Charnock Richard

The second quarter-final of the Goldline Trophy takes place on a lovely summer's evening at Charnock Richard.

The hosts have a great record in this competition and are always amongst the leading sides in the West Lancashire League Premier Division. They used to play on the pitch in the foreground of this photo, before developing the pitch across the road, the entrance to which can just be seen in the distance.

The second pitch, named Mossie Close, still gets plenty of use, and is tonight hosting Charnock Richard's third team in a Preston and District League fixture.

The entrance to the new ground, which has been named Mossie Park.

This shot looks back in the opposite direction towards the old ground.

Another view of the seated stand.

The visitors tonight are Daisy Hill, who play their football one level higher than their hosts in Division One of the North West Counties League, though local knowledge of past records in this competition would see Charnock Richard as favourites to progress.

Once George Craddock gets in behind the Daisy Hill defence on the end of a long ball to give the hosts a 13th minute lead, the result rarely looks in doubt. Tom Morgan and Chris Robinson combine to set up George Craddock for his second after 39 minutes, and Charnock Richard are in complete control at the interval, Carl Grimshaw adding a third from close range after Matt Mawdesley's shot was too hot for keeper Mark Simms to hold.

The outcome is never under threat in the second half, and Carl Grimshaw scores his second on 56 minutes after a goalmouth scramble following a corner. George Craddock completes his hat trick five minutes from time with a far post finish to wrap up a 5-0 win, and book Charnock Richard a remarkable seventh consecutive semi-final appearance in this competition.

Penrith

Bank Holiday Monday gives me a chance to head to Penrith and a first visit to their Frenchfield Park ground. With their old town centre ground scheduled for redevelopment, Penrith have a new home on the edge of town, and the stand and floodlights can be seen here beyond the numerous pitches of the Frenchfield Sports Complex.



A closer view of the entrance to the ground.


The ground enjoys a gloriously picturesque rural setting.

Today's Northern League Division One fixture sees Penrith entertain Jarrow Roofing BCA, with the visitors having made a solid start after winning promotion, whilst Penrith have an unusual record to date with four league wins out of four away from home, but defeats in both their games here.

The seated stand provides an impressive viewpoint, though its high roof may not be the most practical in the depths of winter.


It looks as if Penrith's disappointing home record may continue, as David Malloy makes space on the edge of the penalty area to give Jarrow Roofing a 2nd minute lead, and it is 2-0 after 17 minutes as Michael Chapman runs on to a loose ball and fires an unstoppable 30 yard shot into the far corner.


Penrith almost pull one back just before the interval as a long range David Lynn shot comes back off the post, but they do reduce the arrears just three minutes in to the second half, substitute Matty Lea setting up Dan Robinson for a well taken finish.


The rest of the game sees some sustained Penrith pressure, and they are again denied by the woodwork, but they get a deserved equaliser in the 90th minute, Matty Lea heading back a Dean Douglas cross at the far cross, and with visiting keeper Liam Johnson unable to get hold of the ball, Wayne Robertson fires home from a couple of yards out.

Grimsby Town

The concluding day of the FA's under 17 international tournament sees Grimsby Town's Blundell Park the host venue.


The ground is actually situated in neighbouring Cleethorpes and enjoys stunning views over the Humber estuary, but it is a very exposed location on what is an unseasonally windy day.


The teams competing today are Australia and Turkey.


The wind is clearly going to affect the game, and although there are some chances at each end, there are no goals at the interval.


In the second half Turkey adept well to playing against the elements, and they take a 57th minute lead, Beykan Şimşek's shot from a Seçkin Doğan cross beating Australian keeper Paul Izzo and just evading Hayden Morton's attempts to clear.

The conditions at times in the second half were abysmal with some squally showers driven in by the wind.


It is 2-0 after 65 minutes, Recep Niyaz getting in behind the Australian defence to finish confidently, and the same player wins a penalty a few minutes later after being pulled down by Connor Chapman, but his spot kick is saved by Paul Izzo.

A ship braves the choppy conditions above Blundell Park's main stand, one of the oldest stands on any English football ground.


Despite a couple more near misses 2-0 is the final outcome, leaving Turkey to reflect on a very satisfactory return of two wins and a draw from their three games, although England's victory over Portugal sees the hosts win the tournament on goal difference.

Trearddur Bay United

The second qualifying round of the Welsh Cup, and a home tie for last season's Anglesey League runners-up Trearddur Bay United, one of the lowest ranked teams in the competition.

The ground is right on the seafront of this pleasant resort situated just to the south of Holyhead.

The same ice cream vans in the photo above can also be seen in the next shot taken from the opposite direction, and showing how close to the promenade the ground is.

The visitors today are Mold Alexandra, who were playing last season in the Cymru Alliance at the second tier of Welsh football, but the knock on effect of the reduction of teams in the Welsh Premier League has seen Mold drop a level to the Welsh National League.

Mold have made an unbeaten start to the new campaign, but the drop in status has seen them lose a few players, and they are struggling for numbers today, with a second choice keeper playing in the forward line and their manager drafted into the defence. Nevertheless, they are still ranked far enough above their hosts to start as favourites.

The first half is closely contested, with chances at each end, but an 18th minute goal sees Trearddur Bay lead at the interval, Asa Thomas pulling clear at the far post to head home an Ian Williams cross.

A decent sized crowd are tempted away from the beach, many taking advantage of the boundary wall from which to watch the game.

Trearddur Bay make a flying start to the second half, doubling their lead after 47 minutes with the same combination as for the first goal, Ian Williams putting Asa Thomas away to chip Mold keeper Ryan Roberts.

You must be at the seaside when a tractor tows a boat past the ground!

With the wind in the hosts favour in the second half, Mold never really threaten to get back into the game, and Trearddur Bay wrap up a deserved giant killing with a third goal after 76 minutes, a quick break seeing Dewi Thomas set up Asa Thomas to complete his hat trick.

Lincoln City

The second day of the FA's under-17 international tournament, and Turkey and Portugal are in opposition at Lincoln City.


Sincil Bank is an impressive stadium within easy walking distance of the city centre, and is overlooked by the city's iconic cathedral.


Turkey drew their opening game with England 2-2 after being two ahead at one point, whilst a report on Portugal's thrilling win over Australia is elsewhere on this blog. If anything the Turks have slightly the better of the first half, but Portugal lead at the interval with a 23rd minute goal, Sancidino Silva finishing confidently from a Carlos Chaby pass.


Turkey deservedly level after 59 minutes, Beykan Şimşek heading home a Kadir Ari cross at the near post, and they twice more have the ball in the net in the next few minutes, but skipper Salih Uçan is penalised and cautioned for handball and Beykan Şimşek is ruled narrowly offside. Portugal show great character to come through this spell and regain the lead on 69 minutes, Iuri Medeiros converting Frederic Maciel's pull back.

Turkey's excellent performance looks set to bring no reward, especially when İbrahim Yılmaz puts a free header just wide, but in the last minute of normal time the same player's shot is blocked by the arm of Nuno Malheiro, and Recep Niyaz equalises from the penalty spot.


Turkey are not finished yet, and in stoppage time Salih Uçan and İbrahim Yılmaz combine to put clear Kadir Ari clear, and he makes it 3-2 to spark some excited celebrations.


There is no way back for Portugal in the short amount of time that remains, and Turkey can look back on a noteworthy victory.

Scunthorpe United

It is the opening day of the FA's annual under-17 international tournament, held regularly at this time of the year in preparation for the start of UEFA's under-17 qualifying campaign. The opening game features Portugal, regular visitors and current holders of the competition, and Australia, making the long journey as part of their preparation for the forthcoming Asian championship finals in Uzbekistan.

Scunthorpe United's Glanford Park is the venue for the tie.


The teams line up for the national anthems.


Australia make a bright start, and surprise their more fancied opponents by taking a 24th minute lead, Brodie Paterson and Kwabena Boahene combining to set up Anthony Proia for the finish.


Portugese coach Emilio Peixe is making full use of his squad in the first of three games in five days, and has left what would probably be considered his first choice attacking players on the bench, but he is clearly unhappy with his side's performance, and a double change is rewarded a couple of minutes before the interval when a quick break sees Helder Costa fire home.


A frenetic start to the second half sees both teams hit the woodwork before Anthony Proia restores Australia's lead on 51 minutes. Leandro Silva quickly levels with a superb finish from outside the penalty area, but an equally well struck Milos Degenek free-kick makes it 3-2 to Australia, before Sancidino Silva's defence splitting run sets up Helder Costa for a third equaliser.

All this takes place in a twenty minute spell, but Portugal are looking a constant threat now, and they go ahead for the first time as Helder Costa completes his hat-trick after 76 minutes.


There is no way back for Australia in the short time that remains, though they can take considerable credit in pushing so hard a nation who are always amongst Europe's leading lights at youth level.

Bottesford Town

A short trip across Scunthorpe allows me to take in the evening's Northern Counties East League Division One tie between Bottesford Town and Worsbrough Bridge Athletic.


The hosts have made an unbeaten start to the season, whilst their opponents would be encouraged by collecting their first win of the campaign last Saturday after ending last season in bottom place.


From the outset it is clear this is going to be a tightly contested game, and chances look sure to be at a premium.


Looking down the touchline towards the stand and, at the far end, the impressive new changing room block.


Despite the best efforts of both teams the 0-0 outcome is predictable well before the end, but a point each is a fair reflection of the game.


Whilst there may have been no goals to enjoy, there was the most glorious of sunsets over Birch Park.

Manchester Regional Arena

It is the opening day of the women's football season in England, and Manchester City have secured a new home venue, the Regional Athletics Arena at Sportcity, viewed here through the glass plinth of the Commonwealth Games Winners Memorial.

This statue, entitled appropriately enough Running Man, stands by the entrance to the ground.

The ground is located right next to the City of Manchester Stadium.

In an area awash with sporting facilities, the building with the arched roof houses the National Squash Centre.

A wide angled shot towards the other end of the arena. The roof is fine on a day like today, but is less than ideal on a wet and windy winter's evening.

Visitors Coventry City have been promoted after winning last season's Midland Women's Combination title, but they are up against a Manchester City team who are well established in the Northern Division of the FA Women's Premier League. Home keeper Danielle Brown clears quickly after collecting this corner, and Becky Grocott finds the space to finish with a neat lob to open the scoring inside 2 minutes.

The hosts look in control, and Krystle Johnson finishes confidently after 38 minutes to put them 2-0 ahead, in an arena that can accomodate 6 500 spectators.

Most of the spectators enjoyed the sunshine in the stand closest to the entrance.

Coventry give themselves hope less than a minute after the interval, Nikki Miles converting Michelle Hickmott's free-kick at the second attempt. However, they are unable to create any sustained pressure to trouble the home defence.

In fact, Manchester City come closer to extending their lead, with Sarah Danby's corner coming back off the bar, and they do wrap up a 3-1 win on 84 minutes, skipper Lindsay Savage's acrobatic effort is cleared off the line by Faye Cardin, but as the ball is played back in Abbie McManus heads home at the far post.