Tag Archives: North Berkshire League

Lycidas

17 Friday Aug 2012

Posted by in M

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , ,

Monday 13th August 2012 ko 7.45pm

Hellenic League Divison One East

MILTON UNITED 3 (Parker 13 Fowler 20p 56)

PENN & TYLERS GREEN 1 (Hurst 77)

Att 68

Entry & Programme £3

After a weekend of football I’d made a mental note to have a day off. However there I was at work, when firstly Peter Grant asked how to get from Didcot Parkway station to Milton Heights, then Chris Powell from Flint phoned for suggestions for good pubs in Oxford. The answer to the first was easy, get a lift from me, and second, I suggested the Turf Tavern (where Bill Clinton didn’t inhale) and the Bear, with its cut-off tie collection. It was clear my evening had been organised for me. Amongst others we were joined by Les Bull, the former Wealdstone FC kitman, and Phil Annets, press officer for the North Berkshire League. It was a most convivial evening Continue reading →

Chinese Badminton

10 Friday Aug 2012

Posted by in L

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Monday 6th August 2012 ko 6.30pm

Faringdon Thursday Memorial Cup First Round

LOWER STRATTON 3 (Doult 12 Hitchman 33p Grimley 44)

STANFORD-IN-THE-VALE 3 (Mayall 28 62 67)

No Extra time, Stanford won 4-3 on penalties

Att 15 (h/c)

Played at Meadowcroft Recreation Ground, Addison Crescent, Lower Stratton, Swindon

Entry FREE

Nothing for sale

The roots of this competition lie in the 1930’s and the early closing of local shops on a Thursday thus creating an ideal opportunity to play football. In 1936 a team was formed in Faringdon to enter the local, “Oxfordshire Thursday League,” but after the Second World War the returning players found that things had changed and there was now no early closing on a Thursday. Their response was Continue reading →

Ron

03 Friday Aug 2012

Posted by in R

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

, , , ,

No date, no fixture for this post, and I’m going to have trouble coming up with a title for this. Just the one photo too.

A few days ago I received a message from groundhopper Mark Wilkins that his Dad Ron had died. For years I’d seen Mark and Ron at games around the country, but particularly in and around west London. They were a cheery pair, and always stopped for a cup of tea and a chat, and asked where the next groundhop would be. They were often seen in Royal Marines baseball caps, picked up, like mine on the South-West Peninsula hop.

Typically of me, I knew them, but not their names, just two lovely fellows I’d catch up with at a few games each season. That changed at the first game at the first North Berkshire League Groundhop. I was nervous as to how many people would turn up to a new league so I was pleased as punch to see them, and many others at Steventon FC. They’d brought fold-up chairs, and had relaxed before kick off. Trouble is, Ron had dozed off so out came my camera….. Apparently Ron liked the picture!

I saw them last at Benson AFC near the end of last season. Ron was feeling the chill so they watched the game from Mark’s car, but as ever we stopped and had our usual chat.

On September the groundhop will return to the NBFL, and hopefully Mark will be there, and as ever we’ll stop for a chat. It won’t however quite be the same without Ron. Rest in peace my friend.

 

 

Confluence

30 Monday Jul 2012

Posted by in F

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , ,

Friday 27th July 2012 ko 19.00

Pre-Season Friendly

FARINGDON TOWN 1 (Benson 10)

CLANFIELD 85 3 (Oswin 36 Williams 45 Oxendale 88)

Att 35 (h/c)

My appearance here for once had absolutely nothing to do withn the game on offer! I was there for a North Berkshire hop planning meeting, and League Press Officer Phil Annets thought along the same lines as me, why not watch the friendly first? Moreover he even bought his dinner from the same Chinese takeaway I did!

We did as others did and grabbed a table and chairs from the bar, and watched an enjoyable game in the warm eveing sun. It proved, if proof were needed that there isn’t much difference in quality between Faringdon, who will see themselves as North Berkshire League title contenders, and Clanfield, who will probably finish mid-table in Division One West of the Hellenic.

That, last season was a mere one promotion, but things aren’t as clear-cut this time, The FA have removed the NBFL’s step 7 status; based on facilties that’s probably fair enough. However to then find out that the neighbouring Oxfordshire Senior League has retained its status despite similar facilities and vastly inferior administration is to be polite, baffling.

Faringdon opened the scoring with a fine 15 yard strike from Chris Benson, and if Faringdon’s goalkeeping had have been less eccentric, they may well have got something from this fixture. Ollie Oswin fired home from a corner, and a goalkeeping howler gave Ben Williams an easy chance to give Clanfield the lead on the stroke of half-time. It stayed that way until the 88th minute when Royston Oxendale chased down a through ball. He did enough to beat the on-rushing keeper, and steer the ball in the the net, but collided with the glovesman in so doing. The referee took one look at the stricken keeper, and decided to blow full time. There was no lasting damage, and so Phil, I and the representative of the 4 hosting clubs trooped into the bar for our planning meeting.

It proved to be most productive, we’re good to go on the 22nd of September, and the line up will be as follows.

10.30am Coleshill United
1.30pm Faringdon Town
4.30pm Stanford-in-the-Vale
7.30pm Uffington United

There will be programmes for each game produced by the participating clubs, together with the usual metal badges. There also looks to be a decent range of real ales to be bought, and the clubs are liasing to provide a different type of catering for each game.

There will be the facility to buy a pre-bought ticket, guaranteeing a programme on either a match-by-match or whole event basis as well as the usual pay-on-the-day. Obviously there’s a lot of work for both Phil, I and the clubs to do before the League’s big day, but after this meeting I’m confident that the day will be a success.

If you’d like more information, just email groundhopuk@yahoo.com. See you there!

Powerwalking

07 Monday May 2012

Posted by in A, B

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , ,

Monday 7th May 2012 ko 2.30pm

North Berkshire League Charity Cup Final

ARDINGTON & LOCKINGE 0 James sent off 70 violent conduct

BERINSFIELD 2 (Ingram 40 Saunders 74)

Att 195 (h/c)

@Abingdon United FC

Entry and (8 page) Programme £3

It’s only about a mile from Abington Town to United, so I was in plenty of time for this one. In the car park I found a salutary reminder of the fact that no-one remembers a loser, a discarded runners up memento from the previous day’s Upper Thames Valley League Alan Alder Memorial Trophy.

If Abingdon Town has the cover, then United have both the clubhouse and the pitch. With only two areas of cover and a crowd over double that of my morning game, it was fortunate that the rain ceased, and the crowd could make use of all of the surround.

As is always the case, the committee was there en masse; why can’t other leagues do that for their blue riband events, and I witnessed the high levels of administrative efficiency as they made sure each player’s name did correspond to the number they were wearing.

And while all this was happening one person cut a nervous figure. Whilst Berinsfield’s AJ Stockford oozed confidence, club secretary Jackie Cullen paced nervously. Before the game, she kept busy putting up red and black balloons, during it she powerwalked round and round the pitch. So many finals, so many miles covered.

The game saw Berinsfield take on another Division 2 outfit more than capable of scoring goals. Ardington & Lockinge may be better known for racehorses, but they’re making their way back up the NBFL after spell away from the league. They made the brighter start too, Jonny James’ cross-cum-shot took a slight deflection and hit the bar. Berinsfield hit back as David Murphy fired  just over the bar after his intial effort was blocked by Ardington keeper Andrew Burt.

And as the half wore on Berinsfield worked out what would work for them. Captain Mark Ingram got an iron grip in midfield, and he fed AJ Stockford on the right who regularly outpaced his marker Ian Marshall. However, it was a different combination that created the opener. Brian Rawlings’ glorious cushioned lob bisected the Ardington defence and Ingram headed in, running through for a goal that would grace any stadium.

After the break Berinsfield made a fast start with Chris Murphy’s low drive grazed a post before the normally prolific David Murphy beat the offsite-trap to toe-poke the ball towards the goal. Burt somehow stretched behind to claw the ball away  then smother the loose ball just as Stockford was about to pounce. All the while Jackie paced…..

Although Berinsfield were very much in the ascendancy at 1-0 anything could have happened. The pivotal moment cam on 70 minutes when Jonny James chased a through ball, hugging the right touchline. He received close attention from Mark Ingram who shepherded him over the line none too gently. James’ reaction was to swing a punch at him. That missed, but it was not lost on either referee John Barlow, or linesman Adam Dewar, and James quickly was dismissed.

Luke Saunders replaced an exhausted Stockford and within 5 minutes he got Berinsfield’s winner. Again it was Rawlings who was the provider, his cross taking a slight deflection before finding Saunders who prodded the ball past a beaten Burt. The same combination saw Saunders’ bullet header hit the crossbar, before Burt saved brilliantly as Shane Harris followed up.

So the third trophy of the season, and as the final whistle went, the fans cheered, the players hugged, and Jackie finally stopped walking. She’ll have to go through it all again though, its the League Cup final. Same time same place, would you bet against Berinsfield making it 4?

The Sweet Smell of Champagne

05 Saturday May 2012

Posted by in F

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , ,

Saturday 5th May 2012 ko 2.30pm

North Berkshire League Division One

FARINGDON TOWN 2 (Harrington 40 Sutton 77)

CROWMARSH GIFFORD 2 (Allum 55 Currell 84)

Att 38 (h/c)

Entry FREE

Badge £3

Tea-in-a-mug 40p

I like Tucker Park,with its rural views and good facilities. There’s a large clubhouse and the bonus of a covered 3-step terrace. Best of all there’s a view of the West-Oxfordshire town’s most famous feature-the Folly.

It was designed by Gerald Wellesley, Marquess of Douro, for Lord Berners and built in 1935. It is 140 feet high and affords panoramic views of the Vale of White Horse.  During the Second World War the Home Guard used it as an observation post. In 1982 Robert Heber-Percy restored it and gave it to the town in trust. It’s actually on the site of an ancient ditched defensive ring.  This was fortified by supporters of Matilda sometime during the Anarchy (1135–1141) – her campaign to claim the throne from King Stephen but was soon razed to the ground on Stephen’s orders . Oliver Cromwell fortified it in his unsuccessful campaign to defeat the Royalist garrison at Faringdon House.

This fixture was the stand-out in today’s NBFL programme. Two long-time front-runners for the championship it had boiled down to Crowmarsh needing just a point to take the championship, just 7 years after forming from the nucleus of a boys’ club.

It was clear from the outset that Faringdon would not roll over easily. Whilst Crowmarsh were clearly in the ascendancy, Faringdon looked dangerous on the break. Faringdon’s Louis Bouwer’s last-ditch sliding tackle kept Crowmarsh out, before a Faringdon corner got caught in the wind, hitting the bar with keeper Chris Sutton beaten. Faringdon took the lead on 40 minutes, when Matt Pill’s right-wing cross was met by Derren Harrington. His low drive took a wicked defection, wrong footing Sutton.

The tension was palpable with the trophy present, but artfully hidden in a box in the teabar. Crowmarsh took 10 minutes to equalise as Andy Allum was put clean though and was brought down by Faringdon keeper Ryan Curtis. Curtis was booked, and Allum dusted himself off to beat Curtis from the penalty spot.

But still Faringdon wouldn’t lie down. Gary Sutton picked up a rebound, and 20 yards out hit a real missile of a shot past the other Sutton. It looked like the trophy might have to remain in storage until Tuesday. But then a free kick was played into the Faringdon box and Liam Currell got just enough force on his header to get the ball over the line despite a desperate lunge by a Faringdon defender.

That finished the game as a spectacle and the celebrations at the final whistle were heartfelt. There was a nice touch as the Faringdon captain ordered his players out of the changing room to applaud Crowmarsh as the trophy was awarded. A class act applauding another. I like that.

Outvoted

05 Saturday May 2012

Posted by in W

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

, , , , , , , , ,

Saturday 5th May 2012 ko 11.30am

North Berkshire League Division 4 East

WESTMINSTER 1 (Silence 50)

HARWELL INTERNATIONAL RESERVES 3 (Smith 37 44 Thompson 45)

Att 3 (h/c)

Entry FREE

Nothing for sale

If ever there was a club name that gives absolutely no clue as to where they play is Westminster! For the record, I spent this morning in the Botley district of Oxford, a few hundred yards from the A34. The club takes its name from its home pitch, in the grounds of Westminster College. So how did the college get the name? It was they who started in Westminster, London in 1851 and originally specialised in the training of teachers for Methodist schools. The site was severely damaged by an incendiary bomb during the blitz of early World War II, and the buildings were never repaired. They were demolished in the 1960s and the headquarters of the television station Channel 4 now stand on the site.

In 1951, Westminster College moved to a purpose-built campus in Oxford, which is noted for its fusion of Oxford quads with a “New England” style of architecture, evident particularly in the large and distinctive chapel. In 2000, financial pressures prompted the Methodist Church to cease operations and deal was struck to lease the site to Oxford Brookes University, and the college buildings became the Westminster Institute of Education, a school of Oxford Brookes University, thus continuing the use of the Westminster name.

The football club have nothing to do with Westminster College, being a group of friends who post-university wanted to carry on playing together. They played their first two seasons in the Oxford City League before transferring across, for this season. They’ll finish comfortably mid-table, while their visitors are champions, played 18 won 18.

It was cold and windy as the referee Harry Moore admitted to be that is always cold here. The ground is uphill from the A34, and it may well be the last time Harry officiates here. The NBFL’s very own Justin Bieber look-alike has justifiably been promoted and as a result will be plying his trade in the Hellenic next season. If his fine performance here was anything to go by he’ll go far.

The game went, predictably by the form book. Stuart Smith tapped in twice neatly before Jake Thompson pounced on a defensive error, to give International an unassailable lead.

The second half was noticeably less exciting than the first. Westminster gained a consolation as a weak parry from International keeper Chris Marks, allowed Dean Silence to prod home. It wasn’t the start of anything, and it never looked that way. The game meandered pleasingly enough, Harry had nothing much to concern himself with, and the International bench told me a tale of how their former club linesmen kept winning lineman of the year by consistantly giving offside decisions AGAINST his own side, knowing that the opposition always gave him his marks!

So, one game left for International, can they make it 20 from 20?

 

 

Community Champions

26 Thursday Apr 2012

Posted by in B

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

, , , , , ,

Wednesday 26th April 2012 ko 6.30pm

North Berkshire League Division Two

BERINSFIELD 4 (Stockford 21 79 Ingram 39p 62) Ingram missed penalty 42

BENSON LIONS 0

Att 57 (h/c)

80 minute game

Entry FREE

Programme (by Mick Birt) FREE

Tea-in-a-mug 50p

Bacon Roll £1

With the amount of times I’ve seen Berinsfield, it was about time I paid Lay Avenue a visit. At work in Banbury I watched the rain pelt down, and as I left the streets were flooded. It couldn’t be on, could it? It was on, and best of all it was being well publicised by secretary Jackie Cullen on the social media, and by Jackie picking up the phone to each of the gaggle of hoppers that nervously checked before heading out. As it happened, the pitch was in superb condition.

The village of Berinsfield lies about 7 miles south of Oxford on the road to Reading. It occupies the site of RAF Mount Farm, a satellite of RAF Benson, initially used to train bomber pilots. It was later taken over by the United States Army Air Forces, who used it as a reconnaissance base. From here stars including Bob Hope, Dorothy Lamour and Glenn Miller took off to entertain the troops in Europe. Miller performed for the US service personnel at the base in December 1944. From there he went to RAF Twinwood, boarded a Noorduyn Norseman single-engined aircraft, took off for Paris – and was never heard of again.

In 1957 the Air Ministry sold the airfield for civilian use. Bullingdon Rural District Council decided to build a new village – the first in England for 200 years – to be named after Birinus or Berin, a local saint. The word ‘field’ was added because the Americans called their base an airfield. To this day the village is markedly different to the obviously affluent villages that lie adjacent, Berinsfield is working class and proud of it, and the football club with its friendly welcome reflects this.

The club actually uses two pitches at Lay Avenue. This was to be the last game on the pitch used this evening, despite it facing the tea bar which did a roaring trade. The pitch will be rotated through 90 degrees, freeing up space for a children’s pitch. The “other” pitch will be used for first XI fixtures, and the rotated one for the club’s new reserve team. The club have just been turned down for floodlights.

It’s always more interesting watching a game with something riding on it, and with Berinsfield needing a point to take the Championship there was a real feeling of anticipation. With Benson Lions second from bottom it didn’t look likely that Berinsfield would miss out, especially when AJ Stockford (why does he always find a way into my reports?)  was at the end of a slick passing move to open the scoring. This was a very special game to watch, with a good playing surface helping both sides to play attractive passing football. It would be easy to paint the Lions as the fall-guys in the piece, but they matched Berinsfield pass for pass, and only missed out on a point from great keeping by Berry’s Toby Coffey, and bad luck.

Berinsfield doubled their lead from the penalty spot after Stockford was brought down. Captain Mark Ingram slotted away the penalty to end the first half and was asked to repeat the feat in the opening salvo of the second. This time, the kick was weak, and the shot was saved by Andy Gillespie. He made up for it after 62 minutes, heading home at close range.

I should apologise at this point to David Murphy, as in my War Memorial Cup Final report I stated that there are only 3 things in life are guaranteed, death, taxes and David Murphy scoring for Berinsfield. It was therefore inevitable that Murphy would fail when I saw him next! He came close though, dancing through the entire Lions defence, only for his blocked shot to fall kindly to Stockford who made no mistake from a full yard out.

As the game wound down the club made a lasting impression on the 5 or so hoppers present. Jackie Cullen came out with a tray with 5 portions of sausage and chips for the hoppers that had visited. She commented, ” You’ve come to visit, the least we can do is feed you.”  That’s 5 friends that club’s made for life, and reflects brilliantly on both the club, the league and the village itself.

As I drove out of the car park, something happened that summed up Berinsfield perfectly. I spotted 2 young lads wearing hoodies hanging around. I was just wondering, but then one of them grinned at me. It was AJ Stockford telling me to get home and start typing! Great people, great club, and congratulations on your championship.

 

 

 

Fours & Fives

22 Sunday Apr 2012

Posted by in M

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

, , , , , , , ,

Saturday 21st April 2012 ko 7.00pm

North Berkshire League Cup Final

DIDCOT CASUALS “A” 3 (Smith 66 Harper 68 71)

EAST HENDRED RESERVES 1 (Allen 27)

Att 126 (h/c)

At Milton United FC

Entry & Programme £2

Att 126

This for me was a complete bonus. I’d planned to take in the afternoon’s game at Stanford in the Vale, for quite some time, so with this one kicking off in perfect time for anyone doing an afternoon game in the area to call in, it really would have been rude not to!

I suspect quite a few groundhoppers will have visited “The Heights” when GroundhopUK finished off a day in the Hellenic League there. That was before I became involved, and I wasn’t there either, as I’d already done the ground, many times before! It’s a good example of how a village sports field can be improved to suit a club’s ambitions, and these days it reflects the club’s fortunes, as a side yo-yo’ing between the Hellenic Premier and Division One. It also reflects the league it originated in, the NBFL as there’s a fantastic view of Didcot Power Station! Until recently it was also used by Oxford United as a training base!

I should explain the title of the cup. It actually is the League Cup for teams that play in the bottom two divisions of the league. At present that’s Divisions 4 East and West, but it looks like that may revert to 4 and 5 for next season. With the majority of the teams in those divisions being reserves or “A” teams it was of no surprise that both finalists were not first XI’s.

There was a wonderful surprise when Jens from (near) Dusseldorf ambled up, beer in one hand, and fag in the other. Jens has over 5,400 grounds ticked, but approaches the hobby as I like to, with his tongue firmly in his cheek. I introduced him to League Press Officer Phil Annets, and oddly enough they got on like a house on fire! Don’t mention the War-Memorial Cup Final Phil!

If the Division 4 East table was to be believed this was an East Hendred banker, with the Casuals rock bottom with only 4 League wins all season! However the Casuals looked anything but a basement side, and looked secure in defence. Hendred did take the lead when Kevin Allen was at the end of a fine passing move to dink the ball over the on-rushing Nick Guiry in the Casuals goal. Hendred looked comfortable if unable to find a way though again, but everything changed during 5 mad second half minutes.

It all started with a goalkeeping howler, as Hendred keeper Roland Pacey’s misguided throw went directly to Casuals’ Andy Smith. His shot hit the bar, then down on to the goal-line, up on to the bar again in. Two minutes later, Casuals took the lead with a quite fabulous strike, a forty-yard blast of a free-kick from Daryl Harper. Three minutes after that, there was Harper again, tapping in after Pacey had done well to block a free kick played into the box.

A real turn-up for the books, and although Hendred pressed forward in the forlorn hope of redemption, they met with defence that didn’t look like it had shipped 47 goals in 20 league games. And in case you’re wondering whether players were shipped in for the final, not the case as the “A” side seem to run themselves separately from the rest of the club. Just one of those evenings when it all worked well for them.

The cup was presented by “Mr Milton United” John Cannon a real gentleman, who I’d had the honour to meet over a cup of tea at half time. A satisfying end to a great day’s football.

 

A Preview

22 Sunday Apr 2012

Posted by in S

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , ,

Saturday 21st April 2012 ko 2.30pm

North Berkshire League Division 3

STANFORD IN THE VALE 1 (Gregory 76)

WANTAGE TOWN A 6 (Stevens 11 28 75 Bowsher 37 Hummel 40 Goodchild 54)

Att 36 (h/c)

Entry FREE

No Programme

Tea-in-a-mug 40p

The West Oxfordshire village of Stanford-in-the-vale is best known as the birthplace of poet Pam Ayers. I drove in via Pusey and what a beautiful part of the world it is, with the stone cottages set against a backdrop of the White Horse Hills in the background. I think its part of human nature that we tend to marvel at places we’ve travelled long distances to see, and ignore what’s on our doorstep.

Apart from the obvious attractions of a game of football, I wanted to visit Stanford as its the only ground provisionally on the 2012 NBFL hop I knew nothing about. With the hop visiting divisions at a level never featured on an organised hop, I wanted to be available to help the clubs make the most of next September 22nd.

I met club secretary Simon Jackson, and he told me all about the club. They’ve no qualms about accomodating 200 or so hoppers. The ground is enclosed, so they’ll have someone on each gate with a box of programmes, they’ve got a huge barbeque set so that’ll be handy, and since the White Horse Brewery is in Stanford, there’ll be real ales to try. It should be a great day out for everyone.

What a charming ground Cottage Road is too. The clubhouse is good enough to attract drinkers who aren’t there to watch Stanford, and the pitch is railed on the near side. There’s trees on two side, which proved to be helpful in the midst of a hail storm! I was struck by how well this Oxford United fan was well-treated by what appeared to be a club of Swindon Town fans, although I’m bound to point out that Stanford play in OUFC yellow and blue!

Simon had told me that Stanford were going into this game with 6 players missing due to injury and suspension, and that Wantage’s A team is very strong. Incidentally they play at the Wantage Leisure Centre, and not at Alfredian Park, so there’s somewhere else so me to visit! Simon’s fears were justified as Wantage ran out easy winners. Centre half James Stevens collected a hat-trick as Stanford failed to convince when defending any form of cross. James Bowsher, Ben Hummel and Andy Goodchild piled on the misery as the visitors were first to everything and had the better ideas.

But let’s not dwell too much on the game. I drove away afterwards, thinking “What a lovely little club” and “That’s club I don’t have to worry about next September.”

I took a little detour to visit Uffington United, as its only around 4 miles away. That’s set to be the finale of the hop under their lights. Forget their league position, they’re just as ready for the crowds as Stanford, and you’ll be amazed at the ground.