Marlow Score Four More

Hopperational details
Date & Venue	Tuesday 11 September
Result	Marlow 4 Highmoor Ibis 1
Competition	Hellenic League Premier Division (Step 5)
Hopping	Ground 479 on the lifetime list – here because of midweek travel constraints!  A real groundhopping gem, it has to be said.
Pre-match preparation
Not a lot!  Late decision.  Leave the M40 at junction 4, and that’s about it.  Quick look at the programme shows that Marlow have a 100% home league record before tonight with 21 goals in 4 games!
This match in one sentence
Two very late goals gave an unfair slant to the evening, as this win was much less convincing than the scoreline suggests.
So what?
Marlow are 6th (three points behind the leaders) with a superb home league record, and Ibis are 15th.
The drama unfolds
Marlow’s number 11 in the last match, Phil John, suffered a nasty leg break in an incident that held up that game for 35 minutes.  Whether as a mark of respect or for practical laundering reasons I don’t know, but Ian Davies was wearing 17 rather than 11, and he opened the scoring after 5 minutes.  Jerome Coultress tripped Marcus Mealing, and Davies scored from the penalty spot.  1-0 Here is a scene-setter clip from midway through the first half.  Marlow in all blue. It must be a nightmare for many Hellenic linesmen, but Marlow play an offside trap, and quite effective it is too.  Ibis attackers were certainly getting frustrated with it.  At the other end, Mealing was getting plenty of the ball, often drifting out to the left as Marlow controlled the game.  It was no surprise that they got a second goal after 24 minutes, through Ben Gladwin’s shot from the edge of the box, and I can only assume keeper Mitchell Parker was unsighted or there was a deflection.  He got nowhere near it.  Marlow saw out the rest of the first half easily enough.  2-0 at half-time Highmoor Ibis started the second half better and here is a clip from just before the hour mark – I have moved to the upper strata of the main stand.  It’s not often you get the chance to be this high at a step 5 game! Just after this, Ibis pulled a goal back, as they had been threatening.  We had already had one close call for offside.  A curling direct freekick from Jamal Forde-Small found the net.  Good strike.  2-1 Another close offside call followed.  I can’t say it was wrong, but it was another close one.  Ibis were looking strong, and with better finishing or a bit more composure around the box they would surely have got level.  They would have deserved it at this point in the game – Forde-Small was prominent in their attacking play.  Ibis finally broke the offside trap with 15 minutes to go and it needed a superb goalline clearance from Alex Salmon to protect the Marlow lead.  They really should have scored.  Forde-Small was narrowly wide with a shot after the trap had been sprung again, when perhaps the pass would have been a better option.  Devontae Romeo dribbled from left midfield into the box and shot just over. Then, in the last few minutes, Marlow substitutes started to find space up front.  There was almost a comedy goal where Ibis sub Simon Eade, rushing back, headed past his own keeper Parker, rushing out, but he recovered to clear for the corner.  Then Parker was stranded after a loose throw out, and Gladwin sent in a neat lob which dropped on the top of the crossbar. I switched the camera on just in time to capture the Marlow insult-to-injury goal, announced as 88 minutes on the clock.  Davies crosses from the right for sub Jamie Piercy.  3-1 In stoppage time, Davies got his second with an odd goal, rolled in along the line and in off the post from a tight angle.  Two goals and an assist for him on the night, but overall a scoreline that seemed harsh on Ibis.  Marlow took their chances but Ibis didn’t.  Final score 4-1
The programme
Something random
A montage of pictures in the clubhouse from the 1991 FA Cup tie between West Bromwich Albion and Marlow.  West Brom won this one 6-0, but Marlow showed more cup pedigree the next season with a visit (and a noble 5-1 defeat) to Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane. There is a large match poster in the clubhouse.  They had two more 90s cup runs of note.  In those days the club played in the Isthmian Premier League, which we would now call step 3 of the “non-league” game.
Hopping for Moorfields Update
Five more goals taking the running total to 56 from 12 matches.
What Next?
Glad to see announcements from club and players that Truro City will be in existence – my last unvisited step 2 ground, so I am hoping to see them against Bromley on Saturday.

I'm an Englishman in Newport

Hopperational details
Date & Venue	Saturday 8 September at Rodney Parade
Result	Newport County 0 Stockport County 0
Competition	Conference National (Step 1)
Hopping	Having restored my 92 with last weekend’s trip to Rotherham, this was a trip to restore my 116, needed because the home side have switched grounds this season.  For non-hopping readers, 116 is the number of teams in the Premier League, Championship, Leagues One and Two and the Conference National all added together.  In other words the top five tiers of professional football in England.
Pre-match preparation
Newport County won their first five league games, including all three at home, but have lost the last two.  They start the day in third place.  Stockport County are 16th and will be disappointed with that as a start to the season.
This match in one sentence
An undistinguished match which could have gone either way, but was arguably a moral victory for Stockport.
So what?
The teams go to 4th and 15th places respectively.
The drama unfolds
Fair play to the happy but overcharged (see below) band of Stockport supporters who kept up some drum-assisted singing for most of the first twenty minutes of a very ordinary game.  Here’s a scene-setter clip, Stockport are in blue.  This is a good playing surface considering the sharing with rugby union. Jefferson Louis had two half-chances in quick succession to put Newport in front.  A spin and left-foot shot was just wide, then a missed clearance let him in for a right-footer that hit the base of the post.  To be fair, the keeper Ian Ormson probably had it covered.  His opposite number in the Newport goal, Lennie Pidgeley, then came for a corner and missed, but there were enough defenders back to block the shot.  Pidgeley then had to make a decent save from Sam Sheridan as Stockport finished the half strongly.  This clip is just before the break.  0-0 at half-time Defences remained on top as the clock reached the hour mark.  Either side looked as if they might score – it wasn’t a terrible game, but both sides were playing well-organised and well-drilled formula football, largely cancelling each other out.  Here’s a clip from 63 minutes which shows Newport hitting the bar, though it would not have counted because of the offside flag.  Play the clip twenty times to see if you agree with the decision. Ormson made a good save and then another Newport tap-in was disallowed for a foul on him as we approached the last few minutes still goal-less for the day.  My final clips are with 11 and 5 minutes left respectively. Then in the 90th minute, Stockport substitute and new signing Alex Meaney rattled the crossbar with Pidgeley beaten.  Unlucky.  Final score 0-0
The programme
Something random
I took this picture on the way out … … the reason being that I noticed that several Stockport supporters were unhappy about the “on-the-day” price hike to £17.  After a complaint, a word-of-mouth message spread that if you took your ticket to a certain steward near the gate you would get a £2 refund.  There was no tannoy announcement.  At half-time the steward ran out of coins in his pocket and went off to get more.  He did not reappear before the start of the second half, and was not there at the end.  Very unusual, and not very classy.  I hope Newport put my £2 towards a book on public relations for dummies.
Hopping for Moorfields Update
This is the first 0-0 draw of the season, which is not too bad as I have some sponsors who are specifically covering this eventuality.
What Next?
Hoping for a midweek FA Cup replay, and then hoping that Truro City still exist next Saturday.  (They have significant financial issues as a club at the moment.)  They play at the last current step 2 ground I have yet to visit, so I very much hope to see them play Bromley in the Conference South to complete my 160 for the first time.  That is, if I "allow" Whaddon Road, Cheltenham to count for Gloucester City who are groundsharing there as tenants at the moment.  The Modus Hopper Random Rules Committee (i.e. me) will make a ruling this week.

Cranfield Get Sky Coverage in the Vase

Hopperational details
Date & Venue	Tuesday 4 September 2012 at Crawley Road
Result	Cranfield United 4 Bush Hill Rangers 1 after extra time
Competition	FA Vase 1st Round Qualifying – Replay
Hopping	Number 477 on the lifetime list and the only practical choice for me tonight for travelling reasons.
Pre-match preparation
Bush Hill Rangers (formerly Goff’s Oak) of the step 7 Hertfordshire Senior County League have a 100% record in the league – 4 wins from 4.  Cranfield United play at step 6 in the South Midlands Division One and have 2 wins and 2 defeats so far.  The first game, only 53 hrs ago, ended in a 2-2 draw after extra time.  Cranfield took an early lead, but Bush Hill led 2-1 at the break.  Cranfield soon equalised but then had a player sent off for headbutting with 10 minutes left of the 90.
This match in one sentence
A harsh scoreline on the visitors who gave as good as they got for 90 minutes but their teamwork rather faded in extra time as Cranfield took their chances.
So what?
Cranfield will be at home to Berkhamsted of the South Midlands Premier league in the next round, and they have secured £500 from the FA prize fund.
The drama unfolds
The match started beneath a glorious sunset and a coral sky, and both sides had early chances.  Here’s a clip – the lighting conditions confuse the camera somewhat but you can still tell that it was beautiful. Cranfield are in white, Bush Hill in blue. The game was played at a fast tempo, with plenty of slick one-touch passing but a definite physical edge too.  Cranfield looked dangerous in the final third but Bush Hill had plenty of possession and territory.  It took a moment of controversy to break the deadlock in favour of the home team after 35 minutes.  The ref pointed to the spot when a direct free-kick came back off the wall.  He signalled clearly that in his opinion a Bush Hill player had raised his hand to the ball.  Number 8 Manny Richardson stepped up and scored powerfully from the spot, even though the keeper got a hand on it.  1-0 at half-time Some neat Bush Hill play fashioned a chance straight after the break, and the game continued to be a good contest.  The pace remained high but the foul count increased steadily, usually from tackles.  Every official decision was challenged overtly by players or management.  An excellent playing surface meant that both sides could try to play good football. The equaliser came on the hour mark.  Bush Hill’s left midfielder reached the byline, his low cross-shot was palmed out by the keeper but rebounded onto a retreating defender and in for an own goal.  1-1 I have strung together a few short clips to show how Bush Hill had several chances from set pieces, but nothing by way of a crystal clear opening.  In fact the home team should have scored from a fast break but the header went into the inky blackness of the night.  Cranfield players were arguing with each other but they rode the storm and it was no surprise when extra time was needed again.  1-1 after 90 mins Cranfield regrouped and started extra time more strongly.  The clip shows their breakthrough goal after 96 mins from Patrick Akwasi.  2-1 Akwasi then gave Cranfield some breathing space as he scored again after 104 minutes.  The midpoint whistle went with a Bush Hill player losing his temper and needing to be restrained by teammates – the anger was sustained and seemed to be directed against another member of his own side.  The management were still having words with him up to a few seconds before the restart.  3-1 half-way through extra time A few minutes later there was an altercation on the touchline.  My clip starts about 20 seconds after the flashpoint and to be honest I cannot shed any more light on it from my position on the opposite side.  Play got under way (no cards were shown as far as I could see) about another two minutes after I stopped filming.  Nothing to see here, move along, unless you are a fan of hormones. The fourth Cranfield goal came from Manny Richardson again, just before the end, and gave the scoreline an unfairly one-sided look, but Bush Hill were now tiring and beaten.  The final whistle was greeted with near-silence.  Final score 4-1 after extra time POST UPDATE: The Bush Hill website credits their goal to Angus McLachlan and I am happy to set the record straight.  He was also running towards goal alongside the centre-back that I gave the score to!  The reporter also states that the altercation in extra-time was about alleged time-wasting by Cranfield and the sudden "disappearance" of the spare match balls.  I wasn't in a position to confirm or refute this, unfortunately.  By that stage I was edging towards the car in preparation for a quick Le Mans style getaway.
The programme
Something random
This is only the second time I have visited a “new” ground on the 4th of September.  The previous occasion was a Saturday, in 2010, when I saw Guiseley beat a valiant but outclassed Redditch United side 3-1 at Nethermoor Park.  On previous 4ths of Septembers, I am more likely to have been writing school assemblies, analysing examination results or proof-reading a draft school prospectus.
Hopping for Moorfields Update
Five goals added to the tally but nothing else of financial value!  Goal count is 51 from 12 games.
What Next?
I’m still inclined to "Restore the 116" at Newport County v Stockport County on Saturday.

Putting the Cobb in Cobham

Hopperational details
Date & Venue	Sunday 2 September 2012 at the Reg Madgewick Stadium, Leg of Mutton Field
Result	Cobham 3 Oakwood 2 after extra time
Competition	FA Vase 1st Round Qualifying
Hopping	Number 476 on the lifetime list.  The game is on Sunday because groundsharing tenants Mole Valley SCR played (and won) their home tie in the same competition yesterday.  My own hopping “rules” are that I will choose to watch landlord rather than tenant but I have a couple of anomalies on my list – for example, Team Bath v Bath City was a tenant v landlord fixture where the landlords were technically the away side and were not the programme issuers.  I still worry about Bournemouth of League One whose pitch was rotated through 90 degrees when Dean Court was redeveloped.
Pre-match preparation
Cobham are without a win in their league – the step 6 Combined Counties Division One – after four games.  Oakwood have had a mid-table start in the Sussex County League Division Two, which is also a step 6 league.  The FA website is running a “story” about Chelsea’s Gary Cahill (who lives locally, as Chelsea’s training centre is nearby) walking his dog past the Cobham team earlier in the week while they were training.
This match in one sentence
A missed first-half penalty was part of the reason why we had to wait until extra time of this entertaining match for Cobham to score the goal that gave them their first win of the season in any competition and that is still only one sentence.
So what?
Cobham get £500 and will entertain Southwick in the next round.
The drama unfolds
Sam Merison’s header went in off the post after 12 minutes to give Cobham the lead.  1-0 They should have doubled the lead after 20 minutes.  Ricardo Ramsay hit a penalty kick to the left but it was at just the right height for Jess Grinstone to push it out. Saved! Again, within minutes, Ramsay should have scored.  This time his neat right-footed flick up and over Grinstone came back off the bar.  The keeper reacted well and went down bravely to smother the ball as Merison steamed in.  The assistant waved so vigorously that his flag fell off.  With parakeets flying around (as often happens at the grounds in this area) and a model aircraft buzzing around (rarer), it was hard to keep up with all the action.  Here is a clip to set the scene and show that I am not making it up about the aircraft.  Oakwood are in blue. Oakwood came back into the game and had several chances to equalise.  Fullback John Dowling made a great headed clearance off the line, and then two headed chances went very close.  The goal eventually came after 38 minutes, a lovely chipped finish from right to left by Tom Tolfrey as the keeper came out to narrow the angle.  1-1 There was no further scoring before the interval, although the ref had strong words of warning for Cobham’s Connor McLaren.  There was a good deal of simultaneous shouting going on in the home dressing room as the teams went in.  1-1 at half-time Here’s the goal, a header from Clinton Moore, that gave Oakwood the lead after 54 minutes.  1-2 The teams started to wind each other up, and yellow cards started to appear regularly.  One altercation broke out while the ref was dealing with another, and two more cards were waved after the lino came on the pitch to help out.  After 70 minutes, Ramsay finally got his goal for the day with a deflected direct free-kick that hit the wall and looped up and in.  2-2 The only other action of note in the 90 was a clearance which came down out of the sky directly towards me – I positioned myself carefully to take the catch – and, it has to be said, spilled it.  Absolute shocker.  I will have a word with myself.  2-2 after 90 minutes Ties in the FA Vase go to extra time (but not penalties until the replay if required) – here’s a short clip from the first period.  Cobham were looking to make the most of the last 30 minutes of home advantage. It was looking like a replay, but with five minutes to go the ball broke kindly for Cobham substitute Harry Cobb.  His neat top-corner finish won the game for the home side and gave me the blogpost title.  Thank you, Harry.  A good game for the passing neutrals, of which there were several.  We like Sunday matches.  It gets us out of the house.  Final score 3-2 after extra time
The programme
Something random
The Reg Madgewick Stadium is the secret graveyard for old Crystal Palace minibuses and the gents toilet is known as the Gomez Suite.  I have no rational explanation for either of these things.
Hopping for Moorfields Update
Five goals added, so that’s 46 goals from 11 games, pretty much in line with predictions.
What Next?
Unless I manage something local this week, likely to be Newport County v Stockport County next Saturday to restore my 116 (that is, the 92 plus the 24 of the step 1 Conference).  Follow @GrahamYapp on Twitter if you’d like to be among the first to know.

RU 4 Real

The shadow shows that large parts of the roof are partially transparent

Hopperational details
Date & Venue	Saturday 1 September 2012 at the New York Stadium
Result	Rotherham United 4 Bradford City 0
Competition	League Two (Fourth tier of full-time professional football in England)
Hopping	This new stadium restores my current “92” and Rotherham become the first team I have seen at THREE home grounds after visits to Millmoor (28/12/02) and the Don Valley Stadium (26/08/08).  I think this is one of the best of the "newest generation" of stadia.
Pre-match preparation
The local newspaper quotes the management as being pleased with Rotherham’s performances up to now this season, even though results have not always gone their way.  They are encouraged by early attendances at the new stadium – this is only the second competitive game there – and hope to keep them high.  Both clubs have their eye on promotion. I also had time before kickoff to walk the short distance for a last look at Millmoor.  When I was last here, Neil Harris and Steve Claridge were among the scorers as Mark McGhee's Millwall beat Ronnie Moore's Rotherham.  I particularly remember Claridge's mildly provocative (and quite justified!) celebration - he had taken a stream of abuse from the home fans and seemed to enjoy scoring right in front of them. Millmoor is being dismantled Millmoor's floodlights are still visible close to the new stadium
This match in one sentence
Bradford City missed chances at crucial moments and therefore found themselves on the end of a sound beating with four well-worked goals and an impressive home performance.
So what?
Rotherham move up to fifth and Bradford City drop into mid-table, but it is still very early days in the season.
The drama unfolds
The stadium clock showed 57 seconds when the net was rippled Michael O'Connor's dipping shot from a central position about twenty metres out.  What a great start for the home side that was.  1-0 Here is a clip from immediately afterwards - Bradford just might have levelled immediately.  The clip also confirms that this is a very smart and well-designed stadium - with over eleven thousand in (and a capacity of twelve thousand), the atmosphere was excellent.  Rotherham are in red. A magnificent tackle (fairly sure it was Ian Sharps) broke up a Bradford break and this was critical in the buildup to the next goal after 34 minutes.  O'Connor got the ball on the left and although his cross missed the strikers in the centre, Gareth Evans was arriving on the right and he scored with a composed finish against his previous club.  2-0 Ben Pringle's curling shot went in off the post ten minutes later to give a scoreline that would have been beyond anyone's expectations.  3-0 Bradford had a goal disallowed for offside before the break - Scott Shearer's save fell for Nahki Wells who blasted the ball into the roof of the net, but the flag was up.  Nothing was going right for the visitors.  3-0 at half time Here is a clip of Rotherham on the attack early in the second half. The second half was always interesting but less dramatic - the damage had been done.  Evans got his second goal of the afternoon with four minutes to go.  4-0 Most of the 2300 away supporters streamed out and the match ended in a joyous celebration of Yorkshire bragging rights.  Final score 4-0 87 minutes on the clock
The programme
Rotherham manager Steve Evans is a man who polarises opinion among football supporters.  He seems to be much loved here at the moment!  In his programme notes he is full of praise for the club chairman whilst at the same time criticising his counterparts at Crawley (Evans’ previous club) and Port Vale, implying that their management of club finances is inferior. I suspect that this is not dissimilar to pouring petrol on a fire.
Something random
There are a number of interesting exhibits at the new Riverside library.  Rotherham’s heritage as a coal mining and metalworking town is covered – the large derelict building (Guest & Chrimes) next to the ground was a leading manufacturer of taps and fire hydrants.  There are also items of memorabilia relating to Arthur Wharton (“the first black professional footballer”) and referee Howard Webb (who has the freedom of the town).  The football club has also loaned the 1996 Auto Windscreens Shield.  Interesting stuff.
Hopping for Moorfields Update
Four goals added to the tally, so the average remains within the bounds of my initial prediction with 41 after 10 games.
What Next?
Newport County is my next “landmark” club as they have switched venues this year.  Maybe next week!  Watch @GrahamYapp on Twitter for announcements.