Side Project

It's not just football y'know - check out http://wristy.blogspot.com (also available on the side bar) - my "Bit of a Larff" project.

Leeds Festival 2006 - I win !

49 year old Dad 1 20 year old daughter 0 !!!

I've still got my weekend wristband on !! She tried to take hers off today with pliers in order to tie it back on - and failed. I'll just cut mine off when the dangly bit gets too irritating. Apparently this year anyone who turned up with a 2005 wristband on only got two cans instead of the expected 24 - so it just ain't worth it folks !!

And I'm listening to the WolfMother album as we speak !! OK daughter bought the album today (possible equaliser ?) - but it's already on my mp3 player for the brutal train journey to work in 6 hours time while she (student) is still asleep.

I win !!

Ryan Bowen Update

From the Burscough message board (Sarahpuskass):

22.31pm Monday 28th August. Received phone call from Neil Puskas Leatherbarrow and asked me to post this message....."I have just received a phone call from Mel Singleton Bursco physio to say that Ryan Bowen is home from hospital and feeling a lot brighter. He wishes to thank everyone from both Burscough and Mossley for the support and well wishes he has received"This is fantastic news and i'm sure I speak for all at Burscough in wishing you a speedy recovery Ryan and our thoughts are with you.

Thought you should all know.

Saturday Piccies

So I got the pix on eventually ....



Long-serving Mossley fan Olwen - her view on today's game from "her seat" (RIP Leo) - and this time IT IS only Orange !



Melford Knight (No 8) turns away after scoring Mossley's second goal.



And Danny White gets the winner - and I get Bob (Match Sec) leaping high !!

Mossley v Burscough

Well the rain in Leeds now falls mainly on the Mossley plains. I managed a lift up to Top Mossley when spotted by Dave Shaw after I left the “hole in the wall”, but a diversion to the shop for fags saw me get drenched – and this after drying out, bathing, deodorsing etc – bugger !

To the game – Burscough took the lead (golden goal was 19 minutes – young Tom had 20 and “older” Olwen had 21 – bugger !) through Price – they’d looked the better side up until then and shades of the Ilkeston game crossed my mind. However Mossley came back into the game with a few forays up t’other end and on the half-hour Bingo got the equaliser with some nifty footwork and a snap shot which squirmed through the keeper’s legs. A great double save from Mossley keeper Danny Trueman was then followed by high drama when Burscough defender Ryan Bowen slid in for a ball, continued on the greasy turf and smacked into the concrete wall – taking out one of the concrete panels. It looked very very serious – an ambulance was called for whilst both trainers and Mark from St John’s Ambulance raced over to assess/assist. The players left the pitch and I felt a possible abandonment was on the cards. However within 20 minutes the ambulance arrived and I’m told that Ryan was talking as he was being taken off. Obviously all our thoughts are with him and I hope it’s not too serious (found out later he’s being kept in overnight but will keep you informed). The game re-started – and the sun came out. Half-time 1-1.

Burscough still looked the more dangerous side in the second half, so it was against the run of play when Melford Knight headed Mossley in front from a free kick on 75-ish minutes. However Burscough soon got an equaliser when Price was given far too much room and let one go into the corner. Mossley weren’t finished though, and yet another free kick saw Danny White head in what was the decisive goal – the “Get Out of Jail” card had been played !

Still three points is three points, and this result pushed Mossley up to the dizzy heights of 10th place – I tried for a photo of a) the result on Sky “ticker tape” and b) a photo of the league table on Sky thingy but failed miserably – just couldn’t get the settings right !

Had a natter after the game with Luke, who’d also been to Leeds Festival – and compared notes on bands. Agreed on Pearl Jam and Muse, but he also mentioned Hot Chip (a band also mentioned by Grasscroft Graham who’d seen some of the highlights on the beeb) – better check them out as well.

Sorry guys/gals but Curzon will have to wait just that little bit longer - but I'll get there - oh yes !

(And Blogger is being a bugger for uploading piccies - will try again tomorrow)

Leeds Festival 2006 - Smiffy's Review

Just a brief (!) review of wot I (and daughter mostly) saw.....ratings go from 1 to 5 (with 5 being excellent)

FRIDAY

MASTODON - Muddy sound which improved after 10 minutes - very fast - very heavy. RATING - 3.
KILLSWITCH ENGAGE - A bit "new-fangled heavy" for me (growly vocals etc). RATING - 2.5
HUMANZI - Dublin band with a hint of U2 in the guitar. RATING - 3
Caught end of ADAM HILLS on Comedy Stage - good routine on misuse of English language. RATING - 3
LESS THAN JAKE - Always a good festival band who get the crowd going with their infectious ska-punk. RATING - 4
JIM JEFFRIES (Comedy Stage) - Thank God neither my wife (or daughter) was there ! 30 minutes of swearing, knob jokes and porn RATING - XXX
SLAYER - Excelent set - and bloomin' loud !! RATING - 4
THE KOOKS - Not really my cuppa tea but a jolly set anyway. RATING - 3
PEARL JAM - Absolutely awesome - 2 hours of tight, professional rock played with genuine feeling - Eddie Vedder has finally got that monkey off his back - in style. Finished with a cracking version of Neil Young's "Rockin' in the Free World" - marvellous. RATING - 6

SATURDAY

TOWERS OF LONDON - Very very good punk metal - cross between The Ramones and Sham 69 - Finished with Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Free Bird" - with the end solo almost note-perfect ! RATING - 4.5
ZOX - American three piece, one of which was an electric violin. Very good indeed - one to watch out for. RATING - 4.5
CENSORED - on the unsigned stage.I was told (via Ilson Town people) that they were from Ilson, but they announced themselves as "From Nottingham". Good all-round performance with excellent vocals and lyrics. RATING 4
PANIC! AT THE DICSO - Well you've got to look ! They did have a real cello and weren't bad either. RATING - 3
(followed by small siesta)
HUNDRED REASONS - First saw them supporting Muse a few years ago - and the set hasn't changed much ! Still good though. RATING - 3.5
THE VINES - Pleasantly surprised here - a very good set indeed. RATING - 4
EAGLES OF DEATH METAL - Love it Love it ! Good sleazy ol' rock'n'roll. As featured on my mp3 player. RATING - 5
TWLIGHT SINGERS with MARK LANEGAN - never heard of them - pleasantly impressed. RATING - 3.5
FRANZ FERDINAND - There was more to them than I expected. Another pleasant surprise. RATING 3.5

SUNDAY

WOLFMOTHER - Never heard of them - but will be hearing more. Shades of Rush in there music (even a three piece). RATING - 4.5
THE CRIBS - Has to be my one "bad pick" of the festival. Did nothing to me at all. RATING - 1
THE FALL - Mark E Smith looks as rough as f*** - but still does the business ! RATING - 4
FEEDER - Another great set from them, sadly too short - new album stuff sounds good as well (going back to "Echo Park" sound). RATING - 4.5
JET - Tremendous set of rock from the Aussie band - just the way I like it. RATING - 5
COHEED & CAMBRIA - Seen them at last ! Not disappointed as they continued where Jet left off - the last track when he used the violin bow on the guitar - brilliant. RATING - 5
MUSE - My reason for going this year. A thoroughly enjoyable set marred only by the rain which finally arrived. Played lots from "Origin of Symmetry" as well as the new album. RATING 5.5

BAND OF THE FESTIVAL - Close call between MUSE and PEARL JAM, but I have to give it to PEARL JAM - the word "awesome" keeps coming back to haunt me.....

No riots - no burning - reckon the West Yorshire Police and Fire Brigade had the rain bussed in at just the right time for them (wrong time for Muse fans though !) Home this morning by 10 a.m. Back to football now with Mossley this afternoon - my guess is that I'll be too knackered for Curzon tonight - after all it's back to work on Tuesday !

Music 2 Football 0

Off to Leeds Festival after work tonight to see some popular beat combos – so no football on Saturday for me (will hope to keep in touch after a fashion through the trusty mobile however) ! Should be back sometime on Monday though, and if I don’t make Mossley v Burscough, I should be OK for the Curzon Ashton v Maine Road in the evening – my first chance to get inside the mighty Tameside Stadium and play “Count the Crowd”.

"Virtual Football"

Stayed in last night to watch “virtual football” on the pc and the mobile phone - cheap and cheerful !

The most efficient set-up seemed to be at Droylsden – the sending-off of their goalkeeper after 3 minutes against Moor Green was on the message board by 8-18pm followed three minutes later by the terse comment “3 down”. Half-time scores soon appeared for Mossley (0-0 at Marine) and Stalybridge (1-0 at home to Scarborough). Nothing on the Hyde United board though (they were away at Alfreton). Then the moby kicked in with “Ilson 1-0 up” from my good mate Nosmo (aka Ian), closely followed by a text from Welly telling me Mossley had lost 1-0 to a “79th minute screamer” – bugger – played two, lost two.

The rest of the final scores then started to dribble in on the net – Droylsden finally finishing 5-2 losers, Stalybridge drawing 2-2 (as did Hyde at Alfreton), and one final text from Nosmo told me that Ilkeston had finished 1-1 with North Ferriby - a mixed night for the locals then.

[Much much later, the North West Counties League website got updated and I found the missing link - Curzon Ashton had won 2-0 at Abbey Hey].

Ashton United v AFC Telford United

It was a choice between Ashton tonight or Stalybridge tomorrow - there's only so much in the SmiffyWallet ! Went for the £7 option, catching same bus as last Monday (goes through Droylsden but stops just outside Ashton's ground too).

Just missed kick-off (needed fag stop at Hurst Cross "Late Shop") but missed no goals - hurrah ! However it only took 12 minutes for the Ashton keeper to make a decision - rush to edge of box - and miss ball - leaving Foster to give Telford the lead from a narrow angle. Believe it or not Ashton had a couple of good chances before this as well. Ten minutes later an incisive move through the middle saw Foster double his and Telford's tally.

Telford were taking control with Number 10 Hay looking extremely tasty ! Ashton were reduced to the occasional breakaway - and I mean occasional.

Nipped round to take the picture I wanted - having seen it at the Curzon friendly a few weeks ago:
Oops ! Shoot the signwriter !

Half-time 2-0 Nipped into the bar for a swift one - using the official Ashton United method of getting to outside bar - here's an option for future latecomers:

Copy - laminate - and turn up at half-time !!

As per usual the pint - and a chat with Kev Pickles (who knows Mick Chamley - Mossley Prog Shop man - went to skool with him) - meant a late arrival back at pitchside - by then it was 3-0 (Hay). It was really becoming one-way traffic / men against boys, call it what you like. After 65 minutes a long ball - Ashton keeper came - but Hay nodded it over him and walked it into the net for 4-0. His reward - substitution (Hay was my Man of the Match). By now I have to say the Ashton defence was really struggling and 5 minutes from the end Dean Craven made it 5-0.

There were a few Kendal fans there tonight - scouting for Saturday obviously - had a natter with them (Chelsea was working !) They certainly had a few comments to take back up the M6 !!

Game over - 5-0 - into the "Late Shop" for chocolate (following txt request from home) and then a 20 min walk down to Stalybridge Buffet Bar for some "Cheshire Gold" and some illicit "Quiz Night assists" - home on the 2241 to Mossley.

Sorry Stalybridge - can't afford a tenner tomorrrow - Sorry Mossley -can't get the time off to make it to Marine. I guess Telford are top of the league tonight - with a fine goal difference...

And I wish Ashton could have had them on a Saturday - it was a good turnout from Telford - but would have been much better I'm sure with a weekend game. Plus if FCUM hadn't been playing away at Glossop (match at Hyde United) tonight there would have been a few more local neutrals as well.

For Sean - Ilkeston

Following comments below I felt it was only fair to show the world:



Twelve quid ???

Mossley v Ilkeston Taaan

Another jolly day in which football only played a part. Met the Ilkeston Town "trainboys" at Stalybridge Buffet Bar - ended up catching the same train to Stalybridge as the Ilkeston Town "Supporters Coach Boys" who had driven through Stalybridge on their way to Mossley - and forgot to get off ! Beer was drunk and the majority then caught taxis back to Mossley. I brought up the rear with a few stragglers catching the 1441 train back to Mossley - and still arriving in time for the game.

It was a good turn-out of away fans - but the crowd still looked disappointedly small (230 official). Ilkeston looked by far the more assured team and there was much last-ditch defending in the Mossley goalmouth.

Ilson fans, one "liner" and Mike (yellow bib)

Ilkeston took the lead just before the half-hour and it stayed that way until half-time. Mossley continued to look wanting up front and it was no surprise when Ilkeston doubled their lead through Muller. Mossley brought on Anthony Bingham and it was "supersub" who scored with his first touch. However it all went pear-shaped again when Terry Bowker headed into his own net - d'oh ! Bingo got another back and we were all set for a grandstand finish with Mossley chasing an unlikely (and undeserved) draw. It was not to be however and 3-2 to Ilson was the final score.

After the game it was off back to Stalybridge for a swift couple before the "trainboys" disappeared back towards Manchester for an appointment with the "Circus Tavern" and the "Monkey" no doubt.


The "Trainboys" on Stalybridge Station (+ black pudding bag !)

I returned on the next train back to Mossley - wrong result but good day all round.

Oops - Settings !!

Met Birds Eye from Stalybridge Celtic last night - mentioned he had to register before commenting on this very blog. Bit of a cock-up on the settings front !!

I've changed that now so "anyone" can comment - I wait with bated breath ....

It's not Football but ...

A silly something for Python fans to enjoy - hopefully. I stole a "Cheese Shop" sketch off the web and tweaked it somewhat - I present "The Beer Shop Sketch":

The Scene:
An Edwardian-style bar which carries the signs:'Ye Olde Beer Emporium';'Henry Boddington, Purveyor of Fine Beers to the Gentry and the Poverty Stricken Too';'Licensed for Public Dancing';Two men dressed as city gents are Greek dancing in the corner to the music of a bouzouki.Mousebender enters.

MOUSEBENDER:
Good Morning.
BODDINGTON:
Good morning, sir. Welcome to the National Beer Emporium.
MOUSEBENDER:
Ah, thank you my good man.
BODDINGTON:
What can I do for you, sir?
MOUSEBENDER:
Well, I was, uh, sitting in the public library on Melbourne Street just now, skimming through Rogue Herries by Hugh Walpole, and I suddenly came over all parched.
BODDINGTON:
Parched, sir?
MOUSEBENDER:
Dehydrated.
BODDINGTON:
Eh?
MOUSEBENDER:
(In a broad Yorkshire accent) Eee I were all thirsty, like.
BODDINGTON:
Ah, thirsty.
MOUSEBENDER:
In a nutshell. And I thought to myself, 'a little fermented water will do the trick'. So I curtailed my Walpoling activites, sallied forth, and infiltrated your place of purveyance to negotiate the vending of some alcoholic comestibles.
BODDINGTON:
Come again?
MOUSEBENDER:
I want to buy some beer.
BODDINGTON:
Oh, I thought you were complaining about the bouzouki player.
MOUSEBENDER:
Oh, heaven forbid. I am one who delights in all manifestations of the Terpsichorean muse.
BODDINGTON:
Sorry?
MOUSEBENDER:
(In a broad Yorkshire accent) Ooo, I like a nice tune - you're forced to.
BODDINGTON:
So he can go on playing, can he?
MOUSEBENDER:
Most certainly. Now then, some beer please, my good man.
BODDINGTON:
Certainly, sir. What would you like?
MOUSEBENDER:
Well, eh, how about a little Copper Dragon?
BODDINGTON:
I'm afraid we're fresh out of Copper Dragon, sir.
MOUSEBENDER:
Oh never mind, how are you on Salamander?
BODDINGTON:
I'm afraid we never have that at the end of the week, sir. We get it fresh on Monday.
MOUSEBENDER:
Tish tish. No matter. Well, stout yeoman, 20 fluid ounces of Wye Valley, if you please.
BODDINGTON:
Ah. It's been on order, sir, for two weeks. I was expecting it this morning.
MOUSEBENDER:
It's not my lucky day, is it? Er, Youngs?
BODDINGTON:
Sorry, sir.
MOUSEBENDER:
Flowers?
BODDINGTON:
Normally, sir, yes. Today the van broke down.
MOUSEBENDER:
Ah. Moorhouses?
BODDINGTON:
Sorry.
MOUSEBENDER:
Jennings? Rudgate?
BODDINGTON:
No.
MOUSEBENDER:
Any Norwegian Hansa Lager, per chance?
BODDINGTON:
No.
MOUSEBENDER:
Hanby?
BODDINGTON:
No.
MOUSEBENDER:
Holts?
BODDINGTON:
No.
MOUSEBENDER:
Hook Norton?
BODDINGTON:
No.
MOUSEBENDER:
Danish Tuborg?
BODDINGTON:
No.
MOUSEBENDER:
Greene King?
BODDINGTON:
No.
MOUSEBENDER:
Robinsons?
BODDINGTON:
No.
MOUSEBENDER:
Dorset Brewing Company?
BODDINGTON:
No.
MOUSEBENDER:
Busheys, Elgoods, Everards, Exmoor, Felinfoel, Camerons, Burton Bridge, Dark Star, Daleside?
BODDINGTON:
No.
MOUSEBENDER:
Jenlain, perhaps?
BODDINGTON:
Ah! We have Jenlain, yes sir.
MOUSEBENDER:
You do! Excellent.
BODDINGTON:
Yes, sir. It's, ah ..... it's a bit green.
MOUSEBENDER:
Oh, I like it green.
BODDINGTON:
Well, it's very green, actually, sir.
MOUSEBENDER:
No matter. Fetch hither le biere de la Belle France! M-mmm!
BODDINGTON:
I think it's a bit greener than you'll like it, sir.
MOUSEBENDER:
I don't care how fucking green it is. Hand it over with all speed.
BODDINGTON:
Oh .....
MOUSEBENDER:
What now?
BODDINGTON:
The cat's drunk it.
MOUSEBENDER:
Has he?
BODDINGTON:
She, sir
(pause)

MOUSEBENDER:
Amstel?
BODDINGTON:
No.
MOUSEBENDER:
Grolsch?
BODDINGTON:
No.
MOUSEBENDER:
Caledonian?
BODDINGTON:
No.
MOUSEBENDER:
Austrian Eggenburg?
BODDINGTON:
No.
MOUSEBENDER:
Japanese Kirin Beer?
BODDINGTON:
No, sir.
MOUSEBENDER:
You do have some beer, do you?
BODDINGTON:
Of course, sir. It's a beer shop, sir. We've got .....
MOUSEBENDER:
No, no, don't tell me. I'm keen to guess.
BODDINGTON:
Fair enough.
MOUSEBENDER:
Er, Boddingtons?
BODDINGTON:
Yes?
MOUSEBENDER:
Ah, well, I'll have some of that.
BODDINGTON:
Oh, I thought you were talking to me, sir. Mr Boddington, that's my name.
(pause)

MOUSEBENDER:
Greek Mythos?
BODDINGTON:
Ah, not as such.
MOUSEBENDER:
Er, Guiness?
BODDINGTON:
No.
MOUSEBENDER:
Peroni Red?
BODDINGTON:
No.
MOUSEBENDER:
Hook Norton?
BODDINGTON:
No.
MOUSEBENDER:
John Willie Lees?
BODDINGTON:
No.
MOUSEBENDER:
Greenfield?
BODDINGTON:
No.
MOUSEBENDER:
Czech Staropramen?
BODDINGTON:
No.
MOUSEBENDER:
Venezuelan Polar Beer?.
BODDINGTON:
Not today, sir, no.(pause)
MOUSEBENDER:
Ah, how about Stella Artois?
BODDINGTON:
Well, we don't get much call for it around here, sir.
MOUSEBENDER:
Not much ca- It's the single most popular beer in the world!
BODDINGTON:
Not round here, sir.
MOUSEBENDER:
And what is the most popular beer round here?
BODDINGTON:
Millstone, sir.
MOUSEBENDER:
Is it.
BODDINGTON:
Oh yes, sir. It's staggeringly popular in this manor, squire.
MOUSEBENDER:
Is it.
BODDINGTON:
It's our number-one best seller, sir.
MOUSEBENDER:
I see. Ah, Millstone, eh?
BODDINGTON:
Right, sir.
MOUSEBENDER:
All right. Okay. Have you got any, he asked expecting the answer no?
BODDINGTON:
I'll have a look, sir ..... nnnnnnooooooooo.
MOUSEBENDER:
It's not much of a beer shop, is it?
BODDINGTON:
Finest in the district, sir.
MOUSEBENDER:
Explain the logic underlying that conclusion, please.
BODDINGTON:
Well, it's so clean, sir.
MOUSEBENDER:
It's certainly uncontaminated by beer.
BODDINGTON:
You haven't asked me about the Marstons, sir.
MOUSEBENDER:
Is it worth it?
BODDINGTON:
Could be.
MOUSEBENDER:
Have you- SHUT THAT BLOODY BOUZOUKI UP!
BODDINGTON:
(To dancers) Told you so.
MOUSEBENDER:
Have you got any Marstons?
BODDINGTON:
No.
MOUSEBENDER:
That figures. Predictable really, I suppose. It was an act of purest optimism to have posed the question in the first place. Tell me:
BODDINGTON:
Yes, sir?
MOUSEBENDER:
Have you in fact got any beer here at all?
BODDINGTON:
Yes, sir.
MOUSEBENDER:
Really?
(pause)

BODDINGTON:
No. Not really, sir.
MOUSEBENDER:
You haven't.
BODDINGTON:
No, sir, not a drop. I was deliberately wasting your time, sir.
MOUSEBENDER:
Well, I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to shoot you.
BODDINGTON:
Right-O, sir.
MOUSEBENDER:
(Shoots him) What a senseless waste of human life.

England v Greece

OK it's football Jim but not as I know it. Despite it being on terry estriel telly I still failed to be there for kick-off for various reasons - train, meal, washing-up and the fact that at 1955 it absolutely chucked it down.

When I left the house it was 1-0 to England - by the time I got to the pub (Britaannia in bottom Mossley) it was 2-0. Saw the big bugger Crouch grab two and thought "slaughter imminent". Beer by the way was Jennings "Fish King" (4.3%)

However the second half was in true England style (think back to World Cup - no excuses for heat this time either). I even managed to "lose" about 10 mins of the second half (nodded off - in the pub - yes !).

Best phrase of the night was the commentator who said "The Greeks are a little porous" - I thought Porous was one of the Ionian Islands !

Thought Downing was useful - I like them evil crosses that can either mean OG or "Crouch flick".

..but take me back to non-league - SOON !

Droylsden v Redditch - Sorry I'm Late !

Couldn't get on the blooming computer last night - too many children still up ! Will try and sort it at lunchtime today...

(Lunchtime) Off to see the only one of the "Six Tame Sides" not yet seen - made it to the Butchers Arms for 2000 - just in time to see Redditch take what was apparently a "shock lead" through Murphy. The Droylsden defence was looking decidedly shaky, but the attack, featuring Jody Banim and Terry Fearns were fast and direct. Equaliser came from a Terry Fearns penalty and a cracking header from Ruffer just before half-time made it 2-1 to the Bloods. Being a Midlander by birth it was rather nice to hear the shouts of "Toime, Toime" from the Redditch bench - who also had a player (Number 5) with the magnificent name of "Exodus". Got a phone call from mate Wayne at half-time telling me Hyde were 1-0 to Vauxhall Motors in their game.

Second half saw a fine big Redditch United flag unfurled at the covered end. Droylsden Manager Dave Pace had obviously sorted the defence out over the break, they were a much tighter unit in the second half. I went to take a pic of "the flag", trying to juxtapose it with the "Pain Clinic" in the corner of the ground, only to be approached by a steward checking out my credentials !! He than ran off to "see his superior". Seems that the Conference is none-too-happy about photos being taken at matches. Pointed out I was not taking pix of the game so was given the all-clear - then the camera batteries went - curse Mrs Smiffy for the Llangollen trip !

The last five minutes could have seen Droylsden score at least three - Banim a major culprit - but they didn't - so 2-1 it stayed.

Home via Stalybridge - thanks for the lift Mike - and a couple of pints of Marble Brewery "GSB Bitter" - organic and very very tasty for a 3.8% beer. Football-wise, that's it for the week. Roll on Mossley v Ilkeston Town on Saturday.

PS - Hyde won 4-1 in the end.
Can just see the Redditch flag - then "security" stepped in and my batteries packed up !

Belper v DVV Duiven

Now that was some day !

Naturally the train to Manchester was late - but still made the 0900 bus to Belper arriving just before midday. Into the "George & Dragon" for a couple of pints of "Celtic Blonde" from Duchy of Cornwall Brewery and on to the ground for some Marstons "Pedigree" - straight out of the jug !

DVV Duiven took what can only be described as a shock lead after about 6 minutes in front of a disappointingly small crowd, but Belper pulled themselves back into the game with several good chances and one off the bar. Half-time saw it still 1-0 to the Dutch. Exited the bar after a small shandy (!) just in time to miss the Belper equaliser from Greg Pearce(!!), but the experience and stamina was starting to kick in and Asa Ingall got what turned out to be the winner turning the ball in from a long cross.

After much trophy presenting, and a couple of beers back at the "George", it was time for "Big Night Out" in the fleshpots of Derby. The bus down to Derby was hilarious - try to imagine two dozen Dutchmen chanting and singing solidly for 25 minutes - certainly unnerved the driver. A food stop was followed by beers in "Seymours" (found time to break up a fight as well !), followed by "The Varsity" and then some of us went to "Bluenote" - after this it gets a bit hazy. I found myself in the "Old Bell" - drinking a half (!) before going for the 0200 late bus back to Belper - fortunately the bus terminated at Belper, giving the driver time to wake me up before staggering back to the Mother-in-Laws (that's me staggering back not the bus driver). All in all a good day/night all round.

A little cloudy this morning, but have managed to get back to Mossley this afternoon. Checked out the local scores - only Droylsden (3-0 at Farsley) and Curzon Ashton (3-1 at Salford City) managed wins, so most of my predicitions were "spot off".

Must try harder...

The big Kick-off

Four of the "Six Tame Sides" kick off today - good luck them all. I'll be down in Belper, Derbyshire to see Belper Town play DVV Duiven (Netherlands) assuming they've managed to fly over last night given the lunatic paranoia of the moment - just hope none of their players has a "long strokey beard". It's the "Caroline Melbourne Trophy" in memory of the famed "Mrs Co-op" - plus Mrs Smiffy is coming back from a week in Llangollen with her Mum - who lives in Belper - so it all fits quite well.

Predictions are:

Hyde to draw at Kettering (1-1);

Stalybridge to beat Hucknall (1-0);

Droylsden to beat Farsley Celtic (2-0);

Curzon Ashton to draw at Salford City (1-1).

plus:

Mossley to have a jolly training session;

Ashton United to beat Kidsgrove in their friendly.

and of course Belper to beat their Dutch opponents

head now firmly on the block ...

Mossley v Oldham Athletic XI

Took a while to get home tonight "lineside fire in the Marsden area" meant extra beer at Stalybridge - tonight's beer of choice was Mayfield's "Excalibur" - home @ 1840.

Got to game early for me (app 1935) - missed NO GOALS TONIGHT !!!!!!!! Oldham took the lead after about 35 mins when keeper Danny Trueman let one under his diving body - big lad - long way down. Oldham had a fair few fringe 1st teamers in tonight inc one who just needs the international clearance and then he's straight in team 1 apparently (they'll need him - and more - after two straight defeats in Pokey Pola).

Didn't see him but Nigel Jemson (Ilkeston Town Manager) was there tonight (Mossley's first league game is v Ilson on 19th inst) - wonder what he made of it.

Probably a good workout for Mossley against a strong team - poor crowd - can't all be "anti-friendly" - no probs with weather either.

10 days till start of season for Mossley and Ashton United - other "Four Tame Sides" start this Saturday - and I won't be watching any of them - because I have a prior engagement in Derbyshire (don't worry - it's football related - read all about on Sunday).

Stalybridge v Blackburn Rovers XI

OK so I went - well wife's away so Smiffy will play (young boy txtd "Already eaten" - other two old enough to sort themselves out !)

Only about 10 mins late - very quiet therefore thought "missed nowt" - then Blackburn scored and someone said "Bloody Hell that's 3-0" - yikes not one but TWO goal missed in the first 10 minutes !

Weather was sh*te too.

They might have been a youngish Blackburn side - but they certainly played together as a team (and had been doing for a while - quick, sharp in and they knew where there were) and made Celtic look less than ordinary in the rest of the first 45 minutes.

Slippped out to the "Hare & Hounds" at half-time (you've gotta know how !) - only simple Thwaites - waiting for the season to start before the guest beers return apparently.

Second half was a much improved performance by Celtic - much tighter at the back and a bit more punch up front which culminated in an excellent goal from one of the two number 14's on the pitch (Platt) - good move with plenty of "one-touch" stuff.

Linesmen had green shirts on - one with a number 11 and one with a number 13 - strange or what ??

Left ground 2114 - arrived Stalybridge Buffet Bar approx 2131 (it's all downhill) - Cottage Brewery "Mayfly" was the quickie before the 2141 home to Mossley.

Tomorrow night sees Mossley play an Oldham Athletic XI - as the Coca Cola Championship has already started I might well see the "Latics Programme Sellers XI" - although they could include their two red carded players from Saturday as punishment !

Monday - No Football Quandary

Tricky decision tonight on the way home from work - do I go watching Stalybridge Celtic v Blackburn Rovers (or probably a Blackburn Rovers XI) on Tuesday - or do I chance my arm on buying "Death by Sexy" by the Eagles of Death Metal ? Well the CD has won for now but give me 24 hours (it's only 8 days till payday) - says he listening to the new Muse album now (footballers have pre-season training - I have pre-Leeds Festival training !). The EoDM CD was listened to earlier - like a heavier version of Pink Grease with a bit of QOTSA and Johnny Kidd & the Pirates thrown in - well worth a listen.

Anyone bumped into www.cheeseontour.com ? Now there's a website to behold - when I learn to mess about with links on here it will be top of the list.

Not much football news tonight - it's all poetry on the Stalybridge board and t'others are fairly quiet.

Tonight's "Beer of Choice" at Stalybridge Buffet Bar was "Captain Sensible's Ale" from the Hart Brewery.

Mossley v Stalybridge

Not the best friendly I've seen this season - but as a Mossley fan the right result. Not exactly a "friendly" either - Stalybridge No 9 (Mark Hume ??) should have been subbed in the first half after a number of rash challenges culminating in Mossley's Terry Bowker going off with a bloodied nose and a dirty shirt.

Officials ? Over-fussy (ref) over-zealous (linesman 1) 'king hopeless (linesman 2)

Mossley got the winner in the second half through Chris Downey - nicely set up by Kenny Mayers.

Crowd - not bad

And Mossley got a trophy at the end of it - the "Frank Robinson Memorial Trophy" (local councillor who died a few month ago).

Few beers in the bar after - and then on to the "Stamford" where we watched this "Amsterdam Tournament" - a total joke - they don't even all play each other - United send out a virtual second team - and the ref's no better than the one we saw earlier at Seel Park

Blog Virgin

Let's see what this turns out like. Hoping to put a book together this football season so will be using this blog to try stuff out.

I name this blog "Six Tame Sides" - God help all who sail in her ...