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.