First of all, I'm not quite done yet for 2018/29 but might as well take this opportunity to sum up a
fantastic season! I still have a trip up to Old Trafford to go before I see out the current campaign, to watch United's Treble '99 winning side take on Bayern Munich Legends, in a 'rematch' of that famous night in 1999. Before I talk about that, its only right that I first talk about the mind blowing campaign I've enjoyed.
Just before I get onto the reason behind this post, I would like to thank all of those who have gave me support in one way or another this season, whether you've contributed to the 6,000+ views this blog has so far gained so far or have shared my reports on your own platform this season, since I started this in July as a random idea to track my development in match reporting and to act as something to look back on. It's an absolute honour to be at the end of my teenage years and say that I've been a volunteer for just over two years. Especially to still be involved with my hometown club- Bury Town FC- and to be known as (what I've been referred to once or twice) 'Mr Bury Town Under-23s and 18s' due to my responsibilities as Social Media Secretary/Manager for both respectively. From updating the twitter during the match, to posting about upcoming matches and posting match reports, it's what I've always wanted to do, so to see my reports on the club website is a dream. Some of you may also know that I'm also Programme Editor for Needham Market, now as a programme collector that is another box ticked- it's been fantastic joining the club home and away (mostly) for first team matches this season, whilst covering as match reporter when required and reporting for the club when watching the Reserves or Under-18s play. I've also been given the opportunity to get my name in the paper this year- which is an honour to see my own write up make the East Anglian. I won't go on about how much it means to me, because those of you who know me personally will know how proud I am of my commitments at both clubs- neither more important than the other in my opinion, I value them just the same.
I know I've got sidetracked but I'd also like to mention a Non-League community website I contribute to, Football That Glitters Isn't Gold (
who are on Twitter at the following link) which has been created by two Non-League legends as it were- with Adam Wade producing a wide variety of content (ranging from interviews, groundhop reports and more) and James, known as DeeJam for his
YouTube channel which provides proper Matchday Experiences of the beautiful Non-League game- who has recently deservedly hit 1,000 subscribers. After meeting James last season whilst working for Team Bury and meeting Adam earlier this season, the two approached me to join in as match reporter- again something I'm proud to be part of, having done two interviews for the site- one being a painful type up from an audio recording after a game for the first time ever as well as my match reports, one or two match previews done on games and groundhopping blogs. Over the last few months, the website community has grown massively, so I would
definitely recommend you check out or even join if you wish. Final thank you goes to all the managers and volunteers from various teams who have made me feel welcome on match days and have helped me out with teams and other aspects.
Now onto my favourite games across the season, that still stand out right now. First one (in no particular order) has to be Moreton Hall Ferals v Bury Wanderers in the Bury & District Sunday League Carters Barbers Open KO Cup in August. Obviously I had my blog set up, so was very much going to report on the game (which I did). Yes it was 14-0 to Ferals, as the Division One newbies took on a Division Four side, but the game stands out for the fact that I also ran (constantly) the Bury Wanderers line, as they only had ten players that day. Which whilst running up and done such was the onslaught, I somehow managed to write down my report notes during the game, which raised a few eyebrows as to what I was doing as the rain poured down late on. It was a good game, with the most memorable part being the Ferals manager Adrian Crowe apologising to me for 'having to get out of bed for this s***' and has since been superb with giving me the Ferals' team each time I watch them and sometimes even the opponents. The next game I want to mention also includes the Ferals, which Adrian kindly drove me to- although I got the pubs mixed up to meet at! This was the Semi-Final of the very same cup, (Open KO Cup), as the Ferals took on interclub rivals Moreton Hall 96, who've won Division Two now, which was played at 96's ground (Great Barton Playing Field). A cracking match that had almost everything, drama, comebacks and a clearance being deflected in (sorry Aston). Again, there was another memorable moment off the pitch, which was at half time- as I put my gloves on and faced some penalties from the Ferals' subs, a fun fifteen minutes to say the least, with the major reason for mentioning the game being that it was a proper semi, a close encounter between two good sides and some cracking finishes- not to mention Jake Peasgood's goal that day!
Obviously there is the following cup final v Tostock, which I enjoyed too and was a great day out despite the 1-0 loss- but I don't know how I quite managed to escape Easter family celebrations to get to- which was worth it. There have been so many cracking matches this season, quite a lot to note- starting with my first ever Step 3 (non-league) game, as Needham Market hosted Hitchin Town in the Marketmen's first home game in their new league (Evo-Stik Southern League Central Premier Division). What a game, James was there to vlog it if you want to watch it- it was incredible. I decided to go behind the goal Needham were attacking for the first fourteen minutes. Usually I'm the one making ears bleed, but as it was my first game I just took in the superb atmosphere from the home fans- constantly smacking that board! I mean, why not when your team open the scoring on 7 minutes and comfortably infront after 14 minutes! Both of which I recorded too, which are appended to the end of the relevant blog report. Hitchin pulled one back, but Needham accelerated, as Hitchin went a man down and found themselves 6-1 down at the break- madness. I had no expectation going into it, and it was just incredible.
From August to February, again a Tuesday night but this one saw a seven goal thriller at my hometown club. Again, James was there to see another big win for a Suffolk side. Bury on this occasion beating Witham Town 5-2 in the Bostik North, arguably the BEST I've ever seen Bury play across the last four seasons I've been watching them. Again they scored early through the clinical Cemal Ramadan- a hero in each spell he's had at the club. Bury absolutely blew Witham apart, although the Essex outfit managed to grab two goals Bury responded each time by scoring themselves soon after.
Like I said, there is no specific order to this list, as my next highlight of the season (like to mention, all of this is simply from memory- I rarely re-read my reports in all honesty) has to be Bury Town Under-23's 3-1 victory over Barking's U23s. Yes, it was on my birthday, and I was on the Twitter and report duty but it was a superb game. Joe White was dubiously sent off in the first half, but that wasn't to deter Bury from retaining what was their unbeaten home record- which stood until the last game. Also from the U23s incredible campaign, there were some absolute belters- from the 6-2 win over Ware, the dramatic 3-2 win over Enfield (I think?) and the 1-0 win over Bishops Stortford. I could've sworn the game would end 0-0, up steps Harry Brown to hit a screamer into the top right corner in the 94th minute, what a night. From the Development Bury side, to the Bury Under-18s, some of which made up the 23s deservedly, whilst others will surely get a chance in the coming season.
Bury's 18s were also involved in some crackers themselves, the goal frenzy win over Brightlingsea Regent is a good place to start, 5-4 in the end and 5-3 at half-time, as the visitors scored late on. The score line speaks for itself, with Charlie Cook netting a treble (one of which one of the goal of the season candidates that U18 wise he's probably competing against himself for) and Amin Mohammed grabbing a brace. Think that's good well, the U18 home game before Bury beat runners up Holland at home 4-0, again Cook grabbed a treble whilst Mohammed once more rounded of the scoring. Lastly for Bury, the U18s also had a decent run in the FA Youth Cup enroute to theFirst Round Qualifying, the Blues hosted Ipswich Wanderers. Josh Lee was on fire, as Bury hit five past their opponents.
Onto Needham's U18s, who've also served up some cracking results although the Reds missed out on the title on the last day- which Walsham pretty much deserved in fairness- with an opening 5-1 home win over Coplestonians in the Suffolk U18 Midweek Cup, followed up by a 4-1 success over Whitton United in the round after. The Young Marketmen then smashed Walsham on home turf, a rare win for Needham when facing the Willows at that level, whilst Leiston got humbled 6-2 and Coplestonians were again routed 10-0- yes the visitors had just eleven men that day but was a superb win. There was also one Needham Reserve game that was superb (that I went to), which was Burnham Ramblers in the Thurlow Nunn Challenge Cup- take aside its a club close to family roots with my Grandad and Uncle formerly playing for them and my great-grandad being their ex-manager in the eighties, but if memory serves correctly Needham came from 1-0 down to score from two superb free-kick routines and then put the icing on the cake towards the end- a superb way to win a cup final. Next season, I intend to visit Burnham myself, and see a piece of family history (my mum says it doesn't look that different in the photos from when she used to go there to see her grandad- who often operated behind the bar post match). Back to first team matches, there have been some cracking away games for me this season, especially the late drama that ensued at Coalville Town. Joe Marsden's header sparking absolute mental scenes in the Needham away end, arguably the best away trip of the season.
You would have thought a three hour plus trip to Tamworth on a midweek would be anything but good- actually though it was quite good. The club seemed to be operating quite like a National North side- which they were recently- which was good to see after their relegation, the ground was arguably one of the best this season visited, but the only negative aspect was the fact we had to stand behind this barrier and be on tip toes to see the goal-line. I understand why, but thankfully it didn't matter as Gareth Heath and Reece Dobson- either side of an equaliser- smashed home to ensure that didn't matter- with Needham again winning it late to take the spoils. The most perfect away day of the season however goes to St. Neots away, it felt like Needham were the home side judging by the atmosphere and the dominant performance as James Baker, Tariq Issa and Daniel Morphew hit the target for the Suffolk side.
From the men's senior side, to the club's newly formed Womens team, but after the season they've had who would be able to tell? One of the four matches of theirs I went to was against Chantry Grasshoppers, it was 9-0 at half-time such was the dominance- to which some of us called for 20 goals. Partly joking, the wish came true in what was a mind blowing 90 minutes, exactly why Needham deserved to be runners up to gain promotion (don't ask me where to but I believe they'll be two divisions below Ipswich next season). Speaking of Needham and Ipswich, the two womens sides came face to face at Portman Road last Tuesday in the Suffolk Womens Cup Final at Portman Road. Firstly, to say there were 769 people there for a womens final is incredible, showing the nature of the game growing by the minute. The atmosphere was also incredible, a great night out as I never stopped smiling even when I was tired on the train back writing the report.
The Marketwomen put up one heck of a fight, as it took Ipswich until first half stoppage time to get any form of breathing space. From then on it was no more than a formality for Ipswich, but as they'd won the cup in the last four (five now) seasons they were dead favourites to retain their grip on the trophy once more. The only thing missing was a Needham goal, which was dubiously prevented by the offside flag. Also, the Needham women also reached the league cup final before the Suffolk cup final, which was also a great occasion but despite the effort East Bergholt deservedly retained the double. Rainbird's early goal a highlight, to the delight of the Needham support amongst the 400+ in attendance, which saw two clubs out in force (Needham especially).
Back to the mens game, and the Thurlow Nunn Premier Division (step 5 non-league), there were more dramatic matches with Walsham Le Willows beating Stowmarket Town 2-3 away in a mad ninety minutes, which included an early own goal, two levellers, a penalty and a late winner. Following on from that were Suffolk Premier Cup classics in November as Stow took down Bostik North side AFC Sudbury 3-1 in a great game- as Stow deservedly ran out victors. Their reward was a quarter-final tie against Brantham Athletic, in an all Thurlow Premier match up. After the keeper spilt a shot straight at him into the net on 3 minutes, Stow mounted an incredible late comeback scoring on 89 and 90+1 minutes, as 16-year old George Quantrell scored late on to win it. Next on my list was a SIL level Cup game in October, Division One side Sporting 87 taking on lower league Cockfield United in another proper cup tie. Cockfield forcing Sporting to take it to penalties, which was settled by an unfortunate missed penalty from Crowe of Cockfield- Sporting progressing to the next round of the Suffolk Junior Cup after a penalty shootout. Back to Sunday League, there have been some mental matches in that league this season from Bury Wanderers' 4-3 win over Bardwell Sports in Division Four- Kalum Benham hitting a hat-trick (an example of a Thurlow Nunn/SIL level centre-back playing up top in Sunday League), to Moreton Hall Ferals' memorable 3-1 win over Brandon in Div 1. Ferals were a man down after Cam Nicholls' red card but led two one after Jake Peasgood's penalty turned it around. Into the 90th minute, Brandon won a corner so forced everyone up. This came at a price, Aston Fallows collecting the cross and rushing to the edge of his box to smash a drop kick with one bounce into the net, cue scenes of ectasy- first time I'd seen a keeper score (no Connor Reynolds' two minute tap in v Bacton United 89's U18s doesn't count, as he was up front at the time for Bury U18 Saints, although deserved). Then there's Ferals' 9-3 win over Mellis, Cam Nicholls notching seven goals in the process in what was another thriller.
Then there was the League Cup QF as Tostock Pirates entertained Horringer Social Club at Gainsborough, what a classic as Tostock won 6-3. Horringer also beat Brandon 7-1 in the Suffolk Sunday Cup QF, whilst Bury Bowl were defeated 4-3 in another thriller at the hands of Horringer. Along with Bury U18's 5-1 home win over Brantham, Walsham 18's 5-2 win over Bury, Brightlingsea's 4-1 win, King's Lynn's 4-1 win over Needham there have been plenty of goalfests this season, AFC Rushden v Needham another but those were not memorable for obvious reasons- though the Regent 4-1 win was undeseerved on Bury I thought.
Lastly, I've seen Ipswich play twice this season, whilst I've seen their U23s and U17s once apiece this season. It has to be said the U23s were superb v Cardiff's 23s at Portman Road, as Bury lad Lankester hit the front early on in a 2-2 draw. The U17s meanwhile (well it was down as Town's Academy) defeated Bury Town's first team (though mostly the U23s with Olly Hughes and Cemal Ramadan amongst the first teamers in the squad) 3-0 in a good game, so would definitely say the talent coming through is one to be excited of, although the first team never gave up in defeats to WBA (2-1 with Jackson netting late on) and Swansea (1-0). On the latter I would like to say that a mate sent me a screenshot from BBC's redbutton claiming Swansea deserved it- well considering Town went just as close as them that's a load of rubbish in my opinion, yes they scored but doesn't make it deserved! From watching that, I've also managed to watch my cousin this season, playing for Stowupland Falcons U10s. It was one of those proud cousin moments, as I went along with my uncle to watch her play on the small pitch next to the clubhouse at Bacton United 89's Brickwall Meadow, just on the right as you enter. My auntie seems to think that I watched her best game of the season, as she notched two goals in a great 5-0 win for the Falcons. As I think of it, two more games come to mind, both involving Sporting 87 in the SIL Division One.
The first was an absolute classic, as Sporting and Bildeston Rangers- both vying for promotion went head-to-head at the Victory Ground. Bildeston led 1-0 after Sporting thought they had scored as the ball seemed to cross the line. It stayed that way until late on, when Sporting scored twice late on to vitally go four points clear (Bildeston with 2 in hand at that point) of Rangers, as Sporting sat second. Fast forward to May 4th, I made the dangerous journey on foot to Old Newton United from the Stow train station (read my groundhopping blog for a bit more on that), when Champions Old Newton faced Sporting who needed to better Bildeston's result at Mendlesham by two goals to go up. Half-time and Sporting led 3-0, before Old Newton pulled one back shortly after the break- requiring Sporting to score around 4 to have any chance of going up. With the hail on off all day, Old Newton scored in stoppage time to make it 3-2, as Sporting remained third despite a great win.
I would have to say, even on the games and events that I haven't mentioned, such as the only time I've seen two red cards brandished in the same game as ten men Gym United lost 2-0 to Luton side St. Josephs, in the National FA Sunday Cup, there is much more I'm forgetting- roll on next season!
Thanks for your support and see you next season! Non-League football is the best.
Here's my game thread for the campaign:
And here are the programmes I've collected from this season alone, so far.
