Bitton v Brislington. Tuesday 11th April 2017

Bitton 0 Brislington 4

With spring well and truly sprung, it was nice to arrive for a mid week game with the ground still bathed in sunlight. Tonight we journeyed to the outskirts of Bristol, to the Recreation Ground, home of AFC Bitton who were taking on local rivals Brislington in the Western League. Brislington started the night in mid table comfort whilst the hosts were placed precariously just above the relegation zone.

With my occasional side kick Bryan in tow, we parked up on the main road and walked through Bitton Cricket Club which adjoins the football ground. On paying £6 entry at the turnstile, we entered between changing rooms and the tea hut to our right and a small covered terrace area to our left beyond witch the pitch sloped off down the hill slightly. The rest of the ground was fairly open with the main stand being a nice covered wooden seated affiar straddling the half way line on the opposite side of the pitch alongside the dug outs. It was a beautiful evening and there were plenty of trees adding to the picturesque feel of things, runners and cyclists could also be seen on the raised Bath to Bristol cycle path which passes the ground behind the goal on a disused railway line.

After we'd rescued our friend Ben from outside the turnstile who'd conveniently turned up without any cash, it was time for kick off.

Brislington took an early lead when a ball in from the left was bought down nicely and drilled in from close range. At this point we were up the other end so appols for not being able to name check the scorer! The pitch was a bit bobbly and it took a while for both teams to relax in to the game. The first half was pretty evenly matched and Bitton were unlcuky not to get an equaliser. Their number 11, Paddy Royal looked decent and had a shot saved from a tight angle before he managed to find the back of the net only to be ruled off side. Their number 10, Tooze then hit the post and from the rebound hit another shot just wide with the keeper stranded.

Both teams had some decent players but the man who emerged as the stand out figure in the first half was the ref. He wasn't making particularly outrageous decisions but the running commentary he was giving of the game made him hard to ignore. A stock line was "I'm looking in, I'm looking in" which he barked out in a slightly nasally voice as a corner came in to the box or when two players chased after the same ball. At one point he ticked off a Brislington player for swearing at him but then refused to answer when the player asked him what he was supposed to have said. The Brislington captain, Jason Hughes got involved, a seasoned campaigner who was calling the shots at centre back: "Tell me what he said ref so I can manage it". Un-phased the man in black carried on over seeing proceedings in a calm manner and filling anyone who would listen on what was going on.

Brislington's big number 9, Neikell Plummer, part of the footballing and Goggle box Plummer family, was proving a handful for the Bitton defence but they largely kept him at bay and it remained 1-0 at the break.

Along with much of the crowd we filtered out past the turnstile at half time and in to the club house bar that was shared with the Cricket Ground. In a great example of a community multi functional space, the Bar also apparently doubles up as Bitton Pre School. I often think Football league clubs could learn from further down the pyramid from getting use out of their facilities for the wider community. Perhaps this is the kind of arrangement that inspired Bristol Rovers to try and build a stadium on a University Campus.

The home team, desperate for the points looked to get back in to the game in the second half. For a while looked threatening as they pulled number 11, Royal back in to midfield and looked to him and their play maker, Tooze to make things happen. The wind was well and truly taken out of their sales however when Brislington went 2-0 up. Their captain was marshalling the defence well and their two wingers, number 11 and 7 were causing problems down the flanks. Big Plummer was also coming more in to the game. His strength and ball control were a cut above and in addition, for a bloke who is clearly carrying a pound or two, his pace and ability to keep running all night were as impressive as they were eye-brow raising. The second goal came when he powered his way in to the box before winning a penalty. The guilty defender who felled him was sent off as the last man and Plummer converted the spot kick himself. Soon after he had his second goal of the night when a deflection from his rocket of a free kick left the Bitton keeper no chance.

For the second half a noisy set of Brislington fans had positioned themselves in the main stand and were getting behind their team. Especially their left back who they encouraged to "Bend him up" when the Bitton right back approached. One crunching tackle from their number 3 was met with a delighted "Yes - That's what YOU DO" 

By this time the Bitton players heads had started to understandably drop and Brislington added a fourth after a deft touch from their number 7 guided a long ball from the left in to the net. The ref was continuing to chirp away quite happily and had to get his cards out again when a Bitton player over ran a ball going forward and desperately lunged in to a defender with his feet high. He was sent off but that didn't stop a 20 man skuffle flaring up. Not to be rushed, the ref called his linesman in, eventually calmed things down and then took an age deciding to book a player from each team, entirely at random as far as the two teams were concerned.

The second half seemed to go on for ever. Although it was a 7.30 kick off, play continued well passed 9.30 much to the frustration of the Bitton lads. The ref seemed to be enjoying every moment of his evening and I couldn't help but warm to him. In many ways he was the classic ref: a bit short, bit of a belly, a stickler for the rules and inexplicably enthusiastic. Eventually he blew up and followed the teams in alongside his assistants, who like him had big smiles on their faces as they left the pitch. 

                                      

                                             

Paulton Rovers v Barnstaple Town. Tuesday 21st March, 2017

Paulton 4 Barnstaple 3

We may be well in to March, but at Winterfield Road, home of Paulton Rovers, there were few signs of spring on this wild Tuesday night.

A lunch time pitch inspection had given the game the thumbs up, but as the rain lashed down as we drove south in to Somerset, Bryan and myself feared the worst.

Arriving at the ground just after 7.30, we were relieved to see our pal Ben outside the turnstiles who confirmed the games was on.

With both teams in lower mid table and probably safe from relegation, this had the look of a potential dead rubber and I worried we might witness a bit of a drab affair. As it turned out though, we would be treated to a seven goal thriller played at a high tempo, with plenty of full blooded tackles and a controversial winner to boot.
The game was a couple of minutes old as we came through the turnstiles and face to the face with the pitch. The entrance in to the ground is a lovely one. Having paid your money, you immediately find yourself at the top of a steep terrace in front of a goal. As the front row of the terrace is raised a couple of feet above the pitch, it means you are looking down at the action from a good height. The terrace was a fair size for this level (step 4) and covered with a metal roof painted in the club colour of maroon.

Paulton attack the raised terrace

Just as we entered, the home team had a penalty shout turned down in the goal mouth right in front of us with the ref seemingly of the opinion that there had been a dive in the box.
This was my first visit to watch Paulton Rovers and I was impressed with the set up. To our left as we came in was a big club house complete with two function rooms and a number of pool tables and a full size snooker table. On the same side of the pitch as the club house was two seated stands, one was a lovely looking raised stand, perched on top of some changing rooms. On the opposite side was a long and narrow terrace with brick benches built in to it, with a smart looking metal roof matching the one on the stand behind the goal. The only end to let the ground down a bit was behind the other goal, where there didn't seem to be anything other than a shiny metal fence.

Today's opposition, Barnstaple Town, had made the long trip up from North Devon. Under the management duo of Barry Yeo and Karl Baggaley, they are enjoying the most successful period in their history having enjoyed back to back promotions in the last two seasons, now finding themselves playing at their highest ever level. Paulton meanwhile were playing in the Southern Premier league until recently and reached the first round of the FA Cup in 2009/10. They generally have an impressive predigree for a team from a villiage, which although growing, still has a population of only about 5000.

It was the home team that made the early running, number 7, Sol Wheatley, was proving a threat down the right and managed to charge down the wing a number of times, sending in crosses that either just alluded the man in the box or didn't get the finish they deserved. 

Against the run of play though, Barnstaple scored with a well taken goal from striker, Kyle Paine.
Both teams were definitely up for it with a few tasty tackles flying in and it wasn't long before Paulton drew level from a corner from a header. Shortly after they were 2-1 up after Elliot Gibbons converted a cross.
By this time the rain had started coming down hard again and we sought refuge in the raised seated stand. Not only was the view great from up there, the wind sheilds on the sides and the generous protruding roof provided lots of shelter from the elements and it felt like we were watching the game from a cosy attic.

The rain continued to pour down at the break but lightened just in time for the restart. Almost straight away, Paulton extended their lead when Sol Wheately embarked on a run, starting not far in to the opposition half, he managed to power his way past numerous defenders, shrugging off challenges before he found him self in front of Oliver in the Barnstaple goal and easily able to fire past him.

Right about this time we walked round the pitch and took up a position in the terrace containing the dug outs (always a good place to watch from). Paulton's number one, the experienced Tony Ricketts, seemed pretty calm, though his side were 3-1 up. The Barnstaple bench was much more animated. Barry Yeo remained out of his seat issuing instructions as his team sought to get back in to the game. I was impressed with his approach, he was full of praise for his players and refrained from balling them out when they made a mistake, offering them encouragement and commending their effort instead. To their credit, Barnstaple started to come back in to it and were managing to enjoy more and more possession in the Paulton half.

They made it 3-2 when Ryan Turner headed home after a free kick from the left. Not long after they got a deserved equaliser when striker James Blake converted a cross from open play. From having been 3-1 down, Barnstaple were now looking for a winner and came very close from another free kick which led to Jenkins have his effort come back off a post.

The games most controversial moment came shortly after. Paulton had relieved a bit of pressure and won a free kick not far outside the Barnstaple box. A right foot effort came in on goal and was batted away at the near post by Oliver. From the resultant scramble, a shot came in from a tight angle from Radford which was seemingly cleared off the line. A second or so later however, the ref realised the linesman was signalling that the ball had crossed the line and awarded a goal. The Paulton players, none of whom I noticed celebrate or protest before that point, looked bemused and a bit embarrassed. After a couple of seconds they collectively decided not to look a gift horse in the mouth and ran back in to their own half to leave the Barnstaple players, whose bemusement had fast turned in to rage, confront the ref and linesman.

Yeo and lino in happier times. Before the 'ghost goal'

The goal rocked the away team. As much as Yeo implored them not to let the seeming injustice put them off, they looked less of a threat against a Paulton side reinvigorated by retaking the lead. There was still 20 minutes or so to go and whist Yeo continued to show unconditional positive regard for his players, it's safe to say the lino who gave the goal copped an earful. Unfortunately for him, the touchline he was patrolling was right infront of the dug outs which were themselves very tight to the pitch so he was regularly within spittle distance of the Barnstaple bench. He took the vow of silence approach. Probably the right thing to do. He seemed an old wily thick skinned campaigner but i was left pondering, not for the first time this season, who on earth would be a ref or linesman?

Barnstaple bench and players in shock.

Paulton managed to hold on for the victory, repelling the increasingly direct Barnstaple attacks and managing to get the ball in to the corners and keep it there. On the final whistle it was heartening to see the ref stick up for his mate, the three officials huddled together in the middle of the pitch and the ref politely and repeatedly implored the Barnstaple management to "go away" as they came over to vent their frustration. 

Another very enjoyable game in the Southern League Div One South and West. 

Bristol City v Huddersfield. Friday 17th March 2017

Bristol City 4 Huddersfield Town 0

We're a nosy species generally, us humans. So when my mate Dathan said he was coming to Bristol to watch his beloved Huddersfield Town at Ashton Gate, I jumped at the chance to cross the river and have close look at the neighbours recent home improvements.

Meeting up with fellow Bristolian Paul in city centre, we enjoyed a few beers on King Street before walking south and popping in to the Tobacco Factory for a break from the rain. Home and away fans were mixing happily. A friendly city fan came up to us and offered Dathan, who was wearing his Marcus Stewert era Huddersfield shirt, his hand: "Welcome to the land of 3 points". It seemed most City fans were resigning themselves for another defeat, after a promising start to the season they were now in the relegation zone. Having recently sacked their assistant manager, many felt the crows were circling for current boss, Lee Johnson. With automatic promotion chasing Huddersfield in town, managed by (the other) charismatic cap wearing German, David Wagner, few were expecting a change in fortunes tonight for the home team.

Just outside the ground we stopped off at a Clark's pie van and bought a meat pie each for £1.70. I can confidently say it was the best pie I've had this season. Please, please good people of Clark's, can you get a van on the Gloucester road for alternate Saturdays? 

I was last in the away end at Ashton gate in 2007 for the first leg of the JPT area final against Rovers. In the intervening decade, a lot has changed. After a proposed move to Ashton Vale hit the buffers, City supremo, Steve Lansdown set about transforming the existing stadium in to an arena fit for the Premier league. The centre piece of his plan is the giant two tiered stand that bears his name and opened this season. It holds an impressive 11,000 seats and now dominates the south Bristol sky line.

The Lansdown Stand Opposite the Lansdown stand is the classic looking Dolman stand, built in the 70's it's a smart two tiered stand with plenty of character, afforded a recent face lift it has also been extended to meet the new South stand with the corner filled in. That left the Ateyo stand behind the goal where we were with the large contingent who had come down from West Yorkshire.

Not long after the game started, it stopped again. An innocuous looking collision with a team mate, left Town midfielder Jonathon Hogg on the floor. Worryingly, he wasn't moving much and a 15 minute stoppage followed as he was carefully stretchered off with what turned out to be a fractured neck.

Soon after the restart, Lee Tomlin capitalised on a mix up in the Town back line and raced clear to round the keeper and slot home to give City the lead. 

Huddersfield looked to get back in to it and you could see they were a confident team, not afraid to knock it about patiently at the back starting with the keeper. They had a decent effort from a free kick that went just over the bar, but deep in to injury time the home team scored again through Chelsea loanee Tammy Abraham. David Cotterill played a low ball in from the right, Abraham met it at the near post and gave the keeper no chance, his 22nd goal of the season.

After what had been a long half, it was time for a cup of tea. Arriving at the hatch I smugly noticed that pies were over twice the price inside the ground, the snack bar had the last laugh though as I forked out £7.50 for three teas, "Be careful - the lids don't really fit" said the lady serving as I trudged back in to the stand. 

Not only did our hot beverages have crap lids, I'd wipped the tea bags out far too quick for my Yorkshire friend, "Life's too short for weak tea" he said with plenty of conviction.

Taking stock of my surroundings it was hard not to be impressed by Ashton Gate. It now has the feel of a modern stadium but retains it's history and much of its character. Sitting in the traditional setting amongst tightly packed terraces it feels far more homely than an out of town new build ever could. "Aspirational" was the verdict on the giant Lansdown stand. The upper tier was completely empty except for a media contingent huddled up at the front. With a big catchment area, If City do make the promised land of the Premier league, I'm sure it will be close to full every week. 

As the second half progressed it was evident the home team and fans were very nervy about holding on to their lead with plenty of time wasting going on. Huddersfield continued to dominate possession but it was clear it was not going to be their night when City centre back, Aden Flint, scored with a lovely back heel flick to make it 3-0 with ten minutes to go. A few minutes later, it was 4-0 as David Cotterill converted a penalty. City have lost a lot of games from winning positions this season and even in the 90th minute when 4-0 up they were engaging in the type of time wasting you usually only see when a team are holding on to a 1-0. There was to be no comeback however and both sets of fans were left surprised and scratching their heads at the final whistle. It was nice to see the Huddersfield players come over and exchange applause with the away end. After all, this was a blip in what's been an incredible season that could still end in automatic promotion.

Due to family commitments I was unable to join Paul and Dathan at the Mem the next day, when they ticked off both of Bristol's two league grounds in less than 24 hours.

Melksham v Bristol Manor Farm. Monday, March 6th, 2017

 Melksham Town 2 Bristol Manor Farm 1

Monday Night Football: Gary Neville, Sky Sports and the big MNF motif spring to mind. It's rare for teams further down the non league pyramid to play on a Monday. I wasn't complaining though as this gave me a chance to visit a new ground and also check in with Bristol Manor Farm, who I last saw in pre season. New was definitely the right word with Melksham having only moved in to their shiny Oakfield home this January.

Having won the Western League in 2015, Melksham were hoping that their new ground would just about be ready as they moved up in to the Southern league. Disaster struck however when delays with the sign off meant they had to remain in their old ground for a further season. Anticipating the move, upkeep had fallen by the way side and they were denied the promotion.

There are often delays with new stadiums being ready in time; money dries up, building firms go bust, dispute with architects arise etc. The reason for the hold up with the Oakfield was a little more unusual; ecological surveyors discovered a colony of rare great crested newts living at the ground. This resulted in the delicious headline in the The Non League Paper: "Stadium problem is newts to Melksham Town". It also meant more than a year was lost as the newts were safely transferred to a suitably comfortable home elsewhere.

With my car in the garage for repairs, I took the train, alighting at Melksham station and setting off on foot towards the ground. The walk took me past a big tyre factory, down the high street and then through suburbia before arriving at the entrance of the drive way of the ground. The fact that there is no welcoming signage at the turn off from the road hints at it's newness. The driveway was long and it seemed ages before I eventually arrived in the car park. I'd lugged my heavy camera all the way and was rightly disappointed at my self when I realised I'd left the memory card at home again and was stuck with the phone camera. 

The Oakfield set up is vast. As well as the main football pitch, there are a number of training pitches on the complex. In addition, directly alongside the first team pitch is a new rugby pitch the other side of the main stand which is home to Melksham RFC.

The main stand consists of steep rows of covered seating leading up to the bar with the changing rooms below. The bar area is ample, stacked with plenty of flat screen T.V's, it also has a fully glass front so you can watch the game unimpeded in warmth and comfort. Brand new, and fitted with strip lighting and not much in the way of soft furnishings; it did feel a bit more like an airport departure lounge  rather than a football clubhouse, the views though were fantastic. The highlight of The Oakfield for me was the roof terrace, accessed via a side door from the bar, it offers a happy medium to the person who likes the idea of having the bar at arms length whilst enjoying a nice elevated view of the pitch, without double glazing muffling out the thrills and spills of the action below.

To the side of the seated area and the bar above, the main stand building continues with a windowless wall facing the pitch. I'd met my mate Jamie, a Melksham local at the ground, he told me that behind this wall is the rugby changing rooms and that their bit of the club house faces on to their pitch. An interesting design, and a good way of sharing facilities without the pitch taking a pounding from the two sports. I'd seen the result of an over used football / rugby pitch at Newport a few weeks ago and it wasn't pretty. 

The main stand aside, the rest of the ground was very open, boundaried off from the rest of the sprawling site with a neat 6 foot wooden fence. Opposite was a small covered stand with 3 or 4 rows of seats. There is plenty of room should the club wish to expand.

It had the feel of a very family friendly club and it was good to see lots of children and youngsters in attendance. During the game plenty of kids were enjoying an impromptu game themselves, using the back of the rugby changing rooms as a goal.

As well as marvelling at Melksham's impressive new home, I had come to watch a football match. Lee Lashenko's high flying league leaders - Bristol Manor Farm were in town. Melksham went in to the game in fourth position and looking to make amends for their defeat at the hands of Manor Farm in January in the FA Vase.

Watching the teams emerge from the roof terrace

The teams looked pretty evenly matched, Manor Farm's hit man Dean Stamp was ready to swing his deadly left foot when ever half a chance presented it self, but by and large the home team were able to keep him quiet in the early exchanges.

Melksham took the lead half way through the first period, a long free kick was played in to the box, partially cleared to the edge of the area where number 7, Dan Demkiv, hit a first time low drive in to the bottom corner.

489 people were in attendance tonight, a very impressive figure for a 9th tier (Step 5) game. It seems the new ground has really caught the imagination of the local community and I'm sure the club are planning to harness and maintain this level of interest and support. Manor Farms "Farmy Army" had also turned out in decent numbers and gave a good account of themselves on the terraces.

Melksham doubled their lead on 60 minutes, it was that man Demkiv again, I later learned that his brother, Callum, was also playing tonight and it was he who played a lovely weighted ball for Dan to run on to and tuck over the out rushing keeper.

Manor Farm's attempt to get back in to the game was not helped when they were reduced to ten men with 20 or so minutes to go. Despite the numerical disadvantage they continued to create chances and the Melksham keeper, Rob Brown, made a series of fine saves to keep them at bay. Eventually he was beaten in injury time when Stamp bundled home after a scramble in the box after Brown had parried away another shot. Melksham held on for the last couple of minutes, 2-1 at full time.

A very enjoyable game between two teams who look to be going places. Manor Farm will surely get promoted this year and Melksham will feel that if they can't win the league this year, this was a good marker to put down to show their intentions and ambitions for next year as they bed in to their new home.

Proceedings were bought to a close with a moment of class at the final whistle. Melksham keeper Rob Brown, turned and shook hands with a noisy half dozen members of the Farmy Army who had spent the second half a couple of yards behind him. They had spent the last 45 minutes loudly willing him to be beaten but had obviously managed to give vociferous support for their team, without crossing the line in to mindless abuse of the opposition A lovely touch and a credit to the fans and Mr Brown himself.

On the train home I saw on twitter that none other than the king of ground hopping - Tony Incenzo had been at the game! Sadly I'd not spotted him amongst the bumper crowd. Next time Tony.