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.