Wednesday, 28 October 2009
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 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.
Sunday, 25 October 2009
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.
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.
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.
Saturday, 10 October 2009
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.
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.
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