Liverpool (27-04-2014)

Liverpool 0 – 2 Chelsea (Premier League), 27^th April 2014

Match ticket = £49

Train = £34

Programme = £3

Tea x2 = £3-55

Bus to Anfield = £4

Total = £93-55

It is fair to say that Mourinho had us all fooled, myself included. In the build-up to this game, he’d created a myth that his team were weak, beset by injuries and struggling with a fixture pile-up (er, just two matches in the UCL semi-final). On the way to Liverpool, I felt that Liverpool could finally nail the title with a win today, whereas previously I’d believed Chelsea to be an unsurpassable obstacle. It was certainly a tough run-in for Liverpool, but they could go into this one full of confidence after victories over City and a key away win at Carrow Road.

There was a sense of anticipation and tension around Anfield as kick-off grew closer. From our spot in the Kop end of the Main Stand, we were in the thick of a wired atmosphere. Mrs Groundhopper assured me that this was very different to the atmosphere against City, which had resembled the UCL semi-final from 2005. The tension bordered on anxiety as the game kicked off.

Liverpool, staying true to their principles, attacked without remorse for the first half an hour, only to meet a stubborn Chelsea defence which was not giving anything away. Every time Suarez received the ball, he was surrounded by 3-4 blue shirts, and every time Liverpool flew down the wings, Chelsea managed to get something on it. They were deliberately breaking up play with fouls, lingered-over goal kicks and hardly subtle time-wasting. This was what we should have expected from them, but the frustration of the home crowd grew as half-time approached. Chelsea clearly had no intention of playing football or allowing Liverpool to do so. Then came the moment of anguish and despair as a unfortunate slip from Gerrard put Demba Ba clean through on goal, right in front of us. This couldn’t have been a worse time or a worse way to concede a goal, against Chelsea of all teams.

We wondered what Brendan Rodgers’ half-time strategy would be, now that Liverpool had to score, and couldn’t settle for a point. Disappointingly nothing changed after half-time. Liverpool attacked in the same way, and Chelsea nullified pretty much everything that was thrown at them. They rode their luck at times, but Mourinho’s men were effective in what they were doing. I can barely recall a single clear-cut chance for Liverpool as Chelsea seemed to grow in confidence. As Liverpool launched one final desperate attack, Torres broke away onto the halfway line, and, with all the Liverpool players out of the picture, ran into the box before squaring to Willian for an easy goal to make it 2-0. This was perhaps the moment that title hopes genuinely died. Chelsea’s blue tank had come to Anfield, weathered a battering and smashed and grabbed a key win.

AFC Fylde (26-04-2014)

AFC Fylde 1 – 0 King’s Lynn (Evostik Premier), 26^th April 2014

Bus ticket (in Sheffield) = £3-80

Train (Manchester-Preston) = £11-60

i-Paper = 40p

Bus (Preston-Warton) = £8

Entrance = £9

Programme = £2

Tea = £1

Chips = £1-40

Chewing gum = 59p

Tea at Preston station = £1-75

Total = £39-54

The end of a long non-league season for me, and I’d opted to see King’s Lynn’s final game of the season at Kellamergh Park on the Fylde peninsula. I feel slightly guilty this year as I’ve only done 3 KL games (this one included), which is the lowest tally for a season for some time.

AFC Fylde’s ground is located a short walk from Warton, which is about half an hour’s bus ride from Preston. I’d long seen this one as a tricky one to do, but to be honest it proved more expensive than inconvenient (as the cost breakdown demonstrates!). I took a bus from Preston bus station (never visit, it is awful – worse than Northampton!) and arrived at Warton in plenty of time. The ground sits behind a pub on a country lane, and like a couple I’ve seen before (Leamington springs to mind) seems to sit in the middle of the countryside with not much around it. I’d cycled out this way back in 2006 to photograph grounds in and around Blackpool, and for some reason missed this one out. In fact back then, they had been known as Kirkham and Wesham and played in the NWCFL – today they were heading for a place in the Evostik Premier play-offs.

As I approached the turnstile with a tenner in hand, a confused looking man asked me to take a ticket from him, and walk through the other turnstile at the far end. A woman said thanks as I entered the ground; it looked like she hadn’t used a ticket as planned – either way, the entrance still set me back £9, which was fairly steep for this level. Kellamergh Park was a nice enough ground, with covered terracing behind one goal and a couple of long stands of seating. It felt a bit bare, but the bustling bar and tea hut made up for this (hut probably does it an unjustice, as it was a rather impressive affair compared to some I’d seen). The great thing about the tea was that it was served in a cardboard ‘AFC Fylde’ holder, which was a nice touch, and probably quite an effective marketing ploy too.

When I’d settled down near the corner flag of the goal King’s Lynn were attacking, I had a look to see if I could recognise any players. Those two games earlier in the season (Witton and Worksop) were an age away, and I think I only managed to accurately remember 4-5 players’ names! Fylde were in the play-offs, and were gunning for a win today to keep them as high as possible in the league. King’s Lynn, in contrast, were a solid mid-table outfit who hadn’t flirted with relegation or promotion this year – this must be the first stable season in quite some time!

Fylde threatened early, when a shot flashed wide. King’s Lynn’s Andrew Hall looked lively, but it was definitely the home side who looked stronger. First Fylde’s Sean Cooke had a header saved, before Richie Allen’s snap shot hit the side netting. KL’s George Thomson forced a save after a comical fumble by the home keeper, before Fylde’s Blinkhorn curled over just before the break. We’d not done badly overall, and I was quietly optimistic that we could maybe nick a point here.

In the second half, the gap between the teams was evident, as Fylde took real control of the match. Danny Lloyd hit over before Harry Winter forced a terrific save from a diving Alex Street. Still 0-0, and King’s Lynn sent a warning shot when Hall hit wide on his right foot. Fylde responded by taking the lead with a header from Blinkhorn on 73 minutes, and suddenly King’s Lynn came alive again for the last 15 minutes of the season. Fylde’s Hinchcliffe saved superbly from Ewan Clarke on 87 minutes, before Thomson cut inside only to fire wide. In the last couple of minutes, Jake Jones had another shot saved after more superb crossing from Andrew Hall. It just wasn’t quite enough, and Fylde marched on into the play-offs. (As I’m writing this in retrospect, I can now tell you they’ve been promoted to the Blue Square North, where I wish them the best of luck). King’s Lynn had made a good fist of today’s game, and despite the loss, had shown they could hold their own at this level once more. There was generous applause all round the ground for both teams.

I trudged back to Warton for the bus, and reflected on another long trip to the North West. This was a key ground, and it was another of the trickier trips under my belt. My mixed fortunes this season were summed up when I somehow managed to lose both the cardboard mug holder and the glossy programme from the match!

Washington (19-04-2014)

Washington 1 – 1 Seaham Red Star (Northern League Division 2), 19^th April 2014

I’d thought that today’s hop was based around Newcastle, but game 2 today exposed my lack of geographical knowledge of the North East. Washington play at the Nissan plant in Sunderland, which was a 30-40 minute walk from Jarrow’s ground in Boldon. Sunderland is of course a separate city to Newcastle, so I felt a sense of trepidation as I crossed the boundary into the Wearside area. I had visions of not being able to find the ground in the huge Nissan plant, but need not have worried as the path I followed (alongside a transport museum) took me directly out onto a massive car-park, where there were plenty of sign-posts to the sports complex at the back.

Entrance £5 again, but this time the programme was thrown in for free, and it was a pretty impressive publication too, printed on card, and with plenty of detailed information about today’s game. As I expected, the ground was modern and neat, with a large upstairs bar in the clubhouse building, and a decent stand of seating on the right-hand side. I liked the stand, as it had 5-6 rows of terracing at the front, with a few rows of seats running back from there.

Looking at the league table, I expected Seaham to easily overcome Washington today, as they were sitting near the top of the table. It started off that way, with Seaham (actually playing in blue) having a couple of warning shots wide from Palmer and Johnston, before Nicholson’s side foot forced a terrific save from the home keeper. Washington started to hold their own in midfield, and opened the scoring after a swift move of one and two-touch football which ended with a great volley from David Southern. The Seaham keeper prevented them doubling their lead when he tipped a deflected shot around the post. It was clearly a good day for the goalies with home keeper saving a downward header from Seaham’s Darryll Donnelly, and then a free-kick from Washington tipped around almost bang on half-time.

The weather during the first half had been bizarre in the extreme. I’d ended up wearing a warm black hat to cope with the strong wind running across the ground, and sunglasses to cope with the bright sunny weather. I must have looked a sight to an impartial observer, but nobody seemed to mind. For the second half I opted for the terraces in front of the main stand, resting my tired legs before the walk back to the metro.

The second half was as evenly contested as the first, and Washington continued to belie their league position. Seaham’s Lewis Wing threatened with a curling shot flying wide early on, before Washington’s Coughlan was dismissed for a second yellow card. It looked like a soft one to me – either way, the impressive-looking home side were down to 10 men for this half. Seaham had a spell of possession and chances, and converted when Nicholson volleyed in to make it 1-1. Strangely from this point on, the chances all seemed to fall to Washington, who were utterly resolute in their attacking and desire to score another.  James Farley volleyed over, before his flicked header over an onrushing keeper didn’t quite reach the net.  Southern’s free kick flew over, before a tame right foot shot from Michael Roberts went wide. It finished 1-1, and the game was again a credit to this league. I headed for the exit, and off to the metro to make it back to Sheffield as early as possible. As I left the ground I heard a kid (presumably on the full ground-hop) say to a friend – ‘I think this is my second favourite ground this weekend’. I wonder what the first was!

Jarrow Roofing (19-04-2014)

Jarrow Roofing 1 – 0 Heaton Stannington (Northern League Division 2), 19^th April 2014

Train ticket (Sheffield-Brockley Whins) = £62-50

Jarrow tea = £1

Washington tea = 80p

Washington Oxo = 50p

Greggs snacks = £3

Jarrow entrance = £5

Washington entrance = £5 (programme included!)

Magazine at Jarrow = £2-50

Total hop costs = £80-30

Sloping towards the end of the season, I opted to do a couple of the Saturday games on the NL Easter hop. I’d briefly flirted with the idea of doing the whole weekend or at least a couple of days, but eventually decided that I’d go for the option which enabled me to be back home for the evening. Jarrow’s ground is actually in the Boldon area of Newcastle, and a short walk from Brockley Whins metro station. As I made my way to the ground, I found myself giving directions to fellow football tourists to a ground I’d never been to before – I must look like I know where I’m going!

The ground was situated at the end of a short track off the road, adjacent to a council pitch with muddy goal-mouths, and Boldon CA FC (who play in the Wearside League). There seemed to be a progression in the standard of grounds as you walked further down the track. A fiver for entry in a narrow gate at the side, and this immediately reminded me of Marske United. Either side of the entrance gate were narrow sections of covered terraces, shielded by robust corrugated iron sheets, painted blue. Directly opposite the entrance was a neat blue and yellow stand, and to my left were a few plastic seats at the front of the terraces. This was another memorable ground in the North-East.

After getting a cup of tea, I attempted to get a programme, but to no avail as they had all sold out. Fortunately I noticed a whiteboard near the entrance with the line-ups listed, so out came the iPod for a photo. I was also able to pick up a copy of the 3^rd issue of ‘The Football Pink’ for £2-50, which was full of interesting articles by bloggers and fans. The home side started strongest, with Shaun Heads forcing a clearance off the line early on, and taking the lead when Andy Appleby latched onto a slide-rule pass to give them the advantage. Heaton did have periods of possession, but couldn’t forge any meaningful opportunities, with the closest chance coming when a long-ranger from Paul Blakey drifted wide. Jarrow asserted themselves again when McBryde hit the post with a first time shot, and then had a volley saved soon after. They were well-organised, and seemed to be playing with Jamie Marshall as a deep-lying ‘sweeping’ midfielder which was very effective. Heaton had a couple of half-chances before the break, with a dragged shot from McBryde saved before he fired a free kick at the keeper on 43 minutes.

The second half wasn’t great to be honest, though the game did start to open up. An innocuous volley from Jarrow’s Myers was saved almost straight after half-time, and then Heaton’s Johnson fired massively wide, followed by a proverbial drop-goal by Kieran Weekes (over and out). Jarrow’s Stephen Young opened up Heaton when he cut in from the right and forced a save from Shaun Backhouse, while Gardiner hit another chance wide from the resulting corner. Heaton had a couple of golden opportunities towards the end, and perhaps could have nicked a point here. McKenna’s shot was well-saved by a nerveless Andy Hunter, before Jonathan Wright couldn’t connect with a dipping cross across the penalty box. Jarrow wrapped up the win, and the hoppers started to stream for the exits on the way to the next ground at Washington FC.

West Didsbury (14-04-2014)

West Didsbury & Chorlton Reserves 1 – 3 Cheadle Reserves (NWCFL Reserve Trophy – Group B), 14th April 2014

Baked potato & tango! £3-10
Tea = £1-20
Chewing gum & apples = £1-19
Tea = £1
Bus (Chorlton-Manchester) = £3
Total = £9-49

As the nights really draw out, I wanted to get to one of the accessible grounds in Manchester after work. My motivation has really increased now the weather has improved and the end of the season is in sight. This is a great time of year to do evening games, so West Didsbury was an ideal one to aim for this evening. I ambled down Oxford Road from work, and had time for a baked potato and cup of tea on the way, before I wandered into the suburb of Chorlton and into the local supermarket. This is only 4 miles or so from the centre of Manchester so I’d decided to walk the route there, and get a bus/metro on the way back in. On the way I passed Whalley Range FC, who play in the Lancashire & Cheshire league, and Maine Road (who I’d visited some time ago, possibly in 2011). And in fact, West Didsbury’s Brookburn Road ground is not actually that far from Old Trafford.

Tonight’s game was a match in the NWCFL Reserve Trophy, which probably wouldn’t exist next year as the Reserve league had been disbanded. This is unfortunate because the NWCFL has for a long time been one of the few leagues at this level to have a reserve league. For this cup competition, there were 2 groups of 4, and West Didsbury were bottom of their group, which had been won by Glossop NE. I gleaned this from a detailed conversation behind me in the main stand! The ground was decent enough, given they had only recently reached the NWCFL level. From Brookburn Road itself is a short track into the ground, where a few cars had parked on the grass verge on the left. To my right was a small covered terraced area, and on behind the far goal there were a few seats in the black and white of the home club, next to the clubhouse.

Despite the fact that this evening’s game was a dead rubber, it was a really entertaining game, demonstrating the competitiveness of the NWCFL set-up. Cheadle started more strongly, and took the lead when their number 7 flicked it to number 10, who couldn’t miss his header from close range. At this point, a woman with a Macclesfield Town puffer jacket asked me what the score was and who had scored – it turned out that number 10 was her son! After some kamikaze defending from West Didsbury, Cheadle’s number 7 doubled their lead with a fierce shot on 20 minutes – he reminded me of Rooney, carrying the ball from midfield, and brushing aside players with ease. The defending was shocking, and it was all the stuff you are taught not to do from school to Sunday league level. West Didsbury barely threatened in the first half with the only real chances (half-chances at that) falling to Shackeel Depeiaza and Nduoma Chilaka. Cheadle were in command, and could easily have doubled their lead when a superb left foot drive from number 9 was tipped over by Betton in the home goal.

The second half (which I saw up to about 85 minutes) was amongst the most entertaining of the season. On 57 minutes, Cheadle’s number 10 had a penalty well-saved by the home keeper, before Chilaka hit a drive which cannoned across the box and just out of reach of a home striker. The away keeper repeatedly shouted ‘No bounce’ to his players when another ball was launched forward, but this didn’t seem to have any effect on the play, as it bounced several times before it was won. This was becoming open now, and on 69 minutes West Didsbury’s substitute attacker rattled the cross-bar. The home side deserved a goal, and it arrived shortly after when their centre-back headed into his own net after a rebound off the keeper. It looked like game on but West Didsbury were looking increasingly tired compared to their opponents. It was Cheadle’s turn to hit the woodwork, with the wiry 10 hitting the outside of the post from an acute angle, before a swift counterattack saw the away number 7 round the keeper, only to fire onto the cross-bar. I was a bit gutted that I had to leave on 85 minutes to make my train back to Sheffield, as this had been one of the most entertaining periods of play this year. Once again, the NWCFL fails to disappoint!

Padiham (05-04-2014)

Padiham 1 – 3 Cammel Laird (Evostik Division 1 North), 5th April 2014

Bus = £9
iPaper = 40p
Entrance = £7
Programme = £1
Tea = £1
Food and tea at Piccadilly = £5-49
Total = £21-99

For the second weekend running, I made the trek up to Burnley on the X43 from Manchester. The grounds around here are amongst the trickiest to get to from Sheffield, so I figured I’d make the most of the better time of year. I say ‘better’ cautiously – today was blustery and grey as I made my way across to Manchester and up into East Lancs.

Padiham is a couple of miles North of Burnley, so I’d opted to alight at Burnley bus station today, and walk the remaining distance. Padiham play at the Arbories ground on Well Street, which sits at the top of a steep hill, accessible through some narrow streets with terraced houses. This was going to be another impressive view today, and it didn’t let me down – from the terrace behind the near goal, you could see down into Burnley to the right, and straight on you could see what must be Nelson. Padiham are in their inaugural season in the Evostik league, having progressed from the NWCFL in 2012-13. According to a sign outside the ground, they’d actually won ‘The Treble’ in that season. To be fair, they were not doing badly in their first season at this level, and sat 17th before today’s game. The visitors from the Wirral – Cammel Laird – were in 9th place, but there was something of a cloud over their club as rumours were circulating that they would be resigning from the league this year. I’d visited Kirklands in around 2006-7, when they’d lost a narrow play-off final in extra time. Something of an intriguing clash awaited.

Cammel Laird started strongly, with John Couch firing wide in the early stages, before Joe Evans hit a dipping free-kick over. They took the lead with a bizarre goal on 18 minutes. Evans was running through on the right, and when he saw no options in the middle, decided to chip the keeper. The ball flew into the goal and over the unfortunate Sean Davis in the home goal. Padiham briefly threatened when Kieron Pickup hit a long-range drive straight at the keeper, and curled another shot wide shortly after. Cammel Laird looked in charge, but Padiham somehow equalised when a low cross was headed into his own net by Dysart. 1-1 at half-time, and it was proving unpredictable so far.

The home side looked eager to build on their strong finish to the first half, and Spencer Jordan headed over to send a warning to the away side. Cammel Laird duly responded when Gibiluru curled a right-footer in to make it 2-1. It still looked open, but the game was put to bed shortly after a hand-ball in the Padiham box resulted in a penalty which was calmly converted by Joe Evans. Who says Englishmen are rubbish at taking penalties?! The home side had a smattering of opportunities, like when Craig fired over on 68 minutes, but did not seriously threaten Mike Langley in the away goal. Not the best game in the world, but another distinctive Lancashire ground, and a brilliant view from the ‘top of the world’.