Liverpool (27-04-2025)

Liverpool 5 - 1 Tottenham Hotspur (Premier League), Sunday 27 April 2025

Champions! Exactly 11 years to the day since 'that' Chelsea match, Liverpool seal the title with an imperious performance. A special day on Merseyside.

Retford (26-04-2025)

Retford FC 4 - 0 Clipstone (United Counties Division 1 play-off semi-final), Saturday 26 April 2025

The United Counties now stretches a long way North of its traditional base in Northamptonshire. I'd be interested to see a map of the geographic distribution back in the days when King's Lynn reserves were in it. I wasn't too surprised therefore to see Retford in this league, although I was intrigued that there are now 2 teams in Retford. As it happened, today Retford United were also playing across town in the other semi-final. Pub quiz question - what would a Retford derby be called?

Retford FC is a relatively new club, but their ground is very prominent as it is right next to the East Coast mainline. Numerous trains sped past during today's action.

Retford had finished 20 points ahead of the visitors Clipstone, and this gulf in class was evident from the start. They just looked stronger, more alert and more organised. Two headed goals either side of the break looked like they would see them through. Clipstone had a bright period when 2-0 down and had a golden chance when they were awarded a penalty. But the player could only hit it over the bar. After that Retford again took a stranglehold on the match with 2 more headed goals. They look a decent side and will be a tough proposition for their next opponents - as it turned out, Blackstones had beaten Retford United across town so the next Retford derby will have to wait.

This was another play-off to add to my list - I must make a note of this kind of match in my spreadsheet. A 40-minute drive back home, mostly on familiar roads, so not a bad trip all things considered.