Match 34. Felixstowe & Walton United v Norwich United

Saturday 20th April 2013 @ 3pm
Eastern Counties League Premier Division
FELIXSTOWE & WALTON UNITED 0-2 NORWICH UNITED
Goldstar Ground, Dellwood Avenue, Felixstowe
 
Admission: £6
Programme: £1 (A5, 36pp)
Attendance: 69
Drink: Guinness "Surger" £3.50
Food: Egg, Sausage, Bacon Bap £3.50

I had to hope the traffic on M25, A12/14 was OK for this trip to Felixstowe as I couldn't have the hopmobile until 1pm, however all was quiet on the roads and I arrived at 2.40pm.  After parking in Dellwood Avenue, I stopped off at the clubhouse pavilion, which is located outside the enclosed ground, as it overlooks the cricket pitch and 2 other football pitches.  The changing rooms are also in the pavilion and the players have a 50 yard walk on a roped off path to enter the ground.  I had ordered a breakfast bap, which was ready as the teams entered the field.  The food bar has a wide range of food and sweets available.  The admission shed had programmes on sale as I paid my entrance fee.
 
The ground has floodlights which were being dismantled, I presume for the summer months unless there is a local rule regarding the permanent erection.  The tree lined ground has dugouts on the far touchline and 2 stands on the near touchline.  One seated and a 2 step standing one.  A tea hut building is located by the corner flag and the rest of the railed pitch is open.
  
I was told that the home side were weakened by the loss of both regular centre backs, including one on trial at Newcastle United!  This was one of those games that seemed to be stopping every 30 seconds.  The referee seemed to be insistent that any challenge for the ball would be punished by a free kick, and was meticulous in the positioning of every freekick and throw in, not to mention a protracted chat to a Norwich midfielder that lasted about 2 minutes.  There was a highlight to this match though.  The away forward Jordan Rocastle, who possesses good control, fast pace and touch which should see the youngster climb the pyramid before long.  Rocastle opened the scoring with 10 minutes of the first half remaining, although it was a tap in after a lob beat the home goalkeeper but bounced off the underside of the bar for Rocastle to rush in.
 
His second goal was also a gift from the home defence as several attempts to clear only found Rocastle inside the area who shot low into the net just 5 minutes into the second half.  Both sides seemed to settle for this scoreline and spent most of the second half whining at the ref rather than playing football.  It was a relief when the ref only added a couple of minutes stoppage time at the end.

Not a good game but a nice set up with the usual East Anglia friendliness.