Steve B the Groundhopper

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 27 August 2024 Westmorland League, Division Three NJC 4 Burneside 3 (att 15) NJC are new to adult football this season, and have been given a place in the third of the Westmorland League's four divisions. It's early days of course, but this win was the second from their opening three fixtures, so the decision not to make them begin in the bottom tier looks to have been a sensible one. Had it not folded during the summer they may have joined the North Lancashire League. I don't know what the initials stand for, but the club appears to be an offshoot of NJC Coaching, which is based around Lancaster and Morecambe. NJC's first team, who have the suffix 'dynamos', play in Burton in Lonsdale. I can't recall senior football being played the venue before, but it's a pleasant set up with a single pitch and a pavilion that houses the changing rooms. The front of the pavilion also provides shelter for spectators, which made it a popular place to watch this g...

6.45pm 20 August 2024 Westmorland League, Division Four Scorton Saints 5 Arnside and Milnthorpe Town 2 (att 32) Each year seems to see the demise of more football clubs and, increasingly in recent years, that has caused some leagues to fold entirely. One such this summer was the North Lancashire and District League, left with too few teams to be viable. One of those was Scorton Saints, who had only joined the competition at the start of last season. Fortunately though they have been able to keep playing after getting a place in the Westmorland League. A new league has also coincided with a new home ground. They're now based at Carnforth High School, on a grass pitch that, as far as I'm aware, hasn't been used for first team football in recent years. It's a large playing field, with the pitch used for this game being closest to the car park. The central section of one touchline was roped off the keep the crowd clear of the action. Scorton have made a fine start to life a...