Match 19. Cray Valley PM v Beckenham Town

Saturday 6^th December 2014 @3pm

Southern Counties East Football League

CRAY VALLEY PM 3-0 BECKENHAM TOWN

Badgers Sports Ground, Middle Park Avenue, Eltham.

Admission: £7

Programme: £1

Team sheet: free

Attendance: 35

Refreshments: Guinness, £3.30. Coffee, £1.

Not my original choice of ground as I arrived in Basildon just after 1pm and stopped in KFC for lunch. With dry roads and a glaring sun I didn’t think my chosen match at the Selex Ground (Basildon Town FC) would have any problems so when I parked up at 1.40 the ominous lack of cars and players told the story. Game off.  A quick check of the pitch followed. No standing water, soft pitch but not muddy. Who knows why, maybe a bit frosty at 9am?  Anyway, I had to be back home at 5pm so it was back along the A127 and M25 to the Badgers ground, which was confirmed match on, on their twitter at 2.25 and I arrived at 2.45pm.

This was my 2^nd visit to Badgers, the first being in 2006 when they were in the KCL.  There has been much improvement to the ground since then, allowing them to play at Step 5. The clubhouse has been re constructed, with 2 bars and a kitchen with a hatch outside, replacing the old small bar and changing rooms.  Two plasma screens show BT Sport and Sky sports in the main bar.  New changing rooms are situated in the adjacent new build. A marquee is being constructed further down outside the car park, which needs resurfacing due to some huge pot holes near the entrance. The club are definitely geared up for the hiring out of facilities.

Inside the ground, the pitch has quite a bit of sand in both penalty areas and centre circle. The pitch is now fully railed off and has moved 15-20 yards down the slope to allow for a small floodlit training area. There is covered Atcost standing for 50 just before the dugouts.  The opposite touchline has a 50 seat covered seated Atcost. The surround is hard standing on 3 sides and is enclosed by a new 6ft wooden fence with the reserves pitch behind the seated stand end.

I stood with the low hazy sun on my back for the first half, then into the covered standing area for the 2^nd half with Becks secretary (Peter) in situ, bellowing his disappointed at his sides’ lacklustre 2^nd half performance.  The Millers attacked in their Green shirts & Black shorts down the slope in the first half against the all Blue kit of Beckenham Town.  The first goal arrived on 14 minutes. A cross from the right found no10 Alex Chambers unmarked in the middle of the area, so he easily headed in from about 6 yards out clipping the keepers outstretched fingers on the way into the net. On the half hour a through ball by Cray Valley was chased by the visiting keeper and the home striker Ben Healy. Both clashed and were injured, unfortunately the keeper Stevie Sutton couldn’t continue and was carried off with sub keeper Rilwan Anibaba taking 5 minutes to get changed and ready.

The second half was mainly controlled by Cray Valley as Becks passing and movement was below par to say the least. On 75 minutes a counter attack at pace by Healy and Chambers allowed Healy to shoot which was parried by Anibaba only for Chambers to slot home the rebound from 10 yards. Then 3 minutes from the end a goal kick down the right channel found the defence slow to turn as the right winger ran onto the ball and shot which was parried when the keeper should have held it as it went straight to Chambers to add his 3^rd of the game from 8 yards.

So the Beckenham Secretary and committee friend were disappointed with the performance but happy with their new insulated club rain jackets keeping them warm from the 2-3 degree chill.

Match 18. Sun Sports v London Colney

Saturday 29^th November 2014 @3pm

Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division

SUN SPORTS 0-2 LONDON COLNEY

Bellmountwood Avenue, Watford.

Admission: £6 including 12pp programme

Attendance: 37

Refreshments: Guinness, £3.10. Bovril, £1.

I didn’t want a long drive this weekend so chose a ground that is only 58 miles away. The M25 was behaving itself even on the Dartford Crossing, so I arrived 90 minutes before kick-off. I decided to visit the local pub, The Essex Arms and have lunch there for a fiver (Ham, Egg, Chips and Peas) then go back to the ground at 2.30. The car park was full but parked on a verge at the ground entrance.  There are multiple sports fields here. Rugby, Hockey, Bowls as well as 3 outside football pitches are under the Sun Sports footprint here.  A fairly new clubhouse building has been built as an extension to the original club building, with all the facilities and food hatch inside.  To get in you go through the clubhouse to the patio area in front of the decking, where entry is gained.

I was pleasantly surprised at the ground. The pitch has a post and rail surround is coloured in yellow and blue, the clubs colours and has a covered main stand on the far touchline at the halfway line point. There are several rows of seats with a standing area at the back of the stand. The dugouts are on the opposite touchline and the pitch has a paving slabs surrounding it.

A surprisingly mild 14 degrees C and hazy sunshine greeted the start of the match. The first half was rather disjointed with errors on both sides and not much between them. I was in conversation with home coach Chris Campbell for most of the first half and he agreed is was a bad showing from the home side in his strong Scottish accent. Colney came out stronger in the second half whereas Sun Sports game plan stayed unchanged. The visitors took the lead on 50 minutes when a deep cross from the right found no8 on the far post to head in from 6 yards. The second goal arrives 10 minutes before the end when a free kick from the right back was headed back on the edge of the box towards the D where no10 collected the ball and went round the keeper and slotted the ball between the 2 goal line defenders. A bad tackle near the end meant a 5 minute stoppage and the match finished at 16:58, so I got back to the car as R5 Sports report had just begun.

Another hassle free journey including a free passing at the Dartford Crossing as they were preparing for Dart-Charge which begins on Sunday 30^th November.  £2.50 for a car crossing and no cash payments anymore. Payments must be made by the following midnight by phone or online. Progress!

Match 17. North Leigh v Bashley

Saturday 22^nd November 2014 @3pm

Southern League Division South & West

NORTH LEIGH 11(Eleven)-0 BASHLEY

Eynsham Hall Park, Oxford Road (A4095), North Leigh

Admission: £8

Programme: £1

Attendance: 63

Refreshments: Thatcher’s Gold, £3. Chicken Cup-a-soup, 70p

A long standing promise to take the family to Bicester Village for Christmas shopping with a cousin also coming along. So they were dropped off at the Acorn pub by 1.30 so I had time to go to the furthest ground on my list for the day, a 20 mile trip along the (A4095) to Eynsham Hall Park and I was so glad that I did.

The hidden entrance is along a track to the cricket pitch where cars are allowed to park on the grass verges, and it was rather muddy under foot towards the turnstile adjacent to the cricket area. The whole area has line after line of trees and is in a remote location.  Once through the gate in the top corner of the ground, the main building is behind the top goal as well as shallow terracing with cover.  The changing rooms, club house and tea bar are also along this goal line as well as a few benches and a patio parasol.  The tea bar had a selection of hot pies, pasties as well as burgers.  The first ground this season that have had pies on offer. We southerners are certainly made to suffer on the pie front!  Along the right touchline is a standard covered seating area along the flat pack assembly design, which certainly shows the pitch slope from goal to goal.  Opposite the seated stand are the team dugouts.  In the distance to the bottom right corner flag I spotted Eynsham Hall, a rather elegant stately home.

Bashley are struggling towards the bottom of the league and I believe they reduced the team budget to expenses only this season. North Leigh are mid-table and odds on to win, but I didn’t expect what was to follow.  The only action in Bashleys favour is the one shot on target in each half, both easily saved by the home keeper.  North Leigh went ahead on 2 minutes when a low cross allowed Jamie Cook to chip the ball over the keeper from just inside the area.  On 11  minutes another low cross from Woodley found John Else who slid in to beat the centre back to the ball and divert the ball past Callum Maher. A hopeful through ball drew a defensive mistake for no10 Woodley to pounce and tap in from close range on 25 minutes after going round the keeper.  On the half hour a corner was headed in by Andy Gunn who claimed the goal, but I thought the Bash no5 headed into his own goal. A cross from the right back was hit 1^st time by no9 Cook which beat the keeper, hit the cross bar and was judged to bounce over the goal line, with no11 tapping in to make sure. A mazy run by Woodley beating 3 defenders before a pass to no9 Cook to get his hat trick from 6 yards on 42 minutes.

Being 6-0 down at the break, I’m sure Bashley would have heard a team talk along the lines of treat the 2^nd half as a 0-0 start, but within 5 minute of the restart, North Leigh had blown that notion away with 2 further goals.  A short corner was taken and crossed and the keeper dropped the catch for Else to pounce on the opportunity of getting on the score sheet. A minute later it was 8-0 when a great through ball allowed Ricketts to run on and slot the ball beyond the onrushing keeper. On the hour Woodley ran through from halfway line and his effort could only be parried for the substitute no15 Bowles to score after just coming on.  A period of 25 minute without a goal as both sides made all their changes and opportunities for a while were not finished off.  Normal service was resumed for the last 5+2 minutes stoppage time when a free kick was given for a handball. The left back Hopkins curled it nicely into the net from the left edge of the box. With almost the last kick of the game no14 scored under pressure from 10 yards.

With a batch of high scoring matches across the pyramid, I was glad to have chosen a Bashley bashing.

Match 16. Kent Football United v Seven Acre Sidcup

Saturday 15^th November 2014 @2pm

Kent Invicta League

KENT FOOTBALL UNITED 3-1 SEVEN ACRE SIDCUP

Glentworth Sports Club, Lowfield Street, Dartford

Admission: £5

Programme: none produced

Attendance: 23 my h/c, 25 bees h/c

Refreshments: Guinness £3.35

I wanted to get back to watch the England game so I thought I’d take an early look at the Glentworth ex-Services Sports Club. The ground is not far from Princes Road and I could hear cheering at Dartfords ground in the second half.  There is plenty of car parking and the entrance is through a gate with the gateman sitting on a bench. No programmes today and I don’t know if they issue at all.  The club use the second bar which is the one available for hire and has an entrance to the ground from the conservatory.  The bar is spacious but has no TV on.  There is a budget priced lunchtime menu on offer before 2pm but nothing but crisps and chocolate during the game.  Tea and coffee is also available behind the bar.

The pitch isn’t very level and there are only 2 sides of railing with a third side in progress.  The hard standing is also in progress, with pebbles, stones and glass making it rather unsteady underfoot.  The only structure inside the ground that is finished are the 2 dugouts.  A long way to go to get an acceptable grading by March 31^st unless there is some further leeway by the League committee.  I could return in April to see how far they get.

KFU have struggled this season, without much support as the spectators mainly consisted of ground hoppers and away support. KFU went into the lead on 19 minutes when no6 received the ball on the edge of the area following a half cleared corner and he hit it first time into the top corner.  Seven Acre levelled 10 minutes later when a penalty was awarded for the no8 and the home side complained because he didn’t drop to the floor.  The large No5 striker converted the spot kick, sending the keeper the wrong way. The rain shower started just before half time and the last action of the half a rare first half home attack resulted in no11 side footing into the far corner from 15 yards.

The second half had a further 2 rain showers and the final goal arrived on 70 minutes when a slip from the visiting left back allowed the right winger to get past before the defender recovered and passed it square to no10 who hit a low left footed shot from 20 yards beyond the keeper.  The second half especially had more than a few niggles and dissent from both clubs, resulting in at least half a dozen bookings.

Match 15. Wantage Town v Merthyr Town

Saturday 8^th November 2014 @3pm

Southern League Division One South & West

WANTAGE TOWN 0-3 MERTHYR TOWN

Alfredian Park, Manor Road (A338), Wantage.

Admission: £8

Programme: £1

Attendance: 124

Refreshments: Strongbow £3.50, Small Hot Dog, £1.50.

The day began with a drive up into London to view the ceramic poppy display around the Tower of London to mark the 100 year anniversary of the outbreak of WW1. The girls then stayed to watch the Lord Mayor show and I drove to Wantage via the diversions through London taking an hour to reach Junction 1 of the M4 but despite this delay and the torrential downpour between Reading and Newbury I arrived at the ground just after 2pm and directed to the car park behind the goal after driving down a narrow track to the ground entrance.  The away team and supporters coaches wisely stayed out on the main road.

After paying the entrance and parked up near the corner flag as the teams were walking to the adjacent field to warm up, probably to preserve the pitch although it held up very well during the match and looks like it drains well. The club building is also behind the goal and is a single storey affair with a flat roof.  The food hatch is incorporated to the left of the building entrance, the toilets are straight ahead and the clubhouse is to the right. Merthyr had brought a coach load of support to boost the crowd to over 100 as Wantage is in quite a remote location.  The substantial cover is along the right hand touchline with 3 step terracing in 2 areas, tip up green seating towards the upper end and 2 rows of bench seating all incorporate under the one roof.  The dugouts are opposite the covered stand.

The home side are in the bottom 3 and without a league win in 2 months whereas Merthyr are on the tailcoat of leaders Stratford Town. Inevitably the visitors applied most of the early pressure and as the second band of rain arrived on the half hour Merthyr took the lead soon after when Ian Traylor stabbed home inside the 6 yard box from a McLaggon cross. Wantage held on to half time but it was more of the same in the second half. Wantage went 2-0 down early in the half when a shot was only parried by the home keeper and Traylor was on hand to get his 2^nd.  Wantage players head were down but not surprising as they lost several players and their Chairman and Manager recently.  Things got worse as the home sides Sam Barder was sent off for his second bad challenge and Traylor got his hat trick 5 minutes before the end when a cross the area pass found him unmarked at the far post.

The away fans think they are in with a good chance of promotion to Step 3 and they looked good albeit against a struggling team. The home committee and volunteers do however make this visitor welcome but the away fans are nice company and like a good chat.

Match 14. Schalke 04 U21 v Benfica U21

Wednesday 29th October 2014 @7pm
FA Premier League U21 International Cup
SCHALKE 04 U21 V BENFICA U21
Princes Park, Princes Road, Dartford

Admission: £3
Programme/Team sheet: N/A
Attendance: 150 estimate
Refreshments: Guinness, £3.20, Chips £2 (Yuk!), Kit Kat 80p 
A very rare midweek jaunt out tonight mainly due to the fact I was playing chauffeur to my daughters who were off to Bluewater for food & cinema. I saw this little known fixture while researching into travelling with Dartford to their away fixture to Forest Green in late November. 

I won’t describe the ground but the entrance used is the one near the car park only. The hot food pod was open behind the far goal and drinks were available next to the turnstiles, usually used for away fans and Greenwich Borough fixtures. The attendance consisted of a handful of London based supporters of each side, about 100 Dartford supporters and 30ish curios including me. The chips in the refreshment kiosk were so disgusting I chucked half of them away. The chips had absorbed all the cooking oil, rank! 

The Schalke team were numbered 1-11 whereas the Benfica team had random numbers from 60-97 with their names very small on the back but I worked out a few when they got close enough to the goal line. The whole match was dominated by the Benfica lads to the excitement of the Benfica London chorus, who made quite a noise considering there were only 5 or 6 singers. The only goal of the game came midway through the second half but the Rufus Brevet lookalike no85 who finished off a lovely move, with a 1-2 in the D before despatching into the net to the keepers right. 

I’m still not sure of why this competition is in place. It seemed hastily arranged, without much notice (6 days) and without the support of FIFA/UEFA.

Match 13. Evesham United v Bromley

Saturday 25^th October 2014 @3pm

FA Cup4th Qualifying Round

EVESHAM UNITED 1-2 BROMLEY

Jubilee Stadium, Cheltenham Road, Evesham

Admission: £9

Programme: £2 (good issue)

Attendance: 811

Refreshments: Cider, £3.10

I had the opportunity of taking the official supporters coach from Bromley for a reasonable £20 and was dropped off at Hayes Lane for 8.30 to get a £3.80 breakfast and tea before the coach departure at 9.30.  Safely sitting on the coach just after 9.00 when the coach driver reversed to let the team coach get by and drove over a steel bollard, scraping underneath the coach.  A replacement coach was called for which meant we didn’t leave until 10.45.  Hitting traffic delays on M25 and M40 we counted ourselves fortunate to arrive 25 minutes before kick-off.  The driver took the banter well as he reversed in the Evesham car park.

I just had time for a quick pint before the match started, the clubhouse to the left of the turnstiles was heaving so had no idea what cider it was. The 2 year old ground has been spoken about quite a lot and I too was disappointed in the finished product. A wooden fence surrounds the stadium and the only elevated view is the bland seated stand which has no obstructions as long as you avoid the first 3 rows. The rest of the surround is tarmacked hard standing, with a set back standing cover behind the near goal which kept the supporters flags dry but redundant for the supporters who stood at the plastic perimeter barrier as again no elevation. The ground may delight the ground graders but not the viewing public.  However, the staff and fans were a good welcoming bunch.

Bromley took the lead on their first attack. Danny Waldron side footing the ball home after being set up by Louis Dennis. If Bromley thought this was the start of an easy game, they were much mistaken.  Evesham had 3 good chances in the next 20 minutes. Seb Brown made a superb save from an Evesham shot by Washington, then watched an effort sail over the bar before stopping a dribble and shot by Kennedy. Bromley should have gone 2 up but Ademola fired wide with plenty of space to get one on target. Evesham went into the break level as from a corner Edenborough headed across the goal into the far corner of the net.

Evesham almost took the lead at the beginning of the second half as a volley was tipped over by Brown.  Then Bromley got the decisive goal when from a corner Waldron headed in from 8 yards. The last 30 minutes plus stoppage time had Bromley on the rack, but thanks to last ditch tackling, blocking shots and another great save from Brown, Bromley survived to make their name on ball 77 for the 1^st round proper.

After the match I didn’t fancy the ruck at the bar again or flimsy plastic vessel so, as the coach wouldn’t leave until 6, I took a walk into town which took half an hour. Time for a quick Guinness at the Royal Oak (£3.20) before walking back. I didn’t partake in food at the ground although there was a queue before and at half time serving the usual burgers, hot dogs and chips. Glad I took a packed lunch to supplement my early breakfast.  Arrived back at Bromley not long after nine and ended up in the newly refurbished Ravens Bar to round off the trip before being picked up and home before 10pm.

Match 12. Crockenhill v Phoenix Sports

Saturday 18^th October 2014 @3pm

Kent Senior Trophy 1^st Round

CROCKENHILL 1-8 PHOENIX SPORTS

Wested Meadow, Eynsford Road, Crockenhill

Admission: £5

Programme: n/a

Attendance: 36 (official)

Refreshments: Chicken cup-a-soup £1

I wasn’t being very inspired trying to choose a game for today, so when Onion-Bag contacted me that he was down south and getting dropped off at Crockenhill, it made my mind up.  It has been a long time since my last visit to The Crocks and when checking my records I was stunned that it was back in 1999.  I noticed when driving to the ground that the nearest pub that I went into back then (Fruiterers Arms?) is now redeveloped into 4 houses. The car park was rammed but I managed to squeeze into a gap even the steward was impressed with and went through the turnstile just as the teams kicked off. I walked along the main touchline and ventured towards the small wooden stand behind the goal, wishing I had a machete to chop down the overgrown hard standing.  The ground is currently in a state of dilapidation, with only the main touchline receiving any kind of attention.  I spotted Onion Bag behind the opposite goal line taking pictures in front of the remains of the perimeter rail. He soon walked round to me and I had fine company throughout.  He even got out his large one (lens) to try out.

Despite the condition of the ground, the Main stand with the wooden seating is still a gem, as is the clubhouse behind it, decked out in football scarfs from around the globe and newspaper cuttings and pictures from The Crocks history. The bar is at one end of the clubhouse and at the other end, from a food hatch serves tasty looking food from the tasty looking tea lady.

The match was one of those one sided affairs.  The step up to an inform step 5 side was too much for Crockenhill, despite the bumpy pitch, the heads of the team were down by half time, with the no6 captain giving evils to the home keeper after the 4^th goal went in.  The second half continued the 80/20 possession split, interrupted by a home penalty on the hour, converted by Sam Monks.  After the 6^th goal went in, the keeper was subbed to allow the 40 something overweight coach to shore up the leaks for the last 15 minutes.  However, the inability to dive or move with any speed just allowed Phoenix Sports to add another 2 goals and should have been more. For the record the Phoenix goals came on the 17, 36, 37, 42, 61, 71, 77, 84 minutes.

I had to leave straight after the match as the parking meant cars were blocking each other. Apparently the late arrival of the programmes, which were included in the admission price, were chucked on the pool table inside the clubhouse sometime through the 2^nd half without any announcement. But it is good to see the Club still playing, but for how much longer at step 6 without floodlights and likely not to get a grading for next season, demotion looks the likely result in 2015.

Match 11. Ebbsfleet United v Basingstoke Town

Saturday 11th October 2014 @3pm

FA Cup 3^rd Qualifying Round

EBBSFLEET UNITED 1-2 BASINGSTOKE TOWN

The PHB Stadium, Stonebridge Road, Northfleet.

Admission: £10

Programme: £2

Attendance: 953

Refreshments: Guinness, £3.60.

I started the day driving down to Leeds Castle near Maidstone to meet up with other family members as 6 of us were taking part in a memory walk for my suffering Mother-in-law raising over £500 for the Alzheimer’s Society.  After finishing the 10K scenic walk, we went to The Old Rectory for lunch then I was dropped off with 20 minutes to spare at this fairly local FA Cup match. I last visited over the Christmas holidays and noticed the programme hut near the entrance is no more, with a shelter in the turnstiles now the place to purchase a programme, todays being a reduced 24 page publication for two quid.  As it was remarkably dry after the previous 48 hours wet windy weather and there was quite a few enjoying a drink in the afternoon sun on newly installed benches outside the clubhouse.

This was a match that Ebbsfleet had more possession, about a dozen good chances at goal, and ended up as victims of a smash and grab raid in the second half by Conference North leaders Basingstoke, to the delight of the 50 travelling voices.

The first half was almost one way traffic but the visiting keeper made 3 good saves and the visitors was saved by the woodwork.  After the restart the pattern of play remained the same and Ebbsfleet took the lead on 53 minutes when a cross from the left was headed in from close range by Charlie Sheringham on the second time of asking. Further chances went begging and inevitably, on the first recognisable attack from the visitors in the second half Flood fired past goalkeeper Hall for the equaliser. With a sniff of a winner, both teams surging forward for a winning goal, then with only 7 minutes left, a cross by Bird found Enver Marum to head the Stoke in front. The hosts and supporters were stunned and was a bit too much for Ebbsfleets Howe, who was shown a red card at the end for a crashing tackle on the Basingstoke forward.

I had to use South-eastern trains to get home but the ticket office was closed at Northfleet and the exit gates were open when I alighted, so got the trip home for free.

Match 10. Loxwood v Steyning Town

Saturday 4^th October 2014 @3pm

FA Vase 2^nd Qualifying Round

LOXWOOD 5-2 STEYNING TOWN

Plaistow Road, Loxwood.

Admission: £7 including programme

Attendance:

Refreshments: Hot dog, £2

The journey down to Sussex took longer than usual due to roadwork on the M23 causing a 30 minute delay from the M25 slip road down to Gatwick. These roadwork are to last for 6 weeks.  I managed to arrive as the teams were coming out of the dressing rooms which is in the pavilion, overlooking the cricket pitch.  The 2 football pitches and the ground entrance is beyond the cricket pitch. The main pitch is railed and has wooden board infill. The main seated stand is an atcost affair with white and black seats. The dugouts are on the opposite touchline which is out of bounds to spectators. The only other furniture is a large garage storing the ground equipment.

The match started at a surprising sedate pace and didn’t really get going until the 22^nd minute when Loxwoods no9 Dean Wright beat the offside trap on the edge of the box and slotted the ball across the visiting keeper Aaron Jeal into the bottom corner. On the half hour, Steyning equalised when a cross to the far post was cut out by the defender but the clearance was scuffed straight into the middle where no9 Lewis Levoi was unmarked and he stroked into the net.

At half time there is a small kitchen area next to the closed bar, which sold hot dog and bacon rolls, together with hot drinks and Lucozade. I’m not sure is the bar closure is a regular occurrence or if the hosts was short on volunteers.

The teams returned onto the pitch with a low sun shining in the spectators’ eyes.  The match brightened up instantly, as on 48 minutes the no11Shaun Findlay crossed from the left and the ball was hit first time by no7 Michael Wood, standing 10 yards out into the goal to the keepers right.  The game was put beyond the visitors reach 2 minutes later. Wright was clean through and was pulled down by the goalkeeper in the area.  The ref had no choice but to give Jeal a straight red.  An outfield player pulled on the keepers jersey but could do nothing about the well taken penalty from no10 Oliver Gill.  Loxwood had several chances before their 4^th goal arrived on 65 minutes.  An attack down the right by Wood then a short pass inside to the right back Joe Holvey who ran into the area and blasted into the top of the goal.  On 77 minutes the no16 substitute Casselman, looking a bit like Paul Scholes, cut in from the left wing and then hit the ball right footed just over the keeper’s outstretched fingers into the net from 20 yards.  A consolation strike from Steyning arrived in the last minute when a free kick on the edge of the penalty area was delicately chipped over the wall to no8 Jack Boyall who chested the ball down a hit first time beyond the keeper. 

Steyning Town had ex Worthing captain Paul Kennett in their ranks after retiring last season, playing centre back for the first hour, before moving into the more familiar central midfield.

Match 9. Folland Sports v Frome Town

Saturday 27^th September 2014 @3pm

FA Cup 2^nd Qualifying Round

FOLLAND SPORTS 1-1 FROME TOWN

Follands Park, Kings Avenue, Hamble-le-Rice.

Admission: £6

Programme: £1

Attendance: 93

Refreshments: Cheese and onion crusty roll £1.25. Tomato cup-a-soup £1. Topic 80p. Thatcher’s Gold, £2.95

The journey down to Southampton was trouble free but took 30 minutes from the M271 to drop off my wife and daughter no2 at IKEA then another 45 minutes to complete the 6 miles to Hamble, due to road works and the fact that Southampton’s St Marys Stadium in on the route and they were at home to QPR.  This meant I arrived at Follands Park 5 minutes before kick-off.  Luckily there is a spacious car park, but programmes had sold out and I had no time to visit the outside clubhouse before kick-off.  The players’ journey from the outside dressing room is lined out with temporary fencing and enter next to the spectator turnstile.

Inside the ground next to the turnstile in “Mugs Corner”. No polystyrene cups here.  All hot drinks are served in a proper mug. The committee room is behind the snack bar. There is a mixture of seats (for the match announcer and co) and standing under a DIY style cover. Then a long covered stand with 2 rows of wooden seating. In the corner is a replica jet plane, a nod to the Avionics Company on site.  The only other furniture is the dugout on the opposite touchline and a bus shelter cover behind the far goal.  The rest of the ground has hard standing and enclosed with fencing and tall trees, giving a rural feel to the location.

Frome unsurprisingly took the upper hand in the first half, sometimes easily showing the gulf between the 2 sides pyramid placing. The home side were forced into some last ditch defending, but in a rare venture forward on 28 minutes, got a slice of luck when a reckless challenge in the area gave Sports a penalty which was expertly tucked away by no10 R.Long.  The home side couldn’t keep ahead going into the break as an in swinging cross from the right by no7 R.Hulbert perfectly found the head of no10 B.Thomson to nod in 5 yards out 5 minutes before half time.

The second half consisted of long periods in the Folland half, but the home side counterattacked well and both sides could have scored the winner.  There was a flare up halfway through the 2^nd half when Follands Long kicked a Frome player who was laying on the ball.  The Frome centre-back Baggridge came rushing in and pushed the offending player in the face.  After the 20 man scuffle the ref gave a yellow card to each, when a red card for each should have been the fair reflection of the incident.  This was isolated though as there were no other malicious behaviour throughout the 90 minutes.

This was an entertaining Cup match and a valiant effort by the home underdogs to earn the right to have their name in the next FA Cup draw.  I expect Frome will go through in the replay on Wednesday.

I even got lucky when I asked the announcer if there were any spare copies of the match programme to purchase in the committee room.  He kindly gave me his copy, with the turnstile lady saying she sold all 60 at the gate by 2.45, with the paying attendance of 93.  Who says the demand for programmes is history?  

Match 8. Spelthorne Sports v Camberley Town

Saturday 20^th September 2014 @3pm

Combines Counties League Premier Division

SPELTHORNE SPORTS 0-0 CAMBERLEY TOWN

Sports Club, 296 Staines Road West, Ashford Common, Ashford Middx.

Admission: £7

Programme: £1

Attendance: 70

Refreshments: Guinness: £3.20. Cheeseburger £2.50.

After the storming season Spelthorne Sports had last year and their 7-0-0 start to this season, I was interested to see how good this team was. Apart from the usual 30 minute traffic delay at Cobham Services, it was an easy journey to drive with simple directions. The club has a large complex running alongside the main road for some distance, passing 2 full size pitches before reaching the turn off for the club house and car park.  The 2 teams were warming up between the clubhouse and the ground entrance on the junior size pitch outside. Through the turnstile and there is a large shed to the right which hosts hospitality for the committees. To the left is the only building which houses the changing rooms and the tea bar which sells hotdogs, burgers, hot and cold drinks and snacks.  The other side of the goal has a new seated covered stand with 2 rows of yellow seating and the structure made of wood with quite an unusual design.  The only other area of cover is a small structure for standing in between the 2 dugouts on the halfway line. The rest of the metal railed pitch surround has hard standing for spectators.  There is space to continue building on the opposite touchline subject to planning approval, in case the club wishes to enter Step 3-4 territory.

I was surprised that Camberley, although also in the top 5, played the better of the 2 teams throughout the first 70 minutes or so, before Spelthorne really upped their game enough to see why they have been successful recently. The Camberley right back was subbed after only 25 minutes and he sulked off to the dressing room saying he didn’t want to play anymore and didn’t re-join his teammates, choosing to stand alone watching the second half.  To be fair, he wasn’t playing well and the replacement was one of the best players on the pitch.  The best chance in the first half came on 35 minutes when, after a corner was half cleared the shot from 25 yards smacked against the cross bar and cleared.

The second half had greater intensity from the home side but it was only after their subs came on did they have any real chances.  They survived a scare when a goal was not allowed for an offside from a 6 yard melee. Apparently it was a Camberley attacker on the goal line although the keeper was off his line, causing the away dugout to have a different view of the incident.  Shortly after, Spelthorne had their best chance when a scrambled shot hit the bar, then the follow up cleared off the line by the defender who was behind the goal line but I thought only half the ball had crossed the line and the linesman was in a good position.

So my 2^nd game running with no goals. I had to watch the Football League show on Sunday morning to remember what a goal looks like!!

Match 7. APM Contrast v Metrogas

Saturday 13^th September 2014 @2.45pm (ko 2.50pm)

NRG Kent County League Premier Division

APM CONTRAST 0-0 METROGAS

Cobdown Sports & Social Club, Station Road, Ditton.

Admission: free

Programme: £1.50

Attendance: 41 h/c

Refreshments: Guinness: £3.30. Monster Munch 70p.

My original plan of using the London Midland Great Escape offer cancelled after falling ill during the week.  On Saturday morning I thought it would be a blank weekend, but I improved enough to stay in Kent and get some fresh air on a lovely late summer afternoon at Aylesford. I had actually played here on a Junior Cup finals day when I was about 11 years old and had seen another Junior game here 20 odd years ago supporting my friend who was refereeing.  On both these occasions, the marvellous wooden seated stand astride the halfway line was in full occupation by spectators.  Sadly the stand, which seats are raised above the dugouts in front is fenced off and not in use today.  The dugouts are still utilised and the pitch is mainly railed off with a small section of roping completing the surround.  The complex has 3 full size pitches, including the main pitch, a cricket square with pavilion and a bowling green in the distance beyond some trees.  There is plenty of car parking near the club building. The changing room building looks like a new addition and the social club and offices are still as they were, with a pool table, dart board and large projector featuring BT Sport.

The match was between 2 clubs expected to be challenging for the title this season. Both sides played a similar style, with lots of long searching balls forward, a midfield battle that was flustered and panicky and 2 defences that were solid and dealt with the attacks well enough to keep chances to shots from distance.  Chances on target were easily dealt with and numerous corners and crosses well handled by both keepers.

The referee was laid back from strolling out late for kick off and missed 2 blatant yellow cards earlier before a flurry of cards in the last 20 minutes of the game.  Both sides will no doubt end up in the top 4 as they are fit and strong, but this match wasn’t a good spectacle. It was good to see the new youngish 37 year old chairman taking photos during the game and the friendly programme seller circumnavigating the pitch selling his paper during the first half.  A range of halftime hot drinks are available in the clubhouse for £1.50, made from one of those modern coffee machines but are served in cup and saucer and must be drunk on the premises.

Match 6. Holland Sports v Fleetdown United

Saturday 6^th September 2014 @2.45pm

NRG Kent County League Premier Division

HOLLAND SPORTS 5-3 FLEETDOWN UNITED

The Pavilion, Mill Lane, Hurst Green.

Admission: free

Programme: none

Attendance: 25 h/c

Refreshments: Cheese & onion roll £1.

I had to use my daughters car today so couldn’t go very far.  The Pavilion, home of Holland Sports is just off the A25 midway between junction 5 & 6 parallel to the M25. The car park is next to the club building which has a clubhouse at the front and changing rooms at the back. A short path to the pitch, which has an unmarked bowl shaped track surrounding the playing area and a fence around the bowl, although the near touchline is roped off to give a closer view of the match. The club no longer produce a programme.

The home side play in yellow and black stripe shirts with black shorts and socks. The visitors played in orange shirts, black shorts and orange socks.  The first goal for Fleetdown arrived on 15 minutes when a header from a corner was saved at close range but no11 slotted in the rebound from 6 yards. 5 minutes later the visitors doubled the lead when, from another corner, the clearance was collected by no9 on the edge of the box who hit it first time into the top corner. On the half hour mark Holland reduce the arrears where again from a corner no8 headed in from the 6 yard box.  Holland then drew level on 38 minutes when the goalkeeper stormed out of his area for a sliding tackle on the no11 which made the foul easy for him to go down. The tackle, although 17 yards out, was 5 yards shy of the penalty box but what should have been a red card and free kick, the referee decided to issue a yellow card and a penalty.  The kick was converted by no9.

The goals continued after the break for the home side. From the first attack the ball fell to no9 who blasted low into the net from 25 yards. Fleetdown equalised on 53 minutes when a back header went straight to no10 who drilled across the keeper into the net.  The visiting no4 then fell awkwardly in a tackle and was in obvious distress holding his arm.  The ref just told him to go off if he needed treatment.  As he sat in front of me, I could see his arm/elbow was fractured as the swelling was occurring. I asked for someone to get ibuprofen for the swelling and the home trainer found a basic sling which I helped the away side administer. The home side were happy to call an ambulance but as the injured players wife was here I suggested they would be quicker driving back to Darenth A&E as the ambulance would take him to Redhill. While this was going on a definite foul in the area gave Holland another penalty.  No9 converted again in the same spot. A handball on 65 minutes gave Holland their 3^rd penalty. Inevitably, the keeper finally saved one as no9 chose to put is to his left for the 3^rd time. With Fleetdown chasing the game on 88 minutes no8 chipped the ball over the last defender and slipped the ball past the keeper inside the near post.

After the match I stopped off to get the results at picturesque Westerham pub The George & Dragon for a pint of Guinness costing £4.85!!

Match 5. AFC Portchester v Folland Sports

Saturday 30^th August 2014 @3pm

FA Cup Qualifying Preliminary Round

AFC PORTCHESTER 1-4 FOLLAND SPORTS

Wicor Recreation Ground, Cranleigh Road, Fareham.

Admission: £6

Programme: free (normally £1.50)

Attendance:?? My EST about 100

Refreshments: Stowford Press Cider, £1.50 (pint £3). Cheese and egg burger £2.90.

Having set off with this game being first choice and Fleet Spurs the back up, I thought I would be at the latter due to the increasingly regular Saturday M25 traffic standstill near both Clackett Lane and Cobham Services.  The A3 however was quiet and I made up the lost time, getting to Portsmouth by 2.15pm. On with the Sat Nav for the last 15 minutes driving and arriving at Wicor Rec Ground by half past.

I enjoyed the match day experience at AFC Portchester.  The club gives off a professional and community based set up, from the football of the first team (even though it was a heavy defeat, the score didn’t merit the 90 minutes) to the ball boys and families present from I gather a junior side, the friendly gateman, attentive barmaid on the small bar and the facilities that look fairly new and the continuing development of the ground.  There is plenty of parking spaces at the ground, probably due to the nearest bus stop being just under mile away and a further mile to the Railway station.  After going through the entrance gate, the snack bar is immediately on the right and the club building stretches 40-50 yards alongside the near touchline. As well as toilets and changing rooms the club has 2 function rooms with the large bar not open but the room was still used for seating and BT & Sky Sports.  The smaller open bar is kitted out with the clubs orange and black colours, even down to the orange pool table. The other half of the touchline has a standard type covered seating area, followed by an extended standing cover which is almost complete but only needs the steps and crush barriers in place for 50% of the terraced stand for completion. There is an older looking mobile building behind the near goal as well as one of those temporary seating like found in golf tournaments in the corner, with no cover.  Similar to the stand at Brightlingsea Regent.

Both sides played well in the match but the home sides keeper and back 4 had a rotten first half.  After 14 minutes a corner for Folland Sports flew over beyond the far post and was retrieved by no9 Michael Turvey and the defender let him go past him into the area and a low cross allowed Ash Jarvis to slide and tap in from the six yard box. Despite the home side having more possession the second visitor goal came on 41 minutes.  The cross was only half cleared to 30 yards where the captain no8 Jamie Baron looped the ball into the top far corner of the net despite frantic efforts by the below average height goalkeeper Hutchings.  Then right on half time, a throw in from the left back was allowed to be picked up with ease by Baron who again shot beyond the keeper into the bottom corner from the edge of the area without a challenge in sight.

Portchester had more purpose and commitment in their attacking half after the break but lacked a killer punch.  The winger substitute no18 Bartlett-Scott had shown some Cristiano skill in both halves and hopefully can develop his game to help his undoubted natural talent. The game was put beyond any doubt on 82 minutes when Jarvis also tried a looping shot from 30 yards and he too beat the outstretched arms of the keeper.  A goal just before the end was of little consolation for Portchester but the penalty was scored by Elliott Ward.

This club has plans to continue developing the ground and aim to climb up the pyramid in a few years.  Let’s see what happens?

Match 4. Hailsham Town v Pagham

Saturday 23^rd August 2014 @3pm

Sussex County League Division 1

HAILSHAM TOWN 1-4 PAGHAM

The Beaconfield, Weston Road, Hailsham

Admission:£6

Programme: 50p + Sussex Football Monthly £2

Attendance: 66

Refreshments: Magners Bottle, £3.20. Sausage and bacon roll, £2.60.

The journey took 2 hours to complete the 50 miles to Hailsham, mainly due to the half hour to get through Tunbridge Wells traffic. I still arrived in plenty of time and was able to watch a few overs of the local cricket match at Hailsham CC next door to the football ground. The 1^st XI were playing Willingdon CC and batting when I was watching. I understand they won the match.

After paying my entrance fee and buying reading content, I had a pre-match drink in the clubhouse to peruse the Sussex magazine that features all non-league clubs in the county and a feature on Brighton Chairman Dick Knight picking his best ever Brighton XI. The bar was empty apart from one injured player and a few committee members, although they were welcoming and happy to chat.

The ground is accessed around the back of the cricket club pavilion and parking is limited to the surrounding streets.  After entering through the turnstiles, emerging halfway alongside the near touchline, there is a small Atcost style stand seating 50 to the immediate right.  There is an area of covered standing to the left of the entrance which has 2 hatches where one hatch sells hot drinks and the other sells hot food. There is a boarded up building next to the covered standing which I imagine must be the old changing rooms.  Behind the left hand goal is the fairly new looking brick built club building which has the bar, changing rooms and toilets inside.  The opposite touchline has the dugouts and a couple of trees located right on the perimeter rail.  Not sure where that would affect any move up the ladder, but is no problem with Step 5 attendances.  The other goal line is open standing with the tennis club courts immediately behind the goal.

I had watched Pagham last weekend progress in the FA Cup and today got a good idea of their good form this season. After 3 minutes the visitors took the lead when a corner was headed in by the no5, J. Corker from the six yard box.  The home defence was in disarray when after 11 minutes a through ball by no9, R.Wimble found no7, J. Clack through the centre and he controlled the ball, took it around the keeper and slotted into the empty net. The match was interrupted on 20 minutes when the visiting no11, Carmen-Cola fell on his shoulder and had to be subbed for what looked like a dislocation.  It didn’t stop the Pagham dominance as after half hour the no10, S.Martin was fouled inside the penalty area.  He picked himself up to fire the penalty into the corner.  Hailsham scored a 1^st half consolation on 39 minute when on a counter attack, a quick ball found no11, J. Adlam on the left and he cut into the area, drew the keeper towards him and squared it to no9, D. Greenall for a simple tap in.

Hailsham came out in the second half with more purpose and made the game a more equal contest but couldn’t find a second goal.  Pagham killed the game off with a 4^th goal 10 minutes from time when no12, M. Asewre used a nice 1-2 on the left hand side of the box then chipped keeper Levitt with the ball dropping into the far corner of the goal.

I stopped off for 20 minutes at Maresfield Village where I visited The Chequers Inn, a pub formerly owned by Marco Pierre White with a historic 400+ year old building and a nice large beer garden showing off the late afternoon sun.

Match 3. Pagham v Woodstock Sports

Saturday 16^th August 2014 @3pm

FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round

PAGHAM 2-0 WOODSTOCK SPORTS

Nyetimber Lane, Pagham

Admission: £6

Programme: £1

Attendance: 85

Refreshments: Amstel, £3.20. Bacon Roll, £2.50

I always look forward to the beginning of the FA Cup competitions and have had Pagham on my visit list for a few seasons now. With a dry forecast, I drove the 99 miles to West Sussex with only stoppages on the usual jct 5, M25 and the Arundel bottleneck on the A27.

The ground has covered accommodation on 3 sides of the ground with the entrance goal line the only one that is open, with a net behind the catch the stray shots. The clubhouse is on the far touchline and is close to the field of play, meaning there is no rail in front of the clubhouse.  Next to the clubhouse is an area of standing cover, with another area behind the far goal.  The near touchline has the seated stand which has large seats and is made from breeze blocks, steel and wood. The whole ground has that DIY feel and has been added to by hook or by crook.  Better in my opinion than the dull flat pack stands popping up everywhere.

The clubhouse has the basic fizzy alcohol on tap and the food hut has the usual fare (no pies) but the quality of bacon and the slightly toasted bun were above average.

Woodstock should have taken the lead in the first minute when a cross found no11, G Bake 6 yards out but he miskicked when the goal beckoned. Pagham had the upper hand of the first half but there was a fracas on the half hour as after an innocuous challenge on Bake, the left back kicked the ball into the lying wingers back while on the ground.  A bundle ended up with a 2-1 result in bookings.

The second half started with Pagham having a shot thump against the post.  The home side took the lead after 70 minutes when a cross from no2, Scott Dormer reached the tall substitute no15, Rob Brown to head in from 8 yards.  The game was put to bed 2 minutes later when no7, Josh Clack eyed up a shot from the edge of the box and rifled past the visiting keeper Dewey.

Some nice looking pubs driving from the A27 to the ground but no stop offs today.

Match 2. Stratford Town v Bishop Cleeve

Saturday 9^th August 2014 @3pm

Southern League Division South & West

STRATFORD TOWN 2-0 BISHOP CLEEVE

DCS Stadium, Knights Lane, Tiddington, Stratford-Upon-Avon

 

Admission: £8

Programme: £1

Attendance: 163

Refreshments: Thatcher’s Cider, £3.30. Hot Dog, £2.20

 

A family trip in the morning to Leicester to see the Richard III exhibition until lunchtime, then an hours drive via M69 & A46 so the girls can walk around the lovely Stratford-Upon Avon and I can visit the fairly new DCS Stadium, 2 miles away on the outskirts of the nearby village of Tiddington. On arrival 45 minutes before kick-off, the car park was fairly full, but officials directed me to a space near the clubhouse. I arrived in the clubhouse to catch the last part of the Bristol Rovers v Grimsby match on BT Sport.  The rumours of top eye candy bar staff on the NLM Forum are non-founded but good service is provided by a couple in their 40s. I had also imagined the clubhouse to be larger than I found, although provided ample room for today’s match.

The facilities are all on one side of the ground.  The turnstile entrance is at the near side, then to the right is the club hut, where merchandise and todays programme is available.  Then there is the main stand only containing half a dozen rows of seating split by a tunnel entrance to the changing rooms behind and a roof covering over the top extending a way past the seats. It left me with a feeling of lost opportunity to fill in more seats in the space given.  There is an attached white painted and glass fronted building for hospitality and board room.  The tea hut is next to this building, selling the usual burger/hotdog/bacon and hot drinks. The rest of the railed pitch is hard standing but does have a covered step terrace half the length behind the right hand side goal.  I presume they can expand the facilities if they rise up through the pyramid.

Stratford started with almost the same squad as last season whereas Cleeve had assembled a completed new team and management. The home team employed a 4-2-3-1 system which seemed to suit their style, with no9 and 10 interchanging the target role and 2 wingers with no11 especially nippy and no7 more of a James Milner type.  Town were ahead after 11 minutes when no10 Sterling ran inside the penalty area and was tripped to concede the penalty with no complaints.  Gregory sent the keeper the wrong way.  A second penalty 10 minutes later when another run by Sterling and was sandwiched by 2 defenders in the penalty area and the ref again called it a penalty but this was not as clear cut.  The same penalty taker in Gregory but this time the keeper guessed right to palm it away.  Gregory made amends on the next attack which produced a corner.  He headed in the corner from 8 yards.  Stratford should have added to their total before half time but for 2 fine saves from the visiting keeper and 2 shots just wide. 

The second half started after the linesman delayed by forgetting something from the dressing room, and the half had a more subdued feel to it without a great amount of clear chances at either end.  However, no10 Sterling had 3 good chances in the second half, all of which ended up firing over the crossbar.

 
After meeting the family back at the White Swan, we stopped off at the Weatherspoon at the Beaconsfield service station which is a new and odd experience for me!

Match 1. Hartley Wintney v Colliers Wood United

Saturday 2nd August 2014 @3pm
Combined Counties League Premier Division
HARTLEY WINTNEY 1-0 COLLIERS WOOD UNITED
Memorial Ground, Green Lane, Hartley Wintley


Admission: £6
Programme: £1
Attendance: 65
Refreshments: Guinness, £3.95. Bacon Roll, £2.50. Cheeseburger: £3.

There was numerous holdups on the M25 and onto the M3, then saw a horrific tailback on the M3 London bound due to a nasty 4 car pileup blocking the whole carriageway. Thankfully it was cleared for the return journey after the match.  Unfortunately this left no time for me to explore the area before kick off.

The ground has a large carpark and the changing rooms have a temporary look to them.  The clubhouse is a brick building with raised vantage points outside with a large overhang and also hanging baskets from the roof. As well as the bar, there is a projector screen for the football and a snack hatch serving the usual hot food, snacks and hot drinks. The 3 sides railed pitch has an enclosed look due to high hedges on 2 sides with the non railed sided out of bounds with a mesh fence to catch stray shots. A standard seated Atcost type stand is on the opposite touchline to the club building and dugouts.

In the first half, the visitors were marginally the better side. There was a lack of threat in attack and looked weak in centre midfield. The home side looked composed on the ball but a little off the pace apart from the nippy number 7 and 11.  The second half was a more exciting contest as Colliers Wood should have scored when no10 was put through by a short back pass from no2, but after rounding the keeper, then shot from 6 yards onto the outside of the post and behind when an open goal beckoned. The only goal of the game was a fantastic shot from 30 yards on 75 minutes. Carl Saunders hit it first time which arched into the top corner flicking the crossbar on the way in.

Match 46. Harold Hill v Buckhurst Hill

Saturday 31st May 2014 @2.30pm
Essex Olympian League Premier Division
HAROLD HILL 0-2 BUCKHURST HILL
Hendersons Sport @ Social Club, Kenilworth Avenue, Harold Wood

Admission: nil
Programme: No
Attendance: 40 ish
Refreshments: None taken at ground

Met DQ in the well presented King Harold pub. Nice touch with the open bar in the beer garden. 
After Messrs Arthur and Grigio were consumed and I was presented with the forthcoming Sunday League Programme of the Year, we arrived at Hendersons just in time for kick off. With DQ dealing in play off contraband and tapping up players for next season, I enjoyed the game with BH centre back 4 and midfielder 11 the stand out players. The clubhouse is busy and spacious, organising themselves for a presentation evening for a youth team. Plenty of hoppers in attendance for the match and hopefully, moonlighting as a 70s rock tribute band to scare the children later. 

This was a competitive game with Hill lacking penetration up front, which is probably the reason 
behind their relegation and they went behind midway through the first period following 
a lapse at the back. The home side were reduced to ten following a sending off for a late but non-malicious tackle which I and others perceived to be worth only a yellow. The visitors sealed the win soon after. 

After evicting DQ from the hop mobile it was a 5 mile tailback from Dartford Bridge taking an hour to pass. I arrived late home without the promise of any fresh venison or giggly sausages for the family of Carnivors to consume. DQ is such a tease!!

Match 45. Cuffley v Letchworth Garden City Eagles

Saturday 24^th May 2014 @3pm

Herts Senior County League Premier Division

CUFFLEY 4-2 LETCHWORTH GARDEN CITY EAGLES

King George V Playing Fields (Cuffley), Northaw Road East, Cuffley.

Admission: free

Programme: free (4 page folded A4 sheet)

Attendance: 50 h/c

Refreshments: Guinness: £3.50. Crisps 50p, Mars bar 70p

Cuffleys ground is 10 minutes’ drive from the A10 junction at the M25, passing Broxbourne Borough and Goffs Oak football grounds en route. I parked in error at the Tennis Club car park (sat navs fault) but walked through to the football club, which has its own ample sized car park.  The pitch is railed on all 4 sides apart from a gap on each halfway line supposedly for dugouts, and in front of the changing room/club building behind the top goal. The pitch slopes from top to bottom but is well grassed. The club building has all the facilities including a small bar. Hot and cold drinks and snacks were available but no hot food or rolls. The programme was available behind the bar.

Considering this was a game with nothing riding on it, the entertainment and commitment was commendable.  Letchworth played a lot better than the previous Saturday thumping by the League champions. However there was a bizarre nature of how both sides notched up goals in the first 48 minutes. I was getting warmed up as a ball boy for the first 15 minutes before the rain settled in for the next hour, as I watched the rest of the first half in the dry of the clubhouse executive window.

The first goal for Cuffley arrived after 3 minutes.  A cross was caught by the keeper 3 yards out but he preceded to drop the ball into his own net, almost in slow motion.  Letchworth equalised on 9 minutes when the yellow booted no3 crossed from the right for no10 to slide in and direct the ball in from 6 yds. The hosts went back in front 2 minutes later when no14 thumped a back pass under no pressure to the advancing keepers left and into the net.

After the break it took just 3 minutes for the comedy of errors to continue. A cross from the right was intercepted by the half time substitute no14 who slid in and diverted the ball over the defence into the far corner to make the score 2-2.  He was then fortunate a few moments later to stat on the field after some handbags with the Letchworth no10, both escaping with a booking.  On 65 minutes a shot just inside the penalty box beat the keeper to regain home advantage. The final goal arrived when a corner was connected by no10 without any decent pace, but the keeper proceeded to bend down and let the ball through his hands and then legs into the net.  This was a moment after he produced an outstanding save over the crossbar from a belting shot from 25 yards!

As I chatted alongside some non-playing first team members, the home no4 had bet his teammates that he would score today or face having #utf (up the Cuffs) tattooed on him, he then fell to the ground hiding his face at the final whistle as his excited team mates prepared the strategy of getting him to the tattoo shop before 5.30!!     

Match 44. Bedmond Sports & Social FC v Letchworth Garden City Eagles

Saturday 17^th May 2014 @3pm

Herts Senior County League Premier Division

BEDMOND SPORTS & SOCIAL FC 10-1 LETCHWORTH GARDEN CITY EAGLES

Toms Lane Recreation Ground, Bedmond

Admission: free

Programme: £1

Attendance: 65 (h/c)

Refreshments: Guinness £3.10. Starbar 70p. Cheeseburger £1.50

The small car park at the ground was full on my arrival 30 minutes before kick-off so I parked in a side road behind the top goal. The pitch is shared with cricket and is railed on 3 sides but can be removed for the cricket season. One touchline has hard standing and there is an area of cover attached to the clubhouse. Inside the clubhouse is a good size with a bar selling alcohol and soft drinks as well as snacks.  Inside there was also a small kitchen which sold burgers, hot dogs and chips as well as hot drinks. Programmes are available from the hardworking secretary, Ged Deacon.

The match was dominated by Bedmond from the start. The no9 & 10 strike force Arron Lewis and ‘Sipo’ Sippetts were dominant. Both had scored in the first 3 minutes. A period of domination without adding to their score for half an hour, then from a free kick from the left was headed in by ‘Sipo’ after a well-timed run. 5 minutes before the break no9 got his hat trick with another header in the 6 yard box.

The second half produced a barrage of goals, with no10 Lewis adding 3 to his first half effort and Bedmond reached 8 before the consolation away goal from Letchworth. I missed 2 goals just collecting my cheeseburger and came back to see the attacking double act being subbed.  It didn’t stop the home side adding 2 further goals before taking the foot of the accelerator for the last 5 mins.

Bedmond are a quality Step 7 side on this performance and together with Standon & Puckeridge and Belstone are a class above the rest of the division.  

Match 43. Newham United v Old Southendian

Saturday 10th May 2014 @2.30pm

Essex Olympian League Senior Division One

NEWHAM UNITED 6-1 OLD SOUTHENDIAN

Cave Road, Newham

 

Admission: free

Programme: N/A

Attendance: 41 h/c

Refreshments: N/A

A fairly local game for me, through the Blackwall Tunnel and A13, parking in Cave Road as the club car park was full. Inside the entrance is a caged AstroTurf 5-a-side pitch next to the fairly new looking club building including 4 changing rooms. There was a front reception but no refreshments on offer. There are 2 pitches but only the main one was marked out, with railing around 3 sides and roped on the fourth. Hard standing is available on one touchline and 2 park benches double up as dugouts although the away side decided to base themselves on the open touchline.

The match kicked off 7 minutes early and by 2.30 started raining quite hard which continued until half time.  Newham needed a point to win the title but although having more possession, couldn’t click in the final third. After 25 minutes a 25 yard shot from the visitors’ no15 hit the back of the net after flying through the goalkeeper’s hands.  The home side had their best chance of the half after 30 minutes when a shot was parried by the keeper, the first rebound was stopped by the defenders legs and the third effort headed off the line.

Newham came out invigorated in the second half and shone, like the arriving sunshine.  After 55 minutes they drew level.  A free kick allowed no9 to run down the left wing and cut inside, crossing along the by-line and no5 slid in on the back post to tap in.  The next attack ended with a goal disallowed for a foul on the goalkeeper.  The 2^nd goal was on the hour when no9 went of a mazy run inside the box and released no8 who backheeled into the net.  On 68 minutes a third goal ended hopes of an away win when no11 blasted the penalty straight down the middle and in off the crossbar, followed 2 minutes later by another goal when no11 passed to no9 in the area who deftly struck the ball into the top corner.  No9 added his second when receiving a cross from the right, cutting inside and blasting into the net.  The final goal arrived 5 minutes before the end when no4 weaves into the area passing 3 defenders before looping the ball into the corner.

Newham win the title by 2 points and promotion to the Premier Division.