The "7th Tame Side" - Dukinfield Town ...

Ever one to extend the football season as long as is humanly (and financially) possible, I took a trip to the Blocksages to watch Dukinfield Town take on Manchester Gregorians in the Manchester League - also gave me a chance to drop off a CD of piccies I took a couple of months ago (the night before Duki had to send all three of last season's trophies back to the various leagues !). I also nipped in to Asda to make a quick "hard copy" of some of the better pictures - MISTAKE - they might be "instant", but they appear to 'crop' something rotten - maybe I should have tweaked/sized the pictures better on the CD !!

To the game (a 1400 kick-off which actually started quite late due to the late arrival of the two liners !) - Gregorians started like a house on fire, taking the lead after a couple of minutes, and also contriving to miss a penalty. Duki were playing the better football overall, but every Gregorians attack looked likely to result in a goal. The equaliser arrived - but then it was "switch off" time and almost immediately it was 2-1 to the away team and it remained so until half-time (a quick pint in the "cosy" clubhouse and a check out of Sky Sports News (although it was only just after 3 o'clock). Second half ...tried a few different positions (oo-err !) including sat under the rail at almost zero feet !! Went to 3-1 before an absolute screamer gave Dukinfield Town some hope ... but - yet again - the concentration disappeared, and they were made to pay when Gregorians quickly restored their two goal advantage ... and that was the final score. Some pictures at

Dukinfield Town 2 Manchester Gregorians 4

After the game - a pint in the club and watch the various "stories" unfold on the Sky Sports News - and also a chance to confirm my suspicions that the Gregorians goalkeeper was in fact ex-Lilywhite Martin White (his big "claim to fame" at Seel Park was to score a goal against Nantwich Town in 1999 'from open play' as they say - yes from his kick out - one bounce and straight over Nantwich 'keeper Stuart Heeps !). Apparently he's now coaching at Gregorians, and as their regular 'keeper was unavailable, he stepped in between the sticks (not for the first time this season either he told me). Then it was home for some Mediterranean cuisine from Mrs Smiffy ...

Today has seen a little more garden work - not yet complete (have to keep an eye on my back as they say !) - sorting out the "grassy/weedy" bit as mentioned on Thursday - so here's the "work in progress" as they say ...



Eight down ... four to go (two more rows of two) !!

Might well finish off tomorrow - well it is a Bank Holiday - although there's always the thought of ... MORE FOOTBALL !!!!!!!!!!! Not too sure about this midweek - the two best options are "unavailable" to me - on Wednesday (the Manchester League Gilgryst Cup Final - Hollinwood v Walshaw Sports being played at Hyde United - I will be watching Rokia Traore @ the Bridgewater Hall) and Thursday (Vodkat League Challenge Cup Final - Abbey Hey v Winsford United being played at Curzon Ashton - I will be at the "Comedy Night" @ Bury Metro) - so we'll have to see what else we can contrive (maybe one of the Athertons tomorrow in the Vodkat League ??) ...

News from today - it's a Fleetwood Town v Alfreton Town final in the Blue Square North - Alfreton beat Workington 3-1 (4-1 on agg) - and (shame) Fleetwood beat Droylsden 4-3 on penalties after winning the second leg 3-1 (3-3 on agg) - to be played next Sunday - looking at the Droylsden message board, there may be some severe "fall-out" after today's game - talk of some "over-enthusiastic stewarding" has been mentioned ... we'll find out more later no doubt ...

Enough for now - a quiet night in beckons ...
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