Match 17. Wellingborough Town v Deeping Rangers

Saturday 23^rd November 2013 @3pm

United Counties League Premier Division

WELLINGBOROUGH TOWN 2-1 DEEPING RANGERS

Dog & Duck, London Road, Wellingborough

 

Admission: £6

Programme: £1

Attendance: 108

Food: Sausage & Egg Roll, £2.50

Drink: Oxtail Cup-a-Soup, £1. Guinness bottle, £1.90

 

I was going to save the Dog & Duck for a future double opportunity with Whitworths having a staggered kick off. However, the fixtures were not inspiring me so this was a ground I’ve always wanted to visit.  The pub outside the ground is a Beefeater Grill so inside isn’t inspiring, but would love to have seen it as an independent pub in the past.  I parked in the adjacent Premier Inn carpark when my first choice space in the lane leading to Whitworths ground was curtailed by a disgruntled official who jogged about 100 yards from the entrance to take pleasure in informing me I couldn’t park there, pointing to a sign completely invisible on entering the pathway.

 

The ground is now shared with AFC Rushden & Diamonds and through the entrance the facilities consist of white painted mobile structures and wooden decking.  There is some covered standing along part of the dugout touchline and a metal stepped terrace behind the near goal.  The main seated stand is on the left hand touchline and named after the snooker player, Peter Edbon. There is a disused clubshop shed near the near stand.

 

I had seen Deeping destroy Desborough a few weeks back and they started the best side, with several attacking plays without that final ball searching out clear chances.  They had a fair penalty shout on a cross when the striker was tugged but he made too much of it to convince the referee. Wellingborough came back into the match towards the end of the first half, with a low shot well saved and another skimming the cross bar.

With the match remaining even at the start of the second half, Wellingborough made the breakthrough after 55 minutes when a brilliant cross from the left found Turner who nodded in. This galvanised Deeping who drew level 10 minutes later when Josh Moreman found space on the edge of the area and volleyed sweetly into the top corner.  Deeping continued to apply pressure with Wellingborough content to try and break on the counter attack.  With 5 minutes left, the winner came when a punt forward from midfield was collected by the substitute Boyle-Chong who controlled then fired across the keeper into the far corner of the goal.  

Match 16. Rayners Lane v Henley Town

Saturday 16^th November 2013 @3pm

Hellenic League Division One East

RAYNERS LANE 2-3 HENLEY TOWN

Tithe Farm, Rayners lane, Harrow

Admission: £5 including programme

Attendance: 44

Food: Nil

Drink: Guinness, £3.05

With an evening engagement in the company of my wife in London, so took advantage of the one day travelcard and tube to Rayners Lane then 10 minutes walk to Tithe Farm Sports & Social Club.  There isn’t an entrance to the ground as such. Just walk to the left side of the club and about 20 minutes in, a chap comes around the pitch perimeter to take the entrance and offer a programme.  Pre match admission & programme is available from the open tea hut which sells hot drinks.

The pitch has trees surrounding 3 sides, allowing a closed in feel, with a standing area in between 2 dugouts on the far touchline.  Floodlights are also installed and the clubhouse side have benches pitchside, which would be nice in warmer months.

The early pressure was by the home side, which had a series of corners and 2 saved efforts all in the first 10 minutes.  Henley got back into the play after 20 minutes and scored 2 in the next 5 minutes.  The first was a drive from outside the box that clipped inside the right hand post.  This was followed minutes later by an outstanding volley which rocketed into the net. Rayners Lane reduced the deficit on 37 minutes when the 10^th corner of the match was headed back from the far post and nodded in by McCarroll.  Henley went further ahead in the second half when a low corner was deflected into his own net by Leslie.  The game was dominated by the home side and eventually reduced the arrears to 1 goal when Leslie was unfairly tacked in the penalty area. The home captain limped off accompanied by the away centre half who received a red card.  The penalty was converted by McCarroll. The final 3 minutes wasn’t enough to claw back a draw.

Match 15. Raunds Town v Woodford United

Saturday 9^th November 2013 @3pm

United Counties League Division 1

RAUNDS TOWN 1-0 WOODFORD UNITED

Kiln Park, London Road, Raunds

   

Admission: £5 with free programme

Attendance: circa 40

Food: Bacon Roll £1.50

Drink: Guinness £3.15, Cup-a-soup minestrone & tomato, £1 each

  

Raunds Town ground is found on the A45 just passed the Services (McDonalds) on the Raunds roundabout.  The car park is big and I can see they once played at Step 4 I believe.  The club building is a large red brick affair and all facilities on the railed pitch are alongside the entrance side.  You could even get your car washed as there was a car wash service in the corner of the car park.

 

This was a spirited fight by Woodford, after winning their first game in 2013.  The only goal came after 17 minutes, as a pass down the left found no11 Liam Bulmer who cut inside and placed the ball in the far corner.  Raunds had a number of chances to build on the single goal but thanks to either wayward or soft shooting, excellent saves or clearances off the line Woodford kept the ball out.  They had little chance of scoring and sadly resulted in their no10 blatantly diving to try and win a penalty near the end of the match.  The volunteers behind the bar, in the tea hut and on the gate were pleasant and friendly.

Match 14. Swindon Supermarine v Yate Town

Saturday 2^nd November 2013@3pm

Southern League Division One South & West

SWINDON SUPERMARINE 1-2 YATE TOWN

Webbswood Stadium, Supermarine Road, South Marston, Swindon

 

Admission: £9

Programme: £2

Attendance: 125

Food: Hot Dog £2, Ham & Tom Roll £1

Drink: Guinness: £3

  

The family needed a day out after decorating all half term week and was going to visit Stroud, but a late start meant we got to Swindon around 2pm so I dropped them off in the Town Centre and made my way to The Webbswood Stadium, a ground I had aborted twice previously.  Swindon Town were also at home so it made traffic around the Town busy but eventually got parked up by the Rugby clubhouse at 2.30.

  

The ground is tucked away on the right side of the complex and enclosed by trees on 3 sides.  I really liked the mix of stands and buildings around the ground.  It has that unique character I like in a ground.

  

The difference between the teams was a goalscoring striker.  Yate Towns number 10, Lewis Haldane.  He is a strong player who holds the ball up well and for a big lad, turns and makes space for himself quickly.  The game was played in difficult conditions; a swirling windy with an occasional heavy shower thrown in made play awkward for both sides.    Haldane put Yate ahead after 12 minutes when put through by Staley and he chipped coolly over the Marine goalkeeper into the net.  The lead only lasted 5 minutes as some skilful dribbling from the home left winger then crossed for Luke Abrahart to head in from close range, even though the announcer got the scorer wrong on the tannoy.  Supermarine had more possession but the best chances were falling to Yate, who failed to add to their score before halftime due to a save by the keeper and a goal line clearance.

  

The second half continued with the home side having 60/40 possession but Yate scored their winner 10 minutes into the half.  Haldane picked up on a mistake by the centre back and confidently slotted past the keeper.  Despite a frantic last 15 minutes by Supermarine, Yates defence held firm and the home side suffered their 3^rd defeat on the trot.

  

The day was rounded off nicely by me treating the girls to fireworks at Newbury racecourse, even though it was chilly.