It's A or B vs C or D?!

Oh, the joy of cup draws when lots of teams haven't got through the previous round yet. As you know Middlesbrough have still to play Curzon Ashton (next Sunday, hopefully) but they were handed the anti-climactic draw of a tie away to Liverpool Feds or Rochdale, two teams they are battling out the league title for in the Northern Combination. Still, I guess an exciting game should be in prospect.

Salford 0 Middlesbrough 2 (at last!)

They finally got the tie played and would have saved me a load of time if they had just counted the result from the league game two weeks ago. Never mind, I made the long trip to Billingham and thorougly enjoyed it. Billingham have a lovely little ground with an impressive stand running the length of the pitch which guaranteed I would at least keep dry. Another notable difference from the previous rounds I had seen was a level pitch!

The weather stayed dry if not a little cold and as the teams lined up I feared a bit for Salford as it became apparent they had only turned up with 12 players and for me the star of the league game two weeks ago, their right back missing too.

However, they started much the better of the two teams and in the first 20 minutes had two golden chances which they managed to mess up. Inevitably, after that it was Boro who scored from a break away. The Salford keeper decided to fly out of her area which meant she was left completely stranded when the ball arrived in front of the goal resulting in an easy finish. This was not the only time she did a 'Grobelaar' but it was the only time she was punished. 1-0 at half time was a little unfair on Salford.

The second half was much the same pattern but with Salford having no composure in front of goal and Boro finally scored again from a breakaway 15 minutes from the end (having missed a penalty in the meantime).

All in all, Boro deserved the win for the way they finished off their moves and can now look forward to Curzon Ashton next week.

Tie switched

In what is now becoming a saga of epic proportions the game has now been switched to Boro's home, Billingham Synthonia. I noticed from the internet that Billingham played yesterday so, with good weather forecast, I am confident my trip to the north east should prove fruitful.

Christmas Shopping

Another wasted trip to Salford - No-one turned up this time and as much as I was tempted to watch the Salford reserves play I thought I'd make the most of my afternoon and do my Christmas shopping at the Trafford Centre - I've never got my presents so early!

Next up - Curzon Ashton!

Now the big boys (girls!) are coming in. I can't think of any notable history of the men's game in Curzon Ashton but in the women's game they are in the 2nd tier of the game so this will prove a tough test for Middlesbrough or Salford but at least they will be at home.

Was the match postponed?

The weather has been terrible but with no way of contacting officials of the teams (the women's game does need to get that sorted at this level) I travelled to Salford with a degree of pessimism. I arrived shortly before the 1 o'clock kick off, as did the Boro' team. A quick chat with them revealed that the match had been made into a league game as they could not 'get an FA Cup pitch' and the only one available was an artificial one (not allowed in the FA Cup competition rules apparently!) So, it was a 2pm kick off in the League. Having travelled all that way, I thought I might as well stay and watch the match which ended in a 2-0 win for Middlesbrough. The pitch was like no artificial pitch I had ever seen. It was just like playing on grass and, in my view, stupid not to play the Cup tie on it!

Off to Salford

The draw for the 2nd Round means Middlesbrough need to travel to Lancashire to take on Salford Ladies, a team in their own league, who they have already beaten once this season 2-1. Salfors play at Salford Sports Village, which is a state-of-the-art sports facility, so I am looking forward to visiting that.

Sheffield United 1 Middlesbrough 2

This was a thrilling, entertaining match played on a difficult pitch which had done well to survive the bad weather. My friend, Diane, came to this match with me, for her first exposure to the women's game, and she thoroughly enjoyed it.

I prepared her for the potentially very basic facilities, but no, this was the best standard I had come across yet. The match was played at the Phoenix Social Club near Rotherham so there was quite a plush bar (for the record we didn't have a drink!) and a pitch with a concrete path so despite the damp conditions we stayed relatively dry.

United started brightly in the first half but as the match wore on Boro' gradually took control especially once the second half was underway.

The breakthrough came in the 65th minute when the ball was played into the path of Katie Kinlan who side-stepped a tackle and coolly found the back of the net. Boro' briefly went to sleep allowing United to break through only for their keeper to make a great save.

The game was very 'competitive' with some fierce tackling. Then 15 minutes from the end Middlesbrough scored the crucial goal, a free kick being bundled over the line by Becky Stephenson. Sheffield did not give up without a fight, though, and when they scored in the last minute from Mawhood the added time period was very jittery for Boro, but they were deserved winners in the end.

As for Charlton? Well,you can see the date of the previous post which shows that I am pretty good at predicting the men's game and £75 richer from a £10 bet on Northwich to win at 15-2 - yep, I couldn't resist it and am thoroughly glad that this competition meant I didn't need to endure that embarrassment on TV.

Next up - Boro'

In a throwback to my FA Cup exploits of three years ago I have once more come across a Middlesbrough team. Middlesbrough play in the Northern Combination League where they currently lie in mid-table. They did reach the last 16 last season where they lost to Arsenal so I think this will be a tough tie for United - a tie that now clashes with Charlton's FA Cup match at Northwich Victoria (thanks ITV!) but I'll stay loyal to this competition - after all, who wants to watch Charlton's first ever defeat to a non league team!

Bolton 0 Sheffield United 7 (seven)

I used to love that bit on the old teleprinter when a team getting a high score used to get it typed out in letters - unless it was against my team of course! This was the highest victory I have seen in any of my cup runs and achieved by a Sheffield team who proved far superior in every part of the game. They carried no passengers, all their players were fit and lean and a joy to watch. The two girls up front, Zoe Beresford and Chez Mawhood were sharp, swift and unstoppable.

It was a sign of things to come when United scored through Amy Owen after just 3 minutes. Mawhood made it 2-0 after 10 minutes , and although things evened out for the rest of the half Bolton never really looked like scoring. For me the game ended as a contest just before half time when United scored from the spot. The only unpleasant thing was the reaction of the Bolton manager whose swearing was completely inappropriate - my only suggestion to him would be to read the rules as to what constitutes a foul - he clearly has no idea!

That unwarranted interlude put this neutral firmly into the Sheffield camp (well, they aren't managed by Neil Warnock) and I watched in admiration as four more goals rolled in in the second period from Becky Kendell (twice), Mawhood (completing her hat-trick) and Rachael Ruddach.

In my view they will be a challenge for any team in the next round.

It's the Blades next

Bolton face Sheffield United in the next round of the cup at home. A quick look on the intranet shows that, as far as their website is concerned this is a serious outfit. Pages are updated regularly so I have been able to get the feeling that this will not be an easy tie for Bolton - but they are at home and this should help.

United play in the same league as Huddersfield but, a quick glance at their results leads me to think that this will be a very different team from them. So far this season they are undefeated in all competitions. I predict a narrow Sheffield win.

Bolton Wanderers 3 Dearne and District 1

So, the dream is over! As in any type of football, the plucky underdog gets beaten in the end. A physically stronger Bolton team outmuscled Dearne and in the end ran out worthy winners.

As with earlier rounds the first mission was to find the ground. My research had proved fruitful and thanks to the wonders of satnav I was guided right to the ground's entrance. Again, like Dearne's place it was a bit rough and ready, the pitch being sloped but the playing surface was fine. Dearne had hired a coach to get to the ground and they had a large number of friends and family watching the match. It was a great cup day out for them and they seemed determined to do well.

The match was very physical from the start with some strong tackles and it seemed to me that a number of the Dearne players were a bit intimidated by this, even though most of the tackling was within the rules. It did not surprise me, therefore, that Bolton took an early two-goal lead even though they did it from the only two chances that they had. The key, it became apparent later, was because they were kicking uphill. Dearne deservedly scored before halftime and it promised to be a competitive 2nd half.

That never materialised, though, as Bolton got a third goal and, although Dearne battled wel,l I never really got the feeling that they would get back in the match. So, I'm now a Bolton fan, following their fortunes on into the next round.

Another famous name!

This time it's Bolton Wanderers. That's who Dearne will play, away, in the next round (2nd Qualifying). They play in the North West Women's Regional league, probably at the same level as Huddersfield. They don't seem to have any affiliation to the men's team, though. They have won 2 and lost 1 league match so far and got 10 goals in the last round! They play at Bolton Wyresdale FC which is actually in Bolton so maybe thay can claim to be the proper Bolton team unlike the men's team, who play in Horwich. Other than that there is little I know about them as there is not much on the internet, so another journey into the unknown.

Dearne & District Ladies 3 Huddersfield Town LFC 1

Well, so much for my expertise on the women's game. This game was a comfortable win for Dearne who belied the difference in status between the clubs to run out deserved winners.

I stood near the Huddersfield bench before the game and it was pretty obvious to me that one of their players was decidedly unwell (I won't describe it too much - I'll leave that to your imagination!) and it was no surprise that she didn't start the game.

Apart from the first five minutes when Town had a couple of threatening corners the first half was dominated by Dearne No. 8 Bradie Wild, who had moved from her midfield role in the previous round to a position up front and she proved a real thorn in the side for the Huddersfield defence. She hit the woodwork twice in that period.

However, for Huddersfield it couldn't last and within 5 minutes of the start of the second half they were 2 down. And it was Wild who got both goals. By 55 minutes Dearne were 3 up with a stunning strike from Lizzie Tester and that really seemed to be it.

But back to that sick Town player. Her name - Katie Barnes; her mission - well to try and last 25 minutes without throwing up! She came on and changed the game, she was everywhere, scoring one and causing havoc for Dearne. But it was too little too late. She did send a teammate through one-on-one with 5 minutes to go - if that had gone in who knows what would have happened. But it was Dearne's day and their best-ever run in the competition continues.

A real football team?

The First Round Qualifying looms tomorrow with Dearne taking on a team that sounds like a real football club, Huddersfield Town. I have done extensive research to find out a little bit about this team (well, I looked at their website!) and it seems to me from the sound of the league they are in that they will be of a higher standard. I say 'seems' as it is practically impossible to find out what sort of pyramid exists in the lower levels of the women's game.

Dearne are in the West Riding County Women's Football League and Huddersfield are in North East Regional Women's Football League and the Premier Division of that. So I think Regional is higher than County so I think there are two divisions between the teams. Having said that both teams have lost every league game so confidence may be low. I'm going for a narrow Huddersfield win.

Dearne & District Ladies 2 Kirklees 1

Having spent a number of years playing Sunday League football and then managing youth teams it has always been my view that if a game is competitive it is often very enjoyable, no matter at what level it is played.

And so it proved with this match - a really good tussle between two well-matched teams. The skill levels were not Premiership, admittedly, but here were two teams who were prepared to give everything for a win and Dearne just about held on to get it.

So, my first step was to actually locate the ground (and fortunately, good directions on the Kirklees website helped with that). Let's just say the facilities are basic! The teams and the ref had somewhere to change (even if it did resemble an old container you would see on the back of a lorry!) and there was a barrier around the pitch - but that was about it.

However, none of that mattered. The teams did the usual FA Cup style walk out together followed by shaking hands before the game. Like in the early rounds of the FA Vase (which I followed last season) I think, frankly, that the players find this a bit embarrassing, but it does signify that this is slightly different from the normal run of the mill league game.

There was a stiff breeze which Kirklees kicked with in the first half. Initially, there seemed to be a lot of kicking the ball with very little passing. However, things soon settled down and it was obvious that both teams were well organised and a number of players knew how to play the game very well. Even those who were less skilled stuck to the basics and played an important part for their team.

After 15 minutes or so a young lad came round with a programme (free!) which helped me to identify some of the players.

Those who stood out for me did so because they were a combination of being good and having a name that could be easily recognised from the programme!

On the Dearne team the star player for me was midfielder Vicki Bruce (she had an Irish accent which also helped her stand out), a combative and skilful player. Her partner in midfield (No. 8, whose name I did not get) scored the opening goal early in the second half, after a first half that ws marked by the number of chances that Kirklees missed. Indeed, the finishing was so poor I was worried I would witness the first 0-0 draw to take place in this competition for over a year!

The goal, when it did come, was from fully 30 yards out, a direct free kick that swirled viciously in the air, completely fooling the Kirklees keeper, dropping through her hands and into the net.

Dearne were taking advantage of the wind now, and went into a two-goal lead with a goal scored from a great through ball.

Another notable player for Dearne was Jenna Heydon who proved a real nuisance to the Kirklees defence all afternoon.

2-0 was a harsh scoreline for Kirklees, who deserved to be level, just from the chances they had created. Their notable players were Yasmin Ayub who rarely missed a tackle and distributed the ball well, Amy Hesselden, who showed some neat tricks on the right wing and my player of the match Sonya Moore - she was everywhere and never gave up the cause.

Kirklees did get a goal back 5 minutes from the end from a corner and nearly grabbed an equaliser on a couple of occasions shortly after.

So it ended 2-1, a thoroughly enjoyable affair and competitive encounter. To me this was best summed up by one of the players, who, after the ref had given a free kick after a particularly robust challenge was heard to say, "What does he think we're playing - netball!!" A really 'feel good' afternoon, I'm looking forward to the next round, already.

Not the Road to Wembley this time

A number of you who know me will know that I have spent the last three years following different FA competitions through to the final at Wembley. These journeys have taken me as far afield as Bideford in the south west up to Middlesbrough in the north east. I must have travelled hundreds of miles to see these games and have some very fond memories.

So, what to do in 2009/10? Looking at the other competitions the FA runs, one of the biggest is the FA Women's Cup. And why not? Women's football continues to grow in popularity and England have just reached the European Championship Final, something our men's team have never done! I did go and see a women's international in the early 80s at The Valley and I do remember being impressed and surprised at the skill levels so it will be interesting to see what the sport is like at lower levels (at least at first!)

The first step was to get a game to go and see and following my usual practice that is the Preliminary Round tie closest to where I live (Grantham). The number of teams entering is down on last year (have the FA made it more difficult?) so the nearest game to me is in Yorkshire, Dearne and District Ladies vs KirkleesLadies.

So where is Dearne? I must say, I have never heard of it. Kirklees, yes, as I used to live in Bradford for a while so I know that area of West Yorkshire quite well. Thank goodness for the internet where I found web sites for both clubs. Unfortunately, the Dearne one seems a little out of date and Kirklees seems to be very much a one woman show (Amy Hesselden - well done Amy!) Obviously, no surprise in that all these players do this for fun.

Anyway, armed with as much info as I can get, I think I have enough to at least get to see the game tomorrow in Wath-upon-Dearne, near Rotherham.

The two teams are in the same league, The West Riding County Women's Football league, although I think Dearne may have just got promoted to it. Dearne seem to play at a local recreation ground, although the map seems to show that it is a bit more than that (which it probably has to be if they are allowed to enter this competition?!).

That's about all I know - I really am plunging into the unknown with this one - but I'm hoping that the 'football community' is as friendly in the women's game as it is in the men's - it will be an experience I'm sure!!