Steve B the Groundhopper

2pm 9 August  2025 North Riding League, Premier Division North Ormesby 3 Boro Rangers U21 0 (att 35) The early start and prompt conclusion to the midday game at Whinney Banks meant I had ample time for the short drive to Unity City Academy, where North Ormesby FC are based. I thought this might be another caged 3G pitch, but in fact they play on a grass pitch on the school's large playing field. A pavilion building at the entrance has North Ormesby signage, so I assume this is their club headquarters rather than just a hired pitch. It's as basic as grounds come at this level, just an open pitch that was taped off along one touchline. It is, or course, also perfectly adequate for this level of football. North Ormesby won promotion from division one last season, whereas Boro Rangers were runners-up in the premier division. That said, last year's team was Boro Rangers under 23s, and they're now badged as an under 21 side, so I assume there's been a change in personnel....

12 noon 9 August  2025 North Riding League, Division One Whinney Banks YCC 0 Linthorpe Academicals 6 (att 38) This was the first part of a double bill of North Riding League football, made possible by a midday kick off that, I assume, was to allow people to watch Middlesbrough's opening Championship game at 3pm. The action actually got underway a few minutes before 12, which suited me as I had plans to watch a nearby second game at 2pm. Despite the early start, it was a match that took a while to get going. Linthorpe looked the better side, but there wasn't much between them and Whinney Banks until they scored an opening goal four minutes before half time. They quickly added a second just before the break. The second period saw the visitors' dominance grow. An unfortunate own goal made it 3-0, two well-taken goals made it five, and late on a goalkeeping error presented Linthorpe with a sixth. It's hard to tell based on just one game, but they look a decent side. Like ma...