Luton (28-10-2025)

Luton 3 - 1 Brighton U21 (EFL Trophy Group Stage), Tuesday 28 October 2025

Wolves (26-10-2025)

Wolves 2 - 3 Burnley (Premier League), Sunday 26 October 2025

I have finally visited Molineux, a ground which has eluded me to date, and one of my remaining 92 in the North/Midlands. This is a special ground with a brilliant atmosphere. The club emblem is also one of the most distinctive in the UK. 

In a well-attended and thrilling match, Wolves were unlucky not to get at least a point. They came from 2 nil down to level and very nearly scored a third, before Burnley ruthlessly took a chance in the last minute. It may be a long way back for Wolves now.

I managed to avoid the M6 Toll in both directions but took a rather circuitious route in the end. I also hit lots of traffic on the way home. This chilly Sunday match, just after the clocks changed, perhaps signalled the start of Autumn.

Wisbech (25-10-2025)

Wisbech 2 - 3 Newark (United Counties Premier), Saturday 25 October 2025

After 15 years I have finally made it to Wisbech's "new" ground. I have fond memories of an Easter cycle ride to the old Fenland Park in 2007 so this was well overdue. I combined this visit with a parkrun and a meet-up with the family.

The ground is reasonable but seems a bit tired in places (see advertising hoardings). The clubhouse was nicely laid out. I liked the idiosynchratic set of seats at the end of one of the terraces.

Wisbech had a recent stint at Step 4, and this is partly what reminded me to visit. But they are now back in the UCL, a league whose footprint has shifted significantly in recent seasons. I had not realised that Wisbech have made the 1st and 2nd rounds of the FA Cup, albeit over 30 years ago now. For a while they were rivals with King's Lynn, but have fallen some way behind. I heard that in the past there was an idea to merge the two clubs, although this never came to fruition.

This was a feisty match, with 2 red cards and 3 penalties. Wisbech couldn't quite find an equaliser late on and on balance Newark just about edged it. I enjoyed the changing Autumnal colours and beautiful skies over the Fens on the way back, on the day before the clocks went back.

Athersley Rec (01-10-2025)

Athersley Recreation U21 5 - 6 Stapleford U21 (North Midlands Development League Cup)

There are some exceptional games which remind me why I love football and tonight was one of them. Stapleford were 3-0 down at the break and being outplayed. They got it back to 3-3, nosed ahead at 5-4 before a late penalty made it 5 apiece. That was until Stapleford's striker made it 6, completing his hat-trick in the process. Stapleford hit the crossbar once, Athersley twice and there were 2 penalties. This was an incredible match at Sheerien Park, in my first visit in over 10 years.