DUNKIRK (Ron Steel Sports Ground)

This weekend the much delayed remaining ties in the FA Vase 3rd round finally took place, over a month after they were originally due to be played! The FA Vase is my favourite of the major competitions and due to circumstances, I was afforded the chance to witness two tasty cup ties...

Saturday 8th January 2011
FA Vase 3rd Round
Dunkirk 1-2 Ashington
Attendance: 157

For Saturday's game I made my way to Nottingham and the Ron Steel Sports Ground, the home of Dunkirk FC. They were taking on Ashington of the Northern League.

It was a case of making sure I had the right ground as there are two others alongside Dunkirk, those being Bilborough Pelican (Notts Senior League) and Greenwood Meadows (East Mids Counties League). Makes you wonder why these clubs couldn't bang their heads together and arrange some staggered kick offs.* Anyhow, I digress.

Dunkirk now find themselves in the Midland Alliance , having come very far in a few years. I remember them as the opposition in a game I seen on a Central Midlands Hop. They won promotion as champions of the East Midlands League in 2010, having been previously promoted from the Central Midlands league when this league was created in 2008. They are currently mid-table in their debut season at step 5.

Ashington are a famous name in football and they were a Football League club from 1921 to 1929. They are currently mid table in the Northern League and, like Dunkirk, are having a mixed season results wise.

It was no surprise then that the game was a pretty even affair between two equally matched teams and chances were few and far between. The Boatmen went a goal up just before half time, but sadly I missed it and I had to go to the toilet! I believe it was scored by Marquin Smith.

An early second half strike from Scott Blandford brought the Colliers level. Phil Bell scored what proved to be the winner from the penalty spot in the 74th minute, after the very impressive Jonny Godsmark was brought down in the box.

you can watch some 'highlights' here...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7lzoSfSSAs

* I was subsequently told "There was a staggered kick off on Lenton Lane. The very first Central Midlands Hop featured Sandiacre, Pelican, Dunkirk, Greenwood Meadows, and Graham St Prims for a world record 5 in a day"  So that put me in my place!!

NEW YEAR BANK HOLIDAY 'DOUBLE HEADER'

RACING CLUB WARWICK & LEAMINGTON


12pm, Monday 3rd January 2011
Midland Combination Premier
Racing Club Warwick 0-2 Southam United
Attendance: 165

Admittedly, this was not my intended double for the Bank Holiday festivities as plan A was Andover/Basingstoke but, after my exertions the previous day I, not unsurprisingly, overslept which didn't give me enough time to get to Hampshire. However, there was a back up available so, after a quick dash down the M6/M42/M40, I began the first part of my Warwickshire double. 

Racing Club was first up and a visit to their Townsend Meadow ground on the edge of Warwick Racecourse. The club seem to be in freefall at the moment after suffering relegations over the previous years, and were now bottom of the Midland Combination. Southam weren't fairing much better this season, so I had to be prepared for the possibility the game might not be the greatest.

I was correct in my assumption as the game was absolute pish! Though in fairness, it could've been rustiness with neither side playing for a few weeks. There was plenty of effort but both sides struggled to string two passes together. What few chances there were came from the visitors and on 50mins they scored a beauty when Richey Robinson cut in from the wing and hit a shot into the top from the edge of the "D". A rare moment of quality amongst the dross. Southam added a second in the dying moments, through substitute Ross Robinson, to seal the points.



3pm, Monday 3rd January 2011

Southern Premier League

Leamington 1-2 Hednesford Town
Attendance: 702

After a quick jaunt up the road, I arrived at the New Windmill and with both sides doing well in the league, I had reason to believe this would be a much better game than what I had just witnessed.

The first half was pretty open with both sides creating lots of chances. Leamington took the lead after a couple of minutes before Hednesford levelled. Leamington had the chance to re-take the lead from the spot, after a dubious penatly was given, but justice was done when it was saved. Hednesford also had a goal chalked off.

Second half was not as open and chances were at a premium. Hednesford got their winner on the hour mark when a long clearance was allowed to bounce by the defender and, as the 'keeper rushed out, the striker nipped inbetween then to lob the ball into and empty net.

A good entertaining game overall and in a boring new build ground, the large crowd created a bit of an atmosphere and it was a fantastic feeling to get a double in after the recent cold spell. As I was leaving the ground I, along with everyone else, was given a box of mince pies courtesy of the club sponsors. Who says you don't get anything for free at footy these days? Happy New Year :)

RAITH ROVERS (Starks Park)

2nd January 2011

Scottish Football League Division One

Raith Rovers 2-1 Dunfermline Athletic

Attendance: 6,534

It was another jaunt north of the border for Hogmanay, this time destination Kirkcaldy (after dropping some fellow hoppers off at Stenhousemuir) and the Fife derby between Raith and Dunfermline. The weather, for once, being kind to us as the majority of other Scottish League games were wiped out.

Starks Park is another gem of a Scottish ground with a wonderful 'L' shaped wooden main stand. It is in the corner of the ground and because of the houses, it only goes up to the halfway line. Behind either goal are two identical large stands, whilst on the the other touchline is the old Railway Stand which is now unused, having had the seats ripped out of it a few years ago.

Dunfermline are the current league leaders but Raith moved a point behind them after a cracking 2-1 victory. The first half was lively enough but there was very little goalmouth action and neither goalkeeper had a save of note to make. The Pars shaded the possession and looked a yard quicker, so i'd guess the homesters would've been happier with it being goalless at the break.

The second half was a brilliant advert for the Scottish League, and it's not often you can say that, as both teams decided to 'go for it' and produced and entertaining end-to-end game. Mark Campbell headed home a corner to give Raith a 51st-minute lead, but it was quickly 1-1 as Nick Phinn fired home. On 70 minutes, Gregory Tade broke clear and, from the edge of the area, shot home into the bottom corner to seal the win. Dunfermline then threw the proverbial kitchen sink at Rovers but couldn't find an equaliser. The home fans were delirious with the win and would no doubt be "dancing in the streets of Raith" as a result!!