You know you're in the Yorkshire Dales when you're in a stand at a football game and, almost subconsciously, you're keeping half an eye on sheep running around in distant fields which overlook the ground as well.
The backdrop at Silsden's Cobbydale Construction Stadium is as picturesque as it is brilliant - on first impressions I very much like it, and it certainly has vibes of 'Emmerdale Away'; infact all that was missing from the experience was hearing the theme tune!
That, or Kate Bush singing 'Out on the Wily Windy Moor...' would have fitted the occasion perfectly because the weather was horrific and a blustery gale battered the one stand which offered shelter from the elements and created all kinds of noises throughout the game.
This was my first 'proper' day out on the train for a good few weeks and a 'double-header' having also been at the youth game between Bradford City and Doncaster Rovers in the morning.
Donny Rovers, of course, is where I first clapped eyes on a certain Charlie Bell and, by coincidence, this was Staveley's first game following his departure with Chaz having taken up a once-in-a-lifetime chance to go and play football in America at Missouri State University.
An absolutely top lad and one of the best I've ever come across anywhere in terms of attitude and application, he's a credit to himself and everyone who's supported him over the years, and his contribution to the Trojans' team over the past six or seven months has been immense - particularly when you consider this is his first season in men's football. He established himself as a regular at right-back and made 30 appearances in total - contributing 10 assists, playing a role in 11 clean-sheets and even scoring one goal which was about 20 yards out when he initially told me about it although it's since become a 35-yarder!
Everyone has spoken glowingly about Chaz though and he'll be sorely missed at Inkersall Road so good luck in America and I know you'll enjoy everything about the experience.
Having put together a string of victories over the past couple of months, Staveley have climbed into the top half of the table and will have their eyes set on achieving a top-half finish. Silsden, likewise, will be targeting precisely the same and there hasn't been more than just a handful of points separating the two teams at any given point this season.
On the pitch, this game was ultimately settled by a couple of mistakes. Although Staveley had more possession, adapted better to the blustery weather and were probably the more creative of the two sides, they were very much guilty of not taking the openings which went their way.
Declan Howe needs just another goal to hit the big '20' for this season and he made an unintentional contribution to an early chance as the ball ricocheted off his arse from an attempted clearance towards Mitch Langton whose quick snap-shot had to be palmed away by a full-stretch Silsden 'keeper.
A couple of more conventional chances were crafted as Tyler Dunn fired a low drive across the 'keeper which ended up going narrowly wide of the post, whilst Howe got in-behind the defence and had an attempt blocked in another attack where the ball couldn't be scrambled into the net.
The windy weather was causing all sorts of havoc (proof being the corner flag blew onto the pitch and nearly reached the halfway line at one point) and although Silsden had only had bits and pieces of sporadic pressure, they took the lead on the half-hour mark. Langton's attempted back-pass was wayward and intercepted by Silsden's Jack Normanton who, consequentially, found himself in a one-on-one where despite Rio Alberry saving the initial shot, the striker was able to finish at the second attempt. 1-0.
The hosts then applied more pressure as they sought to double their lead with Normanton going close but unable to hit the target on the stroke of half-time.
There was a sense in the second half that if Silsden grabbed the next goal, it could put things to bed - and despite Staveley showing some good intentions, they did concede again owing to another mistake - this time as Alberry's clearance shortly before the hour mark went straight to Josimir Bradshaw on the edge of the area who returned the ball with interest and found the bottom corner. 2-0.
If anyone wasn't certain at this stage as to whether it was 'one of those days' for Staveley, what happened next proved it beyond doubt as Silsden's Arley Barnes looped a ball back to his 'keeper from about 30 yards which caught the wind and sailed over the 'keeper's head towards an open goal - only for another blustery gale to suddenly blow the ball away from the target at the very last moment. It was comical as it was relieving for Silsden; Barnes' 'best shot of the season' according to a few cheeky comments in the crowd but he just had a very relieved look on his face!
Staveley didn't chuck the towel in and carved a few more openings as they tried to launch a comeback. Howe was thwarted twice in the space of a couple of minutes as the '20' goal remained elusive, whilst Kyle Welsh produced a decent save to protect the clean-sheet that he worked so hard to achieve.
Ultimately, it wasn't to be for Staveley, but the game was still a decent advert for this level. Both sides contributed something and will still fancy their chances of finishing in the top half and on another occasion in more conventional weather this game might have ended in a different scoreline.
Cue the closing credits of Emmerdale whilst the sheep are running around in the background...
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