TT No.83: Keith Aslan - Sat 16th May 2015; Campion v Ovenden; West Riding Amat League Prem Div Cup Final; Venue: Storthes Hall; Kick-Off: 14.32; Admission and Programme: £3; Result: 3-1; Att: 81 (32 C; 40 O & 9 neutral).

 
Somewhat confusingly, Shelly play at Storthes Hall while Storthes Hall play 5 miles down the road in the rather nondescript (at least the bit I saw) town of Deighton. The railway station is around a 15 minute walk from the ground with services to Huddersfield, Leeds, and if travelling from London, Wakefield.

 

Storthes Hall share an impressive world record with Littletown when in this competition in 2001 they contrived in a penalty shoot out to score 34 consecutive goals between them. Wow! This isn't the most kicks ever taken, that stands at 48, but it is by far and away the most consecutive goals scored. Even more bizarrely it could have been more, at 17 a piece the game was abandoned due to bad light. Rather harshly they were made to play the whole match again, surely it would have been fairer to just continue with the penalties at a later date?
 
Storthes Hall is a tidy set up, fully railed and enclosed with the Yorkshire Moors providing a scenic back drop. The large clubhouse and changing rooms look very new, with hot and cold drinks, burgers and bacon rolls available. The vital overhang means you will stay dry should the weather turn nasty. With woodland behind the near goal, behind the far goal there was that thrill an hour game called cricket taking place, again the local cricket ground looked very nice, it's just a pity it couldn't be put to a more meaningful use.
 
Phillip Rhodes the friendly league secretary greeted me on my arrival, he remembered me from last year's final (once seen I'm not forgotten, however hard you try). These cup finals are a rare chance to get paper in the West Riding League. As far as I am aware only Steeton and Honley are regular issuers, but I would be delighted to be proved wrong. The match was close as you would expect from teams that finished 3rd and 4th in the league, Campion taking the lead, with parity by half time, and two second half goals by Ovenden winning it. A fine way to end my season. Roll on July.

 

contributed on 18/05/15