TT No.116: Mike Latham - Sat 27 December 2008: Lancaster Honda North Lancashire & District League Premier Divn: TIC Dynamos 1-3 Storeys; Attendance: 120 (h/c); No admission or programme

After a bitterly cold evening with temperatures well below zero the possibility of games being called off due to lingering frost was considerable and so I decided to stay relatively local and re-visit a league that has provided me with some memorable games and some interesting venues over the last couple of years.

I had intended to meet up with a long standing groundhopping mate at Highgrove, just south of Lancaster but he thoughtfully telephoned me at 1-15pm to say their intended game with Carnforth was postponed as the pitch was still too hard.  We then went our separate ways, him to Galgate, a ground I had previously visited, while I headed north of Lancaster on the A6 past the hordes of shoppers to the top-of-the-table clash between TIC Dynamos and Storeys.

I had taken a chance on the game being on and was relieved to spy the players warming up as I turned off the A6 on the Slyne Road just before the canal bridge into the King Georges Playing Fields complex.  I knew the Galgate game was definitely on but that would have entailed fighting my way through the traffic in Lancaster which was not a prospect I fancied. Storeys went into the game unbeaten and on top of the league with TIC two points adrift.  TIC’s venue is a modest one, being little more than a council playing field with a changing room block and is one of the least impressive in the Premier Division.

But there are sizeable compensations for watching football at this level, particularly on such a beautifully crisp and sunny winter’s afternoon. It was easy to park up and wander to the game, people were friendly and by kick-off time a good-sized crowd had built up, most manning the touchline on the far side to keep out of the way of the glaring sun.

This league is really excellently run and boasts a superb website that is regularly updated for results and fixture changes and also gives detailed directions to grounds and contact details.  After the games scorers are listed and each division enjoys a detailed write-up of the games, a fantastic resource.

Though the pitch was hard and bumpy club officials had worked hard to ensure the game would go ahead with much prodding, poking, slitting and rolling. The teams looked ready for the fray and by kick-off time around 120 people lined the touchlines, with several players from the postponed Highgrove-Carnforth game having turned up to watch.

Play was fast, open and exciting and played in an excellent spirit, well refereed by Mr D Fisher.  The two club linesmen appointed to run the lines both undertook their duties assiduously.  TIC dominated the first half-hour but failed to capitalise on their territorial advantage and were made to pay when Storeys took the lead following a scramble in the goalmouth.  When the visitors added to their advantage immediately after the re-start the game appeared to be drifting away from the home side, who persevered with their skilful and thoughtful build-up play.

Storeys sealed the win with a third goal but TIC finished strongly, one of their substitutes (a former Storeys player apparently) pulling back a goal and if the home side had scored in their next attack, which they nearly did, a tense finish would have been in prospect.

The game finished at 3-40pm just as the light was fading and was an excellent advert for the league with some fast and skilful play in evidence and a superb spirit prevailing such that the referee did not need to administer a single caution.

A visit to this interesting league is recommended though only with the rider that you are not bothered about programmes.  Of the grounds I have visited so far personal favourites were at Swartmoor, Cartmel and Kirkby Lonsdale while watching football at Millhead in the quarry is an unforgettable experience. 

contributed on 28/12/08