Curzon Ashton v Bradford Park Avenue

A win for the away team - with a very late goal - check out these pix while I compose myself ....

http://s146.photobucket.com/albums/r272/mossleysmiffy/CurzonBPA/

The game - caught 1857 train to Ashton then walked it - no problems for a fit eco-warrior like myself !! First half was one way traffic - it really was. Bradford were by far the better organised, the quicker, the neater and the more inventive of the two sides - by a long way. This surprised me - and maybe others - we've all seen Curzon several times this season - and they've been far better than this - in fact to me they seem to reduce themselves to the rough niggly side that I saw pre-season against Sheffield FC - and I know others have seen since - it does not become them - at all.

Still - 0-0 at half-time - and it was bloody cold - so cold in fact that my chance of a lift back to Mossley "copped out" at 45 minutes - no names no pack drill (I might want a lift later in the season !!) A word in the bar with some - including Cyril who went on about the booking for Curzon's number 6 - "He should have kept out of it" - by now you can guess who got a second yellow in the second half (I believe it was Chris Curley - if I'm wrong will someone tell me sharpish ..).

Despite being down to tem men, Curzon continued to keep Bradford out - in fact for a good period of the second half it looked more likely that Curzon would score first. The freezing cold weather abated somewhat when it started to rain (although some were looking for it to turn to sleet !). Still no score..and then - the man with 87 on his "Golden Goal" erupted (as did many Bradford fans) when Tom Baker who'd come out of the Tardis as a second half sub - got on the end of a "ball blocked, keeper on ground, ball in air" moment (not unlike the Mossley goal at Radcliffe on Saturday !).

I've got to be honest - the better side won on the night - if Curzon had held out for a further 3 (plus) minutes that would have been a point gained rather than two lost. You could see at the final whistle how important that win felt for the Bradford players and fans alike - OK it's not the best "STS exclusive" - but you get the picture (plus you can see "Mad Pete" from the Bradford "Nutty Boys" in the background !!)

So - no lift, a walk into Ashton to find both train and bus times against me..found a bus to Satlybridge - one in the Buffet Bar (Phoenix "Flash Flood") before 2241 train home - to this ..

.....and now the late news ....

Out last night @ friends - out all day today walking from Crowden to "home" - will try to do something after tea...it's now 1715 and I'm a "touch muddy" !

OK - now 2154 - some pix at

http://s146.photobucket.com/albums/r272/mossleysmiffy/RadcliffeMossley/

...including my first real "Photoshop fiddle" - may Frith forgive me - check out the pictures of the goal - as I've included both the "fiddled" and the "unfiddled" - one tiny tweak with the 'clone tool' - and Nigel Wharmby disappears !!

Can't say a lot about the game - as there isn't much to say

- we got a goal and they didn't

- we got three points and they didn't

- Clitheroe beat FCUM 2-1

..but I digress....there is a YouTube offering from the Radcliffe side of things - they look pretty good I feel - or is that down to editing (he says after whittling 100 pix down to 14 (including one duplicate) and skilfully avoiding the picture of the Radcliffe header that just went over the bar ....!!)

OK - in the interests of fairness ...here is 'that' pic...

What does "FA" stand for ???

Those "in the non-league know" may well be aware of the "ongoing situation" re the Clitheroe v Rushall Olympic FA Trophy replay that "didn't happen" on Tuesday night - but I'm going to tell you anyway ..

It was postponed following a protest from Rushall regarding Keiron Fitzgerald who played in the game on Saturday. He'd been sent off in the previous round (i.e. two weeks ago), and as all "in the non-league know" know, he should have been suspended as of Saturday.

Plot thickens here....according to Rushall, they warned Clitheroe about this at 1350 on the Saturday. According to Clitheroe they had received NO correspondence from the FA regarding any suspension - and there was nothing on the FA Website ("naughty boys" page).....so he played ...

Plot now gets thicker - Rushall immediately protest to FA - they postpone the replay and - all of a sudden the name Keiron Fitzgerald appears on the FA Website ("naughty boys" page) TWO DAYS AFTER THE GAME ....we are talking serious "retrospective" here !!!

The "Fariah Alam" fiasco was probably easier to sort out than this little upset in the distant backwaters of football .. I'd give you a link to the relevant stuff on the Clitheroe Message Board - but it is members only...

http://z10.invisionfree.com/Clitheroe_FC_Forum/index.php

will get you to registration though ...interesting to note the input of some Tamworth fans onthis subject - whose team fell foul of the same secretary - who apparently knows his rule books back to front - last season in a County Cup game - however the Tamworth fans used a different word to describe the chap !!

The Rushall Board - again members only - (http://www.rofc.co.uk/ will get you nearest) - is a lot quieter than the Clitheroe board

Gareth Richards Benefit

bobbed some early pix up at

http://s146.photobucket.com/albums/r272/mossleysmiffy/GarethRichardsBenefit/

for AUFC benefit - more to come (promise) - I even got a go in the AUFC Sponsors Lounge tonight.....

...but I won Jack in the after match raffle !

Two days on and he's updating same post...this is of course a blatant steal from the Ashton board courtesy of "Robin" - cus he knows the names better then me !!

The game itself saw Richards in the number 9 shirt for the first ten minutes - he was given the captain's armband too. Maine Road legend and former Ashton man Gordon Woods started the game for the Manchester side. Tommy Taylor opened the scoring with a cracking header from a Howard cross, but Maine Road equalised when an attempted clearance hit the legs of an on-rushing forward and ricochetted into Rooney's goal. After half-time Neil Chappell restored the Robins' lead with a goal against his former club before both sides were guilty of some amazing misses. Almost the entire Ashton squad were given a run-out at some stage and those that were on the sidelines were somewhat vocal in their appreciation of the triallists from Salford. Jones (a defender) did well in two spells, Jackson looked useful on the Ashton left and, after Fitzpatrick had made it 3-1, Johnson played the last 15 minutes as a forward... in all honesty it looked about 14 minutes too long. Chappy scored a cracking second to round off the goalscoring.

Mossley v Brazil

Sorry - but just can't do it tonight - it may have been Mrs Smiffy's birthday - it may have been Danny T's debut - I may have been "playing outside" with firework pix - but it's one o'clock for Frith's sake...


I give you this for now - Danny T preparing to "get Mossley out of jail" in the 90th minute ..







...and the celebrations that followed ....he he ..




SUNDAY MORNING - Pix now at

http://s146.photobucket.com/albums/r272/mossleysmiffy/MossleyGarforth/

The Weekend....and beyond ...

OK - Mossley v Garforth on Saturday - looking forward to the Brazilian beat, the Brazilian style - more likely to get the Brazilian inflation in the bar £1-90 before the game - £2-10 at half-time -£2075 at the end (!!!) - Ilkeston Town @ Curzon in the FA Trophy (ergo a quick "visitette" to Stalybridge Buffet bar to see Nosmo King and the rest of the Ilson "Train Boys").

Oh yes a trip to the tip in the morning to dispose of washing machine - guess what - it broke on the same day as Mrs Smiffy's "royalty cheque" arrived - isn't life a bastard ! So I give you this link to Amazon - so you will buy more of Mrs Smiffy's book so the next royalty cheque can be properly used for our planned "Italia 2008" holiday. It's a damn fine read - tell all your teacher friends ...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/English-Additional-Language-Challenge-Classroom/dp/1843121867/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/203-8834157-3082365?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1194037335&sr=8-1

It's also Mrs Smiffy's birthday tomorrow - but she's out with her "workie chums" in the evening - giving me time to point the camera across the valley (using tripod, remote and "bulb" setting !!) and make an attempt on the fireworks !!

Whilst in plug mode - Hurst Cross (Ashton United) at 7.30pm next Tuesday for a good cause. £5/£3 entry for a benefit match in aid of Ashton player Gareth Richards and his family, to be played against Gareth's old club Maine Road. Gareth suffered a serious head injury whilst on holiday in Slovenia and was in a coma for 8 days; the aim of the match is to try and help him and his family offset some of the costs incurred through lost wages, travel and accomodation expenses, etc.

Mossley - New Signing

Mossley have signed Danny Toronczack - from Belper Town....

You may or may not know that - despite having lived in Mossley for over 20 years - I do have an interest in Belper - - due to Mrs Smiffy (birthplace, where I got married etc etc).....

So having heard that Danny T was leaving Belper I felt it only right to alert "our lot" - the fact that it went through "rather sharpish" does imply that "our lot" were already on the case... well he did play under our present Manager @ Ashton United ....

A little uncomfortable I feel ....but I've had the "no probs" from down the A6 - so welcome on board to Danny T - and may you score many goals - oh yes !

And here's a pic from the middle of September when Belper played Causeway United in the 1st Qual of the FA Cup - - note the lack of Tim Harrison copyright - that's because "I was there" !!!

Now note the Tim Harrison input - one day I'll get my head round Photoshop and all it can do !!!

All Hallows

OK - you get that for starters - the cover of an "epcd" from AFI - my daughter's absolute heroes - and if you've never heard of them - you should - later stuff ("Sing the Sorrow" etc) is a bit "poppy" (they got signed by big label !) - but if you get a chance - give "Black Sails in the Sunset" a listen.

But I digress - basically because the computer's playing "hard to get" - and I'm having to upload pix via a "rather antique" card reader - and like I said earlier I somehow managed to take over 200 pictures last night - at least I have a list in front of me of the alleged "goodies" (cus I took CF card to work and used a much more hi-tech card reader to have a peep - unfortunately only Irfan View on pc so could not "fiddle about)

The photobucket address awaits - as in

http://s146.photobucket.com/albums/r272/mossleysmiffy/MossleySkem/

While you're waiting you could check out a souvenir of August Bank Holiday Monday - the return from Lancaster (after a 2-0) was "clocked" via the dreaded mobile phone - and what's wrong with a bit of "air guitar" anyway - even using a monopod !!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRK8SWdPunc

I believe an appearance on YouTube is the final accolade in a long and distinguished career - or so I'm told - the title is very misleading (drunk ? me ?) and I'm definitely NOT responsible for the appalling vocals - I was listening to DragonForce through those magical "ear things"....

OK - pix now on pc - give it 20 minutes - and enjoy - if you can - twas hard work last night - very hard work - and that was just bloody watching - my second "extra time+penalties" in less than a week - no wonder I had a small "snoozette" after the game......

2119 - PIX NOW UP !!

2130 - The STS exclusives feature Ashley Connor - the main bunch of pix show his pen save just before half-time - but obviously he needs to be involved fully - so in the penalty shoot-out....

he doesn't only save 'em.....

...he scores 'em as well !!

Mossley v Skelmersdale United

More 90 minute stalemate - more extra time - and another Tameside club goes out of a cup on penalties. Another late finish last night led to nowt being put on here - this is being "sneaked in" on a 5 minute break - I'l be looking at pix at lunchtime with a view to getting them online this evening.

But last night - I left the ground a touch depressed ..... it was as if no-one wanted to progress for fear of drawing a southern club in the next round - somehow I took just over 200 pictures last night (still practising !) - but don't expect too much goalmouth action.

We seem to have lost the ability to not only "not score", but even to create the chances to "not score".... a touch worrying but .... "at least it was only the cup" - and that's the third time that's been said in three games - which naturally begs the other cliche now - "at least we can concentrate on the ......" - you know the rest.

Ashton United v Buxton

So much to do ... today's pix at ...

http://s146.photobucket.com/albums/r272/mossleysmiffy/AshtonBuxton/


Going back 24 hours or so - went to "big city" on Friday for food and drink - may I recommend the "Cafe Istanbul" on Bridge Street - just off Deansgate - in fact ever the geek (i.e. always a camera close to hand) here's the mezes...plus my glass of "Efes" to the left....




Woke up this morning - and thought I was a blues singer ..... Decided against the arduous trip to Colwyn Bay - mainly due to the fact that some b*st*rd had nicked the track at Mossley...




So Ashton United it was - and a first half where Buxton could have run away with it - however the ref kept whipping out his yellow to keep the "Derbyshire chaps" at bay - in short he ruined the game from very early on - and after half-time there were so many "treading on thin ice" - which obviously opened it up for Ashton - even so a 2-2 draw was seen by me as a bit "smash and grab" by Ashton - but you've got to take your chances...and Buxton didn't.


An enjoyable game for the neutral - although after Thursday night I was looking for the cameras, the "Hurst Cross streaker" and other nefarious stuff - had to make do with football - and John Milne's beard - which gets tidier every time I see it ....tell me what you think ....




(Believe he failed the Laphroaig audition !)

Stalybridge Celtic v Blyth Spartans

Yep I scabbed a late-ish pass-out for this one - arriving 15 minutes into the first half. In short - 90 minutes of something - not necessarily football throughout - Blyth miss a penalty - TV cameras everywhere - the inevitable streaker (male I'm afraid) - 30 minutes of what can only be described as "extra time" - followed by a penalty shoot-out - at the wrong end due to floodlight "failure"- followed by a 4-3 defeat for the home side.

I've done the pens first - it may be of assistance to Mr Benson @ Stalybridge- you'll find them at ...

http://s146.photobucket.com/albums/r272/mossleysmiffy/BridgeBlythPens/

I'll have a look at the rest at work later today - there may be a few worthy of not - but due to the lack of "migration" this evening (you had to be there !) ......we'll see !!

0100 - remembered we're out later today - so thought better get rest of pix up now - they're here...

http://s146.photobucket.com/albums/r272/mossleysmiffy/BridgeBlythGame/

Maybe more words tomorrow - but I think the top four lines have almost "got it in a nutshell"..

Playing catch-up...

Forgotten stuff from the weekend...

Jamie Carragher - was a fine example to the youngsters on Saturday lunchtime - he really ought to watch a replay of the game to see how stupid he looks - what a pr*t !! The silver medal went of course to Mr Clattenburg for his pro-Kuyt behaviour .... hey remember the Spurs v United game a couple of seasons ago ??




Yep Mr Clattenburg again (OK the pic shows Roy "Cheater" Carroll - but you get my drift..). There you go Stuart - I remembered - eventually !!!!!!!!!!

Went walking on Sunday around Derwent Edge - near Ladybower Reservoir - here's a couple from that 8+ mile walk.....



(For some crazy reason this got taken at ISO 1600 - eek !)



Plenty of these weird formations "up our way" ...

Tonight - watched "Babe" on UKTV Gold - believe various results have happened vis-a-vis the "Copa Manchetta Primera" which leads me to believe that all and sundry are stepping aside to allow FCUM to snaffle some silverware this season (although I'm sure my friends - and enemies - up at Ashton United may beg to differ !)... LATE UPDATE @ 0017 - just noticed that the other Monday game between Hyde United (Cheshire) and Glossop North End (Derbyshire) was also apparently in the Manchester Premier Cup (For those who don't know - Hyde won 6-4)...so it's not all over bar the shouting really then - is it ??

...believe some North London team scored a few tonight - but hey - that's Enfield Town for you ...or was it Arsenal ? oh and "Big United" won as well .....

Chadderton v Mossley (Manky Prem Cup)

Oh dear....oh very dear...

Many have said that - while a picture paints a thousand words, the words are far more interesting - well in many cases - THEY'RE WRONG ...

..because tonight, there's no need to paint a thousand words - just a few pithy "easy-off-the-tongue" type words would do ...

We were not good - never really threatened - gave away a comical oggy - missed a pen (hey that''s the Mossley we know - and still love ..) - and never really looked like winning. It could have gone to extra-time and pens tonight - at 85 minutes I'm sure many of us were willing Mossley NOT to score - I may be horribly wrong here - but ....this is a team TWO divisions below ...we're running out of cups, and this WAS one where progression was likely (OK - posible)

Stick with the pictures...

http://s146.photobucket.com/albums/r272/mossleysmiffy/ChaddyMossley/

Well there's a few - but even here I have a "crisis of faith" - when the pro says "go for 1/350 @ ISO 1600 - and then post edit avec Photoshop" (OK he ain't French - he did say with !!) I worry - I'll be perfectly honest now - 99.999% of my pix are "straight up" - some of you oldsters may remember that line on the back of every Queen LP - "NO SYNTHESISERS" - well for me it's "NO PHOTOSHOP" - yes I may have dabbled a couple into monochrome over the last few months (and said so) - but mostly what you see is what you get - with the odd one-click "AutoCorrect" in Microsoft Picture Manager - and that's hardly bloody PS CS3 is it ??

Again tonight - new lens on a first outing night-time game - Chadderton lights - North West Counties standard in the "lux" rating (remember I tended to get very good results at Stalybridge Celtic with the "old" lens - that's Conference lux that is !) PS here's Michael Fish saying "Oh Blogger" - or something like that ...

Mossley v Rushall Olympic - post Rugby ...

Can't complain at the rugby - did very well to almost reduce South Africa to the "scruffy game plan" that was England's - but basic errors to give away penalties - and an "iffy" decision from the "13th umpire in the stand" regarding the deffo try ... hey ... Mossley lose, England lose - what's left - maybe Lewis Hamilton will get done for speeding tomorrow - it always comes in threes y'know...


Back to the Mossley game - maybe I was a touch harsh - the first half saw Mossley with all the chances - but - no product - and you think coming downhill in the second half - should be a doddle - but no, it was a Dowdall (ho ho - almost a joke there !!!) . Twas an interesting last few minutes with 'keeper Ashley Connor saying "sod the sticks - I'm going up front !!" Being honest, Rushall were no great shakes - but they did exactly what was needed - and did just enough of it. We've done the same on many occasions, so credit where credit's due ...


Onwards to Chadderton on Monday - for me it's swapping Andrew Street Mossley for Andrew Street Chadderton for the Manchester Premier Cup game. There's a friendly on Wednesday v Marsden - and then on Thursday Stalybridge are "on the telly" as in Sultana Sports - Santana - the apparent saviour of non-league football as we know it - taking a leaf out of the "Book of Mr Murdoch" - "You're playing on Thursday - now shut up and we'll give you money" ... I remember once doing Weymouth v Stafford Rangers midweek - but that was just a crap League Fixture Secretary rather than "TellyMoney" !

We'll have to see which of those three options I get permission to do ..... one bright spark today was the new lens - by gum you can notice the difference, especially when you crop a picture - it remains that much sharper for that much longer - what we need now is a good night match - looks like Monday then !

Anyway - here's the STS exclusive - Richard Conway "going close" in the first half - cleared off the line this one....

Mossley v Rushall Olympic - pre Rugby ...

I'm sure I've said it elsewhere - but today we got precisely what we deserved - i.e. "Rushall", "Jacques Merde"...at this moment in time I'm not going into detail as the "rugger" kicks off in about 15 minutes - that's proper rugby by the way, not this northern breakaway rubbish. I'll be back later with a more eloquent view on how we "just about turned up" today - very very disappointing.

On the plus side - new lens - and a whole new outlook on life...I give you this pic of "The Weatherman" - as I'm sure he will/should/ought to be nicknamed - makes a helluva change from just sticking "-er" or "-o" on the end of a surname - I'm sure you know what I'm trying to say - anyway, here's Mike Fish about to unleash..

and when I get round to it I'll stick some more pix on ....

http://s146.photobucket.com/albums/r272/mossleysmiffy/MossleyRushall/

...but for now - can England (rugby) confound the critics for a third time ..... ??

See you later

Tomorrow - FA Trophy vs Rushall Olympic

Fresh from a morale-boosting win in the Mossley AFC Quiz Night less than 24 hours ago - it's time to move on - what's in the past is in the past - tomorrow is just another game - and naturally we've been taking one game at a time. OK - the quiz was won on Thursday - but we're not complacent - it's a great leveller (unlike top end of our pitch - just a small joke there !) - anything can happen - and REMEMBER - it only takes a second to score a goal.

Hopefully the M6 will be chocka tomorrow - and if the opposition put in a receipt for the "toll bit" - knock it back - I'm sure they'll have a toilet - so why bother ? Rushall - play in tangerine - according to Teddy (Rushall message board) there won't be that many travellers tomorrow - probably all saving up to go to York in 7 and a bit days time ...

OK the "stream of consciousness/total b*ll*x" has now dried up - no beer in't'house - must fly ....

Haircuts tomorrow AM for "moi" and Peter - and then it's playtime with the new (second-user !) f2.8 - I'll be out early testing on the bloody warmup routines - so maybe by 1625 I'll be knackered as well as the teams (see earlier rant re "warm-ups" !!)

But for now - Raja Brothers is calling ......

We won the Quiz .... !!

Stuart;

Topsy;

Andy W;

Sarah;

Charlotte;

...and me ...tonight's Quizmeisters - failed miserably on the "loadsacash question" at the end - viz "who invented tramways ?"

Answer tomorrow - meanwhile a bit of fun with "babycamera" taken on Thursday morn ...over Stalybridge from Platform 2 @ 0730 ....

Curse the Rain ....

Game off tonight - for the very reasons mentioned in an earlier thread (gorblimey it's grim oop north) - Cheadle Town's a poss tomorrow night (can go straight from work - and bang in some o/t) - but with weather - and England - they may well knock it on the head....

What time is the England game anyway ??

Loose End on Tuesday ?

The only game in Tameside ?

It has to be Seel Park where a Mossley XI take on the mighty "cuckoos" of Marsden FC. With so few (!) league games this season, the trick appears to be - arrange a few friendlies - to be played on "training nights" - a chance for the fringe players (and the X-Factor wannabees) to get a run out.

And the beauty of the "friendly" idea is that there's no need to join a Reserve League ergo no commitment to HAVE to play games when the weather is sh*te and it might c*ck up the pitch for the first team.

Plus it gives me a chance to try out new lens - and c*ck up as necessary ....we'll see how it goes (they may well be the words of Gerry Quinn as well !!)

Belper Town vs Southport (FA Cup 3rd Qual.)

If you can't be bothered to read why not try ...

http://s146.photobucket.com/albums/r272/mossleysmiffy/BelperSouthport/

For the expert's eye" there's always .....

http://www.timharrisonphotography.com/NailersAction/SuthprtFACH0708/album1.html

I always thought it was going to be a long shot (I mean, I only “won it” late Thursday night) – but the new lens did not arrive. Not to worry – Mossley have a friendly game against Marsden on Tuesday - so hopefully, I can have a “bit of a play” up there.

Anyway to Saturday – left Mossley just before midday and had a fairly trouble-free trip down the A6 to Belper (went round the new “Sainsbury’s sponsored by-pass thingy” in Matlock as well – state of things to come in Belper maybe – but substitute Tesco for Sainsburys !) Got to Belper about 1330 – and I found myself in the “George” by 1345 slurping Falstaff Brewery “A Fistful of Hops” and watching Bath beat Harlequins, before the two-minute “hop” to Christchurch Meadow.

Both teams were giving it the pre-match warm-up routines – which seem to start earlier every season – I’m sure some of these routines are directly responsible for teams “running out of steam” in the last 15 minutes of a game – they’re knackered before they start !! Time for words with Tim (“Snapper”), MC Allington and "Mr. Laughlin" before a swift pre-flight pint of Pedigree from the jug.

Last time I was at Christchurch Meadow – against Causeway United in the FA Cup 1st Qualifying - there was a goal in the first 45 seconds, which caught me on the hop. This week I was prepared – just at the wrong bloomin’ end, as the ball looped over Adam Ogden’s head to give Southport a (very) early lead. After that however, it was fairly “even stevens” up to half-time. The second half saw all the pressure coming from Belper Town – a little bit more confidence, a little bit more “self-belief” and I’m sure an equaliser would have come. However it was a breakaway goal from Gray with about 15 minutes left that totally put the mockers on it …the third was academic.

So it’s Southport who move one step closer to the 1st Round Proper – but they certainly were not 3-0 better than Belper on the day. A fine bunch of fans as well – I just detected a touch of “arrogance” on the field – a bit of “us and them” – and I thought the referee was woeful – no sour grapes here either, there were fans from both sides (and neutrals too) who agreed. He seemed to be too easily intimidated by the “big boys”, and I think by the end his confidence and his self-belief had completely evaporated.

A couple of beers after the game was followed by a vain attempt to stay awake in front of the Rugby – I can remember 5-9 for some reason. Came back early from Belper this morning as our Michelle not feeling too good (some tropical disease from the Soukhs of Marrakech no doubt !) - and so to this .....here's the STS exclusive - a bit blurry I'm afraid, as it's been "cropped to buggery" as they say in the trade (!!) - but there's some strange goings-on between the Belper 'keeper and one of his defenders involving puckered lips and lifting of shirts ...

FA Cup - League Games - and England

Do I need to say anything - I guess the title says it all really.

Why are England playing at 1500 on a Saturday ? It can only be TV and money - and bollocks to the rest of English football for the day.

OK some/a lot have re-arranged for 1300 kick offs - many played last night - some will play Sunday - but why ????? Sorry I forgot - TV and money

Some are deliberately playing at 1500 tomorrow - some have been forced to play at 1500 tomorrow (obviously here I'm talking of Belper Town where I'll be later today).

TV - money - hmmm - I'm trying to be polite - but it is three thirty in the morning !! Work it out - England games organised by the FA - later today - the FA Cup 3rd Qual ... obviously more money in the "Estonia" argument - and bollox to the small clubs who may have been able to get a big pay-day , nay their only big pay-day this season.

Football Association - a bloody oxymoron ....

..and some see Setanta as a good thing for non-league ..........HA !

The f2.8 Moment has Arrived !

My good friend Tim from Belper Town - as in http://www.timharrisonphotography.com/NailersAction.html - had put me onto a "possible" on "fleabay" yesterday evening - and at just after 2031 this evening I became the proud owner of a Sigma 70-200 f2.8 - second-hand, not the newer DG version (looking at the picture) - but half the price of a new 'un ! You never know it might even arrive on Saturday morning before me and Mrs Smiffy (and our Michelle - back from her summer working in France and jollies in Spain & Morocco) go down to the mother-in-laws in Belper, and taking in the FA Cup game betwixt Belper Town and Southport - where Tim of course will be "on duty".

I'd run this whole "spending large amounts of money on a piece of glass" (or several pieces of glass !) past Mrs Smiffy a while back - the non-smoking has helped my case (just a few "slips back", but not many) - and the words "Happy Birthday, Happy Christmas, Happy Fathers Day 2008, Happy Anniversary 2008" are now ringing in my ears !!
Obviously a whole new ball game (ha ha !) with a decent lens - but I'm sure I can work it out (probably something along the lines of "don't need ISO 3200 and can probably sneak up to 1/250 for a night game") As I recall, Carl at Droylsden just goes for "shutter priority and be damned !!" I may well compare notes with Tim on Saturday - I remember his first words to me all those months ago at Woodley Sports v Belper Town - a look into the sky and "1/500 should do it for you today". I shall cherish the old 70-300 f4-5.6 though - it will still have a place in my life, I'm sure.

All I can hope for now is some good stuff from the seller (from Guildford) and no sh*t from the posties - much as I support their stance against their "profit/bonus grabbing bosses" - I'd still like to get the goods sometime before 1130 on Saturday morning - because - unlike many - the Belper game is kicking off at 1500 (blame Charlie Clapham/Peter Davenport/Hadyn Preece - allegedly !) so I don't need to leave Mossley until then ...

In the meantime here's a little STS exclusive from Tuesday night ....when I was stood with the "massed ranks" of Gainsborough fans

Stalybridge Celtic v Gainsborough Trinity

Now that was a stuffing - and well deserved too.. - some pix at

http://s146.photobucket.com/albums/r272/mossleysmiffy/BridgeTrinity/

too late as usual - sure I've even missed a few pix off - we'll see - anyroad up see what you see ..

Bamber Bridge v Mossley

More to come - but here's a cracker ....Brig's third (disputed !) goal ....



1620 - Sunday afternoon the rest of the best now at

http://s146.photobucket.com/albums/r272/mossleysmiffy/BamberMossley/

Twas a public transport day yesterday, leaving Mossley just before 1100 and missing all kinds of connections going and coming back !!

The game - well I have to say that Bamber Bridge looked a "touch good" - that we kept it to 0-0 for 30 odd minutes was down to a lot of good fortune. Once they started however - they certainly finished - and finished well. OK we got a couple of late goals - the BB foot was certainly off the pedal by then - a bit disappointing overall then - but, unlike Tuesday we were beaten by a better team all-round...

Clitheroe v Mossley - First Thoughts

Bugger - double bugger - and more buggers - it's "midnight45" and I'm trying to work out how we lost that one ...but not for long though as we've got an appointment at the hospital early doors with Peter and his jawbone - followed by a trip to the Police Station in the afternoon.....I'l say no more on that ...

Some pix from tonight at

http://s146.photobucket.com/albums/r272/mossleysmiffy/ClitheroeMossley/

I reckon the enforced "delay" hurt us a damn site more - Clitheroe used it to get their breath back - because until the totally unfit ref decided to "cop out" there was only going to be one winner tonight....

Too much use of the word "bugger" on this site recently - may well have to start saying "damn" ...I'll go for the "second thoughts" sometime tomorrow....



Meanwhile the STS "exclusive" is here ....

Strange Sunday - in many steps...

Step 1 - Buy laptop - God forgive me, but I went to PC World in Oldham at 1100 this morning and was out and "on the road" to Lancaster by 1130 - well it was a last minute emergency thingy....

Step 2 - Set up PC in Lancaster - turned it one to be greeted with a Windows Vista "Welcome Screen" with the words "Enter Password" - what bloody password ??

Step 3 - Get PC World to sort it. Various phone lines were bloody useless - "we can't get an answer at Oldham" etc etc etc. "You'll probably need to take it back there (!!)"

Step 4 - Discover PC World - in Lancaster - get them on the case - similar answer - "Can't get through to Oldham"...then Darren (bless him) said "Bring it in here - we'll sort it"

Step 5 - They did - so it's "Big Up" to Darren at PC World in Lancaster !! Laptop now up and running in Duncan's "student boudoir"

Step 6 - Drive home - problem - 12 mile tailback on M6 - chose A6 instead to avoid the problems - me and 5,000 others. Took 90 minutes to cover 15 miles !

Step 7 - Arrive home - eat tea (mmm Steak - poor old Peter still on mash type food - today mashed potato, cheese & fish).

Step 8 - Add the forgotten STS "exclusive pic" from yesterday ....Lee Blackshaw takes on Chris Carr..

Step 9 - Beer.... and this ...

Mossley v Newcastle Blue Star

Another win !!! And - more importantly, another win after one of those "bites yer bum" moments...remember Ossett when they took the lead - heads didn't drop, we came back, we won. There was a similar "match defining" moment today when the Newky keeper managed to avoid the red, they got the free kick and went up and bloody equalised. Still no dropping of the heads though - and a result that almost mirrored the Man City v Newcastle United game - apart from the score !!

Tonight / Tomorning - it's twenty to blooming two (ok 0140) and this is the first chance I've had on the pc tonight - and "small boy/invalid/jaw cracker" is still waiting for me to get off - some new online "World of Warcraft" type thing !! Pix will appear fairly soon in the usual bucket i.e.

http://s146.photobucket.com/albums/r272/mossleysmiffy/MossleyNewky/

Gotta drive up to Lancaster later today as well - all the stuff our Duncan forgot - plus an emergency laptop purchase (I'll take it out of his uni money - no probs !!).

Other results from today that I've managed to glean include Stalybridge getting local "bragging rights" after their 1-0 FA Cup win over Hyde United, Belper causing an upset by beating Hucknall again in the FA Cup - and our opponents on Tuesday night - Clitheroe - putting 8 past Spennymoor United - FA Cup again.

Now to do pix .....

Bad Day - NOT at the Office ...

Peter's birthday today - took the day off work as well (we hadn't got round to buying him a present what with this week's "stuff") - plus it was nice to have a lie-in after Quiz Night last night.

Anyway - to cut a long story short - into Ashton, got him a mobile telephonic piece of equipment - managed to get a discount cus I'm on O2 - however the guy took my SIM card out of my (oldish) moby - and it promptly stopped working when it went back in. Bugger.

Went to Asda for shopping - went home - on way home I clouted some guy's (electric) wing mirror in one of those "almost but not quite" moments - totalled his, smashed mine. His Dad owned a garage (!!) so it was all sorted fairly amicably - my wallet said ouch. Bugger.

Got replacement glass for our mirror - wallet said ouch again. Bugger.

Sod it - it's one of those days - bought myself a new mobile phone - cheapest of course but still ... Bugger

This probably puts the "Buy a new lens" day back a while.... Bugger.

Oh and we didn't win the quiz either...

Bugger.

Stalybridge Celtic v Woodley Sports

Well I got to a game in the end -Mrs Smiffy spent the day - and night - at Booth Hall with Peter, so I got the pass-out (too late for a chance of Stocksbridge v Mossley) , arriving just after kick-off.

Pictures will arrive soon at ...

http://s146.photobucket.com/albums/r272/mossleysmiffy/BridgeWoodley/

and some words on the game too ...but we've all just got back from the hospital now (1830) with a boy who looks something like a gerbil with extremely large pouches. We have plenty of straws and milk and stuff like that !

2041 - Pix are up and running now....the game - you've got to say that Celtic never really got out of third gear - a comfy 4-1 win in the end - they even throttled back a touch more in the second half !! Two goals from Chris Hall in the first half made it comfy - and one from Roca in the 46th minute (yes me still coming back from Hare & Hounds !!) killed the game off as a contest. Woodley did get a good consolation goal from Nick Robinson, but a late fourth from Burbeary made the score a wee more realistic.


The STS "exclusive - Paul Sykes' effort that was disallowed for "something"...

No Football tomorrow ....

It SHOULD be Stocksbridge v Mossley in Unibond Challenge Cup ...it was probably going to be Stalybridge v Woodley in the Cheshire Senior Cup .....or maybe Droylsden's first league win against Burton Albion....

..but that's all gone out of the window following a phone call this evening on my way home which said "On our way to North Manchester General - Peter's jaw is broken in two places" ........................................ (for more info see earlier thread) - strange that the fractured jaw (x2) was not spotted by Tameside General last Friday Night / Saturday morning .....but we'll hold on that one for now.

An "interesting" evening entailed which saw him ending up at Booth Hall where he'll be having an operation tomorrow afternoon - we got home at about 2330 tonight - I only joined Mrs Smiffy & Peter at North Manc at 1845 - they'd started at Tameside today at 1330 !! Such is the beauty of specialisms, different Health Trusts, left hands/right hands - and general privatisation. Duplicate forms were filled in - to ensure they had the correct Health Trust name at the top - a "maxfax" specialist from North Manchester was doing a surgery at Tameside this afternoon - obviously no-one at Ashton seemed to know (that could have cut out one hospital/health trust/set of duplicate forms !!) At 14 years old he could not stay at North Manchester - he's a "child" - yet he was allowed to sign a consent form...

So - don't expect any reports tomorrow night - apparently he's 3rd in the queue for tomorrow afternoon, which kicks off at 1400 - he may be "moved down" if more urgent stuff comes in. Mrs Smiffy takes day off - think I'll pack in work at lunchtime to make the perilous public transport journey to Booth Hall.

Watch this space if you want .........once again my grateful thanks to the 20 year "big bully boy"...

Mossley v Ossett - the Sunday View...

... got back from Lancaster about 1630 - Duncan is finally an undergraduate - and have added a few more pictures to the photobucket account viz.


http://s146.photobucket.com/albums/r272/mossleysmiffy/MossleyOssett/


To the game - beforehand there was talk in the Club about a draw being a good result, But me and Martin Allison's Dad (!!) were more confident than that . I reckoned that the first half was fairly evenly matched - with maybe Ossett just edging it - well they did hit the bar as well - but it remained 0-0 at half-time !!




Oh yes the STS exclusive picture...this week - a juggling Paul Garvey.


We were playing downhill second - further cause for confidence - however it was Ossett who took the lead through Bentley -but only after a quite superb double point-blank save from Ashley Connor - he nearly kept the "third time lucky" effort out as well. This was definitely a turning point. Mossley heads did not drop - "au contraire" as they say in downtown Luzley - within minutes we were level as Paul Quinn slid one in from just about the penalty spot.


With 20 minutes left Gareth Hamlet "got up at the back stick" to make it 2-1, and "close to the death" (phrase used courtesy of our club sponsors !!) Arron Kirk collected, turned, threw one (dummy) before rifling home a third goal - Dad was well chuffed !!


Over the 90 minutes it was a well-deserved win - and it was good to see the attitude after going 1-0 down. Twelve months ago we'd have ended up going 2-0 down and then only start playing with six minutes to go. Yesterday was different - and when the equaliser went in, it was the Ossett heads that seemed to drop. The form table now reads DWW - and there's confidence on the pitch and off the pitch - smiley faces everywhere. Must admit that attendance yesterday (180) was a touch disappointing - it's time for that old adage "Bring a Mate - and Double the Gate"..

Tuesday night sees a relatively short hop to Stocksbridge Park Steels in the League Cup - unfortunately it looks as though I'll be giving this one a miss due to work/time constraints - it looks like blooming Woodley again - away at Stalybridge in the Cheshire Senior Cup ...hope Aaron's found his long trousers by now ......

Mossley V Ossett Albion

OK it's late - but try to remember - there's more to life than football. We've had visitors tonight as we celebrate (?) our middle son going off to University - we have to be in Lancaster in 9 hours time. Having spent a couple of hours last night betwixt 0030 and 0230 in Tameside Hospital A&E attending to our youngest lad who was assaulted by some "big bully boy" in Top Mossley (I would happily put a f*cking bomb under any f*cking fair that visits this town - at least it would prevent all the kids (my own lad included) behaving like total dickheads), I am a touch tired ....!!

But - for starters - here's some pix from Mossley's 3-1 home win today against Ossett Albion. When I return from Lancaster tomorrow afternoon - you may (nay WILL) get some more "product"

http://s146.photobucket.com/albums/r272/mossleysmiffy/MossleyOssett/

22nd September Preview ..... ish .....

Tomorrow sees Mossley @ home to Ossett Albion - a shame really as I can't re-use my joke about that famous beat combo from Manchester called "James" who did that wonderful non-league football anthem which went something like ..."Ossett Town Ossett Town Ossett Town - sit down next to me". Doesn't really work with the word "Albion".

Droylsden have a "biggie" tomorrow with their trip to Altrincham - a good public transport jobbie - and a real basement battle as well.

Curzon Ashton entertain the "Brazilians" (HA !!) from Garforth Town (who incidentally beat Ossett last weekend... hmmm....).

Ashton United are at home to Frickley (who will be parading their new signing Neil Redfearn - which for those "in the know" is an anagram of "reindeer flan").

Stalybridge Celtic are at home to Hinckley United - and true to fixture organising (a 'kin joke !!) you also find that Hyde entertain AFC Telford tomorrow - and seem to have gone well over the top with segregation, temporary gun towers in each corner of the ground, sniffer dogs, chaps with sticks that go "weee wooo" when rubbed up and down your body - I trust the Telford beer crew will either take in the Stalybridge Buffet Bar before heading off to the "Sportsman" in Hyde rather than chancing the "Phoenix Nights" atmosphere that is Hyde's Social Club (although as part of the segregation the away team seem to have free run of the place tomorrow). Yep - anyone would think they were playing FC United of Manchester !!! Oh - Telford fans - be careful at Newton Station - they have gun-toting kiddies there y'know ....and we're talking AK47/Kalashnikov, not spud gun ........

So - of the Six Tame Sides - five are at home tomorrow.....next week no doubt there'll be no choice for the "non-travellers" I'm sure - I'm not looking at any fixture lists because naturally - "I take each game as it comes ....!"

Just remembered - I don't do previews ....see elsewhere....let's see what the weather brings as well ...

Worth a Peep

Some nice work here by the guys @ Offerton Green FC ....

http://s215.photobucket.com/albums/cc115/feedthegoat44/?action=view&current=20b4791d.pbr

(includes some of my pix y'see !!!)

http://ogfc.co.uk/

Ashton United v Stockport County - Friendly

Aaah - time at last - done the pix first of course...

http://s146.photobucket.com/albums/r272/mossleysmiffy/AshtonStockport/

My little book tells me that Northern Rail once again f**ked up last night - automated systems are a waste of space. I went for the 1857 - when I checked with my mate "Robowoman" @ 1854 - it was on time - two minutes later an express hurtles through Mossley and a re-check with "her" tells me it's now 6 minutes late. Hey ho, the 1919 bus from Stalybridge up to Hurst Cross was ... 2 minutes late, so I did arrive just after KO. How will we EVER sel the concept of public transport to the general public when they can't even get the simple things right - I despair really I do - last night's performances could well lead to someone going out and buying a bloody 4x4 ....

Rant (slightly) over - my aim last night was to try out stuff with the camera using myold lens at 150mm - as I'd seen a recently released 50-150 f2.8 lens from Sigma at an extremely reasonable price and wanted to experiment at that length - within minutes it was "sod that - we'll have to go 70-200 - and pay the extra !!" Lens update here - it ain't gonna happen overnight - still some delicate negotiations to go through - but I guarantee by Christmas the night game pix should improve - if they don't - it's down to me, not the kit !!!

The usual STS "exclusive !"

I'm sure it was a good work out for all concerned - got to be better than just a training session anyway - and I did get a couple of the goals - I think !! In the club afterwards I got collared into taking a pic of some "new signings" as Robin had shot off apparently - no idea who they are, but the pic is now available on the above link. Also in attendance last night was the "cultured left foot" of Radcliffe Borough Manager Kevin Glendon (and the rest of his body of course !) I asked him about the "state of play", given the recent press release by "young Bernard" - he said "We've gotta get on with it" - Kev is not "full-time" up there anymore - I hope it all works out for both Kevin and club - after all his left foot was revered all those years ago when he played for Mossley (and the rest of his body !!).

I'm stopping now - I want to watch the Michael Palin repeat on BBC4 - Mossley v Ossett calls at the weekend - apparently there's football on tonight - can't be anyone interesting or I'd be watching it .......

Woodley - NOT !!!

..bottled out tonight..too much on at work - and the thought that next Tuesday I could end up watching bloody Woodley again (Mossley @ Stocksbridge - should be easy but work being work at the moment - to put it bluntly "fook knows".) and I've seen Woodley too many times already this season !!!!

So tonight = going to the friendly up at Hurst Cross betwixt Ashton United and a Stockport County XI - Hatters won 4-2. Pix will be available at the usual ....

http://s146.photobucket.com/albums/r272/mossleysmiffy/AshtonStockport/

but maybe not tonight .....

Belper Town vs Causeway United (FA Cup)

Just got back to Mossley @ 1630 today, hence lack of any sort of update. Pix will be available - soon - at

http://s146.photobucket.com/albums/r272/mossleysmiffy/BelperCauseway/

soonish - and I rustle up some words to go with them - suffice to say a good weekend all round - Belper progress in the FA Cup and Mossley win at Rossendale.



OK - let's update the weekend....beginning at about 1615 in the "John Millington" in Cheadle Hulme on Friday when we all went out from work on a "bed wetting" celebration - right, it got called that a few times rather than the "wetting the baby's head" celebration that it actually was - pints/other stuff were duly drunk in celebration of the birth of Samuel James Tucker. I left the "young'uns" at about 2145 - the only way to ensure I got the last train (2300) back to Mossley - they all went on to the fleshpots of the Fab Caff in Manchester where reputations were "won and lost" until the early hours.


While that crew were still fast asleep/sobering up/groaning a lot, I was on my way down the A6 with Mrs Smiffy to visit the Mother-in-Laws and (for me) take in the Belper Town v Causeway United FA Cup tie. After arrival/ meets/greets, I trotted off to the George and Dragon (FunFair Brewery "SkyDiver" - £2-60 a pint - it's bloody pricey in the Amber Valley I can tell you) before arrival at ChristChurch Meadow(s). Time for a quick "Pedigree" and chat with Tim (Belper "Snapper") before I got "found out" by a goal within 30 seconds of the kick-off (Danny Toronczack) - me still faffing about with stuff !! Worse was to follow when Ross Hannah made it 2-0 - got the header but also some dozy Causeway number 2 very much in the foreground. A third goal from Anthony Wilson towards the end made it a fairly comfy victory for the Nailers. Realised then that I'd no idea how Mossley had gone on - my phone was in side pocket of the car because some bugger had rung me whilst driving down (and me being the "good guy" had passed said moby to Mrs Smiffy). A few after-match pints with Darlo, thence to Pistol and the Belper "top table", thence to "Riflemans" before returning to George Street - and falling asleep for an hour or two. Woke up in time for the Women's World Cup before giving up again.

Sunday saw a gentle eight-miler around Belper before returning to the Mossley fold late afternoon. By now I'd found out that Mossley had "trounced" Rossendale 2-1. A good weekend all round. By the way - here's a non-football photo from Sunday... eat your heart out Vincent Van Gogh (although I only got one flower - there's more bees !!!)..I give you a "rogue sunflower" at the bottom of George Street in Belper....





Monday's FA draw now sees Belper at home to Conference North's Hucknall Town - a possible scalp there ....Tuesday's night out will see me at Woodley Sports to watch the League Cup game against Curzon Ashton... yep, Woodley - again !!!!

It's Come - It's Come !!

Harrogate - posh end of Yorkshire we're led to believe. My journey began at Cheadle Hulme at 1630 - a "quick change" in't'works bogs and on to Manchester Picc. 1654 to Leeds, and yes - I bottled out at Stalybridge for a couple of decent beers !!!!!! Got back "online" by catching the 1738 to Leeds which enabled me to catch the 1829 from Leeds to Starbeck....


...it was 10 minutes late .........


Seem to be loads of "suits" on the trains at Leeds - but once we got beyond Headingley and through a very long tunnel it calmed down a bit. Should have arrived at Starbeck at 1908 - nearer 20 past, but with the ground so close to the station - no sweat. A pint of cask John Smiths in the "Sir Henry Peacock" before a wander past the old folks flats, across the field and into the ground in good time.


An interesting ground - I'm being polite here -


Social Club - (I'd walked past 450 yards t'other side of the field)


Toilets - One Portakabin per sex


Floodlights - well check out the pix ....


A little bit of annoyance does creep in - we at Mossley have had our "pop side" stand closed down because it ain't concreted and contains "possible missiles" - I'm afraid Harrogate's ground lags well behind Seel Park if we're going on the safety ticket - fairs fair mind - I did have a chat with "Dave Lumix" in the club at half-time (yes I did leg it across for one) and they are "on the case" - it just seems that the league feel Mossley may "go up" therefore we'll tie them down tight vis-a-vis ground gradings.


Anyway I digress - if you're not aware, one of the new-wave Mossley eco-warrior travellers had a slight mishap at the weekend - alcohol and Spain were involved - I give you - Dydo's fractured foot !!!!!



To football - well, I have to be honest (am I ever thus) - it was 15th (us) v 16th (them) - and it showed. Looking at the positives, we seem to be fairly comfy at the back as regards moving the ball out - some good one-touch stuff/find your man etc. However if we take the A-B-C formula where A=Defence, B=Midfield C=Attack....

A to A - looking comfy
A to B - mostly comfy with the odd few "overshoots"
A to C - that's called "hoof" - we "hoof" too well ...
B to C - if we could just get this right...

And once again we conceded just before half-time (OK was it 35 rather than 43 ??) when a 0-0 half-time would have done wonders. Second half was a lot of huff'n'puff and a lot of "panic at the disco" - sorry panic at the back - but I fervently believe a lot of the panic is purely down to confidence - it's NOT a lack of ability - no way. Anyways, perseverance brings its own reward - however bloody late - and Gareth played the "Get Out of Jail" card to good effect - and that sort of thing will send not only the fans home happy - but the players too (unless Gerry b*ll*cked them of course !!)

I'll stick a piccy link on again for those who don't go too far back..

http://s146.photobucket.com/albums/r272/mossleysmiffy/HarrogateMossley/

As you can tell - the night matches are going to be a struggle - as the mighty "Kipax" from Accy Stanley says "If you haven't got an f2.8 lens you might as well forget night-time football photography" - well - hot off the presses - a 4% pay increase arrived today (whoo hooo !!) - and after due discussions with Mrs Smiffy - a new lens might well be in the offing fairly soon (pay rise only part of it of course - this will be birthday, Christmas, 2008 Fathers Day, etc etc up front - an NO REPEAT NO REPEAT NO CIGARETTES !!). The Canon 70-200 f2.8 IS is still a distant dream - but if I can at least get the Sigma equivalent (no image stabilisation though) - it's got to be a step in the right direction....

....unless anyone out there in bloggerland can put me onto a second-hand Canon 70-200 f2.8 without the Image Stabilisation for around £500-550.

OK - enough shop talk - Saturday sees Mossley away at Rossendale United in a re-arranged jobby due to the lack of FA Cup next round stuff. Unfortunately I won't be at Dark Lane as once Woodley "did the business" over us in't'Cup, a trip to Mother-in-Laws was arranged....

Which means I get to watch Belper Town v Causeway United in the FA Cup - and a futile "Photography Death Match" with Tim (aka Belper Town's "Snapper") will entail !!!

The "further bugger" is of course that Rossendale is a wonderful "by public transport" place - Mossley to Man Vic - MetroLink to Bury - East Lancs Preserved Railway to Rawtenstall.......

...bugger....

It's Coming - It's Coming - Mark II

Pix now at

http://s146.photobucket.com/albums/r272/mossleysmiffy/HarrogateMossley/

usual night-time probs - which MAY END SOOOOOOOOOON ! Let me sort out "stuff" avec le maison - and the report/"stuff" will follow at "It's Coming - it's coming Mk III" or something like that ...

It's Coming - It's Coming ...

Thursday - 2000 hrs - Let me have tea - then prat with photos (Mrs Smiffy going out - ergo time and stuff !!!) - and I'll "blow the lid" on last night's performance.......