Damage in the Box!

GLOSSOP NORTH END (Surrey Street)

Saturday 13th December 2008

North West Counties League
Premier Division

Glossop North End 0-1 AFC Fylde

Attendance: 200

This game at Surrey Street was one of only four games in this league to survive the rain, but a good competitive match was produced on a very heavy pitch.

AFC Fylde dominated the first half and should have been out of sight by half time with the amount of chances they had, their pace and movement caused Glossop all sorts of problems and North End rarely got out of their own half. Ironically though it was a rare excursion into the Fylde half that led to the only goal after 20 minutes. A Glossop corner was cleared to Richie Allen who, from halfway inside his own half, ran the full length of the pitch to slot home.

The second half was a different story altogether as Glossop battled their way back into the game and never let Fylde settle into their rhythm. It was Glossop who had most of the play and created most of the chances, it was felt they were going to make Fylde pay for not finishing them off. However resolute defending and a great goalkeeping performance meant that Fylde just about held on to grind out the victory.

STANWAY ROVERS (The Hawthorns)

Saturday 6th December 2008

FA Vase 3rd Round

Stanway Rovers 1-0 Shoreham

Attendance: 100

As I was en-route to visiting friends in Essex, I took the opportunity to take in a Vase game at The Hawthorns, the home of Stanway Rovers. Stanway is on the outskirts of Colchester and it's most famous son is Damon Albarn of Blur/Gorillaz fame.

Rovers, of the Eastern Counties League, were taking on Shoreham, of the Sussex County League. After a very even first half, with both teams more or less cancelling each other out, Stanway went through with virtually the last header of the game when extra time seemed inevitable. It was no more than they deserved after their second half performance in which they stepped up the tempo and virtually dominated proceedings.

They created half a dozen great chances but failed to take any of them. It was one of these chances that hit the post and was cleared out for a corner. It was from this resulting corner that Callendar rose majestically to head the rovers into the next round.

Throughly enjoyable visit to the Hawthorns and the welcome was incredibly friendly, even got an invite to join the officials for some half-time refreshment in the boardroom. Its the little things like this that re-affirm why I love this groundhopping lark so much!

EASTWOOD TOWN (Coronation Park)

Saturday 29th November 2008
FA Cup 2nd Round
Eastwood Town 2-0 Wycombe Wanderers
Attendance: 1,955

The FA Cup run continues still and there is nothing like a good old giant killing! I felt privileged to be at a packed Coronation Park for the upset of round. Wycombe were completely outclassed by Eastwood and it was very difficult to determine which was the team sitting undefeated at the top of League Two.

Goals from Lindon Meikle after 35 minutes and a Peter Knox goal in the 90th minute deservedly put The Badgers into tomorrows draw. The TV cameras were there and the highlights are well worth tuning in for. Must give a mention of the homemade steak pie on sale today, it was amazing!

FISHER ATHLETIC (Champion Hill)

Sunday 23rd November 2008
FA Trophy 3rd Qualifying Round
Fisher Athletic 0-2 Havant & Waterlooville
Attendance: 170

Not particularly fond of groundshares (Fisher play their home games at Champion Hill, the home of Dulwich Hamlet FC) but when there is nothing better to do on a Sunday then what the heck! The game turned out to be a comfortable away win for the Hawks. The only surprise was that they only scored the two goals and it took them until the 58th minute to get their first.

Havant dominated possession and had loads chances but failed to convert them. First goal was a Gary Elphick header from a corner (58) and second was a penalty, converted by Jamie Collins (74).

Special mention must go to the Fisher custodian, Sheikh Ceesay, who kept the crowd entertained with his "eccentric" style of goalkeeping...or to put it another way he made Gomez of Spurs look like a safe pair of hands!