Belper Town v Alsager Town - UPDATED

Some pics for starters ....

http://s146.photobucket.com/albums/r272/mossleysmiffy/BelperAlsager2008/

to be updated/added to/modified/tweaked etc etc ad nauseam .....

And Mossley won at Brid !!!

And I got my DragonForce/Turisas Ticket ordered !!

Some words.....

Started early on Saturday – heading for IKEA in Ashton-under-Lyne at 0715 – honest!! It was the world’s best kept secret – not – the “21% off everything” day. The car park(s) were already full, with a large proportion of self-drive “white vans” – hmmm……hey-ho, we got two chests of drawers / chest of drawers / OK “Malm” and a swivelly ‘puter chair. Home, brekkie then off to Belper (we’ll do the assembly at a later date).

A pint in the “George & Dragon” before the game (Storm Brewery “Hurricane Hubert” – do you want to know the price - £2-80 - eek – methinks ‘tis getting rather silly down there…). Price in the Social Club (“Pedigree” from the jug - £2-60 – cheaper, but still a bit … (for us Northerners anyway !)

The game – Alsager Town may have been handed the “enforced relegation” ticket, but they don’t look like a team that’s “going quietly”. They started the better team and took the lead after 20 minutes.

This acted as the wake-up for Belper and after a period of pressure Wilson headed in an equaliser after a cross from the right - 1-1 at half-time. I missed the second goal – Iwas being mithered by a small child for a marker pen – which I didn’t have anyway. There’d been a bit of a community/fun day affair before the game and there were children everywhere !! Anyway – Rushbury got the goal ! 2-1 is never the safest of leads (but then again I wasn’t watching Mossley !!!) – but the Nailers held out inspite of a couple of scares at their end – and some missed chances up t’other. Three points – and that play-off place remains a possibility – distant, but mathematical ….

After the game I had a couple in the Social Club before wandering off towards Somerfield for an “evening drink supply”. I chose to go via the cricket pitch – game on – let’s have a play with camera … furthermore the Club Bar had some rather nice bottled beers !

Quiet evening in - “Shawshank Redemption” and “Air America” – Sunday saw us walking in the Youlgreave area, through Lathkill Dale. The weather was crap ! Who’d have thought it was the end of April ??? It was like a damp, cold, misty October day, so we kept it down to about 6.5 miles. Back to Mossley and – end of weekend....
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Grumpy Old Git Post ....

Several tales from this week...

ONE - our local paper (plus the "Manchester United Evening News") has featured the tale of the Stalybridge lady who parked her car illegally - then returned to find the words "CANT READ" spray painted all over it - plus tyres slashed. Don't get me wrong - the wanton vandalism is the work of total d*ckheads, be they from the adjacent premises or not. My point is that the story turns said lady into a martyr-cum-hero - whoa !!!!! Parked illegally I believe - but let's turn the story round and emphasise the "missing apostrophe" amongst the spray paint - helps to hide the fact that the car was parked ...... illegally....

TWO - Tuesday morning at Mossley Station - I need a new weekly pass - therefore I nip down to station several minutes early to purchase said ticket from "our Graham". I also noticed some "ticket checker dudes" at both entrances to the Manchester-bound platform. Train arrives at 0724 - two women are still trying to get on platform - on the train, they're moaning like f*ck to the guard with such phrases as "I always buy my ticket on the train" and "They should put notices up". FACT - Travelling on a train without a ticket IS AN OFFENCE .... If you need a ticket, whether a daily or a weekly, get there 5 minutes before the train arrives rather than 30 seconds. Once again people making excuses - sorry but I lump 'em in with the "fare dodger" crew - of which there are MANY on our line into Manchester. As far as I'm concerned you should not be allowed on any bloody platform without a ticket. They've installed barriers at Manchester Oxford Road - early indications are that ticket sales have gone up ..... hmmm .....

THREE - the binge drinking 12 year old in the "Metro" this week - Mummy blamed "advertising" - I blame Mummy for giving girlie too much pocket money .....

FOUR - There's a protest in Ashton on Saturday 26th April about the proposed Manchester "Congestion Charge" - I'll be there - because for me, the charges being mooted are FAR TOO LOW ....

FIVE - All grumped out - bugger off and leave me alone !!
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..and the Gig of 2008 WILL be .....

DragonForce and Turisas - 26th September 2008 @ Manchester Academy.

In true "Pete Doherty's judge" style - DragonForce will once again be given "another chance" to emulate their Manc Academy gig of December 2006,

..... while Turisas were one of my "hits" from Download last year.

No new 'DragonProduct' I'm afraid - a remastered "Valley of the Damned" doesn't count in my book anyway (remastered often = overproduced !!) - need to check on Turisas as I got the "Varangian Way" for my 51st !!

Tickets on sale tomorrow ....save one for me ....
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Glossop NE v Trafford

"Arse" is the word - turn up at 1930 to find ...

Sums it up really .....

The beer to come @ the "Star" in Glossop...

Oh sod it !!! Now it's "Try to Wangle Wednesday Time" - Ossett v Mossley maybe - or the Youth Cup Final at Man City ...we'll see ..

..

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Stalybridge Celtic v Vauxhall Motors - UPDATED

Pictures at

http://s146.photobucket.com/albums/r272/mossleysmiffy/BridgeVauxhall2008/

(I do have "something " of the Celtic 3rd goal but .....)

Well we got a game up at Bower Fold - heroics once again by the ground staff and volunteer "forkers" - and the pitch does seem to drain well. Caught the "baby bus" from Mossley over to Stalybridge - a quick "tincture" in the Buffet Bar - purely to check whether it was worth my while going up to Bower Fold - it was according to Trefor (resplendent in his "Huddersfield Hussies" - or whatever they're called - rugby tunic) something to do with fast cars after the Celtic game and over to ... Huddersfield I guess !!). just the one pinta before walking - yes walking - up to Bower Fold - it's only about 20 minutes - ooh, just time for a pint of Black Sheep in the H&H !!

Aah football - Celtic looking to consolidate a play-off place, Vauxhall Motors in "last chance saloon" mode. However the game was all but over very early one. Celtic were two up in the first 20 minutes, and if it wasn't for the heroics of the Vauxhall keeper - Lloyd Rigby - it could easily have been more - check out my piccies for some of his saves - having watched Mossley's finest - viz. Ashley Connor - doing exactly the same this season - viz keeping defeats "respectable" vis-a-vis goals conceded. he'd earned my MOM award in the first half-hour !! Within minutes of Celtic going 2-0 up there was a "lapse of concentration" at the back allowing Vauxhall to halve the deficit...

2-1 - and the Vauxhall faithful are well chuffed !!

This was only a temporary respite mind as a third goal went in on the half-hour mark, which for me effectively ended the contest. The second half was not as fraught - Celtic relaxed, Vauxhall had "a bit of a go" - but there was only ever going to be one winner. The fourth goal - some said oggy, I note the "BensonMeister" gives it to Celtic's Steve Payne - was the proverbial "icing ...." results at Hinckley and Hucknall made Vauxhall's relegation "official".

Mad rush back to Mossley ensued after the game as we had to be on the 1757 train back to Manchester for a trip to the Royal Exchange Theatre to see "The Glass Menagerie". On the way past the Urbis we somehow slipped into what looked like a "tented village" with a swimming theme (for those who don't - they've rigged up a giant paddling pool in the MEN Arena for the FINA World Short-Course Swimming Champs) - spotted a bar (plastic glasses - groogh - a jazz band and what can only be described as an "aquatic dance troupe" ... see for yourself ...

Hmm .... had time for a drink, so went somewhere different, "The Living Room" on Deansgate - didn't spot any superstars/footballers etc but enjoyed the "floor show" from the cocktail waiters, fling their bottles around and cutting up strawberries for the archetypal "fruit-based drink for the lady". Glass of wine + bottle of "Tiger Beer" = £8 - you have been warned !

The play - pretty good - second half went on a bit mind(plus theatre was a bit warm !). Just time for a quick beer afterwards before running through the rain to catch the 2300 "Pissheads Express" (viz. last train home).

Today - tidy house, buy new duvet (yep, cat was sick on the old one last night/early this morning !), a walk around "Pots and Pans" (local landmark) and finally this .....

This weeks football - Mossley are away at Ossett on Wednesday, so I'll be "at home" !! Fingers crossed to get down to Glossop on Tuesday night to see them against the new Champions of the North West Counties League - viz Trafford, managed by ex-Lilywhite Tony Coyne.... everything naturally contains the rider "weather permitting" .....

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Spring Weather - My A*se !

Mossley - off
Droylsden - off

Fingers now crossed for Stalybridge Celtic - I might have given Woodley v Bridlington Town a go (two teams around the Mossley level eh !!!) but with giving it some Tennessee Williams tonight -need to get homw sharpish.

Fingers still crossed (1315) - making a move now ......

Saturday Preview ....

.....hmmmm...

If Stalybridge beat Vauxhall Motors - guaranteed play-off for one I believe - guaranteed relegation for t'other I believe .... go Celtic - for me, play-offs = season extension e.g. more football - plus it would be nice to see a Tameside replacement for the Bloods ... talking of which ..

Droylsden - deffo to beat Ebbsfleet - a team run by the web users - ho ho ho (as in we'll have your £35 but you'll have NO SAY IN ANYTHING - talking of which - I wonder where my Mossley AFC Share Certificate is ???????????????????????)

Mossley v Brazil ? Well Garforth are as much like Brazil as Tofu representing a carnivore's delight .... Mossley to win ?? Bloody hope so - and hoping the crowd breaks three figures ...despite Newky Blue Star taking voluntary relegation - I've little faith in the Unibond "committee" - who may well come to some agreement with NWCFL viz "We'll take three but we'll give you back one" - it could still happen - and it scares me .......

Nantwich v Belper - were I not giving it some Tennessee Williams tomorrow night at the Royal Exchange (yes the "Glass Menagerie" you heathens) I may have been tempted away from Seel Park - fingers are well and truly crossed for a Nailers victory.

Hednesford v Ashton United - I've NEVER found out what happened to Denise Rowley - went to school with her back in the 20th century - she was a Hednesford fan - fingers crossed for the Robins natch - it's still soooo tight in the mid-range of the Unibond Prem.

Hyde @ Hinckley - Hyde appear to have totally blown any chance of a play-off place - Hinckley need to get out of that bottom three - not been to Hinckley since the Matt Gadsby Memorial Game - I see draw here...

Curzon Ashton - away at Starbeck Loco Club (aka Harrogate RA) - should win - should take another giant step towards promotion - but NO-ONE CARES - it's crazy isn't it ???

And that - is that ...
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Look at the Size of his ....Lens !!

Home tonight - pouring with rain - I noticed that football was being played on the playing field on the other side of the valley/Egmont Street. So - experiment with that dobber lens again out of the bedroom Velux ....two unadulterated pictures....

One at 170mm ..



And one at 500mm



Well - it beats doing stuff ...
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Thoughts from Yesterday ...snow, football etc

Woke up Tuesday morning to this …

Football tonight ?? Driving “over the tops” ?? Hmmm – naturally the 0724 train was cancelled, so I was half-an-hour late for workies. By the time I reached the “Deep South” of Cheadle Hulme though, most of the snow had disappeared so “game on” was the thought for the rest of the day. A “complimentary lunch” at the “Penny Black” – the pub across the road from work (hmmm not a great advert for the kitchen I must say – and they’re still struggling to get to grips with the real ale) – and a bit more graft (oooh don’t you just luuuurve Access Databases !!!!)

Out of work at 1625 – home by 1725 – on the “clear” roads to Alfreton by 1745 with my trusty AA internet route which took me “my usual way” towards Chapel-en-le-Frith, and then on to the southern fringes of Chesterfield before down into Alfreton on the A61 arriving about 1920. It was good listening on the radio to what appeared to be “total gridlock” on the M62 both sides of Manchester and on the M60 in between. You started to wonder whether players would get caught up in such problems – oops sorry that was the previous round (the Buxton v Alfreton “problems” are well documented elsewhere !!) Parking outside the Impact Arena/North Street – a nightmare (and this with only a crowd of 248 – curse that TV footy – again !!!). Cheap in – think it was £7 - £2 prog (which incidentally was all I spent all night apart from one £1 coffee – thinking it through – even with petrol it was probably a cheaper night out than me walking up the hill to a Mossley home game – something to do with the drinks bill no doubt !!!).

Belper, playing down the slope, were first out of the blocks with a goal from Walker, and for a good chunk of the first half you’d have been pushed to choose which was the Conference North team and which was the Unibond 1 South outfit. A second goal from Middleton was no more than the Nailers deserved – and 2-0 was the half-time score, despite Belper losing two players (Colliver and Middleton) to injuries.

Second half started pretty the same as the first, with the team going downhill grabbing an early goal. Now it was time for Belper to put most of their eggs in the defending basket as Alfreton came down the hill at will. However Kotylo scored a third for Belper from a quickly-taken free kick – Alfreton were still “trowelling their wall together” as the ball hit the net. Not over yet mind – Alfreton got a second goal with about 6 minutes to go and continued to bombard the Belper defence. However for all the perceived Alfreton pressure in the second half, there were very few clear-cut chances – one off the bar, one off the line from Rushbury and a lot of good defending around the edges of the penalty box and some dominant clearances from the many corners.

The better team won – no doubt about it. I didn’t hang around after the game – got back to Mossley for about 2330 and had a bit of a tickle on’t’web and the photo bucket. Bed for 0130 – in work today for 0815.

Just not enough hours in a day ……

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Alfreton Town v Belper Town

(Derbyshire Senior Cup 1st Leg)

Yes I went in the end - and saw a well-deserved 3-2 for the so-called "underdogs" from Belper - I've managed to do some pix ..

http://s146.photobucket.com/albums/r272/mossleysmiffy/AlfretonBelperDSC2008/

...now I'm going to sleep - so many words (and not just on tonight's game) - this morning's weather (and train cock-ups), the lurid tales of former Mossley 'keeper Ashley Timms in today's "Manchester United Evening News" - all to come another time - as it's 0113 by my clock !

Odds and Sods from Yesterday...

Me messing with monochrome.....ish ...



Sylvia's posh cake ....



Happy April (from the footbridge at Greenfield) !!!

Couldn;t do Ashton v Marine tonight - ju-jitsu taxi service kicking in after skool hols - by all accounts - I did well to miss !! Tomorrow - I'm being very silly and going for Alfreton Town v Belper Town in the Derbyshire Senior Cup Final 1st Leg - driving down etc etc etc......

If only it had been Glossop .... !

Sunday - The "Cotton Mill Express"

All thoughts of football suitably banished for a while at least. Up early and on the 0932 from Mossley down to Stalybridge to try to emulate Bishop Eric Treacy !! (if you don't know - Google him...). As it was a clean and sparkly morning, I thought I'd give that 170-500mm "loan lens" an outing. Anyway... here are the pix from not 90 minutes ago - ain't technology wonderful !!

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

Now off to the kitchen to "slow-cook" tonight's beef in some ale - tidy up before the return of Mrs Smiffy - and then return to Stalybridge Buffet Bar - because today Sylvia reaches the big six-oh - and there's a "bit of a do" this afternoon - with nibblies I hope.

Having picked a "wrong 'un" in yesterdays FA Cup semi-final - today I am going for Cardiff ...
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Mossley - the Saturday Choice ...

Pix at

http://s146.photobucket.com/albums/r272/mossleysmiffy/MossleyHarrogate2008/

Please expect no words - it's taken until now to make the pictures look good. Roll on season end ..

If there's any anoraks still awake - 45407 - Lancashire Fusilier - through Mossley about 1000

Friday Night ....with Saturday to come...

In the words of that little ginger brat Annie ..

"Tomorrow, Tomorrow, There's Football Tomorrow, And only a walk away".

Yes folks, Mossley are at home to Harrogate RA - also known as "Famed Cup Fighters Harrogate RA" - or to the more cynical - Starbeck LocoShed.

2008 for Mossley is well-documented elsewhere - although the crux of the matter is 5 points from 42 - the finances may be safe for now, at least until the end of this season - but I'm still facing a quandary that was faced not 7 days ago (because it was in fact 8 days ago when the decision was made to kick the Newcastle Blue Star away game into touch). One point from that game - see this pic - tkt courtesy of Jules..

There is a number 442 on the left - the attendance was 73 ... hmm ...

Anyway to my "real" point - I've been asked a number of times this last seven days "Are you going on Saturday" - however this is Stalybridge fans referring to their final away game this season at Boston United. There's three coaches going I believe - and fancy dress is optional. Following my trip to Hurst Cross on Monday, the point has been made "Why not go to Ilson with the Robins on Saturday to see them play the Robins ??" I've not been to Ilkeston this season - I've a number of good friends down there, some of whom were met at Stalybridge Buffet Bar earlier this season when they came up for the Ashton game (and they then spent most of the game in the Ashton club - Ilkeston were "on a downer" at the time !!).

With it being "skool hols" Mrs Smiffy is off touring - last weekend it was Bristol, this weekend it's Oakham - I had thought at one stage she'd be in Belper this weekend - the Nailers have a vital game at home to Nantwich Town in their quest for the Unibond 1 South Play-Offs - but she ain't so neither am I - shame there as well...

Another local option is Curzon Ashton's "quest for promotion" - they're at home to Bradford Park Avenue for the second time this season - I saw the previous home evening game between the two teams when BPA won 1-0 with a late Tom Baker effort - that will be an interesting one, with both teams looking to grab the automatic promotion place - Skem are at home to Clitheroe while poor old FCUM (34 games in 12 days or something) are away at Wakefield. It's between this lot - plus Bamber Bridge who are up Rawtenstall way tomorrow.

They all sound so much tempting than the game that is but a mere "cockstride" away ... don't they ???

Forget Football - for FIVE whole minutes ...

Check out....

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/chart/indiesingles.shtml

See those tunes at 1, 3, 4 and 5 ???

Engineered by my daughter .......

Yes tonight is a VERY VERY VERY proud father moment - and Mrs Smiffy too is "glaising a rass" !!

So feel free to go out and buy ...

http://www.hmv.co.uk/hmvweb/advancedSearch.do?ctx=12;2;65;-1&searchType=12&label=SOULOFNORTHSTAFFS

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Ashton United v Matlock Town

Again we're reduced to pictures - viz

http://s146.photobucket.com/albums/r272/mossleysmiffy/AshtonMatlock2008/

...to the best of my knowledge - Tuesday night = f**k all on - then - maybe then - I'll get some "write up" sorted on both Stalybridge from Saturday, Ashton tonight/last night - and naturally bang in some words about Mossley's latest capitulation up at "Newcastle Brown Trousers" (their new name - daren't stay in the Unibond etc etc etc).

One for Tameside Eye -this weeks bin liner from Tameside MBC was this effort ...wow ....

And another for Tameside Eye - the so-called "renovation" of Stalybridge Station appears to have stopped/stagnated etc etc - demolition done, there's now some kind of "planning permission" problem I'm told - no doubt including including Tameside Council, Network Rail, Trans-Pennine, British Rail Property Board (or whatever they're called these days) and probably about 235 other privatised "fingers in the rail pie"... what a shambles...

Stalybridge Celtic v Solihull Moors

Some pix at

http://s146.photobucket.com/albums/r272/mossleysmiffy/BridgeSolihull2008/

As usual time on the pc is at a premium - bloody kids - back later ....

Quick !!! Tidy up !!!

Mrs Smiffy back today - where's Henry the Hoover when you need him - you never know he might be at Stalybridge today - which is where I'll be "laying my monopod" ...

Must dash - come here Dyson !
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Sorry...

Just can't do .....read my reply to Nosmo ...
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A Bit of Fun - before .....

.....here's the magic pic from Stalybridge Station this morning ...





...when I go to "holes in the wall" for cash - their 'downtime' tends to be betwixt 0200 and 0400 - unlike the railway system who decide to f**k it up during rush-hour..........

Enjoy the "ha ha" - I've done the football agonising last night - leaves one story that's still very near to my heart...

I'll leave you with this from earlier this month ...
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http://sixtamesides.blogspot.com/2008/03/does-this-bring-tears-to-your-eyes.html
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..there's much to go through today before I say my piece - Sophie's Mum in the MEN tonight - "... respect, compassion and tolerance ..." - what can anyone else say after that ?

I would have to promise to try and be as well-balanced as I can - I used the phrase "the bastards should swing" in the earlier thread - I need to think about that as well. Check out ..
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http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/1042847_guilty_verdict_in_sophie_killing
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and the comments below the story - it's hard for those who write - it's hard for those who read ...

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This Saturday - Tough Decision - Decsion Made ...

Newcastle Blue Star v Mossley is not for me...


I've been agonising over this for a while - Monday's "second half capitulation" against Rossendale obviously didn't help, but after a few beers - hey relax - so I did check out train times and costs. Stalybridge to Newcastle - Day Return - will cost £55-80 (yes fifty-five pounds eighty). Hmmm - some tweaking - perfectly legal (known in the trade as "ticket splitting") saw two tickets (Stalybridge to York - Day Return - and York to Newcastle - Day Return - coming in at just over £40 - yes forty quid). Fifteen quid better, but still obscene .... plus there's a bit of travel on the old "TyneandWearMetro" (Kingston Park does have it's own station very close) once you get to Newky - poss another fiver or so.

In fact a couple of seats on the coach appeared on Monday - with "provisos" (viz no "drinkies" on the outward journey) - but "a couple of seats" will not accommodate the full "shedhead crew" - we've had some good train trips out this season with a dozen or so of us. There are a few cars going up as well - but with my "old man's problems" the A1(M) would be awash with urine !!!! [Bet you all wanted to know that - it's an exaggeration anyway !! ]

I love travelling on the train to a game - always have, always will. The "Long Good Friday" last week was a grrrand day out - marred only by one result at Bradford PA and a landslip at Brighouse - and a reasonable price as well - so it's always my first choice - obviously night games can be a pain - but Saturdays ..... it's great, and you often get to meet like minded footy fans (both league and non-league) who are also in it for the "holy trinity" of beer, foootball and train - not necessarily in that order !!

With it being "skool hols", Mrs Smiffy has wandered off to Bristol for a couple or three days so time is not a problem - and one little voice is reminding me that this is probably Newky BS's one and only season in the Unibond before they run kicking and screaming back to the Northern League, blaming (and here's the irony) the cost of travelling !!!!

But are Mossley challenging for the championship - or a play-off place ??? I'm afraid not, otherwise there would be none of this "Shall I / Shan't I ??" rubbish. As I think I said in a txt to "Dydo" - "Unlike L'Oreal - I'm afraid they're not worth it" - it's sad that it comes to this - but £40/45 goes a good way towards the camera bag I want/need - Ashton United are at home on Saturday - Stalybridge are at home on Saturday (more likely than Ashton - because Ashton are at home on Monday night, and with it being "skool hols" - no ju-jitsu for boy..)

And remember - that £40/45 is before a ball is kicked in anger - or before a beer is slurped "not" in anger, but in enjoyment - or before a "Burger King" is eaten "in desperation". A fan of a Premier League team may well be able to justify this kind of expense - or even a Droylsden fan 'for this season and this season only' (and no I'm NOT taking the p*ss here - remember I know a lot of Derby fans going through the same "enjoy it while you can because next season .... experience" experience).

Thinking it through a little more - given the parlous state of Mossley's finances, I'm sure the club would rather me spend my money at home games anyway ........

So ... as a simple Mossley fan I've got to say ....."Not this time"....

We'll see what Saturday brings.....and where we end up ....

Rio Ferdinand vs Dwain Chambers

Now there's an interesting one ....obviously football and athletics authorities have a different mindset.

Surely can't just be down to money ..... can it ??
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Mossley v Rossendale United - Part 2

Pix now available at ...

http://s146.photobucket.com/albums/r272/mossleysmiffy/MossleyRossy2008/

..the word "crap" however is still 'running around my brain'....

...next job is to find a "reasonable" method of getting to Newcastle Blue Star next week - since the seats on the first coach of the season (albeit the players coach, therefore only about 20 pews) appear to have been "taken" - leaving the Mossley "hardcore" looking for alternatives ... several people not right pleased about this ...

Flying might be cheaper ...
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Mossley v Rossendale United - Part 1

2000 hours ....

Now that was crap....
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more to come ... hopefully

oh yes - 3-1 to the visitors ...
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If You're in HMV today ...

... it's ...

"Do you have a copy of the new Novellos single entitled 'The Lady is not for Turning' ??"

"None in Stock" is not an acceptable answer..
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Easter Weekend - words - Part 1

Friday

Extremely well organised – an A4 sheet awash with times, places and phone numbers – yes better organised than Bush’s invasion of Iraq – and much more justified !

1145 – Mossley Station – just me !! Then along came Stuart and his two “wards for the day”, Charlotte and Sophie. The train to Huddersfield was a touch late, so when we arrived with only 12 minutes to spare – the first variation kicked in – an extra half an hour at the “Head of Steam” – and a relaxing, rather than rushed, pint of Little Valley “Cragg Vale”. Off to Dewsbury – and the West Riding Refreshment Rooms – kept it simple – a pint of Black Sheep Bitter. Next stop was Dewsbury Bus Station and a 126 bus – here was the first flaw in the “Yorkshire Invasion Plan” – not knowing where to get off !! Fortunately our driver took us into Ossett Bus Station and packed us off on another bus, which pulled up outside the “Ossett Brewery Tap” pub – which for our sins we missed out. Down the hill and into the Cricket Club which was full of Youth teams preparing for their Easter Tour of Holland. One ham sandwich and a pint of Theakstons Bitter before we walked over the Cricket Pitch to the football ground. We’d decided to order a cab to get us back to Dewsbury, as the walk/bus was looking a little tight.

To the game – the scoreline shows Ossett Albion beating Chorley 2-0 – but I felt the better team lost on the day. The two goals came in the last 10 minutes, the first when the Chorley keeper “cocked up” to put it bluntly, allowing Catton time to wipe his boot etc before scoring. I’d have to say the wind – again blustery and pigging cold certainly had something to do with not only the first goal, but also the late late second from Dickinson – it fairly screamed in – carried along by a force 7 or 8. If I was a Chorley fan I’d feel a bit hard done by – well worth a point – but that’s the way it goes.

After the game our taxi arrived to get us back to Dewsbury Station with time to spare. Train to Leeds (Burger King stop !), train to Bradford. Then the next problem kicked in – NationalRail.co.uk had told me 2231 from Bradford to Huddersfield was our “train of choice”– I was a bit suspicious at the time, but it wasn’t until arriving in Bradford that I thought it worth checking – true to form, the landslip at Elland/Brighouse was still “slipped” and they could not promise that the “Rail Replacement Bus” would get us into Huddersfield in time for our “late one” to Mossley. By now we’d missed our bus to Bradford PA – so another taxi was called into service. The decision was made – we’d look for lifts back to Mossley, else taxi back to Bradford for the 2204 to Leeds.

I was still walking round when Mossley took the lead – bugger – fortunately SJNR got it on video …

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olD_7xvpC1U

Not for long though – an equaliser was followed by a red card for our Mike Fish was followed by some “extreme” rearguard action, with – once again – keeper Ashley Connor performing miracles – very topical for a Good Friday. Then just as we thought we’d got to half-time at 1-1 – we didn’t – bugger. No half-time miracles from “Gerry the Messiah” I’m afraid – and by 90 minutes we were a well-beaten – dare I say “crucified” at 4-1 down – although if that blizzard had started 15 minutes earlier – an abandonment would have been almost certain – and yes I have that on good authority from a Bradford chappie !!

Post-game – we’d managed to “bunk in” with Secretary Bob, who scooted us back into Mossley in time for a drink or two – “the wards” were packed off – before retiring sometime after midnight (and I mean “some time”- can’t remember which one though ….

Saturday

Not expecting football today – having “binged out” on Friday, me and Mrs Smiffy were due “walkies” – however with it being so cold, so windy and so “un-Easter”, walkies was curtailed and the afternoon suddenly became free !! A choice of two games – apologies to my friends at Hurst Cross, but I went over to Stalybridge Celtic to see if they could continue this fantastic unbeaten run that has taken them into play-off contention against Worcester City. So a train to Stalybridge – a quick one in the Buffet Bar – containing a large number of Worcester fans – and “mad Pete” and friends from Bradford PA who’d popped over the Pennines for drinks (didn’t tell him that Stalybridge cost twice as much as Bradford PA –he wasn’t going anyway !!). Managed to scab thirds of a cab up to the ground – I owe you one Jason !

Celtic were made to work for their victory – but few would begrudge it. My “Man of the Match” was the Worcester keeper Belford who kept his team in it with several good saves, and a well-organised defence. It was, after half-time, only a matter of time before Celtic scored, and score they did with 20 minutes to go following good work down the left from Chris Hall. 1-0 is always a bit “buttock clenching” though by then Worcester had just about “shot their bolt” - Celtic could have had a couple near the end – but Belford kept them out.

The “Invasion of Yorkshire” by the Lancashire duo of Chorley and Mossley hit the buffers – but Steve Burr’s Blue and White Army march on. Blimey, it’s already nearly Monday and weather permitting some more football.

Sunday

Steps near the canal ...

We woke up in Mossley this morning with a goodish layer of snow on the ground – mostly melted now - and yes we had a walk out in it – fingers crossed for the Monday game at home to Rossendale United - with alternatives already in mind !!

"Binge Football"

In the words of McMel - "You can tax my beer intake - but you'll never take away my ....FOOTBALL"

So - for now - here's three links to pix - which may or may not be there - but will be before midnight tonight....

.

http://s146.photobucket.com/albums/r272/mossleysmiffy/OssettChorley2008/

.

http://s146.photobucket.com/albums/r272/mossleysmiffy/BradfordMossley2008-2/

.

http://s146.photobucket.com/albums/r272/mossleysmiffy/BridgeWorcester2008/

.

..and I'll put some words together as well - honest !!
.
2130 - Ossett/Chorley pictures up ....

.

2230 - Bradford/Mossley pictures up ...

.
2330 - Stalybridge/Worcester pictures up ...

.

You have to remember - it's not all football - here's one taken this morning at Dove Stone Ressie - it was 'kin cold and 'kin windy - but the water was sooooo blue...

..and one from Stalybridge Town Centre after the game today ... hmmmmmmmmmmm ....

The Good Friday "MasterPlan"

Mossley dep 1147
Huddersfield arr 1212
Huddersfield dep 1227
Dewsbury arr 1236
Dewsbury Bus Station Stand 6 dep 1320 (126) , 1330 (127) 1340 (126) about 20 mins to Dimple Wells to watch

Osset Albion v Chorley

Return bus to Dewsbury 1651 arrive Bus Station 1721
Dewsbury Train dep 1737
Leeds arr 1752
Leeds dep 1808
Bradford arr 1828Bus Station (stand G) 1840 (682) or 1910 (682)just over 15 minutes to see

Bradford PA v Mossley

Return bus to Bradford at 2144 arriving 2207
Bradford Train dep 2231
Huddersfield arr 2307
Huddersfield dep 2322
Mossley arr 2347

Exactly 12 hours !!

Return train ticket (Mossley to Marsden) £4-70
West Yorks Rail & Bus Rover £5-50

..and Morgan Computers on Mancy Picc approach let me down tonight - the Olympus VN240 Voice Recorder (i.e. dictaphone !) - none in stock ..... as I've been asked to do report for MossleyWeb as well as pictures - aargh !

Glossop v Newcastle Town

Sorry guys - it's late - there's a whole story about trains tonight that I may - just may put up tomorrow(today) lunchtime - another shambles not helped by some stupid bastard customer - who should have been tied up and put on the f**king lines.

All I can do is this - a repeat of a post on the Glossop board - it's five to one and I need kip - so take it or leave it ....

"It's late so excuse whatever - you lost 1-0 - taken apart in the first half - second half soooo different - Newcastle seemed to retreat not just into "their shell", but into a niggly , time-wasting, football spoiling shell. If any Newkies reading - me (neutral) NOT impressed with your second half - if you'd have played like in the first 45, you'd have won comfortably - but no you made it hard for yourselves - and hard for the fans (and yes it was pigging cold again tonight).
Oh yes Smiffypix available at ...

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

Not the best (I struggled with the lights as well as the sub-zero temps !!) ...but ...you get the picture ;D "

Monday ...

Just been on "BigBrother.com" - OK the sitemeter.com website - and it seems many people are expecting me to be at the Ashton v Matlock game tonight - I reckon it's something to do with online betting because people are "Googling" the Ashton game from France, Germany, Switzerland, Poland and Rumania - and getting this site - I kid you not !!!

It's Monday - it's ju-jitsu for the boy - and I'm the taxi ....yes I'd have probably chosen that game over the Curzon Ashton v Harrogate RA game (although Curzon could do Mossley a bit of a favour tonight ....) - I did see 25 minutes of the Birmingham v Newcastle game - well I'm used to watching bottom-of-the-table stuff !!!!!

So this week - down a league but up in the top 8 - we are mostly doing Glossop North End vs Newcastle Town tomorrow night - a train to Stalybridge and a 237 up and over the tops ... it'll be nice to see Newcastle again - we (Mossley) had some good tussles back in the North West Counties days - things I remember - like losing my wallet on the car park at Newcastle - and it being found and returned - John the secretary who used to get oatcakes for us when we went down - catching the train to Stoke, the bus to Newcastle and a walk down the Lyme Valley Way ... and stuff like that...

Watch it get frosted off !!!!

Good Friday - Mossley at Bradford PA with an evening KO - and yes it CAN be done by train - last train out of Bradford is at 2230, change at Huddersfield, getting us back to Mossley for 2347-ish ..... I now find myself thinking about doing an extra game as well - if we're going to West Yorkshire, the "train day return ticket to Marsden plus a West Yorkshire Bus & Rail Rover" option opens up the possibilities of Ossett Albion v Chorley in the afternoon - there's also this crazy streak inside me that's saying "Sheffield FC v Belper Town ???"

We shall see - I was hoping if I kept writing I may get tonight's scores - but it ain't happened ...

2155 - Update - the Ashton United v Matlock game never started !!! Floodlight/Power failure in the Hurst Cross region - wonder if any hot-footed it down to the Curzon game ??

2300 - Curzon beat Harrogate 1-0 - which certainly helps Mossley insofar as that's one game less in hand for them (Harrogate) - still two points ahead of us mind !!!

Doug Peacock - RIP

Learned today that Doug Peacock has died after a short illness at the age of 66. It's probably not a name known to many of the "young 'uns" - but he worked for a good many years for the Manchester Evening News during what I would consider were the "Good Old Days" - by that I mean:

- Doug Peacock was THE non-league correspondent - 6 days a week;

- We had a Sporting Pink at about 6-15pm every Saturday;

- It contained loads of non-league stuff - and I mean loads.

It's going back somewhat - but I believe we did meet a few times in the 80s - I'm pretty sure he would not have been that impressed with the non-league coverage by the MEN these days - all this fawning over FC United in the actual paper by the Mathieson / Brennan / Glennon triumvirate. Furthermore just take a look at the MEN web-site and the link actually says "FC United/Non-League" - click on it and it's 90% of 'yes you've guessed it'....

No doubt people "in the biz" like Mike Pavasovic from Hyde United or Tony Bugby from the "Chron" will be a little more eloquent about Mr Peacock than myself - in fact I'd hope for something in the "Chron" and on the "wireless" this Friday....!!

In the meantime - RIP Doug, and my condolences to his wife, son and daughter.

Mossley v Wakefield ... 0-2 ... aargh

...two mistakes - two goals - and that really was all that was between the two teams - OK they hit the bar - they could have scored more - but they didn't....

Some pix at

http://s146.photobucket.com/albums/r272/mossleysmiffy/MossleyWakefield2008-1/

... very very frustrating to watch - we were playing "the wrong way" (i.e. towards the Park End in the first half) as well - but there was so little penetration (oo-err missus) up front in 90 minutes. I'd baulk at saying "we made them look good" - cus we didn't - but we didn't do ourselves any favours either.

So having missed the heroics of last Saturday, this result means the pressure is still on in the lower reaches of Unibond 1 North - maybe there will be no relegation - but the pressure is still there until the "suits/blazers" make a decision ...

No idea what's to do next midweek - in true fixture style, Monday night sees both Ashton clubs at home - and boy at ju-jitsu - grr.... Easter weekend sees a Good Friday evening KO at Bradford PA - now that goes down as a serious "bugger" travel-wise - we'll see if it can be done vis the public transport option. Easter Monday sees Rossendale United at Seel Park - they're "just above us" - but what does that mean anyway ....

The play at the Royal Exchange was hard work - interesting story - but came over really badly - you need good dialogue if you're going to have two characters on stage talking to each other for 20 minutes at a time - putting it into football parlance, they took the best (most animated/interesting) character ("whistle blower" Mary) off at half-time, and the expected (by me anyway) "push forward" did not occur in the second half - they "gritted" themselves through it - and it wasn't that pretty for us speccies.

And then - the last train back to Mossley was filled not only with the usual drunken detrius - but also Westlife fans - now can you understand the "aargh" at the top ??


I leave you with an STS "exclusive" - Mossley sub Arron Kirk - or is it actually Dickie Ticker ??

Music Update ...

click here to buy ...

http://www.hmv.co.uk/hmvweb/advancedSearch.do?ctx=12;2;65;-1&searchType=12&label=SOULOFNORTHSTAFFS

Does this bring Tears to your Eyes ??

..cus it bloody well should..you should try hiding your tears while listening to this at work - it was hard - I don't think anyone spotted me - on Thursday or today (yes why did I listen to it again ? I don't know - I just felt I had to) - this story has really really got to me this week ... I remember it from last year ...now it's time for justice...

http://m.gmgrd.co.uk/res/594.$plit/C_71_audio_1000921_clip_list_clip_list_item_0_clip_file.mp3

and for those outside "ManchesterZone"...read on ..

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/1040567_girls_tearful_999_call

or

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/1041009_murder_trial_told_of_injuries

Having had a son whose jaw was broken by similar lowlife late last year (although similar lowlife is still at large due to "lack of evidence" - viz cowardly witnesses) stories like this really really get to me....no doubt there will be Mums and Dads crawling out of the Bacup woodwork really really soon soon saying "He's a good lad really" - and other such platitudes - I need only refer to the murder of Gary Newlove in Warrington by similar scum - and similar platitudes by their scum parents. If my kids ever behave like sh*t - I'll happily tell the world - I guess I'm fortunate in knowing that they won't ...

Going back to Bacup - the bastards should swing - discuss .....

I know you're all looking for a Mossley v Wakefield preview - but this is just one story that ... - I needed to get this out of my head somehow - having wept all over Mrs Smiffy, it's time to weep all over you ....

So tomorrow we look for a last minute winner over Wakefield which will give me just enough time to say "Happy Birthday Bob" before shooting off to the Royal Exchange to see "The Children's Hour" ........

Bridge v Alfreton - 24 hours later ...

Well here are the pix ...

http://s146.photobucket.com/albums/r272/mossleysmiffy/BridgeAlfreton2008/

To the day/night - well you've all read about the miserable buggers @ Stalybridge Station acting like bloody Londoners. Well life improved I guess after that - and after slagging off various users at work trains seemed to work in the evening - I got home, quick change and out on the 1857 back to Stalybridge - I knew the game was on cus Rob Gorski said so (!!!), so a quick pint of "Silver Tally" (Prospect Brewery) at the Buffet before off up to Bower Fold - via the Hare and Hounds of course - got into the ground a couple of minutes late (having been presented with raffle ticket 494 - "in case of abandonment") - but a couple of minutes is all it took for Steve Torpey to put Celtic in front. It was a touch breezy (and bloody cold on the old shutter finger !) - and there was a "bit of a squall" part way through the first half - but Celtic looked good - very good - playing it on the floor (well they were against the wind first half). Winn scored a cracker just before half-time making the score a little more realistic...

Half-time - a pint and a warm before coming back a couple of minutes into the second half - and that bugger Torpey had done for me again - apparently a "Beckham" - using the wind from 40 yards out to lob everyone !!! 3-0 up and comfy. There were more chances, but eventually it was "down a gear" - and why not when you're comfy. Alfreton did get one back with 15 to go, but it was only ever going to be a consolation.

3-1 at the end - up to third for Celtic and the news from Workington gave everyone a little "extra" in their step down Mottram Road (I speak figuratively of course - most drove/caught bus/went in H&H !!). I walked it down to the mighty Tesco (had been given a short shopping list before coming out !!) - a quick one (two ?) in the Buffet before home. Too tired to do owt much - hence the "24 hours later" thingy.....

Now need to see if Derby are pummelling Chelsea (y'never know - ask a Barnsley fan !) - and that'll do until Mossley v Wakefield on Saturday.....

Stalybridge Celtic v Alfreton Town

All comments, photos etc are severly delayed due to high winds.... well every bugger else is using it as an excuse for incompetence - so why not me !!

Stalybridge won 3-1 mind .. second goal to be found here ..

Ashley Winn

Stalybridge Commuters are Miserable Toads !

Yes - that's you lot who got on the 0730 to Manchester Victoria this morning - having first let the dozen or so "Change for Piccadilly" people off the train ..... WITHOUT TELLING ANY OF THEM THAT ALL TRAINS TO PICCADILLY WERE F**KED !!

You be pleased to know that we spent a pleasant 60 minutes on Stalybridge station freezing our extremities off thanks to your kindness /commuter team-spiritedness. And why is that bloody "Quick Stop" never open when it's needed ?

So for me - left Mossley @ 0724 - arrived Cheadle Hulme 0915. D'you know - I've a good mind to withhold my £10 into the coffers of Stalybridge Celtic this evening .... but then again it's football.

Must go - it's 1010 and I've only just warmed up .....

Crisis at Breadsall Priory ?

No no - the wedding went well - it was just this sight at the bar ...



So - a pint of Leffe it was instead..for the princely sum of £5-80 - I kid you not ...

Fortunately the free vino kicked in later (as did the poncy photgraphy !) ....

.. as did the half-time txt from Jules and the full-time call from Colin - a win at last for Mossley - what else could I do but carry on celebrating - although I did have to cut back to the keg Boddies at £2-85 as the night wore on and the free vino started to dry up.

A good day all round then - our very best goes to Amy and Andy - and the "wet men of Mossley" (yes I've seen the pix and vids on SJNR's site). This week (Tuesday) sees Stalybridge Celtic (anoth winner on Saturday against "bogey team" Workington) at home to Alfreton Town - assuming everything dries up there over the next 48 hours and we manage to avoid the winds, hurricanes, typhoons, tempests and general sh*te that is heading towards the South of England - hellfire I forgot - the "South of England" - this naturally makes it a crisis of Global Proportions if anywhere South of Watford cops for it (remember the "3mm of Snow Crisis" of 2003 - questions were asked in the House I believe !!) - bloomin' jessies ....remember ...THIS is a crisis ...

..not a bit of wind and rain ...

Going back to weddings - our oppo at work - Jonald - went off to China with his Chinese lady friend a couple of weeks ago - and returns to work tomorrow. Predictions have been made of him coming back "in the married state" (and maybe even bringing back the Mother-in-Law) - I had a txt yesterday from someone telling me it was all over Facebook as a done deal (don't know about the M-I-L though !). When I leave this - I'm going to have a look !!

Tomorrow's "Match"..

Mossley v Chorley... at Seel Park ?





I'm afraid not - tomorrow's big match is the marriage of Amy and Andy ... at Breadsall Priory near Derby:





Slight difference eh ?? Yes I'm sure you've all spotted that the Priory does not have floodlight pylons and a pie hut...


Fingers crossed that the Lilywhites can get something out of their game against another team below them - yes it's another "must win" and it's about time they won one of these "must win" games - but it is against a team who stuffed us not so many weeks ago up at "Victory Park" or whatever it's called now .... the news of Newcastle Blue Star's "self-relegation" from Unibond 1 North may cheer many up - but knowing the way these League Commitees work, I'd almost guarantee that the North West Counties "Blazers" will say to the Unibond "Blazers" - "We'll give you three of our teams - but we want one of yours in return" - or some similar lunacy.


I will be in touch with events at Seel Park via the beauty of the moby - but we must spare a thought for others - like Stalybridge at home to "Wukkie" (to stay in the play-off zone); Belper at home to Shepshed (to stay in the play-off zone); to name but two (viz. "I'm lazy and poor at research" !).

Meanwhile I'm sure you will all join me in a glass/can raising to Amy and Andy (who is part of the extended "Derbyshire Mrs Smiffy clan") - Cheers !

Mossley v Brid - in glorious "OMyGodColor"

Yes the pix are now available at ...

http://s146.photobucket.com/albums/r272/mossleysmiffy/MossleyBrid2008/

If only those two woodwork strikes had gone in early doors (you'll notice I missed them both !) ... hmmmmm ... and Belper hit the play-off zone in Unibond 1 South last night as well with a win at Stocksbridge ....

Mossley v Bridlington Town

Saturday's word was "cruel".....

Tuesday night's word has to be "shocking" ... and I'm not just talking about the miserable attendance ... or the 30 minute delayed kick-off ...



Last night's first half performance - in one stock picture ....


I got home last night - and just couldn't put "virtual pen to virtual paper" ... got the pix upoloaded onto pc - but they're not open to "public view" until I get home tonight (Wednesday)- think the best one might be of Brid's number 9 (McGarry) surging forward - which probably sums it up.

I sit here at work waiting for the Oracle Database to create - and the best I can come up with is, "At least we won the second half 2-1".

Some user is going to pay for last night's debacle today ......

Wakefield vs Mossley

Cruel - that just about sums it up ... for now - pix at

http://s146.photobucket.com/albums/r272/mossleysmiffy/WakefieldMossley2008/

1759 - I'll be back after tea....

1953 - like now ....

The weekend started early with haircuts for me and Peter – we’ve a posh wedding to go to quite soon, so it’s best bib and tucker type sh*t – those in the Derbyshire area may well know something about Breadsall Priory – for it is there we are going …suitably “haired”, we hared back to Mossley, I picked up bag and managed to grab a quickie in the Britt before joining the 1147 to Huddersfield. While we were all in the pub we got a txt msg “New Signing that will shock you will be playing today” – we’d found out who before the train had got to Greenfield !! Despite a 20 minute “change” in Huddersfield, we missed out on the two real ale emporia due to Topsy’s “bad leg” – we stayed in the Waiting Room near Platform 6, drinking canned beer and moaning about the “automatic doors” that stayed open just that little bit tooo long.

Arrived at Wakefield Westgate 15 minutes late (but then we all come to expect this kind of thing haven’t we ?) Armed with a few scribbled notes and a photo of the Tourist Information map on my baby Fuji we marched off – in the wrong direction. Fortunately the York Branch arrived quickly and thanks to the beauty of the mobile phone, we were soon heading the “correct” way through Wakefield, stopping at the “Six Chimneys” for that “Wetherspoon experience” – and then walking past the “Red Shed” to the ground.

The club outside looked OK (apparently very big in the Jazz world) – but we were told there was a bar on the ground so in we went – yes keg beer, but (even worse) plastic glasses !! And there was Adam Morning warming up on the pitch.

What can I say about the game that hasn’t been said already – we didn’t take advantage of the wind in the first half – apart from the “straight in corner” mind !! Second half – under the cosh a bit, Wakefield equalised, and as time ticked on we were thinking “This is a good point earned here” – and then …well you know the rest. It was very very cruel – but as has been said elsewhere, probably the best performance of 2008, and one that should give us all hope for the next of the “must win” games at home to Bridlington on Tuesday night.

Walked back into Wakefield (past some interesting hoardings - the "Dyslexic Building Company" - or is it because of "legal stuff" in case shops decide not to get involve ?) for a slurp (Black Sheep Bitter) in the “Elephant and Castle” opposite the station. I was heading for Derby – and after having found out the cost of a single – absolutely f**king criminal – I headed to Leeds for a sulk before getting a train – going back though Wakefield - which had a lot of brassed-off Newcastle fans on it ( we compared notes about late goals – and drank canned beer of course !) - to Derby. As the trains to Belper at that time are like – scarce – I nipped over the road to the Brunswick and had a pint of the house brewery’s “CherryB” – and rather nice it was – I’m not a great fan of sweet beers, but this was very very tasty – so I had another….

Train to Belper – sleep. Today – a quick walk down the Derwent (see my jolly "panorama pic" on the Belper message Board) before “lunch out” and a drive home. Take-away tea tonight (disaster !! “Spice of Life” pizza machine is broken !!)….

….and now this …bring on Tuesday …