Author Topic: Pyramid Patrol 2022/23 (Read 18541 times)

cwh · « **Reply #150 on:** Tue 31 Jan 2023 03:37 »

JCFC - it never ceases to amaze me the amount of time you obviously spend studying road and rail timetables in order to get to some fairly obscure grounds, and then spend more time in actually travelling to those grounds and then reverse everything to get back home sometimes fairly late in order to post your very entertaining reviews
I suppose this is down to absolute dedication or madness!!!! (no offence intended)
However I still enjoy your posts and long may it continue

Whistleblower · « **Reply #151 on:** Tue 31 Jan 2023 08:09 »

I think perhaps JCFC follows Robert Louis Stevenson's dictum 'it is better to travel hopefully than to arrive'. Certainly the commitment shown to this tier of football is absolutely commendable. Indeed " long may it continue " because for me ( and I know I am not alone ) JCFC's reports on Pyramid Patrol win the RateTheRef Oscar every year.

JCFC · « **Reply #152 on:** Tue 31 Jan 2023 10:44 »

Quote from: cwh on Tue 31 Jan 2023 03:37

JCFC - it never ceases to amaze me the amount of time you obviously spend studying road and rail timetables in order to get to some fairly obscure grounds, and then spend more time in actually travelling to those grounds and then reverse everything to get back home sometimes fairly late in order to post your very entertaining reviews
I suppose this is down to absolute dedication or madness!!!! (no offence intended)
However I still enjoy your posts and long may it continue

Thank you for the kind remarks. Dedication would imply some worthy end, rather than merely ill-informed and occasionally scurrilous musings. So madness it is - after all, I have already been classified as "daft" by David Richardson and certified as "bonkers" by no less an authority than James Bell - both people whose judgement I respect.

JCFC · « **Reply #153 on:** Tue 31 Jan 2023 10:58 »

Quote from: Whistleblower on Tue 31 Jan 2023 08:09

I think perhaps JCFC follyws Robert Louis Stevenson's dictum 'it is better to travel hopefully than to arrive'.

I did not realise that RLS was the source of that quotation, but it has certainly been true of some grounds and many matches over the years. Incidentally, the abandonment pf the tie at Tring at the weekend might have offered an opportunity to add Episode 13, but with rail strikes on Wednesday and Friday, Saturday seems more like a case of travelling hopelessly. Fortunately, tonight should be simpler - I could always walk home if the worst comes to the worst.

PS If this site believes I am going to start spelling realise with a z, it has another think coming

Microscopist · « **Reply #154 on:** Tue 31 Jan 2023 17:18 »

Quote

PS If this site believes I am going to start spelling realise with a z, it has another think coming

Quite right too. I recall when working in Leatherhead writing a paper and submitting it to our editor (a Portsmouth supporter, but she was OK). I had written "sulfur" and was admonished for doing so. My defence (not as my spell check would prefer "defense") was that IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry) now used sulfur was met with - "We are always interested in the opinions of IUPAC but here at LFRA we will use the English - sulphur."

JCFC · « **Reply #155 on:** Tue 31 Jan 2023 17:25 »

I know nothing about IUPAC, but I had learnt that from watching Pointless. I don't like it - but then, I am not a scientist. Will we have to start mispronouncing Aluminium next?

JCFC · « **Reply #156 on:** Wed 01 Feb 2023 21:02 »

If it is better to travel hopefully than to arrive, there are times when it would be better not to travel at all. On a cold, damp, windy night, one such occasion was experienced at

Tuesday 31st January 2023
NPL Premier Division
Liversedge 1 v 0 Gainsborough Trinity
Jack Hall; Gordon Greaves, Matt Coles

Entry to the ground was briefly delayed by a scout from Boston United, whose name did not appear on the list at the turnstile. To his credit, he offered to pay and claim it back from Boston - as a paying customer, i rather feel that should be the norm.

The visitors had opted for a grey strip with a touch of bilious yellow - goodness knows why anyone would - which was just about distinguishable from Sedge's sky blue from the stand, but none too easily. They proceeded to dominate the play for most of the first half. There was an early yellow for Sedge, before a Gainsborough header was just off target. The visitors had a strong shot midway through the half, but again, just missed the target. On 28 minutes Mr Hall allowed advantage after a strong Liversedge foul, summoning the offender when the ball finally went dead. It looked likely to earn another yellow card for Sedge, but Mr Hall settled for an extended lecture. Minutes later, his jaw got further exercise, this time the recipient of the talking-to being a visiting defender. Sedge did eventually come into the game and took the lead from a 39th Minute corner.

Gainsborough received two yellow cards midway through the second half, with one for Liversedge following. There was little to warm the blood - goodness knows what the scouts (there was at least one other) learnt from an encounter between two pretty mediocre sides. In added time Gainsborough worked a clear opening in front of goal, but a desperately weak shot was easily saved.

In a scruffy sort of match it was never possible for Mr Hall to be outstanding, but his triage was sound and there can have been no real complaints from either side - not that that ever stops some players.

The 47 minutes waiting in Cleckheaton bus station passed comfortably enough, the further 20 in a draughty shelter at Mayo Avenue did not.

Ref Watcher · « **Reply #157 on:** Thu 02 Feb 2023 12:54 »

Quote from: JCFC on Wed 01 Feb 2023 21:02

Tuesday 31st January 2023
NPL Premier Division
Liversedge 1 v 0 Gainsborough Trinity
Jack Hall; Gordon Greaves, Matt Coles

Funnily enough I also watched Gainsborough Trinity play away from home on Tuesday evening; at Grantham Town in the Lincolnshire Senior Cup Quarter Final. A number of previous failed attempts to play the game had apparently left the visitors fearing a fine from the Lincolnshire FA if they cried off due to the deadline for the round to be completed.

Grantham Town 3 v 0 Gainsborough Trinity
Lee Hartley; Aimee Keir, Laura Van Lier; Ellis Mills

Gainsborough predictably fielded a team of youth players and trialists and Grantham appeared to have followed suit. It looked and felt like a youth team game. A refereeing team of one level three and three level fours unsurprisingly had no difficulty in keeping this under control and were comfortably the most impressive performers on a cold, windy evening.

cwh · « **Reply #158 on:** Fri 03 Feb 2023 03:47 »

Quote from: Ref Watcher on Thu 02 Feb 2023 12:54

Quote from: JCFC on Wed 01 Feb 2023 21:02
Tuesday 31st January 2023
NPL Premier Division
Liversedge 1 v 0 Gainsborough Trinity
Jack Hall; Gordon Greaves, Matt Coles
Funnily enough I also watched Gainsborough Trinity play away from home on Tuesday evening; at Grantham Town in the Lincolnshire Senior Cup Quarter Final. A number of previous failed attempts to play the game had apparently left the visitors fearing a fine from the Lincolnshire FA if they cried off due to the deadline for the round to be completed.

Grantham Town 3 v 0 Gainsborough Trinity
Lee Hartley; Aimee Keir, Laura Van Lier; Ellis Mills

Gainsborough predictably fielded a team of youth players and trialists and Grantham appeared to have followed suit. It looked and felt like a youth team game. A refereeing team of one level three and three level fours unsurprisingly had no difficulty in keeping this under control and were comfortably the most impressive performers on a cold, windy evening.

Interesting to note that the two female assistants appear to be highly thought of in Lincolnshire

JCFC · « **Reply #159 on:** Sun 05 Feb 2023 14:18 »

The reference in last week's Non League Paper report from Lincoln United to "promotion-chasing Brighouse" drew grim laughter from those who see them regularly and who feel "relegation-dodging Brighouse" is a more accurate view of the present situation. Nevertheless, the usual suspects were in attendance for

Saturday 4th February 2023
NPL Division 1 East
Brighouse Town 2 v 2 North Shields
Karl Parker (Sheffield); Dwayne Chappell, Jamie Cogill?

Some three and a half years ago, a shambolic competition was organised - using the term in its loosest sense - in Yorkshire. Two of the sides meant to take part dropped out, and we never discovered what happened to the game between Yorkshire and the Chagos Islands. For the match between the hosts and Island of Jersey Parishes, the referee was Mr Parker - then a Surrey-registered new Level 4. He did well enough, without commanding total respect. Since then, he has appeared regularly in Yorkshire and been promoted to Level 3 this season.

Brighouse had the ball in the net early on - unnecessarily, as the whistle had long gone for offside. Mr Parker had a gentle word with the attacker as he trotted back. On 12 minutes, he headed to the North Shields bench to have words with someone. A minute later, a Brighouse attacker was needlessly taken down in the area and Mr Parker was right on the spot to award the penalty. The visitors had already shown a propensity to greet any decision against them with a less-than-edifying verbal response, but the protests were not too prolonged on this occasion. Or that would have been the case, but as the kick was about to be taken, the keeper raced from his goal and plonked himself in front of the ball and had to be ushered back. Time for a caution, thought JCFC. The taker, though, was not deterred and gave Town the lead. Brighouse, however, are generous hosts and granted the visitors an equaliser through a headed own goal on 22 minutes. When North Shields added a second just after the half hour, an all-too-familiar gloom descended on the locals.

Brighouse attacked the second half with a little more energy and drew level within a minute. Exchanges were a little more even - Shields created the better clear chances (indeed, the only ones) but their finishing was fortunately as poor as Brighouse's defending. The SEPAR was in good voice, directing his comments at the visiting players - and occasionally his own - but remarked several times that the referee was doing well, and not just at the four yellow cards shown to North Shields as the game meandered to its conclusion. Town now face a run of four away games - a positive result at Carlton on Tuesday is needed.

JCFC had not been over-impressed with Mr Parker at the previous sighting, or was maybe just grumpy at the general chaos of the occasion, but formed a different view this time. He was always well positioned, giving himself a degree of width when appropriate, and his decisions appeared accurate and were always given sharply and confidently. Though JCFC would have liked to see action against some of the verbals, they never lasted or got out of hand, so Mr Parker was vindicated in ignoring them. A very positive verdict from JCFC is pretty much the norm, but wonder of wonders, while making his way out of the ground, the stentorian friend awarded his man of the match to the referee.

JCFC · « **Reply #160 on:** Sat 11 Feb 2023 20:29 »

FA Vase weekend came round again - for once without strikes, but with major engineering works that made a day trip to Coventry not very practicable. A couple of nights in a hotel would have been possible, but Friday I had a pre-op eye assessment. (This turned out to surprise them that the cataract was so dense in one eye that the readings were not possible - so back on Monday for another go.) It was therefore necessary to settle for

Episode 13
Saturday 11th February 2023
FA Vase 5th Round
Eccleshill United 0 v 2 Atherstone Town
Paul Cooper; Matt Archibald, Elliot Shiers. 4thers: Bilal Moosa.

As the officials warmed up in their (almost) matching tracksuits, they looked a handsome bunch - well, remember the eye assessment. Sadly, or on reflection maybe not, Mr Archibald had visited a different barber to his two colleagues.

After 8 minutes a late tackle by a home defender drew a deserved word of warning from Mr Cooper. The rest of the half passed peacefully: the Adders occasionally looked dangerous in their attacks, something Eccleshill did not manage - at least until the final seconds of added time, when they forced a corner. The break brought the good news that Brighouse were a goal up at Pontefract.

Eccleshill looked more lively in the second half, but it was Atherstone who took the lead shortly after the hour. An Atherstone foul five minutes later drew a minor reaction from an Eccleshill man, who wanted the ball back, but Mr Cooper was there very quickly to prevent any escalation. With Atherstone ahead, there were fears of a repetition of the timewasting antics of the previous round, but it was not till late on that he had any goal-kicks - and at the second, Mr Cooper waited on the edge of the penalty area to chivy the keeper into action., which had the desired effect, helped perhaps by the fact that the double act was not in operation this time. A long spell of treatment to a home player saw the Eccleshill man about to take the throw in creep 20 yards forward. Treatment over, Mr Cooper briskly moved him back the full distance - perhaps informed by a shout from Mr Shiers and if not, certainly by the Atherstone players. Atherstone added their second in the last ten minutes and held out as Eccleshill pressed. Full time brought the news that Pontefract had scored twice in the second half, leading to a further Brighouse defeat.

It turned out to be a doddle for Mr Cooper, who has advanced well since JCFC first saw him on the line. Briskly given decisions allowed for little or no contestation. His movement was commendable, with a couple of rapid reverse adjustments. He did try to look for advantages, but only once was the result not a quick recall. His whistle could be shrill and strong, but not overdone. The assistants seemed equally efficient in what was a fine team performance.

Microscopist · « **Reply #161 on:** Mon 13 Feb 2023 12:29 »

Hope you get your cataracts sorted.

JCFC · « **Reply #162 on:** Sun 19 Feb 2023 16:52 »

Having decided against an outing to Grantham, deterred by the running track around the pitch, JCFC made the short trip up to Golcar, for what proved to be a day of (minor) disappointments:

Saturday 18th February 2023
NCEFL Premier Division
Golcar United 2 v Silsden
Lee Kendrick (Suffolk); Peter Binks, Declan O'Regan.

So what were the disappointments? First of all, a pleasant morning gave way to a dismal, mizzly afternoon; secondly, Silsden had arrived without their Ancient Sages to brighten JCFC's afternoon; thirdly, the programme (no mention of officials,as usual) revealed that the Odious Porter had joined them on loan for a month from Liversedge; finally, when the officials came out, there was a surprise - a referee from outwith the area, who is receiving regular appointments, tends to be a young student. Unless Mr Kendrick is the most mature of mature students, or is completing a protracted PhD, he appeared too old to fit that profile, though not as old, no doubt, as the venerable Mr Binks. JCFC is reminded at this point of a school speech day many decades ago, when the main speaker (Bryan Cowgill of the BBC, if memory serves) made a reference to venerable old gentlemen, which came out as "venereal" causing a degree of barely suppressed mirth.

The game started slowly, with two extended spells of treatment for a home player in the first few minutes, leading to his eventual substitution. Thereafter there was little excitement in either goal chances or indiscipline - bar one Silsden foul towards half-time, which drew a minor reaction and a yellow card for the offender after a long warning, with his captain invited to the meeting.

A yellow for the Golcar number 2, shortly after the restart, was administered without such formality. A spot of silliness on the hour gave Mr Kendrick the chance to exercise his jaw at length to the two initial participants. Five minutes later Silsden conceded a free-kick on the touchline, the ball ending up (perhaps with a little help) nearer the edge of the area. Mr Kendrick came across and was about to pick it up, when a Silsden player tapped it away, fortunately towards the place where the kick was to be taken, so no card was needed, though home fans thought otherwise. Golcar had the ball in the net on 69 minutes, denied by an offside flag from Mr Binks, who was not called upon to exercise his arm when Golcar repeated the process a minute later. A good Silsden attack was stopped just short of the box, but the free-kick came to nothing and a Route 1 attack gave Golcar a second. There was a further disallowed "score" on 85 minutes - this time it was Mr O'Regan quashing any hopes of a late Silsden comeback.

Mr Kendrick did not appear to do anything wrong, maintaining effective control. Given the combination of mizzle and JCFC's decrepitude, however, he often did not appear at all, so it is hard to say what he did particularly well - though he did get Brownie points for keeping his arms decently covered. The first young East Anglian official seen in the Pennines had wowed JCFC - and Jane Simms - but it is doubtful whether Mr Kendrick will follow Tom Nield's trajectory.

JCFC · « **Reply #163 on:** Sun 26 Feb 2023 15:07 »

it was to be another case of "Tell me the old, old story" at

Saturday 25th February 2023
NPL Division 1 East
Brighouse Town 2 v 3 Bridlington Town
Aaron Hallam (Sheffield); Brandon Blackham, Josh Bramall.

There was an example of role reversal among the officials. Mr Hallam had first been seen in one of his earliest NCEL appointments - at Penistone, with Mr Bramall (now taking the specialist assistant route) in the middle. Mr Hallam was subsequently seen on the line at Emley, on crutches at Dronfield, again at Penistone and Emley, always appearing competent, and has this season reached Level 3.

The opening minutes saw Brighouse looking promising, raising hopes of a first home win this year, but Bridlington soon established a pattern of direct play, pressurising the fallible home defence and taking the lead on 17 minutes. The home side soon retaliated, with a surging run from the left back position and two smart passes to score a superb equaliser. Brighouse;s passing then reverted to its norm, lacking both direction and judgment of weight as play became all too frantic. Two minutes into added time in the first half aBrid attacker was gifted a penalty - by Brighouse, not by Mr Hallam - and went to the break with a 2-1 lead. Mr Hallam, incidentally, had done very well to dash in to prevent any scuffle for the ball after the successful kick.

The home manager had done his stuff during the break and Brighouse again began strongly, breaking quickly from a Brid free-kick on the edge of the home penaty area and equalising after just three minutes. The usual pattern followed, however, with passes going astray, clearances panicky and Brid playing well to their limitations. The game was settled in the 68th minute Brid were awarded a free-kick in a potentially dangerous position. The SEPAR remarked to a visiting supporter "at the risk of tempting fate, your number 8 hasn't distinguished himself with his free-kicks." Fate was of course tempted and the kick found an attacker, who scored his side's winner. There was little sign that Brighouse would be able to respond and in fact Bridlington spurned a couple of great chances in the closing stages.

Mr Hallam looked confident in what was a very comfortable afternoon for him. There was little in the way of dissent, largely because he gave them little to argue with - though that is in itself not always a guarantee. Towards the end, the SEPAR gave him some fortissimo advice, but commented at the end that the referee had been good - a view with which JCFC was more than willing to concur. It would be interesting to see him take charge of a more demanding game, but his general alertness made for a promising display.

cwh · « **Reply #164 on:** Sun 26 Feb 2023 18:40 »

Quote from: JCFC on Sun 26 Feb 2023 15:07

it was to be another case of "Tell me the old, old story" at

Saturday 25th February 2023
NPL Division 1 East
Brighouse Town 2 v 3 Bridlington Town
Aaron Hallam (Sheffield); Brandon Blackham, Josh Bramall.

There was an example of role reversal among the officials. Mr Hallam had first been seen in one of his earliest NCEL appointments - at Penistone, with Mr Bramall (now taking the specialist assistant route) in the middle. Mr Hallam was subsequently seen on the line at Emley, on crutches at Dronfield, in the middle at Emley, always appearing competent, and has this season reached Level 3.

The opening minutes saw Brighouse looking promising, raising hopes of a first home win this year, but Bridlington soon established a pattern of direct play, pressurising the fallible home defence and taking the lead on 17 minutes. The home side soon retaliated, with a surging run from the left back position and two smart passes to score a superb equaliser. Brighouse;s passing then reverted to its norm, lacking both direction and judgment of weight as play became all too frantic. Two minutes into added time in the first half aBrid attacker was gifted a penalty - by Brighouse, not by Mr Hallam - and went to the break with a 2-1 lead. Mr Hallam, incidentally, had done very well to dash in to prevent any scuffle for the ball after the successful kick.

The home manager had done his stuff during the break and Brighouse again began strongly, breaking quickly from a Brid free-kick on the edge of the home penaty area and equalising after just three minutes. The usual pattern followed, however, with passes going astray, clearances panicky and Brid playing well to their limitations. The game was settled in the 68th minute Brid were awarded a free-kick in a potentially dangerous position. The SEPAR remarked to a visiting supporter "at the risk of tempting fate, your number 8 hasn't distinguished himself with his free-kicks." Fate was of course tempted and the kick found an attacker, who scored his side's winner. There was little sign that Brighouse would be able to respond and in fact Bridlington spurned a couple of great chances in the closing stages.

Mr Hallam looked confident in what was a very comfortable afternoon for him. There was little in the way of dissent, largely because he gave them little to argue with - though that is in itself not always a guarantee. Towards the end, the SEPAR gave him some fortissimo advice, but commented at the end that the referee had been good - a view with which JCFC was more than willing to concur. It would be interesting to see him take charge of a more demanding game, but his general alertness made for a promising display.

Could you explain what or who is a SEPAR
It would be very useful if there were list of all these Acronyms(if that is the right word) for all the many abbrieviations that are used in football - it seems to be growing by the day!!!! and I seem to be out of touch

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Author Topic: Pyramid Patrol 2022/23 (Read 18541 times)

cwh

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