***having probs uploading photos
‘Do you make a carafe snake?’
It’s amazing what can happen when Luca Connell isn’t anchoring our midfield (‘anchoring’ as in ‘holding it back’? Making sure it goes nowhere?). 2 wins in 2 games, 6 goals scored. Numerous attacks. Camped in their half. Yeah, yeah, there’s a limited statistical spread to come to conclusions, but why spoil my fun? Satdy was tip-top. We bossed it from start to finish. Orient were reliant on the odd counter attack and giving the ball to Corey O’Keeffe (more later).
New signing O’Riordan (from Blackburn) slotted in nicely at centre half beside Gale but left me wondering whyever Blackpool would sign Josh Earl. Doesn’t their scouting system extend to East Lancashire? This bloke looks great. (Early days, etc). So Kay’s position this week was left back, with Noslin on the opposite flank. Otherwise, same as it’s been, which can only help understanding.
Early entertainment came from the ref, who thought Gale was injured so waved on the physio despite Gale telling him he didn’t need him. So the ref made Gale go off for a minute, as per these new rules. That is INSANE. Why can’t the ref just change his mind? If he gives a penalty, then realises he was wrong, he can reverse his decision. This makes no sense to me. ‘Yer clueless ref’ I shout…’already’ adds A. Reed, perhaps thinking I hadn’t finished my sentence.
Still, those there may forget that the Orient fans had already given him a round of ‘you’re not fit to referee’ and while his decisions continued to be...errr...inconsistent, he did manage to give us a penalty…before a blatant elbow to the head of one of our ethnically diverse players (I forget which) didn’t even bring a free kick. (I guess if he gave the free kick, he’d have to send their bloke off). All in all, standard 3rd division refereeing.
Still, we escaped an early scare, as Ravenhill gave the ball straight to them, 30 yards out, and he DIDN’T just lob it back over the keeper’s head. Within minutes we are ahead, as Kay plays a sublime ball down the left* for Cleary to run onto before crossing low for Kirk to slide into an empty net. Honestly, even Kirk looked like a footballer today, putting in a shift, scoring, and challenging for every ball. Doesn’t make my top 3 though. And we really should have nailed Orient to the cross that half. I don’t know how many times Cleary had the chance to destroy their right back, but he has to know when to part with the ball and when to shoot.
*after taking their player on. Lose it and they’re 2 on 1. Welcome to Stendelball! High risk football bringing high rewards...or losses.
Half-time, and Stendel sends on Richards for Alker. Now, Richards didn’t impress on debut (Wigan?) but between him and Noslin, they make mincemeat of the Orient left. When was the last time you saw one of our players kick a ball past an opponent and then go round him the other way? Well, you’d still be waiting, cos Richards has his ankle clipped as he does this. Penalty. (I’ve since watched it a dozen times and I couldn’t tell you if the contact is actually inside the box, but the player certainly lands in it.) McGeehan sends the keeper the wrong way in convincing fashion. This is more like it!
0-2 is still not a fair reflection, however, but the Super Reds aren’t finished yet. Richards and Nozzer (is Nozzer’s favourite player Tyrese ‘Nozzer’ Noslin, I wonder?) combine again and the ball drops loose to Cleary, who takes a touch and rockets it in from just inside the box. This is more like it, part II. The obligatory fire drill starts in the home end and we’re left to play the last 15 at a canter.
Farrell and O’Keeffe come on for Kirk and Cleary. I kid you not, I was thinking earlier, the only chance Orient have is if we send Shepherd on (which would have been difficult, as he wasn’t even on the bench) but surely the next best is Corey O’Keeffe. What did I say the other nite? ‘He could be an asset as long as he has no defensive responsibility.’ He isn’t and did, a header towards Ravenhill latched upon by their centre forward to bury. Momentum switched in the snap of fingers. (And I don’t know why I’m coming to the defence of a defender who can’t defend, but maybe this goal doesn’t happen if Ravenhill isn’t so far back. But I’m not paid to defend, O’Keeffe is.) A clean sheet ruined. (Like at Rovrum last season when we sent Shepherd on to concede a penalty.)
Onwards and upwards!
*** Noslin. Excellent again. Looks a threat, but also passes a ball to his teammates.
** Richards. BFC need to be proscribed as a terrorist organisation the way this bloke came on and frightened them to death. Set up 2 goals, and a great partnership with Nozzer.
* O’Riordan. Commanding. How have Blackburn let him go?
Londontykes’ MOTM: 1. Noslin 2. Cleary 3. O’Riordan
Despatches:
In a change to previous visits, it was the turn of the post-match to go wrong. It was bad enough that we were making our way to a back street boozer near neither Leyton nor Kings X (Reedy and I getting a train back)…but then a jumper on the line near Leyton downs the tube. Central Line out, that was 25 mins walk (and the rest) to Stratford, before 5 minutes’ walk from Liverpool Street becomes 15. I calculate we spent longer walking to our pint (singular) than the time we spent drinking said pint.
Pre-match was spent under the arches at Leyton Midland Station at Gravity Well. I’m sold on this place. Excellent range of beers and I can get away with drinking strong ale in two-thirds measures. My kind of drinking.
It was also great to see Waddinho come in from the cold (East Anglia, somewhere). We complimented each other on the nice food we’ve both obviously eaten since we last saw each other. It was nice to meet junior too…so junior he’s just completed his GCSEs!
The players? They were excellent, though looking thru the list, I can’t remember Alkerpops making a contribution. Perhaps that’s why he was hauled at HT? And Bland played well, though his highlight was running 20 yards to join in a row. It’s not a game of football if he doesn’t get booked. It’s in his contract. And in one game, we’ve jumped from 21st to 9th. By my reckoning, we’ll be top of the table in a fortnight. Nice also to hear the latest chance, summat about Stendel taking us up ‘again’. It’s the ‘again’ I like. (Brought to youse from the same yoof who brought us Hourihane taking us to the promised land, but still.)
Oh, and while not strictly matchday, I’ll share this from the previous day down in Camberwell, Sarf Landan. Starving, and craving a bacon sandwich, I walked into a café on the way to my house. The Gods were truly looking down on me. There, before my very eyes, was a beautiful tray of bacon, sizzling away, ready to put between two slices of Mother’s Pride. ‘Can I have a bacon sandwich, please?’ ‘No. I know it says we’re a café outside, but this is actually a New York-style deli.’ Eh? So I look at the board, 7 items I don’t even know what they are…’what’s the….?’ ‘Oh, we’re not serving yet, but you’ll be able to see what we’ve got when I put the menus out.’ I stagger out in shellshock. Thank goodness The Pelican (a student gaff over the road from my old house) could manage to do me a salmon and cream cheese bagel without the cream cheese! What is happening in this world!? If I was a hospitality business, I’d be trying to attract customers, not dissuading them from ever going to my business again.
Drink du jour: The Casimir Effect NEIPA at Gravity Well.
Away: 636 (8,642).
The Damage:
£30 ent
£60.10 train
= £90.10
Sunday, 30 August 2026
Wednesday, 26 August 2026
BFC 3-2 Crewe Alexandra, Tuesday 25th August 2026
*** probs uploading photos
‘Are we playing 2 at the back tonight?’
I’ve got to admit, I really enjoyed that game last nite. Reward for turning out for an early round league cup tie that invariably ends with us losing to some lower league outfit while playing our Under 21s. Indeed, we still played our under 21s, but these days it’s our 1st team. The latter stages were a real treat as Stendel threw on player after player I’ve never heard of. (Luckily, I had Under 21 season ticket holder P. Norris to guide me.)
The other thing that struck me was how fluid our formation was. And by ‘fluid’ I mean ‘I haven’t a clue what it was at any given moment.’ Certainly it was a back 2, with whoever was meant to be playing either fullback about 20 yards ahead of Gale and Kay (the latter having been switched from fullback). And as players buzzed hither and thither (inc wingers switching wings, Kirk dropping deep into his own half from centre forward) it was a whirlwind. But the second half especially, we dominated possession and players found each other despite/because of the movement. I am loathe to get excited, but this level of understanding amongst the players bodes well.
There was also no Luca Connell, so that was a bonus. Come to think, I can’t remember any random chips over the defence to their keeper. Maybe this passing and moving thing will catch on? Some bloke called O’Keeffe was recalled, and he was everywhere, keeping moves going with quick passes, while constantly demanding the ball. A real leader’s performance amongst a bunch of kids, I thought. And he scored. I know, I can’t believe it either.
Still, it could have been so, so, different. It was fine, us going forward, looking all fancy, but let’s be blunt. When we attacked it was 7 v 7, but every time we gave the ball away, they were 2 v 2. Worse, they went ahead when Kay stepped forward to shoot, the ball ricocheted to them and with one pass they were 2 on ONE. The pass was easy, as was the finish. Not long after, they were 2 on 1 again, but the ref pulled Bland up for a foul (booked, as per). This ref will never get his promotion at this rate, but thanks anyway.
Then, just as I speculate that if we don’t score tonite, that’s 3 goalless games in 4, against sub-standard opposition...we score 2 in 2 minutes. Crewe turn providers, a careless pass intercepted by Cleary, who takes it past his man with his first touch, before burying it across the keeper. Maybe we WILL get that 3 million after all? Then O’Keeffe plays Kelly in with a beautiful reverse pass and his subsequent low cross falls to Noslin to sidefoot home. It’s easy this football malarkey.
There is still time for Kirk not to win a penalty (he was clipped when about to score*) before O’Keeffe makes it 3 goals in 9 minutes. We’d not scored 3 goals in our previous 3 games. The ball is half-cleared to Corey just inside the corner of the box and he controls it and sends it into the far top corner. Where’s he been hiding all this time? Hoddle-esque (and I don’t mean the God bothering bit). Wonderful finish and (I’ve read) his 1st ever goal for us. This bloke could actually be an asset, as long as we don’t give him any defensive responsibility.
*I know, I know. He’ll never score a goal as long as I’ve got a hole in my bottom, as they say. But even HE would’ve scored this one, 8 yards out, keeper rooted.
Second half was a procession. Crewe hardly saw the ball, as wave after wave of attacks led to us breaking the ‘modern English domestic record for a single club in the Opta era’ over our number of corners (20) while we also had 30 shots (for an xG of less than 2, cheers Farnham!) What does this say? Well, our corners from the left were taken short and usually ended with Cleary having to beat his man to get the cross in that we could’ve had from the off, while those from the right were floated in right-footed to be headed away. The shots? As soon as we got 25 yards from their goal, we had a punt. So, we’ve no faith in winning a header off a corner, and we’ve little faith in working an opportunity in the final third? Or were players seeing glory as we were 3-1 up and cruising?
Of course, this was where Stendel started chucking on subs. Taylor (the Aussie) on for Alker and Noah Town on for Kirk (67). Then on 80, Saunders (who?) on for O’Keeffe and Farrell on for McGeehan. What does that make our average age now? 14? Don’t worry tho, there’s still time for Noslin to be replaced by Dunne (who I’m told is son of Dunne. Richard Dunne.) That last 5 minutes, we are hanging on for dear life. We’d already been warned, Ravenhill making an excellent stop on the front post, and a close-range shot hitting the bar, but the damn bursts as a cross is headed home inbetween Gale and Kay, who both look at each other like it’s the other one’s fault. It probably is. (Funnily enough, we looked worse at fullback once we actually had 2 fullbacks, tho Nozzer reckons they were 17, so I shouldn’t be too harsh.) Then, in injury time, Ravenhill pulls off a worldy to prevent it going to pens, and Crewe blast a free kick into the stand with full-time looming. I am struck by the thought that it is August and I may already have seen our best match of the season.
Onwards and upwards!
*** O’Keeffe. I thought he was great, floating around, instigating moves, never losing it, demanding a pass. Looked like the experienced leader he should be, rather than the hapless defender he’s been. Great goal btw.
** Cleary. Scored and a constant pest. Hung back to wave us all farewell at the end. Or do we get one more game out of him?
* Kay. I already love this guy. Him and Ravenhill. Pacey, and reads the game, so even when Gale’s out of position he covers. And not afraid to bring the ball out and have a shot. (Word to the wise: someone – Bland? – needs to cover him when he goes forward.)
Official MOTM: Cleary
Londontykes’ MOTM: 1. Cleary 2. Kay 3. O’Keeffe
Despatches:
As ever, Nice Guy Chris got the half-time draw tickets in. The low crowd apparently increased his chances of winning. (Did you, Chris?) I also had my first chance at using the new, improved, box office. And by ‘improved’, I meant I got to stand outside in a queue instead of indoors. This’ll be grand when Oakwell’s blowing a gale come November. Still, people say I’m a miserable pessimist, but here I am, talking like there’s going to be the chance of a queue for tickets at Oakwell by November! Stick that up your…wherever Keane said McCarthy should stick his. I’m not impressed. Standard. Anyway, me and Nozzer sat where we liked, which meant the padded seats of the exec section of the East upper. Lovely.
The players? Every one of our starters had a good game. Ravenhill made a couple of super saves, and came out and caught, relieving pressure. (Nozzer says he was on loan to Macclesfield last season; I missed that. But I hope he continues the form he’s in.) Gale looks a great signing, and with Earl gone (apologies if youse missed that, he’s gone to Blackpool to no great disappointment) I think the Kay/Gale partnership has legs. We’ll see. Kelly looked back to his best, making the sort of runs we expect. Rumour has it he’ll be running all the way to Leicester, to rejoin assistant manager Hourihane, but I hope he’s better than to be joining a basket-case. Captain McGeehan and Bland held fort well, and both helped themselves to efforts at goal. Noslin was a threat, and scored, while Alker shows good touch and movement. Did I say everyone played well? Kirk continues to worry everyone who sees him. One Londontyke who shall remain nameless (Hi Jonesy!) even compared him unfavourably to Watters. (Shudders.) Of the subs, special mention for Taylor, who showed a sublime touch in turning a defender, while later breaking free to force the keeper into a save. I’ve got high hopes.
And as I wrote this, the 3rd round draw has been made. Our Road To Wembley is going via Peterborough. Oh well. Winnable.
Drink du jour: Leffe in Bramahs.
Away: 366 (3,002). A good turn out from The Alex, who, of course, outsung us.
The Damage:
£8 petrol
£17* ent
= £25
*2 quid more on matchday, which I didn’t know. But at least I’m now the proud owner of one of them ‘souvenir match tickets’.
‘Are we playing 2 at the back tonight?’
I’ve got to admit, I really enjoyed that game last nite. Reward for turning out for an early round league cup tie that invariably ends with us losing to some lower league outfit while playing our Under 21s. Indeed, we still played our under 21s, but these days it’s our 1st team. The latter stages were a real treat as Stendel threw on player after player I’ve never heard of. (Luckily, I had Under 21 season ticket holder P. Norris to guide me.)
The other thing that struck me was how fluid our formation was. And by ‘fluid’ I mean ‘I haven’t a clue what it was at any given moment.’ Certainly it was a back 2, with whoever was meant to be playing either fullback about 20 yards ahead of Gale and Kay (the latter having been switched from fullback). And as players buzzed hither and thither (inc wingers switching wings, Kirk dropping deep into his own half from centre forward) it was a whirlwind. But the second half especially, we dominated possession and players found each other despite/because of the movement. I am loathe to get excited, but this level of understanding amongst the players bodes well.
There was also no Luca Connell, so that was a bonus. Come to think, I can’t remember any random chips over the defence to their keeper. Maybe this passing and moving thing will catch on? Some bloke called O’Keeffe was recalled, and he was everywhere, keeping moves going with quick passes, while constantly demanding the ball. A real leader’s performance amongst a bunch of kids, I thought. And he scored. I know, I can’t believe it either.
Still, it could have been so, so, different. It was fine, us going forward, looking all fancy, but let’s be blunt. When we attacked it was 7 v 7, but every time we gave the ball away, they were 2 v 2. Worse, they went ahead when Kay stepped forward to shoot, the ball ricocheted to them and with one pass they were 2 on ONE. The pass was easy, as was the finish. Not long after, they were 2 on 1 again, but the ref pulled Bland up for a foul (booked, as per). This ref will never get his promotion at this rate, but thanks anyway.
Then, just as I speculate that if we don’t score tonite, that’s 3 goalless games in 4, against sub-standard opposition...we score 2 in 2 minutes. Crewe turn providers, a careless pass intercepted by Cleary, who takes it past his man with his first touch, before burying it across the keeper. Maybe we WILL get that 3 million after all? Then O’Keeffe plays Kelly in with a beautiful reverse pass and his subsequent low cross falls to Noslin to sidefoot home. It’s easy this football malarkey.
There is still time for Kirk not to win a penalty (he was clipped when about to score*) before O’Keeffe makes it 3 goals in 9 minutes. We’d not scored 3 goals in our previous 3 games. The ball is half-cleared to Corey just inside the corner of the box and he controls it and sends it into the far top corner. Where’s he been hiding all this time? Hoddle-esque (and I don’t mean the God bothering bit). Wonderful finish and (I’ve read) his 1st ever goal for us. This bloke could actually be an asset, as long as we don’t give him any defensive responsibility.
*I know, I know. He’ll never score a goal as long as I’ve got a hole in my bottom, as they say. But even HE would’ve scored this one, 8 yards out, keeper rooted.
Second half was a procession. Crewe hardly saw the ball, as wave after wave of attacks led to us breaking the ‘modern English domestic record for a single club in the Opta era’ over our number of corners (20) while we also had 30 shots (for an xG of less than 2, cheers Farnham!) What does this say? Well, our corners from the left were taken short and usually ended with Cleary having to beat his man to get the cross in that we could’ve had from the off, while those from the right were floated in right-footed to be headed away. The shots? As soon as we got 25 yards from their goal, we had a punt. So, we’ve no faith in winning a header off a corner, and we’ve little faith in working an opportunity in the final third? Or were players seeing glory as we were 3-1 up and cruising?
Of course, this was where Stendel started chucking on subs. Taylor (the Aussie) on for Alker and Noah Town on for Kirk (67). Then on 80, Saunders (who?) on for O’Keeffe and Farrell on for McGeehan. What does that make our average age now? 14? Don’t worry tho, there’s still time for Noslin to be replaced by Dunne (who I’m told is son of Dunne. Richard Dunne.) That last 5 minutes, we are hanging on for dear life. We’d already been warned, Ravenhill making an excellent stop on the front post, and a close-range shot hitting the bar, but the damn bursts as a cross is headed home inbetween Gale and Kay, who both look at each other like it’s the other one’s fault. It probably is. (Funnily enough, we looked worse at fullback once we actually had 2 fullbacks, tho Nozzer reckons they were 17, so I shouldn’t be too harsh.) Then, in injury time, Ravenhill pulls off a worldy to prevent it going to pens, and Crewe blast a free kick into the stand with full-time looming. I am struck by the thought that it is August and I may already have seen our best match of the season.
Onwards and upwards!
*** O’Keeffe. I thought he was great, floating around, instigating moves, never losing it, demanding a pass. Looked like the experienced leader he should be, rather than the hapless defender he’s been. Great goal btw.
** Cleary. Scored and a constant pest. Hung back to wave us all farewell at the end. Or do we get one more game out of him?
* Kay. I already love this guy. Him and Ravenhill. Pacey, and reads the game, so even when Gale’s out of position he covers. And not afraid to bring the ball out and have a shot. (Word to the wise: someone – Bland? – needs to cover him when he goes forward.)
Official MOTM: Cleary
Londontykes’ MOTM: 1. Cleary 2. Kay 3. O’Keeffe
Despatches:
As ever, Nice Guy Chris got the half-time draw tickets in. The low crowd apparently increased his chances of winning. (Did you, Chris?) I also had my first chance at using the new, improved, box office. And by ‘improved’, I meant I got to stand outside in a queue instead of indoors. This’ll be grand when Oakwell’s blowing a gale come November. Still, people say I’m a miserable pessimist, but here I am, talking like there’s going to be the chance of a queue for tickets at Oakwell by November! Stick that up your…wherever Keane said McCarthy should stick his. I’m not impressed. Standard. Anyway, me and Nozzer sat where we liked, which meant the padded seats of the exec section of the East upper. Lovely.
The players? Every one of our starters had a good game. Ravenhill made a couple of super saves, and came out and caught, relieving pressure. (Nozzer says he was on loan to Macclesfield last season; I missed that. But I hope he continues the form he’s in.) Gale looks a great signing, and with Earl gone (apologies if youse missed that, he’s gone to Blackpool to no great disappointment) I think the Kay/Gale partnership has legs. We’ll see. Kelly looked back to his best, making the sort of runs we expect. Rumour has it he’ll be running all the way to Leicester, to rejoin assistant manager Hourihane, but I hope he’s better than to be joining a basket-case. Captain McGeehan and Bland held fort well, and both helped themselves to efforts at goal. Noslin was a threat, and scored, while Alker shows good touch and movement. Did I say everyone played well? Kirk continues to worry everyone who sees him. One Londontyke who shall remain nameless (Hi Jonesy!) even compared him unfavourably to Watters. (Shudders.) Of the subs, special mention for Taylor, who showed a sublime touch in turning a defender, while later breaking free to force the keeper into a save. I’ve got high hopes.
And as I wrote this, the 3rd round draw has been made. Our Road To Wembley is going via Peterborough. Oh well. Winnable.
Drink du jour: Leffe in Bramahs.
Away: 366 (3,002). A good turn out from The Alex, who, of course, outsung us.
The Damage:
£8 petrol
£17* ent
= £25
*2 quid more on matchday, which I didn’t know. But at least I’m now the proud owner of one of them ‘souvenir match tickets’.
Monday, 24 August 2026
Manchester City 2-1 AFC Bournemouth, Sunday 23rd August 2026
***having probs uploading pics
Manchester City 2-1 AFC Bournemouth, Premiership, Etihad Stadium, att. 60,645
While the cat’s away, the mouse can do whatever the hell he likes. And so it is, with my partner away on business (Brussels, since you wonder), I am free to fill my entire weekend up with football. And from the depths of Market Harborough yesterday, I am at the heights of the Premiership today, Man City to be precise. A pity my partner is away, actually, as she’d have definitely fancied this. (She doesn’t do non-league; or, indeed, any division below Norwich City.)
It’s the opening season of the Premiership/Premier League (I can’t be bothered to tell the difference) and I’m lucky in that a Bournemouth away game is the one Premiership ticket I can get hold of. Credit to them for letting me and others register for tickets. My account tells me I now have 2 points, including Everton away last season. The way I see it, it’s a two-way relationship; groundhoppers and other football fans get to see a top division game, while Bournemouth get to fill out their away end. (I was in the top tier and it wasn’t full, but the lower two tiers were.) Plus, as an away fan, tickets are capped at 30 quid. Bargain! (Ish.)
I arrive early in Manchester. My plan was to have a snout around the record shops 1st, but I’ve arrived still in a foul mood from nearly missing the train due to my coffee taking too long to make. Yeah, yeah, 1st world problems. So anyway, I’m not in the mood and after browsing the shelves of Piccadilly Records with no great enthusiasm, I head back to the Piccadilly Tap to have a wheat beer, the name of which escapes me, before my walk to the Etihad. And one great thing about the Etihad is that the walk is glorious, provided you go via the Ashton Canal. That’s easily 90% of the journey right there.
I’ve been before, but I’m not so familiar with where the away end is. Some signs would be nice, especially as loads of us cross the bridge from the direction of the canal. Turns out I go the wrong way to begin with, before asking a steward. Then I have to fight through dense crowds around ¾ of the stadium. Why’s it not quicker/allowed to go the shorter route?
I’ve been a bit paranoid whether they’ll let me in with a tote bag larger than the approved A4 size, so I carry my newspaper in my hand while putting said tote in my back pocket. You can never be too careful with these larger stadia, and Manchester in particular is more ‘careful’ than most after the Manchester Arena bombing in 2017.
Then it’s up the stairs to the 3rd (top) tier. I am pleased to find my seat is relatively low down in this stand, though the back half is empty anyway. Half an hour to kick-off is unheard of for me, so I’m pleased I have something to read. Mind, my ticket advises getting here ‘not less than an hour before kick-off.’ Eh!? Get there early and you can also treat yourselves to mindless interviews with assorted City alumni via their in-house comms team. Can’t they just play music? (Actually, when they do, it’s great, including Mancunian staples like 808 State and New Order.)
Something else I’m not used to, supporting a 3rd division side and also seeing lots of non-league…fireworks greeting the teams upon entrance. Is this EVERY Man City game? Every Premiership game? I don’t know. But me and the other children enjoyed it. The wait is over and I can finally see a game of football.
And, actually, it’s a very good game. City dominate possession, but it doesn’t quite run for them in front of goal and the Cherries score a fine breakaway goal on 26 minutes through Tavernier. And then that’s it for nearly an hour of play. The home side huff and puff but look like getting nowhere till Cherki (and Grealish) come on as subs. The former is instrumental in taking the game to Bournemouth but the equaliser comes via a deadball, Guehi heading in a corner after earlier heading wide when presented with an open goal. There’s still 6 minutes to go (plus injury time) and it’s now all City.
Inevitably, the winner comes. 90+1 and Cherki threads a cheeky ball through to Gvardiol (what’s HE doing in the box?) and he rolls it into the bottom corner. The City fans go wild and as I’m about half a dozen seats from them, I’m hoping they don’t start baiting ME. But what’s this? Offside! It is the Cherries’ fans turn to dish it out to the adjacent home fans. And then I get to enjoy the full Premiership experience as we wait for the Video Assistant Referee. How long did it take? 5 minutes? The result is in. City fans start celebrating before it’s even announced on the scoreboard. Maybe they know to look at the referee? Anyway, all that baiting comes back again. I stand my ground, impassive.
And that’s it. Bournemouth, having led for two-thirds of the game, are beaten. There is stunned silence in the away end, and as we join the City throng on the mass march down the road to Piccadilly, you can spot the Cherries, staggering along like zombies while various City fans apologise for their luck. On such games are champions made.
The Damage:
£30 ent
£3 admin
£14.40 train
= £47.40
Manchester City 2-1 AFC Bournemouth, Premiership, Etihad Stadium, att. 60,645
While the cat’s away, the mouse can do whatever the hell he likes. And so it is, with my partner away on business (Brussels, since you wonder), I am free to fill my entire weekend up with football. And from the depths of Market Harborough yesterday, I am at the heights of the Premiership today, Man City to be precise. A pity my partner is away, actually, as she’d have definitely fancied this. (She doesn’t do non-league; or, indeed, any division below Norwich City.)
It’s the opening season of the Premiership/Premier League (I can’t be bothered to tell the difference) and I’m lucky in that a Bournemouth away game is the one Premiership ticket I can get hold of. Credit to them for letting me and others register for tickets. My account tells me I now have 2 points, including Everton away last season. The way I see it, it’s a two-way relationship; groundhoppers and other football fans get to see a top division game, while Bournemouth get to fill out their away end. (I was in the top tier and it wasn’t full, but the lower two tiers were.) Plus, as an away fan, tickets are capped at 30 quid. Bargain! (Ish.)
I arrive early in Manchester. My plan was to have a snout around the record shops 1st, but I’ve arrived still in a foul mood from nearly missing the train due to my coffee taking too long to make. Yeah, yeah, 1st world problems. So anyway, I’m not in the mood and after browsing the shelves of Piccadilly Records with no great enthusiasm, I head back to the Piccadilly Tap to have a wheat beer, the name of which escapes me, before my walk to the Etihad. And one great thing about the Etihad is that the walk is glorious, provided you go via the Ashton Canal. That’s easily 90% of the journey right there.
I’ve been before, but I’m not so familiar with where the away end is. Some signs would be nice, especially as loads of us cross the bridge from the direction of the canal. Turns out I go the wrong way to begin with, before asking a steward. Then I have to fight through dense crowds around ¾ of the stadium. Why’s it not quicker/allowed to go the shorter route?
I’ve been a bit paranoid whether they’ll let me in with a tote bag larger than the approved A4 size, so I carry my newspaper in my hand while putting said tote in my back pocket. You can never be too careful with these larger stadia, and Manchester in particular is more ‘careful’ than most after the Manchester Arena bombing in 2017.
Then it’s up the stairs to the 3rd (top) tier. I am pleased to find my seat is relatively low down in this stand, though the back half is empty anyway. Half an hour to kick-off is unheard of for me, so I’m pleased I have something to read. Mind, my ticket advises getting here ‘not less than an hour before kick-off.’ Eh!? Get there early and you can also treat yourselves to mindless interviews with assorted City alumni via their in-house comms team. Can’t they just play music? (Actually, when they do, it’s great, including Mancunian staples like 808 State and New Order.)
Something else I’m not used to, supporting a 3rd division side and also seeing lots of non-league…fireworks greeting the teams upon entrance. Is this EVERY Man City game? Every Premiership game? I don’t know. But me and the other children enjoyed it. The wait is over and I can finally see a game of football.
And, actually, it’s a very good game. City dominate possession, but it doesn’t quite run for them in front of goal and the Cherries score a fine breakaway goal on 26 minutes through Tavernier. And then that’s it for nearly an hour of play. The home side huff and puff but look like getting nowhere till Cherki (and Grealish) come on as subs. The former is instrumental in taking the game to Bournemouth but the equaliser comes via a deadball, Guehi heading in a corner after earlier heading wide when presented with an open goal. There’s still 6 minutes to go (plus injury time) and it’s now all City.
Inevitably, the winner comes. 90+1 and Cherki threads a cheeky ball through to Gvardiol (what’s HE doing in the box?) and he rolls it into the bottom corner. The City fans go wild and as I’m about half a dozen seats from them, I’m hoping they don’t start baiting ME. But what’s this? Offside! It is the Cherries’ fans turn to dish it out to the adjacent home fans. And then I get to enjoy the full Premiership experience as we wait for the Video Assistant Referee. How long did it take? 5 minutes? The result is in. City fans start celebrating before it’s even announced on the scoreboard. Maybe they know to look at the referee? Anyway, all that baiting comes back again. I stand my ground, impassive.
And that’s it. Bournemouth, having led for two-thirds of the game, are beaten. There is stunned silence in the away end, and as we join the City throng on the mass march down the road to Piccadilly, you can spot the Cherries, staggering along like zombies while various City fans apologise for their luck. On such games are champions made.
The Damage:
£30 ent
£3 admin
£14.40 train
= £47.40
Sunday, 23 August 2026
Harborough Town 4-2 Darlington, Saturday 22nd August 2026
*** probs uploading photos
Harborough Town 4-2 Darlington, National League North, Bowden Park, att. 856
I looked at the fixtures and made my decision fairly early on this one. There’s just something about going to Doncaster Rovers that simply doesn’t appeal. The Subbuteo stadium? The retail park it’s on? The half hour walk from town? Even it’s name. ‘Club Doncaster Sports Village’, anyone? The 20 quid they owe me from years previous? Add on a half 12 kick-off and I don’t care it’s a derby. My other half potentially needs a lift to the airport too. (She didn’t; she caught a train.) But I’m using it as an excuse not to attend Doncaster Rovers versus Barnsley. And what’s this? A look at my 2nd team Darlo’s fixtures brings up Harborough Town away. I message Kev. We’re on.
It’s an uneventful journey to Market Harborough, Leicestershire. We even pass the ground on our left as we enter, so we park up in a residential street between here and the town centre. Our homework has been done, we’re off to ‘Beerhaus’ where I enjoy a Weihenstephaner on a picnic bench outside, along with a few other Darlo fans who’ve made the same pilgrimage. This place is great. Market Harborough looks pleasant too, as we walk through the town centre back.
This is the first ever game between the two, as Harborough gained promotion last season…from the Southern League. Eh? Such are the vagaries of geographical borders in non-league that a side can gain promotion from the Southern League and end up in National League...North. And they’re not even the furthest southern team in this division this season. There’s Hereford, Merthyr, Brackley, Bedford and Oxford City. That’s quite a spread up to South Shields in the north-east.
Harborough Town were only formed in 1975 and even up to 20 years ago were only at county league level, so it’s some upward curve. We arrive at the clubhouse end and are guided down the left of the building. I’m willing to bet Harborough rarely segregate, but they do today. Once in, at one corner, we are moved on past a small covered terrace, down the side of the pitch, to the other end. Darlo are given the other end of the longside, as well as flat standing behind the goal. Once the game kicks off, Darlo fans were fenced in and home fans given access to that 1st stand.
On the far side are two modern cantilever stands bedecked in bright yellow seats. The smaller of the stands is where the local youth make their noise from and by the game’s end, they’re in high spirits. My own spirit is lifted by the addition of a portable beer stall behind our goal. It’s a poor choice, but it’s hot. My day is made when Kev mistakes our Estrella for ‘something by Brewdog?’ I think his previous pint is playing havoc with his taste buds. I also partake in ‘the facilities’, one of two portaloos in the corner. It’s just enough for the size of support.
The game is a disaster for Darlo. A 4-2 loss in a game they’d expect to win, the loss not really made up by the goal of the game, Paddy McLaughlin cutting inside and curling one off the far post from distance. Deliciously, from our viewpoint at the far end, the ball rolls in off the post and we don’t realise it’s gone in till it rests in the net. 2-1 up, after being behind, what can go wrong? Well, conceding a 57th minute goal to a bloke who once cost £15 million and is still in his early 30s (Britt Assombalonga) didn’t help, but Town seal it with goals in the 90th and 95th minutes. It’s a long way home to Darlo. But take solace. It’s not as far as Oxford. Or Merthyr, etc.
The Damage:
£18 ent
£3 programme
£12 2 pints of Estrella
= £33
Harborough Town 4-2 Darlington, National League North, Bowden Park, att. 856
I looked at the fixtures and made my decision fairly early on this one. There’s just something about going to Doncaster Rovers that simply doesn’t appeal. The Subbuteo stadium? The retail park it’s on? The half hour walk from town? Even it’s name. ‘Club Doncaster Sports Village’, anyone? The 20 quid they owe me from years previous? Add on a half 12 kick-off and I don’t care it’s a derby. My other half potentially needs a lift to the airport too. (She didn’t; she caught a train.) But I’m using it as an excuse not to attend Doncaster Rovers versus Barnsley. And what’s this? A look at my 2nd team Darlo’s fixtures brings up Harborough Town away. I message Kev. We’re on.
It’s an uneventful journey to Market Harborough, Leicestershire. We even pass the ground on our left as we enter, so we park up in a residential street between here and the town centre. Our homework has been done, we’re off to ‘Beerhaus’ where I enjoy a Weihenstephaner on a picnic bench outside, along with a few other Darlo fans who’ve made the same pilgrimage. This place is great. Market Harborough looks pleasant too, as we walk through the town centre back.
This is the first ever game between the two, as Harborough gained promotion last season…from the Southern League. Eh? Such are the vagaries of geographical borders in non-league that a side can gain promotion from the Southern League and end up in National League...North. And they’re not even the furthest southern team in this division this season. There’s Hereford, Merthyr, Brackley, Bedford and Oxford City. That’s quite a spread up to South Shields in the north-east.
Harborough Town were only formed in 1975 and even up to 20 years ago were only at county league level, so it’s some upward curve. We arrive at the clubhouse end and are guided down the left of the building. I’m willing to bet Harborough rarely segregate, but they do today. Once in, at one corner, we are moved on past a small covered terrace, down the side of the pitch, to the other end. Darlo are given the other end of the longside, as well as flat standing behind the goal. Once the game kicks off, Darlo fans were fenced in and home fans given access to that 1st stand.
On the far side are two modern cantilever stands bedecked in bright yellow seats. The smaller of the stands is where the local youth make their noise from and by the game’s end, they’re in high spirits. My own spirit is lifted by the addition of a portable beer stall behind our goal. It’s a poor choice, but it’s hot. My day is made when Kev mistakes our Estrella for ‘something by Brewdog?’ I think his previous pint is playing havoc with his taste buds. I also partake in ‘the facilities’, one of two portaloos in the corner. It’s just enough for the size of support.
The game is a disaster for Darlo. A 4-2 loss in a game they’d expect to win, the loss not really made up by the goal of the game, Paddy McLaughlin cutting inside and curling one off the far post from distance. Deliciously, from our viewpoint at the far end, the ball rolls in off the post and we don’t realise it’s gone in till it rests in the net. 2-1 up, after being behind, what can go wrong? Well, conceding a 57th minute goal to a bloke who once cost £15 million and is still in his early 30s (Britt Assombalonga) didn’t help, but Town seal it with goals in the 90th and 95th minutes. It’s a long way home to Darlo. But take solace. It’s not as far as Oxford. Or Merthyr, etc.
The Damage:
£18 ent
£3 programme
£12 2 pints of Estrella
= £33
Sunday, 16 August 2026
BFC 0-1 Bromley, Saturday 15th August 2026
*** probs uploading pics
‘WELCOME HOME DANIEL’
It’s always good to see history unfold before your very eyes. It wasn’t good enough to BFC that we were being treated to the first ever clash between Barnsley FC and Bromley. No, we had to go and lose to a side who were non-league 3 years ago. And the eleven thousand one hundred and sixty-three who were there? Take a bow. You were part of the biggest crowd to ever see Bromley win a Football League match. YOU are a part of history!
My God. (How many times will I blaspheme this season? That could be a record too.) We’ve lost to a side despite us having 2/3 possession, outshooting them 22-12 (on target 8-3) and we still fail to score. That’s what not having a centre forward does to a side. Indeed, we quite literally didn’t have a centre forward 1st half, as Stendel benched Kirk (tell me he’s on loan?) before sticking him on in desperation and seeing him slice a simple 6 foot finish on the rebound. Unlucky? I don’t think we were unlucky. For all the saves their keeper made, we created one great chance, aside from Kirk’s effort.
Opening half, Bland plays in their striker for a simple finish…only Ravenhill spreads himself well and blocks. Bland’s fault? The keeper’s? Probably both, a miscommunication, though Bland could have at least blocked the striker’s run. (I’ve since seen it on youtube and I totally blame Bland.) Then, second half, Ravenhill makes a couple of blocks on his front post as the ball bobbles around before he pounces on it.
In reply, we have a number of half chances, but the ball either never falls properly, or results in a McGeehan scuff. The amount of times the ball needed an extra touch, allowing defenders to block…and when we do create a chance (Connell playing a lovely throughball to Cleary), the latter fails to dink it over a keeper who’s sat on the floor.
Reyes Cleary. No-one did more than him on Satdy to ensure we’ll still have him at the end of the transfer window. I lost count of the number of times he lost it. He must have been given the opportunity, one-on-one, to beat his man and DO something, 20 times – and failed. There’ll be other games where he’ll be lucky to have half a dozen such opportunities, nevermind the 2 or 3 efforts he bent into the stand. 5 million? Be lucky to get 50 grand. (Plans to invest said transfer cash should be put on hold.)
Then Adeboyejo came on as sub. I can’t have been the only one who said ‘I bet he gets the winner.’ He gets the winner. Our hapless defence (no change there then) fails to deal with a long ball, fails to deal with the 2nd ball, fails to deal with the 3rd ball, and a shot so wide it becomes a cross is deflected in on the scuff by Big Vic. One of the worst goals we have conceded in a year of conceding worst goals.
It’s ok though, on comes the cavalry. How many times do we see this? Managers make changes AFTER they’ve conceded. The key is to make changes BEFORE you concede! Richards comes on for Bland (who’d also been booked for going through one of theirs from behind). He goes on the wing, while the Curacaon is pulled back. Kirk is on for Alker (anonymous in the 2nd half) while later, my favouritely-named Reds player Noah Town comes on for Luca. We never look like scoring. That Richards bloke looks like he’d blow over in the wind.
And then we spend the last 20 minutes watching Bromley go down ‘injured’ at every opportunity (though none of which lead to a Bromley player going off for a minute, waiting to come back on). Maybe it’s different rules at Oakwell? 9 minutes injury time just means we’re 9 minutes later in going home. We have been beaten by Bromley. Bromley. FFS. (Well done Bromley.) We couldn’t beat a side whose star centre half got taken off injured and in whose line-up included a certain Will Hondermarck. My God.
Welcome home Daniel.
Onwards and upwards!
*** Kay. 2 shots, one header, hit the bar. Not bad for a fullback. GET HIM UP TOP!
** Alker. Floated around in the Bermuda Triangle of their defence before actually disappearing.
* The Curacaon. Looked promising.
Official MOTM: McGeehan
Londontykes’ MOTM: 1. Kay 2. Noslin 3. Alker
Despatches:
It was a pity we went on to lose, as there was a really positive atmosphere 1st half. It was also vaguely busy, credit to BFC for making it £17 in. But we’ll have to win a few games if we’re to avoid regularly 4 figure crowds come October.
Spiral was busy too, helped by Jonesy bringing half the away end (3) with him from the train. I trust his daughter’s boyfriend (who’s a Chelsea fan actually) enjoyed his day with his adopted team.
The players? Well, being positive, there were some good moves. We often made little passes that ended with a throughball down the wing for the wide player to…kick it to them. But this was on the players making the runs as much as the provider. You can’t run behind a defender and expect him to miss the ball. So, yes, lots of possession in promising areas, but zero chances created from them.
And where will we finish? I don’t want to go mad and say we’re doomed. (Altho…) But I have twenty quid on with A. Jones that we finish bottom half. I think I’m winning that bet! (Winning, as in ‘in the lead’; I think we’ve a chance of finishing top half. It IS division 3, after all.)
Drink du jour: Beartown Inception in Spiral.
Away: 360 (11,163).
The Damage:
£18.22 (£419 season ticket divided by 23 home games)
£8 petrol
£20 ent (sort of)
= £46.22
‘WELCOME HOME DANIEL’
It’s always good to see history unfold before your very eyes. It wasn’t good enough to BFC that we were being treated to the first ever clash between Barnsley FC and Bromley. No, we had to go and lose to a side who were non-league 3 years ago. And the eleven thousand one hundred and sixty-three who were there? Take a bow. You were part of the biggest crowd to ever see Bromley win a Football League match. YOU are a part of history!
My God. (How many times will I blaspheme this season? That could be a record too.) We’ve lost to a side despite us having 2/3 possession, outshooting them 22-12 (on target 8-3) and we still fail to score. That’s what not having a centre forward does to a side. Indeed, we quite literally didn’t have a centre forward 1st half, as Stendel benched Kirk (tell me he’s on loan?) before sticking him on in desperation and seeing him slice a simple 6 foot finish on the rebound. Unlucky? I don’t think we were unlucky. For all the saves their keeper made, we created one great chance, aside from Kirk’s effort.
Opening half, Bland plays in their striker for a simple finish…only Ravenhill spreads himself well and blocks. Bland’s fault? The keeper’s? Probably both, a miscommunication, though Bland could have at least blocked the striker’s run. (I’ve since seen it on youtube and I totally blame Bland.) Then, second half, Ravenhill makes a couple of blocks on his front post as the ball bobbles around before he pounces on it.
In reply, we have a number of half chances, but the ball either never falls properly, or results in a McGeehan scuff. The amount of times the ball needed an extra touch, allowing defenders to block…and when we do create a chance (Connell playing a lovely throughball to Cleary), the latter fails to dink it over a keeper who’s sat on the floor.
Reyes Cleary. No-one did more than him on Satdy to ensure we’ll still have him at the end of the transfer window. I lost count of the number of times he lost it. He must have been given the opportunity, one-on-one, to beat his man and DO something, 20 times – and failed. There’ll be other games where he’ll be lucky to have half a dozen such opportunities, nevermind the 2 or 3 efforts he bent into the stand. 5 million? Be lucky to get 50 grand. (Plans to invest said transfer cash should be put on hold.)
Then Adeboyejo came on as sub. I can’t have been the only one who said ‘I bet he gets the winner.’ He gets the winner. Our hapless defence (no change there then) fails to deal with a long ball, fails to deal with the 2nd ball, fails to deal with the 3rd ball, and a shot so wide it becomes a cross is deflected in on the scuff by Big Vic. One of the worst goals we have conceded in a year of conceding worst goals.
It’s ok though, on comes the cavalry. How many times do we see this? Managers make changes AFTER they’ve conceded. The key is to make changes BEFORE you concede! Richards comes on for Bland (who’d also been booked for going through one of theirs from behind). He goes on the wing, while the Curacaon is pulled back. Kirk is on for Alker (anonymous in the 2nd half) while later, my favouritely-named Reds player Noah Town comes on for Luca. We never look like scoring. That Richards bloke looks like he’d blow over in the wind.
And then we spend the last 20 minutes watching Bromley go down ‘injured’ at every opportunity (though none of which lead to a Bromley player going off for a minute, waiting to come back on). Maybe it’s different rules at Oakwell? 9 minutes injury time just means we’re 9 minutes later in going home. We have been beaten by Bromley. Bromley. FFS. (Well done Bromley.) We couldn’t beat a side whose star centre half got taken off injured and in whose line-up included a certain Will Hondermarck. My God.
Welcome home Daniel.
Onwards and upwards!
*** Kay. 2 shots, one header, hit the bar. Not bad for a fullback. GET HIM UP TOP!
** Alker. Floated around in the Bermuda Triangle of their defence before actually disappearing.
* The Curacaon. Looked promising.
Official MOTM: McGeehan
Londontykes’ MOTM: 1. Kay 2. Noslin 3. Alker
Despatches:
It was a pity we went on to lose, as there was a really positive atmosphere 1st half. It was also vaguely busy, credit to BFC for making it £17 in. But we’ll have to win a few games if we’re to avoid regularly 4 figure crowds come October.
Spiral was busy too, helped by Jonesy bringing half the away end (3) with him from the train. I trust his daughter’s boyfriend (who’s a Chelsea fan actually) enjoyed his day with his adopted team.
The players? Well, being positive, there were some good moves. We often made little passes that ended with a throughball down the wing for the wide player to…kick it to them. But this was on the players making the runs as much as the provider. You can’t run behind a defender and expect him to miss the ball. So, yes, lots of possession in promising areas, but zero chances created from them.
And where will we finish? I don’t want to go mad and say we’re doomed. (Altho…) But I have twenty quid on with A. Jones that we finish bottom half. I think I’m winning that bet! (Winning, as in ‘in the lead’; I think we’ve a chance of finishing top half. It IS division 3, after all.)
Drink du jour: Beartown Inception in Spiral.
Away: 360 (11,163).
The Damage:
£18.22 (£419 season ticket divided by 23 home games)
£8 petrol
£20 ent (sort of)
= £46.22
Sunday, 9 August 2026
BFC 1-1 (4-3 pens) Wigan Athletic, Saturday 8th August 2026
***problem uploading pics
‘You know they’re gonna take the lead through a keeper cock-up.’
In the end, I couldn’t resist. I succumbed to temptation. I gave in. I had no self-control. Yes, the lure of finding out how useless our latest loan keeper* was just proved too much. I simply had to see the Carabao (League) Cup 1st round tie, Barnsley versus Wigan Athletic. I mean, it’s not as if I’ve even missed football (Barnsley). We’ve had a World Cup. We watched England capitulate in a way I’ve not even seen the Super Reds. And watching a couple of games in Scotland and a bunch of non-league games in the last few weeks seemed infinitely more pleasurable than watching our lot. But, like the mythic sirens (yes, I’ve seen The Odyssey too), I find Oakwell drawing me in and my willpower failing me again.
*he was injured.
Yes, not the most glam of ties. Indeed, when the draw was made I was rather hoping for a northern away game. At least that would be interesting. But no. A repeat of at least 23 other games this season, though with half a crowd and only one home stand open. Still, at least it gave the Ponty End an excuse for their silence. I listened to the side being read out. Can I remember all these names? I’d remember the keeper. Ravenhill. 20 year old, home grown, making his debut between the sticks. How proud he must have been, as, following the obligatory fist bumps with the opposition, he turns to run towards the Ponty End to be met with a hero’s wel...to be met with four and a half thousand empty seats. I bet he dreamed of this moment.
Stendal plumped for a back 4. Kay’s son Kay (I wish Antony had called his son Kay) was right back, some other young pup called Alker at left, new signing (and Great White Hope) Gale partnering the lumbering Josh Earl in the centre. Grounds for optimism? Well, Shepherd, O’Keeffe and Bland were all on the bench. I’m liking this new manager already!
Connell and new captain McGeehan (I’m liking this new man…etc) anchored the midfield, with Kelly further forward behind new centre forward Kirk. Is the new guy captaincy material, I wonder? (No.) Out wide, we still have Cleary for another few weeks and some other bloke who’s name I will look up now. Richards. If I told you his pass completion rate was 28.6%, would that temper your expectations?
We were awful that 1st half. Wigan coulda...shoulda...been out of sight. The keeper made 2 one-on-one saves. They hit the post when Earl put them clean through. The keeper made some more saves. But the most extraordinary miss came when a ball was squared for the tap-in…only their player completely swung and missed the ball. Your grandma (deceased) would’ve put this one away. More saves. Why’ve we brought in a loanee? The 2 wise monkeys (Nozzer, Ozzie and I) muse that this can’t last. Wigan are bound to take the lead through a keeper cock-up, and so it proves.
Does Ravenhill misjudge the flight of the punt forward? Does he deliberately leave it, thinking it’s going out for a goalkick? I thought the latter, but it’s plainly not going out cos a Latic is there on the backpost to divert it back across goal for an open net even this bloke can score. Oh well, nothing less than Wigan deserve and we’ve held out till 5 mins before half-time, or about half an hour longer than it looked like we would. Still, the fullbacks have easily been beaten and there’s no midfield to speak of. But at least I can’t fault the centre forward for not holding the ball up...he’s never had it. Our only attacking ploy was for either Ravenhill (goalkeeper) or Connell (useless) to knock it over the top of the defence for no-one to chase. We are all over the place.
The interval has not come soon enough, and Daniel pulls off a masterstroke. He drags off the centre forward (apparently ill, not merely rubbish) and sends on Bland. (I will henceforth no longer refer to him as The GOAT, since nobody bangs on to me anymore about what a fine player he is, the future of our midfield, etc etc). Anyway, Bland on at right back, the right back (Kay) to left back, the left back (Alker) to midfield (where Nozzer says he plays for the Under 21s) and Cleary further down the pitch, where he can do damage. And it WORKS.
It is now mostly us on the front foot, Cleary especially being a threat. But inbetween the half chances, we still show we can create for the opposition, as Gale slips in their centre forward, clean through. Thankfully, the shot is weak, and straight at Ravenhill, but credit to Gale whose chase back puts pressure on the defender. Not that he looked pacy, but neither did he look like Jack Shepherd. My hopes are highish.
It’s a beautiful day, btw, perfect for leaning back in one’s seat and not being that bothered whether we win or lose...but still, it’d be nice to get Bolton or someone in the next round. But something’s bubbling. We’re still going forward and with every Reds attack, the crowd is slowly being roused and at one point a round of ‘Come on you Reds’ eked out from the East Stand. Cleary was beating his man, balls were being put into the box...but, alas, never to a red shirt. But then, with 10 left, FINALLY, a breakthrough. Cleary skins the fullback, drives towards the box and crosses low for The Captain to sidefoot home. He can’t miss, it’s on a plate. But still, you have to make the run. Even more so when you’re playing without a centre forward (as we have been for about 3 years now). I’ve decided I’m actually invested in us winning now. It’s amazing what a goal does.
But then comes the coup de grace. We’re a minute off penalties when Wigan are slipped in on the break (credit where it’s due, they set this one up themselves) and it’s the winner. Game over. But what’s this? The lovely little linesman on this side is flagging for offside. Good man! (Goodman. Christ, I’ve just remembered him. Another absolutely sh*te loan goalkeeper. My PTSD has been triggered once again.) Oh, and later photos show we might have played him on. Hopefully this is the start of more decisions going our way.
Wigan look deflated. How’ve they thrown this away? But as we’re headed to penalties we all decide this is a much better idea than another 30 minutes. Our tails are up, Ravenhill’s played a blinder (despite...), the sun is shining...surely this is the debutant’s day? And given Wigan’s finishing, will their penalties even land in our stadium?
Spot kick after spot kick is dispatched, every single one in the corner save for the one daredevil who went straight down the middle. Five-all. Neither keeper has had a chance, tho Ravenhill has got himself booked. My sources say he chucked their keeper’s water bottle (with our penalty takers’ names on it) into the Ponty.
Into sudden death, and Wigan blast a ball against Ravenhill. The crowd go quite excited. And so. Here we are. Cometh the hour. Cometh the Josh Earl. IT’S THERE! Josh Earl. Everyone mobs Ravenhill. Who cares Josh gets the winner? Indeed. Who cares. The sirens called. I couldn’t say no.
Onwards and upwards!
*** Ravenhill. Even Stendal admitted he kept us in the game.
** Cleary. If the 1st half was Ravenhill’s, the 2nd was Cleary’s. Had the fullback on toast.
* Gale. Impressed in parts (and had to).
Official MOTM: Kay. Astounding. (The decision, not the performance.)
Londontykes’ MOTM: 1. Ravenhill 2. Cleary 3= McGeehan/Gale
Despatches:
Nice touch in the celebrations, as the whole team appeared to stand back to let Ravenhill take the acclaim. And why not? How many other players can be seen waving to their own family in the East Stand. He looks chuffed to bits. I was every bit impressed with him too, far more than Flavell, or that other keeper we chucked 200k at. (is he still there?) But Stendal’s after match comments seemed surprised by how well he’d played. So that doesn’t bode well and forced me not to get ahead of myself.
The other players? Bland was certainly an improvement at right back on Kay, though he nearly blemished his copybook by taking a leaf out of Ravenhill’s book and letting the ball go out of play, only for their player to keep it in. Thankfully, another defender covered. I thought Kay was poor, as was Alker. Still, they’re not O’Keeffe, or Gent, so small mercies. Earl was his usual centre half self. Solid (when not giving the ball away) and slow. Though I admired one attacking header from a corner, where he didn’t even jump, simply used his strength to outmuscle the defender. Will he keep MdG out of the team? And where’s our World Cup hero? The Curacaon? The Curacian? (What do they call people from Curacao?) Isn’t he a defender? Where’s he today?
Stendal complimented Connell for a good second half, which I think is German for ‘he was bloody useless 1st half.’ You know how the transfer window is too long for Cleary? It’s not long enough for Connell. I wonder what month Luca will have me pining for Herbie Kane at centre mid? Trying to be positive, maybe losing the captaincy will free up some hitherto invisible part of his game? Kelly and McGeehan were quiet too, though they made the right runs. Maybe, with practice, the ball will land at their feet. And as I said, the right winger (I’ve forgotten his name again) and the centre forward (Kirk) needn’t have bothered turning out.
I’ve never seen us win a game (ok, draw a game) with so many players having performed so poorly.
As a league cup treat, Nozzer and I spent pre-match with the Galvins...and even only half of them turned up. Blimey. It also meant arriving at Oakwell early enough to chat rubbish with familiar faces, check out the new replica shirts (actually available, for once, on the opening day) while I could admire the ‘new’ ticket office facilities, which, as far as I can see, means fans standing out in the cold peering through tiny slits to ask our overlords if please may we purchase a ticket for that fine fare inside? Seriously, it won’t always be 20 odd degrees Celsius. Us fans now have to stand in the open (with a small cover tacked on to the back of the Ponty) to buy a ticket. Shoddy. But what would I moan about if I didn’t have something to moan about? Oh. Exactly that. Still. It’s a bit crap, Barnsley FC.
Drink du jour: Leffe in Bramahs.
Away: 522 (4,414). Was it 5-1 or 6-1 to Wigan on chants?
The Damage:
£15 ent
£8 petrol
£3 prog
= £26
‘You know they’re gonna take the lead through a keeper cock-up.’
In the end, I couldn’t resist. I succumbed to temptation. I gave in. I had no self-control. Yes, the lure of finding out how useless our latest loan keeper* was just proved too much. I simply had to see the Carabao (League) Cup 1st round tie, Barnsley versus Wigan Athletic. I mean, it’s not as if I’ve even missed football (Barnsley). We’ve had a World Cup. We watched England capitulate in a way I’ve not even seen the Super Reds. And watching a couple of games in Scotland and a bunch of non-league games in the last few weeks seemed infinitely more pleasurable than watching our lot. But, like the mythic sirens (yes, I’ve seen The Odyssey too), I find Oakwell drawing me in and my willpower failing me again.
*he was injured.
Yes, not the most glam of ties. Indeed, when the draw was made I was rather hoping for a northern away game. At least that would be interesting. But no. A repeat of at least 23 other games this season, though with half a crowd and only one home stand open. Still, at least it gave the Ponty End an excuse for their silence. I listened to the side being read out. Can I remember all these names? I’d remember the keeper. Ravenhill. 20 year old, home grown, making his debut between the sticks. How proud he must have been, as, following the obligatory fist bumps with the opposition, he turns to run towards the Ponty End to be met with a hero’s wel...to be met with four and a half thousand empty seats. I bet he dreamed of this moment.
Stendal plumped for a back 4. Kay’s son Kay (I wish Antony had called his son Kay) was right back, some other young pup called Alker at left, new signing (and Great White Hope) Gale partnering the lumbering Josh Earl in the centre. Grounds for optimism? Well, Shepherd, O’Keeffe and Bland were all on the bench. I’m liking this new manager already!
Connell and new captain McGeehan (I’m liking this new man…etc) anchored the midfield, with Kelly further forward behind new centre forward Kirk. Is the new guy captaincy material, I wonder? (No.) Out wide, we still have Cleary for another few weeks and some other bloke who’s name I will look up now. Richards. If I told you his pass completion rate was 28.6%, would that temper your expectations?
We were awful that 1st half. Wigan coulda...shoulda...been out of sight. The keeper made 2 one-on-one saves. They hit the post when Earl put them clean through. The keeper made some more saves. But the most extraordinary miss came when a ball was squared for the tap-in…only their player completely swung and missed the ball. Your grandma (deceased) would’ve put this one away. More saves. Why’ve we brought in a loanee? The 2 wise monkeys (Nozzer, Ozzie and I) muse that this can’t last. Wigan are bound to take the lead through a keeper cock-up, and so it proves.
Does Ravenhill misjudge the flight of the punt forward? Does he deliberately leave it, thinking it’s going out for a goalkick? I thought the latter, but it’s plainly not going out cos a Latic is there on the backpost to divert it back across goal for an open net even this bloke can score. Oh well, nothing less than Wigan deserve and we’ve held out till 5 mins before half-time, or about half an hour longer than it looked like we would. Still, the fullbacks have easily been beaten and there’s no midfield to speak of. But at least I can’t fault the centre forward for not holding the ball up...he’s never had it. Our only attacking ploy was for either Ravenhill (goalkeeper) or Connell (useless) to knock it over the top of the defence for no-one to chase. We are all over the place.
The interval has not come soon enough, and Daniel pulls off a masterstroke. He drags off the centre forward (apparently ill, not merely rubbish) and sends on Bland. (I will henceforth no longer refer to him as The GOAT, since nobody bangs on to me anymore about what a fine player he is, the future of our midfield, etc etc). Anyway, Bland on at right back, the right back (Kay) to left back, the left back (Alker) to midfield (where Nozzer says he plays for the Under 21s) and Cleary further down the pitch, where he can do damage. And it WORKS.
It is now mostly us on the front foot, Cleary especially being a threat. But inbetween the half chances, we still show we can create for the opposition, as Gale slips in their centre forward, clean through. Thankfully, the shot is weak, and straight at Ravenhill, but credit to Gale whose chase back puts pressure on the defender. Not that he looked pacy, but neither did he look like Jack Shepherd. My hopes are highish.
It’s a beautiful day, btw, perfect for leaning back in one’s seat and not being that bothered whether we win or lose...but still, it’d be nice to get Bolton or someone in the next round. But something’s bubbling. We’re still going forward and with every Reds attack, the crowd is slowly being roused and at one point a round of ‘Come on you Reds’ eked out from the East Stand. Cleary was beating his man, balls were being put into the box...but, alas, never to a red shirt. But then, with 10 left, FINALLY, a breakthrough. Cleary skins the fullback, drives towards the box and crosses low for The Captain to sidefoot home. He can’t miss, it’s on a plate. But still, you have to make the run. Even more so when you’re playing without a centre forward (as we have been for about 3 years now). I’ve decided I’m actually invested in us winning now. It’s amazing what a goal does.
But then comes the coup de grace. We’re a minute off penalties when Wigan are slipped in on the break (credit where it’s due, they set this one up themselves) and it’s the winner. Game over. But what’s this? The lovely little linesman on this side is flagging for offside. Good man! (Goodman. Christ, I’ve just remembered him. Another absolutely sh*te loan goalkeeper. My PTSD has been triggered once again.) Oh, and later photos show we might have played him on. Hopefully this is the start of more decisions going our way.
Wigan look deflated. How’ve they thrown this away? But as we’re headed to penalties we all decide this is a much better idea than another 30 minutes. Our tails are up, Ravenhill’s played a blinder (despite...), the sun is shining...surely this is the debutant’s day? And given Wigan’s finishing, will their penalties even land in our stadium?
Spot kick after spot kick is dispatched, every single one in the corner save for the one daredevil who went straight down the middle. Five-all. Neither keeper has had a chance, tho Ravenhill has got himself booked. My sources say he chucked their keeper’s water bottle (with our penalty takers’ names on it) into the Ponty.
Into sudden death, and Wigan blast a ball against Ravenhill. The crowd go quite excited. And so. Here we are. Cometh the hour. Cometh the Josh Earl. IT’S THERE! Josh Earl. Everyone mobs Ravenhill. Who cares Josh gets the winner? Indeed. Who cares. The sirens called. I couldn’t say no.
Onwards and upwards!
*** Ravenhill. Even Stendal admitted he kept us in the game.
** Cleary. If the 1st half was Ravenhill’s, the 2nd was Cleary’s. Had the fullback on toast.
* Gale. Impressed in parts (and had to).
Official MOTM: Kay. Astounding. (The decision, not the performance.)
Londontykes’ MOTM: 1. Ravenhill 2. Cleary 3= McGeehan/Gale
Despatches:
Nice touch in the celebrations, as the whole team appeared to stand back to let Ravenhill take the acclaim. And why not? How many other players can be seen waving to their own family in the East Stand. He looks chuffed to bits. I was every bit impressed with him too, far more than Flavell, or that other keeper we chucked 200k at. (is he still there?) But Stendal’s after match comments seemed surprised by how well he’d played. So that doesn’t bode well and forced me not to get ahead of myself.
The other players? Bland was certainly an improvement at right back on Kay, though he nearly blemished his copybook by taking a leaf out of Ravenhill’s book and letting the ball go out of play, only for their player to keep it in. Thankfully, another defender covered. I thought Kay was poor, as was Alker. Still, they’re not O’Keeffe, or Gent, so small mercies. Earl was his usual centre half self. Solid (when not giving the ball away) and slow. Though I admired one attacking header from a corner, where he didn’t even jump, simply used his strength to outmuscle the defender. Will he keep MdG out of the team? And where’s our World Cup hero? The Curacaon? The Curacian? (What do they call people from Curacao?) Isn’t he a defender? Where’s he today?
Stendal complimented Connell for a good second half, which I think is German for ‘he was bloody useless 1st half.’ You know how the transfer window is too long for Cleary? It’s not long enough for Connell. I wonder what month Luca will have me pining for Herbie Kane at centre mid? Trying to be positive, maybe losing the captaincy will free up some hitherto invisible part of his game? Kelly and McGeehan were quiet too, though they made the right runs. Maybe, with practice, the ball will land at their feet. And as I said, the right winger (I’ve forgotten his name again) and the centre forward (Kirk) needn’t have bothered turning out.
I’ve never seen us win a game (ok, draw a game) with so many players having performed so poorly.
As a league cup treat, Nozzer and I spent pre-match with the Galvins...and even only half of them turned up. Blimey. It also meant arriving at Oakwell early enough to chat rubbish with familiar faces, check out the new replica shirts (actually available, for once, on the opening day) while I could admire the ‘new’ ticket office facilities, which, as far as I can see, means fans standing out in the cold peering through tiny slits to ask our overlords if please may we purchase a ticket for that fine fare inside? Seriously, it won’t always be 20 odd degrees Celsius. Us fans now have to stand in the open (with a small cover tacked on to the back of the Ponty) to buy a ticket. Shoddy. But what would I moan about if I didn’t have something to moan about? Oh. Exactly that. Still. It’s a bit crap, Barnsley FC.
Drink du jour: Leffe in Bramahs.
Away: 522 (4,414). Was it 5-1 or 6-1 to Wigan on chants?
The Damage:
£15 ent
£8 petrol
£3 prog
= £26
Sunday, 2 August 2026
Tadcaster Albion 1-1 Thackley, Saturday 1st August 2026
Tadcaster Albion 1-1 Thackley, Northern Counties East Premier Division, Young Guns Arena (Ings Lane), att. 289
My tickets for Gladiator (the TV show) haven’t come through, so I’m free today. I could go uber local to Golcar (still haven’t been) but given it’s such a nice day, surely this demands a drive out. I narrow it down to two, Bottesford or Tadcaster. However, the former looks a modern and minimal ‘stadium’, while the latter place I’ve passed through and thought ‘that looks a bit of alright.’ Taddy it is.
Tadcaster, an old coaching stop inbetween York and Leeds, is a beautiful little place chocker full of old buildings in its centre and dominated by the vast John Smiths Brewery which dwarves everything else in sight, sound and smell. With Samuel Smiths old brewery in town too, no wonder Tadcaster Albion are known as The Brewers.
Sadly, Satdy afternoon appears to be some kind of deadzone in Tadcaster. Barely anyone walking the streets and most shops shut. I’d expected a treasure trove in quality charity shops, but the shops that did exist wanted to sell me fishing rods, posh frocks, or a bicycle (at least that shop was open). In short, there was nothing that interested me, though I may have a had a look at the vintage fair in Riley-Hall were they not wanting to charge me 2 pounds for the pleasure. Paying to have the chance to buy something? Eh? A branch of Costa Coffee had opened and closed down. Tadcaster in a nutshell. Nice enough that a coffee shop would open, not busy enough for it to remain open.
I’d parked up about 100 metres from the ground, within sight of the stadium’s entrance. Adjacent, other cars parked in slots meant for delivery lorries (presumably from the brewery), so something else that was shut this Satdy. Still, it was good to see ‘TADCASTER ALBION AFC’ proudly displayed. ‘Welcome to the Young Guns Arena’. Welcome indeed. As I walked towards the turnstile, a player, in full kit, legged it past. ‘Forgot my shinpads!’ he exclaimed to the bemused stewards. I hope they charged him to get back in.
I am flabbergasted to find it’s 9 quid entry. This is the 9th tier of English football. By comparison, I think Worsbrough (same level) is £7. I then query my change for my pint of Birra Moretti at the bar, but no, it really is £6.50. The pie and peas at £5.50 might be almost reasonable (loads of peas!) but the crust was rock hard. All in all, not good value.
Still, the ground has its charms. The social club, immediately to the right as you enter, is sizeable and cosy, and you can see the pitch through the windows. There are then a couple of terraced paddocks either side of the players’ tunnel. I take advantage of the roof of the latter to enjoy the shade, eating and drinking. And even though I can’t see the far left corner of the pitch, I stay here for most of the 1st half. Taddy are on top and the action doesn’t often reach the Thackley left wing.
The Brewers are a goal up early, a corner being flicked in. I feel quite smug, as I’ve yet to purchase my pie and peas. The celebrations give me my opportunity (well done on providing mint sauce, btw) and two minutes later I’m back, trying to hammer my way through rock hard crust with a wooden fork.
Most of what I take to be a sparse crowd (I’m surprised to hear it given as 289 later) is stood on this side. I give it half an hour, then go for a walk around. Behind the right hand goal is a small stand containing around 80 seats. It is empty. An even smaller stand, but for standing, holds two steps and two whole people on the far touchline. Like a slightly large bus shelter, very welcome on wetter days. Otherwise, this touchline, hemmed in by trees, is flat standing.
I arrive behind the other goal, where Taddy’s largest stand lies, a cantilever with 3 or 4 rows of seats running most of the pitch’s width. I only intend to -have a half-time sit down. I stay for the rest of the match. Partly this is the expectation, after the opening half, that most of the action will be at this end. It isn’t. Thackley get back into it and deservedly equalise on 76.
The Damage:
£9 ent
£6.50 Birra Moretti
£5.50 pie and peas
= £21
My tickets for Gladiator (the TV show) haven’t come through, so I’m free today. I could go uber local to Golcar (still haven’t been) but given it’s such a nice day, surely this demands a drive out. I narrow it down to two, Bottesford or Tadcaster. However, the former looks a modern and minimal ‘stadium’, while the latter place I’ve passed through and thought ‘that looks a bit of alright.’ Taddy it is.
Tadcaster, an old coaching stop inbetween York and Leeds, is a beautiful little place chocker full of old buildings in its centre and dominated by the vast John Smiths Brewery which dwarves everything else in sight, sound and smell. With Samuel Smiths old brewery in town too, no wonder Tadcaster Albion are known as The Brewers.
Sadly, Satdy afternoon appears to be some kind of deadzone in Tadcaster. Barely anyone walking the streets and most shops shut. I’d expected a treasure trove in quality charity shops, but the shops that did exist wanted to sell me fishing rods, posh frocks, or a bicycle (at least that shop was open). In short, there was nothing that interested me, though I may have a had a look at the vintage fair in Riley-Hall were they not wanting to charge me 2 pounds for the pleasure. Paying to have the chance to buy something? Eh? A branch of Costa Coffee had opened and closed down. Tadcaster in a nutshell. Nice enough that a coffee shop would open, not busy enough for it to remain open.
I’d parked up about 100 metres from the ground, within sight of the stadium’s entrance. Adjacent, other cars parked in slots meant for delivery lorries (presumably from the brewery), so something else that was shut this Satdy. Still, it was good to see ‘TADCASTER ALBION AFC’ proudly displayed. ‘Welcome to the Young Guns Arena’. Welcome indeed. As I walked towards the turnstile, a player, in full kit, legged it past. ‘Forgot my shinpads!’ he exclaimed to the bemused stewards. I hope they charged him to get back in.
I am flabbergasted to find it’s 9 quid entry. This is the 9th tier of English football. By comparison, I think Worsbrough (same level) is £7. I then query my change for my pint of Birra Moretti at the bar, but no, it really is £6.50. The pie and peas at £5.50 might be almost reasonable (loads of peas!) but the crust was rock hard. All in all, not good value.
Still, the ground has its charms. The social club, immediately to the right as you enter, is sizeable and cosy, and you can see the pitch through the windows. There are then a couple of terraced paddocks either side of the players’ tunnel. I take advantage of the roof of the latter to enjoy the shade, eating and drinking. And even though I can’t see the far left corner of the pitch, I stay here for most of the 1st half. Taddy are on top and the action doesn’t often reach the Thackley left wing.
The Brewers are a goal up early, a corner being flicked in. I feel quite smug, as I’ve yet to purchase my pie and peas. The celebrations give me my opportunity (well done on providing mint sauce, btw) and two minutes later I’m back, trying to hammer my way through rock hard crust with a wooden fork.
Most of what I take to be a sparse crowd (I’m surprised to hear it given as 289 later) is stood on this side. I give it half an hour, then go for a walk around. Behind the right hand goal is a small stand containing around 80 seats. It is empty. An even smaller stand, but for standing, holds two steps and two whole people on the far touchline. Like a slightly large bus shelter, very welcome on wetter days. Otherwise, this touchline, hemmed in by trees, is flat standing.
I arrive behind the other goal, where Taddy’s largest stand lies, a cantilever with 3 or 4 rows of seats running most of the pitch’s width. I only intend to -have a half-time sit down. I stay for the rest of the match. Partly this is the expectation, after the opening half, that most of the action will be at this end. It isn’t. Thackley get back into it and deservedly equalise on 76.
The Damage:
£9 ent
£6.50 Birra Moretti
£5.50 pie and peas
= £21
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