The day started at the sort of time I would normally be going to bed, followed by a 4 hour drive in the pouring rain to Cambridge for a meeting. There wasn’t a hope in hells chance that I was coming back the same day after the 9 hour discussion so I decided to stop down for three days (and do some proper work) and take in a local match. The only game within a reasonable distance was this very local derby, albeit it was their yooof teams playing in the first round proper of the FA Yooof cup (winners to play Tranmere yooof).

From my temporary digs, the ground was about 6 miles away and when I got there I was very surprised to see loads and loads of cars and people queuing to go in. The Glassworld Stadium is the home of Conference side Histon – when someone told me I had to go to Glassworld, i had visions of some glass themed Theme Park – ride the Stained Glass roller coaster of death, or, glass blowing through the ages in spectacular imax 4D motion.

But it turned out to be a tidy little stadium, with an entrance fee of £4 for this game and a quid for a tea / coffee (they were doing burgers the size of frisbees and hot dogs the size of John Holmes (allegedly, not that I’d know these sorts of things) for £3. The actual attendance was 313, though I’m sure there were more for mums and dads and grannies etc of the lads playing. It  was a cold night, and I watched the first half from the comforts of one of the two main stands. I chose the right area as I saw all the goals in the first half from here in a good lofty position.

It looked like a Stoke v Arsenal type of match up, with the Cambridge lads averaging about 6′2″ and the Histon waif like boys in comparison measuring about 5′2″. The Cambridge lads probably growing up on a diet of John Beck and his excellent adoption of the 4-2-4 hoof formation. However, the lads in gold from Cambridge were very good in the first half, slick passing, excellent movement and great skill gave them total dominance in the half. The first goal came from a corner and was scored in the first minute or so, with their 6′5″+ freak of a central defender (well he was from where I was sitting) nodded in. The second came from a corner too and the third was nicely assisted by the Histon keeper who spilled the ball over the line. The fourth was an excellent finish from the number 9 who got the ball on the corner of the box, made a little bit of room and swerved the ball into the far top corner, was applauded by most of the crowd.

Histon came out fighting a bit more in the second half and made more of a game of it, but the damage had been done. I moved to behind the Histon goalie in the hope that there was going to be another goalfrest in the second half, but it didn’t materialise, and to be honest, I left with a few minutes to go, I was cold, very tired, I wanted to move my car before the rush and I wanted to catch the last ten of the Champions League games.

I enjoyed the ground and the game, but theres always something missing when you’re Billy no mates, cold and a long way from home.

A report on the Cambridge website can be found here ——>http://www.cambridge-united.co.uk/page/YouthReports/0,,10423~1850404,00.html

I get news via text of our win at home, 5-2 over the mighty Shirebrook, and with the 2-0 win on Saturday at Winterton puts us back at the top of the league, 2 games in hand on our dear neighbours, with whom we have a couple of interesting fixtures coming up over the next couple of weeks.

1990 saw the emergence of Steve Coppell as a manager when he took Crystal Palace to the cup final (and subsequent replay) against Man U.

Both teams were adorned with now familiar names to us, but Palace’s likely lads were not so familiar until this brilliant cup run. Would we have heard of Ian Wright Wright Wright or John Salako or Mark Bright or Alan Pardew et al had it not been for this cup run. (Also spot Geoff Thomas, Nigel Martyn etc etc).

If i’m not mistaken, it was this Cup run and eventual win for United that kept one Sir Alex Ferguson in a job.

More on the cup final games can be found at wikipedia here, team line ups etc ——–>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1990_FA_Cup_Final

Summary of the first game here (Motty commentating)——–>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqxSVE6pAts&feature=fvw

Summary of the replay here (yes Motty commentating again) ——>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkrTEYSTLQs&feature=related

And a rematch with the players from the final, played in 2006, to support the Geoff Thomas foundation is here ——>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wH9QoV_8wE&feature=related

This clip was taken from the Derek “Do they mean me?” Jameson chat show. Ironically I heard the Port Vale goonies sing this the other week against Accrington.

I thought i’d start adding an extra dimension to the blog, by adding in some footballing anthems and tunes during the week when we have no game.

It seems to be the norm now to have an FA Cup song for any club in the fifth round, or for Keith Allen with any number of chums to record a song for England when they reach any major finals.

So we’ll start with a song dedicated to Englands exploits in 2006. It’s by Sham 69 (and the special assembly and re-working their classic Hurry up Harry into Hurry up England.

With the boy safely arriving in Milan for his week long school trip, I could fully concentrate on our next home game. Incidentally, the lad was swapping Queensgate for a trip to the San Siro tomorrow for the AC Milan v Chievo game – lucky sod….or so I thought, well no, I am really jealous.

However, to soften the blow the Brid Town lads put in one helluva performance that, for those who were there today, will not forget in a very long time. Scintillating, sublime, speechless, destructive, awesome, passionate, cracking, energetic, quick, magnificent, superb and “the dog’s bollocks”

It was raining, and it was horrible, sticky/clingy kind of rain. Not suitable for football at all. The ref had obviously decided he was in no mood for hanging around today and kicked off a couple of minutes early. And as i got to Phil and his raffle, Jack Wilkinson was already having a one on one with their keeper. The keeper making a fine save. Most of the crowd were huddled under the shelters of the main stand, the tea bar or the bus shelter. I’d decided to experience the persistent rain and stand over the far side, listening to the “reasonable” commentary from Talksport who were covering Stoke at Tottenham.

From the off, our lads were hungry, perhaps wanting to atone last weeks defeat, but they were untouchable. Jack, who had an outstanding game, (getting back to the sort of player he was a couple of seasons back but in a better team) got the opener after some excellent work from Nathan Hotte and Frank Belt. These two have now got such a great understanding, and work so hard getting up and down the right flank and put in some excellent balls and shots.

The second goal was probably thee best goal I have seen whilst following Brid from any side. Their must have been 12+ passes, mainly one touch, excellent movement that was started by, contributed by and finished by Ash Allanson – how many others were involved I don’t know – but this was scored in driving rain. And well deserved.

The third goal was similar, excellent passing and a cool finish from Craig Burdick, who was a real thorn in their defenders side the whole of the first half. Jack got his second just before the break. Half time and it was only 4-0.

Everyone was buzzing at half time. Stoke were drawing, only just.

Second half is only 3 minutes old and we are 6-0 up. Nathan has a shot deflected off a defender, who is credited for the goal (AFCW might be happy with that – £2 saved!!), but Nathan doesn’t disappoint and bags a beauty, literally seconds later.

After about 60-65 minutes, we aren’t as intense as we were, but you can understand that, as the lads had played their tits off. Perhaps it was the rain disappearing and the sun coming out that exhuasted them ? However, Moorlands were  still no match for us. Palms isn’t going to miss out on the goal fest and adds one on 79 to give us a handsome 7-0 lead.

Someone had put up on the forum a topic for predictions. At 1.15 or so, I had put 7-0 to us with an attendance of 144. final score was 7-0, attendance was …… 145. How close was that . so i go and get some lotteries and win chuff all, so it must have been a flukey guess.

Scarborough lose at Selby 3-2, and there seems to be some serious unrest there at the moment. Armthorpe lose at home to Hall Road 4-3, with James McGarry, Jamie Barmwell and Paul Palmer all netting. Rainworth win again at Arnold Town. Plenty of goals in the Pickering v Long Eaton game, with Long Eaton finishing 6-4 winners. Brodsworth still remain rooted to the foot of the table played 12, lost 12, goal difference -57.

My favourite team (Stoke) beat the team I hate the most (Tottenham) at White Hart Lane today with an 86th minute strike by Glenn Whelan. My other favourite team (Wealdstone) beat Aylesbury to reach the first round proper of the FA Cup, where hopefully they pull out Leeds, Darlington, Grimsby or some other Northern team, so I can go and watch them.

What a great day !!

This mighty clash just about swayed me away from my hotel room against the delectable lure of Champions League games live on Sky. The weather was cool but not freezing, for a tie in the 1st round proper of the Ridgeons League Cup, similar to our NCEL Presidents cup or equivalent.

Ridgeons league info here ——->http://www.ridgeonsleague.co.uk/. The league runs similar to NCEL at Step 5 and 6.

Walsham are currently sitting mid table of the Prem division, whilst the Wanderers are languishing just above the bottom 3 in the first division.

Wanderers were the home team, and its ground was situated in a fairly affluent area of Ipswich, and easy to find. Quite a few cars and vans in the car park, but once I’d paid my £5 to get in, £1 for a programme and £1 on the golden goal, i’d realised that the cars and vans belonged to the players and coaches, coz there was only officially 43 peeps in the stadium (the lowest attendance of the 13 ties tonight – only just, 45 at Stowmarket Town and 52 at Saffron Walden town. There were 154 at Needham Market and 141 at Great Yarmouth in contrast).

The game was a scrappy affair but you wouldn’t realise there was over a division between the two teams. Skill factor was poor, and i’m being kind there, it really looked like two pub teams rather than two semi pro teams – in fairness the pitch wasn’t the greatest, with plenty of undulation and bobbles. It was the home team who carved the best chances early on, but the impressive Walsham keeper kept them at bay with 2 or 3 excellent saves. The away team did make one or two forays but not much success, until they got a corner and scored with an unchallenged header in the box.

I got a tea to wash down my supper (a 3 bean salad from Tesco as part of my new health kick, i’m now down to just 2 McDonalds meals a day now !!) and for 70p came in a proper mug, though was not hot, was warm enough to go straight down. They also did burgers and I think hot dogs. Extra marks for the mug !

Second half and the away team control it a little more, though no one player can put his foot on the ball (ala Ash Allanson) and control the game.The away team do get another scrappy goal, when the defence appeal for about 3 forwards being off side and all 3 forwards touch the ball before it goes in. 3 or 4 players catch the eye, the away teams number 4 who wins nearly everything thrown his way and their keeper and the home teams front two (who are expected to chase everylong ball that comes their way and about 50% of the balls are way overhit and the other 50% taken out by the number 4.

the home team give themselves some hope with a nicely taken goal with about 5 to go, but there was no urgency to go and get the equalizer.

Ref watch, looked like he’d put a hard shift in at school this afternoon, and was probably glad to get his homework out of the way before the game started. Was ok on a 4 or 5 out of 10 sort of ok. His highlight was coming out for the second half about 10 minutes after both teams had lined up, and then he realised he had forgotten his whistle when he went to blow up. I think he liked his whistle, coz he blew it an awful lot.

I liked the place, I forgot to mention it had a tidy little bar as well, but on checking back through the season so far, they are averaging an attendance of about 60, how the hell do they survive ? It would be such a shame to lose clubs like this, their illustrious neighbours get 21,000+ every home game, you’d think a few more would go and support the grass roots of the game, have a beer and cheer on your local team. And we thought we had it bad !!!

The thing about watching teams at a similar level to our own, is getting a gauge to how good we think we are. Compared to tonights fayre, we are streets ahead and would probably win quite handsomely against either of them, and bar one or two players most would struggle to get into our squad, let alone the first team.

To be fair, I didn’t go, I went to Hull accompanying the in-house shopaholic on her daily jaunt to the shops. At 3pm I was stood in a sports shop wishing I was on a terrace somewhere. Thankfully, I got to listen to the second half of the Prem games in peace when Asda’s had her in their grasp.

No updates today, but then i didn’t expect any, I didn’t know if anyone was going. Though I knew it was going to be a tough game, last years encounters were, but I was buoyed up by the fact Stoke were beating the hammers 2-1 and Liverpool were being beaten by a balloon. See here —->  if the link still works

There is a very comprehensive report of the game here (via Rainworth’s site), and fair play to the guys for having this up so quick, very good report. —-> http://wrenyouresmiling.intheteam.com/modules/news/news.aspx?newsId=191214

Hey ho, there’s always next week, when Lincoln Moorlands bring their railway set with them, ho ho ho.

I meant to mention last week, that it was virtually 3 years ago to the day, that some of us witnessed (or even played) one of the darkest nights in the clubs recent history – though I suppose, I can look back and laugh at it now. Looking at where we were then to where we are now, is so contrasting. We played Stocksbridge Park Steels and the omens were ominous when Gav Kelly and Carl Giblin were both sent off in the first eighteen minutes – we were 3 down at this point. If I recall jamie Barmwell (now Hall Road Rangers) had a stormer of a game, and scored what for me, was the goal of the game, in the first half. But it was all summed up, when (again if memory serves me right) one of their subs came onto to score a 3 minute hat trick in the 74th-77th minute – FINAL SCORE 9-1 to them. It seems such a long time ago. Unibond link to the results are here  —->http://archive.unibondleague.com/results06_07.php?month=October&tid=82

I’m going to be lazy and recap the game and other points on a GOOD / BAD perspective, so here goes :

BAD : The forum has plummed some new depths this week, with one or two stirring up the usual hornets nest of trouble. It’s wound quite a few up.

GOOD : We play a tricky team, Nostell, who surpress our dominance in the first half with a good all round defensive display. However, three well taken goals in the second half give a fair reflection of our superiority in the game.

GOOD : to see Wayne Wallace back at the ground, did I overhear Pete saying that Wayne is possibly coming back ?

GOOD : Should be EXCELLENT, all round team performance.

GOOD : 200 through the turnstiles, there must be more sneaking in for free than was first thought !

GOOD : The lad wins Warrens raffle, which was to raise funds for the recent vandalism (£10 and a silver dollar). Thankfully I have win on the machines in the bar, so I pay Warren back so as he is not out of pocket. The lad is up £10, I’m up £30 and Warren is not out of pocket, and he raises £30 or £40 quid – everyones a winner.

BAD : I still don’t win in THE RAFFLE !

BAD : England game is on the internet for £4.99

GOOD : I found a free stream on justin.tv

BAD : England (well Rio) were awful

GOOD : news comes in that Scarborough concede two in the last few minutes fo their game at Parkgate to lose 4-3 after being 3-1 up. And Armthorpe lose their 100% record at home to Long Eaton. We are now second two points behind Scarborough with three games in hand.

GOOD : My other non league team win 3-0 in the third qualifying round of the FA Cup.

GOOD : Leeds Rhinos win a third consecutive super league grand final, coming from behind to do it.

So the end of yet another busy footballing week, see’s us in action in the First round proper of the FA Vase. We were playing host to an improving South Shields team, who currently reside in the http://www.northernleague.org/ Reading reports on their forum, it seems they struggled a bit last term.

Whilst the sun was shining brightly in the distance, the wind was blowing a gale across the ground, making playng conditions very difficult. The opposing fans came down in some good numbers, however there were only 179 officially in.

The opening exchanges saw both teams struggle with the conditions, however, it was Brid that seemed to settle quicker, and with their passing game, started to carve out the chances. Before Danny Buttle scored on 41, we could have had several, and Danny himself was guilty of missing a cracking opportunity. The opponents really didn’t hit any stride, they had about a 10 minute spell in the first half where they sort of threatened but it was easily sorted out by our keeper and back 4.

The contest was soon over in the second half, when Palms netted his 13th of the season, though he did have some excellent opportunities to have added more to that tally and get his 4th hat trick of the season to date, but alas it wasn’t to be.

Another brilliant team performance from the lads, hard to choose a MOM, but I went for Tom Fleming who led by example (though his tackling scares me to death, when he goes in studs showing a lot – but hey, Tom’s a great lad and we wouldn’t expect / want any different from him). the South Shielders who came to watch, were obviously disappointed with their teams showing, but with some patience and one or two additions to their team, they can have a very good season, it what is a difficult league.

Our reward for this effort ? Today we were drawn away to Scarborough, and we play them a week after our league encounter at home. Another of those massive “Landlord v tennant” games that became so synonymous with Wimbledon, Charlton and Palace back in the 90’s.

A couple of lads from work, whilst staying in Stoke decided to go to the game and I decide to go and also look to meet up with one of our sponsors who is working close by, but the allure of a warm pub, good grub and beer become too much (and after watching this, I can’t say as I blame him). It costs a whopping £19 to get into the ground. Jeeeezuuuussss Chriiiiissstttt HOW MUCH !?!?!?!? no wonder there was only 4,326 there tonight. £2.50 for a programme and a quid for the fanzine, £3 for a pie and a tea, and that is a serious amount of money for….how can I put this politely…..shit football. And as a life long Stoke fan, venturing into Vale Park for a non derby game, is perhaps the worst than commiting murder. It’s ok, I would go into the away end with Stanley fans. Not a chance, I end up being herded into the home end by one of my colleagues – ffs.

Mickey Adams is now in charge of the Valiants who have really struggled over the last few seasons. Things have recently been so bad, the whole team were transfer listed last Saturday. Mickey Adams is now being seen as the clubs saviour, he’s not had the best managerial CV, but I don’t think he has operated at this low a level during his career. Time will tell, lets hope he gets them relegated.

Average age of the crowd seemed to be about 70, few flat caps on show, though others were wearing the Chav-tastic Port Vale baseball hats. Vale Park is a tidy little ground, I really enjoyed the place, with a cracking pitch. The only thing it missed was an atmosphere, but with a poor team, and even poorer results there’s not too much to cheer about.

The game was only 4 minutes old before Vale took the lead from the impressive Louis Dodds, though the defending (which was a theme for the whole game from both sides), was like watching a Chuckle Brothers DVD. Passing was poor, Vale tended to hoof a lot of the time, and Vales positional play was very suspect as well. Were they 4-4-2, 5-3-2, 4-3-3, 6-3-1 who the hell knows ? Stanley at times were trying to play, but it was sporadic and lacked skill and pace for 75 minutes.

The game only kicks into life in the 82nd minute, when Stanley are awarded a harsh penalty, which is taken with great aplomb. This kicks Vale into life and they go straight back up the other end and re-assert their lead, and with Vale thinking they had won the game, on the stroke of 90, Stanley score a real belter to tie the game. The 50 or 60 away fans bang their drum and go delirious. The home contingent were fed up and unfairly booed their team off at the final whistle.

You know the fan base is different when the officials were getting a few things wrong, they would normally be heckled with some very harsh expletives, here I heard one woman shouting at one of their players “come on get up, it’s a bloody man’s game, you’re not pussies, get on with it!”

Other than fitness levels, I reckon we could give either of these teams a real run for their money. Thats quite a bold statement i suppose, but i do genuinly believe that.

…..we draw 2-2 with Dinnington after being 2 up at half time. Tom Fleming gets sent off with one of their boys at around the half time whistle. Goes to show what an influential player he is for us, we must have missed him in the 2nd half.

A bumper crop for all you footy fans, not one but two scintillating reports for you to dribble over. The first was last Saturday, where the top team (us) were playing the bottom team (them). After 7 games, an already massive 21 points seperated the teams, and a huge 60+ goals differential (us +22, them -42). The omens were good that there was going to be a goal feast at Brodsworths expense.

Their team struggled to get there on time, which gave our lads the opportunity for another rigorous pre-game workout in the blazing sunshine. Their team were very young, any younger and it would have been necessary to reduce the pitch to a 3rd of its normal size and put the inflatable goals up.

It didn’t take us long to get into our stride, with Palms, Buttle, and Rhodesy all going close. It took until the 24th minute to break the deadlock, how we hadn’t scored 5 or 6 before then I don’t know. The difference in class was immense, and you could understand the thrashings they have been getting, BUT and a very big BUT, the Brodsworth lads have to be commended for playing the game in the spirit in which the game should be played, they gave it their best efforts, and in time should improve massively. It’s the least they deserve – hopefully they come good against Scarborough.

Half time comes and we are 5-0 up, should be 10-0. But (I know another but) there’s something not right about the game, the ground, the fans. It’s only as we get going in the second half that I realise there’s just no sparkle to any of us. Things just felt flat, the mafia were singing a little, the lads whilst playing well, never got out of second gear, they didn’t need to.

Palms gets his third hat trick in 5 games, fantastic effort from him, and Rhodesy gets one too. Their number 9 scores one of the goals of the game, which demonstrated their never give up spirit, even though they were 6 or 7 down at that point.

In reality we could have broken a few scoring records today, but realistically, we save the guys for more important matches like Dinnington on Tuesday – as I write this, the Dinnington result is coming in….