Lincoln Moorlands Railway 1 v Staveley Miners Welfare 2 - Baris NCEL Premier Division

Monday 30th April 2012, at Newark Road
Baris Northern Counties East League, Premier Division
Lincoln Moorlands Railway (1) 1
Ben Good 15
Staveley Miners Welfare (1) 2
Chris Coy 45, 50
Admission £5, Programme £1.20, Attendance 46
Sent off: Two Staveley platers:
1) Ryan Damms, 40 mins, straight red card, for an outburst of foul and abusive language towards the referee.
And 2) Kyle Forbes Chambers, 88 mins, another straight red card, for elbowing a Lincoln player, after having come on as a substitute late in the game.
Lincoln Moorlands Railway:
Turner, Harkin, Lucas, Thompson, Greenwood, Hone, Nichol, Paylor, Good, Brook, Garrick.
Subs - Batchelor, Sinker, Hocking
Staveley Miners Welfare:
Dewberry, Smith, Fawcus, Staley, Foyle, Coy, Thornton, Eagers, Damms, Fox, Walker.
Subs - Forgione, Claridge, Thomas, Forbes-Chambers
I've no intention of trying to defend either of the visiting players who were sent off in this 'feisty' encounter, because they were both justifiably punished; but it needs putting on record, that tonight's referee Dave Benton, had a bit of a stinker ... and that's me trying to be polite.
His performance, was inconsistent and bewildering, in equal measure.
I wouldn't want to be a referee, especially for a stop/start scrappy game like this one.
I know there wouldn't be a game without them and they do an unenviable job most of the time, but tonight's game needed a strong referee and though he tried asserting his authority with a countless string of bookings, he never really seemed to be in charge, as one curious decision after another was met with derision from all quarters.
Granted, Mr Benton's understanding of the rules of the game is vastly superior to most other people who were present at the game tonight, in whatever capacity, myself included, but even a humble fan like myself, can spot a man drowning out of his depth.
In the end, only two players were dismissed, if the out of sorts official had applied the same letter of the law, that he did to those two, to everybody else, there could easily have been a few more leaving early.
A Moorlands defender's 'strong' four letter word strewn protest, over a penalty that wasn't awarded, was easily as bad as the volley of abuse Ryan Damms let rip with at the official, but he wasn't even booked.
Staveley nearly took the lead early on, when Ryan Damms powered an header on target from Callum Walker's left wing cross, but Craig Turner in the Lincoln goal did well to tip the ball over. But then on 15 minutes, Ben Good, came good at the other end and lobbed Martin Dewberry from the edge of the box to put the home side ahead.
Chances went begging at both ends, before, with 5 minutes of the half remaining, Ryan Damms got his marching orders (see details above).
Lincoln nearly rubbed salt in the wounds by going two up a minute later, but Good fired wide.
Right on half time, Joe Thornton cut in from the left and put the ball square across the box for Chris Coy, who stumbled slightly on the difficult pitch, but still managed to put the ball into the goal.
Half time 1-1.
5 minutes into the second half, a frantic scramble on the edge of the box, saw the ball break to Chris Coy, standing in the D and he fired home through a crowded box to put the visitors ahead.
The game was continuously and monotonously punctuated by the shrill sound of the referee's whistle, which was spoiling it as a spectacle.
Staveley's Callum Walker slashed a shot over the bar on 73 minutes that would've killed the game off.
Moorlands never really asserted themselves or used their numerical advantage constructively, but Staveley were struggling to put the game out of their hosts reach too.
With two minutes remaining, David Hone broke free for the home side, but Dewberry kept his head, stayed upright as long as possible and saved well.
Josh Thomas came close for Staveley, but his shot flew wide of the goal.
With the clock ticking down, Jamie Smith took a throw in out from the right wing towards the Lincoln penalty area, but during the jockeying for position, the referee had spotted an infringement by Kyle Forbes-Chambers (see details above, again) and Staveley were down to 9 men for the remainder of the game, which finished - Lincoln Moorlands Railway 1 v Staveley Miners Welfare 2.
OK, I don't want to sound overly critical of Staveley, because I hold the club and a lot of the people there in very high regard, but I'm struggling to come to terms with understanding the circumstances surrounding their current glut of red card offences.
It genuinely saddens me, to see the indiscipline that was initially creeping in, but which is now seemingly taking root, throughout the Staveley ranks.
The situation really needs addressing and putting right forthwith, as a matter of some urgency. Otherwise a forward looking and friendly football club, with a hard won great reputation for doing things the right way, is going to start getting a bad name amongst their peers.
Quite often, on my travels, over the last few seasons, I've compiled a lengthy list of fixtures to pick from and I've chosen to watch the Inkersall Road side in action, instead of going anywhere else, because I knew that win, lose or draw, they would always be entertaining to watch, while upholding the virtues of sportsmanship and fair play.
However, since the end of March, I've looked on with no small amount of bewilderment, wondering just what kind of mindset certain players are starting to develop at Staveley.
And it's mystifying to me to see how they've let their standards slip, so far, so quickly, as regards self discipline.

All it needed was a ball of twitchweed blowing across the 'grass'

to complete a convincing and authentic 'wild west' scene

A lot of the pitches at this fag end of the season, haven't exactly been conducive to fast, passing football, in fact there were so many bare patches on the Newark Road pitch tonight, it could've been rechristened 'the Prairie', but it isn't just 'the Staveley way' of playing the game that's gone out of the window of late, the way some players have been conducting themselves leaves a lot to be desired too.
OK they're tired as the fixtures pile up and that's taking it's toll, they'll obviously bitterly disappointed that a downturn in form has cost them their place in the challenge for the League title, so soon after missing out on a possible once in a lifetime trip to Wembley, when they lost out in the FA Vase at the semi final stage ... but come on!
Anger fuelled outbursts, tantrums and silly, niggling unnecessary fouls, that are racking up the red card count at alarming rate, are not the right way to tackle this grim, end of season malaise.
Instead, there is no better time than now, to take on board a bit of responsibility, recapture some of the self belief that was evident earlier in the season and restore some pride back into the team. Before going away to recharge during the closed season and coming back ready to go again in August.
Though it's a hectic schedule over this next week or so, I hope Staveley can finish the remainder of this season with a smile back on their faces, playing like they are capable of, instead of sinking to the level they are destined for, if they don't cut out the petulance and histrionics they've indulging in far too often of late.
The Blues have had a good League campaign for the most part, in the highest division they've ever played in and had a great run in the Vase.
That ought to be a source of no small amount of pride and should be used as a platform to build on, now the foundations are so obviously in place.
I say to the current Staveley squad ... please don't spoil those achievements and undo all the hard work it took to get into that position over the last few years, by spitting the dummy out now things aren't going your way.
Take stock, heads down, sleeves up, get up off the floor, dust yourselves down and focus on doing the things you do well.
Because you're an excellent football team, but to be frank you're crap at gamesmanship, noising up the referee and playing dirty.
That's not 'the Staveley way ... now is it!?
Over to you Staveley Miners Welfare, don't just prove me right, do it for yourselves.

Aldershot Town 2 v Rotherham United 2 - npower League 2

Unless Eldershit Town really were playing Rotterdam,

somebody needs to buy a few replacement light bulbs

Saturday 28th April 2012
at the Ebb Stadium, AKA Recreation Ground
npower League 2
Aldershot Town (1) 2
Peter Vincenti 20, Guy Madjo 56
Rotherham United (2) 2
Gareth Evans 11 pen, Sam Hoskins 30
Admission £17 Programme £3 Attendance 2,578 (219 away fans)
Sent off:
Tom Dewey (Rotherham) 73, Jordan Roberts (Aldershot) 80
Aldershot Town:
Young, Herd, Straker, Jones, Hylton, Morris, Vincenti, Molesley (Roberts 66 mins), Madjo (Connolly 80 mins), Risser (Mekki 55 mins), Payne.
Unused Subs - Bergqvist, Clement.
Rotherham United:
Warrington, Tonge, Newey, Evans, Taylor (Harrison 86 mins), Hoskins (Cadogan 90 mins), Schofield, Bradley, Mullins, Pringle (Wood 76 mins), Revell.
Unused Subs - Taylor, Naylor.
He went where!?
I know, I wonder myself sometimes.
A 10th v 11th npower League 2 fixture, where the winner could have ... well maybe could have at a push, scraped into the play offs by the skin of their teeth, if results elsewhere had gone their way.
But they didn't.
And the game finished all square anyway, meaning the visitors ended the day, still in 10th place, while the home side remained in 11th.
How much more excitement could you possibly need to entice you 177 miles down south into Hampshire, on a grim, wet and rainy Saturday afternoon, than that mouthwatering scenario?
Get a move on you men in white coats, I'm not even going to put up a token resistance when you finally come to take me away.
In March 1992, Aldershot F.C. became the first Football League team to fold during the football season, since Accrington Stanley out of business way back in in 1962.
Aldershot Town was formed later the same year and they started out competing in the Isthmian League Third Division.
So it's arguable whether Aldershot Town were a completely new team circa 1992, or a reborn club, resurrected from the ashes of the originally club and carrying on where they left off.
Either way, they gained promotion 'back' into the Football League some 16 years later, when they won the Conference title at the end of the 2007-08 season, having already been Play Off runners up in 2003-04 and beaten semi finalists in 2004-05.
I last visited the Recreation ground in the early 1980's and had wondered what changes might have been made to the now grandiosely named Ebb Stadium during the interim years.
Upon arrival, I discovered the answer to that line of enquiry was - virtually none whatsoever.
There are a few new looking plastic seats and you can't see quite as much of the match action for free from the adjacent parkland any more, but pretty much, the majority of the ground seems to have been restored exactly the way it always was, for old times sake and posterity.
Just like the last time I was here, almost 30 years ago, you still enter this three sided ground (it isn't a stadium by any stretch of the imagination) through a row of turnstile on Aldershot High Street, opposite The Crimea public House and then follow the signposts to your designated area of the ground, where a plentiful supply of stewards will check your tickets to make sure you aren't in the wrong place.
The stewards were all friendly and helpful, unlike the fascists I've encountered at certain other grounds and they didn't have any objections to me exercising my 'right to roam' during the game, which gave 'the Rec' a homely, welcoming feel and, dare I say it, gives the place a touch of non league warmth and charm.
I am a bit of a Luddite when it comes to certain football traditions.
Though I can see the practicality of post Taylor report, soulless, identikit 'family friendly' football stadia, with all of their straight lines, unspoilt views, symmetry and shiny mod cons.
And I must confess that I do enjoy a bit of comfort from time to time these days, as old age and decrepitude rapidly sets in.
But, I still really enjoy visiting proper old fashioned football grounds and do wallow in the warts n' all nostalgic splendour of places like the Recreation Ground.
Of course, this being a 'big time' Football League arena, Aldershot and Rotherham fans were segregated.
The visiting fans had one block of seats, one third of the covered East Bank behind the goal and a section of open terrace alongside the pitch to choose from.
And if standing outside in the 'piss-istent' rain is your vantage point of choice, while the majority of other visiting fans are taking shelter from the current 'drought' the nation is in the grip of under a nearby roof, then that is your prerogative ;-)
The game was end to end stuff and as evenly balanced as the final score suggests.
A chick check on the BBC results site on my phone on the way home, confirmed that possession had been split 51%/49% in Aldershot's favour.
It really was that close and could've gone either way.
Rotherham had the better of the early exchanges, but after getting their second equaliser of the afternoon, Aldershot looked more threatening late in the game.
But the draw was a fair result and the crowd, though disappointed that the post match maths meant neither side had forced their way into the play offs, had been treated to a cracking game of football and the kind of entertainment that threatens to give 'pointless, mid table, end of season fare' type fixtures, a good reputation.
Darren Jones was presented, on the pitch, with Aldershot's player of the year award prior to kick off. He 'celebrated' by putting ten minutes of Rotherham pressure to an abrupt end in the opening stages, by flattening Gareth Evans inside the penalty area right in front of the referee. Evans got up and, well, the following pictures say it all ...

(Above) Gareth Evans tees up his 11th minute spot kick ...

... and fires the visitors in front (below)

Rotherham continued to look dangerous, but Aldershot counter attacked down the left flank.
The initial danger was half cleared, but Danny Hylton and Mark Molesley combined to put Guy Madjo through into a clear goalscoring position ... his effort was blocked, but Peter Vincenti was on hand to knock the ball home from six yards out to equalise for the Shots.
Vincenti played three games on loan for the mighty Stags, Mansfield Town FC last season, so he obviously picked up that kind of striking prowess while he was at Field Mill, as you do ;-)
Rotherham were back in front on 30 minutes, when Sam Hoskins, out on the right side of the box, lobbed Jamie Young from out on the wing and scored off the inside of the left hand upright with the Aldershot keeper wrong footed, back peddling at clutching at fresh air.
Some people might have suggested that Hoskins goal was a cross cum shot that had an element of luck attached to it, but I'll give him the benefit of the doubt and say he meant it.
Jamie Young looked like a competent enough shot stopper, tipping the ball round the frame of his goal and parrying a few efforts away, but he didn't seem too keen on actually holding onto the ball.
Possibly that was because of the wet and greasy conditions and he isn't usually that way inclined, but it certainly contributed to several 'bomb-scare' moments over the course of the game.
That said though, he pulled off a great save moments before the break, when he tipped an Alex Revell half volley over the bar at full stretch.
After the break, Aldershot attacked more and grew stronger as the game went on, though the visitors had started the second half pretty much as they had finished the first.
Danny Hylton, the home sides top scorer had a couple of half chances as Dean Holdsworth's side went in search of an equaliser, but neither effort really troubled Rotherham's veteran keeper Andy Warrington.
For the benefit of those who were privy to the discussion on the North Stand terrace, I've checked it up and he was born in 1976, so the 'veteran' is actually nowhere near as ancient as any of those of us who were debating his age.
On 55 minutes Aldershot got a corner out on the right, after a bit of too-ing and fro-ing, Josh Payne put a probing cross into the box, which found Peter Vincenti, who put the ball across the face of the Rotherham goal where Guy Madjo was on hand to head home from close range.
Hoskins netted again for Rotherham, but his header was disallowed, after the linesman spotted an offside infringement and raised his flag.
Though it was never a dirty game, it finished ten aside, when firstly, Tom Newey, the Millers left back, already sat on a yellow card, clattered into Adam Mekki and got his marching orders.
And then shortly afterwards, Jason Roberts saw red too, when minutes after getting booked, he mistimed a kick in the Rotherham box and got a second yellow for a foul that was more clumsy than malicious.
Either way it was still a foul.
Aldershot substitute Reece Connolly had two chances late in the game, to steal all three points from Rotherham United and their 'ever popular' manager Steve Evans, but he went agonisingly close and both sides had to settle for a point apiece.
Great game, a smashing rough and ready olde' world ground and a very worthwhile and enjoyable trip, on what was a horrible afternoon weather-wise.

Don't be alarmed, the one on the right isn't actually a player

Elsewhere: Mansfield beat Kidderminster, but Luton's victory at Fleetwood, meant the in form Hatters and not the Harriers had clinched the last BSBP play off spot anyway.
Mansfield will play York over two legs (bring it on!), while Wrexham face Luton.
Gainsborough Trinity pulled off a great result, winning 3-2 at Altrincham, to set up a play off semi v FC Halifax Town.
Retford United drew 2-2 at NCEL Premier Division leaders Bridlington Town and will be champions if they can beat Thackley in their last remaining fixture.
Harworth Colliery drew 1-1 with Easington United in the CMFL Northern Division.

Staveley Miners Welfare 4 v Mickleover Sports 1 - CMFL Supreme Reserves League

Thursday 26th April 2012, at Inkersall Road
Windsor Foodservice Central Midlands Football League, Glenwood Printing Reserve Supreme Division (apparently, the trophy engraver has a *very* steady hand)
Staveley Miners Welfare (2) 4
Adam Houghton 3, Matt Langley
Mickleover Sports (1) 1
John Clarke
Admission, £2 Programme, 50p
Attendance, 30+ Weather, Tsunamiesque
Ta very much, to the ultra efficient Staveley MW Secretary Ele Reaney, for the team details and strong, hot coffee.

The relevant half of the team sheet - left click to enlarge image

Prior to kick off, Staveley's 'stiffs' needed just one win (or two draws) from their final six games, to clinch the Championship, following their 3-1 win over Heanor Town Reserves on Monday night at Inkersall Road, when Adam Houghton (2) and Matt Langley got the goals.
Tonight Adam Houghton went one better and netted a hat trick and Matt Langley weighed in again, with a late goal, on a night that Staveley Miners Welfare Reserves won (and retained) the League Title.
John Clarke scored Mickleover's consolation goal.
On a night that wasn't really fit for being outdoors, both teams deserve credit for putting on an entertaining game. That said, the margin of victory reflects the four to one ratio of chances the Blues side had over their visitors.
Top three as of 9.40pm 26th April 2012
Staveley MW - Played 24 - Points 68 - Goal Difference +67
Borrowash Vics - Played 27 - Points 56 - Goal Difference + 56
Belper Town - Played 24 - points 49 - Goal Difference + 33
Circumnavigating the deep puddles, flooded sections of road and torrential rain along the A619 towards north Derbyshire from Worksop, I honestly expected to arrive in Staveley to discover that the place was underwater (not just the football ground) and the game was off.
But, while games nearby at Worksop Parramore's Sandy Lane and Retford United's Cannon Park had fallen foul of the weather, the Inkersall Road pitch had, by some quirk of fate, managed to remain playable.
The goal area at the clubhouse end of the ground became a bit of a glue-pot towards the end of the second half, but the referee's decision that 'the show must go on' was completely right.
No doubt, there would've been more people in attendance at this 'Championship decider' game tonight, if it hadn't have been for the horrible climate, but not everybody has the same gung ho 'thrill seeker' mindset as me, that allows them to bypass any kind of common sense and head off out on the foulest of foul nights, on the off chance that a game might be on.
Or to paraphrase, I'm much sadder than most of you out there reading this.

It became apparent during the first half, that writing a report that encompassed all of the goal scoring opportunities that were created during the game, would require a War and Peace length epistle to squeeze it all in, never mind a brief blog overview.
So let's just say, Mickleover Sports created a few good chances and Staveley, well ... I lost count of how many they had.
Some brave goalkeeping, last ditch clearances and goalmouth action 'hampered by the difficult conditions', kept the final score down to 4-1 as the raids on goal came in thick and fast.
So, on to the actual goals.
15 minutes.
Scott Ellis provided a precision cross from out on the right flank that Adam Houghton headed home to open the scoring. 1-0
32 minutes.
Matt Langley tried his luck with a shot from 20 yards out, Chris Whiteley in the Sports gaol, got down to his right and blocked the shot, but Houghton was on hand again to tuck the rebound away. 2-0
41 minutes.
Following a flurry of action around the Staveley box, as the visitors looked to get a goal back before the break, the ball fell into the path of John Clarke out on the left hand side of the area. Confronted by several defenders and the Blues keeper Danny Whetton, Clarke opted not to take them on, but cleverly hoodwinked them all, by cheekily lobbing and scoring off the right hand upright. 2-1
Half time 2-1 ... and as the players walked towards the dressing rooms, the heavens opened again. Instead of walking round to the bar, we opted to stay under the roof of the stand, tucked away up against the sanctuary of the back wall.

Staveley captain Shaun Tuton

53 minutes.
Mickleover's Mark Nelson crossed from the right for Jamie Sparkes, who's goalbound header was cleared off the line by Joe Bytheway.
Staveley counter attacked quickly and Adam Houghton found himself one on one with Chris Whiteley and drilled the ball home to complete his hat trick. 3-1
Adam Houghton was then withdrawn, his rest was well earned.
Several more chances went begging and then on the hour Staveley were down to ten men when Shaun Tuton was dismissed, the second straight red card I've seen a Staveley player receive over the last few days.
Staveley's fire power was further depleted, when Kallum Nix had to go off, having been unable to shake off a knock he'd got early in the second half.
86 minutes.
Scott Ellis thumped a corner from the left hand side, into the vistors six yard box, the ball was cleared to the edge of the area, but fell invitingly for Matt Langley who gratefully bulged the back of the visitors net to claim the last of tonight's goals. 4-1
Congratulations Staveley Miners Welfare, Champions of the Windsor Foodservice Central Midlands Football League Glenwood Printing Reserve Supreme Division, again!
There's been a bit a dark cloud hanging over the club since the first team lost out to Dunston UTS in the FA Vase semi final.
Hopefully, the title win for the reserves, a vital development step between the Under 19s and first team (and a luxury that a lot of other local clubs don't even have), is a good omen for the future and recent set backs will be seen as a blip in the grand scheme of things for this progressive club, when (not if) they get themselves back on track.
Some of their 'old guard' of players have already moved on, having served the club well.
By the look of the Under 19 and Reserve team squads ,there are plenty of contenders capable of stepping up to the mark to fill their shoes.
Young left back Chris Fawcus captaining the first team at Cannon Park on Tuesday night being a case in point.

Next up:
Friday night's Doncaster Senior League, Premier Division Cup Final at Yorkshire Main, between Hemsworth Town and South Elmsall United Services is OFF because of a waterlogged pitch.
On Saturday I could turn up just about anywhere, so get the kettle on just in case.

Retford United 3 v Staveley Miners Welfare 0 - Baris NCEL Premier Division

Mr P Jackson of Retford's flag hanging master class was well attended by local chip scoffing youngsters

Tuesday 24th April 2012, at Cannon Park
Baris Northern Counties East League, Premier Division
Retford United (3) 3
Warren Hatfield 25, 35, Karl Slack 30
Staveley Miners Welfare (0) 0
Admission £5, Programme £1.50, Attendance 210
Many thanks to the demur Annie Knight for the team line ups, muchly appreciated.
Man of the match, Steve Gilles, Retford United's groundsman, the pitch looked in great shape and held up well. You only have to look at the standing water on the fields surrounding Cannon Park to see what a great job Steve's done these past couple of days.

Retford United:

Fisher, Baugh, Austin, Hayes, Nightingale, Chambers, Colton, Hatfield, Snowden (Haslam), Slack, Scott.
Unused Subs - Carty, Dawson, Hall, Brown.
Staveley Miners Welfare:
Dewberry, Forbes-Chambers, Cockerill (Foyle), Fawcus, Staley, Patterson, Smith, Eagers, Damms, Fox, Thornton (Walker).
Unused Subs - Coy, Claridge, Thomas.

A well timed and fairly academic win for the Badgers, puts them just one point behind league leaders Bridlington Town, with a game in hand.

Weather permitting, that game is just 48 hours away, on Thursday night, when Thackley are due to visit Cannon Park.

Then this coming weekend, Retford visit Bridlington in a championship decider, while Staveley travel to Nostell Miners Welfare, who were on the wrong end of a 10-1 thrashing by Retford United last weekend.

Less than two weeks ago, Staveley did tonight's hosts a massive favour, by beating Bridlington 2-1 at Inkersall Road ... If you look closely enough, you can probably see the gossamer like threads linking the bigger picture and all of these sub plots together.

When Warren Hatfield fired United ahead from just inside the box on 25 minutes, it seemed to knock a tired looking Staveley completely out of their stride.

And within ten minutes the visitors found themselves vaingloriously chasing the game, as the Badgers scored again, twice.

Karl Slack, looking ever so slightly offside (or so the Retford United fans sat near us thought), ran through and beat Martin Dewberry in a one on one, and then Warren Hatfield, again, hit the third from the edge of the box, whilst mastering the noble art of trying to keep a shot on target while stumbling off balance.

The strike wasn't aesthetically neat to look at, but it was effective never the less.

It's no wonder Hadfield looks like a contender for United's 'player of the season', though I did hear a few people saying they were going to vote for Adam Scott.

It did look as though a rout might be on the cards for a while, but no further goals were forthcoming. After just 35 minutes, that scenario didn't seem likely.

Half time, Retford United 3 v Staveley Miners Welfare 0

If they were going to get anything out of this game, Staveley were going to have to get a goal back early in the second half.
But things went from bad to worse for the visitors instead and they were reduced to ten men, when Kyle Forbes-Chambers was shown a straight red card for a rash challenge, right in front of the home side's dug out, which prompted a brief and undignified bout of pushing, shoving, finger pointing and handbags at ten paces. Thankfully that all blew over fairly quickly though.
As often happens when faced by ten men instead of the full quota of eleven, the Badgers found Staveley a tougher nut to crack during the second half.
For their part however, Billy Fox's side were mostly restricted to long range free kicks on goal, which hardly troubled Jason Fisher at all.

With eight minutes of time remaining, Ryan Damms had a chance to reduce the arrears for the visitors from the spot, but Jason Fisher guessed which way the penalty kick was going and saved it well.
A well deserved three points for Brett Marshall's Badgers in the end, but Staveley didn't really give a very good account of themselves tonight. They seem to still be reeling from the hammer blow of going out of the FA Vase at the semi final stage.
I know they're much better than this, but they need to start believing that themselves too.
Full time: Retford United 3 v Staveley Miners Welfare 0

Having already lost twice away from home to Thackley already this season; 2-0 in the League and 5-1 in the League Cup, Retford owe their next opponents a performance.
I was present at the League Cup game and although the Badgers weren't at full strength, it would be fair to say, they had a lacklustre off night.
I'm sure they won't play like that again this week.
A win against the Bradford area club would leave them requiring a point at Bridlington on Saturday to secure the title.

Whether they win the Championship or not, the Badgers have had a great year in the NCEL, fingers crossed that manager Brett Marshall can be convinced to stay on and continue his job with them beyond this season.
Staveley, hmm ... I think they owe themselves a performance on current form.
They now face four League fixtures in 7 days (Tadcaster Albion, Nostell Miners Welfare and Lincoln Moorlands Railway away and Scarborough Athletic at home) and can hopefully pick things up again and finish their campaign on a high, because there are a lot of positives to draw on from their first season in the NCEL Premier Division.

Luton Town 1 v Kidderminster Harriers 0 - BSBP

Saturday 21st April 2012, at Kenilworth Road
Blue Square Bet Premier
Luton Town (0) 1
Robbie Willmott 67
Kidderminster Harriers (0) 0
Admission £18 Programme £3
Attendance 8,415 (751 away fans)
Luton Town:
Mark Tyler, Keith Keane, George Pilkington (C), Alex Lawless, Robbie Willmott (Shane Blackett 85mins), Stuart Fleetwood (Craig McAllister 83mins), Jake Howells, Curtis Osano, Andre Gray, Adam Watkins (Godfrey Poku 79mins),
Unused Subs - Dan Gleeson, Greg Taylor.
Kidderminster Harriers:
Tony Breeden, Lee Vaughan, Mike Williams (C), Luke Jones, Tom Marshall, Dave Hankin (Steve Guinan 88mins), James Vincent, Nick Wright (Ryan Rowe 64mins), Kyle Storer (Daniel Bradley 81mins), Anthony Malbon, Marvin Johnson
Unused Subs - Dane Lyness, Mickey Demetriou.
I've spent so much time in Bedfordshire over these last 7 months, Luton Town almost qualify as my 'other' local side.
What a horrible thought!
My son was going back to University this weekend, following a long Easter break. He's based in Luton for the 3 year duration of his degree (he'd probably have got less for murder), so I offered to give him a lift back, which gave me the opportunity to watch a game in the area.
With Mansfield Town (and Wrexham) already having cemented their place in the BSBP play offs, I decided to check out two of the other contenders.
Hence I wasn't at Bedford Town, Dunstable AFC or St. Neots Town today instead.

A phenomenal 8,415 people packed in to Kenilworth Road this afternoon ... for a game of non league football! So it wasn't just me who was intrigued to see which of these teams would finish the day victorious.
Remember, a win for the visitors would all of but condemned Luton to another season in the Blue Square Bet Alliance Conference Premier League thing.

My hair is just like that if I don't keep top side of it

This was a massive result for the Hatters, who can now clinch the last play off spot and push Kidderminster out of the equation altogether, if they win their game in hand at Gateshead on Tuesday night.

Of course, Luton could also draw both of their remaining two away fixtures, including the final scheduled game of the season at Fleetwood next Saturday, to make things really interesting for the Harriers, who would then have to beat Mansfield Town by a margin of 13 goals in a weeks time.
York City's win at Braintree Town means they've qualified for the end of season lottery and now the last play off berth will belong to one or the other of today's two sides.
Of course, going into the play offs, Mansfield Town are the form team (I was bound to mention that, eh!?), but Luton are resurgent under new manager Paul Buckle and look like serious contenders too.
Wrexham are wobbling a bit, but they're six points clear in second place and are probably still the bookie's favourites.
York City, will be enjoying the fact that nobody seems to be talking up their chances. And without the burden of pressure that expectation brings, they could surprise a few people.
However, it's still all to play for and who's to say Kidderminster won't sneak back into the mix in a photo finish?
Football, it's a tapestry of ifs and buts at the moment ... and what a fecking brilliant game it really is for all of that hullabaloo!
When you look at the strength in depth of the BSBP these days and consider the calibre of clubs teetering on the brink of dropping out of the npower League 2 (Division 4), then just maybe the 'Conference' ain't such a bad place to be and as the top of the non league game goes from strength to strength, the Football League isn't actually the Holy Grail it's cracked up to be.
Yes, that's me throwing down my marker, just in case ;-)
BTW, who am I kidding!? "We gotta get out of this place, if it's the last thing we ever do!"
Both sets of supporters cranked up the volume this afternoon and the sun shone brightly as the teams took to the field in this make or break game.
Every time Luton tried to push forward during the first half, the visitors packed out the midfield and stifled the home side's rhythm through the centre of the park, but the Hatters were far more effective when they added some width to their game, with both full backs joining in the attack, offering extra options on the overlap.
It was fairly cagey and nip and tuck for long spells, but it was obvious that Paul Buckle's team would find a breakthrough eventually and the home crowd stayed patient and got behind them.
It looked as though 'Kiddy' might go down to ten men, when Kyle Storer jumped to his feet gave Stuart Fleetwood a shove that sent him crashing to the floor after the Luton number 13 had caught him with a late challenge, but the referee only produced a yellow card.
Both teams had opportunities to break the deadlock, but the game was still goalless at half time and it was fairly obvious that there wasn't going to be much in it, despite the enthusiastic OAP sat behind me declaring, "If we get an early one in the second half, we'll get ten!"
The nearest either side had come to scoring in the first half, was when Janos Kovacs's header from a Robbie Willmott corner was cleared off the line by Harriers right back Lee Vaughan, around the half hour mark.
Despite the majority of forward play coming from patient build ups and passes through the channels in a bid to unlock two determined defences, when the only goal of the game did eventually arrive it was from a move as direct as they come.
Well, not quite as direct as Alan Marriott last night, but you get my drift.
Luton's keeper Mark Tyler came charging of of his box to clear the ball deep into the Harriers half, but he got into a bit of a mix up with his captain George Pilkington and had to whack the ball forward at the second attempt instead.
Fortunately, for Luton anyway, Robbie Willmott had already sprinted off down the pitch in anticipation of the first attempted clearance. He managed to keep the ball in on the line, turned, saw off two challenges and fired home past Tony Breedon from an angle.
The noise from the Luton fans sat around me, a combination of joyous celebration and relief, was deafening.

Good technique, but you're no Alan Marriott!

The home side were in the ascendency now and should have added to their lead when Alex Lawless had a great chance to score from the edge of the box, but he fired over.

Kidderminster too, sensing what fate was on the cards for them if they didn't get a goal back, stepped up their game too.
It had become a really absorbing contest now.
George Pilkington, except for the one shaky moment that inadvertently led to the goal, was a tower of strength at the back for Luton, I don't recall seeing him miss a header or mistime a tackle all afternoon.

Alex Lawless fires over the Harriers crossbar

Right at the death, with their 751 fans urging them on, 'Kiddy' nearly equalised, in the final minute, Luke Jones came agonisingly close when he headed against the post and then Steve Guinan looked to have put the ball home from the rebound, but Jake Howells managed to clear it off the line.
In the grand scheme of things, if Luton Town do make it into the play offs now, Howells' interception will have been just as important as Robbie Willmott's goal.

When the final whistle sounded, I left the locals to their celebrations and headed off through town to enjoy a visit to the London Hatter, a fine establishment that I use so often nowadays, I'll soon have my own table.
Thankfully, by the time I hit the northbound A6/A421/A1 route, most sensible people had already gone home, so it didn't take anything like the time that Google maps suggest it should to get back to my humble abode .

With the clock ticking down towards full time, Tango man hides
behind some stewards, waiting to ambush Jake Howells ...
No, it isn't me!

Next up:
The destination of my next game will be dictated by the April showers/monsoon season* climate.
I foresee many waterlogged pitches ruining the best laid plans of mice and men (and bloggerists) over this coming week.