One for my Sister ...

... day off today - and yes I took it for a change !!!  Washing, ironing, haircut and shopping - and I came across these in HMV Ashton - well you just can't turn this sort of offer down - can you ...

  

So - in true "do it right" style tonight's tea (one helluva mixed grill !!) was accompanied by Volume 1.  OK we already own Volume 3 in its own right so Friday = Volume 4 I guess !!!

And naturally - whilst uploading pix from babycam - I found something else that made me laugh - can't remember which pub I clocked it in (I don't go in that many - ho ho !) but ... here goes ...

Now I could have sworn that they're called "Mezes" in Greece ...

Football - nowt dramatic in Mr Hodgson's Euro selections - reckon Signor Capello would have chosen pretty much the same squad - furthermore I'm a bit peed off about missing a game last night - found out today that there was some kind of Sunday League Cup Final down at Droylsden last night involving a Mossley pub (the "Commercial") versus a Stalybridge pub (the "Ridge Hill") - and it went to extra-time and pens as well - baaah !!!

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Hyde FC - New Soap Opera ...

MAY-hem ...

Well it's all been happening down at Ewen Fields over the last couple of weeks.  The euphoria created after winning the Blue Square North title appears to have disappeared down the plughole with some "off the field" hammer blows raining down so soon afterwards ... 

ONE - Manager Gary Lowe and Assistant Martyn Booty resign on Thursday (3rd) - Chairman and Board apparently "find out" on the Sunday (6th) ...

TWO - Club Chairman Alan Kenyon resigns (11th) ...

THREE - Chief Executive Ted Davies resigns (14th) ...

... and amongst all this "kerfuffle" further rumours fly around (and they ARE only rumours) about Director Jon Manship and possible 'pastures new' - meanwhile new management team Scott McNiven and Gavin McCann have to try and steady things on the "on the pitch" and prepare for the Blue Square Premier - an unenviable task with all this stuff going on in the background.   I wish them all luck.

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Looking for some cheap publicity !!

On Twitter ... @TheFBAs @MossleySmiffy #veteran 

Facebook ... http://www.facebook.com/FootballBloggingAwards - look for "Six Tame Sides" in the 'Best Veteran Football Blog' Section. (Veteran - not because I'm old - OK I am - but because it's been 'wobbling on' for more than three years - yes 3+ = veteran !!!)

Worth a try innit ?!?

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Some Sunday Slide Guitar Thoughts ...

... well it's different !  Actually it all began yesterday afternoon when listening to the "eclectic music box" down in the "Britannia" in Mossley (apres cricket !), when "Stormy May Day" from AC/DC came on - now I know young (!!!) Angus Young is not a renowned slidemeister, but he does a pretty good job on that track.  Fast forward to now - down in the kitchen prepping some tea - actually sorting out the meat sauce for one of my bastardized pastitsio recipes (can let it rot over the afternoon - tastes much better then).  Listening to Seasick Steve on the old music machine got me thinking - who are the best slide guitarists around/alive/dead etc ???  Early scribbles (on the recipe sheet no less) have come up with the following (and I've tried to put them in my personal order) ...

George Thorogood

Rory Gallagher

Seasick Steve

Joe Walsh

Leo Kottke

Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top)

Gary Rossington (Lynyrd Skynyrd)

Obviously there's dozens more (older readers may say "Where's Elmore James ?" - just not heard enough of same - OK "Dust my Broom" but ...).  There are other "odd tracks" I could think of as well  - "My Sweet Lord" by George Harrison; "Statesboro Blues" by Pat Travers (yes - prefer the Pat Travers version to that by Duane Allman - cue more howls of anguish from the purists !!) - and so on and so on ...

Time to turn that sauce off - what to do this afternoon ??

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Saddleworth CC v Moorside CC

What's that strange sign on the left ???

 

... as promised ... cricket !

Got home from work in time to sneak into a hostelry to catch the last 20 minutes of the Huddersfield Town v Wimbledon Exiles Play-Off game before home - change - dust off the old "dobber lens" (170-500) - and then a stroll down to Well'i'Hole to catch a bit of cricket (I'd spotted there was a game on whilst travelling home from Greenfield on the train - you just look out of the train window !!!).  Caught what must have been the tail-end of the home side's innings - they finished on 178.  Moorside started like a house on fire before losing two quick wickets - and then I strolled back home - crazy really ... the sun was out but my fingers had turned white !!!  Anyway - a quick 20 from today at

SaddleworthCCMoorsideCC12May12   (link updated - bit of a c*ck-up somewhere !!)

Grabbed some food (Mrs Smiffy away in Belper for the weekend) before sorting out pics - now I'm off to ... no not the pub ... watch the last Harry Potter DVD - have only seen it once since we bought it - so why not ??

Tomorrow - I may have to go with the City/United flow ... p.s. congrats to York City who won the FA Trophy Final today (2-0 v Newport County).
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Springhead v Stockport Georgians ... UPDATED ...

... in the Gilgryst Cup Final tonight @ Hyde FC - a 3-2 win to the Oldham-based side - with many hairy moments in the second half when they seemed to almost completely "switch off" (apart from the 'keeper !).  Too late for a full talk/photo album - but here's the one at the end (and that's "champagne" not rain !!) ...

More tomorrow - promise !

UPDATE  - pictures to be found at 

Springhead 3 Stockport Georgians 2 

Having done my homework, I decided to go for the Springhead view on the night (a 17 game unbeaten run was the clue) - but it ended up a lot closer than expected.  3-2 at half-time and then Georgians spent almost the entire second half encamped in and around the Springhead penalty area - but they held out in the end.

Special mention to the Springhead number 11 who took a fearful hammering including some fairly brutal challenges at times - and just kept getting up and getting on with it - no moaning, no "reaction" - there's a fair few out there who could take a leaf out of this guy's book ...

No football tomorrow ... cricket maybe ???

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Wednesday Witterings ...

... our latest stray cat - Pirate - spent a happy (?!) day at the vets yesterday - sorted his (smelly) teeth out - basically by removing them (rotten as hell apparently), before returning home "high as a kite" but not as smelly - he's had a good MOT as well and appears much happier - unlike our bank balance which is just over £200 down - so ... if anyone in the Mossley area has lost (or more likely turfed out) a cat that looks like this ...

... no you can't have him back !! You obviously couldn't be *rsed to look after him, so to paraphrase Papa Lazarou ("League of Gentlemen" if you aren't aware) "You're MY cat now !!"

... see Hyde FC have swiftly filled the vacant Managerial role, with Scott McNiven and Gavin McCann taking over the reins for their foray into the big bad world of Blue Square Premier next season - obviously I mentioned budgets etc in an earlier post - but let's hope that it all works out OK - as someone mentioned on the Hyde Message Board "I'd rather have relegation than liquidation" - hopefully it won;t come to either.

... Stalybridge Celtic's Stephen Brogan has been called up for the England C squad to face Russia in the International Trophy on June 5th - a well deserved selection given what I saw of him last season ...

... the funeral for John Smith - who died just over a week ago takes place tomorrow at 1300 hrs at Mossley Methodist Church - thence to Dukinfield Crematorium followed by wake @ Mossley Football Club - unable to get time off sadly but will be thinking of him ...

... new lens hood arrived today for the cheap'n'cheerful "holiday lens" - good ol' eBay ...

... leaky tap sorted ... boiler serviced ... escaped the weather (mostly) @ work today, although expecting much worse tomorrow - eek !

... tonight's kitchen concoction was pork and chorizo in sauteed vegetables with roasted wedgie chips ... 

 

... Frank Warren is obviously (allegedly) a money-grabbing crook (Chisora v Haye - what a joke !) - sanctioned by the Luxembourg Boxing Federation (maybe because no bugger else would touch it with a bargepole) - West Ham United should hold their heads in shame for offering to stage this fiasco - or maybe they're (allegedly) only in it for the money ?!?  We eagerly await Sky's involvement (oh - money - allegedly - maybe ?) - not ...

... Blackpool still 1-0 up on aggregate ... me definitely going to Hyde tomorrow ...

... enough of this codswallop etc - off to watch Timothy Spall sail around the west coast of Scotland ...

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Farewell Nokia - Hello Samsung ...

... mentioned a couple of times last week - but I've finally moved away from Nokia mobile phones (my first ever moby was a Nokia 1611"brick" - bought back in 1996 !) - sadly they had nothing to choose from last week Android/Smartphone-wise, so it was a toss-up between HTC and Samsung with victory going to the Koreans.  So - stuff to learn now - although I've sorted out the requisite ringtones (v important I know) and the mobile internet is now up and running (when required - as in having found the on/off button to stay within usage limits - and the wi-fi option as well !).  There WAS a reason for all this blurb - I got around to emptying the memory card off the old phone today - and remembered this pic I took at the beginning of last week (when I did two days work at the start of my "holiday" !) ...

I'm guessing they meant to say "rabbit hutch" - hope so because that's where the mail went !!

First day back at work after a six day break today - fairly painless, although I'm sure the "Bank Holiday Parcel Syndrome" will kick in either tomorrow or Thursday !!

... and a different football option has reared its head for this midweek - namely the Gilgryst Cup Final between Stockport Georgians and Springhead which is being played at Hyde FC on Thursday night (1930hrs) - having done my "once a year" West Riding County Amateur League game, it'll give me a chance to finally get a Manchester League game in before season end ...

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Lower Hopton v Kirkburton

... a grand Saturday out - beginning with a cheap'n'cheerful train ride featuring a few drinking establishments - a pint of Dark Star "Hophead" in the Kings Head on Huddersfield Station, followed by a pint of Durham "White Velvet" in Dewsbury Buffet Bar and finally a pint of Black Sheep "Bitter" in the Railway at Mirfield (avoided the Navigation" as it was full of 'nuns' - this "Rail Ale Trail" is stopping every bloody where these days !).  Armed with some handwritten directions (and a cute new phone with Google Maps and GPS on it !!) I found the Lower Hopton ground in good time ... only to find a "Tea Room" that sold precisely that ... aaargh !!

 

The overworked Lower Hopton 'keeper gets in the way of another Kirkburton effort ...


Kirkburton were chasing the runners-up spot in the WRCAFL whilst Lower Hopton were struggling in the lower reaches of the table - and it showed with two goals for the visitors in the first half (true to form, my "one half each" approach saw these goals go in at the other end - c'est la vie !)  The Lower Hopton 'keeper had a blinder mind - coming to the rescue on numerous occasions whilst the visiting 'keeper (who I believe was not even a keeper ?) was relatively untroubled.  The second half saw just one more goal - a 25 yard blinder that beat both 'keeper and cameraman - and the comfortable win puts Kirkburton up into 2nd place (although Bay Athletic - the "Man United" of this league - can still overtake them with their games in hand). Some pictures from the game at

Lower Hopton 0 Kirkburton 3

Early kick-off meant early finish - and I did try out the "Navigation" on the way back to the railway station (a pint of Theakston's "Lightfoot") before hopping on the train to Huddersfield, quick change and back to Mossley ... and those bloody nuns were on the prowl again !  Most got off at Greenfield, but a couple got "left on" and ended up in Mossley.  Quick chaotic pint at the "Britannia" (full of ... you've guessed it, gobby noisy, often belligerent rail ale trailers) to watch the rest of the Cup Final (I reckon it was over the line - did us all out of 30 minutes extra time that decision !) before heading down to daughters for pizza and (more) beer.


This morning - got recycling and shopping out of the way (like most of the armchair football fans were doing as well - busy all over).  Noted the "Big News" in the "Non League Paper" - the resignation of Hyde FC's Manager Gary Lowe just a couple of weeks after guiding the Tigers into the Conference National - personal terms and playing budgets appear to be the sticking point, which is hardly surprising as the National is virtually a full-time league, and many a part-time team have been somewhat "embarrassed" when making what is a quantum leap from North/South to National - which is not unlike Championship to Premiership.  So - it's realism versus affordability, and it's certainly gonna be tricky for the likes of Hyde to compete with those clubs with large fan bases and large Chairman's wallets (I'm on about the size of the wallets here - not the size of the Chairmen !!).  One phrase often trotted out in these circumstances is "We might struggle - we might come straight back down - but we're going to have a helluva good time while we're there" - I can only wish Hyde the best of luck, whatever happens - the increased national exposure might bring some more money into the coffers (as there is talk of their deal with Man City ending soon - another "revenue stream" that Hyde are fortunate enough to have at the moment) - personally I reckon it's a sensible move by Hyde supremo John Manship not to going throwing what can rapidly become unrealistic amounts of cash at a project that has on more than one occasion in the past ended not only in tears for clubs but instant relegation on the pitch, or more than one relegation of off it - think Darlington, think Kettering ... think Portsmouth even ... the list is long ... 


Anyroad up the holiday continues just a little bit longer - some Conference play-offs today and tomorrow - the Evo-Stik Final 'twixt Bradford PA and FC United happens today as well (shifted 24 hours on police advice !) - I'll probably just take in a bit of TV football this afternoon - and then think of a football-free Monday - back to work Tuesday - and then (as mentioned previously) maybe another trip "over the hill" on Wednesday night - Marsden FC v Storthes Hall - we'll see how work pans out this week as it's an 1815hrs kick-off - easy on the train mind - 1748 train takes just 12 minutes followed by a swift jog across town to the ground - maybe ...
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Football Found !!!

Well ... you get the idea ...
 

... and it's NOT the FA Cup Final !!!

A trip "over the border" to Yorkshire to take in the West Riding County Amateur Football League - did the same last year  and the year before - this time it's Lower Hopton v Kirkburton - apparently the ground is not too far from Mirfield Station - easy train ride from Mossley (47 mins apparently with a change in Huddersfield) so ... sorted !!! And yes I know Bacup Borough are also at home tomorrow - but try that on public transport from Mossley !!!

And if anyone fancies it, please note it's a 1430hrs kick off ... so should be home to see some of the aforementioned Cup Final (what the hell have they done moving the kick-off to 1715hrs ?? TV talks I guess - plus of course it's a Bank Holiday weekend so naturally there's "engineering works" on the railway line 'twixt Liverpool and London - you couldn't make it up could you ???).

(PS - Marsden are at home on Wednesday - 1815hrs kick off ... maybe - just maybe ...)

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Bacup Borough v Maine Road ...

 

... and no it's not Jim Royle ... it's his brother (Dave Tomlinson - League Chairman)

... in the North West Counties League Cup Final ... 5-0 to Bacup sounds pretty convincing, but the scoreline was somewhat harsh on a Maine Road side who battled well throughout - and up until 45 minutes it was a fairly even game, but you know what they say about a goal just before the break !  Maine Road continued to press after half-time but three more goals "at the other end" (I gave each team one half each in the interests of fairness !) gave the scoreline a flattering look.  A few pictures from the evening at

Bacup Borough 5 Maine Road 0

 Now then - Saturday - day off - and the search for football begins ... and it doesn't look too promising at the moment !!

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Tonight - for starters ...

It's 2-0 to Bacup Borough - Adrian Bellamy is taking the plaudits - but the League website says "OG" for this one ..

... kind of ruins my picture a bit/a lot - 'cus it was the "stand out" pic for me - now I have to go through the other 153 pics taken tonight to make up an album ... probably early tomorrow peeps... sorry ...

... by the way it finished Bacup Borough 5 Maine Road 0.

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Playing Out ...

... finally got around to going out and playing with the new lens today - in deference to the "cheap and cheerful" moniker I put on it earlier this week, I used the "old" camera (EOS 20D) ... if nowt else because the replacement battery compartment cover for the 50D has not yet arrived !!  Weather was fine - so all I've done with the pix in Photoshop is press "Auto Levels" followed by "Auto Sharpen" ... and they look all right to me ...

Lens Test 03May12

... OK I wouldn't expect it to perform that well in low light conditions - but that's not what it's been bought for !!

Must rush - off to Ashton to have a go at the North West Counties League Cup Final between Bacup Borough and Maine Road - and I'm taking the 50D and the 70-200mm f2.8 tonight !!!

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Some Tuber Action !

... well they were chitted a while back - and then I planted them out in the little green sack - and ever since, it hasn't stopped raining (saves watering I guess !) - had a peep today - and things appear to be happening ...

Last year tomatoes - this year spuds - and there's a few red peppers in urgent need of replanting in a gro-bag or something - not forgetting the window sill herbs ...

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OK So I Succumbed ...

... but only for the last 20 minutes (having "watched" the previous 70 on BBC Text !) ... not over yet mind ...

Today was first day of a weeks' holiday - so where was I at 0645hrs this morning ? Dobcross PO ... same again tomorrow (I believe it's called "helping out" - 'twas mentioned earlier - but 16 hours O/T is not to be sniffed at is it ?).  At least the weather was 100% better than Sunday - still a bit of a wind but ... rain again tomorrow mind ...

New lens turned up today via Amazon - nowt special though - it's just a dirt cheap telephoto (Canon 75-300mm) that weighs bugger all and has been bought in preparation for our holiday in the first week of June - we're doing the Ridgeway - an 85 mile trek from Avebury in Wilts over towards Princes Risborough in Bucks (what else would a postie do on his hols - apart from walk !) - got to keep the weight down when walking, especially when taking two lenses (19-35mm as well) - next job is to get a battery compartment cover for the camera - when I bought it, it came with a battery grip attached - unfortunately the battery compartment cover wasn't with it !  They're about £12 on Ebay - just for a tiny bit of plastic !!!  

When I started this whole DSLR camera thing a few years back I began with a Sigma 70-300 lens - it was a great lens in the light - but I remember its limitations very well as the nights drew in - sadly it died a death a while back (OK - it got dropped !), so it's good to have a replacement - when out walking over recent years I've been using another "cheap and cheerful" Ebay purchase - a second hand Canon 28-105 which has been really good (got some cracking pics on the wall at home from this lens) - but it's nice to think "I've got that bit of length back" (oo-errr missus !)

Just need to get through tomorrow - and then Wednesday is a "shopping day" - small boy needs new dongle for pc - I need new mobile - again for holidays really - that has something like a big screen + internet capability - time to enter the 21st century ( probably the main reason for the 16 hours O/T !!!) - maybe other stuff too, but they're the top two of the unwritten list for now ...

More football this week ??? Yeah ... probably Thursday night - another trip to the Tameside Stadium, but this time ... the North West Counties League Cup Final 'twixt Bacup Borough and Maine Road - and following tonight's "blue moon", I wonder who might come out on top ...

Sorry Smithy (see previous post) - but your boys just didn't do the business tonight ...
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RIP John Smith

... the original "Mossley Smithy" who passed away this morning after apparently suffering a brain haemorrhage following a fall on Saturday.

Smithy was the "man for all seasons" up at Mossley - excellent chef (doing the 'corporate stuff' in the Sponsor's Lounge); part time DJ at the club and in various pubs around town; stand-in steward in the Social Club when Derek and Debbie went on holiday - he'd had plenty of experience in catering and the licensed trade.  Given the chance he'd have probably mown the pitch as well !  Many's the time a conversation would begin with the words "When I was at Old Trafford ..." - cue groans from the assembled masses - also, as someone else has said today, "He was a right grumpy old git at times"  - but this was the John we knew and John we loved ... he was Mossley AFC through and through and his passing will leave a huge void at Seel Park.  You only need to check out the tributes on Facebook today to see how many Mossley - and ex-Mossley - people are feeling at the moment.

John - now you're up there in that great cantilever stand in the sky you can regale some of the other Mossley faithful we've lost over the past few years (Brian Field, Derek Howard, Dave Mellett et al) with your tales of days gone by at Manchester United - and we all know who you'll be rooting for tomorrow night.

RIP

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The End of the World ??

Tsunami on the River Tame - well almost ...

It bloomin' well sounds like it outside - gale force winds hitting the back of the house (fortunately the double-glazed side of same !) with driving rain as well.  Apologies to all you "Greens" out there, but I went down to the paper shop this morning to pick up the "Non League Paper" ... in the car !!  I'm starting to regret offering to "help out" at work for a couple of days next week (Monday/Tuesday) - yep, supposed to be on a weeks' holiday but ... they waved 16 hours overtime at me so ...

So - a quiet day in - sorted through the football programme collection to find all containing the team "Altrincham", and sent list to prospective buyer ... shuffled some papers ... fiddled about on the net (like you do !) ... noticed that the weather seems to have played havoc with some of next weeks' Play-Off games in the Southern and Ryman Leagues due to postponements yesterday ...spotted another howler, this time on an official Royal Mail "briefing" sent to me yesterday ...

 What on earth are "Conditons" ?!?!? 

Also had a peep at the London 2012 Football schedule - it seems I have tickets to watch Brazil v Belarus, Egypt v New Zealand and Spain v Morocco at Old Trafford.

Now what ???

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All Over ...

... for both Curzon Ashton and Stalybridge Celtic after today.  Celtic did their bit - but other results did not go their way.  Curzon Ashton however "failed to turn up" in their Play-Off Final against Witton Albion today ... put it down to injuries (Graham Kay) or suspensions (Chris McDonagh) maybe - but it was a very insipid perfomance ... pics @

Curzon Ashton 0 Witton Albion 3

... season over ??  Unlikely !!  We'll find something this coming week hopefully - with the added bonus of a "day off" next Saturday (better late than never !).

Weather looking grim for any walkies on Sunday - must admit it was bloomin' cold @ Curzon today as well ...

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Late Friday Night ...

... what a week !  Monday in Uppermill - Monday night at Curzon - followed by three days of hell in the centre of Oldham (733 drops - 95% in security controlled blocks - with no key fob - and naturally I get the housing association "mail-out" - i.e. every bloody flat - and it rained a lot !!).  Today - back out in the countries - heavy stuff, but better weather ... and NO going over time !!)

So ... football tomorrow ... I have to apologise to Stalybridge Celtic for my non-appearance - they've got "that sort of game", whereby if they win it's then down to people listening on their transistor radios for other scores and hoping for the best (OK I lied about the trannys - but that's what we used to do in the old days - it's all Twitter/Facebook updates these days !!).  My fingers are however crossed for a positive result against Hinckley for the Celts - after that ... some play-offs to look forward to ...

Hopefully I'll be down at the Tameside Stadium to see the Evo-Stik 1 North Play-Off Final between Curzon Ashton and Witton Albion - once again fingers crossed for a "sensible" day at work !!!

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Curzon v Garforth - Pictures ...

... can be found at

CurzonGarforthPlayOffSemiFinal23Apr12

... have to say - the better team lost on the night - but it's nerve you need in these one-off situations, and Curzon kept theirs ... on to Saturday then where they will be playing Witton Albion (who won 3-0 tonight).

In the South - Ilkeston thumped Sheffield FC 7-0 on Monday night (helluva crowd too - just over 1,000 !) - they'll be at home to either Carlton Town or Leek Town who play tonight (Wednesday) - can I just say "Come on Carlton" - followed by "Come on Ilson" on Saturday !!!

Now to bed - a bloody hard day at the office today - loads and loads and loads of "security entry flats" - with no key fobs of course - a right pain !!

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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 ?
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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 !
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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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