9: Wigan RP 6-0 Stone Dominoes

Wigan Robin Park 6-0 Stone Dominoes
NWCL Premier
Saturday 29th September, 2012
Att: 31

Wigan. Admit it, it doesn't immediately strike anyone as a must-visit town for a day out at the football. I've told myself that I won't be a snob when it comes to places I visit during my three years over here, and so it was that I found myself at Wigan Wallgate station at around 1pm on a Saturday afternoon.

My choice of Wigan Robin Park was influenced by the fact Everton were playing at home. The Merseyrail trains south of Ormskirk, my current hometown, can be a nightmare when either of the big Liverpool clubs are playing, so my choice today was restricted to the north and east. Burscough, my local club, were at home - but I went there earlier in September. I've done Southport, and am saving Skelmersdale for a Tuesday night. Therefore, the next nearest option was Wigan. Not Athletic, but Robin Park.

Wigan Robin Park were only formed in 2005, and play at the sports centre right next door to the DW Stadium. The photo here shows the close proximity, with the Robin Park Arena's main stand (and only stand) being seen on the left, with the Latics' DW Stadium on the right.

The walk from the town centre took around 25 minutes, when it should have taken 20. I took a wrong turn and ended up in a B&Q delivery bay, but these things happen. The ground itself was reached at around 2:45, and I walked into the sports centre to find a reception desk, much like the sort you get at your local swimming pool. I walked past this, thinking that this wasn't the right place to pay, and found myself almost walking straight out into the stand.

A man stopped me, and asked if I was OK. I explained I was here for the football, and he showed me to a table where a coin tin and some programmes were sat. I'd found the turnstile! After paying my £6, plus £1.50 for a decent enough programme, I made my way out into the stand.

I'll be honest, it's not my type of football ground. One seated stand was the only access allowed, with the pitch being surrounded by an athletics track, with hurdles, and various long jump pits etc. The pitch even had javelin markings on it!

I knew today's crowd would be small when you consider that the photograph above was taken at 2:50pm, with five minutes to kick off, with the teams about to complete their warm ups.

By kick off, a paltry 17 people were sat in the stand, with another 14 hidden away somewhere, as the official attendance was given as 31.

I suppose this is not really an issue for Wigan, given that they are an integral part of the leisure centre. To suggest that they should be a 'proper' football club with hardcore supporters is perhaps a little unfair. They are a team developed to improve the football in the community through the leisure centre - or something along those lines. They've done very well to get as high as the NWCL Premier, but you'd think that this will (probably should) be the highest they hope to go given the facilities and fanbase they have.

The game itself pitched a side performing quite well early on - Wigan - against a team lingering near the foot of the table, having had a very poor start to the season. The Staffordshire visitors would have to be at their best to get anything from today's match. The game started true to the form book. Wigan had numerous chances early on to take a lead but all of them were wasted. This would be a theme which ran throughout three quarters of the game.

The home side finally did take the lead on 15 minutes, when Phillip Howard rounded the Stone keeper to slot home the only goal of the half. It was a cold, blustery day, and the football and surroundings hadn't excited me a great deal by the break, when I retreated inside for a pie...

The second half was much of the same, although Stone had a couple of sniffs, and they can only be called sniffs, on goal. Wigan would have kicked themselves if they'd let the visitors get anything from a game which they well and truly dominated.

The second Wigan goal finally came, after numerous missed chances, on 73 minutes - with Howard adding his second. In a scene reminiscent of Boro going mad in the last quarter of the game at Lincoln a fortnight or so ago, Wigan helped themselves to goals after this, with the Stone defence's heads dropping and letting them in at will.

The home side went on to score four further goals, including Howard getting his hat-trick, in a 6-0 win which truly represented the domination which the home side had. Anything less than five would have flattered a poor Stone side.

It was a bizarre day out for me. Seeing a game being played at the same level as Boro in front of 31 people was an odd experience. As Boro fans, we never get to see the grounds when they're not full of away fans. It was an eye opener, and it does make you wonder how they pay their expenses.

Regardless, in the end, it was nice to see some goals, but I couldn't escape the fact that the Robin Park Arena, as lovely as it is inside, is no place to watch football. I've ticked it off my ever expanding list of grounds to visit, but I shan't be back in a hurry.

8: Bootle 2-1 Silsden

Bootle 2-1 Silsden
NWCL Premier
Saturday 22nd September, 2012
Att: 124

Whilst Boro were battling out a 4-3 victory at Nostell MW in the NCEL Premier, I turned my attention to the top of the NWCL Premier on this side of the Pennines.

Bootle, before today's game, led the table despite having played three games fewer than the teams below them. Having won 6 and drawn 2 of their opening eight league games, the signs are looking good for 'The Bucks'.

Their opponents, Silsden, feel slightly out of place in the NWCL. The town lies just 5 or so miles further west than several of Boro's NCEL opponents such as Thackley, Eccleshill and Brighouse, but they must compete in a division which involves many long journeys to the west coast of England. They are the only Yorkshire side in this division at present.

Bootle's ground is uninspiring to say the least. The Delta Taxis Stadium lies on an industrial estate just a few hundred yards from Aintree station, making easy access for fans such as myself arriving by train. Consequently, it is also within easy walking distance of the famous racecourse which lies just opposite the station.

Along one side of the ground is the main clubhouse, where two televisions were showing a 3pm Premier League kick-off. This side of the ground also hosted the seats and changing rooms, with the players emerging near the toilet blocks - more on which later...

The other covered accommodation was found in the shape of a small terrace behind the goal. The rest of the ground is hard standing, and I decided to take my place next to the Silsden dugout for the afternoon for some extra entertainment.

The game kicked off in splendid warmth and sunshine, with only a few clouds in the sky. Silsden, wearing red shirts and black shorts, were very much the underdogs coming into this match against the pacesetters.

It looked like the form book would be accurate as Bootle started the match like a steam train, and had four or five great chances to score in the opening ten minutes. However, on ten minutes, the visitors took an unlikely lead. A neat ball was played across to Thomas Marshall who side-footed the Yorkshiremen in front.

Encouragement rung out from the home bench and players, as they were all well aware that they had been the better side thus far.

Bootle continued to dominate after this early shock, and rattled the bar from 35 yards shortly after.

An equalising goal looked inevitable, and it came on 22 minutes. Again, a 35-40 yard effort rattled the crossbar, but this time it fell to the waiting Daniel O' Connor who had the easiest of headers into the net, as the Silsden keeper struggled to return to his feet following the initial shot.

Bootle continued to dominate but couldn't find the breakthrough, and the teams went in at the break all square.

A special mention must be made of the referee, whose only consistency was his complete inconsistency for the entire 90 minutes. Bizarre decisions were infuriating both sides and dugouts, and to be honest, as bad as he was, a few of the players were lucky not to be booked or worse for their outbursts at the man in the middle.

At half time, I made my way to the Gents and found it in a bit of a state. I don't know whether it's been vandalised or simply in need of some repair, but I did find the sign (pictured) to be delightfully ironic.

The second half began, and was a more even affair. In fact, you could almost say that Silsden just about edged it on the whole. They had some great early chances to get the ball in the box, but the final ball seemed to be lacking.

Bootle got their second goal, somewhat against the run of play. Brett Adamson took advantage of terrible Silsden defending from a corner and found himself free about 8 yards out. He had the simplest of tasks in slotting it in the back of the net.

The game finished 2-1, and was a feisty but ultimately disappointing game which saw two teams not really leaving 2nd gear for the majority of the game. Bootle should have been out of sight by half time, but their failure to put chances away may cost them in the long run. For now, they sit proud at the top of the table, but you feel that they will need to be more ruthless in front of goal if they want to stay there.

The only sour note of the day was that all Merseyrail services were cancelled after the game, so a laborious bus journey was required back to Ormskirk.

7: Marine 2-2 Kendal Town

Marine 2-2 Kendal Town
Evo-Stik Northern Premier
Tuesday 18th September, 2012
Att: 294

A short trip to the coast this evening to see Liverpool's senior non-league side, Marine. The Mariners, as they are known, are based in Crosby, which is just north of Bootle and the city centre of Liverpool.

The Arriva Stadium is a tidy little ground. Behind one goal is a lovely 389 seater stand with terracing in front of it, as well as a nice disabled area. There is also some uncovered terracing alongside this stand which runs towards the corner flag. On the other side of the stand lie the changing rooms.

The ground is three-sided, with the houses which surround the ground restricting any development down one touchline. The dugouts are here, but that's it. You cannot walk around the pitch, and the brick wall which displays adverts here is the same brick wall which makes up several residence's back garden wall!

On the opposite touchline is a nice little covered stand. Again, this is very narrow, with only two steps of terracing, but it's cosy enough and is a nice addition to the ground. Behind the other goal is an uncovered terrace with around half a dozen steps.

A mention must also be made for the fantastic programme and club shop, which must house over 5,000 programmes from every club imaginable in both League and non-league circles. A fantastic way to spend a good half hour before the game, browsing for a hidden classic. At the time of writing, most of them were only 20p each, or 6 for £1. A real treasure hunter's paradise!

On to the match. Tonight's game pitched 2nd placed Marine against surprisingly struggling Kendal Town, who were lingering towards the relegation zone having had a poor start by their standards. The form table suggested that a home win would be on the cards, but I knew that Kendal are usually a decent side in this division, and that their league position perhaps didn't reflect their ability.

This turned out to be the case in the first half. Marine never looked dangerous going forward, and it was Kendal, wearing all red, who took the initiative. Goalmouth action was at a premium, but chances did come and go, infrequent as they were.

The game needed some magic, and on 36 minutes it got it. Daniel Wisdom found himself free 20-25 yards out, and smashed a ball into the top corner. The Marine keeper was nowhere near it even at full stretch, and the 30 or so away supporters behind the goal celebrated a well deserved lead for their team. This is how it stayed until half time, but not before Kendal's number 8 should have buried a great cross from the best player on the pitch this evening, the Cumbrian's number 9 -  Scott Harries.

As the players emerged for the second half, it was Kendal again who looked the brighter. Scott Harries was booked for a petulant dive when he wasn't really going anywhere, and there were a few meaty challenges being put in, but on the whole it looked like Kendal would be good money for their points.

This looked even more likely on 70 minutes when a pinpoint cross from that man Scott Harries was met at the far post by Alex Taylor who sent the Cumbrians into a 2-0 lead. Marine looked well and truly beaten, and deservedly so. They had failed to impress up until this point.

However, football is a weird and wonderful game at times, and a great run by Nicholas Rogan four minutes later, helped along by some rather generous Kendal defending, gave Marine a lifeline with a quarter of an hour to go. I remarked to a nearby Kendal fan that they had put themselves under needless pressure now. At 2-0, they were cruising, but one moment of slack defending had given Marine a way back into the match.

The home side huffed and puffed, and the fans behind the goal raised their voices and spurred on the men in white. The goal didn't come, and it looked like Kendal would be going back up to Cumbria with three very decent points in the bag.

Marine had other ideas, and in the 90th minute, John Shaw sent the relatively sparse but vocal home support into raptures as he smashed the ball into the back of the net to earn them an unlikely point.

The point means that they top the Evo-Stik Premier tonight, and as it stands - with a long, long way to go - will be playing Conference North football next season. I mention the Conference North, because Marine have a setup to support football at that level. The ground is really striking. It's just a shame that they can't get a few more through the turnstiles. 294 is a decent enough Tuesday night crowd, but the size of the local suburbs make you wonder why they can't be pushing 400-500 on a regular basis. Indeed, the population of Crosby alone is over 51,000 - about the same size as Scarborough. Only Liverpool and Everton, and perhaps Southport to the north, are the real rivals in terms of teams to support (meaning no disrespect to Bootle, leaders of the NWCL Premier at the moment, but on crowds of just over 100).

Regardless, on a bitterly cold night on the Merseyside coast, it ended 2-2. Marine will be delighted, Kendal will be disappointed, but that's football. I expect both of these clubs to be knocking on the door of the play-offs come the end of the season.

6: Everton 2-2 Newcastle Utd

Everton 2-2 Newcastle United
Premier League
Monday 17th September, 2012
Att: 32,510

I've clocked up over 400 games since I started watching football back in 1996 as an eight-year-old boy. As a matter of principle regarding high ticket prices, overpaid players, all seater stadiums etc., I decided never to watch a Premier League match.

Temptation is a terrible thing. Using the excellent StubHub website, where season ticket holders can sell their tickets for certain matches which they are unable to attend, I got an absolute bargain. Main Stand, upper tier, half way line: £20. The face value of this particular ticket was £38.

I know £20 is still expensive in real terms to watch a football match, but for what promised to be a decent 90 minutes, I couldn't resist. Thankfully I wasn't disappointed.

Goodison Park is a cracking ground, make no mistake. It's old style charm has remained despite the conversion to all seater status. The stands retain an aura of times gone past, and the terraced streets surrounding the ground with snakes of supporters swarming towards the ground under the Merseyside evening made it all the more atmospheric.

As the photo shows (click to enlarge), I got a great view for my twenty quid. The stand I was in has just four supporting pillars, but the view I had was not restricted apart from the lower left corner.

The ground filled up, and by kick off 32,510 had made it into the ground, including an estimated 1,200 from Tyneside. Difficult to tell, but I was surprised that the upper tier wasn't open. I guess it is a fair trek on a Monday night.

After a wonderfully touching tribute to the Hillsborough 96 before kick-off, which proved that Merseyside is united on such matters, the game kicked off with Everton on the front foot from the start. Jelavic had the ball in the net after 3 or 4 minutes, but was ruled offside. He smashed his knee on the post as he went in for it, and despite trying to recover, he would only last until the 44th minute.

Everton continued to dominate an out of sorts Newcastle, and their reward came on 15 minutes, when Leighton Baines fired past Harper to raise the roof at Goodison.

That's how it stayed until the break, and you sense that Newcastle will feel lucky not to have gone in three goals down.

The introduction of Demba Ba at half time sprung Newcastle into life, and it took him just four minutes to roll a ball past Tim Howard into the Everton net to even things up, much to the delight of the travelling Geordies.

The game was end to end for the remainder of the half, and made for excellent viewing as a neutral.
A key moment came on 78 minutes, when every Everton supporter in the ground leapt to their feet to celebrate a second goal for the home side. Inexplicably, the game continued, and everyone looked around in bemusement. No goal. Victor Anichebe, who came on for the injured Jelavic, had a perfectly good goal ruled out. This spurred Everton on, and with just two minutes remaining, Goodison Park went wild when Anichebe fired one past Steve Harper to surely wrap up three points.

Newcastle were not to be beaten though, and Demba Ba struck in the 90th minute to silence the home fans but send the away supporters in the corner into delirium.

A hugely entertaining game, which has raised my opinions of the Premier League somewhat. It had everything. The touching tribute at the start, some meaty tackles, poor officiating, offside goals, goals that should have been goals, actual goals, and some excellent individual performances and some not so good (I'm looking at you Phil Neville and Leon Osman).

A cracking evening at Goodison Park, and I'm pleased I made the choice to visit.

5: Lincoln MR 0-10 Scarborough Ath

Lincoln MR 0-10 Scarborough Athletic
NCEL Premier Division
Saturday 15th September, 2012
Att: 140


It's not often that a football fan can say he or she has seen his/her team hit double figures in a league match twice. I am one of few lucky Boro fans who can boast this fact. Back in April 2010, Boro hit thirteen past relegated Brodsworth Welfare, a team who now play in the local leagues in the Doncaster area. Hopefully, today's opponents won't go the same way...


The story before kick-off pointed towards a comfortable away victory. Lincoln had just one solitary point, taken away at fellow struggles Nostell, and had a goal difference in the -20s. Boro, on the other hand, were sitting in the top five having lost just one game in their opening nine in the league. A few indifferent results (2-2 vs. Armthorpe and 3-3 vs. Liversedge being two) left the fans frustrated, but a glorious comeback from 4-2 down to draw 4-4 against Worksop last week had renewed the faith.
Today was a chance to get back to winning ways, and with most teams playing in the FA Vase today, a chance to get back towards the top of the table.

Boro has already beaten Lincoln 5-0 at Queensgate earlier in the season, and the star of the show on the night was the young Lincoln keeper. The Boro fans applauded him off the pitch that night, and if it wasn't for him, the score would have been a lot, lot worse.

Today, Lincoln knew that their keeper would be involved with most of the action again, and were looking for a big performance from him. He did play very well again, but the 10 players in front of him were sadly lacking in ability, but certainly not fight and attitude. Here's how it panned out...

After a positive start from Boro, it looked like a question of time before the ball hit the back of the net. Chances came and went in the first couple of minutes, but on just five minutes a ball into the box was bundled towards the line by Ryan Blott, and was unfortunately (for the defender) tipped over the line by the Lincoln centre back. Five past three, and Boro had opened the scoring. Still, these games can be banana skins, and at 1-0, the game is never safe against any opposition.

The second goal arrived on 20 minutes. Ryan Blott cut inside from the left wing and fired off a quick shot which the Lincoln keeper could have done better with, but regardless it lashed into the bottom corner of the net. 2-0 up, and Boro fans began to think about not only three points, but also how many goals.

The following 16 minutes were much the same. Lots of Boro pressure with no end result. On 36 minutes, a Blott shot rattled the bar, but following up was soon-to-be-suspended Robbie Hawkes, who smashed the ball into the roof of the net. Ten minutes until half time, and Boro had a commanding 3-0 lead. That's how it stayed until the interval, and the Boro fans enjoyed a very relaxed half time atmosphere.

The second half started slowly, with Boro making a double substitution and Lincoln showing a slightly more attacking threat for the first time in the game. Little did anyone in the ground know what would occur from the hour mark onwards.

Half an hour to go. Boro lead 3-0. Points safe, but an underwhelming scoreline.

Suffice to say, the combination of Boro stepping it up a gear with Lincoln switching off, resulted in the most one-sided thirty minutes of football I've ever seen. In thirty pulsating minutes, Boro would go on to score seven goals.

Blott and Claisse (60 and 63) began the rout, putting Boro five goals to the good. Most Boro fans would have been happy at that, but the lads in yellow had other ideas.

Five goals in TWELVE minutes put Lincoln well and truly to the sword. Davidson (78), Adams (80), Claisse  (82), Blott (85) and the returning Paddy Miller (90) gave Boro a resounding 10-0 away win in the league.

As much elation as the Boro fans felt, you can't help feel what good this will be doing the youngsters who turned out for Lincoln today. No team should have to be hit for double figures in a senior league match, and you can only assume that Lincoln are heading for Division One, and that they're sinking as fast as a certain well known ship did 100 years ago.

The Lincoln keeper had another good game, despite picking the ball out of the net on ten occasions, but the ten lads in front of him just weren't very good at football. Sounds harsh, but it was sadly too true.

Boro did amazingly well to hit ten goals though, and other clubs in the league will have sat up and taken notice. The big games are still to come though, with Staveley and Parkgate fast approaching for Rudy Funk's men.

Today was an exhibition match at times, but these sort of games don't win league titles. Consistency over the full season might, however.

A strange day at the football, but one which will live with the 140 who were in attendance for a very long time. To Boro, I say well done - a performance which was both scintillating and professional. To Lincoln, keep your heads up and try to enjoy your football.

4: Bamber Bridge 0-0 Warrington Town

Bamber Bridge 0-0 Warrington Town
Evo-Stik Division One North
Tuesday 11th September, 2012
Att: 146

As a Scarborough Athletic fan who is hoping to see us performing in this division in the not too distant future, I thought I'd pop along to Bamber Bridge to see two of our (hopefully) future opponents in action.

Bamber Bridge is a small town, 3 miles or so south-east of Preston. After passing their ground on the train in, I was taken aback at the standard of the place. It would easily get into the Conference North, and would probably be knocking on the door of the Conference if the need ever arose.

The main stand was the highlight, spanning around two thirds of the pitch centred on the half-way line. The changing rooms and tunnel were beneath the stand and around the back in a seperate building.

The two other areas of cover were to be found behind both goals, one near the turnstiles and the other at the opposite end of the ground, which backed onto a wood yard.

As for the two teams, they'd only played 7 league games between them going into this fixture. Warrington had made the better start with two wins and two draws, whereas Bamber's three matches has produced a win and two defeats. It was 16th vs. 5th going into this match, even though the league tables don't mean a great deal this early in the season.

One name of note in the Warrington line up was Kevin Townson, the ex-Rochdale striker who spent 5 games on loan at Scarborough in 2004.

The game kicked off with 146 in attendance. 146 people who would rather be here than watching England huff and puff their way to a 1-1 draw against Ukraine at Wembley...

Bamber Bridge, in their black and white strips, against Warrington in a resplendent yellow.

To be honest, the grand setting, dry evening and rather nice kits were not matched by the game of football. One sentence probably sums it up. Lots of hard work, but nothing at the end of it.

I genuinely can't say much more than that. The closest anyone came to a goal was Warrington in the first half, when a decent effort rattled the bar, much to the frustration of the 10 or so visiting supporters who'd made the short(ish) journey up the M6.

If I had to pick a deserved winner, I would probably say Warrington, who had marginally the better play and chances. Unfortunately, neither keeper had to make a decent save in the whole match, and those who braved the cool but dry Lancashire evening left feeling frustrated at the lack of goalmouth action.

For Boro fans, and the promised land of the Evo-Stik North, it'll be nice coming to grounds such as this with a home support to match our away followings, but of course the NCEL title is not an easy thing to grasp, and it may be a while yet until we venture across the Pennines en masse to play the likes of Bamber Bridge.

An enjoyable evening, with a cracking Steak Pie to boot, but ultimately a poor game of football.

Special mention must also go to my Forest Green supporting friend, who has provided lifts to Runcorn and Preston stations on the last two evenings. Thank you!

3: Runcorn Town 3-2 Alsager Town

Runcorn Town 3-2 Alsager Town
NWCL Premier
Monday 10th September, 2012
Att: 90

Another night, another match.

Tonight, I made my first trip over the Mersey into Cheshire to the industrial town of Runcorn.

Runcorn FC (later with the additional Halton suffix) used to be a reasonable force in non-league football, but like so many other sides - including Scarborough FC of course - have fallen by the wayside for one reason or another.

The situation in 2012 is that Runcorn has two clubs, Runcorn Town and Runcorn Linnets, competing in the same division. The NCWL Premier, at step 5 of the non-league football system, was won last season by Ramsbottom United, with Runcorn Town finishing in the runners-up spot. Their more 'illustrious' neighbours, the fan-owned Runcorn Linnets, finished further down the table, despite a fanbase which is usually around double to treble that of their neighbours across town. This proves that good support doesn't always earn you points!

Tonight's game saw two teams who had started the season indifferently and both sitting in lower mid-table before kick-off.

After getting a very swanky Virgin Pendolino train from Liverpool Lime Street to Runcorn, a journey lasting just 15 minutes or so, I made the short 1 mile walk to Pavilions, the complex where Runcorn Town play their home games.

The first thing that struck me was the huge industrial works behind the ground which made for a surreal backdrop as the darkness drew in. The sparse crowd was outsung by seagulls swooping overhead, giving away the fact that this ground is probably only a few hundred yards or so from the Mersey estuary.

Pavilions actually contains two floodlit football grounds, with the better used by Runcorn Town. The other one is used in the Warrington and District League by Runcorn Albion. This also had a small covered stand and eight floodlight pylons of its own - one of the better grounds in that division, for sure.

I paid my £3 student admission, and by the time the game kicked off, I was still queuing for my evening refreshments.

Sadly, as I turned round, burger in hand, I saw the Runcorn keeper with his arms aloft, clapping in celebration. Runcorn had taken a first minute 1-0 lead, and I'd missed it. 'Better not finish 1-0', I hoped to myself.

It didn't. Having caught up with two fellow groundhoppers, one of whom kindly gave me a lift back to the station following the match, we'd only just finished our introductions when Runcorn won a penalty. If they'd scored, it'd be 2-0 after all of five minutes. The penalty was weak, and the Alsager keeper saved.

On 15 minutes, Alsager were gifted a goal by some horrendous Runcorn defending. The game also took on a feisty character at this point, with a very strong tackle and retaliation earning a player from either side a booking.

On 23 minutes, the third goal of the game arrived, and it went to the home side. Paul Shanley finished with a wonderful header, which was set up by a pin-point cross from the left. 2-1 to Runcorn, and the game looked like it'd be a high-scorer.

As it turned out, there would be just two more goals, coming on 60 and 67 minutes. Runcorn extended their lead on the hour, a goal which was neither pretty nor well-worked, but they all count. Seven minutes later, the goal of the game was tonked in from fully 35 yards with the Runcorn keeper static on the spot.

After this, a torrential downpour of biblical standards commenced, and didn't stop until I was well on my way back to Liverpool. This slowed the game down, and to be honest the players looked like all they wanted was the changing rooms for the last fifteen minutes or so.

During the second half, I spoke to Glyn - a Runcorn fan who I had email correspondence with earlier in the day. He told us all about the club and their hopes for the future.

It's truly amazing how much they have come on in four seasons, from the West Cheshire League to knocking on the door of the Evo-Stik.

I will certainly aim to catch Runcorn in action again on their trips around the north west of England. They did what they had to tonight, but you can tell that they were a good side last season, and just need to hit top gear to get some good results as this season progresses.

I also hope to check out the Linnets at some point, and hope that neither Glyn nor anyone I meet at the Linnets asks me to pick my favourite.

An enjoyable evening, but a soggy one!

2: Worksop P 4-4 Scarborough Ath

Worksop Parramore 4-4 Scarborough Athletic
NCEL Premier
Saturday 8th September, 2012
Att: 157

Well, what a day this turned out to be!

Having decided to travel home for the weekend from university, with not too much going on this early in the academic year, I thought that I would take every opportunity to watch Boro when I could. So - it was the short 18 mile trip down to Worksop from my home in Conisbrough.

Worksop Parramore, playing at Sandy Lane alongside Worksop Town, are new to the NCEL Premier this season having been promoted from Division One during the 2011/12 season. It's been a success story for them over the past five years, and they had started the season strongly going into this game, which was 2nd v 3rd before kick-off.

Boro had injury problems coming into this game, with Tony Hackworth on the bench and Olly Ryan's foot problems meaning we started with just one recognised striker in the shape of Ryan Blott.

The game started brightly for Boro, and after few chances at both ends, Joel Ramm escaped the attention of the Worksop defence to fire the away side into a one goal lead on 21 minutes. That's as good as it got for Boro in the first half, because they would be 3-1 down by half time.

Goals from Holmes, McGhie and ex-Boro forward Lee Whittington stunned the majority of the 157 in attendance, and it looked like Boro would be going home with no points, and worse - with Parkgate also winning - a gap looked likely to be opening at the top, with Boro dropping off the place.

The second half began, with Boro fans heads down but the players heads still held high, and it worked. Boro were dominant from the 45th minute onwards, and the fans responded. After going close several times, Tom Adams headed Boro back into the game on the hour. 3-2 to Worksop. With eighteen minutes to go, however, a poor backpass from the Boro back-line was pounced upon by Jamie Smith, and Worksop went into a seemingly unassailable 4-2 lead with not long left at all.

Boro were not to be beaten today though, and the fans roared them on from the stands. Andrew Milne popped up just two minutes later to score, and with 16 minutes left, the game was in the balance at 4-3 to the home side, but with Boro dominating.

On 87 minutes, one of the best games I've ever seen reached its climax when Matty Plummer powered in a header off the bar to square things up at 4-4. Boro weren't done at that though, and an excruciating moment came in injury time where a header hit one post and rolled across the line to safety. Boro could, and on another day would, have won the game 4-5!

An extraordinary game of football which will live long in the memory. Boro sit in 3rd, just a point off the top after Parkgate capitulated against Staveley. The season is well and truly hotting up.

1: Burscough 2-1 Padiham (aet)

Burscough 2-1 Padiham (aet)
FA Cup Preliminary Round Replay
Wednesday 5th September, 2012
Att: 139

On the first official day of my PhD course at nearby Edge Hill University, I decided to take in my first game whilst being in exile from Boro and the trials and tribulations of the NCEL.
Burscough, being just 4 miles north of Ormskirk and my campus, seemed like an ideal start. Having seen that they had an FA Cup replay scheduled, I decided to go and get my fix of cup action, having missed Boro's defeat at Spennymoor earlier in the season.

After catching the 19:06 train from Ormskirk to Burscough Junction, a journey lasting around four minutes, I rocked up at the ground at around half past seven.
The admission was £8, which is about right considering they are a level above Boro, but the programme was poor at £2. Mainly adverts and unnecessarily full colour throughout.

The ground is tidy enough, with three covered sides providing plenty of shelter. Tonight though was a clear sunny evening, if not a little chilly.

The clock ticked by to 19:45, and the players emerged to a sparse crowd of 139. Unfortunately, this seems about average for Burscough. Their ground, and the size of the towns of Burscough and Ormskirk combined, deserved a better attendance week in, week out.

Burscough play in the Evo-Stik Division One North, alongside old foes of Boro such as Farsley, Lancaster City and Goole. They were relegated last season winning only six games in the process, and things behind the scenes aren't rosy. Their manager, for example, stated that this season's aim is to simply win more games than last season.

Because of this, it would not surprise me to see them battling it out with Padiham in the North West Counties League next season, where tonight's visitors currently play.

The game started evenly, but it was Padiham who drew first blood through Neil Stansfield on 21 minutes, sending their small band of 10 supporters wild behind the dugout. The keeper should have done better, but it looked as though a shock was on.

However, right on the half time whistle, the Padiham keeper came charging out, was rounded, and Louis Mayers equalised for the home side.

The second half started with Padiham the brighter, but the turning point came just after the hour mark when an away player was sent off for an elbow. Only the referee and the home keeper saw it, and the away bench were perplexed by the decision causing a bit of kerfuffle between the benches, but regardless it was 11 v 10, with the man advantage going to the higher placed team. Surely it was a matter of time before Burscough won the game?

Wrong.

The full time whistle came, and extra time began as the dark drew in.

Padiham defended stoutly, with 9 men behind the ball, but had chances of their own.

Extra time flew by, and half time was soon upon us as the clock ticked past 10pm.

With just four minutes to go, the best Burscough move of the game resulted in the winning goal. Darren Brookfield slotted home a wonderful shot on 116 minutes and celebrated by running the perimeter of the pitch with his shirt over his head.

Burscough will need to be a lot stronger to overcome Witton Albion in the next round. For Padiham, it is a case of what if? It took Burscough 200 minutes to finally overcome their NWCL opponents.

They fought bravely, and will feel hard done by, but it's Burscough who progress.