This Tuesday I decided to stay fairly close to home, but try something a little different. my destination for the evening was Northamptonshire, the village of Crick to be exact. The home side, Crick Athletic, were taking on very local rivals, West Haddon Albion in an end of season Northants Combination Division One match. With both teams safe from relegation or promotion, the game had nothing resting on it apart from local pride. What made it so different was that neither side, as far as I could ascertain prior to kick-off, used any of the social media platforms that I normally relied on to get the message out, namely X or Facebook. West Haddon do have a Facebook page, but it hasn't been updated since late last year. My goal was to see how much traction I could get for the blog, without being able to directly connect with either club, something I'd never tried before.
With less than four miles between the respective grounds, this really is a local derby. There was also not too much between the teams in terms of league placing either. Prior to kick-off West Haddon sat sixth on 30 points, whilst Crick were four places lower but just six points behind. Both had played 21 of their 26 league games. The reverse fixture only took place a month ago, Crick leaving Northampton Road with all three points following a 3-1 victory. Their goals came from Mackinley Carlton, Alec Shrimpton and Max Alford. Zac Buckmaster scoring for Albion.
Many thanks to both teams for sharing photos of the team sheets prior to the game. Apologies if I have any names incorrect in the blog, some of the numbers on the sheets didn't match actual shirt number, so I had to listen for names being called during the game and try to match them up. Hopefully, the majority are correct, but I'll happily edit later if necessary.
With less than four miles between the respective grounds, this really is a local derby. There was also not too much between the teams in terms of league placing either. Prior to kick-off West Haddon sat sixth on 30 points, whilst Crick were four places lower but just six points behind. Both had played 21 of their 26 league games. The reverse fixture only took place a month ago, Crick leaving Northampton Road with all three points following a 3-1 victory. Their goals came from Mackinley Carlton, Alec Shrimpton and Max Alford. Zac Buckmaster scoring for Albion.
Many thanks to both teams for sharing photos of the team sheets prior to the game. Apologies if I have any names incorrect in the blog, some of the numbers on the sheets didn't match actual shirt number, so I had to listen for names being called during the game and try to match them up. Hopefully, the majority are correct, but I'll happily edit later if necessary.
Crick on the attack Kicking off five minutes late, the game got off to a slow start. Neither team posed a particular threat to their opposite goal in the opening 15 minutes or so. If anything, it was West Haddon who looked the more dangerous of the teams, but despite having more possession, they did not stretch Martim Piedade in the home goal.
The first big chance of the game came in the 18th minute. Piedade's attempted clearance of a long ball ricocheted off a combination of Alec Shrimpton and the chasing attacker, Michael Reesby. With the goalkeeper out of position, Reesby attempted to send the loose ball goalward only for Shrimpton to recover quickly enough to make a good block. Good defending from the home captain.
At the other end, Thoumass Stephanou was having a relatively quiet time of it until close to the half hour mark, when he had to back-peddle in order to tip an errant cross over his bar.
With the clock ticking down towards half-time a long ball saw Crick's Diesel Binding burst through with a seemingly clear path to goal. However, as he was about to pull the trigger he was thwarted by a superb tackle from Elsio Peixoto, who had made up a huge amount of ground to get back. Two minutes later, in the final seconds of normal time, Sam Anczarski saw his effort well blocked after great work down the right from Charlie Gilroy. After being on the backfoot for a while, Crick looked to be ending the half on the front foot, but then got caught out in the fourth minute of added time. West Haddon won a free-kick way out on the right flank. Zak Buckmaster took it, swinging the ball in towards the back post. A cluster of players went for the ball, but none made contact, as the in swinging delivery bypassed everyone to nestle in the bottom corner. 0-1
HT Crick Athletic 0 West Haddon Albion 1. The visitors ahead with the final kick of the half. Just about deserved on the balance of play in a game that hasn't seen too many goalmouth incidents so far. The combination of the late start and added time means that the sunlight is rapidly fading even before the second half kicks off.
The first big chance of the game came in the 18th minute. Piedade's attempted clearance of a long ball ricocheted off a combination of Alec Shrimpton and the chasing attacker, Michael Reesby. With the goalkeeper out of position, Reesby attempted to send the loose ball goalward only for Shrimpton to recover quickly enough to make a good block. Good defending from the home captain.
At the other end, Thoumass Stephanou was having a relatively quiet time of it until close to the half hour mark, when he had to back-peddle in order to tip an errant cross over his bar.
With the clock ticking down towards half-time a long ball saw Crick's Diesel Binding burst through with a seemingly clear path to goal. However, as he was about to pull the trigger he was thwarted by a superb tackle from Elsio Peixoto, who had made up a huge amount of ground to get back. Two minutes later, in the final seconds of normal time, Sam Anczarski saw his effort well blocked after great work down the right from Charlie Gilroy. After being on the backfoot for a while, Crick looked to be ending the half on the front foot, but then got caught out in the fourth minute of added time. West Haddon won a free-kick way out on the right flank. Zak Buckmaster took it, swinging the ball in towards the back post. A cluster of players went for the ball, but none made contact, as the in swinging delivery bypassed everyone to nestle in the bottom corner. 0-1
HT Crick Athletic 0 West Haddon Albion 1. The visitors ahead with the final kick of the half. Just about deserved on the balance of play in a game that hasn't seen too many goalmouth incidents so far. The combination of the late start and added time means that the sunlight is rapidly fading even before the second half kicks off.
Albion attacking from a corner Athletic looked for an early response in the second half, presumably stung into action by the late goal. However, aside from Anczarski almost latching onto a low cross from the left, there are few moment of concern for Stephanou.
Asin the first half, chances for both teams are at a premium. Defences are certainly on top and the majority of play is restricted to the central third. Despite being a local derby, there's not the sort of edge that you commonly get on these occasions. Possibly because it's a late season game with nothing riding on it apart from bragging rights.
Into the final twenty minutes and the light faded even more. From my vantage point midway between the halfway line and one of the goals, it was actually difficult to make out the action at the opposite end of the pitch. West Haddon were using every opportunity to break up the game and disrupt play, launching clearances over the clubhouse or into the bushes on the opposite side of the pitch. Given that they were leading and that it was getting increasingly dark, this seems like a strange tactic. If the game was delayed much longer, they could have risked an abandonment.
Crick were pushing harder for an equaliser but still failing to stress Stephanou and, as they pushed up, they were risking getting caught out by a quick break. This almost happened in side the final five minutes. A long ball caused Piedade to come out of his box to make a clearance. Not dissimilar to the first-half incident, the loose ball was latched onto by Freesby, who once again tried to return the ball past the stranded keeper. Tshi time he did beat the covering defender, but also saw his effort drift wide of the post.
That was the last significant action of the game, as the referee finally signalled an end to the game.
FT Crick Athletic 0 West Haddon Albion 1. Not the greatest of games but still good to be out watching live football. Overall, from a neutral perspective, Albion deserved to take the points. One thing that the game did highlight was that midweek games at this time of year need to kick-off as early as possible at grounds without floodlights. It's understandable that kick-off is as late as possible to give players time to get from their day jobs, but post 8 o'clock at this time of year, it is too dark. However, it did allow me to get a Stranglers reference into the blog title, so not all bad.
Whilst neither of today's teams have title ambitions this season, they both have games coming up that could play a part in the title race. Next up for West Haddon Albion is the visit of third placed AFC Towcester on Saturday. Then, following a midweek trip to Harpole Reserves, Crick take on fifth placed Wootton St George on the 19th. The same day, West Haddon play hosts to second placed Thrapston Venturas.
Crick Athletic: Piedade, Power-Wright, Carlton, Shrimpton(c), Townsend, Maxwell, Young, S.Anczarski, Gilroy, A.Anczarski, Binding. Subs: Barlow, Coulson, Bennett, Gibson, Bowles
West Haddon Albion(squad): Stephanou, Facer, Mazzone, Green, Peixoto, A.Burnell, N.Burnell(c), Z.Buckmaster, J.Buckmaster, Sage, Frater, Smallwood, Reesby, Garrard, Kibblewhite
Asin the first half, chances for both teams are at a premium. Defences are certainly on top and the majority of play is restricted to the central third. Despite being a local derby, there's not the sort of edge that you commonly get on these occasions. Possibly because it's a late season game with nothing riding on it apart from bragging rights.
Into the final twenty minutes and the light faded even more. From my vantage point midway between the halfway line and one of the goals, it was actually difficult to make out the action at the opposite end of the pitch. West Haddon were using every opportunity to break up the game and disrupt play, launching clearances over the clubhouse or into the bushes on the opposite side of the pitch. Given that they were leading and that it was getting increasingly dark, this seems like a strange tactic. If the game was delayed much longer, they could have risked an abandonment.
Crick were pushing harder for an equaliser but still failing to stress Stephanou and, as they pushed up, they were risking getting caught out by a quick break. This almost happened in side the final five minutes. A long ball caused Piedade to come out of his box to make a clearance. Not dissimilar to the first-half incident, the loose ball was latched onto by Freesby, who once again tried to return the ball past the stranded keeper. Tshi time he did beat the covering defender, but also saw his effort drift wide of the post.
That was the last significant action of the game, as the referee finally signalled an end to the game.
FT Crick Athletic 0 West Haddon Albion 1. Not the greatest of games but still good to be out watching live football. Overall, from a neutral perspective, Albion deserved to take the points. One thing that the game did highlight was that midweek games at this time of year need to kick-off as early as possible at grounds without floodlights. It's understandable that kick-off is as late as possible to give players time to get from their day jobs, but post 8 o'clock at this time of year, it is too dark. However, it did allow me to get a Stranglers reference into the blog title, so not all bad.
Whilst neither of today's teams have title ambitions this season, they both have games coming up that could play a part in the title race. Next up for West Haddon Albion is the visit of third placed AFC Towcester on Saturday. Then, following a midweek trip to Harpole Reserves, Crick take on fifth placed Wootton St George on the 19th. The same day, West Haddon play hosts to second placed Thrapston Venturas.
Crick Athletic: Piedade, Power-Wright, Carlton, Shrimpton(c), Townsend, Maxwell, Young, S.Anczarski, Gilroy, A.Anczarski, Binding. Subs: Barlow, Coulson, Bennett, Gibson, Bowles
West Haddon Albion(squad): Stephanou, Facer, Mazzone, Green, Peixoto, A.Burnell, N.Burnell(c), Z.Buckmaster, J.Buckmaster, Sage, Frater, Smallwood, Reesby, Garrard, Kibblewhite
Crick Sports Field
The Ground
Crick Sports Field is sitated just to the North of the village of Crick. There's a good-sized car park and what looks to be a relatively new pavilion. Aside from the main pitch, there are also a couple of small-sided pitches and a five-a-side artificial surface cage. The main pitch has a white plastic fence running down the pavilion side. The dugouts, which also look quite new, are on this side of the pitch too. The opposite side is backed by trees and bushes as is the far end of the pitch. The playing surface slopes down slightly from the Yelvertoft Road end and appeared a little on the bumpy side, which is not that surprising after a long season and given the recent dry weather.
Ground Number: 446
Att:
Entrance:
Programme:
Crick Sports Field is sitated just to the North of the village of Crick. There's a good-sized car park and what looks to be a relatively new pavilion. Aside from the main pitch, there are also a couple of small-sided pitches and a five-a-side artificial surface cage. The main pitch has a white plastic fence running down the pavilion side. The dugouts, which also look quite new, are on this side of the pitch too. The opposite side is backed by trees and bushes as is the far end of the pitch. The playing surface slopes down slightly from the Yelvertoft Road end and appeared a little on the bumpy side, which is not that surprising after a long season and given the recent dry weather.
Ground Number: 446
Att:
Entrance:
Programme:
Sunset
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