Steve B the Groundhopper

2.30pm  28 April 2019 Gloucestershire County League, Les James League Cup Final at Wick FC AEK-Boco 0 Little Stoke 0, 1-4 on penalties (att 420) It's always worth keeping an eye out for the final of the Gloucestershire County League's cup, as it's often on a Sunday and the hosting duties tend to get shared around. This year it was at Wick FC, handy for me as their Oldbury Lane ground was one of just four in the league I'd not been to. It attracted a large crowd, and Wick did a good job of organising the event and catering for supporters. Although the 90 minutes were goalless there was no lack of incident. It was a physical encounter, both sides had chances, and as a neutral it was a terrific cup final. AEK-Boco's goal had always seemed a little more in peril during the match, and so on balance I think the better side triumphed in the penalty decider, although there wasn't much between the teams. Wick is a village in countryside east of Bristol. The ...

2pm  27 April 2019 Humber Premier League, Premier Division East Riding Rangers 1 Walkington 6 (att 26) East Riding Rangers' final game of the season and they needed a win to move level on points with Walkington and give themselves hope of finishing off the bottom of the table. They made a bright start and it was looking good for the home side when they went ahead mid-way through the first half. But as light rain turned torrential Walkington struck twice in as many minutes to take a lead into half time. Thankfully the heavy rain eased as the second period got underway, but there was no improvement in the home side's fortunes. Walkington's third goal was the decisive one, with about a quarter of the game left. After that a deflated East Riding Rangers were no match for the visitors, who scored three more, including a penalty, for a comprehensive and deserved win. Whether bottom place means relegation for East Riding remains to be seen, especially as the division ...

6.15pm  24 April 2019 Wigan and District Amateur League, Division One North Walkden 5 Gidlow Athletic 0 (att 8) Not much choice of games tonight, as this was about the only new ground I had time the get to after work. The demise of some local leagues in recent years has meant the boundaries of those that remain have been stretched. This may have been a Wigan League fixture, but North Walkden are based in the Little Hulton area of Salford. Their home ground is the Wharton Playing Fields, an unremarkable ground with a changing room block and space for three pitches. Thankfully, earlier torrential rain was over by kick off, but it was a damp and gloomy evening. North Walkden are in a tussle with Digmoor at the top of the table and so needed to win this. They did so easily enough, although a first half red card for the visitors made the task simpler. It was 0-0 at the time of the red card, but two goals in quick succession put North Walkden in control before half time. The...

6.15pm  23 April 2019 Warrington and District League, Premier Division The Village Club, Culcheth 0 Haydock 3 (att 25) Haydock aren't yet Warrington League champions but this win gets them up to the line if not quite over it. They had to battle for the three points though, as The Village Club put up quite a fight. The visitors got off of a perfect start when an unfortunate  goalkeeping error set up a chance, which was well taken from an acute angle, after just fine minutes. It took until the 78th minute minute before Haydock doubled their lead, and their third goal followed three minutes later. The Village Club, Culcheth (their rather convoluted official name) play on a pitch at the Shaw Street Recreation Ground. The venue was busy with youngsters playing rugby league, and football definitely feels like the second sport. The centre sections of both touchlines were roped off, to keep spectators at bay, but otherwise it's just an open pitch, and one where the grass ...

3pm  22 April 2019 Somerset County League, Premier Division Chilcompton Sports 6 Worle 2 (att 103) Chilcompton Sports kept on track to regain their Somerset County League title thanks to three points from a game against Worle that was all over after 16 minutes. That's how long it took the home side to score four times without reply, aided considerably by a Worle side who looked as if they'd decided to end their season a few games early. Worle did pull a goal back on 20 minutes, but conceded a fifth soon after. The second half was a bit of a non-event, as Worle tightened up and Chilcompton knew the contest was over. The visitors did reduce the arrears to 5-2 before the home side got their sixth. Chilcompton is a mid-Somerset village in an area, close to Radstock and Midsomer Norton, that has a cluster of football clubs. The facilities at Chilcompton Sports Club, on Wells Road, are excellent. A modern clubhouse looks out onto a large sports field, on which the main f...

2pm  20 April 2019 Manchester League, Division Two Astley and Tyldesley 3 Middleton Colts 1 (att 19) I was in two minds where to go today, but eventually settled on game that had nothing riding on it but would allow me to recomplete the Manchester League. Astley and Tyldesley and Middleton Colts were both playing their final matches of debut seasons in the league, and have had contrasting fortunes. Middleton finished champions, but clearly had a summer break on their minds as they lost to lowly Astley. It must have been hard playing on a very warm afternoon, and there was little of note in a goalless first half. The home side edged in front after about an hour, and before long had extended their lead to 3-0. They should have scored more, but Middleton had the consolation of the game's final goal. The visitors were reduced to 10 men by injury before the end, but even with 11 they rarely got out of first gear. Astley and Tyldesley play at Gin Pit Village, an area where t...

4pm  19 April 2019 North East Wales League Connah's Quay Nomads U18 3 Flint Mountain 6 (att 63) There are few games on Good Friday these days and work commitments meant I couldn't travel far, so this fixture was an ideal opportunity to visit a ground that isn't currently used by any first teams. The 3G pitch at Connah's Quay High School is just a few yards from Connah's Quay Nomads' first team stadium, and has had a revamp in the years since I watched a match on an adjacent grass pitch . It now has a small seated stand, which was full to capacity as Nomads' youth team tried to stop Flint Mountain winning the league. Other than the stand, just half of one touchline was roped off as an area for spectators. Dugouts are on the opposite side. The visitors needed a win to be confirmed champions, and they were given a scare by their young hosts before the celebrations could begin. The first half was comfortable enough, the home played some nice football ...