Shaw Lane Aquaforce (23-04-2013)

Shaw Lane Aquaforce 0 - 0 Handsworth (Sheffield and Hallamshire County Senior Football League)

Continuing to take advantage of the cluster of early evening games in the local Sheffield league, making my way to Shaw Lane in Barnsley. The ground was a short walk from the station, so was ideal for an easier ground hop. I was particularly interested to see the ground as Shaw Lane had applied for promotion to the NCEL league, so could shortly be entering the pyramid. The added attraction was that the home side had very nearly wrapped up the league title, but faced a strong Handsworth side who likewise had applied for promotion. Handsworth, since being demoted for ground grading issues in 2012/13 (despite winning the NCEL division 1 title), had faced a tough time in this league, probably indicating the strength in depth of football in south Yorkshire. I recalled a game earlier in the season when they'd been taken apart at Oliver's Mount by an organised Houghton side. The clash tonight would hopefully give some indication of the strength (or weakness) of the league.

The ground at Shaw Lane itself is part of a wider sports complex. To your left as you enter is a cricket pitch, as I passed there was a match in full swing. Behind a clubhouse are a set of 5a side football pitches, and a rugby ground. To get to the pitch, I walked alongside the rugby pitch, and turned left up a hill which looked like it was in the middle of being churned up. Possibly redevelopments for next season? There was a grassy pitch at the top next to more astroturf pitches, surrounded by spectators, and ready for kick off. Forget the fuss which surrounds many matches - at this level, you only know if a match is on by the fact that there are corner flags and nets in the goals!
The first half was a bit of a cagey affair, with both teams not quite going out with attacking intent. The chances of note were a shot from Handsworth's no 11 which flashed wide, and shots straight at the keeper from Shaw Lane's numbers 9 and 10. Handsworth with their pacey midfielders, began to dominate possession, thought they didn't really create many clear cut opportunities. At this point, it looked like one way traffic, and like Handsworth would sneak a win.

The second half was a fantastic battle, with both teams really going for the jugular. Early on, Handsworth's no 4 volleyed over from the middle of the box, while Shaw Lane's no 10 had a low shot tipped wide by the keeper. There was a moment of controversy, with a Shaw Lane header from a corner appearing to hit the hand of the defender on the back post. It looked like a handball to me, but the referee didn't give anything. The game swung back into the home side's favour, with no 4 dribbling into the box, and setting up no 9s shot before it deflected off no 4 in a crowded penalty area. For long periods, Handsworth were pinned back inside their own half. Shortly after, the number 10 cut inside from the right, firing a shot just wide. Handsworth did make the occasional break, number 11 hitting a left foot shot past the post. Late on, a speculative shot from Shaw Lane's no 5 was tipped over by a relieved Handsworth goalkeeper. This match - particularly the second half was a great advert for this local league, and showed why even a newly relegated team like Handsworth had faced a real challenge this season.

Caernarfon Town (20-04-2013)

Caernarfon 4 - 1 Llangefni (Welsh Alliance Division 1)

Caernarfon, I was reliably informed, is in a 'very Welsh' part of Wales, where English is a second language, and even avoided by some. It was therefore with some trepidation that I set off for this 2.30pm Saturday kickoff at Marcus Street, which lies upon a hill up from the town centre. I needn't have worried - though the bloke at the turnstile did start speaking in Welsh when I handed over the entrance fee, he picked up my English and directed me towards a programme seller. Entrance fee of £3.50, which was a bargain!

Although I'd previously been to a couple of Welsh grounds on previous occasions - Pendarren Park in Merthyr, and Colwyn Bay's ground - this was the first match I'd been to in the Welsh leagues. This was the Welsh Alliance Div 1, essentially the 3rd tier of the Welsh league system, part of a wider pyramid-like system. The regionalisation of many Welsh leagues is apparently a historical legacy of the poor transport links between the North and South, with this league essentially concentrated on the North & North West corner of the country.

Marcus Street stadium is probably comparable to many grounds at steps 3 & 4 of the English non-league setup. There were a couple of covered terraces near the entrance behind the goal, and a seated main stand to the right, along with more seats behind the far goal. There was clearly building or development work taking place on the side opposite the stand, with a stationery digger surrounded by sand and rubble.

I realised as I looked at the league table that I'd picked a top vs bottom match to go to - which should give me some indication of the standard of the league overall. Caernarfon were top looking like certain champions, while Llangefni were bottom, having conceded a cricket score of goals thus far. The home team were among the most colourful I've seen - Caernarfon started in yellow shirts and green shorts, and their goalkeeper was dressed head to toe in fluorescent pink! The goalie must have been confident as he also had the number 13 shirt on!

The game reflected league positions, with Caernarfon in control and oozing confidence on the ball. Barely 15 minutes had gone before the home side hit the post, with the rebound screwed over. Shortly after, Caernarfon scraped the crossbar with a shot-cum-cross - I had a feeling this could get one sided gem today! The breakthrough came when no 10 slotted home comfortably from close range after dribbling from the right wing into the box. More chances were forged - 6 having a close range shot saved, and 10 inconceivably hitting the crossbar with the goal gaping. It was a surprise that it was only 1 nil at the break.

The second half continued in the same vein, this time with more converted chances from Caernarfon. 6 slotted in a ball from the right to double the lead, while shortly after no 10 scored the 3rd to make the game safe. Llangefni bundled in a consolation in response, Lewis stabbing in a cross from 9. Still Caernarfon came, creating chance after chance, barely allowing the away side out of their half. I was in a perfect position to see a stinging shot from Caernarfon's no 8 rattle one post then the other. I'd not seen that before in a live game, though I do recall a similar incident back in 2000 when Melbourne Fc played Man united. Funny the things you remember! They'd hit the woodwork 5 times in this match, probably suggesting their dominance. The Canaries made it 4-1 with an own goal from Llangefni from a low and fast cross.

I was impressed by my first and only groundhop in the Welsh league, and would definitely revisit similar clubs in the future. The standard was decent, and I was now keen to see what the higher leagues of Welsh football are like - Welsh clubs are routinely involved in annual Champions League and Europa League qualifiers, so maybe these are worth a trek across the UK to see.

Worcester City (13-04-2013)

Worcester 3 - 1 Hinckley (Blue Square North)

In normal circumstances, an end of season game between Worcester (all but safe from relegation) and Hinckley (already relegated) would have had limited appeal. However, today was different as it was the penultimate game to be played at St George's Lane stadium, before the ground was sold off and Worcester moved to pastures new for 2013/14. The final game was an all-ticket affair, and would no doubt be a title parade for Chester as they waved goodbye to the Blue Square North, so I'd opted for today's dead rubber.

The ground was a gem, although I could see why the club wanted to move to more modern facilities. One side had an old stand with a couple of steps of terracing beneath it, while the opposite side of the pitch was terracing, some of which was covered by a corrugated iron roof. The far end rose behind the goal, to the point that you just could see the top of the crossbar over the advertising hoarding. The terracing was cracked with parts covered in moss, and had clearly been darkened and weathered by the elements over the years. This was a classic ground, reminding me of Workington's Borough Park, Gainsborough Trinity's Northolme, and Altrincham's Gigg Lane. I counted 22 steps up the terraces as I took my place under the covered area opposite the main stand - they don't build grounds like this any more!

The game kicked off in ignominious style, with the club announcing a minute's silence for some recently deceased fans, before the referee started the game without anything of the kind! There's a first for everything. Given the relative position of both clubs, I wasn't expecting a classic, but the game defied my expectations. The teams at first seemed evenly matched in different areas of the pitch - Hinckley had some committed players and showed a lot of desire to win the ball back in midfield. Worcester, on the other hand, looked more assured on the ball, but not quite as committed. Hinckley had a David Luiz lookalike who seemed to play a similar role to his Chelsea twin, roaming between midfield, defence and attack. I wasn't sure whether he was playing this role through choice or whether his manager had given him free rein - I suspect it was the former! The opener came for Worcester on 25 mins, with the no 10 making a surging run in from the left wing, before slotting the ball neatly to the keeper's left. It was a neat goal, and put a polish on an otherwise in eventful first half. The second came shortly after, with an in swinging free kick launched into the Hinckley box, before being headed down and poked in for close range by no 9.  Worcester seemed happy with their half time lead.

As I wandered round the ground at half time, the announcer apologised for the lack of the minute's silence, and then proceeded to welcome a visitor from Arnold Town in the same breath. I glanced up to the right and there was a lonesome figure with a ATFC flag on a blue and yellow background. I was unsure of the connection between Arnold and Worcester or Hinckley, but thought it must have been a fellow ground hopper. As I took photos from almost every conceivable angle, I noticed that a lot of people were doing the same which was rare - many were home supporters perhaps taking the opportunity to savour memories before the ground was flattened. There were 826 spectators here today - I wonder how many were ground hoppers or neutrals seeing the ground for the first and last time.

The second half began in the same fashion as the first, with both sides looking fairly evenly matched. The difference was that Worcester looked to have had an injection of passion into their game, and it was no surprise when the third goal arrived.  There was still determination from Hinckley, which impressed me given their relegated status. Deep into stoppage time, the Hinckley no 11 Brown hit a beautifully curled free kick with his left foot into the Worcester net. It was barely scant reward for their trip from Leicestershire, but at least they had something to show for their final game at this ground, and in this league.

As I walked out of the ground, I couldn't resist one final photo - this time not the pitch or terraces, but the caged tunnel the players emerged from. This had a peculiar clock face above it, split into 15, 30 and 45, I suspect it hadn't been used for years. These kind of idiosyncratic features are what's really lost when these type of grounds gradually disappear from the UK football scene.  108 years of history and St George's Lane would shortly fade into memories, photographs and (presumably) a new housing development.