2013/14: Sky Bet League Two: York City v Accrington Stanley

Football is all about routine for fans and this Saturday that seemed to resonant even more than usual as games up and down the country were involved in marking the 25th Anniversary of the Hillsborough tragedy.

With my son back from University we took the opportunity to get to a game together. So it was great to take the train from Leeds and pass the time catching up on his ‘new’ life as a student and some football talk. The conversation continued as we blended into the background with the tourists in York city centre en-route to Bootham Crescent.

With programmes purchased, we dropped into the ‘Pitchside Bar’ at the ground and enjoyed a couple of pints as QPR v Nottingham Forest played out on the big-screens in the background.  There was a great ‘buzz’ in the bar as home fans mingled with those from visitors Accrington Stanley – York fans hoping for a home win that would keep their play-off hopes alive, whilst Stanley fans were looking for a result which would go towards ensuring their Football League survival.

With kick-off creeping nearer it was time to go into the ground. We opted to stand in the away end and within minutes of entering the terrace were getting something to eat. I’ve watched football for forty two years, but today I enjoyed the best pie at a game – so a special mention to Wrights pies of Crewe – Chicken Balti, absolutely fantastic.

As a mark of respect for the 96 who died at Hillsborough, kick-off here and across the country was delayed to 3.07. The reasoning behind this was that at 3.06 in 1989 the Liverpool v Nottingham Forest FA Cup Semi-Final was stopped and with a minutes silence observed today, this would take kick-off to 3.07. At Bootham Crescent, the mark of respect was met with an impeccable silence; the only sound to be heard was the chorus of birds in the trees behind the Popular Stand.

Then a blast from the official’s whistle and the normal match-day sounds resumed.

League Two has been a keenly contested division this season and has meant that there hasn’t been much to differentiate between sides chancing a play-off spot and those trying to avoid the relegation spots. So it proved today, York were unbeaten in twelve games (their last loss being in the final week of January), whilst Accrington had won four in their last twelve, but had lost to relegation threatened Northampton last weekend.

Stanley were not overawed by their hosts and in the first-half had chances through Luke Joyce, Piero Mingoia and Kayode Odejayi, in a battling display during the opening forty five minutes. The Minstermen though created their own fair share of opportunities with Ryan Brobbel, John McCombe and Calvin Andrew going close for York. However, it remained 0-0 at the break.

York came out stronger in the second-half and were rewarded just after the hour, when Odejayi was perhaps a little unlucky to be penalised for handball in the area. Michael Coulson converted from the spot and City had the lead. Accrington though didn’t buckle and continued to put York under pressure with good chances falling to Naismith and Odejayi. York though should have killed off the game when Calvin Andrew could not apply a touch to Will Hayhurst’s cross.

With the fourth official signalling four minutes of time added on, fans of both clubs started to drift away. Those that did missed the Stanley equaliser. From Lee Molyneux’s corner, City keeper Pope misjudged the flight of the ball and Shay McCartan had an easy header into the goal. The home fans were silenced and it nearly got worse, when in the last minute Pope saved from Naismith to ensure that the game ended 1-1.  Accrington though deserved their point. It could prove to be a costly result for York, as they dropped out of the play-off spots, with four games remaining.

With the game over it was time to make our way back to the railway station. There was however time for a pint and idle chat about the game and results across the country.

As football fans we perhaps take for granted our own match-day routines – the people we go with, the places we meet, the banter, the beers, the high and lows. And like life itself, we shouldn’t – instead we should stop and consider how lucky we are.

25 years ago, fans set out on a sunny day in April to attend a game at Hillsborough, 96 didn’t return, never again to enjoy another match-day.

2013/14: Barclays Premier League – Manchester City v Fulham

Saturday 22 March 2014 (11:00)

It’s almost ten years to the day since I last watched Fulham at Manchester City. Back then, on 27 March 2004, it was a very different scenario to the one today. With eight games to play, Fulham still harboured ambitions of a getting into one of the European spots, while City were only 4 points off the relegation zone. How times have changed. However for all that was riding on the game, the Fulham website summarised the subsequent 0 – 0 draw as, “a game sparse of quality”. At the end of that 2003/04 season City finished 16th in the Premier League with 41 points, whilst Fulham ended seven places higher and with 11 more points. The teams that day were:

Manchester City: D. James, Sun Jihai, S. Distin, R.Dunne, M. Tarnat, S. Wright-Phillips, A. Sibierski, P. Bosvelt, C. Reyna, N. Anelka, R. Fowler. Substitutes: A. Arason, T. Sinclair, J. Barton, J. Macken, P. Wanchope.

Fulham: E. van der Sar, M. Volz, C. Bocanegra, Z. Knight, A. Goma, M. Djetou, S. Malbranque, L. Boa Morte,  S. Davis, M. Pembridge, B. Hayles. Substitutes: D. Beasant, Z. Rehman, J. Inamoto, F Sava, B McBride.

Today, as ten years ago, the fixture is important for both teams, but for very different reasons. City are looking to maintain their challenge for the title, whilst bottom of the table Fulham are hoping to build on their 1 – 0 win at the Cottage against Newcastle United last Saturday. Would I settle for a 0 – 0 today? Of course. But how realistic is that? Can the miracle of the ‘Great Escape’ of 2007/08 be repeated? WE STILL BELIEVE

Saturday (22:30)

The fact is that nothing was going to be decided today, in that win, lose or draw, Fulham would still be in a relegation battle. However, another battering in conceding five goals does nothing for the morale of the players or the fans.

cityHowever, when you are struggling, nothing goes your way and so it proved today. As expected City dominated the opening period of the first-half, but Fulham coped fairly comfortably. Then on twenty six minutes a long ball by James Milner saw Negredo get beyond the Fulham centre-back Amorebieta. As the defender stretched to reach the ball, there was contact with the City forward, who theatrically went down. After consulting with his assistant, referee Moss pointed to the spot and booked Amorebieta. Yaya Toure converted leaving Fulham feeling that the ‘big’ club tag of City had earned them a most dubious penalty. That was enough to give City the lead at the break, but how different would the game have been had it remained at 0 – 0? Would City have got frustrated and could Fulham have nicked a goal on the break? We’ll never know.

Into the second-half, the game was effectively over on fifty three minutes. This time even from the away section of the ground, there was no doubting the decision, as Amorebieta crudely brought Silva down. The Venezuelan defender was shown a red card and Yaya Toure did the rest from the penalty spot. Following this, Fulham reshuffled as Kacaniklic and Richardson were replaced by Roberts and Holtby. However, the substitutions were merely attempts at damage limitation.

Nonetheless, it didn’t stop Yaya Toure completing his hat-trick, as on sixty five minutes he was left with time and space to curl in a brilliant third goal for City. With the Manchester ‘derby’ on Tuesday, City manager Pellegrini looked to rest some of his players as Silva, Yaya Toure and Nasri were replaced as the game entered the last twenty minutes. City went in search of further goals and they came up with two more on eight four and eighty eight minutes. Fernandinho scored City’s fourth, after cutting into the box and firing home, with Demichelis getting his first goal – a tap-in – to complete the 5 – 0 rout.

The Manchester grey skies and the torrential rain that had been a persistent backdrop to this game made for a weary and draining exit for the Fulham faithful from the Etihad Stadium. The joy and the sunshine of the victory last week over Newcastle seemed a lifetime away. Thankfully results meant that the gap of four points to safety was unchanged and as Fulham boss still maintains, avoiding relegation is all about winning the home games. Everton visit Craven Cottage next Sunday, and anything less than a win surely means that Fulham’s thirteen years in the Premier League will be at an end.

2013/14: Evo-Stik Division One North – Farsley AFC v Kendal Town

Farsley AFC, fourteen games unbeaten in the league, up against a Kendal Town team who were without a win in 2014. What could possibly go wrong for The Villagers. Well, prior to kick-off perhaps the omens were there to be seen. Farsley may not have lost in the league since mid-November, but they came into this game on the back of a 4-0 beating at Skelmersdale United in the Fourth Round of the (Doodson Sport) League Cup. Also throw into the mix that Kendal had already beaten Farsley twice this season – 3-0 in the league fixture in September and 3-2 in the FA Trophy in October – and maybe what seemed to be a routine three points for The Villagers suddenly wasn’t such a banker.

And so it proved to be.

In the opening forty five minutes, it was the visitors who dominated possession, prompted in midfield by the experienced Danny Coid and the dangerous front-line of Maison McGeechan and Danny Mitchley. Farsley too often went for the long-ball option, whilst Kendal threatened on the break. However, The Villagers were not without good chances. Midway through the half, Robbie O’Brien headed wide from a corner and later Ryan Serrant stormed forward and delivered a tantalising cross that eluded the Farsley forwards. Nevertheless for much of the half, Farsley manager Neil Parsley cut a frustrated figure and his mood was not helped shortly before the half-time whistle. From a quick throw Kendal number 10 McGeehan found his striking partner Mitchley. His first-time left foot effort was well saved by Tom Morgan, but the rebound fell kindly and Mitchley cleanly slotted home with his right foot. 1-0 at the break to Kendal and probably just about deserved.

Farsley came out better in the second-half and put the visitors under pressure. The turning point came just after the hour mark, when Kendal keeper MacDonald produced a stunning save from a close range Elllington header to maintain Kendal’s 1-0 lead. This was doubled on seventy five minutes, when McGeehan’s flick put through Mitchley, whose strike was well saved by Morgan. However, just as in the first-half the rebound fell kindly for Kendal and Callum Hoctor sweetly converted to put them 2-0 ahead. With just eight minutes remaining, Farsley at last had a slice of luck, when substitute Danny Hull’s intended cross found its way over MacDonald’s head and into the net. Farsley now went in search of an equaliser and near got it when a Matty Young half-volley was narrowly over the bar. However as the clock ticked-down, and despite plenty of pressure, there were no further scares for Kendal.IMG_0877

Whilst the loss will be disappointing for Farsley, in reality they are still well placed to claim a play-off berth. However, the remaining ten fixtures present some tough challenges, with home and away fixtures against promotions rivals, Curzon Ashton and Ramsbottom United and away games at play-off contenders Warrington Town, Lancaster City and Darlington 1883.

Neil Parsley has to galvanise his players for this final push towards the end of the season and the Farsley faithful will hope that the defeat to Kendal was just a one-off blip in the journey towards promotion to the Evo-Stik Premier Division.

2013/14: Budweiser FA Cup Fourth Round – Sheffield United v Fulham

(Sunday 26 January – 09:00)

My second FA Cup outing of this season. The first was back in September for the First Qualifying Round game that saw Frickley Athletic beat Sheffield FC 4-1. There’s a Sheffield connection as later today it’s the Fourth Round tie at Bramall Lane as Sheffield United host Fulham.

With Fulham struggling in the league this season and United already having already beaten one Premier League team (Aston Villa in the last round), I’m not exactly full of confidence ahead of the fixture.

History holds no comfort in relation to the gane today, as Fulham have never beaten The Blades in the FA Cup. The two teams have been drawn against each other on four occasions. Molineux was the venue, way back in 1936 for the first clash of the sides in a Semi-Final game that United edged 2-1 with goals from Donald Bird and Jack Pickering.

It was another thirty years before they met again, this time at the Third Round stage at Bramall Lane, where United emerged winners 3-1 with two goals from Alan Birchenall and one from Alan Woodward. In the following season, the clubs were drawn together again; this time in the Fourth Round, with the tie at Craven Cottage. Fulham though couldn’t make home advantage count and the game ended 1-1. In the replay, The Blades cruised through 3-1.

The last encounter was back in 1986, in a Third Round fixture in which a brace from Colin Morris saw Sheffield United progress 2-0.

So time to make the journey to South Yorkshire…Come on You Whites! Although they are likely to be wearing blue and orange today!

(Sunday 26 January – 22:00)

Quite a strange feeling after this game.

A day of mixed emotions.

Great fun to be amongst the Fulham faithful and the self-deprecation that has come to pass this season; emanating from the current relegation battle.

Disappointment, in that ultimately a Premier League team (albeit one that contained eleven changes from the last outing), couldn’t beat a relegation threatened League One side.

Relief that a replay had been gained, but with no confidence that the job will be completed at Craven Cottage.

The Sheffield area suffered an early morning deluge that meant there was a pitch inspection an hour before kick-off. The decision to play was the right one and although the rain continued through the first-half, the tie was never in danger of being abandoned. Incredibly later during the game the rain stopped and blue sky was briefly seen above Bramall Lane.

SUFCCupOf the game itself – Fulham made a positive start, despite the numerous changes, as they had plenty of possession, but failed to create a real chance. They were also forced into an early change when Riise went off injured after just ten minutes. The Blades though were not overawed and went ahead on thirty one minutes. Harry Maguire was allowed too much space by the Fulham midfield and defence as he broke from the back and his cross was deftly finished by Chris Porter.

Fulham responded though as Hugo Rodallega broke into the box and appeared to be clipped by United keeper Long. However, referee Andre Mariner waived away the appeal and The Blades went into the break 1-0 up.

The second-half saw Fulham again continue with their passing game, but it lacked any decisive edge. With the Fulham fans getting frustrated at the lack of clear cut chances the turning-point of the game occurred on fifty two minutes, when Blades’ skipper Doyle was sent off for kicking out at Chris David in an off-the-ball incident.

However, despite being down to ten-men United could have gone further ahead had David Stockdale not saved Ryan Flynn’s cross-shot. As with Fulham in the first-half, The Blades had a good penalty shout turned down, when Flynn looked to have been fouled by Hughes. Even watching from the other end of the ground, it seemed to be a poor decision by the referee.

Having survived that scare, Fulham brought on Darren Bent and Adel Taarabt as they looked for an equaliser. The Blades were now defending deeper and deeper and on seventy five minutes Fulham got their goal, as a good strike from Rodallega arrowed into the net from the edge of the box.

Both sets of fans sensed that Fulham were now looking for the winner and chances did come their way in the final fifteen minutes. An unmarked Senderos headed against the bar, which he was unable to convert from the rebound. Substitute Darren Bent was then guilty of an atrocious miss from barely a yard. Fulham’s last real chance came courtesy of a curling effort from Taarabt, but in truth that would have been cruel on the home side, who deserved a draw.

Invariably both managers will talk about how neither wanted a replay, but whoever goes through will have a Fifth Round home tie to look forward to and enjoy the respite from the battle to avoid relegation.

After watching the game today, I don’t have a great deal of confidence that Fulham will be able to avoid the drop. I accept that this wasn’t our strongest team, but the squad as a whole doesn’t give the impression that they are a unit which has the quality, grit or determination to battle their way out of trouble.

Perhaps there is a fleet of new signings before the transfer deadline closes to spark a change in our fortunes on the horizon.

In reality, I’m as unconvinced of that as the team were over ninety minutes today.

It’s going to be a long and difficult few months ahead.

2013 UEFA Women’s Under 17 Finals: [08 December 2013] Final – Germany v Spain (Proact Stadium, Chesterfield FC)

Germany: Brandt, Brandenburg, Karl, Felhauser, Ehegotz, Meier, Widak, Sehan (c), Stenzel, Walkling, Specht

Substitutes: Pauels, Lober, Mathiels, Ozkanca, Hartig, Ott, Dick

Spain: De Toro, Nuria Garrote (c), Beltran, Merida, Pilar Garrote, Garcia, Garcia Boa, Guijarro, Sanchez, Bonmati, Gomez

Substitutes: Portomene, Galvez, Menayo, Ortega, Montagut, Oroz, Dominguez

Officials: Referee: Sara Persson (Sweden), Assistants: Mathilde Abildgaard (Denmark), Katalin Emese Torok (Hungary)

  • Twitter feed:
  • Ten minutes to kick-off: Tournament leading scorers face each other tonight – Jasmin Sehan (Germany) and Andrea Sanchez (Spain) – both have 4 goals
  • Teams on the pitch for National Anthems
  • Germany in white and black. Spain in red and blue.
  • First-half: Germany kick-off.
  • First corner to Germany.
  • Long range effort from Karl easily gathered by De Toro.
  • Early German pressure. Ehegotz prominent.
  • First Spanish shot on goal. Sanchez well wide.
  • Spain again attacking. Guijarro wide.
  • Very open end to end opening five minutes.
  • Spain win free-kick wide in Gemany half.
  • 9 minutes: Eventually breaks to Guijarro. Great control and strike from outside the box. Spain 1-0
  • Spain dominating. Sanchez seeing plenty of ball on left. Shot dragged wide.
  • Good play by Garcia Boa wins corner for Spain.
  • Good pressure. Germany can’t clear. Another Spanish corner.
  • Garcia Boa shot. Comfortable for Brandt.
  • All Spain at the minute.
  • Foul by Specht on edge of box. Spain free-kick.
  • Relief for Germany as Ehegotz breaks into Spanish half but cross cleared.
  • Widak and Specht break for Germany but then concede a foul.
  • Ehegotz again positive for Germany but ball runs-out for goal kick.
  • Foul by Karl on Garcia Boa. Edge of box. Driven against wall.
  • Germany looking to get ball wide to Ehegotz as much as they can.
  • Germany free-kick. Brandenburg to take.
  • Garcia Boa shot wide.
  • Spain continue to attack
  • Germany look to press further up and force Spain back.
  • Nice passing and movement from Spain ends with shot by Garcia
  • Walkling down injured for Germany. Break in play.
  • Walkling hobbles off. Receiving treatment at side of pitch.
  • Walkling back on.
  • Spain win corner. Taken by Sanchez.
  • Breaks to Garcia Boa but shots wide.
  • Germany Substitution: Walkling off. Saskia Mathiels on.
  • Germany struggling to clear. Sanchez causing problems.
  • 1 minute time added-on at end of first-half.
  • HT: Germany 0 – 1 Spain. Well-deserved by Spain. Dominated.
  • Second-half: Spain kick-off.
  • Spain starts positive. Garcia Boa dangerous.
  • Sanchez again causing problems out wide.
  • Good skill by Garcia Boa but cross from Nuria Garrote easily collected.
  • Specht booked.
  • Germany as in much of first-half playing too deep. Spain on top in early part of second-half
  • Specht forces a corner for Germany. Stenzel to take.
  • Good claim by Spanish keeper De Toro.
  • Garcia Boa beats two defenders to ball but shot wide.
  • Shot by Pilar Garrote blocked.
  • Great skill and ball from Garcia.
  • Cross shot just wide from Garcia Boa.
  • Pilar Garrote concedes foul.
  • Germany substitution: Stenzel off, Isabella Hartig on.
  • Sehan shot for Germany blocked. First real sign tonight of Germany captain.
  • Germany gives away ball but Garcia Boa can’t take advantage.
  • Widak chases down long-ball but throw-in comes to nothing.
  • Great run by Garcia into box but eventually loses ball.
  • Germany into Spain half but cleared.
  • Specht down wing forces a Germany corner.
  • Bonmati slices clearance for second corner. But great take by De Toro.
  • Spell of pressure from Germany.
  • 65 mins: Fifteen minutes left. Sanchez forces corner for Spain.
  • Specht heads clear for another corner.
  • Sanchez fouled out wide.
  • Brandt can’t hold shot but Garcia unable to slot in as ball runs away from her.
  • Specht working hard up front for Germany but with no luck.
  • Tonight’s attendance: 1,196
  • 70 mins: Ten minutes left. Will Germany find a goal from somewhere, or will Spain look for a second killer goal?
  • Spain keeping the ball. Neat passing.
  • Germany press but cross by Sehan goes out.
  • 75 mins: Five minutes to go. Germany getting forward.
  • 76 mins: Germany score! Specht breaks out wide. Sehan missed shot and substitute Hartig smashes home. Germany 1 – 1 Spain.
  • Spain win free-kick. Sanchez to take.
  • Brandt tips over the bar. Corner to Spain.
  • Germany buzzing. Karl breaks forward but pass can’t fund Sehan. Spain looked dazed.
  • Specht again dangerous out wide. Can Germany nick it?
  • 2 minutes time added-on at end of first-half.
  • De Toro saves at post from Brandenburg.
  • FT: Germany (1) – (1). No extra-time. Straight to penalties
  • Spain dominated for so long, but Germany never gave up. The cruelty of penalties now begins.
  • Penalties: Spain 1-0 Guijarro scores. Spain 1 -0 Germany
  • De Toro saves from Meier. Spain 1 -0 Germany
  • Garcia Boa misses. Spain 1 -0 Germany
  • Sehan scores. Spain 1 -1 Germany
  • Garcia next for Spain. Brandt saves. Spain 1 -1 Germany
  • Widak smashes home for Germany. Spain 1 -2 Germany
  • Pilar Garrote next for Spain. Misses. Over the bar. Spain 1 -2 Germany
  • Hartig next for Germany. Scores! Spain 1 -3 Germany
  • Germany are European Under 17s Women’s Champions.
  • Spain totally distraught. A game they totally dominated but couldn’t kill it off.
  • Congratulations though to Germany.

2013 UEFA Women’s Under 17 Finals: [02 December 2013] Group B – Scotland v France (Proact Stadium, Chesterfield FC)

Scotland (0) 0 – 1 (0) France [Julie Marichaud (62)]

In this last round of games in Group B, France were already eliminated having lost to Spain and Germany. Scotland though had an outside chance of progressing if they beat France and Spain beat Germany in the other fixture.

As it was, neither game went that way. Germany thumped Spain 4-0 at Hinckley and Scotland lost 1-0.

The crucial goal came on sixty-two minutes, when from a corner French captain Julie Marichaud finished with a sweetly struck volley.

It left Scotland bottom of the Group, but with France ending on a high.

                            

Scotland: Rebecca Flaherty, Courtney Whyte, Sarah Clelland (Dana Baird – 73), Georgie Rafferty (C), Abigail Harrison, Kirsty Howat, Alyshia Walker, Carla Jackson (Rachel McLauchlan – 54), Hayley Sinclair (Chelsea Cornet – 69), Erin Cuthbert, Chantelle Brown. Unused substitutes: Laura Hamilton, Sarah Robertson, Lia Tweedie, Carla Boyce.

France: Mylène Chavas, Estelle Cascarino, Julie Marichaud (C), Elise Legrout, Delphine Cascarino, Clara Mateo, Mathilde Jouanno (Perle Morroni – 77), Soazig Quero, Clémence Martinez (Salomé Elisor – 53), Manon Uffren, Anissa Lahmari. Unused substitutes: Elisa Launay, Heloise Mansuy, Ludivine Willems, Laura Condon, Marine Julian.

 

Post-match Interviews

Scotland Women’s Under 17s Coach – Pauline Hamill

 

Q: A good game, were you pleased with your sides performance?

A: I think we can perform better if we’re being completely honest with ourselves, but when you are in such a tough group and I think the girls felt it physically today. Coming off the back of playing against Germany and Spain and then having to play against France, I just think physically they struggled. But they gave their all again, and they give me everything all the time and I can’t ask for any more than that.

Q: The French coach previously mentioned about the travelling times from St George’s Park, was that an issue at all? Would you like the venues closer overall?

A: I think maybe going forward that might be something to improve the tournament, but I don’t think overall it was an issue for us today. I think it has nothing to do how we lost the game or not performing as highly as we have, but of course it’s always better if the venues are closer to where you are staying. I think all the teams would probably agree with that.

Q: What about the facilities themselves?

A: It has honestly been different class being at St George’s. We’ve absolutely loved it. It’s been great. Like I said, for me, it’s maybe something to improve the tournament moving forward. But it’s not an issue playing after travelling an hour on the bus. I don’t think personally it is an issue.

Q: What about the individual stadium and pitches?

A: Great, Yes, I think they’ve all been good. I think we’ve been fortunate to experience three different pitches. All the staff and everybody have made us feel very welcome and I think they’ve all passed comment on how good the players have been in and around the situation. The fact we got to play in three different stadiums has been really good for us and our development as a team as well.

Q: What do you think the legacy of the tournament will be?

A: I think that when you see so many girls – with the tournament extended to eight teams, when it was four previously – performing at a high level for their national teams I would hope it inspires other girls to play. I know if there have been any girls at any of the games – I know England’s games have been really well supported – you hope and you can only believe that more girls will take up the game and see the level that you can get to as a youth international player. A lot of the players at these Youth tournaments go on and represent their country further down the line, so it’s absolutely achievable if they come in at this age group that they can come in and do well in international football.

 

France Women’s Under 17s Coach – Guy Ferrier

 

Q: What’s your feeling about the game today?

A: We’re really happy about the victory, but not only the victory, but the quality of our game. During our first two matches in this tournament we didn’t play all that well, but today we controlled the game.

Q: What have you thought of the tournament as a whole?

A: It is very well organised. We were in perfect conditions at St George’s Park. We didn’t have to travel to go to training which is a good point. The only thing was that the stadiums were a bit away from St George’s Park. But we congratulate the organisation, especially for such young girls.

Q: What does the next year hold for this group of players?

A: This tournament was in November and December and the next will not begin until September 2015. We won’t go in the First Round, we will go in the Elite Round, so that’s March 2015 and it’s a long way off. Some of the girls might join the Under 19 team but that’s not for sure. Having been knocked out of the tournament here early, we don’t qualify for the World Cup [Costa Rica – March/April 2014]. This was a good opportunity for the girls to learn more and take part in a high level of football. They were a bit surprised at the beginning of the tournament to meet such great teams.  So now they don’t have any official competition, we might have some friendlies, but it will be a long year.

Q: Who do you think will win the tournament now?

A: If we look at the game against us, Germany is a great team. Although today they lost 4-0 against Spain. Also Italy – we had some friendly games against them in September. We had hoped and planned to play against Italy in the Final, but it didn’t work out that way. Spain are also a good team and will probably qualify for the World Cup.

The Scottish team is very good – excellent – a very brave team. They gave everything in the game they should be very proud.

2013 William Hill Sports Book of the Year – Winner

Doped: The Real Life Story of the 1960s Racehorse Doping Gang by Jamie Reid (Racing Post)

Combining a potent mix of horse racing, drugs, sex, class, crime, gambling and the monarchy, Doped tells the true story of one of the biggest doping scandals in British racing history. In March 1962, an audacious attempt to nobble one of the royal horses alerted police to a well-organised band of racecourse criminals, backed by murderous London gangsters. The subsequent Flying Squad pursuit of the gang brought the quaintly deferential world of racing into sharp conflict with the harsher realities of the ‘You’ve Never Had It So Good’ era.

Jamie Reid is a lifelong punter and racing enthusiast who writes a regular column for the Financial Times. One of his previous books, A License to Print Money, was shortlisted for the 1992 William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award.

* * * * * * * * *

The only other previous winner featuring horse racing was in 2001, when Seabiscuit: The True Story of Three Men and a Racehorse by Laura Hillenbrand scoped the prize.

2013/14: Sky Bet League One – Sheffield United v Walsall

Kick-off was delayed ten minutes at Bramall Lane due to a fire-alarm problem, although after a game low on quality and incident, fans might have wished it had been postponed indefinitely.

Walsall played five in midfield and Sheffield United seemed content to allow the visitors possession, indeed it was difficult to fathom at times who the home team was.

The two talking points of the first-half centred on a penalty that wasn’t awarded and one that was.

On forty minutes United defender Aidy White broke into the box and went down after a clumsy challenge from Lalkovic. However, referee Sarginson waved away appeals indicating the Walsall winger played the ball.

A minute into time added-on, United did get a penalty when James Chambers was adjudged to have handled the ball. Chris Porter fired home to put The Blades 1-0 up at the break.

Walsall manager Dean Smith’s said he felt ‘hard done by about the penalty decision. That certainly wasn’t deliberate handball. The first one was, for the foul by Milan Lalkovic, but two wrongs don’t make a right’.

United manager Nigel Clough believed, ‘one penalty was the least we should have had this evening’.

The highlight of the second-half came within two minutes of the restart. Walsall levelled when. Baxendale went down the right and his cross was powerfully headed home by Craig Westcarr.

That was as good as it got, as the game returned to the mediocrity of the first-half and at the whistle the frustrated reaction of home fans told you everything you needed to know.

Both managers acknowledged that reaction, with United boss Clough saying ‘it was a hard-earned point, but I’m disappointed with the goal we conceded again’, adding, ‘I was disappointed with our final delivery at times – we got into some good, positive positions and set-plays but weren’t quite on it’.

His counterpart Dean Smith reflected, ‘we were average tonight. We know we can play a lot better and it was probably a fair result. But it shows how far we’ve come that we can go away from Bramall Lane disappointed with only a point’.

2013/14: Sky Bet Championship – Sheffield Wednesday v Huddersfield Town

Will the real Sheffield Wednesday ‘stand-up’? That was the question Owls boss Dave Jones was facing after a 2-1 home defeat in the Yorkshire ‘derby’ against Huddersfield Town.

In their last game at Hillsborough, Wednesday were rampant winning 5-2 against promotion chasing Reading, but against the Terriers they were outplayed for the majority of the game. Jones stated, “we have a block when we play here, but if you start slaughtering the players you lose them and we need them to be big and brave.”

The Wednesday boss made four changes to his team from their last outing at Derby, but it made little difference.

One of those changes, keeper Damien Martinez was soon picking the ball out the net, when Huddersfield went ahead on eleven minutes. Adam Clayton was given too much time and space by the Owls defence and he picked out an unmarked Martin Paterson who finished coolly for his fiftieth league goal.

Paterson looked offside, but Town boss Mark Robins post-match stated he “hadn’t watched a replay” adding, “I don’t care – it was a good move and good finish”. His opposite number Dave Jones, view was that “the first goal might have been offside, but it doesn’t matter because we didn’t do our jobs properly”.

Jones looked to enliven his beleaguered side by introducing Jermaine Johnson and Giles Coke for Michail Antonio and Stephen McPhail at the start of the second-half.

However, it was the Terriers who should have scored just after the break, as a marauding run and shot from Paul Dixon fell for James Vaughan who somehow sliced his effort wide from twelve yards.

The home fans did have something to cheer though ten minutes into the second half, when Jermaine Johnson had his shot well saved by Town keeper Alex Smithies.

Indeed, after the game Terriers manager Mark Robins praised the Huddersfield stopper saying, “his concentration levels were fantastic. There was a small period of the game when we were peppered with shots and he had an answer for everything”.

Unfortunately for Wednesday, they couldn’t find an equaliser and it was Town who went further ahead on sixty eight minutes.

Following a corner, Oliver Norwood’s strike on goal was not cleared by the Wednesday defence, allowing Clayton to arrow his shot into the corner and put the visitors 2-0 ahead.

Even with twenty minutes remaining that pretty much sealed the points for Huddersfield, with a goal from a Connor Wickham free-kick three minutes into stoppage time, merely a consolation.

Unsurprisingly at the final whistle, Hillsborough echoed to boos from the Wednesday fans as this result left their team in the bottom three and with the unenviable record of being the only club in the country yet to have kept a clean sheet.

Terriers’ boss Mark Robins reflected that his team had been “outstanding for the first hour” but accepted the side was “still a work in progress”.

Dave Jones may not have the luxury of time but stated defiantly, “it’s up to everyone to turn this around, and that starts from the staff and through to all the players. We have all got to stand up and be counted”.

UEFA Women’s Under 17 Finals Preview with England Under 17 Coach, Lois Fidler.

u17“We have had quite a journey with some real ups and downs”

Is it a quote attributed to England football manager, Roy Hodgson? Perhaps England rugby union coach, Stuart Lancaster? Maybe even, England cricket coach, Andy Flower.

In fact, those words come from Lois Fidler, coach of the England Under 17 Women’s team, reflecting on the twelve months leading up to the UEFA Women’s Under 17 Finals tournament which begins in England later this month.

Fidler’s squad have taken part in tournaments in Spain and Norway in the last year, in the build up to the Finals. During April in Spain, England lost to the hosts 2-0, lost 4-1 to France, before finishing with a 2-0 win over Turkey.

In July at the Nordic tournament it was again a mixed-bag of results as they lost 4-3 to Denmark and 4-1 to Sweden, drew 1-1 with Norway, before finishing with a 2-0 win over Iceland.

However, it was the friendlies against the USA that made the most impression on Fidler and her team, after losing 6-0 at Hinckley United FC and 5-0 at the St. George’s Football Centre in Burton.

“USA gave us a lot to think about, they were so advanced physically. Our players did really well in the second game and learned an enormous amount from the experience”.

Indeed in their last friendly before the European Finals, England were the team were handing out the beating rather than being on the receiving end, as they thrashed Wales 5-0 at AFC Telford’s, New Bucks Head Stadium.

Now with the competition just weeks away, Fidler is confident that the squad is “physically and physiologically well prepared”. She qualifies this by explaining that, “for the last year we have been working with them on values, what they want to get out of this experience and how they want to develop as players along with other areas, so mentally they are ready.

Physically we have a strength and conditioning coach who has been working with them and we’ve worked on intensity in training sessions and friendly matches to prepare them physically as best as we can – always being careful in this age group”.

Indeed, it is evident that Fidler is very aware of protecting young players at this age from the exertions and pressures of game preparation and the expectation that taking part in a major tournament brings.

Before the Finals, coaches are often asked who the players that supporters should look out for are. Fidler’s view, in terms of the England squad is that she, “wouldn’t want to put pressure on the players like that – they have to perform to the best of their ability and at this stage it’s all about development, progress and learning”.

Even when looking at the other finalists, the England coach was keen to steer away from naming individuals. “I have done my research but I wouldn’t put the players under the microscope. It will be fascinating watching how the players respond and who embraces the extra pressure and matches of tournament football. It’s a big learning curve for all of the players”.

When pressed about her targets for the England team and which teams amongst the favourites at the Finals, Fidler said that, “first and foremost we want to get out of the group and then ideally get a podium finish (as winners, runners-up or third-place) to make it to next year’s World Cup.”

She added that, “Germany are always strong, France have done well – Spain do well in youth tournaments, but it’s hard to call. Poland won the last tournament and haven’t qualified this time round.”

But Fidler acknowledges that these Finals are not just about what happens on the pitch and is conscious of the ‘bigger-picture’.

“I hope they (the players) really enjoy the experience. It’s not often you take part in a tournament in your country with all your friends and family around, so I hope they embrace it and use it to progress.

For the four regions I hope they have raised the profile of the game and encouraged more girls into the sport. They have all worked so hard, as can be seen in the predicted attendances.

I hope there is a lasting legacy there.”

A new journey for Lois Fidler and her England Under 17s is about to begin.