As another football season takes it's annual summer break. I wanted to highlight some of my favourite moments of the 2022/23 campaign so have a read below and enjoy with me, the best bits from around the grounds through my travels high and wide.
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Hope you enjoy!
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Yours
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The Journeyman (Head Scout).
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Best Game - Scotland v Spain
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Scotland 2-0 Spain (UEFA European Championships Qualifiers) Report
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My first ever trip to Hampden Park ended in a memorable win for Scotland against the international giants of Spain and man for man the home team were by far the better team, impressive on the night with an electric and vocal atmosphere in traditional Scottish rain.
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Close second: Ilkeston Town 2-3 St Ives Town
Best Ground - Edgar Street
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Hereford 2-2 Brackley Town (National League North) Report
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A ground i've long wanted to visit since first seeing footage of that Ronnie Radford goal. Hasn't changed a bit in thirty years since my first Aerofilms Guide and is a proper soccer cathedral in a town otherwise not known for football. A must visit for any groundhopper.
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Close second: Causeway Lane, Matlock Town 1-1 Ashton United
Best Player - Kevin De Bruyne
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Manchester City 2-1 Manchester United (FA Cup Final) Report
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It may have been Ilkay Gundogan's day in the FA Cup Final but a player who stood out as a special talent to watch was City playmaker Kevin De Bruyne who will arguably go down in history as the best midfielder ever to grace the Premier League. Special talent with an unbelievanble delivery.
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Close second: Jude Bellingham, England 3-3 Germany
Best Bite - Pie Chips & Gravy at Boston
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Boston United 0-1 Banbury United (National League North) Report
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Never have I felt more excited to go to a ground for the quality of their food as I did after a boozy trip to Ireland I headed straight from the airport to Boston United's Jakemans Stadium. The pie chips and gravy is unrivalled and good value, a must have matchday snack ahead of the game.
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Close second: Cheeseburger at Hereford, Hereford 2-2 Brackley Town
Biggest Shock - Coalville Town beating Notts County
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Notts County 2-3 Coalville Town (FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round) Report
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Flying high in the National League against a part time team two levels below the question was 'how many' would Notts get ahead of their match with Coalville. The part-timers however were awesome and produced a memorable upset, the fans superb on a great day for the town.
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Close second: AFC Rushden & Diamonds 2-1 St Ives Town
Most Goals - 8
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Leicester City 0-8 Chelsea (Women's Super League) Report
Gainsborough Trinity 6-2 Marske United (Northern Premier League) Report
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A one sided game in the WSL saw eventual champions Chelsea hammer Leicester City at the King Power in December and that goal count was matched in early Feb as Gainsborough Trinity beat Marske United in the Northern Premier League 6-2.
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Close second: Eire U19 6-0 Gibraltar U19, England 3-3 Germany, Chesterfield 5-1 Torquay United
Worst Match - Basford United v Hednesford Town
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Basford United 1-0 Hednesford Town (Southern League Central Division) Report
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A cold Tuesday night in October, a sparse crowd and an awful game of football which looked like it would end 0-0 until a last minute own goal when Keith Lowe volleyed a cross into his own net to give the home side all three points. Cold and miserable, the best moment was getting back in the car.
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Close second: Nuneaton Borough 1-0 Basford United
Worst Ground - Liberty Way
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Nuneaton Borough 1-0 Basford United (Southern League Central Division) Report
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Another poor game which involved Basford United but through no fault of their own, I really couldn't warm to Nuneaton's Liberty Way ground which I felt was cold and empty, lacking atmosphere and just didn't capture my love. On a better day with a bigger crowd I'm sure I'll enjoy it more, but not this time.
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Close second: Butts Park Arena, Coventry United 0-5 Sunderland
Best Day Out - Matlock Town v Ashton United
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Matlock Town 1-1 Ashton United (Northern Premier League) Report
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Not just a stunning venue to watch football but the Matlock staff were all friendly and chatty and the day was topped off by sitting next to the Robins Radio team who despite being on air during the match must have shared at least ten pints between them. Great day out made a lot of fun by the Ashton lads.
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Close second: Brackley Town 1-0 Bradford Park Avenue
Best Photo - The Northolme
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Gainsborough Trinity 6-2 Marske United (Northern Premier League) Report
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Taken from behind my car windscreen as I looked for somewhere to park, this image is my favourite because it reflects a small quiet town in the middle of nowhere lit up by the lights of the football ground, also reflecting a lonely journey we take to games, and the annoyance of finding somewhere to park.
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Close second: Peterborough Sports 1-2 Gloucester City see here