Fortune favours the Brave!!!

Today I am at Stambridge United Versus Writtle in the

Essex Olympian League Division 3  at the Memorial Ground.

 

With matches being called off all over the country I rather fortuitously phoned Stambridge's groundsman who said 'A decision would be made at 1pm. As I had to leave by 12 to get to the ground, I took a gamble that paid off.

 

I travelled the back roads to Stambridge to avoid going through Southend and being slowed down by the traffic. I  eventually reached the ground in good time.

 

The pitch was fully railed off and surprisingly for a small club has floodlights.

 

A cosy club house was well received on this bitter cold of days.

 

The bulk of Writtle's first team who are currently bottom of the table, went AWOL due to a 21st birthday party in Norwich. Consequently they started the game with ten players seven of which were from the reserves.

 

Writtle's goalkeeper was kept busy in the first half and with some fine saves, plus a combination of poor finishing from the homesters, the half time score was:

 

1-0

 

Ten minutes into the second half, Stambridge got a second and with the ten men of Writtle tiring, the goals started to come thick and fast at regular intervals.

 

Final score 10 - 0

 

Full credit has to be paid to the referee, for allowing the match to be played and to Writtle's brave goalkeeper.

 

Also, a mention must be made  to Akay Bagdas who netted 5 of the goals.

 

Attendance 18

 

No programme

 

Drinks available in Club house.

Catholic United V Old Barkabbeyans

My match today is Catholic United V Old Barkabbeyans in the Essex Olympian League Division 3 at the South East Essex College Sports Ground.

A difficult ground for me to find, set amidst surburbian Westcliff-on-Sea. A small sign with an equally small driveway led to the ground and clubhouse.

There is limited car parking and at the top end of the car park is a neat modern club house.  Apart from that building the pitch is simply  a roped off  affair with high fencing three quarters around the pitch as it is very close to the back gardens of the surrounding houses.

Having said that, the fence did not do its job efficiently as we lost two balls in quick succession over the said fencing.

A third ball was deemed too soft so we were down to one ball for the remainder of the first half.
The other two balls however, were retrieved in time for the start of the second half.

The visitors opened the scoring midway through the first half from a free kick.

'The Hoops' equalising with a penalty on the stroke of half-time.

Half time  1 - 1

In the second half 'Old B' got the second and decisive goal to end a very entertaining match on a cold winters day.

Full Time score  1 - 2

Attendance 9

No programme  - but an old one was retrieved from the back of a supporters car for me!

Food and drink available in the clubhouse.

Springfield Versus Leigh Ramblers

Today I am at Springfield Versus Leigh Ramblers at Springfield Hall Park in the Essex Olympian League Division 2.

Springfield's ground is down a side road on a large housing estate. The ground is part of a large park that overlooks the river Chelmer.  The clubhouse is immaculate inside. There is an outside counter for drinks and food during the match.  On a windy day, top of the table Springfield are entertaining Leigh third from bottom  of the league.

Springfield dominated for most of the match, Leigh however, came closest to scoring in the first half.

Half time 0 - 0

The second half was more even-steven  and like last week looked to be heading for a goal-less draw.

Five minutes from time, Luke Read hit a scorcher for Leigh to ramble home with all  three points.

Full time 0 - 1

Attendance 25

Complimentary programme  - very good.

Food and drink available.