This Saturday the plan was to watch my daughter's game in Northampton on the morning, followed by a leisurely drive up the M1 to Great Glen for Glen Villa v St Patricks. However, Storm Claudia had different ideas. Firstly my daughter's county cup game was called off after a 7:30 pitch inspection but luckily, as I prepared to write-off the entire footballing Saturday, I got an X message from Glen Villa manager Jonny Morgan telling me that their game was on, although it had been reversed and would now be played at St Patricks' Emerald Centre ground.
So, even though I was going to have to postpone the promised cup of tea at Glen Villa, I set off for North-East Leicester for what promised to be a very interesting Leicestershire Senior League Division One clash.
St Patricks and Glen Villa have followed the same path through the divisions in recent years. If we go back to the Covid-shortened 2020-21 season, both were still in the Leicestershire County League, St Patricks in the Championship (Level 15 of the pyramid) and Glen Villa top of the league below them. Glen were then promoted two divisions, so that, the following season they competed in the Premier League (Level 14). St Patricks won the Championship that season. So, in 2023-23 the teams were both in the same division. St Patricks finished 2nd and gained promotion. Villa ended in fifth spot. During the season the teams drew 1-1 at St Patricks, with the reverse fixture ending 5-2 to St Patricks.
The following season both teams gained promotion. Glen Villa won the County Premier and St Patricks finished second in the Senior League Division Two. Last season St Patricks finished fourth in their first season in Division One. Glen Villa were promoted via second place in Division Two. Which brings us to the current season. One or both of these teams has gained promotion in each of the past five seasons, an extraordinary feat, and who says int's not going to continue?
Going into today's game Villa sat in fifth spot with 17 points from their opening 12 games. However, top of the pile were St Patricks, who had accumulated 28 points from 12 games and had a two pint advantage in second paces Community Football Academy.
Many thanks to referee Lucas Bond for sharing the team sheets with me prior to kick off.
So, even though I was going to have to postpone the promised cup of tea at Glen Villa, I set off for North-East Leicester for what promised to be a very interesting Leicestershire Senior League Division One clash.
St Patricks and Glen Villa have followed the same path through the divisions in recent years. If we go back to the Covid-shortened 2020-21 season, both were still in the Leicestershire County League, St Patricks in the Championship (Level 15 of the pyramid) and Glen Villa top of the league below them. Glen were then promoted two divisions, so that, the following season they competed in the Premier League (Level 14). St Patricks won the Championship that season. So, in 2023-23 the teams were both in the same division. St Patricks finished 2nd and gained promotion. Villa ended in fifth spot. During the season the teams drew 1-1 at St Patricks, with the reverse fixture ending 5-2 to St Patricks.
The following season both teams gained promotion. Glen Villa won the County Premier and St Patricks finished second in the Senior League Division Two. Last season St Patricks finished fourth in their first season in Division One. Glen Villa were promoted via second place in Division Two. Which brings us to the current season. One or both of these teams has gained promotion in each of the past five seasons, an extraordinary feat, and who says int's not going to continue?
Going into today's game Villa sat in fifth spot with 17 points from their opening 12 games. However, top of the pile were St Patricks, who had accumulated 28 points from 12 games and had a two pint advantage in second paces Community Football Academy.
Many thanks to referee Lucas Bond for sharing the team sheets with me prior to kick off.
St Patricks pack the box Kicking towards the clubhouse end, St Patricks made the stronger start, calling Ollie Jones into action as early as the 5th minute, when he got down sharply to stop a Niall McMahon effort. However, just a minute later, the Villa keeper was beaten by a precisely struck shot from Ryan Shilton, rifled into the top corner from the edge of the box. 1-0.
An ominous start for the visitors, but they rallied well and were only inches from getting back in the game on 15 minutes, when a free-kick was sent curling into the far post, only just evading the lunge of Cameron Grieff. A few minutes later Liam Morton went close with a header as Villa pushed hard for an equaliser.
The chances for the visitors continued to clock up. Top scorer Ira Castor was played in on goal only to be thwarted by Paul Davis sprinting off his line to narrow the angle. Then Liam Morton met a clearance with a superbly controlled volley from 25 yards. Davis was at full stretch to keep the ball out, pushing it wide for a corner. When this was delivered into the area, Jack Langton rose highest to power in the leveller. 1-1. A particularly pleasing goal for the gentleman standing next to me at the time, who just happened to be the father of the goal scorer.
Villa continued to look the livelier of the two sides, controlling midfield and looking the more likely to add to the goal tally. James Parker could have done just that on 27 minutes, but fired well over from a good position. Then, on the stroke of the half-hour, Castor burst down the right before delivering a lovely ball across the face of goal. Myles Cosgrove met it on the run, but couldn't control the effort, sending the ball well over the bar.
It was beginning to look as if Villa were not going to take full advantage of the dominance of the ball, and both myself and Mr Langton senior, were wondering if they might regret it in the second half should they not add to their tally.
However, with six minutes of the half remaining, Cosgrove and Castor switched roles. Cosgrove provided the cross from the left, which Ira Castor smashed past Davis. 1-2. The visitor's had their noses in front and, a minute before the break, only a very good save from Davis prevented Josh Wright's powerful drive from increasing the lead.
HT St Patricks 1 Glen Villa 2. A very good response from Glen Villa after going behind early on. They responded brilliantly, and deservedly took an advantage into the break. St Patricks, after a good opening 5 minutes, looked to be struggling to get out of first gear but, as league leaders, you'd expect a response in the second half.
An ominous start for the visitors, but they rallied well and were only inches from getting back in the game on 15 minutes, when a free-kick was sent curling into the far post, only just evading the lunge of Cameron Grieff. A few minutes later Liam Morton went close with a header as Villa pushed hard for an equaliser.
The chances for the visitors continued to clock up. Top scorer Ira Castor was played in on goal only to be thwarted by Paul Davis sprinting off his line to narrow the angle. Then Liam Morton met a clearance with a superbly controlled volley from 25 yards. Davis was at full stretch to keep the ball out, pushing it wide for a corner. When this was delivered into the area, Jack Langton rose highest to power in the leveller. 1-1. A particularly pleasing goal for the gentleman standing next to me at the time, who just happened to be the father of the goal scorer.
Villa continued to look the livelier of the two sides, controlling midfield and looking the more likely to add to the goal tally. James Parker could have done just that on 27 minutes, but fired well over from a good position. Then, on the stroke of the half-hour, Castor burst down the right before delivering a lovely ball across the face of goal. Myles Cosgrove met it on the run, but couldn't control the effort, sending the ball well over the bar.
It was beginning to look as if Villa were not going to take full advantage of the dominance of the ball, and both myself and Mr Langton senior, were wondering if they might regret it in the second half should they not add to their tally.
However, with six minutes of the half remaining, Cosgrove and Castor switched roles. Cosgrove provided the cross from the left, which Ira Castor smashed past Davis. 1-2. The visitor's had their noses in front and, a minute before the break, only a very good save from Davis prevented Josh Wright's powerful drive from increasing the lead.
HT St Patricks 1 Glen Villa 2. A very good response from Glen Villa after going behind early on. They responded brilliantly, and deservedly took an advantage into the break. St Patricks, after a good opening 5 minutes, looked to be struggling to get out of first gear but, as league leaders, you'd expect a response in the second half.
Villa looking for more goals Sure enough, the home side looked to be much more fired up at the start of the second half. With only four minutes played after the restart, Kyle Nicholls showed their intent, bringing a good save from Ollie Jones. However, Jones was beaten for the second time ten minutes in. Elijah Morton created the opportunity down the right flank, sending over a dangerous cross that was converted at the far post by Nicholls. 2-2.
Suddenly the pendulum looked to have swung. St Patricks had a spring in their step now and it was Vila's turn to have their backs to the wall. Having said that, a slip from Jamie Pelos, just before the hour, presented Castor with an opening but the striker, not realising how much time he had, could only fire straight at Davis.
That, and the missed chances in the first half, were starting to look as if they may be costly as the league leaders began to assert themselves on the game more and more. To Villa's credit, however, they dug in and, even though they were ceding possession now, they restricted the clear-cut chances.
Then, after soaking up plenty of home pressure, Villa hit St Patricks with something of a sucker punch. Substitute George Parker did brilliantly on the left, driving to the goal-line before cutting the ball back into the path of Ira Castor, who smashed it past Davis. 2-3
That goal, in the 77th minute, took the wind out of the home sails and, in the final minutes, the visitors were once again taking command of proceedings. Parker came close again after bursting through and rounding the onrushing Davis, only to be forced too wide to get a strike on goal. A few minutes later, the Parker and Parker combination almost paid dividends again, but Davis was again quick off his line to force the shot wide of the mark. However, with almost the last kick of the game, the same link-up did pay off. James Parker fed in George Parker, who drove in on the angle and squeezed a shot in past Davis at the near post. 2-4. Game over.
FT St Patricks 2 Glen Villa 4. A hard-earned but, over the 90 minutes, thoroughly deserved three points for Glen Villa. The result sees them climb a place to fourth, and close the gap to St Patricks, who stay top, to eight points. Community Football Academy closed the gap to a point after a draw at home to Heather St Johns Reserves. Loughborough Dynamo moved to within three points of the top, with a game in hand, after beating Barrow Town 3-2.
Coming up next week. Glen Villa take on second from bottom Barrow Town at home. They've played twice already this season. Villa won 3-1 at Riverside Park in the league. They also won a League Cup clash 5-4 on penalties, after a 1-1 draw. Meanwhile, St Patricks are back at home as they welcome third-bottom Sileby Town Reserves to The Emerald Centre.
St Patricks: 1.Davis, 13.Pelos, 4.Ridley, 3.Darji, 2.Byron, 14.McMahon, 12.Higgins, 5.Morton, 8.Doherty, 30.Nicholls, 16.Shilton. Subs: 15.O'Donovan, 10.Makombe, 6.Doy, 9.Taylor, 11.Godhania, 7.Brennan
Glen Villa: 1.Jones, 4.Langton, 5.Inskip(c), 6.Payton, 7.Castor, 8.Greiff, 9.J.Parker, 11.Morton, 12.Wright, 16.Stephen-Hales, 17.Cosgrove. Subs: 2.Morrish, 10.G.Parker, 14.Mason, 15.Burke
Suddenly the pendulum looked to have swung. St Patricks had a spring in their step now and it was Vila's turn to have their backs to the wall. Having said that, a slip from Jamie Pelos, just before the hour, presented Castor with an opening but the striker, not realising how much time he had, could only fire straight at Davis.
That, and the missed chances in the first half, were starting to look as if they may be costly as the league leaders began to assert themselves on the game more and more. To Villa's credit, however, they dug in and, even though they were ceding possession now, they restricted the clear-cut chances.
Then, after soaking up plenty of home pressure, Villa hit St Patricks with something of a sucker punch. Substitute George Parker did brilliantly on the left, driving to the goal-line before cutting the ball back into the path of Ira Castor, who smashed it past Davis. 2-3
That goal, in the 77th minute, took the wind out of the home sails and, in the final minutes, the visitors were once again taking command of proceedings. Parker came close again after bursting through and rounding the onrushing Davis, only to be forced too wide to get a strike on goal. A few minutes later, the Parker and Parker combination almost paid dividends again, but Davis was again quick off his line to force the shot wide of the mark. However, with almost the last kick of the game, the same link-up did pay off. James Parker fed in George Parker, who drove in on the angle and squeezed a shot in past Davis at the near post. 2-4. Game over.
FT St Patricks 2 Glen Villa 4. A hard-earned but, over the 90 minutes, thoroughly deserved three points for Glen Villa. The result sees them climb a place to fourth, and close the gap to St Patricks, who stay top, to eight points. Community Football Academy closed the gap to a point after a draw at home to Heather St Johns Reserves. Loughborough Dynamo moved to within three points of the top, with a game in hand, after beating Barrow Town 3-2.
Coming up next week. Glen Villa take on second from bottom Barrow Town at home. They've played twice already this season. Villa won 3-1 at Riverside Park in the league. They also won a League Cup clash 5-4 on penalties, after a 1-1 draw. Meanwhile, St Patricks are back at home as they welcome third-bottom Sileby Town Reserves to The Emerald Centre.
St Patricks: 1.Davis, 13.Pelos, 4.Ridley, 3.Darji, 2.Byron, 14.McMahon, 12.Higgins, 5.Morton, 8.Doherty, 30.Nicholls, 16.Shilton. Subs: 15.O'Donovan, 10.Makombe, 6.Doy, 9.Taylor, 11.Godhania, 7.Brennan
Glen Villa: 1.Jones, 4.Langton, 5.Inskip(c), 6.Payton, 7.Castor, 8.Greiff, 9.J.Parker, 11.Morton, 12.Wright, 16.Stephen-Hales, 17.Cosgrove. Subs: 2.Morrish, 10.G.Parker, 14.Mason, 15.Burke
The Emerald Centre pitch
The Ground
The Emerald Centre is a community sports and social hub situated to the North-East of Leicester City Centre, supporting the local Irish community. There's a small car park just off Gipsy Lane but beware. If you park here, don't expect to make a quick getaway after the game. You will get blocked in. Parking in the local vicinity isn't too easy either because it's mainly double-yellows in the surrounding roads. However, you can find spots a little further up Gipsy Lane and off to the right.
Adjacent to the car park is a large, curved building that houses the clubhouse, bar and all of the changing facilities. There's a patio at the front of the clubhouse that looks out over the main sports field. Both football and Gaelic football are played on the same pitch, although the Gaelic version uses a longer pitch and, of course, has very different goalposts. There are no dugouts or spectator cover around the ground. However, they do have floodlights. The pitch itself, whilst not having any noticeable slope, could benefit from a trim. All n all, considering the recent heavy rain, it looked to have drained very well and didn't cut up too much during the game.
Ground Number: 471
Att:
Entrance: N/A
Programme: N/A
The Emerald Centre is a community sports and social hub situated to the North-East of Leicester City Centre, supporting the local Irish community. There's a small car park just off Gipsy Lane but beware. If you park here, don't expect to make a quick getaway after the game. You will get blocked in. Parking in the local vicinity isn't too easy either because it's mainly double-yellows in the surrounding roads. However, you can find spots a little further up Gipsy Lane and off to the right.
Adjacent to the car park is a large, curved building that houses the clubhouse, bar and all of the changing facilities. There's a patio at the front of the clubhouse that looks out over the main sports field. Both football and Gaelic football are played on the same pitch, although the Gaelic version uses a longer pitch and, of course, has very different goalposts. There are no dugouts or spectator cover around the ground. However, they do have floodlights. The pitch itself, whilst not having any noticeable slope, could benefit from a trim. All n all, considering the recent heavy rain, it looked to have drained very well and didn't cut up too much during the game.
Ground Number: 471
Att:
Entrance: N/A
Programme: N/A
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