King Charles
A few weeks ago, someone on Twitter complained that the Weekly Review focused on southern clubs and occasionally compensated by looking at teams from the furthest north. “What about the Midlands?” someone tweeted, “Is there a hole in the middle of your map?”. Well, this week, there’s a mention for St Neots Town (no apostrophe in Neots and no full stop after St), playing in the Northern Premier League Division One Midlands. Although the Saints (or is it the Sts?) are struggling, they boldly fought back from 3-0 to draw 3-3 this week against Shepshed Dynamo, with three goals in the last 10 minutes. Trey Charles was the hero, scoring from the spot and netting his 18th of the season in the dying moments.
Major key
As those who know their geography will realise, St Neots is in
Cambridgeshire – I just know that someone is going to tell me Cambridgeshire is not really the Midlands or that they play in Northern Premier League. However, the club has 38 county cup wins in its long history – the Huntingdonshire Senior Cup, that is. Indeed, John Major, no less, was MP for St Neots at the time of the club’s four consecutive Cup wins. Anyhow, St Neots Town’s opponents were Shepshed Dynamo, which is most definitely in the Midlands. [Cover the Midlands this week: tick.]
Tring of fire
Many delayed FA Vase ties took place this weekend. AFC Liverpool (featured last week) drew 0-0 with Eccleshill United but lost on penalties 5-4, while our friends at Vase holders Newport Pagnell Town will be hoping to repaint Wembley green this season as they squeaked past Leighton Town on penalties. At Tring Athletic, it was all set for penalties despite intense pressure from the home side until the floodlights failed, which presumably means that Walsall Wood (another double-letter team) will have to return to Hertfordshire. Finally, a mention for Coventry Sphinx, winners by 5-1 at Biggleswade United.
Wading through the confusion
You might think there is no bigger rivalry than Celtic v Rangers, or, perhaps, Liverpool v Everton or even Arsenal and Spurs. However,
Biggleswade v Biggleswade Town is as big as it comes; at least, it is in Bedfordshire. The two clubs are both in the Southern League Midland Division, but they are still due to meet in the Bedfordshire Senior Cup despite three postponements. Whether the Waders of Biggleswade Town or FC, a strange nickname for Biggleswade, will go through, we will have to wait and see. Of course, don’t confuse these clubs with Biggleswade United, nicknamed United, who play in the Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division. Note: Thanks for the sponsorship this week from the Biggleswade Tourist Board.
FA Sunday Cup
I don’t think the weekly review has ever featured the FA Sunday Cup. It was disappointing that last Sunday’s 4th Round tie between Borussia Martlesham and VIP International was postponed. Needless to say, Borussia Martlesham are fans of Borussia Dortmund, playing in the Ipswich Sunday Football League Premier. A Cup run to the final might go some way to getting over the disappointment of not playing at Borussia Dortmund’s ground in the Südtribünenmeisterschaft during the Covid days. Try saying Südtribünenmeisterschaft after a couple of beers. I take it the replay will take place on a Sunday.
Cocking a snook to Jason Anonymous
The debate over putting your thumb on your nose and wiggling your fingers is coming to a timely end. Jason Anonymous kindly informed us that he called it a dipstick in his youth. To be honest, I had my
doubts about that one. However, a reader from a distant land has put us straight – it’s cocking a snook. Want to know more? It was described in the writings of François Rabelais in 1532, but its first known unmistakable depiction was in La Fête des Fous, a drawing by Pieter Breughel in 1560. We’ll move on to the two-finger gesture’s origins next week.
Cock and bull story
This brings us to Cocking FC. It probably shouldn’t, but it does. It seems that Cocking FC has nothing to do with football at all. It seems to be more to do with smartly-dressed women from Phnom Penh in Cambodia. I think it’s time to stop googling that one. Of course, Spurs, known for the cockerel on their club badge, do not take the nickname of the Cockerels (or, indeed, the Cocks). However, the nickname of the Cocks belongs to an American soccer (English translation: football) team called the Liberty City Cocks.
Not ducking out
Back to waders. On my FA Trophy trail last season, I visited Aylesbury United to see the game against Chipstead. Aylesbury United currently play 13 miles away in Chesham. I visited the now derelict ground at Buckingham Road (see old match report), which was a sad sight. The supporters are a good bunch, but it’s hard for the club to attract support, I suspect, playing so far away from home. Sadly, last Saturday, they dropped into the relegation spots after conceding the only goal of the game to Cirencester in injury time. Good luck to the Ducks. I hope they fulfil their hope of #BringTheDucksHome.
I’m ducking out
That’s it from me for this week. I leave you with a final thought. Jamie Salmon scored one of Canvey Island‘s goals to help his side gain a 3-2 victory over Herne Bay in the Isthmian League East Division. I’m wondering whether Jamie had to leap for his goal. Frankly, I would have expected jellied eels rather than salmon to be more popular in that neck of the woods. Anyhow, that’s it. After covering ducks and waders, salmon and jellied eels, I’m off for a meaty lunch. Let’s not go back down the path of teams with meats in their name, though.
