Farsley Riled by Ref in 2-2 Draw at Radcliffe Borough

By James Grayson

Match Photos

Ten minutes to go at Radcliffe and the scores are tied at 2-2. Ryan Harrison exchanges a neat one-two with Gareth Grant and takes a touch inside the box which will open up a goal-scoring chance. That was when he was brought down by two (not just one) Radcliffe defenders. Or using a slang term – he was ‘banjoed’.

Now to the majority of people that is a straightforward penalty decision. But this referee decided it wasn’t and played on. It was absolutely shocking from any Farsley fan’s point of view.

 

When you look at how Sergio Aguero won his penalty against Leeds United a few weeks ago for a tiny bit of contact on his shoulder, how could the referee not give the foul on Ryan (pictured above). It was simply not good enough.

But it wasn’t just that key moment that the referee got wrong, he was very poor all afternoon. He was too far behind play throughout the 90 minutes. He wasn’t consistent with his yellow cards for both sides and his decision-making with certain types of fouls were inconsistent. A minor aerial challenge may have penalised one minute but then later, the same type of challenge went unpunished.

On a more serious note, due to his inability to follow the game properly, the referee missed a dangerous challenge which left Farsley defender Rob Etherington (pictured above) almost unconscious. The young lad could have easily ended up lying in intensive care. Rob went to win a header and was taken out by a ridiculous aerial challenge by Ben Wharton. Rob had to be substituted and quite how the referee failed to punish Wharton is incredible.

The referee was not the only person to have a very poor game. The linesman on the dug-out side in the second half had an interesting afternoon and his best moment was when he flagged Ryan Harrison offside in the last few minutes. Ryan’s corner was headed back to him by a Radcliffe defender, at which moment the linesman gave offside. I think I’ll check the rules on offside.

 

But while the draw was disappointing for Farsley, there were some good performances out there. Matty James (pictured above) returned from Bradford Park Avenue after four years away and he was impressive. His skill and trickery allowed him to roll the ball across for Adam Priestley to make the score 2-2 on the stroke of half-time.

Ryan Harrison, back in the starting line-up, was Farsley’s man of the match and he deserved his goal. Number one goalkeeper Tom Morgan was back with fine display after a five month absence due to injury.

But, there were negatives. At times, the centre midfielders were anonymous and this put the defence under unnecessary pressure. The midfield were mainly at fault for the second Radcliffe goal.

And a poor back-pass in the final moments nearly gifted Radcliffe the winner. Fortunately the miss of the season, which I’m sure will be soon appearing on YouTube, ensured a point was taken.

However, it could have been three, if only the penalty had been given.

Northern Ballet's The Great Gatsby Thrills Audiences

By James Grayson (Twitter - @jamesAgrayson)

Jazzy and stylish, Northern Ballet’s production of The Great Gatsby is unforgettable. Whether you have been to Ballet before or not, you will love it.

It does have its negatives, but on the whole, The Great Gatsby is marvellous. Such as a production like this – something that has never been done before – was always going to be difficult, but the mysteriousness of Gatsby (Tobias Batley) is well portrayed. His opening appearance as a figure with his back-turned to the audience creates the sense of mystery.

The Great Gatsby also has spontaneity. An outbreak of the song When the Midnight Choo Choo in the Myrtle’s Apartment is a pleasant surprise and engages the audiences during a fast-paced Act One. Act Two does not match the pace of the first, but does really spring into life during the final 15 minutes as the audience is gripped by the finale.

However, to understand the performance, the audience needs to have at least a basic overview of the story. Because it is Ballet, it is not easy to work out which characters are which and who is in love with who? It is difficult to work out how Myrtle and George Wilson fit into the story unless you have prior knowledge.  

How Gatsby made his money is told, but it is not obvious. Although the mystery men in long coats is a nice touch and does underline that Gatsby has a shady background. Why he is in love with Daisy (Martha Leebolt) cannot be explained in Ballet so adds another down point. Despite this, you grow to love Gatsby as he finds redemption and makes a real friend in Nick (Giuliano Contadini). And you feel the pain as the performance ends in tragedy.

But forgetting the few negatives, The Great Gatsby was fun and engaging. While certain things are unclear, the story is told well. But you have to have prior knowledge. The music is memorable and jazzy and the sets are magnificent and make you feel like you there. It is a production you would go and see again.   

The Great Gatsby runs until Saturday 9^th March at The Leeds Grand.

Phil Sharpe is the Man to Save Ossett Albion

By James Grayson (Twitter - @jamesAgrayson)

Phil Sharpe is the man Ossett Albion need to turn to if they want to avoid relegation after the departure of joint-bosses Lloyd Fellows and Paul Watson last week.

Former Frickley Athletic, Bradford Park Avenue and Harrogate Railway manager Sharpe has a track record of galvanising teams in sticky situations and he fits the bill for Ossett.

He somehow kept Frickley in the Northern Premier Division during his time there on one of the smallest budgets in recent NPL history. He then had a successful spell at Bradford where he won the NPL President’s Cup and had them challenging at the top of the NPL Division One North.

Harrogate Railway was the next stop and he did a good job despite the low budget before a move to Ossett Town where he had to cope with savage budget cuts. Albion have a small budget and Sharpe knows the score and how to cope with limited resources. Sharpe also inspires an excellent team-spirit within his camps.

Albion have 14 matches to save their season and a call to Sharpe will be a step in the right direction.

Caretaker bosses Steve Nicholson and Richard Tracey failed to inspire a much-needed victory at Warrington Town at the weekend after losing 2-1.

Former Emley captain Nicholson and ex-Bradford Park Avenue striker Tracey were handed the role after Fellows and Watson left Ossett one point above bottom-placed Garforth Town and 11 league games without a win.

And Ossett know Garforth are hot on their heels as Town are improving. Garforth were unlucky to lose 4-3 at home to New Mills after leading twice in the match.

Ossett host Salford City next week at Dimple Wells.

'Skyfall' is One of the Finest James Bond Films Ever Made

By James Grayson

Right from the beginning of James Bond in 1962, you knew 007 would win the battle. But, in Skyfall, you genuinely feel that Daniel Craig’s character is beaten.

007 is wounded, frail and vulnerable and even unable to hold his gun steady, a stark contrast from the Bond we are used to seeing. And this leaves him open to attack from the villain Raoul Silva (Javier Bardem).

Silva, a former MI6 operative, wants to humiliate, discredit and kill M (Judi Dench) and is able to penetrate MI6’s systems. Silva is the most dangerous Bond villain there has been for a long time and Bond’s attempts to kill him lead to a gripping finale set at an isolated house in Scotland.

But another success of Skyfall is the decision to have the villain in the heart of London rather a far-flung country. The London Tube plays a key part in a ten minute section and viewers in the UK can relate to it. The Tube scenes add realism – something lost during the Pierce Brosnan years. In the Brosman years there were too many implausible scenes and Craig’s Bond has made it more believable again.

But while Craig is superb, Dench gives her finest performance as M. She is in real danger and while Bond and had their differences in the previous two films, 007 shows his loyalty to her and MI6. Alongside Dench, there are excellent debuts from Ralph Fiennes (Gareth Mallory), Ben Whishaw (Q) and Naomie Harris (Eve), who all look set to feature in the next Bond movie.

Skyfall may be a gritty and serious film, but director Sam Mendes ensures it retains the humour that has always been associated with the Bond franchise. As Bond leaps onto a moving Tube Train, a waiting passenger says to his wife, “he’s desperate to get home".

While Skyfall is a move from the Bond we all know, it still leaves its mark as one of the finest Bond films ever made. Skyfall has everything. It has whit, charm, romance and of course car-chases. It is a must-see and leaves you gagging for more.

Football: Five Issues That the FA Need to Tackle

By James Grayson (Twitter - @jamesAgrayson)

The announcement that the FA are to invest £150 million to improve run-down is a welcome sign. While not a total solution to the problems in the Grassroots game, it shows the FA are interested in tackling their many problems. Grassroots funding is one of them and I have picked the five key issues I believe the FA need to tackle to improve the game.

1. Racism

You don’t see bananas being thrown in England anymore, but racism is still widely seen at grounds up and down the country. You only have to watch Sky Sports News’ undercover footage of Millwall fans racially abusing El-Hadji Diouf a few months ago. Racism has to be stamped out and the only answer is harsh punishments for clubs and individuals, whether as a fan or a player, manager, etc. The Kick It Out campaign has been running for over ten years, but has it worked? Maybe a little bit, but why do we keep seeing headlines with racism in them.    

2. Grassroots Funding

When the Premier Division is earning millions in TV revenue, it is sad that the Grassroots game receives little funding. Clubs from semi-professional to the Dog and Duck on Sunday morning struggle to pay bills whether for pitch rent or referee fees. It is a major sad state of affairs and something the FA need to look at – the news of the funding for new pitches is a step in the right direction.

3. Club Finances

The recently introduced tighter controls on debts in the Premier League will hopefully significantly reduce spending. But the FA needs to come down on clubs, not just Premier League, who are spending money they don’t have. Leagues need to have stringent financial checks on their clubs to avoid more Armageddon situations. The Portsmouth saga has been embarrassing for the whole of football and this scenario must not be repeated. It paints football in a bad light.

4. Crowd Disorder

Football has been dogged by hooliganism for over 40 years and it still exists on a smaller scale. While there is not a lot the FA can do, they still have to continue to try and eradicate it. Fighting between supporters still happens, but one of the major problems is persistent standing and offensive chanting. All-seater stadiums have encouraged families to spend their Saturday at the football. But standing and chanting deters people. Only Premier League team Sunderland seem to be acting on persistent standing, while offensive chanting seems go unpunished everywhere. The FA also has a problem with missiles being thrown at players and officials which is threatening safety.

5. Disciplinary System

Although it is an obscure choice, there are major inconsistencies in the disciplinary system. It often appears that the FA break-up the rule book when it suits them. Few red cards get overturned, mainly because of mistaken identity. But the John Terry racism case made a mockery of it. Terry got four matches for a racist comment when Eden Hazard almost received a longer ban for kicking a ball-boy. While Luis Suarez got eight games last year for a racist remark to Patrice Evra. And when a serious incident happens, the FA hide behind the rule that if an incident is seen by an official, they cannot intervene. This has meant players have got away with serious offences such David Luiz last week.

La Cage Aux Folles All Set for Yeadon Premiere

By James Grayson (Twitter - @jamesAgrayson)

They have pushed the boat out this year so Yeadon Amateur & Dramatic Operatic Society are hoping the local community turns up in force to see La Cage Aux Folles.

Led by new director Jonathan Tate, David Kirk stars as Georges, while Andrew Walton plays Albin who doubles up as drag queen ZaZa.

However, the society has taken a risk by deciding to pick La Cage as their spring musical in a bid to attract new followers.

La Cage is rarely performed by local amateur dramatic societies and secretary Linda Marshall explained why: “La Cage is a fabulous show that isn’t performed often and you hope it attracts new audiences.

“It is difficult to costume and difficult to find the right cast members, but you have to set yourself the challenge and that is what we have done by choosing La Cage.

“This year we have a new production team, musical, director and choreographer and we were looking for something that isn’t done often to introduce these new people to Yeadon audiences.”

La Cage revolves around the lives of gay couple Georges and Albin who are happily running a drag club until Georges’ son announces his engagement to a controversial right-wing politician.

Georges and Albin then have to meet their son’s fiancée’s parents, but their attempts to ‘play it straight’ descend into a farce.

Andrew (pictured above), who has previously performed in La Cage before, believes audiences will find the musical amusing.

Andrew, while doubling up as a Job Centre Business Manager for the Department of Work and Pensions, has starred in productions for a number of societies including the Ilkley Amateur Operatic Society.

He has appeared as Billy in Carousel, Bobby Child in Crazy for You and Roger De Bris in The Producers and Andrew says the role of Albin is the most challenging of his acting career.

“At the start of one of the songs, I start off as a man and get dressed throughout the song into a woman,” he said.

“You’re putting on the make-up, putting the dress on, the wig on, the shoes throughout the song. That is quite frightening at times to think that everything has to go in the right order because by the end of the song, I need to be there as ZaZa.

“It is daunting and it is my hardest role because I have to be something completely different.”

The musical contains a number of familiar songs including Gloria Gaynor’s hit I am What I am and Andrew insists people will enjoy La Cage.

He said: “Anyone who comes will find it entertaining. There is some very dialogue throughout the production and there are some fabulous songs in it.

“There are a lot of songs that everyone will know and the song I am What I am that was made famous by Gloria Gaynor in the 80s was actually written for this production.

“There’s a song called The Best of Times which a lot of people will know. There are all these songs out there that people don’t realise that they actually originated from a musical into mainstream pop songs.”

La Cage begins at Yeadon Town Hall on Tuesday 12 March and runs through until Saturday 16 March.

Tickets cost £12 in the stalls (£11 concessions) and £14 in the balcony (£13 concessions).



Sky Sports Star Stelling gets Leeds Trinity Journalism Week off to a Fine Start

By James Grayson (Twitter - @jamesAgrayson)

Leeds Trinity’s 2013 Journalism Week began with a bang as a large audience crammed inside the Mary Halliday Lecture Theatre to hear Sky Sports star Jeff Stelling speak.

Stelling, best known for his role as the anchor for Gilette Soccer Saturday, recalled a number of anecdotes about the show, but also told the story of his career.

And to a stunned audience, Stelling revealed that he originally wanted to be a court reporter when he started out at Hartlepool Mail.

After moving into sport, he began to work for radio before a move into television.

He initially worked for TVam. Eurosport followed and during his spell with the satellite broadcaster, Stelling even commentated on fencing.

But Stelling eventually got his big break when he moved to work for BSKYB – a job he claims he got because of his knowledge of horse racing.

However when Stelling originally started working for Rupert Murdoch’s company, it had no rights to broadcast main sporting events. On the day of the World Cup final, Stelling played subbuteo with co-presenter Suzanne Dando on live TV.

Despite the intital low-points at BSKYB, the success of Soccer Saturday has made Stelling a household name. Sharing the screen with former footballers like Phil Thompson, Paul Merson and until his death, George Best, Stelling’s show attracts millions of viewers each week.

Stelling is also known for his stint as host of cult Channel 4 programme Countdown, but he played down his role on the programme, which he left last year: “Rachel Riley did the maths, Susie Dent had the dictionary and all I did was press a button to start the clock.”

Journalism Week continues until Thursday at Trinity.