Scarborough Athletic Games Post 2017-18

Click here for a full club write-up and earlier visits following the club that was formed in 2007 to replace Scarborough FC.

Scarborough Athletic 1 Atherton Collieries 0 (Saturday 2nd December 2017) Northern Premier League Division One North (att: 903)

My first competitive game at the Flamingo Land Stadium came about as I visited my brother Nick and family for a long weekend. We had contemplated going to Sheffield Wednesday v Hull City, but nephew Stan was more than happy with Boro; his Grandad’s team!

We travelled through and visited my Auntie Rita for lunch and to catch up and exchange gifts. I headed to The Valley pre-match, where I caught up with plenty of other Boro mates.

It was still slightly surreal walking up to the ground through areas of my junior adventures. We took up a position opposite the Main Stand by the halfway line. Again, it was good to stand with familiar faces in our hometown at a game.

Boro played pretty well in the first half and went ahead halfway through, when the excellent Max Wright tormented his full back before plonking a perfect cross on the head of Michael Coulson, who made no mistake.

I headed round to the stand, where I caught up with my pals on the board of directors. Again, it all seemed a bit surreal, but I’d never felt more comfortable. I knew they were doing a good job, and the money was being looked after.

The second half saw the visitors get right back into the game, as they were cheered on by an impressive and vocal following. Boro boss Steve Kittrick rang the changes, with Jimmy Beadle easing the pressure as he won aerial challenges.

Colls were a very decent outfit and piled on the attacks, with the Seadogs not being at their best. In the end, a determined defence and fine display from keeper Tommy Taylor secured all three points. The match was also lit up by an erratic refereeing performance.

At full time, I headed back to The Valley and caught up with Andy Crossland before I headed to Falsgrave to meet Karl. We had beers in the new pub, The Firk Inn Pub, which I found average, before heading to The Ship and then The Stumble Inn.

Scarborough and general drinking behaviour had certainly changed since my days as a resident. The pubs weren’t particularly busy, and youngsters didn’t bother going out until late. The area around the station was once awash with groups on pub crawls. It was dead at 8.15.

I’d had a nice drink and needed food. The only fish and chip shop I could find was at the bottom of Prospect Road. I forgot its name, but it was always Greg’s Plaice when I lived near there. The grub was average.

It had been a really good day for all that. I gradually got over listening to moaning Boro supporters. The team had won, I saw some lovely people, and the ale was on form. I’d definitely be back.

Scarborough Athletic 2 Skelmersdale United 1 (Saturday 17th February 2018) Northern Premier League Division One North (att: 1,151)

A near-perfect weekend with a good train journey up and a Boro win. This was to be a special day as I had treated my nephew, Stan. He was to be the team mascot for the match. I got to Scarborough and met Karl, with whom I was staying, as we had a couple of beers along with former Boro skipper Dave Kemp before I headed to the ground.

All at the club were excellent behind the scenes, including Max Wright, who made Stan’s day. He loved it. I was a very proud uncle to see him follow three previous generations of the family supporting the club as he walked out with the team.

United went ahead in four minutes with a Scott Bakkor penalty, before Joshua Wardle put through his own net on seventeen minutes to level things up. Nathan Valentine got what proved to be the winner just before the interval.

Karl and I enjoyed a top night out, including ales in the superb North Riding. I returned to York on Sunday morning to meet with the family for a lovely pub Sunday lunch in the Derwent Arms before I undertook a mini pub crawl of fine establishments on route back to the station for my train.

Scarborough Athletic 4 Brighouse Town 0 (Saturday 14th April 2018) Northern Premier League Division One North (att: 1,361)

I was back from my annual cricketing holiday in Thailand and keen to catch up with family and friends before starting on my night shifts back at work. I’d deliberately planned for a Boro home game. The team was conveniently heading towards promotion, which helped the mood among fans.

My train was delayed and curtailed before I eventually reached Scarborough an hour later than planned. After dropping my bag off at Karl’s flat, it was time for pre-match beers in The Valley, where it was great to catch up and have a chat.

Nick and Stan were waiting for me in their usual spots at the ground, as Boro put in a rather insipid first-half display, despite leading through a fine Michael Coulson effort. Some of the defending was shocking, with only a brilliant Bailey Gooda block keeping the lead in check.

Just before the break, I sought out my pals at the top of the Main Stand. They’d gone through plenty as directors and had taken plenty of unjust criticism. I certainly didn’t envy them. Nobody deserved success more than this fine bunch of dedicated people.

The second half proved to be a different story as the Seadogs put on a scintillating attacking display to blow away a spirited Brighouse team with a Coulson penalty, and then a towering James Walshaw header and fine shot from Jordan Slew sealed the points.

Hyde United were held to a goalless draw by Skelmersdale United to take Boro into second place and to enhance the good mood further. Carl Ellis and I headed to The Stumble Inn, where Karl joined us, before we enjoyed beers over football in Scholars Bar.

We said goodbye to Carl as we headed to the North Riding to see more old pals before returning to Falsgrave and enjoying a quality band in The Ship. It had been a long but brilliant day out in great company. I certainly felt it as I boarded the train towards Leeds the following morning!

Scarborough Athletic 2 Glossop North End 1 (Tuesday 24th April 2018) Northern Premier League Division One North (att: 961)

It was celebration time in Scarborough as the Seadogs were assured of promotion, even though the league couldn’t officially endorse it. The team was now in pole position to grab the runners-up spot behind South Shields.

I managed a brief nap after night shift before taking the train north and retired to my lovely room at the North Riding Hotel for a further siesta. It was good to bump into old mate Dave Trenham for a chat and lift down to the Valley Bar.

Karl came in, and we had a couple of pints with directors Fred Firman and Andy Crossland, with Mick Cammish joining us for a beer and the walk up to the ground in wet conditions.

The Glossop team was held up in traffic, which meant a delayed kick-off. This gave Nick and Stan the chance to go for a drink with us in the clubhouse. It was fantastic to catch up with so many happy old mates. I was so chuffed that all the work and hard times they’d endured had ended with a celebration.

The match was decent enough fare, with North End proving decent opposition. Boro winger Max Wright was getting some stick from various defenders as James Walshaw was denied the opening goal as his shot hit the angle of post and bar.

Boro went 1-0 up when a beautifully weighted pass along the deck was collected by Michael Coulson, who advanced on goal before finishing brilliantly with a deft chip over keeper Russell Saunders. The hosts were correctly reduced to ten men as Nathan Valentine was given a straight red card by referee Jamie Rhodes for a shocking lunging challenge on the stroke of half-time.

The rain was falling more heavily as we were kept up to date with Liverpool’s hammering of Roma in the Champions League. Boro played some confident, smart football to keep hold of their lead. Glossop showed plenty of intent, but they were being kept at arm's length.

Ben Richardson came close for The Hillmen while Bailey Gooda nearly doubled the lead with a header. Walshaw had an effort saved by Saunders before Courtney Meppen-Walker brought out the best of Boro custodian Tommy Taylor.

It was 2-0 with ten minutes remaining as Wright battled his way down the right and fed Walshaw, who steadied himself before finishing well. The fine football even had the supporters in the Main Stand on their feet and cheering!

There was still time for Meppen-Walker to head against the post and then fire in a shot that took a wicked deflection off Jamie Price to leave Taylor flat-footed to reduce the arrears. Boro saw out the remaining couple of minutes to complete the win.

Brian Stevenson kindly gave Ben Vickers and me a ride back to the North Riding, where we enjoyed a very convivial couple of hours with Stuart, and then Karen Neilson enjoyed some magnificent Cascade Ale from the North Riding Brewery.

It’s been a marvellous whistle-stop trip up north, and I knew all about it the following day as I headed back to the capital for a quick turnaround before heading to the vital Isthmian League clash between Leatherhead and Hendon.

Scarborough Athletic 1 Stafford Rangers 1 (Saturday 12th October 2019) Northern Premier League Premier Division (att: 1,027)

It was time for a long overdue trip to see Boro, so, having negotiated a couple of nights off work, I headed to York just gone 8am, where I met up with Nick and then Stan after he finished his football training.

It was a bonnie, if chilly day, as we pulled up to grab lunch at Seamer Fisheries. The lass behind the counter told us the medium haddock weren’t up to size, so she gave us two small ones each. Fantastic value and absolute top quality to boot.

Nick dropped me at Falsgrave, where I managed to go to the wrong house trying to find Karl’s flat. My mate and his girlfriend, Donna, were kindly putting me up for the night. We headed down to The Valley Bar for a couple of pints and to catch up with other Seadogs.

My brother and nephew came in for a drink before he drove us up to the ground, securing his favourite getaway on the lane down to the old Gas yard. Admission was £12, which included a seat in the new stand.

I was really impressed with the new structure, with its mixture of standing and seating. The club had done well, and lots of credit was also owed to the fans who had dug deep to help with the financing.

There was time for me to head to the bar and have a chat with more smiling old faces. It was genuinely good to be back. I headed back down before kick-off as the club held a presentation, as the plaque remembering former Scarborough FC player Tony Aveyard was unveiled.

The young forward died following a head injury sustained in a game against Boston United in 1977, just a few days after Boro lifted the FA Trophy at Wembley. Tony’s widow, as well as several teammates, were present, which was good to see.

Nick had secured us good seats. I was slightly shocked that not all were taken as they offered an excellent view. Some were grumbling that they hadn’t been given ticket numbers next to each other, even though there was plenty of space for everyone.

I’d forgotten about the grumbling. It was prevalent as the game got underway. The bloke behind me got on my tits within five minutes. Nothing on the field was good enough. Just what do these “supporters” expect from part-time players at this level?

Before play, Boro were towards the wrong end of the table, after injuries had played a part, as well as not finishing teams off when ahead. Stafford arrived at the bottom of the league, and they were looking to secure their first victory of the campaign.

For what it’s worth, I thought Boro were fantastic in the opening exchanges. Young right back Kian Spence was full of skill and energy, linking up well with Michael Coulson. Rangers keeper Lewis King set the benchmark for the rest of the afternoon with a smart stop to keep out James Walshaw.

Chris Dawson was a class act in midfield. His fine pass put in Spence, whose low cross was slid in by Coulson. Dawson then saw a shot go just over after a jinking run before Washaw looked to have been brought down by King as he looked to round the custodian.

Andy Howarth came close for Stafford before the interval, but it was to be all Scarborough when play reconvened. Isaac Assenso, Walshaw, and Ryan Watson were all denied by good stops by King, who also had a set-to with Walshaw.

Boro had another couple of penalty shouts that could easily have been awarded on another day. The ball just wouldn’t go in despite the possession and created half-chances. In typical fashion, they were made to pay.

A through ball released Brad Grayson, who smashed the ball expertly low and hard past Tommy Taylor and into the far corner. The Seadogs continued to press, with fans becoming more frustrated with some over-elaborate approach play.

Coulson and Spence were kept out by the incredible King before Stafford nearly snatched all three points when a header from Sam Coulson came back off the inside of the post. The game ended in a seventh consecutive home draw for Boro.

Some fans told me they thought it had been rubbish. I really enjoyed the match, frustrating though it was as a home fan. It had been a good standard, certainly higher than the other three comparable leagues in the pyramid.

We headed back to Karl’s to watch the Rugby Super League final before a really enjoyable evening around the pubs of Falsgrave. Chairman Trevor Bull and Fred Firman caught up with us for the final hour as I told them I thought things were in good shape on the pitch, and definitely not to worry.

The following day, I met up with Nick, Stan, and Rachel and went for a lovely family Sunday lunch at the Derwent Arms. It was a perfect end to a smashing short visit. I even bought some good-value homemade scones at York station for the night shift. What more could you want?

Scarborough Athletic u19s 4 Brooklyn JFC 1 (Sunday 30th May 2021) North Riding County Cup Final (Att: c200)

An unexpected bonus of a match while I was in my hometown for a couple of nights, celebrating the birthday of my pal Karl. The weather was lovely as I headed out for a walk after a fine evening in Scholars Bar, watching the Champions League final.

It was lovely to see the Bank Holiday attract lots of visitors to the town as the sun burnt off the earlier sea fret. There was time to catch up with Sean and Tracey for tea and toast as we caught up and discussed our hopeful plans to escape to warmer climes.

During my walk, I’d been alerted to the match on Twitter, with one or two Seadogs asking if I’d be going. To be honest, I’d not really considered it, but the idea of some footy before another sustained session in the pub seemed a very sensible idea.

I was collected at the cricket ground, which looked stunning, prior to us enjoying an outstanding carvery at the Scalby Manor, somewhere I always try to call in at if I have time. A walk to the stadium from Falsgrave was just the ticket afterwards.

I paid my £1 admission and got chatting to friends. I missed the first 35 minutes with the visitors 1-0 up and seemingly good value for it. Brooklyn was more or less a feeder club from Malton to Pickering Town, with both clubs receiving cash from the same patron.

Whatever was said to the Seapups at the break worked as they put on an excellent second-half display. The impressive Lewis Gibson levelled things up around ten minutes after the interval before Connor Avison put the hosts ahead.

The goal made me feel old as I chatted to the scorer’s Dad Gavin, who I used to help sneak into pubs and clubs when he wasn’t old enough to be in them! Gibson added his second with Liam Love rounding off a fine move to make it 4-1.

Wandering around the ground, I got to chat with lots of good people. It was great to be back. Chairman Trevor Bull was enjoying proceedings in the new stand, where it was nice to touch base and get an update on new Boro manager Jono Greening.

Former director Nick Finch had travelled through on the train from York. If anyone deserves accolades at the club, it’s him for his non-stop work. He was still raising money behind the scenes. I persuaded him to go for a beer after the game.

A long afternoon and evening ensued in the New Tavern, Firk Inn, and Ship. Nick escaped after a few. Some of us were not so lucky, judging by our seediness on Monday morning. I said my goodbyes and went for the train back south. The day was marred with sadness, with news of the passing of Scarborough legend Colin Appleton.

Scarborough Athletic 0 Witton Albion 2 (Saturday 4th September 2021) FA Cup First Qualifying Round (att: 773) 

I travelled on the train and stayed at my aunt's for the night, before decamping to my pal’s place. Pre-match pop in the Valley Bar before taking up the offer of a seat in the main stand for the first time. Quite possibly my last, too. Some locals do nothing but moan at their own team or the match officials.

 

A poor game which Albion thoroughly deserved to win, despite both goals being down to absolute howlers from a debutant loanee keeper, Nathan Harker. I'm not sure Boro would have scored if we were still there. One of those days, which unfortunately hurts financially in the big Cup.

Nice to catch up with lots of mates, though the abuse throughout from some home "fans" towards the players was sickening once on the terracing across the pitch. I felt genuinely sickened. Some clearly did not have a clue how far the club had come. I was particularly saddened by some regulars turning on those trying to run the club.

Onto friends for superb fish and chips and a catch up, a brief pint, walking to my digs for the night before another nice chat and an early sleep. My sporting visit improved massively on Sunday and Monday as Yorkshire dismantled Somerset at North Marine Road.

This was enhanced by chatting to friends who supported other clubs. It certainly cheered up my good friend, the Boro vice-chair, and put things into perspective when listening to the mess York City found themselves in.

Scarborough 2 Lancaster City 0 (Saturday 6th November 2021) Northern Premier League Premier Division (att: 834)

Another trip up to the coast to stay over and catch up with as many mates and family as possible, while seeing a win that I believe set the road ahead, which would eventually end in promotion through the playoffs at the end of the season. There were still some doubters, and the board had made some tough decisions, handing out banning orders to one or two. 

However, it galvanised a togetherness among the loyal following that was badly missing on my previous visit. Boss, Jono Greening was still trying to assemble his squad in his first season in management. Some seemed to forget this rather quickly. The media frenzies covering big clubs with a demand for results and sackings had a lot to answer for. 

One signing was a big lad up front called Jake Day. I thought of him as Boro's Billy Whitehurst without the nastiness. He was a proper handful who the crowd warmed to with his non-stop effort and enthusiasm, even if he lacked some niceties and pretty touches.

Kieran Weledji set up the opener, putting through Nathan Cartman, who lobbed keeper Aidan Dowling from twenty-five yards. Day put the defence under great pressure while Cartman never stopped running.

 

Just before the hour mark, City were reduced to ten men when Nathan Reid badly challenged Will Thornton from behind and was given a red card. Outstanding defender Bailey Gooda doubled the lead on seventy-three minutes with a back-post header as the fans increased the volume and really got behind the team.

Weledji was dismissed for a second bookable offence near full-time, while Day smashed a shot just wide. It had been a really good performance and led to a happy Saturday evening, which continued long into the following day.

Scarborough 3 Nantwich Town 0 (Saturday 20th November 2021) Northern Premier League Premier Division (att: 887) 

My birthday, a home win, and a fantastic performance. I certainly went to my bed in the North Riding Hotel extremely happy that night, having travelled up on the morning of the game and getting underway with a couple of pints in that excellent establishment, which kindly gave me a free room as a birthday gift and going-away present.

It was a decent match in the opening stages, with both teams going for it and promising goals, with Ryan Witley having a fine game in goal for the Seadogs. Five minutes before the break, Nathan Cartman retaliated petulantly to a challenge and was sent off, which fired up his teammates.

Day chased after one ball, with Town defenders getting out of the way; such was his presence that it created an opportunity for Luca Colville that was fired just wide. Once again, the fans got behind the team for what was an outstanding second-half performance.

Jo McWalie had a goal chalked off for offside for the visitors before Day put Boro ahead with a low shot off the far post after being fed by James Cadman. Whitley had to be in great form at the other end, denying Nantwich's efforts on several occasions.

The lead was doubled twelve minutes from time after the excellent Kieran Glynn had been fouled. Ryan Watson drilled home the resulting free kick. Connor Heath was fouled in the box, but Town’s Sean Cooke was denied by Whitley from the penalty spot.

Colville rounded things off when he rounded keeper Andy Wycherley after being put in by Ash Jackson, while Whitley made another top stop to preserve a clean sheet. It was great leaving the stadium with positivity abounding among the happy and hard-to-please locals. 

The evening was also very enjoyable, as several friends made sure that they popped by for beers before I headed to York for Sunday lunch with the family, and even enjoyed sampling some ale in a couple of cracking establishments before the train to London.

Thame United

Thame United FC is a non-league football club from the Oxfordshire market town of the same name; that was formed in 1883. For several decades, the club competed in local league football before joining the Hellenic League in 1959.

United were crowned as Premier Division champions in 1961-62 and 1969-70, while competing at Windmill Road. Thame became members of the South Midlands League Premier Division for 1988-89, finishing as runners-up in their debut season.

Another second-place finish came in 1989-90 before the team was crowned as South Midlands League champions in 1990-91, from where the club was promoted to Division Three of the Isthmian League.

In 1992-93, Thame finished as Division Three runners-up and won promotion. Further success came as the side won the Division Two title in 1994-95. The 1997-98 season ended in disappointment as United were relegated from Division One. However, the club was to bounce back the following season.

Bicester Town, Letchworth, Warrington Town, Vauxhall General Motors, and Woodbridge Town were all defeated in the FA Vase. In the semi-final tie, Unite were defeated 5-0 on aggregate by Bedlington Terriers to end any dreams of a Wembley appearance.

The 1998-99 campaign also saw Thame regain their Division One status, where they remained until league re-organisation, when United were placed in Division One North for the 2002-03 season.

Thame United were transferred to the Southern League Division One East due to further non-league reorganisation in 2004. Financial troubles blighted the club as the bailiffs seized assets over an unpaid VAT bill, and the landlord of Windmill Road Stadium evicted the club.

Thame struggled on, having to play their home matches at the home of Aylesbury United before they also became homeless in the summer of 2006, with the team being relegated twelve months later to the Hellenic League.

Thame managed to arrange a groundshare with AFC Wallingford, as previous manager Mark West returned after an earlier successful spell with the club. He couldn’t halt the slide as United were demoted further, to Division One East of the Hellenic League.

Jack Collinge became the club chairman as United fought back, firstly by winning the Division One East title in 2009-10 to return to the Premier Division. A bigger victory was to be won off the pitch.

My drawing of the old Windmill Ground, along with former Thame team kits.
Click on the image to enlarge it.

Thame moved into their new Meadow View Park home in the north of the town in 2011, four years after initial planning. The opening was celebrated with a home game against Oxford United, which attracted a crowd of 1,382.

After four seasons of mid-table finishes, the 'Red Kites’ weighed in with a fifth and sixth place Premier League placing under manager West, before United were crowned as Hellenic League champions in 2016-17, to return to the Southern League Division One East.

United were placed in Division One Central of the competition after it was reorganised ahead of the 2018-19 campaign. A couple of eighth-place finishes on either side of the Covid-affected seasons ensued. Ben Williams was appointed as manager from the start of the 2023-24 season, which ended in a reprieve from relegation.

The 2025-26 season ended in a semi-final playoff defeat to Hitchin Town.

Thame United FC will play in Southern League Division One Central in the 2026-27 season.

My visits

Thame United 0 Brentford 0 (Saturday 15th July 2000) Pre-Season Friendly (att: 517)

It was a blank day, cricket-wise, at Lord’s, so I had the day off. I decided that I would head out and try to visit somewhere new. I headed out from my Willesden Green room while listening to the England v West Indies ODI from Chester-le-Street.

It was a very warm day as I caught the train from Marylebone to Haddenham & Thame Parkway station on the Chiltern line before taking the 280 bus to Thame town centre. I don’t recall it being very far from the Windmill Road Stadium.

The bar was busy with expectant Brentford fans in the majority enjoying beers being poured by local Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher, who was serving behind the bar in his role as United’s Commercial Manager.

The visitors, managed by Ron Noades and assisted by Ray Lewington, took a strong team with them, and were supported by about three-quarters of the attendance.

The ground itself was quite neat and impressive, with a single-tier seated stand straddling the halfway line down one side and open standing on either side, backed by the excellent clubhouse towards the top end.

The pitch had been dug out of the slope at that end of the ground, with a small cover atop. The far end goal also had some cover for the standing spectators, while the rest of the venue was made up of open, hard, flat standing.

New signing Mark McCammon and midfielder Martin Rowlands impressed for The Bees as they fielded separate elevens in each half. Thame played plenty of nice football on the deck to give Brentford a decent workout. At full time, I had a drink in one of the local pubs in the pretty town centre before catching my bus back and returning to London.

Thame United 4 Fleet Town 0 (Saturday 9th December 2017) Southern League Division One East (att: 74)

It’s sometimes strange how things work out when I set out on a day’s groundhopping. I’d left home in Kingsbury with several matches in doubt; initially settling on heading to Aylesbury v AFC Rushden & Diamonds.

It was a cold day, and the temperature was dropping on my arrival at Aylesbury Vale station. Despite this, I didn’t expect the postponement that greeted me and can be read about here.

My mood was not at its best, but there was no way I was about to waste a valuable Saturday away from work. Another disappointed fan told me that Thame United was the nearest ground. It would have been simple by car, but I was relying on public transport.

The first task was to ring Thame to confirm that the game was on, as their Twitter feed wasn’t 100% clear. I received positive news and caught the bus back to Aylesbury Bus Station to wait for the Sapphire 280 service leaving at 3pm.

It wasn’t perfect, but I’d get there ten minutes before half-time. It was certainly better than nothing, even if the original idea of saving money on a trip to Aylesbury, rather than Banbury, was now flying out of the window.

A pleasant ride took me through some nice villages and then Haddenham. A couple of miles later, the floodlights of the Thame Football Partnership at the ASM Stadium, as Meadow View Park was named under a sponsorship deal, where United were based. It took me five minutes from the bus stop back to the entrance.

The gates to the ground were open, with United already 2-0 up on my arrival, thanks to goals from a James McGowan header and a close-range finish from Luke Ricketts.

Meadow View Park was a tidy, functional venue, with room for future development if necessary. The only structure ran between the two penalty areas and was set back from the pitch, with a few rows of seats and a row of standing at the rear.

There were gaps for the player’s entrance and the refreshment hatch, with the clubhouse and all facilities in the building behind the seating. The rest of the ground was a combination of flat open grass and concrete standing, save for a TV gantry on the far halfway line.

The game looked reasonably even when I started watching. Fleet were cheered on by a dozen or so fans, with three standing behind the goal with their flag. It was getting very cold, especially as the venue was out in the open, but the pitch was fine.

Just before the interval, Thame made it 3-0. Dan West played in Lynton Goss, who slid the ball under Fleet keeper Liam Beach. I’d done my usual lap of a new ground and found myself conveniently by the clubhouse as the half-time whistle blew.

The bar served a decent pint of the locally brewed ‘4 Mellow Amber’ from the XT Brewing Co. for £4. I headed to the office in search of a match programme. The amiable lady explained that the printer had failed to deliver. I was having one of those days!

Returning outside for the second half, my attention was drawn to my fixed odds coupons that were giving me extreme interest, as I listened to scores coming in from elsewhere on my phone App.

My accumulator of Leyton Orient, Oldham Athletic, Leeds United, and Barnet offered a £277 return. At one point, all the scores were going my way. I was offered £140 to cash out, but as I dithered, Chesterfield levelled with Barnet. The amount reduced dramatically, so I let the bet run.

Meanwhile, back out on the pitch, Thame continued to put Fleet under pressure, even though the visitors continued gamely. Beach pulled off two good saves from Goss, before a corner from the forward was headed against the bar by Ben Sturgess, and then volleyed wide by the same player when the ball was returned.

In sixty-three minutes, West scored with a glancing header from Goss’s corner to make it 4-0. Beach was having a marvellous game in the Fleet goal despite the score. He kept out McGowan with a great stop before turning a header from the same man over the bar.

The stopper continued his work when saving a header from Adam Morris before the rebound struck the post. The game gradually petered out as Thame continued their unbeaten run to six matches. It had been an impressive performance from United.

I had ten minutes to get back to the bus stop before the return service arrived, going to Aylesbury. My previously mentioned accumulator went down, with Aston Villa letting me down on another coupon. However, Hull City’s win still meant a profitable afternoon.

It had been an unexpected afternoon’s entertainment. I decided to call it a night when I returned to Kingsbury and stayed in and had an evening of relaxation as snow fell overnight.