Back from a fantastic family break in Shropshire, I decided that Saturday would be a good day to kick-off the BotP 2020-21 season. However, following last week's DCMS decision to extend the no spectator ban to Step 7 sides, finding a game to watch was going to be a much more difficult proposition. Whilst I am all for keeping everyone safe, I find the new rules rather baffling. As a number of people have pointed out, it is perfectly acceptable for thousands to flock to our beaches but not ok for a handful of supporters to watch their local non-league team. Not only is it confusing for supporters, it is extremely difficult for the clubs to enforce or make sense of. For instance, one team in Worcestershire had two games going ahead on Saturday. In the morning they had an Under-18 girl's match where spectators could come along and watch. In the afternoon, at the same stadium, they had a Step 6 friendly where supporters were not allowed. Presumably the virus has also read the guidelines and understands that it is not allowed to infect people at girl's matches. Whereas, at men's matches (from Step 7 upwards of course) all spectators are fair game. To add to this nonsense, clubs are allowed to open their clubhouses to spectators, with social distancing in place, but nevertheless surely there is far more risk of contagion indoors than outdoors?

​Extending the rule to Step 7 also causes more confusion. Many Step 7 sides play on pitches that are not fenced off and are, in fact, part of public rights of way such as local parks. They cannot enforce a no spectators rule. What about if a local is walking their dog and chooses to watch the game as they walk past? 
I suppose I should complain too much because that last 'loophole' provided me with a perfect opportunity to get to a game fairly close to home. Hellenic League Division Two North side Adderbury Park were set to entertain former Banbury District League-mates, Hardwick. Two teams that I had not had the chance to see and a new location for me to check out. All set within a public park in a picturesque Oxfordshire village and a beautiful sunny August afternoon. What more could I wish for for my first outing of the new season?

Adderbury Park play their home games at The Lucy Plackett Playing Field in the centre of the village of Adderbury, 3 miles South of Banbury. The village dates back to at least the 10th century and is mentioned in the Domesday Book under the name Edburgberie. The most famous resident of the village is probably John Craven, he of John Craven's Newsround and Countryfile fame, although I did notice a white plaque commemorating Colin Butler (1939-1997). The plaque is just above a fairly rare (although, oddly this is the second one I have seen in a week) Georgian post-box, which actually gives a clue to the reason for the plaque. Mr Butler was a long-serving postman in the village who not only has the plaque in his memory but also has a road named after him, Colin Butler Green.

Enough local history. How about the football?

​Today's game was obviously a pre-season friendly. When last season was prematurely ended, both sides were very well placed in their respective leagues. Adderbury Park in their second season back in the Hellenic League structure, were sitting in second place in Division Two North. Hardwick were in even better shape, cruising at the top of the Banbury District Premier League with a nine point lead, although they had played two more games than second-placed Deddington Town. So, who had come through lockdown the stronger?

The Game
Finding some shade under a tree I settled in to watch the game, feeling thankful that I wasn't out there running around in the stifling heat (I always hated playing in hot weather).
It wasn't long before the first goal of the new season arrived and it went to the home side. A Hardwick goal-kick was returned back into their 18-yard area. Goalkeeper, defender and a striker all converged on the loose ball which proceeded to drop perfectly into the path of the Adderbury Park Number 10 who was left with the task of slotting the ball into an unguarded net. 1-0.
The home side failed to take advantage of their early lead and, in fact, it was Hardwick who started to take more control of the game. Just before the 20 minute mark they hit back. A defence-splitting pass found Michael Zinn who calmly stroked the ball past the keeper to make it 1-1.
Halfway through the first-half we had a drinks break which was much needed on such a hot day, although I do hope this doesn't become the standard for every game. The break didn't seem to upset the rhythm of the away team as they continued to push Park back. After 34 minutes their pressing paid off when they won a corner on the left. The ball was fizzed across and met by Zinn at the near post who's glancing header made it 1-2.

HT Adderbury Park 1 Hardwick 2. After a bright start from Adderbury, Hardwick came back well and looked the better side for most of the half. A good game in testing, hot conditions.

​The second half was a much more even affair and seemed to be played at a slightly slower pace than the first period which was not surprising given the heat. The home side looked more dangerous than in the first half but always needed to be alert to the attacking prowess of Hardwick.
Another mid-half drinks break ensued before we were treated to the goal of the game on 73 minutes, an absolute belter from Hardwick Number 9 Jimmy Hunt, arrowing a drive into the top corner from 25 yards out. No chance for the keeper as Hardwick extended their lead. 1-3.

With the game looking as if it would drift into it's conclusion, Adderbury Park managed to salvage a lifeline on 85 minutes when their own Number 9 slid in to pull one back. 2-3. However, despite their late revival, the home side could not find an equaliser before the referee blew for the end of the game.

FT Adderbury Park 2 Hardwick 3. A good run out for both sides and an entertaining game for the neutral observer. Thanks and good luck to both teams in the forthcoming season.

Att: N/A
Ground Number: 233
Entrance: £0.00
Programme: N/A

So, here we are, heading towards the end of May and I should be reflecting on the winners of the FA Vase and FA Trophy after a trip to Wembley last weekend. Instead, just over 2 months into lock-down, I am sitting here wondering when the next Belarussian Premier League match will be on YouTube.  Lock-down, pandemic, death rate in the thousands, no vaccine, social distancing, self-isolation. It's more like something from the script of a disaster movie than an end of season non-league blog.

Much has already been written and discussed about the FA's decisions. I'm not going to go into any of that. In my opinion, they were damned if they did, and damned if they didn't. There was never going to be a solution that fitted everyone's needs or desires. The main thing to remember is the safety of everyone involved in the game, players, staff, supporters, everyone. Regardless of how the season ended and whatever the ultimate decision of the FA, I will not be expunging my records or forgetting any of the great football that I managed to witness during 2019 and early 2020.

​August was FA Vase time. My favourite FA competiton was getting under way and after getting the views of Step 7 side Pinxton's manager, Kenny Shinfield (In the Ken), I embarked on my very own FA Vase ground-hop weekend. My wife and daughter were off to Amsterdam for a short break which left me the entire FA Vase 1st Qualifying Round weekend free. I started off with a trip up the M1 on Friday evening for Aylestone Park v Loughborough University (No Walk In The Park). This was followed on Saturday took me further up the M1, into Derbyshire, to see the aforementioned Kenny Shinfield's Pinxton take on Birstall United from one step above them (Pinxton Blue). Finally, on Sunday afternoon, I headed South to check out Step 6 side Wokingham & Emmbrook host Step 5 Chipping Sodbury Town (Satsumas Vase Homecoming Bears Fruit).

​After starting early in the season it was odd that I didn't actually take in a game on Tuesday evening (my normal day for a match) until well into September. When I did, it was another Vase game, this time I headed into London, South of the River, to watch a re-arranged 2nd Qualifying tie between Molesey and Greenwich Borough, two sides who had been plying their trade in Step 4 during the previous season but had suffered relegation. Greeenwich's keeper James Boughtflower stole the show as he proved the main difference in his sides 2-0 victory (Progressive Borough). A week later I was back in South-West London for yet another FA Vase game, this time a history-making 2nd Qualifying Round replay between Abbey Rangers and Walthamstow (History In the Making). September also saw me finally make a trip to see Williamscot Road, home of Cropredy FC who had been on my list for well over a year. It was a perfect opportunity as The Crop were unbeaten perched on top of the league and were due to take on Hanborough, also unbeaten and tucked in just behind their hosts. As it happened Cropredy ran out 3-0 winners in an entertaining game on a blustery afternoon. (Crop Top)

​The highlight of early October was the absolutely perfect pitch at Slimbridge. The home side narrowly lost a Southern League Cup local derby with Yate Town but their pitch was a credit to their volunteer grounds-people Paul, Malk, and Riko. (The Carpet). Also in October, I finally got to meet Tom Canning of Football in Berkshire fame (https://www.footballinbracknell.co.uk/) as we both witnessed the re-opening of Ascot United's splendid stadium with their shiny new 3G pitch. The evening didn't go so well on the pitch however, as the Yellamen unexpectedly went down 3-0 to Guildford City (Shiny, Happy? People).

​The middle of October saw one of the busiest weekend's of the year but I still manged to squeeze in an FA Vase. The weekend encompassed our wedding anniversary (a night out in Birmingham watching The Stranglers and Alice Cooper), a sluggish 50th Parkrun in my home town and my brother-in-law's charity quiz in aid of Acorns Children's Hospice. Sandwiched in the middle of all this was a fantastic giant-killing display from Droitwich Spa of Step 7 as they saw off Step 5 Whitchurch Alport in the final qualifying round of the Vase (A Dose Of Salts). Finally, to see off a hectic month, after a short business trip to Germany (those were the days when travelling was allowed), I ventured down to Godalming Town to see the locals take on Farnham Town. I got to meet Dave Fiddler (Shorts Man) in person and have a great chat about football, rugby and current affairs. Dave was particularly happy on the night as his G's went on to win 5-2. Not that much a surprising result as this was the third time I had been to see Farnham play and the third time they had lost. I promised their Twitter admin that I would stay away for the rest of the season. (Third Time Unlucky).

​Work meant that November was limited to just a few games, but I did manage to make up for it a little in December by getting to four new grounds including a first (and as it happened last) women's game of the season, a cracking encounter between Reading and Arsenal at Wycombe's Adams Park (Quality When It Counts). A combination of terrible weather and a business trip to South Korea almost wiped out January for me, although I did manage to cross off a ground that had been on my list for a number of years, Bewdley Town's Ribbesford Meadow. With the hosts sitting second in the league a home game against leaders Shifnal Town was well worth a 200 mile round trip on a Tuesday evening. The home side pulled out all of the stops with Luke Morris hitting a brace in a 2-0 win (Bostin Morris Sinks Shifnal).
It was another month before I managed to get to another game but then, after a low-key affair between Saffron Dynamo and Harrowby Town in midweek, I was back on the FA Vase trail at the weekend for a mouth-watering tie between Western League Premier league leaders Bradford Town and Vase Quarter-Finalists from two seasons back, Leighton Town. The Reds managed the game to perfection, weathering all that the Bobcats could throw at them and winning the game 3-1 (Bobcats Outwitted).

​That took me into March and after another trip West, this time to see FA Vase semi-finalists Bitton record a comfortable league win over Hallen, who could have gone top with a win (Armadillos Crushed By Three Tons), I then managed to fit in one more game before the season came to a shuddering halt. My last outing was a long trip down to the South coast for a Wessex Premier League clash between Fareham Town and Baffins Milton Rovers. I didn't know at the time that it would be my last game of the season but I'm glad to say it was an absolute cracker. Baffins led 3-2 at half-time and then extended their lead to 5-2 with 20 minutes remaining. Cue the fightback as the Creeksiders mounted a remarkable recovery to draw 5-5 with the equaliser coming in the very last minute (Baffins Baffled By Creeksiders Resilience) . What a game to end the season on! 

​Traditionally I like to select a Team of the Year for each of the Steps that I cover. So, although the season did not officially finish, I decided not to break with tradition and take a bash at it. Of course, these are purely my thoughts and most likely, if you asked 10 people, you would get 10 different answers, but here goes.

BotP Teams of the Year

Step 2 Wealdstone - The Stones led the way in the National League South when play was halted. Three points ahead with a game in hand, and looking very likely candidates for the title.
Step 3 Royston Town - Narrowly knocked out of the FA Trophy at the Quarter-Final stage and in with a very good shot at the Southern League Central title when the season was cut short. It was shaping up to be a superb season for The Crows.
Step 4 Halesowen Town - A cruel end to what was looking like a tremendous season for the Yeltz. Promotion well and truly on the cards and into the Semi-Final of the FA Trophy after beating Barnet on their own path in the Quarter-Final.
Step 5 Stowmarket Town - Fifteen points clear at the top of the Eastern Counties Premier League and unbeaten all season. Step 5 was a tricky decision with a number of very good candidates. However, Stow edged it on the back of not having lost one of their 28 league games.
Step 6 Jersey Bulls - Again Step 6 had some great candidates. However Bulls' (who had already secured promotion) record of played 27, won 27, scoring 99 and conceding just 7, stood out as the number one choice.

So, that's it. Season over and, at the time of writing, no idea if we will even see the start of next season. My current feeling that it is very doubtful that football will restart in 2020. If we are lucky we may see some action in 2021. In response to the question posed in the blog title, yes I am missing football. 

Stay safe everyone.

After missing out on a game on Tuesday, mainly down to the weather putting paid to every game on my list, I was very pleased to find that there were a couple of matches happening on Thursday evening. I'll be honest, Horndean v Christchurch was on top of my list, but when that was called off in the afternoon, I decided to head off to the second game on my list, Fareham Town v Baffins Milton Rovers. I was not to be disappointed by my choice.

The Ground
Fareham's Cams Alders Stadium is situated just to the South of the town of Fareham and is part of a larger sports complex which also incorporates Rugby (Fareham Heathens) and the Palmerston Indoor Bowling Club.There is plenty of parking on the service road alongside the ground or in the large car park just beyond it. Entrance is through a single turnstile which brings you into the ground between the halfway line and the car park end goal. As you enter, just to you left, set back from the pitch, is the main feature of the ground, a very interesting, looming stand that dominates the stadium. The stand houses 450 seats, a tenth of the total capacity. Under the main stand is the clubhouse and bar, which features a rather ornate patio area, more reminiscent of a hotel than a football ground. A great feature of the ground which must make it a ground-hopping favourite. Just to the side of the main stand there is a snack bar. The dugouts are directly opposite the main stand, straddling the halfway line. The ground has a good feel to it and clearly shows that the club once played at a higher level - they resigned from the Southern League in 1998.

​The Background
On the face of it, this game did not have a lot resting on it apart from local pride. The teams are less than 10 miles apart, separated by Portsmouth Harbour and the town of Portsmouth. Fareham started the evening in 8th place with games in hand over the teams above them but, in all honesty, too far back to have any influence on the title race. Rovers sat 15th, below the halfway mark but so far clear of the drop zone that they had no relegation worries. The sides had previously met on the first midweek of the season, a topsy-turvy game in which the sides took turns taking the lead before a second-half melee led to two Rovers and one Town player seeing red. Fareham then went on to win the game with the last kick of the game. Last season saw Baffins earn a 1-1 draw at the Cams Alders, whilst winning 3-1 at home. The season before, Baffins first in the top flight, saw them win 5-2 in this fixture and, although Fareham won the away game 2-1, the Creeksiders had never beaten Baffins on their own patch.

​The Game
We had a delayed kick off due to Baffins getting held up in traffic on their way to the ground. However, once we kicked off there were certainly no hold-ups. Right from the off Baffins launched an attack which ultimately proved to be fruitless. They were then immediately pegged back by a Fareham attack down the left which culminated in Josh Benfield turning inside his marker and hitting a low shot that forced Cameron into a smart stop. This was to be a pointer to the rest of the game.
On 8 minutes Tom Tierney's persistence, forcing his way through a couple of tackles into the Fareham box, paid dividends when the ball fell to Callum Dart who made no mistake with the finish. 0-1
The lead only last 6 minutes as The Creeksiders stormed back at their visitors. Josh Benfield broke through the defence and finished with some ease to level it up. 1-1. Fareham were now controlling the game and a further six minutes on they took the lead when Connor Messenbird hit a thunderous effort from the right-hand angle of the box into the far corner. Great strike. 2-1

If Fareham thought that taking the lead would give them the edge, they were wrong. Baffins were having none of it and immediately set about the home side with renewed vigour. It was great stuff to watch as a neutral, as both sides slugged it out from one end to the other.
Just past the half-hour mark a Baffins corner from their right was met at the far post with a looping header which Ethan Whyte, in the home goal, could only push onto the bar. The ball did not go out of play, maybe due to the wind, instead it just dropped into a group of players almost on the goal line. After what seemed like numerous scuffs and mis-hits it was hacked away, but not before the assistant's flag had been raised and several blue shirts had appealed for a goal. The assistant indicated that the ball had completely crossed the goal line. From where I was standing there is no way that I could verify this, or who got the last touch, but the assistant had a clear view and was 100% certain. The stadium announcer credited the goal to Callum Dart for his second of the night. 2-2

The goal gave even more energy to the away side and they were immediately back on the offensive. Two minutes after equalising they regained the lead. Some neat interplay through the home defence culminated in the ball being played to Tom Tierney who finished very well to make it 3-2. The breathless action continued with both sides still in the hunt for more goals. Neither could manage one before the break. However, Tierney did have a very late effort that curled past the keeper and struck the upright.

HT Fareham Town 2 Baffins Milton Rover 3. Absolutely fantastic action for any neutrals in the crowd. I doubt that either coach saw it that way, but great entertainment nevertheless.

​It was only when the action had stopped that it became noticeable just how icy cold it was, mainly due to a bitter wind sweeping across the ground. However, the players were soon back out again and, true to form, we didn't have to wait very long at all before the entertainment started all over again. Six minutes to be exact. That's when Baffins won a corner on their left, which right-back Rob Taw went to take. His delivery, most likely with some wind assistance, curled in towards the far post and, despite the Whyte getting a hand to it, the ball found its way into the home net. 2-4
Fareham were rocked but certainly not going to let going two behind bother them too much. The home side pushed Baffins back from the restart and we were then treated to 20 minutes of classic football, where one side was desperate to get back into the game, piling forward at every opportunity, whilst the other side sat back but then were more than happy to break quickly themselves. Fareham just couldn't seem to find a goal to pull them back into it, and Baffins counter-attacks were also posing a serious threat.
Then after 70 minutes we had what looked to be the final blow for Fareham when they conceded a penalty after Tyler Moret appeared to be tripped in the box. Who's going to take it? Goalkeeper Cameron Scott of course. Scott absolutely hammered the ball past Whyte to extend the lead. 2-5.

Game over? Don't be so silly. Fareham certainly weren't listening to the fat lady singing just yet. Almost immediately from kick-off they launched an attack that saw substitute Luke Slade go down under a challenge from two Baffins defenders. It looked soft to me and the Baffins defenders clearly agreed, but penalty it was. Tom Settle made no mistake from the spot and it was 3-5 with 18 minutes remaining.

To be fair to Fareham they really had the bit between their teeth at this point. Wave after wave of attacks came at the Baffins defence although, just as earlier in the half, Rovers still looked to be a threat on the break. Fascinating stuff for all watching.
With 8 minutes go the home side then put the game on a knife edge when Luke Slade latched onto a through ball, out-muscled his defender and slotted past Scott to make it 4-5. Was a dramatic comeback on the cards? The Fareham team certainly thought so. The pressure on the Rovers backline was now relentless.

With a minute left on the clock another home raid saw the ball eventually fall to the feet of Josh Benfield who fired it low past Scott to level it up. 5-5. What a game! 
A great comeback from the home team but it was almost all undone in added time as Baffins went in search of all three points. First of all they saw a shot dragged wide, then with almost the last kick of the game they squandered a sitter, their striker (whose number I didn't catch) putting the ball wide of the mark with just the keeper to beat. From a neutral's perspective I was glad that no-one managed to snatch victory. After such great entertainment it seemed fitting that the spoils were shared.

FT Fareham Town 5 Baffins Milton Rovers 5. Tremendous entertainment and, as I tweeted at full-time, a great advert for the Wessex League. It was bitterly cold and, for me, a 200 mile round trip but it was absolutely worth it. Thanks to both teams for a great evening of football.

Fareham Town: Whyte, Settle, Breed, Tattersall, Wilcox, Moody(c), Messenbird, Robbins, Benfield, Austin, Stockford. Subs: Jones, Cooper, Slade, Woods, Davis
Baffins Milton Rovers: Scott(c), Taw, Blankson, Burns, Froggatt, Spranger, Tierney, Burgess, Mason, Dart, Dean. Subs: Grimshaw, Chandler, Emery, McLean


Att: 65
Ground Number: 232
Entrance: £6.00
Programme: £1.00

After predicting that they would lose at Wroxham last weekend, then making them my Step 5 Team of the Week after their resounding 4-0 win in the aforementioned game, I thought that it was about time that I checked out Vase semi-finalists Bitton AFC for myself. So, after checking that the game was going ahead I set out on the arduous and long trip through rush-hour M4 traffic and the South-West outskirts of Bristol.

The Ground
Bitton's Bath Road Recreation Ground, or the WDS Associates Legal Services Stadium to give it its full name, is situated to the South West of Bristol, between the city and Bath (the clue is in the ground name). This is an area of the West Country that is a bit of a mecca for followers of non-league football especially if. like me, you gravitate towards Steps 5 & 6. Aside from Bitton, there is Oldland Abbotonians, Keynsham Town, Longwell Green Sports, Hengrove Athletic and Brislington all within a few minutes drive. I was at Oldland earlier in the season but have plans to visit all of these grounds at some point in the near future.
The ground is tucked up against the A431 Bath Road about half a mile outside the village of Bitton. There is parking available at the ground but it's not extensive. However, there is plenty of space to park on Bath Road itself (it's a real shame that the garden centre opposite doesn't leave their gates open in the evening. Access to the ground is through a single turnstile between the changing rooms and a small covered standing area. The main stand is opposite this and has seating for around 50 spectators and is backed by a row of trees. There are also trees behind the goal at the far end of the ground. The pitch does have something of a slope from the Bath Road end.
The clubhouse and snack bar are situated outside the ground, between the turnstile and the car park. However, it's no problem to get back out of the ground at any time.

​The Background
Bitton were back in action for the first time since their amazing FA Vase exploits over in East Anglia in which recent signing Liam Bishop grabbed all four goals in their 4-0 win, although six changes had been made to Saturday's team. In league terms the club sat in 8th spot before kick-off with 44 points from their 23 games. Visitors Hallen were in third place, 56 points from their 27 games, and in with a shout of going top of the table with a victory. The sides met on the opening day of the season at the Hallen Centre with Bitton racking up an emphatic 5-1 victory, carrying on from last season where Ton had done the double winning 1-0 at Hallen and 3-2 at home. However, the previous season saw a Aaron Anglin hat-trick secure a 3-0 win for Hallen in this fixture.
I'd never seen either of these sides play before but Hallen did feature in a recent Programme Notes article about nicknames, What Did You Call Me - Part 3.

​The Game
Hallen, kicking up the slope in the first half, started the game well taking advantage of a lack of fluency in the Bitton side, possibly caused by the six changes from Saturday. Hat-trick hero from two seasons's ago, Aaron Anglin, came close to opening the scoring in this game when he glanced a header just wide in the 9th minute. Ten minutes later the away side came even closer when Jordan Ricketts managed to slip the ball past Burgess in the home goal only to see his effort come back off the post.
Following the unsteady first 10 minutes, Bitton gradually started to get themselves back into the game but for close to 20 minutes neither side managed to really trouble the goalkeepers too much. Not that it wasn't an entertaining game. In fact, I was quite surprised at how quickly the first half seemed to be disappearing.

Then on 38 minutes came a real flash point and possibly turning point in the game. Hallen left-back Tom Bradley scythed down home number 7 Harrison Kyte right in front of the main stand. It was a bad tackle, no doubt. However, I am not sure that it warranted what happened next (maybe some existing dad blood?). Whilst Kyte lay stricken pretty much every player from both sides, both benches and a few locals got involved in what could only be described as posturing and handbags. To be honest, it was little more than that. There were a lot of people involved but it never really 'kicked off' so to speak. What did happen though was that Bitton's Alex Grimshaw and Hallen's Scott Thomas both took the skirmish one step further with some pushing and shoving. Both raised their hands but Thomas probably pushed a little harder than the Bitton man. Neither threw a punch that I could see. Once it had all calmed down the referee, in consultation with his assistants, produced a red card for Thomas but nothing for Grimshaw. This all happened right in front of me and I have to say that I didn't see any real difference in the actions of the players. If it was a red it should have been a red for both. 

Hallen certainly felt aggrieved at the decision and to make matters worse they then went behind just five minutes later. The ball found its way to left-back Matt Tanner on the apex of the 18 yard box. He weaved his way past his marker and absolutely hammered a cross-shot past MacFarlane into the Hallen net. 1-0 and a really great finish.

HT Bitton 1 Hallen 0. Hallen had looked the better team for the first part of the half as the much-changed Bitton side struggled to gel.The red card and late goal may well have swung things in favour of the home side.
​

​As in the first half, Hallen started quickly in the second, taking the game to their opponents despite the uneven numbers. Very early in the half they created a couple of chances, one of which was scrambled off the line by home captain Scott Brice. It was to be as close as they would come and, eight minutes into the half Bitton struck the killer blow. Bishop's enterprising run down the right was picked out and when he found Karim Rendall just inside the box the Bitton number 9 swivelled sharply and curled a lovely finish past MacFarlane to make it 2-0.

Down to 10 and now 2-0 down Hallen were never really going to get back into the game. However, they certainly did not give up the ghost and kept digging in trying to find a way back into the game. To be fair, Bitton may well have taken their foot off a little and were inviting Hallen on to them. but the away side again looked to be the better side for a while in the second half.
Their fate, if not already decided, was sealed in the 80th minute when after already making all of their substitutes, Matt Davis was helped off the field with an injury. Down to 9 for the last 10 minutes, this was now a case of limiting the damage which Hallen manged to do until the very last minute when Harrison Kyte sealed the victory with a nice finish to make it 3-0.

FT Bitton 3 Hallen 0. In the end a fairly comfortable victory for Bitton, especially after the red card in the first half. Hallen miss the chance to go top but you have to admire the way they continued to battle right to the end, even when down to 9 players for the last few minutes. Bitton have left it too late to influence the top two but their league form, 16 points from the last 18 available, could well see them challenge Hallen for a top three spot. Of course, their main aim now will be to get through the FA Vase semi-final stage against either Atherstone Town or Consett and book their place under the arch in May.

Bitton: Burgess, Grimshaw, Tanner, Brice(c), Fletcher, Tippins, Kyte, Whittaker, Rendall, Bishop, Groves. Subs: Bath, Gissing, Robinson, Brown, Williams
Hallen: MacFarlane, Davis, Bradley, Stowell, Thomas, Hill, Hall-Cousins(c), Gibbons, Simpson, Ricketts, Anglin. Subs: Latham, Mills, Reid, Bamfo, Johnston


Att: 72
Ground Number: 231
Entrance: £6.00
Programme: £1.00

​I'll be honest, I had originally planned to go to an FA Vase game this Saturday. My U10s game was postponed on Friday night but as I had a prior arrangement in Birmingham on Saturday lunch time my only Vase possibility was Atherstone, and that went the same way as my girls team's fixture. So, where to go? Well, after a brief visit to my mother-in-law there were a couple of games still on locally, thanks to their 3G pitches. My choice was the short hop over to Castle Vale for Romulus v Newark Flowserve. A new ground for me and, although I had seen Romulus play before (CV-Rom), Newark were a new team for me to watch.

The Ground
Romulus are now into their second season back at Castle Vale Stadium. The ground is situated just to the East of Birmingham almost alongside the M6. There is plenty of parking adjacent to the stadium which was particularly welcome on such a cold and blustery day. The ground is very typical of the newer style of football stadium, with a 3G surface surrounded by green mesh fencing and tarmac walkways. There is a single 300-seater stand which also incorporates the club house on the top floor with commanding views over the pitch. Tea and snacks are provided by a portable kiosk also on the car park side of the stadium. Although I couldn't see anywhere that team sheets had been displayed, the club did tweet out both team sheets well in advance of kick-off, something I am sure all neutrals and visitors find most welcome.

​The Background
One of the reasons that I chose this game, apart from the Vase game at Atherstone being postponed, was that both sides were having a good season and were close together in the league. A recipe for a closely contested and entertaining game. Well, I got one but the conditions rather scuppered the other. Before kick-off Flowserve were holding sway as far as league position went. The Highwaymen, who two seasons ago were in the Central Midlands League, sat in third position with 51 points from their 27 games. Two places and two points below them were Romulus, having played the same number of games. One pointer towards predicting a result for this game was that Romulus had won the reverse fixture 2-0 up in Nottinghamshire in October.

​The Game
As is normal for me, I headed to the furthest point of the ground to watch the first half. The problem with this plan was that it took me away from the shelter of the stand and the assorted offices and storage sheds on the car park side and over to the open, windswept side of the ground. Despite the clear blue skies earlier in the day, Storm Jorge was beginning to make its mark. The wind was definitely getting up and it had a biting edge to it. We were also treated to a very brief shower of hail. Frankly, it was bloody freezing.

It was clear from the outset that the weather, especially the unpredictable gusts of wind, were going to prevent either team from getting any real rhythm going. Obviously, keeping the ball on the deck was going to help but, to be fair to the teams, even on the floor the wind was controlling the path of the ball more than the players were. This was highlighted on a number of occasions during the game when players struggled to take dead balls because the wind kept moving the ball before the could kick it.
From a scrappy start it was Newark who were the first to show and came mightily close to taking the lead as early as the 9th minute when a short corner routine gave Lewis Brownhill a sight of goal from just inside the corner of the penalty area. His shot beat Fenney but crashed off the bar and flew to safety. Little did we know that this would be the only effort on goal in the first half.

The remainder of the half became more of a battle against the elements rather then the teams. Both battled in vain to get some momentum going but on every occasion the wind won the day. They were, however, very clearly quite evenly matched sides who given better conditions would have provided an entertaining clash.

HT Romulus 0 Newark Flowserve 0. Aside from Brownhill's early effort that struck the bar neither keeper had  a save to make.

​There was no let up in the conditions for the second half. However, after moving back to the car park side of the pitch, I did at least find a little bit of respite from the biting wind.
Ten minutes into the half Romulus should really have gone in front after a move up the right provided Kieran Donnelly with a gilt-edged chance some 8 yards out. However, his effort lacked power and easily held by Smith-Eccles in the Flowserve goal.

The next real piece of action, certainly from my perspective was in the 77th minute. Seven months and 31 games into the season and I finally got to see my first sin-bin offence when home captain Alex Tomlinson was ordered off by the referee for what I can only imagine was a second case of dissent. Anyone who thought this may give the advantage to Newark would have been wrong though as the home side appeared to be galvanised by the loss of their number 10. They pushed forward and four minutes later forced a corner on the right. The ball was swung in with the wind towards the back post where Callum Rudd rose highest to power a header back towards the goal. The ball was hacked clear by a defender but the assistant's flag was up immediately to say that the ball had crossed the line. No VAR here, so it was 1-0 to the home side.

There was still time for me to see my second sin bin of the season when Newark also had a player ordered off after 86 minutes, this time for comments made to the assistant referee.

FT Romulus 1 Newark Flowserve 0. Two fairly evenly matched sides both defeated by Storm Jorge. The wind ruined the game but Romulus won't really care after lifting themselves into fourth spot in the table. I need to find time to watch both of these sides again on a day when they are not hampered by the conditions. I have a feeling that both are capable of much more than they showed this weekend.

Romulus: Fenney, Llonga, Haynes, Weale, Rudd, Clarke, Donnelly, O'Callaghan, Willis, Tomkinson(c), Archer. Subs: Spink, Rowe, Devgill-Cross, O'Neill, Nadat
Newark Flowserve: Smith-Eccles, White, Potts(c), Gorman, Greenwood, Hollis, Meadows, Dixon, Hutchinson, Brownhill, Goodson. Subs: McDonald, Barrow, Phillip, Robinson, Cotton

Att: 
Ground Number: 230
Entrance: £7.00
Programme: £1.00 (normally £2.00 but this week black & white edition only)

​It was good to be back on the Tuesday night football trail again but, during the day, games were dropping like flies so I was very pleased to see that one of the games on my list passed a pitch inspection and would take place. The game in question being a crunch, local derby basement battle between CB Hounslow United and Hanworth Villa. A little bit of research into Hounslow had turned up a prettydecent liost of famous people who had either been born in there or lived there at some point. Amongst the names of people born in the town were some very well known musicians (not necessarily to my taste, but very well known nontheless), Phil Collins, Dave Cousins (The Strawbs for those of you old enough to remember Part of the Union), Ian McLagan from the Small Faces and Sophie Ellis-Bextor (Murder on the Dance Floor and daughter of a Blue Peter presenter of course). The name that really sprang out for me though was that of Charles Hawtrey. I grew up with Carry On films and, although they have dated somewhat, I still find them entertaining today. Charles Hawtrey (who's life story is well worth a read by the way - Whatshisname by Wes Butters) was always one of my favourites.

​The Ground
CB Hounslow United have played their home games at Green Lane since 2017. The ground is very close to Heathrow airport, not quite as close as the two Bedfont sides, but certainly close enough to see and hear planes coming in to land. The main car park fills up pretty quickly but there is ample room in the overflow parking which runs around two sides of the ground. The club is sponsored by Dnata, an air services company that is based at Heathrow. You can't miss the sponsorship, it is literally everywhere around the ground, which is not a bad thing at all. There is a single turnstile to enter the ground. Note that the clubhouse and tea bar are both situated outside but you can quite easily get back out and in again if necessary. The main stand is opposite the turnstile, on the Heathrow side of the ground. It is a decent-sized covered seating stand with seat numbers probably running into 3 figures (I din't count them). There is covered standing, The Frank James Stand, behind the goal at the far end of the ground and two small covered areas with bench seating on the clubhouse side, which is also where the dugouts are situated, one each side of the halfway line. Mounted on the back of the clubhouse wall, facing the pitch, is one of those non-league rarities, an electronic scoreboard. They actually have another standalone one at the far end of the ground too. It was switched off on this evening but maybe for a big game it would be in use?

​The Background
A massive local derby and battle between the bottom two in the Combined Counties Premier League. Both teams have become isolated at the foot of the table. Level on points with 18 each, but 6 adrift of Banstead Athletic and 8 shy of 18th placed Raynes Park Vale. To make matters worse both sides have played more than their rivals. Hounslow have already played 30 games, so have 10 to play. Villa have played 25 (15 to play). However, Banstead have played only 23 and Raynes Park Vale 24. Things are not looking too good for either of tonight's sides.
Hounslow last won a league game back in October, a 3-1 defeat of Guildford City. Since that time they have taken just 3 points, although 2 of those have come in the last month. Hanworth's record does not make for much more comfortable reading except, in their case, they did mange a stunning 3-1 win at league leaders Ascot United at the end of January. So, maybe a couple of green shoots showing for both clubs?
This is their first meeting this season. Last season saw honours shared with both sides winning their home game, Hounslow 2-1 in this fixture and, on the opening day, Villa winning 1-0 at Rectory Meadow in a game that saw 11 yellow cards but somewhat miraculously no reds.

​The Game
Just as I rolled up to the game I had a message from a friend saying that there was snow as far South as Bedfordshire. I wasn't surprised. The wind blowing around Green Lane was icy cold, made worse by the fact that the zip on my jacket broke just before kick-off. Still, I was looking forward to a good, open game with plenty of incident to make me forget the cold.
The game started off looking fairly even, although neither side looked very fluid. Probably understandable given their respective league positions. However,as the half progressed it was the home side, rock bottom at kick-off, who began to establish themselves.
Hanworth had the wind in their favour and were trying to use it to their advantage, playing long balls to their forwards, especially out towards their right flank. However, the home defence stood strong and never really looked threatened by this approach.
Finally, after 33 minutes the breakthrough came and it went to the home side. A ball was played into the Hanworth area towards a crowd of players. From my vantage point it was hard to see how it happened but the ball fell to the feet of Shakeel Morris who slid the ball into the net to make it 1-0. At first I thought it was number 11, Taymar Fleary who had scored. Numbers 10 & 11, when you catch a quick glimpse from the other side of the pitch can look similar. Well, that's my excuse. Maybe it's just my eyesight starting to fail me?)

HT CB Hounslow United 1 Hanworth Villa 0. On the overall balance of play a deserved lead for the home side.

​Hanworth came out for the second-half looking much more determined. For the first 5-10 minutes they were first to every ball, much to the annoyance of the home bench who were imploring their players to wake themselves up. Their cries were soon answered when, with their first attack of the half, Hounslow doubled their advantage. A low ball was fizzed in from the left flank where Morris managed to adjust his body shape well to finish at the near post. 2-0.
Hounslow then had a real chance to put the game to bed when they broke with a three on two situation. Unfortunately, in pursuit of his hat-trick, Morris chose the wrong option and the chance went begging. Not for too long though as on 68 minutes Morris was on hand to make it 3-0 and complete his hat-trick.

With plenty of time being added on for the injury to Trisdon Andrews, who was whisked off to hospital on a stretcher in the back of a transit van, there was still time for a bit of good old non-league handbags. Hounslow had a player down injured, after falling badly, and were trying to get the ball put out in order to get him treatment. It all got a bit heated on the sidelines before the ball was finally hoofed out of play. As the Hounslow trainer ran on to tend to the stricken player it all kicked off at the other end of the pitch with a Hounslow player ending up on the deck. After several minutes and a whole load of jostling the referee finally pulled out a red card and showed it to Hanworth's Meschach Williams.
As there was only a minute or two remaining the red card did not have any effect on the result. Villa were already well beaten by that point.

FT CB Hounslow United 3 Hanworth Villa 0. Despite that fact that I could barely feel my hands or toes by the end of the game, it was quite an entertaining evening from a neutral's perspective. A good win for United. Can they pull off a great escape? I must admit that I expected more from Hanworth after that win over Ascot but once the second goal went in they never really looked as if they believed they could pull it back.
Best wishes to Hounslow's Trisdon Andrews. Let's hope the injury was not as bad as it seemed.

CB Hounslow United: Rule, Andrews, De Jesus, Lawrence, Tubbs, Greenwood, Edwards, L.Bersey, Hardy, Morris, Fleary. Subs: S.Bersey, Smith, Wood, Elliott, O'Neill
Hanworth Villa: Russ, Mullings, Barzey, Fenlow, Taylor, Thoroughgood, Dwumfuo, Tingle, Williams, Roberts, Phillips. Subs: Navarro, Garlinge, Jay, Daniels, Dack

Att: 
Ground Number: 229
Entrance: £8.00
Programme: Included

Has anyone else noticed that our weather has got worse since the Met Office started naming storms? After the delights of Storm Ciara over the weekend, and the threat of Dennis heading our way, I was hedging my bets this midweek. I had initially highlighted North Greenford United v Tring Athletic as my number one choice but had also noted that Bracknell Town v Maldon & Tiptree was a possibility, given the artificial surface at Larges Lane. As it turned out though, Berkeley Fields was passed fit and I headed off down the A40 for a first trip to Greenford.

The Ground
Berkeley Fields, home of North Greenford United, is situated a mile or so off the A40 Western Avenue. Not a million miles from Wembley Stadium or from the infamous Hangar Lane Gyratory. There is very limited parking actually within the confines of the stadium (I presume players and officials only). However, there is a large car park just behind the club, shared with the local Irish sports club and a dog training centre.
The ground is accessed through a turnstile gate which leads in behind one of the goals. There is a fairly large, and warm, clubhouse as well as a tea/snack bar next to the entrance. Behind the car park goal there are two covered stand, one seating, directly behind the goal, and one standing area between the goal and corner flag. There is also another covered standing area to the right hand side, the Berkeley Avenue side of the ground with the dugouts situated on the opposite side of the pitch. There is a slight slope towards the car park end of the pitch.
Given the recent weather, the pitch didn't look too bad. Certainly heavy in places and sanded towards the car park end, mainly on the touchlines, but all in all it had seemed to hold up quite well.

​The Background
The week leading up to this game had been something of a rollercoaster ride for Tring Athletic. Although I wasn't fully aware of the situation until I spoke with a committee member during the first-half, the previous week had seen the club lose the first-team manager and a number of players. This came after their Chairman had stood down following some internal politics at the club. There still appears to be some turmoil behind the scenes surrounding the nature of the the various departures from the club. The account that I had from the committee member and the various notices on the club website (which I am told are subject to a request for them to be taken off the site) do not match those of at least one of member of staff who left last week. Let's hope, for the sake of all concerned, that the situation gets resolved in a fit and proper manner.
The team had then gone on to beat mid-table Leverstock Green 6-0 at the weekend, which put them 5 points behind leaders Colney Heath with a game in hand. However, they now faced a tricky away game at a resurgent North Greenford. The Blues started the day second from bottom with just 16 points from their 22 games. However, when you consider that 14 of those 16 points came in the last 7 league games, you can see that the club is on an upward curve.
Combine that with, I'm told, Tring named three under 18s in their back four, playing in front of an under 18 goalkeeper could make for an interesting contest.

​The Game
Tring began the game kicking down the slight slope on a freezing cold evening in West London. The game was fairly evenly matched in the opening encounters with both sides looking to make progress down the flanks. Nimoh on the right and Sunderland on the left for Tring both looked to have some pace and trickery, whilst Jake Nickless on Greenford's left side was also causing some problems for the Tring backline.

It was Tring who came closest to grabbing a goal in the first 25 minutes, Cornick with a good effort that wasn't too far off target and it was the away side who grabbed the lead shortly afterwards. A couple of corners had already caused some consternation with the wind taking them in towards the Greenford goal. Another corner, this time dropped a little shorter, just inside the near post, where Prince Nimoh was on hand to bundle it over the line. 0-1.

Just about on the half-hour mark Tring were, in my opinion, lucky to keep 11 players on the pitch when Olly Butler, chasing back in midfield, lunged from behind on one of the Greenford players. Maybe it looked worse than it was but from my vantage point it did look like a red card challenge to me and the Greenford player was lucky not to have sustained an injury. The referee produced a yellow card for Butler.

Just before the half hour mark Tring almost made it two when Greenford lost the ball in midfield, creating a three on one situation for the Tring forwards. The ball was played to Jack Sutherland whose shot beat House in the Greenford goal but came back off the far post. A let off for the home side.

HT North Greenford United 0 Tring Athletic 1. Overall, not that much between the sides but Tring created the better chances and probably should be more than one goal to the good at the break.

​The wind seemed to have picked up a little and the evening had definitely got even colder by the time the teams emerged for the second-half. With the slight slope and the wind with them more in this half, Greenford looked like they meant business. In fact the half was only 12 minutes old when they forced a corner on the same side from which Tring had engineered their opener. The ball in wasn't a particularly good one, low and never clearing the front post. However, the defender at the front post, when trying to clear, only succeeded in slicing the ball behind him towards the far post. It evaded everyone except for Ekow Coker who gratefully smashed it into the net. 1-1.

To be fair to both teams, they both played the remainder of the half looking for a winning goal. Greenford were much more of a threat going forward than they had been in the first half, going close a couple of times and worrying Saunders in the Athletic goal. Tring, for their part, were still creating chances, especially with raids down their right. Twice they had balls pulled across the box that just required a good finish. Neither time did they manage to apply that finish. 
Then came the sting in the tail as North Greenford launched on final attack with two minutes of added time already played. It proved to be the killer blow as substitute Reha Zerki slid the ball in from a tight angle to make it 2-1

FT North Greenford United 2 Tring Athletic 1. The late goal was a little harsh on a young Tring side who battled hard throughout the game. Greenford made it 5 wins from their last 8  as they prepare to take on the league leaders, Colney Heath, on Saturday. Tring, meanwhile, face 7th placed Crawley Green at home this coming weekend.

North Greenford United: House, Brown, Dioum, Ward, Coker, Mills, Pedro, Manitou(c), Davis, Molyneaux, Nickless. Subs: Webb, Kirwan, Zerki, Eubia, Curd
Tring Athletic: Saunders, Habashi, Cowan, Foley, Cornick, McManus(c), Salmon, Butler, Asante, Nimoh, Sunderland. Subs: Barkers-Obua, Hercules, Naylor, Blake

Att: 72
Ground Number: 228
Entrance: £6.00
Programme: N/A

I can't resist the FA Vase. So this weekend, after watching my U10 girl's dominate their game and yet lose 1-0, I headed made the 2 hour drive to deepest Wiltshire to watch Bradford Town take on Leighton Town for a place in the last eight.

The Ground
Bradford Town's Trowbridge Road ground is just a 10 minute walk out of the very picturesque town of Bradford on Avon, on the South-Eastern edge of the town. Being situated within the residential area of the ton, there is limited parking at the ground itself but plenty of on-street parking within a short walk. Entry is through a double wrought-iron gate which leads into the area behind the town end goal. Here you will find the small parking area, the food bar and separate tea and hot drinks bar. This area also houses the toilets and players & officials changing areas. The clubhouse, which is shared with the Spencer Moulton Bowls Club, is separate and can be found just on the other side of the car park area. On the Trowbridge Road side of the ground there is covered standing and covered seating, backed by a grass bank and the wall that separates the ground from the road.. The opposite side has no cover and is open to a series of smaller football pitches. The far end of the ground is backed by trees and two large, quite old houses built in a style very typical of the area (Bradford on Avon is very similar in architectural style to nearby Bath).

The Background
Hosts Bradford Town currently sit atop the Western League Premier Division, three points clear of closest rivals Plymouth Parkway but having played one game more. They have lost just once at home in the league, a 3-2 defeat to Street back in September. This run in the Vase equals their previous best performances, where they have twice reached Round 5, suffering a 2-0 home defeat to Highworth Town in 2014-15 and a similar result at Marske in 2017-18. This season they have so far beaten Solent University (a) 7-2, Hamble Club (h) 1-0, Lymington Town (h) 1-0, Baffins Milton Rovers (a) 3-2, Bridgwater Town (h) 4-3 aet and Buckland Athletic (a) 2-1.

​Leighton's league position, 11th at kick-off, suggests that they have not set their league alight this season. However, they have played at least three fewer than the teams above them and, should they win them all, would certainly be making waves in the top six. Their away form started off quite poorly but Bradford will no doubt be aware that they have won their last 5 away leagues games, a record suggesting that they definitely a team on the up. In the Vase they have progressed via Bugbrooke St Michaels (h) 3-0, Long Crendon (a) 5-2, Hadleigh United (h) 2-1, Broxbourne Borough (h) 6-1, Eastbourne Town (h) 2-1 and Eynesbury Rovers (a) 4-3 (after being 3-1 down in the 2nd half). Their previous best Vase performance was a Quarter-Final appearance in the 2017-18 competition when they lost 1-0 at home to 1974 Northwich, a game that BotP was present at (Crest Fallen)

​The Game
Arriving well in advance of kick-off, I took a quick snap of the staring line-ups, which had been written on a board behind the car park end goal, and set off to find a good vantage point whilst marking the teams on my match day programme. What I had failed to notice is that the Leighton Town team on the board did not match the one that their official Twitter account had tweeted.

Most games of this importance start with both sides being a little tentative, sounding each other out until they relax and start to play their own games. Not in this case though. From the off, both sides were into their strides pretty quickly, promising to make it an interesting game.
It was the home side who began get the upper hand in the opening encounters though, gradually pushing the game into The Reds' half of the pitch. Leighton didn't seem to mind this too much and were seemingly content to deal with whatever Bradford had to offer. It was noticeable that Bradford wanted to get the ball forward quite quickly whereas Leighton were much keener to play ground passes and, with the wind from the approaching storm starting to pick up, keeping the ball low may well prove to be the wiser tactic.

With 14 minutes on the clock and with the ball having spent the majority of that time in the Leighton half, The Reds launched what was their first meaningful attack. Worton, in the Bradford goal, spilled a cross but was fortunate to see a defender hack clear to the edge of the box. However, the ball was controlled by James Towell who then proceeded to plant a perfect half-volley over the keeper and into the top corner t make it 0-1. What a superb strike to give his team the lead.

Bradford were straight back on the attack in what was now becoming a really fascinating game,especially as a neutral. For the next 15 minutes the ball was again predominantly within the confines of the Leighton half. That was until just before the half-hour mark when Leighton once again hot their hosts on the break. Towell was again heavily involved, sprinting don the left flank, drawing the keeper over and then crossing perfectly for Danny Webb to tap into the empty net for 0-2. Two goals against the general run of play was no coincidence. Leighton were executing a game plan here, and executing it very well.

Unfortunately, the second goal prompted some disturbance behind the Leighton goal where a group of their noisier fans had gathered. These fans, mainly kids and teenagers, generate a good atmosphere with chanting and their drum. However, as I noted in the game against Northwich and as has been seen at a few other games (Eynesbury in the last round I believe was an example), they have a small group who seem to want to provoke the opposing fans and take the 'banter' one step too far. It's such a shame because their actions drag down the reputation of the club. I'm sure that it is just one or two that spark the confrontations, but I do hope the club can get it under control.

Anyway, back to the game. Bradford, despite now being two down, continued to take the fight to their opponents but could not seem to find that final ball or the precise finishing touch. They did, however, manage to get a foothold back in the game in added time in the first half. A ball into the Leighton box was nodded down by Gary Higdon for Matt Morris to force over the line. 1-2 and game on in the second-half?

HT Bradford Town 1 Leighton Town 2. Bradford had about 80% of the play but were caught out twice by Leighton. Some great defending from the away side has kept Bradford at bay until the final minute of the half. All to play in the second period.

​The second period started just as the first had left off, with Bradford searching for what seemed to be an inevitable equaliser. Leighton though were having none of it. Their defence stood resolute against the waves of Bradford attacks and their forwards were looking increasingly dangerous when they broke. Bradford kept pushing and pushing which left them exposed more at the bakc and the game becasme stretched. Teh consequence of this ws that Leifghton were able to break forward more than they did in the first half. So, even though the home ide were still on top possession-wise, the half was far more bakanced than the first.
Chances went begging for Bradford who, by the hour mark, had started to lauch the ball towards the tall Higdon more and more. To be fair to the triker, he was winning a number of high balls but the Leighton defence was always quick to mop up.
On 77 minutes we had another stoppage in play as a plstic water bottle was thrown onto the pitch by a Bradford supporter. Teh bottle was aimed, but missed, the assistant on that side of the pitch who had given a few marginal decisions in favour of the away team. There's no excuse for this behaviour though and, as the referee stopped the game and reported the incident to officials, there coudl be repercussions for the club.

With five mnutes to go, Leighton once more executed their party trick to perfection. Bradford were now pushing for an equaliser as hard as they could but Leighton sucked them in and then quickly broke forward. Once again it was Towell who did the damage, breaking through the Bradford back line before squaring for substitute Archie McClelland to apply the final touch. 1-3 and game over.

FT Bradford Town 1 Leighton Town 3. On another day Bradford could have run out handsome winners but it was just not to be today. You have to say that this was largely down to the game management shown by Leighton Town. They soaked up everything that Bradford could throw at them and, when they did get a chance, they took it every time. As a neutral you had to feel for Bradford, who were arguably the better team. However, Leighton executed their game plan to absolute perfection and will be difficult opponents for whoever they get in the Quarter-Final.

Bradford Town: Worton, Whitcombe, Stocks, Davidson(c), Keet, Lye, Maddison, Griffiths, Higdon, Pollard, Morris. Suns: Powell, Baggs, Watts, Symonds, Sawyer
Leighton Town: Kirkwood, Bryant, Resch, Murphy, Towell, Frederick(c), Turner, Osborne, Foulger, Webb, Silford. Subs: Campbell, McClelland, Adams, Condon, Donkor, Waters

Att: 463
Ground Number: 227
Entrance: £6.00
Programme: £1.00

After the best part of a month without a game, I was finally back out on the road this midweek. My last game had been a cracking Step 6 clash at Bewdley Town, so I decided to stay at that level and head into Leicestershire for the first ever meeting of Saffron Dynamo and Harrowby United. Two new teams for me and a new ground. Not a bad way to get back into watching live football.

The Ground
Saffron Dynamo play at Cambridge Road on the outskirts of the village of Cosby, some 5 miles South-West of Leicester, adjacent to Whetstone Golf Club. The reasonably large car park runs alongside Cambridge Road and leads to a facility block that houses the clubhouse, players & officials areas, bar (staffed by a very pleasant, friendly gentleman) and the snack bar. As the ground is shared with the cricket club, the clubhouse is a short walk from the football pitch, separated by the cricket pitch. The football ground itself only has two side accessible to the viewing public, behind the goal on the golf course side and on the far side of the ground, opposite Cambridge Road, where the dugouts and the small covered standing area are situated.

The Background
This is Saffron's first season at Step 6, having been promoted as runners-up to Rugby Borough from last season's Leicestershire Senior League. They have made a reasonable start to life at this level and, before kick-off, were comfortably mid-table with 29 points. Harrowby, on the back of two pretty successful seasons, finishing 5th and 7th respectively, had also started well again and were sitting in 7th spot with 38 points. This game would be the first league meeting between the teams.

​The Game
Both sides began the game with some intensity, clearly stating their respective intent not to play for a point. 
Just after the half hour mark Harrowby's goalkeeper Yinka Adebowale had to race off his line to meet a long ball. He got to the ball first but was then flattened by the challenge of the onrushing attacker. There didn't seem to be anything malicious in the collision but the attacking player certainly made no attempt to avoid the clash. Even the locals were shocked that the referee didn't show a yellow card, but in the end there was not even a talking to administered. To be fair to the referee this was in keeping with the sort of leniency he showed throughout the game, letting it flow as much as possible, even when he probably should have pulled players up for one o=r two naughty challenges.
There then followed a long delay whilst the physio attended to the keeper. With no reserve stopper on the bench, Harrowby were keen to keep Adebowale on the field, which they eventually managed although the stopper was clearly not very mobile and still in some pain.
After the restart Saffron, as you would expect, showed some urgency to test out the keeper's agility but struggled to muster a shooting opportunity. That was until around the 41st minutes (difficult to say exactly due to the prolonged stoppage) when Mark Foster latched onto a through ball and steered the ball past the stranded keeper and into the far corner. 1-0.

HT Saffron Dynamo 1 Harrowby United 0. Dynamo just about edged a tight half. Harrowby will now have to play the remainder of the game with either an injured keeper, with severely restricted mobility, or put an outfield player in goal.

​I think everyone was surprised to see Harrowby's injured keeper return for the second-half but he gamely limped onto the pitch and took his place between the sticks. To be fair to the Harrowby defence, they did an extremely good job of protecting him throughout the entire second-half. They were assisted by the fact that Saffron seemed incapable of getting a clear sight of goal but it is safe to say that Adebowale did not have to stretch himself at all for the final 45 minutes. 
The biggest threat that Harrowby faced was when their keeper did have the ball in his hands because he was entirely incapable of kicking it clear. Therefore, he had to rely upon throwing the ball out. The Saffron forwards were cutting out his nearest options so a number of times he was forced to throw the ball towards a midfielder giving the home players ample time to cut out the pass.

Whilst Harrowby huffed and puffed looking for an equaliser, it wasn't until the final 10 minutes that they really pushed the home side backwards. Even then it was not a complete siege. Saffron's keeper Phillips did have to pull off one particularly good save from a far post header but, in the main, his goal didn't come under a huge threat.

FT Saffron Dynamo 1 Harrowby United 0. A good three points for Saffron in what was certainly not the most entertaining game of football that I have seen. Having said that, it was good to be back on the road again. 

Saffron Dynamo: Phillips, Davies, Noble, Kilby, Tye(c), Lee, Essex, Reaney, Foster, Johnson, J.Brown. Subs: M.Brown, Henry, Butler, Fox, El Hachimi
Harrowby United: Adebowale, Rigby, Thompson, Yenibertiz, Warman, Stubbs(c), John, Hales, Price, Showler, Sylla. Subs: Moulds, Kdapo, Amponsen, Thorpe, McGhee

Att: 25
Ground Number: 226
Entrance: £5.00
Programme: N/A

​The second game of 2020 saw me returning to a town that I called home for a short time in the 1990s, Bewdley. A ground that I had been wanting to visit for some time and, with the home side sitting second, the visit of leaders Shifnal Town was too good an opportunity to miss, despite it being a 120 mile journey from my office to the ground.

The Ground
Ribbesford Meadows is literally on the banks of the River Severn with just a few yards separating the dugouts from the water's edge. The ground is situated on the Southern edge of Bewdley and is wedged between the B4194 and the river. Even on a dark January evening it is still a picturesque place to watch football, with the steep wooded bank looming up behind the main stand and the treeline depicting the boundary of the river on the opposite side. With the ground being well below road level, finding the entrance to the long, dark, access road at night could be a bit of a challenge if you don't know the area. However, once you have found it, there is ample parking either at the ground or at the Anglers Association club which is also accessed via the same service road. At the entrance to the ground what looks like a converted shipping container acts as the entrance and tea bar, staffed by a very jolly lady who greeted me with a smile and some friendly chit-chat. She also served me with a cup of tea later in the game, with the same friendly demeanour. The club should be happy that she is their public face. I came away with the feeling that it was a very friendly club. This was enhanced when I asked a club official if he there were any team sheets. He immediately went into the official area, found their stadium announcer and pointed me out so that I could get a photo of the team sheets. It's little things like this that leave a lasting, good impression of a club.

​As I said, the ground had been on my list for a while and I was not disappointed. The main stand is set into the bank below the B4194 backed and surrounded by a trees and bushes. The opposite side of the pitch, effectively the river bank, is also lined with trees (presumably this prevents some of the balls ending up in the river, although at least 2 were lost this evening. The club must get through quite a few match balls in a season). The officials and players facilities are housed in a wooden structure in the corner of the ground, also set into the trees. Forest Green might have a green, wooden stadium, but even they can't match the way that Bewdley incorporates nature into their ground. I will definitely need to re-visit on a Saturday in the Spring or Summer in order to see the ground at its best.

The Background
This was a clash between the top two in the West Midland Regional Premier League. Shifnal lead the way having won their opening 15 games and establishing a 9 point gap at the top. However, their 100% record had been ended at the weekend with a 3-2 home defeat to Black Country Rangers. So a trip to second-placed Bewdley, fresh from a 5-2 River Severn derby thrashing of AFC Bridgnorth, was probably not the best place for them to be visiting.
Up to last season, in the last 10 league meetings, Bewdley have definitely had the upper hand overall, winning 8 of the 10 games, scoring 28 goals, with Shifnal taking the other 2 and scoring 12 times. The clubs had not yet met this season, but last season saw a 2-2 draw in this fixture with Bewdley edging a narrow 1-0 win at Shifnal. However, these results happened in a season where Bewdley finished 6th and Shifnal were second from bottom. Shifnal's lowly league finish prompted a change in management with joint managers Danny Carter and Andrew Carrier coming in. The change seems to have worked wonders with the team going from relegation fodder to title contenders overnight. Combine these facts with Bewdley's 100% home league record and the night was setup to be a cracker.

s​The Game
Unsurprisingly, both side started the game quite cagily as they took stock of each other. I can imagine that both team talks contained the phrase "keep it tight for the first 10 minutes". As the game began to open up a little, it was Shifnal who made the first move, creating the first big opportunity. However, some stout defending, including a last ditch clearance off the line kept the score sheet blank.
After 26 minutes it looked like both sides were having to make an early substitution. Ashley Bellingham, Shifnal's big centre half, had taken a knock and Bewdley seemed to also be signalling that they were going to replace Sam Lester. However, although Bellingham went off, Lester stayed on the pitch.

​Three minutes later came the most significant action of the half. A defence splitting diagonal ball was played into the Shifnal box. Luke Morris was quickest to react getting goal-side of James Pinnock. The Shifnal defender tried to make a challenge but only succeeded in tripping the striker. Penalty! Morris picked himself up and stroked home the spot kick to make it 1-0.

The goal served to both give confidence to Bewdley and visibly shake Shifnal. Maybe finally losing their unbeaten streak and then going a goal down had rocked them? Whatever the case, they were left on the back foot for much of the remainder of the half.

HT Bewdley Town 1 Shifnal Town 0. After the initial sparring it was Bewdley who took control of the half and they deservedly lead going into the second period.

Bewdley were back on the front foot in the second-half, sensing that they had the leaders on the ropes. Sure enough, after 56 minutes, they doubled their lead with probably the best move of the game. Attacking down the right flank the ball was played between defenders to set Matt Kerby free. His low, driven cross was met by Luke Morris to smash home his and Bewdley's second. 2-0

Still Shifnal seemed unable to get up to full speed, although they were slowly but surely beginning to look a little more dangerous. Even then they were not unduly troubling Joe Sidaway in the home goal. That was until the 82nd minute when substitute Brad Sharman crashed a superb effort past Sidaway only to see it come back off the post and be cleared. It was clearly not going to be Shifnal's evening.

FT Bewdley Town 2 Shifnal Town 0. A thoroughly deserved three points for Bewdley which moves them to within 6 points of Shifnal. After going four months without dropping a point, Shifnal are beaten twice in three days. However, no need to press the panic button just yet. On Saturday they have a home game against eighth placed Pershore Town, who they have already beaten 2-1. Bewdley make the short journey to Worcester Raiders hoping to keep the pressure on at the top.

Bewdley Town: J.Sidaway, Clarke, Seekings, Priest(c), Prescott, Beardsmore, Lester, Rudd, L.Sidaway, Morris, Kerby. Subs: Ribiero, Smith, Worthington, A.Stubbings, E.Stubbings

Shifnal Town: James, Uppal, Pinnock(c), Perks, Bellingham, Jones, Lloyd, Franco, Hill, Montague, Westwood. Subs: Radford, Smith, McCarthy, Sharman, Holdcroft

Att: 75 (ish) by my count
Ground Number: 225
Entrance: £5.00
Programme: £1.00