Woodley Sports v Kidsgrove Athletic

Well it's nearly Ramsbottom v Curzon - but not quite ! You know what it's like - work, trains, family, shopping, cooking, etc etc - the list goes on. So it was for the 1857 train to Ashton - which arrived 8 minutes late thus cocking up my 1915 bus connection to Woodley - got the next one but didn't get to Woodley until about 15 mnutes in.. Didn't have to wait too long for a goal mind - a fairly "Route 1" clearance fell to Douglas-Pringle who casually chipped the Kidsgrove keeper to put the home side one up. I firmly believe the only reason this player has not "moved up" is due the the "names on shirts problem" he would cause !



"Three Flags Two Fans" - honest, there were more !!

Ten minutes later Kidsgrove had the ball in the net - but the goal was chalked off for some reason - no offside flag, can only assume pushing. However three minutes later, some great work from Lennon on the right side of the box saw him square the ball for Byron Moore to have the simplest of tap-ins to level the scores. Lennon nearly did the same again a few minutes later, this time on the right, but the final ball let him down this time..



Some first half action - one of my few "in focus" - well almost !

Keeping an eye on the "Mossley old boy" - Adam Morning produced one moment of class when he received a short ball from a corner - he controlled, swivelled - but the shot went just over. As many were preparing for their half-time break (beer, bovril, bladder - you choose !), Gavin Salmon picked the ball up out on the right and then ran, virtually unchallenged, into the box to drill a shot past the Kidsgrove 'keeper (no name sorry - he's on loan from Port Vale though !) t give Woodley a 2-1 half-time lead. (I'd been checking names with the Kidsgrove fans, and one said "We're doing all right - but the defence is letting us down" - literally seconds before this goal !).

I had a half-time beer - and found myself chatting with another Mossley "old boy" i.e. Kevin O'Connell, who was with Mossley for a couple of spells in the early and late 1990's. His words as we left the club were "There'll be a few more goals yet" - prophetic !!



Kevin O'Connell - then and now (he refused to take hat off for picture - wonder why !)

Now I've had a quick peep at the Unibond site - and I've double-checked my notes - I reckon I've got the goalscorers in the right order and right names - but you never know ! After 65 minutes a corner from the right was headed in by Lennon (or was it Jones ?) to make it 2-2, and after this the confidence just seemed to evaporate from the Woodley players. Ten minutes later Byron Moore (on loan from Crewe apparently) scored with almost a carbon copy of the Salmon goal in the first half (although he finished with his left foot !) and a couple of minutes later another Moore/Lennon combination ended with Lennon chipping the Woodley keeper to make it 4-2 to the visitors - and there was no way back from that.



When you wish you had a good camera - look at his face - PANIC !!!


Man of the Match was undoubtely Michael Lennon - a quality performance full of hard work, hard running and a lot of skill - he's (allegedly) on £400 per week - but with performances like that, he's well worth it - he's scored over 40 goals this season already.

Managed a lift back into Ashton from Barry ("Ashton United cum local groundhopper") - thanks mate - and then found a bus to Stalybridge where I had a little time to discuss the Cricket World Cup - the Buffet Bar has a "Private League" in the Sky Sports Fantasy League Competition - look out for the "Bernard Chutney All Stars" - my squad !! Home to Mossley - a bit of "Alice Through the Looking Glass" (God that bloke must have been on serious drugs !) - and then - to this ....

Burton Albion v Forest Green Rovers

Come on - of course I didn't go - although it's probably one of the few good things that have come out of the multi-national monolith that is Sky TV (i.e. when they're desperate - bung a non-league game on). Tonight I managed the second half - and as I walked into the "Railway" at Greenfield I was just in time for Danny Holmes' goal. I noticed one of the advertising hoardings around the ground ("Roger Bullivant") and remarked that there were a couple of vans parked outside the pub with that very same name - to find that there were three guys from Burton in the pub (they're "doing a job" in Greenfield). Not only that, one of them went to school with Steve Burr (now Manager at Northwich Vics - but I remember him leading the line at Stafford Rangers back in the early 1980s). There wasn't that much difference between the two teams tonight, although the "Brewers" looked that touch more comfy at the back - FGR did miss an absolute sitter in the second half mind - but to counter that, Burton did hit the bar from a quick free-kick (think the keeper got a touch) !

Short and sweet tonight - tomorrow looks like Rammy v the Nash - or in real language Ramsbottom United v Curzon Ashton - because, having thought about going to see Curzon v Truro in the FA Vase semi on 24th, I've been coerced to escort the "Mossley faithful" on a boozy train trip to Guiseley on that day - God I'm a softie at heart - but these guys would never make it there - let alone back - without some assistance (they''re all bloody car users - what d'you expect !).

So tomorrow should be a good chance to see the only team in Tameside who are really "on a roll" (sorry Droylsden - you ARE a close second though !) - this does assume that Mrs Smiffy gets back from the gym )yes that one next to Stalybridge Celtic;s ground) before 1900 - because Rammy is an easy drive up the M60 - ask Topsy (Mossley fan) how long it took to drive back from there in our North West Counties days - and that in his crappy old Rover (with a wet back seat !) - he reckoned about 17 minutes - I reckoned that was only to Ashton - although we certainly got back in plenty of time for drinkies in Mossley - I will attempt same tomorrow.

P.S we didn't make the walk on Sunday - the traffic in Matlock was crazy on the way down to Belper - and we had to nip to Derby to see daughter as well - hey ho maybe next Sunday - it is Mothers Day - and Mrs Smiffy has already said "big walk no cooking".

Saturday - Total cock up - Part 2 - words

Well what a crappy day was 10th March 2007. It began so well, with a cracking breakfast of bacon, eggs, mushrooms and fried bread – truly a “brown sauce ” event. With small boy having ju-jitsu exam in Liverpool at 1300, I took Mrs Smiffy down to Chorlton Street Bus Station in Manchester to catch the 1100 “TransPeak” down to Belper to see Mum etc – and a evening family nosh at the “Elaichi” Restaurant in Belper (been there – done it – cracking Bangladeshi nosh as well)

Back to Mossley – pick up small boy – and off to Fazakerley for ju-jitsu stuff. We arrived with 30 minutes to spare – the place was unnaturally quiet. At 1255 we asked – we found out that we were actually 7 DAYS and 30 minutes early. Cue “D’oh” in the dojo….it was a solemn drive back home (apart from the Marilyn Manson CD) – and then I get txt from Nosmo (Ilkeston Town) – see pic – I could have been there ….




Back in Mossley at about 1405 – knowing full well that five of the “Six Tame Sides” were playing away – leaving only Mossley at home…..hmmm…wait – Squires Gate were playing their home game against FC United at Curzon Ashton’s ground – there’s still time to make it….NO - my views on the FC United phenomenon are fairly well documented – we’re back to principles once again - although I could have helped out Squires Gate I guess.

A walk down the road – and into the “Britannia” for a beer or three – and a watch of the Scotland/Ireland game. By about 1600 the twitches were well and truly twitching – this can’t go on – so I walked up the hill and into Mossley Park – somewhere where you can watch a Mossley game “over the wall” - (see pix in "Part 1"). I got there about 1620 – just in time for a goal – first shot was saved but Moffat put away the rebound – at that moment I had no idea what the score was – five minutes later Gateshead scored another when Southern walked it round the keeper after the defence went AWOL.

Game over – I nipped into the “Rag” where I knew the “troops” were going to watch the Middlesborough/United game- only to find a good number of them had beat me there. By implication this meant they didn’t bother to go in the Social Club after the game. You can read so much into this can you not ?? Found out that it had finished 4-0 to Gateshead. Bugger.

So United got a draw – but during my time at the “Rag” I got some serious sh*t from some of the Mossley fans – basically saying “Get back you dozy …..” (insert word to suit). They’re right of course – I’ve been comfy over the last seven days reading stuff like this on blog/message board/e-mails – but when a true Mossley fan comes up to you in person and says the same to your face – it means so much more – OK the “two supporters” are now back in the fold through various ways and means – but my particular “spat” remains outstanding – and there is NO WAY I will ever come to terms with what was said to me by the Mossley Vice-Chairman – to me he xxxxxxxxxxx (deleted Sunday a.m.- just in case ....) who happens to have well-off parents – maybe brutal, but that’s it – he’s the one to apologise not I – because I believe I’ve done a damn sight more for that football club without the aid of parental cash than he will EVER do – because it doesn’t always boil down to money – a point that has been totally missed… Incidentally Martin, my missing £7 was more than made up for by the two Hyde United guys who couldn’t make it to Worcester and so went to the Mossley game and appeared in the “Rag” afterwards – bet you guys won’t be back – and I do mean that in the nicest possible way !!

After the United game I meandered home – and I slipped into the Mossley Social Club in full knowledge that all things football/officialdom would have long gone home – had a couple of beers – and got the same “Get back you dozy ….” from a few of the remainders from the game three hours earlier.

What do I do – I go on here praying that Mossley will stay up – praying that Mossley will win – yet the club Vice-Chairman believes my support/cash is unnecessary – and here I am on a blog “bulling up” Mossley Football Club – a blog that has been viewed by best part of 8,000 peeps since last August. There’s always away game I suppose – but the next away game is at Guiseley on 24th which clashes with the Curzon Ashton v Truro City FA Vase Semi First Leg – and I’ve already done Guiseley in the abortive (i.e. we lost) FA Cup game earlier in the season (see blog entry a lot .

What do I do - .I see Leek Town got a point today – for Mossley at the moment there’s no bloody point at all .. when you’ve been watching them as long as I have (albeit only 23 years in case some of the “old boys” chip in !), we’ve been here before (relegation I mean) – although the whole atmosphere was so much better then – we had a crap team and management who gave 100% - and we had the same loyal “band of brothers” watching same – and the whole atmosphere was so much more relaxed and comfortable – chats with players/management were so much easier – WE ALL KNEW WE WERE GIVING OUR ALL. Something that the “Class of 2007” maybe should take note of ..

This whole thing is messing my life up something rotten (something that rich people obviously don’t worry about) – and here I am listening to Muse singing “Invincible” – obviously with Mrs Smiffy being away I can drink more beer – but I’m expected in Belper fairly early tomorrow morning – so we can “do” Froggatt Edge in the afternoon – and a good bloody walk can take your mind off so many things.

What do I do - apart from looking for somewhere to go on Tuesday night ?

Saturday - Total Cock-up - Part 1 - pix

What a silly day - I offer these pix to start with - and some deep words will appear later - for those who can handle this sort of sh*t, xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (oh shut up Smith !) - a sh*tty day all round...



Yes it's Mossley behind barbed wire..



What is THAT behind top goal ??



A late Joe Shaw free kick comes to nowt ....



The final humiliation - if it's on Sky it must be true ...and Leek get a bloody point ..

The Oldham Chronicle ....

...more one-sided than Mossley on a bad day. For those of you outside the "Six Tame Sides" circulation, I offer this link:

http://www.oldham-chronicle.co.uk/SPORTT04.html

which is the "official" view on Saturday afternoon's events - and if you enjoy a good fiction novel - go for it. On my way home from work on Tuesday I got one phone call from a fellow Mossley fan (i.e one of the "two supporters") letting me know about this article - I then get a txt from one of our "southern based" fans who's seen it reproduced on the Mossleywb site. I got back to Mossley - picked up a "Chron" from Rajas (local convenience store) - and on my way to Stalybridge last night phoned up the Chron lambasting Mr Bugby - who's been covering Mossley for the best part of 20 years and leaving my phone number for him to get back to me.

Unfortunately work then intervened - as I got to work this morning at 0815 I was dragged into a meeting with auditors (who - after accountants - must be the most pointless human beings on this planet) and at 1245 I return to my desk to find "1 missed call" on my phone - yes it was the Chron - all I could do was to e-mail my take on Saturday evening (knowing it was far too late to publish) - but hey - they know. I'm also aware of another Mossley fan who has sent similar feelings to same paper.

And then we get tonight's paper...

http://www.oldham-chronicle.co.uk/SPORTW04.html

...yet another well-spun story from the higher echelons of the Mossley Management - and if Melford Knight thinks that scoring a winner "throws all criticism back in everyone's faces" - then what the hell has he been doing for the previous five months (i.e. since last home win) ? Swallows and summers come to mind ....

It's good to get a win because it DOES take everyone's mind of events of a few days ago - however it does not make everything in the garden rosy - the underlying problems remain (dammit we went up as Champs last season - the same feelings were there even then - it's not new).

Please God let Mossley win on Saturday against Gateshead - another home game - another chance to move closer to that "fifth from bottom placing". My Saturday will be spent in Fazakerley - as young boy has another Ju-Jitsu examination (another £47 spent tonight - ouch) - which won't see me and him getting back home much before 1615.

Fingers crossed...

"Winn" for Stalybridge - and a win for Mossley

Should be more to come later - let me eat my tea - at least you know that the "Six Points" prediction/prayer from 22 hours ago has come true !!

There were actually about five Leigh fans behind this big flag !

Ellington lines up his penalty equaliser

Honest - this is Winn's late late late late winner !!!!!

Tameside in bloom - daffs & speedcam on Mottram Road !!

Stalybridge were quickly out of the blocks with Hume hooking the ball over the bar after only 8 minutes. A couple of minutes later a corner was again met by Hume only for his effort to be cleared off the line – and then the final part of the Hume trilogy saw his shot hit the post ! It was all Celtic early on, with the Leigh defence looking remarkably shaky. An exquisite flicked header from Brodie brought an excellent save from the Leigh ‘keeper, and it was a good 25 minutes before RMI had their first real sniff on goal. A shot from Winn flew wide as did an Ellington header following a free-kick – surely it was only a matter of time before Stalybridge scored. Another header went just wide following a long throw, and it was amazing that the first half ended 0-0 – Celtic could have been home and dry – or at least vigorously towelling themselves down.

You know what’s coming next – early Leigh pressure in the second half – and for Hume in the first half substitute Rapley in the second – yes that Kevin Rapley the ex-Droylsden chappie. After watching one snap shot go narrowly wide, a free-kick took a wicked deflection giving Bishop no chance - 1-0 and totally against the run of play.

Not to worry though – it was Hume to the rescue ten minutes later when he was clattered to the ground by the Leigh ‘keeper – the red card was inevitable – and was Ellington’s despatch of the resultant penalty. With a stand-in keeper, I’d have expected a little more pressure on him – despite Celtic’s complete superiority at this stage they couldn’t find a way past him – and there were a few nervy breakaways at the other end too.

Leigh did seem happy to run the clock down however – which was their undoing. There were four minutes of added time - after about 3 minutes 54 seconds of this time Ashley Winn picked up the ball (well he didn’t actually pick it up – that would have been a foul !) and stabbed it home through a crowded penalty box for a dramatic winner. Just time for Leigh to kick off before the ref blew for time.

Tuesday Night Beckons .....

....as does the ubiquitous football trip.

There has been a bit of "fall out" after the shenanigans at Mossley on Saturday evening - and I have to pass on thanks for the many messages of support I have received via blog, message board, verbal and phone txt. No doubt the "faithful" will turn up for the vital game against Leek Town - the latest in a long series of "must win" games - and that's great. Mossley are a club that has been through thick and thin over the last 20 odd years, but the support has always been loyal and totally unswerving (I remember during one relegation year,the crowds actually went up !) - and I know it will remain so.

I hope Mossley win - I dearly do - for so long this season (especially since Christmas) I've tried to keep a positive spin on things, feeling that, despite the very close proximity of the relegation "trapdoor", the Lilywhites will somehow manage to avoid it. My overall view remains the same - there's plenty of points there to be won to ensure that the usual "42 or somewhere around there" points target is met .. as well as Leek game, Grantham (bottom and all but doomed) still have to appear at Seel Park - so there's six points straight off.

However principles are principles, and I'll not be attending. The complete and utter "descent into total anarchy" that followed Saturday's game against Marine has left me extremely depressed - regardless of football loyalties, it's often nice to feel wanted, to feel appreciated for the time, effort and money that you put into a club, be it just turning up to a home game, travelling to away games, or just attending a quiz night (you don't see Mrs Smiffy at the football club very often - and handing back the prize money too !!) - or going that step further by raising money through walks, buying raffle/golden goal tickets strange pools coupons (!) or jumping in to be an emergency programme editor (Sheffield last season during John's holiday). Don't get me wrong - I - and many others - do not expect a verbal "pat on the back" week in week out - we just do it because we do. But when you're turning up - and getting that uneasy feeling 'from above' that "You should be grateful that WE'RE here" - it does tend to stick in the craw.

A football club IS IT'S FANS - always has been, always will be - it's a fact that many supporters get a raw deal in the higher echelons of football in this country - that's why so many like-minded people as myself go for the non-league game - where words such as "family"and "community" are espoused. Unfortunately at Mossley the term "family" at Mossley has been replaced by the word "dynasty" (see Unibond press release - http://www.unibondleague.com/news.php?nid=3238) - and my dictionary defines that word as "powerful rulers" - read into that what you will..... I'd be tempted to replace it with the word "dysentry" - because to me it's all turned to s**t...

While Mossley have that important "six-pointer", tomorrow night - another one of the "Six Tame Sides" have a similar game i.e. Stalybridge Celtic v Leigh RMI - three points for Celtic should take a lot of pressure off them in the lower reaches of the Conference North.

So I'll be giving them a helping hand at 1945 later today - and hopefully, by the "magic of mobiles", keeping up-to-date with events 3 miles down the road at Seel Park.

Let's hope for six points in the "Six Tame Sides" region at 2130 tonight..

Eagles of Death Metal

Another excellent (sell-out) gig at the Academy last night - the sound was a little below par - but hey - they rocked !! For those of you old enough (!!) they do a wonderful version of "Stuck in the Middle" (the old Stealers Wheel Song) - I kid you not....and some pics as well...









The mighty Jesse Hughes....



...and the "bald" Dave Catching ...with "Flying V"

Football First - it's "Bye Bye Mossley"

Can't be *rsed to say much about today at Seel Park - it's fairly well documented on the Mossley Message Board..

http://z6.invisionfree.com/Mossley_AFC_Forum/index.php?showtopic=1856

and I'm sure there's more to come - when people wake up and have a think - which is what I should do really - there were some angry fans there today - and the reaction from Players, Management and "upstairs" was nothing short of disgraceful - I can only speak for myself at this present time, but a 23 year relationship with a football club went out of the window at about 1815 on Saturday 3rd March 2007- when the Vice-Chirman of the club basically says "Good Riddance" - that'll do for me - there are after all "Six Tame Sides" - and they all use the same currency - just deduct one from Mossley.

To facts - Mossley lost 3-1 and after t'other scores today, they find themselves in even deeper do-dos (cut the cr*p - they're going down) - and here are some of the highlights (?) - in pictures rather than words ...



The "Marine Faithful" - who got the ball ???

Liner's view of Marine corner - at least he's up with play ..

Aerial Ballet 1



Aerial Ballet 2 - note soft Scouser with vest on !!!



Where's Roly Howard ???? The Marine Bench



Clive - you're on your own mate...best be back to Rochdale...



"Saving Banks" - Marine keeper Andy Banks keeps it out...


Did it cross the line ? Who gives a toss - I don't.

I'll be doing the stuff from the "Eagles of Death Metal" gig sometime later today - if the weather holds (not promising) we're out for a walk somewhere - plus I'm on the "honey and cider glazed lamb" for tea - and probably giving daughter a lift into Manc to get back to Derby - have I time for football ? I always find time !! Onwards to Tuesday - and Stalybridge v Leigh RMI - oh Mossley (5 minutes walk from house) are at home too - Bower Fold it is then ......

Gonna be a busy day .....

Cripes, it's nearly three o'clock on Saturday morning - and I've finally found the pc ! Left work at 5 - meet daughter in Manchester at 5-20 - arrive at "La Tasca" at 5-30 - wife arrives 5-45 (we are all coming from different directions e.g. Cheadle Hulme, Derby and Mossley !). Platefuls of tapas and then home to Mossley - and into the "Britannia" for several bers/wines - home - watched a pirate of "Borat" (v. funny !) and then played with Music Channels on Sky before trying out this "1000 toons" DVD what I have purloined - all golden oldies - some crackers on there...

Tomorrow - err today - usual housey stuff in the morning - sober up, wash, clean, shop. Then - at 1500 hours - can Mossley make another attempt at the "Great Escape" (without the aid of a motor bike) and take three points off Marine ?? Who knows - I was tempted to go and watch Curzon Ashton v Leamington in the Quarter Finals of the FA Vase - apparently Leamington are bringing 600 fans up - Curzon's average gate is 150 - so who's at home?? In the Manc Evening News today the Curzon Manager Gary Lowe is pleading for local (i.e. Tameside fans) to come and support them tomorrow - so how do the fixtures go ??? Droylsden - at home; Hyde - at home; Mossley - at home; Ashton United - at home...what a facer...I'm sure if I apologise for my non-attendance, I'm not the only one.

Looking to try a new money-making scam for Mossley as well later today - I know a lot of other clubs do a similar thing, so I've gone for a "Lucky 7" pools-type thing - choose home,away,draw - tie-break on total goals scored - and win 50% of the takings - rest to Supporters Club - we'll see how it goes...

And after the footy - no time to blog up early cus it's off to the Academy in Manchester with daughter to see the "Eagles of Death Metal"...

Well that's some of them anyway (including Josh Homme from QOTSA) ...dirty bar room blues and rock (and some of the lyrics are very very dirty !).

So it could be a double helping of football and music on Sunday - which timing-wise of course will depend on:- length of walk - where we walk - and what time daughter requires lift to Manchester to get bus back to Derby

In the meantime, here's a couple from last week's walk in Wharfedale - first the mighty Strid ....

And next a pic of Mrs Smiffy about to go and meet the Wharfedale Branch of the DragonForce Fan Club - almost, but not quite the "Valley of the Damned"....

"We'll have no Inhuman Rampage here !!!" - well she is a teacher ...

Stalybridge Celtic v Redditch United - Updated

[Apologies for the delay - visitors and stuff - and we all went out to Bolton Abbey (Wharfedale) today for a thoroughly long walk]

Mossley were away at Fleetwood - and we had visitors coming round in the evening - so the choice was Bower Fold today - ironically the Mossley game was called off very very late - just as the "Booze Bus" was leaving the M55 at Blackpool !!

Visitors always means - sort out house - so a morning trip to B&Q was followed by fitting a nw light fitting in the front room (God - some of our wiring is .....!). Then on the 1357 down to Stalybridge, a quick pint of Phoenix "Double Gold" in the Buffet Bar, and then it was "gannin' along the Mottram Road" etc.

Bridge started well with loan signing Matty Barlow showing well - a good surging run in only the second minute led to a chance for Sykes which went wide. Not to worry though - a couple of minutes later a "Route 1" clearance found its way through to Barlow who put the ball away neatly to give the home side a 1-0 lead. After a quarter of an hour the lead was doubled when Ellington picked up the ball in the box, controlled, shielded, twisted, turned - and scored.

This seemed to be the "wake up call" for Redditch, and about 10 minutes later Walker nipped in front of a rather hesitant Ashley Tims to dink the ball over his head and halve the deficit - and on the half-hour Richard Ball picked up the ball on the left, cut in and curled one past Tims - and into the far corner (have to point out that a very good advantage was played by the ref in the build-up to this goal when a Redditch player was upended !). We had the obligatory "handbags" just before half-time, but the teams went in at 2-2.




He's even smaller standing up !! Redditch keeper Richard Anstiss.

Celtic came out the the blocks the better in the second half and a cross from Barlow should have been buried by Hume - but he headed over. Again, not to worry as a couple of minutes later a Stalybridge corner was cleared out to Olsen who hit it straight back in - it took the slightest of deflections (I was still walking round - so followed the shot all the way !) - but was a goal from the moment it left his foot. Stalybridge then seemed to "clam up a bit" after that, and allow Redditch to start pushing on (someone behind me in the crowd shouted "We can't defend for half-an-hour" - he was right !). Hume did get the ball in the net again (see the "aerial ballet" !), but the ref disallowed it - and Hume got a sore elbow for his troubles.



Pic of the day - Ashley Walker admires the "ballet" of Anstiss and Hume.

Redditch were attacking from deep, picking the ball up on halfway - or further back - and going on some surging runs as the Stalybridge defence went deeper and deeper. Once such effort from the wonderfully named Exodus Geohagon completely flattened Scott Maxfield. The other chances for Redditch came courtesy of a couple of ENORMOUS long-throws from Exodus - his trademark apparently.

Redditch "Man of the Match" - the mighty Exodus !

A late second half effort from Mark Hume ...

The second half ended as the first - only this time the hadbags flew a bit harder and Redditch's Richard Softley belied his name and was lucky to receive only a yellow. A couple of late late corners from Redditch - Tims had to be sharp to fist one of them away - but the whistle finally went and it was three points to Stalybridge - their first home win since sometoime in November!

A beer in the "Hare and Hounds" ("Bombardier") was followed by a stroll back down to the Buffet Bar for a couple before jumping on the 1841 train back to Mossley - and a quick "celebrity spot". There with with wife and kids was Mike Sweeney - a well-know DJ from the days of Manchester's Piccadilly Radio, still plays live with his band The Thunderbirds - and a thouroughly nice chap when I asked him if he minded if I took a pic....

Token man on train back to Mossley - no, wait - it's SWEENEY !!

Home - quick change before visitors arrive - and a jolly nosh-up of salmon and coq-au-vin washed down with a couple of lemonade shandies (!!)

Slash City Exile

...aka "Tannoy Man" - or James (Sunday name) - tonight drinking the wacky apple juice in Stalybridge Buffet Bar. It's drinking behaviour like that that probably led to football behaviour like this.....

Halifax Town v Hyde United earlier this season - not one of my pics of course !!

Mossley Quiz Night - Snatching Defeat from the Jaws of Victory !

Tonight was Mossley Quiz Night up at the Football Club - and a very good turn-out as well with about 9 teams going for it. Mr and Mrs Smiffy joined up with Andy and Lynn - and in true "Mossley football style" we brought in our eldest "on loan" for the night (she was back from Derby Uni to go to a Media Recruitment Fair at Manchester G-Mex today). Also in true "Mossley football style", we named our team "Relegation Fodder".

There were a ton of questions, and the first couple of rounds of 25 were quite tight (me being the immortal competitor in "quizland" my eyes were on SJNR's team who were sat at the back - and aptly named "The Team at the Back",or something close to that). That was a mistake ......

A mixed bunch of questions - with a heavy sporting bent however (might struggle to get the missus up there again !), and round 4 was the bugger (Which Celebrity duo has a dog called Toby ? Where is Odense ? Where is the Ashdown Forest ? Opposite of Anode ? - to name but a few)

All papers in in - 'Commercial Steve' called across to verify results - to find that we - yes we - had won the quiz !!! Took the money (£26 to be exact), took the applause - but wasn't convinced. After the furore (!!) had died down, I went to have a quick check of the Quizmeister's "sheet" - to find some major arithmetical errors which put us equal 2nd and the team who "came 2nd" winning by two points - ironically it was 'Commercial Steve's' team ("Norfolk & Chance" !).

Mentioned this to Quizmeister who said that "Norfolk & Chance" had donated their 2nd prize money (£13) back into the pot for the next quiz (15th March if you fancy it - cus there will be Jackpot type stuff) - so we did same with our £26 - leaving a nice little Jackpot pool for the next quiz.

All in all a good night out - it's often tricky to gauge how many will turn up to events up at Mossley - and the fans often get called for not turning up to stuff (the thought that certain nights are unavailable to some or the idea of a "Race Night" can leave some - me included - totally uninterested seem to go by the board).

Let's put this one down as a success - and it's going to be a monthly event from now on - so if you;re in the vicinity - 15th March with a 8pm kick-off. Thanks to all for a good night out.

Stocksbridge Park Steels v Belper Town

Yep - I managed to escape the hype that was Lille v Manchester United, was almost tempted by the League 2 offering of Stockport County v Walsall - but no, Stocksbridge is only (apparently) 24.9 miles and 41 minutes from Mossley (www.theaa.com), so it was to Bracken Moor for the evening.

It took nearly an hour, but I was there in good time as the kick-off had been delayed until 2000 due to players, motorways and general global warming stuff. A swift glass of their finest non-alcoholic Pils (only £1-10 a bottle - actively encouraging non-drinking drivers - I like that !) and down the stairs to the pitchside.



Bracken Moor - in "widescreen"

The first half I'd put down as being fairly even - early long range Belper efforts from Piliero and Hudson were either dealt with/wide. Stocksbridge's Stuart Copnell (now there's a story - but possible libel prevents !) set off on a mazy run in the 10th minute, only to shoot wide. On 18 minutes Belper 'keeper Ogden came for a high ball, grabbed it - and then contrived to throw it out of his hands as he landed - the ball flew just wide of the far post ! Ogden was called into action again after 34 minutes, making a good save from Copnell, before staying down, requiring "fitters attention" - apparently it was "grass in his eye" !!

Ogden gets "blade" removed from eye ...

Seconds before half time - the "Sucker punch" - ball arrives from the left with the Belper defence appealing for offside and two Stocksbridge players "hit on Ogden" near the edge of the box . - ball runs loose for Copnell to put it into the empty net - and Stocksbridge go in at half-time with a rather undeserved 1-0 lead.



One Belper substitute itching to get on against his old team ...

The second half began with the Stocksbridge players appealing this time - however Pickess put the ball wide. Then we had the obligatory "touchline handbags", which led to Stocksbridge's McLean being booked and Belper's "demi-Manager" Andy Carney being asked to vacate his touchline position for somewhere "behind the barrier" (one for all you wannabee refs - and any real ones - Carney was a named substitute - could he have brought himself on - I saw no red card brandished by the ref).

On 55 minutes Stocksbridge's Cockerill put a shot wide when it looked easier to score, but two minutes later Belper's Middleton cushioned a header back to 'keeper Ogden - that didn't quite make it - Curtis Bernard nipped in to make it 2-0 to the Steels. Belper tried to get back into the game - Rushbury was getting some rather harsh treatment from the Steels' defence, but the free kicks came to nothing. Ogden too got a clattering from Calcutt which required treatment as the game ebbed and flowed.



A late Danny Hudson free-kick for Belper.

With five minutes left a Belper free-kick (was it Rushbury ?) was acrobatically tipped over the Stocksbridge bar by Hodgson - 60 seconds later Ogden was doing similar at the other end. With time virtually up, a late shot from Belper's other "demi-Manager" Danny Hudson was saved by Hodgson.

And that, I'm afraid, was that - one "semi-controversial" goal seconds before half-time and one defensive howler was all that separated 14th and 3rd in the table - so Belper should not feel too downhearted after this display - talks of a "play-off" place may well be a little premature however. And for those in the know, it was a lousy birthday present for "Pistol", the Belper kitman. Apologies to both Mr Oldrini and Mr Harrison for the quality of both words and pictures tonight - but there you go - at least Mr Darlington was kept updated whilst on his "death bed" !!!

The late start meant late finish - left the ground at 2200 on the dot to be back in Mossley for 2245, leaving time to dump the car at home and slip out for a couple at the "Britannia" - only "Old Speckled Hen" - but there you go.

E&OE tonight !!!

Mossley v North Ferriby United

Mossley 20th - North Ferriby 16th. Yep I suppose it has to go down as a "must win" game (but aren't they all when you're in 20th place ??).

The day started brightly - the pictures that I'd sent to that magical website www.cheeseontour.com had been uploaded onto the site - an incredible site it is as well (plug plug - see the Hofdingi cheese at Sunnmork Shopping Centre in Hveragerdi - see the Hvitur Kastali cheese at Keflavik Airport !!) Me and Mrs Smiffy then went to Asda to load up the house with food after being away all week - we even found time to get a new CD player for the kitchen. Lunch was ham and mustard sarnies, and then a trip to the Royal Bank of Scotland "hole in the wall" found the jocks wanting - and me still wanting money - thank heavens for those ethically-minded peeps at the Co-op where football money was duly obtained.

As I arrived at Seel Park I realised that literally 24 hours earlier I'd been in an outdoor swimming pool in Iceland - the "Blue Lagoon" near Grindavik - geothermally heated so dead hot whatever the weather - the heat was certainly on Mossley this afternoon.

The Blue Lagoon - steam and all - air temperature about zero.....

The first 20 minutes or so were fairly even - a couple of free kicks for David Eyres to "have a go" but nothing really clear-cut. On the down side, Mossley lost two defenders - both Steve Shiel and Jonathon Smith went off with injuries, and the loss of Smith was especially hard, as he's been one of the few real success stories in the last few months.

Jon Smith before his premature departure today.

Just before the half-hour, new loan signing (yes another loan signing) Clive Moyo-Modise (a spit for Will Smith !!) cut in well from the left and fizzed in a shot that hit the bar - had that gone in, the rest of this report would/could have been so different (that line borrowed from the "Department of the Bleedin' Obvious"). It was then time for the "Curse of the Golden Goal" to kick in - I had 39 - so it was in the 40th minute that a shot from Ferriby's Chris Boulder "hit something" and contrived to loop over the head of the stranded Steve Wilson to give NFU a rather undeserved lead - at that moment I felt no-one deserved to be in the bloody lead !

Half-time saw the inevitable scanning of the Sky videprinter to check out the "scores around us" - Radcliffe drawing, Ashton drawing, Leek drawing, Kendal losing - there's time we thought - there's time. Whilsl we're in the half-time break, here's something else to take your mind off football - the mighty "Strokkur" at Geysir which erupts every five minutes or so.



Strokkur erupts - again - come back in five minutes for another ....

Second half - and seven minutes in, it all erupted at the wrong bloody end when Neil Allison found himself free at the back to convert a corner to give North Ferriby a 2-0 lead - the lack of a Smith and a Shiel was obvious. This was the cue for the already shaky Mossley team performance to literally come apart at the seams. David Eyres was doing his damndest to keep some sort of coherence going, and Moyo-Modise was literally ploughing a lone furrow up front - but apart from those two, there was no teamwork, no precision, no nothing. It was starting to become painful to watch - so just to cheer you up, here's a picture of the mighty Gulfoss waterfall....



Then, true to form, Mossley started to battle a bit, putting a bit of pressure on - call it "last chance saloon", call it desperation - but why oh why oh why do they always leave it so bloody late ?? Let's give a team a couple of goals start, bring everyone down to the point of complete despair/indifference - and then "turn it on" for a bit at the end. "Turn it on" is probably pushing it a bit however - there was still no pattern, no guile - it was just putting a bit of pressure on an admittedly not very brilliant opposition !!

With seven minutes left, Clive Moyo-Modise managed to find himself some space in the box to plant one past Pecora in the Ferrby goal to make it 2-1.




Modise (out of picture left) makes it 2-1 (ball out of picture right) and catches cameraman between rock and hard place !

I've got a few pictures of the last ten minutes which show the Ferriby keeper on the floor a lot - but maybe the phrase "aimless pressure" sums it up a lot better - much "huffing and puffing", but we never really looked like blowing the North Ferriby house down.

Turls and Modise put some late presssure on Pecora.

After the game - yeah the complete bloody indifference came back - at least for some they had the "enjoyment" of watching United scrape a draw against Reading - even when Secretary Bob came round with the full Unibond Prem results, it seemed that few were that bothered - was it an air of resignation, or more an air of inevitability - a really sad state of affairs isn't it ??

Next Saturday it's Fleetwood away (yes they who stuffed leaders AFC Telford 3-0 last Tuesday) - there WILL be a minibus going - there WILL be people in it as well - but I've just looked at the calendar to see evening dinner date with friends, so the jury is out on Smiffy's attendance.

Just had a thought - today's captain was Jonathon Smith - and Captain Smith went down with the "Titanic" did he not ??

Anyways, to cheer you ALL up (!!) I leave you with a picture of part of the Solheimajokull glacier - now that WAS amazing - yes that black stuff is solid ice - as is the blue stuff.

Smiffy's been to Iceland - Part One

Got back a couple of hours ago - but this is the pic you all wanted to see - the frozen food cabinet in the "Bonus" supermarket in Hveragerdi. No frozen peas unfortunately - but plenty of Icelandic Lobster (the "Humar").

More to come I'm sure - but there's rumours of the Mossley game tomorrow being off - has it been that bad round here ?? Leaving it for now - and enjoying some cheap beer for the first time this week !!

Today it was Football - sort of ....

Mossley off - Stalybridge off - Woodley on (but I'm sorry, I just couldn't summon up enough enthusiasm - don't know why - but I had I had spent the morning racing round Ashton preparing for next week's journeys...).

So I hoofed it to a pub - no names no pack drill - to watch Moneybags United take on Charlton Athletic, courtesy of the "aljazeera Channel" as it's know in the trade !!

Upcoming fixtures - in Arabic natch !!

And a very below-par performance by United it was as well, considering Charlton's league position and the number of debutants they had today (I was particularly impressed by Alexander Song, and Zheng Zhi showed up well when he came on as well) Still United won 2-0 - the usual crowd of "pretend fans" went home happy - from the pub that is - don't ask me about those at Old Trafford - I'm sure the trains to Plymouth were full this evening !! I then caught the end of the Scotland v Wales Rugby game and the first half of the Portsmouth v City game (known as "Sitting with the Suicidals") before deciding "This is NOT what Saturday football is meant to be like" and going home to the great British Pizza and beer....

Aaah, next weeks journeys - yes Smiffy is off to...

for a few days to get away from the sh*tty cold weather here in dear old Blighty - look foward to pix of bags of frozen peas next weekend etc etc.....

Yesterday it was Music - Wolfmother

Pix not up to my "DragonForce" standard - but a storming gig anyway........