Pyramid Patrol 2025/26

[flipmode]

Creating a new topic for all of the lovely content JCFC provides throughout the 2025/2026 season.

[JCFC]

Creating a new topic for all of the lovely content JCFC provides throughout the 2025/2026 season.

But with no indication of what JCFC is to do with the unlovely content he usually produces!

[JCFC]

Ideally others might decide to watch the occasional non-league match and report thereon. This topic needs contributions.

[bmb]

Creating a new topic for all of the lovely content JCFC provides throughout the 2025/2026 season.

But with no indication of what JCFC is to do with the unlovely content he usually produces!

As no such thing exists there’s no need to make a home for it! 😉

[JCFC]

I had hoped that with the Prima Donna League not having started, members might have been tempted by the return of competitive football in England to take in a match at Step 5 or 6 and give us their impressions. Sadly, it seems not to have been the case - non-League football is clearly of little interest here. Nevertheless ..

The Appointments for the first set of NCEFL fixtures offered mainly very familiar referees, but one reasonably local game offered the prospect of an unheard-of referee at a hitherto unvisited ground. Accordingly, JCFC boarded the 254 to Leeds, which took a diversionary route to the bus station to avoid a Palestinian march, revealing new parts of Leeds, which did nothing to improve his dismal view of that city. The connection, however, was swift and from the Cross Flatts Park stop, it was a comfortable walk up to

Saturday 26th July 2025
NCEFL Division 1
South Leeds   2   v   0   Goole
Matthew Roberts; Thomas Smith, Mervyn Collins.

The first problem to find the way in - not through a turnstile, but through a rather posh-looking reception area to a table where a gentleman with a phone relieved me of my £4 admission. This is the home ground nowadays of Hunslet RLFC. Only half of the stand was open on this occasion, though it was more than sufficient for an attendance of 138. The view was elevated and unobstructed, but the wide athletics track meant that the pitch was somewhat distant.

The officials were already out warming up on the far side of the field. It was immediately apparent that the referee was not the Matthew Roberts known to JCFC, unless he had had a very hard life in recent years. As they came back to the stand at the end of their warm-up, it became clear that Mr Roberts was less elderly than he had appeared from a distance. Maybe he had fallen foul of a barber whom he had once red carded and proceeded to exact maximum revenge. It did at least provide a good match for the coiffure of his two colleagues.

The first half was a rather staccato affair, with constant stoppages for minor nudges. None of the free-kicks was incorrect, but a more assured referee might have judged things a little less rigourously. He did allow a number of good advantages, but also missed a couple of occasions, stopping play unnecessarily. The main interest of the first half did not come until the 39th minute - a two-carriage train trundling past on the Middleton Railway. Just before the break, the ball went into touch, both sides (of course) claiming the throw. Mr Roberts went with Goole (incorrectly from the stand) while Mr Smith's flag remained unraised in his left hand to indicate the opposite direction before he switched to raise it in accord with the referee, earning him abuse from spectators.

Oddly, during the break Mr Smith reappeared on the touchline, having a chat with a home coach. A LTE tackle brought a yellow card got the Goole number 8 just two minutes into the second period. There was a mystery on 50 minutes. Mr Roberts whistled, ran over to the Goole keeper who had been about to clear,  had a longish word with the keeper, before continuing with a drop ball to the keeper. There was a repeat, without the chat a minute later. There was another yellow card on 54 minutes, the Goole number 11having interfered to delay a free-kick. Just after the hour mark Mr Roberts left the pitch to speak to a gentleman wandering harmlessly along the running track and point him to the stand. On 66 minutes, the home side took the lead with a belting 25 yard shot into the top corner. This lead was doubled seven minutes later when the Goole keeper could only parry a shot and a South Leeds player was first to the rebound. At one break in play, the home number 12 trotted over to the away technical area and had a drink from one of their bottles. The bosses looked somewhat askance at this, but didn't intervene. Goole forced the home keeper into a good blocking save late on. On 86 minutes Mr Roberts seemed to call a home player for a word, but was ignored. He did not seem to insist, not show a card, but proceeded to write something. It had been a pretty peaceable game, but in added time a strong challenge by a home player produced a reaction in the form of a hefty push in the chest and the inevitable arrival of multiple peacemakers. Matters resolved, Mr Roberts showed a red card to the home number 14. The tackle had appeared no more than reckless from the stand, but Mr Roberts was closer than JCFC. The retaliation drew no response from the referee.

If this was a debut in this league for Mr Roberts, it can be understood that he was keen to keep things under control and possibly explains his approach. He may mellow with further outings. He was clear in counting down from 5 with keepers in possession and the technique seemed to be very effective. Keepers seemed to have found a cure for their balance problems that have caused them to flop so often in recent seasons. JCFC might have been more impressed had he been able to make out the finer points of the referee's control, but in this case distance did not lend attraction to the view.

Keen to avoid a return to Leeds, JCFC caught the bus in the opposite direction, which took a less than direct route to Huddersfield and home was not reached until 19.20 - disappointingly late from a relatively close ground. If only JCFC were a crow.

[carrowman]

It's good to have you back, it still seems strange in having match reports in July, surely it's still the cricket season !

I look forward to a new season of your adventures.

[JCFC]

This being a first visit to the newly developed Myra Shay facility, it was good to find that the X11 bus stops directly outside the ground, making for an easy trip and timely arrival for

Wednesday 30th July 2025
NCEFL League Cup
Route One Rovers   4   v   1   Brigg Town
Thomas Johnson (Oxfordshire); Kyle Hogan, Sergio Galasso

Well, not exactly timely, as there were still programmes available - four photocopied, unstapled sheets, folded to make 16 pages. The front page bore a brief history of the home club (to be fair, their history is indeed brief) not updated to mention their transfer from the North West Counties League to the Northern Counties East. The back page bade us a cursory welcome. Page 2 had a slightly longer history of the visitors, with page 3 listing squad names. The rest was adverts, some merely a blank page with a smallish logo in the centre. Normally JCFC would give a club credit for trying, but not when they charge £3. It was a pleasure to pass it on to a gentleman who had been disappointed to find that they had sold out. He tried to pay for it, but, unlike the club, JCFC did not have the gall to accept.

The seats in the small stands were comfortable enough, with adequate legroom, but the hatched "no standing" area covered only the width of the stand, with the locals' preferred standing area on the same level meaning that a quarter of the pitch was largely invisible. Poor design by the Council! Inevitably it was this quarter that was to be the scene of most of the action.

With Mr Johnson being from Oxfordshire, the guess was that he was in Yorkshire as a student. Sure enough, the two stocky assistants were accompanied by a taller young man, his paleish complexion topped by auburn curls.

The visitors made the better start, taking the lead through a 12th minute header. Rovers did force the Brigg keeper into a triple parry, but otherwise their potential attacks were thwarted by an inability to remain onside. They were regularly penalised - rightly - by Mr Johnson for offences born of naivety and over-enthusiasm, rather than malicious intent. There was a yellow card on 33 minutes, for a challenge that provoked a very brief reaction, cordial relations being quickly restored by an apology, with it being deemed reckless.

At the break, the officials' route off the pitch was blocked by two home bosses, one in a wheelchair. Mr Johnson stood arms akimbo to receive an extended protest, with repeated gesticulations. Goodness knows what the manager had to protest about.

The tide turned for the second half, the play again being largely in the half where the view was obstructed. Rovers equalised on 47 minutes and again put the keeper under pressure. There was a skirmish, details unseen, of course, midway through the half. Mr Johnson consulted Mr Hogan at some length before returning to flash his yellow card twice, presumably at a player from each side. Rovers piled on the pressure with a succession of corners, but penalties began to look a distinct possibility. At a substitution on 85 minutes, Mr Johnson marched purposefully to the touchline to sample once again the home boss's range of protests and gesticulations, but sadly took no action. A minute later Rovers took the lead with a half-saved header, confirmed after a very slight delay. A dribble across the front of the penalty area produced the opening for number three,  the fourth coming in the fifth minute of added time.

Mr Johnson is probably fairly new to this level. His movement in the first half was unspectacular but adequate and his decision-making sound. As the game wore on, though, he seemed increasingly detached from proceedings. A satisfactory evening's work, but not, as yet, a particularly promising one. It is forgivable to be a little nervous in a new situation. He will not be the first who has failed to impress on his first sighting, but has gone on to do well as confidence increased.

Once the car park had been negotiated to find the small gate in the fence, the return was straightforward. The X11 stops running early in the evening, so the alternative was a few minutes walk, fortunately down quite a steep hill, to take a different bus route. The 21.55 number 645 arrived promptly after just a minute, reaching Bradford Interchange in time for the 22.05 bus back to Brighouse. Home by 22.32 - an easier journey than expected. However, if co-tenants Albion Sports persist with their annoying 20.00 starts, things will be rather different.

[JCFC]

Given Brighouse Town's amazing ability to exit every possible cup competition at the first attempt, often to lower-ranked opponents, expectations were not high at

Saturday 2nd August 2025
FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round
Brighouse Town   1   v   0   Frickley Athletic
Brandon Blackham; Kerion Moore, Stuart Hoyle

It was a pleasant afternoon, sunny and warm, but not oppressive, and as ever it was good to catch up with the news fromm the usual suspects. Three or four of the home team were familiar from last season, but the majority were newcomers. JCFC will possibly have worked out who they all are by Christmas.

Some years ago, JCFC had discovered that Mr Moore's odd first name is an inexplicable version of the more usual Ciaran/Keiran variants, commenting that he had always assumed it to be pronounced like a well-bred resident of Kelvinside might refer to her favourite films. Rightly rebuked by jad that no resident of Kelvinside, (let alone it's even more refined Edinburgh version, Morningside) would dream of watching Kerion films, I now suggest that such a genteel soul might mention that she had recently seen a Kerion crow. Congratulations to the Brighouse PA announcer who got it right. (Wrong actually in JCFC'S stuffy view!)

Brighouse had marginally the better of the first half, with encouraging signs: a spirited approach, decent creative moves, some excellent touches and above all a very tall central defender. Play was open and fluid, the time seeming to pass very quickly. The Stentorian One started his season in good voice, with an early "Have a word with him, ref!" Very discreetly, Mr Blackham did so, though doubtless without the prompting. A very late challenge by the home number 5 on 32 minutes rightly brought a yellow card. Two for Frickley followed and there could have been a third. Frickley, too, contributed some good play. Each side was denied once in the half by desperate last-ditch clearances.

At the break it was good to see Jason Smith and have a chance to congratulate him on his promotion to Level 3.

In the 47th minute a neat short through ball gave Brighouse an opportunity, tidily accepted to give Town the lead. This, however, served to produce an impressive performance by Frickley. They denied Brighouse the ball, penning them for long periods in their own half. Brighouse did defend doggedly, but even so, with better finishing, Frickley could well have had a couple of goals. The closing minutes brought a yellow card for each side Even in added time it took a header off the Brighouse line with the keeper AWOL to avoid a replay, which Frickley would have richly deserved.

Mr Blackham has been seen a number of times and has impressed as a positive referee, firmly in control. If his input on this occasion was possibly a little more subdued, he nevertheless handled the game well. For JCFC, who of course knows nothing about such matters, it was a surprise that he did not receive promotion to Level 3 at the end of last season. It is said, however, that he has been very, very close on the last two occasions. Third time lucky, perhaps.

Meanwhile, Town pocket the £1125 winning money much needed by a low-budget club. They will be away in the next round in a fortnight against the winners of the replay between W. Didsbury &Charlton and Winsford United. That offers at least £448 for the losers, but Town will need to maintain their first half level of performance throughout the match of they are to go further. For now, though, the serious business of the league starts with a home match on Saturday against Blyth Town. Let's hope that they can avoid a third reprieve. It won't be easy.

[JCFC]

I am not well-versed in current football law, as many referees would gladly attest. It may be, therefore, that there are simple answers to the silly queries below, but the Stentorian Ex-ref could not give me an answer.

For the last-minute corner, the Frickley keeper came to join the attack, taking off his cap and dropping it in the Brighouse half
 Very sensible and nothinng untoward occurred. However some keepers are not always sensible.

If a keeper did not remove his cap and somehow "nebbed" (used the peak) the ball into the net, would a goal be allowed?

Alternatively if the cap accidentally fell off or was knocked off, a deflection leading to a goal?

Or in the "sensible" scenario, if the ball was cleared and struck the cap that the keeper had discarded, what would be the verdict? Cricket has a five run penalty, but that could not work in football.

All very unlikely situations, but one day, somewhere...

[aaa]

I am not well-versed in current football law, as many referees would gladly attest. It may be, therefore, that there are simple answers to the silly queries below, but the Stentorian Ex-ref could not give me an answer.

For the last-minute corner, the Frickley keeper came to join the attack, taking off his cap and dropping it in the Brighouse half
 Very sensible and nothinng untoward occurred. However some keepers are not always sensible.

If a keeper did not remove his cap and somehow "nebbed" (used the peak) the ball into the net, would a goal be allowed?

Alternatively if the cap accidentally fell off or was knocked off, a deflection leading to a goal?

Or in the "sensible" scenario, if the ball was cleared and struck the cap that the keeper had discarded, what would be the verdict? Cricket has a five run penalty, but that could not work in football.

All very unlikely situations, but one day, somewhere...

Very interesting an great questions which is making my head spin

The only answer I can think of is that Law 4 allows goalkeepers' caps so therefore, it is part of the game. Same as protective equipment, such as players headgear, facemasks, knee and arm protectors.

This is the only conclusion I can come up with but I'm sure some with vast knowledge of the Law will come up with the alternative answer.

[bmb]

I am not well-versed in current football law, as many referees would gladly attest. It may be, therefore, that there are simple answers to the silly queries below, but the Stentorian Ex-ref could not give me an answer.

For the last-minute corner, the Frickley keeper came to join the attack, taking off his cap and dropping it in the Brighouse half
 Very sensible and nothinng untoward occurred. However some keepers are not always sensible.

If a keeper did not remove his cap and somehow "nebbed" (used the peak) the ball into the net, would a goal be allowed?

Alternatively if the cap accidentally fell off or was knocked off, a deflection leading to a goal?

Or in the "sensible" scenario, if the ball was cleared and struck the cap that the keeper had discarded, what would be the verdict? Cricket has a five run penalty, but that could not work in football.

All very unlikely situations, but one day, somewhere...

I've put that to my IFAB man, who loves it when I send him obscure questions! Seriously loves it!

[Whistleblower]

I am not well-versed in current football law, as many referees would gladly attest. It may be, therefore, that there are simple answers to the silly queries below, but the Stentorian Ex-ref could not give me an answer.

For the last-minute corner, the Frickley keeper came to join the attack, taking off his cap and dropping it in the Brighouse half
 Very sensible and nothinng untoward occurred. However some keepers are not always sensible.

If a keeper did not remove his cap and somehow "nebbed" (used the peak) the ball into the net, would a goal be allowed?

Alternatively if the cap accidentally fell off or was knocked off, a deflection leading to a goal?

Or in the "sensible" scenario, if the ball was cleared and struck the cap that the keeper had discarded, what would be the verdict? Cricket has a five run penalty, but that could not work in football.

All very unlikely situations, but one day, somewhere...

Very interesting an great questions which is making my head spin

The only answer I can think of is that Law 4 allows goalkeepers' caps so therefore, it is part of the game. Same as protective equipment, such as players headgear, facemasks, knee and arm protectors.

This is the only conclusion I can come up with but I'm sure some with vast knowledge of the Law will come up with the alternative answer.

I am no great expert in the Laws but I do concur in part. If the goalkeeper were to stop the ball going into his own net by it striking the peak of his cap and deflecting over the bar, then that would be entirely legal I believe since Law 4 allows for a goalkeeper to wear a cap. Presuming the Law is not specific as to in which part of the field of play the goalkeeper may wear the cap ( eg only in his own penalty area ) therefore it should make no difference, in Law, if the goalkeeper were up in the other penalty area, where he is allowed to be, and the ball strikes the cap peak and a goal is scored.

Where I would be less certain is the cap discarded on the field of play where it surely becomes an external and extraneous object once it is no longer on the head and therefore fulfilling its original purpose. Is a cap still a cap when no longer worn ? We delve into Platonic speculation here. Is it the construction or the usage which defines it ? What do the Laws say about extraneous objects on the field of play ( the case of a balloon in years past might be pertinent here ) ?

A splendid poser, worthy of A P Herbert's 'Misleading Cases'

[slimref]

Firstly on law: As long as the GK uses the cap within the area its an extension of his arm and therefore legal within law. As pointed out as part of players equipment its legal.

I recall a game at step 5 where a defender lost a boot in a tackle and then threw said boot at the ball before a shot to put off said shot was sent off for DOGSO as the boot became extended use of the arm (thrown by hand). This was sent through the channels to IFAB and backed the decision of the referee.

Back to the usage of the forum, as a coach on CORE and other programmes, I take great interest in reading the posts for current, future and former coachees whom I have interest in - one former members of my coaching alumini you've already visited this year. I have previously used 2 examples of observations in my coaching chats so rest assured whilst I do not contirbute much, I am a keen reader for input offline. Appreciate the efforts and yes echo further contributions would be welcome.

[JCFC]

How splendid to have Whistleblower's legal opinion - and free of charge! Perhaps he did not wish to be the recipient of a negotiable cow. His verdict rather agrees with my own, in my case based on very little. I take it that if a keeper held his cap in his hand and reached up to tap the ball into the net, it would count as an extension of his arm and be treated as handball.

After posting, I too was reminded of Misleading Cases at the thought of "When is a cap not a cap?"  This was a rare example of a television series living up to Herbert's written version. The thought of a benevolent Alastair Simpson as the smiling arbiter of goalkeeper Roy Dotrice's twinkling legal footwork in some celestial court still raises a smile.

As the Houghton Weavers sang - they don't write them like that anymore.

[Whistleblower]

Firstly on law: As long as the GK uses the cap within the area its an extension of his arm and therefore legal within law. As pointed out as part of players equipment its legal.

I recall a game at step 5 where a defender lost a boot in a tackle and then threw said boot at the ball before a shot to put off said shot was sent off for DOGSO as the boot became extended use of the arm (thrown by hand). This was sent through the channels to IFAB and backed the decision of the referee.

Back to the usage of the forum, as a coach on CORE and other programmes, I take great interest in reading the posts for current, future and former coachees whom I have interest in - one former members of my coaching alumini you've already visited this year. I have previously used 2 examples of observations in my coaching chats so rest assured whilst I do not contirbute much, I am a keen reader for input offline. Appreciate the efforts and yes echo further contributions would be welcome.

I am puzzled as to why the cap should be an extension of the arm rather than an extension of the head. If it is indeed an extension of the arm then a goal scored using it in the opponents' goal would surely not be deemed legal as the goalkeeper may only use his arm in his own penalty area. As an extension of the head it is absolutely fine to use it anywhere on the field of play.