I thought it was all over ...it is now!

Today I am at the Recreation Ground to watch Stoke by Nayland versus Castle in the Colchester & East Essex League.

Terrific news  on Saturday morning when I discover a match on close by. 

Of course I couldnt miss it!

Stoke by Nayland is quite a pretty village. The ground is set in a central location next to a church.

Unfortunately, there was a wedding going on for the first 15 minutes of the match so we were bombarded with  the sound of bells ringing out.

I was offered a complimentary cup of tea which was gratefully accepted (this was my first match in this league).
Stoke only needed a point to finish runners up and after getting close several times managed to score .

Half Time 1 - 0

Stoke and Castle  both had several chances in the 2nd half and it was the homesters who scored with an excellent lob from all of 30 yeards and rounded the day and the season for themselves and for me with a third later on.

Final score 3 - 0

Attendance 15

No programme 

 
Complimentary cup of tea!

We are the Champions!!!!!!

Today I am at Newham United versus Chingford Athletic at Cave Road in the Olympian League Division 3.

Newham's ground is up a side street off the main Plaistow shopping area, just a stones
throw from West Ham's Boleyn ground.

One of the stands of which can be seen at Newham's ground. Newham's ground is neat and has a friendly group of people running the club. 

I was shown the gymnasium which is next  to the clubhouse.

On a minus side, the car park is rather smalland the mens toilets in the changing rooms leave a lot to be desired.

Newham go into this match, needing a draw to clinch the title.

They score very early on in the match, and then add a second.

 A third is on  the cards, but the ball ricochets off the inside of the post and minutes later, Chingford have reduced the arrears with a scorcher of a goal.

Nearly 3 - 0  now 2 - 1  such is football. Newham grab a third and go into half time  3 - 1 up.

The second half is a bit of a anti climax, as Newham add a 4th and as the final whistle goes celebrate their championship win.

I sign off as well as this is my final game of the season.

I will back next season and maybe I might meet you at some roped off fields.

Final Score  4 - 1

Attendance 35

No programme issued but an old one found for me.

Drinks in the clubhouse


The Ground Hopper shall return!!!!

Bishop Boys!!!!!!

Today I am at a match between Bishop Stortford Swifts versus Herongate at 
Silver Leys in the Essex Olympian League division one.

To reach this club simply follow the A1250 the sign will point to the Rugby club but you will see the football pitch first which was in good condition considering the amount of rain we have had recently.

There is ample parking here. The Swifts clubhouse and changing rooms are opposite the football field.

Rugby of course is the predominant sport here with several pitches. There is also indoor squash in one of the large buildings here as well as a Scouts Hut and a Car Wash!!!.

The Swifts were gifted a first minute goal with Herongate's defence dithering.

However, for the rest of the first half Herongate were the better side and scored a couple of goals themselves.

Minutes before half time and with me heading for the club house, Swifts were awarded a penalty which they duly converted.

And then scored a third  goal a minute later!

Half time 3-2

Still amazed at how Herongate were losing in the match, the second half started. 

Herongate eventually equalised but with some weak defending Swifts scored 2 more goals in this  highly entertaining match. 

Goalscorers for Swifts were Bristow 2, Sutton , Wyatt and Roach 1 a piece.

For Herongate, Steel 2, and 1 from Chambers.

As it was a cold day, I made a 'swift' exit.

Final Score 5-3

Attendance 15

No programme
Drinks available in club house.

Pebmarsh v Halstead Wanderers

Today I am at Pebmarsh v Halstead Wanderers at Clayhills, in the Halstead and District League.

The referee wasn't keen on letting this match go ahead,  because of the wet conditions of the pitch but with the help of a garden fork
a bucket and some enthusiasm from the home side the match began.

Throughout the first half, there were some heavy clouds building that could have caused an abandonment.

Fortunately they passed over allowing the match to continue.

Pebmarsh, with a backlog of fixtures are chasing the 'Treble' and were the more dominant team in the first half scoring with a header minutes before half time.

Half time 1 - 0

During half time there was a hunt for the missing match ball amongst the broad beans in the adjoining fields as there were only 2 balls available, it was crucial that it was found.

In the second half,Pebmarsh increased their lead, eventually running out 3  nil winners.

Full time 3 - 0     The 'Treble' is still on.

Attendance 15

No food, drink or programmes at this level.

Beaconsfield Sycob v Daventry Town

Today I am at Beaconsfield Sycob v Daventry Town at Holloways Park in the Southern League Central Division.

Holloways Park is off junction 2 of the M40, follow signs for the Service Station and from there thence to the ground. 

There is a covered terrace behind the nearside goal which backs on to the club house. A small stand straddles the half way line on the left hand side of the pitch.

There are two sets of terracing, either side of the stand, the rest of the ground is hard standing.

Sycob, crept into the play-offs by means of other results going their way.

Throughout the match, Daventry were the better side, Hicks scoring for the away side in the first half.

Half time  0-1

Cross scored a second early in the second half. Soroya's dubious looking penalty gave Sycob a consolation goal 10 minutes from time.

Sycob now play their tenants Slough in the play-offs.

Full time  1- 2

Attendance 86

Programme average

Food and drink available in clubhouse and in the ground

Kedington V Punch 68

Today I am at Kedington V Punch 68 at the Great Meadow in the Halstead and District League.

Kedington's pitch is in the centre of the village next to the library. The changing rooms are adjacent to the library
with the pitch at the bottom end of the playing fields next to the River Stour.

There is a covered enclosure behind the goal but it is some distance from the pitch, so it was not used in the first 10 minutes of the match when we had a rainstorm.

This was an entertaining match with the teams finishing the first half one a piece.
Half time score 1-1

It was noted that Punch's goalkeeper was loud and abusive to the players of both sides and the fans.

Punch raised their game in the second half and ran out 4-1 winners.

They are now a serious challenge for the league.

Final score 1- 4

Attendance 22

No food, drink or programmes at this level

Sandon Royals V Benfleet

Today I am at Sandon Royals V Benfleet at Sandon Sports Club in the Olympian League Division 1.

This ground is adjacent to the village hall and behind the church in this small Essex village.

Easy to find, ample parking and there is a small clubhouse adjoining the changing rooms. The pitch is roped off and has a very rural setting even though it is just a stone's throw from Chelmsford the county town of Essex.


Benfleet only has 9 players and it would seem as though this would be a mismatch particularly as Sandon were 4 - 0 up in thirty minutes.

However, Benfleet settled and managed to stem the flow of goals.

Half time 4 - 0

In the second half, 9 man Benfleet put up a very spirited performance and stopped Sandon from increasing their lead.

Goal scorers Ricks 2, 1 each from Filmer and Harvey.

Final score 4 - 0

Attendance 14
 No Programme issued but an old one was found for me.

Complimentary tea before the  match and at half time.