Match 4. Lagos v Cova Piedade

Sunday 25th August 2013 @5pm
Portugal Campeonato Nacional Group H
LAGOS 1-1 COVA PIEDADE
Estadio Municipal Fernando Cabrita, Lagos
  
Admission: Euro 7
Attendance: 225 (h/c)
Drink: Small Super Bock 1 Euro
  

The set up in Portugal this season has changed at Level 3 where below the Primeira Liga and Liga de Honra is the revamped Campeonato Nacional Level split into 8 Groups, A-H.  Lagos find themselves in Group H with 2 other Algarve sides, Louletano and Quarteirense. The ground is located to the North of the Lagos Marina and Train/Bus stations.  A McDonalds is on the roundabout about 200 metres from the Ground.

  

I was holidaying in Alvor and as matches are usually played on a Sunday, the Bus and Train Services are scarce and I had to pay for a Taxi (33 Euros) on the trip back.  The bus ticket there however was only around 4 Euros. The last bus back is 6pm so when the league reverts to 3pm kick offs in October there should be no problem.

  

As it was very warm, the game started at a slow pace but after 12 minutes, Lagos went ahead when the number 22 headed in at the far post.  Both teams played a 4-2-3-1 formation until the No17 needed to be substituted after falling badly with what looked like a dislocated shoulder on 33 mins. The away side then played with 2 up front and were awarded a penalty on 40 minutes for handball by the left back (no29) as he tried to chest a cross clear.  The no10 fired the penalty into the top of the net.

  

The second half was an even affair with the best chance from the away header from a free kick hitting the crossbar with 20 minutes left.  The home keeper also flicked a shot onto and over the bar and from the corner made a double save, one at close range.  A reaction save right at the end kept the scores level at full time.
  


 

Match 3. Brimscombe & Thrupp v Highmoor Ibis

Saturday 10th August 2013 @3pm
Hellenic League Premier Division
BRIMSCOMBE & THRUPP 1-2 HIGHMOOR IBIS
The Meadow, London Road, Brimscombe
  
Admission: £5 inc programme
Attendance:  70
Food: small cheese & onion roll £1
Drink: Carlsberg £3
    
It took me 2 hours to get to the M4 exit on the M25 due to the continuing roadworks at Jct5-7 and the obligatory Saturday accident near Jct 10, what looked like a rubbish truck with a dozen immigrants hiding on board! Only 75 minutes from M4 to the picturesque Meadow at B&T.
    
After being directed to the parking area on banking behind the goal and paying entry etc from the car, the pitch is cut away from the surrounding hills and has some lovely views.  It really is a gem on a ground with the old stand still standing.  The Chairman says it looks like the work is being planned for late September now so a few games yet to view the stand before it is replaced.  The club has a very friendly and hardworking committee, the Chairman Clive and his Wife only flying back from holiday at 5am in the morning.  The clubhouse is adequate but with a limited choice of beverages on offer and no hot food available.  Luckily, I had brought a packed lunch with me.
      
The home side had plenty of the ball in the game but tended to get stuck passing through the midfield, whereas the pacier and more direct Highmoor created more of the chances.  The B&T defence was particularly shaky and a misplaced header from defence found the away No11 30 yards out who stepped forward and blasted a shot low into the net.  The second goal halfway through the first half was a calamity from the home keeper who attempted to take free kick high up the pitch, only to miscue it straight to the centre forward who lifted the ball over the keeper from the edge of the centre circle and it bounced into the empty net.
   
The home no6 seemed to shore up the midfield in the second half and Brimscombe got a consolation penalty for their endeavours.  The no10 was heading away from goal into the left corner of the penalty area when the right back needlessly tripped him. The centre forward drove the penalty into the corner.
  
A great day out in the summer sunshine at a lovely ground.  Groundhopping doesn't get much better than this.
  

Match 2. Fareham Town v Bemerton Heath Harlequins

Saturday 3^rd August 2013 @3pm

Wessex League Premier Division

FAREHAM TOWN 2-1 BEMERTON HEATH HARLEQUINS

Cams Alders, Palmerston Drive, Fareham

  

Admission: £6

Programme: £1

Attendance:

Food: Burger £2, Chips £1

Drink: Coors Light £3.50

The summer break from league football but the M25 still it’s unhelpful self.  Delays at Jct 5 & 9 meant it took nearly 3 hours to get to Fareham.   The outside or the ground is quite shabby, but once inside, a great deal of sprucing up including artificial turf, newly painted exterior fence and a new club portacabin building further down from the Main Stand is soon be the new clubhouse room.  Liquid refreshment was had in the V-Bar, a nightclub venue devoid of any homely character and an extension to the front of the main stand that looks like an infant design.  I think this is a separate business from the football club. However the Main stand itself with its raised seating is an excellence viewing point and the pitch has that nice beginning of season feel to it, even if a little bumpy..

     

This was an almost evenly matched game with the home side on slightly upper hand and the best chances, even though the defence were quite error prone. Fareham took the lead on 18 minutes when a shot from the edge of the area rebounded from the keeper and Knight No10 put in the rebound.  A second goal with a minute left in an almost identical fashion.  Another parried shot allowing the same scorer.  That should have been the end, apart from a penalty on 90 minutes converted by no4 and about 10 minutes of stoppage time where Bemerton tried but failed to create any meaningful chances.

    

Match 1. Wisbech Town v Eynesbury Rovers

Saturday 27^th July 2013 @3pm

Pre-Season Friendly

WISBECH TOWN 1-1 EYNESBURY ROVERS

Elgoods Fenland Stadium, Lynn Road, Wisbech

Admission: £3

Programme: None issued

Attendance: Circa 150

Food: Hot Dog £2

Drink: Carlsberg £3

   

This was my first pre-season game for 3 seasons, due mainly to the family shopping in Cambridge. The invasion of foreign Scout camps to Cambridge centre meant I chose to skip lunch and had time for the one hour drive up to Wisbech for a new ground.  My wife has relatives here and they run the Are You Being Served Cafe in the town if anyone wishes to partake in a pre-match meal. It is nicer than the hot dog I had at the ground.

   

The ground at Lynn Road is one of those built for functionality with a large club building with all the facilities you need and a function room that was booked for a 40^th birthday disco that evening. Elgood beer is the choice in the bar, I decided on lager pop as the weather was rather warm and dry.  The main stand is opposite the club building and dugouts, with full length covered one step terracing behind each goal, with a few rows of seats added to one corner presumably to comply with some ground rule.

   

I watched the game from next to the away dugout as manager Martin Field (?) provided verbal entertainment as he exasperated regarding his sides lack of positional awareness.  The home side seemed to have the upper hand through most of the game and despite having more of the play, had to wait until near the end of the first half before taking the lead.  The right back brought the ball forward and released the no6 down the right and continued his run into the penalty area to head the ball in from the resulting cross.

 

There were 2 penalties in the second half.  The first fell to Eynesbury when the tall substitute Bassett was unnecessarily pulled back while running away from goal.  He dispatched the penalty with ease.  Within 10 minutes a penalty for handball was given to Wisbech. Reeds kick was at least 2 metres high and right of the goal.  Both sides had chances to win the match but the game finished a deserved draw.

 

Luckily, this game was played to a competitive level, and was pleasant to watch in the nice weather and I found the officials at this ground friendly and helpful. Les at the Club Shop in particular, helping to find a recent home programme from the hundreds in the shop.