FOREST GREEN ROVERS     V     MK DONS

TUESDAY, AUGUST 8TH

Competition: Carabao (League) Cup, First Round

Ticket price: £12

Programme: £3

Attendance: 1,608

Half time score: 0-0

Full time score: 0-1 (After Extra Time)

Bird species: 49

Mileage: 377.9

Trip music: BBC Radio 6; Sound and Colour - Alabama Shakes.

 

 

BACKGROUND

I am a bit of an obsessive character to say the least. One of the ways this exhibits itself is in the fact I need to tick off every Football League ground. This includes sides that I have visited in Non League once they get promoted to The League. Sad, isn't it?!

 

To this end, Forest Green Rovers must be done in the 2017/18 season being as they won promotion to League Two via the play-offs last season. I used to do a new team's very first match in The League and it is tempting to do so in Forest Green's case but it clashes with FA Cup day so I plump for their second ever game: a home tie in the League Cup. Unlike a normal Tuesday - when I can pick a game where the birds are - this ties me down to a specific area of the country, limiting my birding options. The stage is set for a trip to the south-west.

 

 

THE BIRDS

There's really only one choice of venue for some pre-match birding and that is Ham Wall and the surrounding expanses of The Avalon Marshes. Seven species of heron bred on site this year! I am probably too late to connect with some of them but there's always something to see in this fabulous area. When I mention this trip to Tottenham Tim, he immediately asks if he can tag along and then books a ticket for the game!

 

Traffic on the M42 around Birmingham is horrendous, not helped by torrential rain. It's a good job we have all day because it takes a massive four hours to complete the trek to Meare. The silver lining is that by the time I pull up in the reserve's car park, the sun is out and it is pleasantly warm (Tottenham Tim declares it "chilly"). There's a pond dipping event for children just about to start but TT shuns the idea of joining them to try for a few new species!

 

 

A map of Ham Wall reserve, just a small part of the extensive Avalon Marshes

 

 

There are lots of small birds in the hedgerows along the main path. Blue, Great and Long-tailed Tits seem to have had a good breeding season and there are plenty of 'tacking' Blackcaps in the Brambles. The first viewing platform is very quiet, so we continue along the main track towards the second viewpoint.

 

On the way, we encounter a large group of Mute Swans in a very narrow channel. Wardens have counted up to 36 in one place but we only see 16. It is still an odd sight, though, and they are making a heck of a mess on the bank. They pay no heed as we pass within feet of them, as they preen in a group. I have often wondered if birds itch like crazy when moulting their feathers.

 

 

Part of the herd of preening Mute Swans

 

"I do balancing tricks too..."

 

Messy bugger but she looks so proud!

 

 

A gap in the hedge allows a scan of an otherwise hidden pool. There's no sign of the usual, semi-resident Glossy Ibis but a few Black-tailed Godwits - in varying states of moult and plumages - and Lapwings are a stunning sight in the sun. Great White and Little Egrets are standing side by side for an excellent comparison.

 

Great Egrets have bred at Ham Wall for the last two or three years now: a welcome addition to the British breeding avifauna. This once rare species is now almost guaranteed on this reserve for those who wish to see one. It is also strange to think that when I first took up the hobby, Little Egret was a rarity in Britain. I remember standing for three hours at Frampton Marsh waiting for my first one to hop out of a ditch. They are now on virtually every marsh and gravel pit and breed in my home county of Nottinghamshire!

 

 

My record shot of a Great (White) Egret

 

 

A somewhat better shot of a GWE copyright of John Crispin

 

I settle onto the benches of the second viewing platform for a leisurely scan of the marsh. The scrape is covered with birds but there's still no sign of the Glossy Ibis. A fellow scanner finds a Kingfisher on a pool behind the platform and I am able to set up my spotting 'scope and show the bird to several passers by. It is always a thrill to share birds, especially iconic ones such as Kingfisher. It's just a pity this one is too far away to take a picture of.

 

 

Not the bird from Ham Wall but one taken earlier in the year at Top Hill Low, Yorkshire.

 

Meanwhile, the marsh at the front of the platform produces a displaying pair of Sparrowhawks, a Marsh Harrier, a Kestrel, a Peregrine and a prolonged, but distant, view of a flying Bittern. A couple of Great White Egrets show along the rear bank and I can hear some Bearded Tits calling close by.  To complete the picture, a good number of Lapwings and Gadwalls are also constantly on show. It's all go!

 

 

2nd Viewing platform

 

A Bittern in flight, copyright of Jon Crispin

 

Marsh Harrier by John Crispin

 

 

We take a stroll further long the path to find the spot where Little Bitterns bred this year. I am looking for the famous 'ambulance' but am dubious as to the accuracy of this description. Sure enough, about 500 yards down the track Tottenham Tim espies an old ambulance plonked on the edge of the marsh! I think we are too late to see this elusive species but make a mental note in case I visit next year.

 

We wander back towards the car, scanning marshes and reedbeds we had searched on the way own. Cetti's Warblers shout from deep undergrowth and Reed Warblers scold us from reeds and bushes. We divert off the path to take a look what we can find from Avalon Hide.

 

The swans are still pulling out feathers and generally making a mess. It is really quite warm now and the shade of the hide is very welcome. More Great and Little Egrets are seen flying over the marsh and I glimpse a Bearded Tit as it zips from one patch of reeds to another, 'ping-pinging' as it goes.

 

The view from Avalon Hide. Glastonbury Tor is visible from most of the Avalon Marshes sites.

 

Great Egret in flight by John Crispin

 

I am getting tired now. I don't know why because I haven't walked that far, but I am! I make an effort to get to the viewing screen along Reedbed Tail and am rewarded with closer views of the Marsh Harrier and a delightful family of Tufted Ducks.

 

 

Now that chick is cute!

 

 

The final stop on this amazing reserve is back at Platform One. However, a reed cutter is busy at work in front of the viewpoint and I am about to leave straight away when the thought strikes me that the noisy machine could put up anything at any moment!

Sure enough, the elusive Glossy Ibis is flushed from a hidden pool and flies towards us. Fortunately, it lands on a grassy patch in front of the platform and shows for a few seconds. This species can look very dark but when the sun catches its feathers, it is a glorious mix of bronze and green. It then flies off once more, heading towards the Avalon Hide. TT also finds another posing Kingfisher. Job done!



 

Useful reed cutting/bird flushing machine

 

 



 

Disturbed by the reed cutting machine (by John Crispin)!

 

Time is pressing; I had wanted to have a look for waders on Meare Heath but several people had already told me that water levels were high on that marsh. There is time, however, for a very quick look on Westhay Moor, just up the road, where Black-crowned Night-Herons have bred this year.

Ten minutes later, TT and I pull into the rough car park. A Reed Warbler is feeding on blackberries by the gate, which is a nice start to the visit.

 

 

 

 

 

  A quick visit to two hides on the reserve reveals very few birds of note. I find the hide where the Night-Herons have been seen but don't expect to encounter any at this hour of day. Dusk is the prime time but I will be at a match by then!

 

 

 The marsh reminds me of a typical American landscape; dead trees (or 'snags' as the Yanks call them) dotted around reed-lined pools. I half expect to find an Empid flycatcher perched on a dead branch!

 

 

At 5.00pm, it is definitely time to head north for the second phase of the day. Tim and I have notched up 49 species of birds, some of which would have been classed as seriously rare when I first started birding and many a-person would still like to see in this country.

   

 THE FOOTBALL

For some reason, Jane SatNav wants to take me through the centre of Bristol. I ignore her several times and think I am on the right road but ignore her at one junction too many and end up in horrendous rush hour traffic in the city centre anyway. At least I can show Tottenham Tim the SS Great Britain as we pass by at an injured snail's pace.

 

FGR = Fecking Greedy Robdogs

It has started to rain again by the time we reach The New Lawn, home of Forest Green Rovers. The last time I was here, I breezed straight into the car park. Not this time; signs are up telling me I will have to pay a fiver for that privilege. This puts FGR in the unwelcome bracket of 'Rob Dogs' in my book, so I park on a side street instead.

 

TT and I have already printed off our tickets for this evening's match, so we don't have to join the queues to collect them. Except there are no queues: it seems this Caracrappio Cup match (or whatever the League Cup is known as these days) has not captured the imagination of the Nailsworth locals.

 

Thanks to my route via Bristol, I haven't had time to stop for food on the way to the game.  Usually this is not a problem on matchday but The New Lawn is famously vegan, thanks to a decree by the owner, Dale Vince, that his ground should be meat free (including meals for the players).

 

In fact this is the only stadium in the world to have EMAS accreditation - the Gold Standard of environmental management - and is described by FIFA as the greenest club in the world. Vince plans to take these green credentials one step further by building a new stadium made entirely out of sustainably-grown wood. On the downside, this would mean me having to visit this new Eco Park ground just to keep up my League Ground record, the third venue I will have seen FGR play at!

 

No exactly cutting the atmosphere with a knife!

 

 

10 ways in which FGR help preserve the environment

There's a large sign on the outside of the main stand detailing every energy saving feature of The New Lawn. These include electric car charging points in the club car park, a ground-based solar power system, recycling waste cooking oil as a biofuel, capturing rainwater and all water that goes onto the pitch, a robotic mower, a tractor that runs on biofuel, an organic pitch and provision of wildlife habitats. Tottenham Tim quips that he hopes the goal nets are dolphin friendly. How droll.

 

Given my passion for nature and conservation, I should really love Forest Green Rovers. I don't: they are a nothing club in the middle of nowhere with very little support and I begrudge wasting Non League time by being here. Having said that, FGR have a bigger place in my heart than tonight's opponents: MK Dons.

 

Electric car charging points at the ground

The Dons famously upset almost everyone in football by relocating Wimbledon from their Plough Lane home in South London to the National Hockey Stadium in Milton Keynes. In my opinion, and in most football fans' opinions, the club should have started life in the lower echelons of Non League and not been allowed into The League on the back of Wimbledon's potential demise. It was a scandalous decision when it was made in 2004 and it still rankles with true football fans to this day. So, this is a tie in an unloved competition between two unlikeable teams on a wet Tuesday night. How could this be worse?

 

Which brings me neatly on to food! I enter the clubhouse, which is packed with people. Most are here for the range of ciders and real ale on offer. The serving hatch is not very busy and when I see the veggie burgers and Quorn pies for sale, I can understand why. I have to settle for a chip cob (or bap or roll depending on your local dialect!) for another Rob Dog price of £3.20.

 

I then go in search of a teamsheet. There is chaos in the main office: the usual excuse about the computer system being down and a queue of very disgruntled home fans. I head upstairs to find the Press Box, where a spare teamsheet is normally to be found. Instead, I manage to scrounge one from a nice girl in a Hospitality Box.

 

The return route takes me through a busy Carol Emley Suite where I find a much more appetising range of food on offer. It seems to be going down nicely with punters, too.

 

An extensive vegan menu is on offer in the Carol Emley Suite.

 

 

Before kick off, I just have time to read through the glossy programme. It doesn't take long to complete the task. Most of it is about selling people stuff - hospitality, mascot packages, a video game of virtual football, etc. - and portrays no semblance of a love of football like a good programme should. In essence, it is a glossy corporate brochure that fits in perfectly with this bland, wafer-thin football club.

 

I take my place in the East Stand near the halfway line. I am surrounded by fans wearing hats and gloves on this decidedly mild evening, whereas I am in shirt sleeves and enjoying being at a pleasant temperature for once. Having said that, it has been remarked on more than one occasion: "Neil, you are not normal".

 

From my position in the main stand along one touchline, I can see covered terraces behind each goal - League Two clubs are allowed to have areas that aren't seated -while the terrace opposite is open to the elements. I bet Dons fans are relieved it has stopped raining! 

 

 

 

The Main Stand

 

 

 

 

It's always the away fans without cover.

 

MK Dons start off the game with some very slick football. FGR just about cling on but they do insist on giving away the ball at alarmingly regular intervals. Despite their dominance, The Dons do not trouble their host's goalkeeper. In fact, you can judge for yourselves just how dreary this game is by the fact the first save a 'keeper has to make comes in the 73rd minute. All I can hear is Tottenham Tim muttering: please don't go to extra time; please don't go to extra time..." as the inevitable drifts ever nearer.

 

Sigh

 

And then the inevitable happens: the final whistle on 90 minutes with the score resolutely stuck at 0-0. All I want to do is scuttle home and TT looks as if he's about to commit suicide but I am determined to stick this out to the bitter end.

 

To be fair, extra time is quite lively, thank goodness. Both sides attack as if they actually want to win the tie but it is the Abominations from Milton Keynes who sneak into the next round. Gboly Ariyibi cuts in from the left and curls in a beautiful, unstoppable shot. This begs the question: why the heck didn't he do this in the ninety minutes of normal time and save us all a bit of anguish?!

 

Anyway, we are finally unleashed from the torture and gingerly make our way home through yet more torrential rain. The only consolation is that I need never darken the door of FGR again. Until they relocate to their new stadium...

 

 

 Many thanks to John Crispin for letting me use his excellent bird shots from Ham Wall RSPB

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

POCKLINGTON TOWN     V     BRIDLINGTON TOWN

TUESDAY, AUGUST 1ST

Competition: Tony Kempster Charity Match

Ticket price: £3

Programme: Included

Attendance: 110

Half time score: 0-2

Full time score: 0-3

Bird species: 50

Mileage: 302.5

Trip music: BBC Radio 6; Barbara, Barbara We Face A Shining Future -  Underworld; What Went Down - Foals; Euphoria: A Decade of Trance Anthems - Various

THE BIRDS

My final destination this evening is Pocklington, North Yorkshire, but I have considerable birdy business to see to before that! August 1st has been penned in my diary for quite a few weeks now. Pocklington Town announced a friendly to commemorate the life of one of non-league's finest ambassadors: Tony Kempster. It was doubly appealing because I knew I would be able to do a day's birding beforehand and so it proved to be the case. As the dates neared, a schedule emerged that involved a circuitous route to Yorkshire via Lincolnshire.

 

I drop off Perfect Wife at work and then I am soon heading north on the M1, cautiously eyeing the dark clouds gathering in the distance. When I arrive at Far Ings at 8.00am, however, it is bright and breezy. Mine is the only vehicle in the car park, which is a tad worrying: I have never visited here before and I don't really know where I am going.

First time visit to this Lincs Wildlife Trust reserve

 

I needn't have worried, though. Gen on the White-winged Black Tern was that it had been seen at dusk the night before on the pit closest to the visitor centre. Sure enough, a quick scan of the quite large lake reveals a dainty white dot drifting over the water, occasionally swooping down to the surface. Surely that must be the tern?

 

I latch onto the bird in my telescope and indeed it is the target species. This bird is a juvenile, sporting a dark brown saddle, making it a distinctive sight as it parades up and down the far side of the pool. I settle down to see if it might come closer to allow my bridge camera a sporting chance of a few images. Think again, oh impatient birder/photographer!   

 

 

Oh please come closer!

 

My best two shots of the distant White-Winged Black Tern!

 

 

 

White-winged Tern by Graham Catley (copyright). Plenty more superb images on peewit.blogspot.com

 

 

 

White-winged Tern by Graham Catley (copyright). Plenty more superb images on peewit.blogspot.com

 

  

 

White-winged Tern and Sand Martin by Graham Catley (copyright). Plenty more superb images on peewit.blogspot.com

 

 

After about half an hour, the tern disappears over the reedbed and I decide to explore the reserve a bit more. I would have liked a photo but it isn't to be. Instead, I climb the steps onto the Humber bank. To my right is the awesome Humber Bridge- recently granted Grade 1 Listed status - and ahead is the muddy, swirling waters of the River Humber itself. I must admit that I find this stretch of water rather frightening: I am no water baby at the best of times but the Humber seems an impenetrable, highly dangerous animal.

 

Pursuit Pit at Far Ings

 

 

The Humber Bridge and reedbed at Far Ings

  

I next drive round to another pit favoured by the White-winged Tern. As I arrive, the pesky bird drifts over, heading back towards the visitor centre! This smaller, reed-fringed pool produces a family of Great Crested Grebes with almost fully-grown chicks, a Reed Warbler sunbathing in the reeds, a Redshank that noisily flies out to the bank of the river as the tide flows out, Tufted Ducks and many Swallows, Swifts and Sand Martins feeding low over the lake. Despite the strong sun, there's a definite autumnal feel in the air.

 

 And then I'm off again. I drive over the Humber Bridge and into East Yorkshire. Jane SatNav takes me across country where I encounter numerous tractors and combine harvesters spreading mud all over the roads. Come the glorious day when I am running this bloody country, all tractors and horses will have to use a network of tracks in fields to get from A to B. Oh yes, my friends, birding and football will be much easier in my Utopian, Fantasy, World!

 

Anyway, after one particularly dawdling convoy, I arrive at Wykeham Forest, North Yorkshire, at 10.30am just as it starts to rain. I walk the short distance to the raptor watchpoint and am met with the comment "you've just missed a pair of Honey Buzzards displaying overhead!" I have a nasty feeling about these birds, not instilled with confidence following my visit two weeks ago.

 

I had been entrusted, nay commanded, by Tottenham Tim and Sam, the Quite Unbelievably Excitable Essex Lady (or SQUEEL for short) to show them lifer Honey Buzzards. I picked the perfect raptor-watching day - sunny, slightly breezy with clear conditions - at a site where up to three birds had been showing on and off for the last few days. Six hours later, we trudged away from Wykeham without a sniff of HBs and just three Common Buzzards to console us. Tottenham Tim proclaimed it to be his worst birdwatching day EVER!

 

Now I arrive to learn of a near miss and what little optimism I feel dissolves almost as rapidly as a Brexit politician's promise, even though one of the Wykeham regulars assures everyone that the Honey Buzzards will be back in a few minutes. I am less than convinced but begin to scan the extensive valley anyway.

 

 

The view from Wykeham Raptor Watchpoint

 

Note the shotgun pellets peppering the raptor ID sign!

 

 

A Common Buzzard drifts into view and I get an ominous sense of deja vu. Another raptor appears a couple of minutes later and I draw everyone's attention to it. After a few moments' deliberation, I am happy it's a Honey Buzzard: flat wings, protruding head and long tail. A voice behind confirms my thoughts: it's an old acquaintance, Graham Catley.

 

I then lose the bird as I try and get fellow raptor-watchers onto it. Thanks to directions from Graham, I finally locate it again, way up high in the ominously sooty-coloured clouds. It begins wing-clapping, flinging its wings behind its back in display. 

 

The HB drifts closer and higher. Just as it's about to get interesting and I think it is going to fly directly overhead, a young Goshawk appears out of nowhere and tries to see her off. A bit of 'handbags' ensues between the two raptors but then the Honey Buzzard gives up and exits stage right. I shouldn't be too churlish at seeing two impressive bird of prey species together but that Gos could have waited a few more minutes, surely?!

 

WOW! Surely one of the best Honey Buzzard photos taken in the UK! Courtesy of Dave Mansell

 

Upperwing view of the same bird by Dave Mansell (http://www.scarboroughbirding.co.uk/)

 

 

I spend the next three hours dodging showers and scanning the valley at Wykeham but the HB doesn't put in another appearance. I would have loved to have seen the pale male I hear so much about but it's not to be. The Goshawk shows up several more times, mainly to chase away the Common Buzzards. Common Crossbills fly over at regular intervals, giving their distinctive "chip-chip" calls and a delightful family of Spotted Flycatchers entertains the small band of hopeful HB spotters. Three old planes are a distraction for a while but then just become annoying as they parade up and down the valley. They can't be helping the raptor situation. 

 

 

Unidentified Annoying Planes (UAPs) scaring away the raptors.

 

 

As raptor activity dies down, my attention is drawn to the array of insects buzzing around the plants. I take this hoverfly shot for later identification and I also manage to find another Scorpionfly similar to the one I photographed here two weeks ago.

 

Eristalis horticola (thanks to Rebecca Nason and Mark Keighly for ID advice)

 

 

 

Female Scorpionfly (thanks to Marianne Taylor for the ID!)

 

The rain seems to be setting in, so I pack up and leave late arrivals to it. They have that glum look on their faces I recognise so well from a fortnight ago! I have a bit of time to spare before the game tonight, so I decide to nip to Filey where a Red-backed Shrike has been showing for about a week. It's a gamble, being as holiday traffic might be heavy; it's school holidays, after all. Before I leave, I ask Graham if I can use his White-winged Tern shots for this post and he kindly agrees (though he seems somewhat puzzled by the concept of a football/birding blog!).

 

The fifteen mile journey to the coast isn't too bad. Jane SatNav takes me through several nice Yorkshire villages including Muston where there's a scarecrow festival taking place. I nearly crash the car as I pass one that looks alarmingly like Jimmy Savile by the side of the road. Maybe it's a child scarer of some sort?

 

I arrive at Filey North Cliff Country Park and try to work out where the target bird has been seen. I join a local couple who lead me up the garden path: well, Long Lane to be more accurate. About half a mile up is 'Long Hedge' an extensive hedgerow of hawthorn bushes west from the footpath. We settle down to scan the thick bushes.

 

A few Tree Sparrows and a male Reed Bunting are the first birds to show but it isn't long before I see a promising-looking bird fly along the hedgerow and land in the open. Surely that must be the shrike? A quick look through the telescope confirms the presence of a rather cute-looking female Red-backed Shrike. This is rather an early record and is hopefully a harbinger of a productive autumn.

 

After watching her for about half an hour, I take a quick look on the sea off Filey. Filey Bay stretches to the south towards Flamborough and Filey Brigg juts out into the North Sea ahead of me. I love this place and I have many happy memories of excellent seawatches and autumn migrant twitching here in the past.

 

 It's fairly quiet out there now, though, with a few Kittiwakes and Gannets being the only birds. It seems all the auks have moved out to sea. Autumn is definitely coming...

 

 

Female Red-backed Shrike courtesy of Mark James Pearson (the finder). More images on his blog:http://northernrustic.blogspot.co.uk/   

 

Filey Brigg

 

Carrion Crow taking a drink

 

Talking of autumnal conditions, I glance behind me and find some very angry clouds amassing. I head back to the car, pausing to try for a few good shots of a Carrion Crow taking dropped food from around the cafe's tables. It's now time to put away the optics and switch into football mode.

 

 

THE FOOTBALL

 

Jane takes me back through Muston. Jimmy Savile is taking a right soaking in the rainstorm and I can hardly see where I'm going. I can't help but think that Jimmy could have done with a few buckets of cold water being thrown over him many years ago: it might have dampened his ardour a bit.

 

As the deluge continues, I begin to worry that this match might be called off. I have fallen victim to many-a game being cancelled in these conditions in the past. I needn't have worried, as by the time I arrive at the Pocklington Sports and Social Club, the sun is out and the nets are being put up. PHEW!

 

 

 

 

A helpful club official informs me there will be no hot food at the ground tonight, so I drive back into town and find what turns out to be a belter of a chippie! Not quite Amble standard but definitely an excellent seaside-type feast of haddock and chips.

 

Back at the ground, the programmes have arrived. They cost £3, including entry, with all proceeds going towards a range of charities. It doesn't take long to read but there is a touching tribute to Tony Kempster within its meagre pages.

 

 

 

Tony Kempster died of cancer in 2009. He is a hero of many-a non-league fan thanks to his unbelievably detailed website. This was his 'baby' and he spent many hours lovingly updating it with stats and fixtures. When I first became interested in the grass roots game, 'Kempster' was the site to head for when one needed to know anything about non-league football. The site still exists today, with a lively Groundhopping Forum being the focal point, as well as fixture updates, postponement announcements and lots more. It is a stunning legacy of a man I never knew but would have loved to have chatted with. http://www.nonleaguematters.co.uk/forum/gforum.cgi

 

 

I enter the large clubhouse, having to climb some stairs to reach it: not good for my dodgy knee. It was opened in 1998 but still looks new. There's a bar, lots of old photos on the walls, a pool table and an elevated view of the pitch. It seems to be a valuable local resource and there are even plans afoot to expand the facility. Tony Kempster's family are here chatting with club officials and playing pool.

 

 

The clubhouse with viewing window onto the pitch

  

 

 

The function room

 

 

 

I head downstairs again in search of a cuppa. There's a helpful sign pointing the way and I am soon supping what I presume is Yorkshire Tea: well, it's in Yorkshire anyway. The players are warming up and the crowd is building. There's a local derby air about proceedings even though this is effectively a 'friendly' game. Tonight's visitors are Bridlington Town from the Northern Counties East League, Premier Division while the hosts play in the Humber Premier League. It should be a competitive game.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have a wander round the complex. There's a patch of waste ground on the far side, away from the clubhouse, covered with about 150 Common Gulls having a last feed before going to roost. This proves to be my final, and 50th, species of the day.

 

The pitch is railed off on two sides. The only cover is inside the clubhouse but it looks like the rain will hold off anyway. A kid's pitch is adjacent to the main playing area, well used by ten teams of all ages in the town.

 

A Fairy Ring on the 2nd pitch.

 

Someone had a good night?!

 

 

The players emerge from the clubhouse and exchange the customary 'respect' handshakes. This always seems a complete waste of time, as the norm is for everyone to kick seven shades of shite out of each other as soon as the whistle sounds to start the match!

 

R.E.S.P.E.C.T.

 

Anyway,  it's a competitive start and Bridlington are ahead after just one minute. Jake Day beautifully controls a ball into the box and then turns and fires in from an angle with the keeper in no-man's land looking very confused as to how the striker had actually achieved the skilful feat.

 

The early goal doesn't rattle 'Pock' and they press for the equaliser. You can judge just how competitive an evening it is when I tell you that a home player has to go off injured after a 50/50 tackle. Remember, this is supposed to be a friendly but the players are giving it their all. Day adds his, and his side's, second after 27 minutes when he confidently rounds off a quick break when a Pocklington attack breaks down. Bridlington's attack looks strong: definitely a level or two above 'Pocks' defence.

 

There's only one more goal to enjoy; again, it comes from Brid and Jake Day is involved again. His shot is saved by the keeper but Joel Sutton deftly puts away the loose ball. The finish is greatly appreciated by the strong away following.

 

The second half of the second half suffers from the usual bout of substitutions typical of a friendly fixture. Brid even replace their two lively strikers with a couple of their original defenders (I am not a fan of these 'rolling substitutions' to say the least), which is novel. Not surprisingly, the visiting offence loses its momentum and the goal tally isn't added to.

 

It has been a highly enjoyable day out: good birds and a decent game plus some awesome fish and chips. The icing on the cake is a clear run from Yorkshire to Nottinghamshire and I am picking up Perfect Wife from her Mum's house by 11.00pm, blasting out Trance Anthems all the way. I think about a bit of Big-Fish-Little-Fish-Cardboard-Box action to go with the music but it's probably not a advisable when driving!  

 

During lulls in play, there are always some amazing cloud formations to admire. Every cloud, and all that...