WOMBWELL TOWN (Recreation Ground)

SHEFFIELD AND HALLAMSHIRE COUNTY LEAGUE DIVISION ONE, WOMBWELL TOWN 3-1 DENABY MAIN, ATTENDANCE: 224

As we reach the business end of, thankfully, a largely uninterrupted season games that actually have something riding on them start to become few and far between. However if you dig a little deep, for example at step 7 or below, then you can find some crackers. My game of choice today was no exception.

I crossed over the Pennines to South Yorkshire for a massive game in the Sheffield and Hallamshire County Senior League. It was 3rd vs 4th in the First Division (which sits at step 8 in the non-league pyramid) where Wombwell Town needed to avoid defeat to gain promotion to the Premier Division, whilst opponents Denaby Main needed to win the game, then hope Wombwell slip up somewhere in their remaining games in hand, thus allowing them to overtake the Wellers and snatch a promotion spot. It was certainly all to play for this afternoon.

Wombwell is a former mining town around 5 miles from Barnsley. There were once two collieries in operation, Mitchells Main and Wombwell Main, but these closed in 1956 and 1969 respectively.

There have been numerous football clubs over the years that have represented the town. The first Wombwell Town,  founded in the 1890's, won the inaugural Yorkshire league and were the first Wombwell team to enter the FA Cup. This club folded in the early 1900's. Next was Wombwell Rising Star who lasted a season around 1904. Another Wombwell Town was formed in 1920, and reached the 1st round of the FA Cup in 1930, before folding in 1934. The fourth team to represent the town was the one that lasted the longest. Wombwell Athletic was founded just after the second World War and lasted over 50 years, until the millennium. This club played in the Yorkshire League before becoming founder members of the Northern Counties East League in 1982 before they joined the Central Midlands League in 1988. They were in the Sheffield and Hallamshire League, and known as Wombwell Town, when they were dissolved in 2000.

The latest Wombwell Town incarnation was founded in 2018 by former Barnsley FC professionals Karl Rose and Doug O’Connor. The home ground is the Recreation Ground, where the last Wombwell Town had previously played. The club were placed in division two of the Sheffield and Hallamshire League and they won this at the first attempt. The following season the club were on course to make it back-to-back promotions but in March 2020 the Coronavirus pandemic struck and the season was abandoned. Season 2020/21 was also a write off, with just 5 games being played, so finally after two years the club were now in a position to finally clinch that promotion.

It was not a good start for The Wellers as Denaby took the lead after 20 minutes when Christian Baxby raced through to score. Brad Kerr equalised for Wombwell after 37 minutes to ensure it was all square at the break.

Will Harling put the Wellers in front after 69 minutes before Kerr netted his second after 85 minutes to wrap up victory and with it promotion. It was a well deserved victory and I offer my congratulations to The Wellers. All that is left for Wombwell to do now is to win seven points from their three remaining games to clinch the title. Good luck!

South West Peninsula League "Double Header"

Easter Monday, a traditional time of year for a football "double header" and today was no exception. However for me today it was a double that I never planned on doing! Thanks to storm Katie wreeking havoc across the South West, my original plans went out of the window whilst I was tucking into my breakfast. Therefore, as I had stayed over in Exeter the previous night, it made perfect sense to remain in Devon for a few more hours.....

11am, South West Peninsula League Division One East
Coombe Valley
Teignmouth 1-2 St Martins
Attendance: 56 (h/c)

Teignmouth confirmed very early that their game with St Martins would definitely be going ahead, so it was through narrow lanes I made the journey from Exeter to Coombe Valley. As the name suggests, the ground is set into a valley overlooking the town and it is a fantastic set up and vista is tremendous. The ground is effectively two-sided and there is a small stand/overhang from the teabar, and a length of open terrace alongside the pitch.

The game kicked off in glorious sunshine but within 10 minutes the heavens had truly opened. The pitch, which had obviously took a battering from the rain overnight, suddenly became a bit of a quagmire. I began to doubt whether this game would be played to a finish. Teignmouth led 1-0 at the interval thanks to a Geoff Breslan (38) penalty.

St Martins equalised soon after break thanks to a shot from (the fabulously named) Ace High, which just managed to crawl over line before it stopped in the mud. St Martins, despite being down to 10 men, clinched the victory with a goal in the last minute of the match, courtesy of a header from High. Credit to both teams for producing a very good game in very difficult conditions.

2pm, South West Peninsula League Division One East
Recreation Ground
Newton Abbot Spurs 5-0 Appledore
Attendance: 57 (h/c)

After confirmation via twitter this game was definitely on, I decided to take in a visit to the Recreation Ground for my second installment of the day. I was greeted with a cheery smile by a couple of club officials, one of whom happened to clock my Everton badge. She told me she was also a blue, so time was spent discussing the "merits" of Mr Martinez. Disappointingly there was no programme due to a printer error (stop me if you think you've heard this one before) but this was actually genuine for a change! The chap said he would kindly forward one on when the problem was sorted and, a few days later, said programme did indeed land on my doormat. Thanks again.

The Recreation Ground is shared with cricket but it is a fine set up. The pitch is fully railed off and there is a seated stand behind one goal, plus the small covered 'Willie Boyd' terrace behind the other goal. In another corner of the ground there is also a seated memorial area in memory of former players. A nice touch.

Considering the rain that had been falling the pitch looked in good condition, if a little heavy. The game turned out to be a very comfortable win for the home side, though clearly Appledore had one eye on their upcoming Devon Premier Cup Semi Final. Newton Abbot led 1-0 at the break thanks to Shaun Bowden (24) and further second half goals from Matt Williams (53) Carl Bradley (67) and  Adam Dyson (73 & 88) ensured the three points for Spurs.

ABERBARGOED BUDS (Recreation Ground)

WELSH LEAGUE DIVISION TWO, ABERBARGOED BUDS 4-2 CHEPSTOW TOWN, ATTENDANCE: 58 (h/c)

The final part of my Good Friday trilogy took me over the Severn Bridge into South Wales for some Welsh league action. Aberbargoed is a small town in Caerphilly and, like a lot a towns in the area, it used to be a mining town. It once contained the largest ever colliery waste tip in Europe, though this has now been reclaimed and turned into a country park.

A famous former resident is Glyndwr Michael whose body was used in Operation Mincemeat. His name was subsequently added to the war memorial in the town.

The local football team, Aberbargoed Buds, was founded in 1957 after Aberbargoed Town folded in 1949. Buds is an abbreviation for 'Bedwellty Urban District Sides'. The Buds were founder members of the Gwent County League, winning their first Championship in 1986.

That same year, Aberbargoed Town was reformed, playing mostly in the North Gwent League.  In 1999 Town were approached by the Buds committee to amalgamate the two sides, as the Buds team were on the verge of folding.  Therefore some 50 years after Aberbargoed Town folded, it was now the Town who was to save the Buds from going out of existence.

The Town committee agreed to this arrangement which kept the Buds in the Gwent County League and the Town, now known as the seconds, in the North Gwent League. In 2003 the Buds won the Gwent County League but the lack of facilities at the Recreation Ground meant the Buds were not granted entry to the Welsh League Division 3.

After work to bring the ground up to Welsh League standards the club finally gained promotion in 2006. In 2010 they were promoted to Division Two and reached the top flight for the first time in their history in 2013. The Buds stay in the top flight was short lived as they were relegated back to Division Two after one season. 

They are hoping for an immediate return and before tonight's game they were in third place behind (already champions) Barry Town United and Caldicot Town, with games in hand.

It was therefore vital they picked up three points tonight and that is exactly what they did, though it was not as comfortable as it could have been.

The Buds went two goals up early doors but Chepstow battled back and levelled things up. 

The game turned on a penalty decision and a red card, I thought it looked a harsh decision, but the homesters scored the spot kick and then quickly added another to ensure the victory.

That brought to an end a great day of groundhopping. All that was left to do was to retire to my hotel for the evening, not before sinking a couple of well earned pints of Reverend James for my nightcap!