Steve B the Groundhopper

2pm  27 October 2018 Lancashire and Cheshire Amateur League, Rhodes Cup First Round Aldermere 1 Salford Victoria 9 (att 10) Third division Aldermere had the best possible start against premier division Salford Victoria, scoring emphatically from the penalty spot after just three minutes. It didn't take Salford long to equalise, but it was testament to the Aldermere players' hard work and commitment that it took until the opening minute of the second half before the visitors edged in front. Aldermere had the occasional half chance in the second period, but they were mostly defending and further Salford goals were inevitable. The home side did well considering the gulf between the teams, but when they tired towards the end they were punished. I last watched a game at Flixton Park 20 years ago, when long-gone Urmston FC played on a railed off pitch in the Manchester League. That pitch is still there, close to changing rooms that now display the signage of Old Stretfordi...

10.15am  27 October 2018 Manchester Saturday Morning League, Division One Manchester Medics 3 West Didsbury 7 (att 4) Medics were one of several teams to play home games at Hough End, Manchester's very own Hackney Marshes with its multitude of pitches, but this season have moved a short distance to Chorlton High School. It's a typical 3G venue, with the artificial grass pitch surrounded by a high fence and floodlit, not that lights are necessary for Saturday morning football. It's also quite a hike from the school car park, and might have been tricky to find without directions from the reception desk. Lucky I found it in time as the goals started early. Medics were ahead after four minutes, but West Didsbury made it 1-1 just three minutes later. The visitors had won the reverse fixture 5-1 a fortnight ago, and were on course for a repeat when they had a 3-1 half time lead. They got more on top in the second half, playing some good football and scoring regularly t...

2.30pm  20 October 2018 East of Scotland League, Conference B Eyemouth United 3 Dundonald Bluebell 6 (att 35) The influx of former junior teams into the East of Scotland League have made this a difficult season for many of the league's long-standing members, faced with much stronger opposition than they're used to. Eyemouth are still without a league point after this defeat to incomers Dundonald, but the visitors were made to work hard before heading back to Fife with all three points. Had Eyemouth kept 10 men on the pitch they might have pushed them closer. It was no surprise when Dundonald took an early lead, nor when they doubled it. The visitors third was controversial, coming on the break after an Eyemouth free kick was blocked by a player who looked too close to the ball and who may have used a hand. But Eyemouth got a lifeline with a well-taken goal just before half time, then had real hope early in the second half when they reduced the deficit to 2-3. Soon af...

10.30am  20 October 2018 North East Christian Fellowship League, Premier Division Jesmond Parish Church 1 St Charles RC Church Gosforth 5 (att 5) It seems there's more than enough Christian leagues to provide me with a choice of extra games on Saturday mornings for years to come. This was my first experience of the north east's two division competition and it was easily good enough to tempt me back for more. It was a local derby between two top division sides yet to register a win in the fledgling league season, and it was the visitors from Gosforth who got their campaign properly underway with a comfortable win. They were ahead in the second minute, and although Jesmond equalised just three minutes later that was as good as it got for the hosts. St Charles added more goals to go into half time with a 4-1 lead. The second half was flat in comparison to the first, with the outcome as good as settled, although St Charles did add a fifth goal late in the game. The ven...

7.45pm  16 October 2018 Northern Premier League, Premier Division Scarborough Athletic 4 Buxton 0 (att 1,005) One of the good news stories in non-League football last season was the return home of Scarborough Athletic. The club was formed when the previous Scarborough FC went bust, but without a suitable venue in the town had been playing in Bridlington. I didn't manage to visit last season, so was grateful for the opportunity to spend a Tuesday evening in North Yorkshire to tick off the Flamingo Land Stadium (a sponsored name for the Scarborough Sports Village ground). The ground has more character than you might expect for a newly-built venue. The stand is raised well above the pitch which ensures a good view from the seats, and there's some shallow covered terracing at one end. The far side and open end are just flat standing at the moment, and with crowds regularly hitting four figures the club will have to consider ways of making sure everyone can see the action...

3pm  13 October 2018 Spartan South Midlands League, Division One Park View 4 Amersham Town 2 (att 25) Park View needed two late goals to see off Amersham Town but if it wasn't for poor finishing they'd have been out of sight well before half time. The home side had countless chances, some created by decent football and some presented to them by slack Amersham defending, but spurned most of them. They took a first half lead but Amersham were soon level, although Park View were 2-1 up by half time. It looked like they might pay for their profligacy in front of goal when Amersham equalised for a second time after the break. But with time running our Park View's superiority was rewarded with a third goal, and a decisive fourth followed soon after. Park View play home games at the New River Stadium in White Hart Lane, in the Wood Green area of north London. It's an artificial pitch but very different from the usual 'caged' variety. A massive seated stand d...

11am  13 October 2018 Bedfordshire County League, Division One Bedford Albion 9 Sandy 0 (att 149) A morning kick off and a three figure crowd in the second tier of the Bedfordshire County League are clues that this was a hop game, and the only one of the day's trio of matches that I was planning to watch. Bedford Albion are a relatively new club, and look on track to continue their climb through the league's divisions after this crushing win against a hapless Sandy. The hosts dominated from the outset, scoring seven times in the first half. Goal number eight was in the opening minute of the second period, after which the home side eased off and Sandy had their best period. The visitors came close to a consolation when they hit the crossbar, but Albion added a ninth before the end. They could easily have had double figures, and I assume the referee was showing some sympathy for Sandy when he turned down what looked like a clear penalty for Bedford Albion late in the g...

7.45pm  8 October 2018 Coventry Charity Cup, Second Round Rugby Borough 3 Polonia Coventry 0 (att 47) The Coventry Charity Cup might be one of the more obscure pieces of silverware that's up for grabs each season, but it gave me a welcome opportunity to visit Rugby Borough's Kilsby Lane game for a game under floodlights. It was an intriguing clash between a side going well well in the Leicestershire Senior League's top division and visitors from the third tier of the Coventry Alliance. A comfortable home win looked likely, but Polonia made it a tricky evening for Rugby Borough. The home side had plenty of chances for a more emphatic victory, but it took until the opening minute of the second half before they finally went ahead. A second goal followed a minute later and put the tie beyond Polonia's reach. The home side got a third in the final minute. Polonia thought they'd taken a 20th minute lead but the officials ruled the ball hadn't crossed the li...