Man Goes to See Mangos

e-Programme

Hopperational Details
Date & Venue	Saturday 17 October at Cossham Street
Result	Mangotsfield United 1 Cinderford Town 2
Competition	FA Trophy 2nd Qualifying Round
Hopstats	Ground 716 on the lifetime list. Not a random visit, this one. Chosen for pragmatic reasons, ticking off one of my longer remaining Step 4 journeys given a dry weather forecast, and choosing an area in the lowest risk category for CV19 case numbers.
Context
This is a knockout game, of course. Both clubs are at Step 4 in the Division One South of the Southern League. It’s fair to say that Mangotsfield have had a rotten start to the season with four league defeats and an FA Cup loss. Cinderford started well enough, and went one further round in the FA Cup, but arrive here on the back of three big defeats. The Goals Against columns for both teams suggest that this will not be 0-0.
In One Sentence
Cinderford secured the win with a workmanlike first half display and then coped well enough with the Mangotsfield second-half improvement.
So What?
The usual cliché about Mangotsfield concentrating on the league and Cinderford looking forward to being in the hat for the next round draw.
Match Report
Nothing of note from the sparring of the first fifteen minutes, as both defences held firm. I was distracted by the gentleman climbing the ladder on to the roof of the stand at the main road end as Cinderford went close twice in quick succession. It looks as if my search for quiet corners once again meant that today’s goal action was all at the other end. These first chances had come from a direct freekick and the resulting corner and the players’ reactions suggested that Cinderford had come very close to breaking the deadlock. They did get the opening goal in the 18th minute. Will Gibbons made space running the ball from centre to left and his low shot back across the keeper found the bottom corner. Nice finish. The lead was doubled before half-time. Mangotsfield had given the ball away in midfield and got caught on the break. It took a great save from Jakob Glover, tipping the ball over the bar at full stretch, to prevent the goal … but only for a moment. From the corner, Matt Macdonald got on the scoresheet to put the visitors firmly in control. At half-time I noted that throughout the first half Cinderford had defended well from a good number of freekicks and corners whilst themselves always looking a threat on the break. A classic away performance really. Half-time: Mangotsfield U 0 Cinderford T 2 Mangotsfield made a couple of changes and improved in the second half and they forced an early save from the Man in Black, Nick Jones. A goal then could have changed the course of events but as it happened, chances were few in number as the time ticked away. Jones was called upon to make another good save. It was not until the 78th minute that Matthew Binding (I think!) prodded the ball home from close range, again after a corner, to make the last few minutes more interesting. Home striker Olaoluwakitan Jaiyeoba had been a physical presence all afternoon, though Cinderford shackled him pretty well once his threat had become clear early on. He had a half-chance in the last minute to send us to a penalty shootout, but the shot went high and wide to the right. Cinderford’s day, and on balance over the whole game they deserved the win.
Match (and Ball Retrieval) Pix
Mangotsfield in sky blue and claret, Cinderford in green.
Ground Pix
Next to a road where passengers on the top deck of passing ‘buses get a quick peek at the game. A ground with a bit of character and slope, and a refreshment hut called the Mango Munch.
CV19
No problems. Signage in place, details handed over, reminders given over the PA. I was able to find my usual quiet corner and it all felt safe enough, certainly safer than going to work! I don’t wander around during the games now though, so all ground pix are from before kickoff and all match pix are from the same viewpoint.
Goalkeeper Top Colour Stats Update
Usually accompanied by a pre-match prediction on Twitter just before kickoff. Working towards being able to compute a respectable statistical significance test by the end of the season. The full keeper top performance table from my last 217 matches is here, on this separate page. Today, Orange lost to Black, with no clean sheet for either. The black top was a direct clash with the referee kit. I remember that being one of the questions in my FA Class 3 referees’ examination back in 1978-9. Before anyone asks, I refereed some inter-college games at Cambridge University but couldn’t keep the commitment going once the teaching career had started, though I did referee plenty of inter-school games back in the day. Pre-match Prediction based on Keeper Top Colour: Prediction: Home Win Was the prediction correct? No % of correct predictions so far 49% (35 from 72) Based on conventional 3pts for a win, 1pt for a draw, but also -1pt for a goal conceded (GC) and +5pts for a clean sheet (CS).  Colours ranked on a points per game (PPG) basis. The odd decimal places were caused either by undeniable half-and-half tops or lower league sub keepers in a different colour.  The Fire Cracker colour was confirmed with the help of the social media team at Dulux UK.  All of this arises from a comment attributed to Petr Cech (and supported by anonymous scientists of some description) that orange is the best colour for a goalkeeper because it changes the behaviour of other players around the box. It is supposedly because of an innate primeval human reaction to the colour and the colour “spreads” more in the vision of a striker at the key moment of decision. Genius or garbage? The evidence is gathering here, and is leaning towards the latter.
What Next?
Follow @GrahamYapp on Twitter! Half-term break coming up, but likewise the strong suggestion of a circuit-breaker lockdown coming up so any decisions will be made next Friday. Many of my priority grounds for this season are in the northern counties of England and I’m expecting travel restrictions to be applied fairly soon.

My First Willand Testament

e-Programme

Hopperational Details
Date & Venue	Saturday 10 October 2020 at Stan Robinson Stadium, Silver Street
Result	Willand Rovers 2 Frome Town 1
Competition	Southern League Division One South (Step 4)
Hopstats	Ground 715 on the lifetime list. I am here because, at a rating of 9 per 100,000, this is the lowest local CV19 case prevalence of seven unvisited Step 4 grounds hosting a match today. The other possibilities had been Melksham (13), Moneyfields (30), Pickering (34) Glossop North End (67), Brighouse Town (175) and Runcorn Linnets (247). The numbers were taken on Friday afternoon from https://www.schoolcovidmap.org.uk/ and are probably already out of date.
Context
Too early in the season to say very much, but both clubs are in the top half of the table on the same number of points from two wins and a draw, although Willand also have two defeats too. Both had away wins in midweek, so all signs point to a competitive encounter.
In One Sentence
Willand edged a close contest played at a good tempo.
So What?
Still very early in the season. Willand lie just outside the notional playoff places, and Frome are mid-table but with games in hand.
Match Report
The teams cancelled each other out in midfield until Willand took the lead with the first real chance of the game after 18 minutes. The ball was worked from the left to a central position, and from where I was standing at the other end it looked like a great shot from distance into the roof of the net. The scorer was Archie Reay. Jon Davies equalised just after the half-hour mark, and again it was arguably with his side’s first clear chance. A through ball down the centre held up nicely in the breeze, and he reached the ball first to round the keeper and keep his composure to finish. The goal seemed to give Frome fresh impetus and the rest of the first half was end-to-end and even. Up to that point Willand would have considered themselves slightly on top, certainly territorially if nothing else. Jon Davies gets round the 'keeper and equalises for Frome Half-time: Willand Rovers 1 Frome Town 1 The game continued to be played at a good pace, and the good surface also helped. As in the first half, much of the action took place in midfield, with both teams struggling to find the final killer pass. As the hour mark passed, I made a note that I could not predict the winner. The decisive goal came after 73 minutes, Alfie Moulden taking the chance from a position just right of centre, just outside the box. Willand held on to secure the points, even when the Frome goalkeeper joined the attack for the final corner. For the passing neutral, this was a decent contest with the result in doubt until the final whistle. As a bonus, the rain held off until I was well on the way back along the M4.
Match Pix
Willand in white shirts, Frome in red.
Ground Pix
The cottage in the corner beats the one at Fulham. Street parking, but easy enough to find for hoppers, who tend to arrive early.
Opinion
This felt as safe as it could reasonably be, and the club were complying with the guidance. Very clear signage, a one-way system, lots of notices and details handed over for test and trace. I observed much less overt ignoring of the social distancing rules compared with some of my recent northern hops. Maybe that’s why the numbers are as they are, ladies and gentlemen.
Goalkeeper Top Colour Stats Update
Usually accompanied by a pre-match prediction on Twitter just before kickoff. Working towards being able to compute a respectable statistical significance test by the end of the season. The full keeper top performance table from my last 216 matches is here, on this separate page. Green beats Yellow as predicted today, but no clean sheet, and no change in the colours league table. Pre-match Prediction based on Keeper Top Colour: Prediction: Home Win Was the prediction correct? Yes % of correct predictions so far 49% (35 from 71) Based on conventional 3pts for a win, 1pt for a draw, but also -1pt for a goal conceded (GC) and +5pts for a clean sheet (CS).  Colours ranked on a points per game (PPG) basis. The odd decimal places were caused either by undeniable half-and-half tops or lower league sub keepers in a different colour.  The Fire Cracker colour was confirmed with the help of the social media team at Dulux UK.  All of this arises from a comment attributed to Petr Cech (and supported by anonymous scientists of some description) that orange is the best colour for a goalkeeper because it changes the behaviour of other players around the box. It is supposedly because of an innate primeval human reaction to the colour and the colour “spreads” more in the vision of a striker at the key moment of decision. Genius or garbage? The evidence is gathering here, and is leaning towards the latter.
What Next?
Follow @GrahamYapp on Twitter! I can’t get to an FA Cup tie on Tuesday and I’m inclined to use the same method to pick another Step 4 ground for an FA Trophy game next Saturday, if non-essential travelling is still permitted. In which case I am quite likely to be down south or west again, it would seem.

Rainy, Dear Me, Saw Chi. Ludum Duobus Dimidiis.

e-Programme (pdf)

Hopperational Details
Date & Venue	Saturday 3 October 2020 at Oaklands Park
Result	Chichester City 2 Risborough Rangers 1
Competition	FA Cup Second Qualifying Round
Hopstats	Ground 714, and a non-random visit because the home side announced very clear ticket-purchase arrangements earlier in the week, whereas there was some doubt about availability at my other options. It turned out well – the weather was grim for the drive down but cheered up at lunchtime.
Context
Step 4 (Isthmian League Division 1 South-East) plays Step 6 (Hellenic League Division 1 East) but the visitors are unbeaten this season. City are here by way of a penalty victory over Basingstoke and then a home win against Cribbs, but they have lost both league outings. Risborough have three league victories alongside the cup wins over Longlevens, Winslow United and Cobham. It looks as if this one might be closer than the pyramid would suggest.
In One Sentence
This was a hard-earned victory, probably deserved in the final analysis, but the visitors put up a very good fight and did not look two tiers lower.
So What?
As with all cup matches, the winners go into the proverbial hat on Monday and the losers concentrate on the league.
Pre-match Entertainment
Having set out early because of the prevailing weather, I had time for a walk around the city centre. My first visit here as it happens, and I have to say it made a great impression. It’s a gem. The pedestrianised centre is full of classic architectural character and not like the identikit redevelopment of so many English towns and cities. Lots of history and culture for the rounded groundhopper.
Match Report
I made my first written note on 17 minutes after Rangers had just missed a great chance on the break. Up to that point City had dominated the game territorially, creating a fair few half-chances down the right flank, and looking more likely to score. I winced at the sound of the ball hitting Rangers’ defender Josh Urquhart for a brave block, but he was soon up on his feet again. It was another break against the run of play that gave Rangers the lead just after the half-hour. A low first-time cross from the right wing was converted by Brian Haule for the first goal of the game. City continued where they had left off and continued to threaten. Scott Jones treated the spectators to a lob and an overhead kick, but neither led to a goal. We now had a classic home v away encounter in the sunshine. City forced a succession of corners just before the interval but Jack Brooker punched or deflected the crosses away to protect the lead. Half-time: Chichester City 0 Risborough Rangers 1 The home side made two changes for the second half, and the game quickly settled into the same pattern. The next goal was going to be crucial, and Risborough did offer a threat on the break. It took until the midpoint of the second half for City to get the equaliser. It is credited to sub Kaleem Haitham and it looked from my viewpoint at the other end like there had been a deflection.  The tide had turned now in favour of the home side whose confidence was growing by the minute. The winning goal was also fashioned down the right, and scored at the near post by Lloyd Rowlatt. Risborough had the odd dangerous moment – one ball rolled agonisingly along the six-yard line – but by and large Chichester were able to play out the last fifteen minutes or so to get into the next round. It was a very creditable away performance by the visitors, and the hosts were made to work hard for this win.
Match Pix
Chichester in the green and white stripes.
Ground Pix
Nice set-up with a good playing surface. I’d arrived early and so used the Northgate pay-and-display. The ground is approached by a small service road between two tennis courts.
Opinion
Nothing much I can add to comments in earlier posts about Covid-19 really. Once again the club as an entity was taking it all more seriously than the spectators as individuals. There was plenty of room for me to find a bit of space, and other people respected that, but as in every ground that I have been to so far this season, most people are quietly drawing their own social boundaries with friends and family. Either that or they have no sense of two metres. For me the experience was again arguably safer than my day job in the classroom.
Goalkeeper Top Colour Stats Update
Usually accompanied by a pre-match prediction on Twitter just before kickoff. Working towards being able to compute a respectable statistical significance test by the end of the season. The full keeper top performance table from my last 215 matches is here, on this separate page. Today, the rarely-seen White beats Purple, but no clean sheet for either. Pre-match Prediction based on Keeper Top Colour: Prediction: Away Win Was the prediction correct? No % of correct predictions so far 49% (34 from 70) Based on conventional 3pts for a win, 1pt for a draw, but also -1pt for a goal conceded (GC) and +5pts for a clean sheet (CS).  Colours ranked on a points per game (PPG) basis. The odd decimal places were caused either by undeniable half-and-half tops or lower league sub keepers in a different colour.  The Fire Cracker colour was confirmed with the help of the social media team at Dulux UK.  All of this arises from a comment attributed to Petr Cech (and supported by anonymous scientists of some description) that orange is the best colour for a goalkeeper because it changes the behaviour of other players around the box. It is supposedly because of an innate primeval human reaction to the colour and the colour “spreads” more in the vision of a striker at the key moment of decision. Genius or garbage? The evidence is gathering here, and is leaning towards the latter.
What Next?
Follow @GrahamYapp on Twitter! Hopefully ticking off another of my remaining 13 Step 4 grounds next weekend, but a lot depends on work, weather and a virus.