Eh up me duck

Posted on August 26, 2012 Updated on September 5, 2012

Saturday August 25th 2012, Kick off 15:00 at Owen Street. 

FA Cup Preliminary Round.

Coalville Town 5-3 Loughborough University.

Admission £7, programme £1, badge £3, attendance 140.

This game was chosen mostly on the strength of a requirement to visit Northampton, just to solely ‘tick’ the last of the ‘Go Safari’ painted animal art sculptures in Northampton. Ros, having only managed to get 26 of the 27 when we were last there on Aug 12th, so needed to photograph ‘Starlight’ the elephant in the Derngate theatre, which was firmly closed on that Sunday, to complete the 27.

I wanted to get a little further north than Northamptonshire, even though FA Cup ticks could have been secured at Huntingdon (v St Ives) or Wellingborough (v Kings Lynn). And also on my remit was to try to tick a club from NL Step 4. An additional carrot for me was having been at the superb classic 2011 FA Vase final at Wembley Stadium which was contested between Coalville and Whitley Bay, so I was very keen to visit Owen Street, Coalville for this cup tie.

After an early start we had time to pop into Northampton to capture ‘Starlight’, before heading back north on the M1 (a busy M1!), before a quick-lunch at the very good www.taphouse–smisby.co.uk/ in Smisby, the ‘taphouse’ brewery pub. Hearty pork sandwich and sampling of three of their beers was taken, very handy, being just a couple of miles from Calke.

Ros had chosen Calke Abbey as her destination this afternoon, a fine partly derelict national trust property, http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/calke-abbey/

So from Calke, it was 10 miles south-east to Coalville.

Coalville is a town in North West Leicestershire, England, with a population estimated in 2003 to be almost 33,000.It is situated on the A511 trunk road between Leicester and Burton upon Trent, close to junction 22 of the M1 motorway.

As the name indicates, Coalville is a former coal mining town, with name coming from the name of the house of the owner of Whitwick Colliery, Coalville House. Coal has been mined in the area since medieval times and mine workings from these times can be found on the Hough Mill site at Swannington near the Califat Colliery site. A life-sized horse gin has been built on the Hough Mill site and craters can be seen in the ground, where the medieval villagers dug out their allocation of coal.

Owen Street is on the edge of town, and has a nice location, with a high bank at one end of the ground, which looks as though it may have in the past housed a railway line, to the right of the entrance is a cricket ground behind a high mesh fence, with match in progress.

I was chuffed to purchase not one, but two enamel badges from the club shop, as they still had in stock the special vase final badges produced for that match versus Whitley Bay in 2011, so that as well as the standard club badge was taken to add to my growing collection. The teams were already up, pinned to the outside of the amusingly titled ‘media centre’, basically a small hut where the PA man was situated!

The Ravens from Coalville had lost that 2011 final, 3-2, but their display on the day perhaps merited a win, such was their gutsy performance, in front of 8,778.  I’d watched 82 matches in the 2010-11 season, and this game was certainly the best, two teams committed to attack, played on a glorious sunny day at Wembley. So, they had lost, but they took the accolade as the first team ever from Leicestershire to make this prestigious final, and 1800 had crammed into Owen Street for their semi final, won 3-0. The same season they had taken the Midland Alliance title, and so took promotion to step four of the non league pyramid and a place in the Evo Stick Northern Premier League Div One South.

I’d never seen Loughborough University before, but on the non league grapevine I’d heard that their new ground had some decent facilities, but that perhaps behind the scenes they had become a little carried away with themselves, I’d heard the term Loughboro’ Uni ‘The Brand’ banded about. Certainly it does sounds as though they are ambitious, and currently they are playing in the Midland Alliance and considered a front-runner for honours in that league for 2013.

I wondered before KO if they would be made up of students, looking at the pen pictures in the programme this looked a certainty, made up of 19/20 and 21 year olds, from different parts of the country. Loughborough university has a reputation as ‘the’ main sports university in England, and many top class athletes have graduated from there in the past, Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson amongst others studied there.

For the first fifteen minutes the students really took the game to Coalville, and it was no surprise when lively centre forward Dan Nti put them 1 ahead after 10 minutes. It was slightly against the run of play when Ryan Robbins volleyed a lovely equaliser in the 22nd minute to level it.  After this the Ravens came back into the game, and were fortunate to go 2-1 up after a good strike from left back and captain Stuart. After a defensive mistake on 36 minutes, Davidson made it 3-1, and this how it was at half time, a very flattering scoreline frankly, and no reflection on the play in the first 45 minutes.

To make things very interesting, after a lovely flowing move, Nti score again on 46 mins, 3-2, game on. But Coalville got some more good fortune on 55, a penalty, converted by Stuart 4-2. This game was so easy on the eye, both teams played on the deck from the back, with the emphasis on getting in the others penalty area. Once again the students came back, and the very impressive Nti scored his 3rd hat trick goal in the 61st minute. However some more naivety at the back in the 64th minute allowed Davidson another goal, 5-3. Chances continued to come at both ends, and Loughborough attacked right to the final whistle. I must say I was immensely impressed with them, and their ethos on how to play football, I shall be endeavouring to see them at home this season. Coalville also looked a very decent side, and I shall be expecting to see them in the top six or so of their league this season. So, two Coalville matches have now been seen, both minor classics, I like the Ravens! 🙂 Note: They host Ilkeston in the next round at home.

What did the Romans ever do for me?

Posted on August 17, 2012 Updated on August 20, 2012

Sunday August 12th 2012, KO 3pm at the Irchester Sports Association Grounds. 

FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round, admission 5 pounds, programme 1 pound.

Irchester United 0-1 Huntingdon Town, attendance 67.

Ok, apologies for plagiarizing a line from Monty Pythons film ‘The Life of Brian’, I couldn’t resist! Perhaps in mind of having seen a few days ago a great cameo from python veteran Eric Idle at the London 2012 closing ceremony!

We had a most enjoyable overnight in Long Buckby the previous evening, which included a visit to the very good (beer and food) ‘Ward Arms’ which is home of Nobby’s Brewery and sited in the nearby village of Guilsborough. But today I was off to Irchester, just to the east of Northampton.

‘Chester Farm’ which is 1.5 miles from the village of Irchester apparently has the remains of a substantial Roman settlement, hence the club taking on the nickname of the ‘Romans’, which was highlighted on their programme cover, showing a Roman soldier with ball at feet! And I thought we invented the game 🙂

Before that we had a more modern phenomena to attend to. Ros had decided to photograph, which in my book means ‘tick’ all 27 of the Safari Northampton animals, which are a collection of fibre glass painted giraffes/gorillas/lions and hippos in 2012.
I managed to scoop 7 of them before heading east, one of which was magnificent giraffe outside the Holy Sepulchre church and  a couple of strikingly decorated gorillas in the town centre.

Upon arrival at the ground 70 mins or so before KO, I was met by a yellow jacketed steward who directed me down the road towards the parking in a rather scruffy recreation ground some 100 yards away. It was a short walk from here down a path to the entrance to the Irchester Sports association grounds, basically a dual facility with cricket and football played.

I expected better of Irchester, having noted that Northampton looked a slightly jaded and ugly place, with plenty of litter strewn around, actually I found Irchester to be even worse! A small kiddies seating/play area was absolutely covered with empty crisp packets, drinks bottles, sweet wrappers etc.
Maybe this is just a reflection on the youth of today, but also perhaps on the local council/s for not getting their act together. Such a shame, and not seen so readily when travelling to other parts of Europe, anyway, rant over.

On arrival at the ground, you enter behind the goal, which has a small atcost stand in place. All facilities are at this end, clubhouse, changing room, and a small covered terraced to the left of the stand. The cricket wicket is off to the left, and the right side of the ground is enclosed by housing. The setup is very neat and tidy, clearly there is pride for their respective clubs, the pitch was in tip top condition, and I could imagine the out fielders not experiencing too much in the way of cricket ball bobbling!

The game itself was a little dreary to be honest, on a warm day, honestly more suited to cricket, neither side created much in the way of clear-cut chances in the first half, and I fell into conversation with a Cambridge City fan standing next to me, both of us sheltering in the shade. Thankfully just on half time we got a goal, the red shirted Huntingdon striker Joe Jordan (no, not him!), poaching at the field end of the ground.

The second half saw the visitors take more of a grip of the game. What was a little puzzling was that they had won the UCL Div One in 11-12, and the programme had noted their squad was pretty much unchanged for this season in the higher division. Then to arrive with only 13 players, for a FACup tie with a bounty of 1,000 pounds to the winner seemed strange. Especially, as typically because of 2 first half injuries, by half time, they had already used all 13. One can understand players at Step7 and below not having the same commitment, but from Step5 and above if I were running a club I’d not expect my players to be on holiday or attending weddings etc .

During the second half a combine harvester was doing its business over the fence at the field end, thrashing away, and as my mind started to wander, suddenly in the 75th minute Irchester were awarded a rather fortuitous penalty for handball which was taken by Callum Ridgway. This was then well saved by the rather tubby, but decent keeper Dave Beeny.  One felt even then perhaps the Romans had played their last card, and so it was as  Huntingdon continued to look the more organised and committed team and it was no surprise they held out for the 1-0 victory, and look forward to a visit from St Ives (Camb), in the next round, will they have more than 13 then?

So, the team of Irchester really did nothing for me, I can see them having a season of struggle in the UCL Prem Division. But I liked the ground, the tea bar was knocking out some lovely cheeseburgers, and everyone seemed very friendly, why not give them a visit?

Oadbyshire roast!

Posted on August 13, 2012 Updated on August 15, 2012

Saturday August 11th, FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round at Wigston Road, kick off 3pm.

Oadby Town 3-1 Anstey Nomads, att 175, admission £5, programme £1, badge £3.

A warm day, with a lovely cooling breeze, the sun in the sky, so what better weather to start on the 2012-13 FA Cup trail.

Whilst 86,000 watched a tussle for Olympic gold at Wembley stadium, I joined a gathering of 175 souls at the pleasent little venue of  ‘Wigston Road ‘  to see the Poachers take on county rivals Anstey Nomads, in the very first round of the 12=13 FA Cup, the extra preliminary round.

Ros had wanted to start ticking the 27 animals of ‘Safari Northampton’ this weekend, so an overnight stay was booked in Long Buckby. Ros settled at Coton Manor Gardens, whilst I took the road directly north to the Leicester city suburb town of Oadby.

When it comes to the FA Cup, I always side with caution, as it always brings fans out of the woodwork, even in the early rounds, so I made sure I was parked up in their car park by 2pm, with programme already purchased.

Oadby is a town within the borough of Oadby and Wigston, in Leicestershire, England. It is to the east of Wigston Magna, and to the southeast of Leicester. Oadby forms part of the Leicester Urban Area, and is situated on the A6 road.
The town is most famous for Leicester Racecourse, situated on the border between Oadby and Leicester, and the University of Leicester Botanic Garden. It is also the home of the Beauchamp College, and halls of residence for the University of Leicester. In January 1817, Oadby was the scene of a mass riot. 400 people were involved and haystacks were set ablaze. The Leicester Cavalry and a regiment of dragoons were called out to quell the riot and three were imprisoned! So clearly a place with some feisty people.

I was surprised to find in the clubhouse, home and away officials, and I believe dignitaries from the local county FA all  being served a full roast, from the small kitchen. A first for me at this level of football! For this season Oadby had been promoted across from the Step7 East Midland Counties League, to the Step 6, United Counties League Division One, so with visitors Anstey Nomads being a EMCL club, I assume the clubs knew each other well.

The game started with anything visitors Anstey looking the liveliest with lanky striker Daz Taylor causing problems for the red and white halved Oadby backline. However within 15/20 mins Oadby started to get on top, and appeared to have fitter and sharper players around the pitch.

On 38 minutes impressive midfielder Shay Adams struck a nice 20 yarder into the bottom corner to put the Oadby Poachers ahead, 1-0 ht. On 57 Jon Stevenson hit a sweet free kick to put Oadby 2-0 up as they started to dominate.

It was a little against the run of play when Anstey pulled one back in the 87th minute through Shane Gibbs, but such was the control from Oadby, they simply went up the other end and hit a third in 90+2 from Michael Reeves, game over, and thoroughly deserved from a team who I think could set the UCL D1 on fire this season. I was really impressed by the enthusiasm of the fans, a small gathering behind the goal chanting ‘Oadbyshire la la la’ , and a few wearing replica shirts.

Clearly there is a lot of pride in Oadby for their local team, which was nice to see, I wish them well, and will keep a close eye on their results this season.