Friday
Extremely well organised – an A4 sheet awash with times, places and phone numbers – yes better organised than Bush’s invasion of Iraq – and much more justified !
1145 – Mossley Station – just me !! Then along came Stuart and his two “wards for the day”, Charlotte and Sophie. The train to Huddersfield was a touch late, so when we arrived with only 12 minutes to spare – the first variation kicked in – an extra half an hour at the “Head of Steam” – and a relaxing, rather than rushed, pint of Little Valley “Cragg Vale”. Off to Dewsbury – and the West Riding Refreshment Rooms – kept it simple – a pint of Black Sheep Bitter. Next stop was Dewsbury Bus Station and a 126 bus – here was the first flaw in the “Yorkshire Invasion Plan” – not knowing where to get off !! Fortunately our driver took us into Ossett Bus Station and packed us off on another bus, which pulled up outside the “Ossett Brewery Tap” pub – which for our sins we missed out. Down the hill and into the Cricket Club which was full of Youth teams preparing for their Easter Tour of Holland. One ham sandwich and a pint of Theakstons Bitter before we walked over the Cricket Pitch to the football ground. We’d decided to order a cab to get us back to Dewsbury, as the walk/bus was looking a little tight.
To the game – the scoreline shows Ossett Albion beating Chorley 2-0 – but I felt the better team lost on the day. The two goals came in the last 10 minutes, the first when the Chorley keeper “cocked up” to put it bluntly, allowing Catton time to wipe his boot etc before scoring. I’d have to say the wind – again blustery and pigging cold certainly had something to do with not only the first goal, but also the late late second from Dickinson – it fairly screamed in – carried along by a force 7 or 8. If I was a Chorley fan I’d feel a bit hard done by – well worth a point – but that’s the way it goes.
After the game our taxi arrived to get us back to Dewsbury Station with time to spare. Train to Leeds (Burger King stop !), train to Bradford. Then the next problem kicked in – NationalRail.co.uk had told me 2231 from Bradford to Huddersfield was our “train of choice”– I was a bit suspicious at the time, but it wasn’t until arriving in Bradford that I thought it worth checking – true to form, the landslip at Elland/Brighouse was still “slipped” and they could not promise that the “Rail Replacement Bus” would get us into Huddersfield in time for our “late one” to Mossley. By now we’d missed our bus to Bradford PA – so another taxi was called into service. The decision was made – we’d look for lifts back to Mossley, else taxi back to Bradford for the 2204 to Leeds.
I was still walking round when Mossley took the lead – bugger – fortunately SJNR got it on video …
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olD_7xvpC1U
Not for long though – an equaliser was followed by a red card for our Mike Fish was followed by some “extreme” rearguard action, with – once again – keeper Ashley Connor performing miracles – very topical for a Good Friday. Then just as we thought we’d got to half-time at 1-1 – we didn’t – bugger. No half-time miracles from “Gerry the Messiah” I’m afraid – and by 90 minutes we were a well-beaten – dare I say “crucified” at 4-1 down – although if that blizzard had started 15 minutes earlier – an abandonment would have been almost certain – and yes I have that on good authority from a Bradford chappie !!
Post-game – we’d managed to “bunk in” with Secretary Bob, who scooted us back into Mossley in time for a drink or two – “the wards” were packed off – before retiring sometime after midnight (and I mean “some time”- can’t remember which one though ….
Saturday
Not expecting football today – having “binged out” on Friday, me and Mrs Smiffy were due “walkies” – however with it being so cold, so windy and so “un-Easter”, walkies was curtailed and the afternoon suddenly became free !! A choice of two games – apologies to my friends at Hurst Cross, but I went over to Stalybridge Celtic to see if they could continue this fantastic unbeaten run that has taken them into play-off contention against Worcester City. So a train to Stalybridge – a quick one in the Buffet Bar – containing a large number of Worcester fans – and “mad Pete” and friends from Bradford PA who’d popped over the Pennines for drinks (didn’t tell him that Stalybridge cost twice as much as Bradford PA –he wasn’t going anyway !!). Managed to scab thirds of a cab up to the ground – I owe you one Jason !
Celtic were made to work for their victory – but few would begrudge it. My “Man of the Match” was the Worcester keeper Belford who kept his team in it with several good saves, and a well-organised defence. It was, after half-time, only a matter of time before Celtic scored, and score they did with 20 minutes to go following good work down the left from Chris Hall. 1-0 is always a bit “buttock clenching” though by then Worcester had just about “shot their bolt” - Celtic could have had a couple near the end – but Belford kept them out.
The “Invasion of Yorkshire” by the Lancashire duo of Chorley and Mossley hit the buffers – but Steve Burr’s Blue and White Army march on. Blimey, it’s already nearly Monday and weather permitting some more football.
Sunday
Extremely well organised – an A4 sheet awash with times, places and phone numbers – yes better organised than Bush’s invasion of Iraq – and much more justified !
1145 – Mossley Station – just me !! Then along came Stuart and his two “wards for the day”, Charlotte and Sophie. The train to Huddersfield was a touch late, so when we arrived with only 12 minutes to spare – the first variation kicked in – an extra half an hour at the “Head of Steam” – and a relaxing, rather than rushed, pint of Little Valley “Cragg Vale”. Off to Dewsbury – and the West Riding Refreshment Rooms – kept it simple – a pint of Black Sheep Bitter. Next stop was Dewsbury Bus Station and a 126 bus – here was the first flaw in the “Yorkshire Invasion Plan” – not knowing where to get off !! Fortunately our driver took us into Ossett Bus Station and packed us off on another bus, which pulled up outside the “Ossett Brewery Tap” pub – which for our sins we missed out. Down the hill and into the Cricket Club which was full of Youth teams preparing for their Easter Tour of Holland. One ham sandwich and a pint of Theakstons Bitter before we walked over the Cricket Pitch to the football ground. We’d decided to order a cab to get us back to Dewsbury, as the walk/bus was looking a little tight.
To the game – the scoreline shows Ossett Albion beating Chorley 2-0 – but I felt the better team lost on the day. The two goals came in the last 10 minutes, the first when the Chorley keeper “cocked up” to put it bluntly, allowing Catton time to wipe his boot etc before scoring. I’d have to say the wind – again blustery and pigging cold certainly had something to do with not only the first goal, but also the late late second from Dickinson – it fairly screamed in – carried along by a force 7 or 8. If I was a Chorley fan I’d feel a bit hard done by – well worth a point – but that’s the way it goes.
After the game our taxi arrived to get us back to Dewsbury Station with time to spare. Train to Leeds (Burger King stop !), train to Bradford. Then the next problem kicked in – NationalRail.co.uk had told me 2231 from Bradford to Huddersfield was our “train of choice”– I was a bit suspicious at the time, but it wasn’t until arriving in Bradford that I thought it worth checking – true to form, the landslip at Elland/Brighouse was still “slipped” and they could not promise that the “Rail Replacement Bus” would get us into Huddersfield in time for our “late one” to Mossley. By now we’d missed our bus to Bradford PA – so another taxi was called into service. The decision was made – we’d look for lifts back to Mossley, else taxi back to Bradford for the 2204 to Leeds.
I was still walking round when Mossley took the lead – bugger – fortunately SJNR got it on video …
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olD_7xvpC1U
Not for long though – an equaliser was followed by a red card for our Mike Fish was followed by some “extreme” rearguard action, with – once again – keeper Ashley Connor performing miracles – very topical for a Good Friday. Then just as we thought we’d got to half-time at 1-1 – we didn’t – bugger. No half-time miracles from “Gerry the Messiah” I’m afraid – and by 90 minutes we were a well-beaten – dare I say “crucified” at 4-1 down – although if that blizzard had started 15 minutes earlier – an abandonment would have been almost certain – and yes I have that on good authority from a Bradford chappie !!
Post-game – we’d managed to “bunk in” with Secretary Bob, who scooted us back into Mossley in time for a drink or two – “the wards” were packed off – before retiring sometime after midnight (and I mean “some time”- can’t remember which one though ….
Saturday
Not expecting football today – having “binged out” on Friday, me and Mrs Smiffy were due “walkies” – however with it being so cold, so windy and so “un-Easter”, walkies was curtailed and the afternoon suddenly became free !! A choice of two games – apologies to my friends at Hurst Cross, but I went over to Stalybridge Celtic to see if they could continue this fantastic unbeaten run that has taken them into play-off contention against Worcester City. So a train to Stalybridge – a quick one in the Buffet Bar – containing a large number of Worcester fans – and “mad Pete” and friends from Bradford PA who’d popped over the Pennines for drinks (didn’t tell him that Stalybridge cost twice as much as Bradford PA –he wasn’t going anyway !!). Managed to scab thirds of a cab up to the ground – I owe you one Jason !
Celtic were made to work for their victory – but few would begrudge it. My “Man of the Match” was the Worcester keeper Belford who kept his team in it with several good saves, and a well-organised defence. It was, after half-time, only a matter of time before Celtic scored, and score they did with 20 minutes to go following good work down the left from Chris Hall. 1-0 is always a bit “buttock clenching” though by then Worcester had just about “shot their bolt” - Celtic could have had a couple near the end – but Belford kept them out.
The “Invasion of Yorkshire” by the Lancashire duo of Chorley and Mossley hit the buffers – but Steve Burr’s Blue and White Army march on. Blimey, it’s already nearly Monday and weather permitting some more football.
Sunday
Steps near the canal ...
We woke up in Mossley this morning with a goodish layer of snow on the ground – mostly melted now - and yes we had a walk out in it – fingers crossed for the Monday game at home to Rossendale United - with alternatives already in mind !!
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