Blackstones versus Northampton Spencer

The last day of the year and I am at Blackstones versus Northampton Spencer at Lincoln Road in the United Counties Premier League.

 

I had a brief look round historic Stanford before the match but with all the people shopping in the narrow streets I headed off to sanity and Lincoln Road Sports Ground.

 

The ground is a 20 minute walk from the town centre. A large sign advertises 'where you are'  so it was easy to find.

 

Walking down a path leads  you to the pay hut, car park and bowling green.

 

There is also a clubhouse and a snack bar in the ground.

 

Down the left hand touchline is a small oldish stand next to a small covered enclosure. The rest of the ground is railed off with hard standing. 

 

On the last day of the old year I was rewarded with a very enjoyable and competitive match.

Joe Power gave 'Spencer' the lead on 15 minutes

 

Half time 0-1

 

Sharp scored a great breakaway goal midway through the second half to put

'Spencer' 2-0 in the lead.

 

'Blackstones' piled on the pressure and missed a penalty but Luke Avis reduced the arrears on 85 minutes.

 

Final Score  1- 2

 

Attendance 75

 

Programme  - OK

 

Plentiful supplies of food and drink......Happy New Year!!!

 

Potton United V Wooton Blue Cross

Tonight I am at Potton United V Wooton Blue Cross at the Hollow  in the United Counties Division 1

 

This is my sort of  a football club,not stuck far from the town centre or on souless trading estate; its a10 minute stroll from the market place down the hill and you're there.

 

No hassle with finding the ground today.

 

There is a simple railed off pitch and a seated stand along the nearside touch line.

 

Tennis courts and cricket pitches surround the ground.

 

Ample car parking inside the ground, together with a  warm welcoming club house  with tea and coffee available for  a small donation makes for a good start to an impressive evening of play.

 

The programme has adverts for local shops, and the customary  raffle  has prizes  that are donated by members of the club making this all in all a great community football club.

 

 

In this entertaining match, Blue Cross struck first through Simmons on 23 minutes.

 

Half Time 0-1

 

Dunville converted a penalty for the 'Royals' on 65 minutes.

 

Full time score  1-1

 

Attendance 114

 

Programme very good

 

Hot and Cold drinks available  from the clubhouse

 

 

I would recommend a game here to anyone.......delightful!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corby Town V Solihull Moors

Today found me at Corby Town V Solihull Moors at Steel Park in the 
Conference North.

I spent ages driving round the outskirts of Corby looking for a sign 
for the Football ground.

Looking for somebody to ask direction of as the roads were devoid of 
people for some unknown reason.

Eventually, I caught sight of a man delivering newspapers who took the 
trouble to draw a comprehensive and detailed  map for me. He was my 
saviour as without him I would never have made the match, as there were 
no signposts to the ground at all.


Some 'Moors' fans were turning up as I got there who had faced the same 
problem.

Steel Park is right next to Corby's old ground.

In fact the old ground is used as the changing rooms. So, you would 
have thought it would have been easy to find but sadly not.

This new ground, has a Stand perched on the half way line where the 
wind whistles through on cold days like today.

In the second half I stood behind the far end goal which has covered 
terracing but had protection against the bitter wind.

Apart from the stand and covered terrace there is little else of the 
ground.

There was a small club shop shed and a small clubhouse which we had to 
queue  to get into at half time.

Solihull dominated this match from start to finish which belies their 
lowly position in the league.

English scored 'Moors' first goal on 20 minutes.

Half Time   0-1

In the second half English scored a second on 51 minutes  and on 63 
minutes Fitzpatrick put the game beyond Corby's reach.

Hurren scored a fourth goal but this was ruled offside.

Full time   0-3

Attendance 588

Programme average

Food available at several outlets inside the ground.

Galleywood v Harold Hill

Galleywood v Harold Hill  at Clarkes Field in the Essex Olympian Premier Division.

 

I had a bit of difficulty finding this ground but it was well worth the effort.

 

There is car parking facilities along the lane and by the club house. The pitch is fully railed off, with a few advertising hoarding's.

 

Galleywood have been having a bit of a renaissance of late but it seemed today was not going to be their say. 

 

Harold Hill dominated the first half but at half time they only had one goal to show for their efforts scored by Jay Nash on 41 minutes.

 

Half time 0-1

 

The second half was a different story as the 'Wood upped their game it was end to end stuff and thoroughly enjoyable.

Dowsett equalised near the end of the match Mackory winning it in injury time for the wood.

 

Galleywood 2 - Harold Hill 1

 

Renaissance continues....

 

Attendance - Forgot to take a head count but it was the largest attendance in the Olympian League this season.

 

Programme good

 

and food available in Club House.

Broxburn Borough v St Margaretsbury

Broxburn Borough v St Margaretsbury at Goffs Lane  in the South Midlands Cup

 

The plus side of this ground is the easy access to the M25, the downside is parking at the ground.

 

I turned up an hour before kick off only to find the car park full already.

 

Having Judo on as well as football makes a small car park totally inadequate.

 

Fortunately, I managed to park my car down the road at the school free of charge.

 

The clubhouse is outside the ground a food kiosk door opens on to the car park for teas and snacks.

 

Inside the ground, there is a seated stand behind the goal. To the left of the goal on the left touchline is a small section of covered terracing with a main stand around the half way line on the opposite side.

 

The match started 20 minutes late as we had to wait for a Linesman to arrive. On a cold winters night it was more than annoying the amount of times we had to wait for the match ball to be retrieved when it went out of play. It seemed the club was operating with 2 match balls and when one went out of play - nobody bothered to retrieve it.

At one stage at towards the end of the match, we had to wait several minutes for a corner to be taken as nobody could find the ball.

 

Doyle scored for Borough on 23 minutes, Bury equalising on 30 minutes through Rose.

 

 Akuwudike on 36 minutes put borough back in front.

 

Half time 2-1

 

I was praying Bury  would not equalise as God knows what time the match would have finished if they had.

 

With extra time or worse penalties being the order of the day.

 

Akuwudike set my mind at ease 

with 5 minutes to go.

 

Full time score 3-1

 

Match finished at 10.05,   35 minutes later than it should have if everything had gone according to plan.

 

Attendance 45

 

Programme very good

 

Food available from kiosk.

 

Old Chelmsfordians v Bishops Stortford Swifts

Old Chelmsfordians v Bishops Stortford Swifts at Lawford Lane in the Essex Olympian League Division 1.

 

OC's (Old Chelmsfordians) ground is on the road out of Chelmsford towards Sawbridgeworth.  A large sing greets you and a neat tarmac car park awaits. The Club house is the best I've visited in this league, a complementary match programme is available.

 

The playing surface is the best in the league added to this the club has a small seated stand on the half way line. All in all an excellent club and I would recommended to anyone.

 

OC's were the domaninent team

 in the first half although Swifts had several menacing shots on the goal.

 

Half time score  0-0

 

In the second half the Swifts had slightly more of the match. Josh Browne, however, broke the deadlock for OC's midway through the second half.

 

Final Score  OC's 1 - Swifts - 0

 

 

Attendance 16

 

Programme very good

 

Food and drinks available after the match.

St Neots v Ashford Town

St Neots v Ashford Town at the Hunts Post Community Stadium in the Southern Central League.

 

It was a dark cold Wet night that welcomed me into St. Neots, Cambridgeshire. With  no idea where the ground was, I asked a postman doing collections if he could point the way. I was lucky he was able to tell me as I would have had difficulty finding this ground as there are no signposts to it.

 

I followed his directions which led me on to a recently built housing estate and past some ground ready for building work.

 

It was pitch black but I followed the road to the end finally reaching a massive sign saying  'Welcome to St. Neots Football Club.

 

Had I arrived later the floodlights would have been on and it would have been an easier matter locating the ground.

 

I normally do not like new grounds as they very often do not live up to their predecessors, but a lot of thought has been put into this one.

 

With covered terracing behind both goals, opposite the main stand there is an open walkway, with banking for alternative viewing.

 

The stadium also boasts a large viewing stand as well as a comprehensive clubhouse including a programme hut and  with an

Electronic score board this is a  state of the art Community Stadium.

 

Add to this an excellent atmosphere and a very good game of football which equates an excellent nights entertainment on a cold damp evening.

 

St Neots should have had the game sewn up by half time, but had to be content with a goal by Stefan Moore on 28 minutes.

 

Half time  1-0

 

A careless own goal, at the start of the second half levelled the scores and from then on Ashford came back into the match. and were slightly the better side towards the end,

 

Full time   1-1

 

Attendance 182

 

Programme very good

 

Tea/Beer and food all available inside the ground.

  

Southminster St Leonards v Aldborough Athletic

Southminster St Leonards v  Aldborough Athletic  at the King George V Playing Fields  in the first Division of the Essex Olympian League.

 

Out in the sticks today, or to put it to correctly the Dengie Peninsula.  I had a brief look around the village and church and was informed  that the club was originally a Church Side.

 

The people at the Club were very friendly and welcoming and I was told that shortly there would be a museum incorporated into the ground.

 

Most of the spectators, took advantage of the large metal groundsman's shed for protection against a cold bitter wind that swept across the pitch.

 

There were a number of advertising hoardings by the nearside goal and this was quite unusual to see at Corporation pitches.

 

In the first half, Minster  (Southminster St Leonards)  took the lead and Aldborough's keeper was booked for kicking the metal goalposts in frustration.

 

Aldborough however, equalised within minutes.

 

Half Time   1-1

 

In the second half Minster scored another three goals to maintain their place at the top of the league.

 

Aldborough are a very good side but lack discipline.

 

A final word must go to the Groundsman who has won several awards for his work at the club.

 

A very friendly club and well worth the visit on this cold winter day.

 

Final Score   4-1

 

 

Attendance  22

 

Tea Available

 

No programme

 

Ryan v Leytonstone United

 Today its Ryan  versus Leytonstone United at the Town Mead Leisure Park, Waltham Abbey in the Essex Olympian League Division 2.

 

Ryan's changing rooms  are rather run down and shabby but in contrast the

clubhouse however is cosy. The club share the pitch with Castle United of the same league.

 

The ground has a fixed rail surround with a high grass banking on one side of the pitch.

This was a very entertaining match. Ryan being the dominant side throughout.

 

The match was played in a biting wind with the hum of the M25 motorway  a  short

distance away.

 

Half time: 0-0

 

Israel Toko broke the deadlock midway through the second half  for Ryan.

 

Full time: Ryan 1 Leytonstone 0

 

Attendance   3  (lowest yet on my travels)

No programme

Food in clubhouse.

Enfield Town v Waltham Forest

Today finds me at Enfield Town v Waltham Forest at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium - Donkey Lane. Rymans League Division 1 (North).

 

I enjoyed my visit to Enfield's new home with its art-deco stand, come club bar, come club shop - all in one splendid building.

 

An athletics track surrounds the pitch and there is metal covered standing behind both goals and opposite the main stand.

 

The ground can be quite tricky to find as it is down a lane direct behind a large pub.

 

This was the proverbial game of two halves the Stags (Waltham Forest) ran up a 2-0 lead by half time.

 

One of which was a penalty which took an eternity to take.

Half time 0-2

 

In the secondhalf the Townies (Enfield Town)  came storming out of the blocks scoring 4 goals.

 

Waltham pulled a goal back to keep the match competitive until the end.

 

Final score:  Enfield 4 - Waltham Forest 3

 

Enfield's goals scored by Kirby, Wallace, Moore and Hope.

 

Waltham's Goals by Dagher, Hammond and Bonnett.

 

All grounds have  now been visited in the Rymans League.

 

Attendance 245

 

Programme very good

Caravan on hand selling burgers etc.

Hoddesdon v Bedford

Hoddesdon v Bedford at Lowfields in the South Midland League Division 1.

 

Hoddesdon have been playing at their current home for over 100 years

 

The ground is in a park donated by a Mr. Barclay of Barclay Bank fame.

 

The local cricket club play next door.

There is one main stand. The rest of the ground is railed off with hard standing.

 

The Clubhouse was comfy and warm on this coldish evening.

 

Hoddesdon romped into a 5 goal lead by half time.

 

Half time 5-0

 

In the second half Bedford put up a more spirited performance.

 

Final score Hoddesdon Town 7- Bedford 1

 

Attendance 78

 

Programme too big****

 

Clubhouse bar closed

 

Last weekend I was full of praise for the no nonsense approach of the referee tonight we had one of those refs who started the match 5 minutes late and stopped the match and watch for every incident .

 

The game not finishing until 9.45  - 15 minutes late.

 

**** The programme has won many awards but to me there is a lot of information that is of no interest to the neutral supporter.

 

No information on the players or attendance figures.

 

Add to this a 20 minute detour due to a road closed on the way home  - not a very good night.

 

Programme too big

 

Clubhouse bar closed

Debden Sports v Toby

Debden Sports v Toby at Chigwell Lane, Loughton in the Essex Olympian League Division 3

 

Well it was a glorious day for football and complacency crept in. I hadn't taken note of any back - up fixtures in case the match was called off.

 

15 Minutes to kick off and no referee - just my luck!  And I'm thinking that's it.....I'm stuck!!!

 

 

1.50 and the referee arrives having been held up in traffic.

 

The game kicks off at 2.10 but as the half time is reduced to only 5 minutes, we finish at a reasonable time.

 

As I said a glorious day for football, weather wise  and Debden should have had the game sewn up by half time.

 

Half time 0-0

 

In the second half Toby changed their formation and it worked.

 

They took the league through Woodard and Sinfield equalised shortly afterwards.

 

Full time 1-1

 

Attendance 10

 

No Programme

 

No food

 

PS Despite turning up late the ref had an excellent game. If at any time however, during a match year  the play becomes a little dull, you can watch the traffic as it rumbles along the M11 next to the pitch.

Biggleswade versus Woodford United

Biggleswade versus Woodford United at the Carlsberg Stadium, Southern League , Central Division 1.

 

Carlsberg to me is a very bland lager as lagers go, Carlsberg stadium is a very bland ground with no identifiable features. There are quite a few of these new grounds springing up that seem to be of a similar design.

 

A wide concrete pathway, surrounds the pitch standard functional Main Stand with a small cover opposite with metal terracing.

 

While these sort of grounds tick all the boxes they are all much of a much ness.

 

In the first half the 'Waders' (Biggleswade) had much more of the game. Lockhead put the 'Waders' 1-0 up after 14 minutes following a mix up in Woodfords defence.

 

Taylor equalised shortly after.

 

Half time -1-1

 

In the second half  Biggleswade looked more impressive and on 55 inutes Donnelly put the Homesters 2-1 up.

 

Woolf scored a third on 85 minutes.

 

Woodford had played doggedly throughout the match and looked dangerous in counter attacks but the 'Waders' were very good on the night and should be one of the contenders for promotion, if they maintain this form.

 

Full time 3-1

 

Attendance 85

 

Programme poor

 

A caravan was selling hot dogs and burgers inside the ground.

 

 

Cockfosters versus Welwyn Garden City

Today I am at Cockfosters versus Welwyn Garden City  in the South Midland Division 1 cup Second round.

 

Chalk Lane is quite a simple ground to find.

 

Turn off the M25 at Junction 24 down the A111 for a few miles and you see the ground on the right hand side next to the underground station

 

The cricket ground and bowling club are also along this road.

 

There is however, limited parking.

 

There is parking at the underground station and a lot of Arsenal fans were using it tonight for their match at home to Marseilles

 

'Fosters ground is very basic with paving slabs round three quarters of the pitch You cannot get passed the far end goal as it is flush against some bushes.

 

A small covered enclosure is available as you turn left past the pay kiosk within an assortment of seating and the club house is just before the kiosk

 

The first two-thirds of this match looked as if there was going to be little chance of any goals.

 

At half time 0 - 0

 

Murphy broke the deadlock for 'Fosters on 65 minutes

 

Soya scored a second on 78 minutes as 'Fosters confidence grew  with 5 minutes remaining McDonald reduced the arrears with a free kick

 

Asante scored a minute later to make it 3 - 1 and McDonald scored again in the 90th minute for City.

 

Final score

Cockfosters  3 -  Welwyn Garden City 2

 

Attendance 59

 

Programme good

 

Tea Bar good

 

Herongate Athletic v Runwell Hospital

Herongate Athletic v Runwell Hospital at Billericay Road  in the Denny King Memorial Cup round 3.

 

There is a village called Herongate. 

I was informed thus after asking at the ground how the club got its name.

 

To get to the ground from Brentwood aim for Ingrave, go through the village and turn left signposted Billericay.

 

The ground is along the road on the right hand side

with two name boards at the entrance which is down a lane.

 

The clubhouse is currently being modernised but  there is ample parking and several football pitches.

 

Herongate 's pitch although roped off has advertising hoardings on either side of the halfway line.

 

This was an entertaining match with  Runwell opening the scoring early on.

 

Herongate equalises shortly after.

 

Half time 1-1

 

In the second half, Herongate took the lead.

Runwell scored again to make it 2-2 but with Runwell now getting on top, they missed several chances to go in front.

 

Late in the game Runwell were awarded a penalty the goalie being sent off Runwell duly scored  the penalty to make it 2-3 with time running out and me heading for my motorbike with damp feet, Herongate equalised.

 

Full time 3-3

 

Into extra time....   Runwell missed several more chances before sealing the match to win 3-4 

 

Full time   Herongate 3 - Runwell 4 

Attendance 22

 

Food and drinks available at the bar.

No programme.

 

 

 

Shenfield Versus Castle United

Shenfield Versus Castle United  in the Essex premier Cup Round 2 at the Drive.

 

Today I am visiting Shenfield who are entertaining High flying Castle United who play in the division above .

 

At the moment Castle are top of their league.

 

On paper it seems like an away banker but this is the cup - a great leveller as they say.

 

Shenfield play just off the main road through Warley.

 

Premier league Hutton play in Shenfield...confusing isn't it?

 

 

Apart from cover from an overhang on the changing rooms there is a small pavilion in the far corner a fair distance from the pitch  where you could watch the match from, in adverse conditions.

 

Castle run into an early 2- goal lead and look as though they are going to run up a big score.

 

But Shenfield battle bravely and at half time the score remains the same

 

 

Shenfield 0 Castle 2

 

In the second half Shenfield start to press but Castle score a third against  the run of play

 

Shenfield continue to battle and are rewarded with a goal midway through the second half.

 

Castle score a fourth but Shenfield get a second goal

 

Shenfield goal scorers were Dobbs, and Rayet

 

Castle goal scorers

Rowlett, and Bacchus and a brace from Winery.

 

Final score Shenfield 2 - Castle United 4

 

Attendance 10

 

No food or programmes

Sungate versus Forest Glade,

Sungate versus Forest Glade,  in the Essex Olympian League - Division 2

 

After an hours driving on the A12 racetrack it was good to stop at traffic lights turn left and left again into another world.

 

Although the A12 is in front of the houses that back onto Ford Sports and Social Club you can hardly hear the traffic

 

Once again  there is a large park incorporating rugby, cricket  and other football pitches.

It is  located next to the Seven Kings Recreation Park and gardens so an air of tranquility reigned. 

 

Sungate (believed to be named after an MOT service station) are entertaining 

Forest Glade (Sounds like an Air freshener)

 

Forest Glade were the dominant team in the first half and duly deserved to go into a 1- 0 half time lead.

 

Sungate had been awarded a suspicious looking penalty on the stroke of half time but missed.

 

Half time  Sungate 0 Forest Glade 1

 

With the wind getting up in the second half, Forest Glade built up a 3 goal lead Sungate pulled a goal back and started to get back into the game.

 

Final Score: Sungate 1 Forest Glade 3

 

Attendance 8

 

No Food or Programme.

Blue Boys Suffer the Blues

Hatfield Town versus Stotfold  in the Premier Division Cup at Gosling Sports Park

 

Unlike most non league grounds I visit, Hatfield is well signposted the reason being  is because it is part of a large sports complex with golf driving ranges ski slopes and indoor sports facilities.

 

The ground is in a huge bowl with covered terrace and seating on one side.The rest of the ground has a walkway surround. However,  the frustrating thing about watching a match here is the athletics track and only one ball boy in attendance.

 

Much of the time is spent on waiting for the ball to be retrieved  and this is compounded tonight with a seven minute hold up with goal netting problems

 

Added to this the odd injuries and the first half goes on for 55 minutes.

 

Ashley Dray opened the scoring on 17 minutes for the 'Blue Boys' (Hatfield)  fifteen minutes later Sean Herr equalised for Stotfold

 

 

Half time score  1-1

 

Like last week I was hoping for a result in 90 minutes to avoid extra time and penalty kicks.

 

Sean Herr relieved my concerns 10 minutes from time to put Stotfold into the next round of the cup.

 

Full time score Hatfield Town 1 - Stotfold 2

 

Attendance 53

 

Programme very good.

 

Food available in the bar of the clubhouse.

Upminster versus Castle United.

Upminster versus Castle United in the Essex Olympian League Division 2.

 

Upminsters ground in Hall Lane is quite easy to find.  Just off the A127 however, I missed the turning  and had to travel through all the road works and heavy traffic of Hornchurch to get there.

 

Once there, I was rewarded with a glorious view of the Essex Hills as  the ground sits on a promontory overlooking this vista.

 

The ground is a roped off field and incorporates both  football and rugby pitches. The rugby club seem to have a large crowd gathered for their match. We are not so lucky.

 

Castle United who are top of the league totally dominated the first half.

 

They should have been at least 4 goals ahead by half time but had to be content by an own goal

by Chris Rowlett.

 

Half time:  Upminster 0 Castle United 1

 

In the second half Upminster came into the game  and were rewarded with an equaliser through

James Lakey.   Rowlett however, got his second goal to maintain Castle's place at the top of the league.

 

Final Score: Upminster 1 Castle United 2

 

Attendance 17

 

No Programme

 

No food but Weather Glorious

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Welwyn Garden City versus Harpenden Town

Welwyn Garden City versus Harpenden Town in the

Challenge Trophy at Hernes Lane

 

The ground has hard standing and slightly rusting rails surround giving it a really lived in appearance.

The small seated stand straddles the half way line.

 

On the opposite side of the pitch is a very small covered enclosure.

 

You pass the clubhouse going in to the ground which was a useful place to be on this cold  damp night. 

Challenge Cups results have to be finished on the night.....So the lone breakaway goal midway through the first half for Harpenden spared us extra time on penalties.

 

Half time Welwyn Garden City  0 Harpenden 1

 

The second half was end to end stuff and overall a very entertaining game.

 

Final score:  Welwyn Garden City 0 Harpenden 1

 

Attendance 41

 

Programme free with admittance - very good.

 

Overall a very friendly and welcoming club.

Bodmin Town versus Godalming Town

Bodmin Town versus Godalming Town  at Priory Park in the  

FA CUP - Third qualifying round.

As you go down the hill you enter Bodmin  and you can see the ground to the left of you.

The ground is set in a large park in the centre of town.

There is one large stand on the left touchline and the rest of the ground

is railed off with high grass banking behind both goals,

This was the furthest Bodmin Town have ever gone in this competition in their 122 year history and although their opponents were two steps above them in ranking the homesters put up a spirited performance

Adam Carter fired Bodmin ahead after 12 minutes Godalming equalised on 32 minutes through Darren Wheeler

 Half time:  Bodmin Town  1 Godalming  Town 1

In the second half, Godalming started to take control of the game .

They missed a penalty on 57 minutes however, Bodmin managed to hold out to earn a replay on Tuesday.

Final score:   Bodmin Town 1 - Godalming Town 1

Attendance 300

Programme excellent

Plenty of food available from Tea bar including Cornish Pasties.

Footnote: Bodmin lost 5- 1 in the replay - Godalming went through.