Moorcock Inn v Wardle

6.30pm  22 May 2013

Rochdale Alliance, Premier Division
Moorcock Inn 5 Wardle 3 (att 13)

The closest I've come to barrel scraping as the end of the season fast approaches, with a dead rubber of a fixture at the windswept Firgrove Playing Fields in Rochdale.

Wardle had already won the league with ease, but clearly took their collective foot off the pedal early in this match, conceding three times in the opening 15 minutes. Moorcock added a fourth, an unstoppable strike into the top corner, with 30 minutes gone.

The visitors pulled a goal back before half time, and got a second from a penalty early in the second half. A fifth home goal, another great strike from distance, was followed by another converted penalty for the visitors.

Both sides could have scored more, in a game that was surprisingly entertaining despite the cold wind, and although at times it verged on farce it remained largely competitive.

Firgrove Playing Fields has at least four football pitches and two rugby pitches, with possibly more out of sight. On a Saturday it's a busy place, used by several Rochdale Alliance sides, but tonight was hosting just the one game.

AFC Emley reserves v Halifax Irish Club at Overthorpe Sports Club FC

7pm  20 May2013

West Riding County Amateur League, Division One Cup Final at Overthorpe Sports Club FC
AFC Emley reserves 1 Halifax Irish Club 4 (att 90)

Four goals in a storming first half performance earned Halifax Irish Club a deserved trophy at the expense of Emley's second team

AFC Emley actually the began the game well, but they had no answer once Halifax Irish had found their stride. They were first to every lose ball, more committed with every challenge and looked like the team who cared about winning the cup the most.

In fact, Emley's keeper had pulled off at least three great saves before Halifax Irish got in front. By half time the lead was 4-0 and the contest was effectively over.

The second half could have been a non event, but an early goal back gave Emley brief hope of a comeback. Although it didn't materialise there was still much to enjoy, as they pushed forward trying to save the game while remaining vulnerable on the break.

The choice of venue was a good one for me, as Overthorpe's newish home was the only West Riding County Amateur League Premier Division ground I'd not visited. It's a work in progress, although the pitch is railed off, and being high up the far side offers a fine view towards Dewsbury.

Kings Stanley v Taverners at Southmead CS Athletic FC

1pm  19 May 2013

Gloucestershire County League, Les James League Cup Final at Southmead CS Athletic FC
Kings Stanley 1 Taverners 0 (att 150)

Some cup finals are classic games that live long in the memory, but this season's Gloucestershire County League cup final wasn't one of them, at least not for the neutral.

The deciding goal, which appeared to me to be scored direct from a corner, maybe connecting with the Taverners keeper's ineffectual hand on its way in, came after about an hour.

It was tough on Taverners, who'd looked the better of two poor sides up to that point. They'd missed their big chance to go in front when a first half penalty was weakly struck and well saved. They also hit the crossbar, while Kings Stanley rarely threatened.

Too often both sides relied on long and high balls, which was a shame as at times they both showed they could play a bit.

The venue was the Bristol home of Southmead Community Sport Athletic, to give the league newcomers their full and rather lengthy title. There's a modern pavilion, housing a bar that was predictably busy for a game such as this, while the pitch is fully railed off, with hard standing all around and floodlights.

Ilkley Town v Hunslet Club

2.30pm  18 May 2013

West Yorkshire League, Division One
Ilkley Town 1 Hunslet Club 2 (att 48)

I recently saw Hunslet surprisingly held to a draw at home by Old Headingley, one of several drawn games that had hindered them in their quest to win the West Yorkshire League's second tier.

Today was their final league game of the season, and they knew that only three points at Ilkley Town would be enough to leapfrog Shelley, who'd completed their fixtures, to claim the title.

In keeping with their recent form, Hunslet did it the hard way, coming from behind after conceding a first half penalty. Their two second half goals, the winner with 15 minutes left, were greeted with understandable joy by their supporters, who made up more than half the crowd.

Ilkley had nothing to play for, but couldn't be faulted for the effort and determination, which helped make it absorbing, and good quality, game to watch.

Ilkley's home is the Ben Rhydding Sports Club, on the eastern edge of the town. Facilities are sparse, surprisingly for the West Yorkshire League, with the pitch just partly roped off. But pitch railings and functional identikit stands don't determine how enjoyable or worthwhile a club is to visit, and an immaculate pitch, decent game and a great view of the looming Ilkley Moor ensured this was a Saturday afternoon well spent.

 

Winnington Avenue v Cuddington

6.30pm  15 May 2013

Crewe and District League, Premier Division
Winnington Avenue 4 Cuddington 0 (att 27)

On Monday night I watched Cuddington win at home to move level on points with league leaders Winnington Avenue, and with a superior goal difference put themselves in the driving seat.

But they'd been lucky to beat Rudheath's reserves, and another lacklustre performance tonight saw them soundly beaten by their fellow title challengers.

Winnington scored twice in each half, and could easily have added more. Cuddington, seemingly feeling the effects of a hectic end-of-season schedule, rarely threatened, and seemed to know the game was out of reach once the home side scored their second goal.

Winnington played some good football, but the game was too one-sided  to be truly entertaining. Both teams play their final league games on Saturday, and Winnington would seem unlikely to slip up away to bottom-of-the-table Malpas reserves.

Nor surprisingly, Winnington Avenue's ground, Jubilee Field, is found on Winnington Avenue, in the Winnington area of Northwich. Changing rooms and a car park are at the entrance, from where the large main pitch runs lengthways. There are two smaller pitches, and two small dugouts, though they could scarcely be described as a pair as one is positioned by the main pitch, and the other faces it but from the far side of the second pitch.

 

 

Cuddington v Rudheath Social reserves

7.15pm  13 May 2013

Crewe and District League, Premier Division
Cuddington 2 Rudheath Social reserves 1 (att 28)

A win which keeps Cuddington on track to win the league, provided they can get a result away to fellow challengers Winnington Avenue in what is now effectively a title decider on Wednesday night.

They had to be patient tonight, but then so did everyone as the game kick off 45 minutes late due to the referee not turning up. I don't know the reasons why he failed to show, but at least his replacement was ready to start the game almost immediately he arrived, and on a clear night there were no problems playing a full 90 minutes.

Unlike Cuddington, Rudheath's second team had nothing to play for, although you'd never have guessed that from their very committed performance. They were unfortunate to find themselves 2-0 down at half time, and deserved more than the one goal they got back in the second period.

Cuddington have apparently applied for promotion to the Cheshire League for next season, which probably means they'll just have to put a rope around the pitch as everything else appears to be in place.

The changing rooms are housed in a modern building behind goal and next to a car park, and the club even provided a temporary dugout, albeit only for themselves, the visitors having to make do with some chairs.

Overall I was impressed with what was only my second ever Crewe League game. My last match in this league was seven years ago, but I shouldn't have to wait so long for the next one as I quite fancy seeing Cuddington's game at Winnington Avenue on Wednesday.

Steeton v Lepton Highlanders

2.30pm  11 May 2013

West Riding County Amateur League, Premier Division
Steeton 1 Lepton Highlanders 0 (att 39)

Steeton is a ground I'd wanted to visit for ages. Not sure why it's taken me so long to get here, although at least once or twice the weather has intervened and games have been postponed.

Not problems today though, despite a some very heavy showers before the game and some lighter ones during it.

The fixture was important at both ends of the West Riding League's top division. Steeton needed three points to keep the pressure on leaders Ovenden, while Lepton are battling to avoid relegation.

Steeton had their excellent goalkeeper to largely thank for today's win. He pulled off a number of fine saves to protect the home side's early lead, scored on the break after about five minutes.

Although it proved to be the game's only goal, it was a thoroughly enjoyable match, and Lepton were unlucky not get a draw.

Steeton's ground, the Doris Wells Memorial Field, is a delightful venue. There's no stands or cover for spectators, but the pitch is railed off, there's a cricket ground bordering at the far end, and the views all around are terrific.

The club also seems very well run, by an enthusiastic and friendly bunch of helpers, one of whom clearly goes to a lot of trouble to produce an excellent programme, available for just £1 in lieu of an admission charge.