Fiiiiiive Non League Games

Horbury Town 1 v Glasshoughton Welfare 2

Northern Counties East, Division 1 (Step 6)

Wednesday 28 December 2022

Hallam 2 v Handsworth 0

Northern Counties East, Premier (Step 5)

Tuesday 27 December 2022

Dagenham & Redbridge 1 v Maidstone United 0

National League (Step 1)

Monday 26 December 2022

Frenford 2 v Barkingside 0

Eastern Counties, First Division South (Step 6)

Monday 26 December 2022

Barking 0 v Romford 2

Essex Senior League (Step 5)

Friday 23 December 2022

Fiiiiiive Non League games, four new grounds…

Horbury Town

Horbury Town's pile at the Slazengers Sports Club was the 412th ground I've ticked football on. New to proper football at Step 6 this season. There's a nice "garden centre" style white plastic fence surrounding the pitch. A correct per regulations exact fifty seater stand. (Incidentally, dumped by forklift too far from the pitch, many of the 220 crowd stood it front of it anyway, uninhabited during the game). Also half a dozen horses - welcome to West Yorkshire!!!!

Two red cards. Glasshoughton went ahead on 17. A hoofed free kick from his own half into the mixer went straight in over the (looked like a young kid to me) keeper.

On 75, there was a goalmouth melee. A close range thunderbastard from Horbury was handled by/hit the Glassy defender. Penalty (banged home) and straight red. After a bit of timewasting & magic sponging, there were seven minutes added on. At 90+4, a Horburyian was redded for a last man foul. The free kick was knocked against the bar and a Glassywegian pumped the rebound home. Wild West (Yorkshire) celebrations on 90+6.

Hallam

Remarkable again up at Sandygate. 1,029 human souls, on a cold, windy, a bit of rainy day. They'll have also taken a fortune at the food kiosk and the bar. Goals on 75 and 80 won it for Hallam. We were just making our way to the 1860 Bar, in the hope of being served, as the second went in. Meaning we were in pole position for the man of the match presentation to keeper Hugo Warhurst.

We, understandably, were on;

SALT, Loom, Pale Ale on Keg at 4%

Dagenham & Redbridge

A late contender for Non League Bus Of The Year whisked us to within mooching distance of the Daggers Victoria Road home. The #145, Leytonstone to Dagenham ASDA, stopped at the end of the drive at our 11am Boxing Day First Leg at Frenford. Giving us a nice leisurely trip to the 3pm Second Leg.

We stuck our head in the Big n Busy Clubhouse. Cask clips turned around I'm afraid. We stood on the long, low, covered terrace. Along with the 14 to 64 year old sent from Central Casting East End Geezers. A nice surface allowing some flowing skills at times. A great curling shot on 37 won it for the No One Really Mentions Redbridge-ers.

Frenford

Great find for a Boxing Day morning. Allowing some Double Header action. The pitch is visible from the main road, down a wide drive. School on your right. Sports centre ahead of you. The 3G standard cage on your left. Two small, regulation stands on one side. We had to Buzz In to get on the complex.

A thoroughly enjoyable game. Frenford were one of those teams with a number of "mature" players who really know how to play at this level. Midfielder who barely moves from the centre circle, but most of the play goes through him, and he's available for every pass. Centre back who wins headers, and every header is deliberately directed wide and out of danger. Striker, using what pace he's got before his knees go, staying just onside on every move and leaning his marker out of the way. Goals on 20 & 70 won it for Frenford.

Barking

A 3G pitch in a older football ground setting, rather than a new build cage setting. It's Barking's ground. But today's visitors, Romford, also use it as their home ground as tenants. I was a bit disappointed there wasn't more of a feral, East End rivalry, atmosphere. A pretty frenetic game, particularly for the first 20. The tenants won it.

The Hypochondria

My name is Phil, I'm a Type II Diabetic. My BMI is 24.7. I chucked the lot in over Christmas Day & Boxing Day. Trifle, Cheesecake, Cake, Ice Cream, a few Chocolates, a few Wine Gums. But, the only alcohol I had was the beer at Hallam. I also feel like I'm now back on track. Hoping for a Blood Test in four weeks. The plan (until then) remains no indiscriminate choccies, biccies, sweeties or ice cream. And a few beers only on proper awaydays. While trying to keep my seven day average under 14 units. Still emphasising - I don't feel ill, indeed, I feel fiddle fit. Just the sugar numbers in my blood causing a long term concern. I'm finding it motivating to keep explaining in my Blog. Cheers.

I average THREE units of alcohol per week over the past 7 days.

And, my 30 day average units of alcohol is EIGHT per week.

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I have now Blogged from 1,190 games in 3,053 days