Match 34. Metrogas v Staplehurst Monarchs

Saturday 8^th March 2014 @2:45pm

Kent County League Premier Division

METROGAS 3-0 STAPLEHURST MONARCHS

Metrogas Sports Ground Pitch 1, Marathon Playing Fields, Forty Foot Way, Avery Hill Road, New Eltham

 

Admission: free

Programme: £1 donation

Attendance: 36 h/c

Refreshments: Guinness, £3.60. Bacon Roll, £2.50.

 

I needed a ground close by so none other than the closest Step 7 ground that I haven’t visited before. A leisurely 25 minute walk on a warm, bright day to the playing fields split into 3 areas.  There are 6 full size pitches and includes 2-3 junior pitches on the whole complex.  Metrogas Sports club have 2 full size pitches and a cricket square.  Both pitches have permanent dugouts and roped off pitches. The main pitch is next to the clubhouse which has a small overhang in front of the entrance if it rains. The bar and changing rooms are inside and there is a small hatch for hot drinks and snacks.  A burger van is parked up in the corner and sells burgers, hotdogs and bacon rolls, the latter being very tasty.

 

Metrogas Reserves were playing Club Langley in a KCL Division 3 game, which I believe the home side won, kick off was 15 minutes before the main event.  Metrogas 1^st team are top of the Division but didn’t start very well. Staplehurst were attacking with regular shots on goal including a shot into the net which was disallowed for a close offside decision after 20 minutes.  The no5 centre back got booked for a trip and took umbrage with the ref, who did very well not to send him off.  I later learned it was the players’ birthday. He got injured in the second half and went off to console himself with a beer.  Metrogas took the lead on 43 minutes when a corner to the far post allowed the incoming no3 to head in.  Within a minute the home side scored a second goal, again from a cross, reaching no16 ten yards out who directed the ball into the bottom corner.

 

The double blow just before half time seemed to take the wind out of the visitors.  The second half was almost one way traffic and the 3^rd goal duly arrived on 55 minutes. A good passing move down the right was then cut inside to no9 who switched feet and slotted past the keeper.  There were at least half a dozen chances for Metrogas to add to their lead but wayward shooting let them down. Staplehurst did have a chance to pull a goal back when no11 beat the keeper but the shot ended up in his arms via the inside of the far post.

 

There is a noticeable cabbie convention at the game.  I spotted 6 black cabs in the car park and overheard several conversations regarding drunken customers on a Friday night. There is a poster in the clubhouse advertising 7 drivers running the London Marathon this year from Albany Cars.  For this level the spectator facilities are reasonable, a rare programme at this level and a decent playing surface.