Stalybridge Celtic v Histon - Pix

... if you're a Histon fan ... my bunch from today ...

Stalybridge 2 Histon 1 - Histon Pix

Obvious reason for the "quick turnaround" is press deadlines - sounds cute doesn't it !!!  This lot has been swiftly sent down to the Cambridge News for perusal - and hopefully inclusion in their Monday "Sports Edition" - well some of them maybe !!  Hopefully they know the players - OK I got a team sheet - but numbers on shorts should be mandatory !!

More later - including the 89th minute winner from Jack Laird !!!

UPDATE - OK - so later meant Sunday morning - just (although the link's been on the Stalybridge website since 0200hrs this morning !!).  Just been "blitzing the house" - first taking the recysling to the "dump" ... also we're having a lot of plastering and re-plastering done which has involved emptying rooms, stripping walls (and bits of walls falling off etc - 'tis an old house !) and there's been bits of wallpaper being trampled all over the place - even had to take the Dyson apart this morning !  Still - it's liveable-inable for a while now.  Anyway - I'm rambling - there are a few duplicates with the above (Histon) set but - hey ...

Stalybridge Celtic 2 Histon 1 - Rest of Pix

Next job(s) - shopping for food, checking out carpets and buying a new toilet seat (wow !!).  We had ummed and aahed about going to the Ramsbottom Folk Festival today (because Set Lakeman is on) - but the weather forecast is not brilliant for afternoon/evening - and as it's an outdoor bash at Rammy Cricket Club, it might turn into a mudfest later !

Note once again that the Mossley v Curzon Ashton local derby set for Tuesday night is off yet again thanks to a Cup Replay for Curzon (they drew 1-1 at Goole yesterday)  The FA Trophy games yesterday gave Mossley a chance to go top of the league - which they took with a 2-1 win at Prescot Cables.  I rather stupidly tweeted "top of the league - first time this century ??" - before being reminded that they won the league in 2006 ... it just seems SO much longer ago than that !!  Defeats for Hyde (2-3 at Lincoln) and Droylsden (1-2 at Worcester) and a 1-1 home draw for Ashton United against Grantham Town completes the "Six Tame Sides" set for yesterday (hope the "Snapper Competition" went well at Hurst Cross - looking forward to seeing the pix !).

Football for the week appears to be the Curzon/Goole replay tomorrow night (can't see anything else in the "Non League Paper" fixture list - in fact even this replay isn't there !).

Let's go do stuff ...
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Friday Night ...

... and the weekend starts here ... for some anyway !

The upside is someone else is cooking tea  - still got to go to work at 0630hrs tomorrow though.  Football tomorrow is back up at Stalybridge for their game against Histon - last season I "got asked" by the "Cambridge News" to do a few photos of the game - and they did me proud in their Monday night Sports Supplement (I have a copy of the paper in my 'portfolio' !!) - so it's same again this season - last season's game was in November (pix here) - so hopefully this season ... a bit more light (!).  All a bit of a kerfuffle as they want the pix Saturday evening (not quite as bad as the "Non League Paper" who need 'em before 1830hrs on a Saturday ... when I'm still having a post-match beer - one reason why I've never made the "NLP" - apart from the fact I've never been asked !!!)

Still - fingers crossed for a sensible finish at work - and some half-decent weather - and a Mossley win at Prescot Cables (hopefully still smarting from their defeat by Ashton United last weekend in the FA Cup).  Ashton United are at home to Grantham Town tomorrow - and are holding their 2nd "SnapperFest" - if anyone fancies their chances check out the details here - I reckon it's quite unique as a day out - certainly don;t know of any other club who runs a similar event - all power to Jez for organising same !!

Other games tomorrow - Hyde FC are away at Lincoln - a bit of an early season "six pointer" this one as the Imps are just one place above the Tigers "down there" - fingers crossed that the impets from last week's 5-2 defeat of Hereford United continues ...  Droylsden head down to 4th placed Worcester City - having released popular 'keeper Paul Phillips this week ... it'll be a tough one.  Finally the FA Trophy begins tomorrow and Curzon Ashton are away at Goole AFC (hopefully still smarting from their defeat by Mossley last Saturday !!).

Plenty of football out there then - so get off your butts and out of the pubs (showing dodgy Premiership rubbish) - and support one of the local teams ... they need your money far more than those fat cats up at the top ...
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Stalybridge Celtic v Manchester United "XI"

... and I've put the "XI" in apostrophes because I believe there's something about using the phrase "XI" where Man U are concerned - honest !!

A comfy day at work meant I had time to prepare some tea for the troops (an "experimental effort" involving leeks, peppers and bacon in a white wine sauce, mixed in with par-boiled cauliflower topped with cheese and very thinly sliced potatoes and slung in the oven - seemed to work  - possibly over-complex on the tastes - but it all got eaten !!) and trundle down to Stalybridge at my leisure.  Even had time for a quick snifter at the Buffet Bar to see old friends etc.

The game - to be honest I was expecting a glorified training session, but the 1000+ crowd was treated to a very even game.  United were first out of the blocks, taking an early lead through Machedo.  However Celtic were certainly not overawed and grabbed an equaliser 10 minutes later when Austin latched on to a long ball and put it away.  The second half saw chances at both ends, but Celtic took the lead through Sherriff (strangely enough from another "long ball" - got these Reds sussed !!!).  United should have equalised right at the death - but they didn't (!).  P.S. It got bloomin' cold as the evening went on - time to start putting things in bag I reckon.  All in all - a much better option than "couch potatoing" whilst watching England "B" struggle against Ukraine (I've put the "B" in apostrophes because I believe there's something about using the phrase "B" when talking about the national squad involved in a World Cup game). Some pictures from the evening at

Stalybridge Celtic 2 Manchester United 1

Certainly paid for that "comfy day" today - it was yuk !!! Rain rain rain all day long - only stopped when I finished - too late by then ... not just soaked to the skin more to the core.  Looks a little better for the rest of the week mind (as in "no rain" !) - just hope everything dries out before 0630hrs tomorrow morning.

Nice to see Belper Town putting one over their more illustrious (as in higher league) opponents Matlock Town in the FA Cup Replay last night- they now get a crack at Ilkeston Town in a couple of weeks - certainly a game I would fancy if at all possible - y'never know (especially as I believe Mrs Smiffy needs to be in Belper on the 22nd September).
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FA Cup Draw

Ashton United v Marine
Curzon Ashton v Bradford Park Avenue
Ossett Town/Whitby Town v Droylsden
Stalybridge Celtic v Vauxhall Motors

Some very interesting ties there ...
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Mossley v Goole ...

... back from Rochdale after a night of eating and drinking and a Sunday of walking around Rishworth Moor (we looked down on a huge traffic jam on the M62 - we could just see a vehicle on fire and the fire engine dashing up the hard shoulder - yep it was quicker to walk this afternoon !!).  Would you believe the camera never came out of the bag all day today !!

As predicted - a late work finish gave me only one option - up the road to Mossley ... who started slowly and were caught cold after just 5 minutes when the defence went AWOL.  Credit the team though who finally got into gear and by half-time were 2-1 following a Ben Richardson "poke" and a truly wonderful overhead kick from Sam Madeley - unfortunately I missed the "mid air bicycle" although I should have known better - check out this one I caught from April 2011 when he was at Ashton United ...

 













Still - 2-1 up at half-time ... second half was a little quieter ... well it was a warm day !!  A few chances at both ends, but Mossley were good value for the win in the end - which takes them up to the dizzy heights of second in the league.  Some pictures from yesterday at

Mossley 2 Goole 1

Mentioned the two Ashton teams yesterday on my quick "in house then out again" post ... pleased to see Hyde FC finally get off the mark winning-wise - and in some style as well win a 5-2 drubbing of Hereford United - Stalybridge succumbed to a last minute winner to lose 4-3 at Gloucester while Droylsden are still struggling ... losing 4-2 to Solihull Moors.

Finding football this week will be interesting - as little has been arranged because to the FA replay possibilities ... Stalybridge do have a friendly on Tuesday against a Manchester United "team" - no idea what they'll send up - otherwise I'm looking "outside the zone" ...
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Mossley go Second ...

... after a 2-1 win today against Goole.

Meanwhile Ashton score 11 (eleven) - OK Curzon get 8 and United get 3 ... but you know what I mean ...

... this is a quickie while my pix upload - as soon as that's done - I'm outta here - off to Rochdale ...

More tomorrow ...
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That was Some Week at Work ...

... thought last week was bad what with Bank Holiday and stuff - but it's been little different this week as well - in fact today I got dragged in an hour early due to sheer volume of mail and packets (remember of course the "official RM line" is "Mail volumes are down" - not on my shift they're not !!)  Saga Holidays are one of the prime culprits - they're certainly making sure that the younger posties of today will never get around to taking advantage of Saga - huge thick brochures that weigh a lot !!  Daft thing is ... I'm eligible for Saga as well - but there's NO WAY I'd sign up - don't want to upset my postie !!  

Other damage this week - bitten by a ... CAT !!  You know the sort - playful one minute then straight for the jugular (OK left hand) - not unlike our old dearly departed Tissy who was just the bloody same.  Also this week I've been threatened ... see below ...

Scary eh ???  NOT !  For a start I'd hear 'em coming (all those bells etc) - and what would they hit me with ?? Multiple handkerchiefs ???  Any more of this and I'll set fire to their rushcart - with the chap on top (tee hee !!).

Enough non-football gubbins ... a quick "WELL DONE" to Maxine at Curzon Ashton - she's had one of her footy photos published in this week's "Tameside Reporter" (and credited as "Official Curzon Ashton Photographer" as well !!).

Tomorrow ... hmmm ... back to the usual proviso which involves "what time will I finish ???".  Four options - Hyde FC at home to Hereford, Mossley at home to Goole in the league; Curzon Ashton in the FA Cup at home to Maltby Main (probably miss this one out considering they've got an "official" photographer !!); and Droylsden at home to Solihull Moors in the Conference North.  I'd dearly like to head down to the Butchers Arms as Droylsden are the only one of the "Six Tame Sides" I've yet to see this season - and I reckon they'll win tomorrow and get out of the bottom three.  But time of course is the final factor - plus me and Mrs Smiffy are out in the evening (off to Rochdale) - and tomorrow it's going to be a scorcher - allegedly (according to BBC Weather - the postman's friend !!).  P.S. best of luck to Belper Town tomorrow in their FA Cup "derby" away at Matlock Town - and also hopefully Stafford Rangers can break a habit of a lifetime (OK the last few years) by avoiding FA Cup defeat at a lesser league team ... this year's "pitfall" is Stourport Swifts ...

Now ... "can I be bovvered" to watch anything of the Moldova game tonight ???   Being on ITV I can probably stick it on the laptop in the background I guess ... getting towards teatime now so ....

 (1830hrs update) - Tea in 5 apparently - so time for one more silly ... remember we went walking up on the Cleveland Way a few weeks back ?? Involved a couple of days in Whitby ?? Well we took advantage of the Co-op there (probably for alcohol - can't really remember !!) and must have used loyalty card as well.  So - today we get a letter from the Co-op containing three £5 off vouchers - for the Co-op in Whitby - not much use I'm afraid ...
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Mossley v Clitheroe - Pictures ...

... now up at

Mossley 2 Clitheroe 3

Forget the result - and enjoy ...
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Mossley v Clitheroe - Late Shout

... Mossley lose 3-2 ... and were damned unlucky I feel.  A first half that had everyone thinking "This is SOOO good" - should have been more than 1-0 at half-time - then it all went Pete Tong.  However I'm sure that the Clitheroe equaliser should not have been.  It came from a Mossley free-kick which was blocked by a defender, Where I was standing the ref started to raise his hand to blow because I'm sure the defender was NOT 10 yards away.  However that's as far as the ref's hand went because the block was followed by a breakaway by Clitheroe which led to the equaliser.  However that's my view on that.  Some sloppiness - and then it was 3-1 to the visitors.  Credit to Mossley though - they came back with a vengeance but were unable to get it back to level terms ... BUGGER.  Still - can't knock Clitheroe .. they look a useful side (and it was nice to see Royf in the pub pre-match - and then Chris "Lions Den" on the terraces - always been a good crack 'twixt Mossley and Clitheroe over the years - long may it continue !!!).

No time to go through all the pix tonight - I've got to get up at stupid-o'clock tomorrow to get to the Builders Warehouse at opening time (i.e.0630hrs) to get some more bags of plaster for our "plasterman" - and then head off to work afterwards.  However here's one that "jumped out at me" after I'd taken it (you always get that feeling) - Benji Richardson "getting involved ...

Promise some more tomorrow - I feel I'm starting to get comfy with the new lens - dropping the shutter speed down as low as 1/320 second - and getting results.

Bear with me ...
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A Story from "over the pond" ...

A story requiring more publicity ... Stalybridge Celtic (or should I say the fans) are at the moment trying to get it together to raise cash for a new Social Club - because basically the present "portakabin" is just not up to it (OK it's an improvement on the old railway carriage but...).  So ... a fund raising scheme (the Hail Ale Fund) has begun (check out this thread).  

However here's the 'real story' - a cut and paste from the same Message Board ...

"The Stalybridge Celtic North America supporters association (I think that's just me). Raised 20 UKP today in Birmingham Alabama for the Hail Ale fund. We hosted a lemonade stand on the street and made a few dollars. Photos available for the Celtic program and donation coming via the website in pounds. Go Celtic. See you at Xmas. Kids had a blast and raised some dosh. Americans totally into it - Olympics and all.

We're visiting Alabama and off back to Orlando tomoz. Let's see how lemonade sells next to Disneyworld I'm guessing not so well.

Glen"

What ALL clubs need ... 

Quick Price Comparison Time ...

... follows on a bit from yesterday's trip to Stalybridge - timings meant I had to get the bus ...

TRAIN - Mossley - Stalybridge - takes  5 minutes - £1-40 single (Northern Rail)
BUS    - Mossley - Stalybridge - takes 14 minutes - £3-10 single (First Bus)

... and they're giving the West Coast train franchise to First Group - expect the worst !!
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Stalybridge Celtic v Hinckley United

... some pictures for now - well it IS after two in the morning !!!

Stalybridge Celtic 4 Hinckley United 0

Will try for more words later today ..

SUNDAY MORNING (sensible morning !) UPDATE ...

The "Bank Holiday Packet Backlash" continued on Saturday morning - ended up finishing work really late so it was a mad dash over to Stalybridge and a brisk-ish walk up the Mottram Road to get to Celtic 'almost' on time ... unfortunately missing the teams coming out and the chance to take photos of the Celtic "Mascot for the Day" (sorry Andy - hope you managed to get something !!). The game; a pretty comprehensive win for the home side - 3-0 up at half-time and it could have been more I reckon had Adam Pepper not gone off injured minutes after scoring the second goal - he was a constant thorn in the side of the Hinckley defence.  Second half was a bit flat (job already done to be honest), but there was a fourth goal and chances for more as well.  Looked like that win at Colwyn Bay last Monday had instilled the necessary confidence in the home team - moved it around pretty well - still a little too much of the long ball up to the diminutive Sherriff (worked hard for little or no reward - his time will come).
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The win moves Celtic up to seventh ... with three teams (Guiseley, Brackley and Chester FC) still boasting 100% records after five games - in fact Brackley continued their unbeaten run with a 3-2 defeat of Droylsden.  In the Conference Premier Hyde FC are still searching for their first win after going down 3-1 at Forest Green Rovers - Ryan Crowther scoring his first for the Tigers on his "loan return" from Fleetwood Town.

In Evo-Stik land, Ashton United lost their 100% record - but remain unbeaten after a 1-1 draw at Frickley Athletic, and "down one division", Mossley made it three wins out of three after a 4-0 away win at Farsley (who many have tipped to do well this season - so it must have been a good 'un !) Curzon Ashton also scored four (including a Kris Dennis hat-trick) in their 4-1 demolition of Lancaster City (who many have tipped to do well this season - so it must have been a good 'un !).

That'll do for now - things to do include recycling, Asda ... and buying a "Non League Paper" (not necessarilly in that order but ...)
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Bank Holiday + Bad Weather + Internet =

... like this - but twice as full  and using an elastic band as 'buckle extender' !!


 ...a heavy day at the mail-face (or should I say parcel-face).  The long weekend online shopping frenzy finally hit us today ... bulging sacks (oo-err) being the norm - and naturally loads of peeps not in !  Never mind - we'll soon be able to "officially" leave packets with neighbours (see here), unless of course you "opt out" of the scheme.  Personally I reckon this idea is "back to front" - it would make more sense for people to "opt in" to the scheme - but hey what do I know ...

Just spent a happy hour stripping wallpaper in preparation for some plastering work that's to be done - "farewell old woodchip - you held the wall together so well" - proper Victorian stuff with horsehair and all that stuff.  Waiting for car to arrive so I can go out and buy exotic stuff like PVA, Bonding and Multi-Finish - happy days ...

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Curzon Ashton v Northwich Victoria ...

... in the FA Cup replay - a really really good game to watch was this.  Talking to a few Curzon fans before the start, they expected the home team to 'walk it' following the first game - reckoned Northwich were very poor.  Not what I saw on Tuesday night - they took a well deserved lead - twice - before being pegged back by a Curzon team who - once they fell behind - started to shift into gear.  At 2-2 it could have gone either way ... but it went into extra-time.  During extra-time it could have gone either way ... but it went to penalties.  Cometh the hour cometh the man - as in Curzon 'keeper Josh Ollerenshaw.  Two spectacular saves meant that Curzon went through 4-2 on penalties - with Maltby Main being the visitors to the Tameside Stadium in the next round.  Pictures from last night's game (including ALL the penalties !!!) at

Curzon Ashton 2 Northwich Victoria 2 (AET Curzon win 4-2 on pens)

Aaah the pictures - as mentioned before, I did the first half with new lens on old camera ... and even with the tiny tiny screen I was satisfied that the whole "kerfuffle" was NOT a lens problem.  Second half - and beyond - saw new lens on "newer" camera (with some different 'calibration settings') - and I think I'm finally happy - although comparisons are never perfect.  One more daytime game (Saturday natch - but where ?? dunno yet) should confirm everything.

We wait ... we see ...

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Ashton Utd v Nantwich Town

A 2-1 victory for the home team keeps their 100% record this season - all the better for grabbing the late winner when down to 10 men as well.  Two good teams on the pitch, and it could have gone either way in my humble ...

Some pictures at

Ashton United 2 Nantwich Town 1

Still got problems pictorially - but I'm fighting it/working on it etc etc  - see how tonight goes at Curzon Ashton ...

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Problems Problems ...

... of the new lens variety - aargh !!

One from Saturday ...

... and one from yesterday ...

... using centre-point focussing as well.   Between the two games I did try using the "microfocus" option on the 50D but it hasn't made much difference.  Next attempt tonight !! (one idea that I has spotted on the web is to "get rid of the cheap filter" - also looking at the two sets, it appears I was actually 'closer' on Saturday than I was yesterday.).  I'll get yesterday's pics up sometime soon - I did manage to get a set together from Saturday's game - although there just seemed to be more OOF pics than normal.

Holbrook Sports 1 Belper Town 6

Obviously - it's not just a case of "strap it on and shoot" - in fact the problem might even be with the camera body - might just try "half and half" tonight with the old 20D camera first half and the 50D after the break.

Aaah the mysteries of calibration ... any assistance gratefully received as well !!!

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"The Bullet" has been bitten ...

... either that or "I succumbed to the temptation" !!! 

Got an e-mail yesterday evening about 2000 hrs - offering me 10% of all the Canon products they were selling ... sooooo ... £100 off a lens that I've been umming and aahing about for a few months (yes the Canon 70-200 f2.8 non IS) - I couldn't really turn it down - so three hours later ... I didn't !!!!!!!!

Hopefully arriving tomorrow - so I can make a pr*t of myself on Saturday (safely outside the "Six Tame Sides" zone !!)

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Stalybridge Celtic v Gainsborough Trinity - Take 2 ...

... after a bugger of a day at work (got a sore foot now and the alcoholic anesthetic ain't really working !!) - pretty much the full 10 hour jobbie !!

Looking back at last night - I may have been a "touch harsh" (not as harsh as some of them buggers on the Celtic Message Board mind !) ... a new team will take time to blend - certainly the "full-on" pass, pass, pass wasn't quite there - the reversion to long ball didn't help either - it'll come I'm sure.  It'll certainly be a baptism for some on Saturday when Celtic take on Droylsden - not only the "local derby" syndrome, but the Bloods will still be smarting big style from their 1-7 reverse at Guiseley last night (the seventh nail incidentally coming from ex-Celt Stephen Brogan ...).  I shall watch Twitter etc with interest ...

Anyways - pics from last night now up at

Stalybridge Celtic 1 Gainsborough Trinity 1

Plans for the weekend have changed somewhat - early idea was to cover Droylsden Reserves (a favour for a mate) - yes I know it's FA Cup day (bravo to the FA for putting a round of the Cup on the Saturday before Bank Holiday Monday - so if there are any draws, bang goes most clubs Bank Holiday "local derbies" - really though that one through haven't they ??).  So ... I'll be missing the obvious game for me anyway (as in Mossley v Bootle) ...  Mrs Smiffy is on hols in Cornshire at the moment ... but will be returning to Belper on Saturday - I have car so I'll be heading down that way to courier her home - suppose I'll have to go and watch Holbrook Sports v Belper Town in the FA Cup then ... whether I get there for kick-off is another thing - Holbrook might be just a couple of miles from Belper (and also where Mrs Smiffy's sister lives - she's also been on the Cornwall jaunt) - but I do have to "go workies" in Saddleworth first.  Might just have to take a "change of coat" to hide the RM uniform !!!

One thing I've noticed this season ... there's a fair few goals going in, both in the Conference North and the Evo-Stik - 8-0, 6-0, 7-0 7-1, 5-3 etc (not mentioning team names ...) - got to be a tempter for the floaters/couch potatoes eh ??
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Stalybridge Celtic v Gainsborough Trinity - First Shout ...

... yep I'm in "catch-up" mode as usual (when there's two games in 24 hours).  A disappointing start for the home team (when I say start I mean first home game) in more than one way - a 380-ish crowd is poor - as is a 1-1 draw really ... but hey ho they're off the mark and I'm sure Boss Harvey knows where the problems lies (as do the 380-ish crowd ... viz "need a strike force up front" !!).  One pic for now of Joel Bembo-Leta opening the scoring tonight ...

Promise more tomorrow - but it might be late - today I've had three phone calls from work ...

1 - Can you work your day off - 4 hours 48 minutes

2 - Can you do an extra half round - 2 hours 30 minutes

3 - Can you come in and prep - 3 hours 0 minutes

Why not ???

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Curzon/Garforth Pics from last night ...

... are now up and running at ...

Curzon Ashton 6 Garforth Town 0

It would be cruel to say it was men against boys - because it wasn't ... Garforth gave it their best shot - but once they went behind in the 14th minute (as in "BUGGER" - my Golden Goal ticket said 17 !!), it was a case of damage limitation up to a point.  Young Danny Greaves may have shipped six goals  - but he kept a similar number of chances out as well - so no disgrace there.  Turning up with only two subs doesn't really help the cause either.  When Kris Dennis scored his fifth (and Curzon's sixth) he was subbed - I'm sure it wasn't the "sympathy scene" (?) but Curzon went totally off the boil  after that - and I'm sure it wasn't the  "sympathy scene" (?) either ...

When you think of the Garforth Town team that turned up at Curzon at the end of last season for the play-off lottery - and took it to the penalty shoot-out - it's sad to see what's happened to them over the summer.  I've no intention in getting involved in the "Simon Clifford" debate (see elsewhere on t'internet) - other than he appears to have 'ditched' his team whilst keeping his "Brazilian B*ll*x" going - obviously more money in that side of things - sad, sad sad  ...

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Garforth hit for Six !

More tomorrow - but I did miss goal number 5 !!

 

"Always look on the bright side of life" ... Garforth's 'under-fire' 'keeper Danny Greaves
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Mossley v Bamber Bridge

No happy returns for ex-Lilywhite Steve Settle - just a bloody nose !

 Always nice to start the season with a win - although it took two tremendous saves from Mossley 'keeper Martin Pearson, and an 86th minute penalty from Kayde Coppin to secure the points.  A fairly even game I thought with few chances at either end - although as mentioned earlier Pearson did well on two occasions to keep the home side in it ... and one first half thunderbolt from Gary Gee nearly took the crossbar off !!!  The penalty was hotly disputed by the visitors, but from where I was stood (OK crouched !) Madeley was clearly pulled back by his shirt (no photo evidence though I'm afraid !).  Coppin stepped up to the mark and confidently converted.  Pictures from the game at

Mossley 1 Bamber Bridge 0

A quick troll around the other "Tame Sides" - obviously Hyde went down 1-2 on Friday against Luton Town; Droylsden lost 0-1 at home to Boston United - with Bloods' 'keeper Paul Phillips keeping the score down apparently; Stalybridge Celtic had a bugger of a start - losing new 'keeper Andy Ralph with a double leg-break inside the first ten minutes ... and going on to lose 1-4 at Workington;  Ashton United featured in a high-scoring game at home to Worksop Town, coming out 5-3 winners (this game also marked the debut for Ashton snapper Jez's new lens - results here !!); and finally Curzon Ashton gained a 1-1 draw away at Salford City, who played the last 15 minutes with 10 men.

Right ... that's the weekend's football done and dusted - time to do "other stuff" (OK I DID muse over sneaking over to Yorkshire to watch Wakefield and Skelmersdale United - yes Mrs Smiffy away (!) - but the thought soon passed ...)

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Hyde v Luton Pictures ...

... now up and running at ...

Hyde FC 1 Luton Town 2

... next job - today's Mossley/Bamber Bridge efforts ...

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J*s*s Ch***t !!!

.... just got back from the Mossley game - more soon natch !! But checking out the Evo-Stik website ... 

Ossett Albion 0 Trafford 8 (eight)

... with ex-Mossley's Mike Oates scoring 5 (five) 

That's some start to the season !!!!!!!!!!!

(Late 2210hrs Edit - having seen the sentences handed out to some Russian GirlyBand - who no-one has EVER heard of - title has been suitably "tweaked" - who's to say that there's THAT much difference between the Putin and Cleggeron regimes !)

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Hyde FC v Luton Town - first shout

... as ever trying to be the "journo" (as in "get summat up for the morning after" !!)  A 2-1 defeat for the home side, but that's certainly no disgrace - taking the lead (Blinkhorn ?) as well.  Talking to a Tiger' in the "Sportsman" pre-match (yes my public transport plans factored in a quick pint of Rossendale Brewery "Sunshine" !!!) he reckoned anything less than a three goal defeat would be a bonus - and they certainly got a bonus tonight.  A very even first half - although Luton certainly had more of the chances - and then Hyde taking the lead (I believe I've a crap OOF picture of the shot) !!  However (in my humble etc etc), it seemed like a double-edged sword, as Hyde then seemed to revert to long-ball tactics whilst Luton certainly stepped up a gear.  Two goals from the visitors (the second goal "made" by their keeper Tyler who came 20 yards outside his box to clear a Hyde attack - and his clearance led to goal number 2), but even then Hyde pressured late on - but to no avail.

If I were a Hyde fan, I would not be unhappy with that performance (although maybe tactics might be worth looking at - when Hyde were pressuring Luton were certainly worried).  Another pointer for Hyde in this "new" league - I noticed a lot more elbows/pushing/shoving blind-side of liners when the ball was being moved upfield - whether that's just Luton or not I'm in no position to say. Didn't take that many pics tonight - I tried to be "pro" up to a point, but my trusty stool finally gave up the ghost (I don;t take it out that often - but it went to Wembley in 2009 for the FA Vase Final, so it's a bit of a bereavement).  

Unfortunately - for me anyway - there were a few "issues" with security as well tonight - hey ho no big deal but it does restrict one's piccy taking a bit.  Three years ago the Football Conference issued "Photographer's Licences"(which included snapper's having to take out £2million public liability insurance).  Even then though there were no "passes" - all you had was a licence number.  This seems to have died a death (they used to e-mail me for renewal etc) - but if you've got an "access all areas" type of thingy that you can wave at some of these "jobsworths" it might help.  I still even now keep paying for the £2m liablity thingy ... just in case - because it works both ways.

Anyroad up - still to go through all the pics properly (hence the "first shout") but I've picked one out for now - you might take loads of pics (I don't - tonight the princely sum of 100  - just checked !)  - but you do know when you feel you've took a good'un  - and here it is ...

... will sort the rest out later - but need bed soon as work calls later today before heading up the hill to watch Mossley kick off their Evo-Stik campaign against Bamber Bridge ...
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Another Thursday Night Out ...

Again - no monkey - lost in Hartlepool allegedly !!!

 
... Mrs Smiffy has run off to Cornwall !!!  Back to the "Railway" in Greenfield to see the music  - and it was Harp and a Monkey ... roll back (almost) three years and they played at Mossley AFC Social Club (pics here !!)

Tonight ... slightly less space (as in no stage etc) - but I had a go ...

Harp and a Monkey - Railway Inn - 16Aug12

Home ... and now I'm charging up batteries left right and centre in preparation for two matches in two days ... yes,  football's coming soon !!!!

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Another Rail Fiasco ...

... following on from my slagging of of Theresa Villiers last night after her "comments" regarding the ridiculous inflation-busting train fare increases ... today we see First Group taking over from Virgin on the West Coast Main Line franchise - because they bid more money !

Now I've been a firm believer in re-nationalisation of this country's rail network (John Major - another tosser - thank you so much for all your hard work in the mid-90's).  However - since the privatisation, only one franchisee has actually stood out; and that's Virgin.  Branson has promised so much - but unlike others he's actually DELIVERED.  Here's a guy who actually offered to run the National Lottery on a "not-for-profit" basis ... but no - it was given to Camelot who are no doubt taking a tidy slice for their bloody shareholders.  I've no doubt that governments both past and present, Labour and ConDem are scared of Mr Branson - because he shows them up to be the lying shysters that they really are ...

Two political rants in two days - obviously not enough footy around ...

(Nice goal from Jagielka mind ... OK I'm sat in front of telly (with volume at 0 !) whilst 'laptopping' )

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Snook out last night ..

... at the last minute - went up to Stalybridge for the annual "Meet the Manager/Players/Usual Suspects" Night - some photos at

StalybridgeCeltic14Aug12

Good to see Hyde keeping their unbeaten run with a 0-0 draw at home to Barrow last night- not too much to read about at the moment, but it seems it was a fair result - shame to see on the Stalybridge "shout box" that they're comparing the Tigers to the Droylsden team that "hit the Prem" a few years back and ended up with a paltry 19 points (comments such as "only 17 to go" etc etc).  Unnecessary I feel - Hyde will do a lot better than that - guaranteed !

Tonight - a night in ... England game - you must be joking - banging out a friendly minutes before the season starts is little more than ridiculous ... but I suppose it helps to pay off the "Wembley Stadium debt" in some way - next thing you'll tell me is that they're doing an FA Cup round on the weekend before August Bank Holiday - thus creating the possibility that Bank Holiday Monday 'local derbies' get cancelled due to cup replays - oh yes that's what they ARE doing - well done F.A. - another winner - NOT !

QUICK UPDATE AT 1812 (!) - apparently it's not at Wembley ... it's at that stadium in Switzerland which makes many people giggle a little bit ...
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Theresa Villiers ...

Complete tosser ...

...normally I would have replaced the letter 'o; with '*' ... but she's not worth it - totally out of touch with the real world.  

Here endeth tonight's party political broadcast on behalf of the "less than rich" ...

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Ashton United v Rochdale

... friendlies pretty much over now - but last night was a good test for Ashton United and despite losing 1-0 they gave a very good account of themselves.  I think I mentioned after the Curzon game that a few tweaks might improve the team ... and it looks like Danny J (Ashton boss) is heeding my advice (!!!!!!!!)  Looking very tidy at the back - and there's bags of promise up front ( I reckon the re-signing of Ben Deegan is a master stroke) - add to that some "tigerishness" (is that a word ?) in midfield (Burke, Kosylo), and there's something there for the 2012/13 season.  A few pics from last night at

Ashton United 0 Rochdale 1

Hyde FC kick off their Blue Square Prem home season tonight against Barrow - seems they're going for the segregation option as well - some "miffed peeps" on their message board, but I see it as a "test run" for the Luton game on Friday night.  I'm sure Barrow won't bring that many down tonight, so it'll be a useful "run out" for the off-pitch people.  All the best for tonight from me - I won't be there - but will hopefully get down on Friday for the Luton game (anything to get my head on TV - even if it's a "minority channel" !!).

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Backlog ...

... and slowly catching up - some pictures from Llangollen and Dunham Massey from the "weekend away" at

Llangollen and more - 13Aug12

(quite pleased with the "wild deer" efforts !!)

... and got pass-out for tonight's game between Ashton United and Rochdale - a 1-0 win for the Football League side but I saw plenty of positives for the Robins - as did many others there tonight I'm sure.  Interesting to note Godwin Abadaki (at Hyde last season) playing for the visitors !

... and here's one pic to prove it ... believe this is Matty Burke getting a shot in 

More later ...
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48 Hours Away ...

... doing some walking around Llangollen (and Dunham Massey today - came back to England to escape the rain ... unfortunately it followed us !!).

Early catch-up ... from Thursday night when I wandered back over to Greenfield to see some Bluegrass at the "Railway", kindly provided by Tony Auton and the Cheyenne Social Club - yes took camera as well !!

Thursday Night at the "Railway" - 09Aug12

More to come from the rest of the weekend later on I guess ...

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Curzon v Robins ...

The rest of the pics now up at

Curzon Ashton 1 Ashton United 4

It was a bit of a stroll for the away team really - Curzon appear to be missing something "tall" at the back at the moment - apparently one's injured and one's working in China - I'm talking about Andy Watson and Graham "Goose" Kay.

Still - it's only a friendly - even though there WAS some silverware at the end of it all (which I missed due to reasons explained in previous ...!) - and I'm sure John Flanagan (Curzon boss) knows where he's going.  On the other half of town though I'm sure Danny Johnson (United boss)is well pleased ...although I can see a few "bits and bobs" that need refining a touch - but that's just me - and I'm no bloody Manager !!!

Football over for the week - I've got Friday and Saturday off work - and so am off to do - yes you've guessed it - a bit of walking ! This time on the Offas Dyke Path in the Llangollen area (bits that we missed all those years ago (as in "pre-blog" time !!!)

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Ashton Derby - early shout ...

Well it IS 0010hrs ...

Just a couple from tonight's game at Curzon ... Ashton United won 4-1 - and it was pretty comfortable in the end.  Curzon came out after half-time like a house on fire - but it didn't last I'm afraid.  Didn't stop for the cup presentation as I had to get to a supermarket before 2200hrs and then catch train at 2218hrs - all successfully done (and many thanks to the - unfortunately no name - Ashton United fan who gave me the lift to the supermarket !!).

Here's a couple from tonight - trying to be impartial like !!!

I'll do some more tomorrow - promise !

Apparently I missed some "kerfuffle" up at Mossley - not only did they beat FCUM 2-0 (so I'm told - as yet seen no official confirmation), but apparently they played for a while under 50% floodlights when one side "went out" - no doubt find out more later ....

... and for those who may see me tomorrow in Greenfield/Uppermill - not only will you suffer the RM Shorts ... but I also have a "Hamster" on the right side of my face - a bloody abcess that's "exploded" over the last 15 hours - hopefully it will properly "explode" soon - otherwise it's a trip to emergency dentist - or dox for some anti-bios - we'll see ...

Enough for now anyway.

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Suffering Thrush ...

... sounds worse than it actually is though !!!

Wandering around the TV room today ... "Jenny" ...

Late last night the boys returned home with a bird ... of the feathered variety.  Found on the street, and the problem was it was not "wandering the streets".  Home it came then.  With small boy only being the "Lizard King" it was time to phone up the "Birdlady of Mossley" (aka Shaz) who came round, checked it out and found a cat bite/scratch under the wing.  So ... bird spent a jolly evening in our TV room in makeshift nest (Tetley beer box with a "Metro" for bedding !).  Boys took it up to the vets today - no infections etc. - still in some shock mind - but when I saw him/her today, it was a lot brighter than yesterday (i.e. moving).  Vet says "a couple of days and it'll be fine to release".  Another victory for Animal Rescue !!

On way up to vets in makeshift bird carrier - entitled "100% of your cat's daily needs" !!!!

Got a "touch moist" at work today, but fortunately it wasn't too heavy - I'll be dry in an hour or so - irony is that the sun is blazing down now !! BBC tells me that the next few days will be tropical however, so the shorts may come out for an airing tomorrow (advice is to avoid Greenfield and Uppermill !!!).

Football tonight - contrary to popular belief, I'll be giving the Mossley v FC United friendly a miss in favour of the Curzon Ashton v Ashton United 'Arthur Clancy Cup' friendly.  I need to drop some photos (OK CDs of photos) off to the Ashton United crew ... and I'm sure FC United will have their normal 27 photographers present - all better than me and with much better kit (!).  So I'm sure you won't go short ...

Now - carry on drying ...

(P.S. One Olympic observation ... reckon Phillips Idowu feels a right plonker this afternoon following all the "Is he/Is he not fit", "training camp avoidance" and the "sounds of silence" - and then failing to even make the final - reckon he owes Charles van Commenee an apology ...)

MIDNIGHT UPDATE - "Jenny" (now apparently a female blackbird !!!) flew out of the window (after flying into the window first !) - but then did nowt for a while - so was coaxed back into the house for another night of Bed and Brekkie and rehab ... another night without TV for me  - s'pose I'd better get a couple up from tonight's football ...

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#FootballFail ... Blame the Mail !

My worst fears for Saturday were confirmed at about 0745 in the morning when I saw the amount of mail arriving at Uppermill DO. It's been early start/late finish all week, what with covering for injured colleague - and added to that, a few weeks ago I'd promised a favour to one of the other guys (who was heading off on holiday and needed to finish early) that I'd "do a bit" for him as well on Saturday, so ...by the time I was done (approx 1545hrs) and the time I got home (1610hrs) it would have been pointless heading off to Hurst Cross (and expensive too - i.e. taxi !) so I knocked it on the head.  Pointless he says ? - found out later that the game had gone to a penalty shoot-out so I might have JUST made it for that !!!  Still - not to worry - plenty more games in the sea ...  so it was a case of settling down and watching some runnin' and jumpin' instead - picked a good night for that !   We're now up to 14 new stamps to be issued by Royal Mail (the "Gold Medal Winners" thingy)

Remember Italia 90 ... ?

I mentioned "penalty shoot-out" earlier - sad to see that perennial "bête noire" of football on this 'scepter'd isle' rearing its ugly head again for poor old Team GB - that Stuart Pearce connection no doubt !!

Hey- ho ... it's Sunday, it's a day off to rest my weary legs - and the sun is shining at the moment.  Best go and buy that "Non League Paper" before the (predicted) rain arrives ... plus a copy of the local "Tameside Reporter" - apparently I'm in it (the Blogging Oscars thingy !) - also made it onto the "Saddleworth News" website - this 15 minutes of fame is stretching out !!


P.S. Excuse the tie !!
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Stalybridge Celtic v Grimsby Town - Version 1.1

...as in the rest of the pictures (been lazy with the "post-processing" - well it was a friendly and it's been a busy week etc etc - hey ho, here y'go)

Stalybridge Celtic 2 Grimsby Town 1

Back later ..

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Stalybridge Celtic v Grimsby Town - Version 1.0

Another loooong day at the mail-face - this "overtime bonanza" is certainly eating into my eating/sleeping/drinking/football/getting to bloody football time !).  No time to check out all the pics from tonight's game - I've still got to try and sort last night's stuff from Ashton United out as well.  0600 kick off in the morning - and God only knows what time I'll get up to Hurst Cross for the Ashton United/Mossley Willow Wood Hospice Cup game - if at all (and I'm being serious here ...).

Still - tonight - a good all-round performance by Celtic against their higher league opponents - as with the Man City game a few weeks ago some half-time changes "up front" seemed to reap rewards in the quality of play - all I ca offer on pics at the moment are the two goals (or at least my take on 'em)

1-0 - Kristian Platt

2-0 - Mitchell Austin

Game finished 2-1 to Celtic - and a thoroughly deserved win it was ...

Sunset @ Hurst Cross

... and I'm afraid the rest of tonight's pics are pretty much "copyright AUFC" - that is when I get round to doing 'em.

FRIDAY EDIT - OK ... apart from this one ... this "Player Profile" palaver can be toooooooo much for some (I blame the new (?) tattoo !!!)

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Reputation on the line ...

Just spent 40 mins taking team and player pics for Ashton United (due to holiday commitments of the Robin's snapper).  Hope they turn out OK - or else I'm down to Five Tame Sides this season !

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Mossley v Altrincham PSF

A good 1-1 draw for the home team - who were certainly not overawed by their "higher level opposition" - in fact for long periods of the game it was Mossley who looked like the Blue Square North team - seriously !  As it was it was Altrincham who took an undeserved lead before a quickly taken free-kick by Kayde Coppin caught almost everyone unawares squared up the game.  Pictures at

Mossley 1 Altrincham 1

... reckon the home team will be the happier on last night's performance ...

This week at work has turned into an "overtime bonanza" due to an injury incurred by one of my colleagues (slipped on a wet, greasy step).  However - a double-edged sword - no way was I going to be able to get home, get sorted and get down to Old Trafford to use up my other Olympic ticket tonight (so it's all MY fault these 'empty seats' !!!).  It will also cause a few problems on Saturday as well I guess - rest assured I'll get to the Ashton United v Mossley Willow Wood Hospice Cup game as soon as I can (but I shouldn't have a problem on Friday night though - Stalybridge Celtic v Grimsby Town) ...

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Coming Soon .

Mossley/Alty pics etc - it's been a long day @ mail-face & I have tea duties first ...