzie go the MotM award. I had him marked down as my MotM too. Well deserved.
For those who read to the end, Abbeymead Rovers beat Brockworth Albion 2-1 which means that they are still in with a chance of survival. Shoudl they win on Wednesday evening (home to Longlevens Reserves) they will survive and send down? Yes, you've got it, Brockworth Albion. 

Great Horwood: 1.Lightfoot, 2. Thickbroom, 3. Ridgeway, 16. A.Armitage, 5. Woolley, 6. Tarrent, 7. Brunning, 8. S.Archer(c), 9. Howkins, 10. E.Archer, 11. D.Armitage. Subs: 12. Bingham, 14. Bowes, 15. Sutton, 4. Hawkins
Hanslope: 1. McKenzie, 2. Banks, 3. Gregory, 4. Potter, 5. J.Chilton, 6. M.Chilton(c). 7. Pickard, 8. Jones, 9. Phillips, 10. Read, 11. Rowe. Subs: 12. Kerin, 14. Hollingsworth, 15. Hopkins, 16. Parish

Ground Number: Re-visit
Att:
Entrance: £2.00
Programme: N/A

here was no game for me at the weekend and, to be honest, Tuesday evening was touch and go. However, late in the afternoon I decided on a fairly local game at Clanfield, just over 40 minutes drive. The game in question was the Witney & District League Ted Young Senior Cup semi-final between two 21st Century stalwarts of the league, Hailey and Hanborough. I had tweeted that I was hoping to get to the game and got a reply from Witney & District Registration Secretary and all-round Mr Witney-football, John Smyth, saying to ask for him and introduce myself when I got to the ground. As it happened, when I walked in, the first person I saw walking towards me bore a distinct resemblance to his Twitter profile picture and, sure enough, it was the man himself. Very good to meet with him and have a chat about football in general (and share the team sheets). Clearly a knowledgeable and popular champion of local football. John is exactly the sort of non-league volunteer that I admire and am thankful to for keeping the game alive and kicking. There are John's all over the country giving up their time and, in a lot of cases, hard-earned cash to provide football for everyone at a grassroots level.

​The Background
This was not the first time I had been to Clanfield's Radcot Road ground. In fact, I was there earlier this season to watch the local side take on Milton United in the Hellenic League. Neither was it the first time I had seen Hailey and Hanborough. I have seen Hailey twice before, a pre-season friendly at home to Bicester Town Colts last season (Two 100% Records In One Night) and the final of this very competition in 2019 when Hailey defeated Hollybush 4-3 on penalties after a 2-2 draw. (All Hail Hailey). I have only seen Hanborough once before, a 3-0 defeat at Cropredy in the 2019-20 Oxfordshire Senior League season (Crop Top).
Both sides are now playing in the Witney & District League structure and, this season, finished as the top two with Hailey taking the title by an eight point margin, their first league title since 2012 and their fourth in total. During the season Hailey beat their closest rivals twice. A 3-2 away win in September was followed up with a 3-0 win at the recreation Ground in February. Both sides have won this trophy on several occasions. Hailey are the current holders and, in fact, have won the last two competed tournaments (2020 was not played as far as I can see). In all they have won the ted Young Cup six times. Hanborough have won it three times, the most recent being in 2017. The winners of this game would face Stonesfield in the Final after they beat Milton-under-Wychwood 2-1 in the other semi. Let's hope I haven't made too many statistical errors for Mr Witney to correct :-).

The Game
No sooner had John written the teams up on the whiteboard than Hailey announced that they were going to make a change to their starting line-up when Cam Foster limped out of the warm-up. His place at right-back was taken by Kieran Fallon. Not too long after kick-off the early change score was evened up when Hanborough defender Peter Coombes was forced off through injury, to be replaced by Jonny Ayris.
The opening encounters were reasonably evenly matched although Hailey seemed to be first to settle and were holding sway possession-wise without unduly troubling Bennington in the Boro goal. However, it was Hanborough who engineered the first big moment of the game. A raking pass split the Hailey defence allowing Collins to get clear and drill home a low shot. Unfortunately for the Reds the assistant's flag had already gone up well before the ball hit the net. Five minutes later, with Hailey starting to get on top, Sam Wheeler was played in behind the Boro defence but blazed his effort high and wide.  The next close call came on the 26th minute as Freddie Buckingham lofted a teasing free-kick into the Boro box, causing absolute chaos before a slight touch from Bennington saw the ball out for a corner. When that ball was played in Hailey came even closer as what looked to be a goalbound header was deflected over off one of their own players. A few minutes later, Nathan Kimber was put clean through but saw Bennington react well to save with his feet. The ball was now almost exclusively staying in the Boro half as Hailey looked to turn their territorial advantage into goals. Just past the half hour mark Sam Wheeler went on a run, bursting through the Boro defence and letting rip, only to see the ball deflected for another corner.
As the half drew to a close it looked as if Hailey had missed their opportunity. After being on top for a good part of the half, they found themselves being pushed back more in the final few minutes as Hanborough began to make inroads into the Hailey half. A good response from Boro after being on the back foot for quite some time, they showed that this game was far from over.

HT Hailey 0 Hanborough 0. A close game so far as would be expected of the top two in the league. Hailey certainly had the greater number of chances but Boro's defence has held out well.

​In keeping with the final few minutes of the first half, Hanborough started well in the second period. Seven minutes in they produced one of the best moves of the game, culminating in a perfectly weighted, flicked pass putting Collins in on goal. His driven effort was too hot for Davies to hold but he did enough to smuggle the ball out for a corner. That effort on goal and resulting save proved to be a turning point in the game. Exactly on 60 minutes Hailey were awarded a free-kick for a foul on Kimber, just outside the box and a little to the left of goal. Freddie Buckingham stepped up and curled an absolute beauty over the wall and out of Bennington's reach. 1-0. Of course, a one goal lead doesn't guarantee a victory but you could see and feel the extra confidence in the Hailey team now. They believed the game was theirs and were quicker to each ball, snappier in the tackle and on the front foot. With 20 minutes to go they hit Boro with a lightning quick break and almost grabbed a second as Buckingham fed in Kimber who slid his shot just wide of the far post. A couple of minutes later another Hailey chance went begging as a low cross from the right was inches too far in front of Aust inside the 6 yard box. However, on 78 minutes, Hailey did make it two and once again it was the speed of their thinking and attacking play that caused the damage. Kimber was the architect this time, bursting down the left flank before squaring to Travis O'Connor who deftly lobbed the keeper to make it 2-0. 
That was it as far as most watching were concerned. There was no way back for Boro now but Hailey wanted to make absolutely certain and, on 84 minutes, they did exactly that. Again quick thinking was the order of the day. Hailey were awarded a free-kick close to the halfway line. Before Hanborough could set themselves the ball was lofted to the unmarked Nathan Kimber who checked inside before firing low and hard past Bennington. 3-0.
There was still just enough time for Buckingham to almost repeat his free-kick from a very similar position. This time, however, Bennington managed to get a fingertip to the ball, diverting it against the bar.

FT Hailey 3 Hanborough 0. Overall a comprehensive victory for Hailey. Once they got their noses in front it didn't feel as if they were going to let it slip. Three very good finishes, aided by some quick thinking, won the day.

Hailey: 1.Davies, 15. Fallon, 3. Wood(c), 2. Turner, 7. Wheeler, 17. Cormack, 8. O'Conner, 4. King, 13. Britnell, 11. Buckingham, 10. Kimber. Subs: 16. Fisher, 12, Bolly, 9. Evans, 14. Aust

Hanborough: 1. Bennington, 5. Haggie, 2. Austin, 12. Coombs, 3, Hobley, 7. Johnson, 6. Collins, 8. Ashley, 9. Morton, 16. Mays, 11. Rogers. Subs: 20. Loach, 10. Brookes, 4, Ayris

Ground Number: Re-Visit
Att: 
Entrance: N/A
Programme: N/A

My Tuesday evening game this week had been ear-marked for some time but, for a number of reasons, it wasn't until around 4pm on the actual day before I could safely say that I would be able to attend the game. The match in question was effectively a title decider in the Gloucestershire Northern Senior League Division One, a league that had piqued my interest following my trip to watch Bibury v Viney St Swithans a few weeks ago. After checking the fixtures and seeing just how big this game was, I had really been looking forward to it, especially as it was a new ground and two new teams for me to check out.

​The Ground
Chalford play at the Chalford Sports & Social Club just to the North East of Chalford, a village to the South East of Stroud. It was only after I checked back on the map that I realised just how close I was to The meadow, Brimscombe & Thrupp's picturesque home. The Sports Club is the home to not only the local football team but also the cricket club and tennis club. There is a reasonably large car park and parking available on Highfield Way, outside the ground. The club boasts quite a large function room as well as a café, that was open this evening. The football pitch is behind and to the right of the club as you approach from the car park. The nearest side of the pitch is open because that is also part of the cricket pitch, with the various tracks cordoned off in preparation for the forthcoming season. On the far side of the pitch there is a small covered spectator stand bordered on either side by brick dugouts. The pitch slopes down towards the clubhouse and tennis courts end. When I arrived I just about got a place in the car park but, when I left there were cars parked all down Highfield Way, testament to the number of spectators at the game which was extremely well supported for a game at this level of the pyramid. Plenty of locals had turned out and there seemed to be quite a following for the visitors too.

​The Background
This game really was a title race shootout. A win for Cheltenham Civil Service would put them out of reach of Chalford. A win for Chalford would really set the cat amongst the pigeons with Chalford looking to pounce on a final game mistake from Cheltenham. In the build up to the game there was a quite a bit of talk amongst the locals that, if they won today and then beat Dursley Town in their next game, the pressure would really be on Cheltenham when they travelled to Woolaston on May 7th. Of course, that all depended, first of all, on getting a result this evening.
The Civil Service team has quite an interesting history, well worth checking out their website. They have played in the County league structure (Step 7), winning the league at the first attempt, but have more recently been in Division Two of the Gloucestershire Northern Senior League (Step 9) and were promoted back into Division One at the end of the last full season, 2020. Chalford came up from Division Two as Champions in 2017 and were runners-up in Division One in the last full season before the pandemic. They have met twice this season already. In the league the sides drew 0-0 in Lydney back in September. Then, in the Cup at the same location, Chalford came out on top of a seven goal thriller.

​The Game
As expected, with such a lot riding on the game, the opening gambits were a little like a game of chess. Neither team wanted to concede an early goal and that was apparent in the way that they were both extremely careful about committing too many players forward at any time. The end result of this was that neither goalkeeper was really tested at all in the first 15 minutes. The visitor's defence, in particular, looked well organised and solid. The central defensive pairing of Bermingham and Teejay Hosking were winning everything in the air whilst their two full-backs, Oliver and Hall, were ably stopping any raids down the flanks.
Cut to 17 minutes in, we finally had the first real strike on target and it came from the home side, playing up the slope in the first period. It was a relatively innocuous shot from outside the box but the ball took a nasty little hop as Tim Griffiths was about to field it, the ball bobbled out of his grasp but was cleared by a defender. A minute later, possibly buoyed by that first attempt, Chalford were pushing forward again. This time Jack Hughes received the ball on the left wing, cut inside and fired an effort straight into the hands of Griffiths. No real problem for the keeper but a promising "sighter" for Chalford.
Having survived these two attempts Civil Service promptly went down the other end, some four minutes later, and opened the scoring. A corner from the left was flighted towards the far post where it was headed back across goal. Climbing highest in the crowd was skipper Joe Bermingham who nodded the ball home. 0-1. 
Chalford responded well to going behind but still could not find any chink in the visitor's defence. All of the forwards were working hard but constantly finding their space closed down quickly. It was a fascinating contest though. The sides were very evenly matched and the goal from Civil Service had meant that the game had to open up a little, Chalford needed to get a goal back. The work-rate from both sides was very high and this was demonstrated to great effect for Cheltenham in the 36th minute. An attacking move broke down but winger Stuart Midwinter was not one to saunter back. Instead he chased the lost ball back into the centre of the park, hunting down the Chalford player and winning the ball back. He then burst down the right ide before delivering an inch-perfect cross to the far post where Brett Blake was arriving to slot the ball home. 0-2. Chalford were a little rattled now and not long afterwards could easily have found themselves three down when their keeper spilled a cross. The ball fell to a Cheltenham player who tried to slot into the unguarded net but luckily for Chalford their Number 4 was alert enough to get back and clear off the line. Shortly after this Midwinter, who had really got the bit between his teeth at this point, delivered another superb cross which was met well by an attacker, forcing the home keeper into a very good one-handed save low to his right.
having said this, it wasn't all one-way traffic by any means. Chalford were playing their part and still probing the Cheltenham defence, but getting little change out of them.

HT Chalford 0 Cheltenham Civil Service 2. Things looked good for the visitors at the break. Despite their two goals, the performance of their back four grabbed the eye. The back four, protected well by Kerry Hale, had won pretty much every challenge and frustrated the home attack at every turn. A thoroughly entertaining game so far.

​From a neutral's perspective the game got exactly what was needed as early as the fifth minute of the second half, a goal for the home team. They had come out of the blocks fast after the break and looked like a team determined to make a fist of it. Having already launched a couple of early raids they were awarded a free-kick just inside the Civil Service half and out on the right-hand side. The ball was drilled hard, diagonally towards the far post where the Chalford captain Jonathon Davis was arriving to cushion a lovely volley past the keeper and in at the far post. 1-2. An excellent finish from the captain making it look a lot easier to control the volley than it actually was.
The second half was turning into a much different game of football than the first half. Cheltenham were seeing far less of the ball then they had in the first period and were not troubling the home keeper anywhere near as much as they did towards the back end of the first half. Having said that, the complete siege from the home team, that I had expected after they got a goal back, didn't really happen either. It was just past the hour before Chalford seemed to start ratcheting up the pressure. On 62 minutes their Number 11 latched onto a delightful through ball but, stretching slightly, he lifted his shot just over the bar. The hunt for an equaliser was on now though. With 16 minutes to play Chalford's 11 was once again put in on goal. This time he got his shot on target but Griffiths was equal to the effort, saving well. Three minutes later came a key incident in the game. Chalford were awarded a hotly disputed penalty. the incident was on the opposite side of the pitch to where I was standing, with a group of players between me and the ball, so I didn't have any view of what actually happened. The referee, however, seemed to take an age to make his decision (not a bad thing) before finally pointing to the spot. The visitors were not best impressed by the decision but they need not have worried. jack Hughes stepped up but Tim Griffiths went the right way, pushing the ball away to safety.
Undeterred, Chalford had just over 10 minutes to find two goals and were pushing the visitor's back all the time now. At one point they forced three corners in the space of a minute with the final header sailing just over. However, try as they might, they just could not muster a big finale.

FT Chalford 1 Cheltenham Civil Service 2. Chalford threw everything at their visitors in the second half but couldn't quite find the killer touch to claw the two goals back. Cheltenham's defence stood form throughout even though the Chalford forwards did mange to breach it a couple of times in the second period, they could only find a way past Cheltenham's keeper once. The result means that Cheltenham are champions and will be making a return to the Gloucestershire County League next season.

Chalford:
Cheltenham Civil Service: Griffiths, Hall, Oliver, Smith, Bermingham(c), Hosking, Midwinter, Hale, Holmes, G.Jones, Blake. Subs: Ellin, Gittings, Mahon, M.Jones, Driscoll

Ground Number: 318
Att: 
Entrance: N/A
Programme: N/A

I was not expecting to get to a game this Saturday but the opportunity presented itself quite late in the morning so I decided on a fairly local game rather than Stewart & Lloyds v Roade, which was pencilled in as top of the list, mainly because a result for Roade would see them crowned champions of the orthants Combination Premier. Not far below that, however, were two North Bucks games featuring the last three title contenders in the Premier League, Great Horwood, Milton Keynes Irish Athletic and AFC Towcester. With Great Horwood odds on to win the league only Towcester and Athletic could still catch them. Great Horwood were scheduled to play Athletic and Towcester were at home to Grendon Rangers. At first I set out for the MK game but after getting to the post code listed on the Full-Time site not game seemed to be happening. Not having time to mess around, I immediately switched my GPS to Towcester, arriving with a few minutes to spare.

The Ground
Towcester Recreation Ground is more or less in the centre of Towcester, just off the A5 and not a million miles from Towcester Racecourse. There's not a huge amount of parking space adjacent to the ground, but it's relatively easy to find parking around the general area. The clubhouse is a throwback to the days before the club reformed last year and is still signed as Towcester Town Supporters Club and is situated on the opposite side of Islington Road. As well as the main pitch, there is a junior pitch and children's recreation area. The playing area itself has no spectator cover, as you would expect at this level, but was roped off by a respect barrier on one side. There's a slight slope down towards the Silverstone Brook end of the ground and, on this day, the grass had been left quite long (presumably this is maintained by the local council). This had the effect of causing a lot of unnatural bounces, which gave players on both sides some problems during the game.

The Background
The North Bucks Premier League has boiled down to three teams, Great Horwood lead the way with 40 points from 17 games. Towcester in second, 35 from 17 and MK Irish Athletic in fourth with 33 from 17 (behind Hanslope who had already finished their league campaign on 35 points). AFC Towcester knew before kick-off that to snatch the title they would need to win all three remaining games (including next Saturday's game at Great Horwood) and hope that the leaders dropped points along the way. Earlier in the season, September to be exact, Towcester had won 4-1 in Grendon Underwood with three goals from top scorer Richard parker and one from Mike Watson. Ben Harrington had replied for Rangers, who also had Tommy Ovens sent off. Towcester's recent for read quite well with four wins in their last six. A 2-1 defeat at Willen and a 2-2 draw at home to Potterspury, being responsible for the points dropped. Towcester had also lost 2-0 to Potterspury in the Interdivisional Trophy Quarter-Final earlier this month, a game that BotP was there to witness (First Half Double Wins A5 Derby). Not a good sign seeing as Towcester's other remaining league game is at Potterspury. Grendon's recent form was not so good with two wins in the last six. However, they had beaten Great Horwood 4-3 on their own patch in the cup back in February. That win had been avenged by Great Horwood winning 6-1 in the league game last month. I last saw Grendon play five years ago, back when they were in the Spartan South Midlands League. That day they had gone down 5-1 at home to a strong Loughton side (Perfect Pitch).
​

​The Game
Despite the fact that it was the visitors who had the first shot on goal, it was Towcester who opened the scoring within the first minute and a half. Mike Watson was fed the ball out on the left before rifling a left-footed strike across Siswick in the Grendon goal, and into the far corner. 1-0. However, in a blistering start to the game, Rangers were level after 3 minutes. Tom Doncaster was felled in the box for a clear penalty and  Kieron Moreton made no mistake from 12 yards. 1-1. Expecting a lull in play after that start? No chance. Only 8 minutes were on the referee's watch when their captain weaved some magic on the right before delivering a deep cross that was headed back across the Ranger's goal and a simple tap in for Richard Parker. 2-1
Still not quite 15 minutes into the game, Towcester came close to a third when a long ball was spilled by Grandon's keeper, he pushed the ball against the legs of the onrushing home striker but the ball rolled just wide of the post. The game was quite end to end at this point and Grendon came close themselves just before the 20 minute mark when Doncaster fired just over from the edge of the box. Five minutes later, however, Rangers were level when, after an attack down the left, the ball fell to Jack Rowe on the edge of the area. He fired low to the keeper's right and into the corner of the net. 2-2
There was an eight minute lull in the scoring at this point, which given the previous 25 minutes, seemed like a very long time. Then on 33 minutes the home side once again took the lead and it was Richard parker again, this time just about stretching to get a toe to a long ball and divert it past Siswick. 3-2
Three minutes later and Towcester finally got some daylight between themselves and their visitors. It came from a superb through ball from their right-back, splitting the Grendon defence and allowing Watson to run free on the left. His low cross was then turned in by Parker. 4-2
In a lot of games six goals on the first 36 minutes would have probably signalled a bit of a lull up to half-time whilst both sides caught their breath. Not here though. With three minutes to go before the break Grendon won a free-kick some 25 yards out. The direct effort at goal was mishit but the ball took a deflection into the path of Tom Doncaster who gleefully stroked the ball into the far corner. 4-3. Back to one goal behind, Grendon would probably have been quite happy to go into half-time, knowing that they were going down the slight slope in the second period. However, they couldn't quite get to the break. Two minutes into added time they conceded a free-kick just outside the penalty area on the left hand side. The ball was played in low across the area where a completely unmarked Parker was lurking to make it 5-3. Way too easy from a Rangers point of view.

HT AFC Towcester 5 Grendon Rangers 3. Fabulously entertaining for any neutrals but I can imagine that both coaches will have words to say at the break.

​Within 10 minutes of the restart Towcester had their sixth goal. Their captain got away down the right and played in a cross towards the near post. Both the opposing goalkeeper and Towcester's Richie Parker challenged for the ball which popped out perfectly for Mike Watson to slot into an empty net for 6-3. Within another 10 minutes Towcester had made it a magnificent seven. A corner from the left was played towards the near post where Watson bundled the ball over the line. 7-3
After this goal went in, with 25 still to play, the game unsurprisingly went a little flat. Towcester, with a big game against Potterspury coming up in midweek, rested a couple of players in the knowledge that this game was out of reach of the visitors. Grendon continued to plug away but, in fairness, they also knew the game was up. Almost at the final whistle Rangers got some consolation for their continued efforts when Jack Rowe robbed the Towcester stand-in centre-half, drove forward and fired a low effort past the keeper. 7-4.

FT AFC Towcester 7 Grendon Rangers 4. Towcester keep the title race alive with both themselves and Great Horwood having two to play. They take on Potterspury on Tuesday evening and a win would take them within 2 points of the leaders. Next Saturday there is potentially a huge match at Castle Fields as Great Horwood entertain Towcester. Grendon have one league game remaining at fifth placed Willen but they also have to face the same opponents in the Interdivisional Cup Semi-Final next weekend.

AFC Towcester:
Grendon Rangers: Siswick, Kennie, Moreton, C.Rowe, Bonson, Tuck, Doncaster, Young, Kibble, J.Rowe, Bullivent. Sub: Moyles

Ground Number: 317
Att: 
Entrance: N/A
Programme: N/A

Yet again there's no game for our favourite Swindon based team, Jovial Monk. However, both Caversham teams are in action. It's the penultimate game of the season for The Goats men whilst for the women it is their final game.

Caversham United
The Goats play for the first time in two weeks when they lost twice in a few days, home and away against 116Exiles. They'll be looking to bounce back in readiness for the season finale on May 1st when Reading Kites come to Mapeldurham (see below for information). The visitors on Sunday are Wayback Wanderers who Caversham faced back on the opening day of this season. On that occasion a late Euan Barker goal was not enough to save them from a 2-1 defeat. Wayback are currently in 7th place, seven points ahead of The Goats in 11th. They could still make a top four finish but with other teams having game sin hand, this probably not likely. Caversham, even winning both of their last two, can only finish as high as 10th.
Caversham United v Wayback Wanderers
KO 10:30. Mapledurham Playing Fields, RG4 8LD
Caversham's final game on May 1, at home to Reading Kites, will be a charity fundraising event in aid of BallsToCancer. You don't even have to go to the game (although I recommend you do) to help out. Just buy a virtual ticket by clicking on the picture below:

You can tell it is getting close to the end of the season when there are games on Thursday evening as teams struggle to get their season finished on time. Not that I am complaining because, this week, it gave me the opportunity to make a visit to a new ground that is not too far from home. Not only that but it was quite an important game for both teams involved rather than being an end of season game with nothing riding on it. So it was that I set out on the short journey over to Buckingham for the Spartan South Midlands Division Two game between Buckingham United and Aston Clinton. I have seen Aston Clinton play before, just over 6 years ago in a 2-2 draw at Stony Stratford Town (Desmond for Stony and Aston), but United were a new team for me.

The Ground
Buckingham United play their home games at Lace Hill Sports and Community Centre just to the South of Buckingham town centre. This is a new facility that was built to serve the new Lace Hill housing community, alongside the local school. There is plenty of parking available at the centre and at the academy next door. The playing surface looked to be in pretty good condition and is surrounded by a low one bar fence and some advertising hoarding. There's no covered spectator areas but there are dugouts (removeable) set up on one side of the pitch. There are pretty good views over the surrounding Buckinghamshire countryside but that has the downside of making the ground a little exposed to the elements. Even on a lovely warm day like Thursday was, it got very chilly during the second half as the sun went down and with the wind blowing across the pitch. Overall though, it's a decent enough place to watch a game.

​The Background
This was a big game at both ends of the table. Aston Clinton came into the game three points behind leaders Old Bradwell United but with a game in hand, this one, albeit with an inferior goal difference. A win would put them level on points at the top. United's needs were just as acute but for an entirely different reason. They approached the game fourth from bottom only six points off the bottom and just two ahead of second-bottom The 61 FC. The sides met just a couple of weeks back at Aston Clinton Park. Two goals from Cian Banert and one each from Ashley Clarke, Akintomide Jaiyeola, Ryan McDonald and Teddie Paul gave the hosts a resounding 6-0 victory.
Current form was also very  much in favour of the visitors. United had slumped to an 8-0 defeat at Bovingdon on Easter Monday and despite beating Eynesbury United 4-3 in their last home game, had lost 9 of their last 10 in the league. Aston Clinton, in direct contrast, came into Thursday evening on the back of 14 consecutive wins. An outstanding run of form.

​The Game
Aston Clinton, playing with a strong wind in their favour, started the livelier of the teams but, after 17 minutes, neither keeper had been forced into anything resembling a save. Aston were dominating possession but seemed a little hesitant. United were trying to combat their visitors with quick breaks but their front two, Numbers 9 & 10 (sorry, I don't have the United team sheet), seemed to find it very difficult to stay on side. Within the opening 10 minutes were were already approaching double figures and the assistant on that side was beginning to get arm ache.
After all of that early sparring and with the visitors holding sway, it was actually United who manged to get the first shot on target when their Number 8 was sent clean through by Number 2s through ball. He got a decent shot away on the run but the visitor's keeper Liam Smith was down well to make a comfortable save. A minute later, as the game sprang into life, Aston skipper Williams forced the home keeper into his first real action with a crisp shot that the keeper did well to turn away.
Just before the half hour mark the home side had the ball in the net. A break down the right from Number 9, this time managing to stay onside, saw him square across the six yard box to strike partner Number 10 who tapped in, but guess what? He was flagged offside.

​Just to make matters worse for Buckingham, straight after the disallowed goal the visitors went up the other end and took the lead following a quick break. The ball was fed to Akintomide Jaiyeola​ out on the left side of the penalty area, he cut inside and drilled an effort into the far corner. the keeper got a hand to it but couldn't keep it out. 0-1. Aston showed just what they could do when they moved the ball quickly.
The goal sparked some life into the visitors and they began to look more like a team challenging at the top of the table. On 35 minutes they forced the home defence into a hurried clearance, the ball being sliced high into the air and being blown back towards the penalty area by the gusty wind. The home keeper came and tried to punch clear but only succeeded in giving the ball to Aston captain Elias Williams on the edge of the area. he calmly stroked the ball back into an unguarded net. 0-2.
The visitors looked well in control at this point. However, United did show that they could do two things just before the break. Firstly their front two managed to stay onside, and secondly they showed they could pose a threat in front of goal. This time when the ball found their Number 9, all alone inside the box, he displayed both of these talents, staying onside and showing some composure to steady himself and slot the ball past Smith. 1-2.

HT Buckingham United 1 Aston Clinton 2. After playing the first half into the wind and conceding a lot of possession, only being one goal behind at the break is not a bad position for Buckingham. Could they make the conditions act in their favour in the second 45 minutes?
​

​Both sides stayed out on the pitch at the break and were ready turn restart after less than 10 minutes. However, the officials were still in the changing rooms, so the game could not restart until the standard half-time break time had elapsed.
When it did restart the home side managed to undo the good from the late goal back within three minutes of the second half restarting. They completely switched off as Aston took a throw-in quickly. The ball was played into the home penalty area where Williams was lurking to stroke home his second of the game. 1-3
For a neutral that goal was probably the worst case scenario. Aston were now feeling comfortable and United had the look of a beaten team. The game fell into a period of inaction for the next 15 minutes or so. Just before the hour mark United did, however, manage to engineer a massive opportunity to breathe life into the game. This time it was Number 10 who got free on the right. His squared pass was just a little behind Number 9 who could only manage to put his effort high over the bar. That could have been the defining point of the half.
On 76 minutes Buckingham were made to pay further for their missed chance when Aston Clinton added a fourth goal. Williams this time turned provider, squaring for an unmarked Ryan McDonald to slot home amidst loud claims of offside from the home players and bench. The assistant kept his flag down this time though and the goal stood. 1-4.
That wasn't then end of the action however. Another contentious refereeing decision on 83 minutes was met by a remark from the United Number 4 who was sent to the sin bin for his comments. I couldn't hear them from where I was standing, but I know that the player and bench were less than happy. Frustration was high after they had been caught offside so many times in the game and just had not been able to get a foothold on the game.
Then on 87 minutes came another decision that would have angered the home team. Number 10 was put clean through and, somewhat unexpectedly, was onside. The keeper came off his line but as 10 pushed the ball past him, wiped out the striker. The referee immediately pointed to the spot as expected but, with the home side wanting a card, failed to even book the keeper. To be honest, it seemed to me that there was very little effort to play the ball and it was also a clear goal scoring opportunity. It had to be a red card. Of course, at that stage it wouldn't have made any difference to the result, but that shouldn't make any difference. To make matters even worse the reprieved keeper then saved the spot kick.

FT Buckingham United 1 Aston Clinton 4. In the end, not an unexpected result. However, it could easily have been very different. Aston Clinton started sluggishly and if the home forwards had been able to sty onside, especially in the first half, who knows what would have happened. I don't think I have seen quite so many offside calls against one team in a match before. Almost every ball forward was greeted with the assistant's flag being raised.
The remainder of the season looks as if it will continue to be very interesting at both ends of the Division Two table. This result leaves Aston Clinton level on points with Old Bradwell United and the two sides face each other next weekend (30th) at Aston's ground. The reverse fixture ended with Aston taking the points with a 1-0 win. Before that game both sides are in action this Saturday, Aston at fourth-placed MK College whilst OBU have a derby against New Bradwell St Peter. At the other end both Buckingham and second-bottom The 61FC have one game left. Guess what? They sides meet in Luton on the 30th with the hosts requiring a win to jump above United.

Buckingham United: Not available at time of publishing (will edit if I get the names)
Aston Clinton: 1.Smith, 3.Kiff, 6.T.Collins, 4.Harrison, 5.Simmonds, 14.Paul, 8.Wiliams(c), 16.M.Lavelle, 7.Banert, 20.McDonald, 11.Jaiyeola. Subs: 15.M.Collins, 17.Mitchell, 18.J.Lavelle, 19.Marshall

Ground Number: 316
Att: 72
Entrance: N/A
Programme: N/A

Bank Holiday Monday is a time for avoiding the traffic, especially when the weather has been good like this weekend. So what better way to avoid the stresses of the motorway than a short trip up a B road to Ardley United  for the 2021-22 Lord Jersey Cup Final? I last watched the Final of this competition back in 2019 when Bicester Hallions, then of the Banbury & District Division Two, shocked Premier League Champions Bishops Itchington with a resounding 5-2 victory (History Makers). Looking at the way Hallions (congratulations on winning the OSL by the way) have progressed since, maybe it doesn't seem so much of a shock now. This season the final also featured a Premier League side, Deddington Town, and an underdog, Graven Hill of Division One.

The Background
The Lord Jersey Cup was first contested in 1888 and, by coincidence, featured one of today's teams, Deddington (they didn't become Town until later in their existence). They lost that game 4-2 to Middleton Stoney despite being 2-1 in front at the break. The match report for that game is available online on the Deddington Town site and on the excellent Lord Jersey Cup site which also has masses of historical information and reports from past cup finals. Well worth a browse. Since that inaugural final, Deddington have appeared in seven more finals, winning four of them. However, this is their first appearance since losing to Middleton in 1908. Graven Hill, by comparison, were only founded in  2020. This, unsurprisingly, is their first appearance.
Looking at their league form this season, Deddington appeared to hold all of the cards. One division above Graven Hill and in better form. Deddington have won four of their last six games and finished in fourth spot, exactly mid-table. Graven Hill finished their season just two points and one place above bottom side SWIS. Having said that, they too have won four of their last six and, of course, cup matches are great levellers.

The Road to Ardley
Both finalists receieved a bye in Round 1 but in Round 2 both had home ties, Deddington saw off Division 2 side Arncott Atheltic 11-0 whilst Graven Hill disposed of fellow Division 1 outfit AS Hanwell 4-1. Both sides scored three in their Quarter-Final ties, Graven Hill had a superb 3-2 win over Premier League Longford Park. Deddington also beat Premier League opposition as they went to Bodicote Sports and came back with a 3-1 win. In the Semi-Finals both sides won 2-0 against Division 1 teams, Deddington at SWIS and Graven Hill at home to Hornton.
One player that Graven Hill will need to watch out for is Joe Thornton. The Deddington hit-man has scored in all three games leading to this final. He got five against Arncott and all three at Bodicote as well as one in the semi-final.

​The Game
Graven Hill were given the task of playing up the Ardley slope in the first half putting the emphasis on Deddington to come at them in the first period. The green & white stripes started quickly. However, the opening 20 minutes of the game were quite cagey. Neither side unduly threatened the opposition goalkeeper as the defences dominated play.
We were 23 minutes in before either keeper had to get his knees dirty. The chance came from a long punt down the slope from Deddington. The ball caught out the Hill defence allowing Deddington's Number 9 to get in behind and judge the bounce of the ball. His header looked bound for the top corner before Graven Hill's keeper stretched out a hand to tip the ball over. Good reactions from the keeper.
That piece of action seemed to stir Deddington who began to take a hold on the game, using the slope to their advantage. Just past the half hour mark their Number 9 again came close. Town were awarded a free-kick some 25 yards out but to the left of the Graven Hill goal. Shaping as if the ball would be clipped into the far post the striker cheekily drilled an effort towards the near post, catching out the keeper but seeing his effort zip just wide. Not to be outdone though, Graven Hill launched an attack of their own a minute later, winning a corner. The ball was played into the edge of the six yard box where Number 14 met it will a crisp half volley, but also saw his effort flash just wide of the post. Some promising goalmouth action at both ends. However, neither team could capitalise on that action. Deddington continued to apply some pressure and have more of the ball, but Hill held firm to get to half-time all square.

HT Graven Hill 0 Deddington Town 0. Hill started the better of the two but as the half wore on Deddington took advantage of playing down the slope and began to dominate possession whilst not really creating any clear cut opportunities. All to play for.

​With the slope now in their favour, Graven Hill came out of the blocks fast in the second half. Three minutes in their Number 7 decided to go solo, weaving his way past a couple of challenges before unleashing an effort just wide from the edge of the box.  It seemed to point to a way through for Hill but, as with Town in the first half, they took the lion's share of the ball but didn't make too many in roads. They were, however, keeping Deddington in their own half for quite long periods and you started to feel that the breakthrough could be coming. On 68 minutes it almost did. Graven Hill's Number 9 suddenly found himself with a clear sight of goal some 15 yards out but he blazed his shot over without making the Town keeper work. Four minutes later Hill's Number 14 used his pace to break through the Town defence but slotted his effort just wide of the post. Town were now having to soak up quite a bit of pressure. With 12 minutes remaining Hill's Number 6 struck a free-kick well but saw it sail over the bar and then two minutes later Hill were handed the best chance of the game. A defensive blunder saw Number 9 get in behind the defence on the left, he drove towards goal and could have had a go himself but instead unselfishly squared to number 14 in a more central position. However, with just the keeper to beat he shanked his shot wide of the far post. A massive let off for Deddington and a miss that Graven Hill would come to rue.
With extra-time time beckoning Deddington won a free-kick just inside the Graven hill half, way out on the right side. We were well into time added on and Town through their big players forward in a last ditch effort to snatch a goal, as the ball was delivered towards the far post. Sure enough Ash Lowe rose highest, directing his header past the keeper and into the net to cue wild celebrations from the Town team and support. 0-1.

FT Graven Hill 0 Deddington Town 1. A sixth Jersey Cup for Deddington but they had to work very hard to get past a well organised and determined Graven Hill team. This game could have gone either way right up to the very last second. If Hill continue to play in this style, they can look forward to a much higher league position next season. Both sides took advantage of the Ardley slope and, during their times to kick downhill, dominated possession. However, Deddington bucked the trend by snatching the goal against the general run of play and against the slope of the pitch, hence the blog title (rather than reference to a David Bowie track).

Apologies for shirt numbers rather than names but I don't have any copies of team sheets. If anyone wants to match them up or send me team sheets, I will happily edit the report.

Deddington Town(squad): Lowe, Shepherd, Reynolds, Reed, Arnold, Ashworth, Davies, Radcliffe, Thornton, McDougall, Catania, Large, Bradford, Hull, Hall, Atherton

Ground Number: re-visit
Att: 
Entrance: £3.00
Programme: N/A

No game for my girls this week, so it was a far more relaxed Saturday morning. A leisurely dog walk, lawn mowing and some general tidying in readiness for a family visit on over Easter. The sun was shining and lovely day was in prospect. After spending an enjoyable evening in the Cotswolds on Tuesday, I decided to follow it up with another trip to that part of the world. I decided on Bibury, once called "the most beautiful village in England" and a place that I have driven through on many occasions. However, I had never visited Bibury AFC or seen Saturday's opponents, Viney St Swithans, play. Not only that, I had never seen a game in their league, the Gloucestershire Northern Senior League. That being said, I am aware of one of the teams that plays in the same division. Chesterton AFC, who won the Cricklade Trophy Final last year (Fitting Final Finale) gained promotion to this division at the end of last season. Along with Chesterton, Bibury and Viney St Swithans are currently playing in Division 2, Step 9 of the pyramid. The league has had some famous name members in the past, two which, Cheltenham Town and Forest Green Rovers, have gone on to play in the Football League. Add to that names such as Bishop's Cleeve, Brimscombe & Thrupp, Cinderford Town, Cirencester Town, Gloucester City, Longlevens, Lydney Town, Shortwood United, Slimbridge & Tuffley Rovers and you start to see that the league has been a good breeding ground for clubs moving up the ladder. Viney St Swithans, who are near neighbours of Lydney Town, have won the Division 1 twice (as far as I can see), in 1971 and again in 1997. Both Bibury and Viney have won Division 2 once, Viney in 1983, Bibury in 2016. If any of these stats are incorrect, I'm sure someone at the club(s) will put me right.

The Ground
Bibury's ground is just off Aldsworth Road  on the North Eastern boundary of the village. This, for me, is a very good thing because it means that I isn't have to drive through the village to get to the ground. Bibury is a very popular tourist destination and on a warm Bank Holiday weekend would, no doubt, be heaving with tourists and coaches. It's a beautiful village. I have driven though it many times but definitely one to be avoided in the holiday season.
The football club has a reasonable large car park s well as plenty of places to park on the grass behind one of the goals or even on the opposite side of the pitch. The main pitch is lengthways on from the road. The car park/access road, runs down one side of the pitch leading to a clubhouse and players & officials changing block. The are also dugouts on this side of the pitch. The clubhouse also has a Cotswold Café attached to it, serving drinks and food (I recommend the egg bap and tea) from a hatch overlooking a small areas with tables. There are also seating areas outside the clubhouse which also have a good view of the pitch. The pitch itself does have quite a bit of a slope across and down towards the car park and service road. There is another pitch on the opposite side, at right-angles to the main pitch. This pitch, somewhat bizarrely, also seems to have floodlighting on both sides (although it did look to be quite old). It's a nice setup overall and on a warm, sunny day like this afternoon, it's certainly a very nice place to watch football.

​The Background
Coming into the game the clubs sat 8th and 7th respectively. Bibury were six points adrift of their visitors but had three games in hand. Both sides still had slim hopes of getting into the top three and gaining promotion. However, in all fairness, both required maximum ponts from their remaining games and for the teams above them to drop some points.
The reverse fixture at Viney was played in October, with the visitors making the trip back across the Severn with all three points after a 3-1 win thanks to a Scott Reynolds hat-trick. Bibury have won one, lost one and drawn one in their last three and, despite being the league's third top scorers with 62, they only had a goal difference of 5 before kick-off, having conceded more than any other team in the to half. Viney, it has to be said, like a draw. Four of their last seven games have ended this way, seven over the entire season. However, they have only lost once in the last ten and that was at leaders Stonehouse Town Reserves.

​The Game
Apologies for the lack of names in the report. I'll be more than happy to edit it if anyone wants to supply the them.
With only three minutes on the clock Viney created, or to be precise were handed, the opportunity to get the game off to a blistering start. The home side conceded possession deep inside their own half which allowed Viney's Number 10 to burst clear. He rounded the keeper well but for reasons known only to himself took an extra touch when he could have rolled the ball into an empty net. That touch allowed a Bibury defender to get back onto the line and when the shot finally came in, the defender was able to scramble it clear. It was a huge chance missed by the visitors.
The miss seemed to affect the Viney team adversely. For the next 15 minutes they found themselves on the back foot as Bibury pressed for an opener. However, despite having the majority of the possession, the home side failed to create and clear cut opportunities. That was until the 18th minute when they were awarded a free-kick right on the edge of the penalty area in a fairly central location. Number 18 stepped up, beat the defensive wall and keeper, but was unlucky to see his effort clip the top of the bar and go over.
That opportunity for Bibury finally sparked some life back into Viney and they were next to come close when their Number 7 fired in a free-kick from way out on the left flank but the home keeper was equal to it, palming it away to safety. Then, just past the half hour mark, Viney again created a half chance. Numebr 15 broke down the right side and drove in a low cross that travelled through to the far post where Number 17 was running in but was unable to keep his shot down.
On 37 minutes Viney's Number 15 had his coaching staff screaming in frustration as he managed to get himself clean through. His first touch took him a little too wide and his shot screwed across the face of the goal for a goal kick. Back up the other end, some five minutes later, Bibury swung in a free-kick form their left wing. Their Number 7 met it on the stretch but he too could not control his shot enough to get it on target.
Then, into injury time in the first half Bibury had the best chance of the game so far. A drop ball was awarded some 25 yards out after a shot hit the referee. The Bibury player lofted the ball into the penalty area where their Number 7 got his head to it, directing the ball across the box onto the head of Number 10 but he planted his header wide of the post.

HT Bibury 0 Viney St Swithans 0. A half lacking in any real rhythm from either team. Very few chances were created but the home side probably edged it in terms of possession. I commented on Twitter that I thought one moment of quality could win it. As it turned out, I was wrong.

​This was another game where both teams stayed out on the pitch at the break, which enables a quicker turnaround. 
When they did restart it was the home side who came out flying, taking the lead in the 49th minute with a break down their right wing. The ball was driven across the six-yard box. A couple of players went for it at the near post and the ball seemed to pop up in the air perfectly for Owen Smart to loop a header over the Viney keeper. 1-0.
The response was almost instant from the visitors. Less than three minutes after going behind they won a corner on the left. The ball was played into the mix where an unmarked Reece Styles was on hand to volley home. 1-1. It was a much more lively start to the second half, with both sides showing a lot more adventure than in the first 45 minutes. Just a minute or so after the equaliser, goal scorer Smart was in again for Bibury but this time could only shoot straight into the arms of a grateful visiting stopper.
The game then settled into a similar pattern to the first half. Neither side able to capitalise on the goal flurry after the restart.
After 73 minutes a long ball from Viney went over the heads of the Bibury back-line. Their keeper was off his line quickly but miscued his clearance which fell to Styles on the right side of the box. he quickly fed Kieran Fabiani on the edge of the area who wasted no time in planting a shot past the stranded keeper and a defender desperately trying to get back to cover. 1-2
After that the home side threw bodies forward in an effort to get an equaliser but the visitors held strong to take the vital three points.

FT Bibury 1 Viney St Swithans 2. The game was ultimately won following a mistake rather than by a piece of individual quality. However, I always have some sympathy for goalkeepers. Outfield players make mistakes all of the time but they rarely lead to a goal. When the last line of defence gets it wrong, it quite often leads to a goal. This, in my opinion, is why you have to be a certain type of character to pull on the gloves.
The win sees Viney jump up to sixth spot, still nine points adrift of third placed Smiths Barometrics but with a game in hand. Bibury remain eighth, sixteen points off third spot but still have more games to play than anyone else, seven in total. Both will need plenty of mistakes from teams above them to make a dent in the promotion spots. Both teams are back in action on Wednesday if you fancy catching a game. Bibury travel to top of the table Stonehouse Town Reserves for a 19:30 kick-off (Oldends Lane is a cracking ground if you've not been). Viney have an 18:30 kick-off at home to Broadwell Amateurs Reserves who are in the relegation zone on goal difference only.

Bibury(Squad): Carter, Cook, Davies, Evans, Harding(c), Jones, Outram, Shannon, Slack, O.Smart, Sutton. Subs: H.Smart, O'Neill

Ground Number: 315
Att:
Entrance: N/A
Programme: N/A

A browse through The Football Traveller last week revealed a fixture that piqued my interest. A Stratford Alliance League Division 2 game between Blockley United and Blockley FC. This ticked a lot of boxes. It continued my theme of taking in a lot of games below the pyramid, it was a local derby (very local, they share a ground), it was a bit of a relegation 6 pointer and it intrigued me that a village of just over 2,000 people could support two football teams (especially with a Step 6 side just 3 miles away). Add to that the early kick-off, which meant I could get back home at a very reasonable hour, and it became a fixture that I didn't want to miss. Luckily all of my scheduled meetings were out of the way by 4:30 and nothing had run over, allowing me to make the 60 minute trip into the Cotswolds in plenty of time for the 6:15 start.

​The Ground
Blockley Sports & Social Club is on the North-Eastern perimeter of Blockley village. The sports complex hosts both the football team(s) and cricket. There is also a 3g 5-a-side pitch and cricket nets on the site. Accessed just off Station Road, there is a good sized car park and clubhouse which looks out over the cricket and football pitches. There are no covered spectator areas but there are dugouts on the allotment side of the ground, furthest away from the car park. There is a good vantage point behind the clubhouse end goal where a raised walkway runs between the pitch and the 5-a-side area. A few spectators took advantage of this whereas many stood on the cricket pitch side.
It looks to be a pretty good setup for this level of football, although for a West Brom supporter (I do tend to whisper that fact these days, but we'll be back one day), with the home side having a Villa supporting captain and Wolves supporting right-back, it did feel a bit like enemy territory. In all seriousness though, it is worth a visit for any groundhoppers out there who might fancy a change. I came through the village on the way to the ground and it looks very picturesque. Might be worth a stop off before or after a game in one of the two local pubs.

The Background
Until the end of last season Blockley had just one team, Blockley Sports. However, following an amicable parting of the ways because of some different ideas, there are now two teams in the village, Blockley FC and Blockley United. A quick look at the Full-Time player register from Blockley Sports shows that the split of players across the two new teams is not too far off 50/50. Looking at the the final Blockley Sports line-up from last season (3-4 home defeat to Inkberrow Academy), 10 of the squad that day were in the teams for this evening's game, seven of them playing for Blockley and three for United.
​

​It's fair to say that neither Blockley team has been setting the league alight this season. In fact, leading up to this localest of local derbies, Blockley are bottom of the table with just 7 points from 17 games and United are only two places above them, separated by Bearley United, with 13 points from 17 games. So, with both having 5 games left to play, this is really a big six-pointer. If Blockley fail to get anything from the game they will be in danger of being cut adrift. If United were to pick up all three points, they could be excused for thinking that they were uncatchable by their neighbours and possibly even by Bearley, who currently have 9 points but have played a game more than the Blockley teams.
The Blockley sides met back in September. A Tom Dan goal for Blockley and a Jack Kristunas goal for United, saw the sides fight out a 1-1 draw. Since that time, Blockey have not been on a good run at all. They last won in the league back in October, a 2-1 win at Tysoe United. Both of their three-pointers this season have come on their travels, a plus point for this game even if it is a very short away trip. Top scorer Talib Kargbo (who no longer seems to feature in games) has 8 goals in 9 games, although 5 of these did come in one game, the 6-1 defeat of Bearley back in September.
United last won a league game just last month, a 3-2 win at Inkberrow Academy. They also have a better away record than at home. They have conceded fewer than any other team in the lower half of the table but also don't score too many themselves. Top scorer for United is Javan Nurse with 16 goals in 15 games including 7 in his last 6 outings.

​The Game
As both teams play in the traditional Blockley colours of gold and black it was Blockley, officially the away side, who had changed kit and were playing in  their red and black striped shirts. It was a quite a cagey opening to the game with no real chances created by either team inside the first 10 minutes. On the quarter hour mark Blockley keeper Edd Brownrigg, who I think I saw arrive just a few minutes before kick off, showed great reactions to get down low to a snapshot and turn it around the post for a corner. United were starting to get on top at this point and a couple of minutes later Sam Parsons tried his luck from just outside the box, dragging his effort wide of Brownrigg's right-hand post. 
It was just past the half-hour mark when Blockley made United keeper Alex Payne earn his keep for the first time when a deflected cross looped up and was dropping in under his bar before he back-peddled and tipped it over. Two minutes later it was Brownrigg stretching to tip a ball over his bar when a free-kick from inside the United half was pumped into the box, the bounce almost catching out the keeper.
On 35 minutes the home side took the lead. Jack Kristunas cut out a wayward defensive pass about 25 yards out on the right. He immediately slipped it into Javan Nurse who swivelled and hit a cross shot past Brownrigg, only for the ball to come back off the far post. However, there was Callum Peters to slot home the rebound. 1-0

HT Blockley United 1 Blockley 0. On balance the score reflected the game in the first half. United had the lion's share of possession but didn't create as many clear cut chances as they would have liked. Blockley would not count themselves out of this by a long stretch, but they too need to create more and start to test Payne in the home goal.

​Both teams stayed on the pitch at half-time and, with the light starting to fade on a dreary evening, the break was truncated with both teams ready to go again after less than 10 minutes. Blockley were first to show in the second period when Harvey Francis made a good run down the right before sliding a tempting ball across the six yard box. Unfortunately for him and Blockley, no-one could get on the end of it. However, it was a warning for United. They responded five minutes later when Nurse found himself latching onto a bouncing ball inside the area with just the keeper to beat. However, Brownrigg showed his skills once more, blocking superbly from point-blank range. Despite that effort, it was Blockley who continued to press forward in the second half. Just before the hour mark Toby Stevens rose highest in the box but couldn't quite get above the ball and his header sailed over the bar. Then a few minutes after the hour the same player unleashed a hammer of a volley from outside the box. It beat Payne but crashed against the top of the bar and went out for a goal kick. Blockley were getting closer and closer to an equaliser and you could hear the shouts from the United bench urging their team to get their heads back on the game. The United player's response was to produce the best move of the game on 68 minutes. Nurse and goal scorer Peters combined with a neat one-touch passing move culminating in Nurse's cross being just a fraction ahead of Peters causing him to screw his shot wide of the mark.
With just over ten minutes to go the unfortunate Stevens saw another effort come back of the United bar. This time he took a free-kick from the right flank which drifted over everyone before coming back off the woodwork. It was hard to tell if it was a deliberate attempt at goal or a miscued cross but if it was indeed a shot, it was a very good effort. Blockley continued to exert pressure on Payne's goal, forcing a succession of corners but still not finding the breakthrough. Their endeavour to get a goal left them short at the back and twice in the dying minutes Nurse almost made them pay. Firstly bursting into the box on the right before putting in a cross that was, once again, just too far ahead of Peters. Then, with a couple of minutes left, Brownrigg was called upon again, spreading himself well to smother Nurse's close range effort.

FT Blockley United 1 Blockley 0. You can't fault Blockley on second-half effort and, as a neutral, I felt they deserved to have at least had the pleasure of a goal. Ultimately though, United created more chances over the the entire game and Blockley had their keeper Brownrigg (my MOTM) to thank on a number of occasions. I did wonder, with so many players once being team mates, just how amicable the split between the teams really would be. However, the game was played generally in an excellent spirit. The referee did brandish a few yellow cards but, to be honest, there was no malice in the challenges.

Blockley United: A.Payne, Summerhill, Hardiman, Aubrey, Sexton, Kristunas, Curzons, Nurse, Peters, Parsons, K.Payne, Subs: Cooper, Mallory, Matthews, Vick
Blockley: Brownrigg, Tomes, Shotton, Phillips, Cross, Hutt, Francis, Tourell(c), Cashmore, Burdock, Heywood, Clarke, Cook, Wigley, Harte, Stevens

Last Blockley Sports game (3-4 v Inkberrow Academy last May) Bemrose, BURDOCK, CROSS, HUTT, MATTHEWS (u), A.PAYNE (u), K.PAYNE (u), STEVENS, TOMES, Williams, Dean, Halford, PHILLIPS, Varga, WIGLEY, Vanghi

Ground Number: 314
Att:
Entrance: N/A
Programme: N/A