Tow Law Town 1-1 Ryton and Crawcrook Albion, Saturday 4th April 2026

Tow Law 1-1 Ryton and Crawcrook Albion, Northern League Division 2, Ironworks Road, att. 509

It is the 3rd and last game of Easter Saturday’s Northern League groundhop, and surely the one they’ve all been waiting for: Tow Law. Ironworks Road is one of the glorious Northern League grounds, worthy of a trip anytime. That it will be blowing a gale and be into minus degrees once wind chill is taken into account, is all part of the appeal. Besides, how many other grounds afford a view of the Pennines like this one? However, I’m worried. With Tow Law near the bottom of the Northern League second division, they’re at risk of relinquishing their membership. COME ON YOU LAWYERS!

The ground is spick and span, as ever. The Main Stand, a modern cantilever on the halfway line, is immaculately painted, with ‘LAWYERS’ in giant alternate black lettering on white and vice versa lettering at the front, while ‘TOW LAW TOWN FC’ is proudly emblazoned on the back wall. There is nary a spare seat too, as fans huddle out of the way of the wind. Did I mention it was windy?

I’ve paid my entrance and elect to stand on the terrace opposite the main stand. With the terrific slope, you’re looking down on the main stand, while admiring the Pennines behind it. And with the terrace at above 6 foot of banking, it’s a great view of the action. I maybe last 15 minutes. It is perishingly cold and I figure, what with a 6:30KO, it’s going to get colder still once the last of the sun’s rays disappears. I head to the stand to my right.

At this end, there is flat standing but, crucially, a roof the width of the pitch. Or, more precisely, three roofs, as due to the sloping pitch, a new one has to be built every 20 yards or so. At one side, there is even a couple of steps of terracing and perhaps a couple of dozen seats. No-one sits down.

Despite the conditions, Tow Law manage a goal, Joe Bates lashing in, just in front of us. I’m amazed anyone has managed a goal today, but 4 minutes later, Ryton equalise. It’s at the far end, but speaking to a neutral later (my old History teacher), the scorer was at least 6 yards offside. The out of position linesman chose not to heed the calls.

And that was it for the goals. I edged back around the pitch as half-time loomed, with the intention of warming myself in the social club. Fat chance. Far too small to even get in, though I had an interesting chat with some bloke. ‘Are you one of them groundhoppers?’ he asked, rather forcefully. ‘Errr….I guess so.’ ‘How does it work?’ He just wanted to know the ins and outs. Him and his wife quite fancy going on the groundhoppers’ bus some time. (It only turns out she’s Tow Law’s secretary.)

Second half, I walked round to the far side and stood near the Main Stand. The netting to prevent the ball clearing the ground actually whistled in the wind, as I chatted rubbish to said former teacher, and he told me which of my former guides had now bitten the dust. R.I.P. (the ones I liked).

There were no more goals. It wasn’t the day for it. But Mr Sixsmith did say he expected Tow Law to remain in the Northern League, as 1 or 2 others were winding up at the end of the season (Sunderland West End, for one). Good news. Sort of.

The Damage:
£7 ent
£2 prog
£6 sausage and bacon bap
= £15