The English Football Pyramid officially extends to Level 11. For the 2024-25 season my choices to follow are: Arsenal & Brentford, Plymouth, Exeter & Wrexham, Salford, Tamworth, Worthing, Tiverton, Exmouth, Buckland, Bovey Tracey, & Elmore. I am also following the women's pyramid which extends to Level 7. My ladies teams are Arsenal, Bristol City, Exeter, Worthing, Torquay, Feniton, Teignmouth & Shaldon Villa.
City’s final game of 2020 ended in a 2-0 defeat to Hungerford Town this afternoon at a bitterly cold Twerton Park. Both goals came in the opening 20 minutes and, despite dominating the second half, City couldn’t recover from this poor start. The visitors direct approach paid dividends after just 12 minutes when a long ball forward was volleyed across goal by Tyler for Seager to head past Will Henry. And it got worse for City eight minutes later when Fasanmade’s shot deflected off James Taylor before looping over the helpless keeper. City had a good chance to reduce the deficit on 29 minutes but Tommy Conway could only steer the ball wide from a great Donovan Wilson cross. Dan Ball replaced Frankie Artus at the interval and the formation change saw City press the Crusaders back and ten minutes into the half they looked to be back in the game when a short corner routine saw Tom Smith volley home only for an offside flag to halt the celebrations. Hungerford were now forced to time-waste at every opportunity – keeper Cairney twice going down ‘injured’ despite showing no signs of a problem when racing from his area to clear the danger several times. And he was also unimpeded when keeping out Wilson’s shot at full stretch after 70 minutes as City continued to search for a way back into the game. A Smith shot flew narrowly wide with ten minutes left but increasingly Hungerford’s approach was blunting City’s attack and they saw out the remainder of the game with no further real scares to secure the three points.
Connor Lemonheigh-Evans struck a late winner as runaway National League leaders Torquay edged a seven-goal thriller at struggling Weymouth.
It looked like the Gulls had thrown away two points as they twice squandered a two-goal lead, but Lemonheigh-Evans came up with the goods to keep them on track for a long-awaited Football League return.
He was instrumental throughout, creating both goals as Torquay surged into a 2-0 lead after 25 minutes.
First, he crossed for Asa Hall to head home and then he supplied Josh Umerah, who made no mistake when in on goal.
Cody Cooke got one back on the half-hour for the Terras, but Aaron Nemane's low finish straight after half-time restored the visitors' two-goal cushion.
Weymouth then fought back, Cam Murray slotting home before Josh McQuoid's penalty in the 62nd minute made it 3-3.
But Lemonheigh-Evans capped a man-of-the-match performance three minutes from time when he tapped in from close range to move the Gulls 11 points clear at the summit.
So Christmas is over, the plans and preparations resulted in the time we all had, and now we can relax and prepare for the new year and an evening of fireworks and wine. In my case I expect to use both bottles in a saucepan. We have "mulled wine" and "gluhwein" and I expect both to be drunk on the evening of 31st December.
I set a target of clearing out a pile of unread newspapers. I know I should just pick them up and put them in the bin like my sister-in-law would do. She once got hold of "today's paper" from the front doormat and put it straight into the waste bin much to the chagrin of my brother. Her house is remarkably free of any reading materials.
Me, I picked up an old copy of the Teignbridge version of the Mid Devon Advertiser (October 8th) and found a match report for one of the teams I am following. I had not previously read a report of the match that is still the record score for the South West Peninsula League. So here we go .....
A seven goal haul for Sean Finch helped Bovey Tracey get off the mark for the season in a thumping 18-1 victory away at struggling Stoke Gabriel. (What made this all the more remarkable was that Bovey had lost ALL of their friendly and league matches up to this point).
The striker's solo tally shot him straight to the top of this season's goalscoring charts in the Peninsula Premier East with 10 overall.
Jordan Ewing also helped himself to four goals while Andy Davis added a brace, and five other players netted individual efforts.
Stoke Gabriel's single consolation was in fact the first goal they'd managed to score this season.
Bovey's first win of the campaign saw them rise up to 17th in the early season standings.
Lacazette is Arsenal's top goalscorer in all competitions this season with six goals
A rejuvenated Arsenal recorded an important victory over Chelsea to end their seven-game run without a win in the Premier League and ease the pressure on boss Mikel Arteta.
Two first-half goals set the platform for the Gunners' first top-flight win since 1 November.
Alexandre Lacazette sent goalkeeper Edouard Mendy the wrong way from the penalty spot and Granit Xhaka curled in a superb free-kick 10 minutes later to put Arteta's side in control.
Bukayo Saka's cross then dropped into the top corner early in the second half to put the game beyond the visitors.
Tammy Abraham scored from close range to make it a nervy final five minutes for the hosts and Jorginho then saw his weak penalty saved by Bernd Leno.
But it was an otherwise lacklustre performance by Frank Lampard's side, who missed the chance to go second.
It was a well-deserved victory for Arsenal, who climb to 14th and will hope any talk of a relegation battle is now behind them.
Charlton moved back into the League One play-off places after twice coming from behind to earn a point in a 2-2 draw with Plymouth.
The Pilgrims started brightly and went in front in the sixth minute when Ryan Hardie cut in from the left and his cutback was tapped home by Luke Jephcott.
The Addicks were level in the 32nd minute. Jake Forster-Caskey's corner was flicked on and Chris Gunter was on hand to volley home from close range.
The visitors regained the lead just four minutes later. Conor Grant's free-kick ricocheted into the path of Jephcott and he slid the loose ball past Ben Amos for his second of the afternoon.
Ian Maatsen saw an effort crash back off the bar on the stroke of half-time before a lively opening 45 minutes came to an end.
Charlton equalised for a second time in the 67th minute when substitute Marcus Maddison drove in a superb strike from 25 yards.
Conor Washington blazed over with the goal gaping with 15 minutes remaining as it ended honours even.
Cardiff are now winless in eight successive matches played on 26 December
Brentford continued their superb recent form to make it 15 games unbeaten in all competitions, as Sergi Canos' hat-trick saw them come from behind to win.
Will Vaulks put Cardiff in front with a stunning lob from inside his own half.
The Bees drew level when Canos produced a wonder strike of his own with a dipping volley from 25 yards.
Canos put Brentford ahead with a fine run and composed finish before his lob squirmed through Alex Smithies, though Vaulks' second gave Cardiff late hope.
The win sees Brentford remain fourth in the Championship, while Cardiff slip to 12th.
Cardiff knew they were contending with a Brentford squad full of confidence after a slow start to the campaign.
Their revival was underlined by a midweek win over Newcastle United that has Bees fans looking forward to a first EFL Cup semi-final, with a visit to Tottenham Hotspur in January.
The Bees made seven changes from the side who beat Newcastle and four from the side who defeated Reading last weekend, with boss Thomas Frank able to rotate his ranks in the midst a busy festive period.
Cardiff boss Neil Harris has a smaller squad and the Bluebirds made only two changes from the side beaten at Norwich City, with Junior Hoilett and Joe Bennett recalled.
The Bluebirds came into the game with an excellent recent record against the visitors, with Brentford losing five of their past seven visits to Cardiff, having won only two of their past 22 matches in the Welsh capital.
The Bees have, however, enjoyed themselves on Boxing Day far more than the Bluebirds in recent seasons, losing only once in 11 years, while conversely Cardiff have not earned three points on 26 December since beating Crystal Palace back in 2012.
Boxing Day blues for Bluebirds
Cardiff's dismal recent record on Boxing Day was evident in the first 45 minutes, where they seemed content to merely allow Brentford sterile possession.
The Bees had almost 65% possession in the first period but never looked like breaching Cardiff, with Canos' wayward volley from a rehearsed corner routine their only effort on goal.
That was one more effort than the Bluebirds managed until first-half stoppage time when Vaulks produced his moment of pure inspiration, spotting David Raya out of his goal and firing the ball over him expertly from inside his own half.
It was a moment of magic completely out of keeping in what had been a first half with chances and moments of quality a real rarity.
However, the second half began in exactly the same fashion as the first half ended, with a remarkable goal.
This time it was Canos who struck, volleying in from 25 yards after his initial shot had rebounded back to him.
It was another stunning goal, with Canos striking the ball from almost behind him as it dropped and producing the perfect amount of dip to beat Smithies in the Cardiff goal.
With the rules now established that only stunning goals would be scored, Ivan Toney - who had scored eight in his past 10 away games - tried to get in on the act, but his overhead kick was tipped over by Smithies.
The Bees were enjoying their best spell of the game and should have gone ahead just past the hour, but Emiliano Marcondes got his body shape all wrong and fired wide.
However, the tide had turned and Canos soon did double his tally, cutting inside two Cardiff defenders and firing past Smithies from just inside the area.
Canos might have completed his hat-trick moments later, but this time fired just over after another powerful run.
The Spaniard did get his third on 73 minutes when his lob seemed to go straight through Smithies, an exclamation mark on an absolutely wonderful performance from the former Liverpool and Norwich winger.
Vaulks might have been sent off for a poor challenge in the second period, but was still on the field to fire home via a deflection off Toney as Brentford failed to clear a Cardiff corner with 15 minutes remaining.
Cardiff had a strong late penalty claim turned down after the Bluebirds felt Robert Glatzel was pushed in the box, while Brentford again came close through Canos in a frantic finish.
Cardiff City manager Neil Harris told BBC Sport Wales:
"For 49 minutes I thought we were excellent.
"I thought our discipline without the ball, game plan was excellent. We contained Brentford, a very good attacking side, to next to nothing.
"We were comfortable in the game, scored a world-class goal from Will Vaulks on the stroke of half-time and started the second half really well, pressed the ball and forced it in good areas.
"And then we throw three goals into our own net in the space of 20 minutes and leave ourselves with a mountain to climb. We have actually thrown three into the goal.
"I am lost for words, really."
Brentford manager Thomas Frank said:
"We were okay in the first half but then they scored a spectacular goal. After that, we moved up to another level. I didn't think they had much in the second half apart from set-pieces. They are strong and always good at set-pieces.
"At the start of the second half, we said we are not going to allow ourselves to lose this one.
"I am so pleased for Sergi Canos that he scored a hat-trick.
"The first goal was an incredibly difficult technical skill. The second was another wonder goal, while the third one was maybe a cross but don't tell anyone."
Exeter and Forest Green shared the spoils after playing out an entertaining 1-1 draw at St James Park.
The Grecians started well as Matt Jay found some space, but he scuffed his 20-yard shot straight into the arms of Luke McGee.
Jack Sparkes fired wide at the back post after great work by Jay and Randell Williams as Exeter created the better chances.
But with their first genuine chance, Forest Green's Jamille Matt struck the top of the crossbar from close range.
From the resulting corner, in the 16th minute, Nicky Cadden played it to the edge of the box and Aaron Collins sidefooted in from 20 yards out.
Collins almost added a second but was denied by Jonny Maxted before his Exeter namesake - Archie Collins - levelled things in the 37th minute with a brilliant first-time shot from 20 yards that flew in off the underside of the crossbar.
Exeter's Ryan Bowman saw a header flipped away by McGee and Williams shot just wide to bring the half to a close.
Chances dried up after the break, but Exeter should have won it when Joel Randall volleyed over the crossbar from close range from Williams' delicate chip.
Eastleigh failed to take their chances as they were held to a goalless draw by struggling Weymouth.
The hosts dominated the first half and almost went ahead in the fourth minute but Joe Partington's curling effort hit a post.
Dan Smith had a shot saved by Jack Bycroft, Ryan Hill fired over on his first league start and Ben House shot wide when one-on-one with the goalkeeper.
House then failed to get a touch to substitute Sam Smart's low cross at the back post as Eastleigh were left frustrated.
City played out their first draw of the 2020/21 season in an eventful meeting with local rivals Chippenham Town at Hardenhuish Park this afternoon, which saw both sides end the game with ten men. Playing down the considerable slope during the first half the home side looked more threatening going forward. An overhit cross from ex-City favourite Ross Stearn, that flew past Will Henry before hitting the inside of the post, almost gave them the lead midway through the half but on 28 minutes luck was on their side, when Jack Batten diverted Jones’ cross over Henry into the net. Chippenham were reduced to ten men in the 38th minute when Lolos’ lunging challenge on Tom Mehew saw him see red. With a man advantage City enjoyed the majority of possession after the break but it was the Bluebirds who should have doubled their lead early in the half when Ash blazed over the bar after Stearn set him up with a great chance. City’s patience finally paid off with 15 minutes left when Frankie Artus’ diagonal ball forward saw Grant out-jump onrushing keeper Puddy to head the ball into the goal. The game looked to there for the taking now for the Romans but Chippenham stood firm and with two minutes left the numbers were evened up when Donovan Wilson was shown a red card after colliding with Puddy. This gave the Bluebirds late hope of grabbing their first win over City since 2017 and Bray almost did just that in stoppage time only for Henry to produce a great save and ensure the points would be shared.
Holders Manchester City piled on the misery for Arsenal with a ruthless performance at Emirates Stadium to reach the Carabao Cup semi-finals.
There were barely two minutes on the clock when Gabriel Jesus nodded City ahead, the Brazil forward completely unmarked inside the six-yard area when he met Oleksandr Zinchenko's cross.
The Gunners were desperate for the first 25 minutes, French defender Aymeric Laporte heading a great chance wide before the hosts levelled with their first serious attempt.
Nineteen-year-old Brazilian forward Gabriel Martinelli provided an excellent cross for Alexandre Lacazette to head home but City scored twice in five second-half minutes to seal victory.
Keeper Runar Alex Runarsson allowed Riyad Mahrez's free-kick to squirm through his gloves and into the net before Phil Foden added the third with a dink over Arsenal's Iceland stopper.
Foden looked offside after Fernandinho's pass but with no video assistant referee system in operation, the goal was allowed to stand.
There was nothing controversial about City's fourth goal, Laporte meeting Foden's lovely curling cross to head home unmarked.
More misery for Gunners
With no wins in seven in the Premier League, Arsenal's problems continue to mount after being turfed out of the EFL Cup following a catalogue of errors against a City side that had been misfiring in recent weeks.
They showed some character after falling behind in the third minute but were architects of their own downfall as City took complete control in the second half.
Arteta was seeking a big performance after a wretched run of form left them languishing 15th in the table, just four points above the relegation zone.
Instead poor marking was to blame for the first and fourth goals, while a glaring goalkeeping error gifted City their second.
If there was a positive for Arteta, who now trails Pep Guardiola 3-1 in the battle between the City boss and his former assistant, it came in the shape of Martinelli.
Having recently returned from a serious injury, the teenager looked sharp and hungry, while his assist was one of the best moments of the game for the hosts.
However Martinelli, who had earlier been caught by keeper Zack Steffen, was forced off early in the second half after picking up another knock.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta: "It's a really painful moment again. We started the game conceding really early, a really soft goal. But the players reacted to be fair and we started to grow as the game was moving forward.
"We scored a goal, a really good goal and after that I think we were the better team for the next 25 minutes.
"It's a really hard result to take. But as well we have to look at things that can help us for the future, and I have to say for the young players in a really difficult scenario they did really well."
Brentford boss Thomas Frank said his players have "created a new chapter" in the club's 131-year history by beating Newcastle to reach a major semi-final for the first time.
The Championship side claimed the fourth Premier League scalp of their Carabao Cup run as they dominated the Magpies, despite Frank making six changes to his starting line-up.
The in-form Bees came into the quarter-final on the back of a 13-match unbeaten run and missed a host of good chances before Josh Dasilva's crisp, left-foot volley secured a spot in the last four.
Dasilva's breakthrough was merited as Brentford created the better chances throughout, with Saman Ghoddos hitting the bar and Sergi Canos heading wide with the goal at his mercy in the first half.
Callum Wilson threatened briefly for Newcastle but all the urgency and progressive football came from the hosts, despite the second tier's top scorer Ivan Toney being left on the bench against his former club.
Danish head coach Frank, 52, said: "It's a big step for the club and shows how far we have progressed. The owner Matthew Benham deserves great credit.
"And also, the way we did it - we fully deserved to win and we could have had more.
"I think they were as strong as they could be. We made changes and we still beat them."
Brentford show class once more
In the surroundings of their new Brentford Community Stadium, Frank and his players demonstrated how well they have rebuilt from the bitter pain of defeat by Fulham in the Championship play-off final and the loss of key players.
Last season's main striker, Ollie Watkins, and attacking creator, Said Benrahma, have left for Aston Villa and West Ham United respectively, but Frank still has a progressive, attractive side.
This game could have been over in the first half had Brentford taken those opportunities, but it was no more than they deserved when Dasilva finally broke the deadlock.
The Bees, who had already seen off Southampton, West Bromwich Albion and Fulham during their cup run, are back in the top four in the Championship, three points off the automatic promotion places, and are shaping up once more as serious promotion candidates.
And this was all achieved with a much-changed team. Frank insisted before Tuesday's game that, despite the changes, Brentford had the quality and inspiration to win and no-one can begrudge them a historic victory.
Newcastle's players made for the sanctuary of the dressing room very quickly at the end of a grim night that is sure to bring a storm of criticism down on the head of manager Steve Bruce and his players.
They got the kinder end of the quarter-final draw by avoiding the Premier League big guns, even though this was still a difficult assignment against a very good Championship side.
Newcastle did not even come close to taking advantage.
Yes, the Magpies suffered with a Covid-19 outbreak in their camp recently but there can be no excuses for the lack of drive, ideas and quality served up in west London on Tuesday.
Newcastle laboured throughout and were reduced to the desperate ploy of launching long balls towards substitute Andy Carroll in the closing stages while their opponents still carved out chances for lively substitute Toney with smart passing football.
Bruce has struggled to win over the Toon Army despite some respectable league placings, but this result and performance will go down terribly on Tyneside - a glorious opportunity squandered with a performance devoid of energy and inspiration.
This was a very, very bad night for Bruce and Newcastle.
Brentford boss Frank to Sky Sports: "It means a lot to me, the staff and the players because it's a massive step and a massive win.
"We want to be a part of creating a totally new history for Brentford, so that makes me proud. But I'm even more proud of the way we played today.
"One of their strikers up front cost more than our front three, so we knew they could put one in the back of the net at the end of the game - but we saw it through and we won."
Brentford make history - the stats
Brentford have reached the semi-final of a major domestic cup competition (FA Cup/League Cup) for the first time, on their fifth attempt.
Only Arsenal (13), Norwich City, Southampton and Tottenham (all nine) have suffered more League Cup quarter-final eliminations than Newcastle (eight).
Before this season, Brentford had knocked out top-flight opponents in just two of their 22 League Cup ties - but the Bees have beaten twice as many in 2020-21's competition alone.
Newcastle boss Bruce has now lost five of his six quarter-finals as a manager, including both in charge of the Magpies, having also been beaten by Manchester City in last season's FA Cup.
Since the start of last season, 10 of Dasilva's 14 Brentford goals have come in home matches.
The month of December is always busy for me as I have to write the annual newsletter, make sure all the Christmas cards are written and posted, all the presents are bought and wrapped and my wife likes to go to other homes to deliver some of those presents. This year, fortunately for me, she has been restricted to the front doorstep so I do not have to go in and drink tea and eat biscuits.
I have posted up all of the results and I intend to add some commentary when I can.
Tonight is a special night. I can watch my championship pick taking on Newcastle in the Carabao Cup then settle down to watch the Arsenal cup team take on Manchester City. Brentford are starting to get the old vertigo at this stage of the competition but they are capable of a good result. Arsenal certainly do much better in cup competitions than in the league so we have some hope in the late evening match.
I am settling down now and will report back later.
Match Report: Exeter City Women 2 Larkall Athletic Women 2
David Gribble reports on a comeback for Exeter City Women
21 December 2020
Another dramatic afternoon at the Sports Hub saw Exeter City again come from behind, this time to grab a 2-2 draw with Larkhall Athletic, in a game that saw the Grecians finish with ten players.
City started brightly, passing the ball around neatly on a rare sunny Sunday afternoon. However, it was to be the visitors who took the lead with their first attack. A pass over the top of the Home defence was neatly controlled by Rhian Robbins and the inform striker made no mistake in racing clear and finishing past Dumper. Phoebe Baker attempted to find an instant response; although her long range effort along the ground was palmed wide by Larkhall keeper Footner in what was to prove the first save of many.
Whilst City were enjoying the vast majority of possession, the threat of the visitors was clear. The pace of Robbins was a real concern and she should have made it two, running clear and rounding Dumper before hitting the side netting from a narrow angle. The Grecians again responded well, Anthea Kaptein broke in to the penalty area and struck the side netting, before Emily Toogood hit a shot in to the hands of Footner. Kaptein and Baker were now trying to up the tempo for the home side and the latter went close when she forced Footner in to another good low save. City were dominating possession but the final ball was not easy to come by and, when it did, they were finding a visiting keeper in excellent form.
With patience starting to be tested at not finding a way through, City paid the price. A free kick was put over the head of Charley Prouse and, as Dumper came out to clear, the ball was slotted home for a two goal advantage. The deficit was almost immediately halved on the stroke of half time, Zoe Watkins won the ball from an under hit goal kick yet her two efforts towards goal lacked the power to beat Footner.
Returning from University, Georgie Barbour Gresham was making her first appearance for City and she replaced Prouse at the interval. The Second Half would start much like the first, the home side dominant on the ball and yet not quite being able to convert the opportunities. A quick throw saw Anthea Kaptein send in a cross that was just headed wide by Mia Preston, whilst Emily Toogood’s low cross was volleyed narrowly wide by Steph Beck. Abi Footner was already proving a difficult opponent to beat in the Larks goal, her save just before the hour mark quite remarkable. Kaptein hit a shot from the edge of the penalty area that looked destined for the top corner, Footner somehow managed to get hands to it and get the ball over the crossbar, it was starting to look like it might be one of those days.
A half time move to a back three was seeing Toogood in more advanced areas and she won a corner to set up a goal that City’s pressure deserved. A deep cross by Kaptein found Steph Beck and as her header hit the foot of the post, Emily Toogood volleyed home for her fifth of the season. Clive Watts and his coaching team then rang the changes, Esme Kilburn Thompson and Phoebe Durkin came on to freshen up the side, and Durkin’s wonderful curling cross was met by Kaptein who just failed to get the connection on it to divert it towards goal.
With City camped in the Larkhall half, it was to be the failure to deal with the long ball that again changed the momentum of the game. Robbins, who was defending from the front with her powerful running, broke clear again and this time Georgie Barbour Gresham pulled her down. A clear Red card and City had it all to do with one player less.
One thing this team do not do is give up, time and time again they have come from behind this season, and it was to be a successive week of late drama. Phoebe Baker, who once again dominated the midfield with her tenacity, skipped past a tiring Larkhall midfield and unleashed a shot straight in to the top corner. For an afternoon of persistent, patient football against a resilient and well organise visiting defence, it was no more than City deserved.
The Final whistle saw the end of Football for what has been a turbulent 2020. The Grecians are currently a team that are a fine margin away from being an excellent side, improvements in both penalty areas in the second half of the season will surely see them climb the National League Table, few teams are failed to be impressed by the quality of City’s play. With more Lockdown restrictions on the horizon, and the consequences for grassroots football that could mean, it is hard to say what 2021 will bring. However, after two gruelling encounters, the City squad will be looking forward to a Christmas break and a hopeful return to action in January.
