Christmas is over
I was delighted to receive an email from a follower from Suffolk. The sender, who wishes to remain anonymous, fondly remembers his Sunday morning football days in the 1970s, particularly at Christmas. He recalls a half back line of Good, King and Wanless. Mr Wanless was nicknamed Wenceslas,
presumably to add a festive feel to the team. For younger readers, a half back line wore shirts numbered 4, 5 and 6, but I guess that doesn’t help much.
Trophy action
The pre-Christmas snow washed out (or whited out as it was referred to by one club) all but five Third Round Proper ties. One tie has still not taken place, but the others were able to go ahead in the days leading up to Christmas. One of the teams we have been following, Harrow Borough, took another stride towards Wembley with a 2-1 win at Swindon Supermarine. They now have a tricky home tie with FC Halifax Town of the National League.
Move over Darling
Spennymoor Town’s run ended against former Football League club Darlington after a 3-1 defeat. The Quakers started strongly and opened up a 3-0 lead within half an hour. Spennymoor pulled one back, but Darlington will make the long trip south to Southend United on 14 January. When I first saw the draw, I noticed that Southend United was printed as Southend Untied. This reminds me of seeing a headline that, at first sight, appeared to be about the end of a hostage situation. Man Untied: Success at Notts Forest. Very appropriate that it was at Notts Forest, I thought.
Early Bath
In 1974, the Winter of Discontent led to some midweek Football League games kicking off in the afternoon. And, of course, midweek games would kick off in the afternoon before floodlights were available. As we all know, Thursday, 29th December was not a public holiday. However, two games took place in the afternoon on Thursday 29th. In the National League South, Bath City entertained Worthing and Braintree Town took on Chippenham Town. Both games ended in draws, 2-2 and 1-1, respectively. The attendance at Bath was slightly below par, but the residents of Braintree flooded to Cressing Road for their highest attendance of the season.
Another Conservative Christmas Party
In the Northern Premier League Midlands Division, Dereham Town defeated Yaxley 6-2 on Boxing Day. There was nothing too remarkable about that, particularly as Yaxley are propping up the table with one point. However, the Dereham scorers were Ken Clarke (3), Boris Johnson (2) and Liam Fox. Actually, the scorers were Charlie Clarke, Luke Johnson and Ashton Fox. I’ll await a witty email from someone about this.
Christmas Spirit
Similarly, on Boxing Day, Grays Athletic’s 7-1 win over Witham Town is worthy of note. The score at half-time was 1-1, but six second-half goals from Grays meant that Witham Town were left reeling. Two of Grays’ scorers were Gordon and Grant, popular providers of gin and whiskey. Another scorer was Campbell – there must be a whiskey of that name if you search the Highlands enough. The other scorer was Bantick from the spot, although Harvey-Bristol was fouled for the penalty.
French Connection
My eye was drawn to the Macron Southern Combination Division One this week. The French President is clearly sponsoring minor league football in
England, and he has obviously persuaded a French team to compete here too. At least, that’s what I assumed when I saw the result, Montpelier Villa 2 Worthing United 1. As we all know, Worthing’s twin town is Les Sables d’Olonnes. Will Worthing United be bridging more EU relations?
Tame finish
A mention this week for Jefferson Louis, who, at the age of 43, has joined Thame United, his 41st club. Last season, the veteran striker scored two goals in injury time in a play-off to help North Leigh gain promotion from the Southern League Division One Central. Is this the last stop in Jefferson’s 26-year non-League career? He says that it may not be as he tries to help Thame United move away from the relegation spots in the Southern League Division One Central. Time to end by humming Hello Dolly. Or, perhaps, Louie, Louie by the Kingsmen.
