A Long Night ...

... but ultimately successful for Curzon Ashton - after 90 minutes - after 30 minutes extra-time - after penalties ...

...for tonight - just the winning penalty ... more tomorrow/today !!
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Finish the Weekend with a Howler !!

Spotted in a shop late last week - I say spotted ... it fairly JUMPED OUT at me (well being a member of the Grammar Police you'd expect little else !!).  I had to buy it - it was only 80p so ... enjoy this card ... 

 

... scary thing being some people might buy it, and some successful exam passer might appreciate it !!

Hey ho - Monday beckons ...

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Anniversary Day Out ...

... as ever - something different !!  Today we had a wander round part of the "Irwell Sculpture Trail" which stretches from Salford right up to Bacup.  However we only did the Clifton to Bury bit today ... not that simple as we only had a basic map - and some of the Country Parks had nice maps in them - which didn't show the sculptures on them !  Radcliffe centre was tricky too - but we found a local who helped us a bit - some pictures from the day at

Irwell Sculpture Trail 22April12

Stopped off in a pub for some late lunch - catching the "five minutes added time" of the United/Everton game - and have just "watched" the City game (via the BBC website !!) - hmmm - makes for an interesting next Monday (30th) ...

Tea tonight ? We're having a takeaway !! Work next week - I'm all over the place apparently - Uppermill/Oldham/Greenfield - at the moment anyway (subject to change as ever - although I'm not too sure where Oldham is these days - haven't worked in the main office this year I think (maybe the odd couple of days but ...) Time to charge up some batteries now for tomorrow night's game at Curzon Ashton - yes it's play-off time !!!

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Ashton United v Mickleover Sports

Not a lot to say really - was under the impression that Sports were fighting for their Premier lives but ... reading programme and looking at table now I can't see how they would have ever finished out of the bottom four (unless they were banking on the "AGM Cup").

As mentioned earlier - had I have managed to finish work half an hour earlier I would never have been @ Hurst Cross - and unfortunately today too many players had a serious "off day" (minds elsewhere ?? players "jolly" tonight ?).  Whatever the reasons, Sports Club ran out worthy winners today.  Pictures from the game at

Ashton United 0 Mickleover Sports 3

So that's it in the Evo-Stik ... apart from the play-offs - so Smiffy's search for football will continue on Monday night when Curzon Ashton play Garforth Town in the play-off semi-final (OK so 23rd April is actually my wedding anniversary - 28 long years - but that's no problem- see previous post !!!)

Enough for now ...

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Agony/Ecstacy ...

...where do you start today ???

Best place is obviously Ewen Fields - and many congrats to Hyde FC for securing the Conf North Championship by beating Boston United 4-1 (aided somewhat by Guiseley losing 1-0 at home to Bishop's Stortford - but hey ...).  If only I'd finished work 30 minutes earlier ... I'd have been at Hyde today - but such is life - and I'm sure Paul P has "done the business" vis-a-vis pix.

The agony - for me - has to be Belper Town.  Having done so well (15 games 14 wins 1 draw to get into the play-off zone - they were 18th @ Christmas !) - they draw 1-1 today and just fail to get into the play-offs (same points - same goal diff - lose out on goals scored - 3 bloody goals). My mates (+ more) must be sick as chips tonight down Amber Valley way.

Next - Stalybridge Celtic ... a 2-1 win at Gloucester City still keeps them in with a shout at the play-offs - the three teams above are all away next Saturday - and admittedly two of them DO have far better goal diffs - but the season carries on - and we'll see what happens next Saturday ...

Curzon Ashton ?  Already guaranteed 2nd in the Evo 1 North ... apparently capitulated 1-3 @ Prescot Cables today (even had an update on that at my game today !) - I reckon they must have rested a few in preparation for the Play-Off Semi-Final on Monday night - and we now know they will be playing Garforth Town, who beat Skelmersdale United 2-1 for that "final" Play-Off place ... despite Lancaster City doing their bit by overturning the four-goal goal diff in their attempt to sneak in - bad luck Dollys - you did your bit !)

Mossley ... away at Harrogate Railway with nowt to play for ... used to enjoy the rail trip to Starbeck in the past ... but we're back to Saturday working (AAAARRRGH !) - so what do they do ??? Win 6-1 ... six bloody one - which sneaks them above Radcliffe Boro to finish 14th.  You can say with all the to-ing and fro-ing this season at Seel Park - a respectable finish ...

Droylsden .. lost 2-1 at FC Halifax who were looking to cement their Play-Off ambitions- not much to say here - but they're 9th in the table - and they can finish no higher (which is no disgrace at all !).

And finally ... Ashton United - where I ended up today  - against Mickleover Sports who were fighting for their lives ... in the end a 3-0 win for Mickleover was no more than they deserved - but they're still down (if it wasn't for the 3 point deduction back in February - ineligible player - they'd have been safe ... but that's life unfortunately in the hard-nosed world of football/paperwork and all that stuff !).  I'll try to get some pix up from that game later tonight (it'll have to be tonight for a number of reasons ... tomorrow is Sunday - and the day after is Monday - i.e. 23rd April i.e. my Wedding Anniversary.  However with the anniv being on Monday Mrs Smiffy is not too bothered about doing anything on that night - workday etc etc.  So tomorrow is the anniv celebration day - need to sort out what to do for that ... and that means Monday is "off limits/up for grabs" - so I'll be down at Curzon Ashton for their game against Garforth !).

More later ...

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Mossley v Lancaster City - 17Apr12

Last home game of the season - and sadly Mossley bowed out at Seel Park with bit of a whimper - although it was a crazy two minutes just before the half-time whistle that killed the game off. Admittedly there was a 200% improvement in the second half (well they won it 1-0 !!) but 3-1 was probably a fair reflection of the 90 minutes' play. Pix from the game at

Mossley 1 Lancaster City 3

Unfortunately - for Lancaster - the three points is probably not enough to aid their play-off ambitions ... especially as the two teams above them (Garforth and Skelmersdale) play each other on Saturday - and it's a question of "winner takes all" between them two for the last place (only chance for Lancaster is a draw between them two on Saturday and Lancaster beating Warrington Town by 4 clear goals in their final game - well y'never know ...). Mossley can't finish any lower than 16th ... and Curzon Ashton are now guaranteed second place which means home advantage in the play-offs next week (more football - hurrah !).

Enough for now ...
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I've read some cr*p in my time ...

... in fact I've written some cr*p in my time ... but this article truly takes the biscuit ...

Royal Mail's lazy slow-moving postmen

... but then again what do you expect from the Daily Telegraph ?? The woman is a complete clown ( although having read some of the 600+ comments below the article, I'm probably being far too polite)

Just came across this after wallowing in nostalgia for a couple of hours watching "The 70s" on BBC2 (new series with historian Dominic Sandbrook), followed by half-an-hour of 70s toons - taking me back to my youth !!!

Final home game for Mossley tomorrow night ... might just pop up there if I'm not too slow-moving during the day ...
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"Just nipping out for a paper love ..."

... or it would have been, had Mrs Smiffy been at home. If anyone remembers "Auf Wiedersehen Pet", they might remember a similar phrase - I think it was Oz (Jimmy Nail) ... and when he turned up at home several days later, his missus said something like "Well what won the 3-30 then ... like ?".

Anyway I digress ... got up early (postie habit ?!?) in time to see "Match of the Day" (again !) and the Chinese Grand Prix. 0930 arrived so I went up to Top Mossley to get a "Non League Paper" - taking a camera in order to take a few pix of the Ashton United fans arriving at Seel Park on their sponsored walk ...

You can probably work out the rest ...

Ashton United Walk 15Apr12

... arrived back in Top Mossley just before 1600 hrs - just in time to buy the tea from the Co-op before it shut ...
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Just a 'hint' of Football ...

... and while it was "live", it was in HD ! As part of today's "Overtime Grabbing Session" I had to deliver to the "Railway" pub in Greenfield ... and I got there just in time to see Jelavic put Everton 1-0 up. Many hours later I discovered that t'other team had won the game 2-1. So ... late arrival home, so I decided not to bother rushing for what would have been 20 minutes (max) at either Stalybridge or Curzon Ashton. Instead I took my football admission fee down to the Turf Accountants (I LOVE that phrase - far posher than "bookies") and laid out some pennies on the obvious horse connected with work ...



... suffice to say ... "It didn't deliver" (although it lasted longer than most before pulling up).

It's definitely weird not to be @ football on a Saturday during the season - but think of the money (4.5 hrs overtime - less tax - less that tenner on the nag !!). Mrs Smiffy still away, so that gives me free rein on "Match of the Day" tonight - get a chance to see Man City's half-a-dozen against Delia Smith's Finest !! Belper Town scored 6 (six) as well today in their quest for a play-off place (that's 13 wins and 1 draw in their last 14 !) - it's getting rather tight at the top of the Evo-Stik 1st South Division. Wins for Hyde, and both Ashton teams today ...losses for Stalybridge and Droylsden ...

Until the footy then ... I'll continue my quest for Finnish Folk/Death Metal Music - up to now we have tracks from Korpiklaani, Ensiferum and Finntroll - need to check out Wintersun and Moonsorrow next ...
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A Prremiership Fairy Tale ...

Once upon a time ...

... there was a big bad man called Rupret Mudroch. He owned lots and lots of televisions and made lots and lots of money from these televisions as well. One day he looked at one of these televisions and saw that one big (red) football team was a long way ahead of another (blue) football team.

"THIS CANNOT BE !" said Mudroch, "It's only April and I need to sell more and more televisions".

So the evil Mudroch decided to talk to many people ... and take his big fat wallet with him. He first went to the team with the baggy shorts and said "Roll over - and I will give you many pennies - and maybe extra showings on my televisions next season". Next he went to the team that were run by the "RedNoseMan" and said "You have run too far ahead - maybe you should 'restawhile' - and let the scholar rest also". Next he went to the team that lived close to the pier ... he said "There are many many pennies for you if you try very very hard tonight". Finally he approached the team in blue and said "The madman with the strange haircut is not playing tonight - I expect you to do wondrous things".

And so it came to pass - the team in baggy shorts rolled over - the team in red rested the scholar and failed - the team from close to the pier earned their pennies - and the team in blue did four wondrous things.

The evil Mr Mudroch surveyed the scene at about 2200 hrs on Wednesday evening - and saw it was good "There is STILL time to sell many more televisions before early May 2012 and make many many pennies for ME - I am therefore a happy happy man" ...

Just a fairy tale of course - what the hell do I know about Premiership football ?
.

Mossley Youth v New Mills Youth ...

Looking over towards "Pots'n'Pans" ...

... a bonus ball indeed ... apart from the game I'm afraid. The match report headline on Mossleyweb says "Off Key Youthies Beaten" - which probably sums it up officially. I must admit I've not seen that many Youth games this season ... but I was very disappointed with last night's showing - from what I HAVE seen, I'd have expected a few of the players to have 'come on' a bit - going back to last season, a few of the youngsters have actually made it through to first team appearances - but of this particular group ... they need a bit more work (listening to the bench last night I could tell that the management weren't too chuffed either !) Anyways ... some pictures at

Mossley Youth 1 New Mills Youth 2

As mentioned earlier - Mrs Smiffy away for a few days (eking out the remainder of the skool hols !) - unfortunately this means no car on Saturday for a quick getaway from work - plus the overtime I've promised to do ... and I've got an 0630hrs start as part of the "moneygrabbing" (45 mins walk or £6 taxi fare out of the extra dosh ???) ... hey ho, we'll get some football on Saturday but it won't be 90 minutes ...

I'll probably be back on here later tonight - a few things to yammer on about ... Premiership/Grand National etc ... watch this space ...
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Bonus Ball !!!

Mrs Smiffy on her way down to her Mum's for a few days - what else to do but sneak "up the road" to watch Mossley Youth v New Mills Youth at 1830hrs this evening (at least it's stopped thundering/lightning-ing/hailing - for now anyway !!!) ...

(Although having no car for a speedy getaway from work on Saturday may cause havoc with my efforts to get to Curzon Ashton v Lancaster City - reckon I'm looking on second half only - especially as I've offered to do some o/t as well !)
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Easter Weekend - Part 3

Godwin Abadaki has just made it 3-0 to Hyde ...

... again just the pix and very few words - Hyde well stifled in the first 45 minutes ... but Solihull couldn't keep it up and the home side ran out worthy winners in the end ...

Hyde FC 3 Solihull Moors 0

(s'pose I better get back to work in several hours !)
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Toffs Day Out Ruined ...

Oh dear ... and then Cambridge win by default when one of the wheels fell off the Dark Blue boat ... strange isn't that the same two clubs always make it to the final ...

Classic quote from Oxford "President" ... "my team went through seven months of hell, this was the culmination of our careers and you took it from us" ... and there was me thinking they were at University to learn "stuff" - oops forgot ("stereotypical generalisation" mode on) - that's not really necessary as they're all guaranteed highly-paid jobs with Daddy's firm in the City ("stereotypical generalisation" mode off )... another 'classic' quote just heard on Radio 4 (seems to be a lack of "real news" this morning) regarding the Oxford cox Zoe de Toledo ... "Zoe is known for her aggressive coxing" - well I think that's what they said ...

Just had a peep at this guy's blog (here) - a right incoherent ramble which seems to lead nowhere slowly (probably a bit like this one !!) and to be honest isn't that clever (probably a bit like this one !) - some serious vitriol posted in the comments though (never realised there were so many people who enjoyed the Boat Race - you live and learn ...) - views from the "other side" can be found on this blog (far more coherent !)

Next stop - Henley Regatta at the end of June ??? Seriously though - it might focus a few minds on security what with the Olympics coming up ...

... so ... I wonder who's going to handcuff themselves to the goalposts at Old Trafford this afternoon ? No wait - that's already been done this season (unsure as to whether Ryanair can be classed as "elite" though) !!

(Hears noise from the back - "STICK TO FOOTBALL !")
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Easter Weekend - Part 2

... flying the flag ...


... after a hard day's work ... some relaxation ... and had Mossley kept up the first half pressure after the half-time break, the result could have been even better. Still a good point against a team still in with a play-off chance (albeit slim after today). Match pics at

Mossley 2 Skelmersdale United 2

Another 200+ crowd today - which bodes well for the future - shame there's only one more home game this season. Interesting to find out that the Manchester Premier Cup was "presented" today at about 1440 hrs (I was still indulging in a pre-match shandy at the time) - sums it all up really doesn't it ??

Bonus album today as well - featuring (hopefully) the future of Mossley support - the "Mossley Ultras", resplendent with their new flag - love 'em or hate 'em (and I know there ARE people on both sides of this fence), it makes a refreshing change to see a certain age group returning to watch non-league football. For a long time now (thanks to Mr "bloody" Murdoch and his Sky empire), we've seen an entire generation - possibly two - of youngsters eschewing (love that word !!) non-league football, preferring to sit on their *rses and be "Plastic Premier League Fans". We need these people back at the games to fill that vacuum - because all us old buggers are ... getting old (!) - and I'm sure the players appreciate a bit of noise/support/encouragement at times ... I give you ...

Mossley Ultras - 07Apr12

Let's hope they keep up the momentum - and returned refreshed next season (in larger numbers maybe ?) - OK so Hyde fans did it a couple of weeks ago - but today's conga brought a smile to many faces !
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Easter Weekend - Part 1

... just the pics for now ...

Stalybridge Celtic 2 FC Halifax Town 1
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RIP Jim Marshall ...

... who died yesterday ...



That "Spinal Tap" amp that went up to "11" !

Check out this link ... probably the "Ultimate Homage to Marshall Amplification"

The man may be no more - but the sound lives on ...
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Silly Snow Pic ...

... from yesterday out on the road, courtesy of the cameraphone - a weird snow formation on a car windscreen brought about by wind, freeze, slight thaw etc etc etc ...



Today was "double packets" all round thanks to the non-appearance of same yesterday - apparently a tree fell over between Oldham and Saddleworth, and journeys were taking 3+ hours for a couple of miles (and yes the mail was caught up in same !)- still I "went for it" today and got rid of all the backlog (otherwise it would still be there on Saturday !) - yep they give us a day off tomorrow - just need to find a football match to go to ...
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Stalybridge Celtic v Bishops Stortford ...

That's NOT camera noise - it's sleet !

... finally !!

Left our house in plenty of time for a beer or two @ Stalybridge Buffet Bar, before going for the bus up to Bower Fold - which was so bloody late, I ended up arriving at the game at precisely 2000hrs to be told "Celtic are 2-1 down !" - bloody hell ... Greg Wilkinson scored his usual 25 yard screamer to equalise (almost got it this time - just ended up with a defender blocking "my" shot !) so 2-2 at half-time gave promise for the second "downhill" half.

Then the weather got worse ... and worse ... and unfortunately it seemed to rub off with the home team as well - and Bishop's snatched a third goal with a about 15 minutes left - and - despite some weird and wonderful substitutions and positional changes - that was bascially it ... the game in hand has now gone for Celtic ...

Turning up late - plus awful weather - seemed to rub off on the cameraman as well - I DID wrap up well but there's only so much you can do in sub-zero, wind-chill-type weather the finger ends were in total agony by the end - I tried though ...

Stalybridge Celtic 2 Bishop's Stortford 3

That was last night - and (again as noted earlier) I woke up this morning (da-da-da-da-da !) to see snow falling sideways in a gale force wind. "Going to be interesting" thought I - and it was ! We got there in the end though - although with mail/parcels etc turning up late, it'll be a touch "heavier" tomorrow - looking out of the window now (1915hrs), it shouldn't be as bad ...

Better get the tea on now - certain family members are starving ...
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Aargh !

... and I thought the weather was bad yesterday ... going to be fun and games today !
.

Should have stayed in bed today ....

Weather @ work (on road) - cr*p

Bus to football match tonight - cr*p (i.e. was soooo late I ended up arriving at game at 2000 hrs - to be told "It's 2-1 to Bishops Stortford")

Football - cr*p (if you need any more info I suggest the Stalybridge Celtic website )

Weather @ football - cr*p (freezing wind with sleety/snow type stuff - second half I nearly bottled it - it was that bad !)

Tesco - cr*p (you can't buy fags after 2200 hrs without it being a PIA)

Train home - NOT cr*p - 'twas on time !

Football Pix - cr*p - I know this, and I haven't even looked at them yet - all I know is that there are 104 of them - I might find 10 if I'm lucky)

(OK you might get to see something tomorrow :-) )
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714 Miles ...

... according to the AA anyway !

The total mileage from Bishop's Stortford to Hyde (and back) together with Bishop's Stortford to Stalybridge (and back).

Five goals shipped on Saturday ... what will tomorrow bring for the intrepid travellers from Hertfordshire ?

Such are the beauties of the "regionalized" Blue Square NORTH ...
.
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A Restful Sunday ...

OK - so we went to the tip (recycling), supermarket (food and petrol - no queuing for us today - straight in and out, no messing - "smug mode" actioned !!) before nipping out for a brisk-ish local six miler while the sun was out - 'twas a bit blowy on the tops mind !! Some "walkie pics" at

DoveStoneWalk01Apr12

Were there many decent April Fool jokes floating around this morning - thought I heard a couple on Radio 4 early on - something about a tax on chilled champagne was certainly one of 'em. Nice try on the Ashton United message board (here) ... but fooling no-one I feel !!

Tea's been in the slo-cooker since 0930 hrs - now it's time to check out the "doom and gloom" weather forecasts for next week - so I know what to wear for work ...
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Ashton United v Marine

Even the ref looks brassed off !

... well by the time I finished work it could only be one of the two Ashton's (sorry HydeSteve - but I WILL get down on Easter Monday !). Chose Ashton United as I realised I'd not "done them" since before Christmas (a bit like Hyde really !!), but didn't even have time for a pre-match snifter in the Ashton Social Club (gasp !). Ashton certainly started the better, belying the difference 'twixt "down there" and "up near play-offs" and took a deserved lead - whether it was a cross or not, the wind certainly played a part I feel !! However an injury to new signing Warren Beattie (no not the ...) seem to play an integral part in the eventual result. Marine finally started to get their act together, getting a goal early on in the second half followed by a winner with ten minutes left. Some pix at

Ashton United 1 Marine 2

HOWEVER - once again we the speccies had to suffer the trials and tribulations of a bunch of moaning scousers. I'm sure it's not just me (and before anyone says owt ... I'm NOT a Manc - I come from the leafy suburbs (!) of Staffordshire). But go back through this blog and it crops up again ... and again ... and again. I reckon the FA have got two choices - a) kick the whole "Respect" thing into touch cus it's just a waste of time; b) tell the refs to grow a pair and be more bloody brutal, and get the red cards out - I mean a guy moans like hell - he gets a yellow - he CONTINUES to moan - where's the bloody red ? Marine had even brought their token "shouty fan" whose vocabulary for the entire 90 minutes consisted of two words ("A !" and "Referee !" - actually I lie; he did had a three minute repetition of "elbow" - which certainly incensed one home fan - the one with the wee white dog !). I don't know what it is - but it gets wearisome at times. Not arguing with the result - the team with the chances took the chances - but why not stick to bloody football - because that's what we're all here for ... rant over.

Now had I finished earlier - or not even been working today - I could possibly have seen 5 goals @ Ewen Fields - hey ho ...
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Oops ...

Rather than taking it out on Estate Agents for a change (This is the Spelling Police here !) - I give you tonight's "Manchester Evening News" (needs a double-click):



That's NO WAY to spell Vieira !!!
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Mossley win the Cup !!

The Manchester FA Premier Cup has been awarded to Mossley by default at a meeting of the County FA Committee this evening (Wednesday). The trophy will be presented at the next home game against Skelmersdale United on Easter Saturday.

Not the prettiest way to do it - but ...
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Stalybridge Celtic v Nuneaton Town

... well - looking at the form guides - and the table positions - this was going to be a tough one for the home side - but Celtic certainly threw the form book out of the window last night. They piled on the pressure from the start (despite kicking "uphill" !) - but it took nearly half-an-hour ... and a touch of genius ... before they took the lead through a Greg Wilkinson screamer (I caught his effort against Winsford a couple of weeks ago - but not last night though !). However - Nuneaton aren't third in the table for nothing and fashioned an equaliser about 10 minutes later. So ... 1-1 - the pessimists may well have been ... err pessimistic at this juncture, but just before half-time Stephen Brogan curled in a superb second goal - and then the second half was pretty much one-way traffic. Nunny did lose a player (red card-wise) but by then Celtic were 3-1 up and looking for more. An emphatic 4-1 victory for the home side - unfortunately they remain just out side the play-off zone due to other results on Tuesday evening ... but if that kind of form can be kept up until the end of the season .... ??

Some pictures at ...

Stalybridge Celtic 4 Nuneaton Town 1

Unfortunately some of the "goal pix" are not that hot - but sometimes you just can't legislate for 'genius'. In fact talking to some guy at half-time about this, he said "That's why they have 40 photographers at Old Trafford" - probably one for each player, one on Fergie, and a few floaters ... well it made me feel better !
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In the Absence of a Cup Final This Week ...

... it's down the Fold instead tonight to watch Stalybridge Celtic (6th) play Nuneaton Town (3rd) ... should be interesting ...

Calmed down a bit (just a bit) after yesterday's fiasco/rant etc etc ... in fact got a "Thank You" from one of my customers as well today. I'd got the "txt of doom" about the game (thanks Andy !) about lunchtime yesterday, and while delivering in the leafier heights of Uppermill, I scribbled a quick note on the back of an envelope (!) addressed to someone who I know comes down to Seel Park warning/advising of the cancellation - seems I DID do him a favour, saving a wasted journey (and of course valuable petrol given the probable panic buying that is going on as we speak !!). Notice plenty of chat about yesterday's events on the many message boards - I'm just awaiting an entry on eBay selling off large amounts of pies - no doubt Hyde DID buy in stuff for the evening - and now they're lumbered with it - just hope that any bills for out-of-pocket expenses down turn up down Mossley way.

Whilst wandering today in the glorious sunshine (yeah - it's called "work" !) I had a quick "extrapolation moment" ... imagine ... FA Cup Final day ... everything prepared, prawn sandwiches made, football specials (coach/train) all booked up, people travelling from all over the country - nay world - for this prestigious event ... and then one of the team's Managers phone up the FA on Saturday morning ... "We can't raise a team - can we cancel for a week or two ???" ... and Mr FA says "Yes OK No Problem".

Obviously a touch "over the top", but Hyde WILL have bought in for the night - people may well have been travelling from much further afield than Uppermill (!!) (I know someone who was thinking/trying to get the day off for a trip up from Aylesbury), having booked days off - coaches may well have been booked (OK well the 'mythical' Mossley coach - had there been more than 7 (seven) "expressions of interest" - oh dear !!). It may well be a competition held in contempt by many (or at least looked upon as a 'necessary evil') - but it's a Cup Final for Frith's sake - let's have some bloody respect for that. However the many tales/actions/events over the last few years have not only devalued the competition - it's turned Manchester County FA into a laughing stock for many many clubs and people ... just been on their website and can I find anything - can I hell !

Still - all over for now - awaiting a revised date (probably 30th April - ha ha !).
.

A Complete Farce !!!

All dressed up ... and nowhere to go ...

Yes, it's 2042hrs on Monday night - and I (together with many others) are NOT at Ewen Fields to see the Manchester Premier Cup Final between Droylsden and Mossley ... read the following statements (via www.droylsdenfc.com) ...

26/03/12

Statement from Dave Pace

( re M/cr Premier Cup )

It is an unfortunate situation which could not be avoided on

my part, I had an obligation to strengthen our position in

the league and did so by making a number of recent

signings, three wins out of three in the league justifies this

but sadly M/cr Premier cup rules state that a player who is named in the final

must have been involved in a previous round and in that respect we

fall short of eligible players, we would not devalue the competition

by turning out with eight or nine players and so informed

the M/cr FA of the situation, we need some guidance from them, we are

waiting on that at the moment, it is an unusual if not unique situation

that we find ourselves in. It is in the hands of the M/cr FA who i am

sure will be able work something out.

26/03/12

Due to injuries and the recent changes in our

playing staff, the rules specific to the M/cr Premier Cup are such

that Droylsden FC are unable to name a full complement

of players who are currently eligible to start in tonights

cup final. This was brought to the attention of the

Manchester FA and we are awaiting a decision on what will happen.

The Manchester FA has so far decided to postpone tonights

final and will advise us as and when any further decisions

are made.

To many people the Manchester Premier Cup is regarded as a "Mickey Mouse Cup" especially when you lose (see here for example !). However I'd reckon if you get to the Final, you might be taking the whole thing a little more seriously. As I mentioned yesterday (I think) the Manchester FA do have some rather strange/stupid rules regarding the eligibility of players for this competition - as Mossley have found to their cost in the past ... I recall one season when they were ringing round former players and asking them to turn out for the night (with their new club's permission of course) in order to satisfy eligibility rules - and raise a team.

Obviously this sort of effort is too much for a high level semi-pro club like Droylsden. Aaah Droylsden - this is the club where Manager/Chairman/"El Supremo" Dave Pace felt it beneath his dignity one season, so - following a bit of a spat with Manchester FA - put tea lady Stella in charge of all Manchester Premier Cup games ... the same club who had "quiet words" with the Manchester FA last season to allow three "allegedly ineligible" players to turn out in the Final against Ashton United. Yes this is a club that takes this competition seriously ... I find it astonishing that Mr Pace can quote such b*ll*x as "It is in the hands of the M/cr FA" ... and "...unique situation we find ourselves in ..." - complete cr*p ... and it would be interesting to know exactly WHEN it "...was brought to the attention of the Manchester FA ..."

Many folks (and clubs) have had problems with this competition - there have been numerous other "happenings" that have made it appear farcical at times (yes they've even included non-Manchester FA teams - ha !). However the antics of Droylsden FC over the last few years have made the competition even more farcical. - taking this a stage further, a quote elsewhere this evening (via High Peak Radio - not confirmed by myself so read into it what you will ...):

"Was listening to High Peak radio on the way home from work, Pace was on and he said he had no interest in this cup, didn't want to have anything to do with it".

Don't know about everyone else - but I tweaked my work today around this game - we've got three days to deliver the Council Tax letters so I decided to take fewer today to finish earlier to get home to prep for the game (and journey to same). Then I get a text just before midday informing me of the cancellation. Now I find myself with more to do tomorrow and Wednesday ...

It's not just the work aggro - I feel the competition - already teetering on the farcical following events from previous years - has become even further devalued thanks to the antics/whims of certain people - and unfortunately, over the last few years ... it's been the same person/same team. My suggestion is that they do the rest of Manchester FA a favour and not bother entering next season - in fact if there is a "cop out fee" for not entering (certainly used to be in the past) - I'm perfectly willing to accept donations from all right-minded member clubs of the Manchester FA (and fans of same) and will personally present the money to Mr Pace - we could make a night of it (someone else will have to take the photos though) !!

Really really p*ssed off ...
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Mossley v AFC Fylde

... been a touch quiet on here for a few days - work's been rather busy (although Friday/Saturday weather made it a bit more bearable !!). Finished in decent time on Saturday (not decent enough time to get over to Hyde though - sorry Steve !!!) and walked up't'hill to see Mossley take on second-placed AFC Fylde (they're still Kirkham & Wesham to me though - sorry), with the chance to do Curzon Ashton a bit of a favour at the top of the table.



"Monochrome Mark"

Sadly it was not to be (although I know of at least ONE Mossley fan (no names - but nice number plate !!) who probably had some sympathy with the Fylde team yesterday). It was a gutsy performance by the home team, who'd rested a couple of players for tomorrow's Manky Premier Cup Final against Droylsden (1945hrs @ Ewen Fields, Hyde). Some sterling defending and a excellent performance by 'keeper Martin Pearson (my personal MOM). Unfortunately, it all boiled down to a "Smash and Grab" winner by Fleetwood Town loanee Richie Allen - and despite some heroic efforts by "supersub" Steve Halford, the equaliser was just not forthcoming. Pics at

Mossley 0 AFC Fylde 1

Reckon that peformance does bode well for the "big one" tomorrow night though - although Droylsden have just hit a good bit of league form (saw their win on Tuesday night - and yesterday they got a 2-1 win over Boston United) ... still, it's a Cup Final and anything can happen ...

Went over to Rochdale after the game (hence delayed pics) - confit of duck no less !! A brisk (camera-free !) walk this morning through Healey Dell, once round Tesco's, an hours "R&R" on the patio this afternoon - and now this. Tomorrow sees me back out in the "countries" work-wise (the Greenfield/Uppermill "split walk") - weather looks promising again too - before tootling off to Hyde to see "The Big Match" ...
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Droylsden v Corby Town

Tuesday - not too bad at work (paid for it today mind !!) - so the afternoon was fairly well sorted - and so a hop on the bus to Ashton, time for a "quickie" in the "Prince of Orange" (and a listen to their early evening karaoke - an experience I'd recommend to anyone) - number 7 bus to Droylsden (and a "quickie" in the "Kings Head") before heading for the Butchers Arms (ground not pub - the pub disappeared a while back).

'Twas certainly a game of two halves - and what must have been an inspired half-time talk/rant. Droylsden were truly woeful in the first half - in fact probably lucky to only be going in 0-1 down. It was a different story after the break though - more direct, more purposeful, it might have been a different team ! Sure enough the goals came to turn it around, and in the end the margin of victory could have been much more. Pix from last night at

Droylsden 2 Corby Town 1

It's been mentioned on message boards galore - but an attendance of just over 170 is just not good - no way can you sustain a Conf North team on numbers like that ! Still the win moves Droylsden up to 11th in the league (just 9 points behind Stalybridge Celtic to be exact).
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What a Plonker ...

That's "me" on the left ... ish ... (actually I had a jacket like that back in the late 70s/early 80s !!)

... as noted yesterday morning - loads to do for a Sunday (or day off if you like) - so it was off to the tip for recycling (just got no idea where these beer cans and wine bottles come from), quick whizz round the supermarket to buy Sunday tea and then home to drop stuff off. We were then heading down to Stafford to see my Mum and Dad (Mothers Day plus Wedding Anniversary the day before) - and we thought we'd get a brief walk in beforehand. Butties were made and camera was chucked into rucksack as well (having first checked there was enough battery power in it - an important check but ...). Down the M6 ... and I said to Mrs Smiffy "Have you ever seen Stafford Castle ?" Next stop - Stafford Castle. Now when I was a lad, it was a crumbling ruin - these days ... it's still a ruin, but they've tidied it all up, put a walking trail around it with big info boards and stuff. Out came the camera - turned it on - battery OK - went to take first pic and spotted "ERR" ... you can guess the rest ...



Battery good - Memory Card not good (i.e. non-existent !)

... after a few choice words, the camera was quickly hidden back in rucksack (before somebody saw it !!). Fortunately, Mrs Smiffy had her compact in her bag (didn't have mine for obvious reasons) ... so instead of offering library pix here's one courtesy of Mrs S and her cute purple Fuji Finepix Z30 ...



... somewhere between info boards 6 and 10 ...

Walk over - a couple of hours round at my parents before returning backup the M6 to cook tea - and then to find water dripping through the ceiling - not much but ... aargh ! Checked it out today - nothing, but I'll be running the bath later on just to see if any more comes through. To add insult to our present "water problems", the broken down washing machine needs replacing (Mrs S on't'web as we speak - I will join in later) - so unfortunately that knocks tonight's "game of choice" on the head (was to be Curzon Ashton v Woodley Sports) - hey ho ... looks like I'll be off to the Butchers Arms tomorrow night to see Droylsden take on Corby Town instead.

Another quickie, harking back to Saturday's game at Mossley - and the newly formed "Mossley Ultras" - it seems the idea was being mulled over about 4 years ago - see this from the AFC Telford message board ...



These things obviously take time to plan !!

Work ? The Council Tax bills have finally started to arrive - one full tray today (approx 150); guessing another couple to come over the next two days - so no too painful in the end then ... will try to clear all my door-to-doors (i.e. junk) tomorrow before the weekend's "Internet Shopping Packet Mayhem" kicks in !!
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Mossley v Radcliffe Boro

Tom Denton has made it 2-0 - however some over-exuberant celebrations lead to ... whoops ...!!

... as predicted, a "late day at the (Delivery) Office", with me turning up at the game 20 minutes late. Fortunately (for me) it was still 0-0 ("we've hit the bar" was the quote from AJ on the turnstile !). 1-0 at half-time (another one of Joe Heap's sublime free kicks !) - on came the Juniors - and down came the rain/hail etc - hopefully none of the small ones drowned (I was drowning in my first pint of the day in the club !). The downpour made the pitch VERY heavy - at one stage one of the linesman "had a word" with the ref (I was expecting a "Call for Forking" !!), but Mossley continued to play well - a towering header from Tom Denton made it 2-0 (although his celebrations led to an early bath - injury not red card though !) - and a late chance for Danny Hudson would have been the icing on a comfortable cake - however it went just the wrong side of the post. Pictures at

Mossley 2 Radcliffe Borough 0

An important three points for the home side giving much needed breathing space at the lower end of the Evo-Stik North table - and a very good turn-out on the terraces as well (214 - biggest home crowd since September last year !) - and the newly formed "Mossley Ultras" (!) in their second appearance have certainly injected a bit of atmosphere at Seel Park - a touch "un-PC" at times - but all the usual chants are there !

Out for a bit of a wander in the evening - home sleep wake up now this. Lots to do today - so I'd better get on with it ...
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Been Out Tonight ...

... so pix from Mossley's 2-0 win over Radcliffe tomorrow ...

... thoughts and prayers are with Fabrice Muamba ...
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Helluva Week - Nearly Over ...

... has been a right bugger this week, not finishing much before 1600 (with an 0700 start) everyday - I'm a touch nervous about what finish time I'll get away with tomorrow as well (at least the football is only 5 mins up the road - Mossley v Radcliffe Borough). Crazy to think though - this week will see a "normal" 24 hour week ... plus over 30 hours overtime !!! Hopefully not too many Mothers Day cards tomorrow (just in case you've all forgotten out there - too late to post 'em now - tee hee !)

Other news - got my first "dog bite" this week - although to be honest it was more of a "nip" - broke the surface but leg has not yet fallen off. A National Inquiry is in the throes of being set up by Royal Mail under former High Court Judge Sir Gordon Langley - over 4,000 posties are attacked by dogs every year (please note you dog owners) - and some of the stories I've heard are truly horrific - maybe I've been lucky up to now - but a slight scrape over the ankle is hardly worth reporting in my view (despite many people already telling me to put a report in) - treat every case on its merits I feel - plus making a mental note for next time !!



... and the washing machine is broken - now that's what I call a crisis ! Fingers crossed the parts etc should turn up tomorrow ... otherwise it's more deodorant we need ... and in the words of Sting "Don't Stand So Close To Me" !!

So - a quiet night in (someone else is cooking - hurrah !) -early start tomorrow and fingers crossed for an arrival at Seel Park as near to 1500hrs as I can make ...
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Oops - Forgot ...

... to put the pictures up from last night's game ...

Stalybridge Celtic 4 Winsford United 0

... which means Celtic will be playing Nantwich Town in the Cheshire Senior Cup Final (they beat Macc Town 3-0 on Tuesday night).

Losing it me - it's been a bit of a grueller already this week - today (Wednesday was VERY heavy - not all the Council Tax bills as predicted ... just everything else - watch the buggers turn up on Saturday !)
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Flipping 'eck !!

Put two football programmes on EBay last week - both went today ... one (prog from 1962) for £2-07 and one (prog from 1976) for ... wait for it ... £31-08 !!! Might have to delve a little further into the suitcase and big plastic box - there might be more little gems floating around ...

Tonight - it's cup fever down @ Bower Fold - Stalybridge Celtic v Winsford United in the Cheshire Senior Cup semi-final - winners to play either Macclesfield Town or Nantwich Town (that game also tonight).

Tomorrow - rumour is the Council Tax bills are arriving in our mail bags - as in every bloomin' house - aargh !
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Work-Free Weekend !!

... still got up early on Saturday morning mind !! Have to be honest though - one reason was to head up to Top Mossley and do some "panic buying" - more like "thrifty buying" really, because on Friday I'd spotted - and bought - some rather cheap beef mince for the Greek-themed nosh (Bifteki with feta cheese to be exact). Stuff seemed OK so I promptly went and bought all four packs that were on the shelf !!



moneysavingexpert.smiff !!!

Job done - pack bags etc and then it was off to Belper. arrived in good time, and I managed a couple of pints of "Shottle Gold" in the "George & Dragon" before heading towards ChristChurch Meadows for the footy. I did see Belper up at Curzon earlier in the season (here), but this was a first for the season down in Derbyshire. Despite almost constant Belper pressure in the first half it was Kidsgrove (with a couple of Stafford Rangers rejects on show !) who took the lead on the stroke of half-time. One pint of Pedigree (out of the jug !) later it was out to see the Nailers take total control - once the equaliser went in there was only ever going to be one winner - and the three points have put Belper tantalisingly close to the play-off zone. Pics from the game at

Belper Town 3 Kidsgrove Athletic 1

Two pints of Pedigree later - and a couple more in the "Riflemans" - and it was back to Mother-in-Laws for a sleepy evening in front of the box.

Sunday - bright and chirpy - and after a few odd jobs etc we headed towards Baslow to do a seven miler round Birchen Edge, Baslow Edge and through Chatsworth Estate. More pics at

BaslowChatsworthWalk 11Mar12

Back home for a meal of "clear the fridge and veg rack" stew before faffing with pictures until it was rather late (!!!) - especially with me getting up a touch early this morning (as in 0600hrs). I'm on a rather "hefty week" at work this week (should work out at approx 54 hours !) - so I might try a slightly earlier "turn in time" tonight !!!
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Bark at the Moon ...

Following tonight's exotic food offering to the masses (Basque-style fish stew - God they've been spoilt rotten this week !), I took the camera (with big dobber lens on !) out in the back yard for a couple of minutes - just for fun ... first pic ... not bad - second one ... reckon the idea was right but failed on focussing ... might give it another go another night ...





... followed by DVD - managed to get the final Harry Potter offering for just £8 in Ashton HMV yesterday (still £16 in Tesco !)

The week's holiday is drawing to a close - a few more bits'n'bobs to sort out tomorrow before a work-free Saturday - huzzah !!
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The Season So Far ...

... i.e. something to do while waiting for the weather to clear up (I think today's "big jobbie" is a hair cut - followed by trying to decide what to cook tonight !).

Following last night's game I've clocked up 60 games so far this season (including pre-season friendlies) that pan out as follows (home teams):

Mossley - 26
Stalybridge Celtic - 12
Curzon Ashton - 9
Ashton United - 7
Droylsden - 2
Hyde FC - 1
Woodley Sports - 1
Histon - 1
Chorley - 1
Belper Town - 0
Stafford Rangers - 0

You'll obviously notice that the numbers are heavily skewed towards "Where's the quickest/closest place to get to ?" - which is always going to be the major factor when working 99% of all Saturdays - and often not finishing/getting home after work until 1400 hrs (the trips to Chorley and Histon were - naturally - on my 'Saturdays off'). Another point worthy of comment is that the two teams at the top of the list DO NOT have a regular photographer - whereas the other "Four Tame Sides" do - and snapping is part of the game for me anyway. Other restrictions include the "only one midweek match allowed" rule (well most of the time !), my insistence on the use of public transport (yes I do like the odd shandy pre- and post-match !) and the large drop in finances caused by the enforced change of employment ... so that does tend to explain why some clubs in the outer reaches of Tameside don't really get the attention they fully deserve - sorry folks, but that's the way it goes ...

So ... being on holiday this week means a Saturday off work - and I DO like to make the most of these rare occasions - so Belper Town v Kidsgrove Athletic is the game of choice - I get to "open my account" at Belper for the season, Mrs Smiffy gets to see her Mum, we get a possible Peak District walk in on the Sunday ... and Belper get a FOURTH bloomin' photographer on the Saturday !!
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Mossley win - Snapper loses ...

"Can I be in your gang ?" asks Ossett's Niall O'Brien ...

3-2 - a bit too close for comfort, but three welcome points.

As for pictures ............ don't know why but they're all bloody awful tonight - it's 'wait until later' time to see if I can salvage 'something' - a really depressing night behind the lens ....

WEDNESDAY MORNING UPDATE ... here's the pictures from last night - as predicted - not brilliant - but ... you get the picture ...

Mossley 3 Ossett Town 2

You were warned !!
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Tevez @ Hyde ... or Ossett @ Mossley ??

versus

No contest ...

(excuse brevity - going Greek tonight in the kitchen - already made hummus ... more to do - kebabs etc !!)
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Stalybridge Celtic v Solihull Moors

Surrounded - Celtic's Phil Marsh looking for space ...

A bit of a "faffy" morning at work (stuff here stuff there - and a 10 minute wait for a bag drop !) - but miraculously I made it home in time to change, grab bag and still catch the 1355 train down to Stalybridge - a leisurely pre-match pint of Millstone "Tiger Rut" in the "Fleece" (apologies to the Buffet Bar, but the 'Rail Ale Trail' and all the flotsam it attracts - and the use of plastic glasses on a Saturday - make it rather less than appealing these days ... shame but, that's the price of "success" I suppose).

Gentle walk up the Mottram Road arriving just in time to see the Social Club bar close (!), plumb in the camera and out to see if Celtic could finally break their 2012 duck - it took a while, but they got there in the end. Always in control, but at 1-0 up and the opposition down to 10 men "pessimissm mode" clicks in both on and off the pitch. Celtic did have one perfectly good goal chalked off for offside (certainly looks that way on my pix), but a late second goal by Brogan calmed everyone down and sealed the three points for the home side - a result that also sees them return into the play-off places in the Blue Square North. Game pictures at

Stalybridge Celtic 2 Solihull Moors 0

Gentle walk down the Mottram Road - a leisurely post-match pint of Millstone "Tiger Rut" in the "Fleece" (see above !!) before home, sort pix and open the big box that had arrived in the morning. Following a e-junk-mail, I was tempted to part with £9.69 (including delivery !!) on a tripod. Obviously not expecting miracles at that price (although the spec said maximum weight 4kgs), but I've NEVER had a tripod before for the DSLR. Hopefully - I might even take it out for a play this coming week (together with a remote control cable I've barely used), because .... I'M ON HOLIDAY !!

(watch the weather be poo all week !!)
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Getting Better ...

... all the time ...



... and would you believe ... whilst looking for the above image on Google - OK I DO own the single but couldn't be bothered to take photo, download and then upload - I managed to "come across" (!!!) a bootleg album of the man himself live in Canterbury in 1979 - I would have seen him on the same tour in Sheffield - so (having downloaded same) I'm now feeling even better !!!!!

Happy to see that Ashton United "did the business" last night in my absence - a 4-0 win over Chasetown sends them up to the giddy heights of 8th place in the Evo-Stik Prem - not sure whether Ashton snapper was there - but video available at

Ashton United 4 Chasetown 0

In fact Ashton Manager Danny Johnson has been named Evo-Stik Prem Manager of the Month for February - 5 straight wins (including 1 against Stafford Rangers - grrr !) - well deserved !!

As the title says - improvement in the health front - have had official confirmation of "week off" next week - and already have a few plans for the week - that include a certain amount of relaxing, a certain amount of computing, a certain amount of walking/football/photography ... and also to try and organise a week's holiday in June (walking holiday natch !!) - but ... before then - a couple of days more work and some footy on Saturday.