Mariner would have loved it

Saturday 26 March 2022, Ipswich Town 1 Plymouth Argyle 0 - League One, Portman Road

Paul would have loved the Ipswich display, commitment, teamwork and an excellent first half.

A great win and the programme cover was also pretty good!

Fighting spirit

Saturday 19 March 2022, Long Buckby 0 Harborough Town 0 - United Counties League, Premier Division, South , Station Road

Large sports complex with the football social club on the road next to the Rugby and cricket ground, other side of the cricket ground is the football ground, also a second pitch with a small bit of cover. Inside is one long seated stand and hard standing behind the two goals, people also stood close to the dugouts, even if it looked out of bounds. Small building/shed- being renovated, sold tea, pasties and Real ale!

Expecting plenty of goals and an away win, current form had not seen the home side win for a while and got hammered at home last game, whilst the visitors were in good form,

For most of the game, Harborough had control of the ball , plenty of possession however in the first half it was the home (very young) team who had the best two chances. Second half again saw Harborough have most of the play but not right till the end did they test the home keeper, whilst the young home team gained more confidence and almost scored.

A well deserved point for Long Buckby and the young team did themselves and their club proud. 

Under the hills, above the sea

Wednesday 16 March 2022, Barmouth and Dyffryn United 3 Dffryn Banw 2 - ER Jenkins Cup, Wern Mynach

In Wales for a funeral Thursday of an old army friend so this game took care of Wednesday night- very picturesque ground and on Thursday morning able to walk above the town to get some great pictures of ground/hills and sea.

Town center ground, short walk from center, beach and train station- very friendly welcome and programme was amazing -  low cost and fully glossy cover- plenty to read and good tables/fixtures/results section.

The main stand was used (mainly by teenagers) but for some reason it has metal fences all round it- ground also open to dog walkers - some seats in open, in front of club shop and a great little tea hut - serving toasties in second half that were delivered to your seat!

Football wise - first 5 minutes, visitors were on top then the home team took the lead in the 9th minute and dominated the first half with some excellent passing and should have added to their only goal.

Second half was much scrappier, the visitors got on top and stopped the home side passing, then the visitors got two quick goals to go ahead, game was still quite even but I thought the visitors would hold on, however the home side got level from a scrappy goal that most spectators thought would be not allowed to stand as the keeper was obviously fouled. But the ref ignored the protests and we were now 2 a piece- it then got worse for Dyffryn Banw as the home side then got a late winner with a cracking header.

A ground well worth visiting for the views, friendly welcome, superb programme and fantastic tea hut!

Not much better than a win under the lights at home.

Tuesday 8 March 2022, Ipswich town 2 Lincoln City 0 - League One, Portman Road

Cold night, full house and great win- love it!

Home game for the away team.

 Sunday 6 March 2022, Livingston 1 Glasgow Celtic 3 - Scottish Premier League, Almondvale

Celtic had 3 stands (and a number of their fans were also in the only stand with home fans) - cracking atmosphere- and plenty of excitement on the pitch.

Livingston actually had the better of the early chances until a soft penalty was conceded- handball- thought harsh - but no issue as home keeper made a great save. 

However, minutes later Celtic were in front, another poor bit of officiating as it should have been a Livingston goal kick but Lino gave a corner and Celtic scored from the corner.

Celtic then dominated the half without adding a second goal, In the second half Celtic started on the front foot and quickly added a second and it looked like the game was over as a contest, a third soon followed and even when Livingston got one back, the result was never in doubt.

Sunshine on Leith but not as bright on the pitch

 Saturday 5 March 2022, Hibernian 0 St Johnstone 0 - Scottish Premier League, Easter Road

Great ground, big crowd (thanks to offer of 'Football for a Fiver') but a terrible game - neither team looked like they would ever score- from the lack of atmosphere, it seemed the home fans were never expecting to see much of a game.

Easy walk back to the city, was not expecting the stands to be so steep, also disappointed that programmes no longer issued and seems not many Scottish fans were that bothered either way.

And 'Heart attack in the box' - Battered haggis and chips from a chippie on Easter Road.

Strange Mascot?

Friday 4 March 2022, Partick Thistle - Firhill, Scottish Championship

First of a trio of Scottish games, whilst on a break in Edinburgh. Liked Firhill and the Leitch style stand - I know not built by him!

Partick dominated the first half and the visitors the second but it was the home side who got a late winner after their substitutions made more of a difference. Tasty, cheap food in Woody's before the game and a 'fast; walk and the tube back to Queen Street afterwards.

Maybe designed by a 'modern' artist - but not sure about the mascot!

No Ed?

Thursday 3 March 2022, Framlingham Town Under 18s 0 Ipswich Town Under 16s 5 - Suffolk FA, Midweek Under 18 Cup

Not as  easy win as many of us thought it would be, after a poor start the Framlingham team grew into the game. A bit disappointing that Ed Sheeran, did not pop down to See his two favourite teams play!