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Buxton 1-0 Southport (National League North) A quick pub quiz question for you... So, what's the highest football ground in England? Hands up if you said the Hawthorns? Home of West Bromwich Albion? At a mere 551 feet above sea level, it's certainly the highest football league ground in England, but of those outside the 92, there's quite a few who can trump that, the best of all, to my knowledge (and I'm sure I read something obscure recently that a parks pitch in Cornwall was even higher), at 1,000 feet or more, the highest of all English Stadia at least with a turnstile on entrance, belongs to Silverlands, the home of Buxton FC. Buxton is an hour or so from my house. A couple of weeks back, I even went for a ramble in the area at nearby Bakewell up to Monsal Head with its impressive looking viaduct and tunnel carved into the hills. Today I'm driving through the Peak District up and down the valleys into the busy town of Wirksworth, through Middleton where the skies suddenly turn as they do so often in these parts. It's dark grey over green fields as the rain suddenly pours down before brightening up, to my left misery and sleet, to my right, blue skies as I cross high peak with a panoramic and stunning view of middle England. I'm into Buxton as Arsenal are down against Aston Villa at half time in their Premier League game, skipping in and out of frequency on my car radio. The fiveways junction of this beautiful spa town brings a touch of Soho to North Derbyshire. The London Road pub looks hip and trendy opposite a Japanese sushi bar, there's even a couple of charity shops to go full W1 which was most unexpected on arrival in this part of presumed rural country. Route guidance directs me up Darwin Avenue before turning right onto Silverlands where I park, a residential street where house sizes are large, leafy as I make my walk up to the turnstile where I'm let in by the stewards who are most friendly, showing me through the gate and pointing me the right way. The Venue It's been ten years since I've been here last, a new carpet laid is all I see different. Gone is the grass for a cash churning 3g surface. It's probably needed in these parts where it can snow in September. The ground backs on to terraced houses in stone. A low roofed standing terrace in front of a handful of back gardens stretches the length of the pitch, to the right a small stand with roof, behind the opposite goal is nothing more than a walkway In front of a high concrete wall. The near side housing a large-seated stand on halfway. I'm debating whether to have a cuppa or not, but don't have any loose cash so head straight up to the press box where the Southport media guy is already setting up. It's a good view, back of the main stand and central as a few seats around house the odd home fan already perched long ahead of kick off, I get a lovely look out of the distant hills but can't see my left hand goal due to a huge grey floodlight in the way. The chairs quite far away from the table attached to the back wall, I’m already on the edge of my seat and the game hasn’t even yet kicked off. I'm chatting to the Southport guy who points out a couple of players to watch from the visitors. He says "Jordan Archer is as good as anyone in the league, on his day" whilst mentioning substitute, "Josh Miles is one for the future", noting "a few teams have been looking" at the teenage winger, stating "we should get good money for him". He's surprised Miles isn't in the team today. I've seen Southport in recent weeks and weren't impressed in their outing at Peterborough Sports in early January. I'm hoping for better against Buxton, both sides in lower mid table, my first viewing of the Bucks this season. They can play a bit I've been told, something their pitch probably allows them to do, long gone the slope from wing to wing, now a flat, wide synthetic, much inviting surface to have no excuses when 'trying' to knock it around on. The Game Southport are managed by Liam Watson who's the club's longest serving boss ever with over 600 games in charge of the Sandgrounders. Watson prefers 'non league' basics when it comes to tactics and even sets up his side's opening kick off in Rugby Union formation, ready to launch the ball straight into touch from the off, they clear their lines and whack it as far from their goal as possible a little too often in the first half, as Buxton themselves try to play on occasion, looking particularly dangerous down the sides. The Bucks Manager is Craig Elliott who was previously at Boston and Matlock and prior to that, the marvellously named all be it now dissolved Shaw Lane Aquafource, he certainly looks to be more positive in his own tactical philosophy, having confidence in allowing his team to play from the back. Left back Max Conway is happy to dribble out of defence and push forward, he links up with winger Jordan Barnett well whilst Connor Kirby keeps it ticking neatly in midfield. The home side press as Southport clear, quickly humping the ball back to restart a next opposition attack, the best chance of the first half is created on 23 when Jackson gets to the by-line down the right and dinks to the back post where Barnett is full stretch heading over from a couple of yards out. It looks harder to miss. The Score "Southport should be happy that" I say at the break, the home team have dominated but the visitors defence hasn't been breached. Jordan Archer and Connor Wood isolated up top, neither have hardly had a touch. I still think the longer they're still in it, the better chance they have, the game, which looks like a clash of two mid-table sides, will most certainly be decided by only one goal. As the smell of Bovril hits my nose from the Referee Assessors cup below my seat, the two teams are underway for the second period and it's Southport, slightly tweaking their formation with Wood now proving menace down the right wing, who have the chances to take the lead, Archer the best of them, heading over, unmarked, inside the six-yard box. A bit of fisticuffs behind the floodlight results in a couple of cautions, the Referees Assessor is leaning over me to get a good viewing as I've got my binoculars out to see who's at fault, it's all calm before the culprits are quickly substituted. A good decision I feel by Southport, who take Carberry off for Wood, he's more direct and runs at defenders down the left wing, but it's at the other end where the action decides the fate of this game. A handball shout on half way has the Southport players stop arms raised. Play carries on and Diego De Girolamo is set through, he still has a lot of work to do, running at the back four from just inside the opposition area, he jinks in field onto the edge of the box and hits low, left footed, a quality winner which oozes class. I've known about Diego a long while now, a Chesterfield lad of Italian heritage, it was former Alfreton Town midfielder John Knapper who told me about him when he was on the books of Sheffield United back in 2014, Knapper stating "he's a good player. He'll do well in the game". The former Italy youth international has been relatively quiet up to the point of goal, a bit of neat footwork and the odd moment of flamboyance aside, you hardly notice he's there, then, he does that! A goal where you simply have to nod, appreciate, and admit, 'that's class'. Buxton with Tom Elliott and Warren Clarke now on the pitch look confident and most likely to score again, they keep the ball well in the closing stages and even look more like adding, than conceding a leveller, before the Referee calls time on the day to the cheers of the 700 plus inside the Tarmac sponsored arena. The Stars Whilst the Neopolitan number nine will take the plaudits for Buxton due to his goalscoring exploits, I’m most impressed with their left side attacking threat where Max Conway and Jordan Barnett combine well to make it a miserable tough day for another lad who I like the look of, Southport’s Keenan Quansah who’s right back, thick set but not the sharpest turning circle, he looks like he has the talent to play in midfield but I’m told a right sided defender in a back three is where he looks most comfortable. Think Joe Gomez, talented and neat on the ball, but unsure where he’s quite at his best. It's another no frills viewing of Southport but centre half and captain Adam Anson is reliable and efficient in his 'get rid' policy, as is midfielder Charlie Munro who scraps around in the centre of the park, the odd time trying to get it down and play. Jordan Archer who I’m told is the agent of his brother Cameron, on loan from Aston Villa at Middlesbrough and firing on all cylinders right now, well he looks lost, perhaps his team don’t play enough to his strengths? That can’t be said about Connor Kirby in midfield who makes the home side tick, he’s exceptional with good movement and inventive passing, he’s joined late on by Tom Elliott and Warren Clarke as further attacking options of good quality, Buxton are relatively small in comparison to Southport, but have neat footballers who are not afraid to take on opponents, a very dangerous threat in the final third, in particular on the counter attack, and especially from wide positions. The Verdict Both Buxton and Southport I'm sure will be alright this season, although that’s twice now I’ve seen the Sandgrounders play and I've failed to have been impressed on each occasion, they’re organised and dogged, just lacking that bit of something extra, that bit of something which most of the sides above them, seem to have. Perhaps it's not in personnel, but tactics where they need to mix it? Most sides at the level can play, and fight, but those in the top half of the table know when it’s right to get rid, when to get a foothold, Southport don’t enjoy enough possession and can be very predictable, long throw-ins and set plays can only get you so far. As for Buxton, still not out of the woods themselves, but they can certainly play, and look to have a bit of togetherness, they'll be hoping to avoid getting dragged into the relegation scrap, but should have enough quality in attack, to steer well clear. The ground the highest is England, is one that is well worth a visit, if at the least for the magnificent drive over the Peaks to reach it, Buxton and Southport hadn’t played each other for 30 years before this season, but I’ll be confident to say that the fixture will return next campaign, for another National League North encounter. The Teams Buxton: Theo Richardson, Connor Brown, Max Conway, Josh Granite, Jordan Barnett (Tom Elliott 68), Connor Kirby, Diego De Girolamo, Jake Hull, Jak McCourt, Brad Jackson (Shaun Brisley 85), Joe Ackroyd (Warren Clarke 68). Southport: Tony McMillan, Charlie Oliver, Chris Doyle, Adam Anson, Connor Woods (Josh Miles 85), Charlie Munro, Jordan Archer, Tyler Walton (Connor Heath 85), Keenan Quansah, Jack Bainbridge, Michael Carberry (Niall Watson 67). 3:00pm Kick Off. Saturday 18th February 2023, Silverlands, Buxton (att 719).

Sheffield United 1-0 Charlton Athletic (Women’s Championship) The beauty of living where I do in Central England and working in football is having stone’s throw access to all these great historical clubs and homes where the game initially pioneered and spread globally from, all within an hour or so's commute of my own family patch. Sheffield, they say is the birthplace of association football. South Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire had a major say on the game’s growth during the early years in the nineteenth century. Sheffield FC of course the oldest of all, Notts County the oldest to appear in the football league. I was at Gainsborough Trinity on the Notts/Lincs border in midweek, they claim to have the oldest football ground, as do Mansfield Town at Field Mill, as does Sheffield United and Bramall Lane. The Women have only been playing here since the start of the season, Sheffield United’s men since 1889, previously a cricket ground built in 1850, one of the oldest global sporting venues still in use today. It's little over an hour from my door, up the M1 I’m onto the Sheffield Parkway A57 at junction 33, roads fairly quiet, skies dimly grey. Reaching the Park Square roundabout in the town centre, I’m directed down the A61 past the city’s railway station, it’s full of student digs, modern, high rise, as I pass the Sheffield Hallam University and onto Shoreham Street as the ground appears beyond the rows of terraced housing. The Venue I’m looking for somewhere to park. Cherry Street has no entry posts up and I can’t get down it, so I turn around and finally pull up on John Street outside the doors which says Sheffield United Executive Entrance. Usually permit only Mon-Sat, I’m falling lucky today on the sabbath as I press the button on my key fob to activate central locking before walking towards the stadium. The huge brick built stand is opposite a couple of car repair shops on a tight narrow street, I’m looking for the entrance to the ground, only one turnstile in operation today, it’s around the other side, in the Tony Currie Stand, I’m onto Bramall Lane itself, walking with my laptop bag over my shoulder in tracksuit and bobble hat, past the Cricketers Pub and the away end which used to be called the Jessica Ennis-Hill Stand. I’m through the car park of the Copthorne Hotel as I marvel elevated at a red, white and black structure that is the Tony Currie Stand down below, two statues in bronze outside the main entrance, Joe Shaw a footballer who played over 700 games for the Blades, Derek Dooley a former Chairman who ironically, made his name as a striker at cross city rivals Sheffield Wednesday. I’m directed to ‘Boundary Corner’ where the turnstiles are in operation. A friendly steward points me in as I walk through, popping a couple of quid into a charity box for Sheffield Hospital’s I’m given a pin badge with a Blades logo on, something I probably shouldn’t declare as a Nottingham Forest fan. A Tetley’s tea and a Boost is lunch for the day, I had a Ginsters pasty and a pack of Hoola Hoops on route and I’ve a Sunday dinner made up by the mother-in-law ready to go in the Microwave when I get back, I walk out to the turnstile ask a stewardess where I can sit and she says anywhere, I make it up a good ten or twelve rows before taking my pew. It’s a fabulous view, central, the arena enclosed, the away end to my left, huge spine tingling looking Kop to my right and family stand with corporate boxes opposite, the only stand in use the one I’m in, it’s painted red all around, the green surface below already has the players of both sides warming up on as a group of pigeons eat the grass seeds laid by the groundstaff in the far corner, the near touchline has a DJ, table and speakers on the by-line, pumping out some dance beats into the deafening tannoy system. The Game Sheffield United are second bottom, haven’t won in the league since September, their interim manager is absent so it’s an interim to the interim in charge today. Charlton have won their last eight, have an outside chance of promotion, are going well at an important stage of the campaign, I text my WhatsApp group of retired male amateur footballers, who probably aren’t interested, that they should get their money on Charlton today. Some fella’s sat in front of me, he’s arrived two minutes before kick-off and decided to not only park himself of all places, in the one seat in front of me, but he’s fucking standing up. There’s five rows behind where nobody is sat… WHY ME? I pick my laptop bag up and make way up the steps for the Press Box, ask a man who’s sitting up there on his own if I can join him, and take a seat on the back row, unobstructed, I now have a desk, with plug sockets, even USB slots, an even better view than before, until that idiot turned up at least. The teams are out as the cheers from below echo inside the largely enclosed chamber, both sets of girls take the knee prior to kick off as the Chip Butty song is sang by a few hundred of the thousand plus inside. The game is edgy, scrappy, the two sides look fairly even, Charlton the better in possession, but United look good on the break, there’s half an hour of ‘defences on top’ before the Blades win the first corner of the game, Sophie Barker in-swinging against the bar as the ball falls down inside the area, a header is cleared off the line and out of play as the Referee begins a long discussion with her lineswoman to find out if indeed the ball actually went in? Nothing doing, United take their corner before a Charlton resurgence tests the home sides back four, Addison the Addick who’s four foot nothing, a tiny winger shoots off target, Stenson in goal is forced to make one save, but neither keeper is particularly busy. The Score Charlton are on the attack with players up for a corner but a clearance falls to Sophie Barker who’s like a powerhouse through the midfield, she’s bursting forward for United before playing in Georgia Walters through on goal, in the left hand channel now Walters cuts in and places home right footed to give the home team a half time lead. Big celebrations, a big goal for United who are looking to quash the threat of relegation with bottom club Coventry United below them showing some fight of late. That goal sets the mood for half time as the DJ re-enters pitchside, the players come out in the second half and United cling convincingly on to what they’ve got, it’s not pretty but they fend off any Charlton threat, Walters has a free kick narrowly wide, before she heads over an opportunity to seal victory for the better team on the day. Charlton do have a chance late on as Hennessy fires wide from inside the area, the sort of opportunity when missed, you start to get the feeling it’s not going to be your day. That day belonging deservedly to United, as the game headed into seven minutes of injury time you could feel the nerves of the fans inside the stadium, ‘head it, kick it, get rid’ they shout, but United looked comfortable for their lead, the away side perhaps under-estimating their opponents on the day, the home side were up for it, and organised, and more clinical in the final third when they had their big match-winning opportunity. The Stars Georgia Walters in coolly scoring the winner proved the difference and she was certainly one of United’s better players, operating largely from the left-hand side of midfield but often cutting in with educated runs towards the penalty area, she's a decent presence and calm on the ball, she took her goal very well. Bex Rayner was another player who impressed, busy off the ball, forward thinking on it, dangerous when wide one v one, Sophie Barker was superb in the centre of the park and defensively United were at the races, not often giving Charlton many sights at goal, although I was slightly disappointed with Alethea Paul who did superbly when I last watched the Blades play Forest in the FA Cup. Despite defeat and abject overall performance, you could see the class in some of the Addicks players and I really liked Elisha N’dow, a centre back who lasted only sixty minutes, taken off on a booking, sacrificed as Charlton brought on an attacker, she looked athletic and calm defensively, a former England U19 international, has previously played for Aston Villa in the WSL and I’m sure she’ll return to the top flight at some point soon. Other players with WSL potential include Melissa Johnson, a forward who drives with the ball well, whilst winger Angela Addison, a summer signing from Tottenham, is a player who poses a real menace from the left hand side, low centre of gravity, always looking to run at defenders and put balls into the box. Another new signing this season for Charlton is midfielder/striker Freda Ayisi. She came on in the number ten role during a late cameo and proved a menace, now 28 the former Arsenal and Birmingham player is one that could hold the key to unlocking opposition doors for Charlton during the remainder of the season. The Verdict Bramall Lane is a proper football ground, no doubt about that, Sheffield is a great city and the friendly South Yorkshire welcome I always get is one that I’m always respectful of, when I make the short trip north up the M1. Charlton, they’ll be heading south down the same motorway very disappointed over their 3 hour journey back to the capital, whilst the Blades will be buoyant that their win can lift them away towards safety, the only disappointing thing on the day, is that bottom club Coventry also won, the table proppers have not given up the fight for survival, quite yet. United will need more wins like this, to keep them affloat. The Teams Sheffield United: Fran Stenson, Charlotte Newsham, Sophie Barker, Naomi Hartley, Grace Riglar, Courtney Sweetman-Kirk (Ellie Wilson 90), Maddy Cusack (Tamara Wilcock 77), Bex Rayner, Alethea Paul, Georgia Walters (Rhema Lord-Mears 77), Sophie Haywood (Mia Enderby 68). Charlton Athletic: Sian Rogers, Elisha N'dow (Freda Ayisi 60), Melissa Johnson, Emma Follis, Emily Simpkins (Sophie O'Rourke 77), Laura Bruton (Lois Roche 88), Angela Addison (Alex Hennessy 77), Kiera Skeels, Bethan Roe (Heidi Logan 88), Corinne Henson, Mia Ross. 2:00pm Kick Off. Sunday 12th February 2023, Bramall Lane, Sheffield (att 1,117).

Sheffield United 3-0 Nottingham Forest (Women’s FA Cup Round Three) I’ve seen some iconic matches between Nottingham Forest and Sheffield United in the past. No Forest fan (old enough) will ever forget Brian Clough’s last home game at the City Ground, a 2-0 loss at the end of the opening season of the Premier League which meant relegation for the Reds as the legendary Old Big Ed retired with a minor blot on his copybook. In 2003 the two teams did battle in the First Division Playoffs which was decided in a classic match at Bramall Lane by a Des Walker own goal. I remember a 3-0 FA Cup thumping at the City Ground a year after when walking over the Lady Bridge on the way back a United fan stated “that’s the worst I’ve ever seen Nottingham Forest play”. Another cup encounter came in 2014 when the Blades, then in League One, managed by Nigel Clough, knocked Championship Forest out at the fifth round stage, then in May 2022, some good news at last, although I missed the first leg as I was enjoying hospitality at the cup final between Liverpool & Chelsea, I watched the second leg of the playoffs in the stands as Forest lost again, but went through on penalties to spark scenes I’ve not seen at the City Ground before. In fact come to think of it, I’ve never seen Forest beat United, which bodes not so well as I’m heading up to see the women’s teams face each other in the FA Cup, in a game played at Glanford Park, Scunthorpe, a town and a stadium I’ve always wanted to visit. It’s just gone 10am Sunday morning and I'm aiming to reach 'Scunny' by midday, so I set off down the A46 towards Newark & Lincoln, a chill in the air but it’s bright, and thankfully little on the roads as I set my speedometer to 65mph. I stop off to get some cash at a petrol station near the A1, £1.95 they charge to take my money out, I would have gone to Greggs next door had it not been so expensive already, so I swerve my need for breakfast and carry along the old (all be it modernised) roman road Fosse Way before joining the equally straight A15 which remarkably only seems to curve for the runway at RAF Scampton. It’s under an hour and a half journey from Nottingham as I hit the M180 and M181 taking me directly to the ground on the outskirts of town. The Venue I had an Aerofilms Football Grounds guide written by Dave Twydell in the early 1990s. It featured all 92 league clubs’ venues (as well as Wembley) and amongst the magnificent stadium pics taken by the sky I was always marvelled by two smaller homes in the Bescot at Walsall and Glanford Park, home of Scunthorpe United, both recently built in a small square bowl like shape on the edge of town. Everything looked new, white roofs and large car park spaces, nothing for miles, it felt like the future of football, and I think part of me was expecting it still to look the same today. Spotting the floodlights in the distance I reach the A18 roundabout where there’s a Tesco, Pizza Hut, McDonalds, B&Q, Next, TK Maxx, you name it, they have it, a modern retail centre that has been built entirely since the stadium first opened its doors 30 years ago. But as I aim straight for the gates in between Kwik Fit & Burger King, I’m met by a miserable grey monstrosity that is covered in banners, everything about it looks dejected and decrepit, uncared for and left alone, Scunthorpe United are currently bottom of the National League and could be heading down to the sixth tier of English football next season, the venue won’t even be the best in the National League North. I pay my £3 to park my car as I’m navigated to pretty much ‘anywhere’ I like, pulling up I notice the Red logo emblazoned Forest bus is already here. I’m out my car and heading for an entrance where a steward tells me gates open at 12pm, I’ve got fifteen minutes to wait so head back to the warmth and listen to the radio, Max Rushden and Barry Glendenning are on TalkSport, their light heartedness always soft listening on a Sunday morning. It’s 12pm so I head for the turnstile, just one open today, right around the back of the ground in the away end where both teams’ fans are allowed to mingle. Sheffield United usually play at Bramall Lane but switched the tie after the original match was postponed in December. There’s around ten or twenty of us queueing outside to get in as the players are on the pitch warming up, apparently the turnstile operator is not here yet, after ten minutes wait we are finally allowed in, £7 cash through the tight fitting entrance and straight to the single kiosk under the stand for a steak pie and cup of tea. The pie is pukka, stale as anything but hot, pastry like cardboard, it has probably been standing there since yesterday where Scunny got a rare win against Maidenhead, the tea is PG tips and for a total cost of £6 (card only) I’m fully fuelled ahead of my football fest. Out the entrance towards the seats I notice the fans are all behind the goal, preferring a side on view I ask the steward nicely if I can move and she points me to a fella who’s on the phone as I wait for him to finish talking for a good five minutes. He tells me ‘there’s only 200 or so in today so probably not’. I park myself up in the corner out of trouble, and to be fair it’s not a bad spot, five or six rows up you get pretty much unrestricted viewing but for a single post in your right view mirror. The ground all be it warn and unloved has something about it, the rustic Rainham Steel made arena largely grey with a touch of claret and blue. The Game Although struggling third bottom in the Women’s Championship, Sheffield United are slight favourites against Forest, going well a league below, second behind Wolves in the National North. United start and pass between their back four at ease, the women’s game always feels less hectic and more stretched than the men’s with both defences enjoying playing out from the back, it feels United are more competent on the ball, getting it wide to get crosses in, I’m impressed with the tiny left sider Alethea Paul who is neat on the ball and interchanges well, in contrast, Forest’s Charlotte Greengrass in centre midfield is huge, legs of Patrick Vieira, looks of Emmanuel Petit, she carries the ball forward with power and boy can she tackle with force. The Reds are more direct whilst the Blades have most of the possession, the first half ends goalless and as I stand up to stretch my legs I ponder the thought of extra time and getting back home later than I had hoped. The Score No issues with that though, just two minutes into the second half and Mia Enderby has two chances of crossing before picking out Courtney Sweetman-Kirk who bundles home from close range. United are then two to the good with a former Forest player scoring a cracker against her old club. Bex Rayner letting go from the edge of the area, a stunning curling strike that finds the top corner of the net. Rayner celebrates in front of the crowd as United prove worthy leaders, a Forest fightback almost instantly gives them the chance to pull one back but too frequently the Reds are picked off, and but for Emily Batty in the away team goal it could be more, it eventually is more, Mia Enderby getting a deserved goal slotting in at the back post to ensure any doubt of who plays Manchester City in round four is quashed. The Stars Enderby at seventeen looks a real prospect, a right winger who likes to run at defenders and get crosses into the box, uncomplicated. Bex Rayner puts a shift in and is rewarded with the goal of the game whilst Sweetman-Kirk strikes a lovely ball and certainly knows where the net is. I like the look of the United left side where Alethea Paul and Georgia Walters link well together. Paul is an ex-Manchester City youth cup winner who did also appear in the first team before moving to the Blades, I wonder if she’ll step up to WSL level again in good time? For Nottingham Forest, there’s not much gulf in quality of football on show, but a slight difference perhaps in fitness and physique, the Reds looked to be carrying a couple compared to the leaner looking United who’s bench also had more depth of quality, Forest did have their moments and looked capable on the break, Greengrass was a colossus in midfield whilst Hayley James looked to drive the ball out of defence, Lyndsey Harkin tirelessly talking to her team-mates a good captain and role model for her younger peers. The Verdict There’s something about Scunthorpe which I really like… The stadium is grim, really grim, but I like that. The paint is peeling off the walls, the lights in the corridors for the men’s toilets not even switched on, I imagine the away end full to the rafters and smelling of smoke, the queue for crap food at half time before getting to the counter to be told they’ve ran out. No such problems in women’s football where due to the low attendance the stadium feels spacious and sufficient for such event. Sheffield United might survive relegation this season because having seen the two teams below them play, I can state they aren’t as bad as Coventry United at least, much better in fact, and so are Nottingham Forest, who I wonder, could they make the step up in the summer? The Reds have two games in hand on Wolves and are three points below the top of the table team, with no FA cup distraction to worry about they may feel that concentration can thoroughly be focused on promotion to the next level, where they'll hope to see United, again, next season. The Teams Sheffield United: Bethan Davies, Charlotte Newsham (Ellie Wilson 86), Sophie Barker, Naomi Hartley, Grace Riglar (Molly Graham 86), Courtney Sweetman-Kirk, Rebecca Rayner (Rachel Brown 78), Alethea Paul, Georgia Walters (Tamara Wilcock 74), Rhema Lord-Mears, Mia Enderby (Chene Muir 86). Nottingham Forest: Emily Batty, Lyndsey Harkin, Georgia Hewitt, Olivia Cook (Niamh Reynolds 73), Sophie Domingo (Gianna Mitchell 73), Yasmin Mosby (Rosetta Taylor 84), Amy West, Arryana Daniels (Charlotte Steggles 58), Becky Anderson, Hayley James, Charlotte Greengrass (Naomi Powell 73). 1:00pm Kick Off. Sunday 8th January 2023, Glanford Park, Scunthorpe (att 200).

Boston United 2-2 Scarborough Athletic (National League North) I've had a hat-trick of postponements due to the recent wintery weather. Nuneaton v Basford, Kings Lynn v Fylde, Stratford v Redditch, all annoyingly falling foul to January Jack Frost. But I'm optimistic about this one, the temperature is rising and the sun is out, I'm walking the dog by the River Trent, taking in sights such as the City Ground, Trent Bridge Cricket Ground and the War Memorial Gardens of Victoria Embankment. It's lovely outside as I walk to Wilford Toll Bridge and back. I pick up the wife from her gym near the Nottingham Forest stadium before heading home for a quick bacon sandwich and cuppa ahead of my road trip to Boston, a now familiar stomping ground of mine. It's a little after twelve as I make my move down the A52. I'm onto the A1 at Grantham as despite my reluctance, Sat Nav always tells me so, I'm heading south past signs for London before being redirected off, down a single track country road which I've previously fallen foul of… it's got a road closed sign still up from my first visit to the Jakemans earlier in the season, I'm now doubling back on myself, fuming because I didn't trust my gut to head straight down the A52. I end up in Grantham town centre, which I tried to avoid in the first place, where I'm now stuck as cars are queuing up to get into a McDonalds drive-thru. I've no time to wait as patience is wearing thin so overtake a row of three souped-up hatchbacks all attempting to turn right, parked carelessly in the middle of the road, holding up everything behind them for their cheap lunchtime fast food fix. Finally heading east and away from burger rage by now the cloud covering the sky as Walsall host Leicester in the FA Cup live on my car radio via TalkSport, I'm through the villages of Threekingham and Donington before crossing the A17 heading for Kirton End and Wyberton where I pull up after 90 minutes drive at my usual spot just off Wallace Way. The Venue It's the first time I've been here in daylight. Usually opting to work midweekers in the dark it's nice to actually see the stadium without the need to be lit up by those funky floodlights they have installed. I'm crossing the A16, passing Costa, the cloud above making it all look very grey and dim, as the odd fan in front crosses my path I walk through the car park to main reception, and get a huge whiff of deep heat, not sure where it's coming from, I suspect the physio is close by. I'm through the glass doors where I collect my ticket next to a small but modern looking club shop selling replica kit and scarves. The woman on the counter saying "you're new here aren't you" as I explain "I've been a couple of times this season". Through the turnstile gate, zapped in on arrival, I head straight to the kiosk and although I'm tempted by the stunning pie, chips and gravy on offer, I've promised the wife fish and chips tonight so instead opt for a tea and a twix at the cost of £2. Out towards the playing surface and up to my seat in the press area, the calm before the storm is interrupted by some playing kids whose parents have corporate passes. The little bleeders are running up and down aisles in front of the hospitality boxes like it's a soft play centre shouting and screaming, credit to mum who comes out with a glass of wine and tells them to 'calm down'. BBC Radio Lincs is here, as always, the head commentator Dave Remnant telling me there’s around seven new faces in the Boston squad since my last visit, as I look around the mostly empty arena with an hour to go before kick-off, pitch looking spot on, the grey structured three side stadium under the grey skies brightened only by the vast green surface and touch of yellow and black of the seats beneath my own elevated pew. The Game It's my first viewing of Scarborough today. Or Scarborough Athletic as they've more recently become. Another one of those Phoenix things, rising through the ashes of financial failure, Scarborough FC dating back to 1879 are non-league staples, they won the FA Trophy three times in the 1970's and became founder members of what is now known as the National League, they were the first ever team promoted (rather than elected) to the football league in 1987, when Neil Warnock, remember him? Led the Seadogs to the Conference Championship. After twelve years in the football league followed by a further seven in the fifth tier before back-to-back relegations, in 2007 Scarborough were wound up with debts of £2.5m. Enter Scarborough Athletic, formed by a supporters trust, starting in the Northern Counties East League they have since slowly risen again to prominence. In fact, Boston are similar in stature, both teams flirted in the football league, facing eachother in the Conference during the early noughties, both have since fallen from grace, both optimistic that with new stadiums and new funding, their futures are both bright. But whilst Scarborough currently sit in the playoff places in fifth, Boston's form has not been great, in recent weeks slipping down the table, they've had more players than a crap nightclub's VIP section. Manager Ian Culverhouse likes a tinker, but I get the feeling fans aren't happy, the club are only out of the relegation places on goal difference, four new players start today, top scorer Scott Pollock is on the bench, he's been attracting interest from the league above. The Score Only Darlington in the National League North have scored more than Scarborough, whilst no team has conceded more than Boston, who themselves score plenty, the visitors are also known for letting in a few too, today we are guaranteed goals, and it seems as soon as the sides are out, the scoreboard starts to tick over. 66 seconds in fact, is when goal number one is scored. A corner put into the area, headed in by unmarked youngster Ciaran McGuckin, the Rotherham United loanee just 19 years old given the freedom of the Jakemans’ to put his temporary home ahead, Tiernan Brooks the Boston goalkeeper on loan from Notts County, on debut, is asked to retrieve the ball out of the net for his first touch in Pilgrims grey. He had an equally miserable time doing much the same at Hednesford prior to this latest move. Despite being behind, Boston knock it about well, and their response is immediate, a first corner for themselves on eight minutes is crossed into the box where skipper Luke Shiels heads towards goal, the keeper Cracknell gets hands on it but can't keep it from crossing the line, 1-1 and little wonder how the club's don't do clean sheets when they can't even defend simple set plays. I count three debutants for Boston who look slightly the better team going into the half time break, all Jo Cummings needs to do is usher the ball out of play but he's unstuck near his own corner flag, McGuckin robs him and runs through to smash home Scarborough's second as the home fans exodus their seats to grab a pie, a coffee or a beer. It's more than the away side deserve 45 in, but I'm sure Manager Jonathan Greening and the travelling army of 100 plus will take it. The former Manchester United midfielder has a problem though, his two-goal hero McGuckin fails to come out for the second half, replaced by a defender in former Boston left back Ashley Jackson, the intentions look like 'settling for' as Scarborough go early at shutting up shop. It's a risky move which allows Boston to start the second half in full control, dominating possession they look to level and should have done so through another recent signing, Tre Mitson, who heads a cross straight into the keepers arms. It's the first header he's won all game, the fans frustrated with his performance, are now getting restless with their centre forward who doesn’t look a patch on those he’s replaced. Enter Ian Culverhouse. Not the popular TalkSport game created by Max Rushden but the Boston manager (who the game was named after) who I said likes a tinker… He brings on three strikers in addition to the two already on the pitch… and the gamble pays off as one of those, Jake Wright gets in to smash home low a leveller on 79. The game opens up late on as both sides go for the win but the later it gets the more each agrees to shake on a point. I tell a fan who I were chatting to at half time "It could have been worse" upon the whistle, she's now focusing on the next one, stating "the big game is Tuesday" as Boston face Kettering, a point and a place below them in the table, 21st in the top relegation slot. The Stars Scarborough playmaker Kieran Glynn is short and slim in centre midfield with lovely feet, he looks for that dink over the top that strikers relish to run onto. The Seadogs midfield has another creative player with guile, in Luca Colville, whilst Bailey Gooda from full back gets forward well down the right, you can see why Scarborough score so many goals, the defender linking well with winger Ryan Watson with freedom. Their on-loan centre forward Ciaran McGukin looks like one to watch for the future. A 6ft 2in Northern Irish international with certainly an eye for goal. For Boston, I hear he's not been playing well of late but I say to a fan, “they should build the team around Sam McLintock” who's passing range is as good as I've seen at the level, thread of the needle stuff when it needs to be, he can switch play comfortably and knock a good forty yard ball to feet. The slide rule balls he plays are made for strikers like Scott Pollock and Jake Wright to run onto. Of their new players, Lirak Hasani shows glimpses of fast footwork whilst Zak Goodson is busy in attack, but it's the old guard I'm most impressed with, the experienced Zak Mills has a solid game at right back, Jordan Burrow comes on and wins more headers in the fifteen or so on the pitch than Mitson does for the whole ninety. Luke Shiels is announced man of the match as the radio commentator Dave states to his listeners ‘he’s the sort of name you see on a team sheet and feel at ease with, knowing he’ll always give 100% and hardly puts a foot wrong”. The Verdict With Scott Pollock eyeing interest it looks like Boston Manager Ian Culverhouse is preparing for his star striker leaving with new loan additions but speaking with some fans it seems these “temporary fixes” are not working, but playing at the Jakemans is an attractive proposition and Boston do have pull, they have good enough players to score goals already, it just seems keeping them out is more of a problem. For Scarborough, they’ve hit their own sticky patch and have won just once in five, like Boston they can’t keep them out, but the stability they have in selection is the difference in league position. Tuesday is key for both teams as Boston face a relegation six-pointer in Kettering away, whilst Scarborough host fourth placed Brackley who are four points above the Seadogs. If both teams come out of these testing games, relatively unscathed, then they’ll probably be where they need to be come the end of the season, should they not, well the pressure to get there, will be starting, like the weather, to get that bit warmer. The Teams Boston United: Tiernan Brooks, Ethan Sephton, Tom Platt, Luke Shiels, Tre Mitford, Zak Goodson, Billy Chadwick (Jordan Burrow 62), Sam McLintock, Zak Mills, Jo Cummings (Jake Wright 62), Lirak Hasani (Scott Pollock 68). Scarborough Athletic: Joe Cracknell, Kieran Weledji, Kieran Burton, Lewis Maloney, Bailey Gooda, Ryan Watson, Michael Coulson, Ciaran McGuckin (Ashley Jackson 46), Alex Wiles (Emmanuel Ilesanmi 81), Kieran Glynn (Simon Heslop 74), Luca Colville. 3:00pm Kick Off. Saturday 28th January 2023, Jakemans Stadium, Boston (att 1,726).

Leicester City 2-2 Reading (Women’s FA Cup Round Four) *2-3 pens aet I stopped off at George’s on my way back from Boston to treat the wife to fish and chips last night, that earned brownie points but today she’s not happy as I’m out again, but not until I’ve done the weekly dog meet and updated my blog of course, 2pm I leave for Burton, the venue for Sundays game between Leicester City and Reading Women in the fourth round of the FA Cup. I originally okayed the trip on the belief that the Foxes were hosting the match at the King Power Stadium, which is 24 miles and 45 minutes away from my home, no bother though as Burton’s Pirelli Stadium is 28 miles but 38 minutes away, that’s seven minutes I’m thinking I’ll get back later, to please the wife. I’m on the A453 heading out of Nottingham where there’s a new town being built, Fairham will be the counties answer to Milton Keynes with rows of residential and ‘huge’ industrial units going in, the size of Clifton it will grow the city further but more importantly add new jobs. Passing the Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station I’m over the M1 onto the A50 where I come off at the A38 and finally into the back end of Burton-upon-Trent where I spot a stunning looking football ground on my left, which I’ve never previously seen before. It’s a single parks pitch hidden behind the bushes with the backdrop of an old Victorian Pumping Station which I Google is called Claymills, “what a place”, I think, to play and enjoy the beautiful game of football. Driving down the Derby Road A5121, I pass an Arnold Clark showroom and McDonalds and the Beech Pub which I’ve frequented a couple of times with Nottingham Forest, a friendly boozer which always welcomes away fans. You can see the HQ of Pirelli as you pass a number of factories and industrial units before the Brewers Stadium catches the eye on the right, I pull in at the main entrance where I’m asked to pay £5 to park ‘anywhere’ I like. The Venue I’ve been here a few times now and ironically, it’s one of the few stadiums where I’ve been in ‘every’ stand. I head around the side of the ground to the main entrance where I’m told my ticket is waiting in the club shop, a small box room littered with kit, calendars and cuddly toys. From the outside the stadium is modern, simplistic, but elegant looking, spacious with plenty of car parking, I always feel like it’s a friendly place, a brilliantly ran club who’s staff go out their way to make you feel welcome. My seat for the day is in the Main Stand which is the only seated section of the four sides usually on offer. Not many in today, it’s the only stand available, I’m third in the queue for a cup of coffee, a Douwe Egberts of average standard, I’m heading out from under the stand though as someone in the kitchen is burning the chips, the place stinks of fat as I head through the haze and into the open up to row H, which is only four off the back, although the last two look reserved for corporate box hospitality, not that they’ll be needed today. It's pleasant outlooking onto the arena, the pitch itself raised in the middle, dropping down wing to wing for drainage purposes, the four stands similar height, all terraced bar the one I’m sitting in, the one to the left and opposite decorated with Burton Albion flags, the one on the right behind the goal is used to house away fans. The Game Both teams lost 1-0 against Manchester Galactico’s last time out, Reading beaten by United who head the WSL table, whilst Leicester were beaten by City in the League Cup, the Foxes have been busy in the transfer market this week, bottom of the league but improving under Willie Kirk, Reading just two places above them in tenth, although form should go out of the window today, I see this as a tightly contested match with anyone who’s more ‘up for the cup’ going through. It's a frantic start but whilst Leicester press, they’re unstuck at the other end as a gap opens up in their own box where Danish attacker Sanne Troelsgaard is standing, waiting to place home. The Foxes picked off on the counter-attack with just five minutes played. The Royals are the better of the two teams early on but a cheap free kick ahead of the half hour is conceded and Jemma Purfield puts one into the box where Sam Tierney heads home to level, a lovely flick from a player who’s engine seems to run on E10, getting around the pitch with little wastage, she’s always in the thick, economical with her runs, often timing things just right to make her stance on the game. The half bows out with a barrage of throw-ins, the ball seems to be out of the pitch more than in it, the ball thrice clearing the stand to the joy of two male supporters in particular, who each time sing “are you playing Rugby League”. At the interval I start to feel the January chill and ponder the thought that this could go to extra time, there’s not much between the two sides and neither look too hot up top, I’m sitting watching the second half freezing my knackers off but have a couple of rechargeable handwarmers my wife brought me for Christmas which offer some saving grace. During the second half, Reading goalkeeper Grace Maloney is forced into two fantastic saves to keep the game level, both down to her right the first is an exceptional stop as she palms a low drive from Baker away from creeping into her far corner, a second again diving to her right this time like Gordon Banks in 1970 as Goodwin plays Pele with her header down towards goal. The Score It’s level at ninety and there’s children in front of me asking their parents to take them home, it’s a cold one with the sun long gone dropped beneath the horizon, now the sky lit up only by the Pirelli Floodlights in otherwise middle England darkness. I’m checking my watch at the thought of penalties, and that seven minutes I’d hoped to save to surprise the wife, she’s not going to be happy, I’m stood up stretching my legs as the two sets of players huddle on the pitch to ‘go again’ after drinks and instructions are taken on board. Leicester are progressive, they have been most of the match, in fact they dominated the second half which for the final twenty minutes was a cracking advertisement of women’s football, no nonsense, just get it forward and go for it, fast paced attack from both teams, end to end, and it’s the Foxes who’ve started the better in extra time. They’re inside the box and Hannah Cain is lurking, the Welsh International a second half sub is fresh and smashes home left footed what looks to be a massive goal for Leicester, could it be the winner? I’m still thinking there’s a twist yet to tell. And that twist comes just ten minutes later, neither side look like they have the ability to ‘close out games’ and Reading level as Emma Mukundi, the captain, who’s been left back, right back, now she’s up front, she’s ran through to place past Leitzig, the Royals best player capping her game off with a goal. The second half of extra time see’s more nervy action from front to back but now the girls are tiring and everytime a fan stands in the search of something happening they sit back down as the defence comes out on top, the Referee who started the game a woman, and ended, as a man (I’m not sure how it happened either?), blows for full time and takes the game to a shootout, which favourably, are decided take place, nearer, to the end which I’m sitting. By now I’m stood up, back row level with the eighteen yard box as the first two penalties are scored with ease, Leicester first, Reading second, but Hannah Cain misses her spot kick for the Foxes and when Natasha Dowie, a 119th minute sub, dispatches hers, the advantage is with the away side, furthered when Ashleigh Plumptre’s effort is saved. Reading score through the reliable Mukandi, never in doubt, before Leicester’s new signing Georgia Eaton-Collins nets her attempt, it’s shoot to win as Deanna Cooper steps up, but her spot kick is saved as I turn to a Burton official and state “this game is never going to end”. Carrie Jones however has a final kick to save Leicester from exit, she’s nervous and can’t beat the goalkeeper who’s probably now earned herself a worthy player of the match award, the celebrations see a number of travelling fans at the side of the pitch applauding the players in front of them, which cues me to make a sharp exit and get quickly in the warmth of my car. The Stars I’m disappointed with Leicester’s Missy Goodwin who was my ‘favourite fox’ from the recent win over Brighton. Really impressive though was Ava Baker in attack, pacey and physical a nuisance, she’s diminutive, only seventeen but really puts a shift in and gives defenders that panic when rushing onto balls over, or around, the top. Sam Tierney is a real warrior, a defender who’s found a new lease in Leicester’s midfield, she’s combative and intelligent, her timely runs have seen her score three goals in her last four matches. For Reading I’m instantly fixed towards giant midfielder Justine Vanhaevermaet who looks like a netball goal-attack, tall, solid, long blonde hair, striking, the Belgian international is a colossus in midfield but the longer the game goes the more I want to see her get the ball, dictate and impose herself with strength, which if I were that size, I would certainly use it more to my advantage. Opposites in size and stature is wee little Emma Mukandi a Scottish international of 67 caps who starts the game at right back, but what she lacks in height, her football brain is smart, her footwork neat, she never misses a pass, she has a calming assurance and is a player with quality, her goal in extra time key to Reading going through. Another key to the Royals progression is goalkeeper Grace Maloney, the Republic of Ireland shot stopper is magnificent on the day and it’s her reflexes that play pivotal in Reading reaching round five, where next up the last sixteen of the FA Cup awaits. The Verdict Both teams were very even which made for an enthralling spectacle, I’ll be interested to see how Leicester do over the coming weeks as they could go one way, and fight for WSL survival or the other, and down tools off the back of a couple of bad results, but I see enough in their make-up to show progression and promise, the differences on the day between success and failure, very minimal, the intrinsic of football frustrating, because they probably edged the tie on points, but paid the penalty, when it really mattered. The Teams Leicester City: Janina Leitzig, Sam Tierney, CJ Bott, Molly Pike (Carrie Jones 46), Aileen Whelan, Sophie Howard, Missy Goodwin (Hannah Cain 71), Ashleigh Plumptre, Jemma Purfield (Courtney Nevin 82), Ruby Mace (Georgia Eaton-Collins 90), Ava Baker (Erin Simon 105). Reading: Grace Moloney, Emma Mukandi, Gemma Evans (Natasha Dowie 120), Charlie Wellings (Tia Primmer 81), Amalie Eikeland, Emma Harries (Lauren Wade 59), Deanna Cooper, Rachel Rowe, Justine Vanhaevermaet, Lily Woodham (Faye Bryson 59), Sanne Troelsgaard (Jade Moore 59). 4pm Kick Off. Sunday 29th January 2023, Pirelli Stadium, Burton (att 207).

Leicester City 3-0 Brighton & Hove Albion (Women's Super League) I was supposed to be at Matlock v Marine on Tuesday night, but the weather had me beaten. It’s the second time a game which I was scheduled to go to this season at Causeway Lane had been postponed, I’m sure I’ll get my fish & chips stop off at Matlock Bath in due course. No matches booked in for Saturday as the wife’s got me running around after her, so Sunday it is and another ‘football de feminine’ for my feast as the WSL returns from its winter break. Bottom side Leicester taking on second bottom Brighton in the proverbial ‘relegation six pointer’. Last league match was at the King Power Stadium which I attended as the Foxes were thumped 8-0 by Chelsea, since then they beat Women’s Championship outfit Sunderland 5-0 in midweek, a League Cup game that allowed Willie Kirk’s team to dust off some cobwebs. Brighton themselves not having that luxury as they last played against Manchester City, way back on December 4th. We’ve taken the dog out to see his friends at the local Beagle meet and I’m running around Gamston Morrisons getting some bits in before heading home for a cuppa and setting off just after 1pm as I head south from Nottingham down the A46 to Leicester. Sat Nav’s taking me a different route as I’m off the Leicester Western Bypass at Wanlip, a pretty looking village, before coming in to Birstall, which has a mix of Council Houses and Million-pound homes to look at. Past the back of Watermead Country Park I’m on to the A6 and past Abbey Park, it’s a clear day, cold but bright as I drive down Vaughan Way in the city centre before coming to HMP Leicester and Leicester Tigers Rugby Club on Welford Road. Straight down Brazil Street I’ve gone too far down Lineker Road, the site of the old Filbert Street Stadium which is now student flats, before I turn around onto Burnmoor Street before seeing the King Power Stadium in my windscreen, pulling up in car park C across the road. The Venue The beauty of women’s football is getting to this stadium is so much more accessible with only a small number of fans in comparison to when the men’s team play. Parking opposite you cross the road where the stadium stands alone, nothing much around here, other than a couple of car dealerships and a Holiday Inn, the roads aren’t even busy as I walk towards the Foxes Fanstore and sit down, on a bench near the statue of previous owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha who tragically died five years ago in a helicopter crash. It's 2pm, an hour before kick off as I walk over towards the entrances, accessing turnstile one of the West Stand I scan my mobile app and go through the barriers and into the concourse underneath the stand. A quick pitstop before ordering a brew and a twirl at the kiosk, I’m served half a cup of tea and a firm cold chocolate bar for £4.50 which I pay contactless. Up the stairs and out into the stadium open, the girls are warming up as I head up the steps towards my seat, the vast blue arena laid with green carpet in fine nick, I find some comfy padded seats towards the top of the stand, level with the eighteen yard box of the North Stand goal (the sections don’t seem to yet have the most imaginative of names? We still await the naming of the Claudio Ranieri Stand which is to surely one day come). The Game There’s a fella sat in front of me who’s at his first women’s game this season, he used to go to watch the men but it became too expensive so stopped going when they got to the Premier League. It’s £4 for him as an OAP. He’s already booking his ticket for the next home game v Manchester City, excited that he can get the Park & Ride from Enderby, it’s an 11:30am kick off on Saturday 4th February, telling me he’ll ‘get off at Aylestone Road and walk across’. The game kicks off after a familiar rendition of Kasabian's Club Foot and the teams are read out (by a lady) as the players pose for pictures in front of the cameras, there’s a busy section of fans built up around me but the rest of the venue is bare, I’m told they’ll be just under 2,000 inside and it feels busier than the last time I was here, but that’s perhaps because I’m sat a bit lower down than last time and nearer the action of mainly families and parents with a single drummer down below. I’m impressed by the start of Leicester who knock it around well, some sharp one touch passing and patterns in threes and fours which have me nodding my head in appreciation. Brighton, the away side look sharper on the break, getting it out wide to Katie Robinson who has pace looks their best outlet, she’s electric and causing all sorts of problems on the right, but Leicester have their own effective wingers who are growing into the game, Molly Pike is equally quick and direct down the Foxes right, but the brilliantly named Missy Goodwin is something else on the left, she has guile and swagger, drops her shoulder like Chris Waddle and glides like Jack Grealish, herself a former Aston Villa player, she’s elegant on the ball and never gives it away, she also has the beating, every time of her full back who's in for a tough ride. The Score It’s no less than they deserve as Leicester take the lead a minute before half time, intricate football around the edge of the box ends with a one-two and Aileen Whelan finishing low underneath the goalkeeper. I tell the old boy in front of me who went for an early piss “you’ve missed all the action” as he returns to his seat during the break, he’s been chatting to the steward and now thinks he’s the lucky mascot. I tell him “you should go for a piss more often”. I say to him “they’ve been the better side” and we debate on whether the Foxes should stick, or twist, during the second half, Leicester come out and have no intentions on holding on to what they have got, they smell blood and immediately attack, a free kick is headed into the box where Sam Tierney is running in unmarked, slotting home a second with just three minutes played. That goal knocked the sails off Brighton’s boat and it was Leicester who crowned off a perfect day by adding a third, Goodwin’s shot blocked falling to Monique Robinson who’s immediate impact off the bench was to smash home from the edge of the area. Leicester goalkeeper Janina Leitzig made a couple of decent late stops on debut, but by then, the game already won, the Foxes securing their first points of the season, and closing the gap on Brighton to just four, at the midway stage of the league campaign. The Stars Missy Goodwin was not just pleasing on the eye but effective in possession, always very calm she forever found a team-mate no matter how much pressure she was under, and had the beating of her marker whether it be on the outside, or inside, not much pace, not many tricks, a drop of the shoulder and she’s off, like John Robertson the great Scot who played for Nottingham Forest in the late seventies and early eighties, a real classy looking intelligent footballer with a talent to torment full backs just by being very direct. Other than Goodwin, there were many other magnificent Leicester displays on show, the back four and midfield were all immense, this remember the first WSL game that City have won this season, all players playing their part from goalkeeper to fourth sub, the likes of CJ Bott and Ashley Plumptre assured in defence, Mollie Pike, Aileen Whelan and Carrie Jones, all playing their part in the midfield, Hannah Cain up top was another threat, Brighton defensively just weren’t at the races as they were often out fought and out worked by the home side. The Albion however did have a couple of players who impressed me with right winger Katie Robinson an absolute speed train who could carry the ball forward very well indeed, not backed up often enough, centre forward Lee Geum-Min played a false nine position, picking the ball up deep and trying to make things tick, she looked a useful footballer with a decent footballing brain, but not enough of her team-mates on the day, dug in with quality to ensure it was they, going back south with the points, rather than leaving Leicester with nothing. The Verdict Willie Kirk is relatively new in his role as Leicester manager and with this type of football, this type of confidence, I don’t see why his side can’t pick up plenty more points, as they look to achieve what only a few days ago may have looked like an impossible task ahead. Brighton could easily get drawn in dependent on whether Leicester’s victory is a one off, or the start of something bigger and better, they’ll be watching with one eye open, and on the eyes that I used to witness their performance in LE2, I won’t be surprised if it’s them come May, that take the unwanted plunge to the Championship instead of Leicester. In the Seagulls defence, this is their first game of the new year and they still have thirteen to play, in Manager Jens Scheuer who is also new to the job, they have a boss who’s coached at Bayern Munich and Freiburg with a German league title under his belt, he'll need all of his experience to improve matters going forward, as Brighton look to survive the drop. The Teams Leicester City: Janina Leitzig, CJ Bott, Sophie Howard, Ashleigh Plumptre (Erin Simon 84), Jemma Purfield, Sam Tierney, Molly Pike, Aileen Whelan, Carrie Jones (Monique Robinson 65), Hannah Cain (Ava Baker 73), Missy Goodwin (Mackenzie Smith 84). Brighton & Hove Albion: Megan Walsh, Jorja Fox, Zoe Morse, Guro Bergsvand, Poppy Pattinson, Dejana Stefanovic (Brianna Vasalli 38), Julia Zigiotti Olme, Veatrika Sarri (Danielle Carter 58), Katie Robinson, Lee Geum-Min, Kayleigh Green (Maisie Symonds 70). 3pm Kick Off. Sunday 15th January 2023, Leicester City Stadium (att 1,800).

Leicester City 0-8 Chelsea (Women’s Super League) I’m at Derby Costco near Pride Park Stadium doing some bulk buy Christmas shopping on my mother-in-law’s membership card. It’s packed, the queue for the petrol alone is ridiculous, six-foot Christmas trees selling for £30. I want one but thought we could pay on the way out, only to be told I have to go back in store and queue up to make purchase. I can’t go through that again, its hell, and I’ve got to be in Leicester for 2pm. It's my first ever experience of WSL action today, champions Chelsea are up against struggling Leicester City at the King Power Stadium, it’s top v bottom, last time out Chelsea beat Real Madrid 2-0 in the Champions League whilst Leicester lost 1-0 at West Ham, they are yet to register a point from eight games played. Despite the poor run it’s been a remarkable rise for the Foxes who were pretty much playing parks football less than five years ago. After gaining promotion to the Women’s Championship in 2018 they won the second-tier title in 2021 and last season survived their first campaign in the WSL finishing two points ahead of relegated Birmingham in eleventh. In comparison, Chelsea have won six of the last eight WSL seasons (including the last three) with four FA Cups, two League Cups and a Champions League final appearance thrown into the mix. Manager Emma Hayes is set to make her 300th match in charge this afternoon, Leicester’s boss Willie Kirk recently appointed to help save their side from the drop. I’m back home with the clock ticking towards 1pm, a quick offload of the shopping and I’m out the door heading down the A46 to Leicester before circling the New Parks Way where I notice a rather nice mural remembering the ‘men’s’ Premier League winning side of 2016 on the wall of Western Leicester Fire Station. Down the Glenfield Road I’m told by my sat nav to drive parallel with the River Soar along the quaint looking Western Boulevard as it takes me towards car park C opposite the impressive stadium on the Raw Dykes Road. The Venue Appearing underneath the huge pylons which are dotted around outside, the modern blue cantilevered stadium impresses from first view, bowl-like and grand, stood alone in a quiet industrial part of town, there’s a merry-go-round giving a Christmas feel as the rain comes down the minute I step out my car. Skies are grey, a cold chill with persistent drizzle I walk over towards Filbert Way where the two buses of Chelsea Ladies, hosting players and staff, arrive through the car park. There’s a fan zone, plenty of stalls and a stage set up, an ex-player being interviewed in front of a crowd of around six or seven people, I can’t make out who it is, as he’s asked about England’s chances against Senegal in the World Cup tomorrow, I hang around until he’s thanked for his time, when I’m told it’s Steve Walsh, ex-City centre half and a real solid defender from their successful side of the 90’s. I take a walk towards the turnstile as it’s cold and wet as the players of Leicester City pull up in their hatchbacks and second-hand cars. Emile Heskey walks over towards main entrance, he’s Technical Director these days, one of the players stops off to chat to a young fan, a handful of children and parents watching the teams walk in as I ask the steward what time the turnstile opens. “Should be any time now” he says, I can’t handle the cold so head into the club’s superstore for some warmth, where I see again Steve Walsh now purchasing a bobble hat, before casting my eye on some rather splendid retro shirts, Bukta and Admiral made emblazoned with the logos of Ind Coope Brewery and Walkers Crisps. The Game I’m inside the stadium concourse before anybody else, so grab a coffee and a steak and kidney pie which has an edible Leicester City logo on it. Whilst eating, I ask a man in a yellow high vis jacket if they’re expecting a big crowd today? Turns out he was one of the Managers during their rise and he shows me pictures on his phone of the 2016 Midlands championship winning side, him sat at front of the team photo with two of his daughters also in the squad. He talks to me like I know the who’s who of Leicester City Ladies but despite nodding I haven’t a clue. An old fan doesn’t help, dressed in hat and scarf he goes home and away, is the sort of bloke who can reel off every previous player to play for the club, I don’t even know the names of the current bunch? I chat with a smile and blag my way through with some limited women’s football knowledge before wishing both well and heading upstairs to my seat. Inside the arena draped in blue, you can hear the rain pouring down on the metal roof, miserable skies above, pleasant green surface in good nick below, the fans slowly start to build to around 2,000 which is scarcely 10% of this iconic football amphitheatre. During the warmups there’s a mini game going on from Chelsea, defence v attack as they play half the pitch and pepper the goal, playing out from their centre halves to the wingers who cross in without luck. I quite like to see different pre-game techniques and have been a long admirer of Emma Hayes who I wouldn’t be surprised could be the first female manager to make the historical step into the men’s game, always coming across well when asked to pundit for various TV channels. As the match kicks off I can’t help feeling Leicester will do well to contain Chelsea as best they can for as long as possible, keep the score down to a minimum, I’m told they’ll be closer fought tests to come, nobody is expecting anything from this one, the gulf of class, is frankly, ridiculous. The Score Peppered with international stars, Chelsea are ahead within four minutes, 75 cap Norwegian International Guro Reiten opening the scoring before a defensive error allows the same player to pull back for Jesse Fleming on 13 for a second. The Leicester players huddle after conceding that goal, already in damage limitation mode they come out and play the next twenty minutes or so quite well, but another one six minutes before half time opens the floodgates, Reiten finding Fran Kirby who volleys home a third. Neve Charles then heads home from a Reiten corner before the goal of the game, the Norwegian winger curling a stunning low left footed defence splitting pass to Sam Kerr who can’t miss, four assists and a goal for Reiten with Chelsea five up at the break. A home supporter offers me a chocolate out of his tub of celebrations as he walks around dishing them out to the masses of children in attendance, a couple of kids are twatting about behind me, trying to get into the media section and climbing on the seats, a full fifteen minutes of naughtiness and not a parent in sight. I’m relieved when the second half starts just so the kids can go sit back down and sod off, I’m isolated on the back row of the stand, comfy padded seat but it’s cold, woolly hat with body warmer over hoody, I’m a tad underdressed for the unexpected chill. It takes Chelsea all of five minutes after the break to register a sixth, a half-cleared attempt falling to the feet of Jess Fleming, the Canadian Olympic Gold Medallist with over a hundred caps for her country, scoring a second of the match to put more misery on Leicester. Again the home side dig in and at least register their best effort of the game, Natasha Flint shooting from range to be denied by Chelsea goalkeeper Berger who flies to her left to tip over the bar. But further goals from substitute Beth England, and another for Fran Kirby, ensures a comfortable afternoon’s work, signifying the huge gap in quality, and keeping Chelsea at the top as they aim for a fourth title in a row. The Stars Whilst Reiten would rightly take the plaudits for statistically doing better than anyone else, she has a lovely left foot, always a threat on the wing and a real menace for the Leicester defenders to deal with, I wanted to point out a couple of unsung heroines, who really keep the Cheslea side ticking along. Millie Bright with her significant stature and blonde hair, bossing proceedings from centre half, and in front of her, mini me, Sophie Ingle, carefully caressing the ball left to right in the midfield holding position, never giving it away, always on the show, keeping things simple as those around her look to burst forward. The Welsh international with 105 caps came up against her Cymru team-mate Carrie Jones who was one of the few Leicester City girls on the day, who I was impressed with. On loan from Tottenham she looked to get on the ball and make things happen whilst Molly Pike was positive down the left hand side, often showing a good skillset which sometimes troubled her opponent. The Verdict No question debating whether Chelsea are world class or not, they have the best of the best in players and staff and are a million miles away from Leicester, who remember were playing grass roots regional football just five years ago. The question is deeper, how can the WSL evolve as a competitive competition with the disparity of quality in the elite (Chelsea, Man City, United & Arsenal) and the rest? But as the women’s game grows, that particular bridge will probably take much more time, and funds, to improve, Leicester have spent millions from the days of playing at Aylestone Park, to the Pirelli Stadium in Burton, now playing at the King Power Stadium they’ll do very well to survive this season, pointless from nine games played having conceded 25 goals and just two scored, but word is they’ll still have the funds to bounce back up, whilst Chelsea have the ability to not just win the league this year (again) but win a first Champions League final which still annoyingly alludes them, one thing that will cap their dominance on the English domestic game even further, should they achieve goal as the nations first women's side to become Queens of Europe. The Teams Leicester City: Demi Lambourne, Erin Simon (Catherine Bott 46), Sophie Howard, Georgia Brougham, Jemma Purfield (Demi Vance 78), Aileen Whelan, Samantha Tierney (Mackenzie Smith 83), Molly Pike, Carrie Jones, Deearna Goodwin (Hannah Cain 76), Ava Baker (Natasha Flint 46). Chelsea: Ann-Katrin Berger, Eve Perisset (Jess Carter 74), Millie Bright, Magdalena Eriksson (Aniek Nouwen 74), Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, Fran Kirby, Sophie Ingle, Niamh Charles, Jessie Fleming (Jelena Cankovic 63), Sam Kerr (Beth England 63), Guro Reiten (Alsu Abdullina 75). 3pm Kick Off. Saturday 3rd December 2022, Leicester City Stadium, Leicester (att 2,022).

Notts County 2-3 Coalville Town (FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round) I spent most of Friday at the Robin Hood Beer Festival at Trent Bridge which included a guided tour of the cricket ground, taking us in the away changing rooms where we were told a story by our guide Alan, of when former Notts skipper Chris Cairns chucked Kevin Pieterson's kit bag out of the window. I guess he's not a favourite of the club hierarchy. Certainly not a favourite of Alan's, after that incident in 2004, KP never played for the side again. Later in the day I bumped into Basford United manager Mark Clifford who also works for Notts Cricket in the community. I wished him luck ahead of facing Solihull Moors in the FA Cup the next day and discussed a few players of his, the side doing well this season under his stewardship. I also spotted a former Mansfield Town full back dressed as a Bavarian girl on his stag do which, for his sake, I'll leave at that, he shall remain gratefully nameless, I’m sure he’s had enough attention (and wolf whistles) already. I ended up, eventually, in the newly formed William Gunn bar on Radcliffe Road, walking home down the Melton Road an hour before midnight with a kebab in hand. On Saturday morning I felt surprisingly ok. The long walk last night, perhaps clearing any potential hangover, cleaning the house and making breakfast for some much-needed brownie points. Before heading off to Notts County v Coalville in the FA Cup fourth qualifying round. Top of the National League, visiting Notts was perhaps the pick of the draw for any non-league club still in the competition. Coalville from down the road in Leicestershire, going well two leagues below the Magpies, the Ravens sitting third in the Southern League Central Division. The Venue I leave the house at 1:30pm and decide to park at the Train Station and walk across towards the back of the Meadow Lane Stadium, past Hooters, down the London Road and up the County Road, crossing over at the gates to the Cattle Market where I see blue flashing lights and a load of Coalville fans outside the Jimmy Sirrel stand turnstiles, looking very boisterous. The weather is good, chill in the air but blue skies, I head for my turnstile entrance in the Derek Pavis Stand, give my phone a quick zap on the way in and head straight for the coffee bar. Under the stand, I’m straight to the counter, opting for a tea and a twirl as I’m still full from my breakfast, scrambled eggs, beans, sausages, bacon which set me up for the day, whilst my brew is being mashed, the guy at the till asks me ‘what do I think today’ I reply, “It depends on the team he puts out” knowing that Notts may have one eye on the bigger prize of promotion, whilst Coalville I know, are going well in their own league. “It won’t be straight-forward, but Notts should have enough” I say with an air of scepticism inside me, it’s the FA Cup after all, a competition which history tells, and there’s a lot of history in it, that anything really can happen. I take my seat high up in the stand where I get a good view of the pitch, level with the 18 yard box, the Coalville lads are first to warm up, getting out nice and early, relishing every moment inside the fantastic arena, these boys of course are used to playing in front of 2-300 a week, today they’ll be 5,000 plus inside Meadow Lane and a good 1,500 have made the trip up two junctions of the M1. The Game The news is that Notts have made eight changes, which suggests that Head Coach Luke Williams has bigger eyes on the prize of promotion this season, perhaps the cup is an unwanted distraction? Perhaps he still believes his side has enough in it to win it? The likes of Ruben Rodrigues, Matty Palmer, Adam Chicksen, Kyle Cameron, Cedwyn Scott, Sam Slocombe, and the free scoring Macaulay Langstaff, all rested, I wonder if it’s a sensible gamble. It soon becomes apparent, it’s probably not. County start the game slow paced but in control, almost like it’s a training match, no tempo, just passing without reason from side to side, for two minutes Coalville haven’t touched the ball, but suddenly space is found for right winger McGlinchey who is running through on goal, he slots home, and the away crowd go absolutely wild. Only 88 minutes left to hang on. For the next seven or eight minutes I’m amazed by the noise of the travelling army, I’ve not heard noise like it from a following at Meadow Lane in the past, Que Sera Sera is sung, followed by Leicestershire La La La, and Coalville are massive, everywhere we go… The away side look decent on the break, but retreat deep to allow Notts in, a right wing cross by Adebayo-Rowling who impresses me for the second time this season, is headed in by Sam Austin, parity restored with less than ten played, Notts back on track. Perhaps? But Coalville, managed by former Grantham Town boss Adam Stevens, are gutsy and no mugs, they work hard off the ball and when they have it themselves, they look after it well, Notts still aren’t at it, you feel they’re not as up for it as the away side, and it tells everytime they get the ball. Castro frustrates, the midfield lacks ideas, their best bet is getting it to the right wing for Adebayo-Rowling to take on his man, but they don’t work the opportunity enough, Coalville are hugely competent, there’s not much between the two sides, but for two glaringly obvious players. County’s left back Mahovo is a youngster making his debut, but he’s struggling, defensively he leaves gaps, and the more the game goes on the more he starts to become sloppy in possession, Coalville’s right winger McGlinchey looks a player, confident on the ball, he can carry it forward and has some pace, is very direct. He’s in again is McGlinchey, a long ball played from right back and he’s goal side, bearing down on the goalkeeper before sliding in Chambers to finish from close range, the Southern League Central team are back in the lead, it’s no less than what they’ve deserved. The fans in full voice singing 'were going to Wembley' all over again. Boos echo around the arena as the half time whistle blows, a Notts fan comes up to me raging, “the left back needs subbing, Brindley’s passing it sideways, he needs to be getting it forward, nothing up front” I tell him “you’ve got another 45 of this”. I wonder if Williams will ‘bring on his stars’ to turn things around, they’re warming up intensively at the break, sent outside whilst no doubt his starting eleven gets a full rollocking in the changing rooms, following a first half performance, which at best, is abject. The Score The two sides appear for the second half, warm applause from Notts supporters who've been quiet all day, the Coalville fans still singing loudly, they’ve been brilliant, a breath of fresh air, I’ve honestly not heard anything like it, even across the water at the City Ground when some of the big boys are in town, these are amongst the loudest I’ve ever heard, a credit to their little old club. It’s same again on the field of play, the break hasn’t really changed things much, Coalville defend well, but aren’t forced to do anything too desperate, Notts lack ideas on the ball, a couple of minutes in and midfielder Ed Francis simply kicks it out of play, this signals for change from the dugout. Matty Palmer and Ruben Rodrigues are called upon, and in fairness their addition makes improvement, Palmer is competent on the ball, he starts to dictate, whilst Coalville slowly get deeper in defensive responsibility. Finally, as the weather changes from sunshine to rain and back, and after pushing with a few near misses, Notts are level again, this time a left wing cross to the back post and Austin is there as he was earlier in the day, heading home, with Macaulay Langstaff now on the field, surely with twenty-five and more to play, they’ll only be one winner from here? But Coalville simply won’t go away, they have to endure some of Notts’ best attacking spells but for a couple of chances that are narrowly off target, goalkeeper White is largely untroubled, then suddenly, McGlinchley, spins two Notts players inside his own half and the crowd gasp, the away side still look decent on the counterattack, before the sucker punch comes… Four minutes remain and Notts County have a corner which is cleared well and up the other end the defenders are backing off and backing off, Coalville’s George Wilson has been allowed to run into the area pretty much untouched from the halfway line, he finds Luke Shaw at the back post and he smashes it home low to send the crazy ass away following into complete frenzy. It’s wild, celebrations of joy as a clatter of seats see some Notts fans leave for the exits, had enough, their side beaten by the better team. There’s no way back from here. The later stages are defence v attack but even then, Coalville win a late corner to ease off any pressure. White does make a stoppage time save down to his left from a tame but on target Rodrigues header, but as the whistle goes the look of dejection on the home side players and fans is already apparent, celebration starts, the little old team from Leicestershire knocking out a previous winner (all be it back in 1894), and probably the biggest draw in the hat, fully merited on their superb performance. Only once before have Coalville come this far, whilst some Notts fans in fairness stayed to clap off the minnows, once they had done with celebrating with their own of course, the away fans having the time of their life, the team a credit to the town, a credit to the seventh tier of English football, a deserved winner on the day. No arguments from anyone supporting black and white, the colours also shared by Coalville when playing at home. The Stars Whilst Luke Shaw grabbed a late winner to take the headlines, it was his opposite winger Tom McGlinchey who really caught the eye, Coalville with two wide men who work hard, who can carry the ball, who have pace, set up well for counter-attacking football, it was however a real team effort, player for player they put in the work rate that minimised the home teams danger to sporadic occasions. An ethic across the board in their squad that proved they were well drilled and ready for the occasion. Whilst Sam Austin won the home teams player of the match, I was most impressed, as I always am, with Matty Palmer, who came on as a second half sub, and who’s impact saw Notts improve tenfold in possession, I wonder if he had started, along with their leading scorer Langstaff, would the game have been a different score? The Verdict On walking to a stadium to watch a football game, very rarely do you expect to witness something special or historical, in thinking this would be a routine win for the best team in the National League against a part-time side two divisions below them, people had questioned why I was even at this game, and not instead watching Basford United at Solihull Moors, but in the end, my pick was perfect, in watching a win for Coalville that will be ever remembered by all at the Owen Street Sports Ground, the names of Luke Shaw, Ashley Chambers and Tom McGlinchey, going down in Ravens History, as the ones who scored against Notts. FA Cup football is something very special indeed, even sat in the home end, I’m urging the away team on, inspired by their play, by their story, by their fans, smiling as the ball hits the back of the net for a third time largely in disbelief, because there’s something about supporting the underdog, and when it goes their way, everyone wants to simply enjoy the fairy-tale. Well… Everyone bar the loser of course. The Teams Notts County: Brad Young, Lucien Mahovo (Matt Palmer 53), Richard Brindley, Connell Rawlinson, Joel Taylor, Geraldo Bajrami, Ed Francis, Quevin De Castro (Ruben Rodrigues 53), Sam Austin, Tobi Adebayo-Rowling, Kairo Mitchell (Macaulay Langstaff 66). Coalville Town: Paul White, Alex Dean, Elliot Putman, Jake Eggleton (Connor Smith 85), Chris Robertson, Andi Thanoj, Luke Shaw, George Wilson, Tim Berridge (Tendai Chitiza 75), Ashley Chambers (Billy Kee 80), Tom McGlinchey. 3:00pm Kick Off. Saturday 15th October 2022, Meadow Lane, Nottingham (att 5,060).

Boston United 0-1 Banbury United (National League North) I was at an Irish Wedding this weekend at the fabulous Cabra Castle with its picturesque grounds bordering County Cavan and County Meath. On Monday we went to Newgrange, the Irish equivalent to Stonehenge, before a few evening drinks, but not too many as we were up early Tuesday morning, scraping the ice off our Mitsubishi hire car in darkness to head back to Dublin Airport and home to the East Midlands, a busy day had me commuting to Boston later in the evening for a National League North game, the only one on in the division after many postponements following the recent winter freeze. I’m checking Twitter but the game looks good, I’m told the covers are off at 5:30pm and the club thanks to the work of the ground staff and many volunteers are confident everything will be ok for a 7:45pm start. I’m leaving shortly after 5pm as it’s an hour and a half journey down the A52 where there’s cars crashed in the bushes, blue flashing lights everywhere as I head towards Grantham past not one, but two incidents and issues most likely caused by the icy roads and peoples need for speed. It’s dark and cold out but I’m toasty in the car, heated seats on full blast listening in to TalkSport as I try and update my World Cup Dream Team whilst driving. I’m missing Messi tonight as Argentina face Croatia in the semi-final, after England’s exit on Saturday night, which certainly went down well in the Hotel I was staying in, I’ve became a little disheartened and uninterested in who wins the competition, but still have invested interest at least. I’m top of my fantasy league so transfer in Argies striker Julian Alverez which I feel will be a savvy move after hearing he starts up front. The Venue Third time I’ve been to the Jakemans since October and I have a little routine now which I like. The drive is slow down the unlit single lanes of Lincolnshire's A roads but traffic is sparse, I finally get onto Wallace Way and pull up on a housing estate where I park up, walk over the A16 towards the modern venue fully glowing thanks to its curved floodlights, past a Starbucks and Costa which are strangely placed opposite each other, into the club carpark and straight to main reception where I grab my ticket, before walking in through the turnstile, the zapper failing to register my barcode (just like last time I was here), and going straight to the kiosk for steak pie, chips and gravy, along with a coffee, as a big TV on the wall shows the two sets of Argentina and Croatia players lining up to sing their national anthems. The chips are amazing… None of that frozen chunky crap you get at many grounds, often tasting of cardboard only improved by a bit of cheap sauce, either piping hot to burn your mouth or left to stand often too long by young trainee part time chefs who you wouldn’t even trust making a slice of toast, but these feel fresh, thinly cut, perhaps locally grown, a little bit of skin on in parts, soaked in gravy, they’re up there for me as some of the best I’ve ever had. Maybe I’m just extra hungry tonight, but I’ve been looking forward to this all day, I’m perched underneath the stand watching the opening minutes of a World Cup semi, eating, drinking, relaxing after a tough weekend on the Guinness, time is getting on though, half hour to kick off and I need to find my seat, up in the media section of the Acorn Taxis West Stand, as I walk out towards the pitch, the playing surface is immaculate, not a tad bit frozen, I’m up ten or eleven rows where I find my chair and desk, BBC Radio Lincs behind me, the Puritans Radio guys from Banbury already on air, the teams just coming out to do their warm ups as I marvel at the new three sided venue which I’m told will be finished one day, the cost likely to be £3m to get the final stand done, which will also house a gym and sports hall behind the southernmost goal. The Game I get chatting to the Radio Lincs guy who I tell ‘Banbury will enjoy this pitch tonight’. My feeling is that the way they play, a good footballing side, who knock it about confidently, they’ll get an instant buzz of seeing this wide flat green surface in top nick, which sort of heads into the hands of their philosophy, Boston perhaps better on the break or when a game is played at high intensity, within minutes of the match starting as Banbury slowly pass at leisure between their back four, you can tell, it’s not going to be one of those press and break nights of full flow for the home side. Banbury in Roy of the Rovers red, yellow trim, are patient, playing out from the back, slow sideways passes, into midfield where the pace picks up, one-twos, out wide and infield, they look so comfortable on the ball, but lost at bottom of the table Telford on Saturday, it’s typical from this sort of team, who prefers to be given time and space to strut their elegant stuff, they’ll lose when they shouldn’t, win when they shouldn’t, which means no doubt they’ll be in and around the playoffs, because they’ll certainly be competent when they face those at the top, not fearing anyone and being confident in their own identity, is what Manager Andy Whing has installed in his two very successful years at the club. The 30 Banbury fans in attendance already acknowledging the marvellous achievements of former Oxford United full back Whing, he helped his side to promotion last season and the away fans on their first ever visit to the Jakeman’s are already singing “He’s got no hair but we don’t care”. Boston in their yellow and black stripes, have slipped in form since my last visit. They beat Blyth comfortably after the win against Kidderminster which I watched early November, but were since knocked out of the FA Trophy by Tamworth, they were thumped at Fylde 4-1 and beaten by lowly Bradford Park Avenue before a hat-trick by Scott Pollock helped see off Leamington 3-0, beaten last time out at Spennymoor 2-1, they were supposed to play at Southport on Saturday but were told late on that their hosts pitch was unplayable, which I’m also told ‘went down well’ with the players, staff and fans who were already set to head to the North West on the day. Four changes and a couple of new starters from that loss at Spennymoor, they look off it as they sit back and watch Banbury play, unintentionally firing miss-placed passes during the few occasions when on the ball, low press off it, returning possession to the opposition far too often, it’s a real cold evening, the sort of night which looks to me like too many players are going through the motions. The Score Not so Puritans skipper Giorgio Rasulo, he starts well, easy on the eye, diminutive in midfield from a central position, he’s gliding in possession, like an Italian Jayne Torvill, getting the ball and carrying it forward as the likes of Mbeka and Pearson against him, six foot somethings struggle with their footwork on the slippery surface now slowly frosting over underneath a rather daunting looking partial red moon above the distanced North Sea. Rasulo links with left winger Alex Babos and crosses low to Jak Hickman who taps in at the back post, the first real bit of quality and the away side are one up with just fourteen minutes played. It should be 2-0. Babos then curls from long range a right footed shot which cannons off the crossbar. Boston clearly not at the races as the away side look to put the match to bed. At half time I chat with a local supporter who says “they can’t play any worse in the second half”. Boston’s Lebrun Mbeka is a favourite of mine, when playing centre half, but he’s in midfield today and this surface, this opposition, this type of game, it just doesn’t suit his playing style, who’s better when given basic instruction to simply 'mark tight, and clear his lines.' Banbury have been dominant and deserving of their lead, the Radio Lincs commentator says to me “the better side are ahead” before heading off for a piss. I’m bewildered as to why Boston don’t press? “It’s freezing, the sort of night you need to run around a bit to get the blood boiling, I’ve not seen that from Boston tonight” I say to a fan. The home team make a change and during the second half you can see a substantial difference, but it’s not until the second and third subs are made by Pilgrims boss Ian Culverhouse, do you see a real positive reaction. Sam McLintock has been trying to carve out opportunity all night, he’s knocking the ball around well but too often team-mates are not on his wavelength, becoming more and more prominent as Banbury sit back and defend on what they have, McLintock’s brilliantly found Jake Wright racing through on goal who now only needs to roll it home for a leveller, he’s tried to chip the goalkeeper and has put too much on it, a huge chance missed, Jay Williams who’s been having a battle with Wright all night has probably said something in his ear, Wright who’s known for an outburst wants to swap handbags, both end up with a booking, I feel that’s the centre half getting immediately in the strikers head, I like Williams who’s got a bit about him, not your usual dominant looking defender, but one who can light a cigar everytime he’s on the ball, he reads it well and organises those around him, as well as having the cheeky ability to piss off an opponent. That Wright chance is a huge miss for Boston, and it’s catching as leading scorer Pollock gets into a shooting position and forgets to unleash. The coaching staff on the side-lines are in disbelief, usually so reliable inside the area, he completely scuffs his lines as every man woman and dog inside the stadium put their mortgages on the net bulging for a leveller. Boston give it a good go, improve dramatically, but I wonder is that because Banbury retreat for much of the second period to protecting their lead and managing the game, which in the end they comfortably do. The home side are no question much better in the second half, dominating possession and territory, after a first half of receiving a football lesson themselves, but the worry now is defeat has them again looking over their shoulder, just as they were when I first came to see them play in October. The Stars The away side midfield duo of Rasulo and Josh Smile not for the first time impresses me this season, Rasulo follows his forward passes and looks to receive the ball, always offering an option for a one-two whilst Smile only needs one touch, often playing the way he faces, giving it simple and keeping possession for his team. In defence Williams, as he was against Bradford Park Avenue where he scored a last minute winner in a 1-0 win, was again instrumental in his side keeping a clean sheet, Connor Roberts at right back got up and down well to link up with Jak Hickman who shown glimpses of skill and pace whilst Jack Stevens in attack put himself about a bit too. For Boston, McLintock didn’t have his best first half, but as the game grew so did he, instrumental in the good moves that the Pilgrims make, if he’s on it, Boston are on it, and they need to play through him to have a real chance of winning more games. Of the pair of Pollock’s on show, it was an evening where Ben, in defence, impressed me more than Scott, in attack, but the Pilgrims leading scorer will no doubt come again, he’s the sort of player you won’t notice all evening, but is one that will usually take his chance, tonight however wasn’t his night, which too often means this season, it won’t be Boston’s night either, when he’s not on the scoresheet. The Verdict Boston are now looking over their shoulder in sixteenth, the relegation places are just four points and five places below them, whilst Banbury now seventh, in the final playoff slot, are ten points above the Pilgrims and are already sitting in a position looking increasingly difficult for Boston to reach. I certainly feel Banbury have the tools, can continue with their progress and make the playoffs this season, whilst Boston will do well to make the top half, too inconsistent to get a real run together, but too good to go down, they need to stabilise their team and get the best out of what they have got, because they are not a bad side at all, just lacking some stability in selection, before their fortunes can finally turn to much improved results. As for my own fortunes, well picking Alvarez did me well, he scored two goals as Messi again displayed reason to be widely acclaimed as the best footballer to ever play the game, I instead of watching Argentina beat Croatia 3-0 in the warmth of my home, opted for sitting in minus four temperature with freezing hands, knees and toes, taking the full brunt of cold weather in a Baltic like Boston besides the sea, long johns now ordered from Amazon, next time, for Notts County v Barnet on Tuesday night, I'll be a little more prepared for the Trentside winter chill. The Teams Boston United: Sam Long, Joe Starbuck, Tom Platt, Lebrun Mbeka (Will Atkinson 59), Scott Pollock, Jake Wright, Ben Pollock, Sam McLintock, Jo Cummings (Keenan Ferguson 46), Shaun Pearson, Harry Lewis (Jordan Burrow 59). Banbury United: Jack Harding, Connor Roberts, Sam Brown, Josh Smile, Jay Williams, Giorgio Rasulo, Jack Stevens (Harry Landers 73), Ben Acquaye, Jak Hickman (Callum Reilly 80), Ben Radcliffe, Alex Babos (Josh Dugmore 80). 7:45pm Kick Off. Tuesday 13th December 2022, Jakemans Stadium, Boston (att 890).

Coventry United 0-5 Sunderland (Women’s Championship) It’s just gone 7am Sunday morning and the wife’s waking me up to go on a dog walk. As I blurry eyed check my phone for the time an email comes through which asks me to attend a football game today, in Coventry, at 2pm. It was all a mad rush following the Leicester game yesterday, to find a Christmas tree before closing time at B&Q. I finally relax in front of the box as Argentina beat Australia in the World Cup and Tyson Fury beats Derek Chisora in the boxing. I end up going over Basford United U18’s midweek National Cup exit to Kidderminster Harriers with the lad well past midnight, the video on his phone streamed on the big TV, watching intensely the re-run despite the odd buffer and some amateur camera work, sipping whiskey and Madri analysing every miss placed pass. It's 9am, we meet up with some friends in Radcliffe-on-Trent and discuss the form of Notts County who won on Saturday at Scunthorpe and England, who are playing later today against Senegal, as our dogs run around an enclosed field in the cold. I’m back for eleven but the Mrs heads out, she’s after some more decorations as the tree still looks bare, I’m outside putting plastic candy sticks into the ground before cooking a quick bacon cob and venturing away at midday to watch Coventry United against Sunderland Ladies in the Barclays Women’s Championship. Coventry are bottom and like Leicester who I watched the day before, are without a point having conceded 32 goals from nine games, they are facing Sunderland, a position above them in the table with just four points themselves, it already looks like a six pointer so soon in the season. I know little about either team, Sunderland of course have incredible pedigree (although not so of recent years) in the men’s game, but I’m unfamiliar with how the opposite sex has fared since establishment in 1989. Coventry United I read up were only formed in 2013 as a semi-Phoenix after Coventry City were kicked out of the Ricoh Arena and forced to play in Northampton. The women’s team were formed in 2015 and have climbed up the pyramid in super quick time towards the second tier of English football. It’s an hour door to door so needing to be at venue for 1pm, I’m gone by midday, down the A46 towards Leicester and shortly on the M1 coming off at the M69 before hitting the Coventry Eastern Bypass. It’s all changed since I’ve last been here, I take a wrong turning off the Stivichall Interchange and head up Leaf Lane north towards Coventry city centre, the inner ring road is a nightmare as my sat nav fails to pick up the underpasses and overpasses, eventually I’m on a roadwork covered Butts Road driving completely past the ground until backing up on myself and noticing the venues car park only when I’m pulled up at an Esso Garage which is exactly opposite where I need to be. The Venue There’s plenty of space in the car park but it’s a whopping £5 charge today. I begrudgingly chuck my pounds in the meter and stick the ticket on my dashboard then head up to the turnstile where I’m ripped off some more, £10 entrance cash, or I can purchase a ticket online for slightly less. I ask the turnstile operator ‘Is it for your Xmas fund’? as I walk through, asking ‘where can I get a coffee’ I’m directed beneath the main stand through a corridor past the gents. Butts Park Arena is a modern stadium opened in 2004, it has just one large blue and white seated stand, impressive looking, you feel they started to build the venue with best intentions for something spectacular but ran out of money to finish the rest. As I walk into the clubhouse and await the man behind the counter to pour me a coffee, I can’t help noticing the pictures of England international rugby players on the walls, the unobvious home of Coventry Rugby Club they have had several internationals of years past, one of which Danny Grewcock, I remember from his days of playing for the British & Irish Lions. Out of the dark and gloomy lit clubhouse and into the open air of equally dim Sunday afternoon in December, Americano in hand, laptop bag over shoulder, I head up for the media tables at the back of the stand, to fill in some paperwork and check the two teams for the day. As I’m handed a teamsheet, perched from my position high above, you can look down on the artificial surface, feint markings of a football pitch with predominant rugby markings painted in white, the view is most unspectacular beneath the cloud, a raised train line to the left with the odd passing double carriage heading in and out of Coventry station, a huge block of flats to the right with a solitary England flag tied to ones balcony, I can however keep an eye on my motor down below, safely sat alone fully paid for in the car park. The Game As the teams come out there’s a quirky dressed long haired bloke on the tannoy crying to the crowd ‘give us a shout if you’re from Sunderland’… and ‘make some noise if you love Coventry’ he’s trying to rally the 200 strong support base into frenzy but as the game kicks off, one way traffic results in an opening goal for Sunderland and sighs already from the home side spectators, of ‘oh no not again’. The opener is soft, a free kick played into the box prodded home by Emily Scarr with just two minutes on the clock before an injury to Brianna Westrup holds up play for several minutes as she’s replaced by Abbie Joice. Not to be deterred from their positive attacking start, Scarr then makes it two for Sunderland with just thirteen played, cutting in on her right foot and letting leash from range into the bottom corner, it looks like it’ll be a long afternoon for Coventry. The Score I want to feel that Coventry aren’t as bad as the score line suggests, their goalkeeper however struggles to kick the ball to the centre circle which is a concern considering their national league second tier status, Mia Smith does make a couple of good saves as her goal is peppered quite often, the home side have moments themselves, but lack the cutting edge up top, they lack a decent centre half at the back, but right back Esther Morgan looks like she can play higher, on loan from Tottenham she runs through opponents and is a solid competitor who links well at times with number eight, Mary McAteer. Sunderland themselves have one significant difference in armour, Emily Scarr is clinical in attack, she’s sent through by Abby Holmes who carries the ball forward before slotting in the striker, for a hat-trick, the third player I’m told to score a first half treble v Coventry this season. At half time the tannoy guy is at it again, some local school kids are taking penalties on the pitch as he describes every softly hit spot kick which fails to reach the line as a 'Panenka'... His choice of music is good, indie rock, but you sense he wants to go more down the heavy metal route, he's had to dilute his play list to accommodate the young and predominantly female clientele. Coventry make four changes at the break but within two minutes of the second half Sunderland increase their lead after neat play by Jessica Brown. Emily Scarr then gets her fourth after Tyler Dodds shot cannons back off the crossbar straight to the striker who puts home into corner. The later stages are a procession with much needed minutes given to a couple of Sunderland subs, it's a big but routine win for the away side who'll no doubt fend off any relegation concerns with that one, it's a telling tale for the home team though who's destiny looks obvious, the tannoy guy tells me 'I had Mike and the Mechanics ready if we'd won, but I'm left with playing Taylor Swift' I tell him "you'll probably need a decent playlist of sombre songs for a few more defeats to come". The Stars Emily Scarr impresses in front of goal and shows a predatory unforgiveness like a female Harry Kane. Abbie Joice who comes on in midfield for Sunderland really impresses me with some neat ball play. Abby Holmes and Emma Kelly are solid dependable competitors at the heart of the Kestrels beat. For Coventry, Esther Morgan as mentioned is a player that didn't deserve to be on the end of a five nil drubbing. Freya Thomas off the bench, wearing number ten shown some neat touches with a bit of guile in the second half, perhaps if the Red and Greens can get the best out of her, they might get a point or three this season? The Verdict The gap between second bottom and bottom is probably three or four players, Coventry are a goalkeeper, a centre back, a centre mid and a striker short of being a good side, that can compete at the level. Luckily Sunderland have those, whilst not being exceptional, they have competent and decent, solid players who are well drilled and good enough to get points off others, along the way, they'll be ok, without setting too many milestones this season, at least they won't go down, but Coventry however, almost certainly will. The Teams Coventry United: Mia Smith, Megan Alexander (Olivia Rabjohn 46), Jodie Bartle, Fran Orthodoxou (Anna Wilcox 46), Mary McAteer, Keeley Davies (Ellie Butler 78), Meesha Dudley-Jones, Katy Morris, Merrick Will, Ebony Wiseman (Simran Jhamat 46), Esther Morgan (Freya Thomas 46). Sunderland: Claudia Moan, Megan Beer, Grace McCatty, Brianna Westrup (Abbie Joice 7), Abby Holmes, Neve Herron, Danielle Brown, Jess Brown (Nicki Gears 77), Emma Kelly, Tyler Dodds (Holly Manders 77), Emily Scarr. 2pm Kick Off. Sunday 4th December 2022, Butts Park Arena, Coventry (att 227).

Loughborough Lightning 1-3 Stoke City (Women's FA Cup Round Two) It was my birthday on Thursday. I went to Whitby with the wife and the in laws for a couple of days of North Sea air. Highlights including fish & chips at the Magpie Chippie and the 199 steps up to Whitby Abbey. Unfortunately, we didn’t get to go to the Turnbull Ground but I did purchase an excellently conditioned match day programme from an antiques dealer of when Crystal Palace played Real Madrid in 1962. Price paid just 50p. To my excitement I also spotted an old football trophy at Abbey Wharf Indoor Market. Dated 1907-08 it had its first winners inscribed on its back, the Dr Elliott Challenge Cup was a competition arranged by the Lowick & District Football League and had previous winners Fenwick Villa (1907/08) and Wooler Wanderers (1908/09 & 1909/10) also etched into the silver. I googled all involved and it turns out neither team is around today. Dr John Elliott however sounded like Northumberland’s answer to Mother Teresa, often arriving on horseback at the homes of Berwick upon Tweed with his medical bag to cure ill patients. A real good man. My staycation has rolled over to Saturday so no game for me until Sunday but I’m back in good time, having caught up with a bit of the World Cup including England’s drab nil nil with USA on Friday night and a Messi inspired win for Argentina 24 hours later. Next up for me its Loughborough Lightning in the Women’s FA Cup Second Round, they’re playing Stoke City Ladies who beat them in the league already this season, a 3-0 opening day loss started a run of ten Northern Premier League matches without a win for Lightning who sit bottom of the table. For the Potteries, they sit sixth in the division, but concentration is today about reaching round three where they’ll be hoping to proceed in the cup, the female edition’s big entrants from the WSL including holders Chelsea along with Arsenal and Manchester City, all entering at the fourth-round stage. I’m out the door for 11:37 aiming to get to venue for midday. The short drive from Nottingham down the A60 takes me through Bradmore and Bunny where I stop off for petrol, I’m tailgating a Ford Focus through Hoton and Cotes knowing I’m running late, as I dart through Loughborough town centre I reach for the gates of the University where the security man’s on top guard today… The Venue “I’m here for the football” I tell him… ‘Who’s playing” he replies… “Err.. Loughborough v Stoke”… ‘Do you know where they play?’… I’m cracking under pressure, I thought he said ‘they’ve already played’… “You what” I reply… He looks at me like he’s about to call for back up… “Do you know where they’re playing?” Thank God… “Yeah, straight over the roundabout and left into the car park?” I get the thumbs up and thankfully he lets me in. As I pull up there’s a couple of groundhoppers in the car park (you can usually tell them for being old, white, male and wearing anoraks), I get the feeling the ever-popular women’s game is appealing to them, especially with Sunday afternoon kick offs, the different venues which can be ticked off, including this one, a top sporting arena of world class pedigree. ‘A lovely day for it’ one of them says to me as I hop out my car. The weather cool, overcast, mild for this time of year, I’m only needing for flat cap & gillet today. The walk to the back of the stand is quaint and quiet, that is until the Stoke City girls already in full kit walk past me to the practice ground with their Bluetooth speaker blazing chart classics. I pay my £4 entrance fee, walk up the stairs to the Robert Allison Suite, order a cappuccino and bag of Cadburys Whisper Minis and sit down on a round table to do some paperwork. The Game I’m out through the glass doors to find a seat a good twenty minutes before kick-off, taking a photo of the two team sheets on my phone thanks to the guy in the tannoy booth, I’m sat watching the warmups finishing my coffee and my chocolates as a chubby lad looks over at me hearing the crackle of my packaging. As the two teams enter the field of play there’s a few girls sat around me, one with her leg in a brace decides to jump over the row to get to her seat, a couple of blokes behind talking about the United Counties League and Loughborough’s male side who are top of their table and still unbeaten. I predict a Stoke win today but feel it might be closer than the league encounter, having watched Loughborough already in the cup, I was impressed with how they played against Sheffield, but I can’t help noticing there’s quite a few changes for this game. Five in all from their 3-0 first round win. One of those changes, Megan Harper, is sent through on goal bearing down on the goalkeeper after little over 30 seconds of the match. She’s put through by Middleton and it looks harder not to score, somehow, she misses the target completely, slicing it wide, it’s a huge chance to take the lead. Lightning start well but Stoke look to have that bit of quality in attack, the diminutive Roisin Kivel curls left footed from outside the area a shot which cannons off the bar. At the other end a misguided right wing centre is spilled by Hobson under her crossbar but Harper can’t force it over the line, two chances the Lightning winger should have scored, she rues them too as Kivel ensures it’s second time lucky, on this occasion cutting in to curl home a beauty to open the games goal count. An injury to Stoke striker Abby Hunt ensures a delay gives me chance to eat more chocolate, by now i'm sipping cold coffee as I check the Belgium v Morocco score, a sub is made but the replacement who comes on is mysteriously not on the team sheet. As the tannoy man scurries to find out who the mystery number nine is, Stoke midfielder Kelsey Richardson smashes a stunning shot from the edge of the area for goal number two. The better side are ahead with a cushion, but you feel for Loughborough who aren’t a million miles away, just lacking that composure themselves in front of goal. At half time I mention to the Lightning secretary that I can’t find ‘number nine’ on my team sheet, that sends her off looking for answers, the name Ali Hall is not on the team announced on Twitter either, it looks like an admin error by Stoke, I wonder how costly it may prove? The Score Typically, the number nine in question, Hall is the one who gets the games next goal, she looks decent in possession, a threat with pace and slides home after being put through for a third of the match, the tannoy man refusing to name her as he announces the goal, after seventy minutes played. Loughborough to their credit never give up, they push and push and finally get their own back with fifteen remaining when Emily Sharpe heads home a corner, but Stoke manage the game well, keeping it in the corner for the dying seconds to see out a two goal cushion, and to go into the hat for round three, let’s hope their paperwork doesn’t hinder any hopes of 'actual' progression. The Stars Best player on the pitch for me is Naomi Bedeau a centre half who stands out impressively for Stoke, strong physically and good aerially, she’s decent on the ball and keeps the back line intact, also assisted by her captain Meg Bowyer besides her, midfielder Kelsey Richardson is good in possession and has an obvious eye for goal, I like the look of Abby Hunt who’s game is cut short, and at four foot nothing, Roisin Kivel can pack a punch in her shooting, she likes to cut inside from the right and aim at sight every opportunity she gets. It's been a tough afternoon for Loughborough, who’s girls battle well against resolute opposition, Katie Middleton, magnificent against Sheffield, has moments, but she’s met her match, finding things much tougher with the step up in levels, she’s more out than in the game, more service needed, more link ups to feed off required, more runners to find who are absent, Lightning seem to miss Georgia Stevens who played in the last game, whilst Jorja Patterson who I was also impressed with against Sheffield, only appears late on from the bench. The Verdict My fear is Stoke’s admin department could pay costly as to who actually progresses into the next round despite their comfortable victory on the day. The win was deserved by Stoke and I wouldn’t like it to be taken away from them simply because they got their paperwork wrong, but rules are rules and Loughborough are within their right to complain, that said, those at the FA will probably prefer minimal fuss and quash it under the carpet as the player in question at least, did no wrong. The gulf of class, despite the 3-1 win, was not huge, Stoke yes, marginally better, a little more physical and stronger than their opponents, who will now at least be able to focus on league survival, and I’m sure it won’t be too long before Loughborough do pick up something, because they are a very organised and game well drilled team, just lacking that bit of consistency in their line-up to forge some much needed momentum. The Teams Loughborough Lightning: Kiya Webb, Grace Walters, Emily Sharpe, Mikayla Wildgoose (Ella Powell 46), Lauren Taft, Kayleigh Hines, Monique Robinson (Jorja Patterson 65), Amelie Johnson, Nicki Russell, Katie Middleton, Megan Harper (Emily Gunn 46). Stoke City: Elizabeth Hobson, Naomi Bedeau, Meg Bowyer, Hollie Gibson (Sophie Thompson 64), Beth Roberts, Rosie Axten, Sarah Woodbyrne, Kelsey Richardson, Callan Barber (Mollie Holder 71), Roisin Kivel, Abby Hunt (Ali Hall 29). 1pm Kick Off. Sunday 27th November 2022, Loughborough University Stadium, Loughborough (att 110).

Loughborough Lightning 3-0 Sheffield (Women's FA Cup Round One) I’m running late but England are just about to win the T20 World Cup and become the first male side in history to hold both white ball gongs at the same time (Australia women have also achieved this feat). It’s not been easy watching, as we stumbled towards target at the MCG following a few early wickets lost against Pakistan, but Ben Stokes and Moeen Ali have steered us back on the right path. So much so, I can leave my house with England needing less than a run a ball from the final three overs of the match, after switching the TV on standby fully confident that we’ll finish the job, I’ll listen to the rest in the car. It’s women’s football today, I’m off to Loughborough University for an FA Cup first round match between Loughborough Lightning and Sheffield FC, famously known of course as the oldest football club in the world. The women’s team were only formed as recently as 2003, after merging with Norton Ladies. Today’s hosts, well they were formed at first as an independent women’s football club in 2002 as Loughborough Foxes before merging with the University, in recent years their nickname ‘Lightning’ has formed a programme that has not only seen the football team develop stronger, but the netball, cricket and rugby union teams all provide England internationals, in fact no fewer than six players from the Lightning played in Saturday’s agonising Women’s World Cup Rugby Final defeat against New Zealand, the facilities here are on a world class level and the development of some of our nations finest ever athletes have a lot of gratitude to housing their skills at this very magnificent place. It's actually my first flesh viewing of any serious level women’s football since 1994 when I watched England beat Belgium 6-0 at the City Ground. I like many middle-aged men have become more interested in the game since the remarkable achievements of the England team in winning the Euros during the summer, but have always kept an eye locally on results, working in the East Midlands press in recent years it’s been brilliant to see the growth of the game in these parts alone and I have hopefully helped in some small way by trying to publicise clubs like Nottingham Forest, Notts County and Mansfield Town amongst others. I leave at 11:30am for a 1pm kick off and I’m driving through the villages of Bunny, Costock and Hoton on the A60 as England are announced as world cup winners in the cricket. A slight dampness in the air, the sun is shining with a chill, I’m driving through Loughborough town centre, navigating its cut throughs before heading down the New Ashby Road and towards the entrance of the University, where there’s a barrier down and not letting me through. The Venue “Can I help you” shouts the Security Guard… ‘I’m here for the football’ is my reply. “Straight over the roundabout, next left into the car park” I pull up at a leafy spot and walk towards the Stadium, signposted Holywell Sports Complex, I walk past a Beach Volleyball Court before I view the back of a large new looking stand with a small turnstile to its left. A side gate is open and I spot a couple of young lads looking out onto the pitch, “Do I have to pay to get in” I cry, ‘Are you a student?’ is ones reply. ‘If not it’s £4’. I hand over some cash and ask “Where can I get a coffee?” to be told “through these doors and up the stairs.” It’s a modern centre, and although not one I’ve previously been to, is one I’m well aware of on the men’s non-league circuit, Loughborough University currently going well in the United Counties League, every club and player which plays here are always seemingly impressed with the facility. I’m up the stairs and through some doors into a long fresh looking bar area with plenty of seating, glass windows overlooking a stunning looking pitch down below, you feel like you’ve arrived in the Directors lounge of a plush football academy, seats outside of the doors to give you an elevated view, the pitch carpet like, immaculate, flat, a scoreboard to the left already lit up, Lightning 0 Sheffield 0. I ask the barman for a coffee after a quick pit stop, an Americano without milk, another member of staff has just nipped out to fetch some. The Game Loughborough are currently bottom of the National League North, which is the third tier of the women’s game, whilst Sheffield, a former Premier League side, are a division below after relegation last season, themselves mid table in the Division One Midlands and well adrift of the promotion chasing pack. I cast eye on the warmups to see if anything stands out, Lightning look sharp, well drilled, professional, Sheffield a little more relaxed in demeaner, not as fluent, not as intense, not as serious, perhaps? A bit more Sunday league, one of the subs is wearing her own coat. The game starts after a minute’s silence impeccably observed for those fallen heroes of World War II. The Last Post played through the tannoy as both teams are circled on the halfway line, Loughborough in lilac, Sheffield in red. It’s the home side who start strongest, they knock it about well, comfortable on the ball, they are happy to go from left to right and back, whilst Sheffield fail to really get a foothold with any sort of possession. Katie Middleton is right wing for Lightning, she’s my all-time favourite Nottingham Forest player, I’ve never seen her play previously, but she was one of the faces that played a significant part in the Reds stunning kit launch for the 2020/21 season at a series of locations including Nottingham Castle and the Old Market Square. Significant because it was the first real time the men and women’s team had collab’d in such way, a decision which I felt helped boost interest in the women’s game (ahead of the Euros), the same season the club would host Derby County and Manchester City in front of record attendances at the City Ground. With her new club, Middleton looks a star asset, getting the ball she’s willing to take on her full back, perhaps lacking the out and out initial burst of pace that could see her play at the very top, but a decent footballer at the level and certainly a main threat on every Lightning attack. Another player threatening is Georgia Stevens in attack, she’s strong, solid and powerful, a nuisance, the Sheffield defence struggle to deal with her and as she races on to a through ball on ten minutes it bounces to Monique Robinson who slides in the opening goal. At the other end Sheffield come close from a corner, a header bounces off the bar, but whilst I feel that they are never out of the game, one mistake can let them back in, I feel it’s Loughborough’s to lose, who are much the better side. Middleton getting space down the right then finds Stevens who almost takes the roof of the net off with her strike, from the edge of the box she blasts home a second with Lightning well in control at the break. The Score At half time I feel much more impressed with the music than I am at most men’s games, a lot more modern, up beat and dance orientated, a bit of Beyonce & Dua Lipa, then suddenly The Last Post starts playing again, the young girl in charge racing to her phone in the engine room to stop its continuation, obviously her shuffle settings weren’t supposed to include that one for a second time today. Sheffield make a sub for the second half and I’ve not written them off just yet, but next goal is crucial to how this game will go. It is however, much of the same, no change in who’s on top as Loughborough look too strong for their visitors, a rare Sheffield corner offers a chance to pull something back with little more than an hour played, but as the ball is cleared to the edge of the area, Katie Middleton receives possession, and runs, and runs, and runs. Middleton has stretched box to box leaving defenders in her wake, gaps opening up she plays in Nicki Russell who’s in on goal with just the goalkeeper to beat and it’s three. A rapid, ‘lightning’ attack, created by not only my favourite player, but in my opinion, the player of the game. More late chances came and went for Loughborough who have the ball in the back of the net through Middleton, only for the lineswoman, to rule out for offside, the home side enjoying themselves towards the game’s conclusion, an impressive performance to see them safely into round two. The Stars Whilst the blonde haired Middleton with number seven on her back was the one who shone beyond, exciting the crowd every time she got the ball jinking in and out down the wing, I was impressed with Monique Robinson in the centre of midfield who kept things ticking whilst equally as composed in possession, Abbey Hateley at right back looked a very good player indeed for Lightning. Georgia Stevens put in a real shift up front whilst her replacement Amelie Johnson shown some neat touches too, their centre halves rarely tested, eased through their ninety minutes at an enjoyable canter in the sun. For Sheffield, best player by far was their captain Brooke Smith who reminded me a little of Millie Bright, the England centre half who did so well in the Euros. Smith a blood and guts defender, throwing herself into every challenge, blocking, heading, kicking, her instinct to spot danger essential in keeping the score down, what I really liked is that every clearance was big, no messing, just get f*cking rid! Right back Pip Cassidy also impressed in doing the simple things well, left winger Moriah McIntosh arguably their best player going forward, seen little of the ball, but when in possession looked neat and potentially like the outlet they needed to feed to keep them in the game. She weren't used nearly enough. The Verdict You can’t help compare the women’s game with the men’s but I don’t think that’s always fair. Whilst we see obvious differences in that men’s football is more powerful, fast and thunderous, the girl’s game itself is slower, less chaotic, potentially more about technique, certainly more about the improvement that is gradually being made every time these girls take to the pitch, more about building the game on its own growing foundations laid in recent years to levels unprecedented, and that alone is an exciting thought for the sports future. Whilst there’s still a lot to be done, there’s still a lot we can do to evolve the game further. Loughborough Lightning themselves advertising for a Head Coach paying between £32-42k per year… There’s a lot of male coaches in this country who I believe can help these girls and the women’s game in general improve to levels never previously achieved. I get the feeling with increased professional coaching starting now along with the continuation of those foundations already in place, in twenty years time they’ll be as much quality and interest in the women’s game as there is in the men’s, and that can only be a good thing for the sport of association football as a whole in this country, which will be able to benefit more and prosper in the commercial, educational and employment aspects that will keep driving the game forward towards continued success. The Teams Loughborough Lightning: Kiya Webb, Abbey Hateley, Emily Sharpe, Lauren Taft, Hope Strauss, Jorja Patterson, Monique Robinson (Alice Wood 87), Ella Powell (Megan Harper 71), Katie Middleton, Nicki Russell, Georgia Stevens (Amelie Johnson 79). Sheffield: Not provided 1pm Kick Off. Sunday 13th November 2022, Loughborough University Stadium, Loughborough (att 75).