Non League Dougie

Last Saturday we were at the Butchers Arms for the Counties North playoff semi final.
The first half was cagey, although good intensity from both teams, clear chances on goal were rare.

Second half, both teams went up another gear and was end to end excitement. Great defending from both teams which lead to counter attacks galore!
It was a hot one, while Dougie was in the shade with his water, running in the heat for this long should have been energy sapping! But it was still all go.
The home side got the first break on the hour mark. Artwell fired a shot off the cross bar and Talbot was first to react heading the ball into the top corner, we were pretty sure it was offside, but watching the video a few times it looks like the linesman got it right..... game on!
Gates reaction was imminent, and 2 min after the restart Harries found himself in space on the edge of the area passing the ball, all to easy past the hapless Latham. Not sure if it's was deflected, but it seemed to go straight down the middle.
It was anyones for the taking, the pace got quicker and the chances kept coming.
With a long throw, Droylsden striker flick on to the on running midfielder, it was the bloods number 8 Jordan Barnett who fired in from close range leaving McLachlan with no chance with 89 minutes on the clock.
Gate still pushed for another equaliser in the 7 minutes injury time, Latham tipped one over the bar from distance and with the Gate goalkeeper still up for a corner, the referee blew up. Heartbreak for Evans the Gate manager. After a tough start to the season squires have shown great belief to get into the playoffs on the last day of the season.
Games they were down and out, managing to come back and win on a few occasions. They should be proud of the season they had and not dwell on how it finished.
Where as Droylsden will host Maghull in the final, and after losing top spot to Nelson, they still managed a great run in the Manchester Cup beating teams from leagues above on the way to beating Curzon Ashton in the final.
Back to the Butchers Arms again today then for me and Doug.
Don't forget your s**tbags!


S**t video on the link😁
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DX1UnvdsxK5/?igsh=MWl3ajY0MmJmMTJuOQ==

Last Saturday we were at the Butchers Arms for the Counties North playoff semi final. The first half was cagey, although good intensity from both teams, clear chances on goal were rare. Second half, both teams went up another gear and was end to end excitement. Great defending from both teams which lead to counter attacks galore! It was a hot one, while Dougie was in the shade with his water, running in the heat for this long should have been energy sapping! But it was still all go. The home side got the first break on the hour mark. Artwell fired a shot off the cross bar and Talbot was first to react heading the ball into the top corner, we were pretty sure it was offside, but watching the video a few times it looks like the linesman got it right..... game on! Gates reaction was imminent, and 2 min after the restart Harries found himself in space on the edge of the area passing the ball, all to easy past the hapless Latham. Not sure if it's was deflected, but it seemed to go straight down the middle. It was anyones for the taking, the pace got quicker and the chances kept coming. With a long throw, Droylsden striker flick on to the on running midfielder, it was the bloods number 8 Jordan Barnett who fired in from close range leaving McLachlan with no chance with 89 minutes on the clock. Gate still pushed for another equaliser in the 7 minutes injury time, Latham tipped one over the bar from distance and with the Gate goalkeeper still up for a corner, the referee blew up. Heartbreak for Evans the Gate manager. After a tough start to the season squires have shown great belief to get into the playoffs on the last day of the season. Games they were down and out, managing to come back and win on a few occasions. They should be proud of the season they had and not dwell on how it finished. Where as Droylsden will host Maghull in the final, and after losing top spot to Nelson, they still managed a great run in the Manchester Cup beating teams from leagues above on the way to beating Curzon Ashton in the final. Back to the Butchers Arms again today then for me and Doug. Don't forget your s**tbags! #nonleaguefootball #dogsofinstagram #rescuedog

Back from a tanning session in Turkey, managed to come back still bald and my own lower than average teeth 😁 and we're back on the road. A few tasty fixtures today. The FA cup Atherton derby had a big pull, but the M65 seems the place to be today. Right at the top end Colne v Garstang, both on 4 points could be a tasty affair! Then to Nelson v Thornton. Good start of the season for Thornton, but Nelson bringing "The Talented Mr Ripley" back as manager might see their unfortunate fortunes turned today??
Then to Darwen v AFC Blackpool, where a win for the home side could see them go joint top! But the points will be much needed for AFC after a tricky start has left them looking up from 18th place.
Think we'll be starting at Little Wembley, knowing a few players on both sides, we're hoping for a feisty one at the Daisy arena.
But options to get to a couple of my old teams games could be a half time option.
It's gonna be a wet one, 🌨
fc
Don't forget your s**tbags!
**tbags

Play off semi finals day in the Counties North. Dougie has been attending weekly games but sat behind me in the dugout at AFC Blackpool. Last Saturday we got back out for Nelson v Euxton Villa at The Daisy Arena, better known as "little Wembley" to old school Counties players. A tense affair found both sides fighting for the middle of the park with both keepers having a quiet day. Wasn't much to talk about until Colquhoun headed in from Taits Cross to put the away side in front on the half hour. This opened the game up a bit thankfully, and saw Nelson start to attack. They equalised right on half time, apparently it was a scrappy goal from Max Cane but we missed the goal trying to beat the 435 in attendance to the bar!! Pint for me, treats for Doug, who got to meet plenty of new mates today, a proper non League Dog day out at Nelson 🐕‍🦺 Second half was a better battle from both sides, still without to many clear chances. Shorrock, although obviously struggling with an injury was impressive down the left wing, was the player of the day. Turning the Nelson team inside out at will. Gibson hit the crossbar from distance and that was about it for shots on goal. It had penalties all over it!! Euxtons keeper Lombard saved the second Nelson pen, Euxton then missed the target with the next. It then went to the final two players. Euxtons keeper Lombard scored his, leaving it to Max Cane, who had a Chris Waddle moment and if not for the protective netting the ball would still be on its way to Padiham! 10-9 to Euxton, who have the tough task of Droylsden in the final at the Butchers Arms Stadium after their penalty victory over Holker in the other semi finals. Final on Saturday, see you there. Don't forget your s**tbags! #dogstagram #nonleaguefootball #dogsofinstagram #dog #nonleague #doglover #nonleaguedougie #dogrescue #rescuedogsofinstagram

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Macron Cup quarter finals this week after a few weeks with no footy for Dougie. Storms keeping me busy fixing roofs!
4th in the Counties prem, playing their home games at Avro, versus currently 7th in the Counties North.
After already beating two prem sides, AFC went into the game with plenty of confidence. But it was the home side that took the lead in the 7th minute when the big no.9 found it all to easy to slot home.
AFC hit back quickly, a Gregory equaliser after good work down the left from Hepple. But in an end to end game, the Chadderton keeper had it reasonably easy where as Whittingham at the other end kept the away side in the game, first half.
A change and move around at half time worked and suited the away side and they went 2.1 up after 47 minutes with Blackpool captain, Hay scoring with his head from a Hepple corner. (Video in comments, while Dougie was still enjoying his half time s**t and run! He also managed to roll in a dead bird, which left him smelling delightful through the second half)😂
And for half an hour AFC hard work ethic showed, keeping Chadderton chances minimal while looking to score at will! Carter back in the 9 after playing the first half in the 10. Looked more at home with one of his 'worldies'!! Spotting the keeper off his line, he must of shot from all of 40+ yards out. Over the keeper making it 3.1 On 66 mins. Then again on 74 mins. Good work by Gregory pulling the ball back for another tidy finish from Carter. 4.1 to the team in the lower division.
In come the changes..... and probably the difference in the sides. The quality and pace Chadderton were able to bring on made the last 15 minutes, relentless attack after attack. Making it 4.2 two minutes later through Schofield, 4 minutes later flynn made it 4.3. And for the last 10 minutes it was backs to the walls for Blackpool. Looking like they were going to hold out, sub Wisdon-bernard equalised in the first minute of injury time. And probably could have gone on to win it. The away side happy to hear the final whistle.
To pens.... both keepers saving the first pens. The rest scored until Chaddertons last pen was saved by penalty expert Whittingham.
4.3 to AFC BLACKPOOL on penalties and into the semis.
Had to put my foot down a bit on the way home. Car stunk of dead bird! He got so many lovely comments from folk yesterday. Off his lead most the day, doesn't leave my side, until..... I go to pick his s**t up and I catch that roll in the corner of my eye!!! "You dirty bastard" 😂😂
Where to next Doug??
Don't forget your s**tbags!

The Cyprus Rescue:
After losing Harvey, our big golden lab. Indie our black lab, who became unsociable after being attacked by an Akita, had a big cancerous tumour taken out, then losing Harvey to Cancer! She Needed a friend.
I'd looked for 18 months before seeing the photo and reading his brief story, I knew it had to be him! Possibly a slight pest in my chase for him.
But it worked, 5 weeks later, 1,830 mile flight from Cyprus followed by a 600 mile drive from Amsterdam he was here. March 1st 2020. Just before the world stopped!! Which was good for him as he got myself and the kids every day for 3 months.
The first intense meet with Indie, (she needs 5 mins to stop being reactive) was a success, best mates within 10 mins.
The daily, morning greetings of either holding your hand in his mouth or holding your clothing, walks us to the back door before going out in the garden. At times a bit destructive together 😂🤦 there's a continuing list of destruction!! Trainers, clothes, sofa's! Digging holes in the garden, breaking through to the neighbours to play with their dogs.
It's your usual dog/lab behaviour. I say lab, he's definitely cross with something Cypriot.
Where would we be without dogs🧡