"STS" exclusive - Belper's Jon Froggatt on the ball ...
... the decision was made in the end on Friday night to head for Belper on Saturday after work - thus missing the Mossley defeat by Chorley (I guess the only upside to this game was a very healthy crowd of just over 300 - downside being the sixth successive defeat) ...
Anyway - arrived at work Saturday to be greeted by the "Thanks very much for delivering all the Census Forms in a timely and efficient manner" ... 600+ Council Tax statements (plus a large number of associated "rebate letters" for those entitled to same ... ouch !!). Discussions quickly took place - and it was agreed that they could be spread out over three working days (just like the Census) - so I took a few just to show willing (!!) - finished and home for about 1300 and straight off down the A6 arriving in Belper about 1445 and heading straight for ChristChurch Meadows (not even time for a quick shandy in the "George & Dragon" as is my usual habit).
After a fairly even - if rather drab - first half - the second half got off to a bad start for the home side when McGee put Grantham ahead and 15 minutes later it was 2-0 ... and that was that I'm afraid. Some huffin' and puffin' but little for the home fans to shout about. Strange at the moment the similarities between Belper and Mossley - both mid-table with apparently little to play for - both struggling at home - attendances down - both with a goal difference of -1 as well. Grabbed a couple of beers after the game before heading back to Mother-in-Laws for food and telly.
Today saw "a bit of a walk" - once round Belper (strange to see how many shops etc. are now CLOSED on Sundays - recession or what ?) and then we headed off the the Royal Derby Infirmary (and a long walk inside the hospital to find the right ward !!) to see Mrs Smiffy's sister's son (my nephew ?) who had an "big" operation earlier in the week. He's "improving" but it's going to be a long haul ... home this afternoon/early evening, meatballs, spaghetti and an "authentic" tomato sauce was my creation for tea before finally getting around to fiddling with Saturday's piccies - which can be found at Belper Town 0 Grantham Town 2
Maybe an early night (i.e. before midnight !!) - and then time to get stuck in to the Council Tax statements tomorrow. Midweek football - don't know yet - if I go for the "keep it simple" option it'll be Stalybridge Celtic v Corby Town on Wednesday night (note also - admission for this one has been reduced to only a fiver !!) - otherwise the "awkward" option is Salford City v Mossley on Tuesday (awkward in public transport terms that is ...). Next weekend is my "long weekend" (Saturday/Sunday/Monday off - unless I decide to work Monday !!) - and we may well be going to visit large boy (and lady) up in Morecambe - again undecided (the footy option there would be Lancaster City v Chester - tasty eh ?). As I said on Friday ... decisions, decisions ... and I'm putting them off for now anyway !! .
... finished my Census Duties" (Delivery Department) on Wednesday (what a good boy !) ... and for the last couple of days we've been hit by mail that has been "held back" because of same; it's the stuff called "Mailsort" -i.e the stuff with this kind of 'stamp' on it ...
... and there may be more tomorrow - eek ! So ... quandary time - a member of the Derbyshire branch of the family has had a serious operation this week so Mrs Smiffy wants to head down Belper way on Saturday - Saturday is the one day I get the use of the car to help me get the job done quicker (saves a lot of hanging around waiting for buses to and from work - and also knocks a little bit of time - not much, but a little - of the day's work itself) - so do I take the car to work and hopefully finish early-ish and then drive down to Belper, getting there before 1500 (and then catch the Belper v Grantham game) ... or get up earlier and do the "bus route" (enabling Mrs Smiffy to head south a lot earlier) and hopefully get finished and back in Mossley in time to catch the majority of their home game against Chorley ??
Decisions Decisions ... and the decision WILL be made tonight - now off to cook exotic "tea for two" ... .
... after a hard day's "Census Delivery", beginning in sub-zero temperatures and warming up as the day went on (plus a lump of o/t in the afternoon), what better way to relax than ... going back out into slowly plummetting temperatures to watch a game a football ?? Mad or what ...I've not seen such a one-sided first since ... probably the last Mossley defeat (!!) - but somehow or other Ashton United went in at the break 1-0 up - a cracker from Jonathon Bathurst in between the incessant Kendal Town pressure (thought Osman was outstanding in the first half). After the break I thought Kendal went right off the boil - yet they came away 2-1 winners !
Strange game indeed ... some not too brilliant pictures at
Considering the distances involved for a midweek game, Kendal brought a sizeable chunk of the crowd with them (including the famed "Chelsea" - who I've not seen for quite a while !) and they all went away happy (with thoughts of a play-off place resurfacing no doubt) ... Ashton meanwhile played well in patches but never really got to grips with the likes of Osman up front and struggled to find a way through a solid Kendal defence (their number 3 was tiny - with enormous shorts - but he too had an excellent game).Tonight spent eating pancakes (while others went for the banana/maple syrup/choc sauce option, I went savoury with the mince/onion/garlic/tom puree choice !).
Now making a French Onion Soup in between scanning vidiprinters/message boards for tonight's scores (so far - 2120 - Curzon 1-0 up @ Lancaster and Belper 2-0 @ home to Newcastle Town - Presidents Cup semi-final this one ...).
Back to stir those onions - hope they start to caramelise soon ... there's more Census forms to deliver in less than 12 hours time !!! .
... a bit of a cock-up on the Smiffy front vis-a-vis "local winners" on Saturday. Of course Stalybridge were NOT the only "Six Tame Sides Saturday Success" - Hyde FC won as well (and I did half-mention it, noting that Stafford Rangers shipped 5 (five) goals at home in their crucial relegation battle ............. against Hyde FC).
... being a born and bred Staffordian who was there during the glory years of the 1970s, I must have found it a little bit too much to take - and thus blanked it from my mind !!!! Let's hope that BOTH teams can stay up and fight another day (I don't think I've got any friends in Gainsborough - so here's hoping that they do the decent thing ... !!)
Again - sorry chaps ...
Now to grab some tea before heading to Hurst Cross ... .
... and I never DID get that "Non-League Paper" - a 20 minute drive and we were up on the Pennine Way for a "bit of a stroll" ... well it stops my legs seizing up if nowt else !! Just a few pictures ... well it stops the shutter from seizing up if nowt else !!
(The faint haze ... is someone walking in front of the camera - aargh !!!!)
... I got there eventually !!
Busy Saturday morning for me - I'd promised to "help out" one of the lads at work who was playing in a cup semi-final with a 1400 kick-off - so I did 25% of his walk in addition to mine. Got home at about 1445 ! Time for a quick butty and change before heading down to the Tameside Stadium - arriving about 1520 - eek ! (Note to self - don't do too much overtime on Football Saturdays ... unless you're just walking up the hill to Mossley ...) Got there to find Curzon were already one goal up thanks to a (controversial ?!?) Chris McDonagh penalty. The rest of the first half was a pretty scrappy affair I thought - disappointing considering it was meant to be a game between two of the top five teams. It was cold (naturally - always is on the Snipe !), windy ... and the pitch was looking a bit rough. Second half was much improved - although it was the away team who looked the better team throughout that 45 minutes - Curzon looked very disjointed - and most of my pictures had that "far away" look about them (stood at the wrong end y'see !!). It was only a matter of time before an equaliser arrived, but surprising that it took until the 85th minute. Fylde had the ball in the net again after that, but the "goal" was chalked off - for pushing in the box I believe. I suppose both sides should be fairly happy with a point each though - keeps 'em both in the mix for play-off places ... some pictures at Curzon Ashton 1 AFC Fylde 1
Some grim results from yesterday - Mossley lost (yet again - and had two sent off !), and both Stafford Rangers and Belper Town leaked 5 (five) goals at home - there's going to plenty of unhappy/angry folks spouting forth on the numerous Message Boards I guess (with calls for Managerial change as well I don't doubt). Ashton United appear to have been a bit unlucky at high-flying FC Halifax Town (conceding an 89th minute goal) and Droylsden lost as well (2-0 at Boston). The only winner from the "Six Tame Sides" was Stalybridge Celtic (3-1 at Gainsborough) - although mention ought to be made of Glossop North End's 7-1 home win over Silsden - GNE have had a very "up and down" season so far (with more downs than ups), so this should have brought some cheer to the Surrey Street faithful (note to self - go out and buy a "Non League Paper" quite soon ... maybe another cuppa tea first !)
Not too much to choose from next midweek - Droylsden and Ashton United are both at home on Monday night, so I'm guessing it'll be between those two. It's going to be a bit of a bugger at work as well, as it's "Census Week" - or delivery of same. I've seen the piles (and piles and piles !) of Census Packs sat waiting and ready to rock - one to each house, and they're fairly hefty weight-wise as well (especially when youve got 600+ of them to deliver and three days to do it in !!). Not sure which religion we're supposed to be putting on the forms this time around - in 2001 I went for the "Jedi" option (like 400,000 others if I remember rightly !!!) - I haven't seen any concerted campaign this time to get us all to put down "something silly" - there's time yet however ...
My Day in three instalments (pictures posed by models !!)
... so the morning was spent doing those things you do on days off - to the doctors first for my "Annual MOT" (well spirometry !) - apparently the change of job from desk-bound slob to walkie-physical postie has done wonders to my lung capacity and general breathing in/out (if only the ciggies could disappear I'd probably be 21 years old again - not recommended though !!!). Then off to Ashton for a haircut and brief "shop wander" before returning home and grabbing camera, sticking new lens on, and heading out of the door for a bit of an aimless stroll (back garden, down to canal, up onto bridle path, back to canal and then home along the "top road" stopping off at the "Rising Sun" for a couple of pints of Hornbeam "Lemon Blossom" (and very nice it was too !). Some pictures at Postie Day Off - 03Mar11
Home to cook a pork stir-fry ... and now this ... followed by a quiet night in.
... this week - when me and Mrs Smiffy made the front page of the "Mossley & Saddleworth Reporter" (you'll have to excuse the cr*p quality of the scan - it's come via microfilm - yes that aged format - from Ashton Reference Library - a double-click - and some "Ctrl+" should bump it up and make it more readable ...)
I'd been watching Atherton LR earlier in the afternoon before driving home, picking up Mrs (pregnant) Smiffy (and a lemon meringue pie) and heading over to Rochdale. Got to Rochdale eventually - but not via the approved route - and in a different vehicle (the lemon meringue pie was on the back seat of the car - don't know what happened to that) !!! Food for thought - probably the day I used up all my life's good luck ... however three months later I was back at work - and our Michelle arrived - none the worse for her pre-birth "ordeal" ... Day off today - I've done what all posties (allegedly) do - been for a walk - some piccies later ... . .
Another late kick-off (1950) - something which sadly is becoming the norm for night games - God knows why - and another defeat to a lower-placed team - and another sloppy, disjointed, dare I say it p*ss poor performance from the men in white. Another grim attendance (officially 102 but ...), another cold night, another "What the Hell am I doing here ?" moment ... I'll be honest, as the game wore on I was slowly losing the will to snap - which probably explains the paucity of pictorials from the game - I even contrived to miss the Mossley equaliser whilst warming hands and changing lenses - I certainly wasn't expecting it - and neither were the other (alleged) 101 people there I'd guess. Anyway suck it and see ...
Mossley 1 Prescot Cables 2
Something's going horribly wrong - good players do not become bad players overnight ... interesting to note that the current dire run seems to have begun following the departure of Ben Richardson to Woodley Sports - coincidence or what ? Rumours abound (naturally) of internal strife, players being dropped for no apparent reason, players being played out of position. The official line seems to be "building for the future", but for every new brick, two seem to be falling down. Fourteen games to go, with six more at home, and the worry is that sooner or later the crowds will "officially" dip below three figures - obviously there are home games against Chester and Chorley to come which should provide healthy attendances ... but last night some of the natives were definitely revolting ... and three points from the last eighteen is relegation form ...
(At least Stafford Rangers beat Redditch to give some hope for avoiding the drop into the Evo Stik ...)
... and finally - in a vain attempt to cheer everyone up - I leave you with a snap of Sam "The Snood" Hare ...
... it was a question of "where to go" at one stage - since Saturday's "game" at Mossley, I thought long and hard about tonight's options - Mossley v Prescot or Stalybridge v Worcester - and for all the lazy lard*rses - the Chelsea v Man U telly option never came into the equation - this TV "extravanganza is however guaranteed to make a bloody big hole in the attendances of EVERY non-league game this evening, although looking at last night's local attendances however (85 at Curzon, 75 at Ashton United), we can't just blame Murdoch and his henchmen (much that I'd love to ...).
Anyway ... I'm going for the "line of least resistance" (or least travel at least !) - we give Mossley another go ... call it "Third Time Lucky" if you like after two successive home defeats by teams BELOW them in the table - tonight's opponents are in the bottom three. I will be spreading my wings a bit come Saturday(OK if Curzon Ashton v AFC Fylde can be seen to be "wing spreading" !!) - Mossley are away at Garforth and I'm pretty sure work committments will knock that option on the head.
One other game to look out for (for me anyway) tonight is Redditch United v Stafford Rangers (bottom v bottom-but-one) - a win for the Boro will make their Saturday fixture at home to Hyde FC (bottom-but-two) VERY interesting (would I like to be at that one ... but ...)
Time to get "charged up" (in the battery sense) - hoping that several thousand volts are running through the Mossley team as well ...
... and just for the hell of it - some more Seth Lakeman !!!
New to the Mossley squad - Chris Pauley from Chadderton
... no problems with the new work start times - home comfortably in time for get changed/get gear/get sandwich/get pre-match "shandy" etc etc ...
We were all hoping for an improvement on Tuesday night's debacle - there were five changes to the starting line-up, and for 20 minutes this looked to have done the trick - good movement, good passing, comfy at the back ... and then it all went horribly wrong. Once Lairds took the lead, it was back to Tuesday - heads visibly dropped, errors started creeping in, hints of "internal dissension" and ... you can guess the rest - another goal 10 minutes before half-time pretty much nailed it - although Mossley did get one back with about five minutes to go (a touch controversial - offside/onside/active/inactive/flag/whistle/discussion ... goal awarded !), but to be honest it was more than Mossley deserved.
The game was sponsored by the Labour Party and saw a "guest appearance" by local MP Jonathon Reynolds (hope he's got a receipt for the sponsorship dosh - he ! he !) - but I'm afraid it was Mossley who were "labouring" yesterday ... the crowd, although up from Tuesday, was still pretty poor at 131 - and performances like the last couple will do little to improve this (home again on Tuesday night v Prescot Cables).
... as Marcellus said (Hamlet Act 1 Scene 4) "Something is rotten in the State of Mossley" (or words to that effect), and it needs sorting - sharpish - before the season dies on its feet ... .
... Mrs Smiffy now home from her travels (I've just eaten my way through a genuine Melton Mowbray Pork Pie topped with Stilton - I believe the current phraseology is "nom nom" !!) ... however, as she's buggered off out again tonight (!!), I'm looking forward to an hour of Steve Winwood on BBC4 in about 10 minutes !!
Last night's "tellyfooty" was enjoyable if only for some of the player's names. Man City were up against a team containing Netto, Fatty, Todger, Brittas and Bob Dylan (OK the pedants would say Neto, Faty, Toja, Pritas and Bobadilla !!) - they even bought Koke on later (but he didn't get a sniff !)
Other news ... tomorrow sees a new start time at work - problem being it's about one hour later than it has been - which further contracts footy options on Saturdays. Well that's the theory anyway - we'll see how it goes. Some gig tickets bought as well - our love affair with Buxton Opera House continues, and come May 9th we will be taking in Seth Lakeman ... and for those who say "Who ???" here's a Youtube to whet the appetite ..
Let's just hope the requisite *rses have been kicked in the Mossley squad - and something like a team turns up for the Cammell Laird game tomorrow (and hopefully the snapper will turn up on time as well !)
Last year - when I had "time on my hands" (i.e. on the dole !), I spotted a couple of excellent typos courtesy of a local estate agent (as in here and here) ...
... so it's rather nice when a wonderful howler drops through your own letterbox - courtesy of our glorious Mossley Town Council Newsletter - one scan later, and I give you the requisite excerpt ...
... once again - it made me laugh ... "Best behaviour now ... no swearing please !!"
A kick up the backside was what most of 'em needed last night ...
... two hours of my life that I will NEVER get back ...
Can't really add too much to the two words I quoted last night - but I'll try - no real formation (someone mentioned "Tinkerman" ... not far wrong ..); not enough effort (remember Leigh Genesis began the evening BOTTOM of the table); a lot of arguing ON and OFF the pitch (not promising at all); OK a slight improvement in the second half, but ... it was almost like an "end of season" game with nothing to play for - that seemed to be the attitude of the majority of players in white shirts - however I (and some others) believe there IS STILL something to play for. There might have been only 103 there last night (a drop of one (1) from seven days earlier), but the majority must have felt well let down - which bodes ill for attendances at future midweek games when there's "stuff" on the telly/in the pub. Maybe a chance to put things right at home to Cammell Laird on Saturday ?? Like to think so **
Meanwhile a few (yes just a few) pictures from an evening to forget ...
(** This assumes fans are not tempted away by the options of Droylsden v Gainsborough - Bloods can do Stafford Rangers a favour here; or Hyde FC v Vauxhall Motors - Vauxhall can do Stafford Rangers a favour here; or Ashton United v Buxton - sadly neither of these teams can do Stafford Rangers a favour ...) .
Ashton United - HOME to Marine Curzon Ashton - HOME to Harrogate RA Droylsden - HOME to Hinckley United Hyde - HOME to Stalybridge Celtic
...and I'm giving them all a miss !! (OK the Ashton United game IS a League Cup tie, but it's still going to do wonders for attendances).
A particularly heavy (and wet !) workie day today - unusual for a Monday (water bills to nearly every one of my 600+ drops - you just wouldn't realise how many houses appear to have running water these days !!). I get home - to find one for us as well (with a nice "above inflation" increase as well) !! For me - it's Mossley v Leigh Genesis tomorrow (watch it hammer it down and get called off ...). .
Up with the lark at 0530 for a 'bit of work' - slightly damp, still effing cold (those blooming metal letterbox flaps tend to "fuse" to your fingers - and some of 'em are like razor blades when you try to lift 'em up !!), but got progressively better as the morning went on. Home "on time", quick change and headed off to Belper at about 1300 hours, arriving and 1445. Jumped out of the car and headed straight for Christchurch Meadows to take in Belper Town v Rainworth Miners Welfare (apparently it's pronounced "Rennath" !). In short Belper - 2-0 up at half-time should really have been "home and dry". Chance after chance went begging (overcomplication is a good word ...) and yes, you've guessed it, Rainworth came back in the second half to pinch a very undeserved point. My take on the game can be found at
Couldn't stop for too long after the game (more to do on this busy 24 hours !), but it was good to see all the "usual suspects" for a bit of a natter ((and see Tim and Ken parading their "new toys" !)- strangely enough this was my first visit to Belper this season - and it's nearly March !!
So - back to Mother-in-Laws for some tea, another quick change before heading up to snowy Buxton to see John Lees' Barclay James Harvest at the Buxton Opera House (almost two years to the day since we were last there - to see the Peatbog Faeries)
My one and only picture of the night - can't be doing with this photgraphy lark !!
An awesome gig - a true celebration of all things BJH (and as bassist Craig said, "Woolly's fingerprints will be all over tonight's set") - Buxton Opera House is a wonderful place and the sound was so ... "full" (we were up in the circle). Can't furnish you with a full set list (I'd left my anorak in the car !), but there were many old favourites such as "She Said", "Child of the Universe", "Galadriel", "Summer Soldier" and "Medicine Man" (with a gap between them !!), a bit of a new take on "Mockingbird" (Mrs Smiffy well impressed !) and encoring with "After the Day" and "Hymn". A wonderful wonderful night.
Finished about 2230 - and then a tricky drive home (through a pea-souper of a fog as far as Dove Holes before it eased off) to be rewarded with a small can of pop (he he !) on arrival - followed by another very soon afterwards !! A quick wander around the internet - we have a strange problem at home at the moment - the phone is NOT working (reported to BT who confirmed there IS a fault on the line) although there seems to be no problem with t'internet (no doubt some "anorak-wearer" can explain why !) to see that Mossley lost ... and there appears to have been all sorts of trouble at Chorley v Chester (a 3,000+ crowd and many scrotes appearing out of the woodwork - there could be some serious fall-out here ...) - finally went to bed about 20 hours after getting up - so a lie-in until 0830 (yep I call that a lie-in !) was most welcome today. So far - a quick flirt with the photos ... and this. Must pop out sometime for a "Non League Paper" - and I'm on cooking duty later on ... .
... tomorrow ... the beauties of the fixture compilers have thrown up the following:
Ashton United - AWAY at Marine Curzon Ashton - NO GAME Droylsden - AWAY at Redditch United Hyde FC - AWAY at Eastwood Town Mossley - AWAY at Skelmersdale United Stalybridge Celtic - AWAY at Corby Town
... even just "across the border" - Woodley Sports - AWAY at Clitheroe.
Add into this equation - me and Mrs Smiffy are off to Buxton Opera House tomorrow night to see John Lees' Barclay James Harvest - should be a particularly poignant event given the sad death of Woolly Wolstenhome just before Christmas ...
Buxton - AWAY at Kendal Town.
Decision - as soon as I finish work tomorrow, we're going to high-tail it down to Belper (Belper Town - HOME to Rainworth MW) - I get footy (might not get there for 1500hrs but ...) - Mrs Smiffy gets an afternoon with her Mum ! Then it's drive back to Buxton, watch JLBJH and then back to Mossley - all-in-all a pretty long day (and I won't be able to "have a slurp" until we get back home - I'll probably be drinking Vodka and Red Bull without the Vodka - aargh !!).
... after the 3-2 defeat a couple of weeks ago (as in 3-0 in under half-an-hour !) it was sweet revenge for Mossley who rarely looked troubled after the first 20 minutes ... Wakefield seem to have a cracking "dead ball game" with corners coming in under the bar and good movement from free-kicks. However once Mike Oates found space to slot the ball past Jan Zolna there was only going to be one winner on a wet and windy evening up at Seel Park. Two goals from Matty Kay in the second half wrapped it up nicely and helped to keep Mossley in the top half of the table ... pictures from the game at
Work-wise ... the weather IS improving slowly but surely - still a bit chilly "in the shadows", and later on in the afternoon, but gloves and hat are getting removed more often these days !! However I MUST remember to check my bag tomorrow morning before heading off to work - you never know what you might find in there ...
Berlioz relaxing after a hard day doing bugger all ... .
... but a good result for Mossley, winning 3-0 and avenging that defeat at Wakefield a couple of weeks ago. Wins also for Stalybridge Celtic, Belper Town and Stafford Rangers this evening (amongst others !!).
The old and the new @ Morecambe FC - Christie Park and the Globe Arena
... up at daft o'clock to make sure we got up to Lancaster/Morecambe to pick up up the rental "removal van" - to be told "Sorry, the small van isn't back yet - would be OK with a dobbin' great Transit for the same price ?" - why not ?? Then spent the next four/five hours moving stuff from Lancaster to Morecambe (sofas + big ol' TV up six flights of stairs - aargh !). Kept driving past the new Morecambe FC ground as well - looks a lot smarter than the old Christie Park (from the outside anyway !) - such is Football League status I guess ...
Still - son, lady plus two cats now moved in to their "seaview penthouse", van returned unscathed, drove back to Mossley and had take-away for tea at about 2100 hrs. OK day at work today (not too many Valentine's Day cards !!) - a little O/T in a previously "unwalked" area of Oldham (Sholver Estate) - dreamed up tonight's menu whilst out walking (roasted stuffed red peppers). Now relaxing in front of the Non-League Vidiprinter (as at 2115 hrs Curzon Ashton appear to be stuffing Ossett Albion - gone from 4-0 to 5-0 whilst I've been typing - and Hyde FC have pulled back to 3-2 from 3-0 down at Worcester City).
Day off tomorrow - and I'm not working it ! Housesitting for daughter in the morning (awaiting new electricity meter fitting), dentist in the afternoon, and if time sort out mortgage final payment (whoo hoo !!) - and Mossley v Wakefield in the evening - very relaxing ... yes I can have a lie-in till about 0730, unless the bloody cat continues with his regular "6 a.m. whinge & whine".
STS Bonus Pic - Aaron Burns takes on the Mickleover defence
Remember a couple of weeks ago when Mossley gave Wakefield a 3 goal start ? It was Ashton United's turn today (OK it was only 2 goals though) - and despite getting one back just before half-time, and having the lion's share of the possession and the chances in the second 45 minutes, they were unable to pull it back.
Other stuff - Mossley lost 2-0 @ Witton (apparently a deflection and a penalty !), Hyde lost 1-3 at home to Gloucester (doesn't help Stafford Rangers much - despite the Boro winning their bottom of the table clash against Redditch 2-1) - Droylsden won 1-0 - Stalybridge lost 0-1. The Curzon game at Harrogate RA was postponed. Plenty of big numbers in the Evo-Stik League as well:
7 - Romulus (v Spalding) 6 - Sutton Coldfield (v Leek Town); Wakefield (v Prescot Cables) 5 - Chester (v Clitheroe); Skelmersdale (v Ossett)
Who needs the Premier League ?? (although I must admit Mr Rooney's goal today was rather special !). .
... Ashton United v Mickleover Sports - after clocking Eastwood's Lee Stevenson on Tuesday, it's possibly another chance to see a so-called "Belper Reject" in action (assuming Alex Steadman starts for the visitors). Will try and sort stuff out tonight as well, because tomorrow sees me as "Removal Van Man" - off to Lancaster to help boy and lady move house to Morecambe - van suitably rented.
STS "bonus pic" - Jack Rea bursts forward (updated Friday - removed some "noise" !!) ...
Some pictures from Celtic's win last night (nice to see them win a game - my last couple of trips had drawn a blank) - and what pleased most of the Celtic faithful was getting a lead - and keeping it !!
Not one of my best collections (!) - but once again it was bloody cold for the old fingertips (stock excuse but hey ...).
Seems like there was a right kerfuffle at the Leigh Genesis v Mossley game - Leigh now play at Atherton LR and the game was called off at about 1950 hrs (!!!). Apparently one side of the pitch was heavily waterlogged - so the touchline was "brought in" a metre or so - which obviously made the pitch somewhat lopsided - might be good enough for the North West Counties (sorry Vodkat - for the rest of the season anyway !) League ... but not for the Evo-Stik. Both sides (plus ref it seems) were willing to play - but there was an referee's assessor floating around - enough said ...
Tea was nice by the way - home-made carrot and coriander soup ... !!!
...four at Droylsden (unfortunately all for the away team) - six at Ashton United (unfortunately four for the away team) and a couple at Hyde (shared out mind ...).
Watch tonight's option be a 0-0 draw (yes Stalybridge Celtic v Eastwood Town - ain't gonna make to Leigh Genesis v Mossley) ... we wait and see ...
Weather was positively glorious today work-wise ... in fact I actually took my fingerless gloves off today - for the first time this year !!!
... this has to be seen to be believed ... a snippet from the Blyth Spartans v Droylsden FA Trophy game on Saturday ... seen by everyone - except the "important ones" ................
... winners of tonight's replay at home to Gateshead in the Quarter-Finals ... .
Well ... that WAS a wet weekend wasn't it ?? As mentioned, I knew there were a few games called off before leaving Mossley for the journey down to Belper. I'd been hoping to take in Buxton v Ashton United, but when we arrived in Buxton about midday the place place was pretty much under water - the River Wye had flooded its banks by the park near the A6 - and the phone call to Buxton confirmed the worst. Carried on to Belper (A6 partly flooded - in fact it was closed coming back today !!) and started to make further enquiries. A very nice man at Heanor told me "The nets are being put up now, so hopefully ..." - that was enough for me ! Mrs Smiffy and our Michelle went off to see "the panto" (starring Mother-in-Law) - I took the car and travelled the 7 miles over to Heanor.
Into the Social Club - to be greeted by a bunch of Ilkeston Town fans - since Ilson folded, they've been following Heanor Town (it's only a mile or two down the road from Ilkeston) ... and they promised me goals as well. The weather was awful - I was amazed that the game was going ahead - blowing a gale across the pitch and chucking it down as well (glad I had Saturday "off the post" !!). Heanor share with the cricket club, and I found myself on the open side of the pitch with the wind and rain hitting my back big style - OK there was a stand on the other side but that would have meant wind and rain hitting the lens - you have to suffer for your art. The game - excellent considering the conditions - littered with errors naturally, but there were 22 players out there giving it 100%. Heanor missed a penalty just before half-time before Radcliffe took the lead midway through the second half, but the home team came through in the end with a couple of well-taken goals - as far as I remember the scorer of Heanor's first - Nathan Benger - used to be at Matlock Town ... considering the weather the pictures aren't too bad (now I'm home, the gear is gently drying out in preparation for something this coming midweek !!) ...
Quick pint after the game - failed miserably to dry myself out very much ... fortunately there was a Royal Mail mailbag in the boot to put on the car seat !! Back to Belper - a couple of pints in the "Grapes" (owned by Phil Varney - who's standing down as Belper Town Chairman - noticed Nailers secretary Dave Laughlin having a drinkie in there as well - didn't mention Shepshed Dynamo though ...). Home this afternoon ... to this ...
Midweek games - haven't really looked yet ... watch this space ... .
Heanor Town v Radcliffe Olympic - East Midlands Counties League ... final score 2-1 to Heanor who stay second in the league, one point behind Gresley FC, but with two games in hand ...
... so yes we got some football in - and yes it was wet - very wet - very very wet indeed ...
(time to pull out the dongle ... ooo-errr missus ... and load up some pictures to peruse - and tweak - before unleashing them onto the unsuspecting public). .
... rain all night ... still raining now (0930 hrs) ... weather forecast shows ... more rain. And being "on the road" so to speak, a bad day to be without internet connection to search for football (currently using a mobile dongle courtesy daughter). Basic plan for today is Buxton v Ashton United - as we're all on our way to the Belper area - typical really - one Saturday off in six and the weather is poo (and the game options don't really "jump out" at me). Other options in the Derbys/Notts area include Heanor Town .. even Mansfield v Alfreton ... but all eyes are really on the weather (and the Evo-Stik website).
Maybe back later ... there used to be an Internet Cafe in Buxton (might still be there) ...
(EDIT @ 1030 - Mossley v Salford City already postponed - waterlogged pitch; games at Colwyn Bay, Halifax and Bamber Bridge also off - surely more to come ...) .
... certainly a game of two excellent attacks ... and two not-so-clever defences !! One of those games often described as "great entertainment for the neutral" ... and a nightmare for the managers ... Mossley took the lead though Kris "Goal Machine" Dennis - but were then caught cold by Witton early in the second half to fall 2-1 behind - before going 3-2 up - before conceding an equaliser with 15 minutes left. It still could have gone either way after that. A fair result in the end.
... first impressions - really sharp ... will never replace the 70-200 ... note to self - will need to re-think game plan when using same (composition etc.) - at least we know what it can and can't do though ...
Busy at work so far this week as well -although looking forward to my Saturday "day off" ... now where to go ?? .
... no news about tonight's Mossley fixture v Witton ... so assuming it's on.
Biting further bullet and just taking new lens up with me tonight (yep the 70-200 is having a night off !!!) - less weight to carry too (I've been doing that all bloody day anyway !).The "assume it's on" theory is dangerous though - last night the Ashton United v Marine League Cup game was called "ON" at 1630 ... and then the match ref called it "OFF" about an hour before kick-off ! Still, it's been a touch warmer all day today, so there shouldn't be any problems ... should there ???????
Now off to make some tea for the masses - camera batteries charging up as we speak ... .
... it's a long story (I won't bore you now - I may bore you later !) involving last-minutes changes of overtime and me subsequently not getting home until after 1530 hrs ... so the "new lens workout" will have to wait until Tuesday.
BUT THEN ... I thought about grabbing the second half up at Hurst Cross ...
BUT THEN ... I got onto t'internet to discover the game had been called off due to a frozen pitch !
AND THEN ... I further discovered that the Stalybridge Celtic v Boston United game had similarly bitten the (frozen) dust.
BUT WORST OF ALL (for others not me) ... the Mossley game away at Lancaster City was apparently called off at 1130hrs this morning ... the "awayday crew" were catching the 0955 train due to arrive in Lancaster at 1154hrs ... oh dear - oh dear ...
I'm off out to salvage something from today (yep - it's gonna be telly-pub-football !) - I wait to hear how the Mossley faithful have fared ... oh dear - oh dear ... .
... and "by-election bonus" suitably spent ... on this ...
Ordered today - should arrive tomorrow - and it's my day off, so fingers crossed (apparently they use Royal Mail or ParcelForce - wouldn't it be ironic if ... !!!!!). Hopefully should be able to play with it on Saturday afternoon (well second half anyway) of whatever game I end up at - early money's on a trip to Hurst Cross to watch Ashton United play Nantwich Town (yep Nantwich again - seen them against Mossley and Stalybridge so far this season - in fact Nantwich used one of my pix from the Stalybridge game on the front cover of one of their subsequent home game programmes - unlike the "Tameside Advertiser" (grr) they did ask nicely and credited accordingly) - but this is naturally subject to change ... we shall see !! Tomorrow will see me playing "catch up" on all those jobs that involve talking to people during the working day - already put postie fleece and postie stormproof outer jacket through the washing machine as well - they needed it ! Also need to tinker with a few piccies for M-I-L (she met the Queen you know !) - and no doubt Mrs Smiffy might have a few jobs up her sleeve ... such is the nature of the "day off" ! .
Part of the postie jobbie is delivering what are known as "Door to Doors" (D2Ds) or "Households" - you'll all know what these are - those flyers that come through your door, usually advertising broadband offers, cheap food (starring Ricky Tomlinson !!) or alternative gas/electricity options. As I said, it's part of the job and HAS to be done (I get the princely sum of £12-78 per week to deliver these 'things') on punishment of the sack - believe it or not, these things are considered as "live mail" - yes, as important as something with a first class stamp on it ...
Anyway - I lovingly prepared and delivered some on Monday (three all tucked inside each other) - and the following day I spotted this in one of my "customer's" recycling bag ...
Yep - unopened (can still see the other leaflets inside) ... good to know all my hard graft is appreciated ... !!!!!!! .
... by our local freebie paper - well I call it a freebie paper (being the "Tameside" Advertiser), but they DON'T deliver it in Mossley - you have to pay 38p for the privilege !! Anyhow - checking out their website like I do (have to keep on top of all things local !!) I found this story about one of the Mossley AFC youngsters. I'd known about the England call-up via the Mossley website but ... I recognised the picture - check out ...
... so yes I commented - at least they moderated and printed that - but it does hack me off. When same website prints a report about a Mossley game, mossleyweb gets a credit - so why the hell shouldn't I ??? Grrrr ... .
... and as a "kiddie-winkie part-time Wolves fan" (Stafford Rangers @ home one week - Wolves @ home the next week courtesy of a freebie with my Grandad and his job), I can safely say you were NEVER up to the standard of the mighty "Doog" (youngsters please Google "Derek Dougan").
... and having noticed a post of my mate Ken's blog (see here) - it came back to me - I was at the same game as well (Belper Town v Quorn on 23rd January 2010) - and I remember Ms Massey well - to put it bluntly, she took no sh*t from anyone - witness one of my piccies from said game - keeping the massed hordes of "vegetarians" (OK Quorn players) at bay ...
So - a pundit job (or two) available at Sky TV - no doubt some other ex-pro who doesn't need the dosh will kop for one of the the jobs - although if we stick with the Belper Town theme there's a couple of fans who might do well in the job - see and hear the "rapport" from last night's game against Harrogate RA in this little Youtube snippet (and try to avoid the 'choice lingo' at about 52 seconds !!) ...
Nearly tea time - it's been another heavy day "on the post" (bloody catalogues - the official RM line is that "everything is back to normal" - what that seems to mean to us @ Oldham is that Manchester Mail Centre has finally got their act together ... and finally tipped an absolute load of stuff out to us all at once - and we're not just talking flimsy catalogues - we're talking 1 to 2 inch thick stuff - and lots of 'em !!!).
Might be back later - I've another "Mail related thingy" up my sleeve (once I've downloaded the pic off my phone !!) - and I still need to check out the full SP on Mossley's defeat last night @ Wakefield (although 3 down after 27 minutes is a bit of a tall order to rectify ...) .
The "false dawn" for Celtic - Connor Jennings has just made it 2-1 ... "Nine men ... and you ****ed it up" was the cry from the Droylsden "kiddies" at 90 minutes ... but it strangely sums it up ! Two sendings off on the pitch, two sendings off out of the dugout, thrills, spills and a 2-2 draw in front of a p*ss poor crowd for a local derby ...
More words, more pictures tomorrow night - promise ! .
... all a bit of a rush today - had promised to do some overtime which saw me not getting home until nearly 1430 hrs. Quick change (leaving RM hat on mind !!) before dashing up to Seel Park. The frosty weather had made me doubt the games "existence", but thanks to some sterling work by the groundstaff the pitch was hard, flat and perfectly playable.
A "cagey" first half saw Mossley take the lead on the stroke of half-time when Matty Kay curled on into the top corner from just outside the box (he'd tried the same trick a couple of times earlier in the game as well !). Further goals from Kris Dennis and Kay again helped to exact some revenge for the last minute heartache at Station View back in November - and in the end Mossley were comfy winners. That's four wins in six for 2011 - 10th in the league and the momentum is certainly there to push on upwards towards those play-off places. An away trip to Wakefield on Tuesday is the next test - sadly I ain't gonna make it to that one (which means they'll probably score four !!). My midweek action will more than likely be down at the Butchers Arms on Monday night to see Droylsden entertain Stalybridge Celtic ...Later today (Sunday) - a trip to Lancaster (six days early for the Mossley "awayday" - which again I will not be able to attend - boo hoo ...) to see large boy and lady - hence the rush to get pictures up and running from game - oh yes pictures ...
Place to find a report should be here (when the Wizard fixes the link !!). Worked till late yesterday and by the time I got home, got changed, cooked tea, ate tea, tidied up ... it was after eight o'clock ... so I "made do" with a bit of Man City v Leicester City on the pub telly (whilst sampling Wychwood Brewery "January Sale" !!). Holidays and sickness have left us a touch short down the ol' Delivery Office so ... and yes I'm working my "day off" tomorrow - as well as a bit extra on Saturday as well - should still make it to the Mossley v Harrogate RA game though !!Not much else to wobble on about really ... so I won't ... .
... well that was some bloomin' week - especially as it WAS meant to be a week's holiday; the Oldham East & Saddleworth by-election put paid to that - still, in addition to working my "day off", I earned somewhere near £300 extra for delivering election stuff - bring on the new camera lens !! Any thoughts of an easy day on Friday (the day after "Cleggeron" got their bloody nose !) was soon dispelled when I emptied my packet bags - some of it is, admittedly STILL Christmas backlog (now there's a story !!!) but I ended up making a very pretty pyramid on top of my frame ...
... all that pyramid was to fit in my last two bags ... i.e. no chance !!! Agreements were reached - to the satisfaction of all - and that was Friday ! Today was ... WET !!! Got a good four-hour soaking this morning before getting home, drying off, getting changed and ... going out and getting soaked again - this time "for fun" rather than "money" !!! A strange game today - Warrington got off to a flyer while I was still "constructing" my camera in the (dry) Social Club, but Mossley, playing with the wind and rain sorted themselves out and fashioned a good equaliser through Chris Rowney. The second half however was decidedly "flat" with little to write home about - a few scares at the back for Mossley, but a point against Warrington is certainly not to be sniffed at - some rather damp pictures (OK I've dried them out a bit !) can be found at .. Mossley 1 Warrington Town 1
Weather is looking even grimmer for tomorrow (no walk then - ho ho) - so time to plan summer holidays ... managed to find a week on my leave chart that coincides with Mrs Smiffy's hols. However this does of course assume that we're both still in work come July - can't remember if I mentioned it, but my six-month contract at RM was extended for another 6 months up to June 27th (together with a 50p per hour pay rise !!) - and we're all aware of what might happen to council employees all over the country - Manchester have announced that 2,000 jobs will go in the next 12 months - so expecting some "fall out" locally as well - fingers crossed ! Anyway, planned destination = the Orkney Islands - just got to decide between Stromness and Kirkwall ... anyway, must be bedtime so ... zzzzzz .
... well I made it to a game - just ! This by-election kerfuffle on my "postie patch" is wreaking havoc with football, free time etc. By the time I got home today, got changed and grabbed a bacon butty, it was pretty much 1900 hrs - so Chorley v Mossley was completely out of the question (I was secretly hoping that Mossley would once again score four goals in my absence, but sadly not tonight - they lost 2-1 thanks to a 94th minute Chorley penalty - I await discussions of the validity of said peno !!).
So - nearest option was Stalybridge Celtic v Nuneaton Town - and for my second consecutive visit to the Fold, I'm afraid Celtic just didn't perform "up front", and and are still missing a calming influence at the back (despite Tim Ryan getting a game) - and the worrying thing now is that they're slowly slipping down towards the danger zone in the Blue Square North with a number of teams below them having games in hand as well - and the way Hyde are going (well, two straight wins), they could well be exchanging places soon. I'll try to rustle up some pictures tomorrow evening - but here's one for starters anyway ...
Craig Hobson ... "using his head" ...
Wednesday is "deadline day" at work for getting shot of all the official "electoral communications" - when I finished my walk today, I went back to the office and threw the remaining several hundred missives into my frame (saves a bit of time in the morning - and allows me breathing space if - and it could happen (!) - another large batch "appears from nowhere" ...) - hence the late late show as regards football. This time tomorrow, I'll be tallying up the final score - and working out just how close I'm going to be to getting that elusive lens !!
... but I will do the football pix first (alright - after I've cooked the bolognese !!!).
One last thing - the funeral for Woolly Wolstenholme (his sad death was mentioned on here a week or so ago) takes place at Saddleworth Church tomorrow week (Wednesday 19th) at 11-30 am) - I'll be thinking about it as I "trudge my trudge" that day ...
It's been quiet on here recently hasn't it ? Since the Mossley/Clitheroe game last Monday it's been work, work, work ... This Oldham by-election is piling on the work at the moment - "electoral communications" as noted previously. 10 (ten) candidates ... and up to now I've delivered stuff for 7 of them - still waiting on Monster Raving Loonies, Elvis Bus-Pass and Green ... still it'll all be over come Wednesday night for the posties !! So - after work (and yes we've had more bloody snow as well !), it's been a case of work/relax/sleep/repeat.
Anyway - Saturday arrived - up at 0530 - and work finished about 1330, leaving next to no time to get over to the Radcliffe Borough v Mossley game (although it seems every time I miss a Mossley game - they score 4 !!) - so ... for the second time this season it was time to check out the old home town team ...
... and for the second time this season I witnessed a dire performance from the "Boro" - the performance at Droylsden was bad, but yesterday - they were simply woeful. Not one shot on goal in the entire 90 minutes, no cohesion, no urgency towards the end - not pretty to watch at all. Did manage to get some half-decent pictures mind ...
Next week was to be my "holiday week" - but I've knocked it on the head because of this election kerfuffle - the reason being that every "electoral communication" I deliver is apparently worth 4.5p to me !! I've had to keep a tally of what's been delivered, which party, addressed or unaddressed etc etc, and up to now I've "got rid" of about 3,000 of the things - all proceeds will be going towards that elusive 85mm f1.8 lens that I've been coveting for ages - and I've still got a fair few English Democrat and Pirate Party UK leaflets to go tomorrow - without even thinking about what else might turn up tomorrow morning !!
Football next week - I DO have my eye on the Chorley v Mossley game on Tuesday night - honest (word for any train travellers to said game - DO NOT buy a return from Mossley to Chorley - it's £14.50 !! Buy a return from Mossley to Bolton (£3.60) and a return from Bolton to Chorley (£5.60) - result is a couple of "free pints" if my maths is right !!) - but we'll see. There are "closer" options available on Monday (the two Ashtons) and Tuesday (Woodley), but with Mossley "on fire" at the moment, it'll be good to see them pitting their wits against one of the top three clubs - and with a game at home to Warrington (7th) the following Saturday as well ... who knows how the rest of the season will pan out ... one game at a time mind ! .
... it was cold last night - and apparently the game WAS in doubt early doors - but a sprinkling of magic dust (or something like that !!) at the Park End and it was game on ! Certainly a game of two halves - Mossley bossed the first 45 minutes and looked comfy at 3-0 up. However - why make it easy ?? There must have been something in the respective team's half-time cuppas as Clitheroe came out with all guns blazing and Mossley just got deeper and deeper and deeper. When it got to 3-2 the alarm bells were ringing ... Mossley were restricted to the odd breakaway which could on a couple of occasions made the game safe - 4 minutes added time as well - but they held out to make it two wins out of two in 2011 (and 13 points out of the last 15 actually). Some pictures at ..
Lazy night tonight (what's left of it anyway) before heading back to the grindstone tomorrow - and it's going to be interesting to say the least. My walk is (for better for worse) part of the Oldham East and Saddleworth constituency - and on New Years Eve I was confronted with this "little lot" - yep a couple of "electoral communications" which need posting ...
... and there's more to come as well - aaarrgh !! .
... last time I went to Bower Fold it was Celtic causing the upset by beating Droylsden 4-0 - New Years Day saw the boot definitely on the other foot as apparent "underdogs" ("undertigers" ??) Hyde came to the Fold and went home with a 2-1 win ... I've said it quite often about Mossley - nice build-up football does not necessarily bring results - and despite Celtic having the lion's share of the possession, the final product was just not there. Hyde however took their chances, and subsequently the three points as well. Pictures from the game at Stalybridge Celtic 1 Hyde FC 2
Why was I not at Woodley Sports v Mossley I hear some ask ?? Well, public transport (or lack of) being public transport that's why ... Mrs Smiffy had first shout on the car for her annual root around IKEA with the Mother-in-Law ... and I'm not one of these "scrounger types" (!!!). Sounds like I missed a cracker down at Lambeth Grove mind - seven goals and a Matty Kay hat-trick (good to see Matty getting back on the goal trail - even if it included two penalties !!!). There were several other high-scoring games in the Evo-Stik yesterday, with Mossley's next opponents at home (yes I WILL be at Seel Park tomorrow !) Clitheroe going down 4-5 at home to Salford City (Rhodri Giggs must be doing something right there !); Bradford Park Avenue thumping six past Ossett Town with no reply; and Newcastle Town thrashing hapless Market Drayton Town 8(eight)-1. Some good crowds too, as people get back into the swing of things after the enforced break - over 4,000 at FC Halifax Town to see the home side beat FC United 4-1 - and over 1,000 at Prescot Cables to see Chester grab a last-gasp 1-0 away win ... And with Hyde winning, it was good to see Stafford Rangers snatch a point at high-flying AFC Telford United (every little helps !) ...
Today - return Mother-in-Law to Belper - and then home again (prepare for Monday ?) - maybe a walk as well ?? We'll see ... .
Public transport - huh ! Choose a game closer - pick a wrong 'un !! Such is New Years Day - more later - in the midst of posh "meal at home" with family (grabbing a crafty fag upstairs) - someone else is responsible for the pudding ...
A grand year for blogging - 29,439 visits to this humble abode - I thank you all !
New Years Eve was spent doing a bit of work (eek !) - and then the evening was spent at Bolton Octagon with Mrs Smiffy and M-I-L watching an excellent adaptation of "David Copperfield" (and I got my wrist slapped for taking a snap of the set before it started - hence no pic !!) before getting home about 2215 hrs (and tucking into my first beer of the day !!). Watched the New Year celebs out of the back window - a large number of sky lanterns this year which must play havoc with Air Traffic Control at Manchester Airport (!!) before retiring for the evening/morning ...
Today - no buses !! Therefore today's football may not be as expected ................ !!! .
Dagenham and Redbridge 1-0 Torquay United
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