Groundhopping journeys

 Rothwells ground is directly next door to the West Riding County F.A. stadium on Fleet Lane in Woodlesford. It is signed as Rothwell Juniors and it seems to be funded in partnership with former football league team Harrogate Town, who also have their badges all over the walls of the club house. It's a very smart set up with plenty of smaller pitches for the younger ages and then a full size grass pitch round the back of the excellent club house which is covered in pennants from other teams and offers a range of light refreshments as well as a bar. The opponents were Beeston St Anthony who are probably the best team I've seen at West Yorkshire League level. Rothwell started brightly and despite being relegated and next to bottom, they are miles better than bottom team Pool who were quite frankly, hopeless when I saw them. However Beeston are a class act and as good as they are going forward they are solid at the back too. Beeston opened the scoring from a corner and a unchallen...

 Oriel Park, what a proper old fashioned ground. A joy to visit, a stones throw from the railway station and Dundalk Town centre, where I based myself post match due to no late trains onward, as is the norm in Ireland. The ground consists of a huge steep main stand, in which I took my seat at the back corner towards the away supporters. It boasts two excellent wind shields that keep the cold out however make sure your view of each goal is not obstructed by them! I visited the club shop which is outside the ground in an office of the main stand, unfortunately they only had very limited stock, no pin badges and the staff thought I was Scottish, I can assure you I'm not! So it was hard work in there, but once inside it was like walking back in time, reminded me of football grounds of old that I visited in my youth. Food and drink is provided by various vans rather than any concession huts run by the club, but round the far side where the Dundalk ultras stand, the wee silver van did me...