Steve B the Groundhopper

2pm 8 August  2026 West of Scotland League, Division Four Eddlewood 1 Annbank United 2 (att 155) Eddlewood and Annbank United are both among a handful of new teams to join the West of Scotland League this season. Annbank were formerly a junior club, but for Eddlewood this is their first venture into to semi-professional game. They've enclosed a pitch at Eddlewood Park, and with spectator access around three sides, with just the far end out of bounds, it's a good addition to the league. And, unlike some of the newer West of Scotland League clubs, they have a good level of support. Having won all three of their opening fixtures I expected them to beat Ayrshire visitors Annbank but, despite taking an early lead, they suffered a surprise, to me at least, defeat. Annbank made a slow start, but after going behind they were gifted an equaliser when Eddlewood lost possession trying to play out from the back. The visitors grew in confidence after that. Ten minutes into the second half a...

11am 8 August  2026 Saturday Morning Amateur League, Qualifying Competition Gleniffer Thistle 3 Glasgow Wellington 2 (att 30) My first trip north of the border this season was prompted primarily by new teams being added to the West of Scotland League but, as usual, it was worth an early start to take in a extra game in the morning. This season the Saturday Morning Amateur League has a 'qualifying competition' to determine which divisions teams will play in. I'm unsure exactly how it works, but each team plays a handful of games which, I assume, allows them to be ranked. Gleniffer Thistle appear to be among a number of teams already guaranteed a place in the league's top flight, so whether this fixture counted for much for them I don't know, but they celebrated their last minute winner as if it did. It was harsh on Glasgow Wellington, who recovered from a poor start, and conceding a very early goal, to deserve at least a draw. They turned a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 lea...

6.30pm 4 August  2026 North Riding League, Premier Division Great Ayton United 3 Lealholm 1 (att 80) I made a late decision to go to North Yorkshire for this game, but such were the traffic delays heading east across the Pennines that I came close to giving up and heading back home. I pressed on though, and arrived at Great Ayton's ground about five minutes before the action got underway. It proved worth the effort, as this was a very watchable match at a pleasant venue. Leven Park is home to Great Ayton's football and cricket clubs, although the playing areas don't overlap. The football pitch is parallel to the car park, with changing rooms, associated buildings and even a small stand all at the far end. Both touchlines were roped off, and there's a dugout on either side of the pitch. It was nice to see a pitch looking more green than brown after recent visits to rain-starved surfaces. The North Riding League season began at the weekend. Great Ayton lost their opening ...

11am 2 August  2026 Montagu Cup, First Round Barnburgh Working Mens Club 0 Wombwell Main 6 (att 47) A Sunday morning at this time of year usually means the Montagu Cup. This first round tie pitched Barnburgh Working Mens Club, from the second level of Mexborough Sunday League, against Saturday side Wombwell Main, from the top tier of the Sheffield County Senior League. I expected Wombwell to win comfortably, but Saturday teams don't necessarily come out on top against Sunday league opponents. On this occasion though, they did. It took the visitors about 10 minutes to open the scoring, and soon after they doubled their lead. Slack defending, and what looked like an own goal, put Wombwell Main 4-0 up, and they scored a fifth before half time. On a warm morning and with the tie effectively over it was no surprise that the second period was quieter. Wombwell added a sixth, but Barnburgh didn't give up and were unlucky not to be rewarded with a consolation goal. Barnburgh Working Me...

3pm 1 August  2026 Midland Football League, Division Two Coventry Colliery 3 Central Ajax 1 (att 150) This was a big day for Coventry Colliery. Their first game at this level, having won promotion from division three in their debut Midland Football League campaign last season, and a celebration of their centenary. Their club badge suggests they were actually founded in 1925, but what's a few extra months when you've been around for 100 years? Sadly these days there seem to be fewer clubs likely to be so long-lasting. Coventry Colliery are based at Hawks Mill, of Hawksmill if you prefer, on the edge of Coventry. The main pitch, which runs widthways from the entrance, is enclosed by a combination of railings, advertising boards, rope and a hedge. Behind the goal to the left is the clubhouse, which was busy as Colliery attracted a bumper crowd to take part in the celebrations. The day was all well organised, with stewards sorting car parking, and a barbecue providing welcome food....

11am 26 July  2026 Montagu Cup, Preliminary Round Murphy's 2 Loca 2, 3-5 on penalties (att 24) The annual Montagu Cup has become a regular source of my pre-season competitive football. The competition has a long history and the final, held at Easter, always attracts a large crowd. There were fewer people at Anchorage Lane in Sprotbrough, Doncaster, for this preliminary round tie between two Sunday league teams. The cup is open to Saturday and Sunday sides, although the latter are in the majority. Murphy's, linked to a sports bar of the same name in Doncaster, spent last season in the second tier of the Doncaster and District Sunday League. Loca won the second tier of their Sheffield-based league. There wasn't much between the sides in a competitive, and at times feisty, 90 minutes. The home side were twice ahead, once in each half, but in each half the visitors equalised. No extra time in Montagu Cup so it was straight to penalties to decide the outcome. Loca scored five fr...