Sunday, 23 December 2007
Vroom Vroom - have you got a new motor!
The draw for the 2nd round has paired Burton with Vauxhall Motors from the Blue Square North. Apparently they play in Ellesmere Port. I can't say I've ever been there before so this will be another new experience. The ground holds good memories for Albion as it was where they clinched their Unibond League Championship in 2002. I hope Albion win - I can't see me supporting a team named after a car manufacturer!
Colwyn Bay 1 Burton Albion 2
The weather leading up to the match had not been good but a rise in temperatures in the days leading up to the match gave me cause for optimism as I set out on the long journey again. I had a list of other fixtures in case of postponement so that my journey wouldn't be completely wasted.
I arrived at the ground at midday and apart from a small patch of frost in one corner the pitch looked in tip top condition. Having consulted with the man on one of the burger vans (yes, catering facilities had been doubled) I was happy that there would be a match to watch. I returned for a pint at 1.30 and having left the comfort of the bar went out to see the players warm up.
It was at this point I realised how difficult the conditions were. The players' boots could be clearly heard on the frozen surface and I doubt a league game would have got the go ahead. I'm not sure who the conditions favoured but both clubs seemed anxious to play, although I'm not sure about the players! A couple of the Colwyn Bay players I spoke to didn't seem that keen.
Burton got off to a good start and dictated play early on. A slick move down the left hand side resulted in a cross which was headed on to the post with Jake Edwards netting the rebound. After that it was Colwyn Bay who made the most of the conditions and they thoroughly deserved the equaliser just before half time with a goal from their centre forward.
The second half was dominated by CB and it seemed as if a giantkilling was on the cards until Edwards popped up for his and Burton's second. Albion held on for a less than convincing win, but as their website said it was a case of "job done!"
I arrived at the ground at midday and apart from a small patch of frost in one corner the pitch looked in tip top condition. Having consulted with the man on one of the burger vans (yes, catering facilities had been doubled) I was happy that there would be a match to watch. I returned for a pint at 1.30 and having left the comfort of the bar went out to see the players warm up.
It was at this point I realised how difficult the conditions were. The players' boots could be clearly heard on the frozen surface and I doubt a league game would have got the go ahead. I'm not sure who the conditions favoured but both clubs seemed anxious to play, although I'm not sure about the players! A couple of the Colwyn Bay players I spoke to didn't seem that keen.
Burton got off to a good start and dictated play early on. A slick move down the left hand side resulted in a cross which was headed on to the post with Jake Edwards netting the rebound. After that it was Colwyn Bay who made the most of the conditions and they thoroughly deserved the equaliser just before half time with a goal from their centre forward.
The second half was dominated by CB and it seemed as if a giantkilling was on the cards until Edwards popped up for his and Burton's second. Albion held on for a less than convincing win, but as their website said it was a case of "job done!"
Sunday, 9 December 2007
Sheffield 2 Colwyn Bay 2 (Bay win 5-4 on pens)
Another long trip to Colwyn Bay now beckons following the Seagulls dramatic win over Sheffield. This was the best game of the run so far and, on balance I think Bay deserved to win.
They were delayed in arriving by traffic problems so only had the briefest of warm-ups before baing made to start the match. However, they started off like a house on fire and dominated the early exchanges, deserving the early lead that they took. Sheffield were playing poorly but gradually got back into the game getting an equaliser just before half time. A closely fought second half produced no further goals so we were into extra time.
Bay drew first blood with a spectacular goal from Wade and looked confident enough to win through. For the third time in the tie, however, Sheffield came back with an equaliser to set up a penalty shoot out. An early miss from Colwyn gave Sheffield the early advantage but two dreadful misses from the home side allowed the Seagulls to progress and set them up for the Burton match.
They were delayed in arriving by traffic problems so only had the briefest of warm-ups before baing made to start the match. However, they started off like a house on fire and dominated the early exchanges, deserving the early lead that they took. Sheffield were playing poorly but gradually got back into the game getting an equaliser just before half time. A closely fought second half produced no further goals so we were into extra time.
Bay drew first blood with a spectacular goal from Wade and looked confident enough to win through. For the third time in the tie, however, Sheffield came back with an equaliser to set up a penalty shoot out. An early miss from Colwyn gave Sheffield the early advantage but two dreadful misses from the home side allowed the Seagulls to progress and set them up for the Burton match.
It's Cloughie!
No, not Brian but Nigel. Bay or Sheffield have been drawn at home to Burton Albion from the Blue Square Conference in Round 1 and they are managed by Nigel Clough. They are flying high in that league so this will be a tough draw for the Unibond team that makes it through.
Colwyn Bay 1 Sheffield 1
I've been a bit busy so these posts are a little behind but I will try and write them contemporaneously (!) so that they retain some authenticity. Wow, lots of big words.
I arrived in Colwyn Bay early enough to go down to the beach - I'm sure in summer it is very welcoming but all looked a bit haggard in late November. The club's set up was good, however. Nice bar, friendly people. It was amazing how many seemed to be discussing England's fortunes as England fans. The guys stood next to me on the terrace were chuffed in that they had their picture on the front of the programme - I should have got them to autograph it.
This game was played in difficult windy conditions and it always seemed that CB fancied their chances of a win and revenge for a 3-0 defeat earlier in the season. Bay came out flying and scored early on with Sheffield equalising after 9 minutes - goal fest to come - but it wasn't to be. Bay dominated the game but created few clear cut chances so it's all back to Sheffield for a replay on Tuesday.
I arrived in Colwyn Bay early enough to go down to the beach - I'm sure in summer it is very welcoming but all looked a bit haggard in late November. The club's set up was good, however. Nice bar, friendly people. It was amazing how many seemed to be discussing England's fortunes as England fans. The guys stood next to me on the terrace were chuffed in that they had their picture on the front of the programme - I should have got them to autograph it.
This game was played in difficult windy conditions and it always seemed that CB fancied their chances of a win and revenge for a 3-0 defeat earlier in the season. Bay came out flying and scored early on with Sheffield equalising after 9 minutes - goal fest to come - but it wasn't to be. Bay dominated the game but created few clear cut chances so it's all back to Sheffield for a replay on Tuesday.
Wednesday, 21 November 2007
The journey goes 'international'
I will be off to Wales for the 3rd qualifying round as Sheffield face a trip to Colwyn Bay, a fellow Unibond 1 South club. In fact, they were meant to play there in the league on that day so no change in plan is needed. It's quite a trek for me but the place looks quite nice and a good day by the seaside is anticipated, weather permitting
Sunday, 4 November 2007
Sheffield 3 Kendal 2
...or should I say Kendall or Kendle! Between them, Grantham and Sheffield seemed to be in a competition of their own to find as many ways as possible to mispell the name of the Cumbrian town, both in their programmes and notices.
It's nice to have a familiar companion on this new road to Wembley - the Lovell jinx was back. Last season the team I was following won 5 times in 18 matches. This year, the ratio is already down to 1 in 3. So, Sheffield enjoy your cup run - it won't last long!
I arrived at the 'Bright Finance Stadium' shortly after 2.00 having spent about an hour trying to find it in rural Derbyshire. Let's just say that the stands aren't imposing enough to be seen from 100 yards away let alone 1-2 miles. Never mind, I thought, it is a non-league club after all and I'm sure that the cheek that lets them call themselves 'The Club' would be matched by their friendliness. And, of course, I was right. What is it about certain clubs (mainly non-league I have to say) that means that you warm to them immediately - and I did to Sheffield.
It is a tiny 'stadium' but also neat and relatively new - the first one they have owned in their history. They are celebrating their 150th anniversary to the full. This will no doubt be the last time I attend a non-league ground where the announcer mentions an upcoming home game against Inter Milan! OK, it will be held at Bramall Lane, and won't be the first team but who cares.
To the game - Kendal (Kendall, Kendle, Kendill? etc etc) took the lead early on with a neatly taken goal from Mulvaney. I must say that it did look suspiciously offside, but in my experience linesmen are nearly always right with these decisions so I don't think Sheffield could probably complain too much. Kendal dominated the first 20 minutes or so, but Sheffield worked their way back into the game and deserved their equaliser when it came. It was a scrappy affair turned in by Ingall, who celebrated the goal a minute or so later by scything down a Kendal midfielder and earning a booking. 1-1 at half-time was a fair reflection.
The second half was like being at the swimming pool at the Olympics. The Kendal forwards spent most of their time diving in an attempt to get penalties. Arnison was booked for his troubles, but his was the least blatant. How the Kendal officials who were stood near me could feel they should have had lots of penalties is beyond me and the constant whining by the Kendal bench at the referee was unpleasant to hear. For the record, from a neutral's point of view he had a good game.
Sheffield took the lead early in the second half with a thunderbolt shot from Gavin Smith, the right back, who continues to be the club's top scorer this season, adding to the 10 he got last year. The Club looked to have finished it 15 minutes from the end when a shot from Powell, following smart work from Paul Smith, the impressive left back, was parried into the path of Ward for a simple tap in.
That looked to be that - until Kendal were finally awarded a penalty in injury time (after yet another dive!) and Wright slammed it home. Wright immediately ran into the goal to attempt to get the ball back and tried to wrestle it off the Sheffield keeper. Mulvaney, in his frustration tried to kick the ball out of his hands and was deservedly sent off. A pity that the match should end this way as it had been a thoroughly entertaining affair.
At least it wasn't a draw and the prospect of a midweek replay in Kendal has now gone. On Monday the Conference North and South sides will enter the fray as we reach the third qualifying round stage.
It's nice to have a familiar companion on this new road to Wembley - the Lovell jinx was back. Last season the team I was following won 5 times in 18 matches. This year, the ratio is already down to 1 in 3. So, Sheffield enjoy your cup run - it won't last long!
I arrived at the 'Bright Finance Stadium' shortly after 2.00 having spent about an hour trying to find it in rural Derbyshire. Let's just say that the stands aren't imposing enough to be seen from 100 yards away let alone 1-2 miles. Never mind, I thought, it is a non-league club after all and I'm sure that the cheek that lets them call themselves 'The Club' would be matched by their friendliness. And, of course, I was right. What is it about certain clubs (mainly non-league I have to say) that means that you warm to them immediately - and I did to Sheffield.
It is a tiny 'stadium' but also neat and relatively new - the first one they have owned in their history. They are celebrating their 150th anniversary to the full. This will no doubt be the last time I attend a non-league ground where the announcer mentions an upcoming home game against Inter Milan! OK, it will be held at Bramall Lane, and won't be the first team but who cares.
To the game - Kendal (Kendall, Kendle, Kendill? etc etc) took the lead early on with a neatly taken goal from Mulvaney. I must say that it did look suspiciously offside, but in my experience linesmen are nearly always right with these decisions so I don't think Sheffield could probably complain too much. Kendal dominated the first 20 minutes or so, but Sheffield worked their way back into the game and deserved their equaliser when it came. It was a scrappy affair turned in by Ingall, who celebrated the goal a minute or so later by scything down a Kendal midfielder and earning a booking. 1-1 at half-time was a fair reflection.
The second half was like being at the swimming pool at the Olympics. The Kendal forwards spent most of their time diving in an attempt to get penalties. Arnison was booked for his troubles, but his was the least blatant. How the Kendal officials who were stood near me could feel they should have had lots of penalties is beyond me and the constant whining by the Kendal bench at the referee was unpleasant to hear. For the record, from a neutral's point of view he had a good game.
Sheffield took the lead early in the second half with a thunderbolt shot from Gavin Smith, the right back, who continues to be the club's top scorer this season, adding to the 10 he got last year. The Club looked to have finished it 15 minutes from the end when a shot from Powell, following smart work from Paul Smith, the impressive left back, was parried into the path of Ward for a simple tap in.
That looked to be that - until Kendal were finally awarded a penalty in injury time (after yet another dive!) and Wright slammed it home. Wright immediately ran into the goal to attempt to get the ball back and tried to wrestle it off the Sheffield keeper. Mulvaney, in his frustration tried to kick the ball out of his hands and was deservedly sent off. A pity that the match should end this way as it had been a thoroughly entertaining affair.
At least it wasn't a draw and the prospect of a midweek replay in Kendal has now gone. On Monday the Conference North and South sides will enter the fray as we reach the third qualifying round stage.
Saturday, 27 October 2007
The oldest club in the world!
I must be honest and say that I was not unhappy that Kendal received an away draw. They will be playing Sheffield, the oldest club in the world, at about the time of their 150th anniversary and all the publicity tthey have managed to generate from that occasion. What's more they play just north of Chesterfield, so it's a relatively easy journey for me. Once again, though, the prospect of a Tuesday in Kendal looms over the tie, especially as this time any replay will be in November - brrrr!
A quick look at the Sheffield website reveals they are a club who want to go places. They have recruited loads of sporting celebrities as members (Michael Vaughan, Bobby Robson and Sepp Blatter among them) and have arranged some prestigious friendlies as well. It might be they are distracted by all of this and Kendal could slip in and take the tie. Sheffield are on a par with Grantham in the Unibond League 1 South, so Kendal will be favourites again.
I noticed in this week's Grantham Journal that two lads from Nottingham are doing the same as me in following the FA Trophy and will now be following Kendal - hopefully I will get to meet up with them. They, like me, followed the FA Cup, albeit 2 years ago and not last season. Unfortunately for them they missed out ontickets for the Final in Cardiff - this season should be easier for them.
A quick look at the Sheffield website reveals they are a club who want to go places. They have recruited loads of sporting celebrities as members (Michael Vaughan, Bobby Robson and Sepp Blatter among them) and have arranged some prestigious friendlies as well. It might be they are distracted by all of this and Kendal could slip in and take the tie. Sheffield are on a par with Grantham in the Unibond League 1 South, so Kendal will be favourites again.
I noticed in this week's Grantham Journal that two lads from Nottingham are doing the same as me in following the FA Trophy and will now be following Kendal - hopefully I will get to meet up with them. They, like me, followed the FA Cup, albeit 2 years ago and not last season. Unfortunately for them they missed out ontickets for the Final in Cardiff - this season should be easier for them.
Grantham 1 Kendal 3
The local paper stating that Grantham did not want another draw following their exploits in the other cup competitions gives you some insight about the mental approach they took into this game.
Beforehand I went for my usual FA Trophy pint in the bar. I bumped into a friend of mine Tracy and her husband who had one excited little boy with them - he was to be the mascot for the day! He was wearing a brand new Grantham town tp and could not wait to get out on the pitch with the boys. Another friend, Michelle who happens to be the Chairman's daughter also arrived in a bit of a fluster. TNT had not delivered the programmes to her house! Disaster! how was I going to get my set for the whole trip to Wembley. She told me not to worry as she would get me one when they eventually do arrive. In its place I got a copy of the official team sheet, which is a nice souvenir.
On to the game - my biggest fear was a replay in Kendal and that never looked like happening. The Unibond Premier side thoroughly outplayed their lower division rivals strolling to a comfortable win in the end, even affording to miss a penalty on the way. Grantham even had a player sent off, such was their determination not to get a draw. Oh well, they can now concentrate on the League. As for Kendal, they do look a good outfit and I might be following them for a little while.
Beforehand I went for my usual FA Trophy pint in the bar. I bumped into a friend of mine Tracy and her husband who had one excited little boy with them - he was to be the mascot for the day! He was wearing a brand new Grantham town tp and could not wait to get out on the pitch with the boys. Another friend, Michelle who happens to be the Chairman's daughter also arrived in a bit of a fluster. TNT had not delivered the programmes to her house! Disaster! how was I going to get my set for the whole trip to Wembley. She told me not to worry as she would get me one when they eventually do arrive. In its place I got a copy of the official team sheet, which is a nice souvenir.
On to the game - my biggest fear was a replay in Kendal and that never looked like happening. The Unibond Premier side thoroughly outplayed their lower division rivals strolling to a comfortable win in the end, even affording to miss a penalty on the way. Grantham even had a player sent off, such was their determination not to get a draw. Oh well, they can now concentrate on the League. As for Kendal, they do look a good outfit and I might be following them for a little while.
Friday, 19 October 2007
Gingerbread men vs Mint Cake men tasty!
Two posts in one day - I'm turning into a journalist.
Grantham now step up a notch in the second qualifying round by playing kendal Town from the Unibond Premier, the league above. This should pose more of a problem and Grantham will need to take advantge of being at home if they are to progress through. I dearly hope they do - it will be a darn site easier following them than Kendal in subsequent rounds.
Grantham have continued with a string of good results while Kendal sit near the foot of the table. This has all the makings of a 1-1 draw and a Tuesday night trek to Cumbria - now that will be fun.
Grantham now step up a notch in the second qualifying round by playing kendal Town from the Unibond Premier, the league above. This should pose more of a problem and Grantham will need to take advantge of being at home if they are to progress through. I dearly hope they do - it will be a darn site easier following them than Kendal in subsequent rounds.
Grantham have continued with a string of good results while Kendal sit near the foot of the table. This has all the makings of a 1-1 draw and a Tuesday night trek to Cumbria - now that will be fun.
Grantham 3 Alsager 0
Whoops - I should have done this blog at least a week ago - anyway better late than never! I can still remember the game and there is no doubt that Grantham cruised through with 2 goals from Mullarkey(and he should have got a hat-trick!) and a penalty from Gowshall. It is really hard to see that these two teams are in the same league. The biggest shock of the day was not the result but the fact that England had beaten Australia in the quarter finals of the Rugby World Cup - sent shock waves around the stand (not!) but probably did explain the poor gate of less than 200. So having followed Grantham through six games in the FA Cup I can now embark on another cup run with them.
Saturday, 6 October 2007
Today's the day!
A lot has happened since my last post. I have seen Grantham play 6 times in following this year's FA Cup run, which will make it difficult to remain neutral for today's game - so I won't! Grantham currently lie 3rd in Unibond North Div 1 South which suggests a good start to the season. In truth, they have never been over-convincing when I have seen them. Most impressive has been Dave Gilbert, but at 44 he can't play that many games. I noticed that in the home game v Belper on Tuesday he was a sub only and I wonder if he has been rested for the FA Trophy match. The team has a pretty settled look about it and has grown in confidence over the last few weeks with a long undefeated run. The second game at Market Needham and the cup tie at Hinckley saw the best performances of the season so I would think they head into today's match as favourites. The mood among Grantham Town fans seems to be that they shouldn't be in their current league, but realising that they need to fight their way out of it. Support-wise they are among some of the best in terms of numbers in the league so it would be nice to get a crowd approching 300 today.
As for Alsager (pronounced All-sager according to my friend Tony, who is from Stoke) they currently lie mid-table and have only won 1 of their 4 away games in the league up til now. They drew at home on Wednesday in front of a crowd of 70! One interesting tit-bit from Alsager is that this week they recieved their first-ever transfer fee having sold their star player Pete Heler - a piece of history indeed. It will be interesting to see what affect this has on their team.
My prediction: Grantham 2 Alsager 1
As for Alsager (pronounced All-sager according to my friend Tony, who is from Stoke) they currently lie mid-table and have only won 1 of their 4 away games in the league up til now. They drew at home on Wednesday in front of a crowd of 70! One interesting tit-bit from Alsager is that this week they recieved their first-ever transfer fee having sold their star player Pete Heler - a piece of history indeed. It will be interesting to see what affect this has on their team.
My prediction: Grantham 2 Alsager 1
Saturday, 8 September 2007
Here we go again
Some of you will know that last season I had my 15 minutes of fame when I followed the FA Cup Competition all the wat from the extra preliminary round through to the Final at Wembley. That journey refreshed my appetite for the game, especially at non-league level so I've decided to do it all again, this time with the FA Trophy.
Once more I have decided to start with the game nearest to me. This will be an all-Unibond clash between Grantham Town and Alsager on October 6th at The Meres in Grantham. As the game draws near I'll post some more entries.
Once more I have decided to start with the game nearest to me. This will be an all-Unibond clash between Grantham Town and Alsager on October 6th at The Meres in Grantham. As the game draws near I'll post some more entries.
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