Corby (29-08-2026)

Corby 0 - 2 Stafford (FA Trophy 1st Round Qualifying), Saturday 29 August 2026

Forest U23 @ Loughborough

Notts Forest U23 2 - 1 Manchester City U23 (Premier League 2), Friday 28 August 2026

Dodworth (26-08-2026)

Dodworth Reserves 0 - 4 AFC Dronfield (Sheffield and Hallamshire League Cup), Wednesday 26 August 2026

My first trip to nearby Dodworth, only a few junctions up the M1 and a ground with an impressive main stand. AFC Dronfield (the 'real' team in Dronfield?) took a 3-0 lead by half-time, and while the second half was evenly balanced, they deserved the win.

There was a boys match in progress on the adjacent pitch and I had an interesting chat with their referee for this during the half-time break. The hotly debated topic was whether there should be linesmen/people for games at this level...I politely declined the offer to run the line for their second half!

Beverley (25-08-2026)

Beverley Town 2 - 1 Ossett United (Northern Premier League East 1), Tuesday 25 August 2026

My latest visit to the Hull area, the time to see newly promoted Beverley. They have initially struggled in the league this year and had not scored before today. In a twist, they were actually put out of the FA Cup by Northwich in a previous round - the tie preceding the match I saw in Runcorn.

In a scrappy game, they managed to grab a 2-1 win against an (eventual) 9-man Ossett. It could have been a lot more comfortable but still this was a historic win for Beverley. 

A tough drive back home, due to a combination of evening roadworks, battery-watching miles and general tiredness. Reminded me of a similar drive back from Hall Road Rangers one Autumn evening. Still, my first 'new' ground for a while and in their first season at this level.

Northwich @ Runcorn (23-08-2026)

Northwich Victoria 4 - 4 Bootle (FA Cup Preliminary Round), Sunday 23 August 2026

In my first FA Cup match for 5 years, I saw a crazy tie between two North West teams. Northwich looked to have the initiative at 2-1 up, but fell behind to a penalty and 2 quickfire Bootle goals. They deservedly fought their way back into it to make it 4 all - not a scoreline I would have predicted at the start!

It's been 11 years since I first visited this ground. Going to this bit of Merseyside always brings back a flood of memories so they were on my mind for some of the match. I had not realised how close Runcorn, Northwich and Warrington are, so it's no surprise that Northwich make the short trip up here for home games. There's probably a dissertation to be written on football clubs and grounds in Northwich itself, where I believe Witton Albion still play. 

My first game of 2026/27 ticked off after a long wait.