Glossop North End

North West Counties Premier Division
Glossop North End 3 
Congleton Town 2
 
Gate £6
Atten 201 











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Ground Enjoyment 8/10
Match Enjoyment 7/10
Steak Pies 10/10

Bathed in Carribean sunshine the High Peaks looked superb today and could not be faulted.
An enjoyable game with the second half in particular being most enjoyable as The Bears from Congleton 'clawed' their way back from a two goal deficit at half time. The problem was that once they had got back in the game they conceded a winner just seconds later. From then on it was end to end and the hosts were relieved to hear the final whistle as were the very happy home supporters. 

I had heard that the pies at Glossop were worth the journey alone. They were the best to date by far (Lewes were excellent as well). Juicy chunks of succulent steak in a tasty gravy and perfect pastry texture. So yummy were they, i returned for another one "The Award Winning" Steak and Potato (90% meat 10% Potato) and was equally enjoyable. Passing the tea hut later those 'little beauties' caught my eye again and i took one away with me.

All in all, a very enjoyable day out at a very friendly club set in a lovely setting.

Wakefield

Northern Premier League Div 1 North
Wakefield 0 Warrington 7 (seven)
Belle Vue
Gate: £8
Atten:86 

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Ground Enjoyment 8/10
Match Enjoyment   5/10
 
Wakefield are playing their home games at the home of Rugby League's Wakefield Wildcats and for the recent Super League Derby v Castleford the place was bouncing with a few thousand here. Today it was more of a rattle as only 86 were in attendance. Remarkably nearly double when Ossett visited from only 8 miles away !

The Wire were very impressive from the Warm Up until final whistle. The only unattractive part of them was the comportment of their manager (the brother of Peter Reid)His gesticulations and vernacular were most off putting. They are a big team and the defense was rock solid. Easy to see why they have only conceded one goal in nine games so far this season. However with Wakefield's powder puff attack lucky to get nil better tests of how good they are will surely follow.

Warrington make it 6-0 !

However the feeling of watching a football match in an rugby ground which reeks of history was most odd and did not feel right. The Club is clearly working on a shoestring and seems to be held together by selotape. Things can not really progress until they have their own ground to be proud of. Bricks and Mortar is stronger than selo tape every time.

 

packed terraces !!

Lincoln United

Northern Premier League
South Division 

Lincoln United 1 
Goole AFC 0
 
Gate: £7
Atten: 92 










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Ground & Match Enjoyment 9/10

The magnificent Lincoln Cathedral

My day started with a wander around Lincoln culminating with a visit to the magnificent Cathedral. However in order to reach the Cathedral i was unaware that one needed the aerobic capacity of a Nepalese Sherpa, so steep was the climb. 

What a cracking little ground Ashby Avenue is. To be honest i would never have come here, but after reading Sussexhopper's report after a recent visit it became firmly under my radar.All four sides have cover with a somewhat eclectic mix of structures. Surrounded by high trees behind the Cricket Club the setting is most pleasant. A very decent and well run tea hut and a super Club Shop with some great bargains. I purchased a Club Coffee Mug for £1. 

The game was settled by a second half penalty, no more than Lincoln had deserved. Especially after missing at least five chances in the first half. Lincoln can also claim to have a very strong candidate for "Miss of the Season". When after rounding the goalie , and with an open goal he only had to roll it over the line from 6 yards out. However instead he chose to smash it as hard as he could, only for it to hit the post and go out of play for a throw in. 


On the final whistle the home bench celebrated and then when leaving the pitch a home player slapped a Goole player around the back of his head. Then it was like the WWE Royal Rumble for a few minutes before both teams were separated into their respective dressing rooms only for Lincoln to celebrate even louder in some ways to rub more salt in Goole's wounds. This only ignited another free for all. 

However the highlight of the visit for me was the welcome given by every member of Staff at Lincoln United. Each to a man (and Woman) they were superb and could not do enough for the Visitor. I have already installed them as 6/4 favourites for The 2013/4 Onion bag Awards "Most friendly Welcome" catagory. I can not praise them high enough.

It was simply a superb day, and one that i will long remember.

Day Enjoyment: 10/10 

Siddal Halifax

National Conference Premier Division
Siddal 19 Wath Brow 16

Gate: £2.50
Atten: 150+

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Day Enjoyment : 9/10

Siddal ARLFC based on the outskirts of Halifax with superb views across the Calderdale hills. Beautiful setting. 

Last years Champions from Cumbria Wath Brow were in town for the game of the day and it did not fail to deliver. Both teams are fighting for a playoff place so a win was vital. Siddal took control of the first half leading 18-6 but in the second half the Hornets stung back with constant pressure. A beautiful unchallenged drop goal from no where sealed a fine win for Siddal 19-16.

It was great to see and taste some excellent catering all at sensible prices. Delicious prime burger from the local butcher with cheese and onions £1.80 a Coffee only 50p. With the entrance only £2.50 a great day was had with change from a fiver. Superb value in every sense.

Great entertainment. Really pleased i came here instead of a Vase game.You must try it for yourself one day and then like me you will be hooked !.

Gainsborough Trinity

31st August 2013
Conference North Division

Gainsborough Trinity 1 
AFC Telford 3

Gate: £11
Atten: 428









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Ground: 9/10
Trinity have played their home games at The Northolme since the formation of the club in 1873 as Trinity Recreationists.Set up by the vicar of the Holy Trinity Church for young parishioners. The club even applied to join the Football League again in 1975 and 1976, but received only a single vote on each occasion. When the Northern Premier League added a second division in 1987, Trinity were placed in the Premier Division, where they remained until becoming founder members of the Conny North in 2004.


Located on the banks of the River Trent a stone's throw away from the Town Centre , Northholme is a cracking NL Ground. Spacious and in decent nick. I am sure when they have a full house the atmosphere is brilliant. They are still a bit sore about the departure of the Chairman, thus making the finances pretty fragile.
As one club source told me " we are just happy to survive this season"  .... " avoid being relegated" ? i replied , "No" !  came the swift answer "Survival in general".

Holy Blues open the scoring

Match Enjoyment 8/10
Highly competitive game and a game of two halves. Trinity went in deservedly ahead but in the second Telford took firm control and ran out deserved winners. Class came through in the end .

finger tip save by Telford goalie

Telford once fully gelled have the look of Divisional Champions already to me and its not even September.
But for Trinity survival and growth would be like winning the world cup for some in these parts.