Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Shirebrook Town 0 Bridlington Town 4

It’s Friday night and I’m on a leaving do in West Bridgford. Swatts is leaving Ergo Computing after 8 years as Marketing Manager. It’s a good turnout, all the old school are here. Taggart has made an appearance; he normally gets himself in a right two and eight. Last time, following the Ergo Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Party held at the Nottingham Council House, he got so pished that he fell into a taxi and ended up in KEGWORTH rather than KEYWORTH. He is a real character though and from Glasgow.

It’s 10pm, I’ve had six pints of Yorker from the Leeds Brewery, I feel more off balance than Ronaldo. I had a George Best undercoat before I came out (a pint of milk) but it’s made no difference, I feel terrible. There’s mutterings of us going to the Monkey Tree or some other dreadful dive (Fire n Ice) I bail out and catch the bus home, I’ve a big day out in Shirebrook tomorrow.



Mrs P is having her hair done, that’ll be a financial blow. I leave the kids playing cricket in the back garden with strict instructions not to hit the ball into George and Mildred’s garden.

One of junior’s friends accidentally smashed their greenhouse a few months ago. The Cockney geezer came racing round; he talks like Inspector Blakey off On the Buses. I was all apologetic, but he told me the kids shouldn’t be playing cricket in the garden and threatened to report us to the Rushcliffe Noise Abatement Society. Unfortunately I had partaken in a couple of Stella’s. The conversation was short and sweet. It’s a family blog and I can’t repeat what I said, and we haven’t spoken since.



I’m driving down the A60, according to radio reports the M1 is clogged up with traffic. I skirt round Mansfield and head towards Worksop. Radio Nottingham are interviewing Stags’ manager Billy McEwan. It suddenly dawns on me that all Nottinghamshire’s big clubs are managed by Scotsmen. They’ve made the long haul up to Barrow Town’s Holker Street; I’ve been there myself.

Shirebrook is another community decimated by Mrs Thatcher’s pit-closure programme. I was saddened to hear that she now has senile dementia; at last she will have forgotten the wicked things she has done.

Shirebrook is in the north-east district of Bolsover, Derbyshire and has a population of 10,000. Famous people from the town include: Elephant Man actor John Hurt and England World Cup winner Ray Wilson.



According to Wikipedia it has The Auctioneer’s and my favourite shop the Co-op. I have a quick drive round but I’m unable to find the Co-op. The streets are deserted, a few pubs have shut down and many premises have 'To Let' signs outside their windows. It’s not unpleasant or scary, it’s just a bit of a ghost town.

Shirebrook Town Football Club were formed in 1985 and play on Langwith Road, at The Staff Ground. It’s £5 admission and a further £1 for a programme that has fallen apart due to a lack of staples. I remember legendary groundhopper Richard Panther complaining that the same thing happened to him in his wonderful book 'Dennis the Astronomer.' The content of the programme is good.

The pitch does not look in particularly good nick. There’s more weeds and clover than on my back lawn. It has plenty of humps and hollows and the grass is dead in parts.



On one side of the ground are two large stands seating around 400. The seats are the blue tip up type from the old Carling Stand at Leicester City’s Filbert Street ground. On the opposite side is a covered area. Behind both goals are two small grass banks. Lots of the buildings appear to be portakabins. The ground is railed off and fenced off.

The droning and irrating Adrian Durham from Talk Shite bellows out from the Shirebrook speaker system. He is ably assisted by the dulcet Black Country tones of Stanley Victor Collymore who has taken an afternoon off from ‘walking the dog.’

It’s a beautiful summer’s day with a gentle breeze. I’m hungover and dehydrated, so I buy a bottle of fizzy orange from Marilyn’s Cafe.

Shirebrook Town are in disarray. The management team have resigned following two league defeats. It’s a situation shrouded in mystery. There’s a short announcement on the web site but no mention of it in the programme. No-one wants to talk about it; the silence is deafening.



Another strange thing has happened, last season’s Northern Counties East leading marksman Ant Lynam (44 goals) was signed from Dinnington by the club in the summer. Apparently he wouldn’t or couldn’t train and has since been released. There’s a bit of a Royston Vasey feel to the place. They’re lapping all this up on the unofficial Northern Counties fans’ forum.

Bridlington is a seaside resort in the East Riding of Yorkshire and has a population of over 30,000. Footballers Richard Cresswell and Craig Short were both born in the town. Notts County have never had a better centre-half than Short; he was a class act.

I went to Brid a few years ago with our kid, and to be honest quite liked the place. We walked around Sewerby Park and Gardens on a beautiful Bank Holiday Monday, had a couple of hours on the beach and ate fish and chips on the sea front. We had a stroll around the harbour; it was full of people wearing Sheffield United and Barnsley shirts.



Bridlington Town were relegated from the Unibond Division One North last season, and are favourites to bounce back up again.

Both teams won their FA Cup qualifiers last weekend so confidence should be high. Bridlington have a very enthusiastic warm-up routine. They look self assured and confident. There’s a lot of high fives and back slapping going on. They look a tight-knit group.

Three Bridlington WAGS walk through the gate, White Van Man would have been having kittens over these three; they are worth the gate admission alone.

I get my first touch of the ball on thirteen minutes and throw the ball back to the Shirebrook full-back. The home team begin the game brightly and play with two wingers.



Shirebrook Town surprise me in the first period; they play a lovely passing game. Their star perfomer is 17 year old left winger Adam Kimberley. He takes on the entire Bridlington defence; he twists and turns, sidesteps and jinks. No offence, but he can clearly play at a higher level than this.

Bridlington begin to get a hold on the game. Leading scorer Craig Palmer fires wide and former Notts County trainee Chibuzor Chilaka fresh airs a header.

Brid’s tall centre midfielder Ashley Allanson opens the scoring in the 25th minute. He’d had a sighter scream over the bar moments earlier. He doesn’t make the same mistake from 20 yards out, although the ball is helped in following an appalling howler from Shirebrook ‘keeper Gavin Saxby. The passage of passing before the goal is breathtaking.

The defining moment of the game happens shortly before half-time. The Shirebrook centre half had been previously been cautioned for handball or kicking the ball away, I’m not sure which. He commits a dreadful challenge in front of the away dugout and Sticky Palms. He receives another yellow and is off. An amazing row occurs between the Bridlington manager and a spectator, who accuses him of getting the player sent off.

At the break I seek out the social club, to see what else is happening in the football world. Ping pong is on the television; these Chinese are nowhere near as good as The Nuclear Scientist and I.



The winning raffle ticket number is shouted out, I’m only a few numbers out, but have yet to break my duck. It’s a cash prize too; that would have cheered up Mrs P.

I’m leaning on the rail waiting for the players to re-start when one of the gorgeous Bridlington WAGS comes and stands next to me. She’d look more at home auditioning for a girl band on the X-Factor than standing watching her fella play football. She’s sexy, slim and swigging Fanta orange. Her perfume is overpowering. It’s all too much for The Groundhopper, he scarpers round to the other side of the ground.

Shirebrook battle away magnificently with just the ten men. “We’re getting overrun” shouts the Bridlington 10 jacket to the bench. But apart from a couple of Brady efforts they rarely test the visiting keeper;

Tricky winger Nathan Watson was sacrificed at half-time for another defender. The guy that comes on is older than me. In his heyday he was probably a good player.

Unselfish play from Phil Harrison leads to a fortunate goal for Chilaka; it takes him two attempts following a brave block from Saxby.

Bridlington are now rampaging down the right hand side and the Shirebrook sub is working overtime. The goal of the game comes on 72 minutes Craig Palmer thumping a header home following a fine cross from the right. Palmer has looked fairly disinterested for most of the game and only appears to come alive with the ball at his feet. He repeats this feat on 84 minutes with a glancing header from another right wing cross.

Shirebrook hit the bar in the dying moments, but it’s all too late.

By this time I’m chatting with a big fella from Brid. He used to live in Cotgrave for twenty years; it’s a village four miles from my home. He’s telling me to get up to Brid Town’s ground as the pitch is like a billiard table. I just might do that.

Shirebrook 0 Bridlington 4

Attendance: 121

Man of the Match: Ashley Allanson

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Dunkirk 1 Alvechurch 4

There’s no new ground to tick off today, but I will be attending my first ever Bar mitzvah. It’s an 11am kick off at the Nottingham Synagogue just off Mansfield Road. Today our friend Joshua Kingsley becomes a man in the eyes of the Jewish faith.

He reads from a precious Czech scroll which comes from a Synagogue in a small town called Austerlitz in Czechoslovakia. Almost the entire Jewish population of the town perished in the Holocaust. His delivery is beautiful and is read in Hebrew. It brings a lump to my throat.

His father is The Ribbonmaker, and is one of my closest friends. We partake in the ‘Kiddish’ and eat bread and drink wine.



We arrive back home at 1.45pm. We’re due at part two of the Bar mitzvah at the Nottingham Albert Hall this evening at 5.30pm, to celebrate even further. But I’ve got itchy feet, and don’t fancy kicking my heels around the house this afternoon.

It’s twenty years to the day since I first clapped eyes on the beautiful Mrs P across the smoke-filled bar of the Salutation Inn in Keyworth. I race up the village and spend a stunning £3.99 on a bunch of flowers; it’s the thought that counts. I hand them over them over, peck her on the cheek and say: “Happy anniversary darling, just nipping down Dunkirk FC for their first ever FA Cup tie. Back at 5pm.”

I’m parked up at the home of The Boatmen on Lenton Lane within ten minutes. Step Five club Alvechurch from Worcestershire have arrived in an executive coach.

It’s an FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round today. Dunkirk qualify for the first time as they now play in the inaugural East Midlands Counties League at Step 6 level.



It’s £4 admission and a £1 for the programme. I poke my head in the bar and chat to a few coaches I know. You are always ensured a friendly welcome down here. Framed shirts still hang on the wall belonging to Wes Morgan and Jake Sheridan.

Dunkirk FC were formed in 1946 and finished a creditable fourth in last season’s Central Midlands Supreme League.

Alvechurch were formed in 1929 and play in the Midland Alliance. Former players include: ex Wolves and Republic of Ireland striker David Kelly, former Gunner Alan Smith and Crazy Gang member John Gayle. I saw them at the business end of last season battle hard for a point at high-flying Loughborough Dynamo.

I‘m having a natter with a few away supporters. I ask where their manager Shaun Cunnington is; apparently he has flown the nest to Unibond Division One side Willenhall and took a few of the team with him.



Dunkirk have hardly been stretched in the pre-season, choosing to play, on the whole, inferior opposition. Alvechurch, in contrast, have already played two league games.

It’s a gusty old day, and the wind blows down the pitch off the nearby river. Dunkirk elect to kick with the breeze behind them.

Alvechuch waste an early opportunity from a close-range free-kick. The Boatmen’s Neil Thompson sees a thirty yard effort whistle over the bar.

The visitors look fitter and slicker and take the lead on fifteen minutes. A ball is played inside the Dunkirk full back, Church winger Jamie Rogers races away and is hauled down in the area. ‘Keeper Darren Wheater-Lowe gets a hand to Rogers’ spot-kick, but it’s not enough to prevent the deadlock from being broken.



One becomes two on twenty minutes, with Alvechurch striker Dave Dainty (great name) heading home a right wing cross from James Ince. Dunkirk already look tired and one or two are breathing out their backsides. They look demoralised and beaten. Crowd favourite Joel Wilson is on the bench and my personal favourite Tyrone Cairns is nowhere to be seen.

On a positive note the Dunkirk right footed left winger is always in acres of space and has the beating of a very poor Alvechurch right back, but no one has the nous or ability to pass the ball to him. On the rare occasions he sees the ball he fails to pull the trigger.

Further goals before the break from Williams and Gittings put the game to bed for Alvechurch. “We’ve let ourselves down” mumbles Dunkirk’s joint-manager Ian Upton as we all troop off the pitch at the interval. The Legend, better known as Dave Harbottle is on holiday and on this showing so are half his team.

I was hoping to catch up on all the half-time scores in the clubhouse but unfortunately the BBC’S Olympic coverage prevents this. I settle for a Diet Coke instead. White Van Man has texted in from Stamford FC v Shepshed; he’s watching his mate Screats. It’s goalless.



The second half is a non-event although Dunkirk show some spirit. They pull a goal back through Michael Evans. Ben Moore continues to give his all from the left back position and plays with a heart and desire that his colleagues lack. He is marking the white-booted winger Gareth Williams, who prises open the Dunkirk defence with ease.

There’s a huge cheer from a group of kids behind the goal. I presume that Forest have taken the lead at Swansea. I’m disappointed to hear that in fact it is the Swans who have scored from a hotly contested penalty.

The game is gone for Dunkirk and they haven’t done themselves justice. I race home to get changed again.

I’m in the reception hall of the Albert Hall, eating canopies and drinking pink Champagne. The last time the bubbles of this wine passed my lips was at York Racecourse nearly a year ago. Regular readers will know it was a huge session with Mad Dog and The Architect. It got really messy. I was tucked up in bed before the National Lottery Draw.

But tonight is about Joshua Kingsley and not about me.

Dunkirk 1 Alvechurch 4

Attendance: 93

Man of the Match: Joshua Kingsley

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Nottingham Forest 0 Reading 0

Lynmouth, north Devon, should be one of those places you visit before you die. It’s a delightful village on the edge of Exmoor. It’s more tragically remembered for its river banks bursting on August 16th 1952, which cost the lives of 34 people.

They’ve painstakingly rebuilt their community. We spend an interesting half an hour in the Lynmouth Memorial Hall looking at all the press cuttings and pictures from that dreadful day.

We visited this quaint seaside village last week. Whilst Mrs P and the mother-in-law scoured the dinky shops, ‘The Skipper’ and I took on The Angler and Sticky junior on the putting green. It was all square coming down the last and yours truly was left with a tricky four foot downhill putt. The wind was blowing and the flag was fluttering. I held my nerve. We celebrated with a cream tea.



It’s a 1.15pm kick-off at The City Ground today. I’ve already got two tickets but ‘The Skipper’ announces that he wants to come too. I scurry off down the ground two and a half hours before kick-off. Reading fans already mill around outside the main gates.

I race back home to pick up the boys and watch them narrowly beat Attenborough at cricket.

We park in West Bridgford Library. There’s a splendid blue sky filled with glorious sunshine. We stroll past the awful Fire & Ice, there’s not a Bridgford wife in sight.



I’m taking a couple of photos outside the Larwood and Voce pub, when an ex work colleague shouts me over. We both agree that there won’t be much in it today. Sticky junior says he’ll settle for a 0-0.

Reading is in the county of Berkshire, 40 miles west of London. It is considered one of the biggest towns in England and has a population of 150,000. It‘s twin town is Dusseldorf in Germany.

White Van Man and The Nuclear Scientist will be delighted to hear that their favourite culinary establishment the Little Chef opened its doors for the first time in the town back in 1958. Bill Gates’ mob Microsoft is a major employer in the town.



Famous people from the Reading include: comedian Ricky Gervais, the late great rally driver Richard Burns, chief executive of prawn sandwiches David Gill, film director Sam Mendes, musician Mike Oldfield, TV presenter Chris Tarrant (wonder if he’ll be back for a curry in Nottingham soon??) footballer Neil Webb, actress Kate Winslet and ex sheep shagger Deon Burton.

On our charity football tour of all the grounds in England and Wales, Neil Webb very kindly donated some old NFFC tracksuits for our cause. Unfortunately we arrived at the Madejski Stadium at 3am and all the lights were out.

We’re sat in the Main Stand ‘F’ Block. We’re surrounded by WAGS and injured players. Nathan Tyson, also born in Reading, and his family sit behind us. Andy Cole and his father sit three seats down from the boys. They are overawed by it all.

I notice that Peter Davenport is guest of honour today. He joined the Reds back in 1982 arriving from my all-time favourite Non-League club Cammell Laird in Birkenhead It’s hard to imagine him and Cole sharing a pot of tea for two and a plate of complimentary Rich Tea biscuits at the break, as they have previous. Read Cole’s autobiography.



Ironically Reading were nicknamed The Biscuitmen before the closure of the Huntley and Palmers biscuit factory in the 1970s. They then changed their name to The Royals.

Steve Coppell has hung onto his employment at the club following last season’s mid-season slump. Four wins in the last eighteen games sent them tumbling into the Football League Championship, and one of those was at The Sheep Dip, so it doesn’t really count. Coppell's a decent human being and I hope he repays their faith in him.

There have been a few outgoings, with the only new arrival being Stephen Hunt’s younger brother Noel from Dundee United. They still have 40 squad members named in the programme though.

Forest have injury problems today and are a little light up front; Tyson Cole and Anderson all miss out.



I’m sat next to Forest substitute Matt Thornhill’s parents. I ask his dad how long his lad has been at the club, he replies since the age of fourteen. He signed from Pelican Colts.

There’s nothing much happening in the first half. Forest keep possession well and could have scored in the first few seconds, when the ball finds its way to Cohen on his weaker right foot and the chance is wasted.

Le Grand Fromage, Guy Moussi, is orchestrating proceedings in the centre of the park. His first touch and movement are better than anything on the field. He’s never afraid to shoot from distance.

Influential Royals’ midfielder, the Czech, Marek Matejovsky, is stretchered off before the break following a clash with James Perch. Reading retreat into their shell and are happy to soak up the pressure.



Robin Hood and the Royal Marines abseil down the Brian Clough Stand and we are treated to some armed combat. I’m fully expecting Bennett and Morgan to sneak out the dressing room and give us all an exhibition in arm-wrestling.

The Forest disc jockey just manages to squeeze in (What’s the Story) Morning Glory?

Forest begin to move the ball around quicker and slicker. They have a ten minute purple patch, with Moussi still pulling all the strings. Unsung hero James Perch sits in a disciplined role, protecting the back four, mopping up any stray balls, allowing the Frenchman the freedom of the park.

Player of the season Julian Bennett improves with every game, Reading struggle with his strength and determination.



Reading’s American international goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann has not particularly floated my boat. He rarely comes out to collect a cross, relying instead on his giant defenders to knock away and head the endless corners and crosses coming in from both flanks. When he finally does come it’s a case of ‘Beadle Hands’ and he’s fortunate to hear the referee's whistle.

Wesley Morgan has been on top of his game this afternoon and, for most part, has snuffed out the attentions of Republic of Ireland striker Kevin Doyle, who has spent a majority of the time bouncing off the big fellow. For once he shakes off the big man, heading a Stephen Hunt cross goal wards, only to see Forest ‘keeper Paul Smith brilliantly tip it onto the bar.

Lewis McGugan is subbed close to the end, following an act of petulance, which results in a yellow card.

Arron Davies is withdrawn in the dying moments too; he’s not had the best of games and looks in need of a good meal. “You should have done that half an hour ago Calderwood” shouts the bloke behind me. It’s harsh. He’s had to switch wings throughout the game and has given his all.

Neither team can break the deadlock, as the defences come out on top. Reading are workman like and look nothing special.

Nottingham Forest will fear no-one and will welcome back the injured and wounded.

Nottingham Forest 0 Reading 0

Attendance: 21,571

Man of the Match: Wes Morgan

Saturday, August 9, 2008

Holwell Sports 0 Huntingdon Town 4


We’ve had a week in north Devon and I’ve had my fill of full English breakfasts, cream teas and fish n chips. We’ve played beach cricket and cards at night. It’s been a lovely family holiday. I had wanted to check out Barnstaple Town FC and had even got the resident drunk in the Inn on the Square public house to give me directions. Sadly even I hadn’t the bottle to disrupt my time with the family.

Mrs P and I are strolling by the sea shore, hand in hand, at Putsborough Sands. Surfers ride the huge waves. The sun glistens on the crystal clear waters. We have decided to travel back tonight, a day early, as the forecast is for heavy rain tomorrow and I don’t fancy the M5 on a Saturday.

I’ve been meaning to broach the subject of football for most of the week but haven’t quite plucked up the courage. The setting is perfect. I look into her eyes and say: “Is it ok if I go to Holwell Sports FC on Saturday and Forest on Sunday?” It‘s a long, silent 250 mile drive north on Friday night.



White Van Man can not get his fat arse out of bed today and The Taxman is on holiday in Worthing. The Nuclear Scientist fancies a run out though and I pick him up at 1.30pm.

It’s a short trip today; just the ten miles. We stop off at the recently refurbished Sugar Loaf Inn at Ad Kettleby. The famous grey racehorse and Gold Cup winner Desert Orchid lived in this village for many years. It’s a pint of Bass for Sticky Palms and a Black Sheep for NS. And very nice it is too.

Just down the road is Wartnaby. They have a lovely cricket ground there where former British Airways chairman Lord King lives. I used to play for a travelling cricket side many moons ago. We played Lord King’s X1 every season. Lord King used to donate a bottle of wine from his cellar for a raffle at tea. Oh, happy days.



The Nuclear Scientist is telling me of his last trip to Melton Mowbray. He bought a showroom demo plasma TV from Radio Rentals at a heavily reduced price. He’s grinning like a Cheshire cat and is very proud of his bargain.

Melton Mowbray is in north-east Leicestershire and has a population of 25,000. Famous people from the town include Monty Python star Graham Chapman and Forest winger Paul Anderson. It’s the home of the pork pie. White Van Man once applied for a job there as a pork pie taster.

Stilton cheese is made down the road at Long Clawson. Pedigree Pet Foods are a major employer in the town; The Angler used to fish for them. Sticky Palms scored a rare header there for the British Geological Society back in 1987 during a Sunday morning 4-0 romp. I’m hoping to blog Nottingham Racecourse one day as I bagged a brace there too.



Asfordby Mine was a ‘Superpit’ opened in the 1980s just down the road from here. It was plagued with geological problems and closed in 1997.

The Holwell Works is just down the road from the ground. At its peak it used to employ around 1500 people. There are only a few hundred there now. It’s an ironworks that mainly manufacturers manhole covers.

Holywell Sports were formed in 1904. This season they are to play in the newly formed East Midlands Counties League. They will be up against the likes of Gedling MW, Gedling Town and Dunkirk. It’s a good standard.

The ground is outstanding for this level of football. There’s a little wooden hut where you pay the £2 admission fee. There’s no programme or team sheet as it’s only a friendly.



As we walk through the gate I can hear the worst song I’ve ever heard on the non-league circuit: 'I’m Having the Time of my Life' by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes. Thankfully we are not put off by this woeful tune.

Holwell play in similar colours to Norwich City. There are touches of green and canary yellow all over the ground. The rail which runs around the perimeter of the pitch is painted green.

Huntingdon Town, from Cambridgeshire, are today’s visitors. They finished 4th in Division 1 of the United Counties League last season. Oliver Cromwell was born in the town. Former Prime Minister and serial coal mine shutter John Major was MP for the area for many years.

We’re having a chat with one of the home supporters; he’s explaining that quite a few Holwell players are on the razzle in Greece. Despite this they still beat Sleaford Town easily in a friendly earlier this week. He tells me to keep an eye on Holwell’s number nine, who’s called Scott.



The teams trot out five minutes late. The visitors look fresh faced and young. There’s a strong cross wind but thankfully the rain has subsided.

I get my first touch of the match ball in the first minute and another one after two minutes. Holwell begin the game at a good tempo and have a well taken goal ruled out for offside.

Huntingdon take the lead on the half hour. An excellent cross from 7 jacket is bundled home by number 10.

The cup of tea would enter the hall of fame. It’s poured from the pot into China mugs; we mark it with a nine. The staff are friendly and The Nuclear Scientist has his eye on a ‘Rooster Burger.’

At the break we take a saunter out of the ground to visit The Stute Sports and Social Club. En-route we pass the wooden hut where we paid to get in. There’s a TV on and a remote control lying on a table. I press 319 and I’m disappointed to learn that my team Lincoln City are 1-0 down at the Don Valley Stadium against crisis club Rotherham United.



NS has a pint of mild and Sticky Palms half a Stella. We are entertained by the resident drunk, who gives us a detailed history of the Holwell Works.

NS was a bit slow downing his mild and by the time we return to the ground Huntingdon are already two to the good.

They call Holwell’s number nine ‘Rooney’ God knows why as he is more Mickey than Wayne. He’s frustrated with the poor service in the first half and has spurned a couple of chances. He rolls around at every opportunity, holding an injured arm, leg, head or whatever part of his anatomy comes into contact with an opposing defender.

Meanwhile the Huntingdon 7 jacket is coming into his own. He creates another goal for number 10 with a fine cross, which is finished sublimely. The goal of the game comes 10 minutes from time. 7 jacket picks the ball up 30 yards out with his back to goal, he turns on a sixpence, pokes the ball round an ageing and tiring defender, meets it the other side and smashes a low hard drive into the bottom corner of the net. It was worth a tenner, never mind two quid.

I flick on the Ceefax as we exit the ground; both Lincoln and Notts County have been beaten. I’m certainly not having ‘the time of my life.’

Holywell 0 Huntingdon 4

Attendance: 50

Man of the Match: 7 Jacket