Steve B the Groundhopper

6.15pm 13 May  2026 Wakefield and District League, Division One Byram Park 3 Black Swan 0 (att 15) Neither Byram Park nor Black Swan have anything much to play for as they approach the end of their league campaigns, but they still produced an entertaining 90 minutes. The game did have an end-of-season feel, and effort and endeavour were more important than skill, but it was enjoyable for the neutral. Black Swan were a little unfortunate to be a goal down at the break, having conceded after 25 minutes. For a long time it looked like the game would be settled by the single goal, until the home sided added two more in the final 15 minutes. Byram Park are based at the sports and social club of the same name in the village of Brotherton. The football pitch is a few hundred yards away on Old Great North Road. It's a former rugby ground that's been converted to the round ball game. The surface wasn't the best, but otherwise it's a decent venue for the level the club plays at, ...

8pm 12 May  2026 Cheshire League, Premier Division Crewe 1 Eagle Sports 1 (att 195) I was surprised when I read that Crewe FC had applied for a place into the National League System. But their new home ground - which they only moved into this year - is designed with promotion in mind. The Crewe FC Hub is still a work in progress, but is already better than at least one 'step six' venue I visited this season, so should tick the boxes necessary for a place in a higher league. But promotion isn't just a matter of pleasing the ground graders. To go up Crewe also need to finish in the top five of the Cheshire League. They went into this, their final fixture, knowing that a win would secure that. It was clear from the off that Warrington-based visitors Eagle Sports weren't going to make it easy for them. The away side had the better of the opening exchanges, and Crewe's 27th minute goal was against the run of play. The goal gave the home side more impetus, but despite cha...

1.30pm 9 May  2026 Wensleydale League, Dales Cup Final at Spennithorne and Harmby FC Richmond Town reserves 1 Unicorn 3 (att 100) With the Wensleydale League about to be added the ever-growing list of defunct competitions I decided to take in the final of the last of its cup competitions, the Dales Cup. Hopefully the Dales Cup will continue even without the league. For the last few years some non-Wensleydale League clubs have taken part in it and one of them, North Riding League Richmond Town reserves, made it to this season's final. They were up against league champions Unicorn, who completed their 18 match league programme unbeaten. Like other remaining Wensleydale League clubs, they are likely join Richmond's reserves in the North Riding League next season. I expected a close game and that's how it turned out. Unicorn had a great chance for an early lead when they were awarded a penalty, but the spot kick was well saved. Both teams then had chances, and both goalkeepers ...

7pm 6 May  2026 Westmorland League, Division Three Penrith Royal 0 Ibis 4 (att 16) As you'd expect there are lovely scenic venues within the Westmorland League's four divisions. Penrith's Frenchfields isn't really one of them, but it is an excellent facility for grassroots football. It's on the edge of town, adjacent to the busy A66, and was built as part of the development that includes Penrith AFC's newish stadium, which opened in 2009. Penrith Royal are one of three Westmorland League clubs who play home games at Frenchfields, along with Calthwaite and Eden Valley. In addition i t also often provides a temporary home for other teams. There are six full size pitches, plus some smaller ones for training and kids' football. All are served by a central pavilion which houses the changing rooms. This game was played on 'pitch one', the first full size pitch you come to as you drive from the entrance towards the pavilion. Kendal-based Ibis began the even...

6.30pm 5 May  2026 Shropshire County League, Premier Division Bridgnorth Spartans 5 Wem Town 0 (att 25) And end-of-season fixture in which the visitors needed points to ease their relegation risk, but once they went behind they never looked like getting them. Bridgnorth Spartans had little to play for, but were the better of the two sides in a fairly even first half. They had a 1-0 lead going into half-time, then took complete control after the break. Wem's young side - wearing borrowed unnumbered shirts due to a kit clash - worked hard but could do little to stop the home side adding more goals.  Spartans scored four in a one-sided second half, two of them penalties. Having previously played at a school, Bridgnorth Spartans have now developed their own ground, appropriately called Spartans Park, which they've turned into a neat venue. It's in the village of Norton, between Bridgnorth and Shifnal. The single pitch is railed off on both sides, there's dugouts, a snack ba...

5pm 4 May  2026 League of Ireland, Premier Division Derry City 1 Galway United 1 (att 4,324) I've twice been to Derry City's Brandywell ground, first in 1995 and then a return two years later. Just along the same road is Celtic Park, the city's GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association) stadium, and currently a temporary home for the club. While the Brandywell pitch is being replaced Derry City are playing a handful of fixtures at Celtic Park. Apparently it's the first time 'soccer' has been played there for 114 years. Like other GAA county grounds, Celtic Park is an impressive venue. A seated stand runs the length of one side, and the opposite side is open terracing. There's more terracing behind the far goal, closed for this game, while the other end has changing rooms and offices. It's a fine venue that's worth the effort of travelling to Northern Ireland. This bank holiday game, with a 5pm kick off making it ideal for a day trip, was the second of five ma...