The Cooks Have the Ingredients of Success

This was taken in case there was a "not much on the bench" joke later.

Hopperational details
Date & Venue	Tuesday 27 December 2011 at Compton Park, Cogenhoe
Result	Cogenhoe United 1 Northampton Spencer 0
Competition	United Counties Premier League (Step 5)
Hopping	#442 on the lifetime list, geographically convenient to visit on my way back to Hertfordshire from the West Midlands.
This match in one sentence
Cogenhoe (aka The Cooks, and sorry about the post title)  managed to score from just one of their many chances.
So what?
Both teams sit just below the midpoint of the table, though Spencer have played six games more.  Unless something dramatic happens in the second part of this season, both teams should be secure enough at step 5.
Something random
Another Scooby-Doo tree for the catalogue…
The drama unfolds
Cogenhoe, with a stiff breeze behind them, took control from the start and pinged the crossbar loudly within the first fifteen minutes.  They used the wind to create defensive havoc from corners and set pieces, as shown in the first clip.  Credit to the Spencer defence for holding firm – tonight’s clips will show that their keeper Quincy Shorunmu was a busy man.  Cogenhoe are in the blue kit. Cogenhoe hit the post again … Shorunmu made (or may not have made, as a goal kick was given) a great save … Matt Gearing reached the byline and put a goal on a plate for Perry Wells, who missed it … and impressive left midfielder Courtney Herbert shot over.  A goal was overdue.  It eventually arrived just after the half-hour.  A beautiful curling pass from the left fell perfectly into no-man’s land between defence and keeper and Karl Bates sneaked in and did enough to finish despite Shorunmu’s partial block.  1-0 Bates had another half-chance, making a nuisance of himself through the centre and finding a one-on-one position, but Shorunmu again did enough.  With my freezing fingers, I noted, “Will one goal be enough?” as the first half ended.  Spencer had made no real impact as an attacking force but now they would have the easier of the conditions.  1-0 at half-time I sought shelter for the second half, as the clips will show.  Spencer captain James Allcock got an early yellow for a mistimed challenge, and Bates almost touched in the hard low-driven free kick at the near post.  My second-half clips all follow the pattern of the half.  Spencer gained more territory, and had a few “ooh!” moments, especially from corners and set pieces, but Cogenhoe always looked dangerous themselves.  Bates and Wells were both comfortable as target men with backs to goal, and they were both adept at first-time flicks.  Attacking movement was good and they showed some variation at set plays.  Herbert always looked a threat, but somehow Spencer held on and kept the margin to one goal, helped, it has to be said, by Cogenhoe finishing that did not match up to the approach play. In the closing minutes, some Spencer players realised they might nick a point and could be heard urging Shorunmu to hurry up with goalkicks and clearances.  They were never out of the game at 1-0, but it is hard to recall a really clear chance.  Dean Love, in the Cogenhoe goal, had to work harder in the second 45, and be alert as to when to come out to clear, but from where I was standing at the other end, they looked comfortable enough in defence for most of the time.  The last clips are from the closing minutes.  Final score 1-0
Man-of-the-Match
Tricky choice … Karl Bates decided the destination of the points and was always involved, but he missed a few chances too.  Quincy Shorunmu was a busy man. The Spencer centre-backs deserve some credit too.  However, I’ll nominate Courtney Herbert just because of the ripples of anticipation he caused whenever he got the ball.
A snippet from the programme
No programme today so here is a photograph of a teamsheet.
What Next?
Hmmm … I see there are four fixtures this evening, three of which I could get to.  I’m tempted.

You Have to Be a Linnet to Win It

Hopperational details
Date & Venue	Monday 26 December 2011 at The Walks Stadium
Result	King’s Lynn Town 1 Holbeach United 0
Competition	United Counties Premier League (Step 5)
Hopping	Venue #441 on the lifetime list, and the second part of a Boxing Day double following the morning ko at Norwich United.
This match in one sentence
King’s Lynn Town just about came out on top in this hard-fought clash of 1st v 2nd in the league in front of an amazing crowd of 1040.
So what?
The title for this division may now be decided – the harsh reality is that this was a must-win match for Holbeach.  They are now 7 points behind and have played three games more.  Only King’s Lynn’s own complacency or some sort of self-destruct process (see below) could mess this season up, it appears, unless Long Buckby can sustain a challenge by winning all or most of their games in hand from their present third place.
The drama unfolds
The home side tried to impose themselves on the game from the start, and my scene-setter clip is from about 15 minutes into the game.  Holbeach were by no means overawed by their opponents or the occasion and posed threats of their own. Really clear chances were relatively few as both defences did their jobs, and there were no goals in the first 45 minutes.  Holbeach had a penalty appeal turned down, and I was too far away to give my own opinion.  The second clip is also from the first half.  0-0 at half-time The second half opened with Town pressing for a goal, but Holbeach confirming their continued presence with a disallowed goal (for offside) and a good shot (blocked by the keeper) in quick succession.  Here’s a clip from early in the half, followed by one from the 65-minute mark. The decisive goal is captured at the end of this final clip.  It came after 70 minutes and the scorer is Stuart Wall.  1-0 Holbeach continued to press but this left spaces at the back and the next really good chances fell to the home side.  Town seemed comfortable enough in holding on for the win, and perhaps the chairman will be happier this evening.  Final score 1-0
Man-of-the-Match
For an important goal, possibly season-defining, and a big part in a clean sheet: King’s Lynn Town’s Stuart Wall.
A snippet from the programme
It’s a double programme for this fixture and the forthcoming game against Newport Pagnell Town.  Neither chairman nor manager mince their words following a 3-2 WIN over Yaxley.  Note, that’s WIN, i.e. NOT LOSE, when you score more goals than the other team.  Here’s the former, in scary mode: “It is frustrating that in such an enjoyable time of the year I have to start with criticism, but unfortunately that is what the team deserves after their embarrassing performance against Yaxley.  While Yaxley raised their game and showed 100% commitment we seemed to do the exact opposite.  Thankfully luck saved us from a last-minute equaliser and somehow we clung on to all three points.  After the game I spoke to (the manager) and made it clear I was not going to tolerate players in the team who were not showing 100% commitment but feel it is their given right to be here … Gary now has three games to sort out the attitudes of these players and if I see no change then the club will have to take some action.” I saw the corresponding fixture last season, a 6-0 win for the Linnets.  Click on either team’s name in the tag cloud on the right to jump to the report.
What I learned today
The Walks is a good place for Scooby-Doo style scary trees, but apart from that all similarities to other step 5 venues end.  Having arrived at the ground, I bought my ticket at the separate four-lane ticket office and entered along with 1039 others.  1040!!  What kind of crowd is that for a step 5 game, albeit between the top two teams in the division? I watched the first two minutes of the match on the CCTV widescreen in what other clubs would call the “Refreshment Hut” but here it is Café Verde, complete with sofas under the main stand.  I contemplated a temporary change to my hopper observation rules, but quickly dismissed the idea and went in search of some old-school terracing. King’s Lynn Town in this incarnation have only been in existence briefly, as a phoenix club at the same ground as their predecessor.  The previous club had been playing at step 2, but for the same geographical reasons that hit Bishop’s Stortford this season, had ended up in Conference North having been promoted from a southern step 3 league.  Financial issues led to them folding, and the new club was placed in step 5.  They lost out to St Neots Town last year but are now well-placed to make a step up at the end of this season.  Teams in this league have faced St Neots Town and King’s Lynn Town in successive seasons and they may be quietly looking forward to a more level playing field next time round.  Farsley, coming out of the wreckage of Farsley Celtic, and Chester from Chester City, have all been forced by the FA leagues committee to spend time at step 5 in recent years.  There may well be other examples that I am overlooking.  The step 5 to step 4 promotion/relegation is one that does not work quite as well as the other levels, with six step 4 leagues somehow having to interact with fourteen at step 5.  There isn't an easy solution - England is a funny shape and not built on a grid of roundabouts like Milton Keynes - and communities that have seen a football club fold through no fault of their own deserve to have another chance somewhere and somehow.
What Next?
An urgent scan of the fixture lists to see if I can sneak in a Tuesday night hop alongside other commitments.

A Game of Blofield Football

The ground is set in some fine agricultural land

Please supply your own "red tape problem in lower leagues" joke

Huddling together for warmth at set pieces

A live re-enactment of the classic three-hat problem in mathematics

Hopperational details
Date & Venue	Saturday 26 December 2011 at Plantation Park, Blofield, Norwich
Result	Norwich United 1 Kirkley & Pakefield 1
Competition	Eastern Counties League Premier Division (Step 5)
Hopping	First half of a double Boxing Day hop, chosen this time for geographical reasons!
This match in one sentence
Both teams will feel they could and should have won this game, which at least had a lively second-half with more incidents to keep our attention.
So what?
Norwich United drop one place to fourth in the league but will face pressure soon from teams with games-in-hand.  Kirkley & Pakefield are four from bottom but their lead over three of the teams below is comfortable enough for the moment at least.
The drama unfolds
This game kicked off 25 minutes late, which had me getting nervous about the immediate trip to King’s Lynn.  (Happy ending follows in the next post!)  The first quarter-hour was pretty even, with both teams seeming to struggle to play their best football.  I suppose the county of Norfolk is famous for turkeys, and perhaps plenty had been consumed yesterday – plus it was a bit breezy.  Here’s a scene-setter clip from midway through the first half which finishes with a chance for the visitors.  United are in the yellow & blue. My clockwatching anxieties increased as several players needed either lengthy treatment or lengthy lectures from the ref, who became a central figure in proceedings with his yellow card.  The second clip also ends with an away chance. Another casualty The good old-fashioned fully didactic ref-lecture technique Yet another casualty To be brutally honest, it was a very forgettable first half with five added minutes.  0-0 at half-time The home side improved somewhat after the break.  Smith, the visiting goalie, blocked well after Tom Mustapha (formerly of Hitchin Town) had used his physical strength to set up a chance.  They went close from this corner … However, K&P were really unlucky not to take the lead just before the hour mark.  A deflected shot ballooned upwards, and the keeper Ben Nower could only watch as it looped over him and dropped on top of the bar before bouncing over.  Then K&P fullback Joe Bell sent in a good ball which Grint, stretching, sent narrowly over.  (Bell is listed in the programme as “defiantly one to watch for this season”.)  United then had two decent chances of their own – Smith tipped over a 20-yard shot from Mustapha and was then fortunate that a placed shot from the corner was slow enough for him to reach. For the second successive hop, I saw a Christmas gift of a goal.  Nower should have caught a bouncing through ball easily enough but his mistake presented Stock with an unmissable chance after 65 minutes.  0-1 Nower has the chance for solitary contemplation in the 66th minute Fullback Andrew Key had been taking all the home set pieces and he had the first chance to equalise – but his direct free-kick was tipped over by Smith.  The next clip is taken from this phase of the match – United were pressing for the equaliser but K&P were threatening on the break. After 86 minutes, the whistle went for a United penalty.  Even the home players seemed surprised but the ref was clear that fullback Chris Bond had committed a foul.  Key stepped up, but Smith dived to his right to push the ball away. Smith is about to dive right, which is right. However, the chance to atone came only moments later. Key's cross from the left wing was headed in by defender Adrian Ager.  1-1 The tide turned immediately and the home side tried to win it, and my final clip comes from just before the final whistle.  Not a great game, but probably a fair result.  Final score 1-1
Man-of-the-Match
Smith did very little wrong in the K&P goal.  Louis Cutajar looked neat and tidy on the left of midfield for the home side, but he was forced to go off himself not long after his directly opposing fullback had been booked.
A snippet from the programme
It is often true that a neat-and-tidy programme appears at neat-and-tidy grounds at this level, and Norwich United is a good example.  You can tell from the moment you enter the ground that the club is cared-for.  For the snippet, I will choose the pen picture that will be of most interest to my local followers: “Tom Mustapha – Striker – previous club Hitchin Town.  Tom has joined us this season, he is very quick and can score goals.  His pace should prove to be a real problem for the opposition.” Mustapha was one of several players upended more than once today.  I think his teammates are looking towards the bench for a thermometer. Although he did not get on the scoresheet today, he is top scorer for the club in the league with nine goals this season.
What I learned today
The Norwich United manager, Paul Chick, and his assistant, Donny Pye, are known in these parts as the Chick n’Pye combo.  I like this a lot, and it beats anything original I have to offer today!
What Next?
A one-hour jaunt westwards to King’s Lynn Town for a 3.00pm kickoff!

Twas the Day Before Christmas

What's the collective noun for groundhoppers?

 

To be fair, there is no evidence that the bike belonged to one of the officials ...

Hopperational details
Date & Venue	Saturday 24 December 2011 at West Humble Playing Field
Result	Dorking Wanderers 3 Storrington 2
Competition	Sussex County League Division 2 (Step 6)
Hopping	Christmas Eve, lunchtime, and with an estimated 100 groundhoppers present, many of whom had been to a D3 game earlier in the day!  Well done Dorking Wanderers.  Your choice of ko time fufils a valuable social function in keeping me and all these other obsessives away from homes, shopping centres and workplaces where we would cause untold Christmas Eve chaos.
This match in one sentence
Dorking Wanderers kept their patience to overcome the setback of a gifted goal which had put them 0-2 down after an hour.
So what?
Dorking Wanderers are third, with five games in hand over fourth-placed Storrington, who may yet drop another place or two as the fixture numbers even out.  Both Wanderers and second-placed Hailsham Town would need East Preston to slip up in order to lead the division.
The drama unfolds
The beautiful setting of this ground is a powerful argument in favour of reserving “new” hopping venues for the daylight hours.  Having arrived in good time (but by no means the first among the hopping contingent!) I was moved to make a video introduction. It was a strange start to the game.  There was a stoppage in play of almost two minutes for two lecture-and-booking combos (one on each side) as the ref imposed himself.  The home side made the best of the early chances, and after 12 mins the Storrington fullback needed to be there for a goalline clearance. Cleared off the line! My first-half clip of the play was taken about mid-way through the session.  Wanderers (in the blue/black) looked more menacing but Storrington had two strong and sizeable forwards who looked dangerous themselves on the few occasions they got the ball in advanced positions. On the half hour, the Storrington #10 showed a glimpse of something to come with a dink over the bar.  The chance had come from a strong run out of defence from their #4.  However, Wanderers were still making chances and only superb last-gasp interventions by #7 and #11 in quick succession prevented an opening goal.  After 37 minutes, a strong run down the right wing by Wanderers’ #9 but the ball on a plate for #12 (an early sub had been needed) but the chance was spooned over.  Almost immediately, Storrington took the lead somewhat against the run of play – the scorer was #10, again using his strength and size to good effect.  0-1 at half-time The Wanderers manager’s words drifted over at half-time – apparently, if everyone did their jobs, they would win this game.  Well, as it turned out he was right.  There was no hint of this however after 53 mins, when his keeper fluffed a catch and the lino confirmed a goal that, at this time of year, should have had wrapping paper and a bow.  0-2 Wanderers got their first goal on the hour.  Storrington should have been aware that captain #8’s corners would be heading for #11 – we had seen the play attempted several times already – and this time the delivery was inch perfect and the chance was buried.  1-2 #11 nearly got a second but an excellent defensive header by the impressive Storrington #4 saved the day.  The luckless #12 had half a chance from a one-on-one break but ballooned his effort wide.  The equalising goal came with 15 mins to go, from another #11 header, this time with an element of controversy.  Judge for yourself at the end of my second second-half clip.  2-2 I had barely finished noting the news when fullback #3 cut in powerfully from the left and smacked a splendid winner, despite the keeper getting fingertips to the shot.  Wanderers were able to see out the remainder of the game without too much difficulty.  A great game for the passing neutrals, and well done to the host club for their choice of kickoff time.  Final score 3-2
Man-of-the-Match
I am sure he is a name as well as a number, but to me he'll always be Red 4 Wanderers' #11's aerial presence had a big part in the result Wanderers #11 has a strong case for his brace, but I am going for the Storrington #4 who kept the result in doubt for a long time with some excellent defensive work.
A snippet from the programme
The date of 24 December is the anniversary of the sacking of Les Reed by Charlton Athletic, covered in an article which begins: “Charlton Athletic used to be one of the most stable and boring clubs in the world.  Alan Curbishley was the manager for 437 years and for almost every one of them the Addicks spent little, started well and then tailed off as soon as their Premier League survival was ensured.” The article goes on to explain that Iain Dowie succeeded Curbishley, but when he was sacked, his unknown assistant (Reed) was appointed.  He is a well known coach, but only lasted 41 days as manager before his Christmas Eve sacking.  I got back to the car after the game to hear 5Live discussing, yet again, Steve Kean’s position at Blackburn Rovers. Hmmm – parallels.
What I learned today
This ground sits at the bottom of Box Hill.  This lump of chalk is good for viewpoints, butterflies, bats, a memorial to a man with BO, and follies among other things and the National Trust are looking after it for us.  Splendid. Dorking Wanderers were formed in 1999 and have therefore been relatively successful in their short history, cementing a step 6 place with 6 promotions in 12 seasons.  They have been at this venue since 2007 (if I understand the programme correctly). This ground is added to my list of venues where trainspotting can be combined – it is a local line for which various diesel multiple units from the BR Sprinter series can easily be seen in the livery of SW Trains.  158s and 159s if I am not mistaken.
What Next?
My provisional Boxing Day double is Norwich United v  Kirkley & Pakefield and King’s Lynn v Holbeach but follow @GrahamYapp on Twitter for any changes.

Aggregate win on Bardon Hill for Oadby Town

This pic was taken by 47 separate 'hoppers this evening. I suppose the stone throwing warning is needed when you are next to a massive quarry!

 

Hopperational details
Date & Venue	Wednesday 22 December 2011 at Bardon Close
Result	Bardon Hill 0 Oadby Town 2
Competition	East Midlands Counties League (Step 6)
Hopping	Venue #438 on the lifetime list
This match in one sentence
Oadby Town dominated but Bardon Hill’s good work in getting in level at the interval was undone by a 46th minute goal topped off by a very late penalty.
So what?
The impressive Oadby Town supporters will have been singing jolly songs all the way home – they are in 5th place, 12 points behind leaders Heanor Town, but, because of their cup runs, with four games in hand.  This is their first season in the league after their relegation from step 5.  Bardon Hill are securely in mid-table in what the programme calls a see-saw season.
Something random
A queue outside the turnstile 45 minutes before a step 6 fixture was a sure sign of a substantial hopping presence tonight as anxiety kicked in about the size of the programme print run.  In the words of one bemused local trying to get to the tea bar, “Where did this lot come from?”  Answers on a postcard.  An initial tea-flow crisis was soon solved and everyone was happy with their real mugs.  Love it.  The only sour note of the evening was the abuse handed out to a young lino – to be fair, his communication to the ref could have been more effective, but I don’t know where we are going collectively with behaviour towards officials in this game.
The drama unfolds
The Oadby Town supporters were in good voice from the start and fair play to them.  I think this is the first time I have heard such sustained singing for a step 6 fixture (and probably one of the biggest crowds for a league game too).  Their team took control but for much of the first half lacked the incisive final ball to break the deadlock.  Their #11, direct and pacy on the left wing, and their #2, a composed-beyond-his-years fullback, caught the eye.  My scene-setter clip is from about 15 minutes into the game. Five minutes later, Bardon Hill were lucky when the ball fell somewhere for their keeper to drop on it after it had been pinging about in the area.  Then #2 cut inside and his left-foot cross was met with a flying header by #6 in one of the best moves of the half.  Nevertheless, Bardon Hill held on well enough with good work from all their defenders and they got to the interval on level terms.  0-0 at half-time No doubt stirring words were spoken in both changing rooms during the break, and half of them came to nothing as Oadby Town took the lead straight after the restart.  Good work by #10 as he marauded into the area and reached the byline – he placed a pass back into space and #6, arriving like a steam train from midfield, really could not miss.  0-1 The game then settled into the same pattern – Oadby frequently looked like adding a second, but Bardon Hill got into opposition territory rather more and had several half-chances.  At this stage of the game, all three results were plausible.  Here’s a clip. Oadby’s second goal did not come until stoppage time.  #10 burst through from half-way and shrugged off a first attempted foul well outside the area.  He was then brought down in the box, said both ref and lino, though this was disputed by all and sundry.  Captain and #8, who had been shooting wide from various angles and distances in the preceding quarter-hour, made no mistake from the spot, as shown in the final clip. Good penalty.  Final score 0-2
Man-of-the-Match
Oadby Town’s #10 who made both goals.
A snippet from the programme
It’s a good step 6 programme but, it has to be said, in need of some catapostrophic correction on the Sponsors list of all places.  There are three no-nonsense and commendably honest match reports, and this snippet refers to an away defeat at Thurnby Nirvana. “Bardon’s see-saw season continued apace with a reversal of fortunes that all but rules them out of any chance of league honours this season.  The theme of the season was again repeated with numerous changes in personnel due to injury and lack of availability, and once again Bardon’s ability to ship soft goals was the order of the day … this defeat leaves the Bardon management with a lot of thinking to do.”
What I learned today
The ground is right next to a large quarry.  A quick look at the Aggregate Industries website inspired my post title and revealed that this is one of the biggest in the UK, here at the highest point in Leicestershire.  Nearby areas have been designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest and apparently there are about 200 species of spider in the vicinity.  Always good to read about spiders on the world-wide web, somehow it feels right.
What Next?
Not sure whether I can get anything else in before Boxing Day, though I notice that the Sussex Leagues have some action on Friday and Saturday.  Hmmmm.  My PROVISIONAL Boxing Day double (subject to weather, health, hangover, checking KO times etc etc) is in the mystic East with Norwich United v Kirkley & Pakefield (11.00am) followed by King’s Lynn v Holbeach (3.00pm).