Steve B the Groundhopper

2.30pm  30 May 2016 Gwynedd League Talysarn Celts 0 Aberffraw 5 (att 33) The plan when I set off for an afternoon in north Wales was a visit to Caernarfon-based Waunfawr, but uncertainty over the kick off time was quickly followed by news that the game was off. Talysarn was a worthy replacement though, with warm weather, stunning views and plenty of goals. It may have been an end-of-season fixture with nothing to play for, but that didn't bother Aberffraw as they took and early lead and never looked back. They played some good football and scored three in the first half and a couple more in the second. For their part Talysarn may have been second best, but they put in a decent display and were unlucky not to score, even if they never threatened to get anything else out of the game. Talysarn is a small village on the edge of the Snowdonia National Park. Other than the football pitch there's not much there; the Celts pitchside snack bar appeared to be the only the shop...

2.30pm  28 May 2016 Welsh League, Division Three Newport YMCA 3 Cardiff Corinthians 3 (att 35) I allowed what should have been more than enough time for a bank holiday weekend drive to south Wales, but countless delays meant I still missed the kick off at Mendalgief Road. There'd been no goals when I arrived, and based on on what I saw of the first half (which was most of it) I doubt I missed much. YMCA hit the post and had an effort cleared off the line, but it was a match between two poor sides. Any lack of quality was understandable, as both sides have been relegated and there was nothing at stake in their final game of the season. Newport YMCA had the additional excuse of playing their fifth game in just eight days. The home side's opening goal, after 59 minutes, was the cue for the game to spark into life, heralding an amazing final half-hour. YMCA just about deserved to edge in front, but within three minutes Corinthians had scored twice to snatch the lead. Y...

2.30pm  21 May 2016 SJFA East Region, North Division Blairgowrie 4 Kinnoull 4 (att 65) Blairgowrie needed a win as they're involved in a very tight title race, local rivals Kinnoull were determined to deny them, and between them they produced a late contender for the best game I've seen all season. The Perth-based visitors shocked their hosts by racing into a 2-0 lead. Blairgowrie took a while to regain their stride, but once they'd done so they battled back and it was 2-2 by half time. It didn't take much of the second half before Blairgowrie edged in front for the first time, but they couldn't shake off Kinnoull who, despite missing a penalty, fought back to regain the lead at 4-3. By that stage the hosts were down to 10 men, but the numbers were evened up when Kinnoull also had a player red carded, and a late penalty saved a point for Blairgowrie. They thought they'd won it in the final seconds, but the referee ruled the ball had gone out of play...

10am  21 May 2016 Glasgow & District Saturday Morning League, Premier Division Invac 2 Red Star 2 (att 2) With the football season nearing its end I decided it was worth the early start so I could take in an extra game, and tick off an extra ground, while north of the border. I quite enjoy Glasgow's Saturday morning leagues, although most games I go to are in the Strathclyde League purely because its website lists venues. The Glasgow and District League takes a bit of detective work, but I spotted a Friday tweet from Red Star confirming the game and location. The Glasgow Club Nethercraigs is a small sports centre with an adjacent running track, inside which is a rugby pitch. Footballers, at last those playing on grass, are catered for to the south of the complex, beyond a car park. There are three pitches, two of which were hosting youth football while Invac and Red Star were on the one furthest from the car park. For a late season game with little at stake it was ...

7pm  17 May 2016 Mid Lancashire League, Division Two Farington Villa 2 Whittle 1 (att 8) Worden Park in Leyland is likely to be my final new ground in England this season, at least as far as 'winter' football is concerned. It's been home to various teams over the years, and even in mid May I had a choice of two Mid Lancashire League games on the same evening. I opted for Farington Villa v Whittle partly because it was between two first teams, partly because a Farington win would ensure a third place finish, and partly because it was quickest to get underway. For a late season fixture, at a fairly low level, it wasn't a bad game at all. Farington had to work hard to get the win the needed, a second half goal proving decisive. They'd taken an early lead, but local rivals Whittle were level by half time. I counted nine football pitches at Worden Park, and next door Eagle where at home to Lytham Town's third team. No facilities for spectators other than a...

2pm  14 May 2016 Teesside League Lingdale 0 Boro Rangers 3 (att 15) Boro Rangers went into this game needing two points from their final three fixtures to win the Teesside League. Anything other than a win at Lingdale was unlikely, but the hosts put up a decent fight before succumbing. The visitors looked anything but title chasers during the first half, although it might have been different had they taken one of the chances they created early on. To be fair they were playing into a very strong, and very cold, wind. Boro were better after the break, perhaps helped by the wind at the backs, perhaps stung by a half time talking to, but they broke the deadlock a minute or two into the half. A second goal followed with a quarter of the game to go, and a third 15 minutes from the end. Lingdale put in plenty of effort, especially as they had nothing to play for, but once they fell behind they rarely looked likely to score. They play at The Track, part of Lingdale Playing Fie...

6.15pm  12 May 2016 Warrington and District League, Premier Division Knowsley South 3 Windle Labour Club 2 (att 10) A visit to Croft FC last week left me with just Knowsley South to go to recomplete the top division of the Warrington League, and a compliant M62 made it an easier journey towards Liverpool than I'd expected. I know very little about Knowsley South, other than this season is their first season in the premier division. Their home is the Lord Derby Memorial Playing Fields, close to the M57 motorway which provides a audible backdrop to matches. It's a basic ground, but at this level you don't any more than somewhere to change, a pitch to play on and, ideally, somewhere to park. The ground has all three, and enough space for the reserves to be at home on a second pitch that's closer to the car park but further from the changing rooms. The game was very much an end of season occasion, between two sides with nothing to play for. Knowsley took an early...