The Ultimate English Pyramid Game

[Jon1982]

Part 1: Introduction - Welcome to England!

Amongst the rolling green hills of Merrie Olde England, in a forgotten corner of an old industrial town or city, from the mass expanses of Hackney Marshes to the village playing fields the national sport that was invented on these shores 150 years ago is still played every week purely for love of the beautiful game. There is no money, there are no Bentleys, no Gucci kit bags, no fame or glory, but just pure passion for the most popular sport on the planet. This is the grassroots, the backbone of English football, in all weathers come rain or shine, hail, sleet, snow or fog, the muck and nettles, the freezing cold changing rooms, the muddy goalmouths, the roast dinner and pints after the game at the pub, the one man and his dog... Welcome to England! This is the Ultimate English Pyramid Game!!!

Edited January 13 by Jon1982

[Jon1982]

Part 2 - Were All t'Leeds Round 'ere Aren't We?

 

Morley, West Yorkshire July 2022 

 “Oh yea! Oh yea! Oh yea!” shouted the town crier, ringing his bell loudly as he stood outside Morley Town Hall, the ornate late Victorian structure which dominates this West Yorkshire town. As ever on these occasions the man in the red robes had drawn a crowd, who had briefly halted their daily business in Queens Street to come and see what the fuss was about. This included pensioners who loved this kind of things, to curious children and small group of teenagers hanging out in Windsor Court, the adjacent shopping precinct, who were taking the mickey a little and giggling as the crier carried out his duties.

“Morley Town football club have appointed Jonathan Rudd as their new manager.”

I expected cheers and people hugging eachother, jumping for joy as a brand new era dawned for their town’s football team... but no, nothing, just silence as people just stood there.. Then one bloke, wearing a tracksuit and in a thick local accent shouted, “Were all t’Leeds round ‘ere aren’t we!”

The crowd cheered and there were a few chants of “Marching on Together...”  and "Come on t'Leeds.." I stood there, invisible...

This was of course the famous song from the very illustrious club about one mile away. If you stand in the centre circle of Morley Town’s home ground, Glen Road and look North, you could see the floodlights and the top of the stand of the famous Elland Road Stadium. Many of the pubs and bars in Morley had Leeds United murals, signed shirts, decorations and memorabilia from it's illustrious history, Charles, Charlton, Bremner, Lorimer, Strachan, Kewell, err Danny Pugh.. Beckford, Becchio and of course Bielsa..  and all the famous names who had worn the hallowed white shirt down the years.

There was no doubt that this is a football mad part of the world, with some rugby league and cricket thrown in as well, but I had a lot of work to do to raise the profile of Morley’s football team which lay in the shadows of the monolith of a club just one mile away.

The town crier finished with the day’s news and the good people of Morley went back to their shopping and whatever they were up to in the centre of their town on a sunny Saturday afternoon. I then walked up to Morley Town FC from Queen’s Street to meet the chairman Bryan Wilkins and the players.

 

Where are Morley Town on The English Pyramid?

Morley Town play in the Yorkshire Amateur Premier Division, which is Level 12 on the football pyramid. That’s eleven promotions from The Premier League and at the time of writing, ten for a local derby against the Mighty Whites from down t’road. I am here to try and make that happen, but it will be a long slog. They play their home games at Glen Road. At the moment the biggest games of the season are the Asquith Avenue derby against Gildersome Old Boys and the A6110 Ring Road derby against Beeston Juniors...

Board Expectations

The Board expect me to finish in mid-table. The supporters expect a fight against relegation. I think if we can recruit sufficient quality into the club, with some experience at playing higher in the English pyramid, then we can compete at the top of the table. In all honesty, the quality at the club made up players created by Football Manager, not real life ones, left a little to be desired and would require much activity in the transfer market in order to compete well in this league and move up the pyramid.

 

Meeting the Players

Note: This is the bunch of random newgens that the game automatically adds because wisely, upon loading the game with the whole English pyramid I ticked the "Add players to existing teams" box, which automatically generates them and are added to every single team in the pyramid.. So if your name is Rob Hudson, or Sean Markey, or indeed, Rodger Winfarrah and happen to live in Morley, then this is not you and just a strange coincidence.. Nor are any of these players real Morley Town footballers.. unless there is a very strange coincidence and there really is a left winger called Faris Pamment who plays for the club in real life.

 

The squad I inherited its fair to say were not the best,  but very realistic for the level of football we are at, which I like. There was however room for improvement in all departments.

 

There were a few promising youngsters though, who played for us on a weekend and attended local schools, such as attacking midfielder Arron Davies and striker, Valerio de Martin. Scott Fisher who was older but looks like a capable full back who can play both right and left, but other than that not a great deal of talent to work with.

 

One Man and His Chairman

 

As it currently stood there was just me, Bryan Wilkins the chairman, an old bald headed man with a moustache and a bunch of players at the club. There was no backroom team in place because I foolishly forgot to tick the "Add Key Staff" option when loading the game. I needed to act fast to get a physio in place at least before our first friendly against Ashby Park Rovers Resreves in just 5 days time... Otherwise I may have to dig out my First Aid Certificate I did as a teenager at school back in 1995.. 

 

After our first light pre-season session I prepared some job adverts for an Assistant Manager, Head Physio, Head Scout and Coach and stuck them online.. Will anybody want to do these jobs for free in the world of football? 

 

Supporters Screen

Oooh this is new (and perhaps overdue) a Supporters expectations screen. We have a 14% Hardcore Morley Ultras who live on the nearby Glen Road Estate ,24% are families who are from the nearby Bird Estate and 17% casual supporters who make the trip up the hill from Churwell every now and again when Leeds United are playing away down t’south somewhere..

First Press Conference

 

The press conference garnered little interest from the local press and just a 16 year old Elliot Bartley, who was on work experience at BBC Radio Leeds turned up to ask questions. He remained expressionless throughout as I outlined my excitement on taking the role as Morley manager and my vision for the club. I may as well have been talking to a brick wall.. 

Starting to Build the Squad

The first steps in building up the squad into a decent one was to see which locally based footballers were available on a free and might want to drop down to Yorkshire Amateur League Level to help our cause. Out of the seven available Leeds-based players, four answered the call and turned up to Glen Road on a warm July evening to begin training and be in contention for the starting line up in the first pre-season friendly in just two days time.

Ben Higginson (GK)

Harrison Blakey (DC)

Dominic Claxton (DC)

Redmond Lee (ST)

Friendly 1 – Ashby Park Reserves v Morley Town

We make the rather unnecessarily long trip down the M62 East to North Lincolnshire outfit, Ashby Park Rovers of The Scunthorpe and District League who play at the Co-op Playing fields. I line up in a simple 4-4-2, with all the trialists starting to see what they can do.

Team: (4-4-2) Higginson (trial) Hartas, Blakey (trial) Claxton (trial) Fisher, Hudson, Tanner, McAlea, Lee (Trial) De Martin, Tidsell

We don’t start well and Greenlee their striker wriggles clear and beats the keeper with a near post shot he really should have done better with.

Immediately though we equalise through Tidsell with a fierce shot from the angle.

Then we take the lead. Tanner’s perfectly weighted through ball reaches Redmond Lee who makes it 2-1 with a simple finish. Nice way for the trialist to impress.

McAlea gets down the right wing. His cross is overhit but Tidsell retrieves, drops his shoulder to fool the defender before sliding a low cross for Lee to tap home for number 3! The Morley Ultras are chanting “Sign him up” already!

3-1 at half time.

I make a few changes without doing the full Sven.

On 60 minutes, sub Andrew is upended in the box and fellow sub, right back Sean Markey makes it four with a penalty straight down the middle.

Blakey’s long ball was chased down by Higginson, he turns it back to Paige Andrew who cuts inside and fires in a low cross which is diverted home by young Mario Ward! 5-1 Morley! Brilliant stuff for the first game! We travel back to West Yorkshire in great spirits.

Final Score Ashby Park Rovers 1-5 Morley Town

Greenlee 12                                              Tidsell 20

                                                                       Lee 31,40

                                                                    Markey (61 pen)

                                                                     Ward 63

 

Friendly 2 – Morley Town v Marske United

We host Northern League outfit, Marske United in my second friendly. I go in with a 4-4-2 again as the players seek to catch my eye before the opening league game.

Team: Moreman, Markey , Blakey (trial), Claxton (trial), Fisher, Hudson, Tanner, McAlea, Lee (trial), O’Donnell, Tidsell

After two minutes a long punt upfield from Markey should be comfortable for the keeper,.. but he fumbles it, straight to Redmond Lee who passes the ball into the empty net! 1-0 Morley. On ten minutes Marske swing in a free-kick.. but there’s pushing in the box.. Penalty! Kennedy steps up and sends Moreman the wrong way, one each. As the half reaches a conclusion, the North Eastern side look the more dangerous and hit the bar, before taking the lead moments later. A lovely through ball sends Scott free and he confidently slides the ball past Moreman for 2-1. Into the second half and we attack with vigour. Redmond Lee spurns a great chance to equalise after good work from sub Arron Davies, while sub Mario Ward has a goal chalked off for offside after more good work from the young Welshman, Davies. At the other end though they hit the post twice and their sub, Church blasts the ball over the bar when clean through. A 2-1 defeat, but we gave a good account of ourselves against a side from a higher level in the pyramid.

Final Score Morley Town 1-2 Marske United

Lee 3                                            Kennedy 12 (pen)

                                                       Scott 45

 

Friendly 3 Bagby & Balk v Morley Town

We are going back to school for this one, Thirsk School to be precise, in North Yorkshire, so a quick trip up the A1 and back for our boys today. I include a few new trialists who have answered my recruitment call. Let’s see if they are any good!

Team: Moreman, Croft (trial) Winfarrah, Claxton (trial) Hartas, Hudson, O’Reagan (trial) McAlea, Lee (trial) Payne (trial) Price

Match Action

We look quite solid in a 4-4-2 and look the most likely to break the deadlock at first. McAlea has an effort saved low down by the keeper, while trialist Sanchez Payne flashes a shot just over. Their midfielder Lloyd scythes down O’Reagan and earns a red card. They are down to ten men. Then in a rare outbreak of quality, the three trialists combine, Croft sends Lee down the right channel who squares it for Payne to slot home. But we fall asleep from the kick off and a smart four man move from the home side sends Walker free and he fires it past Moreman for an unexpected equaliser. Just before half time, Lee misses a gilt edged chance to put us ahead after smart work from trialist O’Reagan. Into the second half and sub trialist Jordan Deacey looks lively and feeds McAlea, who puts n a low cross for Payne, but the keeper claws it away. Then from nowhere a free kick and amazingly the hosts take the flipping lead from a looping header which finds its way past Moreman into the top corner from their Finnish “superstar” Vieheranta.. 2-1 down. To make matters worse, young Hudson goes in hard on their midfielder and earns himself an early bath, making it ten each side. A really bad day at the office is compounded when Bagby break away from our corner and Snelgrove taps home a simple third. 20 shots to 10 and they win 3-1. Good job it was only a friendly.. Much work to be done..

Final Score: Bagby & Balk 3-1 Morley Town

Walker                                         Payne

Vieheranta

Snelgrove

New Backroom Team

Finally someone has answered by job adverts...

New Assistant Manager Sam O’Hara

I have snapped up 32-year old Assistant Manager, Sam O’Hara! Finally somebody is willing to join me at Glen Road. Welcome to Morley Sam! He has already made a few positive suggestions as to how we can move forward, so first impressions are good.

 

New Coach

I welcome Ernie Dyer as our new first team coach. He also wanted the Assistants job, but offered him this role instead.  Welcome to Glen Road. With a name like Ernie, I’m sure you’ll fit right in! 

New Physio

Dan Harmison, Steve's idiot brother has given up his time to cure my injured players. Thanks mate, We no longer have to hire a local quck to heal any injured players on matchdays.

 

New Chief Scout

We finally have a chief scout, after advertising for one and initially receiving zilch responses. Finally Stu Scanlon (not to be confused with Angela) put his name forward and we snapped him up, cos nobody else really wanted to come. Welcome to Morley Stu!

New Scout

Stu had a mate called Charlie who likes to watch local football matches and spot talent, so we snapped him up as well to work under Stu. 

 

Friendly 4 Rothwell Town v Morley Town

We make the short trip of one junction down the M62 eastbound to the town of Rothwell. There are more trialists in the team as I still seek to make my first signing after a lot of comings and goings.

Team: Moreman, Croft (trial) Bowe (trial) Cyrus (trial) Fisher, Kennedy (trial) Forster (trial) McAlea, Payne (Trial) Wetherall, Tisdell

It’s even although Rothwell have a great chance which is beaten away by Moreman. Then out of nowhere they have a free kick on the edge of the box. Banks powers it Beckham-style into the top corner, keeper no chance and its 1-0 to them. In the second hlf we come out and try to equalise. We thought we had when Tidsell fired home from close range, but his big toe was offside. Then, a deep corner from Rothwell as nodded home by Rhys Sharples. The final nail in our coffin was yet another Worldie free kick, this time from Leam Forshaw. We reply with a consolation from the spot when Waide Andrew was felled. Young Valeron de Martin made no mistake. 3-1 the final score. We were undone by two worldie free kicks Beckham would have been proud of and could not take our chances. Disappointing..

Rothwell Town 3-1 Morley Town

Banks 32                        De Martin 90

Sharples 72

Hearn 82

After about 200 trialists have trained and played with Morley Town, only to be snapped up by clubs further up the pyramid, will anybody come to Glen Road and play for us, or will we have to make do the squad that the game has given us? Find out next time on The Ultimate English Pyramid Game! 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 17 by Jon1982

[neilhoskins77]

Go on, I'll ask the question everyone is dying to ask. What about Charlotte? I'm not sure I can see her fitting into life in Morley!

Looking forward to seeing Mr Rudd take the team up through the Pyramid. Best of luck.

[BenArsenal]

Ooh, exciting! I do love a lower league game.

Edited January 18 by BenArsenal

[Jon1982]

5 hours ago, neilhoskins77 said:

Go on, I'll ask the question everyone is dying to ask. What about Charlotte? I'm not sure I can see her fitting into life in Morley!

Looking forward to seeing Mr Rudd take the team up through the Pyramid. Best of luck.

Sorry lads (and lasses) I'm afraid I've had to leave her on my other save! Yes your right, not sure she would love Morley when it is shrouded in Pennine fog and mizzle. Secondly it would seem weird to be knocking around town with another woman that is not my wife, even in a story. It just wouldn't be right so unfortunately Charlotte has stayed in Cambodia until I write the Ultimate World FM Game Part 2

Edited January 18 by Jon1982

[Jon1982]

Part 3 - A Butcher, Baker and Candlestick Maker!

 

 

It was mid-August and Glen Road was bathed in a golden evening sunlight. As I left the ground for the day I decided to take a walk up to Topcliffe Farm on the public footpath which leads up from the side of a nearby road. The view at the top of the hill where Topcliffe Farm sits is amazing. You get a true perspective of the geography of the area. Morley is famously built on seven hills and from this birds eye view perspective you can see the whole town laid out in front of you below. On the Morley skyline you can see the clock tower of the Town Hall and to the right of it the tower of the now derelict St Mary's in the Wood church. There were also some old mill chimneys which could still be seen, long since disused. Until 1974 Morley was a seperate town from Leeds, with all the administration and courts run from its town hall. It had its own independent spirit from the big city which lay to the right, although these days the physical gap between Morley and Leeds has diminished with the building of housing and retail developments.

As you walk along the path, the City of Leeds skyine comes into view with all its "skyscrapers" and some of the tallest buildings in Yorkshire are on view. You can see right across the city to Cookridge on the other side añd plenty in between, including Headingley Cricket Stadium, Leeds University and of course, in the foreground, Elland Road. 

As I took in this marvellous view I wondered how many out of contract footballers were out there and whether they would come to Morley and play for free.. for the love of playing.. The first four trialists, Claxton, Higginson, Lee and Blakey had all fecked off to higher ranked clubs who would pay them a small part time wage to play. We couldn't do that.. We couldn't pay anybody.. 

Another tactic was to try and recruit some players from the reserve teams of local higher ranked clubs, who may be on non-contract. Ossett United were just down t'road and also Wakefield. Then there was Farsley Celtic up the ring road who may have someone who hasn't quite made it at Conference North Level, which seemed like a different planet to the Yorkshire Amateur League.

There must be someone, anyone to improve this team...

Then the next day.....

First Signing - John Cyrus (DC)

After a million trialists have come, gone and signed for other clubs, defender, John Cyrus finally signed an amateur contract with Morley Town. He has had previous with Frickley, Shaw Lane and Altrincham. Apparently his Mrs is from the area and wants to move back. He wants to get away from the missus to play football.. A sweet deal all round then...

Josh Agbozo (DMC/MC)

Like the 52 bus to town, two come at once.. Step forward Italian, Josh Agbozo, a defensive midfielder we badly need. His dad owns an Italian restaurant in Leeds and he is a waiter when he doesn't play football 

Sanchez Payne AMR/ST

Make that a hat-trick of signings – Sanchez Payne a pacy striker who has all the attributes to do well at this level. Previous clubs include Goole, Pickering and Albion Sports after starting his career on Leeds United’s books.

Friendly 5 Cavaliers v Morley Town

We take a trip over the Pennines for this one to play Manchester Football League Division 2 outfit, the Cavaliers.. I try an ‘experimental’ 4-2-3-1 with yet more trialists and the three new signings.

Team: Reay (trial) Markey, Cyrus, Bowe (trial) Fisher, Agbozo, Forster (trial) Davies, Payne, Marie (trial) Tidsell

We dominate the opening exchanges without creating much, but then such is the pattern we concede with their first attack. Heath gets down the right and squares it for Pilch to stab home at the near post. Too easy.. We respond. Trialist Marie has a fierce shot tipped over the bar. Then after a smart four man move, young Arron Davies has a close range effort brilliantly saved. Then the same player hits the bar from inside the area and the ball falls kindly into the keeper’s arms. A goal down at half time. Into the second half and sub McAlea plays a sumptuous through ball to Sanchez Payne who is through on goal.. He unselfishly squares it to Marie who shoots tamely into the keeper’s hands.. Oh dear! Then with their only attack for a while, Forth plays an inch perfect crossfield ball to Keenan who takes it under his spell and buries it in the corner for 2-0.. For god’s sake.. Fisher gets forward from left back and feeds McAlea who rifles the ball home.. but a hair on his big toe was offside, so disallowed. Sub Valerio de Martin has looked lively and he is through on goal, but hits the outside of the post. Then in a rare moment of quality, Mario Ward picks the ball up and drives at the Cavaliers defence. He plays in De Martin who cooly dinks the ball over the keeper to halve the deficit. It is no more than we deserved. We should be winning 4 or 5 -2.. Then De Martin plays in Mario Ward, who is one on one with the keeper....and puts it wide.. That was the last kick of the game. We should have won this, but instead they are dancing in the streets of Cavaliers.. 

Final Score: Cavaliers 2-1 Morley Town

Morley Town Sign Edward Busfield (DR/WBR)

We have signed a good solid right back, who has had previous experience with several non-league clubs including, Emley, Brighouse and even a spell in Sweden with IFK Mora.

Friendly 6 Morley Town v Leeds University

The students of Leeds University have made the short trip through the Armley gyratory to take on our boys. I of course gave them free beer tokens to a bar in Morley Bottoms for afterwards as an incentive. Amazingly though they are actually in the league above us, so maybe they will not be pushovers. Meanwhile I’ve been busy trying to recruit yet more talent to come to Glen Road, including 42-year old former Darlington hotshot, Jeff Smith. Looking at his stats he’s still got it though, so lets see how he gets on.

Team: Dewberry (trial) Busfield, Cyrus, Milne (trial)  Winn (trial) Agzboo, Davies, Andrew, Payne, Marie (trial) Smith (trial)      

The visitors enjoy a spell of early possession but it comes to nothing. Payne has an effort deflected over, while Arron Davies hammers a free kick against the crossbar. Then the best move of the game sees Winn feed Jeff Smith who squares for Davies, but his shot is blocked by the keeper.

Then the unthinkable happens. Hairyes (yes that’ his name hammers the ball home from the edge of the area. 1-0 to the flippin students..

 I give them a dressing down at half time, even the trialists. That was simply not good enough. They seem motivated and start the second half well, with sub Mario Ward missing a golden chance to equalise. Then we do at last. Smith feeds Payne who turns it into the path of the onrushing Ward who unselfishly squares to Davies to belt the ball into the roof of the net for one each!

We look in control and most likely to score, but then Leverett launches a missile over our defence and Heugh runs onto it and buries it in the corner... I look on in disbelief. 2-1 to the students.. We re-assert control. A corner is swung in by Davies to the far post where Cyrus leaps highest to nod in an equaliser. 2-2. Then disaster. Winfarrah stumbles almost Gerrard like and Stafford nicks the ball and blasts the ball home for 3-2. For god’s sake man! Anyway all things considered we put up a good fight against a team above us in the pyramìd. The students enjoyed their time at Morley Bottoms, a new bar area down the hill from the town hall and we drowned our sorrows with them. Nothing like a bit of team bonding, although there is much more rebuilding to be done before the season actually starts.

Majed Alasttal (DL)

I have snapped up this left back after being released by Farsley Celtic. A real coup for us I think.

Joe Lamplough (DLC/MC)

I’ve signed this experienced utility man who has been around the block in Yorkshire non-league football circles, enjoying spells over on the coast at Bridlington and Scarborough Athletic, after beginning his career at Hull City.

Jeff Smith (ML/AML)

I am not normally in the business of signing 42 year old players whatever level I manage at, but this was an exception. He’s stlll got more than enough quality for this league and will be a useful impact player off the bench potentially. 

Louis Rowe (ST)

A magnificent capture for the club, this pacy Irish striker will make all the difference to our forward line. He started his career at Oakwell, but failed to make the grade at Barnsley, before dropping down the leagues, through Workington and others to end up as Morley's latest recruit. When he is not playing football he works at a well known pastry shop in the centre of Morley.  

David Reay (GK)

This 29-year old finally provides us with a decent player between the sticks. He has had spells at Worksop, Stocksbridge and Buxton in his non-league career so far. When he is not playing football, Reay is a butcher at Leeds Market.

Friendly 7: Farsley Celtic Juniors v Morley Town

Despite their name, this is not a kids team and they play in the Supreme Division, the level above us, so they will be no pushovers. I line up in an experimental 4-3-3 in a bid to try and stop the rot of friendly defeats. Hopefully they’ll play more like S Club Juniors..

Team: Dewberry (trial) Busfield, Lamplough, Milne (trial) Alasttal, Law (trial) Agbozo, Davies, Ward, De Martin, Payne

It’s even Steven, but we actually take the lead. Law feeds Sanchez Payne down the right channel and his low cross is turned home by De Martin. As is always the way though as soon s we score they respond, Cian Jones sliding home... grrr! Allattsal looks like a good signing already and he gets forward down the left. He feeds Mario Ward inside who swivels and finds a great cross for Sanchez Payne at the back post who volleys home (almost) Van Basten-like from the angle, but from much closer in than the great Dutchman. Into the second half and guess what we get a third goal! Busfield does well to intercept a crossfield pass and he feeds the impressive De Martin, whose slide rule pass plays in sub Evan O’Donnell, who cooly rolls the ball past the keeper into the corner of the net. 3-1. Then we hit the suicide button. They  get the ball on the right. The ball loops up into the air awkwardly, the keeper gets underneath it and it ends up at the feet of Jones whose Granny could have tapped in for the easiest goal of his career. Then Muir turned home another cross from the right to equalise. I take some heart from this performance and had I not done the full Ranieri style tinkerman routine in the last 20 minutes, we would have won this. We looked good in a 4-3-3 as well and there were positives to take from this game, but still disappointed not to win.

Final Score: Farsley Celtic Juniors 3-3 Morley Town

Jones 20, 83                                De Martin 12

                Muir 88                              Payne 44               

                                                      O’Donnell 53

Friendly 8 – Morley Town v Beverley Town Reserves

Our friends from the Humber Premier League Division 1 make the trip from East Yorkshire to take on our boys in our final friendly. Hopefully a win will give us the boost we need before the season gets underway. The squad is looking more settled now with less trialists and more permanent ones, but there is still work to be done in improving the squad.

Team: Reay, Busfield, Cyrus, Lamplough, Allasttal, Hudson, Agbozo, Davies, Payne, Rowe, De Martin

The visitors have the better of the opening exchanges, but it is us who draw first blood. Alattsall runs forward and releases De Martin down the left channel. He checks back inside to find Agbozo on the edge of the area. The Italian waiter let’s fly and it fizzes into the top corner. Brilliant goal! We take control of the game and then double our lead. The impressive Allasttal skips past his man on the left and floats in a high cross which the keeper cannot deal with as he flaps at it. The ball lands at the feet of Sanchez Payne who taps the ball into an open goal. Suddenly we are knocking the ball about with the confidence of a skilled La Liga side. Busfield’s ball into the channel is seized upon by Payne, who cooly half volleys into the corner for 3-0. Young DeMartin is having a stormer in the left side of the front three. He checks inside before clipping a beautiful ball over the defence which only Payne can get to and he slots home for his hat-trick. New signing Louis Rowe has been quiet, but when he receives the ball from a a DeMartin knockdown, the Irishman lashes the ball at the goalkeeper, who can only half parry the ball and it trickles into the corner of the net. 5-0 Morley Town. Then, Beverley Town Reserves start to play and hit three late goals, which took the polish off what had been a fine performance and only our second win of the pre-season campaign.

Final Score Morley Town 5-3 Beverley Town Reserves

Agbozo 15                                     Blair 78

Payne 37,39,47                            Barker 81

Rowe 68                                        McNube 83

Jack Cowgill (DC)

I’ve snapped up this central defender to bolster our squad. He started off with Barnsley but has turned out for fellow West Yorkshire teams, Ossett United and Nostell Miners Wefare since. Cowgill works in a factory which makes Candlesticks... 

We have now signed a butcher, a baker and a candlestick maker!!! All we need to do now is get high enough in the English pyramid to qualify for the FA Cup! I can just hear Gerald Sindstadt now.. God rest his soul... 

First Team Squad for the New Season

Goalkeepers

David Reay

Soni Moreman

Lewis Love (yth)

Defenders

Sean Markey (DR)

Edward Busfield (DR/WBR)

Joe Lamplough (DLC/MC)

John Cyrus (DC)

Jack Cowgill (DC)

Rodger Winfarrah (DC)

Trent Hartas (DRLC)

Scott Fisher (DRL)

Majed Alasttal (DL/WBL)

Midfielders

Josh Azbogo (DMC/MC)

Rob Hudson (yth) (DMC)

Barry Woods (yth) (MRL)

Scott McAlea (MR)

Jeff Smith (ML/AML)

Arron Davies (yth) (AMC)

Steve Tanner (yth) (AMC)

Sakou Tidsell (AMLC)

Faris Pamment (AML)

Forwards

Evan O’Donnell (AML/ST)

Sanchez Payne (AMR/ST)

Louis Rowe (ST)

Valerio De Martin (yth) (ST)

Mario Ward (yth) (ST)

There are other players in the U21/U18s who also may appear every now and again. 

With pre-season now over and a team full of butchers, bakers and candlestick makers, are Morley Town ready to hit the ground running in their Yorkshire Amateur League campaign? Find out how they get on next time on The Ultimate English Pyramid Game!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 26 by Jon1982

[sherm]

Liking this start Jon. Always intrigues me to see other FMS'ers attempt something like this

I'll be following along 

[Jon1982]

18 hours ago, sherm said:

Liking this start Jon. Always intrigues me to see other FMS'ers attempt something like this

I'll be following along 

Thanks Sherm glad you are enjoying it

[oche balboa]

Will look forward to this story 

[Jon1982]

9 hours ago, oche balboa said:

Will look forward to this story 

 Thankyou for reading

Edited January 30 by Jon1982

[Jon1982]

Part 4 - Welcome to The Yorkshire Amateur Premier League

The Yorkshire Amateur Premier Division is Level 12 on the English pyramid. There are 13 teams, of which the top two win promotion to Level 11, named the Yorkshire Amateur Supreme Division (cue Diana Ross jokes). The bottom two sides are relegated to Level 13 which is the Yorkshire Amateur League Championship.

List of Teams in the Yorkshire Amateur Premier Division 2022/23 and their locations.

Beeston Juniors (Beeston, Leeds)

Collegians (Linley, Huddersfield)

Ealandians (Elland)

Gildersome Old Boys (Gildersome, Leeds)

Golcar United Reserves (Huddersfield)

Greetland (near Halifax)

Leeds City Reserves (Adel, Leeds)

Lepton Highlanders (Lepton, Huddersfield)

Nostell Miners Welfare Reserves (Nostell nr Wakefield)

Route One Reserves (Keighley)

Shire Academics (Leeds)

Woodkirk Valley (Tingley, Leeds)

So here goes nothing then.... My first game in the Yorkshire  is away to the Collegians in Huddersfield

Match 1 – Collegians v Morley Town 03/09/22

The day has finally arrived, the big kick off in the Yorkshire Amateur Premier Division and a big away trip down the M62 Westbound to Linley, Huddersfield to take on the Collegians. This is a tricky away trip, especially if there is a queue at Chain Bar, Bradford and the bus driver remembers to avoid the lane which takes you to Cleckheaton. Anyway I digress, I’m excited to finally get the season under way with at the very least, a decent First XI to compete at this level and hopefully win promotion to the Supreme League. The long road starts here...

Morley Town: 4-3-3 Reay, Busfield, Cyrus, Cowgill, Alasttal, Lamplough, Azbogo, Davies, Payne, Rowe, De Martin

Collegians: 3-4-3 Holiday, Taylor, Reilly, Emson, Bangura, Gelsthorpe, Dunn, Jacko, Lopez, Drewery, Massamba

They kick off. Not much happens in the opening few minutes. We get a random free kick. Davies puts in a peach of a ball and John Cyrus rises at the far post with a looping header into the top corner. What a start! Then it ticks until they get another free kick. This one is played near post and young Brook Emson powers a header past Reay for 1-1. Sanchez Payne misses a gilt edge chance to restore the lead after a good breakaway. Then, another free kick and Bigger Massamba strikes it home Roberto Carlos style to give the home side the lead. Majed Alasttal shows great tenacity on the left before putting in a good cross, which flicks off the defender, into the path of Sanchez Payne on the volley.. He nearly bursts the back of the net! What a strike from the former Leeds man.. But.. Collegians go down the other end. Jacko plays a great crossfield pass to Bangoura on the left. He then plays the ball through to Taron Drewery who half volleys the ball fiercely into the top corner. They seem to score with every attack. 3-2 to them at the break. We start the second half brightly and Cowgill heads just over. Arron Davies just skims the bar with a free kick. Then in a moment of madness, Payne is elbowed in the face and the culprit, Taylor is shown a straight red. Then just sheer stupidity. A long goal kick out is missed by my defender and Drewery sprints clear to score his second. We can’t defend to save our lives.. Miraculously we score again. Another pinpoint Davies free kick and Cyrus is there to nod home his second at the far post. 4-3. Suddenly we have Collegians on the ropes. Payne runs down the right and crosses in Handball! Penalty! Up steps the 42 year old sub Jeff Smith.... experienced ex pro.. confidence personified........ Keeper saves. Disappointment! Then from a goal kick, Smith feeds De Martin, into the area.. hits the foot of the post.. No way! We could and should have won this... Instead we start our Yorkshire Amateur Premier League campaign with an annoying defeat..

Final Score Collegians 4-3 Morley Town

Emson 19                            Cyrus 9,68

Massamba 29                     Payne 41

Drewery 45,64                         

Players Out

I have decided to get rid of a couple of players who are never going to make it (even at Morley Town)

Evan O’Donnell (AML/ST) – transferred to Chipping (West Lancs Div 2)

Dobrin Biserov – (DLC) released

New Performance Analyst

I thought I may as well have one, not that I normally go in for these namby pamby roles. I put out an advert and six people applied, all as equally rubbish at Performance Analysing as eachother, so I chose the one with the best name.. Welcome to Morley, John Paul Lines. Perhaps he can join a few dots as to why we are conceding so many goals.. His cupboard has been built in the vaults of Morley Town Hall.

New Goalkeeping Coach

At the request of my goalkeepers, who were sick of me trying to coach them, I have appointed John Parker to take their training sessions.

Match 2 Morley Town v Beeston Juniors

Our first home game of the season! Glen Road looks a picture in the early autumn glow as Beeston make the short trip across the A6110, past The White Rose Centre and into Morley for the Ring road derby. They won their first game, we should have but didn’t. I go in with a 4-2-3-1 and hope for the best.

Team: Reay, Busfield, Cowgill, Cyrus, Alasttal, Lamplough, Azbogo, Davies, Payne, Rowe, Smith

Beeston Juniors: Porter, Coyle, Foulkes, Richardson, Thompson, Barwick, Steele, Cannonier, Holland, Ablett, Fernandes

We have the better of the opening exchanges and Davies heads a Smith cross just over. But.. the 42-year old mis controls the ball and allow Beeston to break. The lively Jenson Abblett is slipped in behind our defence and coolly finishes under the advancing Reay. We respond well. Azbogo grits his teeth and runs through the middle. He finds Lamplough. The veteran sprays it left to the overlapping Alasstal. His perfect cross is met by the head of Louis Rowe.. Yes 1-1! We look stronger and start to knock the ball around confidently. Agbozo has a shot over the bar after good work from Payne and then Rowe misses a great chance. We look favourites to tke the lead. Then OUT OF BLOODY NOWHERE., Fernandes has a free kick just outside the box. Yes guess what he finds his inner Beckham to blast it into the top corner.... Completely out the blue.. No justice in this game.. none! Second half. Alattsal gets down the left and crosses.. Penalty! There’s pushing in the box.. Up steps Busfield confidently.. and hits the penalty straight at the keeper.. Two games two missed penalties and two-one down.. We dominate the half. Substitute Tidsell has several efforts and Sanchez Payne goes close, but the game peters out to an undeserved 2-1 defeat.

Final Score Morley Town 1-2 Beeston Juniors

Rowe 26                                               Ablett 19

                                                              Fernandes 45

More New Signings!

Gabriel Ellis (ST)

I have snapped up this promising young striker, who is taking a huge fall down the pyramid to Level 12 from being released by League 1 Accrington Stanley no less.. He should stake the Yorkshire Amateur Premier League by storm and may be just what we need to improve our fortunes in front of goal.

Sam Wright (DMC/MC)

I’ve found a ball winner! The former Bradford City and Scarborough Athletic man joins Morley Town to add some much needed steel to the midfield.

Kieran Graham (MRC/AMRC)

This versatile non-league journeyman joins the ranks at Glen Road and adds depth to the attacking midfield and right wing roles.

 

Match 3 – Route One Reserves v Morley Town

A must win game. The board and supporters are demanding a big victory in this one against the wonderfully named Route One Rovers Reserves, who are based on the dark side of Bradford in Keighley. I expect John Beck or Tony Pulis to pop out of the woodwork for this one.. All three new signings, Ellis, Wright and Graham make their debuts in a new look midfield and attack.

Team: 4-3-2-1 Reay, Busfield, Cyrus, Cowgill, Alasttal, Lamplough, Agbozo, Wright, Graham, Ellis, Smith

Route One Reserves: Avery, Haylock. Holt, Tracey, Landricombe, Reape, Carson, Debarro, Ring, Dunkersley, Kamara

Match Action

We start brightly. Ellis plays in Jeff Smith who fires just wide. Graham plays a sweeping crossfield pass for Smith. The veteran checks inside before delivering a pinpoint cross for Gabriel Ellis to nod home at the far post. A brilliant move and goal. We look in control.. Agbozo intercepts and finds Wright, who knocks it right for Graham, who plays a beautiful slide rule pass for Ellis to run onto. He coolly slots home for number two! Then, young Ellis bullies the Route One Defence and bundles his way past two defenders before slamming a fierce shot against the bar. Unlucky! The impressive Graham turns provider once again as he plays in Ellis who rifles home number three into the top corner from the angle. We looked a different team today and the three new signings have made all the difference. A much needed win which finally gives our Yorkshire Amateur League campaign lift off!

Final Score: Route 1 Reserves 0-3 Morley Town

                                                          Ellis 10,43,67

Match 4 – Morley Town v Lepton Highlanders

There are some cool names in amateur football and the Lepton Highlanders must rank quite highly in these stakes. The sports and social club from Huddersfield visit Glen Road in 11^th place, while we are in a middling 8^th. I aim to carry on the good work with a 4-2-3-1 formation. Sanchez Payne returns to the right wing and Graham moves inside to the number 10 role behind Ellis.

Morley Town: Reay, Busfield, Cyrus, Cowgill, Alasttall, Wright, Azbogo, Graham, Payne, Ellis, Smith

Lepton Highlanders: Mouman, Thompson, Douglas, Tyson, Koman, Francis, Richards, Haynes, Scott, Butler, Friar

Match Action

The visitors start brightly, but we create the first chance when Cyrus releases Ellis in behind, but the keeper blocks his shot. Then a lovely move sees Payne release Graham, but once again the keeper is equal to it. Smith wins a free kick and floats it to the back post where Cyrus rises highest and his looping header cannons off the crossbar What do we have to do to score?  Into the second half and it we assert dominance again, but it looks like it is going to be one of those days. Payne and Smith have chances, but blaze the ball over the bar on each occasion. Lepton offer little at the other end, except for set pieces which they seem to be winning too frequently for my liking. We huff and puff, but cannot blow the Lepton Highlander’s house down. Graham gets down the right and crosses into substitute Rowe, but his scuffed effort is easily saved. 0-0 a frustrating result. On the plus side we looked a more coherent, well-organised team, who just couldn’t put the ball in the onion bag when it mattered. The players were booed off by the Morley Ultras as they left the pitch.

Final Score Morley Town 0-0 Lepton Highlanders

A mixed set of results has left Morley Town languishing in the bottom half of the Yorkshire Amateur Premier League. Will the new look team start to gel and move up the table, or will Rudd's tenure at Morley Town be over before it has even started? Find out next time on The Ultimate English Pyramid Game! 

Edited February 1 by Jon1982

[tenthreeleader]

Nice work -- a fun read!

[oche balboa]

A really fun read. I like the fact you are keeping it fairly realistic with the transfers 

[Jon1982]

47 minutes ago, oche balboa said:

A really fun read. I like the fact you are keeping it fairly realistic with the transfers 

Thanks oche. I think it is more testament to the realism of the game and the editor file actually. I remember playing a similar lower non-league game on an older version (FM14 I think) and Level 10 teams were signing academy players on loan from Premier League teams and I ended the game because it was just too unrealistic.. I think the only one that slipped through the net is maybe Gabriel Ellis because he came directly from being released from League 1 Accrington, which is a fall of about 9 or 10 levels down the pyramid which perhaps would not happen in real life. 

[Jon1982]

On 01/02/2024 at 02:22, tenthreeleader said:

Nice work -- a fun read!

Thankyou tenthreeleader glad you are enjoying it 

Edited February 4 by Jon1982

[Jon1982]

Part 5. Getting to Know You

 

It has been a mixed start to the season, but I suppose it is to be expected when trying to bed in a virtually new team and a squad who barely know eachother. Therefore I felt this was a good time for a bit of team bonding, so I decided to set my team a challenge. Starting at Morley Bottoms on the seats outside Ollie's Bar they had time after the Lepton Highlanders Match to get to know eachother with a few beers as they did a lap around Morley Queen Street at various hostelries, finishing at the Tipsy Mare bar at the other end of Queen's Street. They would have sufficient time to rest before they started work on the Monday morning, but the aim was for the team to bond in time honoured fashion and get to know eachother as people. This I felt would help with their cohesion on the field... 

42-year old Jeff Smith was well up for a sesh, but he is of a different generation, as were Joe Lamplough and John Cyrus.. but the rest? Well.. seems like going out on the lash is not the done thing any more for Generations X and Z...Most of them didn't make it past the Town Hall because they were happy to have milkshakes at Nigel's Cafe and hit the sack early... or go home to watch Netflix or something.. Well at least I tried. Lamplough, Smith and Cyrus became great friends by the end of the night and ended the evening in a local curry house together, before calling it a night. The rest by then had long since gone home, without really getting to know eachother, apart from what flavour milkshake they preferred, which was a little disappointing..but I guess times are tough... 

Morley sign Ben Clappison (DC)

A real coup for the club, Ben is a central defender with both pace and ability. He has had experience at a much higher level, turning out for York City, North Ferriby and latterly Pickering Town.

 

Morley Town Sign Iyamu (M/AMRL)

Perhaps he is the final piece in the jigsaw. This pacy winger, who can play both left and right gives us another option in this position, especially as the other contender for his place is 42 years old.. The 23-year old started out on Birmingham City’s books and then turned out for Ramsbottom United twice before signing for us! Welcome to Morley Nosa!

 

Match 5 Greetland v Morley Town

That’s Greetland, not Greenland.. we may be in the North, but not that far north. Greetland is a very picturesque village situated in the hills surrounding Halifax and has the potential to be a tricky away trip, especially during the autumn and winter months. I am excited by the two new signings, with Iyamu starting on the right and Clappison on the bench. Our hosts have had a good start to the season and are in a lofty 3^rd in the Yorkshire Amateur League, while we languish in 9^th.

Team: Reay, Busfield, Cyrus, Cowgill, Alasstal, Wright, Agbozo, Grahm, Iyamu, Ellis, Smith

Match Action

We start brightly. Jeff Smith flashes a free kick just wide and Ellis hits the top of the bar with a fierce shot. We keep coming. Smith again is brilliantly played in by Alasttal, but can only hit the ball straight at the keeper. The veteran left winger then forces a world class save from the keeper from another free kick.. We then miss a string of chances. Graham after a long punt downfield from Reay finds the wrong side of the post, while Ellis nods just wide after a Smith centre. A frustrating 0-0 scoreline as we go in for half time. Into the second half and it’s a similar pattern. Then, from a Smith corner, there’s pushing in the box. Penalty! Surely it’s third time lucky. Up steps full back Edward Busfield to take... My heart is in my mouth, Busfield!!... Scores!! The keeper barely moves. Thank god for that! 1-0 Morley. Then, Smith and Alasstal combine beautifully on the left flank. The overlapping full back puts in a beast of a low cross which is swept home by Gabriel Ellis for 2-0. Finally we have found our mojo in front of goal. Greetland rally and win a penalty late on which Donley converts. We see it out for a hard earned three points up in t’Pennines.

Final Score Greetland 1-2 Morley Town

Donley 90 (pen)                    Busfield 53 (pen)

                                                 Ellis 55

 

Match 6 Morley Town v Woodkirk Valley

We begin this match in good spirits after the hard fought win over Greetland, which has propelled us up to 7^th. The visitors make the short trip down Rein Road from Tingley in second place after an excellent start to the season, so they will be no pushovers. Should be an interesting one..

Team: 4-4-2 Reay. Clappison, Cyrus, Cowgill, Alasttal, Wright, Azbogo, Graham, Rowe, Ellis, Iyamu

Woodkirk start brightly, but it is us who create the first chance. Graham gets down the right and Ellis heads just over. Then from a Woodkirk Valley free kick we clear and Rowe leads the charge on the counter attack. He feeds Iyamu on the left who jinks his way past the full back, before finding the head of Gabriel Ellis who nods the ball into the corner of the net. Brilliant breakaway goal. We look dominant and cheered on by the Glen Road faithful we get a second. Graham crosses from the right byeline, Iyamu heads the ball goalwards and Rowe flicks it past the keeper into the corner of the net. Woodkirk create a clear cut chance just before the break to sound a warning as the half time whistle blew. Into the second half and the visitors come close again when a looping header from a corner hits the inside of the post and bounces clear. We wrap up victory though after sub Arron Davies puts in a pinpoint free kick onto the head of big Jack Cowgill who powers home a header at the far post. The most complete performance from the lads since I took charge. Up to third we go!

Match 7: Morley Town v Leeds City Reserves

I thought that Leeds City had folded in 1919 and then reformed as Leeds United? According to FM, City reformed as an amateur club in 2006 and are based in the leafy suburb of Adel, north of the A6120 ring road. Our opponents lie in 12^th and pundits suggest this should be an easy win. I send out an unchanged XI.

Team: Reay, Clappison, Cyrus, Cowgill, Alasstal, Wright, Azbogo, Graham, Ellis, Rowe, Iyamu

Match Action

It doesn’t take us long to break the deadlock. Our corner is cleared, but only as far as Azbogo, who half volleys the ball out to the unlikely figure of central defender, Jack Cowgill. His instant cross is nodded home by Gabriel Ellis for his 6^th goal of the season. Leeds City Reserves attack and a seemingly innocuous ball into the box causes panic in the Morley penalty box. The referee stops play and points at the spot. Penalty! Eh? What for ref? Cyrus was pushing apparently.. Paul Fitzgerald steps up and slots it home. 1-1. We sweep forward. Clappison sprays the ball crossfield for Iyamu on the left wing. His pinpoint cross is met by Ellis! who glances a header just wide. Leeds City then force Reay into a smart save from a header. One each at the break in an even game. On 50 minutes I introduce the two “mavericks” off the bench, Sanchez Payne and Jeff Smith. From a deflected cross, the former rattles the crossbar with a header. Oh so close! Cyrus launches the ball forward and Payne chases after it before hitting a ferocious piledriver which is acrobatically tipped over the bar.. Brilliant play all round. I encourage.. We hunt for a winner... Then.. out of bloody nowhere, Leeds City get a free kick., and another Roberto Carlos wannabe Ossai belts it into the top corner for an undeserved goal completely against the run of play.. We try to equalise, but there is a feeling of foreboding this is not our day. Undone by a dodgy penalty and a worldie free kick.. Unbelievable! We should be beating these sorts of teams though if we are serious about climbing the pyramid.

Final Score Morley Town 1-2 Leeds City Reserves

Ellis 2                                             Fitzgerald 22 (pen)

                                                       Ossai 79

A few steps forward and then one back.. Can Rudd maintain a sustained challenge for the title, or will it all go about as well as a team bonding session on a chilly September evening in Morley? Next game is the big derby against Gildersome Spurs Old Boys, Who will draw first blood in this clash against these two South Leeds rivals? Find out next time on The Ultimate English Pyramid Game.

Edited February 14 by Jon1982

[Jon1982]

Part 6 - Derby Day Fever!

 

It’s the big one next, the match that all Morley fans look out for when the fixtures come out in July... Forget El Classico, The Old Firm or River Plate vs Boca Juniors this is The Asquith Avenue Derby against Gildersome Spurs Old Boys.....Gildersome is the nearest village to Morley and is linked by a long straight road called Asquith Avenue, named after the former British Prime Minister, Herbert Asquith who was born in Morley in 1852.

When there are matches between the two sides, the whole area comes to a standstill, Scatcherd Park in the centre of town becomes a fanzone as the Morley Town Ultras congegate to sing songs, let off flares and drink beer... Similarly up in Gildersome the same scenes are playing out on their village green outside the Griffin's Claw Pub as the Old Boys fans congregate, sing songs, let off flares and drink beer.. all under the watchful glare of two PCSOs from West Yorkshire Police. Then they walk down Asquith Avenue en masse, turning right at the mini roundabout and marching on together to the arena.... Bruntcliffe School fields which can barely be seen for the smoke from the flares which makes the school fields feel like a cauldron, very much like the Olympic Stadium in Rome.. The winners will lift the Herbert Asquith Trophy and gain three valuable Yorkshire Amateur Premier League points, so it is all to play for.

Match 8: Gildersome Spurs Old Boys v Morley Town

 Our local rivals have made a mixed start to the season and lie in 7^th, while we are in 4^th. Graham has pulled his groin, so Sanchez Payne comes in on the right flank. I go in with a 4-2-4.. slightly reckless you may think for an away match, but then we are technically at home..

Team: Reay, Clappison, Cyrus, Cowgill, Alasttal, Azbogo, Wright, Payne, Rowe, Ellis, Iyambu

Match Action

There is controversy in the opening minute of the Asquith Avenue Derby when Sanchez Payne swings over a cross and Louis Rowe is pushed to the ground in the penalty area. The Irishman picks himself up, dusts himself down and plants the ball into the corner of the net from the penalty spot. 1-0 Morley. Gildersome are playing a high line and this suits us down to the ground. Clappison punts one over their defence for Ellis to run onto but is denied by the keeper. Another such punt forward down the channel is chased down by Louis Rowe. He lays it back to Iyamu, and his pinpoint cross finds the head of Gabriel Ellis who guides a header into the bottom corner for 2-0. Just before half time Gildersome win a corner and John Jones heads just wide to fire a warning shot as the whistle blows.

Into the second half and we create a couple of chances with Iyamu and Ellis going close. The Ellis-Rowe partnership is starting to blossom and when Joe Lamplough’s agricultural hoof forward is flicked on by Ellis into the path of Louis Rowe, he cooly runs into the box and dinks the ball past the keeper for number three. But wait! Michael Cartman launches a long range free kick which thwacks the post and falls kindly for Hollingdrake to tap home. Then Payne dallies on the ball and is dispossessed. We fail to clear our lines and Jackson reduces the deficit further with a bullet header. Thankfully we see it through and come away with a deserved three points and climb up to second in the table. We also get to lift the Herbert Asquith Trophy and gain bragging rights with our neighbours from up t’road, who slink past Gelderd Road traffic lights with their tales between their legs... 

Final Score: Gildersome Spurs Old Boys 2-3 Morley Town

Hollindrake 72                               Rowe 3 (pen) 64

Jackson 85                                                Ellis 27

 

Match 8 – Morley Town v Ealandians 29/10/22

We welcome our friends from the town of Elland to Glen Road with us by hook or by crook 3^rd in the league going into this fixture. Louis Rowe is injured and will be out for 2 months with knee ligament damage, so Sanchez Payne partners Ellis up front and Smith comes in on the left wing, with Iyambu switching to the right. Ealandians lie in 5^th place, so all to play for.

 

Team: 4-4-2 Reay, Clappison, Cowgill, Cyrus, Alasttal, Azbogo, Wright, Graham, Ellis, Payne, Iyambu

Match 8 – Morley Town v Ealandians 29/10/22

We welcome our friends from the town of Elland to Glen Road with us by hook or by crook 3^rd in the league going into this fixture. Louis Rowe is injured and will be out for 2 months with knee ligament damage, so Sanchez Payne partners Ellis up front and Smith comes in on the left wing, with Iyambu switching to the right. Ealandians lie in 5^th place, so all to play for.

Team: 4-4-2 Reay, Clappison, Cowgill, Cyrus, Alasttal, Azbogo, Wright, Graham, Ellis, Payne, Iyambu

Match Action

The opening few minutes are  bit like watching a game of Rugby Union, you know when they punt the ball downfield and the back chases the ball, picks it up and then returns it with a punt downfield of their own, only to be caught by their back, who punts the ball back.. anyway this went on for about two minutes (without the hands) until finally we provide the first piece of quality. Ellis nods back a punt from Cowgill, back to Wright. His ball back to the striker is cleverly turned round the corner for the onrushing Payne who slides the ball confidently under the keeper for a lovely goal. But such is the way a random free kick, who nobody knows how it was obtained results in Dickson blasting the ball into the  top corner for an instant equaliser. I’m really beginning to doubt my keeper's ability from those sort of situations. But we have Jeff Smith. Like in Rugby Union he replies with a big kick of his own which flies into the top corner. Amazing 2-1! We win a throw in on the right, which Ben Clappison takes to Sam Wright. My central midfielder turns almost Gascoigne like bursts into the penalty area and hits a sublime finish with the outside of the boot which fizzes into the bottom corner. Amazing I didn’t know he could do that! 3-1 after just 21 minutes!  The rest of the half passes without much incident, save for a couple of Jeff Smith efforts which were skied over the bar. Sam Wright is having an absolute stormer in midfield. He intercepts the ball and sprays a sumptuous pass to Iyamu now on the left wing. He plays a perfect low cross to Payne who blasts the ball into the bottom corner first time to make it 4-1. To put the icing on the cake, Clappison retrieves a Sam Wright free kick, checks inside and pings in a cross. Jack Cowgill meets the ball with a flying header which booms into the top corner for 5-1. Then from another Wright free kick into the box, Ben Clappison rises highest to power the ball into the top corner for 6-1. We were irresistible today, especially from set pieces and in the air. They couldn’t cope with us. We celebrate with a few well deserved beers down the nearby pub, the Farriers Arms!

Final Score: Morley Town 6-1 Ealandians

Payne 3,58                                      Dickson 5

Smith 10

Wright 22

Cowgill 88

Clappison 90

 

Jeff Smith becomes Morley’s oldest goalscorer. At 42 years young, the former Darlington man broke the record and it is one that he will hold for quite some time one would think..

Board Confidence

Overall the board are happy with our start to the season and are performing above expectations. They believe I am the right man for the job, although they are concerned about the number of goals we are conceding. 

 

Fan Confidence

The supporters are also very happy with the team’s start to the season, especially the 6-1 demolition of Ealandians and the fact we are second in the table.

 

New U18s Manager and Head of Youth Development

Brian Latham

Brian Latham makes the trip up north from Witney & District Division One outfit, Heyford Athletic to take charge of our U18s and be our Head of Youth Development. 

 

Match 10 Golcar United Reserves v Morley Town 06/11/22

It’s always difficult to gauge the ability and desire of Reserve teams. As I remind my players in team talks against such teams, these are the muppets who can’t get into their club’s first team, yet could be looking to prove a point and catch the eye of their manager. There could also be some promising youngsters eager to prove their worth, so these teams cannot be underestimated. Golcar Reserves are having a good season and lie in 3^rd, while we occupy second behind leaders, Collegians. Rowe and Agbozo are unavailable through injury and suspension respectively, so in come Davies and Payne.

Team: Reay, Clappison, Cyrus, Cowgill, Alattsal, Wright, Davies, Graham, Ellis, Payne, Iyambu

Match Action

Nothing happens in the first ten minutes as both teams roll their sleeves up and get stuck in. Then an outbreak of football occurs. Wright seizes on the ball and comes forward, veering to the left before slanting a beautifully angled cross into the path of Sanchez Payne who fires low into the bottom corner. We attack again. Graham forces a corner on the right flank. Davies flights a corner to the far post where John Cyrus leaps highest to double our lead with a powerful header. We are rampant and it’s Alastall’s turn to flight in a cross which their keeper gets underneath and flaps at. The ball sails over his head and Kieran Graham is there to poke home into an empty net for his first goal for the club. 3-0 after just 20 minutes, too easy! We look like scoring with every attack and it takes us 14 minutes to get the next one. Gabriel Ellis who has been quiet so far picks the ball up from Davies’ lay off and flights a pinpoint ball to the onrushing Payne who steers the ball above the flailing goalkeeper. 4-0 to us at half time. Into the second half and I give Cyrus a rest, introducing Busfield at right back with Clappison moving into the centre. We add a fifth from a brilliant breakaway goal from Golcar’s corner. Sixteen year old sub, Valerio De Martin wrestles the ball off their player and runs forward. He plays through Iyambu who is one on one with the keeper. The left winger unselfishly squares the ball across to Payne who rolls the ball nonchalantly into the empty net. 5-0! We are irresistible now. From a Reay goal kick, Payne nods to Davies, whose first time ball releases Graham down the right wing. He crosses low for young Valerio de Martin to slide home number six. Quite brilliant lads! We are not finished though. Graham retrieves a corner, has all the time in the world to turn and dribble into the area before firing an unstoppable shot into the top bins for 7-0! (Seven). We are stll not finished. Iyambu gets to the left byeline and his low cross is swept home number eight! The game ticks on, but there was still time for number nine. Iyamu again is the provider and Payne again the scorer, this time from a header to make it his fifth goal of the game to wrap up an amazing 9-0 win. What a performance!

Final Score: Golcar United Reserves 0-9 Morley Town (Att 19)

                                                            Payne 14,35,54,68,86

                                                             Cyrus 18

                                                            Graham 21,66

                                                           De Martin 55

Records Tumble as Morley hit 9 (Nine)

Our 9-0 thrashing of Golcar Reserves has inevitably had the statisticians trawling through the history books. They only have to go back a couple of months though.. The scoreline is the biggest margin in the league so far and Sanchez Payne’s 5-goal haul is a record for the most in a match by one person. Valerio De Martin becomes Morley Town’s youngest goalscorer at just 17 years old.

A brilliant derby day victory, followed by two thrashings over Ealandians and the hapless Golcar Reserves shoot Morley Town to the top of the table. Can Rudd's boys maintain their good form, or is it just a flash in the pan? Find out next time on The Ultimate English Pyramid Game! 

[Jon1982]

Part 7 - Gathering Momentum

 

It's fair to say things have picked up at Glen Road in our quest for Yorkshire Amateur Premier League glory. We are riding on the crest of a wave after our amazing 9-0 thrashing of Golcar United Reserves and there have been great signs that this team is starting to gel. Can we keep the momentum going?

John Cyrus nicknamed "The Wrecking Ball"

In the last few games some of the Ultras have started a chant for our Central Defender, John Cyrus, who has earned the nickname, "The Wrecking Ball," in reference, so it is claimed to his distant American cousin called Miley... The chant goes something like this to the tune of Wrecking ball by Miley Cyrus,,

"He came in like a wrecking ball

John Cyrus jumps and scores

All he does is break your balls

For Moooooooorrrrllllllley!!! 

Dreamed up after a few down the Farriers Arms no doubt, lyrical geniuses the lot of them! 

Soni Moreman Leaves Morley

There have been a few clubs sniffing around my reserve keeper and finally he has relented and joined Sharnbrook of the Bedford County League. That’s a long way to move to play football for free. It means I will have to call up 16 year old Lewis Love as backup to Reay in goal until I find a replacement.

Morley sign Whing

Our replacement keeper was hated by the scouts and they begged me not to sign him. However I thought differently and to be honest there weren't many other keepers going on a free, so here he is as backup to David Reay. Sorry Love back down t'Reserves... 

New U21s Manager

The final piece in the backroom team jigsaw for now is Adam Thompson, who joins us from the PMG Acdemy, wherever that is.. anyway he will take charge of my Reserve Team.

 

Match 10 Morley Town v Shire Academics 12/11/22

Confidence is high as we take on relegation threatened Shire Academics at Glen Road. We surely can’t emulate the 9-0 but we should be able to put this lot away. Sam Wright is suspended so Agbozo comes back into midfield. Otherwise why change a team that’s just won 9-0! Shire Academics from Headingley make the short trip across the city and lie in 12^th place.

Team: Reay, Clappison, Cyrus, Cowgill, Alasttal, Agbozo, Davies, Graham, Ellis, Payne, Iyambu

Match Action

We kick off, they get the ball on their right. Iyambu though tackles and starts to dribble past the halfway line. He skips past his man, then accelerates like a well-oiled Ferrari. He drives into the penalty area..Can he go all the way? Surely he can’t he can! Iyambu slides the ball home for one of the best individual goals you will ever see at any level of football! Moments later he almost makes it two but his close range effort deflects off the defender and hits the inside of the post.. Then out of nowhere, they equalise. From a throw in Hamilton crosses from the left, straight onto the head of Bell who powers a header past Reay. Then after a good move the same player rattles the post. Wake up Morley! 1-1 at half time. Into the second half and Cyrus lofts the ball forward for Payne in the right channel. Into the penalty area he goes and is brought down Penalty! Up steps Ben Clappison... who rattles the crossbar.. Oh dear! Ellis on the follow up! 2-1 Morley as he slams home the rebound. Shire Academics don’t give up and proceed to dominate the second half, creating a few chances to equalise, while we are reduced to playing on the counter attack. They are rewarded when they breakaway themselves with Brazey down the right. He puts in a dangerous low cross which is turned home by McGinty for a deserved equaliser. We re-assert control and are unlucky when sub Jeff Smith clips the bar with a free kick and Ellis’ looping header also hits the woodwork. Then drama.. Bell forces a fingertip save from Reay and on the rebound, sub Scott Fisher fells their player in the box. Penalty! Up steps Mfumu to break Morley hearts and provide a shock win for the bottom of the table side... but Mfumu muffs it as Reay catches the penalty comfortably. Then we nearly win it right at the end when Iyamu feeds Payne but his tame effort is saved at the near post. The referee brings to a close an eventful 2-2 draw, but one we really should have won.

Morley Town 2-2 Shire Academics (Att 69)

Iyambu 1                              Bell 22

Ellis                                        McGinty

League Table After 10/11 Games

 

    1sr        Collegians 23

    2nd       Beeston Juniors 23

-------------------------------------------------

    3rd       Morley Town 20

    4th        Lepton Highlanders 18

    5th        Golcar Reserves 17

    6th        Woodkirk Valley 14

    7th        Leeds City Reserves 14

    8th        Ealandians 14

    9th        Nostell Miners Welfare Res 13

    10th      Gildersome Spurs Old Boys 12

    11th      Greetland 11

---------------------------------------------------

    12th      Shire Academics 11

    13th      Route One Rovers Res 8

    

Match 11 Morley Town v Collegians 26/11/22

A top of the table clash at Glen Road today as we take on the league leaders, Collegians. After almost beating them the first time round on the opening day of the season, I am hopeful of a positive result. We sit in third just three points off the top, so all to play for. I line up with the trusted 4-4-2 formation.

Team: Reay, Busfield, Clappison, Cyrus, Alasstal, Agbozo, Wright, Graham, Payne, Ellis, Iyamu

We start brightly and make all the early running. Payne spurns a great chance when through on goal, while Sam Wright stings the hands of the keeper. Collegians offer nothing going forward as we dominate and it seems inevitable that we will score. That moment comes when a diagonal ball from Cyrus is nodded into the path of Sanchez Payne who half volleys the ball first time into the top corner. 1-0 Morley. Our second arrives on the half hour. Wright floats a free kick to the far post where big John Cyrus (the wrecking ball) powers home a header. Gabriel Ellis then grazes the top of the crossbar after a sweeping move releases Kieran Graham down the right, whose cross was met by the former Accrington man. Unlucky! Not to worry though. Sam Wright, who has already surpassed my expectations waltzes forward with the ball, before unleashing a piledriver which almost breaks the back of the net. A brilliant half of football from Morley Town! 3-0 up at the break. Sub De Martin swings in a corner and there as pushing in the box and the referee points to the spot. Up steps Busfield... and the penalty is saved low down to the keeper’s right... Then we just stop playing as Collegians begin to string a few passes together. They are rewarded, but by then it is too late. Winger, Oliver Roberts gets down the right and his low cross is turned home by their star striker, Taron Drewery. It was no more than a consolation and a good solid home win which lifts us up to second. 

A solid run of results has propelled Morley Town to the automatic promotion spots. But with games against the teams at the top of the table to come, can they see off the competition and gain top spot in the league? Find out next time on The Ultimate English Pyramid Game! 

 

 

Edited March 12 by Jon1982

[Jon1982]

Part 8 - Rising To The Top

 

This team is finally beginning to gel nicely and a good solid 11-15 man first team squad, backed up by the better end of the newgen players who were given to me at the start of the game and some promising youngsters has made us a force to be reckoned with in the Yorkshire Amateur Premier League. On paper we have to much quality for this league and it is beginning to show.

Board Confidence Update

To summarise they are delighted with my performance as manager, are semi-ok with the results and are delighted with the 9-0 (who wouldn’t be), but devastated about our 2-1 defeat to Leeds City Reserves (a helpline was opened to help Morley fans cope) They also like my virtual tika taka tactics (eh? I’m playing a Mike Bassett Style 4-4- flippin 2). The Morley supporters led by the ultras of Glen Road Estate are equally as happy with the entertaining football on display. There's even been a few more fans turning up from other parts of the town. 

Morley sign Oliver Leedham (MC)

I’ve signed this guy to bolster our midfield. Leedham has had previous up in the North East for Newcastle Benfield and Gateshead. He rejected Selby Town no less to join us in our promotion campaign.

 

Match 12 Beeston Juniors v Morley Town

We cross over the Leeds Ring Road into the badlands of Beeston for this top of the table clash against the league leaders. Our hosts are on a seven match unbeaten run and are one of the form teams in the division, making that hop across the A6110, past The White Rose a slightly more tricky one. I go in with my usual 4-4-2 and our ‘Pep inspired vertical tika taka’ and all to play for. New signing Leedham starts on the bench. The board expect a win and for us to go top of the table, so no pressure then..

Team: Reay, Busfield, Cyrus, Clappison, Alasstal, Agbozo, Wright, Graham, Ellis, Payne, Iyamu

Match Action

Controversy in the opening minutes as their midfielder Josh Foulkes slides in on Sam Wright and upends him Red Card! Beeston are already down to ten men after just 5 minutes. Cue waves of attack from us as our opponents shut up shop, but frustratingly we cannot score. Ellis and Payne both have tame headers saved, while Sam Wright finds the side netting. The clock ticks frustratingly towards half time.. Suddenly Wright plays a pinpoint through ball for Ellis and the striker steadies himself.. before being upended. Penalty! Busfield wants to take it but I implore Ellis to take it instead.. he does and buries it in the corner.. 1-0 Morley. Into the second half and if anything we keep getting caught offside as Beeston squeeze up, with Sanchez Payne being the main culprit. When we are not being caught offside we carve out some chances, but then are met with their goalkeeper, who is having the game of his life. Wright then rattles the crossbar with a free kick on the edge of the area. We just need that second goal.. as we are always susceptible to conceding one. That nearly happens when Fernandes forces a fingertip save from Reay. Then from their corner we breakaway through Alasttal whose through ball plays in Ellis through on goal and he places the ball low into the bottom corner for his 10^th of the season to finally put this game to bed. Three points make their way across the Leeds Ring Road and to the top of the table we go!

Final Score: Beeston Juniors 0-2 Morley Town

                                                          Ellis 35 (pen), 82

To The Top of The Table We Go!

 

1st Morley Town 26

2nd Lepton Highlanders 24

---------------------------------------

3rd Beeston Juniors 24

4th Collegians 23

5th Woodkirk Valley 21

6th Golcar Reserves 20

7th Greetland 17

8th Shire Academics 15

9th Leeds City Reserves 14

10th Ealandians 14

11th Gildersome Spurs Old Boys 13

----------------------------------------------

12th Nostell Miners Welfare 12

13th Route One Reserves 8

Match 13: Morley Town v Route One Reserves 10/12/22

Top versus bottom of the league in a game where we should win. We have a few injury worries though with Cowgill and Busfield missing out. Our opponents have only 8 points and are there for the taking if we are serious about being champions.

Board: Expectations – Win by a large margin

Supporters: Expecting a big win

Me: Should be an easy win..

Team: Reay, Fisher  Clappison, Cyrus, Alasstal, Agbozo, Wright, Graham, Payne, Ellis, Iyamu

I woke up on the morning of the match and looked out the window. The sky was grey and it was starting to snow. Inevitably the match postponed due to heavy snowfall and our opponents were told not to bother making the treacherous trip across from Keighley, where the weather was much worse. Instead, much jollity was had today at Glen Road as players and supporters had a massive snowball fight on the pitch. Winger, Kieran Graham got one on the eye and this has ruled him out for a couple of days.. oops.. The ultras made snowmen as the snow whirled down around them. Afterwards when it got dark, a few mulled wine and beers were enjoyed down The Farriers Arms afterwards. I love amateur football!

 

Strangely the Gildersome Old Boys match at Bruncliffe School against Nostell Miners Welfare Reserves across town went ahead as normal. Maybe a school is better equipped to deal with heavy snowfall..

Scott Fisher leaves Morley

My versatile full back has been nagging me for first team football for a while now, but when I told him that he was just a back-up he took the hump and signed for West Lancashire Premier League outfit, Coppull United instead. Oh well..

Match 13: Lepton Highlanders v Morley Town

This is another top of the table clash, as we make the trip down the M62 Westbound to play our Highlander friends from Huddersfield. We have somewhat of a defensive crisis on our hands though as Cowgill, Busfield and Clappison are all out through injury, illness and suspension respectively. Sixteen year old Jonny Jones makes his first team debut at right back, while equally young Flynn Shepherd is on the bench. Lamplough steps into central defence alongside The Wrecking Ball.

Team: Reay, Jones, Cyrus, Lamplough, Alasstal, Agbozo, Wright, Graham, Ellis, Payne, Iyamu

 

It’s a scrappy opening, but we create the first chance. Brilliant closing down play from our midfield sets Gabriel Ellis free, but he shoot jut wide with only the keeper to beat. The Highlanders then have a free kick which is parried away by Reay. Then some brilliant one touch football from Wright, Iyamu and Alasttal sets Ellis free once again and he makes no mistake this time, coolly rolling the ball into the corner of the net. That was a move Pep would have been proud of! We create another couple of chances, both falling to Sam Wright. Then, from a corner, Joe Lamplough heads against the upright. Sanchez Payne, who has been quiet until now, latches onto Iyamu’s nod forward and he falls down like a sack of spuds. Penalty! Up steps Ellis but the keeper saves low down to his right. It remains 1-0.. until.. The ever busy Sam Wright gets down the right channel and his far post cross is turned home by the former Accrington man for his second goal to make amends. Into the second half and we look in control.. but... in a rare Highlanders attack, Declan Friar runs forward on the break and hits a speculative effort which David Reay does a Sydney Harbour Bridge over and it nestles in the bottom corner. That was completely out of the blue. “Focus!” I scream from the touchline. This was met by a mixed response from the team, but my two youngsters listened. Jonny Jones plays the ball forward and sub De Martin gallops after the ball, before coolly slotting the ball home for number three! I feel confident enough to hand two further debuts to a pair of 16-year olds, left winger Michael Fox and defender Flynn Shepherd late on and we see out the game. A brilliant away win and four points clear at the top.

Final Score Lepton Highlanders 1-3 Morley Town

Friar 60                                                Ellis 11,45

                                                             De Martin 67

Morley hit top form

We extend our unbeaten run to seven and are now the league’s top scorers, hitting the net on 41 occasions in just 14 matches. Gabriel Ellis has scored 12 goals in 12 games.

1st Morley Town 29 pts

2nd Beeston Juniors 25pts

3rd Collegians 24pts

4th Lepton Highlanders 24 pts

5th Woodkirk Valley 24

Morley Town have opened up a four point lead at the top of The Yorkshire Amateur Premier League. Can Rudd's men use it as a basis for a succesful promotion campaign, or are there more twists and turns in store? Find out next time on The Ultimate English Pyramid Game!

[Jon1982]

Part 9 Daylight and Snowflakes

 

It was a few days before Christmas and Morley Town have been in irresistible form as they have risen to the top of The Yorkshire Amateur League and as the festive campaign approached, only bad weather and complacency can stop them from promotion to Level 11, The Yorkshire Amateur Supreme League. 

Once again it was snowing, in fact this is the biggest fall of snow we have had in this part of Yorkshire since the Beast from the East back in 2018. However, on the day of the game against Route One Reserves, a fixture which seem destined to be ruined by the weather, the sun came out and the snow started to melt off the Glen Road Pitch. Reports from Keighley, which is on far higher ground than Morley was that it was similar up there and the roads out of the town were now passable, providing they stick to the major routes and come through Bradford, before joining the M62 at Chain Bar to make the trip to Morley. This was providing we could keep to our end of the bargain and clear snow off the pitch to get the game on. An appeal went out on our socials for Morleans to turn up with a spade and clear the snow off the Glen Road pitch. This of course included myself and the players. In the freezing cold, with spades in hand, plenty of banter and the odd thrown snowball in retaliation we set to work along with a handful of ultras who had answered the call. We had word that our opponents had cobbled together a team and were due to set off that morning providing the weather conditions did not deteriorate in Keighley, Morley or anywhere in between. This was going to be arduous work, even with the players, fans and me digging it was still a lot of ground to cover and snow to get rid of. However, by lunchtime our spirits were flagging and there was still no sign of the Route One Reserves lads. Some of the Ultras who had volunteered started to drift off home, or to The Farriers Arms. Furthermore I didn't want my players to overdo it, because they still had to get through 90 minutes of football in what would be difficult conditions. Further snow showers were also forecast in the evening which started at anywhere between 5pm to 8pm depending on which weather app you looked at. As tummies started to rumble and morale started to sink I was all for calling the game off there and then. I pulled out my phone to call the Route One Boys and tell them not to bother, as it is most likely the pitch will not be cleared in time and further snow was forecast. Suddenly we heard a rumbling noise driving up Glen Road. We looked up and there before us was a huge tractor, complete with snow plough! At the wheel was a farmer. He stopped the vehicle behind one of the goals.

"Now then thought you could do with a bit o'help," he shouted through the window.

"I live up there, pointing to Topcliffe Farm which overlooks Glen Road high up on the hill. I've been watching you struggle and thought I'd come n give you an 'and. Yer neva gonna get rid o' all that snow wi' just spades lad "

"Thankyou!" I shouted back.

I ordered everyone off the pitch as the farmer took over, clearing the snow so it was piled up along the touchlines and behind the goals. He was done within one hour.

During his work the Route One Reserves team had arrived and were delighted the game stood a good chance of going ahead and marvelled at the speed of which the farmer worked.

The only downside was that the pitch was a bit churned up and muddy, making the playing surface a bit boggy, especially around the goalmouths, but this was The Yorkshire Amateur Premier League, not The Champions League. The referee inspected the pitch and gave the game the go-ahead on the condition that we used an orange ball, because it would be a nightmare finding a white ball amongst all that piled up snow when it was kicked out of play!

Three o'clock rolled round and the sun was still shining on Glen Road against bright blue skies and the fresh, crisp winter air as both teams ran out onto the pitch to against the odds start the match... 

Team: Reay, Busfield, Cowgill, Lamplough, Alasttal, Agbozo, Wright, Graham, Ellis, Payne, Iyamu

We start the game brightly in difficult conditions and Payne has a shot which goes over the bar. They have a free kick well saved by Reay and Wright has an effort parried behind for a corner. We take the lead when Iyamu cuts inside from the left and feeds Sanchez Payne who let’s fly into the top corner! The keeper barely saw it! 1-0 to Morley. They hit back, a hopeful ball forward gets stuck in the mud and Reay does well to tip the resulting shot over the crossbar.  1-0 at the break and time for a nice cup of hot chocolate is much needed. It was still bright and sunny in Morley, but looking over towards the Leeds skyline I could see that solid grey snow-bearing clouds forming on the horizon. It looked like the other side of Leeds may be getting a covering and it was only a matter of time before it arrived in Morley. We go out quickly for the second half. Iyamu gets down the left and his low cross results in Ellis latching onto it and slipping in the mud under pressure from the defender. The decision goes our way and Busfield slots the ball home from the spot for number two. Our third goal comes on the break. Kieran Graham sending Ellis through on goal who blasts the ball home via the underside of the crossbar. However, just after the goal went in, the first flakes of snow started to fall on the pitch as the skies darkened into a solid steel grey. The match carries on and with around 25 minutes left and in worsening conditions it is a struggle for all 22 players. Despite this, Route One have actually given a good account of themselves, the conditions being a great leveller and they carve us open on more than one occasion to try and get back into the game. They couldn’t finish though thanks to a combination of good goalkeeping from Reay and last ditch defending from the Wrecking Ball among others. As the full time whistle blew, there was a full scale blizzard as the players sprinted off the pitch into the relative warmth of the dressing room. Job done in freezing conditions. It’s surprising this game lasted the full 90 minutes, but fair play to all concerned who got the game on, especially the farmer from Topcliffe Farm who joined us in the Farriers Arms afterwards where I and others bought him several drinks as a way to say “thankyou”. Anyhow five points clear on Christmas Day and a guaranteed white Christmas on the cards.. Seasons Greetings everyone!

Final Score Morley Town 3-0 Route One Rovers Reserves

Payne 23

Busfield 51 (pen)

Ellis 63

Match 15 Morley Town v Greetland 31/12/22

Our friends from up in t’Pennines make trip t’big smoke with us in fine form and five points clear at the top of the table. They lie in 6th place. I also have several players back from injury and suspension apart from Iyamu who has pulled his calf, so Jeff Smith takes his place on the left wing.

Team: Reay, Busfield, Cyrus, Clappison, Alasttal, Agbozo, Wright, Graham, Ellis, Rowe, Smith

We assert dominance and waste a good early chance.  Wright’s diagonal ball plays in Graham, whose cross is headed over by Ellis. Greetland though can play a bit too and it is they who open the scoring. Donley and Brennan combine down the right and the latter’s cross is smashed home by Barnes. It gets worse. Brennan once again gets down the right and this time McFarlane is there to smash the ball past Reay.. Two nil down and The Ultras stand there stunned.. We rally and a few tweaks to our tactics put us on the front foot. Smith looks dangerous down the left and his square ball is lashed home by Sam Wright to halve the deficit. The Ultras smell blood and roared on by our hardcore support we attack once more. Wright has an effort which is clawed away by the keeper. Then the moment comes through an unlikely source. Edward Busfield cuts inside from the right flank and plays the perfect slide rule pass for the onrushing Majed Alasstal up from left back who fires a fierce piledriver into the bottom corner to equalise! Two each at the break. I tell them to go out and win it second half. It doesn’t take long. Clappison’s hopeful ball is missed by the defender, leaving Gabriel Ellis to run onto the loose ball. He dribbles into the area before cooly placing the ball into the corner. He never looked like missing. 3-2. We take control of the game and spurn several chances to score, including sub Payne hitting the post. In the last minute Payne dribbles down the right before sliding in a low cross for Ellis to slide home and wrap up the game. Greetland gave us an almighty scare, but it is the character to come back and win from two goals down that is what Champions are made of.

Final Score Morley Town 4-2 Greetland

Wright  41                                          Barnes 10

Alasttal  45                                           McFarlane 14

Ellis 54,90

Board/Supporters Update

The board and fans are ecstatic about my management of the club, especially those five straight wins. The players are also enjoying playing for me apparently, so good news all round then..

Match 16: Woodkirk Valley v Morley Town 07/01/23

We make the short trip down Rein Road to the side of the A653 Dewsbury road to take on Woodkirk Valley. Stand in the middle of their ground you can hear the roar of traffic travelling along the M62, but is otherwise a lovely spot next to an old quarry. Anyway we arrive here in good spirits, top of the league and with five straight wins behind us. Faris Pamment has been summoned from the reserves to play on the left wing as both Iyamu and Smith are both injured.

Team: Reay, Busfield, Clappison, Cyrus. Alasttal, Agbozo, Wright, Graham, Rowe, Ellis, Smith

Woodkirk Valley have parked the bus in a negative 3-4-3 formation. The opening stages of the game is played mainly in their half as we dominate. Can we break them down? Ellis tries with a fierce shot parried away by the keeper. Then Kieran Graham gets his head down and runs at the Woodkirk defence, before unleashing a fierce shot which is tipped over the bar. It’s only a matter of time. Alastall feeds Pamment down the left who gets to the byline and puts in a pinpoint cross onto the head of Rowe, whose downwards header finds the corner of the net. 1-0. Woodkirk hit back though. Heath’s volleyed cross was headed home by Barrett to equalise against the run of play. We have several chances to regain the lead. Louis Rowe misses a one on one and heads over the bar from another Pamment cross. Graham also has an effort from the angle well saved, while Owen for them volleys wide from close range from the home side, when it was easier to score, making it a tenuous one each at half time. Normal service is resumed after the break as we dominate once more. On 53 minutes a sweeping pitch length move leads to our second goal. Busfield finds Ellis whose clever flick round the corner sends Rowe galloping clear. The Irishman nearly breaks the back of the net 2-1 Morley. Woodkirk don’t give up and look dangerous though, especially from set plays. However it is us who seal victory. Busfield collects the loose ball in midfield before feeding Sam Wright who turns and plays in sub, Sanchez Payne who cooly rolls the ball past the keeper to make it 3-1. But wait! An innocuous ball in from the left draws a foul from the Wrecking Ball and Dawson slams home the penalty 3-2. We batten down the hatches, but there is still time for another goal. Wright once again feeds Payne cutting in from the right flank and he buries it past the keeper to wrap up a second 4-2 win on the trot.

Final Score: Woodkirk Valley 2-4 Morley Town

                      Barrett 19                     Rowe 18, 54

                      Dawson 85 (pen)        Payne 82,90

 

 

Morley Break New Records

We are sitting pretty at the top of the Yorkshire Amateur Premier Division by 7 points and look odds on to be promoted. Only complacency or a Keegan style meltdown can stop us from reaching the promised land of the Yorkshire Amateur Supreme Division..

-         10 matches unbeaten

-         6 matches won in a row

-         We now cannot be relegated..

      What could possibly go wrong?  

     Find out next time on the Ultimate English Pyramid Game! 

 

[EvilDave]

On 02/04/2024 at 23:06, Jon1982 said:

Match 13: Lepton Highlanders v Morley Town

I've been to this exact social club! My brother is just down the road so we had a family party here last summer...

Anyway, I digress - this is good stuff Jon! Team's looking like they've clicked, and it's a nice easy read too. Looking forward to more of this. 

[Jon1982]

Thanks EvilDave. It's a small world! Glad you are enjoying it. Cheers. The Highlanders are one of the better sides in the league.. 

Edited April 29 by Jon1982

[Jon1982]

Part 10 Moving On Up

 

Match 17 Morley Town v Nostell Miners Welfare Reserves

This is the only team we have not played so far, but on paper should be an easy win, although these games against reserve teams can be a potential banana skin. The visitors lie in 8^th, while we are of course top. Nosa Iyamu is back from injury but is kept on the bench as a precaution, with Pamment retaining his place after impressing against Woodkirk Valley. Payne is preferred to Graham on the right wing and Cowgill steps into central defence for Ben Clappison, who is laid up with a virus.

Team: Reay, Busfield, Cowgill, Cyrus, Alasttal, Agbozo, Wright, Payne, Ellis, Rowe, Pamment

It is the visitors in their Borussia Dortmund style yellow kit who make the early running in this one, but it is us who have the first chance when Ellis slips in Pamment whose fierce shot is tipped over the bar at the near post. Another slick moves sees Sam Wright’s brilliant through ball seized upon by Ellis, but the keeper saves well when one on one. Sanchez Payne has looked lively and he cuts inside before fizzing one just over. Then, the deadlock is finally broken. Farris Pamment intercepts the ball after their right back dallies on the ball. His incisive low cross is turned in by Louis Rowe to give us the lead we deserve. Then history repeats itself, this time Sam Wright dispossess their midfielder before surging forward and feeding Payne down the right. His low cross is turned home by Gabriel Ellis to double our advantage. Into the second half and Sam Wright is toying with our opponents. He bursts forward again past two to the byline, before finding an inch perfect cross which is volleyed home by Rowe with a deflection off the defender to make it 3-0 Morley. We have chances to add a fourth, while Nostell threatened little at the other end. A good solid 3-0 home win which solidifies our place at the top.

Final Score: Morley Town 3-0 Nostell Miners Welfare Reserves

Rowe 41, 56

Ellis  45

Board & Supporter Confidence Update

To summarise they think I’m doing a bloody brilliant job!

Match 18 Leeds City Reserves v Morley Town 04/02/23

Sweet revenge is on our minds after their shock 2-1 win over us at Glen Road earlier in the season. Iyamu is out suspended while Clappison is feeling a lot better and in contention for a start. We are overwhelming favourites for another three points to further strengthen our grip at the top of the table. The hosts are in the relegation zone and are fighting for their lives. I name an unchanged starting XI.

 

Team: Reay, Busfield, Cowgill, Cyrus, Alasttal, Agbozo, Wright, Payne, Ellis, Rowe, Pamment

Match Action

We get an early penalty.. Up steps Busfield and.. dinks it straight into the keeper’s arms for the worst penalty known to man. I have officially deleted him off the penalty takers list because that was pathetic. What the hell was that? An attempted Panenka in the Yorkshire Amateur League.. Who the ‘ell d’ya think thee are lad, was the mood among the Ultras. Then to make matters worse they go and flipping score. Poor closing down from our midfield lets in Ian Richards to fire one into the top corner.. They look up for this, we look like were playing with a hangover. Winfarrah nearly doubles their lead after more good work from the dangerous Richards. Meanwhile at the other end we sky any chance we have miles over the bar.. This is pathetic. Then Richards gets down the left and crosses for Winfarrah who is upended by Cowgil. Penalty.. The striker gets up and shows Busfield how to do it by sending Reay the wrong way. 2-0 at half time I throw the water bottle and read them the riot act. That was comfortably the worst half of the season. Second half and I introduce Graham and push Payne up front to form a three pronged attack. They are still dominant though and almost increase their lead when Richards is allowed to run through on goal, only to be thwarted by Reay who tipped his fierce effort over the crossbar. We still look lethargic. Then in a much needed moment of quality, Ellis retrieves the ball on the left flank and plays an intelligent half volleyed low cross to Sam Wright on the edge of the area who toe ends the ball hard into the top corner from 20 yards. He runs back to the halfway line with the ball tucked under his arm. Leeds City Reserves stick to their guns though and right winger Whitestone stings the palms of David Reay. Then from a throw in, Ellis tuns and slips in Kieran Graham to equalise....Graham must score!..no he skies it horrendously over the bar.. three points to Jonny Wilkinson.., The same player is through on goal again after an enormous goal kick from Reay but again he fluffs his lines and mis-controls the ball into the keeper’s grateful arms. Grrrr!! We are destined to yet again lose 2-1 to Leeds City reserves. This result sends out a clear warning that we must not cave in to complacency! Our lead at the top has been cut to four points and second place Beeston Juniors have a game in hand. Furthermore it’s the Asquith Avenue Derby next at Glen Road against Gildersome...

Sam O’Hara Leaves Morley

My assistant manager, Sam O’Hara has left Morley to become the new manager of Reeth & District AC of the Wensleydale Football League. I bet there’s some very scenic grounds in that league.. Good luck with clearing all that sheep muck off the pitch before the game I joked with him on his last day...

Joe Lamplough Becomes Player/Assistant Manager

After Sam O’Hara’s departure to the Yorkshire Dales Farmers League I offered the role to one of my senior players and all round good egg, Joe Lamplough

I was sat in my office going through some admin work and setting up training routines with my U21s squad when Jeff Smith knocked on my door,

"Boss. I need to ask you something?"

"OK?"

"I need to start more games. I think I can really make a difference to the team."

 "Jeff your 42 man and were brought into the club purely as an impact player, you know that!"

"Yeah but unlike many of my teamates I have played in the football league. I could destroy this division, even at my age."

"Yes but Nosa Iyamu is also destroying this division and is much younger. I think you need to realise you are a back-up to him."

Smith shrugged his shoulders.

"I expect to play against Gildersome," he retorted and walked out.

I was a bit flabbergasted by his attitude. He was somebody who should know better. This was no stroppy 19 year old wanting his first team chance, this was a 42-year old veteran winding down his career in the non-leagues.

Match 19: Morley Town v Gildersome Spurs Old Boys 18/02/23

We need to put the Leeds City Reserves game behind us and concentrate on beating local rivals, Gildersome in the return fixture of the Asquith Avenue Derby, this time at our place. The Ultras are warming up their flares and there is a buzz around the town as the game approaches. The build up has taken over the pages of the Morley Gazette and the town braces itself for the big match.

On a footballing front, our local rivals find themselves down in 10^th place just above relegation, while our lead at the top has been cut to four points. Iyamu is back and raring to go on the left wing, while Payne partners Ellis up front and Clappison is preferred to Busfield at right back.

Team: Reay, Clappison, Cowgill, Cyrus (c) Alasttal, Agbozo, Wright, Graham, Payne, Ellis, Iyamu

Through the haze of the flares let off from all sides of the Glen Road Playing fields the two teams trundle out onto the pitch. The game lacks shape in the opening exchanges and no quarter is asked or given as you would expect. Payne has a shot easily saved. Then out of virtually nowhere we get a corner which Wright swings in. Clappison takes a tumble in the box. Penalty! Eliis steps up and sends the keeper the wrong way 1-0 Morley and his 17^th goal of the season. Alastall launches a ball forward down the channel for Ellis to run onto. He squares it for Payne to tap home, even though much to the annoyance of the visiting fans, he was clearly offside. Even Stevie Wonder could have seen that one.. but somehow the goal stands... We are all over the Old Boys now. We win a corner which is cleared but retrieved by Cyrus who plays it to Agbozo on the edge of the penalty area, who is given the freedom of Glen Road to control and dribble into the penalty area, before coolly chipping the ball over the keeper for 3-0. Too easy.  But wait! Fairclough’s balL down the right channel has Houston on his way. He outmuscles Alasttal before crossing low for John Hyland to sweep home. 3-1. Agbozo is probably having his best game in a Morley shirt and he plays a delightful through ball for Ellis to run onto. Goal number 18 is completed when he rolls it nonchalantly past the onrushing keeper, before raising his arms Cantona-style to the band of Ultras behind the goal. C’est Magnifique Gabriel!

Into the second half and the Old Boys are the better side and they pull another goal back through Hyland again. They are all over us now and this is starting to get a little worrying. Hyland gets the ball again cuts inside and unleashes a wicked curling effort which just shaves the post. Bloody hell! I go to a straight 4-4-2 and batten down the hatches. We muster a counter attack and Kieran Graham smacks the post with a thunderous effort. We see it through and run out 4-2 winners, but by ‘eck, dey gev us a game 2^nd half...

Final Score Morley Town 4-2 Gildersome Spurs Old Boys

Ellis 17 (pen) 45       

Agbozo 22                                                      Hyland 42,57

Payne 31

Table with 4 games remaining

1^st Morley Town  44 pts

2^nd Beeston Juniors 37

---------------------------------------

3^rd Collegians 32

4^th Lepton Highlanders 31

5^th Greetland  29

6^th Woodkirk Valley 29

7^th Golcar Reserves 26

8^th Nostell Miners Welfare 26

9^th Shire Academics 25

10^th Leeds City Reserves 24

11^th Gildersome Spurs Old Boys 21

--------------------------------------------

12^th Ealandians 19

13^th Route One Reserves 8

With just four games left and a seven point lead, surely Morley Town cannot mess this up..

Find out how Season One concluded next time on The Ultimate English Pyramid Game! 

 

Edited May 14 by Jon1982

[Jon1982]

Part 11 We Are Supreme! 

 

With just four games left, Morley Town find themselves within touching distance of the Yorkshire Amateur Premier League Title and promotion to The Yorkshire Amateur Supreme Division. If I have learnt one thing this season, even Diana Ross is better at taking penalties than my right back, Edward Busfield, who is still getting hammered for that attempted Panenka against Leeds City Reserves... Anyway.. here's the run in for the final four games.

04/03/23 Ealandians (a)

18/03/23 Golcar United Reserves (h)

01/04/23  Shire Academics (a)

22/04/23 Nostell Miners Welfare Reserves (a)

We need a win against Ealandians and hope Beeston Juniors lose or draw against Leeds City Reserves to secure automatic promotion as champions.

Gabriel Ellis Known as "The Angel"

The Ultras have been at it again and have nicknamed our star striker, Gabriel Ellis, "The Angel," after the archangel Gabriel....

Ealandians v Morley Town

We take the trip down the Elland Road in the other direction to this small Pennine town, which could be the scene of us clinching promotion to the Yorkshire Amateur Supreme League if second placed Beeston Juniors lose. I go in with the same XI that beat The Old Boys last time out. Our hosts meanwhile are scrapping for their lives against relegation to the Yorkshire Amateur Championship Division. Here goes..

Team: Reay, Clappison, Cyrus, Cowgill, Alasttal, Agbozo, Wright, Graham, Payne, Ellis, Iyamu 

It doesn’t take us long, just 1 minute 45 seconds to be precise. Agbozo intercepts the ball in midfield, releases Graham down the right wing, who passes low to Sam Wright who touches the ball onto Payne inside the penalty area and the former Leeds man blasts it into the top corner from close range. A magnificent team goal. We attack again, this time Iyamu sweeps infield from the left flank into the centre circle. His pinpoint through ball finds Payne who checks back and feeds the onrushing Sam Wright. The midfielder cooly sidefoots the ball into the corner from the edge of the area and it is 2-0 in the blink of an eye. We are rampant now, constantly running at the Ealandians defence who simply cannot cope. Ellis heads narrowly over from one such move and then another results in our third goal. Graham sprints down the right and feeds Payne on the overlap. He has the freedom of Morley to play a clever ball into the onrushing Wright who this time blasts his finish powerfully into the top corner for another brilliant team goal. After another couple of half chances, we win a corner which Sam Wright floats in, where it is met by the solid head of The Wrecking Ball and the ball nearly breaks the back of the net! 4-0 and coasting. We are having so much joy down the right hand side it is almost embarrassing as Graham and Payne combine once again before thwacking the crossbar with a fierce effort, so powerful it rickashayed out for a throw in on the near side of the pitch! A ball forward from Agbozo causes panic once more in the Ealandians defence. They clear the ball to Iyamu on the left wing, who half volleys the ball first time into the mixer, such is his confidence, for Sanchez Payne to divert the ball home at the far post. 5-0 up and it’s not even half time. There is one name missing from the scoresheet in the shape of Gabriel Ellis. “The Angel, “ as he has become known by the Morley faithful races clear from a Payne through ball and he rounds the keeper before slotting home number six! Sam Wright is determined to get his hat-trick. One free-kick is clawed away by the keeper, while the next finds the top corner to complete the feat and goal number seven. We end Ealandian’s humiliation there. 7-0 (Seven), men against boys.

Final Score: Ealandians 0-7 (Seven) Morley Town

                                                     Payne 2,39

                                                     Wright 6,20,81

                                                     Cyrus 30

                                                     Ellis 45

Route One Reserves Relegated

Our snow buddies from Keighley have finally succumbed to the inevitable and fallen through the trapdoor into the Yorkshire Amateur Championship and Level 13.

Dan Harmison Leaves Morley

My head physio has left Morley to join Glossop of the Northern Premier League Division One West.

Morley Town v Golcar United Reserves 18/03/23

Last time we played this team at their place we managed to put nine past them. How many can we get this time around? One must guard against complacency here, as a win will ensure the title and promotion to the Yorkshire Supreme League. Golcar are punching above their weight in 5^th. A bumper crowd of 21 people have turned out to cheer Morley to the title. The team picks itself. Let’s go and win the title lads!

Team: Reay, Clappison, Cyrus, Cowgill, Alasttal, Agbozo, Wright, Graham, Payne, Ellis, Iyamu

Match Action

Golcar are determined to spoil the Morley party and dominate possession in the early stages. When we do get the ball, Graham and Iyamu look a threat down the flanks. Graham lays the ball back to Ben Clappison up from right back and his fierce shot is beaten away at the near post. We look dangerous going forward but that final killer pass is missing as Golcar dig in and then look to counter. Stay patient it’ll be OK..  Cyrus nods wide from a corner and Payne fizzes one over the bar. Then, on 29 minutes Reay has the ball who passes short to Cyrus, forward to Agbozo, down the left flank for Iyamu. Iyamu now, just inside his own half plays a delightful through ball with the outside of his foot for the onrushing Gabriel Ellis. Ellis, into the penalty area.. GOAL for MORLEY TOWN! 20 Goals in 20 games, the Angel Gabriel strikes again for Morley Town!

At the other end though Davies has a snap shot well saved by Reay. A reminder that we take this game for granted at our peril. Payne at the other end misses a good chance when he is sent through on goal, his effort is blocked by the keeper. A single goal separates the two sides at the break, we have created plenty but it has not been the rush of goals many expected. Into the second half and the Wrecking Ball wins an important header. The ball falls to Sanchez Payne. He turns instantly before releasing Ellis with a pinpoint through ball. 2-0, as The Angel coolly rolls the ball past the onrushing keeper to double our advantage and surely seal the Yorkshire Amateur Premier League Title for Morley Town. Sanchez Payne crashes an acrobatic effort against the underside of the bar to nearly put the gloss on the win. On 83 minutes though a deep cross is swung in from the right in a rare Golcar attack and Davies stoops to power a header past the sprawling Reay.. 2-1...noo the linesman has his flag up! Disallowed. A big sigh of relief is expressed around the ground. Two minutes later and the ball is desperately cleared, only as far as Ben Clappison. The former Hull man solidly strides forward and toe pokes the ball to Kieran Graham. The diminutive winger cuts inside to the edge of the box before unleashing a fizzing strike which their keeper can only palm into the top corner to seal promotion for Morley Town!

Final Score Morley Town 3-0 Golcar Reserves

Ellis 30,52

Graham 86

Morley Town are the Yorkshire Amateur Premier League Champions!!!

League Table (with 2 games left)

1^st Morley Town  50pts (c)

2^nd Collegians 38

3^rd Beeston Juniors 38

4^th Lepton Highlanders 35

5^th Woodkirk Valley 33

6^th Golcar Res 31

7^th Greetland 29

8^th Nostell Miners Welfare Res 29

9^th Leeds City Reserves 28

10^th Shire Academics 25

11^th Gildersome Spurs Old Boys 24

--------------------------------------------

12^th Ealandians 19

13^th Route One Reserves 8

 

Shire Academics v Morley Town

We are just playing out the season and so it is time to blood some youngsters, although not any of the new intake as they have not signed their contracts yet. Shire Academics are down in 10^th but safe from relegation. So, without much further ado.

Whing, Jones, Rigby, Clappison, Sheppard, Leedham, Davies, Woods, De Martin, Kittrick, Pamment

Match Action

Not much happens in the opening 20. They have a couple of efforts on goal, comfortably saved by Colum Whing, while we have a free kick deflected over the bar. On 24 a good breakaway sees their striker hit the outside of the post. Davies at the other end has a free kick tipped over the bar. Barry Woods who is impressing on the right flank cuts infield and plays a delicious through ball for De Martin, but his effort was blocked by the keeper. Goaless at half time.

Into the second half and Davies gives the ball away in midfield. The ball is played up to Walker on the left wing, who skips past Jonny Jones’ flying challenge and beats Whing at the near post on the angle. I encourage, we rally. Sub Nosa Iyamu goes on one of his trademark runs down the left. His low cross finds fellow sub Mario Ward, who is tripped Penalty! Red card for the perpetrator, Freeman. Up steps young Sam Kittrick... who sends the keeper the wrong way to equalise! We finish the game strongly and a powerful Kittrick effort almost gave us the lead, but for the fingertips of their keeper. Clappison headed one over the bar from a corner. The game ends 1-1 but the kids did well. Kittrick, Woods and Davies did their reputations no harm at all.

Final Score Shire Academics 1-1 Morley Town

Walker 56                                   Kittrick 76 (pen)

 

Match 21 Nostell Miners Welfare Reserves v Morley Town 22/04/23

Finally we reach our last fixture of the season, which is annoyingly three weeks after our last game. Anyway it offers me another chance to look at some of the young players in the squad and importantly give them some first team experience. Nostell lie in 8^th and like us only have pride to play for.

Team: Whing, Jones, Cyrus, Sheppard, Rigby, Hudson, Tanner, Woods, De Martin, O’Connor, Preston

Match Action

 The kids, led by the Wrecking Ball make an impressive start and knock the ball around the pitch confidently. Winger Kevin Preston latches onto a Tanner through ball and strikes the foot of the post. At the other end Catton has a free kick well saved by Whing. Their striker Bardem then fizzes a shot shot over the bar when through on goal. On 37 minutes we win a corner which is swing in and amongst the melee the ball hit a Nostell hand. Penalty! Young Rob Hudson steps up and fires it straight down the middle as the keeper flings himself to his right. 1-0 Morley Town! On the stroke of half time the impressive Preston advances down the left flank. His teasing cross is headed away only as far as Hudson who strides forward to the edge of the area, before slipping the ball to Barry Woods who scuffs a first time shot under the keeper and trickles in off the post to double our lead. Into the second half and we once gain assert dominance, especially young Hudson who is pulling the strings in midfield. It is our right back Jonny Jones, however who provides the creative spark for our third goal. His beautifully weighted ball down the line falls into the path of young Martin O’Connor, who finishes with aplomb, dinking the ball cleverly into the corner over the onrushing keeper. But. Nostell keep going and when the loose ball falls to Tiehi after a rickashay from a blocked shot, his volley from the edge of the area beats the sprawling Whing as it fizzes into the bottom corner of the net. 3-1. I bring The Angel, Gabriel Ellis on more out of intimidation than anything else and he instantly links up with O’Connor but fires wide. Another sub Iyamu is released by Hudson and his cross is turned home by young Martin O’Connor for his second goal. What an impact this young man has made! 4-1 Morley. A great way to end the season and with the performances from the kids today, the future is very bright indeed! 

Final Score: Nostell Miners Welfare 1-4 Morley Town

Tiehi 58                                                       Hudson 38 (pen)                                            

                                                                     Woods 45

                                                                     O’Connor 52,83

 

Drama on the final day of the season

Lepton Highlanders secured automatic promotion to the Yorkshire Supreme League next season on a dramatic final day of the season. Beeston Juniors succumbed to a 3-1 reverse up in the Pennines at Greetland and Collegians lost 1-0 to Woodkirk Valley. Meanwhile, Lepton’s 3-1 victory over Route One Reserves allowed them to leapfrog both teams into second place to join Morley Town in Level 11 next season! Well done boys!

At the other end of the table, Ealandians and Route One Reserves will be playing Yorkshire Championship Amateur League football next season.

So that’s that! First season completed! Here’s the final league table.

1^st Morley Town  54 pts (C)

2^nd Lepton Highlanders 42 (P)

-----------------------------------------------

3^rd Collegians 41

4^th Beeston Juniors 39

5^th Greetland 38

6^th Woodkirk Valley 37

7^th Golcar United Reserves 37

8^th Leeds City Reserves 30

9^th Nostell Miners Welfare Reserves 30

10^th Gildersome Spurs Old Boys 27

11^th Shire Academics 27

---------------------------------------------------

12^th Ealandians 23 (R)

13^th Route One Reserves 11 (R)

Edited May 28 by Jon1982

[Jon1982]

Part 12 Pre-Season Comings & Goings

It was a warm spring evening. That extra optimism that sunshine brings, along with our recent promotion put me in a happy mood. As I pulled up to Glen Road I noticed that the pitch was occupied.. kids... bloody kids.. probably from the Glen Road estate were having a kickabout in the middle of the pitch.

I parked up and got out my car.

“Oi clear off!” I shouted, we have a training session here in 15 minutes.”

The kids stopped playing and looked at me puzzled.

“But we are training!” piped up one of the boys, a tall dark haired kid.

Then I looked to the side of the pitch and there was my Head of Youth Development, John Latham, a young eager 34 year old coach.

“Boss, he shouted running over, It’s OK, don’t you know what day it is?”

“err Thursday??..”

“No...it’s youth intake day and these are your new recruits!”

I observed the group of young lads who had turned up to train and hope to earn the dream ticket of an amateur contract with Morley Town Football Club.

“Right, err sorry lads.. err well I’m Mr Rudd, the manager of Morley Town. Now, let’s split into two teams and let’s see what you can do..”

Here’s the players who impressed me enough to offer them the first rung on the ladder of some kind of a football career....

New Youth Players

Owen Jones (MC)

Kevin Preston (MR/L)

Jonathan Tiernan (GK)

Paul Thornton (DC/DMC)

Martin O’Connor (ST)

Fletch Brooksy (DRC/MC/ST)

Chris Longbottom (MR/AMR)

Nicky Hairyes Lambton (MC)

Michael Aremu (DC)

 Players released

Heading out the door are a bunch of players who I bequeathed when taking over as manager and are made up players added automatically to the club. They are usually of a poor standard, but befitting of the level we are at I suppose. 

Jeff Smith ML – After initially being an asset to the squad, he was latterly doing my head in with his demands to start more games, so off he goes.

Lewis Love (GK)

Trent Hartas (DRLC)

Michael Gannon (DC)

Roger Winfarrah (DC)

Sean Markey (DR)

Asquith Brown (ML)

Mcauley Wetherall (ST)

Waide Andrew (MR)

Paul McAlea (MR)

Findlay Higginson (ST)

Raymond Findlay (MC)

Sam Price (MLC)

End of Season Round Up

 

End of Season Awards

Top Goalscorer Gabriel Ellis 21 goals

Highest average Rating: Gabriel Ellis 7.59

Most Assists: Nosa Iyamu 12

Player of the Year: Gabriel Ellis

Young Player of the Year: Gabriel Ellis

Goal of The Season: Sam Wright’s free kick in the 7-0 demolition of Ealandians

Biggest Win Golcar Reserves 0-9 Morley Town

Number of season ticket holders: 6 loyal Ultras

Most Goals in a match: Sanchez Payne - 5

Oldest Goalscorer: Jeff Smith 42

Youngest Goalscorer: Martin O’Connor (15)

End of Season 1

Start of Season 2

 Backroom Staff Comings & Goings

The board and supporters are pleased with my performance as manager, but will be judging how I get on in the Supreme Division.

Brian Latham Leaves Morley

My U18s manager, Brian Latham has left West Yorkshire to become the new manager of Higham Town in the Northamptonshire Combinations League Division One. Best of luck Brian!

Adam Thompson leaves Morley

My Under 21s Manager Adam Thompson follows Latham out the door to become the next manager of Hampton in the Midland Football League Division 2.

Michael Singh

My Director of football Michael Singh leaves Morley for Alvechurch.. no big loss really he didn't do much anyway...

Rob Day joins Morley

 

We have a new Head of Youth Development, in the shape of Rob Day. He will be vital as more of the kids make their way into the first team squad.

Morley Sign Matt Dempsey

I have snapped up experienced defender, Matt Dempsey, who spent several years up the ring road at Farsley Celtic, Ossett Albion and Yorkshire Amateur among others. 

Not all Transfer negociations go so well though.. When I attempted to Sign a 30 year old Central Defender from Barnoldswick Town his reply was....

"I have absolutely no interest in entering into contract negotiations with your club under any circumstances! 

Charming!! (Obviously from the part of Barnoldswick that's in Lancashire...)

Find out how the rest of pre-season goes next time on The Ultimate English Pyramid Game! 

[Jon1982]

Part 13 - Ten Friendlies

 

It has been a long and busy pre-season so far, which in amateur football land takes up almost half the calendar year. It seems strange to me that the best months for weather in the UK, April to September is actually the time when we are not playing any football and the Glen Road pitch is at its least muddy, which would make for better quality games. The evenings are also a lot lighter, meaning evening kick-offs especially from May to July would be a possibility and could attract more crowds. What better way to spend a sunny Wednesday evening in June than watching your local amateur football team? There would certainly be no reliance on a local farmer to clear snow off the pitch.. Just a thought..

Anyway I digress, There were more comings and goings during the summer months at Morley Town. I had arranged an extensive pre season friendly campaign, with some exciting games against some local opposition who are higher up the footballing food chain to try and draw a crowd to Glen Road and bring some extra revenue into the club.

 

Players Out

Nosa Iyamu leaves Morley

Nosa Iyamu’s performances in the Yorkshire Amateur Premier League have been admired.. thousands of miles away in his native Nigeria. So much so that three Nigerian clubs offered him a contract. Turns out his uncle is the President of one of the interested clubs, Zamafra United and unfortunately for us he flew out to Abuja and signed on the dotted line....

The Wrecking Ball Leaves Morley Town

A sad day in the history of Morley Town, as cult hero John “The Wrecking Ball” Cyrus leaves Morley to join the mighty Godmanchester Rovers of the United Counties Premier League South. He didn’t tell me the reason for his sudden departure, but I have a feeling the missus may have had something to do with it..

Michael Singh

Director of football Michael Singh leaves Morley for Alvechurch

Board Expectations

The board have pulled no punches in their expectations and that is to gain promotion to Level 10, the North West Counties League Division 1 North! (Unfortunately we will not be playing in Yorkshire if I get promoted) but more on that later...

Friendly 1 – Morley Town 6-0 Morley U21s

Our pre-season finally kicks off with a kickabout against the kids of the U21s/U18s squad. We take the lead when Faris Pamment fizzes a free kick into the top corner. Payne hits the post when through on goal. Gabriel Ellis rounds the keeper to make it 2-0 after good work from Payne. Sam Wright added a third with a blockbuster from 25 yards into the top corner. Ellis cooly finishes Agbozo’s excellent through ball to make it 4-0. Into the second half and sub Louis Rowe scores number five with an excellent finish into the bottom corner with the outside of his foot. Goal number six comes when Arron Davies smacks a free kick against the bar and Dempsey coolly slots home the rebound from close range into the empty net. This was almost cruel.. Poor kids!

Friendly 2 – Morley Town v Brigg Town

Team: Reay, Smith, Dempsey, Clappison, Alasstal, Agbozo, Wright, Graham, Ellis, Rowe, Pamment

We host North East Counties League outfit Brigg Town, who play several levels above us so will be a tough test, despite home advantage. I go with a full strength team. We give as good as we get from the higher ranked team. Rowe narrowly heads over from a Pamment centre, while McKenzie Smith ventures forward and hits a fierce shot which is well tipped over the crossbar. Then we get our just desserts. Wright feeds Pamment down the left. He plays it back infield to Sam Wright, whose first time through ball foxes the Brigg defence as Gabriel Ellis runs onto it. There’s only one result as The Angel slips the ball under the keeper with a typically cool finish. Then unbelievably we score again. Reay’s goal kick finds Pamment, whose cross is into the path of the onrushing Louis Rowe. The Irishman nonchalantly dinks the ball coolly into the corner to double our lead to astonish the watching ultras. Brigg come back into it again and when a punt into the box from their full back ends up with left winger Batty stooping to nod the ball past Reay at the far post for 2-1. Into the second half and Brigg assert dominance. Hornsby sends Hillerby away down the left and his little inside ball is seized upon by the dangerous Batty, who cleverly places a shot through a huge gap at the near post to equalise. I put some fresh legs on and the energy returns to the team. Leedham plays in Ellis but he fires wide. The final whistle goes but I’ll more than take a 2-2 against a side from higher up in the pyramid.

Final Score: Morley Town 2-2 Brigg Town

Ellis 30                                            Batty 44,54

Rowe 32

Friendly 3 – Morley Town v Hunslet Club

Team: McLachlan (trial) Jones, Sheppard, Brooksby, Rigby, Leedham, Davies, Woods, Ward, De Martin, Preston

This one is purely for the kids, a local kickabout against the good eggs from the Hunslet Club. We take the lead on six minutes when a pinpoint free kick from Arron Davies finds young Fletch Brooskby at the far post who guides a header home for 1-0. The rest of the game gets rather bogged down as the kids struggle to break down a determined Hunslet Club side, who were enjoying their big day out three miles away in Morley. Other than that, not much else happened and the game petered out into a 1-0 win.

Final Score Morley Town 1-0 Hunslet Club

        Brooksby 7

Morley Town Sign McLachlan

I have strengthened my goalkeeping department with the signing of the ex-Carlisle and Newcastle University stopper, Ben McLachlan.

Friendly 4 – Morley Town v Penistone Church

Ho Ho Ho Penistone are in town, something which got the U18s squad excited...  Anyway for the more mature among us this is yet another chance to impress me for a place in my thinking during the forthcoming season.

Team: Perry (trial),  Jones, Sheppard, Brooksby, Rigby, Hudson, Davies, Preston, Kittrick, O’Connor, Fox

After 5 minutes we won a penalty, but Kittrick’s effort was saved by the keeper. We don’t have everything our own way as Penistone attack with gusto. They are rewarded when a Lama free-kick is fired into the top corner to take a shock lead. We huff and puff but cannot blow the church down. Rowe heads over when he should have scored, while De Martin had an effort parried away at the near post. Then to compound our misery, they break away and score as Anthony Brown races clear and fires confidently past Reuben Perry, out trialist goalie. In 73 minute, sub De Martin floats in a near post corner which is glanced home by young sub Paul Thornton. In stoppage time another long punt downfield is chased down by Garton who beats the onrushing Perry to complete our annual dodgy pre-season result. De Martin has the final word, poking home an Alasstal cross at the far post, but God was certainly smiling on Penistone Church this evening!

Final Score: Morley Town 2-3 Penistone Church

 

Friendly 5: Morley Town v Guiseley

This is the big one! Yes it is only Guiseley, but compared to us they are a monolith of a club and play four levels higher up the pyramid in the Northern Premier League Premier, which is one below the Conference North at Level 7. Therefore a full strength side is required.

Reay, Smith, Clappison, Dempsey, Alasstall, Agbozo, Wright, Graham, Ellis, Payne, Pamment

We start brightly and don’t seem overawed. Payne has an early chance from a Wright angled pass, but the keeper is equal to it. At the other end a free kick is beaten away by Reay. Guiseley though show their superiority. A throw-in leads to a lobbed cross over to the far post where Grice volleys and smacks the crossbar. Whitham is there to tap home the rebound into an empty net. We respond well. Agbozo wins the ball in midfield and sprays the ball out to Kieran Graham. His floated ball sends Sanchez Payne racing clear and he lashes the ball home to equalise emphatically for Morley Town! Graham is playing like a man possessed and his lung-bursting run through midfield before setting up Payne again, but he fires wide from the angle. Then Alastall gets down the left flank and his cross is met by the head of that man Graham to put Morley 2-1 up! We have been brilliant in the first half. Into the second half and it is all Guiseley. Reay pulls off a worldie of a save from a header and they also thwack the crossbar. At the other end Preston has a header saved. Finally though, the class tells. Reape’s cross is nodded home by Nkem to equalise. We rally and Alasttal almost forces a winner. This was an enterprising performance against a side far above us in the footballing food chain. Well done boys! The match was also played in front of a bumper crowd of 208, with 165 fans travelling from North Leeds to make this a super occasion and raise much needed money for the club.

Morley Town 2-2 Guiseley

Payne 30                      Whitham 23

Graham 33                  Nkem 87

Harrison Blakey Joins Morley

In a controversial move, Harrison Blakey has joined Morley. The central defender, who was once on Huddersfield Town’s books, has slid down the leagues, turning out for Wakefield, Yorkshire Amateur and Kidlington. He came to train with us t the start of my reign, but joined Kidlington instead. Neither the fans, or my backroom team wanted him to join, but I saw something in the lad. Let’s hope he repays my faith in him.

Friendly 6: Beverley Town v Morley Town

Team: Reay, Busfield, Clappison, Dempsey, Alasttal, Agbozo, Wright, Graham, Ellis, Payne, Pamment

It’s a really even game and the standard for this level is actually quite fluid. Sam Wright has a free kick tipped over the bar. Wright sends Payne through on goal, but the keeper saves comfortably. At the other end, Livingstone nods narrowly wide from a corner. It was only a matter of time though before the deadlock was broken. Ellis makes a burst forward before slipping a lovely ball inside the full back for Kieran Graham. The winger doesn’t disappoint and blasts the ball home from close range. Morley lead at half time in a good game of football. Amazingly we double our lead when Preston’s flighted cross is seized upon by Ellis who finished with a bang. 2-0 away to a team from a higher division. But wait.. Beverley have not given up and their pressure tells when a long hoof downfield results in their striker being through on goal. 2-1 Then, a kick in the teeth as they score a late equaliser through young striker, Alaminy Williams, making it 2-2. Shame because this was another great performance against a higher ranked team.

Final Score: Beverley Town 2-2 Morley Town

Friendly 7: Durkar v Morley Town

Another week and another friendly, this time away at West Yorkshire Division 2 outfit, Durkar.

Team: Whing, Greenhough (trial) Blakey, Sheppard, Smith, Hudson, Hairyes-Lambton, Woods, Rowe, De Martin, Preston

It’s fairly even in the open exchanges but we look the most likely. A long diagonal ball from Rowe feeds his strike partner, De Martin who rolls the ball confidently past the keeper to open the scoring. On 25 minutes, Hudson’s ball into the box is directed home by Louis Rowe with a clever cushioned volley. 2-0. Hudson now feeds Preston on the left and he crosses delightfully into the path of the onrushing Hairyes-Lambton who fires home a clean half volley for number three. On 40 minutes the Durkar right back, Churchman is caught praying on the ball and Harryes-Lambton who is everywhere nicks the ball off him and feeds De Martin in the box who finds the bottom corner to make it four! Into the second half and sub O’Connor is tripped. Penalty, Rob Hudson scores low into the corner and to the keeper’s right. At the other end, Parkinson fires home the rebound after Whing claws away a free kick. 5-1. The same man reduces the deficit further when he is sent clear and beats Whing low at his near post. 5-2. Preston dribbles down the left and his pinpoint cross is nodded home by young O’Connor for 6-2. Then trialist, Greenhough slides in two footed from behind on their player as he is through on goal. Red Card! We are punished. Ibrahim’s cross finds Ben Smith at the far post who nods in their third goal. 6-3. Harrison Blakey, who has confounded his critics by having a good game plays a lovely flighted ball for Mario Ward to latch onto. He coolly finished to complete a 7-3 final scoreline.

Final Score: Durkar 3-7 Morley Town

Parkinson 57,58                 De Martin 12,41

Smith 71                              Rowe 26

                                        Hairyes-Lambton 33

                                        Hudson 53 (pen)

                                       O’Connor 60

                                        Ward 80

Friendly 8: Morley Town v Ossett United

We invite our friends from down t’A653 towards Wakey for a little kickabout at our place. The first teamers are back and ready to give the Level 8 Northern Premier League Division One East outfit, Ossett United a run for their money.

Team: Reay, Smith, Clappison, Dempsey, Alasttal, Agbozo, Wright, Graham, Rowe, Ellis, Pamment

We have been in the ascendency in this one, but Ossett have the better chances as their striker, Colquhoun skies a couple over the bar. Our dominance reaps its rewards when Louis Rowe latches onto a McKenzie Smith ball and slots the ball home on 26 minutes. We nearly make it two when Faris Pamment rattles the crossbar after a sweeping Morley move. Their equaliser is a scrappy affair, Colquhoun with a header from close range at the near post. Rowe has a brilliant acrobatic effort disallowed for offside and Ellis thumps the crossbar when through on goal. It’s one each at the break. We start well in the second half with Preston looking a threat on the left, but it is the visitors who take the lead. An innocuous looking free kick is flicked on to the far post where Coloquhoun is at the near post to half volley into a gaping net. 2-1. The game rather peters out. Leedham has a late shot just wide. An unlucky 2-1 defeat though as we had chances to beat a side much higher in the pyramid than us.

Final Score Morley Town 1-2 Ossett United

Rowe 27                                      Colquhoun 42,58

Season Ticket Sales

Word is spreading amongst Morleans of their football team and we now have 29 loyal Ultras with season tickets to stand around the edge of Glen Road freezing cold.. Up from just 6 last year!

 Friendly 8: Ripon City v Morley Town

A nice jolly trip up the A1 to the cathedral city of Ripon for our boys today, as we take on West Yorkshire Division 2 outfit, Ripon City. I go in with a reasonably strong side, including a couple of youngsters who are eager to impress as well and keep me in their thoughts for the big kick-off.

Team: McLachlan, Jones, Blakey, Clappison, Smith, Agbozo, Leedham, Graham, Ellis, Rowe, Pamment

After 14 minutes of domination we take the lead. Leedham lays it back to Clappison. He spreads play to the left for Pamment who cushion volleys a cross for Louis Rowe to head against the crossbar and tap home the rebound from close range. The same two combine again for the second goal. Pamment is released down the left by McKenzie Smith. He floats a worldie of a cross to the back post where Rowe nods home. Kieran Graham has been like a man possessed down the right wing and another surge to the byeline results in a deep cross which finds the head of Pamment on the back stick who loops a near impossible header into the top corner for a wonderful third goal. Into the second half and from a Hairyes-Lambton free kick, young Rob Hudson flicks the ball past the onrushing keeper for number four! Dempsey hit the crossbar late on, but a good solid friendly win against a poor Ripon City side.

Final Score: Ripon City 0-4 Morley Town

                                                   Rowe 14,34

                                                   Pamment 41

                                                    Hudson 48

Under 18s invited to play in the National U18s North East Division

In an exciting new development, Morley Town U18s have been invited to play in the National U18s North East Division next season, meaning they will be playing competitive fixtures, instead of just a string of friendlies. They will be rubbing shoulders with youth teams from much higher up the pyramid, such as York City, Harrogate Town and Scunthorpe, which will aid the development of young players at the club and help to raise our profile too.

They kicked off their campaign with a 0-0 draw against Kettering U18s.

New U18s Assistant Manager

A good time therefore to appoint our new U18s Assistant Manager then... Welcome to Morley Dave Hunter!

Morley Sign Josh Nyame

A real coup for the club, 18-year old central defender Josh Nyame has agreed to join Morley Town, after being released by Blackpool.

Kieran Graham Leaves Morley

My diminuitive right winger attacking midfield centre, Kieran Graham is normally a jovial character, but when he approached me about signing a new contract, he was deadly serious. His demands for a £50 appearance fee and £10 assist bonus could not be met by the club and so he was released.. 

New Director of Football – Craig Scott

We have appointed a new Director of football apparently.... the last one's greatest contribution was... "We need to put the ball in the back of the net.." Let's hope he turns out better than his predecessor..

Friendly 9: Ilkley Town v Morley Town

Before this fixture, the team went on a pre-season team bonding session which involved them abseiling down the Cow and Calf Rocks on Ilkley Moor. My young 16 year old right winger, Barry Woods grazed his knee and will miss the game.. I play a slightly experimental team today as I seek to consider alternative options as the big kick off approaches. Nyame makes his non-competitive debut

McLachlan, Busfield, Nyame, Dempsey, Alastall, Blakey, Wright, Preston, Payne, De Martin, Pamment

Match Action

From a throw in Sam Wright drives into the box and lets fly, but is blocked. The rebound falls to young De Martin and with the goalkeeper committed, fires the ball into the empty net. On six minutes, Preston flies down the right and plays it infield to Wright, whose first time pass finds Sanchez Payne in the box. He fires the ball into the top corner to double our advantage. Ilkley though have shown some ambition of their own. From a corner, the ball is cleared, but only as far as Luke who drills the ball into the far corner to halve our lead. We score a third when their right back, chasing a misplaced pass by Blakey into the channel treads on the ball, allowing Pamment to cross for Payne for a simple tap in from 6 yards. We are 3-1 up at half time. Sub Ellis feeds Preston down the left whose cross finds the head of De Martin for 4-1. The young striker turns provider for our next goal, spinning and playing in Ellis, who powers home the finish for 5-1. The sixth goal resulted in Ellis sliding the ball home near post to complete the rout.

Final Score Ilkley 1- 6 Morley

Winsford Town Offer Interview

North West Counties League side, Winsford United have cast an envious eye over the Pennines and approached me to become their next manager. I politely turned them down, as I want to see the “project” through at Morley Town.

Morley U18s lose 5-1 to Darlington U18s

Friendly 10 Kirkstall Crusaders v Morley Town

When I booked this friendly I thought we would be making the short trip up Kirkstall Road in Leeds to take on this lot for our final pre-season friendly. Turns out they are in Nottingham, so we’ve had to hire a team coach for this one, much to the annoyance of our chairman. Anyway a full strength team today.

Reay, Smith, Clappison, Nyame, Alasttal, Agbozo, Wright, Preston, Ellis, Payne, Pamment

It doesn’t take long. Alasttal plays Pamment in down the left and his low cross is turned home emphatically by The Angel to open the scoring. But we don’t have it all our own way. The Crusaders create a few gilt edge chances, with Reay having to be on his game to deny them... When we do attack we look like scoring Sam Wright rattles the crossbar with a long range effort. The home side though have been brilliant and get a deserved equaliser when Ratlhugo rises unmarked to nod the ball into the bottom corner. One each at the break. Into the second half and we assert dominance. Pamment gets down the left and his cut back is turned home by young De Martin. We look like we could extend our lead, but it is the obdurate home side who open us up down the right and fires the ball powerfully past McLachlan for a surprise equaliser. Two-Two it stayed.

Final Score: Kirkstall Crusaders 2-2 Morley Town

So there ends our epic pre-season of ten friendlies. I think its safe to say we had a better pre-season campaign than last season.. Standing on the sidelines of Thirsk School fields being mocked mercilessly by a bunch of 12 year olds as my team slid to an embarrassing 3-1 defeat to Bagby & Balk is something I really do not want a repeat of. This season has seen us compete with teams from higher up the pyramid, especially Guiseley and local rivals Ossett, so we are in good shape for the big kick off in 5 days time against Lepton Highlanders.

The Big Yorkshire Supreme Division Kick off is just days away! Find out how we get on next time on The Ultimate English Pyramid Game!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited July 23 by Jon1982

[BenArsenal]

Playing football through the winter builds character, doncha know 

[Jon1982]

18 hours ago, BenArsenal said:

Playing football through the winter builds character, doncha know 

Yay! BenArsenal how ya doing buddy! Great to see youve transferred from Cambodia to Morley to read my story.. Yes the British winter is character building when playing football but doesnt always make for the best games.. Hope you enjoying the story. 

[Jon1982]

Part 14: Welcome t'Yorkshire Amateur Supreme League

Well here we are. We find ourselves in Level 11 in the Yorkshire Amateur Supreme Division. Here are the teams that await us and their locations...

Alwoodley (North Leeds)

Bradford United (based at Bradford University)

Calverley United (NW Leeds)

Farsley Celtic Juniors (NW Leeds)

Glasshoughton Welfare (near Castleford)

Leeds City (Adel, North Leeds)

Leeds University (Headingley)

Lepton Highlanders (Huddersfield)

Littletown (Heckmondwike)

Middleton (South Leeds)

Route One Rovers (Keighley)

Stanley United  (Wakefield)

Wortley (South West Leeds)

Board Expectations

The board have pulled no punches in their expectations and that is to gain promotion to Level 10, the North West Counties League Division 1 North! (Unfortunately we will not be playing in Yorkshire) but more on that later...

Match 1: Morley Town v Lepton Highlanders 09/09/23

The first game of the new season is against fellow promoted side, Lepton Highlanders, who dramaticlly clinched promotion to the Supreme League on the last day of the season. We have a clean bill of health and so pick a full strength side. They have dangerman, Decland Friar up front. Both the chairman and supporters expect a big win against fellow new boys, Lepton Highlanders, so no pressure then..

Team: Reay, Smith, Clappison, Nyame, Alastal, Agbozo, Wright, Preston, Rowe, Ellis, Pamment

Match Action

The big kick off has finally arrived and we swarm forward, eager to score the first goal. Young Kevin Preston has been like a man possessed down the right wing and his run and cross was straight onto the head of The Angel, but is saved by the keeper. On seven minutes we break the deadlock. Left back, Alasttal’s ball over the top is chased down by Rowe who confidently dinks the ball past the onrushing keeper into the corner of the net. It’s all us as the Highlanders seem happy to defend their penalty box and any attacks they can muster are snuffed out by Clappison and Nyame. A sweeping move involving Wright and Preston ends up with Rowe blazing over the bar from point blank range when it was easier to score. On 26 minutes we win a free kick, which Sam Wright sends the ball hurtling towards the top corner and nearly breaks the back of the net. 2-0 Morley Town! We increase our advantage further when Agbozo’s ball forward is cut out by the defender, but only as far as Louis Rowe who runs past the defender and steers the ball into the bottom corner. Lepton rally and have a couple of half chances but we still look like we may add to our lead. From a corner there was a handball and a penalty. Rowe stepped up to complete his hat-trick, but saw his effort saved. The game gets a bit bogged down and Lepton launch a rare attack. The ball is crossed to the far post and Akande Paul half volleys home a consolation. A good solid win though in our opening game in the Supreme League.

Final Score: Morley Town 3-1 Lepton Highlanders

Rowe 8,27                                         Paul 87

Wright 28

Morley Ultras Debut New Chant

 

The wordsmiths from our ever growing group of Morley Ultras have got their heads together and dreamed up a new chant which debuted during the Lepton match.

 

1 Ultra shouts: "Were not from Bradford"

 

Rest of Crowd: Were not from Bradford!

 

1 Ultra: "Were not from t'Leeds"

 

Rest of Crowd "Were not from t'Leeds"

 

1 Ultra: Were not from t'Wakey"

 

Rest of Crowd: "Were not from t'Wakey"

 

1 Ultra: "Were from Morley!"

 

Rest of Crowd: "Were from Morley"

 

Everybody.. Morley! Morley! Morley! Morley! Morley! (repeated)

 

It certainly enhanced the atmosphere at Glen Road..

 

Josh Agbozo To Leave Morley Town

My star midfielder, Josh Agbozo has decided to return to his native Italy and join Eccellenza Lombardia A outfit, Pavia 1911. The transfer will go through on 2^nd January 2024.

Match 2: Morley Town v Farsley Celtic Juniors

Why is it I always think of S Club Juniors when I play this lot?

Anyway we field the same team that comfortably beat the Highlanders, while baby S Club 7 are still jumping up and down with excitement after their 4-0 battering of Leeds City in their opening game.

Team: Reay, Smith, Clappison, Nyame, Alasttal, Agbozo, Wright, Preston, Rowe, Ellis, Pamment

Match Action

The kids give as good as they get early doors and a free kick is acrobatically beaten away by Reay. Then Wright smacks the crossbar from range after a corner is cleared. The game gets bogged down and it becomes scrappy with neither side creating a chance. Then, we provide the first piece of quality. Midfielder, Sam Wright pirouettes in the midfield, turning his man in the process and then scampers forward. His pinpoint through ball goes into the path of Ellis and the Angel nearly takes the net off with a powerful finish. 1-0. The same two combine again and The Angel smashes the ball home for 2-0. The second half was a scrappy affair but job done and our tenth consecutive home win which sends us top of the table with six points out of six.. but as the saying goes, it’s a marathon not a sprint.

Final Score: Morley Town 2-0 Farsley Celtic Juniors

Ellis 41,70

Reay Leaves Morley

In a shock move, my first choice goalkeeper, David Reay has jumped ship to Northern League Division 2 Jarrow.. Auf Weidersehen Pet..

Match 3: Alwoodley v Morley Town

Our first away trip of the season sees us visit the leafy suburbs of Alwoodley. The millionaire’s playground, north of the ring road is home to some of the richest people in Leeds. We make two forced changes as Ben McLachlan takes over in goal from the departed Reay and Leedham replaces Agbozo in midfield, as the Italian has picked up a knock in training. Our well-to-do friends have made a poor start to the season and lie in 13^th after defeats in their opening two games.

Team: McLachlan, Smith, Clappison, Nyame, Alasttal, Leedham, Wright, Preston, Rowe, Ellis, Pamment

Match Action

We start brightly and Sam Wright shoots across the face of goal in our first attack. Ben Clappison our big central defender floats a lovely ball for The Angel who finishes with aplomb. 1-0. Faris Pamment then lifts the ball over top for Louis Rowe who takes the ball into the area and powers the ball home off the underside of the bar. Our third comes when Preston cushion volleys a cross onto the head of Rowe to nod home This is too easy! On 25 minutes, the Alwoodley defence are cut open once again when a sweeping move involving Ellis and Wright. The latter plays in Pamment, who belts the ball into the roof of the net to make it 4-0. On 37 minutes from a Wright corner, Rowe glances home a header for second goal of the game. 5-0 at half time. Into the second, Ellis sends Rowe racing clear...... 6-0 never in doubt and Rowe’s 4^th of the game. Preston gets down the left and his inch perfect cross is nodded home by the Angel for 7 (Seven) nil! On 70 minutes Oliver Leedham lets fly from the edge of the area into the top corner for 8-0! Blakey sends The Angel clear and he rounds the keeper before slotting home number nine! “We want 10, We want 10,” demand the 97 Ultras from behind the goal. Unfortunately it doesn’t come, but what a win! The rich  boys of Alwoodley have taken one hell of a beating and were left crying for their mummies at the end of the game...

Final Score: Alwoodley 0-9 Morley Town (Att 165) (97 Morley Fans)

                                                                      Ellis 9,56,86

                                                                      Rowe 13,25,38,46

                                                                      Pamment 26

                                                                      Leedham 70

 

Match 4: Morley Town v Route One Rovers

We play the first team from Route One Rovers of Keighley, as we welcome them to Glen Road. They lie in 9^th while we sit pretty at the top with three wins out of three. Agbozo returns to the midfield, but otherwise we are unchanged from the 9-0 drubbing of Alwoodley.

Team: McLachlan, Smith, Alasttal, Clappison, Nyame, Agbozo, Wright, Preston, Rowe, Ellis, Pamment

It took us just 25 seconds.. From the kick off the ball is played up to Rowe, who lays off to Pamment. His lovely through ball finds Sam Wright bursting forward from midfield in the left channel , who cuts it back for the Angel Gabriel to sidefoot home in off the post. Perfection! On 20 minutes, Wright drifts a corner in and there’s some pushing in the box. Penalty! Up steps Louis Rowe who drills the ball confidently into the corner for 2-0. Route One rally and win a free kick. The ball is cleared and they are soon in trouble. Louis Rowe gallops forward down the left. He checks inside and switches play for Preston. The young winger strides forward and as the defenders are sucked towards him to press, it leaves an overload on the left hand side, which the sixteen year old exploits to perfection by threading the ball through to Rowe inside the area He cuts in on his right foot before blasting the ball into the top bins for 3-0 on the angle. Supreme! We are coasting to victory and it’s not even half time. Wrong! Route One can play and a four man move results in Evans releasing Alimany Kamara who beats the onrushing McLachlan to the ball and rolls it into the back of the net. 3-1. Careful lads! Into the second half and we have probably one of the goals of the season disallowed as a one touch passing move involving Wright, Pamment and Ellis combining, but Pamment was deemed offside in the build up.. Our nerves are eased a little from a corner routine. Midfielder Sam Wright to Agbozo at the far post who nods it back for Rowe to half volley home first time from close range to complete his hat-trick. Then we mess up at the back. An innocuous ball into the box was poorly cleared by Alasttal under no pressure straight to Danville, whose first time volley flies into the top corner for 4-2. Then we fail to clear a corner and Richards powers a header into the top corner 4-3. We are hanging on big time here.. They win a free kick.. Saved! They win a corner.. cleared off the line by Alasttal! They hit the post, they hit the crossbar. McLachlan pulls off a worldie from close range..... Then on 95 minutes, in a move reminiscent of the famous Geoff Hurst They think it’s all over goal, my right back McKenzie Smith plays the Bobby Moore role by volleying the ball clear into the path of Louis Rowe, whose touch takes it past the defender before powering an unstoppable shot into the top corner.. 5-3.. They think It’s all over.. It Is Now it’s five!

Final Score: Morley Town 5-3 Route One Rovers (Att 122)

Ellis 1                                              Kamara 43

Rowe  21(pen), 35,53,95           Danville 64   Richards 73 

Stat Attack!

Gabriel Ellis’ strike after 23 seconds is the quickest goal in Yorkshire Amateur Supreme League history.

Morley U18s Register First Win

My U18s registered their first win in the U18s North East League with a 1-0 win over Scarborough Athletic U18s. Well done boys! They move up to 2nd bottom in the league. 

Match 5: Morley Town v Glasshougton Welfare 7/10/23

Four wins out of four, so confidence is high as we host 11^th placed Glasshoughton Welfare. Left back Majed Alasttal misses out through injury, so a reshuffle in our back four sees Smith move to fill in is role and the Penalty King himself, Busfield come in at right back. Otherwise why change a winning team?

McLachlan, Busfield, Clappison, Nyame, Smith, Agbozo, Smith, Preston, Rowe, Ellis, Pamment

It’s a lively opening 20 and end to end stuff. Rowe has a goal disallowed for offside, while Glasshoughton break quickly and forces a smart save from McLachlan. Then our class shows. Wright breaks forward on the counter attack and feeds Louis Rowe in behind. He rounds the keeper before slotting nonchalantly into the empty net. Eleven goals now in five games for the Irishman and a confident finish from a player bang in form. Glasshoughton haven’t come down the M62 West to make up the numbers though and attack with gusto. McLachlan is once again forced into a flying save when their striker Nathan Perks is through on goal. One nil at the break. Into the second half and we go up a gear in search of our second goal. It comes when Kevin Preston picks up the ball on the right wing, skins his full back and puts in a dangerous low cross which is swept home by Sam Wright. On 67 minutes, Wright lines up a free kick on the edge of the area and the ball deflects off the wall and into the corner of the net. 3-0. We add a fourth late on when the impressive Preston flies down the left wing and crosses low for Rowe to scuff home off the defender and goalkeeper to slightly flatter us.. Five wins out of five!

Final Score: Morley Town 4-0 Glasshoughton Welfare

Rowe 20,89

Wright 61,68

Match 6: Calverley United v Morley Town

We travel up to North West Leeds in excellent spirits after five wins out of five, which sees us reign supreme at the top of the table. It’s early days and it’s away trips like this that can be a potential banana skin. Our hosts have not faired so well and have just one point from their opening five. Ben Clappison misses this one through injury, so a reshuffle of the back four sees Harrison Blakey take his place and McKenzie Smith return at right back at the expense of Busfield.

Team: McLachlan, Smith, Blakey, Nyame, Alasttal, Agbozo, Wright, Preston, Rowe, Ellis, Pamment

It is the home side who dominate the opening exchanges and a run and cross from Waller is headed over by their Danish striker, Thorgerson. Warning! Ellis then runs onto a massive goal kick from McLachlan but fires just over. Alasttal then jinks inside but fires his shot straight at the keeper. Calverley are well organised and difficult to break down. Then from a free kick, Thorgerson has a header beaten away by McLachlan. On the stroke of half time, Faris Pamment swings in a free kick onto the head of Ellis!.. but the ball is tipped round the post by their keeper. 0-0 at the break. Into the second half and Calverley start the brighter and they hit the bar. At the other end, sub Arron Davies floats a peach of a free kick onto the head of Louis Rowe, but his looping header also clips the woodwork. Moments later and another Davies free kick causes panic in the Calverley penalty area and results in the referee awarding a penalty for handball. Up steps Louis Rowe, who drills the ball into the bottom corner much to our relief. Davies then clips the bar with another pinpoint free kick. We need a second goal and it comes after some brilliance from my right back and right winger. Sam Wright sprays the ball out to Kevin Preston on the right. He reaches the byline before flicking the ball to the supporting Smith. He drops his shoulder before doing a spectacular back flick to Preston who volleyed emphatically first time into the top corner for a magnificent second goal. A good win, but were made to work hard for these three points by a determined and well organised Calverley side.

Final Score Calverley United 0-2 Morley Town

                                                       Rowe 59 (pen)

                                                       Preston 81

League Table After 6 Games

1^st Morley Town 18 pts

2^nd Middleton 14

3^rd Stanley United 14

4^th Wortley 13

5^th Bradford United 10

6^th Farsley Celtic Juniors 8

7^th Route One Rovers 8

8^th Lepton Highlanders 8

9^th Littletown 6

10^th Leeds City 6

11^th Glasshoughton Welfare 6

12^th Leeds University 3

13^th Calverley United 1

14^th Alwoodley 1

Stat Attack!

   Morley Town’s six consecutive wins is a new Yorkshire Amateur Supreme League Record!

A barnstorming start to the Yorkshire Amateur Supreme League has seen Morley Town storm to the top of the table with a 100% record and six wins out of six. Can they keep this amazing form going, or will it all go Pete Tong? Find out next time on The Ultimate English Pyramid Game! 

 

 

Edited August 10 by Jon1982

[Jon1982]

Part 15. One Bad Apple In The Cart

Six wins out of six has propelled us to the top of the Supreme League, but as the old footballing cliche goes, it's a marathon, not a sprint. Can we keep this run going or is it just a flash in the pan?

Match 7: Morley Town v Leeds University 21/10/23

We play host to the students of Leeds Uni in this latest Supreme Division fixture. They have had a poor start to season., lying in 12^th place with just three points. We are riding high and name an unchanged XI with Clappison still missing through injury.

Team: McLachlan, Smith, Blakey, Nyame, Alasttal, Agbozo, Wright, Preston, Ellis, Rowe, Pamment

Match Action

After just one minute and 45 seconds we tear through the students’ defence with a move Pep’s City would be proud of. It all started with Ellis bursting forward, before laying it infield to Wright, who finds Agbozo. The Italian then plays a defence splitting pass inside the full-back for Pamment to run onto down the left flank. His simple cut back is tapped home by Ellis first time to complete a scintillating move worthy of a much higher level. The students respond well and a free header from a free kick skims the bar, while Igwe nods just wide from a corner. However Kevin Preston twists and turns on the right flank. His attempted cross is blocked, but does not go out of play. The young winger picks up the rickashay and feeds Ellis who turns and fires home emphatically from the angle into the top corner. The Angel looks in the mood and when he latches onto Blakey’s ball over the top, there was only one result as he cushion volleys confidently past the keeper for a hat-trick in just 15 minutes 21 seconds.

Into the second half and we are sloppy. Firstly McLachlan is forced into a smart save and then Davies beats our goalkeeper to the ball to nod the ball home from an Igwe ball forward. We respond well though and carve out a couple more chances through Ellis and sub De Martin, whose piledriver is well saved. The same player is then upended in the box after a flowing move involving sub Davies and the impressive Preston. The young striker stroked the penalty straight down the middle to put the gloss on a hard fought victory 4-1.

Final Score: Morley Town 4-1 Leeds University

Ellis 2,14,16                                           Davies 49

De Martin 90 (pen)

Stat Attack!

Morley Town’s seven consecutive wins is a new Yorkshire Amateur Supreme League Record!

Morley Sign Courey  Grantham

As a replacement for Sanchez Payne I have snapped up this right winger, who can also play as a striker. He has previous with mainly Basford Town who operate at Level 7 in the Northern Premier.

Morley Town sign Aaron Smith

An exciting signing for the club, Aaron Smith can play in midfield or as a striker. He has come down the pyramid with spells at 1874 Northwich and Atherstone Collieries after starting his career at Nottingham Forest.

Match 8: Wortley v Morley Town

A tricky trip to one of the roughest parts of Leeds awaits us. Wortley is only a couple of miles up the ring road, but the difference between the two places is stark. Like a tricky trip in Europe, Wortley is a place you go in, get the job done and get the hell out of there quickly and back down the ring road. As we arrived at the ground a welcoming committee was waiting for us with bricks and bottles... This was worse than we thought. We dashed to what looked like the changing rooms and locked the door before the baying mob could reach us... The match was delayed by 15 minutes until the perpetrators were moved on, allowing my assistant, Joe Lamplough to brave it out the dressing room to swap teamsheets with the Wortley manager.

Anyway amidst the mayhem the board and supporters want a large win.. Getting out alive is my objective today. I name this team.. Big Ben returns to the defence after injury and my two new signings wait patiently for their chance on the bench. Wortley.. don't care in 5th I think..

McLachlan, Smith, Clappison, Nyame, Alasttal, Agbozo, Wright, Preston, Rowe, Ellis, Pamment

Match Action

We roll our sleeves up and set to work. This is not going to be an easy game in front of a hostile Wortley Crowd at their “fortress”, Blue Hill Lane. We quieten the home crowd quickly though when Sam Wright sends Louis Rowe clear. His finish is parried by the keeper, only into the path of The Angel who taps home the rebound into the empty net. On 7 minutes, Kevin Preston dispossesses their full back and races forward into the penalty area before finding the bottom corner with a cool finish. Just two minutes later, Wright lofts a perfect through ball for the Angel to run clear and nearly break the back of the net with a fierce volleyed finish. The home crowd have started to disperse already. The 97 Morley fans who had made the short trip up the A6110 are jubilant and waving at the departing home fans. Both sides hit the woodwork before Nyame and Agbozo exchange passes The central defender plays a superb ball over the top for The Angel to run onto. There’s only one result as he finishes confidently by rolling the ball past the onrushing keeper. 4-0. Wortley have come back into it and when Giles floats a far post cross, their striker Mark Wright chests the ball down takes it past the defender and coolly slots the ball past McLachlan for a well taken goal. 4-1. Sam Wright hits the woodwork twice in attempts to extend our lead. At the other end Seb Howard powers home a header from a right wing cross to make it 4-2. No worries. On the last kick of the game, Josh Nyame rises highest at the far post from a Wright corner to guide a header into the bottom corner to complete another victory. Eight wins out of eight. After the game we sprint to our cars for the short drive down the A6110, past all the car places and right at the roundabout just past the old Drysalters pub to the safety of Churwell Hill..

Final Score: Wortley 2-5 Morley Town

Wright 70                                         Ellis 3,10,36

Howard 85                                       Preston 10

                                                          Nyame 90

Morley U18s hold York City U18s

A fighting performance from our development squad saw us hold York City U18s to a thrilling 4-4 draw Two goals from Sam Kittrick and one each from Pekka Ikonen and Barry Woods held the team from a club far above us in the football pecking order. Well done boys! 

Match 9 Morley Town v Bradford United

We host  the university based team, Bradford United, who have had a decent start to the season, lying in 5^th place. I name an unchanged XI and hope to continue our winning streak.

Team: McLachlan, Smith, Clappison, Nyame, Alasttal, Agbozo, Wright, Preston, Rowe, Ellis, Pamment

Match Action

As expected we dominate the opening exchanges, but fail to create a significant chance. Lovegrove for them forces a flying save from McLachlan. Bradford come forward again. Scully gets down the left before producing a pinpoint cross for Uda to head home. For the first time this season we find ourselves behind in a game. The lead doesn’t last long. Louis Rowe picks up the ball and sends Faris Pamment clear with a lovely through ball, The left winger lashes home for an immediate reply. Another fine move sees Rowe once more sending Pamment scurrying down the left wing. He checks inside and plays it to Alasttal, who lays it off first time to Josh Agbozo on the edge of the area. The Italian turns and fizzes an unstoppable shot into the bottom corner for a brilliant goal. Normal service resumed. But.... moments later, a volleyed cross from Mills on the right hand side finds the powerful head of Sebastian Uda who powers it into the bottom corner. 2-2. Uda is causing our defence all kinds of problems with his strength and aerial prowess. Some intelligent hold up play allows Mills to run onto the ball and smash the ball home at McLachlan’s near post, helped by some dreadful defending from us. It doesn’t end there. Scully runs again down the left and crosses for Uda with another impossible header which flies past McLachlan to complete his hat-trick Who is this kid? Into the second half and I make two subs. Aaron Smith comes on for Sam Wright and Blakey replaces the hapless Nyame in the heart of the defence, who just cannot cope with Uda. It pays dividends when Smith sends Rowe clear and the Irishman finishes with aplomb into the corner. 4-3. The comeback was not to last as our defence is made to look like mincemeat once again, Wood  to the impressive Osman who lifted the ball over the advancing McLachlan... We are being found out here and the Ultras are not happy.. Osman then waltzes through again to compound our misery.. Pamment sends Rowe through and he tucks the ball home, but it’s too little too late. That’s the end of our 100% record and proves we cannot afford to be complacent in this league. A crazy result which came completely  out of nowhere. The one bad apple in the cart this season.

Stat Attack!

The 6-4 win for Bradford United against Morley Town was the highest scoring game in Yorkshire Amateur Supreme League history!

Morley U18s beat Kings Lynn U18s

The kids of Morley beat Kings Lynn U18s, 3-0 in a stunning victory at Glen Road. Goals from Sam Kittrick, Martin O’Connor and Owen Jones propelled Morley up to 16^th in the table! Well done boys! 

 

Match 10 Littletown v Morley Town

You don’t get more Yorkshire than the town of Heckmondwike, which after our last result has become a slightly trickier away trip than usual. I love how the people who named the club thought.. well we could be boring and just call ourselves Heckmondwike Town, or United but instead they thought.. We’ll just call it after what we are.. a little town between Leeds and Huddersfield.. and so Littletown was the name. They lie in 11^th with just one win all season, while we are a point clear of second placed Middleton, who are now the only unbeaten team in the division. After Nyame’s nightmare against Uda and Bradford United I am resting him and opted for the experienced Dempsey to partner Clappison in defence. Other than that it’s as you were.

Team: McLachlan, Smith, Clappison, Dempsey, Alasttal, Agbozo, Wright, Preston, Ellis, Rowe, Pamment

Match Action

We start as we mean to go on and attack. On seven minutes, Sam Wright has a free kick beaten away by their keeper. After 10 minutes, Kevin Preston drops his shoulder and fizzes in a low cross which is powerfully half volleyed home from close range by Louis Rowe. Littletown launch their first attack in response to devastating effect. They get down the right and the cross is swung in by Deacey straight onto the head of Claxton who powers it past McLachlan for one each. Then, there are chances at both ends. Their midfielder, Marquis is allowed the freedom of Heckmondwike to waltz through but his effort hits the post when one on one with the keeper. Then Wright sends Ellis through, but the keeper for once is equal to it. We finish the half stronger but could not score. One each at the break. Moments into the second half and Clappison plays the ball into the penalty area. Louis Rowe turns, but is upended Penalty! Up steps the Irishman and coolly sends the keeper the wrong way to restore our lead and his seventeenth of the season. Half time substitute, Corey Grantham is making a real impact on the right flank. His ball to Ellis in the box enables the Angel to round the keeper and slot the ball into the empty net for 3-1. We see out the game, although not without a couple of scares, but it was nice to get back to winning ways.

Final Score: Littletown 1-3 Morley Town

Claxton 25                                            Rowe 11, 46 (pen)

                                                                Ellis 56

 

Table After 10 Games

 

1^st Morley Town 27

-------------------------

2^nd Middleton 24

3^rd Stanley United 21

4^th Bradford United 19

5^th Wortley 17

6^th Glasshoughton Welfare 16

7^th Route One Rovers 15

8^th Lepton Highlanders 14

9^th Farsley Celtic Juniors 11

10^th Leeds City 11

11^th Littletown 8

12^th Calverly United 6

--------------------------

13^th Leeds University 3

14^th Alwoodley 2

 

Morley Town retain top spot with a three point lead over local rivals, Middleton. Can they keep going as they march towards Yorkshire Amateur Supreme League glory? Find out next time on The Ultimate English Pyramid Game! 

 

Edited August 28 by Jon1982

[Jon1982]

Part 16 Clear Daylight

 

Morley Town have stormed clear at the top of the Yorkshire Amateur Supreme League, opening up an three point lead at the top of the table. Can they sustain their charge towards Level 10, or will the other teams in the division stop them in their tracks?

Match 11: Morley Town v Leeds City

This is somewhat of a grudge match after their reserve team did us over twice last season, not that it mattered overall. Still it would be nice to get one over this club. They lie in 10^th, while we are three points clear at the top from second placed Middleton, who host the hoodlums of Wortley. I make one change; Grantham comes in on the right after impressing off the bench against Littletown, with Faris Pamment dropping to the bench and Preston switching to the left wing.

Team: McLachlan, Smith, Clappison, Dempsey, Alasttal, Agbozo, Wright, Grantham, Rowe, Ellis, Preston

It is Leeds City who have the first chance when Marsden swings over a right wing cross and McLachlan saves Walker’s close range effort. On 19 minutes, Big Ben Clappison rattles the crossbar from a corner. Then Sam Wright heads over after good work from Preston. The young left winger is involved again when he plays in Ellis with a lovely ball which the Angel takes under his spell and calmly slots the ball past the onrushing keeper for a well earned lead. We haven’t had it all our own way though and McLachlan has to be at his best to parry a close range header from Holm. One nil at the break. Into the second half and Price floats it in and cleared only as far as Josh Marsden who feeds the ball into the area for Chris Jones. His shot is parried by McLachlan, but only into the path of Walker who taps in from two yards. We hit back straight away. Clappison’s free kick from deep goes straight to Louis Rowe unmarked in the area. He places the ball into the corner for already his 18^th goal of the season. Then Alasttal and Preston combine on the left, leading to the full back crossing into the box onto the head of Sam Wright, whose van Persie-like flying header booms into the top corner, sending the Ultras behind the goal into raptures. 3-1 Morley. We have finally beaten Leeds.. Leeds City that is, not United... not yet...

Final Score Morley Town 3-1 Leeds City

Ellis 26                                                            Walker 50

Rowe 55

Wright 60

Match 12: Stanley United v Morley Town

We take a trip to HQ for this one... meaning the Headquaters of the West Riding FA no less in Woodlesford to take on Stanley United. Our hosts have been enjoying a good season themselves and lie in 4^th place. We go in unchanged from the home win against Leeds City.

Team: McLachlan, Smith, Clappison, Dempsey, Alasttal, Agbozo, Wright, Grantham, Rowe, Ellis, Preston

Match Action

We make the early running and Preston volleys wide from an Agbozo cross. It’s end to end as Stanley create chances of their own. Ritchie fires wide directly from a goal kick. The same player forces a fine save from McLachlan a few minutes later. Meanwhile at the other end Ellis and Rowe are both uncharacteristically off radar, happily blazing over the crossbar when more composure was needed. 0-0 at the break. Into the second half and it is the same old dross so I throw on Pamment and Smith for the off-colour Grantham and surprisingly Ellis. Preston moves to the right and is too quick for their left back as he scampers down the right and fizzes in a low cross which their defender, Valassis can only turn into his own net. 1-0 Morley. The teenage winger is comfortably the best player on the pitch and it is his lovely pass which sends Aaron Smith clear to score his first goal for Morley with a cool finish into the top corner. We look comfortable but it only takes one moment. Their goal comes when Bannon plays the ball through to Cox who slides it past McLachlan to halve the lead. 2-1. Stanley start to gain confidence and pour forward, but we hold firm and see it through for three more hard earned points on the road against awkward opponents. Well done boys!

Final Score Stanley United 1-2 Morley Town

Cox                                                  Valassis o.g

                                                         A.Smith

Match 13 Lepton Highlanders v Morley Town

Back around to the start we go as we travel to Huddersfield to take on our friends the Lepton Highlanders. They have made a decent fist of life in the Supreme League and lie in a middling 8^th. We are unchanged again and hopeful of another victory to maintain our path towards glory..

Team: McLachlan, Smith, Clappison, Dempey, Alasttal, Agbozo, Wright, Grantham, Rowe, Ellis, Preston

It is the hosts which are the better side and knock the ball around confidently. Alasttal has to hack an early header from a corner off the line, while Rowe’s shot is blocked when he should have passed. Then a Decland Friar header smacks the crossbar. We are lucky not to be behind here. On 39 minutes Sam Wright has had enough and takes matters into his own hands. The midfielder dribbles into the penalty area and is tripped for a clear penalty. Louis Rowe smashes it home to give us an undeserved lead. One nil at the break. Into the second half and we seem to have woken up a bit. Smith sends Rowe scampering through and when his shot is parried away by the keeper it falls very kindly to The Angel who taps home for the easiest goal of his career from two yards out. At the other end Rogers gets down the left and crosses perfectly for Friar who heads just past the upright. But we have got better as we’ve gone along. Clappison’s ball forward is flicked on by Leedham into the path of young right winger, Barry Woods who fires in number three from close range. We got there in the end and extend our lead at the top to eight points after second placed and next opponents, Middleton were held to a 3-3 draw by Stanley United.

Final Score: Lepton Highlanders 0-3 Morley Town

                                                                    Rowe 41 (pen)

                                                                    Ellis 56

                                                                    Woods 71

Match 14 Morley Town v Middleton

Stand in certain parts of Morley and look northwards. On the surrounding hills are houses and trees, which is Middleton. Their football team which lie in second place, eight points behind us and lie just over the ring road about two miles away. A local derby, no quarter asked, no quarter given. I keep faith with the XI who beat Lepton, while Middleton unleash the Yorkshire Supreme League phenomenon, Johnny Little, who has bagged 17 goals in 13 games, which are Rowe/Ellis type numbers. All to play for..

Team: McLachlan, Smith, Clappison, Dempsey, Alasttal, Agbozo, Wright, Grantham, Rowe, Ellis, Preston

Match Action

We pour forward and Ellis gets down the right channel, checks inside and finds Rowe who prods it towards goal, but is blocked by the keeper. Agbozo picks up the ball in midfield and plays a wonderful 30 yard ball for Ellis to run onto. He slots the ball home from the angle with aplomb to give us a deserved lead. We dominate possession, but don’t create many clear cut chances. 1-0 at the break. Into the second half and Wright picks up the ball and plays in The Angel, once again in the right channel. His shot is half parried but still finds its way into the bottom corner to make it 2-0. On 68 minutes Sam Wright plays a pinpoint through ball for sub Aaron Smith who fires confidently home for number three to cap a good solid win against our local rivals from over the ring road.

Final Score: Morley Town 3-0 Middleton

Ellis 8,48 Smith 69

Match 15: Farsley Celtic Juniors v Morley Town

We travel up the ring road to take on S Club Juniors in their own playground. We are looking to maintain our eight point lead over the rest. Farsley meanwhile are just about keeping their heads above water in 11^th spot. McKenzie Smith is suspended, so penalty king Busfield replaces him at right back. Otherwise it’s as you were.

Team: McLachlan, Busfield, Dempsey, Clappison, Alasttal. Agbozo, Wright, Grantham, Rowe, Ellis, Preston

Match Action

What happens in the opening 20? Precisely nothing as the game just ticks on. On 24 minutes though the moment comes. Busfield finds Grantham in the box. He lays off to Ellis who shoots. His shot is blocked but it falls to Grantham who volleys the ball through the keeper’s legs from 8 yards for his first goal in a Morley shirt. Agbozo then stings the palms of the keeper and Sam Wright hits the bar from a long range free kick. Then after a move to die for down the left, involving Alasttal, Rowe and Preston, the young winger blazes over the bar when he should have scored. Wright has a header ruled out for offside. All in all we should be more than one goal ahead at the break. Into the second half and it’s the same as the first, camped in their half as the kids are happy to defend their own box. Ellis has a goal disallowed for offside. Then, Alasttal’s ball forward is taken under his spell by Rowe. He finds Ellis who runs at the Juniors defence. Grantham makes a brilliant overlapping run on the right and The Angel times his pass to perfection. The right winger advances unmarked into the area before slotting the ball confidently home for a more comfortable 2-0. Suddenly the kids come out to play and string a few passes together. On 84 minutes Fairburn and Beacher combine and the latter runs into the area and fires the ball past McLachlan to halve the deficit. We need not worry though. Ellis gets down the right flank and lays it back to Busfield. The right back twists and turns before sending in a cross which Olly Leedham heads towards goal, but is clawed out by the keeper, only to the feet of Arron Smith who taps in from two yards to seal three more points for Morley Town. A great afternoon, especially for our new signings, Courey Grantham and Aaron Smith.

Final Score Farsley Celtic Juniors 1-3 Morley Town

Beacher 86                                               Grantham 25,58

                                                                  A. Smith 90

 

Alasttal Leaves Morley Town

My regular left back, Majed Alasttal has joined Holker Old Boys of the North West Counties League Division One North, in a shock move. He made 36 appearances for Morley, scoring one goal.

Agbozo out for 5 weeks

Normally I don’t report on player injuries unless they are serious, but Agbozo’s twisted ankle is significant because that it means he has played his last game for Morley, due to his move back home to Italy in the early new year, which is only a couple of weeks away.

Match 16: Morley Town v Alwoodley 23/12/23

The rich boys of Alwoodley travel to Morley in their Jaguars, Porches and Mercedes, while we arrive in our Ford Fiestas, Peugots and a clapped out Volkswagen Golf. Anyway this is not Top Gear so on with the show, We are top, Alwoodley languish in the relegation zone. Many pundits think it’s a matter of how many we will score after our 9-0 mauling of them earlier in the season. I make a couple of forced changes due to Alasttal’s untimely departure and Agbozo’s injury. Young Rob Hudson has been summoned from the U18s to make just his second appearance for the club, but a defensive midfielder who is highly rated at the club. McKenzie Smith comes in at left back and Busfield retains his place at right back.

Team: McLachlan, Busfield, Clappison, Nyame, M.Smith, Hudson, Wright, Grantham, Rowe, Ellis, Preston

Match Action

Its surprisingly even in the opening 15 minutes, although we are playing the better football, to be fair to the visitors they have rolled their sleeves up and are up for a fight. Rowe and Ellis are tightly marked and the defence is sitting so deep, they may as well be sat on the goal line. The odd half chance we do create come with either a poor finish or final ball. At the other end Alwoodley make McLachlan sprawl to his right to keep out a long range effort. I push Courey Grantham into a more advanced Attacking Midfielder Right position and it instantly pays off. Clappison’s ball forward is nodded down by Ellis to Sam Wright, who plays a sumptuous ball down the right flank for Grantham to run onto. He lashes the ball home from the angle to score his third goal in two games. The half peters out and we take just the one goal into the interval. Into the second half and we huff and puff but fail to blow the Alwoodley house down again. Preston has a shot well saved low down. As the half wears on the visitors grow in confidence and suddenly look a threat. A well worked counter attack forces a smart save from McLachlan, to deny Conroy Scott. Then a free kick clips the bar.. Could they do the unthinkable and equalise? This was a laboured performance, but luckily we have just a little too much quality and a swift breakaway puts the game beyond doubt. Kevin Preston switches play from left to right with devastating effect, sending Grantham screaming down the right flank. He cuts inside and smacks the ball home from the angle to much relief among the Ultras. Job done and another three points in the bag, but that was ugly.

Final Score: Morley Town 2-0 Alwoodley

Grantham 28,86

Morley Town Takeover Deal Rumours 

Recent murmurings about Chairman Bryan Wilkins selling the club to a new owner have turned into full on rumour, with the possibility of a Fans Trust, lead by leading Morley Ultras taking control of the club. As for my future at the club who knows? Watch this space..