TT No.158: Mike Latham - Tues 30 April 2013: Huddersfield & District League Div 4: Cartworth Moor v FC Lockwood; Result: 1-2; Attendance: 12 (h/c); FGIF Match Rating: 3*

 

 

 

Matchday images (16) https://picasaweb.google.com/footballgroundsinfocus/CartworthMoorFC

 

Ever watched a football game from what seems to be the top of the world?  That’s how it feels watching a game at Cartworth Moor, high on the Pennine hills above Holmfirth.  Familiar landmarks such as the Emley Moor mast and Huddersfield Castle appear to be much lower down in the distance; at just over one thousand feet above sea level the winds can be icy and the air thin, a place to test the resolve of players and spectators alike but fortunately, on the last day of April, there was scarcely a breath of wind, the skies were clear and it was reasonably warm.

 

Cartworth Moor is a collection of small hamlets and is approached by narrow, winding roads with stone walls on either side from either Holmfirth or Holmbridge. In the 18th century a race course was perched high up here and the locals engaged in quarrying, farming and textiles. These days it’s popular location for ramblers and there are some beautiful stone houses dotted around the vast expanse of moorland, a few farms, lots of fields with stone walls and spectacular views.

 

It’s an unlikely place to find a cricket or football club but on either side of Cartworth Moor Road is to be found a splendidly appointed cricket field dating back to the Victorian era.  Cartworth Moor CC plays in the Huddersfield Central League.  They have a small pavilion and sightscreens at only one end, the sky acts as a sightscreen at the other.  The football club, by comparison, is a recent newcomer, formed in 1955 according to the sign on the side of the wooden changing rooms.

 

The sturdy stone walls surrounding the pitch give the ground an enclosed feel and the sweeping views are well worth the trip even if the football is less than inspiring.  But after all, this is the lowest division in the Huddersfield & District League and the meeting of the two sides propping up the table.

 

But to both sides’ enormous credit they muster eleven players plus subs by kick-off time and an enjoyable and well contested game ensues. I love watching football in this league for the variety of the grounds, the commitment and enjoyment of the players and the fact that the league gives every impression of being a well organised one, with an excellent website that is quickly and reliably updated.

 

After a scoreless first-half the home side took the lead, despite playing uphill early in the second half; strangely the scorer, with a textbook header from a corner is immediately substituted.  The visitors had arguably been the better side and in the closing stages they recovered to firstly equalise and then score the winner with a few minutes remaining, a glancing header from a right wing cross.  The home goalkeeper was really impressive, pulling off a string of fine saves.

 

The cricketers were still practicing on the field opposite as the skies darkened and the air grew chillier. They breed ‘em tough around here.  I was glad I visited on an evening one local described to me as ‘balmy’- so much so, he said, he only had on three layers of clothing.  This is, of course, Last of the Summer Wine country- I can’t recall Compo, Clegg and Foggy ever visiting Cartworth Moor FC but if they did I’m sure they would have enjoyed it, especially if Nora Batty was preparing the half-time brews. 

contributed on 30/04/13