Viking 1 Molde 0 - An early second half goal from Sondre Bjorshol proves enough for Viking to net a big win over top four rivals Molde and go into second place in the Eliteserien

Norwegian Eliteserien, Sunday 28th July

My second game in Norway this weekend saw me at my families most local Eliteserien side in the shape of Viking, who came from Stavanger of course, and they were up against Molde in what was billed as the game of the weekend in Norway, hence it's late slot on the Sunday evening, it was 4th against 3rd with the winners taking second spot behind leaders Bodo/Glimt.

Neither wanted to drop points as they could not give Bodo/Glimt or even Brann, who occupied second spot at kick off, anymore breathing space, Viking & Molde were level on points and only separated by goal difference, and trailed second placed Brann by two points and leaders Bodo by nine points, so a win for either was certainly on the agenda.

Both sides form coming into this one was similar, both had been on decent unbeaten runs over last four or five games before they came to a shuddering halt last weekend, Viking losing against one of their local rivals in the shape of Haugesund whilst Molde were beaten at home by surprise package of the season so far in the shape of KFUM Oslo. although Molde did bounce back in midweek to win against Danish side Silkeborg in midweek.

And when these two played each other at the start of June it was a very entertaining contest at the Aker Stadion up in Molde, although the hosts on that occasion managed to net all four goals in that contest, netting two own goals in the process to help Viking claim a 2-2 draw, so I was certainly hoping for a similar contest here at the SR Bank Arena, or otherwise known as the Viking Stadion.

A crowd of 10,622, which included around 50-100 from Molde, certainly created a decent atmosphere inside what is a superb stadium, am always impressed when I go there, and I had managed to bag myself a decent seat as well in a prime location just in front of the watching media, and at around £27 too it was very good value as well.

The Viking Hordene behind the goal to my right were vocal as always, and were throughout the entire contest, could their side give them the win that they wanted to much and send out a warning to their other rivals that they certainly meant business in this years title race and also the European spots up for grabs in those top four places.

Well, the first half of the contest they were thankful for their keeper Arild Ostbo who had to make four decent stops to keep the visitors out, the first one denied Kristoffer Haugen from the angle after he had produced a chance for himself down the left, and then Eirik Hestad was played in but saw Ostbo thwart him with another smart stop.

The third chance saw a clever corner routine from Molde as Hestad found Markus Kaasa is acres of room inside the box and his first time strike through a crowd of bodies was beaten away by Ostbo, and the fourth save came when a ball into the box by Hestad was half dealt with by the Viking back line but then for some reason they headed the ball right into the path of Emil Breivik at the back post, but Ostbo was again on hand to block the attempt at goal.

Viking had snippets of openings but barely tested Albert Posiadala in the Molde goal, the closest they came was a free kick from skipper Zlatko Tripic, but his effort flew wide of the target, it meant that the contest remained goalless at the break but with Molde certainly having the better of the chances and play for sure.

However, the start of the second half saw what proved to be the decisive moment of the contest as with it barely a minute old Viking caught their opponents cold as good play down the left saw a ball into the box before it was helped on into the path of Sondre Bjorshol who thumped a lovely first time effort beyond Posidala and handed Viking the lead in this one, what a start it was for them in the second period.

Viking now had the bit between their teeth and sensed that for the first time in the match they could grab control and maybe add a second goal to really give themselves some breathing room, they nearly found it too as again good play down the left saw the impressive Harald Tangen slipped in but his powerful effort from the angle was well beaten away by Posidala.

However, once the match past the 60-65 minute mark, Molde began to see more of the ball once again as Viking started to think about holding onto what they had perhaps, the visitors did suffer a blow when Kristoffer Haugen had to be replaced by Mathias Fjortoft-Lovik after being injured in a challenge, but the substitute caused Viking no end of problems down the left hand side as it turned out and was a real threat.

Molde continued to probe and try and find a route to goal, and in the 74th minute they thought they had finally found a way past Ostbo and the hosts back line when a ball in from Fjortoft-Lovik saw a number of players, including keeper Ostbo, challenge for the ball, and after what appeared to be a foul on Ostbo and see the ball perhaps headed from his grasp too, the loose ball was turned home by another substitute Aaron Olanare , and with no whistle forthcoming, the goal stood, much to the dismay of the home players and crowd.

But, VAR then got involved and the goal was checked for offside as it turned out, and it was deemed that Olanare was just in an offside position when the ball reached him from that header out of Ostbo's grasp, so the goal was ruled out for offside, which got a very loud cheer from the home supporters, and you felt after this that Molde were never going to find a way through as it was just one of those days for them.

Viking almost made their lives easier by so nearly adding a wonderful second goal but saw a dipping effort from Hampus Finndell glance off the top of the bar, however Viking's nerves were being shredded as they had to defend for their lives to make sure they held onto the slender advantage they had, but they managed to see it out and claim a huge win, sinking to their knees at the end in triumph as they knew how important this win could be.    

It just wasn't Molde's day in the end, they had enough chances to get something from this one but found MOTM Ostbo in supreme form, yes Viking rode their luck at times but they worked very hard for this win so you cannot begrudge them that, and they were the ones who managed to find a legitimate goal in the contest so ultimately that is what counts.

Viking climb into second spot and six points behind the leaders with a game in hand no less, and it was even sweeter as the side they climbed replaced in second was their bitter rivals Brann, who are from down the road in Bergen, Molde well this was a blow to their championship chances as they fell to fourth and remain nine points off the lead.

A good contest it was though played in front of a decent atmosphere, another enjoyable evening at Viking Stadion, or for sponsor's the SR Bank Arena, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Full time Viking 1 Molde 0

 

Bryne 1 Sandnes Ulf 1 - Sandnes claimed only second away point of season to climb off bottom of OBOS-ligaen after Matias Moldskred strike cancelled out early Eirik Saunes header for promotion chasing hosts

Norwegian OBOS-ligaen, Saturday 27th July

My second competitive encounter of the new season this time came from South West Norway and Bryne, which is about half an hour by train from Stavanger, and it was my first visit to the Bryne Stadion for a match up between two local rivals, Bryne FK & Sandnes Ulf, who are only separated by around ten miles.

After I had travelled by bus from my mothers house in Tananger to Stavanger city centre to catch the train to Bryne, I took the ten minute or so walk down to the stadium to take in the pre match atmosphere, which was mainly outside the main stand before you went into the ground, lots of home fans enjoying the live music and bar that was set up there, the weather was beautiful too so why not.

After walking around most of the outside of the ground to try and find out where I needed to go in, some friendly folk directed me around to the far end of the other side where the terrace was that I had decided to buy a ticket for, I made my way into the ground through a iron gate. The ground has one big seated main stand on one side and a rather old and dated looking terrace on the other, which houses the home fans on two thirds of it and the away fans in the other third.

There was no stands at either end of the stadium so affectively it was a two sided ground, but the rules in Norway are totally different to those ones that the FA set in the UK, so it's not uncommon for sides as high as this, the second tier in Norway, to have this, and prices were very decent as well, around a tenner to stand which is not bad at all.

A small wooden kiosk serving hot dogs, slices of pizza, fizzy drinks and hot drinks as well as confectionary were available in the middle of the terrace, although the one portable loo near the gate where you came in seemed closed, so the only way to wee was under the main stand, somewhere we could not get to unless you left the ground, so that wasn't ideal, unless there was somewhere else I missed!!!

Anyway, I picked a nice spot to stand for the game and was joined by several hundred other people by the time kick off came around, this was a bumper crowd today as it was a local derby in the sunshine, and 2,016 turned up to watch, they normally get around 1,100 to 1,200 ish so this was a much bigger crowd than normal, and I think most of the extra were on the terrace with me, so I am glad I bagged a decent spot before they all turned up!!! 

Now the hosts are enjoying one of their best seasons for some time and are right in the mix for promotion after half their games they sat third in the table well inside the playoffs and in with a chance of going level on points with top spot if they could win here today, and their home form certainly suggested they could win again, seven wins and one defeat in eight at Bryne Stadion, one of the best home records in the division.

And with them being up against a Sandnes side who had only taken one point away from home all season in six contests and were sitting bottom of the division having only picked up nine points from their thirteen games, this was even more reason to think the home side would pick up another home win in this one, although this being a derby sometimes form and positions in the table mean nothing.

Bryne nearly got themselves in front very early on when a long range effort was brilliantly turned away by visiting keeper Serigne Mbaye, but in the seventh minute he came for a cross into the mixer and was beaten to it by hosts attacker Eirik Saunes who nodded an effort into the gaping goal, leaving the keeper spread eagled on his front wondering why he had come for the cross he was never really going to get to first.

You felt it could be another long afternoon on their travels for the visitors after falling behind so early on, and the hosts certainly had enough openings to add to their lead and maybe put the game to bed, Mbaye had to make another flying save on one occasion again to keep the hosts out, but with the scoreline only at 1-0 Sandnes knew they were still in the contest, and that one moment would change the momentum perhaps.

They began to have a spell towards the end of the half and with four minutes of the half to go they did indeed find that moment when Andreas Nyhagan got down the left and sent in a ball that eventually found it's way to Matias Moldskred and he duly rifled a first time effort past Igor Spiridonov who was rooted to the spot, and just like that and despite being second best for most of the half, Sandnes Ulf went into the break all square.

Could they build on this in the second half, or would Bryne regather themselves in the second period and stamp their authority in this contest? Well, Sandnes spent a lot of the half without the ball and having to defend, but if truth be told Bryne were rather flat for times in the second half and didn't really get up to the levels they had managed in the opening forty five minutes, and as the game ticked on the frustrations amongst the home players and support was noticeable.

It really was a game they expected to win, and it wasn't happening for them, although credit to Sandnes who battled hard for each other and made it very tough for their opponents, so when the final whistle did eventually blow after around 97 minutes or so, you could not begrudge the visiting side a point, they had worked oh so hard for it and this was appreciated greatly by the travelling support who had come to cheer on their side.

A disappointing day for the hosts though who will definitely see this as two points dropped as they slipped a place to forth behind another local rival in Egersund although they are only two points off automatic promotion and four off the top, so it's still a good position to be in, for Sandnes this point, only their second away from home all season, sees them off the bottom and into double figures in terms of overall points too, it's a start as they say, and they are only four points off fourth bottom Asane, who they play next weekend, with two games in hand. Must remain positive, especially after this result today.

A good day out then in lovely Norwegian sunshine, a decent game to enjoy too in a decent stadium with a good atmosphere at times too, so thank you Bryne for having me today, it's been a pleasure.

Full time Bryne 1 Sandnes Ulf 1

Billericay Town 2 Witham Town 0 - An early goal from new signing Decarrey Sheriff & a second half penalty from Moses Emmanuel helps Blues take victory over Witham in latest pre season outing

Pre Season Friendly, Tuesday 23rd July

My final pre season outing prior to me flying out of the country until after the season begins saw me over at New Lodge for a contest between Isthmian Premier Billericay Town & Isthmian North side Witham Town as both teams worked their way towards the August 10th starting date for the league campaign.

The Blues will be hoping to improve on last season sixth placed finish where they just missed out on the end of season playoffs by just three points by at least reaching those this time around and gaining promotion to the next level, Witham themselves will hope they can improve on their 14th placed finish in the North Division although they were never really in a relegation scrap like previous seasons so this in itself was a positive to take from it.

They were only five points off a top ten finish too so a much improved campaign compared to previous ones, so that would be an aim for this season no doubt, to try and break into those top ten positions, for Billericay it was time to try and bounce back into the Vanarama South after a couple of seasons where they had been on a slide of sorts, so this was again an important season for them.

The first half of this contest saw Witham have the majority of the better chances that occurred, Callum Fitzer & Joshua Osude were causing the hosts defence plenty of problems roared on by a noisy visiting support behind the goal led by the superb James Beardwell of course, he really is a breath of fresh air for non league football, so well done to him. They and the small gathering of home fans who gathered behind same goal with their drum certainly made it a good atmosphere.

Sadly for James and his side though, it was Billericay who led at the break courtesy of a 13th minute strike from new signing Decarrey Sheriff who was making his first appearance after joining from Eastbourne Borough and he netted on debut after a lovely run from a Trialist down the left, his cut back found Moses Emmanuel who then played it to Sheriff who provided a neat finish with his left foot into the bottom corner.

The home side hadn't been at their best in the first period but they certainly improved after the break and seven minutes after the restart doubled their lead when the visiting keeper flattened hosts defender Tom Bender inside the box after both challenged for a high looping ball, and Emmanuel turned scorer this time by firing home the spot kick, although the keeper almost made amends by saving it, but could only help the ball into the bottom corner of the net.

The hosts then changed pretty much their entire starting eleven just past the hour mark as more players got minutes, Witham also made some changes as well as the game continued on, this is what pre season is all about, trying out players or giving players minutes to get their fitness up to scratch, it was certainly a good workout for both and more information gathered for both sets of management as they continue their build up to the new season.

Full time Billericay Town 2 Witham Town 0

Chelmsford City 1 Barnet 1 - Rhys Browne strike with just under fifthteen minutes to go earns draw for Bees after a Kane Crichlow header had given hosts lead just past hour mark

Pre Season Friendly, Monday 22nd July

My fourth pre season outing of the new season saw me over at a very sunny Melbourne Stadium for a contest between Vanarama National South Chelmsford City & Vanarama National League Barnet as both sides continue to build up towards their league campaign that starts on August 10th.

Both sides had similar disappointing losses in the play offs at the end of last season, The Clarets lost out in dramatic fashion to Essex rivals Braintree Town at home in the play off semi finals, whereas Barnet were thumped at home in their play off semi final by Solihull Moors, meaning both missed out on a chance of promotion, so no doubt their ambitions were to go one better this time around.

Barnet were the ones to have the first real chances of the contest, Rhys Browne saw a close range effort brilliantly saved by Ted Collins in the City goal, before ex Claret Jermaine Francis also saw a close range effort brilliantly saved by Collins, City then had chances of their own before the half was out, Bees keeper Nick Hayes making a decent stop from Charlie Ruff after the keeper had given the ball away initially, before Callum Watts forced a decent stop from Hayes with the follow up effort from Ryan Blackman going off target.

And just before the break Kalala curled a decent effort just wide of the far post, which meant the half would end goalless.

Barnet then saw a Finlay Wilkinson effort flash wide of the Chelmsford goal early in the second period, but just past the hour mark it was the hosts who got their noses in front when after Sam Oguntayo had seemingly misplaced a pass down the left, he managed to fool the defender by doing so and ran onto this own ball before crossing into the box for Kane Crichlow to rise and power home a header beyond Hayes.

The Bees thought they had responded when an effort from the right was palmed across goal by Collins where the visitors prodded home at the far post, but the assistants flag had gone up, meaning the goal was chalked off, and after City had seen an effort saved by Hayes, Barnet did find a legitimate leveller, and it was a pretty decent leveller too.

In the 77th minute a lovely move down the right resulted in a ball into the box finding Browne who controlled before firing in an unstoppable effort beyond Collins into the top corner of the net, prompting applause from both sets of fans who had turned up to watch this one, and with neither side able to find a winner in the remaining time left. the game ended in a draw.

No doubt another ninety minutes for both sides to find out more about themselves as their build up to the new season continues.

Full time Chelmsford City 1 Barnet 1

Benfleet 1 Hutton 3 - Two late goals see Thurlow Nunn South Hutton record victory against Essex Senior League newboys Benfleet in their latest pre season workout

Pre Season Friendly, Saturday 20th July

My latest pre season match saw me over at a new and improved Woodside, home of Benfleet, and they have finally moved back home for their first ever season at Step Five after spending their entire senior status ground sharing at Canvey Island's Park Lane, some six years or so, but now Woodside has been transformed into a senior ground, so great news for the hosts.

In order to bring this ground up to standard a stand seating around 100 people has been added with two small covered terraces either side of that, along with fencing all around the ground to enclose it, a barrier around the pitch, concrete standing around the pitch, a walkway for the players to walk down onto the pitch from the dressing rooms, and a turnstile.

Dugout's have also been added onto the far side too, spectators can only view the game from three sides though as the dugout side does not have an area for those watching the game to stand in and watch, but that doesn't really matter as the rest of the ground is very neat and considering they only started work at the beginning of the year, it's some achievement and progress to have it ready for the new season. I was also informed it had passed the grading with flying colours only yesterday so all good news as Benfleet prepare for their debut season in the Essex Senior League.

They were up against a side in Hutton who made their debut in Step Six and Senior football last season and they almost ended it with promotion along with Benfleet from the same division, the Thurlow Nunn Division One South, but sadly for them lost out in the play offs, meaning another season at Step Six this season, so they were warming up for a campaign that they hoped ended with promotion at the second time of asking and maybe joining Benfleet in Step Five next season.

For now though it was all about getting ready for the upcoming season which for both starts a week today, Hutton were the ones to break the deadlock after just eight minutes when a cross from the right was headed home into the bottom corner, but three minutes before the break Benfleet levelled when a ball into the box broke to the hosts and saw a lovely powerful finish into the top corner off the bar, and it meant the sides went into the break all square.

A moment of controversy in the second half saw most of us in the stands applauding a wonderful goal from the visitors when a shot from range dipped beyond the keeper and appeared to thump the underside of the bar, hit the stanchion inside the goal and come out again, but the officials were pretty confident the ball had not crossed the line, so no goal was given, so it remained 1-1.

Hutton probably shaded the second period and it was probably fair that they regained the lead with nine minutes to go when a lovely ball in from the right was swept home into the far corner, and then with a minute of the game remaining a lovely control and finish from inside the box sealed Hutton's win in their latest run out.

Both sides now have a week to prepare for another important season, this was certainly a tough one in humid heat so no doubt fitness was improved as more miles in the legs was achieved.

Full time Benfleet 1 Hutton 3