University of Manchester 2-2 University of Nottingham – Wednesday game!

With my involvement with High Peak Radio I’ve hardly had any chance to get to any Wednesday night game’s this season. At sixth form I ended at 11:15 on Wednesday mornings, hmm afternoon games? Exactly, it was last week I had thought of going to Salford but never went through with it. Tuesday was the final straw, uncertain weather put off 2 trips and the other two games ended up being blessings I didn’t go. It was time…

Tuesday night I took a peek through the British University Sports Championship fixtures, University of Manchester had 2 games going on at their Moseley Road site; easy to get to. That was it, I was there.

Wednesday morning started like no other, up at 7am, hmm except I was up 20 minutes late. A rush round; had a cup of tea and didn’t get directions for the game printed off. Ouch! I headed down to the bus stop and off to Marple.

Getting in at 8:45 my only lessons went well, politics and economics for 65 minutes each. 11:15 I headed over to the Library, did a quick homework and started to prepare for going. By 11:50 I was ready and could have got the 12:30 train but got distracted and left the building at 12:30, I got distracted by football and didn’t go until 12:50!

I set off to Marple station just in time for the 1307 to Manchester, erm no! It was delayed by 10 minutes, TYPICAL USELESS HOPE VALLEY LINE! It really is bad reliability. When it did turn up I paid my £1.90 fare and rushed to the ticket machine with 7 minutes until the train, I bought a return to Chapel-en-le-Frith and not a single. The machine didn’t want my money, I dropped a load and I headed to Platform 10, I got to the train and the timer said 13:51 56! 4 seconds before time.

It was standing only for the 6 minute ride to Levenshulme and I rushed down the road with a good idea of where I was headed. After the double roundabout the complex starts with a 10 foot wall and it just carries on for 400 yards before a gate appears. The complex that opens infront of you is huge. Two full size hockey pitches to your right and their is a path behind it that take you to the large main part of the complex, four football pitches and a rugby pitch with the pavillion to your left. It took a minute to work out the two pitches roadside were womens games and up a slight bank was the two mens games. I knew Manchester were purple and Liverpool were blue so ruled out the far pitch and watched the near game anyway!

The two teams weren’t in purple or green (their scheduled colours) but rather the University of Manchester in White shirts, Black shorts and Purple socks (recognizable by their sponsor Deloitte) and Nottingham in Yellow shirts and Black shorts + socks. The pitch looked in good condition from my view on the near side and despite arriving at 1411 quickly found this wasn’t a bad standard.

Manchester were the better side creating several good chances until a goal on around 35 minutes, 16 broke into the box and fire high into the goal, 1-0 Nottingham. I took a usual walk round the ground and it was 1-0 at the break and I started to feel less crazy the more I watched this. In the 50th minute UoM equalised! 10 running inside before curling one beautifully into the corner. Just 2 minutes later it was 2-1…Nottingham, 16 hitting a low shot beyond the keeper from a set piece. I went back to the near side after getting a few photos and despite wearing three layers was BITTERLY BITTERLY cold!

University of Manchester tried hard for an equaliser but Nottingham defended well. It must said it was bitterly cold and I was thankful for the 3 layers I had on! 9 volleyed over for UoN on the hour and a few minutes later the Nottingham keeper did well to tip over a 30 yard volley. On 74 9 broke clear of 4 defenders on the counter and attempted a lob from 25 yards, it ballooned but the keeper did well to punch it away straight to 15 who blasted one goalwards but again the keeper saved.

This Premier Division clash ended 2-2 with a goal on 76, 15 stabbing home a corner. Nottingham looked more likely to win it but in the end 2-2 was a fair result. It was 15:38 and I headed out of the complex with just over 20 minutes to make it back, it started to rain and dark was closing in so I had to rush. The roads were clogged and I was forced to jaywalk back. Just as the rain truly lashed down I was in the station

I got the 1558 train home to Chapel arriving 47 minutes later and until Hazel Grove I was forced to stand. My notepad was slightly soaked but I was happy. A very good day out and I will be back at this sort of football again.

Two games Saturday; Chesterfield Youth and FC United of Tideswell

Tom

Bradwell Sports 4-2 Furness Vale – Not another four?

The title to my blog post is all devoted to the last 15 minutes of this game and refers to my trip to LR v Stoneclough that was 2-0 and ended 3-3 (4 goals late on). Having done my penultimate ground in the division at Hathersage last week I was left with 1 avaliable ground and so it had to be Bradwell of the Hope Valley A Division. Bradwell is one of the five main Hope Valley villages (Hathersage, Bamford, Hope, Castleton) and has a population of around 1,400.

This game required little planning and I allowed myself to wake up around 10:30 and didn’t do a lot until midday when I tore off old sheets off my notepad and put some loose change in my pocket. I had some breakfast before heading out at 12:50 with the bike to Chinley, Chinley station is something I’ve only used about 25 times but I really feel as if I’m there every day. However it wasn’t midweek and the ride over went well taking a little over 10 minutes.

The train came and I bought a £3.70 return to Hope, a 15 minute ride and once there cycled down to Bradwell. The ride felt good, the 1.5 mile journey taking just over 8 minutes. It was 13:44 and I’d arrived at the Stretfield Sports Ground. I cycled through the car-park and got off walking towards the pitch. The changing rooms are behind one goal, well 40 yards worth and their overhang provides slight cover. There is a stand but otherwise its grass standing round a flat pitch.

The game itself started interestingly as I stood on the far side of the pitch. With 7 minutes on the clock the white shirted home side took the lead when 10 half volleyed a corner into the roof of the goal. 16 drove over for Vale almost immediately after and it was a true 3rd v 1st clash. 10 almost doubled the score when his header was finely tipped over. The away side in steel blue shirts counted well and should have scored on 20, 3 hooking the ball into play, 10 heading and 9 had his shot caught. I stopped standing on the halfway line and walked round the goal towards the stand before stopping short. I did start to question whether Furness Vale would be still top after the game (W7, D1, L0) as Bradwell physical ever bullied them out of the match.

On 47 7 drove wide for Vale before the equaliser, a corner kick scrambled in at the back post. Both sides had a few half chances with the Vale keeper doing well to turn away a 25 yard belter. Then Vale almost took the lead, 3 played into 9, he passed to 2, 2 crossed and 3 headed wide.

On 78, a rare rare thing happened, a penalty given! A handball in the box allowed 7 to fire in, 2-1 Furness Vale and surely was top spot kept! I walked slowly towards the near end goal with the game entering the close stages. Horror with 87 minutes gone and heartbreak for Vale as 5 headed home at the back post from a free-kick to seal a draw for Bradwell.

This game then one step further to becoming the new LR v Stoneclough (for late goals) with 92:20 gone Bradwell won another free-kick and the keeper was taken out as he challenged for the ball, the ball was bundled it in and the goal disallowed. But then quite possibly the worst decision I’ve ever seen at this level, Bradwell protested and it was given! Words couldn’t describe this moment, the away side went insane at the referee. With the game now in their hands Bradwell pressured the keeper, he passed it straight to 10, 4-2 Bradwell in the 4th minute of stoppage time. 4 minutes MORE were played however it ended 4-2 and I couldn’t believe it. On one hand for my goal average it was good but on the other Vale were cheated.

I cycled away slowly and I was asked what I thought to goal three for Bradwell, I told the Vale player it was foul and shouldn’t have been allowed. Their was uproar at the final whistle and I cycled back to Hope within 10 minutes to wait 40 minutes for the train home. I sat down and relaxed reflecting on my one word to describe the day “interesting” before cycling home from Chinley, getting in at 1710

Leek Town v Chasetown on Tuesday

Tom

Atherton Laburnum Rovers 3-3 Stoneclough (4-3 on pens) – Speechless! How…?

I won’t go into ridiculous detail over the transport as it is the same as Monday’s trip to Collieries. I had tried to find an alternative as I wasn’t keen on repeating the same 2 mile hike to and from Chinley station or the trek through Manchester City Centre. This obviously didn’t happen but having had some excellent entertainment at the 2 Goldline Trophy games I’ve visited (Tempest United and Collieries) I decided to just go for it.

17:25 I set off on time taking my time making Chinley and the journey took just 15 minutes, I sat down to get my things together making sure I had brought adequate money and waited for a late train. An old man asked whether he was on the right platform I told yes but he’d be waiting, he enquired why and I said the train is never early. Sure enough I was correct.

Once I was in Manchester and had paid £5.35 headed over to Victoria for the 25 minute trip to Atherton. This was of course the 1910 and once in the town took a right out of the station, third left, left and on the left the ground is after around 200 yards.

I paid my £2.00 and entered, LR in their yellow & blue and Stoneclough in all claret with touches of blue. The ground at first strikes you with its massive elevated main stand, and the clubhouse and changing rooms are next to it. I took my walk clockwise round the ground and passed the near end with a bit of shelter 15 yards behind the goal and the Atherton Line overlooking the pitch. The rail round the pitch is blue and in the early stages Clough dominated without really creating many chances.  LR went close on 15 when 4 ran through only to his shot saved by the keeper’s legs. The game was physical and it didn’t feel like a Step 5 v Step 7 game.

The first goal came on 42, an absolutely outrageous 35 yard belter from 7 put LR in the lead it sailed beautifully into the bottom corner leaving the keeper with no chance. I at half-time made my way to main stand having walked round the ground in the first half, there is a distinct blue theme and the pitchside rail like at Colls has character.

The second half didn’t exactly start like a house on fire but a push/dive in the Stoneclough box allowed LR to take a 2-0 lead, LR intensified their physical approach and most of Stoneclough’s followers and indeed myself were resigned to an LR win by 3 or 4 goals. Stoneclough made a few subs and from my view high up in the main stand they looked a great set of lads who were unfairly getting bullied by the referee.

The last 15 minutes came and my hopes of a thriller were going, however unexpectedly Stoneclough scored on 77, a clever one two allowed Ralph to fire a shot in off the underside of the crossbar, 2-1 and extra time thoughts send shivers down my spine! LR headed a corner against the post before Smith on 83 controlled the ball well and belted a shot in off the post, 3-1 and game over. Stoneclough were out of the Goldline Trophy.

Just 2 minutes later the Atherton Laburnum keeper made a horrible judgement to meet a backpass, Swailes unbelieveably nipped in and walked the ball home, 3-2 and game on again. Stoppage time came and 2 minutes in the visitors volleyed over and with little idea of how long was left I was ready to make my way to the exits. Over 4 minutes of stoppage time were played and LR did one of the stupidest things you could, THEY CONCEDED A PENALTY! I was absolutely astounded, Ralph stepped up and confidently rolled it in, the expression on my face turned from worried to absolutely stunned. 15 minutes earlier Stoneclough were absolutely gone!

It wasn’t extra time but penalties! My first live shootout in over 3 years not since Hallam U19s v Harrogate RA U19s in a League Cup tie have I seen a shootout, only my 3rd shootout in 10 years watching football. 5 minutes later it started with 13 minutes until my train and I watched all 5 penalties from both sides, in the end saves on the 1st and 3rd penalties from the LR keeper proved the difference, LR missed their 3rd as well and it was 3 minutes until my train and out I ran!

I almost caused myself a heart-attack with the panic as I sped along with my scooter back to the station, I arrived within 2 minutes only to find my phone was 3 minutes ahead and I had 4 minutes still to wait! It arrived a minute early and got into Manchester 1/2 an hour later, got back to Piccadilly and arrived in at 2310.

Tom

Atherton Collieries 0-4 Charnock Richard – Every cloud has a Goldlining..

With my holidays in full swing and a week off I had the chance to finally tick off a new ground midweek and with the Goldline Trophy Quarter Finals being completed I plucked for Atherton Collieries v Charnock Richard. I have visited Atherton before but unfortunately on arrival at Atherton Town I found the game to be off! That was three months ago so it wasn’t on my mind too much

I almost had my plans scuppered but they were cross examined thoroughly by my parents and instead of saying No, they allowed me clearance to go. It was 17:33 and I had 22 minutes to make the train, I couldn’t walk that fast so grabbed the scooter and headed out of town for Chinley. My scooting could be considered experienced, doing the 2.2 mile trip in a little over 13 minutes in the dark.

Once in Chinley station I checked to see if the train was running to time, OH NO! 10 minutes late to complete smash my plans in two! It did arrive late and when the conductor took my £8.10 off me I asked him why it was late, he said something about problems in Sheffield…oh ok. When it did arrived at 18:40 in Manchester Piccadilly I got off and scooted over to Victoria taking 8 minutes to make it. I had missed my connection to Atherton and wasn’t to arrive in the town till at least 5 minutes after kick off.

I bought my ticket for £3.30 and headed over to Platform 5, after a long wait the train arrived and I sat down to text people, go on facebook and generally forget about the error. The train was on time as it rolled into Atherton at 1935 and I did the one thing I could, leg it to the game! I made it a junction with the Bolton Road then panicked losing 2 minutes before finding the ground on Alder Street at 1942.

I paid my £2 and asked the gateman if they’d been any score he said they’d only just kicked off and I told him I’d travelled 40 miles much to his surprise. The ground hit me instantly, a covered terrace to the right with red seats bolted down, a drive along the near end with changing rooms and a tea bar. The far side is home to the clubhouse, car-park and the other stand, seated and with standing to its left. The far end is open.

I stood at the top end on the most unlevel rail ever! The rail around the pitch was bent in every direction possible which made it hard to lean against. Charnock started the better and always looked capable of scoring; after a succession of corners they did scored 14 minutes in through a header. Collieries looked the part of a NWC Division One side with their counter attacks but they failed to create many clear cut chances hitting the post midway through the half. It remained 1-0 at the break and from my position behind the near goal did my tour of the ground ending up on the stand next to entry.

I sat down on the back row dragging the scooter round having taken 40 dodgy pictures thanks to some dodgy floodlights and the pitch markings were non existent. Charnock Richard doubled their lead on 59, a free-kick was floated in and 14 headed home despite taking the keeper out, this infringement infuriated the locals and home bench but this was the tale of the night. Collieries were the more attacking side in the second half but their failed set plays were a major part in their downfall Richard sealing it on 68 an own goal clearance hitting a defender! The game wore on and I did my headcount and seat count in the stand, the headcount reached 115 and the seat count reached 66 seats in the far side stand, 4 rows of 28 in my section and 4 rows of 20 in the other section, 258 seats.

The ground its fair to say is why ground-hoppers groundhop and when I left at 2124 I was sad to be going as it really is a classic. I made my way back to the station arriving 6 minutes later and waited for the 2143 to Victoria. It was on time and the horror it was Class 142 trains, I’ve described these as sheds but why they aren’t replaced I’m unsure, we give enough money to companies to buy new ones!

I strolled/scooted over to Piccadilly getting the 2228 train with 10 minutes to spare and scooted home from there getting it at 23:20.

Deja vu and back to Atherton for a third time.

Tom

Hathersage 1-1 Whaley Bridge Athletic Reserves – That will be my rebate, thank you.

Tuesday evening believe it or not I set out to a game but never made it. All trains to Manchester Piccadilly from Stockport from 18:30 onwards were cancelled or delayed severely and I never got to Man City Reserves v Burnley Reserves. I gave up and came home £6.30 down. I blamed the company for poor communication as the website knew more than the numpties at the station.

Saturday it was time for ground 25 of the Hope Valley Amateur League, Hathersage. Saturday morning I got up in a happy mood for no particular reason and indulged in a new idea of a newsletter for the whole Hope Valley League. The weather was crap and my Dad dropped me off at Chinley station.

Having had my wallet stolen midweek I had my Bus Pass and Student I.D replaced, cancelled my bankcard and had no railcard. £6.80 was to be the fare unless I convinced the conductor I was 15… I got on board for the 20 minute journey down to Hathersage and this fine employee ignored me. Thank you.

The journey was smooth and I was met at the station by Sam Wagner my best pal from Hope Valley College, as the rain teemed down onto my Berghaus jacket we caught up having no seen each other in 3 months making our way to the ground. Straight out the station, take a hairpin left and back under the railway, its on your left after 300 yards.

The Leadmill Sports Ground was somewhere I’d driven past a million times as a kid but never actually saw a game there involving my Dad. Its a decent venue for the standard with fields behind the far goal and huge conifers behind the other goal. On the far side is steep banking with flats visible that are next to the station! I noticed the changing rooms, two duckboards nailed into concrete flanking the door and two picnic tables finishing it off. Lovely.

I wish I could say the game was lovely as it was quite frankly dire. Yes dire as in diabolical. The game had one simple denotation attached to it, dross. Hathersage started the better in their Claret before Ben Maskrey formerly of Hallam nodded home from 6 yards. They pressed at Whaley Bridge but failed to get anywhere and as I did my walk round the ground getting photos I found two benches albeit very wet on the far side across a ditch. The autumn is very clear now as the leaves covered the surroundings, it was nice and I’m sad to be just 3 grounds from completion.

Anyway back to the second half, woops almost forgot Whaley Bridge scored on 41, a 20 yard arrowed shot by the 11, a lovely lovely strike and yes in the second half I sat under cover despite the sunshine attracting a massive 13 to this game. Whaley Bridge looked the more likely to score as Hathersage twice hit shots aimed in the direction of the railway line and they actually pressed the HFC defence to the limits.

It inevitably ended 1-1, I forget at this point to mention I did have Buxton v Stourbridge on the via my mobile and well deary me that was direr than this! I walked off at full-time leaving me 50 minutes until the train which I obviously made and was sat in Hathersage station unaware that an express to Liverpool was coming it scared the hell out of me and as it left turned leaves into missiles!

Sam got on the train to work and the conductor said he’d forget he’d seen us (basically not charge us) leaving me £6.80 in pocket. Sam got off at Hope and I stayed onto Chinley where I was given a lift home. Excellent, dire football doesn’t cost after all.

I have three HV League grounds to visit and will finish the A Division at Bradwell Sports next weekend.

Tom

Harpur Hill 0-2 Buxton Town – Mark it in style why don’t you!

After last week’s dissappointment and failure to nail 100 grounds I was determined to get a game done midweek. However this wasn’t the case as homework (essays essentially!) in Economics, History and Politics needed completion. I was thus left with Harpur Hill v Buxton Town however it was a local derby and just under 9 miles away so I didn’t bother complaining.

The original plan had been to see Hathersage v Bakewell Youth but this changed with Bakewell Youth folding so I had to rejig fixtures slightly. I had intended to visit Harpur in September but incorrect information led me to the wrong ground. Midweek I’d promised on the ground guide website I’d cycle the entire way and when the family went out at 11 (3 hours before kick off) I didn’t really want to chicken out but the prospect was daunting!

Just before 12 I stuck my clipboard and hoodie in my bag, got my bike out and found a rusty chain! Ouch…anyway despite this I’d left 1 hour 50 to reach the game and knew I’d 99.9% be early. I set off down the hill and headed up the pavement of the sliproad off the A6, I crossed the A6 and headed towards Barmoor Clough roundabout. By the time I reached the roundabout my legs had gone and I was regretting cycling, however I plodded on up the A6 reaching Dove Holes within 20 minutes.

I continued through Dove and then had to tackle the steep climb out of the village and onto the tops. I felt fine and didn’t see any reason to stop as it were ideal conditions. Once on top of the A6 you slowly drop down into Buxton and despite the path disappearing under the autumn leaves I had managed to get to the welcome to Buxton signs dead on 40 minutes after leaving, that was 5.6 miles gone just another 3.2 to go.

I sped down into Buxton down Fairfield Road then crossed Bakewell Road up Dale Road and then up towards the Kents Bank Recreation Ground. I crossed the rec then headed down the A515 and up the Harpur Hill Road. I had seen my sister train in Harpur Hill but didn’t realise the steepness of the road and was under pressure to get up it. I made it and then headed down Burlow Road to the ground. I took out my phone with its stopwatch indicating 58 minutes and 40 seconds. Delighted? Of course, I had 50 minutes to wait for the game!!!!

I found a gap in the wall and stuck my bike down and relaxed! This wait seemed to evaporate and I found my clipboard to have shattered after around 3 years worth of use. The ground is basic, no changing rooms or anything just 3 pitches and this one taking place on the one nearest to Heathfield Nook Road. Harpur were kitted out in their white & black stripes, Buxton Town in their typical blue. The distance from ground to ground is 2 miles and it was to be a feisty local derby.

Despite the lack of chances early you could tell this game meant a lot to both sides with around 40 people turning out including Norman Taylor from High Peak Radio. We had a talk and as Colin Moss stuck a free header over from 12 yards I realised that games aren’t built on chances, that there is other factors to a good match. The first half resulted in only a few clear cut attempts on goal but the tempo was high and referee Alan Dunkley matched the standard of football with an equally good performance.

I moved to the far side where the other two pitches end and from here the game seemed very different. There is some character to the ‘ground’, the bent crossbars and the view of the quarry let you know you are in Derbyshire. Anyway on with the second half, it didn’t take long for the deadlock to be broken, Alex Green meeting a corner to thunder home the opener for Buxton Town. Harpur Hillians looked on as coach Steve Claye ran down the touch line in delight but for Buxton they needed it to settle the tempo down.

Buxton Town’s commitment is totally different to most other Premier Division sides, diving at anything to win the ball back and this was the story of the second half. Harpur pressed and as Buxton Town missed a host of chances I thought this was going to the wire, however Colin Moss crashed one in from 20 yards with 10 minutes left and that was it. I made sure I had enough photos of the ground for the website and with a few minutes to go walked back to other side.

The whistle went and I was first faced with the hill to climb back into Harpur Hill. 3:32 it was..and off I went! I got back to the junction with the A515 fine but was almost knocked off by a young chav who walked infront of me while I was going about 20 mph! He shouted an expletive at me so I stopped, he looked and I carried on.

It was back the same way I came and after a few minutes waiting at Bakewell Road my chain popped off opposite the Lightwood Road junction! It took several minutes to get back on and my legs were feeling bad however I continued up the A6 and onto the tops again where it felt fantastic as it was all downhill home. I crossed the A6 just outside Chapel and headed up through town home arriving with my stopwatch stating 53 minutes 20 seconds (without the chain stop – 47 minutes!)

I rushed inside after dumping my bike behind my Mini then raced inside just in time for Final Score. The results flowed in and it was a “I’ve never felt more like singing the blues when Wednesday win United lose” day. Perfect. 100 grounds done in style and a Wednesday win.

Where I’ll be to do 101 is a mystery, I may or may not go to a game midweek.

Will update midweek if I do go anywhere otherwise two matches next Saturday.

Tom

Grindleford 0-4 Buxton Town – Hold it there!

As much as I’d like to write 800 words describing this day out I can’t really however it was quite interesting and I hope you can read on… This should have been a two game report, up until Friday this was still the case when I found one of my ears was bad and I still am struggling to hear through it!

I woke up Saturday morning at 7:30 in preparation for the 0921 train to Dore & Totley and then a 4 mile cycle to Chesterfield v Notts County Youth Alliance match. I got up and started to get ready but I felt my bad hearing would badly affect me so I immediately with regret cancelled the first game plans and instead decided to just go to Grindleford v Buxton Town.

My Dad with little to do offered to take me over to Chinley for the 1321 train to Grindleford and the morning passed quickly and I was feeling let down as this should have marked my 100th ground but no it wasn’t.

I got to Chinley fine and then waited…I checked on National Rail’s website to see if the train was on time, erm NO! It was to be ten minutes late. It did arrive and was one of those sheds they call a Class 142, if you have ever had the pleasure of riding on the 75 Class 142s Northern Rail possess then I feel sorry for you. These trains are SHEDS. They are slow and the doors need 5 seconds to open.

I got into Grindleford at 1355 a full 10 minutes late and kicked the door open to get out of the slow opening doors before running out the station and maneuvering my way past the tourists on the way to the main road. I ran straight down the hill arriving about 4 or 5 minutes late to a game 0-0.

When I said was 0-0, it wasn’t for long as Mikey Heathcote slotting in a Mark Balfe cross before Balfe then placed one beyond the Grindleford keeper for 2-0, both goals around the 10 minute mark. The ground is situated at the far end of the field, the cricket pitch overlaps and the pavillion is shared.

I went for a walk round and saw the fishing net to catch any balls hit into the River Derwent, the ground is situated at the Bridge Playing Field where surprisingly you cross the river! I knew it was a flat pitch and this certainly helped the game. Grindleford were a very physical side and failed to understand the concept of fair tackling but on 37 they were 3-0 down Heathcote lobbing the keeper for Buxton.

Just after half-time Buxton Town’s manager came and spoke asking me why I’d given them such a bad away draw to Tintwistle but we had a joke about it and how he was surprised they were winning by so many. It wasn’t 3-0 for long as Heathcote headed in emphatically from 20 yards out on the angle, a corker of a header!

The game from here descended into a foulathon as Buxton exerted revenge for previous dangerous tackles and it killed the game really. Buxton in their blue kit outdoing the white shirted home side and just gone 15:35 the referee blew up leaving me 55 minutes to make the train. I got there 15 minutes later and played music to pass the time, eventually getting in at 17:30.

I wasn’t unhappy to miss the chance to have sown up 100 grounds as the game I watched was terrific and Buxton Town are a very good side.

Tom

Bury 2-1 Tranmere Rovers – You’re having a laugh surely?

This midweek for me should have been an enjoyable one; I should have been at Chesterfield v Huddersfield Town in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy. I of course had my backup that was Bury v Tranmere and before you jump in, no Chesterfield’s game wasn’t called off.

My mate Matt (a Chesterfield fan) had promised we’d go to this match even still I wasn’t convinced and had my backup plan ready to fire at any point. £7 didn’t seem a bad price to get into Saltergate and I had it in my mind as I went into sixth form on Tuesday. Because I had three lessons in the morning we meet up at lunch popping into the chippy and we discussed the game, he was of course apprehensive saying they’d lose on penalties!

Mid afternoon I got a phone call to say he couldn’t be bothered going so I thought sod it, despite the slow and steady rain I’d go to Bury v Tranmere. I had no intentions of doing a non-league match and when I got in at 5:00 I quickly printed a map off and got my best waterproof jacket on.

I set off at 5:25 for Chinley and after 5 minutes was on the verge of turning back, there was a deluge for 20 minutes and my jeans and trainers were soaked already, I couldn’t take it! I made it to Chinley at 5:50 and waited; I still had doubts about whether to go but got on the train nevertheless.

I paid my £5.35 and despite being late at first the train got into Manchester Piccadilly station a minute or so early and it was my job to get on a tram at a station 15 minutes walk away. The streets of Manchester weren’t too bad but my spirits were already dampened getting into Victoria at 6:48. I went to get my ticket except my £10 note wouldn’t go in and one of those security jobsworth ticket inspectors tried wrecking it getting it in, I did pay my £3.50 but missed the tram!

The next one arrived 6 minutes after and the journey up to Bury was a bit easy, just 20 minutes and I was there for 7:20. My map by this time was mush having disintegrated in my pocket because of the rain; I got lost but eventually found my way in the torrential rain. My spirits were even lower now when I arrived at the turnstiles to find a 20 deep queue to get in 10 minutes to kick off.

It was stupidly unreserved and I ended up on the second to back row of the main stand with a ok view. I won’t complain as I’m happy I got a seat and was out of the rain. The enthusiasm amongst Bury fans was clear and they seemed a nice, welcoming set of fans.

In the 4th minute Colin Curran squeezed a goal in for Tranmere in arguably the most revolting kit in the Football-League. The rest of the first half was “crap” and Bury didn’t have much luck in front of goal on a slippery surface.

I rang Matt at half-time and took a few pictures; it is a nice all seated ground here so I was glad I was there in a way despite the awful awful rain! Yes I’m moaning but if anyone knew what torment I went through last night you’d agree with me wholeheartedly.

The second half was completely different with both sides trying to create chances and Bury equalised on 54 after some shoddy defending. Tranmere were playing for John Barnes’s job and Ian Goodison headed against the post but otherwise Rovers were poor. On 80 Mike Jones was laid off and he slotted in to win it for Bury, the fans went mad and I was relieved as I wouldn’t have seen the shoot-out.

I left on 88 minutes running slowly back up towards the Interchange I got there after a spot of jay-walking at 9:40 a full 11 minutes after leaving the ground and I sat and waited for the Metrolink back. It came a few minutes after and arrived back in Victoria at 22:09, I walked back to Piccadilly calmly getting there at 22:20; this allowed me 8 minutes to grab some food and a drink. I used the vending machines on platform 13 before waiting anxiously for the train.

I was still wet and it was quite cool, the train came at 22:32 and the journey back to Chinley took a while and it didn’t arrive till nearly 11. I walked home and the 2.2 mile walk wasn’t that bad. I got in just after 23:30 and my feet were absolutely wrecked by the rain! I had some food before going to bed just after midnight

Barnsley U18s 1-1 Sheffield United U18s and Totley Sports 1-7 Brampton – 7Up

2 games in one day? Are you for real? Yes. Yes to that as well. I haven’t always liked the idea of two games in one day but I had two new grounds I wanted to do. Fellow hoppers suggest a youth game before a mens game in the afternoon is actually an easy way to do regular doubles, I took the initative planned a trip to Barnsley.

Midweek I said goodbye to rip offs and bought a Young Persons Railcard for £26, £6.55 to Barnsley seemed a fair deal and after just one beer on Friday woke up Saturday just before 7. The only plans were the ones with train times which I don’t even need as my memory takes them all in. I had a shower, printed off and dashed round before leaving at 7:55, 26 minutes to make the station, eek! I panicked and in a pair of hiking boots ran for a bit at a time arriving with 6 minutes to spare.

The 0821 into Sheffield was on time and I bought my ticket with my brand new railcard and felt pleased with myself, finally a decent investment! Without much hassle I got into Sheffield and dashed around trying to buy a new pair of trainers unfortunately three factors came into place; cost, style and fit and I was left empty handed. I ended up at Sheffield station at 10:05 and was hungry but decided against food till after the Barnsley game.

I got a Leeds express upto Barnsley the journey taking 22 minutes and my 2nd arrival here in less than 10 months, the town still familar and I wandered off to the ground. Oakwell itself looks huge from the hill at the top of the car-park and as I descended my fears about not gaining entry to the ground were soon disspelled. I took a left through the academy gates and a left turn upto the pitch through some more black gates and as I entered noticed quite a crowd was gathering.

The ground itself, more of a ground than most Hope Valley steeply banked at one end, the near end fenced behind it to stop balls landing on the pitch down below and only part of the near side was roped off and avaliable to spectators. I went to stand as far as I could get from the two sets of support where I gained a decent vantage point.

The game itself wasn’t the best at least in the first half, these two sides are in the bottom two of the 10 team league and it was United who came closest to scoring, striking the post and having half a dozen near misses. Barnsley created little but were just unlucky. For some crazy reason I’d decided to bring my Berghaus jacket and yes I needed it! The wind ripping through and having an influence on the game.

In the second half it improved, as early as the 54th minute Barnsley won a penalty which 3 rocketed off the underside of the bar! Sheffield United continued to attack only to get caught out by the linesman’s flag but ‘won’ a penalty of their own which 8 converted. This lead lasted a massive 101 seconds when 8 of Barnsley rifled in a volley from 25 yards, a brilliant goal. That was how it remained and I left 2 minutes early to get my train.

I was back in Barnsley station 7 minutes early and got back into Sheffield late at 13:07, they announced the train would terminate at Sheffield with half the train in uproar about this decision.  It didn’t effect me, only the late running train infront making me late and with no opportunity to eat pre-Totley I was its fair to say pretty damn cheesed off.

The train upto Totley was late leaving me 33 minutes to do 2.2 miles uphill, of course it never happened and I was struggling with a bad right leg. I then lost all bearings and had to ask a few 12 year olds where the ground was and they were extemely helpful as it was dead on 2pm, I got on Hillfoot Road and was at the base of Penny Lane just 5 minutes later arriving at 2:08, apparently just a few minutes after kick off.

This ground didn’t impress me at first being situated on the same site as the cricket club, at one end a hedge and the other just trees and woods, I then realised how that this ground belonged in the Hope Valley League. Its a rural location not far from the Derbyshire border and shouldn’t be classed as Sheffield and is too nice.

The game itself was probably going to be an away win but in the 19th minute Brampton gave away a penalty which Totley converted for 1-0. That was as good as it got for Totley as Brampton then rampaged. On 22 9 rounded the keeper and tapped in, on 39 10 turned and fired one into the roof of the goal before a third just before half-time a clever chip over the top was headed in by 11, 3-1 Brampton at the break.

Unbelievably it was 5-1 less than 3 minutes into the second half, the 4th on 47 when 10 slotted home and 9 took the absolute mickey when he chipped the Totley keeper from 30 yards just 60 seconds later, it was utterly delightful to watch. The rampant Brampton stopped albeit for 12 minutes as on 61 Zach Law rose highest to tower in a header for 6-1.

I forget in this vivid description of the game events to mention it was blowing a fierce gale for most of the game and my Berghaus jacket repelled it, I kept extra warm fetching the balls that the wind blew extra far out of play and in my walking boots hoofed them back pretty well against the wind. Brampton’s right back is a character thanking me everything for the keeping the game flowing, he got fouled by a Totley player before going in three times two footed on him!

Brampton added a seventh with 17 minutes to go 7 hit a free kick through the wall and it rolled into the corner. That was more or less it, Brampton could possibly have added another half dozen on the balance such was their superiority. I left dead on full-time allowing myself 47 minutes to make it back to the station. This walk back was unevenful and I made it to Dore station 34 minutes after leaving the ground. It certainly is a trip and a half but to see Brampton? Worth every minute.

The train was on time and I got back to Chinley station for 16:55 and having rung my Dad up to get my home he picked me up and Iwas home just after 5. It had all in all been a great day out despite the walking!

Bury v Tranmere Rovers in the Football League Trophy for me up next, ground 98 and my 27th new one of the season

Tom

Bolton Reserves 3-0 Wigan Reserves – Pushing the boundaries again

With no new grounds ticked off the previous midweek I planned to get 2 in this midweek and could only find one sensible Monday night match and this was it. I hadn’t planned much over the weekend except looked over Google Maps but woke up Monday morning early to plan every last detail out. I wasn’t keen on going to see this game purely on distance worries but with a 7:00pm kick off everything looked ok and I had an enjoyable day at sixth form.

I had two options, get the 15:52 bus which was unrealistic or the 16:22 and struggle to make my train. We finish early on Mondays at 3 and I was nervous as hell going home. I got in just gone 3:45 and got everything together, money, wallet, clipboard and all notes needed. I raced out the house at 15:55 and expected to be getting the 16:22. I didn’t exactly expect a late bus, oh then again this is British public transportation and it arrived 7 minutes late…luckily.

The next 1 hour was a farce, the A6 has MORE roadworks on them WHY? It bugs me, I have to leave half an hour early for a game because of roadworks, grr :@. Anyway rant over the bus driver had charged me £2.30 and was an fairly decent guy his driving getting me into Stockport before 5 allowing me a chance to pick a train and afford to get angry at the useless ticket machine. I got the 1704 Arriva Trains Wales straight to Piccadilly and was questioned thoroughly by a man asking me all about my age and was concerned about the depth of my voice for my supposed age, bloody ticket inspectors they are all IDIOTS!

I waited for half an hour beyond jumping on a Blackpool North bound train it was full, Oxford Road? Fuller. By Salford Crescent uncomfortable, a balancing act and foremost a joke. Two blokes next to me speaking Arabic with rucksacks and people staring at me, this was stupid. By the time I reached Leyland I needed a sit down and quickly made my way to the ground with 17 minutes to kick off.

I got to the ground fairly easily, the home of the Lancashire Football Association. It didn’t entirely look like a ground from first sight with all the buildings but once in it felt of Unibond standard, a 500 seater stand on the far side and a small cover before the near goal. I went to sit in the stand across on the far side and sat down to enjoy the night of my 95th ground.

Onto the game the game didn’t start in the most dramatic of fashion with a more experienced Bolton having control on the game in a largely unexciting first half, despite the lack of excitement it was obvious both sides wanted to try and play football. In the second half Vaz Te put Bolton ahead on 59 minutes, smashing a low cross high into the goal and Wigan didn’t really stand much of a chance.

Vaz Te and Muamba tried all they could to show off, at short corners; a pass, a scoop up over the defender and a cross! It was quite good to see but obviously didn’t get much from it. In the last 6 minutes Jack Ward found the goal twice, one on 84 from the edge of the box and not long after rounding the keeper. After that I just legged it out of the ground with an alarming 7 minutes to reach the train.

The next challenge was finding which platform I had to go to! Platform 1 obviously not as an express to Glasgow Central flew past, it was a guess at Platform 2 which was luckily right and I began my trip home in a good mood after a decent night out. I got off at Bolton just gone 2125 for the 2135 to Piccadilly, this was uncharacteristically late but the train wasn’t crammed and I relaxed.

I then faced a slight rush for the 2204 down to Stockport but nevertheless took my time and enjoyed the stroll down to the train getting on and saying thank **** for that, 52 miles and a night hadn’t been wasted on crap. I got to Stockport then caught the bus home, received an earful for going so far then dissappeared to bed for the night.

Tom