Gloom

We’re still stuck in the ‘anticyclonic gloom’ of the past week. And yes, that’s a real meteorological condition, not just a metaphor for world affairs. 

My Saturday football excursion took me up to Silsden, where this view north along the River Aire from Silsden Bridge sums up the conditions.

Silsden were hosting Lancastrians Ramsbottom United in the second round of the FA Vase. Coincidentally this is the third consecutive season where I’ve seen Ramsbottom in an away cup tie (at Thackley in the FA Cup in 2022, and at Worsbrough Bridge in the FA Vase in 2023). It promised to be a good game, at the two teams are currently top of their respective tables, the neighbouring North West Counties and Northern Counties East leagues. Silsden have won eight on the bounce and Ramsbottom were unbeaten in fifteen. 

In the end, a couple of first half goals for Silsden were enough to win the tie - they were just a bit more clinical with their chances. 2-0 sees them into the next round.