Steve B the Groundhopper

2pm 30 November 2024 Lancashire and Cheshire Amateur League, Premier Division Bury Amateur 1 Village Manchester 0 (att 15) The bottom two sides in the Lancashire and Cheshire Amateur League's top flight went head to head in a game that was, obviously, crucial to both. A tight but entertaining match was settled by a solitary goal scored by the home team after just five minutes. There was little between them, and Village Manchester were unfortunate not to come away with a point. Bury's keeper made some good saves to keep them out, but the visitors also failed to make to most of a numerical advantage. Bury Amateur already had a player serving time in the sin ban when, with half-an-hour still to play, they lost another to a straight red card. They were soon back up from nine players to 10, but were under mounting pressure. They defended resolutely, holding on for their first league win of the season. The result also saw them move above Village Manchester and off the bottom of the t

10.15am 30 November 2024 Manchester Saturday Morning League, Division Two Championship Boundary Park Juniors 2 Badger Casuals 4 (att 10) Another Saturday when I needed to stay close to home began with a new venue in the Manchester Saturday Morning League. Boundary Park Juniors only joined the league this season. They concentrate primarily on youth football and even this team, their most senior, is officially listed as their 'under 21' side. They went into the game towards the wrong end of the table, and blew a great chance to gain much-needed points when they let a 2-0 lead slip. Their advantage came courtesy of two goals in quick succession about midway through the first half. Badger Casuals, who'd started the game slowly, got one back before half time. In the second period a mix up between goalkeeper and defender presented the visitors with an equaliser. That gave them the momentum they needed and a third goal soon followed. Late on a brilliant fourth goal, fired into the