AWAY DAYS

A PERSONAL VIEW OF OUR RECENT MATCHES

Just before we get to Frickley a quick mention of the Radcliffe game and what a decent game it was. It just seemed to flow, was well refereed with no yellow cards and we won! It was easy to see why Radcliffe have been involved in 69 goals in their 16 games so far, their defence looked pretty static at times but they looked more than useful going forward. I have to admit a little soft spot for Radcliffe as we used to live about a mile away from their ground for 12 years so that probably added to my personal enjoyment.

Next stop Frickley Athletic in South Elmsall. This was another routine trip for me going by car, stopping at the very picturesque village of Marsden on the way for lunch and arriving just in time for kick off following a long diversion around Holmfirth. 

The last time I went to Frickley was on 18 August 1979 when we drew 2-2 with our goals scored by Joe Turner, who scored on the first day of the season for the second season running, he did only score one more all season in the second game mind you, and Terry Nolan in front of a crowd of 367. I always remember when we failed to gain re-election to the Football League in 1978 a friend of mine saying “you ain’t bin t’ football match till you’ve bin t’colliery”  Frickley used to be known as Frickley Colliery until 1974 and like everyone that used to go to Westfield Lane I always remembered the ground for the huge slag heap down one side of the ground. Sorry Frickley fans I know it irritates you that that is what everyone remembers but you just do!

Was it still there, I wondered? Well, it was but a lot smaller than I remember and a lot of grass has grown on it since I was last there. People were actually walking their dogs and kids were playing on motorbikes on the slopes.

Frickley was our 1066^th Non League League game and the 215 that turned up to watch it was 77^th in our list of all time low attendances for “first class” games. It was the lowest attendance we have played in front of since 21 November 1992 when we won 5-1 at Whitley Bay in front of just 205 hardy souls which included a sizeable Sandgrounder contingent. If you take away the 73 Southport fans that I knew and counted (yes the first half wasn’t particularly inspiring) if there were 73 I counted I guess there were more, you are left with just 142 home fans. How a club can survive on so few fans is beyond me. The day also saw only 110 turn up at the Spennymoor v Vauxhall game which was the seasons lowest attendance so far.

I quite enjoyed the game but the early departures of Ashy and Steve Soley were a blow. The lads battled hard against some rugged defending and came out worthy winners. Lee’s goal was a bit special and came at the end of the best football of the match. Did you notice that the last time Tony Hallam scored Lee Mulvaney scored the second. Another totally useless fact!

This was the second game running that no players were booked and whilst the ref baffled us with some of his decisions it was good to see someone who tried to let the players tackle and not brandish a card for the slightest challenge. I wonder if two games in a row is an NPL record for a team as early season indications were that we would have to get used to a lot of yellow cards?

It was straight home for me after the match. I always enjoy the journey home. Listening to Sports Report on Five Live as you travel home after an away match must be one of those great British institutions. Checking my fixed odds coupon as James Alexander-Gordon reads the scores out and shouting at him as my money disappears down the drain yet again. Just why did Wolves score that fourth goal. That was a banker draw, before kick off, the fact that I had it as 0-0 mattered not, the draw was all I needed!

The trip to Barrow on 4 November still looks a bit doubtful for me but I’ve not given up yet, I’ve not missed a match so far this season but this could be the first! Why does work always get in the way of the important things in life surely people should understand that SFC come first, the wife has to so why not my employer!