Another mixed week....

Football first -

Tuesday

Belper Town 0 - 5 Newcastle Town

Sheffield Wednesday 1 - 4 Peterborough

Saturday (yesterday)

Romulus 2 - 0 Belper Town

Southampton 2 - 0 Sheffield Wednesday.

Tim Harrison's pics from the game at home v Newcastle are here:

http://www.timharrisonphotography.com/NailersAction/NwcstlTwnH1011/index.html

I took my camera and have some reasonable pics but haven't had the time to do much with them this week. Belper knew it would be a struggle after Aaron Pride got sent off and the ref awarded a penalty to Newcastle. He said that Aaron had deliberatly handled the ball to prevent a goal so the letter of the law says he has to go. The fact the ball was hammered at him from close range and he raised his hands to protect his face as he turned his back didn't seem to matter to the ref. Whatever happened to common sense.

Anyway - we didn't go away to Romulus but the match report (link to Belper Town home page on the right) sums up what was apparently a better performance from the side. Still a defeat though and that is now 6 in a row. And next Saturday - Barwell, runaway leaders of the division, visit Belper.....

Highlight of the week was a trip to Scarborough yesterday. A last minute decision after seeing the weather forecast. We had a super day and pictures will follow as soon as I've finished editing them. Here's a couple to be going on with....

South Bay from the cliff top

The Harbour

One of the many boats in the harbour

The lighthouse at the harbour entrance

Altogether, we walked around 3.1/2 miles in all - and enjoyed fish and chips in a small cafe before heading back to the car and home via Flamborough Head. The sunset was spectacular....

The great thing is that Scarborough operates a fantastic Park and Ride scheme. Park your car for free and for a fare of just £1 - hop a bus into town. We, of course, have bus passes so the bus ride was also free!

A cracking day although we were a little surprised by the number of people who'd had a similar idea! The place was busy!

The rest of the week just went by in a blur so there ain't a lot else to tell you. We'll see what next week brings. I will attempt to get an album of our Scarborough day made and linked on here but no promises!

Laters

A Real "Up-And-Down" Week......

Began with an "up"

Tuesday:

Belper Town FC 2 - 0 Newcastle Town, Semi-final of the Presidents Cup

Oldham 2 - 3 Sheffield Wednesday. Football League One

Couldn't make the cup semi - got back from dropping visitors at Manchester airport just a bit too late to drive down to Belper. Anyway - Tim Harrison took these pictures of what manager Andy Carney told me later in the week was the best performance by a Belper side this season.

http://www.timharrisonphotography.com/NailersAction/NwcstlUtdH1011/index.html

Then a "down"

Thursday

Belper Town confirm Andy Carney's decision to step down as first team manager at the end of the season. The Duchess and I were (are) massively disappointed so I sent the big man a text and he called me back. We had a good old natter and promised to keep in touch.

Andy is really the remaining "link" the Duchess and I have with Belper Town FC and when he goes, maybe we might too? We got to know him well through our initial interest and friendship with Danny Hudson. Dan's gone, now Andy's going. The Club is looking for a new Chairman.

We might have to see what other non-league options are available. Dunno yet. Whatever happens the Duchess has already categorically refused to go a mile and a half down the road to watch Sheffield FC. She says she doesn't like the club, the people or the atmosphere! Any road up - we'll see.

Another "up"

Friday

Booked the day off because our son was visiting from Holland for the weekend. A very good mate of his is going through a rough patch and so our lad "popped over" for what was, literally, a flying visit. Picked him up from Manchester airport mid-morning. He has also been dieting since 1st January and has lost just under 3 stone. He looks better for it and says he feels better too. It's always good to see him - no matter what shape he's in.

Then "down".

Saturday

Belper Town FC 0 - 2 Grantham, Evostik League One South

Sheffield Wednesday 0 - 1 Notts County. Football League One

Footy results determine the mood yet again! We went to the Belper game and the team did way better than the last time we saw them when Quorn best us 5-1. However, it's still a defeat to a side who have lost one of their last 20, but, sadly, a team the Belper side of two seasons ago would have wiped the floor with.

Nice to see our mate Mossley Smiffy there again. He had his camera and I'll link to his pics as soon as he posts the link but in the meantime, Snapper Harrisons images are here:

http://www.timharrisonphotography.com/NailersAction/GrnthmH1011/index.html

And mine are here:

http://nortoner09.jalbum.net/2011%2003%2012%20BTFC%200-2%20Grantham/

Sunday - well not a lot happened. Took our son back to Manchester airport in the afternoon - the car will know it's own way there by now - did the same return trip on Monday and Tuesday, collecting and delivering our Canadian visitors  - then Friday and today, collecting and delivering number one son!

Oh aye - just remembered it's Monday tomorrow..... Bugger!

What a Crappy Weekend....

Saturday really was a day to forget....

Belper Town 1 - 5 Quorn FC

Sheffield Wednesday 2 - 4 Plymouth Argyle.

We saw the game at Belper and it was, overall, a pretty poor show. With the exception of 3 or 4 players, the team showed no enthusiasm, endeavour, commitment or spirit.

Bear in mid Quorn had won only 7 games all season before this. It didn't help that early on, skipper Jon Froggatt crashed in a shot which came down off the underside of the bar and bounced up safely into the keepers arms. Something told me then that this wasn't to be our day but I didn't expect the display we got.

One of the very few positives from the game is the performance of Aaron Pride and Cameron Martin who came on a second half subs. Aaron has been warming the bench recently following a 3-match suspension but after the second half yesterday - I don't see how he can be dropped again!

Cameron  Martin is a young lad from the Belper reserve side. He worked hard in the second half and tried to keep up with Jon 'Frogba' Froggatt who once again led by example with little or no support.

Aside from Jon, Lee Thompson and Nick Darker are about the only two of the other players who emerged from this disappointing display with any sort of credit.

The contrast between the two teams was interesting - every time a Belper player had the ball, he was immediately pressed, harried and hurried by at least 2 Quorn players. Our boys often stood and watched (seemingly in awe!) whilst the ball was brought under control or headed clear.

The extent of the disappointment was summed up for me by Captain Jon Froggatt as he left the pitch. He said, as he removed the captains armband "Nobody else cares!" A damning indictment.

Disappointment etched on Nailers faces as they left the pitch.

Anyway - if you want to see the action (or lack of it in Belper's case) Tim "Snapper" Harrison's record is here:

http://www.timharrisonphotography.com/NailersAction/QrnH1011/index.html

I took about 150 pictures and have had a quick look through - but to be frank - I really can't be arsed to make an album this week.

That's basically all you're getting this Sunday. Next week is busy - Monday evening I'm to be at Manchester airport to collect two visitors from Canada and I have to return them to the airport by 4:30 pm on Tuesday afternoon. Not much chance of getting back to Sheffield to collect the Duchess and get down to Belper to see the semi-final of the President's Cup - Belper v Newcastle Town. That might not be a bad thing if the team performs as it did on Saturday!

Main highlight of next week comes on Friday when our son arrives at Manchester airport for a brief visit to see a mate who has a bit of a problem. I've booked a day off and will collect him cos that is probably about all we'll see of him before he heads back to Rotterdam on Sunday or Monday.

Thing is - a lousy weekend makes Monday morning even more of a drag although I guess it's a  bit sad that a 61-year old bloke has his duck knocked so far off by a couple of football results! But - isn't that what being a footy fan is all about?

'Til next time mes amis......

That Canon Ixus ain't a bad little camera!

A few more shots taken at the Boyzone concert. Using 3x to 12x zoom and with flash disabled, the results aren't bad. (Speaking of flash - dunno what some people at the back of the Arena were expecting but flash on small digital cameras and mobile phones is not going to project 250 to 300ft to the stage!!) Anyway.... as I said - I'm quite pleased with these.

This was a really good gig but my ears have only just stopped ringing! It was LOUD!

Not much else happening - the Duchess is at a Junior Football League meeting tonight and we are planning to go to see Belper Town v Quorn FC on Saturday. (Oh - and I put the car through a car wash last evening!)

Aside from that - laters!

The Barbarellas...

... one of the support acts at the Boyzone concert last night....

I rest my case!

Taken with the Duchess' Canon Ixus 95 IS (They wouldn't have let me in with the DSLRs!!)

Another Week Whizzes By........

..and the main  events were:

Tuesday - Belper Town 1-2 Rushall Olympic. Good game and Belper played well enough but as someone said afterwards - "They are a top 6 side and we aren't. Simple as that."

Man of the match and scorer of Belper's goal Ruben Wiggins-Thomas (RWT to his friends)

Snappers pics are here:

http://www.timharrisonphotography.com/NailersAction/RshllH1011/index.html

and mine are here:

http://nortoner09.jalbum.net/2011%2002%2022%20BTFC%201-2%20Rushall/

Wednesday - The Duchess took her car to Autoworld to sort out the warning light on the dash. After plugging in their computer and updating software, they found the lambda sensor is fine and since we've had the car less than 6 months, they only charged half price for the check and update. Autoworld studiously avoided any offer/discussion about the fact that the cam belt needs changing, having originally promised to review their £350 charge! Anyway - we'll get our mate at Volkstek to sort it - for about a half what Autoworld will charge!

Thursday - Our son celebrated his 37th birthday but since he lives in Holland , we went to the Bowshaw Carvery for a meal and a drink on his behalf. (Toasting him pre-meal of course!) By the way - if you wanna feel old - get yourself a 37 year old son!)

Saturday - BTFC game at Barwell called off - waterlogged pitch - but we hadn't intended to go anyway. Too far really and to be honest, Barwell are runaway league leaders and we suspected Belper would find it tough going.

Plan B was a drive to Forge Dam, in the Porter Valley in Sheffield, and have a little walk. Turned out to be a two-mile yomp down the valley to the Endcliffe Park entrance where we caught a bus back up to Fulwood and back to the car. 

Took the camera of course.... 

Forge Dam

Wiremill Dam

.......and there are more here:

http://nortoner09.jalbum.net/2011%2002%2026%20Forge%20Dam%20to%20Rustlings%20Rd/

This evening, the Duchess and I will be at Sheffield Arena to see......... Boyzone. I bought the tickets just about 12 months ago as a late Christmas present or early birthday present - can't remember which. And I don't care what you might think - they are excellent "live" and anyway - they always have some of the best looking, long-legged dancing girls you could wish to see!

 I'll report ASAP! but for now - Ciao!

A Very Quiet Week.

Monday - work

Tuesday - work (but Belper beat Newcastle Town 3-2 away in the evening!)

Wednesday - meeting at our sister company re new computer system took most of the day.

Thursday - work

Friday - Sales Forecast and Budget meeting at work took most of the morning, then after lunch, we took the Duchess' car down to Autoworld Chesterfield to get info about some apparent defects.  A couple of months after we bought it, we got a letter from Seat saying a new cam belt should be fitted since the car was now 4 years old. The dealer special offer price is £350!! Thing is - although 4 years old, the car has only done 12,000 miles but apparently, 4 years or 40,000 whichever's sooner is the recommendation.

Anyway - we know a private garage called Volkstek, at Dronfield, who had been looking after her old motor so we went to see Tim down there and asked him what he'd charge. He reckoned a half that price would do it. He said there was no urgency so we left it a while.

A couple of weeks ago, a light came on the dash. Reference to a manual said something about exhaust emissions were not being measured properly. Back to Volkstek where Tim attached the car to his computer and revealed it needed a software update and a lambda sensor (or probe). He advised us to go to a main dealer because although he could fit the sensor - it might not be the total problem and he can't do a software update.

The car's booked in for examination  on 23rd Feb and Autoworld are having a look at the cost of fitting a new cambelt after I said I thought it was a a bit naughty that no one had mentioned the cam belt would need to be changed within 2 months of us buying the car. (The fact I told them Volkstek would do it for half the Autoworld price might also have had something to do with it! Or am I just an old cynic!?)

So we wait and see if the Autoworld test means an outlay of £40 or £140 (plus the cambelt!)

Saturday - we woke to this:

The view of our street from the front window - and it was still snowing! A quick look at the Belper Town web page showed a pitch inspection was planned for noon so the game was in doubt.

Anyway - the news at 12 was good and so we set off to pick up our mate Joe and head on down to Belper to see the Nailers take on local rivals Rainworth.

It wasn't a bad game at all but the result was disappointing in that Belper let a 2-goal lead slip and the points were shared. Ex-Nailer Rob Paling played at right back for Rainworth and had a good game - I still reckon it might have been worth Belper hanging on to him but he wanted first team games and is now getting them at Rainworth. Good luck to the lad.

There were at least 3 photographers in a crowd of 261 - the bigger than usual gate probably down to the fact that most other local games had been called off because of heavy rain or wet snow. So non-league fans being what they generally are, the Belper game was the only option for their Saturday afternoon  football "fix!"

The Gaffer - Tim Harrison - record of the match is here:

http://www.timharrisonphotography.com/NailersAction/RnwrthMWH1011/index.html

Then there's Mossley Smiffy, in town for the first time this season:

http://mossleysmiffy.jalbum.net/BelperTownRainworthMW19Feb11/

(Incidentally - see Smiffy's blog - Six Tame Sides - for all things non-league footy "Manchester way" and other assorted stuff - link on the right.)

And finally, the Owd Giffer's effort (me - although I reckon you'd guessed that!)

http://nortoner09.jalbum.net/2011%2002%2019%20BTFC%202-2%20Rainworth/

Sunday - done very little apart from restock the bird feeders in the garden and reset the squirrel trap.

OK - that's the latest chapter in my hectic life - don't know how I keep up - being the age I am an all......

Any road up - I'm off to do some crosswords - while the Duchess watches "Dancing on Ice!"

The car needs cleaning if anyone feels like.... thought not!

See yer in a bit!