Sheffield FC v Flixton Preliminary Round Saturday 29th August 2009

For my next game I picked a visit to a club that were firmly on my wish-list when I decided to embark on this football journey, Sheffield FC. They are famous for being the world's oldest football club, founded in 1857, three years ahead of their local rivals Hallam. They currently play in Division One South of the Unibond League, a couple of divisions higher than last fortnight's winners Penrith. The home team had a bye to this stage of the cup, their opponents Flixton had triumphed with an eye-catching 6-4 replay win at Winsford United and hail from the Premier Division of the North West Counties Football League which is effectively just one level below their hosts.

Doing my advance research, I discovered that Sheffield actually play in Dronfield which is 8 miles south of the Steel City with a handy direct rail connection. Arriving in Sheffield, I had about 45 minutes to spare before my connection which hopefully would give me time to put on my football coupon and enjoy a quick pint in The Howard, a favoured watering hole from previous visits to the city. Leaving the station, Sheaf Square which was completed in 2006 gives an excellent first impression of the city with its huge steel water feature. In the background, Park Hill pays homage to less happier times.

Unfortunately South Yorkshire Police have lost none of their legendary charm, a request for directions the nearest bookies was met with a surly "I'm from Leeds" in reply. If you find yourself being beaten to death in Ladbrookes on a match day, don't expect a speedy response.
A later advertising sign at the match had me wondering if they had branched out with their own business concern.

By the time I had finally located a betting shop and completed the coupon, at the third attempt due to lack of practice, time was short so the idea of a drink in Sheffield was abandoned and it was straight on to Dronfield.

Dronfield, at least the part I saw, turned out to be a fine looking town with the stone houses looking resplendent in the afternoon sun.



A brisk 15 minute walk took me up Sheffield Road to The Bright Finance Stadium and the convenient Coach and Horses pub right outside, time for that pint at last. It would have been churlish to ignore the real ales on offer, so a pint of Jaipur was secured and I can heartily recommend it.




Suitably refreshed, I entered the ground and was impressed with what I saw. The club bought the ground, along with the pub, in 2001 and it is the first time in their history they have owned their own ground and they have made a good job of modernising whilst retaining some character. Having obtained a programme, club badge and the day's team sheet I gave the ground the once over.




The teams took to the field from a an expandable tunnel which is in keeping with football at a higher level, in sharp contrast to the retro scoreboard in the far corner.


With the game underway, Sheffield immediately took the initiative and after a break down the flank, forced the first corner of the game.


From the corner, Will Senior rose smartly to nod home and Sheffield were 1-0 up after just 2 minutes.

For the remainder of the half, Sheffield dominated the possession working the ball to their wide men and Flixton managed to valiantly resist the barrage of crosses into the box as the home side looked for a second goal.




The halftime whistle came with the score still at 1-0. I obtained some excellent pie, peas & gravy and took a seat behind the goal to enjoy my snack. This turned out not to be the wisest idea as the substitutes were using the same goal for target practice and a wayward shot rebounded off the back of the stand straight onto the back of my head. Thankfully the pie was not dropped and the fellow was good enough to come over afterwards and ask if I was OK.

It didn't take long for the hosts to double their advantage. On the 56th minute a penalty was given for a head-high challenge in the Flixton penalty area, I personally would felt an indirect free-kick would have been appropriate and Jordan Eagars confidently slotted home the spot-kick.

Five minutes later substitute Leon Wainman was unfortunate to see his header come back off the underside of the bar from close range following a wide free-kick, quite possibly his first touch of the game.

Flixton survived another scare, soon after, with James Jowesey in goal saving from point blank range during a goalmouth scramble.


The pressure finally told on Flixton when Danny McDonnell received his marching orders for a second yellow card. The subsequent free kick from out wide was whipped in low and Greg Wright cannily skipped in front of the keeper to poke home from close range.


The fourth goal was not far behind, from a corner after Wainman was denied by a superb diving save from the under-siege Jowsey. The subsequent corner was volleyed against the post and kindly fell to Greg Wright for his second again from close range.


Shortly after, Wainman completed a hat-trick of tough luck hitting the outside of the post having broken clear and beaten the keeper.
At this point, Flixton sadly lost their discipline completely and a serious of petulant challenges led to a rash of yellow cards, culminating in Luke Scarry and Stephen Boardman also receiving their marching orders just before the final whistle.

It was a thoroughly deserved win and one which rewards Sheffield with a home time against FC United of Manchester in the next round, the oldest club against one of the newest and I would expect a capacity crowd for that one.

There was time for a couple more pints after the match and it was nice to see the home players enjoying a few beers there too.

Now its time for me to wade through the Sunday papers and work out who is playing who in the next round for my next trip in a fortnights time.

Pontefract Collieries v Penrith Extra Preliminary Round, Saturday 15th August 2009

For my first game, I opted for a trip to Pontefract as the first game of my campaign. The hosts were founded in 1958 and have remained in the Northern Counties East League, since joining as founding members in 1982. They currently occupy the First Division, a mere 5 promotions from League football. The visitors, Penrith FC, have been around since 1894 and currently occupy the First Division of The Northern League which is one tier higher than their hosts in the pyramid system of non-league football.

Setting off on a warm but grey day in Stalybridge, the first leg of my train journey was to change at Huddersfield, the rather dated train had its heating system stuck in the on position which was far from ideal in the middle of August. Twenty minutes between trains at Huddersfield gave me the opportunity to check out the farmers market outside the station, which reaped its own reward for later in the evening.


From Huddersfield it was onwards to Wakefield, which possibly boasts the most depressing station in the country in the form of Wakefield Kirkgate. I had got myself stuck there for an hour a few months back when messing up a connection at Leeds, so when the train pulled in and a timetable on the station wall seemed to indicate I could also get my Pontefract connection from nearby Westgate I gleefully jumped back on the train. On arrival at Westgate it turned out I had got it tragically wrong and would have to head back to Kirkgate, for compensation I availed myself of the essential pre-match prawn sandwiches from the station shop to help fend of the hangover from Friday that had announced its arrival.



One more change of trains was required at Castleford, before I finally arrived Pontefract's Monkhill station just before 2.30. Thankfully the ground was located and reached within 15 minutes, despite being almost hidden in a field on the outskirts of the town centre.


Having located the grounds only turnstile, an old school one at that, and paid my £5 admission I was delighted to discover the small Skinner Lane stadium boasted a very nice little bar and I was able to get a quick pre-match pint under my belt.






By now it had turned out to be a fine afternoons sunshine and the two teams took to the pitch for the, now customary, pre-match handshakes.




As the match got under way, it was clear early on the Penrith were the stronger side playing a good passing game, switching the ball from wing to wing with consummate ease. In the background, Ferrybridge power-station provided an imposing backdrop. I was surprised to learn that it gets some of its coal from nearby Kellingley Colliery - one of only 3 pits left open in Yorkshire.


In the first 5 minutes Penrith managed to force 3 corners, as Pontefract tried to weather the early storm, including one fine tip over the bar from 'keeper Rob Poulter.




After 10 minutes, Penrith broke the deadlock with a simple ball through the middle to Martyn Coleman who had got behind the centre-halves and coolly slotted the ball passed the oncoming keeper. Shortly after the trick was repeated, this time it was Dan Robinson who was unlucky to hit the underside of the bar. Further chances followed and the second goal seemed inevitable.


After this Pontefract managed a brief revival and nearly managed an unlikely equaliser when Ryan Sykes managed to beat James Holland only to see his shot squeeze just wide. Penrith finally got the second goal they were looking for when Dan Robinson sprung the offside trap once more and selflessly side footed the ball to Craig Wilson who converted the simplest of chances.

In the second half Pontefract looked a lot more composed and managed to make a game of it, initially.



The game was finally put beyond all doubt with two further goals. The first, a well placed free-kick from 25 yards into the top corner from Graham Anthony with the keeper rooted to the spot. Anthony had turned away in celebration before the ball had even hit the net. The Penrith fan next to me, who was also providing updates to Radio Cumbria on his mobile, informed me that Anthony was the corner taker when Jimmy Glass scored his famous goal that saved Carlisle United a few years ago. Dan Robinson made it 4-0, poking the ball and the keeper for s deserved goal. John Dowle pulled one back for the home team just before the end after a bit of penalty-box pinball.

All in all a very enjoyable game witness by a crowd of about 50, Pontefract's dream is over for this year and Penrith are rewarded by a trip to Jarrow & Boldon in the next round.

I will be paying a visit to Sheffield FC who await the winners of the Flixton v Winsford replay.