Introduction to the blog...

Hi, my name's Toby Wildgoose. I'm a 21 year old who's obsessed by sport, so much so, that I am looking to become a sports journalist/media officer in later life.

I've set up this blog not only so that I can improve and refine my writing skills, but also to provide a platform for potential employers to view my work.

I have already developed a small portfolio of my work, with my experience in the industry including: written match reports for junior football teams, published work at numerous EFL clubs in a variety of formats, and work experience placements at Chesterfield FC and Rotherham United Community Sports Trust - to see my full portfolio click here: http://goo.gl/VWws3H.

I hope to post as often as possible on this blog about anything that is sport related. Please find the time to read any of my posts.

Any comments or suggestions on how I can improve the blog would be greatly appreciated, and I would also be happy to receive any other suggestions for work experience. Please comment on here, email me (tobywildgoose@gmail.com), or even tweet me (@TobyWildgoose). Cheers!

Start Date: 11/12/12 (Aged 15)

Wednesday 31 July 2013

Match Report: Kent Spitfires vs Hampshire Royals (FLt20)

Hampshire Royals confirmed their place at the top of the FLt20 South Group after a comfortable victory over Kent Spitfires, with Mark Carberry top scoring on 83*and Ben Dawson claiming four wickets for just 19 runs.

With the Royals already guaranteed a home tie in the quarter-finals, and the Spitfires already out of the competition, there was little to play for at the Lawrence Ground but for the chance Hampshire had to claim top spot.

Carberry’s superb innings of 83 not-out helped the side to a competitive total of 185-6 after captain Dimitri Mascarenhas had won the toss and elected to bat.

The opener’s innings could have unfolded quite differently though; had a first ball LBW appeal been given against him off the bowling of Mark Davies. Replays, however, showed the ball to be going just over the stumps.

Hampshire’s innings really got started in the second over when James Vince, celebrating the signing of a new contract with the Royals, hit two sixes off two balls to take the side to 20-0. His stay at the crease, however, would be a short one and he was clean-bowled just two balls later for 18.

With the loss of Hampshire’s second wicket coming in the fifth over, this brought about Neil McKenzie to the crease, who would prove to be a suitable partner for Carberry. His innings would end early, however, after being run-out for 45 off just 35 balls; just his second out of the tournament so far.

Carberry would continue his assault on the Kent bowlers though, and whilst Mascarenhas (4 runs), Ervine (10) and Dawson (17) would fall before the end, the opener would finish with his second best t20 score to date and guide Hampshire to 185-6.

This set Kent a target of 186 to win, with a rate of 9.30 runs an over required.

The innings couldn’t have started much better for the hosts, with Bell-Drummond hitting a four off the first ball of the innings, and without a loss of wicket by the fourth over, things looked to be going well for the Spitfires.

However, they soon found themselves two wickets down after some ‘fortunate’ catches off the bowling of the soon-to-be-retired Mascarenhas. First Bell-Drummond fell for just 12, after flicking the ball backwards towards Ervine at first slip. Then fell Cowdrey for 13, after hitting straight down the ground and into the hands of Chris Wood, who would go on to take 2-21.

With two men on 0 now at the crease, it looked like an impossible task for Kent to come back into the game. However, a partnership of 60 between Darren Stevens (39) and Sam Billings (21) brought the hosts back to 88-2 and in with a slight chance of victory.

Three quick wickets from off-spinner Liam Dawson, however, left Kent 89-5 and needing 97 more runs off just 42 balls to win. From here, Dawson claimed one more wicket to earn a competition best of 4-19 whilst the Spitfires struggled to 123-9, leaving them 63 short of the target.

Hampshire will now await Wednesday’s quarter final draw, whilst Kent will turn their attentions to the County Championship and the YB40.



Kent Spitfires: Bell-Drummond, Cowdrey, Billings, Stevens, Blake, Harmison, Jones (C), Coles, Claydon, Davies, Riley.


Hampshire Royals: Carberry, Vince, Adams, McKenzie, Ervine, Wheater, Dawson, Mascarenhas (C), Wood, Briggs, Griffiths. 

Monday 29 July 2013

Images: My visit to Bracken Moor

Stocksbridge Park Steels 3-0 Rotherham United - My Pictures

The Main Stand.

The players warm up ahead of the game. 

My view from the Main Stand.

Looking towards the grassy banking behind the goal.

Looking towards the Clubhouse end.

The wooden seating.

The Rotherham players talk to the coaching staff.

The Main Stand and Clubhouse.

Appearing on the match highlights.

Talking to Stocksbridge's 'keeper Ben Scott after the game.

Our picture with Ben Scott; brilliant sport. 

Sunday 28 July 2013

Match Report: Stocksbridge Park Steels 3-0 Rotherham United

An experienced Stocksbridge outfit prevailed over a youthful Millers’ side on Wednesday night, as Paul Raynor’s Rotherham slipped to a comprehensive defeat in their penultimate pre-season friendly.

Goals from Chris Bettney, Nathan Joynes and Steven Hoyles saw the Park Steels take the spoils after an entertaining encounter at Bracken Moor.

The visitors dominated the early stages of the game, with Kayode Odejayi and Mitchell Rose both seeing shots fly past the target after some good build-up play.

The hosts, however, took the lead in the 16th minute when Chris Bettney pounced on a loose ball on the edge of the six-yard box, much to the despair of the Millers’ backline.

The Park Steels almost doubled their advantage immediately, when Andy Ring’s intricate through ball saw Chris White bear down on goal. A clever stop from Tony Thompson, however, kept the host’s lead to just one.

A second goal did come for the home side though when Nathan Joynes rose above the Miller’s defence to head a teasing free-kick into the bottom right corner of Tony Thompson’s goal.

Rotherham then came close to pulling a goal back before half-time, as Lionel Ainsworth forced his way through the Park Steels’ defence. However, his low shot was parried away by the Stocksbridge number one, Ben Scott.

A number of chances soon followed for the Millers, however, the host’s back line stayed strong to see a two goal lead into the break.


Half-time: Stocksbridge Park Steels 2-0 Rotherham United

Stocksbridge continued their assault on the Rotherham defence after half-time, with substitute Joe Igenoza and Nathan Joynes both seeing efforts thwarted by some sturdy defending.

The Millers then had a chance for themselves just minutes later, however, Rowe saw his effort saved after meeting a swirling cross from Nicky Walker.

Rowe then saw another chance pass him by just minutes later as the assistant referee adjudged the Millers’ man to be offside after heading a Lionel Ainsworth cross goalwards.

Rotherham then came close again in the 70th minute, when Kayode Odejayi’s low cross was met by James Cadman. His sliding shot, however, was miraculously kept out by Ben Scott after some good build up play from the Millers.

It would be Stocksbridge though who would have the final say, and with just three minutes remaining Hoyles rounded a helpless Tony Thompson before comfortably slotting home to ensure the win for the hosts.

The Millers would have one last chance to score though before the end of the game. However, Lionel Ainsworth’s thunderous strike was somehow kept out by Ben Scott to ensure a clean sheet for the Park Steels.

Full-time: Stocksbridge Park Steels 3-0 Rotherham United



Rotherham: Thompson, Gibson, Johnson, Rose, Rowe, Lucas, Cadman, Watson, Odejayi, Ainsworth, Walker

Substitutes: Bryan, Williamson, Wiggley, Bevins

Stocksbridge: Scott, Royles, Turner, Swirad, Bowden-Lovell, Callery, Bettney, Telling, Ring, Joynes, White


Substitutes: Hoyles, Travis, Davies, Senior, Knowles, Hoyles, Black, South, Igenoza


Attendance: N/A