Steve B the Groundhopper

3pm 31 January  2026 Western League, Division One Avonmouth 2 Welton Rovers 1 (att 107) I'm still unsure whether I'll finally complete all the grounds in the FA's national league system this season, but I reduced the tally remaining to just four after a visit to Western League side Avonmouth. The club have had a rapid rise in recent years, moving up from local Bristol football, via just a single season in the Gloucestershire County League, to 'step six' of the non-league pyramid. This is their second season in the Western League, and a win against strugglers Welton Rovers keeps them in the battle for another promotion, into the premier division. It was a hard-fought win on a heavy pitch, and one that involved overturning a first half deficit. Welton looked better than expected for a team bottom of the table, although their opening goal, a penalty, was against the run of play. Another spot kick, just three minutes into the second half, levelled the score. Avonmouth...

10.30am 31 January  2026 West Midlands Christian League Brierley Hill AOG 0 Excel NIS 3 (att 10) With nine wins from nine league games, ahead of this, you'd think reigning champions Excel NIS would be a shoo-in in retain their title. But rivals Charlemont Star also have a 100 per cent record, having played twice more. Both sides kept their perfect records intact, although Excel made harder work of winning at Brierley Hill than should have been necessary. They almost took the lead in the opening moments, but a failure to take the chance set the tone for the first half when they often looked dangerous, but were unable to apply the finish. The home side were unlucky not to go in front themselves, when a shot that looked goal-bound came back off the inside of the post. The opening half ended goalless, but Excel quickly took control after the break. They scored six minutes after the restart, then added a second goal with an hour played. Excel's final goal was on 78 minutes. The host...