Ashton Town (25-04-2015)

Ashton Town 0 - 3 Chadderton (NWCFL Division 1), Saturday 25th April 2015

Train = £4-30
Sandwiches = £2
Entry = £5
Programme = £1
Tea = £1
Oxo = £1
Pasty & chewing gum = £2-10
Bus in Sheffield = £1-80
Total  = £18-20

Today was the last game of the regular non league season. With the summer beckoning, I foolishly assumed that it would be nice weather, setting off from Sheffield without a coat. It turned out to be absolutely freezing, and as an icy wind swept through platform 14 at Manchester Piccadilly, I regretted my earlier decision.

I'd picked a game today with at least something hinging on it. Ashton Town (3rd from bottom) were playing Chadderton, who were looking to secure a NWCFL play off place. This is the first year that the division 1 league will have play offs, and its something of a boon, keeping the season alive for many clubs.

Ashton-in-Makerfield is a tricky place to reach by train, involving 2 trains from Manchester, changing at Wigan. The town is about 4 miles from Wigan so I decided to train it on the way and walk on the way back. The town actually has two teams, the other being Ashton Athletic, who I hope to see next season.

After a 20 minute amble from Bryn station, I reached the Edge Green Street ground, at the end of a cul de sac. The ground reminded me a little of Nelson's Victoria Park. The turnstile opened out behind one goal and there was a welcoming clubhouse on the right. To the right was a white and red changing room block and to the left were two seated stands. I popped in for a cup of tea, and noticed a world map on the wall, with coloured stickers indicating countries the local amateur radio club had contacted! There was a trophy cabinet which seemed full of youth and local trophies, and a raft of club pendants on the wall from far and wide.

The programme acknowledged that Ashton had had a difficult season, and the game pretty much ran to expectations. Ashton looked disorganised throughout with no shape, and no attacking threat. Chadderton, on the other hand, were a competent NWCFL side, and took the lead on 11 minutes when their burly number 9 chipped over the keeper at the far end. They doubled their lead when the same player headed in shortly after, and thereon in the result was clear. 7 and 3 hit drives high and wide, with 9 at the centre of most attacks. Ashton really lacked any presence in midfield, particularly an enforcer, and were overrun in the middle at times. Perhaps the most noticeable thing on their side was a defender who vaguely resembled Gary Cahill!

Chadderton, playing in a rather slick orange and black kit, were not shutting up shop, and came out for the second period looking hungry for more. This may have been due to the fact that a vastly improved goal difference might nudge them up a place. I was impressed with their workrate and desire, and wasn't surprised when they made it 3 when 7 teed up 11 in the box. Then came Ashton's one moment of promise, when 11 hit a superb curler onto the top of the cross bar. Shortly after they forced a great one on one save from the away keeper, but this spurt proved to be their only real threat of the game. In the middle of the park, Chadderton's 7 was outstanding, at the centre of most attacks and spraying the ball around with ease. It finished 3-0 and as I headed out of the ground I couldn't believe another season was pretty much over, and that it had been so chilly at a game in late April! I marched back to Wigan, making the 17:59 down to Mancunia, and made it back through the door just before 8:30. Just playoffs, cup finals and a few League/Premier League games left, and another season will be over.

Liverpool @ Wembley (19-04-2015)

Liverpool 1 - 2 Aston Villa (FA Cup Semi-final), Sunday 19th April 2015

Tea x 2 = £4
Ticket = £3
Train (Sheffield-London) = £48-85
Oyster card = c. £15 each
(Another) tea = £1-85
Parking = £15.50/2 = £7.75
Total = £80-45

'Poetry in motion / Tra la la la la'. So goes one of the famous Anfield anthems. In truth their football at times has resembled a stuttering and stumbling prose, rather than the startling rhythm and pace of last season.

Thanks to the late date for the Blackburn replay, we only managed to get tickets for this on Saturday 11th. This was our second FA Cup semi final with the club, but Mrs Groundhopper was no less happy when a nervous morning on the iPod, phone and laptop resulted in 2 tickets. Phew!

The journey down on the Sunday was smooth, taking just over 2 hours from Sheffield to London, then a bit longer out to Wembley. I had planned ahead for once, loading Oyster cards before travelling. Coming out of Wembley Park station, we drank in the building atmosphere up Wembley Way, as fans streamed towards the ground.

Strangely once inside the ground took a while to fill up, but suddenly seemed full once the game kicked off. The atmosphere was great, and I have to admit far better than most England games. Disappointingly Liverpool did not rise to the occasion. From the first whistle, they were flat and lacked creativity, pinging it from side to side with little purpose. I was shocked at how much space Benteke was allowed on the ball, which was causing Liverpool lots of headaches in defence. The formation and selection was bizarre - with Henderson and Allen forming part of the midfield box, there were similar players competing for the same position. Despite their poor start, Liverpool took the lead when Coutinho played a one-two and ran through superbly to slot home. At this point I wondered if they might scrape through despite their performance. Within a few minutes, however, Villa equalised through Benteke who was seemingly unmarked in a dangerous area.

When the teams came out for the second half, I was sure that it couldn't get any worse for Liverpool. Bang! On 54 minutes the excellent Fabian Delph made it 2-1 to Villa. The red end of Wembley became quiet and flat, with the far end positively bouncing. On about 80 minutes Liverpool suddenly realised they were playing a football match, with Gerrard's free kick saved and Lovren heading over unmarked on 84 minutes. Gerrard almost looked like he had saved them when he flicked a header on from a corner, only to see it cleared off the line. Balotelli, who had actually been one of the more effective attackers, was then adjudged offside when he planted it in. Replays showed that it was onside so one crumb of comfort was that they had been a little unlucky today.

We've now seen one semi final win and one loss, and the latter was absolutely galling. It was the manner of today's defeat which was disappointing. No leadership on or off the pitch, no desire to win the game when they had half an hour to score, and a nonexistent tactical system. Credit to Villa, who played as a team, showed great tenacity and determination, and looked like they wanted a place in the cup final. Defeats happen in football for sure, but it was the manner of this surrender which was so depressing.