Steve B the Groundhopper

2pm 1  June 2024 Scottish Premier Amateur League, Championship Division Greenock High School Former Pupils 1 Steins Thistle 0 (att 230) This match was billed as a title decider, and it would have been had it not ended in a single goal win for Greenock HSFP, the one result that meant a play-off would be required. Ahead of the final scheduled league match of their seasons, Steins had a three point advantage, so needed to draw or win to be champions. The home side needed victory by at least two goals, to get the better on the clubs' head-to-head record. In case you're wondering, goal difference isn't used to separate teams tied on points, sensibly on account of the number of matches conceded as walkovers. It was a match that hinged on two Greenock HSFP penalties. The first, after 30 minutes, was well saved. The second, in stoppage time, was scored. Steins, needing just a draw, set out to defend and to slow down play whenever possible. Occasionally, but rarely, they threatened ...

10am 1  June 2024 Strathclyde Evangelical Churches League, Premier Division United Churches of Ayr 4 Law Community 1 (att 6) This was only the second game I've ever watched in this league, the first being a title decider a year ago. The stakes were lower in this fixture, with the outcome going some way to determining places fourth to sixth in the 10 team table. The home side ran out comfortable winners. United Churches of Ayr were ahead after five minutes, and doubled their lead well before half time. In the second period they added two more goals, before Law had the consolation of pulling one back. Being based in Ayr makes United Churches something of a geographical outlier in this league. Like many amateur clubs, their home venues can vary week to week, but this was played at the town's King George V Playing Fields.

6.30pm 31  May 2024 Border Amateur League, Waddell Cup Final at Greenlaw FC Duns 4 Langlee Amateurs 3 (att 300) The Waddell Cup is for teams in both of the Border Amateur League’s divisions, and the final brought together the two top sides. Duns are league leaders, but Langlee can climb above them depending on the outcome of their final fixture. Langlee had the perfect start when a precise and well struck free kick gave them a fifth minute lead. They were looking the better side and deserved the second goal which doubled their lead after about half an hour. Into the second period it looked like being a routine win, but a long ball and a good finish gave Duns some home with about an hour played. Five minutes later their supporters were celebrating an equaliser. Langlee took time to recover, but once they did they soon went back in front. However, Duns weren’t beaten, and equalised again on 82 minutes. Into the final five minutes and a rash challenge followed by kicking the ball away...

7.15pm 29 May 2024 Craven and District League, Premier Division Cowling 8 Skipton Town 2 (att 32) Cowling's regular home pitch hosted a festival over the bank holiday weekend, so the club hired a 3G pitch at nearby South Craven School to stage their final fixture of the season. They and visitors Skipton Town were playing for third place, with the away side having a one point advantage ahead of kick off. With that in mind I expected a closer game. Skipton took the lead after just two minutes, but were 4-1 down by half time in a match that had an end-of-season feel. Cowling extended their lead to 6-1 before Skipton scored their second goal, a strike from the halfway line that evaded the home keeper. But it was just a brief respite for the away side, as Cowling added two more goals before the end. South Craven School has hosted Craven and District League football previously, but hasn't been used by any club regularly this season. The 3G pitch is a typical set up, floodlit and encl...

7pm 28 May 2024 Derbyshire Summer League Bramshall 3 Red Lion 6 (att 18) There's been a couple of important changes since I last watched football in this league. It's adopted a new name, having previously been known either as 'the summer league' or the Ashbourne and District League, and matches now last 90 minutes rather than 80. New grounds to visit only crop up occasionally, but this year a newcomer has appeared in the eight team division. Bramshall is a village near Uttoxeter, just over the border into Staffordshire. I understand that another change to the league has been a relaxation of the rules around player eligibility. Previously it was only open to those who don't play organised winter football. It's that change that perhaps tempted Bramshall to join, as the club runs a Sunday league team during the regular season. They have their own ground, a pitch in a field with an ageing wooden pavilion in the corner. It was a lively game. Red Lion started well and...

6pm 25 May 2024 Doncaster and District FA, John Preen Memorial Cup Final at Castle Park, Doncaster South Elmsall United Services 3 Swinton Athletic 1 (att 200) It wasn't just cup final day at Wembley and Hampden Park, but also at Doncaster's Castle Park. The impressive home ground of Doncaster Knights RUFC was staging football for the first time, with three cup finals on Saturday, plus two more scheduled for the following day. The first two matches had been Doncaster League cup finals, but I arrived for the day's final game, the Doncaster and District FA's John Preen Memorial Cup Final. Both finalists play 'step seven' football in the top division of the Sheffield and Hallamshire County Senior League, and produced an enjoyable, and very competitive, final. South Elmsall were the better side from the off, and Swinton's goal led something of a charmed life early in the game. It was against the run of play when Swinton scored first, midway through the half. The...

2pm 25 May 2024 East Riding County League, Premiership Division Brandesburton 7 North Cave 0 (att 55) Brandesburton went into their final fixture knowing that, however unlikely, a win, coupled with defeat for rivals Scarborough Athletic reserves and a goal difference swing of well into double figures, would make them champions. With Scarborough kicking off earlier, and ahead by half time, the more realistic aim was three points to secure second place and promotion to the Humber Premier League. That was pretty much sorted in just 10 minutes, the time it took Brandesburton to establish a 3-0 lead. It was surprising that it then took until just before half time before they scored a fourth. North Cave had nothing to play for but there was no lack of effort on their part, they were just second best. After the break the game continued in the same way, with the home side attacking and creating chances. Eventually, in the final 10 minutes or so, they added three goals in quick succession to co...