Match 41. Fawley AFC v Fareham Town

Saturday 26^th April 2014 @3pm

Wessex League Premier Division

FAWLEY AFC 1-0 FAREHAM TOWN

Waterside Sports ground, Long Lane, Holbury, Southampton

  

Admission: £6 including programme 12pp (normally £1)

Attendance:

Refreshments: Guinness, £3.60, 2 sausage 2 egg & chips, £3.50, Picnic 80p, Twix 80p.

 

My wife wanted to shop in Southampton therefore I drove to Fawleys ground in Holbury, and dropped off on this sunny day, which I would return to Southampton by bus and ferry, including the rustic pier train at Hythe.

  

The football ground is found by going through the Waterside club and walking past the cricket field, the entrance being 150 yards from the clubhouse.  Inside the ground there are a selection of blue painted temporary style buildings which houses the tea bar, toilets, changing rooms and official hospitality. On the left hand touchline is the main stand which has 4 rows on concrete with wooden bench style seats.  The opposite touchline has the team dugouts and 2 areas on standing cover, one being twice the size of the other and housed the vocal Fareham Town support in the first half. Hot food and alcohol is available back in the social club by the Sports Club entrance.

  

Fareham were settled in mid table but still gamely went to get a winning result. After 15 minutes the quick Ash Tattershall was unceremoniously dumped to the turf and the offender was lucky to escape with a yellow card. The resulting penalty was however wide of the keepers right post. The Fawley keeper Dan Loader had a terrific game, and made 2 diving saves later in the half to keep the score goalless at half time.

  

I finally met Splodge at the beginning of the second half behind the near goal with the Fareham supporters.  The away side continued to have the better scoring opportunities but the best chance prior to the last minute was a Fawley free kick early on when a Vining shot just flew wide of the post and there was a long period of midfield battle without any good scoring chances.  Fareham changed tactics for the last quarter by pushing forward with a 4-3-3 and should have scored near the end but Bull missed when unmarked in the box.  In the last minute Fawley were awarded a penalty after the ball rode up and struck the arm of a defender.  Fawleys best player of the match Matt Vining scored to give the home side 3 points but still finish 3^rd bottom.

 

I had time to quickly visit the excellent Lord Nelson Pub by Hythe pier for a swift half of Thatcher’s Gold (£1.80) and travelled up the Solent in lovely sunny weather to round the day off rather well.