Wisbech (25-10-2025)

Wisbech 2 - 3 Newark (United Counties Premier), Saturday 25 October 2025

After 15 years I have finally made it to Wisbech's "new" ground. I have fond memories of an Easter cycle ride to the old Fenland Park in 2007 so this was well overdue. I combined this visit with a parkrun and a meet-up with the family.

The ground is reasonable but seems a bit tired in places (see advertising hoardings). The clubhouse was nicely laid out. I liked the idiosynchratic set of seats at the end of one of the terraces.

Wisbech had a recent stint at Step 4, and this is partly what reminded me to visit. But they are now back in the UCL, a league whose footprint has shifted significantly in recent seasons. I had not realised that Wisbech have made the 1st and 2nd rounds of the FA Cup, albeit over 30 years ago now. For a while they were rivals with King's Lynn, but have fallen some way behind. I heard that in the past there was an idea to merge the two clubs, although this never came to fruition.

This was a feisty match, with 2 red cards and 3 penalties. Wisbech couldn't quite find an equaliser late on and on balance Newark just about edged it. I enjoyed the changing Autumnal colours and beautiful skies over the Fens on the way back, on the day before the clocks went back.

Athersley Rec (01-10-2025)

Athersley Recreation U21 5 - 6 Stapleford U21 (North Midlands Development League Cup)

There are some exceptional games which remind me why I love football and tonight was one of them. Stapleford were 3-0 down at the break and being outplayed. They got it back to 3-3, nosed ahead at 5-4 before a late penalty made it 5 apiece. That was until Stapleford's striker made it 6, completing his hat-trick in the process. Stapleford hit the crossbar once, Athersley twice and there were 2 penalties. This was an incredible match at Sheerien Park, in my first visit in over 10 years. 

Handsworth (26-09-2025)

Handsworth U21 4 - 1 Thorncliffe Villa U21 (North Mids Development League), Friday 26 September 2025

Back at Oliver's Mount, almost a year on since my last visit, I took in my first FNF of the season. A ruthless Handsworth took their chances and put a half-decent Thorncliffe to the sword, despite them grabbing a goal back at 2-1. I was jaded and tired heading out, but came back buzzing. Absence makes the (football) heart grow fonder.

Gold Coast (17-08-2025)

Gold Coast United Women 0 - 1 Brisbane City (NPL Queensland Division), Sunday 17 August 2025

My first match outside the UK since 2016, and my second in Australia. A 16-mile round trip from Gold Coast to Coplicks Family Sports Park - a multipurpose site encompassing AFL, soccer...and baseball.

This was a reasonable tussle, with the second half a lot faster and more aggressive than the first. It was settled by a clever flicked header from Brisbane. Gold Coast had some opportunities but were not incisive or decisive enough in front of goal. 

My main lesson in finding this fixture - and exploring other potential ones - is that there are now many opportunities to see "soccer" in Aus. The game below A-League feels like it has developed a lot since I last took in a match here. Soccerway is a helpful tool for scoping out international fixtures. My second lesson is that Gold Coast (like Australia) is huge - my legs will feel this for a few days!

Doncaster City (30-07-2025)

Doncaster City 2 - 0 Louth (NCEFL Cup), Wednesday 30 July 2025

A comfortable win for the superior Doncaster, in a match at Armthorpe's ground. Close to the M18, this is a possible evening match next season. Beautiful skies and sunset going into the second half. There's an article to be written about matches I've been to in July - a memorable handful down the years. Nice to get to a game before our long holiday.

Liverpool (25-05-2025)

Liverpool 1 - 1 Crystal Palace (Premier League), Sunday 25 May 2025

Liverpool (11-05-2025)

Liverpool 2 - 2 Arsenal (Premier League), Sunday 11 May 2025

A game of two halves with a champions' 1st half performance by Liverpool, followed by a resilient 2nd half by Arsenal.

On a side note, I never thought I'd hear the tune of anti-fascist anthem 'Bella Ciao' at Anfield but it has become a mainstay for Luiz Diaz this season. One for our tumultuous times.

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.

Rising Ballers (08-04-2025)

Rising Ballers Kensington 1 - 1 Windsor (Combined Counties 1), Tuesday 8 April 2025

On one of those strange April evenings, when the air is chilly but full of hope for Spring, I found myself in Greenford (West London) for a 1st Division Combined Counties match. This was my first in this league and indeed one of only a handful of matches I have seen in the West side of London. The Combined Counties covers Berks, Bucks, Hants, Herts, Kent, Oxf and the western bit of London - so I guess its footprint is 'the westerly bit of the South East'. 

Rising Ballers Kensington (great name) share the ground of North Greenford United, located between Sudbury Hill and Greenford. Upon arrival I was about to hand over the entry fee (to a group of away fans!) before realising this was FOC. I had a cup of tea (including complimentary biscuits!) from the bar and surveyed the league table. Two points separated Rising Ballers and the visitors (Windsor - not Windsor and Eton!), both hovering over the relegation zone.

The match was full-blooded to say the least and started with a bang when Ballers had an early penalty saved. After this, Windsor dominated much of the half with their sharp passing and took a slender lead into the break. I nipped into the bar to see the end of the 1st half of Arsenal-Real Madrid (and to warm up!). 

The second half was more even and Ballers really upped their game to match Windsor. Ballers - in a distinctive white and gold Madrid-esque kit - seemed like they wanted it just a little more. They deservedly equalised when they successfully converted a penalty, and after this either side could have won it. 1-1 was a reasonably fair result, although it didn't do either side any favours. Meanwhile, across London, it transpired that Arsenal had beaten Real Madrid 3-0 - a strange evening all round.

Stocksbridge (02-04-2025)

Stocksbridge Park Steels Reserves 1 - 0 Oughtibridge (Sheffield & Hallamshire Premier League), Wednesday 2 April 2025

Kimberley (28-03-2025)

Kimberley Reserves 4 - 1 AC United (Notts Senior Division 1), Friday 28 March 2025

Avro (01-03-2025)

Avro 3 - 1 Clitheroe (Northern Premier West Division), Saturday 1 March 2025

Three scrappy (but well-deserved) goals for Avro and a penalty for Clitheroe. The home side's defence stood firm in the face of second half pressure.

I didn't realise that Avro was an aircraft maker (the now defunct energy company is completely different) so I have learnt something today. The ground was an odd collection of different styles and design, with a 3G pitch at the centre. I made it over the Woodhead Pass in time for tea and with some daylight left. Spring must be round the corner.

 

Stocksbridge (08-02-2025)

Stocksbridge 1 - 0 Ossett United (Evostik East Division), Saturday 8 February 2025

South Leeds (25-01-2025)

South Leeds 1 - 2 Selby (NCEFL Division 1), Saturday 25 January 2025

Staveley U21 (17-01-2025)

Staveley MW U21 2 - 0 Buxton U21 (North Midlands Development League), Friday 17 January 2025

A masterly performance by top-of-the-table Staveley - rock solid in defence, fast and creative in attack. They played well against a capable and threatening Buxton side. My first game of 2025 and it was another chilly evening at Inkersall Road.