My Matchday - 180 Barrfields Park

Largs Thistle 3v1 Kilwinning Rangers
Ardagh Glass League Cup - Section One
6th August 2008

This years family holiday involved us travelling to previously unexplored areas of the west coast of Britain, this week we were north of the border, staying in Weymss Bay in Inverclyde.
There were several ground bagging options available this week, the Scottish season got under way last weekend, so this midweek it was the opening round of the CIS Cup, but I really fancied a visit to one of those fabulous Scottish Junior Grounds, that I’d viddied on Jamie Wire's excellent website; Non League Scotland. After checking the fixtures, I found that Largs Thistle were playing their opening home game of the season, in the Ardagh Glass League Cup, it was only a short 15 minute drive from our digs, with a convenient early evening kick-off time of 7pm.
Largs is a town in North Ayrshire on the Firth of Clyde, the original name translates as ‘the slopes’ in Scottish Gaelic. The town has historic connections with the Vikings, the Battle of Largs in 1263 saw the Scots attack Norwegians bidding to salvage ships from the army fleet of King Magnus III. There’s also an annual Viking festival held in the town, with the award winning Vikingar Centre in Barrfields, not far from the football ground.
The club nicknamed ‘Theestle’ formed in 1890, currently play in the Scottish Football Junior West Division One(Stagecoach Superleague Division One)the second tier of the west region, after winning the Ayrshire District League in 2004/05 and are previous winners of the Scottish Junior Cup, beating Glenafton Athletic 1-0 at Ibrox in 1994.
Barrfield Park is off the main Brisbane Road, from where you can see inside through the aluminium fence. The ground has an oval appearance with terracing curling around three sides, with the main stand on the far side. The stand runs full length of the pitch with 5 rows of wooden bench seats, housed inside a barrel shaped roof, entrance is gained through a door around the back and the stand is where the local lads gather to give Thistle their support, as well the opposition some stick. Next to the entrance gate is the refreshment bar and changing rooms for the away team and match officials, with the home team having a separate building to change in, next to a couple of portakabins used for storage and match hospitality.
After 24 hours of constant rain, I feared the game may have been off, but I arrived to find the players on the pitch doing their pre-match warm ups and the pitch in excellent condition. Largs dominated the first half, creating several chances in the opening stages, until Kilwinning’s task was made much harder with the dismissal of Gavin Orr for an off the ball incident, which was spotted by the linesman. A few minutes later Largs took the lead, a pinpoint cross from the right was firmly headed home by James Marks, then just prior to half time, another header, this time direct from a corner kick from the biggest lad on the field, Neil Shearer (never thought I’d see another Shearer goal again) who celebrated by yelling “girrrin!” before being mobbed by his team mates.
Kilwinning slightly improved after half time, I walked past a few of their fans, who were giving the ref and linesman some serious abuse, obviously upset at the dismissal and every decision made thereafter. The weather deteriorated, with the swirling wind and rain somewhat spoiling the game, however Rangers did get back into it with a penalty from McGregor on 83 minutes, but this was merely a consolation, as 3 minutes later Marks got his second of the night, a fine run and cross from Craig Black was finished off with a neat flick at the near post, which capped off a really enjoyable game considering the poor weather.
I contacted the club prior to heading north, to confirm that the game was on and the whereabouts of the ground. On arrival I was greeted by club secretary Donald Reid, who made me welcome and invited me into the hospitality cabin for a cup of tea at half time, where as well as a cuppa and a biscuit, I was giving a club pennant as a souvenir of my visit. Many thanks for the warm reception and the best of luck for the new season, I’ll certainly be keeping an eye on Theestles progress.

Matchday stats
LTFC 3(Marks 33,86. Shearer 43) KRFC 1(McGregor 83pen)
Admission £5
Programme £1
Att. 160.est

Ground no.180 Barrfields Park - Matchday Web album(15 pictures)

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Los Moneros...

La celebración del Toro a su llamado
Por CHA.

Y empezo la carrilla...
Por Gabriel, mediotiempo.com

¿No que no? ...se van...

* Santos Laguna empata a 1 con Pumas de la UNAM.
* Sendos fallos de Vuoso y Lorito
* Se tiene el balón, pero no la contundencia
* Ah! como se necesita a Benítez.

Pumas se salió con la suya, y logró arrancarle al Santos un punto del Corona con lo cual se va mas que satisfecho de La Laguna.
Fue un partido seco, duro y trabado, Santos contaba con el control del balón y quería atacar a un Pumas que se agazapaba atrás esperando cualquier momento para contragolpear.
De nada sirve tener todo el tiempo el balón, si no se llega con claridad al frente, siendo sinceros, no me gustó que un Vuoso tuviera que andar abriéndose para recibir, mientras que Peralta sigue sin pesar dentro de la cancha, y solo tiene destellos de lo que puede llegar a ser.
No fué un partido fácil, aún con el control Santos no veía claro como llegarle al Puma que en la espera tuvo su recompensa al 38 cuando en una buena jugada de Leandro, Dante López se mete al área y cruza a Oswaldo que nada puede hacer para el 0-1 ( a mi modo de ver, no tenia nada que hacer, pero oh! triste realidad, nunca faltaran los reventadores que atacarán con todo al equipo escudándose en que lo hacen "por bien del equipo, pinches hipócritas).

poco les faltó a los pupilos de "Don Ramón"

Teniendo ya la ventaja, Pumas si estaba atrás, pues se metió todavía mas jugando totalmente al "ratonero style" ese que muchos dominan, llegando a tener a los 11 jugadores en sus 3/4 de cancha durante lo que restó del primero y al inicio del segundo.
No pasaría mucho, sabemos que a este equipo le gusta que "le piquen la cresta" y fué entonces que Paco Torres encontró un regalo de Vuoso y sin miramientos se las dejó ir para el 1-1 y reafirmando un buen inicio para el ahora Seleccionado Nacional.

Y este va, pa todos en
ese programa de envidiosos

Ahora sí, Pumas estaba asustado, se le acabó su ventajita y Santos estaba sobre de ellos, y en una intromisión del Hommie por su lado, lo traban dentro del área, y marcan sendo PENAL, ante la algarabía del Corona que volvía a recibir Futbol desde la final, Vuoso ( que siento que se nos puso nervioso porque lo veían desde las alturas ) pide el balón muy fregón...se prepara, apunta y cuando todos esperabamos ese mega-chingazo que siempre nos tiene acostumbrados, decide colocar el balon, sin potencia, y sin dirección, para que el eterno Bernal atajé el balón, mantenga el empate, y nos haga ahogar el grito de gol que queríamos sacar.

pues...no estaba tan perdido el gato...

Aún así, Santos siguió generando peligro, Tuca, mas que asustado empezo a mover sus piezas, tratando de asegurar el empate, y por poco no lo logra, cuando en un centro ya al minuto 93 Vuoso le pone medio gol al Lorito, quien SOLO, ante el portero no sabe definir y nos deja con un empate muy amargo cuando ya estaba listo el festejo...

Sin llorar, así es el futbol, se sigue jugando bien, pero la contundencia está por los suelos, Benítez no se tiene para cuando regrese, el Hachita aun va para largo y Peralta sigue siendo una incógnita, si para el juego vs Puebla, el Chucho aún no está listo, podría Guzman probar a el Tin Herrera de inicio, a ver si esa variante le da ese revulsivo que Santos requiere adelante, una victoria de visitante volvería a poner el animo en los cielos, y Puebla se viene a modo, aunque en Futbol no está nada escrito. ( lo unico que es seguro, es que el Chelís llorará)

Felicidades al Toro Vuoso por su llamado a la Selección, esperemos que se muestre tal como lo hace aquí y calle la boca de todos esos ojetes enfermos de un nacionalismo absurdo y patético que no quieren a naturalizados dentro de la Selección ( como si los Landín, Cacho, Ochoa y Bofo fueran cracks jajajaj ) Mientras todo sea para apuntalar un equipo, bienvenidos sean los Vuosos, o los Leandros.
Esperemos que los guerreros se ganen bien su lugar en la verde, ya que la competencia vs los europeos (cuando vengan ) será dura, pero no imposible.
Por cierto, se confirmó la teoría, Guillermo Ochoa dió el 110% ante el campeón y brindó el juego de su vida pues ante Toluca demostró su real nivel sobre todo en el segundo gol...eso va para los anti-Oswaldistas que ven a Ochoa como un mesías en la porteria creyendose que vale mas de 8 millones de euros já!.

Sale!

PD.1 No vieron los goles? aquí se los resumimos
no se apuren...cortesía de TIRO A GOL

PD.2 Resultados de la segunda jornada en el torneo virtual
el ganador de esta jornada...
La Maquina Guerrera del buen Martín Rdgz. que mañana
de seguro va andar bien voladote echandome carrilla.
Saludos carnal.!

Wearside League Wanderings - part one

The Wearside Football League is a single division which sits at step 7 of the Non-League pyramid system, with clubs based in the North-East and Cumbria. The league is a feeder to the Northern League and is fed by the Teesside Football League and the Durham Alliance..
The league also operates three cup competitions: the Monkwearmouth Charity Cup and the Shipowners' Charity Cup have been contested since the 1890s, and the League Challenge Cup, from the 1930s.
My previous visit’s the Wearside League grounds have been in attendance for the aforementioned cup finals, played at Teesside Athletic and Wolviston.
Here is the first instalment of my wanderings around the Wearside League.

171. Derwent Park
Annfield Plain 3v1 Hartlepool FC
Wearside League
10th May 2008

Annfield Plain is a village in the Derwentside district of County Durham, between Stanley and Consett. The club began competitive football in 1925, in the North Eastern League. At the turn of the 1960’s they became founder members of the Northern Counties League, but for only two seasons before returning to the NE League, again for only two years, before finding their true home in the Wearside League from the 1964/65 season, twice winning the league in 1986/8 and 1997/98.
The ground was difficult to find, tucked inside a housing estate, I knew I was in the right vicinity, but didn’t know the street’s end turned to a dirt track, which led into the grounds car park, entrance is through an old brick turnstile block. The first thing I noticed inside the ground was the goalposts, old fashioned square wooden frames like the ones from my junior school days, they looked as if a good ferocious volley would cause the posts to snap.
The main stand is a covered terrace, with seating accommodation via 14 plastic chairs at the back, most favoured by the villages old folk support, next to this is another concrete terrace, with the changing rooms sandwiched in between. The other sides of the ground are made of grass banks, which was ideal on a rare warm day like day, lying on the lawn, enjoying the sunshine and the football. The ground is sealed off by a corrugated iron fence, bend over forwards at the top, acting as extra shelter against the elements.
Annfield Plain were well worth their two goal lead at half time, thanks to a goal from centre forward Kirkbridge and a good move finished off by Henderson five minutes before the interval. Hartlepool vastly improved in the second half, after an early goal from Chapman, it seemed just a matter of time before the equaliser arrived, but after squandering several good chances, they were hit on the break and Annfield regained their two goal lead and thus assuring the 3 points.
The Hartlepool players became frustrated, firstly the no.9 was sent off, receiving a second yellow card for diving, yes diving! I couldn’t believe it, a Ronaldo-type in the Wearside League? Surely Not! This was followed by another receiving his marching orders for swearing, even though the lad was a good 30 yards from the ref, the offender couldn’t believe he was actually heard. I spoke to the Hartlepool dugout and they couldn’t believe the decisions, it was the last game of the season, nothing to play for and now the two young lads have to fork out and pay fines.
During the first half there was a couple of young’uns, about 10 years old, one wearing a Toon top and the other sporting a makem shirt, they stopped and spoke to me, asking me loads of questions, stuff like “Is it possible for Annfield to go all the way to the Premiership and then play in the Champions League?” “Why have the players not got their names on the back of the shirts?” and “How much do they get paid?” I answered their questions, they then came to the conclusion that if the players aren’t getting loads of money, then they’re wasting their time,. After the game I saw the lad in the sunderland top on the way out of the ground “That’s much better than that Premiership rubbish isn’t it?” I said, “Aye, it was alreet.. better than Newcastle anyway!”


Matchday stats
APFC 3(Kirkbridge 6, Henderson 40, McGhee 70) HFC 1(Chapman 47)
Att. 33 (HC)
Admission £2
Programme 30p

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176. Perth Green Community Centre
Jarrow FC 3v2 Washington
Pre-Season Friendly
19th July 2008

Jarrow FC are based at the Perth Green Community Centre, situated on the Scotch Estate with the Community Association on the site of a former school. The pitch is nicely hemmed in, within earshot of the traffic from the A194 and within sight of the Metro line with trains constantly whizzing by. The dugouts are face to face, with the near side of the ground having a grass bank for a more elevated view, there’s also an unintentional covered viewpoint, courtesy of a Perspex archway with connects both buildings of the community centre.
In damp conditions, due to a now typical July day, both teams produced a decent lively game, although a fussy referee tried his best to spoil it. After an even first half and a goal a piece, Jarrow improved after the break, taking the lead when a great cross was turned into his own net from the hapless defender, then a parry from the Washington keeper fell graciously to the Jarrow substitute to extend the lead. A second goal from Washington new signing Joe Betts, with a cracking 20 odd yard shot, was nothing but a late consolation, with Jarrow full value for the win.
The referee had earlier sent off a Washington player for constant swearing, although he allowed him to be subbed considering it was just a friendly, he later sent off an angry Washington manager. After a clumsy tackle in the box, he shouted his disbelief with the aid of a four-letter-word, although it was the challenge that upset him and not the actual non-penalty decision, the ref packed him off to the changing rooms. If this is only a friendly then it’ll be interesting to see how this ref performs when the real league action starts, I’ll hopefully get the chance to see for myself, or maybe hopefully not!
The club are very hospitable, we were all grateful to get out of the rain and go into the community centre at half time, where the offer of free tea or coffee was politely appreciated, they even went to the trouble to seek out a supplementary packet of coconut ring biscuits, nice one Jarra!

Matchday Stats
JFC 3(Barclay 20e, OG 52, Todd 83) Wash 2(Betts 25e,86)
Att. 30 (HC)
Admission and programme; none

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179. Boldon Colliery Welfare
Boldon CA 1v2 South Shields
Sam Bartram Trophy Match
2nd August 2008

Boldon Colliery is a former mining village situated in South Tyneside next to Jarrow, the club was a founder member of the Wearside League in 1892, when they were then known as Boldon Swifts.
The club have had a few name changes over the years, they became Boldon Villa in the early 20th Century, then as the local coal mine began to prosper became Boldon Colliery Welfare in 1933.
The clubs connection to the local Community Association on New Road gave them their current name, although to local folk are affectionally known as Boldon Villa, this is reflected in the match programme, with all links to the team printed as Boldon Villa.
Those of you who have visited Jarrow Roofing will know of Boldon CA, as they both share the same car park along with the Welfare Cricket ground, they must be two of the closest football grounds in the country. On entering the gate, to your immediate left is a covered tea bar and standing shelter, the dugouts face one another and the changing rooms are a separate building in the near corner, painted brick red, it has a distinctive wood panel box on the roof, resting against the chimney, with the words Boldon CA FC (The VILLA) looking outside and The Villa in bold capital letters facing inwards in white paint.
The Villa have won the Wearside League title on four occasions, the last of those in 1996/97 and became first winners of the Sam Bartram Trophy, back in February this year, beating Cleadon on penalties after a thrilling 4-4 draw.
Sam Bartram was a goalkeeper, born in South Shields, who grew up in Boldon. He was a centre forward for Villa, but due to an injury to Villa’s regular keeper, he went in goal for a game, a scout from Charlton Athletic was at this match and noticed his talents, recommending his signing, even though he was playing out of position. He went on to play in goal for Athletic for 22 years and is the Addicks all time appearance holder, playing 623 games. A bronze statue of Sam stands proudly outside The Valley, funded by donations made by Charlton’s fans, the game with South Shields marked the second Sam Bartram Trophy Match.
Hail stones the size of liggies greeted kick off time, after the players adapted to the damp conditions, Boldon created some good chances but were hit by a two goal burst after a quarter of an hour from Shields, a left wing cross saw Johnson rise highest to nod home, then within a minute Scroggins ran from deep in midfield, before finishing with a well placed shot from the edge of the box. It looked as if we were in for a high scoring game, when four minutes later Meek met a deep left wing cross with a firm header to the goalies right, to get Villa back into the game.
Unfortunately the second half failed to produce more goals, although the sky continued to provide spells of heavy rain, between bright warm sunshine. Shields had chances to kill the game off, but some poor finishing as well as some plucky Boldon defending kept the game alive. Both teams provided an entertaining game and a healthy crowd of over 100 saw South Shields become second winners of the Sam Bartram Trophy. All that was left was the presentation of the medals to the players and officials and the trophy to the winning captain, and then right on cue just as the trophy was getting handed over, the heavens opened up once more.

Matchday stats
BCA 1(Meek 19) Shields 2(Johnson 14, Scroggins 15)
Att. 110 (HC)
Admission £2
Programme; Free with admission.

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The Latest crack!

Rotherham United v Luton Town
Don Valley Stadium
Saturday 20th September 2008
Football League 2

Many of you may already be aware that I’ll be attending this game, if any of the 100FGC squad or regular readers of the website would like to meet up in Sheffield for a pre-match drink, then you’ll be made most welcome.
Please leave a comment in this post and add your name to the list, I hopefully look forward to meeting a few members of the squad on my matchday.

(Did anyone get the mugshot link?)

'Gladiators on Tour and other footballing stories', written by Causeway Lane’s ground MC John Lawton (Squad No. 69) has now sold 450 copies, raising £1000 for Matlock Town Supporters’ Club in the process. There are now only 50 copies left and the profits from all the remaining books will be donated to John’s favourite charity WaterAid. The charity has already acknowledged a first donation of £100 and John is hoping to double this if all the remaining copies sell. The 128-page book, with photographs from Matlock Town's Andy Duffin and Jan and Jereon Vrins of the Delft Gladiators Fan Club in Holland, is available from Matlock Town Club Shop and the Gladiators Social Club. The book can also be purchased securely online using PayPal via http://www.freewebs.com/matlockfc/gladiatorsontour.htm John would like to thank everyone who has bought a book to date.

My Matchday - 178 Bastion Road

Prestatyn Town 3v1 Tranmere Rovers
Pre-Season Friendly
30th July 2008 I took advantage of a family holiday in north Wales, to nip along the coast from our base 6 miles away in Abergele, to visit new Welsh Premier League club Prestatyn Town.
Prestatyn is a seaside resort in Denbighshire, the most easterly point of the North Wales Path and the northern point of the Offa’s Dyke Path, a long distance footpath between the Welsh and English border. The town is also believed to be one of the oldest populated places in north Wales, tools were discovered in a nearby village in the caves of Craig Fawr, which disclosed the existence of cavemen in the area.
Football in the town originates back to the early 1890’s but the present club began in 1930 and became officially formed in 1946. After an initial period in the Dyserth Area League, progression was made, joining the Welsh League(North) in the late 1950’s until the club ran into financial problems in 1971. This meant having to take one step back, before moving forward again, eventually becoming founder members of the Clwyd League in 1974/75, taking the title in their first season and enjoying a successful era winning more honours in league and cup.
The Seasiders progressed up the pyramid, joining the Welsh Alliance in 1993/94, until a fantastic title winning season in 2005/06, unbeaten and scoring 114 goals saw promotion to the Cymru Alliance. A third place finish was followed up by winning the title last season, and so the club find themselves at the top tier of Welsh football for the first time.
Judging by their performance against Tranmere Rovers, the Seasiders shouldn’t have any problems adapting to a higher level, although Rovers fielded a youthful side, you can only beat what’s put front of you, and Town played some great passing football, taking a three goal lead by half time.
The first goal arrived after quarter of an hour, a strong run forward from striker Hoult, who outpaced the defence before getting to the bye-line and cleverly knocking the ball off a defenders leg into the goal. This was followed by a header from Bowes, a simple nod into an empty net after an initial effort hit the bar, and a third just prior to the whistle, full back Davies made room for himself in the penalty area, holding off a defender before toe-poking the ball into the far corner.
Tranmere improved in the second half, with a few worthy efforts at goal, but could only muster up a consolation from Dave Taylor, who took advantage after a collision between the keeper and striker to leave a simple chance to score, the game got more physical as the game wore on, with the odd dodgy tackle, but the Seasiders looked comfortable throughout and were justly winners on the night.
Prestatyn Town have played here since 1969, it’s situated off Bastion Road, in a residential street at the foot of Bastion Gardens, the ground is next to house number 59, who neighbours a small car park and turnstiles. All the amenities are next to the entrance behind the goal, including the clubhouse and changing rooms. The seats are all situated pitch length down the far side, a mixture of dark and light blue flip seats, there’s a few padded seats and a small press box, with the middle third section covered, all the major ground improvements were made in their successful application to join the Welsh Premier League, floodlights, installing more seats, turnstile block and treatment room.
The local residents have a prime spot of watching games from the upstairs back bedroom, I noticed one or two taking advantage of this, although there were objections to the ground upgrading and plans to install floodlights. During the game the ball continued to be booted into the residents gardens, I overheard one of the committee commenting on this, saying “oh no, not that house again” I asked him why and he told me they don’t give the balls back, I had images of some irate bloke warning that if the ball goes into his garden again he’ll put a knife through it. So what‘s their problem?,Why moan at such a trivial thing? Having a football ground in your street, where you can watch the game from the comfort and warm of your own home and it costs nowt! Now that ‘s what I call a dream home, these people don’t know how lucky they are!
Matchday stats
PTFC 3(OG 16,Bowes 32, Davies 44) TRFC 1(Taylor)
Att. Approx 200
Admission £5
Programme- No issue due to the programme editor being on holiday, but they did dig out an old copy as a souvenir.

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Ground no.178 - Bastion Road - Matchday Web album (11 pictures)

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Ecos Del Balón de Oro...

¿y aún así no querían que Guzman se molestara?
jajajaja ¡bófonos!