Fun in the Fens

Hopperational details

Wednesday 22 September 2010, Chatteris Town 1  Eaton Socon 1 in the Step 7 Cambridgeshire County League.  I was here rather than at Littleport because of the toss of a coin (see previous post).

This match in one sentence

The lower-placed visitors took the lead in the 65th minute and it took a penalty to give the home side a hard-earned point.

So what?

Chatteris Town stay in 5th place, and Eaton Socon climb two to 13th.

Who caught the eye on the pitch?

Adam Randall (Eaton Socon) did more than most to earn this point.  On several occasions the central defender got his body between the ball and the goal in an impressive series of last-ditch blocks and tackles.  On one occasion he discreetly implored his goalkeeper to take his time over a goal-kick, to give him a few extra seconds of recovery.  I have no idea what he does for a living, but I bet he aches this morning.

This match had the same effect on my pulse rate as …

… a B&Q catalogue of nearly-white finishes for home decorating projects.

A snippet from the programme

No programme for this fixture.

What I learned today

The agricultural qualities of the Fenlands have led to Chatteris becoming a major centre for onion production and distribution.  One local company claims to have the only optical onion sorting machine in the UK.  I have just spent an intriguing hour researching these machines.  Apparently, to quote from one manufacturer’s website, “whatever the application there is a sorter which gives you the control to grade on size, shape, colour, defect, damage, blemish and importantly protect against Foreign Objects in the product stream.”  Well, I never.  It is this kind of random learning that enriches my life and makes groundhopping so inspirational.  I will never look at a root vegetable in the same way again.  That’s shallot for today.

The Classic Dichotomy

Where Shall I Go Tonight?

WARNING : HIGH RISK OF PRETENTIOUSNESS

Do Not Take Seriously

A Tongue-in-Cheek Production for modushopperrandom

Wardrobe by George

Make-up by Polyfilla

Hair by growing it myself

Script by making it up as I go along

MHR MMX

Smarting Casuals

Buckle (Walton Casuals) waits for the 79th minute whistle before scoring from the spot 

Hopperational details

Tuesday 21 September 2010 at Wey Court, Godalming Town 4  Walton Casuals 3 in the Step 4 Isthmian League Division One (South).  A roll of 3 on one d6 brought me here instead of Stocksbridge, Folkestone, Stourport, Tilbury or Sun Postal Sports on this occasion.

This match in one sentence

1-0, 1-1, 2-1, half-time, 3-1, 3-2, 4-2, 4-3.

So what?

Last season’s beaten play-off finalists Godalming Town climb from 5th to 3rd and Walton Casuals drop to 8th.

Who caught the eye on the pitch?

No stand-out individuals this time, but Dan Morris (Godalming) took the opening goal well, Kristan Webb (Walton C) and his mum (standing next to me at the time) were delighted that he scored against his old team, Danny Buckle (Walton C) scored a calm penalty and one other goal, Richard Taylor (Godalming) scored direct from a freekick, and Roberto Gagliardi (Godalming) is probably the calmest and quietest ‘keeper I have seen for a while.

This match had the same effect on my pulse rate as …

… being prodded in the ribs with stale baguettes by Thierry Henry (from the left) and David Ginola (from the right) while trying to discuss the use of physical theatre in Tango advertisements with Eric Cantona.

A snippet from the programme

There is a page devoted to a groundhopping tale from an unnamed correspondent but credited to www.footballgroundsinfocus.com, concerning a July visit to Ireland.  “Dublin is becoming one of my favourite cities for a football trip but be warned it is very expensive.”

What I learned today

The deadline for applications to be Godalming Town’s new manager (after the surprising departure of Chuck Martini) is 30 September.  The website announcement was not there earlier in the day when I checked the fixture, and this illustrates one of the disadvantages for the neutral hopper – one does not always know all the significant names and faces, and therefore to be brutally honest I have learned that I have no idea whether he left before or after this victory.  Chuck has been Town’s manager since 2007 and has overseen the highest level of performance in the club’s history.  I am therefore wondering whether he will end up filling one of several higher-level vacancies that exist at the moment. Postscript - reports the next morning announce that he is going to league rivals Walton and Hersham, explaining that he feels that he has taken Godalming as far as he can.  Apparently he tearfully announced the news to his players after the victory over Casuals.

Hyde Tanned by Redditch United

Aristocrats get no special treatment in the Northern leagues

Hyde skipper McNiven explains the importance of discipline in the pre-match huddle

McNiven (4) winds up the referee just before his yellow cards

Redditch supporters react with growing amazement as Hyde fail to score

Hopperational details

Saturday 18 September 2010 at Ewen Fields: Hyde 1  Redditch United 4 in the Conference North (Step 2).

This match in one sentence

Hyde, controversially going down to 10 men at 0-1 down, hand Redditch their first win of the season thanks largely to a hat-trick by Matt Smith.

So what?

Hyde go bottom of the table and swap places with their visitors.

Who caught the eye on the pitch?

Hyde skipper Scott McNiven picked up two yellow cards in a minute for lunging tackles and his dismissal gave Redditch the space to extend their lead.  This was arguably the turning point of the game.  In the first half, Redditch striker Matt Smith had a looping header cleared off the line before he was given space at the far post to head the game’s first goal.  He completed his hat-trick with two calm finishes.  However, while Smith will make the headlines, I want to mention a notable captain’s performance by United’s Andy Jones.  He never stopped encouraging and organising his team, and his exhortations had a bit more variation and sense than the usual screaming that you hear from the denizens of the back four. Andy Jones takes motivational yelling to a new level

This match had the same effect on my pulse rate as …

… that irritating time-dilated minute at the end of an hour’s tumble drying that Zanussi insist on making you wait before the door on their infernal machine will open.  Listen Zanussi, I know your machines get a bit warm.  That’s why I put damp clothes in the bloody thing to get them dry.  I have better things to do with my time than hang around for health and safety reasons, so trust me to make my own temperature-related laundry handling decisions in future like the sentient human being that I am.  So there.

A snippet from the programme

Scott McNiven is among several Hyde players still available for whole- or part-sponsorship at a total of £100 (Shirt £40, Shorts £20, Socks £20 and Boots £20).  If your sponsored player is transferred during the season, you can transfer the items to another available one of your choosing.  I have been unable to find out what it would cost to sponsor Carlos Tevez, but I bet it’s rather more.

What I learned today

Ewen Fields is also the home to Manchester City’s Elite Development Squad, who play in the Barclays Premier Reserve League.  The ground is very smart, with upgraded floodlights for live online streaming of those EDS games.  Indeed, the MCFC and Hyde logos seem to share stadium billing, and the logos of City’s sponsors are very prominent.  The attendance for today’s Saturday afternoon Conference North fixture was 340.  The attendance last week for Manchester City EDS v Arsenal on a wet midweek Tuesday-when-there-is-Champions-League-on-TV was 801.  I guess the advantages of the partnership outweigh the disadvantages for Hyde.  Their nominal sponsors are citc, or City in The Community.  The playing surface is excellent and spectator facilities very good.  However, one could not help but notice that the average age of the Hyde faithful seemed to be above 50.

Modus Hopper Random Talking Point

The president of Hyde FC is Sir Geoff Hurst, which reminds me … In the early 90s I was deputy headteacher at Rainsford High School in Chelmsford, where Geoff had been a pupil.  By all accounts, RHS had been a bit of a tough place during his schooldays, and it took a bit of gentle persuasion on my part before he would agree to make his first visit back to the school, as guest speaker at our annual prizegiving.  Often, guest speakers at such events make worthy points about “being the best you can be” and urging youngsters to “make the most of your opportunities”.  (I might well have been guilty of that myself on several occasions!)  Sir Geoff was brilliant.  He judged the audience perfectly and explained that there was really only one thing about which people wanted to hear his views. “Was it a goal?” He then shared with us his memories of THAT moment in THAT match in 1966 which still has such great importance in this nation’s football history.  He was utterly convinced and convincing, especially in asserting that Roger Hunt wheeled away in celebration rather than poaching a World Cup Final goal for himself.  Parents listened intently, and pupils who were born in the 70s shared in belated celebration of an event not yet repeated despite a four-year cycle of boom and bust.  At the end of the evening he stayed awhile and chatted to awestruck parents and signed autographs.  Sir Geoff, we presented you with our grateful thanks and a decent bottle of wine at the end, and that’s all you asked for that particular personal appearance.  We appreciated it hugely, and thanks again.

Airbus in Terminal Penalty Shocker

Hopperational details

Friday 17 September 2010, Airbus UK Broughton 2  The New Saints 2 in the Welsh Premier League.

This match in one sentence

TNS dominated the territory and possession and this was the strangest and most one-sided 2-2 draw I have ever seen, with Airbus benefiting firstly from a rebound and then from a late controversial penalty. Airbus 'keeper Kristian Rogers calmly watches the late penalty equaliser

So what?

Bangor City will get the chance to extend their lead at the top of the league while these two teams remain level on points in second and third.

Who caught the eye on the pitch?

TNS left-winger Richie Partridge was involved in most of their best moves, taking up intelligent positions, getting in decent crosses, and cutting inside to score his team’s second goal with a gorgeous curling right-foot shot from the edge of the box.  He is the brother-in-law of Michael Owen, who apparently was there to watch the game and I never noticed. Richie Partridge (#27) and an acre of space

This match had the same effect on my pulse rate as …

… filling Sir Alec Ferguson with helium and asking him whether he has read The News of the World this week.

A snippet from the programme

From the Airbus News page: “The loss of teenage wonder kid Jake Cassidy to Premier League Wolves was expected to be a considerable blow but so far this has yet to impact on performances or results.  If anything his whirlwind success has captured the imagination of people around the club and has certainly put it in the media spotlight.  For the future, Airbus will be seen as a club willing to give youngsters an opportunity to develop and showcase their potential – making the chance to join the Wingmakers an even more attractive proposition.”

What I learned today

The Airbus brand is 40 years old this year!  The Airfield Stadium is fitted with collapsible (and individually sponsored!) floodlights, due to its position adjacent to a runway.

Modus Hopper Random Talking Point

This is the first season of a restructured Welsh Premier League of 12 clubs.  Six clubs were relegated to the next level at the end of last season, including Rhyl Town for reasons of ground compliance rather than league position.  For the first time, the clubs will play each other home and away (22 fixtures) in the first phase of the season before dividing into upper and lower halves of six.  Teams will play home and away again against those in the same half, thus completing a 32-match regular season.  Play-offs will be held, after the Welsh Cup final, to determine the final Europa League place.  This will involve the 3rd to 7th (or 8th) place teams, so even the “lower half” have something to play for in the second phase of the season.  One WPL game is now shown live on TV each weekend on S4C, a source of live coverage that is easily overlooked by English fans seeking entertainment.  This was a very enjoyable game.

Shortwood Ruin Snappy Headline by NOT Making Short Work of Shrivenham

Hopperational details

Wednesday 15 September 2010 at the Recreation Ground, Shrivenham 1  Shortwood United 3 in the Hellenic Premier League (Step 5).  I am here because of a second successive 7 on my pentagonal trapezohedron!

This match in one sentence

Shrivenham led at half-time, and then hung on with increasing desperation after a 46th minute equaliser, until goals in the 80th and 85th minutes sealed the away win for Shortwood.

So what?

Shrivenham have started the season poorly and still only have one league win from nine; Shortwood United move up to 7th with a game or two in hand on four of the top six.

Who caught the eye on the pitch?

A game of two halves!  Michael Silvanus’ unchallenged run from halfway set up the Shrivenham goal and 1-0 at half-time was deserved.  Their #6 (Lee McMullen I think, “Macca” for sure) was a calm influence, passed well from deep and later made an important goal-line clearance at 1-1.  However, Jake Parrott of Shortwood was involved in at least two of their goals and in the end the Shrivenham heads were dropping.  This was a harder game for the visitors than the scoreline suggests.

This match had the same effect on my pulse rate as …

… getting food poisoning after a £6 plate of calamari but consoling myself with the fact that it was only sick squid.

A snippet from the programme

Form Shrivenham manager Mark Love’s notes: “On Saturday we travel to Sawbridgeworth Town FC in the next round of the FA Vase.  I don’t know too much about them apart from they ply their trade in the Essex Premier Division.  This is a massive game for us as we continue on the long road to Wembley.” (I just love the fact that Wembley is not just for the highly-paid superstars!)

What I learned today

Shrivenham is a key site of the Ministry of Defence, with academy sites near the village.  Perhaps the home full-backs get to take courses on strategic overlapping. The town itself was a deadline-day transfer (OK, I made that bit up) from Berkshire to Oxfordshire in a boundary reorganisation of 1974.

Worthing Were The Worthy Winners

Hopperational details

Tuesday 14 September 2010 at the A2B Stadium, two Step 4 sides from different leagues (Isthmian Div 1 South  v Southern D1 Central) in an FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round replay: Worthing 5  Ashford Town (Mdx) 1.  I am here because my son rolled a 7 on my 10-sided die!

This match in one sentence

Worthing deserved their win, playing with the driving second-half wind and rain, as Ashford collapsed shortly after equalising.

So what?

Worthing go on to visit Enfield Town in the next round, and Ashford concentrate on their chosen league.

Who caught the eye on the pitch?

Ashford Town’s #9 Chamal Fenelon was introduced warmly over the PA as a former Worthing favourite, and he was much in evidence in the early stages, probably trying too hard to score against his old team.  He is a burly and powerful figure, with the aerodynamic qualities of the Space Shuttle (fellow geeks will know that is not a great compliment) but undeniable presence and a powerful shot.  This is a man rebuilding his life after a prison sentence, and some fans’ forums have likened his case to that of former West Brom striker Lee Hughes.  Lee was given an initial rehabilitation chance by Oldham Athletic and has since been a great success at Notts County. Ashford Town’s well-known manager Jamie Lawrence is building a reputation as a developer of young players and a “man manager”, and the club have stuck with him after relegation from Step 3 last season.  By all accounts it was a difficult season, especially after Mark Butler's departure for a short-lived stay at Margate, and Jamie is a heart-on-the-sleeve motivator who places a high value on commitment and loyalty.  Unusually, he led the team out for a warm-up after only five minutes of the half-time interval last night.  The 46th minute-equaliser seemed initially to confirm this as a stroke of managerial genius, but the conditions soon worsened significantly and Ashford’s defenders were undoubtedly hindered by an in-your-face performance from the elements.

This match had the same effect on my pulse rate as …

Landing on Chance and turning over the “Go to Jail. Go Directly to Jail.  Do Not Pass Go.  Do Not Collect £200.” card in a game of Monopoly while sharing a glass of Chianti with Sir Anthony Hopkins.

A snippet from the programme

Programme editor Sam Skilton wrote in his notes about the process of producing the new issue (56pp, £2).  His Sunday was transformed by the 88th-minute equaliser by Ashford Town in Saturday’s original tie.  E-mails had to be sent to the various contributors and a cover photo secured from the official match photographers.  The various tables of statistics needed updating, and the league table was affected by other clubs’ results too.  Sam notes that “as an aspiring sport’s journalist it is another good experience, and something that I am sure I will be getting used to over coming years!”  I now face a classic teacher dilemma.  Shall I point out to Sam that he had better get used to having his misplaced apostrophes pointed out by passing pedants?  Old habits die hard, as they say, and I trust Sam is big enough to take the point.  To be fair, this programme is excellent and is clearly a labour of love, contrasting sharply with last night’s offering at Bethnal Green and illustrative of the big organisational gap between Step 5 and Step 4.

What I learned today

Ashford Town turned down a chance to stay in Step 3 for 2010-11.  A place in the Southern Premier League became available after the demise of Merthyr Tydfil.  By then, the club had already begun preparing for life in Step 4 and it was decided that the additional travel burden would be too much to take.  It has only been for the last couple of seasons that I have been aware of the turbulence of close-season planning for non-league clubs.  There is a managerial merry-go-round that makes the Premier League look the essence of stability, and players seem to follow their managers more frequently.  At any given moment there seem to be about half a dozen clubs on the verge of extinction.  Some re-form with new technical identities (Chester and Farsley this season for example), thus posing a question for groundhopping rules.

Modus Hopper Random Talking Point

Today, an autobiographical snippet to explain how I come to be dipping my toe in the non-league blogwaters. I was a comparatively late starter to watching live football, my very first live game being Walsall 3 Wrexham 1 as a teenager in February 1971.  I then started to go to The Hawthorns to watch WBA, my home-town team.  My first game there was a 0-0 draw in 71-2 with the dour champions of that year, Derby County.  I qualified as a referee during my student days and ran a school football team.  However, I took a long break from watching live games during the years of fencing and segregation, and only started again in the early 90s during the Ossie Ardiles era at West Brom.  At some point, “doing the 92” league grounds became a personal objective and a 3-3 FA Cup R2 draw between Barnet and Wycombe in 1996-7 was the first game that I attended as a neutral with the sole purpose of “ticking off” the ground on my list.  By then, I had started to keep rudimentary records and keeping the programmes. I realised that ‘hoppers needed “rules of engagement” when I reached 91 current grounds in August 2006, having already re-visited several clubs who had opened a new stadium in the meantime.  I duly paid £100 to attend a friendly between Brazil and Argentina at The Emirates to complete The 92 on 3 September 2006, having decided that I would “allow” international friendlies in my personal rules.  However, I was disappointed to find that any application to join the original “92 Club” would be rejected.  This is because Hereford had been out of the league, and Fulham had temporarily left Craven Cottage, and by the club’s particular rules I would need to re-visit both.  At that point I decided, rather petulantly it has to be said, to push on into the world of non-league football, completing “The 116” (by my rules, yah boo) for the first time with a trip to The Dripping Pan, Lewes in December 2008.  I think I know what my rules are, but I have not written them down in case I am mistaken! I am not sure whether I will be able to keep up this pace, but I was lucky to be able to get to 136 games at 135 new venues in 2009-10, and found Twitter as a source of chat and inspiration.  As of today, I am up to a total of 322 venues for live football, needing a trip to Morecambe to restore my 92 and to Fleetwood Town to restore the 116.  I have discovered the joy of bank holiday non-league morning, noon and night trebles (three so far), Step 7, Portuguese fixture scheduling and the FA Sunday Cup.  Thank you for reading, and I hope I will be able to entertain you in the months ahead.