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Scunthorpe United 2-0 Darlington (National League North) The first ever meeting between Darlington and Scunthorpe United was played at Feethams in November 1950, ending 3-2 to the Quakers in a match played in the old Third Division North. 95 times the two have played each other in league and cup, with Darlo on 39 wins to 33 ahead of kick off, this season’s match at Blackhall Meadow ending 0-0 on Boxing Day, not since 2003 have both teams scored in the same match against each other, and I expect tonight’s to be a close low scoring encounter too, Scunny drew 0-0 at Oxford City on Saturday but are second behind Chester in the standings, Darlington beat King’s Lynn 1-0 and are doing ‘ok’ mid-table under former Newcastle United star Steve Watson. I’m out the door at 5pm, dog left with friends the wife is glamming it up at some works do in London, so I’m off early in the hope to grab a KFC which is literally outside the Attis Arena, the corporate branded home of Scunthorpe United, Glanford Park is an hour twenty or so, and is straight across the A46 to Lincoln and up the A15, left onto the M180 for five or six miles and then onto the M181 where you’ll eventually see the floodlights on the right, it’s as easy a venue to get to as there is, and one of my favourites in truth, ever since my Aerofilms Guide when in the early 1990’s it actually looked quite new, have I taken a shine to the home of the Iron. The Venue It’s a £4 fee to park in the East Car Park which is my usual action plan as it’s all shopping centres and food joints with strict looking parking notices around here, from the outside it’s all quite modern, but on Jack Brownsword Way besides Kwik Fit there’s an Iron entrance saying ‘Welcome to Scunthorpe United’ thereafter it pre-dates Millennial Lincolnshire, the home of United is clearly aged, decrepit, but in a nostalgic way I really like it. Outside is grey, the road for the car park could do with re-tarmacking, the ground itself looks aged, as I walk around the back over potholes past a pub called ‘the Iron Bar’ which is built into the stadium itself, I walk around to a side door painted in Claret, behind some big yellow bins, it’s here I’m let in, name down on the list, “you know where you’re going” says the old boy in charge. “Not before a cuppa” I reply, as I head through the turnstile into the opening at pitch level, a muddy playing surface as had some battering over the season, pretty firm tonight under the darkening clear sky, I’ve grabbed a brew and Mars duo before sitting myself down, the radio teams of both Scunthorpe and Darlington already here, post slightly obscuring my left view of the goal, a pull out table and a comfy padded chair offer me some delight, as the team sheets are handed to me, along with Boston and Manchester United, the best team sheets in football, padded A4 paper, almost cardboard like with purple colouring, each Scunny player listed with their sponsors name below. The Game I watched a few clips of Darlington’s match against King’s Lynn at the weekend and am quite excited to see their latest, in the flesh, they start well with a good noisy travelling support of three or four hundred to the right of my eyeline in a three quarter empty stand behind the goal, they’ve almost got in a couple of times as Main and Bakre look a handful paired up top, but Scunthorpe going forward have quality themselves, Alfie Beestin has wriggled his way into the box from nowhere, the midfielder through on goal slots past Jameson and puts the home side one up after just eight minutes. At the weekend I called out ‘Chester’ as the best team in the division, knowing Scunthorpe have the best players, but Andy Butler’s men are a side who have ‘moments’ and rely on occasions in the game where there players do something special, rather than just bossing it from the off like the Seals often do, Scunny will give you a chance, sometimes they switch off, can look flaky on the break, where Chester are just big, horrible, organised, I think that’s the difference, as I ponder ‘who’s best’ in the opening half hour, then a moment comes to fruition on 28, Alfie Beestin, not a player I really notice too much in other games, one who’s solid in midfield, but largely unspectacular, he’s suddenly turned into Lionel Messi, dancing past defenders with quick feet on the edge of the area before unleashing a low drive which flies past the goalkeeper, another ‘moment’, this is the sort of thing I’m talking about. Darlington haven’t been bad, just undone by a couple of ‘Bee stings’, the away side are competent with the football and have as much of it as Scunthorpe, the home side just have players who can have their moments, if it’s not Beestin it’ll probably be someone like Cal Roberts, capable of producing the spectacular, from nothing. The Score At half time the games as done as dead, I don’t see Darlo coming back into it and I don’t really see Scunthorpe adding too much to the score, they have the tall and awkward Mark Beck, a former Quaker, who’s worked hard in attack, winning pretty much all of the aerial balls played up to him, whilst Chris Wreh making his debut on loan from Tamworth flee footed is quick, light, eager to impress, it seems Andy Butler really likes the idea of pace up top, they have Carlton Ubeazuono on the bench who has it, they’ve signed Mo Fadera on loan from York who also has it, Wreh has it, but what they lack is a twenty goal a season man, Danny Whitehall is not in the team tonight, he’s usually that man, without him they don’t really look like penetrating the opponents defence too often, heavily reliant on either their midfield men getting forward, or perhaps from set plays. The second half is a procession, Darlington themselves in damage limitation mode, make changes early, a number of subs unsettle the flow, the best bit in the second half is when the PA man announces ‘all food in the Kiosks is now half price’ that generates a loud roar and a clamour for burgers and pies as people lift of their seats and head for the discounted left overs. A couple of near misses aside, it’s not much action as I often scroll through my phone to find out the latest scores in between the ball going in and out of play, the away side have been competent in defeat, but the home side had long won it, they see out the game as a promotion favourite would, the whistle blows on a pretty routine nights work for Scunthorpe, even the atmosphere usually loud, is fairly subdued tonight. The Stars Alfie Beestin was rightly named man of the match for his two goals and a performance in the centre of the park that stood out, next to him I like their skipper Michael Clunan who always keeps the ball well, they have a top-top goalkeeper in Ross Fitzsimons, two brilliant centre halves in Max Kouogun and Will Evans, a left back in Tyler Denton who for me is the best in the division, Cal Roberts out wide left tonight, not as dominant as usual, but is probably the best player in the division. For Darlington, I saw a lot of good things, just lacking a Cal Roberts perhaps to take them up a level, in defence Toby Lees and Elliot Forbes were relatively solid at the heart, the experienced Scott Barrow at left back having a good match too, in midfield Matty Cornish standing out as one with quality in possession, Will Hatfield offering legs and energy at 33-years young. In attack their duo of Cedric Main and Hazeem Bakre are a handful. Main in particular causing problems when running with the ball in his possession. The Verdict Brackley, Chorley, Kiddy, Hereford, they all won and are all in the mix with Scunthorpe who stay second but close in on Chester, who could only draw 0-0 at Oxford City, this title race will go down to the wire, if anyone other than Chester or Scunthorpe do gain promotion, I’ll be surprised, but I am experienced enough to know now that nothing in football should surprise you. It really is still up for grabs. Darlington aren’t far from that top mix of playoff hopefuls, but they are perhaps just off the bracket of those bragging amongst promotion wannabes, under Watson, I do think they have a good man, and a good manager who is heading them in the right direction, but one or two additions are needed, if they are to take the next steps forward and gain promotion, next season will be their tenth in the National League North. The Teams Scunthorpe United: Ross Fitzsimons, Max Kouogun, Will Evans, Michael Clunan, Alfie Beestin (Carlton Ubaezuonu 75), Callum Roberts (Joe Starbuck 89), Joe Rowley, Chris Wreh (Kian Scales 60), Mark Beck (Mo Fadera 66), Tyler Denton (Michael Kelly 76), Oli Rose. Darlington: Peter Jamseon, Ben Hedley, Scott Barrow (Charlie Stirland 84), Tom Platt (Sam Hetherington 56), Toby Lees, Elliot Forbes, Matty Cornish (Andrew Nelson 69), Will Hatfield (Jack Maskell 76), Cedric Main, Will Flint, Hazeem Bakre (Caden Kelly 55). 7:45pm Kick Off. Tuesday 25th February 2025, Glanford Park, Scunthorpe (att 3,503).

Northern Ireland 0-1 Kazakhstan (UEFA European Championships Qualifiers) So before we start... Kazakhstan of course is in Central Asia, not Europe, but as a former Soviet nation (population 19m), they long applied to participate in UEFA competition, switching from the Asian Federation back in 2002, and ever since have struggled amidst 'whipping boy' status on the international stage, but this year in particular, under their cool and rather Russian looking 'Pep-a-like' in Magomed Adiyev, they have already exceeded their wildest expectations. After losing their first group H qualifier against Slovenia in the 2024 Euros they then beat Denmark 3-2 in Astana, coming from two goals behind for a surprise victory. In their second match against San Marino they managed a more routine 3-0 win. Going into this match against Northern Ireland, they sat impressively top of the group, with a realistic chance of qualification. In contrast, after reaching their first finals in 30 years back in 2016, Northern Ireland (population 1.8m), have missed out on recent major tournaments, finishing third in the 'quali' group behind Switzerland and Italy in their 2022 World Cup push, before that, in 2020 they finished third in a group that contained Netherlands and Germany, luck of the draw for the Irish, hasn't been kind. This time a more favourable looking group on paper, but it's been a bad start for Michael O'Neill's men, who after the formality of beating San Marino in their opening match lost their next game against Finland 1-0, before defeat to Denmark by the same scoreline on Friday, agonising as a late leveller was ruled out cruelly for a very debatable offside. It's match day, start of the week, I'm in the car for early afternoon heading up to the park and ride at Clifton which links me straight to East Midlands Airport, a bright day in Nottingham, the few remaining hair strands on my head lifting like an old-skool Bobby Charlton barnet as the bus cakes it down the A453, windows open, pulling up straight outside the terminal doors. It's bloody packed, full of holiday makers, chaos, screaming kids and panicky families pelting towards the gates for Dalaman & Lanzarote, luckily I'm out the way in the quieter section as a tiny propeller plane turns up with the logo Aer Lingus, readying for its umpteenth domestic flight of the day. The journey across the Irish Sea is short, calm, quick, I'm off at Belfast City, now known as George Best Airport, where I chat to an old bird after landing who tells me "I went to school with him ya know" now 77 she's lived in Corby for 30 years but still calls Belfast home. Like the flight, the taxi to my digs is equally quick, cheap, only £13 to my hotel on Botanic Avenue, although I struggle understanding the drivers thick Irish accent, he's ranting about all sorts whilst I just nod my head in agreement to keep peace. After shaking hands to say goodbye it's a quick bag drop and I'm out the doors of my hotel for 6pm, a twenty minute walk to the stadium down the Lisburn Road before turning right on to Yates Avenue, hills in the distance as I cross a train bridge and down the steps towards the residential Donegall Avenue to the back end of Windsor Park. The Venue Appearing beyond the roofs of terraced housing the new cantilevered stands of Windsor Park Stadium in white, under grey skies, they fit into the local area's architectural style without standing out like a saw thumb, I'm walking down the back of the East Stand as I notice a photographer who was on my flight, he's Dan Westwell, a Mansfield Town fan who covers a lot of games for the Stags as well as Notts County and for UEFA, I've collared him on the entrance to press and media as he's snapping around taking it all in, like myself, it's his first time in Northern Ireland, I swap details and tell him to give me a call after the match to go for a pint. Up the lift to level three of the South Stand I find my seat centrally located but really high up, looking down on to a magnificent looking surface being sprayed by water sprinklers ahead of the two teams coming out, three sides adjoined with green and white seats, the old famous North Stand opposite, a two tier stand which looks like it's off an old Subbuteo set, think Wolves, think Spurs, think Forest, but smaller, that era when 1980s stand building was all about two tiers, in fact the rest of the stadium, recently redeveloped, was done by architects who designed one of the stands at Trent Bridge, around a mile and half away from my house. Sat back in my seat, in the distance you see the glorious rolling hills, a huge golf ball looking structure on the horizon to my left takes my eye, apparently called RISE, it was designed by Wolfgang Buttress and erected in 2011 as a representation of a new sun rising on the city. The Game I'm joined by a scout from Brighton & Hove Albion as the game starts with a cagey opening. Northern Ireland with home advantage look to penetrate the Kazakhstan defence with long balls and crosses from wide, I'm impressed with the travelling nations technical ability in possession, neat on the ball they have a bit of guile and in patches play some tidy one touch stuff. In fact the opening chance of the game is spurned by the visitors. Maksim Samorodov somehow gets into the box, throwing a couple of shoulders as the Irish defence opens up. He places wide from close range when he really should have found the back of the net. In response, the hosts go close with a couple of headers over the bar. Craig Cathcart is guilty of missing from close range after Paddy McNair's knockback from an Isaac Price corner before George Saville heads over from underneath the posts, the two teams contrast in styles, but very evenly matched. The Score All weekend I've been predicting nil nil, and the second half is even worse than the first half, Tagybergen the talented number eight for Kazakhstan has hit at least three cross-field passes out of play, in fact the throw in count is probably higher than the pass completion statistics, a number of subs are made to try and perk things up. One of those subs, Conor McMenamin makes immediate impact, he's busy down the right and takes aim from range, stinging the palms of Shatskiy who does well to push over athletically. Northern Ireland continue to push, youngster Dale Taylor is brought on and he looks to cause problems down the left, quick footed he's linking up well with Jordan Thompson but as the hosts throw men forward, one pass finds Aymbetov the furthest Kazak forward still inside his own half, he's running straight line for goal and shrugs off one challenge before a defender slides in and completely misses him, suddenly he's inside the box, suddenly it's just the keeper to beat, suddenly Kazakhstan are in the lead. A pocket of no more than 100 away fans go wild, players huddled, celebrating with staff in the corner of the pitch, it's a late goal and the visitors have pulled off another huge win, and one that gives them serious belief that they might just qualify for their first ever major tournament finals. The Stars I really liked CSKA Moscow's Bakhtiyar Zaynutdinov who played right of midfield and had a good tussle with Jordan Thompson of Stoke. Samorodov at just twenty years old fronted the line of attack alone but well, he should have scored but also shown some neat touches and intelligent plays, a lot of the football from Kazakhstan was simple, short passing with a bit of risk taking, some technical neat footballers like Gabyshev, Beysebekov and Orazov which is providing a positive future for their status as an emerging footballing nation. For Northern Ireland, Trai Hume at 21 was positive, gutsy and direct from right wing back, in midfield Manchester City owned Shea Charles was like an old Rolls Royce or Bentley, purring slow paced but with class and elegance, aged 19 at 6ft2in with a bit of a chest he reminded me a of a young Tom Huddlestone, took a while to get going when running with the ball at his feet, but when he shifted through the gears he eventually found some speed to burst past opponents, a player who could very well have a big future, he played some neat touches and took up sensible positions and done everything with an ease and simplicity with aura of someone beyond his years. A successor to Rodri at City? Perhaps? The Verdict For Northern Ireland, it might be a qualifying campaign to write off, now three games in, with three defeats, it will be hard to make the cut for next summer's tournament in Germany, but for Kazakhstan, and their long travelling mini army of fantastic vocal and colourful followers, they might start to really believe, that this side right now, actually 'can' create history and make Euro 24. Their journey is far from complete. The Teams Northern Ireland: Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Paddy McNair, Jonny Evans (Conor McMenamin 64), Craig Cathcart, Trai Hume, Ali McCann (Dale Taylor 71), Shea Charles, George Saville, Jordan Thompson (Ciaran Brown 84), Isaac Price, Dion Charles (Shayne Lavery 71). Kazakhstan: Igor Shatskiy, Nuraly Alip, Marat Bystrov, Askhat Tagybergen (Erkin Tapalov 81), Maxim Samorodov (Abat Aymbetov 81), Yan Vorogovskiy, Mikhail Gabyshev (Lev Skvortsov 68), Baktiyor Zaynutdinov (Islambek Kuat 75), Ramazan Orazov (Elka Astanov 81), Abzal Beysebekov, Alexandr Marochkin. 7:45pm Kick Off. Monday 19th June 2023, Windsor Park, Belfast (att 18,002).

Scotland 2-0 Spain (UEFA European Championships Qualifiers) What's the longest you've ever travelled to watch a single game of football? Never mind walking 500 miles, what about driving 600 miles during an 18-hour round-trip from Nottingham to Glasgow and back. A new British PB smashed and my first visit to the home of Scottish football to watch a European Championships qualifier between Scotland and Spain. But boy was it worth it! It's a match I found difficult to turn down from the start, a stadium that I've wanted to tick off for a while now, a road trip north of the border and a chance to see some top international footballers play live. Spain sunk Norway on Saturday in their opening qualifying match, starting a new era under Coach Luis de la Fuente with a 3-0 win. That was matched by Steve Clarke's Scotland against Cyprus, thanks to John McGinn and a couple from Scott McTominay, something had to give in this second match of the group stages for Euro 2024. It's raining out. I'm packing a lunch for my journey, kiss the wife and dog goodbye and set off for ten am as I programme Hampden Park into my sat nav, expected arrival 3pm, I'm comfortable with heated seats on as I head north for the M1 before being told to join the M18. I've got Simon Jordan and Jim White on the radio but can't take any more... I'm on the A1 as I play some Arctic Monkeys to relieve the stress from Jordan's high and mighty opinions of himself, the rather appropriate ‘scummy man’ comes on as I join the A66 crossing over the stunning Pennines where I notice a lovely looking parks pitch just outside Warcop to my left, eventually passing Penrith Town FC and it's equally idyllic back drop of hills and greenery on my right. Onto the M6 I'm stopping off at Southwaite Services for a coffee and rather nice Cornish Pasty before passing Carlisle and Gretna into Scotland. Radio now turned back to TalkSport as they chat about tonight's match, I'm losing signal midst the rolling South Lanarkshire hills so put on some Paolo Nutini which I feel is appropriate as he's the only decent ‘youngish’ Scottish singer I know. It's a wonderful drive up the A74 but after hours of fields and farmland, finally I see some life as a number of ugly high-rise flats appear on the horizon. The outer suburbs of Glasgow littered with unattractive buildings, although Edinburgh is the capital, the leader of industry in this nation is certainly this west coast portal city which isn't the most pleasing on the eye, but certainly pulls the purse strings as I pass signs for Hamilton and Motherwell ahead of approaching a number of factories and warehouses beside the motorway. Celtic Park is up on the hill as I come off the M74 at junction 1A. Heading down the Aikenhead Road towards the stadium which looks small from the outside opposite an Asda and sports centre at the foot of Mount Florida, I eventually pull up on Carmunock Road and ask a steward if I can quickly 'nip in' to main entrance and get my ticket and parking pass supplied for me today, by UEFA. The Venue I'm walking through the car park a good four hours before kick-off as the police and stewarding teams gather together outside the adjacent home of Queens Park FC to take their orders for the day. I'm walking up the steps, into the main entrance, huge glass doors with a poster of Andy Robertson high up on the left, Rachel Corsie the women’s national team skipper on the right, entering at the main desk where I'm told to sit down and wait for my man from UEFA, Colin, as a bagpipe player is buttoning himself up ahead of loudly busting out a few practice tunes in the background. After a bit of a wait, Colin greets me with a smile and kindly takes me from reception to show me my seat. Up the lift onto the gantry above the TV cameras, it's a magnificent view, much higher than I thought, much closer to the pitch than I had envisaged too. A real good, elevated position, rooftops of the houses appearing behind the sloped stadium ceiling under the grey skies, the word ‘Hampden’ emblazoned in white on slightly faded blue and red seating of the stand opposite. Tickets and pass now in hand, back down the lift and Colin waved goodbye, I still need to go out and park my car, so I take a drive south and pull up on the Kings Park Avenue for a bite before heading back towards the ground as the crowds of supporters slowly start to appear. I’m in the purple car park, parking up before walking down the Aikenhead Road towards the venue and the same glass doors, the bagpipe player now posing for photos with fans. “You know where you’re going” says the doorman, as I walk up with a flash of my lanyard to the lift onto level five, a quick wee and I’m seated a good hour and twenty minutes ahead of kick off, filling out the teams in my little black book as TVE start to set up in front of me, former Spurs and Sevilla striker Fernando Llorente is with them on presenting duty, looking all handsome in a roll neck and long jacket alongside his peers. The Game The teams walk out to the Hampden roar as Spain fans first, around a thousand or so in the left corner, hum to their National Anthem before Flower of Scotland is belted out to decibel levels I’ve never experienced previously. A magnificent rendition really whets the matchday appetite as I’m joined by a Slovakian called Peter who’s on Scouting duty with me, he’s literally only the second turned up, but he’s brought a laptop with him to air the game on which makes my binoculars redundant, he’s out with his camera phone standing up, taking it all in, loving it here and chatting away as I’m trying to work out which team has won the toss. Scotland start on the front foot, from minute one they’re brilliant. I admit to Peter ‘I expected a Spain precession’, pass, pass, pass everything nice and slow as the home team stood off their much better opposition and watch them play tiki-taka between themselves, but not so tonight, the Spanish have made eight changes from their win over Norway and it’s a risky strategy from their novice Coach. Lyndon Dykes and Scott McTominay two of three notable changes for Scotland, Dykes in particular leads from the front, he’s closing down and harassing Spanish defenders but it’s in possession, where Scotland impress me, they’ve more of the early percentage and some of their one touch football is really on the pulse. Just seven minutes gone and Pedro Porro is playing with danger near his own by-line, he slips over and Andy Robertson nicks the ball, pulling back to the onrushing McTominay who blasts low and through Kepa to send the home crowd wild. Scotland are really good value and Spain don’t know what’s hit them. Porro is playing up on the far side, an altercation see’s him booked and thereafter the boos every time he gets the ball are deafening. Joselu crashes a bar with a header and Porro tries his luck from range to be denied by Gunn, but at the other end, better chances for Christie, then Dykes on half time, should really have had the home side two up. The Score Spain make two changes at the break, Porro who’s on a tightrope and has the Scottish fans ready to pounce on his every move, is replaced by Dani Carvajal, as the much disappointing Oyarzabal is also subbed for Nico Williams. Little change in the way the games going though, Scotland again on the front foot, Kieran Tierney is dancing down the left, he’s shown Carvajal a clean pair of heels and crosses in low, the ball falls to McTominay who’s at it again! Four in two games, he’s smashed another shot low past Kepa and the fans again go wild… It’s only then, I start to believe I’m witnessing a very special night at Hampden. That goal gives the cushion that Scotland need, they can sit back and defend knowing that one slip up won’t be so costly, but every time a ball goes into the box, it’s headed, hooked or blocked away by the superb Ryan Porteous and Grant Hanley. They’ll be no slip ups tonight. Spain are slowly running out of ideas. I wonder if they had any in the first place? The pass masters are beginning to kick simple passes into touch. Jeers and cheers everytime they make a mistake, which is often, they make endless subs, to no avail, Williams their only bright spark down the right, but Scotland contain him very well, McGinn hits the bar with an audacious free kick, and late on, as the party has already started, substitute Lawrence Shankland could have added a third after Callum McGregor darts off like Liz McColgan past endless Spanish players who by now are helpless in trying to overturn the outcome. Enter ‘freed from desire’ as the Tartan army sing ‘Scotland on Fire’ the venue is literally, bouncing, a Richter Scale 5 as the Referee blows his whistle to screams of joy. A party which inevitably ends with a little bit of the Proclaimers, of course. Myself and Peter stood in the venue applauding, smiling, one of the great nights in Scottish football history. The Stars Two goal hero Scott McTominay will rightly take acclaim, but this was a real team performance where every one of those boys in dark blue were heroic beyond their capabilities to ensure the result of a generation was pulled off. Lyndon Dykes was fabulous up front, hard working and a real menace to the Spaniard centre half pairing, John McGinn in midfield tireless with Callum McGregor showing glimpses of quality with real good engine, in defence, Porteous and Hanley were superb, Tierney and Robertson clearly world class, I particularly like the look of Aaron Hickey who’s a recent signing at Brentford from Bologna where he did well in Serie A. The former Hearts right back still only 20, forming into a very good footballer indeed. For Spain, considerable disappointment. I actually thought Pedro Porro looked a very talented player despite it clearly not being his night, Yeremy Pino shown glimpses of good footwork but on first viewing, I really wanted to see more from him, Joselu with service and balls pumped into the box, might have posed more of a handful, but that’s not simply the Spanish way. I actually remember watching Nico Williams in the World Cup and thinking that they should perhaps base their football now, around players like this, Williams was direct from the bench, willing to take opponents on, wanting to make things happen, with a trick, and at twenty is the future, along with the likes of Pedri, Gavi and Olmo, who when fit, all need to play. The Verdict For the first time since 1984 (ironically, I still have the matchday programme of that famous game somewhere) Scotland beat Spain at Hampden Park. The once in a generation result might tell you more of what it means to the home nation as a one off, celebrating a win in the rain against a three-time European champion and one time conqueror of the world, outplayed on the night, it might also suggest that Spain, and their own golden generation, is now a thing of the past. But less about Spain, can Scotland back up their own stunning performance by topping the group? By qualifying for the Euros in 2024 when their round robin is complete? Well they have Norway and Georgia in June next, and staying undefeated against those two, will give them a batting chance, but knowing Scotland, results against the lesser nations, are often easier said than done. It's those matches they'll eventually be judged upon as they look to reach a points tally target (twenty or near will do) to take them through, but in the meantime, ahead of those showdowns in the summer, why not long celebrate this amazing victory, six points from two games and in beating Spain, because it's now in Scotland's hands to lose! The Teams Scotland: Angus Gunn, Aaron Hickey (Nathan Patterson 82), Ryan Porteous, Grant Hanley, Kieran Tierney (Liam Cooper 75), Andy Robertson, John McGinn (Lewis Ferguson 82), Scott McTominay, Callum McGregor, Ryan Christie (Kenny McLean 75), Lyndon Dykes (Lawrence Shankland 89). Spain: Kepa Arrizabalaga, Pedro Porro (Dani Carvajal 46), David Garcia, Inigo Martinez, Jose Gaya, Rodri, Mikel Merino (Iago Aspas 57), Mikel Oyarzabal (Nico Williams 46), Dani Ceballos (Gavi 79), Yeremi Pino, Joselu (Borja Iglesias 66). 7:45pm Kick Off. Tuesday 28th March 2023, Hampden Park, Glasgow (47,976)

Wolverhampton Wanderers U21 0-3 Ajax U21 (Premier League International Cup Group Stages) Think of the great world football academies and the name of Ajax will always be in the conversation. From the magical era of Sjaak Swaart, Rudi Krol and Johan Cruyff in the 60’s and 70’s to Koeman, Rijkaard and van Basten in the 80’s, the De Boers, Seedorf, Davids, Kluivert, the young kings of Europe in the mid 90’s and despite a huge shift in the power of football these days, they even punched well above weight in the 2010’s when under Erik ten Hag they ‘should’ have reached the UEFA Champions League final with a team that contained Frenkie de Jong, Matthijs de Ligt and Donny van der Beek… Well at least one from the ever-rolling conveyer belt had to fail, didn’t they? Wolves don’t quite have the same history as the 36 time Eredivisie champions and 4 time European Cup winners, Ironbridge born Billy Wright was a one club man though and played over 100 games for England, a 1950’s icon he was captain of three times champions under Stan Cullis who's team once played Barcelona in the quarter finals of the European Cup. Long forgotten perhaps? It’s been a while since Wolverhampton were considered amongst the continents elite, although they did reach the UEFA Cup final in 1972, losing to Tottenham in the two leg final after seeing off Academica, ADO Den Haag, Carl Zeiss Jena, Juventus and Ferencvaros along the way. That team who played in the final had four players from the club’s youth system feature in the game, goalkeeper Phil Parkes, defenders Gerry Taylor and John McAlle, along with forward John Richards, proving that if there’s a pathway, you can still achieve relative success with homegrown. And that’s what tonight is all about, providing a pathway for these young players, to help them evolve by playing in a competitive continental match, pitting their young wits against those of other nations, the Premier League International Cup is a great place to get noticed, and I’ll be watching closely for any potential stars of the show. It’s a 7pm kick off but Wolverhampton is under 60 miles from me, I leave at 4:30pm and head across the A42 before sat nav routes me across to the A5 and M6 toll where I’m astounded to be charged £9.50 contactless for the trouble. It’s a good road, but I’m only on it five minutes. Eventually, I’m over the M6 (which I’ll take on the way back to save toll monies) and onto the M54 for a mile, before coming off down the Stafford Road, passing Ming Moon Buffet & Karaoke which looks very excitedly lit up in the dark, eventually pulling up outside the Leaping Wolf pub, where I park, along the Waterloo Road. The Venue It’s a short walk across the road, able to park here today as it’s not ‘officially’ a matchday, only a few hundred in attendance as Wolves first team are away at Everton. It’s drizzling as I notice the golden back end of the huge Stan Cullis Stand, walking around to the Billy Wright Stand there’s a statue of the great man himself outside, I’m past him and through turnstile seven where I get a steak and potato pie and cup of tea ahead of finding my seat. I’m sitting on the back row bar one of the lower tier, the fans packed into this half of the stand whilst everywhere else is empty, players are warming up outside as the rain still falls, the stadium is stunning, a real Premier League level venue, golden seated opposite is a carbon copy of the stand I’m in, each end has huge stands behind the goals. There’s a light show going off ahead of kick off as the stadium announcer asks anyone with epilepsy to leave their seats, I’m more interested in finding a team sheet than some bloke flickering the floodlights on and off to dance music, thankfully there’s a fella behind me who has one, it's Dave Barnett, formerly of Birmingham and Port Vale, all wrapped up in scarf and hat his son is in the Wolves squad tonight, as I take a photo of the away team line up he says "It's a fiver for that" I chuckle and tell him "I'll bacs it" as I go through candidates for players to look out for on my screen cap. The Game It’s a little crowded and a bit toasty here, not much leg room as I’m surrounded by players families and a few local youths, a warm round of applause greets the two teams, Ajax stunning in white with red band, Wolves glowing golden and black beneath the night sky. The tempo from kick off is slow, methodical, perhaps both teams are sussing each other out? Ajax 4-3-3, famously, have they ever changed ethos since the 70’s? They pass, get it wide to their tricky right winger Faberski, he’s technical but too slight, against these big Premier League kids he’s no match, Wolves in 3-4-3 are physically stronger, but limited with technique, their best player is perhaps their central defender Meupiyou who runs it out of defence, shoving opponents out his way with arms at full length. There’s not much between the two teams early doors, you feel Wolves are okay in midfield where Luke Cundle and Finlay Ashworth get on the ball and play, out left they have an attacking full back in Ethan Sutherland full of energy, direct in getting to the by-line, but Ajax begin to get their more influential players on the ball, one of them is a left forward Jaydon Banel, he’s been teasing Ojinnaka at right back, he’s had him for toast (as Troy Deeney would say) on a couple of occasions before finally, 37 minutes in he cuts in and shoots low to open the score. The Score At half time there’s a couple of changes, Wolves take off their centre half Meupiyou who was there best player, and Ajax begin to control proceedings, dominating possession and territory, by now their number ten Sean Steur is showing touches of elegance, number eight Nassef Chourak becomes more prominent, they go down the right wing and cross to the back post where Banel is left unmarked, he volleys emphatically low and hard for his second goal of the game. There’s time for another as Chourak nets from close range after a bit of a scramble and it could be more, as Ajax go down the sides and often play back low into a crowded penalty area, a couple of shots from outside the box don’t trouble Benjamin in goal, one does slip through his hands, but the goalkeeper recovers, a few more substitutions slow down the final ten or fifteen minutes as Ajax begin to toy with their opposition, a good nights work for them, not so great for Wolves, who’s fans are also hearing their first team are taking a tonking at Everton. The Stars Jaydon Banel is a strong, quick, technical, left sided forward who cuts in and goes for goal, happy to go inside or out and willing to run at defenders, he’s already had first team appearances for Ajax and caps for the Dutch international youth teams. Alongside him in attack, David Kalokah looked useful, whilst Polish right winger Jan Faberski had a lot of technical quality, a little frustrating at times, but he’s one of those who could either go on to great things, or fall away down the divisions. I liked their midfielder Chourak and in defence their number three Mylo van der Lans at centre half, just 17 years old, looked very accomplished indeed. He played alongside Belgian Jorthy Mokio who looks like he could play more comfortably as left back, he gave the ball away a bit, but did show credentials of a good player. One final footballer of note, their goalkeeper Charlie Setford, Dutch born to an English father and Dutch mother, who’s brother is at Arsenal, he was very good with his feet, although didn’t look particularly tall for a goalkeeper, so I was surprised to see on his Wikipedia page a height of 6ft5? Maybe my eyes were playing me tricks? Whilst it wasn’t one of Wolves best performances I’m sure, I did like their man mountain of a French defender in Basten Meupiyou, recently signed from Nantes he’s had a significant number of international youth caps and even though he only played for 45 minutes, was significantly the best player in gold on the night. The Verdict I’ll be back at Molineux next week as Wolves U21’s take on Valencia, and I’ll be hoping for a better performance from them, as they didn’t really get going tonight, giving a decent opponent far too much respect. Whilst Ajax are nowhere near the team they once were, they still manage to churn out some top talent, and I hope that trend continues for the good of football, and you never know, like Wolves did in 72, like Ajax did in 95, by giving kids the chance, these teams may just get back to the good old days of battling in finals with Europe’s best. The Teams Wolverhampton Wanderers: Lewys Benjamin, Temple Ojinnaka (Alfie White 77), Alfie Pond, Bastien Meupiyou (Filozofe Mabete 46), Caden Voice, Finlay Ashworth (Leo Lopes 77), Luke Cundle (Lucas Rawlings 73), Ty Barnett, Tom Edozie, Ethan Sutherland, Fletcher Holman. Ajax: Charlie Setford, Ryan van der Pavert, Mylo van der Lans (Luca Messouri 68), Jorthy Mokio (Diyae Jermoumi 61), Gerarld Alders, Julian Brandes (Jinaire Johnson 46), Jan Faberski, Nassef Chourak, David Kalokah (Skye Vink 88), Sean Steur (Rayane Bounida 61), Jaydon Banel. 7:00pm Kick Off. Wednesday 4th December 2024, Molineux, Wolverhampton (att 500).

Wolverhampton Wanderers U21 4-2 Nice U21 (Premier League International Cup Group Stages) The city of Nottingham has been officially announced bankrupt today. Which is why it seems so many are blocking the A453 out of it tonight. Traffic is a nightmare as I try and get across Midlands from East to West and to the Worcestershire town of Kidderminster where Wolves are playing Nice in a tournament I know little about. The Premier League International Cup has been going since 2014. Apparently designed to give English clubs the edge, from an early age in Europe, I get the feeling it’s also a shop window for UK scouts looking at overseas talent and with all games played in England it’s very one-sided as the best from the continent get to play at the likes of Aggborough in front of a few hundred football nerds. I’m taking the back roads to the M42 in attempt to miss some congestion and join ahead of Tamworth before trawling for a good hour at 30mph. Finally I’m routed off onto the A38 but go right instead of left into Bromsgrove. I’m through a lovely village called Belbroughton before passing some millionaire mansions on the Hackmans Gate Lane, driving over the dark country humps and into Kidderminster, a quaint, quiet place with a football ground high up on a hill. The Venue The floodlights glisten below the clear frosty dark night sky, the stadium on an otherwise residential route named Hoo Road. Set back and well gated opposite some semi-detached houses. I’m parking on Stadium Close where I ask a steward ‘where can I stick my car’. “In here’s fine” he replies. “It’s free tonight”. It’s my first visit to Aggborough, home of Kidderminster Harriers Football Club, but I’m impressed with the modern looking red seated arena. A proper place to play football. Certainly, league level. It’s remarkable to think that of its 137-year history, Kiddy have only ever spent five seasons in the football league. I’m walking through the turnstile where I’m scanned in by a nice young girl, straight to the kiosk in the left hand corner between the Main Stand and North Stand which is behind the goal. You can’t see for sizzle and smoke as I order a burger and a brew. I’ve not eaten all day. It’s average but it certainly fills a gaping void that would otherwise have been taken by over priced garage grub. Inside the arena the green grass is flat and immaculate with a slight bump in the middle of the goal. The four stands almost equal in height, two at the side, seated, two at each end, terraced. One (the South End) with a small scoreboard on the middle of its roof. The Game I’ve bumped into an old boy who’s a Wolves fan sitting a few seats down from me as I fill out the teams from the team sheets given to us by an old lady. He’s been watching Wolves since the sixties and seventies and goes to nearly every game from first team to kids… “You’ve seen a few relegations” I say as he chuckles. He collects programmes and his earliest is a copy from the 1920’s. For some incredible reason he knows the last game of every club that’s played in league football. He tells me Workington’s was at Newport in 1977, Bradford Park Avenue’s last league fixture in 1970 was v Aldershot. A great memory installed and a bloke who has real love for the game. I ask him if any of tonight’s team look like going on to good things. “Chiwome up front is a good lad. He’s only 17” he replies in his black country accent. There’s around 2-300 in attendance with only one stand being used, a few dad’s and kids, it’s a cheap night out at just £4 an adult ticket and the football is good. High intensity from minute one as both teams press against each others progressive passing styles. Wolves look bigger, more solid, they attack well down the left and have pace and power. Everything is touch, pop, crisp and firm, you can hear the clatter of the ball thud in the clear air. Nice are more technical, smaller, skilful, Skipper, no10 Reda Belahyane is tiny but classy, he makes them tick and glides along the frosting surface with Gaelic grace in the middle of the park. No11 Daouda Traore has skinny legs, thin but tall frame, he’s giving me the ‘Bambi on ice’ glimpses as he often runs into trouble and gives the ball away after a few failed step overs. He’s just back healed a ball out of play for a throw in under no pressure at all, then suddenly he picks it up with space in front of him, runs at full speed, cuts in to the box and plays in his opposite winger Hernani Mendes Vaz who smashes home. Maybe that’s why Traore is in the team? He certainly has talent, and when his direct but ungainly style does come off, it’s worth the wait in gold. That lead is a bit against the run of play as Wolves have missed a few guilt edged chances and have spent most of the half attacking, but a second booking for Belahyane on the far side for what looks like a poorly timed foul, has the French side reduced to ten men. An uphill task from here. The Score That task gets harder when Wolves reply with a leveller. Chiwome has already scuffed a couple of sitters before seeing a deflected shot loop in to equalise on the stroke of half time. In the second half the home side push for a second goal as Nice stay compact by playing a 5-3-1 which see’s midfielder Alvarenga often helping out across the backline. But against the run of play the French side have a corner and Nahounou heads home. It wasn’t meant to be this way but Wolves must now do it all again. Thankfully, there’s plenty of time and there’s plenty of opportunity to see Wolves back on terms as they pepper the Nice defence with crosses in from the left. Hesketh is denied by a brilliant save by the goalkeeper before levelling things up again. He prods home from close range after twisting inside the area, then they take the lead on 79, Jordao who I’ve been impressed with in midfield, who I’m told the club are likely to get rid of, he half volleys from inside the area after chesting down to himself. Late on, Kandola prods home from a corner to put the match beyond doubt. Nice’s gallant effort thwarted, in the end Wolves are just too strong, bigger, fitter, a man advantage, it was always going to end one way. The Stars Nice with the red carded Belahyane were certainly a better team than without him, he might not be able to tackle but boy can he play, with eight first team appearances already, the nineteen-year-old French U18 international should be good enough to make the grade. Other prospects include full backs Nake Youssouf and Mousslim Youssouf who I presume are brothers and of French/Comoros descent. They were both game and gutsy and Nake in particular, kept Wolves dangerous looking left side quiet. The pacey Owen Falmer and Aaron Keto-Diyawa often doubling up, but the youngster held his own. Laurenzo Monteiro Alvarenga also a player to look out for. He battled for everything and put some decent steps in from midfield, often covering back in defence, he was everywhere and put a shift in for his side. For Wolves, whilst Leon Chiwome did impress me, I really liked their centre back Kam Kandola and right back Marvin Kaleta who got forward well. Bruno Jordao played some lovely cross field passes and the direct running of Owen Farmer on the left hand side caused Nice a lot of concern. The Verdict Who knows who’ll be the cream that rises? As the old boy next to me said “It’s all about attitude” and those with the best ability might not be the ones necessarily making the grade in two or three years time, but plenty of promise on show, the good thing about football at this level, it opens a new shop window to those that otherwise wouldn’t get chance to see through it… A few Premier League scouts might have seen something from Nice tonight that can potentially earn them millions. The Teams Wolverhampton Wanderers: James Storer, Marvin Kaleta, Aaron Keto-Diyawa, Bruno Jordao, Kam Kandola, Justin Hubner (Temple Ojinaka 90), Josh Esen (Mason Rees 75), Matt Whittingham, Leon Chiwome (Ethan McLeod 83), Owen Hesketh (Leo Lopes 90), Owen Farmer. Nice: Bartosz Zelazowski, Nake Youssouf (Ebroni Gnoan 84), Mousslim Youssouf (Sami Wattel 56), Rayan Jerbi (Ilyes Benlebsir 84), Yannis Nahounou, Issiaga Camara, Hernani Mendes Vas (Lucas Rousseau 46), Laurenzo Montiero Alvarenga, Jah-Mason Tellusson (Nandy Bony 46), Reda Belayane, Douda Traore. 7:00pm Kick Off. Wednesday 29th November 2023, Aggborough Stadium, Kidderminster (att 320).

Ilkeston Town 1-4 Guiseley (Northern Premier League) Formed in 1909, Guiseley Association Football Club were West Riding County Amateur League champions four times in the thirties, a further title in the fifties had them soon move across to the West Yorkshire League (which they twice won in the sixties) before promotion to the Yorkshire League in 1968 where they would eventually finish twice runners up in Division One, before becoming founder members of the Northern Counties East League in 1982. Since then, the rise of the Lions has seen the club play as high as the National League before relegation in 2018. They won the FA Vase in 1991 after being beaten in the final the year previous. Last season they finished thirteenth in the Northern Premier League and are this season going ok, although they were thumped 5-1 at the weekend by fellow promotion chasers Macclesfield. Ilkeston’s past is longer than their formation suggests… 2017 this ‘official’ version of the club has been playing since, but the New Manor Ground has hosted various versions of ‘Ilkeston Football’ since 1945. The Robins, like Guiseley are on the fringes of the playoff race but have fell away of late. Last time out losing 3-1 at Stafford, they haven’t won since beating Atherton Collieries at the start of the month, which was five matches ago. I’m man flued up (it’s that time of year), but in the car on the way through Nottingham towards Ilkeston where I arrive with an hour to spare ahead of kick off. Darkened cold skies lit up by the floodlights, I’m parked opposite the road in my usual spot outside a breakers yard on Awsworth Lane. The Venue Turnstile in the corner, the lights are on but not many at home, I’m greeted by a steward on entrance, he spots my Green Bay Packers hat, and we start talking NFL. He’s a fan of Las Vegas Raiders but has a Minnesota Vikings shirt on under his hi vis jacket. He also likes Orlando Magic and Brooklyn Nets of the NBA. The ground is empty, it’s got to be zero degrees on this cold snappy Tuesday night in November. Not many fancy it in this weather? I’m hobbling over the carpet in front of the dugout, the clock tower stand in front of me tonight’s destination, making it up to the second row of the top where I can also keep an eye on my car down below. It’s a good view of the ground as a train goes by in the distance, the warm clubhouse opposite looks to be the most popular place tonight, the two roofed terraces behind the goal have little more than a few early stragglers chatting away. The Game I’ve a huge coat on, blanket over my knees, woolly hat and hand warmers at the ready, I’m joined by the radio team for Guiseley who arrive with just a few minutes to spare. They ask a Guiseley official who’s sat in front, how long their coach journey took… “Three and a half hours” he says. “We got the wrong bus, stuck in traffic and one of the lads Prince was at the wrong pick-up place”. The two teams walk out to a bit of Born Slippy as the sparse attendance claps them in, a few from Yorkshire have made the trip and are stationed behind the goal to my left with a flag. They make a bit of noise but it has the feeling of a County Cup match about it tonight. Nobody's here... Nobody cares... The start is even slow and laboured as Guiseley with their 4231 formation sit off as Ilkeston pass between their back four. Big Tom Denton up top on his own isn’t pressing anybody tonight. That’s not his style of game. Ilkeston, as they often do on this pitch, look nice and neat on the ball. They get it and play and look for left winger L’Varn Brandy who has a bit of pace and some tricks rolled down his socks, although right back Ollie Brown is keeping him at bay. The home side win a corner on 24 from Brandy's persistence and cross it in deep, Ryan Kendall looks to have flicked it into his own net off his head, the lead is probably deserved, it’s been a balanced match but Ilkeston have had more of the ball and look like more of the aggressors to me. A couple of sniffs though and Guiseley are suddenly on top. A lovely whipping cross from the left has Aidan Walker at the back post head against the bar and in. “Not sure what he was doing up there” says the radio commentator who punches the air for the centre halves first goal for the club. The Score On 37, Ilkeston get another corner as the Guiseley commentator says ‘we really need to defend this one’ having already conceded from a set play earlier in the match. The corner is thus defended well and cleared as far as Kofi Moore down the right. He puts on the burners and sprints from his own half to the by-line where he pulls back to the on rushing Liam Tongue. The midfielder was an early substitute for the injured Leigh Whelan and timed his run to perfection. A clinical goal on the break to put Guiseley 2-1 up, but bloody hell… Kofi Moore is quick! Suddenly Guiseley have turned into Man City. They are knocking the ball around with fizz, playing with tempo, a new found confidence, a ferocity in their game. Pass, pass, pass, it’s one touch football that goes central to the left wing where another speedster in Jordi Nsaka whips in low. Tom Denton inside the box converts. The fans behind the goal are singing “It’s just like watching Brazil”. That two goal cushion takes the tie away in just a couple of minutes of magic, as half time can’t come early enough for Ilkeston. The second half see’s the away side sit off some more. Ilkeston have a lot of the ball but lack ideas. Perch and Minkley pass to their full backs who often give them the ball back, then the ball eventually goes back to their goalkeeper, it’s hardly enthralling ‘have a go football’. Declan Erratt-Thompson is one player who I’ve mentioned in the past, who does stand out in midfield. His energy and workrate, his commitment and ball play, all qualities shining for a player who will do well long term at this level. He’s announced man of the match by the man on PA before a late goal for Guiseley wraps things up. Pratt heading home from a corner before a few handbags are sparked off late on. One of the Guiseley players has half his shirt ripped off by Alex Marshall to spark a 22 man brawl in front of us on the corner stand. Too little too late that fighting spirit from Ilkeston. The Stars Prince Ekpolo might have missed the meeting point brief but he put in the hard yards in and hardly misplaced a pass or tackle from his centre midfield position. Lots to enjoy from the Guiseley performance, wingers Nsaka and Moore extremely quick, Nsaka not always knowing what to do when he beats a man though. Moore on loan from Oldham Athletic aged 19, could have a bright future in the game. Tom Denton a nuisance as always up top, a seven foot wall that wins more headers than any other striker I’ve ever watched play. Everything bouncing off his chest, his head, his shins, back to where it came from, mostly cushioned down for team mates to run onto, he's thick set and an imposing player that no defender would enjoy marking. Centre half Jameel Ible was brilliant bar one misplaced pass which he thankfully got away with, Reece Kendall ‘committed’ to say the least from left full back whilst Ollie Brown on the opposite side played really well. Gabriel Johnson with his dyed blonde cornrows in the no10 position is a former Manchester United and Leeds youngster who as well as showing a bit of elegance and grace on the ball can also mix it off it too. For Ilkeston, L’Varn Brandy and substitute Ben Starkie were lively with pace and chalk on their boots. Jamie Walker a centre forward who I really liked from watching earlier in the season, looked lost on the right wing, things not going his way, but he does have quality and a bit of suave. Declan Erratt-Thompson is one of those players regardless of result, he’ll always put in a shift and return a seven out of ten as standard. The Verdict Guiseley look a good side with solid competitors in all areas and although this game never looked like a 4-1 thumping, they were clinical in front of goal and solid enough at the back to reduce Ilkeston to no real attempts. Other than a thumping at Macclesfield, form has been good and four goal wins have been a regular thing of late. In attack they look like they mean business, in defence, well, they’re just mean and prepared to get stuck in. Never back against a physical committed side with pace and goals, this is exactly what Guiseley are, a proper team of footballers ready made for the level and beyond. Ilkeston seem to be going through the motions… Are they a ‘nice’ team that play ‘nice’ football or is there a bit more to them? They have players with bite and personality, but seem to be playing within themselves. Maybe a cold night on a plastic pitch in front of only 300 people didn’t help. But by raising their tempo they might even raise the attendance and raise the temperature levels of the New Manor Ground, usually a fierce when full hostile venue, tonight, it really didn’t seem that way. The Teams Ilkeston Town: Matthew Yates, Tom Marshall (Larell King 52), Sam Parker, Connor Dixon, James Perch, Callum Minkley, L'Varn Brandy, Declan Erratt-Thompson, Tyrell Waite (Alex Marshall 60), Zak Goodson (Ben Starkie 52), Jamie Walker. Guiseley: Ollie Battersby, Ollie Brown, Reece Kendall, Leigh Whelan (Liam Tongue 19), Aidan Walker, Jameel Ible, Kofi Moore (Tom Pratt 67), Prince Ekpolo, Tom Denton (Kallan Murphy 80), Gabriel Johnson, Jordi Nsaka. 7:45pm Kick Off. Tuesday 28th November 2023, New Manor Ground, Ilkeston (att 326).

Gainsborough Trinity 5-3 Matlock Town (Northern Premier League) Auntie Julie’s on her way around with cakes. It’s laddo’s nineteenth birthday tomorrow and she’s dropping his pressie off but the wife’s out for a dog walk and I need to be out the house for 6pm as I aim to make my way up to Gainsborough. Time’s ticking as she tells me she’s off to Albufeira this weekend whilst I’m putting my shoes on ready to hop out the door and make the trip to Lincolnshire to watch my regular needed Northern Premier League football fix, suns out after a quick rain shower I’m rushing to get in the car as Julie hops in hers behind me, I’m down the A52 listening to Capital Dance with some Tuesday evening bangers playing loudly. Gainsborough got beat at bottom of the table Basford 3-0 at the weekend, Matlock who I watched last Tuesday, actually beat Marske 3-0 on Saturday… Something says they’ll be goals tonight… Last time I was at the Northolme in Feb, Trinity won 6-2 ironically against Marske. I’m doing ok for time as I hit the Newark bypass and the A46 over the A1 and onto the A113 signposted for Collingham, passing through the East Notts village as I head up towards Newton on Trent and Torksey Lock. The Venue There’s something about Gainsborough which I strangely like. After the single-track country roads of very little action you soon come to a town, of terraced houses and sparse supermarkets, an Aldi, a Tesco, a McDonalds and KFC with a very similar bout of nothing… There’s no people here, the streets are isolated like a city centre quarantining for COVID… I park at Roseway car park opposite the Gainsborough Methodist Church and Horse and Jockey Pub, after 6pm Mon to Sat it’s free so no need to opt for Ringo… I'm walking up North Street to the stadium where you can hear music playing through the tannoys behind the turnstiles on the street. Still no people on the road I’m standing outside the ground thinking to myself ‘there is a game tonight isn’t there’ but I see the lights, which tells a tale, finally a man on the gate points me to one of three turnstiles, “the one on the far right takes card”. I’m greeted by a friendly woman who prints off a receipt for my £13 as I walk into the stadium and am asked by a woman in a high vis who my player of the month for September is… Luckily she’s got her pad in her hand and there looks to be one winner… Bailey Conway has around nine votes to everyone else's two or three… “It’s got to be Bailey” I say. The players are already out warming up the sky darkening as the lights brighten the green pitch with a hint of yellow. The blue painted pillows propping up the grey roofed stands… It’s a proper football venue is this. I once had a children’s book which I nicked from junior school titled ‘Stanley Bagshaw And The Short Sighted Football Trainer’… The ground in that which was the home of Huddersgate Albion (who ‘spoiler alert’ went on to beat the much fancied Stockwich Hotspur) reminds me of this place. Old and slightly decrepit, historical and unknowingly architecturally sublime, a proper football place, made of metal with the odd bit of rust and lights out here and there. I can’t be bothered to queue for a brew but spot a sign which says Gents Toilets and I venture to the back of the stand where I’m greeted with nothing more than a corridor which stinks of piss with man-made urinals each side. It’s something to behold, something I’ll probably never forget. It felt too dirty to even use the sink. The Game I’m up to the top of the seated stand where the press places are parked which I remember from my last visit has a post directly in the middle of my view of one of the goals. The Gainsborough social media man is here as is Matlock’s, who used to work for Ilkeston Town before falling out with the chairman over his Twitter feed. Mark tells me he was associated for 18 years with Ilkeston and it’s all left with a bitter taste, but he’s now unleashed a new lease of life at Matlock and is enjoying the club, if not always the football, the team is a little thin on the ground tonight with just three named substitutes. The Score I’m chatting away to Mark as Gainsborough in a purple shade of blue start out like an express train. They got badly beaten at the weekend and their new Manager Russ Wilcox seems to have fired a rocket up their arse to get them started… After a couple of sniffs already, suddenly Javelle Clarke is racing clear and away from a ropey looking Matlock offside trap. He’s rounded the goalkeeper Saul Deeney and calmly slots home an opener inside just six minutes. Less than five later it’s two.. A Bobby Johnson left wing corner to the near post is headed home by Ashley Jackson and on 17 it’s three… This time a corner from the other side, Johnson again delivering to the near post, a carbon copy this time headed in by Dylan Cogill, the Gainsborough fans are singing “can we play you every week”. Matlock do pull one back as Johnny Margetts gets away from a defender before being tumbled inside the area, he picks himself up to score and in fairness the away side finish the half as the better team, all be it in an open 45 where Gainsborough look most dangerous on the break. At half time you feel Matlock boss Martin Carruthers will be fuming about the two goals his team conceded from corners but not as fuming as he would be just seven minutes into the second half when the same thing happens again… Johnson crossing his set play straight onto the head of young Hamish Douglas, three goals from corners, where is the marking from Matlock? And on a sloppy defensive night for the away side it goes from bad to much worse as Saul Deeney lets a back pass slip over his foot and across his goal-line, Declan Howe slides in on the keeper and makes it five capitalising on the most calamitous and costly error on the night. That calls Carruthers to make three instant changes and in fairness they to a degree pay off, as Josh Barnes pulls a goal back before one of the subs Reece Styche gets to the byline and crosses low where Cogill puts through his own net. Apparently the Trinity skipper had told the Gainsborough tweeter earlier in the evening he’s only ever scored three own goals.. Well make that four. All this and still a good twenty plus minutes remaining and in an open game another goal could easily have came, for either side, Matlock defensively more open than a prostitutes legs… Gainsborough themselves not totally convincing that they could see out the game in style whilst looking like nicking something again on the break. Eventually though, Matlock ran out of ideas, and time, whilst Gainsborough did have a little left in the tank, it wasn't needed, the better team won, but it certainly wasn’t one sided. I said to Mark "If Matlock could have defended set plays they would have won tonight." The Stars Matlock had most of the ball and in midfield through Barnes, Wright and Johnston looked competent, in attack, particularly through Margetts on the break and Crofts out wide in spells, looked like they could cause trouble with pace, but defensively they were horrible and there wasn’t many bright sparks other than the fact they never gave up on a night where they only had themselves to blame for defeat. For Gainsborough they had one stand out player who I really liked the look of. Javelle Clarke a young striker, slight in frame, only 21-years old, with a super burst of pace and some quick feet to go with it, he took his goal calmly and was a threat off the shoulder all be it Matlock’s offside trap often playing into his own hands. Clarke looks a superb footballer and one that lit up the playing surface at times, whilst Bailey Conway and Jack Moore-Billam were decent in midfield. There defence like Matlock’s leaving a little to be desired. The Verdict It seems Gainsborough guarantees goals, my last visit here had eight, this match the same, and between the Holy Blues and the Gladiators this season alone (three games inc two in the FA Cup) we’ve had seventeen after a 1-1 draw earlier in the season was followed by a 5-2 Matlock win. Because of these defensive frailties I see neither side doing better than a top six place (at best) this season, but because of these frailties and their expansive styles of attacking football, I feel both will be good to watch.. Their next meet up in January at the Causeway Stadium, may well be worth my visit again. The Teams Gainsborough Trinity: Luke Jackson, George Hornshaw (Nat Wallace 80), Ashley Jackson, Bailey Conway, Hamish Douglas, Dylan Cogill, Jack Moore-Billam, Bobby Johnson, Dayle Southwell (Harrison Poulter 81), Declan Howe (Lewis Butroid 90), Javelle Clarke. Matlock Town: Saul Deeney, Robbie McNicholas, Joe West, Andrew Wright, Ioan Evans (Jamie Sharman 60), George Wilkinson, John Johnston (Harry Wakefield 60), Josh Barnes, Oliver Clark, Jonathan Margetts, Nathaniel Crofts (Reece Styche 60). 7:45pm Kick Off. Tuesday 3rd October 2023, The Northolme, Gainsborough (att 357).

Ilkeston Town 1-0 Bamber Bridge (Northern Premier League) It’s the start of a busy week of football where I’ll be cramming in a game a day until Friday. To compromise I told the wife I would keep it local today. Ilkeston is only ten miles from my house and I’ll be back home in time for Strictly. Whilst the Robins have been a regular watch over the years it’ll be my first ever viewing of Bamber Bridge. A team based near Preston, Lancashire and one with links as far back as the nineteenth century but one who were established more recently in 1952. In fact, their current corporation is much more modern than that, after merging with Walton-le-Dale in 1974 ‘the Brig’ who we know today have been in the Northern Premier League since the early nineties. A staple in step 3 since 2018 when they secured promotion to the Premier after winning the Division One North playoffs beating Prescott Cables 1-0 in the final. They play their football at the Tom Finney Stadium, named after the Preston Plumber following his death in 2014, a legendary England winger of the 1950’s. My last visit to Ilkeston was last season, then under Chairman David Hilton, a man who’s been in the news recently, he took the chance to bail out Scunthorpe United, but it doesn’t look to have gone to plan… I’m sure he wishes he was back here sitting in the Clock Stand where he trickled along underneath the radar. The Athletic don’t usually cover these parts in Erewash. It’s 1:30pm and I’m cruising down the Nottingham Ring Road before taking the A52 at the QMC towards Derby and the back of Wollaton Park. I’m up Wollaton Vale and heading over the fiveways crossing into Trowell ahead of the Ilkeston town centre bypass and the A6007 before sliding past the back of Tesco on Granby Street and onto Awsworth Road. The Venue Same spot as usual? I pull up on the left of the industrial looking Awsworth Road opposite the club’s enclosed car park before walking over towards the turnstile. Zapped in for £12 on card I’m early, I’m standing behind the goal where I notice the pitch these days made of plastic, a lot higher than it used to be in grass format, to level the surface it seems they filled it up rather than by digging down, I’ve never noticed it before it's higher than the walkway around the perimeter, the serene relaxed scene at the calming of the storm is of a loan Bamber Bridge player running up and down the pitch in attempt to pass a late fitness test. Ready for a brew, I take a walk around towards the clubhouse, a low roofed brick building large which has a few tables outside, there’s a queue five or six deep at the kiosk hatchet which stinks of fried food, but I remember from last time a spot in the corner near a portacabin which plays host as the sponsor’s lounge. There’s only one in front, he’s having some pulled pork and stuffing on a cob with some apple sauce on the side. I’ve only came in for a brew but can’t resist. £5.50 for drink and some grub, it’s bloody lovely as I take a bite whilst standing under the roofed terraced behind the goal as the rain starts to drizzle down quietly tapping on the tinned top as I’m on my lonesome enjoying the peace. Fed and oiled I’m walking around the back of the goal as a player has a kickabout with his lad on the pitch, teams not yet out, fans not yet flooding in, I’m walking over the carpet of the players tunnel in the corner of the pitch to head up the open steps to the back of the Clock Stand, the quirky tall seated area in one corner of the venue, its few press seats are right at the top and open to the elements but the wind and rain blowing sideways means I’ll be sitting a few seats inwards today. The Game As the two teams walk out for kick off under the grey drizzly skies of Derbyshire, I can’t help notice the kit of Ilkeston, red centred white sleeves and sides it’s a touch of Ajax of Amsterdam, Bamber Bridge in more of an Oxford United yellow. The game’s early doors are nothing to shout about, both teams try and play it and I’m perhaps more impressed with the away side whose midfielder Michael Potts is pulling strings. He’s quick footed with a bit of experience, looking for the thread of a needle ball splitting the Ilkeston centre halves where sizeable right sider Harry Scarborough makes runs coming in off the full back as he aims to play off the shoulder of his marker. Top scorer Scarborough’s having no luck and can’t get into the game as I become more impressed with Ilkeston’s own hot shot up top, Jamie Walker is the leagues top scorer, a tall slender number nine with the touch of Marco van Basten’s to keep it with the Ajax theme… He’s got guile and is neat with his approach play, can mix it with defenders and plays back to goal and front to goal equally as impressively. That said it’s a half of few chances, neither side unhappy of going in at the break scoreless, although neither side could say they deserve to be in front as they battle between themselves in the rain. The Score Ilkeston have started the second half well. Ian Deakin’s side are on the front foot and a back pass is picked up by young goalkeeper James Pradic (on loan from Preston) to leave little choice but for the Referee to award an indirect free kick inside the box. Walker lets fly as the ball is tapped to him, but his effort is deflected over, the resulting corner crossed onto the head of Luke Cox and the ball nestles home and sets the Ilkeston drummer boy off as the fans sing loudly “he’s one of our own”. That goal allows the Robins to sit back and say to their opponents ‘come and get me’… They’ve done little as an attacking force have the Brig but number ten Danny Edwards, a youngster on loan from Fleetwood is getting more on the ball, his tricks and flicks starting to rub off as he finds deep pockets of places making him hard to pick up, a substitution sees the insignificant Harry Scarborough replaced by Sam Billington which almost immediately pays off, the ginger haired Billington has time and space inside the Ilkeston area but his low shot is saved well by Yates. In fact, that save by Yates has him announced as early as the 75th minute as the sponsors home team man of the match. A slight shock of silence in the crowd as his name is heard so early on in the game, but credit the sponsors, perhaps they knew something we didn’t. Yates thereafter held everything and made an even better save when closing down the angle as the away side came forward, by now there centre half and skipper Macauly Wilson is kicking out on the sly and going down covering one eye as he looks to use good old fashioned ‘shithousery’ to get striker Jamie Walker into trouble… Walker’s not having any of it but isn’t afraid to lead with his elbow either, he’s done by the Ref almost every time he goes up for a header and it’s an intriguing battle between two players who seem to be enjoying it. Late on the goalkeeper Pradic is up for corners as Bamber Bridge throw the kitchen sink but a defence well marshalled by captain, former Premier League player James Perch, comes out on top and Ilkeston hang on for a big three points which takes them to third in the table. The Stars Jamie Walker might have had a quiet game but he looks like a player who leads the line by example, sometimes elegant, sometimes frustrating, but you feel as long as he’s on the pitch he has the ability to get you a goal. His choice of passing wise, he’s shooting attempts never far off. For Ilkeston the busy Ben Starkie besides Walker always looked a menace, in midfield I was particularly impressed with Declan Erratt-Thompson who’s growing with age, he looks a tad like Jordan Pickford but is a real gutsy warrior. The sort of credentials that’ll see him play at the level (or even higher) for a very long time. For Bamber Bridge I really liked the look of Fleetwood loanee Danny Edwards who picked up the pockets as a typical number ten. Whilst Harry Scarborough didn’t get in the game I can certainly see how he gets his goals, perhaps key to many of them would be through Michael Potts, a terrific midfielder who’s very neat on the ball. Besides Potts in midfield the physical Danny Forbes certainly put himself about, whilst captain Macauly Wilson is that typical sort of non league centre half that you just love to hate. Mouthy but gutsy he put one huge tackle in which even had the Ilkeston fans applauding, but he did quite a bit off the ball which the officials never saw, that would work on many players far more hot headed than Jamie Walker, who certainly on the day, gave as good as he got. The Verdict After a start to the season of turmoil now on their third Manager in only two months, Ilkeston suddenly find themselves up there and having a go amidst some real top candidates for promotion. In Deakin and co they have a real good management team for the level, and it wouldn’t surprise me if this season they don’t have a real good go at going up. Bamber Bridge shouldn’t be too far behind. Ex Everton and Blackpool midfielder Jamie Milligan is a decent coach, he’s got a well drilled, well organised outfit who’ll be middle of the pack at worst. If they can turn possession into goals it may even be better than that. The Teams Ilkeston Town: Matthew Yates, Taylor Anderson, Sam Parker, Callum Minkley, James Perch, Luke Cox, Zak Goodson (Cieron Keane 66), Declan Erratt-Thompson (Jordan Hallam 71), Jamie Walker, Ben Starkie, L’Varn Brandy (Henri Wilder 86). Bamber Bridge: James Pradic, Christopher Churchman, Jack Baxter, William Squires, Macauly Wilson, Danny Forbes (Jordan Butterworth 80), Harry Scarborough (Sam Billington 64), Michael Potts, Louis Holt, Danny Edwards (Mark Cullen 80), Harry Benns. 3:00pm Kick Off. Saturday 30th September 2023, The New Manor Ground, Ilkeston (att 650).

Worksop Town 2-0 Matlock Town (Northern Premier League) It’s pissing down with rain and not yet 8:30 in the morning, I’m in the car checking my messages whilst driving down to Bristol for my last cricket game of the summer as England take on Ireland at the home of Gloucestershire CCC. There’s a chance it’ll be called off as I can hardly see past the windscreen on the M42 so bad is the weather… Which is quite useful as I’ve just been asked if I can cover Worksop against Matlock which kicks off tonight at 7:45pm. I’ve left it as a ‘maybe’ and am enjoying my day sitting in the Premier Lounge at the Seat Unique Stadium watching Ben Duckett unbeaten on a hundred as England race to 280 inside 31 overs before the rain comes down ahead of ten to three… The ground staff struggling with the covers are making a mockery of things and so much so… they’ve left the Umpires with little choice but to abandon proceedings… It’s only 3:30pm… Maybe I can make it to Worksop from Bristol in time after all…? No sooner does Sky Sports show up on the screen to my right ‘match abandoned’ do I pack up my laptop and head down the stairs and out of the stadium past some fans still drinking their pints and others that are heading for the exits to get in my car parked on a nearby side street and slog up the heavily congested A38 and little less busier M5 to tell the bosses via text again whilst driving ‘I’m on my way’. Worksop are doing alright since promotion in the summer having romped home in the league below last season, the Tigers are well above middle of the pack in eighth and still in the FA Cup whilst their opponents tonight Matlock only two points below them are thirteenth, Martin Carruthers side recently lost to Stourbridge in the Cup ahead of a 4-2 home loss against Warrington Rylands at the weekend. Craig Parry’s Worksop team still unbeaten at home although their record on the road isn't great. I’m constantly checking the clock as I hit the M42 and the rush hour Birmingham traffic to be told my ETA at Sandy Lane is little after 7pm.. I’m making good progress as I hit the M1 for 6pm and speed up to Junction 30 and take the A619 quickly stopping at a Shell Services on the A60 for petrol. The Venue It’s been a while since I’ve been here, a ground I used to regularly visit with Grantham Town back in the day when our fixtures were a ritual, is one that has had a few changes since my most recent trip all of eight or nine years ago. Parking up on Sandy Lane itself, I dump my car on the pavement next to some other strays at the side of a huge Wickes before crossing over into the Retail Park and past Halfords and Benson Beds to the clubs underwhelming looking back street entrance. I’m walking up a hill in front of a barrier which says no entry before asking a steward where the turnstiles are.. “Just here” he says, pointing me indoors to something which looks like a Cinema or Nightclub doorway… “Ooh this looks new and modern” I say as he replies, “it is”. Painted in yellow the turnstiles are indoors, stylish, and sleek design, potentially the most welcoming non-league turnstiles I’ve ever been through in fact. I’m zapped behind a glass window for £13 contactless ahead of walking through the metal barrier and into the stadium behind the goal where the modern looking clubhouse is to my left. The ground has had a 4g surface laid since I’ve last been here but the old yellow corrugated roofed stand in front of me is still intact, no more are the scruffy portacabins behind it which used to play host as the awful cold and cramped players changing rooms. I’m starving as I’ve not eaten all day so order pie, chips and gravy at the kiosk for £7.80 and walk up to the far end where Matlock’s sub goalie says ‘hello’. From the corner of the venue you get a real perspective of the modern adjustments, black mesh fencing around the smooth flat pitch, the far sides brick building in the right corner and roofed terrace next to that coloured in terracotta behind the goal, there’s a yellow seated stand to the left of that, whilst opposite the quirky old main stand running the length of the pitch is a small roofed terrace behind the curved glass dugouts, this end a similar roofed standing area as wide as the 18 yard box…It has a bit of everything, retail units lining its backdrop below three modern floodlights as the players warm up under navy blue dusk skies. The Game It’s not less than two minutes gone does Worksop’s beast like striker Liam Hughes test his luck from the tightest of angles outside the box and his volleyed shot flashes inches away from an early goal. The hosts are good value, knocking it around comfortably and playing with swagger as a scout from Chorley besides me takes notes. I’m sat in between 18 and halfway in the main stand in the Directors section but there’s a post right in my line of fire, I’m popping my head right and left, every time Worksop go down the wing to see what’s happening, they’ve had much the better of the early stages and look like a side that are all familiar with each other’s game. Matlock do have a chance on the break as a ball crossed into the box finds Barnes who’s diving attempt flies over but the home side grasp a deserved lead when the busy looking Luke Hall racing down the left crosses to Hughes who does what he always does and volleys home a fiftieth Tigers goal in no more than a season and two months at the club. Hughes is a throwback target number nine, tattooed head to foot he’s well chiselled and well groomed, thick set with ability and quick feet but chuck the ball into him it’ll stick like shit. He’s having a good ding dong with the Matlock centre half but is coming out well on top, winning every header, his back to goal play exceptional. The Score The Tigers could have more. They settle for a single goal lead at the break but they’ve peppered Saul Deeney’s goal. Midfield playmaker Terry Hawkridge is spraying the ball around in a dominant spell of possession and wingers Hall and Rollins are causing trouble at every opportunity. Matlock’s out ball is to the lively Karl Demidh but they can’t get players to support him. The Gladiators best chances on the break, but they don’t look like a team playing with any conviction, whilst Worksop are well gelled, slick, smoothly operated, an impressive bunch that are even better than when I saw them win at Loughborough last year. The crowd know it too… Ooh’s and ahh’s every time a fancy flick comes off, or when a one touch passing move ends with a shot that goes inches wide. You get the feeling this vocal hardened long standing strong support that Worksop always have, nearly 700 in attendance tonight, like the way this team plays, it is certainly getting supporters well entertained for the £13 gate fee (minus for concessions) they each pay. No quicker does the second half start than do Worksop attack again, Rollins tricking and teasing with intricacy finds Sharman who’s shot is blocked. Green then curls wide as chalk on his boots winger Rollins in the thick of the half’s action crosses low which evades everyone, it’s chance after chance as Deeney tips over a Hughes header for a corner but the away side aren’t out of it, they’ve nearly stolen something on the break through big lively substitute Harry Wakefield who not once, but twice, has sniffs that go amiss. As the board goes up for six added minutes you can hear the moans and groans from the Worksop faithful but I’m thinking to myself you needn’t bother… If anything the Tigers look more like adding a second than conceding a leveller and after Hall runs the length of the pitch to fire wide in stoppage time, substitute Aleks Starcenko does exactly the same but this time to a better result. Game, set match and relax. Cue the exits for some excited Worksop fans who head off to beat the traffic knowing their side have won with a couple of minutes to spare. The Stars 50 goals in under 14 months would give you the impression former Cambridge United ‘centre half’ Liam Hughes now very much a centre forward, is centre of Worksop’s attention and the best player in yellow by a standout, but that’s not so much so, a side that has a bit of everything, who can mix it, dig in, pass and play, and score from an array of attacking talent elsewhere. It’s a simple 4-3-3 which Craig Parry has adopted with full backs pushing on and the midfield trio interchanging, everything is centred around Hughes in attack but either side of him wingers Hall (only 20) and Rollins (ex Boston) are pacey, direct, skilful and they work bloody hard coming back. In fact everyone does, they do the hard work off the ball and when they have it, hardly lose it which makes them a very dangerous and good football team. Former Leeds, Derby & Doncaster star Paul Green offers experience in midfield with former Lincoln & Notts County winger Terry Hawkridge now a deep lying quarterback who controls things at a canter, at the back the hugely built Hamza Bencherif (also of Notts & Lincoln) and leggy George Taft (of Mansfield & Cambridge to name a few) themselves no strangers to the football league. For Matlock they were largely outplayed and found things tough, they’ll have easier opponents no doubt but in captain John Johnston they have someone who can get on the ball and make them play. George Wilkinson is a young defender on loan from Chesterfield and he’d have learned a lot coming up against a player like Hughes, Saul Deeney their 40 year-old Irish goalkeeper perhaps the best of the Gladiators on the night, which was evidence on how much they defended as a team. The Verdict Without wanting to sound like a Worksop appreciation post the Tigers are good, very good, at home especially, on that football playing plastic pitch of theirs... But can they do it on a cold Tuesday night in Morpeth? Or on a wet Saturday afternoon in Bamber Bridge? I suspect their season will be defined by those moments, and not by winning comfortably, which they’ll do mostly, at their home of Sandy Lane. For Matlock, they reached the playoffs last season but have had a few in’s and out’s since then. I’m not so sure they have the quality this time around, a long way off the likes of Worksop, Macclesfield, Warrington Rylands and even near Derbyshire neighbours Ilkeston in who I expect to be up there, I’ll be very surprised if the current crop can finish in the NPL top ten. Sometimes, not always, you see a team and feel it could be on the verge of doing something special. Last season Worksop won their league with 99 points losing just one game (their first match of that season) and have since strengthened even that beast created by Craig Parry and his owners cheque book. Don’t get me wrong there’s better teams in this division than last year and it won’t all be their own way, but Worksop have a fighters chance, put them up against anyone at the level, and I would say player for player, all be it some now in their thirties and past their playing peak, they’re a bloody good team and one which I expect, can create a bit more local history to come. The Teams Worksop Town: Paul Cooper, Deegan Atherton, Josh Wilde, Vaughan Redford (Aleks Starcenko 85), Hamza Bencherif, George Taft, Terry Hawkridge, Paul Green (Sam Wedgbury 71), Luke Hall, Liam Hughes, Jay Rollins. Matlock Town: Saul Deeney, Robbie McNicholas, Joe West, Jamie Sharman (Harry Wakefield 81), Ioan Evans, George Wilkinson, John Johnston, Josh Barnes (Ollie Clark 72), Karl Demidh, Jonny Margetts, Sam Hopper (Andrew Wright 51). 7:45pm Kick Off. Tuesday 26th September 2023, Sandy Lane, Worksop (att 681).

Matlock Town 1-0 Buxton (Friendly) I’ve been playing the service station game with my friends on WhatsApp. It’s got that bad, even if I don’t need the services, I find myself pulling in and taking a random photo of a newly visited MOTO or Welcome Break, just so I can send it to the lads who then throw a number of wrong guesses at me before getting bored and conversation moves on to something else, like trying to arrange a night out with a dozen 40 somethings who really can’t be arsed. Tonight, I’ve only got 30 miles to make up, even I can’t find a worthy stop off between Nottingham and Matlock? I’ll perhaps give the game a night off and try again tomorrow, as I’m heading to Cardiff and Sophia Gardens for day four of Glamorgan v Leicestershire in the County Championship early am. Plenty more chances for service station fun. The last game I watched at Matlock in March, there was a bit of beef between a supporter and the Ashton United Manager Steve Cunningham who used to manage Buxton… There’s no love lost in this ‘battle of the dales’ with two teams of ‘similar’ ilk separated by just twenty miles of the A6 and a few high hills besides. The games are usually tight affairs but back in 2019 the Bucks beat the Gladiators at the Causeway six-nil in the Northern Premier League. Since then, Buxton have gained promotion to the National League North whilst Matlock have flirted with promotion in the league below, last season the two teams had solid campaigns in their respective divisions, Matlock losing in the playoffs at Warrington after a fifth placed finish, Buxton ending just a point outside the National North playoffs with an eleventh placed conclusion. The head-to-head results since that 6-0 victory have seen Buxton twice win in the league, once in a friendly and once in the Derbyshire Senior Cup, whilst Matlock did make up for their embarrassing home defeat slightly in Buxton’s championship winning season, beating them 2-1 after coming from behind in a match where James Hurst got sent off. Ross Hannah and Reece Kendall with the goals that day. Tonight, is a pre-season friendly, all be it by name, there’s also some silverware on offer as the Markovitz Cup is up for grabs, holders Buxton won 1-0 to take the trophy in 2022, they defend their crown against their biggest rival at their Proctors Cars Stadium. Other than local bragging rights however, I’m not entirely sure what this competition entails? As it’s a close one, I’m out the door gone 5pm stopping off in Ruddington for some petrol before heading down the Nottingham ring road and up the M1, onto the A38 past Alfreton and into Matlock via the back end through the villages of Wessington and Tansley. The Venue I’ve pulled up early, parking just south of the ground on the Alfreton Road so take a walk around the Hall Leys Park before entering through the turnstile where I’m scanned in and asked to immediately have a go on tonight’s fifty fifty. I pat my empty pockets as I head straight for the toilets, behind the goal, its dark in the gents, no light on as I try to aim for the black painted trough, next port of call (after washing my hands of course) is the hatchet by the side of the Twigg Stand which serves me a cup of tea and a steak pie chips and gravy for £7 cash. I’m sitting down on a step to eat my nights dinner as I take in the surroundings of a lovely idyllic countryside venue, of course I’ve been here before but under the summer night skies as the light glows between clouds, looking left to the old Riber Castle high up in the distance, cricket pitch behind the goal of one end, brand new apartments behind the goal of the other, trees and hills hogging the horizon straight across, it all feels quaint and serine, as I spot local photographer Dan Westwell walking in and snapping away. I say a quick hello to Dan and wish him well before finishing my pie and chips and heading up to the top of the Twigg Stand where a tiny press area is too small to even consider sitting in, I’m at the top of the seated stand around ten rows up, halfway with a cracking view as I ask around if anyone knows if it could go to penalties if the scores are level tonight? Nobody has a clue, a member of staff has gone to ask, and eventually returns to tell me there is, no chance of sharing the trophy or Buxton retaining it on a draw, perhaps this cup is more serious than first thought? As I phone in HQ to tell them the game format for the evening may now include spot kicks, I can’t hear myself talk, the tannoy music is loud, someone asks if the record is stuck as Fatboy Slim is played, before Zayde Wolf’s Gladiator is belted out ahead of the two teams coming out. The Game As the match kicks off, the twenty or thirty Buxton fans behind the goal shout “what do you think of Matlock” in response the Town fans sing “you can shove your Buxton water up your arse” Within minutes the physio’s been on the pitch a couple of times already, late challenges and leaving one in, the order of the day for the midfield battle, I feel sorry for Matlock’s poor trialist who lasts just five minutes before coming off clattered by a Buxton player. It’s niggly but not quite nasty yet, new Bucks signing Jake Wright has had a snap at a couple of Matlock defenders as I tell the guy next to me “from watching him at Boston last season, I’ve learned he’s an angry man.” He holds nothing back as he goes in on the keeper to win a 30/70 a true feisty forward who's a complete irritant for any defender to mark. A good player who I really like, but boy he plays on the edge, his seasons goal count usually the same as his bookings total, double figures assured for both. As well as being strong in the tackle and certainly up for the battle across the pitch, Buxton are neat on the ball too, Connor Kirby and Jack McCourt are decent in midfield but they do opt for the predictable diagonal a little too much, getting it to the feet of Tom Elliott and Jordan Barnett seem much better solutions to knocking balls out right and ‘over the top’ whilst Sam Osbourne offers some guile and quality in possession down the left. He's not used nearly enough. The away side do show moments of invention but the hosts are well drilled, their squad is decimated on paper with only nine regular players named and a bunch of trialists on the bench, I ask ‘where is everybody’ to be told a few are out injured and a couple still on holiday. The absentees however don’t hinder Matlock going forward, a long ball for Karl Demidh to run onto gets the Buxton defence turned and Max Hunt is silly to dive in, he gives away a soft penalty as Demidh looked to be going nowhere, the striker picking himself up, and prodding home from the spot, although Max Dearnley might have felt disappointed not to have kept it out. The Score That goal, the only one of the game is enough to settle the score, Buxton make nine changes at half time whilst the home side stagger their substitutions of trialist incomings, neither side really look like scoring again but it’s a good keenly contested scrap, the visitors best outlet is Curtis Weston who’s direct down the right, Jordan Burrow and Diego de Girolamo enter the field and impress in the second half but the Matlock back-line is solid and unbreeched, their trialist substitute goalkeeper is a rock with some good stops and has the home fans singing “sign him up” towards Manager Martin Carruthers. The Stars Buxton have more of the ball and I’m impressed with their regular go-tos in Tom Elliott, Connor Kirby, Jordan Barnett and Sam Osbourne each gliding along with direct intent in the first half, in the second 45, striker Diego de Girolamo picks the ball up in pockets, he’s always up for a shimmy or feint, new signing Jordan Burrow is a handful besides him, regularly leaping like a salmon and outjumping centre halfs who he’s more than happy to scrap with, It’s my first look at Connor Brown who’s very good at right back, having signed from Barrow he’ll bring valuable experience next season having also played near 100 games for Oldham, whilst my favourite player is arguably Josh Granite, a centre half who’s exactly what it says on the tin. For Matlock, Harry Wakefield and Karl Demidh looked busy in the first half up top, they look to have a good partnership going off, whilst defensively the side were solid, in midfield they slightly lacked creativity, but were more than a match in physicality for Buxton, Andrew Wright and Jamie Sharman in particular, having a good game. The Verdict The match itself although lacking in goalmouth entertainment was at least fast paced and full bodied, unlike your usual pre-season friendly type of slow paced stand-off football, but more like a cup game, which after all it was, for Buxton I see more positivity in their loss, they just need to find a right balanced XI that can prosper in their division, which I’m sure in time they will, whilst Matlock with less frills, are at least organised and will take plenty of points off teams next season, although it might not always be that pretty to watch. First trophy of the campaign for the Gladiators? I predict it might be the last, although these two teams could meet again in the Derbyshire Senior Cup, where the fans can again spurt unpleasantries at eachother, by then, I predict Buxton will be fully into their stride with an outside push at promotion not out of question, whilst Matlock will be strutting their stuff in the middle of the NPL. The Teams Matlock Town: Saul Deeney (Trialist 46), Robbie McNicholas, Joe West (Trialist 64), Sam Hopper, Trialist (Trialist 64), Ioan Evans, Jamie Sharman, Andrew Wright, Harry Wakefield, Karl Demidh (Trialist 46), Trialist (Trialist 5). Buxton: Max Dearnley (Trialist 46), Connor Brown, Jack McCourt (Nathan Newell 46), Luke Shiels (Josh Granite 46), Connor Kirby (Sam Smart 46), Jake Wright (Diego de Girolamo 46), Tom Elliott, Sam Osbourne (Curtis Weston 46), Trialist (Chris Dawson 46), Jordan Barnett, Max Hunt. 7:45pm Kick Off. Wednesday 12th July 2023, Causeway Lane, Matlock (att 448).

Matlock Town 1-1 Ashton United (Northern Premier League) I was at a party Friday night. A few lads from back in the day, getting together at a mates pad, he cooked hot beef and pork cobs (a locally used variation of butty, roll, barn, or whatever you call a chunky piece of open faced bread in your part of the country), we had plenty of booze, cards, table skittles, a pool comp and even a pub quiz, needless to say, Saturday morning I’ve not had much sleep, am not feeling the best, but nothing a trip to the Derbyshire Dales and the fresh countryside air can’t solve. It's my first visit to Matlock Town in some years, although I drove past the Proctor Cars Stadium on Causeway Lane a few weeks back, it’s a venue high up on the list of many groundhoppers, one much loved for being ‘quintessentially English’ with it’s character, position in the Derwent Valley and the fact it’s overlooked by the stunning Riber Castle, these days sitting derelict, high up on one of the many green surrounding Derbyshire hilltops. Matlock, and in particular Matlock Bath, is a bit of a day trip retreat in this part of the world. It’s middle England’s version of the seaside with amusement arcades, ice cream parlours, sweet shops, fish and chips, cable cars, it even has a theme park called Gulliver’s Kingdom, I’ve been coming here since I was old enough to remember. The wife’s out getting waxed and I’m dog walking before an 11am siesta ahead of her indoors coming home from town. She’s back for 12:30 having a go at me for not hoovering so I’m quickly out the door, I’m in cruise control in peace and quiet up to junction 26 where I opt to go on the M1 instead of straight up the A610, off at junction 28 and through the back end of Alfreton, past some lovely houses on the Wingfield Road which runs besides the impressive looking Alfreton Golf Club before endless winds of tarmac midst stunning countryside. Newcastle v Man City is the early game of the day, I’m listening in as Sat Nav takes me towards places I’ve never been, the village of South Wingfield and past the Bluebell pub, I make the climb up Potters Hill as I get a stunning panoramic view East which looks as far as Mansfield in the distance. Finally driving down the valley into Tansley on the A615 before a sign for Matlock and ‘guidance’ says ‘I’ve reached my destination.’ I’ve missed the turning into the cricket ground car park so double back before paying a steward a quid on the gate, I’m sure it’s for players and staff only, he’s just pocketing the cash from anyone who dares ask. The Venue I’m walking down the Causeway Lane opposite a duck pond and a playpark where me mam on occasion took me as a kid, past a long high hedgerow on the right, before I spot a small looking house with one window, manakins in Matlock kits inside, it’s apparently used as the club shop, I’m in through the stone entranced turnstiles to the side where I’m charged £12, contactless, I ask for a receipt. On entrance in the corner of the ground you get a real feel of beauty not just inside the spacious venue, but farther beyond, with its distant hills adding a spectacular backdrop to what is a pretty impressive three-sided, traditional non-league football home. To the left a new set of apartments overlooking the pitch above a small roofed terrace, will soon offer some of the most expensive seats in the house, I’m told the Penthouses are going for near half a million quid, a box at Old Trafford would be cheaper. There’s a lovely old stand to the right which runs most of the pitch and opposite that, the modern Twigg Stand, blue seated next to the brick-built clubhouse, behind the far goal is nothing more than a partition wall, separating the football club and cricket ground, beyond that, the spectacular hill with castle on top. I’m starving, I’ve not eaten all morning and arrived deliberately early to get some grub, there’s a good hundred here already, mostly kids and parents, a good twenty-two mascots have arrived from a couple of local teams, you get the feeling of ‘community’ here, a proper football club in the heart of a thriving town, there’s not many left like it, great to see so many kids enjoying the occasion, many of them in blue hats and scarves with Matlock’s ‘Gladiator’ logo in stitched. I’m sat down eating steak pie chips and gravy with a cuppa, tea bag left in the paper cup as I let it stew whilst downing my lunch with a plastic fork. I’m happy with the food, a seven out of ten, it’s cost less than a fiver and I’m now ready for the action to begin. The Game I’ve made it up to the tight cosy press box at the top of the Twigg Stand and had a chat with the stadium announcer who’s a really nice bloke, it’s he who tells me about the price of apartments behind the goal and the plan to have a retractable net to use on matchdays in a bid to stop the ball smashing into the huge glass windows of the impressive looking modern homes to be. “There’s plans for a new stand” he says “there were even thoughts of building a pub on the main road” as not many make it around to the existing clubhouse which is furthest point from the turnstile, all the better for quickly grabbing a beer as I’m about to find out. It’s gone 2:30pm and Ashton United have tweeted “team news running late, admin has just got parked” as a couple of lads turn up chirpy as anything, ones setting up laptops and entering the team news whilst he tells the other to grab a beer. He’s come back with pints as one of them says “proper non-league this, beer in the press box”… Next minute he’s on the pitch strutting around with sunglasses on his head, as the two teams walk out, the lads finally sit down and it’s only then, I realise they’re radio commentators for the game. I’m listening in as the head commentator announces ‘a new captain for Ashton today in Sam Baird’ before posing the question to his side-kick ‘how do you think the toss will go’ he replies “he’ll probably run off with the coin”…. I’m in stitches sitting beside them, pure pub banter live on internet radio with fans i'm told as far as Oldham and Tenerife, the best football commentary team I have ever had the privilege to listen to and although I’m not usually one for shameless plugging, I’m telling you even if you’re not a fan of Ashton United, to give their games a listen. Matlock the home team impressive of late under Martin Carruthers are just outside the playoffs whilst Ashton are lurking above the drop zone, but it’s the away side who look the better of the two teams, all be it often struggling to get to grips with the bobbly surface, a few times their players slice passes out of play often to the radio commentator’s frustration, but they’re game and plucky have most of the ball, however don’t seem to offer much goal threat, which the home side do tend to have in their armour. They’ve not created much, but a ball played into the box which looks to be going out, is headed back into danger by an Ashton defender and Karl Demidh capitalises, nodding home from close range as the goalkeeper Scott is caught out of position. Ashton hit back and an overhead kick by Adams bounces off the post along the line, it looks to have gone over for a claim of goal but in the process a Matlock player has received a kick to the head, the official takes the easy option to award the foul. The Score The radio guys have gone for two more pints as the mascots and parents invade the pitch at half time to take penalties, some fella in a superman costume takes one, scores, suddenly something is kicking off, the Ashton Manager Steve Cunningham is going toe to toe with a Matlock fan in a bobble hat, apparently they’ve been dishing out some stick to the ‘former Buxton’ boss during the first half, he’s having a right go with stewards in-between “My son has to listen to that” he shouts. Fresh with another pint of cider in hand I say to one of the commentary team “you’ve missed all the action” before explaining “the bobbles on the pitch are probably down to the stiletto marks from all the kids’ mums who’ve been on it”. It's been an entertaining half time show, but the second half has kicked off and is more of the same from where we left off, Ashton the better team, most of the pressing, more possession, they deservedly level through Keilan Adams who I like the look of, the big number nine smashes home on the volley an hour in, the match opens up and it’s a proper ding dong front to back, Dale Whitham unleashes a thunderbolt twenty yards out, he smashes the post with a rocket straight as a cucumber which cannons out, Saul Deeney hasn’t moved. There’s an injury and it don’t look a good one, 78 played and Matlock’s Dimaio is down, they’ve used all their subs, the stretcher is out, one of the Ashton commentators has nipped off for another pint and a wee, there’s only one on commentary now as play resumes, advantage the away team, nicknamed the Robins they usually wear red, today in yellow and black, they continue to press for a winning goal. Matlock are holding out but Ashton are pressing, they’ve brought on Craig Hobson, a big unit who’s been around the circuit, now 35 he’s up top on his own and needs support, a breakaway from midfield gets Ashton in and Gladiators sub Robbie McNicholas, only on the pitch ten minutes, takes a lunge as the last covering defender, he’s off and Matlock are down to nine, at this stage, four minutes left (plus stoppages) you really fancy the away sides chances. But fair play to the Gladiators, when the chips are down they show fight and in the end come away with a credible point, Ashton who would have took a draw prior to kick off, probably the more disappointed not to have won. The Stars The home side shown ‘glimpses’ of quality but not often enough to deserve all three points, Alex Byrne looked decent down the right, John Johnston always aimed to beat a man on the left, Karl Demidh is a player I worked with many moons ago at Hucknall Town and Grantham, he’s filled out from his younger days and his play much smarter with age, still a goal threat, a natural predator who reminds me of an Ian Wright, Jermain Defoe kind of instinctive natural number nine who’s busy and a nuisance to mark, a bit of bite and aggression too. The quick feet of Jerome Slew also dazzled off the bench whilst a special mention to Adam Yates at centre half who had a good old battle with Kielen Adams who was gutsy and a physical threat himself, eventually moving to right midfield to prove how robust and adaptable his teamwork play can be. Harry Bunn in midfield for Ashton put a shift in, plenty of legs and good honest ethic, most of the lads on show having a terrific attitude, if often not having much quality, that can’t be said about Sam Baird however, who might have got the giggles off his commentary team early doors, but he was exceptional, reads the games superbly, and at 23 years old could still forge a career in the leagues above. The Verdict Whilst it’s two points dropped for Matlock, they’ll be happier it wasn’t worse having ended with two men light, that draw dents their playoff hopes, but doesn’t completely write them off just yet, here’s hoping injury to Connor Dimaio isn’t too serious, as they’ll certainly need him during the seasons run in. For Ashton, it’s very much a point gained as they fend off relegation worries but they’ll be disappointed themselves it wasn’t even better, the game was a cracker and the ground is certainly one of the best for the old romantics of English non-league football to visit, and thanks to the lads on the Robins Radio Commentary team, who’s brilliant unscripted service was catastrophic, chaotic and genius at the same time, they certainly cured a hangover of mine and on a day where I was struggling to pick myself up to make the journey to this idylic Northern Premier League venue, in the end I didn’t want to leave. The Teams Matlock Town: Saul Deeney, Jamie Sharman, Ethan Cartwright, Dan Bradley (Saul Milovanovic 73), Adam Yates, Ioan Evans, Alex Byrne, Connor Dimaio, Karl Demidh (Jorome Slew 59), Harry Wakefield (Robbie McNicholas 59), John Johnston. Ashton United: Tom Scott, George Milner, Sean Newton, Carl Lonsdale, Sam Baird, Harry Bunn, Jason Gilchrist (Craig Hobson 67), Dale Whitham, Kielan Adams, Jack McKay (Nathan Lowe 59), Lewis Thompson. 3:00pm Kick Off. Saturday 4th March 2023, Causeway Lane, Matlock (att 759).

Gainsborough Trinity 6-2 Marske United (Northern Premier League) Remarkably it’s my first Pitching In Northern Premier League game of the season. A first visit to Gainsborough in a long while, a ground on a couple of occasions I’ve driven past and had my eye on to visit, tonight’s the night, pending of course, the weather. It’s clear out, the sun is shining all be it with a little frost on the ground, I’ve taken the dog for a walk and was going to head up to the woods at midday but it felt too muddy on foot, which is always a good sign that tonight’s matches would also survive the frost, instead I stuck to the roads and Bruce got his 10,000 steps in around West Bridgford. I’ve checked twitter and the lads from Marske have already left their North East seaside homes to head south which is more encouraging signs that the game is on, others locally are being postponed but no sign from Gainsborough of any doubt, I head out at 5pm as the sky darkens towards Newark, along the A46. Gainsborough Trinity were a football league club between 1896 and 1912, they entered the Northern Premier League as founder members in 1968 before promotion in 2004 had them in the National League North and it’s predeceasing name, the Conference North for fourteen years, the last five has been back in the NPL and they currently sit just outside the playoffs, no thanks to a recent stumble of late. Marske I know nothing about, apparently formed in 1956, the coastal town is sandwiched between Redcar and Saltburn near Middlesbrough, a Northern League club for many years, it’s their first ever season in the NPL top flight after promotion from the NPL East finishing second last season. Currently struggling in the division, down in the relegation places they do have plenty of games in hand which can see them out of trouble, Curtis Woodhouse is Manager, the former Birmingham City star turned Boxer is a well-known figure at the level, and also previously managed Gainsborough. Traffic is bad as I hit Newark, it always is at rush hour as cars queue down the ring road to get on the A1, so Sat Nav takes me through the market town itself, down the Lincoln Road and back on to the A46 before heading up through the pretty village of Collingham on the A1133. The Venue I’m following the River Trent north for a good twenty minutes before I spot the red lights in the distance of West Burton Power Station, the first sign of life I’ve seen for miles, entering the southern end of Gainsborough I pass an Aldi and Tesco, a McDonalds and the trendy looking Marshall’s Yard which houses a Prezzo & M&S Foodstore. The town has a population of just 22,000 and it’s eerily quiet, I’m on North Street as I pull up on double yellows outside the Gainsborough Trinity Supporters Club, a flat roofed brick building with a queue of people outside already. I find parking on the Northolme, a road which passes the back of the stadium, as I walk around the perimeter of the venue, it’s hemmed in by housing, I’m behind the Ping Stand which has a sign stating ‘Players and Officials Entrance Only’ as I’m looking for somewhere to buy a ticket. Finally reaching the only turnstile open, which is by the side of the packed supporters club, I ask if I can pay by card, I’m directed to the main gates, where a lady zaps me in and gives me a receipt along with a yellow band. On walking in I’m already in my happy place, a non-league football ground that looks, just like a non-league football ground should, four sides dressed in blue, a low roofed standing area to my right, an open terrace behind the far goal, an iconic curved roof seated area which certainly pre-dates my life span on my left, in fact the whole ground does, bar a modern looking scoreboard in the corner, behind the goal I’m stood near, a high roofed terrace that stretches flag to flag. It even has a proper non-league stadium name, the Dave Longstaff Martin & Co Arena is the sponsors brandish of ‘the Northolme’ which is a venue where sport has been played, since the 1850’s. There’s an old boy standing alone behind me, I turn and tell him “I shouldn’t have worried about the pitch tonight” as the wide green surface looks in fine nick, free of frost, he says “they put sand on it” which is the reason it’s held up well. We get chatting and he’s from Grimsby, a Trinity season ticket holder he travels down for every home game but also watches Grimsby Borough and Cleethorpes Town. I wish him well before heading up to the Ping Stand after grabbing a tea and a snickers for two quid, I’m walking up the steps to the top tier as I’m met by an official, who says I can sit at the top away from trouble. It’s a cracking view from the press box, high up and central there’s a couple of posts in the way of each goal whilst the corners are also obstructed, but you get a near perfect panorama of the playing surface as the teams do their warm ups, stands mostly empty with the odd dotted fan now taking a pew, terraced houses lining the horizon of the stand opposite. The Game The players come out from two separate tunnels, Marske in Canary yellow to my left, Gainsborough in Wimbledon Blue to my right, meeting in the middle to shake hands before kick-off commences, where the home side look immediately comfortable on the ball. I’ve seen many games at this level where tempo from the off is high, ball exchanging possession as quick as you can say ‘get it down and play’, this isn’t one of those nights, Gainsborough do get it down and play, centre half Dylan Cogill has a peach of a left foot, he’s spraying cross field passes at every opportunity, Bailey Conway in midfield is knocking the ball around with invention, he’s always looking to make things happen. Only a few minutes have been played as a short back pass sends journeyman striker Clayton Donaldson through on goal, he’s running in at the keeper and should score but prods his shot onto the post, luckily strike partner Liam Waldock is homing in, he nets the rebound to put the home side one up. It looks comfortable for Gainsborough, but George Horbury has picked up the ball in midfield and is running, still running, he’s found himself running into the box, unchallenged as he’s now attempting to get a shot away, the loose bits have found striker Adam Boyes who does what he does best, the ball nestles home, you can hear a pin drop as I check to see it’s actually gone in, the few Marske supporters cheer, there’s certainly not very many in attendance tonight. I’m disappointed with the home fans who are equally as quiet, no chanting, plenty of chatting, Marske keeper Roxborough whacks a goal kick straight out of play which would usually get ironic jeers from buoyant home supporters, but nothing, he got away with that one, but I certainly noticed it. As some home fans start to show frustration following a dominant start only to be pegged back, proceedings take a huge upturn for Gainsborough as Jorge Sikora brings down Jack Dyche on the edge of the area, some think it’s a penalty, the Referee is slow to adjudge that it’s in fact a free kick, but in the meantime he’s already sent the Marske defender off for denying a goalscoring opportunity. Sikora trots back head down towards the tunnel. That gives the hosts more emphasis and they control the latter stages of the half without really penetrating the visiting barrier, the boards gone up for added minutes as Marske look set to be level at the interval with no doubt, Gainsborough boss Neal Bishop ready to rollock his lads despite their dominance in possession, a neat bit of football on the right though see’s winger Curtis Durose race through, he’s smashed home and put Trinity ahead, that’ll change the team talks at the break. The Score The home staff seem pleased at the break, all going their way they have seen their team score twice, after four matches without a goal, after four successive losses they sniff a win. But the second half starts sloppy, Gainsborough aren’t at it, Marske have come out fighting, and the away side are back level, a long throw-in volleyed home by Adam Boyes inside the area, two sniffs, two goals, the former England C international is a known non-league net bulger, so why was he left unmarked? Credit Neal Bishop who’s not happy, he immediately brings on Fraser Preston who they’ve recently snapped up from Alfreton Town, he’s a player I’ve previously stated my fondness of too, within a minute fellow sub George Hornshaw crosses low from the right to Preston who’s awaiting at the back post to finish from close range. That advantage sways actions in back favour of Gainsborough as Marske a man short need to come back and level for a third time, that won’t happen because goalkeeper Roxburgh has been caught out, a short headed back pass has him scurrying out of goal, Preston has an empty net to half volley back into from outside the area, it’s a mix up that costs Marske any chance of a comeback. 4-2 up and in control it’s time for Gainsborough to have more fun, enter Cogill and his left boot, he’s now enjoying spraying the ball more than ever, Isaac Rice is starting to look like Declan Rice, Bailey Conway is floating about, feeding his strike predators, Liam Waldock gets another, before Curtis Durose caps off a fine night. The Stars Cogill has a wand there’s no doubt about it, but can he defend? Well the jury’s out as he’s not really been asked so much, Marske after all twice scored, the centre forward he was marking twice scored. I’m most impressed with Bailey Conway who’s apparently nicknamed ‘Mascha’ after Javier Mascherano, I think he’s best in the creative third as can pick an eye for a pass, he’s gliding alongside skipper Isaac Rice who does a lot of Gainsborough’s un-noticed dog work. Curtis Durose has done well down the right, direct with an eye for goal, Fraser Preston brilliant off the bench, but Clayton Donaldson wins sponsors man of the match, he had a fabulous first half but filtered out in the second, 38-years young he’s tall, physical, deceivingly quick, he should however of had a goal, I turn to one of the clubs directors as he questions the ‘man of the match’ announcement and state “he’s the only forward who hasn’t scored”. For Marske, they were undone by their own defender who made a tough night an impossible night after getting wrong-sided to commit a foul when the scores were level, to be sent off. Whilst Sikora may get the blame, Boyes will get credit for making a fight of it, Donald Chimalilo was a constant threat whilst Jason Kennedy in midfield, an FA Youth Cup winner with Middlesbrough in his younger days, now aged 36, he put himself about and shown the quality and leadership that this team needs, during the latter stages of this season, to survive. The Verdict Marske are no doubt in the thick of it, twentieth in the division they might have seven games in hand on Nantwich in eighteenth but five points below safety, they’ll know the pressure is on to get out of trouble, and three games a week won’t help them during the business end of the season, as they search now desperately amongst their own hands, in which it's in, for survival. Gainsborough at the other end, look assured, and good quality, at home they’ve usually struggled this season, whilst away, they have the best form in the league. Outside the playoffs by just one point, it would be good to see them go up, as step six suits them, a big club in a small town, with a lovely proper football ground to strut their stuff on, the clubs Head Media guy Rob Hughes stating after the win “you can come again” to which I replied, “I’ll certainly be back”. The Teams Gainsborough Trinity: Matt Yates, Prosper Keto (George Hornshaw 46), Joseph West, Isaac Rice (Andrew Wright 70), Hayden Cann, Dylan Cogill, Curtis Durose, Bailey Conway, Clayton Donaldson, Liam Waldock, Jack Dyche (Fraser Preston 53). Marske United: Michael Roxburgh, Jordan Emery, Jorge Sikora, George Horbury, Alex Storey, Jason Kennedy, Ethan Vaughan (Alfie Doherty 46), Josh MacDonald, Adam Boyes, Donald Chimalilo (Niah Payne 74), Dylan McAvoy. 7:45pm Kick Off. Tuesday 7th February 2023, The Northolme, Gainsborough (att 350).