South Leeds (25-01-2025)

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

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.

Wakefield (10-11-2023)

Wakefield 3 - 0 Nostell MW (NCEL Division 1), Friday 10 November 2023

Entry £6

Programme £2

A tale of floodlight failure, a rugby ground where they play football and long queues at the tea bar. 684 in attendance.

Maltby (04-10-2023)

Maltby Main A - A Tadcaster (NCEL Premier), Wednesday 4th October 2023

Floodlight failure after 15 minutes.

Swallownest (14-03-2023)

Swallownest 0 - Beverley (NCEFL Division 1), Tuesday 14 March 2023

Entry £6

Programme £2

Tea £1

A hard fought match, a snow flurry at half time, cracking goalkeeping and frozen toes!

Dronfield (31-12-2022)

Dronfield 4 - 1 Nostell Miners Welfare (NCEFL Division 1), Saturday 31st December 2022

Worsbrough (17-09-2022)

Worsbrough Bridge 1 - 1 Harrogate Railway (NCEFL Division 1), Saturday 17th September 2022

Frickley (13-09-2022)

Frickley Athletic 2 - 0 Knaresborough Town (NCEFL), Tuesday 13th September 2022

Maltby Main (27-10-2020)

Maltby Main 1 - 3 Eccleshill (NCEFL Premier), Tuesday 27 October 2020

Petrol estimate £2-50
Entry £5
Programme £1-50
Total £9

Football is back! (well, temporarily at least). I'm not sure where to start with all the recent events, but I suppose a visit to a ground (and a match) is as good as any. Maltby Main proved to be one of the few NCEFL matches which survived tonight's fixture list (the weather, as well as Covid, is now interfering with the beautiful game). 

To be frank, it felt like the actual match was sideshow today. It was just good to be back in a ground for live sport again. My visit was mainly focused on safety; getting in and out safely, sorting the NHS app and keeping the crucial 'social distance' from others. It was also a freezing evening, with an icy blast occasionally sweeping across Malty Main's exposed ground.

The game pitted early high-fliers Maltby against mid-table Eccleshill (from Bradford). I visited Eccleshill's ground a while ago, while en route to a match at nearby Thackley. From the start, it was evident that these were two evenly matched sides. Maltby had the early share of the chances, with 7 rattling the post, before Mitchell Dunne (coming in from the left) cut inside and scored a lovely goal into the top corner.

But the tables were turned in the second half. Eccleshill's Luke Aldrich equalised on 51 minutes and then an awful fumble by the Maltby keeper allowed Alexander Laird to make it 2-1 to the away side. The home players gave the keeper the silent treatment as he fished the ball out of the net. There was a bit of a game of tug of war, as the teams fought for supremacy. It could perhaps have gone either way at this stage, but Eccleshill made certain of 3 points with an 83rd-minute goal from Jonathan Irving. One peculiar aspect of today's match was that the post had been hit at least 4-5 times. I'm not sure if anyone keeps stats on this kind of thing, but this match may have scored highly if so. It was great to be back after so many months away, and I'm just glad I was able to visit (given circumstances in the wider world).

Penistone (26-10-2019)

Penistone Church 3 - 0 Athersley Recreation (NCEFL Premier), Saturday 26 October 2019

Petrol estimate £5
Entry £5
Tea £1-25
Total £11-25

Ollerton (24-02-2018)

Ollerton 1 - 2 Hallam (NCEL Division 1), Saturday 24 February 2018

Petrol estimate £7
Entry £4
Programme £1
Total £12

Handsworth Parramore (31-10-2017)

Handsworth Parramore 2 - 0 Bridlington (NCEL Premier Division), Tuesday 31 October 2017

Entry £5
Programme £1-50
Tea £1
Oxo £1
Provisions 89p
Petrol estimate £5
Total £14-39

Parkgate (30-08-2017)

Parkgate 1 - 2 Maltby Main (NCEL), Wednesday 30 August 2017

Entry £5
Drink at bus station £1-50
Total £6-50

Campion (08-04-2017)

Campion 3 - 0 Brigg (Saturday 8th April 2017), NCEFL Division 1

Train to Bradford £12-50
Entry £5
Programme £2
Tea (x 2) £2
Bus £3
Total £24-50

After an extended sabbatical (with the new arrival) I headed on my first longer distance ground-hop since Hereford. Campion was a decent one to do given they are relatively new to the league, and the ground is relatively close to Bradford Interchange.

It was a beautiful sunny day as I set off from Sheffield, and while I had a bit of concern over the impact of the rail strike, it was set to be a good day. Campion's ground was located about 2 miles from Bradford, very close to the iconic Manningham Mills, which hark back to perhaps a more glorious era for the area.

Campion's Scotchman Road ground is located just behind a new-ish looking bar/clubhouse, which also seems to double as a DSA driving test centre! The ground is shared with a cricket club, so (like Hallam) one side is fairly exposed, and presumably the metal pole can be removed for matches in the summer. Upon parting with £5 entry and £2 for the programme, I surveyed the ground. The main covered area was on the far side, where scaffolding held up a long roof covering a couple of blocks of white seats. Some of the seats were discarded on the floor as if someone had forgotten about them or was planning some work over the summer! All in all it was a nice set-up and it was a day to relish football with the weather so good.

This was an intriguing game in prospect. Campion lay in 8th, having done superbly in their maiden season here, while 16 points behind them were Brigg in 13th. It was the home side who started quicker, attacking at a ferocious pace, and with players who were able to find space in all areas. They took the lead when Jason Davis lobbed the keeper superbly from a fair distance out - as someone next to me said 'you won't see that in the Premier, on TV'. Although Brigg had a handful of chances - Ben Kendall's volley well caught by an alert keeper and then Ryan Thompson's drive being tipped over - I could see that Campion were going to dominate proceedings if they continued at this pace.

Brigg came out for the second period with a degree of intensity. But they could not find the equaliser when they had possession - their nearest chance came when Nathan Peat had an effort cleared off the line. In the Campion ranks I noticed that the physio resembled Paul Lambert, whilst the centre back looked like Peter Crouch! Back to the football and Campion made it 2-0 when Jason Davis curled in a low shot from around 35 yards. He was in form today as was the industrious and pacey Kieron Batey. Brigg attacked but could not find a way round or through a stubborn Campion midfield and defence. Then after a brilliant flowing counterattack, Campion were awarded a penalty when the pony-tailed Eli Hey was denied a goal-scoring opportunity. Brigg's red-head Charlie Clemenshaw was red-carded and stood ashen-faced behind the goal as Davis smashed in the spot-kick to claim a hat-trick. There was still time for the home side to rattle the post (the second time they had done so in the game) but 3-0 was just reward for their efforts. 

It is great to see a new team do so well in the NCEL and illustrates how strong this league is. I headed back to Bradford for the 17:27 train amid blazing sunshine, which makes a complete contrast to the freezing conditions in Hereford back in November. My first trip out for a while was a decent one, and saw me tick off another Yorkshire ground.

Hallam (10-12-2016)

Hallam 4 - 2 Teversal (NCEL Division 1), Saturday 10 December 2016

Bus Sheffield £3-90
Tea x2 £1-40
Entry £5
Total £10-30

I feel like I have let Hallam FC down over the years! Despite being in Sheffield since 2008, I'd only actually been to Sandygate once before today. It has slipped down my list when I have been gallivanting around the North West and other places. So this, combined with a relatively easy cross-city bus ride, made this a perfect one today.

(Obviously) Sandygate is the oldest football ground in the world, so is something of a 'Mecca' for the non-league community. It sits high up in the Sheffield suburb of Crosspool, and is bounded by rather magnificient grey stone walls, making the entrance not dissimilar to Stocksbridge's Bracken Moor. The club share the ground with a cricket club, meaning that only 3 sides were accessible to spectators today. Apparently there was a Father Christmas here today, as well as free mince pies! I made the most of the latter when I had a cup of tea before kick-off. My diet will have to wait!

The first half was relatively short on chances but high on interest. Teversal, sitting near the bottom of the table, came out with a Leicester-city style plan, launching the ball forward and making the most of opportunities to counter-attack. After an early warning drive from Hallam's right-back was saved, Teversal took a lead when Jason Dawson headed superbly in. Unbelievably they then doubled their lead when David Cockerill - a larger man who nonetheless had a clever sleight of touch - took down a high ball, and planted it brilliantly into the top corner.

The second half brought a passionate response from Hallam. James Reed halved the deficit with a rifled effort, and you felt that Teversal were now vulnerable. Teversal nonetheless continued with their game plan, and their number 11 did resemble one Jamie Vardy in his gait and playing style - running onto loose balls with a fierce tenacity. 

The crucial phase of the match was when Teversal's 7 slipped clean through but could only skew his shot wide. That would have made it 3-1. At the other end, Hallam were awarded a penalty, and while they couldn't convert at the first time of asking, Jake Currie made it 2-2 with the rebound. There was now only one winner. Teversal looked exhausted. Tom Roebuck made it 3-2 to the home side with a header, before slotting in from a late counter-attack to add a gloss to the scoreline. Hallam had most certainly deserved the win, but I felt a bit sorry for the Mansfield team, who could have pulled off a shock had they been able to maintain their momentum for the second period. I hope that I'll be back at Hallam sometime soon, and that I don't leave it another 8 years before visiting again!

Tadcaster (26-03-2016)

Tadcaster 0 – 0 Cleethorpes (Northern Counties East Premier), Saturday 26 March 2016

Entry £5
Tea £1-50
Tea £1-50
Programme £1-50
Raffle £1
Petrol 108 miles £11-61
Total £22-11

So I've hit the wall. After something like 33 games this season I'm starting to feel jaded and tired of this hopping lark.

After a late night return from Copenhagen I opted to drive to Tadcaster, which is only actually a 50 minute ride away. The town is right next to the A1 but I would have had to bus it from Leeds so the car seemed the better choice.

There was free parking in the town and I had a brief wander before the game. The main road bridge across the river is still being rebuilt after the winter floods, and the town felt very quiet (not sure whether the two are connected). The i2i stadium is right next to the river so it is a wonder that the club managed to recover their ground after it was submerged in December/January.

The main distinctive feature of the ground was a unique seated stand at the car park end of the ground. This resembled the kind of seats you see at the circus! The roof appeared to be some kind of stretched out canvas, whilst the seating consisted of long wooden benches in the home side's blue and yellow.

The sky was cloudy and a bit grey, but this should on paper be a decent game (2nd against 3rd). Cleethorpes came out stronger, and played much better football than 'Tad'. The home side seemed content - whether by accident or design - to sit back and counterattack. The Lincolnshire side created most of the first half chances, with Cooper heading just wide after a cross from the right, while Mascall fired a long ranger just past the keepers left hand post. Oglesby, who was strong on the ball and pacey in attack, was a real handful and had an angled volley well saved. The home sides main 'chance' came when the burly Beadle blasted a wild effort miles over the bar.

After a cagey first half the game began to open up. Cooper’s clever turn and shot was turned around the post by the alert home keeper, then from a corner the keeper looked like he'd dropped it into his own net. Time stood still until it was cleared away at the last second. The home side responded with a hatful of their own chances – Josh Greening’s dipping free kick missed everyone and was tipped around by the away keeper. Then the same player could only plant a close range effort about a foot wide, while Corner ended up nearly scoring with a similar effort. This now felt like a park game where the next goal would win. A mazy run by the one of the Cleethorpe’s subs resulted in a left foot effort which went over, and then Cooper was left banging the turf when he headed over the bar. It had been a bit of a frustrating afternoon for both sides though perhaps Cleethorpes should have shaded it. The only winners today were Handsworth Parramore who had seen two title rivals drop valuable points.

I headed back to the car, past the impressive exterior of John Smith's Brewery, and set the sat nav to 'home'. There was no final score on the radio, which was instead dominated by the cricket commentary. I drove past Ferrybridge and back onto the A1 before hitting torrential rain. It had been that kind of day.

Parkgate (19-12-2015)

Parkgate 1 - 1 Tadcaster Albion (NCEL Premier), Saturday 19 December 2015

South Yorkshire bus ticket £5
Programme £1-50
Raffle £1
Entry £5
Bovril £1
Total £13-50

I had fully intended to do Crewe this weekend, but opted for the easier local option of Parkgate in nearby Rotherham. I hopped onto the 72 at the end of our road, and decided to walk the couple of miles from the bus station. I'd been to Roundwood way back in 2008 so I was looking forward to revisiting another South Yorkshire ground. As I headed out past a cluster of out of town shops, a chap approached me asking for directions to the ground! It turned out he'd asked pretty much everyone, and nobody knew, not even a policeman! I think I surprised him when I said I was on my way there too and also with my Southern accent.

As we walked towards Rawmarsh, he told me almost a life history. He was a 69-year old retired bricklayer, and his grandson Jordan (a welder) had recently moved from Hallam to Parkgate. He also told me how much he was paid, and while I can't recall exact figures, I think it was something like £20 for a goal plus a certain amount for each game. 

Roundwood is very much buried at the back of Rawmarsh, so I think he was grateful of my assistance (and that of Google maps!) The ground is as I remember - you enter behind one goal with some covered seats to your right and terraces - some grass covered - on the long side. Like a couple of grounds I've seen, one side is completely out of bounds to spectators, with a long row of hedges taking the place of any walkway. 

Tadcaster, in the away corner, came looking for maximum points today. Parkgate are a solid team but 'Taddy' are blasting through the league this year. They began in full throttle, with 9's early header rattling the bar and bouncing down very close to the line. On the wing 11 was looking handy, having a couple of decent efforts sAved. But as so often happens, goals come against the run of play. At the far end, Parkgate broke at pace and 10 found himself clean through, finishing with aplomb. It turns out this was my acquaintance's grandson! He was causing havoc every time he got the ball and very nearly nipped through again around the 40 minute mark. 

The second half turned into a real end to end game, and it could have gone either way. The interchanges between Parkgates 9,7,11 were excellent. Taddy are top for a reason however, and 9 lobbed just over, before 16s low cross was gathered in by the home keeper. P10 was booked for a feisty challenge in the middle, and p7 nearly ran clear after blocking a clearance. There were a catalogue of chances at both ends, most notably when t6 hit the crossbar. Despite a brave performance from the Rotherham side, they were pegged back to 1-1 when 10 slotted in a penalty awarded after a handball. There was still time for more, and t10 headed over, while a late Parkgate effort was just tipped over by the Taddy keeper. A cracking game, and while Parkgate maybe warranted more than a draw, this was a fine result against the league leaders. Back to Rotherham bus station for the 72 back to Sheffield. 

Athersley Recreation (28-03-2015)

Athersley Recreation 1 - 0 Staveley Miners Welfare (Saturday 28th March 2015), NCEL Premier Division

Paper & gum = £1-20
Entrance = £5
Programme = £1-50
Tea = £1
Bovril = £1
Train ticket = £5-20
Total = £14-90

Welcome to the Rec! Such was the friendly welcome I received at Sheerien Park, Barnsley, for my second visit. This ground is surprisingly nestled in the Athersley area of Barnsley, a few miles north of the town centre, so I opted to walk it from the station.

The black and white of Athersley were today pitted against the yellow of Staveley Miners Welfare. As the teams headed out from the near corner, I swear I heard some fans cheer for the 'banana army'! The away side looked like a decent outfit, with 9 full of handy skill, and 4 and 8 looking industrious in the middle of the park. Their first real opportunity came when 9 hit the side netting on 28 minutes, though they didn't manage to forge anything more meaningful than a stray free kick. 6 and 7 in the Sthersrley midfield were strong and skilful, looking like they could contain the threat from the Derbyshire outfit. They pretty much dominated proceedings in the first half, so were rather unlucky to fall behind on 32 minutes when 11's dipping cross rolled in off a home defender.

After the obligatory bovril at half time, I strolled around to enjoy the sounds of 'Wake up boo', Fatboy Slim and latter-day Ocean Colour Scene. The chap in charge of the music was clearly having a great time!

The pattern of play changed slightly in the second half. The Rec came out looking galvanised by the goal, with an early chip saved, and 9 skying a rebound after a run from 10. At the other end, Miners Welfare had a couple of their own chances fired over, through 7 and 9 in quick succession. Athersley's number 10 then fired just wide of the keepers right post, and Staveley's 9 volleyed just over. It was fractional to be honest. The final score of 1-0 was a little unfair on Staveley who had toiled without reward. Nonethless I'd seen another rumbustious encounter in the NCEL. Thanks to Athersley for another friendly welcome.

Hall Road Rangers (14-03-2015)

Hall Road Rangers 2 - 0 Dronfield (NCEL), Saturday 14th March 2015

Train ticket (Sheffield-Hull): £25-90
Tea: £1
Bus: £2-50
Entrance: £5
Programme: £1
Tea: 80p
Total: £36-20

Twice now I've visited Hull in 2014-15, and on both occasions I have found the locals to be friendly and welcoming. The city gets something of a bad press, but I have only good things to say about it. As I was waiting at the bus station for the bus out to Dunswell, I must have looked a bit lost, as a chap sat down asked me where I was heading to. When I explained, he told me the bus to get onto and even went into great detail about the road junction nearby!

Dene Park has been Hall Road Rangers' ground for some years now, but they will be moving to a new ground at the end of the season. I wanted to get this one in while they were still there - in addition, it may be that Hull United (the other residents at the ground) will be playing NCEL football next year. The ground is accessible down a track signposting an Italian restaurant next to the ground - strangely there were no signs for the ground itself nearby.

Dene Park was another nice NCEL ground. To the right of the turnstiles (nestled behind the goal) was the seated stand (is that a contradiction?!) and to the left a portakabin doubling as a tea-hut. The ground was bounded by a wooden fence on all sides, and the main feature behind the far goal was the tree roots which gradually seemed to be swallowing up the paving slabs. 

Today's game pitted 15th vs 18th, so this should be a close one today. Hall Road started blindingly, with Mike Walsh raking in a superb drive after some excellent passing from Harrison and Start. The first-half was punctuated somewhat by late tackles, and a couple of bookings. There was firstly a scuffle on the far touchline (Hall Road's left-wing), which amounted to nothing more than handbags. Then Dronfield's 7 was booked for a rash tackle, while the Dronfield keeper even picked up a yellow (I believe for dissent). The away team seemed outraged at almost every decision, even when it was obvious that they were in the wrong. There were relatively few chances in this half, and it says a lot that one of the main events was when the corner flag was knocked out of position on 16 minutes!

The second half saw Dronfield suddenly realise they were in a match here. First they forced a superb tipped save from Janney in the home goal, and then number 9's free-kick was tipped onto the bar by another great block (followed by a reaction save almost immediately after). Unfortunately for Dronfield, Hall Road went up to the other end not soon after and made it 2-0 on 58 minutes when another excellent drive - this time from Paul Morrill - flew into the bottom left of the net. According to a post-match report, this was from 45 yards! This seemed to ignite Dronfield, but not in a good way. Richie Marples was red-carded on 75 minutes (I am unsure exactly what for, but for once the away side did not complain). Their rotten luck continued when 9's speculative volley looped onto the cross-bar. Hall Road's 12 was slipped through late on, and could have made it 3, but was foiled by the onrushing away keeper (who looked remarkably similar to Hugo Lloris).