Mires

The ground in Buck Wood was saturated after this week’s snow and rain, but nothing a pair of boots couldn’t handle.

It was one of those days when I expected every football match in the vicinity to be off due to waterlogged pitches. Most were, but Thackley had done well to keep their ground in good shape, and the game against Handsworth, the visitors from Sheffield, went ahead. 

Thackley’s results have dipped a little recently. They’re still holding on to third place in the NCEL Premier League table, but there are plenty of other challengers for play-off places within a few points. Handsworth are back in mid-table, but they took an early lead, and despite a string of chances Thackley weren’t able to pull level. A second for Handsworth early in the second half proved to be enough. Thackley pulled one pack with a quarter of an hour to go, but the visitors held out for the win. 1-2 it finished.

There was just enough light in the day for me to walk home through the woods without succumbing to any muddy mires.