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.

Huntingdon Town versus Wootton Blue Cross

Today saw me going to watch Huntingdon Town versus Wootton Blue Cross,  at Jubilee Park in the United Counties League Division 1.

 

Not knowing where the ground was I went to the police station  but unfortunately the policeman I spoke to was not aware of  there being a football ground in Huntingdon!!!

After asking a colleague he  gave me directions as the ground turned out to be quite a distance from the town.

 

Jubliee Park is in  a very rural setting.

 

There is a huge car park at the top of which the Clubhouse faces you.

 

Inside the ground,  the pitch is completely railed off with hard standing.

 

There is no seated stand just a covered section down the left touchline.

 

Huntingdon Town went ahead on 12 minutes went Dan Moyes took a free kick from 45 yards which drifted over the goalkeeper who was stranded in no-mans land.

 

Huntingdon were becoming the dominant team against the run of play. However, Wootton  equalised through Janes on 17 minutes.

 

Janes scored again on 35 minutes to put Blue Cross in to the lead.

 

On the stroke of half time Huntingdon were awarded a penalty Furness struck the penalty wide of the post.

 

Half time:  Huntingdon Town 1 - Wooton Blue Cross 2

 

The second half was end to end  stuff as  Huntingdon were awarded another penalty 3 minutes from time.

Furness's second penalty was saved by keeper Gerrard.

 

Full time Huntingdon Town 1 -  Blue Cross 2

 

Attendance 80

 

Programme Good

 

Food available in clubhouse.

 

 

A Groundhopping Weekend - 3 matches in one day - Match number 3

Kidlington versus Ardley at Yarnton Road in the

Hellenic Premier League.

The clubhouse is outside the ground but plastic glasses of beer can be taken into the ground.  Behind the goal is a small covered terrace, near the top right hand side, is a small stand.

Kidlington started the match in grand style hitting the crossbar in the opening minutes.

Within 5 minutes Beckett had put away a penalty for Ardley after Thorne had been cut down after a mazy run.

Thorne scored on 24 minutes to put Ardley 2-0 up.

They were now the dominant team.

On 34 minutes Kidlington were back in the match courtesy  of Coyle.  

Bryan  restored Ardley's 2 goal lead in the 42nd minute.

Half time

Kidlington 1 Ardley 3

Curtin brought the score to 3-2  just 3  minutes into the second half following a free kick. Curtin was on hand later to stab the ball home after a goalmouth melee.

Kidlington 3  Ardley 3

On 85 minutes Beckett scored for Ardley to take all 3 points.

Great Game!!!

Kidlington 3 - Ardley 4

Attendance 158

Programme average

Plenty of food and drink available

This made it 3 matches in one day for me at the Groundhop weekend  in the Hellenic League.

A Groundhopping Weekend - 3 Matches in one day - Match number 2

Clanfield versus Tytherington Rocks in the Hellenic league Division One  at

West Radcot Road.

Clanfields ground is on the edge of this small village, the ground has a brick wall surround interestingly with expensive oak woodwork on top.

Apart from the main stand  with club, bar and food room and toilets all inside the stand

The players changing rooms is in a small building next to the stand.  The rest of the ground is nothing but grass with no hard standing.

Two players dug outs are opposite the stand.

There is ample car parking behind the stand and nearside goal.

An assortment of seating lies stacked behind the stand.

'The Rocks' were favourites to win this match but it was a surprise goal on 36 minutes scored by Dan Bishop that gave Clanfield a 1 - 0 lead at half time.

In the second half 'The Rocks' bombarded the Homesters goal.

4 minutes from time they got their reward when keeper Chris Brain fumbled a 30 yard drive from Tim Baker into the net for a justly rewarding equaliser.

Clanfield 1 Tytherinton Rocks 1

Attendance 32

Programme free with admission, average fare.

Tea and rolls available along with beer from the clubhouse bar.

A Groundhopping Weekend - 3 Matches in One Day !!! - Match number 1

Carterton versus Lydney Town   at Kilkenny Lane, Hellenic Division One East.

The ground is at the end of the said lane the players come out of changing rooms next to the entrance to the ground, behind the goals.

Up the stairs is a clubhouse with an excellent viewing verandah there are two stands one small one near the corner flag on the opposite side another larger one near the half way line.

The pitch has a prominent slope.

Carterton run up a quick two goal lead and look to be heading for three league points.

Just before half time defender Sam Elliot has a wonder strike from all of 40 yards to reduce the arrears.

Half time Carterton 2 - Lydney Town 1

Liddington equalises early in the second half for Lydney.

Full time score

Carterton 2 - Lydney 2

Attendance  102

Programme very good

Food and beverages available in club house.

An evening at Roker Park

Stotfold versus Hadley  in the South Midlands Premier League.

Stotfold is a sprawling village on the Bedford/Hertfordshire  border and

the team play at Roker Park a compact little ground with a seated stand on the left hand side

Parking is behind the nearside goal as is the clubhouse and tea bar.

Tonight, the 'Eagles' as Stotfold are nicknamed  are entertaining Hadley who are languishing in  the bottom half of the league.

 The 'Eagles'  start off brightly but Hadley gradually get into the game.

 Midway through the first half Reynolds opens the scoring for the visitors after some fine build up play.

Half time  Stotfold 0 - Hadley 1

In the second half the 'Eagles' defence is all at sea as Gibbs increases Hadley's lead and minutes later Turner makes it 3 - o

To add to Stotfold's  woe Dance misses a penalty and to sum up Stotfolds night they hit the inside post only for the ball to bounce out near the end of the match.

After the match Gordon Bickerstaff the Stotfold Manager resigns.

Full time  Stotfold 0 - Hadley 3

Attendance 74

Programme insteresting

Tea Bar kept busy behind goal.

Down the Lane

Leytonstone United versus Great Bentley at the Ilford Wanderers Rugby Club in the Essex County League. 

My final visit to Forest Road, after going down the road to Oakfield Sports Ground to watch Frenford Senior, further down the road to Fairlop Oak to watch Westhammians through the hedge to the London Marathon Sports Ground to watch Mamford Way we are now finally down the lane at Ilford Rugby Club to watch Leytonstone versus Great Bentley.

The visitors ran up a 4-0 lead but to their credit Leytonstone pulled back two goals. I was grateful they didn't score any more just in case of extra time as the heat was oppressive.

Goodness knows what it must have been  like to have been playing.

There are two rugby pitches with a football pitch in between.

I borrowed a chair from the pavilion to watch the first half. The pitch has housing backing onto the far end of the ground and in the distance there is a railway on a wet day you could view the match from the pavilion.

Full time score:

Leytonstone United 2 - Great Bentley 4

Attendance 14

No Programme

No food.

So now I am finally finished with Forest Road, I can explore the rest
of the Olympian League, in mysterious places... with exotic sounding

names from Sungate to Runwell......sounds like a Groundhopper's name to mel!

A Trip to Second Meadow

Today I am at Biggleswade to see Biggleswade  United V Royston Town in the South Midlands  Premier league.
Second Meadow, the name of United's ground is close to the river Ibel. A fairly modern looking ground with two stands either side of the centre circle although the stand I was in would double up as terracing as their are no official seats in that one.

Once inside you discover the clubhouse and toilets are outside the ground. There is no cover  or terracing behind either goal. The two turnstile attendants were very friendly and mentioned overall the club was a lot friendlier than their rivals Biggleswade Town who play at the other end of town in a higher league (Southern).

On a balmy evening Royston were far more slicker than their rivals and ran up a 6-1 victory.

Murray scoring United's goal from a penalty.  The Crows (Royston) goals coming from a hat trick from Lockett a penalty converted by Mallins, and goals from Young and Fehmi.

Biggleswade United 1 - Royston town 6
Attendance 132

programmes free with admission and very good quality.

An assortment of food in the clubhouse.

Through the Hedge

 

Todays match was Mamford Way versus Canning Town in the Essex Olympian League..

 

Last Saturday I was at Fairlop. This week I am literally 'Through the Hedge' at the London Marathon Sports Ground.

 

The Sports Ground  building looks very jaded now, most  probably built in the 60's but the playing surface was excellent with fixed rails surrounding the playing area.

 

Canning Town had most of the play in this game but like last Wednesday night hardly any shots at goal.

 

Canning Town's  only goal coming from a dubious looking penalty from Sean Mooney  The Mamford Goals were an  excellent  first from  Keke st Hilaire and a Tom Dosser hat trick.

 

Final score Mamford Way 4 - Canning Town 1

 

Attendance 22

 

Programme not issued but I was given a couple of old ones - excellent quality and content for this level of football.

 

Weather was ideal.

 

Food in clubhouse.

When the Saints.......

Today I am at St. Ives versus AFC Kempston Rovers in the UCL Premier League.

Westwood Road the home of St. Ives (Cambridgeshire) is down a lane next to the sports centre .

On entering the turnstiles there is an amount of covered terracing to the left of the turnstile by the centre touch line.

 The clubhouse is at the top of the terracing.

There is no cover or terracing behind either goal, but a small stand on the opposite side of the pitch with plenty of leg room.

Saints dominated for most of this match particularly in the second half.

They have lost all their home league matches this season and this match highlighted the problems creating  chances but nobody capable of putting the ball into the net.

In the driving rain the match was heading for a stalemate, when Will Fordham found some space in the penalty area  in the 80th minute to drive home the deservedg goal for St Ives.

St Ives 1 AFC Kempston Rovers 0

Attendance 80

Programmes average to fair

Food available in the club house but I went home straight after the match as the weather was bad.

Hammers Hammer Opposition

I am at Fairlop Oak Playing Fields today to see
Westhammians versus Mamford Way, Essex Olympian League Premier division

and I am spoiled for choice as the number of football pitches goes into double figures.

There were at least 6 matches being played but I  chose the match on pitch
number one that has the luxury of a fixed rail surrounding the pitch.

Tom Dosser opened the scoring for Mamford and also scored the final goal.

In between, the 'Hammers' rattled in 6 courtesy of one own goal, a

brace from Danny Downer and goals from Mason, Siabi, and Harding.

Final score:

Westhammians -  6 Mamford Way -  2

Attendance 10  - lowest so far this season.

No Programme

Food probably in clubhouse but as I was soaked  through  from the heavy rain
I headed straight  for home  after the match.

Up the 'Borough'

Todays match was at Coles Park where Haringey were playing St. Margaretsbury in the South Midlands Premier League.

Haringey is an amalgamation of Edmonton and Wood Green Football clubs who merged in 1973.

Coles Park is 80 years old and has a large solitary stand on the half way line with changing rooms and clubhouse behind.

The ground may soon be lost to housing. Perhaps a move

up the road to the White Hart Lane Community Stadium might be an option, but personally, 

I hope the club stays where it is.

Haringey were a goal up on 4 minutes courtesy of a penalty.

Against the run of play however, on 27 minutes Anstead equalised with a long range shot that went through the keepers arms.

4 minutes later Worrell made it 2 - 1 

Half time score 2-1

The second half was end to end stuff. McGuiness levelled the scores in the 80th minute. Three minutes later Worrell got his third.

Full time score 3-2

Haringey has now climbed to fifth in the South Midlands League after,

Richard Worrell scored a hat-trick in this 3-2 victory.

Attendance 47

Admittance to ground was £2.00 (programme included) Excellent value!!!

Food available in the Club House.

Galley Sunk

Hutton Versus Galleywood

This was quite an easy ground to find as the changing rooms are on the premises of the senior school on the main road through Shenfield and is called the Shenfield Match Day Centre. 

Like other Olympian grounds I have visited this season  it can accommodate cricket and additional football pitches.The actual pitch is across the lane from the school itself. 

Hutton are newcomers to the premier league having just been promoted Galleywood who finished second bottom last season were spared relegation. Ongar Town being relegated over some ground grading nonsense.

Hutton took the lead in the first minute and scored a second with the last kick of the first half. Half time 2-0

In the second half Hutton took total control  the 'Wood' making things harder for themselves when they were reduced to 10 players for a handling offence on the goal line. The resulting penalty duly converted.

Hutton 7 - Galleywood  1

Attendance 26

No programme

No food.

The Wembley Way

This was my first visit to Wembley since the rebuilding of the stadium in  2007, 

 

arriving unfortunately, with little time to look around the outside.

 

I was there to watch England versus Wales in the

 

European Championship Qualifying Match.

 

Seated in the upper tier with an excellent view of the playing area, however, the seats lacked the comfort of MK Dons, the Emirates and Brighton's stadia.

 

As a Channel Islander, I should have been taking  a neutral stance, but I decided to champion the underdog Wales.

 

Although according to FIFA ratings this should have been a landslide victory

for England, in reality there was little to separate the sides.

 

On 35 minutes England had a chance which they put away courtesy of

Ashley Young.

 

Wales had a chance on 76 minutes courtesy of Robert Earnshaw which they missed.

 

Full time score:

 

England 1 Wales 0

 

Attendance - 77,128

 

Food too expensive!!!!

 

Programme not applicable for me...I'm a groundhopper!

Goals Galore down on the Farm

Today I am back in the Olympian League to watch Hannakin Farm play
Harold Wood
Hannakin Farm were promoted to the premier league last season.    

They play at the Hannakin Farm Community Centre a vast sporting area incorporating several football pitches.

Their opponents Harold Wood finished  runners up last year but were champions the  previous  year.

The game kicked off in blistering heat and  by half time Harold Wood were

leading 3 - 0 and were in total control.

Early in the second half 'The Farm' pulled a goal back, which seemed to

revitalise them

However Harold Wood got a hotly contested penalty.

The outcome of which was that 4 players were booked and the penalty converted.

'The Farm' pulled a goal back to make it 4-2 but then 'Wood' slowly took control again.


Final Score:

Hannakin Farm 3 - Harold Wood 7
Attendance 15

No Programme.

Food  available  - None 

'Crows' on fire!!

 Todays visit was to Royston Town in the South Midlands league who

were playing St Margaretsbury.

Garden Walk, the home of Royston Town has quite an unusual

wooden enclosure close to the corner flag complete with wooden flooring.

The only other cover at the ground is a small stand on the other side of the pitch nestling on the half way line.

Behind the goal nearest the turnstile is the clubhouse changing rooms and the obligatory burger van.

Next to the small stand is a portakabin for directors and members.

Behind the far end goal  there is high fencing to stop the ball

going into neighbouring gardens.

Royston nicknamed 'The Crows' go into this match

with a 100% record from 4 games.

'The Crows' were 3-0 up in 18 minutes which for a

neutral supporter like myself was not good as I tend to think 'Game Over'.

'The Bury' (St Margaretsbury) however, started to improve on their

play after the third goal went in.

Halftime time score 3-0 to Royston.

In the second half 'The Crows' could  have doubled the score with more

accurate finishing.

Final score Royston Town 4 - St Margaretsbury 0

Dalton O'Brien scoring a hat-trick!

Attendance 156

Programme excellent

Food see above!!!

   

A Stroll in the Park

Today I  returned to the Essex Olympian Premier league
to watch Frenford Senior F.C.

I  decided to give the car a rest  and use the motorbike  as the weather was sunny with occasional showers forecast.

However, by the time I reached Harold Wood the rain took on monsoon proportions.

Fortunately it only lasted 15 minutes and the sun came back out.

Todays match was between Frenford Senior and White Ensign at the
Oakfields Sports ground, Barkingside.

Oakfield Sports ground in Forest Road  has a large sports complex which holds
several football and cricket pitches, along with 

an indoor sports centre, one of many in that vicinity .

Frenford is one of the oldest established of Essex amateur clubs, having been in existence since 1928.

Their opponents White Ensign hail from Southend.

Up until a minute before half time there was little between the sides.

Frenford were leading courtesy of an early penalty, however a sloppy pass 
by White Ensign  handed another goal to Frenford on the stroke of half time  which left the 'Ensigns'  2 goals down.

In the second half there was only one team in it as Frenford  put away another 3 goals.

They looked a  confident side who worked for one another and will  no doubt be challenging for honours at the end of this season.

Ensign who finished 3rd from bottom last season needed to switch on and not lose concentration, which happened a lot during the match.

As someone said as the third goal went in 'you've got to be in it to win it'!

Frenford Senior 5 - White Ensign 0

Attendance 25

Programme Fair.

Large clubhouse with good food and drink on offer.

A Shropshire Lad

This evenings visit to New Bucks Head, home of Telford United will see me

completing my tally of Conference League grounds.

On arrival of what I presumed to be Telford United's Car Park, I was informed that this was in fact the Whitehouse Hotels car park.

New Bucks Head like Fleetwood's Highbury Stadium is hemmed in by flats,and terraced houses on three side plus said Hotel.

There is however, college car parking on the other side of the road to the ground priced at a reasonable £3.

The ground has cover behind both goals, a main stand and open terracing opposite.

The atmosphere on the night was terrific and was one of  the best games I have attended to date.

The match a great advert for Conference League Football.

The Imps (Lincoln City) were slightly the more slicker of the sides in the first half.

0-0 at half time.

In the second half the Imps brought on Kyle Perry a former Telford United Player who scored a brace of goals against his old team.

Mills scored a consolation goal for Telford in injury time.

On tonight's performance both teams should have a good season in the Conference.

Final Score  Telford United 1 Lincoln City 2

Programme £2.50  Excellent

Attendance 2,323

Good selection of Food available but I took my own (pies)

Catch of the Day!

This was the journey I  had dreaded, a long journey of  4 hours of motorway driving with the added frustration of the last 12 miles being  stop and go at a snails pace until I entered  the town of Fleetwood, one of the UK's oldest fishing ports now steadily in decline.

Adding  more to my frustration  was the fact that there were no visible

signs to the football ground where Fleetwood Town were entertaining

Hayes and Yeading, however, Fleetwood isn't a massive town and after asking directions the ground was soon in sight.

Street parking was the order of the day as the ground is hemmed in on three sides by terraced housing. This is a throwback to the years of old time football before stadiums were built on soul-less industrial estates.

Consequently there is only a limited amount of parking at the ground and that is reserved for players and members.

The town itself looks a little tired  and a shade down at heel but the stadium is quite the reverse, with two excellent seated stands, and  covered terraces behind each goal.

The clubhouse was modern and roomy, and the officials very friendly.

Fleetwood shaded the first half, but on a couple of occasions however, Hayes came close to scoring.

Hayes were awarded a dubious looking penalty in the first half which Scott Davies managed to save.

Fleetwood had the ball in the back of the net  3 times, but only one counted.

An excellent Jamie Milligan curling shot midway though the second half which sent the Cod Army home happy.

Fleetwood Town 1 - Hayes and Yeading 0

Programme £2.50  - Excellent

Attendance 1376

Large variety of refreshments and food available.