Curzon Ashton (28-09-2013)

Curzon Ashton 0 – 0 Lancaster City, FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round, 28th September 2013

Train (Manchester to Ashton-under-Lyne): £3-20
Entrance: £7-50
I Paper: 30p
Tea: £1
Bovril: £1
Total: £13

Ashton-under-Lyne is located just to the East of Manchester, next to the ring road (the M60), and is home to two non-league clubs – Ashton United and Curzon Ashton. Again, I took advantage of my monthly trans-Pennine season ticket to get to Manchester for ‘free’ from Sheffield, before walking to Manchester Victoria for a 10-minute train ride to Ashton (return £3-20). On a busy train from Sheffield, I sat next to a drunk and cheerful Man United fan in a tie-dye t-shirt, who gave me his thoughts on the sports headlines as I tried to read the paper. He even gave me regular updates from the Spurs-Chelsea game! I didn’t have a chance to explain my destination for the day – I think he assumed I was also off to the Theatre of Dreams!

Curzon’s ground is about a 15-20 minute walk from the rail station, located within a sports village which includes athletics fields and racing tracks. The Tameside Stadium was similar to Nantwich and Witton in its spaciousness and modernity, with a stand of seating faced by a row of 8-10 terraces. Both ends had terraces with crush barriers, which probably put it ahead of Nantwich in terms of capacity. The only really distinctive feature of the ground was a statue outside which looked like a couple of rugby or football players grappling for the ball.

Like the game at Nantwich, today was an FA Cup Qualifier – only 10 games away from Wembley. I’d decided to attempt to follow the FA competitions wherever possible up till Christmas – even at these early stages (as I’d found out at Knaresborough) there is a certain magic to these qualifiers. The game was slightly disappointing to be honest, as the teams seemed to cancel each other out. Curzon Ashton oozed quality on and off the ball, while Lancaster were clearly a well-organised outfit who communicated well with each other. The main events of the first half were when the Lancaster number 10 skied a good opportunity over the goal, and when the Ashton goalkeeper was substituted on 20 minutes.

The second half was similar until the teams started to realise this was a knockout game – and it began to open out in the closing stages. Lancaster had a header tipped over from close range, before their number 9 had a right-footed shot saved by the replacement keeper. Curzon threatened, and nearly scored when their number 8 hit a deflected shot, only to be foiled by the away keeper. It finished goalless in front of a crowd of 302. Not the worst game in the world, but not exactly the most thrilling either. Perhaps I was paying the price for that brilliant game at Knaresborough! I sprinted back to the station for the 17.05 back to Manchester – one more ground ticked off in the North West…

Liverpool (21-09-2013)

Liverpool 0 – 1 Southampton (Premiership), 21st September 2013

Train: £21
Programme: £3
Match ticket: £42
Bus to Anfield: £4
Tea x2: £3-70
Total: £73-70

Normally I wouldn’t record a match at Anfield as it’s a ground I’ve been to many times before, and for once, we are not neutral supporters. Mrs Groundhopper is a massive Liverpool fan, and over the last few seasons we’ve been able to get tickets. I bought these tickets back in July, when the club holds a members’ sale, when you basically buy in bulk for half a season. I figure I’ll record this match to be comprehensive with my costings for this year – and it proves a real contrast to non-league costs and atmosphere.

For this game we sat at the far left of the Main Stand, which has to be one of the most cramped stands in the top-flight. Almost immediately as you enter the turnstiles, you end up facing a wall, and have to navigate your way through a narrow corridor and a maze of steps to enter the ground. The block we were in today – MZ – is directly opposite the away end at the Anfield Road end of the stadium, to the point where you can make eye contact with the away supporters.

I won’t go into detail about the game itself as its been reported widely already. Suffice to say that Liverpool had masses of possession, and started the game brightly. How they didn’t score is beyond me, with Sturridge, Victor Moses and even Jordan Henderson looking dangerous. Even without the suspended Luis Suarez, they looked like a team in form and going for a win today. Southampton, particularly in the first half, looked inferior and like they would be in for a tough day today. Still they went in at half-time at nil-nil. This was a bad sign – invariably, if Liverpool don’t score early under Brendan Rodgers, they end up either losing or drawing. I didn’t want to point this out to Mrs Groundhopper as we started the second half!

Liverpool again started the half well, and just seemed to lack incisiveness in the final third. The ball was on the floor, and some great passing followed, but no goal. Inevitably Southampton took the lead on the hour mark. From then, they grew in confidence and, as the frustration began to affect Liverpool, they started seizing the ball in midfield and intercepting more passes. As we approached the final whistle, the ground started to empty, which I’d rarely seen before at this stadium. This was a reality check to Liverpool’s credentials as top four contenders this year. It says a lot that the highlight of the day was being able to use advance train tickets at £21 each for Sheffield to Liverpool (return)!

Nantwich Town (14-09-2013)

Nantwich 1 – 2 Rugby Town (FA Cup 1st Round Qualifying), 14th September 2013

Train (Stockport to Nantwich) £12-30
I Paper 30p
Entrance £9
Programme £2
Tea £1-30
Bovril £1-30
Sandwich £3-99
Total £30-19

Today I was off to see Nantwich play Rugby in the FA Cup. But isn’t this blog about football I hear you ask? Bad joke I know. Nantwich Town, like Witton, is one of the many grounds in Cheshire which has been on my list for a while. I have to confess I am somewhat ignorant of the geography of the county (and neighbouring Staffordshire), despite a large non-league set-up in the area. This was an ideal opportunity to learn my geography today. Nantwich is just outside Crewe, and can be reached by an 8-minute ride on the Arriva service to Shrewsbury. Like Knaresborough, I’d recommend a visit to the town itself, which is full of independent shops, and has a marina alongside the Shrewsbury Union canal.

Weaver Park is located about a 10-15 minute walk from the centre of the town, and sits alongside the River Weaver. Another ‘W’ to continue the theme from Worksop and Witton. The ground was modern, having been built relatively recently, and wasn’t dissimilar to Wincham Park in Northwich. I am ambivalent about newer grounds, as sometimes they lack character and atmosphere. I handed over my £9 entrance (not bad for a club at this level) and asked for a programme from a kiosk just inside the ground. I was just about to hand over my £2 when the bloke said ‘just one second’, and proceeded to swat a wasp with a copy of the programme, making sure it was dead with a deft swipe. And of course he handed me the programme used to kill the wasp – not often I’ve been sold a murder weapon at a ground! Inside, the ground was neat and spacious, but lacked terraces at either end. A main stand of seating was directly opposite a section of terracing of about 5-6 terraces high. I wasn’t enamoured by the ground, and as I munched an egg sandwich, wondered whether this might be a memorable day today.

For the start of the game I took up my place almost bang on the halfway line in front of the terraced section. My fears about the ‘flatness’ of the ground were soon allayed when it became evident that the Nantwich fans were in good voice, and determined to generate an atmosphere. One chant, directed at the cluster of Rugby fans, ran ‘Ten fans on your big day out…’ In fact it was closer to 15 I would have said, but maybe that wouldn’t have fit into the bars of the song! The game started a bit flat, but gradually turned into a decent match. Rugby’s number 11 had a low shot saved, while Nantwich missed a sitter one-on-one with the keeper. There was an equal distribution of chances between the teams, with Rugby’s number 9 having a further shot saved, before the number 10 fired over. Nantwich took the lead just before 30 minutes, with a fine surge into the box from the Nantwich number 9.

The second half was as open as the first, and both teams looked like they would score. The key moment came on 50 minutes, when a legitimate free kick goal from Nantwich’s 11 (and a fine free kick at that) was disallowed. It was unclear what has happened, as the ball had clearly gone in, and the linesman appeared to be flagging for offside. It looked like the home side were in control of the game, and it would only be a matter of time before a second one. The Nantwich fans were in high spirits, with second half chants including ‘Your kit’s too big for you’ (directed at a short Rugby midfielder).  Another missed opportunity came when the home side’s number 19 just couldn’t quite connect with a cross from the left.

Nantwich couldn’t make their possession and dominance count in front of goal, and were punished on 80(ish) minutes when Rugby’s number 10 hit a venomous shot from outside the area, which deflected off the keeper before hitting the back of the net. Now it was anyone’s game. With the momentum swinging their way, Rugby took the lead on 85 minutes with a shot from number 6 rocketing into the bottom corner of the net. Their supporters were delighted, and finally started singing on their ‘big day out’ (all 10 or 15 of them!). Nantwich were perhaps a tad unlucky in this game, with the deflected equaliser, and the disallowed free kick just after half time. Rugby, on the other hand, should be proud of their dogged determination and grit to get back into the game. I’d recommend a visit to the Weaver Stadium, if only to experience the humorous and witty chants of the Nantwich crowd.

Worksop Town (11-09-2013)

Worksop 1 – 4 King’s Lynn (Evostik Premier), 11th September 2013
Train (Sheffield to Worksop): £5-50
Entrance: £10
Programme: £2
Tea (x2): £2
Total: £19-50

I was back on the King’s Lynn away trail at Sandy Lane, Worksop, for a wet September evening. My second away of the season and it was another ‘W’ – maybe a trend was developing?   I’d been there on three previous occasions – for a photos outside the ground in 2009, a Worksop Parramore vs Pontefract NCEL clash in 2012, and a King’s Lynn FA Trophy game in November last year. After Worksop Town’s financial difficulties, and I understand a dispute with the owners of the ground, Worksop played in exile in Hucknall for a couple of years. As a result, Sandy Lane is actually owned by Worksop Parramore, originally a county league team, and promoted to the NCEL in recent years. And of course, Parramore are planning a merger with Handsworth. Worksop Town, on the other hand, are at a higher level in the Evostik Premier, and have arguably ‘found their level’ in this league.

I travelled straight from work in Manchester, and met my Mum at Worksop station at 7.15, arriving at the ground in plenty of time for kick off. It made me realise that evening games will be a stretch now that I have a trans-Pennine commute to contend with! Entry, like last year’s FA Trophy game, was £10, which seems the going rate at this level. It sounds like a lot compared to the £6 I paid to see Dr Martens football in the late 1990s, but I guess that costs have gone up for all clubs these days. After the obligatory tea, we took up our seats at the far end behind the goal we were attacking; in fact we were almost directly behind the goal, and the saw most of the first half through the net. Actually not a bad spot to take up if you have good eyesight!

The game started just after 8 due to delays on the A1 – when it did begin the teams looked evenly matched. King’s Lynn, as in the game vs Witton, were keen to get the ball on the floor and forward quickly, but lacked enough penetration to break down a physical Worksop defence. Worksop looked strong in midfield, and created a few chances before the deadlock was broken on 27 minutes when Cottingham hit a fantastic shot into the top corner. I could appreciate the skill involved because we could see the ball arrow into the back of the net. King’s Lynn looked superior after that, and did look like equalising before half-time, but couldn’t quite convert their chances, so went in 1 nil down at the break.

Almost from the second half kick-off, King’s Lynn looked hungry for it, and quickly equalised through a great reflex volley from Shane Tolley. Shortly after, Fryatt headed in a corner, and we had a 2-1 lead. The home side still looked dangerous, particularly after they made a double substitution. The King’s Lynn goalkeeper Danny Gay made a terrific save to deny them, tipping a goal-bound shot round his right-hand post. The game was very open, and we left gaps at the back as we powered forward for a third. There was some crisp passing in King’s Lynn’s midfield, who were creating neat triangles all over the pitch. Then, just after 75 minutes, Worksop were reduced to 10 men when their defender gave away a penalty to King’s Lynn as the last man. Rob Duffy converted the resulting penalty to make it 3-1, and by now we were all over the home side. As the home crowd shuffled to the exits, King’s Lynn grabbed a fourth, with Duffy slotting in from close range. A great result and a deserved win before I headed off to an FA Cup qualifier at the weekend.

Knaresborough Town (07-09-2013)

Knaresborough Town 4 – 3 Westella Hanson AET (FA Vase 1st Qualifying Round), 7th September 2013

Total: £29-60
i-paper: 30p
Train ticket (Sheffield-Knaresborough): £21-30
Entrance: £4
Programme: £1
Raffle: £1
Tea (x2): £2

Knaresborough is located just North of Harrogate, roughly a 45 minute train ride from Leeds. The town was quite picturesque, with waterside cafes, an impressive stone railway bridge, and the remains of a castle. As I explored the riverside before the match, I wandered to the top of the castle, where I saw a woman dressed in full chain mail! This was a real contrast to the less illustrious surroundings of Clipstone and Atherton.

Knaresborough Town, like Clipstone, entered the NCEL in 2012/13, and are very much the new kids on the block. Today was a historic one for the club as they entered the FA Vase for the first time against Westella Hanson of the Central Midlands Northern Division. Today was also non-league day (with home internationals played on the Friday), so there could be a larger than average gate for such an historic game. The ground was fairly similar to Clipstone’s (albeit a bit smaller), with one small covered terrace behind the near goal, and a small stand of perhaps 30-40 seats just on the halfway line. I struggled to capture a decent photo of the ground with the dark clouds looming ominously in the distance – this could be the first day of genuinely bad weather this season.

The game turned out to be the most thrilling I’ve seen so far this year, made all the more exciting by the fact that this was knock-out football (with the distant carrot of Wembley), and that these two teams had not met before. Westella belied their status as underdogs, and more than matched the home side in the first quarter. They took the lead on 6 minutes with a header, and made it 2-0 on 20 minutes with a curling left-foot shot into the bottom corner. The second proved particularly controversial, as Knaresborough felt play should have been stopped for a foul – it wasn’t, and it seemed as if time had frozen when the ball hit the back of the net. A classic example of playing to the whistle - whether you agree with the referee’s decision or not. Gradually, Knaresborough started to assert themselves, and scored a deserved goal on 34 minutes, drilled in by their number 10. This set up an intriguing second half.

From the restart, Knaresborough looked like the more likely to win today, despite trailing. They scored an equaliser almost immediately, with number 7 getting on the end of a cross to slot in. Given home advantage, and Knaresborough’s league position, it now looked like they would take advantage of a tired-looking away team. Just when it looked like they would take the lead, on 55 minutes they were reduced to 10 men after a fracas in the far corner. Westella started to get back into the game, and with the home team disorganised for a short time, they made it 3-2 on 69 minutes with their number 10 slotting past the keeper one-on-one.

By this point, Knaresborough were furiously barracking the referee for almost every decision – no doubt feeling aggrieved about the second Westella goal, and the red card. This was compounded when the Westella left back flew into a thigh-high tackle with his studs up, only to be booked rather than sent off. It now looked like the home side had the ‘bit between their teeth’, and were determined the defy the one-man deficit and the what they saw as a poor referee. Late on, a cross was swung in, and Knaresborough’s number 10 volleyed a magnificient overhead kick into the roof of the net to make it 3-3. Judging by the grimace afterwards, it looked like he had pulled his hamstring in the process. Extra time beckoned, and I learnt one of the quirks of this competition – apparently if it was even after 120 minutes, it would go to a replay rather than penalties. I couldn’t help but think that neither team would want a replay after such a draining match.

After I grabbed a quick cup of tea, and extra time began, the heavens opened, and I was grateful that I had my trusty Quechua coat with me. The second half of extra time saw brilliant sunshine, and I quickly dried off as the game continued on a knife-edge. It still looked like anyone’s game, until (around) 110 minutes, when Knaresborough’s number 15 curled in a superb goal – which was almost a carbon copy of Westella’s controversial second. He slid on the grass, and you could feel this game had gone into the annals of the club’s history. They closed out the game confidently, and while Westella had one or two close chances, it was clear that Knaresborough had wrapped up a famous win. It is a credit to both teams that I’m not writing about the ground, but the game itself which was an absolute epic. My first game of the season in Yorkshire, and what a game it had proved to be!