Leyton Orient (30-10-2024)

Leyton Orient U18 1 - 0 Aldershot U18 (FA Youth Cup), Wednesday 30 October 2024

Stockton (27-10-2024)

Middlesbrough Ladies 3 - 0 Durham Ladies (Women's National League Division 1 North), Sunday 27 October 2024

In a game played at Stockton FC's ground, 1st placed Middlesbrough put a tough game to bed in the second half. Durham - 8th out of 12th going into the match - fought hard but could not capitalise on midfield possession.

This is the second time I've been to a match in Stockton - the previous one was Norton & Stockton Ancients in 2011.

Thorncliffe Villa (24-10-2024)

Thorncliffe Villa 3 - 3 Dinnington (North Midlands Development League), Thursday 24 October 2024

A high-quality encounter which looked like it had edged Dinnington's way when they took a 3-1 lead. But a spirited Thorncliffe found a way back in, despite being reduced to 10 men.

The quirk of the venue was that there was a wire suspended across the halfway line - play had to be stopped 3-4 times as the ball bounced off it.

Liverpool (20-10-2024)

Liverpool 2 - 1 Chelsea (Premier League), Sunday 20 October 2024

Our first Liverpool game of the season turned out to be a tense and scratchy tussle with Chelsea. Liverpool did well to keep control of the match, in spite of the Blues' gamesmanship and delay tactics. 

The wind and swirling leaves as we arrived reminded me of past Autumns on Merseyside. We will back in 2 weeks so it may well be chillier by then.

Mansfield Hosiery (18-10-2024)

Mansfield Hosiery Mills 1 - 1 Melbourne Dynamo (Central Midlands League South), Friday 18 October 2024

This was a scrappy and well-contested draw with some wasteful finishing from both sides. The home side - in bright yellow - broke the deadlock with a header at the far post, but Melbourne struck in the last minute to take a point.

A nice ground which still has Sutton AFC signage outside - worth investigating the history. Another ground ticked off in Mansfield - in fact my first 'new' ground since Featherstone in August.

Handsworth (04-10-2024)

Handsworth U18 4 - 2 Grimsby U18 (FA Youth Cup), Friday 4 October 2024

Another high-scoring FA Youth Cup tie, settled by a couple of quick-fire goals by Handsworth. The team performance of the Ambers was what won the day against a tough Grimsby side.

Worsborough (02-10-2024)

Worsborough 4 - 2 Nostell MW (NCEL Division 1), Wednesday 2 October

A bottom-of-the-table tussle which swung the way of both sides at different points. Worsborough came out on top thanks to 2 penalties and a Batistuta-esque screamer from number 12.