LEAGUE 1 - Sheffield United - Portsmouth

Competition: League 1
Level: level 3
Teams: Sheffield United - Portsmouth
Venue: Bramall Lane, Sheffield, S2 4SU

No photos this time, as I was visiting my main club and I simply hadn't thought to take any!  Next time I'm down at the Lane, I'll write a 'proper' report, and I also plan on visiting United as an 'away' fan, to gain the experience a visiting supporter would have.

The match started well, Blackman firing in an early shot which was well-saved by the visiting keeper, but as the game progressed, Pompey looked by far the more likely victors, with Allan shooting wide and Buzsaky (I'm reliably informed!) shooting just over

However, United secured victory in the 66th minute with a Blackman penalty following a reckless sliding tackle on Porter by Lubomir Michalik's, a result which put the Blades top of League 1.

Pompey's fans gave a great account of themselves, travelling a long distance on a chilly Monday night, and the 'Pompey Chimes' rang out at regular intervals.  Even on the walk back to the Station, a small set of around five or six lads managed to keep singing, even chanting "you won, you won" and somehow severely pissing off a few Blades' fan who didn't seem to understand why they'd be so pleased with themselves!

I certainly hope to get back to the Lane next season!

FA CUP - Macclesfield Town 3 - 1 Marine

Competition: FA Cup

Level: Fourth Qualifying Round

Teams: Macclesfield Town - Marine

Venue: Moss Rose

Two firsts for me:  My first FA Cup match prior to the First Round Proper, and my first visit to Macclesfield - the town, as well as the football ground.  On the former point, I wasn't disappointed, this being a great advert for the FA Cup in general, and non-league football in particular.  Although the town of Macclesfield is really quite run-down and depressing.  The ground, is a lovely non-league ground though, and whilst showing it's age in some areas, is four-sided, and a combination of terracing (though the main terracing at one end was shut for the game) and seating.  The ground itself looks somewhat odd, since the Main Stand (on the opposite side of the pitch from the Henshaw's Stand, where I was seated) has a tall central seating section, with terracing either side, as seen below.  However, the Henshaw's Stand is a new and quite modern-looking stand, and I found the facilities to be excellent, the kiosks easily catering for the away following during half-time, when alcohol is supplied, in the form of larger, bitter, cider or wine, as well as the more traditional tea, coffee, bovril and pies.  Over to my right is the Star Lane End, an odd stand with seating to the front, and terracing to the rear.  This stand seemed to have the more vocal of the Silkmen's supporters.

A Panorama of the ground

The (empty) terracing, during a Marine corner

The Marine fans were in fine voice, in spite of a somewhat dodgy penalty given in the 41st minute for a handball by Danny Grannon, who appeared to handle the ball by accident, and most damningly of all was outside the box when the alledged offence occurred.  Nonetheless, Matthew Barnes-Homer was happy to hammer home from twelve yards.

A second goal just after the hour mark, after good chances by both sides, appeared to end Marine's faint hopes, Barnes-Homer again scoring, this time from a slightly closer range than his first, simply tapping home from barely 5 yards out..

The Marine fans, accepting their fate perhaps, and revelling in their status as underdogs began some slightly unusual chants, including "George Osbourne, Get out of First Class", a reference to the Chancellor (and MP for Tatton, in Cheshire)'s recent misdemeanor, and the exceptional (in my view) "Let's pretend, Let's pretend, Let's pretend we scored a goal", followed by a good 45 seconds a celebration, all of which left the home fans somewhat bemused!

The Marine players thank the fans at the end

In the final few minutes, hope was restored, with Marcus Carver scoring a lovely header which looped into the bottom corner from a flighted ball in from the left, however, a counterattack just four minutes later ended the Mariner's Cup run for this season, the final nail hammered into the coffin by the head of Amari Morgan-Smith.  The sizeable away crowd of 235from a total attendance of 1,189 giving their lads a great reception at the final whistle.

 I really enjoyed my day out at Macclesfield, and only wished I'd had the time for a pint in one of the local watering holes afterwards.  The Marine supporters, in common with a lot of lower league teams, appeared have selected Marine as their second team - most of them being Liverpool and Everton fans (much like in Sheffield, where United and Wednesday shirts are a common site at Sandygate Road and the Coach and Horses).  However, they gave a great account of themselves and their team, and I would certainly watch another of their matches in future.

SHEFFIELD & HALLAMSHIRE SENIOR CUP - Sheffield 3 - 2 Hallam

Competition: Sheffield & Hallamshire Senior County Cup
Level: First Round
Teams: Sheffield F.C. - Hallam F.C.

Venue: Coach and Horses Ground

REPORT IN PROGRESS

For the second time in three days, a visit away from my proposed games was on the cards, but I couldn't miss what may be the only Sheffield Senior Derby of the season (although the Blades vs Owls U21's game took place the same night). So, my first ever visit to the Coach and Horses Ground would be for my first ever Rules Derby, and one I was quite excited to see.

The anticipation was not misplaced either, as Sheffield took the lead before I'd even entered the ground, from what I was told was a crisp (if not spectacular) right-foot drive from just inside the area, inside the first minute.

All was going well for the home side until midway height the first half when, against the run of play and belying the two-division difference, Hallam pulled level. The shot from distance by Ben Kistell had Sheffield keeper well beaten.

HSCL PREMIER - Baldock Town 2 - 0 Wormley Rovers

Competition: Hertfordshire Senior County League, Premier Division
Level: 11
Teams: Baldock Town - Wormley Rovers
Venue: Top Field, Hitchin

Yes, a trip outside by comfort zone to the dark depths of level eleven, and in the deep south (well, Hertfordshire) too!  I was in London for a party anyway, and stopped over at the in-laws.  I was looking for a local match, and whilst I'd always wanted to get to Top Field for Hitchin Town, they were in FA Cup action away at Hastings United that weekend.  Arlesey Town had looked the best bet, until I realised that buy the time I'd taken the train to Arsesey, I'd have to walk halfway back to Hitchin to get to the ground.  Baldock Town, who play at the North Herts Arena, popped up online, but oddly, their fixture was to be held at Top Field.  A quick browse and double-check confirmed that yes, this was Hitchin Town's Top Field, so I made the fifteen minute walk to Fishponds Road, paid my £3 entry (+£1 for the programme) and settled in for an enjoyable afternoon's football, at the rather unusual kick-off time of 14:30.

The first thing I noticed on my arrival was the crowd, or rather, lack thereof.  Easily the smallest crowd I've ever seen at any event charging entrance, I suspect that there were more involved in the afternoon's proceedings than there were viewing.  This did, however, mean that every shout from the players and managers was very obvious - something that is often missed when one's sat among 15,000+ cheering fans.  Especially notable were the volume of the visiting 'keeper's voice, and a cry midway through the first half of "just fucking go through him - he'd do the same to you" from Rover's manager - which wasn't taken too well by those near me!

The ground itself was quite impressive for this level, even bearing in mind that the ground's permanent residents are at level 7.  There is a stand of all four sides, with a roof over at least part of three of them (the exception being the North Stand (Ickleford Road End) which is a lovely looking "proper" concrete terrace.  Floodlights, in the form of five pylons down either side of the pitch, look a little odd (and I don't fancy working as a part of the maintenance crew!) but I was told, do the job well, and certain aided me in finding the ground if nothing else!

For the first half, I took up my position at one end of the pitch, behind the goal being attacked by Baldock.  An absolute peach of a strike from Bergman ought to have opened the scoring for Baldock after 25 minutes, but the ball dropped onto the bar, however just a few minutes later, he popped up in the area to latch onto a lovely knockback by Furness after a Newton cross, and slipped the ball past the visiting goalie.  The, just two minutes later, Bergman doubled his and Baldock's tally with a great strike from outside the penalty area, a lovely drive slipping past the 'keeper's right hand and nestling into the bottom corner. 

A two goal half-time lead was no less than Baldock really deserved, but credit to Wormley who stuck at it and took the game to them in the second half.  A lovely shot had to be tipped onto the bar by Stilwell in Baldock's goal, but for all their endeavors, Rovers didn't really produce much of an end-product.  A couple more chances fell by the wayside from the home team, who would have been satisfied with their 2-0 win, in spite of it not translating to a higher spot in the Hertfordshire Senior County League Premier Division.