Match 17. AFC Stoneham v Fleet Spurs

Saturday 19^th December 2015 @3pm

Wessex League Division 1

AFC STONEHAM 2-2 FLEET SPURS

The Elliots Arena, Chestnut Avenue, Chandlers Ford, Eastleigh SO50 9PF

Admission: £5

Programme: Included with admission. Extra copies £1.50 (16pp)

Attendance: 28 (Grumpy headcount)

Refreshments: Bacon Roll, Coffee, Bovril, all £1 each. Flapjack 50p.

My original destination was Horndean and the game was still on when I left home at 12.15. On arriving just after 2pm, I bumped into the groundsman who told me the game was called off just after 1pm by the local referee, who had deemed one corner of the pitch too soft.  So after checking, it was another 30 minutes driving to AFC Stoneham passing Eastleigh’s ground after exiting the M27.  The ground is located down a dark long driveway off of Chestnut Avenue. There is a decent sized car park which is shared with the golf driving range next door. The ground entrance is next to the changing rooms, then there is a short walk to the pitch. With a tea bar and committee room on one touchline and a quaint wooden stand with 100+ bench seating further along. The dugouts on the opposite touchline completes the set up and there is no clubhouse at the ground.  There is hard standing along 2 sides with out of bounds behind the far goal with the second pitch behind it.

Despite the uneven playing surface and long grass it was a decent match played in good spirit by both sides with a draw being the fair result. The first goal went to the visitors when a low shot was allowed to squirm under the goalkeepers body into the net.  The keeper made amends when he saved a penalty a little later on, diving to his right and palming the ball to safety. Stoneham equalised when following a half cleared corner, the attacker managed to steer the ball between the two defenders.  Stoneham took the lead when a penalty was awarded for handball and the strike went straight down the middle of the goal.  A deserved equaliser and the best of the game when a loose ball was hit from the penalty ‘D’ with a wrapped left foot by no9 into the top of the net with 20 minutes left.  Was nice to watch football at this time of year in unusually warm weather, the gloves, hat and scarf stayed in the car. 

Match 16. Lordswood v Ashford United

Saturday 12^th December 2015 @3pm

FA Vase 3^rd Round

LORDSWOOD 1-5 ASHFORD UNITED

Martyn Grove, North Dane Way, Lordswood, Chatham ME5 8YE

Admission: £7

Programme: £1 (24pp)

Attendance: 90

Refreshments: Bovril, £1.

With working in the evening and domestic duties running into the afternoon, I decided at 2pm to re-visit Lordswood, a club I last saw in their first season at Step 5 in 1996-7.  I couldn't remember too much about the ground but I don’t think there are any changes in the 18 years since my last visit.  Martyn Grove is part of a large sports centre including Rugby, Cricket and unusually, Pentaque.  The ground entrance is next to the changing room building and also has a tea bar just inside the turnstile. The teams enter from behind the near goal, with the dugouts on the left (green mesh) touchline and small areas of cover, for seating and standing area on a raised step on the right touchline. The area behind the far goal is out of bounds. The clubhouse is the social club which is outside the ground, between the 2 car parks.

This was definitely a game of two halves. Ashford just couldn’t seem to do anything right in the first half, allowing the limited skill in the Lordswood side to take a first half lead. The home side had a couple of half chances before the 20^th minute when a flick on found the path of Ben Francis to ran on and slotted the ball past the onrushing keeper. Ashford had more possession after the goal but the passing let them down and neither side troubled the keepers for the rest of the half. 

The half time break did the trick for Ashford, who drew level 10 minutes into the second half when from a corner the ball ran loose for Palmer to score from the 6 yard area.  A few minutes later Ashford took the lead when a shot from the edge of the penalty area flew into the net. It was soon 4-1 to the visitors when they were awarded 2 penalties, each for handball, which were equally clumsy.  The second half rout was completed in stoppage time when an attack on the left by Palmer gained momentum going into the area where he shot passed the home keeper. 

Match 15. Chatham Town v Whyteleafe

Saturday 5^th December 2015 @3pm

Isthmian League Division One South

CHATHAM TOWN 1-2 WHYTELEAFE

Maidstone Road Sports Ground, Chatham ME4 6LR

Admission: £9

Programme: £2 (40pp)

Attendance: 127

Refreshments: Bacon in French Stick, £2.70. Crisps, 90p. Bovril, £1.30

With my family opting to visit Dickensian Rochester Christmas Festival, I went for a revisit to my first ever ground in Maidstone Road, some 38 years ago although I’ve gone dozens of times since. The club was called Medway when I first visited, and I used to get in through a gap in the mesh fence behind the trees, emerging just before kick-off. I could then spend my pocket money on a programme which was 10-20p I think, with a 50p hot dog.   

Now the fence is in front of all but one of the trees and much more substantial.  The Sports Ground has seated cover on both sides including a great bench seated stand and standing cover is behind the entrance goal, where all the facilities are located. Additions since my last visit a few seasons ago is a clubhouse extension near the turnstile with a 1^st floor committee room incorporating a viewing balcony. The club shop looks fairly new and is plentifully stocked and there are 2 building shells which are either in process of demolition or construction.

The pitch was in good condition following the wet weather but the blustery wind played its part in the match, with the side from right to left having a distinct advantage.  Whyteleafe took the lead on 5 minutes when a free kick on the right was headed onto the far post then hit the opposite upright before Francis was first to head in the rebound. Whyteleafe were in total control for the first half hour, with the Chats only just getting into the match towards the end of the half.  Chatham, playing in a blue kit, put more pressure on the visitors in the second half, with the wind on their backs and drew level when on 65 minutes Ofunsi-Hene ran at the defence and despite 2 attempted tackles managed to slide the ball beyond the onrushing keeper into the net.  Whyteleafe went ahead again only 5 minutes later against the run of play when a pass into the left of the area was hit well by Dsane into the corner of the goal.  Whyteleafe hung on to steal the 3 points.  Chatham should get out of trouble on that performance.

Match 14. Grantham Town v Salford City

Saturday 28^th November 2015 @3pm

Evo-stik League Premier Division

GRANTHAM TOWN 2-0 SALFORD CITY

The Meres, South Kesteven Sports Centre, Trent Road, Grantham NG31 7XQ

Admission: £10

Programme: £2 (48pp lots of ads)

Attendance: 788

Refreshments: Cheese & Bacon burger, £4. Chips & curry sauce, £2. Bovril, £1.50. Becks Blue, £2.50.

Chose this fixture with the Class of ’92 bandwagon riding into Grantham and the opportunity for the family to visit old friends in nearby Bottesford (Nott’m).  The car journey up from Kent was trouble free and after the drop off arrived in the large car park by 2.15pm.  Eventually found the clubhouse from inside the ground, using the players’ tunnel.  It’s easier to go to the clubhouse from outside the main stand before the match, but the doorman allowed me back inside the ground before the teams came out.  In the clubhouse on the next table to me was Mr G Neville, with a gaggle of people queuing up for a selfie with the Sky pundit.  Fair play to him, who spent half an hour doing the honours with a smile and then ended up 2 rows behind me in the main stand to watch the first half an hour before leaving to do his day job at the Crisp Stadium in Leicester.  I can’t fault the dedication from the former Man Utd man, who appears to be spearheading the “project”. 

The stadium is one with an athletics track around the pitch and it offers hard standing all round, although pointless to watch behind either goal as the rail is about 30 metres away from the goalposts. There is the main stand, built in 2 tiers with the club facilities attached to the back of the stand and is impressive for non-league level. The upper tier offers the best view of the match even though the 8 lane running track puts the viewer a fair distance from the pitch.  A large covered terrace is on the opposite touchline. 

The bumper crowd were in for an extremely dull first half, with only 2 shots on target, both were Grantham shots. The winner was the blustery wind from right to left, not helping the players. I thought the Salford team had thoughts of staying injury free with next weeks FA Cup match as they looked to be playing in 2^nd gear all match.  The second half brought driving rain and with Salford having to contend with that in their faces, together with the Gingerbreads looking more positive, the home side deserved their win.  Both goals coming in the last 20 minutes from corner set pieces. The first was a header in from the far post and the second was blasted in from a crowded penalty area both scored by Rhys Lewis.

The drive home was one accompanied by heavy rain for the dark A1 part of the trip but a happy day out was had by all in the car.    

Match 13. Kidlington v Deal Town

Saturday 21^st November 2015 @3pm

FA Vase 2^nd Round Proper

KIDLINGTON 7-0 DEAL TOWN

Yarnton Road, Kidlington, OX5 1AT

Admission: £5

Programme: £1 (24pp)

Attendance: 71

Refreshments: Chicken/Tomato Cup-a-soup, £1 each. Mars, 70p, Bread pudding, free.

A planned family visit to Bicester Village so after a 2 ½ hour drive there with only congestion on M25 Jct 10-13, pre-match lunch was spent at The Acorn in Bicester then the short 15 minute drive to Kidlington, where it was dry and sunny, but cold with +2 degrees on the car thermometer and felt like -2 degrees watching the game with the wind chill. The turnstile entrance is next to the clubhouse building and it brings you out behind the near goal.  Beside the goal is an Atcost covered terrace for around 50 people and a snack bar with hot drinks and snacks. Sausage rolls and pasties are the hot microwave food available. It was a nice touch that a slice of homemade bread pudding is offered free with any hot drink.  The dugouts are on the “allotment” touchline with the Main seated stand on the opposite touchline, again in the Atcost style and 4 rows deep. I sat in the stand in the first half then stood in the stand behind the goal second half.

With Kidlington top of the Hellenic Premier and Deal Town struggling near the foot of the Southern Counties East League I expected a comfortable home win but didn’t expect the massive gulf between the 2 teams.  Deal were woeful throughout and barely registered a shot on target all match. The central striker tended to concentrate on the centre half rather than the ball and the back four had no idea where their co-defenders were.  The result was 3-0 by half time, and any chance of a better 2^nd half were dismissed 5 minutes into the second half when a stupid penalty was given away by Deal and Kidlington were 4-0 up. It was a case of how many after that and at least Kidlington scored 3 more down our end to help us ignore the cold chill.  Certainly the most one-sided match of the season so far for me.

There was quite a few hoppers in attendance including from the North East, Leeds, Coventry and even one with a Glasgow Rangers hat on. 

Match 12. Molesey v Harlow Town

Saturday 14^th November 2015 @3pm

FA Trophy 2^nd Qualifying Round

MOLESEY 4-3 HARLOW TOWN

412 Walton Road, West Molesey, KT8 2JG

Admission: £8

Programme: £2 (36pp)

Attendance: 94

Refreshments: Bacon Roll, £2. Cheese Roll, £1.20. Chicken Cup-a-soup, £1.  Curly Wurly, 70p. Mini Cheddars, 60p, Golden Wonder crisps, 60p

Decided not to travel for a new tick and plumped for a first revisit to Molesey since 1993, with Sutton Common Rovers at Gangrene Lane as the 3G back up, in case the wet weather won in Molesey. Luckily the match was on thanks to the common sense from the match referee.  The touchline had visible small puddles but although the playing surface was very wet and it rained for the first hour of the match, the ball still offered a decent bounce and the referee officiated with common sense.

The only detail I recalled from the first visit was an elevated seating area as part of the main stand. Thankfully it’s still there although I think the clubhouse building and dressing rooms located behind are a new addition since my last visit?  The dugouts are in front of this seated stand and the snack bar is also at the ground level.  A small covered standing area is available behind each goal and along a part of the far touchline.

I was treated to the best match I’ve seen so far this season.  Harlow came out at the start determined to control the match and went in front after just 4 minutes.  The first corner of the match was crossed into the danger area and Small headed in strongly from 6 yards.  The half continued with Harlow on top. The keeper received a yellow card for charging out of his area and bringing down the attacker.   There was a couple of last ditch tackles by the Molesey defence before Harlow doubled their lead. A free kick was awarded 30 yards out and was swung into the area where a slight flick on was enough to fool the defender Elliot, who simply volleyed it into the net for an own goal.  Molesey got straight back into the match when Palmer received the ball on half way, recovered from 2 heavy tackles, laid off the ball and received it back on the edge of the box where he drove it passed the diving keeper.

Harlow regained a 2 goal advantage before the hour mark when Eadie crossed in from the left side and the bearded Fisher tapped in from close range. With 30 minutes still to play, Molesey began to step up the pressure on their visitors and gained hope for a draw with 13 minutes left when McShane reduced the score to 2-3. Then, with just 5 minutes left a great through ball found Palmer who slotted in the equaliser to the cheers of the home crowd.  Then, amazingly, Molesey carried on their offensive spell and snatched the winner on 90^th minute when a cross from McShane found Stanislaus in space where he slammed home to gain a slot in the next round of the FA Trophy.

Match 11. Coventry City v Northampton Town

Saturday 7^th November 2015 @3pm

FA Cup 1^st Round

COVENTRY CITY 1-2 NORTHAMPTON TOWN

Ricoh Arena, Phoenix Way, Coventry CV6 6GE

Admission: £15

Programme: £2.50 (36pp)

Attendance: 9,124

Refreshments: None purchased.

With cheap Virgin train tickets acquired, I finally made my first visit to the Ricoh Arena 10 years after it opened.  There was a fiver off normal admission prices as well so I arrived at Coventry rail station just after 2pm and took around 50 minutes to make the journey by 2 buses as the traffic was heavy but I got into the ground 10 minutes before kick-off, found one programme seller inside the concourse and bought his last programme. I had eaten on the train up so didn’t need any refreshments but they have the usual hot food for £3-£4.50 and alcohol for similar prices. Hot drinks were £2 and crisps & chocolate was £1.

I climbed the 50 odd steps to my seat near the back of the East Stand in time for the minutes silence and kick off.  The view was excellent and the elevated view only highlights the positional mistakes in the match.  The away fans were in good voice and got behind their team from the start.  They were rewarded within 5 minutes when a free kick was crossed in by Nicky Adams and got a nick off someone and found its way into the net.  Coventry were level 5 minutes later when a run in from the wing by Murphy created space for himself and shot into the net from the edge of the box.  Northampton regained the ascendancy and got what was the winning goal after 15 minutes when a cross from the right corner found Richards unmarked in the 6 yard box and headed easily into the empty net.  The rest of the match was more Coventry in possession, with Northampton relying on counter attacks, but it was not until the last 20 minutes that the home side showed more urgency and found their passing improved, due partly to the introduction of the lively pair Sambou and Alliyu. Northampton held on to a deserved win and coped with the pressure of the last quarter.

The 1655 no4 bus didn’t turn up and the 1715 bus took 40 minutes to get to the bus station.  Thankfully there were plenty of taxis in the adjacent taxi rank so got to the station in time for my booked 1810 train into London.