Today I am at Finchingfield versus Pebmarsh at the Playing Fields Halstead league cup semi final replay.
The Playing Fields are up a road as you leave the village, in a pretty setting on the edge of the Essex countryside.
There is some cover by the changing rooms but this is a good distance from the pitch.
The game was fairly even and the score was nicely balanced 1-1 at half time.
Sometime during the first half 2 police officers turned up at the ground following complaints from Finchingfield's goalkeeper
over an alleged head butting incident in a previous match.
Half time 1 -1
The incident seemed to fire up the Pebmarsh side who although not better than their opponents seemed to have more hunger to win.
They were rewarded by 2 late goals which sees them into the second of 2 cup finals which they will be playing shortly.
Full time 1 - 3
Attendance 11
Food Drink and programmes not available at this level.
Thursday, 19 April 2012
A Game of Two Half's
Today I am at Maldon St. Mary's versus Clacton United at Plume School In the Essex and Suffolk Border League.
A first and last for me today, my final ground In this particular league and a first on an artificial pitch, which apparently cost a small fortune.
Amongst the artificial grass are little black beads. These are recycled tyre rubber used on most artificial turf to help prevent turf toe and give flexibility.
The pitch Is Inside a cage which resembles an outdoor prison block.
I inadvertently, went inside the cage to watch the match and the visitors invited
me into their dug - out. I then noticed the other spectators watching from outside the cage and realised I really shouldn't have been in there but nobody seemed to mind.
In the first half there was little to separate the sides. MSM (Maldon St Mary's) equalising with a penalty on the stroke of half time.
Half time 1 -1
I was not sure what was put in the half time refreshments but MSM went nap In the second half, running up a 6 - 2 victory.
This victory ensured promotion for the home side to the Essex and Suffolk Border Premier League.
Final score 6 - 2
Attendance 12
No Programme available
No food or drink
Glemsford Gladiators versus Pebmarsh
Today I am at Glemsford Gladiators versus Pebmarsh at the Recreation Ground in the Halstead and District League.
For the second time this season I am at a District League match. This time we have a referee, but the opposition who play in black and white had a selection of different coloured playing shirts. There were no changing rooms available so the players had to change at the side of the pitch.
There is covered seating due to a large dug-out set on a concrete plinth, which is not used by the players but handy to the spectator if it is wet.
A fairly even first half with Pebmarsh scoring on half time to finish the half 2 - 1 up.
Glemsford put up a spirited performance in the second half but it was Pebmarsh who got the third and final goal.
All in all a very enjoyable match.
Final score 1 - 3
Attendance 14
Programme, food and drink not available at this level.
For the second time this season I am at a District League match. This time we have a referee, but the opposition who play in black and white had a selection of different coloured playing shirts. There were no changing rooms available so the players had to change at the side of the pitch.
There is covered seating due to a large dug-out set on a concrete plinth, which is not used by the players but handy to the spectator if it is wet.
A fairly even first half with Pebmarsh scoring on half time to finish the half 2 - 1 up.
Glemsford put up a spirited performance in the second half but it was Pebmarsh who got the third and final goal.
All in all a very enjoyable match.
Final score 1 - 3
Attendance 14
Programme, food and drink not available at this level.
Belchamps versus Acton Crown
Today I am at Belchamps versus Acton Crown at the Playing Fields,
Belchamps St. Paul in the Halstead and District League.
After attempting to watch Pebmarsh and then Halstead Wanderers
(no match at either venue) my third and last attempt
for the evening was here and fortunately the match was on
but not without complications.
There was no official referee but at this level it is not so important,
so a volunteer was sourced and the match thankfully went ahead!
For a 6.15 kick-off read 6.25pm and with black clouds building the
match started in semi-darkness.
Belchamps were the dominant team but it was the guests that went
in 1-0 up at half time or should I say ran in as we had a hailstorm on 45 minutes.
I took shelter in a large fir tree, mercifully the storm stopped as the
second half started. Belchamps continued to press and were rewarded
with 2 late goals.
Final score 2 - 1
Attendance 7
Programme food and drink not available at this level.
Belchamps St. Paul in the Halstead and District League.
After attempting to watch Pebmarsh and then Halstead Wanderers
(no match at either venue) my third and last attempt
for the evening was here and fortunately the match was on
but not without complications.
There was no official referee but at this level it is not so important,
so a volunteer was sourced and the match thankfully went ahead!
For a 6.15 kick-off read 6.25pm and with black clouds building the
match started in semi-darkness.
Belchamps were the dominant team but it was the guests that went
in 1-0 up at half time or should I say ran in as we had a hailstorm on 45 minutes.
I took shelter in a large fir tree, mercifully the storm stopped as the
second half started. Belchamps continued to press and were rewarded
with 2 late goals.
Final score 2 - 1
Attendance 7
Programme food and drink not available at this level.
Old Barkabbians versus Chingford Athletic
Today I am at Old Barkabbians versus Chingford Athletic at South Park Drive in the Olympian League Division 3.
South Park Drive ground is just off the A124 at the Royal Oak Pub turn-off.Due to the increase in petrol prices I had decided to travel by motorbike, so a hot radiator was most welcoming in the small club house which was just tucked around the corner from the car park.
OB (Old Barkabbians) are favourites to win the league whilst their opponents languish in third bottom position.
I thought the floodgates would open when OB scored early on in the match but Chingford battled hard throughout the first half and had a lot more of the play than I anticipated.
Half Time 1 - 0
Chingford equalised early in the second half through an own goal from Lawrence, however OB maintained the lead minutes later and then scored a third to kill off the game.
Goal scorers for OB - a brace from Shirley and a Shaw singleton.
A very friendly club indeed!
Final score 3 - 1
Attendance 12
No programmes issued but an old one was found for me!
Hot and cold drinks available in the clubhouse.
South Park Drive ground is just off the A124 at the Royal Oak Pub turn-off.Due to the increase in petrol prices I had decided to travel by motorbike, so a hot radiator was most welcoming in the small club house which was just tucked around the corner from the car park.
OB (Old Barkabbians) are favourites to win the league whilst their opponents languish in third bottom position.
I thought the floodgates would open when OB scored early on in the match but Chingford battled hard throughout the first half and had a lot more of the play than I anticipated.
Half Time 1 - 0
Chingford equalised early in the second half through an own goal from Lawrence, however OB maintained the lead minutes later and then scored a third to kill off the game.
Goal scorers for OB - a brace from Shirley and a Shaw singleton.
A very friendly club indeed!
Final score 3 - 1
Attendance 12
No programmes issued but an old one was found for me!
Hot and cold drinks available in the clubhouse.
Thursday, 5 April 2012
Deeping Rangers v Yaxley
Tonight I am at Deeping Rangers v Yaxley at Deeping Sports Club in the United Counties Premier League.
Deeping Sports Club is a very smart set up with a modern social club in the car park. As you go through the turnstiles on your left is a small club shop, some covered standing plus a smart stand with the club's name emblazoned across the fascia.
The far side goal is open standing with 2 covered standing sections on the other side of the ground separated by the dug - outs.
Behind the nearside goal is another section of cover.
On this very wet evening, Deeping proved too strong for the opposition. Matt Heron scored on 7 minutes with a neat through ball.
Half time 1-0
Heron scored the second on 50 minutes heading in a corner.
The contest petered out in the last quarter as play was more even.
Full time 2 - 0
Attendance 105
Programme lightweight and over priced at £1.50
Food and drinks available in the clubhouse and also inside the ground.
Runwell Hospital v Herongate
Today I am at Runwell Hospital v Herongate at Runwell Chase in the Olympian League Division 1
This ground can be found off the A130 up a ropy road just before the village of Runwell. You then have to turn right onto an even rougher road that leads to the Runwell sports complex which incorporates rugby and archery.
The ground itself is in a pleasant countrified setting albeit with the roar of the A130 just a stones throw away.
The clubhouse is at the top of the drive with changing rooms behind and to the right.
The pitch is roped off with a few hoardings.
There is also some seating on the changing rooms side of the pitch although this means that the view is partially restricted.
In a hard fought contest, Runwell ran out winners by 3-0 although at one stage at 2-0 down Herongate looked very threatening. If Herongate could have managed to get a goal back we could have had a grandstand finish.
Runwell's 2 first half goals were from a cleverly taken free kick and a dodgy penalty.
Goal scorers were Gill and a brace from Morkunas.
Final score 3-0
Attendance 38
No programme
Drinks available from clubhouse
Thrapston Town v Long Buckby
Today I am at Thrapston Town v Long Buckby at Chancery Lane, in the United Counties Premier League.
Thrapston's ground is just a 10 minute walk from the High Street. There is no sign telling you its their ground or any sign at the ground either, but I can assure you it exists as I was there and so were both the teams playing on this sunny Spring evening.
At the pay box the man taking the admittance fee was on the phone.
Problems of a dire magnitude!!! No-one has notified the Burger Van Man that there is a match tonight!
Chancery Lane is a 3 sided ground which it shared with the cricket club. The changing rooms and small clubhouse are behind the goals. Talking of size, the car park is very small and arriving an hour before kick-off it is already full.
Fortunately, there is ample parking on the side roads.
The small covered terrace,stand and dug-outs are along one side.
There is nothing behind either goals.
There is nothing behind either goals.
Thrapston lie bottom of the league whilst there opponents are riding high at the top.
The homesters put up a spirited performance but were 3 goals down at half time.
Goals coming from Byrne at 10 minutes, Cartwright 27 minutes and Foster on 37 minutes.
Half time score 0 - 3
Foster scored again on 52 minutes, and Byrne on 62 minutes for Long Buckby and Jones converted a penalty on 76 minutes for a consolation goal for Thrapston.
Ling made it 6 on 88 minutes for Long Buckby and Dunckley 7 on 89 minutes.
Final Score 1-7
Attendance 42
Programme awful
Drinks in clubhouse
No burger van
A glorious evening and a hard bumpy pitch!
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