Chorley v Belper Town

OK so once again it’s not exactly “Six Tame Sides” (especially with the chance to watch Curzon Ashton v Nelson), but in my defence I could say I was going to see a couple of Mossley “old boys”, i.e. Jordan Goodeve and Kenny Mayers – both now at Chorley.

The shopping was done – very efficiently – and it was on the 1157 train to Manchester Victoria – one change and I was in Chorley for just after one o’clock. This gave me time to complete the “family presents” jigsaw at the Chorley Argos !

From the underpass @ Chorley Station - remember "Phoenix Nights" ?!?

Got to the ground in good time – to find out both Jordan and Kenny were on the bench !! met up with a few of the Belper faithful in the club – including Davro still “recuperating” from the previous day’s alcoholic exertions !! Outside to an overcast and bloody cold Victory Park to witness what was a real relegation “six pointer”.

Belper certainly made the brighter start, although after 10 minutes, an attempted clearance by new Belper ‘keeper Adam Ogden hit the onrushing Chorley forward before bouncing to safety. After 15 minutes, a long deep cross from the left was met by Belper’s Ashley Foyle – and his looping header (came down with snow on !) managed to evade Chorley’s Danny Hurst (remember him from Radcliffe earlier this season ? to put Belper one up).

Early Belper attack - 60 seconds later - they scored - I missed it !

One the half-hour mark Ogden raced from his box to head the ball clear – to find himself stranded. The ball went back in and Sean Wright’s effort was cleared off the line by Gary Middleton. Within minutes Chorley were level when the ball was played out to Rod Thornley and he unleashed a screamer across Ogden – and excellent goal which was well worth the admission fee alone.

Jordan "sits this one out" !!

The second half was pretty even, with chances at both ends, and some good saves from both Hurst and Ogden. The last 10 minutes saw Belper up the tempo a bit – however they were unable to find a winner. In the end I suppose a 1-1 draw was a fair result. A step in the right direction for both clubs – it actually moved Chorley off the bottom on goal difference (OK Bridlington’s 5-0 home defeat by Eastwood Town probably helped a bit too !)

Across the dug-out - 0.5 of the Belper Management Team - Andy Carney

A word about the officials – I thought they were poor, and rather too easily influenced by the Chorley players and fans (especially the Chorley “moaners end” under the stand). I guess when you’re “down there”, you’ve got to shout for everything though.

A few beers in the bar afterwards – a quick “Merry Christmas” to all my friends from Belper, and then it was back to Mossley via Manchester Victoria – and Stalybridge Buffet Bar of course !!

Back in Manchester - we've got a "big wheel" !

Got home to find that “Snapper” from Belper had won the “camera war” – and even included a piccy of me in his “portfolio” – good job my Mum knows that I smoke !! To see Tim’s pix try..

http://www.timharrisonphotography.com/NailersAction/Chrly/album1.html

Belper Town v Bradford PA

“Grandma’s Party” – yes it was a ‘three-line whip’ as they say in the House of Commons so I was (luckily as it seems !) spared the full horrors of Burscough v Mossley for the delights of Belper Town v Bradford Park Avenue. Traffic down the A6 was not too bad at all, so I arrived in good time for tea, natter and then a “slope off” down to the “George”, where pints of Woodfordes “Nelson’s Revenge” and Coach House “Christmas Pud” awaited – I was soon joined by Nosmo from Ilkeston who was giving the trip to Ashton United a miss.




A Belper sky....


Into the ground at 1504 – sold out of programmes ! The early pressure came from Bradford, urged on by a good turn-out of away fans, but Belper slowly but surely started to get back into the game - some good work between Hobson and Rushbury saw some equally good work by Skiba in the Bradford goal. It was all pretty “even stevens” as the half came to a close – with Belper probably being the more satisfied of the two sides.




Belper's Danny Tollerfield makes an early save


However Bradford took the lead while I was still finishing my pint of Pedigree through Lennon ! This galvanised Belper back into action with chances coming from free-kicks and a succession of corners. Belper finally got their deserved equaliser on 72 minutes, when debutant Peter Smith (not my Peter Smith !!) got onto the end of a cross from Glarvey.




Celebrating the equaliser !


More sustained pressure from Belper came to nought however and the proverbial “kick in the teeth” arrived with 10 minutes to go when Flynn was first onto a shot that came back off the bar. Belper pushed on in search of another equaliser, but with three minutes to go it was Park Avenue who won a free-kick. Neil Ross fired it straight through the wall to give the unsighted Tollerfield no chance. One late chance for Belper by Jon Pickess, but once again it was Skiba to the rescue - 3-1 at the end – a scoreline that truly flattered the visitors.



"Mad Pete" in the bar afterwards.

Back to the refreshment corner after waving farewell to Nosmo, who was “zig-zagging” his way back to a curry in Ilkeston. A few beers and a natter – plus checking out the trip to Holland in May with Belper Secretary Dave Laughlin. Back to “the party” – more beer and the asleep at 0200 this morning. Ten hours later it was “drop daughter back in Derby”, home to Mossley – and this …

Just changed to the new "beta" version of Blogger - and have been have interesting results in signing in - we shall see how it goes !!!.

Sunday Trains at Mossley

I made it - and so did the train !! Checked on the Internet first - it had left Manchester Victoria on time, so I hot-footed down to Mossley Station, expecting brass bands, local dignitaries, pink ribbons, champagne...to find just the empty cans and chip wrappers of Saturday night. Bravo Mossley Town Council - it would have been nice to have seen former councillor Geoff Brierley down there (he did a lot of work with Greater Manchester Transport Committee) - but at least he's got an excuse, unlike the rest of that parochial bunch of alleged "do-gooders" whose interest in the big wide world outside of Mossley seems to be sorely lacking.



A little bit of (blurry) history - Sunday 10th Dec 2006 - 0837 - Mossley Station

Anyway rant over - in the end it was just me and Dennis who boarded the 0837 train - and we promptly doubled the number of passengers !! Also noted that - accidentally or not - the unit number was 142 001 ! Four minutes later we arrived in Greenfield - where there was a welcoming committee !! Paula and the rest of the crew from the "Railway", plus snapper Carl and "thespian Dave" (who allegedly caught the last Sunday train out of Greenfield nearly 40 years ago !) - Dave jumped on as we jumped off.



Arrival at Greenfield

We adjourned to the pub for a bacon butty and natter before returning to the station to get the 0930 back to Mossley - there were a few more people around by now, despite the rain - it was a princely one minute late !



Back in Mossley - note the 142 001 unit number..

Grabbed the Sunday papers, and got back home before anyone had got out of bed - and here endeth the "anorak moment" !!!

Mossley don't rock (Mossley v Frickley Athletic)

After the “high” of DragonForce on Friday night it was back to the perceived “low” of Mossley today, at home against a Frickley side who were “on a roll” and climbing the table as rapidly as the Lilywhites were plummeting….

However – it was Mossley, sporting smart new white socks, who started the game the brighter. Some good work by Chris Ward in the first few minutes, a few borderline offside decisions – this was not the team that capitulated at Matlock 7 days earlier.



Offside again !! Peter Wright

And then ……aargh !! On 23 minutes, new boy Jonathon Smith made what can only be described as a “rash challenge” on the edge of the box – result – penalty – dutifully tucked away by Paul Palmer. After 23 minutes of Mossley pressure, first shot – 0-1 down. Five minutes later it was “comedy of errors” time, when a clearance from Mossley player #1 rebounded off Mossley player #2 and into the path of Frickley player #3. “Merci beaucoup” as they say in South Elmshall – second shot on goal – and Ward made it 2-0 to Frickley.



"Cooke in the book" - Christian gets a yellow.

Frickley weren’t brilliant – but they played the ball to feet and used the full width of the field, whereas Mossley were playing far too narrow and too much on the right-hand side (poor old David Eyres was cutting a lonely figure out wide on the left – “waiting for Godot” ? waiting for anything…). Two nil down at half-time – and into the club for some respite from the rather cold weather for my bloody finger. Five weeks on from the accident, it’s still twice the size of its left handed twin, and it hurts like hell when it gets a bit of cold weather on it / in it – I feel a trip to the doctors coming on…

The second half saw changes – Steve Burke was brought on for the injured Christian Cooke – who’d been booked early on for one tackle and then spent the rest of the first half being assaulted by various Frickley players. Lee Shillito came on for the ineffective Fraser Robinson – and all of a sudden the attack came back to life. With 15 minutes to go, a shot by Peter Wright managed to squirm its way under/through Frickley keeper Jon Hood – and Mossley were back in the game.



"Butterfingers" was the cry - Hood hides head - it's 2-1...

Then we had a moment that somehow passed me by completely – Mossley’s Gary Furnival was sent off - I can only assume it happened during my one and only “toilet break” !! With five minutes left – PENALTY !! (saw that !!). Chris Ward took the responsibility – took his time – too much time – and saw his shot saved low down by Hood. A collective expletive echoed around the ground – and another three points went down the pan.



Chris Ward (far right) prepares for "that penalty"

Things only got worse after the game when the Sky “videprinter” showed that Radcliffe Borough (4 points in front at one minute to three) were now seven clear after a 2-0 against Ashton United (6 in front), and Leek Town (6 behind at one minute to three) were now three behind after an unlikely 5-1 away win at North Ferriby.

And Stafford lost….. And Belper lost …. One other result of note though was the vegetarians of Leicestershire beating the red meat of Bury – and I’ll leave you all to work that one out, because it’s late and I have an appointment at Mossley Railway station at 0837 later today to see (and travel on) the first train to stop at Mossley station on a Sunday for donkey’s years (believe 40) – yes the new railway timetable kicks in today and it includes Sunday stoppers at Mossley – not before time (Geoff Brierley – it’s finally happened !!).

Bet it’s late – or a Rail Replacement Bus ….

DragonForce ROCK !

Loads more pix on http://s146.photobucket.com/albums/r272/mossleysmiffy/DragonForce

Tonight in Manchester.....

You can discount Status Quo (old gimmers !!).

Yes tonight it's ..........



and weather permitting it's down with a bump on Saturday when the latest combination / permutation of players commonly known as "Mossley" take on Frickley Athletic.

In the meantime - let's rock.....

Bad week for football..weird stuff elsewhere.

Because there's been nowt locally this week - what makes it worse was that "ju-jitsu" taxi service was cancelled - as ju-jitsu was cancelled due to "nativity doings" at the skool venue - so I was available on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday this week for football.. OK I watched Man City in their entirety on Monday - it was just like watching Mossley (without the defeat) - but other than that I couldn't be bovvered.

However I have kept a diary of trains this week (aargh Aspergers !) - I may note this down at the end of the week - be warned it proves conclusively that the rail system in this country is crap - and NO-ONE CARES... (I warn you - it makes frightening reading up to now).

Ho - hum get happy - in 19 hours time me and middle boy will be having a grand time at the Manchester Academy watching DRAGONFORCE - we need to take the car because - yes - the trains are crap (beer will have to wait)

Manchester 24 hour city ?? Absolute b*ll*x. In fact tonight we had a "bit of a do" after work - I left Cheadle Hulme at 2057 - I got back to Mossley at 2300 - that's big city trains for you....when I got to Manchester Victoria, the station bar was shut (2200) - the place is a shambles, the train service is a shambles - I'll get round to doing my "to/from work" times for my week's travel sometime this weekend - it's awful - and it seems that nobody in authority really cares ... I took photos on Man Vic station tonight - and got accosted by "security" who insisted on seeing my pictures - and telling which ones I had to delete. When I get my head around the whole evening (yes I'm still sober) I'll relay more info...

50 up - then Matlock Town v Mossley

It’s been a busy couple of days – for obvious reasons – much drinking, much eating and 90 minutes of (mostly) misery in between.

Friday was just another day at work – pub at lunchtime to buy the office a beer – home via Stalybridge Buffet for a couple more beers – and out to Fu’s Chinese Restaurant for a family nosh-up Home for more beer, cards and pressies – I’m going to be a steam train driver for the day next year !

Saturday – drive down to Matlock, leap out of the driver’s seat to let Mrs Smiffy continue to Belper. Into “The Crown” where Nosmo (Ilkeston Town) was waiting with the first of several pints of Oakham Brewery “Raucous Reindeer”. Soon joined by one-third of the York Branch (Martin) and the Mossley Booze Bus crew. Headed for Causeway Lane just in time to miss the kick-off (!) We wandered round to the Cricket Ground End and settled down on the railings with feet oozing into the turf – within 90 seconds “security” arrived and we were informed that we couldn’t stand there. FA rules state that it’s unsafe to stand on grass at a football match ! I asked for an immediate abandonment of the game – refused.



"You can't stand here without a yellow jacket !!"

“The Alamo” began after about 15 minutes – a goal-line clearance, a shot off the post and one great save from Danny Trueman to name but three. It was no surprise when Matlock took the lead after 20 minutes through Holmes. Mossley then made a double substitution which seemed to work wonders for the last 10 minutes of the first half – yes we ended up with players playing in the correct positions !!! However it remained 1-0 at half-time.



"Yes we're stuffing Mossley again listeners !"

The team talk obviously worked wonders – for Matlock – and they doubled their advantage 5 minutes into the second half through Bowler. Then Mossley put together a lovely one-touch move ending with Peter Wright smacking it home – a glimmer of hope maybe ?? Fat chance – Matlock got their third after what can only be described as a “catastrophic balls-up” in the Mossley defence leaving Cahill time to wipe his boots, comb his hair, wash the dishes etc etc before tapping in to an empty net. Any confidence Mossley had at this stage – which wasn’t much anyway – promptly evaporated, leaving sub Barraclough to score with his first touch.



Beer, football and Riber Castle.

There was still time for some “handbags” after an awful tackle by Brisco (should have walked), but by then I was watching out of the Social Club window – much warmer and wetter (alcoholically speaking).



"OK everyone - learn the words - Happy Birthday to Smiffy Happy Birthday to You !" - handbags really !

So 4-1 – into the bottom three – and overall we got what we deserved. The wheel nuts are definitely loose now – even the players were arguing amongst themselves. As Colin the Butcher has said elsewhere, it’s took 13 years to get back where we think we belong – it’ll probably take about 12 years less to …..oh …grrrr.

Caught the 1701 train back to Belper with Nosmo (who carried on to Derby for a “meeting” in the “Brunswick” no doubt !) and headed for the “George” to meet friends and family” for another couple of hours of liquid refreshment before crawling up to Mother-in-Laws for a well-earned rest/collapse. Fine this morning though – back to Mossley….and this…

Not Football but ...

Thought you might like to see this - taken at 0730 this morning on Stalybridge Station..


And for those who do - I don't - meaning that's as I took it - no fannying around with Photoshop or owt - plus remember you're seeing a pic reduced from 2.5 Mb to about 25kb - twas a wondrous site nevertheless - and the 0737 was on time as well !!

PS my computer clock says 0001 - which means I'm now officially not a "sad twat approaching 50" - I am 50 !!

Glossop NE v Curzon Ashton

Thank heaven for broadband - up at early doors today, quick logon to find 0727 train "severely delayed" - gives me a chance to catch the only "fast bus" in town to get to Stalybridge to still connect with the 0737 to Manchester Picc - twas close this morning because "national Roads Inc" or whatever have messed with a set of traffic lights on the route - with a bigger delay. At least I made work on time - wow ! Anyways, Northern Rail - today - you're sh*t !! And "Network Roads" too.....

All day long it's been "Will it be Glossop will it be Bridge ??" Back to Stalybridge in the evening (cripes the 1711 from Picc was almost on time - bloody miracle - usually it's a case of "Trans-Pennine - you're sh*t"). Into the Buffet bar to be presented with a card from Sylvia - a card what someone has sent - to me - via the Stalybridge Buffet Bar address. I wonder why?? Derby postmark - will leave it till Friday ...

Home on 1815 - quick change - as I walk out - Mrs Smiffy walks in - "Bye love" - 1857 back to Bridge - options for a game still open even at this late stage !! A pint of Millstone "True Grit" helps me decide - tonight it's Glossop. Caught the 1928 bus, arriving at Glossop just after kick-off - to find that Curzon had scored, virtually straight from the kick-off.

It was all Curzon when I got there - a one-on-one was brilliantly saved by Glossop keeper Stuart Williams (my Man of the Match tonight) - and here I veer off sideways - a couple of years ago when Mossley were playing at Glossop, said Stuart had a blinder - we suggested he joined Mossley - we chatted with his Dad - who said "As long as he's under my roof - he stays at Glossop !" - never argue with an agent !!



Tonigt's "Man of the Match" - Stuart Williams

Anyway back to the game - totally against the run of play, a Curzon attack broke down - the ball was pumped up front - to find no defence whatsoever. Lee Blackshaw took full advantage to equalise.

Despite the equaliser, Curzon continued to "bomb" the Glossop goal - pushing the ball out wide - both sides - and causing havoc in the Glossop defence - thank goodness for the Man of the Match !! It had to come though - eventually - and 5 minutes before half-time Curzon's Mickey Norton (a player who should be playing several leagues above ) scored with a cracking left foot shot. Minutes later Curzon hit the post, but it was still only 2-1 at half-time - it should have been 6 at least.

Into the bar for a warm - finger still dodgy - realising that Curzon could play so far forward, they may concede three - but still score five !!

Second half saw Curzon go 3-1 up when the number 11 squirted one in from an acute angle on the right. Game over ?? No way. Glossop grabbed another goal through Blackshaw to make it 3-2 and ten minutes later they got a penalty which Young converted to make it 3-3. Unbelievable given the chances, the possesssion and all that stuff that Curzon had had....



The very "foul mouthed" Curzon bench .

However true to form with 5 minutes to go Curzon get a penalty which Moore put away to make it 4-3. Back to the centre circle and Curzon's Mickey Norton makes an absolute pillock of himself by wasting time, getting his second yellow and being told to walk. In the end it didn't matter as Curzon got their 4-3 win (obviously harder than their 7-0 win over Atherton LR on Saturday mind).



The "not so leaning" Tower of Glossop - with MOM in foreground.

Twas the right result in the end - on possession, chances et al - but Glossop made them fight all the way - so they've nowt to be ashamed of tonight - and Stuart Williams (MOM) - there's still room for you at Mossley !! . Managed to scab a lift back to Stalybridge and met Jason at the Buffet Bar to find that Celtic had won 2-1 - bring on Hinckley in the next round ...

There are other pics tonight - but not up to my exacting standards - and my hands were soooo cold (time to discover the makers of "fingerless gloves" ...)

Droylsden v Rushall Olympic

Another shambolic day in the life of public transport – but hey we got through – and got some football – so I’ll leave the “Rail rant” for now !!.

Got the call (via the web) that the Mossley game was off after last night’s downpour (hey I was in Longsight eating a massive roast beef dinner at a friends house – so I missed it all !!) - the alternative being touted was Curzon Ashton v Atherton LR – thought to myself – hey I fancy Glossop v Curzon next Tuesday – so it was FA Trophy time at Droylsden v Rushall Olympic.

Being a weekend of course there’s no trains from Mossley towards Manchester – a job that British Rail would have completed over one weekend now stretches into its fifth weekend. Got to Ashton (via Stalybridge Buffet Bar – natch – full of railway workers ordering sausage and egg butties instead of getting the bloody work done !)) OK. Now I’m not so good on buses (ask me a train time – no sweat – but buses – no) – and I had to find a dispensing pharmacy on the way as well to feed my drug habit (salbutamol !)

Arrived at Droylsden at about 1510 after a stop at “Boots the Chemist” – still 0-0. It was a fairly “nothing” sort of game – up one end, down t’other with nothing really outstanding happening – I could have said fairly even, but I’m sticking with “nothing”!



Early attack for Droylsden


Rained here too apparently - in one spot only !!

Then just before half-time Droylsden were awarded a penalty – OK he fell over but ….hmmm. Fearns duly despatched for 1-0, and there was still a chance for another before the whistle went – not taken mind.


Fearns makes it 1-0 from "dodgy pen" !!

Into the club at half-time for a pint and a warm – strange that most people hung around the door with their eyes on the telly (miles away) – leaving loads of room up at the bar !

Second half saw Droylsden double their lead after a comedy of errors in the Rushall defence left an open goal, duly taken . This seemed to turn the Rushall number 4 (captain Richard Brown) into “total loony” mode – nothing dirty mind, just full on 100% gob, gob and more gob.

And then it started raining – just like last night apparently – but there was still time for a third as a cracking through ball put Steve Daly clear and he made no mistake. Final score 3-0 - well deserved in the end. Once that first goal had gone in, Rushall seemed to lose most of the fight they’d displayed in the first 40 minutes

It was actually a game of “many natters” as well – in the first half I met Duncan Bayley, the Unibond supremo who told me that today he had his “FA Trophy hat” on. Known Duncan from my early days at Mossley back in the mid-80s – we discussed the “new” Unibond Division to be (needs FA ratification mind) and the state of Mossley AFC (I now know what needs to be done re ground grading at Seel Park – i.e. not much !!). Towards the end of the game I met Tony Cunningham – another name from the Mossley past (i.e. the mid 80s), now firmly behind Ramsbottom United – their game was off – he’d thought about the Mossley game – that one off too – so ended up at the Butchers Arms – and for those who remember young Phil (not so young now of course !), he’s over in Wales with his Mum watching the likes of Airbus UK and Chester City. And finally I met “Carlf” – the Droylsden snapper – who looks nowt like his avatar (because that is actually someone completely different !!)



Rushall go home... to "concentrate on the league"

Other results today leave me spoilt for choice now on Tuesday - either Glossop v Curzon or Stalybridge v Gainsborough in the Trophy replay - and of course the Celtic option does mean no driving and a chance of the odd beer in Buffet Bar / Hare & Hounds !! We'll see how I feel...

TTTT 2006/07

The story so far in the "Tameside Top Team Trophy" - League Games only

1 - Curzon Ashton (35pts from 15 games = 2.33 pts per game)
2 - Droylsden (28pts from 17 games = 1.65 pts per game)
3 - Stalybridge Celtic (23 pts from 18 games = 1.28 pts per game)
4 - Hyde United (24pts from 19 games = 1.26 pts per game)
5 - Ashton United (21 pts from 17 games = 1.23 pts per game
6 - Mossley (16 pts from 19 games = 0.84 pts per game)

Fated tonight .....

Knew I'd never be back in time to get a lift to Fleetwood - but hey a sporting chance of going somewhere (Ramsbottom v Curzon Ashton).

They called it off at 1600.........

Coming home was fun - people running from Platform 13 to Platform 3 to Platform 13 to Platform 4 (not quick enough) - back to 13 then back to 3 - an absolute shambles courtesy Trans-Pennine Express.



Typical sh*t at Manchester Piccadilly...and it got worse AFTER this pic !

Still got home for tea - then off to the Britannia to watch the Celtic v United game - best I could hope for tonight.

They've got a power cut.... and have had since 1800 - therefore it was "quiet" !!.



Untypical sh*t at the Brit - nice pic though - eh ?

Hey ho stay for one and get the train up to Greenfield to watch the second half - dodgy decision for the free kick - but what a free kick it was (Nakamura). Got the call from Fleetwood......

Mossley lose 2-1 after an 85th minute goal.......

Home on 2153 - back in Mossley in time to buy the bread and milk from Rajas (Brit and rest of the row still "sans elec").



A very dark Manchester Road.

Not my idea of a "football night" .... well hacked off - almost tempted to hack in to some University of Central Lancs pcs and cause some sh*t - the one with the IP address ending in "12" must be fair game....But no - it's not fair to use "works knowledge" is it ??

Anyway Belper beat Glossop 2-1 in the Derbyshire Senior Cuo - so all is not completely lost tonight.

Onward to Mossley v Leek on Saturday - the "Lilywhites" latest six-pointer...

Belper Town v Clitheroe

OK - it's not exactly part of "Six Tame Sides" - but stuff needed to be done at Mother-in-laws while she was away (like sorting out a new kitchen !), so it was to ChristChurch Meadow we went for the football fix.

Nipped into the "George" before the game - to see a large band of Clitheroe fans - including Billy who I last saw, whilst accompanying a band of Clitheroe fans on the last leg of their sponsored walk to Mossley last season - first question naturally was "How are your feet ?".

To the game - two teams in trouble - so something had to give. Belper started well, and after 17 minutes Mushambi set up Chris Davies with a golden chance to make it 1-0 - but his feet got all tangled up with the ball - and the Nailers were left to rue that chance when just before the half-hour Darrell Avery found space down the left and his well-hit shot from a very acute angle went across Carney and crept in at the far post.



First blood to Clitheroe - Avery's shot creeps in.

Urged on by the usual small, yet voiciferous "Blue Army, Clitheroe then spent a ten munute spell camped in the Belper half, with Carney making one excellent save from Jones. Just before half-time Clitheroe doubled their lead when Exton (my MOM) outstripped everyone - again down the left - before picking his spot.




The "Blue Army" - with flappy flag !

The second half saw chances at both ends - Mushambi had one great effort for Belper which fizzed over the bar, and Clitheroe had further chances to increase their lead. It was "game over" on the hour though when Belper's Ashley Foyle "saw red" for one of those "last man tackles" that don't quite work ! Ten minutes later a shot came back off the Belper bar for Sargeson to make it 3-0 to the visitors and send the Clitheroe fans happily back up the A50 - apparently they don't use the A6 version of "going home" !



Mushy's shot just clears the bar.

The atmosphere was bleak in the bar afterwards (and not just because there was no "Pedigree" in the jug !) - much of was was borne out by the announcement this morning (Sunday), that Belper Manager Ernie Moss had tendered his resignation. Also met Brendan after the game - a guy I've known for a long time - we used to share Stafford Rangers matches back in the 80s.

I slithered off to go out for a meal at the "Elaichi" Bangladeshi Restaurant with Mrs Smiffy, daughter (up from Derby Uni) and sister-in-law Judith. A fine mixed kebab, followed by Tandoori Monkfish, washed down with some Kingfisher Beer. Fell asleep later .....

Other pictures available at http://s146.photobucket.com/albums/r272/mossleysmiffy/BelperClitheroe/

Insults

Someone out there doesn't like me ...a comment below (on the "Slurp Early for Christmas" post) - a BIG comment on the "wristy" blog (http://wristy.blogspot.com) on the "Sneaked a Band in Tonight" post - hey ho - take it on the chin - and reply with vigour ....and a cheeky piccy - why not - stick it on here as well !!



Early checks imply that it's an FC United of Manchester fan - I will delve further on arrival at work tomorrow - because we have the technology !!

The Lights Go Out on Celtic ... Stalybridge Celtic v Farsley Celtic

I was going to call it something like "Holland v England - no Celtic v Celtic" - but events have led me to try to "steal a march" on local papers, message boards etc.

Arriving at 1955 (still need to time myself properly from the Buffet Bar - but hey I left there at 1814 back to Mossley, quick change, quick "hello" to Mrs Smiffy, quick run back to catch 1857 back...) - twas still 0-0 nevertheless.

On 20 minutes, Lee Ellington found some space on the left and let loose a terrific curler that the Farsley keeper just managed to put round the post. The next second all hell broke loose as the Farsley number 11 (no programme - no name !) wiped his feet all over Smith which led to a "bit of a do" adjacent to the dug-outs. When all calmed down the cards remained firmly in the ref's pockets ! It was fairly even after that but Bridge did have the better chances - a glancing header that went just wide, and shortly before half-time a Smith cross (oh he's over on the left !) saw Paul Sykes smack a a thundering header against the bar.



The "glancing header" photoshot.

0-0 at half-time - time for a snifter in the "Hare and Hounds" (Bombardier) - and time to see the Holland equaliser in the England game (from 57 different angles of course - lousy defending came to mind after the first of the 57 angles).

Back into the Fold to see Farsley take the lead when their number 11 (remember him from earlier) set up Grant to make it 1-0. Not long after that Keeling (?) got booked for a fairly innocuous challenge - this disappointed me, especially after the "kerfuffle" in the first half - if a ref chooses to let something like that go - and then pulls out a yellow for next to nothing - then in my mind he loses the respect of all and sundry - instantly.

Five minutes later an absolutely awful cock-up in the Stalybridge defence led to a second goal for Grant and Farsley - a back pass from Winn that went horribly wrong (did the keeper shout ? no idea). That was the turning point - any confidence that Celtic DID have went straight out of the window. Substitutions made little difference - the long ball (known as "hoof ball" in the Unibond and below) came into play, and as far as I (neutral) could see, that was the end of that. There was still time for Farsley to almost grab a third when a short free-kick 20 yards inside the Farsley half went horribly wrong and was quickly depatched up the other end. They missed however. And then the rain came down as if to add insult to injury.



The rain coming down .

There was still time for Pettinger to make a class save to keep it to 0-2 until - one quarter of the Stalybridge illuminations decided to call it a day. The ref dashed over to the dug-outs, discussed matters with Dickie Bird (borrowed his light meter) and said "on with the show" (the light meter/Dickie Bird stuff is of course a figment of my emancipation) It was all over bar the shouting (at the ref) anyway..



Lights out (note the lack of players attacking the lonely Farsley keeper)...

No doubt there will be recriminations all round tonight - the ref should have sent their 11 off in the first half - then he wouln't have created their first goal - the game should have been called off when the lights went out - the chants of "off" were almost immediate from the 'Bridge faithful !!) And as the players were leaving the field the "errant floodlight" started to flicker back into life - too late though - the flicker had gone out of Celtic when that second goal went in......

Slurp Early for Christmas !!

We've had the first cuckoo of spring...first swallow of summer ...how about the first Christmas beer of Christmas ?

Britannia in Mossley tonight - twas nice as well !

Mossley v Kendal Town

This should be brief !

Started the day at 0500, then went off to Stalybridge to say "Hi" to the Alfreton Town mob (I was only 14 out on their "Guess the Attendance" sweep in the end) - returned to Mossley - some might say "Why ?" - I too am asking the same question.

First 36 minutes saw good Mossley pressure - chances for Eyres, Turley and Shillito come to mind - but then it was the usual "sucker punch" moment, although it was three minutes before half-time rather than the usual three minutes from full-time. Kendal's Dave Foster received the ball on the edge of the box - turned - and just smacked it - a truly superb finish I have to say. Once again half-time arrived and Mossley were chasing the game.



An early free-kick for Kendal - spot the "hole in the wall".

The second half really contained few moments of note - a header from Wright which went just over - a Kendal effort from afar which "caught the wind" and dropped on the Mossley bar - a Turley free kick late on which hit the post - and a lot of rain in the last 15 minutes. Somewhere in the middle of all that, Kendal's Beattie found time and space in the Mossley defence to receive, swivel and score to make it 2-0. The last couple of minutes saw the ball in the net at both ends - but both cancelled out by flagging officials (they may have been tired as well - I was certainly flagging by then).



The Kendal goalmouth did see some action - but ...

Another defeat, this time by a club that hadn't won a game since September. Mossley are in deep trouble - once again there was some "tinkering" at the back re team selection - but it's not "tinkering" that's required - it's something a bit more fundamental than that. Enough of this - it's starting to hurt - serious hurt as well....



"I wandered lonely as a Kendal 'keeper" - there were 21 others - somewhere.

A New Toy !!!

0500 today - woke Mrs Smiffy up - she's gone to London to see the Queen (OK, it's some educational conference but..).

Three hours later postie arrived - with this, all the way from Hong Kong:



Yes a genuine USB cup warmer - bought off EBay for a remarkable £4-48 (the packet also contained a £3 off next order voucher !). I've tried it out and it works ! So if you're looking for an unusual/totally stupid Christmas present, try www.uxcell.com - and no I'm not on commission !!

Staly Vegas - How Many More ???

Walking back to Stalybridge Station after the game last night - OK to the Buffet Bar for a quick snifter before returning to Mossley - I spotted these as I walked down Market Street.



Two more potential bars ?? Planning permission already granted ?? When will saturation point be reached ?? Will it go the same way as Ashton ?? Already, so many of these "establishments" seem to be closed during the week - turning the place into a "ghost town". And if it ain't a bar in 'Bridge it's usually a takeaway.

Thank heavens for the Buffet Bar ....and Cosmo Bingo (if you're into that sort of thing - which I am not !!)